ali golden.

Come check out new spring arrivals from a new designer that makes dressing effortless and cool while still having a little bit of prepster-edge!

xx,

 

 

seasons calling

The round-up of your fall favorites is an exciting time! Remembering what it's like to layer, wear a crisp wool hat, and play up your polish (to make up for the lack of your sunkissed tan) gives you a rejuvenating feeling as you move your light airy maxis and minis to the back of your closet.  With each new season comes the wishlist of "fall must haves". So before you go overboard and over your budget we recommend you take a fresh look at your closet and any fall/holiday styles you don't anticipate wearing again, pull immediately and consign quickly!  The relief of an overcrowded closet and the high from cash in your pocket will make stocking up on fall favorites easy and painless.

Our key to each new season is to invest in styles that you'll look forward to using each fall to come.  We recommend investing in pieces that can transition from fall to winter that can be used for a few years as opposed to doing an overhaul on your wardrobe every few months.  Some of our favorite fall pieces are versatile so they can be played up or played down.  Some of our key staples include:

puffer vest with a basic pattern in a two-color max print 

(herringbone, plaid, stripes)

wool hat 

(camel or black, in a shape that highlights your features)

an "IT" bag  

(if you're splurging, stay away from bold colors and stick with classic neutrals or leopard print as they are timeless and you're sure to never get "bored")

nailpolish 

(as the summer comes to an end, so does the tan [sigh], play up pale with rich, bold hues and don't be afraid of glitters and metallics)

sunnies 

(maybe you did a more colorful style for the spring and summer, switch up your eyeware for a fresh look)

perfume 

 (a change in season is a great time to find a new scent, let your mood guide you!)

flats

 (whether it's a leopard hair-calf or a leather ballet flat with metal details, they pair back perfectly with leggings and denim)

As we undergo reconstruction, we're working with designers from LA to NY to make sure we capture the essence of the fall season and current trends with each look we select for AG.  While we anxiously await for the doors to reopen we'll keep you posted on any new styles that arrive along with our inspiration and ideas to making this fall a special one!

Have fun in your wardrobe transition!

xx,

monochrome fall

Summer is finally fading away and cool crisp fall days are on the horizon! As we eagerly await the actual transition in weather, we can at least jump into the fall spirit and start basking in all the pumpkin spice lattes you can imagine. Now that the kids are getting settled into a back-to-school routine and the hubs and boyfriends are satisfied with the weekend game line-up from college to NFL, it's time for US to take some time out for the fun little joys in life.... holiday decor & soirees! 

What is it about decorating for the holidays that get's us all worked up?!

Now maybe your costume party days are past you, but that certainly doesn't mean you can't "dress up" your home so you and your family can enjoy the festivities all month or season long! Whether you're just hosting some friends over for a bonfire and a pot of chili or throwing an all out fall harvest dinner party with your DIY placecards and Coton Colors serveware, make use of gifted items or your Pinterest board ideas and give each holiday or season your special touch. 

This Halloween season we're inspired by the timeless black and white trend in fashion that never seems to lose its luster! From stripes to textured candies to pops of gold details, play up this trend with monochromatic pairings.  Feeling crafty? Swing by Homegoods or Hobby Lobby for birdcages that you can spray paint black. Place votive candles inside the lanterns and line your front porch or fireplace area with your bold new lanterns.  Shop local thrift stores for vintage game sets that double as entertainment and decor.  Change out your regular art prints for a modern graphic design print with an inspiration quote.  Holiday decor isn't about racking up the bill at the local big box stores, it's about finding inspiration and recreating your own story while being resourceful and creative all at the same time!

We'd love to hear from you! We welcome you to leave us some feedback and your thoughts on holiday decor in the comments. 

xx,

hello autumn

Get inspired with all of your fall favorites! We love the change in seasons and this one's sure not to disappoint. Below are some of our favorites to get us into the spirit...

{a spice candle // a Janessa Leone hat // Tom Ford red lipstick // Starbucks pumpkin spice latte // 

APIECE APART poncho //  Crate & Barrel plaid throw // Dolce & Gabbana ipad case // Vince Camuto booties}

xx,

summer sunning

Chambray Zebra Beach Towel & Carrier | Wildfox Falling Feathers tee & Twiggy Sunnies | COOLA SPF | Mlle Mademoiselle Bo One Piece

Summer sunning is in full force and is here to stay for a while! Whether you're still jetsetting somewhere tropical or basking in your coastal community there's always a few "must haves" we recommend keeping close by.  Here are just a few of our fave essentials for your salty days at the beach or pool! Snag your Wildfox tees and sunnies at AshleGryre while supplies last in-store and online!

xx,

pre falling.

