Do you lifestyle??!?

When I write all the things, my head starts reeling, I just want to be one of those have it all together girls, who have time to workout, eat right, and shop constantly, but let's be honest their lives aren't perfect either, it's just an Instagram photo, we are all writing the story ourselves.

Over the last three months or so, I have been finding my happy, as I am sure you have read in my all in my twenties post, but what you didn't know was behind the scenes I was changing my lifestyle when it came to diet and exercise. Once again I'm not this girl

but i am this one:

PS this is the most model I will ever be ;)

Frizzy hair, chapped lips and all I am completely okay with who I am and who I am becoming....
So about the lifestyle, I have been eating a lot better, clearly college doesn't teach you anything about nutrition, but post college life teaches you to find it quickly when you see yourself in the mirror without a tee shirt and leggings on. So I chose the 17 day diet don’t know if you have heard of it, but it’s the hardest and best thing I have ever done. It is four quadrants of 17 days, you cut out certain things, then add certain back in. I can honestly say I didn’t realize how bad I ate until I did this. Do I eat perfect all the time? Let’s be real… no way Jose! However, I do make better choices 95% of the time and that’s what makes a difference, especially as we enter the holiday season…. So how do you lifestyle? I would love to hear.

PS Look forward to another Holiday Bucket List post this week

XO,
A

Family Traditions...(not Hank Jr. Style) and a Link up

If you haven't noticed, I've gotten a face lift thanks to Jenna over at Just a Southern Girl. Personally, I think it looks great, I think I will add some fonts and signatures and maybe some new pics and we will be set :)

Since we have entered the season I have decided to do a link up with Jenna. We have put together a holiday bucket list that we will try to complete this holiday season, but wait I've already started.

Every year we decorate the tree right after Thanksgiving, we decorate with holiday music playing and tell the stories of all the special traditions that make up our tree. So of course I had to document with a few photos...

These are our newest traditions (sorry for the double plaid and roughness, we had just finished black Friday shopping and I was feeling super gutsy with my fashion decisions) I am a huge Daisy Duck and high heel fan, so my kBe brought me the Daisy back from his trip and KLH brought me the Minnie high heel from hers. So this was their first year to hang on the tree.

A not so new one, kBe and I will be celebrating our fourth Christmas together this year and each year it gets more and more fun, as seen here. From timing the put up time for the tree, to putting up embarrassing childhood ornaments (some of them have magically disappeared ;)) to rivalry week football (I turn the music up as he turns the volume up on the game) to my parents providing us constant entertainment (they were in charge of photography this year) it seems to be one of the most comical and memorable memories, I'm very thankful he has joined our yearly tradition.

 We or should I say my UGA cheering Papa has allowed kBe to bring his Clemson tradition to our tree... this is a big deal friends, we had to document it.... Oh and remember those embarrassing ornaments from earlier, there's one under kBe's arm. He also receives a Clemson related ornament each year, so he can have his OWN Clemson tree one day, let's hope it's not purple and orange.

My final two traditions come from my grandparents, first the ornaments, while to you they may just be another ornament, to us it is the handmade ornaments my grandmother made from eggs, yes I said eggs. She punched a hole in the egg with a straight pin and drained them, she then used a special knife and cut the circle and cleaned the egg. It then dried for a day, and then she hand painted and designed each one, pretty cool huh? They are over 50 years old and we still use them. Behind the eggs and all the ornaments, you may notice beads, these are glass beads that belong to my Mom's parents. When they married in the mid 40s they were so poor that the beads were all they could afford and they two symbolize those who are no longer with us, but there legacy lives on and we remember how lucky we are.

So, what are your traditions?

