Denim Skirt

Swap out your jeans (because it's way too hot!) and your shorts for just a touch of girlie with a skirt.  A denim skirt is a casual classic! I'm obsessed with this one because it's super soft, a hint of stretch and stays in place - don't you hate it when your skirts spin around when you move.

Treat this number as you would a pair of jeans or shorts and top it with whatever suits you or the occasion. A simple tee or silk blouse, either will do just beautifully.  Sky's the limit too when it comes to shoes too. Flats, sandals, sneakers or heels ... I'm ready for Fall so I can slip into a pair of boots!

Basically, you need a denim skirt to switch up from your go-to jeans or shorts.

Sleeveless Tank | Denim Skirt | Clog Sandals | Tote Handbag | Earrings

Dress Beautifully in a Denim Skirt

XOXO Sarah Louise

Mamma Monday: Toddler Activities

Happy Monday Mammas! In case I haven't told you enough, Mondays are my favorite day of the week.  I feel like I start the day with so much fresh energy.  Vivian Louise is as busy as can be and that means so am I. Thankfully I've never been able to sit still so me and my mini fit perfectly.

And since we are on a mission to have the best Summer ever with all the fun we can squeeze in, I've had to embrace toddler activities.  I say 'had to' because I'm NOT a crafty person.  I don't want the supplies cluttering my home and I HATE messes.  I'm leaving a good portion of activities to her pre-school teachers! But I do want to experience some of them alongside her.

Tip:  Doing them outside is the key to enduring the mess.

So here are some toddler loved activities I've found that I hope you'll enjoy ...

Finger Painting (or watercolor for older kids)

I taped the large paper down on a shady spot on our drive way and had her down to a diaper.  This paint come out super clean (praise!). After we were done I carried her up the stairs and straight into the bath. I probably could have washed her off outside but she was due for a good soak and was excited for more play time.  Two of my Mamma friends recommended getting rolls of paper to use for these projects.

Play-doh

Her Aunt Rebecca got her some for Easter and we've gone outside to play with it on top of clear plastic so it doesn't pick up dirt.  She LOVED it! I have actually seen Mammas make it homemade #NOPE.  By all means enjoy yourself but my version of Motherhood has me making as little as possible.

Paint the Fence

I saw this on Pinterest and it is easy enough for me and water is a mess I don't mind.

Frozen Paint

I'm actually going to put forth the effort to try this.

There's also classic coloring! 

Toddler activities are WAY OUTSIDE my box so I'm going to refer you to the Busy Toddler for lots of fun ideas on keeping your toddlers busy!!!

19 months yesterday!

Be the Mamma that you are! That's what our children love about us, just us.  So if something isn't your style don't do it. I certainly don't. Gracious, you couldn't pay me enough to make her baby food or stock shelves of crafting materials. BUT I will happily have all the play dress up clothes :)

Vivian's Dress & Sandals

Dress Beautifully
(in casual/discard worthy clothes)
Doing Toddler Activities

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Splurge Styles

Happy Weekend!  Sorry I missed yesterday, but as always I have the best excuses.  Vivian's grandparents have been visiting us this week and we've been having a ball! Splash pads, museums, libraries and park playing.  It's been such a joy to share these amazing experiences with them :)

Yesterday this Mamma got to escape and be a lady who lunches and shops with my best friend.  I decided to take the time to do things I rarely can do since having baby girl/ things she doesn't make a good companion for.

This casual classic look will be posted next week!

So we hit up some of our favorite boutiques.  Shopping at these small stand alone shops can be time consuming since they're stand alone and require driving around but I love it for the experience and all the unique and pretty finds.
AND there's the girl talk and fun of trying things on together.

Don't get me wrong I still love the big box stores and the prices they can offer.  But the older I get and the more my style refines, I find that I truly adore the uniqueness some designers can offer. However the price can be steep!

Here are some splurge worth designers I'm lusting over that you can find in boutiques or I like shopping them on Net-a-Porter & ShopBop. And let's be real, I'm shopping the sale section!!!

Tip: Try Amazon too!

Ulla Johnson

I got this dress for a steal on sale and ADORE it!  These pieces are super expensive so if you find one you like I suggest scooping it up on sale.  End of season is the time to hunt.

