the daily dani: Blogger Feature: Sarah of Raving Fashionista

I am so excited to be featuring Sarah of Raving Fashionista today on The Daily Dani! I admire Sarah's style so much! She has an exceptional way of making high fashion inspiration easy to relate to and super wearable for the everyday girl! I look forward to seeing her beautiful outfits and gorgeous photos each day!

3 words to describe your personal style?

feminine, eclectic, bohemian

What would you consider the 5 essential items to a fashionable wardrobe?

1. a fun, bold pair of heels - This may sound cliche, but shoes make me happy. My favorite are the kind that seem totally impractical, but are the perfect thing to throw on with a boring outfit and also look great sitting on a shelf like little works of art that can make you smile.

2. a chambray shirt - In recent years I've learned to appreciate the versatility of a chambray shirt. They can be dressed up or down, knotted over a dress, tucked into a skirt, or worn loose with a pair of skinny trousers. They've become my answer to jeans and a t-shirt.

3. a sturdy pair of black booties - I live in black booties in the winter, but they're also great with bare legs when the weather is a little milder. They go with 90% of my wardrobe and they're comfortable enough to run around in and carry me from day to night.

4. a little black dress that makes you feel great - Accessories can do so much to completely transform a LBD for any occasion.

5. and a versatile statement necklace - I love my Gemma Redux necklaces that mix gold and silver elements — they're a little pricey but they've already earned their cost per wear.

Here in Southern California, we don't exactly get true "seasons." How does seasonal weather affect your wardrobe choices?

I live for a great pair of black tights during cooler months! I've experimented with different colors and textures, but I always come back to basic black. I've found I can extend my summer/spring wardrobe year-round by incorporating tights and a sweater or blazer. I often find myself grabbing for drab colors when it's grey outside, but it's amazing what a pop of pastel, neon or a little floral can do to lift your mood when it's miserably cold out.

One of my favorite things about your blog is that you make serious fashion seem so accessible and wearable! What are your tips for bringing bigger-picture fashion into real world style?

Stay true to what you feel comfortable in. A few years ago I remember bandage-style dresses were pretty popular. I loved the idea of the style, but I've never been completely comfortable in anything too form fitting. Instead I paired fitted bandaged skirts with loose tops and t-shirts. Also, never be afraid to have fun with fashion. I love to take risks, but I know there are certain outfits that aren't going to be well-received in every situation. Consider the environment; if I'm going to a hole-in-the-wall pub, I'm probably going to tame my outfit down and forgo a skirt and heels, but I'm still not going to let it stop me from wearing bright red denim with a hot pink clutch and bright lipstick. I wouldn't feel like myself otherwise. If you think something feels too over-the-top, throw a blazer or jacket on over it to tone it down, but never be afraid to experiment with your style.

Can you name a childhood moment of you and clothing?

I've never been a jeans girl. From the earliest age I wanted to be in dresses, but that doesn't mean I was a girlie-girl. You'd find me playing in a mud puddle wearing a frilly dress holding tightly onto my little purse. That was probably a good sign that comfort was always going to be as important to me as dressing up.

Where do you see fashion evolving in the next few years? Trends? Styles?

There's been a distinct retro-feel the last few seasons; very feminine. I think there's going to be a bit of a rebellion from that. A little more streamlined, a little less structure, a touch more masculine even, just a little more edge.

I feel most myself when I’m wearing:

A twirly full skirt or a filmy boho maxi dress. And 6 inch heels of course; my boyfriend is 6'6" - I'm usually on my tiptoes if I'm not in heels.