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gold crush

I love gold.  The bolder and glitterier the better. A bold gold accessory or two can add polish to any outfit.  A chunky gold watch and glitzy gold shoes can make even distressed jeans and a t-shirt into a stylish outfit.  Case in point-

Gold shoes: (from left to right) Dolce Vita old, but similar are Kenneth Cole REACTION on sale for $39 and Steve Madden on sale for $29; J. Crew D’Orsay Flats old, but similar are the J. Crew Sloan D’Orsay Flats $158; and Tod’s Metallic Fringe Sneakers available from Farfetch for $491 or if you prefer local then Nordstrom’s for $725.

Gold watch: Michael Kors old, but similar are Michael Kors Women’s Chronograph Mini Bradshaw $146;  Michael Kors Runway Watch $272;  and Michael Kors Cooper Ladies Watch $139.

Gold clutch:  Jimmy Choo old, but similar are Jimmy Choo Milla Glitter Fabric Clutch $725;  kate spade new york ‘cedar street’ crossbody $148;  and Rebecca Minkoff Micro M.A.C. crossbody on sale for $98.

Gold rings:  vintage but similar are ASOS Gold Plated Infinity Ring $16;   ASOS Gold Plated Open Square ring $13;  and ASOS Pack of 3 Mixed Simple rings $10.

Jeans:  AG Adriano Goldschmied Ex-Boyfriend Skinny Jeans on sale for $141 (orig. $235); and J Brand Rail Slim-Straight Jeans in Venture on sale for $79 (orig. $180).

Tops:  LOVE YOUR SELFIE graphic tee from Target, old – similar ‘love your selfie’ t-shirt via Buckle for $19; I NEED COFFEE graphic tee at Target $14;  Meda Lace Top by one.september at Anthropologie $118;  Ottoline Blazer by Cartonnier in Ivory at Anthropologie on sale for $79 (orig. $148).

Sunnies: RETROSUPERFUTURE (SUPER) Ciccio Sunglasses $189.

 

Shine on, ladies!
xoxo

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spring cleaning

The official start of spring is just a few weeks away (yay!).  And it’s the perfect time to get a jump start on your spring cleaning.  I live in a small house and my guy has hoarding tendencies, so decluttering and organizing are recurring themes.

Here’s how I’ve managed to at least organize our spices and free up some much needed kitchen cabinet space.  And further below are some decluttering tips and motivational reading from Japanese organizing sensation Marie Kondo.  I love her notion that you should only keeps items that spark joy!  Then thank the items you decide to part with and then let them go.

declutter1

With an inexpensive auto drip pan from Walmart and some magnetic spice canisters from World Market, I was able to free up several shelves in my kitchen– and I’m actually able to find the spices I’m looking for when I need them!  Just screw the metal pan to the wall, fill your spice canisters, and voila!  This project could not be simpler.

Below is a list of items if you want to order on-line.  Note that auto drip pans come in various sizes, so if you don’t see the size you’d like just have a Google for more options.  I simply walked into my local Walmart and bought one they had in-store in the auto section.

Lumax Galvz Drip Pan 47”x25” on sale at Walmart for $25 (was $31)

Lumax Galvz Drip Pan 18”x25” on sale at Walmart for $10 (was $13)

Blitz Oil Drop Pan from Ace for $15

Magnetic spice tins at World Market – set of 5 for $10

De-cluttering and organizing seem overwhelming?  Not sure where to start?  Marie Kondo is a Japanese organizational consultant who teaches that you should:

  1. Only keep items that spark joy!
  2. Thank the items that you decide to part with.
  3. Organize and tidy what is left.

Her books are best sellers and you can find tons of reviews and information about her philosophy on-online.  Good Morning America recently had Marie on to help declutter a couple’s apartment.  (View the GMA clip here.)  And several articles have been written on her work, like Purge sentimental tat and get rid of every ‘joyless’ item: The top 10 tips for decluttering your home, according to the ‘KonMari craze’ sweeping the world.  The top 10 tips list includes things like:

  • Avoid using stacking storage boxes as they encourage hoarding; and
  • Don’t keep things ‘just in case’.  It’s a false economy (they cause clutter, let them go).

But perhaps most important of all:  Don’t tell all your loved ones about your decluttering plans – especially if they have hoarding tendencies themselves.  Note to self.  😉

 

Happy spring cleaning!
xoxo

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spring mini makeover

March is just a couple days away and with daylight saving time, spring, Easter, and St. Patrick’s Day- it is a month full of change and new beginnings.  Still working on how Patty’s Day fits into that, but point being – March is a great time for a mini (or MAX) makeover!

Schedule a haircut, do some spring cleaning on that skin, get a fresh face complexion, a warm glow, and a sweet pout.  Want some suggestions on how to do all that?  Here’s how I’m getting it done! —

Haircut:  The wob and lob (or wavy bob and long bob) are still going strong.  I’ll be going for the lob.  It’s a great length to update your look without going too drastic.  The lob is long enough to throw in a pony tail or top knot, and to camouflage those clip-in extensions for the days you’re craving length.

Skin spring cleaning:  Whether you schedule a facial or do an at-home peel, give your face a pamper and jumpstart that glow with some spring cleaning exfoliation.  I’m partial to the annual laser peel coupled with regular at-home treatments.  The 3-step Power Peel by Ole Henriksen (6 treatments for $50) is one of my all time favorites!

