Holiday tablescape #2

Second tablespcape. Totally different, right?!?! This one is my favorite. It's a glamorous neutral. I don't do color very well. I used the same flowers that I had for my last tablescape but nixed the pink ones. You might be wondering, "Is that a zebra cowhide on your table??" Why yes, yes it is. And it looks mighty fine if I do say so myself. Don't worry I steamed it before presenting it on the table that we eat from. :) Anyone ever heard of 'Hand, Mouth, and Foot'? YUMMM!! Yet again, I borrowed the Target plates, West Elm glasses, and the gold West Elm cutlery from my sis. She's a real trooper. I found the julep cups a couple years ago at a goodwill, and the chargers at Target. You can find gold chargers anywhere: Target, Walmart, Hobby Lobby, maybe even the dollar store.
Each place setting is slightly different just to show options. I really liked the design on the dessert plate so it couldn't be covered up with the napkin. I used black and white striped grosgrain ribbon around the cutlery to add another great pattern in. Add a nice coordinating ornament on the plate as a favor for guests.

Sorry if this post seems jumbled and hurried. I'm frantically trying to finish the Christmas preparations and cooking. :)

Merry Christmas!!!!

->Ashley

Christmas Tablescape

Today, I'm showing you a fun, colorful, and inexpensive approach to a well decorated Christmas table. I say inexpensive because I got most of the stuff(plates and flutes) from my sister. So in reality, you'd really be burning a hole in your pocket if you had to go out and buy all this. ;) My suggestion: call your sisters, friends, or mom and pull stuff together. Second suggestion: wait til after Christmas to buy the Christmas plates, and glasses, and napkin rings, and anything Christmas your jolly heart desires. You can get it for up to 90% off!!!!! I'd much rather have a crappy table one year if it means I can have an extravagantly awesome tablescape at 90% off the following year. HOLLA!

Carnations are seriously one of my favorite flowers. They're also the cheapest, too. I added white roses to the mix just to keep it nicer and not so 'cheap' looking.

I added fun straws in the West Elm flutes(years old) to give a more playful look. Tip: totally off subject, but I taught my babes how to drink out of regular cups by first introducing them to wine glasses. Sounds weird, but it's lighter than our regular drinking glasses and it's easier for their widdle, cutie, chubby hands to get a grip on with the stem. Good luck :)

We made our "Antro" inspired snow globes for 1/4 of the price a few weeks ago. I placed the extra trees that came in the pack I bought at Michael's around the table, too.

Adorable plates from Target a few years ago. My kids came up with the genius idea to add candy canes to add to the fun.

Tomorrow, I'm going to show you a more "dressed up" look for my tablescape. I hope you got inspired to be more playful and colorful in your holiday table this year. Thanks for stopping by! :)

->Ashley

Step it up, Mommas

Ummmmm, Mom, what are you doing taking pictures without me?!?!

Here, Mom, hold these.

Glitter Top & Striped Top: Both from Marshall's a few years ago - Bottoms: Gap, last year, similar here - Necklace: Express - Earrings: Express

I could quite possibly cry!!! Soooo, I'm rewriting my post because blogger decided to completely erase EVERYTHING I just did. So here goes nothin', quite litrly. ;)

 I get a lot of questions from fellow mommas about how I manage to always look "so cute". In my opinion, I probably do spend more time and thought into getting ready, but I don't usually feel like I'm over doing it. I feel like I'm just giving my portion to society so I don't show up on peopleofwalmart.com.  Moms who have kids in school have a busy start to an early morning so I judge not on the ones who drop their kids off in their PJ's. However, I also believe that you should be OUT of your PJ's by the time you pick your kid up. It's the right thing to do. :) Soooooo, I'm gonna give three tips on how to UP your look for you SAHMs.

