see y'all back bright and early monday morning...have a great weekend lovelies!
Friday, July 29, 2011
extra special friday fabulousness!
Source: littlepaperplanes.com via Amber on Pinterest
big congrats going to my main squeeze who just got himself an amazing job (and likely awesome future opportunities!!!) and starts in two weeks. i couldn't more proud of him. he's worked so hard to get where he is and landing this job is putting him right in line to land his *dream* job!
-T-
i love you and couldn't be more proud of you. you're the sh$t!
-A-
friday's fabulousness
1. i have the greatest brother in the world! seriously. while i'll be at the lake this weekend, he'll be watching dallas. best bro ever award.
2. i'm buying this sweet dress today!
Source: target.com via Ashley on Pinterest
3. i can't wait to be a teacher. too bad i can't use this...
Source: demotivation.us via Ashley on Pinterest
4. making plans for a girls weekend with the besties!
5. i will be doing this to my kid one day. seriously.
Source: dollarstorecrafts.com via Laura on Pinterest
Thursday, July 28, 2011
celeb crush: adele
have you ever listened to this stunning beauty? if you haven't you need to now. serioulsy, go to youtube and just do it.
oh, wait. you know i'm not going to leave you hanging on a celeb crush with no music video...silly readers!
she is by far this generations greatest female singer/song writer/performer. i can't wait till i get to see her live one day.
Source: piccsy.com via Ashley on Pinterest
and she just proves you don't have to be a size 2 to be great, beautiful and talented! love her.
confession
i'm about to let you into a very deep, dark fear of mine.
you see, i didn't even really know i had this fear until recently.
and in fact it became so evident to me a few nights ago while i was watching the other woman.
you see, i didn't even really know i had this fear until recently.
and in fact it became so evident to me a few nights ago while i was watching the other woman.
who cries hysterically while watching a natalie portman movie? by themselves no less. me, that's who.
in the movie, natalie portman's character falls for a married man and they begin an affair that leads to a pregnancy and the two of them getting married and attempting to live happily ever after.
sounds happy, right?
not right.
you see just three days after their baby girl was born, she died.
now, here's where my hysterics come in.
i'll be honest. the whole idea of marriage scares me. don't get me wrong, i want to get married (in fact my sisterly use to tease me that i was born to be married. something instilled in my blood maybe?) and i believe i will. but the thought of forever is a little daunting, no? on top of that you're giving your everything to one person. putting all your eggs in a basket, let's say. and that kind of vulnerability, well quite frankly, it scares the shit out of me. i believe in marriage and i believe in forever. but i certainly don't want to get hurt. i don't want things to fall apart. i don't even want things to be hard (which i know they will be. not everything can be rainbows and unicorns!) but i don't know if i could deal with infidelity. it would shake me to the core. break me down until i was nothing. i'm sure i would find a way to pull through it but i don't know that i'd ever be myself again (and i'll say right now that it's a good thing i've found a man who would never do this. sorry, just had to be said.). it's hard to put myself in that situation and i might feel totally different if it really happened but at this point in time, it would destroy me.
now, add on top of that children. i know i want to be a mom (someday, far away from now) but it's scary deciding that you're ready to bring a child into this (sometimes) awful world. that you take full responsibility for the health and welfare and happiness of another human being. taking care of a dog is easy but a kid, holy crap. i love the kiddos. if i didn't i wouldn't be a nanny. i spend 5o hours a week taking care of two little girls. and i certainly would do anything for them to be healthy and happy. i can't even imagine what it will be like with my own. it blows my mind the love a mother has for her child(ren).
now, add on top of having children, losing a child. can you imagine? for those of you who have, i can't begin to understand. it's devastating and as i was watching this character go through it (in a freaking movie, ashley!) i couldn't help but weep for every woman who's lost a child. every woman who is afraid to have a child or try again for fear that this could happen.
i guess what i'm trying to say (out loud) is that one of my greatest fears in life is having a child of my own taken away from me. whether they died in the womb, at a few days old, or a few years old, or many, many years down the road.
i have to go first. i need to go first. isn't that the way it's supposed to be?
