Day to Night

DAY

To NIGHT

Shirt: J. Crew - Jeans: Billabong, similar here, but keeping my eye out for these bad boys - Sweater duster: Banana Republic via Salvation Army - Scarf: Forever21 

Outfit 2: Shirt: Same - Blazer: last worn here - Leggings: Max Studio via TJ Maxx - Shoes: Bandalino, similar here and here - Shades: Forever21

Hey y'all! So I recently fell in love with this scarf while sick in bed and shopping online to ease my nausea....side note: it doesn't help. Anyways, I found this beautiful, classic printed scarf at Forever21 and thought it would be perfect to add some sass to a day time outfit and switch it up for a night time look. Forever21 has so many great scarves(and even more in-store) that could polish off any look. They're so inexpensive, but add a nice, chic look to almost any outfit. While there are tons of ways to tie and wear a scarf, I always end up just crossing it over once and wearing it like so. 

        Scarves are the perfect piece to wear for transitioning into spring. You're already used to wearing the thicker, warmer scarves; switching it out for a lightweight, spring colored piece is any easy switch.

Have you gotten any scarves recently? What's your favorite way to wear them?

->Ashley

the hair

Top: Gift from grandparents' trip to Italy, similar here - Leggings: Max Studio via TJ Maxx, similar here  - Boots: ROSS, similar here - Necklace: Forever21 old, really digging this and this

Hey y'all! As you've noticed, I've been changing up my hair a bit. It grows extremely fast so, while it is still short, it's now long enough to put it in curlers. I know I have so many people asking me to do a hair tutorial video and I promise I am hearing you!!!! My computer webcam SUCKS! And I've tried it with my iphone. It didn't go over well. I'm waiting to get a good camera so I can get good video as well as possibly incorporating some home decor in, cause let's face it - good quality cameras make such a difference in home decor. If I do get a camera in the near future, you can bet I'll be saying goodbye to my hotness of a garage for the most part. :) In the meantime, do you have any great quality camera suggestions??

Toodaloo

->Ashley

daytime sequins

 

Jeans: hand me down - Top: Target - Jacket: Express via Marshall's, similar here - Shoes: old, similar here - Bracelet: hand me down - Necklace: Christmas gift from parents. It has a tightly rolled paper with a verse on it. Love it!

I'm sorry I haven't been posting lately. Sickness has consumed our home for the last 3 weeks and we are finally in the clear. It's the typical time of year that germs are spreading everywhere, but it was also my son, Robey's, 6th birthday. I know everyone says it, but I truly cannot believe he is 6!!! Do you understand I was going to marry Wes Sellars when I was six?!!! Robey's 6. He can now view women as their potential life partner. I highly doubt that relationship will actually sustain itself through 15 more years, but there's a possibility. :)


->Ashley

Universal

 Trousers: GAP, similar here and here - Tunic: Choies - Bag: Cynthia Rowley, similar style - Earrings: Express - Bracelet: TJ Maxx

So, I totally feel great wearing this outfit. I feel best in wide legs and longer, looser tops. It feels so Rachel Zoe to me. I like it best because I feel on trend without showing too much skin. These days, the more skin you show, the better. I think it's great to beat a challenge by wearing something trendy without compromising.

Big girls, I'm here for ya!

How to wear this outfit:

You ready for it? Are you sure? Okay:

Don't change a thing

• Isn't that great?! The bell bottom gives the illusion of length and, combined with the longer tunic, actually narrows your width....AKA: it makes you look thinner. I've heard many women say they don't wish they were taller when, in my opinion, I think taller is always better. :) 

• The best choice of pants would be the darkest wash and try to get ones where the bottom hem skims the ground. 
•  NEVER wear pants that leave 2+" of shoe heel showing. It makes your waist look wider. 

->Ashley

Pinterest......how I love thee....

Let's talk 'bout it, people! I love Pinterest. It's like a member of the family. I feel like it gives its portion of help to my family. What do I make for dinner tonight, Pinterest? How can I pinch pleat my drapes, Pinterest? And last, but certainly not least, how can I look fashionably great without trying too hard?  Pinterest is the new Google. Well, look no further, people, cause I got your answers. Well, just one answer. We'll worry about the dinner and pinch pleats later on. Back to the important stuff. I came across this pin yesterday while 'Pinteresting'.

 

Beautiful, right? It's so comfy looking but in a grown up chic way. Then it dawned on me--I wear this all the time.Well not the heels and dress shirt, but my husband's sweater is my favorite piece to wear around the house, but now it was time to step it up and wear it out. I added some heels, curled the hair, and SHAZAAM!!

