Ashley Goodwin Photography

Yesterday it dawned on me.  I had been worried that I was in a state of denial, there had to be pending things to be anxious over that I was simply ignoring.  I must be living in a dream state.  What is going on?!!  But no.  I’m just in a place that oddly seems foreign to me, a sense of content that seemed fleeting.  As my Mom noticed over the phone, I sound genuinely happy.  And what’s crazier is that there have been no drastic change in life circumstances, no week full of back-to-back client bookings, no grandeous news delivered, no winning lottery ticket, and certainly no sudden weight loss.  Yet here I am, elated and grateful and thrilled to wake up early enough to see the sun rise, content to perch in my yoga pants and mark spam emails, and okay that the house is currently a flippin’ mess.  The difference didn’t come with something that happened, it has arrived in peace, and love, and a changed heart, and most importantly faith. I am sincerely happy. Nothing has changed, but at the same time everything has, and I am grateful to God for that one.  Big ups, man in the sky!

I am making an effort to avoid the safe, “heavenly Father please watch over us while we (ahhhemmm, Marshall) while we zig-zag through this five o’clock traffic” prayers and focus more on grand, BLOW YOUR MIND-use me for your will-leap out of my comfort zone prayers, so I wanted to take a moment to recognize all the little things that may go overlooked day by day that I appreciate.

Hawai’i:  Duh, sounds obvious, but I originally didn’t want to come back here.  Pitched a fit, actually,  IIIIIIII wanted to head to Europe, instead (poor little me!  Hmph!)  Here’s hoping that still happens, one day, but in the meantime I am grateful for O’ahu and have a hard time seeing us ever leaving.  Salt hair don’t care, don’t you know how that goes?!?!

Le Pups:  It was hard being away from them for nearly a year, now nothing can compare to snuggling up and twirling their little ears around my fingers and hearing the jingling of their collars ringing through the living room.  Even when I catch Leo shredding my favorite underwear, I still find some love for him.  Deep, deep down in there.

Our Home:  What a surprise, I pitched a fit about this, too.  I hope Marshall doesn’t see this post because he will invitable give me a good “I talk you in to a lot of things you wind up liking…”.  Sure, I wanted to live somewhere more Hawai’i, but that meant shelling out a ton of cash to live in someone’s basement on the North Shore (and while that’s cool and all!) I am happy to have a (somewhat) gecko free home that’s close to everything and has some kickin’ central air conditioning.  Hollerback.  I’m always more than happy to visit my aloha dwelling friends, however.

Yoga Online:  It’s genius, I swear.  Nothing calms my body and soothes my tired soul more than some delicious yoga poses.  OMMMMMMMMMMMMM.  I use yogaglo.com.  It completes me.

The Bible App:  Truth be told, I had never really read the Bible the whole way through.  Not only did I previously have little interest in it, but I mean, who wants to read the Bible start. to. finish?  Well now, ME!  (Seriously, who is this girl?), and you should too, even if you think you don’t believe (because how can you be so sure you don’t believe what is said to be the word of God if you haven’t read it?)  Thankfully with the Bible App I can LISTEN from beginning to end, highlighting and bookmarking when I come across interesting scripture.  It’s genius!  Plus, I find I remember it better when I hear it as opposed to my mind potentially wandering.

My Contax:  This seems superficial for sure, the most important things in life are not things, but I have to genuinely say that THIS is where my head has always been when it came to my photography. I am kicking myself for being fearful and not taking the leap sooner.  You need the gear that will help you accomplish what you see in your head, and for me, it’s always been the Contax.  So thrilled to push my work to new levels.

Mornings with Marshall:  Marshall wakes up superrrr early to get to work in time for physical training.  My heart always sank a little when ever I rolled over and noticed his side of the bed was empty.  I have recently asked him to start waking me up when he does (5AM people!) so I can spend some time with him before I work out and we get our day started.  Opening your eyes to a barrage of kisses every morning makes the early call time a-ok with me!

 

What are the little things you’re most grateful for?  Have you told them?

xo

Several guests trickled in as the sun dipped behind the clouds.  Light trade winds caressed the Ranch filling the air with a sweet scents of nearby blooms. Kelsey’s father strongly shook hands while Mike was patted on the back and congratulated by local friends.  Kelsey slipped on her airy gown, “a Princess” their daughter Ella declared, brown eyes wide in beauty and awe.  Kelsey took her father’s arm and preceded by her mother floated across the sunlit field, into the arms of her love.  In front of an inclusive gathering of their nearest and dearest, the sealed their vows with a wine box (and love note) ceremony–forever embodying the immense admiration they have for one another that warm sixth of May overlooking the North Shore of O’ahu.

