Must Have

I have been thinking about this for a long time.  It may be my favorite discovery ever.

A few days ago Brad and I went to some friends of ours and they had one.  Now I know for sure that this was meant to be.

Let me introduce my new love.

No matter how long it takes, I will get a black standard poodle.  Look how great these dogs are.

Madelyn, our friend's dog, is 13 and turning gray, but she is the most beautiful, awesome looking dog I have ever seen.

Can't you just see me and my standard poodle frolicking on the beach together.

It makes my heart happy just thinking about it.  We will be fashion icons together.

I also LOVED what I wore for our dinner night (when I met the aforementioned dog of my dreams).  

I had found a yellow dress that had the original Target tag on it (for $30 which I got for $4) but it shows every  little imperfection (((this is code for my hips/thigh region looked ungodly)))) so I put it under another thrift find.  I threw on a black/blue cardigan I had gotten on a recent trip back to home to Southern Illinois and a brown belt and it was so comfy and easy to wear.  

This is really going to be a go to outfit for me.  It has a splash of color along with some classic vintage pieces and I feel absolutely me in it.  The whole outfit costs around 20 bucks (which is another perfect thing about it).

I think this is the only hairstyle I've had for weeks now

this collar is one of my favorite things about this dress.  Such a good detail.

I got my first birthday present (it's still weeks away---how good is my husband?).  It's a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D  lens.  It's made for close-up pictures in dim light conditions.  I'm unbelievably excited about it.  Also, it made my blah day yesterday turn completely around.  I also got to belay at our camps rockwall which also always makes me  happy.  Give me the chance to show kids that they can do something that they originally thought was beyond them and I am on board.


TOMORROW IS MY WEDDING PHOTO SHOOT!!!!

I'm super nervous about looking stupid.  I know I know I know.  It will be great.  BBUUUTTTT I'm still worried about how they will all turn out.  A friend of mine is doing the shoot and it will be a fun day so I'm trying to get super excited about it.  My wedding was so long ago and I'm looking forward to having all those feelings rush back to me when I step into the dress.  I even bought fake eyelashes (wish me luck with those).

I'm probably going to bring some other outfits along to get the most out of my day with an actual photographer (who is doing the pictures for free b/c she is amazing).   Hopefully my next post will tell you all about our locations and everything.

Back to the beginning

I seriously can't stop thinking about what my life will be like with a standard.  Is it horrible that I'm excited about this dog and I haven't even began to think about little babies yet???  All my friends are having kids and I love that and I'm happy for them, but I can't imagine taking care of a little human.  Enough talk about that.  sheesh.

I'm going to get a hooded sweatshirt for my poodle to wear when it's cold.  It's going to be adorable, and she/he won't be a prissy poodle--just an unbelievably awesome looking dog that will go around with me and make me look cooler (I need all the help I can get).

Tell me about your pet wishes and dreams.  Do you have a pet now that is the most amazing thing ever?  Do you envision yourself with a great dane that you can put scarves on?

I'm sure this obsession of mine will keep popping up on here.  I just hope that I don't turn into a crazy dog lady before I even get one.

I'll leave you with this

P.S.

I am not dressing up for Halloween this year so please tell me all about your Halloween fun.  I MUST hear about it.

Billy the Kiddo

I live in Lincoln County which used to be the biggest county in the US.

It was also Billy the Kid's hangout.  I love wandering around in Lincoln (the last place Billy the Kid was captured (he got away)).  We went to Roswell today which is only a two hour drive, but it's about 20 degrees hotter.  The drive to Roswell includes going through the town of Lincoln and it's always gorgeous with it's historical buildings, bold Southwestern colors and crumbling relics.  It was extra gorgeous and sunny today here in the Wild West.

I LOVE WARMTH

I also think that warmth loves me.

We didn't really have a purpose for the trip (aren't those trips the best?) we just wanted to hang out.

Brad has really become a great fashion photographer for me.  He's so good.

This is a dress that I got last weekend (during the glorious thrift day of October 2010).  It was in the Halloween section and cost 50 cents.  It has a really unique print, like little family crests.  It also has black lace, ruffly sleeves and cool detailing on the back.  

Hondo Valley, NM

My shadow is ssuuuuppeerrrrr long

Color is the best in nature

Lincoln, NM

love this print

Billy the Kid saw this house (shit, maybe he was IN it)

In the Wild West you have to have bars on your windows

Dandelions

We seriously stopped three times on the way home to take pictures.  Each time Brad happily snapped some pics.

This is the husband himself

He's not a huge fan of how much I want to take pictures of him, but he allows it every once in a while.
This was right after church on Sunday.
He's handsome and great.

This is not genuine.  This is what he usually does.  I love it though.

I love the Wild West.  Driving around in New Mexico is like every John Wayne film (without the objectification of women that he always does).

Don't worry, not everyone can live here.

I'm actually going to go over to a friends house RIGHT NOW for my first knitting lesson.  I'm excited.  What crafty things are you all up to? I wanna hear all about it.  Especially if it's awesome.  Even if it's not though, let me know.  Maybe just don't type TOO much about it.

