Friday Link Love

My favorite blogger (a cup of jo) posts fun and inspiring links once a week on her blog. I look forward to them every Friday. I've compiled a list of my own link love from this week. Check it out!

A bacon shortage.


Hair styles I will try.


5 ways to increase your blog visibility. I'll do this.


Ashton Kutcher cast as Steve Jobs in new movie. Hmmm.


Girl power.


Wowza. Japan's new beauty trend.


I want to see Perks of Being a Wallflower! Alas, not playing in Breck. Maybe next weekend in Denver...


Body image and Lady Gaga. You go girl.


Dainty jewelry I need, minus the price.


Watercolor painting sold out? That's okay, I'll DIY.


That's all kids. Hope everyone has a fun, fall weekend. I'm planning on hiking Mt. Royal again; testing out a new pinterest recipe: hello baked pumpkin spice donuts and; if there's time, maybe a drive over Independence Pass to see the last of the yellow aspen trees before all the leaves are gone. I'll let you know what I actually do (lounge on the couch). xx


Photo via tumblr

Thrifted Thursday: The Vase

I love a good challenge. Perhaps that's why thrifting may or may not be my new, favorite sport. The excitement of finding something that you love, something special, something that some other idiot person got rid of so you may have it....well, it almost puts me over the edge. 

Every Thursday I will feature one of my awesome, thrifted finds on the blog. You can determine yourself if it makes your heart go pitter-patter.

So today, I give you: The Vase. 

Isn't it lovely? Classic white with raised dots around it. I think it's tres shabby chic. 

I bought it for $2 at the new FIRC thrift store in Breck, Summit Thrift and Treasure. It opened a few weeks ago and today was my first trip. Although my only purchase was the vase, I saw many other potential treasures. Looks like I will have to go back soon for more blog research.

2 Generations, 1 Leather Skirt

Every time I visit my parent's house, I like to take a little shopping trip into my mother's closet. Is she one of those super stylish mom's whose closet I envy? Not really. Can I occasionally dig out treasures from it's deepest, darkest corners? Sometimes. I like to compare her closet to Ross Dress for Less. If you're willing to put in the time to search, the reward can be very sweet.

Exhibit A. The leather skirt. How I have only yet to find this treasure baffles me. I think the fact that it was in the same bag as a pair of 1980's, polyester pants is what discouraged me from finding it before. Not this time though. This time it is mine. Muahahaha.

I wore my mom's leather skirt to dinner a few weekends ago in Vegas. I kept it simple with a chambray shirt and black heels so that the beautiful, buttery leather could be the star.

Top: J Crew

Skirt: Vintage (similar - in burgundy)
Shoes: Clarks
Watch: Skagen
Bracelets: Forever 21

Yellow Assspens & Mt. Royal

Summer was fun. It's over for now and I'll miss it. Now though, let's talk about Fall. I love Fall, I love changing leaves, cooler temps, fall fashion and a little thing called asssssspens.

This past weekend I wanted to lounge in bed take advantage of the changing aspens, so I decided to hike to Rainbow Lake with my dog and brother's dog. This easy two-miler turned out to be a half-miler, too easy and too short for this little guy. So I continued down another trail, though the beeeeautiful, yellow aspens, where I made my dogs pose for a picture, obviously.

Stella and Ziggy. Welcoming you to Fall!

Through the aspen alleys we went, probably a mile. Then the trail started to climb. I got sort of tired, but tired in a good way, so I kept going. Then the trail got really steep and this made me grouchy, but I kept on going because Penman's are no quitters. At one point, another hiker passed and I asked what trail I was on. The hiker told me we were on the Mt. Royal trail and I was about halfway up.

I continued hiking on the steep trail, watching my dogs sprint effortlessly up and down the trail in front of me (showoffs). I definitely felt the burn in the booty, but it was okay because I HAD to stop to take pictures of the beautiful views. 

Zig + beautiful view.

Finally, after another mile-ish of steep hiking, when I thought I could take no more, it was over. I reached the top! Glorious! I could see I-70, Buffalo Mountain and gorgeous, yellow, dancing aspens in the wind. The hike was hard and I was sweaty, but it was definitely worth it!

Asssspenssss!

Overall, the hike took me about two-and-a-half hours, including several stops to let the dogs swim and take pictures. It was about a four mile hike from where I started. I think without all the breaks I could have finished in an hour-and-a-half. Although Mt. Royal wasn't my intended hike, I am very glad I happened upon it. It became my new favorite, booty-blasting hike! 

Welcome {to the fun}

My name is Ashley. This is my blog. Prepare yourself for fun. So much fun. 

Yes. Fun.