Dressing Up Gray with Copper in Santa Fe-Style

For some reason, I tend to wind up with a lot of pieces of gray clothing (which I actually like) but ever since I watched the movie, The Banger Sisters, where Susan Sarandon's character realizes her entire wardrobe is the color of the walls of the motor vehicle department, I have been more careful with my selection of neutral tones. Gray is though always an excellent selection because it offers so much versatility.

In the eighties, I wore a lot of gray as well, only with mauves, which is in itself a beautiful combination, but in the southwest and wanting to add a Santa Fe look to gray, I have discovered the combination of gray and copper. It is beautiful.

This is just one example of the combination of gray and copper. I had a cotton blouse from India (which this style works perfect for that ethnic Santa Fe look) and I added a scarf in tones of silvery gray, white and copper

Then I added a necklace from my line that is gray hemp with a gray and copper geode wrapped in copper. Not pictured but I also added a couple of copper bracelets and a large wrist cuff in silver and copper tones. Wow, simple and easy transformation from blah gray to outstanding Santa Fe.

Finish it all off with some shimmery makeup in copper shades.

And for a real treat, I added sparkling copper nail polish from Zoya.

It really is simple to change the entire look of an outfit with just two or three main accessories; in this case, the scarf and the jewelry. Be creative and see what all that you can do to add some Santa Fe-style to your gray pieces. 

Happy styling!

Other Jewelry and fashion sets are available in my shop, Designs by Cheryl B

About Cheryl Yale Bruedigam

STYLE Santa Fe is published by Cheryl Bruedigam.
Publisher Southwest Flair Magazine 2005-present
Former professional model and skin care consultant
Fashion Degree - Flair Fashion College, Albuquerque, NM
Jewelry Designer and Stylist. Author and Publisher.


Visit and Shop Designs by Cheryl B

Adding Santa Fe Style to Everyday Casual Wear

Part of the fun for me is the challenge of taking everyday garments and giving them that southwest, Santa Fe, look and appeal. When I was publishing Southwest Flair, I did a "southwest challenge" where photographers and models from other regions and countries submitted photos of their "southwest" looks. 

In this scenario, I have used a pair of Larry Levine casual-wear pants and a couple of different tops to demonstrate different looks.

In the first example set, I added a camisole top in similar beige tones along with a pair of black western boots with similar colors as the pants and several pieces of boho and southwest jewelry from my line: a tiger's eye spirit necklace, a boho spirit necklace and a gemstone choker in the same shades as the pants. All jewelry available in my shop.

In the second example set, I switched to a fancy vintage sequined vest that really dresses up the pants. Included the same boho spirit necklace as above, then added one of my cowhide sling bags and a pair of snugly fall/winter boots. Dressy yet comfortable in Santa Fe-style.

You may use these ideas or as a springboard for your own unique style. Have fun styling and experiment with everyday wear to see how you can add some Santa Fe-style to any look.

Pants and Vest fashion set available from me on Etsy. Includes bad and bo ho spirit necklace.

Happy styling!

Other Jewelry and fashion sets are available in my shop, Designs by Cheryl B

About Cheryl Yale Bruedigam

STYLE Santa Fe is published by Cheryl Bruedigam.
Publisher Southwest Flair Magazine 2005-present
Former professional model and skin care consultant
Fashion Degree - Flair Fashion College, Albuquerque, NM
Jewelry Designer and Stylist. Author and Publisher.


Visit and Shop Designs by Cheryl B

Set Your Look Santa Fe-Style with Billowy Blouse, Silk Scarf and Southwestern Necklace

It's all in what an how you put it together for Santa Fe-style. This is one of my favorite sets.

A scarf-like billowy blouse in the perfect autumn and southwest colors and prints. I added a silk scarf in complimentary colors (this was the most expensive piece of garments but it goes with so many things). I had the scarf a year but only yesterday did the most perfect blouse show up as well as the perfect skirt but that's another blog!

Next I added this gorgeous and unique shell belt in the same colors as the blouse.

I finished with my Southwest Fashion Necklace with Leather Tassel from my jewelry line.

It is so easy and so much fun to put these looks together. Just keep you eye out for those unique, perfect pieces. You can spend an arm and a leg, or you can look like you did. It's all in how you out it together.

