Karen Kane Giveaway

So maybe you've noticed that I've been wearing a few pieces of Karen Kane clothes lately. Now, if you are anything like me, circa two months ago, you've never heard of Karen Kane. Or, if you're anything like my mom, circa two months ago, you've heard of, and have worn, Karen Kane.

Now my mom is absolutely a stylin' mom (especially now that she's finally gotten rid of all over her tapered jeans, braided belts, and screen-printed t-shirts from the '90s), but she's never anyone I want to dress like...that's why I was a little cautious when the fine folks over at Karen Kane contacted me, asking to check out their new, younger look. After a quick trip to my local Dillard's to check out the merch, I was interested - Karen Kane clothes are fun, functional, a fit really well! They are trendy without being over-the-top, perfect for my style as a young professional. They also have some great, more casual clothes that you can see on Linley over at Dwelling and Telling.

(they also sent me a CUTE faux-wrap top that I haven't taken a photo of yet - a tornado warning struck right during my normal photo-taking time last week)

Now, the best part - Karen Kane is offering my readers (that's you!) a $200 shopping spree at any department store near you that sells Karen Kane clothes (Dillard's, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, etc) WITH your own personal stylist for the day. If you don't live within 50 miles of a store that sells Karen Kane, you can use that $200 online when the Karen Kane online shop launches on July 1st. Doesn't that sound like fun (if you're on the fence, go ask Kimmie who just won a spree of her own!).

So, if you are interested (and why wouldn't you be? HELLLOOOO, free clothes!), just leave a comment below. One entry per person, please, and you must comment by Sunday, June 5 at 11:59 CST). Good luck!

(Karen Kane sent me some of the above clothing items and they are sponsoring this giveaway. One entry per person. Don't cheat. Love, Ashley)

5.23.11

Banana Republic White Button Up (similar)
Karen Kane Leopard-ish Print Skirt (c/o Karen Kane, same cut here)

Gap Black Cardi (similar)
Connie Black Pumps (via Famous Footwear, similar)

Glasses! (via Lenscrafters (fancy, right?)

There's nothing I love more in life than a fun skirt. Okay, well, I guess I love my family, boyfriend, friends, puppy dog, my job, fresh chocolate chip cookies, frozen custard with hot fudge and crushed pretzels, and diet cherry limeades from Sonic a bit more. But I do love skirts, and which this flippy little number showed up in my mailbox from the kind folks over at Karen Kane, I was thrilled. Not only does it incorporate some of my favorite colors (grey! yellow!), but also one of my favorite patterns (leopard!) in a subtle, abstract-ish way. I dressed it up with a button up and cardi for work (can I say how much I hate button ups? My narrow shoulders and not-so-narrow bust do not agree with them), but I can't wait to pair it with a simple tank and sandals for a summer evening. My glasses were the biggest hit of this outfit by far, however - even though three people told me I looked different - did I cut my hair?

Speaking of hair, Katy's FBFF questions this week are all about hair! Even though I would go bald if it were a socially acceptable thing for women, I figured I would answer the questions anyway.

1. How often do you get your hair cut?

I usually go every other month. My stylist is really popular and busy, though, so sometimes I have to wait longer.

2. Do you go to the same stylist each time, try someone new, go to the cheap hair cutting chains or live it up in a salon?

I've been going to the same stylist for almost a year now - Shea at Fusajiro, for any St. Louis readers. It took me forever to find a stylist I like, and Shea is wonderful, plus she's really reasonably priced (I usually get an eyebrow wax, foil highlight, and cut for $100!). My mom actually just started going to her, too (and it's a LONG drive for my mom - the salon is right by my work/new apartment).

3. Do you color your hair? How often? What’s your natural color?

I highlight my hair whenever I get it cut. My highlights are pretty subtle, so I would say what you see is what my natural hair color is (or maybe just a smidge darker). I really want to dye my hair a darker brown, though - I'm just scared!).

