Now Playing…

Hey y’all! It’s been awhile since I did a music post, so I thought I’d share the songs that I’m listening to on repeat!
 
“Better Dig Two”-The Band Perry
 
“Tornado”-Little Big Town
 
“Catch My Breath”-Kelly Clarkson
 
“Take a Little Ride”-Jason Aldean
“22″-Taylor Swift
 
What’s currently on your playlist?

What I’m Loving Wednesday

Hey y’all!
 
It’s been awhile since I’ve linked up with Jamie for What I’m Loving Wednesday!
 
Here’s what I’m loving lately!
 
I’m loving…
 
…lunch dates with wonderful friends.
 
…sweet kitty cat snuggles.
 
…Greek frozen yogurt.
 
…fun goodies from Influenster.
 
…Pioneer Woman macaroni and cheese!
 
What are you loving right now?


Jingle Bell Rock Mix CD Reveal!

Hey y’all!
A few weeks ago I participated in Meghan, Meagan, and Sara’s Holiday Mix CD Swap!
I was partnered with Meagan, one of the fabulous cohosts! She sent me a fun CD and a packet of hot chocolate!
Here are the great songs on my CD!
1. It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Andy Williams
2. Jingle Bells – Lisa Loeb
3. Blue Christmas – Elvis Presley
4. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! – Harry , Jr.
5. Little Saint Nick – The Beach Boys
6. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer – Manneheim Steamroller
7. Sleigh Ride – Natalie Cole
8. I’ll Be Home for Christmas – Josh Groban
9. Winter Wonderland – Jewel
10. Baby It’s Cold Outside – The Brian Setzer Orchestra
11. Wonderful Christmastime – Paul McCartney
12. You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch – NewSong
13. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree – New Song
14. Joy to the World – Aretha Franklin
15. A New York Christmas – Rob Thomas
16. Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day – Avalon
17. The Christmas Song – Natalie Cole
18. Jingle Bells – Jim Brickman
19. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Frank Sinatra
20. Silent Night – Perry Como
21. White Christmas – Bing Crosby
22. Good News – Avalon
Blog swaps are so much fun and a great way to meet new bloggers! I’m glad to have a new bloggy friend! Thanks again Meagan!

The Sunday Social, Week 26

Sunday Social
 
Hey y’all!
 
Today starts our fun holiday Sunday Social questions! Can’t wait to read yours!
 
1. What is your favorite holiday season tradition?
I love opening gifts on Christmas Eve with my parents and brother. It’s great to have time in the middle of all of the crazy to be together, just the four of us!

 
2. Do you have a certain holiday movie you watch more than others? If so what is it?
My favorites are Elf, The Family Stone, and Love Actually! I watch them all multiple times during the holidays! Love Actually is my gift wrapping movie :)
 
3. Show us your favorite decoration or pinterest decoration you wish you could have.
I don’t like traditional Christmas colors, so I decorate with purple, pink, and silver!
 
4. What is your favorite holiday song?

O Holy Night is my favorite! I’m sure it will surprise no one that my favorite arrangement is *NSYNC’s :)
 

5. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
My Mom-mom used to make these fun Christmas tree and wreath cookies! They were so good and so cute!

 
6. What is on your wish list this year?
This!
My Holiday Wishlist? A Ticket to BlissDom!
 
Now it’s your turn! Answer the questions, grab our button, and link up with Neely and me!

Next week’s questions

More holiday fun!

1. Favorite Holiday Movies/TV Specials?
2. Do you do any volunteering during the holidays if so what? If not what would you do?
3. Favorite toy received as a Child for the Holidays?
4. What was your must have item in high school for the Holidays?
5. Item you begged for the most and never got?
6. What do you do on Christmas Eve? If you are Jewish what does your family do for Hanukkah?
 
Have a great Sunday!

Ashley Lately

Hey y’all!
 
Hope y’all are having a great week!
 
I know that aside from Sunday Social, things have been a little quiet around here. We’ve officially hit the holiday season at work, and I’ve either been busy or resting :)
 
Here’s what I’ve been up to…
 
A couple of weeks ago we had a birthday party for Little Girl, Jonna, and Joyce. Their birthdays are all in a row, so we had one big party!
Yummy cupcakes

Birthday girl Jonna!

