Thursday Dance Party - Sponsored by...

I like to think I'm cool. I know this is totally false. But, I like to dance very badly most of the time. I woke up yesterday in a weirdly good mood. And had a dance party in my bathroom with my iPod. I thought I would share what puts me in a great mood, and I know it would put you in a good mood too.

1. Crossfit Knoxville - Crossfit seems to be the biggest new workout trend. And for a perfectly good reason, it's awesome. I am not the workout little bird (currently listening to Little Bird by Ed Sheeran) but I actually enjoy going to Crossfit. It's a do-able workout for everyone. And I mean everyone. It's scalable, you can measure your success and it's a team/community atmosphere. Boxes are bare banes, your coaches yell at you and your fellow Crossfitters stand around and cheer you on. No one is left behind. You're officially invited to come to class with me so let me know and we'll go together. You won't go back to your old boring gym ever again.  

2. Wearing jean shorts to work - Yesterday was our 5th anniversary/partnership announcement party at Renewal by Andersen of Knoxville. And, since I am the party planner extraordinaire I spent the entire day running errands and setting up. I wasn't about to try to be productive in a dress or pants, so I threw on my favorite blue jean shorts and loved every minute of it. Shorts are my favorite piece of clothing and I'm super excited it's finally shorts weather. 

3. Grace Potter and Maroon 5 - I recently attended concerts for both of these amazingly, spectacular artists. When I get ready in the morning I like to steal my Mom's little bluetooth speaker and jam out in my bathroom. And yesterday Mr. Levine's voice singing Wasted Years just got me in the mood for an awesome day. I mean, it's probably my favorite song right now. If I was still teaching dance my team/class would most definitely have a dance to it. I can't put into words how awesome I think it is. 

And, Grace Potter is the cutest, best dancing singer around IMHO. I mainly love her dance moves because they look like the ones I do in my robe at my  morning dance parties. She has a multitude of wonderful songs but Paris is one of my faves. Want to be in a good mood? Then listen to herrrrrrr!

Oh, I also listened to the Cruise Remix by Nelly, and Florida Georgia Line. I mean, pure awesomeness. 

Its rare that one wakes up in a truly, pure good mood. I was very excited I had one of those yesterday. Today I woke up with an abscessed tooth. This should be a fun couple of days. [Back story - when I was in the 4th grade I was playing Frogger with some friends, I yelled jump which ended up with a dead frog. Being silly, a remote control was thrown and accidentally hit my front tooth. It knocked half of it off and apparently it can take years for teeth to catch up with trauma. I knew this was going to happen eventually but it hurts and I'm an unhappy camper, on pain pills. So if you see me and I'm acting silly I blame that.]

What tips do you have to put me in a good mood all 7 mornings of the week? I will try almost anything. 

Balancing Being a Brand and Being Yourself

Friday I had the opportunity/chance/pleasure of attending Social Slam 2013. It was an all day conference about social media. And I've always thought of myself as 'social media savvy' but boy, oh boy was I wrong. Yes I can tweet, update a Facebook page and blog like there is no tomorrow but apparently I've been doing it all wrong.

All day I listened to these AMAZING speakers teach me how to be better. And it was awesome. But the biggest take away I got was that I need to be branding myself. Well, I have a few problems with this. I hate following someone on Twitter who constantly just tweets about their lastest blog/article/achievements. I personally use Twitter to connect, and that just doesn't do it for me.

I also learned that blogging, in particular, has to start with some sort of passion. And has to have meaningful content. Starting today I am going to start focusing on building myself as a brand, especially in the blogging sphere, but promise to continue being myself. I'm going to try to RT things on Twitter that pertain to my life, but would be useful for other as well. I promise to continue with daily life updates as well. And same with my blog. Maybe I'll work on some sort of continuity in posts, but not forgetting that this is a personal blog and I want to share about my life as well.

To leave you today, here are 10 these were really hard to pick things I learned at #SoSlam this year. They might seem simple and you might already  know them, but sometimes a gentle reminder is nice.

