Thanksgiving Vintage Pyrex

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I have become the entrusted biscuit and doughnut maker to carry on the family tradition. Every Thanksgiving I make my Mamaw's (my great grandmother) biscuit recipe. Pulling out the handwritten recipe just makes me remember all of our wonderful family memories and traditions. I am excited that I can now incorporate this meaningful recipe while also creating new traditions and memories for my own daughter and husband. These beautiful pyrex bowls are my grandmother's and it is just so cool that I remember using these in her kitchen and now I can use them in mine.

I am very blessed and so thankful for my beautiful daughter and amazing husband. I hope you never forgot the special recipes or items that make your house a home. Enjoy your day with your family and friends.

xoxo- Ashlyn

Eat, Drink, & Be Married!

My amazing friend Kellie is getting married next spring and I cannot wait! She is going to be the most gorgeous bride. Kellie and I were lucky enough to cross paths riding horses and we've continued our friendship for over 15 years. She is the funniest, loving, kind, smart, beautiful soul. Most of us in her wedding party met through horses and I feel like we have this special crazy bond over the love of horses and the way we spent years of our lives showing and caring for our prized possessions. Her bachelorette was the best. Horses, wine, country views...ughh take me back now! We started the trip with a beautiful brunch that her mother made, then we went riding at a farm out in Leesburg, Virginia. Then we had a quite night chatting and eating at the bed and breakfast we rented out which could have not been more perfect for all of us. Zion Springs is absolutely beautiful. Saturday and Sunday morning having breakfast in the owners fabulous home was a real treat. Then we had a full wine tour Saturday and ended the night with an great dinner at the Wine Kitchen in Purceville. Sunday morning we all leisurely packed up after our a brisk walk and breakfast and headed to Middleburg which is the prime historic horse town. After hitting up all our favorite spots for snacks (we indulged WAY too much, thank goodness we have a few months before dresses) it was time to go home :( Can't wait until spring to start all the wedding events and see this beautiful wedding!

We loved these flannel shirts we got from Old Navy on sale for $12/each and took them to a local monogram shop for $9.50/each! The adorable bandanas...yep handmade by the MOH's mother. So freakin cute!

This trial ride was so much fun! Our horses names, Rudy, Beatle, Joy, Carpet, and Haley.

Zion Springs Bed & Breakfast. The left side is the owner's home which is attached the the B&B that hosts 4 suites with a little common area. Amazing deck views, land, and fire pit too!

This donkey was the sweetest little thing.

Feathers, Fur, Floppy Hat= Trendy Fall Look

It's Thrift Thursday!

This week was absolutely exhausting being on travel for work in New Jersey. But, we did have the most perfect fall weather, which really encouraged me to still sit down tonight and get this amazing look posted!

This fall look is fabulous because it incorporates three of the hottest trends, fur, feathers, and a floppy signature hat.

The Look:

• Fur Sweater - $9 from local thrift store in almost BRAND NEW condition :)
• Hat - $20 Antique Store
• Purse, boots, jewelry, jeans, white turtleneck - from Kimberly's closet

This photo of Kimberly is to die for. This hat was made for her. So stunning!

About two years ago, Kimberly and I went into downtown Leesburg, Virginia, which is the cutest historic town with tons of antique shops and specialty boutiques. We spent over an hour in this antique store having dress up time.  As we giggled like little school girls, we tried on everything from beautiful beaded dresses, costumes, bowas, scarfs, and of course tons of hats! Kimberly ended up with this gorg navy feathered hat and I ended up with a fancy maroon hat (upcoming next few weeks).  We talked the gentleman into giving us a 20% discount buying them together so we ended up getting them both for $40!

Thrifty Bridesmaid's Gift - Monogram Shirts

Remember that wedding signage post? Well here is another beautiful detail from Nicole's wedding that was so budget friendly…and of course Thrift Thursday post worthy!

