Favorite Things November Edition

I can't believe that November is almost over and there's only 25 days until Christmas!!! I wish I could say that I had all my Christmas shopping done, but that's a big fat NEGATIVE! Oh well, I've still got plenty of time right?

The last day of November, means it's time for Favorite Things with Ashley.

#1. The Navajo Sweater from Kiki La'Rue

I think I actually got this sweater the last of October, but since it was too warm to wear it, I'm counting it as a November favorite! Unfortunately, this sweater is sold out, but there are MANY other cute things available at Kiki La'Rue. Check out the Oh My Stars Poncho that's one of the number one things on my wish list!

#2. Thanksgiving!!! 

I made my very first turkey this Thanksgiving. Since it was just going to be four of us, I just made a small turkey breast. Not to toot my own horn, but it turned out DELISH!!! I was a very proud little turkey! Our turkey day was full of pumpkin bread with cream cheese frosting for breakfast (I made that too), turkey, stuffing, hot rolls, mashed potatoes, etc for lunch, some good wine, being in our comfy clothes by 3 PM and playing cards all afternoon.

#3. Christmas Movies

This canvas looks perfect by the Christmas tree! 

#4. Black Friday Shopping

I didn't do the traditional midnight or 5 A.M. Black Friday shopping, but I did get some sweet deals! The sad thing is (well not really sad for me, but sad for my Christmas shopping) that I only got things for myself.

#5. The Starbucks Rewards App

5 more stars until Gold!!! Woohoo!!! Starbucks sure knows how to pull people in. Not like I didn't love going to Starbucks before, but now it's so much fun to see that new little star drop into the cup!

Happy Almost December!!! Bring on more Christmas movies, Christmas lights, Christmas cards, etc... Christmas, Christmas, Christmas!!!

Random Wednesday #3

I'm  over at my MIL's baking Christmas cookies, so I'm going to keep this short and sweet! 

I really wasn't planning on blogging today, but I got over to my MIL's (across the street) and we started talking about the Voice and she said, "I can't find my Adam Levine picture in my phone. It's gone!!!" So of course, I just HAD to go back through my find and find the picture for her. And what kind of a friend would I be if I didn't share this picture with all my bloggy friends?

Could Adam Levine be any hotter?!? I mean seriously, just look at that! I watch the Voice because I love singing, but..... it doesn't hurt that I get to see Adam Levine's face every week (Blake Shelton isn't so bad either). 

There ya go... short, sweet and to the point! You're welcome!!! 

Bun Tutorial

I've had a few people ask me how I get my hair into the perfect bun, so I decided to do a lovely little tutorial to show you just how easy peasy it is to get the perfect bun (or at least what I think is the perfect bun). 

This is my first tutorial and my first vlog, so please don't laugh too hard!!! 

Whew, that was embarrassing!!! I better hit Publish quick before I chicken out! Now, go ahead and tell me how hard you laughed.

Random Wednesday #2

Since I got a text from Shanna last night asking me where I had been with blogging, I decided I better get my booty on the computer and link up with her!

With Thanksgiving tomorrow and Christmas right around the corner, I've just been a busy little bee getting ready for the holidays! 

Since I know we are all busy getting ready to stuff ourselves with turkey tomorrow, I will keep this short and sweet. 

1. Is it terrible that I'm kind of ready for Thanksgiving to be over so I can decorate for Christmas? I have always put my decorations up the weekend after Christmas and always take them down the weekend after New Years. Growing up, I never had a real tree (my mom was allergic), so I got my first real tree my first year living in California. I don't know if we didn't water the tree enough or what, but our tree was pretty much dead by Christmas. Any tips on how to make the tree last? 

2. I am getting old! I can't even clean out a closet/pantry without hurting myself! Our dining room closet has needed cleaned out for about the last 3 years, but instead of cleaning it we just add to it. Monday, I finally decided it was time to clean it out (a nice two hour project). While cleaning, I must have twisted wrong or something, because I pulled something in my rib cage area. It hurts to take deep breaths, sneeze, twist a little too much etc. I went into the living room to lay on the floor and stretch and this happened... 

Apparently, Peanut thought I wanted to be his bed. 

3. Breaking Dawn part 2, need I say more?! If you are a Twilight fan too, you will most likely agree that this was the BEST movie of all of them! Also, if you read the books, what did you think of the twist? I LOVED it! 

4. I am debating going out for Black Friday. Has anyone heard of any great deals? 

Speaking of Black Friday deals, Kiki La'Rue has a great deal going on now through Sunday! 

5. Yesterday, I picked up Indian food and took it to Katrina's to hang out with her and the kiddos. One of the best things about hanging out with a 3 1/2 year old and a 2 year old... getting to pretend like you're 5 again. 

I'm thankful for... Technology, my family, WINE, Twilight (Edward),  fabulous friends, God and books. 

And I'm especially thankful for all my wonderful blog friends!!! 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving full of food, family and many things to be thankful for! 

