A Little Ray of Sunshine

Image: here

I think we can all agree that the sun has been fairly M.I.A. through this winter (at least it has been in Pittsburgh!) We did get a little glimpse of it thought this weekend with some nice temperatures as well. Alas, yesterday I woke up and saw snowflakes falling--curse you, Father Winter! But I did get a little sunshine in my day; however, it wasn't the natural sun that we are all craving.

ATG and I were nominated for the Sunshine Award by the lovely ladies over at The Attic! I love awards like these because they are given to bloggers by their blogging peers. I am beyond thrilled that they considered my blog when they were coming up with their nominee list.

So here are the specifics of the Sunshine Award:
1) Display the award on your ever deserving blog
2) Say "thank you" to the wonderful person to have nominated you
3) Give us 10 interesting things about yourself
4) Nominate some of your favorite blogs
5) Link to those blogs in your post and let them know that you've nominated them!

10 Things about Ashley (you may or may not find them interesting...)

- I'm an ISFJ (that's Introverted Sensing Feeling Judging) as determined by the Myers-Briggs personality test. I actually find this to be super accurate for me personally.
- I still harbor dreams of being a princess at Disney World. Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty are my personal preferences.
- I'm super interested in history. It is currently my minor and I'm considering making it my second major.
- My favorite color is gold. I didn't really think this was interesting before, but my friends pointed out to me that I am the only person they know that has named gold as a favorite.
- I'm not a huge Beyonce fan. Are you still breathing? Haha! My friends can't even deal with me when I say this...but it's true.
- My favorite Girl Scout cookie is the Samoa (or if you're like me you still refer to them as Caramel DeLights)
- I thoroughly enjoy watching black and white movies. There's just something glamorous and simple about them compared to today's movies.
- I'm still holding my breath for an NSYNC reunion tour. It's gonna happen right?
- I used to play baseball and that was the only team sport I have ever played. I'm not a hugely athletic person but sometimes I still like to grab a glove and go outside to toss the ball around.
- I love to cook! We are all thrilled because next year we are getting an apartment style dorm with a kitchen. We even have a Pinterest board devoted to recipes we want to try!

Next step, nominate some blogs! There are so many out there that I read daily, but I will only list a few because let's be honest, this list could go on for days!

My nominees (check them out!):

Mel's Corner
Petitgraphie
PattyGraceKelly
Momentary Lapse of Reality
Pretty. Random. Things.

<3 Ashley

A Little Disconnect

The view of downtown from the Monongahela Incline this weekend.

Peek-a-boo! I really do apologize that I have so many of these silent periods anymore. For some reason it has been so difficult for me to get organized and get my thoughts together. But I'm working on it, I promise! It is not entirely a bad thing though. Through the past week I have been generally inactive on most of my social media. I mean, it helps that I have had reading and assignments galore for classes. What I'm saying is, it's been a nice little period of disconnect for me. I've been trying to look at my phone less and enjoy my quiet, down time and take some more time to experience the world around me. This past weekend I got the chance to get off campus and spend an evening (dinner included!) downtown. It was definitely well-deserved, I think, after all of the stress I have experienced lately. I didn't get the position on campus that I interviewed for; however, I'm over that now...there are other opportunities to get involved! I have also been blazing through my most recent read, "Where'd You Go, Bernadette?" so expect a new Book Club post soon! Hopefully, I can back on the blogging horse again. But please be patient with me. :)

<3 Ashley

How have you been lately?

Lunar Gala: The Show

The show opened with the collection, Cocoon designed by Miriam Buchwald

I was thrilled when I received an invitation a few weeks ago to Carnegie Mellon's student run event, the Lunar Gala fashion show.  There wasn't a chance that I was going to miss out on a fun Saturday night of fashion and music so I grabbed a friend, dressed to the nines and happily (read: finally!) ventured out of my dorm for a night of fun.

I was very impressed by the overall setup and organization of the show. I don't think I really understood how skilled the night's featured designers would be! The show was made up of two acts, each featuring a handful of designers and their collections. Each collection was unique and had a little something that made it stand out from each of the others, guaranteeing quite a degree of originality in one room! While I did love each and every collection I would be lying if I said I didn't have some favorites. From time to time my friend and I would lean over to each other and communicate our thoughts over the music.

The first collection to really capture my attention was Heteroptera. Designed by junior Liana Kong, the collection features beautiful garments that would appear to have some sort of flaw. She says that she wanted to create pieces that did have slight mutations "to evoke a sense of human destruction on other living creatures as well as themselves." (quote from here) 

The dress on the left above is from Senhua designed by Chloe Chia, Alex Kane and Jessica Shen. The piece on the right is from Dilate by Gina Huang, Irene Joung and Angelina Namkung.

Pictured on the left is a piece from the Lumi collection designed by Christin Bongiorni and Mia Skinner. The one on the right was featured in the collection, Mureaux designed by Jacqueline Yeung and Shivani Jain.

