Monday, December 28, 2015

Holiday Party Style Roundup


Dress {similar style - under $100 and comes in 10 colors} | Heels | Clutch | Necklace 


Sweater {similar style} | Jeans | Blazer {not available, similar style} | Heels | Necklace 


Dress {similar style here, here & here} | Bracelet {similar style} | Earrings {similar style}


Christmas has come and gone, but I'm still loving the outfits I wore to some of the holiday parties we attended this season. Some of the items are older, but I have linked similar styles above.

Enjoy the rest of 2015, as 2016 is just around the corner! I am already planning my NYE outfit:)

Friday, December 25, 2015

Christmas Day Pajama Giveaway!





Photos by Ailee Petrovic of Snapshots & My Thoughts 

Duffield Lane classic sleep set  | Starbucks macaron mug | Fitz & Floyd Santa plate | Jonathan Adler initial pillow 


Merry Christmas!!!

Are there two things that go more hand-in-hand than pajamas on Christmas Day? I don't know about you, but in my house it is what we lived in all day after we opened presents. Truth be told, we always celebrated on Christmas Eve, but my dad would always have some extra gifts for us on Christmas Day, as well. Still, when my family and I are all together for Christmas, you can find my sister and I on the couch all day long in our jammies watching Christmas movies for the thousandth time.

When I received these coral pajamas from Duffield Lane, I was not surprised that they made Oprah's Gift Guide 2015. The fabric feels like butter, and the fit is perfect and runs true to size (I am wearing an XS). What's even better is they definitely don't look like your everyday pajamas, and are the perfect lounge outfit. The first thing I thought of is how great they'll be to wear around the house when family or in-laws are in town, when you want to be comfortable but still appropriate and refined. They should be added to every woman's wardrobe immediately! They also carry a wide range of clothing, including super cute dresses.

Duffield Lane and I have teamed up to give one lucky winner the Classic Sleep set in Coral (pictured above).  All the details on how to enter are on my Instagram account, @ashleynstyle. The winner will be announced Sunday December 26th. Trust me, you want these pajamas, so be sure to enter!

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Holiday Festive Tablescape











Photos by Ailee Petrovic of Snapshots & My Thoughts 
Pier 1 Santa wine glasses, snowman napkin rings, pinecone centerpiece, printed napkinsMr. & Mrs. Claus candlesleaf hurricane accent centerpiece | Waterford crystal candlesticks | Maison Versailles Blanc 3 tiered server | Dollar Store mistletoe water glasses, white dinner plates & bows | One Hope sparkling wine | One Kings Lane bar cart | Home Goods polka dot placemats {similar style, super cute!}

It's Christmas Eve! I hope you get to enjoy these next few days with the ones you love.

As you know from my Thanksgiving post, decorating the table and creating a festive tablescape is one of the ways I like to spend and celebrate the holidays. This year, I came across way too much fun stuff at Pier 1 that helped create the perfect setting for my Christmas table. Whether you celebrate in style, or you and your guest's prefer a more casual atmosphere, this tablescape can work perfectly for both.

The simple red, white and green color scheme is not only perfect for Christmas, but through the winter season as well. The Santa & Mrs. Clause candlesticks, as well as the polka dot placemats and snowman napkin rings will make all your guest's nostalgic and reminiscent of the past. My favorite addition to my holiday collection this year was these Santa wine glasses. They're just too much fun. They pair perfectly with the hand painted Christmas lights wine glasses my girlfriend, Rachel, just gave me as well. 

The perfect holiday tablescape and dinner is not complete without some festive spirits. I was introduced to the wine company, One Hope, a few months back, and it has been my go-to hostess and holiday gift all season long. Who can resist a glittered covered champagne bottle?! It definitely is a show stopper. More than being the perfect gift, (and they have marvelous gift baskets too!!), it's a great way to give back and know you're doing some good during the holiday season. One Hope has been around since 2007, and they've partnered with several charitable organizations. From all the products they've sold thus far, they've already donated over $1.8 million! So sip and savor!

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Holiday Decor on a Budget







Photos by Ailee Petrovic of Snapshots & My Thoughts 

Outfit: It's Our Time Santa sweater (under $18!!) | Hue leggings | Accessory Concierge necklace ℅ | Zayver Designs bracelet | Gold Hoop earrings (on sale) - Home Decor: Z Gallerie mirror Personalized Creations stockings | Nutcracker stocking holders {similar style} | Nordstrom Ikat pillows (under $20 and comes in seven different colors) | Faux fur blanket | Leopard Nutcrackers & holiday gift bags purchased from Walgreens | White Nutcracker purchased at a local store


It is starting to get a whole lot jollier in my house! 

I LOVE decorating for the holidays, but what I love even more is finding great inexpensive decorations that only look like a million bucks. I think investment pieces are key, but when you're purchasing cute odds and ends that are only going to be displayed for one month out of the year, there's no reason to break the bank. 

