Happy Friday!  This week has been a pretty slow and easy week, which is always a nice change, but I am always excited for a Friday!  Plus, this weekend is a three day weekend.  Yeah!

As most of you know, I absolutely love the color navy, I know I am repeating myself, but I really really do!  There is something so classy about the color.  Add a navy outfit with a few pearls and you have the perfect Jackie O. look!  What I love, is you can take dresses like this, and wear them differently.  I wore, this same dress going into the Fall last year, my hair was up and I had pointy nude heels on, see here.   This time, I am going into Summer with wedges, a cute pair of sunnies, and chunky pearls.  Which by the way, the necklace and earrings I am wearing are very special, because they were my Aunt Connie’s who just recently pasted away, read the story here.  What are some of your favorite colors, or trends?  Do you tend to always love a certain style?  For me, I have pretty much always loved a very preppy style, but I do love to spice things up every now and again!

XO,

Rachel Ashley

Get the Look:

Dress: En Focus Studio/ Necklace and Earrings: passed down from family/ Shoes: Michael Kors/

Sunnies: Sam Moon/ Bracelets: Forever 21 and Tiffany & Co.

Hi lovelies!  I am excited to welcome Rebecca to Fashionably Living today!  Rebecca is guest posting today and has some fabulous tips on decorating a small space!  I hope you enjoy today’s post!

XO,
Rachel Ashley

Although small living spaces are often dubbed as the bane of any homeowner’s existence, there are actually lots of positives to having these ‘cozy’ rooms – see glass half full without even trying!  Small living spaces not only force you to declutter your life, brutally discarding any pointless possessions, but also to be more creative when it comes to interior design ideas.

With these inspiring and helpful tips, make the best out of your small living spaces.

Get Storage Savvy

When you are short on space, you have to be savy with your storage solutions.  Celebrated furniture designer, George Nelson created a number of inspiring storage pieces during his career.  These include his Vertical and Horizontal Sideboards.  If you are particularly pushed for space, the Vertical Sideboard is an excellent choice as it won’t take up too much space as

George Nelson’s iconic sideboard units are perfect storage solutions for small spaces.  During his career, Nelson created the Vertical and Horizontal Sideboards.  If you are particularly pushed for space, the Vertical Sideboard is a great option.  In terms of the space it takes up compared to the amount of storage you get, it’s a win win situation.  With a real wood walnut veneer finish, this stunning piece would be a welcomed addition to any small interior.

In particular, hallways are often cramped spaces, used solely for passing through.  If you are short on storage, invest in a neat storage like George Nelson’s Vertical Sideboard from SwivelUK, in order to stylishly hide any clutter, papers etc.

Sliding Doors

Doors can take up unnecessary space so in order to get back some of this room but still retain some privacy, invest in sliding doors.  They are not only a great space-saver but will also make a place feel less cluttered.

With so many materials and designs to choose from including durable, long-lasting, recyclable and eco-friendly, there are sliding doors to suit all interior decor schemes.  These space saver solutions will also make your interior look streamlined; perfect for fresh, minimalist, modern spaces.

Go for Cube

Cube-style pieces such as this stunning Ottoman by Le Corbusier doubles up as a footstool, as well as a coffee table to put magazines on etc.  Made from individually stitched pieces of leather, this piece would be great in any living area or could even be used as a modern and luxurious bedside table. Pieces with this harmonious shape are easily moved and can fit into awkward spaces or corners so are perfect for small interiors.

Floor Lamps

If you are short on space and don’t want stark, overhead lighting then a floor lamp can be a great way to create adequate, ambient lighting.

With so many designs to choose from, there are pieces to suit all interior.  This Loft style small floor lamp by Jean-Louis Domecq was first created in the 1950s.  It has been repeatedly reproduced since it’s creation due to it’s unique blend of functionality and style.

This stunning lamp consists of 6 arms but there is another extension which can be attached.  This design allows this piece to be manipulated in any shape or form whilst all moving parts rotate up to a 180 degree angle.  This piece is robust, stylish and allows you to create atmosphere lighting without taking up too much space in the process.  A great choice for small home offices or cozy living rooms.

All images in this article are copyright and courtesy of SwivelUK.

Author Bio: Rebecca is an interior design aficionado who frequently writes about her musings and findings.

