Wedding - Ashley Zin

Life, Wedding

What’s Up Wednesday (or Thursday) April Edition!

April 28, 2016

I’m going to go ahead and apologize now for not nearly enough pictures in this post. I’ve been really busy and haven’t really thought much about taking pictures lately but I’ll make due with what I’ve got. What’s Up Wednesday is my favorite linkup and even though I technically missed it because today’s Thursday, I still want this all documented so here goes…

WHAT WE’RE EATING THIS WEEK

Every week since moving into our apartment Tommy has been cooking this amazing steak with sautéed mushroom and onions dinner that I seriously love. We also went out to Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza on our date night last night and that was delish too. We also eat a lot of pasta because we just wouldn’t be us if we didn’t do that. 🙂

Tommy’s been doing a lot of cooking actually since I used to get home at 6 and he gets home at like 12-1. He’s quite the cook too.

WHAT I’M REMINISCING ABOUT

My last few months “working” at Hudson City when there really wasn’t any work to be done and in reality I was just reading and writing all day. Seriously miss that time so much. Can I just be a stay at home mom now with no kids??

WHAT I’M LOVING

Having our own place! And getting to decorate it and do DIY things! I’m having so much fun. See below.

WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO

This past month we moved into our apartment and this past weekend I finally got everything all set up to be where I want it to be. That took about two full weeks until everything was basically all set up and out of boxes. We’ve also been working on wedding stuff. I ordered these cool bamboo plates for the wedding because who knew China costs so much ($10 a person?? I think not).

WHAT I’M DREADING

Having the center of attention on me during my Bridal shower this weekend haha I know I should just be excited for it but I’m slightly dreading the part about the whole day being about me. But Tommy gets to come with me and drop me off so at least I won’t be alone at the most awkward part!

WHAT I’M WORKING ON

Learning how to be more social. I’m really struggling with the community part of being a Christian. My church does something called Community Groups and I have a really hard time getting myself to go to them. I’m hoping that I am able to find a more authentic way to have community with other Christians but in the mean time I want to open my new home to friends and family often.

WHAT I’M EXCITED ABOUT

Even though I am nervous about the Bridal shower I am of course excited too. I’m excited to see how everything comes out and right afterwards I get to go on my Bachelorette weekend! I’m even more excited for that and seeing what my maid of honor has up her sleeve.

I’m also excited that the weathers warming up. Nothing makes me happier than warm weather and summer. There’s this quite little park right by my work that I go to and sit in the sun when it’s nice out and I’ve been loving it.

WHAT I’M WATCHING/READING

Tommy and I have been binge watching Grey’s Anatomy and we’re totally hooked! I’m so glad that there’s so many seasons and episodes left to watch!! (We just finished Season 2.)

I finished When Sinners Say I Do FINALLY this month and that was really great and eye opening. That’s honestly the only book that I’ve read the past two months because I’ve been pretty busy. I really want to get back into reading as soon as we’re married though when I have more free time.

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO

Nothing haha still. I’m still not sure how to answer this one.

WHAT I’M WEARING

Comfy clothes. Always. As soon as I get home I change into my sweats and a big t-shirt cause it is necessary.

WHAT I’M DOING THIS WEEKEND

ATTENDING MY BRIDAL SHOWER AND BACHELORETTE WEEKEND WUUUUUT! Still can’t believe this is all happening. It’s seriously flyyyyying by.

WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH

UM THE WEDDING IS NEXT MONTH I REPEAT THE WEDDING IS NEXT MONTH! Sorry for all the shouting but can you believe that?! I’m getting married in just 25 days. It still just doesn’t feel real.

WHAT ELSE IS NEW

Not too much, I just changed my work hours this week though. I used to work 8:30-5:30 and let me tell you I dreaded getting home at 6 every night. I felt like I had no time at all to hang out or literally do anything. It basically felt like I got home, ate dinner, and then it was time for bed. I asked my boss if I could do 7:30-4:30 instead because it’s really flexible there and she approved it! And let me tell you I just love it. I’m really not a morning person but getting up that early and getting so much done all so early makes me feel so accomplished. Plus it feels like I have way more time at home to spend with Tommy so it’s a win all around.

