As promised, this part of “my story” is going to talk about the past 1.5yrs of my life.
Our Story:
I left off with Chris + I getting married. Here is a little history of us…
We met our sophomore year at Ohio State through a mutual friend. We were pretty much inseparable after our first date [we went snowboarding!] Chris was a large part of my success in school. He kept me calm and confident. He reassured me when I thought I was doomed at my next architecture review. I think we have a great balance in our relationship and that is why we work. We both LOVE the outdoors and being active [among many other things], which let’s us share a lot of amazing experiences together. We do have our own likes + dislikes though. Chris is more into cycling, and I’m more into running. I like going on walks + painting, while Chris enjoys reading. We do both enjoy photography too, but different types [food + landscape]. I know I wouldn’t be as far + happy in my life if I didn’t have him by my side.
Chris asked me to marry him on our 4th year dating anniversary, in Charleston, SC. We were both 24 and the wedding was scheduled 1yr + 4 months later, after I was finished with grad school. We really tried to put our own creative spin on our wedding day.
Travis from Fuse Photographic took these photos. Travis + Laura normally shoot as a team, but Laura was in my wedding 
Honeymoon to Ireland = The most amazing trip ever
Desk Job For a Year:
I found a job at the end of that summer with an architecture firm in Charlotte, NC. While it is a GREAT firm to work for, it just wasn’t the perfect fit for me. I worked there for a year and got great experience, however it was SO hard for me to be strapped down to a desk every day. I hated being sedentary throughout the day. I gained a few pounds soon after starting there. This was from group lunches, dessert trays delivered from clients, baked goods from co-works, the m+m jar on the desk next to mine, etc. You know the routine.
A good friend of mine and I decided to start keeping track of our calories to get back on track. I know I wasn’t overweight [just over 130] but there was no reason to be gaining weight. I didn’t count calories as a diet, per say, but just to know where I was going wrong. After a month or two I figured out what my body needed calorically and did not continue to count calories. I feel calorie counting can work well for people if they have had a change in the activity level of their life and they’re trying to figure out how to get back on track. [It can work well for other situations as well, but is not for everyone and can quickly become obsessive.] At that time I was staying around 1700/day, give or take. I am the type that needs to eat all throughout the day. I wake up starving, then 2hrs later need a snack, etc.
Chris was laid off the day I started with P+W. He is a civil engineer and things were drying up quick in Charlotte for both of our fields. We had been wanting to move to Colorado for some time, so Chris started searching for jobs in NC and CO. Nothing to be found.
Later that winter [‘08] is when I started the ota.bar business, decided to run a 1/2 marathon and take my LEED AP test. Phew! Oh yeah, and I completed a design competition with Laura just for fun! I was busy to say the least!
Running:
I really started running in late summer of 2007. I have always worked out a lot but never enjoyed running, at all! Before this, I had run 1, 5k while at Ohio State. One day I just decided I was going to like running and soon after I actually did! I started out s.l.o.w. Even though I was in shape, I wasn’t in running shape! I literally couldn’t run more than 1/2 mile without stopping to walk. I would do 5min running, 5min walking for 30min or so to start off. I slowly increased the running and decreased the walking. I signed up for the Susan G. Komen 5k [in Charlotte] with a couple girls. We ran together a few times, which really helped keep up the motivation.
At this point, I still wasn’t sold on running. I remember completing the 5k and thinking it was SO far Well, after that, I continued running and upped my mileage to 4miles and then 5! I couldn’t believe my progress. [I run at about a 10min mile pace] So, in late winter of ‘08, I was thinking I would try running a 10k but I could already run 5 miles and didn’t think it would be a hard enough challenge. Half marathon anyone? I signed up and never looked back. I trained by myself and couldn’t believe my progress. Each Sunday I would run 1 mile further. I remember my mom was in town when I had to run my first 6 miler. She came to the park with me and walked while I ran and we met after I was done. I could NOT believe I ran 6 miles.
