Fashion Bloggers – Page 11

Favorites: April 2018!

April 27, 2018May 3, 2018by Ashley DeLarge2 Comments

Good Morning and Happy Friday, everyone! We made it to the weekend!

With only a couple of days left in April, this coming weekend is shaping up to be packed with some mid-Spring activities and some much-needed time outdoors (weather permitting- although the forecast is looking pretty good!) around the city and the park tomorrow.

But before I kick things off by closing out some cases at work and heading over to my family’s home for bi-weekly dinner with my mother and older brothers- I wanted to share some of my favorite odds and ends from this past month. While my overall and more in-depth thoughts on this lovely month that was will be up on the blog via my “In a Nutshell” post on Monday morning- it’s worth mentioning that April was sprinkled with a lot of new finds- from beauty, floral fashion, binge-worthy shows, fun (and thought-provoking) apps, as well a little bit of desert-inspired home decor.

Let’s see what made the list, shall we?

The weather at the beginning of April was admittedly a little moody. One day would give us a glimpse of high 50s/low 60s temperatures- and then the next would have us hiding under umbrellas as it snowed/sleeted. Mother Nature’s inability to make up her mind claimed no bigger victim this year than my skin- which did it’s best to keep up with the sporadic climate changes but eventually dried out completely for a couple of weeks.

While applying extra moisturizers and serums in the mornings and evenings helped a little- it took this cucumber-infused roll-on mask from Yes To to give my complexion a boost to get back on track. Cooling, calming, hydrating and mess-free- I’ve been keeping this tube in my fridge and then rolling it on about twice a week for some insta-comfort. This stuff is a lifesaver on the chillier, dryer days- and I’ll be buying these in bulk when it comes time for me to head out to the desert!

Speaking of the desert- I absolutely covet anything with either palm tree or cactus print- including clothing, accessories, stationary, etc. I thought I’d take that love affair and use it to transform my office a bit since it was feeling a little on the boring side lately- and turned to Modcloth for some much-needed and adorable assistance.

These battery-powered fairy lights- shaped like cacti, of course- have found a home along the side of my desk where I keep them illuminated on those more stressful days where I need a little bit of fun to keep me from losing my cool. The cactus-shaped and magnetic desk organizer, however? That stays visible at all times- since it holds my pens, paper clips, and rubber bands in place. I love it!

This time of year, I’m also a big fan of floral prints- and I try to incorporate them in subtle ways so that I don’t look like Spring threw up all over me. A pretty, tiered top? A bright and cheerful blossom-covered dress? Comfortable (and seasonally appropriate flats?) I own ’em all- and I’ve been wearing them throughout April while I wait for the trees and flowers to show off their own buds and blossoms!

Blue and White Floral Top (Primark)
Pink Blossom Dress (Forever 21)
Flowered Flats (Old Navy)

In April, I complimented my floral finesse with some subtle makeup- limiting myself to just a couple of color combinations and nude, moisturized lips. This was made possible with two very simple products. The first, an all-in-one blush, highlighter and eye shadow palette I stumbled upon by chance from Maybelline while I was trying to find replacement mascara at a reasonable price since mine had unexpectedly gotten clumpy.

The ‘Urban Light’ palette includes a soft pink blush, a shimmery golden/peach highlighter, and two eye shadow combinations- one a pink/fuchsia mix, and the other a mint green/yellow combo. I’ve been wearing them daily- mixing and matching to create my own unique look- and every color is so flattering (a rarity with many palettes that cost double the price.) For $11.99- how could you go wrong?

For my lips, which also fell victim to that aforementioned dry-spell- I kept things simple. This color-less, moisture-packed coconut lip balm from Sephora has become my life source and has smoothed and saved my pout time and time throughout the month. At $6 a tube- I got a few of these (for my purse, my office, and my car)– just in case I misplace one. It’s always good to have a backup!

I think that’s everything that could pose for a photo- but a few other things made the list this month, too!

