home about youtube links contact
"I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing...kissing a lot. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls."
Audrey Hepburn


Monday, December 16, 2013

The Best of 2013

And here we go...another year is nearly over and it's time to do the year-in-review, Lisa Freemont Street style. I realized when making this list that I am really out of touch, when it comes to a few things, and more in tune with others since my move to Memphis.

Starting with:

Product of the Year:

SAHAG SCULPT NOURISHING MOUSSE:

For the first time, a styling products gets top honors! This mousse by Sahag, is a dream setting lotion for my current high humidity location. See my full review below:




Blog of the Year:

STRAWBERRY KOI

photo credit Strawberry Koi

I have been following Aya on Youtube and her blog for years, but this year especially, the blog stayed a favorite. The photography is always top notch, the fashion is inspiring, and the whole site just has an airy atmosphere of cozy comfort. The inclusion of recipes and the creativity of her children only serve to make it one of my favorite places in Internet-Land.

Favorite Book:

I did not read a single book this year. I am so ashamed. I've read lots of magazines and re-read a bunch of styling books...but I really dropped the ball when it came to reading books. Things to fix next year...

Favorite Album:

CLUTCH: EARTH ROCKER


A fan of Clutch since the early 90's, I'm always a little giddy when they release a new album. This one is especially dynamic and full of great memorable riffs and Neil Fallon's expressive lyrics. The Face may be one of the best songs of their long career. To be so prolific, its amazing to me that not only is the lineup still original, but the inventiveness seems never-ending.


Favorite Television Show:

DEREK

I enjoyed a lot of great tv this year, but this little show (exclusively available on Netflix, for US audiences) is my favorite. Ricky Gervais stars as Derek, a simple fellow who helps out around an independently operated nursing home in England. The supporting cast includes Karl Pilkington (of An Idiot Abroad) as the bitter and pessimistic maintenance man Dougie, Kerry Godliman as the home's self sacrificing proprietor, Hannah, and David Earl as 'Kev', an unsavory and hygenically challenged fellow who spends all of his time at the home because he has nothing else to do. The manner in which the show delves into the lives of these characters and their relationship with the patients at the home is nothing short of genius. Every episode brought me to tears and every one was life affirming in a different way. I can't praise it enough.

Favorite Live Musical Performance:

LES MISERABLES: PLAYHOUSE ON THE SQUARE, MEMPHIS TN

photo courtesy The Commercial Appeal

Since I live in Memphis now, I've seen a lot of great live music over the past year. I also make the yearly trip to Viva Las Vegas in April as well as the Muddy Roots Festival in late summer. So it was surprising to me when I thought over the past year and found that the local theater production of Les Miserables deserved this honor. I've attended the show multiple times at many different venue sizes, as well as on screen, so I did not expect this cast to measure up to the others Ive enjoyed. It was the best cast I've seen. Phillip Andrew Himebrook particularly is an extraordinary talent and the way that the director utilized the small space to create the same mood that is conveyed in larger theaters using more elaborate sets, was impressive, to say the least. I can't wait to see more productions there in the future.

Favorite Movie:

GRAVITY


I saw a lot of movies this year at the theater but this one was the best. It was not only a cinematic achievement when it comes to direction (Alfonso Cuaron)but it made me take notice of Sandra Bullock as an actress, seriously, for the first time. Both she and Clooney had the difficult task of carrying this movie and they both did an amazing job in their respective parts. The idea of being literally 'lost in space' is quite terrifying and this movie brought that home with resounding force. Even the 3D worked to add to the sense of panic that such a situation would entail. I thought it was a flawless accomplishment on all counts.

Favorite Clothing Purchase:

Last year, Whirling Turban made me several dresses to wear to Viva Las Vegas and this year, I also had the privilege of representing the brand. This time, Katherine utterly outdid herself when she made me this phenomenal 'Peggy Would' style 1950's authentic dress in a luxurious black rayon crepe. To add even more glamour to the dress, a dragon was hand painted onto the neckline, embellished with jet black beads. The placement was perfect. I wish I could wear it all the time...

