Ashley

In the vault

SMART CHOICE

December 26, 2017 1 Comment

The blazer/menswear trend has been extremely popular over the last few years. This year however, it seems to have taken on an even bigger presence with various prints: specifically checkered, plaid, and “Prince of Wales.” Being an individual who can appreciate a sleek and tailored look, I knew it was only a matter of time before I would eventually incorporate this trend into my wardrobe. Because there is such a wide variety of retailers selling this popular outerwear piece, I wanted to make sure that I took my time and purchased a blazer that was the perfect tone, print, and style for me. In the midst of my search, and without any real intention, I ended up buying other items that are extremely high on the must-have list for Fall/Winter. Last year, I bought a red vinyl mini skirt and while it is definitely a statement piece on it’s own, I didn’t feel the need to go overboard and stock up on a bunch of PVC items. On a recent shopping trip however, this pair of black pants really caught my eye and after trying them on, I knew they’d be a great closet addition. What really drew me in was the high-waist fit and contrast white stitching that added an interesting element I’m not used to seeing very often. Because the trousers were so bold and gave an 80’s rock feel, I decided to stick with the theme and pair them with a simple slogan tee. In the end to complete the ensemble, I settled on a long-line checked blazer that consisted of warmer tones and gold hardware. To bump up the chic factor, I decided to throw on an old pair of gold-capped pumps that really tied everything together. Overall, I loved the look but still felt like something was missing especially since I opted out of carrying a bag. Luckily, I had just received my new glasses and this was the perfect look to showcase them! The tortoise print of the frames added a “smart” factor to the outfit as a whole, without taking away from any of the more casual and edgy pieces. The way everything came together so seamlessly, definitely made this look a favorite and hopefully one you guys enjoyed as well! Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Blazer- Zara

T-shirt- Topshop

Pants- Topshop

Heels- Jessica Buurman

Glasses- Miu Miu

In the vault

HOLIDAY DRINKS

December 24, 2017 No Comments

The holidays wouldn’t be the same without traditions, loved ones, hearty meals and of course festive beverages. The Fall and Winter seasons specifically, are highly anticipated for their annual liquid creations. Whether virgin or alcoholic, there’s never a shortage of drink options to kick off your celebrations and embrace this time of year. Below I’ve rounded up a few recipes that I’d personally love to try out during my time off! If you’re interested, click on the images and let me know in the comments which one you’ve tried and how you liked it. Until next time, happy holidays!

In the vault

HOLIDAY, CELEBRATE!

December 21, 2017 1 Comment

“Tis’ the season to be jolly… ” and that, I most certainly am! The warmth and joy that this time of year brings, is honestly something I don’t think I’ll ever stop being excited for! Given the fact that Christmas is literally days away, I knew I wanted to style a look that was festive but I didn’t have any specific pieces in mind. After a pretty hectic shopping trip around the city, I had a decent haul of items that unfortunately could be paired in so many different combinations I was left with quite the dilemma. My initial thought was to pair the glittery bronze midi dress with a blazer, but the tones ended up being a bit too similar and it left the ensemble feeling quite dull. After getting the pieces home and clearing my head, I remembered that I had recently purchased a red sweater that I had yet to shoot in! Suddenly everything began to fall into place as I layered the chunky knit over the frock and found an old belt to cinch the waist giving the look a more feminine shape. Because I was wearing such a bold color, I wanted to keep my makeup and accessories very neutral and subdued. For footwear I chose a pair of closed toe heels with cross strap detailing, that I definitely think added an extra bit of interest and chicness to the outfit. Overall, I feel like this would be the perfect look for a celebratory family dinner, office party, or even a holi-date, (get it?) lol. With only a few weeks left of the year, I just want to spend my time around the people I love while reflecting on my journey and growth thus far. Most importantly, I’d like to spend this time being happy and continuing to find ways to become my best self– while staying well-dressed of course! I hope you guys are having an amazing holiday season and enjoyed this look. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Sweater- Topshop

Dress- & Other Stories

Belt- H&M

Heels- Zara

In ASM Shop

FAUX FUR COATS

December 19, 2017 No Comments

Of all the textures that seem to make an appearance as soon as the temperature drops below 50 degrees, (faux) fur has easily become one of my favorites. Especially now that the market has become in such high demand for realistic looking furs, retailers have really stepped up their game in creating stand out pieces in basically any style and color variation you can imagine! Below I’ve rounded up some of the outerwear pieces that have recently caught my eye, so don’t forget to click the images below to shop my picks! Stay warm, and happy shopping!