--Weeds--

I can't express anger. That's one of the problems I have. I grow a tumor instead.

I'm watching Manhattan by Woody Allen.  He's one of Allison's favorite directors.

Sometimes you do things just to think of someone you love.

I do really like it.  It's soothing to have in the background.

This is one of my favorite pictures of me and the twin. Chicago Lima Bean Love

I miss the dinosaur shirt

Hey Everybody,

We've only got 2 more months till Christmas.

Hell, let's Celebrate!

We've never had much money (me and the hubs or me and my whole family) but we LOVE Christmas.  I just clamor over any excuse to give someone a gift.  

Speaking of gifts.  These are some of the gems I found over the weekend.

The perfect Autumn dress

I really love the little details

I'll admit, I've never worn a bow tie

I have a wallet, but I also needed this one

New Wallet and Manhattan

I found this old Liz Claiborne and it's a great color and slouchy which I love

I'm kind of surprised how much I love wearing this blazer

I know I'm only showing bits of these pieces, but I don't want to ruin their newness and surprise before I actually have them on.  

Now, this dress is my favorite.  I feel like old Hollywood or something equally dramatic in it.

It's creamy, it's knit and it's a bit snug--all things that I basically love

Buttons and Southwestern Sheets (be jealous)

Of California=what you will be able to say about me in a bit more than 2 months (eek)

And this is just a few of the things I picked up.  They were so amazingly cheap, I think the most expensive thing was a 5 dollar dress.  

This is another piece I got Saturday and wore on Sunday to church (don't you think it, I washed it).  Sunday is my favorite day.  I actually get to wear something I love and I get to go church with people I love and worship the God I love.  Really, best day ever.  ALSO, SUNDAY AFTERNOON NAPS.

I got a lot of referee jokes

This dress was made for me

I'll leave you with this bit of kindness.  I told my boss on Thursday that I liked her purse.  She responded to me that it was actually a tote (which is only really funny if you know her so I apologize).  On Friday morning I walk in and it was on my desk.  What a lovely lady she is.

I love people being nice.  It gives me hope for the world... then I hear another referree joke... or anything about politics.

Go be nice everybody.

--Weeds--

Let's go to the Alamo

I went to a local town just for thrifting today and it was glorious.

I don't think most New Mexicans are really after the styles I am so I tend to find a lot when I go.  Today was a gold mine.

I will have a post showing you all of them later.

I even got Allison's birthday presents (our birthday is coming up!!! eek)

I'm really not used to solitary days.  Growing up with a twin kind of made that never happen.  Usually all my days off are spent with Brad (which I love) but today he was working so I ventured out myself.

It was nice.

A lot of Ryan Adams (Brad hates that guy), First Aid Kit, The Dodos and just watching the mountains fade into desert.

It's really gorgeous out here.  It's rugged in a way that the Midwest definitely is not.  I feel like I've gotten a tougher edge just from living out here (that's probably just me hoping that it's true).  It's a different feeling though driving through miles and miles and scrub land.  There are so many different shades  of brown.  who knew.

It's the small things in life.

A few days ago we were listening to Marla Hansen on the way home from town and with our crappy FM transmitter it's always a bit staticy, but it was such a good night that you could believe that you were listening to it on vinyl.  That little scratch  made it even better.

Oh, and I got my helmet in.
Check it out

my winter coat makes me happy

Saturday is almost done and the mountain is getting shady already.

Hope your weekend is going great.

I also hope you found some treasures of your own and I would love to hear about them.

--Weeds and Whimsy--

Tell me how all this, and love too, will ruin us.

I hate diseases and death and people hurting.

Life is a bitch sometimes.

I have short hair now.  I used to have long hair.  I, along with about 20 other people, shaved it the day Pat died from cancer.  Pat, maybe the best person ever, died of cancer.

A friend of mine just lost another parent.

Sometimes I wish the whole karma thing worked out.  Something would have happened to Snookie a long time ago.  The whole Kardashian clan would be really messed up.  All the lovely people would just enjoy life.

I know things work out in the end.  I just don't get why things have to be so shitty for truly amazing people.

If karma did work though we'd all be severely out of luck.  Good thing that's not it.

****************************************
OK, apologies for being such a mope
****************************************

Today was Monday.  EEEEEKK.  Mondays last forever in the worst of ways.

I'm loving right now though, because I'm super close to be doing with Monday for another 6 days.

I will tell you something that makes Mondays way more tolerable (and almost enjoyable).  The best husband ever bringing not only coffee, but flowers to usher in the end of the Monday workday with.  We don't have any vases, so the gorgeous orange flowers that Brad got me (I don't know what type because I'm not like that) are in a a plastic pitcher.  I love them.

One other thing I love in the same intensity that I hate the previous subject (the whole death thing) is love.  And I mean it.

The hubs also took pictures of me today.  I love him for that too.  Also, I'm pretty picky when it comes to pictures and maybe sometimes I judge him for the pictures he takes of me.  He tries anyway though.  So great.