Some of my favorite retailers to shop holiday decor at reasonable prices are Pier 1, Walgreens, CVS, Home Goods & my favorite, the Dollar Tree. Unfortunately most these these retailers have pretty shabby websites (besides Pier 1), so you have to have access to shop in-store. Even if you're in a small town, trust me, it's worth the trip to get some eye catching pieces for a fraction of what people will think you paid. 

This year I went crazy for everything at Pier 1. You'll see all my purchases from there in a post later this week, but I shopped it all right after Thanksgiving when their Christmas decor was all 10-40% off - think cheeky wine glasses, festive napkin rings and ornaments. For tableware, without a doubt, the Home Goods store is the place to go. I hadn't ever been to Home Goods before moving to Houston, but it quickly became my favorite place to shop for everything seasonal, as well as home necessities. Walgreens and CVS have a great array of nutcrackers and fun bells/door hangers. Last year I picked up the Mr. & Mrs. leopard print Nutcrackers above, for only $10 a piece at Walgreens. This year, I came across a 4ft tall nutcracker at CVS, and the angel that tops our tree came from there too. When it comes to bows, tinsel, Christmas lights, wrapping paper, gift bags and paper plates/napkins, the Dollar Tree will not let you down. They truly have some great finds that you can hardly believe only cost $1. Plus, no one likes spending a fortune on wrapping paper. 

The best time to shop all the holiday decor you love that might be out of your budget or is more expensive, is AFTER the holidays. You're bound to find items for up to 75% off. They do this so that they can move the merchandise off the shelves and get ready for the next holiday. You didn't realize Valentine's was creeping up already, did you? Until then, let's enjoy the fact that Santa is coming to town tomorrow night!


Monday, December 21, 2015

Black + White





Catherine Wingate ruffled top & pants | Tory Burch shoes {old, similar style and collapsible!} | Goyard purse {in stores only, similar style} | MZ Wallace purse charm | Diane von Furstenberg sunglasses | Bauble Bar monogrammed necklace | David Yurman onyx bracelet & pearl bracelet | Zayver Designs earrings


It's Christmas week! Do you have all of your holiday shopping done? I did most of my shopping online, but also did some last minute shopping this weekend and it was so chaotic - everywhere is so busy around the holidays. 

This Catherine Wingate ruffled top and classic Wingate pant were the perfect outfit to wear while perusing the stores this past weekend. The pieces are effortless and feminine, and I cannot even begin to tell how insanely comfortable these pants are. They have such a great fit, and a lot of stretch. They'll be be the perfect pant to travel in, and have been my go-to's lately. I also love the print of this calligraphy polo. The added ruffle detailing is the perfect girly touch. From now until 12/26, Catherine Wingate is offering a 20% discount with promo code: ashleynstyle. Be sure to check out their website, There are so many cute and unique pieces. They have some great stuff on sale, as well. 

Stay tuned this week for some festive blog posts, as well as a look inside my home for the holidays. I will also be sharing my Christmas hostess tips with you. I did one for Thanksgiving, which you can read here


Friday, December 18, 2015

Easy Holiday Shopping Style



Nordstrom sweater dress (under $50) | SheIn scarf (Burberry look-a-like for a fraction of the cost) | Nine West booties (so comfy, must have!) | Kate Spade purse | Nordstorm Fur Pom Pom | Diane von Furstenberg sunglasses | Brenda Grands necklace | Elaine Turner earrings | Bronzallure ring and spike bracelet 


Happy Friday! It is hard to believe that Christmas is just a week away - how time flies. 

My mom was in town visiting for the holidays this past week and we had a great time pre-celebrating. Whenever we get together, one of our favorite things to do is shop. Like mother, like daughter right? Even though a lot of times we don'y buy anything, it is something that we've always enjoyed doing together - shuffle through the racks, showing one another things we love and hate, and taking a break to chow down at The Cheesecake Factory

Holiday shopping can be a stressful time for many. What should you buy, what size do they wear, will they like it? In my family is actually pretty easy, we just tell one another what we want. Maybe that sounds like it takes the fun out of it, but it definitely ensures that each one of us gets exactly what we want. Plus, then it saves us from the dreary return process post Christmas (that is never fun). Although I'm not encouraging you to do this, I do encourage you shop together. It's a great way to see what stores a friend or family member may like. It also gives you a sense of what they may want, or are dying to have - even if we aren't shopping for ourselves, we're always looking. 

For men and women, gifting accessories is always my motto. Whether it's a scarf, a tie, or a coffee table book, it takes the stress out of size guessing. We've all been there, either you're elated or terrified by the size of a shirt or pants someone gives you. Oops!

During the holidays, we can get so caught up in the hustle and bustle and focus solely on gifts. It's important to focus on the bigger picture and reflect on what you have and what you are grateful for. Often times there are those who aren't near family or may not have someone to celebrate with. Last year on Christmas, Adam and I spent the day at a local old folks home, singing carols and doing activities with the residents. Although one old lady yelled at us that we had terrible voices, at least we tried. There's always a grinch out there. To see the smiles on everyone's face and know that we added a bit of cheer to their holiday truly made our day, and is something we plan on doing again this year. 

