Hodgepodge

A few items I've been loving lately:

I love all things black and white.  Hence, my wedding invitations (Ok.  Black, white and pink... that's the combination I *really* love).  When I spotted this $6 tray organizer at TJMaxx recently, I knew how it could be used:

I'm a hot mess.  Did I really just post this disaster online?  But the tray did help me get my organize on and it turned out nicely (& much more blog appropriate):

Ta-da!

Yet another Jackie Cardi in laquer yellow.  The color in person is much more bright & beautiful.  I have really been craving color lately.  Better that than cake, eh?

My sister gifted me the Too Faced Pink Leopard bronzer & UD's All-Nighter setting spray for my birthday back in March.  The setting spray has turned into a must after I apply makeup.  It helps my makeup appear fresh all. day.  The bronzer is very pretty and light which is good for a pale girl like myself as it would take a lot of this to look like a clown.  Finally, Smashbox Photo Finish Luminizing Primer helps give my skin a little glow in addtion to making foundation application more even.  

Nathan & I are hopping into the golf cart in a few to catch a Journey cover band at the Country Club tonight.  I always love nights out at the CC because we can both drink and not worry about one of us staying sober- and usually the sober person is me.  So yay for getting to enjoy a few drinks tonight!  I hope you all have a wonderful & safe holiday weekend.  Do you have any big plans, I'd love to hear about them!  :)

xo, Ashley



Well, hello there!

Hi everyone!  Today when I opened my mailbox it smelled like roses, so lovely!  Inside was the gift from Ella Pretty's recent 100 follower giveaway.  Thank you so much, Ella.  I will really enjoy these items!

I've been loving my Alex espadrilles recently.  They are pretty high and definitely get a lot of attention.

This is how the height of the Alex compares to my Michael Kors espadrilles that I wore the heck out of last summer.  I have to be careful to not break my ankles in the new shoes... but they are so fabulous!!  :)  Nathan said they were "sexy shoes."  Duh, husband! ;-)

I love, love, love this top from Ann Taylor.  It was a recent purchase during their 40% off F&F sale.  It looks good both casual & more dressed up and the color is beautiful, unlike anything I have in my closet.

Leopard print... need I say more?  Bought this during the same sale citing no snow leopard in my wardrobe.  ;-)

These two skirts are on my current lust list, both from J.Crew.  I need more professional clothing since I will be doing two days a week at an OB/GYN office this summer as I work toward my FNP.

Love the eyelet detail of this one.

And how gorgeous is this peacock color?  I may need to stop by J.Crew after work this week!

I'm a little nervous about working two days at the OB/GYN for clinicals, hanging onto my FT gig and all of the paperwork for school... but I know when summer is through I will be so thankful to be that much closer to graduating next spring!  What are yall looking forward to this summer? 

xo, ashley

Flowerbomb

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb

Has anyone else tried this magical potion?  I went on a crazy whim and blindly purchased it after reading reviews on Sephora.  It is absolute flower-fields-of-heaven in a bottle.  It is strong at first, settles in very sweetly, and then I catch myself wanting to reapply.  What can I say?  I'm officially a Flowerbomb addict and plan on scooping up the roll-on STAT. ;-)

and I write a blog because... why?

Gee, think I have a go-to look? 

Earrings - Kohls

Watch - MK

Scarf - Burberry

Jeans & Sweater - Gap

Boots - BR

Jeans, scarf, jacket, tee - Gap

Flats - Tory Burch

Scarf, tank & jeans - Gap

Cardi & belt- J.Crew



I don't think I could've survived this winter without a scarf, Gap always skinny jeans, and my favorite riding boots.  My other shoes have been crying out in anger, begging for attention... and I'm a harsh little lady who ignores them steadfastly.  Have you had a serious addiction to items in your closest this past winter?

xo, ashley

J.Crew mini haul

I recently got a 20% off in-store coupon to J.Crew.  After work Tuesday decided to make a quick stop by Green Hills to one) try on the Stuart Weiztman 'Alex' Espadrilles (I can neither confirm nor deny that I have since ordered them in khaki) two) attempt to buy new sunnies with a Sunglass Hut coupon (why do I always look ridiculous in sunglasses?) and three) hit up my beloved J.Crew.

This is what I ended up snagging:

 Battered denim belt  Husband loved this belt.  :)  It was the only thing I purchased that wasn't already on sale.

Jackie cardigan in orchid shadow

Forever cardigan in light flamingo

Lunette mini in dark navy  Marked down from $85 to $24.  Yessss!

What I wish I was able to pick up:

 Day-tripper pant 

Sold out in store in all three colors in my size.  I thought these would be adorable with the espadrilles I may or may not have purchased and they are so comfortable. 

xo, ashley

Wedge Obsession

I have basically been sweating these Stuart Weitzman 'Alex' Espadrilles since spotting them on Jennifer Aniston last year.

But because my mind tells me I'm a millionaire and my bank account tells me I'm definitely not, I think I'll go with the $69 version by Steve Madden. 

I mean... close enough... right?  That's what I'm going to keep telling myself. 

xo, ashley

Sandal perfection

Jeffrey Campbell 'Big Bow' Sandal

Pink? Check.

Bow?  Check.

Trendy snake print?  Check.

