While brainstorming at work I suddenly had the thought of turning it into a chalkboard. I’ve thought about putting a cute chalkboard in my kitchen for AGES for no other reason than it seemed like a fun idea. And when you’re name is Ashley, that’s justification enough for anything, especially if it’s design related.

I had a few ideas as for what color to paint the frame and I even considered making it super sparkly and glittering it ala Katherine but after a failed attempt at some Martha Stewart glitter paint, I decided to go for a pearlescent paint by the same Queen of Crafty. (I’m seriously in love with this woman’s craft line.) I also picked out a taupe chalkboard paint by Martha as well (a lot cheaper than the boring black I got at Home Depot). It seemed like an easy enough project except I didn’t take into account one thing:

I had to take the mirror out of the frame.

So this is one of our older pieces at my job–what we call a relic. It’s not a one of a kind since there are several that look very much the same, but they’re not the best quality. I took one look at the tiny nails holding on a flimsy backing that was crudely cut to fit the oval space and I knew I was in for it. Especially when I couldn’t get the nails out. The last thing I needed was to break another mirror. I’m pretty sure I’m finally just now coming out of the seven plus years of bad luck from the other mirrors I’ve broken earlier in my life and I really would like some good luck (which seems to be coming at me right and left in 2012 so I don’t want to stop it!).

It took a lot of patience I wasn’t sure I had but I managed to pry off the back without damaging the back or the mirror and may have done a celebratory dance. Those are always necessary, especially when you’re clumsy. Or maybe I should refrain from dancing because I’m clumsy? Either way, celebrations were in order. I was initially going to just paint the back board with chalkboard paint and just put the mirror in storage but I chose to just flip the mirror over and paint the reverse side since the backing was far too flimsy and rough.

It took many coats, some paint on my shirt and a splinter in my thumb but I LOVE my new chalkboard mirror! It turned out even better than I expected and I was pretty damn proud of actually accomplishing this myself without destroying it. I’m not the most crafty person in the world, I’ll admit so when I actually accomplish something that’s harder than just applying paint to paper, I’m pretty amazed.

I work in retail furniture. Commission retail furniture, it’s very own version of hell. I work nights and weekends. I have to make my monthly numbers or else I could face being fired. I make very little money, especially if I don’t make my numbers and don’t get into commission dollars. I am constantly stressed out over whether I will sell enough, where I’m at during any point of the month and how I can convince my customers that they should buy before the month is out–without them knowing that my livelihood depends on it. Instead it’s because our best sale is ending and if you don’t cash in now, you’ll miss out. Right? Right.

It’s a joke at work that I know everything. Behind the joke is the truth: I do know everything. There’s nothing left for me to learn. Sure there’s the excitement of new product, new fabrics–but those only hit once a month, if we’re lucky. When it gets super busy and I’m running around between clients is when I’m thriving. But unfortunately it isn’t always like that, in fact most of the time I’m bored out of my skull. I do have wonderful coworkers who help me pass the time, who keep me laughing. We’ve created a lovely environment to work in, even with all the stress and frustration we feel, we can bounce it off each other.

That’s what I’ll miss most. My coworkers who have turned into some very good friends. Why will I miss them? Because on February 29th  I walk out those big glass doors for the last time as an employee; the next time I enter those doors will be as a customer. It’s a huge move, one that I asked your advice for in last week’s post (and am truly grateful for all your advice and guidance. It meant a LOT to me!), but on Friday, a week after interviewing for the position, I accepted a job that wasn’t in my field.

Yesterday I handed in my notice. It’s nerve-wracking and exciting. It’s a scary road to leave a job where you know everything and people turn to you for help to a job that is so foreign to this Interior Designer that it’ll require a lot of training to get me to where I feel comfortable. But I know I can do it. It was scary to officially leave my field (even though, technically, I haven’t been in it for the past two years anyway). In fact it brought on several panic attacks over the course of the week that I made my decision. In the end I chose better quality of life–nights and weekends free, a set schedule, and closer proximity to my home (and my current job is pretty damn close to home as it is!). It also means that my brain will be more stimulated, I will have room for growth–and I even get to design their new office that goes under construction next week!

I’m really excited for this next step and to see where life will take me. HUGE things are happening in the next couple weeks and I’m excited for them. Terrified, but excited. This is a big leap of faith for me but one that I think is in the right direction.

Here’s to big life changes!

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That’s actually not being very fair to myself. I made goals that weren’t achievable and that were a little too vague. So I’m chalking January up as a test drive and have set more detailed, specific goals for February that I feel I’ll be more successful at tackling, especially with the way my schedule has been with work. (Read: CRAZY.)

