My name is Ashley and I am easily distracted...

First I want to thank Rhianne for the guest-posting opportunity - hope you're having a lovely time in Poland!

I'm Ashley from These Hours...and I'm (very) easily distracted. "Hi, Ashley."

As I sat down to write about what distracts me I began to realize how much harder it was than I thought - I'm distracted by pretty much everything. So, in true Ashley form I made a top five list of things that both distract and inspire me. Then, seeing as how I couldn't bear to leave anything off I thought that I would just share the list with you all!

[some images from weheartit.com - if you know the correct source, please let me know!]

1. Books


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I've come to terms with this addiction - there are worse ones I suppose. I have a shelf that is almost literally tilting due to the tons of books I try to stuff in there. And now that I have Kindle on my phone it's only gotten worse. Hey, now work isn't all that boring anymore!

2. Cameras


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Oh, the photographer's financial downfall: cameras. Any time I walk into a thrift shop I'm silently praying I find a new one in my price range. And, don't tell anyone, but sometimes I'm also silently praying I can think of a way I can sneak out the cameras I can't afford!

3. Marie Antoinette


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Let's face it, the French may have hated her, but any girl who loves cake and fashion has got to have some good in her, right? Okay, fine, but I still can't help but fall in love with her fashion sense...

4. Taking Photos


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I probably should have only left one photography-related subject on the list, but this is a big distractor. And here's how it normally goes down:

1. The boyfriend and I are going to car to go somewhere. 2. I see something photo-worthy. 3. I run back inside to grab my camera. 4. The boyfriend whines as I'm snapping away and saying, "No, really! One more picture and I'm done! Promise!"

5. Nature


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I absolutely love being outdoors. I'm not saying it's true, but I might have been a wood-nymph (or maybe just a squirrel) in a past life. There's just something about the way the wind blows through the trees or the soft patches of sunlight that makes its way down to the forest floor that causes me to lose all sense of time. If I could I would build a small home, full of cameras and Marie Antoinette-inspired things, right in the middle of a quiet forest. :)

So, there's my top five list of things that cause me to not get any work done whatsoever. What's yours?

Eeeeeeeeee!!

It's finally Friday!!
Which means tomorrow is Saturday and we are going to Poland.
Tomorrow. eep.

I am soooo excited (despite the 6.30am flight...) and honestly I can't wait to not be at work for a whole week. As if to prove that I need a break - this week has been mental at work - I've been too busy to post two days (boo) and even now my list is longer than my arm (perhaps a slight exaggeration...) however I will finish it all up and that's it. I am out of here!

Luckily some incredibly gorgeous ladies volunteered to guest post for me over the next week so my little blog will be well looked after and you will see some amazing posts - I love the variety and creativity already :)

I'll try and pop in - I'll be updating twitter occasionally I imagine...

but for now, happy weekend and I hope you all have a wonderful week!

I almost can't wait to get back just to share it all with you :)

p.s. thank you for all the lovely comments so far about Poland, don't worry we are taking big coats and hats - its going to be chilly!

Packing for Poland...

I'll be honest, I love packing!

I'm such a nerd, haha, but I love writing lists and I love getting organised - I've had my 'outfits' (if you will, lol) planned out since I went clothes shopping/shoe shopping with my birthday money and now we are finally here!!

Isn't it funny that I'm more bothered about dressing well for a country where only 1 person knows me (through blogging) yet I really don't care how I look at work...

Accessories and shoes!
Including 2 hats, 2 scarfs, 4 bags, 3 purses, 3 pairs of shoes, 1 pair of boots and my passport holder...

Clothes!
Including 5 cardigans, 6 vests, 5 evening type tops and 2 jumpers... I also packed a pair of jeans - not seen here...

Cameras and lens!
Including two yashicas (the autofocus and samurai), my beloved helga the holga and her sister Deedee the diana mini and my fuji instax mini. I also packed a wide angle and fish eye lens for my holga and included K's action sampler as well but that was downstairs at the time... oops!

I'm slightly concerned this is too much for a week (i didnt photograph the pile of film I have stashed to go...) however I am also so so excited!!

p.s. Sorry again for the rubbish photos - I had a stern word with my phone...

p.s.s. you'll notice, no skirts, no dresses, no jewelry, no heels and no pink!