{Fashion Friday}

In one weeks time I will be getting on a plane for some much needed family vacation time! The husband probably needs it more than I do...but I am happy to go along for the ride. We definitely need some family time and a small break from this cold weather. Relaxation, pool time, mini adventures, etc. I can't wait!

Blazer: Stylesforless, Blouse: Stylesforless, Leggings: Older, Boots: Forever21

Of course the nightmares have started already though. I don't know why I get such anxiety over traveling. It's mainly anxiety of being unprepared and late for a flight. Such weirdness goes on in my brain I swear! I just laugh at myself sometimes.


So I've been brainstorming on a cool, fun fashion challenge to do. I've heard of 30 for 30 from Thedaybookblog.com. I think I might want to tweak it in some way to make it a bit different. It's all about remixing clothes in your closet. People don't really have the money to shop these days. That will be coming soon then.

{Thanksgiving ..post}

We had a pretty low key Thanksgiving went to my cousins house. Coincidentally my cousin decided to move out here around the same time that we did. We are only about an hour away from each other. She made all the food from scratch! Turkey {of course}, twice baked potato casserole, macaroni & cheese, stuffing, cranberries, corn and rolls. I'm bummed I didn't get more pictures. As you can see I settled on floral this year. I'm wearing a black maxi skirt, layered necklaces, floral tube top, and denim jacket. {Next time I will dress warmer, because my cousin loves to keep her house cold! hhaha}We later played ""Pass the Popcorn" a movie trivia game. Evan and I get so competitive, it gets really loud and crazy. Hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving as well.

{ Fashion Friday} ....Black Friday

I don't about you but I don't like Black Friday in the least bit. People lining up a week or more to get a good sale. Even waking up at ungodly hours to go shopping! Count me out! I do not like waking up early period. I would rather do my shopping at normal hours and less crowds, or even online. Besides each year people get crazier and crazier. Getting into physical fights over TVs, movies, toys? Really? Right after a day where we are supposed to be thankful for what we have. We like to just stay home all snuggled up. The husband watching his oh so cherished Nebraska game, eating his leftovers. I just like a day where we can be lazy and hang around. This year I was cleaning up stuff getting the house ready to decorate for Christmas.

If you are on Lookbook or Chictopia you can find me at these links

http://lookbook.nu

http://www.chictopia.com

{ Happy Thanksgiving }

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Hope you are all filling those bellies with some yummy food! As I am busy making my pies (one chocolate, one pumpkin of course) I decided I would still give you a bit of awkward and awesome to enjoy with your meal!


A little Celebrity version of "awkward and awesome"  did anyone catch the American music awards on Sunday? Did anyone catch that awkward moment of Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj
grinding during "Beauty and the Beat".....He may be 18 now but he still has a little kids body and that was just way to awkward.

So now that Breaking Dawn part 2 is now out and Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart are supposedly back together. I thought I would comment on the awkwardness of Kristen Stewart, Ruper Sanders and his wife Liberty Ross. They look almost like twins in these blue dresses. Right? Did Rupert really have a fling with a woman that looks exactly like his wife?

 Then there is this awkward photo from the premiere of Snow white and the huntsman. Why are they dressed in exactly the same outfit? Just bizarre this whole situation.

For the awesome here are {10} things I am thankful for!

1} I am thankful for my amazing husband. He makes me laugh, he makes me smile. He's an amazing father. He's my support system, my best friend. He's literally my everything and I am so thankful he came into my life!

{2} I am thankful for my baby girl Riley. After losing my first child I was scared to have another baby. I wondered if I would be able to love her the same. If I was capable of being a good mother to her while I still grieved. I was amazed at how my heart grew as soon as I held her in my arms and has gotten bigger through every single day with her. She is so precious to me and I cherish her and every moment I have with her. I am thankful that God saw fit to bless me with such an amazing, sweet, beautiful child.

{3} I am thankful for my parents! Over the years they have become more like friends to me. That I can talk to, confide in, and have fun with. I do not know what I would do without them in my life.

{4} I am thankful for my son Elijah! Even though we didn't have much time together he taught me more about myself than anyone. I am thankful for the sweet moments I had with him, just us. As he grew in my belly. When I would sing to him, when he would move (or dance according to me) when I drank chocolate milk. His precious little face! He's with me every single second of the day and I am thankful for those memories.

{5} I am thankful that My husband has a steady job that pays for everything we need and more. That a house is provided. That we can afford food, clothes, gas, to be able to pay all our bills. That we don't have to worry about medical, or dental bills. Which allows me to be able to stay home with Riley and pursue my dreams.

