Jewel-Toned Silk

Jewel Tones are Rich Saturated Hues Like Those of Emeralds, Sapphires and Rubies.

A Geometric and Floral Print in Luxurious Silk Fabric makes for a Modern, Beautiful Blouse.

I Must Say I'm Quite Proud of Myself.  After Year & Years of Wearing Solids on Solids I'm Embracing Prints and Loving it!

Pair with Lighter Neutrals  Such as White, Beige, Heather Grey & Tan in Spring/Summer 
& Darker Neutrals Such as Navy, Black, Brown and Charcoal Grey in Fall/Winter. 

Because there are so many Colors in this Blouse be Careful when Pairing with Colors Found in the Print, Choose Darker Shades to Ground the Look (Green, Blue, Red, Purple)

When Wearing an Intricate Print, Keep Your Jewelry Simple So that the Print is the Focus. 

I Chose a Light Heather Grey Suit Skirt for a 'Wear to Work' Look & Added Some Shine with a Fun Pair of Silver Pumps. 

Gemstone Blouse - J Crew     Lt. Grey Pencil Skirt - J Crew

Silver Pumps - Similar    Earrings - Kate Spade

Get Gorgeous in Gemstone Hues!

XOXO Sarah Louise

2014 Half Way Check Up

We're Half Way into 2014 .... Proof that Time Does Fly When You're Having Fun!

One of my Very First Posts was Sharing my Goals for 2014, and #1 on the List was Publishing this Blog on Dressing Beautifully, Hosting Gracefully, and Celebrating Cheerfully.

I find that the Keys to Reaching Your Goals are:
Accountability (Telling a Friend & Writing them Down), Creating Visual Reminders and Periodical Check-Ups to Track Your Progress.....

I Shared Mine with Mr, Friends, Family & You - My Blog Followers.

Create & Develop Style Blog 'Dress Beautifully'

This is my 90th Blog Post and I'm having More Fun with Every Post I Write & Share

I want to Continue Inspiring Gals to Dress Beautifully 

I also want to Incorporate More Posts on Beauty, Home Design, and being a Graceful Host

Please Send Suggestions! 

No Self-Spending for 3 Months

I Refrained from Any & All Personal Spending 

   Clothes, Shoes, Handbags, Jewelry, Beauty Products & Accessories

I SURVIVED!

I Truly was Humbled and Found New Appreciation for and Ways to Style Pieces Already in my Wardrobe

Truth: I did Thoroughly Enjoy Brining Home Shiny New Pieces for Spring Come April :)

Read at Least 1 Book per Month

I Did A Lot of Fun Reading (I'm a Chick Lit Kind of Gal)

Mary Kay is A Southern Favorite!

I've Read ALL of Emily's Books - Sadly this one was not a fav 

Jen Lancaster is HILARIOUS - You Will LOL!!!

 

I Read this for my Very 1st Book Club - Fun & Great Discussion! 

I'm adding More Mary Kay Andrews & Jennifer Weiner Books to my List. 

Drink More Water

I've Always Struggled with This! Water is the Only Liquid I Drink (Besides Strong Black Coffee and Tall Glasses of Champagne) but I Don't Drink Nearly Enough.  I Have a Water Bottle with me Always at the Gym and Have Made Efforts to Use One Throughout the Day. 

This One Makes Drinking Water So Chic

Kate Spade Tumbler 

 New Career
Still Praying for a Door to Open!!! God Shifts Us Where He Needs Us!  
Silver Lining - For 5 Years Now I've Served on Non-Profit Boards and this Year I'm President of a Nonprofit that Services Military Families - Honored to Lead Such a Great Group!

Watch Less Bravo TV
I've not only Eliminated my Bravo Time but I Find I Watch Very Little TV ....  I've Been Spending More Time with Mr, Gal Pals, Family, and Enjoying Outdoor Coastal Living!


I'm going to Keep Working on these Goals Throughout the Year & My Summer List Full of Fun in the Sun ... Have I Mentioned I Love Lists?!! :)

Goals aren't Just for New Years 

Starting Something New & Challenging can be 

Lots of Fun & Very Rewarding!

XOXO Sarah Louise

Friday Favorites

This Friday I'm Celebrating my Favorites because....

Today is Our 4 Year Anniversary as Mr & Mrs!!!

He is My Favorite 

Mr & Mrs

Favorite Inspirational Lady

Mamma

Our Favorite Pastor & Place to Worship

Grace Covenant Church, Charlotte NC

Pastor D

Favorite Kiss

Favorite Gift from Mr 

Holy Bible with my New Name

Favorite Dress

 Strapless Satin Gown Fit & Flare with Full Length Satin Covered Buttons

Favorite Accessories

 Estate Pearls Perry's & Blue Satin Shoes

Family Favorites

Favorite Cake

Tizzerts Charlotte NC

Favorite Dance

Uncle Kracker 'Smile'

Favorite Champagne Cheers

Toasts - MOH My Sissy & BM - His Brother

Kate Spade 'Mr & Mrs' Champagne Flutes

Favorite Party Departure 

Favorite End to my Favorite Day

All Photos by

David Malament Photography 

This Day with Mr will Always be my Favorite!!!

