Home!

236 days later, today is the day. Today my dad will walk through the door of his home for the first time since his accident. He will walk a little bit slower and a lot more careful than he has before, but most importantly, he is coming home. A nurse from Boston Medical Center said the day after this all happened that we were in for a very long roller coaster ride, and those were the truest words I have ever heard probably in my life. We have been on one long roller coaster filled with dips, turns, highs and lows and today is the biggest thrill of it all.

My dad’s recovery has been called a miracle. We have been told by the doctors and medical team that they did not expect to see him get to where he is today. His hard work and determination defeated the odds and he will go home today stronger than ever expected. I think back to when he first started moving his hands for the first time, to when he was just able to sit up in his hospital bed, to then standing, and then walking. We always look back to day nine when we are feeling down, the days we didn’t know if he would breathe on his own ever again or ever come back home to us.. and here we are 236 days later going home.

Not only was it dad’s determination and hard work that got us us where we are today, but it was also because of you. Never once did we feel alone on this journey. Whether it was a “like” or message on Facebook, a card, a phone call or a visit, it made a difference. The amount of people that reached out to us was incredible, and we are forever thankful. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world because of the people I call my friends and family, you have all been incredible. Between the dinners, joining us at mass on Sundays, volunteering to take care of my dad’s precious puppy, working on getting the house ready, even spending Christmas in a hospital with us and being our biggest supporters. I can’t begin to show enough gratitude. I do not believe we would be here if it wasn’t for all of you and your prayers and support.

To the workers, you were our seatbelts on this roller coaster. You made us feel safe and gave us the emotional and physical protection we needed. The nurses, physical therapists and doctors have trained us and dad to make this move possible. To everyone working behind the scenes back at the home, you have not made it only safe but beautiful for dads arrival. You have all gone out of your way, above and beyond and it will make this homecoming that much more special. Also to our employers, we thank you. You understand that our family comes first and showed us what work/life balance really means. You allowed us to attend all the family meetings and any special doctor’s appointments for dad, making our life that much easier.

I would also like to add in a few sentences that my mom did not proofread. Mom, you are superwoman. Your strength is incredible and your love for dad is unlike anything I have ever seen. Completing a full work day, with a two hour commute and then bringing dad dinner every night to the hospital, because at the end of the day, you just wanted to see your husband. Your life changed and you rolled with the punches gracefully. You accepted all challenges put in front of you. You are my role model and my hero. Dad and I both thank you for everything you do, even if we don’t always show it.

We understand this roller coaster ride will still continue and we will have a “new normal” for living, but we are ready and excited with all our hands in the air. Once again, I thank you ALL, and the three best friends look forward to your visits over at Graham Terrace.

With Love,

Ashley Maria and Lisa

Spring Shopping

Happy Spring!

Just because I gave up shopping for lent does not mean you have to! I wanted to share some of my favorite spring choices from Juliana's Boutique. Don't forget to enter code blossom7096 for 10% off the already low priced items. Here are some of my favorites.

BOWS, BOWS, BOWS

Love this skirt!

Adorable polka dot skirt

Perfect dress for those showers coming up!

With Love,

Ashley Maria

#100happydays

Again, it's been a super long time since I posted but I just accepted a challenge and want to share with all of you. I have signed up for the 100 days of happiness challenge. What's this you ask? Here is the website (http://100happydays.com) but basically the next 100 days I am going to post a picture to Instagram that makes me happy. Seems easy enough right? Apparently not. The website says right now that 71% of the people that started did not complete mostly due to lack of time. And let me tell you, I woke up this morning and about five things pissed me off right away including three shirt changes and not having a lunch packed.

Why am I doing this? One of my girlfriends (Jessica Ho) mentioned it in a group chat and right away I googled it as I do everything so I can pretend like I know what people are talking about and my attention was captured immediately. I love happiness and have often been questioned "why are you always so happy?" So I'm taking this challenge on. There are so many horrible things that happen in our lives but there are also so many more happy things that happen. So follow me (Instagram: ashleymblake) in this 100 day journey of things that make me happy which will definitly include my family, clothes, friends, cute animals and food. Also encouragement accepted! Happy Wednesday!

With Love, 

Ashley  Maria 

Look Right

Today was like Christmas for my eyes picking up my new glasses, prescription sunglasses and contacts. Picking out eye glasses has got to be one of the most stressful yearly tasks I have to do. I have zero tolerance for contacts unless its skiing, going to a wedding and the occasional night out so basically I'm picking out an accessory that I wear EVERY SINGLE DAY. I always go the eye doctors by myself and end up sending my friends and mother countless "selfies" with a duck face like that is how I am actually going to look when I wear them asking "are these cute? or too big?" Not to mention a certain special someone in my life hated my last pair of Jimmy Choo eye glasses so hopefuly he will like this years pick a little better. If not, there is always next year.

For eye glasses I chose a tortoise pair of Calvin Kleins.

.

Sunglasses I also went with tortoise but chose a new pair of Ray-Bans.

Don't worry, I wouldn't leave you without a duck face selfie in my new glasses

Cheers to seeing!

With Love,

Ashley Maria

Oh My Blog

TGIF!

It's been a while since my last post and I just wanted to create a new one about some opportunities that have come from this social media fashion world I am attempting to join in. I have recently been chosen as a sales rep for Juliana's Boutique and a seller on a Bloggers Closet. I am really looking forward to both these opportunities and want to make sure you all get to join in with me on them!