– MUSIC/MOVIES/TELEVISION –

indie617 – I’ve been really lucky to have met and connected with friends from various radio stations in Boston over the years. They always open my eyes to new and upcoming artists while simultaneously showing appreciation for the things I grew up listening to- and conversations about shows, albums, recording, etc. are always fascinating. Recently, friends of mine from BCN-turned-Radio BDC launched their own independent streaming radio service- indie617- and it’s AWESOME.

Not only do they play fantastic new music from local and international acts, but they’ve got their finger on all the hottest shows in the city. They sent me to a Franz Ferdinand performance at the House of Blues earlier this month- and I had an amazing time.

You can tune in HERE– but if you’re on the go, the indie617 app is available for iPhone and Android, too! Just check your app store!

Big Mouth – I’m a little late to this raunchy Netflix cartoon about a handful of kids going through puberty, but my BFF Sean introduced me to it a couple of weeks ago by playing one episode and I was immediately hooked and had to binge the entire first season right then and there.

Created by Nick Kroll, ‘Big Mouth’ has a pretty impressive list of celebrities lending voices to the characters- including Jordan Peele, John Mulaney, Kristen Wiig, Jenny Slate and Maya Rudolph (who voices the Hormone Monstress and is INCREDIBLE.) It is laugh-out-loud funny and I’m really excited for season two.

– TECH/APPS –

HQ Trivia – Okay, so my co-worker is the one that got me hooked on this one. I love trivia- even moreso when I can wish cash from playing it- so HQ Trivia is right up my alley. Twice a day on weekdays and once a day on weekends- everyone who logs into the (free) app answers 12 trivia questions in a live, game show environment. Answer all 12 correctly and you and the remaining players who also answered all the questions right split a pot of money that ranges from $5K to upwards of $300K.

With occasional celebrity hosts (like The Rock and Robert De Niro)– the game gets really challenging but still remains a lot of fun. I’ve been having a blast playing with my co-workers and friends after work.

And I think that’s it for the month of April! Just a lot of cute, fun things that made these past few weeks even more fun and memorable.

And with that being said- I’m off to wrap up work for the week.

I hope everyone out there reading this has a fantastic weekend- and I’ll see you all again on Monday!

– Ashley –

OOTD: Spring in the City

April 23, 2018April 29, 2018by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment

Good Morning and Happy Monday, everyone!

Being as pale as I am- I used to never wear white for fear it would wash me out even more and make me look like a literal ‘Scooby-Doo’ ghost. And then, when I attempted to dip my toe into the trend a while back- I had people reminding me that one isn’t supposed to wear white after Labor Day- a rule I never fully understood (and still don’t, really.)

But I’m a perpetual rule-breaker, and with this past weekend feeling like the first, real, legitimate set of Spring days we’ve had in a long time- no jacket required!- I decided to throw on a pair of crisp, white jeans, a bright and billowy floral top, and some pastel pink flats to meet my friends for a day of sunshine and burgers in Charlestown.

The jeans are the Rockstar Super-Skinny cut from Old Navy, while the top and flats are from Primark– all affordable and all able to be paired with other tops/bottoms- but what I love most about this outfit in-particular isn’t just how bright and fun it is, but how comfortable it is, too.

In beautiful, historic neighborhoods like Charlestown, it’s much easier (and much more pleasant) to walk to where you’re going- and when you’re in uncomfortable fabrics or overly complicated shoes- your lovely, leisurely day can be spoiled right away.

I really love breezy, loose-fitting fabrics this time of year- and this top had a fun tier/layered look going on that gave me a little bit of flair with my movements and a neat silhouette.

And although I am perpetually clumsy- I’ve learned to utilize long, thin sweaters when I sit down or as I’m eating while wearing white. I carried a cardigan in my bag for that very purpose- throwing it on before I sat down anywhere and making sure it covered the part of my jeans the napkin didn’t quite reach when it came time to eat dinner. See? Getting wiser with age (I think…)

But it’s time for me to go ahead and sip some coffee, swallow back the Monday blues, and get some work done.

