mark your calendars

when i read about this installation on atlanta's daily candy, i was so very intrigued and excited that i knew i had to share it with you. then, i headed over to check on the asiancajuns and found that they are super excited about it too! now i know i really must share. :)

for those of you in the atlanta area {or the new york area for that matter}, mark you calendars for an incredible artistic display. amy flurry {style writer/editor} and nikki salk {owner of addiction boutique} are showing a sculptural paper installation that looks absolutely wonderful.


you have from now until february 5th to see the installation. i think i will probably wait to go until next weekend when the temperatures aren't quite so frigid. read about the project here and get exact info for your respective cities. also you can look at all the lovely pieces!


images copyright Mali Azima 2009
via paper-cut-project
Hiking in Stilettos

honey, can i borrow your shirt?

i absolutely love menswear.
if husband's clothes would fit me a bit better,
i would probably raid his closet for plaid shirts and
white button downs quite frequently.

unfortunately, his shirts are too big for me,
even if i am trying for the boyfriend look,
so i stick to my own clothes with menswear for inspiration.

blazer, the gap; white button down, the loft; jeans, paige denim; heels, lizard thicket boutique;
belt, urban; ring, charming charlie's; earrings, f21

for more ideas on raiding your husband/boyfriend's closet,
look here and here.

xoxo

my friends are so talented

let me take a few moments and introduce you to a few of my incredibly talented, incredibly inspiring friends....


if you are looking for some serious fashion inspiration look no further than thelittlebit. this girl has a way of seeing fashion and clothes that none other can match. to say that she thinks outside of the fashion box just doesn't cut it.

{images via the ajc}

for some incredible handmade "children's clothing and accessories, toys, and trinkets for your home," look no further than the homemade grits etsy store. this girl is beyond talented with sewing abilities that i can only dream of. also, check out her blog for more inspiration!
{images via homemade grits}


for your daily dose of absolute hilarity, check out my girl kindredly. with topics ranging from the latest fashion trends, fashion disasters, days at work, fixing up the house, books to read, and the city in general, her blog literally makes me laugh out loud. not to mention that she has fabulous fashion sense.
{images via kindredly}


and for you locals looking for the best places to eat/shop/listen to great music/find great art in the decatur/atlanta area, check out the asiancajuns. everything you could ever want to know about the city with a huge dose of fashion as well! with such different styles, their site is a great place for inspiration.
{images via asiancajuns}


my friends are so very talented.
xoxo


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spectacular spectacles

because i wear my contacts most days, i haven't updated my glasses in about four years. with an eye doctor appointment in the near future, i have decided that some new specs are quite overdue.

the ones i have now are small brown frames with a light blue lining inside the lenses. i absolutely love them and the way they reflect the blue in my eyes, but it think it is time to move on. i am really leaning towards oversized frames, but i am wary of them being too trendy. i do want them to last another four years, so maybe i should just find some frames without prescription lenses....

decisions, decisions.


alas, some of my inspirations for oversized frames.
they would look so great with red lipstick, and you know how i feel about red lipstick.

{via the indiehippie}


{via chocoxcoco}


{via the cherry blossom girl}


{via bordons on flickr}


so, what you do think? should i take the plunge and go for the prescription lenses or play it safe and try to find some clear ones?
xoxo


copyright Hiking in Stilettos

{happiness is}...

originally uploaded by kcc12, on flickr


wide open spaces & adventures.

baby, it's cold outside

i love cold weather.
i love the chilly air and the snow it brings.
i am also incredibly cold-natured.
as in, i take a light cardigan to the beach, cold-natured.


so i know you must be thinking,
"how in the world did you survive colorado?"
well, my dears, i did a lot of layering.


i also wore a lot of hats.
this one is actually a headband,
but it is big enough to cover my ears.
i love the bright blue and the fun crochet flowers.

vest, american eagle; cardi & boots, target; jeans, the loft; headband, charming charlies; scarf, from a friend <3


do you layer up against the cold, too?
what do you wear to stay warm in the cold weather?
xoxo


copyright Hiking in Stilettos

12.31.09

i only recently began to make new year's resolutions,
but it is something that i have really come to enjoy.
i do well when i have a goal to work towards,
so perhaps this will help me accomplish a few things
that have been on my wish list for a while.


image credit

here are my resolutions for 2010:


1. talk to my far away friends more
{even just ten minute phone calls.
i know we are all so busy, but i miss each one of you so much}


2. run 365 miles over the course of the year
{this averages to about 7 miles per week. it will be difficult at first, but i welcome the challenge.}


3. complete a half-marathon or a sprint triathlon


4. make a daily scrapbook of sorts in my planner
{i read about the idea here and loved it.}


5. experiment more in the kitchen & try new recipes


6. spend more time in prayer and reflection of my faith
i get so caught up in the worry and stress of the days, that i forget it is all out of my hands. i often think negative things about other people when they wrong me, about school when it gets really tough, about work when it is frustrating. before i justified this by the fact that i only thought these things, but...

the word of God is living and active. sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. ~ hebrews 4:12-13

so here's to being more positive, spending less time worrying and more time blessing, reading and remembering scripture, having a heart of thankfulness, and living a life of faith.


i wish you all a new year filled with everything you desire.
thanks for reading and commenting on this little blog;
it really makes me happy.
xoxo.


