My boyfriend & I rented a cottage -complete with chickens roaming around in the front yard or rather the entire island really:

The island is best known for the amazing beaches & pink sand. The beaches are very remote but I found a friend:

I went diving for the first time at Valentines Resort with Shawn. He was such a patient instructor! This was probably one of my favorite adventures yet – the underwater world is so amazing:

Of course I wanted to check out the local style. I found a shop that sells sarongs made from the island of Andros (also in the Bahamas). They are so cute with various prints of sea turtles, shells & seahorses. I also found a really nice rustic clutch from a local straw shop. I paired it with heels from H&M and my jade piece from Dalia Koss.

I also found an organic Parisian/Bahamian eau de toilette that is the “scent of warm sun & cool lagoons” – perfect for summer:

If you find yourself in the Bahamas it is so worth it hopping onto the ferry & visiting Harbour Island. The people here are so very friendly & I everyone zips around the island in golfcarts. Which reminds me of this:

We leave the island tomorrow & off to our next adventure. Maybe back to California for a bit or maybe Costa Rica…keep you posted. You can also read more about our adventures on the bf’s site: http://livingonimpulse.com/hollywood-austin-bahamas X

P.S. Isn’t this the funniest? The local grocery store…not your average “Piggly Wiggly” – love it.

I picked up this vintage 70s boho dress at a vintage store in Sarasota and I love the color on my skin tone. I found these clogs on ebay right before the “clog craze” hit; they’re also from the 70s.

I’m planning on interviewing people/doing celebrity roundup videos for the celebrity gossip site, SleekFly and attending the L.A. Fashion Corner 2010 Eco-Friendly Fashion Show as a contributor for Modern Hippie Mag. Are you in L.A.? I would love to connect, I always love new friends! O yea, check out more of my travels on this blog: Living on Impulse too.

Styling Tips for Dating

1. Be yourself

Especially on a first date you want to express who you are in every area including style. You are looking for a soul mate so picking an outfit for a first date that doesn’t show your style doesn’t truly represent you. 

2. Use what you have

You don’t have to go out and buy an entire new outfit for your date. Work with what you have. Create a couple key outfits which you who know are perfect for a date.

3. Wear something you’re confident and comfortable in

There is nothing more frustrating than being distracted on a date by your aching foot from a bad shoe choice or worrying about a skirt looking just right. You want to choose an outfit you feel both confident and comfortable in so you can enjoy and focus on the date!

4. Dress for the occasion

It’s extremely helpful to know where you will be going on your date. There is a big difference between dressing for a dinner or baseball game date. Knowing this can help you answer questions like: do you need a jacket? what kind of shoes should you wear, etc. 

5. Color

I love this study Lisa Daily featured on her site. I would love to have you wear either a pale-pink or red color if you feel comfortable.

THE COLOR LURE: (from dating expert Lisa Daily: http://lisadaily.com)

What color can you wear to compel the opposite sex to approach you?

According to Color Consultant Leatrice Eiseman, Director of the Pantone Color Institute and author of Colors For Your Every Mood, says women should wear a pink- peach to make themselves most approachable. The color is “very flattering to most skin tones, it gives you healthy glow,” and according to Eiseman, projects “a little vulnerability which brings out something protective in men.”

Want to wear a color that weeds out guys who can’t handle strong women? Try a deep red, burgundy or plum. Men who aren’t attracted to strong women will steer clear.

Of all the colors, red is the most sensual. But, wear red with caution. “Red is the color of sex and power,” says Eiseman. Red adds an element of excitement and attracts two types of men – men interested in sex, and men attracted to powerful women. Sure, you’ll probably have to fend off a lot of freaks, but you could also end up attracting a guy that isn’t threatened by the fact that you make a bigger salary.

Libby also received a makeover on the day of the shoot. Hair by the wonderful Michael Krempel from Michael Urban Hair Studio and Makeup by the fabulous Shoko Kubota. After the makeover, we all drove up to the studio in Tampa.This event was so fun & I LOVE helping people find clothes they look fabulous in!

Shoko during the makeover:

Michael Krempel:

Shoko:

Michael & Lisa Daily:

Me, Libby & Lisa:

Libby on set; she looks great!

Me & Libby:

For more information on Joseph & his work check out: s/ART/q or email Joseph.

I also entered the Chictopia 10 contest for the conference during fashion week. The wonderful Shoko Kubota with PURE luxe spa did my makeup – I loved it! It was so natural and fresh.

SHOES!

Thank so much to Joseph for letting us explore his studio, Shoko for the beautiful makeover

and Markus for the gorgeous pictures! X

]]> http://aliceinstilettos.com/fun-at-the-factory/feed/ 2 http://aliceinstilettos.com/alice-diary-big-mamas-juke-joint-speakeasy/ http://aliceinstilettos.com/alice-diary-big-mamas-juke-joint-speakeasy/#comments Mon, 25 Jan 2010 01:33:45 +0000 Ashley Spiker http://aliceinstilettos.com/?p=2945

Last night I attended Big Mama’s Juke Joint Speakeasy. It was a fundraiser for the Florida Winefest Auction who over the past 19 years, have awarded more than $7.1 million to more than 71 children’s programs in my community. We were greeted with a sample of absinthe and poker chips. The phenomenal Kat Williams serenaded the crowd with her luscious voice, drag queens danced the floor and casino dealers were in every corner.

