Summer

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: My Favorite Finds

Hi guys!

If you’re a fashion lover like me, then you probably know that today is the first day of early access for the Nordstrom Anniversary sale for all cardholders. I first heard about the sale two years ago and am always shocked by how many people shop it each year. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is unique because the items included are new styles for fall, not older or last season items! This sale is really the best time to stock up on all your fall looks because prices go back up once the sale is over!

This year’s sale is a little different. Usually card members can get early access a week before, but this year if you are a cardholder with Ambassador or Icon status you get to start shopping even earlier! Wednesday was the first day I could shop so I raced home from work and headed to the mall. I was debating sharing what I found because I feel like sometimes it can be a bit much with every blogger covering it, but you guys really seemed interested in what I got, so I figured I’d at least share some of the items that I really loved!

I swore before I walked in that I wouldn’t just get a bunch of sweaters, but here we are. I think my favorite two parts of the sale each year are sweaters and shoes, so it’s hard not to get carried away when I see all the new and coziest styles. Here are a few that I really couldn’t live without!

1.Chelsea28 Cowl Neck Sweater | Color: Beige Oatmeal Light Heather | My size: XS

2.BB Dakota Up to Speed Faux Leather Moto Jacket | Color: Parchment | My size: XS

3.Something Navy Flecked Crewneck Sweater | Color: Pink Windsome Combo | My size: XS

4.Caslon Side Snap Tunic Sweater | Color: Beige Oatmeal Light Heather | My size: XS (regular – fits like a dress on me and I’m 5’3”)

5.Leith Longline Cardigan (pictured above) | Color: Pink Adobe | My size: XXS

6.Leith Longline Cardigan | Color: Beige Oatmeal Medium Heather | My size: XXS

7.Make + Model ‘Gotta Have It’ V-Neck Tee | Color: White | My size: XS

8.Sperry Crest Vibe Platform Sneaker | Color: White/Tan Leather | My size: 6.5

9.Caslon Evelyn Genuine Calf Hair Mule | Color: Leopard Print Calf Hair | My size: 6.5

10. Halogen Button Sleeve Turtleneck Sweater | Color: Pink Bride | My size: XS

If you shop the sale, let me know! Also, if you have any questions please leave them in the comment section below or reach out to me!

Last Minute Fourth of July Finds on Amazon

Hi guys,

I really can’t believe it’s already July. I feel like I blinked and June flew by. The Fourth of July is this week, but if you lost track of the days like I did, no need to worry! You can still find the perfect look for whatever patriotic event you have on the schedule. Today I’m sharing some of my favorite red, white, and blue finds that you can have in 2 days or less through Amazon Prime! Let me know what you think!

Love,

Ashley

My Favorite Summer Wines

Happy Saturday!

A glass of wine in the late afternoon light is what summer dreams are made of. My father’s side of the family is Italian, and I grew up spending summers in the town my grandmother grew up in. This little town called Filetto is southeast of Rome up in the mountains near the coast. What you can find in this quaint little town is old world charm, a culture of community and a strict adherence to the afternoon siesta schedule. You’ll also find acres and acres of grape vines.

I grew up with a love and appreciation of wine, how it’s made, and how it’s best enjoyed. My grandfather has been growing his own grapes and making his own wine his whole life. Even after moving to the states, he has kept the tradition alive. While wine is something my family believes can be consumed year round, I am especially found of the light summer whites and rosés that cool you down on a hot day.

Now, growing up surrounded by some of the best wines, I can be a bit particular in my choices; however, I’m firm in my belief that good wine can be found in any region and at any price point. I’m also a gal on a budget, so the wines I’ll be sharing today are all budget friendly, and of course, delicious!

Ruby Red Blood Orange Rosé

I found this slightly sweet rosé at my local liquor store, but you can check it out here. I like that its light, fruity, and refreshing. I’ve also tried the grapefruit version as well, which I also love. The flavor of both is unique and I almost feel like would go great in a sangria or homemade cocktail concoction!

Voga Italia Pinot Grigio

I love a good pinot (Grigio and noir) and as soon as summer rolls around it quickly becomes my drink of choice. This one is another local liquor store find that has quickly become a staple. I love how light it is, it’s really no wonder it’s award winning!