This gorgeous full fashion set is available for purchase.

Happy styling!

Other Jewelry and fashion sets are available in my shop, Designs by Cheryl B

About Cheryl Yale Bruedigam

STYLE Santa Fe is published by Cheryl Bruedigam.
Publisher Southwest Flair Magazine 2005-present
Former professional model and skin care consultant
Fashion Degree - Flair Fashion College, Albuquerque, NM
Jewelry Designer and Stylist. Author and Publisher.


Visit and Shop Designs by Cheryl B

Mix and Match Boho Look

Putting together a boho look is easy and fun. Pre-owned fashions are more affordable, and offer many more options as we can mix and match easily. It is better to re-use when possible and I love to put it all together for you so that you don't have to. For example is this set that I just put together with pants and three tops along with two of my special Spirit Necklaces to finish it off.

This set includes:

• Bell-bottomed Tie-Dyed Leggings
• Flowing Cropped Pink Blouse with Bell Sleeves
• Brown Vintage-Style Polyester/Faux Velvet Blouse
• Pink "Dream" Tank Top
• Beige Silver-Toned Boho Spirit Necklace on Hemp w/Gemstone 

Total Six-piece fashion set, already put together, giving you that free-spirited boho look, effortlessly.

Flowing Cropped Pink Blouse with Bell Sleeves paired with stretchy tie-dyed bell-bottomed leggings

Brown Vintage-Style Polyester/Faux Velvet Blouse, great look for fall

Pink "Dream" Tank Top, fun for loungding or yoga

Add the two Spirit Necklaces from my line, that match perfectly.

The three tops give this set a large variety of looks for your boho style. This set is a size Small.

Available from me on Ebay.

Santa Fe-style ever includes the boho look and I am here to help you put it all together

Happy styling!

Other Jewelry and fashion sets are available in my shop, Designs by Cheryl B

About Cheryl Yale Bruedigam

STYLE Santa Fe is published by Cheryl Bruedigam.
Publisher Southwest Flair Magazine 2005-present
Former professional model and skin care consultant
Fashion Degree - Flair Fashion College, Albuquerque, NM
Jewelry Designer and Stylist. Author and Publisher.


Visit and Shop Designs by Cheryl B

Vintage Saks Meets Santa Fe Style

Vintage outfits can offer a new dimension in putting together looks with Santa Fe style because we look for the unique and the different, and by using vintage pieces it is much easier to create a one-of-a-kind look because they are no longer around. It is easy to find a vintage piece that are unique and that it is what I found in putting together this look using this vintage Saks Fifth Avenue two-piece suit with skirt and vest from the eighties. 

Its cut and style, color and textures, lend itself perfectly to creating a look with Santa Fe style and class, while still retaining its New York elegance. The faux fur on the vest collar give us just the right amount of pop combined with a wool/lambswool blend in a denim-blue color that creates a comfortable and stylish southwest look.

Adding the right colors of jewelry and accessories is key to really making this suit into Santa Fe-style which I did with two sets of beautifully beaded vintage necklaces (with seed beads giving them that native-inspired flair).

I also added black dangle earrings . . .

and a braided belt in a complimentary color of sky blue.

If you love this look, you can use the ideas to create something equally stunning with any two-piece set or if this set speaks to you, it is a size 6 and is available from me on Ebay as a full fashion set including the two-piece vintage Saks suit, the jewelry and the belt; all in one. Either way, this is one way to create a timeless southwestern classic look that will remain in your closet as a staple for years to come.

Happy styling!

Other Jewelry and fashion sets are available in my shop, Designs by Cheryl B

About Cheryl Yale Bruedigam

STYLE Santa Fe is published by Cheryl Bruedigam.
Publisher Southwest Flair Magazine 2005-present
Former professional model and skin care consultant
Fashion Degree - Flair Fashion College, Albuquerque, NM
Jewelry Designer and Stylist. Author and Publisher.


Visit and Shop Designs by Cheryl B

How to Take a Summer Dress Into Early Fall or Any Season

There is no reason we cannot extend our wardrobe from one season into the next as long as the colors and textures are right, especially during transitional periods where will will not generally be buying new pieces. A cute summer dress can quickly and easily turn into an early fall ensemble with the right pieces and accessories.

