Cozy Style

Hello All! well this colder weather has me loving my sweaters and scarves. This is a work outfit I wore last week that I thought I'd share. I tend to wear alot of black but love to put a pop of color with it. A scarf is a perfect way to tie color in. I also have a new way to tie a scarf that I'd like to share with you too!

how to tie the braided scarf: fold your scarf in half long wise, wrap around your neck, take one loose end through your loop, twist the loop once and pull the other end through and TA DA! a new fun way to tie a scarf. What's your favorite way to wear a scarf? Leave a comment!

Bryant Park Scarf in Poppy from my stella & dot website: www.stelladot.com/astork

xoxo,
Ashley

Birthday Style

Hello friends,
So with this whole working full time, running my Stella & Dot business, and doing the mil other things that happen this time of year I have neglected blogging a little. I am hoping to get in more of a schedule.
Here is my bday style :) My hubs took me out to a super fancy dinner at Hot & Hot Fish Club in Downtown Birmingham and it was one of the BEST meals I have EVER had! We ate & drank way too much & it was fabulous!
My Birthday was last Tuesday so I wanted to be dressed up but not too much since it was a weeknight. Top H&M, Skirt Express, Shoes Nine West, and Jewels Stella & Dot.

Pictures taken with my Birthday present from the hubs-an iPhone 5!!!! What's your favorite Birthday look? Leave a festive comment!
xoxo,
Ashley

Outfit of the Day 12/11

Hello friends. It's been a month since I blogged....too long! Life has thrown some curve balls my way lately so I literally just have not had the time. So here is a quick #OOTD post. I actually wore this last week but wanted to share. I started a new full time job(one of the curve balls) so I had to get some "work" pants since I usually live in jeans & leggings--not exactly work appropriate. Well I walked into Loft, one of my favorites as you know, one day last week & scored the deal of the century. $80 pants at 60% off. Umm yes please & I will take them in every color you have in my size. Which is what I did. So here is how I wore my first pair of "work" pants. What did you wear today? Top & Pants are from Loft, all jewelry found here.

Weekend Wrap-Up

Hello Everyone!
Hope you had a lovely weekend. Thought I'd share our adventures from the weekend today! This weekend we decided to forgo our usual tailgate-til-you-drop plans. I just wanted to stay home, not live out of a suitcase & Lee had to work anyways.
Friday we went on a wine tasting in Calera at Ozan Winery with my in-laws. We had a great time & tasted some great wines.
Our view from our table--so beautiful! The colors at this time of year are truly my favorite. The grapes were dormant but the mountains were breath taking.

 Hubs & I. I am wearing a dress from LOFT, Waverly Pendant necklace, the target boots(see previous post), and a few Stella & Dot bracelets.

 They gave us yummy snacks!

 Hubs is making notes on our sheet using our unofficial rating system of no, ok, check or check +.

 We also got souviener glasses! They usually run a LivingSocial for this tasting that was $10 a person and we tried like 10 wines! My arm party from top to bottom is: Vintage Twist bracelet in Gold, Maise Pearl bracelet in brown, and Rhea Bangles in gold.

 I loved this little house out in the winery.

 It got a little chilly towards the end!

 Saturday was filled with errands, & wearing PJ's while cleaning the house so no pictures of that super glamourous moment.
Sunday am I got to have brunch with my bestie at a restaurant I have wanted to try for a while, FIVE. They are owned by the same group that owns my fave restaurant ever, Chuck's Fish. FIVE did not disappoint--food was yummy, coffee was yummy, and how can you go wrong with a $2 mimosa!? The best part was the company. 