Strawberry & Raspberry Rossini

This wine tastes like a Bellini in a bottle. It’s prefect all day long, from brunch to dinner, just pick up a bottle at your local Trader Joe’s. It is very sweet, so if that’s not your thing then maybe stick to the plain Prosecco. I, however, have a wicked sweet tooth and can’t get enough of this fruity drink.

The Delicious Monster

Another great Trader Joe’s find, this wine is from South Africa. I’m not going to lie, I base most of my wine trying decisions based off the label. I know they say not to judge a book by its cover, but before you taste that first sip, I find it’s pretty hard to go by much else. I love the palm print of this wine, but honestly I love the wine itself even more! Even better, it’s under $10, it’s a wine-win-win!

Anything from Chloe Wines

Unfortunately, I was fresh out of my favorite wine brand for this shoot – I literally cannot seem to keep a bottle in my house for a week without it disappearing – but here’s a fun throwback from last summer when Luca was a bitty baby pup. Some of my favorites are the Pinot Grigio, Rosé, and Prosecco. They’re all amazing and can be found at your local liquor store for under $15!

If you guys try any of these let me know what you think! I’m also always looking for new ones to try, so comment your favorites below!

My Favorite Summer Jumpsuits

It’s not easy to strike a balance between looking good and feeling comfortable when choosing an outfit. That’s why simple pieces that do both are a staple in my closet. This is especially true in the summer when warm, lazy days call for even less effort.

Luckily, there’s no need to sacrifice style when you’re looking for something easy and breezy to slip on for a day exploring or a night out, because today I’m sharing some of my favorite summer jumpsuits! Even better, they’re all under $100! I love jumpsuits because one piece and you have an outfit. They look put together and stylish and no one even has to know just how comfortable you are!

My Jumpsuit | Abercrombie

If you guys like them, please let me know! I’m always trying to learn from you to figure out what content to share going forward!

A Sunny Lunch at Sea

Hi guys,

In my last post I talked about my family visiting and how I got to adventure around my home state with them. One of those adventures was a lunch cruise around the Boston Harbor aboard the Odyssey. I have gone on the Odyssey before for a dinner cruise. I absolutely love it every time. It was cool getting the chance to see the views in the daylight and it was absolutely beautiful out.

For my adventure at sea, I wore a pink ruffle top bodysuit and my favorite white eyelet shorts, both from Forever 21. I also wore a pair of nude wedges that I got a few years back and still love to wear. My bag was probably my favorite part of the whole outfit! It was such a fun way to add pops of pink to an everyday summer bag. I got it at Homegoods for under $20 and the best part is that’s insulated, so I can use it as a cooler when I head out for a day at the beach!

Shop this post

Bodysuit: Forever 21 | Shorts: Forever 21 (similar here) | Shoes: Jessica Simpson (similar here) | Bag: Homegoods (similar here & here) |

A Dreamlike Dinner Cruise around Boston Harbor

Happy Friday!

While in Sioux Falls, South Dakota last week, I stumbled upon the cutest shop called Primp. It was filled with the cutest clothes including this dress! As soon as I put it on I knew it was coming back to Massachusetts with me!

Its simple but elegant, plus it is so unbelievably comfortable. Unfortunately Primp Boutiques are only located in the Midwest, but you can shop their website here! I plan on wearing this dress a lot because it can be style so many ways. Look out for another post coming soon on all the different ways you can wear a dress like this!

This past Wednesday, I got my first chance to wear it when I went on a dinner cruise with my family to celebrate my mom’s birthday. We boarded the Odyssey Boston just behind the Boston Harbor Hotel.

As soon as we were on board, we placed out orders and headed up to the deck to take in all the views. It was still light out and there was so much to see from a cool new angle. There was the city on one side and Logan airport next to it. We watched planes take off and boats go by as the afternoon poured into evening.

Soon it was time for dinner, we each ordered something different and everything was amazing. To start I had a light lobster bisque it was so good I had to remember to pace myself because I knew there was so much more food coming!

For dinner I had crab cakes. I don’t eat meat (apart from seafood) so I’m never a good judge of most entrées, but being on the coat, I know I can never go wrong with a freshly caught meal from the Atlantic. My mom got the salmon and let me try a little. It was amazing! I eat a lot of salmon, it’s my go-to, so I can be pretty picky about it. This salmon was so light and flavorful. It was perfectly crispy on the outside and flaky and pink on the inside.

