30 Days of Journaling

Image: here

Well we're finally coming up on April which means that the semester is at last winding down and sophomore year is about a month away from ending (cue the violins!) There's still so many things that my friends and I want to do and so many places that we still want to go. We only have about three weekends left before finals which is sending us all into panic mode. WHERE DID THE TIME GO?

Anyway, in my internet reading this past week I came across this post on The Everygirl. I thought it was a great idea to challenge myself to journal everyday this month. I do keep a journal, but recently it has been a place to let my frustrations out. However, this month I am going to journal a little differently. I am going to write everyday no matter what happened; the good and the bad. I will be starting it off on a good note because tomorrow is supposed to be in the 70s?!?! What?! Dresses and heels are coming out people!

<3 Ashley

Do you keep a journal? Will you do this 30 day challenge?

Love Is In The Details

I have decided to give myself a little bit of a challenge this month--this is also an attempt to shake things up to make getting dressed to go out into the cold a little more exciting. Everyday during the month of February I am going to try to incorporate some kind of pink or red into the day's outfit. I am just that cute. Kicking off this challenge during this month of love is my favorite scarf; I picked this up a few years ago in Little Italy during my first trip to NYC. I did notice that I don't have many pink or red pieces so this may be a little difficult for me, but it will also force me to be a little more creative. In other words...challenge accepted!

<3 Ashley

Join me in this fun little challenge? 

Day 30: Letting Go

Photo: here

I am sorry for my complete silence yesterday. The internet was down here and on top of that a marathon of Inside the Actors Studio. So honestly, there was no chance of me ever being online. But good news: the internet is back and Tropic Thunder isn't on until 2! So here I am offering the last of the 30 Day Blogging Challenge posts: React to the term 'letting go.'

Letting go is certainly something that I need to do more of! I have a tendency to dwell; I try not to, but my brain just seems programmed to remind me of things that really put me on edge. I think that letting go does involve acknowledging the problem, but instead of worrying about it try to learn from it. Know what you could have done differently but then let it go. Free yourself from the worry because it will only hold you back; letting go means moving forward freely.

What does "letting go" mean to you?

<3 Ashley

Day 26: The Best

Day 26: Describe the qualities you like best in yourself.

After yesterday's discussion about the worst qualities I want to take the time to discuss some of the best qualities. As quick as I am to rattle off things I would like to improve about myself I also am very well aware of my redeeming qualities.

My smile. I always get complimented at work, school, other public venues about my smile.

My sense of humor. I value a great sense of humor in others and have also been able to get some laughs myself. I try not to take some things to seriously because half of the time...they really aren't that serious.

My intelligence. While I say that, I am not the kind of person to tout that intelligence around others needlessly (in fact, I hate people who do that!)

What are some of the best qualities that you like in yourself?

<3 Ashley

Day 25: The Worst

Photo: here

Day 25: What are some of your least favorite qualities that you have?

While I consider myself to be very comfortable and happy with who I am, unfortunately I am one of those people who can easily list my least favorite things about myself. At the same time, I don't exactly think that's a bad thing. It's even further proof that no one is perfect. If we were perfect we would have nothing to doubt or pick at. It's just our nature.

I hate how shy I am when meeting new people. I wish I was more outgoing.

I doubt myself a lot. I wish I was more adventurous.

Lack of motivation. Maybe I just haven't found my passion yet.

What are a few things that bother you about yourself? (don't worry! Tomorrow will be more positive, I promise!)

<3 Ashley

Day 24: Stress Monster

Photo: here

Day 24: What was one time that stress got the best of you?

I say that I am the kind of person who stresses easily, but I think that most of the time I am just being a total drama queen--I can be quite the actress. However, I do remember one time during my junior year of high school that I had a complete meltdown. It was my first year taking any AP courses so I was relatively new to the heavy workload that came along with the class. Studying for AP European History required making 60+ note cards and reading excerpts from two of our ridiculous textbooks. I was down to the wire making the last of the notecards so that I could at least skim the chapters so that I would be ready for the review the next day. It was getting very late and eventually, stress and mental exhaustion got to me and I completely broke down in tears. My mother came in and calmly told me that I needed to go to sleep. She then, jokingly, told me that she would still love me if I failed the test. I ended up doing moderately well on the test, not quite my best.

What I learned was, I don't stress easily. But when I am on a tight deadline and I have a heaping load of work then yes...I will start to stress out.

How do you handle stress? What stresses you out?

