Friday Favorites: Sassy Tops

TGIF! Gals, I wore this top yesterday to a Princess Tea Party Vivian Louise & I were invited to.  She wanted me to dress up too but it's so crazy hot I opted for this sassy top & a pair of white shorts. My mane wasn't coiffed in this voluminous curled do but in a pulled back pony tail like it has been every day this week!

Wearing this statement top reminded my how sassy an outfit can truly make you feel. I mean the tea party itself was reason enough to smile but in these oversized ruffles I felt extra girlie!

Even with a basic pair of jeans or simple shorts a fun top can really set the tone for fun!

Here are some super sassy tops ...

 

Floral Ruffle Shoulder

Green Floral Smocked

Dark Tie Dye

Floral Billow Blouse

super splurge but so pretty

Lemon Peplum

Pink Floral

Classic White

Fuchsia Organza

One Shoulder Ruffle

Ruffle Top & Skirt Set

Butterfly Tube Top

Dress Beautifully in a Sassy Shirt

XOXO Sarah Louise 

Tan is Terrific

Tan, the color of sand, can often have a reputation of being bland and boring. I say nonsense! Tan can be terrific.  It's all in the details.  A garment, particularly in a soft neutral, needs interest to prevent it from falling flat. Soft patterns, embellishments and fun designs can give it so much depth.

This dress for instance, has a textured braided roping highlighting its shape, a soft stripe pattern, a modern puff sleeve, and a shirt dress design in a tiered a-line silhouette. All of these details make the tan colors shine in a stylish way. 

Fabric also plays a big role, it can completely change the way a piece fits, moves and feels. Smooth or textured it can change the entire look of a garment. 

Don't get me wrong I absolutely love color when it comes to dressing but every now and then I appreciate the sophistication of a neutral palette.

Similar Dress - Here - Here & Here 

Dress Beautifully in Tan

XOXO Sarah Louise

Home Sweet Home - 3 Ways to Prepare for Your Return Home From Vacation

There's no place like home! After being away every single weekend since the start of Summer this is holding very true for me. This is the second Summer that we've chosen to go, do and experience as much as we can and while these trips are more fun than a barrel full of monkeys it does make from some extra work on the front end.

When we think of preparing for vacation, packing our bags with all the essentials and cute outfits of course :) is first and foremost. For me, I begin preparing our home for our return before I pack my bags.

I do this so that saying goodbye to a destination is then met with a fresh welcoming of home. 

Here are 3 things I do to prepare for the return home from vacation ...

1. Laundered Linens  

2-3 day prior to departure I make sure all clothing loads of laundry are complete.

1-2 days prior, I wash sheets and towels.

Not only does it prevent overload when your return, but there's nothing like coming home to fresh clean sheets and towels after sleeping in a strange place.

This also ensures that all options are clean and available for packing!

2. Prepared Healthy Meal or 2

Dream Kitchen!

That copper vent hood!

While eating what you have in the fridge so that nothing sits and spoils while you're gone is a good practice, I like to make sure I have at least 2 healthy options for  quick meals when I return.

There are always indulgences while traveling (ice cream at the beach is my favorite!) so it's nice to come home to something light and healthy. Since fresh fruits and veggies most likely won't keep here are some options: frozen veggies/healthy meal you can pop in the oven, have a neighbor set out some frozen meat for you or pop in quickly to the grocery store on your way home and grab a bag of salad, veggies, meat etc .. just to get you by and avoid eating out one more time!

3. Shined Surfaces & Floors

Cleaning floors is one of my least favorite chores so we do have hired help that actually scrubs them every 3 weeks. 2 days before departure I give my surfaces an extra thorough wipe down & dusting. Then I vacuum every square foot. In order to do this ALL things must be picked up and tidied so you're ensured to return to a spic & span space.

These 3 areas of tasks not only are essential for maintaining a clean home 

but truly set you up for a prepared departure and peaceful return!

Dress Your Home Beautifully for Your Return from Vacation

XOXO Sarah Louise

Friday Favorites: Workout Wear

 TGIF! Gals, we are  currently at the beach with my sister & niece for our first mother-daughter vacation! Squeal! I'm so excited for our little girls and to spend time away with my sissy. We realized we haven't traveled together since we were kids living at home.  The little cousins are having the time of their lives for their first hotel stay and playing on the beach together.

It's going to be the BEST 4 days!!!

Earlier this week I was asked by some of my gym friends about my workout wear.  I don't share too much about fitness or what I wear which is interesting because I workout and wear them every. single. day.! Fitness is one of the biggest priorities in my life and has been for decades.

I guess I don't share often because I ONLY wear these pieces while exercising (so they're a matter of function) and I don't wear a huge variety. I find pieces that fit and perform and buy in multiples. 

I also invest in high quality because of the frequent wear, intense activity and the need for them to last for years. I always line dry them and wash on delicate with like pieces.

Here are my favorite pieces to work out in ...