1. You have to start.
2. You're never going to be perfect.
3. Mirror online engagement with face-to-face engagement.
4. Don't be 'normal.' Be yourself.
5. Don't be locked into a brand, your brand can always be evolving.
6. You will not build an audience without being focused.
7. Twitter supports your growth.
8. Looks count.
9. Expect that mistakes are going to happen.
10. Be patient.

Now that I'm looking at this blogging venture through completely new lenses, do you have any tips for me? What about things that just any new blogger should know. Let me hear it!!

This just isn't my thing.

I give up. I'm not cut out for blogging. But, hey I tried.

Okay so I'm not really giving up I'm just going to say it so that when I do blog it will be like "OH MY GOSH, ASHLEY POSTED A BLOG." It's pretty much why everyone at works thinks I'm awesome any way. Our VP of Sales has taught me, "set the bar low so you always impress." Okay, not really but it's fun to think that way some times. 

Any ways, I quit my second job. It's a big deal. I've worked at Pandora the jewelry store, not the radio for 17 months now it's probably the longest I've had a job actually. And while I loved working there in college, the last 6 months with two jobs has just been, well tough. I didn't get a lot of hang out time after work and lots of my weekends were taken up. This will be the first week where I haven't had an evening shift.... and it pretty much rocks. I've been cooking, working out and walking the dog. It's an awesome life I live.

But, now that I've given up Pandora it seems like my planner is still full of stuff to do. And I love that. I cannot wait to spend the summer on the lake. The weather is finally starting to look like it will stay nice. And the first of the spring/summer weddings start next week. I promise to blog about all of them. Every. Single. One.

It's Wednesday and that's about all I can say about today.

If anyone has any good ways besides taking medicine to get rid of this headache I've had since yesterday morning, I promise to take your advice.

'For As Much As She Runs, She's Still Here'

I feel like this song title describes my life right now. I feel like I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off, but I'm always finding myself at my desk. Which isn't a bad thing. I love this crazy, fun job and am so thankful for it! And I love that we're finally picking up and getting busy. Heck, the phone has rang 4 times in the last 30 minutes!!

But, let's catch up. Last month was short, and a whirlwind! But, March seems to be bringing the same craziness. Last week was our Optimist Club auction. I was on the committee so I put in a lot of hard work and it turned out wonderful. And this weekend we have another home show at work. Here's to another 20 hour work weekend! And then next weekend is the bracelet event at Pandora, and the Maroon 5 concert. Then Easter, then church camp the next weekend, the Bruce/Tracy & Sam/Andrea's wedding and then another homeshow. Ahhhh, this is insane! 

But, I'm so happy spring is FINALLY here. I wore a dress without tights Sunday & Monday and was running around in shorts Monday too. This weather is beautiful and makes me so happy that I live in such a beautiful state. Speaking of living, apartments are expensive and hunting for one is annoying. I've started the apartment hunting process and I think I found one I like, must see it in person. And hopefully I'll be out of the 'rents house by May! That's a full year of living with them, and it's plenty long enough.

I feel like I don't have much time for anything else. I have this blog all planned out in my head, I just haven't been able to sit down and write it. So one of these days it will be written. Promise!

Off to a meeting and then a shift at the Pandora. Here's to busy, beautiful weeks and healthy, happy lives!

Sharing is Caring.

For today's blog post I'm going to share a blog post. I know, it seems like cheating a little but I really liked it and I think you all should read it. So go read it.


 Every Thing I Need to Know I learned From Beauty and the Beast. 

Blogging Disaster

I'm a blogging disaster, I'll admit it. Why can't I do anything consistently? I need to make more time for myself I think.

Anyways, if you know me you know I like to read. I think it's an awesome hobby to have. I don't really know where it came from but for as long as I can remember I've enjoyed sitting down with a good book and escaping from reality. I think I really started to love reading in the 5th grade. That's when I claim to have started reading on a regular basis at least. My 5th grade teacher who is still my favorite teacher ever and I talk to on a regular basis introduced to me to Harry Potter and my best friend Keely but that's for another post and I fell head over heels in love. Along with the million other books she suggested to me. There's something about getting wrapped up in another world that is so appealing to me. Maybe it's because I'm an only child and the characters felt like siblings or maybe it's because I'm weird. I don't know and I don't care. Give me 15 minutes of free time and you can guarantee I'm curled in a ball reading a book or more recently my Kindle or iPhone.

