Tag: Fashion

OOTD: Woodland Creature

by Ashley DeLarge4 Comments on OOTD: Woodland Creature

Good Morning and Happy Monday, everyone!

When it comes to style and comfort in the Fall- one of my go-to ensembles is typically a pair of flattering skinny jeans, a nice and loose-fitting sweater, and sturdy boots (which I actually posted about not that long ago!) but sometimes- like this past weekend, for example- I need to put something together that can beat both the leftover soaring Summer temperatures that are still lingering around here while simultaneously allowing me to combat the rain that has traveled my way from this most recent round of hurricanes and tropical storms that made their way up the coast.

Enter this lightweight and breezy olive green mini-dress I picked up around this time last year while preparing for a week-long stay that split my time between Las Vegas and San Diego. The fabric it’s made from- ridiculously soft and wrinkle-proof- helps me stay warm (but not too warm) while my trusty knee-high, faux-leather brown boots keep my feet dry when I’m stepping through puddles on my way into the office.

If it’s colder outside- I typically wear leggings with this outfit- but since it’s been unusually (and stifling) hot out these past few days- I’ve gone bare-legged. One of my co-workers who saw me in this last week told me that I looked like Link from “Legend of Zelda”- which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, right?

“It’s Dangerous to Go Alone! Take This!”

Regardless of whether or not I look like an elf on a mission- This is another Autumn-esque outfit I love to wear before it gets too cold outside for me to show much skin. It could be considered another transitional outfit between seasons- but it’s also easy enough to dress up or down year-round depending on the occasion it’s being worn for.

Not pictured? My brown saddlebag- which is pretty much glued to me at this point- but since I’ve shown it plenty of times across social media, I thought I could put it down for a few minutes while I posed for photos (it makes me look more like Link, anyway!)

xx

– Ashley –

POPSUGAR Must Have Box Review: September 2017

by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment on POPSUGAR Must Have Box Review: September 2017

Good Morning, Monday. We meet again- and after the crazy weekend I had these past couple of days- a long, cozy nap seems much more preferable than diving headfirst into work. Unfortunately, I think sleeping under my desk would be frowned upon- so I’ve got to power through my e-mails, voicemails, and tasks for this morning and hope the rest of the day takes it easy on me!

Over the weekend, however- I received the September installment of my POPSUGAR “Must Have” Box. Since Fall is undoubtedly my favorite season, I almost always really enjoy the curated collections I get from POPSUGAR from now through November- and I was excited to see how they were going to kick things off.

The themes/inspirations for September’s “Must Have” Box didn’t sound too Autumn-esque at first glance, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect- especially with anything ‘Floral’- which I associate more with Spring/Summer than anything else. The complete theme/inspirations were TRENDSETTING, PERSONALIZE, STYLE, FLORAL and ILLUMINATING.

Let’s take a look inside!

To address my prior concerns with the ‘Floral’ inspiration- I was pleasantly surprised to find this eye-caching and versatile black flower pin from Hat Attack inside September’s “Must Have” Box. Fitting it on my Fall blazers, hats, bracelets, or handbags- this is a cute and seasonally appropriate accessory that spices up basic Autumn wardrobe staples with essentially no effort at all.

Consider me relieved of my worry that this box would be filled with more Summer stuff!

I’ve been sporting knee-high boots lately, and I really love wearing my socks a little bit higher to give me some extra layers on my legs to play around with when putting together an outfit for the day- so these black and grey striped, knee-high wool socks from Richer Poorer are perfect!

Not only do they keep my legs nice and warm on the chillier days that have been rolling in as of late- but they match pretty much everything, too!

I just want to personally thank POPSUGAR from saving me from a trip to Sephora this week to pick up more makeup primer. This new brightening/illuminating gel-primer (packed with vitamins!) from Figs & Rouge is going to work just fine. With an oil-free formula and lightweight texture- this product keeps my makeup in place while giving me a natural glow without clogging my pores or making me look overly shiny. I’m obsessed. Where has this been all my life?

I own a couple of accessories in one of this season’s hottest hues- Millennial Pink- and now I can add convenient clutch to my collection, too. This faux-snakeskin wallet & smartphone holder from Hudson + Bleecker is the perfect size to store the necessities when I go out, and has proven to be a lifesaver for more formal Fall events when I can’t carry around my usual brown saddlebag with me. I love this!

