Friday Favorites: Dip Dye

TGIF! Fun fact, I never made a tie dye shirt as a kid. I feel like I missed out on an important childhood craft.  I Mamma, I stick it to Summer camp and my friends for not hosting the activity.

While a psychedelic t-shirt isn't my jam, I do enjoy the beauty of a smeared color palette in a more sophisticated design. I look at it as abstract art, reminding me of a sunset at beach. 

Here are some pretty dip dyed pieces I'm loving ....

This gauzy maxi dress is coming with me to the beach in just a matter of days!

Blue Maxi

Pastel Ombre Maxi

Bubble Sleeve Top

Open Back Vaca Dress

Mini Skirt

Embroidered Blouse

Sweatshirt Tank

Babydoll Dress

Puff Sleeve

also in pink

Long Sleeve Tiered Dress

2 more color options

Dress Beautifully in Dip Dyed Colors

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Blue & White

Blue & white, the ultimate classic color combination. It's so beautiful you'll find the pair throughout my home decor and my wardrobe. Ryan once told me I'm not allowed to bring one more ginger jar into our house ... eyeroll. I doubt he'll have any objection to me dressing like one!

Fun fact: I meant to order this tiered maxi skirt in blue gingham but wasn't paying attention and ordered the floral print option. Such a 'Happy Accident' as my Mamma would say!

The fabric is light and airy making it a perfect piece this summer for causal or dressy occasions. I chose this eyelet flutter sleeve blouse and flat metallic sandals for a look that's just right for anywhere. 

This blouse has all the designer details but at a bargain and in several color options. 

Now, these sandals were another 'bargain'. They are designer so when I found them on DSW's website at a significant discount you could technically say it was a savvy spend but still an investment.

I love separates in a wardrobe for the mixing and matching possibilities. 

Take the top and pair with shorts, jeans or a fun mini skirt.

Try a knotted graphic tee and sneakers with this skirt for looking chic at a backyard shindig while still being able to chase your little.

Top | Skirt | Sandals & Here | Earrings |

Dress Beautifully in Blue & White

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

Simply Striped

Stripes are simply a classic print that every gal must embrace. A classic black and white striped top and dress are staples for your wardrobe that I promise you will wear over and over. 

They pair beautifully with everything – colors, textures and even other prints, like leopard!

This dress is a maternity dress.  I don’t technically need it quite yet, however I don’t want to reach a point where I literally have nothing to wear and find myself scrounging and paying full price at the store.  So, I’ve taken advantage of sales and promotions and have been purchasing ahead. 

This dress has amazing structure and shapely paneling that creates confidence for a growing silhouette.  Like I shared before I’m not a fan of cotton/jersey fitted dresses.  I didn’t wear thin unstructured fabric garments before so I have no desire to start now.  I believe clothing pieces should skim the body. It’s just flattering and classy.

I styled this dress how I would normally style a striped dress.  I plan to keep my maternity style as close to my normal as possible -  I already have crisp dress shirts, pencil skirts and A-line dresses.

Since we are technically in Fall despite the just plain hot temps, I layered with another classic, the denim jacket.  You should all have one and if not shame on you.

I added a pop of color with my red bag so I kept the shoe neutral. Check out the back of this dress J

Don’t hesitate to style with added print with a scarf or shoe.  I foresee a trench, camel sweater and boots pairing next month … maybe even tights & colored coat come November.  Seriously the options are endless.

If you do happen to be like me (there are a couple of you sweet gals aka belly buddies) on a mission of  ‘being a babe while having a babe’ you NEED this dress!

And for the rest of you I’ve linked less roomy options down below. 

Striped Dress & Similar ||  Non-maternity Striped Dress  & Here  || 

Slides & Here  ||  Denim Jacket & Here  ||  Handbag & Similar  ||  Earrings  ||

Dress Beautifully in a Striped Dress

XOXO Sarah Louise

Athleisure

Athleisure.  What does that mean anyways? Sounds like some word made up for marketing purposes.  Well it is; sorta.

According to wikipedia it 'is a trend in fashion in which clothing designed for workouts and other athletic activities is worn in other settings, such as during work, casual or social occasions.'

spot on.

Now, I'm sticking to my strong belief that gym clothes are for exercise only and not appropriate elsewhere. But I am softening a bit and incorporating some casual and relaxed pieces into my weekend wear.

Gym clothes are NOT everyday clothes! They are meant for exercising, by all means do that daily.  I believe it all began when gals started wearing yoga pants as pants because they were stretchy. It's lazy, sloppy and unflattering! Stop reading if you must but leggings of any sort are NOT pants.
Only underneath a tunic/shorter dress with your derriere concealed is it acceptable.
Honestly, it's more effort to squeeze into those tights than it is to step into a pair of pants.

Think of it as wearing an evening gown to the grocery store - situationally inappropriate!

Off my soap box and onto what is appropriate for a casual and comfortable dressing...

These track pants with their soft, flat-front elastic waist and tailored leg incorporates elements of comfort with the style of a dress pant.  (wearing them as such in a later post!)

A semifitted tee/tank in a solid color or with a cute quote that shows your off your personality = Yes.  An oversized t-shirt you got for free at some promo event = Fail.

Add a light weight sneaker, denim jacket and cross body or tote bag and you're ready to go.

More options: a duster cardigan, field or bomber jacket, quilted vest, slip on sneaker, sandal and scarf

Please don't opt for: fleece jacket, heavy running sneaker, tight tank exposing undergarments and cleavage, or flip flops

It's all about the pant when it comes to athleisure wear.  You're basically swapping out your jeans or if you're guilty of wearing leggings/yoga tights (repent now) for a loose but tailored lightweight pull-on pant.

I'm obsessed with this pair! They literally look like dress pants. Flat front so no bunching or added volume around the hips, skimming yet roomy leg and ankle length with no elastic hem (ew).
These are perfect for ALL - even those gals that are expecting or post pregnancy.  It's a hard time for dressing but these make it easy.

Go get yourself a pair of these pants - I wear them at least once a week #truestory.  They define go-to.

Track Pants || Tank || Denim Jacket || Sneakers || Crossbody bag || 

Dress Beautifully in Athleisure Wear

XOXO Sarah Louise