An example is this easy linen summer dress which will now move into early autumn before the temps drop and the earthy colors really begin. This particular dress that I chose is a greenish-turquoise color with native-type designs that work well for our Santa Fe-style.

To take this dress on into fall with that Santa Fe-look, I have added a beige fringe linen jacket (a staple already in my closet which was a thrift store find for me by my daughter). The dress has light golden/beige geometric designs on it that really come out with the beige jacket.

Next I added one of the southwestern-style crocheted sling bags I make (available in my boutique) in a darker beige to match the darker beige that is also in the sage and beige-colored boots that I then added.

Order this necklace from Designs by Cheryl B.

Order this necklace at Designs by Cheryl B.

Complete the look with matching necklaces (both my designs from my boutique). Layered together, they look amazing and really add the finishing touch in deep blue-greens, turquoise, and beige which ties it all together. 

If you love the look and want to take it on into late fall or colder weather, simply add a pair of beige leggings. This look can also lead from winter into spring or spring into summer, or if your weather is mild, year round.

You can find and use similar pieces or you can simply take this concept and apply it to pieces that you already have to make your seasonal transitions much easier and more affordable.

Have fun and happy styling.

Jewelry available in my shop, Designs by Cheryl B

About Cheryl Yale Bruedigam

STYLE Santa Fe is published by Cheryl Bruedigam.
Publisher Southwest Flair Magazine 2005-present
Former professional model and skin care consultant
Fashion Degree - Flair Fashion College, Albuquerque, NM
Jewelry Designer and Stylist. Author and Publisher.


Visit and Shop Designs by Cheryl B

Dressing Up Leather and Lace for Santa Fe Style

This is a fun, easy and inexpensive look to put together if you've got your eye out for the right pieces or you may already have them in your closet. Nothing says southwest and Santa Fe-style better than leather and lace.

Have a little black lace dress? I picked this one up at a yard sale for less than one dollar! It may be vintage, I think it is but I am not sure. I would recommend just any little black dress (which can certainly be done) but the full lace on this one really gives it that saloon-girl feel once the leather jacket is added and a fringe leather jacket is a must. 

This one is vintage and I picked it up a while back for a mere fifteen dollars and it is in perfect condition.

Add a pair of black western boots and you're set. Mine just happened to have red roses on them so I accented it all with red jewelry. You could also do this set in any color scheme but the black really gives it that stand-out look. These boots were a giveaway and already broken in for that edgy look (which I love) and I didn't have to do the work!

It is so easy to put a show-stopping Santa Fe-styled outfit together for only a fraction of the cost of retail if you keep that eye peeled for those pre-owned unique pieces. Most of us cannot afford to shop Canyon Road or some of the high-end boutiques online that carry these type of pieces but we can put them together ourselves and create the looks that let us step out in Santa Fe-style.

Have fun and happy styling.

Jewelry available in my shop, Designs by Cheryl B

About Cheryl Yale Bruedigam

STYLE Santa Fe is published by Cheryl Bruedigam.
Publisher Southwest Flair Magazine 2005-present
Former professional model and skin care consultant
Fashion Degree - Flair Fashion College, Albuquerque, NM
Jewelry Designer and Stylist. Author and Publisher.


Visit and Shop Designs by Cheryl B

Add Some Autumn Bronze to Your Fall Makeup for Desert Shimmer

Makeup colors in desert tones with a shimmer of gold are great transitional colors into fall.

Featured here, a gorgeous shimmery highlighter with the colors of the desert sand in Skinny Dip from Dirty Little Secret and a lipstick from LAC in French Roast. Both are a beautiful bronze with gold/warm tones. Perfect for that Santa Fe look.

Have fun and happy styling.

Jewelry and bag available in my shop, Designs by Cheryl B

About Cheryl Yale Bruedigam

STYLE Santa Fe is published by Cheryl Bruedigam.
Publisher Southwest Flair Magazine 2005-present
Former professional model and skin care consultant
Fashion Degree - Flair Fashion College, Albuquerque, NM
Jewelry Designer and Stylist. Author and Publisher.


