Just in case you forgot….YOU are AMAZING! This morning as I completed my cardio workout, I realized how important it is to remind ourselves daily (myself included) of the things we are grateful for, and how to train our minds to make the very best of the present moment, even when our circumstances are far less than ideal. So without further ado, I am sharing a few reminders that I hope may impact your day as much as they have on mine. Remember that the key to a new beginning has everything to do with a new way of thinking, and daily practice.
Never forget how unique you are. When you know your worth and love yourself, you move different.
Remember, Life is a Choice
Choose to let go and be present. Choose positivity. Give yourself the chance to forgive yourself and others. Find meaning and choose to see the possibilities. Choose to practice thinking and living better, every day.
It’s okay to be angry. You are human and you are not going to be happy all the time. Just remember, the world is silently walking next to you.
Keep Your Dreams Alive
Yes, you read that right. Don’t stop dreaming or believing in yourself. If you want to pursue something new, go for it. If you’re passionate about it, you will find a way to make it a part of your life. No matter the outcome you will be a better person for it.
….and remember, don’t sweat the small stuff. Relax, it’s all going to be okay.
Hi guys!! Today, I wanted to highlight my city, give you a sneak peak into my daily schedule, and also share five looks on the blog in partnership with MaggyLondon, which I am utterly excited about! These dresses are gorgeous and an easy transition from work-to-evening wear which makes them functional and totally worth the investment.
So if you’ve been following me for a while, you will know I am a working mom with two very lovable kids, a darling husband, an 18-year old cat, and one rambunctious puppy. If you’re new on here, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Louise Millen and I started blogging as a creative outlet and a way to share my passion for all things beautiful. As a working mom who is always on the go, I’ve learned how to manage my schedule to maximize time in the office and still make time for family and a healthy lifestyle. I specialize in Change Leadership, which has connected me with people not only from different areas of the organization, but from all over the world! My evenings are usually laid back and filled with cooking (since I love to cook!) and stories from my kids about their days–amid squeals and laughter, of course! So now that you know all about me, let’s move on to the amazing city I live in.
Yes, I live in Dallas, Texas, the cultural hub of the region, and absolutely love it! They say everything is bigger and better in Texas…and they are right! It is a city that continues to expand and there is always so much to discover. There are so many options and things to do in Dallas. From shopping to eating at new restaurants to exploring the various entertainment venues–we LOVE it here and I couldn’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be….now if only we had beaches, it would be perfect but I will settle for our beautiful lakes.
This summer has been phenomenal. You see, I grew up in Ghana which is a tropical country all year round so I love the hot summer months. I especially look forward to the longer days in Dallas! This summer, we’ve already had two trips out of town and getting ready for another vacation in a couple weeks. When we are not traveling, you can usually find us at the pool or headed to an outdoor restaurant. We always try to take advantage of local farmer’s markets, parks, and hiking trails throughout the city. We also love outdoor movie nights under the stars and visiting all the kid-friendly places Dallas has to offer (like the Perot Museum, Dallas World Aquarium, and TopGolf!)
Style doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be effortless. My style is simple-chic. I gravitate toward timeless, classy pieces and love clean lines. Outfits that are versatile, fashion forward, and easy to transition from work-to-evening are usually what you will find me wearing. These Maggy London work wear dresses are great for Summer and such beautiful pieces! If you do get one of these dresses, I would love to see it!! Please drop me a note or tag me on Instagram, along with Maggy London. xoxo Louise
The sounds of birds chirping, leaves budding, flowers blooming, warmer breezes on longer sunny days that seem to tease the promise of dreamy times. That’s how I envision every Spring! Everything seems to come alive; people, critters, birds, nature. For a brief moment in time, there’s a level of self-awareness because everyone is looking forward to the warmer temperatures and the trees taking on much heavier coverage. There’s something tranquil about this transition and yet euphoric.
With Spring also comes the celebration of Easter for many. So here we are in April already and I am sharing this pretty white dress which will be the perfect dress for Easter and the outdoors. Maybe a picnic possibly? We will have to see about that one….
What I’m Wearing
There’s something so exciting about the warmer days in Spring that just makes me want to smile and run into the sun. I love to wear lighter colors and flowy outfits this time of year. This dress is just so simple and classic. You can easily dress it up with pumps or strappy heels and look amazing! I chose to wear this particular dress with minimal jewelry it highlights the simplicity of the dress. The flirty short puff sleeves are so light that they tease ever so slightly in the wind. You can almost always never go wrong with a lighter colored dress ever!!! This Gianni Bini dress is currently available at Dillards
I chose to accessorize the dress with this Coach crossbody bag (linked similar bag here and see my last post). Overall, I couldn’t be happier it’s Spring. Now time for some much warmer weather and outdoor activities! What’s your favorite thing to do in the Spring? xo Louise
Check out some of my Spring dress crushes and get searching for your perfect outfit!
“The secret of great style is to feel good in what you wear” – Ines De la Fressange
“Life is a beautiful sport” – Lacoste
Casual Plaid and the Transition into the Office Look
Friends, I have been shopping lately. Shopping for simple affordable pieces that can be worn on different occasions, and hopefully not go out of style. Does plaid really go out of style? There are so many different patterns/colors plaid but I tried to stick to more neutral tones that can match with just about anything.
