the pretty dish

Glitter Digits

carla ashley — Mon, 20 May 2013 02:01:27 +0000

Nail art is so on trend right now, and while there are a million options to choose from (stripes! polka dots! ombré!) I prefer to punch up my manicures via what I like to call a “party nail.” It’s a pop of color on any finger you like – and it’s just subtle enough to be work appropriate (in my office environment, at least). As you can see below, I’ve chosen my index finger and in each instance, a little glitter polish does the deed. So easy, so fun – and a great way to hide a chipped nail.

Left: Parma Violet by Topshop (no longer avail but Nice is Nice by essie is similar)
Right: Jamaica Me Crazy by essie

Beyond Cozy by essie on both index fingers…

xoxo………….

T.P.D.

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Currently Coveting…Frends

carla ashley — Mon, 13 May 2013 00:12:33 +0000

Every pair of ear buds that I own is broken, with the exception of the little white ones that came with my iPhone…and those aren’t my favorite. I spend about two hours a day commuting, so I’m thinking it would be a good idea to invest in some really nice earphones. My husband favors these by Bose, but I’m looking for something a little more….fashionable? Check out these “Layla” headphones by Frends.

These are much more up my alley! They look like jewelry and the leather ear cushions are made of memory foam, which sounds super comfortable. I’m seriously considering investing in these. I love the Rose Gold color, but it seems to be sold out everywhere so I’m happy to settle for silver. What do you think? Are jewelry-inspired headphones too much? AND, are these worth a $149 investment?

xoxo………….

T.P.D.

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bumble & bumble mending masque

carla ashley — Thu, 02 May 2013 03:22:59 +0000

Consider me a loyalist when it comes to conditioner. I’m really careful with my hair – so when I find something that works, I tend to stick to it. For a few years, I’ve relied on Biolage Conditioning Balm by Matrix as a shower staple. It smells divine, is SUPER moisturizing and preps my hair perfectly for a blow out. During my last hair appointment, my stylist introduced me to Bumble and Bumble Mending Masque. While I wasn’t the market for a new conditioner, I was enticed by my stylist’s results upon using the product as well as its sleek packaging…so I decided to take it home.

If your locks are dry/damaged and seriously in need of some TLC, you should consider this. The bottle doesn’t come cheap ($37 for 5 oz), but I think it produces major results. Just make sure to rinse well before drying and styling. Otherwise, this conditioning superstar may weigh down your hair.

GO.GET.SOME.

xoxo………….

T.P.D.

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Sunglass Hunt

carla ashley — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 01:01:16 +0000

Squinting is *so* not cute, so I’m in the market for a new pair of sunglasses. Right now I’m favoring tortoiseshell everything when it comes to accessories, so it’s no surprise that my picks are all in the yellowish brown color family. Cateyes are also making a huge comeback, and you can’t go wrong with ANY variation of the classic Wayfarer. I love all of these – which do you pick??

Clockwise from top left:

Madewell super ciccio
TOMS Kitty
Coach Casey
Mossimo Cateye
Prada Cateye
Tory Burch Black Horn

xoxo………….

T.P.D.

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TPD Review & Giveaway: Printcopia

carla ashley — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 01:07:01 +0000

So, I feel like two weeks have whizzed by – it has been a while since my last post! So I’m back, and with a great giveaway!

I love photos, so when the lovely people at Printcopia asked me to do a product review, I didn’t hesitate. Though Mike and I still need to select the images we want included in our wedding album, there are a few that I’ve already picked as favorites. The one above is on that list, and it’s printed on an 8×10 canvas. The ordering process was very easy – you just visit Printcopia’s website, select your canvas size, then upload your picture. You can even upload directly from Instagram or Facebook.

Now – to the good stuff. In partnership with Printcopia, I’m giving away an 8×10 canvas just like the one pictured. It’s valued at $43 right now (they’re on sale for 25% off), but these usually ring in at $57! Well worth it, for the quality Printcopia offers, but a fab freebie if you’re the lucky winner. To enter, do one of the following, then leave a comment letting me know:

*Like The Pretty Dish on Facebook here

*Follow me on Twitter here

*Follow me on Instagram here

*Subscribe to my blog posts via the “Sign Me Up” button on the right

Note: If you have already followed/subscribed/liked via the sites mentioned above (that you are a member of), you can still enter – just leave a comment below explaining that. For ex – “I already follow you on Facebook and Twitter. Enter me! :)”

U.S. entries only, guys! Giveaway closes at 5pm EST on Friday, 4/26, then I’ll be choosing the winner via random.org. Good luck! **UPDATE: This giveaway is now closed. Congrats Becky Wiley!

xoxo………….

T.P.D.

