Orange You Glad 🍊

Gals I've got that Friday feeling! Despite that it's a very rainy day, I've got joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart! With Mother's Day on Sunday I've been reflecting over the past several days on the magnitude of the blessing God has given me in making me Vivian Louise's Mamma.
With His help I faced my fears and was brave. I trusted Him and His plan and I was blessed. Blessed beyond comprehension. That's a lot of mushiness so now on to the fashion ....

I love the color orange. Not just any shade but the bright sunny shade of orange ... think naval orange.   Orange was ALL the rage in the 70's and you gals know how I love 70's fashion. And just the fashion (home decor and culture was terrible!) Orange also reminds me of Hermes and that's top tier when it comes to luxury fashion.  Color can be powerful with branding.  Think Tiffany blue for example.

Orange pairs well with purple, pink and blues. Honestly it pairs great with everything.  Again, we're talking bright cheery orange, no burnt dull hues. I even incorporated pops of orange in Vivian Louise's nursery.

So here are some orange pieces I love ...

Bangle
I actually own this one!  I wear it alongside my tennis bracelet, watch and other bracelets.

Handbag
Gals, I just ordered this handbag! I'm going to be stalking my front door for it's arrival!

Sandal
I brought home these cuties today!  Love a simple sleek slide and in a fun color = Chic!
I'm going to wear these with ALL the outfits.

Dress
An actual orange orchard!  I love the asymmetrical print. And the neckline really shows off the shoulders.

Skirt

Such a fun summer skirt! It would look so classic with a crisp white shirt!

Top

Citrus fun! This top can be paired for week day or weekend.

And for your mini this dress is simply precious.

Decor

I have one of these designer inspire glass boxes.  Great for adding color to a room and holding trinkets.

Lamp

Love this sleek mod lamp to add brightness to a room - literally.

Here's a Flashback for you from July 2016!  Wish I still had this dress but it didn't make the cut on one of my closet clean outs.

Sidenote:  What do you gals think about me cutting my lion mane to shoulder length???  This pic has me seriously considering it!

Dress Beautifully in Orange

XOXO Sarah Louise

Mamma Monday: More Compassion - Less Comparison

Hello Mammas!  I hope that you all had a sweet weekend with your littles.  Ours was one for the books. Baby Vivian Louise started to walk!!! She had been standing for a few seconds and even trying to move her feet but nothing significant.  Saturday she decided to go for it and now she's off on her own two feet.  I'm a very proud Mamma!

Milestones are sweet and special.  You cheer them on with each and every new thing and beam with joy at their successes.  They can also cause you to compare, compete and feel left behind when you see other children doing things before or better than yours (thanks social media for putting it in our faces from a million different angles).
I couldn't wait to post the video of Vivian Louise walking across our living room to me! To share such an awesome moment with friends and family who love her and us brought lots of happiness.

Now, she did this at 14 1/2 months.  We see a lot kiddos that are walking before their first birthday.  And I feel like she's surrounded by giants because she's so tiny.  Not to mention she's not a good eater.

And gracious the comparison among us Mammas! Some work, some have husbands home every night, some have family support nearby, some have nannies, and some have multiples.
God has a purposeful plan for each of us full of blessings. #truth
I encourage us all to be grateful in ALL things. I promise we all have more than we deserve.

Mammas I'm here to tell you I struggle with this every. single. day.
Mr works over 200 hours a month in the ER, most of which are night shifts. I haven't been in the corporate world for over a year and I'm constantly a domestic failure.
But I give thanks for his service heart and his hard work to provide. I cherish the time I do have with him.  I often stare at my suits hanging in the closet but that salary can't compete with her sweet smile. And cooking and cleaning don't define a good wife or mother. So I put the negativity in a box and enjoy the life I've been given.  There will be new chapters, lots of change and I'm positive I'll be shocked by how it all turns out.

Listen here. We all have a plate full of challenges.

BUT...

Your baby is made perfect, in the image of God.  We are all created uniquely with our own talents. And will do things in His perfect timing.

