Dizzy Up The Dress

Spotlight: Anna Sui + Tag

2009-03-06T12:01:00.001-08:00

I have returned from my brief little unannounced hiatus haha. I gave this blog a new look, it feels much more Spring/Summer to me now. I was inspired by an Anna Sui collection from Fall 08. Anna Sui is easily becoming on of my favorite designers, after falling in love with her during Fashion week. I then started back-tracking and checking out some of her previous collections (which I loved). Check out these pictures below from Anna Sui F08, as well as the ones on my banner.

I was also tagged by Hannah at London--Rose, so here it goes...

What are you wearing now?
F21 cardigan, H&M leggings, DIY tank. Nanny uniform haha.
What’s your favourite TV programme?
I don't watch TV a whole lot, two of my favorite shows would be "Freaks And Geeks" and "Arrested Development" though neither air anymore .
Do you nap a lot?
I wish I could!
Who was the last person you hugged?
Sami, the little boy I watch.
What’s your current obsession/addiction?
I have recently rediscovered my love for MAC, and I have been on quite the cosmetics binge.
Which item from your closet are you wearing most lately?
All of my leggings get good wear now that I am au pair, or my Kill City jeans.
What was the last thing you bought?
Some MAC products.
What are you listening to right now?
"The Fame' by Lady Gaga, what else?
If you could have any super power, what would it be?
Teleporting haha.
What is your favorite weather, and why?
Sunny and warm weather!
What is your most challenging goal right now?
Patience... something I have never had much of and I think I may have run dry.
Say something to the person who tagged you:
Love your blog, and I am very jealous of your cute outfits.
If you could have a house–totally paid for, fully furnished–anywhere in the world, where would you want it to be?
Germany, somewhere deep in Bavaria.
Favorite vacation spot?
Italy, I love Italy. In the states though it's Las Vegas!
What is your favorite item of clothing?
it changes so often I have no idea.
Favorite pair of shoes you keep going back to over and over, even though your closet is overflowing with a zillion others?
Oxfords.
Name one thing you cannot live without:
Family, and friends.
What time is bed time?
It has been around 4am lateky, I can never sleep.
If you could be anywhere right now, where would it be?
shopping somewhere haha.
Give us an interesting fact about yourself:
I have no idea! My life is really so so so boring right now.

Expect more real updates this weekend + this week. I have many comments to return today and I need to catch up on some of my favorite blogs. I hope everyone had a lovely week!

xxo, Ashton

Image credit: Style.com

Inspiration Board

2009-02-27T15:14:00.001-08:00

Tokyo, CocoRosie, David Bowie (Androgyny), Kate Moss, Tom Binns jewelry, random model.

Real post soon, promise. I have been neglecting this blog, and my other one. I have been very busy lately, and I have a lot on my mind. I am going to be covering London Fashion week sometime this weekend.

xxo, Ashton

2009 Oscar Picks

2009-02-24T11:23:00.001-08:00

Slumdog's Frieda Pinto is my choice for best dressed of the evening. She looked absolutely beautiful in that blue John Galliano dress. All in all I must admit that I was under-whelmed at all the dresses that evening... I feel like everyone could have tried a bit harder and some people just looked sloppy (Jessica Biel).

Kate Winslet won! That made me very happy, it's about time. She looked very pretty in that YSL two-toned gown, she always looks very put together. Angelina (Ellie Sabb) and Brad, oh they are just too pretty for words. I really liked how John Legend wore brown, as apposed to the traditional black. Natalie Portman (Rodarte) and Alicia keys looks so pretty in their lilac dresses! Though I did feel Nat looked a little more boring, I think I liked Alicia's look a bit better, that high front slit was very 'sultry'. Did anyone notice that trend? Angelina had a high front slit too, as did Hiedi Klum (whose look I loved but forgot to feature).

SJP looked amazing, I think she wore Dior couture, that light mint color was very unique and she stood out. It was such a pretty dress. Penelope Cruz looked fab in her vintage dress, it was over 60 years old apparently. I actually think her look was a favorite, though I chose not to feature it. Ok Rachael Evan Woods dress was too die for, I had to try real hard to ignore that fact that it was here wearing it (I don't care for her at all). She makes really good red-carpet choices though, but she needs to do something about that brass/washed out looking hair color.