Well I'd say we kicked it off right, here's to a season of fun, family, friends, and fellowship. I am off to watch CMA Christmas! Will you be watching?

xoxo,
A

Boots and Birchboxes

People, can I just get on my soapbox for a minute?! OK great! Let's talk boots, I'm a huge fan of boots: Uggs, Duck, Riding, Cowgirl, even recently I have grown to like booties, but my friends they should not be difficult to find just because I have calves and I don't mean a little one, I mean ones I have worked hard for. So I recently began my first grown up job and we do LOTS of walking, so I wanted some nice riding boots to wear for work, but also not pay an arm and a leg for.... problem is my friends, is I fell in love with the style that looks like the Melissa Button Boot that Frye makes. Good luck finding that style or any other that makes a cute boot that's "wide calf" So, not only am I dealing with wide hips, but now just because calves aren't stereotypical and I am short, I have to wear a "wide calf" boot. Please tell me there's a method to this madness people, are we being punished for not being the status quo according to society. Should we have to settle on a hideous style or any style for that matter, I think not! Okay, I will stop there, but I know there are other girls out there have gotten a boot lodged and stuck on your foot and your face is beet red. If  you have found a solution, please share, otherwise I am going to freeze this season.

The Melissa Button Boot, I adore.

Now to the positives, I am promise I am quite optimistic in many areas and those of you who know me personally, probably caught the sardonic tone and slight hint of humor in my previous rant ;) Birchbox equals the BOMB! If you haven't discovered these treasures and your Pinterest board for hair and beauty is rapidly growing, then you are definitely missing out. My bestie girl sCm gifted me a subscription for my birthday. So what are they, well just a miniature treasure trunk mailed to you monthly (I mean who doesn't enjoy a little snail mail?!) with all types of samples of high end, new, or preview finds in the area of hair and beauty, but it gets better. Each box can be customized to you. You go online and click all the things you like or need in your routine and it is shipped right to you (Great Christmas ideas, you're welcome). They also have a store on the site, so if you fall in love with one of the products they send, you buy and have it shipped straight to you. It is a lifesaver and even more a time saver, I am on my second month and cannot wait for my next pink box to arrive. Let me hear your favorite product you've gotten or if you decide to order how you like it?! It won't disappoint.

Well, I am writing on my lunch break, you can see I am not very consistent with my posts, sorry friends, my work life is crazy busy, my weekends are jammed pack, and sometimes the only thing that I want to do when I get home is bond with my DVR and enjoy a little R&R. Keep reading, I promise one day I will update this page, so I look a little more hip.


All the best,

A

The time of MY LIFE (All in my twenties)

Your twenties really are the days to live it up, wake up to early, go to sleep to late, and start a closet that will last rather than just land at the goodwill by the end of the season. It is the time to thrift and online shop, find your style and yourself, care for others and not just yourself like your teenage self did, but most importantly it's the time to learn to love yourself and make time for yourself, because Carrie Bradshaw said it best, "Don't forget to fall in love with yourself first." It might sound like I'm being hypocritical, but if you have been there you know the feeling. College may have been the best years, but I lost myself in organizations and caring for others, that I forgot me and let myself and many relationships go, but I'm learning you truly can have it all if you learn the balance each day. It's not forgetting what you love, but adding to the bouquet and pruning as needed.
Most of my readers know I've dated the most wonderful boy who has grown into a strong, independent man over the last four and half years, we triumphed every mountain everyone said we wouldn't, maybe not perfectly, but the valleys and bumps, made us stronger and I'm thankful for his sarcasm, love of football, work, and most of all me, even when I may not deserve it. You may also know that I have a huge passion for Alpha Xi Delta and many of you know how much it has shaped my life over the past four years. Friends may come and go, but a SISTER is forever. Whatever you've heard about Greek life and whatever your opinion is negative or positive I can proudly stand from the outside and say it is hands down the reason I am who I am today. The memories I share with the 87 women I had the privilege of laughing, crying, shopping, and most of all loving are another reason I keep going. They encourage me when I need it, they are honest even when I don't want to hear it. You might even know that I picked a smaller school than I had originally intended to and spent 4 fabulous years in the western part of GA and absolutely flourished in and out of the classroom, I'm absolutely sure that there are few that are as passionate about giving back to their university and helping it grow as I am. I never knew paying for school would make you appreciate what it can give to you and how you can in turn give back so that others may do the same.
What you do not know is the struggles faced, the insecurities that any college woman let alone graduates face, trying to find who you are and who you will become while job hunting. No one tells you how the glamour of money isn't so glamorous when you realize how much finances will shape your life post-grad. However, while the inner-struggle is real, it's those above who have kept me sane over the last year let alone the last few months as I figured out my path.
It may not be everything I wanted, but it is everything I need. I graduated less than two months ago and have attained a J O B, yes a big girl one, came custom with a cubicle and all. I'm working in the automotive industry, something I would have never imagined, but I am learning so much about. I'm still within my major which is a blessing and even though I'm at home and not in my city of choice, somehow that's okay for now because I enjoy coming to work and being out in the community, I'm not making 6 figures, but who enjoys their jobs these days... I do and that was my goal.
So who am I these days? Why I am just a small town girl who is going to concerts and football games, has travel plans that included much more of Europe ($$$), who makes her dreams a reality even if they aren't exactly how she planned. I am God fearing, people loving, girl who has no reason to do anything but celebrate and dance. After all no one should dull your sparkle! Welcome to my world and me...raw, honest, and fabulous.

