Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Who Inspires Me (Fashion Wise) | Jenna-Louise Coleman

Are y'all ready for another post in my Who Inspires Me (Fashion Wise) series? 'Cause I haven't done one since February -- which isn't that bad considering I once went a whole year, or so without doing one. Well, this time I'm talking about the English actress, Jenna-Louise Coleman -- who's style is a mix of hipster, and a touch of classic. She is an adorable person & I love watching her interviews on YouTube -- too cute!

She wears some of the most adorable dresses. I wouldn't mind having either of these in my closet.

Me & Gaby think this Jenna's favorite tee shirt, as she has been wearing a lot recently and we don't blame her -- it has the cutest font! 

Love these two formal dresses that Jenna wore to two different award events (I think, at least). 

Can I have these outfits for fall please? Love the jackets.

Simply adorable!!

Her character in Doctor Who also has the best outfits! Love, love, love.

What I've Seen Her In
Captain America: The First Avenger 
Doctor Who

Do you have a favorite look of Jenna's?
~Ashley

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

What I Wore | On the Preppy Side of Life

What I'm Wearing
Jean Jacket -- Express via Thrift Store ($8)
Striped Tee -- Forever 21 via Thrift Store ($3)
No. 2 Pencil Skirt -- J.Crew via Thrift Store ($12)
Houndstooth Pumps -- Impo via Thrift Store ($10)
Monogram Necklace -- c/o ONecklace
Leaf Dangle Earrings -- Target ($3) 

Wow! This entire outfit, minus the jewelry, was thrifted. I guess I'm really getting into this thrift store shopping thing. Anyway, I really love this outfit! It is casual, yet dressy. Which has quickly become my favorite look this year. I've been really getting into wearing more tee shirts, knitted maxi skirts, skinny jeans, and jumpers these days. As my style has become more casual, preppy, with a touch of vintage. I also love mixing in a bit of hipster & southern California style into my outfits too.

Another thing I've been loving more recently is wearing simple necklaces. Like this monogram necklace that ONecklace sent me to style & review. I picked out the 24k gold plated small necklace, since I wanted a smaller sized necklace & I thought it would be the most timeless. It was the perfect choice, as the necklace is beautiful! The shipping did take awhile (about a week or so, since it did come from Israel), but the necklace was beautifully package in a nice gift box. All in all, I'm very happy with my new necklace.       

~Ashley

Monday, July 29, 2013

Beach Beauty | July 2013 Ipsy Review

I don't know about you, but I love discovering & trying out subscription websites. Last year I tired many of the subscription sites that had popped up (Little Black Bag, Birchbox, Beauty Army, Glossybox, etc...), but the only site I still use today is: ipsy (which last year was GlamBag). Anyhow, ipsy is a monthly subscription site that costs $10 a month (you get charged on the 1st of every month). This cost includes the following: 1 makeup bag, 4-5 deluxe samples/travel sized/full sized beauty products, and the cost of shipping. It is an awesome deal, especially when the bags are typically worth between $30 and $60+. 
This month's theme is: Beach Beauty and our bag was in a round clear neon pink bag. Which I must say, from the spoilers I thought I wouldn't like the bag that much (I'm not that much of a neon person), but in real life it is a really cute bag.

POP Beauty Pouty Pop Crayon in ($4.16) -- A bright barbie pink type of lip crayon that everyone seems to be coming out with. This is a lot like my Revlon kissable lip balms and Tarte lipsurgence that I have in my lippie collection. I really like this lip crayon, it is easy to apply, smells minty, and the color is fun! Of course, the color is a little bright for my taste, but I just tone it down with a darker lip gloss and it is fine.
BHcosmetics California Collection Sampler ($2.70) -- A sampling of three eyeshadows from BHcosmetics new California collections. I haven't tried these out yet, but I think the Hollywood shade would be good for a soft purple eyeliner look. But then again, I might give this set to my sister Gaby, since it works beautifully with her natural coloring.   
Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Renewal Beach Spray ($6.65) -- I haven't tried this out yet, as I keep forgetting that I have it when I wash my hair. :p But I've been wanting to try a beach hair spray for awhile, since I love the beach wave hair look ever since we started going to Florida & California. 
Nailtini Straight Up Color Nail Lacquer in Mai Tai ($13) -- A beautiful coral color that will be perfect for when ever I go to a Detroit Tigers baseball game. I haven't tried this color out yet, but I have one of Nailtini's other nail polish & I really like it. When I try it out, I'll mention it in an outfit post for y'all.
Coola Mineral Face SPF 20 Rose Essence Tinted Moisturizer ($5) -- A tinted moisturizer that is organic & paraben-free, plus has a SPF of 20. What can I say? I haven't tried this out either yet. Mostly because I've been too busy to try out a new face product this past week, and I really want to try it out on a day when I can fix my face if it doesn't turn out alright. :)

