Tuesday, March 31, 2015

A Week In DC

Hello, long time no talk! It's been a while since my last post, because I was in Washington DC for a school trip about a week ago, and then had a ton of work to catch up on. It was part of our junior class trip and I loved every minute of it. The trip was absolutely an amazing experience-we did so many things while we were there, and packed it all into a single week! Since I am still recovering from mono, it was hard to keep up, (I was very, very, very tired) but I had the best time nonetheless. This post might be a little photo-heavy, but that's ok. I want to share it all!

We started off by going to the Capitol for a tour, and then to the Library of Congress. As a book worm, I loved seeing a hundred years worth of books all in one place. They were so beautiful, not to mention the magnificent architecture of the building itself!


Then, we quickly stopped in at the Botanical Gardens for a while. Here's what I wore that day.




It rained most of the time we were there :( You can see the rain droplets on my purse! 


I couldn't resist taking a picture of this super cool cactus!




We went to go see a performance of Shear Madness, a murder mystery play! Super hilarious! I would totally recommend to anyone in the DC area.



Here's what I wore the second day. (bad quality, but)


I finally experienced Shake Shack for the first time. And the verdict is: amazing! They have the best vanilla shakes, and their fries are to die for.


The national cathedral is beautiful every time I visit it, and this time was no exception. I feel like I'm walking through the walls of Hogwarts!


This sweater/skirt combo kept me warm at night.



Of course, I have to take the classic tourist picture.


The Lincoln Memorial is absolutely stunning at night!


It got up to the high 60's one day (and didn't rain!!), which was the perfect chance to style this geometric Jcrew shift dress.


I always enjoy the Teddy Roosevelt park. It's so tranquil. Had to take the classic tourist picture! (again.)


My new friend.



I wore these shoes on one of the fancier days of the trip. I wore them from 8am-10pm and not once did my feet hurt. These are so comfortable! (And cute- I love the nude and block color blocking and since they had bows on them, obviously I was going to purchase them!)



The only two jackets I brought with me on the trip were these:

1//Old Navy Trench Coat- super affordable price! The perfect classic trench, without breaking your budget. It looks so chic not buttoned and tied at the waist, or completely buttoned up with the belt done! This one is a little different from mine, but it's just as cute!




2//Lilly Pulitzer puffer jacket- This might be one of my favorite purchases I've made for the spring season so far! This jacket caught my eye in the store a few weeks ago, but it was sooooo expensive! Thank goodness I decided to hold off purchasing, because when I was strolling past Lilly two days before my trip, I saw the coat 50% off during the sidewalk sale! Yay for me! The perfect navy with a pop of color on the cuffs and on the inside. Unfortunately, you can't get these anymore.


Shop my looks here:

Day 1:
Necklace (searched everywhere, but couldn't find the one I had, sorry!)
Trench coat (similar)

Day 2:
Dress (old)

Day 3:
Oxford (old)
Sweater-I just bought this at JCrew only a week ago and I can't find it online! Maybe it was an in-store thing?

Day 4:
Shift dress
Sunglasses (actually got these from a street vendor in NYC!)
Jacket (similar)

Day 5:


All in all, the trip was so fun. I learned things I would have never had the opportunity to discover by sitting in a classroom. I am already planning a trip back to DC over spring break to look at colleges! (More updates on that later).

Have any of you ever been to DC?

Thanks for reading and see you soon! Xoxo,
Ashley Ann










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Friday, March 6, 2015

Favorite Internet Humans

The internet is a huge part of my life and everyone around me. I am guilty of spending hours scrolling down my Instagram feed, watching snapchat stories, or reading blogs. There are so many beautiful human beings on the internet that I adore and follow religiously, and I thought I would share some amazing people I love. Whether it be an Instagram account I enjoy, a Twitter feed, Youtube channel, or blog, I've listed a few internet personalities that make it a little easier to procrastinate and escape the real world. You may even find yourself wishing your life was as cool as theirs! (Let yourself think that only for a moment though-everyone's lives are highlighted to appear perfect on the internet, be happy with your own!) Enjoy.



Ingrid is without a doubt my favorite Youtuber. Be prepared: you will spend hours upon hours clicking video after video! Her channel focuses mainly on beauty and fashion, but I've noticed lately that it's beginning to transition into a lifestyle channel! She preaches the importance of enjoying all of life's little moments, and really inspires me to find my passion in life. Ingrid is so quirky and down to earth, I absolutely adore her!

