Fashion Friday

TGIF my friends! I am looking forward to fun filled weekend with my family in town--HOORAY! Lots of pictures to come on Monday!

For today's Fashion Friday I thought I would make my October wishlist and share with you! In the future I plan on snapping pictures of my outfits from the week and sharing those on Fashion Friday & also different ways to mix items you already have in your wardrobe.

But for today--here is my October Wishlist!

#1: I need a new pair of boots and I am hoping I can locate these in town so I don't have to order online but here they are. If you shop through ebates when you do your online shopping(earn cash on your purchases!)
#2&#3: I want a moto jacket!! I have been on the hunt for a great one under $100. I like these two.
#4: I would love a polka dot sweater. I saw it paired with the "The J.Crew Vest" from last year & I love the mixing pattern combo. For under $30, this one is too cute.
#5: Leopard pumps! I think there is a sophistication & glamour to a pair. Under $100, these BCBG ones are a good buy!

I have some money set aside for these new additions to my wardrobe so I am hoping to find them all locally this week!!

What's on your October Wishlist??

Cookin' Wednesday

Hi friends!
So today I thought I'd share some of my eating healthy tips. In no way am I a nutritionist, but I am learning on how to eat better, aimed at weight loss. I am in love with the website Tone It Up. Its a great community of encouraging women, all working towards the same goal--healthy living. Being healthy isn't important for weight loss, we need to take care of our bodies so we can live our best lives.
I am(mostly)eating by the Tone It Up plan which is 5 small meals a day. This keeps me full and satisfied all day long. Also you drink TONS of water. Some times I am good about that sometimes I am not.

What I really wanted to share today was my healthy lunch tips & snacks. It is so easy to run out and grab something at local fast food place or restaurant and be tempted to not eat something healthy. I might eat out 1 day a week as a treat but I still try to keep in my mind my eating rules--clean, lean and green.
On Sundays, I do a lot of food prep for the week. It takes some time and planning but it really helps all week long. This week I prepped 3 mason jar salads, knowing one day I would eat dinner left overs and the other I am going out to eat when my sister and brother-in-law come. I also juiced two servings and divided up my dried fruit into healthy portions.

MASON JAR SALADS

These are my salads. They keep for about 4 days. I use whatever leftover meat I have from dinner the night before. Be sure you add your dressing in FIRST so your greens don't spoil. I use any vinaigrette or oil & balsamic vinegar mix. Then I add in chick peas--great extra protein, chopped veggies(I like tomatoes, bell pepper & onions), almonds, dried cranberries sometimes, sometimes I add sun dried tomatoes(not many because of the oil but just a little) & then add spinach and/or kale. They are rich in nutrients and will fill you up! I use the pint size and these really fill me up. 

 JUICING

 I love juicing and enjoy it for a morning (M2) or afternoon (M4) snack. This is my fave recipe: 1 pear, 1 green apple, 1-2 carrots, and a handful(1 cup-ish) of spinach & one of kale. You can store it in a mason jar for 48 hours & still get the nutrients and benefits. 

SNACKS

I got lucky at Big Lots last week & found some dried fruit for a $1! While fruit won't make you fat, like everything in moderation is good. So I decided to divide up the bags in these snack size ziplocks. Its the perfect amount and keeps me from eating the whole bag which I normally would. I eat these for M1, or M2 on the Tone It Up plan. 

Those are my healthy eating tips--what are yours? **PS tone it up is NOT paying me for this post--I just genuinely love the site!**

Weekend Review

Hello all!
Did you have a most fabulous weekend?? Besides the rain Saturday, we had a lovely weekend here in the 'ham.
Friday night hubs & I met at The Boot in The Preserve for dinner and drinks. I meant to take a picture of our yummy food but we were staving! We had some wine, enjoyed the music & the food. It is a great price for delicious local, fresh food!
Saturday I actually worked as a wedding coordinator all day for a super sweet couple! They got married without a hitch and Brandi was the most beautiful bride. I snapped this pic of their photo booth:

Cute right?? If you want to know more about the wedding planning company I work for check out her website here.

