Minis

Greetings from the beach! I'm currently vacationing with my family and soaking up all the time together (Ryan was away for nearly a month). I've even been embracing a slower pace doing puzzles, reading and resting. One of the highlights was finding 46 shark teeth and some beautiful sea shells yesterday! 

YELLOW FLORAL MINI SKIRT

I've never been a mini skirt gal nor a short-shorts gal for that matter. I like my hem lines long. BUT in this heat less coverage is a matter of survival. I find that I fancy skirts in a light fabric with movement created by ruffles or an a-line design. 

This one has a flat front, fun yellow floral print, and two drop hem ruffled layers with an eyelet trim. This yellow is like a neutral and pairs beautifully with other colors like purple, blue and green. Denim is always nice too. 

Tip: Transition this one nicely into Fall with a sweater and/or bootie.

Mini skirts can be casual with a cotton tank/tee or dressy with a blouse and heels.

Dress Beautifully in a Mini

XOXO Sarah Louise

Friday Favorites: Maxi Skirts

 TGIF! When you look at your style and in your closet you'll probably notice a predominant piece, color or design that you gravitate towards. For me it's white tops & maxi skirts.  I have quite the collection of maxi skirts because they're versatile all year long. 

I can style them with sweaters & boots in the winter, fun tops and sandals in the Summer, dressy with a blouse & heels or casual with a tank and sneakers. 

There's also the benefit of coverage (I'm not keen on showcasing my legs) and I find that they elongate making me feel and look taller (hard to do when you're 5'2"!).

FISH SMOCKED SKIRT - LINEN CROPPED SHELL

SHELL NECKLACE

When I'm shopping for maxi skirts I like a higher waist to create a long look, a crisp cotton poplin fabric, prints with lots of colors to pair with and minimal volume.

Here are some pretty maxi skirts to wear this Summer ...

SOLID SMOCKED POPLIN

also in navy

NAVY PRINT

DIP-DYED

BROWN DIP-DYED

BROWN PRINT

also 3 solid colors

ONE SIZE WRAP

PINK FLORAL

RED SHELL

YELLOW FLORAL

BLOCK PRINT

Dress Beautifully in a Maxi Skirt

XOXO Sarah Louise

Tropical

 Gals, 3 weeks from today I will be on an island! You're darn right I'm counting down. Vacationing is always wonderful but this year it's an amazing end to Vivian's kindergarten year.

I believe in dressing for the occasion and vacation is no exception. Tropical places are beautiful for their landscape, colors and just beautiful surroundings so a fabric that mimics that beauty is fun to wear.

Note: you do not have to be somewhere tropical to dress like it!

Tropical prints have come a long way from those tacky shirts men wear. Dress designs now incorporate cut outs, asymmetrical hems and oversized bold prints ... And LOTS of color!

My dress is from FARM RIO (a few seasons ago) but they are my favorite for vacation pieces.

I have my eye on this dress, this dress & this skirt.

Dress Beautifully in a Tropical Print

XOXO Sarah Louise

Friday Favorites: Vacation Dresses

 I love vacation dressing almost as much as I love vacations. There's something special about the outfits we wear away from home and our daily lives. When we dress for an occasion, near or far, fancy or not, it shows the value of the time and people there. 

MY DRESS

Pretty Vacation Dresses ...

LINEN SHIFT

also in navy

HALTER MAXI

also in black

MIDI SKIRT

ROMPER

TROPICAL MAXI

TROPICAL LONG SLEEVE MINI

FLORAL HALTER

LINEN CUT OUT

Farm Rio is a great for tropical fun pieces but also a splurge! 

Dress Beautifully on Vacation

XOXO Sarah Louise

Midi Skirt 4 Ways

 Thanksgiving is tomorrow! This day is all about cherishing time with those we love and sharing a yummy meal. When it comes to significant occasions I believe you should dress accordingly. It shows yourself & others that this time matters ... but you also need to be comfortable to cook & play!

