joyfully so

Hello friends! I just returned a couple days ago from visiting my family in St. Louis and I am still running on post-Thanksgiving excitement. Between time with family, hugging my little twin nephews, holiday shopping, football and way too much food, it could not have been a more perfect weekend!

This red cardigan accessorized with a velvet ribbon is the perfect recipe for a holiday sweater. The ribbon is long enough to tie a small bow in front, or to leave untied if you prefer. I paired this with a white cami with lace detail. I would also love to see it worn with a black and white gingham shirt or shell, a dress or striped shirt!

The fabric is soft and lightweight. Available in four colors, with petite options as well, there is a fit and  color for all sizes and all seasons.

Hope y’all have a great day!

Live your life joyfully so,

Ashley

Outfit Details:

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To my fellow TCU family and lovers of purple, today is for you! One of the most common questions I am asked is, “Are there any good purple clothes in stores right now?” The answer is a cheerful, “Yes!”

It can be a tough battle, at times, to find a shade of purple that is not too red or too blue. It has to be the perfect shade of purple, maybe a little lighter or darker, but close to the same family as our classic shade of Horned Frog Purple. With a couple of big games ahead and Christmas just around the corner, today is all about 20+ purple items under $100.

20+ Purple Items Under $100 (from left to right, up to down)

• Cold Shoulder Top – Flowy shirt with elastic cuffs that is features a shirttail hem
• Lace Trim Knit Top – Only $12.75! This Michael Kors top is very close to Horned Frog Purple and has lovely lace details at the sleeves.
• Double Ruffle Blouse – I have this and love it! The double ruffles and semi-sheer fabric is fun for game day or date night!
• Chiffon Sleeveless Top – Perfect for all year round. Pair with a cardigan and drop earrings in the colder months.
• Velvet-Tied Tunic – With a slimming waist, velvet ribbon tie and bell sleeves, this top is filled with feminine details and accents.
• Floral Lace Shift Dress – A dress that has a little elegance but a lot of TCU spirit
• 5-Color Couture Palette – When one shade of purple isn’t enough. Create the perfect game day look!
• Crystal Stud Earrings – A classy earring that brings all the riff-ram-bah-zoo cheer!
• Amethyst Drop Earrings – Simple drop earrings featuring amethyst and cubic zirconia
• Elaina Bracelet – One of my favorite bracelets for its adjustable sizing and glistening effects!
• Lizard Trouser Belt – The color and lizard print couldn’t be more perfect for TCU. Wear it with jeans or wrap it around the waist of your favorite dress.
• Velvet Crossbody – Under $20 today! Velvet quilted exterior with shiny brass accents
• Purple Reign Shadow – Like our TCU Frogs, this shadow is top ranked! Long-lasting, compact, crease-resistant and a highly pigmented shade of purple.
• Triple Thread Statement Earrings – Add a little touch of purple on “white out” or “black out” games.
• Cashmere & Silk Wrap – A fall and winter staple that is extra soft and luxe
• Michael Kors Leather Crossbody – On sale right now for $99! Leather crossbody for game day necessities, featuring pockets and a sleek leather and chain strap. (Similar style also on sale here and here)
• Herringbone Pants – Stunning pants to see in person! Bring a little purple into the game or the office.
• Bell Sleeve Blouse – Satiny sheen fabric with sleeves that flow between touchdown celebrations!
• Crochet Trim Blouse – Pretty crochet and pleat details with a longer hem in back
• Purple Royale Lace Top – Love this!! The “purple royale” color and black floral lace are a wonderful feminine replicate of the colors on the TCU jerseys!
• Turtleneck Poncho – On sale today for $27! Ideal for petite/regular statures due to its length. Stay comfortable and warm with this trendy special.

Plus a few extras in all price ranges:

And if you are into a little splurge, here is a little spotlight on a perfect pair of glamourous mules:

I don’t know about you but all of this talk about TCU has me really excited for game day! Cannot wait! Bring your best spirit, cheers and celebrations this week, it’s time to cheer on our family.

Let’s Go TCU!!

Live your life joyfully so,

Ashley

Other gift guides:  Men | Beauty | Tartan

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Happy Holidays, friends! I hope y’all are enjoying time with friends, family and of course some pie! Today kicks off a several HUGE sales! Black Friday has been a favorite tradition in my family for years and I cannot wait to share some of the excitement with you. Below is a summary of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales online around the country. There are some great deals currently. I use this time to get a head start on a lot of gifts that I will need in the next few months, whether for Christmas, birthdays or weddings. It’s the best sales of the year!