Favorite Photo:
Another shot at Viva, when the best photos tend to come out. Photos of my husband and I are so rare that this one is easily my favorite of the year.



Favorite Beer:
STONE ESPRESSO IMPERIAL RUSSIAN STOUT
I am not even a fan of stouts, usually, but this one was so amazing, I changed my tune. The charred fragrance reminded me of Memphis bbq and completely belied the taste, which was similar to unsweetened swiss chocolate. Rich, heady, completely surprising. I was blown away by this one.

Favorite Moment :
As a Jehovah's Witness, I can't think of anything more special this year than the release of a newly revised edition of New World Translation of the scriptures. It was released worldwide at a special meeting and came as a complete surprise to all in attendance. I did not take photos, but I was overwhelmed with gratitude towards everyone who put such hard work into creating an edition of the bible that is so easily understood and so readily available. That's all I'm going to say about that. :)

Favorite Tutorial of Mine:

AUTHENTIC PAGEBOY TUTORIAL



I was so happy that the lighting and everything was finally good for this long requested tutorial. And thank goodness it turned out okay.

Video Tutorial of the Year:
GOLDIE STARLING'S JARETH-THE GOBLIN KING-LABYRINTH TUTORIAL

I've always been a fan of Goldiestarling but this video gave me such a thrill. I was geeking out, fan-girling, laughing, and singing along so much on the first view, that I had to instantly go back and watch it again just to enjoy the actual tutorial. :)

So that's it, for this year!

Til Next Year,

So Long, Dearies!!

xxoo,
Ashley






Monday, December 2, 2013

Victoria-A Whirling Turban Testimonial


In working as a consultant for Whirling Turban, I get to follow brides from the idea of their wedding dress, all the way through to its completion. Most of those brides have something remarkable to share about their dress or wedding vision, and if we are really fortunate, we are treated to gorgeous photos like these after the event has passed. These things are what keep our designer Katherine motivated, as well as the rest of the team, and that's why I feel sharing these testimonials with all of you is important. Although ordering a dress online can be intimidating, hopefully stories like this one will help you look into companies like Whirling Turban as a viable option for fulfilling your vintage wedding dreams.

As told by: Victoria Foss
From: Dorset, UK


My husband's name is Neil Foss and we met at a mutual friend’s party, at the age of 17. After getting on very well and meeting on a few more occasions, he invited me to his school prom and that's when we started dating. We married on June 18th 2013 at the age of 30!

The Proposal
I was never bothered by weddings and never wanted to get married, but one sunny summer day Neil and I were sitting in a pub garden enjoying a glass of wine while discussing the idea of a big road trip holiday in the USA. I jokingly suggested getting hitched in Vegas and we both agreed how fantastic and different that would be, but (it seemed) we both soon forgot about the idea and continued with our normal lives.

However, unbeknownst to me, Neil continued to consider the idea and a couple of months later, he served me breakfast in bed for my birthday, and on the tray was a little box containing a beautiful ring! Neil isn't great with words and never actually 'asked' me to marry him, but he casually brought up the conversation about getting married in Las Vegas. It was lovely and the ring was a beautiful diamond in an art deco clasp chosen all by himself, which he had already had fitted to my size by carrying one of my rings to the jewelers.


My Wedding Vision:
Given that it was to be a Vegas wedding, and with my love of everything vintage, I needed to find a vintage reproduction dress. I searched the web and found Whirling Turban... and that was it. I was in LOVE with their website. Nothing else I saw gave me that feeling,and I thought the dresses were quite unique! I also found out that they were couture dresses that were sewn to fit your every curve. This made the idea very personal and special to me.

I picked the Suzie's Cream Puff dress because I felt that it was less traditional and I really loved the gold fabric and puff bodice. I just thought it was beautiful.