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first time follies

this holiday was the first time i attempted

to make a blueberry pie from scratch.

i have made pies with my mom before, but let's be honest,
she's a master baker/cook and told me exactly what to do.
this year i was completely on my own.
{with a little help from husband}

{my favorite part was the lattice top.}


it was definitely a fun adventure,
but i think that my pie-making skills need some polishing.
the blueberry pie i made tasted pretty good,
but it looked like a small disaster.

{the is the pre-baked version. it looks a lot better than its baked counterpart.}


the crust hung over the side of the pie plate a bit,
so when it baked, the crust burned and fell off the side.
apparently i was supposed to cover the crust with foil.
oops.


despite its slightly ragged appearance,
the first ever ashley-made blueberry pie tasted quite delish.


for more pie inspirations, watch this movie.
i love it.
happy baking.
xoxo


copyright Hiking in Stilettos

christmas letters

dear readers,
thank you for your continued support.
i absolutely love that you read this little blog,
and your comments always make my day.


dear iowa pine candle,
you make our apartment smell so lovely,
that i will continue to burn you long after christmas is over.


dear colorado,
i miss you already.
husband and i loved your cold weather
and abundance of snow.
we promise to visit again very soon.


dear sharpie pens,
you are my new favorite.


dear peppermint mocha creamer,
i am sad that i can no longer find you in the grocery store.
i guess i will just have to wait until next holiday
for you to come around again.


dear snow,
sometimes i wish you would visit the southeast.


dear husband,
you're kind of amazing.
i love you.




happy christmas to you all
xoxo


copyright Hiking in Stilettos

handmade holidays

this year i gave homemade chocolate/peppermint sugar cookies
and creamy hot coca mix to husband's family as gifts.


baking the cookies was quite fun since husband helped out,
and the hot chocolate mix is my absolute favorite.
judging by the reactions, the combination was a huge success.


for the hot coca i mixed:
2 cups nestle hot cocoa mix
1 cup original coffemate creamer
1/2 cup confectioner sugar


the creamer makes the cocoa extra creamy and delicious.
next time i think i will use vanilla flavored instead.
yum yum yum.


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d-d-d-dolman

i was unsure about the dolman sleeves on this dress,
but my bestie talked me into it.


she was right.
as always.
<3

xoxo


dress, lizard thicket boutique; tank, richard chai for target;
boots, vintage {my mom's}; belt & ring, f21

copyright Hiking in Stilettos

gifts for: the baker/cook/chef

for the person who loves to cook or bake,

any of these items will definitely bring about smiles.

an apron for days spent up to their elbows in cooking/baking:

{get it here}

fancy pot holders to brighten their kitchen:

{get them here}

a milk bottle carafe for homemade juices:

{get it here}

ceramic ruled measuring cups for all their recipes:

{get it here}

a unique timer for keeping track of what's in the oven:

{get it here}

a set of eco-friendly mixing bowls for years of baking:

{get them here}

happy holiday baking and cooking to you all.

xoxo

copyright Hiking in Stilettos

gifts for: the university student

from undergrad to professional and graduate studies,

any student would enjoy these:

a unique coffee mug for late nights spent studying:

{get it here}

an organizer for keeping all of their needs:

{get it here}

a laptop case for days spent at coffee shops:

{get it here}

a vintage-inspired desk calendar to brighten their days:

{get it here}

fun, printed notebooks for days in lecture halls:

{get it here}

copyright Hiking in Stilettos

gifts for: the avid runner

whether it's a trail run on a sunday or weekend a marathon,

here a few things that just about any runner or athlete would enjoy:

a road id for a sense of security:

{get it here}

{read testimonials about it here}

a camelbak hydration pack to keep them going during long races:

{get it here}

{also comes in black or blue for the guys}

a pocket cuff to store keys during a run:

{get it here}

a new pair of kicks to start off the new year:

{get them here}

or for a really easy gift,

an itunes gift card to fill their ipods with running tunes:

{get it here}

happy running to you all.

xoxo

copyright Hiking in Stilettos