Weekends + Wishlists

Lately I've been compiling a small list of items that I would love to own. Husband and I didn't do anything for each other for our birthdays this year or for our anniversary, so I am thinking a few select gifts may be in order for the Christmas season. Also, considering the fact that last year every single gift I received (not exaggerating!) was for Elliot, a couple indulgences would be nice. Here is a carefully curated list of lovely things that would make excellent gifts, in my opinion:

This Pendelton blanket is at the top of my list. I have been wanting one for years now, and since we are finally at a somewhat finished place with our master bedroom renovations, it may be time to invest. The one I originally wanted is no longer available in the size we need, but I really like the pattern of this one as well. 

These grey and white striped napkins would be nice. We don't use paper towels too much in our house, but I'd like to limit our use even more by having some lovely but practical cloth napkins on hand.

A few new linen kitchen towels would be nice as well (perhaps this one, this one and this one). Because I typically buy white ones, but they become discolored too quickly, and honestly it's time to do some replacing. (But don't worry. Those old, discolored towels will be disinfected and transformed into dust rags and baby wipes.)

And maybe one of these lovely trays... to corral the random items on our coffee table and because I have a soft spot for trays

This stain remover bar. I am a recovering Tide pen-aholic, but since removing chemicals, etc from our home, I haven't looked back. Nonetheless, this is a great thing to have on hand, especially when the tiny being in your house has a penchant for spilling your coffee on the beige sofa.

A pair of short, colorful rain boots. Because they are practical.. and cute.

A pretty pair of kitchen scissors and a magnetic knife block. 

And if we are dreaming big.... this beautiful essential oil organizer. 

Happy weekend.

xoxo

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Baby Talk // Say What??

Alternate titles to this post include...

The 'No Filter' Files

People are Crazy.. Here's Proof

Things You Just Shouldn't Say to a Pregnant Woman

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1 / 2 

Since I'm {finally!} at the end of this pregnancy journey, I thought I'd share a few of the absurd/ridiculous/completely inappropriate things that people have said or done upon seeing my growing belly. Those of you who are or have been pregnant will completely relate to this post, and those of you who have yet to experience pregnancy will hopefully get a laugh out of it.
{Also, let me just preface this with the fact that I know these people meant well and that for whatever reason a pregnant belly is somehow akin to a cuddly puppy. People just can't help but touch it!}

-- A customer at work when picking up pain tablets and telling us about having a root canal: "It is the most painful thing I've ever experienced." {Looks pointedly at my 38 week baby belly} "But I've never had children so...."

-- Random mom shopping with her daughter at a baby store: "Oh, look at you!" {Touches my belly.} "Your belly is so cute. Hopefully you have an easy labor. Not like my daughter here had with her first child. She hemorrhaged really badly, was on an IV re-hydration drip and had to stay in ICU for a couple days after the baby was born."

-- A classic: "Girl! You're about to pop!"

-- The man at the grocery store meat counter (of all places!): "My sister is about to have a baby, too! She's crazy, though. Doesn't want any pain meds or anything. And after watching my wife give birth with an epidural and IV meds, I know that having a baby the most painful thing anyone could ever experience!"

-- Anonymous: "Yeah, just get ready. You won't have a warm, home-cooked meal for at least the next few years. And forget about that bathing suit and beach trip this summer! Nothing like looking like a beached whale to ruin your summer plans, huh?"

The moral of these stories...

1. Don't touch a stranger's belly. Just don't. Not everyone is down with the belly rub.

2. Telling a pregnant woman your personal horror stories without her asking is never a good idea. NEVER!

3. At 40 weeks I am well aware of my large, protruding belly, the fact that my skin is stretched so tight it constantly itches and stings, and the fact that I could have a baby at any moment. I don't really want or need to be reminded that I resemble an over-inflated balloon.

4. Just because you chose not to make healthy eating a priority after having children doesn't mean that we won't either. Also, I don't think I look like a whale, but apparently you do?

So here's to filtering your comments, not assuming that I want you to touch me, and finding something positive and uplifting to say instead of filing my head with all the things that went wrong during your pregnancy and delivery. Unless I ask you about your story or we are close friends. Mmkay?

