Cyber Monday

So it's officially Cyber Monday. And, as an avid online shopper I'm trying to stay off of my favorite websites. I hope you all had a good Ashley's Birthday Weekend. Being at the mall was kind of a bummer but it was better than sitting at home doing nothing and getting conned into helping put up Christmas decorations. So, on Mondays we get to talk about what I'm obsessed with, and think week's winner isssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

THE PALEO DIET! I recently joined a CrossFit gym and they suggest you try the Paleo diet, so I did! It's not the easiest diet to follow and I haven't been great at sticking to it   but I think it's awesome. So far, this is my favorite blog with a lot of great recipes, and the writer is just utterly hilarious.


ENJOY!!

Relapsing

And I'm relapsing back into a horrible blogging pattern, whoops!! Work has been crazy and we're gearing up for Black Friday at Pandora. This year I'm going to refer to Black Friday as Green Friday since it's my birthday and I love green!!!!!

I'm very excited to get out of the 22nd year of my life. I feel like it was the toughest year ever and I'm glad it's over. I know a lot of great things happened, I pulled off a successful Relay For Life event, graduated college, got my first job and so much more. But, I'm ready to see what these next 7ish years have in store for me. They say your 20s are the most fun, so I'm ready!!

Here's to a thankful weekend, no crazy Green Friday shoppers and a great birthday!

wIlD wEdNeSdAy!!!

For today's wIlD wEdNeSdAy post you get a video of my second favorite animal the first is a sloth the elephant!! This elephant is adorable!! And it's playing in the ocean. But, it's being covered in wIlD wEdNeSdAy because who has a baby elephant they take to the beach.... and video. Welp, I wish it was me!!

Your work week is more than half way over! Hope the next few days are WILD!

I'm Running Out of Titles

I'm running out of catchy titles for my thankfulness blogs.... So I think I'm going to quit. I doubt you even care what I'm thankful about anyways. But, I will continue to blog--don't be too upset!! But, I am going to end my November blogging that I am thankful for cookies. I love cookies. And, although I forgot my lunch box at home today and didn't get any, I still love them. Here's a delicious chocolate chip cookie recipe. I am obsessed and so is everyone at home and work... Just try them out!

1 1/2 Cups of Almond Flour
1/4 Teaspoon of Baking Soda
1/4 Teaspoon of Sea Salt
2 Tablespoons of Coconut Oil
1/4 Cup of Maple Syrup (or Honey)
1/2 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
1 Egg
As many EnjoyLife! Chocolate Chips as you want!!

Put the batter in the fridge while your oven heats to 350 then pop them in for about 10 minutes/they look nice and golden brown!

Falling off the blog wagon

Yesterday was too insane, I didn't even get to blog. So I have 4 days of things to be thankful for... I'll make it short and sweet.

Saturday--I was thankful for my bed. I slept for 14 hours and it was GLORIOUS!! I have been super exhausted lately and it was nice just to lay around all day. Except that fact that the earth quake woke me up, I can't complain.

Sunday--I was thankful that I not only have 1 job, but I have 2. And I really enjoy both of them. I like the people I work with and I genuinely enjoy going into work. Even on the 12 hour days, I can't complain. Some people can't find one job so I'm very thankful.

Monday--I was thankful for the chance to catch up with old friends. Not only did I get to sit down with  one friend, I got to chat on the phone with another. Friendships are really important to me and I was so happy to spend some time doing that. And I got invited to Hannah and Drew's engagement party and I'm very excited. I was one of the lucky few that new about the engagement before Hannah's candle light and I could not find better matches for the two of them.

Tuesday--I'm thankful for peace and quiet. This morning the office has been empty and I've been enjoying it. No radio, no talking just me and my thoughts. As an only child I feel like I learned from an early age that being alone for a little while is okay and I really, really, really enjoy my quiet time.

That's all the thankfulness I've got today... Maybe tomorrow I'll find inspiration else where!

