My top 5 gifts to give

 Fun Fact: When taking the love language test, I do not have any answers that align with gifts. And neither does Ryan!  When it comes gifting others, it can be overwhelming.

Here are 5 things I've found that I enjoy gifting others ...

PRESENCE

Time spent with undivided attention, to me is the best gift ever! Time is of high value and something that we never seem to have enough of. So put your phone away (unless you're on video) and take a walk, share a meal, and set a date to be present. I promise the quality time is priceless.

FRAMED PHOTO

There are so many fun memories captured on our phones and on display online but I like to see them in my home so that when I walk by I smile remembering the moment. Like a handwritten note, printed & framed photos are tangible and beautiful. 

TREASURES

I love finding old and unique objects when I'm antique and thrift shopping. Things like trinket dishes, brass figurines and decor make for one of a kind gifts. 

Bonus, they're usually a bargain!

PAPER

Journals, stationary and books are timeless gifts that are always beloved. For books coffee table ones or ones that relate to the recipients interests are pretty and resourceful.

Be sure to write a note on the inside cover!

GAMES/PUZZLES

I love to play games and put together puzzles! In fact we play card and board games several nights a week. There are even party games for adults and question games to really get to know a crowd. It brings people together and they're just as fun the 10th time playing as they are the 1st. 

Dress Beautifully Gifting

XOXO Sarah Louise

How does it end?

 You know when you're half way through a good book and you find yourself wondering - how does it end? I find that most people hope it ends happily ever after, because isn't that what we all want? 

We have 1 more month of this year and while it can most certainly be the fullest with all the holiday things, I believe it's just as important as the first & all the months in between. This last month can set you up for an awesome new year. 

Here are some thoughts to reflect on, to end this year our best ....

WHERE ARE YOU WITH THE GOALS YOU SET IN JANUARY?  

ARE YOU PROUD OF YOUR PROGRESS?

WHAT CAN YOU BETTER PRIORITIZE?

WHERE CAN YOU BE MORE INTENTIONAL? 

HOW CAN YOU FOCUS YOUR TIME THIS SEASON? 

I ENCOURAGE YOU TO FINISH THIS YEAR STRONG! 

Note: We are not called to perfection! Simply do your best.

Dress Beautifully Finishing 2024

XOXO Sarah Louise

At The Table

There is great significance at the table. It is where we are still, where we are together and where we nourish our bodies, minds and souls. 

When you are seated at the table this Thanksgiving I encourage you to 

BE PRESENT

Leave your phone and troubles put away in another area.

Give your undivided attention to others, listening attentively.

SHARE LOVINGLY

Let your words be truthful, free from gossip and exaggeration. 

Share things that are good and useful.

Talk about ideas not people.

GIVE GRATITUDE

Stop and look around you. Go outside.

Go to God in prayer thanking Him for the abundance of blessings.

Dress Beautifully at Your Thanksgiving Table

XOXO Sarah Louise

The Best Freedom

 Today we give gratitude for Veterans!!! 

Ryan's homecoming 2016 after a year long deployment to the Middle East

as the Battalion Surgeon for a Marine Infantry Unit

There are so many freedoms to be thankful for and to exercise but I believe that one of the best ones is ...

"To Do and Want What is Good"

Let's choose this over and over again in ALL things!

Dress Beautifully in Freedom

XOXO Sarah Louise

Just Do It

 Fact: I do NOT like going to the doctor. So much that I don't do it. 

And the super horrible part is that I've had my own diagnoses along with family history. 

Like everyone who avoids doing things they don't want to do I have excuses. I eat healthy and exercise so I'm good, I'm married to a physician so I'm good, it's expensive, time-consuming and they do so little and the worst: ignorance is bliss so I don't want to know.

Also Facts: I have great health insurance, can make the time and it means the world to my family and friends that I'm healthy and taken care of so that I'm around to share life with.

We all procrastinate on the things we need/should do for all kinds of reasons. 

Recently I've established a primary care physician, was examined by the dermatologist (and had a spot frozen off my face) and had my 2nd mammogram. I'll see my gynecologist in December. 

3 Ways To Over Come Procrastination: 

Reward - when you complete the thing you don't want to do, allow yourself to something you do enjoy.

Prioritize - examine how you spend your time and adjust.

Accountability - calendar/set a date and let an encourager in your life help you. 