Did people say or do crazy things when you were pregnant?

xoxo

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A Surprise Sixty

 A few photos from my father's surprise sixtieth birthday party we threw a couple weekends ago. It was a low-key celebration filled with old family photos, all his favorite foods {including the peanut butter chocolate cupcakes from my wedding}, lots of friends and family, and plenty of laughter. It was so much fun to try and surprise that guy. We actually had it pulled off until he pulled into the driveway!

{^^blueberry bushes from me and my sister with sweet notes from my nephews^^}

 {^^suprise! and the year I dressed up as my father for Halloween^^}

I'm a lucky gal to have such a great dad.

xoxo

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Christmas Card Outtakes

One of the highlights of last weekend was putting reindeer ears on Sambo and taking our family picutre. He hated it! For some reason, the ears put him in a weird place. He kept tucking his tail, flattening his ears, and lowering his head... all while looking up at us with his eyes. Poor little guy! Nonetheless, it made for a few good laughs.

Happy {early} Christmas.

xoxo

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Friday Favorites

Currently loving:
these photos
peachy hues
neon + stripes
this recipe {i'm a sucker for eggs and veggies}
my goal calendar

Is it just me or has this week stretched on forever? As usual, I'm ready for the weekend, which promises a large dose of fun -- coffee with an old friend, a couples shower for a sweet lady, lunch in the city with my love, a trip to the farmer's market, and {hopefully} some down time with my sweet mama. I couldn't ask for more.

xoxo

image
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Long Weekend

This Labor Day weekend husband and I spent some much needed time in the north Georgia mountains with some of our favorite friends. We revisited the Nantahala River for a bit of kayaking, grilled burgers on the cabin porch, ate breakfast at a local country store, and laughed and talked with friends. Sunday evening was spent at a pizza-making contest {our pizza won}, followed by homemade peach ice cream and painting on the porch while listening to the rain. On Monday we celebrated two years of marriage with a low-key but delicious homemade dinner, cuban sangria, and chocolate peanut butter almond-flour cupcakes.

If only every weekend were a three-day weekend....

xoxo

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Band-Aid Chic

When I was young, I was always falling off my bike or getting bruises playing baseball. Often, my favorite part of the experience was the colorful band-aids that my mom kept on hand. While my use of band-aids today is typically limited to blisters from new shoes, I adore these artful ones from Cynnthia Rowley. I kind of wish I had a few scrapes to cover....

xoxo

images via Cynthia Rowley

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Favorite Things Giveaway Series!

In honor of all the little things in life that make it that much sweeter, I will be hosting a giveaway series based on some of my favorite things. I figured summer is the perfect time to celebrate these small indulgences, and I hope that they will make your days just a bit brighter! From girly and frivolous to practical and outdoorsy, I have a few items up my sleeve that I would love for you to win.

{image via we heart it}

Check back early next week for the first part of the series!

xoxo

Fill in the Blanks Friday

One of my favorite bloggers, Trishie, over at Under Lock and Key is doing a fun game each Friday, and I have decided to pass it along! It's a fun way to celebrate the beginning of the weekend, so here is the first fill-in-the-blanks-Friday-game post!

Hello, my name is Ashley but you can call me Ash . Today, I am wearing grey cigarette pants, a loose grey tank, and a pink striped cardigan {to work}. I am looking forward to having a weekend with nothing to do! I am feeling a bit bummed about having to work, but excited about a couple days off. I miss my bestie but I get to see her in the morning! I wish for more time off to read your blogs and shoot some outfit posts!

If you want to pass along the game, feel free! Just make sure to link back to Trishie's post.

Happy Friday my lovelies!

xoxo

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pssst...

my friend jodi is doing an incredible giveaway on her blog.

you should head over to passport in my pocket and read about all the wonderful things jodi shares... trips and adventures, great books, art, music, and food, interesting interviews, and quite a bit of insight and inspiration.

want to know one more secret?

the biggest reason that i love jodi and her blog?

because i truly believe that our mutual wanderlust and overwhelming desire for adventure makes us kindred spirits. that among other things.

xoxo

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oh, ellen

one of the good things about finals week

is that i am back home by about lunchtime every day.

this means that i am at home when ellen show airs.

i love ellen degeneres.

i think she is absolutely hilarious.

i watched her show last year during my workout hour,

and i almost fell off the treadmill from laughing.

not only is the show incredible comic relief from a mound of schoolwork,

ellen gives so much away to people who really need help.

she gave a car, christmas money, a gas card, and some extra cash

to a single mom who couldn't afford to provide christmas for her children this year.

during december ellen also does "12 days of giveaways"

where she gives ridiculously incredible prizes to the people in the audience.

we're talking digital cameras, gift cards to target, qvc, barnes & noble,

laptops, palm pixis, lcd tvs, photo printers...

you get the idea.

so yesterday i was watching and taking a break from studying,

when she broke my heart just a little bit.

