all things ashley

bloggin on the road

2012-02-01T08:06:00.001-07:00

my life the past few days...in photos (courtesy of gimby, my phone)

work.

2012-01-28T23:11:00.001-07:00

is your job this fun?
california trip.
Yup, I'm on a business trip in orange county right now....and I thought I'd share with you what I've been up to.

does anyone have good restaurant recommendations for the Anaheim, Newport, orange county areas??

crafty things

2012-01-26T08:07:00.000-07:00

it's true...this girl has tried becoming crafty.
this whole entire week has been prep for CHA
(see previous CHA show posts here & here & here)

i was asked to help out with getting some fun projects ready for CHA.

here's a little glimpse of some of the projects i worked on this week:

oops. that york peppermint heart wasn't something i made.

i actually ate one while i was crafting.

it was delish if you were wondering....

well, we officially fly out to Anaheim tomorrow morning to get all set up for the show.
the thing i hate the most about CHA?
packing!
i hate packing for ANY kind of trip.
i get paranoid at what to pack and i always worry that i'll not have enough accessories, socks, undies(TMI?), or shoes...

so, any suggestions on how to make a successful packing list?
i always freak out.
oh, and i don't like to FLY...actually i don't like when the plane takes off the ground.
it scares me to death.
but, oh well...

so, give it to me straight...i need help with packing.
any tips, suggestions, etc?

2012-01-25T08:13:00.000-07:00

good morning my dearest readers.
guess what, you're probably sick of hearing me talk about sponsorship, but i still have some sponsorship spots left.

does anyone want to claim a spot?
going once, going twice....

email me: ashley.warner88@gmail.com if you're interested in snagging one of the spots left.
i love sponsors and am so glad that i've had such a great response!

you guys are seriously the best.
i'm so serious that i am hosting a giveaway...

hooray for giveaways, right?

i am giving away the above FRAME (ikea)

the valentine's day Crate Paper garland (handmade by moi)

the dusty canyon road print (taken by moi)

so there are THREE different items to win my dears....

to enter:

1 - must be a follower of ATA (mandatory)

2 - you can blog about this and link back to me

3 - you can facebook it and link back to me

4 - leave a comment on your favorite Valentine's day tradition

5 - refer a friend to my blog (and comment about it) (unlimited)

6 - become a SPONSOR of ALL THINGS ASHLEY

you can enter 6 times

but the more friends you refer, the more chances you have of winning.

giveaway ends on February 4th at 12:00 AM

best of luck

some more vegas.

2012-01-24T07:54:00.000-07:00

sorry for the photo overload, but i had WAY too much fun with my gal pals over the weekend.

i think the highlight of the trip was going to see phantom...well, maybe it was the few hours spent in H&M...or maybe going to Serendipity and stuffing our faces with delicious goodness...well, ok, i can't choose one thing i loved most.

i love my gal pals and how much fun we have together...we even made music videos on the way home from vegas...maybe i'll show them to you...

maybe....

what's your favorite thing to do in vegas?

or on vacation?

vegas road trip pt. 1

2012-01-23T08:11:00.000-07:00

the gorgeous bunch (nickname we call ourselves)

we on a road trip to Las Vegas.

we were there for a total of 36 hours (to be precise)

it was a short trip, but jam-packed with a lot of fun.

we left my condo about 5 pm and the journey commenced.

we drove straight to st. george and stopped off at nielsens for dinner/and a treat.

then we met up with one of the guys' dads to drop off the saw (see first photo)

then we made our way to the bright lights of vegas.

when we got there, we checked into our hotel and went to the room.

we freshened up and went out for the night (ya, we went out at 12:15 AM)

we hit up this karaoke club in the hotel and ordered soda.

the bartender looked at us with disgust since none of us drink alcohol.

it was actually pretty hysterical.

we were all so exhausted that we giggled out of control and people must've thought we were drinking...hmm it's the Mormon way to have fun y'all!

stay up late and you'll be a giggling and acting like a fool.

we went to bed around 3 AM.

the first night of our trip was a success.

how was YOUR weekend?

what did you do?!

calling all sponsors

2012-01-22T12:41:00.001-07:00

hey my dearest reader.
I hope you've had a marvelous weekend!
I'm actually in the passenger seat of the car driving home from the girls weekend in Vegas. No big deal, right?

well...January is almost coming to an end and I thought I'd give fair warning to those who are interested in doing a sponsorship for February.

The month of February is going to be FREE! I have several sponsorship slots available for February so if you're interested in being a sponsor, please email me: ashley.warner88@gmail.com to reserve your spot ASAP

and on that note, I'll leave you with a few photos from my weekend in Vegas......

guest blogger: aiukli:because life is beautiful

2012-01-20T05:00:00.002-07:00

Hello beautiful readers of all things Ashley! My name is Mallori. I blog over at aiukli: because life is beautiful!

It's my personal blog about life. A lot of my posts are random, and I tend to blab on and on about the little things that occur in my life day in and day out. I've owned my blog for a while, but I just started blogging a little more consistently, and so I like to say that my blog just turned a year old.

I currently work for a local bank, and am trying to figure out what I'm wanting to do as far as a career goes. I love my job, and I love the opportunities I'm getting as far as promotions go. Who knows, I may end up doing this as a career and never being happier!

As far as aiukli, I got the inspiration for it in my first semester in college. Back then, I wasn't as happy as I am now, and looking back I know that. The word "aiukli" means beautiful in my Native language, Choctaw. My perspective on this is to look for the beauty in everything in the world. Someone makes you angry, breaks your heart, bad mouths those you love? Try to find the positive somehow. Don't get me wrong, I have my days where I just rant on my blog. But on those days, I try to end the post with at least something positive or something in the near future I'm looking forward to. It's all about perspective. To remind myself of this perspective, I got it forever ingrained in a place I will see every day:

A little more about me:

I talk about my family and my friends all the time. I don't participate in too many memes because I hate feeling like I have to do x meme on Monday, xx meme on Tuesday, and so on. So you'll see memes randomly. I'm in my mid 20s. I'm obsessed with the color purple, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Love Actually. I'm freakishly tall for a girl. I really like Ke$ha a lot (no judging!). I'm in a committed relationship with my DVR.

I hope to meet many more of you soon! I've enjoyed following Ashley for some time now (she has been a part of my blog for a majority of the year I've been a more consistent blogger!). Thank you Ashley for letting me be a part of your blog!

i workout

2012-01-19T08:28:00.000-07:00

well, since i've been slacking on my fitness blog (oops) i guess i'll just keep you in the loop here.
as some of you know (from previous posts) i decided to run a half marathon.

i am currently 20 weeks away from race day and i am feeling great.
tonight i went running alone, which is something i love.
i love to just run and have time to think (and jam out to rock music)
i ran for 3 miles straight.
no stopping.
no slowing down.
no breaks.
about 13 minutes into my run the sweat commenced and that was that. (waterworks)
(sorry if that's ultra nasty TMI to the max, but whatevs)
i finished strong and was running at 5.7 on the treadmill (give me a break, you runners out there)
i felt great and tonight i am feeling so energetic and pumped.

i came home and grilled some chicken.
cooked some broccoli, carrots, and onions.
my dinner was delish.

there's something about being in healthy habits that makes me so happy.
i just feel healthier and happier.
oh, and this is one of my proud moments...i've lost 10 lbs. thus far!

yippee! i am so happy about that. my jeans are starting to sag a little bit, but it's ok.
my goal was to drop 30 lbs overall, not necessarily for the weight issue, but i realized that being 'lighter' would make it easier for me to run the half marathon.

and let me tell you. watching my caloric intake, running, weight lifting (toning), and using myfitnesspal.com really does WONDERS.

i might start posting my "progress" photos (if i'm brave enough) because i am just feeling so good y'all...but i am thinkin' it might scare the children
(or gross your babies out if you're preggo - again, thanks GLEE for the reference)

information for sponsors

2012-01-19T07:23:00.002-07:00

information for sponsors:

1 - email me a button to post on my blog (it needs to be no more than 200x200 pixels)
2 - i need an address (web address) to link your photo to (your blog!)
3 - if you're interested in doing a guest post, let me know!

it's really as simple as that.
my email address: ashley.warner88@gmail.com

remember, sponsorship is FREE!

giveaway: life as i know it

2012-01-18T05:00:00.003-07:00

Greetings readers of All Things Ashley, it is I, Amy from Life as I know It.

