Tuesday, March 31, 2015

April Fools' Day...

On the blog today:



I'll just make this short & straight to the point.

In honor of April Fools' Day being tomorrow, I decided to give my opinion about the day... Because it's not a holiday.

I am definitely one to prank. I think it's hilarious. Any chance that I get to prank my husband, oohhhhh I'm totally game. That's kind of what we are about. I'm terrified of the dark & hate being scared... He hates ice cold water being thrown on him while he's in the shower... Haha, but really, I love pranks. They're great.

But, tomorrow...

Don't post fake pregnancy announcements.

That's all I am really asking.

I know that it's "just a joke" or "I was just kidding".

Take just a second to think about someone in your life that is either struggling from infertility or that has recently experienced miscarriage. If you don't know anyone, well here I am raising my hand saying, "We are currently struggling at having baby #2". If you didn't know that we were going through this, then check out the link to my post about Infertility.

Honestly, if you don't care about my feelings... That is totally fine with me. I'm a pretty strong person & I will be just fine. 

But, all I am suggesting to you? 

DON'T DO IT.

You never know... Someone very close to you could be going through a lot more than you really know.

 Infertility & Miscarriages are very hard things to talk about.  I'm not quite sure how I got the guts to even talk about our situation. The subject is not talked about very often and someone very close to you could be going through it. It is heartbreaking to see people treating pregnancy like it's a joke when there are some of us who want it SOOO BADLY.

Anyway... What do I know? 

If you would like some other ideas of pranks to pull tomorrow, check out the link below.



Enjoy! 

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Fashion Post: My favorites for 2015 so far.

On the blog today:

FASHION FAVORITES FOR 2015...So far! 

I've never done a "Fashion Blog Post" before, but I wanted to give it a try. Clothing, bags, makeup,  shoes, etc... are some of my most favorite things. So, today I want to share with you all my favorite shoes, bags & makeup that I have found for 2015 so far. A big thing I want to focus on while sharing all of this with you is, keeping it affordable for everyone. Links will be posted with each item I show you! I'll show you my 5 favorites from each category! 

Stay tuned for my next post which will be...
"All Things Clothing"

{BAGS}

From: Forever21
Price: $32.90

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From: H&M
Bag: Shopper 
Price: $24.95 

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 From: Kohl's
Price: $19.99

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From: Nordstrom
Price: $44.00 

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From: Target
Price: $44.99


 {SHOES}

From: Forever21
Price: $27.90

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From: Kohl's
Price: $69.99

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 From: H&M
Shoe: Loafers 
Price: $14.95

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From: Nordstrom
Price: $49.95  

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From: Target
Price: $31.99  


{MAKEUP/BEAUTY}

Even though some of you have already seen or heard of the items I am about to show you, or they have been out for awhile. They are still my favorites and I would chose them over ANYTHING I've had tried in the past.


From: Bath & Body Works
Prices: *Range*
This is just one of the products from the Hawaii Collection that I absolutely LOVE. The link above is to the complete Hawaii Collection!

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From: Sephora 
Price: $54.00
This is a little pricey...I know! BUT, this is the best eye shadow I have EVER used. You definitely get what you pay for! 

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From: Sephora
Price: $22.00
This pricing isn't too bad, I know it's a little much for mascara. But, I promise you... This is my absolute favorite & it's the best. It will last you awhile & it is not clumpy to your lashes...AT ALL. So so worth it!   

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From: Ulta
Price: $30.00
I know I've said this about my last few products, but I absolutely LOVE this one too. It doesn't go on too dark, but it does give your face the little bit of bronzer that you need! It's awesome!  

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From: Victoria's Secret
Price: $10.00
This isn't the exact product from Victoria's Secret that I have used in the past as far as their Lip Plumper, but it was very similar. I use a lot of Victoria's Secret lip products. They are AMAZING.   


Enjoy & Stay Tuned...

Thursday, March 12, 2015

All Things Disneyland.

On the blog today:

disneyland.

Okay... I'll admit it. I've got Disneyland on my mind. My dad called me this morning and gave me the official dates for our family vacation to Disneyland this year. July can't come soon enough. So, I wanted to share my advice on Disneyland. I know I'm not the only Disney fanatic out there. Maybe you're going to Disneyland soon or you've been a million times & want to try something new there. You may know a lot already, but this is just in case!


