Off the Shoulder

One of the biggest trends this Spring and Summer is the off-the-shoulder top.  They've hit the fashion scene and quickly became a must have!

I quickly jumped on board and ordered this top back when the weather was still cold. So it's been staring at me for weeks every time I walk into my closet, teasing me.  I NEED warmer weather so I can shimmy around in it!

Tibi's design kick started this fabulous trend and thank goodness designers have all created their own versions at a variety of price points.

Not all off-the-shoulder tops are created equal.  I like this one because the top elastic only spans the shoulders and back leaving the front neckline smooth and stationary.  It makes for a more comfortable fit and easier movement with wear.  Elastic of any design or placement can be restrictive but it can also create functionality.  It's a piece by piece evaluation - hence the rule of always trying things on.  With an off-the-shoulder top make sure the elastic isn't too snug and that you can move your arms without the top springing up.

Back in the 80's off-the-shoulder tops were super tight and fitted and often worn tucked into high waisted pants.  And while that look can be snazzy, I'm all about the causal, tunic cut of today's top.  It's light and loose and easy to wear for all body types. Although ladies, you will have to switch to a strapless bra. But it's worth it!  Showing off your shoulders, one of the smallest features on the feminine frame is very flattering.

I paired this top with a pair of distressed jeans and wedges for a casual look.  Come summer time wear with shorts and sandals or for evening skinny pants and heels.

You must jump on this trend and add an off-the-shoulder top to your wardrobe!
Truth: I've also added an off-the-shoulder dress to mine :)

Off the shoulder top: Free People || Jeans: J Crew || Wedges: Tory Burch - Similar & Here ||

Lots of off-the-shoulder tops Here 

Dress Beautifully in an Off-the-Shoulder Top

XOXO Sarah Louise

To a Tee

Crisp dress shirts and pretty blouses are more 'me to a tee' than a casual cotton tee.  But when the weekend comes sometimes I just want to keep it simple and slip into something soft, cool and comfortable.  But y'all know I'm not going to just put on some random old sorority shirt with paint stains and holes (I save my bin of those for working in the yard or those rare occasions I work on a messy project).

Just about all clothing retailers have gone above the basic tee and offer tees with linen blends. super soft washes and prints to suit any style.  Take advantage of all the options of patterns, cuts and graphics to show off your personality.

A 'Me to a Tee' tee would have magnolias, lemons or will look like this one I found on a target run with Ariel The Little Mermaid on it.
Story:  When I met the little boy next door while living on the military base, he ran up to me and said I looked just like Ariel! We were instant friends :) 

Ariel Tee

You won't see me wearing these often, but they fit the bill for those Saturday morning errands or backyard relaxing.

Here are some tees I found that might fit you to a tee ....

Garden Tee 

Polka Dot Tee

Cloud Tee

Floral Tee

Camel Tee

Sleeveless Tee

Tunic Tee

Dress Beautifully 'To a Tee'

XOXO Sarah Louise

Criss Cross

This isn't your every day dress but it is a dress for every time you want to feel pretty and classic.

It's timeless.  I could totally see gals of all decades back to the 50's wearing this dress to soirees, church and even date nights.  It has a sense of vintage femininity.

It's construction is functional and flattering with a snug elastic bodice for structure and a flowing light skirt with pockets.  In fact the wide ribbons of striped elastic are so thick and sturdy I ditched my bra!

I pulled my hair back to showcase the criss cross neckline and added a bright punch with these red-orange sandals.  They've quickly become my new favorites.  I mean you can't go wrong with bright red shoes.  I've found myself wearing them with almost everything and sure enough I've received compliments galore.

Spring is soiree season to me - horse races, festivals, showers, tournaments.  Everything is in bloom and why not add a fun dress to make a splash!

Criss Cross Dress: Anthropologie || Red Sandals: Tory Burch || 

Sunglasses: Kate Spade || Necklace: Kate Spade || Polish: Essie || 

Dress Beautifully in a Classic Criss Cross Dress

XOXO Sarah Louise

DB is Back!

Dear beautifully dressed gals,

I want to sincerely apologize for my absence (it's been waaaaaay too long!)

