Ashley's Faves: Dramatic Winter White

I am just crazy about lucite sets for the holiday season. They are festive, versatile, and fancy! Finding just the right accessories for winter white can be tricky- especially if you don't want to spend a lot of dough.

Clear Crystal Set $22.00

For fabulous accessories, visit AshleysBigSecret.com.

Please feel free to comment here, or give us a shout out at writeus@ashleysbigsecret.com.

© Copyright 2007. Ashley’s Big Secret, Inc.

Trend Update: Bolero Jacket Bust!

As originally posted here, I saw this bolero jacket at thebudgetbabe.com (new favorite blog!) and became OBSESSED with finding a bolero jacket of my own.

So I went over to Target to try the exact bolero jacket in the picture, and it was a total bust. Literally. I was WAY too busty to get that thing buttoned. Undeterred, I went to four different stores on my mission to find one that fit and looked good. I finally found one in a black and white houndstooth at Maurices that I thought would do the trick.

I wasn't quite sure about it, so I tried it on in front of the Style Council, which consists of:
- my mother (style icon, fashion buyer and fashionista, aka Toni of the Ashley's Big Secret Podcast)
- my boyfriend (perpetual nice-guy, incapable of saying anything negative about my appearance, possibly out of fear)
-my father (maker of infuriatingly correct, if unspecific fashion critiques, such as 'something about that just looks... wrong')

The verdict? An overwhelming 'that jacket makes you look like a giant houndstooth barrel'. Apparently, this one just isn't a trend for the busty.

So I bought this to make myself feel better:

Black Tie Optional Ring
Originally $72.00
On Sale Now! $57.20


For fabulous accessories, visit AshleysBigSecret.com.

Please feel free to comment here, or give us a shout out at writeus@ashleysbigsecret.com.
© Copyright 2007. Ashley’s Big Secret, Inc.

Ashley's Faves: Classic Rope Set

I'm totally loving the conservative, chic look of the Classic Rope Set ($27.00). With parties, people to impress, and so many places to go, I definitely need something versatile, classic and pretty. Loving it!

Classic Rope Set $27.00

For fabulous accessories, visit AshleysBigSecret.com.

Please feel free to comment here, or give us a shout out at writeus@ashleysbigsecret.com.

© Copyright 2007. Ashley’s Big Secret, Inc.

Christmas Gift Update: Frank Sinatra

Here's my sketch of Frank Sinatra for Mr. Wonderful's christmas present. It's part of a set of three styalized portraits of the rat pack. See Dean Martin here.

I'll post the completed version shortly. Wish me luck!

All my other holiday shopping is done here, of course!

For fabulous accessories, visit AshleysBigSecret.com.

Please feel free to comment here, or give us a shout out at writeus@ashleysbigsecret.com.

© Copyright 2007. Ashley’s Big Secret, Inc.

Let True Beauty Shine Through!

I am just LOVING this commercial! It's so important to teach young girls that they don't have to look like a supermodel. How long did it take you to realize that it was much more important to find a flattering look for you instead of beating yourself up about your hips/cellulite/skin/grey hair/breasts?

While I'm on my soapbox, kudos to Seventeen Magazine. I still read this mag every month to stay on top of trends, and have taken note that they now have style tips for fuller figured girls, something I would have loved (and really needed) when I read it as a teenager.

Accentuate your natural beauty!

For fabulous accessories, visit AshleysBigSecret.com. Please feel free to comment here, or give us a shout out at writeus@ashleysbigsecret.com.

Sparklers and Sparklers, Part Deux

This is the season each year when our family gets ready for the Holidays in every conceivable way, and several inconceivable ways.

For my part, I do two important things:

1. I put enough Christmas lights on the trees in our front yard to assure that our house is visible from space; and



2. I pick up our supply of sparkling wine for the Holidays in three categories (good, better and best, but more on that later).

As for the lighting our front yard, I believe that if a few lights are tasteful, then thousands of lights must be, well… really tasteful.

At last count, we have over 4,000 small lights on the trees and bushes in front of our house. I am about 2/3s done, but my budget for lights has already been depleted. Based on this year’s budget overrun, we may, or may not, break the 5,000 light barrier before 2008.

In a perfect world, we would get some sort of honorable mention for our lights based on the fact that we are spending hundreds of dollars in electricity so the 4-5 cars that drive in front of our house every evening will be amazed. Based on the lack of traffic in our neighborhood, our display is nothing if not exclusive.

As to my theory of Sparking wine for the holidays, I believe that you should have good inexpensive sparkling wine (under $10) for your everyday holiday drinking. My favorites in this first and least expensive category are Domaine Ste Michelle Blanc de Noir (white made from red wine grapes) and Cristalino, sort of a baby Kristal for $390 less per bottle than the more expensive, similar sounding Champagne.

