Avon Makeup Organizer

Everyone who has married into the Angle family has said the Angles do not like cleaning. Something else we're not good at? Organization. I'm terrible at keeping my things picked up and organized!

Nick and I get up and get ready at the same time in morning and sharing a bathroom in the AM is just not going to happen. So, I moved over the guest bathroom. The only problem... I'd like to keep it clean and organized for last minute guests. How was I supposed to do this? I was so psyched when I found this gem from Avon:

It's really easy to put together and offers different compartments!

The best thing about this is that it has helped clean up my counter and it's easy to stow under the sink during the day or when guests come over!

 

Thanks, Avon!

Blogging the Bachelorette 10.2

I'm so excited for Week 2 and the start of the dates! First, predictions:

• I like Chris the Farmer, Eric, JJ the Pantsapreneur, or Marcus for the two individual dates tonight.
• Not sure how many go home tonight, but I think Brett and Bradley will end up rose-less at the end of the night.

Bring on the fun!

Sand and Snow with Eric

• I love that Eric, a man, said this could be his fairytale.
• Sand and snow in one date?! What is going on?! Awesome.
• He didn't hesitate to take off his jacket and give it to Andi. Perfect.
• This date is starting to remind me of my 6^th anniversary date to the ski slopes #epicfail
  

  

  
  
  
• Andi looks super skinny in those snow pants.
• I agree with Andi. Eric is hot!
• I just wanted to cry during this entire date. Eric seems like such a fun person so full of life. Gosh, just so sad.

Stripperific Group Date

• Ok. Stop. First things first – How did Brian get that shiner?
• “I'm just imaging doing karaoke in a thong.” Oh, Dylan. I love you.

• I'm so over getting naked for charity on this show. I'm a total prude and can't stand watching this. Although, the tryouts and practice was pretty funny.
• I'm pretty sure this was not Cody's first rodeo.
• Quote of the night: “I wouldn't just go out and do this on my own... unless I made a lot of money.” - Craig
  

  

  
  
  
• Brian is so sweet. Love myself a Pennsylvania boy. I'm thinking he will get the group date rose.
• Craig takes me back to college. I was almost always the sober one and I loved egging on drunk guys that were just like them! Although, just like Andi, I did not date those guys.
• Nick the Golfer is not helping the situation.
• Craig goes home with producers and Marcus gets the first impression rose.
• Andi needs to chillax. Don't let one drunk dude rain on your parade. Send him packing. You'll still have 18 left!

A Day at the Races with Chris

• I am obsessed with Andi's look!
• I love how soft spoken Chris is. He seems so sweet and so genuine.
  

  

  
  

• Chris is also very open and honest which is great for this “process.”
• First kiss of the season!!!

Rose Ceremony

• I love how Nick set up a little date for Andi.
• Second kiss of the season goes to Josh! Andi's all over that like white on rice. Whatever that means.
• Oh, Craig. Not a chance.  
  

  

  
  
  
• I can't stand Dylan's hair. It reminds me how the boys used to wear when I was in the 7^th grade in 1996.
• Carl, Nick the Golfer, and Craig go home. My predictions were WAY off.

Every week I link up my post at Dreaming About Someday. That way I can read other Bachelorette related posts and other Bach fans can read mine!

3-Day Weekend Recap in Pictures

Happy Memorial Day!

Join me tomorrow for Blogging the Bachelorette!

Remembering the Fallen

Today marks a very special day on the American calendar. It's Memorial Day! Memorial Day is so much more than a day off of work, sales, and picnic. It's all about remembering and honoring the men and women who died while serving.
  

5 Ways to Honor Memorial Day

1. Pause and reflect at 3:00pm.
   In December 2000, President Bill Clinton signed into the law the National Moment of Remembrance Act which specifies every American should pause for one minute at 3:00pm local time on Memorial Day each year where ever he or she is and reflect on the scarifies made by the men and women who died defending the freedoms that we enjoy today. Whether your sitting with the family at the picnic table, elbow-deep in soil while planting your garden, or relaxing in the sun, you can still honor every deceased military veteran by participating in this act of national unity.



2. Be a part of your community. Before firing up the barbeque, attend a parade or commemorative service. Most cities hold concerts. If yours doesn't, you will be able to catch the televised National Memorial Day Concert from Capital Hill on Sunday evening.
3. Volunteer
   Consider helping the USO in its mission to help active duty military personnel and their families. VA Hospitals also always need volunteers. You can learn more about volunteering at your local VA Hospital by clicking here, and learn more about the USO by clicking here.
4. Purchase a poppy from a VFW member.
   Many members of the VFW who sell poppy for a donations can be found in shopping centers. Buy one for your lapel or hair to support Memorial Day and the memory of our fallen heroes.
   

   

   
   
   
5. Keep you family's personal military history alive.
   Over the picnic table, share stories of family members who served out country. Wearing the uniform calls for sacrifice but also is an amazing adventure and one that deserves to be documented. If you have someone who is willing to reminisce, turn on a recorder or jot down notes. Don't let you family's story disappear!

 

What will you be doing to honor the fallen on Memorial Day?

Homemade Frosty Paws

As most of you know, my Scout turned 5 last week! I always make sure he has an amazing time on his birthday – complete with treats and presents! If you haven't heard of Frosty Paws it's delicious dog ice cream that I let Scout enjoy from time to time! It's always a hit in our house!

Homemade Frosty Paws

Ingredients:

1 32 oz. container of plain yogurt

1 ripe banana

2 tablespoons of peanut butter

2 tablespoons of honey

Directions:

1. Place banana in blender or food processor to mash.

2. Add 32 oz. of plain yogurt (or goat's milk yogurt for less lactose), 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, and 2 tablespoons of yogurt.

