January Musings

First, I can't believe we're already one month into 2017! The last day of January is one of my favorites because it's a good measure of where you are in reaching your new year's goals.  If you're struggling already, give yourself some grace and just keep trying!
Today is also a favorite because it's Mr's birthday!!! (If you follow along on Instagram you'll see his handsome face and the cake I made for him ... if you know me in real life you know I struggle with all things culinary, sigh the things we do for love)

I thought I'd round up some of the finds/trends I'm loving from the past month.  I window/online/magazine shop a lot of things but gals I'm living in real life and I can't have it all nor do I want to!

So sometimes I wait for a sale/promotion, sometimes I like it and move on, sometimes I just keep
wishing and sometimes I go for it!

Here ya go ...

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1.  I need another white top like I need a hole in the head! I didn't purchase but I love the grommets and tie sash. I fully acknowledge I have an addiction to white tops #sorrynotsorry I have no intentions to change.

2. Distressed hem jeans are trending huge and I love them! I actually purchased these and have worn them now 3 times in the past 4 days! My favorite part is that they aren't distressed on the leg.  Keep the interest simple.  

3. Pink is just pretty.  I love the retro vibe of the peplum and sleeve ruffles.

4. Slide mules are the 'IT' shoe of the season.  I love that these are unique in their blush suede and bow design.  Naturally they are from one of my favorite designers.

5. I love small studded earrings. Simple, classy and fitting for my small ears.  These are more modern than my go-to pearl & diamond studs.

6. This perfume is lovely! I recently got a nice size sample and have been wearing it over and over.  I haven't changed my perfume since high school so I'm surprised to find a scent that grabs my scenses.

7. Stripes! Sharp and nautical.  These have me wishing Spring would hurry up and get here.

8. This mustardy gold skirt has clean lines and an unexpected neutral.  I may pull the trigger if it goes on sale but in reality I have soooo many skirts.

9. Silk scarves are so my jam.  Some may believe they're too midcentury old school but I find them to be elegant and timeless. A sweet way to swap out your necklace and add print.

10.  THIS BAG!  It's been on my wish list for several months now.  I'm lusting after it fiercely! But, I have a goal I must reach before she's mine #hustle

Dress Beautifully in These January Finds

XOXO Sarah Louise

Pretty Pleated Sleeves

Ditching the solids for details. Sure, a classic blue striped dress shirt and navy trousers is very sharp and complimentary BUT adding a fun pleated cuff and a subtle windowpane pattern = style!

Let's start with the dress shirt shall we. It's all about the sleeves.  And let me just tell you, it has been and will be, all about the sleeves for style trends this year.  Off the shoulder, bow tie cuffs, cold shoulder, bell/flair cuffs .... Sleeves are the 'It' detail.  Pleats are as classic as the stripes on this dress shirt and replacing the standard barrel cuff adds a fun feminine detail.
I was a bit nervous that they would be too long and aggravating when trying to work on the computer but to my surprise they fold back and don't infringe.

Windowpane is a favorite of mine when talking prints for suiting.  It's clean, graphic and more subtle and simple than a plaid or check pattern.  In fact, you should treat it as a solid as I did for this look. Technically both pieces have a print, but because the windowpane on the pant is so subtle they compliment each other while adding interest.

Both of these pieces should come into your wardrobe after the 'non' detailed pieces.  Once you have your staples that when you start adding embellishments and prints.

And of course you should have fun and mix them together :)

Pleated Cuff Dress Shirt || Windowpane Trousers || Pumps || Handbag || 

Dress Beautifully in Pretty Sleeves

XOXO Sarah Louise

Athleisure

Athleisure.  What does that mean anyways? Sounds like some word made up for marketing purposes.  Well it is; sorta.

According to wikipedia it 'is a trend in fashion in which clothing designed for workouts and other athletic activities is worn in other settings, such as during work, casual or social occasions.'

spot on.

Now, I'm sticking to my strong belief that gym clothes are for exercise only and not appropriate elsewhere. But I am softening a bit and incorporating some casual and relaxed pieces into my weekend wear.

