dream forward

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.
~C.S. Lewis

I guess I have made up my mind that after I finish my Masters I want to go back to Hawaii... maybe for good! (just kidding) I really miss the warm tropical island and I cannot wait to get back over there... 2014 cannot come soon enough!

L.A. and The Daytime Emmy's

Paul and I packed up and headed down to L.A. on Friday June 14th... Why were we going? Because Paul was invited to the 40th Annual Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards he was nominated for Outstanding Sound Editing in Live Action. I had an absolute blast accompanying him to the ceremony. Although, I do not know much about sound it was thrilling to be at the awards and see people honored for the hard work they put into the TV Shows we enjoy so much.

What are we wearing?... Vera Wang and Adrianna Papell 

We stayed at The Standard Downtown L.A. and I have to admit it was a pretty fun/quirky hotel... Why do I say quirky we'll as you can see in the picture below our room had a perfectly clear glass wall looking into the bathroom, which I guess was ok for a married couple but I would imagine it being a little interesting for anyone else. (Interesting in a not so fun sense)

After the Emmy's we went to the roof top of the Standard, which was absolutely beautiful... Below is a picture of myself and my handsome date by the rooftop pool.

The next day, Paul and I were able to explore L.A. just a little which was also really fun! We were able to use our NARM Cards to get into MOCA for Free (I'm telling you if you don't have this membership you should come see me at the Bellevue Arts Museum to purchase one >>> hint hint ; ) >>> AH I love Art Museums so much and MOCA had some really great works from Rauschenberg to Miro annnnnd this really crazy exhibit by Urs Fischer who basically cut through entire walls of the museum, dropped boulders all around the gallery's and built things like a giant house made out of bread (yes I went inside) and hung rain drops from the ceiling.

We had a wonderful time! I guess overall California is growing on me, Paul might actually be able to get me to move there one day afterall.

diy clip-on earings

Remember when you went to the doctor as a kid and you saw that other kid screaming, crying, and running around the office. Well that was me. I hate shots, the doctor, hospitals, and injuries... that being said it is no surprise that I never volunteerd to have someone hole punch my ears. I am however obsessed with pretty sparkly things like earings so I decided to teach myself how to make clip-ons.

So again... here you go. I really hope my directions are not confusing ; )

INGREDIENTS:
Earing Clips
Small Plyers
Pretty earings of your choice

DIRECTIONS:

Find the loop that holds the hook of your earing. Open the loop with the small plyers. Take the hook of the earing off and attach the open loop on the new clip-on attachments. Close the loop of the earing around the new clip-on with the plyers... make sure it is secure. Annnnd your done!

Enjoy!

diy floral headpiece

I love crafting, my latest atempt was creating a floral headpiece while watching Silver Linings Playbook I might add >>> cutest movie ever!

Where did I get my inspiration... well I love Anthropologie, Free People, and bhldn so I was surfing the web an stumbled upon this >>> Super Expensive Headpiece it is gorgeous I will admit, but I am so not willing to pay $400.00 for it when I can make somthing that looks similar for $20.00.

So here you go >>>

INGREDIENTS:

• Silk flowers with leaves in colors of your choice
• Feathers
• 1.5" or 2" wide elastic headband
• Hot gluegun
• Gluegun refills
• Jar or bowl to use as a stand for your headpiece while your working

DIRECTIONS:
Turn on a chick flick (very important!), and separate the flowers from their stems. Make piles of different colors and shapes of petels, leaves, and feathers. Put the elastic headband on a jar or bowl to hold it while you glue. Hold the items up to the band to see what it looks like before you glue. Glue the back of the item and then pinch it with the headband material... repeat all the way around the band leaving a 2" or 3" space at the back. And Ta Da! there your go a beautiful halo.

Have fun creating and good luck!

Remember To Notice

There has been a whole lot of darkness in my life latley, things from the news and world in general, as well as more personal realities. It's easy to get depressed or to feel like giving up. What's comforting to me though is seeing the beauty in everyday things, it helps me realize that there is something much greater and much more beautiful then all of the horrible things that constantly demand our attention. So to celebrate that, here are some pictures from a walk with my love at Kelsey Creek Farm when there was an amazing rainbow.

This week make a note to yourself to "remember to notice" look for the good things no one can take away and take comfort in that.

Grandma Cook

~ My Memories of Grandma Cook ~

My Grandma has struggled with all different forms of cancer for many years. She would never let you know it nor could you have guessed, which is why I will always refer to her as the strongest woman I know. Here are some memories I have of Grandma Cook...

Grandma to the Rescue:

When I was little my Mom used to have Andy and I (the twins) eat at a kids table in our laundry room. One morning Grandma Cook was on her way to our house to visit, while my Mom was finishing cleaning up the house all of a sudden I screamed, "watch out its gonna tip over," and lifted up the little table we were eating our cereal at. Andy my brother grabbed his cheerios and saved them, but I forgot about my bowl and it slid across that table right into his face. I thought I was a goner as my Mom grabbed a white towel, which we hated because she almost ripped off our skin every time she wiped our faces, poor Andy. While I was standing there crying, and explaining it was an accident, good ole Grandma Cook walked in with her booming voice, "where is everybody" she then began to take my side and explain to my mom it wasn't my fault (which she couldn't prove) and then gave me a bag of m&m's which may have started my insane addiction to them.

A Field of Four Leaf Clovers:

We used to go visit Grandma Cook in her old yellow house every once in a while. I remember one time visiting her and Grandpa Cook, when my mom just didn't want us kids around. She told us to go outside and leave the adults alone. My Dad tried to help and said, "you can come back in once you have found a four leaf clover." So what did Grandma Cook do, she came outside to "check" on us and brought us a scotch tape dispenser with which we taped together a bunch of "four leaf" clovers. Once again Grandma Cook to the rescue.

Bridal Shower and Wedding:

I would be kidding myself if I tried to portray my family as put together or the least bit normal, and Grandma Cook always knew that, but this never stopped her from attending ever big life moment I ever had. Grandma has been in the crowd for me and showed support of me through all of my graduations, concerts, through my wedding, bridal shower, and all of my birthday's. Grandma Cook saw me as me, Ash, and I only hope that I will be able to live my life as courageously as she did not ever letting anyone limit who I am and can be. 

P.S. 

This has always stuck in my mind and is something I am proud of Grandma for. She was the first Female Bus Driver in Clark County she drove a bus load of kids every day down rural roads and was offered less pay then a man. She demanded equal pay and was granted it! Classic Grandma Cook. 

I love you Grandma I know you will be in a better place, and with Grandpa Cook. You are by far the strongest woman I know and I can only hope that one day I will be as great a grandma as you were to me. Thanks for always having my back and creating a sense family when I know it was hard to.

Love you always

Ash

what is a narm?

I have to share the miXmedia membership to the Bellevue Arts Museum. It is a membership that costs $100.00 for two people when purchased through BAM. This membership grants you access to over 550 museums across the United States as part of the NARM or North American Reciprocal Museums >>>Click here to see all of the Museums covered by this!!!!!!<<<  It really is a deal and I think more people should know about it.

Because Paul and I are members we were able to visit the new Museum of History and Industry in Seattle. Honestly, I would have totally paid for this museum experience even if it wasn't on our card. The fact that it was though was a major plus. Paul and I stayed at MOHAI for about two hours and could have been there even longer reading about Seattle throughout history. 

Some of our highlights from the Museum was the film and music section- there was a great replica of the Fraiser Show set! My favorite part by far was John Grade's "Wawona" sculpture you can see the pictures I took of it below along with a short clip of it in the making.

enjoy...