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METALLICS

December 14, 2017 1 Comment

The holidays never really seem complete without a bit of sparkle. Whether it be with decorations, shiny new gifts, or even clothing, everything in sight appears to have a little more shine during this festive time of year. As a lover of the the season, I would be lying if I said I didn’t also enjoy getting dressed up and styling looks with a bit of holiday glam. Below I’ve rounded up a few pieces that have caught my eye and are sure to make you stand out amongst the crowd this holiday season. Don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks! Until next time!!

In the vault

HOLIDAY EDGE

December 12, 2017 2 Comments

The holiday season is by far one of my favorite times of year, and though my excitement never ceases to dwindle, there are a few things that I tend to find a bit repetitive. Aside from the decorations, music, and events, I sometimes wish there were new style trends to experiment with aside from the typical, metallic, sequins, fur, etc. This year, I decided to make a conscious effort to try out some new things with my holiday looks and so far I feel like I’m off to a great start! While making a point not to stray too far from the festive sparkle, I was thrilled when I found this pair of trousers. The rosey hue added a uniqueness that in my opinion was even more eye-catching than the traditional silver or gold; and I loved it! With each look I style for my blog, it’s rare that there isn’t a point of slight difficulty; and in this case, it was deciding on a top. Because I had my mind set on not creating a look that was blatantly “obvious,” it took me awhile to find a piece that was formal enough while still being a bit unexpected. After going back and forth with two drastically different tops, I made the executive decision to layer them and, “VOILA;” the look came to life! I think the juxtaposition of the lace turtleneck and distressed graphic t-shirt made for the most amazing contrast that somehow meshed seamlessly without disrupting the sleek tailoring of the bottoms. Also because of the blend of casual and classic elements, this is a look that can easily be worn in a variety of settings and stand out amongst the crowd! With so many textures going on, I chose to keep my footwear minimal with a pair of black heeled sandals; and though I didn’t grab a bag, I decided to wear my silver geometric earrings for an extra pop of glitz. This ensemble totally gave me “rock&roll-chic” vibes, and I loved how it turned out. Comment below if you prefer to keep it traditional or mix it up with your annual holiday looks. Stay tuned for more festive outfits to come, until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

T-shirt- Forever 21

Lace Top- H&M

Trousers- Zara

Heels- Zara

Earrings- & Other Stories

In ASM Shop

GIFT GUIDE: HIM

December 7, 2017 No Comments

I absolutely love the process of shopping for loved ones during the holidays and believe it or not, I actually enjoy browsing through the men’s department the most! It’s probably because I don’t do it often and it gives me an opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone, see other trends, and find items that I personally think the guys in my life should have (whether they think they need them or not, lol). Below I’ve rounded up some of the gifts that would be at the top of my list, and I hope they provide some helpful ideas as you knock out your holiday shopping! Don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks! Until next time!

