A Styled Mind
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In the vault

BACK TO BUSINESS

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I find suits to be such staple pieces that truly never get the credit they deserve for being one of the most powerful, yet classic looks an individual can wear. Especially for women, they tend to make a chic yet strong statement when worn no matter what the occasion may be. While I do have a few favorites of my own, in a variety of styles, this one was definitely unlike anything in my current wardrobe. The fit itself, would probably make this co-ord the most feminine set I own. From the cropped skinny trousers and double-breasted jacket, I couldn’t help but feel like the baddest girl boss in town! Unlike most separates, suits allow the focus to remain on the accessories since the outfit is essentially complete from the beginning. Because of the eye-catching details, it was imperative that I let the pinstriped garments speak for themselves and not be overshadowed by the bells and whistles. To coordinate with the black button accents, I chose a sleek pair of mules as footwear. In efforts to brighten things up, since I was working with a fairly dark color palette, I didn’t hesitate to grab my baby blue studded bucket bag. It’s no secret that I love a good cross-body and this one in particular added the perfect pop of color to break up the ensemble and add some dimension to the look as a whole. Lastly, a pair of statement earrings never hurt, so I was more than happy to incorporate them and bring a more formal, glam element to the outfit. I loved how this look was the perfect balance of sophistication and edginess. On a more casual day, I wouldn’t hesitate to throw on a crisp pair of white sneakers to really incorporate some sporty elements as well. Let me know in the comments if you prefer more traditional, or classic styles of suits and how you would style them for the Fall. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Blazer- Eggie 

Trousers- Eggie

Heels- Steve Madden

Bag- Zara

Earrings- Aldo

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In Collabs

OUT OF THE BOX (ft. EGGIE)

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Being a person who always loves to create the best content possible, it can sometimes be nerve-racking when items arrive that don’t exactly fit the vision in the way you expected them to. One thing that’s so intriguing about the fashion industry is that it’s not “one size fits all;” and because of that, there are times when it may take a bit of extra effort to style a piece specific to your body type. While working with the Eggie brand, they allow me to select pieces from their catalog that coincide best with my personal style. Though this dark floral printed dress caught my eye, especially as we’re moving closer to the end of Summer, I didn’t quite expect it to fit the way it did. To be honest, upon initially trying it on, I didn’t think it was flattering for my shape at all. Specifically, because I have broad shoulders and a fuller bust, the cut of the neckline simply made me look boxy and quite wide. Unfortunately, I didn’t have much time to pull this ensemble together and it wasn’t until the moment I was about to shoot that I suddenly had an idea. The frock came with a tie detail at the front and due to the lack of support I was feeling, I wondered if by tying the fabric around my neck in a halter-style, I could achieve the look I was going for. This small detail completely turned this photo-shoot around for me, and I instantly went from a feeling of uncertainty, to elevated confidence and security. With that issue resolved I was ready to finish pulling together the rest of my outfit with my very worn-in pair of white leather converse and my geometric frames for a modern take on this Victorian-inspired garment. At this point, though my look was nearly complete, I still wanted to add a few more accessories for an extra layer of interest. I felt that my wood basket cross-body bag was the perfect item, as it was neutral and still captured the essence of the season. Lately I’ve also been into mixing metals, so my mini gold hoops were an unexpected touch that just seemed to fit effortlessly. I was genuinely proud of how this ensemble turned out because it forced me to think outside of the box and create a look that was specific to accentuating my frame in the best way. Were you ever forced to wear something unconventionally to make it more complimentary to your body type? Comment below and until next time!

Outfit  Details & Links:

Dress- Eggie

Sneakers- Converse

Bag- Free People

Earrings- & Other Stories

Sunglasses- Quay

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In Collabs

TORTOISE + LACE (ft. EGGIE)

