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Friday, August 30, 2013

Some Statement Stuff.

Happy Friday fashionista-fairytalers! 

Ashley here from Sparkle Sense. I wanted to share this chair that I fell absolutely in love with while we were on our honeymoon in France. I won't be able to decorate a place until we move to the East Coast this winter but I am keeping it in my inspiration scrapbook... aka my iPhone :) 


I love that this chair makes such a statement. The bold colors are absolutely gorgeous, the wood detailing exquisite & stripes are one of my very favorite things. It's heavenly.

If I'm ever lucky enough to find {or make} an imitation of this chair, some items I think would go fabulously with it are...

1. Put the love in the coconut tea towel framed seen in the Amber Interiors home tour on Style Me Pretty Living.

image below via Amber Interior Design
via castle

Amber posted that the tea towel she framed came from castle -- the love in the coconut one is sold out right now but there are some other super cute options.

2. Metallic monogrammed pillows via Chaotic Creations -- because I gotta have my monograms.


photo via Chaotic Creations 

3. DIY brass figurines via Hi Sugarplum blog


above photos via hisugarplum

Do you have any statement furniture in your home? Anything that you have your eye on? Anything you've pinned recently? Blair & I would love to hear from you!

Xx,
Ashley

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

the LA girly grubbin’ guide


now i would never even begin to consider myself a los angeles local, guru, or anything of the sort… but after calling this place home for a over a year, I am beginning to learn the ropes. in my eyes, once you don’t need that annoying GPS system chanting your every next turn, you have made it. and don’t get me wrong, that voice was my BFF when I first moved out here. i couldn’t even pull out of my complex without typing in my destination. i finally said see ya to siri and can now use my brain + memory to maneuver my movin’.

since i have become familiar with many different areas in LA due to different internships, jobs, friends, and such… i have my favorite places depending on your exact locale. while there are still so many savory sights for me to see, these are my go-to hotspots in each hood i have lived thus far… (don't worry, west hollywood + bev hillz and more will be chatted about soon!)

the valley (burbank, toluca lake, studio city, glendale, north hollywood…etc)

i've got some mad love for the valley. not only was it the grounds where my first and amazingly overpriced furnished hellhole stood (the oakwoods near the studios, look it up... all the disney and nickelodeon teenyboppers lived there at some point) it also was the location of my second apartment with my best frand in the terrific toluca lake. consider this area much like a suburb from the midwest… perfect, yettt i was ready to part ways to party a little, ya feel me?

-olive & thyme

if you follow me on instagram, twitter, or any social media platform, ya gotta know this is my SPOT. the best café for coffee, salads, overpriced yet delicious desserts, and it was a great little walk for my roomie and i. the workers there know us by name and know what exactly what we order depending on our mood and the time of the day (or month in my case...).

-aroma café

yes, another café. sorry, i just cant get enough of them. when you aren’t focusing on vanessa hudgens sitting right next to ya, or maybe some other c-lister, you can truly appreciate the wide selection of food, and the wonderful scenery and atmosphere. it is so cute and cozy… my favorite lunch spot when my boss and i need a little afternoon break from the office.

-golden road brewery

since I am a st. louis girl at heart, i appreciate a good brewery. not tryin to say this place comes anywhere close to AB, but it's as good as it gets out here. this place has the brew selections, but their food is just as tasty. and filling. this spot is perfect for a girlfriend get together or a date destination.

west siiiiide (venice, santa monica)

even when i was living in the valley, i would frequent the west side what seemed to be daily. a few of my best friends lived there, and i mean, it was much more happenin’ than my neck of the woods! these beach towns have so much to offer that choosing three is going to be tough.

-venice ale house

ON the beach. literally too many drinks on the menu that i want to choose 7. and surrounded by california cuties. what could you not like that about these? and not to mention, their food is amazeballs. i was counting on the alcohol selection to be totally rad, but the food was over the top yummy that it seems like this place is too good to be true. + this is the best place i have been to see the sunset. in other words, go. there.

-sugarfish (i am taking the SM location, but they have restaurants all over!)

i used to consider myself such a newb when it came to ordering sushi. like the california roll or spicy tuna was good enough for me. the awesome thing about sugarfish is that most people order the different “trust me’s” where they give you a little of everything to try. i'm not the most adventurous when it comes to trying new and unqiue food, but i am telling ya, i liked everything I put in my mouth from that platter! the fish was to die for (get it… the fish are dead hehe)

-gjelina

i am saving the best for last. this place is unreal, out of this world. i swear to you NO ONE has ever tried this place and said one bad comment about it. except maybe the prices are a bit steep, but once you are done with the dinner, you aren’t even thinking dollar bills. you are left so satisfied you can't help but smile. i would suggest a few of my favorites to you, but I promise it would probably consist of the entire menu. this yumminess is down the street from my venice pad which is super convenient, yet super dangerous at the same time.