3 Tips for Stepping it Up a Bit:

1. Don't air dry your hair. Blow it dry and style it, yes pick up an electric hair tool and USE IT!!! DON'T go to bed with your hair wet, and DO try styling your hair the way it's supposed to be. Your hair, polished or not, will make or break an entire look!
2.  Skip the flip flops today!!! I understand it's Winter, but as a Floridian, flip flops are year round here so I have to make this point. Flip flops are for the beach, NOT for church or a shopping excursion.Although, there are sometimes exceptions, just trust me on this one. Change them out for a cute pair of closed toe flats from Marshall's. 
3. Curl your lashes and whip some mascara, people!!!! This is a ten second process so you have no excuse. If you already wear mascara on the daily, good for you. Now go buy a $2 eyelash curler and va va voom. It'll make you look ten x's better! You, yes you, with the creepily short, unruly,

Not Easily Amused

 

Coat: Old, beautiful options here - Top: The Loft(last year, but almost identical here) *FYI, they have 50% EVERYTHING today only and free shipping. You're welcome! :)  - Leggings: TJMaxx(Max Studio) similar here - Boots: ROSS, but these are adorable!! - Necklace: Old, similar here
Because of LOFT's sale today, all of my pieces I chose to create a similar look are from LOFT so you can achieve the same look for 50% the price of what you would pay. :)
There are days when Aubrey is asking to "take pictures outside", then there are days when Aubrey is a force to reckoned with. Sometimes I'm too scared to address the situation. Other times, I have to leave the room so I can laugh. Hey, a child's bad attitude is funny......on occasion......a very rare occasion. I'd like to say I haven't blogged in a while because I've been dealing with my children's attitudes, but alas, that's always been there, always will. :) I've decided my goal in blogging is to post at least twice a week. It might not be a fashion post, but I'll be here.
Happy Wednesday!!

->Ashley

Jennifer Aniston's staple pieces

Jeans: Billabong, sold out, similar here and here - Top: J. Crew Factory on sale for $15.50, but I bought it in store for $12.50. Just sayin..... - Blazer: Banana Republic via eBay Belt: no clue where it's from. It's been a staple in my closet for years.but I'm totally diggin' this one - Shoes: BCBGeneration via Marshall's - Necklace: Express, years ago(sorry)

I'm sure you're wondering if my shirt if black or navy. Well, to ease your mind and let you get back to your breakfast, I'll go ahead and say it's navy. I know, I know. What am I doing in a navy shirt with a black blazer? Well........whatever the heck I want!!! :) Just like brown, I believe navy goes great these days with black. But don't go blaming it on me if you wear it and it doesn't look good on you.

I know I probably say this a lot, but when you put on an outfit, you feel a certain way. You feel like a famous woman who's style you admire, you feel beautiful, you feel etheral, or you can feel like crap. Whatever you wear, it comes with a feeling; a statement, if you will. My statement for today's look is, "I've seen Jennifer Aniston in so many paparazzi pics of her in the airport in jeans and a blazer I'll look like a chic jet setter, too, if I wear it" look. :) I don't know if everyone feels this way, but anytime I put on a blazer, my look feels more complete. 

I so challenge you to add a classic blazer, black specifically, to your wardrobe. It's a great staple piece that you can have for years and years. Make sure to get only a one or two button blazer. No more, no less. More buttons can look too boxy and out date very quickly. 

Have a splendid day!!!

->Ashley

Dance, Dance!

Top: Abercrombie & Fitch, similar here - Jeggings: Abercrombie & Fitch, but totally digging these and they're only $10 when you use the code extra30 :)  - Vest: bebe, similar here - Flats: Lucky Brand via Marshall's, similar here and here - Necklace: Forever21
On Aubrey: all Target

Since I had a boy first, I always admired how Robey takes after my husband. He ALWAYS copies him. Everything Dewey likes to do(hunting, surfing, anything outdoors) Robey likes to do. Now that I have Aubrey and she is getting older, I absolutely ADORE how she copies me. She is so funny when she doesn't realize that I know that she's copying me. Make sense? It's amazing to see how different God created men and women. To see the boy's heart through Robey helps me better understand my husband, and I think Aubrey's 'ultra-femine-ness' does the same for Dewey to understand me more. They are such a blessing! :)
Have a great weekend!!

->Ashley

I wanna be an Equestrian!

 

Top: J. Crew (On clearance, too!) but get it in store if you can. I only paid $12 for it - Pants: Zara(few years ago, sorry. BUT, you could just use any thick leggings you already have to complete the look.) - Jacket: Barbour, similar here) - Boots: Enzo Anglioni via Marshall's

How to get the look:

• Use any black or brown pair of leggings you already have
• Need two-tone riding style boot
• Get over-sized earthy toned jacket(preferably quilted) 
• To make it more modern and 'wearable', keep your hair down and styled. If its pulled up in a pony or bun, it'll look like you just came from a riding competition. ;)

Don't mind the picture with the huge ball of hair bombing my photo sesh. It's just a stray dog my kids keep calling back to our house. No big deal. ;) 

Do you ever get that feeling when you wake up and say, "Today I want to be an Equestrian."? yeah, me neither. :) My outfits just sort of ......evolve. I dress how I want the day of without prior planning(and yet I plan EVERYTHING else in my life) and the outfit just becomes something. Ergo, a horseback riding chick with, dare I say, great hair today! :)  My husband adores this look, too, because it could also double as a hunting outfit, sans my enormous amount of hairspray in my hair. 

