Absence

makes the heart grow fonder? Hmmm.... I hope so! Sorry I've been away. My body has not been cooperating lately with what I want to do. More on that later, maybe :)
Don't worry, it's nothing too serious. 

I'm thinking of changing the name of this blog to 'Living Blondely' instead of just 'Shopping Blondely'.  The site address would stay the same, though~

I'm working to get more organized--both with this blog and in every other area of my life.  Here are some inspiration pics for how I've organized my house:

Source: simplifiedbee.blogspot.com via Ashlie on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Ashlie on Pinterest

Source: mrspollyrogers.com via Ashlie on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Ashlie on Pinterest

 

Source: bing.com via Ashlie on Pinterest

Follow me on Pinterest  here! Because I can pin from my phone, you can see my latest loves quickly!!

Tomorrow: what I've been up to! (well, almost 6 months ago!~

xox 

Ash~

Sale!

I had to tell y'all....

J. Crew is having a 30% off everything sale! That never happens. They don't do sales.
and the Factory store is 40% off everything!!! Crazy!

What I wore

Hi!
So we're having a tropical storm through these parts.... I'm snuggling in bed with the three weiner dogs, putting off getting up and getting ready for work. Yuck. When the weather is this nasty (rainy, like pouring rainy!, windy, tornado watch....) I do not want to do anything!
But here is what I've worn the last week or so~ 

Chambray jacket: Target, ($35/$17.49); Pink ruffle tank: Target, ($14.50/$10); Skirt: LOFT ($69/$22.49); Necklace: LOFT ($39.50/$18), Shoes: Charlotte Russe ($39/$10)

I love this top. I told y'all, I'm obsessed with sand with white right now!!

Sequined striped tank: LOFT outlet ($36.99/$18); White skinny ankle jeans: LOFT ($59.50/$29); Giraffe necklace: LOFT outlet ($29.50/$6.50); brown wedges: Charlotte Russe--SUPER old

I know I'm wearing the wrong colors in this outfit! Orange & green...what?! Oh well~ :) People loved this outfit this day. I thought it was just eh~

Orange patterned top: LOFT ($49.50/$25); Kelly green 4" inseam shorts: LOFT ($39.50/$20); Wooden necklace... I have no idea! it's SO old! Shoes, Charlotte Russe. Same as in above outfit

Orange paisley top: LOFT outlet ($24.50/$12.25); Orange maxi skirt: LOFT outlet ($49.99/$20); Pink/orange/gold beaded necklace: LOFT ($39.50/$15); orange & pink jellies: LOFT ($19.50/$10)

Can you tell I went to the LOFT outlet this past weekend?? They had the cutest stuff!! Shorts and shirts like this one were buy one get one free!!! That is a great great deal

Dress: Old Navy ($34.94/$20); Belt: Forever21 ($5.80); Flip-flops: J. Crew Factory ($26/$11)

I just took the tags off this dress Sunday. I've had it for several months. I love it!

All pieces here are from LOFT

Short sleeved Vneck cardigan ($44.50/$22); Neon tank ($14.50/$7); Polished denim shorts ($39.50/$20); Black floral shoes ($39.50/$20) <-----Now $14.88!!

Scarf: $34.50; Watch: Michael Kors

Again, all pieces above are from LOFT. People loved this! All day I heard "you just put everything together and it works" and "I could never wear that, but it's so cute on you!"

To this I say: Thank you, first of all! But... You CAN wear it! If have you the attitude that you can wear it, then you CAN.  Repeat after me. You Can Wear Anything.

These two are from Sunday. I spent the day with C. It was glorious.  We fell in love with the town we live in again. The drink is the Bretts Rum Punch from Brett's Waterway Cafe. So good. The drink & the restaurant ;)  The above picture is the view from our lunch! So wonderful


Coming up: an Ash PSA  get excited! :D

xox

Ash~

Secret~

So I told you I would share a secret.....

Well, the outfits I have posted have a price with them. That is not the price I paid. Unless it's from Forever21.  The price I list is the sticker price.
Now let's backtrack.  I started this blog to show how I shop. Hence the name "Shopping Blondely". Since the start of this blog, however, I have discovered Dave Ramsey. And have become obsessed. If you don't know who he is, I suggest you go and check it out! Now let me say that I do not follow his plan 100%. I should, but I don't. I love love love to shop--and have cable and nice cars. But other than that, his principals are fantastic. Like he says it's "advice your grandmother would give." And it all makes perfect sense.

                            

This book. This is THE one to help.  We use his envelope system religiously. I did not buy his envelopes; we just used plain white letter sized envelopes.

Because of all this, I cannot pay full price for anything.  It is a very rare occasion that I do so. 

So going forward I'll list the tag price and then what I paid for it. I will also share how I got that price.  It pays to hold off and wait...most of the time. Just wait until you hear how much I paid for some Lilly Pulitzer clothes that are on their way to my house!  

The romper I last blogged about.... it went to 40% off two days later. I paid $24 for it, instead of the $39.50 sticker price. So I also got a graphic tank that says "beach please" I literally cracked up when I saw it. That's how I knew to get it :) that, and it was also 40% off.

So there you have it. My secret.  I'll get more into how I shop as we go on. PS: I coupon. Like crazy!

