Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Finley’s First Birthday

So excited to share these stunning photos Kimberly Lyddane Photography took of my sweet little Finley. Her first year absolutely flew by. She is so different from my first child. She is determined and sassy with no fear but also super affectionate. If you’ve ever seen the Emoji Movie, we joke that she is the “Meh” emoji. She has this very unamused expression that if you break it for a little grin or smile, you feel like you’ve accomplished a huge task for the day. I can’t wait to see her personality shine and who knows maybe her destiny is a professional poker player. But she couldn’t deny smiling for birthday cake!

I had this cake smash vision of enchanted forest. However in mid-March your really praying for a good weather day. We were snowed out once and then it was looking great until about 15 minutes from our rescheduled shoot time and the sky just opened up in a huge thunderstorm. So we decided enough is enough and we were going to make this photo shoot work inside and we did. We gathered everything we could to make my living room into the perfect little boho oasis for little Finley’s cake smash. I’ve posted my favorite tips on creating a perfect cake smash before and I did use them for my own.

The cake was pre-made from a local grocery store, little deer topper, wood slice platter, and the one banner and cake topper were so easy and perfect. This is a milestone chalkboard was pre-templated so I just filled in with chalk markers, which was so great. Finley’s adorable outfit was from Gymboree and then I added this flower headband.

It is always a good opportunity for some family photos! I cannot believe Hartley will be 5 in a month. OMG. Mom is going to cry her eyes out. Harltey was adorned with another flower headband and her rich green sweater was also from Gymboree. My teepee was from Target, but this and this one are similar. I also love this adorable teepee pillow. The globe string lights are also a must. The fur rug added a little extra elegance. So happy to share these photos! First birthdays are so special and loved the way we captured it.

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Thursday, June 20, 2019

Summer Floral

Sitting at here Wednesday at 9pm trying to make a Thrift Thursday post happen! Summer floral is my favorite and when you mix it with a lovely summer maxi, nothing says “I’m about to enjoy a beautiful summer day” more. I found both this maxi for $6.99 and Lauren Conrad heels that were brand new at $5.99 from my local thrift store. $13 stunning summer outfit! Score!!! Fancy sunglass from Occoquan Optical.

I got the chance to get a quick photo session in at a antique store in Leesburg, Virginia, while on a day trip last weekend. If you live in Virginia, Leesburg is such a great area with all the modern stores (outlets too) you can imagine but while also keeping the charm of a old historical downtown. This store was so cute! It had unique finds, refinished furniture and antiques. I could have bought so much.

This little getaway to Leesburg was to celebrate our good friends wedding which was absolutely stunning. Just the half a day of lunch, exploring, and wedding excitement was just the little pick-me-up from the craziness of what has been my life lately. Y’all let me tell you, working full-time + building a real estate business with two children has been hard.

Especially when you have mini terrorist toddler. You don’t want to give in, but sometimes you have to in order to keep your sanity. The amount of times I hear “uh-uh” as she points to what she wants like I can read her mind (which sadly I am starting to) is crazy.  She is in that horrible sassy stubborn age where she is starting to feel independent but has no idea what danger or what fear is. But while independent so incredibly clingy and if you put her down, be prepared to pick her right back up otherwise she cries/screams at you. This pattern continues ALL DAY LONG. Oh and don’t forget those 4 teeth that are coming in at the same time. I look in her mouth at the enormous icebergs coming from her gums, and I can’t imagine the pain. But then she giggles, kisses, hugs, or smiles and you forget all the frustration of that day. I’m trying to soak in every second good or bad. Making all the time (which I feel like is never enough) I have with them a beautiful memory. Sometimes I wish time would stop. It all goes too fast and I know I’ll look back and miss this period in motherhood so much. Excited for summer and all our adventures! Hope you enjoyed Thrift Thursday! Send any funny toddler moments if you have them – hugs, Ashlyn

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Thursday, April 18, 2019

Happy Easter Weekend!

This is going to be a brief post. My hobby blog has really been neglected lately and as much as I love it as a creative outlet, these past few weeks have not been forgiving in any extra “spare” time. BUT…A THRIFT THURSDAY POST, say what?!?!

This pretty in purple spring outfit total cost was $15. The gorgeous jacket was $9 and the chiffon dress was $6. Both steals from my local thrift store. The white pumps are super old but paired perfectly with this spring look. My realty group had an Easter event last weekend and this outfit was perfect for the occasion. It was so nice seeing families in my community come and enjoy an outing together. The kids were an absolute joy and fun to see all their personalities come out! Trust me they come out fast when there is a strange life size character (AKA Easter Bunny) in the room, haha.

I hope you and your families have a beautiful Easter weekend filled with happiness and bright with blessings. xoxo – Ashlyn

Need a last minute Easter dress? Check out these options!



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Friday, March 8, 2019

One Pot Thai Coconut Chicken & Vegetables

One pot and slow cooker meals are my absolute life saver. This recipe is so easy and delicious it will surely be a new staple in the weekly rotation! Creamy coconut milk and Thai flavors surround chicken tenders with a load of veggies for a easy healthy one pot meal!

Everything out and ready for one pot! This is a recipe I can handle with a almost 1 year old (yes, in 4 days and I’m having super mama meltdown about it) attached to me and a singing 4 year old making it hard to concentrate. Side story…dinnertime in our household has turned into a concert for my 4 year old. When we all get home from our days, I get the predicted request of Disney Princess Songs…yes…every night we have a concert. With her occupied I just have to distract the little bean that won’t let me an inch away from her. (In someways it’s a nice reminder she missed me all day, but on the other-hand I don’t need the whiny 20 something pound baby hitched to my leg). She normally gets distracted by a cracker or put into the sling, but boy dinner can be tricky. Soooo these one pot, throw it in the oven meals are my DREAM!

Let me know what you all think! I love trying something new and look at me with my fancy recipe widget. It’s fun to expand. Don’t think I’ll ever have the patience to be a food blogger, but it is fun to do a recipe once in awhile 🙂 Happy Friday!

As a reference on servings (since I’m not the expert food blogger) this was enough to make about 6 servings. It makes for fabulous leftovers and meal prep option as well.

Eat alone as a stew that is gluten-free, paleo, whole30 friendly. Or serve with toasted bread, cauliflower rice or my personal favorite – jasmine rice. Yummy!

Print Recipe

One Pot Thai Coconut Chicken & Vegetables

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
  • 1/2 diced onion medium
  • 1.5 pounds chicken tenders (organic & farm-raised)
  • 1 chopped zucchini
  • 1 chopped yellow squash
  • 2 chopped bell peppers any color (I used red)
  • 2 chopped broccoli heads
  • 1.5 tbsp fresh ginger minced
  • 2 cans unsweetened coconut milk
  • 1 jar thai kitchen red curry paste

Instructions

  • Gather all ingredients and wash produce
  • Dice onion, mince ginger, chop all veggies
  • In a dutch oven pot over medium heat, add olive oil and onion. Sauté for 1 minute.
  • Add chicken tenders and brown on each side for approximately 2 minutes a side.
  • Add all remaining ingredients and stir well.
  • Put in 375F preheated oven and cook for 35 minutes. Remove and enjoy!
  • Eat alone as a stew that is gluten-free, paleo, whole30 friendly. Or serve with toasted bread, cauliflower rice or my personal favorite - jasmine rice. Cook rice separately.

 

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