hits for the hicks.

Summer just wouldn't be the same without those country classics... the ones you blare on the radio while driving around with the windows down. While country isn't as big of a thing here on the west coast... you can still find me jammin' to it on the freeway, with all the dirty looks included. I have always been such a sucker for country music. It sure does take a certain kind of person to truly worship this genre, but I swear... I always find myself attracted to those who love to jam to a good ol' Tim McGraw song. Speaking of solid men, I need to find myself a southern gentleman... and unfortunately moving to LA was probably the wrong place to find those! 

I introduce to you... the second edition of Caroline's IV of July playlists, The Fourth Country Addition. This one is less hip-hoppy, but better for the soul. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! xx

the fourth favorites.

Do you guys love the Fourth of July as much as I do? It is hands down my favorite holiday to celebrate with friends + family, fireworks, BBQ's, and fun. I think my love for the holiday comes from being raised in the Midwest... and the fact that St. Louis throws the best Independence Day celebration ever, and better yet, I get to be part of the party this year!  Last year was the first (and only) year I missed the fourth in the STL... and so I have a lot of making up to do this year! From the morning parade in the morning, to the carnival at night, there is just so much fun packed into 24 hours. And so of course, you need some music to keep you pumped throughout the rally...

My friend, Caroline, made two magical mixes for the hottest holiday out there. I am giving you the first edition today... The Fourth (which is full of party pumps) & just you wait, the one tomorrow is just as good y'all :) 

the dating diares.

I have hit the point in my life where I have casually been going on "first dates."  I honestly never thought I would see the day, especially after my four year college experience in a small town in Indiana.  Guys didn't really take the girls out to dinner or drinks... because if they did, the whole school would be talking about it.  This definitely had to do with the fact that there were about 4 restaurants in Greencastle, Indiana so you were bound to be seen anywhere you went. You were deemed super lucky if a guy took you to a town about 30 minutes away... which had more like 10 choices. Gosh, just too many to even choose from!  Oh, or the guy would invite a girl over to his fraternity to "pregame" which seemed to be the comparison to a first date at DePauw University. 

we are all making mistakes.

The other night at church, the lesson was on freedom... and how to truly be "free."  We all like to correlate freedom to things such as... not living with your parents, doing your own thing, & not having a curfew, when in reality, we are still so tied down to certain things in life.  We are prisoners to one thing or another (scary, huh!?)  

At the end of the sermon, we had to think of one thing that we were attached to that you wanted to break free from... & I chose anxiety / unsureness of my future.  When I voiced my answer aloud, a friend told me he believed that I should not be fearful of my future, but rather to get excited for it. He had faith in my future and that really stuck with me. I have gotten this far and have had some amazing accomplishments, so I am ready for whatever comes my way next...

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

june gloom.

Before officially making the move to California, I didn't quite understand the concept of "June Gloom."  I came out here for an internship last June and vaguely remember a few gloomy days... But since I was in the Valley, it was definitely not as dreary as the beach towns.  There are some days I head to the West Side from the Valley to get together with some friends, and the weather does a 180. Literally sunshine to sorrow. So I decided to ask my friend Caroline to make a gloomy playlist to rock for those terrible traffic times on the 405...

Even if you aren't experiencing the California june gloom., you can still enjoy this perfect playlist. Or pop on over to Caroline's bomb blog & grab the hottest hits...

Happy Friday...& if these clouds cut it out, I'll see ya at the beach! xx.

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?