TGIF

SOOOOOOOOOO happy it's FRIDAY! I'm ready for some R&R this weekend. But, I have to be thankful for something today. And since I refuse to steal the 90's ABC programming title yes, ABC did call their Friday night programming TGIF and it was the best of the best shows. Sucks that you weren't alive then and didn't know it. #sorryimnotsorry  I think today I'm thankful that not everyone in the world can make it big. Yes, we all have dreams and aspirations but those dreams don't always come too. And I think it's awesome to have wild dreams, but you need to realize God has dreams for you, and that's what is going to come true. Take Rebecca Black for instance--She REALLY wants to be a singer, but she sucks. So God was like I'll let you make this music video and everyone will make fun of you and prove to you YOU CAN'T SING. SO that's what he did. And that's why we have this horrible music video that I listened for the first time today Thank you Chris Martin. Enjoy you weekend, stay out of trouble but have fun!!

Eeeks, Tomorrow is FRIDAY!!

Thursdays stink. I mean, you're so close to the weekend--yet so far away. But, tomorrow is Friday and I can't wait. I'm not really sure why because I'm working all weekend I like to spend my free time selling charms at Pandora and that's just not really fun. But, I'm glad I have too jobs. And I'm thankful today for a cute little puppy!!! Luigi is my best friend. He's adorable, has crazy eyes and an impressive beard according to Krisa. He's also a hot mess and the stupidest mutt ever, unless he wants something, then he's smart. I think I speak for most of us when I say he's like my child and I don't know what I would do without him. When I lived in my apartment senior year of college I didn't get to see him much and it sucked. But he would come visit on occasion, and I loved it. He's a goober and one day I'd like to get him a larger friend. Maybe a girl because that dog loves to hump stuff. I mean he is a boy...... Hahahahaha. So, be thankful for your precious little animals today, they're family too!!

I hate it when Luigi wakes me up on Saturday mornings, but could you really stay mad at this face? I can't! 

Luigi is ALL VOL! This is his game day attire!!

Wild Wednesdayssss

So today starts the official beginning of Wild Wednesdays. This is going to be a day where I show you something wild I've seen. This could be anything from a crazy picture to a weird article. I've recently been introduced to BuzzFeed. I think it's hilarious and love wasting time on it when I have plenty of other things to do . So this is where todays Wild Wednesday comes from... 

I would like to say I'm a romantic but I want to be proposed to in the most normal way possible. I think all these silly elaborate things are adorable, don't get me wrong, and I will cry, but I will say yes no matter what, probably. So, future husband reading this just ask me.Or do this. I hope you enjoy this video as much as I do.... and a good prank every once and a while. 

Just be thankful!!

Today I am thankful for a cozy bed, that I wish I was in. I'm exhausted and feel like crap. But, so thankful for a roof over my head, food always in the 'fridge and as many articles of clothing I want. Sometimes as spoiled, over-privileged Americans we forget about how much we really have. If I have a headache I have medicine to take, if I forget my lunch I can go buy it. It's not like that every where. Heck, it's not like that in some parts of America. Today a wise, wise 16 year old that I use to babysit, dear God I'm old tweeted, "Can't think of anything to be thankful for? You woke up this morning & someone else didn't. Thank Him for that." We all forget to thank Him for the little things like that.

So, this is me thanking Him for being awesome and giving me a life that I don't deserve.

Thank goodness it's Election Day!

The only way I could be more excited about election day is if I had off work like I use to have off school... this growing up thing sucks. But, on this Tuesday I am thankful for the country I live in and the amazing opportunities it gives me, like the right to vote. I feel as if it is hard to even imagine what living in another country is like. I've never had anyone tell me "no, you cannot do that" all the say is "you make your own decisions for your life." Can you ladies honestly imagine someone looking you in the eyes and saying, "you're a woman, you cannot do that." Well I can't. So that's why I'm thankful today. I'm also grateful for the women before me that fought for my rights. Those women were extraordinary and deserve all of my praises. And they are getting them today. And, for those who have fought, and keep fighting, for us to live in this magnificent country. YOU ROCK. So, go out and exercise your right to pick your president, no matter who you pick. Oh, and I picked out my outfit today and only realized when I got to work.... it's red, white and blue. 

