ABC: Life from the start of the alphabet

Featured!

2011-12-21T12:46:00.000-05:00

I was featured on another blog today. For reasons I feel like you'll appreciate when you click over. Here's a sneak peek:

Read more from the blog post: Double Duty.

Bingo Round 2

2011-11-23T13:40:00.000-05:00

It's time for more Bingo!

Door:
I love the thought of painting an interior door. Either to match the room/hallway outside or the room inside, I think this could be really stunning. I also love the little peek of red/orange on the side of the door.

Source: housetohome.co.uk via Molly on Pinterest

Complementary Color:
I love the statement the bright red-pink wall makes against the green bedding.

Source: emilyaclark.blogspot.com via Molly on Pinterest

Outdoor Seating:
All I can say to this is "yes please!" - to having that amount of space for a giant swing, and, hello, for the GIANT SWING!

Source: gardenandgun.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Space for a Little One:
I absolutely adore this alphabet for a wall in a nursery.

Source: inspirebohemia.blogspot.com via Bee @ Hellobee on Pinterest

Chandelier:
I love the long, clean lines and that the lights are styled to look like candles.

Source: designlightingca.xolights.com via Emily on Pinterest

Here's my updated bingo board!

BINGO! Round 1

2011-11-22T16:06:00.000-05:00

During the October Photo Challenge, Ali, from His Birdie's Nest, came up with the idea to do an Interior Design Bingo. It would work sort of like the photo challenge in that the goal would be to post photos of 30 different things, each with a theme, but would be much more flexible because themes would not be assigned to specific days. Clearly, since it's the 22nd day of a 30-day month, this is an important feature of this challenge for me :)

So, let's get started! (Side note: These pictures are all from Pinterest, but I do plan on taking and posting pictures of my home for some of the squares on the board!)

Wallpaper:
When I think of wallpaper, I think of the awful late-80s early-90s stuff that was on the walls of my grandparents' house for years.Well...This ain't my grandmother's wallpaper!

Source: designindublin.blogspot.com via Elisha on Pinterest

Source: decorpad.com via LauraAnn on Pinterest

Storage:
I feel like storage is a universal need. Well, ok, maybe if I lived in the BiltmoreI wouldn't need more storage. But seriously, do you actually know anyone in real life who hasn't said "I wish I had more storage!"??

Source: wanelo.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: teapot-parade.tumblr.com via Kendra on Pinterest

(I would absolutely need a step stool or ladder to use either of these storage options...)

Bathroom:
All I'll ever want in a bathroom is an enormous bathtub. And a fireplace.

In more realistic terms, I think neutrals are a home-run in a bathroom space.

Source: Uploaded by user via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: everythingfab.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Ceiling:
I love that ceilings can be unexpectedly elegant.

Source: houzz.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Source: housebeautiful.com via Elissa on Pinterest

Art Deco:
Please correct me if I'm way off on this one. Pinterest was my friend when searching for and trying to define "art deco." I was looking for symmetry a retro feel.

Source: re-nest.com via Jessie on Pinterest

Source: home-decorating-room-by-room.com via Maggie on Pinterest

So, here's where I am on Bingo!

Are you on Pinterest? Let me know and I'll follow you!

To finish one challenge...

2011-11-19T18:34:00.000-05:00

In an effort to start (over half a month late!) another.

I managed to take all of the photos in October, so I'll count that as a victory :)

Next week I'll try to actually get started on Interior Design Bingo, hosted by Ali from His Birdie's Nest!

It's beginning to look a lot like...

2011-11-15T13:59:00.000-05:00

Black Friday!

If you've ever wondered what the inside of a newspaper facility looks like 10 days before Black Friday (and 9 days before all those ads appear), here you go:

And trust me, by this time next week, there will be very little floor space in this enormous room.

Do you shop insanely early (or late, as the case may be!) on Black Friday?

The Most Wonderful Time of The Year

2011-11-01T11:40:00.000-04:00

Halloween has come and gone, Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and if you're planning on sending out Christmas cards, it's time to start thinking about it! This year, like last year, Shutterfly is hoping to make the Christmas card process easier on us!