{6} I am thankful for my friends and family. The close ones that have stood by me through everything. That know me for me and love and appreciate me for me.  I don't know what I would do without them.

{7} I am thankful to be {3} years cancer free now! I am thankful that God brought me out of that unscathed. Another chance at life. A life with my family and loved ones, and to be a better person.

{8} I am thankful to be able to travel the world without much cost to us. The opportunity to see amazing things and to meet amazing people. As well as experience new adventures with my family next to me.

{9} I am thankful for music. It is is my lifeline, my outlet, my therapy, my absolute everything. I know I've been blessed with talents and I am so thankful and appreciative of them.

{10} Last but not least. I am so thankful that I know Jesus as my own personal savior. That he came and died on the cross for not just everyone but for ME, little ol' me! That he knows every single hair on my head. That he knows my heart and my true desires in life. That he is there to comfort me and give me strength through this life that can so often feel like Hell! Nothing is impossible if I have him on my side!

{Pumpkin Crazy}

We've been going pumpkin crazy lately in this house. Thanks to Pinterest I can find as many fun, tasty recipes that I can get my hands on. I made these tasty little treats and the husband literally ate 95% of them by himself. They are more like cake bars and taste much better with the chocolate chips. I didn't have enough sugar so I used extra vanilla. YUM!

Pumpkin Chocolate chip bars

These tasty limited editions pumpkin spice bagels from Thomas are sooo good with hot chocolate in the morning. I've been snatching them up left and right before they are gone!

I experimented with this bread and used it for some French Toast! Then we added a little bit of this country crock pumpkin spice spread and it is to die for! We just started putting the pumpkin spice on everything. Waffles, pancakes the husband put it on his toast. He didn't like it too much in his plain oatmeal but he could just be weird. I just don't think this pumpkin spice could do any wrong.

   

Recipes that are on my list to try before the season of pumpkin is over

 Pumpkin cream cheese swirl bars

Pumpkin fudge

I am not making pumpkin pie with a graham cracker crust! That's how we like it and it is so yummy that way!

{Holiday Style}

Every year I'm always trying to plan my holiday outfits ahead of time. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years! The last couple of years I've always been doing the cream and brown a bit. I don't know why Thanksgiving just feels like a brown and cream kind of a holiday. 2010 was this lace cream top with brown boots. Last year was A cream sparkly dolman sweater with shorts and drown diamond print tights.
This year I really want to throw in some color. Maybe some red or a wine color, like oxblood.  Sparkles maybe? Gold... Sequins? Here are a few of things I've been eyeing for the holiday season. Maybe even some floral.

Windsorstore.co

Urbanog.com

Urbanog.com

Windsorstore.com

{Music Monday}... a quick check in

Technology is pretty awesome. The things we can do on our own these days without relying on other people is fantastic. I've been able to work on some melodies for the past couple weeks. Then I record them into my phone and quickly email them to my music guy! (Mike in previous video) He gets them and starts working on them from his house since we can't get together in person. Then when he's done he can email them to me pending my approval. Since we can't get together in person at the moment. I was so discouraged last blog post. However, things are starting to look up now. I also pulled out my guitar which I've had since I was sixteen and still don't know how to play. It's sad I know ten years and it just sits there, such a shame! That is next on my bucket list believe you...me!! So the only chords I know how to play and I don't even know which ones they are. I just started messing around with it and then opened up my garageband on my computer and recorded it so I wouldn't forget ( of course!) Randomly added a quick verse and VOILA! It's magic! I'm really starting to have more confidence in my minor skills. Even playing it for the husband and the parents over skype. (Another wonderful technological invention.) Now to email that over to Mike and we got the beginnings of at least 3-4 songs besides the few that we already have!

The demo I have been trying to get done over the past year has been for this one producer. Who is a friend of a friend who's friends with my parents. The opportunity just dropped in my lap without me looking for it. It only came up because my dad was bragging about me singing on a mission trip over lunch. Now this producer guy has been hired at the place my dad works for so he's even easier to get to. That's pretty awesome too! I'm not sure where this might lead, but I'm totally up for it!

Voice lessons have been hard still. I can't wait to start longer lessons, than those 30-min lessons I've been doing. The song we've been working on is "Stars" by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. Who I am absolutely in love with right now. I'm totally planning on going to see their show for my birthday.
I was hoping to upload a video of me singing it, but it's not ready yet so hopefully next week. My coach says I need to work on being too loud or I will damage my voice. HA! I've just learn to come out of my shell and be loud and what not. Now I gotta rein it back in? Good luck Ashley .. good luck. I need to be louder in my head voice then in my chest voice. Otherwise my voice won't last, maybe for a few years but will be done for in the long run. So word of advice to any young singers out there or older whichever. Take care of your voice, or it will be gone for good. Also I highly recommend to get into voice lessons while you are younger because it is really hard to get rid of your bad habits.

