Ashley Zin - A Lifestyle + Motherhood Blog

Faith

If you’re ever wondering if God can accept all of you, read this

February 25, 2016

You guys I am so excited to tell you that I wrote my first guest post this month. It was on my February goals and I’m so happy that I actually accomplished it. It went live today over at Wendy van Eyck’s site ilovedevotionals.com.

Wendy is writing this whole year about how to live “well” and what that means. I feel that this is the first step for me to ever getting it right – realizing that God accepts me the way that I am right now, flaws and all. If I don’t I realize that then there’s no room for growth.

If this is something you might be interested in reading more about, click here to read my post. I’d love to know what your thoughts are or if you have any tips for me in this area.

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Life, Wedding

What’s Up Wednesday: February

February 24, 2016

I feel like lately my blogging has been basically just me writing about what is going on in my life and hasn’t been any real deep meaningful posts. I really love writing the deep and meaningful posts that could really help someone but I just can’t seem to get the words out about the things that God is teaching me lately. Hopefully sometime soon I will be able to sort through the mess in my head and give you guys a quality post 🙂 But for now here’s what I’ve been up to this past month:
What we’re eating this week

As I posted recently, Tommy and I have been trying to eat Paleo and have been doing way better than I thought we would do if I’m being honest. We still don’t eat this way quite as much as I wish we did but it’s also really difficult seeing as I still live at my moms and can’t exactly stock up on all the foods we need easily.

But this picture above I’m really proud of – the past two weeks we have been meal planning and going shopping for all the ingredients on Sundays and this is the second weeks worth of food. I’m finding so much joy in meal planning and cooking these foods that I can’t wait to have my own kitchen to go even further with it.

What I’m reminiscing about

Warmer days, friends. The weather is starting to warm up here in Jersey – which is awesome because it doesn’t normally warm up for another month. It’s not like spring warm yet but I can tell were just around the corner from it and let me tell you I am beyond ready for the warm weather! Spring means the wedding and shortly after SUMMER.

What I’m loving

Getting to read so many books at work seeing as there isn’t any actual work to be doing since I only have 3 more weeks here. I have really fallen in love with reading over the past two months and I’m really enjoying the time I have to just get deep into a good book. I have always read but I never realized how much I enjoyed it until recently. After I find myself a new job, I’m going to make sure it’s not something I let myself put on the back burner again.

What we’ve been up to

Cake tasting with this handsome guy! This turned out to be a cute little date and it was SO delicious! We chose chocolate mouse and cannoli filling for the wedding cake.

What I’m dreading

More interviews wah. 🙁 I’m in the process of searching for a new job because I’m being laid off in three weeks and while it’s kind of exciting, job interviews are not. I went on two and they weren’t quite as bad as I thought they would be but it’s still a little difficult for me seeing as I am definitely an introvert.Praying that I won’t have to go on too many more before I find the perfect match for me. Prays are definitely appreciated here! 🙂

What I’m working on

Hmm this is a tough one. I guess you could say I’m working on balancing things in my life better. I am an all or nothing kind of girl so I tend to push myself a little too hard, get burnt out and then have to recharge and be basically non-productive for the next day or so. I am working on finding a balance though (maybe this might be a good blog post idea ;)).

What I’m excited about

The wedding being LESS THAN THREE MONTHS away! Time is flying by and I love it. I obviously am way excited to marry my best friend (I’m sure you guys have picked that up by now) but I’m also excited to see how all of our efforts and planning are going to come together. It’s way stressful so I’m super excited to see the finished product.

PS does anyone have any advice when it comes to DJs versus making our own playlist for the wedding? Did anyone make their own playlist and if you did how did it turn out? Were people still interested in dancing or does it kill the mood? Also, who did the announcements? Help. I don’t know if I want to pay close to $1,000 for a DJ but I kind of feel like it’ll be tacky without one. Any advice?

What I’m watching/reading

I’m still unsure of how I did this, but I think I mentioned last What’s Up Wednesday that I convinced Tommy to watch Gossip Girl with me. We’ve been binge watching it lately and we’re at an insanely good part. I have been reading tons of books as mentioned before and I will dedicate a specific post to just those books at the end of the month so stay tuned for that if it’s something you’re interested in.

