Cheers to Friday, and a weekend of Christmas fun ahead! We’re actually putting our styled-up Dining Room with festive plaid table to good use, and hosting a dinner party tomorrow night. It’s a fairly casual affair (considering tacos are involved!), but we have two upcoming parties that will give us a chance to get dressed up.
We don’t get fancy very often, but man oh man, I love it when we do! Mr. SP in a suit positively makes me swoon, if you can’t tell from these frisky pictures.
He’s a bit of a rebel free-spirit, so when it comes time to dress up, is usually when he decides to let his beard and hair get unruly. In the early years of our marriage, those type of things would really bug me…and I spent a lot of effort trying to ‘mold’ him into more of what I wanted him to be, and worrying about how he was perceived by others.
Which basically only led to him digging in his heels and doing the complete opposite of what I wanted. #stinker But he was only trying to find his own footing in the marriage, and prove he was still his own man, and marriage hadn’t changed that. But of course marriage does change things, and while it’s unfair to expect, or even ask, a person to change, married people do have to change some aspects of their behavior and actions. If you want a happy marriage, anyway.
I eventually realized it was my own insecurities that wanted him to fit into my definition of ‘perfect man,’ and slowly began to lighten my grip. I became his cheerleader and supporter, and then magically, my complete acceptance gave him the space and desire to make changes for me, because he wanted to. Because he wanted to make me happy.
I also grew up enough to discover he’s his own man, and sometimes he’s going to dress, behave, and say things I won’t agree with…that may even embarrass me…but that’s him, not me. Just as I’m sure he feels the same about me sometimes!
I’m not saying we have the perfect marriage, nor have we found the holy grail of happy marriage for life, but we have learned that giving each other the freedom to be who we are, and loving each other unconditionally for it (or even in spite of it sometimes!), helps us soar together.
The lace overlay is delicate, but not flimsy, and I love the movement of the skirt when you walk. It also allows for a strapless bra, so you don’t have to MacGyver your boobs in place.
Fit Tip: It runs true to size for me in Woman’s sizing, but online reviews suggests it runs big for some.
Little black dresses are a dime a dozen, it’s the details that make one special, and worth adding to your closet.
You could easily pair the dress with black or any other solid colored shoe, but I never pass up a chance to add leopard. I love these on sale, and these are a great low-heel option.
The clutch belonged to my grandmother, but this is a similar option, and this one is all kinds of fun!
I can never seem to keep my eyes, or hands, off Mr. SP when we’re out. The man makes me laugh and feel so loved! I think coming from divorced parents, I assumed that was in the cards for me, too, so I’m always surprised by how strongly I feel about him after 21 years together. #pmsmuch
Most of my coats would just botch-up an outfit this pretty, so I opt for a wrap instead. After all, I just have to make it from the car to the party!
So while 20 years ago I would have been pissy that he didn’t shave, today I’m grateful he took time out of his busy work day, while suffering from a horrible head-cold, to shoot these pictures with me. Simply because he knew it was important to me, and those actions show his love a lot louder than a smooth face. Happy weekend, lovebugs, I hope it’s a festive one!
*Thank you, Mary Summers, for the photos & fun afternoon!
*This post was written in collaboration with Nordstrom, but all clothes, ideas and unsolicited marriage advice is my own. Thank you for supporting Hi Sugarplum sponsors!*
The dress in darling! And…the two of you are adorable together:) Loved meeting you last night! XO
YES…loved meeting you! I loved your outfit…been on the hunt for that shirt ever since!! 🙂 xo
Cassie! This post made me tear up a bit!!!!! Such good advice, and you look GORGEOUS!!!!
Cutest pics yet and that dress is darling on you!
What a sweet post! Y'all are too cute 🙂 Words of truth from the heart – Love it!!
I think his scruff is adorable 🙂 and how sweet to do that while feeling bad!
Gorgeous couple! Lucky you-he seems like a great guy!
I needed to hear these words this morning! Preach!
gorgeous dress!! xo jillian – cornflake dreams
Yes, very good advice…he is clearly quite smitten with you! You are wise beyond your years to realize that it is vital to accept a person for who they are and not what you think they should be. You look smashing in the dress.