Bag Worth Total: $31.51
I Paid: $10 + free shipping & makeup bag

If you would like to signup for your own Ipsy bag, you can sign up here.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

What I Wore | "I Gotta See the Color in Your Eyes..."

What I'm Wearing
Coral Tunic -- Target ($6)
Cowgirl Boots -- Gift
Dangle Earrings -- Lauren Conrad (gift)
Cocktail Ring -- Forever 21 ($3.50)
Nail Polish -- OPI Cajun Shrimp (gift)

Sometimes life calls for a little country. I don't know what it is, but sometimes during the spring & summer months I feel the need to dress a little country, pull on my cowgirl boots, and listen to country music. I guess everyone has a little bit of country in them -- even this city girl. 

Anyhow, to feed my country mood yesterday I pulled on this floral maxi dress from Chicnova. If you have never heard of Chicnova, they are an Asian company that sells some adorable clothes (including some longer length dresses). The shipping will take a little longer than an USA based company, but the clothes are so adorable that I don't mind. Within the coming weeks I see myself styling the dress so many ways, with different jackets/blazers, lace blouses, jumpers, booties, flats, and sandals. Some looks will be very California girl, others will be kinda hipster, and some will be just plain girly. It is going to be fun. Who knows, I might convince Gaby to post pictures of her wearing this dress too (when ever I let her borrow it). 




~Ashley

Friday, July 26, 2013

1960s Inspired Hair & Makeup


This makeup & hair look was inspired by the early sixties. You can find a similar look in The Help, Mad Men, or on Audrey Hepburn in either Charade or Breakfast at Tiffany's. 

The key to this look is simplicity. Do a defined eye with neutral eye shadows (don't forget to do the cat eye!). A fresh face with some light pink blusher. For the lips, do a light 60s type pink -- my favorite lipstick for this era is Revlon's "Pink in the Afternoon". 

The hairstyle is very modern meets early 60s, but it works. Just straighten your hair and flip your ends up. If you have bangs, just pin them to the side with either a small bow or bobby pins. You can finish off the look by spraying hairspray all over your hairdo. I didn't do hairspray because I had filmed this at the end of day, and I didn't want hairspray hair the next day. :p

If you have any questions about this look, just leave a comment or email me! Also, if you do this look, I would love to see pictures!! Tweet, email, or tag me on instagram your 60s inspired hair & makeup pictures! You could also post pictures on my FB page wall. 


~Ashley

Thursday, July 25, 2013

What I Wore (Baby Shower Edition) | Kate Middleton Inspired Outfit

What I'm Wearing
Striped Sweater Top -- H&M {hand-me-up from Gaby} (Free)
No. 2 Pencil Skirt -- J.Crew via Thrift Store ($12)
Mustard Colored Flats -- Old Navy ($4)
Dangle Earrings -- Lauren Conrad  (gift)
Locket Necklace -- c/o Origami Owl
Satchel Handbag -- Fossil {hand-me-up from Gaby} (Free)
Bracelet -- J.Crew ($10)

Hello ladies. Yesterday I decided to wear a Kate Middleton a.k.a the Duchess of Cambridge inspired outfit, since the the new Royal Prince George Alexander Louis, was born this Monday. Yay! Have you seen pictures of the little family -- too cute!

Anyhow about the outfit. I wore my "new" pencil skirt that I found at our local thrift store, it seems like every time I go in, they have another one of J.Crew's pencil skirts in my size. Yay! They are the only readymade pencil skirts that fit me, since I'm a pear shape. (Sometime in the coming weeks, Gaby will be doing a blog series on body types for y'all.) But, if you don't know what a pear shape is I'll give a basic understanding of what it means. Being a pear shape means that your hips are your biggest measurement. You typically have a smaller waist & bust too -- otherwise you would be boarding on a hourglass shape (which some people consider the "perfect" body type -- I don't. As they is no such thing as a perfect body type, for we are all uniquely created by God). 