Tank Top

Sleeveless Top

Sports Bra

Legging

Shorts

Running Shoes

I've been wearing this shoe since I was 19 for all my running.

I've even run a few half marathons!

Socks

I've been wearing these for over 10 years

Pricey but amazing especially since I have horrible feet!

Running Shoes

I just started wearing these a couple weeks ago and completely understand the hype!

They're amazing!!!

I encourage you to make exercising a priority in your life. Out of gratitude for our bodies and lives it's important to take care of them. It gives you the ability to conquer each day with extra energy.

Though I do not look the way I'd want to, I have earned my body.

It is strong, fast and capable regardless of the size or number on the scale!

Dress Beautifully When You Workout

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Reverse Denim

 

There's nothing like a good pair of jeans. Because denim just goes with everything duh! Except with heat, denim pants does not go with heat. You couldn't pay me to put on a pair of blue jeans in these temperatures and humidity but I still love denim and the style versatility it provides.

Solution: where it on top! A denim top is lighter weight and often in a lighter wash. 

In the Summer I love to wear white jeans/pants (the white makes them so much cooler), colorful skirts and shorts. A denim top is a soft, textured option as opposed to a simple white or solid color.

My Top | More Options Here - Here & Here |

I encourage you to style denim on top this Summer

Dress Beautifully in a Denim Top

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Lift Me Up

Sometimes I need a little help? You? I can forget that easily as I'm always lifting, holding, and caring for my darling, husband and others. We all need a little boost to see things better, encourage us to keep going and steer us back on the path. 

Here are some ways we can lift each other up ...

1. Scriptural Encouragement - there's enough worldly opinions out there to drown you but the truth of the word will always be right. Giving each other biblical truths is better than any motivational quote or insight we could ever come up with.

2. A Listening Ear - gracious I have lots to work on with this one (I'm a talker!) Listening is such an impactful way of being there for someone. Giving another the space to share without interruptions, judgements and directions shows that you value them and what they are experiencing. 

3. Laughter - Enjoying the blessings around us sheds light on darker times. The good with a side of humor can soften the severity and our perception on the whole thing. Adjusting our feelings helps us see the facts for what they are. Laughter is extremely contagious and best spread to all! 

Let's praise each other without jealousy, love without judgement and be generous without keeping score. 

Dress Beautifully Lifting One Another Up

XOXO Sarah Louise

Friday Favorites: Bright Colored Shoes

 

Orange you glad it's Friday?!! After traveling for the past 6 weeks I've had a lot of projects to catch up on at work and in managing our home life. Thank goodness darling Vivian was back at Summer camp! I feel like I'm in a good place and ready for a fun weekend visiting my Mamma and going to church on Sunday, something I've really missed this Summer. I'm back out again next Thursday for a very special beach trip, stay tuned :)

It's rare that I own a shoe that isn't nude but when I do opt for a color, I go bold! One of my favorite colors to add as an accent into my wardrobe and in my home is a bright orange.  I think of the Hermes signature color and find it to brings an unexpected pop that you rarely see.

I used it in Vivian's nursery on the drapery with a greek key tape trim, I have a bright orange purse, a Hermes cuff and now these slide sandals. I truly believe bright orange compliments nearly every color palette.  I've worn these every single. day. this week alongside a lavender top, blue floral dress, the outfit above and a simple white tank & jeans.

Here are some fun colored shoes ....

inseparable from my darling

My Shoes

5 additional colors

Chartreuse Kitten Heel

also in neutrals 

Strappy Kitten Heel

3 additional colors

Eyelet Perforated Slides

Block Heel

4 additional colors 

Braided Sandal

in several colors

Slingback Block Heel

9 colors

Braided Strap Sandal

11 colors

Green Slide

Embellished Kitten Heel

6 colors

Crystal Pump

6 colors

Dress Beautifully in a Colored Shoe

• XOXO Sarah Louise

Smocked Sass

Smocking is a big design element in women's fashion. In tops & dresses at the bodice and also skirts at the waist/hips. 

Note: at the bodice it will emphasize your chest (probably why I don't gravitate to them) so keep that in mind for your body type.

Personally, I prefer smocked skirts and find them to be super sassy because below the smocking they typically have tiers of ruffles for a flouncy hem. A mix of fitted and flirty!

For a night out with the girls a fitted/tucked in top & heels.

For day a boxy top (tee or even sweatshirt) with a flat sandal or fun sneaker.

I also prefer a print with smocking as it's more flattering. Prints hide all the lumps and bumps & also an accidental stain (whether you have little toddler paws on you or splattered salad dressing it happens to us all!)

Prints also allow for more color pairings. With this skirt of course I could opt for white or black but a color is fun. Don't forget graphic tops are great for showcasing your personality and to create a more casual look.

Top 3 additional colors | Skirt & Here | Heels (not pictured)

Dress Beautifully in a Smocked Skirt

XOXO Sarah Louise