{photos via pinterest}.

so who wants to come visit!? xx

Thursday, August 22, 2013

darling DIY's

these past six months have been full of mod podge, hot glue guns, and creative peeps. working with jen & molly has really been inspiring... and tons of fun! how can you not enjoy what ya do when you get to hang with talented friends who share so many of the same interests as you!? 

here are 5 of my favorite do it yourselves i have worked on for the blog! check em out ::


molly & the chicks version

my room...can ya tell i love the letter anthro mugs!?




are y'all going to try some of them out? click on the title to see the step by step directions... and if you test them out, make sure to show me how they turn out!! XO!

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

trendy tuesday.

yo my ga.



i will be the first to admit that i have a very addictive personality. the second i get hooked on something,  i am hooked with a capital H. my doctor has always recommended yoga to help build strength in my back muscles since i suffer from the good ol' skoli... (a fun way to say scoliosis aka my crazy crooked spine) after some convincing, i hopped on the bandwagon and have been repeating namaste in my head ever since. 

Monday, August 19, 2013

monday inspiration.

good vibes only. 


happy monday, you guys... 
i woke up this morning and tried not to dread the beginning of the week like i usually do, but instead, to think of it as a fresh new canvas. sometimes i go through the occasional sunday slump... and last night was definitely one of those times. you are exhausted from the weekend & not ready to wake up at the crack of dawn the following morning. i don't know if i am the only one who has diagnosed my sundays to the slumps, but the combination of being sleepy + stressed doesn't do the best things for me! 



i have really learned that it's all about your thoughts, how you decide to positively view the upcoming week, and to find healthy ways to release your stress & anxiety. my friend, molly, just recently introduced me to yoga... i have gone here and there, but i have never truly committed to the form of exercise. not only does it make my body feel so amazing and flexible, it does wonders to my mind. i have become addicted to the physical and mental outcomes of yoga. think good vibes only y'all. 
what are your guys' ways to deal with your slumpy situations? i am always looking for new ways to clear my head and try to be the most happy during times of confusion so holla if you have any go-to's!

Monday, August 12, 2013

monday inspiration.


{500} days of summer.


i promise y'all... i am not going to base all of my blog posts from now off of movie titles. this is the second in the past week and i apologize for that, but i just couldn't help it. i stayed in last friday night... snuggled up in bed next to some sleepy time tea, my lit candle, and 500 days of summer playing on my computer. i had a bit of a rough day and just wanted a good heartwarming flick. some of you may be telling me right about now that my movie choice wasn't exactly that. and while i agree, i think there is so much truth in the plot line. and while i felt tom's heartbreak, i also understood summer's uncertainty in love...


Wednesday, August 7, 2013

dating diaries.

the perks of being a wallflower.



while this post is going to be short & sweet... it is something that i think is very powerful, especially for girls my age. why do we only expect to receive the love we THINK we deserve? while some people choose to settle, others believe they will never find someone who will live up to their standards. most of the time, i see girls taking the first path... 

while i don't want to be too picky when choosing a significant other, i also never want to feel locked into something where i feel stuck. where is the healthy medium? i first fell in love with this quote after seeing the perks of being a wallflower... and it really started getting me thinking. the way we are treated is dictated by ourselves. if you feel like you aren't being treated right, the only thing holding you back from walking away is yourself! 

don't settle for less than you deserve & don't cut yourself short. at the end of the day... we only accept the love we think we deserve. 

Friday, August 2, 2013

friday favorites.

the best beach brands.


there is something so refreshing about living near the water. people are more carefree, there is less stress in the air, and you are surrounded by natural beauty everywhere you go. i love the beach wave hairstyle, the non-cakey makeup, and the venice vibes. 
when the weekend comes around, there are only a few beauty essentials that need to be worn. forget your daily work makeup routine, and only grab these favorites...


what beauty brands are on your weekend wish list? hope to see ya on the beach this weekend... rocking these go-to goodies! xoxo

Thursday, August 1, 2013

summer bucketlist.

happy august! is it just me or is summer going painfully fast? i feel like it was just yesterday when i was planning my summer goals. there are a few things i will give myself a pat on the back for, but there are many more things i want to accomplish before the dog days are over...

{via designsponge}.

although i have mannnny a things i want to do, i came up with the top five things that have been on my mind. i find when i put my mind to something and write it out, it is much easier for me to accomplish. there is nothing better than crossing something off of your list! 

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