so when i joke about not getting married or never having children, it's not because i'm selfish or because i don't want the responsibility. it's because i'm terrified. terrified of loving a man so much that i would give myself up and be crushed if it wasn't returned. terrified of loving a child so much that if it were taken from me i might not be able to live. terrified that i might lose everything if i allow myself to give it all up for the dream of a family. love. unconditional love.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
to do: sewing
i've been taking sewing lessons for about 4 months now and am finally getting to the point where i want to make new things. things that might require more than 30 minutes and that are super cute!
i've been sticking with tote bags and zipper pouches (which i love!) but i want to broaden my horizons and do some other sewing projects.
here's my to do list. (if only i could find lots of extra time!)
1. i will learn to quilt. i can't wait to make some for all the babies i'm sure will be popping up all over the place in the next few years (i'm soooo not talking about me, family).
Source: modabakeshop.com via Ashley on Pinterest
2. skirts!!! i'm so obsessed with them right now. i love them all but especially this one.
Source: sayyestohoboken.com via Ashley on Pinterest
3. while i do make a lot of zipper pouches, i've yet to make a cosmetic bag like this one.
4. pillows, pillows and more pillows!
Source: e-tells-tales.blogspot.com via Mélanie on Pinterest
and in case you're wanting to sew too, here's a great resource for tutorials. i'm going to be working on a few of these over the next few months for gifts and such. i can't wait to show a sewing project i'm working on for a birthday present...soon!
Source: everythingetsy.com via Ashley on Pinterest
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
recipe of the week
i came up with this recipe after travis had a not so healthy version at cici's. after he ate this he told me it was the best thing i make (yeah right! stuffed peppers? ranch chicken? taco soup? dessert?). oh well, at least he's easy to please!
CHEESEBURGER PIZZA
ingredients:
pizza crust (store bought or homemade)
ground beef or turkey (i used turkey. fewer ww points!)
cheddar cheese (shredded)
onions (diced)
tomatoes (diced)
lettuce (shredded)
ketchup
salt and pepper or your choice of hamburger seasoning
directions:
preheat oven to 425 degrees
brown meat. drain.
put back in pan and add seasoning(s) and onions.
brush pizza crust with olive oil.
add 1/2 cup of cheese to bottom of pizza crust (this is key to make it cheesy since there is no sauce!).
add meat mixture on top of cheese.
put another 1/2 to 3/4 cup of cheese on top.
put in oven for 10 to 12 minutes (or until the crust browns and cheese is completely melted).
pull out of oven and add tomatoes and lettuce.
drizzle ketchup over the entire pizza.
enjoy!
with a knife and fork for a less messy dinner table!
this is so easy and the kids will love it! or in my case my 5 year old bf.
just kidding baby, i love you!
to do: cooking
here's my to do list when it comes to getting in the kitchen!
my top ten to do's...
1. parm knot rolls.
Source: foodgawker.com via Ashley on Pinterest
2. lemon loaf.
Source: thewhimsicalcupcake.wordpress.com via Ashley on Pinterest
3. something, anything in a mason jar! corn bread and chili.
Source: giverslog.com via Ashley on Pinterest
4. parm tomatoes.
Source: eatingwell.com via Ashley on Pinterest
5. a complete breakfast in muffin form? yes, please.
Source: marthastewart.com via Ashley on Pinterest
6. pumpkin spice doughnut holes. perfect for fall. or anytime really, who doesn't love doughnut holes?!
Source: laraferroni.com via Ashley on Pinterest
7. pineapple chicken salad pitas
Source: find.myrecipes.com via Ashley on Pinterest
8. beef empanadas
Source: smittenkitchen.com via Ashley on Pinterest
9. pizza
Source: foodnouveau.com via Ashley on Pinterest
10. engagement chicken...yes please! just kidding travis :) but serioulsy i want to make this because i've never mad a whole chicken before.
Source: glamour.com via Ashley on Pinterest
let's get cooking!
