Heading in a New Direction....

I hope everyone had a fabulous Labor Day weekend and did something memorable or relaxing to bring the last summer long weekend to a close. It's been a bit crazy around here lately. As you know, last week was my birthday and then yesterday hubby and I celebrated our 6-Year Anniversary (it's exactly a week apart). I spent yesterday cleaning, running errands, doing laundry and packing for my annual trip back home to Toronto to visit my family and closest friends-this time for 14 days! It's a birthday present to myself and I'm very excited to head north and escape the blazing Florida sun and humidity in favor of seeing colorful leaves, wearing sweaters by night and enjoying hot apple cider and crisp evening air.

During my trip I will have my iPhone with me and will be checking e-mail here and there when I have downtime. If you have a question or leave a comment, I will read every single comment and e-mail but it may take a little while to get back to you. My plan is also to share regular inspiration on Facebook but it may not be daily as it is now, just until I return.

I'm really excited to get away and unwind and although I'll miss my husband, I need some ME time and I also really long to re-connect with my closest girlfriends who I now only see once per year. Hubby is staying behind holding the fort down while he dives into a new Master's Degree program.

Not only am I getting on a plane and heading in a new direction but once I'm home from my trip I'm excited to move in a new direction in terms of a new feature here on the blog too. Over a month ago I posted a poll in the sidebar and asked you what kind of posts you wanted to see more of. I had heard from several of you via comments and e-mails here and on Facebook that you really love the Manners Monday posts, so that is a series keeper. ;) What many of you wanted to see even more was fashion posts, such as the What to Wear  series that I created. I'm looking forward to sharing regular posts with you for varying ages all about what a classy woman wears, putting together outfits and I may even share my own outfits and break them down for you. ;) I'll be beginning a regular Fashion Friday series that you can look forward to just as you do with the Manners Monday posts. By all means, if you have a request for something in particular, do e-mail me and I'll do my best to share it here on the blog.

Thanks so much for reading! I've got my bags packed, passport in hand and I'm ready to head to the airport, so I'll see you all here again in two weeks! Have a  great week! :)

XO





*Photo Credit

What to Wear: Elegance isn't about Excess

When it comes to the many attributes that our appearance is comprised of, less is truly more. The classy woman understands that elegance isn't about excess. In fact 'more' or too much of anything usually equates to tackiness and often an overall sloppy look. Last week we discussed perfume etiquette and how fragrance can overwhelm others in a way that detracts from your overall appearance.

Today we'll be discussing clothing, accessories and makeup.

4 Appearance Areas to Consider

1. Jewelry- When it comes to the finishing details, there is nothing lovelier than seeing one beautiful statement piece like a necklace, cocktail ring or a beautiful scarf to polish off an outfit. A woman should never appear as though she's wearing the entire contents of her jewelry box at one time with rings on every finger, you don't know where to look first. When in doubt stick to one statement piece and let the other accessories be present but blend in and complement the overall outfit without being too prominent. For some, it may be your engagement ring and/or wedding band. If you choose to wear a cocktail ring, you don't want it to compete with your engagement ring/set so it's best to wear any fashion rings on your left hand and leave the valuables at home.

2. Makeup-When it comes to makeup, it is meant to be a tool to enhance your existing natural beauty. An excess of makeup can look thick, caked on and anything but natural. Opt for spending your time and money on proper skincare, this way you'll spend less time covering up your skin and more time letting it shine with a hint of color here and there to create a natural glow. Be careful to only play up one particular feature. If you want to wear a red lip, go easy on the eye makeup. Likewise, if you plan to make your eyes pop and be the star of the show for a night on the town, you'll want to go a bit more neutral or nude for the lip, keep blush light also.

3. Accessories-Similar to jewelry, when it comes to accessories, it's best to only have one statement accessory. It could be a beautiful pair of red pumps, in which case, competing colors and even patterns should be kept to a minimum. A gorgeous hat will really stand out if everything else you are carrying is minimized. If you like to keep your accessories minimal most of the time or for a daytime look, make the star of the show one really awesome investment handbag that you love that can take you almost anywhere. Your keyring is also an accessory, there is nothing more juvenile looking than a key ring of a couple keys taken over by charms and dangly things as if one were in a Vegas casino.

Hair is also an accessory, be sure to keep it neat, soft and well cared for. Shades close to your natural hair color are best. Going platinum blond when you're a dark brunette may be a fun adventure but it can be excessive and appear too artificial and is hard to pull off if you want to be taken seriously.

4. Clothing- Some people overdose on a good thing. A top with ruffles and a pair of shoes that pick up on the same element can be very pretty, but having head-to-toe ruffles is nearly impossible to pull off and would look too over the top. Patterns should be kept to a minimum. If you are wearing a dress that is in a busy pattern or floral, everything else needs to be neutral and very minimal as to not compete with the dress. Layering works best when you use solids so everything doesn't appear so bulky.

