What advice would you give your younger (middle, high school or college) self??

I asked this question on my instagram almost a year ago today, and here are some responses. Leave a response of your own in the comments! My dream is to one day compile stories, advice, quotes and more for young girls to read and hopefully be encouraged and inspired. 

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Don't worry about what others say of your skinny legs and 'no' booty! 

It's ok to feel different, to love God, to at times feel and be alone because of what you stand for. 

The world/s way is not the only way. Always seek the path that is right/feels right for YOU!
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"I would say: even though you're a people person or outgoing, don't be afraid to stand up or out more, even when or if people try to throw shade or have something negative to say ... Like 'she think she all that, she know everybody, who she think she is' ... lol" -- M

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"There are going to be a few times that you think your world is ending and there's no possible way you could go on but it never does and you always do. Keep your chin up, all those heart breaks soften your soul and make you better. There are amazing things that come out of that darkness." -- A

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"All of the aspects of life that seem to matter so much right now, don't really matter that much when you see the big picture. All the ties you have cried and felt you could not go on are stepping stones building up your strength for what you are going to face tomorrow. Lastly, love those around you as fiercely as you can because you never know when you will see them for the last time so make every moment with every person count. -- M

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Stay away from boys; they suck the life out of you. You end up neglecting relationships that really matter and your grades are pitiful. 

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Girl, live your life, love yourself! Cultivate your core being. Express and honor your ideas and values. Live true to yourself! --S

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1. Wait until marriage 2. Seek God sooner rather than later -- G 

I'm Back!

 Illustration by Ashleigh Corrin Webb          ©Ashleigh Corrin Webb

I haven't used my blog in quite some time. My last post was in 2014!

I've recently been feeling like I needed this space to just share some random thoughts, ideas, observations. As a visual person I tend to share a lot on Instagram, but as I began to use it more for my business I felt like I was losing part of myself and my voice. And I think I became entangled in the idea of what I was supposed to be sharing and posting and saying based on what I saw others doing! It was something that was consuming me and taking me away from actually creating what I wanted ... annnnd also just living rather than thinking about it all the time :)  I had to take a little step back and analyze what platforms worked for me and why. Since I'm just kind of getting into this, I'm sure I will learn what feels right for me. I usually work this way -- enter a space to get a feel and then once I get it I can go wild and do my thing. So I'm hoping and expecting that this will be the same in this season of mine as I'm transitioning in to full-time freelancing and all that comes with this.

I get a little scared at times. You know when you hear a voice and you think that voice is telling you to do this thing. And once you finally do it you're like, "ummm, God, was that you or me all this time?!" I love a challenge. And I love the process of stepping into something uncomfortable and figuring out how I will work through it. I think this is what life is all about. I believe in that small voice inside. And I believe stepping into the unknown will take you far if you can let go and trust, and do, and listen.

So its scary but exciting. I'm learning you have to keep pushing through and things will come. I feel like its like casting your net and seeing what catches (... and casting multiple times!) Opportunity will flow in.

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“Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. John 21:6

First Show!

I had my first show the first weekend in June at the West End Business Association's 1st Annual Food Truck Rodeo in Alexandria, VA. It was absolutely amazing and such a blessing.

In the shows I've been a part of in the past, I was usually sharing a space with my mom. I had one show last year before starting my business at REVEL in Old Town, Alexandria. That show inspired me to start my business, and the show this year has given me a vision of potential.

I'm so grateful for the support of those that came, and I loved meeting so many different people and talking with them. It was a reminder of how, for me, the art and what is produced isn't the most important part of this, but also the people I'm able to connect with.

So thank you to all that came out. I really appreciate the encouragement and support you gave me, and I'm excited to use your feedback to improve my business.

Updated Zipper Pouches & Clutches

I've recently decided to slow down to refocus myself. I felt that I needed to not busy myself with work and take some me time to read, hang out and spend time with family and friends, exercise, spend some time with God, etc.

I normally fear stillness because in the past that would normally equate laziness, but I'm finding this to be ridiculous and not true. The balance is necessary. But naturally I enjoy doing things so I returned to sewing a couple things recently, trying to develop a refined technique and style in my work.

I designed a new flower pattern and had it printed and paired it with a striped fabric I found at Joann Fabrics. I've always enjoyed the mixing of patterns and the look of quirky boldness.

I was so excited as I worked on this, ensuring that my fabric was cut clean and precise and the stitching was as perfect as possible. My needle kept getting stuck but I was determined to finish. I kept getting frustrated and you know when you add frustration to eagerness — destruction is bound to happen.

I messed up twice nearing the end, fixed my mistakes, start sweating more, and kept going despite the fact that my needle continued to get stuck and it was now crooked. I tried bending it to straighten it and thought I fixed it. But I didnt.

Oh my goodness.

So at some point I heard a loud BANG as the needle struck metal and broke in half.
So I never got to finished that pouch that I was so excited about.

