Little Jun

I was actually quite excited to put this post together, mostly because I'm doing something a little different today.  My boss, the Overlord herself, gave her employees the chance to talk about their favorite Pinup Girl Clothing outfits and why we love them so much (you can check out this series on our Facebook right now).  I'm personally quite a fan of the Little Jun skirt and cropped jacket set; because it's classy, cute, and incredibly versatile.  Still not sold?  I went ahead and created a few outfits built around these two staple pieces.  Because if it doesn't work for multiple occasions/seasons, it's probably not a smart investment!

Poppy Fields

Well, the craziest time of the year is here: Black Friday.  I'm not a big physical shopper (I love to do everything online in my pajamas) and the thought of braving the crowds sounds torturous.  Thankfully, most retailers offer the same deals online as they do in store so I get the best of both worlds in the comfort of my home.  For example, Unique Vintage is offering this gorgeous Bernie Dexter dress (as well as everything else on their site) for 25% off.  Like I've mentioned before, Bernie Dexter is one of my favorite brands and being able to shop these sales is a godsend!  This Saturday Night dress is the perfect poppy print that can be dressed up for the holidays or worn all year around.

Peacock

Let the holiday outfits begin!  I love dressing up for any occasion really, so this time of year is always a fun way to play with my wardrobe.  Voodoo Vixen just released their holiday collection and I've been fortunate enough to snag this gorgeous Blair dress for review!

Chrysanthemum

I don't know why it took me so long to add this dress to my wardrobe.  I have been lusting after it for years.  I first discovered Bernie Dexter on Modcloth, but at the time the price point was much too high and I was a "more bang for your buck" kind of shopper.  I've since realized the error in my ways and I feel much more satisfied saving for a well constructed dress.  As you might already know, I'm a sucker for her Paris style dresses (I have five), mostly because they're perfect for summer and really easy to transition into colder weather.

What's On My Radar: Current Loves

Happy Friday!  With the craziness of the holidays already upon us, sometimes shopping for yourself and others can be overwhelming.  This month's installment is short, sweet, and can get both you and your loved ones ready to enjoy the chaos together :).  Here's my picks:

 When Decades Collide

1. Geometric Dress

2. Flower Border Dress

3. Red and White Holiday Dress

4. Drop Waist Dress

5. Red Leaf Dress

When Decades Collide is one of my favorite vintage shops.  She handpicks every perfect piece and always has me contemplating throwing down an entire paycheck on her goodies.  She also updates frequently, which means there are more chances to find the perfect vintage ensemble!

Unique Vintage

1. Heather Dress in Baby Blue Manor Print

2. Red Tartan Aberdeen Swing Dress

3. Ellie May High Waist Swing Skirt

4. Green Tartan Aberdeen Swing Dress

5. Charlotte Swing Dress in Cat Print

Unique Vintage has been killing it with their new arrivals lately!  From classic to quirky, there is no shortage of novelty prints on their site.  I feel like I could live in those plaid dresses...

 Pinup Girl Clothing

1. Bamboo Purse in Circus Print

2. Ava Swing Dress in Silver

3. Monica Dress in Lilac

4. Jessica Dress in Houndstooth

5. Strawberry Bucket Bag

As usual, my Pinup Girl Clothing wishlist is miles long.  Their coming soon section has me gasping with glee, especially when it comes to this silver Ava swing dress.  It just screams New Year's Eve!

Modcloth

1. Tree For All Wall Decor

2. Steep Of Faith Mug

3. Snowfall In Love Coat

4. Waltzing In A Winter Wonderland Dress

5. Holiday After Day Ornament Set

I feel like Modcloth has the largest selection of fun gifts, so I've included some of my favorites.  I had to add a ridiculously cute coat and winter inspired dress just for good measure.  These might be (mostly) gift ideas, but I could stash all these in my home without a blink of an eye.

What's on your list this month?  Have you started Christmas shopping yet?  Let me know in the comments below!

xoxo

Ashley

Borrowed Time

I can't believe it's taken me this long to feature one of my favorite skirts!  I waited for what felt like months for a restock and purchased it the minute it popped back up on the site.  I usually wear it with a solid black or striped top, but my new favorite pairing is the teal Sabrina top.  It's the perfect color for fall and compliments this skirt beautifully.  I'm looking forward to incorporating teal (and other jewel tones) into my wardrobe this season.

Lift Off!

I don't think I will ever get tired of matching my outfit with Bianca's.  I can't say she will feel the same way forever, but she gets so giddy and screams "dress" when we match right now and it absolutely melts my heart.  Lily, the wonderful woman behind Lil' Lou Lou, surprised us with a few matching outfits from her Rocket Science collection.  I let Bianca open the package and she went crazy, I'm not even kidding!  Lil' Lou Lou has tons of beautiful high quality pieces and I couldn't wait to feature her shop!

Hollywood Boulevard

Some days are just harder than others.  This day just happened to nip me in the rump at every opportunity!  The weather was perfect, the lighting was great, and Bianca was being cooperative.  But let me tell you, the minute I set up my camera the most powerful of windstorms approached.  Instead of hanging my head in defeat, I managed to snap as many decent pictures as I could.  This "dressed down" side of my wardrobe had to be documented!

