{Music Monday}... a quick check in

Technology is pretty awesome. The things we can do on our own these days without relying on other people is fantastic. I've been able to work on some melodies for the past couple weeks. Then I record them into my phone and quickly email them to my music guy! (Mike in previous video) He gets them and starts working on them from his house since we can't get together in person. Then when he's done he can email them to me pending my approval. Since we can't get together in person at the moment. I was so discouraged last blog post. However, things are starting to look up now. I also pulled out my guitar which I've had since I was sixteen and still don't know how to play. It's sad I know ten years and it just sits there, such a shame! That is next on my bucket list believe you...me!! So the only chords I know how to play and I don't even know which ones they are. I just started messing around with it and then opened up my garageband on my computer and recorded it so I wouldn't forget ( of course!) Randomly added a quick verse and VOILA! It's magic! I'm really starting to have more confidence in my minor skills. Even playing it for the husband and the parents over skype. (Another wonderful technological invention.) Now to email that over to Mike and we got the beginnings of at least 3-4 songs besides the few that we already have!

The demo I have been trying to get done over the past year has been for this one producer. Who is a friend of a friend who's friends with my parents. The opportunity just dropped in my lap without me looking for it. It only came up because my dad was bragging about me singing on a mission trip over lunch. Now this producer guy has been hired at the place my dad works for so he's even easier to get to. That's pretty awesome too! I'm not sure where this might lead, but I'm totally up for it!

Voice lessons have been hard still. I can't wait to start longer lessons, than those 30-min lessons I've been doing. The song we've been working on is "Stars" by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. Who I am absolutely in love with right now. I'm totally planning on going to see their show for my birthday.
I was hoping to upload a video of me singing it, but it's not ready yet so hopefully next week. My coach says I need to work on being too loud or I will damage my voice. HA! I've just learn to come out of my shell and be loud and what not. Now I gotta rein it back in? Good luck Ashley .. good luck. I need to be louder in my head voice then in my chest voice. Otherwise my voice won't last, maybe for a few years but will be done for in the long run. So word of advice to any young singers out there or older whichever. Take care of your voice, or it will be gone for good. Also I highly recommend to get into voice lessons while you are younger because it is really hard to get rid of your bad habits.

.....til next time

{Fashion Friday} ..Layers and Lulu's contest cont.

Yesterday was an extremely busy and exciting day! Ran around like crazy doing "Mommy-type" things. Miss Riley had a little harvest party at school. So we went through a lot of cute fall/thanksgiving themed snacks on pinterest. We found soo many little teepee's, pilgrim hats, mini cornucopia's Riley finally decided on this super tasty Cookie Dough dip. Which was really easy to make and was a big hit with the kids and parents. Served up with some apple slices and these cute little mini graham crackers. They taste great with any fruit though or pretzels. So yummy!! Since there are no eggs in it all you cookie dough connoisseurs out there would love this! I will definitely be making this one again! I love you PINTEREST! I felt like such a mom coming to her class with my plastic-wrapped snack. I have definitely arrived!

I wanted to do something fun and bright with my layers. I paired up a red tank with this leopard cardigan and denim jacket with infinity scarf. Throw on some leggings and some riding boots and you got yourself some major coziness! Sometimes when you are a mom and you are running around nonstop it's more about being comfortable. I will always strive for more fashionable comfort though...and that's when you get this ensemble. TA-DA!!!!

 VOTING has finally started now for the LULU's contest. Please take a second to vote for me I would greatly appreciate it! Vote Here and you can see more photos of my lulu's contest outfit here

{Fashion Friday}

There are so many "Fashion-esque" contests going on and I love it! I'm just joining in on as many as I can. Sad to say I've never really won anything... I think I may have some serious bad luck sometimes. I did get third place in something once.. I guess. Raffle prizes, contests, Mcdonald's monopoly game never. It makes me sad! :( I won't give up though! I did this outfit for Lulus.com contest going on right now. Perfect timing to coincide with Fashion Friday! You can vote for me here! I also have been searching other blogs and recently came across a super cute one! http://www.frillsforthrills.com  A young pastors wife and new mommy with awesome style. So check her out and follow her too!

