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    Tag: trends

    Two Ways to Wear Lace with Tulle

    Fashion, Style by louise

    THE SKIRT

    This skirt! I’m obsessed!!! There is something about tulle that’s so fun and playful…oh yes, and feminine too! I have had this skirt on repeat and I love how I can pair it with just about anything! If you have a tulle skirt, here are a few tips for styling:

    • Wear them with heels or even boots for a Fall look
    • Lacy tops and layers can bring in some pattern and add variation. I have worn them with a black lace top and also with a jacket for office look
    • Don’t be afraid to accessorize. I chose minimal pieces to not take away from the look. A few key pieces can make a difference.
    • Finally, make every look your own. There are no rules to fashion. It is all about how you wear each piece and confidence.

    BLACK AND LACE

    Lacy tops, jackets, and the color black can all be edgy, stylish, and transforming. Lacy tops can go with about anything but I especially love it with this tulle skirt.

    For a more serious look, you can add a tweed jacket and still look classy. I have been really drawn to all things black lately whether it is wearing it as a solid color or mixing it with other colors. I find that black is such an effortless color so instead of wearing a neutral lighter color, I chose to wear this skirt with something black and the contrast is beautiful.

    Just add a faux fur clutch purse to keep things light and playful. If you are looking for a simple holiday look or everyday wear, this is an easy and effortless one.

    You can quickly transform this look from office wear with the jacket to a night out without the jacket.  If a look is versatile in my book, then it is definitely a winner. I have linked a few pieces below.

    Do you own a tulle skirt or dress? How do you wear it? Would love to hear!

    Fall Finds Under $50

    Fashion, Style by louise

    There’s usually a little bit of a frenzy when approaching a change in season.  It could be due to the current fashion trends or realizing the clothes you’ve kept in your wardrobe from last Fall is not too wearable any longer.  Either way, there’s always this trend every season to do a little shopping and mix/match with your current clothes in your wardrobe. Today, I am sharing a few finds that are reasonably priced from a store I have never shopped at before; still in love with the top! Call it an accidental find, thanks to my little girl who actually pulled me into this store on one of our trips to get her fluffy scented unicorn squizamals at Claire’s. Please don’t even get me started on the squizamals and squishy trend toys among little girls! I will have to save that for another post.

    Anyway, about this outfit which she picked for me and henceforth (don’t I sound so proper?), I have decided to take her along on all my shopping sprees!!!

    Outfits Under $50

    This outfit is such a great transitional wear into Fall! It is not too heavy and not too light either. This top and scarf are both under $10 from Forever21 and H&M, respectfully. My pants come in three colors and on sale at Free People. I just love the beautiful contrast of colors. Maybe it’s something about color harmony between primary and secondary colors that make this look fun and yet “Fall-ish”.

    My lettuce edge mock neck top isn’t really a turtleneck so is not too heavy and can be worn in temperatures in the 60s degree Fahrenheit (F) or higher…just not in 80F degree weather! Now that will be a bit too hot. I love the scallops on the edges since it adds a feminine touch to the look. The belted wide-leg pants are super comfortable. I can’t gush enough how surprised I was when I put them on! I also really like the belted option because you can adjust how tight or loose you want the belt around your waist, giving you control. You can find these pants at any of these stores; FreePeople, Nordstrom Rack or Macys. I have also included in the “Shop My Favorites” link below, a less expensive option from Forever21 which is very similar to these pants and under $30! For the scarf, I opted for a light choice but I have a feeling this may change into more heavier layers later in the month once we start experiencing much cooler temperatures.  I paired this look with one of my favorite Sam Edelman shoes from Nordstrom and Michael Kors cross body bag in nude.

    Now isn’t this just the cutest outfit (minus my slightly out of control crazy hair)? I think I may have found a personal fashion stylist in my daughter. Have you guys shopped at Forever21? What do you guys think? Let me know in comments below.

    Two Ways to Wear a Pewter Grey Dress

    Fashion, Style by louise
    This sarong! Totally obsessed and under $10!!!

