Friday Favorites: Home Decor

TGIF! What a sweet week this has been.  It's the last week of Summer before Vivian Louise starts preschool.  It hasn't hit me yet that our days of splashing, sliding and story times are going to be fewer.  I believe it's because I'm so stinkin excited for her to learn and make new friends.  It's going to be a change for me too, I'm ready to get back into working but that's a whole other topic!

I realized that we've been in our home now for close to a year!  Wow, I can't believe it's been that long.  I also realized that I've never shared a home tour, probably because there's SO MUCH we want to do to each room but is one's home ever really done?? I'm going to work on sharing some of where our home is now and a peek at what we'd like to change.  In the end it's the time shared in these rooms that make them great.

When it comes to decor and furniture I'm a traditionalist with a tad of modern sprinkled throughout.  I believe that furniture can be lifetime investment, such as your bed, dressers, rugs, buffets, consoles, end tables and dining tables.  The filler decorative pieces can be a bit more fashionable and replaced over the years.

Here are several pieces that are stylish, add function and are fairly inexpensive...

Metal Shelves
I love these shelves! Because they are glass they don't weigh down a room like heavy wood bookcases do.  The metal adds a modern touch to your room.  I'm thinking of adding these to our formal living room but since we have a mirrored console already in there I hesitate to add more metallic.
Another great thing about these shelves is that you could move them from room to room.

China Cabinet
This cabinet is the most expensive thing on this post but I'm considering it for our den, one on each side of the fireplace so I had to share it.  The other option is custom built ins. I love that this one looks like an expensive piece but for a much lower price. 

Spindle Chair

I think spindle chairs are so beautiful! And I'm amazed to have found one for under 1k!

Settee
We have a settee in our house and they are so versatile! It's served as seating in our prior breakfast room and now in Ryan's office.  I'm thinking of moving it into our master bedroom.

Chest

Chests are expensive especially if you are buying multiples but they serve multiple purposes in bedrooms and living spaces. I prefer solid hardwood but if you need something more affordable these are the ticket. 

Glass Lamps
These lamps look so designer and come in multiple colors.

End Table
Another piece that's easy to fill your space and add quick function next to your seating.

Boxwood Topiary

I believe that every room needs plants but not every room has the lighting needed and not every owner has a green thumb. Silk plants save the day!

Gold Drapery Rods
We have gold rods throughout our home and I feel it adds glamour and looks expensive.

Garden Stool
Porcelain garden stools are so handy. They add function beside accent chairs and are easy to move around.

This pink swing hanging on our grand magnolia tree is our home's cutest decor!

Just like your wardrobe, I believe you should invest on foundation/classic pieces but can opt for more inexpensive pieces when it comes to adding modern style.

Dress Your Home Beautifully

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Balloon Sleeves

Gals, give me all the puff sleeve tops! I love the statement and fashion forward look it gives my outfits.  Paired with trousers or a skirt and you're sophisticated for the office, and with jeans for a casual but modern look.

It also keeps the attention up towards your face and balances your shape if you're like me and a size bigger on your bottom half.

Balloon Sleeve Top & Here & Here | Jeans | Booties - Similar | Earrings

Dress Beautifully in a Balloon Sleeve Top

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Mamma Monday: Back to School Prayer

Good Morning Mammas! It's BACK TO SCHOOL day for most kiddos.   

If your littles were suited up in their brand new outfits, shoes, backpacks and lunch pails I'm sending you a virtual high five. Vivian Louise will be there in just 1 week when she starts preschool.

While big milestones and changes can often bring tears, I hope that those tears are ones of joy.  It's hard not to look back at when they were tiny and not cry of sadness that those days are behind you (gee thanks FB & Insta for all the memories you flash at me rocking my baby sigh) but instead look forward at the wonderful adventure that awaits them.

I think the trick is to whole heartedly cherish where you are.  To truly experience the present.  That way when you do look back it's with a smile.