Happy Thursday!  We’re past the hump of the week.  Summer, is usually my slow season at work, but I have been so busy in life, I haven’t really had time to notice.  I love summertime though, because to me, summer means vacation, laying out by the pool and reading books and magazines, the beach and the pool, etc.  I love summer, despite the extreme heat!  But I also love summer for the clothes!  You can’t wear too many layers, too much or anything heavy with 100 degree temps, but its still essential to look stylish and not show any sweat marks…lol.  I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love maxi dresses!  They are truly one of the most comfortable articles of clothing ever!  When you live on the West Coast and its always sunny, and the temperatures surpass 100 degrees, maxi’s can be your best friend!  This particular maxi, is a very light cotton and its in my fave color…orange!  What is your favorite article of clothing when it starts to get warm outside?  Do you love maxi’s as much as I do?

Xo,

Rachel Ashley

 My beautiful photographer! My mama!

Get the Look:

Dress: Same & Max/ Necklace: purchased in St. Thomas from a street vendor/

Earrings: a gift from Singapore/ Sunnies: Steve Madden/ Shoes:  Life Stride /

Purse: Michael Kors/ Bracelets: Lemon Pie Auctions/ Watch: Sam Moon

Hi lovelies!  I can’t believe how fast this year has gone by.  This past week has been the busiest week of my life, for the past two years!  Working at a University + graduation week + a concert = chaos!  I am so glad that the madness is over!  I hope you like this adorable graphic dress.  If you look closely there are circles on the dress, which I thought was extremely cool, I think it adds a fun twist to a regular graphic print dress.  As many of you know I have an obsession with navy!  Most people favor black or even white, but I love the classiness or preppiness (not a word, but that’s okay) of navy, and similar to black it pretty much goes with anything!  Well, I hope your week is off to a good start!  I plan on being a lot more present on the blog, now that the madness has slowed down at work.

XO,

Rachel Ashley

Get the Look:

Dress: Rue 21/ Belt: Banana Republic/ Shoes: Madden Girl/ Bracelets: Lemonpie Auctions/ Watch: Sam Moon/ Necklace: Ily Couture/ Sunnies: Steve Madden

Hi lovelies!  I am so sorry I have been M.I.A!!!  Most of you that follow my blog, know from my last post that we had a surprise in the family, which took me away from my everyday life and responsibilities, while I spent time with family!  It was an emotional time, but it was so nice to spend time with family and love on each other!  So I appreciate you sticking around and waiting for me to come back.  I didn’t even really have a chance to tell you I would be away from the blog for over a week!  Well, I have some very exciting things in the works for Fashionably Living and I am excited to share these with you over the next several months! By the way what do you think of my new blouse?   I hope you love my magenta stripe Banana Republic shirt as much as I do.  I dressed it up a bit by pairing it with a pencil skirt and wearing one of my favorites Jessica Simpson shoes, because you know I love the bows!  And  of course I draped my neck with pearls, like usual!

Anyways, I hope you week is off to a good start!

XO,

Rachel Ashley

Get the Look:

Blouse: Banana Republic/ Skirt: Xhiliration/ Shoes: Jessica Simpson/ Sunnies: Sam Moon/ Watch: Sam Moon/ Necklace: My Mom’s

Happy Friday!  I have a heavy heart this morning, as I would like to dedicate this post to Aunt Connie!  My title is a little bit of a pun, because yesterday we lost our Aunt Connie at only 51 years of age, unexpectedly.  She was one of the most happy and joyful people I had ever met.  She was full of life and lived every day to the fullest.  She was an awesome example of a Godly wife, mom, friend, aunt and sister!  I feel like she would tell all of us right now…“ Aren’t you happy for me? I am with Jesus now!”  Connie’s laugh and smile was contagious!  It’s amazing to see how God can use us; one person touched and blessed so many people with her smile alone.  Connie had an amazingly pure heart and she raised her children with that same spirit!  It’s incredible to see Gods hand in her life and how He used her in so many different ways for so many different kinds of people.  She was a mentor to young married women and moms.  She was the “cool” Aunt in which everyone loved and wanted to hang out with!  She was an awesome teacher, blessing so many children with her knowledge and happy heart!   She was an incredible mom, God blessed her with three amazing boys and even though she was a girly girl at heart, she cheered loudly and supported her boys through all their sports games, even when she didn’t know what she was cheering for! She was a Godly wife and loved her husband full out!   Everyone that knew her, our life is better, because she touched each of us in a special way!  We are so lucky God blessed us with Connie and her infectious smile and love!  I am most thankful that she knew Jesus, because she is truly in a more beautiful place now!   Its at times like these, that we need to remember to be thankful for everything God has blessed us with.  We need to live our lives full-out and on fire for God, teaching and setting good examples for those who surround us!  None of us are promised tomorrow, so remember to put God first in your life, love unconditionally and serve others, and everything else will fall into place.

