Holiday Gift Ideas for Her

1.) Royal Blue Swing dress via Tidal Cool Creations

2.) Vienna Victoria bracelet www.viennavictoria.com

3.) Faux Croc Leather Pants via Tidal Cool Creations

4.) Bracelet via White Haute Fashions www.whitehautefashions.com

5.) Pillows via Charisma Home Decor, www.charismahomedecor.com

6.) Heels via She Palace www.shepalace.com

7.) Heels via She Palace www.shepalace.com

8.) Bracelet via White Haute Fashions www.whitehautefashions.com

9.) Necklace via White Haute Fashions www.whitehautefashions.com 

Hey all! Can I just go on record for a minute and say that I have already lost my mind due to finals. Seriously...I'm going a little crazy. As of last night I cannot even focus--the Disney sing-a-long that occurred in our room last night was proof of that. It was a nice little stress reliever though (if you ever find yourself crazy stressed, belting "Colors of the Wind" from Pocahontas helps!) Today's a new day and I have exactly one week until my first finals. I just need to organize my mind and develop some solid study habits. Time to prioritize!

Anyway, with Christmas coming up I'm sure I'm not the only one searching high and low for the perfect gifts. Above are just a few ideas for the lovely ladies in your life. I for one am a huge fan of the jewelry! You may recognize #2 from Vienna Victoria from this post here. That's still on my own wishlist!

<3 Ashley

Jewelry Finds: Vienna Victoria

I think this impending fall is doing something to me. I am taking interest in trends that I swore up and down I would probably never wear--but now leopard and me are buds!--and I’ve been turning to my necklace board every morning when I get ready. You remember me and jewelry, right? We talk and acknowledge but never really hang out. 

Well I am discovering all of these interesting pieces and adding more and more to my Christmas list. As we speak I have a tab open in Chrome deciding which piece I want from the Vienna Victoria store. Creator Satin Van Cleef has a line of bracelets and rings that are actually have lipgloss in them in the “Vanity Vault!” Now that’s what I call stylish and functional! That’s one less thing to keep in your bag; plus they’re refillable. 

 

The bracelets come in yellow, white, rose and black gold over bronze--I am all over the rose gold!--and made with Swarovski Elements.

Check out the website here. I think that they would definitely make a cute gift for the holidays. I might drop some hints to my family about that! 

<3 Ashley

What do you think of this functional collection by Vienna Victoria?  

Flawed Perfection

If you have followed my blog for the past year you may have noticed my hinting at the fact that I don't usually wear a lot of jewelry. I wear one, maybe two pieces at most in one outfit. But just because I don't often wear it doesn't mean that I don't LOVE looking at it! One brand that I was recently introduced to is Flawed Perfection Jewelry, founded by Megan Reynolds.

The recently released line, Interchangeable Sparkle, allows women to have versatility with their jewelry. Rather than buying up so many different pieces for so many different outfits (guilty as charged!) this line allows you to change the crystal set with just clasp rings. A great way to get the best bang for your buck, right?

I have to say that I am obsessing over all of the color options of these beautiful Swarovski crystals. Another big positive for this brand is that Megan donates a portion of all sales to the Half the Sky Movement; if you're not familiar it is a movement which helps oppressed women worldwide. So you get the perks of owning some truly beautiful pieces while also helping a great cause.

I am loving the look of the Sand & Stone piece....

....as well as Yacht Club (which has been discontinued and is currently on sale for $25)

You can check out the collection and blog here.

<3 Ashley

What do you think of Interchangeable Sparkle from Flawed Perfection Jewelry? What piece is your favorite?

Spring Trends: Accessories

Clear Tote Forever 21 || Gypsy Earrings Calico Juno || Stevie Necklace Stella & Dot

Yesterday was the first Wednesday that I actually enjoyed. I had one less class--the class is also cancelled today!--and was able to get things done at a more leisurely pace. One thing that I took time to do was scour through a few sites to determine some of the accessory trends for this season. Not that I am going to follow many of them, but it's nice to have your finger on the pulse of what's in right now. I have picked three that I find the most interesting. These include the see-through accessory, fringe accessory, and gypsy styled piece. My favorite it the gypsy style. While I can't enjoy those fun earrings--I don't have my ears pierced--the necklaces are also quite nice. The one I am not so sure about is the clear bags. I just find it a bit odd.

What do you think of these trends? Will you try any of them?

<3 Ashley

The First Day

The day finally came! My first day of college classes. 

The one thing that ran through my mind early this morning? What in the world am I going to wear?! I am notorious for not planning my outfits the night prior. It just never happens. So this morning I went through two different outfits back and forth and finally made my decision. Here it is; the result of a solid 45 minutes of indecisive-ness :)

I always love this cami/cardi combo. The cardigan is also super light, making it really wearable even in late August.

Pretty sure I am on the verge of wearing these shoes out! 

Of course I have to have a massive ring to pull the outfit together...it's like my thing.

And a lovely top knot. 

With how hot it has been in Pittsburgh lately, shorts and dresses seem like they might be my friends for awhile. I cannot wait, however, to throw on jeans, sweaters and boots. I am a sucker for autumn. 

<3 Ashley

What was your first day of school outfit?

And In This Ring....

Hi guys! Happy Monday!

On such a beautiful day, I am glad to have a day off. Though I was slightly depressed when I get home from shopping for my dorm and saw how much I have left in my account. Maybe I should be working more...

But that is not the topic of today's blog. Today I want to share with you an obsession. An obsession that could end up escalating at the same rate the shoe epidemic hit me. I am talking about...my ring obsession. All rings, I must point out, have been obtained during just two trips to the beach. Darn those "3 for $10" deals! They always get me. These rings caught my eye because they are interesting. I think you would agree.

Are these not the greatest?! In no way will I ever regret buying these; believe me, I have regretted many purchases. I wear them all the time, and they always attract a compliment or two. The only thing is, I only wear them with outfits that do not already have any prints or embellishments. I really do not like to go over the top with accessories or shiny things. These grab enough attention for an outfit! 

<3 Ashley

Do you have an obsession? Share.

Playing Dress-Up

Is this week over yet?!

Of course not. I still have one more day of work before I can take some time to relax and maybe FINALLY get to a pool this summer. As I have mentioned before, I do work two jobs this summer and the biggest drag for me is that both do have their own dress codes. There is very little room for me to dress the way I want to. 

Today you could find from 3-7 me running a poolside snack bar in a staff t-shirt and shorts. However there was a day prior to 3 PM when I was out and about and I took the opportunity to dress up. I pounded the pavement in my brand new theme style shoes from the Naturalizer outlet store.

But my favorite part of the outfit had to be what was taking place up top. Picture it...Marilyn Monroe face t-shirt and a lace cropped biker jacket. Uh...hell yeah! I also cannot go anywhere without wearing a ring. Next to shoes, rings are my next lethal obsession.

Even if I am stuck working, I always find a way to share my style with the world at some point during the day. Lucky I am too jumpy to actually stay at home for more than a couple of hours. :)

What are the pieces in your closet that you just cannot live without?

<3 Ashley