Happies & Crappies

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The Vintage Modern Wife: Happies and Crappies Link Up

Hey y’all!

Today I’m linking up with Sarah and Stephanie for their first week of Happies and Crappies, where we share the good things and not-so-good things about the week. I hope you’ll join in too!

Happies
Dinner/movie date with Tracy tonight!

We are trying to get together once a month, and tonight we are going to see Les Miserables!
My new blog!
I love my new name, I love my new address, I looooove it!
Facetime with the fam!
Momma and I have been facetiming a lot lately, and this week my cat Jack and Hershey, one of their cats, got to see each other! They were very interested :)
I got an iPad!
I am having a blast with it so far!
JON ACUFF followed me on the twit!
I have been a big fan since he spoke at last year’s Blissdom, and I got a little giddy when I saw the message pop up :)
Crappies
Monday wasn’t the greatest day. I woke up late, scrambled to get ready for work, and right as I was getting ready to leave, I knocked a bottle of water off my table in my room and spilled it EVERYWHERE!
That’s all I’ve got! It’s been a pretty great week!
Link up your happies and crappies with Steph and Sarah!
Have a great weekend!

Ashley Lately is here!

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Hey y’all!
Can you see me? :)
I am just thrilled that Ashley Lately is official! I’m excited for the future of this blog, and the change has really re-energized me and breathed some life into this blog.
I have to say a super HUGE thanks to Jenn for all of her work updating, transferring, and answering my goofy questions! I could not do this without her. I cannot say enough how wonderful it is to have someone take care of my blog that can also be a sweet friend. Her work is wonderful, and her friendship is amazing! If you ever need blog work done, use her! You’ll love her, I promise!
I also have to say a big thank you to Neely! Her very first Neely Lately post inspired me, and I’ve loved the ‘Lately’ posts since then! It made perfect sense to use that when I decided to rename! She also helped with the tagline by adding in the Dr. Pepper part. She can definitely take credit for that too :)
Have a great Thursday, y’all!

I’m Moving!

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Hey y’all!

What do you think of the new header and button? I loved the design, so when I decided to change the name I knew I couldn’t mess with the design. The girl, the headband, and the cat were just too perfect :)

Hopefully sometime today, Jenn will be switching the blog over to the new domain, which will be www.ashleylately.com. It feels so cool to really have my own space, away from blogspot. I think my blog should still show up for everyone, but just in case you can’t find me, that’s where I’ll be!

Thanks for all the love for the new name! I feel like this is almost like a fresh new start for this little blog, and I’m excited to see where things go from here!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Ashley’s Carnival Ride is now…

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Ok, y’all. Here is is!
Ashley’s Carnival Ride is changing to…
When I first started looking at new names, it was the first one on my list. It’s simple, and it just feels…right. The fabulous Jenn is finishing updating my info, and I will be transferring to a new domain soon.
I will keep y’all posted! I am excited for this new direction and the changes to come!

Dr. Pepper Cake Recipe

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Hey y’all!
A couple of weeks ago when my parents came to visit, my grandmother made a fabulous Dr. Pepper cake! I posted a picture on Twitter and Instagram, and I had several requests for the recipe, so I thought I would share it here with y’all!
It’s soooooo good, y’all!
Dr. Pepper Cake
1 cup butter
1 cup Dr. Pepper
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp soda
1 tsp vanilla
4 tbsp cocoa
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
Heat butter and Dr. Pepper. Add cocoa, cinnamon, flour, and sugar. Mix eggs, buttermilk, soda, and vanilla, and add to the rest of the mixture. Pour into prepared 9×13 pan. Bake about 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
For the icing:
Heat 1/4 cup butter
3 tbsp cocoa
1/4 cup Dr. Pepper
Bring to a boil, and then add 1 cup of chopped nuts and 1 box of powdered sugar.
Let me know if you try it! I’d love to see pictures if you do!
Enjoy, y’all!

