Bathroom Brights

Down the hall, first door on your left.  That's where you'll find our 'bigger' guest bathroom.  We have a powder room for guests as well.  (That's a sticky subject - I'm DYING to add bold wall paper but Mr's foot is down on his veto vote)

For our mid-century ranch home we were quite please with the size of this bathroom to accompany the extra bedrooms.  In fact it's much bigger than our master bathroom.  It was renovated just prior to our purchase almost 2 years ago - wow times flies! I must say at first I wasn't thrilled with the tile, cabinet and fixture choices in our home's baths or kitchen but I quickly grew quite fond of them.

I wanted traditional and he wanted new and modern.  I won! #happywifehappylife
This house has gorgeous crown moldings, plantation shutters & real hardwood floors throughout and solid wood doors; it even has 2 pocket doors!! I'm all about the details. But all of these trimmings are painted in a rich beige color.  That was hot 50 years ago but now the bright whites and greys are the shades of interior design.  Now, our family room is the only room painted grey with white trim.  That room, kitchen, powder and master suite are the only exception to the beige on beige motif.

When I say beige motif I'm saying every other room had beige walls and beige trim.  I said 'bye bye beige'.  Within months of moving in, the formal dining, living, entryway and hall way were painted.  Next came the sunroom.  Gals, I need to step up my game and share those with you!

But back to this guest bathroom. The tile choice is a warm yellowish tan and it's on the floor and in the shower floor to ceiling.  The granite is also on the warmer side with dark cabinets, dark hardware, lighting and mirror,  Pair that with beige and I hate to say it, but it was rather dingy.

For such beautiful finishes they were muffled by the lack of light.  There's no window so the sinks, toilet and shower curtain were carrying the bright load.

BEFORE

SO, rather than fight the beige I decided to compliment it.  With white walls!  I received a less than enthusiastic response from others. White??!!  It's so builder-grade, plain, and sterile.  They were right it can be.  But there are exceptions and I trusted my design instincts.

AFTER

I added pops of emerald green with this monogramed shower curtain, hand towels and original art.

In the end these white walls not only brightened the space, it highlighted all of those warm dark elements so they could shine.  Bathrooms should feel clean and fresh and this polished coat of paint did just that.

Paint is the work horse of interior design.  You'll have a huge transformation for a small price.  Choose wisely and always always get a sample first!

Paint: Benjamin Moore 'Chantilly Lace' 

Dress Your Bathroom Beautifully with a Fresh Coat of Paint

XOXO Sarah Louise

Moto

Everyone has a style box.  Perimeters that we dress within a majority of the time.  For example I would categorize my style as classic, polished and ladylike.  But that doesn't mean I don't appreciate other styles. I believe it's important to incorporate elements that aren't your instinctual go-to.  It would be so boring and predictable if you didn't.

So, I make effort to add preppy, sporty, boho, glam and edgy pieces into my wardrobe to add variety and to stay modern.  If you venture too far outside of your 'style' box I can promise you won't wear it. The key is to find pieces that you actually like (don't choose something because someone or everyone else is wearing it) and avoid going to the extreme.

I knew I wanted a moto jacket to add an edgy element to my wardrobe. The leather moto jacket while trending huge this past year has been around for decades. I chose one that's fairly basic in black.  I didn't go for one in color, with fringe, or with embroidery or grommets.  That would just be too much and I'd feel like I was in a costume.

I also try and keep the investment lower on pieces that are more trendy or outside of my style box. So, I went with faux leather and purchased on sale when choosing this moto jacket.

I styled weekend look on the greyscale.  This moto jacket paired with my weekday office garments (sheath dresses, trousers & blouse) or a feminine floral piece and you have a very modern and chic outfit.

Moto Jacket || Blouse || Grey Jeans || OTK Boots || Polish || 

Dress Beautifully in a Moto Jacket

XOXO Sarah Louise

Shiny Strut

Classic pieces are the key in building a beautiful wardrobe.  Add a little shine and you've got style!

Remember the post on luxury shoe look-a-likes? I wasn't kidding when I said I owned 4 of the 5 featured. These gold fringe block heeled pumps have brought some show stopping shine to my strut over the past few weeks. Seriously though, I've been stopped and complimented often on these beauties.  Dorothy had ruby but I've got gold!

Metallic shoes are neutral and truly go with everything.  They also give just a touch of fancy to those foundation pieces.

Blouse || Blazer || Jeans || Loafers & Here || Handbag || 

Dress Beautifully in a Metallic Shoe

XOXO Sarah Louise

LBD + Extras

BRRRRR! Baby it's cold outside!  ... and time for my first outfit post of 2017!

Here in Charlotte, NC the word (or hashtag) snow has been overused to say the least over the past 3 days.  We don't get to use it very often and we're not quite sure what to with it other than to make sure we have bread and milk on hand. hahaha - neither of which I eat so it didn't bother me that the shelves were empty.