Photo cards are my favorites, and here are a few of Shutterfly's designs that I just love:

Flat Photo Card - Merry & Bright

Holiday Cards - Holly Jolly

Christmas Cards - Big Cheers

Shutterfly's site is really user-friendly, and you have the ability to personalize your cards however you'd like! My mother-in-law ordered her cards from Shutterfly last year, and they turned out really beautifully.

I think sending real, paper Christmas Cards is one of the best parts of the season. I love it when cards from friends and family members start showing up in my mailbox. And Shutterfly makes the process so easy, even if you're crazy busy like we are, you have time to send out beautiful cards to commemorate the year.

So, excuses are now out the window, head over to Shutterfly.com to get started on your 2011 Christmas cards!

{I received a code for 25 free cards from Shutterfly in exchange for this post. The opinions expressed are my own. Are you a blogger? Want free cards, too? Sign up here through November 11th!}

Spooky

2011-10-31T08:31:00.000-04:00

Source: brothersoft.com via Ashley on Pinterest

And a very Happy Birthday to my Momma!

To be continued...

2011-10-30T22:14:00.002-04:00

I promise I've taken the final pictures for the 30-day photo challenge. Yes, I might have taken the remainder of them today, but it's the 30th, so I count that.

Anyway, I haven't had a chance to sort and edit them yet, so it may be a few more days before I get them posted. At the moment, it's bed time so I can get up insanely early and attempt Week 6, Day 3 of Couch to 5K...

Day 22: Hands

2011-10-22T20:09:00.000-04:00

My husband was kind enough to put up with me clicking my camera away while he chopped an onion for our lunch tomorrow. I'm fixing this crock pot chicken tortilla soup that I found on Pinterest!

Days 14 - 21

2011-10-21T22:02:00.000-04:00

I'm not even really sure how I've managed to be so busy this week, but it's suddenly Friday night and I haven't posted a single picture since last Thursday!

This weekend was Homecoming at my alma mater, and this is K, one of my former roommates and still one of my closest friends. Aren't her eyes gorgeous?!

My sorority has a brother fraternity, and every year at homecoming the two groups meet up at the oldest building on campus to take pictures and socialize. This group of brothers happened to be posing for a picture at just the right spot to snag a silhouette. Also, it's really difficult to check an image on my camera in this sort of light...

Yankee Candles are one of my favorite indulgences. Shutter speed on this shot was 1/6th of a second.

All credit for this one goes to my husband. The clock and this shot were his idea & doing!

I broke down and took this one with my cell phone. And yes, the size on that is a 3. They're kids' shoes. My feet really are that small. Ain't no shame! (and before you go telling me I'm lucky that I can wear kids' shoes because they're cheaper, let me remind you that you don't really see stilettos in kids' sizes...You win some, you lose some!)

I'm a Knoxville girl and a Tennessee Vol through & through. What can you expect from me for "Something Orange" other than a Rocky Top t-shirt?

I gave my sister a card once that said something about avoiding the cement squirrels when driving, as they can really jack up your car. Cement squirrels are now a running joke between us, and she gave me this little guy a couple of years ago. He sits on my front porch and provided the perfect foreground for a bokeh shot of my Halloween lights.

After Homecoming last weekend, and given the chilly temps in Knoxville this week, I've been living in this sweatshirt. It's a little bit oversized, which means it's incredibly comfortable. Emory & Henry was a big part of my life before I went to college there (I went to church camp there all through middle and high school), and I absolutely consider it part of my identity now that I'm an alum. A shot of me wearing the sweatshirt seemed like the perfect solution for a faceless self-portrait.

Shoo, I'm finally caught up! Hopefully I'll be able to stay on top of things a letter better for the last nine days of the challenge!

Days 12 & 13: Sunset and Things

2011-10-13T18:47:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was overcast, and the sun set behind an enormous storm cloud (over my right shoulder from where I'm standing to take this), so color wasn't super fantastic for sunset. And yes, I am at another corn maze here...

Day 13: Me with 13 things. I felt like I couldn't include the title with this one in addition to all of my labels. If you can't tell, I'm a big fan of Vera Bradley. Also, shooting this was much more difficult than I expected. Perhaps at the end of the challenge I'll show you bloopers?