Love Shack Fancy

My best friend introduced me to this designer.  I love the ruffles, layers and delicate cotton lace of these designs.  And in cotton breezy fabrics they're comfortable.  Personally I think they'd be great with boots to stretch into fall.  I was soooo lucky to find this midi dress on epic sale and my size was the only one left #winnerwinner
I think the short dresses are so cute but I'm more comfortable at knee length or longer.

Misa

I love the prints and ruffles on these pieces.  I was a bit disappointed when I tried on this dress that it was far too short! But I'd be thrilled to wear a midi length.

Rebecca Taylor

One of my absolute favorites!  I wore one of her dresses for my birthday, a girls night and our family pictures.  I love the ruffles and statement details she puts into her very feminine designs. You can find her at major department stores, boutiques and even at high end Marshalls (I found a sweater there last year!).

Petersyn

I just recent discovered this designer at a boutique and love the tiny floral prints and girlie accents.
I brought home this top (on sale)

BB Dakota

This one is much more reasonably priced with just as much modern detailing. I added this top to my closet and have my eye on this sweater.

Dress Beautifully in Splurge Pieces

XOXO Sarah-Louise

I Like Big Ruffles

I like big ruffles and I can not lie! 

Should I just leave it at that?!!!

I think I will :)

J/K I have to say a little bit ... I LOVE this one shoulder big ruffled top soooo much because not only does it make a splashing statement, it's perfect for dressing up or causal.  For example, I wore it tucked into a high waisted a-line white eyelet skirt to church this past Sunday and that afternoon I wore it untucked over a pair of white shorts for a 1st birthday party.

AND you don't necessarily have to wear a strapless bra.  You can just tuck one of the straps inside the bra and you'll have more support and less tugging. One of many reasons why one shoulder designs are my favorite!

Oh and it's hot pink seersucker striped.

And how cute is this basket vase bag?!!!!
I adore the handle and unlike some of the popular ones it allows you to carry it in your elbow for use of both your hands.

The fabric tie lining is a sweet, vintage touch.

Ruffle One Shoulder Top | Skirt | Basket Bag | Earrings

Dress Beautifully in Big Ruffles

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Mamma Monday: Something Special

Happy Monday Mammas! Vivian Louise's grandparents arrived today hence the delay in sharing this post. Today was filled doing ALL the things preparing for their visit but we did managed to squeeze in a little library time.

I saw this gem on Instagram and it really spoke to me!

Our children are the MOST SPECIAL things to us and we are constantly measuring them.  I caught myself doing it even yesterday as I'm so eager to hear her say words and talk that I'm not appreciating the greatness she has accomplished. And she is making so many beautiful sounds that it's just a matter of her own timing for when she will look at me and say 'Mamma'.

It's especially relevant to this little fashion blog. I look at outfits all the time that I absolutely swoon over and then I go to my closet and it somehow suddenly seems not enough.

So I'm sharing this especially for ME!

Whether it's our homes, jobs, clothes, or kids let's just let them be special all on their own without comparing them to anything else.

Dress Beautifully with ALL Your Something Specials

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Summer Love

It's the weekend! Clearly I didn't manage to write Friday's post so here we are on Saturday.

I do have the best excuse, my Mamma surprised Vivian and I with a visit and with it being Vivian's last week of Summer camp I've been preoccupied with other things the past several days.

One of those being a date night with Mr on Thursday.  Because he practices medicine in the ED he never has an entire weekend off unless he requests them far in advance.  So we go on dates when we can and most often it's on week nights.  I honestly don't mind a bit because restaurants aren't crowded and it feels special not being out with everyone else. I also don't like being out late on a Saturday night because I teach Sunday school early the next morning.

Our happy smiles this past Thursday

Note:  Thank you to my sisters for taking care of our Vivian so that we can go out just us two!

I definitely want to dress snazzy when we go out. We are both casual day-to-day (he in scrubs and me in simple tops & bottoms #momlife) so taking it up a notch not only makes us feel better but it's nice to impress the one you love.

During the Summer it's so crazy hot that no one wants to wear anything tight or fussy.  Cool and comfortable is the name of this dressing game!

My go-to is a cute top with dressy shorts or white jeans or a sundress. 

Here are some outfits I've worn lately for nights out ...

