Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Four Favorites: Black Out

Bag || Vest || Sweater || Flats

Ooh is it the weekend yet? I am ready for at least one relaxing day! However, Halloween is tomorrow so there is some excitement during the week. Seriously...this is like an early Christmas for me; I love Halloween! With this spooky day coming up, this week's Four Favorites link-up seems fairly appropriate: favorite black items. I really don't think there are any cuter items out there than the ones I have selected above. Like that bag? The bow is adorable, right?! And the ghost sweater--who doesn't love ghost sweaters?! Anyway, I am going to keep this one short today due to my continued excess of class readings. Enjoy your night and I hope you have a spooktacular Halloween!
<3 Ashley

What are your Halloween plans? 

Want to share your four favorites? Join the weekly linkup hosted by Let It Be Beautiful and Fancy Things. Click the button below!!

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

A Little Tired



I need to go back and find my motivation. I feel like I am in kind of a funk right now and procrastination is rearing its ugly head. Currently I want nothing more than to spend all day in bed reading or watching a movie. For the past three weeks I have been attending classes, meetings and appointments galore; and I'm still waiting for the weekend that I don't need to set an alarm for. Seriously...every weekend I have woken up to an alarm for a football game, some kind of community service or some other plan. This coming weekend will be no exception--I will be present at the Pittsburgh Zoo at 7AM for the Kidney Walk on Sunday. I understand that it's a good idea to be involved and put yourself out there but at what cost?! I really just want a weekend to sleep! I'm sorry that this is such a whiny post but I figure I don't do many of those.

Feel free to do your own whining in the comments below!

<3 Ashley

What's bringing you down right now?

Monday, October 28, 2013

Fashion and Fantasy


Fall is bringing some fun times to Pittsburgh as Pretty Living PR is presenting it's F/W magazine issue Fashion and Fantasy. The magazine launch party will be held November 5th at Perle in Market Square, located in downtown Pittsburgh. The evening will be filled with lots of fun, fashion and local celebrity, many of which are featured in this new issue! A portion proceeds from the party will be donated to Pittsburgh's Make A Wish foundation.

If you're in the Pittsburgh area and have an interest in attending the party, you can purchase general admission and VIP tickets here! More information can be found on the event's Facebook page and their website.

<3 Ashley

Thursday, October 24, 2013

World's Best Haunted Attractions

Image: here

I know what you're thinking, "Two posts in one day?! How much coffee did you have this morning, Ashley?" I promise I only had the one cup. What can I say, Halloween gets me excited. Anyway, for all of my other Halloween and fright night enthusiasts I have a list--the list to end all lists--of the world's spookiest attractions courtesy of the Priority One Jets blog. Take a look here! Eastern State Penitentiary is the closest one to me on the list and SCREAM! at Madam Tussaud's sounds like it could be a good time!

Currently, I don't have the means (or funds!) to venture to any of these attractions; maybe someday! But that doesn't mean I can't get my scare on. Last year, for Halloween my dorm hosted an event called Haunted Holland. It was a haunted house type attraction that took place under the tunnels of the dorms in The Quad--spooky enough, right?! I didn't think it would be as scary since everything was handmade by a bunch of college girls. Boy was I wrong!! The minute we stepped onto the elevator to go down to the tunnels my group was all screams. The actors and sets were actually terrifying; I think the strobe lights may have played a part in the scare factor as well. It was only about four minutes, but it was the best time I've had on Halloween! I can't wait to see how they step it up this year!

<3 Ashley

What is your favorite Halloween memory?

That Time Pizza Was Made Sexy

...this is killing me. (Image: here)

Lately I've noticed a lot of conversation in the blogosphere on the subject of women's Halloween costumes. Earlier this week I read Lyndsay Rush's post on the Everygirl here and then I came across this post on the blog Nothing to Wear here. Both address the "sexy ____" costume. I thought I would share my view on it, no matter how un-earth shattering this may be. 

I'm the kind of person who goes absolutely bananas about Halloween. It was one of my favorite holidays when I was growing up--who wasn't a fan of dressing up funny and going door to door for candy?! Picking my costume was always a fun trip too. In my past I believe I was: a PowerPuff Girl, a Power Ranger, a Pink Lady, and a vampire queen. I tend more toward pop culture icons if you couldn't tell. Just because I've gotten older doesn't mean the same spirit is gone; last year I dressed as Audrey Hepburn and this year I will be donning a platinum wig as Marilyn Monroe--I think college will be my 'famous film star' years. 

As I've gotten older and bigger, I noticed the costumes for my age group getting smaller and skimpier. Now, personally I am not someone who likes to show too much skin. Not because I am fearful of it or anything, I just don't see it as ladylike. I also tend to actually despise the costumes themselves and how they are marketed. Can we talk about how there is "sexy" anything anymore--Sexy Nurse, Sexy Firefighter, Sexy Elmo, and my personal favorite, Sexy Pizza. Can we just stop? Sexy Elmo made me shed a tear but Sexy Pizza is where I draw the line. Not only do these costumes tend to look, let's be honest...not that cute, but it's also freaking cold on Halloween night! At least it is here in Pittsburgh. How people survive in those tiny outfits in 40 degree weather is beyond my comprehension.

