Illustrate

 An engineering student typically has little time to devote to things like art, but somehow I manage. I love fashion illustrations. They help me put my outfit ideas on paper as they come to me, and they inspire me.

Hello, Monday.

Wind on a Thursday

My husband and I went for a stroll down to the waterfront at the end of our street yesterday evening. There is a park down there where people from around town come to dump their trash in the dumpster nearby (classy, I know). Up the hill there is a small patch of grass with a couple of picnic benches and a nice view. We like to watch the aircraft carriers sail into the shipyard from that location, and we also like to eat lunch there on sunny days. Yesterday we just stood and looked at the choppy waves under the grey sky, and then we watched some helicopters fly by. For some reason it was soothing, calming. I need more of that in my life.

 sweater is mens Dior, bag is from Marc by Marc Jacobs, jeans are by Joes Jeans, and shoes are Calvin Klein Collection

TGIF, y'all.

Love, Ashton

Bad Hair Day

I want to preface this post by stating that I am head-over-heels in love with my new haircut. My hairdresser, God bless her, did an outstanding job on my locks, and I really can't thank her enough. That being said, I am having a series of unfortunate hair days where my hair does that 1920's wave thing in a way that is not cute. I suspect it's the moisture in the air that's bringing me my hair down. I embrace volume, not unruly waves crashing over my otherwise awesome day. I used to straighten my hair when nothing else would tame the mane, but I made an oath to not straighten my hair all summer because the sun does enough damage on its own. Additional heat is really not necessary. Now if the sun would just come back out..

Anyways, my blazer is by Elizabeth and James, my t-shirt is Club Monaco, my jeans are Levis, and my pumps are Calvin Klein Collection.

Here's another shot for you nature folks out there.

Happy Thursday.

Don't Let It Bring You Down

 Neil Young said it best, but I'll say it again, this time in reference to an "It" many of us fashionistas (now spell check is trying to bring me down because apparently fashionista isn't a word, pfff, whatever) can relate to. I'd like to thank the Man Repeller for this post which inspired me to think outside the box on days like today when the sky is pissing buckets, the most unfortunate time of the month has made it's mark on my calendar (to say the least), and all those cookies I ate last week are taking their toll on my figure. Rebellion, dear sisters. We must not bend to the demands of the weather and of our cyclical menstrual battle (the cookies fall under this umbrella because said cookies would not have been consumed had it not been for my arch enemy, PMS). Here are 4 ways in which I rebel on days like this:

1: Exercise

I know, LAAAAAAME. But seriously, the cramps are killing me, I feel like a beached whale, and the idea of crawling into pajamas and watching a movie all day has never been more attractive. BUT I WILL NOT GIVE IN. Reluctantly, I pull on my gym shorts (the elastic waistband cutting into my hips), a baggy t-shirt (duh), and my running shoes. I grab my music, and out the door I go. Four miles later I am a new woman, triumphant, sweaty, soaked from the rain, and awesome. I literally just got back from running, and I feel terrific. It works. Trust me.

Image via examiner.com

2: Wear Heels

Pumps. They never fail to make me feel sexy and confident. It doesn't matter if you're going to work or school or the grocery store or to your friend's kid's birthday party. People will probably look at you like you're crazy (or if you live in the city they will think it's totally normal, but I live in a navy town where the female uniform consists of sweat pants, a Winnie the Pooh t-shirt, knock-off Ugg boots, and five kids), but if you let them determine how you dress then you might as well stop at Walmart on the way home and pick up some mom jeans and a slurpee. This is not about fitting in. This is about feeling awesome, and you deserve it. We all do.

Image via World Record Academy

Disclaimer: Wearing your super expensive Louboutins in the rain is probably the ultimate form of this act of rebellion. I opted for red suede Zanottis. Yolo.

3: Buy Underwear

Shopping on a day like the one I'm discussing may seem like an attractive idea (retail therapy, duh), but beware of the dressing room. Rebellion should not be confused with causing yourself to have an emotional breakdown. The irony of purchasing underwear during one's time-of-the-month is obvious and good enough, no need to put yourself through the stress of the dressing room's unsavory lighting (unless you're a real glutton for punishment or if you have fantastic genes). Buy yourself some new panties to replace the ones you ruined when your period started earlier than expected (gross, I know, but if this has never happened to you then that shit isn't fair, share your secrets now). You'll be glad you did.