Gym clothes are NOT everyday clothes! They are meant for exercising, by all means do that daily.  I believe it all began when gals started wearing yoga pants as pants because they were stretchy. It's lazy, sloppy and unflattering! Stop reading if you must but leggings of any sort are NOT pants.
Only underneath a tunic/shorter dress with your derriere concealed is it acceptable.
Honestly, it's more effort to squeeze into those tights than it is to step into a pair of pants.

Think of it as wearing an evening gown to the grocery store - situationally inappropriate!

Off my soap box and onto what is appropriate for a casual and comfortable dressing...

These track pants with their soft, flat-front elastic waist and tailored leg incorporates elements of comfort with the style of a dress pant.  (wearing them as such in a later post!)

A semifitted tee/tank in a solid color or with a cute quote that shows your off your personality = Yes.  An oversized t-shirt you got for free at some promo event = Fail.

Add a light weight sneaker, denim jacket and cross body or tote bag and you're ready to go.

More options: a duster cardigan, field or bomber jacket, quilted vest, slip on sneaker, sandal and scarf

Please don't opt for: fleece jacket, heavy running sneaker, tight tank exposing undergarments and cleavage, or flip flops

It's all about the pant when it comes to athleisure wear.  You're basically swapping out your jeans or if you're guilty of wearing leggings/yoga tights (repent now) for a loose but tailored lightweight pull-on pant.

I'm obsessed with this pair! They literally look like dress pants. Flat front so no bunching or added volume around the hips, skimming yet roomy leg and ankle length with no elastic hem (ew).
These are perfect for ALL - even those gals that are expecting or post pregnancy.  It's a hard time for dressing but these make it easy.

Go get yourself a pair of these pants - I wear them at least once a week #truestory.  They define go-to.

Track Pants || Tank || Denim Jacket || Sneakers || Crossbody bag || 

Dress Beautifully in Athleisure Wear

XOXO Sarah Louise

Boyfriend Mix Up

You invest in quality, timeless pieces to be worn over and over, mixed and matched.  But what about the weekends? You left the office behind and don't want to face it again until Monday.  And you don't want to put money into pieces that can be worn only on Saturdays and Sundays after church nor do you want to look sloppy.

Solution: Boyfriend jeans. Swap out your trousers/pencil skirts for a pair of roomy, maybe distressed boyfriend jeans.  They're loose = comfortable, distressed =  modern, and casual = NO office feels!

By mixing the classics with casual pieces you have a very chic and stylish look that makes the most out of your wardrobe.

This ivory blouse can literally be worn with everything, the blazer is neutral and clearly can be worn with everything and the loafers are not only sharp for work but they're comfortable for running around in too. Remember this designer shoe look-a-like post from a while back? I am loving these Gucci like loafers and so does my wallet! No compromise on quality or style here.

It's all about the mix up!

Don't limit your pieces to the desk atmosphere.
Except for the distressed jeans; those can't be reversed to office wear, but you can swap out your daytime flats or sneakers and fancy them up with a snazzy top and heels for evening.

Accessories: ditch the work tote for a hands free crossbody bag and add print with a scarf.  Big scarfs aren't my thing (I feel smothered) so I opt for the small silk square ones.  This one is a favorite I found in a vintage shop several years ago when Mr was studying medicine in DC.  Actually, all my silk square scarves are vintage.  They were a standard (along with a strand of pearls) mid-century and I'm so happy they're coming back!

Details are important, so choose an accessory that exemplifies your style.

Blouse || Blazer || Jeans || Handbag || Loafers || Scarf (vintage) Similar || 

Dress Beautifully Combining Classic & Casual Pieces

XOXO Sarah Louise

Friday 5: Beauty Arsenal

TGIF! Whew this week has been a rough one. Though I had more moments than I'd like just trying to hold it all together there were also some awesome wins! You have to work hard not to let the light of the great stuff be darkened by the not so good stuff. Stop and count your blessings!

When it comes to tackling tough hair days I rely on a few key tools and products to bring it to life so I can at least tackle the day looking good.  Since I don't take it easy on my mane with curling irons, hairdryer, hairspray to combat the daily sweat sessions and a mere twice a week washing, I have to use a few tricks to spruce it up.

