Weekend Revelry.

I had a one of those, "I'm-so-happy-and-glad-to-be-alive-and-in-love-weekends."  You know the ones.  Where it's good friends/food/music/weather.  Here's some of my high points:

1. Cindee gave me an amazing owl necklace!


2. Romantic dinner for two at chez Yazzie.


3. Watching Anna and Jonathan get their improv on.


4. Discussed the direction of my website with my Bunnie/graphic designer.


5. Dinner and a movie {Cafe 101/The Green Hornet}


6. Finished reading The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.


7. Cleaned the house.


8. Lots and lots of kissing.


9. Wore my new shoes.


10. Eating a home made dinner with my L.A. family.

*What did you do over the weekend?

Happiness Is.....

Happiness is wearing loud, bright tights the same day your friend wears loud, bright tights.  Teal {me.} Goldenrod {Rachel.}  Oh, and bread pudding.  Please reference the above to visually savor the undulating flavors of espresso, caramel, and chocolaty goodness.  I wanted to slap someone, it tasted that good.

This Just In.......

Husband just found out that he received the promotion of all promotions; he landed the creme de la creme store in the L.A. district....Space 1520. It's an Urban Outfitters but on steroids.  No crack.  Make that meth. I'm just kidding. But, seriously. The store is incredible. It has a gallery, eatery, a pop up shop that is updated monthly, and a courtyard where they have concerts and festivities. We are over the moon happy. I cried when Bryan called and told me the news. Because when he wins, I win. I love you Bunnie. Well done!

A tiny list of gladness.

Hooray for Friday! I'm extra glad today because:

1. the above photo with Walter

2. my mom and sis are in town

3. I have groceries in my cupboard

4. my house is spotless

5. 2 bottles of sparkling water are chilling in my fridge.

6. and the motivation of my new favorite quote: "Don't give up five minutes before the miracle." 



What's making your heart glad? Make a memorable weekend. Oh, and don't forget your "Love my body now" challenge {here.}

Make me smile.

What makes me smile?
1. theater/film
2. bunnie
3. pastries
4. babies
5. libraries
6. my puppy
7. a good hair day
8. snail mail
9. freshly painted nails
10. dresses

Forcing Spring.

Chateau Yazzie has become an ode to spring.
Flowers are filling every vase.
Pink frosted cupcakes tempt our guests.
Our china is begging to be utilized.
I'm ready for picnics, ferris wheels, and the beach.
Are you ready to cast off the layers?

Grey.

I visited the Temple today,
and truly felt peace and happiness.
Although the rainy, Los Angeles weather cast
a grey hue over the city,
there was endless
light and sunshine inside
the temple walls,
and within my own beating heart.

Bunnie Moon.

Today marks my wedding anniversary. I can't believe we've been wed for six years. I must candidly express, that our marriage seems to just get better and better as the years tick on. I feel we are fortunate indeed for having found each other at such a young age. We've grown up together through the promise of eternity. When I saw this image for the first time I said to Bryan,

"When our children look at this picture, they will never wonder if we are in love."

Alternative Decorations.

I think Soba Sobes makes a superb tree topper.

This reminds me of HARRY POTTER when the

Weasley twins charmed a garden gnome and place it atop

their Christmas tree. Clearly Sobes wasn't amused.

Moon In Sight.

November 20, 2009 at 12:20am, I will be experiencing NEW MOON at the famous Archlight Theater in West Hollywood. I can't believe the moment has finally arrived after months of anticipation and heightened speculation. I look forward to getting my Jacob and Edward fix on! The rumors are true; I am Twi-Heart, don't judge.

Post Script: I sort of wish I was Bella Swan!

Triumphant!

Remember the WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

contests that Bryan and I entered {here?}

Well, I didn't win.....but Bryan did!

He won third place in his company

for his brilliant interpretation of the concept.

I'm so very proud/excited for my bunnie!

Accentuate the Positive.

I love being a positive woman. {go figure!}

I've observed that many people are negative Nellies.

Which is to be expected, sometimes its
hard to find good in the bad.

I've always thought the world was divided in two types of people;

Half Full and Half Empty.

But guess what? There's worse than half empty!

There's 1/4 empty.

I had a woman snarl at me a month ago to refill her literal

glass that was missing only 1/4 of ice tea.