The training went well and I finished without injury. I wasn’t running to lose weight. I definitely toned up while training and gained muscle. My goal was basically just to see if I could do it and stay healthy in the process. Personally, I would find it very hard to actually lose weight while training for an endurance race, because you really have to replenish your body from all the burned calories. I have never been one to deprive myself of food. My stomach is almost always hungry and when it is, I feed it! If anyone wants details on the training method I used, let me know.
My parents came down from Ohio, for the race. Chris was there too and a bunch of friends met me at the finish line. I finished!! With no problems! What the heck!? Here I was, 8 months prior, running 5min + walking 5min. It is so much about mental stamina with these types of challenges. I hope to participate in more races in the future. I am not sure if I’ll be signing up for any marathons but you never know. For the past year or 2, I have had a sprint triathlon on my mind. The part that scares me the most is biking!!
These photos were taken by the lovely + talented Laura. This was in May 2008, 1 month after the 1/2 marathon, when I was in Colorado working on our design competition together.
To the West we go:
That summer, we finally made the decision to just pack up and move to CO, with or without jobs. Even though I was employed, Chris did not have a job and neither of us were really happy with how things were going [job-wise that is]. We loved Charlotte and loved our friends but knew it was time for a new adventure. We decided to move in early September and Pat + Natalie [Chris’s bro + wife] were kind enough to let us move in with them until we got on our feet.
It was a crazy summer with my full time job, the ota.bar business, and looking for new jobs in CO. We were unsuccessful with the later but moved out anyway. As of now, we don’t know what the future holds for where we’ll be living. How long will we be here? Who knows!? Apparently, we like adventures!
What we do know is, we currently reside in Denver and are loving it.
Photos, thanks to the always fabulous Fuse Photographic!
What the heck do I do all day with no job?
- cook
- eat
- photograph
- grocery shop
- blog
- workout
- job hunt
- clean
- REPEAT
Somehow I manage to stay super busy. I am having fun with my time off and finding out what I really want in life…or contemplating it anyway!! The blog has been a great outlet for me. I have heard from so many amazing people and come across many other inspiring women + blogs. Even though I am earning $0 with this, I try to treat it like a job. It’s a job that I l.o.v.e. though Having something accomplish each day, keeps me sane. I have always loved documenting things in my life and with my lifelong interest in food, creating this blog just made sense.
When I started it, I didn’t really have much direction. I knew that I wanted to work on my food photography, share recipes and hopefully inspire someone…anyone!?
How I feel about myself + my life:
I just recently posted about being completely + utterly confused about the direction of my life, profession wise. You can check it out here! Even in just one year from now, I cannot even begin to speculate what I will be doing. I am just hoping it is something that is earning me some $!!
I am overall happy with myself and proud of everything I have accomplished thus far. I tend to be the type that never thinks I have done enough and thinks I could always do better. Hopefully, that will just push me in life to never settle!
As far as how I feel about myself with eating, exercising, weight, etc. I feel like there will always be a mental battle inside womens’ heads with feeling 100% happy with themselves. I know that I have become much more accepting of myself in the past 2 years but know there is always room to grow. Again, I am not trying to focus the blog on weight talk, but it is a part of my life.
I listen to my body for cues as to what it needs. Recently, I have become less dependent on meat. Like I have said, I don’t know if I’ll become a vegetarian or vegan, in the next few years. I do know that I’m doing what feels right. While studying my thesis [on Food + Architecture] I started extensive research into food, like I discussed in my story. I gained an immense amount of knowledge in my research. When I started eating less processed things [even though they seemed healthy] and more real food, I felt better with myself. Real food gave me more energy and left my body feeling cleaner + healthier.
When I started selling ota.bars at the Tailgate Farmers Market in Charlotte, this past summer, I started to notice an even bigger difference. I was eating almost completely organic, locally grown food that was in season. When I was eating meat, it was locally raised, 100% grass fed and organic. I never felt better! It is amazing how boxed, processed food, can make you feel completely weighed down, sluggish, and unsatisfied.
It also helps having a husband that likes exploring new foods and that understands his wife’s crazy passion for good food + the kitchen
What now?
I have no idea!!! We’re taking things 1 day at a time. If I have an update, you’ll know about it 
[...] Fast Forward [...]
hey you! i love you and your story!! you are beautiful!!