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This look was a complete breath of fresh air because it seems like all I’ve been wearing lately are various forms of printed and/or slip dresses. When I was contacted by the Eggie team again for a second collaboration, I went in with the mindset of selecting pieces that represented my style but were also different than the frocks I had been gravitating towards. They sent me about 4 pieces, and I instantly knew that this white lace top was one of the first items I had to style. Despite the high Summer temperatures, denim was the first thing I thought of when imagining what I would pair with this piece. On a recent shopping trip, I found these loose fitting high-waisted boyfriend style jeans that I knew I had to have. They gave the most chill and relaxed feel that made me think of the 90’s and how without even trying, every girl appeared so effortlessly cool. I also felt that they created the perfect silhouette to contrast against the dainty, feminine garment I had been sent. Though the lace was delicate, the bralette that it came with created a sportier and more casual vibe that provided a nice balance for the overall look. As a wild card, I thought it would be interesting to incorporate a statement shoe and these chunky, tortoise-print heeled sandals were exactly what I needed to bring my vision to life. They are so incredibly comfortable I was surprised it had taken me this long to style them on my blog; I’ve literally been living in them! As a final touch to tie everything together, I chose an eye-catching pair of earrings featuring gold and wood accents. Though this was the only accessory I incorporated, I loved how much they complimented the color palette of my ensemble in the best way. All in all, though fairly simple, this look was the reset I needed to step out of the box and bring more versatility back into my wardrobe. Comment below your favorite piece, and until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- Eggie

Jeans- Zara

Heels- Zara

Earrings- Zara

 

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In Collabs

ASM X WHO WHAT WEAR (PT. 2)

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There are a few common factors I truly love and tend to stick to when it comes to my personal style; one being, stepping outside of my comfort zone. When I selected this dress from the Who What Wear collection catalog, I was instantly intrigued by the cut, but didn’t actually consider how I would style it. Upon receiving the garment and trying it on, I became slightly more concerned as it was a lot more feminine than I had expected. It was such a sweet piece that honestly reminded me of a 1940’s frock, but with a modern twist. I figured I could take the easier route that I’m used to and throw on a pair of sneakers, or simply play into the theme and see what happens. Without hesitation I chose the latter and began thinking of accessories that could help me transform this look into something that was more up my alley. Because the dress was so vibrant on its own, I quickly realized that incorporating any neutral pieces would only bring down the boldness of the outfit as a whole. After a few more considerations, it finally hit me; color-blocking was the way to go! To further intensify the brightness, I decided to add my satin fuchsia pumps and really take this lady-like style to the next level. It’s so interesting to me how clothing can truly alter your mood and bring out different aspects of your personality. For me, this look made me feel so prim and proper, I couldn’t help but feel like going to Tiffany’s for the chicest breakfast of all time! Lastly, to complete the ensemble, I found a pale-yellow cylinder bag which oddly enough meshed with the other tones perfectly. I liked that although it was a striking color, it was still muted enough to not clash with the rest of the outfit. With every look I create, I am excited to challenge myself and try new styling techniques that allow me to step outside of the box. It can be very easy to wear the same pieces and become complacent in your daily wardrobe, but it never hurts to freshen things up a bit! Comment below a garment you never thought you’d like/wear but ended up really enjoying after giving it a try. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Dress- Who What Wear

Heels- & Other Stories

Bag- Mango

Earrings- & Other Stories

 

 

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In Collabs

ASM X THE GEISHA HOUSE

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I love doing collaborations with brands, especially when they are companies I wouldn’t have ordinarily found on my own. The Geisha House is a Philadelphia-based boutique that prides itself on stocking effortless, trendy pieces from a variety of brands for every type of girl who is confident enough to let her style speak for itself. Because they so graciously gifted me 3 pieces, I decided to create a mini look-book, showcasing the different genres that make up my personal style. The first look was definitely the most casual/streetstyle inspired. I would never go so far as to consider myself a “tomboy,” however I do have a deep love for contrast, and the pairing of dresses and sneakers never seems to get old. The vibrant salmon color of the slip dress was absolutely gorgeous and I instantly knew I wanted to channel my inner “cool-girl.” I decided to test the waters and layer a hawaiian shirt over the frock to really capture the laid back essence Summer brings. Finally, with my cat-eye frames, monogram necklace, and matching gold hoops, I was beyond pleased with how the look came together!

Outfit Details & Links: Shirt// Dress// Socks// Sneakers// Sunglasses// Necklace// Earrings

 

For the second look I decided to keep the jewelry the same, but this time create a more elevated and chic ensemble, using this animal printed skirt as the focal piece. I’ve seen so many variations of satin skirts over the last few seasons but I’ve never seen one quite like this. Unlike the usual styles, this one in particular appears to have a blended print of all the wild jungle cats which definitely made it stand out to me. To play off of this bold garment, I knew I wanted to tie in a blazer to further enhance the strong, “boss babe” style I was going for. Underneath, I added a cut-out bodysuit which seamlessly tied both patterned items together, and my bright orange heeled sandals for an unexpected pop of color. As a final touch, I added my aviator frames and was ready to get down to business…or just go to brunch, lol.

