Coffee & Chit Chat

Late last year a new Ralph Lauren store and a mobile Ralph's coffee truck opened here in Charlotte. I personally love visiting them both! There's something sweet about sipping a cup of coffee and something even sweeter doing it with someone else.

Life is full! But one of my favorite things to do is slow down, sit down and share life across from a friend. 

First, you greet each other with a great big smile and a squeeze! 

Second, it's always nice if one gal makes it her treat.

Third, fill your chit chat with questions, an attentive ear and words that are truthful, good and useful.

If we were having coffee here's what I'd share ...

Image The Southern Gail

she's a fav follow

I've got some beautiful house projects on the horizon. I'm adding molding and wallpaper to our formal living room and up the stairs then through the hallway. Stay tuned!

And FINALLY I've selected a wallpaper for our powder room! It's been years of searching, ordering samples and debating.  I still have to choose a classic molding for the lower walls but the upper is going to be a fun statement!

And on the topic of home projects, we are hoping to create two new outdoor living areas before Spring that include a permeant fire pit and a large outdoor dining area with a pergola!

Work has been at it's fullest this month but sweet puppy Trixie keeps me good company!

Speaking of hard work, I've cooked so many new meals this month and to be honest I'm both proud and exhausted with it.

Read my post about this pursuit! 

Wednesday is Ryan's birthday and I've been counting down to a night out, just us two all gussied up, to cheers and celebrate the gift of him for another year. 

We have our Spring and Summer trips on our calendar and they have me so excited and already thinking about what I'll wear! There's something special about the outfits you pack and wear on vacation.

On the topic of trips it's been a dream of mine to visit Europe but I've minimized it over the years. Last year at my 40th birthday my dear friend encouraged me not to dismiss or put off what may be possible. That we don't know the future and often we can make those dreams come true.

Ryan and I are discussing a trip to Europe next year as a celebration for our 15th wedding anniversary!

More exciting news: I hit a lifting PR last week at the gym!! I'm continuing to challenge myself to be my strongest, fastest and overall healthiest.

I'm hopefully in the last few months of Invisalign for my teeth and I can't wait to wear creamy lipsticks and lipglosses again! They smear all over the plastic so I'm limited to matte stains which is hard in the winter.  I have been wearing lanolin on my lips at night to help with dryness.

I really really miss my Mama! I got the flu at the start of the new year and then she did and so many things have gotten in the way of visiting her.

I decided to fast from spending for myself from December until at least March 1st.  I've done this several times before and each time find it impactful. It increases my contentment with what I have and it even sparks creativity for styling my pieces in new ways.

If I was shopping I'd scoop up this dress - these jeans and this top!

Vivian is wanting a pair of high heels shoes so much so that she can look like me on Sundays for church! It's the most precious thing. I'm going to try to find an appropriate pair to give her on Valentine's day.

I received several puzzles for Christmas and have loved the quiet time working on them.

They're a great alternative to screen time, something I'm trying hard to minimize.

I have recently enjoyed watching the HBO show The Gilded Age! I also loved the book & show Lessons in Chemistry (my first job out of college was as a Chemist). 

The ladies bible study I participate in has started back and I am absolutely thrilled with how much I'm learning, growing and loving the ladies in my small group.

Ryan gifted me a new Bible for Christmas and I smile at the sentiment each time I open it up :)

Last week I was privileged to celebrate one of my dearest friend's 40th birthday at a local tea house.

While it was her day, I found myself full of gratitude for the gift of her!

Whether you're out at a chic shop or in the comforts of home

 I encourage you to sit for a spell with someone sweet!

Dress Beautifully for Coffee & Conversation

XOXO Sarah Louise

Life Lately: Coco & Chit Chat

Happy Monday gals! Have you REALLY looked at the calendar??? We have just days left until Christmas and the end of 2021. #mindblown

How do you feel about that? Me, I'm not so sure.  It honestly went by so quickly. Don't they all? sigh 
I do know that this year as been full of JOY! I'm grateful for all the fun we had and memories made.

If we weren't behind screens with each other I'd pull out these Christmas mugs I found a few weeks ago at my favorite antique shop and we'd sip coffee or coco (seasonally appropriate) and talk about the latest

Here's my side of our chit chat ... 

I'd be tickled pink to here yours in a message or call if we're pals IRL

I'm OBSESSED with the show Yellowstone

I just started watching it last month and just had to have this hat to channel my inner cowgirl.

Gals, I find cowboys so incredibly handsome!

Speaking of out West, I just booked a trip to Lake Tahoe in April

with my gal pals for my 39th Birthday!!! 

Naturally, I'm getting all kinds of adds for ski stuff

and I'd love to have this spurge sweater.

I don't know about you but I've been sucked into the major sales this season

and have taken the opportunity to add some accessories to my jewelry box.