My Dress Experience:
I was really worried, to begin with, that ordering a dress abroad would be a disaster in the waiting. I expressed my concern in an email before placing my order and was extremely impressed with the help I received from the team. The ordering process was very professional with a user friendly and easy-to- understand ordering page that kept you informed and up-to-date with the progress of your dress. They don't just make you a dress; they advise you on all the fine details too, for example the underwear you will need, to enhance the dress's full potential. The team were superb in their response time and made me feel reassured and confident, even when I ordered a second dress that I wanted for after the wedding. They said they could deliver it to me in time, and I was over the moon when I received the dresses on the exact date that they said to expect them!

I carried my dress around in its box, showing everyone! I was so happy with it! It fit so perfectly; I adored it. My mother and mother-in-law came to visit one night before we left for the states to see me in my dress, as they were not to be at the wedding. It was a very special day :)


I tell everyone about my lovely dress and experience; also I encouraged my friend Alex to buy her wedding dress from Whirling Turban. She has ordered the fishtail dress, which is stunning!

To cut a long story short, Whirling Turban wants you to look good and love your dress! And you will!

To follow the rest of Vickey and Neil's USA road trip adventure, visit their blog here.





Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Cover-It-All This Winter!

Now that Winter has finally settled in here in Tennessee, it's inevitable that the cold-weather-friendly clothing options come out. I'm not a fan of cold weather fashion in general...I get depressed in the chilly dampness of this southern winter. But there are some things I love about the season and one of these is COVER-ALLS! Coveralls and overalls are different in that the former is meant to be worn over your clothing instead of alone. It might be a familiar thing to those of you who work in the automobile industry or the like.

Ladies who went to work to support the war effort in the 1940's were known to wear coveralls while they were on the job and keep their hair out of the way with a snood or scarf so that it could be let loose for a evening on the town. Not that all working women were single, but those who were did not allow the situation of the world to prevent them from dancing the night away!

For super cold winters, the old fashioned style of coverall is still available for hard workers who need clothing protection and warmth. But for a simple style choice that is also utilitarian, My Baby Jo offers an adorable option that is thin enough to dance in, but thick enough to provide some cozy coverage:

They're adorable with Chucks, Oxfords, or heels and compliment all sorts of vintage hairstyles and accessories. Owner Darla was wearing a pair at Viva Las Vegas a couple of years ago and she looked so comfortable and at ease the entire time...I was instantly a fan and decided to invest in a pair myself. Unfortunately, I've as yet been unable to acquire them, but they're again at the top of my list.

For more 'one-piece' winter friendly options, consider classic denim overalls and jumpsuits! My favorite denim options are by Freddies of Pinewood. They're extremely authentic to the era and have a flattering feminine fit.

Queen of Heartz also makes an adorable pair with some stretch it them. They're perfect for those of you who appreciate the addition of a little 'support', in that regard.


Jumpsuits are also making a comeback, even in popular culture. Katniss was seen sporting a fashionable one in the movie Catching Fire, and I couldnt help but wish I had it:

But for a sexier version, don't overlook Whirling Turban! This amazingly crafted jumpsuit worn here by model Mosh, is the bombshell take on Katniss' look. It features a warm bodysuit underneath, a stunning pair of heels, and a striking belt at the waist.

Winter doesnt have to get you down! With 'cover-alls', you don't even need a lot of foundation garments to make them super feminine and seasonally appropriate.

xxoo,
Ashley


Monday, November 18, 2013

Revlon Lip Butter- I Finally Have An Opinion

As a vintage enthusiast living in a modern society, I embrace new products that make a vintage aesthetic easier, as youknow. But I also am a late-thirties lady, and I find that wearing my favorite authentic red lipsticks can be a bit more tricky these days. The main cause of this is that naturally, over the course of time, the lips can start to develop tiny (mostly) undetectable lines that cause red lipstick to feather. My lips also tend to get very dry when I wear a normal matte formula for any length of time.