Come over and check me out!

Miss Ashley has been kind enough to invite me for a guest post giveaway, and I am very excited.

Seriously, I love this girl.

What you ask will I be giving away today?

TWO lucky winners will receive their choice of hand painted canvas done by yours truly.

Here's how to enter:

1. Be a follower of Life as I know it (mandatory)

2. Leave a comment telling which canvas you would choose.

3. Blog or Facebook about the giveaway with a link so I can see

4. Be a follower of ATA.

5. and just for fun... what do your socks look like today?

5 ways to enter my ladies (and maybe gents)...5!

Leave a seperate comment for each entry.

The winners will be announced on January 28th.

Here's to winning!

love.

guest blogger: contemplating beauty

2012-01-18T05:00:00.002-07:00

hello all.
it's wednesday and it's time for a guest blogger on ATA.
today, my guest is Gina from the lovely blog contemplating beauty
her blog is full of all things beautiful.
she is an inspiration and i highly recommend you go show her some blog love.

Hi there! I am Gina and I blog over at Contemplating Beauty, and I am so so excited to be sponsoring All Things Ashley! I have been blogging more often for the last 4 months or so; my blog isn't really a specialty blog, it's a variety of all things family, all things spiritual, and all things beautiful. I have always been a writer, but realized the reason I love to blog is because I love to share and I adore the connection with people!

When I'm not blogging you can find me walking my little apricot-bichon poo, managing my teenage daughter's hectic schedule, exploring new cities, writing (pen and paper style), reading, or playing board games with my family. And I just recently opened up my shop on Etsy, The Vintage Violet Shop!

I love to thrift (it's where I feel most comfortable), my church, art, travel, and all things nature.

Come by and say hello, I'd love to meet you!

i can do anything (with God)

2012-01-17T07:52:00.000-07:00

(pinterest)

this morning as i was driving to work, i was listening to my "country lovin" playlist.
reader, do you ever get like me...in the sense that you sometimes get into a "lovey dovey" mood? where it's ok to listen to mushy love songs.
singing at the top of your lungs "it's a love story baby just say..YES"

well, as of late, i've been in one of those moods (the past few days or so...)
where i just enjoy thinking of being in love.
it's taken me 23 years to realize that in order for me to be in love with someone, i need to first, love myself.
and guess what, i have come to realize that i really love the person i am today.
perhaps that sounds a little conceded or arrogant, but it's the only way i can describe it.
i spent the other night home alone.
alone.
before (in my freshman college years) being alone meant you were a loser.
that you had no friends, no plans, and therefore, you were a lime-a-loser (thanks, glee).
but being all alone is so refreshing to me now.
it's time to unwind, to do things for me, to read a good book, to meditate and just think.

i guess, what i'm trying to say, is that for the first time in a long time, i've come to the realization that i need to just have patience with myself, that i need to truly love being alone, that i need to appreciate myself before i can love someone else.
and i am happy to say, that i am on that road.
i had the 'ah-ha' moment.
my life isn't perfect, but it's never going to be.

life doesn't usually pan out or go the way you want it to.
God has a better plan for you.
He knows the best thing for you.
in my scripture study last night, i read this verse:

"But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is. Amen." (1 Nephi 9:6)

and i realized (again) that that's all i need to know. that God "knoweth all things from the beginning" and that He knows my life is going to pan out the way He intends it to, because He knows better than me. He knows better than me what is going to be best for me. He knows what I need to learn. He knows that even though i might complain about not being this or not having that...that in the end, it'll all be the way it needs to be.

i just had to get that thought out tonight to share my feelings.
i am seriously so blessed.
i am so thankful for the life i've been granted.
for the breath that God grants to me daily.
i am nothing without God.

"two men can do anything, as long as one of them is the Lord" (Neil L. Andersen)
i am a firm believer in that.
i can do ANYTHING as long as i keep the Lord in my life.

life is truly a gift and is so wonderful, my dears.
i am so thankful for another day to be alive.
to be able to learn, to grow, and to share the love of the Lord with others.
i have a long ways to go, but i am happy with the path i am on.

and i really feel like i've been given this time to become a better person so that one day in the future, i can be the best wife/mother/friend/daughter/sister i can be.

guest blogger: everyday is a new adventure

2012-01-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

guess what?
it's mondayyyyyy (again) hooray!

guest what that means?
it's time for another guest post from a lovely ATA friend.
this gal is one of my newest blog friends.
i adore her blog. her life is seriously the coolest.
reader, meet Alyx.

Hello, readers of All Things Ashley!
Allow me to introduce myself - my name is Alyx, and I blog over at Every Day is a New Adventure. My super amazing hubby and I are currently livin' it up in the good ole land of beer and Lederhosen [that's Germany if you couldn't guess], and so far we are loving it! Feel free to come by and say hello - I love meeting new people!

We are obviously very sophisticated adults. Anyway, I'm so excited that I get to be a guest here on Ashley's blog - it is one of my daily reads! As I was trying to channel my inner creativeness [which is almost non-existent] trying to come up with a worthy guest post, inspiration high-fived me in the face [okay, not really... but it sounded cool].

Baby Fever: the Incredibly Contagious and Easy to Catch Disease that Comes upon You When You Least Expect It
Beware: it can happen to you. Yes, you. The girl sitting at her computer thinking to herself what is this chick smoking? I'm young and have my whole life ahead of me. No way will I get baby fever anytime soon. PUH-LEASE. I was you once. Heck, I was you a month ago. But then... something happened. I caught baby fever. I caught it bad.One day I was telling my husband how I was going to ~~take over the world with my awesomeness and super woman powers~~ go to school and get my PhD in Economics, travel the world doing guest lectures, and teach at the university level. The next day, I saw these all over the place. No matter where I went, little pinchable baby cheeks started popping up in my face.

This is how you catch the fever:- Your friends all start getting pregnant and having babies.- You see other people's New Year's Resolutions, and they include having babies.- Your younger siblings start beating you at having babies.- You see adorable babies on TV, Facebook, billboards, blogs - EVERYWHERE. It's like they're taking over the world. - You watch Season 6 of How I Met Your Mother and start to bond with Lily in her baby craze. - Eventually, you are overcome by the cuteness of those little monsters and decide that you need one in your belly.

This is how to avoid catching the fever:- Don't have married friends. Or friends that forget to use protection and end up with an illegitimate child in their belly. - Don't watch season 6 of How I Met Your Mother.- Don't let your siblings have children. Nieces and nephews are the #1 cause of this deadly disease. - Only look at ugly babies. Here, let me help you:

Sorry if your eyes just burned out of your head. But on the bright side ... My baby fever is cured.

HOPE NECKLACE

2012-01-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

alright, it's monday morning and you're thinkin to yourself...
i wonder who won that pretty necklace that ashley was giving away on her blog.

wait, you didn't think that this morning?
whaaaaa?

maybe you should've, and it would've doubled your chances to win the necklace people.
just teasin...kinda.

i am seriously so jealous of Megan (see her blog here)

Megan, you're the winner of the HOPE NECKLACE GIVEAWAY

Megan said...
My hope for 2012 is to work on loving myself (inside AND out) and to work on strengthening my relationship with Christ.

