Come on already

Something I hate

To the women who are constantly running all over this city that have absolutely no fat on them:

Can you stop?

I get it
I get it

You run to stay in shape, so you can be gorgeous and make all of us "non-runners" feel like shit.

You are succeeding.

Every time I see you I want to tell you to take a break.
YOU CAN SKIP A DAY

Also, this huge wave of guilt and shame over the king sized Snickers I ate last night comes back and I blame it on you.

I know that I'll never be a 6.  I'm not even usually an 8.  This girl has hips... and other things

So stop running around with your double zero self barely covered.

Please, for me and the rest of the ladies who are like me.

I want to really be happy with myself and you're making it damn hard.

I went running this morning and I hated it.

So, also don't run around me acting like it's your favorite activity in the world.

Me: "What are you doing?"

Annoying Runner: "I'm on my tenth mile and can't stop giggling with laughter"

This is something that I hate.

Things I Dream Of Thursday

Everyone has these super cute day themed blog posts... so I wanna do it.

I was trying to think of how to phrase it because these aren't really wants, definitely not needs, but things that I do think about in a sort of wish like state.

So Things I Dream Of Thursdays are starting.

These are items, ideas, people that I love to let my mind wander about.

Today I'm going to start off with something that my cousin Nikki (cousin-in-law?) started me on. Nikki is the author behind Armchair Traveling and has been picking a different country to learn about every month. She learns about the people, the history, the cooking and all sorts of other things. At the end of the month she cooks us a typical meal from that place (last month was Congolese food and this month is Costa Rican—YUM). I say all of this because on her blog she featured a tree house community she found in Costa Rica.

So, my first dream is minimalist living in a tree house... with my friends and loved ones.

Canopies

Bare wood floors

Gorgeous Decks

What a dream.

Where would you live if you could live anywhere? What type of community would it be? What type of house/mansion/shack would it be (game of MASH anyone??)?

"Don't you sometimes feel that this is the kind of life we were meant to live on this earth? Everything we need, everything, right here, right at our fingertips. You know, if only people could have all this and be satisfied, I don't think there'd be any real problems in the world."

-Father Robinson in Swiss Family Robinson

Hair Changes

In the last year my look has changed quite drastically.

I had long hair for the longest time.  I probably found my identity in my hair much more than I should have.

I've had variations of length in the past, but all in the 'long' category.

At home in Illinois early last summer

I'm on the left... I've always had long hair

I had the opportunity to work with one of the best ladies I ever met.  Everyone loved her.  She was full of joy and peace.  The day she passed away I decided to shave my head (it was an idea my friends and I had already discussed).

This was the group that did it as well.

The group that I shaved my hair with:: some brave people

I donated 10 inches to Locks of Love

I went first and it was pretty easy to do the deed.

I must say that it wouldn't have been that way without a completely supportive husband.  Brad had actually told me for the longest time that he thought I should shave my head.  He was actually the one wielding the razor for most of the night.


It was cold and weird.

But it was
so
freeing

I now go around and tell everyone that they should shave their heads.

Here is a picture of me, in my wedding dress, with the shorter (although a bit grown out) style.

The fact that I was able to share such a moving experience with friends and have a huge support group of gals that had literally gone through the same thing helped.  It was weird when people came to the camp and found most of the workers bald.  

Sometimes I don't feel feminine, or pretty, but that happened even before the shave.

Those feelings are less and less though.

I feel like I've changed along with my hair.  Stronger maybe?  More daring (though still nervously cautious about most things).

How I look still matters to me.  I still think about how others view me, but I now know that I can handle weird looks.  I can look different from the norm and still be great.  

Maybe great because of that.

And now I'm thinking of making another change.

I've also always been a brunette.  Fiercely brunette.

Maybe it was because I was such a nerd in school, but I always fought for the coolness of brown hair and enforced the stereotype of the blondes. 

I was a kid then, trying to be funny.

A few nights ago, I began thinking of all the amazing platinum pixie cuts I've been seeing.  I think, if there ever was a time to go with a different look, it would be with short, short hair. 

So, what do you think of Ashley as a platinum blonde?

Crazy, right?

But, I'm considering it and would love to know what you think.