In the vault

SWITCH UP

December 5, 2017 3 Comments

I’m a full supporter of stepping outside of your comfort zone when it comes to personal style and I kid you not, this look literally almost made me want to re-do my ENTIRE wardrobe. I am utterly OBSESSED with how this look came out and slightly surprised that I was able to pull it off so well. A lot of the international girls I follow rock this type of “cool girl” look. To me, it’s a style that screams “I can hang with the boys, and still be one of the most stylish girls in the room.” I’ve always admired the casual yet effortless confidence that always seems to come with this type of ensemble and it wasn’t until now that I’ve been able to try it out for myself. In all honesty, it wasn’t even my intention to style an outfit like this, it just kind of…happened. I had been wanting to style a jumpsuit on my blog for what feels like months and for some reason, I wasn’t finding anything that really sparked my interest. During my most recent shopping trip, however, my luck seemed to change. This amazing one-piece features a cut out detail, d-ring belt, and contrasting white stitching that was so unique to anything currently in my closet, I knew I had to have it. As this was obviously the showstopper of the look, I kept the surrounding items simple while still playing off of the jumpsuit’s casual edge. I’ve been loving thin knits this season especially when it comes to layering, and this nude option was the perfect addition to this outfit as well as an all around wardrobe staple. To my surprise, I was also able to find a bag that almost perfectly matched my top and helped tie all of the details together. For shoes, it was a no-brainer that I would be wearing sneakers as I couldn’t possibly see this look being as cool with any other type of footwear. That being said, I decided to rock my classic “Superstars” which seemed to perfectly describe how I felt! To finish off the look, I added a bold red lip and some rosey tinted frames for an extra pop of color. I know I say this often, but I’m going to officially go on record to say that THIS is my favorite look of 2017! I felt like this ensemble pulled out a side of my personality I didn’t know was there and it was honestly refreshing as well as exciting. It’s funny how sometimes you don’t realize how stuck in a rut you are with your style until you do something completely different. What I loved the most about this outfit was, as “out of the box” as it was, I still felt like Me. This look ignited a fire within my creativity and I definitely plan on experimenting with more outfits in the near future! I really hope you guys enjoyed this look and stay tuned for more holiday posts coming soon. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Jumpsuit- Topshop

Top- Topshop

Sneakers- Adidas

Sunglasses- Urban Outfitters

Bag- Urban Outfitters

Lipstick- Fenty Beauty

In ASM Shop

GIFT GUIDE: HER

December 1, 2017 No Comments

So it’s officially my favorite time of year and I figured what better way to kick it off than with a gift guide! I personally love the holidays and everything that comes with it including the amazing meals, time spent with family, and of course the shopping! Below I’ve rounded up some ideas for the ladies in your life and hope that they can provide some helpful insight as you check things off your list! Don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks and stay tuned for the next guide coming soon. Happy Holidays!

In the vault

BLACK OUT

November 29, 2017 2 Comments

Is there such a thing as wearing too much black? To be honest, that was the question I struggled with most when composing this look. Black is moody, edgy, chic, and all around timeless, however I still found myself debating whether the shade was enough on its own. I purchased this stunning ribbed midi dress and though I loved it, I completely underestimated how difficult it would be to style. In my opinion, this item is equivalent to a white tee– a total staple that leaves room to create an endless amount of ensembles. I wasn’t sure whether to dress this piece up or down, add a pop of color, or play off of it’s understated minimalism. Being that I had no real direction, I just browsed the shops until I found items that “spoke” to me; and this cross-body bag was definitely a winner! The fringe and stud details added a rocker-chic vibe that provided an eye catching element to the look without taking away from the classic frock. At this point, while I liked the items I had, I was beginning to wonder whether I needed to somehow break up the darkness. As I continued to shop I found the cutest socks that I knew could add a playful element to not only this outfit, but to so many more in my wardrobe! Finally, I had made a conscious decision to find a pair of shoes that could compliment the pieces I had already gathered but most importantly, were not black! Long story short, I was not successful. As much as I tried to steer clear of it, everything that caught my eye during that particular outing happened to be the same dark shade. I finally decided to give in, and realized that despite the pieces being the same color, they all brought different elements to the look and complimented each other wonderfully. The metallic accents on the bag and shoes made for a nice feminine touch, especially as we approach the holidays, and the socks gave a quirky chic feel that made the overall outfit more interesting. That being said, I totally encourage wearing all-black and when all else fails, a bold lip or nails can never hurt! Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Dress- All Saints

Socks- Zara

Heels- & Other Stories

Bag- Zara