Top 10 Outfits of 2024

I believe in wearing what makes you feel beautiful! It is then that your confidence grows allowing you to go out and shine your light bright to others. These outfits do just that for me!

Here are my top 10 favorites outfits of 2024 ...

Dress Beautifully in Beautiful Clothes

All Year Long

XOXO Sarah Louise

Friday Favorites: Christmas Week

 This Christmas week was full of fun, special and even a few challenging moments. While I strive to focus on the joy of things the reality is that there is hard for everyone! 

Here are my favorites from our Christmas week ...

My family lighting the Advent Wreath at Church

Ryan surprised us with ticket to Cirque du Soleil

It was AMAZING!

Candlelight Service

 "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, 

but will have the light of life". John 8:12

Being Mrs Claus is so much fun!!!

I made this easy breakfast casserole:

1 (8oz) can crescent dough

1lb ground sausage

9 eggs

1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350F - Spray 9x13 baking dish with nonstick spray

Unroll crescent dough and place it in bottom of dish

Brown sausage in a skillet over medium heat until it is cooked through, then drain it & place it on top of dough. 

Whisk eggs, then pour them on top of the sausage and dough.

Top with shredded cheese.

Bake for 30 mins.

The magic of Christmas morning! 

One of my top things to do this week was a puzzle! 

This one was hard at first but grew to be a lot of fun.

3 pieces were missing - which is frustrating, is that a normal manufacturing/packaging error??

Today was Vivian's last day being 6!!!!!!

I have so many feelings but the biggest is gratitude for the gift of loving her with my whole heart!

Dress Your Week Beautifully with Joy

XOXO Sarah Louise

A Mary Heart

 2 Days til Christmas!!!!! I'm so looking forward to having Ryan home this year (it's rare working in Emergency Medicine!) I have plans to have fun, to relax, to unplug, to read, to puzzle and to be present! 

It sounds great doesn't it?! The reality is I'm not in control of it all, especially other people. 

What I can control is my heart. 

I want to have a heart like Mary.

She was humble, willing, trusting, joyful and embraced the hard.

When upset occurs this holiday season or year round rest in these truths!

Dress Beautifully with a Mary Heart

XOXO Sarah Louise

Friday Favorites: Tops that Shimmer

 TGIF! Cheers to the last week before Christmas! I have thoroughly enjoyed spending time with friends celebrating the goodness we've shared this year, finishing shopping and wrapping up a whole lot of work. 

I've got books, puzzles and family time waiting for me.

Whether you're staying in or goin out, a blouse that shimmers adds just the right amount of festive style.

Here are some pretty tops that shimmer ...

PLEATED STAR BLOUSE

RHINESTONE DENIM

METALLIC STRIPE

METALLIC DOT

BOW BLOUSE

GOLD

Dress Beautifully in a Top that Shimmers

XOXO Sarah Louise

Christmasy

 There are so many 'holiday' outfits out there with sparkle and plaid and vibrant reds. While I find them to be very festive they're often a one time wear. Red is a color I rarely wear, but I do have a few pieces. 

When I style red I believe it makes any outfit look Christmasy! 

Here are some ways to style red for all your holiday fetes ...

LEOPARD JACKET - PUMPS

This dress I found at target a while back and is easy to layer over.

Jacket & Shoes Vintage - JEANS

Blazers are always chic and this one in leather adds a lot!

Accessories do a lot for an outfit. Go all out in monochromatic.

MESH TOP  - BOOTS

A vest adds a warm layer

and allows for additional layering and easy movement.

Dress Beautifully in Red for Christmas

XOXO Sarah Louise

Tinsel in a Tangle

It’s the most wonderful time of the year … tis also the time where you can find yourself frazzle dazzle! There’s regular ongoing life and then you pile on ALL the holiday things ...

Me and my sidekick running around town 

Here are some things that may help prevent you from getting your tinsel in a tangle ...

REMEMBER THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

We have a headless Joseph - but the message still conveys 

that it's not about perfection but the presence of Him

I say ‘remember’ because we forget. The arrival of our Savior Jesus Christ is the reason we celebrate.