VIDEOS TO WATCH:
-50 Things I Love About NYC (only increases my desire to live there!!)



Ok, this blog is basically the bane of my existence. I discovered it a few years ago, and have been a loyal reader ever since. Carly Heitlinger will forever be my girl crush. She's quirky, beautiful, has amazing style, and somehow manages to be a real person on top of all that. Her type A personality is so relatable (at least to me, the perfectionist), and her voice really shines through in her writing. She's the queen of inspirational posts that remind you to take life as it comes. This blog has cheered me up too many times to count, and her pinterest-worthy life is to die for!

POSTS TO READ:
-"On My Radar" (love them all!)


Instagram// Ingrid Nilsen

Once again, Ingrid steals the spotlight. Her pictures brighten my instagram feed and just make my day a whole lot brighter. Plus, her style is swoon-worthy!


Blog// Essie Button

After discovering this Canadian born beauty blogger, I spent hours sifting through post after post on her website. She makes every product seem so luxurious, even if it's from the drugstore. I'm extremely jealous because she seems to have completely perfected the flawless "no makeup" makeup. Even if she's wearing bright pink lips and winged liner, she manages to look sophisticated and chic. Her Youtube channel was created after she started the blog, and it's also a fav for me! She's hilarious and really lets her personality shine through. Keep doing what you're doing, Estee!

POSTS TO READ:

-Any "Sunday Stuff" post

Twitter// Meghan Rosette

This girl is seriously hilarious. Every tweet is funnier than the last! With extremely relatable problems, (like Netflix binges and the sad reality of failed winged liner) I know that anytime I see a tweet from her, it will put a smile on my face. Like many other people in this post, she also has a Youtube channel for beauty and fashion.

Pinterest// Laurenconrad.com

Lauren Conrad always has been, and will forever be my girl crush. I could go on hours and hours talking about her! I swear Pinterest was created based on her life. Her website team created this beautiful & amazing account. When I made my Pinterest account, I knew the first person I was going to follow was the Lauren Conrad company. The boards are a whimsical whirlwind of beaches, balloons, pretty dresses, and inspiring quotes.

FAVORITE BOARDS:

Youtube// Sarahbelle93x

Most adorable. girl. ever. The cutest preppy southern gal, Sarah captures my heart every time I watch one of her videos. She has amazing style, her hair always looks fabulous, and she has an addiction to handbags. (can I be best friends with her?) She's also one of the few youtubers who has actually attended a 4-year college. Her college & sorority advice videos are just the best.

VIDEOS TO WATCH:


Instagram// Carly Heitlinger

Once again, Carly takes center stage. Her Instagram page in one word is simply beautiful. An extension of The College Prepster, she posts outfit of the days, pictures of her coffee, and her adorable puppy!


Any particular internet humans you love? 

Thanks for reading and see you soon! Xoxo,
Ashley Ann
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Monday, March 2, 2015

New Arrivals-Vineyard Vines

Recently Vineyard Vines came out with their new spring collection and of course I had to go check everything out. I must say, I pretty much love everything that was released! It takes all of my free will not to go place an order right now-everything is so cute. I thought I would share my favorite picks from the new collection, enjoy!




Ok seriously this is everything I need in a golf skirt. I never even knew that this was exactly what my heart desired until I saw it! I'm thinking I might splurge on this for the upcoming golf season. (just this one time!)

These are the classic dayboat shorts we all know in love, in a fabulous sherbet orange hue. They would look great with just a plain tee and Jack Rogers, a perfect lazy day outfit!

This new pattern they just released is incredible! I love the color blue, and this hat automatically entranced me. I never knew a classic baseball cap could be so chic! I can guarantee you'll see me wearing this print a lot this summer. Another hat that caught my eye was this classic one, but I like the Gustavia better.




Ugh. This dress is so pretty, it hurts. Although it's a little over my budget right now, a girl can dream can't she? It sort of reminds me of a Lilly dress, which is probably why it appeals to me so much.

There is currently free shipping with orders over $125 AND an extra 30% off all sale items, so place your orders now!



Any new releases that caught YOUR eye?


