Peplum & Palms

Two things I love, peplum tops and maxi skirts. Put them together and bam you've got a really pretty outfit. 

Peplum tops, I love them because they're ultra feminine with the ruffled hem and retro fitted design.  And gracious do they make your waist teeny tiny. This top incorporates a modern element with the ruffled straps. I plan on wearing it with a pair of light washed jeans for a lunch or dinner out with the gals.

Maxi skirts, I love them because they're too ultra feminine with a long flowing design, They also make me feel taller and poised. I love that they cover my legs (this gives me more confidence) and can be styled dressy like this look or with a basic tee and sneakers for the every day.

I know Summer time can be so causal due to the enormous amount of outdoor living and heat, so much heat and humidity. But this outfit is still easy breezy and the right amount of dressy for any shindig you've got on the calendar. 

Peplum Top | Palm Skirt | Heeled Slides | Earrings

Dress Beautifully in a Peplum Top & Maxi Skirt

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Powder Room: Mid-Century Glam

Powder rooms are important for so many reasons.  They're a high traffic area as they're typically the only bathroom on the lower level of a multilevel home.  And it's a space that will most certainly be visited by your guests. Therefore, I believe making it a beautiful is a high priority.  

When it comes to small confined spaces you have the ability to decorate boldly. The low square footage allows for pricer finishes and because it isn't open to any other space you can go outside the style and color palette found throughout your home. 

I'm excited to share the renovation we did on ours last year!

Let's start at the beginning ...

I detested this powder room the second I walked down the hall and got a glimpse! The red, blood red walls,  were overwhelming to say the least. Not only was it the intense color but the fact that this room is tucked underneath the stairs with a partial vaulted ceiling made you not want to venture in. 

We jokingly referred to it as the crime scene.

We had the walls painted Benjamin Moore -Chantilly Lace prior to moving in!

Then there was this tiled pony wall UGH

We didn't know how it was built in so demolishing it before we were prepared to replace the flooring wasn't an option.  So I primed and painted the tile to match the walls.

The bright white paint definitely freshened the room up but the flooring was cracked from 60 years of settling, the sink was so low and tiny, as was the toilet, and the awful wall cut the nearly 35 sq ft (large for a powder room) in half.

We replaced it ALL!

I kept with the hexagon shaped tile because it's a classic shape and fitting for our mid-century colonial. I chose a white marble stone rather than porcelain for a fancier finish that's bordered by pieces of shiny brass. They were filled with charcoal grout for contrast and to make it all pop. 

Its hard to see in the pictures but the brass really shines!

We also replaced the toilet! It's truly #adulting when this excites you.

A brass freestanding toilet paper holder and matching waste basket all complement the brass flooring. 

I even replaced the mirrored 1980's sconce (it was hideous!) with a simple brass one. 

This deep cabinet is so useful.  It houses our cleaning supplies and table linens.

We now have a much more substantial pedestal sink that has a modern touch with the rectangle shape.

The faucet is the real MVP! It's a shiny brass goose neck with class straight handles and traditional detailing.

We added this matching brass towel ring.

So much shinny brass and white and while pretty it fell flat to me.

One day I got a wild hair and decided I was going to paint the back wall charcoal to compliment the grout and elevate this very monochromatic bright room.

I went after it right after dropping Vivian off at school and was finished by lunch time.

Voila! 

It was the perfect touch.

I used Benjamin Moore - Wrought Iron

I'll be honest, I was nervous but you just have to follow your gut and go for it.

And since everything in our home is very traditional, I wanted a tribute the modern side of mid-century design and chose this iconic poolside glamour print. It adds a fun and light hearted touch.

Flooring - Grout - Toilet - Sink - Faucet 

Toilet Paper Holder - Waste Basket - Towel Ring - Cabinet Knobs - Sconce - Art 

Dress Your Powder Room Beautifully

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Friday Favorites: Summer Blazers

 

TGIF! Better yet, TGI-Summer! This is the season that I'm extra grateful to be home with Vivian. I get to spend these hot sunny days together at the pool, playing outside and spending time with our friends. #priceless

Summer can be a very casual time for dressing because it's just so hot and all you think about is what is the coolest and most comfortable ensemble I can put on.  But there are times like lunch with the ladies, dinners out and of course the shindigs that you want to step it up a notch. 