Out home in the city got a mere dusting while the suburbs got several inches.  I honestly woke up disappointed Saturday morning as the inner kid in me really wanted to make a snowman. But I lived vicariously through everyone else's posts and took advantage of our clear roads to venture out to the gym & target (the only places open to get our wiggles out).

If you know me or have been following along, you know I LOVE fur!  All of mine is vintage so animals lovers please don't freak out.  If it's not for you stick with faux - I have some of that too.

Over the summer the go-to Douglas Montaldo's Hertzberg Furs had a huge estate sale that I took advantage of.  Must confess, it was a bit difficult to shop for fur in July. 

But I was counting on colder temps for the winter and sure enough they're here and I'm wearing this beauty! 

So the point of this post is not the fur but how this fur and other elements can take a little black dress (LBD) and add style. There are occasions that call for the minimum (interviews & funerals or days that's just the best you can do) but by adding a few extras your LBD can have maximum style.

Vintage furs often have the original owner's name embroidered in the lining.  I find it sentimental and added a patch with my name embroidered over the owners.  It's as if I'm carrying her memories as I make my own.  Her name was done in a matching ivory thread. I decided to be fun and went with a bright cherry red. In the South we like to leave a personal marks with monograms or all out with our full names ... some of us even have double names :)
If a fur coat isn't your thing, opt for a colored coat.

This dress was designed with an attached bow sash around the neckline with contrasting white piping. It adds feminine and timeless detail that doesn't overwhelm.  It's professional for the office but can certainly be fun with a pair of colored heels. The classic aline design with natural waist seam and subtle pleats create a very flattering fit!  This dress is perfect for all year wear I certainly plan to do just that for years to come.

For another extra element of style I paired with polka dot tights.  The dots are tiny so they have the Monet effect ... from far away you wouldn't even know, up close super fun!
And mary jane pumps or any pump with straps are great when wearing tights as they prevent your foot from sliding out.

Dress - Similar & Here || Mink Coat || Tights || Pumps || Handbag || 

Dress Your LBD Beautifully with Style Extras

XOXO Sarah Louise

Pop Fizz Clink

Break's over - back to blogging ...

with a hot cup of black coffee #naturally

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

What a refreshing time.  Time to reflect and time to look forward.  It's a blank slate, and a new beginning.

I have a sense of accomplishment at the new year as I close one year full of life events and milestones and begin filling up a new year.  I have to admit, not all of last year's happenings were happy.  Some were sad and down right heartbreaking but that's life.  It makes you stronger and better. Just remember all your undeserved blessings.

With that, I like to start off by sending some cheer. Snail mail is the best mail.
A hand written note is a such a sweet and sentimental kindness, an art I believe in.

New Year Note Cards

First step in setting up my new year, a new planner!  I look forward to this.  I'm obsessed with paper.  I'm constantly making a list and crossing things off.  In an age of technology, I'm all old school when it comes to staying organized. For the past 4 years I've had the same planner (different prints).  It's just the right size and layout for keeping track of the elements of my life.

Note: I immediately start filling it out month by month with birthdays and important events.

2017 Planner 

I also use this weekly note/mouse pad & this Little Gold Book kept in my purse for jotting down ideas as they strike

The word resolution is on everyone's mind this time of year. Right after Christmas we can finally take a minute to relax and think about ourselves and what we want to change.

I don't make resolutions.  I make goals.

What do I want to accomplish?
How can I grow?
In what ways am I going to serve?

While I keep my body healthy with good nutrition and daily exercise keeping my mind and heart healthy I find to be more difficult.  The world is full of ugly so guarding yourself is a huge challenge.  We are drowning in overindulgence and temptations.

One of my goals is to glorify God in everything.

That sounds impossible, but it's something I want to work hard to do.  That means spending time in the Word, loving others and being a ministry through your life and works; including this blog.

Remember my gift guide for gal pals post I shared before Christmas? Well, I had to treat myself to the books that I actually did gift a few ladies. I've really enjoyed reading Grace Not Perfection.  It's uplifting and encouraging.  The pressure of perfection can wear you down paper thin.  While I may not have thousands of readers, lots of 'likes' or immaculate pictures each and every post is created and written with 100% authenticity. XOXO SL

Another goal of mine is to wear my grace goggles.  With myself and others.  Give the benefit of the doubt, love the unlovely and forgive.  You hear it all the time "I am so busy", remember to slow down  and stop to smell the roses.

My imperfectly perfect space 

I took this not with my 'fancy' camera but just a quick snap with my iPhone 

I didn't stop and adjust the bags under my desk, the hanging cords, or placements  

This is where I sit to write to you gals - all natural 

So when I think about this blog of mine now that it's 3 years old!!! #hbd and where to take 'Dress Beautifully' in 2017 this verse came to heart ...

"She is clothed in strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future" Prov 31:25 

Let's Pop. Fizz. Clink. to 2017 and strive to dress all aspects of ourselves beautifully.  

XOXO Sarah Louise