Happy {Lounging} Weekend

A little late in the day due to a photo shoot and a celebratory lunch date, but here's to wishing you all a lovely, relaxing yet exciting weekend with a few days off from the habits and schedules that often bind us during the work week. On my agenda: tapas and red wine with old friends, an afternoon lounging on the sugar sands of the Gulf, a quick trip to the farmer's market, and finally starting this book.
xoxo

Hello, I'm Ainsley and I have a height complex

I had a dream last night about shoes. You laugh, but I really did. I did because my shoe closet needs some spice and I've been thinking about it a lot lately. Some colorful, textured, sky high spice. You see, I'm a good 5'8. So all the fabulously sassy heels out there that are average, oh,  five inches tall, make me tower into the sky. Often I lust at these from afar, picking them up, turning them over in my hand while mentally calculating the fact that I would be around 6'1 in most. But I love shoes- especially a fun pair of outfit-making statement shoes. I build outfits around them in my daydreams, I talk my much shorter friends into purchasing them, I do anything to feel just a little bit of the satisfaction I would feel from buying them, without actually buying them due to my tall complex. I normally leave the store with a flattering pair of nude wedges (my favorite shoe- I'm up to about four pairs now) or a classy pair of pumps, both no taller than three-ish inches. But then I dreamt about shoes, and I decided I'm done with that jazz. I have all the nude wedges and every type of pump a girl could need. So, sorry all you fellas under 6'1, it's time for a shoe revolution in Ainsley's closet. It's time to be leggy. Lucky for me, Victoria shared her secrets in my inbox this morning and I created quite the statement shoe wishlist to say the least, starting with these:

I think that's a good start (read: purchase). Now on to the rest:

Thank you, Victoria, for the shoe intervention. Goodbye habit shopping, hello shoe fetish.
I'll keep ya posted.
(green, snakeskin, bootie, leopard, peep toe)

Cinderella Complex

 

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

Tuesday Treats: Today I Love

It's a monsoon today, and while rain can quickly dampen (sorry, couldn't help the pun) a sunny attitude, a few mood-lifting inspirations are just what the doctor ordered. So today I love a few charming things to instantly brighten your Tuesday:

 A must read for us all. Now where to find it?

 Pretty necklaces with a shimmer and a bow to brighten up a rainy day.

 The most elegant tablescape, with a side of coral and zebra. Quirky and classy, my favorite mix.

 A clever idea: wrap a bottle of wine in pretty leftover fabric and tie with a ribbon for an instantly chic gift.

Simple, fuss free style for a instantly chic, casual look.

(images via here and here)

Monday Mantra

Happy Monday lovelies. A short and sweet mantra for us this week. Wishing you a delightful start to what is sure to be a delightful week.

(1 and 2)

True Love

So here I am, just scouring my favorite blogs this morning, when it happened.
I fell in love.
Seriously, it was just like BAM. Love.
It happened to me while reading one of my favorite blogs, Elements of Style. Today, Erin featured J.Crew's Fall arrivals (thank you, Erin!). And I know what you're thinking... "Haven't you loved J.Crew for quite some time now?" Why yes, yes I most certainly have. But never this much. Never have I felt the immediate need to go and spend a whole paycheck on the most eye-popping, colorful, clean-lined, fall clothes I've ever seen. Never have I thought to myself, "I need to go to J.Crew now". Never have I needed a cropped magenta cigarette pant or a chartreuse crushed velvet blazer or an emerald silk blouse so badly. Never have I convinced myself that such a line would change my career, my love life, and my self-perception. Until today, right now.
Alright, I'm being a tad bit dramatic (surprise!), but seriously, let's look at a few pieces from possibly my favorite line J.Crew has produced to date:

 

I need everything above so badly. My closet told me. I'm reminding myself to breathe right now. (Mom and Dad, if you're reading this, I promise to resume being a responsible, money-saving adult after this shopping trip.)
Oh, and a little shout-out directed to my leopard-loving bff Mary Catherine. It's a jungle, literally, over there for you right now. All leopard love here.
So there, see if it's possible to not have a fabulous Friday after feasting your eyes on that. 
Happy weekend lovelies!
xoxo

Guest Post: Booties Booties Booties Booties Rockin' Everywhere

Due to my constant battle with my Internet provider, my sassy/sarcastic/fashion-obsessed/fellow-blogger/expert-deal-finder friend Kathleen is coming to the rescue today with some steals and deals for you to indulge in. Check out her Fashionista-Meets-Reality blog at Carrie Bradshaw Lied. See you tomorrow. 

From, Ainsley

Hey readers of Ainsley’s. This isn’t Ainsley…This is Kathleen and I want to talk about shoes, clothes, accessories, traveling, food, clothes, accessories… per usual.

Let’s continue. I have my own blog, Carrie Bradshaw Lied  , that you may have seen on your girl Ainsley’s list of Friend Who Blog. While Ainsley’s having internet drama, here is a little sample of the valuable, groundbreaking, informative, serious content you can find on Carrie Bradshaw Lied.  

(10 points if you get the title of this post)

So I realize this has been a trend for some time…I get it. I just didn’t think it was “me.” That is, until I saw these beauties at a local boutique. Or should I say booties? I know, I think I’m hilarious.  (You can also find these here and here.)

