Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Strength and Beauty: Stronger than Cancer


I was recently contacted by Jackie Clark a lovely lady who does outreach for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. Her and I have teamed to bring you a little information about how women dealing with cancer also struggle with the same issues as any woman. 

It is up to all of us to make sure we take the time to feel beautiful inside and out each day, because each day is precious. I hope to use this Valentine's Day to share with you what I and a few of my favorite blogging ladies do to feel beautiful each day. Hopefully to inspire you to do the simple things make you feel beautiful and loved.


When faced with a cancer diagnosis such as mesothelioma, it is impossible to avoid being affected. There will have to be treatments undergone and changes made to combat the harmful effects of asbestos exposure. Inevitably, the treatment will change some things about you, but you do not have to give it the power to change who you are. At your core, you are still the same beautiful and vibrant woman that you always were.

Now is the time to take care of yourself. Do all of those little things that make you feel great. Take long baths and wear your favorite perfume everyday. Take the time to enhance your features by applying makeup. Study fashion trends so that you look fresh and current. Wear your favorite pair of shoes that bring a smile to your face every time you look down. Treat every day like a special occasion and celebrate yourself. When people see a beautiful, well put together and fashion-forward woman, the last thing that people are thinking about is whether or not she may be ill. You won't be thinking about that either. Everyone will be preoccupied with trying to figure out how you manage to look so beautiful while also being the picture of strength.

For women who are open to wearing wigs, this is your opportunity to try a length or color change that you have always been curious about. Don't play it safe. Be adventurous until you find the look that best suits you. For women who prefer to wear scarves, there are many lovely colors, fabrics and patterns to choose from. Play around with different ones until you have found the scarves, which best compliment, your eyes and facial features. Opening your closet and seeing a beautiful collection of scarves to choose from is an exciting way to start your day.

Beautifully adorning your body is one of the easiest ways to lift the spirits. Women who are well dressed feel stronger and more capable. There is a confidence that comes from loving the image that you are presenting to the world. Looking into the mirror and seeing a beautiful woman staring back at you has the power to make you forget about your diagnosis. These moments are important because every moment that you spend being happy has a positive and healing affect on your body.

Regardless of what challenges you may be facing, all women deserve to feel beautiful. Doctors know that feeling great and living with a positive outlook work very well to help patients get better faster. Strength and beauty are often coupled because they are a winning combination. Remember to use this combination to your advantage.





 




Thank you so much ladies for sharing what makes you feel beautiful deep down!!
Happy Valentines Day to all, make today beautiful for yourself.

Love, Ashlyn



Monday, February 13, 2012

On my mind || Creative Date Ideas


Some of my favorite dates are the ones that don't start out meaning to be a date. They begin with a simple walk in nature and turn into hours of climbing trees, lovely exploring, and deep conversation. 

This is one that has been on my list to try for some time. There is something timeless about laying under the stars together and sometimes winter just won't allow it. However, most larger cities have a planetarium and usually have light shows showcased with beautiful music albums.


If you've never tried geocaching or have never heard of it, it is a must try!
Geo caching is a real life outdoor treasure hunt that involving finding hidden containers in random parks and forests. There are probably a ton of hidden boxes all over your area just waiting to be found. I promise it's something you and your partner would love to do.
Find a little more about how to get started finding your area's treasures here.


February isn't completely inclusive to outdoor Valentines Day dates but bringing a picnic indoors is a great option. Moving all the living room furniture and creating a picnic space in the middle of the room is an adorable new way to set your date apart from a regular ol' dinner.


A lot of towns give tours of their historic and must see places. Check your local Chamber of Commerce or tourist website for amazing new places to explore in your area. You may just find our new favorite spot!

Any Valentine's Day dates on your list this year?

Thursday, February 9, 2012

URTAs Design Conference: Chicago

I have been so very busy lately with school as well as lots of fun traveling!! Last weekend I attended a graduate school design conference in Chicago with a friend, Anna, who is graduating from our school's design program this year. I will be so sad to see her leave but she's got so many amazing things ahead of her, I can't wait to see how it all goes!!

This "conference" is meant for theater design student's from all over come together and present their portfolios from their undergraduate degrees. All sorts of designers, sound, lighting, and costume are presenting their best work for graduate professors to come and see. The grad schools then interview with their favorite students to find good matches for their graduate programs. I plan on attending next year, so I helped Anna get her stuff together and checked out how it all works!

Here is a bit of play by play fun from my day in Chicago

We ran around the historic Palmer Hotel downtown, trying to get all the booths set up in time!
Got a little lost too!



Saw some beautiful booths with inspiring designs


Nick and I then ran around downtown for a bit while Anna had her interviews.


Even had time to drop by Wayne Tower from Batman


I can't wait to be here again next year with my portfolio finding what my next step in life will be!



Sunday, January 22, 2012

On my mind || Photography tips & city fabric


This simple guide to the dsrl camera settings will be my go to study guide for the next semester
Can't wait to get started!



Sew weekly does a "Make this Look" feature that I can't get enough of. They take gorgeous dresses from ModCloth and other websites giving you a general pattern and fabric to make your own verson of the dress. I wish I had time to make them all!


Nick and I love to let out our inner nerd...Star Wars, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings...you name it, we've nerded it.
We definitely need this adorable painting in our someday house


I've been craving new fresh fabrics for my upcoming projects. I have found a plethera of novelty prints and vintage inspirations on Spoonflower, that make me want to design my own fabric someday.
My favorite one this week is the My Fair Milwaukee.
Be sure to head over to Spoonflower blog and vote for your favorite fabric of the week!

This darling print.
It's something my mom used to say to me all the time when growing up.

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