Ashley

In the vault

CABLE KNIT CRAZE!

December 1, 2021 No Comments

When it comes to Fall and Winter textures, the cozier the better! I always find myself gravitating towards chunky cable knit sweaters in a variety of forms, and 2021 has been no different! This year, I was on the hunt for a mini dress that I could wear with taller boots and though initially I was looking for something more relaxed, I couldn’t pass on this fitted style. What truly sold me was the unique patterns and woven stitching that really made this frock an incredible show-stopper! The amount of detail that went into the construction of the piece was unlike anything I had seen on the market thus far, so I knew I had to add it to my collection! As if things couldn’t get any better, upon receiving this garment, I was surprised to find out just how structurally rigid it was. Generally, knit items are known to come with quite a bit of stretch which has its pros and cons. In this instance however, the lack of elasticity worked to my benefit because I didn’t have to worry about it riding up as I walked, which made it a 10 out of 10 without question! At first I thought about layering it under a piece of outerwear, but the distinct intricacies were just too good to hide! That said, I allowed the dress to shine on its own and decided to highlight it with other staple accessories. Using black as my contrasting color, I opted for my newest baguette bag featuring silver zipper accents and my go-to knee high boots. I opted for matching jewelry to keep my hardware consistent and finished off the look with a light tortoise pair of cat-eye frames for an unexpected pop of interest. Though this ensemble didn’t consist of many individual items, each made a statement and came together seamlessly to create a look that I was proud of. Comment below your favorite featured article of clothing or accessory, and don’t forget to shop the carousel for direct links to all pieces as well as other similar styles. Until next time!

In the vault

VERY VINYL!

November 23, 2021 No Comments

When it comes to creating outfits, especially as we move into the colder months, I find myself leaning into different textures more frequently. Considering outerwear and footwear are the pieces that get displayed most during this time of year, I try to have fun and select items that have more unique qualities. I’ve never been much of a “trench coat girl” as the season to wear them always seems too short, however this year I couldn’t pass on this stunning olive number. The hue and sheen are truly what captured my attention and it didn’t take much convincing to make my purchase. I absolutely love the oversized, yet relaxed, fit as well as the unusual shade of green which makes this particular garment both eye-catching as well as neutral. At this point, I’d probably say this is one of the most show-stopping jackets I own! In an effort to not have too many competing styles, I decided to pair down the rest of the ensemble with a cut-out black bodysuit and distressed boyfriend jeans. I liked the way the details of both pieces somewhat mirrored each other while adding subtle interest to the outfit overall. To complete my vision I threw on my newest pair of puffy heeled sandals, (an early holiday present to myself) as well as an amber pair of rectangular frames to really enhance the color palette I was working with. Lastly, gold jewelry was the obvious choice and I could not have been more pleased with the outcome! I loved how each garment though fairly simple, each had their own distinct element that contributed to the chicness of the look. Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

In the vault

HOT LIKE FIRE!

November 18, 2021 No Comments

I’d say more often than not, my styling strategy is to create looks around one focal piece that tends to be the most eye-catching. That being said, I don’t always shy away from taking fashion risks and like to push the envelope every now and then. This season I’ve been incorporating more highly saturated shades into my Fall/Winter wardrobe, and am extremely pleased with the new additions thus far. There are quite a few garments that I tend to gravitate towards during this time of year, and trousers (specifically leather) are always at the top of the list. I had actually been on the hunt for this particular style in brown, but unfortunately they remained sold out just long enough for me to settle on another pair from a different brand. Though I was satisfied with the pants I ultimately purchased, I couldn’t help but continue to look at the original version and when I saw they came in another color, I decided to give them a try! Red has always been a color that I noted as one of my favorites, but at the same time recognized it as one that I hardly ever wore. For some reason I guess it always seemed a bit too “loud” or intimidating, which in my mind made it impossible to style; that is, until now. Upon receiving them in all of their tomato-colored glory, I was excited to get them on and absolutely floored by how well they fit. So far, I was off to a great start and it didn’t take long before I came up with a game plan. I had been eyeing a gorgeous leopard print bodysuit online and just knew both items would compliment each other perfectly! As my ensemble came together, it was only right that I kept the playfulness going with my accessories as well. After much thought and deciding that a plain black bag just wouldn’t suffice, I swiftly reached for a statement making crossbody bag featuring gold hardware and graphics that matched my bold color scheme. I completed the outfit with black croc embossed boots, some of my favorite jewelry pieces, and a chic pair of cat eye frames. While this look is more on the “maximalist” side, I still consider it to be pretty wearable especially as we move into the holiday season. Comment below if this is something you would personally rock, or if it’s too far out of your comfort zone. Until next time!