The attire was 1920’s flapper fashion. My hair reaches my lower back & I had no idea what hairstyle to try. I knew that the classic 1920s hairstyles just weren’t going to work for me.

So I resorted to a more casual 1920s hairstyle ( ex: Miss.Pettigrew lives for a day style).

I wore a beautiful red lace vintage dress one of my dear friends let me borrow.

It’s always fun to dress in theme and I wanted to share some pictures from a fabulous night! X

(NYE Photos by Rich Schineller)

I wanted to share these awesome pictures my boyfriend Markus took earlier last week. He is very much into photography (hotshotphoto.com) & used a laser technique to create these amazing shots!

We are now in South Beach for 5 days relaxing, dancing and hanging out with friends. I hope everyone is having a fabulous first week into 2010. Catch me on twitter! X

I love December. I love spending the holidays with friend & family, the food – spiked egg nogg specifically, the adventures, the temperature change; it’s magical. Yesterday one of my very best friends Virginia and her boyfriend Gabor came down from Tampa to visit. Virginia and I are one in the same and feed off of each others creativity and imagination. Her style is eclectic yet classic. We went out for a night on the town followed by smores & a movie projected onto my boyfriend Markus’ balcony. The next morning we sipped mimosas, had a delicious brunch and went ice skating! Check out Virginia’s outfit!! (Click pic to see larger size)

Virginia brought a dozen outfit choices with her & I ended up borrowing her J.Crew skirt under my Nicole Miller Dress accented with her vintage belt (which I’m in love with).

ICE SKATING! One of my favorite hobbies in the world! I usually go about once maybe every or every other year.

Now if I can only figure out a way to get into the Lady Gaga concert on New Year’s Eve in Miami @ Fontainebleau….

Here’s a look at my latest looks. I’ve also posted my account urls. I encourage you to join and discover the style utopias for yourself!

LookBook.nu: http://lookbook.nu/user/89989-Ashley-S

Chictopia: http://www.chictopia.com/AliceinStilettos

Have a favorite? Let me know <3

Everything on me is vintage except my shoes by Beatrice and fish net stockings.

Coat: London Fog

Hair bow: Men’s Bow Tie

Coat: Vintage Karl Lagerfeld

Shoes: Aldo

Corset: Vintage

Skirt: Vintage

Coat: Vintage Fur

Shoes: Vintage Yves Saint Laurent

Skirt: Vintage Cashmere

Top: Ann Taylor Loft

Scarf: Macy’s

Dress: Nicole Miller

Top: Moda

Boots: Steven by Steve Madden

Chain Necklaces: Vintage

My first trip to Paris was short, only 4 days with two friends a couple summers ago. I only had a taste of Paris & knew that I must return.
So summer of 08′ I studied at La Sorbonne & met one of the most kindred spirits – Pati, my fabulous Brazilian friend. We ran around exploring (and getting lost) in Paris everyday after class. That summer I lived it up. I had my makeup done by a stylist named Seine who worked for Chanel. Found the coolest vintage store called Free P. Star, played stylist to Pati at Colette during their spring sale and witnessed the sadness in Paris from the death of YSL. I really thought that summer couldn’t get any better – until it did. Pati’s cousin was a featured artist at the Demolition Party held at the Royal Monceau hotel – the hottest party of the summer & probably of the year. It was crazy. After Pati’s dire cries to the bouncer to let us in because we were on the list, we walked in envied by the huge crowd of hundreds still waiting. It was, and hopefully won’t be the craziest party I’ve ever been to. Kayne West, Judd Law and Cristiano Renaldo were only a couple in attendance. I will never forget that summer and the French I tried to learn…and I promised myself next time I returned I would be with someone I loved.

In comes Markus, my new amazing boyfriend who I’m wild about. He surprised me and told me that he wanted me to come to Europe with him to enjoy Paris and also help him co-host Abroadening (his online travel show). Of course I wanted to join him! Everything about our trip was wonderful. We found a new hotel called Le Petit Paris, went vintage shopping and shared dessert in the Luxembourg Gardens. He surprised me one evening on a bridge next to St.Michel with a necklace I had seen in a store the day before!

My Favorite stores in Paris:

Free P Star

Free P Star, infact there are a TON of vintage stores in this area. Last time I was there I found this beautiful teal coat by Karl Lagerfeld!

My necklace is from an adorable brand called Hop Hop Hop. Look at their website, it’s one of the coolest I’ve seen in awhile : http://www.hophophop.fr 

They say Paris is always a season ahead in fashion and I’m letting you know BLUE BOOTS ( in a slate blue hue) ARE IN! About 1 in 10 girls was wearing them. They are so fun and a must buy for the season!

Here is my favorite store called Domestic that sells the neatest collection of eclectic items for your home: http://www.domestic.fr