Thanks A Million

The Good Life ~ Kanye West f. T-Pain
While eating breakfast and playing on my iPad I happened to see a quote online: "A good life is when you smile often, dream big, laugh a lot, and realize how blessed you are for what you have." Just let that sink in. All too often I find myself being pulled in different directions and going a million miles an hour. I think it is hugely important to stop and smell the roses. I know I am guilty (and I'm sure many of you out there are too) of taking life for granted. It's so easy to do when we are so busy with minute details. I find myself getting annoyed and stressed when little things get in my way or my day goes south. In the big, grand scheme of things.... that stuff doesn't matter. I'm not going to remember that one bad day 20 years from now or maybe even a year from now! I am thankful for my family's health and my health. I cannot be more happy and grateful for our exhausting but fun holiday season.... My husband and I are both surrounded by some of the best people you can find. This life I lead is truly blessed and I intend on making the time and effort to reflect on it. Life is good.

 

I'm incredibly thankful to have been blessed with this wonderful family....

 

My super sweet dog, Dutch....

 

Goofy husband....

 

Cuddly Rhubarb....

 

 

And most thankful for a love that makes me smile, laugh, and dream of what's to come in the future.

Holiday Salad

The madness of our Christmas gatherings begins on Christmas Eve and continues late into the night on Christmas. With 4 Christmas gatherings for us to attend, it can get a little wild. One thing that never fails: there is always way too much food! I kept things very simple this year. The dish that was the most popular was my aptly named: Holiday Salad. It was easy, healthy, and delicious and there weren't any leftovers!

 

Ashley's Holiday Salad

 

8-10 Cups Taylor Organics Baby Romaine (or Mixed Greens)

3/4 C. Reconstituted Cranberries (directions below)

2 Mandarin Oranges, peeled and separated (or 1 small can)

1/2 C. Fat-Free Feta Crumbles

1/2 C. Candied Pecans (recipe below)

Dijon Red-Wine Vinaigrette (recipe below)

 

Reconstituted Cranberries ~

Super easy to do. Take your dried cranberries or Craisins and put them in a dish to soak in boiling water for about 10 minutes. The cranberries will pop open. Drain and dry.

 

Candied Pecans ~

1 T. butter, 1 T. packed brown sugar, and 1/2 C. of pecans. In a small skillet, melt butter over medium heat and stir in brown sugar. Add nuts and stir. Cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Dry on a piece of foil and separate the pieces so they do not stick together.

 

Dijon- Red Wine Vinaigrette ~

1/3 C. Red Wine Vinegar

1/3 C. EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)

1/3 C. vegetable oil (I used sunflower)

2. T dijon mustard (I used Trader Joe's dijon with mustard seeds)

1 garlic clove, minced

1/4 t. salt

Freshly ground pepper

Mix all ingredients in a small container. We used an Advocare smoothie container and shook.

 

Okay, now that we're done with the hard stuff. Mix greens in a large bowl. Add cranberries, mandarin oranges, and feta. Toss with enough dressing to coat and garnish with candied pecans. The ingredients take on a special flavor once mixed together. The sweet cranberries and oranges with the kick of feta and dijon vinaigrette was wonderful!

Christmas Treats

Last year, I was given a couple boxes of jars by someone who had gotten the 'candle-making bug' for a very, very short time. She wanted to be rid of the jars and I took them. The jars were adorable but in my eyes they were too big for me to put candles in and sell them at a reasonable price. So they've been collecting dust and I decided in November that I was going to get creative and do something special with those dang jars. With the help of my sister-in-law we decided to make 'Candy Cane Sugar Scrub' for all of the ladies in both of our families. Not only was the scrub easy but it was so fun to make and gift to the girls!

 

Since we were making our scrub in bulk, I'll give you a mini-version!

4 C. granulated sugar

1 C. sunflower oil (or any carrier/cold-pressed oil i.e. olive, grapeseed, almond)

Fresh raspberry juice (enough to color the sugar pink)

20 drops of organic peppermint essential oil

 

Use 2 large bowls and mix equal amounts in each bowl. In one bowl, add enough raspberry juice to color the sugar pink. We used frozen raspberries and defrosted to create a juice. Once you have both mixtures mixed well add into equal parts in the jar. Pat down each layer of scrub evenly. It's is really THAT easy! Before we put the lid on we added 1 more drop of essential oil on top to give the scrub a burst of scent. I had a little test run with the scrub and it made my skin so, so soft but I did notice it made the shower a little slick!

 

I used a free printable from The Idea Room: Candy Cane Printable and added a cute tag with the ingredients and directions written with a calligraphy pen. We then tied a craft stick to the tag (for mixing and applying) with a adorable pink ribbon. I really wish I had taken the time to get pictures of the FINAL product. But alas, it was Christmas Eve....