Image via sodahead.com

4: Wear White

This is piggybacking on the blog post from the Man Repeller mentioned previously. I don't even own any white skinny jeans (I know, I know, I'm missing out, eventually I'll buy a pair when I find the right pair), so my white rebellion typically manifests itself in the form of either a white shirt dress or a white skirt of some sort. Really, light colored clothing in general is a good idea because it attracts stains from dirt, blood, and guts, right? Gross/cool.

This is a sample of ways to grab life by the horns and ride off into the sunset. How do you rebel when the cycle hits?

Happy Wednesday, everybody!
Love, Ashton

Insta-whaaa...?

You guys can look at my instagram if you wanna see it.

BF Jeans

Lately I've been experiencing what some might call a "fashion dry spell" (basically I'm in desperate need of inspiration and summer school isn't cutting it). Fashion flop after fashion flop and feeling like a slug have left me in despair as I stare at my closet thinking, I have nothing to wear (which is totally not true, but let's be real, we all know the feeling).

This morning I decided I would experiment with my boyfriend jeans. I've literally worn these once during the past year of ownership. Why? Thanks to months of hard work at the gym performing deadlifts and squats til my freaking legs burned hot red (not joking, my skin gets red when I work out) and thanks to a tailbone related injury which halted said lifts, my pant size a year ago was larger than it is now (mainly my butt was a lot bigger than it is now). Now, my exploits at the gym involve a lot more running and upper body work, but lets not discuss proportions, it's depressing. Anyways, these pants are too big, but isn't that how bf jeans are supposed to fit? Am I supposed to call them "husband jeans" now that I'm married? We may never know.

t-shirt is way old, boyfriend jeans by CURRENT/ELLIOTT, red pumps by Giuseppe Zanotti

Also, I got a haircut. Summer short. No makeup. Just me.

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER

NO MORE TEACHERS, NO MORE BOOKS..

My lack of posting has been due to the end of the semester madness, but we're back.

Sadly, school's not really out for summer for me, summer session has already begun. But I'm a senior now, yessssss!! Here's an outfit post for your viewing enjoyment. Also, it's been between like 65 and 85 degrees out for the past two weeks, and I've spent that time swimming and relaxing with my husband.

blouse is from J. Crew, skirt is by Paige Denim, shoes are from Marc by Marc Jacobs

Happy Wednesday!

Just Ordered

The most lovely sandal will grace my doorstep within.. three days. I'm so excited!

Marc by Marc Jacobs Demi Wedge Sandal (you can find it on Amazon in matte black here)

Balmy April

The sweet sun has been gracing the good people of Western Washington this week, and all I can say is, "It's about damn time." Actually, the timing couldn't be worse because we're in the middle of dead week at school, and for those of you who are not familiar with this term, check it out. Regardless, I will never complain about dry weather while I live in the rainy state. Here's what I wore today in lieu of the regular raincoat and boots:

My shirt is by Joes Jeans, by bag is Marc by Marc Jacobs, my jeans are Bird by Juicy Couture, and my sandals are Burberry

Also, in case you wanted to see another picture of this outfit, here is another picture of this outfit (and me scratching my head, super typical):

Going to School (my house is a mess)

Here's how I typically dress for school. I know it's a selfie, don't judge me (or do, I can't stop you, really). My shirt is Vans, my pants are Current/Elliott, my jacket is Lacoste, and my shoes are Sigerson Morrison. My smile is my own, and yes, it is very strange. The weather is grey, threatening to rain, and a bit chilly. Spring, where art thou? Where have you gone?

Loafing Around

While I always prefer a tall shoe over a short one, the former is now always practical. A flat shoe does not earn you sideways glances in the science and technology building of your local college campus the way heels do. Plus, I hate being uncomfortable at school. I'm not really a tennis shoes person either (though I usually fall in love with those American flag print Converse..) so I look for a happy medium. Loafers fit the description, and I can thank Amazon for a bargain impossible to beat.

