Looking for a Little Inspiration

 

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Every once in awhile I hit a roadblock and am in desperate need for a little inspiration. Now ... because I'm a casual mess of a human, I look for inspiration in multiple areas. Perhaps we will explore all of them down the road. For now, I am focused on just one: food. With the change in the weather and the seasons, so does change my cravings. This makes sense. The seasons change and so too do the foods that are in abundance. For example: strawberries are the only fruit on my mind, and spinach is the base for all of my salads.

But beyond that I feel stuck. Having to plan lunches for the week doesn't make the situation less annoying ... ya feel?

I mean I do little things like buy Greek olives on a whim, or dabble in artichokes. However, every time I cook the result is a pasta/rice dish, eggs, or a flatbread. I essentially take the same salad to work every day interchanging shrimp and chicken as the protein. I would love to switch things up every now and then to keep my diet more exciting—and keep myself from wandering into a restaurant for a $10 salad. Message to the city of D.C.: salads don't need to be $10.

I have amassed quite a collection of cookbooks for a 20-something who only cooks for herself on any given night and does approximately zero entertaining. So I have resolved to flipping through one or two to at least get a list of ingredients for the week that will maybe inspire several dishes. Does anyone else get into a food funk with the season change?

<3 Ashley

What are your favorite dishes to make in the summer?

Summer Wedding Tips

 

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Tis the season ... wedding season. What better time to tie the knot than under the sun on the beach, or under moonlight of the cool summer nights?

I remember being the flower girl at my aunt and uncle's summer afternoon wedding and then dancing (and eating) the night away under the stars. But when you are not part of the wedding party, what is one to do for dress? Fear not—I have just a few things that I like to consider before the big day:

Consider the invitation. Is there a theme or selected colors for the wedding? What time of year and day are you attending? Is it outside or inside? These are the important questions to ask. Also, take into consideration the location for the reception. The graphic below offers some great quick tips for the different type of wedding celebrations.

Think comfort. I love to find a dress that can easily make the transition from the tradition of the wedding ceremony to the fun that the couple has planned for the reception. Make sure you've selected something that you are comfortable dancing the night away in.

Are you going in a pair? I am by no means insinuating that you go all out prom night and throw on a lime green tie to match your date's lime green dress. However, if you are going as part as a couple, you should aim to complement your partner's look.

Check out this helpful graphic below from The Black Tux, which provides men with a great option for suit/tux rental. Renting is always a great way to curb cost if the item in question is not something you wear regularly. Lord knows I wish my prom dress came from Rent-the-Runway and was sent right back ... instead of being a large midnight blue clump taking up valuable space in my closest.

 

<3 Ashley

Do you have go-to guidelines for wedding wear? Share in the comments!

We Remember

National World War II Memorial

Today, here in the U.S., is a day of remembrance dedicated to those who made the ultimate sacrifice defending our nation's past, present, and future. I am proud to be a part of a family that boasts a number of dating back to the War for Independence.  Now that I am in D.C., I was able to experience Memorial Day weekend and took the opportunity to visit the Vietnam Memorial yesterday to find the name of a relative lost during the war on the wall there.

Take a moment today to think about those who gave it all in an effort to protect freedom and progress.

<3 Ashley

So How About That Weather

 Just another artsy shot taken outside of a Starbucks

Ya'll ... what is this weather lately? We are now living in a world where 90 degree days happen and then the world bounces back to a casual 70 degrees.

This would be the way I start a blog post after so much silence, right? Talking about the weather.  I'm sorry that I am the actual embodiment of "the worst."

But real talk: since it's been so hot, I decided to lift the ban on spending outside of gas and groceries and bought a few dresses that I can wear to work. Let me tell you, the District was hot and humid those 90 degree days last week. So I bought these super cute dresses and I was feeling super great about it. Then I saw the forecast for the week and I will probably wear these dress zero times this week.

Am I the only one who gets super bummed when I can't debut an outfit to the world immediately? Am I the only psycho here?

Then I went and bought myself some new flats and sandals because walking around D.C. the excessive amount I do has made my shoes so gross! So I guess the good news here is my wardrobe has gotten a little refresh before we reach the depths of these warm months.

As an update while I'm here: I am so happy right now. My job is great, and I am loving the chance to get to know this city outside of what I got to know as a tourist growing up. I also find myself staring longingly into expensive bars and restaurants cuz I'm not quite cool enough to walk in and fit in - something about me still screams "rural Pennsylvania!" So, my D.C. alter-ego is still a work in progress. ;)

<3 Ashley

Adventures of a First Time Adult

 

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As of yesterday I have considered myself an adult for about two months. For me, obtaining a full time, salaried job makes me a grown-up. It wasn't graduating college. I wasn't the first bill for my student loan repayment adventures—check-in with me in 20 years!—it was the day I walked into the office in my "trying too hard" professional outfit and faux confident smile. Granted, that first day turned into the most hectic and awkward day, which set the tone for my time in this position. Yesterday marked two full years as a working adult.

