Insta Life + Friday Five

I started my Friday Five post and then time slipped away from me and it never went up so today will be Insta Life + Friday Five!  p.s. still doesn't feel like Spring :(

positive - no heavy jacket negative - still doesn't feel like Spring

Express scarf, shirt & jeans//converse//Bar III for Macy's jacket

Shades of blue

navy & lilac {polkadots}

new office rug//pink flats

Five things I'm loving

1. BaubleBar + Nordstrom have partnered!  Loving this and this.

2. love this seating chart idea!

3. LOVING this bridal shower theme.

4. Quote of the week.

5.  This, these and this have been added to the wishlist.

Dresses & Sneakers

Even though it's 30 degrees and snowing where I am, I think I found my spring & summer uniform this year.  It's no surprise to you guys that I love sneakers and would gladly wear them daily if I could.  When I came across Sincerely, Jules'  blog (just today! how is that possible?!) I was filled with inspiration to combine all of my dresses and sneakers!  There are so many combinations you can do and it's such effortlessly chic look!  You may just see an outfit post in the near future featuring this look ;)

all images via Sincerely, Jules

nike//converse//newbalance

stripe//floral//grey

would you rock this look?

hope you're having a great Wednesday!

xo, ash

Tuesday Shoesday

The hardest part of blogging, for me, is coming up with a good title.  Anyone else?  Bueller? p.s. I apologize for the lack of postings Friday & Monday.  

This entire post will not consist of all shoes BUT I did want to share the three pairs I snagged a few weekends ago which are the perfect Spring additions.

The color blue of these ALDO flats is stunning in person.  Who doesn't need pink (color not online) GAP flats for Spring ?  Why have I never tried LOFT flats?  And this neutral color is perfect!

Snapshots via Instagram last week

Feeling very festive on St. Patrick's Day.

I loooove these over the knee boots but I really want to wear dresses without tights and sandals!

one of the partners at my law firm bought all the girls flowers for the first day of Spring (aww!)

denim on denim for girls night out this past Friday!

Have an amazing Tuesday!

xo, ash

Not your Grandma's wallpaper

When I started this blog I had intentions of talking about things other than fashion and today is one of those days.  If you've been following along you know my husband and I bought a house last May (before our wedding).  We've been slowly (really slowly) fixing it up.  One thing I've been wanting to do is wallpaper something.  First it was the dining room wall (which will now be painted with stripes) and now it's the makeshift "entryway".  We don't have a designated entryway into our house (which goes right into the living room) but it is slightly inset so I thought what a great idea to wallpaper the two walls you see when you first walk in to separate it a bit?!

 Let me paint the scene of what I hope our living room is to look like -black & white striped rug, blue couch(es), grey walls, gold accents (have this table) and pops of yellows/green/pinks.  It's open to our dining room and kitchen so I want them to coordinate without matching.  Here are some image that have me inspired for the living room.    1. 2. 3. 4.

Now to decide which wallpaper (the tough part).  I turned to Pinterest, of course, for inspiration.

maybe too busy?  Will hubs go for the butterflies AND birds?  image

super chic but might not scream entryway. image

I have always LOVED this pattern.  Comes in many colors, maybe grey or black.  Could work.

this is so fun!  It wouldn't get the credit it deserves in our small entry BUT might work for the office?

another one I've lusted over for a long time.  It's a tad girly but maybe in this color or this color it would be okay.

I love the feeling of this but when I originally saw it said hmm, maybe too whimsical.

loved this as soon as I saw it on Cupcakes & Cashmere but it might be a bit too bold. image

Decisions, decisions.  Have you wallpapered anything or any room in your home recently?  Any suggestions on where to look or which pattern to choose?

xo, ash

images via Pinterest unless otherwise noted.

High or Low

I’m a little more excited about today’s High or Low post because I found an incredibly low option for you guys!! Ever since seeing this Free People major statement necklace on Somewhere, Lately’s Instagram, I knew I had to have it!

You can also see it here.  Seriously check out their blog, their style is amazzzzing!