That is A LOT of hair accessories and pinkness!
 
I ended up not going home for Thanksgiving. Because this was my first year for Black Friday at TVP and because most of the family wasn’t able to come, it just made more sense for me to stay here. I had lunch with my family up here, and then I spent the afternoon and evening with Wade and Joyce and the family.
 
The only picture I took all day…
 
W posted this lovely picture of me on Instagram. This was pretty much all we did all afternoon!

 Friday morning my alarm went off at 3:15 am, and I made it to TVP at 4:30! Y’all know me, I can’t really function with other people before 9 am, so it was good that I made it through the craziness without hurting anyone! Haha!
 
It was a very long day, and by the end of it, I was pretty much feeling like this…
Yep!
 
Saturday, Sarah came back from school and worked with us at TVP!
It was so great having her back! I adore her and can’t wait until Christmas break when she will be back with us!
 
I have also started counting calories and eating healthier. I have reached that point again where I am not happy with the way I look or the way I feel, so I’m working hard to try to shed some of this weight I’ve gained over the last few months. It’s hard, but I know it will be worth it in the end. Wish me luck!
 
I hope to get back to my regular blogging soon!
 
Have a great Wednesday!


The Sunday Social, Week 25

Sunday Social
 
Hey y’all!
 
I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving! Mine didn’t go quite like I first planned, but it ended up being a great day.
 
Today’s Sunday Social is all about 4′s!
 
1. Name 4 jobs you’ve had in your life.
2 year old preschool teacher, adoption caseworker, foster care coordniator, and jewelry boutique manager
 
2. Name 4 movies you would watch over and over.
Miss Congeniality, Under the Tuscan Sun, Legally Blonde, and Easy A!

 
3. Name 4 places you have lived.
My hometown, UCO suites, a terrible horrible apartment, and my current lovely apartment!
 
4. Name 4 of your favorite foods.
chocolate, chicken quesadillas, mac & cheese, and my momma’s chocolate cheesecake

 
5. Name 4 things you always carry with you.
My iPhone, my keys, my sunglasses, and my purse
 

6. Name 4 places you have been on vacation.
Disneyworld, Memphis (twice), Nashville (twice), and Chicago!
 
Now it’s your turn! Answer the questions, grab our button, and link up with Neely and me!
 
Next week’s questions
 
We are starting our holiday questions!!
 
1. What is your favorite holiday season tradition?
2. Do you have a certain holiday movie you watch more than others? If so what is it?
3. Show us your favorite decoration or pinterest decoration you wish you could have
4. What is your favorite holiday song?
5. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
6. What is on your wish list this year?
 
Have a great Sunday y’all!

#okbloggers

Friday night, The Vintage Pearl cohosted a fun Oklahoma Blogger Meet-up!
 
We had a great group of girls hang out at TVP for awhile, and then we headed over to Pinkitzel for cupcakes!
 

Me with the wonderful Kara-Kae from The Mom Diggity! She is one of the sweetest girls I’ve ever met, and I love being able to call her a friend!

Me with Amy from Mom Spark and Melissa from Consumer Queen! We were all wearing our TVP jewelry :)

Annie helped draw the winners of our giveaways!

Thanks for your help, Annie!

Because no post about Pinkitzel would be complete without a cupcake…don’t ask me how many of those I ate last week. It’s embarassing!
 
We had a great night! It’s wonderful to connect with other bloggers. I don’t have a lot of local blogger friends, so it’s nice to be able to hang out with a group of girls that understand what I do.
 
Big thanks to Passionfruit Ads for sponsoring the event and to The Vintage Pearl and Pinkitzel for hosting us!
 

The Sunday Social, Week 24

Sunday Social
 
Hey y’all!
 
For today’s Sunday Social, we are doing things a little different! With this being the start of a week of thanksgiving, we want to know what YOU are thankful for!
 
2012 has sure been a rollercoaster of a year. It started with such uncertainty, but it is ending with so much happiness!
 
I’m thankful for my God who has taken such good care of me this last year. The end of 2011/beginning of 2012 was hard, but He brought me through a difficult time and brought me into some wonderful new adventures I could’ve never imagined I’d get to do!
 