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Happy Friday – Tulips

carla ashley — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 05:00:33 +0000

Today is Friday and I can’t wait to welcome the weekend. In the meantime, I should tell you about this deli at the corner of 34th & Park, which has the most beautiful flowers. I bought these for my friend Jessie, who just had a baby boy. I also decided that I’m going to try to buy flowers every week to perk up my office. No excuse not to.

Meanwhile, three things that caught my eye this week include…

These Coach “Malika” loafers. I ~~need~~ want some new flats for spring.
Refinery 29′s article on 8 Taboo Topics in Fashion.
Christopher Abbott is quitting Girls? What? NO. I hate to love that show but can’t imagine it without cute “walk all over me” Charlie.

Above pic via Instagram. Follow me!

**Happy Weekend**

xoxo………….

T.P.D.

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Currently Smiling

carla ashley — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 21:43:00 +0000

When Mike and I got engaged, Bridgette Bartlette, a fellow University of Maryland alum, reached out to me expressing her interest in featuring our wedding story on her website, Black Bridal Bliss. I was so flattered, particularly because I was a fan of Bridgette’s work when she was an editor at Essence Magazine. Plus, I relied on her website for great tips on the wedding planning process as I prepped for my big day. When I read our feature, it brought tears to my eyes! I’m sharing it with all of you in the hope that my brides-to-be will grab a tip or two, my married ladies will take moment to reflect back on their own big days and my single Dishers will get excited about what they have to look forward to. Enjoy!

xoxo………….

T.P.D.

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Neck Candy

carla ashley — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 22:31:18 +0000

I’m so into statement necklaces right now. I love how they can add a dose of color or interest to even the plainest ensembles. Here are two of my latest picks – can decide which one I like more!

The one on the left is by David Aubrey, and I got it from Joyus.com – a very cool online shopping site that incorporates video. I love the candy colors of this piece and am already thinking up ways to wear it for spring. It looks heavy, but it’s actually very lightweight since it’s mostly made of wood.

I got the necklace on the right from the Etsy shop, The Way We Are. This piece is so on trend and looks expensive, right? However – I was pleased to pay under $50 for it! I’m always on the hunt for interesting Etsy boutiques, because I think it’s great to support artists without the middle man. The designer, Leah Hill, has a ton of well made pieces available, from chunky bracelets and necklaces to cool “spiked” serving trays. You must visit the shop and let me know what you think!! :o)

xoxo………….

T.P.D.

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eos Lip Balm

carla ashley — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 03:45:16 +0000

Though I’ve professed my love for beauty products in the past, I recently realized that I don’t tell you nearly enough about my favorite products. My latest love is this whimsically packaged eos lip balm. Everyone has their quirks, and one of mine happens to be all about moisture. I HATE for my hands or lips to be dry, which is why I keep hand cream and lip balm in every purse, at the bathroom sink and on my nightstand. It’s borderline neurotic, but at least you’ll never catch me with chapped lips or ashy digits!! ;)

For years I’ve relied on Nivea’s A Kiss of Moisture Essential Lip Care (originally mentioned in this post about drugstore beauty buys) and it works so well that I really had no reason to try something new. However I’d been eying the eos packaging for quite a while, and the dome shape and organic ingredients intrigued me. I decided to give it a whirl.

The one pictured is Strawberry Sorbet. The dome shape makes it fun to apply, and it feels super smooth on. It has a sweet flavor and doesn’t deposit that annoying film that many lip balms leave behind. I bet it would be great to layer under lipstick, although I haven’t tried that yet. Overall, it’s a winner and feels way more expensive than its $3 price tag.

Try it and let me know what you think!

xoxo………….

T.P.D.

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all of these things

carla ashley — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 04:52:07 +0000

I love that Instagram allows you to so easily capture little moments that would otherwise pass right by. Sometimes these fleeting experiences turn out to make beautiful pictures. I fully admit, I’m an Insta-Addict. Here are a few moments I captured in the past week:

1st Row (L to R):

~I (finally) organized my nail polishes this week
~Next came the necklaces
~Kate Spade is bringing the pastels in a major way for spring

2nd Row (L to R):

~An iPad case sporting a quote to live by
~Still haven’t decided whether to keep these super high but chic boots that were on major sale at Bluefly.com
~My brother-in-law brought me beautiful flowers and get well wishes last weekend…the daisies are still going strong

3rd Row (L to R):

~I’m excited to try the products in March’s internationally-themed Glossybox, especially this sweet smelling one
~This scarf was a gift from my mom and the colors remind me of summer sherbet
~My childhood home in 1914…there’s so much history between those walls

You can view my Instagram profile online here.

xoxo………….

T.P.D.

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