What did you do this weekend?? Any fun new things you found around town? What did you wear? Leave a comment here!
xoxo,
Ashley

November Wishlist

Hello Everyone! Hope you are having a great week! Today I wanted to share my November wishlist. It is really my birthday/Christmas wishlist. My birthday is the week before Christmas so around this time of year I have to think of some extra things as the two events are so close together. I know some who have a December b-day and hate it but I love it---I just make the birthday celebrations last all the way into Christmas :)

1. iPhone 5 personalized case. I have asked the hubs for an iPhone 5 as I am still operating on a 3. I found these cases on etsy. I love a monogram so this is perfect for me!
2. LC by Lauren Conrad flats. I am on the forever search for a great flat that is actually comfortable. Not sure if these are but they're super cute & for under $20, as they are on sale, they are a steal! Plus at Khols they are always having a promotion.
3. Magic Bullet. I know you are old when you ask for appliances. I have gotten on a protein shake kick & this would make my life easier. They are sold tons of places but I would go to Bed, Bath & Beyond & use a 20% off coupon. I have a million of those.
4. LC by Lauren Conrad dress. I have a slight obsession with Lauren Conrad. I have been watching her since "The Hills", and just adore her style. This dress would be perfect for our NYE trip! It is also from Khols.
5. Mani/Pedi. If you have seen my nails lately, you would agree I could use this!
6. J.Crew Herringbone Vest. I saw this exact picture on Pinterest & fell in love. I went and tried it on today & it is so flattering. I was worried it would be bulky but it is very slimming. My loving grandmother purchased it after I told her about it. It's my birthday present--maybe I should wear it and then wrap it up on my birthday haha!
7. Erin Condren Planner.  My friend Meredith, from The Lovely Owl, has one of these & I am in love with it. I love the personalized cover, it's heavy duty, and its a great size. I love this whole site really.

As always there are a few other goodies I'd love, but what I'd love most is to just be with my friends & family on my Birthday & Christmas. Sadly I won't be able to be with my family but I am lucky to have friends that feel like family. We don't have plans yet but hopefully something fun!
What's on your holiday list this year? Maybe your Santa will read it!
xoxo,
Ashley

Outfit of the day #ootd

Hello Lovelies!
Well yesterday was Trunk Show Thursday so being cute was a must! I loved this outfit. I got to wear my new top and my new-ish booties. We did a multi-vendor event which was so fun and I ended up meeting some local bloggers, Katie from Threadwise and Heather from Saving Money Living Life. Small world I have actually read Heather's blog for a while!

Ok back to the clothes....

I am still working on this whole "taking pictures of myself" thing so bear with me. Here's the whole look: Top Loft similar here, Pants Target(old) but here's some look alikes, Shoes DV by Dolce Vita.

Necklace Olivia Bib from my Stella & Dot website

Bracelets curtosey of my Stella & Dot site again. I am wearing the Wonderland Charm Bracelet by Alice Temperly, Rhea Bangles (set of 3), and Luxor Link Bracelet.

So that was my outfit of the day, what was yours? Have a stylish weekend! Roll Tide!
xoxo,
Ashley 

Shopping Trip!

I love online shopping.  Sometimes I have to block websites from myself...don't judge me. Lately, I have been finding new boutiques on facebook. I then stumbled upon The Mint Julep Boutique. It's cute stuff & a great price--my kind of place. Let me show you what I got!

This is the Mod Madness Skirt $49. I bought this to wear to the Alabama game this weekend. However the weather report changed today and now its going to be 64 degrees! So back to square one on the gameday outfit. But its a cute skirt & I am sure I will wear it a bunch--really easy to dress up or down. 











 This is the Manhattan Dress $43! Yes its a burnt orange, and for any Bama fan orange of any shade is sacrilegious but I just loved it. The piping is really slimming & it has an exposed zipper on the back which is cute.

What are you wearing this weekend? Leave a stylish comment! xoxo, Ashley

Tissue Pom Pom's how to

Hello friends! A week ago a few friends & I threw a baby shower for my dear friend Allison and her baby girl Lila Ann. The theme was pink & green Lilly Pulitzer. I love the tissue pom poms but wanted to make them myself. Well thanks to Pinterest I found the directions!
I made them today for another friend's nursery!
Supplies--will make one pom pom:
- 1 pack of tissue paper, 20X20 preferred size and a pack of at least 10 pieces makes it very full
- ribbon, or fishing line
- pipe cleaner, can be any color you wont see it
- scissors

 Start with one pack of tissue. Unwrap and lay flat on the counter.

