Dress Beautifully

Wear what makes you feel pretty!

Wear what creates confidence and allows you to hold your head higher.

This can be as simple as a white tee and your favorite jeans or as fancy as a colorful ruffled dress.

In a world full of influence, I encourage you to stay true to yourself and to allow what you wear to empower you to shine your light to others. 

I will be wearing this dress tomorrow evening to celebrate my 41st birthday on vacation with my gal pals!

It's a statement, but so am I! 

 Life is too short to wear boring clothes! #amen

Dress Beautifully

XOXO Sarah Louise

Wear This With That: Suede Moto Jacket

Remember when I posted 5 different ways to style the denim/chambray shirt? Well, y'all loved it so much that I decided to do it again but with this suede moto jacket.

You want to be versatile with your pieces so that you're making the most out of your wardrobe (and money). Styling is your personal creative touch when mixing your pieces together.

Now, I didn't work with accessories for these looks, but I encourage you to grab a printed scarf, colored bag or just one statement piece of jewelry to really put your spin on your next outfit.  It is the details that really showcase your individual style.

Tip: Try swapping out this jacket for a denim jacket with the same pieces!

CLASSIC NEUTRALS

OFFICE

CHURCH

WEEKEND

NIGHT OUT

CASUAL

Suede Moto Jacket

Dress Beautifully in a Suede Moto Jacket

XOXO Sarah Louise

Ways to Wear: Tiered Midi Skirt

Hey gals, so I thought I'd try something new.  I posted about this statement skirt a couple weeks ago and styled it with just a basic white tee and block heeled sandals.  I always share with you gals ways I have/intend to style pieces for a variety of looks but I thought it would be fun to actually share with you ways I've worn a garment.

So in case you were wondering, yes, I do wear the pieces I post about in real life.

Note:  Sometimes when scrolling through my instagram feed I really have to wonder if those gals actually wear what they post.  I can promise you that what I share are pieces I have personally chosen to add to my wardrobe.  I believe a wardrobe should be a collection of pieces that not only make you happy but that get worn.

So here's how I styled it on this post ...

Here's how I styled it for church ...

I swapped the gingham clutch for gingham pumps and the tee for a pretty lace blouse.

Here's how I styled it for a Sunday afternoon at my Mamma's ...

Comfy in a printed tank and sandals.  

Here's how I styled it for one of Vivian Louise's Dr appts ...

Denim tied up shirt & sandals

Here's how I styled it for lunch with a gal pal ...

Striped Tank and Wedges

Fashion is what you buy, but style is what you do with it! 

My Skirt (lavender & navy) Here and in Embroidered Pineapples

Dress Beautifully in All the Ways You Style Your Pieces

XOXO Sarah Louise

And then there was 3 ...

Where have you been??

Well gals, I've been growing a baby!
Mr and I have been praying for a healthy baby for quite some time and we are beyond grateful to God for this great blessing!!

Despite our hopes it's still the greatest surprise when those dreams become reality.
I had just earned a new career position that I had been working very hard towards and knew its responsibilities and travel were going to have my plate full. But God knows better than we do and just 2 weeks after my first day I saw double lines on the test!

After the surprise, shock and joy came the struggle.  The struggle of 24/7 sickness.  I expected fatigue but the extreme nausea and throwing up around the clock (it will wake me up in a dead sleep) was something no one prepared me for.  My doc prescribed me medicine to help.  And while it has helped me endure I still find myself sick as a dog almost everyday.  Taking it isn't an option - it's a matter of survival. I find that no place nor time is off limits - I carry bags with me at all times.
And I'm so glad I have my own office so that I can shut the door when needed.

With all that said, beyond doing my best in the office everything else has been neglected.  I'm most grateful to Mr as he has picked up my slack, my gal pals for encouraging me and for my sweet sister who when over at our house cleans my room because I'm too sick and tired.

My focus has been taking care of myself and health.  I sleep, eat what I can (boiled noodles, potatoes and crackers mostly) and exercise as much as my body will let me.

So after taking the Summer off (unexpectedly) I'm coming back!

I miss writing to you gals! I miss sharing my outfits!

I'm going to be 20 weeks this Thursday, half way! and I'm having to accept that this sickness doesn't seem to be easing up any so I'm going to try and get back to the things I love.

When it comes to fashion these days I haven't been hitting the racks as I see no need to purchase when I know my body is inevitably going to expand. But no worries I'm staying up to speed on trends. And while a huge part of me wants to have a visible bump to show off I'm still not there yet.  I tell myself to embrace it as the time will come when I will be forced into maternity pieces.

Thank you for sticking around and having patience.  I have a ton of posts lined up!

I'm already learning that motherhood requires strength and that grace is more important than perfection!

Dress Beautifully When Growing a Baby!

XOXO Sarah Louise

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale '14

That's Right Ladies, it's that Time, The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2014!!!

If You are a Cardholder You got a Chance to Shop Early and if You're Not (Shame on You) Now's the Time to Take Advantage of this Amazing, Biggest Sale of the Year at Nordstrom.

