Friday Favorites: Skorts

TGIF! Skorts are shorts but prettier. They have a flap of fabric across the front the gives the appearance of a mini skirt but has the comfort and easy of shorts underneath. 

MY BROWN LINEN SKORT

Here are some pretty skorts for Summer ...

LINEN BLACK AND WHITE

SCALLOP

also in black

DENIM

also in blue wash

CLASSIC DENIM

   PRINTED LINEN

also in gingham, black, white & tan

Dress Beautifully in a Skort

XOXO Sarah Louise

Style Mullet

 Mullets, a tragic hair style from decades ago that should never ever come back. They're often referred to as 'business in the front and party in the back' due to the contrasting length of short & long lengths.

I find that applying this contrasting concept to fashion by mixing dressy & casual pieces is a combination that's chic! 

For Summer, a vest is a great option to add structure, look polished but also staying cool. Rather than trousers or even jeans, pair with shorts for an unexpected look that balances with casual comfort.

GREEN VEST

Designer Veronica Beard has a similar vest that's I've wanted for a while but it's a splurge!

PINK TWEED

I love the double gold buttons and open design to stay cool.

Dress Beautifully in a Vest & Shorts

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

Cool Style

I'm home and gracious did I get a warm welcome, literally! 

 

MY TOP 

Shorts by nature are casual but in a dressier design you don't have to compromise style to stay cool. 

Pair with a crisp cotton top in a pretty print and sandal for a look that will suit so many occasions beautifully.

Here are some cool  tops & shorts ...

NAVY & WHITE

BLUE RUFFLE

FLORAL

BEADED 

ORANGE FLORAL

PLEATED SHORT

in black & green

LINEN

6 colors

TAILORED SHORTS

10 colors! 

SUIT SHORTS

6 colors

Dress Beautifully and Stay Cool

XOXO Sarah Louise

Gussied Up Shorts

Every now and then I take a momentary break from color for a sharp pallette of black and white.  The stark contrast is sophisticated and timeless.

Done in a summer top & shorts is a lovely and cool way of styling.

Note: I keep the look modern with gold jewelry. I also think adding a belt would be a nice finishing touch!

I've shared that I'm not my most confident in shorts but I'm working on it! Finding designs that flatter have made a big difference.

These linen blend shorts with a high rise, small single pleat and cuffed hem give a dressy silhouette while also being super comfortable. The rise enhances the waist line, length isn't too short or long and the fabric is light but with structure to hold shape.

With all these elements, I decided to own these in black, tan and pink!

As for this top - I'd own it in several colors if it were available! The neckline is so pretty and enhances the shoulders. While it does expose the upper body it has full coverage of the chest. 

Note: this top is worth wearing a strapless bra for!

Top | Shorts

This outfit is great for day time with a sandal 

but also chic for evening with a wedge or platform heel and dressy handbag! 

Dress Beautifully in Black & White

XOXO Sarah Louise

Friday Favorites: Summer Blazers

 

TGIF! Better yet, TGI-Summer! This is the season that I'm extra grateful to be home with Vivian. I get to spend these hot sunny days together at the pool, playing outside and spending time with our friends. #priceless

Summer can be a very casual time for dressing because it's just so hot and all you think about is what is the coolest and most comfortable ensemble I can put on.  But there are times like lunch with the ladies, dinners out and of course the shindigs that you want to step it up a notch. 

A suit jacket and shorts pairings does just that. Think of it as business on top and party on the bottom.  By mixing two contrasting style of garments you get a look that's unexpected.  I recently shared that fashion is what you buy, but style is what you do with it. 

Mixing casual & dressy pieces is my favorite was to create a style that speaks to my personality and makes the most out of my wardrobe. Get more use out of those weekday office pieces by inncorparting them into the weekend.

Here are some fabulous blazers to wear this summer with shorts or even skirts long or short ...

