Back, back, back zip it up

The nice folks at Maya Brenner Designs are so nice they sent me this bracelet to incorporate into an outfit post. The leather tie bracelet is simple and classic with a rock n' roll touch--right up my alley. A native of California, Maya Brenner is a twelve year jewelry industry veteran with a huge celebrity following. There are a bunch of other stand-out styles on the website, too, so be sure to have a look. And, for all you fine sirs out there (I know so many of you read my blog), remember! Valentine's Day is coming up quickly...JUST SAYING.

I would also like to introduce you to my new shirt from Tulle. I zipped that bitch myself (all mah single ladies!). It's exciting because, if you haven't noticed, I hardly ever wear just a shirt. It's always a shirt + blazer, or a shirt + sweater, or a shirt + jacket. So this is me wearing just a shirt (and pants), and it feels good.

In other news, surgery has been scheduled for the end of the week. I plan to keep posting as usual, but I may not be around your blogs as often as I would like. Bear with me! You may not know it, but I'd do ya.

Blouse: Tulle
Scarf: Forever 21
Pants: J. Crew
Bracelet: c/o Maya Brenner
Bag: Sabina
Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Concealed

Another day, another pair of colored tights (actually, these might be the same green tights I wore a few posts ago. I own so goddamn many I can't tell). I decided it might be time to start dressing more season appropriate, so I thought I'd wear a long sleeve dress instead of a short sleeve one. Except I don't actually own a long sleeve dress (I'm pretty sure I'm not joking), so I borrowed this one from my etsy store pile. I'm so not into the non-revealing neckline, but I guess that's how they did it back in the early 90s. Personally, I just don't quite feel myself if I'm not showin' off some cleave.

Thanks for all your thoughtful comments on my last post. I appreciate it! The surgery still hasn't been scheduled yet despite it being an emergency situation, but it could be as early as Wednesday. Eek.

In other news, my hair is at that awkward stage again, concerning both color and cut. What to do, what to do!

Dress: Vintage Liz Claiborne (for sale here)
Vest: Old Navy
Belt: J. Crew
Boots: Steve Madden

Winter Whites

So, if you haven't noticed, fur scarves are my biggest obsession this season. Like the big fluffy wonder in my last post, I also got this fur scarf for a steal: $10 on clearance. And look, I'm staying true to my word and actually AM wearing more colored tights! Weird. I decided to keep the rest of my accessories pretty low key...I forgot to get a close-up, but my earrings are simple red hearts that are so not my style, but still pretty suh-weet. So far, this year has been all about trying new things.

Got some bad news yesterday that is really going to shake things up for the next couple of months: my momma has to have a pretty B.A. surgery on her back, complete with metal plates and bone grafting and a 25% chance of death. Yeah. If everything goes perfectly, she still can't do any form of activity except sit at home on the couch for 6-8 weeks, so only-child Ashley takes on yet another set of roles: friendly caregiver, household manager, and personal chef. I begrudgingly clean toilets, too.

Dress: Urban Outfitters
Clutch: Fossil
Shoes: Seychelles

Fluff and Tumble

I think it's safe to say that my tan from summer is completely gone.

This scarf was one of my Black Friday purchases (remember? Black Friday? As in, two months ago?) that I picked up for like, $8. It's big and fluffy and weird and I don't really know what to do with it in photos besides pet it, but it's kind of cute, right? Right. And warm.

Look how well I blend into the background. It's like, the stylish version of camo.

My classes start today (yay), so I'm going to go work on some coursework now. You know. In case you were wondering. I'm being good. Not bad. I could never be bad. My house doesn't even have any chocolate in it anymore.

Sweater: Calvin Klein
Scarf: Aerie
Skirt: ASOS
Boots: Steve Madden

Real Teal

I hate colored tights. They're alright on other people, but I hate them on myself (see my scowl in picture #1?). The fact that I own about a bajillion pairs of them is quite odd, then. But I figured I might as well make the most of it, so I'm challenging myself to put together outfits involving my colored tights. I have teal, yellow, orange, purple, light purple, blue, grey...we'll see how far I get before I lose my mind and quit. Hint: it's not going to be long.