Terrible Tuesday

Yesterday I blogged about something I'm obsessed with, on Tuesdays I'm going to blog about something I'm anti-obsessed with mom always said you should never hate anything. This week I am anti-obsessed with political rants. I realize that it's election day and it's our American duty to vote read my November thankful-ness blog for today but we all don't really care about your opinions. And they probably are uneducated anyways. I firmly believe that everyone should use their right to vote and believe in the politics they want, but stop trying to make me agree with you, it's not happening. I see nothing wrong with discussing politics but I feel like everyone who post on social media is just stupid and wants to act like they know what they are talking about. If you're proud of who you're voting for say "I voted for Romney/Obama because...." not "Obama is stupid and raises oil prices/Romney is taking away birth control" I'm really just over it and so glad this will all be over tomorrow. I really am.

With that being said, go vote for who you believe will be the best president for the next 4 years. I've packed my boots and raincoat and I'm ready to stand in those long voting lines after work tonight. GO AMERICA.  

Monday's Obsession

As a girl I have various, fleeting obsessions. Right now among the other many things I'm hooked on Ed Sheeran. Unless you live in a hut without some sort of musical device radio, internet, iPod, iPhone, my beautiful voice you've surely listened to T-Swift's new album Red. So if you haven't already, listen to Every Thing Has Changed and be graced with Ed's beautiful voice. This young man is two whole years younger than me I need to do something with my life-and fast and has the voice of an angel. He's lyrics are so touching and really just genuinely great. Who doesn't love a great album though? If you need a new playlist, maybe to fall asleep to, purchase + and then join me and 9 million other people watch him open for Taylor Swift on her Red tour. Right now "Little Bird" is on repeat and the office gets to hear me belt out the lyrics over and over and I have a beautiful voice. Just trust me, buy the album and love me for the rest of your lifeeee :) 

If we take this bird in, with its broken leg,We could nurse it, she said,Come inside for a little lie down with me,And if you fall asleep, it wouldn't be the worst thing.But when I wake up, and your make up is on my shoulder,And tell me if I lie down, would you stay now?Let me hold ya, oh.

But if I kiss you will your mouth read this truth,Darling how I miss you, strawberries taste how lips do,And its not complete yet, mustn't get our feet wet,Cause that leads to regret, diving in too soon,And I'll owe it all to you, oh, my little bird.My little bird.

If we take a walk out, in the morning dew,We can lay down, so I'm next to you,Come inside for a little home made tea,And if you fall asleep, then at least your next to me,And if I wake up, say its late love, get back to sleep,I'm covered by nature and I'm safe now,Underneath this oak tree, with you beside me.

But if I kiss you will your mouth read this truth,Darling how I miss you, strawberries taste how lips do,And its not complete yet, mustn't get our feet wet,Cause that leads to regret, diving in too soon,And I'll owe it all to you, oh, my little bird.My little bird,My little bird,My little bird.

And of all these things I'm sure of, I'm not quite certain of your love,You make scream, and then I make you cry,When I left that little bird with its broken leg to die.

But if I kiss you will your mouth read this truth,Darling how I miss you, strawberries taste how lips do,And its not complete yet, mustn't get our feet wet,Cause that leads to regret, diving in too soon,And I'll owe it all to you, oh, my little bird.My little bird, whoa oh oh oh whoaa,My little bird,My little bird,You're my little bird...

Happy Monday!

I have mixed feelings about  Mondays. For one it means the weekend is over, but on the other hand it means the weekend is coming in 4 more days. Monday is a day I love to hate. Its just.... blah. And to make this Monday more blah I'm taking Maggie to the airport and send her back to Chicago. This is a lot less fun then counting down the hours until her arrival. Thank goodness I'll be seeing her in 54 days. That may be the only thing keeping me alive. 

And now, as promised my abundance of thankfulness. 

