Terrarium

I know I wasn't gone for too long but: I'm back!!!  It's not really a frequent thing, but sometimes an unplanned/unexpected outfit blogging break is exactly what I need.  It's when I find myself excited to pick up my camera again that I know it's time to get back to the grind.  And I'm pretty sure this gorgeous dress was the inspiration behind it!











Dress- Tara Starlet (no longer available)
Shoes- Remix Vintage Shoes
Lipstick- c/o Besame Cosmetics in Portrait Pink

I hate to be a tease but this Tara Starlet dress is no longer in production.  In fact, Tara Starlet closed up shop for good last year.  It's such a shame because their clothing was adorable and impeccably made.  This Brigitte dress features a stretchy ruffle neckline that can be worn on or off the shoulder, spaghetti straps for added support, fitted bodice, a-line skirt with a ruffle hem, and a long side zippered closure.  This terrarium print is my absolute favorite and I feel like it's perfect for summer.  While you won't be able to find this dress in store anymore, I have seen them pop up on eBay from time to time.  It took me a little while to find mine but it was worth the wait!

I think one of the reasons for my brief blogging break is not feeling inspired by my closet.  It may or may not be totally obvious, but I feel like the "pinup" style is becoming less and less of my everyday routine.  Don't get me wrong, I still love my circle skirts and my vintage treasures!  I just don't feel as attached to the aesthetic as I once was.  To be honest: having a face full of makeup and hair perfectly set to go along with my outfit everyday is exhausting!  So I've been experimenting with different hairstyles and outfits that just aren't as "fussy" as my usual (like the one I've featured today).  There will still be days where I want to be totally done, but I'm not chaining myself to the aesthetic.  After all, this is a personal style blog and I've gone through many changes since I started almost seven years ago!

xoxo

Ashley

Into the Woods

As you probably already know, Erstwilder just released their Into the Woods collection and I am all about it!  Filled with cute woodland creatures and fairy tale fantasies, this collection was basically conjured from my dreams.  I'm here to share my picks from this collection and let me tell you, it was hard not to take them all!

Bear With Me:

I love this dapper little bear!  Donning a black top hat and a red bow tie, he's ready to class up any outfit.  He's probably the largest of the bunch, big enough to be noticed but small enough to pin to your outfit.  I have a feeling he's going on a lot of trips with me this summer!

Young Archimedes:

I'm obsessed with all kinds of birds so of course I had to add Young Archimedes to my collection.  I love his deep wine color with pops of chestnut and goldenrod.  I think he looks lovely with a bright colored top (you can find this one HERE), but I'm quite sure he looks great on any outfit.

Naveen the Romancer:

Who wouldn't want to kiss this prince?!  Naveen the Romancer is the perfect finishing touch for my Tiana Disneybound (that I have yet to debut).  His crown and his cute little puckered-up lips won me over instantly!  I can't wait to show him around Disneyland later this summer...

Tom's Tormentor:

This little mini-mouse is pretty much the cutest thing I've pinned to an outfit.  With a textured body and a super sparkly tail, he's the perfect way to incorporate some cute bling!  He's definitely the smallest of my picks, but I appreciate a smaller brooch (especially when I don't have much space to add a brooch to my outfit).

While these were my favorites of the bunch, you can view the entire Into the Woods collection HERE.  Which are your favorites?  Let me know in the comments below!

xoxo

Ashley

What's On My Radar: Current Loves

I can't stop thinking about fun summer outfits!  I mean, what's new?  Whether it's a cute new sundress, fun accessories, or planning out my Halloween wardrobe (that's totally a thing), this month's installment has it all!  You can see all of my picks below:

Vixen by Micheline Pitt

1. Ben Cooper Trick R Treat Print Swing Skirt
2. Vixen Top in Chartreuse
3. Ben Cooper Monster Mask Print Swing Skirt
4. Powder Puff Top in Chartreuse
5. Bad Girl Crop Top in Orange and Black Stripes

It might be summer but Halloween never looked so good!  The pre-order section of Vixen's website is simply drool-worthy and I'm dying to get my hands on everything!  I've already pre-ordered the crop top in black and orange stripes, but I feel like that Trick R Treat swing skirt is going to be in my cart at any moment now.

J. Crew

1. Bow-Shoulder Top
2. A-Line Button Up Skirt
3. Off The Shoulder Ruffle Hem Dress
4. Tie Shoulder One Piece Swimsuit
5. High Waisted Shorts

While I'm not a regular J. Crew shopper, this postcard print has me lusting over the entire collection!  Inspired by summers in Spain, this print is the perfect summer staple and it comes in plenty of styles to choose from.  These happen to be my favorites, but the dress is the one that I took home.  Oh, and the entire site is currently 25% off with the code SUMMER.  Shop away!

Bow & Crossbones

1. Confetti Braclet- Blue Thread
2. Confetti Bracelet- Silver Flake
3. Confetti Bracelet- Bubblegum and Magenta
4. Confetti Bracelet- Chartreuse and Black
5. Confetti Bracelet- Gold Thread
6. Confetti Bracelet- Multi Clear

I can't help how much I love these Grace bangles from Bow & Crossbones!  I've only chosen to show a few, but there are so many different kinds of bangles to fall in love with.  Lots of these styles also have coordinating earrings so you can finish off your vintage-inspired look.  I'll just take one of everything, please.

