Cozy Color Block

Gals, it's been straight cold and I've been wearing sweaters on repeat.  And I don't have one complaint about it.  Eh maybe a few small ones, like how sad I am not to be outside running or pushing Vivian Louise on her swing.

I've never been much of a sweater gal but Mamma life has me embracing a more comfortable wardrobe.  You don't have to loose style just because you're not in the office.

This sweater is crazy soft and cozy. Snuggle up in it and your favorite jeans and I promise you won't care that it's cold.

I loved the fun colors and chose to make them pop with black pants and contrasting white booties.

Color Block Sweater | Black Pants | White Booties | Earrings |

Dress Beautifully in Cozy Colors

XOXO Sarah Louise

Mamma Monday: Closet turned Playroom

Welcome to Vivian Louise's closet turned playroom!  When we found our house one of the things we were most thrilled about were the humongous walk in closets for all the bedrooms.
Now that Vivian Louise is 1, her nursery isn't just a pretty room where we rock her, change her and where she sleeps.  It's now a room where she spends time awake playing with her toys.

She's always adored her room, not sure if it's the soft colors or just that she knew it was hers but it's her happy place.  This thrills me as I loved creating it for her.

I wanted to keep her room nice and pretty and the rest of our home nice and pretty!  As I noticed she would bee line to her closet every time I was in there picking out her clothes it occurred to me that it was just the right space to make into a play area for her.  And to house her toys in an organized fashion.

The hanging quilt was handmade by a lady at our church and made the perfect wall decor and the mermaid painting my sister made using her daughter's hand print.

The rug is amazing!  It's not fluffy so it won't collect dirt but just enough softness, color and a fun confetti pattern :)
It's not a perfect fit with a few inches too wide but it is mostly hidden.

I used soft bins with labels and handles for easy and pretty organization. I love that you can find them in whatever color suits your decor - everything purple and pink for my baby girl!

Although she can't read to put her toys away in the correct bin, whoever is playing with her can.

I used the inside cubbies to house bigger toys.

I decorated the top of the shelves with her wooden doll house (she's not quite ready for it yet) and her special handmade bear and caterpillar.

On the left side are her hanging dress clothes and of course beautiful bonnets.

Underneath is her piano, puzzles and baskets of fun.
Low soft baskets are key Mammas! That way they can get into them easily.
I bought a nesting set in white and they've been perfect.

Puzzle racks are also necessary so that you don't loose the pieces.

There are also two rows of shelving on top to house sentimental things like her Moses basket, baby book etc ... as well as the everyday things like diapers.
I also have bins up there with clothes I'm keeping and clothes that she hasn't grown into yet.

We use this canvas tote bag to fill with toys when we are going places for extended time.  Easy to grab, fill and go! 

I used a clear over the door shoe rack for her baby shoes, socks and hair bows.

She's not confined to play in her closet, we leave the double doors open and she has a blast in her teepee and spreading out her toys on her rug.

This rattan carriage is not only beautiful but it's great to push around.

This lamb sings 'Jesus Loves Me' and this bunny is the BEST! She got her for Christmas and we gave the elephant version to her cousin. She plays peek-a-boo and sings.

Again these soft low baskets are so perfect for toddlers. And they're cute!

This shelf has nothing to do with her closet/playroom but it's pretty so I'm sharing it :)

It houses the things I don't want her playing with/destroying.  They're special and require supervision. 

Now the prettiest part of her room is her framed heirloom dress gallery wall I shared with you last week HERE!

6 Cube Organizer Shelf | Storage Bins | Confetti Rug | Rope Nesting Baskets |

Puzzle Rack | Tote Bag |

Dress Your Baby's Playroom Beautifully

XOXO Sarah Louise

Friday Favorites: Encouragement

Gals, I'm currently on vacation ... ok we are just visiting Mr's parents on the NC coast but hey we are away from home and Mr's not working (he rarely has time off #marriedtomedicine).
We are even squeezing in some time with friends :)

So I'm soaking up ALL the family fun time!

And even though this was a short week, since we left Wednesday afternoon, I promised I'd do better so I'm squeezing in a Friday post for you.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes to encourage you this weekend. I pulled them from my Pinterest board ... I've been reunited with Pinterest a lot lately. I've been pinning things for our home since we are decorating and soon renovatio, I've discovered lots of neat things as a first time Mamma for me and the baby, and of course fashion inspiration.

Gals, I firmly believe in getting dressed every day.  Yes, I chill in jeans. 

Treat each day like the precious gift that it is and give it your best.

Always start the day with a grateful heart!

I highly recommend exercise for the 'something'.  You will NEVER regret a workout!

PRIORITIES!!!

The Mamma life is full of challenges but it's the BEST life. 