Regardless of your schedule no one has time to spend hours coiffing. And with hair as thick as mine a blow out twice a week is as much as I can muster. And it's healthier to skip a few days.

So no matter how crazy life is - you can hide it!

My beauty arsenal ...

Hairdryer  ||  1" Curling Iron  ||  3-1/2" Round Brush  ||  Dry Shampoo  ||  Hairspray  || 

Hairdryer:  Well, if you follow me on Instagram you saw that #thestruggleisreal.  My hairdryer was held together with masking tape after I dropped it on our slate bathroom floor! I've since replaced it with this one.   It's made of a softer plastic so it should survive the beatings.  I use the concentrator attachment to help shape my hair and focus on the roots.  It's key to drying out the sweat around my hairline after the gym.

Curling Iron:  I use a 1" size and close to the highest heat setting.  I try and only curl my entire mane on wash day and maybe a bit for touch ups on day 2 or 3. By using a smaller barrel iron I have smaller curls on day 1 and day 2 they've fallen, looser and just right!

Round Brush:  This big barrel brush is essential for drying my hair with volume and straightening out my natural curls.  It's also great for lifting the roots so I can dry the sweat out on the in-between days.

Dry Shampoo: LIFESAVER!!!!!! This has changed my life! Best dry shampoo I've ever tried.  I buy several at a time for fear I'll run out and can't find it.  I've tried multiple scents and love them all.  It adds texture, major volume and truly refreshes my mane.  You'd never know I hadn't washed it in several days. I shake it, spray it on my roots and rub it in vigorously with my fingers and Ta Da!

Hairspray:  I've tried a variety of cans and this one is so far my fav.  I don't like my hair to be crunchy and plastered but I need it to hold and still move.  I'm also a bit particular about smell.  I like to wear perfume so I prefer all my beauty products to be unscented as to not compete. This hairspray is just right; not too firm, flexible and truly holds with a nice smell. I try to use it sparingly as heat and alcohol dry out your hair and I want to protect it as much as possible.

So there you have it, the tools I use everyday for coiffing my lion mane.  From the curly day 1 to the low pony on day 4, I use these to create hair styled beautifully.

Dress Your Hair Beautifully

XOXO Sarah Louise

Parisian

There is no topper more classic than a trench. This timeless coat is forever in fashion and function.  To me it's the chic way to face a rainy day.  I've had this trench coat for a good 8 years and see no reason why I wouldn't continue for the next 8.  It's made by the tried and true London Fog so I knew it was made with quality.  My favorites about this trench is that it has a removable lining for all seasons and I was able to purchase in petite!

While I'm proud of my Southern style & culture and would never ever want to be from anywhere else, I've always had a little dream of Paris.  It's on the top of my list of places I'd love to visit.  When I think of parisian women, grand and effortless elegance comes to mind.

Creating a parisian look is quite easy.  Stripes, black pencil pants, a pop of red topped off with a trench and Bonjour! You've got the quintessential parisian style.
Just don't go adding a baguette in your purse or a beret on your head ... this isn't halloween.

A pop of red is essential for a Parisian look.  Sure a scarf around your neck would be lovely but how fabulous to strut in a shiny red shoes.  These are my FAVORITE and I don't use all caps lightly.  I have them in black and brown croc.  I've been wearing them for so many years I simply resole them and keep on going. This is a prime example of what I preach to you 'Quality over Quantity'.

They're a 10 on comfort and a fit for any occasion.

Rather than cinch the waist in the front I tied the sash in the back for a different spin on the feminine accessory. It also declutters the front of the coat while still keeping shape.

Striped Tee || Black Pant || Red Shoes || Trench - More Options || Handbag || 

Dress Beautifully as a Parisian 

XOXO Sarah Louise

Bathroom Brights

Down the hall, first door on your left.  That's where you'll find our 'bigger' guest bathroom.  We have a powder room for guests as well.  (That's a sticky subject - I'm DYING to add bold wall paper but Mr's foot is down on his veto vote)

For our mid-century ranch home we were quite please with the size of this bathroom to accompany the extra bedrooms.  In fact it's much bigger than our master bathroom.  It was renovated just prior to our purchase almost 2 years ago - wow times flies! I must say at first I wasn't thrilled with the tile, cabinet and fixture choices in our home's baths or kitchen but I quickly grew quite fond of them.

