It's May!

Image: here

Today is the beginning of May, and it is beginning (in my opinion!) in the best way possible. It is gorgeous outside! April ended with two days straight of rain showers and now the sun is out and the window are open. Let's get those May flowers blooming! May is absolutely the quintessential spring month: the temperatures are pretty consistently beautiful, there are more bunnies in the backyard, the grass has its color back, and the flowers are coming out. All I need here is the leaves to be back on all of the trees and I am in full spring mode--get on that, Mother Nature!

<3 Ashley

What do you love about May?

Four Favorites: Easter

Eggs (here) Dress (here) Shoes (here) Ice Cream here

Does anyone else get as excited about Easter as I do? I mean, I am definitely not excited on the level that I was when I was younger--Easter egg hunts can get a kid seriously amped. But I do love the spring-y things that we typically see on Easter. Pastel colors, flowers, dresses, and colorful eggs all make me absolutely swoon on Easter Sunday. It also marks the end of Lent, which means we can once again indulge in all that we have given up over the past 40 days. Keep an eye on your ice cream and donuts if you do not want me to take them!

<3 Ashley

Join in with sharing what you love about Easter! You can learn about the Four Favorites linkup by clicking on the button below!

An Open Letter to Mother Nature

If I have to watch it snow, I might as well do it from inside Peet's :)

This entire weekend I have found something to do outside and even got a little bit of a pre-summer glow going. Here we are on Tuesday experiencing temperatures under 40 degrees and it's SNOWING. Yeah, Mother Nature, don't think I didn't notice. It was around 80 degrees on Sunday and now it's flipping snowing. I am finding it more and more difficult to cope with the inconsistency of this weather. My immune system hasn't been completely healthy since the end of March because of this constant back and forth. I really do not remember it being anywhere near this bad last year.

It is mid-April and today I took a snowflake to the eye on the way to class. Is this you punishing me for something? What did I do and how can I earn your forgiveness in the quickest way possible? If you could, please find it in your heart to end this madness and return Pittsburgh to the beauty that it experienced this weekend. It would be very much appreciated.

<3 Ashley

Is anyone else watching snow fall right now? 

Weekend Wrap-Up: The 70s

The view from the incline

The 70s...that is where temperatures were all weekend and it was pretty much the best weekend since Light Up Night earlier in the winter. You know it was a good weekend because I got zero school work done! Seriously, this is the last week of classes and I am so far behind it is not even funny. I am stressed but I am by no means mad at myself. Sure, I have a speech to give Wednesday that is only half written but it was worth it for what we did. Saturday my roommate and I to a trip to the Monongahela Incline to take in a daytime view of Pittsburgh and enjoy the sun with a couple of our friends from our floor. This was followed by an impromptu mid-afternoon trip to Primanti's for fries. Then we spent the time until the sunset back on campus (outside!) having a catch.

 

Timeflies. This man specifically was very attractive ;)

Then yesterday we had a little birthday brunch for a couple of the girls whose birthdays are a week or two after we leave Pittsburgh. Let me tell you, Double Wide Grill in SouthSide...their brunch is fantastic! I got the veggie omelet and was so beyond satisfied. My roommate and I got back to campus intent on getting work done despite the gorgeous near 80 weather when all of a sudden the guys invited us to the concert that was happening on campus. So instead of speech writing I found myself on Bigelow Boulevard waiting for Timeflies to perform. The show was fantastic and so much fun! I really don't think I could have asked for a better, incredibly non-productive weekend!

<3 Ashley

How was your weekend?

April Letter

Image: here

Disclaimer: This post will include absolutely no April Fools pranks. No foolin'!

Now that we've got that out of the way...HAPPY APRIL! April has to be one of my favorite months solely because this is the month that spring weather is ushered in. Today is supposed to be a wonderful 72 degrees!! Needless to say, the sundress and cute wedges are on and ready to go.

Much of the content on the blog this month is going to have a lot to do with spring. I'm talking spring trends, spring adventures and just tons of pictures of flowers really. Just consider this "Spring Things" month!

<3 Ashley

Are you excited about April?

30 Days of Journaling

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Well we're finally coming up on April which means that the semester is at last winding down and sophomore year is about a month away from ending (cue the violins!) There's still so many things that my friends and I want to do and so many places that we still want to go. We only have about three weekends left before finals which is sending us all into panic mode. WHERE DID THE TIME GO?