I’m thankful for my amazing family!
The way they haveloved and supported me, especially this year, has been nothing short of amazing. I love them more than I can say.
 
I’m thankful for my best friends! I’m thankful for their love and support and the way they are always there for me, even though we all live in different places. I’m thankful for the phone chats, skype dates, and the weekends that never last long enough. My life would not be the same without them, and I thank God every day for them!
Jessica has been by my side for 20 years. My life would be incomplete without her!
 
Teddie is the big sister I always wanted. I’m thankful that in just a few months, she gets to be a mom!
 
Oh Neely…blogging brought us together, and I will be forever thankful for that!
 
I’m thankful for Wade, Joyce, the kids, and the Littles.
They are my second family, and they made me a part of their family from the day I met them. They are the most giving family I have ever met, and I’m so thankful to have them in my life.
 
I’m thankful for my kitty Jack!
He always brings a smile to my face, even when I’m having a bad day! I adore him!
 
I’m thankful for my TVP team!
(Haley, why aren’t you around when we take picture???)
These girls are wonderful! They make me laugh, they make me feel reeeeeally old, and they make work so much fun. I’m so thankful to have them in my life!
 
I’m thankful for my wonderful job at The Vintage Pearl! I’m so lucky to work for such amazing people, and I’m thankful for everyone who has helped me figure out this new adventure!
 
I’m thankful for the blog world!
I have met some of the most amazing people, many of them in person! I’m thankful to have a community of people that understand me and what I do. I’m thankful for the people that have prayed for me and offered me so much support through difficult times. I’m thankful for a place to just be me. I’m thankful for YOU!
 
I’m thankful for the new year that’s coming! I have a feeling 2013 is going to be pretty fabulous!
 
Oh, and I’m thankful for Dr. Pepper and dark chocolate M&Ms :)
 
What are you thankful for? Link up your thankful posts with Neely and me!
 
Next week’s questions
 
WE WILL BE HAVING SUNDAY SOCIAL NEXT WEEK! We know most of you will be spending time with your families, but we will still be here! Get your posts scheduled early!
 
This week’s questions are all about 4′s!
 
1. Name 4 jobs you’ve had in your life.
2. Name 4 movies you would watch over and over.
3. Name 4 places you have lived.
4. Name 4 of your favorite foods.
5. Name 4 things you always carry with you.
6. Name 4 places you have been on vacation.
 
I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!

It’s Ok…

Its Ok Thursdays
 
Hey y’all!
 
It’s been awhile since I linked up with Neely and Amber, so I thought I would join in today!
 
It’s Ok…
 
…to worry about driving my car because of a spider that’s lurking in there somewhere.
When I squished it on Tuesday, I checked the napkin and there was no evidence of a spider. He’s probably still in there, plotting his attack.
 
…to be a little worried about how much sleep I’m not going to get in the next few weeks.
 
…to get a little bit giddy picking out Disney Princess birthday decorations for a three year old :)
 
…and, to have maaaaybe watching this video five or six times in a row…
Seriously, best tour announcement EVER!
 
What’s Ok with you this week? Link up with Neely and Amber!

Posts You Need to Read

Hey y’all!
 
Today I wanted to share a few posts by YOU that I have loved over the last few days!
 

Love Moves: Angie shared a beautiful post about the first day of her and her daughters’ Compassion trip to Peru.
Dr. Oz & Dr. Pepper: My momma wrote about trying to overcome her Dr. Pepper addiction becuase of an episode of Dr. Oz!
 

Live Delightfully
me: foster parenthood: memories: My sweet friend Regina reflected on a year of parenting their sweet little BB!
 
A Consolation Cat Fetching Video: I wish my cat was as cool as Meg’s. He’s pretty fantastic!
 
Politics and Playgrounds: The BEST political post to come out of the election craziness! Seriously Jenn, I LOVE this!
 
Thankful: A beautiful post from Rebekah on being thankful!
 

All You Really Need is Love
Infertility Sucks: Lori shared the latest in her fertility struggle. I’m praying SO hard for her right now!
 
I hope you’ll go show these ladies some love! What posts have been your favorites lately?