Royal Wedding Favorites

So... what did you guys think of the big wedding?  I loved it!  I thought that she looked absolutely stunning and that everything was so perfect, especially her dress... and second dress (amazing)!  My favorite part of the whole wedding was when she got to the alter and Price William whispered, "You look beautiful"... I think I re-wound and re-watched that 15 times!  So sweet!  Below are just a few of my favorite photos from the wedding... (of course you guys have already seen the photos of her dresses and some of the crazy hats worn by guests, but if you haven't... check out my {Royal Wedding Board}!

My Favorite! Love that they did something unique :)

Harry helping out! So sweet!

The "Kiss'

Go make some cute babies!! :)

Another Prince...

Happy Royal Wedding Day!! For those that wish they were in Kate's shoes today...

The "It" List

Happy Friday!  I can't believe April is over... hopefully all this rain and storms are as well.

I am ready for some May flowers!

• lady M is celebrating her birthday... stop by and wish her a happy day and also check out her fun wardrobe inspiration for the big day!
• rose a la mode is sporting an adorable new floral dress... even on a chilly spring day she perfectly accessorizes it! (find rose a la mode on twitter!)
• mama loves papa hosts a simply adorable little blog party for your stylish little ones - stop by to play along or just 'oooh' and 'aaah.' (find mama loves papa on twitter!)
• meet virginia design layers gorgeous neutral pieces for an ethereal feel to this casual outfit.  These colors are so on trend right now too! (find meet virginia design on twitter!)
• a little dash of ash has a delicious looking smoothie recipe to share with us. I always love to see what others' smoothie concoctions are - this one looks yummy and healthy! (find a little dash of ash on twitter!)
• rebecca with an R is definitely beach ready in this gorgeous maxi dress and oversized hat - I am seriously loving this outfit! (find rebecca with an R on twitter!)
• sweetie pie style is looking gorgeous in this drapey feather printed dress - it's just her style! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
• baby shopaholic had this super sweet little doll custom made for her daughter for Easter.  What a fun keepsake and toy for a little one, my daughter would love this!
• the capital barbie is giving away sassy shoe themed note cards on her blog this week - you must stop by and enter quickly! (find the capital barbie on twitter!)
• good tots features the artwork of modern pops - these bold graphic prints make for great nursery artwork!
• the stylish housewife sports a floppy sun hat and a chevron dress, quite possibly the most perfect summer combo ever. I am in love with this look! (find the stylish housewife on twitter!)
• good clean fun made these margarita flavored cupcakes for Easter - but I think they would be perfect for any summer day! Yum! (find good clean fun on twitter!)
• a spot of whimsy is sick of the rain... and quite frankly, aren't we all!?!? But rain never looked this good before... I promise! (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• good life for less has a casual but chic outfit for Easter.  Check it out! (find good life for less on twitter!)

the IT list is produced weekly by jill of good life for less - check out how you can be involved here!

Style Crush: {Lace Skirt}

Hi Friends!  I am going to be short and sweet today... been pretty busy this week! But, how absolutely amazing is this look below?  Love everything about it, especially the lace skirt! :)

             buy this look {here} and {here}

Love that Statche!

What is going on with the crazy trend of mustache love!??  I think I have mentioned on the blog before that I went on a mustache bar crawl a few months ago - where these men spend months growing their facial hair and shave it into crazy mustaches for this one night of drinking!  I was one of the very few girls, obviously without a stache, but got into the theme by drawing one of those cute little mustaches on my finger with a sharpie!  Since then... I have seen mustaches everywhere! Who knew....

All images found via {Pinterest}

I {heart} Smoothies!

I have recently fallen in love with smoothies!  Who knew they were so easy to make (which is a must for me) - and who knew they were so healthy, filling and DELICIOUS! :) Ever since my new experiment with smoothies two weeks ago, my beautiful red kitchen aid blender (that I just had to have when I graduated college 6 years ago) finally got some use (potentially for the first time ever)!  I keep experimenting with different "made up" recipes and haven't found a bad one yet!  One of my bff's who is super healthy told me to put greens (like spinach) into the smoothie - he said, "you won't even taste it" - and he is 100% right.  See below for my favorite smoothie recipe... But what is yours??  If you have a fav smoothie, let me know what you put in it and I will make sure to try it asap! :)  xxoo!

Ashley's Favorite Smoothie - aka "Deliciousness"

(in order of how I put it in the blender)

• 2 handfuls of ice
• 1 quick dash of water
• 1 large handful of spinach leaves
• 1 large handful of kale
• 1 small banana
• 1 handful of frozen blueberries
• 4 frozen strawberries
• 4 chunks of frozen mango
• 1 cup of carbmaster vanilla yogurt
• 2 scoops of Aria vanilla protein powder
• 2 tbsp of Flaxseed
• 1 dash of cinnamon 

And... blend away!  This usually makes an extra large glass - but it's only about 300 really healthy calories and it will fill you up for the night (or the morning)!  Yummy!!!!

Royal Wedding Countdown!