More sales will be announced throughout the next five days so be sure to check back for updates!

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals | 2017 Sale Round Up

(Last updated Nov 27)

• Target
  • Take an extra 15% off your order!
  • 30% off select clothing, $100 of Playstation GT Sport VR Bundle, up to $50 off on Google Home devices, up to $100 off on GoPro cameras
  • Cyber Monday only
• Madewell
  • Take 25% off everything
  • Use code GOODMOOD
  • Valid now through November 27
• Banana Republic
  • Take 50% off everything
  • Free shipping, no minimum. Use code BRSHIP
  • Valid now through November 27
• Vince Camuto
  • 40% off everything with code CYBER40
  • 50% off select items with code STEAL50
  • Valid November 27
•  Shopbop
  • Get 20% off orders of $200+, 25% off orders of $500+, 30% off orders of $800+
  • Use code MORE17
  • Valid November 21-27, 2017
• Urban Outfitters
  • Buy one, get one 50% off everything!
  • Starts November 22 for a limited time
• Ann Taylor
  • 50% off everything + Free Shipping
  • Use code BESTMONDAY
  • Valid November 27
• Dermstore
  • Save up to 25% off
  • Use code CYBER
  • Valid 11/27
  • Idea:  Stock up on FSA and HSA eligible items (such as sunscreen and lip balm) before the end of the year
• Lilly Pulitzer
  • Free gifts with purchase
• J.Crew
  • Take 40% off everything + extra 10% off before noon on 11/27
• Rent the Runway
  • 20% off your first order or first month of Unlimited with code FIRSTRTR
• elf Cosmetics
  • 50% off sitewide on orders $30+, free shipping on orders $25+
  • Use code CELEBRATE
  • Valid November 22 at 5pm CST – November 27
• Pottery Barn
  • Up to 70% off the Pottery Barn family
  • Several deals including stockings starting at $9, coffee table $279.99, etc…
  • 30% off select holiday decor
  • Use code FREESHIP for free shipping
  • Valid November 27
• Tory Burch
  • Take 30% off orders $250+
  • Use code THANKS
  • Valid now through November 27
• Francesca’s
  • 30% off entire site
  • Valid now through November 27
• Amazon
  • Echo Dot for $29.99 (40% off), Fire TV Stick for $24.99 and several other devices
  • 40% off select movies
• Kiehl’s
  • $20 off orders $65+
  • Use code JINGLE
  • Valid now through November 30
• Saks Fifth Avenue
  • Huge designer sale!
  • Up to 40% off designer selections
  • Earn a gift card up to $750 with code CYBER17
• J.Crew Factory
  • Take 60% off everything! Plus extra 50% off clearance.
  • Use code CYBER
  • Valide 11/27
• Chicwish
  • Extra 15% off orders over $70
  • Use code CBM15
• Hunter Boots
  • Up to 40% off
  • Valid now through November 27
• Neiman Marcus
  • Earn up to $750 gift card with purchase!
  • Use code GC4YOU
  • Designer sale with up to 40% off
• River Island
  • Take 25% off regular priced items
  • Valid now through November 27
• Williams-Sonoma
  • Buy more, save more – save 10% off $50, 15% off $100, 25% off $500
  • Free shipping with code SAVEMORE
  • Valid 11/27
• Ulta
  • Several select items marked down for beauty door busters
  • $10 off a $50 purchase with code CYBERMON17
  • Valid 11/27
• REVOLVE
  • Extra 20% off with code CYBER20
  • Up to 50% off select items
  • Valid 11/27
• Old Navy
  • Take 50% off everything!
  • Plus free cyber gift with order
  • 11/27 only
• Talbots 
  • Take 40% off entire purchase + 50% off one regular priced item
  • Valid 11/27
• Nordstrom
  • Designer sale with up to 40% off
  • Extra 20% off select sale items
• Crate and Barrel
  • Take 15% off full price items, plus other deals on furniture and holiday items
  • Use code SAVE15
  • Valid now through November 27
• L.L. Bean 
  • Take 20% off clothes and outerwear
  • Use code THANKS20
  • Valid now through November 28
• Coach
  • Up to 50% off select purses
  • Take 30% off order (some exclusions apply)
  • Use code THANKS17

Check back for more Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals again tomorrow! If you need a little inspiration, check out The Holiday Shop, beauty gift guide, gift guide for men and tartan gift guide.

Happy Holidays!

