Look Right

Today was like Christmas for my eyes picking up my new glasses, prescription sunglasses and contacts. Picking out eye glasses has got to be one of the most stressful yearly tasks I have to do. I have zero tolerance for contacts unless its skiing, going to a wedding and the occasional night out so basically I'm picking out an accessory that I wear EVERY SINGLE DAY. I always go the eye doctors by myself and end up sending my friends and mother countless "selfies" with a duck face like that is how I am actually going to look when I wear them asking "are these cute? or too big?" Not to mention a certain special someone in my life hated my last pair of Jimmy Choo eye glasses so hopefuly he will like this years pick a little better. If not, there is always next year.

For eye glasses I chose a tortoise pair of Calvin Kleins.

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Sunglasses I also went with tortoise but chose a new pair of Ray-Bans.

Don't worry, I wouldn't leave you without a duck face selfie in my new glasses

Cheers to seeing!

With Love,

Ashley Maria

Oh My Blog

TGIF!

It's been a while since my last post and I just wanted to create a new one about some opportunities that have come from this social media fashion world I am attempting to join in. I have recently been chosen as a sales rep for Juliana's Boutique and a seller on a Bloggers Closet. I am really looking forward to both these opportunities and want to make sure you all get to join in with me on them!

Juliana's Boutique is an adorable and totally affordable online clothing boutique that sells some really awesome stuff. They will be having tons of new items coming in for spring and if you use my code you will be able to get an additional 10% off: winter7096. Here are two of my favorite things I snagged up last month from them.

Blogger's Closet is a brand new site where fashion bloggers sell their new and preloved clothing and accessories. My favorite part about this website is that I get to check out tons of fashion bloggers and their sites while also shopping their closet. I have tons of stuff to add over the next few weeks into my closet but be sure to check it out.

Also, how about this "Oh My Blog" sweater with elbow patches I had to have? Rue la la, you did it again.<p> 

Vest French Connection (Marshalls Fab Find)// Pants Jcrew Factory Similar here // Sweater Rue La La made by South Parade// Shoes Old Navy// Jewels Jcrew

Now its off to have a momma/daughter day in Boston and seeing Lady Antabellum and going to MOOO tonight!

With Love,

Ashley Maria

Park City, Utah

For Christmas, instead of buying each other big gifts, Danny and I decided we would book a trip to go skiing out west and we chose Park City, Utah. It was my first time there, Danny’s second and most definitely not our last. I have been trying to think of a word to describe the trip and Park City itself and wonderful is the word I have used most. The city was beyond impressive with its beauty, friendly people and the exceptional transit system that is free. We spent two days skiing, and one day touring the city and bobsledding at the Olympic Park that was built for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.

Our first ski day we spent at Park City Mountain Resort and it snowed the whole day, accumulating to almost a foot of fresh powder which was pretty different for New England skiers. What I loved best about the mountains we visited was that it was not just a mountain with chairlifts but a small town. Each resort offered shops, bars, restaurants, multiple hotels, lodging and activities. During the afternoon at Park City Mountain Resort we skied down to Main St in Park city and had a few drinks and then took a chair lift back to the mountain to finish off the ski day and end it with some après ski at one of the bars at the bottom. It was so cool to be able to ski right into the center of town and take a chairlift back up the mountain.

Our second day of skiing was at Deer Valley resort, clearly the Harvard of ski resorts. This place was prestigious. It was beautiful, clean and full of wealthy people; no wonder it has been ranked top Ski Resort so many times. While at Deer Valley the World Cup was going on and we were able to watch skiers compete for spots in the Winter Olympics in Sochi. It was incredible to watch these athletes from all over the world do backflips on skis like it was no big deal. If this trip did one thing for me, it was get me even more excited for the Winter Olympics, especially after we took a tour of the Olympic Park. I also can’t forget to add our afternoon massages at the Spa at the Montage hotel that were incredible. We did feel a little like peasants after we left there since we had to wait for the free bus instead of having a driver like the guests there.

In between ski days we were able to take a tour of the Olympic Park and go bobsledding (insert Cool Runnings quote)! The Comet Bobsled Ride was by far one of the coolest things I have ever done. It is on the actual track that was used in the 2002 Olympics and was driven by a professional driver. It lasted just about 56 seconds and we got up to almost 80MPH. They said our speed is just a few MPH less than the Olympians do and we get to almost 5G’s of force. It was such an incredible rush and well worth the cost.

Because my posts always have something in it about fashion I will add that the thing I have realized most with ski fashion is that everyone seems to be pretty practical these days. Obviously the cost of ski clothing is the opposite of practical since it is so overpriced but let’s just say my high heel UGGs and faux vests were completely unnecessary to pack. Everyone dresses to stay warm and walk in piles of dirty snow, not necessarily to look their best but obviously I can’t help a good après ski outfit when I see one.

With Love,

Ashley

Goodbye 2013

Hello 2014!

We have finally said goodbye to 2013 and hello to 2014 plus a few extra days of vacation with this snowstorm coming.I have spent the past week at Loon after a wonderful Christmas. This years Christmas was clearly a lot different, spending it at the hospital but it was nothing short of magical with all the family and friends that came to spend it with us at the hospital. I was absolutely terrible with taking pictures of my outfits over the holiday but I did want to share some of them with you. My first outfit was for the annual "Surprise birthday party for Jesus" where all my friends come together the day before Christmas eve and celebrate the holiday.

There was a suggested red dress attire but I went with an old Jcrew Factory skirt and lace top. Also went with some green tights.

