time to bash

feminine fashions

Hello fashionista-fairytalers!

Ashley from sparkle sense here to give you a dose of friday feminine fashions. I gave my Pinterestboards a revamp last week, particularly {sparkle sense style}. All photos below are from my Pinterest board.

Lately, I've been trying to only pin outfits that I actually think I would wear. I had a bad habit in my old inspiration board {which I completely deleted} to pin things that would honestly just never look good on me. 

I ask myself -- would that inspire an outfit that would actually work on me? 

I'm finally in a place where I can wear what I want to wear and not worry about if it's "appropriate" or not. I used to be self conscious {since high school} because I was ALWAYS the one was dressed up. But, as I've learned, you just have to own it. If I want to wear wedges & heels everyday, I will. If I want to dress up at a football tailgate, I will. Because who's to say that's wrong?

I might always be overdressed but at least I feel my best :)

photo via

Oscar knows what's up. 

xx,

Ashley

girl crushin'.

jenna lyons. 

deemed the woman who dresses america, jenna lyons is such a badass. not only is she the president of jcrew... the best store out there, she has the most contagious confidence out of any woman i have never met! i constantly find myself reading about her, getting inspired, and completely looking up to this chick.

yes, i look up to her style and success. but i also look up to her honesty and self-acceptance. after divorcing her husband, she openly came out to be dating girlfriend, courtney crangi. so she has it all. courage. creativity. and confidence. the three c's i strive for in life.

Time to Bash : Beautiful Bows

Hello fellow Blair lovers/followers/friends!

I'm Ashley from Sparkle Sense & Blair and I have decided to team up to collaborate on some guest posting as Time to Bash... Blair + Ash, get it? :) 

My first post is inspired by a dress I wore to my shower this past weekend in Cincinnati. I am getting married in a month, EEEK! This ERIN by Erin Fetherston dress {business in the front, party in the back} is available in pink on Erin's website {and it's on sale!}  

Another bow obsession I've come across is this pair of ankle strap bow sandals. They are only left in size 38.5 on Shopbop... if this is your size, for the love of every girlie girl, splurge on these.

& my ultimate bow love is this Miu Miu one piece that I actually received as a birthday gift - I cannot wait to wear it on our honeymoon! 

I will leave you with some inspiring bows to lust over for the rest of your day... 

{via Pinterest}

{via Southern Pi Phi}

{via Make Statements}

Thanks to Blair for having me on fashionista fairytales today!

Xx,

Ashley

mint to be.

There are a few colors that hold a special place in my heart.  If you were to browse my closet, coral / black / white take up the most space in my wardrobe.  After moving to California, I have been adding new colors to the mix.  Now that summer is right around the corner, the ocean is officially calling my name.  And so is the marvelous shade of blue... mint.

borrowed from the boys.

Let's be real...we all go through those periods of time where we are either too busy or too lazy to wash the hair on top of the head.  Many of my friends use the baby powder trick, but I would rather just cover it up.  This is when baseball caps come in handy!  Not only are they effortlessly cute, they also serve as a way to express oneself.  The choice of hat says a lot about a person.  Whether they are representing their favorite sports team, rocking their monogram, or just sporting their favorite color combination...that creative cap is doing more than just covering the not so lovely locks underneath! 

time to get a watch.

Going off of my last post, there are a few things that I can't leave the house without.  Whether it is in my purse, or on my person... I just don't feel like myself without them!  One of the biggest accessories that belongs to my arm candy collection, is my wonderful watch.  My gold MK watch has sure been through the ringer, but she has been so good to me through the years!  Even though I don't necessarily use it for what it was originally intended for (telling time...), I feel pretty naked without her on my left wrist.  Next time you ask someone for the time (in other words, when your iphone has run out of battery) and they give you the cliche response, "time for you to get a watch," dish that sass right back to them...don't ya know a watch is just for decoration purposes?

holla for the holidays.

Not only is it Friday... but we also have a long weekend ahead of us! I have always loved Memorial Day since I was a little squirt. It reminds me of the neighborhood pools opening for the summer, red/white/blue combos, and most importantly, BBQ's. Now that I am more of a "grown-up," Memorial Day is also another excuse for the most wonderful sales of the season. And the day off...to hit up those hot spots! 

Here are some darling deals for the holiday weekend...

bootie bootie bootie bootie, rockin' everywhere.

I found you, miss new bootie. 

My girlfriends may say they believe I sleep in my booties. Which is almost true. I wear them whenever I can. And with whatever I can. They go with almost everything!