.....til next time

{Fashion Friday} ..Layers and Lulu's contest cont.

Yesterday was an extremely busy and exciting day! Ran around like crazy doing "Mommy-type" things. Miss Riley had a little harvest party at school. So we went through a lot of cute fall/thanksgiving themed snacks on pinterest. We found soo many little teepee's, pilgrim hats, mini cornucopia's Riley finally decided on this super tasty Cookie Dough dip. Which was really easy to make and was a big hit with the kids and parents. Served up with some apple slices and these cute little mini graham crackers. They taste great with any fruit though or pretzels. So yummy!! Since there are no eggs in it all you cookie dough connoisseurs out there would love this! I will definitely be making this one again! I love you PINTEREST! I felt like such a mom coming to her class with my plastic-wrapped snack. I have definitely arrived!

I wanted to do something fun and bright with my layers. I paired up a red tank with this leopard cardigan and denim jacket with infinity scarf. Throw on some leggings and some riding boots and you got yourself some major coziness! Sometimes when you are a mom and you are running around nonstop it's more about being comfortable. I will always strive for more fashionable comfort though...and that's when you get this ensemble. TA-DA!!!!

 VOTING has finally started now for the LULU's contest. Please take a second to vote for me I would greatly appreciate it! Vote Here and you can see more photos of my lulu's contest outfit here

{Fashion Friday}

There are so many "Fashion-esque" contests going on and I love it! I'm just joining in on as many as I can. Sad to say I've never really won anything... I think I may have some serious bad luck sometimes. I did get third place in something once.. I guess. Raffle prizes, contests, Mcdonald's monopoly game never. It makes me sad! :( I won't give up though! I did this outfit for Lulus.com contest going on right now. Perfect timing to coincide with Fashion Friday! You can vote for me here! I also have been searching other blogs and recently came across a super cute one! http://www.frillsforthrills.com  A young pastors wife and new mommy with awesome style. So check her out and follow her too!

{awkward and awesome thursday} ...or just a plain old thursday

Nothing really exciting has happened today or this week very much. I finally got a better fitting denim jacket and some scarves...thank you WetSeal. However, that may not interest most of you, if not all. Miss Riley and I had a fun time at the store. She's really getting into taking pictures lately. I am constantly finding weird and random pictures in my phone that she has taken. We tried on ear muffs, scarves, beanies. She wanted me to hold up all the clothes she liked to take pictures of. She cracks me up! It's officially cold now! It's been in the 30's - 40's brrr and we finally got some snow. I am not a fan of the cold or snow anymore. A couple years living in Colorado will do that to you. So far it's better than the humid summers out here though. I am grateful for that! Happy Thursday!

{Music Monday} ..progress

As of late I have been throwing myself into music. Everything and anything I can absolutely do to focus on it. Sometimes when you need to seriously focus on something important; you need to be consumed by it. That is the plan, I've been searching through music to get inspiration. I've been writing non-stop. I feel like I have soooo much in my head that I need to say that my brain will explode if I don't get it out on paper. I mean there's only so much room in there between wifey responsibilities, mommy responsibilities, etc. Half the time I can't get the brain to just shut off! So writing is very verrrrry important! This weekend I ventured down to the basement to go through stuff to donate for hurricane sandy relief. I found this little gem! My book of song lyrics from high school! I made this binder in 2003 I believe, but I had songs and poems in there dated as far back as 1998! I know there were older ones than that they just weren't dated. Sometimes I can't decide to laugh or be impressed with myself that I've been writing songs since I was maybe 7 or 8. I mean they were all cheesy little love songs,{I was maybe a little boy crazy back in the day} but what little girl at that age writes songs and poems. {LOL...I'm laughing at myself now}

Now for the frustrating aspect. This is a really slow process. Yes I am doing voice lessons, but as of right now I can only do it twice a week for 30 min. I have a lot to learn with technique. It would've been easier to do when I was younger. When you are an adult you are already set in your ways. So I have to forget everything I know now to learn new ways. I don't really have musicians at my disposal to write with unfortunately. My goal was to get a demo done...just something. So I am at a standstill. I am horrible at being patient. Especially since I've been patient for so many years on this. That is the most frustrating part of this journey ...so far. 

On the plus side I have been exploring more on coming up with melodies myself. Nice to have an phone where I can just record little voice memos for myself to email to people and save for reference. So until we meet again on a Monday, hopefully I will have something more to update you on.