Saturday Night we headed over to our friends Chris & Haley's for football & chili!

The Tide Rolled over CU which was great! We are headed to Tuscaloosa this weekend & couldn't be more excited!

Sunday was spent prepping for the arrival of my sissy & brother-in-law...I cleaned the guest room, did laundry, cleaned out our pantry, went to the grocery, made my salads and juice for the week(recipes coming on Wednesday), & ended the night with some yummy dinner & the Emmy's!

Here are some of my favorite looks from the Emmy's last night:

And here's a pic of the haircut from last week! I love it! SO much easier then before. I will probably let it grow long again but its fun to mix it up every once and a while...

It's a busy week ahead for the "S" family yet again--I have a dinner date with a friend, 2 trunk shows, sissy & bro-in-law will be here Thursday & then we are off to T-Town for the weekend for football, tailgating & fun!
What's on your schedule this week?

Fashion Friday

Hello friends!
I took Wednesday & Thursday off from blogging because I was swamped this week with trunk shows! But I am back for Fashion Friday!

So I am currently craving new workout clothes--not really fashion you are thinking? Think again!
Activewear has become so fashion forward now. I am a big believer in if you like what you are wearing it will make you workout--crazy as it may seem it actually makes me want to get out and be active so I can be seen in my cute outfit :)

When I was a kid, I played tennis so I could wear the cute clothes people. I guess I have always loved clothes no matter the occasion!

I have recently started going to Pure Barre in Homewood which is one heck of a workout but also a fashion show. Everyone always looks so cute! SO here are my current activewear wants:

#1: http://tgt.biz/16MwAcD

#2:http://bit.ly/1dw9Kb2

#3:http://bit.ly/16MwJwS

#4:http://bit.ly/18gjp2d

#5:http://bit.ly/1fiVrbR

I must say finding affordable workout/activewear clothes is not easy. I am not one to want to spend $80+ on yoga pants. I am on a mission to find more affordable workout clothes! In the meantime, I will dream of lululemon leggings :) 

On a totally other note, there is a flash sale going on right now on my Stella & Dot website! Check out the fan favorite sale!

Windsor Tassel necklace: http://bit.ly/15cKVvs

Starstruck Ring: http://bit.ly/1evVHW3

Wesley Pendant: http://bit.ly/1aaLjxO

Hope you have a great weekend! Check back on Monday to see our weekend review! 

What I am...

Hello Friends!!! Here is "What I am..." this week:

What Am I Doing?(had to change it around--the grammar was terrible the other way!)

I am working on de-cluttering & organizing our home. I am NOT an organized person. I am pretty messy (not dirty, just not good at putting things away). Not having some good organizational systems in place is really causing me alot of stress. Working full time, running a full time business plus with Lee in school & trying to be wife, friend, sister, daughter, coach, maid, cook, and whatever other hat I wear is just becoming a little much. So I am making it my mission to get more organized!
A sorority sister told me about Mary Organizes & her de-clutter challenge. I am just starting this week & tackled the kitchen drawers last night. Tonight is the pantry(I am super excited about this one). I threw a bunch of stuff out last night (which felt awesome--y'all I had at least 8 vegetable peelers! & I even threw out a terrible wine bottle opener). I will take some pictures and update y'all on my non-hot mess of a house progress.

What I Am Excited About! 

My little sister& brother-in-law are coming to visit in almost a week!! I cannot wait to see them!! I haven't seen them since May, & Lee hasn't seen them since December. We have a jammed packed weekend full of fun, food, concerts & football planned for them!

I have many house projects to complete by then.....check the blog next week for my living room makeover, "S" wall in our bedroom & sprucing up the patio project pics. I better working on some of this....

What I Am Trying To Decide On.....
I am getting a haircut & color today *cue the angels signing!*

But here is my problem....I really have no idea what I want! I like my hair longer but right now its too long which is why its been in a ponytail for the last month & I am not real crazy about my color anymore. My hairstylist is going to be thrilled when I walk in the door today.... "Hi! I'd like my hair different but the same & I have no idea what I want!".

