Summer Dresses

Living in Louisiana in the Summer is brutal. You want the least amount of clothes on possible. With temperatures at 95+ and humidity at 100%, you could say it's hot as H-E-double hockey sticks! Even at night. 

Dresses are the easiest way to stay cool. And when I say dresses, any dress that is flowy and doesn't touch your body, anywhere! Once you have experienced Louisiana in the Summer, you will understand. Here are a few perfect dresses for the season that we love and are a perfect piece to get you through the hot months.

Wedding Ready

It's that time of year again. The time we either love or hate-WEDDING SEASON! When I was in my 20's, and all of my friends were getting married, I truly loved it. I loved getting to see my friends I grew up with, partying until we couldn't party anymore, making memories (some I would rather forget) and getting to witness two people who loved each other (most of the time) start a new life together. 

But most of all, I LOVED dressing up! Of course, I wanted to look good so "the one that got away" would regret ever "getting away". Looking back, I'm sure it was all in my head, but, hey, I was in my 20's, what did I know? As long as I felt good, that's all that really mattered. 

So this is what I say to all the girls out there attending a wedding not married nor a prospect in sight: Look good for YOU! Feel good for YOU! Have fun! These are memories you will always cherish and never get back. Don't worry about "the boy". If he doesn't see your shining qualities, move on, the next guy will! And most of all, have fun with your girlfriends. They will be the ones who are always there for you! 

Here are a few looks perfect for Wedding Season that will make you feel AND look AMAZING! 

Go for the Gold

GOLD, the perfect neutral for Summer dresses, shorts and capris. From gold sandals to gold jewelry, it's the perfect shade that can go with just about anything.

Rock Gold Gladiators this Summer with every casual outfit. Keep your frock light & sweet but comfy & cool by sporting these notorious strappy flats.  They are the MUST HAVE this season.

Gold jewelry has been a trend on the up for several seasons. Whether it's a chunky piece, simple & elegant or piled on to make a statement, it's, simply, a pick you can not go wrong wearing.

Eleven 26 Boutique

The NEW shop is OPEN! My dream store is finally open and I could not be more happy. Eleven 26 Boutique has always been in the back of my mind. With God on my side and making everything fall into place, it happened. The new look is modern, comfortable and, well, me. It's a little eclectic with a lot of personality. 

Eleven 26 is located in the heart of Historic Cotton Port District, aka Antique Alley. The street has personality along with all the shops on the street. I wouldn't want to be in any other place. 

Fashion has always been my first love. This store allows me to dress customers for their important events, make new friends everyday and do something that has never felt like a job. As I get back to blogging, you will see my LOVE (Fashion) reborn.

Salt and Pepper Lookbook

SHOP LOCAL

It is no secret that I am a HUGE supporter of local shopping.  Being raised by parents who owned a clothing store along with both sides if my grandparents, each at one time or another owning a grocery store, you can say it's just in my blood.  Maybe it's the reason I love to shop local boutiques, furniture stores, grocery stores and eat at locally owned restaurants.  There is just something about the appreciation of spending your money in a family owned business. It's why I love living in a small city, walking into a local shop and the employees calling you by name, knowing just what you love, is comforting. It shows that they care about you as their customer.  Many "Mom & Pop" stores are just that, literally ran by a husband and wife or their family.  Being a former business owner, I know the many, many hours put into making a business successful; the many sleepless nights of worry.  With that being said, I also know the rewards that come with owning your own business. The rewards FAR outweigh the worry, but it's just one thing that one who wants to be successful can't help (at least not on my end).
I encourage everyone to get out and shop your locally owned businesses. This is your community. These businesses support building a better and safer living environment for you and your family.  68% of every dollar spent stays local.  These businesses help support your little league teams, churches, schools, libraries and much, much more.  If just one person were to shift 10% of your spending from chains to local businesses, it would bring millions of dollars additionally to your community's economy.  SO GET OUT THERE AND SHOP WITH YOUR LOCAL OWNERS!!  I know they would appreciate it and you will reap the benefits in many ways!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!  

Personal Style

If you are a magazine junkie like me, you're very in tune with the styles that are popular at this moment.  Chevron, neon colors, crop tops...however, I am not going to talk about that. I am going to talk about Style and by that I mean your personal style.  You see, STYLE is not what's popular now. STYLE is what looks good on YOU!  Style is your own personal touch. For this article I will use myself as the example- because I'm writing this and because I can.  If you read the previous article, you will know a little bit of my background of growing up in a retail store that, of course, sold the latest fashion trends.  Over my years of working in retail, owning my own boutique and being a buyer, I have learned that although what's on trend is fun, it may not look good on me.  As Coco Chanel said "The best color in the whole wide world is the color that looks good on you."  Preach it, Coco!!  No matter how many times I try to wear the color orange, it will never look good on me. It will just never work, ever!!
What most women do not understand is that STYLE is something you own.  YOU own it.  YOU flaunt it.  YOU are it!  STYLE is what you feel comfortable wearing.  STYLE is what makes you hold your head up high and walk through those doors with confidence. YOUR style is what tells us who you are.
Classic.  Trendy.  Conservative.  Flirty.  Sexy.  Vintage...all paint a picture of your personality and what makes you unique.  Embrace it, be proud and express yourself. Isn't that what life is all about anyway?