We all know it’s that time of year where it seems like every weekend (and sometimes weekday) we are eating Christmas cookies, some sort of casserole, or those darn Starbucks holiday drinks. On top of that we are trying to figure out a new routine with the cold temperatures and the sun going down at 5:00PM. On top of this, the last thing you want to do is to gain a few pounds. Anyone else have the struggle of finding the time to fit in a workout in this cold weather and busy schedule? I know I do.
Warm up:
Run until you get a sweat (this time may vary from 5-15 minutes – it all depends on your fitness level)
10 MINUTES OF STAIRS (TWO OPTIONS)
OPTION 1: On a staircase:
Run up HARD and down EASY. Do this for 10 minutes or do 20-25 sets (Up and down is one set).
OPTION 2: On a Stairmaster:
Do 30-60 second intervals alternating your hard and easy speed. Do this for 10 minutes. Find the speed settings that work best for you. Find an “easy” speed and a “fast” speed.
Cool Down:
Run easy for the same amount of time you warmed up for
I love partnering with local Indy businesses and I recently discovered The Girls in Greyboutique. What I love about The Girls in Grey is that the majority of their clothes come in neutral/simple colors with bold details. They are an online only boutique and are fairly new. They currently run everything through their Instagram: @thegirlsingrey. Although they do not have a site, you can purchase through their Instagram.
If you see something you love in a both, comment SOLD (and the size) to buy.
It’s that simple.
I recently bought this ruffle dress from their shop and I LOVE the length. I figured come January and February, I am going to be a little over the holiday colors and wanting to add more blush colors to my wardrobe. I loved pairing this dress with OTK boots. I am wearing a small. I would say to order down a size in the dress. To purchase the dress click HERE and type “SOLD + your size”. You can get 10% off your entire purchase with code: ASHLEY10!! AND everything ships FREE.
I could sit here and write a paragraph or two about how much I love Cyber Monday, but I am going to get straight to the point. I braved the crowds, tried on 50+ items, and walked miles on Black Friday in Chicago to show you my favorite items write now that are ON SALE. Even though I did not buy all of them (I am broke okay!), ALL of these items I have tried on and seen in person and all I would have bought if I had all the money in the world.ALL THE SALES BELOW!!
SALES with Discounts and Codes: Most end TONIGHT
Express : 50 % off entire purchase. No code required
Old Navy : 50% off Everything. No Exclusions . No code required
Nordstrom: Extra 20% off sale items. No code required
Sam Edelman: 30% off markdowns with code: CYBERSALE
Sale 1: Express Discount: Entire purchase 50% off. No code required Why: Their sweater game is STRONG right now. Not only are the fits PERFECT, every sweater and tee is super cozy and comes in a soft material. I loved all of the fun colors too.
Sale 2: Old Navy Discount: 50% off Everything. No Exclusions . No code required Why: They have ALL sizes (Regular, Tall, Plus,and Petite) It is pretty hard not to be happy with your purchase and the fit. They also have the BEST velvet looks right now.
Sale 3: Gap Discount: 50% off Everything with Code: CYBER
Why: Their products always have the best quality. These high-rise sneakers are my favorite right now and are only $35.
Sale 4: Madewell Discount: 25% off Entire Purchase. Use code: GOODMOOD Why: They never have sales and this is worth your while. Their jeans fit like a glove. They have regular, tall, and taller sizes. I have a pair of their skinny high-waisted jeans and they are worth the money. You can’t wear certain clothing items over and over again, but you can with jeans.
Sale 5: Boohoo Discount: 60% off Entire Purchase (excluding clearance). No code required Why: They again have ALL sizes (regular, plus, tall, and petite). They also have the types of clothes that you want to “test out” or take a fashion risk with, but without the heavy price tag. You can find dresses for under $20 and coats for under $40. Sizes run SMALL – I would order a size up.(except for large or “oversized” pieces like cardis, wide pants, or heavy coats) Use your best judgement or email me if you need advice! alaurenbell@gmail.com)
Sale 6: Pottery Barn Sale: Today Only Save up to 70% off. No code required Why: Pottery Barn is known for their higher prices, but they have some of the cutest Christmas decor and blankets that are on sale right now. I got a faux fur throw from them a year ago and I get more compliments on it than most decor in my house! I like the fur because it isn’t just a “holiday” decor item.
Happy Halloween everyone! I always love dressing up and seeing all of the creative outfits. This year I was a fighter pilot (not as creative as my previous years, but let’s me honest, hanging out with friends and candy are the main part of why I like to dress up. This year I did all of my halloween festivities the weekend before so I am planning on watching scary movies (more like Stranger Things) at home on the actual day of halloween instead. Even though I dress up a lot on my blog, I am really a oversized sweatshirt with leggings kind of girl. Tonight I chose to wear this cozy lace up hoodie dress from Six Hearts Boutique.