I have found that I love to wear my light brown booties with my white jeans, my black booties with my black skirt, and my tan booties with, everything. And we can't forget about denim...there is nothing that jeans won't go with! I don't believe that booties are just made for fall & spring. If  you style them right, you can wear booties any season of the year. Even for Californians who don't experience the Midwestern seasons...you are included in that as well. Shorts, dresses, skirts, skinnies, you name it. These booties sure do get around...

the greatest gatsby.

The Great Gatsby -- a film about a fashion fairytale coming to life...(get it, my blog's name!?) Not only are the Prada collaborated costume designs simply stunning, everything about the movie is perfect. While a huge part of my love affair with this amazing film has to do with the wardrobe, the soundtrack (specifically Jay-Z, Lana Del Rey, & Florence Welch), the Golden Twenties decor, and the over the top parties sure contributed to making GG my favorite as well.

Was it just me, or was everyones heart hurting (in the most non-concerning and romantic way possible)? The true and utter romance was absolutely breath-taking. I wondered why most of the jam packed movie theater wasn't on the edge of their seats like myself, and then I remembered I never completed the book when it was assigned to me it high school. Instead, I sparknoted it and didn't quite remember that summary...

sole searching.

Man, have I been busy lately! Not only have I been searching for the perfect soulmate... I have also been doing some sole searching as well. Some may say I have quite the foot fetish, but shoes clear the blues, am I right? 

My next task on my to-do list is to sufficiently stock my closet with some summer shoes. I made a list of some top picks that are desperately waiting for me to purchase them. It only seems like the fair thing to do...

{Isn't Jen just the cutest!? & her shoe collection isn't too bad either...}

white on white.

I have always been so scared to try the white on white trend. There was something so off limits to me about pairing a white pair of jeans with a white top. I think it stems from my childhood when my mom wouldn't let me wear too much of one color. Whenever I wore all black, I was gothic. Now I like to think I look chic. When I wore all blue, I was teased for looking like a blueberry. Some things just always stick with you.

So, yesterday I decided to face my fears. Since summer is quickly approaching, I decided to go outside the lines and wear white on white. And let me tell you, I loved every second of it. If you go about it the right way and purposely show that you meant to wear all of one color, you can pull it off. As long as you bring some gold accessories & jewelry into the mix, you are good to go!

gala golden gazelles.

I have spent the majority of my week stalking the style and glamour that made up the Met Gala. With the trendy theme, "Punk :: Chaos to Couture," there was plenty of black leather, studs, and even a Mrs. Doubtfire doppleganger, who resembled Kim Kardashian to a tee. Although Gwyneth Paltrow said the event was "un-fun," I will totally take her place next year. 

the cream of the crop catalog covers.

No one does a catalog cover quite like J.Crew. While I may be a bit biased since this is my absolute favorite store, even the magical matchbook mag wrote an article on strolling down the J.Crew memory lane here! You can always be sure to find the most sophisticated of men & women (who are always quite the eye candy!), beautiful locations, and the best of all accessories -- a stylish smile. These bright (and sometimes black / white) covers just scream class and make you want to dive head first in the magazine. Not to mention, what's inside is usually just as good :)

What is your favorite J.Crew catalog cover? Please share! xx.

tatted up.

I always wish I was the kind of girl that would get a tattoo. I went through a period of time of wanting a small, simple tatt on my wrist or someplace I could hide it in times of need (interviews, time with my grandmother, etc). Although I have grown out of that phase, I often wonder what I would have gotten if I followed through with this ink craving -- my mom's initials or the infinity sign are two possibilities. 

I came across an amazing idea for someone who can't commit to something so permanent but definitely wants to give it a try :: terrific temp. tatts! They are only $5 for a set of two & they have darling designs.

Which ones would you choose? I am ordering a few today and will post pictures soon :) xx

you nailed it.

Hi friends! Sorry I have been so out of touch this past week, my life has been crazy crazy -- working, friends coming to visit, & traffic, have all been keeping my calendar jam packed. In a good way! But I had to write a post about my new guilty pleasure slash obsession. You nailed it....getting my nails done.  

Word Zooey. 

Getting my nails done has become a special gift I give myself at the end of a work week. My nail color is a way to express my mood -- at the moment, I have a purple / gold on my accent fingers, describing my "hardworking but playful" mentality. Some weeks I decide to go with the grey {my mood is dark} or last week I had the Essie mint {yay I love my life}. It has been a trend recently to always have a glitter accent nail, reminding myself that every cloud has a silver lining :) 

I made a combo of a few of my favorite colors / nail designs. What are your favorites? 