  • First thing... If you are planning your trip to California
    & Disneyland is the highlight... Stay within walking distance of Disneyland. We usually stay within a block or two. It's so convenient to have your hotel so close. If you aren't within walking distance, my advice? Use your hotel shuttle. You will save a TON of money on parking at Disneyland.
  • Get there early. If you get there early, you can get a fast pass to the rides that are normally insane waits & you can ride the big rides first instead of standing in huge lines later on in the day. My advice? Have a plan of the rides you want to go on & when you want to go on them. SOO much easier instead of spending your day in lines. 
  •  Buy a Park Hopper. Disneyland is amazing, but I recommend spending some time at California Adventure too.
  • Watch the fireworks at least one night. They do fireworks every night. Make sure you get a good seat & enjoy. They are AWESOME.
  • WORLD OF COLOR. I highly recommend this. You will want to get into California Adventure right when it opens and get a fast pass to World of Color. Such an amazing show. It is SO worth it.
  • Get a Disneyland App. I have an Iphone & the app that I have is called "Disneyland Magic Guide. I'm pretty sure in all the app stores it's titled the same thing or something similar. This app gives you wait times, where to eat, a map of the parks & the hours/events.
  • Hungry? My favorite place to eat at California Adventure... Pacific Wharf Cafe. I absolutely LOVE their Clam Chowder. Favorite place in Disneyland... Big Thunder Ranch BBQ. Family style BBQ is amazing. Want something quick? Disneyland Turkey Leg... The best!
  • Sweet Tooth? On main street there is a place to get pretzels filled with cream cheese. Ohhh myyyy goshhhh. In Adventure Land, there are Dole Pineapple Whip. Be sure to stop by there. Want something quick? Churro stands all over Disneyland & California Adventure.
  • Parades. At least watch one of the parades. It's getting harder to see all characters, so going to the parade's, your little ones will definitely see everyone! The app I told you about earlier will be able to tell you all the times of the parades.
  • If you have already seen the parades. This is the perfect time to ride the long wait time rides.
  • Animation Academy @ California Adventure. There is a great big building in California Adventure called the Animation Academy. We just barely started doing this a few years ago. When you go inside they have "Turtle Talk with Crush" (For the little kiddos), they have a show that you are able to go into and they will teach you step by step how to draw Disney Characters & they have a video game that asks you questions to tell you which Disney Character you are most like. We had a blast doing this. If you are there during the summer months, its a good way to cool down inside.
  • Character Dining. This is a MUST. It's a little bit pricy, but if you have little ones... They will LOVE it. While you are eating an AMAZING meal, the Disney Characters will come up to you, sit with you, take pictures, etc... Here is a link to the different places that offer Character Dining. 
  • Pin Trading. We just started doing this a few years ago as well. One year we went down & my Aunt Wendy had bought a ton of cheaper pins on Amazon for us to trade. If you buy cheaper pins from Amazon before hand, then you wont be spending $8-$10 per pin at Disneyland. When you get to Disneyland, find the Cast Members that have the fanny pack with pins on it. You get to pick which pin you want from them & you trade...FOR FREE. I did it with Jaxson not too long ago & we were able to get him a whole bunch of his favorite Disney Characters! It's crazy what kind of pins you can find from all the trading being done.
My random Advice:
  • Take LOTS of pictures. If you are planning on buying Mouse ears, buy them your first day so they are in all your pictures!
  • Take a backpack that will close tightly. That way if you take in on a ride it won't get wet or open when you're upside down! Make sure you put snacks & waters in your backpack. It's A LOT cheaper.
  •  If you are celebrating something when you go to Disneyland, stop by City Hall. I've had a "Birthday" pin & a "Just Married" pin. It's fun to have ALL the cast members wish you a Happy Birthday or Congratulations.
  • On the rides that take your picture, have some fun with whoever you are with & plan your picture. It's hilarious to show people what you've come up with.
  •  If it's raining while you are on vacation, don't hesitate to go. A lot of people will leave the park. Less people = less lines!
  •  If you have kids, do the kid stuff. Nothing beats seeing your little one have the time of their lives!
Alright, who is ready to go to Disneyland?
 
Enjoy!  

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Random questions...

On the blog today:

Getting to know...ASHLY


I wanted to try something fun today, so I Google searched "Random Get To Know You Questions". Let's do it. 50 questions.

What is the most random thing that you find attractive in a person? 
 I wouldn't necessarily say it's random... But, what I find most attractive in someone (aka: the husband)... Probably his laugh & smile. Ohhh emmm geeee. (smiley face with heart eyes)

Did you ever get left behind or lost as a child? How/where?
I don't think so. I was always such a worry wart. I never let my parents leave my side.

What is your favorite smell?
 Either Coconut or Vanilla. Mhmm. 
 
Rolling Stones or The Beatles?
 The Beatles. Love jamming out to them.

Do you have a weird talent?
Um... Gymnastics. Think about it. Who thought of throwing your body all over the place?

