I Wish!

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I have seen these books on several blogs including Stephanie Sterjovski's site and I have since fallen in love with them. I am a big fan of F. Scott Fitzgerald and his work--ever since I was introduced to "The Great Gatsby" in my junior year of high school. These books covers were designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith in honor of the 70th anniversary of the author's death. I love the metallic and art deco patterns; they definitely make for gorgeous book covers! 

You can find them on the Penguin Books website. They are priced $26 per book. Over the course of the summer, I hope to collect the books one by one as I make money. Fingers crossed for owning all six by September!

<3 Ashley

What's on your wishlist this summer?

It's Been Real, It's Been Fun...

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...and it has most definitely been real fun! I'm officially back home from school for the next four months. Sophomore year was definitely the best one yet! My roommate and I spent our last night together reminiscing about the year and how great it really was. We expanded our friend group and added some guys to it--an accomplishment that we are probably the most excited about. We are already excited to get back for junior and get the fun started with everyone again! We have already discussed the first week back and having a couple of dinners and outings before classes start.

But that is all four months away. I have this summer to look forward to; and I am definitely looking forward to it! Since I have been home I have been unpacking (still not done!) and applying for jobs. Hopefully I can get some work soon because boy do I need to start saving for junior year! Having apartment style living and a minimal meal plans means plenty of grocery shopping. I do not really have any huge plans for the summer, but I kind of like that. It will be nice, relaxing and laidback. Before we left, my roommate and I agreed that we were going to take this summer to work on ourselves. For me that means I'm really going to focus on being healthy--back to morning runs and cooking some great food! I also really want to do a lot of reading. I have downloaded some new books to my Kindle and am very excited about sitting on the deck and spending my afternoon reading through them.

While I am getting antsy for junior year (when is it appropriate to start a countdown?) I am also anticipating a great summer spent the way that I want to spend it!

<3 Ashley

How excited are you for the summer? Do you have any plans?

Book Club: Someday, Someday Maybe

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Aside from floating in the ocean waves on my vacation, I spent a lot of time camped on the sand or lounging poolside with my eyes glued to my Kindle. Vacation is always a great time to catch up on reading you may have let slip over the past few months. I had promised myself that I would start and finish "Someday, Someday Maybe" by Lauren Graham on vacation. I almost fulfilled that too--I actually finished it the night we got back home.

The story follows Franny Banks, an twenty-something aspiring actress in 1990s New York City. Franny's interest is in theater but all she can seem to nab is commercials. Suddenly, things begin to look up for Franny after a Showcase, which she totally thought she blew, when she manages to get an agent, a new romantic interest, and some new jobs. But as I'm sure we all know, the good times don't always last or they really aren't that good when you start to think about it. Franny is elated when her agency offers her a part in a movie, but becomes nervous and doubtful when she realizes that she has a nude scene.

I really did enjoy this novel; it was definitely a good one to take on vacation. I appreciated the character's struggles and weaknesses and could also relate to her inner monologue and way her mind worked. My mind can be that erratic and all over the place as well. The ending was a little different, and left kind of open for maybe another book. I really would like to know more about the characters after what happened in this novel. I would definitely recommend reading "Someday, Someday Maybe." Check it out here!

<3 Ashley

Have you read any good books lately?

P.S. I have just started another book (trying to read as much before school when I am made to read textbooks and other novels against my will) titled "Beautiful Ruins"by Jess Walter. So far so good! Expect another review after I finish it! :)

Book Club

Well they must have sensed my excitement at a three day weekend because last night I got a call to cover an 11-5 shift today. Oh well...I just have to keep telling myself, 'I'm getting paid for this.' Regardless of the quick ending, this weekend was lovely and relaxing. I am almost done reading The Devil Wears Prada.

Since I turned in a bunch of my textbooks to Amazon I have been buying up books on my Kindle. The next two books I have lined up to read have me very excited. After I finish this one, I will immediately be jumping into the recently released sequel Revenge Wears Prada (here) by Lauren Weisberger. Then after that--considering my schedule--I imagine I will be reading Someday, Someday, Maybe (here) by Lauren Graham on the beach in July. I have read a lot of good things about this book so I do have some expectations going into it.

What books are you reading this summer?

<3 Ashley

My 2013 Reading List

If you are merely getting acquainted with me right now, one thing you must know is that I love to read. I relish those moments when there is nothing for me to do and I can sit/lay down and read a book that I do not need to write an essay on. Unfortunately, I was not able to get through my entire 2012 reading list thanks to senior year of high school and fall semester of college (why so many reading intensive classes?!) My big triumph was completing Chanel: A Woman of Her Own by Axel Madsen. It was a great book and I do recommend it. But this next year will be different! I happen to know that one of my Christmas gifts happens to be a Kindle, giving me the opportunity to sort out my book hoarding problems. Just recently I bought three new novels that I guess will for now be my last physical book purchases. With that said, here is my 2013 book list!

1. Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen
2. Sense and Sensibility Jane Austen
3. Emma Jane Austen (I recently bought all three of these Jane Austen books, so I would love to get them read!)
4. The Devil Wears Prada Lauren Weisberger
5. Coco Chanel: An Intimate Life Lisa Chaney
6. Audrey: Her Real Story Alexander Walker (about Audrey Hepburn!)

In reality...this is probably a stretch for me to finish all of these books within the next year considering school and work, but who knows! Hopefully I do find some free time!

<3 Ashley

Any books you are looking to find the time to read?

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?

The Chanel Effect

I do not think that I have actually told you in what subject I intend to major in school. The answer, my friends, is English Writing. Basically it is my school's equivalent to journalism. For the longest time I have wanted to be a fashion writer. Of all the potential dream jobs my little mind has frothed over for the past 18 years of life, this one has stuck the longest. Ergo...it is destiny.

Since I had discovered fashion as my calling (I overdramatize just for effect ;]) one designer has reigned superior in my mind and has lasted as my one true inspiration when it comes to dressing myself: Chanel. I have been informed that this answer seems to be the textbook answer to the question "Who is your favorite designer?" but it is true for me! To me, Chanel epitomizes how a woman should dress to convey beauty, confidence, and strength.

Why is this the topic of today's blog, you ask? Well because, for the hour before my eye exam today I wandered aimlessly around Barnes and Noble looking for something interesting. Actually what I find truly interesting and a little disappointing is that "teen paranormal romance" is now a section of the store...they legitimately have the signs made for it. But I digress...I headed back to the art section because there is ALWAYS something to jump out at me back there. What did I discover between Halston and Fashion Drawing for Dummies? This gem!

So obviously, I bought it. Can you tell that I may just be an impulse shopper? Not quite a good thing on a student's budget. But books, especially this one, are something with which I just cannot help myself. I cannot wait to break it open tonight before I go to sleep.

<3 Ashley

Time for the generic question: Who is YOUR favorite designer?