Friday Favorites: Target Style

 TGIF! I saw this quote and couldn't find the lie ...

Motherhood = Coffee Sips and Target Trips

My sister is truly a Target enthusiast. She not only loves shopping the shelves but she has quite the savvy skills in finding the best deals. When I became a mother I went from an occasional Target shopper to relying on it for an escape from home, a coffee break, a climate controlled stroll, a social date with other gals, ALL the baby things, ALL  the things I didn't need and of course the essentials I tell Ryan I'm going for. 

When it comes to Target's apparel I have somewhat of a love/hate relationship.  For the most part it's a bit too trendy or basic or not of lasting quality. But when it isn't those things I love it! And it's price tag. For basic tees and tanks I'm all in.  10 years ago I took advantage of their work wear offerings with pencil skirts and sheath dresses (I still have a couple) but that's been a void for several years now. Currently, I find that I gravitate towards their fashion forward lines Who What Wear and A New Day for tops and dresses. These pieces often resemble higher end designers at a much lower price point.

Note: Things I never purchase from Target are shoes, swimwear, jewelry, bags, sunglasses, intimate apparel and workout wear. Everything else is fair game!

Here are some things I've found that are made of such nice fabric and design that no one would ever guess you bought them at the same place you picked up diapers and snack bars. 

Acid Wash Ruffle Denim Top - Who What Wear 

Sadly not online yet

I adore this one - it's very designer looking! A denim top pairs with absolutely everything!

The details on this one are elevated and current - I'll wear it a ton with black paper bag pants, with dark jeans for a monochromatic look, with shorts, printed maxi skirts and even over a dress tied at the hem ... I could keep going ... oh and white jeans! You get the idea. 

Long Sleeve Flowy Blouse

4 colors

Love the lavender and tiny botanical print on this blouse. It's super light and airy with sweet neckline and puff sleeve details. 

Floral Blouse 

This blouse is amazing! In a substantial crisp cotton, bold print and covered cuff and back buttons I can't believe it's $28! Here's a look a like thats $245.

Flutter Sleeve Dress

4 prints & 2 solid colors

Love love love this one too! Again resembles high end designer pieces. The cotton fabric is so nice and the design has so much structure with a side zipper, flutter sleeves and tiered skirt.  It's comfortable for daytime with sandals & sneakers and can gussy up with heels and jewelry. 

Ruffle Hem Dress

6 colors

This dress is an easy breezy dream! Light weight cotton in a loose midi with ruffle hem. 

I decided the sleeves were a bit much for me but the color and print are totally SL!

One Shoulder Dress

5 colors

Trapeze Shirt Dress

4 colors

Ruffle Sleeveless Tiered Dress

6 colors

This was a best seller last year and universally flattering!

Sweat Suit with Eyelet Puff Sleeve

Top - Pant

Quilted Jacket

this is my most fav! My Mamma will love this one too. 

Dress Beautifully in Target Style

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Spring Dreams

According to the groundhog last week, we are facing 6 more weeks of Winter. Blah! I'll remind myself of this when it's scorching hot in a couple of months.  I just wish we could have some snow to play in. Vivian has been learning about it and I'd love to experience it with her. Instead we are often trapped inside playing because it's just too cold to go outside, our favorite place to play! 

So instead I'm having warm thoughts, sweet dreams of Spring and happily shopping sundresses!

Things I look for in a dress are fabric (crisp cotton poplin is my fav), cut (I prefer a-line and sleeveless) and versatility.  The ability to wear a dress across seasons with layering and across occasions with styling is #1. This dress is perfectly fitting!

In a lightweight cotton  it's cool and comfortable but easily layers with a jacket, sweater, boots or booties when you need to be warm. The flutter sleeves flatter the figure and arms by creating balance to the tiered volume. They're also very feminine and pretty! 

As for occasions, you're all set for anywhere you go ... or nowhere but your backyard #overit! You can get gussied up with a heel and jewelry or casually cute with a sandal or sneaker. 

Here's how I'm styling it now with this Moto jacket & booties but you bet I'll be swapping them out for these sandals and these heels asap. 

Pleated Floral Dress & Here | Similar Booties | Moto Jacket | Earrings |

Dress Beautifully in a Spring Dress Now & Later

XOXO Sarah-Louise

New Make Up

Over the past few months I've added some new products to my makeup drawer. Some of them I picked up  just shopping, some from my sister and some from someone on IG promoting. 

Sidenote: I get encouraged and questioned all the time about why I don't take this blog & my IG account bigger and be a real 'influencer'. First, I don't have a clue how! Send me help! And, I do not want to compromise my honest content to become a commercial (no offense!). But I would love explore growth without the 'sales pitch'. Again, send me help!

Make up is important to me. I'm not a natural beauty kind of gal. It makes me feel confident, pretty and put together to enhance and add color to my face. 

Even Vivian loves to primp! She got this play makeup set for Christmas and absolutely loves it.

Here's what I've added and love ...

Primer - A must have so that your products perform the way they should. I chose this one for it's illuminating properties.  In the Winter skin can be dry and dull.  A slight glow (NOT shimmer) is youthful and appears healthy & hydrated.  This product is light and truly holds my makeup together.