Anyway, in my internet reading this past week I came across this post on The Everygirl. I thought it was a great idea to challenge myself to journal everyday this month. I do keep a journal, but recently it has been a place to let my frustrations out. However, this month I am going to journal a little differently. I am going to write everyday no matter what happened; the good and the bad. I will be starting it off on a good note because tomorrow is supposed to be in the 70s?!?! What?! Dresses and heels are coming out people!

<3 Ashley

Do you keep a journal? Will you do this 30 day challenge?

Happy Spring!

Image: here

I know I missed the first day of spring yesterday, but let's face it...I was too busy enjoying it! Free Rita's Italian ice anyone? However, I did receive quite the blow when I looked at my weather app and saw that next week was supposed to be in the 30s! Come on, spring! I am longing to break out the dresses and flats; I've been with out them for far too long!!

On a separate note, for the first time I filled out a NCAA Tournament bracket with a very limited knowledge of college basketball aside from what I know about my own team. Needless to say, I will not be a billionaire with a perfect bracket, and I have Ohio State to thank for that. Good looking out, guys! :P However, Pitt won their game against Colorado--bring it on, Florida!! Hail to Pitt!

Enjoy the beginning of spring and have a great weekend!
<3 Ashley

Did you celebrate the first day of spring?

Spring Forward

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Happy Monday everybody!

As I'm sure you are aware, this past weekend we set our clocks forward and lost an hour of sleep. What followed was probably the longest Sunday I have ever experienced in my life! I was up early to get coffee and breakfast with my mother. It felt like we had been sitting there talking for hours before we left to go to the store. When we came out of the store we saw that it was just past 10 AM!

However, I have big plans for the rest of this spring break! I will enjoying the fact that these next two days are going to see temperatures in the high 50s and possibly low 60s? I've heard rumors. :) I am dedicating a majority of my time this week to some spring cleaning. My room may be small but I can be quite a hoarder throughout the year. It's that time to lighten the load again. Then I have a day set aside to hang out with the few friends of mine that are home now too.

<3 Ashley

Do you have any plans to enjoy this sneak peak of spring?

A Little Hope for Spring

 

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Well, we are about a week into March and tomorrow I am heading home for spring break 2014. I hate that we have spring break so early because it never actually feels like spring...at least the kind of weather I associate spring with. I check ahead on the weather at home and it looks like it could get up into the low 50s for a few days though! In any event today it's a cool 30 degrees. But the sun is out and I had quite the vision this morning when I was sitting at my desk by the window working: birds! A few flocks of birds made rounds right past my window and one bird actually sat outside it for a few minutes. Does this mean that spring is finally making its way back to the mid-Atlantic?! Man oh man I hope so! I am bursting to bring out the spring wardrobe!

<3 Ashley

Are you seeing signs of spring where you live?

Winter Syndrome

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Well we’ve reached the halfway mark of January and I still don’t know what to think of this weather. We’re done with that disruptive polar vortex right? That was a nice gift on the second day of classes: temperatures in the negatives and no cancelled classes. Thanks for looking out for us students! It has warmed up since then--I find something wrong with referring to 45 degrees as “warm.” All I know is that this up and down (way down!) in the temperature is kind of exhausting me. Just pick one, Pittsburgh!

I refer to this yearly funk I’m in as winter syndrome. What are the symptoms of winter syndrome? Tiredness normally due to early sunsets and the perpetual cloud cover, lack of desire to venture outside due to bitter cold and wind, and the need to be constantly wrapped in a blanket in bed. During the winter I have no motivation to work. I wish to lay in bed all day, read and drink gallons of coffee through a straw leaving the sedentary comfort for only a little to seek social interaction with my neighbors.

But alas, I do not live in a dream world and I must zip up my winter coat and slide my feet into a pair of boots to venture out. I am putting it on the table now: I am ready for spring!

<3 Ashley

Do you have winter syndrome? Are you counting the days until spring too?

Early Thoughts on the Spring Semester

 

View of the Cathedral of Learning

 
Okay so I haven't pinned nearly enough this week to give you a nice TGIF Pins post...sorry. But I did want to do one more post this week because I cannot even deal with only having a two post week. This past weekend was the first week back for the spring semester and I thought I would just let you know how that went and how I feel about the last few months of my sophomore year.