A cream lipstick is a more desireable option, and Nyx Snow White is my favorite red lipstick of this formula, but if your lips tend to chap, a cream lipstick is usually too slick to provide any kind of real hydration, and therefore wearing red lips in the winter can be especially difficult.

Revlon Lip Butters have, for the reasons above, become my lip color of choice for everyday use. Especially in cooler weather.

They have a great balmy quality but provide excellent color pay-off, for the most part, and the reds are just lovely. They make my lips feel plump and soft as they wear off so there's none of that drying effect of a highly pigmented lipstick, and the finish is very forgiving, which makes the product easy to apply. I always recommend it to maturing ladies, when they express concerns with feathering red lips in the day time.

One thing I've noticed: Although the Lip Butters are really easy to apply, they don't go on at full color after just one swipe. I usually put two coats on, to get my best color result.

Of the ones I've tried, my favorites so far are Red Velvet (a mulberry red), Cherry Tart (a true red), Candy Apple (a bluer red), and Juicy Papaya ( a pinky coral).

So although the jury was 'out' a very long time on these things, I'm definitely a fan now.

xoxo,
Ashley


Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Pin Up Preoccupation!



Since I started my channel in 2008, there has been one recurring draw for ladies of all ages: The Classic Pin Up Girl. It seems that when ladies see those stunningly gorgeous art pieces by Alberto Vargas, Gil Elvgren and others, they just get all swoony and longy. :) I know I do. In spite of the fact that I will inevitably age and no longer be fresh and rosy as the 20-somethings that modeled for those pieces, I will continue to strive for that sort of coquettish charm on occasion.

In addition to those lovely old paintings and the famous photos of Betty Grable and others that still maintain the standard of 'Pin Up', there are also lots of modern glamour girls that are keeping the style and appeal of the classic pin up girl alive.


Betty Grable in the most famous 'Pin Up Photo' of all time, by Frank Powolny


Traditional style pin up photo of model Jolee Blon
by: Miss Missy Photography


Amazing photographers are everywhere mastering the art of editing and lighting so that anyone can become a perfect Pin Up by simply utilizing the skillsets of specialists in vintage style and wardrobe.


Classic Pin Up Style photography by Celeste Giuliano

In spite of the poor quality, my earliest videos in which I aspired to recreate hairstyles from some of my favorite Pin Up art pieces, still remain popular and are part of a playlist on Youtube:


I also revisited the series last week , by re-creating my first style in that series, inspired by Edward Runci:

Finally, today I uploaded a Pin Up Girl Makeup tutorial to my channel, that was highly requested based on the aforementioned video. All products are listed below the embedded link.


Foundation Primer: Laura Gellar Spackle, Under-Makeup Primer
Lip Balm: Carmex Cherry Lip Balm
Lip Primer: Senna Lip Primer
Foundation: Revlon Colorstay Whipped Cream Foundation in Buff
Sigma F80 Flat Topped Kabuki brush
Concealer: Cover FX and Maybelline Concealer Stick in White
Powder: True Match Pressed Palette
Brow Pencil: Besame' Dual Automatic Pencil (discontinued)
Brow Pen/Tint: Anastasia Long Wearing Brow Tint in Universal Light
Eyeshadow for Filling Brows: Senna Haute Nudes palette
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tough as Taupe
Pirouette brushes
Sigma 'Make Me' Brushes
Toofaced Soft N Sexy Naked Palette
Maybelline True Black Eye Studio Gel Liner
Silver Point angled brush from Art Supply Store
Mascara: Maybelline Illegal Lengths Mascara
Senna Voluptulash
Maybelline Color Tattoo Metals in Barely Branded
Ardell Eyelashes: 301's and 311's
Duo Dark Lash Adhesive
Stila Custom Color Blush in Pink
Lip Liner-Besame Red Lip Liner from the Luxurious Lip Color Kit
Lipstick-Besame' Red Velvet lipstick
Lip Gloss- Discontinued reddish gold glitter lip gloss by Senna

The pin up craze will likely fade again but until then, let's all enjoy it. Feel free to send me any requests for tutorials inspired by art or photographs you like and I'll do my best to oblige.