January 3, 2012 10:02 PM

megan. please email me your mailing address and your little gift will be on it's way in the mail this week. (ashley.warner88@gmail.com)
congrats again.

and thanks to all those who entered the giveaway.
i was so happy to hear that all of you are so hopeful and optimistic.
it makes me so happy.

anddddd....i love free stuff, don't you?!

ps. i am wondering what would you absolutely just LOVE to win?

jewelry?

food?

clothing?

paper heart.

2012-01-14T16:03:00.000-07:00

since it's saturday and i can be lazy...

i made this paper garland today.

i needed some valentine deco for the condo.

i love this new paper line from crate paper.

paper heart.

it's so pretty.

what do you think?

guest blogger: alexis laughs

2012-01-13T05:00:00.002-07:00

hello my dears.

i have yet another LOVELY guest blogger today.

meet Alexis.

before i get too far into her guest post, i think you should know that this girl is hilarious, gorgeous, smart, funny, talented, a health nut (in a good way), and inspirational.

i have followed her blog for about a year now, and what can i say, she's an inspiration.

see for yourself...take it away Alexis!

Hey you guyyyyyyyssss! Goonies anyone? My name is Alexis. It would be impossible to introduce myself without telling you a few things first. One: I'm married to this handsome hunk of man.

Also, I'm a nutrition student at ASU. I love food and my best talent is eating. I like to shake my bon bon. I like dogs, babies, and anything that's yellow. I think life is really funny. My blog posts range from side splitting hilarity (to me at least) to heartfelt posts about things like body image, anxiety, and this beautiful messy thing called life.

But today...since I'm new... I'm going to try to be on my best behavior. No bathroom humor or talk about embarrassing stories like that time I got my arm stuck in the water vending machine.

_____________________________________

Remember how recently you made a laundry list of New Year's resolutions that you've most likely forgotten about by now? I'm going to help you put those goals into action and, possibly most importantly, remember them.

Tip 1: Make reasonable goals. Actually think about how much time each thing is going to take and if it's doable. It cracks me up when I see goals like Walk the dog every day, workout for two hours every day, make a new recipe every day...and I add up the hours and wonder where all the time is going to come from. You going to quit school? You job? Replace sleep with IVs of caffine? nuh uh sista! Find goals that work with your schedule. These resolutions are meant to improve your quality of life, not flush it down the crapper. [shoot, does that count as bathroom humor?]

Tip 2: Reminders, reminders, reminders! Set alarms on your phone, write days on your calendar you're going to work on it, Write it in your planner, use sticky notes, etc. Tailor the reminders to the goal. If your goal is to watch less TV, cover the TV in garbage bag or hide the remote or post a reminder above the TV so that at least you have to think twice. If you want to eat more fruits and veggies, first BUY them, and remember what's in the fridge. Find recipes to use them before you buy them. Make it so you see them! Leave yourself notes of encouragement! It's allowed, I promise.

Tip 3: The more you stick with goals, the easier it becomes. The sense of pride and satisfaction you feel after accomplishing something fuels you into accomplishing the next goal. And it's okay to reward small progress too! If you want to lose 40 pounds, reward yourself with a new shirt after 10, a new movie after 15. Whenever you get the feeling you want to just give up, tell yourself outloud "I can do this!" I tell myself multiple times a day. It works. It also makes strangers think you're looney but that's beside the point.

If that doesn't work, tell yourself this.

Character is the discipline to follow through with goals long after the spirit in which they were made has passed.

That helps me. I want to have character.

Good luck with all those goals gals and possibly a few guys!

Thanks for having me Ashley! And readers, I'd love for you to come visit me sometime!

birthday girl.

2012-01-12T07:22:00.000-07:00

warning: photo overload.

it was Linds' birthday and to celebrate we went out to the JAZZ game.

there were about 15 of us in total that went to the game together.

it was a blastttttttttttt.

we laughed the entire game and had fun trying to spot people we knew in the crowd.

(i saw a dentist that i used to intern at!)

after the game we all ran over to Iggy's for some delish grub.

i've only been there once before and i was impressed with my wedge salad.

we had fun eating the bread and dip until i looked up the calories in the bread.

(150 calories for 2 oz. of bread - yuck!)

i sure know how to be a downer at dinner y'all.

i forgot how much fun basketball games are to go to.

andi and i decided that we need to go more often.

love. love. love. love. love.

happy birthday malady!

love you lots!

ps. you should go check out her blog (here) it's so darling!

thursday's ramblings.

2012-01-12T07:13:00.000-07:00

i love to ramble and talk about a bunch of crap sometimes.
this crap is actually probably not that important, but i still like to discuss it.

like how john hunstman is brutalizing mitt romney (see the article here)
or how guys in provo suck at dating.
or how i get irritated when people try to control me.
or how i am trying my hardest to lose my lbs to get my booty into gear for the 1/2 marathon.
or how i am excited about the trade show at the end of the month.
or how i feel when guys aren't straightforward with me.
or how i get irritated with bad drivers.
or how i am exhausted after staying in slc all night with peeps.
or how i am so excited for the next couple of months.
or how i think some people need to just learn to grow up.
or how i am looking forward to the girls trip next weekend.

there's a lot of happy things going on in my life right now.
i am seriously loving my life.

the girls and i are going on a vacation next week.
lady antebellum is coming to concert.
going to dinner with the brother this weekend.
taking a newborns photos on saturday.
i mean, life is seriously sweet.
i love it.

guest blogger: krystal's kitsch

2012-01-11T05:00:00.000-07:00

I'm totally grateful that Ashley opened her blog to sponsors. Not only do I get to know Ashley's readers, I get to virtually meet Ashley and help her on her blogging journey!

I blog over at Krystal's Kitsch -- which is a whole lot of random. Two posts won't be the same. I don't have a set theme or even a set goal. I write when I want about what I want. :) I like to experiment with both food and crafts and I love entertainment... television, reading, and magazines. I also am a pretty big makeup hoarder. Sometimes I'll post about those things. Other times I'll post about how I made my house a confetti mess by trying to imitate something I saw on Pinterest. I also have three fluffy dogs, a husband, and a brand new city to adventure in (we just moved three months ago!). I also am participating in Project 366 {it's a leap year so that's why it's 366!}. I'm taking a picture a day to document my year!

So, for my post I wanted to just introduce myself a little further with some likes and dislikes.

LIKES

Coke Zero
Peppermint Mocha Coffees
Old Navy sales
Target's $1 section
Postcards
Funky postage
Snail Mail
Surprises
Kate Spade anything
Betsey Johnson
Glitter -- anything and everything! Especially glitter polish!
Zoya Nail Polish
Pop music
Jersey Shore. Haters gon' hate!
Parks & Rec
Stand up comedy
Good beer
Baseball
Beaches
Pirates
Vinyl -- as in records, not the material! ;)
Journaling
Nonfiction Books -- memoirs, especially humor ones, are my favorite!

DISLIKES

Being late
Plans changing at the last minute
Paying shipping for online shopping
Paying full price for anything
Days I'm running too late to straighten my hair
Winter
Hoarders
Junk... I like to go through my stuff regularly and PURGE!

Hope you are all having a lovely day and Happy 2012!

don't forget...

2012-01-10T07:23:00.000-07:00

hello lovelies.

Monday was a great start to the week with the ever-so-adorable

Rachel guest posting for me (see her post here)

isn't she darling?

2012 has already been a great year for All Things Ashley.

my followers have been increasing significantly already this year.

thank you so much.

it makes me so happy to know that there are people in the blogosphere who actually like to read what i rant about on this ole blog.

i hope that you remember this post from last week.

well, i finally got the necklace in the mail over the weekend, and i just had to try it on

(sorry to the gal who wins this, it's been tried on by moi)

(pretty pretty necklace...i want to keep it for myself)

(that's me...lookin so fresh and hopeful with the necklace on)

so, now that you've seen the necklace in action, what are you waiting for?!

make sure you enter the GIVEAWAY asap.

the giveaway ends this week on Thursday the 12th.

that means you only have 2 days left to enter.

the hope necklace is so pretty.

