Can't Wait to Celebrate!

Fall is here! I am so excited to celebrate Halloween, prepare an amazing Thanksgiving meal, visit with family coming in from overseas, and experience Christmas in my big house with my amazing family. I'm MOST excited about New Year's Eve though. This year, of all years, I'm putting a lot of hope into doing something amazing! 27 New Years and honestly I have yet to live the dream... 

The dream is to be decked out,  in a crowded gorgeous room, with a glass of champagne and a kiss. 

I want to wear this:

Also, I'm linking up here because it's awesome.

What I'm Excited About Wearing

Source: refinery29.com via Chickadette on Pinterest

Bam! What an awesome way to start this post, eh? I would love to be so statuesque!  I'm on a fashion kick so excuse me while I look forward to a few of my favorite looks coming up this fall!  I'll try to post my versions as "What I Wore" posts!

Source: wanelo.com via Chickadette on Pinterest

Source: needsupply.com via Nicole on Pinterest

Source: express.com via Reiko on Pinterest

Fashion Alert!

I LOVE coming across a new trend that I can be a part of... 

especially when the added bonus is me not looking too out of the ordinary, 

like I usually do. Anyway, any excuse will do! 

So without further ado!

If you don't get ASOS's emails, you should. They are amazing! They send out several announcing sales and such like everyone else, but they also send out trend reports which, for me, are always on cue! To my delight, they listed what they are calling a 'Trophy Jacket' as a must have for F/W '12! They advertise: "Turn heads in a trophy jacket. Embellished, brocade, or jacquard: whatever, as long as it's loud." I'm not sure if you already knew it was called a 'Trophy Jacket' but I didn't so I'm excited to have an official term for my collection! That's right, I've been collecting jackets like these for years! Take a look at a few ASOS has for sale:

Did you notice what I did? They look like a collection of a bunch of fashionable old lady jackets! Some even have 3/4 inch sleeves, which I've found to be the case when I fit into petite sizes when thrifting. I usually buy them anyway (I once scored a $400 dinner coat for $5... even though it was 2 sizes too small. I wear it anyway because the shoulders fit!) and I'm so glad because now I can sport them on trend! 

Me wearing my $5 score!

DIY Fishtail Maxi Dress

Alright, I'll admit it... I'm a self made fashionista. I do not have the room in our budget to adorn myself in the latest fashions, so I have to make do with what I've got! Don't we all? I am certainly not complaining, the opportunity to express my creativity is fulfilling!

I am not sure if it was last year or the year before but I spotted a dress I fell in love with when I was out shopping with friends. You know the one, the loose fitting slightly draped gathered waist dresses. I think I was at JCrew but I know I saw some at several of the outlet stores. 

Surely you've seen the type, these are from Revolve Clothing:

             

Anyway, I hardly ever shell out full price for anything and before I even dare go shopping I see if I can make do with what I've got. Well, let me tell you... I did it! I have this maxi dress, see... I bought it on sale for like $8 from ASOS (excellent site for sale shoppers, btw) and I wear it everywhere. I pulled it out while on vacation and it was hot so I wanted something shorter. I wanted a day dress. So I reached down and grabbed the sides of the dress right at my thighs and I hiked it up. I then took my most used fashion accessory, a men's belt I found at a thrift store that's about an XXL, and I did what I always do with it: I wrapped it around my waist to hold up the excess fabric. Then I untucked the dress a bit and VOILA! I got what I was looking for. I EVEN got the added surprise of the fishtail in the back!!! I couldn't believe it, a double whammy! I paired it with my brightest fuschia colored lace bra to add a pop of color and I could not have been happier with the look. Just between you and me, I wore this for like 3 days in a row.

Ugh! Terrible posture, eh? Whatev's... we were on vacay!

So that's that, my DIY Fishtail Maxi Dress. I would imagine any maxi dress would work and any type of waist belt would, too. I hope it works out for you!

I'm linking up with Julie at White Lights on Wednesdays for her Wednesday Whatsits. Check it: 

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Sweater Weather Fashion Faves

It's that time of year again! 

Time to look less sexy and more comfy.

Break out the scarf! I collect them, so the first sign of a chill and I'm all thrilled!

I personally carry my hoodie year round, but I like having the good old 'campfire' excuse to snuggle up in it.

I can't resist a good cardigan with skinnnies and fall fave footwear, boots.

I buy cardigans everywhere, but my fave spot to score them is thrift stores.

I personally seek the 'old lady' type. 

The sleeves often are a bit short, but I roll them or at the most, hem them to a crop fit.

I was delighted years ago when wearing shorts and tights became a fashion must.

This look, with a classic velvet jacket, gives way for my desire to be edgy and comfy.