In ASM Shop

CUT-OUTS!

November 11, 2021 1 Comment

In the same way that distressing made it nearly impossible to find a pair of denim without holes or a ripped hem, I think we’re experiencing a similar trend with cut-outs! Personally, I’m finding it increasingly difficult to stop my collection from growing as this minor detail provides such a chic yet edgy take on any basic garment. I’ve rounded up tons of options below, so don’t forget to click on the images within each carousel to shop some of my favorites. Until next time!

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In the vault

CARDI CHRONICLES!

November 10, 2021 No Comments

I think because the outdoors and how we interact have been restricted for so long, the way we express ourselves has manifested in many new ways and naturally that has trickled into various fashion trends. While the Fall and Winter seasons are typically known for rather neutral dressing, there seems to be an increased push to continue incorporating brighter, more stand-out shades. As a person who usually grounds their outfits with some element of black, I knew this could be quite challenging if the contrast was too harsh. That being said, when I came across this particular cardigan I decided to give it a try. Though the color may be a bit “Barney-ish” for some (and I don’t necessarily disagree), the overall vibrancy coupled with the dark buttons really sold it for me and made this garment something I knew I could work with. As I began my styling process, I knew this piece would be the showstopper of the look and I didn’t want to risk clashing with any other hues. To keep things simple and casual, I opted for an ensemble that consisted of what I would call, “capsule closet essentials.” A black turtleneck is a must-have in any wardrobe, so I settled on a thin semi-sheer knit for a chic yet classic vibe. From there, while any pair of jeans (preferably light to mid wash) would work, I chose a slightly deconstructed pair featuring a jagged waistband and two-toned pocket accents for added interest. Lastly, I completed the outfit with accessories that matched my top and sweater details for a seamless finish. After applying a few gold pieces of jewelry which highlighted the minimal hardware on my bag, I was good to go! As I’ve stated before I love creating looks that appear plain, but have subtle unexpected qualities that will leave heads turning in whatever room you enter! Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

In the vault

MARBLE MOMENTS!

November 5, 2021 No Comments

Plaid, leopard, and hounds tooth are all prints that come to mind when I think about the Fall and Winter seasons. That being said, there is a new trend that has been gaining popularity and I’ve decided to dive in head first! As a lover of abstract designs, my gravitation towards this marble set did not come as a shock. It has a subtle, yet eye-catching appeal that truly engages the viewer and makes anyone wearing it literally transform into a piece of walking art. Immediately after stumbling upon these garments I was instantly blown away by the detail and knew they needed a place in my wardrobe. Though extremely bold for some, I was certain that the neutral tones used to create this print would make these pieces extremely versatile whether worn as a unit or separately. For my first styling attempt, I chose to pair the top and skirt together creating the illusion of a form fitting frock. At this point it was evident that not much else needed to be done since the foundation of the ensemble was such a statement, however I still had a few key accessories I needed to include. Another trend that has continued to thrive over the last few years is chunky boots. In 2020 I began slowly experimenting with them, but recently I decided to fully commit by adding an off white knee-high pair to my collection. While I could have easily gone for a black or dark brown style, I really wanted to keep the look light and fluid to mimic the overall vibe of the clothing. Sticking with this theme, and to finish off the look, I added a grey crock-embossed bag, tan frames, and a few jewelry pieces that really helped to add those final feminine touches. I don’t think I could have been more pleased with how this outfit turned out, and I can’t wait to recreate it during this holiday party season! Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

In Collabs

ASM X STORIES!