Bronzer & Highlighter Duo - This is a mini size, which to be honest isn't mini at all.  I often purchase mini sizes to try out a product without the investment. The bronzer isn't too dark or orange and a soft match for my fair complexion. It's buildable to achieve your level of contour.  Highlighter is one of my favorite products.  I love the glow it gives.

Setting Powder - This is a loose powder so a little extra care is required so that you don't make a dusty mess. I feel that this is a bit better at controlling shine and it doesn't add any tint than this one that I also use. 

Blush - I am an over-blusher.  I believe it's because I'm so fair that I like a contrasting colorful cheek.  I'm blessed to have a gal pal that was honest and let me know I was borderline clown looking with my intense rosy cheeks so I've backed off (thanks BR!). This blush in color Luminous Flush is subtle and light reflecting. 

Mascara - I actually threw away my eyelash curlers! This mascara lengthens and curls. No more of my lashes being plucked out by that contraption ever again!

Setting Spray - This is magic! It's like hairspray for your face. It's light and not at all sticky. But my goodness it really holds your makeup in place.  With taking a mask on and off and snuggling all over my darling I don't want my makeup rubbing off. 

Lipstick - I have to giggle a little that I'm still painting my little lips despite being hidden under a mask. Force of habit! I have such tiny pale lips that I insist on coloring them boldly. I like traditional lipsticks for the saturated color. Lipglosses can be sticky and don't last very long so I stick with just layering them on top. Stains can be very dry so when I find a long wearing lipstick thats soft and hydrating I get very excited. This one has a slight luster to it and very smooth. I chose color 452 Emilienne.

I also love these hydrating sticks!

Here are the other products I use.  You can read more about makeup I use on This Post This Post & This Post.

A tray full of beauty!

Foundation Primer | Foundation  the bottle pump is a must! | 

Setting Powder | Bronzer-Highlighter | Blush

Under Eye Primer | Concealer | Eyeshadow Primer | Eyeshadow Palette | Eyebrow Powder | 

Eye Liner Pencil | Liquid Eyeliner | Mascara | Setting Spray

Lipstick | Lip Balm

Dress Beautifully in Pretty Makeup

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Friday Favorites: Collars, Cardigans & Coins

    

TGIF! I love big collars and gold jewelry but my love for cardigans is slow growing. In fact, this is the only traditional cardigan I own and I've had it for a few years.  They're just not my go-to for layering.  I'm a blazer & jacket gal all the way. I prefer structured pieces. However, I've opened my style up to these button front knits in a thick, denser weave with a shorter length. 

This look is a little on the granny side and I'm here for it.  I'm an old lady at heart. I collect vintage clothing, accessories and home decor. A true traditional southern gal! Just wait until I share our recent home renovations! #grandmillenial (look that up)

Coin necklaces are shiny gold disc pendants that layer beautifully with other necklaces or solo and are dress any outfit beautifully!

Google says: Coin necklaces have been worn throughout history to bring luck and good fortune to the wearer. ... These “Love Tokens” were often engraved with sentimental messages and were either carried by the recipient for luck or adapted and worn as a meaningful coin necklace.

Here are some collared tops, cardigans and coin necklaces I'm loving ....

Collared Long Sleeve Blouse

also in leopard

Ruffle Collar Blouse

also in light blue & black

Stripe Collar Blouse

Embroidered Short Sleeve Blouse

Floral Collar Blouse

2 additional colors

Classic Cotton Blend

9 colors

V-Neck Cardigan

Puff Sleeve Cardigan

Marled Ribbed Cardigan

Boxy Cardigan

3 colors

Compass Coin Necklace

Coin Necklace Set

I have this and wear them all the time!

Bespoke Coin Necklace

this disc is for engraving initials or numbers special to you

Flower Coin Necklace

Layered Coin Necklace

Have a Super Cool Weekend!

Dress Beautifully in a Collared Shirt, Cardigan & Coin Necklace 

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Wild & Wide

 

Gals, I'm wild about wide leg denim! Here's why, a high waist and leg line that extends straight down from the hip is extremely leg lengthening and slimming. Win - Win

This particular pair in a solid dark wash with contrasting stitching has a polished and slightly retro feel allowing for casual and dressy style options.

Note: Even though I am a very small person I have thick legs and find wider leg designs very flattering and comfortable. 

My go-to is a white top with my jeans (classic) but to add some personality a little color, print and texture the key is accessories. It's still a simple look but not plain. One of my favorite things about winter dressing is all the texture.  It's a season that allows for heavier materials like this calf hair animal print belt and croc   boots. Some other options would be a printed scarf, statement necklace or bold jacket. Don't go over board adding all the extras. A little bit goes a long way. 

Pick a print that conveys you. Whether it be stripes, florals, plaids, bight colors or animal prints it should showcase your unique personality.

Wide Leg Jeans Style Tips:

• Fitted top - balances the volume on your lower half
• Tuck in your top - creates a small defined waist
• High rise - creates long leg line
• A pointed toe (elongates) heeled shoe - doesn't have to be high just enough to keep the pants from punching at the hem, nice and straight leg

Always gals, always have fun!

Balloon Sleeve Top & Here | Wide Leg Jeans | Boots | Belt & Here |

Dress Beautifully in Wide Leg Denim

XOXO Sarah-Louise