SHOP MY CLOSET!

6.29.2013

 It's back...
Head over to junejuly right here to see what's new! 

bloglovin' and a friendly kick in the pants to get your weekend going

6.28.2013

If you haven't already heard the news, Google Reader is shutting down on July 1st. If you use Google Reader to follow this blog, I'd suggest switching over to Bloglovin'. I've used it for a couple of years now and really like the interface. As always, thanks for reading!

On a completely different note--i saw this video yesterday and it made me happy and want to get  up and do more with my life. I like those 'kick in the pants' moments--so I hope this kicks you too...

Duct Tape Surfing from Mark Tipple on Vimeo.

ups and downs.

6.27.2013

Well, I guess the time has come--it's been almost three years and last weekend we had our first fight (at least that i can remember) as a married couple, and when I say fight, I mean--he did something dumb that he admitted was stupid and felt terrible about it, but I was still really hurt over it. So, although I knew i needed to forgive him, it was going to take some time of me not talking to him, him showing up with flowers and chocolates (I didn't realize that was a real sorry gesture), and then me forcing him to talk more about it before I could accept his white flag peace treaty.

Tears and hugs and feelings of betterment followed.

I know i'm lucky to have found someone just right for me. I love him--sometimes things he does really annoys me (i'm sure the feeling's mutual), sometimes I think about what it would be like if I would have chosen someone else to spend my life with, but at the end of any those times, I come back to the realization that he was just the right choose for me.  
He's humble, and sweet, and good, and low-drama, he loves me, and we fit.
And so I'm lucky (even if it takes somewhat strange events to remind me just how lucky I am).

Choose a good one, girls. 
It's the best investigate you'll ever make.
<<what i wore>>
statement necklace (IN LOVE!) //c.o. persun (buy it here $37)
peplum blouse//c.o. sugarlips (sold out, buy similar here $39)
favorite skinnies//oasap (buy here $45)
watch//mimi's the look (buy it here $30)
bracelet//vintage (buy similar here $13)
fringe bag//c.o. style lately (sold out, buy similar here $24)
coral heels//seychelle (buy similar here $50)

CLOSED: summer hearts giveaway!

6.24.2013

The lucky winner is Sharmaine Ruth!
Please email me with 72 hours to claim your care package!
Yay!
photo by Sarah from arrow&apple via frances blog

I few months ago Marcus and I had the pleasure of participating in a little shoot for Frances Vintage here in Phoenix. We got to work with the some of the best people on earth--super genuine, passionate people. 

I don't know how many times i have to say it on this blog, but those are two of my favorite qualities in a person, ever.

The shoot, by Arrow&Apple was for a Frances Hearts Summer magazine Vol. 1--which supports rad local businesses and provides us great tips and ideas of things to do this summer.

Georganne, owner of Frances & Smeeks sent me a few extra mags to giveaway (or you can buy it here for $8) and I wanted to throw in a few other things I HEART this summer!

What You'll Win:
 Frances Hearts Summer magazine
Frances canvas tote bag & Vintage striped head scarf
Tortoise and gold arrow sunnies
Golden leaf, boho headband
Powder & Jade Earrings
6 credits to my favorite new free app Printic--print and deliver polaroid looking pictures from instagram :)
So to enter to win just tell me what YOU HEART this summer (it could be a favorite product, activity, recipe...) just share the love!

For extra entries (new comment for each)//
1. Share this giveaway on your social platforms (twitter, instagram, facebook) by posting a picture of what YOU HEART and mention me @ashleyanielson
2. Like or Follow Frances on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and let me know you did
3. Sign up for Printic here and tell me you did (it's FREE)

Grand prize winner will be selected using Random.org, but i'll also be picking my favorite instagram picture to send another copy of Frances Hearts Summer magazine to.

Be sure and provide an email so I can contact you if you're selected! Good Luck :)


+open to US residents only
+valued at over $80!

never take it off.

6.18.2013

Remember when I said this was going to be my go-to summer outfit? 
Well, i this dress just took the lead--it is so light and comfortable and beautiful and dreamy and creamy and lovely that i may never take it off...
Also, with this shot, I felt like I got a sneak peek into what it will be like wearing it when i'm pregnant someday, and let's be real, it is a freakin' cute maternity dress, am i right? 
<<what i wore>>
hair//beach curl (tutorial here)
sunnies//amazon $10 (buy them here)
ivory boho dress//free people on sale in stores $50 (buy here)
emerald teardrop earrings//anthropologie $24 (buy here)
world watch//urban outfitters $34 (buy here)
turquiose bracelet//threads $14 (buy here)
slip extender//a slip shop $25 (buy similar here)
tabby boots//c.o. pb&j boutique $65 (buy here-- on sale!)
fringe bag//c.o. style lately $29 (buy here)

Are We There Yet?//a personal story written by my dad

6.17.2013

i have the coolest dad.
he is good.
and he is handsome. 
and he is funny. 
and he writes the best, regular emails to his kids.
he archives them on a blog, and i will cherish those stories all my life.

this was the email we all got in our inboxes Sunday morning. 
it was a letter he sent to my nephew who is in his first few weeks of bootcamp.
those first few weeks are reputably the most challenging and family is encouraged to write letters to help keep their spirits up.

i think this letter from cowboy grandpa 'ought to do the trick.
it sure did it for me.
my dad (far left) with his brothers and dad after a cattle drive in Wyoming
"Dear Justin,
Years ago your mother was going to drive you boys to Utah by herself. I decided to go with you and help drive. I instructed her to bring you boys over to our house the night before because I wanted to get started about 4:00 A.M. It was our hope to just lift you all in the back of the Suburban while you were asleep and have you wake up in Flagstaff for breakfast at McDonalds.  The plan was working well for about two blocks. When I stopped at the light at University and Mesa Drive you appeared over the seat and asked, “Are we there yet?”  
We were not. 
We still had 600 miles to go.