5 days until the big royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton!  I never really got into their engagement - but since the media has basically forced us to get pumped for this Friday's events... my DVR is set and I've found myself watching TV specials on this super cute couple's relationship! While I may flip through their ceremony over the weekend with a glass of wine, I know friends who have been planning on taking off work for months!  I also know people who are dressing up in 'royal attire' to watch the wedding... and setting their alarms for 4am to turn the TV on!  What will you do?  Are you obsessed with the Royal couple?  Or are you like me... you'll look at the pretty fashion and watch the highlights! :) 

Speaking of pretty fashion - I do have to say that Kate is just gorgeous!  Naturally beautiful and fashionable!  And... I am loving all of her fun hats and head pieces she wears!  One day when I go to Wales, I am going to make sure to get a similar hair piece to that cream one below! Love.

Happy Royal Wedding Countdown!!!

Friday's Fancies: {Easter Egg Colors}

This week I am doing another Friday's Fancies post - one of my favorite series by {av}!  This week I am inspired by bright Easter Egg Colors and j brand's fabulous colored cropped denim.  I have an outdoor bbq birthday party to attend on Saturday - so my outfit creation would be for that lovely event!  What's your favorite color denim??

polyvore created by {ashley gale}

The "It" List

Happy Friday ladies... I hope you all have a fabulous Easter weekend, whatever it brings to you.  "Hop" on over to these fab blogs for plenty of spring inspiration!

• strong sense of style gives color blocking a try... it's so fun and easy!  And really? What feels more properly spring than pink and green together?
• a spot of whimsy has some fabulous eye-candy from the movie Water for Elephants.  Please tell me you have read this book... if not, do it stat, the movie opens this weekend and it looks to be amazing! (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• thought and musing wears a simple and elegant maxi skirt for some wine tasting... a perfect outfit for what looked to be the perfect day!
• good clean fun shares her favorite childhood cupcake recipe... angel food cake with strawberry frosting.  These look SO good and definitely what childhood memories are made of! (find good clean fun on twitter!)
• the capital barbie finds some fun accessories with bold angles... this bracelet stood out as a favorite for me.  Pop on over and see her other finds! (find the capital barbie on twitter!)
• good tots rounds up maternity poolside looks for summer, including this adorable peach polka dotted maternity swimsuit!
• rose a la mode sports this fun yellow and white striped dress and seriously has me craving more stripes. Is that possible? (find rose a la mode on twitter!)
• a spoonful of dish reminds me that flowers never disappoint in the inspiration department. Just looking at them I can feel that summer is closer!
• a little dash of ash will brighten your day with some good old fashion gorgeous guys.  Good looks never get old (sigh). (find a little dash of ash on twitter!)
• lady m says what we are all thinking lately: we can't get enough of Zara.  Check out the inspiration and some of their (very interesting) backstory over at her blog!
• meet virginia design is sure to put some spring pep in your step with this fun mix of bold colors and florals.  This outfit just screams sunshine! (find meet virginia design on twitter!)
• mama loves papa's daughter is quite the fashion prodigy!  Just look at these adorable items she (or her mama, either/or) picked out for herself! (find mama loves papa on twitter!)
• rebecca with an r proves that blazers never, ever get old... at least in my book!  I just love the simple sophistication of this look! (find rebecca with an r on twitter!)
• good life for less is color crushing on purple + blue + white for spring. It's such a simple color combo - check out her looks! (find good life for less on twitter!)

the it list is produced each week by jill of good life for less... click here for information on how you can be involved!

VW {Love} Bug

Growing up I always wanted a Volkswagen Beetle for my 16th birthday!  Specifically, a yellow lime green one from 1979!  Don't ask why - no one really knows where this came from...  but I think this idea generated about the same time that I wished I lived in the 60's and was a hippie and went to the original Woodstock and burned inscents and wanted peace sign everything!  Oh, my poor parents! :) Well... I never got the yellow bug from 1979, however, I still get just as excited if I see a vintage one driving around!  Come on, you can't say that these images below don't make you want one for yourself! :)  PS. Happy almost birthday to my friend Kristin - a VW Bug owner herself!! 

 

All VW Beetle Images found on {Pinterest}

Hello Gorgeous!

I would normally say Happy Hump Day!  However, considering what my post is about - I am not sure that is appropriate! ;)  Either way, Happy Wednesday!!  Say hello to some seriously sexy men....

George Clooney

Brad Pitt

Matthew McConaughey

(The Young) Paul Newman

Matthew Goode

Vino Vino!

Over the past few years I have become quite a fan of wine!  My love affair started when I lived in San Francisco and would frequent Napa and Sonoma on the weekends!  Heaven!  I'm not a "wine-o" or "wine snob" or anything like that, but I definitely know a good glass of wine when I come across one!  Actually, my entire family loves wine - that is why it was so natural to host my sister's bridal shower at a local wine bar and restaurant!  {Vino Vino} made this day so incredibly special for her and I have to say it was one of the most fun parties I have been to in a long time!  Definitely not your typical bridal shower - but sometimes it is really fun to be different (and get tipsy with your family)!  What is your favorite wine??