    Two Ways to Wear This Dress

    I’m always on the lookout for pieces that I can wear multiple ways, and one of the my favorites is solid colors like this grey pewter dress that has some patterns and designs! I got this dress from the Loft on sale and under $40 (I love shopping deals), and I’ve already worn it multiple ways. I wear sleeveless outfits more than you might guess in the summer, however I am usually cold so I almost always carry along a light scarf or jacket. Now that we are transitioning into Fall, I will likely be layering this piece with heavier scarfs, jackets, and patterned colored stockings!

    I love how a solid color like this grey can be worn with just about any color.  I paired this eyelet flutter dress with these bright colored shoes. I also love how flattering this sarong looks wrapped around my bag or as a head or neck wrap. It makes for a perfect combo and such a flattering touch to the outfit.

    Another effortless way to wear this dress or any solid colored grey dress is accessorizing. For a different look, you can wear a belt or dress it up with pretty earrings, and voila! You can also wear the look with a belt AND scarf, and still look great. As you can see, I try to keep accessories at a minimum but I’m still obsessed!

    Below are a few more of my favorites.

    The Skirt I Will be Wearing Well into Fall

    Fashion, Style by louise

    We all have that one favorite dress or shoe or shirt or skirt that we cannot seem to get enough of.  Well this is a story of a girl who bought a skirt, fell in love with it, and promised to keep it in her wardrobe a couple more seasons! You see, I am a big fan of anything long, flowy and comfortable so you can imagine when I happened to come across this skirt and I simply had to get it. There is just something ultra feminine about this skirt that I love, maybe because it is light and airy?

    The Skirt

    Wishful thinking: The imagining of a situation you wished were possible.

    This is exactly how I felt when I looked at this skirt at the store. Only difference is I imagined wearing it and I actually purchased it.  This is a wrap skirt and so easy to adjust waist as needed, which I love. It is also breezy and flowy and this look will be gorgeous with a pretty plaid shirt or boots for Fall.

    For this look, I went with bright colors and opted for a sunflower colored yellow top and red purse. I went with these Marc Fisher Ltd. “Zala” pumps from Nordstrom and they are so comfortable! I have linked a similar top below.

    I can’t tell you enough how many times I have worn this skirt this summer.  I even took it on vacation and it was the perfect outfit for one of the evenings on the cruise ship. The color also matches with just about everything.

    Below I have also rounded up a few pictures wearing this skirt with another top, pink shoes, and Guess purse to share how versatile and lovely this skirt really is.

    Would you wear this skirt?

    Another Look

    Credits: Photography by Mallory Kee

    The #1 Trick to Adding Patterns and Colors to Any Wardrobe

    Fashion, Style by louise

    Confessions

    I often go through phases when I’m constantly filling my wardrobe with neutrals, and then one day, I am looking for that splash of color and realize how colorless my wardrobe is! I am sure we have all had that moment or two! So this summer, I am loving all things bright, colorful, and feminine. I especially love anything with patterns and a clean cut like this dress which takes me back to the 80’s (well almost).

    This purple-and-white gingham pattern dress from ModCloth is one of my favorites because of the lovely backline and detailing with the scalloped trim on the neckline and sleeves. It is also under $100 and such a pretty color. If you aren’t used to wearing a lot of color, even investing in a piece like this checkered outfit with two tone colors might seem like a lot but it makes for a great statement outfit. You can always balance an outfit with bold pieces of jewelry or neutral accessories like white shoes and neutral toned bag  (love this one from Ted Baker)! I usually try to keep my lipstick shade more on the natural nude side but you can always opt for more color.

    I guess at the end of the day, it is always nice to add a little color to your wardrobe for the days when you need more of a statement look.

    A Few Favorites

    I have gotten lots of compliments wearing this pleated fit and flare dress. Below are some more of my favorite colorful pieces lately!

    Summer Outfits You Can Wear for a Night Out

    Fashion, Style by louise

    Summer

    There is something about the Summer months and how good the sun feels on your skin that makes you think of spending most of the day at the pool or beach, and also throwing caution to the wind when it comes to how your hair or makeup looks, or what it’s like attending events. It’s some sort of freedom I would say, because all you can think about is how good it is to just enjoy time away from busy schedules.