The Sunday Social, Week 32

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Sunday Social
Hey y’all!
Today we’re going back to the beginning and giving you another chance to introduce your blogs! We have so many new people every week that we like to give everyone a chance to talk about their blog!

1. What is the name of your blog? How long have you been blogging?
My blog name (for the moment) is Ashley’s Carnival Ride! I got the title from my favorite line in the song “Wheel of the World”. I think it’s a great way to look at life. I am changing the name of my blog VERY soon, so I will talk more about that another time.
I’ve been blogging almost three years. I will celebrate my blogoversary at the end of the month!
2. Why do you blog?
I blog because I love to write. I love having my own space to write about whatever is on my mind. I continue to blog because of the wonderful friendships I’ve made through blogging.
3. What is the first blog you ever followed?
I don’t totally remember. I think it might have been Kelly’s Korner, but I’m not totally sure.
4. What is your favorite post you wrote in 2012?
I loved my post called A Year of Foster Care where I wrote about Wade and Joyce’s first year of being foster parents.

5. What are your blogging goals for 2013?
I want to continue to grow my blog and make new friends. I hope to write more often than I did in 2012.
6. Name your top 3 favorite blogs.
A Complete Waste of Makeup (duh!)
Your turn! Answer the questions, grab our button, and link up with Neely and me!
Next week’s questions

These are all about 3s!
1. Top 3 favorite kinds of food
2. First 3 things you do in the morning
3. Last 3 things you do at night
4. 3 TV shows you NEVER miss
5. 3 places you want to visit
6. 3 people you can always count on
Have a great Sunday, y’all!

The Sunday Social, Week 31

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Sunday Social
 
Hey y’all!
 
I hope you all had a fabulous first week of 2013!
 
1. Do you plan to change any of your eating habits in the new year?
I have been trying to eat healthier and cook more over the last couple of months. I haven’t done so well around the holidays, but I do want to get back to eating better.
 
2. Any workout tips to get us back in shape after the Holidays?
Um…I don’t work out.
 
3. What is your favorite thing you did over the Holidays?
I loved getting to spend a few days at home with the family. It definitely wasn’t long enough, but I loved having a few days with them.

 
4. What is something you hope that you accomplish in 2013 that you did not in 2012?
I want to learn to sew! It was on my 2012 goals list, but I just didn’t have time to have someone teach me. This year, it has to happen!
 
5. Name 3 things happening this year you are excited about and why.
1. Blissdom! I can’t wait to be with my favorite girls!
2. I am so excited for the birth of Teddie’s baby, my sweet little nephew! I hope to make it out to see them sometime this year.
3. My birthday! Yeah, I’m not crazy about being another year older, but it’s a day all about me! Who doesn’t love that? :)
 
Your turn! Answer the questions, grab our button, and link up with Neely and me!
 
Next week’s questions
 
We are going back to the beginning! These questions are all about YOUR blog! We’re changing up the questions a bit this time. If you’ve never linked up before, this is a great post to intorduce yourself!
 
1. What is the name of your blog? How long have you been blogging?
2. Why do you blog?
3. What is the first blog you ever followed?
4. What is your favorite post you wrote in 2012?
5. What are your blogging goals for 2013?
6. Name your top 3 favorite blogs.
 
Have a great Sunday, y’all!

Why I’m Excited for Blissdom 2013

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Hey y’all!
 
In about 78 days, a big group of bloggers will be gathered in Dallas for Blissdom 2013. I am beyond ready to spend a long weekend with some of my favorite girls! I bought my Blissdom ticket last week, and I am just EXCITED, so excited that I shared a picture of my confirmation ticket here, on the twit, instagram, and facebook!
Just in case you missed it :)
 
It’s kind of amazing how one experience can completely change you. Last year before Blissdom, I was excited and nervous, but I think mostly nervous. New adventures are always a little scary, and with everything going on in my life this time last year, I was nervous about something new.
 
Blissdom was amazing. It changed my opinion of the blogging community. It made me more confident in what I do here. It’s hard to describe how uplifting it was to be surrounded by my friends and a huge group of people just like me, who do what I do, and who understand what I do. After all of that, it was hard to go back to real life.
 