I love this holiday and I love dressing up. But no longer do I rely on Halloween retailers to come up with my costume. Sure I get accessories like my wig for Marilyn or my gloves for Audrey, but the bulk of my costume comes from what I already own. Both this year and last year I had dresses already in my ownership! Let's face it, ladies pay WAY too much for those tiny outfits--pretty sure Sexy Pizza was around $60! Get creative, ladies and do something awesome for Halloween this year!

<3 Ashley

What are you dressing as for Halloween this year?

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

I'll Tumblr For Ya

Image: here

About 2 years ago I created a Tumblr account (like everyone else) and was fairly active on it, though no where near my activity on Pinterest! I didn't last too long on Tumblr though. I didn't really know what to do with it. I just kinda reblogged pretty pictures and didn't look back on them. Then this year my roommate told me about how she is a religious user of the site and uses it as her online diary reblogging inspirational quotes and pictures often reflecting her mood and what is going on in her life. I thought this was an interesting way to use the site. So I've decided to give it another go! I've started back up on Tumblr again, though I'm still not as consistent with posting. It is kind of therapeutic to go on a quote posting spree and then go back through and see some great words to live by. 

<3 Ashley

Do you use Tumblr? What do you use it for?

Monday, October 21, 2013

Weekend Wrap-Up: Family Weekend

My brother and I with Mr. Rogers outside of Heinz Field

Okay, so I took a look at my calendar for the week last night and nearly threw myself down on the floor. No breaks yet I'm afraid! Two papers due, a quiz and an exam are on the agenda for this week. I'm not too worried about the quiz (it's algebra) and the exam isn't stressing me out too much; it's those darn papers! Looks like I will be busting out OmmWriter again because there is no way I can really focus anywhere on this campus; I'm that one weird girl who actually cannot focus that well in the library.

Part of the reason I feel so overwhelmed may have something to do with the fact that I have NOT gotten anything done this past weekend. Now, this wasn't because I have suddenly become a slacker! This weekend was family weekend so my days were filled with family fun. The got in Friday night and we had as late dinner at the Hard Rock and then Saturday was our football game against Old Dominion. Despite the chilling temps and the downpour we sat through at the beginning I had a great time spending time with my brother at the game. Unfortunately the weekend is over and we are back to normal. Back to work, folks!

<3 Ashley

How was your weekend?

Thursday, October 17, 2013

It's Official!

Image: here

Okay, so this probably doesn't warrant an entire overly excited blog post but hey! After a annoying period of bouncing around temperatures (thanks for the wardrobe games, Pittsburgh!) it looks like the 50s and 60s are here to stay. I have switched out my closet which is now brimming with sweaters and flannel pajamas are ready at a moment's notice.

On another happy note: my finals week just became a little more bearable with the discovery of a little concert coming to the Peterson Center--a building on campus. I am paying $50 to see Backstreet Boys, The Fray, Five for Fighting, Gavin Degraw, Plain White T's, and Avril Lavigne...kinda solid for $50, right?! It seems that there is happiness beyond midterms! Haha!

<3 Ashley

What are you excited about in the coming months?

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Holiday Decor: Jack-o-Lanterns

Image: here

Well we're about half way through October (one of the best months!) which means we're pretty much half way to Halloween! My roommate and I are still scrambling to complete our costumes and bring a little taste of Halloween to our room. Tomorrow we're venturing out to a local farmer's market to pick up some pumpkins that we WON'T be able to carve but will definitely be taking a sharpie to. We've been back and forth with ideas of how we want to design our pumpkins and have been looking for inspiration all over the internet. Check out some of the best ones we've found!


This one has to be the cutest! Cinderella's carriage actually carved out of a pumpkin! 


We found a lot of pumpkins that people carved famous painting into. Neither of us are that artistically inclined, but these are very cool!


This is also a really cool option if you can't actually carve your pumpkin; just grab some yarn!

<3 Ashley

How do you decorate for Halloween?

Monday, October 14, 2013

Help A Sister Out?

Image: here

Well that was quite the break! I recognize the fact that we are 14 days into October and I have a grand total of like 5-6 posts up. But this is midterm season and I have an exam TOMORROW! This entire weekend has consisted of me sitting at a table with all books open trying to make sense of the French Revolution while taking study breaks to watch football with everyone else on the floor. Anyway things are starting to come together and a feeling of preparedness is starting to come over me, so I thought I would slip in a little blog post before recommencing the study session.