Monday, July 25, 2011
different paths
i was going to blog about my craft to do list but something told me i needed to get something off my chest instead.
you see, i've been thinking a lot about what if's. what if this happened. what if that happened.
i know it's silly to think about stuff like that. but it happens. and sometimes the best way to get over it, is to just get it all out there.
so here's my what if issue at the moment.
do you ever wonder why certain people come in to your life and then are gone just as quickly?
what if we had stayed in touch after high school. after college? what if we hadn't said such hurtful words to each other? what if i had apologized sooner? what if you had understood where i was coming from? what if we had been less selfish? what if boys hadn't gotten in the way? what if we had celebrated each other's differences instead of disrespecting them? what if we had tried harder? what if we had told the truth? what if we could go back and change things?
i know asking these questions is pointless. you can't change the past. and most of me is very ok with that. i wouldn't be who i am and where i am today if things had gone differently. i'm so very appreciative of what i have in life and who i'm spending it with.
and some things happen that you just cannot control. death. divorce. illness. and those things change your life as well and make you wonder a whole different list of what ifs.
i just can't help but wonder sometimes what if. (i think that might be a woman thing!)
would we still be best friends, the four of us? would we live closer together? would we have attended each other's weddings? would our kids be best friends? would we have stayed in touch? would we know more about each other now than then? would we talk every day, tell each other everything? would you attend more family functions? would i babysit your kids? would we sit and chat about blogs? would we shop together? would we vacation together? would we go to our high school or college reunion together?
it's weird, at the moment in time when things are changing, you don't really see or think about the what ifs that might creep up later in life. and i consider myself lucky because i don't think much about them now a days. but every once in a while i just have to wonder. i let myself for a day or less (never more!). and then as quickly as the what ifs come, they leave. and i thank God for everything and everyone i have.
i'm so lucky and blessed every day that it's silly to wonder what if. because what's now is perfect!
weekend recap
Source: lollipops.bigcartel.com via Ashley on Pinterest
no work friday. disaster blaster. silent auction wins. cactus bar-wear. sleeping in. running errands. cleaning house. dog walking. dinner and a movie date. new workout. new recipe. late night chat/snuggle. back to work.
nothing remotely exciting happened this weekend but there was so fun had. i've decided that this quote is perfect for my life right now. i'm always wanting more, more, more. but sometimes what you have is enough (and perfect!).
Friday, July 22, 2011
wishes: all things nautical
i'm loving anything and everything nautical right now.
if i had it my way, i'd own a beach house and fill it with all kinds of nautical stuff. and i don't want all that crap with shells all over it, either. i mean, i love shells but i think they're a little overrated.
here's what i'm looking for in my nautical house wears...
Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Ashley on Pinterest
Source: simplifiedbee.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest
Source: sadieandstella.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest
and you know i need to look the part or it just doesn't count.
Source: forthedream.tumblr.com via Ashley on Pinterest
Source: anthropologie.com via Ashley on Pinterest
and of course i'll need one of these...
Source: entertainment.ralphlauren.com via Ashley on Pinterest
feel free to take a look at the rest of my nautical inspirations here!
friday's fabulousness
Source: sanford-soccer-net.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest
because of my surprise day off, today's fab is coming to you a little differently.
i'm going to give you a my fab list of things that MUST get done today!
1. i am going to spin class at 9:15 am instead of 5:30 am simply because i can (infact, i'm probably there while you're reading this. that's weird. don't think about my exercising right now, as it's not my most glam part of the day!). it's awesome to sleep in when you should be at work, isn't it!
2. this is where i'll be most of the day, as i have tons of projects to do (which i'll let you in on soon!). but at least my sewing area is cuter and my itunes will play all day while the dog naps on my feet under the desk! and you can bet i'll be consuming a lot of black cherry koolaid (made with splenda=0 ww points!). and maybe some chocolate. maybe.
Source: flickr.com via Bethany on Pinterest
3. the house must get cleaned today. having this day off allows me to actually enjoy my entire weekend without any chores!
4. i'm going to cook an elaborate dinner. seriously. i'm talking three or more courses here (ok, that might be a lie!).
maybe we'll start with this...
Source: foodgawker.com via Ashley on Pinterest
and for the middle...
Source: foodgawker.com via Ashley on Pinterest
and we'll end it with this...
Source: kevinandamanda.com via Ashley on Pinterest
and then i'll have to do number one all over again.