Here’s hoping you all have a wonderful week ahead!

– Ashley –

OOTD: New Metal

April 13, 2018by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment

Good Morning and Happy Friday, everyone!

After what proved to be a pretty busy week- I’m so excited to have a low-key, chill weekend ahead of me. Tonight marks my bi-weekly dinner with my mom, brothers, sister-in-laws, and niece- and tomorrow night I’m kicking it with friends for a quiet-night in to enjoy some pizza, drinks, pajamas and horror movies. All of this is leading up to Sunday night’s season finale of ‘The Walking Dead’ (I’m already terrified…) before Monday’s big ‘Patriot’s Day’ festivities here in Boston.

I’m hoping the weather stays sunny and somewhat warm- not only for those running the Boston Marathon on Monday- but for those of who who are going to be watching (and in my case, brunching) from the sidelines, too!

But before we break for a blissful few days off- I wanted to showcase an eccentric piece I’ve had in my closet for a while now and recently took out to wear once it actually started to feel like Spring around here. This ribbed, calf-length and rose gold metallic skirt is such a fun thing to sport with confidence- especially since it can easily be paired with blouses, button-ups, or in my case- tucked tank tops (not pictured: a black cardigan) and some over-sized rose gold sunglasses.

The muted metallic color of the skirt, as well as the texture of the fabric is so neat looking. It catches the light with every movement- but there’s a silky soft lining and an elastic waistband- so I stay comfortable and can move freely and without restriction in it during the day. The length is perfect, too- since I can wear it to the office or out to dinner and still look on point.

Plus, given the season- pinks and rose tones just feel so lovely and appropriate right now.

Since it’s been raining on/off a bit here lately, I wore some high-heeled, buckled black boots with the skirt this time around to keep my feet from getting wet in case I encountered any puddles during walks to/from my car- which always happens, no matter how careful I am- whenever I wear flats.

Maybe it’s just me, but I think they gave this outfit a bit of an edgy kick to it- and in colder temperatures I might accentuate that edginess a bit more with a leather jacket or some studded jewelry.

I twirled, spun, and strutted around my office in this thing- and of course took my runway moves to the streets once I’d left work for the day and opted to run some errands while I was still looking and feeling fabulous. I can’t wait to bust this one out again when it’s a little dryer out and I can wear open-toed heels or wedge sandals with it and not have to worry about getting my pedicure wet in the rain!

But I am going to wrap up this Friday’s case load at my job and head on over to my family’s house to eat, drink and be merry. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend- and I’ll see you all again on Monday!

– Ashley –

“Lilac wine is sweet and heady…”

April 2, 2018by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment

Good Morning and Happy Monday, everyone!

I hope those of you who celebrated Easter had a lovely one- and those who didn’t had a wonderful weekend anyway! I spent most of my Sunday afternoon with my family at dinner, but I’ll get into those stories and photos a little later on this week. Today, before I jump right into my case load at the office- I wanted to talk about this season’s trendiest color and some of the ways I’ve been incorporating it into my Spring ensembles/makeup without going completely overboard.

That color? Lilac! Maybe one of the most feminine and universally flattering shades to break through all the pinks and peach tones that are typically seen around this time of year. The great thing about Lilac, apart from how light and bright it looks- is that it also compliments many of the prints/patterns that start to make their annual comebacks throughout April and May- like florals and pastels. It also goes well with darker shades (for those still clinging to some of their Winter wear- I feel you!) and on-trend metallic pieces.

And as much as lilac makes my blue eyes pop or my dirty blonde hair stand out when placed side by side- I try not to overdo it. Too much of the shade all at once can make me look like an extra-terrestrial or someone getting ready to go dance under the blacklights at a seedy club (probably one that has foam parties or something). Not exactly a good look.