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Holiday Sparkle






H&M faux fur vestturtleneck leather leggings | MZ Wallace purse & custom purse charm  | Musette heels {purchased in Paris, similar style here & here} |  chloe + isabel necklace & earrings {old, similar here & here} | Ditto sunglasses 


Does anything say holiday ready quite like a bit of sparkle?! This MZ Wallace handbag has already been on repeat, and I know I'll be using it in the upcoming weeks, as it's perfect for the holidays and New Years. It's just the right size to fit all you essentials, and isn't just for the evening. It has a detachable strap, creating a 'hands free' cross body bag, which is perfect for everyday use. Plus, the neutral silver and gold sequins match everything, and can be dressed up or down.

As part of their Advent Calendar promotion, MZ Wallace will add a custom charm, like mine above, to any order of $150 or more. This is the perfect accessory to add to any handbag to make it uniquely yours. Go to mzw.lc/advent16 now to shop all their great bags, because this promotion is today only, so be sure to act fast! Use promo code CUSTOM at checkout.

Another great accessory is sunglasses. I think the cat eye style is by far my favorite of all my sunnies. I got these Prism glasses from Ditto. Ditto offers designer eye wear (brands like Prada, Ray-ban and Lanvin to name a few), for only $24 a month. Select your favorite pair, keep them as long as you want, and when you're in the mood for a change, swap them out anytime for another pair. If you can't part with them, you can purchase them at a 15% discount. How great is that! Receive your first month for free with code: ASHLEYNICOLE

I hope you all are having a fantastic week. It's already Wednesday, so hang in there! 

P.S A big thank you to my mom for taking these pictures. She did a great job, right?!


Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Holiday Travel + Giveaway







Forever 21 sweater | Gap jeans | Old Navy scarf | Tory Burch booties (similar style) | Kendra Scott necklace | Cluse watch  | Charming Charlie bracelet | Forever 21 earrings (under $4!!) | Veeshee weekend tote 

Whether you're jetting off to an exotic destination or just heading home for the holidays, here are my fool proof tips for making packing a breeze. 

1. Travel with an emergency kit. This is a must-have, and something I actually carry in my purse everyday. You never know what you're going to need or when you're going to need it. Include items like, Tide to Go, Colgate Wisp's, Pepto tablets, Advil, hand sanitizer, Kleenex, tampons, a pen, Ban-aids, toothpicks, extra hair ties. a collapsible brush, Chapstick, bobby pins and safety pins. I like to build my own with items I regularly use, but you can also purchase one that's pre-made, like this one from Pinch Provisions.

2. Travel only with a carry-on if possible. This is a rule I firmly believe in and abide by 99% of the time. This isn't as hard as it may sound, especially if your trip is under two weeks. Pack three shirts to each bottom, and only bring two pair of shoes - one for day and one for night. If you're bringing shoes like boots with you, wear them on the airplane, as well as your coat. Jewelry and scarves are the perfect addition to any outfit, plus they take up far less room than additional clothing. These accessories will keep you from looking like you're wearing the same outfit multiple times. Use an over-sized tote, like this Veeshee weekender, to store your handbag, and for packing any overflow that couldn't fit in your wheelieBags of this size can easily fit under your seat, or in the overhead compartment. This tote is made to order in the U.S., and is customized to your specifications. You get to choose the color of leather, your fabric, pattern of the bag, as well as the interior color and monogram. I can't think of a better gift for the holidays! 

3. Roll your clothing, versus folding them. This technique works great to maximize space, and is perfect for garments like t-shirts, sweaters, and dresses. If you're bringing bulky items like blazers or something with a lot of structure, fold these items and place them on the top of your suitcase last.

4. Maximize space. Don't roll belts, snake them along the perimeter of the suitcase. Stuff shoes full of socks, and stuff bra cups with underwear to prevent them from crushing. Store jewelry individually in drawstring jewelry pouches, like these, which are only $7.99 for 100. Another great way to store dainty necklaces that tangle easily, is by placing them in straws and taping each end. Place your heaviest items, like shoes and toiletries at the bottom of the suitcase, which prevents the suitcase from toppling over.

5. Wear a WatchWhether you're traveling domestically or internationally, it's imperative to always wear a watch. This cute rose gold Cluse watch is perfect for the holiday season, can be dressed up or down, and never goes out of style. I can't tell you how many times I've looked at clocks in airports, and they're all within 15 minutes of one another - never exact. That goes for monitors as well. Also, don't always count on your cell phone, as it can die if you're in transit all day, or if you don't extend your cell package when you travel internationally, it may not change to the correct time for several hours. 

Enter for a chance to win and design you very own Veeshee Palma cosmo bag (pictured below). Entering is easy, simply login to your Instagram account or create one, and follow me (@ashleynstyle) and Veeshee (@veeshee). The winner will be announced on Friday, December 18th. Good luck!

 

design + development by kiki and co. creative