The Leg Up: asos

BLOGMAS DAY 11 // HOLIDAY PARTY OUTFIT GUIDE

HOLIDAY PARTY OUTFIT GUIDE

I love me a good holiday party... like I mean really love them. The food, the music, the chit chat. I may be an introvert but throw in Christmas and I'm in my element! It's also so important for me that I feel confident in what I'm wearing. There's nothing worse than wearing an outfit that is too revealing or too tight. It's your night to own it! So here are some of my picks from this years selection of dresses.

02:27
0 Comments

BLOGMAS DAY 7 // ASOS GIFT GUIDE

asos

ASOS GIFT GUIDE

So, as so many online retailers do, ASOS' website has created gift guides for their customers needs. I thought it would be nice to pick through these gift guides and find my favorites!

I love ASOS, which might sound weird for European viewers, because it just isn't as big of a company in the U.S. But it has so many incredible choices in both high end and affordable price points. Honestly, since finding ASOS I haven't needed to scan through Nordstrom's website - which used to be my favorite site!

And now for the gift guide...

Women's

07:00
0 Comments

DRESSING FOR THE SEASON //

Aerie

As I was sitting down to write this post my initial intention was to make it as Fall as possible. The funny thing about this season is that I had never really experienced a true Autumn until I moved to New York. No surprise here but... it quickly became my favorite season.

The humidity in New York would finally leave and in its place came a chilling air. The leaves in and around the city would become absolutely breathtaking. Don't get me wrong, Spring (after a long and freezing winter) is just as beautiful but it was Fall that stole the scene.

Now that I'm back in Los Angeles I am aching for a taste of real Fall. The weather here is a roller coaster that stays somewhere between 80 and 90 (27 to 32 Celsius) and it just really kills the mood. Wearing shorts half-way through October isn't exactly my ideal situation.

What usually happens, at least here in Southern California, is that people dress for the season and not the weather. It can be 85 degrees without a cloud in the sky and you can bet that there will be a woman with a turtleneck sweater drinking a hot pumpkin spice latte. It's quite hilarious I can't lie but you know what... I am culprit of this as well. So I am going to humor myself here and post some of my current favorite looks for Autumn that won't be too ridiculous to be wearing walking around the beach or in the stifling hot city.

10:15
0 Comments

AUGUST FAVORITES //

asos

Welp. Bye August of 2016 it was nice knowin' ya! We are finally finally FINALLY in the month of September woo woo woo woo. I spent an incredible holiday weekend up in Lake Arrowhead and it was literally the perfect transition weekend into Fall. The air was chilled and when the fog rolls up the side of the mountain and spills onto the streets and houses around the lake it feels like you could be living in a cloud. I was able to wear my new bomber jacket (which shall be put in my favorites below!) and actually not feel crazy for bundling up.
We also went to the resort for a cheeky little massage and gaaahhh it was pure heaven! I think I will need to do a good post for Lake Arrowhead the next time I'm up there...
Without further ado here are my August loves

Misc. //

Books: I may have over done it with this one friends. I have decided to read every Jane Austen book and my goal is really to finish before December but I only have Pride and Prejudice finished so far! Now on to Emma! Starting my own Jane Austen Book club lololol

Movies: I didn't go to the movies once... this whole month... that. never. happens.

Television: I also lagged hard in the t.v. department in terms of new television shows hehe sars.

I did rewatch Scream Queens and have been catching up on Masters of Sex before the new season starts! I am so beyond BEYOND beyond ready for Fall television to begin I could barf.

Music: I think I am going to be making a fall playlist so I will definitely link that in my twitter.

Happy Fall y'all and let me know what you were loving the month of August! Xoxo Sam

12:45
0 Comments

JULY FAVORITES

asos

JU got to be LYing to me that this month is already over. (badpunbadpunsbadpuns) It went lightening fast and honestly the biggest "accomplishment" I made was finishing the Harry Potter series which you, my friend, can read about here. Today I got an email from Bath and Body Works -- we're in a pretty personal relationship, nothin special -- and lo and behold THEY ARE ADVERTISING FALL CANDLES. Okaaayyyyy I mean cool. yeah. I'm cool with it.
To think that for the past four summers I was preparing to go back to school around this time. Saying goodbyes, planning my return trip (war flashbacks to packing/traveling with said luggage), and getting back into the school mentality.
But NOW I'm approaching that endless void of "you can do what you want now" and... well... HALP.
And now for the moment you've all been sitting on the edge of your seats for -- I know the anxiety is a lot for me too-- what did I like/love for the summertime month of July:

Makeup

Oil-Free Acne Correct & Cover Pink Grapefruit Moisturizer

I was given a tip that putting on a tinted moisturizer will kind of help with the longevity of your foundation. I gotta say folks, they didn't lie. I like this one because sometimes moisturizer's can sometimes leave me feeling oily. BUT LOOK LOOK LOOK Oil Free^^^^

Jane Iredale PURELASH Extender & Conditioner

I've been putting this on before my mascara and I have to say my lashes have never looked better. The white lash look is also great for costumes like: a ghost, a kid with white eyelashes (ooo spooky), or a crazy aunt.

OPI "I Am What I Amethyst"

Woof, I love nail polish color names, but this one's a doozy. That being said the color is super delightful to behold every time I look down at my nails.

