TGIF

It has been a while since I have linked up with My Little Life, so I figured I would today.

1. Have you worn the same outfit more than one day in a row?

I am going to have to say, yes!  I don't really remember when but I definitely have.  I typically wear jeans a couple of times before washing them.  But, who doesn't?!

2. If you had to choose any LARGE city to live in, which would it be?

Clearly, if you have been reading lately, you can answer this...(1) Washington, D.C. (2) San Diego (never been but it I think I would enjoy it) (3) NYC (4) Charlotte, NC (5) Disney World - does that count as a city.

3. Fly or drive with the kids on vacation?

I don't have kids and have never traveled with little ones.  I personally love a good road trip with a group friends.  Something about being in close quarters for numerous hours that brings out the best in people.  However, I love to fly and people watching in airports.  I always wandering whether they are coming or going and where that might be.

4. What is your idea of "spring cleaning"?

Getting rid of all old clothes and donating them to Goodwill...scrubbing every inch of my house...reorganizing my desk...raking the yard...and so much more

5. What is the best book you have ever read?

I have several books that are my "favorite" and many that I have read multiple times.  Jimmy Buffett's "Salty Piece of Land" is a definite favorite.  Gone With the Wind is also on that list.

Last Bat at the Blatt...

In the bottom of the 11th with the game tied, one out, and a runner on third, Whit Merrifield was at bat with a 2-0 count.  Could this be it?  Could this be South Carolina's time to win the National Championship?  I wasn't going to believe it until Scott Wingo touched home.  I was a basket-case...watching it by myself with Mr. Tully Mars and the game on mute (the ESPN commentators were making me mad).  You see, South Carolina is plagued by the Chicken Curse.  This curse prevents any good team to prosper at South Carolina.

Well, the Chicken Curse was shaken in 2010.  Whit Merrifield had the last bat at the famed Rosenblatt Stadium.  Whit will be remembered forever by all Gamecocks.

But, I am getting a little ahead of myself.  South Carolina had to battle back from an opening game lose to make their way to the championship series.  They were not only playing for a championship; they were playing for a special little boy, Bayler Teal.  Bayler had been diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2008.  He lost his fight with this terrible disease during the College World Series.  The team had become close to the Teal family through the years.  Coach Holbrook did not tell the team that Bayler had passed away until after their game that day.  Playing an elimination game with Oklahoma, Carolina was down to its last out in the bottom of the 12th.  Brady Thomas's base hit was good enough to score Jackie Bradley, Jr and set-up an elimination series with our in-state rival, Clemson.

One thing was certain, a team from South Carolina was going to be facing UCLA in the championship series.  This just goes to show the level of baseball played in SC.  We had to beat Clemson twice to advance.  Again, I was thinking "we are going to mess it up."  However, we had a little angel on our side.

As we moved on to the championship series, Gamecocks everywhere were wondering is THIS it?  Are we, finally, going to win our first national championship in a major men's sport?

Whit Merrifield after the ball touched down in right field.

Scott Wingo touching home!

Jackie Bradley,  Jr. - College World Series MVP

We are the CHAMPIONS!

The Gamecocks return to the diamond today at 3:00.  I wish I could be there, but I have class all day.  Boo!  

For those of you that don't know me IRL, I am a sports fanatic.  Ok, maybe that is a little extreme, but I do love sports.  Being the first born and my Dad having all girls, I was chosen to watch sports with him and to understand them.  I started playing t-ball/softball when I was five and continued to play through high school.  I like basketball, but I don't have the same love of the game as I do for football and baseball.  Maybe, it's a southern thing?

The most exciting thing about baseball opening today is that spring is upon us! 

Have a wonderful weekend y'all!

Soulfully,

Ashton

Summertime's Calling Me...

When I walked out my house this morning, I could not have been greeted by more beautiful weather for the month of February.  It only made me want summer to get here even faster.

I drove to school with the windows down and beach music playing on my iPod.  And, I am not talking about that Beach Boys stuff...I am talking real Carolina Beach Music by General Johnson and Chairman of the Board, The Embers, The Catalinas, and The Drifters.  I grew up listening to these tunes with my parents - riding around in my Dad's truck, at my parent's parties, and out on the boat.