While all the shiny new school supplies get them physical ready, I believe it's MOST important to have them spiritually ready.


These prayers will not only encourage your students but us as well!

Dress Your Heart Beautifully with Prayer for School

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Friday Favorites - Ready for Fall

TGIF!  This week was a doozy. I've been fighting a terrible cold and gracious Mammas don't get sick days. But we've pushed through and managed a ton of fun.  Like every week, we've enjoyed story time at the library, splashing at the pool and today playing on the playground.
We've had bonus fun having her Daddy off of work for a few days!

I'll sweat like a pig any day for her sweet smile :)

So here are some favorites I'm crushing on

Puff sleeve Bodysuit
I love the deep v-neck, dark floral print and puff sleeves of this for the upcoming cooler months (please some soon!) However, the bodysuit portion has me wondering if it would be comfortable.
Also, how awkward is this pic??!!!!

Distressed Vintage Jeans

Gals, I've been eyeing these jeans for over a month now but gracious NOT the price. Found them for over 50% off and they should arrive at my front door today! I've heard amazing things about Mother Denim.

Lace Collar Sweater
I'd be in heaven if all my tops had a collar.  I love the sharpness.  This sweater is just so pretty!

Fleece
I've been wanting one of these for 2 years now. The first year I found this eco friendly brand I was pregnant so there's that. And last year due to their popularity the colors I wanted were sold out. I've put this one on my Christmas list and suggesting that Santa order sooner rather than later :)
It comes in 2 different lengths.  I prefer the shorter.

Colored Python
Oh if I didn't already have a snake handbag I'd have this one.  It's petite but the color is larger than life.  What an amazing bag for Fall/Winter!

Crocodile Boots
Crocodile is one of my favorite textures for Fall/Winter. It's so rich! I brought these boots home from the Nordstrom sale in July.  I can't wait to actually wear them.

Unique Heels - 8 different colors/finishes
Love the wooden rounded block heel on these. And I prefer all my shoes with a pointed toe to help elongate my petite self. Comfortable and super classy!

Heart Earrings
If you're not jamming out to the new Taylor Swift album 'Lover' I really don't know if we can be gal pals! I'm obsessed!!! It has me wanting a pair of fun heart earrings 💜

PS Anthropologie & Tory Burch are having sales this weekend #yourwelcome

Dress Beautifully for Fall

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Walk on the Wild & Bright Side

Animal prints are my favorite patterns to wear and leopard is my favorite of them (oh and snake) but I'm happy to show love to their safari friend, the zebra.  Pairing animal prints with neutrals is nice but take a walk on the bolder side and pair those wild spots and stripes with bright colors.

I prefer this zebra pattern design because it's in softer shades of ivory and tan as opposed to the sharp black and white found naturally.

Swap out your skinny trousers for a pair or three of wide legs crops.  They're so comfortable and the length is perfect for flats or heels.

This outfit will certain brighten your day at the office but since I'm currently out of the office I can still wear this look out and about (I will NEVER understand why motherhood means you have to wear loungewear) or more likely split the pieces up.  A tee with the pants and flats or the top with a pair of jeans.

Zebra Top | Red Crop Pants (comes in 6 more colors!) | 

Pumps & Similar | Handbag & Similar |

Dress Beautifully in Zebra Print and Bright Pants

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Mamma Monday: Seasons

Happy Monday Mammas! For some of you it's back to school for your littles.  This can be a bittersweet time for as much as we want them to stay our little babies it's exciting to watch them grow and learn.  #allthefeels

You've all heard it, 'there's a time for everything' or 'it's just a phase' and 'a season of life'.  Well, motherhood is not only a new time/season it's full of it's own set of seasons.

