Weekend Recap: Funtivities

This past weekend was filled with lots of events - like Facebook official events.

To say that it was "fun" would be an understatement.

It started out on Thursday night with Jams for Justice put on my the Criminal Law Society.  All of the proceeds for the night went to the Equal Justice Initiative.  EJI provides legal services to indigent defendants.  Jams for Justice is an all out riot!  Offer law students free beer for two hours, and you have a recipe for a success of a night!

Heather and I won second place (a $50 gift certificate to Midtown) for a lovely rendition of "Baby Got Back."  There is no shame in our game.  The "celebrity" judges were one of our deans and two professors.

Judge's Table

Friday night was Women in Law's annual silent auction.  Auction items varied from dinners with professors to Widespread Panic tickets.  All of the proceeds went to My Sister's House.  My Sister's House is a non-disclosed shelter for women who are victims of domestic violence.  I purchased a Ray Tanner signed baseball.  Ray is the head coach at Carolina.  I also got brunch for two at The Top at Carolina.  This restaurant is located at the top of one of the dorms at Carolina.  It gives a panoramic view of Columbia.

Following a super fun editing party for law review, Heather and I headed out to Shem Creek for Mardi Crawl.  We were meeting up with friends that had been enjoying the sunshine and beer all day.

Our favorite band from Knoxville, TN was playing that night.  Homemade Wine is a Trop-Rock band that plays everything from Jimmy Buffett to Alman Brothers to Poison to Zac Brown Band. Nate, one of my best friend's in law school, grew up with the lead singer.  HMW plays often here in Charleston and we have become somewhat of groupies.  Rather than playing from their normal stage inside Red's, they played on the deck of a catamaran.

You can't make it out in this picture, but Ryan, the leader singer, is wearing a UT hat.  Being from Knoxville, the band members are die-hard Vols fans.  They will play Rocky Top at least once a night which is only a "few" less times than what the UT marching band plays it during a game.  For the sake of friendship, I sing along with these gentlemen.

Lindsay, Nate, and Blake

Nate and I 

 Signs of a good night: buckets of beer and an empty gatorade bottle.

Why people over a certain age should not be allowed to drink all day at a bar...

Don't know who this lady is, but Heather 'likes' it!

Elizabeth, Heather, and I

Ah! I wish I could listen to live music every weekend!
I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway before Friday! (here)
Happy Monday, friends!

Soulfully,

Ashton

Priorities...Job Comes First

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!  And enjoying beautiful weather like we have in Charleston today.  I am not!  I am in the lawbrary.  Ugh...school is getting in the way of my life.

I know several people have posted this video already but I had to share it.  This little lady reminds me of myself at the age of five.  And, now still!

From an early age, my parents instilled independence and leadership in me.  My mom told me at the young age of two or three that I needed to be a doctor or a lawyer so I would not have to rely on a man.  As any young child does, I repeated everything I heard.  So when I would be asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would tell them exactly what my mom had told me.  Out of the mouths of babes.

I am so thankful for my parents giving me an independent streak a mile long.  They have always supported me and have never told me I couldn't doing something because I was a girl.

As y'all know I took the legal path rather than medical.

So here is to all those independent, trail-blazing women how want to have a job before they are married!

Soulfully,

Ashton

Friday, Friday & A Giveaway

I am so glad it is Friday and the weekend is finally here.  It is going to be another busy weekend.  It started last night with Jams for Justice put on by the Criminal Law Society.  It is our annual karaoke contest.  Yours truly came home with the second place prize for mine and Heather's lovely rendition of "Baby Got Back."  This performance was in no way influenced by free beer or shots.  We have decided to take our show on the road.  Pictures to come later.  Tonight is our annual Women in Law silent auction.  Tomorrow, I have a macro (basically an editing party) for law review.  But, tomorrow afternoon/evening will be topped off with an old-fashioned bar crawl on Shem Creek.  Sunday, I will have to be productive, though I am sure I will have a hard time keeping my head up due to exhaustion!

Now for my weekly five questions...

1. Can you drive a stick shift?

I cannot drive stick shift.  I have always wanted to learn.  I think it is a useful skill to have.

2. What are two foods you just can't eat?

I am a texture person when it comes to my food.  If it has a funny texture, then I am probably not going to eat it/like it.  Collard greens are one food I cannot eat.  For one, I cannot get over the smell.  Also, the texture is just awful.  I cannot eat liver pudding.  I will not go into what is liver pudding for those that don't know, because I don't really even know.  But, my dad makes it and you can buy it in the stores.  It is definitely a southern "delicacy."  It is a texture thing, and I really don't want to eat anything called liver pudding.