Kate Spade

1. Rambling Roses Monkey Mini Pendant
2. Bayard Place Little Babe
3. Dino Applique Folio iPhone Case
4. Cedar Street Ice Pop Berrie
5. Abigail Heels

I mean, who doesn't love everything from Kate Spade?  I've been eyeing their sale section all week!  These are my current favorites (that bag, OMG) and you can get and additional 30% off all sale items with the code SUNNY.  I feel like lots of fun goodies are coming home with me...

Boohoo

1. Maddison Frill Sleeve Off Shoulder Midi Dress
2. Sophie Pom Pom Trim Clutch
3. Lucille Stripe Bow Front Midi Skater Dress
4. Poppy Watermelon Fruit Crossbody Bag
5. Yasmin Tie Back Detail Midi Skater Dress

Summer is all about fun summer dresses and cute novelty bags (at least for me it is)!  Boohoo has a wonderful selection of both, and everything is at such a great price point.  That striped Lucille dress is everything!  I need it on my body like right now!

What's on your wish list this month?  Let me know in the comments below!

xoxo

Ashley

Rosewall

Now that it's officially summer, all the pretty cotton sundresses are off their hangers and out in the sun!  Hearts and Found is always my go-to shop when I'm in the mood for more.  They're custom made to my measurements, have tons of pretty prints to choose from, and are constructed to last forever.  I recently fell in love with this Rosewall fabric and I knew I needed it in my favorite style: the Grace dress.











Dress- c/o Hearts and Found
Shoes- c/o Bettie Page Shoes
Belt- From another dress
Bracelets- c/o Top Vintage
Lipstick- Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in Always Red

The Grace is made from 100% cotton and is fully lined, has a gathered bust, adjustable spaghetti straps, a full skirt with side pockets, and a long back zippered closure.  It's great for long waists but will accommodate anyone, thanks to the adjustable straps.  I love that the skirt is full enough on its own.  No need for a petticoat, you can just throw it on and go!  While Hearts and Found does carry sizes XS-4X, Marjorie is more than happy to accommodate any of her items to your actual measurements.  Considering the fact that you're getting a custom-made dress, it's such a phenomenal price!

This weekend Kevin and I are going to a very fancy event.  It's not very often that I get to wear a gown, so I'm really excited about getting glammed up for the occasion.  I can't wait to show you my outfit!  Make sure to follow me on Instagram to see it :).

xoxo

Ashley

Birds Of A Feather

As you probably already know, Trashy Diva is hands-down my favorite brand to purchase from.  I love their vintage-inspired prints, unique dress styles, and the luxurious fabrics they like to use (stretch rayon, anyone?).  Their Birds of a Feather collection released last week and I was intrigued but just not completely excited.  I purchased anyway because I couldn't stop thinking about this new Getaway dress and I'm so happy I did.  It's comfortable, fits like a dream, and I can't get enough of the features in this new dress style!















Dress- Trashy Diva
Shoes- c/o Bettie Page Shoes (similar)
Bracelet- Betsey Johnson
Belt- From another dress
Lipstick- Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in Always Red

The Birds of a Feather collection is made from a light and breathable cotton voile.  If you're a Trashy Diva dress collector like I am, it very much feels like their Mahjong collection.  The Getaway is a beautiful new style that is fully lined and features a pleated neckline, adjustable straps, a box-pleated skirt, and finished with a long back zippered closure.  Unlike the rest of this collection, this dress is mostly black and uses the print as a contrast panel in the front.  It's probably why I was so attractred to this dress!  It also has a thin necktie that anchors at the middle of the bustline so you can tie it around your neck, but I found that this feature doesn't really suit my style (I just don't like anything wrapping around my neck, sorry halter dresses!).  It is removable though, so I'm happy you get to choose whether you want to wear it or not.  I usually wear a size 2, sometimes a 4 and I went with the 4 in this style.  I'm so happy I did because the waist runs a bit snug for a size 4.  Luckily, it worked perfectly on my frame.  My only gripes are the absence of pockets and there isn't an included belt (I added one to break up the print/get the cinched-in look at my waist); but a little birdy told me that future Getaway dresses will have pockets.  I look forward to adding more Getaway dresses to my wardrobe!

I chose to shoot this dress at one of my favorite local nature preservations.  On this particular day it was about 100 degress, which meant I was all alone.  As someone who takes their own photos, not having people staring at me and/or asking me questions while I'm trying to get my photos done is so rare and such a treat!  This cabin (and the surrounding area) is one of my favorite features of the park.  It was built in 1920 and has been preserved/restored ever since.  It's about the size of my master bathroom, yet somewhow the one-time owners raised 12 children in there!  Many older tv programs and movies were filmed here and I'm so lucky to have the opportunity to visit whenever I want.  There are also hiking trails nearby that boast gorgeous views and other old movie sets, but I just can't get to them in heels.  I'll have to save that activity for another day!

xoxo

Ashley