October 29, 2021 No Comments

If I could only choose one brand to shop from for an extended period of time, that truly embodied my personal style, & Other Stories would most likely be it. At this point, I’d say most of my staple and foundational pieces that make up my wardrobe are from there and for good reason! Aside from the on-trend designs, the quality is also unmatched and I love how they introduce various styling techniques from around the globe. Whether producing a collection geared towards Stockholm tailoring or chic and minimal prints that provide a Parisian aesthetic, every time I walk into the store or shop online, I’m met with a fresh new perspective. Another thing I love about this particular retailer, is that it allows me to experiment with styles that may be slightly out of my comfort zone, but I’ve been eager to try. For instance, this longline quilted puffer jacket and chunky lace up boots have been on my list for quite some time but I was hesitant about whether I could pull either of these looks off. To my pleasant surprise when I received the items, I was thrilled with the fit and construction! Additionally, because I was working with a darker color palette, I knew the versatility of these garments would be endless! To further tie these pieces together and complete the ensemble, I opted for a knitted taupe-colored vest top and a tailored pair of leather shorts. For accessories, I reached for a cross-body bag which featured the same olive and black color story as well as gold hardware which matched my jewelry perfectly. Lastly, my black sunnies were the icing on the cake and I was ready for a day of fun Fall activities! If you’re on the hunt for new closet gems that will grow with you and remain current throughout each season, year after year, I highly recommend giving & Other Stories a try! Comment below your favorite featured item, and click the images in a carousel for direct links to shop. Until next time!

In ASM Shop

LEATHER PANTS!

October 24, 2021 No Comments

One of my favorite pieces to pull out of my closet, as soon as the weather gets cool enough, are leather pants. I just love how edgy they are, not to mention the wide variety of colors, textures, and fits that they come in. Whenever I want to make a statement during the Fall or Winter months, I always know that my trousers will never let me down! I’ve rounded up quite a few styles below, so don’t forget to click the images in the carousels for direct links to shop! Until next time!

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In the vault

CAMEL CRAZE!

October 22, 2021 No Comments

Without having done any research, I think it’s safe to assume that camel, burgundy, and khaki would be in the running for most popular Fall colors. For some reason during this time of year, it just seems like the richer and darker shades always go hand in hand with the “cozy vibes” we all seek. In the same vain, are you even doing the season justice if you’re not breaking out those coveted knit pieces? If I had to guess, my collection of knitwear is probably the the most prominent category in my wardrobe, and I just can’t seem to stop it from growing! I’ve had the pleasure of being introduced to a few new brands this year and was graciously gifted a variety of items, including this midi dress from Heartloom. I could not be more impressed with the quality of the garments and knew I would enjoy styling them immediately! This frock initially stood out to me on the website due to the ribbed detailing. Unlike other similar dresses in this fabric, I loved the subtle detail of having the panels increase in size as they flowed down from the neck to the bottom hem. To no-one’s surprise, I’ve also been doing quite a bit of shopping myself. I recently purchased a shearling clutch that I had been waiting to style and accessorize with the perfect ensemble! Because it is a neutral piece, there were many things I could have worn it with but after pairing these new closet gems together, I knew they were a monochrome match made in heaven! In efforts to provide a slight juxtaposition, I grabbed my latest pair of chocolate knee high boots featuring croc-embossed texture, and a tortoise pair of cat eye frames which perfectly blended the light and dark hues. Though fairly simple, I really feel like this outfit packs a chic punch when it comes to the various textiles and contrasting elements. Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

In ASM Shop

CHIC & COZY FALL PIECES!

October 20, 2021 No Comments

When I think of the Autumnal season, the first word that always comes to mind is “cozy.” Below I’ve rounded up a few pieces that are sure to enhance your wardrobe and keep you Fall-ready, whether relaxing at home or out and about! Click the images in the carousels for direct links to the items and until next time!

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