Follow me on Bloglovin!

Friday, December 26, 2014

a little book called lookbook


Wow, A LOT has happened since my last post (I apologize for my absence)! But I make no excuses! I am SO thrilled to present to you my full lookbook for Devin Ashton Designs. While snippets of my lookbook can be found across my 10 business and personal social media accounts, this is the ONLY place you can view the lookbook in it's entirety along with ideas for recreating the looks and hints on how to pick out a perfect stack. 

So what's a lookbook and why the heck do I obsess over making mine?
Well, it's an excuse to get dressed up and wear my jewelry... KIDDING! While that part is pretty fun, this lookbook is more than just playing dress up with my favorite pieces from my jewelry lines.

A lookbook presents pieces of clothing and jewelry in a styled setting. It can be helpful in securing wholesale deals as the buyer can see what type of girl/style they should be marketing the products to if they do end up buying them. It's also helpful to show the products on a person and dressed up for marketing purposes. 

So, I hope you understand now why all these styled selfies are important!

All photo credit is given to Hope Taylor Photography. Hope is such a talented and bubbly person and working with her has been such a pleasure. I admire her work and she inspires me so much with the passion she puts forth for her clients. I'm blessed to have been able to have such an awesome experience with such a personable and talented local photographer. If you're looking to get your photos done definitely check her out! The shoot was SO fun and Hope is the best! Plus you're able to access your digital files online for 10 YEARS after your session! & did I mention her studio is stocked with tons of Devin Ashton Designs products?  Cool right?!

All bangle stacks pictured in the lookbook are available for sale NOW TODAY NOW on my website under "Lookbook bangles!" The stacks are discounted UP TO 20% OFF! So hurry and snag these bangle stacks while they're posted for sale! You can buy them here.




{ Devin Ashton Designs presents the Winter Lookbook }



| Look One |
{Vest & turtleneck: Forever 21, Faux leather leggings: Boutique brand, Booties: Bamboo, Necklace & bangles: Devin Ashton Designs} Psssst! Get the bangles on the site here!













| Look Two |
{Coat: Steve Madden, Scarf: Pacsun, Tights: Forever 21, Bag: Kate Spade, Heels: Hazel & Olive Boutique, Bangles: Devin Ashton Designs} Psssst! Get the bangles on the site here!















| Look Three |
{Turtleneck & tights: Forever 21, Skirt: Konfetti, Booties: Bamboo, Bangles: Devin Ashton Designs} Psssst! Get the bangles on the site here!












| Look Four |
{Blazer: Target, Necklace: Bauble Bar, Faux leather leggings: Boutique brand, Oxford: Ralph Lauren, Booties: Bamboo, Bangles: Devin Ashton Designs} Psssst! Get the bangles on the site here!












| GET THE LOOK | 

Below are my suggestions for items similar to ones I wore above. Most items I pulled from my current wardrobe, but I did invest in the black turtleneck, gray turtleneck, and fur vest as winter staples. Before you go out and blow a lot of money on a look go through your closet and really think about the items you have. If you have an item in a different color or cut, use that. After all, it's your outfit, so the more personalized the better! 
All bangle stacks pictured in the lookbook are available for sale NOW TODAY NOW on my website under "Lookbook bangles!" The stacks are discounted UP TO 20% OFF! So hurry and snag these bangle stacks while they're posted for sale! You can buy them here.

{LOOK ONE}
Fur vest- 
Trust me I know, these are somewhat strange at first glance. But with the right outfit they are oh so chic!! And SO warm for winter which is a huge plus!
Find great options here:

Booties- 
My advice is definitely do NOT spend a ton of money on these. They're trendy which means they'll eventually be obsolete  You dont want to regret blowing a lot on shoes you wear for a few seasons! Plus they definitely aren't an every outfit kind of shoe- they're almost like a statement shoe, especially if they have a heel. 
Find great options here:
New Look is a European website but they offer free worldwide shipping on orders of $100 so it might be worth investing in some of these European finds! I love shopping at European sites because they have such different items than we have in the states! Definitely not somewhere you'll go for everyday purchases, but they have amazing statement items and are great when you're looking to widen your wardrobe collection/look.

