before you pack! Chances are you will NOT be moving into a house that is not
the exact same as the one you came from! For example, we had SO many cabinets
and built-ins in our California house. You would not believe the things that I
had held onto, just because we had space! I purged a ton prior to moving and
still made 8 trips to the Goodwill while we were unpacking this house. It made
me wish I had gotten rid of more before we left to save time and stress!
do a few boxes a day. It was overwhelming to me. I walked into my kitchen and
family room the day the movers came and there were boxes everywhere. I really
wanted to unpack it all overnight because I felt like the boxes were
suffocating me, but honestly, with two kiddos, there was NO way I could do
that. Kiddos or not, there was no way I could do that!
and family room first. I also made sure to unpack the kids’ rooms and playroom
as fast as I could. If I walked into their bedrooms and felt like it was chaos,
I knew that they had to feel similar. Their rooms are FAR from finished, but,
they are unpacked and they have access to all their toys and things, and to
them, that’s all that matters!
helped. It was huge! My hubby and I felt like we were at a standstill with the
unpacking, and my mom came in and helped us find places for all the random
stuff!
has been on my mind a lot lately as I unpack and try to whip this new house
into shape! Since we lived in an apartment, with none of our things for 3
months, I have realized even more so, that us all being together is what makes
a place a home, not all of the things. That being said, there are little
touches that I like to throw into our houses to make the more cozy. They are my
candles, lots of home-cooked and baked meals and lots of time together. I also
LOVE having a fire burning anytime it’s cool enough to do so. There’s something
so cozy about a roaring fire!
love anything on the grill, but my favorite is seared ahi tuna tacos with mango
salsa! I could eat it every single day!
simplify an outdoor meal, I typically make a little serving area on the island
or kitchen table inside. I always prefer to make my own plate, so I can control
the portions of all the food, etc, so I try to extend that to my family and
guests as well!
She also does super fun cocktails like these too…
After the moving talk and the food talk…it’s time to talk shopping. Fancy Ashley is like the cutest thing ever and always looks fabulous and effortless even if it’s just pics of her running to Home Depot or sitting in carpool. This mama has her own signature style and always hits the mark.
What is the most worn item in your closet this month?
Ashley: It
would have to be my casual tunics and dresses. I love the fact that I can throw
one on and put on a cute hat, add a little blush/bronzer and mascara and of course
lipgloss and head out the door and still look cute and put together!
Shay: My shorts! I am such a shorts and tee girl this time of year. My favorites are of course the J Crew Chinos :).
What is your typical date night outfit for this time of year?
Ashley: I
am a HUGE fan of rompers! I wear them a lot on date nights! They are so
adorable and I love that you can dress them up or dress them down, based on
shoe choice. Wedges dress up a romper and flat sandals dress it down! A good
romper that you feel great in, is a must-have and versatile closet staple!
How cute is she in her romper?!?!
And some other early summer stuff to talk about in our pjs…
What do you typically give your kids’ teachers as end of year gifts?
Ashley: It
usually depends. I try to give gifts based on the teachers’ personality and I
also like to give them things that I would like to receive as a gift. I always
think of something that they probably wouldn’t go out a buy themselves.
Sometimes I do a fun mug from Anthropologie with coffee or a Starbucks card or
flowers inside or a cute pad of paper
and fun pens and sometimes I do jewelry. The jewelry was a huge hit last year
because it went perfectly with his teachers’ personalities!
are for sure doing a 2-3 week “summer tour”, as I am calling it, in California
to visit family and friends. We are also discussing a Hawaii or Mexico trip,
but might wait until the fall for that one, just depending on timing. School
starts so early here in Texas, so I’m still trying to figure out dates, etc!
I’m also hoping for a weekend away with my hubby too. That’s always fun and
such a rare treat!
Shay: We are planning on escaping the Texas heat in late July or early August…just a fun road trip with the kids to see the mountains (and feel cooler air!).
love to just sit and read outside while working on my tan. I also love to go to
the pool/beach. I think we will be spending lots of time at the pool this summer.
I hear it’s too hot to do anything else here! Ha! I like to workout outside as
well when it’s cool enough to do so. I love a long walk. I used to walk the
little presidents ALL the time when they were younger. Now, I struggle to keep
them in the stroller because they would rather be walking and running!
What books are you reading this season?
Ashley: I
am obsessed with the book, “Love Does” by Bob Goff. It’s amazing. I always
secretly hope that he will be on one of my flights when we travel, because I would
love to meet him! I just started “Where’d you go Bernadette” and it’s
hilarious. My best friend told me I had to read it and I’m loving it!