(and a $25 value!)

so what are you waiting for, go HERE to enter!

and remember, come back tomorrow for another lovely guest blogger.

x - ashley

guest blogger: xoxo Rachel Sayumi

2012-01-09T07:26:00.001-07:00

hello my dear readers!
happy monday
right now, i want to introduce you to the cutest lady!

blogger, please meet Rachel
i have loved loved LOVED reading and following this girls blog for as long as i can remember.
she blogs over here
i asked this pretty gal to be a guest blogger on ATA and she kindly obliged.

without further ado, here is the adorable rachel from xoxo Rachel Sayumi

Hello, friends of All Things Ashley!

My name is Rachel, & I blog over at xoxoRachel Sayumi

My blog is about inexpensive modest fashion

Come say hi sometime! (:

Today I decided to share some random facts about me...

-My favorite color is the rainbow.

-I LOVE ICE COLD WATER!!

-I love anything with a vintage-y feel to it. Gold. Lace. Pearls. Pastels.

Swoon.

-I have never dyed my hair before.

-I'm probably addicted to chapstick {Burt's Bees,of course...}

-I am half Japanese.

-I don't like to exercise.

-I'm the oldest of my siblings,and the oldest of my cousins on both sides of the family. So basically,I am always around kids... and I love love it.

-I don't like feet.

-I don't like being cold

-I LOVE smelling good! I love perfumes and colognes so so much!!!

-I'm obsessed with frozen yogurt. And anything sweet, really...

So there ya go,that's me in a nutshell,I guess...

But really,come stop by my blog sometime.

Thanks, Ash for havin me here! (:

xoxo

Rachel Sayumi.

keep going.

2012-01-07T17:40:00.001-07:00

i needed to hear this today.
i gotta keep going.

2012-01-06T07:57:00.001-07:00

the many faces of ashley.

i feel like sometimes i don't change up my look that much during the week...

but i realized this week that i have rocked a different 'look' every single day.

mabye i'm a dork, but i don't like my hair to look the same two days in a row.

i like to have a variety in my life and change this up a bit daily.

reader, am i the only one who feels that way?

i sometimes pretend i'm a celebrity and change my look on a daily basis.

with clothes.

hairstyle.

jewelry.

makeup.

shoes.

mustaches. wait. what?

what is your favorite look?

do you have a specific 'style' you're rockin' as of late?

favorite article of clothing?

favorite hair-do?

oh, and ps.

happy FRIDAY

psssst....don't forget to enter the HOPE GIVEAWAY (here)

meet the gal behind the blog

2012-01-05T05:00:00.008-07:00

remember this giveaway from yesterday?

well, this is Megg, the lady who made it all happen.

she is the author of the cutest blog and i have loved getting to know her

through the blog world, emailing, and looking at her etsy creations.

i asked her to do a guest post for me this month, since she is a sponsor and all...

and she kindly said YES!

so, blogger, Meet Megg

I'm Megg, and I write over at The Life of a not so Desperate Housewife. I knit, cross stitch, make jewelry and scrapbooks and play mancala and Monopoly at work. I live in Seattle with my husband and two crazy cats.
I'm in a season of my life that I never expected to be in 2 years ago, when I married my husband. Or 6 years ago, when I first met him. Or 11 years ago, as I was heading into my last semester in high school. For better or for worse, this is where I am now.
For better or for worse, I'm working part time, in a job I love that isn't exactly in my field (although it's a lot closer than when I was working in an office last year).

When we first got married, I thought we'd be talking about having a kid after our second anniversary, and start a family soon after that anniversary. Well, we just hit 2 years and though we did have that discussion, neither of us feels that we are ready, for various reasons.

When I graduated with a Masters in Library and Information Science 2 years ago, I thought I'd be working as a children's librarian in a public library by now. For better or for worse, I'm working with kids, but not in a library setting.

There are so many things that I could be discontent about in my life right now. I'm not living the life I thought I'd be living by now. But you know what? That's OK. I'm learning to be content with the season of life I'm in. It's not perfect, but it's my life.

So, I go to work every day and smile because the kids make me happy. I wake up every morning next to my husband and smile because we have this time together, just the two of us. I sit on my Freecycle couch instead of the recliners that I thought we would have by now, and I'm thankful that we at least have a couch to sit on.

The truth is, I'm incredibly blessed, even if I'm not living the life that I always thought I would be. I'm learning to be content in what I have, and not comparing myself to others. It can be a struggle, but then I remind myself that I will never have these years back. I know in 10 years, I will look back on this season of my life and be glad I experienced everything I did. It isn't always what I want, but it's my life, and I'm learning to love it, and myself, just the way I am.

Check out my Etsy shop!
The life of a not so desperate housewife

not so desperate...

2012-01-04T07:40:00.001-07:00

ok, it's time for yet another FABULOUS giveaway!

the lovely Megg from The Life of a Not So Desperate Housewife

has the cutest etsy shop.

here's proof:

Look at how DARLING all of these pieces of jewelry

Megg is hosting a GIVEAWAY of a pair of earrings

from her lovely Etsy shop.

here's how you enter:

1 - must a follower of Megg (here)

2 - go to her etsy shop & comment on which piece of jewelry you love the most

3 - must be a follower of ATA

4 - follow Megg's etsy shop

5 - tell me what your favorite accessory is at the moment

that's 5 ways to enter.

so go show Megg some love, it's as simple as that.

what have you got to lose?

NOTHING.

you can win a darling pair of earrings my dears.

also, Megg is offering a discount on her etsy store.

what could be better than free shipping?

use the code FREESHIP10 at the checkout!

hope you're having the best Wednesday ever.

(don't forget the HOPE GIVEAWAY)

new tunes

2012-01-03T12:52:00.000-07:00

these are the songs i am listening to over & over again on my iPhone.
gotta love 'em.

what are you favorite songs of the moment?!
any suggestions?
i have a huge amount on iTunes in giftcards, so let's just say i've got some cash to burn through online.

let me know.

hope.

2012-01-02T12:23:00.001-07:00

when you have hope, you should share it.

i love this necklace. isn't it just so pretty?

because it's a new year, that means a fresh start.

i have so much hope for the coming year.

i have lots of new years goals.

most of them are very deep and personal to me.

spiritual goals.

physical goals.

health goals.

relationship goals.

i am so full of HOPE for 2012.

i want to share my HOPE with you.

i am hosting a HOPE GIVEAWAY.

if you'd like to win this necklace, here's what to do:

1 - be a follower of ATA (mandatory)

2 - leave a comment about something you're hoping for in 2012

3 - blog about the giveaway (and link up to ATA)

three different entries possible my dears.

leave separate comments for each.

i hope you win :)

hope hope hope.

nye 2011

2012-01-02T11:55:00.000-07:00

just cause we love to dress up and take photos of ourselves.
we had a fun NYE.
we went up to SLC with some friends and hung out around the U of U campus (yeah, we broke the cardinal rule of hanging out with our rival....)

we then drove home on the exact speed limit because the po-po was out and about.
i think i counted 8 cops on the WAY up to SLC and about the same amount on the way home.
it was crazy.

but we didn't get killed by a drunk driver.
we didn't
we did have a blast.
we did do a late night run to del taco.
we did come home and watch glee.
we did talk about the men in our lives.
we did talk about our 2012 goals.
we did laugh our heads off.
we did sing along to kenny loggins (danny's song)

i love this gal (t-milla) and i love NYE.
we had a blast.

NYE was so fun my dears.
what did you do for NYE?

i'm on fire.

