Sick Day

This post from Plog is so inspirational to me. The photos are some of the only colored photos taken during the Great Depression, and are meant to show the effects it had on small town in the US. There are even two pictures from Idaho! I absolutely love old photographs, and these are so stunning I've been looking through them several times. Here are some of my favorites.














To see the rest of the post go to this link: http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2010/07/26/captured-america-in-color-from-1939-1943/
So beautiful.

In other news, today I am taking a sick day from work. There is some kind of nasty virus going around at the office that I've been fighting for a week and a half. It's taken its toll on me, so I'm taking some time for a little R&R before things get worse. The only good news is that sick days mean Gossip Girl marathons and catching up on sleep & blogging :)
Speaking of gossip girl, I think I might get some highlights like Leighton Meester's. I am desperate for something different, which tends to happen to me (this is why I rarely successfully grow out my hair. I always end up giving in and cutting it). So what do you think? Highlights? I'm still not convinced...




Happy Wednesday! Hope everyone is feeling better than I am!

XOXO Ashley

The Other Five

I got to thinking the other day (I do that occasionally) about my dream jobs. Obviously, I've already picked my career path and am currently pursuing a degree in it. However, sometimes I like to think about what I would have considered if I hadn't been lucky enough to know exactly what I've wanted to do my whole life. I came up with these top five jobs that would be my other choices.

1. A cupcake baker. Or probably just a baker in general. I love making cakes, cookies, and cupcakes, and I like the creativity involved in decorating them too. Someday I'll open my own cupcake shop ;)

2. A professional organizer. Now I know this sounds absolutely horrible to most people. But I think it would be so fun! I love to organize things anyway, and when it's not your own stuff there's less pressure :)


3. An interior designer. Come on, who doesn't want to be one really? After watching HDTV's design star, I'm starting to think I could do it without all that pesky schooling that they claim you need.


4. A band merch seller. Ok, you have to admit this job would be awesome. Travel the country, listen to awesome music, hang with the band, and make money by selling their t-shirts. Of course I'd have to be picky about the band. I'm thinking Fleet Foxes isn't too much to ask.



5. A stay-at-home creator. I really would love to open my own etsy shop and sell handmade goods. The issue is I have neither the time, nor money, nor resources, nor talent to do this.

The good news is I'm not searching for a career. I am completely confident in my choice to become an elementary school teacher. Obviously I already picked the best job in the world : )



And speaking of Fleet Foxes, I never get tired of this:


What do you want to be when you grow up?

XOXO Ashley

Let's talk about things I want but can't have...

I don't know what it is about me but I think I have an actual disorder when it comes to shopping. I am obsessed...OBSESSED with clothing. It's sickening actually. I have more clothes and shoes than anyone I know in the world (except maybe my mom...which is probably the source of my problem). And yet, I want more! I just love them so much. It's an honest hobby of mine...clothing myself. Ironically I never feel like I look that good for the amount of clothes I was able to select from. Oh well, grass is always greener right?

So here is a list of things I can't take my mind off of. It's sad, really, considering I will probably never own a single one of them.


Lovely vintage oxfords from ebay. I have been searching for some oxfords at every thrift store, ebay store, and mall store I go to and have yet to find any under fifty dollars.




Wellies. Oh how I love them. And the fall rain is coming soon after all.
I already own a pair of toms but they are white corduroy which poses quite the problem when wearing them. I tried cleaning them as the website instructed and they turned yellow and splotchy, almost like someone had marked their territory on them. I think the burlap ones are absolutely adorable and would solve all my peeroblems :)


This is such an adorable dress from TopShop.



And this one from Warehouse is gorgeous!

I am in love with this sweet harmonica necklace. I'm sure the boy would be in favor of it as well :) (free people)



Perfection. (free people)

This skirt from Anthro is magical. So unique and yet not over the top.


Seriously, Free People creates jewelry that cannot be topped.



How adorable is this dress from Anthropologie? It's call Cream & Sugar too!

I LOVE this skirt, and it especially gets me excited to put together my wardrobe for my teaching career. I so plan on dressing like a school teacher from the 60's :) (Anthropologie)



I am loving this military jacket from Free People. Perfect with any top.

Clogs. I have been searching and searching for them and cannot find any that I like under 100 bucks! It's ridiculous! These Mary-Jane versions are so chic and adorable, and not too over-the-top 70's (although I do like the over the top ones too :)) (free people)


Do I need words for these boots? (Free People)



Such a soft and pretty dress. Be still my heart.



Everyone who knows me knows I am a sucker for cardigans. Anthro has SUCH a beautiful collection.

(Anthro)

This amazing ring from Free People is merely in the 400s...


I honestly think I could wear this dress at my wedding. It's so preeetty. I just love love love it. (Free People)



I love this idea for cowgirl boots! I've been searching for some snake skin ones for girls (or a small size in guys) in order to cut off the tops, but have yet to find any. Meanwhile I look at this pair from Free People often and pretend those are my little legs in them.







I will gladly accept a pair of these heels in any of the above colors. I found the coral pair in my exact size on ebay for only 20 dollars and was so excited. I was winning the bid until the last hour in which I lost them. I'm still not really over it...



How sweet is this dress from Modcloth?

And this amazing moto jacket! I've never seen anything like it. It's such a masculine shape with a feminine fabric. Perfect.



This dress would be so cute on a picnic don't you think? (modcloth)

I've been searching for a new purse for quite some time and cannot find a good one at all! where in the world do you buy purses these days? Although I don't think any can compare to this one from Modcloth.



This beautiful shirt from Topshop is interesting, dressy, and unique. I want!



Man kids, I realllllly need to look into another profession ;)
I'm kidding of course. Although it's hard to watch these things not go into my closet, it's still fun to window shop. Boy am I missing those amazing Minnesota thrift stores right now, so is my wallet!

Well I'm off to finish up my pinwheel prep for the craft I'm leading tomorrow with my clients :)

XOXO, Ashley

Some songs for the month of July

Hello friends :) I know it's a little late, but here are some songs I'm currently loving (and always loving actually) for this month. There's something old, something new, but none of it is borrowed or blue.

Anyway, enjoy!


p.s., my June playlist is still available for listening. Just because I posted a new playlist doesn't mean those songs aren't still good :)

Happy Weekend!
XOXO Ashley

nothing more magical

than the 4th of July.
I love this holiday. It just epitomizes everything that is summery laid back goodness. Picnics, bonfires, fireworks...could there be anything better? This year I happened to get the opportunity to spend Independence Day with my boyfriend and my nephews for the first time. I'd have to say, it's my best one to date :)

The family was all dressed up in matching festive t-shirts (not my idea...but I eventually caved). Mom made avocado burgers which we ate in the back yard. I played soccer with my nephew Colin until dad, Aaron, and Noah built the fire. We sat around it chatting and enjoying the perfect weather. Then we climbed to the top of the roof and watched fireworks all around town. It was amazing because we got to see the official fireworks show along with all the illegal shows the locals were putting on :) Dad dragged the radio on top of the roof as well so we could listen to some music while the sky lit up. Of course no 4th would be complete without a little home-made fireworks show. We lit a few off in our driveway (nearly catching the fence on fire), then proceeded into the backyard around the fire once more to light sparklers and eat ice cream sandwiches. Aaron and Colin enjoyed pretending to be rhythmic dancers with their sparklers (unfortunately I did not get pictures of that).













It really couldn't have been better. The only downside is that it had to end.
Now the party is over, and it's back to work with no boyfriend or nephews in sight. I'm trying to keep my chin up.

How was your 4th? I think as long as it's spent with family or friends, it's always magical.

XOXO Ashley