I find a midi skirt to be a pretty option! In a light cotton fabric there's plenty of room for movement, a feminine shape and lots of style options.

Here's 4 ways to style a midi skirt ...

DENIM

Denim Puff Sleeve Top

I absolutely love pairing denim with everything!

It has a timeless and casual look.

BLAZER

Classic Navy Blazer

If your attending a more formal dinner or like us, going out to dinner,

a blazer offers a polished look.

SWEATSHIRT

Fun Sweatshirt

Sweatshirts have come a long way from the days of my childhood and college.

They have the same soft comfort but in designs and patterns that are modern. 

SWEATER

Cozy Sweater

In the South we don't always get a cold Thanksgiving.

This year we will definitely be in sweaters!

It seems fitting to be cozy at the holidays.

MIDI SKIRT

Dress Beautifully in a Midi Skirt

XOXO Sarah Louise

Now & Later

Long skirts have gained a ton of real estate space in may closet over the past few years. I get so much more femininity, color, print and comfort over a pair of jeans but still have the same coverage. 

Perk: With a long skirt you still don't have to shave or use tanning lotion (a must for my fair self!)

Here's how I style them across the seasons ...

I chose a dark burgundy color (black, olive and brown would be lovely too)

A leather or denim jacket would add a warm layer.

For Cooler Days:

Darker colors

Sweaters

Vests/Jackets

Boots

Swap the dark color out for a lighter shade top and add sandals or sneakers

For Warmer Days:

Light colors

Tees/Tanks (even a crop top for vacation!)

Cotton

Sandals

Sneakers

I truly believe a long skirt with colors & prints that feel pretty to you will be a great investment in your wardrobe as a piece that transitions across seasons and occasions. 

Perk: I also believe they make you look taller when keeping the waist high and top tucked in/cropped.

Top - My Skirt - Similar Skirt & Here & Here - Boots

Dress Beautifully in a Long Skirt 

All Year Long

XOXO Sarah Louise

Tropical

Gals, just a few days ago I really was on an island. Not sure if you could call Kiawah Island 'tropical' but it definitely looked and felt like it. Palm trees, a beach with no end and lots of wildlife (I was in arms reach of alligators, deer and herons!) 

While honesty IS the best, and only policy in my book, when it comes to Summer dressing I encourage dressing to your imagined location. I have a list of places I'd like to travel and find it fun to dress the part even if I haven't even left my city limits.

Tropical pieces with their bright colors and prints instantly lift your spirits and bring cheer to the people and occasion you're at.  When you enter with a dress as bright as this one it will not only be known your enthusiasm to be where you are but it will be contagious!! 

Farm Rio is a brand that is all about bright colors and tropical prints.  They are also charitable!

You can't help but smile at the whimsical patterns (especially when they incorporate animals).

Tropical Dress | Sandals | Earrings | Similar Bag

Dress Beautifully in a Tropical Dress

XOXO Sarah Louise

Friday Favorites: Gingham Goodies

TGIF! Gals, I love a gingham print come Spring. It makes me thing of fun outdoor picnics. Personally, I prefer the check pattern in pastels. It's classic with the crisp lines yet soft and feminine in light colors.

Here are some gingham goodies ... 

Tiered Voluminous Dress

also in solid colors & prints

Midi Dress

Puff Sleeve Midi Dress

also in orange

Maxi Skirt

I ordered this one!

Maxi Dress

Wrap Skirt

Pink & Blue Top

Peplum Puff Sleeve Top

also in tan

On my wish list!

Puff Sleeve Midi Dress

also in blue

On my wish list!

Maxi Skirt

also in green

Ruffle Top

also in pink

Wrap Dress

Ruffle Neck Top

also in navy

Carmel Ruffle Top

Paperbag Shorts

Swimsuit

Ruffle Swimsuit 

Love adding a rattan belt to Summer Outfits!

Dress Beautifully in Gingham

XOXO Sarah-Louise