Ashley

In the vault

NEUTRAL GROUND

June 26, 2018 1 Comment

After about a month’s break from my usual photo shoot routine due to recent collaborations, I’d say I was a bit nervous to get back into the swing of things. Per usual, I let my anxiety get the best of me and had a few doubts that I would be able to jump back into the groove and produce outfits that I loved. That said, the worrying was in vain and I was completely thrilled with the outcome! It’s ironic because I had been holding off on shooting at this specific location as well as styling this dress for a few months now. Luckily, it seemed like the “right” time finally presented itself and everything came together seamlessly. As I was working with a pretty neutral color palette, I knew I wanted to keep my accessories toned down without being overly “matchy,” yet still eye-catching. On a separate shopping trip however, I came across this brown cross-body with gold details; and it was then that I decided to coordinate with the metallic accents to complete the ensemble. I found a gorgeous pair of strappy heeled sandals that fully encompassed the dainty, feminine vibe I was going for. I was also able to make use of a pair of statement earrings from my own closet that pulled everything together with ease. I’ve mentioned in the past that I tend to go through phases where I collect a certain item of clothing or accessory with each season, and recently I couldn’t help but notice my sunglasses collection rapidly expanding before my eyes. Of course, with it being Summer, sunnies are pretty much a staple with every ensemble and this one was no exception! As soon as I saw this pair of tortoise cat-eye frames, I knew they’d make the perfect final touch for this look and I couldn’t have been more right (if I do say so myself, lol). I loved the way this look turned out and quickly regained my confidence with regard to this whole blogging thing. I think it’s important to take notice of our strengths and remember that while breaks may occur, talent will never waiver so long as the passion is there. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Dress- WAYF x Nordstrom

Bag- BP. x Nordstrom

Heels- Zara

Sunglasses- Zara

Earrings- Aldo

In ASM Shop

SUMMER ACCESSORIES

June 19, 2018 No Comments

Straw hats, bold earrings, bright bags, and numerous pairs of sunnies couldn’t be more essential for the Summer season! As we are FINALLY starting to consistently experience those high temperatures, I figured I’d round up a few pieces to get you prepared for those scorching beach days and warm rooftop nights. Don’t forget to click the images below to shop my picks. Until next time!

In ASM Shop

FLORAL BLAZERS

June 14, 2018 1 Comment

Recently, co-ords and blazers have really made a statement in my wardrobe and given the season we are currently in, it only made sense that I would feature a few with floral prints. Suits and separates are great because of the versatility that comes with them whether wearing them together or apart. Blazers in particular however, are definitely a timeless favorite due to their ability to make any outfit effortlessly chic when thrown over even the most basic pieces. Below I’ve rounded up a few styles that have caught my eye. Don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks and until next time!

In Collabs

ASM X MACY’S PT. 2

June 12, 2018 1 Comment

For my second Macy’s look, I was given a pair of denim shorts to style as my focal piece. With this came excitement as well as a bit of anxiety being that having such a simple item gave me free reign to literally take the look in any direction; but I was up for the challenge! Before even browsing the website, I knew I wanted to dress-up the look with more formal pieces and a blazer was the first thing that came to mind. It didn’t take long before I found this gorgeous printed piece that just screamed, “Summer chic!” The light blue base and abstract yellow floral design really embodied exactly what I was looking for, and ended up being the perfect contrast against the dark-wash denim. With such a bold piece of outerwear, a simple tank top or t-shirt was the only option that made sense to me for layering with this ensemble. Lucky for me, the night before my shoot, I was able to find a ribbed top that perfectly matched a pair of mules I had also purchased and swapped into this look at the last minute. In efforts to accessorize a bit, I thought it would be cool to compliment the gold hardware on my shoes and throw on a pair of clear aviator frames. Personally, while I didn’t think they were a necessity, I appreciated the quirky twist they added to the outfit overall. I was definitely pleased with how this look turned out and loved the versatility of the pieces I paired together. Let me know in the comments if you would’ve styled the shorts in a similar way or gone a completely different route. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Blazer- DKNY

Top- Urban Outfitters

Shorts- Levis

Mules- DKNY

In Collabs

ASM X MACY’S PT. 1

June 8, 2018 1 Comment

I had the pleasure of working with the iconic Macy’s brand on a campaign that featured several influencers, including myself, showcasing how we style the same items in our own personal way. I instantly loved the idea of this collaboration because it highlighted the diversity and versatility that stems from the over-saturated blogger community. The first focal piece was a gorgeous embroidered Bardot style top with intricate patterns on the sleeves and colorful stitching. In my opinion, this was the perfect Spring to Summer transition garment and I couldn’t wait to create a look around it. Because of the stunning details, I knew I wanted to keep the rest of the items simple yet eye-catching. Upon browsing the Macy’s website, I came across a pair of color-blocked jeans with raw hem detailing and knew they would make the perfect addition to this look. While I’ve seemed to lose count of the amount of denim in my wardrobe, I’m always looking to collect pieces that are unique yet complimentary to the items I currently own. Initially, I had a totally different shoe in mind to complete this ensemble however that plan was derailed once the color I wanted was out of stock. That said, everything worked out as I had ordered another pair of heels that in my opinion suited this look even better. These metallic, navy heeled sandals were the perfect option for complimenting the jewel tones as well as the silver accents on my top and I am so happy with how the look turned out! For a final touch, I threw on a pair of silver earrings and felt nothing short of confident and chic. I know for a fact I’ll be revisiting Macy’s a lot this year and can’t wait to reveal more looks from this campaign. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- INC International Concepts

