Ocean Blue

 

Being at the beach I get to experience all my favorite colors. The blues of the water, greens of the seagrass and cotton candy shades of the sky. They're cool and light, blending together to make the softest of surroundings. 

This sundress not only reminded me of the blue of the ocean but it is also cool in the coastal heat!

In a light weight cotton, with tiers for movement (so pretty in the breeze) and sweet little flutter sleeves on the shoulders it's a lovely fit. The v-neck paired with the smocked bodice creates a narrowing silhouette (much more so than a straight across cut). 

My favorite is the pattern. It almost resembles a vintage china. 

Style Tip: Layer with a chunky knit sweater and boots to transition into Fall.

Pieces in coastal colors, patterns and textures (all the linen) will give you a pretty beachy look even if you're toes aren't actually in the sand. 

I twist the sides of my hair to contain all the smaller pieces from blowing in my face. 

I rarely wear my hair down due to heat and wind!

Adding accessories like pearls and shells gives a gorgeous seashore vibe. 

Dress | Sandals | Bracelet 

Dress Beautifully in Ocean Blue

XOXO Sarah Louise

Treasures

Gals, I love collecting treasures - things found in nature like sharks teeth and interesting rocks from places I visit along with antiques for our home and vintage accessories to wear. They’re valuable to me because they are rare and meaningful. The funny thing is they’re free or cost very little but I treat them like diamonds.

I've found nearly 30 shark teeth this Summer!

In a world where more, new and aspirations to acquire are so prevalent it has me challenging myself to keep my priorities where they should be.

“ Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your reassure is, there your heart will be also” Matthew 6:19-21

Gals, gracious do I adore my clothes, handbags and fine jewelry Ryan’s given me. Even our home and it’s furnishings mean a great deal to me.

 It is so hard not to treasure things of this world like money, popularity, success and possessions. The influences around us tells us to treasure these things. 

The reality is a heart that longs for Jesus to be the greatest treasure in our life is like nothing of this world, now and forever. 

Fact: you can’t take it with you.

Here are some ways we can store our treasures in heaven rather than here on Earth …

Focus

Make Jesus the object of our affection, rather than centered on ourselves and accumulation. If we do our desire will be to put our time, money resources and talent into things that glorify Him. Colossians 3:2

Trust

Trust that He will provide. Be generous even if it feels risky. Mark 12:41-44

Give

Look to the needs of others and be generous.  Helping others without expectation of repayment or praise is an act of loving God and others.  Blessing another becomes a blessing to the giver. 

Gals, it’s ok to enjoy the wonderful things that we have but it’s important to remember who gave them to us and how we should treat them. 

He is forever. My stuff is not. 

Dress Beautifully with a Heart Full of Heavenly Treasures

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Friday Favorites: Animal Print

 TGIF! Gracious this week has flown by! Maybe because we've been having so much :)

There's only one more month of Summer left and I'm determined to fill it with the happiest of memories I can, beginning with a week at the beach just us 3 starting Monday. I'm really looking forward to sweet family time together. 

On Wednesday I posted about styling a classic black and white outfit. I want to continue with the timeless neutral trend but this time with animal prints. I love animal prints because I find them to be a natural beauty, literally. Man could never create a print as pretty as the ones God created. 

They're also abstract which I prefer to a harsh graphic.

Tip: Add light & bright accessories to an animal print for a sunny vibe.

Fun Fact: Snakes are the scariest creatures on earth BUT my favorite animal print. 

Flounce Maxi Skirt

Bow Halter Top

Zebra Top

Sneaker

Zebra Ruffle Top

also in tan

Classic Shirt

Antelope Shirt Dress

Dress Beautifully in Animal Print

XOXO Sarah Louise

Black & White

 

Most of the time I see things as black and white. It's just my personality (enneagram 1). I won't elaborate for the sake of focusing on fashion but let's just say I take a strong stance on what's right & what's wrong. 

I find a black and white outfit the epitome of a classic look. The sharp contrast is simple yet striking. I gravitate towards more white than black. I also prefer the mix presented in a print/texture as opposed to color blocking.  It softens the combination and gives it a more feminine look.

Another timeless piece, is a pair of wide leg linen pants in the Summer. They're easy breezy, elongate the legs and gracious are they comfortable. 

Tip: Pair voluminous pieces (like these pants) with a top that's more fitted and structured for balance. 

Bonus Tip: Tuck your top or opt for a cropped length with high waisted pants/skirts for a long & slimming silhouette. 

I love cut away tops. They're not quite halter put they expose quite a bit of shoulder which is ultra flattering on the upper body and arms. AND a racerback bra solves the support issue without having to result to a dreaded strapless. 

Halter Top | Wide Leg Linen Pants | Shoes |  Earrings 

Dress Beautifully in Black & White

XOXO Sarah Louise

What's in My Car

I recently had quite the funny chit chat with some of my gal pals about what we keep in our cars. Personally, I'm not in my car very much (well with the exception of this Summer - so much travel!!). On a normal day to day basis I go to a set few places within a 5-10 min drive time. 

There are a set of key items that I've kept in my car for decades.  Some you might find odd, some handy, some are common sense and some may have you puzzled. 
I must say, what I never ever ever keep in my car is trash! Wrappers, papers etc all come out immediately! 

Here's what you'll find in my car to keep me prepared & primped on the go ...

ALWAYS my sidekick

1. Tweezers - I've had a pair in my car since college. For some reason the light is so so good in the car allowing you refine your grooming. This is the item that sparked our banter.

2. Lipsticks - I refuse to be without color, even when I'm just running to the grocery store and even gym. 

3. Safety Pins - in full disclosure I keep them in my travel toiletry bag and in my desk drawers. I can't tell you how many times in my corporate office days that they came in handy to save the day. Especially when traveling to mend a wardrobe malfunction.

4. Floss - there's nothing more annoying or gross than salad, seeds etc. stuck in your teeth!

5. Pens & Paper - I make lists on lists on lists. Thoughts and ideas come to me all day long and it never fails I'll receive a work call while out. So I need to have small pieces of paper and pens to jot all the things down.

6. Exercise mat - I go to the gym 5 days a week so it never leaves my car. Probably gross but I also have never owned hand sanitizer (which is probably found in most cars). 

7. Sunglasses - I always have a few pairs in their case nested in the middle console.

8. Snacks - I'm a Mamma but also I have a snack myself a couple times a day. So a couple bars/pack of crackers are tucked away because nothing is wore than being hangry out and about!

9. Change - Vivian and I love to make wishes into fountains every week.

10. Coupons - Ironically I only ever use them 1-2 times a year but I insist on shoving them in the glove box for that off chance.

Vivian doesn't have screen time at home 

BUT it is 100% the only way to survive car travel!

Dress Beautifully in Your Car

XOXO Sarah Louise