Monday Madness 6.29.30 + Giveaway

Hey, hey! Monday again. Does anyone ever get excited for Mondays?

So I was back to work at David's on Saturday after having last weekend off to spend time with my bff Sara Jane. Ugh, I am so ready to have a full time job and get my weekends back. I really could have used a sleep-in day.

Anyway, last Wednesday was Nick's 32nd birthday. I love birthdays. We celebrated with a coconut cream pie, gifts, and went to see Jurassic World (which was actually pretty awesome).

I love this guy.  I'm excited for another amazing year with him!

Nick's high school friend and his wife and son were in town and stayed with us on Friday and Saturday night. There was a beach soccer tournament this past weekend. I was able to go on Sunday and spend about 5 hours of the beach in Grand Haven. #HavenHeaven!

This week I'm celebrating my fellow fake blondes! Keep your hair from getting brassy this summer with Loreal Brass Banisher and John Frieda Sheer Blonde tone correcting purple shampoo. The giveaway ends Friday. The winner will be announced next Monday!

Cheers to another week!

Link up. Be happy.

1.	Tori @ Cupcakes & Crossbones	9.	Mackensey @ Style, Food and Family	17.	Michelle @Grammie Time
2.	Teh Megan @ can I decide another day?	10.	Kaitlin @ Little Goodies	18.	sara
3.	Rachel Emily Blog	11.	Kelsey Mann Peacock	19.	Carrie
4.	Claire @ Fashion + Feathers	12.	Christina @ The New Mrs.	20.	Aubrey
5.	Kacie & Jaime of Regally Soled	13.	Katie @ The Mishaps and Mayhem of a Solitary Life	21.	Teen Girl Reviews
6.	Jenn@Going the Distance	14.	MEET THE SMALLSENS	22.	Olya @ The Siberian American
7.	Brittany@The Lady Lawyer	15.	liz @ sundays with sophie	23.	Ashley @ Sweet Carolina Belle
8.	Penny @ Penny's Passion	16.	Katie @ The Macarthurs Lately	24.	Runwright

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I'm Still Here! (Friday Updates 6.26.15)

So, I have been no where to be found the last couple of weeks!

I've been making the transition from school to my externship. I've been working for general surgery and attending various corporate trainings for the last three weeks now! It's been great. I'm rooming patients and assisting in minor office surgeries. So fun!

Did I mention I passed my certification test?!?!

On top of all that, my BFF Sara Jane was in from Pennsylvania for a visit. She brought along her husband and their two year old, Isaac. Sara and I have known each other since we were 12 I usually get to see her once a year, but her visit makes it two this year!

It was a short visit, but a great one. We looks Isaac to the children's museum and the zoo! I love spending time downtown.

my bff

I feel so blessed to have some many visitors this summer ! Nick's childhood friend, his wife, and their little boy arrive today for a visit, my sister comes on July 11, and my dad visits Michigan the last week of July. I still can't believe that I get to see some many of my favorite people this year!

Birthday season has officially started! Nick celebrated his 32nd last Wednesday, today my brother turns 33, my step brother's birthday in on the 30th and my sister and I have July birthdays. Not to mention my niece, mom, and dad all have August birthdays. Birthdays are my favorite holidays!

Hope you guys are having fun!

Watch for a giveaway on Monday.

Monday Madness 6.15.15

How is it already Mid June? I feel like this month is going to go by so fast!

I started my externship last Tuesday! I had two days of orientation and two days at my site. I'm working in general surgery which I think will be a great fit. I'll get to do a lot of clinical and clerical duties. The best of both worlds!

I have two long sessions today and tomorrow to learn the electronic medical records (EMR) software used by the company I am externing with and then I'm onsite for the rest of my hours!

I'm taking my certification exam on Tuesday night! I've study and prepared, but it's just so much information that I don't feel ready for it. I don't think I'll ever be ready for it so I might as well get it done.

Not much else to report except these three TV gems I've stumbled upon:

From AOL.com: Imagine a city unto itself- a place where 16 year olds are professionals, 18 year olds are revered and many 30 year olds are retirees. Imagine a world so insular that nearly every one of these virtuosos has trained together in an academy since childhood, their lives forever intertwined by work, play, competition, friendship and love. Imagine a world in which the bottom line standard is to be, simply, the best on the planet, and where each night, an empty stage, in front of thousands, beckons with a challenge. This enclave has a name- New York City Ballet- and you are invited into this world, one that has never opened up to the outside before. A documentary series brought to you by Sarah Jessica Parker Pretty Matches Productions and the Emmy award winning Zero Point Zero Production for Aol On Originals.

From dancespirit.com: “Strictly Ballet” is an online companion to Teen Vogue’s print feature, “Rhythm Nation,” which highlights some of the freshest faces in dance today.  This web series six young hopefuls as they navigate their way through the American Ballet Academy in hopes of being chosen as an apprentice in the New York City Ballet.

From Bravo.com: Bravo Media joins the inner circle of an affluent, tight-knit group of long-time girlfriends who grew up on Long Island with Secrets and Wives. Navigating the pitfalls of marriage and divorce, these six women--Andi Black, Susan Doneson, Cori Goldfarb, Gail Greenberg, Amy Miller, and Liza Sandler--are all going through the process of reinventing themselves under the microscope of family, friends, and exes. Throughout the season, this sisterhood of friends will come together and take on some of life’s biggest challenges. From second or third divorces, new marriages, searching for love, and adjusting to an empty nest, every conflict is fraught with decades of real baggage. Years of memories are amongst this intertwined group of women, but can they come together for the moments that truly matter most?

Link up and have a great week!



Happy Monday. Make friends.

