Happy {New To-Do} Weekend

I'm starting something new.
I like to-do lists. You know that about me. And if you didn't, now you do. So I'm going to make a fun to-do list every Friday.
Does that sound a little backwards? A fun Friday to-do list? A little. So let's think of it as more of a weekly bucket list that I'm absolutely going to accomplish. And here's why:

Have you ever looked around the very place in which you live and recognized how many things you surprisingly have never thought twice about? The old vintage store on the corner, the book store tucked between the boutiques you frequent- whatever it may be, the hidden treasures that are in neighborhoods across the country that our busy or preoccupied eyes often scan right over. What about the things you wish you'd done? The things that sound so lovely in theory but gosh darn it, you just absolutely have no time for. I work a lot during the week, with work events often taking up much of my after-office hours. But, I still want to explore those places. And do those things. I have a new home, and I must acquaint myself with it. Hence, my weekend list.

Having grown up vacationing around the area in which I now live, I'm very accustomed to the tourist, if you will, attractions. The glitzy restaurants, the live music venues, the glamorous boutiques, you name it. However, a lover and supporter of all things local, life here for me now is about exploring and getting to know those very people and places.
I'll carry a camera wherever I go, (and at last resort, Instagram can capture life perfectly) and document these weekend rendezvous for our Monday morning meeting. And, just for fun, I challenge you to go explore a little yourself (and if you yourself are a blogger, I'd love to read about your local adventures as well!)
My new seaside town is the perfect place to capture, explore, and experience all things stylish. And I'm anticipating it to be a well-spring of inspiration to refine my personal style even further.

This first one is pretty basic, seeing as how I've just arrived:
- Take this little man to explore his new sidewalks.

- Try my hand at the area's thrift shops to see what sort of furniture catches my eye to spruce up for the new home.
- Take my bicycle to the neighborhood coffee shop and catch up on some much-needed blog research.

- Try out the new gourmet hot dog stand in the Seaside a square.
-Make at least one new friend.
- Wander through the vintage bookstore for beautiful bookshelf finds.

So happy weekend lovelies, I hope you see the next few days full of adventure, celebration, relaxation, and all things gorgeous!
xoxo

Hello, Optimist

How much different the world looks when seen through the glittering, sparkly eyes of optimism and expecting everything to turn out just how it should. How much hope and joy springs up through positivity, and how a simple smile can change the demeanor of any situation. How finding the humor in life offers a well-spring of satisfaction, and how contentment comes from gratitude. A joyful life grows from an optimistic one. So wear your sunny state of mind.
source

Color me Striped

The coast has nautical, preppy, summertime stripes catching my eye left and right...

 

 

(1, 2, 3 4,) 

Blogging Build-up

After such a turbulant week of moving, organizing, and decorating, I'm experiencing some blogger build-up as some of the most fabulous things I've come across these days haven't had an outlet anywhere. Poor lovely things, all cooped up inside this head of mine. Let's exhale, shall we?
First, this office. Oh... this office. How organized, functional, yet shabby chic can you get?

And if I keep this painting to myself any longer I think I may burst. Meet a fabulous artist who uses fabulous mixes of color and texture.

Also, Tibi's having a Sample Swim Sale that starts today. Did you hear that? Sample. Swim. Sale. Go get yourself a suit, girl, then come see me at the beach. Better hurry.

One more thing. Eggplant Parmesan sandwich. That's all I'm saying, but don't blame me if you have a new addiction.

Exhale. Alright, that feels better already.

To get to where we're going...

Whew. The move is over.

This last move was a serious one. And while all my furniture (and stuff- man I have a lot of stuff) is in the house, I'm still settling and decorating, trying to make my new house a home. Annoyingly enough, I won't have the Internet hooked up at my house for a while. And since the App Store hasn't provided me with an iPhone app to be able to blog from my phone on Blogger (I mean, what is that about?), it's a little difficult for me to provide you with your daily dose of inspiration or eye candy.
Work has started, and with the multitude of meetings, press calls, photo-shoots and everything else that revolves around a full service public relations, advertising, and marketing firm that also publishes a gorgeous magazine full of eye-candy, things have been exhilarating and head-spinning. And I couldn't be happier.

But never fear, your girl is back. I've found a charming little cafe that I'm sure will just adore for me to use their WiFi so I can successfully sip my coffee and help you fall in love with all things beautiful and stylish in life that I stumble across.. So bear with me a little as the dust settles and things on From Ainsley, with love go back to normal.
On tap are the multitudes of DIY projects I'm into for sprucing up my new home.
And how do a few guest posts sound? (Wanna write one for me? My contact information is right at the top under the tabs.)
Also in the making? A From Ainsley, with love Twitter account and eventually a new, more streamlined and accessible look for the the blog as a whole. Ready? I sure am.

So, my lovely readers, buckle up and get excited. From Ainsley, with love is in a new place and ready for some fabulous new adventures and finds!

Au Revoir

Farewell, farewell little Oxford town as I hit the road running early early early on this traveling Thursday to  call a new place home.  Checking in with you from the beach tomorrow!

Charm

Sprinting in rather quickly today, as the moving van is parked outside my townhouse ready to lug my belongings down to the white sandy beaches. However, just enough time to show you this painting that took my breath away the moment I saw it. A lover of all things art-related, I'm thinking the simplicity of this scene wouldn't be accustomed for a statement piece in a room, but rather gently tucked into a bookshelf, reading nook, or entry way, somewhere that when the eyes rest on it, the mind might think "Oh how charming..."

Tuesday's Monday Mantra

It's moving week and I feel as if I've waited for this time for far too long. With my life in boxes around me, I've had some serious reflection time lately and I'm sitting on the edge of my seat to begin this new chapter of mine. So since we skipped right over the normal Monday Mantra due to sweet America's little birthday celebration, I'll insert this week's mantra/life advice for this new career and life move of mine today:

Amen. And a happy, happy new (working) week to you all, little lovelies!

Happy {July 4th} Weekend

Hello, hello on this sunshine soaked Friday. Since I didn't post yesterday, I have a variety of randomness to put out there before I send you on your merry way to what is sure to be another fabulous Friday.

First and foremost, my heart and soul Mary Catherine started her job at the ever-chic fashion label Leona this week. And (seeing as I have still not mustered the time outside of work day hours to return her call,) I thought I'd showcase a few of my favorite Leona pieces as a groveling apology.
I've blogged about Leona before, I know. But with its perfect combination of prep and sass, Leona is on my grown-up-salary wish list at the very tip top. Let's zoom straight ahead to the fall collection, shall we?

Just perfect.

In other news, I'm headed down for a quick and very spontaneous trip to New Orleans (let's say it with a southern accent: New Orleens) in just a matter of hours. With the house packed in boxes, art work off the walls, and only a few pieces of clothing still hanging in the desolate closet of mine, a little last minute adventure with friends seems just what the doctor ordered to ward off the moving blues. So this weekend will be all about cajun cuisine, jazz, and some heavy accents. Color me excited. 

Last but most certainly not least, here's to wishing you a fabulous Fourth of July Weekend. I know I talk lots about being a southern girl, but another thing I am is an American girl, tried and true. The national anthem gives me chill bumps every. single. time. So naturally, Monday is my second favorite holiday (Behind New Years Eve, duh. You can't count Christmas because it's everyone's. Must be something about those fireworks. And glitter?) Although this year it will be a little more low key than years past- with the big move upon me it will be spent with family and sweet goodbyes- but I'm still looking forward to the Three B's: Beer, BBQ, and Bathing Suits.

So here's to a Happy Independence Day, and may yours be filled with the sparkly excitement that makes life just so much fun, and a wonderful weekend leading up to it!

Shameless Advertising

I was skeptical about whether or not I could use this blog to do this, but my smart friend Jessica told me I absolutely could, so here goes:
See this angel?

Well, there's twelve more where she came from. Because my mom now has twelve goldendoodles (that's a golden retriever and standard poodle mix, mind you) on her hands that she's anxious to sell and get out of her hair. 

I obviously don't have to tell you how cute they are. But I will tell you they are all khaki colored. Some have the curly hair as photographed above, while others have a slightly less curly, more wavy coat. And they don't shed. Did you hear that? They don't shed.
Not to mention they may be the smartest dogs in the whole world because those poodles, well, they're basically like people. I'm pretty sure I'll be taking one to my new home to be my companion as I'm living by myself. A girl's gotta have company, right?

(If you're seriously interested, you can inquire for more info at 662-296-6056 or 662-419-3356. They are all registered with papers and have had their first shots.)