 Then accordion fold the entire sheet about an inch and half wide. If you end halfway through a fold no problem.

 Take your pipe cleaner and tie around the center of the tissue paper.

 

Tie your ribbon under the pipe cleaner. Make whatever length you wish. If you are making several, I like to make them different lengths so they hang at different heights and looks more interesting.

 Cut each end into a point.

Then separate each layer of tissue carefully. You want to create a ball so move towards the center of the Pom Pom.

And TA-DA! You created a tissue pom pom ball! What is one of your favorite party crafts?? Leave a comment below.

Oufit Of The Day #ootd

I am going to try to post this more (when I can remember...) but I always love seeing fashion bloggers outfit of the day or look of the day. While some bloggers looks are gorg but aren't really for my real life (we can all dream that we will need to wear a sequin sheath dress in the middle of the day). So here is my outfit of the day!
Please bear with my pictures...I am learning how to take pictures of myself.  My dress is from www.thebluedoorboutique.com its not available anymore but they always have great stuff! This one is similar: http://www.reddressboutique.com/index.php/dresses/glam-most-valuable-fan-dress.html     

I adore this necklace so much I wear it as often as possible--best way to dress up jeans and a t-shirt. The Pegasus is an investment I promise it is well worth it.

Riding Boots are a classic and a must have for fall. Mine are from Target, last year yes Target. They are holding up great but I am feeling like its time for a new pair. Similar pair found here













And of course, I am usually sporting an arm party. From top to bottom it was the foundation bracelet, renegade bracelet, prosper bracelet, and masie bracelet. All found on my stella & dot site. 
Please excuse the enevlope boxes in the background #messyofficeproblems











My fave fall look is a great dress and boots.  What's your favorite fall look? Anything particular you want to see on OOTD? Leave a comment!

Animal Instincts

I am having a total love affair with animal print. I think it is so chic, classic, and an instant way to glam up any look. Today I bought my first animal print items!! Yes, my first. I always want to buy them but then convince myself I can't pull it off, or some other reason to put it back. Thanks to LOFT's great sale today--I bought this adorable top:

I think they will look great with jeans, colored skinnies, tucked into a black skirt....what else would you put this top with?

I also bought this scarf from my Stella & Dot website. Yes, we have scarfs now & they are so soft & yummy!

It was love at first sight when I saw this baby & I knew she had to be mine. It will look great over jeans & a tee to elevate the look & make me look less lazy or with a LBD as a wrap. Check out this video on 10 ways to tie a scarf--love some of these ideas!

What's your fave animal print item? Leave a comment.

xoxo,
Ashley

Need an outfit to wear with new shoes!

Hello lovelies!
So about 2 weeks ago I went to our town's Fashion Night Out with a girlfriend. We drank bubbly, had some snacks and shopped! It was so fun. Thanks to a little booze I purchased these beauties!

Tres chic I know but what to wear them with? These DV by Dolce Vita booties can be found here.  I am eager to break them out but have had wardrobe dilemma as to what to pair them with. So far this is about all I can think of to wear them with. A chambray shirt is never out of style and is oh-so effortless plus I love to add a pop of color with a jean--bonus these are on sale from old navy right now(I own them in three colors).

I, of course, would jazz this up with some jewels like....

So I want to know, what would you wear with these shoes? Leave a comment below!

xoxo,
Ashley

Yum-o!