Jeans- William Rast

Heels- Nine West

Earrings- & Other Stories

In the vault

TIMELESS TRENDS

May 30, 2018 1 Comment

Another day, another jumpsuit! I’m not sure how this obsession began but I honestly can’t see my love for these garments decreasing anytime soon. Aside from being an all-in-one outfit, jumpsuits come in a variety of styles that make getting dressed easy and effortless every single time. When I first came across this particular piece, I was slightly caught off guard. I knew I liked the item, but I wasn’t sure if the warm rust color and denim fabric made for the most Spring/Summer appropriate piece. That being said, I accepted the challenge and made it my own! The jumpsuit’s silhouette gave me a fun 70’s vibe that I didn’t know I would actually love until I tried the piece on. In addition to that, the overall-style straps also resembled 90’s fashion trends and made me that much more excited to see what I could create. Given the plunging neckline and inconsistent temperatures, there was no doubt in my mind that I would be layering this piece with something; and after much debate, I figured a plain white t-shirt would be the perfect option. I knew I wanted to pair this bold piece with something that was simple, light, and breathable, without being too busy and taking away from the jumpsuit itself. (Sidebar: as the temperatures heat up, I think a cropped white tank would also be super cute under this jumpsuit!) To accessorize, I decided to go with a neutral toned belt bag with gold hardware and strappy tan sandals. Though fairly casual, I think this look can be worn in a variety of settings and still turn heads! To finish off the look, I added a statement pair of earrings to add a touch of unexpected glam. All in all, this look is absolutely one that I’ll be revisiting and reinventing as we get deeper into 2018. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

T-shirt- & Other Stories

Jumpsuit- Urban Outfitters

Heels- Macy’s

Belt Bag- Macy’s

Earrings- Zara

In ASM Shop

WHITE DRESSES

May 18, 2018 No Comments

White dresses have recently become increasingly popular and have slowly made their way onto the list of “wardrobe staples.” Especially during the warmer months, these frocks can easily be swapped in as an alternative for the LBD and worn in a variety of settings no matter how casual or formal. Below I’ve rounded up a few variations that I could definitely see myself styling around the city, in the upcoming months. Don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks; until next time!

In the vault

L.W.D.

May 16, 2018 1 Comment

I think it’s safe to say we’ve all heard of the acronym “LBD,” and I’m even more certain most of us ladies have at least one go-to in our closets. The little black dress serves as a classic wardrobe staple that always comes in handy when we are down to the wire and can think of nothing else (or better) to wear. I mean what’s not to love; the LBD is usually slimming, appropriate for most events, and easily paired with just about anything. That being said, I’d like to think of the LWD as its increasingly popular cousin that is slowly becoming a clothing essential of its own. Initially, I saw the little white dress included on styling guides mostly geared towards vacation and holidays. Recently however, that seems to have changed as there are so many variations of this frock on the market; it has become an easy alternative to the traditional LBD. Especially during the warmer months, there’s something so refreshing and minimal about this garment it’s no surprise that it has slowly taken over the closets of many. When I came across this tuxedo inspired version I was instantly sold! The tailored style accented with flowing pleats along the skirt really made this piece the perfect marriage of structure and movement. Because this dress also appeared more formal in my opinion, I decided to play against that and make it a bit more casual and fun. To do this, the first accessory I grabbed was a pair of bright red retro inspired cat-eye frames. While I’m not sure how well this pair in particular suits me, I loved how they popped against the overall stark ensemble. On the more monochrome front, I kept it very simple and plain with probably the most worn pair of white sneakers I own (sidebar: tell me your favorite style/brand of white sneakers in the comments below!). Lastly, to tie everything together, I opted to finish off the look with a multicolored striped crossbody bag; which I am absolutely certain I’ll be styling a lot during the Spring/Summer months. So tell me, are you a LBD or LWD type of girl? Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Dress- Zara

Sneakers- Converse

Sunglasses- Zara

Bag- Zara

In the vault

BOHEMIAN BABE

May 10, 2018 3 Comments

Every now and then I think it’s important to jump outside of your comfort zone and embrace styles that you wouldn’t generally reach for. That being said, to do this successfully, I think one must still incorporate elements of the things they already like so as not to completely feel unlike themselves. For me, this came in the form of a patterned chambray set. As a current lover of co-ords, I was already naturally drawn to this ensemble. However the pattern and pairing of the crop top and wide-legged trousers created a much more bohemian style that I’m not used to wearing day to day. That aside, I was intrigued and willing to give it a try nonetheless. One of the first changes I made to cater this look to my own personal style was wearing the top backwards. While I have no problem with a plunging neckline, I just felt like the illusion of a higher neck and slightly exposed back created a chicer silhouette. I’m always slightly relieved when I come across pieces that are heavily printed because it means I can keep my accessorizing to a minimum. Fortunately this time, because I opted not to carry a bag or layer an outerwear piece, I was determined to find a statement piece of jewelry to add a bit more drama to the outfit. Luckily it didn’t me long to find a beautiful pair of chandelier earrings with the same exact blue that matched my clothing incorporated, as well as gold and wood accents which further emphasized the boho-chic vibe. Since the pants were so long and I knew my shoe would barely be visible, I kept it simple with a pair of minimal brown heeled sandals to tie everything together seamlessly. What I love most about fashion are the opportunities for versatility and risk; because without both of these things our lives and wardrobes would be nothing short of boring. Let me know in the comments below what you think of this look. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Co-ord Set- Free People

Heels- Urban Outfitters

Earrings- Zara

In ASM Shop

WICKER BAGS

May 9, 2018 No Comments

The straw or wicker bag trend has become increasingly popular over the last few Spring and Summer seasons. There’s something about the neutural tones that always seems to incorporate a bohemian vibe to any ensemble it is paired with. Below I have rounded up a few variations of this popular accessory that have caught my eye lately. Let me know if you’re a fan of this trend in the comments and don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks! Until next time!