First Look – The Casual Look
Can we talk about this look for a minute? I mean how cute is this jumpsuit with sneakers?! I love how affordable pieces can make you look and feel great. This Gianni Bini plaid jumpsuit makes it easy to mix and match. The slight high waist vs. natural waist gives the appearance of even longer legs which I love. Pair this look with a turtleneck shirt, sneakers, and sunglasses for a more casual laid back look. I am also crushing so hard on this bicolor leather lacoste sneakers!
Second Look – The Office Look
My next favorite piece, and I have to say this because I mean it from the bottom of my heart, is changing this look up by pairing it with pumps! It’s amazing how a simple pair of heels can immediately change an outfit. It takes it from casual chic to professional debonair. A few tips; if you are wearing your jumpsuit to work then keep your lines linear, go for a clean silhouette that will flatter your body and keep you focused and sharp in the meeting. Add minimal accessories like a belt or jewelry. Remember the key is to make it stand out without screaming for attention! My laptop sleeve is sleek, stylish, and under $12. I have linked it here and below. This is a look I will definitely be wearing to the office for the remainder of the Winter months.
Hope these tips help you go make a statement in that plaid jumpsuit! xoxo Louise
“As you start to walk out on the way, the way appears” – Rumi
Obsessed with this cardigan! Love the subtle neutral striped colors which is easy to mix and match with any look. Also these Calvin Klein mules are surprisingly comfortable and under $100. I have worn them on repeat since I got them at Nordstrom last year. You can still find these at Overstock.com
Latest Obsession
Sweater weather and layering is in full force and I have been getting in the spirit. It is so hard to resist with all the amazing deals (and so has my shopping bag haha). I’ve also been finding a few reasonably priced items and wanted to share some of my recent buys. This cardigan is one I saw and as soon as I tried it on, I knew it was going to find a home in my closet! I love the colorblock shades and ballon sleeves that makes it so pretty. Just the perfect way to bring a little fun to any wardrobe and still stick to a Fall theme look. These come in two colors at Nordstrom Rack.
Obviously my mules are on repeat and I love the gold detailing on the back of the heel. Surprisingly my clutch purse was one of those lucky finds at Target. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find these online so it may warrant a trip to a Target store if you like them as much I do. I have linked a different color for you. They are just so cute that I have plans to wear these with my Uggs when it gets a tad bit colder in Dallas..haha. These jeans are a great fit and also under $100! I have a tiny waist and wider hips so it is always such a challenge finding jeans that fit but these are absolutely perfect and a big selling point for me. Some of these items are currently on sale so you can get great deals.
Taking a break from all my neutral looks…KIDDING! I love color in every season because it simply can add aesthetic pleasure to a look! When I saw this green skirt from the Eva Mendes collection at New York & Company, it was a no-brainer purchase. In fact, my younger sister liked it so much I had to go back to the store and purchase one for her. It happened to also be the last one in the store in our size! I paid full price but it is currently on sale, even better right? Some may not like the color but I find it beautiful.
I also like neutrals so when I came across this fun t-shirt, I thought what a great way to pair with jeans or …yes, this skirt! The t-shirt about sums up how moms tend to be elevated in the eyes of our kids. To our kids, we are everything. It can even be worn in the Fall with a light jacket.
For this look, I paired the skirt and t-shirt with a Kate Spade purse and then added another pop of color with these bright orange shoes :). Now isn’t this simply rainbow bright in contrast to the background?
There is something about the Summer months and how good the sun feels on your skin that makes you think of spending most of the day at the pool or beach, and also throwing caution to the wind when it comes to how your hair or makeup looks, or what it’s like attending events. It’s some sort of freedom I would say, because all you can think about is how good it is to just enjoy time away from busy schedules.
For me, I’ve always been someone who find ways of working the key trends for the season into my existing wardrobe. While I try to stay ahead of the trends, I also keep in mind the appropriate dress for the weather too. Now you may probably be thinking if this outfit is practical, but aside from it being simply a favorite of mine, it is the perfect Summer outfit for a night out or to an outfit to wear to a summer wedding. The skirt is light and free flowing and the sheer mesh floral blouse allows your skin to breathe in warmer temperatures.
A sheer blouse has the power to totally transform an outfit. For casual outings, I pair with jeans, or to dress it up with a pair of trousers or skirt, as I have done here. It works exceptionally well with this maxi tulle skirt.
There’s often talk about how you “should” dress for certain occasions; nights out, events and functions, work meetings, the list goes on. I find that curating my Summer wardrobe this season has been much easier and I’ve felt like I’ve found a good rhythm. I usually tend to dance to the beat of my own drum but balance is everything.
About The Look
There are many other ways to inject some key pieces into your wardrobe. This pink tulle skirt caught my eye because of the playfulness of it, reminds me of something a Disney Princess would wear. I thought the mesh floral blouse is the perfect summer outfit, one that is wearable and will be great for various different occasions. The bell sleeves are simply gorgeous and not too obvious.
For my feet, I opted for nude sandals to keep the look elegant. My earrings are from the baublebar and I totally love the design because it matches perfectly with my floral blouse. It is also transparent and enhances the blouse even further. My makeup was kept to a minimum. I usually think less is more and in the summer heat, the last thing you want is too much makeup on your face. You can still look beautiful with the bare minimum.
As you can see, the skirt was the central piece that tied the entire look together. I wore this to a dinner function paired with the velvet clutch. Sometimes a low maintenance look can be eye catching. What are your favourite ways to wear long flowing skirts this summer?
