Fun & Frilly

Sometimes, you just need to put on something fun and frilly! This month I've shared with you several pieces with overstated details because 'fashion but make it fun'!

This blouse takes feminine elements and exaggerates them in a fashion forward way. The puff sleeves, lace collar and trim along with large rhinestone buttons are far from subtle.  The cropped boxy shape and plunging neckline keep it modern in design. Pairing with distressed high waisted jeans not only tones down those dressy details but also keeps the look current.  Comfortable, casual jeans is one of my favorite ways to style against snazzy tops.

I encourage you to find an ornate details whether it's sleeves, lace, bows, beading, ruffles or print that suits your fancy and wear it to your next merry occasion (hopefully it's sooner rather than later!).

Blouse & in White | Jeans | Heels | Sunglasses

Dress Beautifully in Fun & Frilly Top

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Transformation Tuesday: Family Room

Welcome to our family room.  This room is more informal as we do not host in here.  It is in the back of our home leading out onto our patio.  It is also off of our kitchen/breakfast room which is convenient as Vivian can play in here and I can see her while I prepare meals.  We have a small table and chairs for her in one corner and a toy chest on the opposite wall seen here.
This room houses pieces of furniture from our previous homes that while not designed intentionally, serve well for now.

I love the large fireplace and the variations of colors in the brickwork.  I don't care for the mantle and hardwood stain as they are too dark and rustic for my taste but that seems to be everyone's favorite when they visit. I will be replacing and staining them both along with all new lighting.

We plan to install custom built in cabinets with shelving on both sides of the fireplace when we update our kitchen.  We will be opening up the wall between the two spaces so in efforts to create continuity of the design we want the cabinetry in both areas to match.

Until then, these glass etageres are great place holders! They serve well for displaying decor and photos of us, contrasting the dark elements with shiny gold trim and keeping the room light with the glass shelves.

I styled them symmetrically with a gold vs silver motif.  I used items around my home and the pictures speak to us and the memories of our life.  Naturally, you'll see blue and white porcelain as it's the color scheme throughout our home.
I also love having live plants in every room.  They add life and remind me of God's creation.

When these etageres are no longer needed they will easily be useful in a bedroom, office, hallway, bathroom or closet.  They don't have a large foot print so they can be used in practically any space.

This room originally had dark brown paneling, stained trim and a tan ceiling. UGH
When we were purchasing this home we referred to this room as the dungeon den! It was so dark and very very brown! We had it ALL painted and gracious you couldn't help but say 'let there be light!' when it was completed.
We also ripped down the blinds immediately so that we could see the beautiful outdoors clearly through the windows and door.

BEFORE

We enjoy the sunshine, views of our backyard and have a lot of fun playing with Vivian in this room. In future years this room will be where she hosts her pals without infringing on our more formal spaces with her belongings/activities or disturbing the adults should we also be hosting.
The direct access to the patio and backyard is one of my favorite things!

I hope you've enjoyed seeing some of the transformations in our home this month.

I plan to do it again this Summer showcasing our foyer, dining room, powder room and kitchen.

Spoiler alert: there will be lots of beautiful wallpaper :)

Dress Your Home Beautifully with Paint & Etageres

XOXO Sarah-Louise

37th Edition

Happy Monday! It's the first week of my 37th year and I literally hit the ground running.

THANK YOU so very much for all the lovely birthday wishes, it was a very blessed day.

I celebrated at home with lots of hugs and kisses from these two and later a parking lot party with my sisters and some gal pals :)

Party but keep it 6ft apart

It was pure torture not squeezing each and every gal!

Confession: I hugged the necks of my sisters real tight and I'm not sorry about it!

I have to tell you that one of the sweetest gifts I received was a surprise video with the students of my Sunday school class where they each shared what they loved about me and there was no stopping tears of pure joy! They also dropped off handmade gifts for me. We don't get to decide how God uses us and we don't know what blessings he has in store but I sure am grateful for the opportunity to grow alongside these young people.

For me, Birthdays are like New Year’s, a time to reflect on the blessing of another year and set intentions for the next year. Every day is a gift and I want to live like it! 

Thank You God!

Here are my intentions for the 37th year of my life ...

1. Grow as a disciple - the Bible commands us to go and make disciples. I want to grow in my faith, trust and knowledge of His Word. But I don't want to hold it in for myself.  I want to share it with others, as others have shared with me. News this Good is meant to be had by all.

2. Fellowship Face to Face - I feel that as a society our days are fuller than ever and there never seems to be enough time.  I miss seeing my family and friends so badly during these weeks of quarantine and yet looking back I kept my days so planned out that I rarely made the effort to interrupt those plans to have quality time with those I love most. It's one of the many lessons I've learned lately.  I also want to host our loved ones in our home more frequently.  I rarely open our doors mostly due to my insecurities in cooking and in that our home isn't decorated to my liking just yet. As I typed that I know how ridiculous it is - or at least that's what I'd say to someone else who felt that way. I'm squashing those feelings!  The fellowship with my friends is far more important and valuable that my need for schedule and it doesn't require 5 star accommodations. I want make face to face time with others a priority!