Day 11: Something blue

2011-10-11T17:52:00.000-04:00

I have yet to join the 21st century, so all my phone does is make calls and send text messages. It has a decent little camera to have been a free phone, though, so I'll take it. Also, count my household under the "cell phone only" category. No land line here! (if you look closely, you can see me, plus the letters that hung on the doors to the sanctuary at our wedding!)

Days 7-10

2011-10-10T07:10:00.000-04:00

To catch up:

Mini pumpkins in my living room.

I have a terrible habit of dumping whatever stuff I want to "hide" on my side of the bed. You can't see the floor over here unless you walk all the way around the bed, and I'm the only person to ever do so...So this narrow strip of floor collects a lot of junk!

Two someones I love: my husband and my 4-year-old cousin. I love this picture, even if my cousin isn't looking straight at me. Side note 1: aren't her blue eyes GORGEOUS? My mom (her aunt) looked just like this when she was 4. Side note 2: Today (October 10th) is the 8th anniversary of my first date with that handsome guy. I'm one lucky girl!

Who else had a Cabbage Patch Kid? This is Roy Boy. His given name was Roy Elmer, but as a two-year-old, I much preferred Roy Boy as a name for him. I asked for a boy baby doll for Christmas that year (my parents have that request on VHS home video!). I slept with Roy Boy curled under one arm literally until I got married.

Are you keeping up with the challenge? What has been your favorite prompt so far? Don't forget to check out the participant list &Flickr stream over at Our Wired Lives!

Day 6: From a low angle

2011-10-06T08:22:00.000-04:00

My husband and I bought our first house in May, so this is the first holiday season we've spent in our new space. My mom has always decorated her home to the hilt for holidays, so I'm excited to have a home of my own to do the same. First up, the front porch: Orange lights, spider webs (complete with fake spider rings!), a pumpkin, a ghost windsock & a "trick-or-treat" sign that I got on sale at Michael's. I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out!

Day 5: From a High Angle

2011-10-05T13:07:00.000-04:00

Not much qualifies as "from a high angle" when you stand at 5 feet nothing. However, compared to little Ralphie the miniature Schnauzer, I guess this is a high angle!

Days 3 & 4: Clouds & Something Green

2011-10-04T10:16:00.000-04:00

Sunday was an absolutely CLOUDLESS day, which I thought would be a fun twist on the theme for Day 3. And, in case this photo doesn't make this painfully obvious, my personal goal for this challenge is to have a photo for each day, not necessarily to take the photo on the specified day. Maybe that's cheating, but I hope you'll love me anyway :)

And, for Day 4: Something Green, I planned on using the second picture, but got distracted by the first, so I decided to use both. The first picture is of our Big Green Egg, the most amazing grill/brick oven/this-means-hubs-cooks-and-I-don't-have-to thing I've ever seen. Seriously, we've not had a bad meal on this grill! Food is so flavorful and juicy and amazing. I'm a big fan. The second picture is of this really unusual (for me anyway) hydrangea that my mom and I found at Kroger in Nashville. It's called "Vintage", and I think the combination of greens, purples and pinks is just gorgeous. I'm planning on weathering this inside this winter, and I hope I'll be able to keep it alive once I plant it in the spring. Hydrangeas have long been on my list of favorite flowers, and I think this particular color wins the top spot on the hydrangea hierarchy!

Day 2: What I wore

2011-10-03T08:44:00.000-04:00

I was visiting my sister yesterday, and my mom and I drove home, so what I wore was based on a 2.5 hour car ride instead of fashion. Also, this shirt is really brown, but that's a cell phone camera in poor lighting for you. Jeans and long-sleeved t-shirt is about my favorite thing to wear once the weather starts to get cold!

Day 1: Self-Portrait

2011-10-01T22:45:00.000-04:00

I took pictures today at the launch of my sister's new Willow House business. My niece Hannah wanted to know what I was doing outside, and I caught my reflection while trying to take her picture.

Don't forget to check out Our Wired Lives for over NINETY participants in the challenge!