Til Then,
xxoo
Ashley


Friday, October 4, 2013

Sponsor Salute-October 2013



Fall means you will need lots of new things to keep your vintage self inspired, right?

I know it's the case with me! So I'm thrilled do bring your attention again to my loyal sponsors to your right who continue to motivate me!

Whether it's a vintage setting pattern on the Vintage Hair blog, and their handy pin curling tool...or a classic piece of retro art from Kelly Grace (click the link to the right to access her facebook page)...or a stunning outfit from Queen of Heartz...all the companies you see are worth your attention.

Today, I also was able to create a little video for you, featuring some of the fall-friendly casual fashions from Queen of Heartz. Because I live in Tennessee, the shorts still carry me through to November, but if you live in a cooler climate, there are plenty of longer options. And hey, I'm a fan of tights so I can wear skirts and shorts all year.:)

Enjoy!




Thursday, September 19, 2013

The Dr Oz 3 Day Detox Cleanse-My Experience

In an effort to get healthy, I've decided to try this detox cleanse that is circulating the internet and which was recommended by one of the members of my group on Facebook, The Viva Fit Club.

I feel it is necessary to start this by saying I am not on a mission to lose weight, although something like this will inevitably result in some weight loss as part of the detoxifying and cleansing process. I am also not a Dr Oz disciple, so to speak. I have seen him on all of maybe two talk shows in my life and thought he was mildly obnoxious. I feel that healthful lifestyles can, like anything else, go overboard and I personally have no intention of giving up Oreos or burgers entirely. That said, this cleanse seemed reachable and effective, per my research, and I decided to challenge myself by trying it.

Here is the picture page you can print out should you want to try it yourself:

The cleanse is touted as costing 16.00 a day...NOT TRUE. Assuming you don't already have the required supplements, green tea, berries, etc on hand, you can expect to pay almost 100.00 for the whole mess. So keep that in mind when making out your shopping list.

DAY ONE:

A.M.
I woke up this morning at my standard time of 6:30. I don't typically work out on Monday mornings since I go grocery shopping and so I have to look presentable and make out a list. I made the morning DETOX tea and drank it relatively quickly since I was on my way out the door.

The DETOX TEA was not an easy drink for me. I do not like Stevia, I've decided, and will probably skip it tomorrow. I also have an extreme aversion to lemon in liquid. I don't like it in my water, my tea, or especially anything hot. So I'm not gonna lie, by the time I got to the grocery store, I was ready to throw up. I got over the nausea though and got home by 10AM, which is when I mixed up my MORNING DRINK.

Having been drinking kale smoothies almost every day for a month or so (and loving them!-(another blog entry for another time), I thought this fruit and spinach concoction would be a breeze. Wrong. I could barely get it down, unfortunately. The culprit is the fact that it was not very cold and not very sweet. My raspberries were very tart, and one banana is just not sweet enough to overcome all the other ingredients. The almond butter and lemon also makes for a less drinkable smoothie than I've had before. But I did feel a bit of a 'buzz' after drinking it and I figure: 'Hey, you can do anything for just three days, right'?

At 11:30, I duly swallowed my 1/2 multivitamin and Probiotic with a 16 oz bottle of water. I am using my kids' multivitamin since it's easier to cut in half. My own One-A-Day is actually not as potent as theirs, which is a higher quality multivitamin from Whole Foods.

P.M.
My LUNCH DRINK was a little late because of the late breakfast. Thankfully it's a lot more along the lines of what I'm used to with my kale smoothies...a little chunky, but somehow refreshing. I hate celery and I had my misgivings but thankfully, the pineapple saved it. An automatic energy boost was the after effects of this drink and it was infinitely more drinkable than the breakfast concoction.

