HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY: Initial Pendants

Happy holidays to all my lovely blog readers!  I am very excited to host a giveaway from my friend Allison - owner of the super chic boutique {Ladybird}!  I couldn't be more excited about this giveaway because it involves 3 of my favorite things - jewelry, initials, and gift giving!  And one of these little initial pendants is going to two lucky readers of a {little} dash of ash!! :) 

Allison sent me a gift of my own, and I love, love, love it!  I hope you love it as much as I do! :)  

These wire pendant charms are available in gold and silver in your choice of letter! Oh, and have I mentioned how perfect this would be as a gift for a friend, sister or momma!  Enter to win yours today!  There are several ways to enter this giveaway - see the directions below in the fabulous Rafflecopter widget and you're all set! :)  Good Luck!!

Ashley Gale Photography: Newborn

While I was home for Thanksgiving, I was able to take photos of my cousins brand new little boy - Jack, Jack!  He is so little and precious and very photogenic!  So happy that I convinced my cousin to buy the little bear hat - it suits him perfectly!  We also attempted some super cute santa hat photos with twinkle lights - the photography looks great, but the poor little man is pouring is eyes out!  We are going to try again at Christmas - maybe he will be a little happier after Santa comes!!

This coming weekend I have another newborn session with a girlfriend from work who just had a baby girl!  I am super excited because I know this little princess has a lot of fun props... can we say tutu photos?!  I'm pumped!! :)  Have a great night! xxoo.

Instagram: Ella Bella

Happy Monday!  It is officially after Thanksgiving... so I am officially in Christmas mode! I actually almost finished my shopping yesterday... just have to get one more item - and then stocking stuffers! I am super excited for this week - not only do I have a great holiday giveaway coming up on Wednesday, but Thursday starts my 12 Days of Christmas blog event!!! Oh, and I am going to NYC this weekend and I absolutely love the city at Christmas time!! So... perfect week!  Check back daily! xxoo

Above are some photos of my cute little cousin Ella and the rice crispy treat / oreo cookie turkeys that she made with her Momma!  So fun to be around this little ones at the holidays! Can't wait to see your Thanksgiving instagrams! Link up below!

Friday's Fancies: {Black Friday}

Happy Black Friday!  As much as I love shopping... I do not go out to the malls or stores on this day - too crazy for me!  However, I will be keeping my eyes peeled for all of the Cyber-Monday deals as I am ready to start my Christmas shopping!  Today I will be photographing my cousins brand new little baby boy and making homemade ornaments while eating leftovers - sounds like the perfect day to me!  Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families... and if you venture out today - be safe (seriously, I've read crazy stories)!  Here is a little black inspiration for this famous retail Friday!  xxoo!

images {via}

and my black on black inspiration outfit would be...

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Must have at least some kind of color in my outfit... love the pop green! :)

polyvore created by {ashley gale}

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!  I hope you are able to celebrate turkey day with your family, friends and the ones you love!  I am in Kentucky for a quick 48 hours... and am so grateful to be here with all of my family!!  The next two days are going to be full of food... and more food... and more food - so in honor, I need to introduce you to {Foodgawker}!  This amazing website allows you to scroll through pages (and pages) of mouth watering images of...well, food!!  Not only am I currently obsessed with all of the pretty images (specifically the deserts), as someone who has recently began cooking, I will definitely be using this site as a go to source for recipes and new ideas!  Hope you have your fat jeans  on... today and any day you decide to browse through foodgawker! ;) xxoo

12 Days of Christmas - Coming Soon!

Hi Friends! I am very excited to let you know that I will be hosting a blog event called '12 Days of Christmas' where 12 fabulous bloggers will be sharing their holiday wishlist with you! I am excited because it will be a great way to introduce you to some more of my favorite bloggers... as well as give you ideas for your own holiday shopping! Definitely check back next week (the event begins on 12/1) for holiday inspiration galore! Below is the lineup... xxoo! 

Below is the lineup:

 

Instagram: Blogger Blitz and Fall

Happy Monday! I had the best past two weekends and a lot of instgrams to update you on... but first a quick little recap.  Last weekend I went to NYC to play in the big apple with {Kristin} and to attend {av}'s blogger blitz! Such a fun getaway!  It was so nice to meet some of the bloggers who I follow daily and meet new faces as well!  Everyone is so creative in their own way and I love being a part of this blogger community!  Here are just a few photos from the event!  How fun are the name tags and directories that Alison made?!! PS. If you are attending the Blogger Blitz in DC... I will be there too! Can't wait :) 

On top of NYC... I have had some great dates with my boy!  Last weekend before I headed to the city we had brunch at this French Bistro that overlooks the park in Rittenhouse square!  It was a perfect fall day... so I was able to take this perfect instagram! 

 

This past weekend we went to Princeton on Saturday!  The university is by far the prettiest school I have ever seen!  It was the perfect fall day and I was able to capture a few photos of the campus (which really do no justice what-so-ever)!

PS. Hoagie Haven is the best sandwich place - ever! Alejandro had been talking this place up for weeks... so I had high expectations to begin with - and it did not disappoint! Oh... and can't forget about my favorite photo from the day! ;)  Perfectly... fall!

Let's see... what else?!  Oh... I went to the Urban Outfitter's sample sale!  It was a huge warehouse full of apparel and home goods from Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters and Free People!  Sounds like a dream, huh?  It was actually more of an overwhelming nightmare!  I had never seen so many people and things and became completely overwhelmed digging through boxes, that I actually only left with a few things (but a few really good things)!  Next time though... I won't be a rookie and will remember to bring a suitcase, boxes, and potentially a u-haul! ;)

And... last but not least - a new baby was born into the family this past week!  Blog World, meet Jack. Jack, meet the Blog World! :) I can't wait to hold this little man on Thursday and take his newborn photos on Friday! Stay tuned for those photos - my cousin and I already have some great ideas for his first photo session! xxoo!