2011-12-30T08:28:00.000-07:00

listen to these.

which one do you think is the better version?

i love this song.

it's so simple.

bruce vs. john

the battle is on.

also, it's time to announce the winner of the homemade garland.

gina said...

I found your blog tonight, so happy I did!!! Hmmm favorite Christmas dessert....I think Mudpie! Love your blog!

gina, please email me (ashley.warner88@gmail.com) to claim the garland.

thanks to everyone who entered.
here are the ATA announcements for the week(end):

1 - be sure to look for a new giveaway announced early next week.
2 - there are 4 more sponsor slots available! (it's FREE people!)
3 - it's a holiday weekend - HAVE FUN
4 - i expect a full report of what you're doing for NYE.....

(image via pinterest)

What are your plans for New Years Eve?!

are you big into traditions?

do you have partie(s) to go to?

do you like to drink a little bubbly?

do you have a NYE outfit planned?!

do you plan on getting a NYE kiss?

come on, this is the safe circle here - you can tell me.

remember?

2011-12-29T09:53:00.001-07:00

remember when i was hosting a giveaway for the homemade paper garland?

ya, i rock and totally forgot about it.

find it here

if you'd like to still enter, you have until Friday of this week to do so.
leave a comment here

to enter: you must be a follower of All Things Ashley

and leave me a comment telling me what your favorite holiday dessert is

* extra entries *

1 - blog about the giveaway

2 - facebook about the giveaway

pretty simple my dears

race2bfit

2011-12-27T20:35:00.000-07:00

i have an announcement to make.

i'm running a half marathon.

164 days from today.

oh ya, i also started a fitness blog.

wanna read what i've done thus far?

check it out here

oh and, look how pretty my new saucony shoes are.

pure delight.

free sponsorship.

2011-12-27T07:25:00.000-07:00

hello dearest All Things Ashley readers.
i hope you had a delightful Christmas holiday and are enjoying getting back into the swing of things.
i go back to work Tuesday morning and i am actually really excited!
it's so nice to be lazy and have time to be with family, but i also love my schedule of working.

but that's beside the point.

i am here to announce that i am offering FREE SPONSORSHIP during the month of January.
what a fun and fabulous way to kick off the new year, right?

how it works:

1 - email me: ashley.warner88@gmail.com to reserve your spot
2 - i need a button from you to post on the sidebar
3 - i need these by Friday of this week

so, you have 3 days people.
3 days.
it's free. easy. convenient.
and you'll be getting a lot of traffic from the devoted and lovely ATA readers.

what do you have to lose?
nothing.
shoot me an email now (ashley.warner88@gmail.com)

happy {early} new year.
from me to you.

2011-12-26T06:05:00.000-07:00

words to live by.

2011-12-23T18:19:00.000-07:00

(images courtesy of lyrics2liveby.com)

don't you just love the power of music?

i sure do.

p-a-r-t. Y? because i gotta.

2011-12-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

ten points to griffindor to whomever knows where the title for this post comes from.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zeXv4bav54M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>iframe>

yup, if you guessed The Mask, you're correcto.
i just love christmas parties, don't you?
my company had their christmas party last week.
it was such a blast.

it was the first i've ever gone to. and i must say, it was so much fun.
basically, we have dinner and then one of the owner's of our company stands in front of everyone and "hosts" the AC version of "let's make a deal".

i think i got the best deal of the night...i won a NOOK.
i was so excited!

most of all, i had a blast chatting with the friends at my table.
laughing.
eating mediocre food.
and most of all, enjoying the free gifts.

hooray for christmas parties.

my girls

the nook i won

hey, i wasn't ready!

much better

the gals

guest post: made out of real things.

2011-12-21T06:00:00.002-07:00

I love having guests on All Things Ashley and today's guest is one of the prettiest gals i know.

nicole and i have been friends for years for something like 7+ years now...

anyway, this girl is so inspiration.

she is sweet, smart, pretty, outgoing, has a huge heart, and is mega talented.

her blog is darling, made out of real things.

check nicole out here.

before you go pay her a visit, read all about here below.

* * *

Hey everyone! I am so glad that Ashley asked me to do a guest post! I love meeting new people and making new friends. My name is Nicole Cook and I am the author of the blog Made Out of Real Things. I will be 23 in April, and was born and raised in Orem, Utah. I still live at home with my parents until August when I will be getting married to the love of my life, JJ!

Me & JJ

After graduating high school I was so eager to sign up to attend Paul Mitchell the School in Provo, Utah. I was only 12 years old when I decided I wanted to do hair! While in hair school, I had the opportunity to work with some really incredible people and I was able to participate in some really neat events. In January 2009, I was hand-selected out of every student to do hair & makeup on celebrities at the Sundance Film Festival. Don’t worry, I have a picture below to prove it!

Danielle Fishel - "Topanga" of Boy Meets World

I kind of assumed that once I was out of school and received my cosemtology license, it would be super easy to find a good job, make a lot of money, and succeed at the highest end of the industry. I didn’t realize then how hard it would actually be. It’s not easy to build a clientele and regardless of how close someone is to you or not, they always want a deal. I really struggled and in order to get back on my toes I have been working a full time desk job since. I hope to gain a larger clientele this next year and get back in a salon. In all of that time though, I started my blog.

Made Out of Real Things was originally designed to just be my portfolio then it turned into much more than that. It’s now a hair, beauty, makeup, and even fashion blog that has tips, tutorials, giveaways, and all sorts of fun things going on over there. You all should join in because I love making new friends and getting to know all of you fellow bloggers!

www.madeoutofrealthings.blogspot.com

& If you are in the area this is for you -

www.nicoledoeshair.blogspot.com (portfolio)

Xo. Nicole

my weekend.

2011-12-19T17:45:00.000-07:00

my weekend.

consisted of:

- sleeping in until 12 (noon)

- McDonald's peppermint hot cocoa

- making snowglobes

- a visit to SLC to watch Music and the Spoken word

- admiring christmas lights

- reading wuthering heights on my nook

- finishing up my christmas shopping

- lunch date with the brother at el azteca

- wrapping christmas gifts

- listening to led zeppelin all weekend long

t'was a good weekend.

how was your weekend?

2011-12-15T08:03:00.002-07:00

ramble on.

2011-12-14T07:32:00.003-07:00

ramble on is a led zepplin song.
and you know me and my love for classic rock.
but i decided to use that as the title of this post.
for it is just that.
ashley rambling on.

life as of late has been treating this girl very well.
and i attribute it all to my Heavenly Father who watches over me.
i believe and know that a supreme being is the father of my soul.
i know that i have a loving God who protects me and watches me daily.
i know that sometimes God allows me to have trials in my life so i can, hopefully, draw closer to Him.
sometimes i wonder why God is leading me down the path i am currently on.
why am i in the current situations that i am in?
why am i so blessed?
why do i have to struggle with certain things in my life?
why am i given so much?

God is good my friends.
He is wonderful.

i have been thinking a lot and reflecting on the things that have lead me up to this point in my life.
i was thinking about the past over the weekend and thinking about the "what-if's" and the "could-have-beens".
thinking about those types of things gets you nowhere my dears.
nowhere.
it's pointless and will cause feelings of irritation, frustration, and perhaps, depression.
but sometimes, i daresay, it's great to reflect on mistakes made, lessons learned, and people met to make you realize how blessed you are.

that's why i am so happy to look to the future.
there is so much opportunity awaiting this girl.
i don't know what i've done to deserve the great life i've been given, but i want you to know friends, that i am one grateful lady today.

God is good. God is love. I love my Heavenly Father.
i attribute everything i am, all that i have, and what i will be to Him and His infinite goodness.

it's Christmas time and i recognize that everyone is extremely busy with the hustle and bustle of this holiday season, but this year, Christmas has come to mean something more to me more than ever; it's not just about the gifts, the parties, the lights, the music, decor, etc.