I was shocked; she must frequently be disappointed by life.

And what good sprouts from negativity?

I choose silver lining.

I choose a positive outlook.

I choose smiles + giggling.

My positive moments this weekend?

1. Taking Soba to the dog park.
2. Filming a NEW MOON spoof.
3. Divine food.
4. Delicate flowers.
5. Spiritual refueling.
6. My new dress.

Macaron Miracle.

Yesterday was the best Monday I've had in such a long time!

Firstly; Soba and I took lunch to Bryan and visited his store.

Which was such a superb outing for each of us.

Secondly; when we returned home I received a call

from my friend Elizabeth. {She's a talented pastry chef}

And she offered me her surplus of macarons.

She knows that I'm obsessed with the little darlings.

Elizabeth was kind enough to drop them off,

and oh, my goodness they were heavenly!

The brown was a chocolate hazelnut and the

orange was pumpkin. Sensational.

What a wondrous way to start the week!

Last Saturday.

Last Saturday at this time, my hair and make-up was

being applied by Bridgett the Turkish goddess. Through a

referral from my friend Stacey Lynn, I was fortunate

enough to book a small role as a hostess in a darling

short film entitled BOYSENBERRY PIE.

The set was inside the Starlight Theater off of Sunset/Ivar.

May I confide in you? It felt most prodigious to be

doing what makes me smile. I felt like the shiniest star.

{above is a chair from the starlight theater}

Come On, Get Happy!

What's making me smile today?

Flowers. Oh, how I love flowers in my home!
The dried flowers above (1st image) were a gift
from Melissa for my Birthday. She has some
just like it in her home, and she remembered
how I took a shining to them.
My owl pitcher is filled with freshly picked
lavender sprigs. I love their calming fragrance.
What's making you sublimely happy today?

P.S. The Prodigal Husband Returns Tonight!
P.S.S. I did a tiny film on Saturday that was such fun.

candles.

Happy Birthday Ashley!

I had a lovely Birthday yesterday.
I was fortunate enough to hear
from much of my family and friends. {That was such a gift!}
Cards, e-mails, texts, phone calls;
each gesture was appreciated.
My dear friends Melissa, Court and
Rachel celebrated with me at my home last evening.
We:

1. sipped Sioux City Root (Birch) Beer.
2. opened presents.
3. discussed and giggled.
4. listened to my favorite records crackle.
5. blew out candles.
6. made a wish or 2.
7. nibbled my adorable demi-cake: red velvet from LARK of Silverlake {click.}

I just love Birthdays, and this one was simply divine.
My heart could burst from
all of the love churning within.
And do you want to know the best part?
I still get to celebrate with my husband and my family this week!

Life Injection Report Card #2

Over all, I'm pleased with the results of my second report card. The main difference in my life is that I have become a warden over my time. I watch over it jealously. Because I have a clear picture in my mind's eye of the best version of myself, and

I will not retreat until the picture becomes a reality.

I am pleased because I know that I have made such progress in these last few weeks. Which I will continue to adopt in my daily routine post the 30 day trial! I find that I have a stronger sense of purpose. Particularly when I write out my to do list the night prior. I also accept adjustments along this new path including; the realization that 6am is much too early for a woman that works until 11:30pm. But I can do 7am or 8am if I'm exhausted. I am also learning to quiet "Ashley the Hulk" when matters are completely outside of my control, {bad tips, flaky actors, not booking roles after call backs, frizzy hair, etc.}

My golden Birthday is on Sunday. And I like the
person I have become. I'm going to light a candle and blow it out knowing that I'm doing my personal best. How are you doing on your path?

Zoology.

Bunnie and I attended our inaugural visit to the L.A. Zoo.
We had a whale of a time playing and spying on the
beautiful animals. Our favorite was the Meerkat.
{Pictured directly above.} They live in large communities
to help protect one another. There is always one
Meerkat on guard sniffing the air, and keeping
a watchful eye out for vultures and jackals.
I remain completely in awe by the variety of
creatures designed by my maker. Isn't it extraordinary?
What's your favorite animal?

Home Improvements.

Here's a couple of things that are making me

"violently happy," as the brilliant Bjork would say.

Bunnie installed my camera shelf a couple of days ago.

I'm missing one camera {of course} to take the above pictures.

I salvaged the shelf from my alley a few months back.