Maybe husband will purchase these for my birthday later this month.

xo, ashley

Bummin'

Have I been a total blog bum or what?  I've been trying to work with what I have instead of buying clothing.  I've put on weight since getting married and I refuse to buy anything a size up.  Ok, not really because I totally bought new black crop pants from Gap last week (seen below).  But other than that, I'm putting my foot down and contemplating working out.  ha!  When the weather gets a little nicer, I plan on taking Ruby to the Greenway to rollerblade since I can't take my bike without help.  I'm ready for spring just like everyone else, winters are so crippling.

I wore this today to Sunday Brunch:

Tops - Kohls

Skirt - J.Crew

Pumps- Jessica Simpson

And then changed into this to run a couple errands...

 *sorry for the blurriness*

Top - Kohls

Belt - J.Crew

Pants - Gap

Flats - Tory Burch Reva

I broke down and bought a pair of Revas as a gift to myself for my 2 year Trauma Survivor anniversary.  I wore them with tights last week which was much more comfortable than with a bare foot as pictured above.  The top of the shoe digs into my foot causing it to turn red and itch.  It's not a sizing issue because I bought my usual size, a 6.5, and there is a little wiggle room in the back.  Not quite what I expected for the price point but you live and learn.  I will probably not purchase Tory Burch flats again.  But I must say, I'm not crazy about flats in the first place because my limp is much more pronounced.  They are pretty to look at though!

I hope everyone is resting up today for the week ahead! :-)
xo, ashley

When Ashley Met Sally...

... and then renamed her Ruby. 

 Boots- BR

Jeans - Gap

Cardi, tank & belt - J.Crew

Scarf - Nordstrom

Our new doghter, goldendoodle Ruby.

Please wish my husband patience as he will be home by himself tomorrow with a puppy.  I'm a little scared of what I'm going to come home to after work.

xo, ashley

Do you have some sort of business woman special?

All of the sudden I'm dying to watch Romy & Michele's High School Reunion. 

I went for it. Totally wore white after Labor Day & before Easter. I mean... rules were made to be broken right??

Blazer - Target

Tank - J.Crew Perfect Fit Tank

Pants - Kohls

Heels - Jessica Simpson

Watch - Michael Kors

Earrings - Kendra Scott from pp

And I picked up these nude pretties on sale today at Dillard's.  I think they will look beautiful with tons of spring outfits.  The platform makes the shoes so much more wearable.  Can't wait for warmer weather!  In all seriousness though, this is my fourth pair of nude shoes.  Must. stop. shoe. shopping.

xo, ashley

Turq & stripes

Just a couple of my recent buys...

Kendra Scott Danielle Earring in Turquoise

Scott's website is currently offering a $20 coupon when you sign up for emails.  I indulged & purchased these beauties with the coupon.  So, so, *SO* gorgeous.  My only con is the highway robbery shipping charges.

This striped sweater from the Gap with a zipper up the side is a heavier knit which is welcomed on these biting winter days.  It hits in an awkward place so I added a longer charcoal racerback tank underneath it.  I couldn't resist for just $12.  Purchased one month ago, no longer available online.

Happy Friday everyone!

Beating Winter Skin

Each year when winter rolls around, my skin becomes dryer than the Sahara.  This year the struggle has been diminished thanks to a few products I've added into my skincare routine.  Here are my winter winners:

The Clarisonic.  I bought this for my birthday last year and had mixed feelings over the purchase of it for several months.  The raves of this product led me to believe it was going to solve all of my skin's problems.  After a couple of months and my skin breaking out like crazy, I decided to use it only two to three times per week.  It has really made a difference this winter as it is a wonderful exfoliant allowing the moisturizers to better hydrate my skin.

Blue/Black berry enzyme mask 

L-O-V-E this mask!!  It's invigorating and non-irritating.  Hands down, THE BEST product for dry winter skin.  Use it twice per week and you won't be disappointed with your silky, smooth, fresh skin.

Wild Rose 24-hr moisturiser

I got this product for free last year with Sephora's skin care challenge (anyone else upset they stopped this promotion?).  It has a nice scent, is extremely hydrating, and what ultimately caused my break up with Benefit's Dear John is the added spf.  I'm all for anti-aging products and my daily routine was lacking protection from the sun... a necessity even in winter. 

I have dry patches, fine lines, and dark circles... but nothing too extreme so this product works just fine for me.  I do notice a difference in the fine lines when my skin is really dry versus when I use this cream.

I bought the "luxury" size of this lotion on a whim after trying in store.  It smells light and fresh, fully conditioning my body head to toe.  I remember my first big, major, thought-I-loved-him crush telling me he loved my soft skin.  I didn't even realize my skin was any softer than the next person AND it was probably a line that I totally fell for and SWOONED!! but since then I have always tried to maintain soft skin.  ;-)  Yes, its my Teenage Dream that remains firmly intact in my head.

I use this cheap goodie nights before I work.  While it is scented, it isn't offensive to the sickest of people.  It's also great to use when planning to wear perfume not to mention is quenching the driest of skin.



Do you have any winter must-haves to beat dry skin?

xo, ashley

Yahtzee!

 After a bad day at work yesterday I woke up slugglish this morning to say the least.  I decided that a shopping trip would be the best way to perk up.  I had $60 merch credit that had to be used in the next couple of weeks and the Pottery Barn store in the mall I love was going out of business.  On top of a $100 merch card after writing customer service about their lack of just that, I walked away with this pretty Franklin rug for a mere $8.  I've been smiling since.  The colors go perfectly with the Orleans rug I purchased recently.  I could not believe my luck!  Next up, the walls obviously need a new color.  :-)

Have you landed any awesome post-holiday deals?

xo, ashley