Anniversary

Confidant

Best Friend

School Yard Crush

Partner in Crime

Protector

Cheerleader

Biggest Fan

Teacher

Back Rubber

Best Hugger

Just a few words about the dude in this photograph. 2 years ago I married him, and it's the best decision I ever made. I love our story, our life, our family. I never imagined it could be this good. Yes, there's hard stuff too, but every time we get on the other side of it we're stronger, and I'm thankful for it too. 

We went to Big Sur for our anniversary weekend. I have TONS of photos to go through. Sorry for the lull in posts! The one I had scheduled didn't post, and we were totally unplugged in Big Sur. 

Here's a few of my favorite pics from our wedding in St. Augustine.
*All photos by Dorothy Gautreaux Photography

Outfit Inspiration: Angelica Houston, Debbie Harry & Annie Lennox

I love Pinterest. You can collect things you can't afford, get ideas for DIY projects (let's just not talk about the follow through), and show the world what FABULOUS taste you have. However, my most favorite aspect of pinterest is the ability it gives you to find rare photos of amazing people.  I've always been inspired by the three females below. The personal style of each one of them is magnified by their art and the way they carry themselves. 

Angelica Houston with her spooky-sexy-70's beauty and her sophisticated, graceful stature. (Not to mention her roles in Wes Anderson films AND The Addams Family remake). I can't quite place what it is about her, but she reminds me a bit of my mother. 

Debbie Harry. When I was in high school with bleach blonde hair - safety pinning damn near everything, she was my idol. Proving to the boys that girls can be punk rock too. Obviously everyone loves her. There's not much need for explanation. 

And then there's Annie Lennox, the queen of androgyny, who is entirely underrated by most. Or at least undiscovered. I've been jamming Diva (there's some John Malkovich 90's greatness in there for ya') since I was 8. Everything she does just seems so brave to me. Also: she's been knighted...so there's that. On the list of people I want to meet, 

she's in the top 3. 

 High Waisted Shorts

Oxford Shirt

Espadrilles

Gold Choker

Eyeliner 

Lip Balm

Shirt

Dress

Shoes

Glasses

Lips

Clutch

Blazer

Pant

Striped T

Shoes

Hat

Lips

Belt

90s Trends: The Good, The Bad, and The Rachel

 We must now discuss how exciting it is that 90's clothes are considered vintage. For me, it is the first decade that has made a come back in fashion that I actually experienced in the first place. It's an exciting feeling. However, because I was mostly in elementary and middle school in the 90's, my style consisted of stirrup tight pants, lisa frank, sweat shirts with puff paint, ad nauseum (jk, don't ad nauseam. Nothing about that list makes me nauseous. It's all amazing). I will also say with pride that I diiiiid get into the grungier stuff in middle school...overalls, flannel, converse etc.

It's an amazing thing to watch an era make a comeback like that. Now, according to Urban Outfitters it's cool to wear t-shirts featuring wolves howling at the moon and/or horses galloping into a sunset. (if you found a shirt featuring both...well, holy moly,  you could probably sell it at a vintage store for $50).

If I'm remembering correctly, only super nerds wore that shit in the 90's. There was always a girl that wore a horse shirt everyday of the week, and sadly she didn't have very many friends. Here's the thing though, wolves howling at the moon ARE really cool. Same with the horses galloping. I mean....have you ever seen wild horses.......galloping? No? Me neither, but I fucking wish I could say I have.

So maybe those nerds sporting the wildlife tee's in the 90's were actually cooler than the rest of us. They knew wildlife was legit enough to wear on a t-shirt and they didn't care who else thought so. Everyone else is just now catching on.

Wildlife t's aren't really my thing now-a-days. That was just an observational rant. However, the 90's trends that made a come back which most excite me are as following:

-Denim vests
-Little Floral Dresses
-Dr. Martin Boots
-Joseph Gordon Levitt
-High-waisted Denim
-Friendship Bracelets
-Heroin Chic
-T Shirts with Thug Versions of our favorite Looney Tunes (oh shit, is that just me?)
-Crop Tops
-90's style Ralph Lauren

And 90's trends that kinda gross me out that may or may not have made a come back:
-Sketchers
-Puka Shell Necklaces
-Dr. Martin Sandals
-Baby G Watches
-The Caesar Cut. ---- THE WORST
-The Spiky Hair Bun
-Brown Lip Stick
-Jncos
-Electronic Dance Music

90's trends I still can't decide on:
-Mandarin print

How 'bout you guys? What are your favorite and least favorite 90's trends?

{Black Hat: Gifted (similar here)}{Levi's Denim Vest: Thrifted Vintage (here's one!)}

{Knit Crop Cardigan: Vintage}{Wedge Booties: Urban Outfitters (old)}

How to Make a Simple Dress more Unique

 I talk a lot about vintage clothing and thrift stores here on this blog-o-mine. However, I am fully aware there are occasions when you need something specific and quick. A LBD or a simple lil' number for a meeting or a baby shower... sometimes you can't just waltz into a Goodwill and find these things at the drop of a hat. Or more commonly...you don't have time to dig.