I actually would really love your opinion on something! I am looking on some fashion advice. Sweater weather and boot season is upon us and I have one pair of boots that is giving me some trouble. I bought a pair of white boots from Charlotte Russe a year or two ago and I still don't know what I am going to wear them with! But I have to wear them, you know? They look like the boot pictured above. So what would one wear with white boots? What color top? Dark wash jeans? I don't know!

<3 Ashley

Any suggestions?

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Sweater Weather

Image: here

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that I am not the only one who has fully embraced autumn and October. Pittsburgh is slowly but surely making the transition into autumn. We keep getting little teasers of 60 degree weather and then the next few days will be 70-80 degrees. But I won't complain; the leaves are changing and the mornings and evenings are cooler which means it's pretty much that time of year...sweater weather. I actually just came into the ownership of some new sweaters from H&M which were buy one get one free. I would've been irresponsible if I'd turned that down! I can't wait for the temperature to be consistent so I can dress cozy everyday!

<3 Ashley

Do you love sweater weather as much as I do?

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Life As Of Late

The rains that I woke up to in the morning

Hey all!

Sorry I was so absent yesterday. I had every intention of posting but the general atmosphere around here lately did not allow for that. I got some pretty upsetting news this weekend and then I was so tired yesterday and it was raining and all of this conspired to make a very subdued, not too talkative Ashley.

But I'm back! I really don't have anything too too exciting planned for today so I will just catch you up on my life. We are halfway through the first semester of sophomore year and I am already so over this. TOO MUCH READING!! I took a few exams already and didn't do has hot as I would have liked; I still need to figure out how to study for these classes. I need to take my own advice and take some time to relax and calm down. But socially this year is already so much better since I came in with a set of friends from last year and my floor in my residence hall is so friendly! Plus, it's a co-ed floor this year which I definitely am NOT complaining about. Haha!

To be honest, there isn't too much excitement to report on. Just a lot of stressful weekends and late nights studying in the lounge.

<3 Ashley

How have you been lately?

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Things to Do in Fall

Image: here

Good day folks! Can you believe it's Thursday already? Hooray! Last night we celebrated the middle of the week (and did some de-stressing) and did some solid shopping--Happy Hump Day, right? I got a pair of boots at Forever 21 that I can fit my calves into, some basics at H&M and two sweaters (they had a by one get one free sale!) I also managed to grab a wig for my Halloween costume; Marilyn Monroe is almost complete!

Between the sweaters, boots and Halloween costume I am even more excited for this 70 degree weather to leave and be replaced by temps in the 50s and 60s! There are so many things that I am anticipating doing this fall that I haven't done or done in while. Here's a list of some great fall activities that I'm sure we would all love:

1. Apple picking. I grew up in a part of the state where apple orchards out number the people--and I've only been apple picking once! Plus my diet is seriously lacking in fruit right now. In the off chance somebody knows of an apple orchard around Pittsburgh, drop me a comment!

2. Pumpkin patch. My friends and I have been talking about this one a lot lately. Unfortunately we won't be able to attend the pumpkin patch that the school program committee organized. But we do have a friend with a car and we are adamant about getting a pumpkin to place outside the door--which I'm sure someone will promptly destroy.

3. Hayride. I've only been on one of these too! But I think it would be fun to take a hayride with a group of friends in the evening; accompanied by apple cider of course!

4. Haunted House. There is a pretty solid haunted house that the school puts together in October that I'm sure we will go to, but we've also been playing with the idea of going to a real one. Hundred Acres Manor is one nearby that the program committee has organized a trip to but I don't know how scared I want to get! Haha!

Hopefully I can do at least two of these this year!

<3 Ashley

What activities do you like to do in the fall?

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Four Favorites: Fall Trends


Can you believe we're already halfway through the week?! In my experience, that's the sign of a good week--one that moves along! Today I am linking up with Ashlyn at Let It Be Beautiful and Kristin over at Fancy Things for the Four Favorites link-up! As you can probably tell by how much I participate, this is one of my favorite link-ups! This week's theme is favorite fall trends. I've talked about leopard and leather enough (that post here!) but also on my radar are stripes, especially in sweaters, and metallics. At first I wasn't a fan of the metallic thing--made me think of that move Zenon and those outfits!--but it has definitely grown on me. I'm actually going shopping later this evening; maybe I will pick up a few of these trends!

<3 Ashley



What are your favorite fall trends? Join in on the link-up!

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Hello, October

Image: here

Well September has come and gone and we are now greeted by October. October is one of my favorite months because I feel that it is the perfect fall month. The leaves are changing rapidly and the sound of crunching leaves now accompanies my jogs in the park. Pumpkin spice everything is available. And of course Halloween is at the end of the month; I am already starting to gather the pieces for my costume.

This month on the blog, fall and Halloween will be prominent themes. Costumes, decorations and sweets are something that I like to think I specialize in. If you have any suggestions or anything you would like to see on All That Glitters in the month of October, please comment or email me and let me know! I love getting feedback from you guys. :)

<3 Ashley

What is your favorite thing about October? What would you like to see on ATG this month?
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