a {little} dash of ash

Friday, February 11, 2011

Ashley Gale Photography

I have loved photos my entire life! When I was a child, I would spend hours and hours flipping through photo albums of my parents and grandparents and I started scrapbooking at the age of 5. In middle school, I would take photos of anything and everything -- I am positive I spent every dollar of allowance on film and photo developing! In high school, I begged my parents to hire a professional photographer for my 16th birthday party -- and convinced my Dad to buy a brand new SLR camera for prom just so I could have the best pictures ever! In college, I began reading books on composition, lighting and the two elements of great exposure (aperture & shutter speed). Then, I was introduced to photo editing and learned how to take a simple picture and make it into a creative piece of art. I realized that ten different people could take the same picture, but there was always one that stood out in the end! Last June I decided to take my love for photography to the next level. Since then, I have been having so much fun with my new camera and lenses! If you are interested in having photos taken of your family or children, I am taking a few more mini session appointments in April, May and June (weekends only)! Please contact me at argale@gmail.com for more info!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Baby it's Cold Outside!

Brrr! It's freezing out there... I think it is actually one of the coldest days I can remember (ever?) - potentially! It doesn't help that I wore ankle cropped jeans and shoes with no socks today... but still, 2 degrees is frigid! I think it is really sad that I am so excited that it is supposed to warm up to 30 tomorrow! Good thing since I just ordered some cute spring clothes online tonight!! Until then... it's back to boots, cozy socks and keeping warm!

Images {1} {2} {3} {4} {5}

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

My new favorite social media website is {Pinterest}! It's an absolute genius idea where people can have a virtual place to post (or pin) a collection of things that they love, as well as follow collections created by people with great taste! I have been saving photos in a folder on my computer from hundreds of websites over the years -- but now I have one place to collect, pin and organize all of my inspirations! This website is great -- you can pin almost any picture from any website to one of your "boards", you can search through photos that people have pinned to the site, and you can follow friends or people who have similar taste to you! Check it out and add your name to the waiting list to get an account! :)

see my pins on pinterest

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Keep Calm and Carry On

A few years ago I saw a cute little pillow in a vintage shop that had the phrase Keep Calm and Carry On - I remember liking the pillow and the quote, but never really thought about it again.... until this year! All of a sudden there has been a huge breakout of Keep Calm and Carry On products! You name it -- you can buy it: {posters}, {coffee mugs}, {pillows}, {journals}, etc! A month ago in Barnes and Noble, I even saw some journals that had "knock off" sayings like Keep Calm and Have a Cupcake (clearly that got my attention!!) I did a little research on this cute little saying and learned that this quote was first seen on a poster produced by the British Government in 1939 at the beginning of World War II intended to raise the morale! Love that!

While I have a new respect for this iconic quote, I also fell in love with these little calendars below! Enjoy... I am sure you will be able to relate to some of the sayings! :)

For the Ladies! Of course my favorite is March (but usually I start that in February ;)

And for the Men!

You can buy these cute little calendars {here} and {here}

Monday, February 7, 2011

Color Me Happy: Purple

I have a slight obsession with the color purple right now! I'm not exactly sure how this obsession came about since it is not one of my signature colors (navy, red, yellow or orange) but it's safe to say that it is my new favorite color (at least for this week)! I tried searching around my house for purple and I could only find two things: my toothbrush and a {Lululemon headband} that I sometimes wear to workout! Guess I need to stock up on some purple! Last time I went through a purple phase I was in 8th grade... when we moved into a brand new house, I told my parents I wanted a room with bright purple walls and a white comforter with pretty purple pillows! I still can't believe they let me do it... that room was crazy, crazy purple! At this same time in my life, I also had an obsession with purple hair and purple suede doc martins... so, I guess the room doesn't seem so crazy after all -- just bold! If I were to decorate with purple again in my life, I love the pieces below:

Fabulous chairs upholstered in ikat printed fabric from {Madeline Weinrib}

Purple {accent pillows} with matching purple macaroons - perfection!

The green in this {picture} is more my style -- but loving the big textured purple print!

This is a very similar {color} to my room in 8th grade, however, I didn't decorate with a fabulous

gold couch and vintage frames! It was more like a purple lava lamp and posters of Gavin Rossdale!

But more realistically, I think I might pick up a cute purple dress and some purple nail polish and call it a day! Oh, and of course be reminded of my purple phase every time I sign onto my blog and see my header!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Happy Blog Day!

...and Superbowl Day! ...and birthday to ME! Yes, today is my 28th birthday and I have to share it with the NFL and all of the crazy men who look forward to this day starting in August! Last time my birthday was on the Superbowl I hosted a party with cute little football cupcakes and all kinds of “Martha Stewart” like dishes! I learned very quickly that the majority of my guests didn’t care about the football décor and team colored candies, they only cared about ~~one~~, wait, two things – 1. Where is the beer? and 2. Where is the TV? Haha! This year I decided against a Superbowl themed party! Instead I have spent the past week celebrating with some of my favorite people...which concluded with a fabulous dinner at Hyde Park with my family (yum!). Thank you to everyone who sent birthday wishes, cards, texts, emails, phone calls, etc! ...and a huge thank you to the girls who made me an extra fabulous swim suit birthday cake!

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Hello & Welcome

...to my new blog! As an avid reader of blogs - beautiful blogs with pretty things and inspiring ideas, I thought it was finally time to create a place for my photos and favorite things! I hope you enjoy and check back often! :)