I think my favorite, and probably one of the most unique items in September’s “Must Have” Box is this color-changing and universally flattering cream blush from Lipstick Queen– which goes on black and transforms into a beautiful berry shade once it makes contact with the skin. How cool is that?! I’ve been using the Black Lace Rabbit Blush for a few days now and it always looks subtle and natural on my complexion- and it changes for everyone depending on your skin tone. Here’s a photo of me with it dabbed on:

As you can see, my cheeks have a slight flush of color in them- but it isn’t obvious the way some powder blushes look and it doesn’t interfere with my foundation or finishing powder by making me look blotchy or uneven. It’s such a simple and effective product that kind of blows my mind every time I use it!

And of course, POPSUGAR comes through with the snacks! This is Pipcorn– miniature popcorn that comes in big flavors and isn’t loaded down with gross ingredients or a ton of salt and oil. Kettle corn is actually one of my favorite types of popcorn- so I’ll be bringing this with me to the office tomorrow to store at my desk and munch on during the week for a guilt-free treat!

Finally, POPSUGAR included a bonus item this month- a $30 gift card to HelloFresh (it’s enough to cover the first box and shipping!) My cousin has been subscribed to HelloFresh for a short while now, and she recently told me how much fun her and her boyfriend are having trying the recipes so far. Not only is everything pretty easy to make- but it tastes good, too- so I’ll be using this one for sure!

I thought September’s “Must Have” Box- while not typically like Fall boxes I’ve received in the past- was still great and included a lot of unexpected and unique items to get the season started. I loved the cream blush and the socks the most, I think- but the pin and the wallet were great additions, too!

I can’t wait for October’s box! I hope they add some spooky stuff in there!

xx

– Ashley –

OOTD: Summer-To-Fall Transition

by Ashley DeLarge2 Comments on OOTD: Summer-To-Fall Transition

Good Morning and TGIF! I took an earned personal day from work to give myself another long weekend to do whatever I please- and I plan on kicking things off this morning with a salted caramel mocha latte and a trip to Hampton Beach’s annual End-of-the-Summer Seafood Festival to eat half of my body weight in crab cakes and browse the sales racks for some bargains I can grab and store away for next bikini season (or for my next trip to Southern California!)

And speaking of Summer fashion- it’s time for that peculiar New England weather again. I’m talking about those first couple of weeks in September where the mornings are crisp and chilly and you leave your house bundled up in a sweater- but by noon the temperatures have skyrocketed and you’re succumbing to heat stroke.

The transition from a Summer-to-Fall wardrobe can be a bit tricky where I live- especially when it comes to choosing pieces that are versatile enough to keep me warm in the mornings but not overheating by the afternoons- and I think I’ve found a pretty basic but winning combination that manages to do both. This ensemble is one I wore around Vermont this past weekend when it was pouring outside- and I stayed completely comfortable.

I try to keep things as simple as possible when it comes to my day-to-day outfits- especially if I’m going to be wearing something all morning or afternoon at work and/or to plans immediately after I leave my office- so breathable fabrics this time of year are a lifesaver. I own a couple of different colored variations of this cotton, quarter-sleeved striped shirt I picked up at Old Navy during one of their last sales events (they have the most cozy tops, FYI!)– and I feel both the cut and the length compliment my figure nicely.

For my legs, I look no further than quality dark-colored skinny jeans or jeggings (AKA my second skin and the best invention of all time) with a knee-high pair of boots to get me through anything that comes my way this time of year- including a lot of rain- which is exactly what we’ve been seeing around here lately! I love these brown leather ones, which I’ve owned for years and are still going strong. The small heel on them gives my legs a more elongated look- but I can still walk in them for hours at a time without killing my feet.

And finally- I recently made the seasonal handbag switch from my see-through, water & sand-proof pink purse to this brown, faux-leather cross-body saddle bag with a fringe tassel that I had been obsessing over since I first laid eyes on it online and recently picked it up (also at Old Navy!) It holds all of the essentials, and so far- I haven’t lost anything at the bottom of it like I usually do- so I’m pretty happy with this purchase. This is going to get me through mid-to-late November until it’s time to break out my favorite Kate Spade bag for the Winter again!

With boot and sweater season upon us- I’m excited to share some of my other favorite outfits for the Fall in the coming weeks- but ones like this are my go-to when Summer is still fighting to stick around for a little while longer!

