Coffee Table Books

I bought this book "100 Years of Fashion" by Cally Blackman closer to the beginning of the school year and just got the chance to look through it yesterday. It is a look at fashion in the past century through some of the most beautiful photos ever. I highly recommend it, especially if you aspire to enter into the fashion industry. It's nice to know your history. ;)

In general, coffee table books are a great thing to have around. They are great for decorating, are good conversation starters, and if you do get the chance really go through one, are very interesting and educational.

Some other good books to look into:

Diana Vreeland by Eleanor Dwight

Allure by Diana Vreeland

Dior by Ferid Chenoune

Unseen Vogue: The Secret History of Fashion Photography by Robin Derrick

Balenciaga Paris by Fabian Baron

Chanel: Collections and Creations by Daniele Bott

Christian Louboutin by Christian Louboutin

Hope you find some of these interesting!! 

<3 Ashley

What kind of coffee table books would you be interested in?

Christmas Cookies: Gingerbread Man

I thought to kick off the Christmas cookie season I would start off with a recipe I found for the classic gingerbread man cookie! If you haven't had the chance to indulge in one you are certainly missing out. I would advise you to hurry to the store for these ingredients and whip up a batch.

Here is what you will need:

- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 2-3 tsp. ground ginger
- 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp. ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup dark molasses
- 2 tbsp. cider vinegar
- 1 egg
- powdered sugar icing

What you need for icing:

- 2 cups sifted powdered sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 2-3 tbsp. milk or orange juice

Find the directions for making the cookies and icing here! This recipe makes 30 cookies, so there are plenty to go around for a holiday party! :)

<3 Ashley

What are your favorite cookies for the holidays? 

TGIF Pins

Well technically this is a day late, but it is better than nothing right. Just think about how all screwed up my blogging schedule will be with the looming cloud that is finals coming up! But an effort will be made on my part, this I promise you. This weekend I can already tell you has been one well spent with the girls. There is nothing that does my heart well more than a weekend staying up and laughing our hardest. But enough of the touching stuff...here are the pins of the week :)

Fashion

Shoes

Accessories

Beauty

Home

Food

Travel

Humor

There they are; the past week in pins. Before I close, I would like to wish everyone a happy December and would like to remind you that Monday I will start including daily (or close to daily!) cookie recipes to try for Christmas. 

<3 Ashley

A Bit of An Edge

Hello all!

Words cannot describe my happiness as the semester is quickly coming to a close. I cannot wait to go home for Christmas and get back to work making some money. :) But as we are getting closer, I have started going through my closet to get ready to take some things out to put in some new purchases after the holidays. I happened upon some pieces that I, for the most part, have not broken out yet. So I said, "Why not?" and wore them together and was pleasantly surprised. The look was overall pretty edgy, which is not how I usually dress; I dress a little more light and pretty. Throughout the day I was taken by the compliments that I received from people all over campus.

I was beyond in love with this skirt when I bought it, but never had a chance to wear it. It is sheer with a shorter, solid black skirt underneath and a faux leather band at the waist. This skirt moves beautifully.

A cropped lace jacket over a slouchy Blondie tour t-shirt.

Black boots that have become neglected but were very comfortable to wear walking across campus.

This entire outfit, aside from the boots, is entirely from Forever 21 (boots from Charlotte Russe.) I have not had a huge inspiration to take many chances lately, but I loved this and the reactions I got. It honestly does not hurt to put in that little extra something to make an outfit really stand out especially, if you are like me at all, you are usually more toned down with your style. Moral of the story: TAKE SOME CHANCES! 

<3 Ashley

Will you take some chances with something you don't usually wear?

Winter Warmth

With autumn and the fast approaching winter comes the bitter cold outside. For those when you must go outside rather than staying cozy by the fire, here are some cozy coat suggestions! (Including one from my own collection)

1. The Pea Coat

I bought this coral beauty at New York & Co. on Black Friday for a whopping $39.99 rather than the original $109. I must say, I am a recent fan of NY&Co. but I have noticed that when they have sales...boy do they have sales! It would not hurt to check it out once in awhile. Plus, this pea coat is heavier than the other coats I own, so it is much warmer in this cool Pittsburgh weather.

2. Classic Trench

While I am by no means urging you to stretch your budget and run out to get the latest Burberry, I must say there is nothing unfashionable about a classic trench coat. While they may not be as heavy as other coats, layering will be your friend when it comes to this coat.

3. Cape

Yes...I am fairly obsessed with this right now. How could I not be? How darling are capes?! Just make sure you are wearing a long sleeved garment underneath! This one here can be found on Etsy for $109

4. Parka

I must say, I have seen a lot of these walking around campus. It makes sense too; they are sensible and comfortable while looking cute too (not an easy feat!) You can even find some with a faux fur lining around the hood.

5. Puffer Jacket

I am not 100% a fan of this one. Not saying I don't like it, some people can truly pull it off. Personally, I think that it is easy to find your way into Michelin Man territory. Put having at least tried one on, they are very warm and get the job done. After all, at the end of the day you want to arrive home without any frozen limbs!

<3 Ashley

What style will you try out this winter?

Post-Thanksgiving

Well hello there!

Just a small post to start off the day; there will be another today since I do have some catching up to do. ;) My Thanksgiving was all I could ever ask for and more. It was my first time home since move-in day and I was so glad to see everyone. Both my pumpkin pie (which I will post the recipe for later to close out the November recipe series) and that homemade cranberry sauce that I posted earlier in the month were huge hits! Let me tell you, that cranberry sauce was sooooo  much better than the canned stuff and it was so easy to make! I would definitely suggest it for next year. :)

Then of course there was the Black Friday shopping. I got an amazing coat from New York & Company which was priced at $39.99! That was definitely a difference from the regular $109. I will share a picture of it in my next blog later today. I suppose it is time at last to discuss winter coats.

<3 Ashley

How was your Thanksgiving weekend?

Happy Thanksgiving

I just wanted to wish all of my friends here in the U.S. a very happy Thanksgiving. I probably won't be able to write anything tomorrow due to the fact  I will be filling my plate without any guilt. :) My family is the one doing the hosting this year, and we are all pretty flustered with all the work that we still have to do. We will be working on the stuffing and cranberry sauce tonight. The pies have been baked and look mouthwatering! I am not too thrilled about waking up at 5 AM tomorrow to put the turkey in, but I figure I can get a good run in after I do that. Then of course we can make our way to mashed potatoes and veggies! Dinner starts at noon over here. Then we will be relaxing with some football and a classic parade. :)

My message to you tonight is this: Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Enjoy the company of your amazing family. Eat all the delicious food that has, without exaggeration, been slaved over. Give thanks for what you have.

<3 Ashley

What are your Thanksgiving plans?