November 2015 | Dearest Lou

Evy's Tree Style: The Sharon







The Sharon c/o Evy's Tree ||  Hat c/o || Leggings || Half Top || Necklace || Boots c/o

Today's look features The Sharon Pullover from Evy's Tree Holiday 2015 collection.

I know I have done it again and have neglected this poor space. I can't seem to balance keeping up with both my blog and photography. One always seems to dominate the other and I'm still trying to find a way to keep up and do both, hehe.

I'm a big fan of Evy's Tree and their collection of gorgeous outerwear. When I was given a sneak peek of their holiday 2015 collection a couple weeks ago I couldn't wait to review a few pieces. The Sharon was at the top of my list. This fabulous hoodie fits like a tunic (perfect for leggings!), has thumb holes, lace, and a fun color block design.

Evy's Tree is having an amazing Cyber Monday special, 20% off all gift cards with code GIFTCARD20. These would make amazing stocking stuffers or gifts for friends/family with birthdays coming up during the chilly months ahead.

Skechers Star Wars Collection: Darth Vader High Tops












Darth Vader High Tops c/o Skechers

Who's excited for Star Wars Episode VII?! You better believe we are going to the premiere on December 18th and reserved an entire row to enjoy the film with some of our closest friends! Skechers recently released a Star Wars collection of shoes just in time for the movie and holiday season. I can't even describe how psyched we were to review these shoes.

The details are amazing, so crisp and clear. I love that there's a little zipper on the side of the toddler size version, makes it SO EASY to put these on Zaden when we are in a rush out the door. The Gel Infused Memory Foam cushioned inside makes these perfect for playing at the park or wearing on long shopping trips. I don't have to worry about Zaden's feet hurting.

Those of you who really know Zaden knows he has only a couple pairs of favorite shoes. These have become new favorites. I'm convinced it's the cushioned inside and all the compliments he gets when he's wearing these (;

Skechers PLEASE create this style in women and men sizes! We would totally rock these as a family.

Holiday Mini Sessions



Pictures of my sweet friend Josilyn and her adorable family

Just wanted to pop in and let all of my local Utah readers know that I'm offering special priced holiday mini sessions on the following dates:

November 28 || November 29 || December 6

For more details/pricing check out my photography site HERE.

Share The Spirit with Glade and Sugar Cookie Recipe

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HolidayWithGlade #CollectiveBias

With Thanksgiving rapidly approaching, I strive to take a little extra time out of my day to think about what I’m grateful for. One of those things is the opportunity to serve others. I love being able to help someone in need, It makes me feel extra warm and fuzzy inside.


I love the spirit during this time of year, and wanted to make some sugar cookies for the new  mothers in my neighborhood. Nothing sets the mood for baking cookies like lighting your favorite
holiday scent. When I saw that the new Glade® Limited Edition Winter Collection was released, I was excited to visit to local Kroger to pick up some jar candles. The Glade® Limited Edition Winter Collection Jar Candles can be found in the air freshener aisle of your local Kroger store.

For baking cookies, the SHARE THE SPIRIT™ scent seemed fitting. The pomegranate sparkler™ scent is truly something else and really brought in those feelings of sharing goodness and inspired me to bake yummy cookies. You don’t just smell Glade®, you feel Glade®.


Mini Sugar Cookies
(makes roughly 36 mini cookies)

Ingredients

● 2 cups of flour
● ¾ cups of sugar
● 1 teaspoon baking soda
● ½ teaspoon baking powder
● 1 ½ sticks of butter (softened NOT melted)
● 1 egg
● 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
● frosting and sprinkles (optional)
Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a bowl mix flour, baking soda, and baking powder
3. In a separate bowl cream together butter and sugar until smooth. I highly recommend using a mixer since this can be rather time consuming. Once creamed mix in your egg and vanilla extract
4. Slowly add the dry ingredients and mix until you get a sticky cookie dough consistency.
5. Roll rounded tablespoons of dough and place on cookie sheet.
6. Bake 6-8 minutes. Let cookies cool completely before frosting if you choose to do this step. Frost and decorate to your hearts delight. I chose to purchase pre packaged frosting at my local Kroger bakery for easy frosting. I finished off the cookies with pretty white pearl sprinkles.



What are some of your favorite ways to share the spirit?

Tan Hat, Polka Dots, and a Pop of Maroon








Hat c/o || Top || Jacket || Pants || Boots

So you might have noticed that things have been quiet around here. I accidentally took a week off of my blog, whoops!

I have been so busy pursuing my photography, which reminds me.. I finally got my photography website up! It only took me several months of procrastinating but I did it. It's still a work in progress but I should have my categories organized and updated by Sunday. I will officially announce the site on here once I have more work uploaded and organized along with a special deal I have going on for holiday mini sessions (;

So I kinda have this thing with hats.. lol. I keep finding myself adding more and more to my collection and am starting to feel weird when not wearing one. That's probably not normal right?? This tan beauty from Brooklyn Hat Company has made such a great addition to my ever-growing hat collection. I love the subtle floral print, bow, and fit! It's available here, hurry and purchase before it's sold out (; Go check out Brooklyn Hat Company on instagram and show them some love ♥

Fantastical Outfits We Wish We Could Wear

Elizabeth Harper is a writer and critic based in Manchester, UK. A self-confessed literature geek, she is currently the Fashion Editor for Mary Jane Fashion with interests in feminism, fashion, the Black Keys, Mexican food and films by Sofia Coppola.