Fresh face:  I recently discovered the Burberry Beauty ‘Fresh Glow’ BB Cream ($44, I wear the Medium) and I love it.  Super hydrating, it’s perfect for bringing winter skin back to life.  Mix a pump of the BB cream with a pump of Burberry ‘Fresh Glow’ Luminous Fluid Base ($48) for an extra shot of radiance.  The Luminous Fluid Base comes in two colors – Nude Radiance (perfect for spring), and Golden Radiance (for that summer glow).  I, of course, have them both.

Warm glow: Last month I searched all over and tried many products in my hunt for the perfect bronzer.  I wanted something not sparkly and not orangey.  And Burberry came through for me again.  The Burberry Beauty ‘Warm Glow’ Natural Bronzer (No. 1 Warm Glow, $52) is everything I hoped for and more… except for the price.  It was hard to part with $52 for a bronzer (?!!?!), but when I say I tried many products – I really mean a $#!+ TON.  And for me, the Burberry Warm Glow Bronzer was – at that point – worth it.  And I will say that the Burberry bronzer seems to be really highly pigmented, i.e. a little goes a long way, so I’m hoping it will last and last and last.

Sweet pout:  While at the Burberry counter I also discovered the ‘First Kiss’ Fresh Gloss Lip Balm (No. 1 Soft Peach, $26).  A soft glossy balm with a hint of color and not at all sticky!  Want a bit more color?  Check out the color lineup from my lovely lips post a few weeks back.

xoxo

ash1 Comment

seeing green

St. Patrick’s day is a little less than a month away (March 17) and the outfit options abound!  Here are some green bits that I found during my ongoing search for something festive to wear.  In general I find H&M to be a fun place to shop for seasonal items on a budget– just make sure to shop quickly as sizes seem to go fast.  And I pop into Anthropologie on the regular, so not surprisingly some anthro pieces wound up in the round up.  Any idea what you’ll wear?!!

green

From left to right, top to bottom: 

Khaki Green/Checked Shirt Dress at H&M for $24

 Viridis Cowl Dress by Bordeaux at Anthropologie on sale for $69 (orig. $138)

Dark Green Lace Blouse at H&M for $39

Rainforest Silk Dress by Vanessa Virginia at Anthropologie $188

Dark Green Lace Dress at H&M for $49

Pilcro Vega Leather Moto Pants at Anthropologie on sale for $79 (orig. $148)

Dark Green Dress with Butterfly Sleeves at H&M for $49

Meralda Silk Dress by Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent at Anthropologie on sale for $99 (orig. $375)

Dark Green Lace Pencil Skirt $34 and Short Lace Top $24, both at H&M

 

xoxo

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the lace-up flat

The pointy-toe lace-up flat is all the rage these days, and it looks like the trend is going to stick for at least a while longer.  But how much is the trend worth to you?  To help you decide, I’ve gathered some options at every price level.  Happy shopping!

lace up flats pic

From left to right, top to bottom:

City Classified Heat Lace Up Ballet Flat $25

BP ‘Katrina’ Pointy Toe Lace-Up Flat $60

Chinese Laundry Endless Lace-Up Flat $60

Steve Madden Eleanorr Lace Up Flat $80

Jeffrey Campbell ‘Atsuko’ Ankle Tie Ballet Flat $100

Summit White Mountain Karena Lace-Up Flat $130

Loeffler Randall Ambra Leather Lace-Up Flats $295

Michael Kors Collection Kallie Lace-Up Leather Flats $495

Aquazzura Christy Lace-Up Flats $675

xoxo

ash1 Comment

city chic

Hello lovelies!  Spring is on its way (yay!), and the sales going on this holiday weekend have me itching to stock up on transitional essentials.  Put away those yoga pants and Uggs and upgrade your around-town look.  Whether you’re running errands, grabbing coffee, or heading to class, there’s no excuse for slobbery.  Swap out those yoga pants and Uggs for these city chic pieces-

city chic pic copy

Veronica Beard Chesterfield Dickey Coat on sale for $449 (orig. $1495).  I picked this coat up on clearance sale and it’s AMAZING!  The leather dickey is removable, and I suggest adding a raccoon or fox [faux, if you prefer,] fur stole for some upscale drama.  FYI, I typically wear a size 4 in coats for most brands, but I’m a pretty solid 2 in Veronica Beard coats and jackets.  Read their size guide/measurements before ordering!

Target “I NEED COFFEE” graphic tee $15; Target California Bear graphic tee $13; Target So Far So Good graphic tee $15.  So many cute graphic tees for a great price at Target!

AG Legging Ankle Jeans $225.  The ankle length legging jean is perfect for wearing under boots, with booties, flats, and heels.

Suede Ponte Leggings  by La Fee Verte $49 at Anthropologie; see also Free People Vegan Leggings for $98 from Zappos.  Waaaay more chic than black yoga pants, but just as comfy.

AG Ex-Boyfriend Skinny Jeans on sale for $141 (orig. $235).  A roomier/relaxed-fit jean for those days when you’re not feeling a tight legging or skinny jean.  It happens.

J. Crew Icon trench coat $298. Simply a classic versatile trench.

Marc by Marc Jacobs ‘New Too Hot to Handle’ leather hobo on sale for $358 (orig. $448).  A medium-to-large crossbody body bag is a must for cruising around the city – especially now that stores are charging $0.10 each for shopping bags.

Retrosuperfuture Brown Ciccio Sunglasses $189.  Bold glasses to protect your peepers.

Chloé Suzanna Studded Ankle Boot $1,345.  I’ve raved about these booties before (read blog post here), and I’m still in love with them.  They go with pretty much everything, are super comfy, and hold up extremely well.

Tod’s Fringed Metallic Leather Sneakers $725.  I am beyond obsessed with these sneakers and when/if they go on sale, I will snatch up a pair.  They also come in silver and black.

xoxo

 

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