I use the second category in holiday sparkers, the better wines, as a prelude to nice dinners with friends. My all-time favorite under $20 sparkler is the Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut Non Vintage Proprietary Blend. This is Roederer’s California vineyard in the Anderson Valley, north of Sonoma Valley. It is a beautiful winery producing a beautiful wine and Roederer is one of the premier champagne producers in the Champagne region in France. This is the same winery that makes Kristal, mentioned in the previous paragraph, which runs a cool $398 a bottle. The $20 Brut is phenomenal, without being phenomenally expensive... just like you-know-what.

As for the extra special Champagne, I like the same wine that Winston Churchill drank (why not?) - the Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill Cuvee. It is a spectacular high-end wine that is wonderful to drink for a special occasion. It is a bit pricey ($198 a bottle), but what the heck, if you shop at www.AshleysBigSecret.com, you will save enough money on gifts for your friends and for yourself, that you can easily afford to splurge on a bottle of Champagne that is both wonderful and a bit of history.

Most importantly, as Sir Winston used to tell all of his friends, “shop online at www.AshleysBigSecret.com for the best in high-end costume jewelry at unbelievable prices.”

Wishing you Happy Holidays,

Your pal, Jeff

For fabulous accessories, visit AshleysBigSecret.com. Please feel free to comment here, or give us a shout out at writeus@ashleysbigsecret.com.

© Copyright 2007. Ashley’s Big Secret, Inc.

Cool Holiday Hairdo: Gwen Stefani's Look

Ok, so after my last post, if occured we might actually need some holiday hairdo ideas that were actually do-able. I think this would look so awesome at a holiday with a little black dress and a funky skull and cross bones necklace. ($12.00)

New Idea for My Holiday Look

Who doesn't want to look their best during the holidays? Do you think I could get away with showing up Christmas morning with my hair done like this?

I didn't think so either.

Funky looks that won't make your grandmother have a stroke are good, too!

Crystal Clear Set $22.00

Grandpa Rapping

For the record, this is my actual grandpa.... He's an entertainer at heart, and cracks us all up!

Look fabulous for your next holiday gathering!

For fabulous accessories, visit AshleysBigSecret.com.Please feel free to comment here, or give us a shout out at writeus@ashleysbigsecret.com.

© Copyright 2007. Ashley’s Big Secret, Inc.

Go Ahead and Tell Me This is Not Your Mother

I was flipping through The Pile Of Purge Blog that The Daily Purge boys write, and thought I would fall off my chair. Seriously though- tell me this is not your mother at Christmas time. Not only do I know it's my mother, but I know it will be me in about 2 years.

Look nice for the tree!

I am just LOVING this fabulous combination! Something about this time of year makes me want to wear lots of gold and brown... but I'm not to be boring!

These fabulous earrings are Jungle Fabulous Earrings, and are only ten bucks!

The necklace is our Dramatic Gold Circle Necklace for $30.00.

Loving it!!!

For fabulous accessories, visit AshleysBigSecret.com.
Please feel free to comment here, or give us a shout out at writeus@ashleysbigsecret.com.
© Copyright 2007. Ashley’s Big Secret, Inc.

Tip from Toni: Beauty Is...

When I was in my thirties, I was lucky to meet and become friends with a very beautiful woman. She was well traveled, well read, and very interesting to be around. She attracted people like a magnet because she was such fun to be with. She had flaming red hair, beautiful skin and a great figure. Her stories of her life were vivid, funny and exciting. She lived in Texas and carried a parasol to keep the sun from her face. Carrying a parasol to match her outfits did not seem odd at all but rather a reflection and an extension of who and what she was. She was in her late seventies and I wanted to be like her.

I have reflected over the years why I was so taken with this woman. And I continue to emulate her to this day. She was not young and beautiful like the models in magazines of the time. She had wrinkles and arthritic bony hands. She dressed elegantly but quirky. But she was the complete package. She was herself, comfortable in her own skin. I adored her.

Beauty is what we love about our husbands, our children, our best friends. It does not matter if they are short, tall, thin or fat, have curly or straight hair. It does not matter if they are rich or not. What matters is that we have peeled away the layers to find the things we really like about the person.

Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder.

Bring out your true beauty!


For fabulous accessories, visit AshleysBigSecret.com.

Please feel free to comment here, or give us a shout out at writeus@ashleysbigsecret.com.

© Copyright 2007. Ashley’s Big Secret, Inc.

Christmas Gift Update: Dean Martin

Ok, so my portrait (for Mr. Wonderful) of Dean Martin is basically done- as promised on the podcast, here it is. My goal is to do Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. in this style, I'll keep you posted.

All my other holiday shopping is done here, of course!

For fabulous accessories, visit AshleysBigSecret.com.

Please feel free to comment here, or give us a shout out at writeus@ashleysbigsecret.com.

© Copyright 2007. Ashley’s Big Secret, Inc.

Holiday Obsession: Decorations!

As mentioned in the podcast, here is the arbor in front of the house, all decorated for the holidays! Mom made poinsetta garland and wreathes... doesn't it look nice?

Don't you look nice!

For fabulous accessories, visit AshleysBigSecret.com.Please feel free to comment here, or give us a shout out at writeus@ashleysbigsecret.com.