XOXO Sarah Louise

The Wrap Dress

Wrap Dresses Add Extra Wonderful to the World of Fashion!

Thanks to the Fabulous Diane Von Furstenburg DVF, for making the Iconic Wrap Dress a Forever in Women's Fashion.   I have a Small Collection of DVF Vintage Wrap Designs that are Saved for Special Occasions. 

What makes the Wrap Dress so Iconic?? 

It's Skims the Feminine Figure, Wraps the Waist with a Sash and has a Skirt that Sways with Movement.

This Wrap Dress Caught my Eye with its Vibrant Ocean Blue Color and Geographic Print.

Note:  Prints are Amazing at Camouflaging! Keep your Prints Proportionate to Your Frame.

I was Hesitant about the Long Sleeves but I've Decided it Gives this Dress a Sleek Look.

I Kept with the Blue Hues with my Navy Quilted Bag that Belonged to my Grandma.  
I like to Add Sentimental Pieces to my Looks.  Its adds Extra Swing to my Step.

Wrap Dress - Banana Republic

Handbag - Belonged to my Grandma

Nude Pumps - Nine West

Wrap Yourself in Wonderful

XOXO Sarah Louise

Wear to Work - Black & White

Black & White are at the Top of the List for Classic Color Combinations.

The Contrast between the Lightest of Lights and Darkest of Darks makes for a Sharp Look.

In my Stylish Opinion Audrey Hepburn Defined the Black & White Look making it a Timeless Classic.  

I Styled this Black & White Pairing for a 'Wear to Work' Look.  And in Fitting with the Summer Heat I Choose Cotton & Linen Fabrics to Keep me Cool and Took a Risk with a Tee over a Button Up.  A Charcoal Grey, a Lighter Shade of Black, Made for a Subtle Tonal Palette. 

Opting for a Tee can be Tricky yet Modern Worn with Suiting.  

Tips: 
Avoid Crew Necks - Looks too much like an Undershirt 
Thicker Fabrics - Camouflage the Fact it's a Tee as well as Undergarments
Hint of Stretch - Looks less Casual and Slouchy as well as Maintaining a Fitted Shape

Blazers are an Addiction for Me 
Confession:  I'm Afraid to Count how many Hang in my Closet 

This White Linen Blazer is Most Loved for Spring & Summer because it's:
White - my Favorite Color to Wear
Tipped in Black Grosgrain - Creates Interest & Detailing
Has Functional Brass Buttons - Ability to Roll Cuffs - Great for Gals with Petite Arms 

Another Summer Trick - Peep Toe Pumps Over Closed Toe Give More Air Flow 

For the Finishing Touches, I Coiffed my Mane in a Polished Pony and Added Pops of Red in my Sunglasses, Lipstick & Nail Polish.  I added some Shine with Gold Hoop Earrings and a Arm's Full of Sophistication with my Prada Bag. 

Linen Tipped Blazer - J Crew (now at Factory)

Black Pencil Suit Skirt - Similar

Charcoal Grey Tee - Target

Black Peep Toe Pumps - Similar

Gold Hoop Earrings - Kate Spade   Sunglasses - Similar

Essie Polish - Clambake   Red Lips - 'Lippy' by Butter London

Handbag - Prada 

Dress Beautifully this Summer & Always

in Classic Black & White 

XOXO Sarah Louise

Summer List!

Today is Officially the First Day of Summer!!!

Always!!!

Photo Found on Pinterest

It's the Season for Beachin, Sundresses, Watermelon and Cheers with Family, Friends & Lots of Champagne!

On my List of Favorites is to Make Lists!  I make Lists for Everything (Drives Mr Crazy)  It Keeps me Organized, Productive and Happy When I get to Cross Things Off.   
While Everyone Else is Inputing their World into their iPhone, I'm Writing in my Planner! 

Every Summer I Make a List of All the Fun I want to have Under the Hot Southern Sun & this Year is No Exception...

My Summer List

Beachin 

At Least Once a Week 

I'm Blessed to Live a 15 min Drive Away from Salty Toes & Sandy Kisses

Beachin with Mr Last Weekend

Host a White Party 

An All-Gals Soiree in Our Bright Whites 

Photo Found on Pinterest

Picnic with Mr 

A Favorite When We Were BF & GF

Photo Found on Pinterest

Learn to Sew 

I want to Make my Own Fabulous Fashions! 

Photo Found on Pinterest

July 4th Vacation 

Celebrate America at the Beach with Best Friends 

Last Year's 4th of July Vaca

Organize My Closet & Work Space 

Coming Soon: "Shop my Closet" Online!

Photo Found on Pinterest

Dance with Mr 

We Have Several Weddings to Celebrate

Mr & Mrs Shakin It  - Wedding Aug '13

Backyard Shindigs

Host Our Friends & Family at Our Waterfront Home

Mr & Mrs Backyard Chillin It

P.S. Today's National Wear Your Lilly Day! 

I'll Be Celebrating the Start of Summer in this Lilly 

What's on Your Summer List??

XOXO Sarah Louise