January was far from a fail. My first goal this month for 12 Changes in 12 Months was to eat out only once a week, forcing myself to cook more at home. Healthy for me and much healthier for my bank account. I can get into ruts where I get lazy in the morning, opting for going out for lunch on my lunch breaks at work which can cost me anywhere from five to ten dollars a day. Not exactly cheap, or in my budget.

The worst part about this going out for lunch thing is that I work in a mall. Sure, it’s an outdoor mall and I get fresh air when I leave the store which is always a good thing but on the way to many restaurants are cute stores like Anthropologie, LOFT and Francesca’s. And more often than not, I would end up buying something I didn’t need. Add on Starbucks coffees (you know, the latte and pricey varieties) and I was spending quite a bit of money on pointless things every week. So my goal of eating out only once a week eliminated eating out for lunch, thus eliminating all those extra purchases.

How’d I do? I was successful! I reserved my one meal out for dinners with friends, made a couple meals a week (sometimes with friends) and substituted eating sandwiches and reading a book on my lunch break in the breakroom of work. I’ve experimented with Thai Coconut Chicken Curry Soup, made spaghetti and meatballs and made some atomic green chili. I’ve read six books so far this year, thanks to that half hour of reading during the day and I have been able to save up far more money than normal. It sure feels good to have succeeded in this big resolution.

Of course having goals like China, New Orleans and St. Simon’s Island really helps keep my impulses in check and gives me a little extra boost of willpower. I’d love to find a way to make saving money in general as exciting as travel budgeting!

For February I am planning on focusing on a few more goals. This time I’m focusing on health to further promote the goals I’ve started working on in January.

• Stopping drinking creamer in my coffee
• Going to do my ten day veggie fast (it’s all those juice fasts I’m seeing all over Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! I’m mainly looking at you, Amy Thanks for the inspiration!)
• Run six miles a week. I’ve started running recently and it’s easier–and harder–than I expected. Easy in that I have been able to run almost two miles straight without really stopping or being in too much pain; hard in that the altitude is KICKING MY ASS. My lungs cry every time!
• An ongoing goal this year is to stop picking my nails. So far it’s been hard and while I’ve been using cuticle cream more often, I still haven’t slowed my bad habit.

We are having a snow day here in Boulder and I’m enjoying my me time on my sofa. Let’s just say this Friday off has been much needed after a hectic last week of the month at my job. Have a great weekend everyone!

“Happiness is a risk. If you’re not a little scared, then you’re not doing it right.”-Sarah Addison, The Peach Keeper

Two years ago this past weekend I packed up my bags and did something absolutely crazy. I moved across the country to a town, a state, that I had never stepped foot in. It was the final spontaneous act of a girl who had decided with two months notice to move out of New York City, travel Europe for three months and then a mere month after arriving back in the US decided to move to Boulder, Colorado after a couple conversations with a fellow blogger, Doni.

I arrived January 28, 2010 with absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into. I had never lived in a landlocked state, had never seen the Rockies outside of a trip to Wyoming six months prior and didn’t know anything about the town I was about to call my home. It was a huge risk but it wasn’t any bigger or smaller than the risks I had been taking for months earlier so it wasn’t that big of a deal to me. Looking back, I see just how risky it was and how lucky I am that it turned out so fantastically.

It’s been two years and life has been interesting. While I miss the energy of New York and my friends pretty fiercely, Boulder has charmed me in other ways–the beautiful sunsets, the generous, welcoming community, and all those fluffy puppies that wander into my job on a daily basis. I’m still trying to figure out my place here but I have made good friends, eaten ridiculously good food (thank god for a good foodie scene!) and have a beautiful space I call home. At first it was exciting, as all new things are, but then last year life became stagnant. I got bored.

I’m one of those people who love comfort. I actually really dislike being out of my element and uncomfortable, which may come as a surprise to some of you who know my love of travel and adventure. Or maybe you’re not.  A good example is the routines I picked up in New York: I always walked the same routes through the city and while they varied depending on where I was going, I always took the same routes to the places I frequented the most–school, work, shopping. I could guide myself along those streets blindfolded, if I had to. And it was comforting. It doesn’t sound very adventurous, it certainly doesn’t sound like I was trying anything new, but in my stress-filled life of constant stimulation, it was the one thing that had a calming effect on me, these silly routines I developed. It’s like the things I repetitively do–like pick my fingers, watch the same movie over and over again, listen to a song on repeat til I’m so sick of it I could cry. All this repetition is extremely comforting. But sometimes, I get too comfortable–and then I get depressed. Let’s wave at my November and December selves. Don’t give them too much attention, I don’t want them to think I want them to come visit again.