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Ashley Reply:
January 23rd, 2010 at 8:45 am
Thank you!! <3 yOU!
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Sounds like a great adventure that you are on… I cant wait to hear that you and your husband are both employed and loving the jobs that you will have!! I also really love your determination to not have a remedial life where you have a never ending cycle of going and sitting at work and coming home and sitting. It sounds like you want to have some fun in life!!
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Ashley Reply:
January 23rd, 2010 at 8:44 am
Thank you SO much
I cannot wait for the day we are both employed either!! I decided awhile ago I can’t just “settle” with my job. It’s scary but feels good at the same time!
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Hey there! I saw your link posted on KERF this morning and I’m glad I clicked on it because your blog is beautiful! I’m interested in reading more because I live in CO as well. Just moved here last August and I’m in LOVE. Such a wonderful place, isn’t it? Can’t wait to read about more of your adventures!
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Ashley Reply:
January 26th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
Oooh awesome! I’m having a blogger meet up at my house on Feb. 13th! If you’re interested in coming let me know! I’ll have more info in the next week or so…we’re going to have a potluck.
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Katie Reply:
February 6th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
hey-
i also found your blog through KERF! i’m curios to know where in CO you moved and how you like it so far? i often think about how great it would be to move out west
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I also linked here from KERF and really enjoyed reading this. What would you consider your perfect job? I live in Boulder. : )
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Ashley Reply:
January 26th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Oh my gosh…perfect job? I don’t even know how to wrap my head around that question right now, haha
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Hi Ashely, saw your link from KERF, lovely pics. looking forward to reading more of your blog. thanks and hope you both get a job of your choice soon!
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hey ashley – found your blog through kath, and as a fellow architect [and big 10 alumni!], i can totally relate to much of what you said here – sitting behind a desk for 8hrs a day just doesn’t seem as fulfilling as i thought it would be. good luck figuring things out!
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Ashley Reply:
January 26th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
Heck ya, archi big 10! Thanks!
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I absolutely loved reading your story. You and I are in a similar boat, as far as leaving a job to do something else, etc etc. I work out of my home and it’s definitely not the most lucrative thing I’ve done. I will definitely be following your blog. I’m looking forward to see how things go for you. I wish you tons of luck, my friend.
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Wow, it’s almost surreal how much your story parallels mine and my husband’s. Congrats to you on your {inner} journey. Your food pics are amazing, as well as your recipes. So glad I stumbled upon your site.
Take care.
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Hello. I stumbled across your blog from tastespotting.com. I love it…so fresh. I’m glad that you are liking Colorado. I moved here several years ago myself. I live in Longmont. I’ll check back on your posts. Chris
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Ashley Reply:
February 4th, 2010 at 12:33 am
Awesome! Thanks for stopping by!
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ASHLEY! Thanks for the sweet comment on my blog! I love your story, and do wish we could have met while you were in Charlotte. NoDa is my favorite place, so jeals ya’ll lived there.
And packing up and moving cross country is so awesome. I hope I have the guts to do that someday.
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Hello, I’ve just stumbled upon your blog and it’s a treat
Such gorgeous photos and delectable (and healthy!) eats 
That’s quite an inspiring story too, I wish you all the best and brightest for the future 
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I can so related to never feeling 100% happy with myself. I think we all understand how hard it is to find a good job, be a good wife, be a good mother, etc. It isn’t easy but you seem to be doing a great job! Beautiful photos.
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Ashley Reply:
February 28th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Thanks girl!!!
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I just laughed so hard at the “what do I do all day without a job?” part because I’m in the same boat. Secretly, I love funemployment + freelance writing. Sometimes. I just posted today about my next step to figuring out what the f I am going to do with my life haha… I wish you the best of luck in figuring that out for yourself, as well
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Ashley, I love your outlook on life! I, like Sarah above, got a giggle out of the “what do I do all day without a job?” part.
Following a recent move with my husband, I took on a part time job teaching because it was the only one available that I liked. My husband and I joked about what I would do with “all my free time.” Now that I’ve plunged into the blogging world, I see how I could easily be occupied with no “real” job at all!
