Everything's Coming Up Roses

Nowadays you don’t often get the response ‘Everything’s coming up Roses’  -  Meaning life is wonderful, when asking how someone is doing.  Personally I feel it’s a shame.

Note: Peachy Keen is another phrase I like to say J

Now,  I’m going to be transparent with you, I have felt like life is wonderful from the moment Mr returned home to me from his deployment overseas 10 weeks ago.  Life wasn’t less wonderful before and life isn’t free from problems now, but something about being separated from each other has us both looking at life with a grateful heart.

Putting on this swingy dress has me also feeling wonderful.  This is the first year I’ve embraced swing dresses and I’m smitten.  I’ve always worn sheath and a-line dresses because for my body shape a waist seem is the most flattering.  I wanted to highlight my petite upper body and camouflage my lower.  While I still believe these designs are the most flattering, I like that I now have diversity in these easy breezy pieces.

To avoid being swallowed by fabric, there are a couple of things to look for in these trapeze style dresses.  They should in fact be in a trapeze cut – smaller on the top and more voluminous on the bottom – think of a triangle shape. Sleeveless and/or v-neck will elongate and show some skin which balances the shapeless body of the piece. The front hem should fall slightly above the knee; again this balances proportions in showing enough leg.

This dress in fact has all of these elements!  In addition, the print enhances its shape/design with a printed round neckline and triangular color block panels.  And to add beauty on beauty, there are sweet flowers printed throughout.  So how could you not want to swing around and around??!!!

I’ve worn this dress several times and found myself constantly receiving compliments and cool as a cucumber outside in this scorching Southern heat!

Add some swing to your summer wardrobe!

Swing Dress: Anthropologie || Wedges: Tory Burch || Earrings: Kendra Scott || 

Dress Beautifully in a Swing Dress

XOXO Sarah Louise

Roses

It's Valentine's week!  I'm obsessed with love - Love for God, Mr, family, friends, our country and let's not forget the little loves of fashion, red lipstick, black coffee (it is Monday), lemons, fine paper (I'm all about correspondence) and of course champagne! It's Love that sustains me!

When I think of Valentine's Day the typical comes to mind, flowers, chocolate and date nights.  Sadly Mr and I haven't had but a couple Valentine's Day dates over the past 10 years but we always made up for it in other ways when we did see each other.  I was never one for flowers or chocolate, they die and well chocolate isn't friendly on the waist line.  So he always got creative with his tokens of affection. This year he's on the other side of the world but thank goodness our love knows no distance.

It's funny how gals will use any occasion to style a look.  Valentine's Day is no exception.  Magazines, blogs, store front windows and even Pinterest will all be sharing lovely looks.  Even me.
So here's what I picked to celebrate love, because aren't roses the flower of love? - minus the thorns?

This cropped shell with roses was just the piece.  Since it's still winter I paired with one of it's darker shades, bordeaux, but accessorized with lighter shades of pink.  This look is ideal for both the office and date night.  Try swapping the pencil skirt for skinny black pants or jeans for a more comfortable and casual look.

This Valentine's Day pinks, reds, florals and just your sweet heart will make the loveliest of looks!

P.S. Thanks to my gal pals & their peer pressure I'm seeing more roses than ever before, I'm watching 'The Bachelor' for the second time - I know I've lived under a rock.  Well, honestly I record it, I need beauty sleep for my 5am wake up. I want to quit but it's literally a train wreck you can't look away from!!

Rose Top: Vince Camuto more Rose styles here and here || Skirt: Similar and here || 

Pink Handbag: Tory Burch || Pumps: Cole Haan || Earrings: Honora ||  

Dress Beautifully in Roses

XOXO Sarah Louise