Now, I know what y’all are thinking, “that is NOT loungewear with those boots Ashley” . Yes I know, but that is what makes this hoodie dress amazing. Is that it can be dressed UP or DOWN. To dress it up all you need to do is throw on a pair of over the kneeboots and to dress it down thrown on some tennis or a large pair of comfy socks.
If you haven’t been looking at winter fashion trends, over the knee boots are a must have. I love wearing them with jeans (to add an extra layer of warmth), but I love them even more with a dress. The key is to wear the right length of dress with OTK boots. You don’t want your dress to overlap with your boots (that just looks awkward). You to need about 4-8 inches of leg between the boot and the dress. I love this because dresses typically run short on me anyway and the OTK boots give a little more coverage. My favorite brands of over the knee boots are Steve Madden and Target. Right now Steve Madden is having a 25% off sale and target is have a $10 offer! Another of my favorite places to find over the knee boots are DSW or Nordstrom. The boots I am wearing run a little small so I would order a half a size up.Click HERE to get the boots I am wearing.
One of the biggest reasons why I love Six Hearts Boutique is that the clothes are affordable and cheap. The website for Six Hearts Boutique is currently under maintenance, but you can check out the cute styles on either Instagram or Facebook.
I recently went on a trip to Knoxville with my husband to get away for a fall “mini-cation”. We did several hikes and ate at the best restaurants in town. There is nothing like Tennessee in the fall. The Smokies were painted with red, yellow, and orange all over. One of my fashion musts this fall is denim and embroidered floral details. Denim can be a good layering piece because it is not too heavy and can go with most colors and patterns. One of my favorite outfits during my trip to Knoxville was this denim floral embroidered jacket with these high waisted skinny fit jeans from Velvet Heart.
Velvet Heart is a modern-contemporary apparel line based in Los Angeles. Their denim is sold in major department stores, online, and in over 750 specialty stores nationwide. What I love about their clothes is that every piece is unique. I tend to have a more casual style and their clothes are right up my alley. I also liked how I couldn’t find their clothes in another store. Every piece is intentional.
Can I just pause everything and tell you how these jeans fit like a glove?? When I put them on for the first time it was like I was meant to wear these jeans. I love how they give enough stretch to hug all the right parts on your booty and legs. My favorite part of these jeans is the button up front. I don’t have to worry about zippers and for some reason the buttons prevent the jeans from scrunching in the front. Because these jeans have a stretch to them, I am wearing a size 26. I normally wear a size 27.
I have much worn oversized anything this fall: jeans, sweatshirts, sleeves, and jackets. This black floral embroidered denim jacket from Velvet Heart has been the perfect oversized addition to my collection! I love how I can wear sweaters underneath it for the colder months to come. One of my favorite things to do with oversized pieces is to roll up the sleeves. I normally wear a size small in jacket, but since I wanted the oversized look I am wearing a size medium for reference.
The last item I need to talk about are these wine colored velvet heels. I have been crushing on velvet all season and this is the second velvet shoe I have purchase in the last month or so. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the fall vibes they give. They come with a pointed toe which is super flattering and makes your legs look longer. They run true to size. If you are looking for another great velvet shoe that is a flat check out this blush velvet flat.
Basically, Velvet Heart has stolen my heart. Right now if you subscribe to their emails, you get 15% off your first order. I love the quality and uniqueness of their pieces and I will be a regular customer. You can thank me later.
Every fall I always have to get three things: honey crisp apples the size of my head, caramel to dip those apples in, and pumpkins of course! Last week I finally made it out to the pumpkin patch with my dearest friend and her little girl. What I love about going to the pumpkin patch is the “hunt” for the perfect pumpkin. For those of you who don’t know me, I can get easily distracted by coffee shops, photo spots, thrift stores, and markets along side the road which often makes me late, therefore, I chose to stick with this cozy soft olive green “Always Late” sweatshirt from Rachel Renee Designs.
Can I just please say how soft and cozy this “Always Late” sweatshirt is? I love how it is a lighter material so I can layer it with a vest or another jacket. Sometimes wearing a heavy sweatshirt can be too much. Rachel Rene Designs is an Etsy shop that has the cutest and most creative customizable apparel for every age and demographic. I recently wore a “hoosier tee” from her shop about a month ago. Because Rachel is so sweet and amazing, she is letting me give you 10% your entire order with code; ASHLEY10 in her Etsy shop! Shop HERE Continue reading “The “Always Late” Sweatshirt ft. Rachel Rene Designs”→
Almost a year ago today I had some time to spare in Downtown Greenville, SC and I came across a cute boutique called Dress Up. I was not surprised when I came home and discovered that they have 20 locations in the South. Although I am sad that there are none in the Indy area, I am glad that they are slowly making their way up north. The closest location is in Nashville. Continue reading “DressUp Favorites (knit kimono)”→