{i know this is really quite silly, so don't laugh at me...}

she gave away a red kitchenaid mixer to everyone in the audience.

a red stand mixer that would be so perfect in my kitchen.

i didn't care about the camera, the printer, or the hdtv.

just the mixer.

anything but the mixer.

{note, that this is after i found out that my "discount" at macy's

is only 10% which really doesn't help, so i decided not to get one.}

so i will watch ellen today with a slightly saddened heart.

if only i could teleport to los angeles to go to the show.

i do think that a {post-pharmacy school} trip to cali is in order.

and when that trip comes around,

you better believe the ellen show is on my list.

xoxo

images courtesy of the ellen degeners show

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{something funny to brighten your day}

my bestie sent me this during a stressful week,
and i loved it, so i'm sharing it with you.



this is so my life with cooper.
xoxo


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halloween 2009

this year husband and i spent halloween with two of our faves:
my girl kindredly and her husband JG.

husband, JG, and i know each other from high school,
and kindredly and i are like two peas in a pod,
{as my grandmother would say}
so it's always a good time when the four of us are together.

JG smoked a pork loin and made bbq sauce from scratch.
it was heavenly!

then they handed out candy to very few trick-or-treaters.
i think their doorbell rang a total of seven times.
it was a weak showing this year, i have to say.
{don't worry, that's not JG's real hair}

i tried on the creepy mask, but i wasn't too convincing,
so i left the majority of the spooking to JG.

it was a really fun night,
although, i wouldn't recommend watching the strangers
at midnight on halloween.
it tends to make ones imagination run wild....

i hope you all had a spooky but fun halloween!



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driving tunes

my daily commute totals a bit over two hours each day

along lovely country roads,with no traffic

and plenty of adorable farm animals to look at.

{last week i had to stop and let a group of roosters cross the road. no joke.}

considering that it is usually dark outside when i begin my commute,

i often need some really great music to pick me up.

i like things a bit more upbeat in the morning,

{to prevent me from falling asleep}

and i often use the drive home to unwind a bit.

here's my list of recent favorites....

in the morning:

flyleaf

kate herzig

manchester orchestra

devotchka

in the afternoon:

rilo kiley

william fitzsimmons

a fine frenzy

amos lee

what are your favorite driving tunes?

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a peek inside

i love seeing where and how other people live...

what their living rooms look like,

what foods are in their pantries and cupboards,

whether they have messy closets or neat ones,

what they carry in their bags on a daily basis, etc.

that is why i adore this project:

persona by j. trav on flickr

he takes a portrait shot

and then a shot of what is in the person's bag.

i love it.

my lovely friend lesley wrote about it on her blog. check it out!

i looked through all sixty pictures in the set last night,

and i was intrigued by every one.

it's so interesting to see what we all deem necessary daily items.

check out the collection, and let me know what you think!

images courtesy of j. trav on flickr

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our {long} weekend {in pictures}

As a vacation of sorts, K and I spent a long weekend in town just laying low, enjoying time together sans studying, working, or being on call. Here is some happiness from our blissful three days...

{colorful pansies...}

feeding the {outcast} duck outside our apartment...
this little guy is always getting picked on by the other ducks. seriously.

roasted asparagus. yum.


fresh strawberries from a farm just down the street
{at times i do love living in the country}


stopping to smell the roses {literally}...


{meet fluffy}
we saved this little dude during his attempted road crossing.

