Ashley

In Collabs

ASM X SUDIO

January 30, 2018 1 Comment

Each year, as I continue to grow as an individual and a brand, I like to showcase the new facets of my life and have it reflect in the content I create. This year more than ever, I’m trying to maintain a firm grasp on my goals, block out the noise, and stay focused. One thing that has definitely helped me to do that, was incorporating a gym regimen into my weekly routine. I don’t think a lot of people realize how important exercise is to not just your body, but your mind as well. Though true, I’d be lying if I said it was always easy forcing myself into the gym especially during days when I feel the most exhausted. For me, music is a huge necessity when exercising as it really allows me to get lost in the moment and forget any ounce of lingering stress, even if it is just for an hour or so. I am so grateful that I was offered the opportunity to collaborate with a brand that creates premium quality headphones for every scenario life has to offer. Sudio is a Swedish brand, whose main objective is to provide studio quality sound through various styles of earphones made for any occasion. As a resident of NYC, I find myself reaching for my earbuds most often while on the train, in the gym, or those late nights in my apartment went I don’t want to disturb my roommates. Luckily, their sleek styles and practical construction, allow for an overall experience of high quality technology as well as an elegant accessory for your day to day style. I thought it would be cool to switch things up by pairing my new Regent headphones with an active wear ensemble as it is something I have never done, and because fitness is slowly but surely becoming a consistent part of my life. I loved how the gold accents brought out the detail in my leggings, and the wireless design allowed them to be easily functional with no hassle when taking them on and off. I chose the classic black because to me, they were the most timeless and can be paired with anything whether at the gym, or on the go. Sudio was also generous enough to provide me with a 15% off coupon code: ASTYLEDMIND, that is valid forever on all of their products and add-ons. Please let me know in the comments below if you’re interested in seeing more lifestyle posts in addition to the style blogs we all know and love. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Heaphones- Sudio

Jacket- Champion

Sports Bra- Calvin Klein

Leggings- Calvin Klein

Sneakers- Nike

In ASM Shop

TEDDY COATS

January 25, 2018 No Comments

As a lover of texture, I knew it was only a matter of time before I got my hands on the ever-so-popular “teddy coat.” While I’ve seen this outerwear piece most often worn in neutral shades, there are a variety of styles that retailers everywhere are designing and releasing into the wardrobes of fashionistas worldwide. I’ve rounded up a few options that have caught my eye recently, so don’t forget to click the images for direct links to shop my picks! Let me know what you think of this trend in the comments below and whether you feel it will last or be over by next season. Until next time!

In the vault

TEDDY-CRAN

January 23, 2018 2 Comments

Teddy coats have really taken the fashion world by storm during the Winter months. Though this isn’t the newest trend, it seems that versions of this style of outerwear have become increasingly popular and a staple in the wardrobes of most “fashionistas.” As with most trends, I took my time and waited to see if this was something I felt that I “needed” while considering which design would be best for my personal style. Traditionally, I’ve seen these coats most worn in neutral tones being either tan or beige. That being said, when I came across this cranberry colored option, I was instantly intrigued. There was something about the richness of the hue that really drew me in and made this a “must-have” piece. As we all know, maintaining warmth is the most important thing during this time of year (especially when you live in the Northeast), and because of that a lot of times your ensemble can become hidden underneath a multitude of layers. For this reason, I think its important to develop a collection of statement outwear pieces that are stylish as well as practical. Because I’ve been styling a lot trousers lately, I knew I wanted to switch things up with either a dress or skirt, and to my surprise it wasn’t that hard to find. This plaid printed dress was perfect because it was neutral enough to not take the focus off of the coat, but still eye-catching and on trend. As it’s still January, I knew better than to wear this frock alone; however I also didn’t want to pair it with a turtleneck because to me, it was the obvious choice. After weighing my options, I finally settled on an over-sized cream colored hoodie to layer it with. In my opinion, this really elevated the look in the most casual way. I loved the juxtaposition of the relaxed sweatshirt against the more fitted and feminine dress. To finish off the look, I threw on my new slouchy over-the-knee leather boots. I absolutely love these because I feel like they give a cool edge to the typical thigh-highs while still remaining sexy and sleek. Overall, I was very much pleased with how this look turned out. It also caused me to me reminisce on my private school days and how I would’ve liked to style my uniform then if given the choice. Comment below your favorite piece of Winter outerwear and whether or not you’re a fan of teddy coats. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Dress- Topshop