To my twenties,

Ash xoxo

Girls weekend in Savannah

Well girls weekend 2013 has commenced. My mom and her her best friend go on a fun trip each year and typically go antiquing. This year since I've moved home and I graduated, I got invited to tag along. This year we opted for a weekend adventure to Savannah and Jekyll Island. I took a few snap shots of our adventures and my outfits thus far. My jacks (Jack Rogers) have been the shoe of choice so far and as always remain my summer shoe staple. Anyways, I'm off to read my current Mary Kay Andrews novel, Spring Fever. If you didn't know, she is my absolute favorite southern author and I definitely want to do a post about her soon. So here's to a weekend filled with history, bronzing, fun attire, vintage shopping, and lots of laughter. Catch up with you next week!

Side note: posting from my iPad and having problems attaching the photos, promise to edit and add ASAP! Standby :)

Redesign....yes please

Here's the bottom line I have missed out on what is cool in the blogging world, since I left and my blog is looking a little shall we say "old fashioned". I'll be brief, I need all you readers out there to help me with suggestions as to how to re vamp this page to better represent me...I will take all assistance or suggestions.
Additionally, I am working on some exciting posts that will be coming soon. I am really excited and I may have some guest blogging. :) For now, I am focused on graduation, I graduate from college on Saturday, so until then I may be a little tied down.

Much Love,

A

Week in, Week out

Painting nails, fixing resumes, doing laundry, the ultimate multitasking Sunday afternoon, oh and catching up with all my readers. It has been a whirlwind these past couple weeks and this is the first time I have either sat down to write or had any service. I have been to SC, AL, and spent time in both Atlanta and South Georgia. Yes, all in a matter of two weeks and I am headed to NC Friday, non stop people, non stop. Let's just make it more fun and add that I am job hunting and graduating within the next two weeks, I'll stop there believe me the list goes on. For now I will just post a few photos of what's been going on and then its back to the to-do list.

 This at aLs wedding, it was on Lake Martin in Alabama, absolutely picturesque. One of my favorite weddings I have attended this summer, it was simple, but classic and the setting was spectacular. The couple even rode up to the reception on a boat and had a cocktail called a Lillytini, representing their last name. aLs was also a member of my sorority. Congrats!

 You may recognize Min, also a fellow AXID alum and my traveling buddy who also traveled to the UK. We took a night off from life and went to Atlantic Station for dinner and drinks. This girl is also the Vine queen, you can always count on a funny video or selfie out of every adventure.

 Miss JHUNT is now Mrs. JSPERRY, she is the second sorority wedding this summer and the first in my pledge class. All four of us pledged together and it is funny to see how much we have all changed. Her reception was baseball themed, complete with a Tomahawk Chop and a 7th inning stretch. Congrats JSPERRY!