Off to get an oil change, homeschool a five year old, and chase a two year old at the dealership. 

Happy Hump Day!! Bet you've never heard that one before.

->Ashley

Pants: GAP in black here, seriously the best fitting pants ever! similar here  - Top: GAP I went 2 sizes up - Shoes: Forever21 - Bag: Forever21 - Bracelet: TJMaxx - Earrings: Express - Trench: Banana Republic, similar here and here

Trousers and Blazer

 

I hope you don't mind my fuzzy pictures and my lounge chair making a special appearance in this episode of "Ashley pretending to be a legit blogger". I'm sure my two year old helps with the professional look ;)

 Instead of a silly post on where I got what, cause let's face it. I've had all of these pieces for years, I wanted to vent a little. It's hard trying to step out of your comfort zone and pursue a goal/dream/hobby/identity when you have a kids, you're far away, and you save more money than you spend. Don't get wrong! ALL of those things are truly, truly wonderful. I wouldn't trade my kids for all the J.Crew pieces in the world. I love living far away. It's peaceful and quiet unless Robey is rippin on his four wheeler or the neighbor is shooting targets. It's very secure to not live paycheck to paycheck, but there are times, especially when I see other people constantly shopping for new things, I do get a little jealous. "Why can't I be foolish with my money, too?" ;) Hey it's the truth. 

All too often, I get affected by what goes on around me. I see so many people succeeding in their goals and dreams and I'm over here like, "Hey, I can decorate, too!" I don't have a clue who consistently reads these blogs posts, but if you are reading, I really really appreciate it! I'm learning to be thankful with exactly where you are and it's for a reason that God has you in this place. Sometimes it's hard to try and be positive always, but I am thankful for my 5 year old son who takes my pictures, and my husband who is the hardest worker I know who supports us so I can be home with the kids and do silly posts like these every week. I'm thankful that we live far away on a dirt road, otherwise, I'd feel a little odd posing for an iPhone in a cookie cutter neighborhood with the neighbors watching me. And I'm thankful for my 2 year old daughter who always wants to join in my photo shoots and add a little sass. I love my life, my family, and the opportunities that I've been given, big and small, to strive each day to achieve my dream hobby.

->Ashley

Conservative Stripes

 

Okay, okay. I know what you're thinking: You only have three pictures? How is this even blog worthy?!? Well, fellas, I'm relying on my iPhone and my 5 year old son and multiple editing apps for these shots, so basically, you should be thanking me! ;) I found this top while shopping with a friend last week at LOFT. I have a thing for checking the same pieces I buy and comparing the price in store vs. online. I paid only $12 for it in store(after my additional 50% off clearance) and online it would be $20(after additional 50% off) not inlcuding shipping, yada yada yada. In most cases, buying in store will always be less expensive, but double check before making your purchase. :)

The pants I got at J.Crew (online) last year. In fact, I believe almost exactly a year ago. I remember I only paid $15 or less for these bad boys so I stocked up and got three colors. You always want to wait for the best sales at J. Crew which should actually be happening in the next couple weeks. I'm eyeing the toothpick cords this season so I can wear with some cute booties.

Happy Friday!

Top: LOFT - Cord pants: J. Crew - Shoes: BCBGeneration via Marshall's - Necklace: Banana Republic and on sale!

Comfy Casual

This coat is soooooo cozy and warm. I found it at a Salvation Army for $10!! It's by MODA and it's 100% wool so I'm happy us Floridians still have cool enough days to wear this warm green fiesta partying sweater coat! This outfit reminds me of Julia Roberts on 'Runaway Bride'. One of my all time favorite movies. There's a short scene where Julia is swinging on a tire swing and this outfit just totally makes me feel like her. Comfy, casual, but totally chic in a laid back, but put together way. I'm wordy, can you tell? ;)

Sweater Coat: MODA, thrifted, similar here - Flare Jeans: Swell - T Shirt: GAP - Boots: Express