A Styled Mind
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Ashley

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STATEMENT EARRINGS

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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!

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SHOWSTOPPER

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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

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WINTER HEELS

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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!

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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

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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

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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

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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!

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“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

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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

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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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