Day No. 2 of the Valentine's Day Giveaway - Tiffany & Co. + Photo-session

Today is going to be a "good news" blog. So much to share, but I was saving it up. I was figuring that if I just collectively waited to share the most exciting news, then maybe more news would pile up... Okay, so I wish I had that mentality but it was more along these lines. I've never really submitted any works to be published and I think it's because I was afraid. Afraid that someone in some great office, who manages a publication would tell me - "you are not good enough". And that would be it, the moment I realize I need to find a different career -- and curl up into a ball (I know, a little dramatic). What? Rejection hurts, it's hard not to take it personally. 


Good News #1 -- But last week - I took the plunge and I submitted a few weddings to various publications. Some magazines and a few online publications. I didn't put much weight on it, and just went with the mentality that we shall see what happens. I haven't heard back yet from most of the publications - some are still under review.... BUT I did hear back from two lovely blogs! Borrowed & Bleu and Pretty Little Weddings! I'll be sure to repost when the photos go up on their blogs! Anyway, when I found out -- it was an instant call to Alicia & James (their wedding was chosen) and we both were so super excited... I called Sunday to tell her that Borrowed & Bleu were interested, and then the next day found out about Pretty Little Weddings! 


Good News #2 -- I have "booked" my 2nd destination wedding for this year! In May I'll be going to Cuba for Mikyla and Dustin's Wedding. And now, I'll be going to Mexico for Ric & Nicky's Wedding!!!! That's right, my brother FINALLY asked his girlfriend Nicky (of a million years) to be his wife, and they're doing it in July and I'll be photographing!


Good News #3 -- I started on a healthy train in late November/December 2010. It was more like December when I really kicked myself into gear. I've somewhat kept it on the down-low because I wanted to just be POW - look at me I'm fit now! But I realized so much more along this journey thus far. I've slowly been changing my eating habits to include healthy foods aka kicking the mac n'cheese from the box and including more veggies. I made a "Life-style" change and not only do I feel so much better, a lot of my digestive issues have died down. I have more energy, I feel amazing after a workout and I've tried so many new things! 


I've gotten a pass at the local Langley Town-ship Rec-Centre, and go to the gym 5x a week or I mix it up with fitness classes. I signed up for a Burlesque dance class, and it's SO MUCH FUN! The instructor was teaching us choreography from the actual Burlesque Movie.  And I tried Cardio-Striptease... it sounds super riskay, but it was a CRAZY workout. A friend of mine - Angela, and I went and it just shreded our muscles (me more so, then her). It was a mix of cardio, stretching and core strengthening. The classes are at Tantra Fitness - totally check them out if your looking at trying something new and a little outside your comfort zone. And ladies - it will make you feel sultry! Never hurts to boost the self-confidence!


So here is the real part of the good news, I've hit the 15lbs down from my start weight! The goal was to lower my BMI, and slowly but surely I'm going to be hitting that goal. I want to be as healthy as possible, so I do not let life pass me by. 


Alright, no more rambling! Thanks for all the amazing comments yesterday ladies!!! I'm so excited for this draw, it's such a treat that people follow my work -- so I just wanted to give a little something back! 


So, keep the comments coming - so I can enter your names again in the draw!




Incase you missed it, Alicia and James were married on Jame's parent's property in Whiterock, BC. -- Their Wedding was a beautiful DIY inspired wedding, with lots of great details that Alicia and James worked so hard on! Their ceremony was held in a clearing in the woods on the property.


This was the first photo I took as I got off the plane in the Dominican for Mahla and Chris' Destination Wedding last May. They had their Wedding at the Melia Caribe in Punta Cana.


I actually grabbed Mahla and Chris' drinks when we were hanging out on the beach, and took this photo. I love the colours.

18 comments:

  1. I woke up feeling grumpy cause it's my Monday, but now I'm all smiles. I'm so glad I read your blog. So much exciting news. Congratulations x 3!

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  2. If your are having trouble entering your email address, don't worry about it - simply enter your info under the "NAME/URL" comment as section.
    Enter your name and URL section empty.

    I saw that's how a lot of people are leaving comments, so we can roll with that :)

    Just write your name, leave the URL part blank - and I'll announce the winner by name, and they can then send me their contact info.

    You can also sign in using google/gmail, but it's up to you :)

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  3. I'll second that congrats! you're doing a wonderful job Ashley :)

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  4. I feel somewhat silly that I didn't really think of that!

    Thanks for sharing, Alicia and James' photos are beautiful!!!! Congrats!

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  5. Yeah, I realized I was having issues/didn't want to make a new account so I posted like that.

    Congrats on the weight loss! That's impressive, are you signed up anywhere, or just a self motivated thing?

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  6. Can I seriously have the last photo as a print? I want it for my office, so I can look at "happy hour" every hour! ;)

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  7. You are awesome Ashley! Congrats on the blogs!!! you have amazing dedication to training. And yes, that Cardio Strip-Tease class ROCKED me too! I couldn't walk properly for a few days - ha ha! Keep it up Ashley - you are an inspiration

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  8. Gorgeous photos!! Makes me dream of a destination wedding!!

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  9. I love your style of photography Ashley!
    A girlfriend of mine just got engaged & I recommended you to her for engagement/wedding photos :)

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  10. I am so excited for you Ashley! You are an amazing photgrapher! I am so proud of you! I love seeing your pics and make sure to add the links for us to see the pics on the blog sites! You have an eye for photography like no other I have ever seen! And soooooo proud of you in your goal of 15lbs! What an amazing feeling! Your hard work is paying off in health & work! Congrats!!

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  11. There is a puddle jumper I know who really needs the opportunity to be who he really is without all the guilt. Please give him the chance to be who he really is, by taking his picture, and help us avoid years of senseless therapy he is sure to face if we don't do something soon.

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  12. This is so awesome Ashley! Good luck to all of us brides! Cheers to all the others who are getting married this year as well! :)

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  13. I want to go somewhere warm, with white sand PRONTO!

    By the way, I love - love love love love mustache photo of Alicia and James!!!!!!!!

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  14. Sounds like good things are happening for you Ashley! I'm glad to hear it. Congrats again on getting published. I can imagine they'll have a hard time picking from your photos, cuz they're ALL good!

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  15. I woke up Monday with the flu and feeling like crap and pretty much slept all day and today I wokr up feeling a bit better but still not great but after reading your blog I can't stop smiling! I am so excited for you!!!! Being published is a major accomplishment and your work definitely deserves it!!!

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  16. seing all those sunny pictures makes me want to get married again somewhere tropical :)

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  17. Thank you all for your kind words! I truly appreciate it! I'm really excited about being published online, there's 3 publications that have gotten back to me and said yes! I'm excited to share with you the articles once their online!

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  18. Ashley, your photos are gorgeous!!!
    You are incredibly talented and I can't wait for you to work with my family one day!

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