Hello Friends--Tonight's post is not a style post but I promise it won't disappoint! My friend Lauren writes a great blog called Lauren's Latest. This week she posted a recipe I was eager to try. Personally, I love to cook but I like few ingredients and easy--this one gets even better, you cook it in the croc-pot! I followed Lauren's recipe but I used frozen chicken, topped my off with a little Parmesan cheese & like her I used 1 can of creamed chicken soup. This recipe will be an all time go to in the menu plan. As a side I made my favorite salad of all time--Apple chopped blue cheese salad. It's a big hit in our house and makes a ton! The recipe comes from another fave blog of mine Let's Eat Tonight. This would be the perfect menu for (anything) a dinner party--easy, you wouldn't be in the kitchen the whole time, and makes enough to feed a small army.

 Here are the recipes:

Italian Croc-Pot Chicken:
4 chicken breasts, frozen works too
1 can of cream of chicken soup(recipe says 1-2, I used 1 which was perfect)
1 package of Zesty Italian Dressing Mix
1 8oz package of softened cream cheese(i used 1/3 less fat)

Dump chicken into croc-pot. Pour in italian dressing mix. Seperately, mix soup and softened cream cheese. Then pour onto chicken. Cook on low for 4-5 hours. I used frozen and cooked mine for 6.
I served it over egg noddles but you could use any noodle, rice or even on a baked potato. I also topped mine with a little parm cheese--YUM!!

Let's Eat Tonight's Apple Chopped Blue Cheese Salad & Poppy Dressing. A few hints about this salad: You can really add what veggies you like but I will say what makes it is the red onion, blue cheese, apple and dressing. Sometimes I add in tomatoes or whatever pepper I have around--top with some chicken for a heartier meal. I like to use a water bottle to mix up the dressing--great if you pack this up for a picnic. I know you will all love this one--My sis & BIL actually made it tonight too!
Apple-Blue Cheese Chopped Salad
1 head green leaf lettuce, chopped
1/4 red or sweet onion, finely chopped
1 green apple, finely chopped
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
2 oz. crumbled blue cheese
1/2 (9-oz.) bag bagel or pita chips, crushed
Poppy Seed Dressing

1. Combine lettuce and next 6 ingredients in a large bowl. Toss to combine. Gently toss in dressing just before serving.

Poppy Seed Dressing

1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp. dried mustard
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 tsp. poppy seeds

1. Combine sugar and next 3 ingredients in a jar. Cover and shake until sugar dissolves a bit and mixture combines. Pour in oil; shake to combine. Stir in poppy seeds.

Until next time xoxo,
Ashley

San Fran--you are only 2 days away!

Hello All!
I am prepping for my big trip to San Francisco for our National Stella & Dot Convention. As I am in 105 degree weather, the sound of a breezy 62F sounds just lovely! This Alabama girl will be quite happy come Thursday. I have of course been excited for a while about my trip but today my excitement went to a whole new level. S&D released some sneak peek images of what's to come with our Fall 2012 collection and it looks AMAZING! I must say I was getting ready for some new bracelets in my life and the preview of these makes me smile (I am already planning outfits around them). Check out the sneak peak collection video for some behind the scenes fun HERE

It looks like color is here to stay for fall--woo hoo!! What trend are you looking forward to trying this fall? When I get back I will be sure to fill you in on all the upcoming trends and style tips we learn. The collection is available Saturday for you to shop so be sure to visit my site to see the full collection--click HERE and if you can't wait that long for some good shopping check out the SALE tab for great finds with an extra 20% off through 7.4.
Happy 4th!
xoxo
Ashley

Wanted: Vacation

I NEED A VACATION!

I don't know about you but this girl needs a vaca. Visions of tropical lands, drinks with umbrellas and sitting pool side dance in my head! Well, Stella & Dot is paying my way towards a beautiful trip to Atlantis Paradise Island!

If you have never been check it out this little video about the resort. http://youtu.be/YEbVZF4XwDI

The best part is the top prize is a trip for 2 to the resort all expenses paid so I will be able to say to my husband "no worries it's on me!" HOW COOL!? He has been so supportive of this journey and I want to treat him too.

