Last update, ever.

So I was requested to do a farewell blog last night. I sat in bed thinking what in the world am I going to write? Funny how I've gone from wanting the whole world-web to know my life and what goes on to being so guarded with what I do and say. I don't know what happened really. I just had a falling out with blogging. Maybe one day I'll pick it back up. It's something I've always wanted to do. Just not right now. What's happening in my life? Without going too much into detail these days my life consists of: work, photography, friends, family, boyfriend. Everything is going amazing and continues to get better daily. I do hope that one day I'll get back into blogging. I feel like it's something I need to do. I want to express myself and I want people to read what I write. Right now isn't the time though.

Anyway, I don't want to lose contact with you all! I'm still going to visit my favorite blogs (like I still do.) even if I don't comment, I'm still reading! Maybe I'll start commenting. Who knows! Anyway, you can find me on Facebook, Twitter, Skype, and you can even text me if you'd like! Please don't comment with your info or whatever on this post, I doubt I'll be back to check out this blog any time in the near future.

RIP Follow Your Heart!

P.S, I already have a new blog name picked out... and I'm looking forward to starting that journey - when the time is right.

I love you all!


Skype: Captivatemysoul
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/laurenashleyftw If you add me on here leave me a note saying you're from FYH or the blog.
Twitter: Captivatemysoul

Farewell!
~Lauren Ashley

An update?

Oh boy! I’ve been incredibly busy lately. With what? Photoshoots, photoshoots, friends, photoshoots, friends, friends, weddings, and school.

One of my very best friends is getting married! I’m so, so excited. I’m the maid of honor! I’m currently in the process of planning out her bridal shower but I’m pretty sure (ok I’m CERTAIN) it’s going to be uh-freaking-mazing. This is the 4th of my very closest friends to be married. Le sigh! Some day I’ll be there, planning my very own whimsical wedding! It’s going to be superb. Anyway, enough daydreaming! 

I’m leaving my wonderful friends tomorrow and taking a break from reality to focus on my photography and relax for a bit! Yes, a vacation! Coming back from Nashville I learned that I needed one, and quick! I’ve had a photoshoot (or two) every day for the past week and then some and it’s getting tiring. I love it though, I really do. I just need some time to figure out college stuff. I’m looking at colleges all the way in Texas! We’ll see though….

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Diet: The start.....

I've joined a gym! Well, kinda. I'm doing a trial-membership. I decided to start my workout blog today because my internet has been out. Not anymore though! So I started technically working out two days ago. First day I worked out for 15 mins, second day around 2 hours, and then today. I have a workout buddy, too! It's so nice/relieving to have someone at my side working out with me. It's encouraging. However today I did it by myself and I did perfectly fine. So here's a little bit on what I've done today and what I'm trying to achieve.

When I started dating my ex, I weighed 160. Today I weigh 195. Talk about happy weight! My goal is 135-145 by December. My friend is wanting to lose 50 as well. I work out a little more each day but here's what I did today.

40 minutes on a treadmill at 2.8 speed. Cardio 25, fat burn 15
25 minutes on a bike. I think I did fat burn. I can't remember
5 minutes on the eliptical (sp)

I love doing the treadmill and the bike. I could go for hours... but the eliptical (sp) man oh man! It's awful! And I look over to my left and there's a guy around 60 years old just having at it on his. I was like oh my goodness how does he do it?! Maybe someday I'll be up to that level!

Last night I went and purchased every flavor or single serving smoothies/fruit(workout)/vitamin drinks I could find. Not in the workout/pharmacy section. In the juice section. I'm testing them out after my workouts. Today I'm doing this Acai Berry Diet Tea (picture below.) It's only 15 calories but if you drink the whole bottle then it's 30 calories. It's completely good for you. The taste is semi-acquired. It's definitely a huckleberry type taste. If you've had huckleberry honey (which is from Montana and completely YUMMY!!) then you'll love it. If not, it's got a honey type taste to it. It's not bad though. It's kinda like tea, too. So confusing, but definitely give it a try!!

 

Anyway, I can't wait to weigh myself in a week. I'm doing good so far! Wish me luck. :)

A confession blog.

Meh. It's been a bit since I've update. It's time for a confession blog. Agreed?

Confession #1: I grew up in a super abusive household. True story!

Confession #2: I love cats more than I do humans.

Confession #3: I have two diseases and a two disorders. I'm learning to cope.

