Mint & Purple

Jeans - Seven, Cashmere Sweater - , Scarf - old, Coat - JCrew, Shoes - Sperry, Turquoise Jewelry - vintage, Purse - Prada, Shades - Chanel, Ring - David Yurman

London Calling

After my freshman year in college I studied abroad at Cambridge. On the weekends I traveled around England and fell in love with London, the charming accents, and witty humor. To this day it's one of my favorite places in the world. Cheers to the Brits across the pond.

Pants - Burberry, Shirt - Burberry, Sweater - old, Shoes - Valentino, Shades - Chanel, Purse - Chanel, Necklace - Zara

Leather and Dark Stripes

xo, Ashley 

Pants - BCBG (similar here), Sweater - Vince, Scarf - Burberry, Boots - Tory Burch, Purse - BCBG & Chanel (Chanel inside, using the strap to make it long), Glasses - Barton Perreira, Watch - Cartier, Ring - David Yurman, Bracelets - Hermes, David Yurman, random

Merry Christmas

It's all about the bows

Sequin stocking & reindeer 

Snowman

Cute snowman table

Christmas Cookies

Our Mom's Christmas Village

Pretty centerpiece made with an ornament wreath

Reindeer obsession.

My 3 siblings and I have been tearing through Christmas movies. Our favorites are Elf, Christmas Vacation, and both Home Alones. It's funny watching the Home Alones as adults. We have discovered lines that didn't register when we were kids. It makes the movie even funnier. On that note...

"Merry Christmas you filthy animals... and a Happy New Year." - Home Alone 2

xo, Ditty and Sugar

Scarf Braid

Travel To: Amelia Island, FL

We grew up going to the beach in Amelia Island, FL. It's serene. Even driving in Amelia is tranquil with gently curving roads shaded by arching tree canopies and spanish moss. The beach scenery is soft, muted, and watercolored. In addition to the beach is an assortment of well groomed golf courses. Golfing, a casual tennis game, or run on the beach is as active Amelia Island gets. The private and slow nature is perfect for authentic peace and quiet & curling up with a good book under an umbrella.

Best for: Couples, Spa Weekend, Families with small children

Getting there: fly to Jacksonville, FL and rent a car. 30 minute drive. 

Where to stay: The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island

Where to have a fancy dinner: Salt

Hole in the wall to find salty dogs and great oysters: Shuckers

Best breakfast: Ritz sticky walnut cinnamon buns

Best dining on the island: Gourmet Gourmet (for lunch)

What to do: beach, kayak, ride bikes, tennis, sit out under the stars sipping cocktails at the Ritz fire pit,  a massage at the Ritz 

Happy Wednesday. 

With love,
 Ditty and Sugar

NYC + Yurman + Mint & Glass Nails

Ring - David Yurman, Nails - Essie "Mint Candy Apple", Accent Nail - nail beads 

The big apple is magical in December - almost every store and restaurant embrace the holiday spirit with garlands, wreaths, ornaments, lights, and (insert your denomination's holiday here) decorations. Against the over decorated backdrop is the holiday energy from millions of present-hungry shoppers. Each shopper clutches 3-8 bags and bustles about between department store sales. It's Christmas on crack.

I love it so much that visiting NYC has been a pre-Christmas tradition for the past 5 years. Every year I look forward to a similar adgenda: shows, window displays, walking the streets in boots + a cozy scarf + hat, stopping to watch street performers, holiday parties in crowded apartments, eggnog martini's, and brunch with friends. 

This year there was some icing on the annual trip: my sweet boyfriend gave me this beautiful David Yurman ring. What a guy. Millions of thanks to my love. It's such a treat to have a reminder of him and memorialize our holiday together in NYC.

Happy Holidays!

xo Ashley 

ART BASEL

 Packing: Bag- Louis Vuitton,,  shoes- Jimmy Choo (similar style),
Swim suit- gottex  shades- Retro sun (similar pair)

Me in front of Wynwood Walls 
Bunny hoodie-footie- Pajamagram

 Soho Beach House life 

Art from Basel

Flowing Rose Skirt, Cashmere, & Pearls

French Cuff Button down - Brooks Brothers, Cashmere Sweater - Brooks Brothers, Faux Vest - old, Skirt - Ann Taylor, Shoes - Nicole Miller, Pearls - all J. Crew, Watch - Sasha Rhett, Ring - Tiffany, Purse - Louis Vuitton

When all girly forces collide...

xo Ditty and Sugar

Supremely Moist & Delicious Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Squares

Recipe: "Banana Bars with Brown Butter Frosting"

I LOVE banana bread. My one beef with the b-bread is that it's typically on the dry side. These "banana bread squares" have me eating my words - they are SO MOIST. And the flavor is so STINKIN' DELICIOUS. Without hesitation I can say they are the best I've ever had world's best. Even knowing this, if you try the recipe you'll still be shocked by how moist and delicious they are. The secret is the sour cream. I used reduced fat sour cream and omitted the frosting, but they still came out dreamy. I also tweaked the recipe by adding 1/2 cup of chocolate chips. Naughty naughty.

Enjoy! 

xo Ashley

From The Girl Who Ate Everything

Ingredients:

Banana Bread Bars:

1-1/2 c. sugar

1 c. sour cream

1/2 c. butter, softened

2 eggs

1-3/4 (3 or 4) ripe bananas, mashed

2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 c. all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

3/4 tsp. salt

1/2 c. chopped walnuts (optional)

Brown Butter Frosting:

1/2 c. butter

4 c. powdered sugar

1-1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

3 tbsp. milk

Directions:

1.  Heat oven to 375F.  Grease and flour 15x10-inch jelly roll pan.  For the bars, in a large bowl, beat together sugar, sour cream, butter, and eggs until creamy.  Blend in bananas and vanilla extract.  Add flour, baking soda, salt, and blend for 1 minute.  Stir in walnuts.

2.  Spread batter evenly into pan.  Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.

3.  Meanwhile, for frosting, heat butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until boiling.  Let the butter turn a delicate brown and remove from heat immediately.

4.  Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract and milk.  Whisk together until smooth (it should be thicker than a glaze but thinner than frosting).  Using a spatula, spread the brown butter frosting over the warm bars (the frosting will be easier to spread while the bars are still warm). 

Yield: 2 dozen large bars

J.Crew Bows

Beautiful Bows by J. Crew 

Today: 25% off and free shipping using the code "Holiday"

 

Sequin Bow Cardigan - J. Crew, Refined Crystal-Bow Buckle Belt - J.Crew, Bow Earrings - J.Crew

These delicate and feminine bows to add a touch of sparkle and sweetness to any holiday look.

xo Ditty and Sugar

Bows, Hearts, & Sequins

Heart shirt - J Crew, Sequin Top - Abbeline for South Moon Under , Jacket - Old, Pants - True Religion, Boots - Tory Burch (similar here), Watch - Sasha Rhett, Bracelets - Hermes, JCrew, David Yurman, Ring - Tiffany, Earrings - (loving these), Lips - Mac "Up the Amp" and Mac "Lustrewhite"