Category Archives: Personal

The Other Side

My first thought? Uncomfortable. You mean I need to come out from hiding behind my camera to be put INFRONT of it? Oh no! Once again my body was a pile of nerves at the idea of getting my own photo taken! Although this time I took a few steps to ensure I would really love these photos, my good friend Tina Rolek took great care of making me beautiful that day. She did my hair and makeup just for these photos and I have to say, it was the best decision I made. Having make-up professionally done really makes a difference in the images, and my hair — GAWH I wish it looked like that when I rolled out of bed every morning. Wouldn’t that be amazing?

My friend and amazing photographer, Emily Volk with Periwinkle and Mimi Photography, braved the cold temperature and wind to take these photos. I am eternally grateful for them – they turned out FANTASTIC! She is so talented and I’m grateful to call her a friend. Trust me, I’m the first person to understand how uncomfortable it is to be infront of the camera… so when I’m making my clients do these silly things to get that perfect shot… I’ve been there, I’ve done that. I’ve laughed ridiculously loud just to get that perfect image, or other silly things we do!

These images will forever mark this time in my life, I’m 28 years old and working hard to pursue my dreams of photography and fitness (more to come on that later). Thank you Emily and Tina for making me feel and look beautiful! XOXO

100 CLUB!

When I started taking classes at Pure Barre at the end of September I set a goal for myself… I wanted to be part of the 100 CLUB by my 28th Birthday. I thought it was completely do-able since I was going at least 4 times a week. After doing the challenge in September (20 classes in 30 days) I was completely HOOKED, at one point I went 8 days in a row. A little crazy? Probably but my body was feeling amazing and I didn’t want to stop!

Well…… yesterday was my birthday AND my 100th class! It was a great way to kick of my 28th year of life, it was a HARD class for sure but I wouldn’t have had it any other way! Lindsey has been a huge part of my 100 classes which meant I could not have had anyone else teach my 100th class. The ladies surprised me at the end of class with a delicious cake and singing, it was awesome!

Thank you Pure Barre for not only being a fantastic workout but for introducing me to some of the most incredible people I would have never met otherwise. I feel terribly blessed to know all of you! Thanks to all the ladies for being in my 100th class – glad we could all lift.tone.burn together!:)

Here’s to hitting the 250 CLUB at some point… who knows when!

Reflecting

Tonight I’m going to use the blog as a reflecting outlet because sometimes writing is the best way to deal with emotions and situations. These last few months have been a roller coaster of ups and downs, skyrocketing highs and bottom of the ocean lows but it always comes back to the middle. That point where everything settles and life seems to slow down just enough to take a breath, smile and enjoy it. A few weeks ago I got word that a friend from high school passed away; it continues to break my heart and make me so angry at the person who is deciding our fate, it just doesn’t seem fair. This morning, I woke up feeling rested and happy only to roll over, look at my phone and immediately burst into tears. Another of our classmates passed away and it just broke my heart. Not only was he a friend and my Sweethearts date back in high school but he was one of those people who was genuinely a kind soul, artistic beyond belief and overall an incredible man. He will be missed terribly by everyone – I can’t think of a single person who didn’t love Andy. He was just that kind of a person. I spent most of today connecting with people, checking in to see how they were doing and trying to come to grips with WHY this happens. There will never be a good enough reason for us to understand why our loved ones leave so early but I really wish there was.

I came across a quote on Pinterest which I posted on the biz page, but it seemed all too fitting for today and life’s most recent events.

It was a good reminder that we have another day to enjoy this life and hug our loved ones a little tighter, you never know what is going to happen tomorrow. Just because tragedy strikes doesn’t mean we should stop living, we should be living even more.

