Happy Birthday, Ainsley!

Happy 

Birthday

Ainsley!!

Today is my sister's 17th birthday.  She has reached the age, I wish I could stay forever.  Seventeen was the perfect balance between independence and no responsibility.  You can read all about my sister and I, here.  

There are seven years between my sister and I.  For most of our lives, we have not looked alike at all, but the older she gets the more we look alike.  We have had different people, one of my dad's co-workers and an acquaintance of mine, ask if we were twins.  I don't see it?  Do y'all?

I went home this past weekend to celebrate her birthday.  She was a contestant in our county pageant.

I introduce you to Miss Jasper County...

Interview dress

Casual Wear

Evening Wear

What to know something else amazing and tear-jerking?  For those of you that have been following for a while, you might remember when I asked for prayers for a family friend that had been diagnosed with cancer. {see here}  That incredibly strong, beautiful lady won Teen Miss Jasper County.

Kenize and Ainsley

God is so good!!

Soulfully,

Ashton

As of Late...

via

This little baby has been neglected for a week and a half, now.  I am starting to get $hit from my best friend and my sister.  {Both of you can just lock it up!}

Well, it has been a busy week and a half, and it will not slow down until Monday.  The same day Jana and I launched The Belles of Saturday, I started classes for my third year of law school.  I have been adjusting to my new schedule and classes.  Last weekend, I was out of town for a school retreat.  This week has been about the same with several back to school meetings and so forth.  I will be in back in full force after today.  Let me give you a run down of my schedule...

Mondays & Wednesdays:

9:00-10:20 - Secured Transactions

It is all about borrowing money from a creditor with a item of collateral attached to ensure the loan in case the debtor defaults.

10:30-11:50 - Civil Tax Procedure

What to do when a client gets audited by the IRS and how to obtain a withheld tax return.

1:30-2:50 - Commercial Law

Contracts for the sale of goods.  A good is anything that is moveable at the time of the contract.

6:10-7:30 - Elder Law

The rights of the elderly - employment discrimination, health-care, estate planning, & nursing home care

I am tired just reading it.  All I want to do when I get out of class is go crawl in by bed - which I usually do.

Tuesdays & Thursdays

1:30-2:50 - Estate Planning

Making sure your client's monies go where they what them to go when they pass away.  Also, attempting to avoid the federal estate tax.

No these days are not bad, but since I have a full load on M/W, I am preparing for those classes on T/Th.

This quote was the Real Simple Thought of the Day earlier this week, and I thought it was very fitting for me these past two weeks.

"It is good to have end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters, not the end." ~ Ursula K. LeGuin

Law school has always been the end goal for me, probably, since I was in middle school.  It bittersweet to see this part of my life coming to end this year.  I have had an amazing journey thus far, and I am looking forward to this year.  From my schedule, you can see I am not taking the easy way out for my final year.  I am taking the classes I am interested in, even though, they may be tougher.

I will be updating y'all on the more fun things going on in my life next week.  I am so grateful for the support each of you have soon Jana and I with our new blog adventure, The Belles of Saturday.  Football is truly a passion of mine and I am excited to share it with everyone.  Today, I am guest posting for Allie at Sundresses and Smiles.  I put together a Top Ten of Charleston.  Go check out my recommendations for the perfect Charleston trip.

Lastly, my heart is breaking for Pat Summit and the Lady Vols.  If you have not heard, Pat Summit, coach of the Lady Vols basketball team, has been diagnosed with dementia.  She is the winningest coach, male or female, in college basketball and she is also a fellow sister in Chi Omega.  I hate to see any mind be lost, but a mind like Pat Summit's is something that does not come around often.  I have read one of her books and she is truly inspiration and a great leader.

I hope all that are heading back to school right now are having a smooth transition.

Happy Thursday!

Soulfully,

Ashton

I Am Delighted to Introduce...

Who and what are The Belles of Saturday you ask?!

Jana and I have collaborated to start a blog completely devoted to Saturdays in the south.  Not to be excluding other regions of the country, but our main focus will be on the teams and towns of the SEC and ACC.  We encourage any outside the region to guest post about football in other areas of the country.

We will be featuring gameday fashion, tailgating recipes, and mini football lessons.  Each week one town from the SEC and one town from the ACC will be highlighted.  Personal input is greatly appreciated and wanted.  If you went to a school in the SEC or ACC, please let us know all about your football experience.  We are planning to do a weekly link-up on Monday for tailgating slash gameday pictures and weekend wrap-ups from across the football landscape.

Head on over The Belles of Saturday...meet the Belles and find out why we love football so much!

Soulfully,

Ashton

Friday Fancies: Rockin' Red - Hootie & The Blowfish

I have reached the last weekend of my summer.  And, it might be the best yet.  Saturday night, I am going to the Hootie & The Blowfish concert on Daniel Island!  This week's Friday's Fancies just happens to be "rockin' red."  I would love to rock out this weekend in this red beauty.