  

I achieve my most favorite look by pairing my skinny black skirt 

with a pair of thigh high stockings and a chunky sweater. 

But I can't wait to pull off the 'night' version of the look above... 

with a sweater pulled over a glamorous dress!

Lover Boy is gonna have to take me somewhere nice!

xo

I'm LINKING UP with Mom2MemphisandRuby for Fall Fashion Must Have's Top 10!

Okay, so I shared the link to this post on Facebook and had to include the song for those of you link back to there from there:

A Dream Come True

Charleston Fashion Week 2012 is what's happenin' in South Carolina right now. I wish I could be there but we all know why I can't be... (ahem - baby bump). I have been patiently waiting to log this mini memoir about how lucky and how awesome my experience was when I, Ashley Marie, got a chance to walk a real runway in front of a butt load of people.

I was one of those awkwardly skinny and tall teenage girls that really didn't have a figure. If I wasn't a victim of blatant jealousy (that I didn't understand... I wanted curves) I was repeatedly told, "You should be a model!" Ummm... yeah right. Pretty was not something I felt I had going for me. Then, at 22, I had a baby... I sure as hell knew it wasn't going to happen then. Who wants to look at stretch marks and thighs? Turns out, people like girls with figures. Imagine that! You can read about my first real photo shoot (at age 24) here: That Time I Was a Pin Up Model. Fast forward a couple of months and read about how those photos landed me my first runway show here: Cavortress Part 3. Julie Wheat, designer/creator of Cavortress was amazing and passed my information to an agency in Charleston that signed me just a few weeks after that... at age 25! I was on my way... I was ecstatic. I was floored. I looked so completely different than the other girls. For one, I'd given birth and there were signs of that. Two, I had tattoos. Three, I was over the age of 20. I was lucky enough to be asked back for another show late that summer where it was insisted that I audition for Charleston Fashion Week. 

Ya gotsta be kidding me. I heard they were expecting 9000, yes... 'THOUSAND', people to attend!

I showed up though... and walked. 800 girls auditioned from 3 different states. 60 of us were chosen. Although I was picked by three designers to walk - a break up with my abusive ex cost me the early morning fittings for 2 of them. Bastard. Luckily, I still made it in time to the fitting for featured designer Jamie Lin Snider! She's originally from Vegas and has a client list of awesome people like Kat Von D! I really remember the whole thing as if it were a dream... but I have proof it happened! Check it:

Everyone else had apartments or hotel rooms, 

I snuck into the 4 star hotel next door and got ready in the bathroom... 

cuz I was broke and I'm supa fly like that. 

 This was our practice walk the night before the big show...

"that's a loooong way to walk" was all I kept thinking.

I am not gonna lie, I seriously considered backing out.

 This is me backstage before the show, after hair and make up.

All we did was wait and watch the other shows.

We're all staring at a flat screen here,

I assumed the other girls were working up courage like I was...

 Yeah, so I wear a 7 1/2. My shoes were a 6 1/2.

I was able to pull it off to the designers relief because I was raised by a Southern grandmother

who often informed me that 'it hurts to be pretty'.

 Backstage before the show! The photographer caught me in a ridiculous stance.

In my defense, I seriously thought I was going to fall off of the runway so I practiced.

Over. And over. And over.

I walked around for ever it seemed with my hands on my hips.

Here I am! Posed at the end of the runway!

Shaking like a leaf on the inside...

threatening myself if it showed on the outside.

Walking in front of hundreds of people to a wall of dozens of 

photographers with flashing lights is quite a daunting task.

I thought I was going to pass out, if not start crying!

Here is an edited video of the show. The beginning makes it real doesn't it? I clipped the video and I appear second at 2:15 if you want to jump ahead. Around 9:30 the guy holding my camera (aka Bubba Bryant... from Army Wives. Uh, yes! Bragging corner: I kinda dated him for 2 days... I had no idea who he was until he was flocked by screaming girls in the parking garage... word.) does a round about to capture the audience. I think my face is hilarious. I blacked out as soon as I started walking and stepped around the corner and didn't regain consciousness until I was standing in front of the photographers. I really don't ever want to do it again. I kept telling everyone who came up to me afterward I was probably the only model there that didn't want to be there. Although in hind sight, I conquered a bashful fear and nailed it! Boo-ya.

Soooo, yes. That's about it. Except for the dozens of pictures of dozens of experiences I had while down there, which I'll share with you tomorrow. I loved every minute of it (minus the actual show... I still shiver thinking of it) but honestly, I can say, I am glad that I did not pursue a career of runway modeling. I much prefer studio modeling, there's much more pressure but a lot less eyes!