Would you rather be attacked by a bear or a swarm of bees?
Uh... bees, I guess?
 
Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego, do you think?
San Diego. Just to throw everyone off, because everyone thinks she couldn't possibly be in San Diego.  

Nickelodeon or Disney?
Disney... That's not even a question!
 
What is the weirdest thing you've ever seen?
This one time a girl came into my workplace with a snake wrapped around her neck. She said she had to keep her snake warm to keep it alive. What the?
 
If you weren't an American, what would you want to be and why?
I love being an American. I don't think I would ever change it.
 

What is your Zodiac sign? Is it accurate?
Leo... Most of the time it's accurate.
 
What was your best subject in high school?
I loved math.. But, my best subject was probably History.
 
What do you do when you're stressed?
Blog. Haha.
 
Are there any superstitions that you believe in?
I wouldn't say I believe them, but I don't take any chances on eyelashes or coins.
 
Would you rather be a a rock star, a pro athlete, or a famous author?
Rock star, cause in my head... I'm an amazing singer. HAHA.
 
Milk shakes or Slurpees?
Cookie Dough milkshake, please?
 
What is the number one most played song on your Ipod right now?
Hmm... let me look... Sugar by: Maroon 5.

What chore do you hate doing most?
Freaking HATE laundry.
 
What is one talent that you don't have but wish you did?
I wish I was talented at Basketball. But, being 4'11 it's a little hard.
 

If you could stay one age forever what would it be?
I don't think I would want to stay one age. I LOVE birthdays. I have also grown & learned something each year.
 

If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor?
My sister-in-law. I trust her like CRAZY. Aside from my husband, I've been able to talk to my sister-in-law about everything. I look up to her more than she knows. Love her so so much. 

If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be?
 Derek Jeter's last baseball game @ Yankee Stadium.
 
If you had to work on only one project for the next year, what would it be?
I have no idea. Honestly. Stumped me on that one.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Telepathy... I want to be able to read minds.

If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Pay off our house & car... Save the rest & live wisely.
 
What do you miss most about being a kid?
Taking naps. Gosh, I'm tired.
 
What is your first memory?
 Oh gosh, probably when I was doing a dance for the Scandinavian Days in my home town. I fell straight on my face in front of everyone. I cried and cried. I was so embarrassed. 

What was the first thing you bought with your own money?
Probably like a candy bar or something stupid like that.
 
At what age did you become an adult?
 I hate being an adult. But, I think I officially realized I was an adult when I got pregnant at 19. I was a single mom & had to grow up quickly. 

What song are you embarrassed to know every word to?
Barbie girl... or any Aqua song for that matter. 
 
Do you like TV or movies more?
Movies... LOOOOVVVEEEE watching movies.
 
Do you like camping?
You bet. I haven't been forever, but I love it.
 
If you could be given any gift, what would it be and why?
Uhh, these are hard. I don't know? Anything, I guess?

What is a movie or book that most changed your life?
The Little Mermaid. From the movie on, I knew I wanted to be a mermaid.

What is the most embarrassing CD you own?
Aqua. Haha.
 
What would your ultimate pet be?
Cheetah!
 

What did you want to be when you grew up?
An Architect.
 
When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried? Why?
Every. Single. Night. My husband is hilarious. 
 
Do you have any irrational fears? What?
I am terrified of being way far out in the ocean & I am also terrified of the dark.
 

What song motivates you most when you’re exercising?
Right now it's probably "GDFR" By: Flo Rida.
 
When you think of the 70s/80s/90s, what song comes to mind?
I think We're Alone Now. -Tiffany
 

Would you rather have $50,000 free and clear from a respectable source or $150,000 from a shady 
 source that may be illegal?
$50,000
 
If you could go to a concert with four major acts, living or dead, who would you want them to be?
George Strait, Tim McGraw, Michael Jackson & Blink 182.
 
Do you watch or read the news? 
Read, mostly.
 
Do you have any near death experiences?
I can't say that I have. Knock on wood & thank goodness.
 
Is there a story behind how you got your name?
I think at one point my parents said because of Ashley National Forest. But then they decided to make it "unique". Just so I will never find a key chain with my name on it. 

Are you a morning person or a night person?
Morning. I get so tired, sooooo early at night.
 
Do you have any phobias? 
Just the dark & being out deep in the ocean.
 

Are you the same person today as you were 5 years ago?
DEFINITELY NOT. I have grown up sooo much in the past 5 years.
 
Would you rather live the rest of your life in a big city or out in the country?
 Out in the country. Love visiting the city but, a small town is where its at.


Enjoy!