3. Serve in the workplace - I miss my career every day. While I'm proud of my decision and grateful for the circumstances to be home with Vivian, if it's God's will, I hope to find a position where I can use my skills to make a contribution. The past pace of my career isn't a wise fit for our family so I'm praying for discernment on where I am best suited.

4. Compete Physically -  I love exercise and challenging myself! I want to stretch myself and participate in a physical competition.  I'm not sure what that will look like but I want it to be something I've never done before.  I've ran half marathons, so I'm thinking something that involves obstacles and/or lifting. 

5. Learn New Skills - I have so many projects I'd like to complete. Many of them require constant upkeep such as Vivian's pictures and this blog.  I'd like to learn how to better organize/upload all of her captured memories, utilize my fancy camera to actually capture the moments and use technology programs to enhance this platform. Wish me luck!

You don't need an occasion to set goals.  Each day is a new opportunity for good and growth.

I encourage you to treat every moment you have as a chance to create joy!

Dress Each Year Beautifully

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Friday Favorites: Blazers & Shorts

TGIF! Although Ryan just pointed out to me that every day feels like Friday.  While true, this one is especially exciting because it's my birthday eve! I always reflect around this time on the past year of my life and what I want the next one to look like.  Every year, well day actually, is a gift and I want to live like it.
I'm going to just put it out there that I'm pretty darn proud of what my 36th year looked like.  It wasn't perfect but by the grace of God I've grown and learned and hope to continue on that path for my 37th.

During my MOPS meeting on Zoom this morning we all were asked to share a quote that inspired us.  I didn't even attempt to select a bible verse because there are just way too many that encourage me so I went with this one ...

It's me to a T

And when it come to getting dressed I like a little bit of business and a little bit of fun.  It's called balance gals.  Pairing a blazer with shorts is one of my favorite ways to showcase my personality in a chic way.  Polished pieces are my favorite but I've come to love incorporating more fun in my style.  This contrasting combination speaks to both elements of me. This is also the best time to wear an outfit like this because it's warm enough for shorts but you won't melt in a jacket.

This is also a fabulous example of creating versatility in your wardrobe.  Make the most out of your investments by stretching your office apparel into a casual setting.

Note: This doesn't go the other way ... you can't make shorts work in the office. Sorry.

For your next evening or weekend outing try business on the top and party on the bottom with a blazer & shorts ensemble!

Here are some great blazers & shorts ...

BLAZERS

Black

3 Neutral Color Options

Fitted, popped collar, and 4 season stretch

Tan

6 Color Options

Linen, a light luster and hint of stretch for ease

Perfectly light and polished for the warmer months!

Open Front Linen

4 Color Options

Slim design and open front to show off your favorite top

Pleated Back

3 Color Options

Nipped waist and pleated back for an extra feminine layer.

Slim Single Button in Cotton

2 Color Options

Polished and practical for the warm seasons

SHORTS

Paper Bag Plaid

Pleated

2 Color Options

Yellow Liberty

High Rise Denim

Scalloped Hem in Linen

6 Color Options

Dress Beautifully in a Blazer & Shorts

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Go Big

Gals, in a mere 3 days I will be celebrating my 37th anniversary on this earth! It's a true testament to the phrase 'time flies when you're having fun'. When it comes to special occasions I go big with my ensembles.

I loved this dress when I saw it for 3 primary reasons, cotton poplin fabric (most favorite for it's crisp coolness), straight midi length (most longer dresses are a-line and for a petite gal that's often overwhelming) and the oh so fabulous balloon sleeves.  I mean let's not be basic.

I also found the colors of the tiny floral print cheery and fitting for the season.

Now, I'm all ready with a dress and nowhere to go. If you're are optimistic like me, you're holding on to attending Summer soirees and this dress will be perfect for them. Weddings, showers, gals' night out and hopefully vacations are times when a little something with pizazz is what you need.

I added a white belt to break up the long line of print but because this dress has a slim silhouette it's not necessary for shape.

Tip:  When wearing an outfit with ample sass, no need for competing accessories such as jewelry. Keep it simple. 

Balloon Sleeve Dress | Pumps | Belt | Sunglasses | 

Dress Beautifully in Balloon Sleeves

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Transformation Tuesday: Home Office

A must have with our home was a room for Ryan to call his own.  He dedicates a portion of his free time to studying medicine (love that he's an over achiever and wants to be the best he can be) and needs a space to do that. And as tacky and annoying as it is, he has 'stuff'.  It's comprised of mostly mementoes from his love of his undergrad alma mater Chapel Hill, medical schooling, golf and his time serving in the US Navy. I'm embarrassed to share that he would have taped posters and knick knacks everywhere if I didn't intervene. He huffs and puffs at my involvement in his room but I refuse for it to look like a college dorm! 

Disclaimer:  I did not get free rain to style this room but we did compromise slightly. 

Prior to making his mark we had to put some 'lipstick on this pig' and by lipstick I mean paint.