I had a great time and it was very easy to see why the show was SOLD OUT! There is definitely some talent here in Pittsburgh in terms of designers, models and dancers (who featured between various collections!) Great job to everyone involved with the Lunar Gala!

<3 Ashley

If you were there, what was your favorite collection? If you weren't what do you think of the ones pictured here?

All photos in this post are my own. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Image: here

Just wanted to stop by today and drop you all a little love letter since it is Valentine's Day after all! From me to you, here is a loving reminder to love yourself and everyone in your life not only today but everyday after. I adore all of you more than you know; thank you for hanging out and chatting with me! Don't think I don't notice all you regulars. I've enjoyed getting to know you. Stay wonderful, kind and beautiful!

<3 Ashley

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day Gift Guide: Scarves

Image: here

I don't know if you know this about me but I love scarves. They are ranked just behind shoes for my accessory obsessions. I think that from here on out if someone asks me what I want for whatever gift giving occasion, I'm just going to answer with "a scarf!" Scarves don't have to be expensive and honestly...the more the merrier! A new scarf opens up so many different outfit options. Even for a holiday like Valentine's Day I think a scare would be perfectly acceptable--in pink or red just to stay with the V-day theme!

<3 Ashley

Do you like scarves as much as I do? What do you think of them as a Valentine's Day gift?

Valentine's Day Gift Guide: Bella J Ltd

Image: here

Okay, this might be more of a wish list than a gift guide unless there are some fellas out there actually reading this. Valentine's Day is this Friday and there are just a few things that I have come across that I think would make great gifts for the ladies this Valentine's Day (a.k.a. I just want this stuff!) So throughout the week I will be doing a post about each little thing that I have come across. Maybe you will find something you like too!!

One thing that I cannot get enough of is beauty products. It's like an actual kryptonite of mine--and shoes! I have come across a new brand and thought that it was worth a share. Bella J Ltd is a beauty brand from the U.K. that offers "natural products with natural thoughts." Each of the products from the line are 100% all-natural and come with little sayings on them to inspire the soul. Bella J just released a new line in time for Valentine's Day called Falling in Love. The collection is made up of four different products--sold separately--that work together to nourish your skin.

Click on each of the products below to check them out on the Bella J website!

  

  

<3 Ashley

Will you/have you tried Bella J's products? What are you looking for this Valentine's Day?

* This is a sponsored post, however all opinions are my own!

Lunar Gala: Hypnose

Mark your calendars, Pittsburghers! Next Saturday, February 15, the annual Lunar Gala fashion show is hitting Wiegand gym on the Carnegie Mellon University campus! This organization at CMU puts together an entirely student run show every February in celebration of the Lunar New Year. Everyone from the CMU student body and the community of Pittsburgh is invited to take all of the great fashion and music on display--this year features fashions crafted from Red Bull cans! This year's gala theme is Hypnose: The Illusion is Beautiful. 

Follow the event and keep updated on the Lunar Gala Facebook page here. You can also learn more about the event on their website here and their video here. If you do plan on attending you can purchase your tickets here. Note: whether you purchase GA or VIP tickets you guaranteed transportation to the after party at VILLA.

I am so excited to be celebrating my Valentine's Day (albeit a day late!) at such a fun and exciting show! I hope to see a few of you there!

<3 Ashley

If you're in the Pittsburgh area, will you attend the Lunar Gala?

A Monster Named Procrastination

Image: here

So that ugly thing that people refer to as procrastination reared its ugly head recently. I made this swell New Year's resolution to be the best me that I can be and that included staying on top of all my school work and not slacking off. Fast forward to last night and I am trying to bust out this essay for history that is due...today. Why exactly do I do this to myself? Does anyone have the answer because I certainly don't! I really need to get my study habits in check like a week ago. I really cannot slack off anymore especially this weekend because I have an exam on Monday AND I'm giving my first speech in public speaking. Yikes! Wish me luck!

<3 Ashley

What do you do to fight off procrastination?

Love Is In The Details

I have decided to give myself a little bit of a challenge this month--this is also an attempt to shake things up to make getting dressed to go out into the cold a little more exciting. Everyday during the month of February I am going to try to incorporate some kind of pink or red into the day's outfit. I am just that cute. Kicking off this challenge during this month of love is my favorite scarf; I picked this up a few years ago in Little Italy during my first trip to NYC. I did notice that I don't have many pink or red pieces so this may be a little difficult for me, but it will also force me to be a little more creative. In other words...challenge accepted!

<3 Ashley

Join me in this fun little challenge? 

February

Image: here

I am welcoming February with open arms this year. Usually I can be a little bitter until all that Valentine's Day candy goes on super sale on the 15th. Regardless of whether or not I have a Valentine this year I have decided to have nothing but a positive attitude. I am dubbing February as Treat Yo'self Month. I fully intend on indulging in a little fun. I love everything associated with this month: hearts, love, flowers, and the color pink. It can be such a lovely month...regardless of how cold and snowy it is likely to be!

<3 Ashley

Happy February! What do you love about this month?