Here goes...

So... almost a month ago, I talked about some changes that were going on in my life. I feel like it's finally time to share these changes. 

Talking about things and opening up to people has never been easy for me, but I'm going to try. 

Jeremy and I are getting a divorce. I feel like this has been a long time coming. For the past couple of years, I have been telling Jeremy that I didn't think we were right for each other. We are just different people. I feel like we grew apart. To me, we were just best friends. I think it was easy to just stay together out of comfort. I tried and tried to tell myself that I was happy, but a little voice inside of me kept telling me I really wasn't. I kept telling myself that I made a promise when I said my vows and that I shouldn't break that promise. I finally decided that I had to start living for myself and do what would make me happy instead of trying to please other people. I took a HUGE step and told Jeremy that I didn't want to be with him anymore... 

When Jeremy and I met, I had a habit of dating assholes. Jeremy seemed like a very nice guy and I thought that's what I needed. Turns out, what you need isn't always what you want. And if what you think you needed isn't what you really wanted then it's probably not really what you needed. 

It has been a crazy month... I flew to Chicago on January 11, spent a week here, drove to Missouri to see my family for a week, came back to Chicago for a week and then flew back to California to pack my things and have them shipped back here. I've been back in Chicago for about two weeks now. I'm getting used to living in a new place and I'm searching for jobs.

I go through phases of being sad and missing the life I had, but I know that I made the right choice and that both of us will be happier in the long run. For the first time in a long time, I'm actually looking forward to the future. 

Oh, you might be wondering why I chose to move to Chicago. Well, I just really needed a change! I didn't want to just move back to Missouri, but I also didn't want to stay in California. I knew I wanted to be close enough that I could drive home, but far enough that I could make a fresh start. A friend in Chicago suggested I come here, so here I am! 

Thanks for listening...

Also, one of my blog besties, Justyn, at Thoughts by a Petite Brunette is having an awesome giveaway for a C'est La Vie T-shirt. Head on over and check it out here.

Changes

Hello!!! I haven't been home for a little over 2 weeks now and haven't had access to a computer much, so I've really been slacking on blogging. Also, I haven't really known what to say. I have A LOT going on in my life right now. Some of you know what's going on and eventually I will sit down and write a post about everything, but now is not the time. I am going through some BIG changes in my life (no I'm NOT pregnant) and I just ask for your thoughts and prayers as I go through all of this. Thanks! I really miss all my blog friends! 

Hope you have a great week!!! 

The return of The Bachelor

I've willingly admitted that I love reality TV, I'm not ashamed! I watched The Bachelor the first few seasons and watched Trista's season of The Bachelorette and then for some reason I just stopped watching. I started watching again on Jason's season where the douche picked adorable Melissa and then dumped her for Molly. I've watched every season of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette since. Now, I look forward to every Monday night. A hot guy, drama filled women and a few glasses of wine is my idea of a great night!

Source: examiner 

I really liked Sean on Emily's season. I thought he was super cute and soooo sweet! So, I was pretty excited when I heard he was going to be the new bachelor. 

The first episode did not disappoint with crazy women! A girl in a wedding dress (who was sadly named Lindsay, I'm embarrassed to share her name), a 50 Shades of Crazy, a way too tanned girl who wrote a song for Sean, a girl who tried to impress him with her gymnastic abilities and completely failed, and MANY more!

I knew from the previews and magazine articles that someone from a previous season would be on this season and I was excited when I saw it was Kacie B. I think she's adorable! I think it's hilarious that all the girls got their panties in a bunch because there was someone from a previous season. They were all saying she already had her chance. Do they not realize how stupid they sound? Did Sean not have his chance already with Emily? And we all know that those same girls that were saying things like that would jump at the chance to be The Bachelorette or be on Bachelor Pad. 

Was anyone else a little disappointed he gave Tierra the first rose? It's obvious she's going to be so catty and full of drama. I'm not sure what he saw in her over the other girls. I did like the way he changed it up and started giving out roses before the rose ceremony. Why wait? 

From the previews at the end of last nights episode, it looks like this is going to be a good season!

New Years Resolution - Gluten Free

Every year, I make a NY resolution and every year I do not stick with it! My resolution usually has something to do with losing weight and working out. To be honest, I can't really say I don't stick with it, because I usually never even really start it. 

