Miss Magnolia

July 7, 2011

Throw it in the bag.

Towards the end of my travels, I started fielding a lots-a questions from future NPC traveling consultants (Hellooo out there again--pumped for y'all!). One of the biggest/most repeated?

"Um... How exactly do you pack?"

Ah, yes, dear one. 'Tis an art. An art that includes a 10-lb. shipment home to Mama within month uno. Those Hunter wellies I thought I'd need? Negative ghostrider. You streamline.

For those wondering, I had to type up an entire packing list for the 2011-2012 ADPi LC group. And for those curious, I'm brave enough to post my personal items on the internet. Wow. New low.

Carry-on/"The Office:"

Suitcase #2/"The bathroom cabinet/laundry room/pantry:"

5 Tips from a Jetsetter:

1. Dryer sheets in your shoes that are going to be right up in your clothes' business for 12 hour travel days.

2. The heavier, the further to THE WHEELS it goes when packing.

3. Roll all clothes so you have room to ~~shop~~ pack better.

4. Give old magazines away at airports unless you think 10-lbs in glossy paper sounds fun. And new friends rule.

5. You'll love yourself more if you travel with baby hairspray, concealer, and lipgloss in your carry-on.

Dang, I'm sorta gonna miss this life.

Just kidding, I get my very first apartment key today after work.

This is how I feel about that: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

July 4, 2011

Let's get outta this town tonight.

via

Welp, in case you didn't notice it's the Fourth of July

(the most exhilarating holiday next to Christmas).

And where in the South am I tonight?
Oh, just road-trippin' past fireworks and crossing a stateline to my new city and new job.

Not gonna lie--I love MGM, but I'm kinda stoked to bust this little Old South town for a while.

To call a new place "home."

Atlanta-bound, I am I am.

Since I start at 9 a.m. and all.

Ugh.

But it's ok. The Lord whispers "How COOL is this blessing, child? You're celebrating Me on a quiet night ride--just us--for not only this nation in which I blessed you but also a new job I've given you?"

And I smile back and say, "Baha. I guess that's pretty legit, Jesus."

This is a Fourth for the books. Er, uh, for my journal, at least.

Oh, and I have one more thing to say about starting my job in the morning:

Duhhhhhhhhh.

To quote Chris Brown, leggo.

Blog post title: "Get Out of This Town" by Carrie Underwood.

Well she was an American girl, raised on promises.

via

Before this year, I never dreamed I'd...

live with my 6 best friends in Atlanta's Druid Hills | yell "Go Dawgs" on Milledge Ave. in Athens, Ga. | drive windows-down through Nebraskan cornfields | stop for Amish carriages in Lancaster County, Pa. | navigate a hot car through Manhattan rush hour | have a post-initiation galavant on the Washington D.C. mall | nom-nom-nom on legit chocolate in Hershey, Pa. | yell "GO NITTANY LIONS" from the 40 yardline at a Penn State game | run through Seattle's misty rain (or hit the dance flo' at a Seattle honky-tonk on Halloween) | stand over the Missouri River with one foot in Iowa and one in Nebraska | sneak into a Yale Law classroom | cheer half-for-Maryland and half-for-FSU at the ACC Championship Game | gaze down at the Rockies | hit up a bar alongside some Hoosiers in Bloomington, Ind. (well, hit up any bar wherever I was when the Auburn Tigers took the field) | soak up Civil War history in Lexington, Va. | slip on snowy sidewalks in Des Moines, Iowa | lick my fingers after a Georgetown Cupcake | spy Churchill Downs, Ky. | join my Gator-lovin' sisters and some frat boys for a mixer in Gainesville, Fla. | worship over a sunrise in Detroit, Mich. | bundle up for a early morning run through UVA and Charlottesville, Va. | get chills at Mount Vernon | honor Virginia Tech's 4/16 memorial | frolic in Knoxville, Tenn.'s Market Square | fall more in love with baseball at Fenway Stadium | make s'mores at an Ohio State Park | vintage shop on South Congress Street | stomp my cowgirl boots to live music in Austin, Tex. | fly over the Grand Canyon | have margaritas in an alumna's cacti-covered Pheonix, Ariz. backyard | do Vegas big with my besties...