3. Do you buy Girl Scout Cookies? What is your favorite kind?

I usually buy Girl Scout cookies every year.  My grandmother works at the Juliette Gordon Low house in Savannah, GA (here).  She orders cookies for the entire family.  My favorite are the traditional shortbread, thin mints, and peanut butter patties.  I am picking up my cookies on Tuesday!

4. How do you pamper yourself?

I love a good day at the spa - even it if a short day.  I am a big fan of mani/pedis.  Massages are my favorite thing in the world.  Since I am on a budget, I good bubble bath followed by DYI mani/pedi is my pampering these days.  Except when there is a Groupon.

5. What is your nickname and how did you get it?

I have all sorts of nicknames.  Some I will not mentioned for various reasons.  The ones I will mentioned were given to me growing up.

• Ash: this is an obvious one
• Ton: I have one friend that calls me Ton
• ABD/AD: some of my friends call me by my initials, not sure why...guess they just kinda roll of the tongue easy
• Ashepoo: as a child I loved Winnie the Pooh and there is also a river in the lowcountry called the Ashepoo.  This one is probably my favorite.

Nicknames are big in my family.  Everyone of us has a nickname and more often than not referred to our nickname rather than our real name.  My parent's real names are Penelope and Thaire, but they go by Penny and Scooter.

Power of Prayer

via

Prayer is the most powerful healer...at least in my opinion.  Prayer heals a multitude of ills, discomforts, and stresses.  I know a special, young girl that needs all the prayers she can get right now.  Kenzie was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma on Tuesday.  She is in school with my sister, and they are on the same cheerleading squad.  Her aunt's mom was my nanny from the time I was nine months until I was ten.

I have known Kenzie since she was little.  She is one of those children that always had a smile on their face.  She has a bubbly personality and is always well-mannered.

She started treatments today at the Medical University of South Carolina.  Please read her story in her own words.  Kenzie's life has been turned upside down in the matter of days.  I ask you to pray for her and her family.

Also, I ask you to pray for Emily's friend who is expecting.  Doctor's have found some abnormalities with her baby.  Please lift up her friend and her sweet baby.

If you are not a praying person, please just keep this wonderful people and their families in your thoughts.  Finally, I ask you to say an extra "I love you," today.  We never know when tragedy or unexpected circumstances is going to change our lives forever.

Soulfully,

Ashton

Wordless Wednesday - Docks

A somewhat wordless Wednesday...

Please play me while you read...

Docks are more than where the boat leaves from.  They are a gathering place for friends and family.  A place to watch the sun dip below the horizon line.  A place to sit a spell and enjoy a good book or cold beverage with friends.  A place to share that first kiss with a special someone.  A place to celebrate a nation's birth.  A place to gather with good company and watch the day go by.  A place to tie off an inner tube and lazily float.

I have fond memories of spending my summers playing on the rivers at home.  Our days would start at the dock by loading up the cooler and everyone piling on the boats.  It would end back on the dock for a few drinks and dinner whether it was burgers, lowcountry boil, or blue crabs caught off the dock that day.

There is a simple beauty in docks...

Well, I tipped the 50 followers scale the other night!  I am so excited that each of you stop by everyday to see what I have to say.  I love each and everyone of your comments.  I have even made new "best friends."  As promised I will be hosting a giveaway.  The details will be posted on Friday.  Have a wonderful rest of the week, friends!

Soulfully,

Ashton

It's Five O'Clock Somewhere

For those not in the know....It is National Margarita Day!

Who knew there was even such a day?  I love a good celebration, and if I am suppose to drink a margarita to do so...fine by me!

My favorite musician's name is synonymous with margaritas.  I wish Margaritaville was an actual place and not just a restaurant.

Jimmy's Perfect Margarita

1 oz. Margaritaville Gold Tequila

.5 oz Margaritaville Silver Tequila

.5 oz Triple Sec

.5 oz Orange Curacao

.5 oz Lime Juice

2 Lime Wedges

I will take my margaritas either way - just depends on time of year and where I am drinking them.  In light of today's holiday, I want to be here....

Islamorada

Watching a few of these...

Sunset from Islamorada Fishing Company

Sunset from Islamorada Fishing Company

Sunset from Lorelie's ~ Islamorada

Sunset from Lorelie's ~ Islamorada

Sunset from Mallory's Square ~ Key West

With one of these in my hand...

Margarita from Captain Tony's ~ Key West

Instead, I am in the lawbrary listening to Jimmy Buffett on iTunes.  Spring Break is a week and half away! YAY!  I won't be heading to some tropical location but I will hopefully be on the beach, here.  Especially, if this weather keeps up.

Who wants to go get Margs for happy hour?  I am not going to let this holiday slip by without celebrating.

Soulfully,

Ashton

Happy President's Day

Hail to the Chief and great one-day sales!

