Hi There!
If you’re reading this, then you were curious about the author of this little blog in this even smaller corner of the internet, or you just clicked the “About” link by mistake (which is probably what happened, but that’s okay.) Either way, you’re here!
My name is Ashley Elizabeth. I live in the beautiful, picturesque and often quirky Pioneer Valley in Western Massachusetts. I’m a full-time paralegal and legal specialist, and a Notary Public for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with a Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal Studies.
I’m also the host of a weekday morning show at Boston’s independent music source, Indie617. You can catch me every Monday through Friday from 10 AM to Noon by streaming the station online or by downloading our free app!
I also host a bi-weekly podcast, ‘Baking to the B Movies’ with my longtime friend Stef- where we review the best of the worst horror movies ever made and do a lot of cooking/baking. We’re available wherever you get your podcasts, and also on SoundCloud!
When I’m not working, I’m a self-proclaimed horror fanatic (horror movies, television, books, video games- you name it. If it’s scary/gory/supernatural/just plain creepy, I love it.) who loves to travel, spend time outdoors, cook and take pictures. I love urban exploration (the researching, exploration and photographing of abandoned man-made structures, i.e.- abandoned houses, schools, hospitals, etc.) and spending time with my unbelievably amazing friends, my equally amazing family, and spoiling my miniature schnauzer (and pride & joy)– Oliver.
I also enjoy attending comic-conventions, and often cosplay different characters from my favorite fandoms when I attend- particularly “The Walking Dead”, the Marvel universe, and the “Resident Evil” video game franchise. If you ever see me at a convention- do come say hello!
I love meeting new people, going to new places, and trying new things. I’m drawn to those who have substance, a passion for life, and who enjoy spontaneous adventures on a whim as much as I do.
Ever since my early teens, I was an avid blogger- chronicling my days at school and weekends riding bikes and watching movies with friends on sites like AOL Hometown and LiveJournal. What started off as a hobby to jot down my memories turned into a fun, part-time way to connect with people around the world with similar interests, or with people who were going through similar experiences.
As I grew older, my writing- often embarrassing in the typical late teens and very early twenties sort of way as I divulged my crushes on boys and shared my then-terrible fashion sense- took up residence on MySpace and an old, now purged Blogspot address before I finally found a home courtesy of BlogSpot, “The Girl with the Curls,” named for my naturally unruly, curly hair.
During the four years I spent blogging on TGwtC, I shared my travels, concert highlights, my nights out at clubs and at local comedy shows, my innermost thoughts as I grew up, movie reviews, fashion and cosmetics commentary, commentary on the world around me in general, and random stuff from the internet that I thought was funny. The blog was therapeutic in a way, as writing as always been a catharsis for me. When I first started it in 2009, I was a full-time consultant for Clinique Cosmetics. I was usually broke, and therefore usually miserable because of that reason.
By the time I wrapped up writing for the blog at the end of 2012, I had blossomed into the self-sufficient, (sometimes) professional I am today- with a career I love and am thankful for every single day I go to work, and with a college degree I had motivated myself to return to university to obtain.
In 2013, I moved my writing to Legally Redhead– in the months following the unexpected death of my father. For over four years I shared my life- the good and the bad times- as well as recipes, fashion, makeup/skin care reviews and travel recaps.
That blog eventually grew into Blondie Birdie– my last great blogging endeavor that launched in the Spring of 2017 as I took on a change of hair color and a change in my relationship status. It remained my online “home” until now.
So, why another change?
Well, not only did I move to the Pioneer Valley in the Spring of 2019, change my hair color- again!– and take on new job/career opportunities on top of what I’d already been doing right along- but I wanted a fresh start and a clean slate for a new decade. I wanted to start a new writing project with more organization and more focus to better connect with those in my New England-centric communities and beyond!
This blog is a little bit of everything: fashion, food, fitness, beauty, travel, music, movies, and all that’s in-between- and I hope you’re all as excited to read it as I am to write it!
xx
– Ashley –
Coffee & Chiffon 