I can't decide which option I will go for (yes I still haven't completely pulled the trigger!).  You can't return F21 jewelry and I'm a bit concerned it won't lay just right which is crucial with a piece like this.  I'm not sure I will get enough use to warranty the $98 price tag so the Urban Outfitters options just might be the one.  I will keep you posted ;)

 Free People//Urban Outfitters//Forever 21

Which price point would you buy at?!

xo, ash

Instagram Life

There was a major lack in outfit posts in Instagram last week.  This continuous cold weather left me feeling very uncreative.

Here are a few snapshots from Instagram last week.

Express scarf & striped dress//GAP cardigan (old)

I was tagged on Instagram by the lovely @islandandlily for #widn (what I'm doing now).  This was snapshot of my desk while attempting to get through the last 1/2 hour of my 9-5 (but really on Pinterest).

p.s. check out Isla & Lily on Etsy.  She makes awesome baby items!!

GAP sweater and necklace via online Facebook shop.  [feeling minty fresh]

lastly, hubs and I celebrated 6 months of marriage! Love that man <3

 

Happy Tuesday!!

xo, ash

 

Urban Chic

Okay this is kind of a big moment for me.  My first real outfit post.  I'm nervous so be kind.  I know these photos are not perfect (I have some work to do) and this isn't a fancy outfit but I wanted to start in something I felt comfortable in and something I would normally wear.  Hopefully the more I do this, the better I will become at it and the better quality the pictures will be.

This was Saturday and we went out running errands. I love this outfit because it's super comfortable and I think it shows that sneakers can be cute!  Who's with me?!  I added the leather jacket because it was a bit chilly and I felt it added a little more "oomph" to the overall look.

jeans//top//sneakers, similar (love these!)//old Guess jacket, similar//old Aldo bag, option//round necklace//initial necklace, gift, similar

Hope you enjoyed!

Happy Monday!!

xo, ash

Friday Five

O em gee, I'm so happy it's Friday!!  This week draaaged.  Did it for anyone else as well?  On top of that Spring showed its face for about a day before Mother Nature came and took it away.  So over Winter!

Anyways, here's this weeks Friday Five!

1.  Excited to see the new Oh Joy! Collection at Target starting March 16th!

2. Loving this DIY gold foil print tutorial!  Jen is a superstar DIYer who you should check out if you haven't already.

3. In LOVE with ILY Couture's new 'Preggers' tee!

4. New recipe I want to try.  Seems super easy & yummy!

5. Hoping to take advantage of GAP and LOFT offering 40% this weekend! (40% at GAP is for cardholders, all others 30% online)

Hope you have a lovely weekend!

xo, ash

 

One scarf, Two ways

As I was browsing GAP recently, I noticed a beautiful floral scarf, perfect for Spring!  And then I got to thinking it would be perfect for St. Patrick's Day as well.  If you're anything like me and this isn't a major holiday for you (in regards to fashion) so going out and buying a bright green shirt with a shamrock isn't your thing, or mine.  What I liked about this scarf was that it had enough green so you felt in the spirit but not so obnoxious that you couldn't wear it again!

sweater//jeans//pink flats//bag//necklace//SCARF//dress//bracelet//converse//mint bag

I think the outfit on the left is perfect if you're doing something low key (or nothing at all) and the outfit on the right is the perfect fashionable bar hopping outfit, in my opinion.  And I LOVE this chambray dress from JCrew, definitely another addition to my Spring wish list!

What do you think?  Just the right amount of green, not enough? What are YOU wearing?

Middle of the week means closer to Friday!!

xo, ash

How to: Creamy Strawberry & Chocolate Chip Yogurt Popsicles

phew!  That was a long title but this recipe doesn't take long at all to make!  Hubs and I have been trying to eat healthier, more consistently, not just once or twice a week.  Part of our downfall is wanting something sweet, usually after that delicious and healthy dinner I just made.  Enter: creamy strawberry & chocolate chip yogurt popsicles.  I found this recipe via Pinterest but it originated from Real Women of Philadelphia.

What you need:

• 1 1/2 cups Fat free vanilla yogurt


• 3 ounces Mini chocolate chips


• 3 tablespoons (1.5 oz.) Philadelphia Fat Free Cream Cheese


• 1/2 cup Fresh Strawberries, diced   and the most important is obviously the popsicle molds.  Mine are from Crate & Barrel and were a bridal shower gift but here are two options. Zoku and Tovolo.