That's when those fast fashion retailers come in handy, amiright? The key is individualizing those fast fashion scores (and in my case a making them look a bit more grown-up). In this post I took two dresses c/o Charlotte Russe and made them all my own.

Here's some tips:
A badass statement neck usually does the trick for me. There's nothing that makes a look more special than a GIANT ELEPHANT BROOCH. Giant animal jewelry is a great addition to any outfit, actually. I always feel like I have a little friend accompanying me through out my day.
Here's a Pug brooch.  So comically adorable. 
These elk brooches are amazing...and cheap!

Vintage bags can also shake it up. Gold Lame? Mmmhmm. Yes please. I'll take two.

Layering a shirt over a dress works too! This is a trick that often slips my mind when styling out dresses. I'm sportin' some 90's Tommy Hilfiger here. Which is HILARIOUS to me. Am I the only one that sees the comedy in that?

And finally try a blazer! This is where the transformation really happens, y'all guyzzz.
I have a closet full of blazers with various details that set them apart from other basic blazers. Fringe and lace and strange patterns all up iiiiin the place. The fabric on this white one, for example, is snake print.

So there you have it. Sure, there's a chance someone else might be wearing the same dress as you, but 

you'll be wearing it better. 

{Dresses: c/o Charlotte Russe}{Blazer: Thrifted}{Tommy Hilfiger Shirt: Thrifted}

{Elephant Broach: Ebay}{Gold Nacklace: Thrifted}{Shoes: c/o Charlotte Russe}

Give Pleats a Chance: In Defense of Pleated Pants

 Guys, I really just can't get enough high-waisted pleated pants in my life. They remind me of Meg Ryan in her pre-plastic-surgery-disaster-rom-com days. (French Kiss = one of my favorite movies). I know there are a lot of pleat haters out there (non-pleat-lievers....yikes, that was a reach), and I get it. Maybe you think they highlight your fupa, or maybe you don't like the way they poof up when you sit down. And I won't argue that pleats don't do either of those things, but I will say give pleats a chance.

I feel like so many people just have this blind hatred towards pleats. Like ANYTHING featuring the folds of cloth will make them shoot laser beams made of death daggers out of their eyes and mouths. Why so much distain for the things? Was it universally decided that nothing can make you look like a Goodyear Blimp more than pleats? Everybody just needs to caaaalm down.

If pleats are anything they are quirky. And I love a small (or big) touch of quirk in every look.

Take this outfit for example if these pants weren't pleated it wouldn't be near as charming. They add to the nostalgia and billow-y-ness of it all, but still keep it looking tailored. They also act as a sort of horizontal mirror for the pleats on the shirt.

Speaking of it, I found this amazing silk shirt with a pleated bib at a thrift store, and decided to get all soft and springy with these pants and vintage "sleep over" bag I used as a clutch.

{Pants: Thrifted Anne Taylor (similar)}{Shirt: Vintage}{Earrings: Dolly Python}

{Bag: Vintage}{Shoes: Nina (similar)}

Say Whhhaaaa?! Yes it's IFB's Weekly Roundup, Again!

Thanks a boat-load to IFB for involving me in Links a la Mode again. Such a great way to 

discover other bloggers, and I'm so thankful they're gettin' the word out about mine too.  

Picture Perfect
Whether it be styling the right outfit, looking good in glasses, or finding treasures in your closet, ultimately as fashion bloggers we share our fashion story. Through words or through photography, this roundup takes a closer look at making life more beautiful, fashion icons like Lilly Pulitzer who passed away over the weekend, Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli.. and the downward spiral of the house of Saint Laurent. What are we going to do to keep the world beautiful? Sustainable fashion and shopping our closets? And how will we document it.. there are fantastic photo tutorials in the mix to.

Enjoy!

Links à la Mode: The IFB Weekly Roundup, April 11th

    
Aesthete News: Saint Laurent Goes Rogue with Marilyn Manson and More
    
Clever Little Buttons: Fashion Icon Lilly Pulitzer - I will Miss Her
    
Coco and Picasso: "Fashion is a B*tch"
    
Corrine Monique: The Year of the Serpent
    
DIY Doyenne: Iconic Figures in Fashion: Chanel and Schiaparelli
    
Ethical Fashion Blog: Is there a sustainable fashion revolution taking place?
    
Fashion is Evolution: Adventures in Free-lensing
    
Floral & Flannel: Four Eyed and Fabulous
    
Inspirations and Celebrations: Designer Spotlight - Lilly Pulitzer
    
Magnolia Reverie: Some tips for self-portraits
    
Margo and Me: California Coachella Cool 
    
Miss S.J.: J Brand Denim Dedication at The Dressing Room
    
Oh to be a Muse: What's Your Shoe Game Like?
    