Spring

Spring has sprung and with it so have my second set of midterms AND my brother's wedding (for which I was the best man, photos to come, stay tuned if you give a rip). I'm terrible at this blogging thing. In other news, I can't stop buying shoes. I hope my husband and I get a bigger apartment soon so I can have room for them. I need a bookshelf for them (can I call it a shoe-shelf?). Peace.

dress by Splendid, bag from Marc by Marc Jacobs, shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti

Summer Tease

Well, Easter weekend was full of sunshine and 70 degree weather. Such a tease.

dress by Frenchie, necklace by Lucky Brand, shoes from Calvin Klein Collection, bag from See by Chloe

FREE AT LAST! (sort of)

The computer class from Hell has finally ended, but our second set of midterms are right around the corner. Also, because half of my classes are through Washington State University and the other half are through Olympic College and because these two entities did not see it fit to have similar break schedules I will not be having a true spring break this year (or next year for that matter). Retail therapy has been my only escape from this tragic fate, and now I am the proud owner of these grey beauties.

Have a great week/spring break/whatever.

shirt by Juicy Couture, pants by CURRENT/ELLIOTT, bag from See by Chloé, shoes by Sigerson Morrison

lackluster

The process which involves quenching my thirst for knowledge has left me doused and drowning in a sea of educational overload. I am positively depressed (total oxymoron, totally relevant). My brain is melting down my face. The sun has been out lately, and all I can think about is driving to California with my beloved and laying in the sun. FOR. EV. ER.

What do we want?
Spring break!
When do we want it?
Now!

Birthday Party

My mother-in-law turns 58 tomorrow, and we celebrated her birthday early this evening with family and friends. The evening's festivities included a discussion concerning sequestration and negative feelings about the government, a salmon dinner prepared by yours truly, and cake time accompanied by champagne. We got home late, and I demanded that my husband take my picture so I could post it on my stupid blog. An ideal Monday if I ever had one. Goodnight neverland!

blazer from J. Crew, t shirt from Lacoste, shoes by Calvin Klein Collection

positive tunes

A friend of mine recently released his mixtape. You can listen to it on this page, or you can listen to it here.

friendly Friday

Photo credit goes to my friend Jorgen for the first picture (film, a few days ago), Sena for the second picture (iPhone, new years eve), and Brandon for the final picture (digital camera of some sort, forever ago).

flexing my brain

Off to school I go. My hair is up which probably means I need a shower, but what is cleanliness aside from a means of smelling good? Just kidding. I'm wearing an Eddie Bauer flannel (similar here), Joes jeans, Marc by Marc Jacobs bag, and Alexander Wang anouk boots.

Sunday best

I chopped off my locks a week ago, and my hair is finally starting to realize this. Natural hair forever please!

jacket by Calvin Klein, sweater from the Gap, necklace homemade and gifted by a super babe/friend, jeans by Current/Elliott, daddy ankle boots by Giuseppe Zanotti

True story: I always have to double-check the spelling on Giuseppe. Engineers aren't the best spellers..

If this is wrong, I don't want to be right.

I can't stop jamming to this song. Hook, line, and sinker.

the tight skirt

For a long time I was uncertain about the tight mini skirt and how it applies to my life. Hasn't it been popular for.. ever? The tight mini transcends trends (say that five times fast) and lands itself in the fashion hall of never-goes-out-of-style fame. Is the mini skirt timeless? Anyways, I never looked good in a tight mini until I accidentally stumbled upon the Pleasure Doing Business skirt. I say accidentally, but what I mean is that my friend ordered this skirt without realizing how heinously small this brand runs (she's got the most beautiful body of all time with full hips and all that, I love her and curse her). So, if you choose to buy I recommend you order up (unless you enjoy being suffocated by your clothing, but beauty is pain so no shame in the game).

Hands up, or Kate Moss gets it!
(Kate Moss is on my t-shirt, guys)

t-shirt by DXMPIECE, skirt is Pleasure Doing Business, boots by Giuseppe Zanotti

hard hat

I am not really certain if I chose engineering or if engineering chose me, but there is one thing I am certain of: none of the doubts I ever had about whether or not I could accomplish my hazy dreams ever proved to be valid. When I first embarked on my college career I was a mere seventeen years old with tons to learn (literally thousands of pounds of thought matter)(I still have tons to learn six years later). My aspirations were all over the map, and my career path changed more frequently than my underwear. I envisioned being a pianist, a poet, a fashion designer, and a mathematician, not one of them but ALL of them.