We had a little while between dinner and dessert so we headed back up to the top deck to soak in all the beauty of golden hour on the Boston Harbor. The lower the sun sank, the richer the color. By the end of the evening the sunk was s deep hot pink that stretched across the horizon.

Shortly after the sun went down, it was time for dessert. I had a summery raspberry and lemon sorbet, and it was so yummy! I also got to taste my sister’s salted caramel chocolate ganache and my mom’s vanilla bean cake with ice cream they were both so good too! I am the biggest dessert fanatic, so I was in heaven.

By the end of the night our bellies were full and my mom had a smile on her face that melted my heart. She kept saying what a great day it was and I was so happy to share in her special day. When I made it back home I fell asleep thinking about my newest memory made in my beautiful Bay State.

Shop Your Color: Yellow

Hi guys!

Just looking at all this yellow is making me smile. Yellow brings out the best in any day, even when it’s cloudy (like it its for me right now). Summer is the perfect time to wear yellow because it makes your tan pop and goes so nicely with all the colors of nature in summer. It stands out against the cool blues of a beach or pool and nicely complements the greens and pinks of all that’s in bloom!

These pieces I’ve chosen are so fun and show just how many ways you can wear yellow this season. First, the Lovers + Friends dress is so pretty. It would be perfect for a summer wedding or any occasion you can use as an excuse to get a little dressed up. I love the lace details that come just a few inches further than the rest or the dress, it really accents the detail nicely and complements the see-through waist.

I want that pineapple float so, so badly I can’t even tell you guys! My whole life I’ve wanted a pool and all these cute floats I keep seeing just make me want one that much more! This pineapple one just screams summer though, I mean who doesn’t love some juicy, sweet pineapple on a hot summer day?

I am that girl on the beach with the floppy hat, so it’s safe to say I was a little beyond ecstatic when I saw this hat (that’s only $25!). It is so cute and the light yellow lettering adds a little bit of whimsical detail which is adorable.

I probably own over ten pairs of J.Crew chino shorts (I always stock up when they are on sale) and these cute little yellow ones are giving me a reason to get another (plus, they’re on sale too!). These shorts are the perfect shade of yellow to complement a nice summer sun kissed glow. There would pair nicely with so many tops too! I’m a lover of pale yellow and navy together, so I would probably wear these with my favorite navy and white striped boatneck from Vineyard Vines (mine is old, but you can get a similar one at J.Crew that’s on sale!).

Another pair of shorts I’m itching to add to my collection are these Show Me Your MuMu ones I found. I love, love, love the lemon prints this summer and these shorts are so perfect. The print is beautiful and they’re the perfect fit and length, not too tight or short. You could pair these with a yellow top to add even more brightness to your look, or let the shorts stand out but going for a more understated white top. Either way you can’t go wrong with these!

I was a lifeguard for years so I have a special place in my heart for one piece swimsuits. This one from Private Party is so cool. I really wish I had seen it before my trip to Vegas this past May, it would have been perfect for the pools there.

This Vince Camuto top is one I have been dreaming about for months. It comes in three colors which are all gorgeous and is now on sale! It may be time for me to finally invest in it, given how much I love off the shoulder styles. I love the way the fabric sways it looks like the most comfortable piece.

These earrings are so fun. They’re bright enough to stand out and small enough not to overpower an outfit. Yellow can be a tricky color like that, but these are perfect!

Finally, I have a strapless yellow romper from a couple years back that I love to wear any chance I get. When I saw this one it reminded me of mine so I had to include it. I love the lace detail and the off the shoulder look (as per usual). This look would be so perfect for almost any occasion. I wear mine to lunches, dinners, the beach, shopping, honestly anywhere. Yellow pieces are good at making it look like you put a lot of effort in, even if you just threw it on in a hurry.

I hope you guys love these fun pieces as much as I do! I can’t wait to keep sharing more with you in the coming Shop Your Color features.

An Afternoon in Boston

Top: Old (similar here) | Jeans: Lucky Brand | Shoes: Target (last seen here) | Bracelets: Old (similar here) |

Hi guys! Today I’m going to be giving you a little peak into my life in the Bay State. I was born and raised in Massachusetts and this little state holds a very big part of my heart.

My house is located just over ten miles north of Boston and I grew up taking trips to the North End with my dad, almost always leaving with a belly full of pasta, bread, and cannoli. Before school started, my mom used to take me to the shops on Newbury Street to pick out a new outfit. From duck tours, to swan boats, to trips on the T, I’ve made my way around this city more times than I can count, but it never seems to get old. Just like me, Boston has changed so much over the years, so each time I go in there always seems to be something new to explore.