^^Me with Flowers^^

I got this sailor dress years ago (maybe 4 or 5) in a thrift store in Southern Illinois.  It's a bitch (I meant a bit, but this is honestly what I typed so it's gonna stay) itchy and I wish that was different, but other than that I love it.  I threw on my floral tights again, because it's a Monday and you do anything to make it better (like wearing poodle shirts).  These steps are right behind our cabin.  I think they may have a bit of magic in them.


Oh, and guess what gal will be cruising down the streets of San Diego on a motorcycle with her husband soon?

This girl, and I just got this helmet to keep me and my brains safe

Can't you just see how awesome that's going to be???

Or it will just be unnervingly scary and I'll hate it, but fingers crossed for the first one.

Ok
Goodnight Lovelies,

Let's hear it for not being Monday tomorrow

Hoorah!!

Rush Delivery

The countdown until the next move (TO SAN DIEGO!!) is beginning.  At least in my head, Brad (the husband) doesn't like my endless desire to have numbers rolling around my head, but I can't really help it (my mom is a math teacher (so maybe it's in my blood)) but I only have 67 more days until my last day of work here.  Don't get me wrong, I love doing what I do and such.  Really though, how could you not be excited when the West Coast is at your door step.

Hi Pacific Ocean my name is Ashley and I love you.

Why yes Pelican, come over to me and I will give you bread.

I'm already going through my future daily life and I'm loving it... although the job thing isn't quite worked out yet, but let's not sweat the details.

BBUUUTTTTTT

I'm also going to miss this little mountain life we've been living.  I mean, this will forever be where I spent the first years of marriage with the man that I am still crazy about.  So, it's a pretty important, sentimental place.  I've decided to not let anything about the current living situation (not living in OUR own place and such) get me down anymore.  We deserve to really soak up these last few months.

This is why I'm devoting (most) of this post to daily life in the Hutch's Hideaway (we name our cabins here).

You know that I work at the camp, but some of you don't know that MY HUSBAND DOES TOO.  I know, so quaint.  He actually works for the church, but the church is on the camp and his programs use the camp space usually blah blah blah.  One of his programs is the animal room.  Now the animal room smells bad (because there are animals in it) but that's the only negative of the entire fun-loving space.  We have snakes, ferrets, sugar gliders, tree frogs... all of which are my friends.

Here's some of them.

Twilight the Tree Frog (shut up a little girl named him)

Gwendolyn the Cockatiel

Brad and Burns the Ferret

I'm not even joking when I say we have a lot more animals.  Maybe I'm gloating, maybe I'm showing off but when you have exotic animals to do your bidding you may get a big head.

I say all of this to say that I have dead, frozen mice in my freezer.

Whoah,  don't freak out.  This isn't a big deal.  I don't eat the mice.  They may be BESIDES things that I eat, but come on.

So this is what came in the mail for us yesterday.

Excitement.

I can just imagine the conversation at the Post Office.
"So this is frozen meat"  "Yeah"  "Rodent Pro"  "Yeah"  "What are they going to do with frozen mice?"
I don't know if this translates as a funny thing to you, but it's worth telling you just because it is funny in my head.

Brad also loves science (maybe he's a little dorky when it comes to science experiments, but whatever I like numbers) so when the package was loaded with frozen nitrogen.  This happened.

Brad is just popping up everywhere

I also am trying to put away all of our things into an already full cabin.  So, my spices went into the old wood stove oven.  

said spices

I really do love this piece.  I would love it even more if it was safe for fires, but alas it's not so it's a place for stuff now.

This is our other place for stuff

That is a lot of shit

This is one of the reasons that I'm totally happy with where we're at, but remember I'm not dwelling on the negatives anymore.  Where we're living is rent free, 1 1/2 minutes from work and in the mountains.  I had 5 deer in my front yard this morning eating from my apple tree.  Bliss?

So really if I say too many things that make it seem like I'm hating New Mex and can't wait to get out of the place.  Please remind me to not be so much of a bitch, cause I'm really not.  I just need a reminder every once in a while.

Trying to take pictures of my outfits to put on here have been kind of a challenge.  I usually use the self-timer so they are a bit unfocused at places.  Yesterday though, my problem was campers not leaving me alone.  Yes, I gave you your orientation.  Yes, I changed clothes.  No, I don't need your help.

Embarrassing.

Anyway here are the ones that came out ok.

shirt: Charlotte Russe

skirt: thrifted

necklace: given to me by a friend TODAY

shoes: thrifted

coat: gift from mom

belt: husband's

This last picture is of a blender that was given to me by the same friend who gave me the owl necklace.  I'm a sucker for anything this color and it looks like it's never been used.  I was so excited when she gave this to me.  I think she's crazy for not wanting to keep both things for herself.  

I hope everyone is having a great Saturday.

It's gorgeous here in New Mexico and although most of our trees are pine we do have some deciduous around and they're doing their part in the color game.  

I love this season