The Fur Vest: A Wardrobe Staple

October 11, 2016








{Outfit Details}
Fur Vest: H&M (here, and currently on sale!)
Top: Piko (here)
Jeans: Old Navy (here)
Ballet flats: Target (no longer online, but almost bought these)
Handbag: Call It Spring (no longer online, similar here and here)
Necklace: Local Chattanooga boutique (similar here, here, and here)
Cuff: Vintage from my Mom's closet (similar here)
Sunnies: Kate Spade (No longer online in black but here in tortoise, also love these)


Happy Tuesday dolls!

A fur vest has always been and always will be one of my FAVORITE wardrobe staples for the fall/winter. I love that it adds instant glam to a casual outfit (as I've paired it with jeans and a black top above), or can even be paired with a dress & heels for an even MORE glam look! It makes a statement on its own which I LOVE. I wore the above outfit when my fiancé took me out to dinner last night for our 2 year anniversary---and he also took these photos for me, thanks honey!! :) The fur vest also adds just the right amount of warmth. The temps here in Tennessee aren't super "fall-y" yet (Is that even a word?) but I am willing fall to come by dressing like it's already here (just a couple of days ago, I'm wearing a scarf & it's probably 80 degrees, my man says to me "why are you wearing a scarf?!" well darling, it's because I love fall fashion, and it's October....so....it's obligatory (even if it's hot & does not make much logical sense! haha)) 

Anyway, the fur vest I'm wearing above is from H&M. H&M has always been one of my favorite stores for YEARS. Their clothes are very fashion-forward, reasonably priced, and (for the most part) are good quality (this vest is definitely in the "good quality" category). Be sure to check out the link with the outfit details listed above for this vest--it's on sale now for half price if you've been looking for the perfect fur vest!

The top I'm wearing above is also one of my FAVORITES by Piko. They are sold a lot in the cute little boutiques around town, but when linking the tunic I'm wearing above, I found out that they now have an online store & you can order directly from them! (Last time when I blogged about Piko, their clothes weren't online yet and were only available through local boutiques). I absolutely LOVE their clothes. They make amazing tunics that are perfect for layering and are not only stylish but comfy (bonus!).

Finally, the jeans I'm wearing are some of my favorites from Old Navy. I may or may not have about 3 pairs of them. I'm on the short side (5'3"), so I often have trouble finding jeans that are the appropriate length. These just so happen to come in petite, regular, & tall sizes! Absolutely perfect no matter your height. 

What are your wardrobe staples this fall!? Leave me a comment below and let me know your thoughts :) Also, be sure to check out my social media links at the top of my page to follow Ashley's Passion for Fashion on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook & Pinterest

Thanks so much for reading y'all!

XOXO
Ashley

Totes Crushing on Draper James!

October 9, 2016










{Outfit Details}
Dress: H&M (no longer online, similar lace dress here, same gold color dress here)
Handbag: Draper James (hereedit for October 10th, today only, use code "TOTESPEARLS" for 30% off all handbags on their website!)
Boots: Corral (here)
Necklace: J. Crew Factory (here, currently on sale for 50% off, only $24.50!)
Bracelet: J. Crew Factory (very similar here, on sale for $16)


Hi beautiful readers! So, serious question. Have y'all checked out my favorite blonde Reese Witherspoon's absolutely a-dor-able line Draper James? It is seriously everything a southern girly girl's dreams are made of. With hints of yellows, blues, reds, and greens, the colors she uses for the clothing are dreamy yet classic. She also has super adorable home accents sprinkled with various Southern-isms (I think I need these! Maybe I can convince my fiancé we totally need to create a wedding registry here! haha!). But, I have to say, that my absolute FAVORITE piece in her line is the Totes Y'all handbag I'm wearing in the pictures above! I love it for so many reasons but mainly because 1) Totes is one of my favorite things to say 2) Y'all is my second favorite thing to say due to my Southern roots 3) Totes Y'all is a combination of 2 of my favorite things to say EVER- and, finally... 4) this bag is SO roomy for all of my junk...err...necessities ;). It goes with countless outfits and also comes in other styles (here and here).  

The Draper James flagship store in Nashville just celebrated its 1-year anniversary last week, so naturally I had to stop by and take some #ootd pictures when I was in Nashville for school last week (maybe one of these days when I go I will just so happen to get to meet Reese--aka Elle Woods---herself!). The dress I'm wearing above is not Draper James but it is one of my favorites I bought from H&M. Long-sleeve dresses for fall are a closet-staple because they can be paired with boots to dress them down or heels to instantly dress them up. And, speaking of boots...who doesn't go to Nashville without their cowgirl/cowboy boots?! Seriously though, these Corral boots are my obsession when it comes to cowgirl boots. I bought them for my bestie's wedding's last year (all the bridesmaids wore cowgirl boots-too cute!), and I have worn them countless times since. Corral makes some of THE cutest boots that are unique (with rhinestones, etching, beautiful designs etc) that they are truly like wearing a pair of artwork :).

Check out some of the Draper James items on my wish-list: Sugar Darlin' Flippa Bag, Tailgate SweaterSweetie Pie Tee, and Ryman Jacket

Thanks so much for reading dolls! Be sure to leave me a comment & tell me what your favorite item from her line is! 

