LBD & The Weekend

TGIF Gals!

Today is the 5th and final day of wearing the same black dress.  What a humbling week it’s been!  My gratitude has grown immensely for the comforts I have in my life.

By simply reading my posts this week you have supported the fight against poverty by raising awareness and for those who have donated, YOU have provided the means for us to make an even bigger impact. THANK YOU!

Today's the day!!

YOU can make a difference by clicking below

Help Fight Against Poverty

If just 10 or 20 of you gave $10, that would add up to a significant amount of money! 

 

5 days, 1 dress, 1 goal – WE are making poverty unfashionable!!!

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are for being casual and comfortable.  To relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor with the ones you love.  To kick back, laugh and celebrate the good and wonderful blessings in your life.  Tomorrow I'm going to be blessing a dear gal pal with a baby shower.  There's nothing more joyful than the gift of life! Amen!

Being casual doesn't mean you loose style.  It's a matter of choosing and swapping.  Choose lighter fabrics and looser fitting garments. Swap pumps, blazers and totes for flats, jackets/cardigans and a crossbody bag.

The easiest formula in going from weekday to weekend is to add denim.  Pair those cute blouses and tops with a pair of jeans and you've got a comfortable and chic weekend look.

I hope you've enjoy this week's series on styling a LBD and maybe gained some inspiration to style your own.  I'd love to hear about it and please send me a pic :)

LBD  ||  Denim Jacket  & Here  ||  Crossbody Bag  ||  Shoes - Similar  ||  Earrings  ||

Dress Beautifully in a LBD & Casual Elements

XOXO Sarah Louise

LBD for a Night Out

Today is day 4 of wearing this little black dress. 

Today's weather is a bit chilly so I added a long sleeve shirt underneath my dress.  Yesterday it was raining all day and I just have to give thanks for the blessing to have rain boots, a waterproof jacket and a closet full of clean clothes to wear.

Over 4,000 children in Charlotte schools are reported homeless. They aren't just wearing the same thing every day, they might also be sleeping in it & they definitely aren't washing it.  Junior League of Charlotte volunteers work with families who are trying to transition out of homelessness so children can have at least the stability of calling something other than a school cubby their "address." Help me turn 1 dress into addresses, by donating  to the JLC HERE

Before I go any further I want to share how tremendously thankful I am for every email read, social media post liked & shared, and for the generosity of family, friends, colleagues near and far who have kindly donated to my page in support against poverty.  ALL of you have warmed my heart but most importantly you've warmed the hearts of those in need! 

YOU can fight this fight against poverty with me by clicking below 

Help Make Poverty Unfashionable

Most of you know that Ryan, my husband, practices medicine in the ER here in Charlotte. So we personally are invested in the health of our community.

Did you know.....

There are almost 100,000 uninsured Children in North Carolina.  Children without health insurance coverage are less likely than insured children to have a regular health care provider and to receive care when they need it. They are also more likely to receive treatment after their condition has worsened, putting them at greater risk of hospitalization.  Through our Healthy Family Initiative, Junior League of Charlotte volunteers ensure that children living in poverty get health, audio, eye, & dental screenings at our health fairs and at our Big Shots Saturdays, over 400 children a year are getting required immunizations to keep them healthy and in school.  Wanna be a Big Shot? Your tax deductible donation helps us keep kids healthy. Donate HERE

For the fourth installment on styling a LBD I'm sharing a night out look.  All you need is a snazzy pair of heels, some statement jewelry and a small handbag.  Because gals, you are off the clock! There is no need to haul around more than the essentials (lipstick, phone, keys and your wallet).  

Speaking of phones, I know we all want to capture those 'I'm all dressed up and not sitting on my couch tonight' pics with our friends but I challenge you to keep the phones down and your eyes up.  Be present with your company & enjoy the conversation.  Everything else will still be there later. I promise. 
That's what 'latergram' and 'about last night' posts are for :)

LBD  ||  Pumps & Similar  ||  Clutch  ||  Earrings  ||  Sunglasses  || 

Dress Beautifully in a LBD for a Night Out

XOXO Sarah Louise

LBD & Florals

Today is day 3 of wearing this little black dress. 

1st things 1st, THANK YOU! To all that have shared my posts and generously donated, I am truly grateful!!!! 

YOU have made a difference!

It's already midweek and getting ready for the day was more simple but surely not as fun.  Same dress again. And this time it has avocado stains on it from dinner last night UGH.  I didn't wash it but fortunately, I do have a washing machine and dryer in my own home, electricity and running water to power them, and income to spare after buying groceries to also purchase detergent. This is not a reality for all in our community.

Yesterday was a busy day.  I wanted to be out and about so that I could share with those at my go-to places all about LBDI and poverty right here at home.  I was able to chat with folks at Home Depot (who knew plants and poverty talk go together), Trader Joe's, and a local bakery.   Today I've got several more places to go spread the word.

For 134,000  individuals in Charlotte falling below the national poverty line access to clean water, clothing and bedding are hard to come by. Can you imagine??!!