<3 Ashley

Day 21: Favorite Posts

Day 21: List your 5 favorite posts on your blog.

I have written about a lot over the past year on this blog, and today is the day that I get to highlight some of my favorites for you!

1. Reflections: Freshman Year 
I loved all of the feedback I got on this post! This was by far my most popular piece that I've written all year. Whenever I reach something that I consider to be a milestone I like to take a breather and think about how far I've come, how I have changed, and what I need to work on.

2. Shopping Tips: Too Expensive?
This post was the result of a shopping trip and personal experience. I find it's always best to write what you know, and I love sharing tips that I have found to be successful (at least in the situations I have used them in!)

3. Spring Inspired
I believe this was written when it was still quite cold in Pittsburgh; there may have even been snow on the ground! I don't do many styling posts but I thought it would be nice to get a little glimpse of spring and what was coming. It was a hopeful post!

4. Some Down Time
I am a big supporter of what I refer to as sanity time. This post was written during a point when it was cold out, everyone else was in a late class, and I had no work to do. What a beautiful time!

5. The Final Countdown
This was written during finals week at the end of the fall semester. That is the time where, if you haven't learned yet, you learn how you study. This post was just as list of things that I found helpful for me.

What kind of posts are you interested in? (Consider this feedback! I will use it for the upcoming year!) 

<3 Ashley

Day 20: A Small Struggle

Day 20: Write about something that you have been struggling with.

Motivation. It has always been something that I struggle with. I find myself to be very fickle and it is difficult for me to stay committed to something for too long. How I was able to keep up with this blog for a whole year is beyond me. I must really love it. But sometimes I do find myself lacking the motivation to keep it up to date, or maybe it's just that sometimes I lack the inspiration. Whatever it may be, it's something that I have to work on. I also think that I get very nervous and scared sometimes when I am faced with a task or other scenario, and that ends up affecting my motivation. They say that the first step is admitting that you have a problem. All I can do at this point is work and push myself to stay committed.

What is something that you struggle with?

<3 Ashley

Day 19: A Day in the Life

Photo: here

Day 19: Write a "Day in the Life" post.

I have waited the whole day to write this. I thought a Sunday would be a nice day to do this because it was more relaxed, more things were done on a whim and 6 hours wouldn't be eaten up by work.

7:30 AM: Rise and shine!
8:00 AM: Out for breakfast with mom. A latte and breakfast sandwich on a croissant for me.
9:45 AM: Make pasta salad for today's lunch
10:30 AM: Family watching a show about pizza. Lunch plans go out the window and we decide to go out for pizza instead.
11:30 AM: Inhale three slices of some pretty good mushroom pizza. No regrets here!
1:00 PM: Watching the Golden Girls with mom; dad reading trying to block it out (but he totally enjoys it...I know it.)
3:00 PM: After sneezing 5 times in a 30 second period I break and take a Benadryl. Complain to anyone about my lack of sleep over the past 3 days due to stuffy nose and sore throat.
3:15 PM: Research moisturizers; a small rash has formed on my face from this one that I am currently using. Confirmed: I have sensitive skin.
3:30 PM: Some journaling. I like to have a private little notebook to write down any thoughts that I want to get out of my head.
3:40 PM: Continue reading "The Devil Wears Prada." The sequel, "Revenge Wears Prada," is being released on June 4, I believe.
6:30 PM: I should probably eat again; dig out some of that pasta salad that was supposed to be for lunch.
7:00 PM: Watch "P.S. I Love You" because it's been awhile.
8:00 PM: About the time that I start crying. No matter how many times I watch this film, I will sob throughout the entire last half of it!
9:30 PM: Commence blog writing and ideas for tomorrow.

There you have it! I know...it's a pretty intense life. Haha! But really, this was one of those days that I enjoy. It was very laid back and quite lazy. Who doesn't love one of those days once in awhile!

Day 18: That One Thing

Well hello there!

I apologize for my silence yesterday; I worked from 12-4 and really didn't feel motivated to write anything up. Plus, due to my severe lack of pinning (thanks to lack of time and horribly slow internet service) there was no way I was going to be able to throw together a TGIF Pins post. Today we are going to a birthday party for my great aunt so I thought I would write this up quickly.