I have a monthly work project that I absolutely dread!!! Slowly but surely I'm improving on completing it on time using the 3 things above!

Dress Beautifully Getting it Done

XOXO Sarah Louise

Willpower < Surrender

Can you have too much of a good thing? I'm learning yes! 

I've always known I've had excessive willpower. I take disciplined to a whole new level and live a regimented life particularly when it comes to my schedule/routine, exercise, nutrition, cleanliness etc... 

#controlfreak

BUT often I find myself frustrated when outcomes are not what I'd expect. Unlike a mathematical equation or chemical reaction (I'm a nerd & can do them in my sleep) life doesn't always balance or equal what we think it should. 

I work hard, I try to do the right things and yet often I do not receive the results I expect. 

Rather than willpower, I need to surrender. 

Surrender to the plans and path God has for me.

Gracious that's not easy for me and I know I'm not alone. I've been wrestling and praying over this for several weeks now. 

I hope that this encourages you in your circumstances and relationships!

Dress Beautifully in

Surrender Over Willpower 

XOXO Sarah Louise

Heart of the Matter

I have this great love for beautiful things, people and God. My hope is that by sharing them it spreads joy.

Today is my 4,000th post on Instagram and by then end of this year I aim to have written 1500 blog posts! It's a perfect time to share the heart behind it all. 

I believe that dressing beautifully starts on the inside so I share encouraging messages in growing faith & love for others.

I believe that what you wear can showcase the unique and special person that you are and give you confidence to go out and shine your light bright. I share outfits to inspire you to create looks that suit your fancy and help make you feel your most beautiful.

Life is too short to wear boring clothes

Dress Yourself Beautifully! 

XOXO Sarah Louise

Throne before the Phone

 I'm a woman of many words and thoroughly enjoy sharing chit chats with my friends, sisters, and Mama.  I'm a quick draw with my phone to share the good, bad and anything in between. But I'm working on changing the way I talk.

Talking is what us women folk do. However, we tend to overshare about ourselves and others ... aka Gossip.

What if we ....

Take it to the Throne Before the Phone

Before we pick up the phone to talk to someone else about our problems - talk to God first.

The thing is God knows it ALL! He knows your side, the other side and the truth.

He knows what you need and when you need it.

And it goes both ways. Encourage your friends to talk to God before they bring it to you. 

We are called to bear one another's burdens, so when we do share, let our words be truthful, useful and good.

Note: Counsel from Godly women can be a blessing!

Dress Beautifully Bringing it to the

Throne Before the Phone

XOXO Sarah Louise

Handling the Hard

 Throughout my life I've heard the question "how did you get through that" or "I don't' know how she does it". I'm NOT a superhero but I do have God. 

I've had some very challenging seasons growing up, caring for my Mama, living long distance from Ryan, stressful corporate career, enduring a year long military deployment and heart shattering loss. They were all so very very hard.

Ryan has been practicing emergency medicine for a while now working very long hours and mostly nights and weekends ... it has done me in so many times! This past summer he accepted a new position traveling out of state for over half the month. Our thought is it would be less days and more time at home but again more hard. 

These are just a few of life's challenges I'm willing to share here and I know you could share a big list with me. We ALL have hard!

How do we get through? GOD!

We go to Him! 

He will give us strength, patience, endurance, knowledge, wisdom and peace and so much more to put one foot in front of the other. 

Stop over and over throughout your days and give thanks for all things big and small.

Note: the hard time may persist and sometimes for a long time but He is with you, providing for you and protecting you!

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; Isaiah 43:2

I've had several friends with challenging circumstances lately and even this weekend neighbors without power and the Western side of our state in devastating ruin. You still have hard but so do others.

Pray - there is power in Him.

Give - share your blessings.

I see that throughout my life God prepared me with skills and grew my character to persevere my hard times.

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5: 3-5

Dress Beautifully in the Hard Times

XOXO Sarah Louise

Waves on Waves

Last week at the beach I squealed with joy at Vivian surfing the waves of the ocean. I have to share that our darling Vivian has become so bold in the water this Summer! 

As I watched her float in the calm ripples, surf in fast on the high waves and even tumble on the ones that were just too much I realized that it was quite the representation of life.

Sometimes we are smooth surfing in the everyday and then we get something big and exciting to surf and then there's the waves that throw us off balance and take us down. 

The thing about the ocean is that it's constant. The tide & waves are always coming but there's also salt that helps us float along despite the conditions. 