This summer I have gotten to spend the most time in Boston by far because I am interning right in the heart of the Financial District. I love it so much. I love the train ride in each morning, getting to read my book and sneak views of the passing buildings. I love getting to look out my window and see the cityscape. And I love that there is so much around every corner. Whenever I get a chance, I love to get outside and explore. Sweetgreen is also been my food obsession of the summer and I still haven’t gotten over the fact that its just a few hundred feet from my door.

On this particular trip I visited the Public Garden, just next to Boston Common. I got to see the little duckling statues I used to play on as a kid and watch the swan boats go by. The skies were a bit gray but there was no rain, so my mom and I ventured on.

After watching the swans and ducks splash around in the water, we crossed the bridge and began to head out. On our way we passes some of the most beautiful flowers. I love that even cities have spots with such natural beauty.

Right across the Garden is Newbury Street, one of my favorite places. On Newbury street you can find all sorts of shops from high end retailers, to small boutiques, and even secondhand shops. Newbury Street also has some great places to eat like Stephanie’s on Newbury and Amorino. Not to mention all the beautiful brownstones that give it its charm!

Our shopping adventure lead us to Copley Place where I found this blue and white gingham dress at J.Crew for under $30! I loved it so much that I wore it out of the store. The afternoon was drifting away into evening and I was ready to get some food. The weather wasn’t improving, so we decided to grab a bite on the way home.

Just outside the city is Assembly Square. I pass it everyday on my commute and always have to fight the urge to get out and explore. Its set right on the water with boats anchored. Its home to shops, restaurants, apartments and even a movie theater. It really has it all! It must be such a fun place to live! By the time we got there we were both very hungry so we walked into a restaurant called Legal on the Mystic. One of the best parts about living right near the ocean is all the fresh seafood! I got a salad with Salmon and it was amazing!

As we ate, the sun began to set over the water and I had to fight every urge to run outside mid-meal to take a picture of the view. I will most definitely be going back again to fully explore.

I finally made it back home exhausted from my day and and drifted off with another great memory from such a beautiful city.

Shop Your Color: Pink

Happy Friday!

Today I’ll be sharing the next of my Shop Your Color Guides. Today is Pretty in Pink! I’ve had a rocky relationship with the color pink for most of my life but I have to say it’s really grown on me in recent years.

To start off this guide is the cutest summer accessory of all – a pretty pink pool float! This is so cute and I feel like I could live out my dream of being a mermaid on it. Plus, think of all the instagrams you could post with it…sorry I’m shameless with the basic ‘grams.

I bought my first pair of Jack Rogers a few years back and they instantly became my go to sandals. I now own them in almost every color out there. These ones are super cute. I love the color pink they use and the gold whipstitch. I also really like that it has a slight wedge to it. It dresses the shoe up a bit (plus when you’re on the shorter side like me any extra height is appreciated).

This dress is so perfect for a summer wedding or party. My favorite part has to be the scallops at the bottom. It’s crazy how sometimes little details can add so much to a dress. The scallops give this dress an even more feminine look. It would probably pair perfectly with the Jacks next to it too!

Converse have been a staple since forever. Everyone knows the iconic sneakers. These ones though are awesome because while the typical pairs can be a bit chunky, these are much daintier. The light pink color is also perfect for pairing with so many looks, especially other great go-tos like jeans and a t-shirt.

I recently discovered Draper James, Reese Witherspoon’s line, and have fallen completely in love. Each one of her pieces perfectly captures her preppy style and Southern background. These shorts are perfect for summer. The seersucker is a classic print and the white detailing on the side sets the look apart from so many others. I would pair these with a dressier white tank top (my go-to is a white cowl neck tank) and a simple pair of pearls. Casual yet elegant, just like Reese herself!

Every time I go to Target (or any store with home furnishings) I always seem to find myself in the candle isle. Candles are the best. I love them so much that I’ve spent years trying to hide them from my RAs in college (sorry!). This Peony Petals candle is one that I’ve had for years. I’m so glad Target still sells it. Its such a pretty smell. Plus its design just begs to be put on display. The gold top makes it a nice accent piece, so your home can look and smell better!

