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

Show Love

It is the first day of February aka Love month! I've always enjoyed Valentine's Day for all the sweetness it brings. If you think about it, it's not a silly thing to celebrate Love. The greatest commandment is to love God, and the second greatest is to love others making a day set aside to show love meaningful. 

It is safe to say we've all heard & know about the 5 love languages:

1. Physical Touch

2. Acts of Service

3. Quality Time

4. Words of Affirmation

5. Receiving Gifts

I remember learning about them during our marriage counseling 11 years ago and finding it fascinating. I will say they have shifted over the years for me. I used to give and receive love the most with words of affirmation and quality time.  Now, I value acts of service so much more than words! 

Quality time is still #1 for me! And gifts is my least. 

This past Sunday the lesson I taught my teenage ladies was on living out our faith through action. 

Love isn't a feeling, it's an action. 

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

We reflect God's love through the way we live our lives.  1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Here are some ways we can SHOW love to our family and friends ...

Pour a cup and sit for a spell

1. Listen - pay attention and participate in what's important in the other person's life. Take interest in their circumstances. Ask questions and strive to avoid interrupting/turning the conversation on yourself or comparing.

2. Date - I've shared this before but actually making a date to spend time with someone is so important. Since face to face time with friends is currently challenging (I pray every day that it changes soon) schedule a FaceTime or Zoom date. Put it on the calendar. 

MOST IMPORTANT: NO PHONE 

put them away!

Note: Phones can be great for sending virtual love with a like, comment or share of someone's post. I know I am tickled pink each and every time a follower sends a heart my way :) 

3. Affirm - send thoughtful text messages, emails, voicemails or even, my favorite, snail mail! Some of my gal pals love my sharing of words but they fall flat for Ryan.  He'd take a yummy meal (UGH) over a love note. 

4. Cheer - I have this one gal pal and if I had to describe her with one word it would be 'Cheerleader'!  She supports others loudly! It doesn't matter what your life looks like or what your aspirations are, she will be rooting for you. My interests are so different than hers but she's always lifting me up.

5. Treat - Taking note of someone's favorites and gifting them a sweet little surprise will always brighten someone's day. That also goes back to listening. Knowing what interests someone else requires that you invest in listening to what's important to them.  It takes time so don't stress the perfection element. 

I encourage you to SHOW your love to others rather that the routine 'I love you' speak that can easily become casual. Make the effort. I promise it will be a blessing.

Make sure you stay true to yourself when you do love. Meaning, if you're like me and hate all things culinary and crafty then baking sweet treats and gluing pretty cards aren't for you. I will however happily sit, sip and chit chat, help you with a project, paint your nails and snuggle with a good show (I'm a toucher!) any time!

Use what talents you have.

If gift giving is your thing, shop til you drop! ... I'll never turn down a piping hot cup of black coffee, jewelry or a good book!

Actions Speak Louder gals, so shift your time, priorities and focus to Love others!

Dress Beautifully Showing Others Love

XOXO Sarah-Louise