Boots Season

Steve Madden 'Gretell' lace up bootie (on clearance!)

Old Navy Faux-Animal Fur Ankle Boot (on sale for $25!)

Joie 'New Orleans' Boot

I know, I know, you're thinking 'Ashlei...we've been in boots season...heck, we're knee deep ready to get out of boots season'. And I totally get that. However, I have a serious obsession with boots (rightfully so due to where I live) and that obsession came out full force this past week. While most people are preparing to snatch up the new hot summer sandal, I'm digging through the sale rack of boots to see what I can add to my collection, which is already pretty expansive and according to DCT needs to be whittled down or at least out of his line of sight as it has kind of exploded all over our bedroom, and living room, and entry-way..... :] There's a little bit of spring cleaning on tap for this weekend. 

The three above are my newest acquisitions. Your classic lace-up (which I surprisingly didn't have before) with a small heel that'll be useful for slightly dressing up a more casual look. Leopard print booties, that I am so in love with, get ready to see these frequently on the blog. And finally a sort of impulse, yet totally had to have the moment I saw them, purchase - my Joie boots (originally $480, got them for $65! Ahh, sometimes I love my job, haha!). One part cowboy and another part swashbuckler-pirate, with just a touch of riding boot class, I will literally wear these till they come apart.

I hope you like my new friends, you'll be seeing them a lot ;) Thanks for reading and have a great weekend! Woo Friday!

Outfitted: Bellbottoms + Denim Vest

Hey there guys and gals! Is it just me or has this week been dragging? March doesn't seem to want to end, though I shouldn't be complaining because things are going to get a little crazier around here once April hits. DCT and I are officially moving out of Lincoln Park, to where is still being determined, but we're ready to try a new Chicago neighborhood. I always get a thrill out of the thought of moving and hunting for a new place (probably the military brat in me, haha!), I find it exciting to envision what it'd be like to live in different places and how I would make it my own.

All that I've just mentioned has absolutely nothing to do with this post, haha! I just felt like sharing (sharing is caring after all, right?). For this week's outfit post I was having a little of a 70's style moment, for those of you who don't know I love fashion from the 70's - the colors, the prints, the cool boho chicness, I'm all about it!

Which brings us to one of my favorite finds from Crossroads, my velvet Theory flare (border-line bellbottom) pants.

Though I didn't wear them this way, they're actually high-waisted pants (which is an extra bonus in my book). I spent the day running around doing errands therefore I wanted to keep my look pretty casual, so I threw on a green t-shirt and the denim vest I made myself (see how to here!). Finally to add a little more interest/color/print, I threw on my floral scarf and summer fedora and called it a day. When in doubt, always throw on a few accessories to take a causal outfit from "womp womp" to "oh wow!", Haha! ;)

Thanks so much for reading!

'Till Next Time...

::Outfit::

Pants - Theory (similar)

Top - H&M

Denim Vest - DIY (see here)

Scarf - Gift from DCT's mom (I also like this, this, or this)

Fedora - A'Gaci (Loving this one)

Booties - Steve Madden

Bag - Marc by Marc Jacobs

Accessories - Michael Kors rings, bracelet, watch; Ray Ban aviators

Rock This!: Spring Anoraks

Hi everyone! Spring is in the air and temperatures are slowly on the rise. I love this time of year because the weather is perfect for layering and breaking out those lightweight jackets. As you've probably guessed, I'm all about the anorak style jacket (as seen here, and here), I love how easy it is to just throw one on to give an extra element to a casual look, and it falls right in line with the sporty chic trend that's all the rage right now.

My anorak has definitely become a staple and I'm considering investing in an additional one, as I'm literally about to wear my current one out, haha! So for this week's Rock This, here are five spring anoraks you should highly consider adding to your closet. I know I will...

1. Vince Camuto Drawstring Anorak 2. Jack by BB Dakota Chambray Fashion Jacket 3. Anthropologie Rain Dotted Anorak 4. Anthropologie Frozen Oceans Anorak (on sale!) 5. Marc by Marc Jacobs Long Anorak

And, for your styling pleasure, here's the perfect springtime outfit to wear with a classic army green anorak. Who doesn't love a classic, crisp, white shirt dress? Pairing it with an anorak makes the look more casual and throwing on a great pair of colorful wedges adds some fun and personality.

Vince Camuto Drawstring Anorak / TopShop Crepe Shirtdress / Steve Madden Wimzikul Wedge / J.Crew Tote

Do you own or plan to purchase an anorak for the spring? How would you style it?

Thanks so much for reading!

'Till Next Time...

T.G.I.F.: The Clog

Hi everyone! Happy Friday! So the last couple days I've been working at our other store on Clark St. They recently expanded the store, so now it's like a massive Crossroads department store with lots of hidden gems inside. Enter the clog. Now I've never really been a "clog person", not that I hate the shoe, I just never considered it to be something that would work in my wardrobe. But then, while working the floor yesterday I came across these GORGEOUS, never worn, hunter green, Steve Madden clogs in my size (very similar to the one pictured above), and to top it all off they were half-off! My heart stopped and my mind started creating all these different outfits I could wear with the clogs, they would become a wardrobe staple! I would rock those clogs till all their little studs came off, I suddenly HAD to have those shoes.

I would like to end this story with I bought them and that you should keep an eye out for them in an upcoming outfit post...but unfortunately that is not the case :( If they were just half a size larger I would've worn them the rest of the day just to ensure no one else even thought about buying them, but alas, clogs don't look so great when the back of your foot is hanging off, even if it's just a little bit. However, thanks to those shoes I am currently obsessed with clogs and determined to find a pair to call my own, hence the outfit above. This is the perfect fall/winter casual weekend outfit incorporating a clog. I only wish I had those green beauties so I could bring this outfit to life.

What about you, lovely readers? Would you or do you ever wear clogs?

t.g.i.f.

::Shop The Look::

Sweater: Dorothy Perkins

Clog: Jimmy Choo

Denim: Mother

Beanie: Dorothy Perkins

Ring: Threadsence

Socks: Jack Wills