Faux leather leggings-
Again, you can find these pretty cheap. They're trendy but a great piece to have when you want your outfit to be a little sassy and memorable. They also come in handy for Halloween costumes so you can definitely squeeze some use out of them! They're basically like an extra layer of skin (even more so than regular cotton leggings) so keep that in mind before purchasing.
Find great options here:

Gray turtleneck-
I absolutely adore my turtlenecks... I know they might seem kinda grannyish (yep I just made that a word) but they are definitely IN and staying IN for awhile! They're comfy and with the right fit, super chic. I love making my turtlenecks more edgy by pairing them with daring jewelry and statement pieces. If you know you rock it other people will think you rock it too, & that's a promise. 
Find great options here:


{LOOK TWO}

Black and white coat-
I am obsessed with this jacket. It's chic, versatile, & warm. Seriously what more could a girl ask for!! I love having a few options for coats because I honestly hate feeling like the Michelin man all puffy to keep warm in winter. I have a couple of North Face jackets, a Kenneth Cole burgundy peacoat, & this Steve Madden stunner. All of them serve different purposes and I wear each one depending on what I'm doing that day. 
Find great options here:

Red scarf-
Adds the perfect little pop of color! The scarf I wore wasn't an infinity scarf and I actually prefer that when I wear scarves with coats. I find it much easier to tuck a regular scarf into my coat, and it stays there without being annoying throughout the day!
Find great options here:

Studded pumps-
Hazel & Olive is the BEST place to get these! They have them for just $45.99 and are also available in RED! They're actually so comfortable and I wore them for about 5 hours straight for semi formal. Looking for shoes for NYE? You just hit the jackpot. Plus FREE shipping. Yes, it is completely okay to be totally obsessed with them. Get yours for NYE and be twinning with yours truly!

Tights-
You honestly don't need to buy these anywhere fancy.. they have tights at drugstores for about $5. And since tights are prone to running and ripping please do your wallet a favor and blow your cash on a more durable piece of clothing! But, just in case...
Find some great options here:

Black handbag-
Of course Kate Spade is nice to have but there are some other great options and brands that have just as nice bags! 
Find some great options here:


{LOOK THREE}

Black turtleneck-
I absolutely adore my turtlenecks... I know they might seem kinda grannyish but they are definitely IN and staying IN for awhile! They're comfy and with the right fit also super chic. I love making my turtlenecks more edgy by pairing them with daring jewelry and statement pieces. If you know you rock it other people will think you rock it too, & that's a promise. 
Find great options here:

Tartan skirt-
This skirt is an item exclusively made at Konfetti! This mother daughter duo hand sews these items right in the good ole USA! I absolutely love their products and this thick tartan skirt is a true winter staple and super affordable at just $45. Score this beauty and I promise you'll be hooked!

Tights-
You honestly don't need to buy these anywhere fancy.. they have tights at drugstores for about $5. And since tights are prone to running and ripping please do your wallet a favor and blow your cash on a more durable piece of clothing! But, just in case...
Find some great options here:

Booties- 
My advice is definitely do NOT spend a ton of money on these. They're trendy which means they'll eventually be obsolete. You dont want to regret blowing alot on shoes you wear for a few seasons! Plus they definitely aren't an every outfit kind of shoe- they're a statement shoe, especially if they have a heel. 
Find great options here:
New Look is a European run website but they offer free worldwide shipping on orders of $100 so it might be worth investing in some of these European finds! I love shopping at European sites because they have such different items than we have in the states! Definitely not somewhere you'll go for everyday purchases, but they have amazing statement items and are great when you're looking to widen your wardrobe collection/look.


{LOOK FOUR}

Patterned blazer-
I absolutely love this statement piece! It's so great to mix and match styles and patterns with. It's definitely a great twist on a classic blazer! I'm a sucker for tailored pieces and menswear.
Find great options here:

Oxford-
A classic piece that everyone needs in their wardrobe. Investing in a great quality oxford is definitely well worth it. It's the perfect starting piece for cold weather layering!
Find great options here:

Faux leather leggings-
Again, you can find these pretty cheap. They're trendy but a great piece to have when you want your outfit to be a little sassy and memorable. They also come in handy for Halloween costumes so you can definitely some use out of them! They're basically like an extra layer of skin (even more so than cotton leggings) so keep that in mind before purchasing.
Find great options here:

Booties- 
My advice is definitely do NOT spend a ton of money on these. They're trendy which means they'll eventually be obsolete. You dont want to regret blowing alot on shoes you wear for a few seasons! Plus they definitely arent an every outfit kind of shoe- they're a statement shoe, especially if they have a heel. 
Find great options here:
New Look is a European run website but they offer free worldwide shipping on orders of $100 so it might be worth investing in some of these European finds! I love shopping at European sites because they have such different items than we have in the states! Definitely not somewhere you'll go for everyday purchases but they have amazing statement items and are great when you're looking to widen your wardrobe collection/look.



| HOW TO PICK THE PERFECT STACK |
I frequently get asked how I make the perfect combination of bangles for an outfit. The steps are super simple and make picking out your accessories so much easier!
  1. Pick a neutral as a base to start with. I usually start with pearls. Either gray or white are a great starting point. A clear bangle is also a great choice.




