Memorial Day Shopping!

May 30, 2012

Hello dahhhhlings!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. Mine was very relaxing and enjoyable! I hit a few stores on Saturday & Monday to do a little shopping at two of my fave stores DSW & Stein Mart & wanted to show you some of my purchases!!!


 DSW has some AHHHHHH-may-zing shoes right now….seriously they will make you say “AHHHH” when you see them!!!! Also you may know that I LOVE the neon trend for this summer (read my posts on neon HERE) and so I had been eyeing these Neon Pink Sling-Back Heelsby Guess for a few weeks now. They were $59.95 originally but when I received a $20 off coupon in the mail I decided it was time to buy so these beauties were mine for $40. That just shows it is sometimes good to wait before you buy because oftentimes things DO go on sale or you may receive a coupon!!!  


I have the perfect idea on how to wear these: white dress + neon green belt + neon pink heels!!! 

I also went to Stein Mart this weekend, which can be hit or miss but this time it was a definite HIT in the shoe department. I bought these really cute white flip flops for $13. When buying white flip flops I like buying ones that are tan instead of all-white so they don’t show dirt as much and will definitely last longer!!











Also in the shoe department I got a pair of leopard print wedges by Madden Girl. They have a touch of leopard and brown…I can’t wait to pair them with neutrals and browns! I love leopard print because it is totally appropriate for ALL seasons!






Also one of my absolute favorite summer wardrobe staples are these Philosophy t-shirts I buy from Stein Mart. When I was in there on Saturday they had NEW colors for this season so I picked up 3 for $10 each: a light pink, orange (GO VOLS!) and a turquoise blue:




I wanted to leave you with some of the cute shoes I found online at DSW…check them out!!!

Mix No. 6 Emily Slingback Wedge Sandal
$39.94
Check them out HERE

Steve Madden River Wedge Sandal
$59.95
Check out these cute shoes HERE

Audrey Brooke Eddie Wedge Sandal
$59.95
Find them HERE


Oh and do the shoes below ring a bell??? You can get them here at DSW for $44.95....OR you can check them out in THIS post and buy them HERE at Target for $30. Sometimes shopping around pays off!!!
$44.95 from DSW
Check out HERE

VERSUS
$29.99 from Target
Check them out HERE
Unfortunately Target does NOT have the shoe gems below however...you must go to DSW to pick these up:

Buy HERE for $79.95

JUST KIDDING!!!! Can you say Fashion Shoe Fail???!!! 

Thank you as always for reading!!

XOXO,
Ashley

OOTN: Yellow & Grey Sundress + Matching Wedges!

May 28, 2012

Happy Memorial Day dolls!

Today I wanted to show you a recent OOTN I wore out to a dinner + movie on a double date! Don’t you just love those moments of what I like to call a little “fashion serendipity”??? Example A: buying a cute yellow & grey dress at Dillard’s one week then finding wedges at Target a couple of weeks later that match PERFECTLY!!! Very serendipitous right?!?

Remember the yellow/grey wedges I bought HERE??? Well I was hoping they would look great with a yellow & grey dress I bought a few weeks prior and luckily they DID! By the way, I have always loved grey paired with yellow...so pretty! I decided to pair my Target wedges with the dress for a double date night out with friends…here was my OOTN:


Dress: Sequin Hearts
Wedges: Target


And because I miss him SO very much (if you didn’t read some of my earlier posts, he’s studying abroad in Paris), here is a picture of me with my sweet (and very stylish I might add) boyfriend from that night out:



 And also a picture of me with my precious & beautiful BFF Gracie: 




Thank you so much for reading gorgeous! I hope you have a great Monday!

XOXO
Ashley

"Honey I Shrunk the Dress…”: What To Do When Your Dress Shrinks in the Wash

May 27, 2012

Hi dolls!

So today I wanted to present you with a fashion dilemma and a solution. What do you do when one of your favorite dresses shrinks in the wash??

My initial reaction: OH NO! Where is the number to the Fashion Emergency hotline when I need it?!? I purchased this red dress from a boutique in New Orleans so it’s not easily replaceable and it was going to be one of my favorite things to wear this summer (especially since Kip Moore, a new country singer, has a song that says “there’s somethin’ about a girl in a red sundress…”).

