Transitions with Tenacity

Transitions are hard! And I've had some doozies in my life. Getting married (then spending the first 3 years a plane ride away), career positions, becoming a military wife with a year long deployment, getting a dog and the best for last, becoming a Mamma! There have also been many relationship changes and sadly some loss. 

The truth is life doesn't stay the same. Things change, seasons come and go and there's nothing you can do to stop it. Watching your child grow is one of the most fitting examples to just how fast time flies.

My darling Vivian Louise is now in kindergarten and this is by far one of the biggest transitions for me (she's doing amazing!). I'm grieving the end of her preschool years. It's nearly a month in and I'm still adjusting with tears most mornings at drop off.

Whether it's moving, a new job, family growth or any lifestyle shift it's can be overwhelming.

So how do you handle transitions with grace? Well, I'm still working on it but here are some things that have encouraged me over the years. 

START WITH GRATITUDE

I believe it's important to be grateful for the 'before'. It was a purposeful circumstance that gave a lot. Appreciate the season and what it taught you so that you start the new one in a mindset of valuing what's ahead.

Note: Be sure to express thankfulness to those people that were impactful.

PRESENT OVER PERFECTION

Chances are transitions won't go how you planned or maybe you don't even know what to imagine the new season to be like. Being present, accepting the possibilities creates a positive mindset. Embracing where you are rather than comparing to what you thought/hoped for allows you to take full advantage of the present.

BE FLEXIBLE

This is hilarious for me to share as I'm super Type A and an Enneagram 1. I exist in a structured and planned environment and struggle the most at being flexible. However, it is necessary!! It takes time to establish a routine and in the mean time it's important to stay calm in the chaos, leave room for the unexpected and find the bright side. Slowly but surely a new rhythm will be established (hopefully not too soon before a new transition haha).

Transitions don't often pair with the word 'fun', but I dare you to incorporate fun anyways! 

Remember: Doing hard things leads to good things!

Dress Beautifully in Transitions

XOXO Sarah Louise

Black & Blue

Black and Blue - there are no battle wounds in this look.  In fact it's a very smooth confrontation between Summer and Fall.

This time of year can be tough.  All the cool weather designs are hitting the store floors with sweaters, jackets, jeans and boots. But the temps outside are still blazing.  This leather skirt is light weight and in flirty pleats and a shorter hem line you're not going to be a puddle when you step outside.  I paired it with a bright blue silk blouse to lighten the look.  I kept my heels open and a tad edgy to go with the leather vibe.

Now in the upcoming months I plan to pair with dress shirts, sweaters and for a the weekends a simple tee and denim jacket.

Tip:  When I go to purchase a garment, while in the dressing room once I've confirmed the fit is good, I go through pairing options that I already have in my closet.  This method ensures it will get the wear for the money.

Blue Top: Madewell & Similar || Pleated Leather Skirt: J Crew ||

Strappy Heels: Similar & Here || Earrings: Kendra Scott || Gold Cuff: J Crew || 

Handbag: Prada & Similar || 

Dress Beautifully in Black & Blue

XOXO Sarah Louise 

Peek a Boo

Tis the season of shoulders.  I shared this trend with you in this post, here and again here.

And today it's all about this trendy button up.  I believe in crisp dress shirts as evidence by the large inventory hanging in my closet.  They're sharp, classic and pair, layer and coordinate with everything.

All of my off-the-shoulder tops are clearly appropriate outside of business hours.  I leave a small percentage of my wardrobe for that category because those occasions are so few.

This top marries the off-the-shoulder trend with the dress shirt beautifully. The crisp collar and pinstripes bring sophistication while the ruffles and peek through shoulders give it sass.

While this top is trendy I do believe paired with trousers or as I did with a pencil skirt it could be worn to the office if your work place is fairly casual, non customer facing and for those days with no meetings.

Note: this top does run small and with the ruffle seam across the chest buttoning up all the way was restricting.  Although I don't believe I would any way as it's a bit stuffy.

Tip: A raceback bra is ideal, more like necessary, for tops like this one that cut in.

This top is also perfect for transitioning in to Fall with its long sleeves.  Pair with dark skinny jeans and booties and you're all set for the weekend.

Cold Shoulder Top: Nordstrom & Here ||  Pencil Skirt: J Crew & Similar || Pumps: Nine West  ||

Gold Bangle: J Crew || Earrings: Similar || 

More Cold Shoulder Tops: Here - Here - Here - Here  

Dress Beautifully in a Cold Shoulder Top

XOXO Sarah Louise

Fancy Transition

With the holidays comes holiday outfits. I'm talking sparkles, metallics, beading, sheer inlays, and lace.  Personally I find it hard to resist those fancy garments in the store. They just draw you in.  However, they also tend to be expensive and how often are you really going to wear it?

The trick to embracing those cocktail pieces is to go moderate.  Avoid the extreme gaudy embellishment and go for something that's equally as shiny and interesting but in a subdued way.
Try and purchase these 'holiday' pieces on sale before and after Christmas.  Because we all know once you've taken lots of pictures in it, it's going back in the closet to collect dust.

Another way to to maximize the investment and avoid the one time wear is to style those fancy garments in a casual way.  Like this lace top (my favorite purchase this season!), pair it with distressed denim and heels and you have a very chic look. And it's comfortable!

For those metallic or lace dresses, pair with boots and/or a denim jacket.

One of the most dreadful crimes gals make is spending too much on a piece that's a 'one-hit-wear'.  Embrace those fancy holiday pieces but bring it down a notch with moderate details and don't limit yourself to cocktail styling.  Trade those fancy accessories in for casual accouterments.

Lace Blouse: J Crew Similar and Here || Jeans: J Crew Similar || Pumps: Nine West || 

 Handbag: Prada Similar & Here || 

Dress Beautifully by Mixing Fancy & Casual Garments

XOXO Sarah Louise

In Between

The sleeveless turtleneck is perfect for those 'In Between' situations.  It's not yet cold (in the South at least) but the mornings can be brisk before the mid day warm up and you're not ready to embrace the bundle of Fall/Winter garments but you're over tank tops.

So my suggestion is to go for a sleeveless turtleneck.  It's knit so its the texture of a sweater but without arms you're cool enough to move around.

It's the piece that says 'I'm can't make up mind' - basically perfect for Fall.

Layer it under jackets when the temps do begin to drop.  It's the perfect shell for the office and the weekend with a pair of jeans.  I personally love sleeveless pieces because I don't have to struggle stuffing sleeves under sleeves.

I paired this grey marbled knit with a pair of pinot trousers for more of a 'Fall' look.
Tip: Rolling the cuff of your trousers or denim shows off booties/ankle strapped shoes.

Sleeveless Turtleneck: Anthropologie || Trousers: Similar & Here  || 

Caged Pumps: Nine West || Earrings: Kate Spade ||

Dress Beautifully in a Sleeveless Turtleneck 

XOXO Sarah Louise

Rich & Bright

One of the best parts of Spring is the introduction of white into my wardrobe.  White is my most favorite color to wear.  It's clean, crisp and bright. 

This olive dress I purchased last fall and since it's silk you can style it for all seasons with a simple change in pairings.  I added this sleek white blazer and hot pink pumps for fun.    

Don't pack up those garments in rich darker shades, mix them up with lighter colors to bring them into the light of Spring & Summer. 

I have a lot of fun playing with various color combinations.  It keeps things fresh and utilizes the pieces you already have. 

Dress: Madewell Similar & Here || Blazer: J Crew || Pumps: Nine West || Handbag: Tory Burch || 

Dress Beautifully in Both Rich & Bright Colors

XOXO Sarah Louise