{awkward and awesome thursday} ...or just a plain old thursday

Nothing really exciting has happened today or this week very much. I finally got a better fitting denim jacket and some scarves...thank you WetSeal. However, that may not interest most of you, if not all. Miss Riley and I had a fun time at the store. She's really getting into taking pictures lately. I am constantly finding weird and random pictures in my phone that she has taken. We tried on ear muffs, scarves, beanies. She wanted me to hold up all the clothes she liked to take pictures of. She cracks me up! It's officially cold now! It's been in the 30's - 40's brrr and we finally got some snow. I am not a fan of the cold or snow anymore. A couple years living in Colorado will do that to you. So far it's better than the humid summers out here though. I am grateful for that! Happy Thursday!

{Music Monday} ..progress

As of late I have been throwing myself into music. Everything and anything I can absolutely do to focus on it. Sometimes when you need to seriously focus on something important; you need to be consumed by it. That is the plan, I've been searching through music to get inspiration. I've been writing non-stop. I feel like I have soooo much in my head that I need to say that my brain will explode if I don't get it out on paper. I mean there's only so much room in there between wifey responsibilities, mommy responsibilities, etc. Half the time I can't get the brain to just shut off! So writing is very verrrrry important! This weekend I ventured down to the basement to go through stuff to donate for hurricane sandy relief. I found this little gem! My book of song lyrics from high school! I made this binder in 2003 I believe, but I had songs and poems in there dated as far back as 1998! I know there were older ones than that they just weren't dated. Sometimes I can't decide to laugh or be impressed with myself that I've been writing songs since I was maybe 7 or 8. I mean they were all cheesy little love songs,{I was maybe a little boy crazy back in the day} but what little girl at that age writes songs and poems. {LOL...I'm laughing at myself now}

Now for the frustrating aspect. This is a really slow process. Yes I am doing voice lessons, but as of right now I can only do it twice a week for 30 min. I have a lot to learn with technique. It would've been easier to do when I was younger. When you are an adult you are already set in your ways. So I have to forget everything I know now to learn new ways. I don't really have musicians at my disposal to write with unfortunately. My goal was to get a demo done...just something. So I am at a standstill. I am horrible at being patient. Especially since I've been patient for so many years on this. That is the most frustrating part of this journey ...so far. 

On the plus side I have been exploring more on coming up with melodies myself. Nice to have an phone where I can just record little voice memos for myself to email to people and save for reference. So until we meet again on a Monday, hopefully I will have something more to update you on.

{Fashion Friday}....and I'm back!

We said goodbye to our first friend that we met today. She had graciously took most of my pictures for Fashion Friday. We are sad :( luckily we are from the same town so hopefully we will see each other again soon. The kids were sad too, and that always makes it more sad when you see the kids cry. 

It's November now and time is going to be going by so fast with the holidays in a domino effect. Before you know it we will be here for a year already! It's time to make an East Coast Bucket list, before it's time to leave.

{1} New years in times square

{2} Ice skate in central park

{3}Consume all authentic Italian food I can get my hands on

{4} Bed and Breakfast in Vermont or Connecticut

{5}Historical sites in Mass, like Salem etc.

{6} Cruise or boat ride

{7} Broadway show 

{8} Disneyworld, Universal studios

{9} Visit little towns with little shops

{10} .....hmmmm thinking. Any ideas???

{Trick or Treat}

As we are overjoyed that we survived Hurricane Sandy thankfully. I was even more excited that it cleared completely up just in time for Halloween. I had been planning my familys' costume literally since 2009 when she was born. I'm so glad I talked her into wearing it instead of being a princess of course or something like that. She just loves trick or treating and I am so glad I get to still go now that I have a kid. I just realized that it has been ten years since I last went trick or treating for myself. Isn't life crazy! It goes by so fast! After we came back she loved the idea of handing out candy to the other kids. She just stood with the door open saying "Trick or Treat". I had to tell her that she had to switch now and say "Happy Halloween". 

I do feel sad for all those families that are dealing with horrible aftermath from the hurricane. So the Reed family are participating in some local drives going on to help. As well as sending our thoughts and prayers! I encourage you guys to do the same. I heard that its mostly clothes, batteries, toiletries etc. They could really use the help!

Happy Holidays everyone. Here are a few pics from our Halloween!