2.0.1.5

Images credited to “New Years Eve 2010 - Dubai Fireworks” by Sarah Ackerman licensed under CC BY 2.0

2014 has been an incredible year for me and I'm hoping 2015 will be just as amazing if not more. I graduated from college, I got an apartment (in my name) with my brother, had one of my blog posts featured on a website, started writing for an online magazine, received a gift card for one of my posts (The Ihop one), most importantly made some amazing blogger friends and was able to share the journey with some amazing friends outside of the blogging world (who don't know it but are going to make it into some pretty funny blog posts).

I.G.G.WHY?

via tumblr: http://iggy-azalea.tk/tagged/iggy-azalea/

Before I begin I want to give you a background on why you should even consider taking my Iggy Azalea opinion into consideration. I'm not a hip hop blogger, musician of any kind, nor is hip hop even my favorite genre of music (I prefer R&B the baby making kind to be exact haha). So why is my opinion even valid?

Motivational Mondays: New Beginnings

Recently I haven't blogged. I haven't even opened my computer to blog. I haven't taken out my phone to take pictures for blog posts. I haven't even really discussed blogging outside of the occasional questions I get asked at work or my random sporadic tweets on the subject. Why? Well for the same reason I decided I didn't want to be a journalist after taking a few journalism courses in college. There are too many rules and not enough action.

Blogger Secret Santa!

Photo Credit: kevin dooley via Compfight cc

Hi my name is Ashley and I am participating in a Blogger Secret Santa this year and a lot of other fun things! Secret Santa is hosted by the amazing Pam over at Hodge Podge Moments (I definitely think you should google her and check her out!). I've always been a huge fan of Secret Santa and loved doing it in elementary school through college. So I'm just as excited to keep it going after!

Sunday Funday: Breaking up isn't so fun

Let's be honest breaking up is never fun or easy.

I don't hate Kim Kardashian.

I somehow found myself on Buzzfeed arguing about how Kim Kardashian became a "celebrity" recently. It's a well-known fact that I think she's an amazing entrepreneur, mother, and person. However, many people don't believe the same and in all honestly I respect their opinions. So I'm not going to try to argue against that but what I am questioning is why do we dislike her?

#Winning: Screenshots of hilarious Ihop Tweets

I've always loved Taco Bell and its witty use of social networking sites. From it's ever so perfect twitter account to it's ridiculously interactive Snapchats (remember the Taco Bell Snapchat movie?). Taco Bell has always been winning when it comes to connecting with the masses. However, there is a new Kingpin of social media and his/her name is Ihop.

Ice Cream, Wine and Carrie Bradshaw

I usually put quotes under pictures but does this really need a caption?

Woman Crush Wednesday: The Feminist Feline

Hey there!

My name is Corinne Falotico and I blog at The Feminist Feline. With The Feminist Feline I blog about the news, pop culture, and politics from a feminist perspective. To set my blog apart from the many other feminist blogs out there, all of my posts contain an adorable cat video, picture or meme that is semi-relevant to the post to lighten up the discussion.

Motivational Mondays: Me, Myself, and I

As a culture we love to compare ourselves to others or even analyze other women's beauty to try and find flaws. I'm no different I do it all the time. This is actually why I started my "Woman Crush Wednesday" series on my blog and why I started my "Motivational Mondays". To talk to inspiring bloggers, to get their voice out. To let women know that there are others that possibly have the same opinions as they do. This is also why I can't wait to continue to push WCW through each Wednesday for you!

Until than I decided to give you a little insight into my life outside of my consistent hate for work, hunt for a career, and love of fashion/films/music. Why? When  I open up and think about the things I like about myself or dislike it opens me up for improvement. This is something I'm big on, constantly attempting to do better. So hopefully after read a little bit about me you'll think about yourself and what you love or need to improve on. Plus it's always fun to post facts about yourself. So here we go I hope you enjoy.

Woman Crush Everyday(Wednesday): Yes it's Thursday but we love MICHELLE!

See Outfit Details-FALL LAYERS

Michelle is easily one of the most prominent up and coming fashion bloggers currently out. Her style is effortlessly flawless and she has a gorgeous personality to match. I was recently given the opportunity to interview her for my "Woman Crush Wednesday" series and I must admit she did not disappoint.

Sunday Funday: Words From Strangers

I've had a rough past couple of weeks. My phone broke, I lost my wallet, almost got fired from my job, attempted to quit my job, and did I mention I still don't have a phone. It's been tough trying to maintain stay positive. So tough that I haven't blogged much and honestly don't remember the last time I did a Sunday Funday. However I've read so many beautiful post this week and received so many kind words of encouragement I felt I should share them with those of you that might be having a tough time.