It's been a heckuva year! And if possible, America means more to me now than it did a year ago.

But may we remember, Phil. 3.20, that our citizenship is in heaven with our Father.

And so if we ask to be blessed, and if we thank God to be free,

we caution that "blessing" turned into "guaranteed safety" sometime along

when Budweiser brilliantly decided cover cans in the American flag.

And that notion (not the cans) is wrong.

Because someone and Someone had to die for that.

That safety.

And Christians are never guaranteed safety.

We're guaranteed freedom.

Glorious, full, infinite, grace-soaked, loving f-r-e-e-d-o-m.

And we choose Christ over the American Dream.

It's like one of the most jam-up lines C.S. Lewis penned:

"Safe? Who said anything about being safe? 'Course he isn't safe.

But He's good. He's the King, I tell you."

- The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Happy Fourth of July from the Stallings family, y'all!

K-dawg and I demonstrating the best water adventure ever next to skiing.

Blog post title: "American Girl" by Tom Petty.

July 2, 2011

If you can fill the unforgiving minute with 60 seconds worth of distance run.

via

In 3rd grade, my ambitious grandfather presented me a printed copy of it and the promise of a crisp $100 bill if I could memorize it.

(I didn't, but the folded copy still sits in my pink leather The New Adventure Bible circa the 90's bay bay.)

In 7th grade, Mrs. Hargrove assigned recitation of it for a grade.

(Apparantly, dangle an "A" over my head and I'd do anything. This time I memorization happened.)

And now, in honor of this weekend being the last of one of my favorite televised events, and in honor of Sharapova's rockin' white Nike dresses, I give you:

My favorite poem ever.

Because over the Centre Court players' entrance gates at the All England Club is scribed, "If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two impostors just the same." Mrs. Hargrove dropped that fact on my junior high Trinity class and I've never forgotten, though Federer and Nadal reminded me in 2008 with their hot accents in a Wimbledon commerical.

'If--'

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

via

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master,

If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

via

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

My current Most Favorite Female Human Breathing at Wimbledon. via

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

- Rudyard Kipling, 1865-1936

Probs the best advice ever, and it's dang close to biblical wisdom, too. So today: Bring it Nadal. Bring it Sharapova, because you clearly stuck it out in the women's semi-final match. Luh you both.

Okay okay okayyyy. I had too. Awwwww, that's a good engagment shot. via

p.s. Dear Bex, come home. No one will go hit with me and Daddy devotes leisure time to his new left-handed golf project. Courts > driving range.

June 20, 2011

I went from Pheonix, Arizona all the way to Tacoma, Philadelphia, Atlanta, LA.

Photo courtesy of Pinterest.

Didn't think it 'twas ever gonna happen. Then it hit me the other day, driving up the driveway and singing really loud ~~Justin Bieber~~ cool music like Angus and Julia: I miss flying. Traveling. JETSETTING.

Bahhhhh.

What's a girl to do?

Board a Delta flight to da desert, that's what! Today I depart my sultry, South-uhn, heart-blessin' world down here and join 600+ other Alpha Delta Pi's at our 160th Grand Convention! A few very exciting things will happen:

1. Leadership Consultant reunitation. It's been 3 weeks. Which is too long.
2. Voting on welp, just about a whole new Grand Council.
3. Extremely limited sleep/free time for those of us runnin' the joint. Welcome back to LC livin', Ashlyn! Welcome. Back.
4. Seeing all my precious collegians. I CANNOT WAIT TO HUG YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!
5. OD'ing on Lilly Pulitzer, lions and diamonds and violets, oh my.

The Arizona Biltmore. Of course, a sorority function would be at a fancy resort and spa that was loved by Marilyn Monroe and every American pres but Obama (No really. I'm not being political. He hasn't been yet.).