Sweet Tooth!

It's one of those nights where I am craving sugary deliciousness... and by craving, I mean, I am drooling over all of the yummy treats on {pinterest} and other blogs!  There is a good chance I might get in the car and drive to the store for some cake mix, brownies and ice cream... or whatever I need to make what is in the photo below!  Yummmmmmm!

step by step recipe {here}

Free People - Tonight Only!

Hi Friends!  I don't usually advertise sales for companies on my blog... but since I work at {Free People}, I am extra passionate about the big 4 hour sale tonight from 7-11pm!  Check out all of the new winter apparel and accessories and stock up on gifts with free shipping and an extra discount on orders over $200 - use promo code candycane!  And.. why wait, get your shopping basket ready now, and then hit order at 7pm before you head out for the evening!  Happy Shopping... click {here}!!  xxoo

Friday's Fancies: {Pattern Mixing}

Happy Friday!  This week flew by... can't believe it is almost the weekend!  I'm excited for {Friday's Fancies} this week because I suggested the "pattern mixing" theme idea to {av} when I met her this past Sunday at her blogger blitz event in NYC!  Oh, speaking of that, I haven't forgotten to post photos from the event - I will be doing that next week on Instagram Monday...so definitely check back then! :)  But... back to Friday's Fancies - I am a huge fan of pattern mixing... and so is Blair Eadie from {Atlantic-Pacific} - one of my favorite style icons:

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Ahh... I wish, wish, wish I had her wardrobe and I wish, wish, wish I could pull off the looks as flawless as she does! I know I am not the only one who swoons over her blog every.single.day! :) 

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Ok, that's enough Blair Eadie love for one day... here is another way I love to pattern mix...

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...in the home!  I actually should have included a photo of my family room in this post because it is full of patterns!  I have bright floral pillows on a brown pinstripe couch, sitting on top of a zebra striped rug, next to paisley stools... and the patterns continue!  It's the best way to mix fun with classic pieces of furniture!  But... if I were to create an outfit mixing different patterns, I would be inspired by this:

polyvore created by {ashley gale}

Hope you have a great weekend! See you on Monday!! PS. Make sure you stop by {av}'s blog to check out other pattern mixing inspirations for this week's {Friday's Fancies}! xxoo!

Just Saying...

Next time you find yourself caught up and frustrated trying to get something perfect on the first try, take a look at this early iteration of Twitter.  Never give up! :)

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Apartment Tour: {Alvhem Makleri & Interior}

It is no surprise that I love home decor and I love seeing how people decorate their space!  So... when I came across this amazing flat, I was drooling (with jealousy) and knew I had to share with you!  The neutral colors, combined with the wood floors and the impeccable details makes me wish I lived there... Only problem is... I believe this place is in Sweden!  Hope you enjoy the tour..

check out more photos {here}! 

Instagram: Eating Healthy

Happy Monday!  :)  Usually I give a quick recap of my weekend on Mondays, but I am going to do that later on in the week since my weekend is still (kind of) going on (blogging from the bus back to Philly from an amazing time in NYC)!!  But... I had to share some photos that might be shocking to a few people who know me well!  Last week I decided I had to stop eating out every meal (I was spending like $25 a day on food) and make my lunch daily!  I've made statements like that before (many times)... but this was the first time I actually did it - all 5 days... I swear! To be honest, I enjoyed it so much, I have no intention on stopping!  Not only am I eating so much better, I'd rather save that money for shoes or vacations anyway - so definitely a win, win situation!!  Here are some instagrams for proof of a successful lunch packing week...

So yummy!  In the mornings I was eating either yogurt parfaits with greek yogurt, granola and blueberries, {smoothies}, or steel cut oats!  For lunches I made a variety of different salads and wraps and made these delicious baked cajun chick peas that curbed my salt craving! I was even making soups and pastas that were light and healthy for dinner! So proud of myself!  I thought the first day I was going to go through sugar and pizza withdrawals... but nope, not once ~ even though they are so much prettier to instagram... so had to include photos from my files! ;)

What is your favorite thing to pack for lunch?  I need new ideas to keep me from getting board of my new healthy habits!!  Thank you... and I can't wait to see your fun instagrams!! xxoo

The iPhone photo printer! Need this NOW! :)

I am obsessed with this {photo cube} that I found on the web today!  With the amount of photos I take on my iPhone (over 1800 currently stored on there)... this would be awesome to have!  I think I will just need to add it to my ever growing wishlist (since it is also compatible with my "soon to be" iPad!  Have a great weekend... and don't forget to take photos for {instagram monday}!! xxoo

Friday's Fancies: {Golden Anniversary}

Happy Friday!  I am very excited for today's post because we are celebrating {av}'s 50th week of Friday's Fancies!  Congrats Lady - Happy Golden Anniversary!! Also, I am very excited for this weekend because I finally get to meet {av} on Sunday at her blogger get together in NYC (even though I feel like I've known her forever)!  That's right... tomorrow, I'll be heading to the big apple to play with Kristin from {ten scenic drive} and meet up with some other east coast bloggers! :) Can't wait!!!  In honor of {av} and my weekend in NYC - this week's fancy is all about GOLD... one of my favorite colors!  I've already blogged about gold accessories and arm candy... but, I pretty much love anything gold - from apparel to nails to home decor - this accent color isn't leaving my life anytime soon!  My favorite - gold sequins!! Hope you enjoy my golden inspiration....  

all images {via}