So I’m shaking it all up. I did it in 2009 when I quit my job and ran off to Europe, then moved here. 2010 was pretty wild but 2011 I got too comfortable in my ways here.

So in 2012, I’m shaking it up. I’m going to have adventures, the biggest being China. China is a huuuuge step outside of my comfort zone and there isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t freak out a little bit about doing it alone. But I’m also RIDICULOUSLY excited about it. China isn’t the only thing that’s pushing the envelope of comfort for me. I mentioned some BIG FUCKING THINGS were in the mix the last time I wrote on here and while I still can’t mention them, they’re certainly scaring the bejesus out of me. But I’m going to do it if only because it scares me.

Another thing I’m doing is addressing those two left-feet-turned-backwards that I have. Oh, you know them. They don’t have any rhythm and most of the time it resembles the running man on crack. Yep, I’ve got those. My best friend here, Morgan, is a salsa instructor and avid dancer. I’ve been with her a couple times and have watched her dance–while clutching my vodka and soda in a death grip, shaking my head furiously at anyone who even thought about approaching me for a dance. The thought of tearing it up on the dance floor gives me hives.

So the other night I joined her at a local ballroom where her dance company was performing. I was watching the room full of people learning how to dance and Morgan was even spinning me around backstage, teaching me the basics which my feet somehow were actually getting. She has mentioned several times that I should come be her assistant–get free salsa lessons and do it all in front of people who have no idea what they’re doing either. She mentioned it again and you know what?

I’m going to do it.

I’m going to learn how to salsa dance. Even if I suck horribly at it, at least I’ll have tried.

Which is kind of my life motto at the moment. It’s not worth doing if it doesn’t scare you a little bit, right?

One big thing I will announce today is that not only is today the LAST DAY to sign up for my Valentine Gift Exchange (seriously. Do it.), I’m offering something I have not yet previously offered on my blog.

Sponsorships.

I’d love to give my readers the opportunity to spotlight themselves, whether it be their crafty store on etsy, their photography business or just their own personal blog. I often find new blogs by those that are featured in my favorite’s sidebars so I figured I should give back as well.

Some stats to work with:

• 180 Subscribers
• Approximately a 1,000 unique views a month
• 1,077 Twitter followers
• 53 Facebook fans
• 171 Instagram followers
• 93 Tumblr followers

If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor you have two options:

A 317 x 161 (pixels) banner ad for $20 a month

Update: I can also offer my meager graphic design skills if you’d like me to make you a banner. Just tack on an additional 10 bucks and I’ll make you one with one additional change/edit. 

I used to have big, crazy, stars-in-my-eyes dreams for my life. If you had asked me where I wanted to be at age 30 when I was all of 22 years old, I would have confidently spouted out how I would own my own (successful) design firm, married with possibly a kid (I was in a long term relationship at that point that was quickly heading in that direction, so, fair enough.), living in a house that I most likely owned. If you had told me then what my life was like now I probably would have laughed. Or cried. A lot.

Now I sit on 30′s doorstep, working in a retail job (about as far away from owning my own firm as possible), contemplating a career change, still living with roommates and as single as can be. With absolutely no life plan. When I even try to formulate a plan because it seems ridiculous that I have no plan for my life five years out–hell, I don’t even have one for a year out!–I get flustered, overwhelmed and then pretend I got distracted and forget about it. Until the next person comes along and asks me that question and then I inwardly panic about how my shit is not together and how am I supposed to answer that?!

You see, I was raised with this belief that by the age of 30 you should have everything in order. It’s not that I haven’t had this fantastic life–I have. It’s dotted with these stories that one day I will tell my grandchildren (you know, if I ever find a guy, actually settle down long enough to pop out a couple babies and hope those babies don’t grow up to be me and childless), stories that are ridiculous and fun and holy shit that actually happened to me. And while this collecting of stories is awesome and I wouldn’t trade my experiences in life for anything but it does makes me wonder just what happened to me along the way. Where my life dreams and goals went off to.

I wouldn’t put it past myself to start looking under sofa cushions and in cupboards to locate these missing goals, that’s about how far lost I am at figuring out what they are. I can’t tell you what I want to do career wise, that’s one big ol’ question mark hovering over my head, one that could produce migraines and potentially a bit of frustrated crying and I try to avoid doing that at all costs. But maybe I can start small, maybe that will give me some form of insight into where I want my life to go.