Two of my favorite styles are two piece sets and midi skirts and dresses, so you can probably guess I was a little beyond excited to find this set for sale at Nordstrom! It just makes me think of a picnic in a beautiful park. The gingham pattern and light weight material are just made for summer!

Kate Spade is one of the best brands out there. The way they’re able to capture a lifestyle in each of their pieces is pretty inspiring. This book captures exactly that. A sort of guide for modern women, it contains tidbits of advice filled with both wit and wisdom. I know they say to never judge a book by its cover, but this cover is not only pretty and fun, but also does a great job of capturing the book’s message. I just love the circular wine stain (it’s very me).

Finally, I picked this Lilly Pulitzer pullover. I love Lilly and all the fun prints, but sometimes it can be hard to incorporate them into a daily look. I find that I don’t get much use out of each of my outfits. This piece however is much more versatile and understated, while still having the charming look of her other pieces. It is a great top to have to throw on at night time when the air gets a little cooler.

You guys can shop all my picks via the links up top and in each paragraph. I hope you enjoyed Pretty and Pink and I can’t wait to share the next Shop Your Color guide soon!

Shop Your Color: Red

Hi guys!

Welcome to my first ever Shop Your Color feature. I’ll be showing off my favorite items in each color category. Red being my favorite, I naturally picked it first!

I could go on for pages on why I love red so much. Its such a rich and vibrant color, it turns anything into a statement piece. I buy so much red it’s insane but I can’t help it, it’s always what catches my eye.

I found this dress on ASOS and it’s a perfect combination of all my favorite summer styles. It’s flowy and off the shoulder and the tassels on the sleeves are so fun! I’m just imagining how light and comfortable it must be. It would be the perfect piece to throw on in a rush. It honestly would work for a lot of occasions, dressy enough to wear out to dinner but casual enough to be a simple cover up for a day at the beach or pool. For me, that’s the perfect piece!

I am a big bracelet lover, you can catch me wearing gold ones in most of my posts (gold is my all time favorite) so naturally this pretty Tory Burch cuff caught my eye. It would pair nicely with an outfit with pops of red or could stand alone with a simple white tee and a pair of jeans. It is an easy way to take your look to the next level and add a bit of drama to a simple outfit.

This bikini set from J.Crew is currently on sale! The red is a nice hue with a more matte look, which great for giving a smoother overall look and making your tan pop! I also can’t get over the scalloped look its so pretty!

I’ve been seeing more and more of these tassel earrings everywhere and I really like them. My roommate wears them best and I can’t get over how fun they are. These ones are from BaubleBar where you can find all sorts of cute pieces to add to any outfit!

I bought a S’Well bottle this past year and will probably end up devoting a post to how much I love them. At first I was skeptical about their claim that they can keep drinks cold for 24 hours, but I’m a total believer now! I bring mine with me everywhere! My sister purchased an off brand one from Walmart and we brought them both to the beach to see how they would compare. Well, just a few hours in the sun and her water was lukewarm while mine was still cool as a cucumber. So I’m hooked, I already have this Lily Wood color, but the red one is so pretty I may just have to buy another.

I’ve stuck with my Ray-Bans forever but I saw these red sunglasses online and fell in love. They are the perfect shape and the red it just enough to add an edge without being too much. Plus, the details on the side (apparently called the “temples”) are so pretty. You can’t see them in the picture above but you can see them online!

I found the cutest red Tory Burch sandals around Christmas time this year at Nordstrom Rack and I love wearing them now that it’s finally warm enough. These ones are really similar and the pearl and gold accent is so so cute. Plus. I really like the jelly material because it makes them waterproof and leaves you with less worry about potentially ruining a nice pair of shoes at the hands of a puddle or surprise summer rainstorm. These shoes could really be work everyday because the dressier details and the wearable material combine to give you a versatile shoe you can wear all summer long.

Maybe it was all my summers life guarding that make me want this red swimsuit so badly. I love the high cut of the leg and obviously the bright beautiful color! You can find this fun one piece available for preorder from Revolve.

Last and certainly not least is this perfect little bag from Kate Spade. I have a really similar one that I bought a couple summers ago but this one may just be even cuter with the tassel bow accent!

I’m so excited to share these color collections with you guys, each item I’ve chosen is on my wish list. They’re all so fun and perfect for the hot summer months. Stay on the lookout for the other colors coming soon!

Love,

Ashley

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