​

If you've been around long (or actually even for a
week), I'm sure you've noticed I don't often
tiptoe out of my comfort zone and into anything athletic inspired. I do pilates twice a week and cheered my heart out until age 21, but an athlete I am not.

But today is a new day, and I have styled these AMAZE Mary Jane-esque tennis shoes from Off the Beaten Track two different ways! My usual reluctance toward athletic wear is its general lack of femininity, but these shoes eliminate that issue! They're the perfect athletic/athleisure/girly shoe.

I keep my workout attire super simple, and my this is one of my favorite Pilates outfits! The shoes are easy to throw on and go (which is ideal since Pilates starts at 6 a.m.), and I love not having to wear socks with them!

For my casual day look I kept a monotone palette and picked my step-hem denim to highlight the shoes. I love that they have black, cream/white, and camel on them so they match any neutral!

How do you like to style tennis shoes for everyday wear? Thanks for reading, friends!!

Love,
Ashley

The lace up detailing in front allows for a cute bralette to show through (I think I'll do a lace one next time I style this!).

I wanted to keep the styling minimalistic so that the dress stands out on its own, and these beautiful sand colored clogs were just the ticket! These are the Saragasso from Sandgrens Clogs, and they are positively amazing! They're so comfortable, feminine, and will match most anything! I will be styling these allllll summer long. If you want to check out all they offer, you can find them here. 

How thrilled are you that spring is finally within our midst? I could not be happier!! I want to know what you've been loving so far this season :)

Love,
​Ashley

Of all and the hair and beauty bits I dabble in, my most requested tutorial is for a beanie! 

Luckily, it's a super easy pattern I made up and honed over a year or so! Obviously exact numbers may vary depending on the size of your own head, but I am happy to share the measurements I use personally :)

The yarn I use is from JoAnn Fabrics, and if you use a 40% off coupon (which they always have available through their website), you can make two hats for around $6!

Yarn used:
http://www.joann.com/lion-brand-homespun-thick-andamp-quick-yarn/zprd_11834736a.html#q=Lion+Brand+Thick+And+Quick&start=3

I've tried a lot of other bulky yarns but this one is by far my favorite! It's extremely soft and wears really well.

Disclaimer: I am in no way pretending I know any technical terms or really anything at all that I'm doing in regards to crochet. I'm only sharing a pattern that has worked for me and that I've had a lot of people ask about so if I sound silly or use the wrong term, please be patient with me!

Materials needed: 
yarn (listed above)
yarn needle
P crochet hook

That being said...let's begin!!!

If you try this out, I wanna see!! Please tag me on Instagram @forthedaintydays with your recreations :) If you have any questions on technique regarding the pattern, don't hesitate to ask! All of the stitches themselves are easily googled with very clear tutorials :)

Thanks so much for reading friends, I hope you love these hats as much as I do!

Love,
​Ashley

I feel like most of you will probably have heard of LipSense by now, but just in case you haven't--NOW YOU HAVE! 
I'm not going to pretend to know the mechanisms of how it does what it does, so here's what matters: Once applied, it doesn't budge, bleed, crack, feather, disappear, etc!

I'm somewhat a connoisseur of lip products, and this one has me stumped! I have tried so many long-wear lipsticks that ultimately crack and dry out by the end of the day. I'd honestly rather wear one that disappears after a meal! LipSense is simultaneously long-wearing and easy to wear, and I think that's why it's taken the beauty world by storm. 

After shaking it up, start in the corner of your bottom lip and drag to the middle, then repeat on the other side. As you can see, it's not quite even here but no worries, we can fix it later!

As for my top lip, sometimes I start at my cupid's bow and others I start at the corner. I don't think it matters all too much, but you basically repeat the same steps up top and then keep your lips parted while the first coat dries.

Mine is the "glossy" gloss but there are many others to choose from if this isn't your favorite! 

And that's all you do to get an entire day's worth of lip color! 
I tried every test in the book to attempt to get the color to disappear, and it withstood soup, ice cream, smothering Evan with kisses, and 14 hours of wear. If you haven't tried this yet I highly suggest you do! You can find my friend Ryann on Instagram @coderedlips if you'd like to get more information or order! She's super sweet :)

Have you tried this yet? What are your color recommendations if so?

Love,
​Ashley