It wasn't anticipated and I'm not happy about it.  There are times in life where the gears shift into survival mode and some things you must put on hold, like playing dress up and writing about it.

So while I wasn't sharing my take on styling, I was however busy as a bee preparing for big, amazing and life changing events.  As you may know, Mr is a medical officer in the US Navy and has been deployed to the Middle East since the beginning of October.  Wow, as I write that it just seems like forever ago, and to be honest it felt like he'd been gone forever most days.  Moving back to the Queen City to our new home all by myself came with it's own mile long to-do list that included a career change and reintegrating myself into our community and organizations I had left 3 years ago.  March was a tough time.  I was trying to hold myself together while tying up loose ends, bringing projects to fruition and preparing myself to welcome home my great love!

Life is full of challenges and while I consider myself a gal that loves the sense of accomplishment, enduring a military deployment is by far the HARDEST thing I've ever done!!!!
I tried not to dwell on the weeks of silence not hearing from him or knowing what he was doing or what country he was in, or on the empty side of the bed or chair at the dining room table.  I tried hard not to cry when I'd walk past a wedding photo in our home or when I'd see his favorite food at the grocery store.  Let's not even talk about love songs played on the radio - I couldn't fight that, I just let the tears flow!

But one night when I was at my lowest feeling completely heartbroken I realized I had more blessings of support, encouragement and love than I could ever dream of!  My military gal pals though far away since my move, called me almost every single day. Every day! They dried my tears and picked me up when I was broken and shared laughs and silly stories from their darling kiddos which always brings a smile.  We shared a bond that lasts a lifetime.  I had friends from cities near and far sending me strength to make it each and every day.  I also had the gals here at home keeping me going with weekly fellowship and cheer.  And thank goodness I had my family close by checking on me and making sure I was hugged often and even fed me delicious meals (they know I can't cook worth anything).
It was the selfless love of others that granted me the courage to endure.  It was also these special people that were celebrating with me when it came time to welcome my sailor home into my arms and back where he belongs.

So I survived! And guess what?!!!

HE'S HOME!!! Our family is reunited and whole! God is so good!!!

I nearly thought my heart would explode that late night when I saw his handsome face! I wish I could share what it felt like but there just aren't words to do it justice nor enough exclamation points!

I still can't believe it and there are still tough days ahead as we can only see each other on weekends for the next 4 months as he completes his duty on the military base but it's nothing but love in our world and I couldn't be happier!

Now it's time to get the routine back which includes sharing all about dressing beautifully.

When it came time to picking out the ensemble I would wear when he would see me for the first time I knew what I wanted.  I had had several gal pals welcome their husbands home from deployment over the years and had experience helping them with styling.

I tell all the gals to choose a solid colored dress in a feminine aline cut, minimal jewelry and low heeled shoes.  You want to look classic and effortless.

I went with an ivory dress with a v neckline and ruffled hem.  It was quintessentially me!
The most beautiful part was our big bright smiles! #overjoyed

And I don't even care that my face is all red from the big tears of joy - these images are reminders of just how beautifully blessed we are to have each other as husband and wife!

Now that you've read all about my big month I hope you give me some grace and forgive me for being absent here.

XOXO Sarah Louise

Scarf Blouse

I have a thing for silk scarves.  I'm talking the silk, square, hand rolled edge scarves.  My favorites are those designed by Vera.  I am always hunting for them on my trips to vintage/thrift shops.

This blouse reminded me of a silk scarf with it's dot pattern and striped border design.
I wanted to show of the print, so rather than my typical styling of tucking a blouse into a pencil skirt I opted for a relaxed look.  I left the blouse untucked and toped it over a flared shorter skirt.   The flared shape of the skirt prevents a boxy silhouette when leaving the blouse untucked (especially since the print is in a rectangle shape).

I kept my pumps neutral and complimented the blush stripe in the blouse with a matching handbag.

When highlighting a pattern or embellishment keep everything else solid and neutral so that it shines without competition.

Blouse: Loft || Skirt: J Crew Similar || Pumps: Cole Haan || Handbag: Tory Burch ||

Dress Beautifully in a Scarf Blouse

XOXO Sarah Louise