During those two months I navigated my way through selecting all the insurances, dedicated myself to packing healthy lunches everyday, committing to continuing my fitness regime, thinking about my bank account constantly, and making sure that I speak with my parents at least once a week...I seem to have developed the habit of calling my mother every night.  She misses me right? ;P

College was like adulthood-lite. Of course, in college we are responsible for getting ourselves up and to class. It was up to us to maintain motivation to do well and get to the finish line. But there was the familiar safety net: my parents handled the hard stuff. Now I'm getting my car inspected and setting appointments to make adjustments so I can keep it running for another year. I am planning my meals through the week so that I buy just what I need at the store and don't shop without a plan. I am incredibly restrained and no longer make whim purchases. I think about the dentist more than I would like.

Here I am now. Getting my thoughts together before heading into a very busy week, drinking a glass of white, watching a special on Princess Diana, avoiding the basket of laundry that is looking at me expecting me to act responsibly and against my own habits; I have a tendency to let the clothes just sit in the basket until the next laundry day. This is real. This is me. (This is me quoting Camp Rock.)

Thank you for reading the latest installment of "Late Night Thoughts with a Young Woman Who Really Should Go to Bed Now."

- Ashley

Are you finding "adulting" to be an amiable experience?

Getting (Spring) Colorful

Those cherry blossoms though! via

Spring seems to be (fingers crossed, knocking on all of the wood within reach) finally in full bloom. Walking out in the sun during lunch has me dreaming about skirts, dresses, and sandals. There are so many aspects of spring that inspire my love for the season: Easter, blooming flowers, and my new appreciation for the cherry blossoms that outline the Tidal Basin in D.C.

My vision of spring is marked by specific colors as well. If you wandered into my brain right now you would encounter a changing sea of lavender, mint, and soft pink. I wanted to put together an inspiration board with a few of my favorite pieces in my favorite spring palette right now, and even throw in some ideas for the guys—do you know how hard it is to incorporate these colors into men's looks and avoid suffering from traumatic flashbacks frat guys in the spring? But I think I officially lost control of that when I wandered onto the Sperry site. ;)

But let's get back to the present. Spring is upon us and it's time to put our closets to the test and add some of the season's newest trends. In my time searching the Internet when I should have been working (oops!) I made the happy discovery that the '80s have returned. Of course, doesn't always feel like the '70s and '80s are coming back? I guess that speaks well on the behalf of those decades. This is me defending the easy reach using a polo shirt in my men's look. :P Rayban-style sunglasses also felt incredibly appropriate in achieving an '80s-inspired look. When it came to a women's look, the decade trend comes through via aviator sunglasses (a la Top Gun) and an off-the-shoulder top. An argument can be made for the skinny jeans as well being a call back to the big hair days. Here is the result of taking this trend and injecting it with my favorite spring color palette—forgive the varying shades, a consistent pink is apparently very difficult to get one's hands around!

Womens: Boat Neck Vertical Striped Blue Top | Pale Pink Skinny Jeans | Cut Out Lace Up Block Heel Sandals | Aviators

Mens: Classic Pique Polo | Washed Chinos | Sperry | Canby Sunglasses

I'm no menswear specialist; I feel like not being a man works against me on that. :) But I know what looks I like to see on them. When putting these looks together, I liked scrolling through the web store, Bonobos. I particularly like their shorts; not to baggy and long, and also not terrifyingly short! In the words of my girl, Goldilocks, "They're just right."

- Ashley

What does your spring palette look like? 

Life Lately

Was fortunate to get a few hours off work to wander and hang out at my favorite monument

So it's been a minute, right? Let me tell you, a lot has happened in that minute.

It should please everyone who has had the misfortune of being around me the last 10 months, I finally got a job! Yes-sir-ee! I've packed my bags and hustled on down to D.C. to finally start my bid for greatness. Maybe not greatness...but you get the idea.

Falling into routine has been kind of a pain in the behind since I started. While I work in D.C., I certainly don't live in the city—I have to save money somehow, right? No, I actually live a nice 30-minute metro ride away. Plus the additional 20-minute walk from the station to the office. But I will spare you the complaints. Such is life for someone just starting out, I guess.

I am starting to adjust to my surroundings and am very excited about what the next year (at least) holds for me. It's so amazing to not have the stress of job hunting weighing down on me anymore. Now I get to plow forward and take advantage of the amazing opportunities and location that I have in front of me.

<3 Ashley

How's your life lately?