Then, I discovered something revolutionary, my doorway to vocational Zion, the holy land of occupation, a prestigious paradise. I discovered engineering. I realized that as an engineer I could be innovative, lucrative, creative and a total freaking nerd at the same time. I was also under the impression that I would be spending my time in school solving elaborate math problems that would fill up twenty chalkboards and impress hordes of professors and other scholarly persons, but that was a miscalculation on my part.

Since my professional prayers had been answered I began to focus on what I now enjoy more than anything else, mathematics. I also studied chemistry (gag me) and physics (If they ever legalize marriage to an educational subject I will take myself a second husband and marry physics. I would marry math, but math is my lover forever.). Through my studies I discovered that I am naturally good at math and procrastination. I’m also great at not making any friends and being a total nobody on campus, but when you live in the lamest town in the world that’s perfectly fine.

The most groundbreaking moment in my educational career occurred when I stopped partying and started exercising, totally unrelated but so relevant. That was two years ago. Up until that time I pulled myself through all of my calculus courses and even chemistry and physics, but my grades in my engineering classes suffered. I failed my very first class and hit rock bottom realizing that I only understood math and getting wasted every weekend. Engineering felt so foreign, and it wasn’t difficult in the same way that all my other classes were difficult. I found it impossible to think like an engineer, and the disposition necessary to succeed was like a wisp of smoke in front of my face, visible yet unattainable. I could see the distinction between myself and my classmates who flourished in our engineering courses though I couldn’t determine precisely what separated me from them. When I finally performed the theoretical yanking of my head from my bum (a process I know all too well) I realized that my logic wasn’t broad enough. I could logic my way though an integral, but I couldn’t logically determine if concrete was a brittle material or a ductile material (it’s very brittle in case you’re dying to know).

The second most groundbreaking moment in my educational career happened during material science lab when I was actually able to observe material behavior in a number of ways. I discovered that my biggest educational stumbling block and what separated me from my peers was my lack or experience with “guy stuff”. To this day I regret being too much of a sissy to join my dad in the garage and help him work on my car when I was in high school. I missed one of the major preliminary stepping stones that make a great engineer, but here I am.

I am still learning, still trying to understand, still fighting for the ever elusive 4.0, but my destination is not far from where I am now. Thank God.

Engineering is nuthin but a g-thing, really. Or maybe a g-string?

brew

Monday is possibly my least favorite day of the week for obvious reasons, but that doesn't mean that it can't improve. My hypothesis is that a "cold one" or a "brewskie" is the only cure out there for a case of the Mondays. Also, I would like a vacation.

photo courtesy of thenextbarstool.com

ignore my kitchen and look at these shoes

pumps by Cynthia Vincent, acid wash Levis, long sleeve by BCBGeneration

rainy day outfit

shirt dress by Joes Jeans, anouk boots by Alexander Wang

Rain is never a surprise when you live in Washington state, but that doesn't mean you have to like it. This girl is ready for summer.

today's attire

leather jacket by cut25 (purchased from The Outnet), t shirt by Lacoste, jeans from Bird by Juicy Couture, shoes from Calvin Klein Collection, awkward photo stance passed down from generation to generation

evidently Marc Jacobs broke up with pants and hooked up with punk rock hair

 

The outcome? Pure elegance with an edge (and freezing cold legs next fall/winter).

photo commandeered from The Sartorialist

wishful thinking

I really want the sun to come out so I can wear these baby bops.

Elizabeth and James (left), Loeffler Randall (right)

what I want to wear every day this spring (selfie)

shoes by Marc by Marc Jacobs, Joes Jeans, Saint James shirt (gift from my friend, what an angel), frown by yours truly

Charolette Olympia Musings

Can we all just take a moment and admire these foot-gloves? Amazing, sublime, superb shoes, perfect for that vacation in Mexico!

I mean, why wouldn't you want a parrot trapped inside your heel (which also functions as a cage)? Or cat faces on your toes? All of these are desirable shoe qualities, right?




I commandeered these photos from http://www.charlotteolympia.com.