Also this week---a "what I wore" post & a PSA!

xox

Ash~

This

This romper. I'm not usually a fan of these~ simply because they don't work on me. Usually. 

I saw this in a magazine and went to try it on that day. I really really liked it. However if I turn around you could see that it's a bit too short! I snapped a pic to send to C--who loved it :) and now tomorrow I'm going back to buy it!

It's from American Eagle. $39.50.

And. I found out that a work conference in July is now in VEGAS!!! not Arizona as previously announced. And..yes, it gets better. I'm staying an extra 3 days. C will fly out and we'll have a much needed mini-vacation, positioned perfectly between our birthdays! This romper will come in handy in Vegas 

Tomorrow, I'll let you in on a secret

xox

Ash~

What I wore (the last two weeks)

This post is going to have several (ok, lots!) of pictures! Get ready~

But first, let me just say, a huge thank you to everyone who sent prayers and thoughts our way last week... I didn't say anything on here, but my beloved grandfather had open heart triple bypass surgery. His second in nine years. He is ok! Praise the Lord!!! :)

Back to fashion~

Mother's Day 2013

Skirt: The Limited, $79.90; White tank: LOFT, $14.50; Rope belt: Beall's, $14.99; Jewelry: Charlotte Russe & Charming Charlie: $13.00 and $8.50

It is no secret that I LOVE to mix patterns. I love to have people say "I love it but I could never pull that off"--then I know I've done it right! :) I then reply to those who say that "of course you can. You have to do it and own it". While you can't see the scarf print well, it is this fantastic plaid, reminiscent of J. Crew or Tommy Hilfiger....but in bright colors. So so cute

Scarf: LOFT $34.50; 'Pretty Paisley' tank: LOFT, $19.50; lime green tank: LOFT $14.50, navy sailor shorts: Target, $17.99; nude t-strap sandals: LOFT, $29.50

 These pants combine two of my favorite things: orange & blue and paisley!!! and they're linen. Stop, pants. You got me~ So fab! This shirt I love. I've had it for a few years and actually have in orange too. It has gold buttons going down the shoulders. It fits fantastically.

 Linen trousers: LOFT, $79.50; brown wedges: Wet Seal, $25.00 (years ago); White vneck 3/4 sleeve top: Gap, $39.50

Remember this post? When I bought these items? Here is how I wore it~ 

added a sand colored tank and the same color shoes.  I have so many other ideas for these pieces! I just love them.  Good buys.

Tank: LOFT, $14.50

I bought this shirt the same day I bought the pieces in the last pic, and just like the above, I love this!

I added a scarf in a different paisley print (surprise surprise) but had the same colors, my favorite white jeans, and salmon wedges.

Scarf: Forever21, $10.80; Jeans: white skinny ankle LOFT, $59.50; Shoes: Charlotte Russe, $39.50

I have had this skirt for a few weeks (like 6). I can't find anything I love to put with it, so this is what I did quickly one morning.

Sherbert colored tank: LOFT $14.50 (yes I have a ton of these tanks!); Belt: Forever21, $6.80; Scarf: LOFT, $39.50; Skirt: LOFT, $49.50

The first pic is my attempt at a sock bun. Turned out a bit messy, but I went with it. I am not good with my hair!!

Hair barrette: Forever21, $2.80 for 2; Dress: LOFT, $89.50; open cardigan, LOFT: $49.50; sandals: LOFT, $39.50; Necklace: Express, $34.50 (seriously, that necklace is about 7 years old)

 Orange & blue again!  So this shirt. I have had it for a while--like 1-2 years. Thought I loved it...decided this day that I wore, I actually do not. I may be going in the donate pile. However, people all day wanted my outfit..

Top: NY&Co, $24.50; Linen trousers: $79.50; shoes: Old Navy, $25.00.

xox

Ash~

I'm obsessed

Ok so here are a few of my favorite things right now. "Favorite" may not even be strong enough for some of these things!  If you ask C everything is my favorite :) But I say, that means I just love life...! right?! 

This gorgeous beach. We live about 5 miles from here~ 10 minutes from my door to laying here! FABULOUS!! Don't be jealous, come visit! I learned how to make the.best.margarita.ever--I'll share :)

 This face. Piper. So so so sweet. I'm obsessed with her sisters, Paisley & Peonie, too, of course.

I joined Birchbox last month. Love.love. Samples delivered every month? yes please! 

I'll review this month's box later.

Lilly Pulitzer. I'm loving all things Lilly right now. Don't know what spurred it but this is my latest purchase. Keychain USB in (what else) a gator!

 

Smellbent. I read about this somewhere so I ordered a sample. And immediately ordered a full size.

The scent is called St. Tropez Dispenser. It smells like heaven. I've been looking for a perfect beachy body spray/perfume, and this IS IT! Not overly coconutty--just perfect.  $45 for the big bottle.

Another reason I love this little LA company.  Hand written thank you's with every order.

I'm telling you, go order a sample. You'll thank me.

I've been a crazy person recently-so busy I can't even think!!  A new "What I Bought'" coming soon!

xox

Ash

**ps: i was NOT paid or given anything to talk about these products. They really are all my favorite things :)