Kiawah Island OOTD's

We are home after an amazing 5 days together on Kiawah Island! 

When it came to dressing for this trip I selected outfits that fit for warm temperatures and the special occasion.  I chose pieces that I don't typically get to wear often. I also wanted to look sassy for Ryan!!

Here's what I wore on vacation ....

I arrived in a crisp white eyelet top - Similar

And these pleated pink linen shorts (I also have them in tan & black)

bag is vintage

Wore this high-low dress to dinner

Similar option

Bag - Vintage

Wore a tennis dress for a morning bike ride

Vivian made this tie dye bandana at camp 

& gave it to me to take on our trip to remember her!

Spent the afternoon at the beach

I wear bikinis when it's just us two

 (I'm not having to be a mom #IYKYK)

I wore this reversible classic top & bottom

And this Pareo that I LOVE!!!

Wore this fabulous ruffled  Rachel Zoe dress 

that I purchased from a fellow blogger here in Charlotte

that was cleaning out her closet (I'm posting lots from my closet this week stay tuned!)

I wore this classic underwire bikini top & bottom 

(I have it in several colors & love the bra sizing for the top)

These shorts are my fav! I have several pairs

note: This pair I sized up in to have a looser fit for hot sticky days

We attended an oyster roast with live music on the water with our friends 

put on by the medical conference

I went with a tropical dress (found at Marshalls) with cut outs that was so much fun to wear!

Sandals & Earrings 

Another tennis look for a bike ride

This puff sleeve romper for

Lunch and drinks on the veranda overlooking

The Ocean Course

For our last dinner together

a white lace crop top and chiffon ruffled maxi skirt

Cheers!

Dress Beautifully on Vacation

XOXO Sarah Louise

Cutout

Tomorrow, Ryan and I leave for Kiawah Island for 5 days! This is our annual getaway (and a little medical conference/golf time for him).  It's quickly become one of my favorite places. 

When it comes to dressing for vacation I like my outfits to suit the special occasion with color and design. Because I'm away, somewhere special, I also want to look like it.

Dresses with cut outs are all the rage and while they are situationally specific and not for everyone, I do believe they are a fun design. 

I find placement on the side, high above the waist on the ribcage is the most flattering. I also find that a light weight fabric that just skims the body will lay nicely. This dress is in linen and lined for structure.

A little sneak peek of skin on the upper body is sly and sassy without being overly risqué.

Note: best part (and almost requirement) of any garment is the ability to wear a bra.

Hi Trixie

I added color and nod to the beach with this turquoise and pearl necklace along with my vintage basket bag.

Linen Cutout Midi Dress (in white & black) - Heels - Necklace

Find a dress that makes you want to do a Happy Dance ... 

preferably out of your living room and on vacation!

Dress Beautifully in a Dress with Cut Outs

XOXO Sarah Louise

Tropical

Gals, just a few days ago I really was on an island. Not sure if you could call Kiawah Island 'tropical' but it definitely looked and felt like it. Palm trees, a beach with no end and lots of wildlife (I was in arms reach of alligators, deer and herons!) 

While honesty IS the best, and only policy in my book, when it comes to Summer dressing I encourage dressing to your imagined location. I have a list of places I'd like to travel and find it fun to dress the part even if I haven't even left my city limits.

Tropical pieces with their bright colors and prints instantly lift your spirits and bring cheer to the people and occasion you're at.  When you enter with a dress as bright as this one it will not only be known your enthusiasm to be where you are but it will be contagious!! 

Farm Rio is a brand that is all about bright colors and tropical prints.  They are also charitable!

You can't help but smile at the whimsical patterns (especially when they incorporate animals).

Tropical Dress | Sandals | Earrings | Similar Bag

Dress Beautifully in a Tropical Dress

XOXO Sarah Louise

Friday Favorites: Kiawah Island Vacation

 Happy TGIF from Kiawah Island! I am here with Ryan for an annual medical conference he attends.  This trip together each June is one of my favorites not only for the time together just us two but for the destination. This quiet scenic island is so beautiful, relaxing and equally fun. 

