Thursday, August 15, 2013

Long Day



We've all been there. That long, slow day, where nothing seems to progress and almost everything with a pulse is irate. Our response to technology goes downhill, especially when the word HENCE is thrown around. We start to avoid answering the phone- or at least screen the calls- and emails pile up. "Killing people with kindness" becomes a darling notion. We hear other people complain about their "long days" and silently we say "join the crowd, that's life."


Today was going on track in the beginning. I remembered to return my Red-box rentals, to buy my galpal a wonderfully accurate birthday card for the ever looming 2-4 (welcome to your mid-twenties), and my hair was on point. 

Then the meeting came. Scheduled for 1 PM I had everything ready to go for my client. 
1:05 PM. Okay, maybe there is traffic? 1:10 PM. Maybe I should check my e-mail to make sure the client isn't running late. Nothing. 1:15 PM. Irritation sets in, I could have gone to lunch with my mom and brother when they invited me; man I'm hungry; I have those Habanero BBQ Almonds and Redbull waiting, yum... 1:20 PM. 5 more minutes, I'm only sitting here 5 more minutes. 1:25 PM. Okay, maybe they misread the e-mail and are waiting in my office? 1:30 PM. Nope. Not doing this. 

My boss's response to all this. "Yup, it's just one of those days..." True Fact. And days like this, that's all you really can say.  

So what can a gal do to decompress after "a day?"

 *Paint your nails*

*Grab some SkinnyGirl Margarita, Mojito, or Wine*

*Re-watch FRIENDS or Dawson's Creek, maybe even Lifetime Movie Network if it's been really rough*
......



or the best way to get over one of those days?

Anticipate the #EndlessSummer Lilly Pulitzer sale starting on Monday.

Can I get an AMEN?




Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Abode

Welcome to my home!






I live in a house built in the late 1920s- I immediately fell in love with the house's charm and character, even if it did lack a dishwasher. It's the perfect canvas for my budding antique collection and furniture DIYs. I will always have a love for granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and heated floors in the winter, but there is much to be said for waking up in a home with old bones and wonderful potential.

 Enjoy!



Nancy Drew Collection


Jasper Johns inspired chair







Antique Dresser



Comfy reading area



Lilly Pulitzer picnic basket
Ralph Lauren Coffee table book



Antique Bed Set
Shout out to Pearls and Pastries for the awesome prints!
Order them here








Mud-room: my next DYI project







Sunroom/sleeping porch- Work in progress



Georgia O'Keefe inspired personal work



Come back now! 

-A


Monday, August 12, 2013

Hi y'all!

YAY for my first Blog! 


Welcome to Darling and The... the blog for everything darling, and somethings not. 

I'm Ashleigh- a Coordinator for a Theater by day and a Dance Teacher by night. I have a BFA in Dance and I plan to obtain my MFA in Arts Administration in the next few years. 

I live in a small college town in Virginia in a house built in the late 1920s. Though I often have a love/hate relationship with the small town life, especially after living in a city for 4 years(the closest Target and Starbucks are both 30-45 minutes away), I do enjoy being able to see my family at a moment's notice, aka my mom's cooking. 

I'd like to think my style is classic with a punch of bohemian (ironic? or would Vicki Gunvalson say I'm using the wrong word?). My mom introduced me to Lilly Pulitzer and Ralph Lauren at a young age, but she also introduced me to Cher (my 4th grade Halloween costume) and classic 80's movies such as "Footloose" and "Pretty in Pink." Twenty some years later here I am with a closet full of Lilly and red cowboy boots mingling with my Tod's loafers and Jacks. 

I have an obsession with all things nautical. Last J.Crew season when everything wearable under the sun had an anchor somewhere was a little overwhelming for me... 

My other obsessions include, but are not limited to:
*The Real Housewives of Orange County
*Pretty Little Liars, Twisted, The Vineyard, The Fosters, The Lying Game (RIP), HGTV Everything and so on...
*Food, especially when prepared by my wonderful boyfriend
*Harper's Bazaar
*Dolly Parton
*Essie
*All things Monogrammed
*Tea
*Joss&Main (there will be a whole post on that)
*Flowers (even though I epically fail at keeping them alive)
*Live Music
*Wine, more specifically Wine Tours and Tastings
*Antiques
*Nancy Drew
*RedBull


What am I not obsessed with? Well:
*Facebook- a Blogger without a Facebook? 1 year clean and counting
*Soy Milk
*Driving 30-45 minutes for Starbucks and Target (see above paragraphs)
*Tomatoes

Well, I do believe that's all for now. 
Follow me on
 Pinterest
Darling and The... Pinterest Board
and on Instagram!
instagram.com/darlingandthe

Good Morning Rainy Days-



 Simple 


Thanks so much for visiting, and I do hope you come back!

-A