While I can’t create a post that brings peace, Jesus can!

DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF

Gracious Trixie! Her hair and inability to stay off of my furniture drives me up the wall ...

BUT she brings joy to Ryan & Vivian

The whole purpose of gathering and gifting is to love one another in gratitude. 

Enjoying the time is what matters not all the 'things'.  Hug, smile and laugh big! Have FUN!!! 

CHECK THE LIST

Prioritize your to-do's by time and necessity. The reality is a lot of 'wants' just don't get done. Make the magic for your immediate family come first.

SOFT TRADITIONS

I am having to loosen the reigns on traditions. It means a lot to me to have things 'like we always do' but in reality some years things don't happen the same. Ryan often works on Christmas so we have to adjust, friends aren't available every year so we have to skip a celebration or 2 and it's perfectly fine to miss fun things.

You can have a lot but not all.

Who cares if things aren’t just so (my Type A control freak self does), but in the grand scheme of things what we remember is the people and the memories. Don't let the details spoil your attitude. Just throw your hands up and go with it. I know, easier said than done but focus on your heart not the display.

Dress Beautifully Enjoying Christmas

XOXO Sarah Louise

Friday Favorites: Target Finds

 TGIF! I hope you are finding so much joy in this Christmas season! It's full of hustle and bustle but also opportunities to have fun and celebrate with others. Today I hosted a Christmas coffee for the 1st grade mothers at Vivian's school. I loved using my Christmas dishes and taking a little time in the morning to sit and chit chat.

With all the target trips for gifts and everyday things I've found some really. ice pieces that are versatile and stylish for the winter season.

Here are some great Target finds ...

CRISP WHITE SHIRT

4 colors/prints

MAXI SKIRT

I'm wearing it to the nutcracker ballet with this top

MESH TOP

very on trend and great dressed up for a night out 

VELVET WIDE LEG PANTS

I absolutely love these! 

lovely with neutrals or colors

SHINY BLOUSE

it may not be silk but it looks like it

10 colors/prints

SHINY PANTS

I like these paired with a soft sweater

SWEATER

I sized up due to the shorter length

9 colors

WIDE LEG JEANS

I also sized up in these

Love all 6  colors!

White Tie

 White is my go-to neutral. Where I find a majority of ladies gravitate towards black I can't get enough ivory and gold. Rather than the expected formal and dark for your dressy holiday occasions I encourage you to try light and bright. 

A tuxedo or menswear inspired look is so sharp! This jumpsuit isn't your typical holiday sparkle and shine dress. It has a luster in the satin oversized collar, emphasized shoulder for an hourglass shape and sleek design full length pant for a head to toe sophisticated look. 

JUMPSUIT

Dress Beautifully in Winter White

XOXO Sarah Louise

My top 5 gifts to give

 Fun Fact: When taking the love language test, I do not have any answers that align with gifts. And neither does Ryan!  When it comes gifting others, it can be overwhelming.

Here are 5 things I've found that I enjoy gifting others ...

PRESENCE

Time spent with undivided attention, to me is the best gift ever! Time is of high value and something that we never seem to have enough of. So put your phone away (unless you're on video) and take a walk, share a meal, and set a date to be present. I promise the quality time is priceless.

FRAMED PHOTO

There are so many fun memories captured on our phones and on display online but I like to see them in my home so that when I walk by I smile remembering the moment. Like a handwritten note, printed & framed photos are tangible and beautiful. 

TREASURES

I love finding old and unique objects when I'm antique and thrift shopping. Things like trinket dishes, brass figurines and decor make for one of a kind gifts. 

Bonus, they're usually a bargain!

PAPER

Journals, stationary and books are timeless gifts that are always beloved. For books coffee table ones or ones that relate to the recipients interests are pretty and resourceful.

Be sure to write a note on the inside cover!

GAMES/PUZZLES

I love to play games and put together puzzles! In fact we play card and board games several nights a week. There are even party games for adults and question games to really get to know a crowd. It brings people together and they're just as fun the 10th time playing as they are the 1st. 

Dress Beautifully Gifting

XOXO Sarah Louise