We were not fans of these built-ins however we had to do something to spruce them up until we decided on a design plan for this front room.
We had painters overhaul practically every surface in our entire home prior to moving in (best decision ever!!!) and that included a bright white over all this brown stain.

Note: I fully respect DIY but it truly isn't for me. The professionals knocked this out in no time. 

We also had crown molding added. I've shared before, moldings are everything to me in a home.  It's one of the MOST important details, in my opinion.  Unique moldings are huge appeal in our decision to purchase older homes. With all the custom moldings throughout this home it is beyond my understanding why the prior owners removed the moldings in this room when installing these built-ins.

A very brown before

While the fresh coat of paint really packed a powerful punch it was very one dimensional so I decided to roll up my sleeves and add some contrast by painting the back wall of the shelves.  Thank goodness the selves are adjustable so I could take them all out.

I wanted this room to have a very masculine style because I knew the rest of our home was going to have a lot of feminine colors and prints.  He deserves to have one space that feels like him.

I chose a dark charcoal color. I almost went with a super dark navy/ink color but I wanted it cooler and more neutral.
Painting with a dark color isn't easy so there are some edges that aren't perfect but we aren't keeping these very long and no one should be looking too closely.

Paint Colors

Built Ins & Trim: Chantilly Lace

Shelving Back Walls: Wrought Iron

Walls: Classic Gray

This room and our den house leftover mismatched furniture that serves as filler pieces to get us by until we implement a more permeant design.  While I'm often insecure about these rooms, our home is not a magazine spread but a place where memories are made and laughter shared.

In the future we will remove theses built-ins and replace the lighting.  Adding a desk will have a smaller foot print allowing this room to also serve as a second guest room with a sleeper sofa or maybe we'll go modern with a Murphy bed! In our home we believe the more the merrier!

Dress Your Home Beautifully with a Fresh Coat of Paint

XOXO Sarah-Louise

God Made Girl

Happy Monday! I've lost track of how long we've been quarantined but it's been long enough for the shock to have worn off and acceptance to kick in.  That doesn't mean we have to like it but it does mean we have to use it for good.  Our lives are full of seasons all of them giving us the opportunity to make great impacts and to grow.

Gracious I want to reach out and hug the necks of my family and friends!

You gals remember those W. W. J. D. bracelets that were ALL the rage decades ago (gracious I'm getting old).  That's a trend that needs to come back! We need to always be doing what Jesus would do.

We've all found ourselves in situations where we are lost as to how we are to manage because it was either outside of our plan or we are just flat out unhappy with it.

I remember 4 years ago praying so hard about my career and feeling so frustrated that I wasn't in a position that I believed I deserved. A gal at church knew my struggle and I'll never ever forget the encouragement she shared with me. She said, 'Sarah Louise you need to change your prayer to asking God to open your eyes to where He wants you to serve'

All I could focus on was the job title, the compensation, the portfolio size, the location ... the list goes on and on.  I had a very specific plan for where I needed to be.
Rather than demanding a specific type of provision or blessing from God, I needed to trust the plan and provision God was going to give me.

These times are challenging and God knows that.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

    and do not lean on your own understanding.

6 

In all your ways acknowledge him,

    and he will make straight your paths.

Rather than turn to the content that's out there and gracious it's out there in abundance telling us how to persevere in a way that suits your personal happiness, let's turn to the Word.

Society is NOT our standard! #amen

It is not simply that we believe in God, but that we believe God.
Though we are prone to wonder, His promises never break.

YOU are a God made girl!

Let's go create a colorful world that glorifies Him!

Dress Beautifully Doing What Jesus Would Do

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Friday Favorites: Flutter Sleeve Tops

TGIF! I'm also grateful for all the sunshine we've had this week.  It may not have been as warm as the prior week but those rays sure do bring a lot of happy to our days.

I've found that a fun top is a wardrobe essential. What I mean by fun top is that it has some unique detail that makes a statement that will add sass to any pairing whether it's just a pair of jeans or a silk skirt. Because who wants to be basic anyway??

I love a flutter sleeve for several reasons.  They add interest by your face drawing the eye closer to your smile (your prettiest assist). volume that balances the lower body (key for hourglass and pear shapes), coverage on your arms without restricting, and elements of whimsey & femininity!

I added this top to my closet last year and was tickled to find it again this year. I receive so many complements every time I wear it that I'm excited to share it with you gals.

Tip: A pretty top can be a game changer to your outfits while you're at home. Top off a comfortable bottom such as shorts, jeans or even joggers with a blouse that makes you smile and I promise you'll feel revitalized and more confident throughout the day. 

My Blue & White Eyelet Top 

Here are some of my favorite flutter sleeve tops ....

Stripe Lace Trim

Lace Trim

Chambray

Plaid

Lacy Pintucked

2 colors

Liberty Floral

Eyelet & Pom Pom
3 Colors

Colorful

Abstract Purple

Contrast Trim

Ivory Eyelet

Scallop Trim

My lion cub and I wish you a fun weekend!

Dress Beautifully in a Flutter Sleeve Top

XOXO Sarah-Louise