Ashley

In the vault

ELEVATED ESSENTIALS!

June 21, 2024 No Comments

Now that Summer has officially begun, and the temperatures have remained consistently high, getting dressed is becoming a more challenging task. Because the days are so much longer and we’re spending the majority of our time outside, comfort is always key! From functional footwear, to breathable fabrics that can carry you from day to night, it can be a tricky balance formulating a look that you can go the distance in while also maintaining a sense of style. For me, this is where “elevated essentials” come into play! If you were to ask a group of people to come up with the most “basic” outfit they can think of, I’m willing to bet a high percentage would say “a t-shirt and jeans.” These are the types of wardrobe staples that almost everyone owns, and can be your saving grace when the thought of getting dressed seems simply unbearable. When it comes to trends that peak my interest, I definitely prefer to test them out conservatively before fully investing. Since my May blog post, I have gotten fully onboard with the “jort” trend and being that I only had one distressed pair in my closet, I figured I had room for another option. To be honest, when I saw these I was immediately sold! They were slightly longer than my first pair, a darker wash, and had a finished hem which I thought would be perfect for more formal occasions as well as with boots in the Fall. The buckle detail on the back pocket also provided an unexpected yet subtle design element that made the piece feel a bit more special. I wanted to keep the vibe casual for the most part, so I paired the shorts with one of my favorite tops during the warmer months! It’s such a fun take on the classic tee, and it effortlessly brings intrigue to any ensemble I pair it with. Another new addition were these heeled sandals. As we know, the color red is still having a moment and I wanted to find a fairly minimal sandal that could bring the bold pop I was looking to add to future outfits this season. At this point all there was left to do was accessorize! Silver jewelry and frameless sunnies were an easy match for the hardware on my heels, and an oversized zebra-print clutch brought in a touch of playfulness to the look overall. I definitely look forward to rotating these pieces throughout my Summer wardrobe, and sharing more ways to get the most out of your closet essentials. Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

In the vault

PLAID PERFECT!

May 19, 2024 No Comments

Does the perfect suit really exist? Though my style has continued to evolve, my love of co-ords and matching sets has remained a constant. That said, with the ever-changing trends, cuts, and silhouettes, it seems like somewhat of a gamble to invest in tailored pieces that may be “out” in the next 3-5 years; but we move! From the moment I saw this plaid mini skirt and hourglass blazer, I honestly tried to ignore it entirely. Don’t get me wrong, it was right up my alley, but I just felt like perhaps I could live without it. After months of seeing it sell out and restock, I finally decided to just pull the trigger and purchase; after all, I could always return it and pretend the incident never occurred. However, once receiving the package and hesitantly unboxing, I knew I was in trouble. I was instantly transported to the 90’s, truly feeling my “girl-boss living single” fantasy and no one could tell me any different! From the overall quality to the fit, these items definitely deserved a place in my wardrobe and I could not be made to feel guilty about it. Accessorizing was a no-brainer as I had the perfect black pieces to highlight and accentuate the contrasting buttons. I’ve fully embraced my ballet-flat era, and I knew these mesh beauties would be the best shoe to add a bit of softness, texture, and intrigue to the look. I also wanted to play into the corporate, office-wear aesthetic so I figured this structured statement tote could really help ground the outfit while conveying the story I was attempting to tell. As a final touch I threw on my go-to minimal oval sunnies, silver jewelry, and was ready to assert my dominance as 51% owner of this company to the board of directors (comment below if you know the reference)! All in all, I could not be more pleased with my decision to buy this suit, and definitely look forward to wearing this ensemble again. Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

In the vault

CASUAL COORDINATION!

May 4, 2024 No Comments

In my humble opinion, there isn’t nearly enough discussion about the struggles of transitional dressing. There truly is an art to planning a perfectly balanced ensemble that will not have you, at some point throughout the day, freezing or profusely sweating. Even when I feel like I have my styling formula down to a science, the inconsistent/abrupt change in seasons can still very easily throw me off my game. I think it’s also important to note that everyone is different and how our bodies regulate temperature varies as well. Me personally, as long as my upper half is covered, I will remain fairly warm. Knowing this, especially as we migrate further into Spring, I try to keep it top of mind when it comes to getting dressed. I didn’t think I’d still be gravitating towards outerwear at this point in the year but some pieces are just non-negotiable. We’ll dive deeper into the “balloon” trend in another post, but I’m definitely noticing an increase in interest for more voluminous garments. Whether it be bomber jackets, barrel jeans, or bubble hemmed dresses & skirts, we are not being stingy with the fabrics in 2024! Additionally, the majority of my coats are long, so investing in more cropped styles has ultimately filled a void in my wardrobe. For this particular piece, aside from the gorgeous forest green hue, I was obsessed with the fit as well as the bold shape it adds to any outfit I pair it with. Because it’s such a standout, I chose to keep my base layer simple and streamlined with a “not-so-basic” black tank, which gives the illusion of invisible straps, and my light wash distressed “jorts.” I’d have to say, creating looks that provide intrigue in a subtle way is absolutely my specialty. That doesn’t mean I don’t love the instant recognition I occasionally receive, but I can honestly appreciate when someone has to stop and do a double take to really notice the details, time, & effort I spent crafting a stylish experience. As a bit of a wildcard, I threw on my knee-high snake print boots and a pair of sunnies that seamlessly coordinated featuring a cream-colored frame and tinted green lens. Last but not least, I grabbed one of my staple top-handle bags for some added texture and was beyond satisfied with how my vision came together! This is a perfect example of taking into account all of the environmental factors while still executing a look in a way that allows for comfort, personal expression through fashion, and seasonal-appropriateness. Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

