Ashley

In the vault

UPTOWN GIRL!

August 25, 2021 No Comments

Though I am growing increasingly more excited for the transition into the new season, I could not help but take the next few weeks as an opportunity to crank out any last minute Summer looks I have yet to style. I think we can all agree that the biggest trend so far this year has been bold, saturated color. While I didn’t go too crazy, I definitely added a few pieces to my wardrobe that fit the bill and this skirt was no exception! It actually belongs to a two-piece set but for this particular styling session, I felt that using just one of the garments was more than enough to achieve the vibe I desired. Since I was working with such a bold print, I knew I wanted to include elements that were both complimentary as well as paired down for a subtle contrast. I was initially contemplating a few variations of white crop-tops, but in the end decided to go with the simplest option which was a plain ribbed tank. Along with highlighting some of the negative space in the skirt’s pattern, it also provided a nice balance to the ensemble overall. For footwear, I chose to take a bit of a risk and incorporate my newest pair of heels. From the moment I saw them, I knew they were a showstopper that belonged in my wardrobe. For some, I understand how this pairing could be a bit much, but for me they were absolutely perfect! As if this look couldn’t get any brighter, I took it a step further by also opting for a pink crossbody bag which really took things to the next level. As a final touch, I threw on some silver framed sunnies and jewelry to match the hardware on my accessories and keep them cohesive. I’m not sure if I’ve ever worn an outfit packed with so much color, but I truly enjoyed how it turned out and feel like I can officially go into Fall with no regrets! Comment below your favorite featured items and until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- Asos

Skirt- With Jean

Heels- Zara

Bag- Calvin Klein

In the vault

WORK MODE!

August 13, 2021 1 Comment

Life is unpredictable. There are periods of ups and downs and moments that will make you question everything you thought you already knew. What I’ve learned over the years is that while there is no way to prepare or plan for everything that is to come, if you stay focused, everything will eventually fall into place. At this point in my life, the time to put my all into creating my desired reality is now and I refuse to miss my opportunity! When styling this look, I didn’t know how much strength and power I would feel. It’s no secret that a suit is a classic garment that is normally structured and often worn with regards to business. That being said, I love the modern takes on tailoring and how even options that have more of a relaxed fit, or use lighter materials such as linen, can still command the same attention. When figuring out what color to pair this khaki set with, it all came down to my bag choice. After waiting MONTHS for this gorgeous leather tote, I knew I had to style it immediately! Recently, I’ve also found myself gravitating towards all/majority black outfits. Why I waited until the hottest month of the year to experiment with this is beyond me, but I have yet to be deterred. It’s almost as if the details on dark items pop more, especially in the Summer, when most people are staying far away from those shades. To complete the ensemble, I layered a cropped t-shirt featuring a tie-waist detail and a simple pair of mules. Another theme I’ve noticed in my wardrobe is my affinity for classic pieces that have unexpected elements to them; and I personally think this particular look conveyed that seamlessly! For one final touch, I added a neutral pair of chandelier earrings and couldn’t have been happier with the outcome. Wearing this, I was absolutely in “deal closing” mode and even more excited to put in that work! Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

In the vault

CROPS + CUT-OUTS!

August 6, 2021 No Comments

We are now officially in the last month of Summer and though I am always excited for the start of Fall, I wanted to create a look that truly captured the essence of the current season. For starters, I knew that this outfit could not have an ounce of black or any dark colors despite my love of contrast. I really wanted to keep the overall ensemble light, fresh, and airy while highlighting some of my favorite styles and pieces. The “milk maid” or bardot trend has remained a flirty staple during the hotter months, and I was instantly drawn to this perforated version from the moment I saw it. I was a bit hesitant because this was an online purchase, however, the quality left me pleasantly surprised. Recently, I also added a pair of cut-out jeans to my collection which were unlike anything I currently own. Though I wasn’t sure how flattering these would look on me, again, I was elated from the moment I tried them on. While this may be a matter of preference, two things that have seemed to go hand-in-hand during this time of year are vacations and gold jewelry. Being a huge fan of both, I really wanted to convey those vibes with my accessories. Heeled sandals are probably my most worn style of shoe during the summertime, so I used this as an opportunity to break out a pair I’ve been dying to wear. In efforts to keep my metals consistent, I grabbed my favorite oversized aviator frames and a dainty pair of hoops. Lastly I incorporated a light charcoal bag featuring a croc design for an added bit of texture and was quite pleased with the look overall! I could definitely see myself wearing this outfit for a variety of occasions while feeling chic, stylish, and on trend. Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- NA-KD

Jeans- Zara

Heels- Asos

Bag- & Other Stories

Sunglasses- Zimmerman

In the vault

SEAFOAM SERIES!