Does your nail color reflect your mood as well? It is almost Friday, otherwise known as the day to care for my cuticles! xx

weekend wishes.

.01/.02/.03/.04/.05/.06/.07/.08

Happy Friday! What do you guys have on the agenda for the weekend? I have a lot of exciting plans this weekend that I will share with you next week on the blog. I will give you all a hint....two of my favorite things are on the calendar, coffee & flea markets. But in order to attend all of the fun events this weekend, I first have a couple errands on my to-do list... Shopping! Here are a few things that are on my wish list at the moment. Pink & gold seem to be the trend on this version of weekend wishes. 

Many of the items I am craving are things that make a perfect, relaxing weekend - including a coconut macaroon (my favorite!) candle, a memoir to cuddle up with, and a comfy but cute pair of lulu pants to lounge around in. The starry string lights would be the perfect touch to a headboard, turning your room into a whimsical wonderland. 

Enjoy your beautiful time off this weekend and make sure to have plenty of "me" time xx. 

palm beach princess of prints.

"the lilly girl is always full of surprises. she lives everyday like it's a celebration. never has a dull moment, and makes every hour a happy hour."

Yesterday was a tragic day for every sorority girl, jet setter, country clubber, & tropical trendsetter alike. The sweet sweet Lilly Pulitzer passed away peacefully in her beautiful Palm Beach home, surrounded by her family and close friends. The preppy Pulitzer was known for her pink & green prints, colorful shift dresses, and creating the signature socialite uniform...even if it all began as an accident. 

Lilly opened her own juice stand in the orange state back in the late 50's, and needed a dress that would somehow disguise and camouflage all of the fruit spills. This is the moment when the vividly flowered patterns were first born, otherwise known as "Lillys." 

I have always been a huge fan of the Lilly brand :: and I am reminded of this every time I sip from her coffee mug, doodle in the large agenda, or remember that sentimental moment when I wore a signature Lilly dress to my college graduation. I truly believe that Lilly Pulitzer will never go out of style. 

When I was interning for Saks Fifth Avenue in Palm Beach back in 2010, I had the amazing opportunity of meeting Lilly and touring her jaw dropping jungle-like home. She was an absolute doll and her sense of humor and wit was so inspiring.  At that moment, I knew I wanted to pursue a career that was fashion related. She was not only a role model to myself, but to so so many and will be greatly missed. xx

krazy 4 karlie.

If y'all are friends with me on the f-book, you oughta know how Karlie Kloss makes me heart flutter. Each year, we all know that it is the Victoria's Secret fashion show season by the go to model profile pictures & the millions of girls bragging about eating pizza while watching the show, like go them. But really, I still can't believe that our homegirl Karlie Kloss is big time. I was reminded that she is literally everywhere when my grandma called me the other night to let me know that her and my grandpa were watching "my friend karlie is in her panties on the tv screen." Like, can you not? This 20 year old superstar is the most down to earth, family oriented girl who just happens to be in every Vogue I pick up, or on every billboard I see while driving down Sunset. It honestly doesn't even shock me when I hear about all her accomplishments because this chick has got it all, and her humbleness has truly got her this far. I still remember that tall skinny Statesmen cheerleader that made me look like an oompa loompa in my uniform. 

Keep doing your thing KK. You are giving everyone from the dub-g {& STL} something to brag about, so we don't have to refer to Nelly as our hometown hero anymore. Thanks girl.

coachella crushes.

It is almost that time of the year. LA'erz are starting to chat it up about the number one music festival in Southern California, the one that sells out in a matter of fifteen minutos. I mean a girl can dream, right? Unfortch, I don't really have the $$$ to buy a ticket on Craigslist that is the equivalent to a month of rent, but I'm still wishin' I can sneak a peak at the fab fashionistas that are inside the festival (forget the tunes, am I right?) In the past, a few of my fav looks go to Alessandra Ambrosio & my girl, Karlie Kloss. Their Victoria Secret model faces and bods probably don't hurt their casual chic looks either. Another fav is Rosie Huntington-Whitely looking stunning in her white button-up gone bad, but when doesn't that chick look like a ten? Coachella style is all about perfecting the "it took me 5 minutes to get dressed" look, when in reality, it took their stylist a few weeks to crown the correct combo of cut-offs & booties. Because I mean according to good ol' Dolly P, it does cost a lot of money to look this cheap.

{Just throwing this out there, I already have an outfit in mind if anyone happens to have a ticket to spare.....just sayin'}