1.	Pinky @PinkPersistence	11.	Casey	21.	Rachel Emily Blog
2.	Karen @ Lady in Violet	12.	Penny @ Penny's Passion	22.	Katie @ Better Off Benedict
3.	Lara@CookiesCardioandClothes	13.	Mattie @ Northwest Native	23.	Ashley @ Sweet Carolina Belle
4.	Katie Elizabeth	14.	Jaime @ RegallySoled.com	24.	Sarah @ Fox's Domestic Side
5.	liz @ sundays with sophie	15.	trish	25.	Katie @ The Mishaps and Mayhem of a Solitary Life
6.	Meg @ Borrowed Heaven	16.	Kaitlin @ Little Goodies	26.	Runwright
7.	Olya @ The Siberian American	17.	Kelsey @ The Peacock Roost	27.	Michelle @ Its the New Twenty
8.	Jenn@Going the Distance	18.	Kelly @ Familiar Joy	28.	Carrie
9.	Diana	19.	Mackensey	29.	Lindsay @ Broke and Bougie
10.	Teh Megan @ can I decide another day?	20.	marie @ twin living

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At Home Ballet Barre Workouts

I was in the best shape of my life when I was dancing three times a week. As a former dancer, the idea of the Pure Barre workout really excites me. However, the price does not (it's $21 for one class in my area!). This inspired me to comb You Tube for the best at-home barre workouts.

In order to do at-home barre workouts you will need to substitute a ballet barre with a chair. Just be careful! A chair is not anchored like a ballet barre. You can also do these workouts facing the wall or using counter top.

Most of these workouts come from Jessica Smith TV. She has a series of ballet workouts for all levels, and who doesn't love a girl her features her pooch in her videos?

Barre Standing Abs Workout (+ Butts, Hips, Thighs)

Workout Time: 12 minutes



Ballet Burn

Cardio ballet, barre burn, toning, sculpting, abs

Workout Time: 50 minutes

Cardio Ballet

Workout Time: 30 minutes

Sweaty Betty Ballet Bootcamp

Workout Time: 40 minutes

Sleek Technique Barre Sculpting Work Out

Workout Time: 15 minutes

These workouts do feature a cool downs, but if you feel you need a little more, check out this yoga for relaxation from PyschTruth:

Also great for sleep, insomnia, stress, and anxiety!

I hope you enjoy these workouts as much as I do!



What I Did This Weekend + Monday Mandess Link Up 6.8.15

Hi there. Ashley here. Happy Monday!

Guess what?! Thursday was my last day of school. I cannot believe it went by so fast! I have been itching to get out of the classroom for a couple months now. It was really hard being in class with mostly 18-24 year olds when you're almost 31. You can read into that how ever you like.  I will tell you - on the last day of class some of my fellow classmates decided to drink on our lunch break (I wasn't present, I found out about it when our instructor brought it up).  Some of these said classmates are not of age. Really?  I have no idea what made them think this was a good idea. #OverIt

I start my externship tomorrow! I'll be working in general surgery, and how that works and what I'm doing I'm not really sure, but I'm up for anything! I am also excited to get rid of my tan and blue scrubs (which were HUGE on me) and trade them in for Spectrum Maroon in a size that doesn't make me look 20 pounds heavier. #Win!

Weekend Happenings:

//1// On Friday we had a new hot water heater installed and on Saturday we had our carpets professionally cleaned. We're now getting hotter water quicker and the carpets look about 100x better. #It'sTheLittleThings

//2// Nick and I went to see Joyce Meyer at our church on Friday night.

I was able to get some information on medical missions through Hand of Hope which is part of Joyce Meyer Ministries. A goal of mine for after my program completion was to go on/participate in a medical missions trip. So excited to make this happen in the next few years! Hand of Hope also supports clean water initiatives and the cause to stop human trafficking.

//3// I went to The Verve Pipe concert with my school BFF Kelly and her daughter on Saturday night after working at David's all day.

The only thing I knew about The Verve Pipe is that their lead guitarist, Lou Mousa, plays in the worship band at a church Nick and I used to go to.

Lou (Luigi)

These guys are legit. They were really good. The lead singer has tons of talent. I'd say check them out!

On stage during the encore!

Just hanging out with the drummer.

//4// On Sunday we went downtown to the Festival of the Arts. It rained on us a bit, but we still had a lot of fun. I got some homemade perogies, enjoyed the walking around downtown, and visited some of the art tents. We got to see some great dancers from one of the area's dance studios. It brought back so many memories!

I know I've shared some funny texts between me and my sister. Here's another good one...

Courtney: This lesbian keep hitting on me.
Me: Why does everyone think you're a lesbian?
Courtney: Who thinks that?
Me: The vet thought you and Amber were.
Courtney: Oh, yeah! That was fun!

Wishing you the happiest week ever!

Link up below!

Link up. Make friends.

1.	Pinky @PinkPersistence	10.	Mattie @ Northwest Native	19.	Katie @ The Macarthurs Lately
2.	Karen @ Lady in Violet	11.	Olya @ The Siberian American	20.	Ashley @ Sweet Carolina Belle
3.	Jenn@Going the Distance	12.	Kaitlin @ Little Goodies	21.	Lauren @ Lot 48
4.	Rachel Emily Blog	13.	Christina @ The New Mrs.	22.	Lesa @ Life as a Mrs
5.	Mackensey	14.	Sarah @ Fox's Domestic Side	23.	Bella @ Bella And The City
6.	Kelly @ Familiar Joy	15.	Erin @ Her Heartland Soul	24.	Jaime & Kacie @ RegallySoled.com
7.	The Sequin Notebook	16.	Katie Elizabeth	25.	Runwright
8.	liz @ sundays with sophie	17.	Lara@CookiesCardioandClothes	26.	Kelsey @ The Peacock Roost
9.	Penny @ Penny's Passion	18.	Katie @ Farm to Fête

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