Warmest Wishes

The finished product from our little preview here. 

Happy Holidays lovelies! Taking a few days off, see you in the new year!

Proud Wife

Hey peeps! Just a quick little post to let you know my husband's tea company, Royal Tea Co. is a featured deal on Gilt City and I wanted to share it with you! The offer, $25 for $50 worth of Rare Loose Leaf Tea, is available until 12/30/2010 at 12pm CST and good through March 23, 2011. You've worked hard this holiday season, treat yourself to a relaxing blend, an energizing brew or immune boosting infusion! All available at the Royal Tea Co. website.

P.S. Gilt City is the source for coveted products & experiences at insider prices. Be sure the check out their other offers and experience your city for less! Not a member? Email me for an invitation.

Weathering the Storm

Dear readers, I try to keep this a positive place but sometimes crappy things happen and it's hard to keep a great attitude. I continually debate how much personal info to share on this blog, more for safety & privacy reasons above anything else. However, I do feel so close to many of you who visit faithfully and inspire me with your stories and comments and it doesn't feel right not to be honest with you. Without diving into details, I'm putting it out there that some of my loved ones are going through some rough spots right now in several different capacities and while I do believe all will eventually end well, it doesn't make the middle of the storm any easier. Coincidentally, just yesterday I read an article about resilience and a quote that stuck with me said, "If you fall 7 times, stand up 8", which is what we intend to do. However, if you have it in your heart to say a little prayer of peace or send a warm thought through the universe I would greatly appreciate it.

It's the season of love and gratefulness and you know nothing makes my heart smile more than spending time with my family. Fortunately, I'll be with them soon but in light of recent developments may need to take a little blogging break for the holiday. Hopefully this isn't my last post of the season but if it is, I hope you know how much you mean to me. People who aren't bloggers may not understand how you can care so much about people you've never met. But I know you get it :) Thank you for reading, thank you for inspiring, thank you for sharing.
(Here I go getting all weepy...)

*Hugs*
Ashleigh

P.S. The picture above, titled "Mini skirts in Snowstorm" (found here), captures perfectly how it feels to be caught in the middle of a life storm - helpless and uncomfortable.  Luckily, storms always end, and the sun shall return!

It's the Little Things - #9

Salted Carmel Hot Cocoa on a freezing day.
Made with Dark Chocolate - score!

Style Secret

Let's play a little guessing game!  See this dress...

gorgeous isn't she?

This is me wearing the dress to the Chicago Fashion Foundation Christmas Party last weekend.  I cinched her up with a black leather wrap belt...

 (You remember Brooke, right?)

and added these Carlos platform sling backs.

Here she is with the group...

Now tell me Fashionista's - where is she from??

Popular guesses were:

 Lanvin for H&M

Forever 21

The Limited
Ann Taylor Loft

Answer revealed after the break...

Christmas Card Outtakes 2010

Last weekend we ventured into the cold to capture a suitable photo for our Christmas card this year. Of course, as common with projects of this nature, there were more bloopers than suitable but the silliness recaped the day perfectly.

Have a little look, don't blink or you'll miss it!
(P.S. There's a little tune in the video, just in case you need to adjust your volume.)



Update: See the finished product here!

Oh, Deer.

I'm smitten with these photos taken by Feather Love Photography for the 'Girls with Glasses' feature in the holiday issue of Rue Magazine. Coconut (my favorite!), little deer cakes and shiny tinsel...yes!
How sweet is the deer in the first photo, it's like he's looking right at us!

Black Swan

How amazing is this film going to be?? Anyone else chomping at the bit to see it?? We rarely go to theater but once in a while a movie comes along that begs to be viewed on the big screen. The previews look intense!!



I'm pirouetting for the costumes designed by Rodarte...

Sketches via Russian Vogue

Happy Weekend Ballerina's!

Sequin Stunner

I can't get enough of the sequins lately.  The product description calls this jacket 'kinda Vegas grandma'. Aaaaaand iloveit. Perfect for a 'Let me look fab-er than necessary while being comfortable" moment.

 Available at Swirl by Daily Candy.

Weekend Shopping

Welcome back from the long weekend - I hope it was wonderful! With a full belly and excited mind it's time to really gear up for holiday shopping! I took a little part in Black Friday & Cyber Monday but didn't cross as much off the list as I'd hoped. I had originally intended on completing most of my shopping online this year (easier to resist personal shopping temptation!) but after seeing these events, I'll have a hard time sticking to that plan.  All are in the Chicago area this weekend, if you're around check them out!

Renegade Handmade Craft Fair

Do-Division Holiday

Jewelry, Fashion & Accessories Show

Thank you all for the fabulous gift guides - I've taken many wonderful ideas from you. Keep 'em coming, I need all the help I can get! Time is not on my side!

A Thankful Heart

In true Thanksgiving fashion I'd like to tell you how thankful I am for you dear reader. I know this isn't the biggest or best blog and it makes it all the more special that you take the time to stop by, read and comment. And trust me, I enjoy everything you share. Your blogs are an inspiration and I'm so thankful to have 'met' the most wonderful people in the short time I've been doing this.

I hope your holiday weekend is full of laugher, love and full bellies. Whether resting and relaxing or braving the crowds on Black Friday, enjoy it to fullest with a grateful heart. Life really is wonderful isn't it?

In addition to everything on {this list}, today I'm thankful for (in no particular order): coconut crepes, health, wonderful travels, opportunity, Maroon 5, family beach vacations, theme parties, blogging, out of town visitors, Chicago summer, Tennessee winter, my spontaneous & sweet husband, and the fabulous family and friends who make my life complete.

Mwwwwahhh sweet turkeys!

P.S. If you have time for super quick craft project you can head over to Craftily Ever After for the adorable 'Gobble On' print pictured above.

