Smocked Frock

Gals, I'm loving dresses with a smocked bodice.  It adds just the right amount of stretch and shape to an otherwise billowing dress.  Smocking can be tricky.  It's super clingy and can accentuate therefore opt for prints and small areas  like the chest and waist. I would avoid the hip area. 

I love this dress for it's vine print with birds, pineapples and hibiscus flowers.  The fabric is crisp with the perfect amount of weight for all season wear.  While the cut is great for warmer months with a pair of sandals the colors are gorgeous for Fall. A brown Moto jacket or blue denim jacket with booties would be the perfect styling this season. 

Smocked Dress | Similar Booties | Handbag | Earrings |

Dress Beautifully in a Smocked Frock

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Friday Favorites: Ladylike Purses

TGIF! It's been a special week and even more special day because it's Ryan's 40th birthday! He was a young 26 when I met him and I can honestly say every day is a gift with him! We have celebrated with great gratitude throughout the week with fun as a family.

I never really understood the phrase 'attached at the hip' until I had Vivian. Gracious our little girl loves her Mamma and I'm soaking up all her admiration. While my side kick is my cutest accessory my purses are in a class all of their own.

I've never been a tote gal.  Probably because of my resistance to clutter.  I also have a petite frame and feel that hauling around a large bag is overwhelming.  I do have two totes and find them extremely useful when traveling, at meetings when I'm bringing my planner, books, computer or when I need to bring extra items for an outing.

I prefer ladylike shoulder, satchel and top handle bags.

Gals, there's just no need to be toting around everything but the kitchen sink every day!
It has to be heavy and down right uncomfortable. Not to mention unhealthy on your shoulders and back.

Tip:  Find a color or textured design such as quilting or croc that speaks to you.  This is how you let your personality shine through your style.

Here are some positively pretty purses that will carry you through beautifully ...

Lee Radziwell Frame Bag

Quilted Chain Bag

Classic Satchel

Colorful Satchel

Top Handle

Blue Croc

Croc Top Handle

Bucket Bag

Available in 10+ colors and textures 

Quilted Crossbody

Snake Embossed

Dress Beautifully in a Ladylike Purse

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Big Fun in a Mini Dress

Gals, I decided to have fun with the first outfit post in 2020.  A printed, puff sleeve mini dress!

Note:  These pictures do NOT do it justice, we were fighting a drizzling rain.

While I'll forever believe that classic pieces are best, I'm embracing more modern pieces in prints and with statement details.  This keeps your wardrobe fresh and versatile.

It can often feel that garments with design detail and pretty prints always come with a high price tag. Since money doesn't grow on trees and I find it to be unwise to invest in a piece that has trendy elements and that is specific to certain occasions, you must shop savvy.  I keep my eye on out designer sales on these websites Net-A-Porter, Intermix, Shopbop, Revolve, Saks and Bloomingdales.
That is just how this mini dress came to hang in my closet.

I love the colors, the puffed sleeve and fun flared mini skirt (I had no idea just how mini!).  I'm normally not a fan of tassel ties on the neckline but keeping it open elongates the face and since I'm wearing OTK boots it balances the proportions of exposed skin. Now if I were wearing a heel exposing most of my legs, I may tie it closed.

Let me just address the hem length.  I rarely ever wear pieces above my knees.  My legs are not my favorite but I've been working VERY hard to be grateful and proud to have them healthy and strong.
Gals, don't let your insecurities hold you back from wearing what you want to wear!

In a cotton fabric and mix of bright and contrasting colors this dress can be styled all year long.  I confronted the mini length with an over the knee boot, tights would be great too.  For summer, I'd advise a flat sandal.

This bag was a Christmas gift and I LOVE it! I resembles the Hermes Birkin but at a price that's obtainable and quality that's just as high. Next to white navy/deep blue is my favorite neutral.  It was my Grandma and Mamma's too. This handbag is ladylike and polished but still practical with a detachable crosssbody strap.

I found a fabric that matches the black and white tiny print in the floral design that I'm considering adding to the hem.  This dress has a patchwork construction so I believe it would be easy and I'd be much more comfortable wearing it.

Mini Dress | OTK Boots & Here | Handbag & Similar |

Dress Beautifully in a Mini Dress

XOXO Sarah-Louise