 Top: Husband's henley, similar here - Jeans: Abercrombie, similar here - Shoes: Forever21 - Bag: Forever21, similar here

       I opted not to wear his dress shirt cause it was just too sloppy feeling on me. Instead, I went with my own black blouse for extra layers in this Florida winter.

While it may not look exactly like the picture, it is a similar "interpretation" of the ensemble. 

*Tip for big girls*:

Try to keep the look more polished by wearing clean jeans rather than destroyed jeans. You can wear skinny but it has to be with pointed heels so you don't look 'hipp-ie'. To pull off the oversized sweater, pair it with a long necklace. Steer clear of the shorter ones as it'll draw more attention to your upper half. The longer necklaces hanging just above the belly button(that is just a funny word to me) will elongate you and not draw attention to everything the oversize sweater is covering up. 

Have a great day!!

->Ashley 

Introducing....Big and Tall (for women)

Top: J. Crew Factory, old but really like this one - Vest: Old Navy(in-store)similar here,  Plus size available here - Pants: Gap, but these are way cute - Heels: Zara, old similar here - Bracelet: Sira & Mara, real deal here, similar here - Necklace: J. Crew, Factory version here

Well, well. I'm here. I'm alive. And I totally did not keep up with blogging last week Sorry!! No excuses. Let's get down to business.
I've been asked by a few friends to incorporate a "Big and Tall" version for women. I'll try to explain every now and then how the outfits I post can be tweeked so a Big and Tall woman can wear it. Like that? I thought so. I understand that every woman has different shapes so I'll try to cater to that, too. Let's get started:

The Pants:
Let's face it. If you're on the plus size, you probably haven't taken a second thought about wearing these bad boys, but you should. Find a fun print that you love. Even these horizontal stripes. The key to it is staying away from skinny cropped and sticking to slim or flared crop. The more the flare at the bottom, totally the better. The flare will keep your eye centered on your body rather than a skinny that will automatically draw the eye to your feet, therefore grounding your weight and height too much. Make sense??

The Top:
I have to be honest: You can't zip the vest! You just can't. Wear a billowy or longer slim top that goes at or just below your hips (no shorter than that!!) Layer the vest on top and flip the collar. Zipping the vest, in most cases, would actually accentuate the chest/stomach area. And if you're 'blessed' up there it just wouldn't be pretty. I totally recommend the vest, just keep it unzipped and it'll look gorg on you.

Shoes:
 Don't fret! Shoes with this outfit are relatively easy. The need to be open-toed, though. I understand it's hard for some women to wear some 4''+ heels, but wedges are always an easier option. Try these. They're a great option with just enough height to make the outfit look more polished but not too high to make you seem like a giant. Try to steer clear of straps that buckle around your ankle. It cuts it off and, again, draws your eye down. Stick with the wedges or sandals with a little height that buckle before the ankle. Make sense?

Hope this helps someone! I'll be sure to do more in-depth posts on "Big and Tall" women if you enjoyed this little preview. :) 
Have a great week, my loves!!

->Ashley

Family Vacay

Jeans: Abercrombie & Fitch - Top: J. Crew Factory - Shoes: Express, similar here - Sweater Coat: MODA Int.(thrifted) craving this one

While it was soooo incredibly fun and peaceful to get away with the lova-boy and babes, we are back at it with school, work, and the Daniel Fast. Yes, THE fast. It's hard. I'm craving a Mexican Pizza at Taco Bell now....

On to better things to think about. Here's a few pics from our week away, just so this can be a somewhat longer post today. :)

We first stopped at a Hunt Lodge about 45 minutes south of Macon for the boys to hunt for a few days. Didn't see a dang thing the whole time.

But they did stay busy sighting in their guns.

While I stayed busy watching my back at every corner. 

Next stop was Atlanta! We stayed at the Hilton downtown which was perfectly placed within walking distance to many restaurants. Oh, and we stayed there on NYE. We didn't know they have their own "Peach Drop". We also didn't know the "Chick Fil A" Bowl was there either. Whoops! This was a totally last minute decision as my husband didn't realize when booking the hunt lodge and the mountain cabin that there was a day in between them so we stopped halfway in ATL to experience the real city life.

We got ready and partied like it was.......2013?

It was great to see the kids so happy!!

We were so worried that all the restaurants would be PACKED but totally lucked out when we stopped at Max Lager's. We were seated right away, and I completely recommend it. The 'Cowboy' Steak was honestly the best steak I've eaten at a restaurant. The sad part is, it was my husband's steak. Sorry, Honey!

It was so wonderful to just be a family experiencing something together, ya know what I mean? That also meant we were all OUT by 10:00 that night. No watching the ball, or peach for that matter, drop.

We got the back view of the hotel since we were so last minute with booking, but it was still pleasant.

After a night in the big city, it was time to hit the mountains. Off we go. :)

->Ashley