Outfit Details & Links: Blazer//Bodysuit// Skirt// Heels// Sunglasses// Necklace// Earrings

 

For my final look, I ended up creating an outfit that is honestly not my typical style, but was more of a preppy/quirky take on the movie Clueless. I knew I didn’t want to style this neon knit tank on it’s own, so I immediately began thinking of ways to layer it. I already had the shorts and boots combo in mind but it was just a matter of finding the perfect piece to complete this “wildcard” of a look, and make it my own. After a few more attempts and rummaging through my closet, there it was; the lace shirt I had been looking for! Once it was all said an done, I felt somewhere between an extra in a 90’s teen drama and Buttercup from the Powerpuff Girls; but all in all, I was happy with it. Definitely check out the relaunch of The Geisha House website for all of your Summer fashion needs, and use my code: ASHLEY20 for 20% off. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links: Lace Shirt// Tank Top// Shorts// Boots// Earrings

 

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In the vault

PLAYSUIT PARTY

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There are certain pieces that need absolutely no introduction or major selling point and this playsuit was one of them! As soon as I saw it online, I knew it would be a standout garment for my Summer wardrobe as well as a memorable item that would instantly turn heads. During my first try-on, I immediately saw how much personality and flare this romper had. From the voluminous sleeves, to the bold contrasting print, I knew that to pull this off I would have to be my most confident self. As per usual, when I style a look around one focal piece, I tend to downplay the rest of the accessories so that the item I want to stand out will really “pop.” For this reason, I chose a sleek black mule to streamline the ensemble as well as give my legs some added length. To my surprise because of the heel height in comparison to the short-shorts, I really looked like I had grown about a foot on camera! Lastly, I decided to finish off the outfit with some pops of gold, so I reached for my sequin pineapple bag and small hoops that I’ve literally been wearing nonstop. Though I never really discuss it specifically, I think it’s important to call out just how important selecting a location is to my photoshoot process. On this particular day, we happened to stumble across this white scaffolding (which is very common in NYC) but for some reason it stuck out to me more than usual. The coloring alone definitely made it more appealing, as well as the circular lighting on the ceiling which gave a cleaner more photogenic look, while complimenting the spots on my jumpsuit. I say all of this to say, that the work I put in goes way beyond the clothes; everything plays a role in capturing those perfect shot(s) and I’m glad that you like what ‘m creating. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Romper- Zara

Heels- Steve Madden

Bag- Zara

 

 

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In Collabs

HOME ALONE (ft. Burrow House)

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As a blogger who does most of her shooting outdoors, there’s always a chance that unexpected weather conditions can alter the plans and force a last minute location change. Luckily, on this particular weekend, I was well aware that it would be raining so I thought ahead. I had seen a few bloggers use the furniture store, Burrow House, to host events as well as a photoshoot backdrop. Aside from the store being beautifully curated, it’s also an incredibly photogenic space with all of the cozy vibes you could ever imagine! Unlike other home-good retailers I’ve seen, Burrow House does an excellent job at designing their stores to really make the customer feel at home and get a feel for how each piece would live in their own private spaces. Upon walking in, I was instantly drawn to this deep caramel-colored leather couch and knew it would be the perfect center piece for my shoot. Everything felt so natural, as if I was in my own living room which helped compliment the casual outfit I had styled. I was holding onto this plaid jacket for quite some time planning the perfect moment to style it, to the point where I began to get nervous if I had waited too long and it was out of season. After thinking of possible scenarios where I could where this garment, the thought of cool Summer nights on the boardwalk came to mind and I began mentally crafting my ensemble. I found these denim paper-bag waist shorts on sale during a recent shopping trip, and in efforts to keep things simple, paired them with a white button up with eyelet detailing. Because this was such a classic look, I chose to keep the focus on the outerwear and finish it off with minimal heeled sandals featuring a vinyl strap and sage colored earrings to tie everything together. I truly felt right at home and loved how this editorial turned out! Let me know in the comments what a rainy day at home looks like for you; mine would certainly consist of tea, music, and a few good movies. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Jacket- Eggie