I had every intention of pushing myself and taking 18 credits this semester. However, one of my classes is filled and I am still #4 on the waitlist. So if I am not in by next Friday I will be officially dropping it and sticking to 15 credits. I will have to wait until PR Writing is available again! My only night class of the week was cancelled this week so I have no idea what Interpersonal Communication is like. I have been having my public speaking class; I'm still not completely comfortable but I imagine I will loosen up once I actually start participating and giving speeches. I'm officially working toward a U.S. History minor and am very excited about my History of the American City class--so far it's very interesting and I adore my professor! I'm also taking astronomy and statistics to fulfill gen. eds. and so far am very confident about how I will do.

Overall, I'm very excited about this semester. I will also start researching studying abroad and decide if it's really something that I want to do. My friends and I also have some fun weekends planned to look forward to!

Here's to a great semester!
<3 Ashley

Four Floral Favorites

1 || 2 || 3 || 4

Well we're halfway there! This week already feels too long for me. I thought to give myself a break, I would participate again in the Four Favorites link-up hosted by let it be beautiful and fancy things.  This week the link-up is about all things floral. As spring is drawing to a close and summer is taking over it's hard not to notice all of the beautiful floral prints and where they are ending up. Aside from the garden or a vase, flowers have shown up on our tops, dresses, pants, skirts, shoes, bags, jewelry and other accessories. Floral is definitely a go-to theme for these warm summer months and it's a print that I am kind of obsessed with. P.S. are those shoes not the cutest?!

What are your floral favorites? Join the link up by clicking below! 

<3 Ashley

Day 21: Favorite Posts

Day 21: List your 5 favorite posts on your blog.

I have written about a lot over the past year on this blog, and today is the day that I get to highlight some of my favorites for you!

1. Reflections: Freshman Year 
I loved all of the feedback I got on this post! This was by far my most popular piece that I've written all year. Whenever I reach something that I consider to be a milestone I like to take a breather and think about how far I've come, how I have changed, and what I need to work on.

2. Shopping Tips: Too Expensive?
This post was the result of a shopping trip and personal experience. I find it's always best to write what you know, and I love sharing tips that I have found to be successful (at least in the situations I have used them in!)

3. Spring Inspired
I believe this was written when it was still quite cold in Pittsburgh; there may have even been snow on the ground! I don't do many styling posts but I thought it would be nice to get a little glimpse of spring and what was coming. It was a hopeful post!

4. Some Down Time
I am a big supporter of what I refer to as sanity time. This post was written during a point when it was cold out, everyone else was in a late class, and I had no work to do. What a beautiful time!

5. The Final Countdown
This was written during finals week at the end of the fall semester. That is the time where, if you haven't learned yet, you learn how you study. This post was just as list of things that I found helpful for me.

What kind of posts are you interested in? (Consider this feedback! I will use it for the upcoming year!) 

<3 Ashley

I Wear My Sunglasses

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One of my favorite accessories that I wear all year round is my sunglasses. It's one of those things that comes in so many colors and styles some of which are flattering while some are not. While they are a stylish accessory, they are also a functional one protected your eyes from the sun's rays. Here are some styles that are making quite a presence for themselves this spring.

1. Mirrored- I do not own a pair of these but I have seen them around and could see myself trying them out. Those are the kind of lenses you can wear and no one will know where you're looking.

2. Round- I could never bring myself to wear these. While John and Yoko may have worn them with confidence, I do not like the look at all. I don't think that they would look quite right on my face.

3. White- The '60s have made their way back. These mod frames are becoming more popular (though I have had mine probably since the 9th grade! Also included in the '60s comeback are Ray Ban Wayfarers.

What kind of sunglasses do you like to wear?

<3 Ashley

Spring Trends: White Pants

While I absolutely love gawking over fashion trends and street fashion photos, I will have to admit...I am not the most adventurous person when it comes to dressing myself. There's still a lot that I can't really see myself pulling off (floral print pants are a long way from entering into this girl's closet!) But one trend that I really want to pull myself together and try is white pants! Aside from a pair of white yoga pants, this is something that has gone unattempted with me. First step: earn a paycheck to afford new pants! While we are waiting for that to happen, here are a few of my favorite looks!

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Are you a fan of white pants? How do you wear yours?