Andy and AJ – you will be missed here, I have such fond memories of you both and will never forget either of you. Say hi to Al and Dan for me and I’ll see you guys again some day – keep watching over all of us.:)

Newest Obsession – Pure Barre

If you know me at all over the last few years, the gym was like a second home – I went to Lifetime at least 5 days a week, determined to get that ‘beach body.” I would be on the treadmill, eliptical or the stair climber, doing my best to sweat it out! While helping out a family last Spring, the mom was telling me all about something called barre. I had absolutely no idea what it was all about, after doing a little research and I realized there was a studio opening in Saint Louis Park called Pure Barre. My timing was perfect, they were doing a soft opening which included a FREE class… um hello, FREE?? Done and done! I walked in, nervous and excited, the staff was terribly friendly and it made me really pumped to get things going. Oh my goodness, I had NO idea what to expect but 10 minutes into class and I was dripping with sweat. I’m telling you, I did not know doing such little movements could make you sweat like that! I looked around, thinking to myself “Why am I the only one shaking and dripping of sweat? Am I out of shape?” Nope, that is just a Pure Barre workout… it’s FANTASTIC.

You’re probably wondering what the heck is barre, well according to their website (they describe it the best), “Pure Barre is a total body workout that lifts your seat, tones your thighs and burns fat in record-breaking time. Utilizing the ballet barre to perform small isometric movements set to fantastic music, Pure Barre is the fastest, most effective, yet safest way to change your body.”

It’s now September, I’ve been taking classes for 2 months and I am positively addicted, some may even say obsessed. During these last few months I’ve never felt more toned, all those days in the gym lifting weights never made my arms and legs look as good as they do now. I can only imagine how I’ll feel after 6 months. I have recruited my mom and best friend Tina, guess what… they are hooked too! We just signed up for a PB Challenge: 20 classes in 30 days, we’ll see which one of us can accomplish it first, but I’m always up for a challenge. Bring it on Pure Bare Betties:)

I’m not one to talk about something unless I truly believe in it, and I do. Pure Barre works, the women who attend class are every age, size and shape!! The 55 minute classes FLY by, which is exactly what a great workout should be! Come take a class with me, see how you feel… if you don’t love it, lunch is on me but I can almost guarantee you’ll want to come back again! The teachers are so encouraging and friendly, the front desk staff makes you feel right at home and they are always willing to answer your questions about anything! I have to give a quick shout out: THANK YOU LINDSEY, for not only being one of my favorite teachers, but always helping to make sure we have great form, turning up the heat a bit to burn those extra calories and kicking out butts into shape… you’ve been a HUGE inspiration and a great push for all of us! Thanks ladies of Pure Barre for getting me into great shape, can’t wait to see what happens over the next few months!

*I have not been paid or endorsed by Pure Barre, these are my honest opinions about the classes and experiences I’ve had*

Dear Santa

*I believe you are never too old to write a letter to Santa – how is he suppose to know what you want if you don’t tell him..?*

Dear Santa,

It’s been quite a year – as I’m sure you have seen – many people are struggling to give their families everything they want this Christmas. There’s a certain family, very important to me, who is without their father/husband this Christmas while he is out at sea serving our country with many other men and women. I wish they could be with their families this year, I will make sure to appreciate my time with my family even more. If you could possibly teleport him here to spend Christmas with his loving family, that’d be wonderful! For all the children out there, it would be greatly appreciate if you could sprinkle a little of the white snow over us this weekend… it’s been hard to get into the spirit of Christmas while we stare at the brown grass and bare trees. All those kids who will wake up wanting to throw on their snow pants and grab their brand new sled will be ecstatic to see the ground covered in beautiful snow.

The one thing I would really love this year is for people to just be happy… whether that’s in their personal or professional life, these days it seems people tend to focus on the negative aspects of life when I just wish they could take a moment and smile. Be happy for those family members you have in your life, for the roof above you, the food in your fridge and the love you feel every moment when you get to spend another day here. This time of year has a tendency to go by so fast and we forget to really enjoy it – I’m making a promise to you, Santa, that I will be happy – for me and everyone else – because I truly believe it’s contagious. Yes, sometimes those overly happy people can be a bit annoying – but isn’t that better than the negative nellies?:)

Oh and Santa – if you wouldn’t mind wrapping up Ryan Reynolds or Ryan Gosling  (make sure they have a few air holes) and putting them under my tree, I would be forever grateful. That’s not asking too much now, is it?

With love always -

Ashley

(you are welcome ladies!)

 

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