Top- Who What Wear Collection

Shorts- Topshop

Heels- Zara

Earrings- Kendra Scott

 

 

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In the vault

SUNNYSIDE

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I learned a very valuable lesson in regards to trusting my gut, when I purchased this dress. I had an event that I had been looking forward to for several months and was on the hunt for an outfit that would truly make me stand out among the crowd (SPOILER ALERT: I did see another girl wearing this frock the same day, but the show must go on!). When I first began my search, I was unsure of which direction I wanted to go in and contemplated every possible option I could think of: jumpsuit, two-piece, short dress, long dress, perhaps even a romper? I quickly began feeling like my thoughts were out of a Dr. Seuss book and knew that time was running out, so I had to make a decision. I ended up narrowing down my list to 5 solid selections that I knew I couldn’t go wrong with; and though I already knew which look I was leaning towards most, I still took another week to ask the opinions of every person I could find. From best friends to coworkers, I even allowed my Mom to chime in and give her two cents. At the end of the day, I had a tough decision to make because to my surprise no one chose the outfit that was my personal favorite. So, I had to wonder, did they see something I didn’t? Was this piece truly as great as I thought it was? Finally, I just took the plunge and purchased this vibrant yellow number with no regrets! Because this was such a statement-making garment, I chose minimal accessories that would simply compliment the overall look. The event was held at a park, so I knew I wanted shoes that were comfortable, yet stylish. Unfortunately, these lace-up heels became a bit of a hassle as the day wore on; but for the purposes of my ensemble, they were exactly what I was looking for! The simple strings and clear chunky heel really helped to elongate my legs and emphasize the high-low hem of the dress. On the actual day of the occasion however, I did think more practically and threw a pair of flats in my bag just to be safe. Lastly, I completed the outfit with my black cat-eye frames and was ready to partake in all the festivities! When it comes to personal style, it truly is all about wearing what makes you feel most confident. Had I chosen another clothing option, I’m sure I would have looked nice, but I may have also lost sight of the moment by questioning if I had made the right decision. Luckily everything worked out, and I definitely feel like this Summer so far has been off to a great start! Comment below a time you wore something that not everyone agreed with but truly made you feel your best. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Dress- For Love & Lemons

Sandals- Mango

Bag- Free People

Sunglasses- Mango

 

 

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In ASM Shop

ONE-SHOULDER TOPS (PT.2)

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One-shoulder tops have really become increasingly popular this year. What I love most about them is the versatility they possess as well as the different style genres they can be incorporated with. Whether sporty, girly, or just plain chic these tops leave a lasting  impression when styled with any look. Check out the versions I’ve rounded up below and don’t forget to click the images to shop my  picks. Until next time!

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In the vault

FLIRTY FLORALS

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With just a few days left until June, my Summer wardrobe is almost complete and ready to be showcased with a number of looks and new pieces I’ve collected recently. Naturally, floral prints are always a front runner this time of year, but I’ve also been drawn to square necklines more than ever. This particular silhouette is one that has really taken off in regards to being a major trend, and as flattering as it is, I certainly can’t complain! Aside from the overall style of this frock, I was also attracted to the “leafier” print that adorned this garment. Typically, I’m used to seeing brighter, bolder, and more standard looking flowers as soon as the cold weather begins to break; so, I appreciated the subtler approach. In efforts to represent the essence of the season accurately, I wanted to stay away from darker colors and keep the look light and fresh with neutral accessories. Luckily, I found the most interesting pair of taupe sandals with leather straps to tie around the foot in a slightly unique, yet retro way. The shoes also featured a silver accent detail which made them even more eye-catching and interesting especially when reflected by the sunlight. Because of the low heel, they were super easy to maneuver in, and the beige-color was versatile enough to style with literally anything! I decided to tie the look together with another popular accessory, my woven straw bag. Since it’s fairly large, it is the perfect piece for any park, picnic, or beach days that are bound to arise during the upcoming months. Lastly, I kept things classic with a pair of mixed metal hoops and was on my way! Some people identify Summer as one of the harder seasons to dress for, as remaining cool and not over-heating is always top priority. In these instances, I’ve found that fun accessories are the best option to turn a basic look into something that is still effortless and chic. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Dress- & Other Stories

Sandals- & Other Stories

Bag- Topshop

Earrings- Zara

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