Christmas to me this year is all about reflecting on my Savior, Jesus Christ.
the ultimate gift from my Heavenly Father to the world.

(demdaco.com)

in light of the christmas season, i hope that you're happy, healthy, and doing all the things you want.

God is good my friends.

He loves you.

take time today to remember what blessings have been

given to you because of the ultimate gift - Jesus Christ.

merry christmas.

happy holidays.

all my love,

ashley

oh deer.

2011-12-13T07:26:00.000-07:00

this post was totally inspired by the crate paper blog post from monday mornin.
the lovely Tara Anderson, made the most darling pieces i ever did see.

(photos - tara anderson - cp blog)

oh deer.

aren't these just oh-so pretty?!

i thought so too.

there's something about a deer that just makes me happy.

they're my favorite animal. ever.

so gentle, sweet, and pretty.

(photos courtesy of pinterest)

carollama

2011-12-09T07:40:00.000-07:00

what is carollama?
read here for more detailed information
my church group went caroling the other night with 8 llamas.
some of guys from my FHE (family home evening) group from church organized this event called CAROLLAMA.
basically, we go caroling with the llamas and collect canned food for the Utah food bank.

it was so much fun last night.

this was me (sorry its blurry) at the beginning of the night with tangerine (the llama)

here's tangerine the llama one someone's doorstep.

this is me and cuzco (the naughty llama)

i was leading this llama all night long.

he was so naughty!

he peed on someone's lawn (on my foot mind you) and he was being really aggressive.

he head-butted me too! (silly llama)

ate peoples grass everywhere we went.

he didn't want to come to the porch when we were singing...grrr!

but when will i ever be able to try and tame a llama ever again in my lifetime?

probably NEVER!

overall the night was a success.

i think people were more willing to donate food to our cause since

we had gone to extra lengths to bring llamas along with us.

a big shout out to my FHE brothers Ty & Jordan Clive for organizing this fun event.

it's making a difference in the world around us and i am honored to have been a part of it

family.

2011-12-09T07:31:00.001-07:00

(photos via instagram - taken by me)

well, it's tradition.
(cue fiddler on the roof music....)
every year my family takes the trip to SLC to go to see
temple square lit up with all the pretty christmas twinkle lights.

we went up to slc and it was 19 degrees. it was FREEZING!!!!!!!!!!!!
but so worth it.
we ate on top of the joseph smith building in temple square and had a magnificent view of
downtown Salt Lake City y'all.
great food (i had chicken with veggies).

we then walked around and froze our buns off.
my 3 siblings and i even hooked arms and walked around.
total cheese fest my dears. total cheese.
we had so much fun though - the whole family was together.
it'll be the first christmas in 2 years that everyone is together for the season.

i love christmas time.
mostly because it allows me to reflect on the birth and life of my savior, Jesus Christ.
i'm one blessed lady and i couldn't ask for more!

what fun holiday traditions

do you have, dear reader?!

Made Out Of Real Things

2011-12-08T07:44:00.000-07:00

My darling darling darling friend, Nicole (did i mention she's DARLING)
we have been friends since like...maybe jr. high or high school? i can't really recall now...it's been a long time though.
i've considered this girl to be like a sister to me. she is incredibly talented at hair and makeup and one of the most beautiful people i know.

she also is hosting the most bomb GIVEAWAY over at her darling (yes, darling again!) blog.
her blog is called "Made Out of Real Things" and i highly recommend you go pay her a little visit.
i secretly wish you wouldn't enter the giveaway because it's something that i want to win!

it's a bare minerals brush set and darling silver clutch.
who wouldn't want to win this.
you'd be out of your flippin' mind to not go pay her a visit.

what are you waiting for?

go be blog friends with nicole.

oh, and maybe become a follower of her so you can win this fabulous prize.

if you win, you have to promise to split those brushes with me, deal?! :)

just teasin...kinda.

and just a reminder for those who are interested in the vintage garland, there's still time to enter that giveaway i'm hosting!

to enter, click on the link here

weekend fun

2011-12-07T07:30:00.001-07:00

yeah, it's wednesday...but i wanted to show a sneek peek of what
the gals and i did over the weekend...

watched the biebs on the lighting of the Rockefeller tree.

wow. my white trash neighbors have outdone themselves....

pretty nativity scene.

nothing says happy christmas like cocoa from a

jack skellington mug.

peppermint = heaven.

sweet tooth fairy visits. make me happy.

ok, so like i said, i know it's wednesday, but that means we're only 2 days away from the weekend coming up.

what did you do over the weekend that was spectacular?!

what will you do this weekend that is going to be amazinggggg?

God said "no"

2011-12-05T07:14:00.001-07:00

I asked God to take away my pride,

And God said, “No.”

He said it was not for Him to take away

but for me to give up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole,

And God said, “No.”

He said her spirit is whole,

her body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience,

And God said, “No.”

He said that patience is a by-product of tribulation,

it isn't granted, it's earned.

I asked God to give me happiness,

And God said, “No.”

He said he gives blessings,

happiness is up to me.

I asked God to spare me pain,

And God said, “No.”

He said, “Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares

and brings you closer to Me.”

I asked God to make my spirit grow,

And God said, “No.”

He said I must grow on my own,

but he will prune me to make me fruitful.

I asked God if He loves me,

And God said, “Yes.”

He gave me His only Son who died for me

and I will be in Heaven someday because I believe.

I asked God to help me love others,

as much as He loves me,

and God said,

“Ah, finally, you have the Idea.”

-Claudia Minden Weisz

i heard this poem from a friend in church.

it was too lovely not to re-post.

i hope you had a lovely weekend my dears!

HAPPY MONDAY!

giving.

2011-12-01T07:33:00.000-07:00

ok, i love to be crafty and make stuff.

i had a lot of compliments on my homemade paper garland i made a few weeks back.

one of my fave bloggers even asked me if i would do a giveaway.

so guess what? because today is December 1st (the month of giving, not receiving)

i have decided to giveaway a pretty little garland.

pretty, huh?

to enter: you must be a follower of All Things Ashley

and leave me a comment on your favorite holiday dessert

* extra entries *

1 - blog about the giveaway

2 - facebook about the giveaway

pretty simple my dears!

if you like vintage-esque and homemade things, this giveaway is for YOU!

bijou.

2011-12-01T07:26:00.000-07:00

the girls and i went to the bijou market a few weekends ago (yeah, i'm behind on this)

i got a few pairs of earrings and a headband, but i wasn't too overly impressed with everything that was there. it was fun, but nothing worth raving about.

i've heard from friends that have gone before that this one wasn't as great as one's in the past...kinda disappointing, but the company was fun!

we went to lunch afterwards at TWO JACKS PIZZA in Provo.

they have some of the best cheese bread and dinner salad around.

if you're in the provo area i suggest going there.

you'll love it.

love these girls.

we call ourselves "the gorgeous bunch"

not that we're stuck up or anything...no, never!

who's been to bijou before?!

were you as disappointed as i was?

joy.

2011-11-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

i love coldplay.
made me so happy to hear this song pop up on grooveshark.
i love chris' voice.
love this song.
love any song with gorgeous piano music.
this is a win-win for ashley.
take a listen.

oh, and guess what?
i got the bug.
the decorating bug that is.

nothing bad to have....but i went a little crazy.
had fun decorating my lovely home the other night.
aren't the holidays just the best?

yeah, i broke my own rule. i set up my christmas tree before thanksgiving was over.
waddayagonnado? sue me?

becoming selfless

2011-11-29T07:22:00.000-07:00

ok, ok i know that thanksgiving is past and gone, but there is never a need for an excuse to give thanks.

last night i had a visit with some of the guys in my ward from church and we chatted about the Christmas season and how we could better remember Christ during the holiday season.

we talked about getting rid of the commercialism that comes with the hustle and bustle of the season and decided that we should try to do one thing nice for someone else every single day for the month of December.

so, that is my challenge for myself that i am sharing with you.