So what do I want? I want to grow as a person. Rediscover my self-confidence. Dig that creativity out from the hole it’s hiding under. Chill out with the road rage. Find a career I love, not just a job to tide me over until the next big thing. Figure out where my passions lie and then go there. Continue having adventures and create those stories but build a foundation here at home. Become more active. Develop meaningful, rich relationships. Start really saving money. Love again. And most importantly, I want to be happy. Happy with my life. And proud of all that I’ve created. That’d be nice too.

I always thought that by the time I hit 30, that the confusion and mess of my 20s would all be settled out and honestly, that my life would appear much more adult-like. I certainly never imagined myself where I am now, working where I do and how far off track I’ve become. I sometimes wonder if my moving to Boulder has anything to do with this (but that’s a topic for a whole other post). Life certainly has a way of throwing you curve balls. It’s how you get yourself out of them that counts.

Are you where you wanted to be by now?

Cooking with friends is the only reason I like cooking; cooking for just myself is never as fun which is why more often than not, I will make mac and cheese or a simple sandwich. So maybe it is with selfish reasons that I relish these meals made with Adriana but I do love the company and it keeps me from becoming a complete hermit like I’m wont to do during the winter.

The meal we made last week was born on a Superbowl Sunday many years ago in New York with two of my closest friends, Shareeza and Pearl. Actually, it was born on the Food Network earlier that week on one of Rachael Ray’s 30 Minute Meals and I decided I HAD TO MAKE IT.

Rachael Ray’s Chili Suizas Bake

First, I should say that this is most definitely NOT a 30 Minute Meal, especially if you follow her recipe exactly and make the salsa verde from scratch. That is exactly what was done that first time; it took the three of us nearly three hours to make the chili in my tiny kitchen using my magic bullet blender on the interesting little tomatillos I had never even laid eyes on before that day’s trip to Whole Foods.

It was one of the best chilis I had ever had, made all the better by laughter and there’s really nothing better than fresh salsa made from scratch. However, I don’t have all the time in the world and even with cutting out making my own salsa and substituting it with pre-jarred salsa verde it takes about an hour and a half to two hours to make. Unfortunately my kitchen, while larger than my New York City one, does not come equipped with an army of prep cooks who slice and dice everything into neatly, correctly portioned bowls for my use and I have a feeling even a good cook couldn’t accomplish this dish in half an hour. I’m onto you, Rachael Ray.

Last week Adriana and I conquered this dish (my third time) over a bottle of Clayhouse Adobe Red, a deliciously smooth blend of reds. I can’t tell you how much jarred salsa verde to replace the 12-16 tomatillos the recipe calls for, and I probably use too much which is why it has to simmer for so long to reduce, but either way, it is still my favorite.

A rule of thumb I have with this dish is that it always will be more spicy the second or third day after so how spicy it is the first night is always a gauge of how spicy it will be down the line of leftovers, which there will be plenty. When I cut into the poblanos last week, the spice went straight to the back of my throat without my even needing to put it in my mouth. I knew I was in for it and when we sat down to eat we both exclaimed how spicy it was.

Let’s just say it has become atomic over the past couple days and my tongue is still numb 4 hours after eating the last of the leftovers. I’m not the biggest spicy food lover but I make an exception for this dish. It’s delicious!

Chili Suizas Bake

(taken from foodnetwork.com)

Ingredients

• 3 large poblano peppers
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan
• 2 pounds ground chicken (I use turkey)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 12 large or 16 medium to small tomatillos, peeled, rinsed and halved (or 16 oz salsa verde in a jar)
• 1/4 cup cilantro, a handful
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 2 teaspoons honey
• Salt and pepper
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1/2 cup creme fraiche
• 3 cups lightly crushed tortilla chips
• 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese, about 1/3 pound
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, about 1/3 pound

Directions

Oh Won’t You Be My (Blog) Valentine?

Fourth Annual Valentine Blog Swap!

Some of you know the drill, but for those of you who are new, or just need some reminding, here’s the gist: the swap is like Secret Santa, only for Valentine’s Day. I match bloggers at random; you will know who you have, but they won’t know who has them, just like you won’t know who has you. So when Valentine’s Day comes and your package arrives from your mysterious Valentine, you’ll be very pleasantly surprised! It’s a great way to spread the love, meet new people and find new blogs!

For the past few years I’ve had at least 100 people participate and it’s been fantastic! I can’t wait to host my fourth one and I hope that everyone who visits this site, whether you’re an oldie, a newbie, been referred here by a friend or stumbled randomly across this will participate!! Now, here are some rules and I DO expect them to be followed.

