Simply Casual

WEARING CROPPED SWEATER BY H&M, HIGH WAISTED JEANS BY LVLX, SANDALS AND CHAIN BY CHARLOTTE RUSSE, MULTI-COLOR BANGLE BY FOREVER 21, HAIR DONE BY B.B.S.

Hi readers! It has been quite some time since I last posted. I'm starting to get back into the swing of things so I should be back to posting in no time. Oh how I miss it! Super excited that this ridiculous rain and flooding decided to let up so I had a chance to get out the house and do a post today. The weekend has been great so far! Woke up and headed to the Arts On Foot Festival in DC today to watch my godmother Stacy perform. "Stacy Brooks Band" They sing Blues music and they are great! If you're ever in the DC area you MUST check them out.

Stay Fabulous,

Ash xoxo

Yellow

HAT, NECKLACE, ROMPER, EARRINGS-FOREVER21//RING, BANGLES, WEDGES-CHARLOTTE RUSSE//WATCH-NY&CO

Happy Friday to all. Hope everyone is having a better Friday than me. Doing a post always seems to cheer me up so I decided to do one today. Brightens my day! Here is a little something that I just threw together for today. Also, make sure you keep up with me on twitter and follow my blog on bloglovin'. All my links are on the page :)

Enjoy the weekend!

xo

Ashley

cute & cream

SUNNIES, BAG & HAT-F21//TANK-TARGET//SHOES & ACCESSORIES-CHARLOTTE RUSSE//JEANS-LVLX//NECKLACE-NY&CO

bahama mama

So I'm finally back from my week long trip to the bahamas. It was exactly what I expected and more. Amazing and beautiful! I spent my weekend at the island with my mother to celebrate my 21st birthday (which my birthday was actually May 27th) but we had a blast. Ofcourse my days were spent hitting the lazy river, eating, sight seeing and going to the aqaurium a million times. The best part or my favorite part probably had to be when we went to Dolphin Cay for the Dolphin Interaction! It was super fun! They feel like smooth rubber, lol. The dolphin me and my group was partnered with was "Missy" isn't she cute!?

A Casual Weekend

CAMEL DENIM JACKET & SANDALS- NEW YORK & COMPANY/ STRIPE CROPPED TEE- F21/ JEANS-CHARLOTTE RUSSE

In the "Spring" of Things

Some of the top Spring 2011 trends include..

-Color: bright and bold. Bright colors look fab when paired up with black.
-Lace
-Mid-calf skirts: 3/4 length skirts are back!
-Patterns: animal prints, polka dots, python and even funky patterns.
-All white
-Tailored trousers
-High waisted paints
-Dress over pants

My take on some of this seasons trends:

Okay so color is a major yes and lace is great. It can be either really cute or really sexy. The good thing about lace is that you can 'draw the line' with it wherever you want to. Mid calf skirts...ehhhh not a big fan of so I'll pass on that one. I'm short so that wouldn't work for me anyways. (-___-) Patterns...ahhhh! Love it! Tailored trousers I've seen a lot and are super cute. They seem to flatter all body types and fit very well. Now, for high waisted pants..who in the world decided to....never mind. I'm just going to say no for that one, next! Last but not least, the dress over pant trend. Not to big on that. I don't really like the idea of wearing pants with a dress. I'd prefer to just wear leggings with a dress, not pants. What are your thoughts on some of these trends?

Tips That Come In Handy

When it comes to shopping for some people it is a task that is hard to get done. Shopping is not easy for many, believe it or not. However, for those of us that have no problem picking up any and everything in the store and swiping a card, we just so happen to think nothing of it. Until you go home and realize that the cutest blouse you have ever seen in your life that you just HAD to buy only matches one thing in your closet. Now you need to force yourself to think a completely different way when shopping so that this doesn't happen again.

1. For what reasons or occasion are you purchasing clothes for? (don't be afraid to write it down and keep a list)
2. Categorize them. Make sure that whatever you purchase you can wear more than once for multiple occasions (casual and dressy). You will know if it's right when you do the following test.

TEST: Go into your closet and pick up a dressy top and pair it with casual bottoms. (khaki pants, denim, etc.) or switch it around and do a casual top with dressy pants. Either way you do it your outfits should work! *keep in mind that every single piece that you have is not going to match with everything you pair it with, but any piece that you have should fine with at least 2 pieces you mix and match it with. If it doesn't work at all then you have a MAJOR wardrobe problem.*

Many people walk into stores thinking "Oh I'm just going to pick up a _________ and a ___________ and that's it." But we all know what really happens. You end up walking out of the store with things you had no intention of purchasing.

*Tip: Being able to mix and match pieces can save you money! That's one less top you have to purchase to go with your new pants!*

Satisfy Your Wardrobe

Here are some of the most important things that are must-haves for your wardrobe.

1. Lingerie (for some of us)
2. A Dress (one that is appropriate for work and can be casual)
3. A Suit (in black or navy that can work for various seasons)
4. Cardigans (have some in neutral colors as well as brighter color that work well with you skin tone to add a slight pop)
5. Button Ups (have a variety of them. Ruffled, pleated, plain, etc.. a girl's gotta have choices)
6. The Fav Five Tops (v-neck, classic, scoop neck, turtle neck and boatneck. Go for these tops in various colors. Go for styles that you can dress up and dress down)
7. Jeans (it's important to have a few pairs of comfortable denim to run errands or lounge around in)
8. Brown or Black Pumps (go with just about everything)
9. Coats (coats and jacket to fit any occasion or season. Be prepared)
10. Work Wear (somewhat acts like a seperate wardrobe. Most like to split their closet up by casual and then their wor clothes just to keep it easy)

X0X0 Ashley

Color and Simplicity

Lately I've been stuck on Italian Vogue more than American Vogue. I think that everyone knows that there's a major difference between the two. The fashion and style is completely different. Also, instead of American Vogue's usual and suddenly boring ways or using celebrities on the covers, Italian Vogue uses an array of talented models. Celebrities are celebrities, not super models. So let's leave the modeling to the models. Anyways, I was going through Italian Vogue as usual and I came across a set called, "Simply the Top." And these were the amazing photos that I couldn't take my eyes off of..

Photos by Mark Seliger and Mario Sorrenti via Italian Vogue

I love the first photo by Mark because I love, love, love color! Patterns and color! I love to see it being used in a good way. I only say that because some people do not know how to mix colors and patterns together. But I love seeing it put together the right way. As for the second one, obviously, you can see this picture says nothing but simplicity. And I love that at well. Makes me think about how much I enjoy just throwing on a white tee, a good 'ol pair of blue jeans and throwing my hair up into a messy bun! I love it! I wonder how many times I have said 'love' in this post?! :-)


X0X0 Ashley

Wake Up Fashion Ready

Do you ever struggle when it comes to picking out your clothes in the morning for school or work? I know I always do! Especially on those days when I wake up late and I'm only left with 15 minutes to get dressed! It tends to be a major headache. So set aside time at the beginning of the week (most likely a sunday) and stand in front of your closet and pick out your outfits together for the week. Also, another good idea is to just do it a day ahead and hang your outfit on the back of your door, closet,and if you have a rolling rack place your outfits for the week there. That way you are organized and have easy access to all you fabulously put together outfits for the week!

X0X0 Ashley