I’m linking up with Shay, Shaeffer, and Mel for What’s Up Wednesday!

What’s up with you guys this week?

Read More

1 Comment
Life, Wedding

Engagement Pictures

April 25, 2016

I finally have found the time to post our engagement pictures. I love them so much and I think they really capture our style and portray us pretty well. These pictures make me so excited for the wedding and just to be married to Tommy. I can’t believe in just a few short weeks it’s all really happening. (Yes I know I keep saying the same thing haha.)

So here are a few of my favorites from the photoshoot we did over a month ago. (oops.)

So there yah have it. We of course had to incorporate how we both like riding dirt bikes so we wore our jerseys and riding boots. I actually wore Tommy’s jersey since it has my soon to be new last name 🙂

Read More

6 Comments
Life, Wedding

Life Lately

April 22, 2016
It has almost been a whole month since I’ve shown up here and that makes my heart so sad. I’ve missed sharing my life with whoever may be reading along and let me tell you there has been a lot going on to write about. But that’s also the problem… there’s no time to write lol. So tonight I figure it has been long enough and I need to update you all on what’s going on!
- So first things first – TOMMY AND I HAVE OUR OWN PLACE!! That’s honestly been the biggest reason why I haven’t had the time to blog. We moved in last Tuesday and I have been spending literally almost all of my waking moments (when I’m not at work or spending quality time with Tommy) working on making our apartment a home. I have to say to, I think I’ve done quite a good job with only being here for a week and a half. Here’s just a little bit of how it looks… I fully intend to do a home tour one day when it’s all finished though. I have absolutely loved reading others of those and decorating my own home has been some of the most fun I have ever had (but more on that later).
- Second, we are exactly one month away from the wedding as of today!! I literally can’t believe that it’s almost here and I cannot wait. We only really have small things to pull together now but I only have three weekends before the wedding. Three. My feelings are literally all over the place. I just cannot wait to be Mrs. Zinhobl (insert heart eyes here) and get to relax on the beach with my new husband. Just 30 more days.
- As I mentioned before I have been working on making our apartment our home and have absolutely loved doing DIY projects. I made the most adorable wreath for our door and Tommy and I are making a bookshelf which I’ll share once were done.
- I still intend to share our engagement pictures with you all. I’m working on finding a good time to blog. With my new job I’m working 9 hour days, which I am so not used to and it honestly drains me so by the time I get home all I want to do is relax on the couch. But I’m also hating not having any free time so I’m working on finding a time to do things for myself like blogging or reading. Once things aren’t so busy with the wedding and moving in and all that it should be easier. I woke up early to workout one day last week before work and it was really awesome. I plan to make better use of my mornings starting next week but that means I really need to start getting to bed earlier, which is difficult for me. I want to use mornings to blog as well. I want to keep this little space up to date with things that are going on in my life so I have it to look back on, especially in our first year of marriage.
- So there’s a short recap of where I’m at. God is seriously so faithful and I am in awe of how perfectly He has orchestrated this all and I have never been happier in my life. I will leave you with another one of my favorites from our engagement session but I do promise that eventually I will do a post on them!!
So tell me – what’s been going on in your life?? I’d honestly love to know!!
Read More

4 Comments
Faith, Life, Wedding

What’s Up Wednesday: March Edition

March 30, 2016

Friends, I made it back to my blog this week. I know I haven’t been gone long but I’ve really missed sharing my life with whoever may be reading my posts. SO MUCH has happened over the past two weeks. I don’t even recognize my life as it’s changed so drastically. Tommy and I both started new jobs last week – me on Monday, him on Tuesday. It’s been so very awesome but has come with it’s challenges as any type of change usually does. (I actually started posting this yesterday and didn’t have enough time to go past this point but today I was determined to write a post and my favorite What’s Up Wednesday was happening so I knew I couldn’t miss this.)

