Happy New Year!!!

Thank you so much for following these past few months. 2009 has been an amazing journey and I CANNOT wait to see what 2010 has in store.

XO,

Ash

When in Rome...or Florence

Two years ago this week I was on a flight to Florence for an art history winter session class with school. I went with one of my favorite people in the entire world, Miss Vanessa Jackson and we had the most fabulous time.

I feel in love with Florence and in love with Italy almost instantly, and if I have one regret from college, it's that I didn't spend a whole semester there.

We traveled to Rome, Sienna and Assisi. I walked through the Vatican and stood in awe at the foot of the Sistine Chapel. I saw The David, The Colosseum, The Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. I slept in the most perfect little Italian Apartment at the foot of the Duomo and I ate more gelatto, pasta and cheese than one person should ever consume and I most definitely drank enough wine for a lifetime.

It was incredible and I have been dying to go back. Until that day, I have my pictures. I thought I would share a few with you...

This is my view from my apartment in Florence...how perfect is that!

The most adorable pink Vespa in Rome!

Overlooking the Ponte Vecchio with Vanessa!!!

The Colosseum in Rome...it was the only day it didn't rain!

Ciao,

Ash

"Blame it on the Pop"

Thank you DJ Earworm for once again creating a fantastic mashup for 2009. Enjoy chickadees!!!

Christmas with LaToya

I thought I would share some of my pictures from the annual xmas party. Our tree this year was named LaToya and we actually cut her down, dragged her home and tossed some tinsel on her.

This my friends is LaToya...she took up half of our living room and I had to hedge clip her top off, but she was the most ferosh tree we've ever had!!




We obvi took a "pitchaaaa by the treeee", complete with Bailey's !


I also promised a few of you that I would post a picture of me in the dress...here it is. I'm showing you my favorite part!


What party would be complete without some drinky drinks...we love our Veuve!!

Hope you all had a lovely Holiday and shared it with people you love!!

XO,

Ash

You're weird...now leave me alone!

This is my combo story for today…a poo poo platter if you wish.

So, I have another train story...actually 2. They aren’t as good as the time I fell across an entire subway car full of people and they don’t hold a candle to the time I was kissed by a homeless man, but I thought I would share.

Train Story #1

I want to be clear about this…I’m not a stalker, but I happen to take the same commuting path as this REALLY attractive guy. I’m pretty sure we went to High School together, but since he looks like the lovechild of Matt Damon and a Swedish Model, I doubt he would know who I was. He just stands on the platform looking oh so adorable every day waiting for the 7:31. I’m pretty sure he thinks I’m following him. It isn’t my fault that we take the same train, the same subway and happen to sit in the same car on both modes of transportation.

New Year’s Resolution: Get some chutzpa, lose 20 pounds, get sexy and talk to train boy!

Train Story #2

Like the title of my blog says, “Life is Awkward and so am I”. My life is a combination of awkward, yet lovable moments strung together- kinda like popcorn garland. Here is a perfect example of why my life is so painfully bizarre.

I was taking the train home from MA, after having a lovely, but way too short visit with KC. I was about 40 minutes into the ride and had a little over an hour to go. I was sitting by myself until a stop in CT, where a familiar looking boy sits down next to me. He decides that now is the perfect time to strike up a conversation.

Within minutes, I knew exactly who he was. We had actually met at least 15 times prior to this unfortunate train rendezvous while still in college. While he graduated a year before me, his reputation lasted long after he received his diploma.

I played along like I didn’t really know him-however, as the train ride went on and my attempts to blow him off went unnoticed, I thought it would be more fun to casually mention people we both know and places that we have definitely met before. It had been about 30 minutes and he thought we were“BFF”, poking my shoulder every time I said something as if I was the funniest human being alive. He proceeds to brag about his job, tell me how awesome his life is and let me know that “he is going to be CRAZY successful.”

I wanted to light myself on fire.

With around 40 minute to go and way too much touching taking place, he asked for my phone number. Did I want to decline?…YES, but I figured the 40 minute ride back to the city would be way more painful had I said no…especially since we were sitting about 6 inches from each other.

It’s been about 2 weeks and he has finally stopped texting, I think he got the hint after I ignored him for a few days.

Heads up to all the boys out there…texting me things like- “"I woke up to go to the beach this morning, walked out shirtless to walk towards the water . Then a homeless guy told me I was shivering and I woke up realizing I was on a different island...lost style" is completely bizarre and makes me want to delete your number immediately and get a restraining order.

Hope he doesn’t read this…

XO,

Ash

Paula and Ray are Rockstars!!!

Santa was VERY generous and brought me some Hunter Rain Boots, fabulous clothing and one of my favorite gifts...my electric toothbrush (I was wayyyy toooo excited about this gift).

However, here is a picture of my favorite gift. I attempted to take it with my blackberry...Clearly, I'm not Annie Leibovitz!

It is the Petite Albion Ring from David Yurman in Prasiolite and it's perched upon my Vanilla Latte from Starbucks.

Do you have a favorite Christmas present?