July 29, 2021 No Comments

On what felt like the hottest day of the year thus far, I shot this look and though I was sweating throughout the entire process, it was definitely worth it in the end! I personally have a love/hate relationship with styling during the Summer months. At a certain point, even the simplest outfits become too hot and basking in the AC from the comfort of your own home seems like the best option. That being said, life is for the living and on days when I do have plans, I’ve learned to embrace the “less is more” approach. On these sweltering days, I like to stick to one focal piece (jumpsuit, dress, romper, etc.) that will serve as the foundation for the entire look. As my slip dress collection continues to expand, I couldn’t resist highlighting this gorgeous seafoam frock I recently purchased. Aside from the color, what caught my attention most was the halter style which provided the most flattering backless detail. I pride myself on cultivating a versatile wardrobe that consists of pieces that can adapt to a variety of settings and this dress absolutely fits the bill! Whether paired with flat slides at a backyard barbeque or strappy heeled sandals at a wedding, this garment can easily take you from day to night! For accessories, I wanted to keep it classic yet bold, so adding touches of black with my bag, shoes, earrings, and sunglasses allowed for the perfect subtle contrast. All in all, this is an ensemble I look forward to recreating as the season progresses, and as we move into the cooler months (with the addition of a few layers of course, lol). Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Dress- Dynamite

Heels- Topshop

Bag- Rebecca Minkoff

Sunglasses- Le Specs

In the vault

KNIT HAPPENS!

July 19, 2021 No Comments

I’ve come to accept the fact that there are certain textiles that I will always gravitate towards regardless of what season we are in. Currently, my love for knits are at an all time high and I refuse to be ashamed of it! For months I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect co-ord that was of quality and did not break the bank; and though it took awhile, I finally found the perfect option. Obviously we are in the midst of Summer, but I still wanted to have a matching set that incorporated pants because for starters it’s something I currently do not own, and I personally believe they are easier to dress-up and elevate than other more casual versions. Purchasing the off-white color way was also a no-brainer because it captured the chic and clean vibe I was looking for. Styling garments like these are always exciting because since you’re essentially working with a blank canvas, the options to accessorize are endless! That being said, because my foundation was already quite stark, I didn’t want to add anything that would throw off the synergy of the look overall. Recently I had also purchased a new pair of tortoise sunnies and absolutely loved the pop of interest they brought when incorporated with this outfit. To further highlight the warm cognac tones, I grabbed a quilted crossbody bag. Lastly, to match the hardware on my purse, I threw on a few gold jewelry pieces and a neutral pair of strappy heeled sandals to complete the look! I truly enjoy an effortless, show-stopping ensemble that makes a statement without needing an abundance of frills and add-ons. Especially with the intense heat we’ve been experiencing lately, I’m choosing to keep my personal style as simple as possible at the moment. Comment below your favorite featured items and until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- NA-KD

Pants- NA-KD

Heels- Schutz

Bag- Mango

Sunglasses- Primark

In Collabs

ASM X DOONEY & BOURKE!

July 6, 2021 1 Comment

There are certain outfits that require hi-res documentation and for me, this was one of them. I unfortunately did not have the chance to get any decent pictures while wearing it on my most recent vacation, but luckily I waited because the show-stopping accessory I didn’t know I needed hadn’t arrived yet. I’ve been extremely grateful for all of the collaborations I’ve been able to do thus far in 2021, and this particular one was no less exciting! Having the opportunity to partner with the iconic https://www.dooney.com/ brand was such a pleasure, as they have been known to produce some of the finest leather goods for decades. I already knew the quality would be amazing, and was not disappointed in the slightest when I received the three (yes, THREE!) handbags. Though I loved them all for different reasons, based on the season we’re currently in, I knew I had style the monogram option immediately. Luckily, I already had the perfect look planned! As soon as I saw the yellow lettering and camel brown accents, I knew this was the missing piece to an already chic styling (if I do say so myself). I did find it slightly challenging at first because I typically incorporate black items when grounding my outfits with more neutral elements. To my pleasant surprise, everything turned out great and the ensemble came together seamlessly. In efforts to match the hardware on the bag, I incorporated gold tear drop earrings and as a final touch and completed the look with my tan mules. Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

In the vault

SALMON SET!

June 22, 2021 No Comments

Despite the temperatures steadily rising, there has been no shortage of knit garments rolling out from various designers and retailers. I’ve often given thought as to why this could be considering we usually associate this textile with the colder months. That being said, I personally am a fan of the subtle texture and structure that knitwear provides; especially during a time where most people are wearing more common lightweight fabrics such as chiffon, linen, and chambray. When I initially saw this salmon colored co-ord, I was intrigued by the hue but highly skeptical of the fit. Needless to say, I proceeded to place my order and simply hoped for the best. To my surprise the thin and rather clingy fabric was of good quality, and the pieces were extremely comfortable (not overly constricting in any way). This bright shade of coral made the ensemble perfect for the current season and while I was fairly confident wearing it as is, I decided to layer an oversized blazer on top for added elevation and chicness. For shoes, I almost went with something neutral but at the last minute decided to color-block with lime green mules, which created more of a “watermelon-like” palette. To balance the brighter tones and tie in my muted outerwear piece, I added an iridescent pair of sunnies and chandelier earrings featuring pearl accents. Overall, this outfit is more on the preppy side of what I’m used to and definitely had me considering taking up golfing (LOL!). Jokes aside, I’m excited to wear this look out and about and potentially add similar polo-style sets to my wardrobe collection. Comment below if this is something you would personally rock, as well as your favorite featured item. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- Zara

Shorts- Zara

Blazer- & Other Stories

Mules- Mango

Sunglasses- Dezi

In the vault

LINEN + LACED!