Learning to shag is a rite of passage in the Carolinas (South and North).  I think my parents started teaching my sister and I to shag around the age of five.  For those of you, unfamiliar with South Carolina's state dance, it goes something likes this...

I, by no means, am as good as these semi-professional dancers, but I do know my way around the dance floor.  South Carolina even has a shaggers hall of fame.  One tidbit about the Shag - it was a dance designed for a gentleman to have his beer in one hand and his lady in the other.  It is also a dance that can easily be learned.  My dad taught himself when he went to college by tying a tie to his bed post and "dancing" with it.

Dad and I shagging at Carolina Cup 2007.

In the summer, shag nights are held all over the coastal regions of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia.  All ages attend and shag the night away.  The Shag is more than a dance is symbolizes a way of life only found at the beach.  Yes, people shag all over the Southeast and other parts of the country, but each shagger is taken back to the lazy, hazy days of summer when dancing it.  I am reminded of sunburnt shoulders, sand between my toes, and salt dried hair.  There is even a movie based on a "true story" about the shag and the lifestyle it invokes.  Here is a brief clip from the end of the movie...

I love the line at the end where Carson says, "We wanted to go to the beach and meet boys and go to wild parties and dance."  Because isn't that what every summer road trip is suppose to be about?!? If you have never seen this movie, you should rent/netflix/buy it!

I have a iTunes playlist dedicated to beach music that has close to 150 songs.  Here are my Top 15 Favorite Songs on that list (in no particular order):

1. Shama Lama Ding Dong

2. Soul Days (sorry for the poor quality)

3. Carolina Girls

4. I Love Beach Music

5. Barefootin'

6. Be Young, Be Foolish, But Be Happy

(This was my senior quote)

7. Ms. Grace

8. Double Shot of My Baby's Love

9. I'd Rather Be in Carolina

10. Monkey Time

11. Gone Fishin'

12. If You Can't Shag

13. She Can't Fix Grits

14. Under the Boardwalk

15. Walking Up A One Way Street

"Beach people love life harder than anybody else. We do! We have a tendency to be, well, slightly excessive in our behavior. You usually won't see us eat on boiled peanut, drink one beer, tell one joke, or get just a little bit of sun." ~ Dorothea Benton Frank

Do you have any memorable shagging experiences?  Have you always wanted to learn? Or, did you have no clue what I was talking about?

Soulfully,

Ashton

WILW

My life needs to check itself...and slow down! 

Spring Break is two weeks away which means that exams are fast approaching...Eeeekkk!

I'm loving the beautiful weather we are having in Charleston! High tomorrow is 71º.  Just hoping for no more cold snaps.  Bring on light, fresh spring breezes, sundresses, and blooming flowers!

I'm loving that Carolina baseball opens on Friday! I will confess that I listen/watch games online.  I love the sound of cleats on concrete and the ping of a metal bat.  I love the smells of the ballpark - hot dogs on the grill and fresh grass.  I love munching in on boiled peanuts and sunflower seeds.

Carolina Stadium

I'm loving that SEWE (Southeastern Wildlife Expo) is this weekend.  I have several friends coming in town for it.  There will be tons of exhibits and shows all over downtown Charleston.  I am most excited about the Dock Dogs competition.

I'm loving Heather and I sitting down and planning our non-existing weddings on Valentine's Day when BHLDN launched their bridal line.

Top Three Wedding Dresses

Top Two Bridesmaid's Dresses

Heather approved of both of these, so I am good to go.

I want this one just for fun...to wear to some fancy ball...

Seriously contemplating picking my wedding dress based on whether or not I would be able to wear these shoes...

I am nowhere near marriage and nor do I want to be at this point in my life...but it is so fun to look and get a little head start.

I'm loving all my successful Chi Omega sisters.  Recently, I have talked about them a lot and the various things they are doing.

Before Senior Bar Crawl, April 2009

I'm loving these words of wisdom.  We don't know the plan, but believe me there is one.  We just have to trust it, and ask questions later never.

via

Happy Wednesday!

Tell Jamie what you are loving, too.

Soulfully,

Ashton

Almost 50...