Every last one of the statements below were told to me by stranger in a Facebook group I'm a member of. Needless to say it is beautiful to be told such kind words of encouragement by strangers.

Fashion Friday: Last Minute D.I.Y Halloween Costumes

Photo Credit: Brett Kiger via Compfight cc

Halloween is next weekend and honestly, I don't have a costume yet. So I decided that I would use Fashion Fridays to help all the ladies find a gorgeous Halloween costume!

Fashion Friday: Airport Comfort

I'm taking a leisure trip to Ohio for Halloween. Yes, I know pretty random state but actually I went to college in Ohio so I'm visiting old friends. Also I'm discussing business with some people so hopefully I can get pushed in the right direction for a career.
Anyways since it is Fashion Friday here are a couple of my favorite fall favorites for traveling on an airplane (and remaining stylish).

Motivational Monday: I need coffee...#HelloKeurig

As you might know or might not know (depends on how well you've been following my blog), I hate my job. I hate everything about it. I hate the fact that I have to force customers to get credit cards, I hate that I have to smile even when I feel like I want to throw up, I hate that everyday I get disciplined for something they never taught me how to do. In all actuality the only thing I don't hate is the fact that I wake up every morning and drink a cup of coffee with my Keurig 2.0.

Saturday Movie Night: American Mary

Photo Credit: vmsmithillustration.tumblr.com

Yes, Saturday movie nights are back and better than ever!I actually wrote/ watched this a couple of weeks ago and forgot to publish. Enjoy.

Woman Crush Wednesday: An interview with "A Cup of Tay"

"Two parts Taylor, one part sass"

Twitter.Facebook.Instagram.Bloglovin.Pinterest

Happy Wednesday everyone! Today on the blog we're featuring Taylor over at A Cup of Tay. Taylor is one of my favorite bloggers that I have had the opportunity to interview so far (not just because we both are in love with coffee shops and H&M) but because her story is relate-able.

Fashion Friday: Something for the guys

 I rarely spend any time talking about men's clothes but the truth is...I love when a guy can dress well. I don't want to say all women love when guys dresses nice but a lot do.

Woman Crush Wednesday: Banks

 

"Baby, be patient for me
& please don't fall in love with someone new
I promise one day I'll come back for you"-Someone New, Banks

Motivational Mondays: Regaining Focus!

Photo Credit: kevin dooley via Compfight cc

Sometimes we lose focus on the bigger picture. Just 2 months ago I was excited to start my post-collegiate life. I had dreams of becoming the next 30 under 30. I was longing to move to a big city. Los Angeles was my 1st choice but that doesn't mean I wouldn't settle for San Francisco or Orange County. I just never expected to live in a suburb for as long as I've been living here.

Sunday Funday: Sorry is in order...

“It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.”

- George Washington

Fashion Friday: Happy Birthday to me

It's my birthday and all I want to do is go shopping. So since I would love to go shopping and I can't because being an adult is hard I made a list of some of my favorite items I've seen recently. It's sort of like a birthday list but not really like a birthday list. Maybe this will give you a little Fashion Inspiration for the weekend.

Going through training...

I was recently hired as a part time Assistant Manager for a clothing store called Maurices. The clothes are amazing. The people are funny (a little extreme sometimes) but nevertheless are perfect to work with. However, since working there I have had a lot of mishaps that I have been writing about on my Facebook page as opposed to my blog. Stories that honestly could be written here. So I'm going to write a bit about whats been going on here "job" wise with fun pictures and etc.

Fashion Friday: Fall Favorites!

I don't know about you but I love everything about fall not just the scent of pumpkin spice used in everything. I love sweater weather and with fall quickly approaching (September 23rd to be exact) it is time everyone gets a wardrobe update. Time to redye your hair darker, put away the bright colors and bring out the scarves/booties! Here are two outfits styled completely with Maurices and Forever21 clothing (except the brown booties).

To be lonely & popular...

“Only on the Internet can a person be lonely and popular at the same time.”
-Allison Burnett, Undiscovered Gyrl

If you've looked at any of my previous posts you know that I'm disgustingly honest. I slut out words and phrases that might not really mean anything to you but mean the world to me. I treat my blog like an online diary. Expressing the in's and outs of my life. If I'm happy you can tell by the post and when I'm frustrated it is even more obvious. Not everyone is like this. Some people would rather remain anonymous because of fear or act out of character in order to develop a false sense of respect from others.