In the vault

SPRING AWAKENING!

March 18, 2024 No Comments

Seasons. The subtle reminder of the end of one chapter, and the beginning of another. Ironically, the mirroring of nature and life can be funny at times, disheartening, yet also quite beautiful. As we come to the end of Q1 and the city slowly becomes more alive, I am welcoming these changes while finding the lessons in the inevitable reset. While that may come off a bit bleak, I am honestly quite content. As a person who suffers from self-diagnosed seasonal depression, nothing has made me happier than a few consistent days of sunshine, blue skies, and the ability to leave my heavier pieces at home. If you follow me on IG (you should, lol), I’ve been thoroughly enjoying my latest “5 essentials” series. This has allowed me the opportunity to 1. shop my own closet, and 2. figure out the items that may be missing if I had to start over with a minimal, capsule wardrobe. So far I’ve done coats, jackets, and skirts, with many more ideas to come! While I do have quite the collection of outerwear, there was one fabric I noticed that was missing; tweed. I also tend to gravitate towards Earth tones, so when I saw this stunning cropped jacket with shoulder pads and silver antique-looking buttons, I knew I had to have it! This garment would obviously be the focal point of my ensemble and because of it’s slightly “mature” presence, I was immediately inclined to add some juxtaposition by pairing it with casual, streamlined items. The weather was absolutely gorgeous on this particular day, so a ribbed cut-out tank and jeans seemed like the perfect fit! BREAKING NEWS: I recently bought 2 new pairs of flats! If you’ve been following any of the recent trend reports, it’s no secret that ballet flats have been having a HUGE moment; and while I’m naturally a heels girly, I couldn’t resist trying out a few styles that I thought would be cute to incorporate during the warmer months ahead. I was able to tie in the rhinestone details with my jewelry and geometric sunnies, and as a wildcard, opted for a croc-embossed grey bag for an extra element of interest. I absolutely loved how this look came together and I look forward to seeing how my fashion expression evolves within this new era. Comment below your favorite featured piece and until next time!

In the vault

MARBLE MAGIC!

March 10, 2024 No Comments

The older I get, the more I realize the importance of capitalizing on opportunities when they are presented to you. As the years pass by, time only seems to be moving faster and there’s no guarantee how or when the next moment for progression will present itself. This way of thinking can be applied to a number of scenarios, but on this particular day it was as simple as the weather. Because we’ve FINALLY begun to get some glimpses of Spring, I’ve been planning my shoots accordingly while doing my best to take advantage of the warmer, rain-free days. To be honest I still felt a little unsure about whether or not it was “too early” to shoot such a look, but the perfectly coordinating location told me otherwise! Personally I’m still heavily into the metallic trend, specifically as it relates to chunky hardware, so as soon as I saw this maxi skirt I knew it would be a joy to style. I’m also at a point in my wardrobe where I’ve built up enough of a collection where I rarely have trouble figuring out which pieces to pair with my new items. Without hesitation, I knew this pastel marble top would be the perfect addition to the ensemble and from there it was all about pulling in the right accessories. Surprisingly (or not), I chose to use a mixture of metals to accentuate each layer of the outfit. Since the bold buckle was such a major focal point, I threw on my favorite silver closed-toe heels and jewelry to match. That said, there were also white and neutral tones in my top which I wanted to highlight using my bag as well as my sunnies, featuring arms that seamlessly mirrored the mineral-like design. I think I’m officially ready to put my coats away and turnover my closet to the next season, are you?!! Comment below you favorite showcased item and until next time!

In the vault

MAXIMAL MONOCHROME!

February 26, 2024 No Comments

Purpose. I chose to take a break from NYFW this season for a number of reasons but mainly to gain clarity on my “Why.” I’ve been going consistently since 2015, and as exciting and glamorous as it may seem, it requires a lot of time, money, and energy that can easily leave you feeling drained and burnt out. I feel like I got to this point last year after coming back from Paris in October, and it took me a lot longer than expected to stabilize and get back into the swing of things. For the first time I really had to take a step back and assess if attending fashion week was beneficial to my long term goals, or if it was just something I was doing out of habit and the need to feel “included.” Despite the anticipated FOMO, I also wanted to challenge myself to see what else I could create to expand & differentiate my content if fashion week wasn’t in the mix. That said, I am happy to report that I made the most of my time off and even developed a few new series that I’ve really been enjoying! I say all this to say, sometimes a pause and reset is necessary to remember why you started in the first place & to ensure you remain on track instead of just going through the motions.