A suit jacket and shorts pairings does just that. Think of it as business on top and party on the bottom.  By mixing two contrasting style of garments you get a look that's unexpected.  I recently shared that fashion is what you buy, but style is what you do with it. 

Mixing casual & dressy pieces is my favorite was to create a style that speaks to my personality and makes the most out of my wardrobe. Get more use out of those weekday office pieces by inncorparting them into the weekend.

Here are some fabulous blazers to wear this summer with shorts or even skirts long or short ...

Obsessed with this one with gold buttons

also in pink & navy

One button stretch linen

also in white tan, lavender & pastel green 

Open Front

also in black, navy & gray

Linen Neutral Stripe

Pink Tweed

Vest

Chambray

Double Breasted

also in black & brown

Dress Beautifully in a Summer Blazer

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Day Dress

 

A dress so pretty yet comfortable enough to wear all day & night, yes please! My days are active and full of movement. I want to maintain my girlie style and still be able to play with my darling Vivian, keep my house tidy and run all the errands with ease.

A dress made of crisp cotton fabric that has feminine details, comfortable design and roomy skirt is the perfect solution to staying cool and looking chic. The fitted smocked bodice provides an element of structure while the flutter sleeves add modern femininity. 

I paired this dress with wedges for a more elevated look but plan on swapping for sneakers for a day at the park. 

Dress & Similar | Wedges & Higher Heel Version | Sunglasses | Earrings |

Dress Beautifully in a Day Dress

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Mamma Monday: Juggling Act

Life can often feel like a juggling act ... amen?!!

We are constantly balancing ALL the things and working hard not to let anything hit the ground. No pressure! I don't know about you but I wasn't given any magic powers and while some days feel like they deserve a standing ovation, some feel like I'm right in the middle of the circus ring.

I feel that as women & particularly as mothers, the number of responsibilities, tasks and things we are constantly thinking about is as long as a child's Christmas wish list! 

Personally, I'm a wife, mamma, daughter, sister, gal pal, Sunday school teacher, Junior Leaguer, blogger, chef (lets be honest more of a defroster), house keeper, errand runner, gardener, playmate and overall concierge. Oh and I need to squeeze in exercising, grooming and just maybe a little down time because every circus act needs an intermission! We have things to juggle and the show must go on.

So how are we supposed to do it?? 

Here's how I'm trying to juggle ....

1. Determine the Nonnegotiable 

My family is #1! That means quality time and investment into them. Dating Ryan, caring for & playing with Vivian with minimal distractions or attempting to multitask. Then my extended family such as my sisters & Mamma, gal pals, daily exercising and a tidy home.  These things are a MUST. 

Sometimes the chores happen later, the schedule is shifted and that I skirt the rules for fun #noregrets

2. Choose the things you can keep & let go of (even if temporary)

I feel called to minister to teenage young ladies as a Sunday school teacher. I absolutely love writing this blog in efforts to encourage & inspire you gals and being involved in my MOPS group adds so much value. So I've chosen to continue pouring into them.

But since I can't do it all gracefully, I have taken a break from my career, decided to be an inactive member of the Junior league and step back from volunteering at 3 nonprofits.  I will still support them in other ways. These decisions were hard to make but they make life easier. I'd be lying if I said I didn't crave a spreadsheet or team meetings in the conference room on a regular basis. The suits still hanging in my closet are a reminder of those days. 

This does NOT mean that I am less than. It means I'm MORE to what matters most at this time in my life.

Confession:  I battle with this and have to say it over and over all the time!

3. Do NOT Compare

What you're juggling isn't the same as someone else's. 

Limits make room for more joy.  When there is less you can be more at ease and better for others & your priorities.  It takes practice and daily effort to have contentment. I often feel like there's an element of failure or inadequacy if I'm not meeting the standards I've created.  The truth is, the standard is what God wants of me. 

Meal prepping, chore charts, and calendars are all tools that can help you juggle. I also make a lot of lists. Leaning on others I find lightens the load and fills you with love.

Focus on quality over quantity when it comes to the things you invest your time in to.

With less you can have so much more!

Dress Beautifully Juggling 

XOXO Sarah-Louise