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    Tag: lifestyle

    A New Perspective and the Pretty Ruffle Sweater

    Fashion, Life, Workwear by louise

    “All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.” ― Edgar Allan Poe

    Perspective

    For those of you who are new to following me, you might not know that I started writing as a creative outlet to talk about life and food, and more specifically culture since I grew up in a beautiful country called Ghana, to a Lebanese father and a mixed Ghanaian/English mother. Throughout my life, I was constantly pushing my creative limits through art and poetry, while trying to come up with innovative concepts every day. When I finally got into blogging, my perspective broadened to include a lifestyle approach to my stories.

    Some days it is a challenge finding the time to sit down and write. A challenge not because I have writers block but because I have to work, still make time for my family, and then there are the chores! Lately, I am consciously making the decision to push myself, even harder, to write more from the heart and create something that resonates and can still be relevant over time. I am also coming to the conclusion that if you look the right way and you change your attitude towards life, then you can see that the whole world is a garden. A beautiful garden with flowers, some thorns and weeds but nonetheless a garden you can tend to and make your own.

    Every day I try to come up with creative ideas by exploring the possibilities of writing as a painting to the voice.  I feel that writing has the laws of perspective; it is all in discovering what you believe. Sometimes we may get a bit stuck in our ways but there are so many times I find something beautiful that I didn’t post because either I overthought it or second guessed myself.  As a new rule, I am attempting to break this mindset and express what is fun and meaningful for me. Often times we just need the smallest change in attitude and perspective to transform a life and our view of the world. Yes?

    The Ruffled Sweater

    “A ruffle must be intelligent.” – Balenciaga

    I am trying to apply this mentality to fashion as well. Over the past month, I have been trying to push myself to try something a little different that has always scared me. This includes being a little more open on here and trying new looks too.  The worst that can happen is if I dislike it, then at least I did it and will never look back at that situation with regret. More often, I am likely to learn something new about myself from the experience and can share this with my kids when they come to me with life’s questions. My point is, try a new style and forget the rules. You are your own beautiful creative human and there are no boundaries when it comes to style. The ruffled sweater I am wearing is by Ella Moss and comes in three colors. It is feminine, flattering, super soft and stretchy. The sweater used to be priced at $119.50 but currently on sale under $42 so a great deal. I am wearing a small and the color is gardenia. So far, this is one of my favorite sweaters yet and I am happy to be sharing this look with you. It will look nice with jeans for a day out or for work as pictured. You can experiment and add a blazer to this look. I have also linked this Michael Kors crossbody bag and Charles David shoes here. You can shop this crew neck ruffle sweater and spotted full sweater skirt below. That’s all for now, friends. Just keep taking that chance and remember that the world changes when we change our perspective :). xoxo Louise

    A Touch of Festive Colors This Christmas

    Fashion, Style by louise

    A Touch Of Festive Colors

    As Christmas approaches, everything comes to life in a magical way. Sparkling lights illuminating the streets and strung around trees like a pretty wrapped gift, beautiful displays in store windows, festive and seasonal food at every corner, and a happy attitude replacing the usual aura of people on the run.  It seems like most people around this time of year take the time to soak in the holiday cheer.

    This is such a wonderful time and a reason to explore the city with the family and join in on the festivities. The Gaylord Texan Resort features a favorite story coming to life in 2 million pounds of ice! This year’s feature is Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer and we are already planning to go as part of our yearly holiday tradition. There’s also ice-skating which is mesmerizing during the day and even more spectacular at night. My favorite place to visit with the kids is the Prairie lights in Grand Prairie because you can wear super comfy clothes or pjs and just sit in the warmth of your car driving through a park with holiday themed lights and listening to Christmas music.  It is oh, so pretty, and we love having hot cocoa in the car while slowly driving through the park. Then there’s the Symphony which is certainly a MUST for us. So much to do in so little time!

    With our fun-packed schedule, I always love to be dressed comfortably when we make these family outings to join in on the Christmas festivities. Comfortable jeans and a scarf with boots is a necessity because with our Dallas weather, you never know if you’re going to get warm, wet, or a slightly nippy day. So far, I have worn this outfit at least a handful of times and I plan on wearing it over the weekend when we take the kids on our holiday adventures which may likely include a little bit of walking around too!

    On this particular occasion, I made do without a jacket since it wasn’t as cold in Dallas but still managed to wear these cute Michael Kors boots as I had a day of holiday shopping and walking around on my agenda. My other splurge was investing in jeans that can be worn through the seasons. I opted for Joe’s white stretchy  jeans that are slightly frayed at the hem. These look great with boots and booties, and will also look awesome with wedges or heels in the Spring. Now isn’t this just the most merriest time of the year?

    How to Live a More Positive Life

    Life, Self Care by louise

    One of the best gifts anyone can give themselves is to have a more positive mindset and outlook on life. I am usually a pretty optimistic person but no one is perfect and it takes a lot of self-will to weed through the negativity that can sometimes come your way. It’s called life and I’ve learned a few things along the way that I’m sharing on the blog today.

    Practice Positivity

    The art of practice is the performance of an activity or skill so as to acquire or maintain proficiency in it. This is very similar with the practice of positivity when it comes to your outlook on life. I know we all perceive things differently but the way we interpret it can influence the way we feel about a particular situation.

    Some of the key things I’ve learned is to have quiet time each morning.  There is something so serene about getting up in the silence of morning and finding time for you.  Whether it is through the practice of yoga or meditation or reading the bible, I find that quiet time special in helping level set my day. It grounds me and makes me look at the day through a different set of lens.

