Charcoal & Ash // Life Lately

I made it over to the blog! it's a miracle seriously. I thought I would pop on over and let you know whats been going on. It has been a crazy productive year and Paul and I have been carefully creating new experiences and navigating our lives in the creative direction we both want to go and it has resulted in us being insanely busy non-stop.

Since I last stopped by, Charcoal & Ash has been busy, busy, busy! I participated in my first farmers marker and another art show at the Factoria Mall. Paul and I created a promotional video for the shop which you can see in my about page! View my video HERE. We went on a weekend adventure to the Hoh Rainforest and Seabrook and we are planning a bigger tropical adventure towards the end of 2017. 

Paul made the jump to full-time freelance and is now running his own business from home and I couldn't be more proud. We have this crazy dream of both being able to work from home and travel one day and we are making some huge movements in the right direction. A few things that I am dreaming of doing in the last few months of 2017 is a Scorpio Queen inspired photo shoot (to celebrate turning 30 of course! I am also dreaming and scheming about creating exclusive Charcoal and Ash Christmas cards! creating beautiful calendars, and possibly a coffee table book. Oh and I will be participating in a photo contest more on that soon.

So many other things have happened in my life over the last few months, so many great great things I just don't have the time to share it all. But please enjoy these photos from my last photography shoot in Seattle and follow me over on Instagram @charcoalandashpnw for updates on all of the exciting things I'm planning for the rest of the year.

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I'm Still Alive!

H ey anyone and everyone who reads my blog! It's been a while so I thought I would do a little update on life and the blog. 2016 has been insane for me so much has happened and a LOT of it has been good yay! I have started a photography business which I am currently working all the kinks out of, learning about the business and perfecting my technical skills. I hope you will all take a moment to check out my Shop and maybe add a print or two to your home ;) As for the blog I have been taking time to ponder what it is I want to do with this space of mine which is now 4 years old (still a baby on the blogoshpere) I have decided that this space will be an extension of my photography business, which makes sense as it is what initially inspired me to pick up a camera. I remember when I first started taking low resolution images from the web for my posts lol oh how the times have changed. I hope to share my photography adventures, inspiration, a fashion post or two although I think I'm over that, and some of my finished products. I hope you will stick around the blog and enjoy this new phase of my creative life with me!

Take a Leap then Power Through

Modcloth Style Gallery - Click to Shop!

body suit / American Apparel

sunglasses / Moorea Seal

sunglasses case / Moorea Seal

necklace / Moorea Seal

skirt / Windsor

shoes / Forever 21

L ife lately has been hellish I mean I'm fine, and I know I will survive. I have my family and my faith but let me tell you 2015 has been quite the adventure. Last week both Paul and I came down with a pretty nasty cold and Paul (a sound engineer) developed a horrendous ear infection. Just when I thought we were out of the woods I parked my car in a metro bus slot in Seattle by accident. The signs that were posted literally contradicted themselves saying 8:00am- 8:00pm M-F I could park there but from 3:00pm-7:00pm I could not. Anyways 5:00pm rolled around and I walked out to find an empty parking stall. Oh Seattle how I love you so. Life on the job front has gotten a little rocky/clouded which is all I will say about that. 

June is on the horizon and I know that things are going to get better but I have to put the effort in to actually create change and I will! One of the more exciting things that has happened to me recently is interning at the Moorea Seal Store in Seattle. I really love it there and can you blame me it is a gorgeous location full of creative and inspiring people. So that was one huge win for 2015. One thing I have learned this year is that most of the things I want out of life require a leap of faith. I know what I want out of life, and I have a foggy idea of how to get there so hopefully by staying motivated, determined, and keeping the faith I will beat these trying times and make progress towards my goals... One just so happens to be moving to a house rather than an apartment so stay tuned for more updates on that. 

For all of you out there who are having a rough year, your not alone! Stay strong and keep focused.

Sky View App, A Beach Necessity!

You took some time off work, or maybe just planned a weekend to pack your things and head to the beach. You found your hotel, scouted out the perfect bonfire pit, and maybe even mapped out a hike or two. But now the sun is setting and you feel a little well, bored. I mean after all how long can you stand on a beautiful but somewhat empty beach? That's where I come in... you have to check out this app. After the awe of the sunset pull out your phone whether it's cloudy or not and download the Sky View App. Paul and I have so much fun with it, you just aim your screen towards the stars and the app lets you know what constellations, planets, even satellites are floating around in that area! It is really amazing and works even if there are clouds. It is so much fun and I love how it draws out constellations for you. So next time you find yourself contemplating calling it a night when the sun sets on your favorite beach, remember that phone in your pocket and give this app a try! Oh and just so you know its FREE! 