Photo Challenge - October 2011

2011-09-30T10:40:00.000-04:00

My posting here as been so sporadic and uninspired in the past few months. Come up with a few excuses for me, will you?

I feel like my blog has lacked purpose, primarily, and that's why I'm excited to take part in a Photo Challenge for October. (WHAT? October????!!!)

Source: whitepeachphoto.com via Merissa on Pinterest

I make no explicit promises to post everysingleday, but I will do my best to post regularly, and to keep up with the challenge! I really love photography, and I'm hoping that this little challenge will inspire me in a whole lot of ways.

Interested in playing along? Check out the details at Our Wired Lives. You can also find links to all the other bloggers who are participating. And if you're playing along, let me know!

September 11, 2001

2011-09-11T09:22:00.000-04:00

I was a sophomore in high school, in first-block driver's ed, sitting on top of a desk at the back of the classroom. We were done with instruction, just killing time chatting before the bell rang. The coaches that taught our class turned on the TV. We thought we were going to have to suffer through another lame driver's ed video, until we realized that we must be watching the news. We watched in shock & horror until the bell rang, then I ran to English, where my teacher had her tv on, too. I watched as a plane hit the second tower, and as both towers fell. She told us we could go outside if we wanted to pray.

We watched TV in every class that day. We wondered fearfully if Oak Ridge, only a few minutes down the road from us and home to the first atomic bombs used in war by our military, would be a target. We feared for our parents' safety. We wondered how family friends who were traveling that day were doing. When would they ever get home? And, in 15-year-old wisdom, some of my friends lamented that just as they were planning their first-ever trip to NYC, the twin towers wouldn't be there to see. Sometimes our reactions to grief can shock us.

After watching TV in all of my classes that day, two of my best friends rode the bus home with me. None of us wanted to go home to empty houses that afternoon.

Awesomesauce Friday {8/12}

2011-08-12T08:27:00.000-04:00

Source: None via Ashley on Pinterest

{special thanks to my girl Lindsay for introducing me to this amazingness!}

On Weight Loss

2011-08-10T10:21:00.001-04:00

I've always been a petite person. When I was growing up, I held steady at the 25th percentile mark on the growth charts. Always growing appropriately, but always in the bottom quarter of "normal". In high school, I wore a size 0. I stopped growing (in terms of height) in about 8th grade, at 5'0".

Then I went to college. And while I didn't drink, I did consume too many double doozies (two cookies with icing in the middle), too much pizza, and too much Mountain Dew. I put on a decent amount of weight, but wasn't unhappy with how I looked. I knew I was growing into my "woman's" body, so naturally my hips filled out and my bust got bigger.

I was happy with my body when I got married in 2009.

And, then, as it often does, Life Happened. Somehow, in mere 19 months, this happened:

I didn't recognize myself in pictures. In fact, I really hated the way I looked. I don't have a ton of pictures of myself from 2010. I just wasn't happy. And I knew I wasn't healthy. My annual check-ups told me my cholesterol was too high. I was getting winded if there were too many stairs. And I was just too young to be feeling this way.

So, in January of this year, I started Weight Watchers Online. I joined at a time when they waived the sign-up fee (usually $30) if you paid for 3 months at once. I decided that if I was able to stick to the plan and make it work, I'd keep paying the $17.95 a month until I reached my goal weight.

In 7 months, this happened:

I lost about 20 pounds (give or take, depending on the day, time of day, time of the month--you know what I mean). It may not sound like much, but on my small frame, it's made a big difference. I've dropped 2-3 sizes in jeans. That's huge for me!

I discovered that most of my clothes looked really terrible on me--they were just too big. But my old dresses? They fit better than they'd ever fit before. I wore the green dress above to my rehearsal dinner in 2009, and a corset was a MUST, and it was a little rough to try and sit down in it. I rocked the same dress 2 years later, fully confident, and it was even maybe a little too big.

The thing was, though....I hadn't reached my "goal weight." I still had about 3 pounds to go before I reached the "magic number" of what I thought I should weigh. But I'd stalled out on my weight loss. Holding steady, but not seeing a decrease for several weeks. I was frustrated. Discouraged.