Here is a picture of my red dress in its better days moments after I purchased it in New Orleans:


Well since the Fashion Emergency hotline is non-existent (YET…would that not be cool to have a number to call whenever you had a fashion emergency?!) I had to think of my own solution. So what do you do when your dress shrinks in the wash??? Well if it were winter the solution would be easy: add TIGHTS! But since it’s obviously not winter the solution to this problem was a bit trickier. That is until I thought of a solution that just might work: JEGGINGS…Capri jeggings to be exact! (It might have even worked with jeans…if they were tight enough!). Why not turn my too-short dress into a top??? This also could have worked with white jeans/jeggings but those are still on my shopping list.




So if your dress ever shrinks in the wash maybe this blog post will give you some hope…you don’t have to completely stop wearing something that has shrunk just add jeggings (or tights if the weather is cooler)! 

Have a great rest of your Memorial Day weekend y’all!

XOXO,
Ashley

Fashion Fab & Fail Fri....errr Saturday??

May 26, 2012

Hello my dear readers!

Ok ok ok, I know it’s called Fashion Fab & Fail FRIDAY….and today is technically SATURDAY, but I am writing this post just a wee bit late because I spent yesterday with my sweet boyfriend who “left on a jet plane” (see how I quoted that song?) last night for a whole MONTH to study abroad in Paris, France (cue the waterworks….runny mascara is not a cute look, maybe I was fashion fail at the airport yesterday?). So please forgive my late posting…but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless! 

This past Sunday was the Billboard Music Awards and my Fashion Fab of the week goes to one of my hands-down favorite singers of all time and person in general Taylor Swift (have you seen my other T Swift posts? HERE and HERE…I know, I’m obsessed. What else is new?!).

She arrived in a GORGEOUS red lace gown by Elie Saab. I love this look on her for many reasons: 1) RED…so glamorous for an awards show. 2) I like the length of the gown….she is tall and this really shows off her great figure. 3) The sheer upper part of this gown is TOTALLY in right now! Some sort of sheer element has been incorporated into many celebrities’ gowns lately. 4) HER. HAIR. IS. AMAZING. T Swizzle has recently been sporting this new look…straight with bangs…and I am seriously in love. While the curly has been her signature look for quite some time, I feel that her new look is definitely a more sophisticated look.


Image source
My fashion fail of the week goes to Kristen Stewart at the Cannes Film Festival last week. She wore some wild Balenciaga pants and a Rebecca Minkoff blazer that I just found too crazy. I always love a blazer and I love heels so I like those two elements of this outfit. HOWEVER, those pants are just WAY too wild for my taste. I’m not sure what to think of the yellow ripped pattern on top of what looks like sprinkle covered pants…..yikes Kristen!!!!



Image source


Thank you SO much for reading & I hope you have a very stylish weekend!!!

XOXO,
Ashley

OOTD: Turquoise Wedges + White Shorts

May 23, 2012

Hi dolls! I hope everyone is having a fabulous week. I don't know if you've noticed but it's been a while since I've posted one of my very own OOTD's so I thought it was about time!

I don't know about you but there is nothing I love more in the summer than wearing shorts. They can be perfect for seriously any occassion.... shopping? shorts + flip flops....outdoor party? shorts + wedges. Dress up or dress them down, shorts go with ev-ery-thang! Also there is nothing more I love in the summer than turquoise. Combine the two and what do you have?? I will tell you a very simple equation: turquoise + shorts = HEAVEN!


Top: Banana Republic (see another way I styled it HERE)
Shorts: Blank NYC
Wedges: Target (Read the post HERE)
and of course an arm party...courtesy of H&M 



So what is your favorite summer outfit? Leave me a comment & let me know dolls! Thanks so much for reading as always! 

XOXO,
Ashley

Fashion Fab & Fail Friday: A Little Weekend Style Inspiration!

May 18, 2012

Happy Friday lovely readers! I hope you're having a great start to your weekend.

For my Fashion Fab this Friday I thought I would give you a casual look for some weekend style inspiration. Eva Longoria went shopping this past week in this ah-dor-able outfit. I pretty much want everything she is wearing in this photo!!! It's the perfect mix of laid-back and put-together. She looks AMAZING in her coral AG Adriano Goldschmied jeans (read my post on coral jeans HERE) and I love the white button-down blouse she paired with them. NOT TO MENTION her brown leather Hermes bag.....