Kelsey & Mike–I mean, really.  Kelsey, when you and I sat down that bright day at Starbucks I knew with your fast talking and constant laughter that I liked you.  Wait, loved you.  You’re smart, freaking stunning (that gleaming white smile!), energetic & bubbly and so dang witty, you’re my kinda girl!  The details you designed are gorgeous, you’ve got great taste.  And Mike–you ain’t so bad yourself!  A guy that treats his gal to an old Bronco style getaway is alright with me.  Seeing your face light up as Kelsey stepped across that burlap aisle simply made me melt–your adoration of her is palpable.  And high-fives for picking such a dapper suit!  Congratulations to both of you, may your adorable little family have the most amazing of years to come!  Let the day you committed those love notes to that rich mahogany box be the day you loved each other the least.

 

Venue:  Sunset Ranch, North Shore O’ahu  |  Hair & Make-up:  Faith & Beauty  |  Flowers:  the Navy Exchange (I know, right?!?!)  |  Officiant:  Pastor Mark Turansky  |  Huge shout out to James Ramos who was my assistant that day and carried bags, rounded up a horse, and saved us from an untimely mosquito death.  SO appreciative for him!

There’s a story that often gets told around my Mommalou’s Sunday Supper, one that ends in me getting prodded at and teased by my Uncles.  Rumor has it that on the way home from a shopping trip in Richmond, Virginia when I 5 or 6 my Uncle Ebbie and my Mommalou stopped at the Cumberland County General Store for some snacks.  Anyone who has ventured through the blink of an eye Cumberland knows of store and all its golden road trip necessities, so it’s no surprise that when my Uncle asked me if I wanted anything, I quickly decided on a sugary stick of cotton candy.  He agreed on the treat, but under the condition that I wait until I get home to eat it.  I promised my sincerest yes and happily accepted the fluffy pink dessert.  A few miles down the road it’s been said that Eddie peeked into the back seat to find me enjoying my sticky cotton candy despite our agreement.  When confronted about blatantly ignoring our arrangement, Ebbie demanded “Ashley!  I thought you said you’d wait until you got home to eat your candy!”

My response?

“I channngggeeeeeddddddd my minndddddd.”

That story won me the family title of Most Determined Child and still holds true today.

To Marshall’s elatedness, that’s how I currently feel about our house duds.  Quick to go from loving all things soft and glam to craving bold and vivid color, I am always adoring something new and getting the wild hair to mix-it-up.  That’s what I loved about being an Interior Designer–being about to surround myself and create colorful and creative of-the-moment designs and change my aesthetic at the blink of an eye.  There are some things that will always be the core of me, like my love for layering patterns and textures, shiny gold, and going white head-to-toe, but right now I am dying to ditch the abundance of chevron and watermelon pinks in our home and incorporate a more subtle mix of blush, gray, sage, and of course, a good inky black.  Marshall has got to be thanking the high heavens right about now.  Kelly Wearstler style may seem crazy to some, but I think she is genius, and I’d love to add a little bit of her 1980′s outrageous flair to our current home decor.

 

Right now I’m inspired by:

 

Pineapple Print  |  Living Room  |  Bedroom  |  Succulents  |  Hammock  |  Southwest Table  |  Shelves, table, and pillows 

 

When it came to their marriage, they both always knew it would be an intimate destination centered around the islands, so when Bill proposed to Emily they chose Makapu’u beach as their gorgeous backdrop.  It was just the two of them, perched on the sand against the crashing waves and warm breeze when Pastor Kahu began the ceremony with an ancient Hawai’ian chant.  As her beautiful gown rippled in the trade winds Emily & Bill passionately exchanged sweet glances, loving teases, and promises of forever when they said “I do”.  Binding them in a lei, Kahu declared them husband and wife, setting them off into their beautiful adventure ahead–forever together.

Emily & Bill–you guys are magnificent.  Hysterical, light-hearted, and full of down-to-earth charm.  You guys staying in the Forgetting Sarah Marshall Turtle Bay suites just about sums your awesomeness up and makes me love you two that much more.  Congratulations on your romantic ceremony, I wish ya’ll nothing but the best!

Please note:  Isn’t the setting of her ring to DIE?  And Bill’s wood inlay band has the Hawai’ian islands imprinted inside, how cool it that?

 

  Wedding Coordination: Best Day Ever  |  Videography:  Crane Media  |  Officiant:  Kahu Bruce  |  Hair & Make-up:  Make-up by Bev  |  Flowers:  Always Flowers  |  Dinner:  Black Angus Cattle Company