So you might be wondering why I am telling you this--well its because if you need a vacation you can be earning it too! We JUST started the contest period so literally from your day 1 of being a stylist you will be earning your way to Atlantis along with earning amazing exclusive jewelry designs just for us stylists. Basically while you are at trunk shows styling away you are not only earning commissions but taking steps towards going to the Bahamas for FREE!

I definitely want to at least earn the trip for 1 and push for the trip for 2--if you see me ask how I am doing!

Stella & Dot is close to reaching $100 million dollars paid out commissions to stylists, plus we have created 12,000 jobs all over the globe. WE ARE HIRING! Whether you are looking for a part-time income to supplment monthly expenses, some extra cash you can spend however you want, or a new full time career I encourage you to explore Stella & Dot. It is an easy, inexpensive start up in which you will profitable quickly(I was profitable in about 3 weeks), and we provide you with all the training and resources to be successful. As your business coach I will be there every step of the way guiding you on your business plan path. Again, all the while you will be earning a free vacation--can you say pina colada? :)

Read more on my website www.stelladot.com/astork and then let's talk! I can help answer questions, address concerns you may have and then we can create your plan so we are on that beach together!!

How to wear and style colored jeans

I am loving the color jeans trend right now--aren't you? My personal favorites of these on trend item are royal blue, red and any pastel color. Royal blue while on trend will act as a neutral, red will make you stand out and of course are perfect for cold bama games(roll tide) and pastel colors are the colors for spring--I would love a mint pair myself! I wanted to share with you how I would style a pair for a dressier weekend look. I got a white blazer for Christmas and was searching for some inspiration of how to style it and I think color jeans are a great way to pair the two. Keep your shirt underneath casual--a tee shirt or tank top. I finished my look with one of my favorite Stella & Dot necklaces--Serenity Necklace. She has all the colors of the season without being too trendy. I finished the look with gold bangles, a simple gold stud and my most favorite bag ever, the Waverly 3-Way Bag. I am also dying over these Marc Jacobs shoes. I did lots of research last night on colored jeans here are my favorites: www.whitehouseblackmarket.com, www.gap.com, www.piperlime.com, www.express.com are just a few. Also checkout your local boutiques for some great choices too.

How are you rocking the color jean trend??

Building your wardrobe

Happy Sunday!
So I have been asked several times what are the key pieces in a jewelry wardrobe. I have taken it one step further and created a must haves wardrobe list. Take this list and evaluate your closet: do you have these items? what are you lacking? Invest in these always classic, chic, and stylish pieces and then you will be able to mix and match trendy items in easily.

Footwear

Ballet flats                       

Flat Sandals

Wedge sandals

Nude Pumps

Black Pumps

Riding Boot

Heeled Boot

Accessories

Silk Scarf

Shawl

Oversized Sunglasses

Straw Hat

Opaque tights

Leather handbag

Evening clutch

Colored Skinny Belt

Wide Leather Belt

Black & White Bikini

Baubles

Everyday Delicates

Gold Studs

Silver Studs

Colorful Statement Necklace

Silver and/or Gold Statement Necklace

Large Cocktail Ring

Watch

Pearl Studs

 Tops

Cashmere V-neck Sweater

Cashmere Cardigan

Long Sleeved Tee

Tunic

Silk Blouse

Long Wrap Sweater

Dressy Tank

Silk Cami

Pants

Jeans

Black Cigarette Pants

Black Dress Pant

White Pant

Skirts & Dresses

LBD

Fun sundress

Shirt Dress

A-line skirt

Wool Pencil Skirt

Cotton Mini

Outerwear

Trench Coat

Wool Coat

Neutral Blazer

Also view my youtube video on how to build your jewelry wardrobe: www.youtube.com/ashleystork 

Happy Styling!

xoxo

Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog! I will be posting all things style related in fashion, home and entertaining. I hope you enjoy following me on this new blogging journey! If there are any topics you want to hear about feel free to email me!

xoxo