Confession #4: I hate wearing shoes. I'd rather be barefoot everywhere I went.

Confession #5: I love GOD but I'm not your typical christian. I'm strictly non-denominational. My best friend (one of them) is pagan.

Confession #6: I've only had a handful of relationships, ever. :\ Haha. 

Confession #7: I doubt myself too much, especially my photography and my abilities.

Confession #8: I care about everyone more than I should. Even people I don't know. I love everyone, haha. I hate being mean to people.

Confession #9: I drive a stickshift. ;D

Confession #10 I have tons of freckles. I'm pale. I wish I could tan. :\

Confession #11: I want to live in a big city. So, so bad. askdlfjdaslkfj.

Confession #12: I like driving around at night. It's when I can open up my mind the most. I find it hard, very hard, to express my mind and people usually take that as being stuck up, arrogant, bitchy, or super shy (which I kinda am... shy that is.)

Confession #13: I'm obsessed with scary movies. ALL scary movies. Even the cheesy ones on Syfy.

So that being said, what are some of your confessions?

I'm doing a Vlog tomorrow. WILL DO! I started a Vlog, by the way. :)

Finding myself: On the road to recovery.

So, I worked today. It was pretty fun but definitely tiring. Not sure when I work next or even if I'll work next but it was definitely a learning experience. It's been a busy week. I pierced my ears yesterday. Doing my lip sometime this week, I hope. Maybe I'll work up to a tattoo? I don't know. I feel like I'm coming out of my shell. I told one of my good friends today that I'm going to focus on myself now and "do me" and not worry about anyone else. I'm renovating my soul, my body, and my mind. I keep having these guys hit on me. And while, yes, they are pretty darn cute, I can't put myself up to being like "Hey, I agreeeee lets date/hook up." I just can't. It's not right for me right now. I'm pretty sure if I put myself in another relationship I'd just crash and burn. That's not what I want. Sometimes, being single is the best thing you can do for yourself, and that's what I'm doing. Anyway, summer goals:

- Lose 50 lbs.
- Seriously update my photography portfolio
- Get my lip pierced
- Read blogs more, comment on blogs more, update mine more
- Get closer to my friends
- Find a decent part-time job

That's about it.
I'm sure there are more, but they're not as important.

Anyway, it's been a good week. I went to Cracker Barrel with a friend, Crackle Barrel again, Mi Pueblo, and Kyoto. Om nom nom. Went to a show. Ate good food. I love my friends and I love my life.

Life & the pursuit of happiness

Sometimes God puts certain people and things in your life to basically give you a wakeup call. Ever had one of those moments? Yeah, well, it's happening to me right now. It's been happening for the past few weeks. It's like God is saying, "Lauren, WAKE UUUUUUUUUUUP." over and over and I keep hitting the snooze button on my God-alarm clock. But I think it's time to hit stop, wake up, and actually do something. Starting this week, I'm going on a detox. Mind, body, and spirit. I'm ridding myself of the negatives and welcoming the positives. I'm even going on a cleanse. The whole shabang.

List of negatives:

- Less dependence, more independence
- No negativity towards myself
- Stop eating 'toxic'/negative things.
- Get rid of negative people
- Appreciate my surroundings, nature, love, life, parents, animals, friends, everything more.

I'm sure this list will grow.

List of positives:

- Embrace who I am as a woman.
- Love the beauty of myself mind, body, and spirit.
- and more?

Meh. It's a start. I'm going to start blogging more. Not for the readers necessarily, but moreso for myself. I'm on a journey and I need to document it so I can look back and say, "Wow, I've come a long way."

I encourage you all to do something positive for yourself! Don't let silly little things or major scary things hold you back. Go for it. Go for your dreams, because more than likely you'll achieve them.

With love,
Lauren Ashley

Seize the day.

So, with all of my recent events I've learned something vital. Seize the day. Live in the moment, not for the future. You'll never get back lost time, so make it special and meaningful. It's almost been a year since I came so very close to losing my life to a blood clot in my lung and let me tell you, it's life-changing to say the least. You learn how truly beautiful life is. Not only that, but I just went through a breakup with someone I loved with all of my heart. It's crazy to think that all of the 'i love you, i'm not going anywhere' bull-crap means nothing now. It's so, so hard to find someone genuine and true to their words these days. When you think you know someone completely, trust me, you don't. Trust yourself, love yourself, live in the moment. In the end, you're all YOU have. Think about it. :)

With love,
Lauren Ashley