#ACESLIST - VOL. 3

Time for volume 3!

I’m sitting here listening to the rain outside my window, relaxing and hibernating so now is the perfect time to write. So let’s get right into it.

#1

{{WHAT I’M BUYING]]

I’m still on a white boot kick. I can’t leave them alone lol. I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect casual white boot and have ordered several pair to turn around and send them right back. :-/ I finally got some combat boots a couple weeks ago from NastyGal and thought I had finally found the winner. Buuutttttt, then I wore them on my trip to Atlanta recently and decided that I hate them lol. I’m going to create a Poshmark account and sell them there because they’re just not working for me. I literally only wore them for like 1.5 days so hopefully they’ll sell easily. With that being said, I’m still hunting for the right pair. PrettyLittleThing is having a 50% off sale this week (!!) so I purchased two new pair — these and these — and I’m crossing my fingers that at least one of them will work. I realize I’m insane for how obsessive I’m being about finding the right pair. I get that. I am who I am lol.

#2

{{WHAT I’M EATING]]

I love Cheeto Puffs. My family knows it, my OG friends know it. I’m planning to take a trip home (to Dallas) in a few weeks and my dad actually thought I was coming last weekend so he went and bought me “the Cheetos with the air in them” to celebrate. LOL. That’s what he called them — and he was so proud of himself for being prepared. ;) But, of course, Cheeto Puffs are wildly unhealthy so I’m always looking for a healthier chip/snack option that will curb my cravings. Alas, I’ve found something good! Gold Emblem Jalapeño Cheddar Style Corn & Quinoa Puffs are sold in CVS and they remind me a bit of Cheeto Puffs because of the shape and texture. They have a hint of spice and give you the crunch you need. Try them out if you’re near a CVS.

#3

{{WHAT I’M READING]]

I started a new book a week ago and I’ve been engrossed in it ever since. “Never Have I Ever” by Joshilyn Jackson is written about a group of small town women that engage in a drunken game of telling each other the worst thing they’ve done last week, last month, last year, etc. one night at their weekly book club meeting. The game exposes various confessions and leads one woman to realize that the ringleader of the game is privy to her deepest, darkest secret. The one she’s successfully been able to keep from everyone in her life for decades. Now she must figure out a way to keep that secret buried and get the troublemaker out of her life once and for all. I’m loving it so far! Highly recommend.

#4

{{WHAT’S ON MY MIND}}

I was having a conversation with my sister yesterday and we were talking about how important it is to be grateful for what you have and do whatever you can to not focus on the things you don’t have. We could honestly write a long list of tangible and intangible things that aren’t in our possession. Things that we really really want but still don’t have for one reason or another. For instance, I don’t have a relationship. And I want one. I honestly feel like my life is pretty complete except for that one thing — and it’s a pretty big thing. I’m 33 now and I’m looking forward to my future and starting to worry about getting older and being alone. I’m worried about getting too old to have children. I’m worried about several things stemming from not having a loving partner in my life. BUT, I have SO many things to be grateful for. The blessings in my life abound and that’s what I have to focus my mental space on. I can’t walk through life in sadness and anguish because I don’t have one thing that I want. And I don’t want to diminish it like it’s a small thing — a healthy relationship is major. But, I don’t have it right now because it’s not a part of the plan for my life at the moment. So, I’ll just continue to pray that God sends me the right person and I’ll continue to thank Him for every single blessing (large and small) that I do have right now, today.

And that’s all, folks. I hope you enjoyed today’s #AcesList. The photos featured in today’s post were taken by my photographer friend Sergio (@Ser6iosantos on IG) who I mentioned previously. This is an example of more shopping my closet and wearing things I already owned to shoot. Remember my birthday post where I mentioned the cute tulle maxi skirt that I had on for my birthday party before I ceremoniously dropped oxtail grease all over it and almost had a meltdown? Ha. I was somehow able to get all that grease out and the skirt lived to see another day. Below, I’ve styled it with an old graphic cropped tee from Forever 21, a black fanny pack from Shein and white heels from DSW. What do you think of this pairing? Do we like?

I hope you all have an amazing week and keep gratitude at the forefront of your minds everyday!

xoxoxo - Ashley

I’m so proud of my hair! It’s growing and my curls actually look like something now ha.