Aug 17, 2020

Share a Smile

Sometimes the best gift you can offer is a smile! We all have ups and downs in this life and something as simple as a smile can really brighten someone's day.


We can easily forget to look outside and see the needs of others.  We get caught up in our own journey that we can miss opportunities to serve another.  Personally, I'm a very private person and keep my needs and hardships to myself (I'm working on that but when I do share it won't be on the internet but in confidence to close family & friends).

There doesn't need to be a life event to bless one another.

Tip: Choose a day/time every week to bless others. I find that if it's scheduled in my planner it doesn't  get overlooked.

Here are some ways we can reach out and share a smile to our family, friends and neighbors:


~ Bake Something - you gals know I avoid the kitchen at all cost, but I do keep box mixes (my favs are from Trader Joe's) in my cabinet. I do have enough skills to mix up a few things in a bowl and pop them in the oven, but the buck stops there. You probably have a family recipe or dish you make really well that you can treat someone too.
Muffins and loaf breads are great because they can be healthy and can also be divided into bags to share with neighbors.


~ Send a Note - Snail mail is one of my most favorite ways to communicate.  While it may not be the most instant form, it's such a treat!  The art of a handwritten note is one that can be cherish.  I've saved all the sweet notes from Ryan and those that are special to me in a keepsake box.
You can also include a picture or scripture card.


~ Spend time with someone else's kids - it seems as though now more than ever having our children at home without the normal outlets of school and recreational activities can be tiresome on parents. We love them more than anything in this world but gracious that doesn't mean we wouldn't appreciate a break every now and then. Offering to care for someone else's children not only blesses the parents with opportunities but can be fun for your children and yourself.
And I bet they'll offer the same back to you!


~ Gift Cards - Time and money is something there never seems to be enough of.  Sending a gift card for dinner, groceries or to somewhere like Amazon or Target can provide provision for someone in a great way.


~ Housework Help - we all have closets in disarray, projects to tackle or chores that have piled up in our homes.  Assisting someone in their home really makes a positive impact to their life.  We are juggling so many tasks within our walls this year that we've never had to make space for.
Today I went to my sisters to help her organize my nieces's room.  It was actually a lot of fun.
Chores don't seem like work when you're doing it together :)



Jesus cares about our spiritual and physical needs.  Let's do the same and love our neighbors!

Dress Beautifully Serving Others with a Smile

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Aug 14, 2020

Friday Favorites: Vintage Garden

I was fortunate to find it on a big sale promotion so it's currently sold out
But check your local store or resale sites
Note: I added vintage handkerchief for added coverage on the neckline. The embroidery complimented perfectly.

TGIF! You know the list of 'favorites' questions you ask when you're getting to know another person? Favorite color, book, movie, flower etc... Well, when it comes to flowers, I believe that's a popular question because God gave us so many beautiful blooms that they're as unique as we are. So it's interesting to see which one out of nature's bouquet is someone's favorite. 
FYI mine is a magnolia! 

Florals play a big role in fashion and here lately I'm adoring the use of wildflowers and botanicals in dresses! I love framed botanical prints in my home and believe they're even more lovely in a garment. 
It makes me feel like I belong in a vintage garden.

Here are some dress that are as beautiful as a flower garden






Rose Dress


Embroidered Rose Maxi


Floating Sunflower Dress
also in navy


Vintage Floral Dress
7 color options


Blue Floral Maxi
2 additional prints, I have the navy paisley


Lace Tiered Mixed Floral Midi
I have this one and adore it!


Floral Shirt Dress


Dress Beautiful in Vintage Florals

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Aug 12, 2020

The It Frock


Style elements that are trending hot: smocking, puff sleeves, tiny floral prints and midi length dresses.  This frock has them all! This dress resonated with me for the lavender, orange, and blue colors popping through in this wild flower print and the light weight fabric that makes it perfect all year.  Sandals for warm weather, sneakers for any weather and booties/boots for cooler weather.
I can't wait to add a denim or a moto jacket this Fall.








Aug 10, 2020

Primped & Polished

I remember watching my Grandma and Mamma primp everyday with mascara, blush, red lipstick and  always a shiny coat of polish on their nails. Now, my Mamma was a nurse so there were times that painted nails weren't practical.

