Back when a landline was necessary, I would make calls to my best friend Ashley from my parents' bedroom. We would plan to meet up in the woods, on the path halfway between our houses. There was this one scary part of the woods that was a dark tunnel of branches. I can see it like it was yesterday. We would run through it as fast as we could- that was about halfway- and continue on, sometimes stopping to explore, sometimes detouring, always, always laughing.

I can't believe that was almost 20 years ago, but the good news is…old habits die hard. Ashley, who is a very successful wedding photographer and owner of Ashley Caroline Photography, contacted me a couple months ago about meeting up for a lifestyle / fashion photoshoot. I think I said yes before her fingers finished typing.

Well, we made it happen this weekend with plenty of exploring, detouring and tons of laughter…here are the results.

Sources: Free People Lou Buttondown Dress / Scarf made by my lovely sister in law (email me if you would like her contact info!) / Wolford tights / Belt on permanent loan from my sister (similar here) / Pedro Garcia boots (sold out- I got them when they were 50% off) / Hunter Boots borrowed from Ashley's sister / Hat borrowed from my impossibly stylish friend Vicki (similar here) / Soo Ihn Kim Bracelet (old) / Marcia Moran Druzy Ring (similar here)

While I tried my best to smize, Ashley used glass to create some incredible images...

You didn't think we would leave Charlie out, did you? Master of the Smize...

Okay that's a lie. Charlie was FREAKING OUT! Friend does not handle new situations well, though you can't tell by Ashley's shots, and we were fortunate to have the most handsome dog wrangler on hand (thanks, Raven!).

I'm in love with the above shots. Ashley's pictures read like a novel- I swear I can picture the entire story about that girl in the plaid dress with the lace blanket.

Taking pictures on the rocks was amazing. We were freezing, the wind was whipping and I felt like the ocean was going to swallow us up. Again, you would never know it from these pictures...

This last picture makes me want to cry! Ashley, you are a true artist and I cannot wait to watch your career blossom and grow.

If you're interested in hiring Ashley, please visit her website here (and check out her recap of our shoot here!).

And please check back over the next couple weeks, I'll be recapping the other outfits! Hope you've enjoyed :)

images by Ashley Caroline Photography