4. The one thing you always do to keep your hair looking great is:

I don't wash it very often (about every 3 days, sometimes only every 4 days (and I do shower more than that, I just wear a shower cap), I keep heat treatments to a minimum (I usually air dry my hair), and I use a deep conditioner and clarifying shampoo occasionally.

5. What hair trend do you love and wish you could rock?

I wish I could wear curly hair, but my hair is stick straight and thick, so it's next to impossible and always looks funky. I also wish I could wear, long, straight hair, but again, my hair is so thick it just looks gross when it's long. Also, if I had a more relaxed style, I would be all over feather hair extensions - I just don't think they fit into my lifestyle.

One Week, One Suitcase

Remember way back when (in March) when I went to London and Paris? Well, way back before that, I had the very lofty goal of packing everything I need into one carry-on suitcase. I wanted to do this for several reasons: I knew I'd have to carry my bag around two busy cities that were potentially rainy, I was staying with a friend and didn't want to have stuff spread all over the place (how rude!), I wanted to see if I could, and I hate waiting for my luggage to come off the carousel (I want to get out and see the sights ASAP, not wait in an airport!).

Besides space, there were a few other concerns of mine when packing: I wanted to be dressed appropriately for the weather (and, thanks to my constant checking of weather.com, I learned that the weather in London and Paris in late March/early April is just like the weather in St. Louis - incredibly unpredictable), be comfortable, not look too much like a tourist (I left my "God Bless the USA shirts at home), and have appropriate attire for a nice dinner out or maybe a theatre show.

So, without further adieu, I present to you a visual representation of what I packed (most of the items I actually packed aren't available anymore, so I just selected similar things (oh, and you can click on the item to purchase it!):

Cardigans by J. Jill
Boots by Diba

1 black jersey dress, 1 longer length black cardigan (butt covering length!), 1 white cami, 1 pair of black opaque tights, 1 pink scarf, 1 pair of black flats, 1 longer layering necklace, 1 pair of flat brown boots

Shortsleeve Tops by Forever 21
V-Neck Sweaters by Banana Republic

1 pink and white Breton stripe tee, 1 oversized white tee, 1 black and white stripe tunic top, 1 oversized pink sweater

Skinny Denim by Gap
Leggings by New York & Co.

1 pair of dark skinny jeans, 2 pairs of black ankle length leggings

With these 14 things, I was able to create a week's worth of outfits, including travel clothes (two 12 hour days of flying, plus two three hour train trips), a nice outfit for a fancy dinner, museum appropriate outfits, an outfit for a bike tour around Paris, and outfits appropriate for hitting up pubs. By keeping to one color palette (black, white, and pink), everything was able to be mixed and matched. Everything (besides what I wore on the flight there, obviously, and the khaki trench I wore on the plane) was able to fit into one carry-one suitcase (plus my books, toiletries, chargers, etc), with room to spare. One thing I'm SO glad I packed was an empty, zip-top tote bag. This gave me a good place to stick all the souvenirs I bought, and since it zipped closed, I didn't need to worry about things falling out or being taken out by sticky fingers.

It's also a good thing I only allowed myself to pack one carry-one's worth of stuff -my return flight was delayed and if I had to wait for my luggage in order to go through customs, I would have missed my connection from Chicago back to St. Louis!

(my flying outfit snapped in the airport bathroom- leggings, oversized tee, flats, cardi, and scarf - perfect for a red-eye!)

How do you pack? Are you a toss and hope it works person? Do you spread sheets (I tried that and it wasn't for me)? Do you have any tips?