Truthfully, I'm getting quite tired of winter outfits. Dressing for winter is fun before Christmas because you can wear plaid and fairisle and sugar and spice and everything else, but after the holidays, that stuff feels a little stale. January is that annoying in-between period, and it's just not fun. Do not want.

My two classes start the day after tomorrow and I am excited! I'm one of those people who functions best when they've got a lot going on, so this should get me back on schedule and out of my winter rut of doing nothing but watching T.V. and gaining 10 lbs. Here is a picture to express how I feel right now. Yeah, that's right. Happy.

Sweater: Calvin Klein
Scarf: Madewell
Shorts & Boots: UO
Sunnies: Ray-Bans

The Bold Shoulder

Apparently, I really like bearing my left shoulder in neutral sweaters. Just check some of my more recent posts for proof. It's weird because I used to be super self-conscious of my shoulders (they are of the line backer variety) and rarely even wore tank tops, let alone sultry sweaters that pimp them out. Ch-ch-ch-changes. Can be good sometimes!

My nail polish is Urban Decay and I love it. Did you know Urban Decay even made nail polish? I didn't either, up until a few months ago. But they do, and it is great. 2EITM fully recommends.

I don't feel very talkative today. In fact, I feel a little pissed off about nothing and everything in general. I suppose that's just my normal demeanor, though.

I think I'm going to go clean.

Sweater: Target
Trousers: Gap
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell
Nail polish: Urban Decay

(Crazy) Girl Next Door

These pictures are a bit old, but I'm going to post them anyway. This is a comfy, casual, weekend look. Also known as something I don't wear very often. Note that the jeans and boots are the same ones I wore in my last post, but the overall look is completely different. Ahh, clothes. The amazing things you can do.

If you haven't already, go check out my guest post about my plastic surgery. Yeah, you're intrigued. Now go.

I'm feeling a little off today, so that's about all I've got. I think I'm going to go read a book. Or bake brownies. Or sit on my ass and watch TV. Anything that doesn't involve a real thought process. Or physical activity. I haven't been big on the physical activity lately.

Sweater: Urban Outfitters
Jeans: Express
Boots: Steve Madden
Bracelet: Gift from Tracy

Beach Girl

I may or may not have a giant crush on this sweater. In case you hadn't noticed. It hasn't even been a week and I'm posting another look featuring it. And I may or may not have washed it in between wears. Save water, don't wash your sweater. I'm an environmentalist.

It's not like you actually sweat in the winter anyway. I'm going to say it's okay.

It's in the mid 30°F's again today, which is unseasonably warm. It seems like I should be doing something outside, but instead I'm sitting on my computer feeling guilty for not doing something outside. Which is dumb, really, because it's not like 30°F is actually warm. What could I even possibly do? Work on my tan? Take a dip in the pool? If it were say, May and it was 30°F, I'd be like, "Brrrrrrrr! Damn girl, it cold out there!" and wouldn't think twice about staying inside. But today I feel guilty. Stop toying with my mind, winter.

Sweater: American Eagle
Jeans: Express
Scarf: Gap
Boots: Steve Madden

Sweater (Dress) Weather

I got this sweater dress on super-clearance last year after winter was already over, so I hadn't worn it up until now since it is, most obviously, a winter-type. It's challenging to style so I took the challenge out of it and just wore it all plain-like. And you know what? There's nothing wrong with that.

How would you style this dress?

Well, it's Monday, which means back to work for this girl. Back to reality. Oh wellz. Besides work (and school...goddamnit, school. I almost forgot about you), I'm really excited for the next few months. The winter has been so mild here, I'm actually enjoying the season for the first time in my life. January and February should be a piece of cake if this keeps up, and then it's March and I'm off to Arizona. I love Arizona so much, I'm giddy months in advance just anticipating my time there. Squee. Cannot. Wait.

P.S. I think it was at least 40°F the day I wore this, so having bare legs is perfectly acceptable.

P.P.S. What's with all the optimism in this post? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH THE REAL ASHLEY???

Dress: ModCloth
Boots: Steve Madden
Clutch: Fossil
Earrings: Vintage, available at my shop