December is one of my favorite months. This particular past December was hard. I knew the holidays were going to be different, but I still wanted to be present and thoughtful. I started thinking about this a few months before the holidays took us by storm, which worked in my favor as I decided to hand write notes to everyone who attended or served at an AKP Retreat in 2016.
Some odd 90 letters had to be written, and in order not to rush those personal tidings, I would commit to only a few at a time. In feeling like this wasn’t enough, and knowing I couldn’t go crazy buying gifts for so many people, I let my creative gears take over. We do a confetti toss at EVERY Retreat. It’s something of a tradition, and the girls look forward to and expect it now. I love that! With an order of keychains from Amazon, a little Mod Podge, and a huge mess of shiny paper shards.. I handmade some sparkle to gift to my gals. Multi-colored for attendees, and metallic shine for the AKP Squad, each girl received something special this holiday.
I really loved doing this. It was hard to keep the secret, but easy to write the correspondence. It reminded me through a tough time of year, that I had so much to be grateful for. So many people to be grateful for. People who have stepped up to support me, the workshops, people who have become genuine friends. It was easy to say thank you to these wonderful cheerleaders, because the truth is, I just really really meant it. Life is sweet that way!
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PHOTOGRAPHY| ASHTON KELLEY PHOTOGRAPHY
EVENT | AKP RETREAT
THANK YOU CARD | EALEXDESIGNS
PEN | KATE SPADE
January 18th, 2017 at 1:48 am
this is so sweet, ashton! you are a doll. so lucky to know you!
January 18th, 2017 at 9:45 am
Thank you, Anna! I feel the same way about you! <3
January 18th, 2017 at 1:50 am
Thoughtful gift!!!
January 18th, 2017 at 9:45 am
Thank you!
January 18th, 2017 at 6:58 am
You are so sweet! What a thoughtful gift!!
January 18th, 2017 at 9:45 am
They were fun.. and sticky.. to make! :)
January 18th, 2017 at 8:35 am
This is so cute and thoughtful! They turned out adorable <3
January 18th, 2017 at 9:46 am
I had to put one on my own keychain. You know my love for confetti! :)
January 18th, 2017 at 8:54 am
Oh my gosh, those sparkle keychains are so cute! How sweet of you to make those!
January 18th, 2017 at 9:46 am
Thanks, Christa! This was such a fun project… Just had to share!
January 18th, 2017 at 9:47 am
Love mine! You’re so sweet and thoughtful. I can look at it and remember Charleston every day now!
January 18th, 2017 at 9:53 am
You have no idea how happy that makes me!! <3
January 18th, 2017 at 10:25 am
I love this, ashton! I was so surprised when my keychain arrived in the mail. It was such a nice, thoughtful gift. Love you so very much!!! You are such an inspiration and I am so honored that I have had the opportunity to meet you!
January 18th, 2017 at 10:25 am
Oh Michelle! That warms my heart. I’m so glad we got to meet one another and that you loved it. I hope it always reminds you how bright of a star that you are!
January 18th, 2017 at 10:25 am
Aww this is so thoughtful and sweet of you! They are beautiful gifts and I am sure they will be treasured ❤
January 18th, 2017 at 10:27 am
Thank you Lorna! Hopefully you can join us on a workshop adventure one day, too! <3
January 18th, 2017 at 10:30 am
Oh my goodness! I love EVERYTHING about this so much!!
January 18th, 2017 at 10:31 am
Thank you Shelby! Come hang out with us sometime. We’d love to have you at an AKP Retreat. :)
January 18th, 2017 at 10:44 am
I LOVE my sparkle! Although I like to think of Ashton as a little bit of sparkle herself, it’s so nice to have some of her sparkle with me always. Love Ya, lady!!
January 18th, 2017 at 10:46 am
Awe, you’re the best Tiff. I am SO SO thankful I got to spend time with you last year and I look forward to seeing you again, soon! MISS YOU! XOXO
January 18th, 2017 at 12:06 pm
In love with the sparkle theme, and the fact that you personally wrote 90 letters!! You go girl!! Great work and beautiful images
January 18th, 2017 at 12:24 pm
Sparkle is my LIFE! Thank you so much Kate. It was a really fulfilling project and it made the girls so happy. That makes me smile! :)
January 18th, 2017 at 4:41 pm
Such a sweet idea!
January 18th, 2017 at 5:00 pm
Thank you, Ella, for your sweet comment!
January 18th, 2017 at 5:52 pm
I can not wait to come to one of your retreats!!
January 18th, 2017 at 5:54 pm
I cannot WAIT TO HAVE YOU!!! XOXOXOX!
January 19th, 2017 at 11:29 am
Ashton, these are so sweet and thoughtful! I can’t wait for the AKP Nashville Retreat, you are getting me so excited!!
January 19th, 2017 at 12:34 pm
I cannot wait to have you! Thank you, Lindsay. You are so incredibly sweet.