M.I.A in 2016 ♡
To be real with y’all, in late 2015 I went through a series of events that I wasn't quite sure how to deal with and so in 2016 I lacked inspiration and motivation to post as much. In fact, in 2016 there was not one single post on my blog because I basically couldn’t be assed and I neglected it altogether. In the words of Kylie Jenner “2016 will be the year of realising stuff” (LOL!) and with that being said, I am now refocused and ready to tackle 2017.
To make up for no posts in 2016 I thought it would be fun to recap and share the biggest moments from each month including the high’s and lows. We shall call it “Ashiie’s Year in Review 2016″ and yes, I am aware we are half way through January 2017 but hey, better late than never 😉
JANUARY - I WENT VEGAN
I had always been super fussy with my foods and if someone was talking about something I didn't like whilst eating, it would completely put me off my meal. I didn't care how expensive it was, it would play on my conscience too much! The turning point for me was I was having burgers with my friends and I could literally taste the blood of an animal in my mouth. That night I could not sleep and reached out to a few bloggers who gave me some very helpful advice. The very next day I started my journey and i’ve definitely struggled at times and haven't always been perfect but i’ve done the very best that I can do. I think you instantly receive a label once you announce something to the world and people are always quick to point out when you do “wrong” but don't ever praise when you’re doing something well.
FEBRUARY - OUR ENGAGEMENT PARTY
One of the most stressful weeks i’ve had in my life but all the hard work of organising was very well worth it. We celebrated our Engagement at Steve’s Bar in Nedlands. We both remember looking up at the crowd of our friends and family and we could not comprehend that they were all there to share in this special moment with us. One hilarious memory of the night, well perhaps a low point in my life was being found hiding underneath my boss’s table and drinking the half empty wine glasses off the top because I was too overwhelmed to hear speeches. I then proceeded to repeat parts of my speech three times but apparently is was very entertaining? So note to self, don't drink before speeches and enjoy the moment for what it is.
MARCH - A SURGEON SAVED MY BFF’S LIFE
In November 2015 whilst getting ready for work, my best friend Lucy suffered a stroke. She had no idea what was happening to her and being too scared to call in sick to work, she drove the 35km distance for her shift. All we can say is thank god for the medics on site! In March 2016 and may I add, at the very young age of 24 she had life saving surgery. Lucy was flown to Melbourne for a triple heart valve replacement and what the surgeon didn't realise until he basically cut her open, was that there was an aneurysm behind her heart. If this had been left just one more month, well..i’m not even going to complete that sentence. That day was THE longest and hardest day of my life to date, for all of us who love and adore our Lucy we just wanted to know she was going to be ok. Who are we kidding, she’s LUCY GOD DAMN SIMPSON and has absolutely powered through her recovery. She’s so fearless that she’s signed up to do the Karma Resorts Rottnest Channel Swim in February and is currently raising money for the Heart Foundation. You can watch her story here.
APRIL - WE WERE REUNITED WITH LUCY
After being in Melbourne for way too many weeks, The Wolfpack were on a mission to surprise Lucy on her return home to Perth. Being a Thursday night we came up with every excuse under the sun why we “couldn't be there” to welcome her home. Some girls pretended they needed to go to bed early so they said goodnight in the group chat, life commitments, work etc got in the way and we even turned off our locations on Find My Friends. The moment Lucy walked through those airport doors had us all in hysterics. As you can see in the image above, I filmed the emotional reunion here.
MAY - 1ST RUNNER UP AT MAXIM ASMY
I competed at the Maxim Australian Swimwear Model of the Year national finals in 2013 and placed 5th, in 2015 I placed 4th so to achieve a podium position with 1st Runner Up in 2016 was such a huge accomplishment. The finals week was probably the most enjoyable i’ve experienced to date and we all have Procon Leisure to thank. All 30 contestants had media exposure, dinners, activities, networking and of course the photo shoot with Wayne Daniels with a feature in the 2017 MAXIM Calendar. Oh and my highlight was meeting my room mate Gabbie! I would highly recommend this competition to all aspiring models wanting to make their mark in the industry.
JUNE -I GOT A NEW CAR & THE SALESMEN WERE DICKS
I said goodbye to my beloved pink Nissan Micra aka The Ashiie Mobile and upgraded to a Qashqai. Before any of you ask, NO THIS IS NOT A PLUG. As exciting as it is to purchase a new car the whole process was nothing but a dragged out, excruciating, long and painful one.
The salesman told me my new car was ready and to bring my old one in so they can swap over the personalised number plates and sign the finance papers. He confirmed this would only take 15 minutes as I informed him I was on a strict time schedule. I waited 45 minutes while I watched him and his manager scatter back and fourth achieving nothing but my plates being swapped over. I marched into their office, said a few words then ran to my car and drove out, now being 30 minutes late to an appointment for an event that night. They continued to keep on calling me throughout the night and next day trying to make it right and pressure me into signing papers, when i caught them lying about the finishing date of their sale at the time. He was clearly just trying to lock in the sale before the end of the month to get his bonus.
