DIY Toolbox Planter

 

A few weeks ago Paul and I went antiquing in Seattle. I came across a plain, empty wood toolbox for $15.00 so I decided to purchase it for a craft project. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it other than I knew I wanted to use chalk paint. Currently it is the center piece for our picnic dinner table (not pictured) which was an Annie Sloan project I did last fall. I put a few succulent plants in it and decided the chalk lettering should be plant themed "Flourish" seemed like a good idea since it's a planter. The chalk spray paint I purchased at Micheals it is wonderful. My nephew Colton (4 years old ;) helped me tape up the planter and then we just did three coats of black chalk paint spray. I love how it turned out! I have an old magazine rack I think I am going to tackle next. 

Antiquing for the Soul

 

One of my all time favorite things to do on the weekend is grab a cup of coffee and walk through antique shops. My favorite shop is in Seattle it is called the Pacific Gallery Antique Mall. I find myself wondering a little about the people who owned the items before they came to the shop - but more so about the future possibilities. Maybe it's because I usually see other young couples strolling through the shops as well talking about how they will re-purpose an item. I love that walking through a store of used, old, and worn items can cheer me up it is as if it gives hope for my own life. That no matter how dull things seem to be there is always hope and a new creative twist waiting in the near future to give life new purpose.

 

I really wanted to take this little gargoyle home it is supposedly rare because it is a linx. I loved it because Paul and I always refer to Kevin (my cat) as a "guard cat" or "guard lion" since we do not have a dog. Apparently this garden sculpture is 60 years old. As Paul and I left I saw another customer purchased it... so hopefully it gets a good home. I did find a cute little wooden toolbox which I will be re-purposing soon so stay tuned for a DIY post on that. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and if you have time can stroll through an antique shop or two.

Take a Leap then Power Through

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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.

Spring Thaw at the Big Four Ice Caves

 

I could not be more excited to share a blog post with you all than I am with this one! This was an absolute blast to plan, shoot, and edit. Paul (my husband) and I just bought a new car (more on that later) and for our first road trip we decided to drive out to the Big Four Ice Caves, so of course I had to plan the perfect fashion shoot. For this session I wanted to create an outfit that embodied my surroundings. I wanted the shoot to invoke a sense of the cold but to point towards the impending spring thaw. I opted for a warm faux fur jacket over a black jumpsuit adorned with my new Moorea Seal necklace which is amazing I love it so much! It is the Tribal Queen Necklace it is great quality, heavy and super fun to wear for winter scenes like this or for tropical vacations.

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faux fur coat / Forever 21 

jumpsuit / Similar

necklace / Moorea Seal

boots / DSW

 

  

 

The hike out to the Big Four Ice Caves is overall very easy, people were walking out to the caves with small children and dogs. It is about a 2 mile round trip hike. That being said the ice cave itself is VERY DANGEROUS! we did not go inside of it. There are chunks of snow that have fallen from the ceiling that are as big as cars and I would not want to be inside there if one fell. If you are wanting to hike out to the caves there are plenty of safe viewing spots as well as a gorgeous waterfall. I hope you enjoyed this shoot and get a chance to go on an amazing adventure of your own soon!

3 Year Blogaversary Celebration!

T oday charcoal and ash turns 3 so you guys get triple the pics! I have loved every minute of my blogging experience and I am so excited that I found a hobby where I can let my creative side flourish. That being said I am ready for this blog to be more than just a hobby and that's why I have chosen today the anniversary of the beginning of it all to announce that I will be attending my first ever professional blog conference in San Francisco this September. I will be attending the The Blogcademy taught be three sassy and successful headmistresses Gala Darling, Shauna Haider of Nubby Twiglet, and Kat Williams of Rock n Roll Bride. I am beyond ecstatic to be participating in this game changer of a conference you can check out the Blogcademy promo video below. (I don't think it is sold out yet, so check it out!) Ahhh did I mention how excited I am? I mean like really excited! I am already planning my questions and outfits! I can not wait to gather new ideas, gain business advice, and meet other bloggers! I'm also excited to bring the quality of my blog to another level for my amazing readers... I know I have just a few but I appreciate every one of you. You deserve to have exciting, intriguing, and gorgeous photos and content to discover ever time you visit this blog. Thanks for being here! If you have not done so already I would like to invite you to subscribe to charcoal and ash to receive updates, previews and more exciting things in the near future.

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Modcloth Style Gallery - Click to Shop!

leather jacket and necklace / Sheinside

dress / Modcloth

tulle skirt / DIY

A big thank you to my husband Paul for always supporting me in whatever crazy thing I come up with! I love you so much and feel truly blessed to be married to someone who loves all of me during the good times and the bad.

This photo shoot was done at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. I was really lucky because the tulips were almost 3 weeks early this year so there were not a lot of visitors yet. Normally these fields draw thousands of people to the area at the beginning of the tulip festival starting April 1st. I highly recommend visiting especially if you are a photographer! The contrast of the blue mountains, fields of gold daffodils and fuchsia tulips is unreal. If you do end up visiting bring boots! it is really muddy and be sure to stop by the Calico Cupboard Cafe on your way out they have the best locally grown food and a huge selection of glutton free bakery items. Another fun thing is the giant flock of snow geese that roam the area. You can see the giant flock in the background of the last few photos of this post - I totally had the urge to run towards them to make them fly.