MY BEST FRIEND CLAUDE GOT MARRIED! 11.22.14

So last month I headed up north on the Amtrak train to Manhattan for my best friend's bachelorette party. The view from our hotel room was awesome. The best of the Big Apple. We had a small lunch (my first time experiencing Thai food), got our nails and eyebrows done at a spa, then we had dinner at LIPS cabaret in Manhattan. The show was everything!

The Day of the wedding... the morning was tense of course something went wrong... WE COULDN'T FIND MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING RING!!! So the bridal suite was flipped upside down and eventually she had to come up out of her dress to find it. I was in the wedding so sorry very few pics of the ceremony and reception but it was at the grand Garden City Hotel in Long Island and everything was perfection! I love my best friend dearly and was so honored to be apart of her day. 

22 BLACK OWNED ETSY BUSINESSES FOR BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING!!!

Junkprints - Clothing, Accessories, Art and General Dopeness 
Flowers From Fatima - Flower Hair Clips and Accessories for All Occasions
Primrose Press - Eco-friendly letterpress stationery that connects sender and recipient in more meaningful and personal way than everyday electronic correspondence.
PEACE IMAGES - Jewelry. Culture. Art. Growth.
Beija-Flor Naturals - Organic skin care and natural hair products
Brown Butter Beauty - Natural Hair & Body Products
Yes Lioness - Original Paintings & Illustrations, T-shirts, Journals, Keepsake boxes, Cards
Urban Heirlooms - Leather Bags & Accessories Featuring Antique Keys
Amani at Home - unique pillows are inspired by African cultures mixing traditional with modernism.
2 Chic Designs - Handbags, clutches, wristlets, accessories
Skinfolk - Mother Nature's Raw and Exotic Fruit Body Butters
InlVibez: Specializing in One of a kind Crochet Garments, Accessories and other Africa Inspired pieces!!
Calabash Creations - an eclectic mix of handmade cards, art, and gift items
Diggs Design Studio - Art Prints, Note Cards and Necklaces
QuellyRue Designs - a spectacular range of handmade tote bags, hair accessories, African jewelry, contemporary jewelry, crocheted hats and scarves, brooches, tech accessories and more.
BoutiqueDeBandeaux - Thick, Curly, & Natural Hair Accessories!
By EA: vegan knitwear and accesories by Elizabeth Antoinette
Indigofera - Real Plant Based Hair Care
AfriqueLaChic: Afrocentric Jewelry & Natural Hair Accessories
Three Little Birds Tees - Wear one of our positive, fashionable and culturally aware 100% cotton tees and utilize your power to spread positive vibes and help make the world we live in a better place.
lkdKids: The perfect place to get accessories for babies and kids. From crib quilts to onesies to dolls.
Azuha: Handmade Crochet Accessories & Semi Precious Stone Jewelry

Bills, Bills, Bills...

                O.K. I know I'm 27... I should be used to paying bills by now. True, I've been out of the nest since age 19 and yet and still I struggle with paying my bills as I should. But this week I've decided to make a change. 

A SERIOUS LIFE ALTERING CHANGE!!!! I will pay my bills first, stick to a plan, and save at least $100 a month going forth. TRUST THIS WILL BE THE HARDEST CHALLENGE OF MY FINANCIAL LIFE, but its a must. I can no longer lean on my adorably loyal boyfriend and drain his funds.

     So since I get paid each week my plan is weekly. So each week as soon as my direct deposit hits, IM PAYING BILLS. Then after work that day ill go to the ATM and withdrawal my allotted spending money for the week and keep it pushing. WISH ME LUCK!!!

Maryland Renaissance Festival

The Renaissance Festival is in Crownsville, Maryland literally ever year.... and this was my first time attending. It was everything I wanted and more. I only wish id gone on a Saturday so that I could partake in the libation.

Its literally like walking into another world. A lot of the festival goers played the part as well... then we had a lot of furries and storm troopers. But hey its all fun. 

I GOT A FLOWER BECAUSE IM A PRETTY MAIDEN

The turkey leg was the best part... i came for the turkey leg. 

Allow me to Reintroduce Myself....

I am Ashley Lauren.

Im 27.

and the world is my playground.
And I will never EVER forget that ever again.

Puerrrrrrto Riicoooooo!!!! 2014 Trip

Fianlly got around to editing the video from the trip to Puerto Rico this past May. Her it is. Now im kinda pissed off i didnt record my experience at Bonnaroo but there is always next year right?