5.18.11

Karen Kane White Jersey Dress (c/o Karen Kane - it isn't available in stores yet, but here's a similar dress)

Target Black Cardi (similar here)
Life Stride Black Flats (via Off Broadway Shoe, buy them here)

Forever 21 Disco Ball Necklace (similar here)
Charlotte Russe Hematite Flower Earrings (similar here)
Forever 21 Sunnies (similar here)

I am SO tired. Last night my mom and I took our dog, Daisy, to the emergency vet and didn't get home until 11:30. She was really, really sick - she was cold to the touch, shaking, and very lethargic. My dad (who is a really tough, macho guy) was in tears saying that she was dying, so we rushed her off to the vet ER to find out that she has a severe bacterial infection in her digestive tract (probably from eating something dead, awesome) - so she's on a strict diet of boiled rice and chicken with antibiotics and doggy-pepto for the next week. I'm so glad she's okay, but we do feel a little silly for taking her to the emergency vet when really all she had was a really upset stomach. Plus the emergency vet is NOT cheap!

Then, after we got home, it was stormin' Norman - crazy winds and rain and other things that normally wouldn't be an issue to sleep through, but since there have been tornadoes like whoa lately, I'm a little bit more on edge. The coverage of the Joplin tornado is devastating and constant in St. Louis, and while it's obviously very sad, it's made me way more paranoid than I'm comfortable with. I watched a news story yesterday about a family that has been looking for their 18 month old child that went missing during the storm - so, so sad. Tornadoes are just so awful, and it really feels like there have been more destructive tornadoes this year than in recent years - it's really unsettling.

Ugh.

So, how about that for a happy blog post.

5.16.11

Target Black Jersey Dress (similar here)
Charlotte Russe Grey Cardi (similar here)
H&M Leather Belt (similar here)
Old Navy Leopard Print Flats (similar here)

I'm one of those crazy people that thinks leopard print is a neutral. I mean, it's obviously a pattern, but it's totally a neutral - tan base with black and brown spots = neutral. That's why you'll see me where my leopard shoes with all sorts of colors and patterns - I might as well be wearing nude shoes in my crazy little mind.

Every once in a while, though, I let the shoes stand out a bit, and when I saw this outfit by fellow Midwesterner Tania, I knew that I had to recreate it.

Which brings me to my second point - just a few weeks ago I was saying how I love to star posts in google reader to go back and refer to them for inspiration later. That's all fine and dandy, but it was getting a little frustrating because I couldn't categorize the posts - so I had a list of 100+ posts that had been starred, but I couldn't easily see which post was starred for a recipe or for an outfit. Très annoying.

Enter Pinterest. I know you all have heard about it by now, and I've even mentioned in a few times. I am OBSESSED. And if any of you don't have a Pinterest and would like one, you're in luck, because I just realized I have my allotment of six invitations still available. So, if you're interested, leave your email below and I'll send an invite to the first six people. My only catch is that you have to use it - so if you sign up and don't ever pin anything, I'll be mad.

Deal?

Ready, GO!

5.13.11

J.Crew (outlet) Chartreuse Tee (similar here)

Forever 21 Ikat Skirt (similar here)
Target Brown Cardi (simlar here)
Steve Madden Gold Flats (similar here)

I don't know WHAT the heck is going on with the color in that picture...it was super over-exposed initially, and I tried to make it less...exposed? and now it's all funkified. Oh, well. Sometimes life is a little funkified.

Speaking of funky things, my little brother turns 21 this weekend. Holy cow. He is NOT responsible to be able to legally drink. I wish I could just call someone and say "oh, hey, Lewis? Yeah, TOTALLY not old enough to drink" and they'd revoke his drinking privileges - kinda like how you can do that with elderly people and driving, you know?

Also funky? I'm wearing my glasses today. I don't think I've worn my glasses in public since I was in college, so this is crazy. I've already started to put them on the top of my head like sunglasses twice today - then I get really confused as to why I can't see (I have AWFUL vision), until I realize what happened. I'm also wearing a button up shirt, so I'm all sorts of uncomfortable today.

Another funky thing? I have done new hire paperwork with five people today, plus started training our new intern. And it's not even lunch time yet. WAY too much work for a Monday morning.

Oh, and one more funky thing - we just realized out new apartment doesn't have those cable ports (they have a real name but I don't know what it is) - you know, those places where you plug in that cable so you can have cable TV. Apparently when they remodeled the apartment they took them out because there were a ton of them all over the place. So we have to get them installed now. Pain in the butt. Oh, and we don't have a bathroom door (yet).