What we’re eating this week:

I wish I could update you on how awesome we’ve been doing with eating healthy to follow up on my earlier posts about how I was learning to cook healthy meals but unfortunately that is just not the truth. Well it would be partially true – Tommy’s been doing a lot better than I have been. I just have been so busy with starting a new job where I don’t get home until after 6 so who has time to cook at that hour haha not this girl. But anyways I plan to do meal planning for next week and jump back on the healthy eating train because I really miss how good it makes me feel.

What I’m reminiscing about:

Here’s a silly picture of us from the Bahamas

I know I mentioned this in another What’s Up Wednesday post but I’m really truly reminiscing about our Bahama vacation we took last August. Now that we are only 53 days (YES JUST 53!) away from the wedding I honestly cannot stop thinking about getting married and flying off to relax on a beach in the Dominican with my new husband. So the closest thing I can come to that is our last vacation in the Bahamas so that’s what I keep thinking about.

What I’m loving:

Tommy at his new job 🙂

Just how absolutely faithful God has been to both Tommy and I. I mentioned before about how we both started new jobs last week and I am just in awe at how God has brought these jobs into our lives at just the right time. He is so faithful and always knows what we need and I just can’t get over how good He is.

What we’ve been up to:

Obviously I kind of just talked about this but getting used to our new jobs is basically what we’ve been up to. I’m working 9 hour days, which I am not used to. I don’t get home until 6 and barely have any free time to do anything which is why I haven’t been blogging much. Tommy starts work at 5 am so he’s been sleeping early so I try to spend as much time with him before he has to go to bed.

We’ve also been doing a lot of planning for the wedding. We sent out invitations this week (!!) and I bought soo many decorations for the wedding which has been some of my favorite things to do. I think I shared that already but those are just some of the decorations! 🙂

What I’m dreading:

Hmm well since my job is only temporary – it’s supposed to be 4 months, I am dreading having to look for another one and having to go on interviews again. They’re really not fun but I don’t have to worry about that for a little while. I’m also praying that God opens doors at the company I’m at so it’ll be an easy transition but we’ll see I guess.

What I’m working on:

Finalizing everything for the wedding and searching for an apartment for Tommy and I to live in! I can’t even explain how happy I am about that. We’re trying to find something for the beginning of May so that we can start moving everything in and get settled before were married so that when we come back from our honeymoon we can just relax and get used to our new life together. 🙂 🙂

What I’m excited about:

our honeymoon resort

Well this post should honestly just be titled what I’m excited about because that’s all I’ve been talking about lol. New jobs. Finding an apartment. Getting married. Going on our honeymoon. So. much. goodness.

What I’m watching/reading:

Honestly not much. I haven’t had much free time but I’ve been reading (very slowly) When Sinners Say I Do which is really great. I started a new Netflix show this month and I love it. I’ve heard so many people talk about Grey’s Anatomy so I decided to try it out and I’m hooked.

What I’m listening to:

I don’t listen to any podcasts or any audiobooks so I never know how to answer this one but I’ve been listening to Nash FM in the mornings and I just love how happy country music is.

What I’m wearing:

Just trying my best to dress professionally at my new job. It’s weird being at the bottom again and having to prove yourself to others. I’m not a fan but I’m trying my best and part of that comes with dressing professionally.

What I’m doing this weekend:

Hopefully some hiking, I just love the pictures you get when out hiking. I love how it’s great exercise and so therapeutic too. Tommy and I are also house sitting for his aunt for the week and that starts this Sunday so that should be really fun. Except she has cats which is really the whole reason why we’re there. Yuck.

What I’m looking forward to next month:

My bachelorette party and bridal shower! I’m super excited about both of them and I can’t wait to see what my maid of honor has up her sleeve. 🙂

What else is new:

This is always the hardest one to answer seeing as I just typed up a summary of my whole month so what else could possibly be new? Honestly not much else is going on. I’m getting used to working again and for longer hours. I’m getting used to not seeing Tommy quite as much. I’m getting more and more excited to be married the closer we get and I’m getting more and more prepared for the wedding. This past month was a good one and so so much has changed. I can’t wait for April to fly by and it be our wedding month! Oh I almost forgot to mention, we took our engagement photos this month finally and I cannot wait to share them. I will try for later this week but here’s a sneak peak! 😉

What’s up with you guys? I’ve missed reading everyone’s blogs. I’d love to chat.