Even though I hadn't seen the scale tip that "ideal" number though, I came to a realization: I had reached a healthy weight. My BMI is in the healthy range. If I step on a Wii fit, it won't tell me I'm overweight anymore (that was a blow to my self-esteem two years ago, for sure). I haven't yet had my annual check-up, but I'd venture a guess that my cholesterol is back within the healthy range. I'm happy with the size of my clothes (well, the ones that fit!), and I'm happy with the way that I look. So why am I obsessed with that number?

Earlier this week, I took the plunge and switched from "weight loss" to "maintenance" on Weight Watchers Online. I'm still paying the $17.95/month to keep track of my points and take advantage of all the great tools on the website. But if I continue to maintain, I'll probably stop my monthly membership by October.

Weight Watchers has taught me that while I CAN have a cupcake, I can't have three. That while I can have chips and salsa at dinner, I can't put away an entire basket by myself. That grilled fish is one of the cheapest, tastiest, most satisfying & points-preserving options for dinner. That I don't have to avoid eating out with my friends occasionally if I'm smart about what I have when I eat in. It's changed my outlook on food, on portion sizes, what it means to be full and satisfied, and that eating just because I'm bored is a bad idea for a million reasons.

I know that I'll put weight on again in the future. I know that if I allow myself too much leeway, it will come back to bite my in the (overlarge) rear end. I know that one day, I hope to become pregnant, and well, that means weight gain. But I now know that I found a program that works. And I know that if and when I need to, I'll go back to Weight Watchers for the support I need to lose the weight, and to keep it off.

So, in a nutshell, here's what I did:
Excercised. I didn't mention it above, and there have been times when I've been more diligent about it than I am now. But, I used the Couch to 5K program to run (some, I don't really enjoy running). I also did the Cardio X workout from P90X with a friend once a week for several weeks. I walked. I just did SOMETHING. Because it was more than I was doing before.

Tracked Points. According to the WW program, my starting height & weight, and my goal weight, I was allotted 29 Points Plus per day, with a "bonus" 49 Points Plus per week. I earned points back when I exercised. For the most part, staying within my 29 points a day was no problem. When my friends and I went out for Mexican, I dipped into my bonus points. I have not once used all of my bonus points for a week. Now that I'm in "maintenance" mode rather than "weight loss" mode, I get 35 Points Plus per day, and still 49 bonus Points Plus per week.

Ate WW Frozen Meals for Lunch. I know a lot of people will tell you this is a terrible idea. The frozen meals are often high in sodium, they aren't organic, they're not the healthiest thing I could be eating. But here's the deal. Before I started eating these frozen meals every day for lunch, I was eating Taco Bell. And Chick Fil A. And leftovers that were high in fat and calories. I'm saving money and losing weight by eating these meals. And, they're GOOD. (My favorite is the Santa Fe Rice & Beans.) So, is this the healthiest option I could have chosen? No. But has it worked for me? Yes. (and, occasionally, I still have Taco Bell or Chick Fil A for lunch. Just for the record.)

So, that's how I got to where I am today. I didn't become a vegetarian or cut out carbs entirely or make any majorly drastic changes. Those options work for a lot of people, but they were just too overwhelming for me to consider. Instead, I found a program that teaches portion control and responsible eating. I never felt hungry, or deprived, or that I was missing out on anything that I wanted.

I went shopping this weekend and actually genuinely enjoyed it for the first time in a long time. An oft-repeated phrase is "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels." I'd reword it to say "nothing tastes as good as confident feels." I know some would say I'm not "skinny." I know the size of my jeans would mean that I'd be a "plus-sized" model (and I'd have to be about 10" taller, at minimum...). But I'm confident. I'm happy. I'm healthy. And I'm committed to staying that way. Isn't that what weight loss should be about?