What's funky about your life today?

5.10.11

Old Navy Navy Tee (similar here)

The Limited White Linen Skirt (similar here)

Antonio Melanie Brown Peep Toes (similar here)

Charlotte Russe Gold Necklace (similar here)

Hey buds! I have been BUS-EE lately! Tuesday I had a bunch of last minute summer employee interviews, followed by an all work staff meeting (it's actually called State of the Zoo, how silly!), followed by a department staff meeting. Yesterday I was busy busy busy at work, and spent the afternoon signing a lease (!), then had a bowling tournament for work to raise money for rhino conservation. Last year I beat my boss (a former college athlete), so he was amped up to beat me - not to mention I was HORRIBLY out of practice. I did shamefully bad, but my boss got SIX strikes in a row! It was crazy. Top that off with everyone (except me!) being out of the office today and another all staff meeting AND an awards dinner for our volunteers, and I've barely had a moment to breathe!

But fear not, I've still been getting dressed in the morning, even if I haven't been blogging about it.

So yes, the boyfriend and I are official with our apartment guy - we have keys and the go ahead to start moving stuff in, but the owner still has to finish some stuff up (refinish/rehang the doors, clean up the construction dust, hang light fixtures), but he's supposed to be done Friday! I'm swinging by Saturday to drop some stuff off with my mom and show her the place - I'm so excited! I'll be sure to take pictures - it's amazing how inspiring the apartment is to me. I've never been one for home decorating, but I've been FILLED with ideas - mostly for the pretty, bright sun room off the kitchen (which I have dubbed my girl room). I haven't shopped for clothes/shoes/etc for over a month now and am saving my pennies (and Craigslisting like crazy) so I can have it decorated just right (eventually!).

Eeek, can't wait!

5.9.11

Anthropologie Network Dress in Red (similar here)

Charlotte Russe Gold Necklace (similar here)

Old Navy Leopard Print Flats (similar here)

Last Monday I slept through my alarm and woke up at 8:10am. For those of you at home, that's 10 minutes after I'm supposed to be at work. And I have an hour and a half commute.

I jumped out of bed, scrambled to write an email to my boss, and threw on the closest, easiest thing - this super-soft jersey dress I had picked up the day prior from the dry cleaner. With my hair pulled back in a low ponytail and a statement necklace (and leopard flats, obviously), I looked decent and work appropriate while only taking 2 minutes to get ready.

Now today, on the other hand - I had plenty of time to get ready (I woke up before my alarm went off!), but I look like a downright slob - slouchy sweater (it's in the 40s!), pants, and my hair is in some weird bun/pony tail thing and could have seriously benefited from a flat iron this morning. Not to mention I have swollen eyes thanks to allergies, and I forgot my makeup bag at home (I do my makeup in the car, so sue me), so I kinda look like a hot mess.

Oh well, these unfortunate things happen.

Oh, and I have a Pinterest! I haven't tagged much on there yet, but I am going through all my starred posts on Google Reader and slowly adding images to my pin boards, so check it out if you need some style inspiration (it's basically a shrine to every outfit J has worn at this point). I also have no clue how to add or follow or whatever, but if you know and are on Pinterest, let me know how and I'll follow you!

5.12.11

LOFT Pink Polka Dot Dress (similar here)

Charlotte Russe Navy Cardigan (similar here)

Antonio Melani Nude Peep Toes (buy them here)

Forever 21 Cat Eye Sunnies (similar here)

Two exciting things:

1) I bought this dress last year, the weekend after Labor Day, for $4. The Forever 21 sunglasses I'm wearing in this picture cost more than that. Ridiculous.

2) Jeremey (the BF) and I just found out we got our first choice apartment. I am FREAKING out over here. We applied last Monday and knew there was another interested person, so we've been waiting on the owner to decide who he likes more, basically. And we just found out that he likes us more. I am so excited! Hardwood floors, here I come!

