blairashley.com is taking a break for an undetermined amount of time.
I started this blog because I needed an outlet... I don't really feel that way anymore. I'm not even sure who my readers are and I don't think writing to a mystery audience is what I want to be doing right now! I am at peace w/ life... and that's really all I have left to say to the whole world. Maybe I'll be back... maybe not? Regardless, thanks for reading... whoever you are. :)
"If you want to be happy, be." {Leo Tolstoy}
Eh, probably not. But I haven't gone this long without blogging in nearly a year! Sorry, peeps.
What is new, what is new... or possibly a more appropriate question... What ISN'T new?! I mean, even my blog template is a fresh design!!
Well...
1) New (old) town, new job, new address, let's be honest... new life. LOVES IT.
2) We finally received a contract for our townhome last night (hello, short sale). Just waiting to find out if the bank is going to approve the extremely low offer.
3) As I mentioned before, I'm going to Mexico for the first time w/ the love of my life (yeah, you heard right) for a wedding + week long holiday. We leave on Sunday... I am soooo overdue for a vacation and am counting the minutes!
4) Ollie comes to work with me EVERY SINGLE DAY. He even has his own sign on my door! We're working on his social skills, as there are two 140 pound Great Danes in the office and a Lab & (friendly/temporary) Pit Bull at home. And who could forget that Sophie (Mama's Maltese) is just down the road!?
5) My first weekend in LB was a bit out of control. We tackled the Astoria/Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Fest on Friday... and again on Saturday. Too. Much. WINE (and beer/liquor/jello shots/etc)!! It was so great to reconnect with old friends. Fun!
I have been so BUSY... and TIRED! More later. ♥
XOXO,
Swimsuit shopping is SO depressing.
Every woman faces a unique bikini obstacle. For me, it's finding bottoms that don't make me look like a stripper! I can confidently buy a swim top without even trying it on, as I don't have much going on up there. But UGHHHH, my Kardashian booty makes things uber problematic. I need full coverage... but then again, I don't want to look like a grandmother. If only I could spot reduce with a nice, targeted assercise...
"They were doing a full back shot of me in a swimsuit and I thought, Oh my God, I have to be so brave. See, every woman hates herself from behind." {Cindy Crawford}
Beyonce, Scarlett, J Lo, help me!
*SIGH*
Hey ladies... Here are two BIG reasons to smile in May:
1) Emily Giffin will release her 5th novel on May 11th! She is the ONLY "chick lit" author that I will indulge in. I read her earlier books back in college and later picked up Love the One You're With during a very vulnerable time in my life... I have been WAITING patiently for Heart of the Matter ever since.
Tessa Russo is the mother of two young children and the wife of a renowned pediatric surgeon. Despite her mother’s warnings, Tessa has recently given up her career to focus on her family and the pursuit of domestic happiness. From the outside, she seems destined to live a charmed life.
Valerie Anderson is an attorney and single mother to six-year-old Charlie---a boy who has never known his father. After too many disappointments, she has given up on romance---and even, to some degree, friendships---believing that it is always safer not to expect too much.
Although both women live in the same Boston suburb, the two have relatively little in common aside from a fierce love for their children. But one night, a tragic accident causes their lives to converge in ways no one could have imagined.
2) And of course... on May 27th, I will be first in line for Sex and the City 2!!! Carrie is my fave, but Samantha freaking kills me.
Samantha: I can't color enough, I would color all day every day if I had my way, I would use every crayon in my box.
Carrie: We get it! You like to color...
Three weeks until Elan gets hitched in Mexico! I'll be using a passport for the very first time, yippee! We'll even be there for Cinco de Mayo. Awesomeeee!
Kelsey & me with the bachelorette:
Moving day (April 18th) is fast approaching, so I think it's probably safe to announce that I was offered a job in Long Beach! I will be taking on a web developer role at beachdog.com - a super cool, pup-loving, one-stop marketing shop! They are incredibly forward-thinking and modern in their business approach (embrace social networking, QR codes, etc)... which is so exciting for me! I am a total technie nerd and can't wait to work alongside a group of people who share similar convictions and can teach me more, more, MORE! ...and they love dogs! Bonus! Ollie couldn't be more thrilled. :)
I received the following email from Ollie's breeder (pardon the grammatical errors). Please pass the word!If you could help spread the word on this girl to give her the best chance to find her a home... I hope it's possible.. Thank you for your help.
Sunday Rose is a 6 pound stunning orange and white parti girl. She is a little over a year and spayed.
She was one of 20 Poms rescued out of a hoarding situation and part of a court case. I fostered her for 7 months until the courts released her and I adopted her. She was spayed and suffered neurologic damage due to the anesethia.
She now has seizures. She MUST be on phenebarbatol and Potassium Bromide and must have 6 month liver check ups.
Unfortunately I own other Poms and when she has a seizure they attack and try to kill her...thus for her own safety I MUST place her.
She sleeps on the bed is potty trained goes out a dog door. She loves going places but gets a little stress because she wasn't raised that way..
She has personality plus plus.. sweet sweet dog. She is a commitment because she needs meds the rest of her life. I will require vet references and a home with no more than one other small dog her size or no dogs at all for her safety. No smokers please..
Julie Clemen
360.867.1010
Julie@risenshinepoms.com
www.risenshinepoms.com
Ollie, my pom, is only 4 pounds and excels at sitting around looking cute. He is the perfect candidate for a photoshoot on stuff. This simply means that we put him on stuff (from staircases to sculptures) and take photos. He doesn't mind in the least! Check out his Long Beach portfolio:
LP: $250,000
Marketing remarks from the NWMLS:
Free standing cottage! Sharp, clean & shows like model home. Cul de sac location. End unit with OPEN SPACE to the side and backyard behind this home. Southern facing with lots of light. HOA dues cover exterior, roof & yard maintenance. Fresh new paint, new doors with nickel hardware, white millwork. Two bedrooms upstairs + a loft. Master has its own master bath with his & her closets. Amenities: schools, shopping, restaurants, trails & parks.