When it comes to beauty, I'm a DIY gal (it's about the only creative skills I have). I can count on one hand the number of manicures I get in a year.  I find it to be expensive, time consuming and I enjoy changing the color every week as part of my Saturday routine so that they're nice and pretty for church.
On that note, I don't spend on any beauty services other than haircuts 4 times a year.  And there's the Vivian element, Ryan works nights and weekends so I save my babysitting for more important things, like gathering with my gal pals.


It is said that “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery".  Well, I'm blushing because my Vivian imitates so much of what I do, including my beauty routine.

I believe that simple, polished beauty is the most poised.  With maturity I've come to appreciate those very lessons my Mamma and Grandma worked so hard to teach me when it came to beauty and style.

You want people to see you, not your makeup!

I wish the adolescent me would have never picked up that ice blue eyeshadow and bright pink blush. 
I used to overcompensate for my youthful appearance those first several years of my career with dark eyeliner and overly fussy hair. 
Sigh lessons learned

So here's what I think make for a pretty polished look that will enhance the beauty God gave you without the 'made up' look.



Face: healthy clear skin requires very little coverage.  Mine is prone to breakouts so I choose products that help keep that issue at bay. (especially now that I'm trapping it with a mask).
I use this face wash, daily exfoliant, moisturizer, eye cream and sunscreen!
I highly recommend using Vitamin C & a retinol.

I love almost every single thing about Jackie's style ... her hair was a bit too coiffed

Makeup: A CC cream topped with a setting powder, a touch of bronzer & blush, filled brows, matte eyeshadow, soft eyeliner and a mascara is all you need. And don't forget a soft lipstick (avoid the high shine glosses).

Princess Kate has the most beautifully style hair!

Hair: Soft and effortless. Forced hair styles just scream that your trying too hard and it can look harsh. Messy or untouchable hair isn't timeless.
I like classic headbands and barrettes to hold it back, nothing too trendy.


Polish: I believe you can wear colors outside pink and red but keep your nail shape natural and shorter.


I wear these thin gold hoops practically daily for years.  
They make a shiny statement without overwhelming.

Accessories: Let your jewelry reflect your personality. For example, I like daintier pieces because they are proportionate to my petite structure.  I also like vintage baubles as I have an affinity for things with a story and my style is traditional.  My sister has more of a natural style and likes beaded jewelry.

Our Sunday Best Yesterday
I do wear a little extra color on my face on Sundays

Extreme styling dates yourself and I promise you'll look back shaking your heading wondering what you were thinking.  I'm all about staying current with the trends but in small doses and in moderation. Let your clothing embrace the trends and keep your makeup and hair timeless.

Dress Beautifully with Polished Beauty

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Aug 7, 2020

Friday Favorites: Dress Like a Duchess

 When it comes to styles to emulate, Princess Kate is at the top of my list.  She wears classic, feminine pieces that still have modern elements making them relatable to the common gal. 

And if you ever start to think she's 'out of your league', remember we're ALL human and put our pants on one leg at time. 

Sidenote: Sarah means 'Princess' so I was born with a love of all things fancy!

I saw this dress (sold out as soon as she wore it) several weeks ago and when pictures of Kate wearing it came out, I was tickled pink with validation that our selections had crossed paths.  Now, she's much taller than I am and has a royal beauty team so we look very different in this dress but I still feel as pretty as a princess.

Though our American lifestyle has engagements that are more backyard than royal (gracious do I love admiring her gowns) we can still incorporate pretty dresses into our wardrobes that make us feel and look as pretty as a princess.  Adding casual pieces to a pretty dress is the key to creating a comfortable ensemble that's practical. 

For example ....

 I've added a Moto jacket and booties

And denim and sneakers

And when offices and churches open back up, a blazer and pumps would be a timeless touch!

Here are some dresses that I believe are perfectly fitting for a Princess ....

Eyelet Floral Midi

Tie Neck Tweed

Pleated Midi

4 additional colors

Pink Ruffled Midi

Puff Sleeve Daisy

Garden Midi

Blue Floral

Green



super splurge but so so pretty! A more reasonable option here

Dress Beautifully Like a Duchess

XOXO Sarah-Louise