What I’m doing this weekend

I get to see this awesome girl Friday night and I’m super excited. We made plans to meet up for dinner and it feels like a lifetime since I’ve really spent quality time with her. I feel like I keep saying that in between every time I spend time with her so maybe I should get better at making plans with friends. With the warmer weather upon us I think I’ll have more motivation.

I’m not really sure what else I’ll do this weekend. Maybe if it’s warm enough I can do some hiking. That’d be awesome. I haven’t gone for a hike since the end of summer I think.

What I’m looking forward to next month

Finding a new job hopefully (fingers crossed). Being one month closer to the wedding. The weather warming up finally. Being able to be outside more often. Oh and Easter. Yes, yes, and yes.

What else is new

Honestly, I think that might be everything that has happened this past month. Not too much is going on besides trying to eat healthy, planning the wedding, job searching and being a homebody because of the cold.

What’s Up with your Wednesday? Let’s be friends. 🙂

I am linking up with Shay, Shaeffer, and Mel!

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Life, Marriage

In Between

February 19, 2016

My life is so weird right now. Honestly I don’t really know how to feel about it. Some days I am elated and can’t believe how amazing it is and how much God has done lately. Other days I am overwhelmed with the changes and miss the simpler days. It’s a confusing time really.

I feel like I’m stuck in an in between in just about every area of my life. Mine and Tommy’s dating relationship is coming to an end and the beginning of a marriage is going to be starting just around the corner. It sometimes feels like my friendships are even at an end because I’m at such a different life stage than they are right now and it makes it hard to really connect. And my job is coming to an end and I have been passionately pursuing where God wants me next.

So you see some days I miss the simple dating days where Tommy and I were just getting to know each other and everything was fun and new and exciting. Other days I honestly cherish and love this stage where we were at too – knowing each other so well and getting to enjoy each other’s presence in such a different way.

Some days I miss being able to bond over boy problems or too much homework with my girl friends. Other days I’m starting to love the new people God is putting in my life.

Some days I miss having a steady job where I knew all of the ins and outs and had a routine down. Other days I’m excited for the start of something new and excited to see what God is going to do next.

Some days I feel guilty for being overwhelmed, that I’m not trusting God the way that I should be. There are just so many changes and I’m doing my best and in the end I think that’s all God really wants. I’m going to look back on this time and really appreciate all the changes and what I’m learning through them. But for now I’ll enjoy the good times and cherish the times that I’m leaving behind. I’m stuck in an in between but couldn’t be more excited for whats just around the corner.

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Life, Wedding

Currently, February

February 17, 2016

Eating

I am most excited to answer this one – Tommy and I are doing a Paleo diet this week (and hopefully will stick to it afterwards). We went shopping for everything we needed on Sunday which was SO FUN and have been faithfully sticking to it so far this week.

1 banana + 2 eggs w/ onions and broccoli + water + coffee

I’m honestly having so much fun prepping these meals, way more fun than I’ve ever had cooking before. The first picture was my breakfast on the first day and these salads and healthy snacks I prepped on Sunday night after we got back from food shopping. I’m planning on doing just a post on our Paleo journey at the end of the week so stay tuned if this is something you are interested in!

Watching

Currently not too much. I’m still in the middle of Gossip Girl which I love but it’s starting to get very redundant honestly. Tommy and I actually started Friday Night Lights over again because that was one of our favs.

Wearing

The comfiest of comfy work clothes. Since most of the building was laid off at the end of December, there isn’t really anyone here to see what I’m wearing so I’ve been very relaxed and been dressing very comfortable.

Also! Tommy was the sweetest thing ever and bought me a long jacket that I have been needing, wanting, and wishing for all winter (because I don’t really have any nice warm ones). He surprised me on Valentine’s Day and I absolutely love it. I can’t find the exact one but it looks a lot like this:

Planning

Still planning the wedding obviously. I went for my first dress fitting last night! And on Saturday we get to go to the cake tasting. We also need to do some song research and finalize the guest list this month. This month has been a lot easier and laid back in terms of planning so it’s been nice.