Anyways...to balance out the pencil skirt on the bottom, I wore a striped sweater top which gives me a more balanced overall look by making me look bigger on top. Typically I would wear heels or wedges with this look (and I did during most of the day), but for the baby shower I opted for flats (which are more relaxed, and makes my outfit look less professional looking). 

I kept the jewelry simple since Kate doesn't wear a ton of it (and neither do I), by just wearing a simple necklace, bracelet, and some dangly earrings. Of course, you can't forget curling your hair for this look, since when ever Kate wears her hair down it is curled. 

Fashion & Faith

If you are looking for cute and reasonably priced pencil skirts -- perfect for the fashionista who is on a budget, be sure to check out rosewholesale.com.

~Ashley

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Roses & Lace ❘❘ Sunday Style + Origami Owl GC Giveaway

What I'm Wearing
Graphic Tee -- Lauren Conrad via Thrift Store (Free)
Crocheted Vest -- c/o OASAP (Free)
Burgundy Cami -- Kohls ($?)
Straight-leg Jeans -- Ann Taylor via Thrift Store ($12)
Locket Necklace -- c/o Origami Owl (Free)
Love Chain Bracelet -- Forever 21 ($3.98)
Earrings -- Forever 21 ($3.98)
Braided Bracelet -- J.Crew ($10)
Leopard Heels -- Thrift Store ($10)
Tote Bag -- Cath Kidston (gift)

Instead of sharing with y'all what I wore to church today, I thought I would instead share my after church outfit for a change of pace. Of course, the only difference between the two outfits for today are my bottoms, as I wore a black chiffon skirt instead of jeans.

I really love this outfit, as it has a nice mix of dressy, yet it is really comfy with the jeans & graphic tee. Over this past year, I've come to love the graphic tee outfits I've found on Pinterest. Only problem, I tend to have a heard time personally styling them. Of course, part of the problem could be that my baseball team shirts are THE hardest thing ever to style in a feminine & stylish look. Hmm...that could be a fashion challenge for me to do sometime in the coming weeks.
[this post is linked up over at Plane Pretty's Sunday Style link-up.]

Review + Giveaway

Anyhow, last month I was contacted by Laurel who works with Origami Owl, asking if I want to do a review & giveaway for y'all. As you can see, I said, yes. My locket is not completely full yet (as I still have some space), but I do have three cute charms in my locket that fit "my story". The first charm is of sewing scissors (to show my love of sewing), next we have a cameo (to show my love everything vintage), and the final charm is of a British phone box (which showcases my love of everything British & DW).

You see, the fun idea for these lockets is to create a locket that tells your story -- be that your dreams, who you are, where you have been, etc... That way, who ever sees your locket can see either your story or your dreams for the future. Besides having a great business mission, they also have THE cutest packaging -- your locket arrives in a darling shipping box, but that isn't the best part. Inside the adorable shipping box, you will find a Chinese takeout box & a little case for your necklace.


Let me share with y'all my overall thoughts on Origami Owl before we get to the giveaway portion of this post.

  • The shipping was fast. I can't give an exact date of how fast, since the necklace arrived while I was out of town earlier this month.
  • They have the cutest packaging ever!!
  • You get to create your own personal locket that no one else has.
  • A wide variety of options for you to create your necklace.
  • The only downside (for my younger readers & those on a budget) is the total price of the necklace. Of course, you could buy bits & pieces of your locket at a time, or ask for one as a gift.
Onto the giveaway, it is only open to those within the United States and closes on Monday, July 29th. On either Tuesday or Wednesday the winner will be announced in a blog post & emailed. You will have 48 hours to get back with me, before an other winner is picked. If you will be out of town on those dates, let me know in the comments below. Thanks! You enter the giveaway through the widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway





Tuesday, July 16, 2013

What I Wore | Styling the J.Crew No. 2 Cotton Pencil Skirt for Summer

What I'm Wearing
Citron No. 2 Pencil Skirt -- J.Crew via Thrift Store ($6)
Cream Tee -- Forever 21 ($3)
Cream Cami -- Forever 21 ($3)
Jean Vest -- YouTube/Blogger Swap (Free)
Scarf -- Target ($3)
Sandals -- Forever 21 ($7)
Nail Polish -- Bette by Julep 

