Q&A

I think it would be fun to answer some questions yearly and see how much I've grown-- or stayed the same. I figure people do this type of thing with their kids and I'm basically a kid so here we go.

1. How old are you?

A. 33, I'll be 34 on June 24th

2. What's your favorite color?

A. Green, but I do have a love of all colors

3. What is your favorite pie?

A. Coconut Cream

4. Favorite Perfume?

A. Before it was discontinued a couple years ago, I was partial to Estee Lauder Beautiful Sheer. Now I wear Mugler's Angel and I think it smells divine. I actually need to go buy some more because I only have a few drops left.

5. 

Goals For 34

I turn 34 on June 24th and 33 has been kind of a rocky ride. It was great, but I wish I would have set some goals for myself. I've basically just been winging it the past year. I was reading through my original blog and I came across a New Year's resolution post and I thought "why only reserve resolutions for the new year?" So, I'm going to set some goals to start now, and hopefully, that will give me some structure!

Here I am at 33. I chopped my hair off and gained 15 lbs, which has been my year. 

1. Get back to 170-173lbs. I currently am sitting at 180, I've lost about 5 lbs, but I'll be happier if I can get back to where I was, or a little less. Plus, all my clothes will fit better and fashion is very important to me.

2. Maintain a good face, body, and hair care regimen. I've been washing my face twice a day and applying a fancy serum that smells like watermelon {I want to remember that smell forever because it is the bomb} and also applying a nice thick anti-aging lotion. My face feels like a baby's ass and I love it. I have also been using this vanilla body balm from "Cake" and it makes my skin feel super healthy and it smells amazing. As far as my hair goes, it has been thinning slowly since I had my hysterectomy. I have been being more careful with it and have been taking 20 mg of biotin daily and I have been washing it with a natural shampoo and conditioner {Which also smells amazing...I'm sensing a trend here} I have also been putting in a sparkly serum that is amazing at smoothing any frizz and sometimes adding a whipped curl mousse from "Cake," the same brand that makes my body lotion. 

3. Be a more active player in my physical and mental health. I'm not going to lie, I haven't really been great at taking care of me this year. I did finally get in to see a psychiatrist and then COVID-19 struck and I only got to one in-person session {we have had a phone session} I also, did make it to a rheumatologist and found out I have a bad case of psoriatic arthritis which is why my hand is all stiff and unhappy. However, I haven't actively gone out and gotten a blood test so I can start treatment with the medication. Again, COVID-19 hasn't helped, but damn, I could really use some relief and the power is all in my hands. I frustrate myself. I also need to get in contact with a goon Gyno because I have a vagina and breasts and those need to be checked. I also need to have somebody manage my estrogen because my little body doesn't make that anymore- I just need to take charge.

4. Live more minimally. Start by finishing Marie Kondo's book. Get rid of things that don't make sense in my life and don't hold on to things I don't really like just for sentimental value. 

5. Submit a piece or two for at least 1 art show here in Georgia this year. I know this is hard and a bit outside my comfort zone, being in a new state and everything, but it won't get easier and I don't want to give up my art. I was doing so well in Oklahoma.

6. Stay Active. Take walks with the dogs and do yoga, it's good for your body and soul.

7. Keep drinking fluids other than soda and alcohol. I'm doing really well with this currently., Just have to keep going. I haven't had alcohol in over a month. I'm so hydrated WOOHOO! {I'm not saying I believe alcohol is bad, but I don't want to drink it just because I'm bored}

8. Get moved and organize my house exactly the way I want it. I know that's a process, but I want everything to have a place and serve a purpose, I really miss having all my special decor displayed and I have to get rid of a lot of things that "Don't Spark Joy."

9. Host parties and get together with friends.  I have friends here, it would be fun to get together with them and we should be {Fingers Crossed} closing on a large house that is great for entertaining. 

10. Create at least one significant piece of artwork every month. It's a goal I have. I consider a "significant piece of artwork" to be something that is NOT permanently in a sketchbook. No matter the size. It will only count if it's able to be put in a frame. 

11. Work on jewelry designs. Execute said jewelry designs with wire, beads, resin, etc... I have good designs, I just need to focus and create them IRL.

12. Read more books. It's good for my brain and I enjoy reading. It also wouldn't hurt to do more puzzles, either out of a book or on my phone. 