When I look back on my life, gracious there were some epic seasons ... college, climbing the corporate ladder, marriage, military service (the deployment!), back to the office grind, and then sweet Vivian Louise!!! Now this season is sweeter than ALL the blooms of Spring. That was super cheesy but so true :)

When Mr and I talk about our life as a family of 3 we refer to our first year as survival.  I somewhat wish that wasn't true but we were really on a repeat cycle of eat, play, sleep.
It's easy to want to wish away seasons of our lives and super easy to want to escape our current season or even just stop the current season right where it is.
But the world keeps turning.

The middle school students in my Sunday school class are a mix of excited and dreadful over the start of school - I feel ya kids!

Currently, I'm LOVING every. single. moment. of being her Mamma every day BUT I'm missing my role in the corporate world every. single. day. When you hear that motherhood is a sacrifice it's 100% true! There is no right or wrong but simply a choice and purpose we all have to fulfill.
I'm grateful with all of my heart that God shut the door to a dreadful job and opened the one of nurturing our baby.

Confession:  the fashion blogger in me misses my suits and pumps soooo much - I occasionally get dressed in my work clothes to embrace that part of me.  No, I'm not crazy I'm just trying to navigate life and sustain the many facets of me ... even if that means playing a little dress up at 36.

In just 2 weeks we will embark on a new season as Vivian starts preschool.  It has me exploring new opportunities.  I don't ever want to go back to a season because with each new one I've grown and learned things to take into the next. But I'm ready to embrace a new way of serving.

While I don't know what the future holds I do know this that I leave you with ...

Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

• God created seasons in our lives to shape us, help us deal and create us into who HE intended us to be.
• He uses them to show us that He is good and make everything beautiful for its own time
• God will change the season of life we're in when He's ready to change something about us.
• God wants us to trust Him through the easy and more difficult seasons.
• Remember God promises to make it beautiful in HIS time

Be in constant prayer for what God has in store for each and every season!

Dress Beautifully in Every Season of Motherhood

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Friday Favorites: Cropped Tees & Jeans

TGIF! I'm in COMPLETE DENIAL that Summer's end is approaching way too fast!  We spent another week playing at the splash pad, swimming at the pool, sliding down the slides at the park and enduring many miles running in the brutal heat. I give baby girl ALL the credit for gifting us the #bestsummerever!

Vivian Louise living her best life, poolside (with a snack)

Since I've embraced a slightly more casual lifestyle (and I do mean slightly ... don't make me rant about how much I disprove of the yoga pant, t-shirt, gym clothes wearing style assumed when you become a Mamma) #sorrynotsorry, I gravitate to more cotton vs silk and lower price points.

The key to an elevated casual look is a little shape and shine.

I'm all about cropped tees and jeans.  Basically a comfortable play on proportions.
Also, cropped jeans show off your shoes year round, sandals, heels or booties.
Now, your jeans do need to be high waisted - showing skin is a NO!
Add a little jewelry or shiny shoe and you're modern and practical.

Cropped Tee - Cropped Jeans - Sneakers

All smiles as we slide into the weekend

Dress Beautifully in Cropped Tees & Jeans

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Vintage Romance

I've been eying this brand Love Shack Fancy for a couple of years now.  The designs are light and romantic with a very vintage feel. Everything about the pieces are feminine and I love to look and feel as ladylike as possible.

Adding a few statement designs into your wardrobe prevents boredom and predicability of your outfits. And it creates happy excitement to get dressed in something special.

These pieces are full of detail and are a slight splurge.  I was fortune to find this dress on an epic sale. I love the ruffles and embellishments of lace throughout.  I'd be tickled to add a skirt and top to my closet. I chose a midi dress because I felt I'd get the most wear throughout the year.  A pair of booties for Fall would stretch it past the Summer.
I must admit the shorter dresses are amazing!

I wore this dress to church a couple weeks ago and received so many compliments.  I believe it was because it was different from my typically structured and polished pieces and because of it's vintage and romantic beauty!

Lace Dress | Metallic Bow Slides | Earrings |

Dress Beautifully in a Romantic Lace Dress

XOXO Sarah-Louise