Shay: Goodness! My plan is to read a lot this summer! The first book on my list will be Emily Giffin’s new book, “The One and Only”. It comes out next week and I’m just so excited to read it!
the same set of questions…here are Ashley’s answers:
1. What is your favorite cosmetic?
Lipstick
(my fave is Mac “Candy Yum Yum”) and Lipgloss (My fave is Bobbi Brown “ElectricViolet”)
2. What is your favorite beauty product (not makeup)?
Fresh Soy Facial Cleanser followed by Fresh Lotus
Preserve Cream. I am a HUGE fan of all things by Fresh! I use a lot of their products!
3. What is your favorite TV show?
Frasier!!!!
I watch it every night in bed and I go from season 1 to season 11 and then I
start all over. I’ve been doing this for so long now. I love the show so much.
Clearly! It’s the best!!! It
helps me fall asleep to something positive and happy. I always wish I could be
friends with Frasier and Niles and Daphne and Roz and Martin in real life! I am
positive we would all be besties!
Listen…last year when Ashley and I met, we realized that we both love Frasier and watch it every day…and it was then that we knew we were soul sisters. For life. 🙂
4. What is your favorite vacation destination?
Second is Mexico!!
is a hard one!!! I live in my Nike Frees, but LOVE my glitter heels just as
much! They are not practical for day to day though! I also have a pair of
glitter oxfords that I pretty wore every day last fall and winter! They are
pretty much me, in shoe form and SUPER comfy! I even bought a second pair when
they went on sale, you know, just to have for when I wear this pair out!
use Gel polish on a regular basis. I cannot stand when my nail polish chips, so
this has been great for me. I can get 2-3 weeks wear out of them, which is
awesome!!! I love anything pink…usually neon pink and anything gold or glitter!
will always love the movie Clueless and the movie Romy and Michelle’s High
School Reunion. They are both so funny. I love Fried Green Tomatoes too. I’m
always sobbing my way through it, but it’s always so good. I also love The
Family Stone. It’s not really a chick flick, but I sob a lot during it, so it
might as well be!
the laundry! I have no issue actually doing the laundry, but folding and
putting away the laundry?!! Awful! I think I would rather run a marathon than
do the laundry every day! It’s never ending. I don’t think there is ever a day
when I don’t do at least one load! I come from a big family and my mom always
said she wished she had two laundry rooms…I can totally understand that now!
Ha!
freak me out! A lot of people know this. I ALWAYS have a full size bottle of
Purell in my purse and in the car. My friends and family make fun of me for it,
but honestly, I don’t care! I would rather us all have clean hands and stay
healthy! Ha!
Thanks Ashley! XOXO
And for dinner tonight…something that looks fancy but is so simple (and insanely delicious!)…
…my Taco Burgers!
Nothings says Friday like a burger that tastes like a taco…yummy!
Have a great weekend everyone!
XOXO
Tab & Erika says
What a fun pajama party!!! Ashley sounds like she'd be so much fun to hang out with. Those taco burgers look delish!!! Can't wait to add those to our menu!!
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
WHAT A FUN pajama party! Loved getting to know more about Fancy Ashley! Her kids are absolutely darling, and I love following her on ig. And now I'm thinking I need a romper.
Blue-Eyed Bride says
This was so fun! Love you girls!
Jenny @ jennycollier.com says
Loved this so much! You guys are two peas in a pod.
Slightly Askew Designs says
A FULL size bottle of Purel???? SO SO SO FUNNY!!! 🙂 LOVED this post
Emily says
So much fun!! Loved reading this!!!
Liz/ says
Loved this pajama party! I started following Ashley awhile ago when I think you mentioned her before and she is so fun and cute and the Little Presidents and just stinkin adorable!!!
Kari Kirkland says
I read Fancy Ashley everyday! I love her Instagram pictures and the little Presidents are Adorable! LOVE LOVE LOVE!
Darcy says
This was a fun post to read. 🙂
PS – Love Does is suuuuuccch a great book! It's an "easy read" but deep at the same time. Also, I love following Bob Goff on Facebook, he really posts some great thoughts every day.
Sabrina says
I love Ashley's blog and I think she is the cutest mama EVER!! This was such a fun pajama party!! Oh how I wish I was at a pj party with a mojito right now!! haha!! Happy weekend, lovely ladies!
Haley @ Cupcakes and Sunshine says
I love Fancy Ashley!! Her family is absolutely adorable! Loving this pajama party!
ashley @ Fancy Ashley says
Thank you so much for having me over for the pajama party!!! SO MUCH FUN!!! Love you, friend! XOXO!!!
Tay says
Oh my gosh how much fun! Adorable woman! My sister is a germ freak freak….she has a separate bottle of Sanitizer in her purse for others to use and the one she uses for herself she santizes the other people bottle of sanitzer with her own Sanitizer (if any of that made sense she is just hilariously a major germaphob)
Julia Kovacova says
I love the Pride and Prejudice too!!
Lindsay Llambes says
The Little Presidents?! That's adorable!