4. Blend.

5. Pour into ice cube trays, paper cups, muffin tins, or any non stick container of your choice.

6. Place and freezer and let set overnight.

7. Let your pooch enjoy!

Blogging the Bachelortte 10.1

Let's download The Bachelorette season opener:

• Yay! It's back already! I feel like even though Andi made it to the Final 4 in her Bachelor season we didn't get to know a whole lot about her because of the Clare, Nikki, Sharleen drama that was always happening. It should be fun to get to know her this season!
• Andi looks amazing in whatever she wears.
• I love that Andi's sister was there on the first night. I'm super close with my sister and would insist on having her there for moral support!
• I liked Tasos' entrance with the lock and key. I'm just not sure if I like him. Is it TAY-sos or TA-sos? TAH-sos? I'm so confused.

• I like how Carl stuck out his hand for a shake. What a gentleman!
• Jason the Doctor... too much... too much hair, too much teeth, too corny. You can tell Andi was not feelin' it.
• Anal except with an M. Whaaaat?!
• Craig (the party starter) is.... different.

• Bradley is from Holland, MI! Holland happens to be the town next to mine and the one I work in. Mitten State representing! Too bad he's an awkward opera singer who I'm willing to bet doesn't go far.

• Mike aka “Camps” - just NO.
• Don't see her meshing with Rudie the Attorney. He's gone.

• 
  
  I think Eric's entrance with the dolls from the Andies was perfect!
• What is with Chris Bukowski randomly showing up? He's already been on The Bachelorette and Bachelor Pad. Two words. Fame and whore.
• If it doesn't work out with Andi, at least Patrick and Andrew will have each other. #bromance

• Nick gets the first impression rose. He's so humble! I hope he stays that way!
• I was right about Rudie. He's a goner. Rudie, you will not be getting married and having kids with Andi.
• Apparently she's not into guys with long hair.
• Josh B. needs to stop talking because he's embarrassing himself even more. #hissyfit

YA'LL ready for next week?! 

See you there!

xo, Ashley

Literary Link up

Hey people! The Bachelorette premiered last night! I'll be Blogging the Bachelorette and sharing my thoughts and feelings on Wednesdays this season instead of Tuesdays. I hope you'll come back and join me for some Bachelorette dish tomorrow. In the mean time check out this article posted on TheFrisky.com. It organizes Andi's men based on hairstyle and there is some hilarious commentary... oh yeah, and read my blog post below...

1. What are you currently reading? Tell us about it!

“The memory starts here, in my apron pocket, with the gun.”

So begins The Doctor’s Wife, a stunning debut novel about four people and the cataclysmic intersection of their lives.  Michael is a rising OB/GYN at a prominent private practice in Albany, New York; he also moonlights at a local women’s health clinic.  But Annie, his wife, has become tired of her workaholic husband’s absences, and the soccer-mom lifestyle has worn thin. She begins a passionate love affair with bad-boy, fading celebrity painter Simon Haas—an affair that quickly goes awry when Simon’s wife Lydia, who is also the model upon whom he built his career, discovers the truth.  

2. Do you judge a book by its cover? What cover elements make you not want to pick up a book?

Yes, I am a total judge! The synopsis has to be good. If it doesn't spark my interest the book goes back on the shelf!

3. Do you participate in any other bookish link-ups? Tell us about them so we can join next time!

Nope!

4. Have you ever watched a movie that was better than its book version? Explain yourself!

Maybe The Lovely Bones. The movie was more to the point than the book. I didn't enjoy either all that much.

5. Summer is here! Do you read more often during any particular season?

I read a lot this winter. There was really nothing else for me to do with the crappy weather!

6. What is the worst book you've read this year? Why?

Worst? Yikes! Probably Insurgent (#2 in the Divergent series). I was really burnt out on distopian fiction at the time and all Tris and Tobias do in that book is bitch at each other. No thanks!

Monday, Monday

Every other day of the week is fine,

But whenever Monday comes,

 you can find me cryin' all of the time

 (Disclaimer: So, this song was written in the 60s and I realize there is a chance it's about drugs. That's not the intention here.)

Monday again? I'm sure we all happily awoke to our alarm clocks and were eager to get to work this morning. Not. And if that describes you, please tell me how you do it!

Since no one wants the weekend to be over, let's revel in it a little longer...

Friday was my little Scout's 5th birthday! He's getting to be such a big boy!

Last week Nick and I went and saw our city's minor league hockey team in the Calder Cup playoffs. They won the cup last year, so it's kind of a huge deal to hockey fans that they make it there again this year. I mainly like to go to yell out random things like, "C'mon! You're throwing this opportunity down the toilet!" or something of the like and hope it applies the play.

 

On Saturday Nick and I went to a pancake breakfast to benefit Blue Bird Cancer Retreats of West Michigan at a privately owned airport near our home. Not only was the breakfast awesome, but there were bouncy houses, fire trucks, a sheriff's boat, frozen yogurt and kettle corn stands, a silent auction, and airplane rides! All for charity!

Did you know that for the first time EVER in the history of this blog I did 5 posts in one week? It's true... check out last week's posts: Monday Madness, Women's Health Week, Easy Strawberry Compote, Tune In: The Bachelorette, and HappyBirthday, Scout!

I also did this awesome favorite color swap hosted by CG Swaps! I was paired with Kaylee from A Chair in the Shade. It was really fun getting to know and shopping for a fellow Midwesterner. I sent Kaylee items in her favorite color - yellow - and she sent me items in my favorite color - purple. Show off time!

Congratulations to my cousin Steph! She graduted from Virginia Tech this weekend!


Here's where I am laying it down: