Au Revoir

Up early, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (as possible?)...

because I'm back on the road today...

not by plain, not by train, but eight hours by automobile...

headed back to sunny Florida from the Great State of Mississippi. Hello, 75 degree temps, just in time for the new year.

xoxo

2011: Snapshots of My Year

With all my excitement for NYE and 2012, I stopped and took a moment this morning to look over photos from the past year. Slightly surprised by the change and now slightly nostalgic, I pulled a few of my favorite snapshots that document 2011:

Winter:

Mississippi snow day.

One last night at the cabin, home to many weekend getaways and dance parties

Spring:

St. Patrick's Day parade

Down on 30A

Lady Gaga weekend in New Orleans

Summer:

Typical.

Steeplechase in Nashville.

City Grocery: Our favorite Mojitos in Oxford

The Gannaway-Sudduth Wedding

Fall:

First photo shoot with work, behind the camera (+ wine)

First photo shoot with work, in front of the camera

Some of the VIE team after a photoshoot

He wasn't happy about this

The VIE team

Here's to preparing for a pretty fantastic 2012!

Monday Mantra (On Tuesday)

I absolutely forgot a Monday Mantra yesterday. My mind is all out of sorts since my team has so generously been given the week off until after New Years. So, yes, today is Tuesday, but we'll mantra it despite that. It's good for the soul.

Stay hungry, stay foolish. Keep a young, optimistic attitude with a fresh perspective to ensure maximum enjoyment of life. Carpe diem. Do what you love. Don't sweat the small stuff. Insert all available cliche's here (that are typically cliche because they're right), and they'll probably work together to tell you one thing: Stay hungry, stay foolish. Stay happy.
In other news, my magazine is looking for blog contributors for a 2012 creative launch. Interested? Read more here.
Until tomorrow, xoxo

On the Agenda: NYE Attire

Praise the Lord (literally, praise Him) for the fabulous Christmas that was had at the Rogers' (no D) household this year. But seeing as Mother Anne is now sneaking down the Christmas decor, it's time to focus on the next event on the agenda. Which just so happens to be one of my absolute faves.
New. Year's. Eve.

If you've been with me the past year or so, you're well aware of my love for the holiday because of my affinity for all things celebratory and sparkly. And if you haven't, and you're one of those "New Year's Eve is overrated" pessimists, well, you may wanna stay away from me for the next few days (just kidding, never do that.)
But really, I love New Year's Eve for so many reasons. And I'm going to talk about it until, well, New Year's Eve.

Clearly one of the highest reasons on my list that I adore my beloved holiday is the opportunities for attire. Fur? Sur. Silk? Why not. Sequins? Absolutely. And (in case you've been living under a rock) there are some absolutely amazing after-Christmas sales happening as I type with ample opportunity to steal a fantastically festive NYE outfit for said night.
Well, thanks to my good 'ole friend Pinterest, I have a few ensembles in mind I"ll be scouring for during the next few days. I'll be spending my evening at a cocktail party at the beach, so a look that's equal parts easy and dressy is essential. Keep reading.

Sequined shorts paired with opaque black tights, booties, and a luxe silk top, make for an unconventional way to work sequins into NYE attire.

The same goes for a sequined mini. I'd like to try pairing with a sultry sweaty for a cozy-yet-dressy ensemble.

I'd love to be able to find a sequined geometric print... but I think that would be a belated Christmas miracle seeing how popular the trend is right now.

I wouldn't hate to stumble across a low-back beaded number at all. (!!!!)

I'm also keeping my eyes peeled for the perfect sequined blazer. With black shorts, a simple silk tank, and slightly undone hair, this piece gets a new look.

(Oh hey Serena/Blake)

And if worse comes to worse and I don't find anything worth my purchase (guilty- I'm a picky, picky girl), then I'll be throwing on my black cigarette pants, a black silk camisole, and my new tuxedo jacket for a chic alternative, straight from my closet. Inspiration below- I'll be adding slightly sassier shoes. 

What are you wearing for NYE? Have you stumbled across any hidden gems?

All images via my Pinterest

Reasons

That's right, here I am. Finally.

First and foremost, Merry Christmas, you beautiful people. 

 "Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord!"

Luke 2:11 

So thankful for His birth and the blessings He has bestowed on my life, family, and uh, all of mankind. This holiday season snuck up on me, to say the least, as a whirl of work, travel, and holidays parties descended. But it's not too late to wish a lovely Christmas to you and yours, from Ainsley (and Camp!).

As you've noticed, I've been in and out writing here this month. And there's a reason for that. Time was fleeting. With priorities devoted to the career I'm so fantastically inspired by, responsibilities that ensure my well-being, and cultivating and nurturing the relationships that keep me whole, daily hours began to dwindle like has never happened before. Because of this, I wrestled with the decision of whether or not stop writing on From Ainsley, with love at all, because in my mind, if I couldn't post fabulous inspirational original content daily, then I was a bad blogger. Because committing myself fully to a career, a social life, and taking care of myself and my responsibilities seemed to be filling up my hours, and if I had half an hour to blog clearly I should be doing something else. Right? But on my long ride from Florida to Mississippi just the other day, it dawned on me.

Lately, I've felt a little out of sorts. I've had a bit of a difficult time conjuring up the creative juices or focusing all the way through execution on many things during my daily schedule, blaming it on writers block or being stressed all along the way. I am me and and all I can be is the best version of that. But how to, exactly?

Then I was reminded of something I've always known, but lately forgotten: when I don't pour out the ideas and inspirations that fill my head daily, I block up. Writer's block, thinker's block, creative block. Having nothing similar to a filing cabinet system in my mind (but wouldn't that be lovely?), if the ideas/thoughts don't come out, they become impacted and I can't sort through them. That's why I originally started this little ole 'site, as a gathering ground for thoughts so I can think clearly, creatively, and uniquely throughout my day. Cue conscious: Ainsley, you owe it to yourself to write freely.

I'm sharing this with you, you wonderful readers who have stuck it out with me, because I don't think I'm a bad blogger anymore. I'm just a busy girl trying to navigate the confusing, challenging, often awkward post-grad years that Miss Ashlyn compared ever-so-accurately as the junior high years of adulthood (amen sister) with as much grace and success as possible. When we're making time for something we love, that reflects on all facets of our lives: our attitudes, our careers, our relationships, our outlook on life. So here I am, challenging myself to manage my time more efficiently (hello, New Years resolution), and share with you quality inspirations, thoughts, and original content the best that I can, as often as I can while still paying due diligence to the most important priorities in my life. Although it may not be daily, I hope you'll stick around for the upcoming year- it may get a bit personal, if that's alright. I just absolutely know I'm going to adore 2012. So follow your girl Ainsley right this minute and embark on 2012 avec moi. 

PS: If I'm MIA for a few days at a time, you can typically find me livin' it up on VIE's site (where I also blog), Facebook page, or Twitter. Or, as always follow me on Twitter --->.

Merry Christmas, dears!
xoxo

Simple. Little. Christmas. Things.

With White Christmas on the television and wrapping paper littering my floor, it's quite obvious what has finally arrived on our doorstep.

A little wintry Christmas cheer for your Tuesday.
[all photos from here and here]