Fave Summer Finds

7.27.2014

I've had a few emails come in on how to beat the heat in these blazing summer months...this is a question that i cannot rightfully answer, for this heat is most definitely beating me! But in an effort to not go down in total humiliation against the enemy, I've gathered together some of my summer essentials, for when I do get brave enough to put some clothes on and venture into the sun! Hope you enjoy--you can click directly on the image and it will take you to the site to find out more about it or to buy! Thanks for reading! And please, share any summer tips :)

where i talk about baby animals and i can't stop.

7.23.2014


Last weekend we got done with dinner quite early and since it wasn't over 100 degrees outside, we decided to take a quick stroll around the Mesa Temple to enjoy the gardens and watch the sunset. While the weather was not particularly enjoyable, it was bearable, and bearable is something we strive for here in Arizona during the summer months (unfortunately). Right was we turned the corner to one of my favorite little spots on the temple grounds, we saw one, then two, then three cottontail rabbits. They were so tiny and hoppy i thought i had entered a fairy tale! Their little tails truly looked like you glued on a little cotton swab to their behind! I was enamored--this shouldn't surprise you, coming from a girl who has spent far too many afternoons watching "Too Cute" on Netflix--but seriously, that show IS TOO CUTE! 

Baby humans are cute and all, but baby animals!? Don't get me started...
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wearing:
sunnies//c.o. oasap (buy here)
floral kimono//c.o. oasap (buy here)
striped tank//gap (buy similar here)
tiny arrow necklace//stella & dot (buy here)
gold circle charm//old (buy similar here)
triangle necklace//stylelately (buy similar here)
bracelet//threads (buy here)
leather watch//skagen (buy here)
high rise skinnies//madewell (buy similar here)
ankle strap heels//old (buy similar here)

#BagleyPyramidSchemeLaunchParty2014 #BagleyCon

7.21.2014

<<what marcus wore>>
sunnies//urban outfitters (buy here)
chambray top//j.crew factory (buy here)
jeans//levi's (buy here)
boots//last chance (buy similar here)
<<me>>
silk top//j.crew (similar here and here)
sandals//seychelles (buy here)

Family is the best. Who doesn't love some built in friends, am i right?
For the past week I've been surrounded by extended family and it's been so lovely.

We started off last weekend at our cabin in the mountains. Marcus, Poppy and I joined my sister, Leisel and her hubs Sterling for a weekend of hikes, pancakes and shooting.

The girls in our family have a long history of being naturally good shots, so it's always fun to show off our hidden talent to the boys.
<<what leisel wore>>
cali top//tj maxx (buy similar here)
jeans//old navy (buy here)
tennis shoes//tiger (buy here)
After a quick lesson on how not to hold a gun and how not to point it at people when you're talking to them, Leisel continued the tradition of being a naturally good shot. Her stance, on the other hand, had us all in tears...
B did her best with the BB gun, but I think she still needs a few years to develop some wrist strength before her talents can be properly judged :)
Marcus clearly looked smokin', so he gets the most photos in this post, because i love him, especially when he plays cowboy.
And I, although I much prefer riffles, held my own with this little revolver.
I gave Leisel the chance to reenact her stance to photo purposes. I think she looks much more intimidating in this shot.
 Sterling also jumped at the opportunity for more photos.
It was of course a lovely time in the forest.
 From the cabin, I alone, headed up to our family reunion in Utah. Marcus and Sterling couldn't get off work and Leisel dreaded driving twelve hours with a one year old, so she skipped out this year.
It was at a resort in Snowbird, and I've always thought Utah was gorgeous, but this place was insane! I felt like I was in Switzerland and also in a fairy tale, because chipmunks, and 'potguts' and weasels were constantly scurrying around my feet. We even had a few run-ins with a moose family and some raccoons!
It was so much fun to see all my out-of-town siblings and nieces and nephews, and taking the little one's on all the rides, but I missed my own little family terribly and Facetime wasn't a good substitute, so I was so happy to come home to them on Thursday evening--which just so happened to be Poppy's 2nd birthday!
For the second year in a row, she held onto her "Cutest Dog in the World" title. Boy, do I love her!

bring me all the carbs.

7.03.2014

I hope your 4th is lovely and that you get get to eat all your favorite foods, wear all your favorite patriotic regalia, and turn absolutely raisin in the pool with friends and family!

Be sure to follow along on instagram (@ashleyanielson) if you're not already--i have a fun independence day giveaway happening this weekend!
PS HOW AMAZING IS THIS PRETZEL FLOATY!?
I think i need this donut one next...
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wearing:
silk headscarf//vintage (similar here)
round sunnies//old (similar here)
lip stain//c.o. oasap (buy here)
red nail polish//j.crew (similar here)
giant pretzel floaty//urban outfitters (buy here)

Poolside.

7.02.2014

Hello old friends! I'm back to say hello, sticking with what I said, I have still not resigned to wearing clothes--so you can see me here in my prettiest pool coverup.

Monday night I decided to pull together a last minute Friendship Waffles/Family Night/Swim Party. I invited my in-town siblings + families and my parents and my lovely sister, Leisel let us have it at her house since she lives closer to our community pool (and has a bigger dining table). 

I figured I had made hundreds of my famous Belgian waffles for my closest friends in Jr High and High School, but not all my siblings or even my husband had had an official taste! 
It was time to blow their minds.

While I firmly believe there is no inappropriate time to eat a waffle, summertime is admittedly the very best time to eat my particular friendship waffle since it's covered in a thick layer of bluebell vanilla ice cream and completely overtaken with fresh cut strawberries.

You guys--my nickname wasn't Waffles for nothing...

With one bite Marcus fell in love with me all over again, and against our better judgement, we did not follow the "wait 30 minutes after eating before going swimming" and alas, no one fell prey to side cramps or drowning...Family Night Success!
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wearing:
silk headscarf//vintage (similar here)
round sunnies//old (similar here)
lip stain//c.o. oasap (buy here)
initial necklace//local boutique (similar here)
chiffon maxi dress//c.o. oasap (buy here)
red nail polish//j.crew (similar here)
© i believe in unicorns. Maira Gall.