*A word on labels. We all have brands we prefer over others, we just don't need to be a slave to these brands wearing many items all in one moment, otherwise you'll appear as a walking billboard instead of a polished professional. Classy women invest in quality basics that don't have brands or logos advertised all over them.

Do you have a new statement piece or clothing item that you are excited about right now? Please share!

I also wanted to announce the winner of the $20 worth of Pear Tree Greetings' goodies, it's Kelly of the blog 'I'll be back' . Congratulations! I'll be in touch shortly with the details. You're going to love their stationery! :)



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What to Wear: Shoes You Can Live In

Do you have a pair of shoes that you could just live in? You know, the comfy ones that you could wear out long before you're ready to part with them and move onto a new style? When it comes to shoes, I'm a huge believer of quality over quantity. I love leather and suede and much prefer it to man made materials. I like to stretch my purchases by making a single pair work with multiple outfits.

However, before investing in a pair of shoes I like to try them on a couple times, walk in them a bit at the store and when I bring them home I wear them in the house for a little while to make sure they are comfortable before I ever wear them outside. I've bought uncomfortable shoes in the past and it's a painful (and sometimes costly) mistake that I'm not willing to repeat.

Although I generally have the best luck with shoes that I spend a little more money on, sometimes I'm lucky enough to stumble upon a pair that are not only trendy and comfortable but very inexpensive too.

A few months ago, I was shopping in Target and happened upon a cute pair of Merona Meaghan ruffled ballet flats. Ironically, you might remember me mentioning in this post, how my parents almost named me 'Meaghan'. The color options were black or pewter, which is a pinkish-gold color (they offer 3 other colors on their website). Since most of their ballet flats are completely stiff and uncomfortable for me, I wasn't expecting much. So, I was so thrilled to discover how comfortable these ones were but stylish too! I adore the soft ruffle detail. They have a light padded insole and the soles of the shoes bend and are really flexible.

While these are not leather, they are so comfortable and cute that you wouldn't even know it. They look far better in person than the photos above and actually look as though they could be leather. They have now become an everyday shoe for me as we transition from cooler to warmer weather. I love a good ballet flat, I own several pairs and these are by far the most comfortable. I liked them so much I bought both colors at just $19.99 a pair!

A great pair of flats are a classy staple in any wardrobe, they are so versatile and so much better for your back and posture than heels. You can wear them nearly all year round too. If you're looking for a playful, flat, comfortable shoe to pair with shorts or a casual skirt, dress up your favorite jeans or even jazz up yoga pants and a zip up jacket for running errands around town or after a workout, this is a great option!

*I am not compensated by Target in any way for sharing my opinion, nor is this a formal review.

It's rare that I like something so much that I want to rave about it and share here but after wearing the pewter pair for 8 hours yesterday while walking around an art festival and not a single blister or rub on my toes, they definitely passed the comfort test. Oh, and I got several compliments on them too! ;)

Now, I want to know- what are YOU loving right now? What is the favorite item you couldn't live without? Maybe it's a favorite scarf, flattering pair of jeans or the perfect tee? Do tell!

Have a lovely day!

~Karla

{What Was Posted to Classy & Fabulous 365 Days Ago}

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What to Wear: Nautical Necessities

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I know, I know I kind of missed the boat on this one in terms of timing (pun intended). Spring is now in our distant past and the end of summer is quickly approaching but I couldn't help but share a few of these nautical lovelies with you. Navy-inspired pieces are a lovely addition to any closet, they happen to be a personal favorite. You may remember me mentioning it in last week's What to Wear post.

Every year during spring/summer you can guarantee that there will be new takes on this old classic. Since my hubby and I are no strangers to a cruise ship, they're perfect for me to pack. They also make for great resort chic options in the winter months while on vacation. While summer is winding down, now is the time to pick up some of these pieces for next year at a steep discount! If you love stripes, anchors, sailboats, coral, boat knots, the sea, red, white, blue and yellow as much as I do, take a look at what I reeled in while surfing the net.

Here are a few sensational sailor finds:

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Anthropologie does a great job here of pulling together a few classic pieces that provide this casual, but polished look. While I love a gladiator sandal, a ballet flat would seal the deal on this one for me.

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I happen to have something nearly identical that I purchased from White House/ Black Market two years ago except mine has black and white details instead. I love the rope handle detail and pop of red here.

 

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 This is still available for $34 at Newport News and I would love to buy it. I'm still debating whether I need it. ;)

 

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This striped bikini top is perfect as is that camel colored tote-so versatile! Throw in a fedora for fun.

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Splashes of sunny yellow brighten up an otherwise dark outfit.

 

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This dress, although simple and casual, is quite versatile. Use it in a pinch over a swimsuit as a cover up, glam it up with some gold accessories for lunch with the girls or let it be the perfect dress for a stroll along the beach or a summer BBQ.

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I love anchors, I happen to own a silver anchor necklace and I wear it often. This one is a great find at just $12.95!

