5:00 A.M. Hiking

Because I have a nasty habit of saying I'm going to do something and then not following through see here), I wanted to wait awhile before I shared my new routine with you. But it's officially bloaggable folks. I have been waking up at 5:00 a.m. for the last month to go hiking before work. Brown chicken, brown cow.

As many of you know, I have moved back home...into my parents house. Yes, this 26 year old chick is sleeping in the same room that she spend the first 17 years of her life. Besides obvious perks of living at home, like free rent and endless snack options, my favorite and least expected perk is hiking with my mom and dogs every morning at 5:00 am. I know what you're thinking. 5:00 am? That's ungodly, that's too early, that's practically a sin. And I used to agree with you.

I'm not what you would call "a morning person." Although I'm not the kind of girl who sleeps until noon, I'm  certainly don't look or feel like my typical perky self until after 8:00 am. My favorite way to wake up is leisurely around 8:30am, lounging in bed and watching Girls until the urge to pee gets so bad I must get out of bed.

But now, Monday through Friday, this grumpy morning girl wakes up at 5am and goes hiking with her mom and pups. Not only do I like it, but I love it. I love the cool temps in the morning, as outside activity becomes unbearable to me past 10am during Colorado summers. I love being awake to watch the sunrise over the mountains. I love the quiet. I love feeling like a rockstar when I get home and have my workout behind me and it's only 6:45am. Hiking at 5:00 am rocks, and I highly encourage you all to try it.

 July 3rd sunrise...it was light when I would wake up, which made it easier to get out of ma bed.

 July 8th...this is my morning face. Get used to it. Also my mom is also gorgeous.

July 9th...I love 5:00 am hiking!

 July 10th...5:00 am hiking sucks.

 July 15th-ish...the super moon! That was cool!

 July 18th...at least I'm awake for some gawgeous sunrises.

July 22nd...mom fell asleep.

 July 25th...Stella and Zig love 5am hiking.

July 28th...can't get Nora Jones outta ma head.

July 30th...Why am I doing this? What has my life come to???

August 5th...a foggy 5am hike. Eerily spooky, but beautiful.

August 5th...more 5am hiking, and my maja's smexy leggies.

August 7th...officially dark until we get to the trailhead.

August 12th...still looking good, but can't wait for the day it's too dark to continue...

Pattern Party

These days, it's all about mixing prints. Polka dots on plaid, leopard on lace, floral on camo. The possibilities are endless. Today I'm bringing you something special, something you have never seen before. An Ashley original. Just kidding. You have definitely seen it before. Probably like a 100 times on Pinterest. But I still like it, so I'm going with it.

Today I present to you a stripes and paisley party in the same blue-ish color scheme. I know, I am so trendy and monochromatic. I thrifted this boys Target Boutique button down at the FIRC Thrift and Treasure (oh how I miss Breck thrifting...). I bought the skirt on clearance at J. Crew factory during one of their cray cray 50% off sales for like $15, which means I practically stole it. And these pumps, well they just don't quit. They are the pumps every working woman should have in her closet and they are from Payless. Yes Payless, I know, who would have thought. Truth tho, they are the MOST comfortable heels I have ever worn. They are padded on the inside with a three inch heel, which is the perfect height. Not so low they're considered a kitten heel, not so high that your feet are screaming at you by 3pm, but juuuust right.

So what do you think? Are you wowed by my original pattern combination? I thought so.

Hand on the hip. Homie don't play.

Blue Stripes and blue paisley are the new PB&J.

Backside shot, because I know you were all wondering.

Shirt: Thrifted Target Boys Section (similar)

Skirt: J. Crew (love this for fall!, cute tweed version )

Heels: Payless- aka the most comfortable heels ever.