Rules for a Successful Holiday

Tea towels by Studio Patro.

Rules for a successful holiday:
1. Get together with the family
2. Relive old times
3. Get out before it blows

A little chuckle via Story People. :)


(P.S. Thanks for your support regarding haircut disaster. I'm feeling a lot less serious about it now thanks to your stories, advice and kind words.  Re-reading that post makes me feel a little too negative, especially with such a thankful holiday around the corner!)

Haircut Horrors

Photo via Make Yeah

Well kittens, it's happened again. I'm officially cursed by the hair gods. No matter what I ask for or how many pictures I take it never turns out quite right. I think this is why I put off haircuts as long as I possibly can and get anxiety the day of. This time, long face framing layers turned into side swept bangs, ugh.... I wouldn't say it looks horrible (thankfully), but it's definitely not what I wanted. Not to mention my new wisps are absolutely annoying the heck out of me, falling in my eye every time I look down.  Which brings up several points:

1. Am I terrible at picking stylists? I took someones advice years ago and asked ladies who had great cuts for their recommendation. What else can I do??

2. Am I just too critical? Are my expectations too high?  I totally get that stylist aren't miracle workers, certain cuts don't work on certain hair, etc...But my problem is more definite like how a request for mid cheek swooped layers turns into eyebrow grazing chunks.

3. What is with the love/hate relationship with hair? Can't live with it, can't live without it. I like it long, but it seems boring and blah sometimes. Then I get scared to do anything with it for fear of another disaster. It's a vicious circle! Sure it's just hair, but I'm a little attached to it. After all, I nurtured it, conditioned it, cared for it every day. In a way it feels a little like an extension of me like a pinky toe or ear lobe.

Since most of you don't know me personally, it may be hard to answer those questions. I guess it was more of a venting tactic than seeking actual answers. Oh well, I feel a little better already. Still wishing I lived in Florida so this girl could be my stylist, she totally gets it. *sigh*

Have you had a haircut horror(s) or are you blessed with good hair karma??

Happy Weekend {Almost Thanksgiving Edition!}

As we plan & prepare for Thanksgiving I have details on the brain. Cooking is ok, but it's really the other things that get me excited (like list making and centerpieces. :) Originally indended for an engagement party, I think this arrangement and table setting would make the most beautiful Thanksgiving day impression. The mix of gold and grey is unexpected and divine!

Flowers by JL Designs, Photos by Jose Villa.

(See it in engagement party glory here.)

Have a lovely weekend!

Non Diamond Engagement Rings

Photo via People

The news of Prince William proposing to Kate with Diana's gorgeous sapphire engagement ring got me all excited about this potentially becoming a trend. (Jessica just got a ruby!) I love the idea of wearing something other than a diamond. Though they're beautiful, I've never understood why that was the chosen stone to represent love and marriage. (I'm sure there's a reason, I'm just too lazy to Google it.)  Eight years ago I swooned over a sapphire not knowing it would become my engagement ring just a short while later. A few times at the beginning I wondered if it would be alright for the rest of my life, blending with my wardrobe or standing out like a sore thumb. But it quickly became me and not once did I regret that it wasn't a diamond. I still find myself gazing at it and love that it represents Alex's birthstone (though not why we chose it). People often ask if it's my wedding ring and I get to feel like a newlywed again and again when I tell them yes, I can't imagine wearing anything else. Though... I don't think I'd mind an emerald for our 10 year ;)

What about you, do you have a non diamond or would you be up for it? Do you think colored stones will catch on??



Designer Matroyska's

This is old news but it's new to me...To commemorate the 10th anniversary of Russian Vogue top designers 'dressed' matryoshka dolls.  Pop quiz! Can you match the designer to the doll?  

Here are your choices:

Emilio Pucci         Giorgio Armani         Burberry         Moschino        

Nina Donis           Roberto Cavalli         Prada             Gucci

Versace               Dries Van Noten

(Answers are below.)

 

Answers after the jump!

Golden Glam

Well hello Golden Girl...won't you be my date for New Year's Eve?

I think you'd enjoy my friends Messy Bun, Red Lipstick and Black Tights. Whatdya say we dance the night away??



Christian Louboutin Releases 'Peace of Shoe'

Christian Louboutin has released a limited collection of shoes named "Peace of Shoe." The silk peep-toe platform trimmed beauties feature hand-stitched embroidered Indian ribbon and are available in 3 colors in 3 cities:  champagne in New York, lavender in Miami and pink in Los Angeles. The best part...all proceeds from each $1495 sale are going to the Grameen Foundation, which provides the world's poorest citizens, especially women, small loans to start or expand small businesses and eventually support themselves.
That's what I call design with sole. :) 

Happy Weekend: {Birthday Edition!}

Happy Friday kittens! I hope you have a lovely weekend planned. We're attending a birthday party on Saturday, birthday's are the best....A full day of celebrating someone you love! Here are a few of my party favorites.

The Invitation

The Decoration

The Gift (for Her)

The Gift (for Him)

The Card

The Toast

Have a sweet one peeps, see ya next week!

Lanvin for H&M

I really have no need for a yellow dress, but my heart is still fluttering for this one anyway.

Lanvin arrives at H&M November 20th, get your pocket books ready!

Southern Wedding Inspiration

Y'all know I'm a Southern girl at heart so naturally I'm swooning over these pictures from a 'Southern sweet meets California cool' wedding inspired photoshoot. Drawing inspiration from traditional southern elements (lace, bourbon, sweet tea) with a California twist (succulents, poppies, peach nectar) this fete is blowing my mind...the centerpieces are like texture heaven! Green tomatoes, cotton and a mint mixing station, what else do you need in life??

Photos by Stephanie Williams

See the full lot here. Really, you must.