5. this involves a lot of things. first...
Source: amazon.com via Stephanie on Pinterest
and alot of them. grocery, hair appointment, oldnavy, target, post office, dmv, bank, dog barkery, wedding gift shopping, birthday gift shopping, thrifting etc.
and i hope to be looking like this while doing it all
Source: usmagazine.com via Jessica on Pinterest
a girl can dream, right?!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
update: weight watchers
i haven't updated y'all on the ww front in a while. not because i jumped ship or because i've fallen down and can't get back up. actually it's just the opposite. i'm doing well. still going slow and steady wins the race path! doing things healthy and smart. changing for life, and that's the way i want this weight loss thing to happen for me.
but i've come to the realization that i'm just LARGE.
yes, i just admitted that i'm a large person.
let me explain so you don't try to form an intervention to help me with my low self esteem.
i've come up with a mental list (which i'll now but down on digital paper for the world to see) of what makes me a large person.
1. there's the obvious factor that i'm carrying a few extra pounds. and while i've lost a total of 32 (!) of those extra lbs. i still have quite a few to lose.
2. i have a very large voice. i'm talking about volume in the sense of audio and amount of usage. i talk a lot and i love to be loud. i can't help it. i blame it on growing up with too many siblings and having to yell to be heard. and i could literally talk your head off if you let me. about anything. i'm the person you don't really want to sit next to on an airplane (but only if i'm by myself). i must get that from my fatherly, kevin!
3. i have very large cheeks. no matter how much weight i lose in my face, i just can't get rid of them. at least my kiddos will be cute with those pinchable cheekers, right?
4. i think i have large teeth. i'm probably the only person that thinks this, in fact travis is in love with my teeth. being an orthodontists son, it's one of the first things he notices at when he meets someone.
5. i have a very large...chest. good thing there's no pic for this one. no one wants to see that. well, i know someone but this is a family blog!
6. my personality is pretty large and you probably love me or hate me. i'm ok with that. as i've gotten older it doesn't bother me but as a teen i always needed people to like me but i've since decided it's quality over quantity!
7. my hair is large. this pic doesn't even do it justice. i should show you right after i blow it dry and haven't brushed through but this natural look will have to do for now!
8. i like BIG stuff. ie. my 80 lb dog, my 6'4" bf, large jewelry, large purses, the big suv i drive, etc. i mean, come on, i'm a texas gal and everything is bigger (and better) in texas. right?
about the only non-large thing about me is my height. seriously i wish i had about 4 more inches.
i'm in no way getting down on myself. i love who i am and who i'm becoming each day. it's nice to sit down and take an honest look at yourself and decide what it is that you don't like and change it and what you do like and embrace it!
*please don't judge my low quality mac photo booth pics. or my dirty hair and freshly washed, ie. super shiny face! thanks.
have you heard of pinterest?
i've been pinning for months now. i don't know why i didn't think to blog about it before, but alas here it is now.
this website is beyond amazing.
were you the person that would get ideas online and have no where to store them (i mean, my brain can only hold so much info!). i used to store stuff in folders on my desktop. but that was getting ridic. so, que the web gods. they come up with a digital inspiration board-esque website to do all the storing for me!
right now you have to be invited to join pinterest but i can totally do that for you! just shoot me an email or put your email in the comment section and i'll totally invite you (and make you be my new bff!).
you can check out my boards and pins here!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
new hair. new me?
i need something new. i'm thinking new hair. i'm also thinking a cut might be the right thing to do. i'm thinking shoulder length with a few face layers and keeping my bangs (for the time being). here are some ideas...
Source: dwellingandtelling.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest
Source: google.com via Ashley on Pinterest
Source: google.com via Ashley on Pinterest
Source: google.com via Ashley on Pinterest
and i'm maybe thinking about going stawberry blonde. as i get older my hair is turning a little more red (thanks dad and gma cheryl!) and i just haven't embraced it yet. but i'm thinking a color change might be a little easier than a cut at this point!
Source: celebhairstyle.net via Ashley on Pinterest
so what do you think. serioulsy, i need opinions before i do something drastic!
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