Here's a few things I have seen that I like:

I like this color I think--more like the top one. I am missing my blonder hair lately. Image from Pinterest. 

I like this cut I think....too blonde for the color. Maybe a little bit longer. 

OR part of my totally adores this cut but worried it will make my face look rounder then it already is. 

I will be sure to share a picture after its all done. Be sure to follow me on Instagram (@stylefinderbyashley) to see it tonight! 

What are you excited about, deciding on or doing this week??

Weekend Review

Hello!
Hope you had a lovely weekend! Ours was filled with to-dos, laziness & football of course!
Friday we kept it low key & got take out & watched one of our favorite shows, New Girl. By Friday I am too tired to go anywhere or do anything so a quiet night in was perfect!
Saturday only means one thing down south...FOOTBALL! We went to our best friends house for a football party. We had a great time and thankfully the Tide pulled out a W. I was a ball of nerves the whole game.
The weather was so nice we enjoyed a fire outside that evening.

Sunday, Lee spent the day studying & I spent the day doing nothing. Seriously I laid on the couch all day. It was lovely. I of course now feel stressed and behind in my "to-do's" but it was nice to just go nowhere & enjoy being home. 

This week is a busy one for the "S" family--Lee has 3 tests, I have 3 trunk shows, & we have to start getting ready for my sissy & brother-in-law's visit next weekend! What's on your to-do list for the week?? 

Fashion Friday

It's Fashion Friday! I recently shopped the J.Crew Factory Sale & thought it would be fun to show how I plan on styling these items. Got some great pieces that will work in several seasons and can be worn many ways.
Look #1:
Scalloped Lace Top. I fell in love with this top & had to have it. It is a beautiful tomato red which makes it great for football season. I have paired it with 4 different types of pants here & 2 differently jewelry looks. Pants are from farfetch.com, houseoffraser.com, gap.com, and target.com. Jewelry is all from my Stella & Dot collection! Featured here: Sutton Necklace, Twila Drops, Ivey Bangle, Gilded Arrow Bangle, Christina Link Bracelet, Allegra Earrings & Necklace.

Look #2: Striped Dress. The one pictured here is Navy but the one I got is Black & White. It is a thicker knit so it will even be a good layering piece when it gets colder. I decided to show a fall & spring/summer look here. One piece that you can wear through many season & just update with Stella & Dot accessories!Boots asos.com, wedges topshop.com, Scarf-Midnight Bloom from Stella & Dot, Peacock Bracelet & Earrings, Frida Necklace, Madison Tech Tote, Soiree Studs & Jessie Stretch Bracelets.

Look #3: Chambray Shirt & Tan Skirt. I am sucker for anything Chambray. I love this top because its lighter weight so in hotter months it will be a good layering piece over a tank, and in colder months it will layer perfect under a sweater. The great thing is these two pieces can be worn separate or together with so many things. The vest picture I already own but is also from J.Crew. Boots jcpenny.com & Adelina Cuff, Sanibel Pendant, Mila Earrings & How Does She Do It Bag in Metallic from Stella & Dot.

If you can't tell I am ready for fall & to break out the fall clothes! What are you excited to wear this fall?

Cookin' Wednesday(that I am posting on Thursday)

Normally, I try really hard on Sundays to menu plan, shop & get a few things prepared for the week. Since having the plague I haven't been able to do that. This recipe was intended to be in my rotation last week but its taken me until today to make it.
We are not eating it as a sandwich but just the chicken itself & some veggies on the side! Back to the healthy eating, after living on ginger ale and saltine's for the last few days. (Don't ask what Lee has been eating...I am sure just cereal).
Here is the original recipe from Food Network:

Ingredients
1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced
Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon sugar
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 small bunch dill, leaves and tender stems (about 1 cup)
1/4 cup walnuts
1 small clove garlic
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 2 1/2-pound rotisserie chicken, skin removed and meat shredded
2 tomatoes, sliced
1/2 head Boston lettuce, leaves separated
8 thick slices country white bread, lightly toasted
Potato chips, for serving (optional)
Directions
Combine the onion, lemon juice, sugar, 1/4 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl; set aside.