 

Lauren and I had a great time making the scrub and have now officially decided to make crafting a Christmas tradition. That night we were brainstorming of what we could do for next year! I'm already excited!

Music: Ellie Goulding

 

I loved Ellie's first album, Lights, and decided to buy the second album, Halcyon, on a whim. I guess it was a little early Christmas present for me! It's been playing in my car nearly non-stop. This is definitely one of my favorite songs off the album. She's beautiful and her singing is unbelievable. Enjoy.

The Most Wonderful Time

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year ~ Andy Williams

What a blessed December it has been so far. Life has certainly been busy (I feel deja vu when I'm typing that phrase!) My creative endeavor, Eco- Glow Candles, has kept me on my toes. Normally, I would make one large order for Christmas. This year, I sold out so fast that I made three orders! Luckily, there really hasn't been a stressful point in time for me. It's been wonderful to receive messages and orders from people who simply want to support small business. It's an amazing feeling to offer a great product that people love. My friend, Amanda, who did our wedding and anniversary pictures ordered a batch for family members. She went home and took this picture for my Facebook page and my website. Her photography is impeccable and I said to Bill "Oh my gosh. These are the real deal!" The journey to achieve the right label and picture and now finally a beautiful jar has been a couple years coming. I feel so proud that what started as a spare-time hobby has turned into something more wonderful. The best part of this is the feeling I get when I give back to my community. Eco- Glow has turned into something bigger than I could imagine. Not only can I impact people with a great product but I can also give back to my community and to national charities. The charities I supported this year:

 

American Diabetes Association

Boy Scouts of America

Camp Courageous

Cedar Rapids Animal Control

Critter Crusaders

Fidelitas Masonic Lodge

Girls On The Run

Holiday Mail For Heroes

Horizons ~ A Family Service Alliance
Iowa Humane Alliance

Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Tanager Place

 

From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life. ~ Arthur Ashe

Ashley's Ultimate Favorite Things

I have some really funny memories when I worked in retail. One of the best memories I had was when women would flock (seriously) to our cosmetic counters after Oprah declared a product one of her 'Ultimate Favorite Things.' So I started thinking of what my favorite things are. Maybe some of these products will give you an idea of something to give as a gift or something you might want for yourself. So here's the first annual Ashley's Ultimate Favorite Things of 2012 ~

 

OM SHE Aromatherapy Body Butter

My favorite scent is the Rose & Lychee but they have a long list of hydrating butters in different scents. The jar will last forever!

 

Smart Wool Socks

I love these socks in all forms. Long, hiking socks or the crew style. Keep your feet warm and cozy without feeling too hot or sweaty. Great under dress slacks or even while relaxing around the house. Don't get the cheap wanna-be's either, I've made that mistake before and they are definitely not the same.

 

BKE Jeans

I get my husband a pair of BKE Tyler jeans every Christmas. Not only are they comfortable for him but his ass looks fabulous in them. It's a win-win for the both of us!

 

Tupelo Honey by, The Savannah Bee Company

See my previous blog about the summer potato salad I made with this liquid gold. Comes in gorgeous bottles for gift-giving.

 

Euphoria ~ Forbidden by, Calvin Klein

My favorite perfume right now. I've always loved the original Euphoria and the new Forbidden version is just a muskier, spicier version of it. Very sexy!

 

Alisa Michelle Designs Jewelry

I love her vintage coin necklaces and have a couple of my own: Love The Life You Live (Live the Life You Love on the other side), It Is What It Is, and Well-Behaved Women Rarely Make History. I have purchased a couple as gifts and my friends and sister-in-law loved them. With the sayings you can really personalize the gift.

 

Clinique Exfoliating Scrub

Love, love, love this stuff. Keeps your skin incredibly smooth inbetween facials. I refuse to use the 7-day scrub, it's just not gritty enough for me. This has great exfoliating power and smells wonderful.

 

Victoria's Secret PINK Boyfriend Pants

Great for lounging and bed-time. Perfect fit to feel sexy but still comfortable.

 

QTICA Intensive Repair Lip Balm

Put this balm on before bed and within 48 hours you'll notice a difference in how soft your lips are. It's thick, creamy and feels wonderful especially when the dry winter wind is drying your lips out.

 

Lululemon Yoga Pants

I prefer the Groove pant or crop but to each their own. These are such a great high-end gift for a yoga-lover or athletic person! Most people know the Lululemon brand.

 

Tarte Maracuja Oil

See previous blog about Maracuja oil. I've had some rave reviews from friends and my Mother who have purchased it after my recommendation.

Trader Joe's Hot Pepper Jelly

Only $2.99 and it's one of the best hot pepper jelly mixes I've ever had. Would make a great hostess gift in a cute little craft bag.