Nicole had a wonderful group of girls in her wedding party and even though there was 11 of us…yes 11…we all got along, laughed and appreciated spending time with one another in anticipation for Nicole’s BIG day! Nicole gave us the best gifts to include a statement white & gold necklace and of course my favorite detail…monogrammed oversized shirts from the thrift store. Nicole told me at the rehearsal dinner (because she knew I would appreciate it) that she scavenged for months trying to find all these Polo Ralph Lauren button up shirts at her local thrift stores. Her hard work paid off and she was able to save a ton!! Getting these shirts for about $7/each and then taking them to a local shop for the monogram only cost her $10/each = UNDER $20 for a custom shirt…AMAZING!!

We all looked so great getting ready and absolutely STUNNING in our dresses!

Thank you Carley Rehberg for these gorgeous photos J

Professional Wardrobe On A Budget - Suit Under $20

Thrift Thursday!

About this time a year I feel like everyone it’s getting the itch to start the new year off with a new job. I mean come on, what’s better than starting the year off fresh in a new environment with new challenges. So, to get you all inspired and looking snazzy for those interviews, here is an amazing find from my local thrift store that will surely land you the perfect job!

The Look:

• Suit - (Blazer and Skirt) = White House Black Market $19.90 from thrift store!! WOW!

• Shirt -  Can be just a basic cotton (like this black one which go for about $4 at the thrift store) or make it extra professional with a nice blouse or button-down (about $7 from the thrift store)

• Shoes – Aren’t these Jessica Simpson heels amazing! Kimberly got these on sale for $39 at Marshals to wear at my wedding and I think she has gotten her full use out of them!

• Michael Kors purse

The beautiful flirty details of the jacket and skirt are appropriate for any job market. Professional enough to take you into a multimillion dollar company but fun enough for that art gallery interview that you are so excited about.

Hope you land the perfect job and have fun exploring your options with not only clothing but your career!

Chalk Painted Shabby Chic Dresser Reveal!

So the reveal is HERE! I am so excited about how this dresser turned out!!

This beautiful family hand-me-down was in desperate need of a makeover. My bestie, Kimberly, is totally glam, chic and perfect. So when she asked me how to restore her grandparent’s dresser, I was totally up for the challenge! She is now a true believer that old things can be just as good as new :) She was thrilled with the results and I’m so excited she loves it in her home.

Here is a step by step guide on creating a masterpiece dresser of your own!

1. Start by examining your piece. Make it sturdy (this piece needed a little reinforcement on the backing with some nails) and sand any chipping paint.
2. Remove handles and drawers. Give the drawers a thorough wipe down inside and out.
3. If you want a different style handle (for this one we went from a centered one handle to a two hole handle), use wood filler and let sit overnight. Once cured, sand so you cannot feel the bumps and the surface is smooth. Then measure the new holes (we have this amazing tool). Drill the newly measured holes. Lastly, wipe you drawers down again to remove any dust. *These silver handles were a great find at my local Habitat of Humanity for $0.50 each!*
4. Start painting. You don’t have to have an expensive brush, just use something with long flexible (not too floppy) natural bristles or a flat brush for smoother look. See my post also about comparing chalk paints here.
5. We used Valspar chalky finish paint from Lowe’s for the main body of the dresser (the darker grey). Although Valspar advertises 40 tintable colors, our Lowe’s was able to match a grey that Kimberly LOVED called Metropolis (tinted off the medium base). Then we just happened to be lucky enough to find 2 Valspar sample pots (just regular paint) of a light grey for the drawers.
6. I painted the body of the dresser and the inside of the drawers using the Valspar chalky finish paint. (2 coats with 24 hours drying time in between coats)
7. Then I made my own chalk paint for the outside of the drawers (2 coats with 24 hours drying time in between coats). Recipe upcoming :)
8. Once completely painted and 24 hours have passed from your final coat, it is time to wax. If you prefer not to have the sheen leave it off, but I do think it’s an important step for the durability of your piece. I used Annie Sloan since I had leftover from my Shabby Chic dining table.
9. Screw and handles and replace drawers into their place and DONE!

Ahh it turned out so amazing!! Wish I could have stolen it from her :)