And now, I’m off to get an early start on my weekend! Have a good one, everybody. See you all next week!

xx

– Ashley –

OOTD: Midweek Pinstripes

by Ashley DeLarge2 Comments on OOTD: Midweek Pinstripes

No, despite first glances- I did not cosplay as a mob boss the other day while I lounged around Bunker Hill Monument with my friend. The outfit pictured above was my post-work-pre-dinner-plans ensemble for when the weather is hot, dry- and I don’t have enough time to change into shorts and a t-shirt after darting out of my office to beat traffic and meet with my party at the designated location. The pinstriped capris, courtesy of Primark– and the black patent leather Steve Madden heels say “I’m a professional just trying to keep cool, comfortable and chic in the Summer heat”- while the black tank top and wide-brimmed hat from Jack & Lucy say “I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse,” or “leave the gun, take the cannoli.”

All joking aside- this is one of my favorite Summertime workday outfits because of how comfortable it is. When it’s as hot or as humid out as it’s been lately- I just want lightweight, breezy and breathable fabrics that let me move around and perform my job with ease- but I also want colors and patterns that are easily interchangeable from daytime to nighttime if I make plans after work and can’t stop at my place to raid my closet for a different aesthetic in-between engagements. Pinstripes, like polka dots- are really easy to work with and style around!

I felt like a savvy professional walking around Charlestown in this outfit during the day- and still thought I pulled off a put together and cute, fun-with-friends-appropriate look when I stopped for dinner at Sweet Rice on Main Street for some steamed vegetable gyoza and the best Pad Thai in town later on in the evening. Save your pencil skirts and frocks, ladies and gentlemen. Right now I’m all about a sharply tailored pair of trousers that show off just the right amount of leg and a practical, yet classic pair of heels to give me some height and perfect my posture!

And while I could have easily accessorized this outfit with a rose gold necklace or some bangles to give what little skin that was exposed a bit of extra flashiness- I let the hat speak for itself. It’s really the only accessory I need when I go out because it pretty much draws all the attention to itself!

xx

– Ashley –

OOTD: SoCal Smolder

by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment on OOTD: SoCal Smolder

Since I was only spending 24 hours in San Diego this past weekend- I didn’t pack much- just enough necessities to fit inside a backpack (like my makeup, my phone charger, and a fresh change of clothes for my flight home.) It wasn’t until I was actually in town and realized that I needed something a bit dressier and something I HADN’T spent 5 hours cramped onto an airplane in to wear for my plans on Saturday night- and I made it a point to make a quick pit-stop at the closest shopping center in order to pick up a new outfit to add to my wardrobe.

When it comes to going out in Southern California- I tend to dress a bit more on the provocative side- but without crossing the line into inappropriate territory. Mini skirts with a cute blouse and nice, dressy sandals? A sleeveless maxi dress with stiletto heels? Short shorts with a tattered band t-shirt and funky sneakers? I’ve worn ’em all at various points out West- so I opted for something a bit different this time around in this black and floral printed back-less, frilly mini-dress.

I love the cut of this dress. It shows off my arms, my legs, and just enough of my back to leave something to the imagination- and the fabric is so light and breezy that I was comfortable and confident the whole night I was wearing it. I picked up a long, black quarter-sleeve cardigan to wear over it, too- just in case the night got a little chilly while I was in San Diego (thankfully, it didn’t)– and also so I could get away with wearing this dress to work, too.

It’s definitely office-friendly in the front, but in the back? Not so much- so a light sweater is definitely a must.

I played up my pale and otherwise bare neck area with a red acrylic and faux-diamond studded statement necklace that I got on sale in a small boutique in Horton Plaza while I stopped in the area to get a caffeine fix and a blow-out for my hair. I wanted something to match the red flowers in the dress.

The necklace came with a pair of ruby red teardrop earrings, as well- but I skipped over wearing those since I was keeping my hair down for the evening and my hair always hides my ears. I’m saving them for a special occasion!

And finally, I wore sneakers to and from San Diego- which simply would not do with a dress this cute- so I grabbed an inexpensive pair of pointed, buckle-strap flats to tie everything together since I knew there was no way I’d be able to walk properly in high heels at a music venue or at a bar. These worked out perfectly- since they were both comfortable and practical- and I’ve been sporting these since I got back with jeans and t-shirts. I feel like they give me a sort of rocker edge without being too dramatic. They’re just the right amount of eye-catching!

Someday I’d love to do a list compiling all of my Summer dresses- although it would take forever since I have so many at the moment- and now I have one more in my collection thanks to this vacay-purchase gone right. I love this outfit, especially since I had pieced it together last minute- and I can’t wait to wear it again now that I’m back home!

xx