One of those perfect summer days... Minus the weather!

I love days when I get to hang out with my best friend, don't you? Well even if you don't, yesterday was one of those days for me! This is Alyssa, and I've mentioned her once on this little bloggity blog before. She's up from Texas for the summer! At least until she and her family move to Tennessee.. (it's kind of a bummer, but I know it'll be nice for her to be closer to her family when she goes back to school.) Anyways. I was finally able to hang out with her yesterday and it was perfect. We literally sat on her bedroom floor for hours and just talked. About everything. Just going and going from one topic to the next. I love catching up with this girl. But then we decided that we should go out on an adventure, or just out in general, it just sounds cooler calling it an adventure, and we went to Target and the mall, finding awesome ideas for crafts, surprises, and double dates that we're planning on doing before she moves! So excited! Since it wasn't too cold or anything either yesterday, we went down to the waterfront and walked along the dock taking pictures (see above) and played on the toys a little bit. By the way, monkey bars are way harder when you're 19. Just sayin. It was one of those perfect summer days (besides the weather) where you're with your best friend and just go out and do whatever you can come up with.

How has your weekend been going? It's a nice three-day one!

What do you consider a perfect summer day?

 Happy Memorial Day!

Anxiously Waiting + a quick Things I Love Thursday

So as I promised, I'd tell you all how my interview went. There were three other girls besides myself, and Victoria's Secret's hiring manager, Alicia. (She's such a doll, by the way) Anyways. We were all asked the basic "Why do you want to work for Victoria's Secret?" question, and then we were each asked one additional question each, with each girl getting a different question. We were then informed that only two would be hired, and that references would be checked, then the decision would be made. Overall, it only lasted like 15-20 minutes, which was really surprising to me. So now all I can do is wait... fingers crossed!

And for something new...
                              partially because I just went shopping with Nick...
                                                                                                here are some things I've been loving lately!

THINGS I LOVE THURSDAY!

1. These navy colored sneakers. Totally look like Vans, but only $9! And so comfy. **

2. This Merona floppy summer hat! Thinking of trying this for Cape Cod this summer!

3. This bikini top. I've had VS bottoms for a while, and this top matches perfectly! So fun w/ the color! **

4. These ballet flats. I've been liking them more and more lately. The ruffle is so fun!

5. These sandals! Again, something new that I'm trying out, but I'm totally in love!

6. These floral sandals! (Yes, same ones as before) love the floral and frill together though!
** If you follow me on Twitter, these are the ones that Nick bought me today!

Oh, and I've been reading like crazy lately too!

I'm pretty sure these books speak for themselves, and they're all great reads. I'm on Something Blue as of tonight, and I totally skipped around in order (mostly because I wanted to read Water for Elephants before seeing the movie, then I didn't have money to buy Something Blue yet so I started Skinny!)

There are all kinds of other things I'm obsessed over lately, like some cool color combos, and just Spring and Summer-y things, especially those summer tunes! (The Ataris - In This Diary .. thanks Kaelah Bee for the tweet about it!) If you're actually interested in what I'm loving this week, head over to my Pinterest and check out my boards!

What are you loving this week?

Butterflies and Excitement

So here I am, sitting at Nick's house while he's at the gym. I'm working on an English paper that is due in a few hours, contemplating outfits for tonight in my head, and trying to tame these wild butterflies that are currently growing inside of my stomach. Why, you ask, am I anxious? Well that's easy. I have a job interview tonight with Victoria's Secret! Awesome, right? (even though I'm super nervous, I promise I'm even more excited!) I've applied everywhere and always get a call (or those annoying emails) saying that I don't qualify for some reason, but they appreciate me taking the time to apply. Well, I've always dreamed of being able to work in VS out of anywhere in my mall, just because I love the store and atmosphere so much. With that being said, I mustered up enough courage the other week to apply, checked on my application, and now I have an interview! I've known for almost a week now, so it's making it a little harder to be so calm, but I'm feeling confident! I also haven't told very many people about the interview, just to sort of keep it to myself and only think about it when I feel like it. It's helping too! Thanks to all of you who wished me luck! I'll be sure to post later how it went!

30 Day Detox + all things Ashley!

I get that I've been super MIA lately (I guess I have a problem with that!) but here I am again, to catch you up on all things Ashley.

don't worry, I know you're excited ;) (kidding. sort of ;)

First off, the last few weeks have been filled with my participation in Kaelah Bee's 30 Day Detox! I was super pumped about joining in on this, especially since I felt like I've been especially negative towards myself in the past few weeks. A bunch of people joined in over blogs and twitter (hashtag #30DayDetox) to vow to stay more positive and healthy, with both the mind and body! Awesome, right? I vowed to eat healthier, have a more positive mindset, and not let the little things get me down and stressed like they usually tend to. Oh, and also to be a little more outgoing with life. I used to always be up for trying new things, and never really scared of rejection or being wrong, and I miss that. So there you have it: my 30 Day Detox goals! I'm about a week in so far, and I've decided that I'm slowly cutting back on things, instead of giving up cold-turkey. Seems to be working well so far! Anyone else in on this? Think it's something you'd like to try? It's super inspiring to read the twitter feed, that's for sure, so I'd love to hear feedback from you all as well :)

