An Interview With Ashley

Last day of interviews/features...for now ;)

Meet my friend, Ashley here. She's my real life friend (okay I haven't seen her in person...) BUT I email her for advice and vice versa. That's a real life friend to me. It's real life talk. She's so inspiring and covers everything from fashion, art, to stuff that really makes me THINK about myself. I'm all for self improvement.

[1] Let's cover the basics. Tell us about yourself.

I'm a 25-year-old stay at home mom to a beautiful 16 month old little girl. I recently left my job as a journalist to stay home with my baby and pursue my dreams of becoming an artist. I live in beautiful New Mexico with my boyfriend and we are currently remodeling our home and looking forward to the future. :)

[2] What blogs do you read every day?

There is a long list of absolute musts. I'm attracted to blogs that inspire me

to be a better mommy and woman and also inspire me to try live a more visually beautiful life through art, fashion and design. I love Busy Bee Lauren, A Beautiful Mess, Bleubird Vintage, Casey Leigh and Enjoying the Small Things. (The writing in Enjoying the Small Things is far and away the best writing I have read online.) A few of the up and coming blogs I adore are Henning Love, Life is a Sunset, OK Lauren, My Unrehearsed Life and Finding Beauty in the Ordinary. Of course, Hollie's blog is on my reading list every day. She was actually one of the first blogs I started reading when I started my blog earlier this summer.

[3] What made you start blogging?

I started thinking about blogging after I got hooked on a couple of mommy blogs while I was pregnant. I felt so inspired and changed by these beautiful online journals that I wanted the chance to share my life and hopefully inspire someone else along the way.

[4] Where do your passions lie?

I think I am kind of an intense person, and as a result I'm pretty passionate about everything I spend my time on. My family and God are my first and foremost passions. But I also get crazy into my dreams and goals. Right now, that is art and blogging.

[5] Who is your hero?

My hero truly is my boyfriend, Dustin. He has been the white knight in my life. I never knew I would be the type of girl that needed saving, but sometimes we all do. If you would like to read more about that, read my story.

[6] What do you wish you knew five years ago?

I wish I knew that it was all going to be alright. Five years ago I flat broke and uncertain about the future and I remember thinking will life always be this hard? Looking back, I never really had it that bad. I have always been very blessed. I wish I would have been able to recognize that then.

[7] Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years....I would like to be married, I would like to have more children, I would like to see my art go somewhere. Of course, by now I know better than to make too many plans. God already has all of this lined out.

[8] What are your go-to, never fail items in your closet?

I always count on skinny jeans to make me feel pulled together, blazers to make me feel sexy, scarves to make me feel stylish and leggings to make me feel like I can chase a toddler. :)

[9] What's at the top of your want list?

I want a fancy new camera so so much.

[10] What advice to do you have for new bloggers?

Don't be afraid to go out and get your readers! Find blogs you love and ask them to exchange sponsorships, write guest posts or participate in a giveaway. In the four months I've been blogging, I've only been turned down once. Join in link ups, and follow and comment on newer blogs that you really like. Those newer bloggers will appreciate it and will usually make the effort to get to know you too. Also, take lots of pictures. If you don't have photo editing software, picnik is a great free resource for that.

Thanks for sharing, Ashley <3