Taraji P. Henson, looked so gorgeous! I didn't know what I expected but she was one of the better of the night in my opinion. Robert Downey Jr. is my pick for best dressed male, he look very dapper. Anyone see Leo? I swear I either missed everyone or they were not there... which is weird. I wish I had more of these pictures, I gave up looking for them after I finished this.

Worst dressed: Jessica Biel, Anne Hathaway, Beyonce (girl could have worn some jewelry), Miley Cyrus, Tilda _____.

Another thing... where was everybody? Jack Nicholas? Johnny and Vanessa? Renee? Cate? I feel like a lot of the Hollywood heavyweights were missing. But Miley Cyrus was there? REALLY?

I hope everyone is having a good week so far!
Thank you all for the comments and a big thank you to my new followers!
I will return all the comments later, I have a lot of blogs to catch up on, my Internet wasn't working for a few days,.
xxo, Ashton

Fashion Week Favorites

2009-02-20T10:33:00.001-08:00

Just some of my personal favorites so far, there have been so many good collections at Fashion Week, I love it. I love Anna Sui's collection, it may just be my favorite. I am a huge fan of plaid, always will be, and she made great use of the pattern as well as many others. The colors she used are fabulous... teal, purples, and metallic's. I think it is safe to say that metallic material is defiantly "in" this season. I am also a huge sucker for all the silk fabrics used.

I am always a fan of Marc Jacobs, he does an impeccable job with everything that he does. And shoulder pads? One of my biggest guilty pleasures right now. I love them, and his are extreme of course, but fabulous none the less. I love sequins and I love Betsey Johnson. She always stays true to her signature style with every collection she does, one of the reasons I love her. I like how bold she was with this particular collection though and as you know she didn't do a runway show at Bryant Park but a smaller more private showing, I love the props and the setting of it (you can tell that the models are eating it up too). DVP is another favorite, she is always great and I am really feeling the shoes and headpieces.

Zac Posen's collection is a close second to Anna Sui's. Everything that I loved about the other collections seemed to be combined into this one with a very elegant twist to it all. There is also a bit more of a retro vibe which is something that I truly adore, how pretty are those gowns?

What are some of you favorites?

I hope everyone is having a great week so far!
xxo, Ashton

Images via Style.com.

Today's Outfit/Beauty Haul

2009-02-19T16:08:00.001-08:00

First off, thank you so much for all the comments and suggestions on that last post. I think I have an idea of how to wear those, we will see. To everyone who said to wear them with black, I have thought about that but I'm not sure how I feel about hot pink and black together on me, but none the less thank you so much! It was very nice to hear your opinions! Also thank you to everyone who subscribed, that means a lot! I am glad to know some people enjoy my blog as much as I enjoy blogging here ha.

I employed the 4 year old girl I nanny for to take my picture ha.

Forever 21 headband, H&M leggings, Aldo gladiators, and the shirt is from Express.

I dress for comfort on the weekdays, being a live-in au pair will do that to you. Leggings + any big shirt is pretty much my daily uniform, unless I am feeling really lazy (yesterday) then I'm wearing something a little crazy.

Ok, now on with the beauty supplies/make up talk... I bought a few things recently and just thought I would share. As some of you may know I was super pumped on the Hello Kitty MAC collection, I also bought a few other things...

Hello Kitty by MAC eyeshadow quad in "Two Dolly" (middle), MAC "Da Bling" and "Woodwinked" (right), over in the left picture is Hello Kitty MAC nailpolish in "Something About Pink".

SEPHORA Sculpting Disk.

Lancome Hypnose mascara and La Laque Fever lip gloss in Pink Dimension.
Right, my free gift.

For more on all of these, check out my video HERE! If you have a YouTube account, maybe we can be friends :)

xxo, Ashton

I am a little compulsive.

2009-02-16T14:40:00.001-08:00

I don't know why on earth I

buy some things...

I realize these may never see sunlight.

Hot pink crochet lace tights Forever 21, white tunic from Express.

These tights are very unlike anything else I own, I am still not sure what drew me to them. At least they were $7 haha, how would you wear these? And with what?

