Belief

 To me, yesterday was the start of the new year. I felt like I could say hello to 2025 now that school, work and routine can resume. After taking a nearly 2 week break from my job, and other responsibilities there's pressure to produce on top of the weight of the new year culture of change and habits. 

I love goals! I make them daily, monthly yearly ....

But here's the truth:

JESUS SAID

"APART FROM ME, YOU CAN DO NOTHING"

JOHN 15:5

He didn't say it would be harder, you'll need better strategies, you can handle small stuff, just try harder .... He said we can do nothing.

As you reflect on your intentions, do you believe that He will provide, protect and be present?

I hold on to so much of what I want, that I realized I have some unbelief that is in the way. 

  BELIEVE IN HIM & HIS PROMISES

Dress Beautifully Believing in Him for Everything

XOXO Sarah Louise

2025 Word of the Year

 This is my 7th year choosing a word to focus my thoughts and actions on throughout the year. I find that it has truly helped me to grow and reach my goals.

Here are the posts from the past 6 years sharing my word and application  ...

2019's word of the year - Contentment 

2020's word of the year - Giving 

2021's word of the year - Purpose

2022's word of the year - Enjoy

2023's word of the year - Beauty

2024's word of the year - Amplify

I make lists every day with things I want to accomplish and for 2025 I have some specific goals:

- Create photos books (7 years worth!) 

- Clean out email & photos on my phone

- Complete house projects

    - Powder room

    - Ryan's office

    - Hallway

    - Master bedroom

    - Master closet

- Embark on a new venture! 

- Host monthly game night

- Learn to play pickle ball 

- Implement monthly meal planning

My 2025 Word of the Year ...

HONOR

RELATIONSHIPS

I want to honor my marriage, motherhood and friendships with words and care that is attentive, selfless and full of kindness.  I want to love others more than myself. 

TIME

I want to honor the time I've been given fulfilling my purpose. I want my job, every day tasks, fellowship with others and even the big celebratory moments to be spent intentionally. 

TREASURES

I want to honor my blessings, sharing what I have, including my talents freely with others. I want to generously give to others. 

THOUGHTS

I want to honor the person God made me to be with thoughts that are full of truth. Insecurities, comparison, and doubt can surface and be a distraction. I want to stand firm in knowledge and wisdom. 

With all these things, I set out to have all the fun I can in 2025!

Dress Beautifully in the New Year

XOXO Sarah Louise

Friday Favorites: Christmas Week

 This Christmas week was full of fun, special and even a few challenging moments. While I strive to focus on the joy of things the reality is that there is hard for everyone! 

Here are my favorites from our Christmas week ...

My family lighting the Advent Wreath at Church

Ryan surprised us with ticket to Cirque du Soleil

It was AMAZING!

Candlelight Service

 "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, 

but will have the light of life". John 8:12

Being Mrs Claus is so much fun!!!

I made this easy breakfast casserole:

1 (8oz) can crescent dough

1lb ground sausage

9 eggs

1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350F - Spray 9x13 baking dish with nonstick spray

Unroll crescent dough and place it in bottom of dish

Brown sausage in a skillet over medium heat until it is cooked through, then drain it & place it on top of dough. 

Whisk eggs, then pour them on top of the sausage and dough.

Top with shredded cheese.

Bake for 30 mins.

The magic of Christmas morning! 

One of my top things to do this week was a puzzle! 

This one was hard at first but grew to be a lot of fun.

3 pieces were missing - which is frustrating, is that a normal manufacturing/packaging error??

Today was Vivian's last day being 6!!!!!!

I have so many feelings but the biggest is gratitude for the gift of loving her with my whole heart!

Dress Your Week Beautifully with Joy

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

Welcome Interruptions

 I don't know about you but I plan! I plan my months, weeks, days and even hours with lists on top of lists.

BUT here's the truth - these plans will be interrupted. They will not go as I have designed them to go. 

Something or someone is going to delay or halt my productivity and I've learned it's for good. God has bigger and better plans for my time than I do. He will take my day and use it for His glory when I am open and welcome to it. 

Last week my bestest gal pal of nearly 30 years called me in the mid afternoon and I almost didn't answer it ... but thank the Lord above I did because she needed me and I needed to care for her!

Today in the midst of tasks a dear friend called with a sad heart and my tasks could wait to lift her spirits.

Note: My Sunday School student, Juliet, really enjoys baking.

She made Italian lemon cookies especially for me (lemon is my fav!)

I was tickled to share them with my Mama!

Then as I was getting back on track, my Mama called and said she was close by (she had an appointment and naturally she didn't tell me when I saw her Saturday). So I got myself together and welcomed her into our home with lunch and tea for two!

Putting people over projects is the best priority! 

When we've made our plans and lists ...

First, make sure there's 'white space' on the calendar = room for the unexpected

Then, give it to God to do with it as He will.

Welcome, with discernment (work does have to get done), interruptions ... they just may be a much needed blessing!

Dress Your Day Beautifully Welcoming Interruptions 

XOXO Sarah Louise

Friday Favorites: T & T

 TGIF! This week we are spending time together, just us 3, at the beach. We've done this for 3 years now in mid August so that we end Summer in a way that's meaningful and fun! Our worlds are so full but this week we focus on us! We have played, laughed and down right enjoyed being together. 

What you wear matters. It can hopefully give you confidence to shine your light to others but it cannot give you time nor togetherness.

TIME

There's never enough and it always goes by too quickly. 

Cherish the gift of each day by practicing contentment and being present. Slow down, look around and give thanks. 

TOGETHER

People are your greatest blessings. Schedule the date, make the call and be attentive. Enjoy your loved ones by sharing your talents, helping hands and as much laughter as you possibly can! 

Best friends are the best when you give them your best!

Children will grow up way too fast. Slow down and soak them up!

Dress Beautifully Spending Time Together 

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

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

41 Things

On Thursday I turn 41! It's a privilege to be granted these years and I want to steward them well.

Here are 41 things I believe in for living my life beautifully ...

Life is too short to wear boring clothes 

Put on the amour of Christ

Pretty is as pretty does 

Classy girls wear pearls

Better to be overdressed

Share your talents

Let your words be as sweet as honey

Leave a little bit of sparkle where ever you go

Show up

Greet them & leave them with a hug

Pursue Peace

People over projects 

Friends are the most precious gifts

Others above yourself

Hold Hands

Pray first

You can have a lot but you can not have it all

Something is better than nothing 

Say I love you as much as you can

What’s true isn’t new and what’s new isn’t true

Be still

Ordinary yet significant

Vertical over horizontal viewpoint

Your portion is sufficient 

Gratitude creates contentment 

Dance party often

Hold them a little longer 

Say yes

Present over perfection

Have more fun

Play outside 

Do the hard for the good 

Strong is healthy 

Cleanliness is next to Godliness

Send handwritten notes

Store up treasures in heaven

Use the nice stuff - each day is a special occasion

Make Lemonade 

Eat the Cake

Cheers with Champagne

EVERY DAY IS A GIFT

Dress Your Life Beautifully 

XOXO Sarah Louise