Today I give you an McCloud Says You Must Read book list. Most of them came to be downloaded by suggestion, but I'll take credit for them today.

1. The Traveler's Gift by Andy Andrews - This bad boy will change the way you live your life or at least make you think about it. It's a great read for all ages, but especially those just starting out in the real world. Grab the copy that includes Mastering the Seven Decisions. You'll thank me later.  [A man decides is world has come to an end, then he travels back in time to meet 7 people who give him 7 decisions he can make about his life.]

2. Guys Are Waffles, Girls Are Spaghetti by Chad Eastham - If you've ever wondered why the opposite sex is so weird, Chad helps you understand. While I think this book is more fitted for a high school student, I would never give someone the opportunity to learn. [Chad walks you through the reason why guys and girls are so different, and gives you perspective as to what you're going through in regards to the opposite sex. And his editor (a female) leaves some interesting comments for you to read as well]

3. The Inn Boonsboro Trilogy by Nora Roberts - Thought you were going to get through this list with out a girly book huh? You're wrong!! As someone who is more of a murder mystery kind of reader, I fell in love with these books. More realistically  I fell in love with the characters.  I was really upset at the end of the third book, I WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THEIR LIVES. Which is the problem I have with all books really.... [I don't know how to describe this series without giving it all away, but it's centered around an inn that's being remolded, 3 brother and 3 best friends.]

4. Killing Kennedy & Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly - My obsessions with the Kennedys started when I was in the 4th grade and we went to Newport Rhode Island with Sea Ray. It's all down hill from there. I went to every mansion/church/museum that had to do with them while we were there and then started reading every book I could get my hands on. So when Killing Kennedy was in my stocking this year I was beyond excited.  After O'Reilly relating Kennedy to Lincoln so heavily I kind of cultivated an interest in Lincoln too. [The deaths of these two men are intense and fascinating. I love history and I love the Kennedys. These books were perfect, easy reads!]

5. Mrs. Kennedy and Me by Clint Hill and The Kennedy Detail by Gerald Blaine & Lisa McCubbin - more Kennedys #sorryimnotsorry. [Two books written by secret service agents assigned to the Kennedy detail. Does it get much better than that? Let me answer, no.]

If you would like a more extensive list of books that I have enjoyed reading since graduation the total is up to like 35 or 40 let me know. I love sharing my love for reading!!

Honesty is the best policy

I promised a meaningful blog post this week and here it is.

This morning I took a few minutes before a meeting so I wasn't just not working to check out Thought Catalog. Some times they post the most ridiculous things but every once in a while  I find a post I fall in love with. Today I found 3. So I'm sharing them all on different forms of social media. If you're my Facebook friend you're lucky and can read that article. Check out my Tweet here.

But, this post isn't about those two articles, it's about its own. The article I ran across is called Let's Start Being Honest About What We Want. I love the point it makes here. Why are people so dishonest about things? I firmly believe in telling the truth, for multiple reasons. 1) I'm a horrible lier. 2) You have to tell more lies and then you just have to tell more lies. 3) Your lies stop making sense and then it just doesn't work.

I don't know why people think they need to lie. I just get angry thinking about it. I really, really do. I realize this article is mostly about relationships and I think a lot of people have trouble being honest with what they want. I know I do sometimes. I mean isn't it easier to ignore what you're feeling than create an awkward situation by talking about how you feel? Well, we're not little kids anymore, put on your big girl/boy panties and chat about it.

But, I'm not sure I actually read this article as being about relationships with people as much as about being a relationship with myself and the big Man upstairs. Why not be honest about what you want and actually work towards it. I believe the hardest person to be honest with is yourself. It's easy to fall into the 'norms' and just live life that way. I've been trying really hard to be honest with myself and fix the things I think I'm doing wrong. And be better at doing things I think are right. I know it sounds silly and not like a lot of work, but it has been for me. Which is weird to say out loud and I'm okay with it.

I'm ready to make 2013 about being honest with myself. And everyone else in my life. Here's to a life full of happiness and honesty. LET'S GO!