In the next few days I go back there with Alexander to have a meeting with the finance guys. Finance Guy #1 was very professional the whole time, Finance Guy #2 was the biggest douche bag i’ve ever met in the sales industry. Alex assumes that Douche Bag Guy did his research before we arrived because he named dropped mutual friends and had the nerve to imply that one of my friends husbands is not attractive by making very rude and smug comments. Alex then had to leave for work and thats when guy #2 upped his douche bag game. It had been mentioned in conversation that I was vegan so for the entirety of our meeting, he made fun of me for my lifestyle choice. Little did he know I was live commentating the comments being made in the Vegans in Perth Facebook group. I should have just listened to them when they told me to get up and leave. ANYWAYS, I left that meeting not achieving anything ONCE AGAIN because they screwed up the finance papers and I had to go to work.
Now I was just pissed off. My friend Michelle who sometimes helps with my PR dragged me in with her to speak with the Principle of Dealership. He wasn't in so we got the next best thing, the manager. Michelle worked her magic because that’s what Michelle does. The manager could not understand why what normally would be a 48 hour process had dragged on for over 3 weeks and I was still without a car. His jaw dropped when I told him of my encounters.
The whole experience was just bizarre, it’s the only way to describe it. I now can't help but resent my car. I love it. But I resent it. P.S - The only reason i’m happy in the photo is because I was about to drive the fudge out of there!
JULY - I WAS WELCOMED INTO KYLIE’S KLOSET
Kylie emailed me to be a part of her story for The West Australian and I am so grateful she did because ever since, her whole family have treated me like one of their own. For those of you who don’t know, Kylie’s Kloset is a dress hire boutique with a difference. I drive 50 minutes to her because not only does Kylie have a stunning collection of dresses, she makes the whole experience a memorable one. I’m very lucky to now have a beautiful friend for life!
AUGUST - I WON A BEAUTY PAGEANT
My closest friends and family know how hectic I get when i’m about to compete in a competition #SorryNotSorry. What made this one even more special was that they were all there on the night to see me do my thing and their support gave me that extra confidence to give it my all and it’s probably the best i’ve felt on stage for a long time. I won the title of Miss British Empire Australia along with Best Evening Wear, Best in Interview, Best After 5 Wear and Best Swimwear. This was my ticket to compete at the international pageant in London the following month where I placed 1st Runner Up and People’s Choice.
SEPTEMBER - FREE TRIP TO EUROPE
The Useless Travellers strike again! This time joined by our good friend Alice. We nearly missed the Miss British Empire pageant because of flight delays and competed on no sleep in 48 hours. Hours after the pageant we left London for Tuscany, followed by Barcelona and ending in Dubrovnik. We learned that in Dubrovnik you can definitely NOT just walk around freely in your bikinis.
OCTOBER - $3,600 RAISED FOR THE CANCER COUNCIL
I am so proud of my friend Frances Papalia and her team of sponsors who put together a wonderful event to raise money for the Cancer Council of WA. Held at Ambrose Estate, The Pink Ribbon Champagne Brunch was a beautiful event with inspiring women sharing their stories, you could’ve heard a pin drop. The energy in the room was electric and we were all there for a great cause. I can’t wait to be a part of it in 2017. Good on you girls!
NOVEMBER - ALEX BROKE MY CAMERA IN BALI
This trip was meant to be the beginning of my vlogs as I have been meaning to start my YouTube channel. I began with one vlog of our Euro Trip and then couldn't be bothered finishing the rest. I’m sure i’ll get to it one day. I was on such a role! I had documented every day perfectly and half way through the trip Alexander was playing with my camera and all of a sudden the memory card began formatting...GOODBYEEEEEE DIGITAL MEMORIES! I started a hashtag #PrayForAlex but unfortunately this did not save him or my memory card. We are still engaged to this day.
DECEMBER - HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY TO HONEY
Yes, Honey is my dog and yes we may have had a puppy party in the park for her very first birthday with her fur-friends. I got Honey for my birthday in March and her birthday falls on Christmas Day, so this date will now always be extra special to us. I now would much rather be at home with my dog than being out on a Saturday night because #MumLife
GOODBYE 2016 AND HELLO 2017
There’s a couple of these posts that I really want to elaborate on especially the travel mentions so i’ll endeavour to get this done over the next week if that’s something y’all are interested in?
In 2017 I have a much more positive and clear mindset. I have listened to my instincts and am very surprised at the impact this has already had in my life. If you’ve read The Secret then you’ll know what i’m talking about.
I’m looking forward to new challenges, new opportunities, oh! and planning a wedding. Stay tuned...
♡ Ashiie xx