Hoodie- Topshop

Coat- Zara

Boots- Zara

In ASM Shop

CABLE KNITS

January 19, 2018 No Comments

It’s so crazy how personal style evolves and grows– where at 15 you can totally hate an item and at 25 adore it. For me, cable knits and chunky sweaters (among many others) were one of those pieces I had to “grow into,” to say the least. I feel like when we’re young the idea of layers and overall warmth seem “uncool” where as now, I can’t even leave the house without being completely buttoned up. That said, cable knits have definitely become a staple in my Fall/Winter wardrobe and I’ve rounded up a few of my favorites below. With so many colors and styles to choose from it’s no wonder my collection is continuously expanding each year. Comment below an item you’ve grown to love as you’ve gotten older and don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks. Until next time!

In the vault

60’S CHIC

January 17, 2018 No Comments

With so many trends rotating in and out each season, I find it intriguing to sometimes do a bit of research to really appreciate and get a sense of the decade in which they came from. While the 90’s continues to be a major source of inspiration, other eras are also getting called upon for their iconic styles. White booties have become increasingly popular and are a direct nod to the “go-go boots” of the mid to late 60’s. As per usual, I didn’t jump on this trend immediately as I wasn’t sure if it was something that I could authentically pull off. That said, after months of seeing variations of these shoes strut down every street and runway, I finally found a pair that worked for me! Though minimal, these boots are definitely still a statement piece so I wanted to make sure that I paired them with a look that was the perfect combination of simple yet fun. Winter florals are another trend that don’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon, so once I saw these bold printed trousers I knew they’d be a nice asset to my wardrobe. It was almost like a match made in heaven as both the pants and booties contained elements inspired by decades past. Since the bottom portion of this look was already quite eye-catching, I decided to add a modern twist by throwing on an oatmeal colored cable knit. As we all know it is still Winter, so any opportunity I have to throw on a chunky sweater will be gladly taken! I really liked the overall balance of this look and finished it off with my navy monogram cross-body bag to highlight the base color of the slacks. All in all, I loved how this look turned out and I already feel like 2018 is off to a great stylish start. Let me know in the comments what was your favorite decade of fashion. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Sweater- H&M

Trousers- Zara

Boots- Topshop

Bag- GiGi New York

Earrings- & Other Stories

In ASM Shop

STATEMENT EARRINGS

January 11, 2018 1 Comment

There are so many ways to elevate an outfit and this season statement earrings have been a huge trend. As a girl who typically keeps her accessories to a minimum, it took me a while to step outside of my comfort zone but eventually I gave in and have since become quite a fan! Whether your outfit is simple or over the top, adding a statement earring can always add an extra layer of pizzazz to any ensemble. Below I’ve rounded up a few bold jewelry pieces that have caught my eye lately. Don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks and let me know in the comments how you feel about this ear-candy trend. Until next time!