TRY TO DO SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEONE ELSE TODAY

it doesn't have to be life altering or huge, simply try saying hi to someone who needs a smile today. try listening to your co-worker with more patience, hold the door for someone who is running late. be the answer to someone's prayer today.

hope you have the best Tuesday ever my dears!

pay it forward, what will you do for the better today?

fotos de mi vida

2011-11-28T19:47:00.000-07:00

* prepping my lesson for Sunday *

* throwback photo - NYC trip Fall 2009 *

* Indian statue in my g-gramma's house *

* my pup snoozin on my lap - she's so lazy *

* the vintage globe my grammy gave to me *

* grandma hands - so sweet to me *

thanksgiving plates

2011-11-28T07:23:00.002-07:00

this first plate of thanksgiving feast comes from my dear friend Lindsey over at

My Life Is Wherever I am.

please please please go check out her blog, tell her that Ashley sent ya!

(doesn't her food look yummy! - look at her darling name tag - she MADE those bad boys people. she is the crafting goddess. i love her genius!)

this is my thanksgiving plate. i've wised up in my 23 years on this earth and realize that i need to sample EVERYTHING that the thanksgiving feast has to offer - i try everything. i didn't even get sick this year!

this photo comes from my dear friend Becca from the blog Derek & Becca Smith

she is so darling - she was worried about the lack of food, but i love the whole

table layout. she is a homemaking queen - be jealous!

i couldn't help but show this photo - thanks instagram.

my sweet nana made these for the table. aren't they purty?!

thanks Linds and Becca for sending me your photos of your thanksgiving day plates!

if you're interested in being featured on my blog with your thanksgiving plate, it's not too late!

please shoot me an email with your photo you'd like displayed.

send to: ashley.warner88@gmail.com

hope y'all had a MARVELOUS thanksgiving day!

{sponsor}

2011-11-26T15:58:00.000-07:00

hey readers,
i am still offering sponsorship for a cheap-o deal.
only $3.00 for the month of December.

please please please email me if you're interested in becoming a sponsor for December.
it's a GREAT deal, and....

cheap.
cheap.
cheap.

email: ashley.warner88@gmail.com

anything.

2011-11-23T07:02:00.001-07:00

i would do anything for you.
one of the best songs of THIS WEEK.

i love this song.
i actually am in love with foster the people right now.

what song are you in love with right now?

challenge.

2011-11-22T13:00:00.000-07:00

challenge.

your challenge, should you choose to accept will be the following:
take a photo of your thanksgiving plate this thursday.

yup, it's as simple as that.
please take a photo of your big holiday meal.
then i want you to email me a copy and we can have a little 'taste'
for what your thanksgiving holiday was like.

how fun is this?!

please send your turkey day photos to: ashley.warner88@gmail.com
and i'll post the photos on Monday (Nov. 28) next week.

are you in?!
please say you are!

glen coco

2011-11-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

i love this quote.

can anyone guess where this is from?

sew much fun

2011-11-19T07:31:00.001-07:00

the other night i decided to get crafty.
i wanted to make something fun for my desk at work so i decided to make a garland.

i had fun using the cricket and being creative...kinda.

my favorite part is the circles from the old book that i found thrifting the other day.
so.much.fun.

ugly and sad

2011-11-18T12:39:00.000-07:00

"Nordstrom today announced plans to close its University Mall store inOrem, Utah. Originally opened March 29, 2002, the 122,000-square foot store will close to the public at the end of business on February 24, 2012.

The company will continue to operate at three nearby locations: a full-line store at Fashion Place Mall in Murray, Utah; the Sugar House Rack in Salt Lake City; and the Commons at South Towne Rack in Sandy, Utah. In addition, the company will be opening a new Nordstrom store at City Creek Center in Salt Lake City on March 22, 2012."

How sad is this news?
why oh why must the fashion gods punish me this way?
now i'll have to drive an hour to get good shopping in.

blast.

what a way to ruin my fabulous UGLY SWEATER day....

here we are, all decked out in our ugliest fashions. Booya!

do you have as much fun as we do at work?!

probably NOT

HAPPY FRIDAY ya'll

calling all shop-a-holics

2011-11-17T01:00:00.000-07:00

if you're a crafter, then this sale is for YOU!

spread the word - who wouldn't want to buy awesome Christmas gifts

at 90% off! (I know I'm going....)

if you're a scrapper, then you know that these are the 4 hottest brands in the industry.

AMERICAN CRAFTS

Pebbles

Crate Paper

Studio Calico

there are so many fun things going into the sale - lots of fun products for everyone so make sure that you get over there.

if you live out of state, send your friends to buy stuff for you!

are you a scrapper?

crafter?

DYI kinda gal?

what do YOU like to do, my dears?

pink

2011-11-16T10:34:00.001-07:00

ummm...i might be obsessed with my new sweatshirt.

yeah, i like it.
so warm and comfy.

Perfect for the 40 degree temps this morning when i had to scrape my windows off

do you have a fave sweater or sweatshirt?!

(ps. it drives me crazy when people say "why does your sweatshirt say PINK when it's purple?!" am i the only Vickie's snob, people?!)

package pals.

2011-11-15T21:12:00.000-07:00

package pals.
my pal is the ever-so-lovely Mariaana.
she was so sweet and sent me all these goodies from Norway!
it was so fun opening up this package of fun things.
i especially loved the little moose and i also loved
the hand written notes were so sweet too with the quotes.

i love having a pen pal and i love mariaana's blog - please please please go visit her here
she is so lovely.
such an inspirational lady.
lovely posts.

i seriously love her blog.
ok, you ready to check out her blog?

GO! :)

happy Wednesday my dears

Hope you have a great Wednesday my dearies!

country gal

2011-11-15T17:33:00.000-07:00

sometimes i wish i had a southern drawl.
i wish i could sing like carrie underwood.
i wish i lived in a small town that still had a dirt road.
where life was simple and people were kind.

well, i know that country music may be lame in your opinion, but there are few select songs that i am lovin right now.

crazy girl - eli young band
we owned the night - lady antebellum*
someone else calling you baby - luke bryan
dirt road anthem - jason aldean
i can't make you love me - bonnie raitt
i don't want this night to end - luke bryan*
heart of the world - lady antebellum
who are you when i'm not lookin - blake shelton
god gave me you - blake shelton
somewhere with you - kenny chesney
whatever it is - zac brown band

do any of ya'll wish you were a southern belle?

give thanks.

2011-11-14T05:18:00.000-07:00

give thanks.

i love this.
for those of you new to my blog, i am a mormon.
and i am thankful for my religion.
it gives me strength in times of need,
it gives me happiness in times of sorrow,
it gives me peace when i feel turmoil.

i am also thankful for others who are not of my faith.
God is love.
there is so much in this world to be thankful for, and especially at this time of the year during
the thanksgiving holiday, it makes me feel blessed for how fortunate i am.

i decided to start a gratitude journal.
every day i am going to gather my thoughts at the end of the day
and write down the hand of God in my life.

i encourage you to take note of the things you're grateful for each day.
i hope you have a happy and thankful Monday

lots of love,
ash

2011-11-10T09:40:00.001-07:00

john and I got back together...
last night actually.

I was driving home from a 12 hour workday and feeling very somber and zombiesque (ya, just made that up) and john came through the speakers.

he always knows how to make me feel better....iloveyou! i love you I LOVE YOUUUUU Johnny babyyyyy

Who makes YOU feel better?!?

at last...

