He Said, She Said.

I'm perpetually amazed by the stark contrast

of the male versus female thought process.

Bryan and I are no exception to this rule.

Perhaps that's the fun in life;

the challenge of trying to cross those wires.

Example: Let's play a word association with the Yazzies.

You say orange, I think:

You say orange, he thinks:

Inspiration Station: Step Into My Office.

In lieu of my thirty day life injection, I purchased some raw cork and pieced the squares together on the backboard of my desk. I must say, I am very pleased with the handsome results. I had such a wonderful experience creating an evolving inspiration board. My favorite part is the polaroid with the lovely pressed flowers taped carefully to it's bust. My work space may seem miniature, but soon she will become mighty. I'm a huge advocate of an office being an inviting, attractive space to usher creativity, innovation and perpetual development.

What is a life injection? I feel instinctively that my life needs a shot of creative adrenaline administered right to the proverbial tukus. I feel that lately I'm standing in the way of my own success. I've been tricking myself into thinking that I do "enough." Enough? Really? {Which isn't true at all.} I need to be living my life to the fullest to ensure preparedness for each and every opportunity that comes my way. I'm currently at a B-, I'm doing okay, barely above the average, but I want that A+ to give me a competitive edge.

For the next thirty days I will be experimenting with approaching tasks differently. Clearly what I've been doing, just isn't working. I will be rising at 6am daily, {which is the hard part for me} continuing my exercise regimen, and allotting myself found time to work on writing, rehearsing, role submissions, personal reflection, mediation and spirituality. All of this before ten! My mates Amber {from New York} and Sandy {Los Angeles} are joining me in this personal pilgrimage. Because now is the time to succeed! I've grown tired of my old bag of tricks, I desperately need some new ones. So, join me if you will. Apply a life injection as you see fit into your own existence. And please, let me know what transpires! I want to leave you with an amazing list of ten secrets of Creatively Successful People. Click {HERE.} The list truly made me stop and think of how to improve myself creatively. Good luck!

Not My Favorite.

My puppy Soba and I have been feeling a little

under the weather. We're taking it easy today so that

tomorrow we can be back to our normal selves.

P.S. starting tomorrow I'm doing a 30 day

life injection. Let's discuss that in detail tomorrow.

I'm hoping that some of you will join me.

Take time away from your Labors,

Ashley

to market, to market.

Last weekend Bunnie and I went to market at the Grove.

It has been unseasonably warm here in L.A., so we

sort of sweat it out during the excursion.

We purchased some amazing peaches and grapes.

Then for lunch we went to Charlie's and had

delectable pancakes and french toast.

Don't you just love breakfast around the clock?

What are you doing for the weekend?

Fun With Wikki Sticks.

At work we offer Wikki Sticks for the kid's entertainment.

They always look like so much fun to create with.

So last week I smuggled a pack, and brought it home {I had a ball.}

I laughed so hard when I made the glasses!

Remember when we would play?

We would call our friends and say, "Can you play?"

Why did it change to "Wanna hang out?"

Let's bring back that innocent, innovative element of play!

What is your idea of playing?

Cooking Up Dreams.

I've found that I seem to be getting older. {Which is brilliant!}

I feel like I'm barely becoming the woman I should

have always been. But I didn't know how to download

the Ashley version 3.0. properly. Shards of my general

core have always been in existence, but the program is

finally beginning to congeal together.

Lately I've been sauteing on the numerous things I want to learn

or perfect. Baking and cooking is sky high on my list.

Last Tuesday I took some action in developing in that area.

I shadowed the lead pastry chef at La Grande Orange to

learn new techniques for baking. We focused on pies!

I was a tad nervous, but the butterflies dissipated and

I began to get more comfortable. I learned several

new techniques that I'm excited to implement into my

own kitchen. This week I want to make a different pie

using my new found set of skills and secret tips.

Time to crack open my ever growing collection of cook books!

What are you learning about?

photographer for image source unknown.

Elizabeth Taylor.

Dear Elizabeth Taylor,

In short, you are magnificent. In my opinion you are the most gorgeous female the world has ever known. Marilyn Monroe was pretty, but she became immortal because she died young. That's the key to becoming immortal-DON'T AGE! But Liz, may I call you Liz? Liz, I think you trump everyone because you have grown old, and have maintained a state of dignified grace, class, and personal style. Liz, I love your perseverance, your violet eyes and of course your diamonds.

Yours Truly,

Ashley