Happy Monday, friends!

Over the past few weeks I have loved being able to share weddings, photography advice and educational posts on this space. Today I wanted to invite you into my home to get to know me a little better. The photos here are of my living room space, one of the places I spend a lot of time and even sit editing photos and writing these posts! The aesthetic in my home (fresh, bright and rustic) carries throughout all of my work and is reminiscent of how I take photos and see the world.  I like to keep things simple and classic. 

For a long time I thought my home had to be perfectly decorated and always clean before I could invite people into it. Lately I have realized that hospitality is more about the heart and not about how things look. Funny enough, as soon as I accepted the fact that sure, there are usually dishes in the sink and probably a sippy cup of milk under a chair at any given time, it has become remarkably easier to be content and joyful in this space. I am looking forward to inviting more people, clients included, into our home. I hope this idea and heart spills over into my business as well as I spend more time on meaningful relationships rather than booking with as many clients as possible. I want my work to reflect my beliefs-- and I believe that relationships are important. I believe in pouring over the details and making things as amazing as possible on a handful of events rather than spreading myself thin on weddings every single weekend. As I begin to fill my calendar (intentionally and thoughtfully!) for 2016, I am looking forward to the relationships I will build and the people I will meet and become friends with. I can't wait to pour my creative energy into your wedding day or lifestyle session just like I have poured little pieces of myself into our home! Be sure to scroll down to grab the recipe to make some of this basil lemonade yourself. 

To inquire about your 2016 event, please contact me!

Basil Lemonade Recipe

For this pregnant mom, cocktails haven't been an option.  To feel a little fancy, I have been making some infused teas and punches, and lemonade will always be a treat.  To make this you will need the juice of 6 lemons, 4 cups of packed basil and 3/4 cup of sugar.  You can make this with mint, rosemary or any other herb you would like. I used basil because my pallet herb garden in the backyard just sprouted the most delicious and sweet organic basil.  For someone who doesn't have a green thumb, I have been so delighted by how easily my herbs have grown!  

• Bring basil leaves, sugar and two cups of water to a boil over  medium heat. Stir to dissolve sugar and bruise basil (which releases the flavor). Simmer 5 minutes without stirring. Strain and press basil leaves vigorously to release liquid and flavor. Let cool.
• Pour two cups of basil juice into a pitcher. Stir in fresh lemon juice and 4 cups of cold water.  Chill well.  Add fresh lemon slices and basil sprigs to serve! 

Enjoy!

Scroll through more photos below! 

Ashley's Living Room Source List:  Couch | Artwork | Curtains | Throw Blanket | Pillows | Coffee Table | Cake Stand | Pitcher & Glassware | Glass Lamp 

It's the start of a long holiday weekend, so I thought I would add a fun DIY to change it up!  This mint and grapefruit salt scrub is a perfect gift, but also just nice to whip up for the summer. I love the smell of mint and citrus and also tried a lavender and rose oil combination (which smells heavenly) and one with chamomile tea. This "recipe" is easy enough to tweak, so have fun with it! 

Ingredients:  Epsom Salt, essential oils, herbs, etc. for scent. 

Mint & Grapefruit Scrub

Fill your jar to the top with epsom salt.  Tear a few leaves of mint and mix.  Squeeze juice of half a grapefruit into the jar and mix.  Continue to add juice or epsom salts until you reach the consistency you desire. I liked mine pretty thick, like an exfoliating scrub. 

Because I loved the lavender soak so much, I ordered some lavender buds from etsy and brewed some tea to try a lavender and honey chamomile tea scrub. I would recommend letting the tea cool, or else it dissolves all the salts (oops!). A little liquid goes a LONG way!