Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone from A Little Bit of Ash. I cannot believe that 2011 is over and that it is 2012! I had an amazing year filled with lots of wonderful people and opportunities and I wanted to take the time to highlight some of the things that I am thankful for this year as well as what I'm looking forward to in the new year.

What I am thankful for in 2011:

- My amazing family and friends. I honestly feel like the luckiest girl in the world because of the incredible support system that I have. I know that because of them, I'll always have people to help me with anything I go through.

- My incredible boyfriend. There are not enough words to describe how happy he makes me and how lucky I am to have him in my life.

- My many wonderful vacations. I was in the Bahamas to ring in 2011, I went to San Francisco for the first time, and I had the most incredible vacation of my life in Italy this summer. I absolutely love to travel and am so thankful that I have many opportunities to do so.

- My internships. Throughout 2011 I interned at emcBlue.com to do their fashion blogging, and was a public relations intern at Prada and PR Consulting. Not only was it really cool to be interning at some of the biggest names in the industry, but I learned so, so much. Sometimes, being an intern can be a little rough, but overall they taught me so much and I met so many amazing new friends and mentors. I am also very thankful to have worked my first New York Fashion Week and other fun events like Versace x H&M.

- That I turned 21!
- Learning my way around New York City better!
- My Seventeen Magazine photoshoot!
- My jaw feeling better after surgery!
- An amazing day hiking upstate at Mohonk Mountain House!
- Being inspired by McQueen at the Met!
- And most of all, being healthy, happy, and safe!


What I'm looking forward to in 2012:

- GRADUATION! I absolutely cannot wait to officially graduate from college and find my first, real, full-time job!
- A trip to Punta Cana in January (and hopefully a few other trips)!
- Helping my friend, Andrew Mukamal, with his blog, "Today's Look!"
- My friend Deborah's wedding!
- My two year anniversary with my boyfriend!
- Taking yoga and aerobics during my final semester and feeling more fit!
- Creating more amazing memories with my friends and family!
- F/W 2012 New York Fashion Week!
- Another happy, healthy, and safe year!

Seventeen Magazine Photoshoot

A few months ago, I had the amazing opportunity of being in a Seventeen Magazine photoshoot for a "Hot Looks for Less" story in their special Prom issue. It just came out, so everyone should go out and pick up a copy because the issue is awesome!

The concept for the story was really cool. They picked four of us bloggers to style our own prom looks by using some of our own accessories and incorporating our own personal styles into the outfits. The shoot was SO much fun and everyone was so nice. I absolutely love how it turned out and so I am appreciative of Seventeen for giving me this opportunity!

So, everyone go pick up a copy of the issue and turn to page 126! Also, if you're looking for some great people to follow on Twitter, might I suggest Seventeen Mag and the other bloggers from the shoot: @SeventeenMag, @wordbyjessie, @Dashing_A, and @saraINKS.

Spotlight On: New York for the Holidays

There truly is no place like New York during the holiday season. I feel so lucky to have grown up near such an amazing city. Some of my favorite holiday memories have been going to visit the tree in Rockefeller Center and seeing festive shows like the Radio City Christmas Spectacular or The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center. NYC is featured in so many holiday movies and it is just such an iconic place to be during this time of year. So, I decided to list some of my favorite New York holiday hotspots that really get me in the Christmas spirit!

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is definitely touristy and overcrowded, but it's obviously a must-see. Even if you see it every year, the tree is always iconic and spectacular. There is nothing like the feeling you get when you turn the corner and see this thing lit up in all it's glory just a few days before Christmas. (@Christmas30Rock)

Bryant Park is another one of my favorites. There is so much to see and do here around the holiday season including another fabulous Christmas tree, ice skating at the Citi Pond at Bryant Park, and shopping at The Holiday Shops. My favorite pop up shop is the Ooh La La boutique - definitely check it out!(@BryantParkNYC & @TheHolidayShops & @OohlalaNY)

Take a walk down 6th Avenue. In addition to seeing Radio City looking its finest for the holidays, there are a number of other festive decorations including giant ornaments, huge Christmas lights, and colossal toy soldiers. Nothing like getting in the Christmas spirit through continuous photo ops.