Juliana's Boutique is an adorable and totally affordable online clothing boutique that sells some really awesome stuff. They will be having tons of new items coming in for spring and if you use my code you will be able to get an additional 10% off: winter7096. Here are two of my favorite things I snagged up last month from them.

Blogger's Closet is a brand new site where fashion bloggers sell their new and preloved clothing and accessories. My favorite part about this website is that I get to check out tons of fashion bloggers and their sites while also shopping their closet. I have tons of stuff to add over the next few weeks into my closet but be sure to check it out.

Also, how about this "Oh My Blog" sweater with elbow patches I had to have? Rue la la, you did it again.<p> 

Vest French Connection (Marshalls Fab Find)// Pants Jcrew Factory Similar here // Sweater Rue La La made by South Parade// Shoes Old Navy// Jewels Jcrew

Now its off to have a momma/daughter day in Boston and seeing Lady Antabellum and going to MOOO tonight!

With Love,

Ashley Maria

Park City, Utah

For Christmas, instead of buying each other big gifts, Danny and I decided we would book a trip to go skiing out west and we chose Park City, Utah. It was my first time there, Danny’s second and most definitely not our last. I have been trying to think of a word to describe the trip and Park City itself and wonderful is the word I have used most. The city was beyond impressive with its beauty, friendly people and the exceptional transit system that is free. We spent two days skiing, and one day touring the city and bobsledding at the Olympic Park that was built for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.

Our first ski day we spent at Park City Mountain Resort and it snowed the whole day, accumulating to almost a foot of fresh powder which was pretty different for New England skiers. What I loved best about the mountains we visited was that it was not just a mountain with chairlifts but a small town. Each resort offered shops, bars, restaurants, multiple hotels, lodging and activities. During the afternoon at Park City Mountain Resort we skied down to Main St in Park city and had a few drinks and then took a chair lift back to the mountain to finish off the ski day and end it with some après ski at one of the bars at the bottom. It was so cool to be able to ski right into the center of town and take a chairlift back up the mountain.

Our second day of skiing was at Deer Valley resort, clearly the Harvard of ski resorts. This place was prestigious. It was beautiful, clean and full of wealthy people; no wonder it has been ranked top Ski Resort so many times. While at Deer Valley the World Cup was going on and we were able to watch skiers compete for spots in the Winter Olympics in Sochi. It was incredible to watch these athletes from all over the world do backflips on skis like it was no big deal. If this trip did one thing for me, it was get me even more excited for the Winter Olympics, especially after we took a tour of the Olympic Park. I also can’t forget to add our afternoon massages at the Spa at the Montage hotel that were incredible. We did feel a little like peasants after we left there since we had to wait for the free bus instead of having a driver like the guests there.

In between ski days we were able to take a tour of the Olympic Park and go bobsledding (insert Cool Runnings quote)! The Comet Bobsled Ride was by far one of the coolest things I have ever done. It is on the actual track that was used in the 2002 Olympics and was driven by a professional driver. It lasted just about 56 seconds and we got up to almost 80MPH. They said our speed is just a few MPH less than the Olympians do and we get to almost 5G’s of force. It was such an incredible rush and well worth the cost.

Because my posts always have something in it about fashion I will add that the thing I have realized most with ski fashion is that everyone seems to be pretty practical these days. Obviously the cost of ski clothing is the opposite of practical since it is so overpriced but let’s just say my high heel UGGs and faux vests were completely unnecessary to pack. Everyone dresses to stay warm and walk in piles of dirty snow, not necessarily to look their best but obviously I can’t help a good après ski outfit when I see one.

With Love,

Ashley

Goodbye 2013

Hello 2014!

We have finally said goodbye to 2013 and hello to 2014 plus a few extra days of vacation with this snowstorm coming.I have spent the past week at Loon after a wonderful Christmas. This years Christmas was clearly a lot different, spending it at the hospital but it was nothing short of magical with all the family and friends that came to spend it with us at the hospital. I was absolutely terrible with taking pictures of my outfits over the holiday but I did want to share some of them with you. My first outfit was for the annual "Surprise birthday party for Jesus" where all my friends come together the day before Christmas eve and celebrate the holiday.

There was a suggested red dress attire but I went with an old Jcrew Factory skirt and lace top. Also went with some green tights.

For Christmas Eve I found this amazing tulle skirt at Urban Outfitters and paired it with this bow sweater from Jcrew Factory. See those red shoes? TJ Maxx on Christmas eve. Who woulda thought?

For my whole life, even last year, I was the person who woke up at 5 am on Christmas morning so excited to open presents but this year we did it on Christmas Eve. It was different but still just as wonderful. One gift I opened was a plaid Ralph Lauren nightgown with ruffles. The cutest "Christmas Jammies" I could have ever imagined and I wore them at my sleepover with momma and Lacey on Christmas!

My last outfit I will share is my NYE outfit. I paired a Lilly Pulitzer skirt I got on Poshmark and this black lace Jcrew Factory shirt.

2013 will be a year I never forget, it was the year I bought the home next to my parents but also the year my dad fell and broke his neck. This year has been life changing but I know even more now how lucky I am. I have the most incredible support system filled with family, friends and a job that supported me during these tough times. I can't say it was the worst year ever because that would just be wrong. Yes, something terrible happened to my family but a lot of amazing and wonderful things and people happened to me as well. I wish you all an even better 2014 surrounded by what makes you happiest. I will now leave you with my 15 second Flipogram that sums up my year pretty well.

Cheers to a New Year and 2014!

With Love,

Ashley Maria