Morning View Outside Our Room

We ride bikes for hours all over, enjoy the beach, he plays ocean side golf, we dine, we cheers and we even enjoy friends we rarely get to see. Oh I love watching all the pretty birds and spotting alligators! 

Note: It's also a whole new level of hot and humid. You must accept the sweat and frizzy hair.

Here are my favorites to pack for a trip to Kiawah Island ...

Denim Shorts - I love this design for the longer length Classic Blue Option

Similar Top - Bag Vintage

Red Bikini & Bottom & this Shiny Top & Bottom

Sassy suits b/c I'm not chasing a kid around 

but rather holding hands with my handsome husband

I just recently added tennis skirts to my workout wardrobe (a full post on them next week)

I brought this skirt - this top & this skirt - this top

Sundresses for evening dinners

This one is expected to be back in stock soon - you can get on a waiting list

Beach Bag

Sunscreen - Love this powder version to keep my face protected throughout the day

Books - I love reading on vacation!

I'm half way through the Homewreckers & brought One Italian Summer

More to come about our time here & what I'm wearing later - time to unplug and ENJOY!

Dress Beautifully on an Island Vacation

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Friday Favorite: Vacation!

 I'M ON VACATION!

Actual photo of where we'll be!

Currently my favorite way to spend a Friday.

 I'm off to celebrate my 38th Birthday!!!

I know that's mind blowing when clearly I don't look at day over 28 lol

I'm going with some gal pals to a beachside resort where it's warm, sunny and full of fun. 

Any guesses where??

I'll share everything I packed and all the scoop about our trip when I return :)

Dress Beautifully on Vacation

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Tropical

 

Anyone else dreaming of being somewhere tropical? Of course you are, I mean considering this past year and the winter weather we've had, what we all would give to be under the sun among the palm trees!!!

Well, if you can't be somewhere tropical you can at least have a tropical state of mind in this dress. 

Farm Rio has become one of my favorite brands for their statement prints and designs. 

As if the bold colors and fun print weren't enough, the crips cotton fabric and mini bubble hem skirt add even more sass. This dress is as comfortable as it is colorful. I love the smocking detail on the cuffs so that you can adjust the length and the option to swap out the fabric belt.  A woven belt would be so pretty. 

Now, I do need to mention these platform sandals.  When it comes to shoes I've taken to comfort over the past several years but that doesn't mean that I have to be stuck in flats or sneakers.  A platform gives you height (I'll take all I can get) without the pain. I also prefer neutral light colors as they elongate the leg and match absolutely everything.

Whether you're in your home town or vacationing a tropical print is sure to dress you in happiness!

Dress | Platform Sandals | Earrings | 

Dress Beautifully in Tropical Prints

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Flutter & Frills

Gals, this just may be my favorite Summer dress yet! There's nothing simple or plain about it.

The fabric is the lightest weight cotton making it compatible with the heat and humidity of the South (or a fabulous vacation spot).
The bright animal & floral mixed print is so cheerful in bold pink and a dab of sherbet orange.
The neck has a delicate ruffle with optional coverage with the ties.
The flutter sleeves are layered with pompom and eyelet trim creating double the detail and volume.
As does the skirt with it's tiered ruffles for extra flair in your step.
The silhouette is fabulously balanced with the sleeves and skirt and an elastic waist to cinch it all in.

Clearly this dress has all the frills! And I can attest to the pep you'll have in your step in a number this flouncy.

I actually sized up in this dress - truth be told it was the last one in the store.
Sidenote: If you're local to Charlotte - Monkee's is a must!
But I believe I would have anyways for extra length.  It's a bit roomy at the top if I didn't tie the tassels but I like the options to open or close the neckline depending on the occasion.

I chose to show it to you paired with heels as this is how I would style it for a night out or shindig.  But for casual occasions, like my recent trip to the beach with my gal pals, a flat sandal is a perfect fit. I was even able to ride a bike along the beach after dinner comfortably! (See my Instagram for pics)

Gals, I highly recommend adding a frilly dress to your Summer line up!

Ruffled Floral Dress & Here | Heels |

Dress Beautifully in a Frilly Dress

XOXO Sarah-Louise