I’ve been wearing my favorite cardigan, which is really more of a coatigan (coat + cardigan) weekly since early Fall. I love the fit and structure of it and it’s a nice layer on a cooler day but works basically all year – in Southern California, at least. It comes in a few different neutral colors – I have it in both camel and gray, but wear the camel colored one a little more. It’s often on sale – right now it’s 15% off with code EXTRA. I wanted to share five different ways I’ve been wearing it this spring.

coatigan, tank, shorts, sandals

coatigan, tank, jeans, sandals, sunglasses

coatigan, tank, jeans, sandals (30% off with code ASHLEY30)

coatigan, tank, shorts, sandals

coatigan, tshirt, shorts, sandals (30% off with code ASHLEY30)

My #1 summer staple is always a good pair of denim shorts. I wear them almost every single day when it’s hot, so I need a couple of pairs to get me through the season. Recently I’ve been searching for a new go-to pair and have gone through a few rounds of online orders so I thought I’d share my research with you with my denim short guide.

For reference I normally wear a 24/25 or a 0. Here’s the link to the bodysuit I’m wearing.

Agolde Parker (vintage wash // non distressed wash)

I first purchased this pair back in February and have worn them quite a bit since. I am obsessed with the wash, minimal distressing and fit but wish they were a little bit longer. I’ve found this particular style to run large so I sized down one size to a 23. They’re slightly high waisted (hit right about the belly button) and by far my most worn shorts.

Since I love this style so much I wanted to try them out in a non-distressed wash. I ordered this pair and decided to size up to my normal size in hopes they’d be a little longer. The length is about the same as my other pair, but since I went with my normal size (24) they’re not as high waisted and hit a lot lower.

Abercrombie Mom Shorts

I haven’t shopped at Abercrombie in years but stumbled upon this pair while online shopping. They had great reviews so I decided to order a pair in a few different sizes and see how they fit. Since Abercrombie has always been geared towards teens I ordered them in a size 25 and 26. The 25’s fit perfectly and I was actually really surprised with how much I liked them. My only qualm is they’re more heavily distressed than I was wanting. And since the color is so similar to my Agolde’s I don’t think I’ll be keeping them. But since I like them so much I’ll be ordering them in white.

Agolde Dee

I was really curious about this style because they’re a higher rise with a longer inseam. I thought they’d be a good everyday “mom” short. I ordered them in a 24 and they’re a little too tight. I would recommend sizing up. I also didn’t love this length on me. I think they’d be more flattering on someone taller (I’m 5’4).

Levis 501 High Rise

I purchased this pair last summer and sized up to a 26 since I was a couple months postpartum. They run small and have little to no stretch; they were a little too tight last year but fit great this year. For some reason the denim is a lot stiffer than the Agoldes and they’re not as comfortable… but they don’t stretch out between wears and really hold their shape.

Shopbop is having their spring sale now through March 8th. It’s one of my favorite times to stock up on items that rarely (if ever) go on sale. And the more you spend, the more you save.

Jewelry:

You know how much I love Gorjana, and all of her pieces are included in the sale. Some of my favorites I wear all the time are this dainty star necklace, adjustable bracelet, coin pendant necklace (pictured above), lock chain necklace, gold huggies, coin necklace, and crescent pendant (I’ve had this one for about 5 years and continue to wear it all the time).

I’m a big fan of the shell jewelry trend and some pieces I’m eying are… this gold bracelet, shell barrette and pink bracelet. 

Denim:

My two current favorite pairs of high-waisted jeans are both included in the sale. The Agolde Jamie jeans (left) and Levi’s 501 Skinny (right). Both pairs are lighter wash, slightly distressed and can be worn tons of different ways.

I ordered two pairs of Agolde shorts and only plan to keep one pair. The Parker vintage cuttoffs and Parker vintage loose fit.