XO,

Ash

Have a GLEEK-tastic Holiday!!!!!

Thanks to fabulous friend Kristen...I have been able to watch this video. My count is up to 4.
Maybe one day I can be a part of a flash mob...they are fantastic!!!!!!!!





Enjoy my fellow GLEEKS!

Happy Holidays!!!!

XO,

Ash

"You taste just like GLITTER mixed with rock and roll"

It’s the Holiday’s and as of yesterday at 7pm…I had not purchased a single present.

Mahhhhjaahh issue considering it took me 25 minutes to go about 45 feet yesterday in front of my mall.

However, by the grace of God and some Holiday fairies I ended up shooting over to a few stores outside of the mall with my brother Kevin and completed my holiday shopping in 2.5 hours.

You read that correctly…2.5 Hours!!

It’s a Christmas Miracle if I have ever witnessed one!!

Because I cant quite tell you what I bought everyone, I’ve decided to share a gift that I was given.

I took this picture my new nail polish this morning on the train. The fabulous EG gave it to me and I couldn’t wait to get the glittery silver on my nails.



The picture isn’t the greatest because I took it with my bberry, but here is what the nail polish looks like in the jar. GO GET IT! It’s the perfect color for Holiday parties and New Year’s
festivities.

XO,

Ash

"You'll always be my best friend, you know too much."

"let's become little old ladies together.... we'll stay up late looking at old pictures, telling 'remember when' stories, and laughing till our sides ache. let's becoming eccentric together... the kind of old ladies who take long walks, wear silly hats, and get away with acting outrageous in public places. and if anybody should ask how long we've been friends, we'll say, 'oh, forever- since before you were even born!!' let's become little old ladies together... because a friendship that's as special as ours can only grow better through the years."

I get to see my KMC this weekend!!!!! This week has been less than stellar and getting to hang out and watch Love Actually, She's the Man and The Holiday is going to make it all better.

At The End of The Day, having friends you can count on for anything is something to be

treasured.

XO,

Ash

"That's your problem. You don't want to be in love. You want to be in love in a movie."

It could be the fact that there is nothing more romantic than a fire, hot cocoa and cuddling. It could also be the fact that my heart can’t help but pitter patter at the sight of the first snow, but whatever the reason, I consider the holidays the most romantic time of the year.

For someone who is single (I'm not complaining...merely making an observation), this time of year reminds us that we have no significant other to purchase a gift for, no one to spend those cold winter nights cuddling with(except our best friends) and no one to bring to the holiday party.

That kiss at midnight is always disappointing. It reminds us that, February 14th is right around the corner and we will probably spend it alone AGAIN with a pint of mint chocolate chip and “She’s The Man” on DVD.

However, like I’ve said before, I am a hopeless romantic and this post is dedicated to everyone who loves to watch sappy, heartwarming tales of first love, everlasting love and unrequited love.

Here are my top 5 movie quotes to keep you warm and cuddly during the season of love. So grab your snuggie, some Kleenex and a bottle of pinot- ‘Cause ladies...it’s going to be a long winter!

5: If you have never seen this movie…go out and rent it. Heck, BUY IT! Every girl at some point has felt like Julia Roberts does in this movie. I HAVE!!! This movie is beyond “quotable”, but my favorite has to be…

"I have a favor to ask, I'm hoping it's not too much. After all, you said you'd always be there for me, so, here it goes: Don't like her. Don't pick her. Don't be with her. Anyone but HER. It hurts me too much. And if I could possibly fit one more thing in there if it is okay with you, maybe, just maybe, do you think you could fall for me?" - My Best Friend's Wedding

4. Everyone has seen this movie, read this book or danced in their jammies along with Bridget Jones and whether we want to admit it, we all want to be told…

"I like you just as you are." -bridget jones diary

3. Go grab your Pinot and your BFF. There is nothing sexier than British Accents and Jude Law in plastic glasses. And you aren’t fooling anyone by saying that there isn’t a guy that you will always love…no matter how much of an asshole he is. I WISH I could channel Iris in The Holiday and say this…but unfortunately I just don’t have the “Gumption”

“ Shush. You broke my heart. And you acted like somehow it was my fault, my misunderstanding, and I was too in love with you to ever be mad at you, so I just punished myself! For years! But you waltzing in here on my lovely Christmas holiday, and telling me that you don't want to lose me whilst you're about to get MARRIED, somehow newly entitles me to say, it's over. This - This twisted, toxic THING between us, is finally finished! I'm miraculously done being in love with you! Ha! I've got a life to start living…”


2. I've seen this movie make men weeeeep

“If you're a bird I'm a bird.”- The Notebook

FINALLY...

"But for now, let me say - Without hope or agenda - Just because it's Christmas - And at Christmas you tell the truth - To me, you are perfect - And my wasted heart will love you "-Love Actually

What are your favorite movies or movie quotes???

XO,

Ashley

ps...the title is from Sleepless in Seattle

Sparkly Dresses and cutting down Christmas Trees!

I know!

I know!