And then 6 consultant seesters will transport their exhausted little Pi-tastic selves to the shining jewelbox of Sin City. To layout like it's our jobs.

Weird. In one week, I'll officially not be a Leadership Consultant for Alpha Delta Pi...

Huh.

Oh well. LET'S GO TO ARIZONA AND SEE WHAT A DESERT LOOKS LIKE! Did you know Auburn won the 2010 National Championship in Arizona? Just wonderin...

June 17, 2011

Singin' songs about the Southland.

There is a second craft I should tell you about. Again, Pinterest, you just offer the most divine inspiration for projecting about the house.

I spied this 'lil beauty...

...and was sold. I think it's supposed to be, like, "the husband is from Louisiana and the wifey hails from Arizona! So CUTE!" or something. Not mine. Naturally, my version of the project would hence be a shoutout to the Heart of Dixie and my new home of Hotlantaaaaaaaa.

You need:
+ a pair of scissors
+ white cardstock
+ a computer and printer
+ a pencil
+ red cardstock OR heart stickers. But don't wimp out and go the sticker route. Paper is prettier.

1. Print out two state maps and cut 'em out.

2. Place BACKWARDS on your cardstock to trace. Did you hear that? Backwards. No one likes a stray pencil mark. Stray pencil marks are for amateurs. Now cut those guys out.

3. In keeping with the exciting theme of my new room "grey and linen and white and wood," I opted to paint the matting and cardstock two shades of grey.

Alabama was the sacrificial lamb and during the disaster got splattered. So I had to cut out a new one.

At this point, a Brownie (Ellis, the untamed little wild puppy beast) came running in and tromped her unproportional paws directly in the paint. Boykin Spaniels were bred with Chesapeake Bay Retriever blood, so their paws are big 'ole swimmin' paws. Which look awfully cute in paint and trotting around the kitchen--NOT.

At last, Ellis was captured and cleaned, and I finished my masterpiece. No Brownies were harmed in the creation of this art. Yay for the new room!

Blog post title: "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynard Skynard. Dear goodness, I hope that wasn't news to you though. You'd never win "Name That Song" with Rush Stallings.

Yardwork. Just kidding.

Photo courtesy of Pottery Barn.

My darling seester is always the first to remind me: "Ashlyn. Update your blog." Two days later: "You know people stop reading people when they quit updating their blog?"

My, my. So subliminal in your messaging, Kristen.

Pardon my hiatus, but I've just been so ultra crafty/homemakery in preparation for The Move. We're talkin', I squealed over a Le Crueset cookware present yesterday. I'm even girlier than I thought. Anyway, the Stallings homestead is a sight, I tell ya, what with two girlies getting their first apartments and all!

I wanna show you my latest project. My first garden.

Well, kinda.

It started with a rainy Montgomery afternoon today and 4 herbs. Their names are Rosemary, Basil, Oregano, and Mint:

And quatro terracotta pots:

The delicate herbs made the potentially traumatizing trip from the biodegradable containers into their new abodes, which we have documented all thanks to Kristen:

Doesn't it feel good to get dirt under your nails? Even if those nails are a painted Birthday Blue (a.k.a. Essie "Lapis"). Of course, the Brownies had to investigate:

AHH! WAY too close, Ellis. Way too close. I promise she's a presh-pot, but I mean, who looks adorable in the soaking rain? It's okay, wittle Ella-bella. Everyone's hair gets curly in the rain.

I digress. Next, I painted the pots with chalkboard paint puchased at Wally World. I would like to note that skin should always be the same color as terracotta. A tan just makes my whole entire summer.

And there they are! Chalk isn't allowed to touch them 'til Sunday so maximum dry-time is reached. But I love them. I've always grown up with a garden in the backyard, with Mama tellin' us to "go pick some rosemary for tonight" or fresh basil for topping a yummy Southern tomato sandwich. OBVIE, making the move to Atlanta without fresh herbs for Em and I to cook with would just not be right.

