January 2016 | Dearest Lou

Mama and Z Style: Pops of Color











Cardigan c/o Evy's Tree 

How darling is little Z in these photos? I can't get enough of him. The last photo is one of my all time favorites, it makes me smile every time I see it.

During the winter since everything is dead I like to incorporate a little bit of color into our outfits. This cardigan/hoodie from Evy's Tree is one of my favorites. The vibrant apricot color really added that pop to this all black ensemble. I hadn't seen anyone style it with a dress and decided to mix it up and bit and add a scarf. belt and my favorite hat.

Use coupon code: DEARESTLOU15 for 15% off the Nicole!

Runway Hair & sta BODY Suit Giveaway









Hairstyle by Kaitlyn Gilley c/o Runway Hair || Body Suit c/o sta BODY || Coat (vintage) || Skirt || Tights || Boots || Purse || Watch c/o

I went to Runway Hair a couple weeks ago for a blowout (wash and style). It was my very first blowout and it felt so amazing to get my hair washed and professionally done! My hairstylist, Kaitlyn, did an amazing job! I have been struggling with feeling inspired to do my hair lately but this hair style she did really inspired me to want to start curling it again. I'm definitely going to need to go in again sometime soon to get a trim and some color. I know I just dyed my hair back dark again but I need some highlights to really bring out curls and braids don't you think (; ?

Today's outfit features this amazing body suit from sta BODY! It's actually two pieces sewn together (a tank top and thong) and helps ensure tummy concealment. I ordered true to size but would recommend sizing down if you really want to squeeze everything in (; I love the scooped neck and light weight material. This will be perfect for layering all year round. I especially love this tank for layering with high wasited bottoms since it stays in place and I don't have to worry about it scrunching up if you know what I mean.


I have teamed up with sta BODY to giveaway a black first love body suit to one lucky winner!

To enter, simply visit sta BODY and fill out the rafflecopter widget below so I can keep track of your entries. The more entries you complete the better chance you have of winning. Giveaway is open to ALL Dearest Lou readers thru February 2nd at 11:59PM EST. If your twitter, facebook, or instagram profile is on P R I V A T E please set your settings to P U B L I C on Feburary 3, 2016 since I will be verifying the random winners entries at that time, private profiles will not be eligible of winning. Winners will be announced here on or after February 4th and contacted via email shortly after.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Making Healthier Choices with Lean Cuisine

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


Living a healthy lifestyle and making good food choices is something I take very seriously.
Exercising comes very easily to me. I feel so much happier and energized when I take the time out of my day to get a good sweat.

However, writing a lifestyle/fashion blog and being a photographer sometimes leaves little to no time for lunch/dinner preparation. There are days I simply forget to eat or I end up snacking on foods that don't necessarily fill me up or give me energy. In order to have the energy I need to lift or do a fun cardio activity I need healthy fuel!

That's where Lean Cuisine comes in. It's a healthy option for a quick lunch when my little guy is at preschool and I don't need to dedicate even more time in the kitchen. I love that Lean Cuisine has introduced Protein Packed, Gluten-Free, and Organic Ingredient Options. It makes shopping for my meal so much easier depending on my goals for the day. Some days I eat a diet full of carbohydrates to have the energy to do a lot of lifting. On rest days or days I work out a smaller muscle group I stick to more protein packed options and healthy fats.






I had a LEAN CUISINE lunch with friends and we each tasted and had a little bit of the following:

  • LEAN CUISINE® MARKETPLACE Vermont White Cheddar Mac & Cheese
  • LEAN CUISINE® MARKETPLACE Sweet Sriacha Braised Beef
  • LEAN CUISINE® MARKETPLACE Fiesta Grilled Chicken
  • LEAN CUISINE® MARKETPLACE Orange Chicken

Based on the photos above, you can probably tell that the LEAN CUISINE® MARKETPLACE Vermont White Cheddar Mac & Cheese holds a special place in my taste palette. So tasty and made with organic ingredients. The cheese was very creamy and the noodles were top notch quality.


I purchased the LEAN CUISINE® MARKETPLACE meals at Target. As you can see in the photo above, these meals are on sale for only $2 right now. Want to save even more money? There's a $1 off 5 coupon available now thru 1/30/16.