                             Just a combined group of active and alums at J&J Sperry wedding

My final two adventures were my third Peachtree Road Race, which included an exciting engagement for a dear family friend. The same friends had a daughter who got engaged at the race two years, you may notice the ring is on the wrong finger, her hand was too swollen to put it on at the time.
Finally, my south Georgia road trip to see my favorite 229 pal, KLH, we road back roads, toured her families farm, and worked at their grocery store. It was so much fun. She came back up to visit my family and went to the JSPERRY wedding with me.

Well I believe you now understand why I haven't been so consistent in my postings....

For now,
A

Shall we live through some photos?

I'm making this post short because I have been going through my photos and I am dying to share some. I might be reliving every moment and I am quite okay with it. Little update for my hiatus: 1) jetlag...yeah it is the pits 2) my beloved dell miss pinky finally passed on to a better life and I have been without a computer since I got home. I am planning to do a big post hopefully before the end of the weekend. Several of my sorority sisters and I are heading to AL for a fellow sisters wedding, so expect a fun post and my final thoughts on my trip, which is still so fresh. I can already tell my life and outlook is forever changed. Well, I hope you all enjoy the photos and look for more ahead. Enjoy!

With love from Paris and London and Heathrow

Last post and a quick one I'm about to head to the airport and jet home. Can't believe it's over, I really can't. I have so many things left to share, my posts have just begun. We had an amazing time in Paris, I was holding on for dear life, I wasn't on top of my health game and I was afraid I'd be sick. Saw and conquered Paris, don't know if I will ever go back but I will London. The most underrated place. It's simply amazing. Well have to run but please continue reading for more posts about London and my life in general, it never gets boring. From Paris and London with love. See you all back in the states.

...and it sets in

Exhaustion. One word describes it all. I am utterly, completely exhausted. We went on  a cross country adventure which included Windsor Castle, Oxford, and Stonehenge...I'm pretty sure I am so tired I just called it Stonehedge, yeah I think it is safe to say I need sleep. Nevertheless, the sights were amazing, but we spent the majority of the day on the bus with an awfully annoying tour guide who's jokes were aimed at the category of 70+. Okay, enough of my sarcasm.
Other adventures include bike riding around town, yes bike riding, I don't believe I have been on a bike in about 8 years and I really wished they made those bad boys in a kiddie size, your girl can't reach the ground and needs some training wheels. I am also embarrassed to report that I may or may not have run over an older lady in front of the British Museum because I couldn't get my breaks to work. I'm happy to report she is doing alright, I will probably never live this down, and it has caused lots of laughs. We also went to an ice bar, what an awesome experience and being in this amazing city made all the more better. Tomorrow we have another business visit, so I am off to bed, clearly I need to be. Here's to bumps, bruises, and memories galore. I have a whole list to fill everyone in on, hope to get some more time soon.  As promised a few pictures :)

P.S. No Queen spotting yet, but hope is still in the air!