  2. Pick a statement neutral. A great option is a crystal bangle, medallion, or anything with a little more flair. Another option is a shaped neutral bangle such as a quatrefoil or crown jewel.





  3. Pick an accent. This part is SUPER important. Just know that you don't have to MATCH. Having a pop of color completes an outfit more than easy and boring matching does. You can also pull a less noticeable color out of a piece of clothing and choose to accent it (like the fuchsia in my plaid blazer paired with the raspberry colored bangle).




All bangle stacks pictured in the lookbook are available for sale NOW TODAY NOW on my website under "Lookbook bangles!" The stacks are discounted UP TO 20% OFF! So hurry and snag these bangle stacks while they're posted for sale! You can buy them here.



Wow, that's a lot of clothing options! With Christmas money in your pocket (trust me I know it's so hard) but you should resist the urge to just spend and really think before you buy. Think about your daily activities and if you think you'd get enough use out of it to be worth buying. 

If you're having trouble deciding if it's worth it think about it this way: think about how many days out of the week you might wear it. Remember there are 52 weeks in the year so about 26 weeks out of the year are spring and summer aka warm months and 26 weeks out of the year are fall and winter aka cold months. 

So, say you think you'll wear the item about 3 times a week. Multiply that by the rough amount of cold weeks in a year (26 weeks approx give or take). So, 3*26= 78. So that means you are estimating to use the item around 78 times that year. Now take the price of the item, let's just say it's $78 to make the math easy. If you wear it 78 times and it costs $78.... it technically  "costs" you about a dollar every time you wear it. Thinking about it that way seems a like overkill, but it can really help when you're trying to decide if you should buy a pricey statement piece or classic essential.






Thank you for checking out the Devin Ashton Designs Winter Lookbook! I truly appreciate your support! Remember you can purchase bangles featured in the lookbook on the website here! 150 new styles are launching from December 28th-January 3rd. Check the website and Instagram page for updates on new arrivals!


XO,
Dev



PS. A huge shoutout to my best friend Krissy for forever being my sidekick, hair fixer, therapist, twinsey, & sister & for always coming along to things for my business like getting my lookbook shot. You're so loved. <3


Let's get social! ---->
Pinterest: Devin Ashton Designs


Twitter: Devin_Ashton





Instagram: @DevinAshtonDesigns
Facebook: Devin Ashton Designs



Monday, November 24, 2014

the 411 on cyber mon/black fri

Sale is probably my favorite word in the English dictionary. However, sometimes these "sales" aren't as great as you first think... & here's my guide to actually getting a kick ass deal during the RIGHT sales this upcoming weekend! Cyber Monday is only a week away!!