Parker One-Shoulder Ruffle Dress

Anthropologie Glaucus Belt

Jules Smith Surf Bangle

Micheal Kors Wilshire Wedges

I am sure for many of you outside of SC Hootie is no longer on your radar or might have never been on your radar.  Hootie was in their prime 15 years ago and they are playing two sold-out concerts this weekend.  We love our hometown band.  The members of Hootie met in The Towers (a set of dorms at USC...may they rest in peace) during their freshman year of college.  And, the rest is 90s jam band history.

Part of the Hootie "statute" in 5 points.

At the tender age of 7, when Cracked Rear View hit the shelves, my mom introduced me to the one of the greatest bands of the 90s.  I remember heading to the beach on Hilton Head and jamming to Time, Let Her Cry, and Hold My Hand.  I have many fond memories associated with all of Hootie's songs.  Like driving to college on move-in day and listening to Hootie the whole way.  I am excited that my Mom, sister, and one of her friends is coming up for the concert.  I am looking forward to sharing this concert with them.  

Now for a peek at some exciting news!  Jana and I have been putting together something AH-mazing for all you belles.  Y'all will get to see it all on Monday.  I will leave you with this though as a hint...

Have a great weekend friends!

Soulfully,

Ashton

Last Hooray!

Thank y'all for all my wonderful birthday messages! They definitely made my day.  My Mom and Nana drove up to Charleston on Monday to have lunch with me before I had to jet off to first-year orientation.  I have been busy with that for the past two and half days.  I have been meaning to sit down and recap my weekend in the country, and just have not had the time for several reasons.  One reason I will partial reveal tomorrow!  Let's just say for now that y'all should get excited.

So here is my weekend in a few pictures...

Hey boys! 

The guys are standing in the "library" of the "party barn."

Connolly and I

It was Connolly's birthday that Saturday. 

Connolly, Laura Anne, and I

 LA and Cole were so gracious to have us for the weekend!

Just your average water buffalos on the wall.

Vintage Dale Jr.

Comfy recliners.

One of the rooms in the "party barn" had about eight of these comfy red leather recliners.  All sitting in front of a 50+ inch TV.   

Trey and Miss Bella

Anthony, Nate, Luke, and Cody

Here is where the night went from normal to partay...

Charleston  bloggers come to Social tonight at 6:00!  Looking forward to meeting everyone.

Soulfully,

Ashton

Trip Around The Sun

via

"Every day's a revolution
Pull it together and it comes undone
Just one more candle and a trip around the sun"

Today, I begin my 24th trip around the sun!  And, they just keep getting better and better.  I share my birthday with my Nana (my mom's mom). We have a joint birthday dinner every year.

Twenty-three was a great year!  I grew so much as a person and learned things about myself and others that I never knew before.  I made lots new friends {in part to this blog} and reconnected with old friends.  I found "my place" in the legal profession.  I learned to be single, again.  I took a few trips, attended a couple concerts, cheered the Gamecocks to victory, saw it snow twice in SC, soaked up the sun, and started blogging.  If twenty-four is anything like twenty-three, I will be a happy girl.

Twenty-four will be a year of big moves.  As I start my third-year of law school, I will be making the decision to either "start" the real world or go for one more final year of school.  Lets be honest, I am leaning towards the latter.  I am applying for my LL.M. {law masters} in tax.  My top two schools are University of Florida and Georgetown {ah yeah! D.C.!}.  Whichever I chose, I will most likely be leaving the comfort of Charleston by this time next year and uncertain for most of the year where I will be moving.  Wish me luck as I begin another trip around the sun!

Soulfully,

Ashton

Post Title: Jimmy Buffett, "Trip Around the Sun"

Friday Fancies: Weekend Getaway

Pump the brakes! This week has gone by way too fast.  I only have one week until school starts back in full force, and I am NOT ready.  Ordering books the other day was depressing.

Alright, enough of my pity-party.  I am so nerdy that a week back into school I will be loving it.

As I mentioned earlier this week, I am heading to the country for the weekend.  It is going to be great to get out of town for a few days.  Most of us that are going all started law school together in Section C {aka our homeroom}.  Our class is divided into three sections of 60 people, and you are with those same 60 people for all classes, lunches, happy hours, and holidays {Thanksgiving, mostly}.  These people become more than friends; they are your family for three years.

I will definitely be "maxing" out summer this weekend.  Though I do have one more weekend of true freedom, this weekend will be filled with all things summer is suppose to be.  This week's Friday Fancies is paying homage to the maxi dress and "maxing" out summer.  Head over to {LDL} and tell {av} what you are fancying this Friday.

Riller & Fount High Low Dress

Anthroplogie Marina Belt

Anthroplogie Figure-Eight Necklace

K. Jaques Jival Asymmetrical Sandals

Thanks to Kim, all of us Charleston bloggers are getting together.  If you have not heard...

Happy weekend!

Soulfully,

Ashton

Ramblings

via

I wanted to share some random thoughts and observations I have had this past week...