*Photos taken by my maja

*Cameo by Duncan

Monday

Do you ever just have those weekends you don't want to end? I do. It's called every weekend. This weekend was particularly nice and relaxing though. It started with takeout and a movie on Friday night. The takeout was Crystal Mountain Cantina (try it, it's good!) and the movie was Guilt Trip which made me both laugh and cry (did it have this affect on anyone else?). Saturday morning, my new friend Autumn drove over to my house and we hiked the Inteman Trail to Section 16 and my booty is still sore. After I got home from my hike, the bf surprised me by driving down to Manitou Springs. This made me so happy because a) I love surprises and b) I didn't have to drive anywhere! Because the bf was hangry (angry because you're hungry) we went straight to grab some lunch. We tried La Coquette Creperie in downtown Manitou Springs and it was delicious. It is a completely gluten free restaurant, and for those of you who aren't gluten free, nor want to be (like me), you couldn't even tell. Everything was fresh and all the "breads" tasted normal and fanstatic. Thumbs wayyy up to this restaurant. After eating lunch, we walked around Manitou for a bit until it started raining, then we went home. About 4 hours later, we found ourselves hungry again, and because the bf made the trip down, he got to pick dinner. Little did I know he would pick the chain restaurant, Texas Roadhouse, but he did, so we went, we ate tons of beef, the end. The next morning, we were hungry again (have you picked up on this weekend's theme yet...), so we drive to Mountains Shadows restaurant for some delicious eggs and green chili. If you are a green chili fan, I will throw this out there that Mountain Shadow's has the best green chili I have eve had. Period. After breakfast, we needed a rest, so we went home and played with the pups. Then the bf had to go back to Denver which made me sad, so I went shopping and bought new shoes, and tht made me feel better.

In other news, starting tomorrow, this little guy has new blog posts lined up all.week.long. You are so excited you just peed your pants? It's okay, I won't tell. See you tomorrow!

A Weekend in Salida

Salida IS my new favorite. Fo real, it's the jam. Have you ever been? It's the quaintest, most charming little river town in all of Colorado. I'll even go as far as saying, at the risk of sounding trite, I will have a third fourth home there one day. I can see it now. A charming farmhouse, along the edge of the Arkansas river, just outside of Salida, Colorado. You can totally visit if you want.

Seriously though, we stayed in Salida for my madre's birthday and had the best time. I loved the weather, the people, the river, the landscape, the food and the vibe.

We started our adventure on Saturday rafting Brown's Canyon. We took a guided tour and really enjoyed the small and "friendly" rapids along with our knowledgeable guide. After rafting, we drove down to Salida where we stayed at the cutest Days Inn motel I have ever seen, seriously, I was impressed. We showered, changed and headed downtown for some food and fun. We ate at the Boatyard Cantina and loved it! We sat at a table next to the river and enjoyed delicious food and great service. After dinner, we surprised my mom with her (our) favorite cake and champagne in the park. She was completely surprised and it really made her night. Sunday, we drove back downtown for breakfast. We ate at a River's Edge and enjoyed it even more than our dinner the night before. The ambiance of this restaurant was even better and we had the most delicious breakfast, not to mention their "juicy pour" mimosas were only $3! After breakfast, we walked by the river and let Zig swim for a while, then shopped all the boutiques. One thing that is on my agenda for next time is to float the Arkansas via intertube. Floating is apparently what all the locals do, and if there's one thing I love to be, it's local!

Overall, our weekend was fabulous and I don't know if our destination could have been any more perfect. Next weekend you want to get away, check out Salida (and make sure to call me because I'll want to go too).

Kate Spade 'Padme Wedge' Perfection

I'm obsessed. Kate Spade has done it again. Have you seen her new Padme Wedges? Perfection. They look like the kind of shoes that I could a) wear to work and be a badass, business biatch, and b) wear to happy hour and throw a couple back without getting all wobbly like on other pumps.  I love their thick heel that keeps them stable. I love their wide wedge that makes 'em comfy. I love that they look like these Celines, but for like, 1/5 the price. I love them in white and I looooooove them silver. Stable, classy, profesh and sexy. Mommy like.

The only thing I don't like? The $328 price tag. Whyyyyyy???

Have you seen any Kate Spade Padme Wedge looks for less? Do you love them like I do? 

P.S. Since we're on the topic of things I want, this self proclaimed selfie lover needs this Celfie tee by Sincerely Jules stat. Gimme.