 

Yoga Socks

I prefer ToeSox half-toe with the grips. You can get these socks for only $15 on Amazon. They come in really handy during Winter yoga when you want to keep your toes warm! I wear them throughout the year to keep my toes from slippingon my mat.

 

Smashbox Bronzer

Not too pink, not too orange-y. It's the perfect bronzer for Winter when you need a sun-kissed look. Looks great on every skin-color. You really can't go wrong with this bronzer!

 

DKNY Seductive Lights Lingerie

I love DKNY bras (or should I say my husband does?!). They are high quality, long-lasting, and fit just right.

 

Mirabella Kabuki Brush

If you're using good make-up you need good brushes. Awesome compacts bristles will apply your powder or bronzer flawlessly. The bristles are cruelty-free goat hair and are incredibly soft too.

 

Trader Joe's Lavender Body Oil

I purchased my lavender oil nearly 2 years ago and I'm barely halfway through the bottle. Smells amazing, makes my skin feel soft and silky. It's all-natural and really, really nice.

 

Under Armour Cold Gear Leggings

Dare I say that these leggings are the shit?! Ugh, I did. They are incredible for running in the Winter. Personally, I love the way they fit and keep me toasty. The fabric is very durable too.

 

Clarisonic Brush

If you don't have a Clarisonic Brush YOU NEED ONE. You will notice a difference in your skin after the first time using it. Using good skincare? This allows your products to penetrate deeper into the skin and thus improving the effects. If you already have one, get a replacement brush. You need to replace those every 3-4 months.

 

Books

This is very vague for a reason. Everyone likes something different in books. Every Christmas I try to get a couple books for gifts. Who doesn't like a good book?! What I would like is very different from my Father or even my husband. Find something that will spark your recipient's interest!

 

We should give as we would receive, cheerfully, quickly, and without hesitation; for there is no grace in a benefit that sticks to the fingers. ~Seneca

Omigod! Omigod you guys!

If you've been following my blog you would have noticed that back in August I had a audition/mishap at the Theatre Cedar Rapids. So my friend that designs costumes has been getting after me about trying out for something that's a little more style (controversial political stuff like Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson isn't my style, seriously?! :)) So guess what's coming up.... Legally Blonde: The Musical. Is it fate? Ha. I'm still debating on whether or not to actually try out for it. I know for a fact that when something this popular comes to town the line to be a part of it is going to be out the door. That's a lot of pressure and tons of competition. Yikes! Regardless, I went online and checked out the audition process to see how I should prepare. You know what I found? The theater wants you to watch the musical and they'll teach a song (who knows which one) and dance moves. So if I want to try out for this I am pretty much clueless except for the YouTube videos online. *Sigh* So I did my due diligence and watched the musical. Holy shit.

 

 

Yeah, they're talented. And now all that's going through my head is "Omigod! Omigod you guys! Looks like Elle's going to win the prize!" If I do end up trying out for this I'm going to have to drink a carafe of coffee to have the energy that these girls have. Whew!

Annual Bragging

Dear Blog,

It's been pretty quiet around here lately. I've been wrapped up with my annual sales presentation lately. And lucky for us that the presentation went off without a hitch. We are given an agenda of topics (numbers, goals, accounts etc.) We were asked to find something that separate us from other people. I can honestly tell you, I'm not a sales-y, cocky, used car salesperson. I treat people like I wanted to be treated. What I've needed from a salesperson in the past is creativity, innovative ideas, productivity, and a trusted advisor. That's what I offer. Well, I had a tough time just focusing on numbers and corporate mumbo jumbo. I needed to shake it up and decided to focus my presentation around some very famous words. Arnold Schwarzeneggers' 6 Steps of Success. Genius stuff. So let me take you on a quick trip...

The first step of success is to TRUST YOURSELF. I believe in myself and my mission. The second step is to BREAK THE RULES. It's been said that well-behaved women rarely make history. I don't plan on breaking the law but I plan on thinking outside of the box and solving tough problems. DON'T BE AFRAID TO FAIL is the third step. Pushing myself above and beyond and not taking no for an answer. Period. The fourth step is DON'T LISTEN TO NAYSAYERS. My Mom always told me I could do anything that I put my mind to... I started this job 15 months ago with absolutely no experience and surpassed goals thanks to not listening to people that doubted me. The fifth step (and most important) is WORK YOUR BUTT OFF. Stay hungry, conquer goals, keep climbing the ladder of success. The last step is GIVE BACK. This is incredibly important to me. Staying active in the community is incredibly important to me. I get such a high from giving back!!

So there's the quick, glossy version of my 20-minute presentation in front of all of our executive management and our peers. Honestly, it was fun to put it together but I'm so thankful it's all over with.... Blog, I've missed you. I can't wait to upload all of my pictures for you. See you again soon!

Love,
Ashley
aka The Terminator