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!