Cheesin'

 Jacket: Forever 21

Sweater: American Eagle

Dress: H&M

Shoes: Madden Girl - from last winter

Necklace: Giveaway win from The Lovely Cup

 Hey Guys! Hope you are having a wonderful and fabulous presidents weekend! On Thursday (Valentines!), I made the trek to visit my boyfriend in our college town. It was definitely a change of pace being back in the college lifestyle and left me with bittersweet feelings. I definitely don't miss homework, but I miss my college friends and not having to wake up at the crack of dawn.

I unearthed these pictures from my computer, and had completely forgotten about them. I'm totally cheesin in every single one(hence the title ha!), due to the warmth of a sunshiny fall day. I SO miss the sun! Spring is just around the corner and I can hardly wait.

By now, you all now I love layering. This black body-con dress is one of my favorite things to layer over. I've worn it countless times this winter, with tights or leggings and boots. This past fall, I threw on a light and airy sweater and a leather jacket to keep things warm, but not too much so. I also can't believe this necklace has not made an appearance on the blog yet, as I adore it and wear it often. I love how simple and easy this outfit is, perfectly suitable for a casual day.

Maxi Time - Featuring LuLaRoe

 Sweater: Cotton Emporium 'Oversized Cardigan in Taupe' from Nordstroms - Find it HERE

Tank: Old Navy

Skirt: 'Orange Indian Maxi Skirt' c/o LuLaRoe - Find it HERE

Boots: Minnetonka 'Tramper Ankle Hi' Boots - Find them HERE

Necklace: Forever 21

Ring: Gifted

Nails: OPI 'On Collins AVE' - Get it HERE

Hello All! Boy has it been a crazyyyyy week. 

On the 4th, I turned 24.

Um crazy, right? I know, I know. I look like I'm 12. 

I feel old now. Like 24 feels considerably older than 23.

I feel like at 24 I should have my life together, but I'm still figuring things out.

I think this is okay.

On another exciting note, my very best friend in the entire universe got ENGAGED.

(Way to make me feel even older!)

I am beyond excited for her, but also slightly weirded out at the fact that my bestie since the 4th grade is going to be a MRS!!!!

I can't even believe it. 

K - I know you are reading this. I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOUUUUUUU! From patchwork vests to wedding dress (I had too ) Love you boo! 

And, Moving On...

 I LOVE knitted maxi skirts. I am obsessed with the versatility that they allow (they are so easy to style and dress up or down!), along with the aspect of comfort. I'm pretty picky though when it comes to finding the perfect knitted maxi. I don't want it to be too clingy or too loose or too long or too short...I think you get the picture.

I am so lucky that LuLaRoe sent me this maxi skirt as it is seriously the ultimate maxi skirt....guys, I'm not kidding. Not only is it the perfect size, but also the perfect length, and the fit is flattering. The best part of all? This maxi comes in so many adorable patterns, I had a hard time deciding on one, but adore my pick of the bold, vibrant Orange Indian Pattern. Pairing it with a plain, slouchy tank and my new, favorite cozy sweater, I couldn't help but add my Minnetonka boots and tribal necklace to enhance the native feel.  safe to say that I have fallen in love with LuLaRoe, but so have many others. I love the fact that the owner, DeAnne, started by cutting skirts for her own daughters and has quickly expanded, selling over 7000 skirts, since August. Check out LuLaRoe HERE and I promise you will fall in love too!!

Yeah...I Really Own That: Ali from The Drawing Mannequin

The one thing I love most about blogging is the amazing bloggers I have had the chance to become 'blog friends' with. It's crazy amazing how you can meet people from all across the blogosphere and create real friendships through the world wide web. 

I stumbled across Ali's blog, The Drawing Mannequin, through Linda from Trendy Teal (remember her awesome guest post about her Christmas Sweater?!). I was instantly captivated by Ali's blog, as she showcases her many talents. Not only does Ali have a flair for fashion, sharing her unique and adorable style, but is also a comedian (I often find myself laughing out loud while reading her posts), and an AMAZING artist. I feel that calling her an amazing artist does not even do her work justice, as Ali has a way of bringing her blog to life with realistic and captivating artwork that I am so glad she shares with her reader's (seriously, check it out HERE!) 

Welcome the lovely and talented "Yeah...I Really Own That" guest blogger for January...

Ali from The Drawing Mannequin

 "Well, hey there, people of Ashley's blog! My name is Ali Hval, and I'm from the land of The Drawing Mannequin. Before I start talking all fancy-like, I must thank Ashley for letting me reign over her blog with my almighty powers on this fabulous day. She's a lovely lady, she is, and I'm so glad to have met such a sweet soul as herself on this big ole blogosphere. 

When Ashley contacted me to do this post, I had a few things in mind: some clear platform heels (aka stripper heels) I purchased for a specific beauty walk that I was coerced into doing in the 11th grade, versus this authentic kilt that was my mom's in the 80s.  Fearing a negative lash toward my non-existant reputation on the internet, I chose the kilt.  It's a strange piece to style, this kilt is.  It has to be buckled on from two ends, and I'm actually wearing it backwards so that the pleats are in the front... Plus, it's kinda itchy.  But hey, that doesn't mean it can't be fabulous, too!  Who says you can't wear a kilt as an every day sort of thing?  Maybe the Scottish police, but they can't catch me in America, land of the free.  I'd like to see you try, you Scottie cops.

I chose to keep this outfit rather simple with sheer tights and a ruffly cream top that is quite reminiscent of fancy writers who sit in castles and scrawl words on parchment with quill and ink.  Then, I added these Jeffrey Campbell shoes which I received for Christmas.  I didn't feel the need to accessorize too much since the kilt is already quite the statement piece in itself, as is the busy, ruffly top.  I'm pretty crazy, but I can't make things too crazy.  I hope I've managed to prove that yes, even Scottish formalwear can be something that one can wear on a daily basis.  Can't believe my mom even owned one of these... Crazy lady, right?"

Copycat

 Long Sleeve T: Old Navy

Jacket: 'Safari Cargo Jacket' via Tobi (Available in Khaki HERE)

Scarf: Target - Get the look with a Caring Cowl

Pants: Tribal Jeggings via American Eagle

Boots: 'Taupe Lace Up Studded Combat Boots' via Windsor

Ring: Target

Bracelet: Vintage 

Do you guys ever feel like you are living the same day over and over again? That has been me for the past few weeks. Everything is so boring lately! I definitely have a case of the January blah's and am ready for this month to be over! Thank goodness February is just around the corner.

Sometimes it isn't all about that fantastic statement piece that makes an outfit, but rather the subtle details that pull everything together. This is how I felt about this throw on ensemble that I wore this weekend...it's all in the details. I am obsessed with these jeggings I got for Christmas. Obsessed to the point where my sister got them first and rather than just borrow them from her, I had to have my own pair (sometimes I can be such a copycat, oops!). The print is subtle enough that they can be mixed with just about anything, but is way more fun than a solid color.

This jacket has been my favorite purchase this year, as it is light, but allows me to layer up underneath.  The other day, I had on a tank top, a long sleeve t, a thermal andddd a wool sweater, with a scarf and this coat and I didn't even break a sweat while sitting in Starbucks like I totally would have while rocking my North Face. Thank you, safari cargo jacket, for allowing me to stay cozy and at the perfect temperature!

And can we just talk about these boots!? So happy I snagged them for $37 when I have been lusting after the pricer Steve Madden version. Sometimes being a copycat is a great thing :)