© Copyright 2007. Ashley’s Big Secret, Inc.

Featured Artist of the Week: The New Bethlehem Ensemble

I'm playing this song on the podcast this week so Mom knows that I might have spent Thanksgiving with the BF, but I wouldn't miss Christmas with her for the world!

Download this song free by clicking the arrow next to "I'll Be Home for Christmas".


The New Bethlehem Ensemble
"I'll Be Home for Christmas" (mp3)
from "A White Christmas"
(Ultraviolet Productions)

Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

Travel in Style: Bentley Taxi

That's what I'm talking about! I love taking taxis no matter what, but how nice would it be if all our taxis were luxury cars? All would be right with the world...

More luxury car taxis here

Look like you're used to rollin' in a Rolls here

Thanksgiving Shopping Event!

Ashley's Big Secret will be open 24 hours a day from now through next year and beyond. Our servers stand ready to take your order and our elves have agreed to send out all Ashley's Big Secret packages instantly and, even better, the elves have agreed to ship all orders over $50 free! No lines, no tax, no charge for shipping!

Look great for the Holidays, let everyone else fight the crowds. You are not like those other people who can't wait to stand in line and pay more than they should. You are a diva and divas do not stand in endless lines.
For fabulous accessories, visit AshleysBigSecret.com.Please feel free to comment here, or give us a shout out at writeus@ashleysbigsecret.com.

© Copyright 2007. Ashley’s Big Secret, Inc.

New Favorite: The Budget Babe

You know I love smart, money-savvy fashionistas. What could be more beautiful than a fashion-forward woman with a good head on her shoulders and enough money left in her wallet to put into her 401k?

So I just found theBudgetBabe.com, and am completely obsessed. She picks out affordable, fashionable stuff, finds deals, and keeps her readers up on the latest trends. LOVING HER!

The jacket above is from target's Erin Fetherston collection, and I am definitely going to go over and check it out. I've been looking for something like this for awhile, and heaven knows I'm not going to spend a small fortune on something that (let's face it) will be embarrassingly out of date in about a year.

Maybe I can wear it to Thanksgiving with the BF's family. I'd pair it with a big bracelet, like our Snake Charmer Bracelet ($24.00), the uber classy Toni's Choice Necklace Set ($23.00) and a Brown and Black Nicole Purse ($81.00) and call it a day.

For fabulous accessories, visit AshleysBigSecret.com.Please feel free to comment here, or give us a shout out at writeus@ashleysbigsecret.com.

© Copyright 2007. Ashley’s Big Secret, Inc.

Ashley's Faves: Big, Bold and Bright!

I'm in a fantastic mood today- I'm smiling about as big as our model! Of course, I want my jewelry to match my high spirits! So today I'm wearing some seriously bold and funky stuff.

Everytime I wear my Bubblegum Beads, people come up to me to tell me how cool they look, and I intend for today to be no exception! Pairing them with some Retro Star Earrings makes it a smash hit!

Purple Bubblegum Beads: $15.00

Green Retro Star Earrings: $7.00

Start shopping Ashley's Big Secret now!

For fabulous accessories, visit AshleysBigSecret.com.Please feel free to comment here, or give us a shout out at writeus@ashleysbigsecret.com.

© Copyright 2007. Ashley’s Big Secret, Inc.

Tip From Toni: Dare to be Different!

Are you the kind of person who always looks the same? Same hairdo, same style of clothes, same color of nail polish, same jewelry, same style of shoes, etc.,etc. Why do you think we are so interested in the celebrities and what they wear, their new hairstyles, or in their lives in general?

We look and read about new styles, new trends but rarely change ourselves. I have come across countless women who say "I can't wear big rings, my fingers are too fat, my hands are too ugly; I can't wear necklaces, my neck is too fat, too short, or I have too many wrinkles; or the best yet" I don't' wear any jewelry, it is just not me".

Cleopatra knew what it was to be an alluring, confident and a beautiful woman. She practically invented eye shadow and lipstick. She wore a lot of jewelry. And we all know who Cleopatra was!

Just for fun, I dare you to try one thing that is different for you and see what your friends say. Change your nail polish from neutral to bright red. Change your lipstick color from pink to orange. Part your hair on the left instead of the right. Purchase a cubic zirconium ring and wear it as if was a diamond. Wear big earrings instead of small earrings. Wear some bling on your wrist.

Pretend you are book. Imagine how bored your significant other, your friends and your family would be reading the same chapter over and over and over again! Try one simple change in your appearance and find out how fun and exhilarating it can be. In other words, dare to be different, different from you.

Accessories are to a woman what salt, pepper and spices are to food. Do you know of any chef that prepares food without spices? Isn't all food preparation individualized by what is mixed and matched in recipes. Perhaps there is something to be gained from the quote "variety is the spice of life".

My tip du juor is to "spice up your life today with some variety."

For fabulous accessories, visit AshleysBigSecret.com.

Please feel free to comment here, or give us a shout out at writeus@ashleysbigsecret.com.

© Copyright 2007. Ashley’s Big Secret, Inc.