YOU can fight this fight against poverty with me by clicking below 

Help Make Poverty Unfashionable

For the third installment on styling a LBD I'm using florals.  Now that it's Spring give me all the pretty blooms.  Adding floral accessories like a scarf, shoe or a light weight topper adds print, color and life to your look.  It balances all the black. When adding florals keep everything else neutral and understated.
I've had this jacket for a few years now and it's truly one of the most beautiful pieces in my closet.

LBD  ||  Floral Topper - Another & More floral options  || Sandals

Dress Beautifully in a LBD & Florals

XOXO Sarah Louise

LBD & Color

Today is day 2 of wearing this black dress.

First, let's recap yesterday's experience.  The day started off exciting and full of energy as I met up with other ladies in the JLC to film about LBDI and what we are doing to fight poverty with a local Charlotte news station.  I then spent the rest of the day at my desk which included sharing emails and lots of social media posts about my participation in LBDI and the fight against poverty.  It was a rainy day here and all I could think is how lucky I am to have a nice rain jacket and boots that I can put on.  Choices are a blessing!  I cooked dinner for my family (trying very hard not to get my dress dirty on the 1st day!), then headed out to an evening meeting and wrapped up the day cheering on the Tarheels! Mr is a UNC alumni so you can imagine the enthusiasm in our home.

The highlight was when after I had clicked 'send' 'post' 'share' online and my family was the first to support my efforts with a large donation! Love them :)  I am so VERY grateful for all of those that are supporting me and the fight against poverty.  We are changing lives!

YOU can help feed children, clothe children, provide medical care and educational tools by clicking the link below
Help Fight Against Poverty

Today I didn't have to walk into my closet and scan through all the colors and garments to pick out my outfit.  My LBD was hanging right on the door.  I'm going to be out and about today and I'm eager to spark conversation around the city.

Here's some interesting info on why YOU are essential ...

In our state of North Carolina, over half a million children are living in poverty.  It is estimated almost 1 in 4 children in North Carolina are living in a household where there is uncertainty regarding access to food.  The Junior League of Charlotte will deliver over 10,000 backpacks of weekend food during the current school year at Reid Park Academy. 

Education on Poverty is Key

This databook contains a wealth of information on national economic wellbeing as well as how North Carolina stacks up against national averages:

http://www.aecf.org/m/resourcedoc/aecf-the2016kidscountdatabook-2016.pdf

The Junior League of Charlotte has invested over $300k and committed more than $500k worth of volunteer time at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Title I school Reid Park Academy. Our dollars & volunteers helped build a collaborative system of care model that provides families living in poverty access to resources & services to meet basic housing, food & physical & emotional health needs. Why should you give? Because your dollars make a difference in what we do for our neighbors in Charlotte. 

"To help children grow into successful, productive adults, their parents need well-paying jobs, affordable housing and the ability to invest in their children’s future. When parents are unemployed or earn low wages, they may struggle to meet their children’s most basic needs. Economic uncertainty also increases parental stress, which, in turn, can compromise parenting. The negative effects of poverty on children also increases the chances of poor outcomes for youth and young adults, such as teen pregnancy and failure to graduate from high school."  - The Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2014 Kids Count Data Book

For the second installment on styling a LBD I'm using pops of color. I chose pink but absolutely any color adds beauty to this dark canvass.  The trick to bringing color to a solid black look is to use shades of that color. The easiest way is with texture and print.  A neck scarf, handbag, shoes and jewelry are all elements that do just that.

LBD  ||  Pink Sandals  ||  Handbag  ||  Scarves  ||

Dress Beautifully in a LBD & Color

XOXO Sarah Louise

LBD & Classic White

Good Monday morning!  It's a special start to the week for me.  If you read Friday's Post you know that this week I will be wearing the same black dress for 5 days this week in efforts to raise awareness and funds to fight poverty here in Charlotte. It's called 'The Little Black Dress Initiative' #theLBDI

Because poverty is unfashionable!!!

I woke up knowing what I'd be wearing this morning.  For some they never wake up with choices.  When putting on my watch and wedding ring I also picked up my button that says "Ask me about my dress!" and pinned it on. I took a deep breath.  Here goes. For a moment I was a bit anxious about how I was going to kick start this mission engaging people not only in my daily environment but strangers out and about.  And then it all went away because being a little uncomfortable starting conversations is nothing in comparison to circumstances of those in poverty.

I started the day filming an interview with the local news station here in Charlotte about LBDI. Gals, it was so cool!
I'll share the link as soon as it airs.

SUPPORT me by clicking the link below:
https://connect.clickandpledge.com/Organization/jlcharlotte/Fundraiser/SarahLouiseHead

And follow my journey on Instagram.

While I almost never wear black, a LBD is a staple garment for a beautiful wardrobe. This week I'll be sharing 5 different ways to style a LBD.  Starting with this classic black and white pairing.

The contrast of black and white together is just so sharp!  A blazer pulls together a polished professional look that sure to start you off on the right note for a successful work week.  Add some pearls and a pair of pumps and your ready to conquer!

WAIT!!!! 

Don't leave without clicking HERE to support my fight to make poverty unfashionable!

LBD  ||  Blazer  ||  Pumps  || Handbag  ||  Pearls  || 

Dress Beautifully in Black and White

XOXO Sarah Louise