The Crayola Big Box

When I was a kid, shopping for school supplies was always a thrill.  Picking out your trapper keeper, cool notebooks, and of course, the biggest box of crayons you could get.  The one with the built in sharpener and colors like "raw sienna" and "hot magenta" (because plain old magenta just wasn't enough).

So it's no surprise that I am loving the bright colors we're seeing everywhere.  I'm really diggin' the colored pants trend.  Let's face it, sometimes wearing the same ol' denim gets boring.  I've got a couple of great colors already but I've been on the lookout for "magic mint" green, "cerulean" blue, "cerise "pink, and maybe a red.  What?  Sometimes ya need a classic color in the mix...

Remember one of my "paper dolls", Michelle?  We recently celebrated a friend's birthday and Michelle wore some fantastic purple pants.  Perhaps "mulberry" in our Crayola terms?

She looks amazing as always, right?  You might remember that Michelle has a slight love affair with Ann Taylor Loft.  The pants and shirt are both from there.  As much as I love the outfit, it's the shoes that I want to sneak into her closet and steal.  They're Jessica Simpson--who I absolutely love when it comes to jeans and shoes by the by.  (If you're also loving all the cool stuff you see in the background--and you live in the Triad NC area-- check out our favorite store, Vintage Jane)

What color jeans/pants will you be rockin' this spring?  I hope you find an amazing color straight from the Crayola big box.

Rainy day blues?

I'm not a fan of the rain.  I don't have fun rainboots and I don't like getting wet.  (Though I DO enjoy jumping in puddles so there's that.)  It's gray and drab and sad looking outside.  Which is the PERFECT time to add a fun pop of color!

Since it's still technically winter, tights are a great vessel for your fun color.  I love all the jewel tones right now so when it rained this week --and I knew I couldn't wear any of my super fun shoes-- the only fashion answer for me was colored tights (plus an excuse to wear a hat and not worry about my hair.)

This outfit is a whole lotta Forever 21.  They should totally make me their spokesperson.  Fun fashion at super cheap prices.  The dress, tights and scarf all came from there.  Nothing over $15.  The hat is from Old Navy and the boots are Frye.  Not my usual cheap thrifty footwear but my husband surprised me with these for Christmas a couple of years ago.  Love them.

Colored tights might not seem like a big deal, but they will instantly jazz up your outfit and make you feel a little more fun. Or quirky.  Or offbeat.  Or all three.  Here's another colored tight look:

Now, let me be honest here.  I actually would not normally wear my outfit above as an everyday outfit.  The yellow is kinda bright with the red shoes but it totally worked for a photo shoot we were doing.  I DO however love Elesha's rust colored tights with the neutrals.  Very fun.

Who knows if we have much tights- wearin' season left, but I'm betting you can find some on clearance somewhere and incorporate it in an outfit this week.  Let me know which color you rock!

Have fun getting dressed!

PS  You may be wondering why Elesha and I are randomly walking across a street carrying signs that say "Exit Stage Left".  Then again, if you know us, you might not have questioned it at all... Either way, we were doing a photo shoot for the opening of our new webshow called, you guessed it, "Exit Stage Left".  It'll be up and running later in the week!  I'll update with a link then. Watch perhaps??

Sunday Funday

Whenever I'm the host at The Summit, I try not to wear hats or my glasses.  It's from my Disney days I guess, but I don't want anyone to feel like they can't see me and we were always told that your eyes help tell your story.  Hats hide your face and cast shadows and glasses can cause a glare which is sad because I love both of those accessories.

But this past week my welcome was actually done via video so I only had a quick wrap up to do and I REALLY wanted to wear my "Griswold" glasses.  (Watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation... I believe Clark and I have the same pair on.  Hot.)

So here's what I wore:

Shirt: Rue 21 (actually from the men's clearance section.  I needed it for a skit!)
Sweater: Target
Jeans:  Forever 21
Shoes: Payless
Glasses: Zenni Optical (if you wear glasses and you have not heard of Zenni, go there NOW)
T-Shirt necklace: Vintage Jane (but I've since learned how to make my own, thanks Pinterest!  You can check out the tutorial here.)

Once agan, I love shopping my closet and finding stuff to put together.  That shirt has been worn once during a skit and it was hanging all sad and stuff in the back of my closet.  I really didn't think I'd wear it again.  Glad I got to use the red in it to wear my new fave shoes.    (Have I mentioned I heart shoes the most?  I do.)

So, what have you found in YOUR closet lately?  Anything you've re-used that you thought would never see the light of day again??

