I took my official #RoyalWedding Engagement Ring Replica out in #DesMoines to see if any of our regal locals recognized it? And I was actually surprised! Almost every single person recognized the 18-carat sapphire and diamond ring Kate Middleton would be wearing down the aisle this morning, and that Lady Di picked out the ring herself in 1981, for her engagement to Prince Charles.
Our replica has a history too by the way, (albeit a shorter one): My fabulous Aunt and Grandma gave my Mom the ring first, and then it was bestowed upon me to travel from Indiana to Iowa, to quiz you fine people, and get some good vibes going for the big day! And now,Congratulations Kate and Wills, The Royal Wedding is a Success!
-Love Ash
Ladd and Stephanie were a charming duo on their walk to Easter festivities yesterday. They giggled as I snapped photos of them from behind… At one point, I must have grown quiet.
They turned around to see if I was still there? … I was.
They cracked up, and over his shoulder, Ladd said, “Just checking.”
-Love Ash
Best way to decorate your spring table? Dandelions! They are vibrant, abundant and free.
It was quiet yesterday in the metro for Easter, but Patrick and I saw this lovely couple gathering adornments at 5th and Court. I asked what the flowers were for? And the woman gently replied, “For Easter dinner at my daughter’s.”
A few of my thoughts on why dandelions are a good spring decoration:
1) Gathering the blooms helps them not to go to seed and spread as intensely - ideally someday people would spray fewer chemicals as a result? And, Dandelions don’t have to be flown in from other countries.
2) Most of us have fond memories of dandelions as children, staining our hands and clothes, blowing the puffy ball of seeds everywhere like thousands of little parachutes. I prefer this over the way most adults view dandelions - ie: pest. They will continue to be around, so honor them and maybe your perception will change… Love ‘em and get excited or hate ‘em and feel ticked. Haha your choice, as usual :-)
3) Dandelion is mega-delicious and good for you! So, what better for your meal centerpiece? Check out this link for some quick tips on how to eat it, and it’s nutritional stats: http://www.gardenfork.tv/is-dandelion-edible (Btw, don’t eat any dandelions that have been sprayed/treated).
4) Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion) in Latin means, “Official remedy for disorders“… It’s used medicinally to support the liver, kidneys, skin and more. Dandelion is a fabulous beauty tool. For more information, here’s just one link on the subject: http://www.leaflady.org/health_benefits_of_dandelions.htm
5) Yellow is the color of sunshine. Yellow is often associated with joy, happiness, intellect and energy. Read more about colors, theory: here
Hope you had a great weekend and Easter, everybody! Hi family - we reminisced and thought of you all day!
-Love Ash
#StreetStyle - @RitualCafe - Nakisha Phillips-Huffman - 1301 Locust Street
The weather’s been pretty cool here in Des Moines this spring. Here’s an awesome example of how to look good making the most of it!
Put on your stocking cap, bing cherry red boots and a spunky vintage dress… Tie a scarf around your neck and get your butt-ender on a bike and enjoy the fresh air! Love it.
-Ash
This Friday, my friend Lynn and I will try to figure out how to make this HUGO BOSS cape blouse that I came across while flipping through a magazine.
A few things for us to consider:
1) The neckline is a little low-cut to be practical in my life, and I don’t think it would look as good with something worn under it.
2) I bought a cheapie, poly-satin fabric with polka-dots rather than a beautiful chiffon. Mine will definitely have a heavier, and shinier (oh my) look, so we’ll see how it turns out?
3) I have no clue how the cape is even attached to the base of the shirt? It’s not at the seams, so it seems like pure magic if you ask me? Hopefully Lynn will know :-)
4) I am just learning how to sew, and Lynn is an expert at flat and pattern techniques, but has not experimented as much with draping- which this project requires. She does have a dress form though, and an adventurous spirit - so we are good to go!
I’ll let you know how it turns out. Wish us luck.
-Love Ash
StreetStyle - Blue Moose - Iowa City - Mona and Neil
For looks that are both stylish and sustainable, check out Ramona Muse’s creations this Saturday at a free, all ages FASHION SHOW in Cedar Rapids. She specializes in customized vintage/thrifted items and her models will be Cedar Rapids Roller Girls!
Location: Gatherings, 905 Third Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA
Time: 7pm
Also for free, from 1-4pm, you can watch designers at work, as they give tips and answer your questions. For more information on all the activities this Saturday, and (my fav) glimpses of Mona’s incredibly creative outfits, check out her awesome blog Patterned Piles here: http://patternedpiles.blogspot.com/
-Love Ash
Badowers Spring Launch - Tim Sitzmann shows me how to wear a pocket square!
My fabulous friend Angela Hogan accompanied me to the men’s clothier, and it-would-be-hard-to-find-something-you-don’t-love event on Thursday…
It began at 5pm and we arrived at 5:05pm, or close to it… I have learned that I prefer to be on the early side for a party - when the hosts/hostesses are near to coming out of their skin with anticipation!
I especially delighted in our time spent with Mr. Sitzmann, the CEO of Midwest Clothiers - which, along with Badowers, also includes Mr B, Mr B Women’s Shoppe, and The Backroom.
So energetic and generous with his time, he strikes me as a very creative and free-spirited gentleman, who is excellent at reading people.
I think, as with life, the best thing one can do with clothes is to hold tight to a friend who believes in every inch of you and gently, but persistently, nudges you toward yourself when you’re feeling (dressing?) like an un-individual wimp!
So, Mr. Sitzmann promptly outfitted me with a pocket square which I love on the gentlemen but had never thought to wear myself!?
For attending, everyone received a coupon for $50 off a $100 purchase. I plan to use mine for a new pocket square and, (my other fav of the night) the blue and cream square-knit tie draped around my collar/lapel, like a marvelous metaphor for my measuring tape (which I wear all the time in my secret designer life).
-Love Ash
StreetStyle - Catherine’s - 7 South Dubuque Street - Iowa City
I had a great time watching these two during The Poison Control Center, Golden Birds show outside of Catherine’s at Mission Creek.
They knew I was taking the first picture for StreetStyle, obviously, because I was there and I told them. But I snapped a few others when I had the opportunity and when they weren’t looking, and I must admit I’m a little perplexed? For fun, I thought I would post all the pics so you could analyze them and see if you can guess their relationship? I hope I will promptly receive an email answering this very question, so that I can post the answer!
Have they just met? Been friends for years? Brother and sister? Other???
My email is dsmmoststylish@gmail.com BTW…
-Love Ash
StreetStyle - at the Blue Moose - 211 Iowa Ave - Iowa City
Andre is the founder of Mission Creek Music Festival in Iowa City, and this picture was taken around 2am, at the close of Day 5.
I don’t want to embarrass Andre (I feel he is a complexly modest gentleman who *may prefer* I do not make a big deal), but he always looks great!
He’s a natural master at Ambiguous Dichotomy Dressing (I made that up). I mean: the combo of what he’s wearing and they way he carries himself gives the impression he could be having a great time, in two very different places at once:
************** Someplace Fancy / Rock Show ****************
And here’s a bonus tip for you: He has a totally fabulous speaking voice - so, make sure to say hello when you see him, and revel when he says it back to you! :-D
-Love Ash
StreetStyle - Iowa City - Corner of S. Dubuque St. and Iowa Ave.
Her mother, who lives in Canada, made this cape for her… So gorgeous!
Her friends endearingly joked that she does in fact become invisible when the hood is up :-)
Stay tuned for more StreetStyle from Mission Creek Festival in Iowa City…