Reach out to someone and let them know just how appreciated and special they are.

Dress Your Heart Beautifully

XOXO Sarah Louise

L is for Leopard

L is for leopard.  Gals, I read so many ABC books to baby Vivian Louise I practically recite them in my sleep.  I have 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' & 'Brown Bear' memorized.

This outfit, like an ABC book, is very simplistic; classic.  Outfits don't have to be outrageous or unexpected to be impactful.

I gravitated to this leopard blouse because of the necktie. I also liked the coloring and ikat style print.
I ended up getting a petite because the sleeves fit better.

Paired with high waisted black pants and cap toe pumps this look will never go out of style.
I added some major shine with these gold disc earrings.  They were a Black Friday gift to myself :)

Pair this blouse with jeans and a pair of flats or boots and it will transition you perfectly from the weekday to weekend.

Leopard Blouse | Black Pants | Similar Pumps | Similar Handbag | Earrings |

Dress Beautifully in Leopard

XOXO Sarah Louise

Mamma Monday: Heirloom Dress Gallery

There are so many keepsakes and items from Vivian Louise's first year that I want to hold dear and cherish forever.
While I can't keep every garment she ever wore or every toy she played with, I have hand selected pieces to keep that I can pass down to her.  I love that my Mamma saved things from my childhood.  Vivian Louise has even worn a dress that I wore as a baby.

Typically items are put away in a bin/box and stored in a closet rarely to be revisited. But just like a framed photograph can take us back to wonderful memories, I wanted to embrace that concept with some items from her first year.

Since I love dressing her in traditional, timeless clothing I thought it would be precious to frame a few of her heirloom pieces and display them in her nursery.

I used 16x20 frames and used white fabric for the backing.

I wanted to hang them 2x2 above her crib but they would hang too low and I didn't want her to be able to reach them. So we hung them on the opposite wall and they fit perfectly!

Left to Right:

This is a Feltman Brothers dress with delicate embroidery and lace.  I wore this brand as a baby.

This was the first dress I ever bought her, just 2 days after finding out she was a girl.

It's a Sarah Louise (I couldn't wait to dress her in this brand).  She wore it for her 3 month pictures and Easter Sunday.

This dress was a gift from my Mamma.  She wore it for her dedication celebration.

This is the gown she wore for her baby dedication. It was a gift from her Granny. 

Cherish those special pieces that make you remember the precious moments!

Dress Your Baby's Nursery Beautifully

XOXO Sarah Louise

Wear This With That: Suede Moto Jacket

Remember when I posted 5 different ways to style the denim/chambray shirt? Well, y'all loved it so much that I decided to do it again but with this suede moto jacket.

You want to be versatile with your pieces so that you're making the most out of your wardrobe (and money). Styling is your personal creative touch when mixing your pieces together.

Now, I didn't work with accessories for these looks, but I encourage you to grab a printed scarf, colored bag or just one statement piece of jewelry to really put your spin on your next outfit.  It is the details that really showcase your individual style.

Tip: Try swapping out this jacket for a denim jacket with the same pieces!

CLASSIC NEUTRALS

OFFICE

CHURCH

WEEKEND

NIGHT OUT

CASUAL

Suede Moto Jacket

Dress Beautifully in a Suede Moto Jacket

XOXO Sarah Louise

Seeing Stars

Gals, I'm not big on kitschy pieces, although cute.  Save the characters and graphic tees for the kiddos. I also believe that your wardrobe shouldn't just be comprised of just solids, stripes, plaids ... you get the idea. Don't be boring!

Incorporating a fun (not tacky) print brings life to your closet.  Especially if you are in the office all week, you need some whimsy! It also adds detail to your wardrobe which can also give it a richer feel.

It was my lucky day when this sweater and I met. It was before Christmas and I was doing some shopping at Marshalls/Homegoods (PS Homegoods has the BEST toys!) and I spotted this sweater.  It's by Rebecca Taylor which has quickly become one of my favorites - BUT she's expensive!! The sweater was 65% off the retail price.
I scooped it up and brought it home without even trying it on.

I want to encourage you to shop outside the mall - Amazon, Marshalls, TJ Maxx etc...  Even nice consignment boutiques.  I promise you'll find unique pieces to add to your closet.

I HATE the color gray - like can. not. stand. it! but in clothing I can tolerate it in small doses. I actually like it in this design because it's lighter and compliments the muted blue stars.  When doing a fun print subtle shades are probably better than bold.

For a modern/edgy look I paired with coated jeans (y'all I've had these for a good 5 years) and a heeled bootie.

Star Sweater - Similar & Here | Coated Jeans | Booties | Earrings |

PS I bought these star earrings for my bf and then had to go back and get the fo me :)

Dress Beautifully in Stars

XOXO Sarah Louise