Live your life joyfully so,

Ashley

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Best Holiday Beauty Buys

Yall, this holiday season has some amazing contenders for top beauty products! These are some of the best and most favorited items of this season. This list of Best Holiday Beauty Buys was carefully crafted with the help of a beauty guru friend (Paola), other experts in the field, and of course personal, tested favorites. Each item had a lot of thought put into it and so I hope you love them as much as we do! Whether it’s for a friend, family member, colleague or yourself (shh..our secret!), most of these products are versatile and universal for all hair and skin types.

Best Holiday Beauty Buys

• Clinique Sculptwear Contouring Mask – My mom and I have loved Clinique for years and this is one of their best products! Tighten and hydrate skin with this mask three times per week.
• Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water – Excellent for travel to create a long-lasting glow, frequently sold out in stores.
• Butter Mini Glazen Nail Lacquer – A party for your nails!
• Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara Mini – Create long, luscious lashes with this mini mascara.
• Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Highlighter Mini – Recommended by my beauty genius friend to create soft pink cheeks with a little extra pop of highlight!
• Tarte Tarteist™ PRO Glow Highlight & Contour Palette – I love this kit because it provides all the needed contouring shades and more!
• MAC Snow Ball Cool Mini Lipstick Kit – A great deal for three different shades of MAC’s lipsticks; includes the fun sequin pouch for on the go. This is on my Santa list!
• Living Proof Perfect hair Day (PhD) Dry Shampoo – A top ranked dry shampoo for fresh and volumized hair.
• EltaMD UV Facial Broad-Spectrum SPF 30 Plus – Recommended by my dermatologist as one of her favorite sunscreens to wear all year round. It carried me through my 2016 adventures through Australia!
• SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic – Favorite serum! My beauty guru friend and I are obsessed with this serum; from anti-aging properties to acne relief, soak in all the benefits of Vitamin C for your skin. Worth the splurge!
• LANEIGE Slumber Party – The perfect night time beauty kit to keep skin moisturized and refreshed.
• Sephora Customized Gift Card – Customize a gift card by uploading your favorite photo together
• Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase – Enjoy beauty sleep with a pillowcase that prevents creases on face, and products from being wiped off through the night.
• Skinny Dip Marble Manicure Set – Keep nails on point with this beautiful manicure set
• Drybar Buttercup Fully Loaded Set – A hair kit for all types of hair, which features the top ranked hair dryer known for drying hair 20% faster
• Moroccan Oil Intense Hydrating Mask – Keep hair moisturized during dry winter months, smells amazing!
• Sephora Favorites – From masks to serums to under-eye treatment, all the best and top rated skin products at Sephora in one gift!
• Burberry Festive Beauty Box – A festive assortment featuring some of Burberry’s top beauty products.
• Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta® Peel Extra Strength Peel – Love this for acne improvement even after one use; favorite beauty product by JoJo Fletcher on The Bachelorette.

Wahoo! That just got me all excited and pumped to get more beauty products. Hope y’all have a wonderful holiday week!

If you liked this gift guide, you may also enjoy The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for Men and The Tartan Gift Guide for Her.

Live your life joyfully so,

Ashley

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This week has been SO fun! To start, my boyfriend and I are almost birthday twins. We are one day and one hour apart in age – sometimes it is almost amusing because we get weird looks in celebrating two birthdays together. Rather than do two separate birthday celebrations, we do a mutual celebration. And make it twice as fun. We aren’t ones to indulge in pricey meals very often, but when it comes to our birthday, all cards are on the table.

Dinner this year was at a steakhouse in Dallas. Not just any steakhouse, but one of the best. One of those steakhouses that has three different types of ribeye and things I cannot pronounce. We order the fancy filets on the menu, drink an extra glass of wine, enjoy two separate birthday desserts (after many strange looks from the waiters coming by and asking, ‘So it’s both of your birthdays?’) and then split the cost as a treat to each other.  Our joint birthday dinner has become a special way to embrace our blessings together.

The dinner is only half the fun of this birthday celebration. I get a blow-out, rent a dress and statement earrings. Every now and then you just need to treat yourself. And yall, this year’s birthday dress was quite the treat!

This dress is an absolute favorite!! The fabric and details of this dress are perfect for a birthday dinner, Thanksgiving or Christmas. It is simply chic. The fabric has embroidered flowers, elegant lace cuffs and sheer sleeves. I was receiving compliments all night for this dress! Best of all this dress, is relatively inexpensive! It is currently on sale or available for rent.

Because I am part of a rental program, they provide a free birthday rental, which included this dress and earrings. For someone who loves dresses, this is the perfect little gift to celebrate.

All the outfit details are linked below. Hope y’all have a fantastic day!

Live your life joyfully so,

Ashley