To Make:

Once you have all your ingredients out and prepared, combine the yogurt and cream cheese then add in your chocolate chips and strawberries.  Once mixed, fill your popsicle molds and stick in freezer.

a few hours later - ENJOY!  We ended up waiting overnight.

A few tips:

Try not to eat too much mix before putting into the molds (its delicious unfrozen too!).  I'm not sure if we ate too much or the recipe just wasn't enough but we only got four popsicles out of it.  Next time I may just make more.  And be sure to pack your molds nice and tight.  I noticed when we took them out that there were few spots not filled in (you can see it above).

Overall it was really easy, delicious (116 calories per serving!) and I can't wait to make these again or try something new.  Any fruit mixed with the chocolate chips would be yummy and I liked how the sweetness of the chocolate balanced the tartness of the yogurt.

Do you have any favorite popsicle recipes or will you try to make this recipe?

Happy Tuesday!!

xo, ash

Springing into Monday

well sorta.  I'm a little slow this morning.  Apparently daylight savings took its toll today instead of Sunday.  That's okay, I'm working through it!  I feel accomplished from the weekend.  I cleaned and reorganized all of our kitchen cabinets and we got a few things hung up around the house (yes!).  Excited that our little house is starting to become a home...almost a year later!

Here are last week's Instagram outfits.  And be sure to follow me @sparkleandsoulblog!

Francescas Collection sweater//necklace//Aldo bag & loafers (old)//jeans//watch

pants//sweater//chambray//flats//Express necklace (old)

JCrew Factory shirt (similar)//H&M blazer//necklace

dress//Ann Taylor Loft top (old)//belt//necklace

mug

this wasn't on Instagram but it was too cute not to share.  A friend got engaged so I put this cute little gift together for her.  (heart and initial "C" are from Hallmark)

Hope you're having a fabulous Monday!

xo, ash

Friday Five

image via Pinterest

Friday Five:

1. Obsessing over these espadrilles

2. loving the mixing of prints

3. How to Style Midi via The Glitter Guide

4. Great article to get ready for spring cleaning via The Every Girl

5. Inspiration for our next project - the closet

Have an amazing weekend!

xo, ash

Shop Talk Thursday

So if you read my blog you know I've been working on an office makeover (taking longer than expected) and eventually we will be making over our 2nd bedroom into a large closet.  With any type makeover comes the need to fill the walls with beautiful art whether its photography, prints or paintings.  One of the first places I always look to for affordable art (among countless other things) is Etsy.  I've shared my love for Etsy before here and here.

Recently I came upon Rachillustrates and I'm in LOVE.  Her works are simple, fresh, modern and bit sexy.  I can already picture the "XO" print for the closet or even our bedroom.  I'm also really loving her quotes and even the fashion prints, another great option for my closet.

If you love her work as much as I do, please visit her Etsy shop, browse her website or check out her blog!  You can also find her on Facebook & Twitter.

all photos via Rachel Corcoran

It's almost Friday!

xo, ash

Trending: the Bomber Jacket

 I don't know about you but I am loving the bomber jacket trend right now.  I think what I love most is how versatile a bomber jacket is and it's also a timeless piece, never really goes out of style.  You can dress them up, dress them down, wear for date night or out running errands.  It's like the "new" blazer, in my opinion at least.  And they come in all various colors and patterns.  I've been seeing a lot of classic looking ones (varsity style) and floral prints.  I'm in LOVE with the lace Free People one shown below and the floral GAP one (on sale!).

*floral and camo look via A Fashion Love Affair

lace//blue floral//classic

and a few more I'm loving - 1, 2, 3

Are you on board with this trend?  If not, will you grab one?

Happy Wednesday!

xo, ash

It's Monday...again

Ever have one of those Mondays?  I seem to weekly, especially in the winter.  I'm in such a clothing rut too.  Finding less and less ways to wear winter clothes which makes Mondays even harder and not wanting to buy too many Spring clothes just yet since I can't wear them.  19 days.

  This weekend was actually productive and I'm excited about it!  We finally started painting the doors all black and got some more stuff done in the office.  We are also dog sitting a puppy and while the first few days were a challenge, he's getting better now and we kinda don't want to give him back ;)

blazer//necklace//necklace

pants//flats

Some recent Instagram shots.  Have a great Monday!!

xo, ash