I had a 30 second pouting session just to get it out. But I think I was somewhat humored by my anxiety to finish and my failure of patience. I also always have this feeling like things are bound to happen once, so maybe I was oddly waiting on the day the needle would break. Lesson learned.

So here is the work in progress. Hopefully I'll have it completed — with my new sewing machine needle — in about a week or two.

"Pennies from Heaven" Money Jars for Kids

This DIY is more for showing you the materials I used to make these money jars,
as well as the concept and purpose of them. It takes just THREE steps to make them!
Create your own or purchase them at AshleigCorrin.com!

- - - - - - - - - - -  HOW TO - - - - - - - - - - -

Materials needed (all came from Paper Source):

- 3 Mason Jars : The ones I have came in a box of 6 for about ($14)

- Printer type lowercase stamps ($15)

- Metal Rim tags (Pack of 25 for $9)

- Ink Pad ($7)

- Twine (500 yards for $8; you don't need this much though :) 

- - - - - - - - - - -  STEPS - - - - - - - - - - -

S T E P   O N E   

Stamp 3 labels with the words "Give," "Save" and "Play" 

S T E P   T W O   

Cut string off of the tags and use the twine you bought instead.
I used two strings for visual aesthetic and pleasure to my eye :)

S T E P   T H R E E   

Loop it around the jar and tie it

- - - - - - - - - - -  THE STORY - - - - - - - - - - -

Most of my friends are becoming parents or, like me, not a parent but at a stage in life where — if we haven't started already — we're realizing its time to begin considering how to manage our money.

aah! I know. It's not the most fun topic ... but it can be!

Of recent I've started paying more attention to messages about money management and thinking about the things I've learned from my parents growing up. (Read more about this here.) I was watching a message by Andy Stanley about financial habits and he summarized it all by these three words: Give, Save and Play.

*ding* Oh my goodness. When I heard this a light bulb went up.

I was thinking, "Everyone needs to hear this," and "I have to do something with this!"
So this is where the idea behind these jars came from.

Can I tell you something? I secretly get really nervous to check my account sometimes! Just being honest. But I recently began facing that fear. I learned through Marie Forleo that we should have a relationship with our money and not fear it. We should check up on our money weekly so we have an understanding of how to go through that week, knowing what we have/don't have to spend for that week. This may be common sense but I have not been living this way! David Ramsey — a super money manager guru who has become famous for it — says that we have to tell our money where to go. Gosh this is so important! He's basically saying that when we get paid, we have to delegate every penny to the bills we know we have to pay, rent, upcoming celebrations we know we'll need gifts for, gas, tithes, savings, charity, groceries, etc. And if there's leftover, we have to know where that money will go, too! (In your savings perhaps or maybe to treat yourself to drinks if you didn't think you had money for that at first!) And if you're in the negative, time to cut from some area where you don't need to be spending as much!

Through my parents actions and words I was shown in big and small ways what I should do with my money. Faith and spirituality was important in my house, so most of my principals came from those found in the bible. I always heard that I should tithe growing up, and that even if I have a penny to give I can give it and God honors that desire of ours to give. I shouldn't look at tithing or giving like, "ooh man, I HAVE to do this?!" but "oooh man, I GET to do this." I have something to give to God or the world that is a gift from Him anyway!!
But my parents often reminded me to tithe. My mom would often ask if someone I knew needed anything. Once I could drive my mom would get me to take a check to pay off a credit card to show me how credit worked. There was one Christmas when I received a bit of money from family and had it sitting in my room. When my mom saw it she was like, "Whaaaat! It's time for a bank account." So she took me to the bank and helped me set up my own account. I think at this time she said I should open a savings as well and helped me get it started by putting a little cash in it.
When I was fifteen I got my first paying job and that summer I saved almost EVERY bit of it and put it into my savings. But I was also in an interesting/weird phase in my life where shopping didn't matter much. So I spent almost no money, my parents were taking care of my basic needs, and I ended up with $1000 in my savings! I'll just admit this is one of my most proud moments.
As I got older I became humbled through the things I learned at church, understanding that the things we have are not our own and we should be willing to sacrifice and give and try not to worry too much because God is taking care of our every need. I also learned that God isn't expecting much from us .. just to honor him in even the smallest of ways and acknowledge Him in the smallest ways, and He will honor that in unimaginably unexpected ways. And I've realized how your perception of life changes when you are able to acknowledge and appreciate these little/big blessings.

I think these jars can help kids (or adults) begin thinking about and learning this basic lesson about what areas to delegate our money to. And also that its not all meant to be spent now or for ourselves, and that we can still treat ourselves and have fun while being smart about money.

You can make these jars any way you'd like! Use a shoe box divided in thirds or three shoe boxes and label each secton/box with the words the words "give," "save" and "play" on tape. Buy jars and put tape labels on them. So many things you can do for cheap. But again, the most important thing is that we teach them now before it is too late.