Ashley

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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!

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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

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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!

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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

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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!

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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

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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!!

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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

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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!