On Saturday I was thankful for Harry Potter, for a multitude of reasons. 1) my 5th grade teacher started me reading HP and I love her for that. I also credit her with teaching me to love reading. She's amazing and I'm so thankful I still have a great relationship with her. 2) that same teacher also taught me to love Keely, and HP is one of the building blocks of our relationship. We love HP so much, and she always understood how to talk about it with me. And not to make fun of me when I cried about it. 3) actually, most of my friends feel the same love towards HP as I do...I guess that's why we are such great friends. Saturday, after the football game, Maggie and I laid down to watch The Prisoner of Azkaban and take a sweet little nap. It was awesome and reminded me how thankful I am of a book (and all books in general) that crosses gaps and brings tons of superfans together and gives them some tiny little piece of a magical world for the time that their nose is stuck in between those pages. Thanks J.K., you were a huge party of my childhood/young adult life and I love you for it.

On Sunday I was thankful for a healthy baby. On of my very best friends is pregnant and I got the chance to throw my first baby shower (scariest thing ever). It was a beautiful and Brittney got tons of wonderful presents. And we all had a great time embarrassing the expecting couple. I'm so thankful little Levi and Brittney are healthy and I cannot wait to welcome that little blue jean baby into the world. 

And today, I'm thankful for an amazing set of parents. I obviously wouldn't be here without them, but I couldn't imagine having more amazing parents. Mom was an angel helping with the baby shower yesterday, but she's always been there to help me, no matter what. She's my best friend but also knows when to be a mom, and I'm so thankful. Dad's very different from most dads I know, but he fits perfectly with mom and me. He knows how to handle our fights and he's always there to teach me stupid stuff, like how to put air in my tire even though that should just be his job. He loves to buy me things when mom says NO and he's always lets me run errands with him when it would just be easier for him to go alone. 

So, we only have 3.75 more hours of the work day then it will be Tuesday and one day closer to the weekend. Come on working guys and gals, we can do this!! Tonight, make yourself a glass of green tea, pop your favorite Harry Potter movie in the DVD/Blu-Ray player and thank your daddies and mommies for being awesome! 

p.s. there is only 18 days until my birthday.... yay!!! getting old is kind of fun!

Two In A Row

I am beyond proud of myself that I'm blogging for two days in a row. It's a big deal for me!! Well, it's the second of November and that means another thing that this girl is thankful for. Today I am thankful for my iPhone. With out that bad boy I think I would be lost. It keeps up with my daily tasks, lets me talk to my friends, gives me music to listen to and most importantly it lets me tweet. I am also thankful that I get to have an iPhone. I realize there are many people in the world that don't get to have these fun toys like the majority of us spoiled, over-privileged Americans. Right now my iPhone is playing a mixture of Maroon 5, Ed Sherran and Taylor Swift. I might have a slight obsession with these 3 right now. Caroline and I are going to see Maroon 5 in March and as soon as Taylor's tickets go on sale, we're getting those too (surprise!). What else do 20-something year olds have to spend money on..... 

Well, here's to a weekend full of my favorite people, football and a baby shower which I'm throwing, at my house and making all the food from scratch. If I make it out alive I'll be here to blog on Monday my thankful-ness for Saturday, Sunday and Monday!!!! 

V-O-L-S, v-o-l-s, GO VOLS GO!

Birthday Month!!

They say it's better late than never, so this is where I start blogging. On the reg.
Everyone always uses as November as a month to be thankful, and I think it's a great idea. But, I think you have to take a step back and really look at the overall picture of your life to come up with 30 things to be thankful for.
As a recent college graduate, with a job, and so much more in my life I am going to blog every day this month (hopefully) about something I am thankful for.
So, for today I'm going to start with Maggie. I am SO thankful for this little ball of sunshine. And I am even more thankful that she's back in Knoxville. Maggie and I went to school together and had almost every. single. class together our junior and senior year. And I loved that! We became extremely close and then when we graduate, she left me. So I kind of hate her for that but love that she's living in Chicago being a big girl. She came into town this weekend and I got to pick her up at the airport with teary eyes and so much joy.

I'm so thankful Maggie is always there for me and is the bestest friend I could ever ask for.
Only 22 more days until my birthday!!