Photo: here

12 more days are left in my participation in the 30-day blogging challenge, and I have been less than perfect with keeping up with it. A few days have been tossed aside, but for the most part I think I have been pretty good and have received some great comments on a few posts--we're really getting to know each other now! :)

Today I will talk about the one thing that I have always wanted to do, but have yet to do. I have to admit, I had to think long and hard about this. I am not the kind of person who dwells on things so it took some time to think about something that I have wanted to do but I was successful! I have always wanted to go zip-lining! I had the opportunity to travel a short distance by zip-line in my freshman year, but that would have required me to climb to the top of the rock-climbing tower, and due to fear and a severe lack of upper body strength that did not happen. But sometime I would like to experience zip-lining (without having to rock climb!)

What's one thing that you've always wanted to try?

<3 Ashley

Day 16: Stay Golden!

Photo: here

Today's post is all about television! TV shows come and go and I get into quite a few of them. But more often than not I eventually stop watching. I cannot tell you how many episodes of Pretty Little Liars I have missed! However, there is a show that I feel has stood the test of time and has been a constant for me since childhood: the Golden Girls. I have been watching those four sassy, Florida ladies since I was young with my mother. Now I own all seven seasons on DVD; you can expect that I watch them constantly!

What is your favorite television show?

<3 Ashley

Day 15: Simpler Times

Photo: here

We are officially half way through this month long blogging challenge and these prompts just keep getting deeper and deeper and call me to really put some thought into my answers. Today I am asked: What do you miss the most? I am the kind of person who tends to over think things; I feel that this question is very general and can be interpreted a couple of different ways. This question in particular prompts recollections of certain aspects of a period of time or material things that I don't have anymore. So I will venture to answer both ways...just for kicks.

I miss the simplicity that childhood held. As much as I love the wonderful journey I am on I will be completely honest...school is hard, and I hate getting up to go to work. I miss how much more comfortable I used to feel being goofy, unknowing and without a care. All problems were smaller and not so serious.

Now let's get out of that deep area and get shallow for a bit. :) I miss Barbie...back before she was accused of causing self-esteem problems. I just liked dressing her up. I also loved going to the store and seeing all of those collectable Barbie dolls--Millennium Barbie anyone? Side note: Do they still make those collectable dolls?

What do you miss the most?

<3 Ashley

Day 14: Favorite movie

Photo: here

Of all of the movies in my collection all of which have been viewed countless times I have a top 3 group of movies that are go-to films for me: Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and The Nanny Diaries. Out of those, my favorite would probably be Breakfast at Tiffany's. Audrey Hepburn was such a beautiful and talented actress who really shines in the film. I love watching the relationship develop between Holly and Paul in this film and I love the ending. I have made a habit of watching this film on rainy days when I am stuck inside and just want to stay in bed.

What is your favorite film?

<3 Ashley

Day 13: Oh Boy!

Finally! I have been waiting for this kind of topic forever. I feel like in some way or another we all appreciate this one. Let's talk about the fellas! Day 13 is: List your 5 celebrity crushes. I find that 'crush' sounds a little too middle school for me, but...well it works. I am not going to say much; pictures are worth a thousands words after all, right?

Bradley Cooper

Gerard Butler

Chris Evans

Robert Downey Jr.

Ryan Gosling

There it is (in no particular order!) my very important list of attractive males. Enjoy, stare on, take you're time...you're welcome. ;P

Who are your top 5 celebrity 'crushes'? (That word still bothers me...any other words we can use?)

<3 Ashley

Day 11: A Girl Can Dream

Photo: here

Like any other girl growing up I have always had hopes, thoughts and dreams regarding my future; what my house would look like, what my husband would be like, what kind of job would I have, etc. In fact, I still daydream about those things every once in awhile when I should probably put focus somewhere else. A few times this past semester my friends and I would be up late talking about living as neighbors in a cul-de-sac in North Carolina (outside of Charlotte) and spending nights sitting outside talking, watching our kids and all sorts of other things! I am not sure how much of that will actually come true but I do know that I want to live in close proximity to a city. In terms of careers I am still set on my hopes of becoming a magazine editor. That dream was brought about after watching films such as "13 Going on 30" and "The Devil Wears Prada" and it has stuck ever since.

I look forward to the future and will welcome all changes with open arms. I can't wait to see how things turn out! Just as long as I am able to keep in touch with family and friends and be in living and working situations that I am happy in I will be very content.

What are your dreams for the future?

<3 Ashley

Day 10: Memories

This picture is not from that birthday...but I couldn't find those pictures. I thought this was cute and sassy though ;)

There is nothing I find harder than describing to someone my favorite, scariest, most exciting or most embarrassing memories. However, I am well equipped to regale someone with my earliest memory. That's just what the prompt for Day 10 happens to be: What is your earliest memory?