For Christmas Eve I found this amazing tulle skirt at Urban Outfitters and paired it with this bow sweater from Jcrew Factory. See those red shoes? TJ Maxx on Christmas eve. Who woulda thought?

For my whole life, even last year, I was the person who woke up at 5 am on Christmas morning so excited to open presents but this year we did it on Christmas Eve. It was different but still just as wonderful. One gift I opened was a plaid Ralph Lauren nightgown with ruffles. The cutest "Christmas Jammies" I could have ever imagined and I wore them at my sleepover with momma and Lacey on Christmas!

My last outfit I will share is my NYE outfit. I paired a Lilly Pulitzer skirt I got on Poshmark and this black lace Jcrew Factory shirt.

2013 will be a year I never forget, it was the year I bought the home next to my parents but also the year my dad fell and broke his neck. This year has been life changing but I know even more now how lucky I am. I have the most incredible support system filled with family, friends and a job that supported me during these tough times. I can't say it was the worst year ever because that would just be wrong. Yes, something terrible happened to my family but a lot of amazing and wonderful things and people happened to me as well. I wish you all an even better 2014 surrounded by what makes you happiest. I will now leave you with my 15 second Flipogram that sums up my year pretty well.

Cheers to a New Year and 2014!

With Love,

Ashley Maria

Dressing for the occasion

Who runs the world?

Girls

This past Friday I attended the Beyonce concert at the TD Garden and she blew everyones mind as expected. The words used that night to describe her included "super woman", "Queen" and "perfect". As always, I started thinking about my outfit as soon as I got the tickets but this one did not come as easily. When it comes to baby showers, polo matches and weekends on the cape it's simple for me. I go to my closet, pick out a pair of Jack Rogers and something bright like Lilly Pulitzer or vineyard vines and its a go. A Beyonce concert outfit actually took me weeks. I ordered some things that did not turn out as expected and spent two hours in the mall trying on all the outfits you would expect to see, jump suits, sequins, leopard, patterned pants. Let's just say my friends were "crying" when I sent them the pictures. I'm not sure if its my preppy personality or my short awkward body that made these things all look so horrible but here are some pictures for you to understand and laugh. I also believe that these things could all look super cute on someone else.

Now for my outfit that I ended up wearing. I ordered the most fabulous tulle skirt from Space 46 Boutique and paired it with a sequin lip shirt from express and some leopard heels. (similar here)

I absolutely loved this outfit so much and wearing a tulle skirt brings out my not so inner princess in me even more.

As for my friends outfits, lets just say they looked stunning. From one pieces, Beyonce tees, sequins, leotard and one perfect snoop dog sweatshirt, I would say we were one fabulous group.

Now it's time to get my outfit ready for a Surprise birthday party for Jesus!

With love,

Ashley Maria

Bestie Box and Holiday Outfits

Happy one week til Christmas all!

It's truly beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here with the snowstorm just outside my door, packages arriving daily and my decision to also dress in Christmas colors all week at work. Most of these packages that are arriving are to give to others but today I received a very Merry "Bestie Box".

A few months ago my southern sister/bestie saw this idea on Instagram and we decided we should do it since we do not get to see each other very often. Lindsey was my roommate when I interned for Disney and she is currently working there now. Besides being a professional in the hotel management world I think she might also be one of Santa's elves with the way the bestie boxes look that I have received.

My merry Bestie Box contained some of my favorite things including a Scottie Dog ornament, snowflake everything, Jcrew earmuffs, a scarf, a cheers mug and so much more. This is the second bestie box I have received and both times I have been beyond overwhelmed. Everything is so thoughtful and beautifully put together (she does a much better job than I do with sending).

Her Merry Bestie Box that I sent contained a white Lilly Pulitzer top and Vineyard Vine flip flops since she is able to enjoy a much warmer holiday season plus some chocolate goodies. We both sent eachother peppermint bark because well, whats Christmas without it?

Here is also a picture of the first round of bestie boxes we sent each other, you can guess which one she sent me (I repeat, Christmas elf).

The best part about the bestie box is that it's a special way of connecting with a friend that is so far away and it's something great to not only receive but give as well.

Dressing for Chrismtas is usually a pretty easy thing for me since I love plaid, anything with scottie dogs and the Christmas colors. Here are the outfits I chose so far this week.

Pants: Old Navy// Plaid Shirt: Old Navy// Sweater: C Wonder// Shoes: Jcrew//

Skirt: Jcrew// Top: Ralph Lauren// Shoes: Tory Burch

Wishing you all a wonderful week til Christmas. Be sure to remember that this time is not just all about the gifts and the clothes but the true meaning of Christmas.

With Love,

Ashley Maria

Printed Leggings and Mug Clubs

Friday I was able to sneak up to my home away from home at Loon Mountain. This cozy little condo is what I consider my "happy place". When I reach exit 32 I get this feeling that I assume, is how yogis feel when they do yoga. Peaceful, calm, happy and just basically wanting to yell namaste (not so calmly) at all the other fellow looneys up there.

Jacket: Patagonia// Leggings Similar here // Boots Sperry old. Similar here // Faux Vest. Talbots Outlet

While up there I was able to get my first drink out of my mug for the winter 2014 season! Every year the bar at Loon Mountain, the Bunyan Room, sells 500 mugs. This mug gets you the first beer free and your very own mug to drink out of and take home at the end of the season. Each mug owner decorates their mug with stickers. Here is mine with a winter vineyard vines whale. Cheers!

With Love,

Ashley Maria