Sugar & Cloth

Summer is the perfect time to justify the need for a quality, oversized bag. From beach trips, long weekends, picnics, trips to the market, to pool parties, I can think of at least 10 ways to plead my case on this topic.

Plus, Red Envelope sent me the sweetest leather Baggu tote from their Gifts For Her collection and I needed a reason to show it off. Don’t judge me, you know how it goes! It basically hasn’t left my side since I opened it up!

photos by Brooke Schwab Photography

1 Baggu leather tote from Red Envelope, $159 // 2 Zara shopper, $149 // 3 Zara suede combination shopper, $89 // 4 Kate Spade Stripe Alicia tote, $298 // 5 Kate Spade Love is in the Air tote, $198 // 6  Zara leather bowling bag, $159 // 7 Anthro Nantucket weekender, $298 // 8 Zara bowling bag with zips, $189

I’m 99% certain that whoever is in charge of shoes over at Madewell is blessed from heaven with a special ability to make me melt. Seriously, I don’t think there is a single shoe that I wouldn’t wear.

Also, I feel the need to confess that I put this post together just so my mom would know what to get me for my birthday in May… and I wear a size 6… don’t judge me.

What’s you favorite pick? I would definitely have to say the tan leather wedges, so in love with them!

Find all of these styles, right here.

Aside from the number one question I always receive (which I mentioned here), people always ask me how I come up with ideas for projects, or things that inspire me. I can say without a doubt that adventuring to new shops, cities, and places inspires me more than anything else. I’m always intrigued by how things are displayed or used in new ways, and there is never any shortage of genius ideas behind little boutiques and local spots that are reinventing the creative wheel. To spread the wealth, I thought I’d start sharing my favorites with you here…

I’d like to introduce you to Sweet, the cutest, most drool-worthy bakery and coffee shop that you may ever step foot into. Not only does Sweet do sweet really well, but it definitely has bragging rights for the loveliest decor on the Houston macaron block, and trust me, I have been around the macaron block!

And just in case you want to take the treats (and cuteness) home with you, all of their goodies can come lovingly tucked into containers and boxes that could make any heart melt.

I had the strawberry and vanilla pots de creme… and maybe a macaron or two for the go, but I can neither confirm or deny that.

I’m really trying to start focusing on the shop more. I swear.  To get my butt in gear, I decided I should offer a discount code! If you’re a Facebook fan you can find the promo code there, if not, you should be since that’s where all of the cool kids hang out.

In the meantime, I’ll be playing catch up on a thousand things. Hope you have a lovely thursday! xo Ash

Now that I’ve survived the hurdle of actually opening a shop instead of just talking about it, I’m brainstorming how I want to refine and improve it. My biggest obstacles are deciding what I like to make, what I think will sell, and how the heck to price without giving things away or working for free.

My to-do list so far: Use all white backdrops, post more inventory, show more detailed photos for party kits (so people have a clear idea of how much they’re actually getting), etc.

I wanted to know form your perspective what items you love most, what you’d like to see, or if you have any tips from your own shop experiences. Let’s talk! I’m totally getting a crash course in this!

p.s.- you can finally see this DIY live today, excuse my absent-mindedness from yesterday :)