{Weight Watchers only knows that I exist because I'm a member of WW Online. They don't know I blog, and they don't know I posted this. I have not received anything in exchange for this post. It's all my honest opinion, based on my experience with the program.}

It All Ends 7.15

2011-07-15T08:00:00.004-04:00

In honor of the Release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II:

Source: etsy.com via Ashley on Pinterest

I've mentioned before how much I LOVE Harry Potter. I resisted the urge to pick up the first book until about 2001 (it was published in 1997), even though many of my friends LOVED it and went on & on & on about it. But, when I was a freshman in high school and babysitting overnight for my cousin, six years my junior, I borrowed his copy. Good thing I was babysitting overnight, because I was able to return the book to his bookshelf before I left the next day. I'd finished Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in less than 24 hours.

Source: geekinheels.com via Ashley on Pinterest

I picked up books 2-4, and read through those as quickly as I could. Then I reread them. Then I reread them again. Then I read them a fourth time in preparation for the release of the fifth book. I couldn't tell you how many times I've read books 1-4, with books 5 & 6 thrown in a few times after their debuts. I reread the whole series last winter. And now I'm on book Five of my second full read-through.

Source: geekinheels.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Every time I read any of the Harry Potter books, I get completely lost in the story. No matter how many times I've read them, and regardless of the fact that I know how it ends--each book and the series as a whole--I find myself staying up way too late, or staying an extra 10 minutes on my lunch break, just to squeeze in a few more pages. So, yes, I'm 25 and obsessed with a wizard named Harry (and, well, all of his friends, too).

Source: ilovecharts.tumblr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

I've not been terribly diligent about seeing each movie as it was released in theaters. (Though I did wear my Golden Snitch pajama pants on opening day of The Sorcerer's Stone.) In fact, I've still not seen Deathly Hallows, Part I yet. But today, Deathly Hallows, Part II released in theaters, and...it's all over. I'm sure I'll see the last two movies soon. I just won't be able to stand it. Perhaps I'll wait until after I've finished my current read-through, but that probably won't take too much longer.

Source: graphjam.memebase.com via Ashley on Pinterest

I've been watching a lot of the coverage--of the premiers, the interviews with actors, etc. over the past few weeks. Emma Watson (who plays Hermione Granger) has said more than once that she's spent over half her life BEING Hermione. She's grown up AS Hermione. And I feel like I've grown up with her, Harry & Ron, too. The actors are all just a few years younger than I am, which, for me, makes the story even more captivating. And to be honest, I'm a little sad that it's all coming to an end (in movie form) today. I wept when I closed the last page of Book 7 for the first time. Cried like a baby. (Let's face it, I cried when I reread it, too).

Source: theheirtoblair.com via Ashley on Pinterest

But Jo Rowling said it herself at the London Premier last week: "Whether you come back by page or the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home."

Pamper Yourself

2011-07-07T09:00:00.001-04:00

I'm linking up with Gussy again this week for Inspiration Workshop!

This week's theme is Pamper Yourself, and I'd guess you can bet my favorite way to pamper myself based on my IW! post from last week...

Source: myidealhome.tumblr.com via Rodan on Pinterest

And to make it even better, throw in a good book, like what I'm currently reading:

Source: amazon.com via Ashley on Pinterest

As a matter of fact, I am reading the Harry Potter series again :)

Head over to Gussy's to link up!

Inspiration Workshop: Bathtubs

2011-06-30T09:00:00.006-04:00

Technically this week's Inspiration Workshop topic is Perfect Bathroom, but, if I'm being honest, I really only care about the tub! OK, OK, that's not true, but one of my favorite indulgences is a bubble bath, so the first thing on my list when I was looking for the perfect bathroom was "amazing bathtub."

Here are some elements that I would LOVE to have in a bathroom...

Source: bhg.com via Ashley on Pinterest

A corner tub

Source: bhg.com via Ashley on Pinterest

With a built-in back/neck rest

Source: houseofturquoise.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Some black & white tile & a chandelier

Source: hgtv.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Lots of space

Source: hgtv.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Relaxing lighting

Source: houseofturquoise.com via Ashley on Pinterest

An open stand-up shower with a giant shower head

And, the last thing that the absolutely PERFECT bathroom would have:

Source: bhg.com via Ashley on Pinterest

A fireplace!

Check out Gussy's blog today for some bathroom inspiration!