I think we started planning this year’s Blissdom before we even left last year! There are so many things I loved about last year’s conference and so many things I’m looking forward to this year. Here are a few things I can’t wait for!
 
Spending time with my favorites
I had such a great time with these girls last year! (Natalie & Molly, why didn’t we get pics together??) I had already spent lots of time with Neely, Meghan, Amber, and Kiley, and I loved getting to spend so many days in a row with them. I loved getting to finally meet Jenn, Rachel, Natalie, and Molly in person. Seriously y’all, there is nothing like getting to finally spend time in person with people you’ve only talked with online. There was so much screaming, hugging, and jumping up and down! Not all of these girls are able to go to Blissdom this year, and they will for sure be missed!
 
Making new friends
Heather and I met through a blog swap, and Neely and Tiffany were twit friends, and I loved getting to meet them. Because of the Facebook group for Blissdom newcomers, I was able to connect with other first time attendees like Jen and Carrie. I also got to meet some “big bloggers” that I’ve been following for awhile like Maggie, aka Gussy Sews!
 
Listening to fabulous speakers
Jon Acuff, Jeannette Kaplun, Erin Loechner, and Blissdom founder Alli Worthington were just a few of the inspirational speakers we heard. I learned some really great things from them that made me think a little differently about blogging and life. Their words pushed me to really take pride in my place in blog land, and because of that, when I came home I shared my blog on Facebook for the first time. You can read some of the things I learned from them here. I can’t wait to see the list of this year’s speakers!
 
Seeing really cool concerts!
As a huge music fan, I loved getting to see performances by Rascal Flatts, Chris Mann, and Joe Jonas! So fun!
 
This year’s conference is going to be in Dallas. For the last three years it’s been in Nashville, but this year they decided to make a change. Nashville is one of my favorite cities ever, so I was a little bummed when I saw the announcement, but the more I think about it, I’m REALLY glad it’s in Dallas instead. Here’s why:
 
*I don’t have to use extra vacation days at work for travel.
 
*I don’t have to be crammed in the back seat of Amber’s car for 12+ hours with a bunch of suitcases and a Neely.
I love love LOVE these girls, but I wasn’t sure our friendships were going to survive that car ride home.
 
*I don’t have to endure the loooooong drive through Arkansas. No offense to my Arkansas friends, but it is almost painful driving allll the way across the state.
 
I already know that Blissdom is going to be another wonderful experience. If you still haven’t decided if you’re going, I would definitely encourage you to go. You definitely won’t regret it. One of the beautiful things about Blissdom is that no matter how big or small your blog is, it doesn’t matter. We are all just bloggers gathering together because we love what we do.
 
If you have any questions about Blissdom, please don’t hesitate to email, comment, or tweet me! I’d love to help!
 
Hope to see y’all there!

2012 Year in Review

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I took a job with The Vintage Pearl!
 
I gave headband advice in vlog form :)
 
I turned 26 and had the flu all on the same day. Boo.
 
I attended BlissDom for the first time and had my life changed! I hung out with my favorite girls and met some of my favorite girls in person! We met Rascal Flatts and Chris Mann! Oh, and I had a moment with Joe Jonas :)

 
I officially started my job at TVP.
 
I met Jackie!
 
I spent a fabulous weekend with Regina and Amanda!

 

I took a quick trip home to finally celebrate my birthday.
 
I loved on my Sweet P!
 
I hung out with Pioneer Woman again!
 
 
I met Kara-Kae for the first time!
 
I had brunch with E while she was passing through town!
She is the sweetest!!
Lori and I met for breakfast and to get Carrie Underwood’s new CD!
 
 I got a wonderful surprise visit from Amy and B!
 
The bro turned 23.
 
The OKC Thunder made it to the NBA Finals! So proud of our boys!
 
The Sunday Social with Ashley and Neely debuted!