Like this heart pendant & chain

I don't buy a lot of costume jewelry b/c Ryan likes to gift me fine jewelry 

(I'm also a creature of habit with my gold hoops EVERY day)

But I'm loving designer Addison Weeks for baubles & hardware (going into our guest bath)

and Erin McDermott (I gifted some of her pieces this year)

I almost want to try and cook more & better after taking a class in Raleigh this past weekend with my friends. Sigh, Almost. I just don't like food and even more so preparing it. But gracious does my husband.

I will say I had a blast working together and the meal was super delicious.

I'm gifting Ryan a date night class for his birthday in January.

I highly recommend the classes at Sur La Table

Our darling Angel was a real angel in our church's Christmas Play.

My Mamma heart nearly burst watching her sing and perform.

It was not only precious but a reminder of the reason for the season.

This book gals! It's so good.  The ladies' bible study I'm in is on break until after the new year so we are all reading this in between.  So encouraging! 

And since we're on the topic of encouraging and hard things, my feet need all the help they can get.

Embarrassing fact: I have such horrendous feet that my sisters & friends call them 'hooves'! 

I don't share or talk about them b/c well, they're horrendous! 

I've been using this at night for almost a week and it truly has helped.

If you have cracked heels, calluses, arthritis and bunions like me - this is for you!

I've been working out extra hard this month.  I like to end the year my strongest & best so that I enter a new one the same. Don't put off til tomorrow what you can do today!

And here's something super soft and cozy! 

This sweater is a classic and the warmest that I own.

I plan to wear it tonight to a live nativity at the church Vivian goes to school at.

We had so much fun at the Charlotte Checkers Hockey game 

Saturday night! We took Vivian 2 years ago and she loved it. We had planned to keep taking her but you know, Covid. I'm excited we can start going again!

My sweater.

Bless bunny Ethel! 

Vivian adores her and well, I've grown quite fond of her (it's the best I can do).

If you missed this, my Mamma's bunny Alice had babies over the Summer and she gifted Vivian one. 

I added big red velvet ribbon to the tree this year after seeing it in 

Southern Living Magazine (it's a dream of mine to have our home/this blog featured one day)

All the presents are purchased and wrapped and we are playing classic Christmas music in our home daily.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

My Sweater

Hopefully you've smiled a time or two reading along about my life lately.

I hope yours is warm and sweet as we celebrate Christmas!

Dress Beautifully with Joy

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Life Lately Fall Edition

Let’s pretend we’re both rocking on the front porch of a mountain cabin sipping a hot cup of coffee & taking in the view, shall we?

If we were going to sit and chat for a spell here’s what I’d share about my life lately:

Accepting - The current climate of our world (I don’t like it! Not one little bit!)

Cheers to 15 years together!

Appreciating - how hard Ryan works! Given today’s medical climate he’s averaging 250 hrs in the ER each month to care for patients.  We miss him dearly but proud of his dedication to others and us.

Becoming - a better listener (at least I’m trying to). I’m a talker and get so excited when I’m with my gal pals that I want to make sure I don’t hog up our conversations.

Believing - that God has the whole world in His hands. 

Celebrating - my sister just moved last week. It’s been hard as she’s now 90 mins away instead of 30 but I’m so happy for her family and their new home.

Drinking - more water! Ugh it’s a need! I am horrible and will never ever miss my two piping hot cups of black coffee, but water, can go all day with out it. 

Eating - before Vivian I would never ever eat processed food much less sugar! But I’ve chilled just a tiny bit and am allowing myself to enjoy a treat with her (on occasion).

Enjoying - all the outside time I can get! I spend more time out on our patio than inside our home.

Exercising - all the outside runs! The morning weather is crisp and perfect for clocking in lots of miles and speed. I always push hard physically during 4th quarter so that I can finish the year strong.

Feeling - joyful for my family! Life isn’t perfect but gracious I’m so happy to share it with them!

Finishing - organizing the closets & cabinets throughout our home

This was a week ago at the top of a hike with my church's ladies retreat

Going - to the mountains for a weekend at the lake with some of my gal pals! 4 more days!

Laughing - at my darling Vivian and the sweet silly things she says and does

Missing - my Mamma. I don’t see her nearly enough.  I do still call almost daily because no matter how old I get, I still need her every day!

Marveling - at how much Vivian is learning & growing each day.

Noticing - just how fast time goes.

Ordering - all of Vivian’s Christmas & birthday presents this month.

Planning - LOTS of vacations for 2022!

Praying - all the time.

Proud - of how awesome Vivian did at her first dentist appointment.

Searching - for the perfect dress for family pictures ... Instead I keep finding other fabulously extra pieces like this faux fur coat (my gals pals and sisters said no #eyeroll)

Trying - to love Ethel.  I’m at tolerating.

Wearing - lots and lots of jeans. It's finally cooling off, just a bit.

Studying - Romans. Every Tuesday & throughout the week in a Ladies Bible Study.

Wishing - she could always stay this little

Hoping - that the gals that read this blog are encouraged, inspired and loved by the things I share! 

Dress Beautifully Each & Every Day

XOXO Sarah-Louise