This past weekend Gaby found this citron J.Crew No. 2 cotton pencil skirt at Simply Chic, which is a boutique-type thrift store that carries only higher end {J.Crew, Anthro, Kate Spade, Loft, etc...} & popular brands {Target and H&M} for really great prices. Anyway, the two of us split the cost of the skirt, and went half-ies on it (we each paid $6). To say the least, we were so excited to have one of J.Crew's no. 2 pencil skirts in our wardrobe as we adore J.Crew. Looking at the color of the skirt, you would think that it would be hard to style, but actually a lot of our clothes matches it -- which is awesome! I can't wait to share all of the ways I style this skirt for every season, yep, that's right I'll be wearing this skirt even in the fall & winter.

Anyhow, I put together this casual outfit for a day of grocery shopping for a church function Gaby & I are in charge of. Typically when I wear a pencil skirt, I like to wear some type of heeled shoes, but with the length of this skirt I can get away with wearing sandals. To further dress down the pencil skirt I opted for a tee shirt, but added a denim vest & scarf for the finishing touches. All in all, this was a very comfortable outfit for grocery shopping, even in this heat.  

What has been your favorite thrift store find of this summer?

~Ashley

Sunday, July 14, 2013

1960s Inspired Birthday Dress ❘❘ Sunday Style

Today at church I wore my 1960s inspired birthday dress that I had made earlier this month for my 23rd birthday. I love the color & details the dress has [like the collar & nice big buttons]. Also, I bet you would think that the dress would gap between the three big buttons, but with the way the bodice is made it doesn't. Color me shocked, as I was certain that it would gap badly considering the way modern dresses/blouses gap with smaller buttons and closer placement. Anyhow, onto the pictures and details about the dress & how it was made.  
What I'm Wearing
1960s Floral Dress -- Made by Me
Brown Belt -- Forever 21
Tan Heels -- Target
Lipstick -- Revlon's Pink in the Afternoon

Hello everyone! Remember back in February on Pinterest & Instagram that I was going to make a 60s dress for a Mad Men sewing challenge. Nope? That's alright. Anyhow, sadly I never had the time to do that sewing challenge, so the dress never got made....that is until I decided the dress would be perfect for my annual birthday outfit (a tradition that I started back in 2007). Of course, I waited until two days before we had to leave for PA to make the dress. Normally this wouldn't be a problem, but this pattern had more details than I realized so it took me way longer than normal to sew the dress. I spent all of late Sunday afternoon and part of early Monday morning sewing this dress to get it finished in time, mostly because we were leaving early Tuesday morning for PA. Remind me to never delay a sewing project for the last minute. To say the least, I was thankful when it was finally finished. 

Pattern Review
Pattern:  Vintage Simplicity 3829 (view 1)

Pattern Description: Full gathered skirt, interesting sleeves, collar

Pattern Sizing: Size 14 (Bust 34)

Fabric Used: A 100% cotton print from Abraham's Lady in Gettysburg, PA. This fabric was a birthday gift back in 2009 with the original intent for a 1860s dress. For practical reasons, I used it instead for a dress that came a hundred years later, you know the 1960s. *grin*

Cost of Project: Fabric (birthday gift), vintage bias tape (.75), thread (been in my stash for 4 years), vintage buttons ($1), hook & eyes (been in stash for 6 years), and vintage snap (.25). Total cost: $2

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, the instructions were easy to follow -- but I find this common with all vintage patterns. Now days, pattern instructions are just like greek to me.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the attention to detail this pattern gives with the construction of the dress. Normally, I don't care too much, since I only love the finished product & the planning of a sewing project. But with this dress, I followed all of the vintage finishing techniques that the dress looks just like my vintage dresses from the inside.  

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made? Nope, I followed everything to a tee. Which is very rare for me, since I normally don't follow anything to a tee.

Would you sew it again? Yes, I think this dress would look adorable in gingham or in a lightweight wool.

Would you recommend it to others? If you can located yourself a copy of the pattern, yes! But, this dress is not for the beginning sewer.


~Ashley

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