You may remember the trip. We stopped on the reservation and walked over some of the moonscape type rolling hills. When we stopped at the Lake Powell dam visitors center you all got wet in the little pools outside the visitors center. Somewhere in southern Utah we saw an inviting stream so I stopped again and we all went wading in the stream. Your mother had to deal with wet cloths each time we stopped but we had fun.

It is not uncommon for young children to ask several hundred times on a long trip ‘Are we there yet?’  When you get my age you will find that you have asked that question thousands of times and it is not just about a long trip. 
It is about life in general and the answer is --No we are not there yet. We often think that our happiness will be at the end of the trip and that is only partly true. Happiness has to be found along the way every day or it will indeed be a long and boring trip. 

While you are in ‘boot camp’ I trust that you will be asking several times every day --‘Are we there yet?’. I am proud of this new phase of your life. We are all proud. It is OK during these few weeks to ask ‘ARE WE THERE YET DAMMIT?’  After that it is just ‘Are we there yet?' 
Enjoy the trip.  

Love,
Grandpa Bagley"




on the phone lately.

6.14.2013

finally finished a mammoth painting project that i'm pretty stoked about.
and how 'bout that pretty $30 maxi skirt that comes in a rainbow of colors? 
get yours here (if you want it long order M, if you want 3/4 order S).
got a few of our europe pictures printed using one of my favorite new summer apps--Printic.
i'm working on a giveaway, so keep your eyes open!
started reading a, so far, fascinating book that my brother and sister in law recommended, The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion  
Anyone read it?
Surprise birthday party from my brother-in-law and long time friend, Sterling.
i have two talented, funny, hipster friends that are single and ready for love if anyone's insterested...;)
trying to get my behind in gear to get healthier--hitting the gym in this awesome skip-n-whistle unicorn sweatshirt for some yoga.
fresh picked, fresh squeezed lemonade picnics with my niece.
a friend of mine is starting a bakery here in Mesa called Proof--check it out if you like good things in your mouth.
loving the Frances Loves Summer magazine and still giddy that marcus and i were a little part of it.
also working on a giveaway for some of these!

What are you up to this Summer?

instagram//@ashleyanielson

watercolor.

6.13.2013

 when this top first came in the mail, i opened it up and thought, 
"Oh goodness, am i really going to be able to pull this off?" 
but after seeing it hanging on the back of my door for a week, I finally tried my hand at styling it, and i tell you what, i sort of fell in love. 
it's so bright and great for summer with the boxy look, but the perfect peplum to feminize it. i'm excited to pair it with some white skinnies next.
it sort of makes me wish our back patio were finished and that i lived somewhere with enjoyable weather so i that i could plan a summer tea party.
anyone want to invite me to their home not in arizona? i'll throw you a tea party...
<what i wore>>
fedora straw hat//forever21 (buy similar here $9)
favorite blush and lip color//stila (buy it here $25)
necklace//j.crew sale (buy similar here $12, here $8, or here $28)
oversized boyfriend watch//c.o. mimi's the look (buy it here $30)
watercolor peplum top//c.o. oasap (buy it here)
kick pleat pencil skirt//c.o. tailor and stylist (buy it here $19)
illi wedges//c.o. blowfish (buy here $44)
What's the weather like where you live? 
We have a plane credit we need to use this summer before it expires and we don't know where we should go! 
Tell me! Tell me!

do i look like an amish boy? good.

6.10.2013

there is nothing quite as lovely as waking up feeling 100% well after laying in bed for two days with the flu, is there?

healthy bodies are wonderful things, and something i know i take for granted much more than i should--and for that, i am strangely grateful for illnesses--just so that i have the little reminder to appreciate the health i usually enjoy...of course the gratitude doesn't come when I'm curled over a mixing bowl throwing up for the 11th time, instead on the downhill of the illness, but still--it always comes, and i'm glad for that.

what's your go-to cure for the flu? 
when i was finally brave enough to eat something, applesauce really hit the spot.

on the subject of health--marcus and i are thinking about trying out veganism for a few weeks to see if if makes us feel better or more energized. has anyone tried it? have any suggestions? the thought of no cheese in my life is making me heart pound a little harder...i don't know how long we'll last.
<<what i wore>>
boater hat//free people--on sale in stores $19 (buy here)
'm' necklace//divas--local boutique $35 (similar here)
triangle necklace//c.o. style lately (buy here)
fringe purse//style lately--$29 (buy here)
around the world watch//urban outfitters $34 (buy here)
safari silk blouse//j.crew sale (similar here)
vigoss destroyed jeans//nordstroms--$58 (buy here)
wedges//yesstyle--old (similar here)

Pali Lookout

6.03.2013

this was probably the most fun we had in hawaii, because for the entire duration of the visit, we were in full laughter. i've never experienced such natural chaos and it was rather amazing to feel the power of powerlessness. 
My only word of advice--don't wear a dress!
even this guy (behind marcus and corey) ended up getting blown down this incline,  spilling the drink in his hand all over the place, and he jumped up and couldn't stop laughing. it' insane up there, and if you get the chance, go!
Just getting home from the Europe trip, I felt like I wasn't going to want to travel for quite some time, but we watched a movie this weekend that reminded me of hawaii, and then seeing this--i can already feel that traveling bug. We're in trouble.

© i believe in unicorns. Maira Gall.