Kiki La Rue!!!

Have you all heard of Kiki La Rue? If not, you're seriously missing out!!! Becka, the owner, has AMAZING taste! The best part about Kiki La Rue, everything is super affordable! 

About a month ago, I got super lucky and won Erin's (Everything According to Erin) giveaway for a $50 credit to Kiki La Rue. Excited doesn't even being to describe how happy I was! Choosing what to get with my credit was the hard part seeing as I want everything! But... I finally decided and here's what I chose. 

Anything Goes Tunic - Red - The best part about this tunic, it's only $22!!! It is so comfy and cute! I also accessorized it with the Wide Sideways Cross Bracelet and the LOVE Encrusted Stretch Bracelet both from Kiki La Rue!!! 

And... 

Navajo Sweater - I had been waiting and waiting for it to be chilly enough to wear this and it finally was!!! I can't even count how many compliments I got on this sweater. It is so cozy and warm!

Here are just a few things on my KLR wishlist:

Purple Piko Top

La' Rue Jeggings - Dark Plum

OH MY STARS PONCHO

Roma Infinity Scarf - Mustard

And oh so much more!!! Head on over and get your shopping on! Or do what I'm doing and start creating your Christmas wishlist to give to your husband or boyfriend, friends and family! When someone asks you what you want for Christmas now you can say, "Anything from Kiki La Rue!!!"

The best bridesmaid dress EVER!!!

I have been a really bad blogger.  I have all sorts of excuses like I was in a wedding last week, I don't really blog on weekends, I have been busy, etc. None of those are really good excuses, well except for the wedding. Being a bridesmaid in a wedding is an acceptable excuse for not blogging, right?!? A couple weeks ago, I said I would blog about a surprise birthday party I planned, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. I promise I will (even if it is a month later)! But today, I want to talk about the A-freaking-MAZING bridesmaid dress I wore at the wedding. 

I was so thrilled and honored when Melissa asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. Melissa was my first real friend here in California. We had both moved here from the Midwest around the same time and we formed an instant friendship. She was a bridesmaid in our wedding and I also had the privilege of being part of her and Ryan (her husband) getting together. More on that later, this is about the dress.

So... when she first told me how much the bridesmaid dress was going to cost, I about had a heart attack. Melissa said, "But.... you can style it over 15 different ways and I really think you'll be able to wear it again." We've all heard that right?!? I was skeptical about being able to wear it again and just how easy it would be to style this dress 15 different ways. After the order was placed, Melissa found out the dresses wouldn't be here until one week before the wedding. I worked in a formal wear store for over 5 years, so that totally stressed me out (I can only imagine how stressed she was). What if something was wrong with the dress? What if we needed alterations? The dresses arrived on October 26, exactly when scheduled and exactly one week before the wedding. I picked my dress up, brought it home and immediately started trying to style it. It was seriously SOOOOO easy! I did 5 different styles in 5 minutes. I could not believe how great the dress looked and how stinking easy it was. I planned to have the dress hemmed to right above the knee after the wedding and the best part about it is the sales associate said that since the dress is just spandex and there is no hem, you can just cut it off yourself! This is by far my most favorite bridesmaid dress EVER! There were 8 bridesmaids and we all had the dress styled at least a little different. This dress was TOTALLY worth the money. I'm honestly excited for the next time I can wear it. 

Brides, if you are planning your wedding and don't have your bridesmaid dresses picked out yet, I totally recommend Two Birds Bridesmaid. 

Happy Birthday Blog Sisters!!!

Not one, but two of my favorite people were born on this day! 

Happy, happy birthday, Dusty and Justyn!!! I love both of you ladies to the moon and back! I am so glad to be part of this little blog world. If it weren't for blog land, I wouldn't have met some of the best friends a girl could ask for! I'm so glad both of you were born and that I've had the pleasure of getting to know both of you. 

Is she not one of the prettiest ladies you've ever seen?!? And she's just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. She's also one of the funniest people I've ever met! She can turn one of the worst situations into something funny. She always knows how to look on the bright side of things. If I'm having a bad day, I know that Dusty will either give me some great advice or say something so damn funny that I have to laugh and can't help but forget about whatever was upsetting me. One day, I am going to make it to Nashville and we are going to go out honky tonkin until the wee hours and we're going to laugh until we pee ourselves! Until that day, I will look forward to our daily chats. I love you, twat waffle!!! 

Another beauty inside and out! Justyn and I bonded over our love for wine. We both enjoy a nice bottle glass every now and then. We've had one super fun happy hour FaceTime and I can't wait until the next! Justyn is also another funny lady, just check out her blog and you'll see what I mean. And she also knows how to cheer me up. These girls are so much alike, no wonder they were born on the same day! One of these days, Justyn and I will meet and we will share a bottle or three of wine and probably do and say the most ridiculous things! I love you, blister!!! 

Head on over and wish these lovely ladies a happy birthday!!!