One day, they will live like this in a wine box on our back porch.

Anyone gotta spare wine box? :)

Photo courtesy of HipHostess.

June 16, 2011

XXIII

Photo courtesy of Adventure Jane.

I'd like to dedicate this birthday to Jesus, expensive new apartment furniture,

my dog Harper, Skittles, and my gold glittery TOMS.

And as a part of Theme Week '11 (we are a creative BFF group), today is themed Fiesta.

Naturally.

Monday was Batches for the Bach (as in "-lorette") Day,

Wednesday was Tennis Mom Day,

and Friday is Tom Cruise/80's Night.

Because everything is better themed and with costumes.

Olé!

June 9, 2011

So pi-tastic right now.

I JUST want to pet one. Is that too much to ask? Photo courtesy of Pinterest.

Calling all Alpha Delts: Behold, hosting the very first 160th Grand Convention in all of international sorority land 'tis upon us.

Why?
Because we're the oldest sorority in the land.

It sorta comes with the territory.

Anyway, in case you've been living under a woodland-violet-covered rock, a Grand Convention blog has launched to drum up excitement and offer live coverage of the Pheonix festivities. It's pretty adorable.

DISCLAIMER: Let it be said--I am NOT hosting this blog, I'm just guesting. I've had a lot of sweet, excited sisters email/Facebook me about post ideas, which I'm so happy to get! There is contact information on the blog for the sister actually runnin' the show. But I always love to hear from a seester.

And yes, for all of you who have expressed interest in an official Alpha Delta Pi blog, oh girrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll--don't you know my mind's been all over that since August. Just you wait, chica. Just you wait.

June 6, 2011

Extra bright, I want y'all to see this.

Can I haaaaaad it? Photo courtesy of Pinterest.

I have a second big announcement:

Post-Alpha Dee Grand Convention in Pheonix in dos weeks, the LC's are taking our much-needed celebratory vacay together--after what I think will always stand as one of the most trying years of my life. SB11 side-by-side didn't happen, and seeing that we're obsessed with one another, a last shebang NOT around a place-of-business (aka The ADPi Srat Castle) was in order.

The southwestern desert.

7 girls.

Summer.

All of age.

Ya follow me?

Photo courtesy of We Heart It.

That's right. Vegas, baby. Which I have begun calling Ve-has in my head for fun. Megan's the resident blonde--I mean, Southwestern expert--so of course, she knows Vegas. We're only doing 2 nights, and we've staked claim to some DEALS. Let it be said: It helps to be a member of a 215,000-strong organization.

We also have geniusly purchased a veil and "I'm the Bachelorette" sash to trade wearing while hoppin' town. Good gracious. You'd think we never got any attention in our whole lives...

All I wanna wear? Bright, shiny sparkly stuff. Clearly, if you know me, I don't jam a lot of sequins on the reg. But Megan has told me I need "Vegas clothes and shoes." Examples:

I think this outfit is glorious.

I think this jacket with a little black dress rules. Photo courtesy of We Heart It.

And I think these shoes are ballin'. Photo courtesy of I Spy DIY.

Well, because tigers hate pepper and love cinnamon, and I love tigers, lehsgo buy a Vegas dress, y'all.

Blog post title: "All of the Lights" by Kanye West.

June 4, 2011

Look at me now.

You followed as I trekked to 30 campuses and 24 states.
Now, in less than a month, I'll be moving to this state:

Photo courtesy of Pinterest.

To live with this kid:

Emily, another 2010-2011 LC, precious sister in Christ, and henceforth to be known as ROOOOOOMS!

...and start as Director of Marketing and Communications in this office:

Photo courtesy of Georgia Historical Markers.

It's funny, ya know--posts I've written this on the road whole year show a thematic repetitiveness: security, patience, security, patience, security, patience. If you successfully passed pre-K and made macaroni patterns, ya see what I mean.