Image source

In contrast to Eva's bright and fun look, my fashion fail of the week goes to Ginnifer Goodwin in a Jonathan Saudners dress she wore to an Entertainment Weekly party this week. Overall I'm just not a fan of the red leather....to me, leather is better saved for the fall/winter season. ALSO I really don't like the high-waisted line of the dress. Overall just not my favorite look! Eva definitely wins this fashion face-off for May 18th!



Image source

So what do you think of this week's fashion fab & fails?? What are your choices for fashion fabs & fails this week?

Thank you dolls for reading & I hope you have a WONDERFUL weekend!!!

XOXO,
Ashley

Bridal & Neutral Nails!

May 17, 2012

Hey dolls!

It’s almost June….everyone knows what that means- WEDDING season is fast approaching! Of course finding THE dress, THE shoes, THE man….all those things are VERY important but almost as important as finding all of those things is finding THE nail polish for the big day (errrrr....I guess finding nail polish isn't near as important as finding the man haha)! Of course even if you’re not getting married, this postmay be of interest to you …last month at my high school reunion, a friend who is in medical school asked me about good neutral shades to wear because she’s not allowed to wear colored polish. So whether you’re getting married, not allowed to wear bright colors because of your job, or if you’re just in the mood for a natural look, keep on readin’ because I’m going to show you my favorite neutral shades!

OPI has a collection out right now that has some great shades that would be perfect for a bride or a bridal party called New York City Ballet Soft Shades.  


From top to bottom: Barre My Soul, You Callin' Me A Lyre?, Don't Touch My Tutu!, Care to Danse?, My Pointe Exactly & Pirouette My Whistle.

The shades on the left side of this sample have a coat of the silver glitter “Pirouette My Whistle.” 


Of these pretty shades I got “You Callin’ Me A Lyre?” when I got my nails done a few weeks ago. It you’re looking for a light pink shade this one definitely fits that description! This shade is also ideal just for a neutral look even if not for a wedding.

OPI "You Callin' Me A Lyre?"


When I was in Ulta I also spotted the “Best of Soft Shades” by OPI collection that is out now. This collection has some GREAT options for a bride OR for a neutral nail. If you want a light pink shade, try Bubble Bath & Pink-ing of You (which is a bit more of a bubblegum pink shade than Bubble Bath). 



However if you’re wanting a more nude shade with tan undertones, try the following:


Mimosas for Mr. & Mrs.

Samoan Sand

Now not to leave Essie out of this bridal polish post, I wanted to include the Essie Wedding Collection2012. It includes 4 shades “Love & Acceptance,” “Who Is The Boss,” “Instant Hot,” and “Like to Be Bad.” This collection includes a very pretty lavender “Love & Acceptance” which would be a lovely alternative to pale pink for a bride. 




I tried the shade “Instant Hot” which was appears to be another great option for a neutral nail….



So whether you’re a bride looking for a shade for your upcoming walk down the aisle or you’re just in the mood for a neutral nail…I hope this post has given you some ideas!!!

Let me know what you think of these colors & leave me a comment. Or tell me, what are your favorite neutral shades?

Thank you as always for reading dolls!
XOXO,
Ashley

To My Momma:

May 13, 2012

Today I wanted to get just a little bit personal on my blog and do a post dedicated to someone who has always been there for me in so many ways…my momma! She is literally the number one fan of my blog and has encouraged me SO much in all my endeavors no matter what they are. She has helped me pursue something that I love (fashion + writing)…. so this post will definitely come as a surprise to her (I always brain storm blog ideas with her but I’ve kept this one secret!).



She is more than just my mother but honestly one of my absolute BEST friends. I have ALWAYS looked up to her so very much and if I can one day be half the woman she is I consider that quite the accomplishment!!! She is a constant inspiration, a never-ending source of comfort and support, a listening ear, selfless giver, and a blessing to me and my family. I have always been SO close to her and my relationship with her is something I cherish so very deeply. There are no words to express the bond we share and I am so thankful that she is my mother. Whenever I tell her she is the perfect mom she replies "I am the perfect Mom for you." The two of us together have a bond that runs deeper than I could ever express. 

