FINALLY!

Hey there!!! Welcome!!! I'm so excited that you're reading this!!! No seriously, if you couldn't tell from the obnoxious amount of exclamation points, I mean, like, REALLY excited! 

I've had plans to start a blog for about a couple years now. In the beginning it was going to be an addition to my newly launched ETSY site, complete with Sewing and Crafting DIY's. Then a year later, with still no blog in place, I had decided I wanted to do more of a Lifestyle Blog. It of course would still feature DIY's and Crafts because, well, my life would be nothing without them! However, I also wanted to include my thoughts and opinions on what's going on in the world, on mommy-hood, my new found interest of healthy recipes and important things, like, where to find great nail polish colors that don't cost $9.00 a bottle. 

So I had finally put together a rough outline of what I wanted my blog to look like. I mean, as outlined as I could get in the notes section of my iPhone... detailed outlines and logistics are not my forte... Then the unthinkable happened. My sister-in-love was put in the CICU at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles after fighting a lung disease for about a year. All of our lives were immediately placed on hold. After a few months of being in the hospital and undergoing multiple surgeries and a transplant, she went to be with The Lord. Death changes you. It changed my family. It changed our friends, even changed complete strangers. It most definitely changed me. I think differently, I love differently, and I actively seek out ways that I am supposed to be living now. 

A couple months after Laura passed I had been thinking about the blog again. I had mentioned it to Laura the year prior and we had even talked about doing it together. I had a new found interest in wanting to get my thoughts organized and "out". It wasn't until another Sister-in-Love of my mine texted me one day pushing me to "Start a Blog!" Because if I did, she would “Totally follow it!" Angelique has a way of sending me the most perfect words that I need to hear at the most perfect moments! She inspires me so much! And I'm starting to believe that God uses her to speak to me sometimes. 

So here it is!!! Finally! My very own blog!! One of the things that had been keeping me from starting this, was the loud voice in my head saying, "Ashley, why do you think people want to hear your thoughts? Or care what kind of dry shampoo you use? You are no celebrity or expert!" That last part couldn't be truer!!! I'm no expert, but I'll be honest, this blog is probably way more for me than it is for anyone else. I have a lot of things piling up in this blonde head of mine, and I would love to get them out! Also, I'm pretty sure my husband would love for me to give his brain a rest from all of my opinions and incessant chatter! 

This blog is ME! I love Jesus, I love my family, I'm obsessed with my baby boy Jude and our little dog Bentley, I adore my friends, I'm a DIY'er to the core! Styling, fashion and party planning are my passions and I never met a Glitter that I didn't like, its safe to say that Sparkle is my favorite color! I'm an open book when it comes to my life, and my blog will be no different! 

So, if you're looking for pinterest-esq DIYs, healthy recipes, baby and mama advice, some affordable beauty tips with some banter and sarcasm thrown in the mix, then stay tuned!! If you're not, then go away! No one likes a Debbie Downer! ;) 

XOXO