Mary Jane Fashion looks at the quirky ensembles we wish we owned.

Film costume departments are great sources of sartorial inspiration. Some of the best films have opulent and extravagant wardrobes for the fantastical stories that are being told and the characters that inhabit those worlds. Unfortunately, in everyday life, we can’t wear full tulle skirts, wacky colors and towering wigs (unless we’re being really brave), but that doesn’t stop us from imagining that we can stomp down the street like some of these fabulous women. Here are our top picks of the weird and wonderful outfits that we would love to replicate for ourselves.


Effie Trinket, The Hunger Games
Katniss and Peeta’s aide Effie Trinket is part of a world that we should revile. The decadent, luxurious Capitol, her home, is set up in both the novels and films as the greedy, oppressive city that depends on the suppression of others for its power. Whilst the people in the districts work, struggle to survive and give up their children for mass-televised slaughter, the people of the Capitol dress in the latest fashions, eat banquets and live a carefree life.  Effie, however, sees a change over the course of the series, indulging in the Capitol’s fashions whilst becoming more and more sympathetic to the plight and struggles of her tributes. It cannot be denied, Effie has some serious style game.

Her costumes are three dimensional, popping with colors and textures, including these Alexander McQueen dresses, styled by costume designer Trish Summerville (shop similar style at Mary Jane Fashion). Her large hair always co-ordinates and contrasts with the rest of her ensemble, and she is an expert at accessorizing, incorporating fascinators, gloves and neckerchiefs into her looks. Even when wearing a utility jumpsuit in District 13, she spruces herself up with sunglasses and jewelry. If we could dress in an avant-garde way like Effie, life would be so much more colorful and voluminous.



Colleen Atwood’s Tim Burton films

On top of films like Chicago, Memoirs of a Geisha, Snow White and the Huntsman and up-coming film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Colleen Atwood is famous for her long-term collaboration with Tim Burton, designing the costumes for most of his feature-length films. His aesthetic generally tends to revolve around the quirky, telling stories about strange people and their strange habits, incorporating dramatic-gothic worlds for them to inhabit. Atwood taps into this seamlessly, styling the actors to perfection, recreating the mood and feel of Burton’s films in clothing form. Shop similar styles at Mary Jane Fashion.

We couldn’t pin down just one look from her legendary collection of costume designs that we would wear ourselves, so we’re going to include them all: the fantastical pieces worn by Mia Wasikowska in Alice and Wonderland, the 19th century monochrome gowns from Sleepy Hollow, the popping colors and pastels of the women in Edward Scissorhands contrasting with the severe look sported by Johnny Depp… the list goes on.


Marie Antoinette and co., Marie Antoinette

Sofia Coppola’s biopic of the ill-fated French queen featured some of the most visually delightful costumes on film. Many people criticised the film for not being historically accurate enough, for the actors having American accents and for using a contemporary soundtrack. Yet, more than anything, this was a film about young rich celebrities spending money, drinking, gambling, being frivolous and enjoying mindless consumerism: it is in effect still a story for our times. Milena Canonero’s sugary, pastel colored 18th century dresses, enormous wigs and feathered headdresses suited the film perfectly but still captured the imagination of today’s audiences: they even caught the attention of American Vogue who had photographer Annie Liebovitz shoot the cast in their costumes for the September issue in 2006. Canonero went on to win the Oscar for best costume design for her work on the film, leaving legions of fashion-hungry cinema-goers craving the day we can wear clothes so decadent and exciting ourselves.

Turquoise Jewelry from Uncommon Goods











Necklace c/o || Bracelet c/o || Poncho (loving this) || Jeans || Boots (similar)

I was recently contacted by Uncommon Goods to style a couple pieces of jewelry from their collection. I love reading and learning more about a company before working with them and want to share a bit about Uncommon Goods.

Uncommon Goods was founded in 1999 in Brooklyn, New York. They are an independently owned company that endeavors to feature unique designs and handcrafted gifts created in harmony with the environment and without harm to animals or people. Their lowest paid seasonal worker starts at 50% above minimum wage and they make it their mission to support and provide a platform for artists and designers. Half of the products they sell are made by hand.

Something that really stood out to me when reading more about the company was their Better to Give program. With every purchase made, Uncommon Goods donates $1 to a non-profit organization of your choice! How neat is that? Over the years they have donated more than $1,000,000 to charities all over the globe.

Be sure to check out their site here for more unique jewelry pieces! You can even use their Voting Tool to get a first look at their newest arrivals and help decide which products will become the next Uncommon Goods.

I have been searching to add more bracelets to my jewelry collection since I don't own very many. I feel lost when it comes to arm candy and find myself adding more and more necklaces to my jewelry collection. When browsing through Uncommon Goods bracelets I found so many interesting designs that I have added to my wishlist. Go check our their bracelet collection if you feel you are in a similar boat (;

I haven't worn this top in ages and wanted to re-style it with my new turquoise pieces from Uncommon Goods. This Acai Berry set is effortlessly stunning, I love the varying bead sizes and the multiple bands make for a perfect statement. The pop of turquoise really made this outfit.

If you are searching for a unique gift for someone this holiday season I highly recommend checking out Uncommon Goods.