5.6.11

Target Teal Tank (similar here)
Forever 21 Ruffle Purple Cardigan (similar here)
LOFT Grey Skirt (similar here)
Charlotte Russe Feather Flats (similar here)

Hey, remember how a million years ago I was got my picture taken for a magazine? Well, in my quarterly google of myself (I like to make sure my blog doesn't pop up when you Google any combination of my name + work + hometown....not that I write anything bad about anything (I for reals love my job!), but I just think it's for the best), I realized that the article I was in is now online! So if you want to read about me and how lucky I was to get a job (and see where I work!), you can read the article here.

Um....other than that I don't have much to say. My best friends are FINALLY graduating from undergrad this weekend (just kidding, guys!), so I'm going to go see them tomorrow and can't wait! My babies are all grown up!

Do you have any fun plans for the weekend? Been in any magazines lately? No? Me neither.

Ashley Getting Obsessed: Old Navy

As many of you have noticed, I can not get enough color - I love rich, saturated hues, and mixing colors is one of my favorite ways to get dressed. Old Navy is definitely one of my favorite stores to buy clothes - it's inexpensive, the quality is decent, and they always offer everything in a wide variety of colors. Old Navy is the first place I look for cardigans, basics tees, and shorts. It's also a good place to grab fun wedges, cute flats, and a statement belt, and they've always got cute dog clothes!

And today on her show, Oprah announced that she would have a 50% coupon available on her website. By going here, you can print off a coupon for 50% any single full-priced item (one per person per transaction). I'm printing off a few - I've got a few things on my ON wish list, and I'll just hit up a store every day this weekend to see what I can find!

So what's on my wish list? See below:

What's more summery than a simple white eyelet shift dress?

One of the best things about Old Navy is that it's a store my mom and I can shop in together. She has this top in a rich, saturated blue and I LOVE it - as much as I want that blue, I don't think I can handle being a twin like that, so I'll have to grab this watermelon-pink.

Is there anything better than a lightweight V-neck tee? And in a bright color like this, you'd surely stand out!

I love that Old Navy offers their shorts in a variety of inseams without getting too hoochie. As a girl with short legs and muscular (and, ahem, untoned) thighs, I need short, looser shorts otherwise I look AWFUL in them. I'm anxious to try this tie-waist pair on (I think it'd look great with that highlighter yellow tee above!).

I used to HATE animal print. I thought it always looked tacky and cheap. Now that I work at a...well, it's a three letter word that is spelled a lot like the word "too" with a 'z' at the beginning (I don't want to pop up in any Google searches!), I'm embracing them more. This muted leopard print reminds a lot of a similar J.Crew cardi and half the price!

Are you going to check out Old Navy this weekend?

5.8.11

American Eagle White Top (similar here)
Gap Curvy Fit White Jeans (buy them here)
Target Taupe Wedges (similar here)
Forever 21 Lucky Charm Earrings (similar here)

You guys know that....song?...or something...that goes "Wiiiipe out!" in a Hawaiian-esque voice? No? Yes? Okay, well whenever anyone has mentioned the white out trend, all I can think is "Wiiiiipe out!" So of course I had to try my hand at the white out trend over the weekend when my mom and I went out for brunch and to the farmer's market (how yuppie of us!). My rule for wearing white is once it's hot, I can wear white. And it's been in the upper '80s and '90s since last Friday, so I am allowed to wear white.

Wanna know something funny? My boyfriend has been in Las Vegas celebrating a friend's law school graduation and it's been too cold for them to go to the pool the whole time - the high there was 67* Monday. Ha! Just goes to show - Missouri is awesome.

Also, did you guys have an American Girl doll growing up? I did (Kirsten FTW!). Anyway, someone posted this on a sorority sister's facebook yesterday - it basically describes what type of person had which American Girl doll and it is HILARIOUS. And pretty accurate...because no offense to anyone who had a Samantha doll, but you guys were the B-words of the 4th grade, for real.

Did you have a doll? Which doll did you have?