The thing about life is that it's constant. If we're lucky we get day after day, there's always to-do's & interruptions but there's also blessings that help us stay afloat despite the unexpected.

As you think about the ocean and how majestic its vastness, beauty and countless wonders are, reflect on the same in your life. Celebrate the big surfs, resurface quickly and float gratefully in the every day.

Tip: Like finding seashells and shark teeth, look for the beautiful treasures in your day amongst people & your surroundings!  

Dress Beautifully Surfing

the Waves of Life

XOXO Sarah Louise

Dive In

Jump right in? or take your time inching in?

I'm more of a jump in kind of gal than I ever used to be. I'm shedding my scaredy cat ways and boldly embracing all things fun!

Here are some things that have me diving in - some with a running start! ...

DATE NIGHT

I'll get gussied up in a quick hurry for an evening alone with Ryan!

BIBLE STUDY

I love gathering with other gals for learning, growing and building relationships.

Currently I'm hosting ladies at our church each Wednesday evening. 

ANTIQUE SHOPPING

I love to hunt for treasures!

ICE CREAM

it's my favorite sweet treat

GIRLS WEEKEND

I want days and nights to really soak in my friends

BEACHING

ALL the things!

I especially like collecting seashells and finding sharks' teeth!

DANCE PARTY

Vivian & I do this almost daily in our home

she's recently become a hula hoop queen

DRESSING UP

I love shopping, styling outfits and putting on pretty pieces 

that help make me feel my best to go & shine my light to others!

OUTSIDE PLAY

whether it's a game of pickle ball, a stroll, bike ride, hike or patio chit chat 

I love to do things under the sun amongst the bird songs. 

TRAVEL

This is more recent for me and I'm loving the new sites, experiences and adventures.

I didn't grow up traveling and for over a decade travel was for work or to visit Ryan.

Now it's leisure and I'm incorporating trying hew actives (helicopter rides, zip lining, boating, and next - a hot air balloon ride!)

Dress Beautifully Diving into Things You Love

XOXO Sarah Louise

Size Matters

 I spent this past weekend at the beach with my gal pals and gracious did we laugh! I'm actually giggling a bit now just thinking about it.

One of the phrases that created quite the entertainment was 'Size Matters' (I'll spare you the context!). But on my drive home it did get me thinking.

Size does matter, a lot! I'm not talking about diamond rings, square footage or bank accounts.

I believe it matters when it comes to ...

Grace

Forgiveness 

Love

These things are better bigger!!!

Let them be bigger than our grievances, bigger than our inconveniences & bigger than our disappointments 

also hair ... high the hair closer to heaven!

Dress Beautifully 

Super Sizing Your Heart

XOXO Sarah Louise

Strut Strong

I do not like my legs. Not even a little.

Every Spring I get uneasy thinking about having to wear shorts, miniskirts and swimsuits. I know I can’t be the only one and that there’s a lot of gals out there that have areas of insecurity that haunt them. 

The things is I work tirelessly to make my legs strong, fast and capable and yet I find myself discontent. 

I’m a super private person so sharing this personal struggle is beyond hard but I pray this post encourages others. 

Here are 3 ways I’m working to love my legs …

STEWARD THEM 

MY TANK & SHORTS

My body, including my legs are a gift. A gift I do not own but rather that I am called to use. I want to use my body to go out and shine my light. I can show up to places and bless others without letting the worry of my appearance hinder. 

ENJOY THEM

I don’t want to waste a second missing out because I’m too self conscious. I’m going to run on the beach in my bathing suit, play outside in shorts, go out on the town in a mini hem line and have fun with the people I love. 

GET OVER THEM

Just because I’ve always disliked my legs doesn’t mean I always have to. I get to decided how I feel and think. God made me uniquely and purposefully. When I start to compare myself to others I can remember that I’m made specifically to look like me. I do the work at the gym to tone them and eat good nutrition to nourish them and that’s enough. 

My controlling nature tries to rule over my body and that can often spill over into my relationships in a negative way.  

I’m not sure I will ever feel the way I want but I do have a new mindset that I’m working hard to have so that I can step out confidently. 

Wherever you struggle, I hope that you know that God made your body beautiful and just for you! 

Use it for good - Enjoy it - and Wear what you want!!!

Dress Beautifully in Your Body

XOXO Sarah Louise