I was MIA most of last week, but I look forward to returning all the lovely comments I received and catching up on all of your blogs later this evening. I hope everyone had a lovely weekend and Valentines day! I bought a few other things at the mall, and I got carried away at the Lancome counter in Macy's haha but they had a really neat free gift set I got. My Hello Kitty MAC makeup should be coming in the mail today, I am way excited. I can't wait to play around with the palettes.

Also, I am so jealous of everyone who is in NYC for fashion week! I imagine you are all having a blast.
xxo, Ashton

My Valentine

2009-02-14T00:11:00.001-08:00

I hope everyone has a lovely Valentines Day.

xxo, Ashton

DIANE VON FURSTENBURG

2009-02-09T20:46:00.001-08:00

DVF Cruise/Pre-Spring 2008.

I snapped this picture in Las Vegas when I was there in January, the way it sparkled captured my attention. It is really simple yet super chic and glamorous. I liked it better on the mannequin than on the model at the pre-spring 2008 runway show. I snooped around the store a bit and left empty handed but I left wanted to see more of DVP's collections and I can say now that I am a huge fan. Check out these looks from her Spring 2009 collection...

Though I tend to wear darker colors I am a huge fan of color, these in particular. I think of "hippie-chic" when looking at this collection, with a bit of a bohemian twist to it all. I love absolutely love all of this. Aside from the gorgeous flowing gowns, fun floral patterns (I love floral patterns), and braided head bands - how much do you love their make up? I love it, pale lips + smokey eyes will forever be my personal favorite look and it totally channels the 1960's.

I know that her designs don't appeal to everyone and with that being said how do you guys feel about her SP09 collection? PF09 is pretty great too, though this one tops it.

xxo, Ashton

Runway images from here.

A lot of nothing...

2009-02-09T15:09:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I went out to lunch with my Aunt and Uncle who were visiting California from Ohio. It was nice to see some familiar faces. It has been rainy lately here in LA, never fun. Here are a few pictures, I didn't take a full body shot because I took these when I got home and my hair/face was looking all sorts of a mess from the rain haha.

Neon shirt from Nordstroms, H&M leggings, Jeffrey Campbell boots (I do own other shoes).
Bottom picture, blackberries!

I was checking out the M by MJ bags at Nordstroms yesterday and I am pretty sure that I need to make one mine... Hopefully by next month. I am super pumped for Hello Kitty for MAC which comes out in 3 days!!! I can not wait, I want to buy everything haha.

I have been checking out a lot of photographers lately and aside from Michael Oats Photography you should check out Steven Klein if you haven't before, he has a great still movie featuring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie right now. David Hogsholt is a photojournalist and has some really great work too, it's depressing and far from any type of glamour but he is very talented and worth checking out.

xxo, Ashton

Gucci Babouska Studded Boot

2009-02-06T15:44:00.001-08:00

I wasn't so sure at first but now I think I may be in lust with these.
So you can imagine how thrilled I was to find a charming replica of these designer boots at Bakers.

Gucci boot left, Bakers boot right.

There is no denying that studs are "in'". I may as well jump on the bandwagon too. These boots are really great because they can add that little something extra to a simple outfit. I am pairing them up in my head right now with a variety of things.

Thank you for the comments, I will reply to them all soon. This week has been hectic! I know I promised some outfit posts, those are on their way too, I just need to gain back a little bit of my sanity first. I hope everyone has a lovely weekend.

xxo, Ashton

Top image via Jak and Jil.

CHANEL Pre-Fall 2009

2009-02-03T22:51:00.001-08:00

The leather, fur, feathers, silk... Those colors. Detail, detail, detail. More headpieces... Karl Lagerfeld mastered this collection. I am in absolute awe of it. These are just a few favorites, the men look equally as impressive. Overlooking the obvious oriental inspiration, this particular collection reminds me of Russia pre-WWI and of something regal .

xxo, Ashton

More of this collection here.

Michael Oats

2009-02-01T16:28:00.001-08:00

Michael Oats Photography

He is brilliant, check out all of his photos. There is no doubt that you will not walk away a little inspired.