I wanted traditional and he wanted new and modern.  I won! #happywifehappylife
This house has gorgeous crown moldings, plantation shutters & real hardwood floors throughout and solid wood doors; it even has 2 pocket doors!! I'm all about the details. But all of these trimmings are painted in a rich beige color.  That was hot 50 years ago but now the bright whites and greys are the shades of interior design.  Now, our family room is the only room painted grey with white trim.  That room, kitchen, powder and master suite are the only exception to the beige on beige motif.

When I say beige motif I'm saying every other room had beige walls and beige trim.  I said 'bye bye beige'.  Within months of moving in, the formal dining, living, entryway and hall way were painted.  Next came the sunroom.  Gals, I need to step up my game and share those with you!

But back to this guest bathroom. The tile choice is a warm yellowish tan and it's on the floor and in the shower floor to ceiling.  The granite is also on the warmer side with dark cabinets, dark hardware, lighting and mirror,  Pair that with beige and I hate to say it, but it was rather dingy.

For such beautiful finishes they were muffled by the lack of light.  There's no window so the sinks, toilet and shower curtain were carrying the bright load.

BEFORE

SO, rather than fight the beige I decided to compliment it.  With white walls!  I received a less than enthusiastic response from others. White??!!  It's so builder-grade, plain, and sterile.  They were right it can be.  But there are exceptions and I trusted my design instincts.

AFTER

I added pops of emerald green with this monogramed shower curtain, hand towels and original art.

In the end these white walls not only brightened the space, it highlighted all of those warm dark elements so they could shine.  Bathrooms should feel clean and fresh and this polished coat of paint did just that.

Paint is the work horse of interior design.  You'll have a huge transformation for a small price.  Choose wisely and always always get a sample first!

Paint: Benjamin Moore 'Chantilly Lace' 

Dress Your Bathroom Beautifully with a Fresh Coat of Paint

XOXO Sarah Louise

Moto

Everyone has a style box.  Perimeters that we dress within a majority of the time.  For example I would categorize my style as classic, polished and ladylike.  But that doesn't mean I don't appreciate other styles. I believe it's important to incorporate elements that aren't your instinctual go-to.  It would be so boring and predictable if you didn't.

So, I make effort to add preppy, sporty, boho, glam and edgy pieces into my wardrobe to add variety and to stay modern.  If you venture too far outside of your 'style' box I can promise you won't wear it. The key is to find pieces that you actually like (don't choose something because someone or everyone else is wearing it) and avoid going to the extreme.

I knew I wanted a moto jacket to add an edgy element to my wardrobe. The leather moto jacket while trending huge this past year has been around for decades. I chose one that's fairly basic in black.  I didn't go for one in color, with fringe, or with embroidery or grommets.  That would just be too much and I'd feel like I was in a costume.

I also try and keep the investment lower on pieces that are more trendy or outside of my style box. So, I went with faux leather and purchased on sale when choosing this moto jacket.

I styled weekend look on the greyscale.  This moto jacket paired with my weekday office garments (sheath dresses, trousers & blouse) or a feminine floral piece and you have a very modern and chic outfit.

Moto Jacket || Blouse || Grey Jeans || OTK Boots || Polish || 

Dress Beautifully in a Moto Jacket

XOXO Sarah Louise

Shiny Strut

Classic pieces are the key in building a beautiful wardrobe.  Add a little shine and you've got style!

Remember the post on luxury shoe look-a-likes? I wasn't kidding when I said I owned 4 of the 5 featured. These gold fringe block heeled pumps have brought some show stopping shine to my strut over the past few weeks. Seriously though, I've been stopped and complimented often on these beauties.  Dorothy had ruby but I've got gold!

Metallic shoes are neutral and truly go with everything.  They also give just a touch of fancy to those foundation pieces.

Blouse || Blazer || Jeans || Loafers & Here || Handbag || 

Dress Beautifully in a Metallic Shoe

XOXO Sarah Louise