EEK

Let's go Presidents!!

President's Day Sale!!


Check out my Etsy.  I've lowered all the prices on my remaining items.  I need to clear some space in the ever-so-small apartment, and I want to celebrate.

I'm a fan of celebrating.

Anything.

Today, I'm picking my favorite president.

FDR

Not a big deal,
Just my favorite president.  Ever.

So, if you find some time from celebrating your favorite president, check out the sale.

Let's have the most loveliest President's Day ever!

Spring is a Charmer

Living in San Diego means Spring is already here.


Spring is magic.  I remember growing up in Illinois and being amazed with the change of it all.


One night you go to sleep without leaves on the trees.  They are just naked and gray and shaking away with the wind.


Then
it
happens


Buds everywhere.
Green Sprouts of life.


Gorgeous.


The air changes and the drum of winter turns into a happy, spiffy little beat of Spring.


Legs come out of hiding.
Hands are held without gloves between.


Everything is anew


Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world.  ~Virgil A. Kraft


I can't help but dance more, sing more, love a little bit harder.


Thank you Spring.
Thank you Lord.


I love you San Diego for bringing it to me so soon.

The Search for my Husband's Pants

I love my hubs.

He's cute, strong, a great worker, funny, loving, loyal, relaxed, creative, musical, romantic, smart, manly

BUT

it's hard to find clothes that fit him.

I know, I know, I know

This doesn't even matter, but I went to the Salvation Army in Point Loma yesterday (2 dollar Tuesday--woo) just to find him pants and I couldn't.

Who wears 31x30?

He does.

Dang.

I did get myself a thin, woven belt and a kelly green sweater cardigan.

2 bucks each.

History of Love

"Maybe the first time you saw her you were ten. She was standing in the sun scratching her legs. Or tracing letters in the dirt with a stick. Her hair was being pulled. Or she was pulling someone's hair. And a part of you was drawn to her, and a part of you resisted--wanting to ride off on your bicycle, kick a stone, remain uncomplicated. In the same breath you felt the strength of a man, and a self-pity that made you feel small and hurt. Part of you thought: Please don't look at me. If you don't, I can still turn away. And part of you thought: Look at me."
— Nicole Krauss (The History of Love)

Happy Valentine's Day

What a Wretch I am

I have a confession to make.

I didn't wear any of those dresses listed in that last post.

I'm horrible.

I was working the fitting room at Anthropologie and thinking about how much I love the lighting in them, and realized that I bought a dress from Anthro for my wedding rehearsal that I love and never get to wear.  So, I wore that one... which is this one.

It was lovely.

My hubs took a picture of me in it with his phone--I'll have to get it up here.

I'm sorry for misleading everyone.

I don't blame you for never trusting me again,  but please do!

I'm going to go bask in the sun.

Opal's Romantic Terrain Dress

Black Tie Friday

The hubs works at Balboa Park.  He has been installing art at the Museum of Photographic Art for the past two weeks and this Friday we are going to their Black Tie (open bar) Opening.

YYEEEAAASSSSS

I have never been fancy.

I do not know how to be fancy.

I am already despairing about outfit choices.

So, I'm offering it up for discussion to all of you, my more fancy, more fashionable friends.

So, here are the three choices that I am currently between:

I miss my long hair sometimes

This dress is the bridesmaid's dress from my friend, Susan's, wedding.  I love the color and how it fits me (or at least fit me), but is it too bridesmaidy?  Would everyone be staring at me thinking, "how cheap could this girl be?"

Opal's Market Day Dress

This is one of my favorites from the Opal Collection.  This dress is vintage and I believe dressy enough for a black tie event, but I'm not sure if I'm correct in thinking that.  What could I pair it with (tights wise) to make it classier?  I don't know... also it's tighter than I typically wear, but I'll be standing all night so it's doable.  I really need to invest in a good pair of Spanx (shush)

Opal's Mad Men Dress

I love navy.  I also love the thick material of this dress.  It's short, but does the modest long sleeve/high neckline make up for that?  I think so.

So, those are the three.

Suggestions?

I'll take pictures of me and Brad (and some friends) all gussied up.

P.S. Sorry for the blizzard everyone... San Diego is still glorious