2011-11-08T05:48:00.001-07:00

the brother arrived home over the weekend
i'm so happy he's home.
that is all.

dino land

2011-11-04T11:46:00.000-06:00

we went on a quick little getaway out to the family cabin

a few weeks back (i am slow posting this)

while we were there, we went to dino land in Vernal, UT.

it was a lot of fun.

the cabin was chilly, but so beautiful.

hunting season had just started so we had to wear our neon orange.

it was a much needed vaca!

where is your favorite "getaway"??

crafts, american style.

2011-11-02T06:00:00.000-06:00

i work for a little company called AMERICAN CRAFTS

ever heard of it?

well, anyway, if not, you should go check it out.

http://www.americancrafts.com/

i have moved from the accounting department to the sales floor.

i am now an executive assistant and I LOVE my job.

love it even more than i did the first day i started.

seriously, i am beginning to feel my career goal shifting gears.

i love being in the business world.

it's so much fun.

well, apparently, the 7 am hour got to me this morning, because i

was so excited about henry, my new calculator.

who knew working could be so much fun?!

i'm being serious.

i love love LOVE my job

Day 1 - 30 Day Challenge

2011-11-01T07:17:00.001-06:00

The 30 day challenge starts TODAY!!!!
I know some of you have expressed a concern about Thanksgiving and not being able to eat good food, but I want to remind you that you get one FREE DAY a week...so you could use that free day on thanksgiving!!!

Anyone want to join in on the 30 day challenge now?!?

Remember, the more people who join, the bigger the CASH PRIZE at the end!!!

email me if you're interested: ashley.warner88@gmail.com

I've already drank 24 oz. of water this morning....sheesh!! (don't worry, I'm participating but I'm not allowing myself to win the cash money...gotta be fair to my devoted bloggers!)

Tiffany & Co.

2011-10-31T10:56:00.001-06:00

Happy Halloween from me to you.
straight from 5th Avenue in New York City (hey, a girl can dream....)

Any fun plans for HALLOWEEN lovelies?!

little joys of life

2011-10-30T08:09:00.001-06:00

the other night we had some of our male friends over for dinner.
(we were trying to impress them...)
we baked them delish apple crisp and grilled on our cute little grill even.
well, ever since then, i've been cravin apple crisp everyDAY

so, a few nights ago, the roomie and i decided to venture out into the chilly autumn evening
and went to get the supplies for said apple crisp.

i forgot to take a photo of the finished product, but you get the picture...

it was so yummy!

we were SICK to our tummies because it was so rich.

man, we're so domestic!

happy haunting

2011-10-28T18:39:00.000-06:00

well, it's that time of the year again...the time when we get together and go buy overpriced pumpkins and gut them.

yeah, its pumpkin carving time.

this post is a little late, but oh well.

a week or so ago, some of my friends and i decided

to carve our pumpkins.

i carved jack, the pumpkin king (how fitting, eh?)

do you have any fun halloween traditions?!

i love this time of year!

Sloanbook: Guest Post

2011-10-28T05:40:00.000-06:00

Hey lovelies...guess what?! I have another guest post today!
Featuring the ever-so lovely, Ashley from SLOANBOOK is being featured today!
We are like best blog friends since we are both named Ashley, oh and I love the fact that she has a pup named Katinka! What a cute name, huh?!

I love reading Ashley's blog, she's so witty and clever and so sweet! go show her some love...after you read her post of course!

Hey hey readers of All Things Ashley!
I am excited to be here!
Guess what? My name is Ashley too...
we both rock because of that :)

Anywho, I'm Ashley from Sloanbook, the blog, here. I blog about my husband, Kevin, and I and our little long-haired chihuahua, Katinka! We both just graduated from BYU in Business and just moved from Utah to Colorado! I post on our random happenings so you never know what you will get :) I guess I am biased but I think it is a fun blog haha...decide for yourself!

Today I am going to tell you why I blog!
Fun right?

1) Document Our Lives:
I started this blog the summer of 2009. Kevin and I got married August of 2008. I didn't start a blog as soon as we got married because I didn't know much about them. My sister-in-law, Tara, had a blog then and still has a super cute blog where she documents her family and their life by sharing pictures, thoughts, and stories! I thought that it would be a fun idea to make one so I could document things that Kevin and I did on the weekends and share funny stories. For me, it is easier than writing in a journal by hand. It is just so fast to type it all out! So my main reason of starting this blog and still is, is to document our lives. I think it is so important to do that, not only for ourselves, but for our posterity. I know that someday my kids and grand-kids will think I am a weird/funny lady with a chihuahua lol.

2) Inspiration:
I don't know about you but I am not very creative or crafty...okay...I bet I could be if I tried, but I am too lazy haha. I love discovering new blogs that have tutorials on how to sew, re-do furniture, decorate, organize, and cook yummy fun meals! I also love fashion blogs because I love to see how other girls put together outfits. I have gotten some great ideas from other bloggers on how to use pieces of clothing that I already have in different and unique ways! If it weren't for these awesome blogs and Pinterest, I'd be lost! http://pinterest.com/ashley_katinka/">Pinterest friend, much? :)

3) Friends:
I have taught so many of my friends how to make blogs, how to write posts, how to add backgrounds, etc...because I love blogging and I love that lots of my friends have blogs! I love being able to see what friends are doing after graduation in their new area! Not only is it great to help keep up on your friends' lives but it is a great way to MEET friends! I have found some really great girl friends through blogging! So great that I even helped host a blog party to meet them! Sweet Ashley (not me but Ashley from this blog) was helping and got sick so she couldn't go so that was way sad! Maybe someday we can meet at another blogger meet up :) Positive thinking right?

Anyways, there are numerous reasons why I blog but I just had to narrow it down to those 3 otherwise it would be way long!
Thanks so much for having me Ashley! You are so sweet! :)
I love making new friends so if you'd like, stop by my blog here!
Say hi!!! Happy day all!

Why do you blog?

healthy living: 30 day challenge

2011-10-22T23:04:00.001-06:00

here's the deal. I am trying to get healthier and make it fun for myself. I also think it's so much easier to be 'healthy' and good at changing a health habit when i have someone to answer to, don't you?! well...here's where YOU come into the equation.

i've come up with a fun little challenge....

Here's the deets:

healthy living: 30 day challenge RULES

1 month (30 days)

8 points possible per day

must keep a log of points you earn each day

must be totally honest with yourself

1 free day per week (can only log a total of 48 points per week)

must put in $5 bones to the challenge jackpot

sound easy, right? I am sure you're now wondering

"how do I go about earning my points for the day, Ashley?"

Let me tell you....

* no sweets *

* 64 oz of water daily (at least) *

* at least 7 hours of sleep *

* 5 daily servings of fruits or veggies *

* keeping a food journal *

* no junk food (ie: nothing of poor nutritional value.

yes, oreos are against the rules!!!) *

* 30 minutes of exercise*

* 30 additional minutes of exercise *

doing one of each of these on a daily basis will earn you 1 point per task.

every Tuesday evening everyone MUST email me their points for the week then i'll email everyone and let you know who is 'winning' for that week

so, what's the catch?

well, this is going to be totally based on the honor code people.

i am not going to come hunt you down and make sure you're doing what you're supposed to be doing.

this is ALL ON YOU.

to make it even MORE fun, (and competitive) I've decided that everyone who wants to actively participate can put in $5 bones and get themselves put into the challenge jackpot for a fabulous PRIZE.

(once you join the challenge, there is no refund. sorry)

Yes, that's right. the challenge winner will get the GRAND PRIZE of a gift certificate to Nordstrom, Target, or whatever...

(the winner decides - SCORE)

The grand prize money depends solely upon YOU, dearest reader.

The more people who enter the challenge, the more money you're able to win.

So, SPREAD THE WORD!

Let's get the grand prize dollar value up to $100 bones...or more!

Contest will begin on Tuesday, November 1st and will last until December 1st

Are you in?

Ready, Set, Go!

(email me if you're interested in getting entered into the 30 day challenge)

ashley.warner88@gmail.com