I've Moved!

 Dearest Readers,

After 11 years here I'm moving on to a space that beautifully reflects me.

I will continue to share posts with encouraging messages, inspiration for daily living and great style for dressing beautifully.

In addition I've created an online closet of noteworthy finds and I offer services that include closet editing, event styling and personal shopping. This is available whether you live near or far.

I invite you to visit and follow along!

MRSSARAHLOUISE.COM

Gratefully,

Sarah Louise

Friday Favorites: Celebratory Tops

 TGIF! Today is an extra exciting Friday. I've been sharing on this space for 11 years and I'm moving on up to something that's mine, beautiful and shares more of my talents with you. So this is the last time we'll meet here, see you at my new space Monday! 

STRAPLESS BUSTIER TOP

In celebration of the new things to come let's talk about tops to cheers in! 

Pairing a top you may not wear in your day to day life simply with a pair of jeans presents you in a special light. 

Here are some beautiful tops to celebrate in ...

ASYMMETRICAL DRAPE SATIN TOP

MOCK NECK DRAPE

SLEEVELESS WRAP 

4 colors

WRAP BLOUSE

several colors

LACE TRIM CAMI

For your next celebration (for the record any day is a reason!) shine bright in a party top!

Dress Beautifully in a Celebratory Top

XOXO Sarah Louise

Print & Color Forever

Two elements for a beautiful outfit are color and print. Make it bright colors and animal print and you've taken it to next level stylish. 

This outfit I put together from pieces I already owned in my closet AND the blouse and jacket were purchased at resale shops.  This jacket is J Crew circa Spring 2013! 

I'm striving to wear and inspire you to style what we already own in new creative ways. 

I encourage you to mix an animal print blouse with a colorful jacket.

Current Options: ANIMAL PRINT SHIRT & PINK LADY JACKET & BLUE

Dress Beautifully in Print & Color

XOXO Sarah Louise

Tips for Tidy Spaces

Fun Fact: I send my sister IG reels and posts on decluttering every week. You're welcome sissy! 

I absolutely can NOT handle clutter! And she has a ton. As the older sister it's my duty to help guide her ... she's polite but she finds it unnecessary. 

Another Fun Fact: Ryan gets super annoyed with me because if you sit something down within seconds I will move it ... to its rightful home (or where I feel it should go).

A clean and tidy home brings me peace and joy!

Final Fun Fact: I am riding around on week 3 with a trunk full of donate. To be fair, the place I donate to is only open on Saturdays 10-3.

Having an organized home is all about maintaining in my opinion. It's not a one and done task. As pretty as a I make our shelves with containers and sections inevitably over time things will need adjustment and edits/removal of items will be needed. 

Like a lot of people this time a year, I encourage you to declutter in a way that works for you and your family.  

MY #1 RULE: IF YOU LOVE IT, KEEP IT!

I hoard clothes and have no intentions of being a minimalist there! I also enjoy table linens and make up. Now, kitchen gadgets, tools and appliances, I can live with very few.

MY #2 RULE: ONE SPACE AT A TIME.

MY #3 RULE: DO IT WITH GRATITUDE ... AND MAYBE SOME FUN MUSIC.

MY #4 RULE: DON'T RUSH IT, LET YOUR KIDS PLAY WITH THEIR THINGS AS LONG AS THEY WANT!

MY #5 RULE: BE INTENTIONAL WITH THE ADDITION OF ITEMS.

MY MAMA'S RULE: CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS

FYI You don't need fancy clear containers, baskets or labels to be organized. I use clear shoe boxes from the dollar store and nice gift boxes/lids to categorize items. Get creative!

Dress Your Home Beautifully

with Tidy Spaces

XOXO Sarah Louise

Warm Textures

 Gals, it's cold outside! I'm embracing all the winter warm textures in this look with faux leather pants and a cozy knit sweater. The two textures are specific to this season and paired together balance their differences.

Style Tip: Pairing 'opposites' creates an interesting and stylish look.

Pantone's color of the year for 2025 is 'mocha'. Brown is a very popular neutral that's warm and rich. I must say I'm embracing the idea of it more and more. Light blue is a pretty pairing color I'm going to try next!

Here are similar pieces:

MARBLED SWEATER & HERE

BROWN LEATHER PANTS & HERE

Dress Beautifully in Warm Textures

XOXO Sarah Louise

Belief

 To me, yesterday was the start of the new year. I felt like I could say hello to 2025 now that school, work and routine can resume. After taking a nearly 2 week break from my job, and other responsibilities there's pressure to produce on top of the weight of the new year culture of change and habits. 

I love goals! I make them daily, monthly yearly ....

But here's the truth:

JESUS SAID

"APART FROM ME, YOU CAN DO NOTHING"

JOHN 15:5

He didn't say it would be harder, you'll need better strategies, you can handle small stuff, just try harder .... He said we can do nothing.

As you reflect on your intentions, do you believe that He will provide, protect and be present?

I hold on to so much of what I want, that I realized I have some unbelief that is in the way. 

  BELIEVE IN HIM & HIS PROMISES

Dress Beautifully Believing in Him for Everything

XOXO Sarah Louise

Fun in the New

 Happy New Year!!! It's hard to believe it's 2025 but I'm jazzed for it! 

This can be an expectant time of change but it can also be daunting with high expectations.

I shared with you that I choose a word to funnel my thoughts, actions and attitude through for each year as well as a list of personal goals. I've stayed away from 'resolutions' and here's why.

While we are called to grow and do our best, we are not called to perfection. While we strive, we are limited. Sure, just like every year, I want to drink more water, be more regimented with my skin care and dial up the workouts but I've lived militant for many years in the past and it left little room for fun.

I encourage you to adopt healthy habits into your daily life such as early quiet time, exercising, preparing healthy meals and focused time with family and friends. There will be things you say no to in order to honor your priorities but 100% worth it! 

I believe no matter your goals for any year, month, week or day, enjoying the gift of time is most important. It can not be earned or purchased and one you don't get to repeat.

So I say, HAVE FUN in the new year!

Dress Beautifully Every Day

XOXO Sarah Louise

2025 Word of the Year

 This is my 7th year choosing a word to focus my thoughts and actions on throughout the year. I find that it has truly helped me to grow and reach my goals.

Here are the posts from the past 6 years sharing my word and application  ...

2019's word of the year - Contentment 

2020's word of the year - Giving 

2021's word of the year - Purpose

2022's word of the year - Enjoy

2023's word of the year - Beauty

2024's word of the year - Amplify

I make lists every day with things I want to accomplish and for 2025 I have some specific goals:

- Create photos books (7 years worth!) 

- Clean out email & photos on my phone

- Complete house projects

    - Powder room

    - Ryan's office

    - Hallway

    - Master bedroom

    - Master closet

- Embark on a new venture! 

- Host monthly game night

- Learn to play pickle ball 

- Implement monthly meal planning

My 2025 Word of the Year ...

HONOR

RELATIONSHIPS

I want to honor my marriage, motherhood and friendships with words and care that is attentive, selfless and full of kindness.  I want to love others more than myself. 

TIME

I want to honor the time I've been given fulfilling my purpose. I want my job, every day tasks, fellowship with others and even the big celebratory moments to be spent intentionally. 

TREASURES

I want to honor my blessings, sharing what I have, including my talents freely with others. I want to generously give to others. 

THOUGHTS

I want to honor the person God made me to be with thoughts that are full of truth. Insecurities, comparison, and doubt can surface and be a distraction. I want to stand firm in knowledge and wisdom. 

With all these things, I set out to have all the fun I can in 2025!

Dress Beautifully in the New Year

XOXO Sarah Louise