June 10, 2021 No Comments

In my personal opinion, highlighting juxtaposition is the easiest way to create a dynamic outfit. Whether you’re contrasting masculine & feminine pieces, drastically different textures and/or fabrics, I truly believe this is one of they key factors to having an elevated sense of style. Though we are still a few days away from the official start of Summer, the heatwaves have already begun and it’s definitely time to pull out those breathable wardrobe essentials! When it comes to textiles for this time of year, linen is probably one of the most popular. With designer brands like Jacquemus and Cult Gaia leading the pack in terms of vacation-wear, it seems like light and airy garments are more sought after than ever. From the moment I saw this white frock with strappy open-back detailing, I knew it was going to be a staple in my closet over the next few months. I had initially planned to style it a bit later, but after a few 90 degree days, I figured there was no better time than now! Though pairing this dress with heels would’ve been an easy choice, I wanted to bring a bit more edge to this rather dainty piece. Within the last month, I had also recently purchased what has easily become my favorite, and soon to be most worn sandal. These “flatforms” are everything any chic city dweller would need when hitting the pavement for hours on end; cushion, support, grip, and style. It also didn’t hurt that the laces somewhat mirrored my dress accents which made for a nice synergy. With my look nearly complete, I decided to keep my bag fairly neutral with a black and straw crossbody option which really enhanced those picnic or “walk in the park” vibes. Lastly I threw on an angular pair of light tortoise sunnies, and a red lip for a bold pop of color. I truly can’t wait for another opportunity to wear this ensemble and see what Summer 2021 has in store! Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Dress- Zara

Sandals- Dr. Martens

Sunglasses- & Other Stories

Bag- Free People

In the vault

HOT COCOA!

June 3, 2021 No Comments

When it comes to color combinations, brown and blue is one that I personally love and have styled in a variety of ways on several occasions. It’s no secret that the chocolate shade was one of the biggest trends last year, and though more vibrant tones have taken over for the time being, I have no doubt it will resurface again towards the end of 2021. During an online retail therapy session, I came across this bodycon matching set and instantly knew I had to have it! Aside from the fact that it was giving all of the 90’s Mariah Carey “Butterfly” album cover vibes, it was also unlike anything I currently own in my wardrobe. Though I absolutely love statement pieces, I also genuinely appreciate garments that are simple enough to create an effortless, yet eye-catching ensemble. Because my foundation was so plain, I knew I had to include some striking elements that would really make my look pop! Towards the beginning of Spring, I purchased a tweed plaid blazer featuring gorgeous abstract shaped tortoise buttons. This striking accent detail matched perfectly with my co-ord, while also adding a balance of light, since I was working with a fairly dark base. My outerwear piece also incorporated teal threading in the pattern, which I chose to highlight with a bucket bag in a similar hue. For shoes, I kept it simple with a pair of black heeled sandals and was ready for brunch, date night, or an evening on the town with the girls. With the sense of normalcy steadily returning, the excitement of getting dressed up is also at an all time high! I look forward to recreating this look IRL and enjoying the simple moments we took for granted over the last year. Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Blazer- Zara

Top- & Other Stories

Skirt- & Other Stories

Heels- Topshop

Bag- Zara

In the vault

LADY N’ LOAFERS!

May 26, 2021 No Comments

On today’s episode of “things from my childhood that have influenced my current style,” I chose to once again reference my private school days. I’m not entirely sure what’s happening to me, but the “preppy vibes” have really been making an impact on my wardrobe lately. For this look, though hesitant about the outcome, I knew I wanted to push myself to style a pair of loafers I had recently been gifted. After seeing how effortlessly clean they looked when worn I was eager to give them a try, but upon receiving them, I still wasn’t sure if they were really “ME.” Initially, I figured I might pair them with jeans but after trying it out, I quickly realized that was not the look I was going for. After a few weeks of deliberation, I accumulated more pieces that helped bring my vision to life! Not too long ago I had seen this gorgeous knit appear on one of my favorite websites, and at the time, I didn’t see a need for it as we were moving into the warmer months. That being said, I couldn’t stop thinking about it and eventually had it sent to my doorstep. At this point, the chances of me styling it was either now or in several months so I jumped at the opportunity! In efforts to provide some balance and contrast, I incorporated denim non-distressed shorts in a darker wash. This choice really highlighted the perforated design on the sweater, and added a classic element that was more in line with my footwear option. I personally felt like all 3 of these items coordinated very well and still allowed room for touches of interest that I prefer all of my ensembles to have. To keep things a little edgy, I added my favorite Marc Jacobs crossbody featuring a thick guitar strap with neon monogram. This bag also contained gold hardware which perfectly accentuated the shoe detail, and led to my inclusion of small hoop earrings as well as bold cat-eye aviator sunglasses. I was very pleased with my take on “loafer styling,” and while I could never see myself sporting them with a dress or pant, they will definitely get tons of wear this season and next! Comment below your favorite featured piece and until next time!