    For me, I’ve always been someone who find ways of working the key trends for the season into my existing wardrobe. While I try to stay ahead of the trends, I also keep in mind the appropriate dress for the weather too.  Now you may probably be thinking if this outfit is practical, but aside from it being simply a favorite of mine, it is the perfect Summer outfit for a night out or to an outfit to wear to a summer wedding.  The skirt is light and free flowing and the sheer mesh floral blouse allows your skin to breathe in warmer temperatures.

    A sheer blouse has the power to totally transform an outfit. For casual outings, I pair with jeans, or to dress it up with a pair of trousers or skirt, as I have done here. It works exceptionally well with this maxi tulle skirt.

    There’s often talk about how you “should” dress for certain occasions; nights out, events and functions, work meetings, the list goes on. I find that curating my Summer wardrobe this season has been much easier and I’ve felt like I’ve found a good rhythm. I usually tend to dance to the beat of my own drum but balance is everything.

    About The Look

    There are many other ways to inject some key pieces into your wardrobe. This pink tulle skirt caught my eye because of the playfulness of it, reminds me of something a Disney Princess would wear. I thought the mesh floral blouse is the perfect summer outfit, one that is wearable and will be great for various different occasions. The bell sleeves are simply gorgeous and not too obvious.

    For my feet, I opted for nude sandals to keep the look elegant. My earrings are from the baublebar and I totally love the design because it matches perfectly with my floral blouse. It is also transparent and enhances the blouse even further. My makeup was kept to a minimum. I usually think less is more and in the summer heat, the last thing you want is too much makeup on your face. You can still look beautiful with the bare minimum.

    As you can see, the skirt was the central piece that tied the entire look together. I wore this to a dinner function paired with the velvet clutch. Sometimes a low maintenance look can be eye catching. What are your favourite ways to wear long flowing skirts this summer?

    Spring Wardrobe Essentials & Accessories

    Fashion, Style by louise

    Dreamy Spring

    My love for warmer temperatures and the beauty of Spring is not really a secret. Maybe it is because I grew up in Ghana, a tropical country filled with rich culture and history, or it could be that I am just the happiest when the weather is warm but not too hot.

    Recently the weather was so gorgeous in Dallas that I decided to step out and enjoy the city. Downtown Frisco was the place to be with restaurants and the Frisco Heritage Museum that consists of early and mid-20th-century buildings with various period exhibits.

    For those who do not know much about this city in Texas, it has become one of the fastest-growing city in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. It is also home to “The Star”, a 91-acre campus that hosts the world headquarters of the Dallas Cowboys.

    For this blog, I wanted to show you a few Spring essential pieces and accessories that are simple enough for this season into the early Summer months. Where else would I shoot it than by these antique buildings that have so much character right next to the Frisco Heritage Museum.

    As always I am curious to hear your thoughts about the location as well as about what you like to wear in the Spring months. Who else is excited about this season?  Now let us talk about my fashion choices.

    The Outfit

    Spring Essentials

    Recently I went to Frisco and caught up on some beautiful scenic areas in this gorgeous city. I wanted to be comfortable and stylish at the same time, so here is the outfit I picked out.

    Ribbed Turtleneck Sweater – Yes, with our Dallas weather fluctuating in temperature, I opted for a light turtleneck sweater on this cool cloudy day. I usually pick neutral colors but this mustard colored sweater is just so fun and fresh. It feels good to wear something that is soft and light. The color reminds me of Spring; think sunflowers, marigold, and chrysanthemum.

    Trendy Sneakers – I simply love these Adidas sneakers! I remember getting them with my daughter early in the year. We had such a great time shopping for similar outfits and matching shoes. I went with the rose gold design and she went for gold which is one of her favorite colors. I plan on wearing these during Spring, Summer, and most likely during the Autumn season.