Dresses:

We’re going out Friday night to celebrate a friends birthday and I’m debating between two dresses in my closet. I’ve been wanting to wear both! The first is this sequin fringe dress from BB Dakota (pictured above), I love how unique it is. The second is this vegan leather dress from Rebecca Taylor, it’s such a great LBD and I know I’ll continue to wear it and love it for years.

Swim:

I’ve always been obsessed with swimwear and have more bikinis than I could ever wear. I love buying new ones every year and this neon green smocked bikini (top, bottoms) is my latest that I cannot wait to wear. I’m going to Tulum in a couple months and will definitely be bringing it. I also just got this leopard top and matching shorts that’s a really cute alternative to a coverup. Plus my favorite pom pom coverup is included in the sale and comes in 3 different colors.

*these sunglasses have been a favorite of mine for the past 5 years.

Odds & Ends:

• I wear these spanx faux leather leggings a few times a week and love them so much. They’re incredibly flattering and can even be dressed up.
• I love Clare V. bags in the spring and summer, this tote is one of my favorites.
• Another spring/summer staple of mine is this clutch from Cult Gaia.
• I’ve almost purchased these white mules so many times, I think they’re so versatile, they also come in snake print.

Today I want to talk about one of my favorite topics… jeans! Ha. But really, I love them and basically live in them in the cooler months. When I was pregnant (both times) I missed them soo much. Maternity jeans are HARD, but that’s a whole other topic. Anyway, today I want to share and compare my two favorite pairs of high-waisted denim.

Let’s start with the OGs, the Levi’s 501 Skinny Jeans

This pair is right under $100. I’ve had these for two years now and aside from the knee distressing expanding (so common) they’ve held up really well. I cut them at the ankle because I’m on the shorter side and like my jeans to hit there. They are perfectly high-waisted, come right up to my belly button and are regular denim (no stretch). However, after several wears they feel a little stretched out so I wash and dry them to shrink them back. I really rarely wash them unless I need to.

Agolde Jamie Hi Rise

These are $178. I finally pulled the trigger on this pair last fall and have been so happy with them. Price wise they’re significantly more expensive than the Levis, which to me, is the only downside. Otherwise I think they’re very similar to the 501’s. I do prefer the wash on this pair, but I’m sure there’s a Levi pair with a similar color.

It should also be noted I wear my normal size in both and they have a similar level of comfort!

sweater, jeans

Tis the week, or season I guess, for sales! I know typically you think of Black Friday as the kickoff for “cyber week,” but it seems like lots of retailers start their sales early. One of my favorite places to shop online is Shopbop and today they started their “Buy More Save More Sale.” I wanted to share my favorite pieces I own and love that are included.

But first here’s a breakdown of the sale info…

I do a lot of shopping on Shopbop. They carry so many of my favorite brands like BB Dakota, Wayf, Agolde, Gorjana, Levis, etc. I’m including photos I’ve taken with pieces that I’ve worn over the past few months.

dress

dress

coat

dress, coin necklace

sweater

sweater, star bracelet, larger beaded bracelet, smaller beaded bracelet

blazer

Hope you’re having a great week – thank you so much for reading and following!

Happy Halloween! My post today isn’t all that festive, but I’m getting ready for a fun night of trick to treating with Crosby. I think she just might understand the concept and end up with a complete sugar high. Fingers crossed she’ll actually wear her butterfly costume that she’s been talking about for the past month.

blazer, sunglasses, sunglasses chain, double name necklace, coin necklace(code ASHLEY20 for 20% off), tank, jeans, similar shoes

I think this is my last round of photos we shot in Big Bear… you can tell it was a few weeks ago by my long hair. I’m loving having it short, it’s been about ten years since it was this length and it’s so much fun and seems a lot healthier.

This was such an easy outfit that’s simple but feels put together. Sometimes I feel like an outfit is either one of the other, but this boyfriend plaid blazer really helped pull together this outfit.

blazer, sunglasses, sunglasses chain, double name necklace, coin necklace (code ASHLEY20 for 20% off), tank, jeans, similar shoes

Thank you so much for reading and following – hope you have a happy and safe halloween!