1. You cannot request who you will be matched up with, the random matching is the beauty of this game! Sometimes you get a friend which is awesome, and sometimes you make a new one!
2. Gifts will have a max purchase amount of $20. Don’t know what to get? Peruse their blog, find out their interests and hobbies or get them something that you love and think they’d love too. Get creative!
3. You don’t have to have a blog, twitter or even facebook! If you do not have any of these help a girl out and let me know some of your favorite things but don’t shy away just because you’re not a blogger.
4. SERIOUS PARTICIPANTS ONLY. I mean it. Participate only if you are serious about giving a gift in exchange for receiving one. It’s only fair for everyone involved and I don’t want to have to chase your ass down to get you to send someone their gift. Overall this experience has been a positive one and I’ve heard awesome things but every year there has been a handful of people who have their feelings hurt because they never received a gift. Please, please only sign up if you plan on giving, not just receiving.
5. If, after you sign up, you suddenly find yourself not able to participate AT ANY POINT (even if I’ve matched you up!), please email me at ashalah@ashalah.com and I will fix things. I will appreciate your honesty, as will your partner!
6. I apologize but this year I’m going to have to restrict the participants to the US and Canada only. I’d love to include everyone from around the world but it gets harder to match people.
7. If you wish, you can use the badge on your site to show off that you’re participating!
8. When sending your package, include a little note with who you are and where you blog!!
9. If you need to contact the person you have but don’t want to spoil the surprise, just ask me and I’ll do it for you!
10. HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!

To enter, please fill out this form by Midnight PST January 26, 2012.  Don’t worry, only I will have access to your information and promise promise promise no one other than me and the person who has you will see it.

If you have any questions or have any problems with filling out this form please email me at ashalah@ashalah.com. 

Are you ready? Let’s go!

The second week of 2012 has been a productive one. Currently I am…

• Goal setting like a mad-woman, thanks to Nicole’s awesomely fantastic goal setting worksheet. One of my goals is to be more consistent with blogging, more involved in the community and to not let my writer’s block get the best of me. If you haven’t noticed, I’ve been blogging more here. I’m hoping I can keep it up!
• I also just submitted my first post for 12 Changes, 12 Months (it’s not up yet). Don’t know what 12 Changes, 12 Months is? Well it’s Katherine and Stephany’s brain child where you commit to 12 changes that you wish to make this year and set to achieve one each month over the course of the year. So much better and easier to swallow than all these resolutions at once. Of course, combined with all these goal setting things, I’m amazing my head hasn’t exploded. Instead, I’m motivated AND READY TO ROLL.
• I am reading Tune in Tokyo, a book by Tim Anderson about escaping his stagnant life for one in Tokyo teaching English. It’s hilarious so far and it’s making me so excited to go overseas and putting far too many ideas into my head about moving overseas. My life was pretty stagnant last year and my desire to shake things up a bit runs me into dangerous territory where I could pick up and move at a moments notice, especially when reading about someone who did.
• I watched my first episode of Downton Abbey once I discovered that with my measly little antenna I actually can get PBS and am hooked. I’m making my mother send me the first season ASAP so I can catch up and then watch along with the rest of you. I love period drama.
• I have been to Oak twice in the past week. Oak is a new restaurant in town (which initially burned down after opening the first time) and I LOVE it. Mainly, the fried pickles which are the best I’ve ever had and if you need more reasons to come visit me, these should be one of them.
• I really could care less about football but the Broncos? Tim Tebow? Oh let me just hop on that bandwagon and say that last weeks game was AWESOME and that I’m totally hitting the bars this weekend for their playoff game against the patriots. I don’t really care for Tebow but the boy can play and it’s fucking ENTERTAINING. So yeah, Go Broncos!
• Colorado’s winter has been pretty schizophrenic. Last week it was 70 degrees, two days later snowing. This week boasted a lovely 55 degree day yesterday and today? Guess what? SNOWING and super cold. I love that it gets warm out but it’s such a tease.
• And now for the big announcement…I have been hard at work on a new project that has been in the works for two years and then finally was brought to fruition last month and launched…TODAY!

I want to welcome all my readers to my latest blogging adventure: The WanderScapes. I think it’s well known that I love travel, to the point of ridiculousness. You also know I have BIG PLANS this year for travel and adventure (another one of those 2012 goals), so I thought this would be the perfect year to finallyyyyyyy get around to putting up the travel blog I’ve always dreamed of having.

And now my head explodes from all the nerves about actually putting it up.

So please go visit and let me know what you’d like to see from it!