Reading

I’m currently reading both of these and I’m seriously loving Barefoot. It’s such an interesting but sad story. It has me hooked and I can’t wait to see what happens. Changes That Heal is really good too but it’s a hard read. It helps you realize things you are doing wrong so it’s not a book you can just plow through.

Loving

As cheesy as it may sound, I’m just loving life right now. Life has been pretty good to me lately and I’m really trying to appreciate that. God seems to have everything under control and I’m loving seeing him lay out our next steps.

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Life

My First Five on Friday

February 12, 2016

I had a different post planned for today but my brain is all over the place (I’ll explain why below) so I can’t really think and put together a quality post like I originally wanted to.
o n e

I am going on a job interview on Monday!! I just got the call this morning and literally the whole morning I have been preparing for an interview. I haven’t ever gone on a “real” job interview so I’m pretty nervous. (Please pray for me!) I am being laid off in roughly a month so this job is so needed – especially seeing as Tommy and I are getting married in just about 3 months!!

t w o

Tommy and I attended our second community group meeting and I am honestly starting to really like it. I normally hate socializing and getting to know new people but God has really been opening my eyes as to why it is so important. I still have moments where I don’t want to go and get really scared to put myself out there but Tommy and I encourage each other and I’m honestly enjoying it more than I thought I would.

t h r e e

It’s Valentine’s Day on Sunday! You guys obviously know that but I’m actually excited for the first time ever. Let me just let you in on a little bit of my dating background… for three years in a row I was broken up with literally the week before Valentine’s Day (i’m seriously not joking). Three years in a row. So like anyone else in the world who would find themselves in that position, I hated Valentine’s Day and decided that I just never wanted to celebrate it. Last year Tommy wanted to make up for all my prior years and he made me dinner and it was really sweet. This year I have even higher expectations (probably not good haha) but he’s planned something extensive it seems and I’m really excited to see what it is. I also planned something for him and I to do together as well. It’s should be really fun and I can’t wait.

f o u r

take me back to the bahamas plsssss

It is honestly way too cold around here for my liking. We had such a mild winter so far this year so now that it’s finally getting below 30 degrees I want to run to Florida and hide out until May. I’ve been dreaming about our last vacation to the Bahamas and cannot wait until we get to go to the Dominican Republic in May! Where are you summer??

f i v e

It’s exactly 100 days until Tommy and I get married! How exciting is that. There’s still a bunch of planning to be done since I have taken a little break. I’m honestly over all the planning and just want it to be here already.

Linking up with A. Liz Adventures, Bright on a Budget, & September Farm

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Wedding

Wedding Wednesday: Tommy’s Ring

February 10, 2016

Hi friends, just wanted to drop in today and share about the details of Tommy’s wedding ring. I actually found it on Pinterest and loved the idea. I ended up showing Tommy and he loved it even more.

So the place we ordered it from is called Spexton. They custom make each ring, which to me is perfect because it makes it so special. The rings aren’t mass produced somewhere, making the chances of Tommy having the same ring as someone else very high.

The customer service is really awesome too. They strongly advice you to order test rings before placing your order for the final ring because they want it to fit perfectly. They send you 3 test rings and help you find the correct fit and once you have that you can place the final order knowing that your ring will fit perfectly.

Right now Tungsten is super popular for men’s wedding rings and while Tommy’s is black it’s made of Black Zirconium. The video explains why Black Zirconium is better to use than Tungsten because Tungsten isn’t originally black – it’s painted black which means that the paint and chip or be scratched off. Black Zirconium is just heated up which alters the nature of the metal and it changes to black, which will not scratch off. So to me that makes this a really quality ring.

The ring from above is Tommy’s exact ring and I think it’s awesome and so unique. Tommy’s actually interested in metals because he is in training to become a welder and he thinks knowing the process of how his ring was made is really cool, which makes this all so much greater.

So yeah, that’s the many details of Tommy’s ring (and no they didn’t pay me to post this I just love it that much). The only downfall is that it takes a month to come in once you place the final order but that’s okay because we still have 104 days until the wedding haha!

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