Thanks for reading and see you soon! Xoxo,
Ashley Ann
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My Holy Grail Beauty Products



As a self-proclaimed beauty addict, I try out different products from time to time and add to my ever-growing makeup collection. Although I love the feeling of walking out of Sephora with a huge shopping bag, I believe I truly have the only products I'll ever need sitting right in my vanity at home. These products listed here are ones I could absolutely not live without! I use them everyday without fail, and find myself coming back to them after years and years. Just remember, what works for me may not work for you! These are catered to my specific skin type, tone, and personal preference. Try to come up with your own products that work wonders for you! I think every girl should have a solid list of 5-10 beauty essentials that they know will always be there for them (sounds cheesy, but!) Here are mine:









1. Fresh rose floral toner// I will always have a facial spray with me no matter where I go. I just love the refreshing feel of a cool mist on my face! I use this every single day morning & night. It smells amazing, tones your skin, and feels great!

2. Covergirl "clump crusher" waterproof mascara// After trying out billions of different mascaras, I always seem to come back to this one. It's a no brainer, really. It separates your lashes like you wouldn't believe and gives that fluttery/wispy effect everyone wants. It lasts all day (it's waterproof so  DUH!), and truly does hold the lash curl. Also, you can't beat the price. 


3. Laura Mercier shimmer bloc in "peach mosaic"// This was a more luxurious purchase for me, and is definitely one of the more beautiful products I own. I ended up getting this as an impulse buy because anything that is peachy and shimmery automatically deserves to be purchased in my book. I ended up loving it! It gives the perfect glow whether it be used to highlight cheekbones, swirled together as an eyeshadow, or lightly dusted all over the face. 


4. Nars radiant creamy concealer in "vanilla"// I pretty much don't use any other concealer other than this one. (although I own about 50 others!) It blends like a dream and instantly covers up any imperfections that you may have. I find that using a damp sponge to apply this provides the best results to blend it seamlessly into your skin. It's also a perfect shade match for me, (thank you Sephora skin IQ!)


5. Aveeno smart essentials daily nourishing moisturizer// I'm not particularly picky when it comes to face moisturizers. As long as it's hydrating without being overly greasy, I'm ready to use it! This one though really stands apart from my other moisturizers. It has SPF 30, which is perfect to layer underneath makeup for everyday, especially in the winter when you don't often think about remembering to apply sunscreen. It has a non-greasy formula and prevents white-cast in photos,  which is really cool if you ask me! 



6. Bobbi Brown surf and sand palette// As soon as I saw this palette, I knew it had. to. be. mine. I only wear neutral shades on my eyes so I have about a million different neutral palettes. This one is unlike anything I have. The colors are so beautiful and pigmented! You can really achieve a lot of different eye looks just with this one palette-great for everyday looks or a smokey eye at night. I love love love it. 


7. Tarte amazonian clay full coverage airbrush foundation in "light vanilla" & Tarte airbuki brush// Hands down best foundation I've ever used. So easy to apply- just take the little kabuki brush, swirl it around in the jar and buff it into your skin. Voila! Flawless skin. You can't tell that this is mineral makeup because of how well it sinks into your skin-it looks like you're not wearing anything at all. It's a high coverage foundation (which is normally something I would stray away from), but because it's so natural looking I really don't mind at all! It also has a little net within the container which keeps loose powder from flying every which way when you open it. 

 8. Kat Von D tatoo liner in "trooper"// I love me some classic winged liner, and this liquid masterpiece makes it so easy! The felt tip is makes the thinnest line I've ever seen-no liner can even come close to it's sharp precision. It's very pigmented, black, and stays on all day. What more could you want? 

 9. First Aid Beauty face cleanser// Since I like to keep my skin care simple, this cleanser lines up with that mantra. It's calming on my face, removes the last of my makeup, and in general just works really well. I can't really describe just how amazing it is... The fact that it's so simple is what makes it a great product. 




10. Mac lipstick in "syrup"// It took me awhile to track this lipstick down. It was sold out in every store location I went to, and was backordered online! Finally, I was able to order it and it came in. I haven't stopped wearing it ever since! It's that perfect everyday color that you can just swipe on your lips without thinking (and without a mirror). Although I will say that this color does appear different on everyone. My mom ordered it as well and it looks much more pink on her than it does on me. I guess it just depends on the color of your lips, but it's simply awesome for mine.



What are your top 10 holy grail products? I want to know!

Thank you guys for reading, and see you soon! Xoxo,
Ashley Ann

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