At 4pm, I went for a quick bike ride to buy some lavender extract for my nightly 'detox bath'. The ride was easy and I felt fully energized and normal. I noticed that this afternoon I was a little grumpy at my kids but this is a normal thing since I tend to feel very stressed as the day winds down and I have a lot of work left to do. Otherwise, all feelt the same. I have noticed that my urine is as clear as water. Interesting.

I was supposed to have a snack about this time, but since my lunch was late and I didn't feel hungry, I decided to skip that shake today. Maybe not recommended but I couldn't see force feeding myself one of these fiber filled smoothies at the time.

By 6:30, perhaps due to the missed 'snack' shake, I reached a low point of the day. Heavy eyelids (admittedly, partly due to the high pollen count in the air), fatigue, and an almost impenetrable haze that meant I needed to get up and move or succumb to exhaustion.

Making dinner for my family was hard; I'm not gonna lie. I didn't realize how much I 'nibble' when I'm preparing dinner, until I am sworn off of doing it. But once I made my shake and left the kitchen, it was not too bad. The DINNER DRINK is surprisingly tasty, although I worried about the avocado and cayenne idea. But it was fruity, refreshing, and the pepper gave it a great kick that was so invigorating at the end of this day of bland.

Interestingly, the 'buzz' that kale gives me during the day is replaced by a sort of 'clarity' at night. A restful clarity that made me feel sort of blissful and calm as I forced myself to relax with my family instead of run around doing the 20 million things I typically do in the evening.

The DETOX BATH was very relaxing as well,although the smell of lavender has never been a favorite of mine and it was a bit overpowering.

DAY TWO:
A.M.
I woke up at around 6:30 full of energy and fully prepared to do my 100's Workout before getting the kids off to school.

I drank a few swallows of my green tea with lemon (unsweetened this time),walked the kids to school, and guzzled the rest of it lukewarm when I got home.It was much easier since I hate hot lemony beverages; I think I'm going to try it cold tomorrow.

To improve my BREAKFAST DRINK, and make it more drinkable, I cheated a little and used 100% juice instead of water.I also froze the raspberries and ended up with a cold smoothie that was at least 80 percent better than yesterday's.Sometimes you just gotta break the rules a little.

P.M.

After taking my Probiotic and Multivitamin,I made my LUNCH DRINK and was saddened to find that it was much more celery tasting and chunky today. Pretty terrible actually...I could not finish it and so by mid afternoon, I was feeling depleted. The snack shake is probably very important but to someone who does not snack much, it was hard to make time for it.


The DINNER DRINK couldn't come soon enough. I made it while I made tacos for my family and it picked me right up. Definitely my favorite shake of the three.

The Epsom Salt DETOX BATH is the highlight of this whole thing. I turned the lights down low and watched ASMR videos while I soaked. Felt very calm and relaxed when I climbed into bed.

DAY THREE: THE HOME STRETCH

Today dawned with another pleasantly energized feeling. I walked my kids to school and drank the DETOX TEA cold, when I got home. So much easier that way. Yucky...lemon. Ugh.

Physically, I don't feel tired or headachey, which bodes well for me since I guess I wasn't as 'addicted' to my coffee and Coke Zero as I thought. I will continue my habit of one a day, for now, and am REALLY looking forward to a cup of coffee tomorrow morning! Emotionally, I feel more 'stable', more calm, more relaxed than usual. I don't feel hungry but I do want to chew something...it's hard to drink your meals every day. Today, I intend to stick to this entirely and NOT miss the snack shake. I mixed it up last night to eliminate having to make one at snack time...so there is have no excuse today.

My BREAKFAST DRINK down, I settled down to work and tough out the rest of the day. Perhaps because the finish line is so close, food is looking especially good today. My husband's coffee spoke to me, I swear. I thought I'd grab Ruby's string cheese right out of her hand. It's not that I'm hungry...I'm really not. I'm just craving different tastes and textures, I think.

The LUNCH DRINK was infinitely better today. I blended it an extra long time and used a little less celery. Finished it pretty quickly this time.