Great attitude! And yes, it is a lesson that takes a little while (if ever) to learn, but oh so valuable.
Your comments made my day! You are speaking some truth this morning girl! Love it! Thank you for sharing and LOVE the beautiful pics. You convinced me that I "need" to have that dress in my closet. 🙂
That dress was made for you! He's a good egg! 😉 21 years together and only getting better!
I concur I luv the advice! i luv the 2nd to last pix – I'd have it canvas printed.
That is the quintessential 'perfect holiday outfit.' You two look adorable.
MacGyver your boobs into place – brilliant! I may not have much in that dept., but I know the feeling!
My goodness,Cassie, you look stunning!! I love these pictures of you both. What a sweet treasure to have. I am from hershey pa and love reading your blog. Thank you for all the wonderful tips and great fashion advice that's usually really affordable. Merry christmas and keep up the great work!
Thank you so much, Jenny! I'm thrilled you find inspiration here…and Merry Christmas to you and yours too!! xoxo
Cassie, these pictures are keepsakes – and I loved the perspective on marriage. God bless you both!
Thank you, Julia!! An abundance of blessings back to you!!! xo 🙂
You both look fabulous! I love seeing how in love you both still are with each other.
You look fab! And I just love your hair! Who cuts it?? How would I describe the cut to my stylist, and the swoopy bang?? You are such a sweetie. Wishing you and your husband many more years of bliss.
Thanks, Tricia! It's been a little too long since my last cut, so right now it's on the shaggy side. I'd call it an angled bob with piecey ends. My bangs are pretty thick, they actually go back to the middle of my head, so there's a lot to swoop. Here's a post with more pics and how I style it: http://www.hisugarplumsblog.com/2013/07/hair-talk-angled-piecey-bob.html
Hope this helps!! xo
This is so heartwarming! Not only do you two look awesome (as always), I love your marriage advice. For only being married (almost) 2 years, I hope to continue to feel this way 20 years into our relationship, too! The photos are really wonderful. You can feel the love! 🙂
Mary – you are so sweet to have this perspective only two years in. As someone who is just learning this same lesson after 20 years of marriage to an awesome man let me say it is great advice! 🙂
You two are so sweet!! Marriage isn't always easy, especially to the same man ;), but so worth it!! I think being happy is sometimes a choice, and I choose it more times than not. I also remind myself that I'm no gem all the time, and I likely make him just as crazy as he makes me! 😉 xoxoxo
This dress looks like it is MADE for you. I love it so much and it is absolutely perfect on you. Love this date night style series!
That dress look beautiful on you. I just bought the same one in the aubergine color and now I have seen it on 2 different blog post. LOL. I might have to get the black one now.
Haha, really??? I'd love to see it worn other ways…I really should read blogs more! 😉 ox
I'm an organizer and I'm all about quality over quantity. I'm finally adding leopard print shoes to my wardrobe because I feel like you've given me a ton of ways to wear them! Thanks!
hahaha….I'm pretty picky too, and everything must have multiple uses…and yes, leopard heels is one of those!! Hope you love them, and thrilled you found inspiration here! xo
These pictures are to die for. I love getting dressed up with my man and it is not his favorite thing. He may grumble just a tad but will typically comply because he knows it's important….although like your man he might not shave or do something else unexpected. I totally can relate because many times I have been way more worried about what other people thought than jut relaxing and focusing on the time we would have to be together and enjoy a night out. Marriage is hard but letting go a little and knowing no matter what we are on the same team and committed to stay no matter what makes all the difference.
Yes ma'am…I love this, Shelly! Knowing we're in this together gives me so much confidence, too!
You are adorable, my favorite blogger….thank you for sharing your feelings and wisdom!
OHMYGOSH, thank you so so much, Silvia!! I'm thrilled you like my blog and find inspiration here!!! I'm grateful you stop by and for your comment! xo
Cassie, this is an old post but do you know what size you got? We have the same building and I am debating buying one on ebay 🙂
Hi Kimberly! I wore a size 0 in this dress, and it was a tad snug. So I say if you're in-between sizes, err on the side of going up one. xoxox
Y’all are the cutest! I love the leopard with this dress…always stylish!