Thanks for listening to me recollect the awesomeness that was one week of glory for me!

xoxo

That Time I Was a Pin Up Model...

I am beginning to feel down in the dumps about my baby weight. I believe I have reached that obvious point where I can tell (and everyone else can too) that I'm chunkin out in to a full womanly form. I know, I should have totally expected this... and although I did, it doesn't help. Sometimes the truth hurts!

NOTE: I believe every size is a gorgeous one. I think too often women are subjected to compare themselves to mass images of 'appropriate' size and shape. Honestly, I've not had to deal with it because I was always extremely small and underweight. Seriously, I've spent more time trying to gain weight than I have anything else. My goal/dream weight is 130. Still, dealing with not having a 'banging' figure for the second time in my life is harder this go around for some reason.

I have been trying to find ways to feel better about the whole ordeal and the first thing that comes to mind is what made me feel better the first go around. Quick backstory: I'm 5'7" and was 115 pounds when I was first pregnant with Aiden at 21. By the end of it, I had gained exactly the recommended 50 pounds and walked into the delivery room a plump 165. I never expected to be able to loose all of that weight and after 2 years of (not) trying, I settled in at 135... a weight I was actually extremely happy with. I was 'normal' and no longer plagued with glares in the mall or attacked with back handed remarks like "You're SO SKINNY... you make me sick!" followed by polite laughter as if it were meant to be a compliment. Although 135 took some getting used to (I had to sacrifice nearly my entire pre-pregnancy wardrobe and it seemed so much more) it was a worthy sacrifice to not be the focus of so many women's self hatred. something else - I was finally able to put the 'dream' of being an actual model behind me. There wouldn't be anyone who would want to take photos of me now. 

or so I thought

Enter Grant Beecher. Through a business transaction at good old State Farm (that's right, I sold insurance for 3 years) and then a meeting later on Facebook, I found out that he was a photographer. His newest fascination was for pin up photography. As chance would have it, he was in need of a model for a shoot that was in jeopardy of being cancelled. To my dismay he said I was 'perfect' in terms of weight and measurements... just think, have you ever seen a pretty scrawny pin up chick?

A week later and I was sitting in the bathroom with an unbelievable stylist being painted and curled. I was then transported to a speedway and posed in front of a couple of gorgeous classic cars. It was November and freezing cold (I believe like 40 degrees at best). We weren't there an hour. I was under the impression that it was a 'practice' shoot and nothing good was expected to come of it. I got a text message a few hours later that read "You're going to be famous." I laughed hysterically and put it all out of my mind. Then he sent me an email. Here is what was developed:

this image made it as the cover of his business card

RIGHT!?

My first remark was how obviously skilled Grant was with Photoshop! No stretch marks, no flab, no nuthin! Turns out, he didn't have to tweak these babies at all. Say whaaaat!? Needless to say, my self confidence came flooding back! Grant insisted that I put a modeling portfolio online and see where these shots could take me...

my first runway - Cavortress Spring 2010

I landed a couple of shows with Julie Wheat of Cavortress. 

She landed me a contract with an agency in Charleston, SC.

A connection at the agency landed me an audition for Charleston Fashion Week.

I was picked from 800 models to walk for Jamie Lin Snider's line JLINSNIDER.

CFW 2011

Okay, so I was actually back down to like 115 pounds for Fashion Week... and you know what? I caught hell! My agency was annoyed. I have to admit, I love being thin and scrawny... When you don't have to worry about certain areas looking badly or fitting in the right spot or being proportionate life is easier! However, certain times call for a fuller figure!

So here's to embracing my hips... and thighs, tummy, and chest! The key I've found is knowing how to dress yourself. So get ready, you ladies are gonna be seeing a lot of vintage '50s looks post baby bump!

SAY WHAT!?

ASOS is banging. I clicked this fave image on Pinterest... and VOILA! It's a look designed by my favorite store everrrrrr.

Tumblr Musings

So I'm scrolling through Tumblr (like ya do) and around page 15 stopped and let out a sigh of relief.

Notice something about these models? They are all using the same color code. Black clothing. Gold details.  Red lips.

Like ME!

I just joined Chictopia (again) and started noticing a trend in my color schemes. I got concerned because I don't want to limit myself to just black and shades of... but it's comforting and fitting and so classically winter.

<3

God, Make Me a Bird

I absolutely adore birds... most of all, their feathers. If you do, then you've got to check out RougePony. If you're in the mood, favor one of their items for a day of whimsy! Although to be honest, I'm thinking I might just have to have those shoulder pieces for my Christmas party dress. Can't you see it? A satin black dress, emerald green platform heels... feathers? Glamour at it's best, ma dear!

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