{one}

Why do couples flock to the dance floor when the song "Friends in Low Places" comes on?  We went to  Reds Icehouse this past weekend to see my favorite band, Homemade Wine.  When they played the first chords of Garth's most famous song, all these couples rushed the dance floor.  Many were slow dancing and others were doing a variation of the shag.  I found this very odd.  Do they not realize the song is about a girl's ex-boyfriend showing up at her wedding to kick her husband's a$$?

{two}

One of Elizabeth's guy friends flew in from Texas for her birthday.  While we were at Reds, he made the comment that all the guys there were dressed the same, i.e. polo, khakis, and loafers.  When I say polo is goes beyond the Ralph Lauren brand, it catches all such collared shirts.  When I say khakis, I am referring to the style and fabric rather than the color.  Loafers are anything from boat shoes to drivers.  I have never really given much thought to the seemingly "uniform" of southern gentleman, because it is just the norm.  I suppose in certain parts of the country the SG uniform is not as common or widely worn.

{three}

I finally went one weekend this summer without someone I know getting engaged.  Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled and excited for everyone of my friends that has gotten engaged this summer, but it is a constant reminder that I am single.  Thanks!  Yet, again, I am happy being single and were I am at in my life, but still...ya know how it is.  Also, all these summer engagements mean summer weddings in 2012.  The summer, I will be studying for the bar and won't be able to make it to half of them.

{four}

Early this week, I watched Life As We Know It.  It is a cute movie and if you have seen it, you should.  The parents of a precious one-year-old tragically die in a car accident.  They leave their daughter to their best friends, who are not married and have had a interesting romantic past.  As I was watching the movie, it got me thinking who I would leave my future children to {outside of my family}.  Something to ponder.

Soulfully,

Ashton

Birthday Party Recap

Elizabeth and I rented out the Upstairs at Midtown for our birthday party.  We had an open bar and several appetizers.  We hung up posters with our monograms for everyone to sign birthday messages on.  We even ordered koozies for the special occasion.  If you live in the Charleston area and looking for a place to throw a party, I strongly suggest you check out Upstairs at Midtown.  We had plenty of room for our 50 or so guests.  They room is equipped with a iPod connection, so you can be your own DJ.

Our sign downstairs

Heather, Nate, Edward, and I

Birthday girls

Ainsley and I

Allen, Ray, Brandon, Ainsley, and I

Our cakes!

After cutting our cakes, we made our way downstairs to enjoy the band and see everyone else in the bar.  I had some leftover koozies, so I decided that I would hand them out people in the bar.  I was so happy and excited that Mary Loyal spotted me and introduced herself.  She, of course, was given a koozie.

Law school ladies - see my lovely basket of koozies

Jonathan and I...not sure where these spots came from?!

Jonathan, Brandon, and I

I believe everyone had a great time!  I know I did.  Definitely going down as one of my favorite birthdays.  Oh and the koozies had a wonderful saying on them...

"Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional!"

This is going to be my motto for the next year as I prepare for the real world after law school.  

Soulfully,

Ashton

My Favorite Month...

August is my favorite month for many reasons, my birthday being one of them.  It is always a busy month filled with lots of fun activities.  This year is no exception.  My summer is definitely being bookended with two wonderful months {see here}.

First up, it is Shark Week and Mob Week {thank goodness for DVR}.  I love The Godfather trilogy, even though the third is not that great and therefore will not be played during Mob Week.  Shark Week is awesome and got some serious cred after Step Bros.

Wednesday of this week marks the {un}official start of the 2011 South Carolina football season.  OH Happy Day!  Opening day of football season is truly a holiday to me.  I cannot wait for September 3rd.  I live for Saturdays in the fall.

This coming weekend a few of us from school are heading to a friend's farm for one last getaway before school starts.  I use the term "farm" loosely.  It is more like a small plantation of sorts.  Regardless of what I call it, this weekend will be EPIC.

THEN! It is my birthday on the 8th, which conveniently falls on the first day of orientation for the newbies at CSOL.  I have to be there bright and early.  Oh well, I will get to soak up all my birthday day has to offer.  I, also, share my birthday with my grandmother.

As part of mine and my sister's birthday {August 29th}, my mom got us tickets to Hootie and The Blowfish on August 13th.  This is their annual homegrown show on Daniel Island.  Part of the proceeds go to buy school supplies for the area schools.  Collection bins are also set up outside the concert.

Last year's concert

On August 15th, I start my last year of law school!  I never thought this day would come.  It is a bittersweet moment for me.  As exciting as graduating will be, I don't want it to come to an end.  And being the big nerd that I am, going to Staples/Target to get new pens, planner, notebooks, and post-its is fun to me.

My parent's 25th wedding anniversary is August 23rd and Ainsley's 17th birthday is August 29th.  With everything going on, August is going to fly by, but I am okay with that.  Fall is almost here!

Who is ready for football?!

Soulfully,

Ashton