I'm all lost in the supermarket

I bought this coat on sale at Free People this summer, and have been dying to wear it. Today I took it for a spin for the first time ever. It's not really warm, which is fine, and the sleeves are too long for Miss Petite Ashley, which is also going to have to be fine since I don't sew. I'm in love with the pattern. It seems a bit Asian-inspired, which is fun since I like Asians. I think I would like to be Asian, but unfortunately I am not and never will be, so I have to settle for merely dating one instead.

Oh, and in case you're wondering, I'm wearing a gondolier-esque outfit underneath it all. Whoop whoop!

I hope no one is getting bored of all the close-up shots of yours truly. They're easier for me to do than full on body shots (not those kind, thankyouverymuch), plus I kinda like to get pics of my make-up everyday.

And, last but not least, huge props and a shout out to Monica at Monica Rambles for giving me an award! I totally appreciate it, m'dear. Go check out her blog, the posts are always top-notch!

Jacket: Free People
Striped top: Urban Outfitters
Pants: J. Crew
Heels: Marc by Marc Jacobs
Bag: Steven by Steve Madden

Easy Peasy

Everything I'm wearing is comfy, cottony, stretchy goodness. The sweater is really huge, and I'm not one for wearing really huge things, but I think I'm okay with it as long as it's belted. And if I could associate myself with only one piece of clothing, it would be bike shorts. I wear bike shorts everywhere. They're nice under skirts and dresses on a windy day, but I'll wear them with shirts of all lengths as well. Also, I bet you can guess what my favorite trend for fall is this year!

...If you said, "SOCKS WITH SHOES, ASHLEY! YOU WEAR THEM ALL THE GODDAMN TIME!!!!" give yourself a gold star.

I'm so excited for the upcoming week! "Work" suddenly got exciting (I also found out I get reimbursed for gas...so, that helps with the enthusiasm), and if the nice weather holds out, my boyfriend and I are planning on taking a day trip up the shore (mainly so I can take pictures), AND I'm planning a picnic for Friday. I'm genuinely happy for what's to come; being a pessimist, that doesn't happen all that often. Don't rain on my parade. I'll beat you up.

Sweater: Forever 21
Bike shorts: Urban Outfitters
Wedges: Jeffrey Campbell
Bag: Pendleton

I'll make love to you, like you want me to

Excuse me for the picture heavy post (is it really anything new, though?), but I AM IN LOVE WITH MY NEW LENS. I've been using a 50 mm that's older than I am, but I splurged on a brand new, shiny Sigma 17-70 mm. See the lustful stares I am giving my camera? Yeah, that's how I feel about Mr. 17-70 mm. It is actually easy to focus! Maybe all the pictures my boyfriend takes will not turn out blurry and out of focus like before! OMG! It actually does not make me look 15 lbs heavier than I really am! I can stop dieting! OMG! I'll still probably use my good ol' fiddy for most portraits since the aperture is better, but I have a temporarily fetish with new lens.

So, yay.

I thought up this outfit combo last night before bed and--amazingly--it worked like a dream when I put it on today. I love this skirt, although it's rather constricting so I have to skim along, taking small steps. Reminds me of Memoirs of a Geisha. Except I'm not Japanese. But neither is Ziyi Zhang.

I'm really burnt out on accessories, as you can tell. OH, and I feel obligated to inform you all: that is not my real toofy smile, that is my fake, annoying toofy smile. Yeah, see, click here. This is the real deal.

Dress (tucked in, worn as a blouse): Urban Outfitters
Skirt: Forever 21
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell
Sunglasses: Juicy Couture

Ooo wee ooo

I'll admit it: the fake glasses thing annoys the shizz outta me. I don't understand them. But, for some reason, I actually own a pair, so whatever, I decided to give them a go as a photoshoot prop. That's right, I didn't actually wear the glasses out. Oh no. Not me. I think they're a little too trendy right now.

New shoes (again!), I forgot to get a close-up but I'll definitely getchu one in the near future!

I'll return all of your [very, very nice, blush-worthy] comments and play catch up later today. Right now I'm sitting on a gross chair at school that I am hoping is disease-free. Some guy is passed out on the couch next to me, there's a sweet aroma of sweaty assholes in the air, and I don't have a mouse. I'm old skool. I need a mouse to browse my interwebs.

Dress, shoes, and glasses: Urban Outfitters
Bag: M by MJ

This is summer

The onset of fall is upon us. I'm saying a melancholy goodbye to summer. I love summer. I love the barbecues, the s'mores, the late night walks, the fireworks, the mini dresses, the short shorts, and easy going air. But, at the same time, this summer was difficult. I dealt with never seeing my boyfriend the first half of the season due to his 80 hour work days, I hardly had any free time since I slaved away over my studies, and my grandfather suffered a debilitating stroke with effects my family definitely is still feeling. It's hard for me to say goodbye knowing that this, very likely, is the end to my last summer at home.

On the positive side, I've learned a lot and am--I think--more than ready to take on the future.

So, here on my humble blog, I am saying goodbye to summer with 21 (count 'em!) (mostly "unreleased") photos. This is summer to me.

I like floral prints

I have a feeling this tree is going to get used and abused in photoshoots until the very last leaf has fallen to the ground (and probably even then).

I've been in a bad mood for the past few days. I'm run down and icky (I always get my seasonal cold right after school starts, so I'm due), and running outside to take pictures just about does me in for the rest of the day. "Work" blows, of course, and I am so not motivated in the academic department, either. I took time off of "work" Friday to go talk to a professor with whom I am doing an independent study project with. I waited nearly an hour and then had to take off because he still hadn't gotten to the appointment before me yet. Needless to say, I was quite pissed.

I also haven't had much time to eat lately (plus, there's absolutely nothing good in my house: I ended up having pudding for breakfast yesterday because we're out of real breakfast foods) so it would appear I have lost weight. My belt (pictured) doesn't quite fit anymore...I'm going to have to get someone to punch a new hole in it for me, since it's on the last one available.

I'd like to thank the lovely women behind Thrive on Novelty and Everyone Loves Lipstick for awarding me the sunshine award! I truly appreciate it! I'm supposed to pass it on to 12 fellow bloggers, but I'm going to cheat and not do that, since I try not to pick favorites--I read so many blogs and they're all great in their own way! Thanks again you two. :) And, while I'm on a roll, I'd like to thank everyone for their continuous sweet comments on my blog! It totally makes my day, I swear.

ALSO...I'm thinking ahead, and I'm kind of concerned that, as the weather gets colder, I'm not going to be able to get outside to take pictures for outfit posts as often as in the summer months. I can always shoot inside, but does anyone have any ideas on what they'd like to see on my blog, occasionally, besides outfit posts? Let me know in the comments or drop me an email!

Dress: Tucker for Target
Belt: Urban Outfitters
Sunnies: Juicy Couture
Boots: Blowfish