Our First Noble Fir

After a lot debate Paul and I decided that this year we will have a real Christmas Tree. We were concerned about the lack of space in our ever shrinking apartment, and that Kevin (meow) might take a bite of it but we decided to get one anyway. I was so excited because this is my first real tree! Paul found an amazing tree farm in Snoqualami, Washington at the base of Mt. Si called Mountain Creek Christmas Tree Farm I definitely would recommend. It was such a fun experience, when we drove in there was a really nice man checking cars in he gave us the rundown of how the whole U-Cut experience works and got us moving in the right direction towards the Turkish Pines and Noble Firs. I didn't realize how many different types of Christmas Trees there are! Paul and I wanted a short chubby tree that could fit in our car and our apartment but would be full enough for ornaments. We ended up taking a tree from one of the lots that was being cleared out. It's funny because the tree looked so small outside but as soon as we got it indoors it was clear it was a little big lol. We trimmed it down and now it fits perfectly. I am not sure how Eco-friendly cutting down your own christmas tree is, but I really liked supporting this local family farm, vs. buying a new plastic tree for a big corporation. Having this experience is something I will never forget, spending time with Paul, and picking out our little tree. Its these moments that last a lifetime. 

The Birthday Girl Post

W
ell, my Birthday Week is over I made it another year... and what a wonderful one it was. I really feel like I made a lot of progress in life this last year with my personal goals. Out of the "26 before 27 goals" that I made for myself I met over half which I am pretty excited about. I will not be sharing because #1 they are personal (lol I don't know why that's stopping me) and #2 somethings don't need to be a reference point for others. Really you just have to asses your own life, where you want to go, and create your own list. You got this! This next year is going to be packed full of change and growth I can just feel it. Over the last two years I was really limited as to what I could do because of my commitment to Graduate School, but that is over and I am FREEEE... so there will be much traveling, lots and lots of projects, plus a mini life makeover. My job hunt is still NOT over, but you know what? It's ok! I am really loving the time I am able to spend with my family and the creativity that has seemed to have taken root in my mind since I have been freed up. That being said I actually found a silver lining to this whole unemployed never-ending job hunt and that is that I feel more strongly about my career path and have narrowed it down even more. It just feels good to be able to think about your future career and know that it is not a shot in the dark but something you really like doing. So there's that!

Modcloth Style Gallery - Click to Shop!

cardigan | Target
scarf | Found in Paris

dress | Modcloth

tights | Target

shoes | Modcloth

About the last few days... Paul and I really had fun together we took the Ferry over to Poulsbo to walk through the town. Paul loves it because there is an awesome Bakery called Sluy's Bakery. I love it because the little town is just cram packed full of inspiration! EVERYWHERE! Ideas for projects, and rusty thrown out items that have so much potential to be something new and beautiful. I am working on a Annie Sloan paint project right now which I cannot wait to share with you! I purchased the paint at a store called The Vintage Housewife, actually it was one of the reasons we went to Poulsbo because Annie Sloan paint is only sold at specific vendors in order to support small businesses which I LOVE and totally admire. I opened the paint can and brushed on the first coat, and I died a little inside... that's how insanely gorgeous this piece of furniture is gonna be so stay tuned.

Ok end of birthday post! on to another unforgettable year in Ashley adventures...

Sweater Weather

M
y birthday is in a month and a half, and I am beginning to take a look at my goals for the last year. I have accomplished most of them, some will just take a little more time and with my Masters out of the way (big goal accomplishment!) they will be a lot easier now. I am really good at goal setting, the hard part is actually meeting them. I will share my list of "26 goals before 27" when my birthday week hits but for now I am going to start incorporating my remaining goals into a new list. There is something about fall that makes me excited to start dreaming of the future, it's as if the changes happening all around us are proof that change can happen and your goals can be reached.

Modcloth Style Gallery - Click to Shop!

sweater | Sammy Dress

boots | DSW

pants | Oldnavy

Big Thoughts on Little Moments

O
ne of my greatest strength yet biggest downfalls is that I am a deep thinking. I think a lot and tend to over analyze things. Something I have been hung up on recently is fleeting moments, you know the moments of pure happiness. Ok let me give you some examples of mine and you can compare since I don't have an actual definition. Waking up on Saturday morning to the sound of rain, the smell of coffee, and your love snuggled next to you. Spending the whole day with your Mom, reminiscing about the past, planning the future, and soaking up every subtle moment of the present. Sitting around a bonfire with your brothers making s'mores and cracking jokes. Driving through a sun speckled forest, singing as loud as you can on a road trip with your spouse. These are just a few but there is something about these moments I love. It is a sense of acceptance, love, and comfort. Sometimes when I am in the moment I almost feel sad because I am so happy, and I worry that nothing will be able to compare to it, but then it happens again. One of the greatest joys of my life has been discovering this, learning to preserve the feeling in my memories, and finding it in my everyday. Worry is the killer of this feeling, by worrying I am not present in the moment my mind is too wrapped up and involved to even notice those around me. I am so grateful that I have found the ability to identify these fleeting moments of happiness in my life, and I wish that same thing for every one of you. I hope you enjoy these photos my adventure with my husband to the Puyallup Fair it was a "little moments" packed day.