    I’ve also found that diet and a healthy lifestyle can help.  There will always be challenges, negativity, and difficult situations that may come your way but when you have a sense of inner calm and a healthy lifestyle, it is easier to let go of the negativity a lot faster and this will do wonders for your overall well-being and life.

    Smile More Often

    A smile can lift a bad mood.  There’s a saying that “nothing you wear is more important than your smile”.  It influences your behavior and in turn can be contagious to those around you.

    Scientists have found that smiling on purpose can shift you into a better mood and help you feel better. Just the simple act of putting a smile on your face can lead you to feel joy, amusement, or happiness.  Supposedly, smiling on purpose changes brain chemistry. Since I’m more apt to being optimistic and happy by nature, a smile comes a lot more easily to me. For many, the trick to making a smile work for you is to smile until you feel it. You’ll be surprised the many benefits you’ll gain from a simple act like smiling. It will help your body deal with stressful situations more effectively and improve your mood, as well as increase positive thoughts.

    So the next time you find yourself feeling blue, crack a smile.

    Control the Amount of Negativity

    While I want to stay up on the events occurring in the world, sometimes a headline is sufficient to grasp new developments so I usually limit the time I spend with TV or radio, selecting only a few stories to read in full. Yes, you can be selective.  Over the years, I’ve also learned to select how much time I spend with relatives and friends that dwell on the negative. As painful as it may be at times, my calendar may not always open to those who consistently drag me down. Instead I try to spend more time with people who’re uplifting and honest. By making this choice, I tend to live consciously with a feeling of gratitude for the moment that overcomes forces that can drag me down.

    I’ve also learned that gratitude and the practice of gratitude goes a long way on how to live a more positive life.  So the next time you feel stressed,  overwhelmed or you’re in a negative situation; remember to smile, practice positivity, and filter what you want coming through to you. I hope you’ll share how you stay positive in the comments below.

    Credits: Photography by Mallory Kee   Dress by louise millen    Crossbody bag by Kate Spade

    Three Changes I Made This Summer

    Life, Self Care by louise

    There is always so much change each season that sometimes it warrants a need to make adjustments to what is important to us and our life. This past summer has been amazing, beautiful, and chaotic all at once.

    Working mom: You have got to have a partnership in your careers

    I have learned to embrace the challenges that come with being career-driven and a mom of two. You can definitely do it but it takes a lot of intentional planning and coordination. Beyond planning, just simply being there for my kids has been important so I am not apologizing for not being involved in their lives.

    Life: Taking things a day at a time

    Many times we get so caught up in the little things that can cause stress and see us running a million miles an hour.  I am still learning with this one but I have made a mental and conscious effort to just take things easy.  Life will always be hectic and chaotic and crazy but your outlook on how you choose to feel about the situation and turn it into a unique experience is your choice. I like to think of it as juggling multiple baskets — now if they are colorful, isn’t that just beautiful imagery?

    Healthy: Making Healthier Choices

    I love food and I love the freedom that comes the many choices you can have when it comes to food.  Having a family, I have always been conscious about what we eat. Even when my kids were babies, I never bought the organic foods in a bottle. I would rather spend my evenings making my own using fresh fruits and vegetables and freezing. This past year, I got a little side tracked with some of our food choices. I guess too much happening all at once but c’est la vie (that’s life)! I am and always have been a firm believer that we are what we eat so the past couple weeks, we started making a couple adjustments and getting back into our old routine.  I can’t tell you enough how great it feels, even with something as little as incorporating smoothies or more vegetables into a diet. We made asparagus soup the other day and it took all but 20 mins and was so delicious that I will have to share that recipe and a couple more on the blog in the next few weeks. All it takes is a little prep and planning.

    What lessons or changes did you learn this season? I would love to hear all about it in the comments below.

    The Perfect Little Black Dress for Every Occasion

    Fashion, Style by louise

    I cannot believe we are about four weeks away from Spring! The truth is that I am super excited about the upcoming season, after what seems to have been a mild Winter.  Growing up in Ghana and now living in the United States, you can only imagine how less of a fan I am of the colder season and shorter days with Winter.

    That being said, Spring is one of my favorite seasons for fashion. All the transitioning clothes and shoes, light scarfs, and cool spring evenings. I am gradually transitioning my wardrobe; putting all the Winter outfits away, organizing footwear, and planning the purchases and color palette (neutrals and pretty pastel shades) I will stick to this season.  Which brings me to my outfit now.

    Stick to your signature style

    When it comes to finding the perfect black dresses, there is a plethora of choices to select from so it is important to choose a dress that is more your style while still ensuring the dress is versatile for future occasions. A black dress is a bit like a blank canvas. You can accessorize, switch up your jewelry and layer it in unique ways, add details, all of which allow you to wear that one staple dress a multitude of ways. To keep it sleek, I paired this dress with a classic pointed-toe polka dot mesh pumps to give the overall look a timeless appeal.

    Invest in a little black dress (LBD)

    Stick with the LBD if you are unsure on the length of dress. No matter the occasion, this type of dress is likely to be appropriate; whether it is at a work function or an evening cocktail, or simply a casual lunch outing. A little secret – you can also make legs look longer by wearing nude shoes with your little black dress and rocking bare legs.

    Keep it Simple

    Invest in a dress that has simple elegance. Remember, you can always accentuate your look by accessorizing. I usually tend to have an idea of what I am looking for but it is equally important to be prepared to step outside of your comfort zone if you find the right piece. Sometimes a dress on a hanger may look like nothing special but once you try it on, could look phenomenal on you. Most importantly, have fun when shopping for a black dress and don’t overthink it.

    How do you like to accessorize your black dress? Let me know in the comments below!

    @LOUISEMILLEN