Pretty in Peacock

 Who doesn't love the beauty of a peacock feather?

Especially when a little bit of subtle color is much needed in this simply perfect long sleeved black sweater dress.

It's the perfect item..and fun fact- I'm actually wearing this dress backwards!!








The dress has a strange triangular cut out that I personally think is a bit distasteful in the front - at least not for me - but i dont mind it so much in the back. What is supposed to be the back, however, makes a lovely draped cowl neck in the front - although my awesome chunky infinity scarf is hiding that in the photo.  :)

Mostly, this outfit is a favorite of mine  because of the necklace.. I love all of the trinkets that  takes me back in time, the key that could open a new door, and the lovely color of the feather -also reiterated in my peacock blue bejeweled ring..


Summed in one word..this peacock made me feel ... well? .. pretty :)

                  

Winter Nautical

Calvin Klein Stripe Sweater
Necklace: Thrift Find

 To be honest - my outfit this day was not as well thought out as I would like. I woke up sort of late, and this happened to be on the top of the pile. But thank goodness it was!! If my dresser was a treasure chest, that striped sweater would be considered a gem! I can always make it work!

Not featured , but what completed this look,are my shoes,  adorned with gold chain and black ribbon. I didn't wear the large gold bracelet, because, i felt like it was TOO much! If i wanted to wear the bracelet, though, I would have ditched the necklace.

That's a glimpse at my Winter Nautical look.

My Nautical Inspired Jewels

Fashion Geometry

 Ready Class? Today’s lesson is  

 FASHION GEOMETRY! 

Don’t let the horrifying fashion faux pas of our 90’s past scare you away.. (Saved by the Bell..anyone? I do have to admit though that I am a teensie bit jealous at how well some hipsters are able to pull off those crazy-bold looks) But lets be honest: mostly just scary. 

Inspired by the sharp lines of the concrete jungle, or from tribal patterns , my outfit shows that geometric shapes and patterns are not reserved just for primitive jungle inhabitants.

My look today, combines the right elements to create a polished-geo look. The simple shift silhouette is the perfect canvas for a pattern as bold as this. I accessorized my sweater dress with a a mesh-chain necklace which shape mimics the zig zag design on the dress without being too obvious. I then layered with a soft drape front blazer , tights and a black bootie.

Dress and Pearl

Hello! I'm Ashley.

Welcome to Dress and Pearl ..my first blog ever!

I came upon this firstly, because my so cool sister encouraged me to do this, and when i saw hers, it looked like something fun to share! So here I am!

This new blog of mine is an attempt to bring back a bit of something I feel I have lost since arriving in New York. Manners, you say? No..I kept those from my good Midwestern upbringing :) But what I do feel I've lost, is the excitement that I used to find in styling and fashion:the thought that goes into creating the perfect look: the life behind fashion.

 I came here a fresh faced fashion student straight out of college, excited to be living in the fashion meccca- inspired by street style, runway, 5^th avenue window displays, art, and all else there is to be inspired by in NYC.  But, somehow the woes of life ( and work..and whatever else) have struck me down. For months and months, I have found myself sparsely accessorized in nothing but a drab sweater to cover my booty paired with leggings (which, I might add, do not tell me when my booty is getting bigger) Where oh where, had my style gone…the life behind the clothes, what put me into my outfit.  

 But one day, it hit me - 'you are what you wear' I had been dressing as if all I wanted to do was be a full time couch potato – and it was toxic! It spilled into my everyday attitude and mindset. I was sort of unhappy..a little lazy..and kind of bummed out…I had been 'drabbed' down into a frumpy fashion rut.

So now it is 2011. I have vowed to put my frumpy days behind me. I am bringing life back into the clothes that I have, and bringing the fun and thoughtful part of fashion back into my every day with hopes that a simple change as this will make me feel great and continue to stay motivated for all SORTS of other things in the year to come.