Before the sale-

  • Research current prices. Sometimes stores jack up the original price right before their sale so that they can make it seem like it's a better deal. Ex. A store is offering 40% off during a cyber monday sale. You see a dress earlier in the month online there that is $50. During the cyber monday sale you notice that the original list price of the dress is $70. That's because 40% off of  $50 means the dress would cost $30 versus $42 if the "original" list price is $42. Regardless you're getting it less for what it originally cost... but if it was originally $50 earlier in the month you're truly only getting about 15% off. 
  • Research sales before the stores have them. Refer to my previous blog about how to know what stores have overlapping items and different price points! Stores will have similar sales to remain competitive. 
  • Mentally prepare yourself.. no seriously you'll need to! Part of the insanity of Black Friday is the timing. You're up the entire day before eating, socializing, partying and then all of a sudden you're up all night shopping. You're more inclined to make last minute purchases and buy things you don't need all because it's on "sale"
  • Go through newspaper ads!! This can actually be really fun. My mom & I always do it together and we always have a great time talking about what's on sale and what we should get!
  • Make a LIST and stick to it! Write down things that you actually need BEFORE the sales. That way if you stick with your list you won't go over budget or end up with things you don't need.
  • Make a game plan. Know what stores open when and when you're going where when you're shopping for Black Friday. 
  • For cyber monday prioritize your stores. Have 10 tabs up at 11:59 and refresh them at midnight. Look to see what store has items on sale that you like the most and shop there first. Work backwards from that!! Cyber monday is my favorite because I can multitask and be shopping at multiple stores at once! Opening up a billion tabs is my life just saying.
  • For black friday make sure you form a group! No one should have to face Black Friday by themselves.. & even if you have never been at least try it! You have to at least experience it once!
  • Don't forget that Thanksgiving is actually not about sales and clothes and getting deals before Christmas. Stay in the present on Thanksgiving and enjoy the time with your family!
During the sale-
  • Compare original prices to sale price "original prices"
  • Do the math. Ex. You see "40% off everything!!" You automatically do the math for 50% off and add back a few dollars.. 40% off is close to 50% off right? WRONG. You'll get sticker shock when you get to the register or see your online shopping cart. Do the math when you see the item and keep a running total on your phone calculator.
  • Don't fall victim to the "well it's on sale so I should get it." Definitely not a good state of mind! I know it's hard, but if you don't absolutely love something you don't need it- even if it's $5 on sale. Go to Starbucks and get a coffee if it's $5 you're missing out on spending! This holds true especially with clothes. This happened to me a lot during high school- I'd buy something because it was on sale. It would fit me "ok" or fit my style '"ok" and it would sit in my closet until I got sick of seeing it and donated it. With that outlook eventually you'll end up with a TON of clothes that you never wear and barely like. A splurge on one thing that you absolutely love is better than spending the same amount of 10 things that you barely like.
After the sale-
  • Address the situation and read return policies.
  • Return items you don't want promptly.
  • If you have to pay to ship something back don't complain about it. Just do it because if you don't send it back it'll just waste space in your closet/storage room etc.
  • Decide what to do differently for next year. Black friday and cyber monday change SO much every year. Note the changes and decide how you could make next year go even better!

People that get the most out of their black friday and cyber monday experiences plan ahead. They research and know what sales are the best and what sales aren't that great. By doing this you'll save yourself time, energy, AND money.. aka 3 of the most valuable things ever. Happy shopping & I hope you find some GREAT deals!!

Xo,
Dev

Let's get social! ---->
Pinterest: Devin Ashton Designs

Twitter: Devin_Ashton

Instagram: @DevinAshtonDesigns
Facebook: Devin Ashton Designs

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Baublebar review!

If you know me you know that jewelry is my number 1 weakness. But, I see jewelry as an accessory and as an accessory $150 for a necklace is absolutely absurd. The only thing more absurd than a $150 necklace is a $150 bikini. 

One day I stumbled upon Baublebar & have been HOOKED ever since. Their items are reasonably priced already but they have amazing sales.. plus you get 15% off your first purchase when you sign up to get their emails.. which contain more sales & the buried bauble! A buried bauble is an extremely discounted piece, but it only stays discounted for a very limited time. Shipping is FREE & is priority 2 day & returns are also free. Did I mention I'm obsessed??

Here's my order I recently got. I scored both a necklace and earrings for just $24 during their Halloween sale that I featured in one of my earlier blogposts (part 4)! The quality of these items is truly impeccable. I can't believe it sometimes! I feel like I'm getting a great deal every time I open my package from Baublebar!!




I am obsessed with tassels and accents of orange. I honestly would wear this necklace in my sleep I love it so much. The earrings are more of an antique gold than true gold but I still love them regardless. They're both show-stopping pieces and the fact that I got them both for $24 only makes them that much better!!

I promise you that Baublebar is the BEST place to find statement jewelry at affordable prices. Even though I have my own jewelry label I still indulge in other pieces of jewelry and Baublebar definitely satisfies that void. Can't express how much I love them! Give them a shot I promise you won't regret it. In fact I know that you'll become hooked.

PS their packaging is also adorable with black and pink details and little "yay!" stickers. It's like they literally read my mind about the perfect jewelry company and implemented it to make me broke but incredibly stylish. No regrets, just jewelry. <3 Baublebar is life!

Best wishes
Xo
Dev



PS THE WINTER LINE FOR DEVIN ASHTON DESIGNS IS LAUNCHING NOVEMBER 14! 


Let's get social! ---->
Pinterest: Devin Ashton Designs

Twitter: Devin_Ashton

Instagram: @DevinAshtonDesigns
Facebook: Devin Ashton Designs