Secondly, the weather around the Seattle area is finally warming up! I don't really have any pictures to share so far, but that's kind of because I've been out and about doing things! But tomorrow promises some more sunshine and warm weather, so maybe I'll break the camera out for a while :) Speaking of going out and doing things, I've been keeping up quite well on my part of a 30 Day Detox vow, to be a little more outgoing with life. I took myself out on a date last night to see Water for Elephants (awesome, I might add! Especially if you've read the book!) yes, you read that correctly, I took myself out on a date. It was honestly pretty cool, too. Not awkward or anything like I would have thought. I've also been taking time out of each day to do something for me, whatever it is, but just because I wanted to. I went shopping the other day with my mom, am currently looking for my next book (I'm thinking Something Blue), or I even just lay in my room and listen to music or watch One Tree Hill - I'm just a tad obsessed with the show. Oh, and don't forget my most recent obsession, Pinterest! Haha.

Anyways, I guess that was sort of a third in there too, but you all get the point! I know that I was sort of rambling for the most part in there, but I guess that's sort of how I've been lately! Happy and all over the place, doing as many things as I can! That's not too bad of a life to live, eh?

How have you all been?

Any new goals like with the 30 Day Detox? What do you do just for you?

I'd love to hear back about well, just about anything!

Mother's Day!

First off,  

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL YOU MOMMA'S OUT THERE! <3

My mom and I on the Ring of Fire together!

A mom is obviously a very important person in every human being's life. Whether you know your real one or not, have an adoptive mother, a woman you're so close with you consider her to be your mother-figure, anything.. there's always something. My mom and I have had our share of ups and downs between our parent-child relationship, but who hasn't? We're closer than most families I've been around, and that is something I am extremely proud of. We can be real with each other, even when it's not something either of us want to hear. We can make each other laugh when we're sad, and cry even more when it's needed. We fight and yell, but love so much more. People never believe that she's my mom, mostly because she's only fifteen years older than me; but I think that's where most of this comes from. She's understanding because it hasn't been that long since she went through some of these things. She's compassionate for the same reasons too. But on the same hand, as I'm sure you could have guessed by now, that's why we get frustrated with each other. Regardless, she is my best friend and has always been there for me, even when we're not physically together. I love you, momma! Thank you for teaching me that kindness is better than anger. Your family is who you make them. No matter what, the truth will always come out in the end, even if it ends up taking a little while. There's so much I could say about you mom, and all that you've done for me over these last nineteen years, but I'd take too much time. So I'll stick with this - thank you for being the best mom in the world, to all of your ladybugs. You've always been there for us, and I know all of us appreciate that and love you dearly for it. Happy Mother's Day Mommy Ladybug, I love you! <3

Cinco de Mayo, the start of graduation & a Sounders game!

So I get that Cinco de Mayo was actually two days ago, but I'm just getting around to posting about it now :P it was a very eventful day though, which means lots of pictures! :) Whooop. Ready for it? Good.

Nick and I went to celebrate at Azteca! What better way to celebrate than stuffing your face with Mexican food?! We even splurged for dessert (Nick's idea :P) and virgin margaritas! They sure were tasty! (and I get that the pictures aren't fantastic.. Azteca doesn't have the best picture-taking light. haha)


It alsooo happened to be my little sister Chelsey's graduation from a class/program we attend! There was an awesome speaker there, and she even got a bunch of useful gifts to help her get started with life on her own!

And a few days before that, Nick and I went to another Sounders game with his dad and sister, Erin! It's always fun getting to spend time with her, especially since she's so laid-back and messes around with Nick and I! Oh, and the 11's? A Sounders player, Steve Zakuani, broke his leg a few weeks ago in a game so we had the 11th minute dedicated to him! Awesome, right? I thought so too.

Hello May!

I can't wait for am so excited that it's May! For all of the beautiful spring flowers to start popping up like crazy, and most of all, for the sunshine that starts to become more regular with this month! I'm so ready for some nice weather, and this past week has been an awesome preview so far! But seriously, where has the time gone lately? It's hard to believe that I'm already in my sixth week of the last quarter of my Freshman year! (there are ten weeks!) Crazy, right? My first year of college flew by! (and I know, I know.. we're already a few days into May, but I've been a little time-crunched when it comes to blogging, and wasn't able to finish this post the other day! oops..) but anyways, it's crazy to think that I'm only one year away from moving to another city for the remainder of my college career -- living on my own with Nick! Shoot, we'll only be dating for three and a half years by then, so why not?! Right? Then two more years after that, I'll be out in the real world, hopefully starting my counseling career!

What are some dreams and goals that you all have?

I love hearing about what others are aspiring to be and do with their lives! 

Ps. Thanks for being patient and sticking with me when I don't get around to posting for a while! 

You guys are awesome :)