Saving Grace

Happy Monday!  It was one eventful weekend for me, which is actually quite rare outside of work.  Kevin and I had the chance to have a date night at a very fancy restaurant and we also managed to squeeze in our holiday card photos and a friend's birthday party.  I'll admit that my family is happy being little homebodies, but it was nice to get out together and live life outside our ridiculously comfortable couch.

Tips and Tricks: Achieving and Maintaining Bright Colored Hair

The long awaited hair color post is here!  As someone who has been coloring their hair at home for years, I've always wanted to give my tips and tricks for anyone who's considering taking the vibrant color plunge.  This post has been on my mind for months, I just wanted to make sure I had all the information gathered before I went ahead and posted it.  Just so you know, while I am well versed with color, I am not a licensed cosmetologist.  Now that we have that out of the way, let's get started!


Before you consider a vibrant color:

- Make sure you're willing to maintain the upkeep.  Unlike normal hair color, the vibrant hues fade much faster.  I touch up my color about every two weeks, sometimes even more!

- Unless you have light blonde hair, bleach is needed before you color.  My natural is a dark ash blonde (level 6) and I bleach it to a level 9 or 10 to get the best results.  If your hair already has color on it, expect to have your hair bleached several times before you reach a high enough level.  That being said, you may experience breakage during your bleaching journey.

- Depending on what color you use, you may have color transfer on your clothes, pillow cases, shower, etc.  I used to have this problem when I used Special Effects colors, but I've since switched to Sparks color and I have no issues.  But let me tell you, there was a time I wouldn't dare wearing a white top because of my hair!


What you'll need:


- Plastic hair color bowl

- Color brush

- Gloves

- Conditioner

- Shower cap

Start with freshly bleached hair.  I usually bleach my hair the night before and color it the day after.  It's not a must, but sometimes the entire process can be long so I split it up.  Make sure your hair is completely dry before you deposit the color.  My color concoctions frequently change, but I'm currently using Sparks Purple Passion, Pink Kiss, and their brand new silver color.  Since the Purple Passion is very concentrated, I only use a very small amount, about the size of dime.  The Pink Kiss and Silver are then added, about 2-3 tablespoons each.  I then add the conditioner to lighten the colors.  The type of conditioner you use isn't important, as long as it's a white color.  Mix it all up and if you're happy with the outcome, start applying it to your hair.  Sometimes it can be too dark (which I'll then add more conditioner) or too light (which I'll then add more color) so it can take a few tries to get the desired hue I'm looking for.

Once it's applied, I don a shower cap to keep the color from drying.  While most colors say to leave it on for 20-30 minutes, I leave it on for 2 hours minimum (remember how I said this process is long?).  It lasts much longer when the color sits longer.  Once you're ready to wash, make sure you use cold water to rinse it out.  Since I start this process with freshly washed hair, I don't shampoo it out.  Again, that's up to you, but the color lasts longer when you shampoo less!


Post color care:

- Try to stay out of direct sunlight for long periods of time.  The sun will fade your hair quicker than it already does!  Hats are definitely your friend.

- Always wash your hair in cold water.  Unless you're using a color care system like Overtone, warm water will fade your hair even quicker than the sun.  Since I don't like taking ice cold showers, I wash my hair in cold water first and then shower with a cap on.

- Speaking of washing your hair, try to do it as little as possible!  I've gone down to twice a week, which is the least I can wash without looking dirty.  I use lots of dry shampoo in between washes, which is a lifesaver!

- Use sulfate free shampoo/conditioner.  This will help prevent your color from being stripped at a faster rate.  Sparks has a color care line that I absolutely love!

- Add some dye to your conditioner to help with the fading process.  I added a drop of my purple color to my conditioner and make sure to leave it on for 5-10 minutes for a mini touch up!


I always say having a fun color is a labor of love and the above post is proof!  Have any questions for me?  Let me know in the comments below!

xoxo

Ashley

Painted City

My skirt collection has grown faster than I even realized!  I've always been a fan of a good novelty print, so it's no surprise that this gorgeous Emily and Fin number now has a place in my closet.  As someone who's incredibly particular about my fabrics, I really appreciate a breathable cotton skirt.  It doesn't hurt that it has massive pockets as well.  When I can go to the grocery store without a purse, I'm quite certain that I'll want to wear that outfit every time.

Revel In Nostalgia

As much as I've hated wearing anything but dresses, I feel like it's taken the right separates to change my mind.  This new Little Jun skirt is as comfortable as it is pretty.  The back waistband has elastic shirring so it gives a tailor made fit, the hidden back zip allows a seamless look, and the cummerbund waist detail is extremely flattering.  I never realized how much I loved box pleats until I put on this skirt!  It also comes in a pretty pink and a basic black, which I'm hoping to add to my closet very soon.  I'm also crossing my fingers it will eventually come in some fun prints.  Wouldn't that be amazing?!