Flowerchild.

OUTFIT DEETS: Orbit Stroller//here, Boater Hat//similar here, Acid wash tee//similar here or here, buffalo check flannel//here, Lace up booties//similar here, Jeans//here, Midi Rings//here, Hidden Crown Hair Extensions//here, Simon's onesie//here, Marcus' linen top//here

So about a month and half ago, I won a dinner feast at Flowerchild through IG and I think I screamed out loud when I saw my name announced. Marcus and I are HUGE fans of all the Fox Restaurant Concepts here in the Phoenix area (let's face it, he's a genius) and had recently discovered the wonderful magic of Flowerchild thanks to an event the generously sponsored for The Shine Project. It's unfortunately a bit of a drive from Mesa, so we only head out there when Marcus has the day off and we're feeling fancy at lunch time ;). Usually when we go, we get the avocado hummus with pita and fresh veggies, and it's insanely good and I highly recommend it. The prize was to choose a protein and three sides, so we were 'forced' to branch out. The only thing I was set on was the corn and quinoa side, because I had had that before and craved it for a straight month after. OH EM GEE, it's yummy. I actually told Marcus we should get two sides of it so I didn't have to share, not realizing that the dinner sides are way bigger than the usual side--luckily he talked me out of that plan. For the rest of our choices, we basically asked the staff what we should try and left it up to them. The beet salad was rich and creamy and really good. The indian spiced cauliflower was for Marcus' sake--I don't like indian food, but he liked it. And the tomato, watermelon basil salad was really unique and quite refreshing. The steak was great, but again, huge portions, so we had it for like three meals after this. Also, be sure and get their daily lemonade--we've tried about 6 of their flavors and everyone has been a treat! 

Here's my final top recommendations {based on this trip and prior ones}: Avocado Hummus, Corn & Quinoa, Lemon Olive Oil Cake,  Flying Avocado Wrap, Any flavor of Lemonade, and the Beet, Avocado & Citrus Salad

Have you tried any of the Fox Spots? What's your fave?

You can check out how we spent our whole day on @orbitbaby --I took over their IG account yesterday :)

new eyes//free write

I feel like lately I've fallen into the trap of negativity. I truly believe that just like optimism is contagious, negativity is equally so.

For the past several months I've been complaining about living here in Arizona--I was hating the weather and griping about how there were so many beautiful places to live--why in the world were we stuck in a place who's favorite color seemed to be brown and faded (very faded) green. Almost every weekend would come and go and the only thing we could find to do was eat and sit on our couch watching movies. We have yet to find friends to fill the spot of our Idaho besties and the lack of socialization was really getting to me.

I dreaded seeing co-workers or family members after a weekend because I knew they would ask something like, "How was your weekend, did you do anything fun?" and I would rack my brain trying to think of something, anything that was noteworthy, but always ended up replying something like, "It was fine--we went out to eat..." and then quickly changed the subject.

I constantly rolled my eyes at the dirt lots and chain-link fences that were the ever-present eyesores of the neighborhood--my eyes were yearning for scenes I had found in Europe--cobblestone roads, wild green grass and lush wisteria vines taking over thousand year old walls.

I was a grouch--and i was getting sick of myself.

Then a friend of a friend contacting me through Facebook and asked if I wanted to be part of his photography project. He and his wife had recently moved from Utah, a place surrounded my some the prettiest mountains in America to the desert of Arizona and he felt similarly to how I was feeling about the desolate landscape. The difference between he and I, was that he was working to love with his new home. He embarked on a project to find the good Arizona has to offer (it does have many good things) and capture the beauty--he wanted to fall in love with the wild desert.

I thought his idea was interesting, so I drove out to east Mesa and met him and his wife and we all drove out to the Superstition Mountains. As we got closer, I realized that I hadn't ever been right up to them--they're mountains I have seen my whole life, but had never taken the time to really experience them. My mouth was gaping open as we drove through the untouched desert, at peak time--the golden hour--those red rocks rocked my world. I was so happy to be right where I was.

The shoot was so beautiful--it was extremely quite and peaceful and there was a gentle, but crisp breeze. He shot film, so there as no peaking. We stayed out for a few hours and just as we were wrapping up, both he and his wife's eyes widened, I turned to see what was of such interest and right behind me over those gorgeous flat mountains, rose a bright silver dollar moon. I got the chills and my eyes welled up a little. It was one of the most beautiful things I'd ever seen.

I was suddenly so proud of my state. I had fallen back in love with it. Out there in the silence, I could feel that God loved me. He made beautiful things for us to look at, because He knew there were people like me, who needed to see them. That's when I know God is there the most--when I see His creations, unaltered by man.

Since that time, I've had the chance to drive out there again, this time by myself. It was just as magical and I felt just as loved.

I needed new eyes, and out there in that cool desert, I found them.

all photos by Pressing the Plane

Color in Motion 5K this Saturday!

Guess what's happening in Phoenix, AZ this Saturday Morning?

I've seen the Color in Motion 5k's before on friend's facebook feeds and I've always thought it looked like so much fun! Now there's one happening just a few minutes from my house-- I hope I can convince Marcus to get down there with me!

You can find out more/register right here if you're in the area! Use the code 20COLORS for 20% off!

Have you ever done a color run? I always wonder if it hurts if it gets in your eyes? I suppose it's probaby worth it... Haha

CLOSED: summer hearts giveaway!

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

Confetti small wall supplies

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!

#abc13

My sister in law, Reachel from Cardigan Empire was my date

This weekend was the 2nd annual Arizona Blogger Conference and I was really glad I got to go--every time I push myself to go to social events that I don't feel completely confortable at, I am glad I did and I end up meeting someone or many someones that I get so excited about.

This conference had many high-lights, but here are a few:

Dani (from Sometimes Sweet) inspiring me to make at least a weekly effort to spend 20 minutes free-writing, no editing, no stopping, just writing. She said we all have a story to tell, so get telling it. I've always loved her, and I'm happy for every opportunity I get to mingle with that sweet lady.

Getting to meet Sarah Hubbell of the beautiful Emma Magazine. She's funny and incredibly smart and super friendly and easy to talk to--now let me tell you, that's a hard combination to find, so i was lucky to spend a few minutes with her.

And who could forget this surprise! I've been kindly teasing Chelsea about getting married for a few months now, and BAM! she got engaged right before my eyes. I love them.

And lastly, I was so happy when Georganne called me over to meet Katy, my sister and I have been admiring her handmade dolls for over a year through instagram and last week when I went into Frances, I got to see them in real life and find out she actually lives in Arizona, so it was just really fun to meet her, and as a side note, if you follow her on instagram and think she has the greatest hair on planet earth, rest assured you are correct. amen. (why didn't i snap a picture with her?!)

brittany's from brittany's notebook

megan from and here's to you, mrs. robinson

Adrianna from Le Mode Accessories

hello gift bags!? let's not lie, it was a big reason for me wanting to attend this event