Nailed It

I love a good Sunday afternoon of watching Sex and the City and painting my nails! Wine may or may not be included. It's a good way to relax, have some Ashley time, and get ready for the next week. While waiting for them to dry , a good fashion magazine is always needed. Over the years I have tried many different products and these are by far my favorites.

Boom Boom Room nail polish by Essie is the perfect shade of pink. Not too bright and not too "baby" and you can wear it year round. Essie's polishes go on smooth and last for a long period of time. Check out all their fun colors each season!

Sally Hansen's Hard As Wraps is fabulous. I put it on as a based coat and in-between coats or whatever color polish I am putting on. It is a great way to make your polish last.

OPI Top Coat is the perfect way to end any at home manicure. It will seal your polish and will give it a nice shine.

I use Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream before I go to bed at least once a week, it will keep your cuticles nice and soft - and manicure ready!

I also always keep a nail file or two on had. Not only do I use them to shape my nails, but also to smooth them before painting them.

I hope this help! If you have any favorite nail care items please let me know!

-A

HAPPY Holidays!

The holidays are great! They can also be extremely stressful. While it is not possible for me to eliminate your stress I can offer you a place of refuge.

Source: Google

Enter Pharrell Williams. Not only is he one of my fave people he is also gorgeous,  an incredible musician, walking fashion inspiration and now instant smile provider. He recently released a 24 hour music video entitled "Happy" and while I have not watched it all I am working on it.

In short it is amazing.

So when the holiday stress or anytime stress seems to be bringing you down watch a few minutes of the video or a few hours and I promise you will feel better. Oh and there are amazing celebrity cameos and Pharrell dances through every hour, aka he's in it 24 times!

Happy Holidays and enjoy!

-K

I'm In Love With Crewnecks

                       

This is true, I have had a love affair with crewnecks for many years. They are amazing! And finally they are widely available for women! No more awkward fits and baggy shoulders!

Here are some of my favorite crewnecks. I could wear them everyday.

They go with everything! Here I've paired them all with jeans and chucks, but they can easily be dressed up or down. You can add jewelry or a nice infinity scarf  or pair them with nicer pants and flats. I love the gray sweater because its so versatile. I've worn it by itself or piled on jewelry and bolder make up for a concert. Here I paired it with a chambray button up and statement necklace. Something that can easily go from day to night.

Geometric and zebra print, Forever 21 - Gray, Old Navy - Floral, Thrifted

"Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?"

What's your favorite holiday movie? There are so many good ones to pick from! Classic black and white films, to hilarious comedies, and ones about finding your true love. We put together a list of our favorites... and we would love to hear what your favorites are!

Elf 

Love Actually 

How The Grinch Stole Christmas

A Christmas Story 

Miracle on 34th Street

The Holiday

All links and images via IMDB.com

Closet Clean Out

I Love a good clean out; closets, drawers, garages... whatever it may be I love getting rid of the excess.

A couple of weeks ago my mother and I cleaned out her closet. I wanted to share the results as well as some tips to clean and organize your own space.

First you need the time and the energy to see the project through start to finish. When cleaning out a space I always manage to make a huge mess in the process, so keep that in mind as you plan your day. You don't want to get half way through and have to leave and come back to a huge mess later.

You will also need a large clear space to start, I suggest you use your bed as a sorting station, that way all the clothes or items that come out of the closet have a place to go.

Also get two large garbage bags. One for items that can be donated and one for items that you think you can resell.

Now sort through everything! And I mean everything, my mom always tries to get away with "Oh i'll go through that later" Trust me, there is no later. Do it all in one sitting and you will thank yourself later.

When sorting keep in mind how often you wear or use the items. Do they fit? Are they in style? Are they functional, practical? My mom had a lot of great stuff in her closet but if she never wears it and it is shoved in the back it's not doing her any good. Better to have less items that you actually wear than a closet full of things you don't.

Once you are through the sorting process begin to put things back in a way that is functional for you. Not everyone's closet should look the same.

Again I like to set aside two bags; one to donate to places like Goodwill and another one of higher quality more current items to try and resell at Buffalo Exchange or any other resale shop of your choosing.

Good luck and enjoy your beautiful new closet!

    

The Bonus of cleaning out my mom's closet was all of the great finds. Above is a beautiful old clutch she gave to me and my great grandmothers shoes.

-K

Winter Wonderland!

Happy winter! I have been so so so excited for all of the joys that this fabulous season brings, sights, smells, lights, friends, family, you name it- I love it! Similar to this post about my love of fall, I decided to put together a list of things I want to do to celebrate winter!

1. Spend a night walking around the neighborhood to see Christmas lights.

2. Have a fabulous New Years Eve, maybe wear this uh-mazing dress!

3. Host a girls night in and watch chick-flicks for Valentines Day

4. Make a snowman.

5. Go to a cabin and relax by the fire with family.

6. Decorate cookies to give to neighbors for the holidays.

7. Try not to fall while ice skating.

8. Indulge in peppermint lattes.

9. Donate to Toys for Tots, food bank, or another local charity.

10. Keep my New Years Resolutions (at least until the end of February)

What is on your winter to-do list?

Kira in the snow in Chicago

-A

Holiday Wish List 2013

The holidays are coming!!

Is everyone as excited as I am? Every year my Mom asks me, "What do you want ? Send me a list" I put together a list this year of things that I love and thought I would share it with you!

Bow Tie Clutch from Anthropologie to enhance any outfit

Go-to decorating guide from the beloved Domino

A cute "A" clutch from Anthropologie

Martha Stewart craft glitter - perfect to add to nails, crafts, and homemade cards!

An ode to 2003 with The OC on dvd

Oliva Pope's wine glasses from Crate and Barrel

Wedding planning is my dream job, so the Style Me Pretty book is perfect inspiration

A classic Kate Spade handbag

Happy shopping!

-A