<3 Ashley

My Spring

(pinterest)

As spring has shown itself to be in full bloom here--the tulips outside of the student union are so pretty--I have decided to share just a few of my favorite things about spring with you all.

1. The Sun: I feel like spring just isn't spring without it! Especially in Pittsburgh I don't think I have seen the sun since the beginning of winter. I love how warm it is.

2. Dresses: While I am wearing a pair of shorts as I type this (outside!!) dresses are so characteristic of spring for me. I love all of the bright colors and florals that have been popping up.

3. Long walks: Long evening strolls with the girls is what is getting me through finals week. It is so great to take some time and stroll around the trails and talk for a bit to really unwind.

4. Picnics: I love grabbing some blankets and lunch-to-go and setting up camp in the park or in front of the museum. It is certainly a change of scenery from the dining hall!

5. Smiles!: I just look happier in the spring when I am not trying to combat the cold and hurry inside.

What are your favorite things about spring?

<3 Ashley

Spring Trends: Footwear

I can feel myself getting even more anxious for summer as the semester comes to an end and Friday is the last day of classes before finals! By this time next week I will be done with my finals and be working on packing for home. So excited!! 

Steve Madden (here) || Restricted (here) || Jessica Simpson (here) || Charlotte Russe (here)

For those of you who have been reading the blog, you have probably seen my spring trends series of posts. I love talking about trends--while I may not always follow them!--and this season I am really excited about many of the trends that we are seeing. I am on a crusade to own mint and coral everything! Today's trend report is all about my favorite subject...shoes! 

Some big shoe trends include pastels! Of course mint and coral are very popular colors on all fronts this spring, but other pastels such as purple, blue and yellow are also quite lovely. Cap toe shoes are also still very much relevant--unfortunately mine fell apart since I wore them so much! Mixed textures and color blocking in shoes has also become very popular for spring 2013.

Which shoe trend is your favorite? Will you try any of them?

<3 Ashley

Beauty: A Polished Look

Regardless of what it does to my nails--I do give them some periods of breathing time!--I almost always have nail polish on. I cannot say that I am particularly picky with brands just as long as it looks nice, has some staying powers since I spend a lot of time typing, but doesn't put up too much of a fight when I do go to remove it, I will be a dutiful consumer. I am, however, picky with my colors. I tend to go in seasons. I reserve darker colors for fall and winter. You will never see me sporting a gothic black nail polish during the warm spring and summer months. I though that today I would share some of my favorite spring/summer colors with you!

1. Coral: This is currently the color of my toes. It's very fun and has just enough "pop!" for my style.
Pictured above--Forever 21's Love & Beauty coral polish

2. Mint: My color obsession this season! I may just dye my nails this color--kidding of course! But I really do love it. I find it to be a very pretty, crisp color.
Pictured above--Essie Mint Candy Apple

3. White: This is one of the beauty trends this spring. I especially like that it makes me look just a bit tanner than I actually am. I call it the magic color.
Pictured above--O.P.I Funny Bunny

What colors will you don this season?

<3 Ashley

Spring Fling

BB Dakota || French Connection || Oh My Love

Jessica Howard || Modcloth || Julep

Springtime has finally hit Pittsburgh and I am done wearing jeans! Enter capris, skirts, shorts and dresses! Dresses are my favorite pieces during the spring, especially after months of hiding my legs in jeans and tights--time to let those stems breathe! Here are a few dresses that I have found that are also on trend for this season. A few of these trends don't apply strictly to dresses but to keep the theme I have applied them so. These trends are black and white, stripes, sporty, lace, grey and cutouts!

Which dress is you favorite? Which trend are you likely to try?

<3 Ashley

Weekend Wrap-Up

Well this was definitely a good weekend! Springtime has finally blessed Pittsburgh. On Saturday the girls and I set up camp in Schenley Plaza to soak up the sun and do some studying. Then on Sunday we had Bigelow Bash (spring concert) where Neon Trees and 21 Pilots played on campus. Here are just a few pictures from my weekend--please excuse the quality, these were taken on a Blackberry!

Saturday

View of the beautiful Cathedral of Learning from my spot on the Schenley Plaza.

Enjoying the sun, friends and studying

Sunday

21 Pilots and some sweet ukelele action!

Neon Trees. Awesome show :)

How was your weekend?

<3 Ashley