The afternoon dragged along and I tried to distract myself with reruns of Friends and plenty of water. Water isn't on the print out but is integral to flushing out the toxins. So I tried to drink a lot, although it was hard since my food had to be swallowed in the form of a 'drink' as well. This time I didn't skip the SNACK drink, and duly downed the leftover concoction from last night along with my last cleansing dose of OMEGA 3.

I discovered when I drank it as a snack, that the DINNER DRINK actually went down easier the next day since the ingredients seemed to break down and blend together better. This was further confirmed when I mixed up my DINNER DRINK again for the last time (sans the avocado, which I seemed to be out of) and found it comparatively chunky. Still my favorite of the three drinks though.

The DETOX BATH was especially rewarding that night since it was a way of bidding adieu to this whole process.

All in all, I'd say it was a great experience and I feel like the benefits far outweigh the inconveniences involved. Here on this fourth morning, as I'm about to enjoy my coffee (and I mean ENJOY my coffee), I feel energized, alert, and motivated to continue incorporating healthier foods in my diet. My skin is brighter, clearer and I've lost 5 lbs (that wasnt the prime goal but was inevitable and hey, my clothes fit better). I would absolutely do it again and actually intend to, maybe prior to Viva in the spring. Seems a great way to prepare the body for the onslaught of sleepless nights, off-schedule meals, and Frankie's Tiki drinks.

So til then, 3-Day Detox, cheerio! I've got some chewing to do...


xoxo
Ashley






Monday, September 9, 2013

Fall Into Flats!

Since I now live in a spritely neighborhood that is growing by leaps and bounds, (Midtown Memphis, The Cooper Young District), I feel the need to leap and bound along with it. Unfortunately, my shoe choices are slim when it comes to comfort AND fashion. This area is known for its vast choices of community events; almost every weekend boasts something new and exciting to see within walking distance of my centrally located house.
While my Remix Wedges are still my FAVORITE shoes for walking or dancing, they were expensive and I am not in a hurry to wear them out.
And sadly, my espadrille sandals won't be seasonally appropriate much longer. So I made it my mission to find something that works for my active new lifestyle but also my vintage inspired wardrobe. Let's go browsing, shall we?

First on our shopping trip:

As much as I love vintage style, I also love when shoes have a little bit of a modern whisper to them. These, by Blowfish, are right up my alley. I love an ankle strap and these are casual but chic. I would wear them with an A-line skirt and vintage top or with a casual shirtdress and cardigan.


Priced at 39.00 at zappos.

For a stylish walking shoe,anything under 100.00 is a steal! These metallic ballet-style flats by Earthies stood out to me. Metallics are my choice for neutral shoes because they look classic and interesting simultaneously, especially for those of us who are not interested in a lot of jewelry. These would go with a variety of things, from jeans to dresses.

Priced around 80.00 at The Walking Company.

Pin Up Girl Clothing has a bunch of comfortable and affordable options, currently. These patent ankle strap flats are perfect for cigarette pants and pencil skirts:

Priced at 44.00

For print dresses and skirts, a solid colorful shoe is one of my favorite things! Don't worry about exact match with the outfit you're wearing; the point is to find a statement hue that complements your ensemble. This green is a good color for summer and fall!


Move over Crocs! Mel by Melissa is a stylish 'synthetic' shoe that satisfies my 80's 'Jelly-Shoe' passion but also complements my vintage tastes. They have a reputation for being affordable (most pairs under 50.00) and comfortable too. Since some of them have a vented texture, they may not be ideal for very cold climates, unless you wear them with a pair of tights.

both pairs, 45.00 on Zappos

For sportier gals, I have always been a fan of VANS. I had a ballet style sneaker from them that lasted for eons and looked cute with all my activewear. These are my current favorites. I want to wear them with a pleated skirt and tee shirt!
Vans Era sneakers-55.00 on Zappos

Finally, I can't post a 'flats' blog entry without mentioning Easy Spirit, often equated with older ladies and overlooked by the younger crowd. I own a cute pair of leopard print suede ballet flats and have walked MILES in them, with no ill effects. I really like this bejeweled pewter pair, great for a flirty black dress and a less predictable option than a basic black shoe. You can walk to the opera in these:

Giota flats available for 79.00 at Easy Spirit's website. But I'll bet you can find them cheaper.