Obsessed with this one with gold buttons

also in pink & navy

One button stretch linen

also in white tan, lavender & pastel green 

Open Front

also in black, navy & gray

Linen Neutral Stripe

Pink Tweed

Vest

Chambray

Double Breasted

also in black & brown

Dress Beautifully in a Summer Blazer

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Friday Favorites: Blazers & Shorts

TGIF! Although Ryan just pointed out to me that every day feels like Friday.  While true, this one is especially exciting because it's my birthday eve! I always reflect around this time on the past year of my life and what I want the next one to look like.  Every year, well day actually, is a gift and I want to live like it.
I'm going to just put it out there that I'm pretty darn proud of what my 36th year looked like.  It wasn't perfect but by the grace of God I've grown and learned and hope to continue on that path for my 37th.

During my MOPS meeting on Zoom this morning we all were asked to share a quote that inspired us.  I didn't even attempt to select a bible verse because there are just way too many that encourage me so I went with this one ...

It's me to a T

And when it come to getting dressed I like a little bit of business and a little bit of fun.  It's called balance gals.  Pairing a blazer with shorts is one of my favorite ways to showcase my personality in a chic way.  Polished pieces are my favorite but I've come to love incorporating more fun in my style.  This contrasting combination speaks to both elements of me. This is also the best time to wear an outfit like this because it's warm enough for shorts but you won't melt in a jacket.

This is also a fabulous example of creating versatility in your wardrobe.  Make the most out of your investments by stretching your office apparel into a casual setting.

Note: This doesn't go the other way ... you can't make shorts work in the office. Sorry.

For your next evening or weekend outing try business on the top and party on the bottom with a blazer & shorts ensemble!

Here are some great blazers & shorts ...

BLAZERS

Black

3 Neutral Color Options

Fitted, popped collar, and 4 season stretch

Tan

6 Color Options

Linen, a light luster and hint of stretch for ease

Perfectly light and polished for the warmer months!

Open Front Linen

4 Color Options

Slim design and open front to show off your favorite top

Pleated Back

3 Color Options

Nipped waist and pleated back for an extra feminine layer.

Slim Single Button in Cotton

2 Color Options

Polished and practical for the warm seasons

SHORTS

Paper Bag Plaid

Pleated

2 Color Options

Yellow Liberty

High Rise Denim

Scalloped Hem in Linen

6 Color Options

Dress Beautifully in a Blazer & Shorts

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Summer Love

It's the weekend! Clearly I didn't manage to write Friday's post so here we are on Saturday.

I do have the best excuse, my Mamma surprised Vivian and I with a visit and with it being Vivian's last week of Summer camp I've been preoccupied with other things the past several days.

One of those being a date night with Mr on Thursday.  Because he practices medicine in the ED he never has an entire weekend off unless he requests them far in advance.  So we go on dates when we can and most often it's on week nights.  I honestly don't mind a bit because restaurants aren't crowded and it feels special not being out with everyone else. I also don't like being out late on a Saturday night because I teach Sunday school early the next morning.

Our happy smiles this past Thursday

Note:  Thank you to my sisters for taking care of our Vivian so that we can go out just us two!

I definitely want to dress snazzy when we go out. We are both casual day-to-day (he in scrubs and me in simple tops & bottoms #momlife) so taking it up a notch not only makes us feel better but it's nice to impress the one you love.

During the Summer it's so crazy hot that no one wants to wear anything tight or fussy.  Cool and comfortable is the name of this dressing game!

My go-to is a cute top with dressy shorts or white jeans or a sundress. 

Here are some outfits I've worn lately for nights out ...

Top on this post | Wedges 

Camisoles show some skin so you can pair them with just about anything and you're evening ready

Only downfall is wearing a strapless bra UGH

Snake Cami

I've received soooo many compliments on this cotton tiered maxi dress

I found it at target a couple years ago!

Here's a similar option & Here

This outfit on this post

This outfit on this post

This outfit on this post

Dress Beautifully on Your Next Date Night

XOXO Sarah-Louise