Thank you, Mr. Presidents of the past for being so awesome that many of us get the day off from work/school and that retail stores give me incentive to buy new clothes.

Gap - 44% off entire purchase (honoring all 44 presidents)

Limited - 40% off entire purchase even sale items

Ann Taylor Loft - 25% off entire full-price purchase

JCrew Outlet - extended online purchase time and free shipping on all purchases

Heather and I plan to go for quick shopping walk down King Street this afternoon.  I will share any and all of my purchases soon.  There is no way I can go in a store and not purchase something.

In all seriousness, the men that have lead our country have fostered freedom, liberty, and the American spirit.  Each President has left a legacy in one form or another - some better than others.  They have been resilient and steadfast in their endeavors to bring about a nation that holds the basic civil liberties of all people in the highest regard.  Their backgrounds have been as varied as the people they governed.  Through the years, those backgrounds and experiences had shaped the modern Presidency.

George Washington 

Thomas Jefferson

Andrew Jackson

Abraham Lincoln

Theodore Roosevelt

Franklin D. Roosevelt

John F. Kennedy

Ronald Reagan

George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush

Bill Clinton

Barack Obama

“The presidency has made every man who occupied it, no matter how small, bigger than he was; and no matter how big, not big enough for its demands.” ~ Lyndon B. Johnson

Soulfully,

Ashton

Weekend Recap - Good Friends, Great Wine, and Beautiful Weather

It was a near perfect weekend in Charleston.  I could not have asked for better weather.  I am talking gorgeous blue skies, plenty of sunshine, and a little breeze.

I had a very dear friend come in town with her boyfriend.  We had a wonderful time and had lots of activities in store.

Friday night, we ate at Basil on Upper King.  This area of Charleston has become "trendy hot spot" for grad students, young professionals, and a few CofC students.

Following dinner, we headed over to a friend's house for an oyster roast.  It was not our original plan to go to the oyster roast, but several of our friends from home were there.  So, we decided to forewent the crowds downtown for some oysters, natural light (classy, yes!), and socializing around a fire.

Sara ad I

Bo and Sara

High School Friends

Friday night was very chill and we had many laughs - as you see I am about mid-giggle in the above picture.

Saturday, I pretended that I was a wine connoisseur.  The Southeastern Wildlife Expo was this weekend.  The Expo is held annually in Charleston.  It features numerous exhibits, a soiree, and various wildlife shows.  In the spirit of buying local, a special tent is set-up for products locally produced/manufactured and given the seal of Certified SC Grown.

Close family friends started a vineyard a little over a year ago in my hometown.  They do everything on-site from growing the grapes to bottle, labeling, and corking the wine.  September Oaks wine is made from the flavors of muscadine grapes.  They produce pure muscadine wines as well as blends - Merlot, Seyval, and most recently fruits.

So back to me being a wine connoisseur...I worked the SOV booth and acted as though I didn't buy wine based on how pretty the label looks.  I handed out samples of wines and actually sold a bottle or two.

Peach Sunrise and Kiwi Gold were uncorked this weekend for the first time and were a big hit.

All SOV wines are named after South Carolina icons and symbols - Crescent Moon, Yellow Jasmine, and Carolina Wren (just to name a few).  If you are a fan of muscadine wines, I recommend you trying some.  If you are not, I still recommend you try some.  SOV can be ordered online and shipped in-state (sorry for those out of SC).  It is also available at Total Wines and Boone Hall Farms here in Charleston and Greene's in Columbia.  I got a bottles of the Family Reserve Red, Crescent Moon, and Kiwi Gold.

That afternoon, I meet up with Sara and Bo to watch the Dock Dog competition.  This is similar to the competitions you may have seen on TV.  There is distance and height jumping contest.  Dock Dogs is held on the banks of the Ashley River.

Carolina Sunshine

Saturday night, we braved the crowds downtown.  After only a couple drinks, we decided to go home.  Don't get me wrong, we had a great time but there was almost too many people for it to be enjoyable.

We topped off the weekend with brunch at Fleet Landing.  We were fortunate enough to get a table on the heated porch overlooking the Harbor.

Today, I joined a group of friends from school to watch the Daytona 500.  Uh yeah, I watch NASCAR and have gone to several races.  If you think I am a "redneck" and decide to stop reading that is okay.  I promise I am not.  I, by no means, sit down every Sunday and watch from green flag to checkers.  I mostly enjoy the social aspect and the spectator watching.

I love weekends like this past one - where I am surrounded by long-time friends and new friends.  I, also, ran into many college friends that were in town for SEWE.

I am sooo not ready for Monday or the week ahead.

Hope y'all had a good weekend...can't wait to hear about it!

Soulfully,

Ashton

photo courtesy - Olivia-Rae