Rose and Pine: Spring Florals for Under $85!
    
Real Girl Glam: 4 Ways to Wear Boyfriend Jeans
    
Tailor Spy: Welcome to Buttons State!
    
Twelve52: Does Beauty Blogging Make Us More Self-Conscious?
    
The Fashionable Wife: Shopping Your Closet
    
The Photogramps: 10 Tips for Great Blog Photos
    
Wishing for Chanel: Dynamic Denim Mary Katrantzou/Current/Elliot collab

SPONSOR: New @Shopbop: 3x1, Alas, Star Mela, Beth Richards, Flogg, Moyna,  Thierry Mugler,  Ulla Johnson,  Friends & Associates, Star Mela, & Stella McCartney Sunglasses

How to Wear A MuuMuu/Kaftan (and look like a baller)

(Note: It is not baller to let your white ankle sock show, I know).

 A muumuu, a kaftan... call it what you will. The point is: no one will know whether or not you're wearing underpants. We've seen similar garments on the runway and in the Walmart, (If your from a small town you call it THE Walmart) and if you're like me you have fantasized about wearing this pajama-like garment in public and doing it with PAZAZZ. The question that begs to be answered is, how do you style a muumuu?

I'm sure many people are appalled at the thought of wearing what is normally considered to be house lounging clothing in public. I however, am a big fan of this look for several reasons.
 A. I already mentioned the underpants thing.
 B. It's a breath of fresh air to any wardrobe and social situation
 C. The cat lady/eccentric weirdo implications.
 D. Comfort factor is turned up to 11.

Things to keep in mind when rockin' this roomy garment HARD:

- Attaining a muumuu and/or Kaftan is relatively simple. As I've mentioned before in this post, you 

  can find one Ross Dress for Less, or in this case with less, ya know,  since you won't be
  wearing underpants. 

  Go Here, here and here for other rad Kaftans/Muumuus.

- Avoid the silkier materials if you're going for a wallet friendly muumuu. Cheap silky materials tend

  to look tacky particularly when they are adorned with bold patterns. 

- Rounded toe ballet flats are too easy with a look like this. If you want to wear a shoe you 

  can slip on, consider something with more of a pointed toe

- As far as footwear, a minimal sandal would work or booties like these 

- Biker jackets add edge for a less beachy more urban vibe.

- You could always go super 70's with a scarf or turban on your noggin and radical curls.

- In the summer time, don't be scared of a giant hat. Especially if you're close to a beach! 

- A bold lip color will remind people that you are aware you are not in your pajamas. 
  I'm wearing Elf lip stain. Elf is super cheap and cruelty-free. 

- I would avoid anything too overly beaded. You might teeter on the edge of costume-y. Wear

  a geometric metal cuff, or a metal neck like this. 

  

And then there's this one:

{Vegan Leather Jacket: Buffalo Exchange (similar)}{Hat: Vintage}{MuuMuu: Vintage}

{Boots: Vince Camuto}{Lips: Elf}

Birthday Handbag: Dooney and Bourke Florintine Bag

I'm not a handbag lady. When browsing aisles at the Rack (Nordstrom Rack, affectionately) or at any thrift store, handbags don't speak to me the way clothes or shoes or amazing crappy folk art pieces do. This is why you rarely see me holding a bag in any of my outfit posts. However, I am a grown-ass woman, and I decided for my birthday I wanted an investment piece...a nice handbag.

I am blessed with the most amazing mother who helped me with and funded my mission. When I went for a handbag priced at less than $100 she said,
"A (Ashley, affectionately), put it down. We're getting you something nice"

This process was hard for me! In my mind I'm imagining the thrift store haul I could score for the price of one nice handbag. Furthermore, nothing jumped out at me. They were all too trendy (I try not to invest too much in trends) or too suburban or too expensive. 

That is until I laid my eyes on this beauty. Dooney and Bourke. Yes. Classic company, but the bag has a modern twist with the fold over detail at the closure. They have a duck in their logo (cute factor), there are tassels (always a plus with me where ever they may be...handbags, shoes, boobies) and the bag had a tinge of a western feel --- which as of late, is a vibe I'm noticing my aesthetic can't quite escape.... and I'm okay with it.

I LOVE it. Perfect size and weight! I feel like a bona fide adult lady! Carrying a nice bag just makes you feel like you have your shit together...the same way a great pair of heels makes you feel like a sex machine powerhouse. Nothing like material items makin' you feel like a woman! AmIRight?

What do ya think? Any handbags you're vibing on lately?

{Skirt: Thrifted Vintage} {Shirt: Old Navy (old, but here's a similar one)} {Cuff: JCP (similar)} 

{Neckalce: Thrifted Vintage} {HANDBAG!!!!}