Instead, I stick to one, typically subtle Lilac-hued makeup product- and match it to an accessory- like a clutch or a bracelet- or article of clothing (as in a floral-printed blouse or a cute kitten heel.)

In the photo above, I’m wearing Sephora’s Colorful Shadow & Liner stick in ‘Lilac Shimmer’. This waterproof, long-lasting formula applies and blends easily- almost with a cream-like texture- but it then dries to a powder finish and catches the light on my lids just right to give me a beautiful and bright glow all day.

If I’m feeling particularly daring (usually on the weekends)– I take the lilac to my lips with Sephora’s #Lipstories Lipstick in the shade ‘Trippin’. This creamy matte formula- that never dries out or flakes off- is such an unexpected and fun way to wear this color while making a bold and fearless statement that I’m not afraid to wear more than just nudes or pinks on my pout.

With the lipstick, I keep the rest of my makeup as minimal as possible- a swipe of mascara and a little bit of concealer. The lips do the rest of the talking for me, I think.

In regards to lilac accessories- I find that less is more. A pair of simple earrings. A bangle bracelet- or, as shown below- stacked rings that incorporate the color and some sparkle. I love these flower and “diamond” ones I picked up at Old Navy while I was grabbing some new gym attire a couple of weeks ago.

I even painted my nails a sparkling shade of lavender- the other big color of the season- to look even more ready for the Spring! The shade, a powder dip by NuGenesis- is called ‘NL-08: Bridal Party’. It will last me- without chipping or peeling- until May. I’m never going back to regular nail polish or gel polish ever again.

Finally, while I love a good heel- I also needed some sensible flats for the Spring and didn’t want to back myself into a corner by purchasing a one-toned shoe that only matches certain things. So, it was a bit of a small miracle when I stumbled upon these floral, multi-colored and pointed toe flats- also from Old Navy- that match SO many things in my wardrobe and also include lilac in small measurements.

I wear these with my work outfits, or with jeans, or dresses, etc. and they match it all. Best of all? Not only were they affordable but they’re so comfortable, too! My feet don’t ache or feel like they’re being squeezed in these things- even when I have them on all day!

Expect these to make an appearance in an OOTD post soon!

Do you have any lilac pieces/accessories/makeup products that you’ve been sporting lately? Anything on the market that may have been added to your wish list for the Spring? I’d love to hear about them!

But now I’m off to get my work week started and prepare to argue with Attorneys (as detailed in my job description.)

Enjoy your Monday, everybody!

– Ashley –

Favorites: March 2018!

March 30, 2018by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment

Good Morning and Happy Friday, everyone!

I’ve had a pretty busy week- both at the office and in the evenings after work where I’ve been going to various social functions/meet-ups- so I am admittedly pretty tired. I’ve really been looking forward to the weekend so I can kick back, relax, and spend some time with my family on Easter (all while eating way too much food, of course)– but wanted to share a few of my favorite things from March, first- before my “In a Nutshell” month-in-review post goes up tomorrow morning.

March was a bit tricky in terms of favorites- and a lot of it had to do with the weather here in New England. Some days were spent buried under feet of snow while others were spent out and about in nothing more than t-shirts or light sweaters, soaking up the sun. Many of my favorite items from January and February carried over as I tried to keep warm- and then some days newer, more Spring-appropriate things would find their way into my daily regimen.

I was able to narrow my list down to the essentials, however- and I’m hoping that there will be plenty more floral print and pastels to share when it comes time to write about my favorite things for April! I’m praying Spring is finally here to stay for a while!

Although my leopard print coat still got plenty of wear this past month, I also found a new favorite in this gold moto jacket throughout March, too. Form-fitting and eye-catching, this coat kept me warm on cooler days and dressed up even the most basic or “boring” of office ensembles.

I paired it with everything- flared jeans and t-shirts, maxi dresses with boots, jumpsuits with wide-brimmed hats. It just looks so effortlessly cool and dare I say- futuristic- and I know I’ll be wearing it well into April, as well!