Yes...the sun is out, the heat is sweltering and the end of summer is no where near in sight, BUT we've already got football, weekends on the farm, breezy beach cruising afternoons and the crisp fall air on our minds [you ready for it, yet?].  While there's still weeks [months...sigh...] to go of our sunny summer we're already stocking up on amazing summer-to-fall essentials that make the W&W [wardrobe & weather] transition easy and effortless.  

Let's face it... in the south we tend to lean towards relaxed styles for an everyday look and we're excited to introduce pieces that are versatile and favor a no-fuss, effortless, and classic girl next door look.  So what's trending? Fatigues. Leopard prints. Linen. Heels. [with more height!] and of course a good nail party!  We're excited to introduce some fun colors to you later in the season. [our cardinal rule...manis are a must.]

We've got some great selections coming in from trusted brands including: Sanctuary, Erin Kleinberg, West & Main, Rebecca Minkoff, Calypso St. Barth, The Odells, Rachel Zoe and more.  The closet is continually evolving!

"Fashion is about two things: the evolution and the opposite." - Karl Lagerfeld

xx,

trending this spring

Here's our list of what's trending this Spring in 2014! From health to lifestyle to fashion we've touched on it all. Each year we come up with these new resolutions that either sink or swim, but we are firm believers in picking up practices that can stick around beyond the New Year and become staples in our everyday lives. So here's a glimpse into what we think is trending NOW and for years to come!

1. "Let's Sleep In" means reminding ourselves that 8 hours of sleep isn't just for the kids! Make time in the evenings to relax with a glass of wine or a good read before getting into bed and catching some much needed zzz's! Your body will thank you!

2. "Sneaks" that are cute make it that much more fun to hit the pavement and practice healthy habits! Squeezing in a work out is a daunting task at times, but it really pays off come bikini season, not to mention you really do feel a difference.

3. "Enjoy your own view" is meant to represent those nights you spend at home cooking in your own kitchen or grilling out with your family. Take time to really "enjoy" dinner time at home with your own creative dishes or just down time enjoying your backyard view with those you love.

4. "Rockstud" has made it's way onto the fashion scene in a BIG way! Carry on the trend with fun studded sandals this spring.

5. "Passport" in hand! Travel, whether local or abroad, and plan a trip to do something different! Go somewhere you've never been!

6. "Sunnies" are a must. Protect your precious eyes and look cute while doing it!

7. "SPF." Enough said.

8. "Techy" this spring with an easy gadget that serves multiple purposes. Work or surf the net on the go! A perfect purse accessory for those days you want a good read at the pool or need to catch up on emails while traveling.

9. "Fresh manis" are key to feeling elegant all week long! Those quick 15 minutes are worth every penny to keep your hands looking clean and fresh. Change the color weekly depending upon your mood or outfits planned.

10. "Lucite" anything! We love this bright color clutch that adds a little spunk to a simple outfit!

11. "Gold hoops" are fun and playful and seem to circle their way back around each season. Hair up or hair down they make a statement without saying too much!

12. "Black and white" styles are classic, timeless and look great with a nice sun-kissed tan! Add pops of color in your accessories or shoes to glam it up!

xx,

'a' game fashion

Salty hair don't care! Spring is inching a few steps closer and we're swooning over delicate pieces and cozy knits as we ease into warmer sunny days. As those blistery winter days wind away, bring your 'A' game with fresh denim and fashion styles that have a voice of their own. Wildfox Couture's quirky graphic knits and tees put a smile on our face and their sunnies will put a smile on yours! Since your outfit speaks for itself [literally] all you need is some classic jewelry pieces to pull your final look together. We love Lele Sadoughi's sliders (they come in a variety of colors) stacked and By Boe's caged ring.  Lunching seaside? Bring an easy carry all tote and a floppy hat to protect those precious locks from the rays!  

xx,

life's little LUXuries

In the ever-evolving world of technology, we try to pull our heads out of the clouds from time to time and get back to reality and to our roots. Pen to paper is a rare jewel in digi-2014. Don't you miss the days of getting a sweet note from a friend unexpectedly in the mail and for no reason at all? Why not surprise that special someone and drop them a sweet card today [insert warm fuzzy feeling]! To jump start your efforts, here's a little lux inspiration to get you going. The gold and black accents are the perfect amount of sophistication and make your everyday note taking a little more glam! So what are you waiting for? Put your pen to paper. Then afterwards, sit back and sip on a glass of bubbly. Who knows? Maybe you'll get one in return!

xx,