This isn't Just Any Sale.  This is the Sale that Allows You to Buy the Newest Trends Before the Season! And it's Nordstrom, so it's a Chance to Buy Designer Quality Pieces at a Huge Discount. 

I Look Forward to this Sale Every July.  It's Marked on the Calendar (Mr & I are Both Enthusiasts).  It can be a Challenge to Bring Yourself into a Fall State of Mind When the Temperatures Down here in the South are in the 90's ... but the Deals and Glimpse of Cooler Weather will Get You there, I Promise.  

Over the Years I've Scored some Major Finds, Boots, Jackets, Shoes, etc....
This is the Sale that You Don't Want to Pass Up ... Prices will Go Up August 4th and Nothing Haunts Us Like the Things We Didn't Buy!

While Mr was Living in DC, we were Fortunate to have Access to the Fabulous Nordstrom of Tyson's Corner, and at Home, Charlotte NC.  Since the Charlotte Store is Smaller it Pays to have a Go-To Sales Associate.  She can Give You Full Attention and Help Order Items not in the Store.  This Year (since we're living on the NC Coast) We Called Our Gal in Charlotte and She was Able to Text Pictures and Help Place Our Order for In-Store and Online Purchases.  This is Also a Great Route to Go as the Purchases Add to Her Sales Goals.  We Love Haley!

Tip:  I Make Friends with a Sales Associate at Every Store I Frequent.  You can Never Have too Many Gal Pals and it Makes for an Amazing Shopping Experience! 

So if You Haven't Already, Go Shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale to Add Designer Fall Pieces to Your Closet!!!

Shop the Trends: 

Leather - Lace - Asymmetric Lines - Moto 
Boots with Buckles - Brown - Fall Florals

These are my Top Picks ....

Leather

Leather is a Huge Trend.  I Loved this Dress ( A Must Have) for it's Quilting Detail and Defined Waist.

Nordstrom Brand Halogen Showcases Several Leather Dresses in Various Cuts to Fit Any Style: Pleated and Shift 

Moto Jacket

I Love this Jacket for it's Mix of Leather and Tweed.  The Tweed has a Luster and Asymmetrical Cut Along with a Rich Burgundy Color that Make it Irresistible. 

Fall Floral

I Smile at the Idea of Fall Florals.  Richer Warmer Hues that Keep You Holding on to Summer Blooms.  

This Skirt has a Subtle Flare and Interesting Lines in a Faux Wrap. See More Fall Florals Here and Here.

Lace Hem

I'm not Quite Sure How I Feel about the Lace Hem Trend... Has a Lingerie Look to it ... But I Love the Idea of & Feminine Detail .. Nevertheless it's on the Racks.  Shop this Skirt and Another Lace Hem Piece Here.  I Suggest Styling with a Conservative Top.

Asymmetric

Asymmetric Lines are in Abundance! Whether it's a Dress, Moto Jacket or like the Above Skirt  The Off-Centered Lines add Interest and Fun Detailing to Pieces. 

Over the Knee Boots

I've Always thought that Over-the-Knee Boots were Edgy and Fierce.  I Love these Boots as they have a Stretchy Back (and available in wide calf).  However, Your Hem line must be a Couple Inches above the Knee and I want to Make sure I have Enough Pieces to Pair with these Boots to Ensure Lots of Wear.  I also Need to Physically See these On as I'm Concerned they May Overwhelm my Petite Legs/Frame.  More Over-the-Knee Options Here.

Jewelry

I have so much Jewelry, that it's not high on my Shopping List, Unless its so Unique I just can't Live without it.  These Pieces Caught my Eye because they're Gold, Emerald Green (A Red Head's Signature Color) and Simple. 

The Earrings are Hammered Gold for Extra Shine and have a Vintage 1960's Look, but they're Clip-on so I Hesitate but Probably will Buy :)

I am All Over the Long Necklaces and Don't Have any like this Green Stone One by KS.

I Adore Big Cocktail Rings!  They are Best Paired with a Glass of Champagne, Cheers! KS Ring

Monogram Necklaces have been on Trend for a While Now (I have one from M&L) but I like the Unique take with Your Full Name on this Gold Bar Piece.

Handbags

I've been Lusting over a Rebecca Minkoff Bag for Sometime Now. The Sale is a Perfect Time to Shop. I've Also Been Embracing the Idea of a Blue Bag (I've got Plenty of Brown and Black), However I do Find the Two-Toned Bag Very Appealing.  Decisions! Decisions! 

I Like the Size, Big Enough for All, Clean Lines for Professional Use, and Longer Top Handles for Over-theShoulder (Almost All my Handbags are Elbow Carry).

Beauty

                    

I LOVE Nail Polish and have a Butter of London Addiction.  It's Free of the 3 Harmful Chemicals found in Polish and the Colors are Fab!  This Gift Set is a Steal! 

So Here You Have it, my Picks from the Sale.  Shop the Trends and Choose the Pieces that Suit Your Fancy.  Stay Tuned to See What Purchases Made it to My Closet!

Happy  Shopping at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale!

XOXO Sarah Louise