Dress Beautifully: March 2020

Mar 30, 2020

Mamma Monday: Success

Happy Monday Mammas!

Gracious what a time we are living in! Mom life is different for ALL of us right now. Whatever your circumstances, there are challenges you never saw coming.

We had plans to potty train Vivian over Spring Break, the week following Easter, since she would be out of school and I could stay home with her. That changed 2 weeks ago and we decided to go for it since she was already so eager and we had no where to go.

We cheered and celebrated!!!

This is a big success in the world of motherhood! While it was easy for her to learn, it is a big milestone and changes our family lifestyle (in a wonderful diaper free way!)

I then found myself in a place of insecurity because outside of the past 2 years, March was the time of year I would celebrate bonus payouts in my job. My career was the foundation for most of my celebrations and here I am praising things like sleeping through the night, her first steps and going to the potty. I always intended to maintain my career through motherhood. Not having my career has been my biggest struggle since becoming a Mamma. I'm insecure not having that office with my name on it. Anyone else??

I am fighting an atmosphere of comparison. There is content all around us that can stir up feelings of inadequacy but know that God has a specific plan and purpose for YOU!

I was truly proud of my darling girl and I want to remove the cloud creeping in that makes me feel like this success is less than and doesn't deserve to shine.

Maybe it's all this time at home stirring up these feelings. No matter the cause I want to turn them around and head towards a place of contentment.

If you're currently struggling with what 'success' is for you, I want to send you some encouragement.

Maybe you are trying to balance working from home, educating your children or gracious maybe both!!!

Success is not your job title, how deep your bank account is, the number of likes or followers, how beautifully decorated & tidy your home is, how well behaved your children are, how far you ran & how much you lifted nor is it how beautiful your outfit is (but let's still make them that way shall we).
These are just a few of my personal battles I'm determined to overcome!

Let's be proud of our accomplishments and always acknowledge with gratitude that with God you got there! The list doesn't have to be completed for your day to be successful.

Do your best and if there's laughter, your day already has the best success there is!

Dress Beautifully in Your Success

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Mar 28, 2020

Friday Favorites: Cinched

TGIF! (a day late - see my previous post as to why) We rounded the corner on week 2 of staying in our sweet homes and I'm must say (don't hate me) that it's actually been fun! I've realized how much time is spent running around and just how much I can accomplish by staying put. Our home is spic and span, our yard and garden is manicured and the laugher our walls have heard is higher than ever.
A lot of it's coming from the FaceTime & Zoom meetings we are having!
Even Vivian is using it for story time with other kiddos.

Ever popular 'GG' belt

While many things about this are far from easy, it's a cinch to elevate your outfits! Belts, gals, belts. They're my favorite accessory!
Bonus: If your waistline has suffered (which I hope it hasn't) a belt can be the best disguise creating an emphasized hourglass silhouette.

Belts add shape, detail, texture, shine and can add a breaking point to in your outfit creating flattering proportions on your body.
Example: A belt high on your natural waist will make your lower body/legs appear longer.

~~Tip~~ RULE: If your dress, skirt, pant or even peplum top comes with a self fabric tie/sash REPLACE it with a belt! I always do this and it enhances the garment and overall outfit 10 fold!

Belts are also a good accessory to invest in due to their ability to be worn over and over again with so many pieces. Just like a classic pair of shoes.

Here are some of my favorites ...

G Horsebit Belt

3 variations

Stretchy Leather - Skinny Version

several color options

4 variations

7 color options

also in black

Chain

Here is a less expensive option

Braided

I love these for the ability to adjust

15 variations

This dress is straight so I needed to add shape while these pants came with a self fabric belt and needed more contrast (and shine!).

I've had these belts for a long time.
I good portion of mine are vintage!

Skinny GG Belt

7 variations

Dress Beautifully in a Belt

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Mar 27, 2020

Out Catching Rays

TGIF gals!

I've decided not to complete my Friday Favorites post scheduled for today because it's beautiful outside, sunny and 83!

I will share it tonight or first thing in the morning but today I'm going to be out catching rays with my darling Vivian Louise! This is my favorite way to spend today!
#sorrynotsorry

Sunshine & Sass

Dress Beautifully OUTSIDE!

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Mar 25, 2020

Silk Scarf Vibes

While I'm not a 'stay in pajamas all day' kind of gal, I do like to be comfortable but in my own way, one that's still polished and put together.

These pants have the beauty of a silk scarf and the comfort of lounge wear. The silk fabric, paisley print and contrasting pop of yellow piping paired with a draw string waist gives you the best of both a dressy and casual garment.

I share my love of vintage items with you often but it's been a while since I've shared about my affection for silk scarves. I have a entire box full and just about all of them are vintage.
File this topic under posts to come.

Top options are easy with either a basic semi-fitted tee in any color, denim or a crisp cotton top like I'm wearing. Even though mine has a blue pinstripe it doesn't compete or add too much because the print is so small. You treat it like a solid when styling meanwhile it adds just the right amount of detail.