The thing is, I letcha know last week how our Father is leading me through some desert lands lately. But wanna know what a quiet little voice in my heart whispered? "Ash. When you get a job, this will feel better. It'll go away." And Deut. 8:14 ("then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God") reveberated, because I'd have this awesome job, right? And I just couldn't forget about living off manna for months, right?

Yeah. Wrong.

The minute I decided to pick this job--which is a blessing beyond words--I clicked "end call." Tears rolled down my cheeks. Satan got goin': "Wrong decision, Ashlyn/You've limited yourself./You really wanna break into the Atlanta media world now? Ha./You shoulda picked the other one./Blahblahblah." Now, I see it was that liar talking. I didn't at the time.

But here's the thing.

I thought that almighty j-o-b held cure-power. Thought I'd regain confidence battered through the job search. Thought I'd be at peace with a "Yes ma'am, I decided I'll take it."

Instead, through those tears, ha--I heard You, Lord. Heard ya loud and clear alright:

"Ashlyn Stallings. When did I ever say you'll find peace in this world apart from Me? When did I ever tell you true security stemmed from anything but ME?"

Oh, I said. Ohhhhhhhh. (Cue sheepish smile looking up at Him.) "Um, well, ha, God, You actually tell me the opposite. In YOU I have peace. Confidence. Security. In YOU I boast and have life and move and breathe."

I'm better now. But just more in awe of my Lord and Savior. Who continues to see the value in teaching one (one out of 6 billion, b-t-dubs) of His children that she's gotta trust her Rock through the desert, and through the promised lands. As I jump off this cliff, move to the "big city," and live on my own, I'm in His hands. Still under those wings. Praise God.

So here I come, Peach State! Between Atlanta-based ballet camps growing up, good people, and a certain lil' house on Ponce, Georgia's claimed second place to Alabama for a while in my heart. I can't wait to call it home. Plus, two girls that since age 18 have only known private school dorms, sorority houses, and suitcases? Well, that could be interesting!

You just stay put, sweet friend, as we attempt to cook.

Make a home.

Entertain.

Put those DIY and cooking Pinterest tags to use!

And of course, explore our new city of ATL.

Thus now starts the next chapter in this little blog's life:

Miss Magnolia makes the move.

Oh boy!

Blog post title: "Look at Me Now" by Chris Brown. Except you have to watch this version, with Justin Bieber and Chris. It's sick. Thanks, Bec. :)

June 2, 2011

Somedays, I want to do this to my dogs:

Nahhhh. Just playin'.

But if I had a cat:

KIDDING again. Roar.

Happy Thursday!

June 1, 2011

You get a line, I'll get a pole.

We've had that Igloo cooler seriously as long as I can think back.

Over Memorial Day weekend, Daddy grabbed his two most beautifully stunning favorite dates--Mama and me--loaded the truck, and headed down to the "farm" as we call it. Cows and chickens don't live there or anything, just pretty Alabama huntin' and fishin' land that passes through the Stallings family.

I LOVE the farm.

And Daddy and Mama, I know y'all will read this probably today.

And you've been askin' for the pictures.

So here they are.

p.s. I. Love. You.

Part of the pond, where our Christmas tree and half the neighbors' trees are recycled every year for the fishies. Don't ask.

Have you heard that song "She Thinks We're Just Fishing?" The (lil' sappy in a good way) country song? Dad and I love that song because he says it reminds him of taking Kristen and me down to our land during the days of Keds and floppy hairbows.

I mean, the little girl in the song talks about ballet and kittens. Hello, kindergardener-Ashlyn.

I digress. Anyway, we needed this:

And then these started flinging themselves into the boat! Crazy fish.

Hewwo, wittle bwim.

It's ok. You can laugh at DRS III's hat. We all do.

And that bass really was big. He's like, 7 pounds, you just can't see because he's turned sideways... Promise.

'Twas a fun trip. I love those lands. And this time at home sure is sweet. Thank you, Jesus!

Blog post title: "Boondocks" by Little Big Town.

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