I’m linking up with Shay, Shaeffer, and Mel for What’s Up Wednesday!

Read More

No Comments
Wedding

Three Wedding Things Thursday

March 17, 2016

one.

I picked up my dress yesterday from David’s Bridal and now that it actually fits me I looove it. I wish I could post a picture but I guess you’ll just have to wait to see it until after the wedding 😉

two.

I’ve been doing nothing but wedding planning for the past like 24 hours. I bought soo many decorations and I’m so excited.

Just to show you a few 🙂

three

Having my dress and being able to see a lot of the decorations makes me unbelievably excited for this wedding. It finally feels like it’s getting put together and doesn’t feel like something that’s far off in the future. We’re just about two months away and I can’t believe it. May 22nd come faster.

Welp this was barely even a post but oh well. I just haven’t felt like writing this week and I decided to give myself a break. I tend to put so much pressure on myself to show up here and I’m don’t really know why. I desire to post meaningful posts that people will want to read but I feel like if I always am forcing myself to show up then there will rarely ever be meaningful content – so here’s to posting when I really have something to share. (Like this fun wedding post ;)).

Oh btw i am linking up with Living in Yellow today.

Read More

2 Comments
Faith, Life, Wedding

The Happiest Five on Friday

March 4, 2016

T.G.I.F! This week was a looong and hard one but definitely a productive one so I’m really happy now that I’m at the end of it. I have so much to share this week – I’m so excited.

Five good things from my week:

ONE

Tommy and I joined a community group through our church a little over a month ago and it’s been hard to get ourselves there every week. We are both very introverted and have a very hard time putting ourselves out there but this week was amazing. We both really opened up and really learned what true community of a group of Christians is supposed to look like and I’m so happy about it. ALSO I PRAYED OUT LOUD FOR THE FIRST TIME. I’m still in shock myself.

two

Wedding update: We ordered our invitations! We seriously love them, they’re so cute. My mom’s cousin knows how to do calligraphy so she said she’ll address them for me so I’m excited about that too. We also booked our engagement session photo shoot for March 19th and I’m so excited 🙂 (and also kind of nervous).

THREE

I have another interview on Monday for a job that would be just perfect. I’m really hoping I get it but also realizing that having a few months off of work wouldn’t be terrible either so I’m trying to be okay with either. It’s for a position that I would be doing basically what I’m doing now but making 5 more dollars an hour so that would be wonderful obvi. Prayers are definitely appreciated.

four

Tommy and I have been sticking to our meal planning this week after a terrible weekend and Monday off. I was really discouraged in the beginning of the week because we hadn’t had time to meal plan or shop for food over the weekend because our engagement party was on Sunday but once Tuesday hit I was determined to get up back on track. It was definitely rocky to start, I was really tired from a full weekend but we’ve done pretty well under the circumstances. We’ve also worked out twice in a row this week and have plans to go to the gym again tonight. This might not seem like much but for us it’s huge. We normally talk about going to the gym like all the time and never follow through but since it was the start of a new month I was determined to make this month about getting into gear with working out and eating healthy since the wedding is only about 2 1/2 months away! Sorry for that ramble train I just had to get that all out haha.

FIVE

I almost forgot with everything else going on this week that we had our engagement party this past Sunday. I want to do a post just on that but I need to get the pictures from Tommy’s mom. It was so fun to have all our friends and family in one place celebrating with us. It’s really cool to see everyone so excited for us. Both of our mom’s threw the party and cooked, and made decorations and everything. It was awesome.

So yeah that was my week. I don’t want it to seem overly glorified though because even though it was a great week, it didn’t come without it’s struggles as well. The beginning of the week was just HARD and getting ourselves to the community group was also very HARD but I believe God rewards those who are obedient and I’m glad we pushed through the hard and have made progress. How was your week? Was it an easy one or difficult like mine? I’d love to hear.

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

Read More

No Comments