Vivian Louise's Dress

They say it takes a village.  I couldn't agree more! It's the love, encouragement and grace from others that has made this Mamma life more beautiful.

So let's be a village that encourages.  Cheer on other Mammas and their children's successes because you have your own successes just around the corner.

Your family is yours and you protect it, love it and nurture it.  Don't go looking into other houses.

Comparison is the thief of joy while compassion gives kindness.

Dress Beautifully in Compassion

XOXO Sarah Louise

Mamma Monday: Shopping Small

Good morning Mammas!  I hope you had a wonderful weekend.

I survived Vivian Louise's first time being sick this weekend and I dare say we both handled it pretty well.  I've been anxiously awaiting this to happen, I mean she's 14 months old. She's been blessed to have gone so long without even a cold.

She woke up Friday late afternoon burning up. And although her afternoon nap was longer than usual she was a bit restless.  I tried to feed her supper but she was more disinterested than normal and all she wanted was for me to hold her.  So that's what I did. After calling her Daddy who was ironically working the Pediatric unit of the ER I decided to give her some ibuprofen.  Only 2 minutes later as I was walking into the kitchen she threw up right between us, all her dinner down my shirt UGH

I just stood there. She was scared (me too!)

I stripped us down right there and went upstairs to put new night-nights on her and some for myself.
I gave her some milk before bed ... and she threw up again thank goodness she missed her nursery chair and rug. Sigh I had to again clean that up and ourselves.
She was beyond exhausted.
I got her changed and put to bed.
She slept restlessly until 3 and then she was just crying. I held her in my arms and she slept on me until 5.  I was so tired as all her little cries kept me from sleeping. But I had missed rocking her and her sleeping on me. I gave her some milk at 5 am and that's just what she needed. I knew then she was feeling better because she was hungry. She slept sound until 8 and we spent Saturday snuggled together.

What an honor it is as a Mamma that it is our heartbeats that comfort and heal!

So moving on, as Mammas our time at Target is not just multiplied but it becomes our escape from home and into a fun outing.  We buy all the baby things and treat ourselves to coffee, snacks and ALL the things we had no idea we wanted or needed.
So thanks Target for taking our money, filling our days with fun and our homes with stuff (eh maybe not thank you for that).

But as great as the big box stores are, I believe it's very important to support small businesses.  I came from a family of entrepreneurs and truly believe that it is the American dream.
It's hard work, long hours and true dedication to embark on owning your own.

So here are a few of my favorite small businesses that you can find things for yourself and your littles:

Mermaids & Marlins

The make the cutest smocked outfits but my favorites are their personalized pieces!

You can customize fabrics and colors.  They also smock bags.

Just go check them out! They are local to our NC coast.

Smocked Auctions

They're not all that small.  They have a fantastic online shop with tons of adorable pieces at great prices.  I've preorders some cuteness for this Summer.  Although I'm pretty sure our petite princess can wear this and some other dresses again this year.

The Beaufort Bonnet Company

oh TBBC you get the most of my spending on Vivian Louise! And I'm not sorry about it at all (Daddy can confirm). The clothes are just darling and the bonnets, be still my heart! My Mamma is proud.

They even have Mommy and Me outfits :)

Smocked by Stelly Belly

This cute online shop I discovered on Instagram (oh the things IG has made me buy!).

I love the classic smocking and colors.

Smocked South

SS is just a fantastic gem! They are savvy in their creation of the swap-a-smock line.  They offer a line of garments that allow for interchange smocked tabs. Genius! And you can even order personalized tabs, see above. And as they grow the tabs still fit the outfits. Cost saver gals. 

Shower Me with Love

Our favorite local boutique here in Charlotte for clothes, toys and gifts!

Beaufort Linen Company

The best for last! This shop is full of treasures not just for your littles but for yourself and your home.

They offer interior design services, lighting, furniture, home decor, clothing, jewelry, kids clothing, toys and even their own line of pj's!

So go ahead and go to the big box stores for your basics and necessities but for the all the cute things shop small!

Dress Beautifully by Shopping Small

XOXO Sarah Louise