I chose to wear my loafers because I gravitate towards dressier styling; heels would work great too. A sandal or flat is also just as pretty. It's essential to chose what YOU like and feel confident in!

Dress Beautifully in Pieces that are as Pretty as they are Comfortable

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Mar 23, 2020

5 Things for Sanity

Happy Monday! We are ALL on week 2 of social distancing and we are ALL trying to navigate doing it in a way that keeps us from going crazy! #amen. There's a comfort in the commonality amongst us.
Thankfully here, the weather was warm and sunny this weekend allowing for lots of playing outside.

Pants free weekend #pottytraining

So far she's done wonderful :)

Ryan was off of work for 2 days and I can't put into words how amazing it was to spend time together as a family. It is something we rarely ever get and even rarer that we get 2 weekend days! We won't have it again until June.

Confession: I'm battling jealousy hardcore!!! In case you didn't know, Ryan practices medicine in the ER and works insane long hours, and a significant amount of them are nights. He is on the front lines of this pandemic and as I see all the husbands working from home, united with their families, I get green with envy. I'm praying for peace, and doing my best to do so with a grateful heart.
I am proud of his service heart and missing him isn't new. He was previously an officer in the US Navy and deployed to the Middle East 4 years ago.

Since our normal schedule of activities isn't an option I've have to create a new one. Last week was one of adjustment while going forward I believe we will be operating under an alternative one that still checks off the boxes in a structured way, because that's how I thrive!

I write a list of what we will do for the following day in chronological order each night. I find that by organizing the tasks by time helps bring them to fruition.
I'm not completely rigid, each day is different with its tasks and I do want to allow room for interruptions and spontaneity and weather constraints.
For example, if you just have things down mentally you forget and if you just have a list with no order things get pushed or not accomplished at all. If you have children, you know there must be strategy because very little can be done while they're awake!

Here are the 5 things I'm doing daily to maintain serenity & sanity ....

1. Always get dressed
I put on clothing every day. I keep it casual for practicality but I have on a top and shorts/pants that have zippers. I also coif my mane and put on make up even if it's just a little. This helps me to feel confident and put together to tackle my day. Just because I don't leave my property doesn't mean the day is any less important.

2. Exercise
This has been the most difficult challenge of this whole ordeal. I'm an addict to physical fitness however I'm accustomed to doing it at the gym with a few runs outside each week. I had child care at the gym but now I have to sweat while Vivian is asleep. However, I'm accustomed to tackling other tasks while she slumbers. I'm kicking the pity party to the curb and sweating joyfully in my closet that doubles as a gym (& my office). I have equipment and my goodness there are so many online workouts to take advantage of!

3. Be Outside
It's my most favorite place to be and I'm tickled pink it's Vivian's too. We play, run, tend our garden & yard, read basically anything we can under the sun. It's calming and refreshing to be in God's creation.

4. Clean & Organize
Cleanliness is next to Godliness! I was raised on this and believe whole heartedly in it. But beyond keeping our home spic and span we are combing through each cabinet shelf, drawer and closet with extreme detail. I say that because we are already close to minimalists as we detest clutter and possessing excess.

I also did a closet edit putting my cold weather pieces into storage and bringing out my warm weather pieces. I evaluated each garment before it was stored, hung or folded.
Tip: Make sure pieces that need alterations & dry cleaning are addressed (don't just put them in a bag or pile to sit).

Next: Tackling wrinkles! Everything that needs it will get ironed or steamed!

5. Connect
I'm an extreme extrovert and light up when I'm with my family and friends. God called us to gather and commune with one another but since the circumstances don't allow that let's use the tools He's given us!
We can text, call, email, send hand written notes (I often include printed pictures), and my favorite FaceTime! I video nearly every day and have started using the Zoom app to teach my junior high Sunday school class and to see my gal pals in groups! It's great for children to gather as well.

Dress Beautifully While Social Distancing

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Mar 20, 2020

Friday Favorites: 50 Spring Pieces

TGIF! Well, do you even know what day it is at this point? While it's been an huge adjustment for EVERYONE I hope that you've been able to see this season as one of opportunity and cherish the blessings that come from time at home.

I've had moments of disappointment missing the gym, my gal pals and not having much of a break from Vivian. I stop look around and give thanks for ALL that I do have and work to cherish this rare time together and shift my routine to a new one that works for us.
(It also includes potty training that starts today ... praying for patience, endurance and our rugs!)

First time painting her tiny little nails

One of my most favorite memories of being her Mamma

The weather has been warm and sunny so we've gratefully played outside. I've done a lot of sprinting and long runs and seen more neighbors and puppy dogs than ever before!

Hopefully we'll be able to dress up and have somewhere to be sooner rather than later.

So here are 50 pieces I love and think will make a fantastic addition to your Spring wardrobe

Dresses