Sunday Funday: Positive Thoughts Bring Positive Outcomes

(Basically I completely forgot about this picture and will now use both of them)

Happy Sunday it is the end of the weekend and the start of the week. Everyone is either doing homework, preparing for the work week, bonding with their families and etc. As for me I am preparing for a night of exploration through my neighborhood. I've only been here for a month now so I love exploring the neighborhood and finding new things to fall in love with. So basically I go on 2 hour walks often with my brother and his friends. Sometimes I go without him though and when I do I like to recap about the all the positive events and etc. that are going on in my life right now.

Fashion Friday: 80s/90s Nostalgia

Saved by the bell, Married with children, Duck Tales my childhood definitely came back to haunt me the past few weeks. I don't necessarily hate it but with all the discussions of rebooted shows and etc. I couldn't help but to reminiscence on the 90s.

So I'm providing you with a little weekend fashion inspiration with some of my favorite 90s themed photos!

Fashion Friday: Kim Kardashian Hollywood Edition

Fashion and Kim Kardashian basically go hand in hand which is probably why Kim Kardashian: Hollywood has become so successful. Or more so a prevalent part in my life. I have finally made it to an A list celebrity in Kim Kardashian: Hollywood. Of course my fictional Kim K. boyfriend broke up with me due to our lack of communication (I do have to model and stuff)...but that's alright he was a D list celebrity so I couldn't very well continue to be seen with him am I right?

Woman Crush Wednesday:The Most Popular Girls in School

It's 12pm and my friend randomly posts a video to her Facebook wall with the caption "You're welcome". With nothing else to do I click the video. For rest of the day I become completely consumed. The video and my downward spiral of a fleeting social existence become a reality. I become hooked on a Youtube show but not just any show..."The Most Popular Girls in School".

Falling in love with love

‘Do you fall in love often? Yes often. with a view, with a book, with a dog, a cat, with numbers, with, strangers, with nothing at all." -Jhene Aiko

Sunday Funday: The World of Employment!

Hi I'm Ashley Clayton and I applied for a Sales Associate position at Maurices. However, they believe that my skills would be better suited for an Assistant Manager position so I was hired as that instead! Yay me! Basically that is why I haven't blogged since Wednesday.

Woman Crush Wednesday: An Ode to the bride

“All I’m saying is that I don’t want to sort of fall in love with fifty different people. I’d rather find one person and fall completely, deeply in over my head.”
-Anna White "The Light and Fallen"

Motivational Mondays: The Walk of Shame

“Melting Phones” by Stefano Corso is licensed under CC BY 2.0

The walk of shame: an instance of walking back home on the day after an unplanned casual sexual encounter, typically dressed in the same clothes as the previous evening. (Google definition)

As a society we place social restrictions on what we feel a woman or man is allowed to do. Sexual, political, athletic, artistic just to name a few. This stems from a patriarchal mindset that has been instilled upon the western world for years. The question is...when does it end?

Sunday Funday: Things I loved this week/Weekly Recap

I hadn't had the opportunity to blog much this week because of school, work, working out (walking), and taking care of my niece. Last week I had scheduled all my blog posts so that I wouldn't need to continuously post but that wasn't the case this week. I didn't get a chance to. So sorry about that guys. I do still plan on keeping the schedule I had previously planned so Motivational Monday-Sunday Funday will still be a real thing.

Award Season: Liebster Award

We're pumping the breaks on marriage today to post about an award I recently received! This is definitely the reason I haven't posted in a couple of days. I like to post thorough blog posts unless I'm just writing a story about myself. In that case I become emotionally slutty and do a lot of editing and revisions. Basic stuff to create a wonderful post for you but that is not what this post is about.

The lovely women over at Three Samosas nominated me for an Liebster Award. Basically you find a couple of lovely little blogs (I mean that figuratively and literally) with under 200 followers and you nominate them for the award.

Movie Night: Wedding Vows

Wedding Vow's is not a movie. Well it might be but this post is not about the movie if there is one. This is about one of the most important parts of a  wedding...the vows. If you're like me than you hate the basic one that the priest recite. Not that there is anything wrong with that but my heart gets super excited when hear people express how they truly feel about someone from their heart.

Weekly Recap

That little cutie up there is my very beautiful niece that will be sprinkled throughout all of my posts from now on. Basically she wants to be just like me. She even wants to start a blog giving advice because it's such an extremely cute idea I'm actually really considering giving her a little section of my blog where I record her advice. It's just a thought.

Missed one of my posts? here's a recap!

Motivational Mondays: Forever and Always (my parents)

"The magic isn't in getting married, the magic is in staying married."-Baggage Claim

Sunday Funday: VMA's inspired wedding?