After my mom was here visiting last September, I looked back at pictures and realized I really needed to lose some weight to feel better about myself. I slowly started dieting and slowly started losing weight. I was in a wedding the beginning of November and when I saw those pictures mid November, I knew that I really needed to kick it up a notch. At the beginning of December, I started working out EVERY day! I alternated between Zumba and Pilates. I'm proud to say that I've lost close to 20 pounds since September. I am now just a few pounds from my goal weight (although my goal weight has changed a few times). 

So.... part of my NY resolution is to continue working out and eating healthier. 

However, my main resolution is no red meat for at least a month and to start and continue a gluten free diet. I'm happy to say that I've stuck to both of these for 9 days now. I really didn't eat red meat very often unless I was out at a restaurant and had a good burger or steak, so this one isn't too hard to stick to. Gluten free.... has not been as easy. There is gluten in so many things that we don't even realize. 

You might be wondering why I even decided to go gluten free. Well, there are a few reasons... But the main reason is; most of our bodies can't break down gluten, we just don't realize it. That being said, I've had some really bad stomach issues for awhile. My stomach feels like it is at war with itself. Every night when I go to bed, it sounds like there are monsters in my stomach trying to kill each other. I've told a few people about my stomach issues and most of them have said it sounds like it could be a gluten intolerance. So... I decided to bite the bullet and go gluten free. This is my 10th day and I must say my stomach is feeling A LOT better!!! 

I am hoping that 2013 is finally the year that I will succeed in sticking to my resolution! Wish me luck!!! 

Also, if any of you are gluten free and have some good recipes or know of another blogger that has some recipes, please send them my way. Thanks! 

Random Wednesday #4

Happy 2013!!! 

Sadly, the holidays are over. I'm sitting here staring at my Christmas tree wishing I did not have to take it down today. Why do the holidays have to come and go so quickly? It seems like I just put up the Christmas decorations yesterday and now it's time to take them down. :(

I'm not feeling too random today (which is rare) and I haven't even done a Christmas recap yet, so I'm just going to post a few random pictures from the month of December. 

 

Fitting into these jeans after not being able to fit into them for at least 3 years

Christmas cookies!!! 

Starting off Christmas with a few adult beverages

Getting a free beer for building the most awesome beeramid

Hanging out with Lil C

Doing a little beer tasting

Loving this adorable shirt from Ooh La Loft

Getting ready to play Rock Band

Sleepy Peanut in his Christmas sweater

Christmas outfit

Wearing our new fancy headbands

New Years Eve

Sorry for the picture overload. Apparently, I took more pictures than I realized.

With the new year, comes new goals and new resolutions. One of my goals is to blog more. I haven't blogged much the last couple months, so I was super excited when I got on here today and saw that I had over 200 followers!!! I love all my blog friends and love making new friends every day! 

Happy Wed-nes-day!!! 

Christmas came early!!!

I was so excited when I got this tweet from the lovely Makaila from Distinctly M. 

I hurried over to her blog real quick to see what she was talking about and saw that I had won her Flaunt Jewelry Giveaway. I was so excited and could hardly contain my excitement as I patiently waited for it to arrive. M was quick to wrap it up and get it shipped out, then I just had to wait for the UPS truck to drive up. It got here last week and it's even more AMAZING than it looks in the pics.

 The packaging was so pretty, I almost didn't want to unwrap it

 But of course I unwrapped it and look at how BEAUTIFUL!

And how cute are these push pins? 

I can't wait to find the perfect spot for it in my room and give my jewelry a gorgeous place to hang. 

Want one of these beauties for yourself or for the perfect Christmas gift?! Head on over to Makaila's etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/DistinctlyM. 

P.S. If you aren't following Distinctly M, what is wrong with you?! She's gorgeous, sweet, talented, creative and funny! What more could you ask for?!

Also last week, I was on IG and saw a picture of my friend Cori in a scarf she had crocheted. I asked her when she was sending me one. She so sweetly asked me what color I wanted and then a couple days later sent me a picture of my new scarf AND matching head wrap and asked for my address. I got my package in the mail a couple of days later and couldn't wait to wear my new winter accessories. 

I told her I wanted a neutral color and she picked this PERFECT color!

Cori is in the process of setting up a shop to sell her handmade scarves and head wraps and believe me you will want to get one or two or 10 for yourself. I'm already thinking I need these in mustard yellow now.

Happy Monday! Two weeks until Christmas Eve, yippee!!!!

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!!!