Clothing

Striped Boxy Tee - Forever 21

I commend her for pulling off the choker look. But guys, I can't do it. I think I'm allergic to trend-wear honestly. The shirt I CAN say is super soft and cozy and comfy and yes. I also wore it to Buffalo Wild Wings and felt immediate anxiety that I looked like I could also be a waiter there.

Lazy Oaf High Neck Oversized Tee with Frill Hem and Face Sketches

The name of the company pretty much does it for me.

Misc.

Music: I've been either listening to oldies or podcasts right now honestly. I love that Spotify has so much to offer. Totes worth the monthly fee (there was no sarcasm there I swear).

Books: Again Harry Potter but now that I'm finished I'm Free I'm Free! I'm going to hold off on Cursed Child just because, and I HATE TO SAY THIS, but my friends who have read it were sadly disappointed. BUT I just finished reading Grace & Style: The Art of Pretending You Have It by Grace Helbig and it was frickin hysterical.

T.V.: The Bachelor is over. She chose the wrong guy yada yada NEXT. OMG tho Stranger Things. I binged that like a bowl of ice cream. 11 I miss you, sent us a note saying you're okay. Okay?!

Movies: Please refer to my previous post Summer Movie Extravaganza here! I also saw the new Woody Allen film by myself at noon on a Monday because they have senior discounts and apparently I'm an 82 year old not a 22 year old.

Let me know what some of your favorite things in July were OR OR OR let me know your blog name and I'll come check it out for myself! xoxo Sam

15:25
0 Comments

May Favorites

asos

Happy official first day of June everybody!!! The year is like half over and I'm just so confused as to how this happened? I know the years feel faster as you get older but my god it was literally just new years eve.

Anywho, I am back back in Cali Cali with ma fam and things are settling down to a manageable speed. It never feels right the minute I get back and I still think it hasn't hit me that I won't be leaving this time to go back to school... I have a feeling it won't really hit me until August/September when all the other students are going back and I'm still here. But onwards and upwards!

This past month has been ridiculously crazy with graduation and everything so I didn't have a lot of time to think of anything other than what I needed to finish, pack, sell, send, say goodbye to, etc. etc.

So without further ado, here are some of my May Favorites!

Makeup

Crème in Your Coffee - MAC lipstick

Makeup Setting Spray SPF 30 - COOLA

PERF - Floss Gloss

Clothing

Off Shoulder Mini Dress - ASOS

Wild Daisy Maxi Duster - Wildfox

Palm Island Fixed Tri Top - Ripcurl

Misc.

Music: Okay I jumped on the bandwagon... I listened to the Hamilton soundtrack and it was so freakin good but it was so freakin long. I also have bought some of the new songs from Lemonade - Hold Up, Sorry, Daddy Lessons. I watched the visual album too which was just stunning and breathtaking!

Books: Currently on Goblet of Fire (my fav HP book) so I'm hoping I can just devote time to finishing those up and then going on to some new summer releases. If you have any suggestions let me know!

T.V.: I really didn't watch any television for the past I would say month and a half besides Game of Thrones. However, I caught up on the new bachelorette yesterday and even though I think JoJo is kind of a snore, guys this season are characters so I'll keep chugging along!

Movies: My friends and I went and saw the new Captain America movie and it was just everything. I would say it was better than the last Avengers movie by far. Now I really can't wait for Dr. Strange!!!

That would pretty much sum up my month of May! Let me know what some of your favorite things were in May as well :) xoxo Sam

08:21
0 Comments

April...and May Showers: Spring Time Gloom Fashion

asos

Hello! So New York has been just downright gloomy for literally like almost two weeks now. And if you live somewhere that has a colder climate you know that there is this weird/awkward inbetween phase where it's too hot to wear your big, puffy winter coats but is no where near warm enough to go without extra layers. I am someone who always jumps straight into summer once there is one hot day (it's the California in me I swear) and then I will be chronically cold for weeks after.
Now no one wants to go out and buy cold-weather clothes when summer is just around the corner but I scanned through some sites and found some pieces that would work well for the tween months!

Hooded Cardigan - H&M

Flowing Jacket - Zara

'Badged Bruce' Bomber Jacket - TopShop

Ultimate Biker Jacket with Stitch Detail - Asos

Hooded Cargo Jacket - Forever 21

Of course I am really hoping this gray sky leaves soon so I can enjoy my last few weeks in New York with a little bit of sunshine! Let me know what your favorite pieces are in the spring time gloom xoxo Sam

06:28
0 Comments

My Favorite Spring Trends

asos

I have never been a huge fan of spring. Especially being in the the north east where it either feels freezing like winter or is hot and humid like summer. Even in California, where the weather never changes, I always felt spring was the most blah of all the seasons. They should really just call it allergy season because it seems like everyone I know this time of year is sniffling and sneezing from all the new pollens in the air. However, this year I have gotten more into it.
Perhaps working at Gap and seeing their spring collection has really gotten me excited for spring! In addition to this the weather in the New York (even though it technically snowed Sunday evening) has been very spring like for a few weeks now. I feel like this is the spring I have been waiting for all four years of being here.
I decided to pull a few of the pieces I was loving this spring to get everyone in the spirit as well!