I blogged about my lustful desire for perforated pumps way back when (you can see that here)  but I knew these beauties/booties needed to be on my feet stat. It also didn’t hurt that they were on sale for a whopping $19 (sorrryyy that yours are on sale for $25.85 instead…but I think you can afford it).

So I bought. And I love!

If you’re more into the Prada heels, you can find a similar version here.

So there you have it. Booties that are (inexpensive) Beauties. If you enjoyed this post…follow me, visit me, tweet me at Carrie Bradshaw Lied  - where praise is welcome, criticism is not. Totally kidding. I actually prefer that my friends insult me, Chelsea Handler-style…but isn’t that fun to say? Praise is welcome, criticism is not. Say it yourself, and tell me you don’t smile.

xoxo,

K

Afternoon Pick-Me-Up

I'm late for our coffee date today. But it's been one of those days. Or it was, at least, until I ran into the colorful designs of Coco Ribbon. Have y'all heard of this girl? London-based and now available in Australia, some of her designs are simply stunning. Like any designer, some of it I loved, and some of it I....um... didn't love. But minus the occasional over-the-top print this bold fashionista might throw into her styling, I'm giving my new find two thumbs up for flirty, feminine, and colorful statement pieces. Perk: she's currently having an online sale. Judge for yourself the pieces that won me over:

 Pretty peacock kaftan. Sunny and breezy. Perfect for the beach.

 Fresh skirt and blouse combo. Classy yet youthful and sassy. Perfect for my office.

 

Sequined bolero.  Ultra glam and girly. Perfect for, well, life.

Navy chiffon frock. Subtle and sexy. Perfect for date night.

Swingy sequined dress. Just plain fun and pretty. Perfect for a party.

Here's to late afternoon day-savers!

Shake the glitter off your clothes now

Dashing in a before a flurry of meetings, a luncheon, and planning galore. The dust will settle soon and posting will return to actual original content (when my internet at home gets turned on finally tomorrow!). But until then, feast your eyes on some new uses for glitter I've stumbled across. I'm very anti too much glitter, but lately I've noticed a little has been growing on me- simply a touch here, a touch there, and sure to brighten your day or your next project:

 

 A whimisical twist on a French manicure.

 Edible glitter = the most glamorous cupcakes ever.

 

 Surprising glamour applied to simple, every day things like clothespins.

 Alright, sequined shorts aren't really very new but I still just really want some.

Monday Mantra

And here we are with a fresh new week. After a fun (and, sadly, rainy) filled weekend, it's time to get back to the work-place drawing board for some new perspectives and  challenging projects. Mentally noting to open my eyes and mind a little more this week to be able to bring new, exciting, innovative things to the table. So here's to having an inspiring week, and picking up a new idea or two along the way:

Happy {New To-Do} Weekend

I'm starting something new.
I like to-do lists. You know that about me. And if you didn't, now you do. So I'm going to make a fun to-do list every Friday.
Does that sound a little backwards? A fun Friday to-do list? A little. So let's think of it as more of a weekly bucket list that I'm absolutely going to accomplish. And here's why:

Have you ever looked around the very place in which you live and recognized how many things you surprisingly have never thought twice about? The old vintage store on the corner, the book store tucked between the boutiques you frequent- whatever it may be, the hidden treasures that are in neighborhoods across the country that our busy or preoccupied eyes often scan right over. What about the things you wish you'd done? The things that sound so lovely in theory but gosh darn it, you just absolutely have no time for. I work a lot during the week, with work events often taking up much of my after-office hours. But, I still want to explore those places. And do those things. I have a new home, and I must acquaint myself with it. Hence, my weekend list.

Having grown up vacationing around the area in which I now live, I'm very accustomed to the tourist, if you will, attractions. The glitzy restaurants, the live music venues, the glamorous boutiques, you name it. However, a lover and supporter of all things local, life here for me now is about exploring and getting to know those very people and places.
I'll carry a camera wherever I go, (and at last resort, Instagram can capture life perfectly) and document these weekend rendezvous for our Monday morning meeting. And, just for fun, I challenge you to go explore a little yourself (and if you yourself are a blogger, I'd love to read about your local adventures as well!)
My new seaside town is the perfect place to capture, explore, and experience all things stylish. And I'm anticipating it to be a well-spring of inspiration to refine my personal style even further.

This first one is pretty basic, seeing as how I've just arrived:
- Take this little man to explore his new sidewalks.

- Try my hand at the area's thrift shops to see what sort of furniture catches my eye to spruce up for the new home.
- Take my bicycle to the neighborhood coffee shop and catch up on some much-needed blog research.

- Try out the new gourmet hot dog stand in the Seaside a square.
-Make at least one new friend.
- Wander through the vintage bookstore for beautiful bookshelf finds.

So happy weekend lovelies, I hope you see the next few days full of adventure, celebration, relaxation, and all things gorgeous!
xoxo

Hello, Optimist

How much different the world looks when seen through the glittering, sparkly eyes of optimism and expecting everything to turn out just how it should. How much hope and joy springs up through positivity, and how a simple smile can change the demeanor of any situation. How finding the humor in life offers a well-spring of satisfaction, and how contentment comes from gratitude. A joyful life grows from an optimistic one. So wear your sunny state of mind.
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