New Year, Same Me - because I'm already freaking fabulous

Welcome to 2016... MY YEAR; or so I've decided. 

Last year was a whirlwind of unexpected change and I'd have to say overall I thoroughly enjoyed the way it all played out. Starting a relationship was probably one of the bigger changes of the year but finding a someone I truly enjoy spending my time with, doing everything and anything together has been really amazing. Turns out he felt the same for me and we moved in together, an even bigger change for a girl who's never had roommates, and that has turned out to be just as amazing. I wasn't actively looking for or expecting it to happen so I love that it did and I love who it happened with. Next big change would be is I abruptly quit my job that I held for a year and a half. It was startling, even to myself, so this is a year of transition. 

I've been trying to think of a non-cliche way to do a "New Years" post but unfortunately I drew a blank so after almost four days of deliberation - here I am. I hate New Years resolutions, I rarely make them but like most at the start of a new year it feels like starting fresh, somewhat with a clean slate. I usually try to give up my vices and attempt to do certain things (like the gym) more consistently. To start, most of the population can't function without coffee while I have a hard time without a kick in the ass from Redbull. I'm officially a week strong without my "wiiinnnggsss" as of today and I've also gone to the gym four out of the last six days - GO ME!

Here's the remainder of my goals I will be working on throughout the year:

- WRITE weekly or every other week (hopefully I'll have interesting things to talk about).
- Experiment with new recipes
- Learn and experiment with my hair and make up
- Read more! I just finished The Good Guy by Dean Koontz and started the Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
- Hike every other week.
- Try to attend/go to more art shows, concerts, sporting events and museums.

As I mentioned this is a year of transition. I will be documenting my transition from dyed black/dark brown hair to my natural dirty blonde color, I'm extremely impatient so I might be helping it along with stripping the dark color. Also, I have shaved the left side of my head for almost four years and in July I made the decision to grow it out. You will be entertained with photos of the outgrowth and what I do to hide it - it resembles the Flash "wing". If you don't know who the Flash is - Google it, you'll laugh. My biggest and nonphysical transition is looking for a new job. I don't want just a job, I want a career where I can I apply my degree that paid thousands of dollars for, I know I probably shouldn't be so picky but I refuse to be one of those people who aren't working in their chosen field or aren't using what they learned. 

All in all, I'm excited for this year. It's the last year before my thirties and I couldn't be happier at this point in my life even with the hardships. Stay tuned for more and share with me what your resolutions and goals for this year are in the comments :)

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Until Next Time,

xx Ashley

What To Say, What To Say...

Today, I bought myself flowers... pink and orange Gerber daisies to be exact. It's a sunny day in LA (again, surprise!) and I wanted my apartment to appear as bright and happy as I felt/feel. I think I'm going to do it more often, I'm not a big flower lover or anything but I've enjoyed having colorful, beautiful big flowers to look at today. I kind of think women need to do this for themselves more often, whether you have a significant other or not, it has the capability to brighten your day and why not do that for yourself? #flowerpower

Well I haven't updated here in over a week due to the holiday and just craziness at work so I hope everyone had a fabulous Easter this past weekend with your family and friends, or whomever you chose to spend it with; I spent mine on the Central Coast with my family. Spent my Saturday outside in the sun drinking wine at Kelsey See Canyon Winery with my mama and then spent the evening with my dear and beautiful friends that I don't see nearly enough. Easter Sunday, went to church with my family and just enjoyed relaxing, eating and playing with my niece and nephew. Those two are literally my favorite living beings in the universe and since it was my nephew's official FIRST Easter it was so cute to watch him do his first "hunt"; also pretended to not help my niece find her last few eggs while my older brother yelled "Make her find them!" haha I've never been very good at listening.

Beautiful Trinity & Handsome Uriah

So after a long (yet lovely) Easter weekend, it was back to business and man, oh man was this week hectic. I feel like it's been non-stop go and I totally intended to write when I got home, instead spent part of my Monday at the DMV getting my replacement license and then drove back to LA and then did my own taxes for the first time - grown up stuff haha! Work was hectic but we're all caught up on  orders and HRH-ettes of the world will all be getting their gems soon, yay! Midst the insanity, I was able to throw in a little fun mid-week and went to my first Dodger game of this season and they beat the Padres 7 to 4! Wooo hooo - how I love those boys in blue... and you really can't go wrong with a Dodger dog and beer. #GoDodgers

With a long and busy week at work it was nice to slow down today to get some things done for myself; organized my desk and cleaned my place, grocery shopping, bought my flowers... I feel so productive! Still got some laundry to do but I'll leave that for tomorrow. I'm thinking that this girl needs to go see her boyfriend (Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson) in Furious 7 tonight. I'm prepared to cry for Paul Walker at the end, when Brian and Dominic drive off... aaahhhhgggaaadddd ALL THE FEELS! Hahah, I know I'm silly but I really have loved this whole series since the first one (except Tokyo Drift that one was lame lol). 

Anyways, I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their weekend!

NOTE: While I struggle with what to say and to find my niche in blogging I just wanted to say I appreciate those of you who are baring with me and reading my rambles. I swear it will be worth it.

Until Next Time... xx Ashley