I almost have 50 followers! This makes me very happy.  When I started this blog, I had no clue where it would take me or if people would even be interested in reading.

I have decided to do a giveaway for when I reach 50 followers.

Basically, if you read and are not an "official" follower you need to be one and/or tell a friend to come, sit, and read a spell.

I have not picked out my giveaway item yet, but I promise it will be good.

Soulfully,

Ashton

Emma Graham Designs

Have you ever had a dream of doing something that you thought was impossible or how in the world would I got about doing it?  Or being a young adult, you ponder what you will do when you "grow UP?"  How about throwing caution to the wind and starting your own clothing line?

Well, Emma and Jackie did just that!  Emma and I were sororities sisters at USC.  She was a fashion merchandising major.  Emma always looked fabulous when going out or just to class.  She even designed and made some pieces for herself and a few of our friends.

The summer after we graduated from college, she and Jackie launched Emma Graham Designs.  They started with two simple skirts and now have a full line of skirts, dresses, and tops.  They have retailers in 12 states across the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and Puerto Rico.  They will be traveling this spring doing trunk shows at various universities and colleges.  Follow them on Facebook to see when they will be in your area.

Their line is fresh and clean, yet fun and colorful!  Many of their skirts and dresses can transition from day to night.  And, they can be dressed up for a special event or down for casual night with friends.  The different pieces are named after Emma's and Jackie's friends.  There are several things I want to get for this spring/summer season - i.e., Mary-Kate top, Kerry dress, and Kristen skirt.  I hope you see something you like and purchase it.  For those of you in South Carolina (or even NC or GA) these are perfect outfits for Cup.  If you are like me, I am constantly looking for new gameday outfits.  They will be tailoring their pieces to your school's colors in the fall in their Campus Collection.

Coincidentally, as I was planning on doing a post this week on Emma Graham, because their new website just launched...Summer Wind is having an Emma Graham giveaway.  When I saw her post yesterday morning, I got very excited.  She is giving a Dayna skirt to one lucky girl.

  

Lets just say, I would love to win this giveaway!  

Congratulations to Emma and Jackie on their growing and successful business!  I only see things getting bigger and better for these two.  I can't wait for them to come to Charleston for a trunk show.

Soulfully,

Ashton

I Heart You!

Hello, all my lovely followers! I love each and everyone of you.

I started blogging almost two months ago.  It has been so rewarding, inspirational, and a source of happiness for me.  I owe that all to y'all! This is the first Valentine's Day in some time that I have been single, yet I am not without lots of love.

I have learned through the years that this day is about sharing love with everyone in your life not just the significant other in your life.  Heather and I have a special roommate date planned tonight to express our love for each other.  It will include dinner at home, a fro yo trip for free V-day toppings, and possibly topped off with a $10 bottle of champagne from our favorite bar, Midtown.

On this day of love, it is hard not to think about that certain someone you would like in your life.  I don't know all the traits that I want that person to have, but I do know the things that I don't want to see in that person.  I saw this picture the other day.  And, it got me thinking, what would I choose...

Of course, everyone would saw good looking.  I mean who is going to say I want to date someone ugly!  Everyone has different taste anyway...It is all in the eyes of the beerholder be holder.

But, what about the other two?  Do I want someone who is in check with all of his emotions or someone I can carry on a philosophical debate with?  After some pondering, I decided that he needed to be intelligent because then he would be smarter enough to know that I am always right.  Furthermore, he would needs to have a sense of humor that matches mine.  If not, we would flop in a heartbeat.  Finally, he has to be supportive of my dreams and goals.  Everything else compromisable.

I was given some great relationship many years ago by one of my youth pastors.  He told me that I need to pray for my future husband.  Not in the sense that I should pray for God to give me a boyfriend/relationship.  But, that I should pray for him as a person - that he be raised in a Christian home, that his mother taught him proper manners and behavior, that his father taught how to treat a lady and to be a gentleman, that he learned to love faithfully.  

For any of you that are single, I hope this advice helps you.  It is something I think about on a regular basis.  For those that are in relationships, I hope this is true for you relationship and that your love grows strong on this Valentine's Day.