Feel free to share your favorite footwear sites in the comments! Remember that dance shoes are also usually a good option for walking, as long as the sole isn't too slick. So don't overlook dance supply shops either, when considering flat footwear purchases. Til next time, happy hoofing!

XoXo
Ashley


Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Journey to Grace: Phase One



In the years I've been hosting my Youtube channel, I have always expressed my admiration for certain icons of beauty, most significantly-Grace Kelly. Her presence on film notwithstanding, she was also an offscreen ispiration. She conveyed style and poise, even in the most casual of circumstances.



Having been a redhead for many years now, I have been toying with the idea of going blonde again for some time. It's a huge step, because as a platinum blonde, the monthly root touch ups can be very expensive. I have always enjoyed emulating the casual glamour of Grace Kelly's waves, so with my 'blonde ambition' in mind, I decided to take subtle steps toward my goal instead of attempting one crazy move from red to blonde.

Grace's hair color seems to change a bit from famous photo to photo. I think many times this was due to a specific role she was playing, but there is no doubt that our natural hair color is similar...a darker blonde. I've always found my natural hair color boring, but since my 'Journey to Grace' is to be a slow one, it made sense to me to start off easy and make 'phase one' of this adventure a return to my dark blonde. The following photo was my reference point and I made it my mission to fid a stylist locally that was up to the challenge.



Going from red to blonde is no easy task, especially if you have been red for a while. Layers of color build up over time and must be stripped before the lifting and lightening can commence, especially if you are going for a beige blonde.

The stylist I chose is Robin Tucker, famed for her work on stage and screen, as well as her photography. She travels worldwide to work her magic but is proud to call Memphis home. Because she maintains a busy schedule, booking an appointment with her required a little bit of a wait, but it was well worth it. See her astonishing resume' and inspiring photographs here:
http://www.robintuckerstudio.com/

Her studio is in her home, and it's a lovely airy space that doesn't try to be edgy or industrial, like so many upscale salons, but also doesn't feel like a home based business. Her photographs make a bold statement against the clean white walls and an impressively stocked jukebox rocks you through even the most tedious of appointments. Which, this was, I'm not going to lie.

Robin doesn't take short cuts. I mean, she can certainly create a phenomenal short CUT, but as to taking an easy way out of a process...no. So I was prepared for what was in store for me, getting this red out of my hair.

First we stripped the hair, which was a process of about three different applications and dryer sessions. The last step sealed the hair and prepared it for lightening. None of these applications burned the scalp or smelled strong, but they had to be watched carefully. The next step was the lightening. Robin used a 10 volume bleach; she doesn't like to use a stronger one, opting instead to do several applications if necessary. We only processed once, since my desired hair color was a darker blonde.

The bleach was ROUGH. Even the 10 Volume burned me badly, rendering my scalp so sensitive that we had to apply the color at a later time. For a few days, I boasted brassy long hair and pale yellow roots. Not a pretty look. But I did have fun with my Ann Margret styles:

Two days later, I was back in Robin's comfy chair, applying color. It felt nice and conditioning and cool...not painful at all. Thank goodness!!

After the color, Robin worked her magic with my cut. I had it cut a little above shoulder length and will progressively go shorter with it, the lighter it gets. The final outcome was fun and shiny and healthy feeling! Even all over with no red...exactly what I hoped for!


I have to say, I'm thrilled with Robin, thrilled with the result, and increasingly more thrilled with my move to this great old town of Memphis, Tennessee! Can't wait to go on to the next phase...
Until Then,
So Long, Dearies!

XoXo
Ashley