In the vault

SHOWSTOPPER

January 9, 2018 2 Comments

I love this look because it’s a true representation of how I intend my 2018 to be: bold, bright, and all about business (with a little bit of fun sprinkled in of course, lol). This was an extremely fitting outfit to kick off the New Year as I actually did wear this on January 1st to a social event I attended. As I get older, I’m definitely learning to appreciate the value of a classic suit. In my opinion, it provides a sense of empowerment and sophistication that I don’t seem to find with any other pieces. I feel like in the past, suits were always associated with people who were boring or “stiff,” but lately I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the playfulness of the more non-traditional coordinates that experiment with various colors, textures, and patterns. Due to the harsh weather conditions we’ve been experiencing in NYC, I didn’t see myself doing that much for New Year’s weekend. That being said, I still wanted to secure a few looks just in case and this metallic number ended up being the perfect option! As we know, the holiday season is all about the glitz and though I wanted to be appropriately festive and stand out just as much, I wasn’t in the mood to freeze in a skimpy dress that I would probably never wear again. Though I opted to go the more “tailored” route in this silver ensemble, I still felt as though my look was sophisticated, chic, and eye-catching to say the least. Because the suit itself was clearly the “showstopper,” I decided to keep it simple with black accessories. I found an old leather cami which served as a modest and minimal layering piece for underneath my blazer and threw on the most comfortable heeled sandals I own. Its’s rare that I shoot looks with bags these days, but I couldn’t pass on the opportunity to showcase my new clutch which also doubles as a lipstick case and was definitely one of my favorite Christmas gifts this year! Lastly, for a final touch of glam, I added a pair of black and silver chandelier earrings which tied all the elements of this look together beautifully. Recently I’ve become more fond of these boss-like looks, and definitely plan to incorporate more of them into my style in 2018. Here’s to an amazing year of great health, style, and success; until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Suit Jacket- Topshop

Suit Trousers- Topshop

Top- Nasty Gal

Heels- Michael Kors

Clutch- Dior

Earrings- Aldo

In ASM Shop

WINTER HEELS

January 5, 2018 No Comments

As a heel lover, I never shy away from finding ways to incorporate them into my style all year round. That being said, there are a few rules I stick to throughout the colder months. Firstly, to preserve any additional warmth, I always try to stay in a closed-toe heel during the Winter. Secondly, just because it’s cold doesn’t mean your shoes have to be dull. Playing around with bold colors & textures like velvet or metallic are always fun ways to spice up your shoe game. Lastly and most importantly for comfort reasons, if you can get away with wearing a chunky heel, DO IT! There are so many cute styles on the market that can give the height you’re looking for while still being practical especially when the temperatures get a bit icy. Below I’ve rounded up a few options I would definitely rock this season. Don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks; until next time!

In the vault

NYE!

December 31, 2017 1 Comment

Another year has gone by and it truly has been a whirlwind! With all of ups and downs 2017 brought, I can honestly say the amount of growth I’ve experienced in my personal and professional life has left me with a sense of accomplishment I can only help but feel optimistic about. Though no year is ever perfect, staying humble, focused, consistent, and positive are all I can do to ensure the good outweighs the bad. Surprisingly, I may actually be staying in this NYE however that doesn’t mean I don’t have several outfits planned for any last minute events. While I’m usually all about the glitz during this holiday, this year I decided to take a slightly more understated approach and traded my sequins for velvet. This cranberry colored jumpsuit was absolutely perfect for the vibe I was feeling for this New Year’s Eve: comfortable, sexy, yet classy. This piece is also very practical as I was definitely not too keen on the idea of facing these frigid New York temperatures with bare legs. Jumpsuits will always remain a closet staple for me because of how low maintenance they are. They also take the stress out of finding multiple items to coordinate together and allow the focus to remain on statement accessories. Because I still wanted to include a bit of festive sparkle to the look, I chose a pair of rose gold heeled sandals with diamante accents to add an element of glam. To match my footwear, I also incorporated some dainty rose gold studs which I thought added a nice elegant detail. Lastly, to finish off the look, no NYE outfit would be complete in my opinion without a faux fur! I’ve had this particular one for a few years now and it still brings that “sophisticated drama” that I love, whenever I wear it. I really can’t believe that this will be my last post of 2017 and what an amazing year of outfits it’s been! Whether you’ve been following my blog from the beginning or just recently, your support is greatly appreciated and I vow to continue to provide style inspiration and helpful tips well into the new year and if all goes as planned, many more to come! Cheers to 2018 and year 3 of ASM! Stay safe tonight, and see you next year! <3

Outfit Details & Links:

Coat- Topshop

Jumpsuit- Express

Heels- Aldo

Earrings- Aldo

In ASM Shop

CHECKED BLAZERS

December 28, 2017 No Comments

Checked outerwear has become a huge staple for elevating ensembles especially during the Fall/Winter months. With such a wide variety of prints to choose from, anyone can rock this style and take on the smart and polished look with ease. Below I’ve rounded up some of the blazers that have recently caught my eye. Comment below if you’re fan of this trend and don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks. Until next time!