Congrats on the great work!
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Hi Ashley – I am SOOO glad I found your blog! Your photography is to die for – total eye candy
I feel like I associate with you so much – I just quit my job last week because it is just not right for me, so come next week I will be unemployed but ready for the adventure of finding something I am passionate about!
I’m looking forward to following you on your journey!
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Ashley Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Thanks!! Likewise to you!
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It’s great to read about your running/wedding/moving stories! I remember the first time I ran 7 miles in college I was ELATED! What a great feeling.
My hubby and I honeymooned in Colorado this summer. I’m so jealous you get to live there!
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Wow, you have an awesome blog! I’m glad I stumbled across it (got here through Heather’s Dish). I wish you the best of luck in the future & can’t wait to read more of your bloggie
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I stumbled across your blog while I was doing a random search for a recipe and I have to say that I’m glad to have found it. I can totally relate to you in so many ways. I also attended architecture school, am a “lady of leisure” a.k.a unemployed, am a wife, a health nut, and am starting to develop a love for running.
I’m excited to have found your blog and I look forward to reading new post/recipes. Keep up the awesome work!
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Ashley Reply:
April 2nd, 2010 at 11:53 pm
Aw thanks so much girl. We do sound really similar!!
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Hi! I’ve been lurking for a while and finally decided to say hi. I loved reading your story. I’m sure you get this a lot, but I felt like there were a lot of similarities with your story and mine. The blog and food are great too. Will definitely be checking in often.
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Your story is absolutely amazing!!!
Love your blog!
And I completely agree with your philosophy on food and I eat about the same way
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Ashley Reply:
April 13th, 2010 at 11:52 pm
Thank youuuuuu
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hey girl -
love your blog! you are gorgeous by the way!
quick question – do you count calories? i think you have a pretty good idea of calories when you pack your food by reading your posts, but i was wondering if you know how many you eat, being so active. i recently lost a lot of weight, and am now just trying to maintain, and i have no idea REALLY how many calories i need and would love another bloggers opinion. the online calculator things are so inaccurate, and i don’t want to get that obsessive with it.
thanks girl for hearing me out!!!
-r
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AWESOME STORY! I just read the whole thing. I’m glad that you are happy with your life despite not having a job right now. It’ll come. Meanwhile, like you said, enjoy living life!
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Loved reading your story! I can’t believe I haven’t found your blog sooner. A lot of your story is similar to mine. Looking forward to keeping up with your blog.
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Ashley Reply:
June 22nd, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Thanks for checking out my blog!!
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Oh my goodness! I just found your blog! I absolutely love it!! I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to find it — but I’m glad I have now! I loved your story and look forward to reading your posts as well
Yay new blog friend!! hehe 
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Ashley Reply:
July 8th, 2010 at 10:16 am
Thank you so much!!
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I’ve been reading your blog for the last 20 minutes and I LOVE it. Your story is so incredible. Can’t wait to read more! I’m hooked!
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Ashley Reply:
July 14th, 2010 at 12:29 am
Thank YOU!
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I enjoyed so much reading your story about life/food/running/career… it’s so inspiring!!! and your pics are gorgeous!! I’ll definitely read more
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Ahhhh HERE’s where I saw those FUSE photos. They are amazing! I wish I had the courage you two had to just pick up and move. To free yourselves and seek out happiness. That’s something we’re trying to work on. Even though we just want to move one hour away, it seems impossible! Some days it makes me want to cry how I can’t just be free from what’s making me feel awful (my job, my city, not having many friends who live in my city, etc.). You’re such an inspiration, Ashley!
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I’ve been reading your blog for a while and am now just commenting! I find you so inspiring and love all your barefoot posts!! I’ve just gotten into the barefoot/VFF running and have been LOVING IT! My husband and I will be moving to CO this January and it’s been so nice to see some pictures and hear things about Denver!
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Ashley, I can’t believe I’ve never been to your blog before! But so glad I found it! You are an inspiration to us all
Love your about page! How gorgeous you were on your wedding day!
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Ashley Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Thank you so much. Your sweet comment means so much!!
Thanks for saying hi too!
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