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Pom-mania

As everyone is becoming more health conscious these days, certain items have become more readily available. One of these trends that I am particularly pleased with is pomegranate flavored/scented everything!  I have been a fan of pomegranate fruit for a while, but until recently, pom-scented beauty products were difficult to find. Needless to say, I was quite excited when I stumbled upon this shampoo at Target (where else?).

image courtesy of Organix

Welcome to my new favorite shampoo: Organix Pomegranate Green Tea. This little guy smells amazing, and my hair feels much softer. As far as the role of antioxidants in hair care, I'm not so sold that they will actually change much considering that your hair cells are among the most quickly growing of your entire body. Even still, I am hooked. Also, if the pomegranate green tea flavor just isn't for you, Organix has a wide range of deliciously smelling hair products.

images courtesy of  POM Wonderful

Another of my favorite pom-tastic items is POM Tea by the makers of the juice POM Wonderful. Most of you probably know that pomegranate juice is chock full of antioxidants, but you may not know how important those antioxidants can be. Cancer is often caused by free radicals that initiate in your body naturally for various reasons. Your body produces its own antioxidants to keep free radicals to a minimum as they basically run amuck in your system; however, a little nutritional assistance is never a bad idea, especially if you are consistently exposed to cancer risk factors (cigarette smoke, radiation, UV rays, many others). Ok, enough of the science babble. Basically, it's good for you, and it tastes great. POM Tea is a combination of pomegranate juice and whole leaf tea available in a wide variety of flavors. They now come in ecologically friendly plastic bottles that are 100% recyclable. Not to mention that the company's website also provides pom recipes and decoration ideas, and they sell some really cute posters! Here are some of my favorites:

And finally, a bit of (healthy) frivolity....

Considering that alcohol consumption can initial free radical formation, mixing it with something high in antioxidants is a great idea. Therefore, another fun way to (responsibly) enjoy the health benefits of pomegranates is via PAMA, a pomegranate flavored liquor. It has health benefits, and it tastes great. Pomegranate martinis and mimosas... yum!! 

 

image courtesty of PAMA

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FattyCakes

Red Felt Octopus -- I love the surprised expression!

I have been meaning to post about FattyCakes for a few weeks now, especially after meeting the owner/artist/incredibly creative woman behind it all, Jordan. She makes adorable, hand-sewn critters that would seem right at home at my beloved Anthropologie. I saw her work first-hand at a baby shower, and I wanted some of the little guys for myself! To quote the Etsy page, "fattycakes is all about cute, kitschy, and irreverent critters and the like! all critters and such are hand-made and sewn using my own patters."

Yellow Giraffe Print Whale -- Precious.

Grey Felt Robot Felt-Bot -- I love this guy's mismatched eyes!

Felt Toast Pin -- This would be so cute on a winter coat!

Red Felt Bird Plush -- This guy is just plain cute. I'd put him in a kitchen!

FattyCakes will also create custom orders and make things in a specific pattern/color if you like! I love that everything is made by hand, and the pricing is pretty great considering all the work that goes into each piece. Check out the Etsy shop or the blog and see it for yourself!

images courtesy of FattyCakes Etsy site

Red Dirt Soap Company

The Red Dirt Soap Company is an Oklahoma-based company providing natural soaps that contain "no animal fats, artificial dyes, pigments, petroleum products or chemicals with unpronounceable names... made with olive oil, coconut oil, pure essential oils, and/or fragrance oils, herbs and spices." Originally only found at Oklahoma craft shows, the Red Dirt products are now available online! 

This particular soap is citronella infused to deter unwanted insects while providing you with a clean, outdoorsy aroma.

"To keep bugs away, before going outside, wet the bar of soap, rub a light layer of lather over exposed skin, let the soap dry on skin, don't rinse it off. When you're back inside, you can rinse the soap off."

CUBA Cologne for Him: this is just adorable. I'm not sure how it smells, but, according to the website, it's great. I, however, am sold by the adorable packaging... typical me.

The company also sells skin care products especially for shaving (although who doesn't love a man with a little scruff?) that are guaranteed to leave his skin smooth, and burn/bump-free. The soaps also come in girly fragrances and are sold for women's shaving as well. So, there's something for you both! All the soaps smell delicious.. with scents like Chocolate Raspberry, Truly Pomegranate, Sea Kale, Safari Nights, and Kiwi Pear, how can you not find something you love?!  Overall, the products are au naturale and smell incredible! Check it out!