Darling

A dress so darling! The barely there feminine florals on fresh white cotton makes for a sweet summer sundress. (so much alliteration)

I love soft pastel pieces with girlie elements, like these elbow ruffle trimmed sleeves and natural waist silhouette.  Its these delicate details that inspire prettiness.

These canvass espadrilles are my most favorite addition for the season. They pair beautifully with all your summer ensembles.  With shorts, jeans and dresses they're cute, comfortable and chic!

White Floral Dress - Similar & Here | Espadrilles & Here |

Dress Beautifully in a Darling Floral Dress

XOXO Sarah-Louise

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

Cutie Collar

Can I just share that I started this week on the sweetest note! This past weekend I was blessed with two loving baby showers and I'm still in awe of the kindness generously given to us!  I can't wait to share it with you soon :)
(Last week was consumed with business travel followed by hosting family and friends so I didn't get a chance to post - I promise I'll catch up)

Most Mammas-to-be do not want to invest in maternity clothes and I hear ya! It's temporary and expensive however I know I still want to maintain style while growing.  Another challenging element would be dressing professional in the office - there's no shortage of maternity tees and leggings but try and find suiting and you'll feel like you're hunting for a needle in a hay stack. Trust me - I've done the hunt and had some success that I shared on this post.

I also do not care for all of the super fitted maternity garments, I prefer a looser fit.
Confession: I just can't get comfortable with being bigger.

This dress I love because it's a classic black with cute scalloped white collar.  It's soft and swingy.  I would wear a black dress with a white collar without the bump. I'll have to add black tights now that the temps have finally dropped.
PS This baby girl has me so warm that I'm freezing Mr out in our house!

White Collar Dress - Non-Maternity  ||  Pumps & Here  ||  Handbag & Similar  ||  

Dress Beautifully in a White Collared Dress

XOXO Sarah Louise

Mamma Monday: Baby Shower Dresses

One of the sweetest blessings when expecting a baby is the gift of a shower.
It's given to the Mamma-to-be to help her prepare for motherhood with things she and baby will need throughout the first year.  Like when you got married, those family and friends who love you want to set you up with gifts to assist with the big transition.  Because gals, it's a lot.

Showers are special occasions.  A time for putting you best self forward, because you will be the center of the celebration ... and these sweet memories will be captured in lots of pictures.
That means you must dress beautifully.

I'm so honored to have the love of my gal pals that are hosting my showers!

I knew when I found out our baby was a girl, that her nursery was going to be based on the color lavender.  Feminine but different.  I then started thinking that I wanted to wear a lavender dress for one of my showers.  And naturally, I picked a dress that Princess Kate has worn!

Please don't feel that if you are having a boy you need to wear blue or even pink if you're having a girl.  You should wear a dress that makes you feel beautiful.

Here are some dresses I've scouted for you that would be absolutely lovely for a baby shower ...

Purple Floral (I wore this one to church last Sunday) ||  Pink Ruffle Sleeve  ||  Blue Lace  ||  

Pink Drop Waist Ruffle (I'm wearing this one to a shower!) ||

Light Blue Tweed  ||  Pink Pleated  || 

 Lavender Blossom  (I'm wearing this one to a shower as worn by the Duchess!) ||

Dress Beautifully for Your Baby Shower

XOXO Sarah Louise

Friday 5: Lemons



TGIF! It's been a while since I've done a Friday 5 post ... let's not count how many Fridays!  I'm sorry gals, I want to say life has been busy but I truly despise the phrase "I'm busy". Like who isn't'??!!! I don't know anyone who just sits around bored.  And can we please not compare busyness? I've been hearing it for years "try balancing with kids" or "just wait til you have kids".

Ladies, kids or no kids one's responsibilities and commitments are no less significant.

I feel like I'm on a rant but we have to do better. I posted a quote on instagram this past Wednesday about lifting each other up; being a cheerleader not a competitor.

You don't have to have the same interests or schedules to support one another and take interest.  Embrace each other and the things in our lives that make us us.

Like this blog. I LOVE writing it. I love hustling at my job, exercising (don't even get me started on the various forms of working out and how everyone's gym or class is better - just sweat the way you want it's all about being strong & healthy!), teaching Sunday School, being on the VBS committee, holding a leadership/committee chair position in the Junior League, keeping up my home (not the cleaning the decorating), and most importantly loving my family.  Yes, just us two is a family!

Let's turn some negative lemons into lemonade ... or better yet limoncello! Cheers to the weekend!

How chic is citrus for Summer?!

If you know me in real life or have been reading along over the past 3 1/2 years you know I love lemons!  Every year my birthday cake is lemon.  My kitchen is decorated with lemon accents, I own a lemon dress, top and a gorgeous pendant necklace Mr gave me for my 31st birthday.

I'd have so much more but I must hold back.

Here are some lemon printed sundresses I've rounded up for you ...

Lemon Midi  ||  Blue and Yellow Lemon Print  ||  Off the Shoulder  ||

 Spaghetti Strap  ||  Navy Lemon  ||

Dress Beautifully in Lemons

XOXO Sarah Louise

Blues

There's no Sadness in These Monday Blues.  I Love Pairing Shades of a Color Together. When Styling a Tonal Look be Sure to Incorporate Interest with Detailing or Accessories.

Here in the South Light Blue is Referred to as 'Carolina' Blue from the Signature UNC- Chapel Hill Color - Mr's an Alum so it's Favorite!
This 'Carolina' Blue Blouse Brings Interest & Femininity with it's Pleated Ruffles.

I'm Definitely a Blues over Blacks Gal.  While Most Gals Can't Get Enough Black Pieces in their Closet, I Hunt for Blues, Navy Blues.  Navy isn't Nearly as Easy to Find as Black, so When I Find a Great Navy Piece it Almost Always Comes Home.

P.S. You Can Totally Mix Blues & Blacks! (Sounds like a good post ... stay tuned)

I Added Some Bright to the Look with my Handbag and Spectator Pumps in White & Navy.

Carolina Blue Ruffled Blouse: ASOS || Navy Suit Pencil Skirt: Banana Republic ||

White Handbag: Michael Kors || Spectator Pumps: Brooks Brothers Similar ||

Sunglasses: Target || Essie Polish: Butler Please ||  

Be Beautiful in Blues

XOXO Sarah Louise