Meet Elesha

How cute is she? Elesha is my theme soulmate.  We’re both big theater geeks and we love any reason to wear a costume or theme ourselves.  This year, she has decided it is “The Year of the Bohemian” and is dressing accordingly.  Her maxi skirt is from Rue 21 and she found it on clearance for $3!  That is some diva shopping, right there, my friend.  The top is from American Eagle from a few years ago and her shoes are from Rack Room where she scored them on a huge deal--$6!  Sadly, they’re cut off in the picture but they were HOT.  Promise.  We love scoring good deals and you’ll find that most of the paper dolls are all for buying thrifty.  It means more clothes to play with.

Elesha sums up her style like this: "My style has always had a little bohemian flare, so this year I'm embracing my inner hippie-chic full on!  I'm obsessed with feathers, flowy skirts, floppy hats, orange, and braids!"


By the way, the definition of "bohemian" according to the dictionary is:

A person with artistic or literary interests who disregards conventional standards of behavior.

(or an inhabitant of the Czech Republic but I like the first definition better.)

I like the disregard for "conventional standards of behavior" part.  As the great Dr. Seuss said, "Why fit in when you were born to stand out?"  (It's the good doctor's b-day, did you seriously think I wouldn't include a quote of his??)  So enjoy getting dressed and throw something unconventional in the wardrobe this weekend!

Meet Michelle

Michelle is our "classy" diva.  Although she will go all rocker on you, so watch it.  She’s a fan of Ann Taylor Loft and this picture proves her undying love.  The shirt, pants and shoes are all from the Loft.  Even the clutch is from there! (but from a while back, sorry ladies!  It’s not available anymore) By the way, this picture was taken in Michelle’s foyer.  Great house filled with goodies from Vintage Jane . Check out their blog, their facebook page or if you live in the Triad, go visit them!

The shirt is super silky feeling (yes, I felt her shirt. Don't judge.) and the pants are too cute with a high waist and gold buttons.  Simple and elegant.  Michelle has this to say about her style: "As I get older I totally understand the importance of lifetime pieces!  I believe in making any outfit pop with the right bag or shoes. A great bag can completely transform any outfit.  This year my theme is all City Girl Chic.  I totally get my inspiration from other fashion bloggers.  I love style and want to help everyone find their style too!"


Thanks Michelle!

Everyday YOU are a paper doll...

OK. This is the first post of the Paper Dolls blog. So I feel it's important to explain it a bit... I promise most posts won't be this long!  (Did you see how I inserted "most"... I like to have loopholes.  What can I say? I'm a talker...)

Anyway, this blog was started because I received lots of messages, had lots of conversations and generally felt that enough people wanted some outfit ideas AND some fun girlfriend night out ideas.  Enter: The Divas.

The Divas are comprised of 6 ladies.  Each of us very different in style and personality (ok, some of us are more similar, but you get my meaning... we're not all carbon copies!) These 5 women are my best friends on the planet.  We came up with the name Divas (which was actually "Diamond Divas" back in our early days...we always wore fabulous bling to our events) after having a girls night and discussing those wild and wacky "Red Hat" ladies.  Why should we wait till we're 60 to have a fun girls group?  And so it began...

This blog will feature all 6 of us Divas as my "Paper Dolls" so there will be plenty of diversity with style.  I'm sure you'll find one you identify with.  I'll also periodically include fun Diva nights to get your brain revving with ideas for "girls night" for you and YOUR group of divas.

Soooo... let's get started!  Fair warning: You'll get a lot of "Ashley Style" in this blog since I'm the writer and I have access to pictures of, well, me.  But never fear!  My lovely divas will be featured paper dolls as well.  So check back weekly.  Also, the pictures will get better I pinky swear, but for now, here's what I wore to Diva Christmas (in February. Because we can.)

I've been trying not to buy too many clothes since I'm still not to my pre-baby weight.  I decided to shop my closet and see what I could come up with.  I have to admit that most of these items are OLD.  I love this skirt from the GAP.  I bought it several years ago and haven't pulled it out of my closet since 2 winters ago... I'm a packrat... ya never know what will come back around!  The shirt is from Express.  I rarely shop that store but their fitted dress shirts are fantastic and I got this one on a huge sale around Christmas time about 3 years ago.  The shoes are from Target (actually this past season so you might can score them on clearance).  I didn't have a wide black belt, so I found an old tie that my hubby doesn't use anymore and made it into a cummerbund.  I just tied it and then pinned the large angled side  down. I love finding stuff in my closet (or my husband's!) and thinking of new ways to wear it.

So, there ya go.  A quick run down of the idea behind "Paper Dolls", an intro to my Diva girls, and hopefully some fun style ideas for you to try this week!

Have fun getting dressed!