Daytime Girlfriends

All photos by Holly Brown @hollymbp for Ographr.com

Do you guys remember the Facebook live with Joel and an Awair expert? It was my first live video like that and I didn't know how the live video all worked, but it was fun!! I loved seeing all your comments and questions. Thank you! 

All photos: Holly Brown for @Ographr

After the live video, I hosted some girlfriends with GoodCarmaStudio for good food (thanks to Lemonade), drinks and conversation. We even had a bling counter compliments of EmmaJCo. We chatted and learned how a little "awairness" can contribute to cleaner air for us and our children. I was also grateful that we brought in the Creative Coalition. I admire how they're fighting for arts in our children's daily lives. Since Huck started kindergarten in an excellent public school, I'm able to see their hard work come to fruition. I want every child in every school across the country to get the same opportunities. Some of you already saw the instastory on the hair tie bracelet by Maria Shireen. A portion of the proceeds are going toward the Creative Coalition. I'm happy to support people that are giving back! Some of you already have your bracelets. Know you helped a wonderful organization keep going!! Thanks, US Weekly for spreading the word. 

Also, thank you to CelebrityBabyScoop for covering our day, too.

So--- now about the girlie day. I got to visit with friends I've known and worked with back when I was a teenager! I remember the scenes I was doing with Jennifer Garies and Sharon Case... I never had scenes with Tamara Clatterbuck (did I?), but we were friends. I can't help but smile when I think about it all. Especially my sister on Y&R, Sabryn Genet. Time seems to just fly by us. And I adore my B&B family (which also includes Jen!). Jacqueline Wood and Kelly Kruger are two ladies I could hang out with all day everyday. 

Sharon was the first to arrive (which doesn't surprise me... she was usually the first on set, too) so, we got a chance to catch up.  I admire that habit of hers. I can think of other friends that are like this- early or on time for almost everything.... wanna take a guess who they are?

It's the strange thing about being an actor. You get extremely close to these people on a show. So, these people really feel like family to you. They've seen you at your best and worst and everything in between. Then, business takes you to another project and you don't see each other as much. Luckily, we're all based in Los Angeles. One last little note- isn't it lovely when your worlds come together. I enjoyed seeing Ali and Amy chat with my other girlfriends!

We moved into this house not long ago...I still feel like it's not finished, but realized it doesn't matter if it's all ready or not. What does matter are the memories we are starting to create and this was a special day.

What Inspires YOU...?

This is a fun question I was asked today at the Inspiration Awards, Step Up Women Network's biggest event of the year. (Read about 2016's event when I started having contractions with Hayden on the way home!!) It's so easy to respond with a standard answer. But it actually made me think. What DOES inspire me lately? The young girls today from Step Up got up on stage at the Beverly Hilton (where the Golden Globes are held) to speak about what inspires them to grow, graduate from high school, apply and go to college. Many of the girls will be the first generation of their family to graduate high school. The recurring theme is a mentor. Someone to believe in them. So, it was more about WHO inspires them. 

The organization honored the show BLACK-ISH today. Tracee Ellis Ross spoke. She said something that inspired me. She was talking about how women don't need to try and compete with the next person or continually prove our self worth with titles or even relationships. I'll never remember it as eloquently as she said it, but it sounded something like this: We are enough. Our worth is not defined by by being in a relationship with something or someone else. We are powerful, intelligent, entertaining people BECAUSE WE ARE.

That little speech inspired me. Because we are. The room fell silent for second. 

What inspires you every day? It's a good question I'd like to think about more often. Sometimes it could be as simple as something pretty to wear. Today, one step up girl vividly described what her mentor was wearing the first time she met the women in her office. That inspired her. She wanted to become a lawyer that would wear a beautiful blazer. Other times, inspiration comes from something priceless and intangible, like seeing the world through my son's eyes. What inspires you to be your best self today? Hopefully, we can all figure that out and then use that energy to serve others. 

Lately, my inspiration comes from my family. From prayer. And today, the women I was surrounded by at Step Up inspire me. 

Learn more about Step Up  and to donate, click here!  

Scroll down for some shots. And sharing our dress details below. Hope something inspires you;)

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The exact dress I'm wearing is still available.  I have worn it SO many times since I got it. It comes in 8 or 9 different colors, too. This style of dress fits many different body types well. Ali's dress is just as beautiful in person as it is in this photo. And so flattering. I LOVED it. I want it:)

1. WHITE LACE DRESS   2. OFF-THE-SHOULDER FLOWER DRESS

3. Nude Heels 2. similar bracelet 3. Nude clutch 4. Ali's dangle earrings

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Ali Fedotowsky, Tatyana Ali, Beverley Mitchell and Willa Ford.

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Thanks for stopping by. And if you feel 'inspired,' comment below! And truly, if you have a Step Up Chapter in your city, check it out!! 

xo Ashley

STEPPING UP and VENTURING OUT 39 WEEKS PREGANT!

At 39 weeks pregnant and counting, I debated if I had the energy to venture out today, but some things are worth the sacrifice. Step Up Womens Network is one of them (read more about the event and see other pictures here!). I went back to my trusted, comfy tank dress (that comes in tons of colors- I'm wearing an XS-- I wore the purple version - and a few other styles HERE). Plus, I add in extra support and confidence with maternity spanx.  I wore these heels only on the red carpet (pictured below) and then quickly slipped into my fold up, go to flats that fit in my purse and save my feet, completely worth the money. 

Charming Charlie was one of the main sponsors of the charitable event... Ali and I sported a few of their pieces. Ali's wearing one of their maxi dresses (under $35) and several pieces of jewelry-- and I love her purse/clutch. It's only $25! I think I'll be ordering that one. I was excited to wear these fun (incredibly affordable) earrings!

 Ali (32 weeks pregnant here) and I took a few pregnant pictures together in the press line.

I just started timing my contractions on the way home with my girlfriends...(more on that here). My husband is texting me demanding I get my hospital bag together! I can't believe we're in the last days.... better go get it together.