Flats to Flip Flops, An Interview with Ashley
Ashley from Flats to Flip Flops is one fashionable mommy! She takes the time to share some of her favorite places to shop, talk about philanthropy, and reveal her personal motto in this interview.
Tell us more about yourself and your family.
I am a momma to two sweet kiddos. A mischievous boy, age 4 and a sassy lady, who is almost 2! I have been married for over 11 years to my hubby, and yes, we were totally babies when we got married. We met in college and just couldn’t wait! I grew up in the good ole state of Kentucky, but have now lived out West for over 12 years. So I guess it’s official…I’m a Westerner!
When did you start your site, Flats to Flip Flops? What motivated you to begin blogging?
I started my blog in September of 2011. It all started with my obsession with other people’s blogs. Especially fashion blogs! I love high fashion, but I noticed that a lot of the things they were wearing were not realistic for my stage of life. 4-inch heels while chasing two little hoodlums around the park? No thanks! So I decided to start a blog that takes high fashion trends and makes them more accessible and less intimating to mom’s out there! I truly believe that moms can look great, feel comfortable and be trendy! The rest of my blog just evolved organically as I started sharing other aspects of my life, like my mommy moments, and charities that were near and dear to my heart!
You have mentioned on your site how much you love fashion. What are some of your favorite outfits 
you’ve put together? Where are some of your favorite places to shop for clothes?
Oh, that’s a hard one! There are so many outfits that I have never even blogged! Most recently I did a series on my mint skinny jeans, which I am obsessed with, and I paired them with my chambray shirt, which I am also obsessed with, a scarf and my favorite leopard print flats. I really felt rocking and comfy in that outfit the day I wore it!
As far as shopping goes, I love supporting little boutiques around where I live the most! But when I am looking for a trendier item, I try not to spend too much money, so I shop Target or Forever 21. For more classic and long lasting pieces I buy at Gap or Express!
Can you tell us a little more about The Hudson Foundation? Also, what inspires you to give back and to be philanthropic?
The Hudson Foundation started as an idea when my husband and I were journeying through infertility. We felt so blessed that we were able to try In Vitro Fertilization to start our family, that it broke or hearts to think that some couples never get that opportunity because of the cost of infertility treatments. We always said “someday” we would like to help those couples. Well someday ended up being January of this year, when we officially launched. We decided there was no perfect time to do it, so we kinda just went for it. We have set up The Mission Hope Grant that is a scholarship given to couples that need help financially for infertility treatments and we raise funds through donations, and selling products at our online store, like Handstamped Jewelry and our Hope T-shirt line!
As far as what inspires me it’s my kids. Not only because what it took to get them here, but I don’t want to just tell them to be kind to others and to give back, I want to show them.
Do you have a motto or saying that you and your family live by?
I have a quote by Mahatma Gandhi in a frame on my bedside table that I look at every day, it says “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
What are the top three lessons you have learned as a mom?
Wow! That’s another hard one because I am learning new things every single day!
- I guess like I said before, that if I expect my kids to be a certain way then I have to be that way too. My actions speak louder than my words.
- Patience! So not original, but so the truth. Every day is a lesson in patience and I have a long way to go!
- And lastly what unconditional love is. From both sides! Sometimes I am monster mom, ok, a lot of times and my kids are so quick to forgive AND forget. And on the flip side I truly understand what people mean when they say unconditional love, there is nothing I wouldn’t do for my kids.
—
Site: www.flatstoflipflops.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/flatstoflipflops
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/flats2flipflops
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/ashrstall/
Email: flatstoflipflops@yahoo.com
Comments