    Denim Culottes – Style is great but comfort is a necessity especially when you are out and about. I went with this calf-length jeans in washed denim. The high waist and style reminds me of the 70’s! It is currently one of my favorite outfits so I decided to purchase a similar one, also in white, with frayed raw-edge hems.

    Spring Accessories – For a huge bag lover getting this Rebecca Minkoff crossbody mini bag was a last minute decision. When choosing the perfect bag to wear with your outfit, it is important to take into account the occasion. For this casual outing, I wore an almond brown bag because it matched my DKNY leather cuff bracelet and complemented my watch and sunglasses.

    What do you guys think?

    How To Perfect the Between-Seasons Outfit

    Fashion, Style by louise

    Getting Ready

    As Spring is fast approaching, our wardrobe choices begin to transition as well. While it is not quite time to ditch your Winter outfit for your sprint one, it is time, though, to find a happy medium! In Dallas, the weather can be 70F degrees one day and then drop 30F degrees by night or the next day. This makes it important to invest in a practical jacket that is comfortable and practical.

    Since the weather is still cool enough but not warm just yet, I wanted to show you few transitional pieces that I thought are simple enough and will take you through the end of Winter into Spring. Luckily, transitional pieces like this Michael Kors jacket are the perfect solution for those confusing weather days.

    People often wonder why do bloggers wear certain things, like a pair of mules in winter or a spring shirt underneath a winter jacket. The thing is, I love mixing it up especially around this time of year, so I hope that this post will inspire you. As always you can read about the look below in the next few photos and shop my favorites.

    What I Wore

    When it comes to outfit for this look, I really wanted to wear a spring color in shades of blue. I went for a blue Michael Kors jacket and paired it with dark blue jeans. To tone down the shades of blue, I mixed it with a white top and white mules.  For the accessories, I stayed with an affordable Guess crossbody bag which I have worn a few times, and kept my jewelry to a minimum.

    I think the different shades of blue and the “little boy blue” pantone spring color is so much fun! Although I usually tend to stick to neutrals, I have found that the occasional additional color to an outfit can give you the freedom to experiment, and express your sense of style and fashion.  For an almost spring look, I couldn’t resist pairing the overall look with this trendy and affordable mule. Like most of us, I love to find a good pair of shoes that is reasonably priced and stylish.

    At the bottom of the post you can find my picks for both casual and high end, so hopefully you can find something you like too!

    Work Week Favorites – Black and White Attire

    Fashion, Workwear by louise

    I never thought it will be that much of a challenge shopping for a purely black and white/cream business casual outfit for work. You can imagine how thrilled I was when I came across this feminine cardigan and classic pencil skirt!

    As you may know, a black and white or cream outfit is anything but basic. The power of these pieces can be quite strong, edgy, and chic. To keep the look modern and fun, I paired this look with a floral purse because every woman needs just the right amount of color with their look. No matter your style preference, there is always a way to include them in any outfit.

    The Outfit

    Sleek and chic monochrome continues to be a favorite of mine especially when it comes to black and white/cream combinations. For this look, I paired this floral embellished, button-down cardigan with a basic black pencil skirt.  Even then, the skirt has decorative buttons at one side of the hem. I know that a pencil skirt may not be for everyone but I love them. Maybe not for every single work day, but they are chic when I get bored of wearing capris or other styled skirts.  I decided to wear a black camisole under the cardigan to keep with the overall color scheme. Believe it or not, the floral clutch with metal detailing is from Target! It is a fun versatile piece for any wardrobe and fairly inexpensive. The purse can be worn with the straps or you can tuck the strap in to have a chic clutch (like the look I am wearing).

    On my feet, I am wearing a licorice patent leather pump. I decided to stick with the theme versus wearing a neutral or colorful shoe with the outfit. Finally, I kept my jewelry simple with gold earrings, a gold Michael Kors monogrammed bracelet with a pearl bracelet, and gold rings.  I am really loving the black and white pieces but maybe just because it suits my personality, I guess we will never know.

    How do you like to style your wardrobe for work? Let me know in your comments below.

    @LOUISEMILLEN