Be sure to check out Lean Cuisine's awesome community/reward site: Well Being.

Polka Dot Dress








Dress c/o Karina Dresses || Hat c/o || Boots || Watch c/o

Loving this polka dot dress from Karina Dresses. I'm now just noticing after looking online that I tied my dress the wrong way! When putting it on I felt like theties looked better in the front of the dress so that's how I styled mine (#facepalm). Feel free to laugh and make fun of me but I still think it looks cute.

I styled my dress with one of my favorite hats from Brooklyn Company, tan booties, and this amazing wooden watch from JORD. I LOVE this watch the zebrawood is so unique and I get at least a few compliments every time I wear it.

Want to purchase a dress for yourself? Karina Dresses is having a HUGE site wide sale now thru 1/18/16! 20% off all dresses with code: 20OFF. Perfect time to buy that perfect dress for Valentines Day!

Senita Athletics and IG Giveaway







Jacket c/o Senita || Pants c/o Senita || Shoes c/o Vionic Shoes

When it comes to workout clothes I'm very picky. I like finding a great deal but on high quality clothing. I was recently introduced to Senita through my best friend Fati! I saw her rocking their activewear on her instagram account and was very curious to try them out for myself. When Jenna (owner and founder of Senita) reached out to me to collaborate I was beyond excited!

I knew I wanted to go basic and review their race day pants and shut out jacket (currently on sale for $32).

Race Day Pants
These pants are beyond comfortable! I love that they fit true to size and have two huge side pockets. Not only are there pockets but they are zipper pockets! These are perfect for putting my keys, gym membership card, and phone while I walk to the gym. It's SO NICE to not have to bring an armband to the gym. These are Daryl's favorite pants on me too so it's a win-win (; I'm definitely planning on purchasing the navy and purple ones next!

Shut Out Jacket
This jacket is form fitting but in all the right areas. I love that it's a bit longer in the back for extra coverage too. The jacket also has zipper pockets which are great! What really stood out to me was the thumb holes and fold over cuff feature! I LOVE this feature. The weather is so cold here in Utah and by the time I make it to the gym my hands are usually bright red. Not anymore! Thanks Senita Athletics!

I have teamed up with Senita Athletics to giveaway (2) $25 gift cards over on my instagram account!

To enter you must:
  1. Have an instagram account
  2. "Like" this photo
  3. Follow @senita & @ceciliaharvard
  4. Tag three friends in the comments of this photo, more friends for additional entries
Giveaway is open to ALL Dearest Lou readers thru January 15th at 11:59PM MST. If your instagram profile is on P R I V A T E please set your settings to P U B L I C on January 16, 2016 since we will be verifying the random winners at that time, private profiles will not be eligible of winning. Winners will be announced on January 16th and tagged in this post shortly after.


Refyne Wear Sock Tie Giveaway







Red Swirls Sock Tie c/o Refyne Wear

I know this giveaway was suppose to take place a couple weeks back and I apologize for the delay. I have been keeping myself super busy and am trying to catch up! Slowly but surely I will have the blog, my photography, and everything else up to date! Just give me until the end of this month to catch up haha.

The second tie I chose from Refyne Wear for Daryl is this Red Swirls Sock Tie! I love it and think it's such a fun print. It's also red which is Zaden's current favorite color (; You might have noticed him pointing and looking up in these photos. While these photos were being taken he kept insisting Daryl throw him up really high! He can't get enough of it.

I have teamed up with Refyne Wear to giveaway not one but THREE sock ties of winners choice to THREE lucky winners!

To enter, simply visit Refyne Wear and let me know which tie you would select if you won. Remember to fill out the rafflecopter widget so I can keep track of your entries. The more entries you complete the better chance you have of winning. Giveaway is open to ALL Dearest Lou readers thru January 18th at 11:59PM EST. If your twitter, facebook, or instagram profile is on P R I V A T E please set your settings to P U B L I C on January 19, 2015 since I will be verifying the random winners entries at that time, private profiles will not be eligible of winning. Winners will be announced here January 20th and contacted via email shortly after.

a Rafflecopter giveaway