XOXO
Ashley 

{A Casual Stroll in the Park}

October 6, 2016










 {Outfit Details}
Hat: Target (here, and on sale!)
T-shirt: Old Navy (here)
Cardigan: Old Navy (not online, similar here)
Pants: Old Navy (here)
Booties: Old Navy (not online, but I must have the ones here)
Necklace: Not sure where I got this haha! Similar here


Happy Thursday dolls!!

Today I'm sharing with you one of my go-to looks for fall. I have spent most of this week in Nashville for school, and one night my Mom & I decided to take a stroll in Centennial Park & take pictures for the blog....errrr I mean, take a stroll ;). It really is beautiful here!! 

This time of year can be hard to dress for in the South. Usually the temps are super chilly in the morning but by the late afternoon the temps can climb into the 80's! The key to dressing for this type of weather is layers! I absolutely LOVE Old Navy's boyfriend t-shirts (which I am wearing above). I always size-up so I can wear them off-the-shoulder. I seriously have them in a few colors--I stocked up last year in black/white/gray/patterned. They are also SUPER cute with jeans & a scarf. So, in the AM it's a cardigan but by afternoon the cardigan can go and it's time to rock the t-shirt :) 

I have been obsessed with fall hats ever since they first became a trend for fall a few years ago (check out how I've worn the fall hat on APFF before HERE). They add such a unique twist of style to an outfit, and not to mention, they can cover your roots when you need a touch-up (yes, I need to get my roots done again ASAP, and no, I'm not a natural blonde!! ::insert Dolly Parton joke about being blonde: "I'm not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I'm not dumb, and I also know that I'm not blonde": Dolly said it best, per the usual!). Anyway, I digress. So, yes I need to get my roots done, no I'm not a natural blonde, and YES I love fall hats!! This one I'm wearing in my #OOTD is from Target. Target seriously always scores in the fashion department, especially with accessories. Guilty as charged for going into Target for "just a few groceries" and leaving with just a few fall accessories. Oops.... ;) girl problems I guess!

So what are your favorite fall accessories? Leave me a comment and tell me more! :) Thank you SO much for reading y'all! 

XOXO
Ashley

Fall Wish List: Lace-Up Flats & Heels

October 5, 2016


Lace-Up Flats & Heels




Hi dolls! So one of my favorite trends for this fall are lace-up flats & heels. I am in the market for a pair and so obviously I had to start searching online. While the Sam Edelman heel is BEAUTIFUL, I found a pretty close dupe by Aldo Fredola from DSW (here).  Also, I love the neutral flats by Steve Madden, but the Old Navy pair would also add a great pop of color to an outfit (and they are only around $27!!). I'm excited to add a pair of lace-up flats/heels to my wardrobe to wear with jeans but also with dresses this fall! 


Thanks for reading dolls, and happy shopping!!!

XOXO,
Ashley

Engagement Pictures: Part 1 {199 Days!}

October 4, 2016

Hi beautiful readers!

So since today marks 199 days until I get to marry the love of my life, I thought I would post part 1 of our engagement pictures! I can't believe we are already down into the 100's...woohoo! I have truly loved every single part of wedding planning so far. There have been a few things we've found stressful, but so far most of the planning process has been enjoyable. 

Between work & school, I have been trying to maximize my time with wedding planning by setting goals & sticking to a timeline. One of my goals was to try and send our save-the-dates out this month in October (6 months ahead of the wedding), which meant that we needed to have our engagement pictures made sometime in September in time for the pictures to come back & for save-the-dates to be made (whew, that's a lot of planning haha)! I'll be honest, taking engagement pictures is something I was really looking forward to! What is better than getting all dolled up and getting to love on my honey for a few hours?! :) 

I spent a long time browsing Pinterest for inspiration for outfits & the type of photos I wanted (be sure to follow me on Pinterest here!). At first I thought we may do a downtown shoot, but since we were taking our pictures on a Friday evening, I was worried it may be too crowded. As I was brainstorming, I remembered that my family has a lake property in North Georgia. It has beautiful lakes, fields & trees. In other words, the perfect back-drop for pictures! Not to mention that it holds a special place in my heart as we have had multiple family gatherings here over the years. 

One of the "looks" I wanted to create was more formal with a long black dress and my fiancé wearing a black suit & tie. When I found this black beaded Adrianna Papell dress on a shopping trip in Nashville, I just knew it would be perfect (and also, some of my bridesmaids dresses are AP, so it fits in with our wedding! haha!). I just love the juxtaposition of formal outfits against an outdoor backdrop. Plus, we both love dressing up so I feel like it is an accurate reflection of who we are as a couple! I'll be sharing these photos today! Since we had time for 3 outfit changes, I thought I would do 3 different posts highlighting each outfit :) I hope you enjoy these first photos!

{And as a sidenote, just have to say that we LOVE our photographer, Tim Ivey with Imago Photography! He is amazing & made us feel so comfortable the day of our shoot. Clichere to check out their website!}















(Always making me laugh!)





(Oh my gosh, just have to say, my future hubby is a hottie!)


Dress: Adrianna Papell (very similar here


Thank you so much for reading dolls :) Stay tuned for more engagement photos soon :) Have an awesome Tuesday!

XOXO,
Ashley
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