I’ve been the WORST blogger ever, but I’ve had a busy week! Friday was the GMA Holiday Party and Saturday I went and cut down a Christmas Tree…yes- an actual Christmas Tree...

Here is my dad and my brother carrying "LaToya". She is currently covered in Tinsle and barely fits in the living room. I guess trees look smaller in the wilderness...

I’ve been tooooo busy to sleep, let along blog and I feel like I’ve gotten out of the swing of it.
I DO have some funny stories…actually only one for right now, but here it goes...

So remember that dress I posted? The sparkly one from BCBG…that I was planning on wearing to the Holiday Party! Well, as of Thursday at 9pm, that dress was still not in my possession. Mind you the dress was shipped 2DAY from the 59th St. store in NY to my house. By my calculations…I should have received the dress by Wednesday.

Wednesday came and went…no dress

Thursday came and went…no dress.

Panic set in. What was I going to wear? Where the heck was my dress…and more importantly, how come they charged my credit card?

After an hour on the phone, Paula- my mom with super powers…managed to get a hold of the Bloomingdales Store Manager, who she then spent an hour with the next day at the Bloomingdales store in my town (apparently Bloomies had no record of us even buying the dress). The next day, Paula ate sandwiches, drank latte’s and hung out in the executive offices at Bloomies. My mother somehow managed to get them to HAND DELIVER the dress to me at my office just in time for the party.

Paula is MAGIC…and so is the dress. I love it!

Happy Monday!

XO,

Ash

"Cause We Belong Together Now..."

What just occurred on Glee was perfection...if you aren't watching...you should be!!

No worries though, new episodes don't start til April. You will have plenty of time to catch up on what you've missed and download the music on Itunes. This is my personal favorite from tonight's episode.

Enjoy!

XO

Once Upon a Holiday Party

I think I've found the perfect Holiday Party dress. The festivities will be this Friday night and I need to look ferosssshh. Here is my dress (BCBG from Bloomies)...pray it fits because I ordered it online!

Thoughts?

XO

"The True American Artform"

On and off for the past year and a half I have worked in television and these are a few things that I’ve learned…

Getting up at 3am is the same as getting up at 6am….anything before the sun comes up, is all the same and there is nothing more peaceful and eerie than the city at 5am.

I’ve realized that celebrities are just like everyone else, with more money and better hair and that they are just as insecure and awkward as the rest of us.

I’ve also realized that I’m pretty good at what I do…actually I think I’m pretty awesome at it. It’s forced me to grow up, take chances and adapt in stressful situations.

I’ve learned that you have to love what you’re doing or you’re going to be miserable and while it’s difficult, exhausting and at times thankless…working in television is exciting, unpredictable and totally worth it.

To quote Kenneth from 30 Rock, “Do you know why I put up with this 'pitiful job', Mr. Donaghy, why I fetch these folks' lunches and clean up their barfs? Cause they make television. And more then jazz, or musical theater, or morbid obesity, television is the true American artform.”

“Goodnight and have a pleasant tomorrow”,

Ash

DIY: 'If Moon were cookie"

I’m a big lover of cookies, mason jars, baking and the holidays. Here is my suggestion for the BEST cookies and DIY project evaaaah (ok maybe not evaaaah, but it’s pretty darn good)!
I make these all of the time around the holidays. They make perfect gifts and they can be done in a variety of ways. I will be sharing my Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookie recipe…because it’s my personal favorite. Feel free to get creative!

Instructions:

Group together the salt, sugar, baking soda and cinnamon into one dry mixture...let’s call this “YUM”. Then take the Oats, Flour, Chocolate Chips, Brown Sugar and the “YUM” concoction and layer them in whatever order you like right into the Mason Jar. Your jar should look something like this…

I borrowed this image from the internet...because I have yet to make my holiday treats....thank you everydaynecessities.com


Now...Take the recipe below…or your own personal family favorite and add it to a small note card and fasten it to the top of your mason jar along with the instructions on baking the cookies.

Recipe:

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt (optional)
3 cups of Quaker Oats (Quick)
1 Chocolate Chips (prefer semi sweet)
2 eggs
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened

Baking Instructions:

Pour Mason Jar into a large mixing bowl and add the…
2 eggs
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened
Bake at 350 for 10-12 min or until they look golden brown and yummy!

Enjoy,

Ash


ps. random sidenote...the title of my blog is from a cookie monster song. He was always my favorite character and I would sing "If Moon were cookie" all the time as a kid...my poor mother.

Sniffles...Yuck

So I can't believe I'm posting this picture of myself, but I figured someone would get a good laugh out of it.

I have the COLD of all COLDS...it's knocked me out...FAIL.

I want to crawl into my bed and sleep forever. Unfortunately, I have work so I've become addicted to...

Breathe Right Nasal Strips and Advil Cold and Sinus.


This is what I look like. I'm currently rocking a clear Breathe Right...



XO,

Ash


UPDATE: I woke up this morning with my Breathe Right Strip attached to my head...not my nose. I guess I should have stuck it on a little better...oops.