Saks

Barneys

Bergdorfs

Do some serious window shopping! It is very necessary to hit up all of the classics like Saks, Bloomingdales, Barney's, Bergdorf's, Bendel's, Tiffany, Cartier, etc. I love to compare them all and pick my favorite every year. Even though it's so hard to choose, I think for 2011, Bergdorf's is the winner!
(@Bergdorfs & @Saks & @Bloomingdales & @BarneysNY & @BendelGirls & @TiffanyAndCo  @Cartier)

The Plaza is always such a gorgeous, iconic place to visit, but this holiday season it's even better! This year, Betsey Johnson designed a Christmas tree that is inspired by Eloise! Personally, I can't think of a better collaboration. In addition to an amazing super-pink tree, Betsey Johnson also has a pop-up shop at The Plaza for the holidays. There's always room for new holiday traditions in my book! (@xoBetseyJohnson & @ThePlazaHotel & @ThePlazaEloise)

What are some of your favorite holiday spots in New York City?

Dear Santa...

Dear Santa,

I've been so good this year so I feel like you should bring me something really special. I happen to have a few things in mind. I know these items are really expensive and all, but a girl can wish, right? I'll even leave some extra cookies out if you bring me one of these gorgeous classics. Just sayin'...

With Love,
Ashley

1. Hermes Birkin Bag. Black would be great, but I really don't discriminate; so any color would be fine Santa!

2. Cartier Love Bracelet. You love me, don't you Santa?

3. Christian Louboutin Pigalle 120mm Black Pumps. I promise to wear these red soles well!

4. Chanel Classic Flap Bag. This would be the gift of a lifetime, Santa. Think about that.

5. David Yurman Cable Classics Bracelet. Santa, I'd always think of you when I look down at my wrist!

Who Says Women Aren't Funny?

As I've mentioned before, I love to read, especially on the train during my commute to my internships. Three of the best books I've read lately are all by female comedians. It really bothers me when people say that women aren't funny because that's just not true! Women are just as funny, if not funnier, than men (hello, Bridesmaids!). These three books are each hilarious in their own way and made me love all of the authors even more. So, if you love comedy, regardless of gender, I suggest checking out these laugh-so-hard-your-stomach-hurts books ASAP!

Bossypants by Tina Fey

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling

Seriously...I'm Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres

If you like these, I also highly recommend Chelsea Handler's books or watching New Girl on FOX and Two Broke Girls on CBS. Happy reading laughing!

Top Five: Celebrity Style Inspiration

I'm a big fan of Tumblr and blogs mainly because I adore perusing street style pictures. I get so inspired seeing how people put outfits together. I obviously love me some Bill Cunningham and The Sartorialist, but I also shamelessly love celebrity street style. There is something so interesting about seeing a celebrity's personal daily style as opposed to how a stylist dresses them on the red carpet. There are a few celebs that I feel have amazing personal style and I routinely stalk pictures of their street style. Here are my fall/winter picks:

1. Olivia Palermo. If you know me at all, you know that I am seriously obsessed with Olivia. If you watched The City, you know she may not be the nicest person alive, but regardless, she can put an outfit together like nobody else. She has a unique eye for fashion and I'm all for it. Seriously, I am a dedicated member of her fashion cult.

2. Rachel Zoe

3. Miranda Kerr

4. Lauren Conrad

5. Cat Deeley

In addition to these fabulous ladies, I also love the street style of Jessica Alba, Rihanna, Rachel Bilson, Selena Gomez, Kim Kardashian, Sienna Miller, Karlie Kloss, Reese Witherspoon, Camilla Belle, and Kate Middleton.

Which celebrities do you think have great style?

Way Out of My Price Range: My Fall Lust List

There are a ton of items that I have been coveting ever since I went through all of my amazing September issues. The problem is, most of them don't work with my intern salary, which is approximately zero dollars. A girl can dream though, right?

1. Miu Miu Trompe L'oeil Sandal 
2. Prada Baroque Sunglasses
3. Sam Edelman "Adena" Flat
4. Tory Burch Needlepoint Bond Shoulder Bag
5. Rag & Bone Leighton Cape
6. Prada clutch
7. Marc Jacobs Rose Guipure Lace Dress
8. Burberry Trench Coat
9. Alexander Wang Fabiana Cape Shoes
10. Stella McCartney Polka-Dot Sheer Knit Dress

What expensive items are you dying to have in your closet this season?