SWAP PARTY!!! with Ashley from SUGAR MAMA BAKESHOP

First things first: Welcome visitors via the SWAP party! If you're new here, take a look around, and leave a comment with your blog link so I can check you out too! Now without further ado...

I gotta say, this SWAP PARTY / link up this month has been lots of fun. I was so thrilled to have randomly chosen for meeee the chance to swap goodies with Ashley from Sugar Mama Bakeshop! Ashley doesn't just make delicious treats, but makes them gluten free, dairy free, and vegan! She also uses organic and fair trade ingredients where possible. What's even cooler is that my son is gluten free and he'll be able to enjoy her goodies as well! I think it's pretty cool that we've been paired up. :o)

Not only do I have a soft spot for fellow bakers (I was in the baking business myself for a little while), but I have an even softer spot for sweets and any kind of lovin' from the oven. And how could I be so lucky to have received such a sweet package from Ashley today... a Starbucks gift card and a package of gluten free, vegan banana bread mix! :o) I was so excited, I rushed to the kitchen to preheat the oven and started gathering the few ingredients I needed, only to find that somehow in less than 24 hours, EIGHT bananas have been consumed in this household. I do not understand how that happened. In fact, it kind of scares me...

So, I plan to post later this week about making her banana bread and sharing it's deliciousness with you all. 

Since being introduced to Ashley I had the chance to learn a little more about her through this nifty little survey I crafted to see what kind of gal is behind Sugar Mama Bakeshop. Turns out, she's a pretty cool lady - see for yourself! 

And be sure to check out her blog and her shop! 

your name/age/location: Ashley Greeno/ 26/ Denver, CO

favorite time of day and why: Well... I'm a total night owl. When everyone else is asleep and the house is quiet is when I create the best! But my favorite time with Lily is definitely first thing in the morning when she's sweet and snuggly :) 

you're kid and husband free for four hours - what do you do? Work out! I would love a good hard uninterrupted workout. But then I would definitely go thrifting. I really miss wandering in and out of shops just perusing and daydreaming of the beautiful things I could make.

favorite season: 100% summer!

chore you hate: Eh. All of them? Worst of all is bills though. I put them off forever because I just hate to do them. Plus I don't have a good organization system so it always seems so overwhelming. 

favorite outdoor activity: I love bike rides and going to the beach.

you win $1M - what do you do? Buy a house & a bakeshop 

you have $150 to go shopping with - what do you buy? Junk furniture that needs a makeover or kitchen gadgets!

title of your autobiography: True Life: I'm a Sugar Mama? haha I'm not sure. I've never thought of that one :) 

something you learned this week: I'm not a BAD mom... it's just really hard :) 

your favorite meal is: There is a burrito place here called Illegal Pete's (similar to Chipotle) and I LOVE their burrito bowl. Tells you a little about how fancy I am :) It's total comfort food... that I don't have to cook!

if you could live anywhere else in the US, where would it be and why? Hunter and I have always dreamed about living in southern California. When he finished his environmental biology degree we'll be applying to jobs 

if you could do just one thing to help grow your business, what would it be and why? I wish I could sit down face to face with someone who has successfully navigated being a mom & a business owner and talk about where to start and how to organize etc.

Thank you again, Ashley, for the sweet and thoughtful gifts! :) Can't wait to sneak away for a Starbucks and come home to some yummy banana bread! :)