13. Do yard work. I love plants and I love a nicely manicured lawn. I don't want to be that young able-bodied couple who don't take care of their yard. {again} I'd love to add some rubber black mulch to the front yard eventually so it will be more durable. I'd also love to have a spice garden and plants some bulbs and flowers around the house so it looks pretty.

14. Get involved in local activities. Such as festivals, etc...really embrace my new town. {Wherever that may be, we are still under contract with the house}

15. Get to the point where I am well enough to return to the aquarium 3 days a week. I loved it there and I absolutely adored my coworkers, but I worked too much and I pushed myself too hard and ignored my body causing injury. If I am unable to get to that point, find a job that is just as flexible and may be nearer to Fairburn. Ideally, get to a place where I can return to the aquarium. that job was the best.

xo,

a|s

My Future Art Studio

Ever since I started my art career 9 years ago, I wanted a space to call my own that wouldn't affect my home. Now I can have that! I really want to decorate it in a way that reflects my individual tastes so I don't overdo the overall feel of the house. Here is what I have found that inspires me! We'll see what I wind up with!

I absolutely love to have one or a couple dark walls. I'm considering using pegboard and I think it would look good if I painted or stained it a dark color. I haven't decided if I'm comfortable painting the walls myself. Oddly enough I'm an artist, but I'm not great at household painting.

I love the color scheme here and the use of orchids. I'd love to have a chair or small couch in my studio to relax and look through my work, read, or blog. 

I'm in love with the workspace! It looks so cozy and like the artist would get a lot done because everything is so accessible and perfect! I love the use of jars and canisters and all the fun bold colors!

This but with pegboard. I could really organize all my supplies using a method similar to this!

So much fun pop-culture art, I love it!

I have to have neon in my studio, and maybe around the house, too! I really love this deep teal with the kelly green accents. Maybe add some of the plum purples from one of the slides before and we'll really have ourselves a show!

I love love LOVE the dark walls with the jewel tone pops color. I must note I'm in love with the faux animal print decor. This is just lovely, but the lighting really seems to make this space pop, too. I wonder if I have good enough lighting in the studio or if I'll need to invest in some lamps. 

Again, the dark walls with the pop of color are after my heart!

Love the throw rug here and all the art on the wall. Maybe I could make a lounge space on the floor out of bean bags and pillows?

These are some of the many options I've researched over the past 2 months. I know I'll probably change my mind time and time again, but I can't help but love this decorating style. It seems perfect for a creative space!

xo,
a|s

We Are Buying a Home!

We have been packing and trying to go through all of our things {which has been ridiculous} and dealing with underwriters, but we found the house we want to live in! We are moving to Fairburn into a nice large split level home off a main street in the downtown area. It's perfect in every way in my eyes. It has 5 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms, and it's all updated. In the basement, it has 2 bedrooms, one which I will dedicate to my art studio. I'm so excited I will have a whole room dedicated to my work!

Some great things I love about this home are
1. It is located on the same street as the library! I can literally walk or ride my bike to the library to pick up books or movies at any time. It's a nice little library, and the street we are on isn't crowded so I'll feel safe going there without a car and on my own.
2. It's really close to the post office. Similar to the library, it's on a quiet street and walking or biking distance and I can mail products from my Etsy shop to customers easier than ever. Where we are currently in Atlanta, there's no easily accessible post office to ship things so add that to my small working space, and being self-employed is a whole lot harder than it needs to be.
3. Downtown Fairburn has festivals and is home to an annual state renaissance festival that I can't wait to attend next year.
4. We have a creek in our backyard and creeks are awesome. Need I say more?
5. the downtown area boasts at least 3 large antique stores that I'm going to look into to sell my art and soaps. I, at the very least, would like to look into selling some of the jewelry collection that I've acquired over the years. I have a huge collection of rings and not enough fingers; I may have an addiction. I'd like to sell off some of the pieces I have no attachment to and invest in some higher quality pieces I can wear all the time.

If all goes well, we still have a few more weeks before we move, but it can't come soon enough!

xo,
a|s

Hell's Dwelling

My husband applied for a job in May here in Atlanta and it was a really promising transition from where he was to where he is now. When we found out we were being relocated, we had 1 month to pack and find an apartment. We haven't been able to unpack because I am not able to decide what to keep of my husband's and what not to because that's supposed to be on him, but seriously, the place is a clusterfuck. We're working on it tonight and this weekend but I am so overwhelmed and here's why...

I WENT FROM THIS GLORIOUSNESS...