The kitchen rug also makes my heart flip-flop.

It has a Native American appeal to it.

Which clearly we love. {Bryan is from the Navajo tribe.}

What's making you violently happy?

Love My Body Now Series: Guest Blogger Janine Doot

Imagine looking at yourself in the mirror everyday and not really seeing the real you. You see someone but the someone is a person plagued with mistakes and problems. Some people only see their blotchy and pimpled skin. Some men see to few muscles. Some women concentrate on their lack of a chest. While I noticed some of these same things, I was fixated on my misshaped body. I wanted the body I saw in magazines. I wanted the body the boys at school desired. And so attempted to obtain something that was virtually unattainable with my body shape.

I began to feel overweight when around my sixteenth birthday. I guess you could attribute my feelings to my feelings of inadequacy in the dating department. All the girls in my grade seem to have someone that admired them. I had no one. So I started staring into mirrors and wondering what I had to do in order to have someone notice me. I decided that my weight was the only thing I could realistically change.

In the beginning I tried not eating. It didn't last long because there was no way of avoiding family dinners. I knew my mom would begin to question my actions so I decided to eat and throw up just enough to feel like I hadn't eaten. I didn't do it everyday. I just did it when I felt like I had overindulged. After a few months passed, I felt like I gorged to much and throwing up became a daily occurrence.

Every time I told myself to stop, I couldn't. I would refrain from puking for a few days but for some reason I felt guilty. Two days would pass and I would feel like I had gained ten pounds. This just sent me back to the toilet with my finger in my throat. At the time, I thought I threw up because I was concerned about my weight, but now looking back, I realize it was all about control. When ever my life seemed out of control, the only constant I had was my secret. No one knew what I was doing. It was the one thing I had control of and I didn't want to let it go because I thought I would lose power by stopping.

I threw up secretly for five years. I never really lost the curves I felt were too shapely. I actually gained weight which frustrated me and caused me to keep

hitting my knees after meals. I even got to the point where I didn't have to stick my finger down my throat. The food just came up when I bent over. As odd as it sounds, there was something gratifying about that. I felt like I had become an expert in throwing up.

It wasn't until I started to feel faint while exercising or walking back and forth from campus that I felt a need to to change. I talked to my two best friends who I had thought knew nothing about my secret. They knew. They just didn't know how to approach me about it. My best friend taught me a few tricks about eating right and I began to adopt them into my life. We had a daily count of how many days I could go without throwing up. My friends cheered me on each week I remained clean.

This system worked for awhile. I felt better inside and outside. I remained true to the commitment until my life began to spin out of control again. I can't even tell you how many times I attempted to stop throwing up. Failure made me want to do it more. Stress made me want to do it more. Starting again was inevitable. That's what I truly thought until I met someone who taught me to love myself. It has taken more than two years to come to where I am today. I haven't thrown up in 612 days. And I feel that I have more control than I ever have.

I admit that I had/have an eating disorder.

I am a bulimic. I didn't know it then. I just felt like it was something that I did to help me feel better. To help me feel in control. It wasn't. I have learned that my eating disorder was/is really a disease of my mind. When I feel stressed or inept, I lean to throwing up as my crutch. That is what it really is. To me, my eating disorder was/is a bad habit. Just like drinking, smoking, doing drugs, etc. Think about it....why do people drink or do drugs? Because it offers them a release from the world. It allows them to escape the stress of the moment and slip away into some type of dream world where things are perfect.

Today, I try to focus on the good about my body. I have more curves than ever after having a baby. My clothes fit differently because my hips are wider. Some days it is hard. Some days it is really hard. But I will not give in. I know who I am. I know that I have the power to act and not to be acted upon. Bulimia made me weak.

Being me makes me strong.

What would I tell my younger self? Stop staring in mirrors. It is okay to look. It is not okay to stare. Staring makes people think irrationally. I would tell myself to eat good food. I missed out on so much good food just because I was being too self-conscious. I would tell myself that the girls in magazines are not all they are cracked up to be. I would probably just take away all magazines that don't portray real woman.

What would I tell all women? Accept the curves. Accept your differences. Change only the things you can in a healthy way. Get over the things you can't. I know that sounds harsh. But sometimes, someone needs to be harsh in order for others to accept reality.

image by: mg.visualizeus.com