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I'm quite smitten with that cream rope bracelet. Those braided gold wedges would be very versatile but unfortunately would take this 5'9 1/2" girl to to about 6'2! LOL.

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Cute one-piece option that is very simple but provides a bit of detail. Would be lovely with a cream sarong or red cover up.

 

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I {heart} ruffles. They are pretty, flirty and fun!

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These are said to be very comfy and they are a great shoe for bermuda shorts, a skirt, dress, or even linen pants.

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I adore coral, this bib-style necklace is just stunning!

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Gorgeous Chanel Bracelet. YES, Please!!

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Seersucker shorts are a summer essential. The pleated skirt with red belt and tote bag are a couple of my favorites. This multi-colored bikini is a modern take on nautical.

 

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This image describes my personal style. Classic, conservative and preppy but with a playful twist-a flirty little peek of the shoulder and a simple set of bangles. This look is timeless.

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Over the past couple of years I've fallen in love with maxi dresses. I also love bags made from sail cloth. Those anchor adorned flats are a must-have.

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I love wide-brim floppy hats-the rope knot is a fun twist. This little clutch/change purse is adorable.

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 Glamour at sea.

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These shorts are perfect and I love those navy wedges! A timeless red and white striped bikini is always in style. 

Do you love nautical style like I do? What are your favorite picks here or your own must-haves for the season? 

Speaking of photos, I have updated and personalized the sidebar to include some personal travel photos and some recent ones of my hubby and I too. I love getting to know the lives of other bloggers. It is my hope that with these and  future updates that you'll get to know me a little better too. :) I've also included some new link lists in my sidebar to the Manners Monday series and previous Reader Requests.

Happy Friday! I hope you'll all be spending one of the last weekends of summer doing something fabulous! I'll be working on a family photo wall, celebrating a friend's birthday tomorrow evening and heading to a beautiful local park for an afternoon picnic in the shade on Sunday. What lovely things do YOU have planned?

What to Wear: Classy Dresses by Shabby Apple

I've received a few e-mails from readers asking for more fashion posts. Truth be told, I have been meaning to begin a regular series called 'What to Wear' several months ago. I have so many wonderful summer post ideas saved in draft mode but I'm quickly realizing that we're already half way through August, so I need to get a move on! I'm going to try to squeeze a couple more summer posts in before autumn is here and then dive head first into some fall fashion and focus on other aspects of the classy woman's wardrobe.

One of the things I love about living in Florida is that summer never really goes away. This means that while every store in town (and online) is busy clearing out sandals, shorts, tanks and pretty dresses to make room for jeans, jackets and pants, I get to scoop up cute finds for an amazing deal like 75% off and wear them for nearly the whole year, without having to wait until next summer. The only downside to that is that I do miss experiencing the weather and fashion of all four seasons.  Now is the time to stock up on swimsuits, cover ups, shorts, sandals and tanks for next summer. Besides, you should still get at least another good month or more out of all your new finds.

A few months ago I stumbled upon a clothing line by Shabby Apple boutique. If you haven't heard of them, they create a lot of beautiful designs, classic lines and some with a trendy little twist. They sell everything from dresses and swimsuits to jewelry and shoes. I even adore their category names like Manhattan, Central Park and Ooh La La. While I haven't purchased anything from their line yet, I wanted to share a few that I have my eye on right now. It's important to have a few dresses on hand for various occasions and events-especially the quintessential little black dress. Sometimes I like to throw on a pretty dress and a pair of heels for no good reason at all-it's a great pick-me-up and it seems to catch my hubby off guard! ;)

Here are some of my Shabby Apple Favorites:

Champs Elysees Dress- $88

I love navy and red paired together! What can I say? I love nautical style.  How cute is this dress paired with red peep-toe pumps? Perfect for lunch out with the girls or a day at the office.

L'Opera $88

T'is the season to drench yourself in vibrant color with the polish and femininity of ruffle details and a ladylike knee-length dress. I am craving something in fuscia. How pretty it would be with a gold pair of heeled sandals!

Jacobs Pillow-$94

I have always loved polka dots-in fact I own a brown and light cream polka dot dress in my closet-I know, how very Pretty Woman of me. I love the little ruffle on the top part of this dress. It is so feminine and reminds me a bit of the 1950's. A dress like this is timeless, figure flattering and oh-so-pretty.

L'ETE- $86

Appropriately named l'ete, French for summer itself, this striped wrap dress would be cute with a pair of wedges, sandals or even ballet flats or gladiators. The colors themselves remind me of the beach-sand and surf in tan and blue.

Cleo & Antony-$130

This is the perfect dress for late summer and early fall-lovely with a double string of pearls as shown. Worn for a business meeting by day and then straight to a dinner date, this dress could take you anywhere.

Have you bought yourself a lovely new dress this summer? Do any of these catch your eye? Perhaps you're thinking about taking advantage of the end of season sales-What's on your list? 

* I was not compensated by Shabby Apple  in any way for this post, these are my personal favorites and opinions.