Visit and Shop Designs by Cheryl B

End of Summer - Shift Whites to Creams with Earthy Tones

Time to check the closet as the summer season winds down. You may be surprised with what you find to put together for a similar look. An excellent transitional shade from end of summer into pre-fall is cream. Go from stark summer whites to beige, off-white and cream shades. this will allow you to bring in earthy pre-fall tones as you transition.

This outfit is just an example that I put together. All items were already in my closet, just a matter of how you match them up for Santa Fe-style. This outfit leans to the boho look and feel.

Start with a long crocheted skirt in off-white. This one is a heavy cotton with a lining which helps to carry it on into pre-fall. 

Add a halter or summer top with some matching lace to tie the two together. This top has earthy southwest tones in rust, turquoise and black, it has a scarf-type design and a soft flowing look and feel. Finish the look with matching jewelry to highlight the colors in your top and add a long sleek little bag in an earthy tone as well and lastly add a rugged leather belt to add that bit of an edge which will contrast the softness of the skirt and flowy top.

If dressing for a work environment, just add a light jacket in an off-white. 

Go and check your closet to see what similar items you may have and experiment with putting them all together. Also, watch for end-of the season sales because if you purchase the right pieces, they can last for many years to come as classic additions to your Santa Fe-style, especially the skirt, bag and belt, tops can vary and that's OK, it's your staples that allow you to freely work to mix and match in developing your own unique style.

Have fun and happy styling.

Jewelry and bag available in my shop, Designs by Cheryl B

About Cheryl Yale Bruedigam

STYLE Santa Fe is published by Cheryl Bruedigam.
Publisher Southwest Flair Magazine 2005-present
Former professional model and skin care consultant
Fashion Degree - Flair Fashion College, Albuquerque, NM
Jewelry Designer and Stylist. Author and Publisher.


Visit and Shop Designs by Cheryl B

Build-A-:Look: Earthy Tunic, Spirit Necklaces and Bag, Face and Lips

Lots of new, exciting southwest styles and designs for you. 

Read on for fashions, jewelry and accessories if you're ready for a new look, ready to enhance what you have or feeling like taking the plunge into a bold and unique style that says YOU.

It's fun and fashionable to express yourself, and STYLE Santa Fe is all about expressing what is uniquely you with a bit of a southwestern spirit. I just make suggestions based on the looks I love that I usually pull straight from my closet and I get excited to share them all. 

Summer is winding down now, so let's bring in a bit of color but with some earthier tones like this top and jewelry:

Jewelry featured: Copper-Toned Concho with Turquoise on Faux Suede, Boho Spirit Necklace,
Peacock Feather Turquoise Spirit Necklace from Designs by Cheryl B.

This look can easily be put together with a long tunic in southwest or earthy tones. This particular top is from Sivana Spirit. Pick jewelry and a bag to match.

If you can crochet, you can make this bag in a snap. 

Boho Spirit Necklace Designs by Cheryl B.

Peacock Feather and Turquoise Spirit Necklace Designs by Cheryl B.

Copper-Toned Concho with Turquoise on Faux Suede Designs by Cheryl B. 

Layer the jewelry in tones to match your top and you're set.
All pieces available in my boutique.

If it's still warm in your area, wear the long tunic as is. As the days grow cooler, add jeans and your favorite rugged boots. Mix it up, either way, it's a staple look year round. 

You might want to add a little matching pizzazz with a new bronzer from Dirty Little Secret in Skinny Dip (on which I will do a separate review), just right for that end-of-summer all-over glow. Add to brow bones and a hint beneath lower lashes, add to cheekbone, forehead and chin.

Top it all off with a earthy but golden lipstick from LA Colors in French Roast. Or if desired, wear a similar color in a matte, then add the golden shimmer to the center of the bottom lip. ooo la la.

Put it all together and you've got a great look with Santa Fe-style. Casual or dressy, set your spirit free and step out with a look that's you. If earth tones aren't your thing, work with the colors that are and just follow these suggestions and styles as a guideline. 

About Cheryl Yale Bruedigam

STYLE Santa Fe is published by Cheryl Bruedigam.
Publisher Southwest Flair Magazine 2005-present
Former professional model and skin care consultant
Fashion Degree - Flair Fashion College, Albuquerque, NM
Jewelry Designer and Stylist. Author and Publisher.


Visit and Shop Designs by Cheryl B