Oh, The Places We’ll Go: New Orleans

Friends, Life, Travel, , , , , , , , ,

“In 2014, I Will…” New Years resolution post, I mentioned that I wanted to travel and make more memories with my friends. I’m excited at the progress I’m making already. In January, I went on a family cruise to Cozumel. At the beginning of February, I went to New Orleans to celebrate my friend Vanessa’s 25th birthday.

I’ve been friends with Vanessa since my freshman year in undergrad. When she randomly told me about her birthday celebration, I immediately said yes. I didn’t even stop to think of the cost or if my schedule would permit me to come. All I knew was that this was an opportunity to celebrate my friend and make memories. I’ve learned to stop overthinking and waiting for happiness to come to me. In life you have to be intentional and purposeful. I know the kind of life I want to have– one filled with love, adventure, and laughter.

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Being at school for the past few months, I haven’t seen my college friends in a long time. In our time apart, I’d forgotten how much I like them and enjoy their company. These people knew me when I was Timi the awkward freshman, Timi the teacher, and they love me just the same as Timi the friend in grad school miles away. I have grown with these beautiful people and I am excited to stay in touch and grow old together.

My trip to New Orleans was only a weekend, but it was enough for me. For this one time, I was content to just be with them again. We honestly didn’t have a extensive itinerary: we ate, we went downtown to Bourbon, we went to brunch, tried some beignets for the first time, had a masquerade dinner, and went home.
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But the weekend reminded me that sometimes it only takes a couple days of fun to remind you to live more fully.
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Special thanks to Vanessa, who orchestrated this whole birthday shindig. It was great and it gives me something to think about for my 25th birthday in May.

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The birthday girl and I

Look out for my next trip post. I’m going to somewhere nice and warm for Spring Break!

WAYW: Flowers for Springtime

What Are You Wearing, , , , , , , , , , ,

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WAYW

Purple sweater

Peter pan lace collar

Beige floral skirt

Braided tan belt

Lemon tights

Beige and grey fuzzy socks

Tan ankle boots

This outfit was for me. I had nowhere special to go and no one particularly important to see. I dressed like this to reflect how happy and content I am. I’m in a good place despite it being less than 20 degrees outside. My skirt has flowers on it to remind me that one day soon the flowers will bloom again. All things that were once dead will come back to life.

 

 

I Was Featured on College Fashionista!

Features, Portfolio, Spotlight, , , , , , , , , , ,

I was featured on College Fashionista last week. I got to know the photographer, Melissa Martinez (photographer who took Ashley’s street style pictures) and was impressed with how easy she was to work with.

Here is a snippet of the feature:
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The entire the photoshoot was a lot of fun. My attire was for the slightly breezy day, which is a rarity in the Syracuse Springtime. Below are some of my favorite photos from the shoot:

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I’ve started playing around with mixing prints and patterns, so this outfit was a fun way for me integrate both into a grad school-appropriate outfit.

Pinterest Inspired: (Skinny) Spinach and Asparagus Dip

Good Eats, , , , , ,

I bought too much spinach and asparagus at the farmers’ market, so I decided to make a spinach & asparagus dip. 

Ingredients

2 cups of spinach

10 stalks of asparagus

2 cups of plain greek yogurt

1/2 tsp of onion salt

1/2 tsp of garlic salt

2 tbsp of parmesan cheese

 

 

This was a relatively easy recipe. I’m not a great cook and I was able to make this for my dinner guests. It tasted pretty good. I’d recommend it.

Here’s the recipe: Skinny Spinach and Asparagus Dip

WAYW: Wine Corduroy Pants and Thrifted Checkered Coat

Family, What Are You Wearing, , , ,

Happy MLK day everyone!

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Today I am grateful for Martin Luther King Jr. and his fight to achieve social justice for all. We’re a long way from a post-racial society but I believe that there are still intrinsically good people who are willing to work together to make our world a better place. #365grateful

WAYW: wine corduroy pants, white v-neck tshirt, rose cardigan, tan ankle boots, blue dual-color circle scarf.

Check out this throwback picture of Dr. King:

Street Style: Ashley B.

Friends, , , , ,

Ashley Branch

Syracuse University: Magazine, Newspaper, Online Journalism Graduate student

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I met Ashley when we first started graduate school in the summer. I remember always peeping her outfits and admiring the way she put items together. Ashley is an artist, lover, and coffee drinker. She’s a talented writer and a future journalist. Today she’s dressed in a casual, but chic, layered style. I have no doubt that she did indeed wake up like this (insert Beyonce soundtrack)

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Ashley’s combination of bright colors, patterns and textures are spot on. She’s wearing a mustard 3/4 sleeve knit cardigan, a rust knit circle scarf, beige chiffon bird-patterned blouse, leather skirt, black tights, gray ankle socks, and cognac oxford shoes.Streetstyle_Ashley1.17feature 2432x3648 2432x3648-006 2432x3648.17 2432x3648 2432x3648-006

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Photo cred: Mel of bymelissanicole.tumblr.com

We couldn’t have made this shoot happen without the fabulous Mel Nicole. Follow Mel on Instagram @bymelissanicole  and on Twitter @msmelinicole

Follow Ashley @AshleyBranch_14