TO THIS. I MEAN WHAT IN THE FUCKING FUCK IS ALL OF THIS?!

Our Impressive Kitchen Table covered with random crap...I'm donating it. Note to selves, limit all flat surfaces in your home. Flat surfaces attract piles of shit and I won't have it anymore.

Third bedroom chaos. Looks like a damn bomb went off in there. Its hazardous.

Living room. Probably the easiest room to clean but I'm too frickin overwhelmed to do it.

More living room.

Guest bedroom packed almost as full as it can possibly get. Almost, it looks like someone made it into a challenge... a challenge to see how long it would take for me to crack.

Yep. I'm cracking.

..

I don't know why the hallway is like this. but, truthfully, where else is there to put more shit?

More third bedroom...

More living room

more guest bedroom...

and living room...

Looking at these photos makes me nauseous and feel semi-violent. All I can say is that these are some humiliating before photos. I'll be able to look back on this post sometime soon and be like "SHIT!!" We're going to get this under control if it kills me. If it does kill me, well, I won't have to worry about it anymore.

xo,
a|s

Boxes!

I BOUGHT DECORATIVE BOXES!!!

I've been wanting boxes to keep random things in for a long time now. Michael's had them on sale for $2 each and I had a 20% off coupon towards my whole purchase. So 15 quirky boxes for $25! I'm not completely sure what I'm going to do with all of them, but I'm putting my knickers in the London themed ones! 

Now To Go Gather Things That Need a New Box Home! So much more put-together look than just having shit scattered around tables and in bowls...I'm done with that crap...

xo,

a|s

A New Type of Blog

Welcome, Newbies!! So...Welcome Whoever Is Reading This!!

Hi, I'm Ashley. I'm an artist, scholar, and adventure seeker. I just moved from Tulsa, OK to Atlanta, GA and it has been hectic, but fun. I'm obsessed with Marie Kondo and her method of organization Who isn't right now? She's really in my head. So, I'm currently organizing and consolidating our apartment, We have way too much crap. I'm in the interview process for becoming a flight attendant (FUN STUFF!!) I'm really sarcastic and I LOVE to laugh.

This blog is going to have no real theme that I keep to. I'm all over the place. However, I more than likely will not discuss politics because that just won't make this a safe fun space for me. I love my dogs and cat, I also love my bird and rat. I'll probably be discussing things like mythical creatures such as the majestic unicorn, South Park (Its where I get all of my news) Star Trek, Hello Kitty (I'm a sucker for Sanrio) I don't like to cook so probably no posts about that, unless its a hysterically epic fail. I do get extremely turned on by before and after photos of organizing and tidying and also progression photos of my art. I'm a serious nerd and assign myself research papers about subjects I like, which is all of them.

The dream is to one day visit Egypt. When I was little I wanted to be an Egyptologist...I also wanted to be an opera singer....and a nun. I was classically trained for 24 years under 2 vocal coaches during which time I studied opers. I would have been the most messed up nun to ever exist in the history of the Church. I earned my Girl Scout Gold Award in 2005, its supposed to be considered the equivalent of the Boy Scout's Eagle Scout Award, but I had to explain it to a few academic advisers and multiple times at job interviews...nobody seems to know what it is. I'm big into conservation and want to learn to scuba dive. My goal is to help clean ocean areas and help animals that are affected by pollution and conditions that aren't ideal for them.

There may be some serious posts, I have a history with trauma and went through some major losses last year. But for the most part, this place is going to be kept ridiculous because that's how I like things!

xo,
a|s

Pretty Water Bottles Matter

I don't like water. Never have, unless it's sparkling. I think water tastes better when my husband "makes it" he has the patience to get it cold. He has patience in general. I found out about HIP water bottles when I went to Best Buy. Its $15, stubby and cute, BPA free, reusable, recyclable, and is dishwasher safe! I'm more likely to be hydrated if I have pretty water bottles!
I love it!!

xo,
a|s

When You're Broke, You're Transportations Is Broke & You Get a Longboard

My newest art installation titled "Broken." My car is old old old and needs fixings that are far more expensive than what its worth and won't ensure its survival. My bike needs to go to the shop and get an estimate, I'll get that fixed sometime soon, maybe. I've been wanting to downsize to Ryan and I have 1 car. It's eco-friendly, we live in an easy to commute community, and I'm thinking of my budget. I have been riding my bike and I drive the car to visit my Grandma or go to appointments away from Brookside. When The Lizard crapped out, I made the dive and purchased a low priced professional longboard, I also got a helmet and protective gear.