Let’s not get crazy though, just because I wasn’t attending doesn’t mean I didn’t plan on shooting some incredible looks! I’ve always approached these seasons as an opportunity to showcase my style but in the most amplified way. For this particular ensemble, I chose to take a maximalist approach to an otherwise fairly monochrome look. I started with this oxblood patent midi skirt, which I actually bought during my first trip to Paris in 2022, and paired it with a leopard print bodysuit. Because we are still in the midst of Winter, I thought adding this patchwork shearling coat in similar tones would be both eye-catching and functional for the occasion. Though I could’ve grounded the outfit with black accessories, I chose to lean into the warm palette by throwing on a pair of brown croc-embossed boots, and a berry-colored bag. What I loved most about how everything came together, is that each piece shined without competing with the others. Can we also have a moment for the textures?! I honestly have no words, except that this quite possibly might make it to my list of top 2024 outfits…but only time will tell! Comment below your favorite featured item(s) and until next time!

In the vault

CRUSHED VELVET!

February 19, 2024 No Comments

I recently read quote that said, “a major part of manifesting is believing you’re worthy of what you’re asking for.” This resonated with me not only because I found it to be true, but because not many people talk about the mental gymnastics that are required to chase your dreams and build the life you deserve. Forget outside influence and the negativity of others who may cast doubt. Usually, it’s the inner voice that we all have at times that can be our own worst critic and deterrent in moving forward, past the fear and discomfort, that ultimately holds us back. It’s very easy to fall into this cycle of thinking especially when you see firsthand the amount of effort that goes into your passions, and it seems like you’re barely moving the needle. I personally struggle with this often, but I refuse to believe that all of this was fror nothing and choose to trust the timing of my journey no matter how frustrating it can be. We got this!

On a lighter note, I received this suit during the holidays and unfortunately did not have an opportunity to style it. Despite taking a break from fashion week this season, I still wanted to get out into the city streets and shoot some looks that I would’ve potentially worn had I attended. To no surprise, I was instantly drawn to the rich crushed velvet texture of this set. Everything about it looked so lush, and the added comfort and ease was simply a bonus! A close friend of mine recently said, “co-ords are the best fashion hack” and I couldn’t have agreed more! With both pieces, 85% of the ensemble was nearly complete so all that was left to do was add my personal flare and make it ASM approved! I knew that black would be my contrasting color based on the shadows that flowed throughout the pattern of the textile. I then chose to layer with a sheer ribbed turtleneck for a bit of juxtaposition against the heavier fabric, and ground the outfit with a sleek heeled bootie. For accessories, my go-to classic cat-eye sunnies were the obvious choice as they somewhat mirrored the geometric shape of my earrings. Lastly, I decided to stick with the angular accents by incorporating a croc-embossed bag that also featured silver hardware, effortlessly complimenting the rest of my jewelry. I loved the strength and power that this look emanated and I couldn’t be happier with the images that were captured. Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

In the vault

TEXTURE CLASH!

January 15, 2024 No Comments

Knitwear, leather, suede, tulle. There’s nothing I enjoy more than adding interest to an ensemble with a variety of textures. Especially when it comes to monochrome looks that don’t have much color differentiation, this is always one of my go-to methods when I want to highlight those eye-catching details. I tried my best to batch as much content as possible so that I could enjoy my time off during the holidays; and when it came to planning my outfits, this sheer skirt was one of the pieces I knew I had to create a moment with! Every now and then I like to take a “fashion risk,” and I knew when I selected this item it would be a bit challenging to style. That said, after having it in my possession for a few weeks, the ideas started to flow and the vison began to form. After doing a deep dive into my existing wardrobe, I stumbled upon this knit bodysuit that I don’t get nearly enough wear out of! Because of the see-through material, comfort was my main priority so opting for something with a full-coverage bottom definitely put me at ease. To take it a step further, I also layered a pair of tights for extra security and a more weather appropriate base. I was surprised to love how everything was coming together, but the look was far from complete. I wanted to add an element of edge so I threw on my favorite oversized distressed leather jacket which coordinated perfectly with the cool tones I was working with. When it came to accessories, “understated glam” was the vibe I was after. Despite incorporating platform heeled sandals, earrings, and a bag featuring rhinestones, I thought they all worked together seamlessly to bring a subtle, less obvious touch of sparkle. Lastly, for a pop of color, I went with a classic red lip and my black everyday sunnies! Personally, I always love when I have the opportunity to really test myself and my skills by styling garments outside of my usual realm. Cheers to taking more chances in 2024 and pushing ourselves to grow through the discomfort! Until next time!