March also marked my picking up a new David Bowie t-shirt while I was visiting Brooklyn a couple of weeks ago- and I’ve been wearing it pretty much non-stop on my days off as part of my usual “band tee and comfortable jeans” Weekend Uniform. It’s soft and baggy- which is exactly what I look for when I simply want to be comfortable while running errands or just hanging out in casual settings.

I can’t stress it enough- if you can make it to the Brooklyn Museum anytime soon- you have to check out the “David Bowie Is” exhibit! So worth the ticket price and the lines to get in!

While I’m still experimenting with new colors for the Spring (hello, lavender lipstick)– two products rarely left my face or my makeup bag throughout March- and both were so bright and so fun that at times I felt like I was getting dolled up for a pool party in the middle of Summer.

The first, a cool metallic blue/teal eye liner from Sephora– made my eyes pop and added an unexpected swipe of color along my lash line and against otherwise muted, subtle shadow shades. I love the hue and it’s longevity- which when applied over a primer- lasts all day and well into the night.

And, on my lips- ‘Yacht Week’ by Tarte– a really bright and slightly iridescent orchid/pink/purple shade. The formula is long-lasting and moisturizing, so this color doesn’t dry my lips out or bleed out to the edges of my mouth and leave it looking patchy. Instead, it hydrates my lips and keeps them looking bright and sparkly for hours. I’m in love with this color!

Exfoliation is key- especially in those weeks that transition us from Winter to Spring. Me, personally? I’m prone to dry patches and breakouts when the weather can’t seem to make up it’s mind- but proper exfoliation can slough away dead skin cells and make it easier for my moisturizers/lotions to sink deep into my pores and keep me feeling comfortable and looking dewy fresh.

I have been head over heels in love with the new, gentle exfoliating body scrubs by Dove– particularly this macadamia and rice milk one because it smells like heaven. I use the scrub every 3-4 days, and it’s gentle enough not to strip my body of essential oils- but effective enough to smooth my skin and keep it soft between uses.

It’s also super affordable and can be found at pretty much every drug store/pharmacy- so consider me a devoted fan!

And, with that marking the end of the photogenic items/products- let’s get into some of the other things I loved throughout March!

– MUSIC/MOVIES/TELEVISION –

Franz Ferdinand: ‘Always Ascending’ – Although this album was released in early February, I wanted to give it a few spins before I weighed in on it, first. I’m a big Franz Ferdinand fan- and it’s always so exciting when they suddenly release an album every few years. Although a couple of the tracks on this one took a little while to grow on me (‘The Academy Award’, for example)– the rest of the album has a sort of dark, discotheque feel to it- and I’m really, really into it!

MGMT: ‘Little Dark Age’ – Another early February release by another one of my favorite bands- MGMT were the light, poppy counterpart to Franz Ferdinand’s dark broodiness throughout my morning commute soundtrack. I’ve been listening to this one, track for track, for the better part of the month now and it’s still just as good as the first time around! I’m really excited to see these guys live soon.

‘Flip or Flop: Las Vegas’ – One of my guiltiest pleasures, really- and not just because I’m moving to Vegas. The couple who star in this obviously-edited-heavily-for-HGTV series spend the bare minimum to fix up houses that otherwise should be condemned due to how dangerous and neglected they are- and then they decorate them in the most gaudy, tacky ways imaginable and try to sell them. It’s an absolute train wreck- but one I can’t turn away from for the life of me!

– MISCELLANEOUS –

Starbucks’ Iced Hazelnut Mocha Coconut Milk Macchiato – If you can get past the ridiculous name when ordering this one, you won’t regret it. I had every intention of cutting back on caffeine this Spring- but then Starbucks came out with this combination of the best flavors ever and I can’t stop drinking them.

And I think that’s it, everyone! I’ll see you all again here tomorrow when I talk about the month overall- but until then- enjoy your Friday!

– Ashley –