Sunday Social
 
I went with Kara-Kae to an OKC Blogger Meet-up!
 
Teddie announce her pregnancy! Can’t wait for my little nephew to get here!
 
I met Meghan when she was passing through OKC!
 
I spent 4th of July with Wade, Joyce, and the Littles.

My blog got a fun makeover!

 
I had a lovely bloggy date with Rebekah.
 
I took a super quick trip home to celebrate Momma and Daddy’s birthdays.
 
I attended Women of Faith with my best friend.
 
We met Angie Smith. It was one of the most incredible moments of my life.
 
We also met Selah.
 
I made a new blog friend! Cortney and I met in line to meet Angie.
 
I spent a fabulous weekend in Dallas with Neely.
 
We had dinner with Kiley, Caitrin, Collin, and Chad.
 
We had crab mac & jack :)
 
We went to visit Laura and met her precious family!
 
We had a Brad Paisley concert rained out, so we opted for pizza in pajamas!
 
We met Caitrin and Ally for brunch!
 
My twins turned 16 :(
 
We said goodbye to Sarah for the semester by spending an evening in Bricktown.
 
I tried online dating for the first time. It’s been…interesting.
 
We met the fam halfway for lunch one afternoon.
 
We had a major TVP sale, so we spent the day with some wonderful Tulsa TVP peeps.
 
I went to see Jonna and Mahya peform at Freshman Fanfare.
 
We sent Becky on a little scavenger hunt.
 
Sarah came home for a visit.
 
Grammy and I saw Les Miserables.
 
Sweet P turned a year old!
 
I got my hair did :)
 
Lori and I saw Carrie Underwood and Hunter Hayes.

TVP cohosted an OKC blogger meet-up.

 
My blog hit 600 followers! Craziness!

I worked my first Black Friday. I didn’t hurt anyone, so I consider it a huge success :)

The BEST. VLOG. EVER. happened.

 
We went to Tulsa for the TVP Christmas Party!
 
Tracy’s babies turned 2!
 
I spent a quick Christmas at home with the fam.
 
I bought my Blissdom ticket!
 
2012 was a big year of changes and new adventures! I can’t wait to see what is in store for me in 2013! I’ve got big plans for this blog for the next year, and I’m excited to share everything with y’all!
 
I hope y’all have a safe and wonderful New Year’s Eve!


The Sunday Social, Week 30

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Sunday Social
 
Hey y’all!
 
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Today is 30 weeks of Sunday Social! Thanks so much for making this such a success!
 
1. What is the best New Years Eve you’ve ever had?
 I don’t normally do much for NYE, but one that sticks out in my mind was 8th grade :) It was our first real boy/girl party, and we had a blast!
Jessica and me

We were so young, and we thought we were so cool! It was such a great night, and it brings back so many memories of great friends. Two of the guys passed away while we were in high school, so it’s great to remember them on such a fun night.

 

2. Are you doing anything for NYE this year and if so what?
I have to work NYE, so I don’t know that I’ll do anything. Joyce and Wade are having friends over to their house, so I may go hang out with my babies!
 
3. Name a book we should all read come January?
I haven’t read it yet, but I’ve heard wonderful things about Still Lolo by Lauren Scruggs! I’m hoping to get it started on NYD. The pieces I’ve read are absolutely wonderful!
 
4. What are your new years resolutions?
I haven’t really given much thought to what I want to do in the new year. I want to lose some more weight, I want to learn to sew, and I want to read my bible more. I want to continue to grow my blog, and I want to be better about writing consistently. I’ve got lots of plans for this blog in the new year, and I can’t wait to see what happens!

Your turn! Answer the questions, grab our button, and link up with Neely and me!

Next week’s questions

1. Do you plan to change any of your eating habits in the new year?

2. Any workout tips to get us back in shape after the Holidays?
3. What is your favorite thing you did over the Holidays?
4. What is something you hope that you accomplish in 2013 that you did not in 2012?
5. Name 3 things happening this year you are excited about and why.
 
Have a great Sunday, y’all!