Thank you {Rachel} for taking such fabulous photos for us!!

Yellow Fever!

Ahh.. Yellow!  My third favorite color ever!  Doesn't yellow just make you so happy!?  It does for me - so what better day to post a little happiness than on a Monday!  Enjoy :)

Images {1} {2} {3} {4} {5}

Fab 5 Friday: Week 5

Happy Friday!  This is probably my favorite fab five week because the things below are truly, truly my all time favorite things!  Ok, I think I say that every week! ;)  The pictures speak for themselves... but I do want to give a shout out to my bff's who I miss so very much!  Lots of love to my favorite ladies  across the country Zona, Ash Bash, Ms. Britt and Meags!  Daily life is just not the same without you -- but counting down to the summer when I know I will get to see you ALL! xxoo

♥ desk accessories

♥ the letter "a"

♥ gold jewels

♥ peanut butter pretzel bites

♥ bffs

Images {1} {2} {3} {4} {5}

The "It" List

Happy Friday folks!  Take some time to enjoy these great blogs today!

• good tots is loving this sequined maternity top - so cute!  Check out this sparkly number is a fun maternity outfit!
• sweetie pie style is crushing on Sam Edelman shoes - check out all of her great outfit inspiration. I am loving these animal print wedges the best! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
• a spot of whimsy brings us bold and brilliant photos of the tulip fields in Holland. If you have never seen these photos before you must check them out, and if you have - well it never hurts to see them again (and again!).  (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• thought and musing has the perfect tourist outfit... a gorgeous maxi skirt, layers and a scarf!  Perfect for travel wear - and so chic!
• strong sense of style is loving the bohemian look of kimono style jackets for spring and summer.  Wow - these are just gorgeous!
• good clean fun always has my mouth watering... these lemon yogurt muffins are no exception! These would be perfect to serve for Easter brunch! (find good clean fun on twitter!)
• the capital barbie features graphic footwear. These black and gold wedges are GORGEOUS! Wow! (find capital barbie on twitter!)
• one hundred inspirations features this Kristen Cavallari outfit that has me craving boots and right before summer even!  
• a little dash of ash has me wanting a 'relaxation room' in my house - forget "man caves", "mom-caves" or "mud rooms".  I need a relaxation room! (find a little dash of ash on twitter!)
• rose a la mode has me swooning for this maxi dress, I absolutely love how she styled it.  So effortless and beautiful! (find rose a la mode on twitter!)
• mama loves papa looks dashing in this graphic sun dress. I love fun patterns for warmer temps and this dress doesn't disappoint. (find mama loves papa on twitter!)
• meet virginia design has tips and tricks on thrifting. I especially loved this post because I never seem to have much luck snagging the good deals! (find meet virginia design on twitter!)
• a spoonful of dish introduces us to the most gorgeous laptop bag - ever.  Totally agreed - my laptop would be very happy in this bag!
• good life for less has teamed up with JCPenney, stop by to create Easter inspired outfits using pieces from JCP for a chance to win a $50 gift card!  How fun! (find good life for less on twitter!)

the IT list is produced weekly by Jill of good life for less - click here for information on how you can be involved!

Twinkle, Twinkle!

Last week I said I was going to post wedding inspirations each week as a countdown to my sister's wedding (3 more weeks!) - however, since I am so far away from getting married, I thought it was kind of silly to put together an inspiration board.  My ideas will probably change a gazillon times and there were way too many images that I loved on my favorite wedding blogs!  However, no matter how many times my ideas change -- a few things will stay constant 1. a beautiful outdoor party with amazing table decor,  2. a small group of close family and friends (less than 100 for sure) and 3. thousands of twinkle lights!

{Pinterest}

Blog Crawl: Decorate This Space

Today I am participating in Blog Crawl created by Jillian at {Cornflake Dreams.}  Each day a blog crawl participant shows off a home interior design inspiration!  Click {here} for the list of participants and links to their blog!  When I was in Chicago for Amanda's bachelorette party, Mom treated us to a day at the spa.  My absolute favorite thing about the spa (even over the 1.5 hour massage) was their relaxation room.  I could have lived in that room!  Actually, I kind of did.  At the end of the day I was MIA... but don't worry, Mom knew exactly where to find me!  I think one day I will have a relaxation room in my house... so here is my inspiration for a necessity in every busy woman's life!  

There isn't a lot to this room since the purpose is to relax!  But I will make sure that my relaxation room is full of thousands of comfy pillows, blankets and eye masks!  I will also have amazing scents and gorgeous dim lighting in the room.  The room will have sound proof walls and no windows.  Oh, and absolutely no internet connection!  Just cozy beds and light music!  Ok.  Pinch. Time to wake up from my dream....  Check back tomorrow for more inspiration at this lovely {blog}!

Happy Birthday Brittany!

Happy Birthday to my college best friend and one of the most amazing, courageous and beautiful ladies I know!  I hope you have a great time celebrating all of your travels and the rest of your birthday MONTH!  Can't wait to celebrate with you soon (I'm seeing a summer weekend trip to Baltimore in my near future)!  Lots of love...