What's a wedding without a theme? Not a very fun wedding at all. As you all may know today (8/24/2014) MTV hosted their Video Music Awards show. I rarely watch awards shows for anything other than the fashion and certain performances but this year I happened to watch the whole thing and not bits and pieces.

Fashion Fridays: Marital Bliss

I have always loved weddings. Maybe not marriage but weddings are beautiful. Two people telling the world that they love one another and that no matter what their love will not fade. They are romantic comedies coming true and the beginning to beautiful fairy tales. Being a "princess" myself and believing that all girls are princesses it's always nice to see someones fairy tale come true.

Cleaning House: Updates to Twe1ve2

I'm going to be posting everyday and decided to share with you all what will be posted on what days and etc. That way you know what days to come back and check the blog if you're not subscribed. BUT I highly suggest you still subscribe you never know when I might do something crazy and post twice in one day, mention a give away, blog hop, anything.

Challenge Accepted:Feeling Beautiful

It took me 21 years to realize how beautiful I truly am. I used to perm my hair, flat-iron my hair daily, wear big baggy clothes, and anything else I could do to hide what I looked like (caked on make-up became a regular thing). I was so self conscious that I couldn't even begin to imagine why someone would even be interested in dating me. Needless to say my self-esteem was extremely low. Since my senior year of high school it has slowly improved and now at 21 I finally see how beautiful I am and how beautiful all women are!

So where am I going with this? Well I was challenged recently by Emma over at It's Emma Elise to post 5  pictures of myself that make me feel beautiful!

Motivational Mondays: Very Inspiring Blogger Award

I'm going to start something new on my blog...attempting to post everyday! I haven't figured out the exact layout for my posts but I can tell you Monday will be dedicated to inspiring and motivating people. I know that a lot of people have a tough time finding the strength to get through the week. That's where my Monday posts will come into play. I plan on motivating you and giving you the strength to get through the week.

Sunday Funday: what I'm all about

So if you know me well (or know me at all) you know that I frequently say the phrase "I'm all about ______". Basically that means that I'm obsessed with something. Anything at all. It could be music, a person, a movie, a book...like I said anything! So I decided that since I'm always all "about something" I would just share what I'm all about with you right.

Why every girl needs a male wing-man (an ode to my wing-man)

Sorry for the accidental blogger break you guys but I'm back and better than ever!

Today is a pretty special day for me. One of my favorite people in the entire world turns 21 today! MARIO. Basically our friendship started when an acquaintance of mine had shown an interest in him and started talking to him. Despite their awkward (yes awkward) situation our friendship blossomed and throughout the rest of my years at Hiram he had quickly become my one of my best friends. A statement I use loosely but in this situation I mean ever word of it.

Why? Well a girl needs her wing man or male best friend and this I found in him. Someone whom if they wanted to could incriminate my life but because they care wouldn't dream of it.

20 times Buster Baxter (from Arthur) was basically my spirit animal

If you've never watched Arthur than you are missing out on an important part of what makes life so great. Essentially Arthur is a children's show on PBS Kids about a child name Arthur, his friends, and family. Two seasons are on Netflix and most episodes are on Youtube (trust me I know these things). Honestly though, despite the show being called Arthur the best and most memorable moments are episodes that are heavily Buster Baxter induced.

Sunday Funday: Love the life I'm livin, livin the life I love

I have had the best possible summer a girl could imagine.

Hello John (The Big to my Carrie)

“When a relationship dies do we ever really give up the ghost or are we forever haunted by the spirits of relationships past.”-Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City

Remember John from a previous post (I hate to be this girl but)? I talked about him being the Big to my Carrie Bradshaw. How every girl has a Big but not every girl wants one and etc. Well...I found myself creeping on his Facebook and Instagram and Soundcloud...basically his whole social media existence.

Movie Night: The Great Gatsby

(via tumblr: http://haniafahmy.tumblr.com/)

Cast:

Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby

Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan

Isla Fisher as Myrtle Wilson

Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway

Joel Edgerton as Tom Buchanan

Get the look: Bohemian

(via tumblr:http://jasmineaya.tumblr.com/)

I was asked a really interesting question recently that jolted me into deep thought. "What is your current favorite fashion trend?" Instantly thoughts of Lisa Bonet popped in my head. Her dreads, curls, long, short, straight everything about her hair just drives me insane. Than I started to picture her clothes. Effortless, nomadic, unique. Her style screams of wanderlust. A woman who would rather explore life than be required to adjust to societal norms. Lisa Bonet is sort of my life idol in every way (any girl that gets Lenny Kravitz and Jason Momoa is well liked in my book). Her characters on T.V. (The Cosby Show, A Different World, a bunch of other random stuff) aren't the only person that dares to stand out. So does Lisa. Her style is Bohemian.