We went and looked at houses in San Diego all day. There was a really awesome Italian styled one that Samia liked, but I like the other one better and so did Samir. We are going back next weekend to look at some more. It was so hot and sunny out today, I love it.

xxo, Ashton

Wood Winked

2009-01-30T22:35:00.001-08:00

This photo is from Harpers Bazaar UK February 2009, and look it's those Louis Vuitton shoes that I talked about a few posts below. I absolutely love them, I am a pretty big fan of these wooden bangles as well. I think I should incorporate a few wooden bangles into my jewelry collection, though I am not a huge jewelry person as you will come to find out, but I have always had a thing for wooden jewelry/beads, etc.

How fun are the animal print ones? I love big bangles.
I can't get over these shoes... they are killer!

This week has been a drag. Hopefully this weekend I will be able to relieve some of stress, I need a break!

Outfit posts to come, I really haven't been able to do anything with myself during the week days but I hope that will soon change. Being an au pair is rough, especially when you aren't exactly a "kid person".

xxo, Ashton

Image credit: here! and here!

Oversized and Oxfords

2009-01-28T12:31:00.001-08:00

I have had a thing for over sized t-shirts, I bought a neon green one at Nordstroms this past weekend but have yet to wear it.

I have also been in search of the perfect pair of oxfords, and I think I found them! I just can't decide on black or on the tan ones below... Oversized rose embroidered shirt and oxfords from Top Shop.

I was checking out the American Apparel site today, they have a lot of great stuff on there. I saw these sunglasses that obviously reminded me of the two-toned ones from Chanel a few years ago. I like them, and they are definitely more in my budget. I promised myself I would watch my spending, but it is so hard sometimes, well almost all the time haha.

I had a few comments on my yellow nail polish that I had one with those boots, it's called Cab Fare from Seprora by OPI.

xxo, Ashton

Louis Vuitton Spring 2009 RTW

2009-01-27T10:12:00.001-08:00

I love what Marc Jacobs has done for LV. I feel this collection was channeling a mix between retro 40's glamour, with a pinch of the 1980's to top it off. How hot are those shoes, and handbags? I am really feeling the shoulder pads in this collection, and of course the mini skirts. These are just a few of my favorites, I really love the suits he did as well, the remind me of the 40's a lot, they seem to me like something you would see on Gwen Stefani - who really is the definition of Rock Star glam.

Image credit, and full collection photos at Style.com.

xxo, Ashton

Dear Lace Leggings,

2009-01-25T14:39:00.001-08:00

I love the idea of you...

But I'm not sure how I feel about you.

Lace leggings from Papaya?, Jeffrey Campbell boots, and black Soprano dress (not shown).

xxo, Ashton

PLAID

2009-01-24T22:40:00.001-08:00

I have always loved plaid. I loved plaid before it plaid. Maybe it's my mid-western roots, maybe not... anyway, I wore my new long plaid shirt today that I bought at Urban Outfitters last weekend at the Glendale Galleria.

I like this color a lot. I couldn't get a good full length shot. I wore it with black H&M leggings and my Jeffrey Campbell peep-toe boots. I spent a good four hours at the mall today, and I am very happy with everything I bought. I found a Bettseyville 3-piece cosmetic bag at Macy's for an additional 40% off the sale price, it was $17.something, I was pumped. I did go over budget though, so next weekend I am going to try not do much spending. Oooh but MAC has their Hello Kitty line coming out soon...

xo, Ashton

Jeffrey Campbell Peeptoe Boot

2009-01-23T08:21:00.000-08:00

I bought them on clearance for $69.99 originally $185, such a good deal. They are very comfy, and I love them. They match this teal/black plaid long shirt I bought last weekend at UO at the Glendale Galleria very well. I also the heel on these. I also bought a shirt from Juicy Couture that I love. I have my eye on a Marc by Marc Jacobs bag from last season that is on sale but I am thinking about saving up and buying a newer one, who knows.

I have been very stressed lately. More on that later...

xo, Ashton.

Shredded Shirts

2009-01-15T21:52:00.001-08:00

I finally finished mine the other day! It took me a few hours spanned over 3-days. I did it when I was watching TV or a little before bed.

I used a basic white tank from H&M, a seam ripper, scissors to cut off the hem and my fingers to pull apart the majority of the threads. I am happy with the results, not sure when I will wear this yet. I used the tutorial from Carbon Couture and Childhood Flames to get started.

I ordered some Jeffrey Cambell boots today that I can not wait to get!

xo, Ashton