Here I am Balancing on my longboard I fondly refer to as "The Planet Express." (Yes, I can also balance on it while standing up) Next step: Movement! 

 

xo,

a|s

Re-Branding: "Unicorn Approved Goods"

As a multimedia artist, I find it's difficult to stick with one medium for long so showing and/or selling is difficult. Last year alone I made a huge investment in a soap company after I got tired of jewelry design. It was successful and everybody loved the products, but I grew tired of it and it left me deep in the red. Then I started to pursue my painting again, spent a bunch of money on supplies, got an apprenticeship in New Mexico, came home, and wanted good colored pencils because the paint is messy. so I invested in them. This year I've done colored pencil work on paper and started back into jewelry design. I have made jewelry for a long time and have some training in silversmithing and glass bead making. I wanted an easy way to use my art in my jewelry pieces. I had Shrinky Dink paper from several years ago and have started making charms and pendants of my own out of them, They'll be coated in resin and added as a featured piece on a chain or a unique embellishment to another piece of work. Oh! Since I had silicone molds from soapmaking I have some molds I can use for resin pendants! I have also gotten several new resin molds for bangle bracelets. So, I do a lot of things. I decided I needed a name to cover all my interests and endeavors. I love unicorns, I go around dressed like a unicorn for fun; so I came up with "Unicorn Approved Goods" late a few nights ago. I think its fitting for my personality and all the random stuff I do! I'm really excited about this new start!

xx
a

Small resin Gemstone ready for the drill.

2in Seaside Glass Bottle Pendant ready for chain

Geode, turquoise, and cultured pearl tie close necklace

Golden and Gilded Unicorn. Cultured Pearl, Pink Stone, Swarovski Crystal  Drop Necklace

Sparrows Nest: 2018 Edition
Rose quartz, cultured pearls, Swarovski crystals, turquoise "eggs" in a hand-wired nest with 3 accenting gold-tone feathers. Unique wirework connects the handmade nest to a brass sparrow.

SOLD

Work I did earlier this year in colored pencil.

xo,

a|s

Home Organization and Finding Motivation

I love organizing my space and my life, but it hardly ever looks like it ever gets done to me. When my husband and I got married almost 7 years ago, we never consolidated our stuff so random crap has been in crates in our house for a long time. Recently, I took it upon myself to take care of the situation and decorate and organize everything with many things we already had, and some new stuff I got on sale. Decorating and organizing gives me a high, I know that's strange, but I get extremely motivated. The first thing I did was put a carpet runner I got at Wal-Mart in our hallway. I felt extremely motivated and wanted to do more!

 After I saw how great that looked and made me feel, I redecorated the bathroom with a new shower curtain, carpets, some pictures on the wall, and some new to me decor. A cheap way to add some color to our space for cheap is to buy scrapbook paper (I look for sales) and purchase cheap frames. I got mine at Hobby Lobby. They don't cost much and come in different sizes. The painting on the side mirror is one of my own.

I even got around to organizing our linen closet! It's amazing what some cheap bins and actually folding your linens do! I just can't say enough about the importance of bins!

The Living Room was a fun one, I wanted to declutter and change things around. I put a lot of decor in storage. I felt much better after the redecorating!

The laundry room is one of my favorites. I got the decor from Dollar General and already had the rug I got from Amazon and a tiny turquoise trash can from the dollar tree! How very convenient!!!

I finally have an adultier adult master bedroom! I bought the white and blue quilt and sham set from Dollar General for $30! I love how the bed looks made now. It looks really sharp compared to usual. I folded our family quilt over a quilt holder I got from my Grandma and hung some framed mirrors I got at Dollar Tree for $1 each! I filled an antique vase with some flowers that complimented the room and hung some metal wall art featuring an orchid sprig that I bought for 75% off at Hobby Lobby about 5 years back.










The hallway was tricky to decorate, but I think I've settled on this...I used part of my rock and crystal collection, a vase, Himalayan salt lamp, and a white glass duck with bright pink flowers to add color.

This is the best Before and After I've done, It took the longest but I'm so glad I did it. Our mudroom has been packed full of stuff since we moved in almost 4 years ago. Now its useful, clean, and I can let the pups in and out from my studio rather than going all around the house.

Before.

Before.

After!

After!

I still have a long way to go, but I love how the house is looking! More updates to come!

xo,

a|s