Top on this post | Wedges 

Camisoles show some skin so you can pair them with just about anything and you're evening ready

Only downfall is wearing a strapless bra UGH

Snake Cami

I've received soooo many compliments on this cotton tiered maxi dress

I found it at target a couple years ago!

Here's a similar option & Here

This outfit on this post

This outfit on this post

This outfit on this post

Dress Beautifully on Your Next Date Night

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Eyelet

Eyelet is one of my favorite fabrics for Summer. The perforated lace is delicate and just so pretty.
It's also very cool and comfortable during these scorching days.

Most commonly you'll find eyelet in white but personally, I believe colors really showcase the lace and patterns.

Here's how I've styled some of my favorite eyelet pieces lately ...

Similar Eyelet Top | Similar Crop Pants | Wedges | 

Similar Eyelet Top | Jeans |

Similar Black Eyelet Top  & Here| Jeans

Similar Lavender Eyelet Dress

Dress Beautifully in Eyelet

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Mamma Monday: Time Out

Happy Monday Mammas! This past weekend was a time out for me.  My gal pals and I have been planning a weekend away at the beach for several weeks now. One of the gals just recently purchased a townhome on the coast and we were all eager to warm it with lots of cheers and fun.  I must say I'm proud of all 7 of us for aligning our calendars and coming together. We all went to college together so it was sentimental if you will, to be back to our glory days.

Not everyone there was a Mamma, only 3 of us, and it was one gal's first time away from her 10 month old. Regardless, we all NEED time outs.  A time to refresh, rest and give ourselves change from our weekly grind whatever that may be.

I realize that not everyone can just escape for an entire weekend nor can they herd other gals with them. But I do sincerely believe that time outs are necessary!

This is also where your tribe comes in.  Someone has to keep the littles alive in your absence.  It took Mr. and both of my sisters to care for Vivian Louise for 3 days (because her Daddy works weekends).  But they were all excited to do it.
I left a note of instructions and a stocked fridge of food.

Tip: They've got this! checking in discourages those taking care of your children and fully letting go is the point of your time out.

If you're one of those gals that never asks for help. Shame on you!!! And I'm confident you're one of the first to help others.  And don't keep score either, just because you helped/watched someone else's littles, doesn't mean she has to now watch yours to keep it even.  God gave us each other to lean on, so lean!

It was amazing having her back in my arms after 3 days

Where you go or what you do doesn't matter, just being away for just a bit is all you need to return happier than you left. And it's a guarantee you'll be missed and those reunited hugs and kisses are priceless!

Spent the morning splashing with my little mer-babe

My Swimsuit

It feels good to leave but it feels even better to come back!

Dress Beautifully While Taking a Time Out

XOXO Sarah-Louise

10 Facts You Should Know ...

TGIF! This weekend I'm escaping to the beach to meet up with my gal pals from college right where it started 15 years ago (ekkk time flies) for some much anticipated FUN!!! I'm going to miss Vivian Louise like crazy but she's going to have a blast with her Daddy and Aunts.
I've packed bikinis and fun outfits and ALL the excitement!

My best gal pal sent me this on Wednesday and it's good!

So I'll leave it here with you ...

Have a Fantastic Weekend!

Having the time of my life with her!

Dress Beautifully and Know You are Remarkable

XOXO Sarah Louise

Summer Sophisticate

Style automatically takes a turn for the fun and casual once Summer arrives ... or as is the case here in the South in April when the temperatures get sky high. But tank tops and shorts are rarely appropriate   yet no one wants to feel stuffy this time of year in wool, tailored pieces.

Here's what you do gals.  You opt for a shorter hem line in your trousers but keep the comfortable and cool in a wide leg.  And you add a top in a natural fibers with fun detail, like ruffles.
It's still a put-together look but with a casual vibe.

AND you put this top with a pair of shorts and you're set for the weekend.

Note:  this is technically an off-the-shoulder top but I like it pulled up so I can wear a regular bra, I'm not so exposed/showing too much skin and I don't have those t-rex arms not being able to lift and move.

I added a fun pop of color with turquoise earrings, which are 100% summer!

Handbags can play a big role in your look.  This structured tote is great for weekdays but a rattan basket bag would scream summer!

Ruffled Top | Similar Pants | Handbag | Similar Pumps | Earrings |

Dress Beautifully and Sophisticated in the Summer

XOXO Sarah Louise