I love you SO much Momma and I hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day!!!!!!



                        Her children arise and call her blessed;    
her husband also, 
and he praises her: “Many women do noble things,    
but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:28-30


XOXO,
Your daughter,
Ashley

Fashion Fab & Fail Friday: Eva Longoria vs. Elizabeth Banks

May 11, 2012

Happy Friday gorgeous readers!

I am writing this Fashion Friday from one of my favorite places to be…Nashville, TN! I am on a break before my summer class starts next week so I am visiting my bf & his family here in Nashville.  I can’t wait to do a post all about some of the fabulous shopping I’ve done while here!

But I digress…back to the topic of this post. Since it IS Friday I wanted to go ahead and do my Fashion Fab & Fail Friday!!!

My Fashion Fab of the week goes to Eva Longoria. Oh the Little Black Dress!!! The LBD is timeless but can also be a “wow” fashion statement. I think Eva definitely fits the WOW category in this black Victoria Beckham dress she wore to an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman this week. The cut of front of the dress is absolutely gorgeous and the longer hemline is on trend with dresses this spring. But THEN she turns around...and that zipper down the back adds a fresh new twist to the LBD! I love it! Also, let's not forget to mention the Brian Atwood heels….could this look get any better? I think not! 

Image source

My Fashion Fail of the week goes to the still always beautiful Elizabeth Banks. I just have to say that even though I wasn’t crazy about the dress she is wearing in the picture below, she is STILL so gorgeous. However this Peter Pilotto dress she wore to the premiere of What to Expect When You’re Expecting dress almost distracts from her beauty. Another case in my opinion where the dress is wearing HER  and she is not wearing the dress. I am not crazy about floral prints normally anyway, but especially this pattern. Maybe if the colors would have been different I would have liked it a little better but I’m just not crazy about this look.

Image source

Thank you SO much for reading my Fashion Fab & Fail Friday for this week! Who are your fashion fabs & fails of the week? I would love to hear from you so leave me a comment & let me know!

XOXO,
Ashley




Shoe Shopping at Target

May 10, 2012

Don’t get me wrong, I love shopping at Target, however it can be hit or miss for me in the fashion department. Usually the constants I can count on are cute jewelry and accessories. HOWEVER, I haven’t really found any shoes I liked there in a LONG time…until now. The time is now ladies to run to your local Target and check out the shoe aisle…cause let me tell you it is FABULOUS! The prices range from $9 (YES I saw a pair on sale for 9 dollas!) to around $30! Not so bad!

Some of my favorite shoes in stores right now:
Leopard Print Heelz (I feel like leopard print is too cool so you have to put a Z on the heel):


I didn't buy these but $30 is a pretty good deal.
Find them HERE


These yellow/grey wedges. I have always LOVED the color combination of yellow with grey….and I have a dress that I knew would TOTALLY match!




Buy here

They also had them in navy blue and green. These would look adorable with dark wash jeans and a green or white top….or a cute sundress.

Buy here


They also have a look-alike pair of my Guess black heels I wear ALL THE TIME (they cost around $70) for a reasonable $30. IF you don’t own a pair of patent leather stiletto heels….STOP reading this post and run to the store RIGHT NOW and buy some!!! I promise you won’t regret it and will wear them WAY more than you initially realize because they go with EVERYTHING. And doesn’t every girl need that 1 pair of shoes that goes with everything???


Buy HERE

You may call me Captain Obvious with this next statement, but one of the best things about Target are the SALES….especially when the sales extend to really adorable shoes that you’ve had your eyes on for a couple of weeks. Enter these turquoise wedges. When I originally saw them they were $30 but now they are on sale for $20!!!!! I have so many outfits planned for these (color blocking anyone?)…..


Buy here

Speaking of SALES…how about the ULTIMATE in sales? A $30 pair of shoes on sale for $8….what, you don’t believe me? I wouldn’t believe me either but I saw it with my OWN eyes. These adorable heels were on sale for $8.


So if you get nothing else out of this post just remember this: If you need new shoes, GO TO TARGET!!!!!!! They have the absolute CUTEST shoes right now that won’t break the bank!!!

Thank you for reading dolls!


Xoxo,
Ashley
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