Don’t take things for granted!  The things you take for granted someone else is praying for!

XO,

Rachel Ashley

P.S. My outfit is super affordable  considering most of it came from Target and Wal-mart!   Crazy that these cute pants came from Wal-mart, right?  But I love them and they are super comfortable!  The most expensive thing on me, is my purse!  I hope you appreciate and love my cute and totally affordable outfit!

Fluffing the hair! I like it Texas big! lol

Get the Look:

Blouse: Target/ Shoes: Target/ Pants: Walmart/ Purse: Michael Kors/ Sunnies: Sam Moon/ Watch: Sam Moon/ Bracelets: Lemonpie Auctions

Good Morning lovelies!  I hope your week is off to a good start!  The weather is beautiful here on the West Coast!  We are truly spoiled with this beautiful sunshine!  This is the time of the year, I start breaking out all of my dresses.  I have talked in the past about how much I love to wear dresses, because I think they are so comfortable, flattering and feminine!  I have had this particular dress for a while now.  It was my Eater dress a few years ago.  I loved the modern floral print and guess what its from Target!  I paired it with a belt a shoes from Nordstrom’s, a little high and low styling, is always my fave!  Do you all enjoy mixing high and low brands together?

Xo,

Rachel Ashley

 Get the Look:

Dress: Morano/ Shoes: Halogen/ Belt: Nordstrom/ Jewelry: Forever 21/ Sunnies: similar here

 Hi y’all!  I hope you had an amazing Easter weekend!  I was blessed to spend time with my husbands family in Texas!  We had so much fun in Texas!  I think I could fit right in there.  My weekend was full of eating, visiting, exploring Fort Worth, Easter egg hunts, confetti eggs and so much more!  Its nice to be home, but it was truly beautiful and so much fun there!  For those of you that have been following my blog for a while, you probably know I love orange and navy, they were my wedding colors!  And I also love polka dots!  Check out that cute orange leather purse… Easter present from my mama! I just love it!  Well, happy Tuesday, I hope everyone’s week is off to a good start!

XO,

Rachel Ashley

Get the Look:

Blouse: Forever 21/ Pants: Banana Republic/ Shoes: Bolo/ Purse: Kenar

Happy Tuesday!!!  Did everyone have a lovely, weekend?  I had a great weekend!  I taught dance and cheer, which was super fun, and I haven’t done that in years!  It all came back to me though, like it was just yesterday!   I also did a little shopping with my mom, sun bathed and watched The Bible with the family!  Anyways, I hope your week is off to a good start!

XO,

Rachel Ashley

Get the Look:

 Pants: APT 9/ Shoes: Vince Camuto (Get the Look) / Ring: Vintage

Hi lovelies!  Happy Friday!  I know I have been telling you my life is crazy busy, and I haven’t been posting as often the past couple weeks, but my blog is super important to me and I want to thank all my followers for your support and sweet comments!  It really means a lot to me and I think its important to tell you often, how grateful I am for all of you, I digress!

Today I am excited to talk to you about color!  Now that spring is here, a lot of people change out their pillows add flowers to vases, etc. to bring color and life into their home.  I wanted to give you 5 helpful and fun tips on how to add color to your home this spring and summer!  These tips are inexpensive and super easy!

Enjoy!

Xo,

Rachel Ashley

1. Painting a drab, old dinning room table, your favorite color! Paint is a quick and easy way to add color to furniture.

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2. Add pops of color in unexpected places like the inside of bookcases or cabinets.  

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3. Add colored vases and flowers to a kitchen or any room in your home!

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4. Painting curtain rods a bright color is an adorable way to add color to your window!

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5. Paint a wall an accent color.  If your not brave enough to paint an entire wall, you could paint a small wall like shown below.

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