Put the dill, walnuts and garlic in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. With the motor running, slowly add the olive oil until the mixture comes together, scraping down the sides of the processor as needed. Transfer the dill pesto to a large bowl and stir in the lemon zest and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Add the chicken and toss to coat.

Drain the onion and squeeze dry. Drizzle the tomatoes with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Divide the lettuce and tomatoes among 4 pieces of bread; top each with some chicken salad, onion and another piece of bread. Serve with chips.

And here is my version:

I just used a package of boneless, skinless chicken tenders this time. I boiled them and then shred them in my kitchen aid mixer--use the paddle attachment for easy, shredded chicken!

What are you cooking up tonight?

What I am....

What I am wanting....

I am dying for a moto jacket. It is so opposite of my "normal" style but I want one so bad! I have got my eye on a few! This one is Vince Camuto from Zappos.com


What I am dreaming of...

Image from housestoriesatoaz.com

Fall! I am ready for some fall weather. Here in Alabama September has been hotter then most days this summer. I am ready for a crisp in the air, boots, a light sweater, and nights on the patio by the fire.

What I am loving....

Ginger ale. I have had the stomach bug going around the last 4 days. I am ready for real food, and to rejoin the world.

What are wanting, dreaming or loving??

Here we go!

Well here it is! My first post on the new blog! I thought I'd make this a "Meet & Greet" Post if you will.

This is me(on the right) & hubs on the (left). We have been together for 7 years, married almost 5. We met in college but didn't starting dating until my senior year. Our first date was the Alabama vs. Vandy game & we've been together ever since. 

I have had a few jobs in the last 5 years: social worker, preschool teacher, retail manager....but I found my life calling when I found Stella & Dot. I love sharing our style with women at our private in-home trunk shows but I love being a business coach to women all over the country. Its exciting to see them accomplish their goals & do the same for others. 

Hubs has always known what he wanted to do in his professional life. He has been an RN for 5 years working in various ICU units. He is now pursuing his life dream of becoming a CRNA(he'll be the one to knock you out before surgery). I could not be more proud of him. Truly, he is one amazing guy. I think I will keep him ;) 

 So I grew up in Baltimore, MD, went to an all-girls private school, have one sister, and the best parents a girl could dream of. My WHOLE family still lives in MD which makes it hard to see them sometimes & I do get homesick but I am a southern girl now & I love it here! We have lived in Birmingham for 5 years & totally love it. The city is full of fun things to do, places to eat(basically my favorite thing to do), & is central to so many other great southeastern cities. Hubs grew up here so his family is here which is really nice. We enjoy our dinners together, hanging out on their patio and attending Church together. 

We are Alabama fans through & through. Football is a serious deal in our house. We only live about 45 min from Tuscaloosa so we try to make it down there for games when we can. If we aren't there, we are at football party somewhere! 

We love to vacation. In the first 3 months we were dating we went on 3 trips together. We have been to: New Orleans, Mobile, Baltimore, Destin, Gulf Shores, Atlanta, Nashville, Asheville, Gatlinburg, St. Lucia, Mexico, Bald Head Island, Las Vegas, and Savannah so far. We have a long list of travels we want to do in our lifetime. 

Lastly, I can't forget our pups

(its a picture of a picture because it was the only one I could find of both of them & this one is so old!) 

So that's Lucy on the left, she's my baby & Charlie on the right. They are 5 & 6 now. We found Charlie in Tuscaloosa, and Lucy was also a rescue and my wedding gift! They are both totally nuts. If you've ever met my dogs you know what I am talking about. They have their own personalities and do crazy things but we love them. Our life & our home wouldn't be the same without these two nutcases. 

So that's just a little bit about the "S" family. Hope you will come back and read some more!