Easy enough, it's my second birthday! I remember literally nothing prior to that and to be honest I only remember two scenes from the day. I remember waking up in the morning and walking into the dining and seeing just a few streamers, and a new "art station"--one side was a chalk board and the other was a dry erase board. Fast forward to the afternoon when I remember being sung "Happy Birthday" to by my family and blowing out a "2" candle on a chocolate cake.

What is your earliest memory?

<3 Ashley

Day 9: Modern Music Mania

Photo here

The definition of 'good music' has and probably always will be an argument between the generations; Coldplay v. U2, The Monkees v. Jonas Brothers, Britney v. Madonna and unfortunately MJ v. J Biebs have all been topics of discussion over the past decade. You get into arguments about genres and who is really the reigning pop royalty and then what was a lovely family gathering turns into a brutal debate with very biased information.

I like to think that my iPod playlist is fairly diverse. If you were swipe through my music you would see that I was and still am an avid supporter of the boyband movement (NSync for life!) occasion a listen to the best of Duran Duran and do enjoy the occasional Lady Gaga. Overall, I am a pop fan though a few more genres have found their way onto my radar thanks to my friends. I have found that I have become a little more disconnected from mainstream, Top 40 music since I don't listen to the radio and, let's face it, MTV isn't going to introduce me to any new artists. I wouldn't say that any of today's popular artists are very groundbreaking. So many artists cover or sample older music that I like better when performed by the original artist. In fact, I am a little disappointed. 

What are your views on modern or mainstream music? What is your favorite music to listen to?

Day 8: Why Blog?

Photo here

I am having way too much fun waking up at 11 every morning. Unfortunately, come Monday that will be a thing of the past as I get back to work. But I am very happy that I did have this break between school and summer work.

Anyway, today's topic is one that has recently interested me to read about. Over the past few weeks I have seen a number of bloggers sharing with their readers why exactly they started blogging in the first place. Today I am going to do just that.

Since 8th grade, I have wanted to pursue a career in writing/publishing and had flirted with the idea of blogging. Everyone that I talked to about my plans always suggested that I start a blog and begin networking. About a year ago, with college on the horizon, I started this little blog. I liked the idea of blogging and had enjoyed following and reading some others before starting my own. I had every intention of making it a fashion blog since fashion was quite the obsession of mine--even more so than it is now! However, half the time I didn't even know what to talk about. So I took a step back and and reconsidered the angle I should take. What did I like to talk about? Well pretty much everything! That's when I decided that All That Glitters would become a lifestyle blog. One year later I still enjoy it very much. Along with doing a fair bit of writing I also look at blog as a social opportunity. I have enjoyed talking to so many people with some interesting perspectives.

If you have a blog, why did you start blogging? Leave your link!

<3 Ashley

Day 6: Zodiac

So it would seem Day 5 of this challenge was skipped. I just couldn't bring myself to do it yesterday. I will tack it on to the end of the month.

Photo: here

Cancer the Crab.

Some keywords to identify with Cancer are gentle, conservative, nurturing, feeling, defensive, and contemplating. Those under Cancer are typically able to adjust to different environments, often retreat into themselves when sad or hurt, and also tend to try to blend with their environments and not become the center of too much attention. They prone to moodiness and try to avoid too much change to their environment. They are intrigued by objects with a history to them (antiques, photos, etc.)

Being born on July 13 means that I am a Cancer. How much do I think the above description matches my own personality. I'm convinced they just wrote my personality out as the sign's description! It is for the most part completely similar. I do tend to keep to myself and stay quiet, and have pride in the fact that I am able to adapt to most situations and environments that I find myself in.

Do you think your personality matches what is described by your sign?

<3 Ashley

Day 4: The Perfect Casting

Photo: here

Well this is what Blogger looks like on a Saturday! This is the first time in a long time that I have posted anything on the weekend. But seeing how this is a 30 day blog challenge, I want to keep it confined to just the month of May. Today's prompt is this: Who would be cast as you in the movie of your life?

This is an excellent question which I do not entirely think that I could have come up with an answer to on my own. So after asking a few friends who have gotten to know me well I received...no unanimous responses. But I did find one interesting and a few others agreed when I asked about this one: Meryl Streep. Eliminating the factor of age completely I won't disagree with them. They cite mainly my humor and the way I carry myself. I find her incredible and will take these comparisons as compliments! :)

Who would be cast as you in the movie of your life?

<3 Ashley