Winter White

This week we were finally given a good snow. Winter storm "Juno" hit the east coast; in more of a big way in some places than others. We are part of that latter group. At least from what I could tell on this campus (they are constantly prepared from snow) we by no means got the worst of it. There were other places that didn't see as much as predicted either--loved seeing reactions from friends in Philly who sent pictures of a mere dusting at one point. We did get a good amount however, and I was thrilled to see it! It gave me a reason to snuggle up inside and take some time to do work.

A trip to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History led me to this little guy. He's made of opal!

Writing up an assignment on OmmWriter

Trying to absorb some information before my morning class #cramsesh!

<3 Ashley

Did anyone else see some good snow from Juno?

Digital Wunderkammer

Wunderkammer: pretty much the only German word I know, courtesy of my Composing Digital Media class. Basically, it is a curiosity cabinet.

What is so special about the wunderkammer is the way in which it is organized to the owner’s specific, sometimes strange, taste and how it causes the viewer to sometimes experience and interact with objects in a different way. The class then was assigned to apply this concept to our own sites on Pinterest and Tumblr.

Never before had I considered giving these sites any other function other than to distract me and maybe, possibly, waste my time. After taking the time, care and consideration into strategically uploading, repinning, moving and deleting a number of photographs from these pages for this project I have reconsidered my critique of these sites.

While they may not be as wonderful and satisfying as a physical, wooden curiosity cabinet, I can see why some people take so much pride in the “work” that they put into their Pinterest or Tumblr pages. It provides one with an area in which to be fully create with countless visual sources at your fingertips!

<3 Ashley

Is this how you treat your Pinterest or Tumblr page? What specifically do you put on these pages?

Shades of Gray

No...I am not referring to 50 Shades of Gray--if you ever see me referencing it here, run! I am referring to winter. By now you could probably scroll through my blog and make a little drinking game out of how often I complain about this dreary, dull season. While I do appreciate my location in the northeast because--say it with me--we get to experience all four seasons, this winter in particular is really taking its toll on me.

Coupled with the schedule breaking 18 credits and a campus job, my desire to leave my bed in the morning is at an all time low. Of course I do eventually get out of bed; playing to my age I still have some motivation.

This not so fun post comes courtesy of a late night tying up the loose ends of a project and waking up five hours later to see snow, on snow, on snow. Hopefully a little nap, soup and a good book will put a little bit more pep in my step and motivate me to add some color to my wardrobe (currently coming to the realization that I am sporting quite the black uniform today!)

Disclamer: I promise my next post will be happier and more interesting! :)

<3 Ashley

Has the winter given anyone else the blues lately?

Routine & Despair

So this is probably and indication that I am psychotic...I don't know; you be the judge. I have a morning routine (this is normal) I wake up, do a few yoga stretches, hop in the shower, have breakfast, get dressed and leave for the day. Last night I had to stay up a bit to do some work for today and thought that maybe if I took a quick shower I could wake up a bit later. So I showered.

This morning I did not have to shower so one crucial part of my routine went over looked: I did not wash my face. I usually do this in the shower while I am letting my conditioner soak in. However, since a shower was not part of my routine this morning, my face got no love. I realized this halfway during my walk to my first class; my face felt oily and just uncomfortable. Then I started to worry about it...then it felt more oily. I splashed some water over my face in the bathroom but the knowledge that I forgot is just making me squirm. Does this happen to anyone else? Just me? Am I the only one that thinks routine is going to be the end of me because of reactions like this?

<3 Ashley

How hard do you stick to routine? 

Weekend Reading

Pittsburgh is Most Livable City in U.S.--Well there you have it...out of all of the cities in the United States, Pittsburgh is the most livable! I made the right decision, yes? It's not in the top ten though. Kudos to Canada and Australia for being such livable countries!

De-Clutter Social Media--IFB recently posted about Just Unfollow which helps to de-clutter your social media in an organized way. I know I'm not the only one who once in awhile decides that there are too many people that I don't even interact with...so why follow them?

The Cutest Hug Ever (Of Course It's Cats!)--Last night my roommate share this video with me. Cute for two reason 1) Kitten having a nightmare. 2) Cat embrace!

Have a great weekend!

<3 Ashley

Book Suggestions?

Every year I like to compose a tentative reading list for myself. Being a college student means that reading for fun is something that is forgotten and replace instead with 35 pages about curiosity cabinets--which actually was pretty interesting and may or may not be inspiring an upcoming post! I make this list as kind of a list of goals. These are the books that I have to read before December 31, 2015.

The trouble is--and I will once again blame school and a hectic schedule--I have no idea what is out there anymore! I have a library card that is just dying to see the inside of Carnegie and several buses waiting to take me to Barnes and Noble. So what should I read? I have just a few in mind: Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M. by Sam Wasson, which I got for Christmas, makes the list. I also would like to get around to ordering and reading The Last Tycoon by F. Scott Fitzgerald as well as some of his short stories (if you have followed me for awhile, you know I'm a fan!) However, beyond those I am pretty much drawing a blank. That's where you lovely and worldly people come in...

What are some of your favorite books that I should crack open? What novels call for a weekend curled up in bed? Leave your suggestions below--I will also be reviewing what I do read in my Book Club posts as I finish them!

<3 Ashley

What should I read?!

Baby, It's Cold Outside

We here in Pittsburgh (as well as a few other areas in the U.S.) are experiencing round two of some alarmingly cold weather. I don't typically have a think skin against cold weather anyway so this 2 degrees feeling like -15 degrees nonsense is killing me. But without a broken leg or raging cold I must brave the weather and walk to my classes--the things I will do for a good grade! How do I plan on combating the bitter cold on days like this? Choking down a piping hot coffee, wrapping my face in a thick scarf and putting on a long, heavy cardigan.

<3 Ashley

How are you preparing to go outside in this weather?

It's Time To Scale Back

Recently my views on social media have taken an unprecedented turn. Two months ago, I was just like your average 20 year old female; you could look at my phone and see that. On there you would find apps for Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr and Snapchat. Look at my phone now and it is a completely different scenario. What was once the device with which I could keep tabs on everyone--cyber-stalking is a thing and I am a professional--is now less powerful and stays in my pocket most of the time.

Over the break I took it upon myself to clean house a bit and really think about technology and its role in my life. It had completely taken over! I could not sit still for more than two minutes without breaking out the iPhone and seeing what the Twitter population was up to. One day I woke up and decided that I am better than that! There are better ways for me to pass the time. The amount of good books that I could read if you take all of the time I have spent on social media is ridiculous. I started that day by deleting my Twitter account as well as my Snapchat--for which I was already developing a burning hatred. The Facebook account is still around, however, it is no longer on my phone. Instagram and Pinterest get to stay because they are amazing. I still don't know what to do with Tumblr. I may delete it since I don't really use it anymore.

Honestly, I feel so much better since I have scaled back on social media. If people want to talk to me, they can do it via text, email, snail mail, or by you know...talking to me in person. Personal interaction is an art that I think many have lost and I have decided to not be one of those people. Project Interact 2015 has begun! Join me?

<3 Ashley

What are your thoughts on social media? Do you feel caught up in this oversharing world we have created?

Back in Action

After a three week break from school I am finally back in Pittsburgh. While other schools have breaks extended to the middle of the month, I am happy to be back already. I can only go so long doing nothing before I go a little stir crazy. This semester looks a bit busier than others since I have taken up 18 credits (the max!) and I also start back at work as well. The only thing I'm not particularly excited about is waking up at 8 AM everyday. Everyday except Friday at least!

<3 Ashley