Welcome to the work week

I come only with an update for now, I promise to try make the next post mostly pictures because I have taken tons, but wifi is a little touchy. Speaking of WiFi, they treat it so different over here. You have to sign in and give silly info, hard to explain, but completely frustrating. Part of the group is convinced every time we ask for directions, we are sent in a completely different direction than we needed, we have resulted in getting ourselves places on our own. If you know me, this isn't a hard task.
Being so off on time I completely forgot today was Monday, but was quickly reminded when we jumped aboard the tube and I barely had room to breathe. Quite an exhausting ride. Also, note to anyone planning a trip across the pond, better speed walk the British are always in a hurry. Also, stick to the right side of the escalator for the safety of yourself, otherwise you might get knocked down. This floored me since I remember an individual in Georgia getting arrested for running up and down an escalator, not here my friends, not in the slightest. The tube is like a scene out of Harry Potter, except the trains don't magically appear they just roll right up to you. The well-known slogan of the tube is "Mind the Gap" most entertaining three words I have heard. I will leave you to guess the meaning good luck. Oh and by the way the tube is similar to MARTA, except 20 times bigger, with all types of tunnels and routes.
I will say I miss a few things from home. The food hasn't been too bad, but the university food isn't the greatest. They do have an instant pizza machine, I might be in trouble. Also, converters are from Hades (not sure if I spelled that correctly), one girl blew hers in 5 mins flat. Our hair is looking better by the day. Also, I am re-entering the world of shared bathrooms, quite hilarious let me tell you. Oh and the best kept secret in there is the hand dryer, which also doubles as my hair dryer... ingenious right?!?! Finally, we have no AC which really isn't a bother here since it's around 60 degrees, but we do open our windows at night for fresh air. A girlfriend of mine, who also happened to be one of my sorority sisters is next door to me and we like to have nightly "window chats" where we lean our head out and go over the day, yes very strange, but we enjoy the sights and sounds while we are at it.
Walking around the city has been wonderful, I feel in some ways like I have been here for years. I have a core group of girls that I travel with and we have navigated ourselves pretty darn well. Today was our first two business visits. Traveling as a big group was interesting, I am almost positive the locals pick us out quickly, the looks are very interesting. Sidenote: the dress is somewhat bland her, I am not saying there aren't different styles, but the brights are few and far between. Anywho back to the programming, we visited with small online marketing and pr firm this morning and discussed search engine optimization (SEO) and pay per click (PPC) two very well-known things in the online marketing world. I love hearing a fresh perspective on it and comparing it with that of the U.S. The company actually had a client out of Alabama which I thought was quite interesting. Our second stop was Fuller's Brewery, some of you may know the brand, it is sold in America, we also provide a lot of the hops that go into their beer. It was interesting to learn the process and growth of the business.
Lunch and the afternoon was spent in Hammersmith, a neighborhood on the outskirts of the city. We had lunch at an old eclectic pub, which had beautiful views and horrible food, I stuck to the garden and rustic chip (side salad and french fries), yeah this is the only thing that seemed appetizing, otherwise it was gazpacho..yuck! After my awful time with Spanish, I am just glad I remembered what it was. I think that's it for now....can't wait to post photos, although they barely do this city justice.

All the best,

Ashton

P.S. They don't really do the tipping thing at meals and bars here and they look at you funny when you do. Also, they interpret the word thank you differently and the response is priceless :)

Whirlwind of a day

Cheerio!
 I'm popping in for a quick update. Today the girls and I explored Kensington and we were able to tour our first palace! If you know how much I love the royal family, this was exciting for me! We loved Kensington and are hoping to get more free time for exploring. :) I have found a group if four girls to travel with. Some I know others are new friends, but new are having a blast keeping up with one another. Tonight on our way back to the dorms we enjoyed being serenaded by the "London mariachi band" as we call them on the subway.

Plain,trains, and automobiles

Carrie Bradshaw lied when she made riding a plane across the world look glamorous. Try again sister. Let's give the honest view: a two person seating area barely big enough to fit you alone and let's not even count the person next to you that now becomes your bff and snuggle buddy (thank goodness I at least knew her) Sleeping on planes is far from easy but I managed to get a few hours in. Delta Airlines pleasantly surprised me with the individual screens on the back of each seat, that allowed each of us to watch and listen to pretty much anything and everything and kept us updated on the flights progress, that however is not a free service to those who are flying in the continental US. The food was less than mediocre, but hey its food right, it could be so much worse. We arrived at Heathrow at about 10:30 am this morning, and I am positive my loved ones loved my wake up call to them since it was 5:30 am their time. We were then picked up by charter bus and brought to the University and our journey began. Just today we have made friends with the tube (London's term for subway), celebrated the Queen's Birthday, caught up on time with Big Ben, saw the lovely Abbey where the most recent Royal Wedding was held, and ultimately met up with the Queen again at her humble abode. I am sad to report we were unable to have tea and crumpets with her this afternoon, she was otherwise engaged. We are also enjoying the sounds of the different dialects and we have learned that they ask many more questions and are much more detail oriented than many Americans when it comes to getting orders correctly. We also learned about the english tipping system and got some interesting stares at a  local pub, I believe our attire is a little more flashy than that of the locals. Anyways, just a little update from across the pond. Here's to better weather and hair days tomorrow, oh and cross your fingers we don't fry our hair tools :) I'll leave you with a few photos!

XOXO

Ashton