Thursday, August 30, 2012

Inspire Me Healthy

Ok...so I think I AM gonna do this.

Dont Quote The Raven

No, really, I promise I am gonna do this.
You see, I was on this health kick over two years ago.
I was up at the crack of dawn, hitting the gym in the morning and stomping the pavement that same afternoon. 
I loved how I felt and I loved going running everyday!

Then life happened... 
I quit my job to start my year long grad school internship.
After graduation followed a few months of unemployment and then I finally started my 1st year of work in the education system, the job I had buried myself in books for for over 4 years...yeah THAT job! 

To say the least, I hit a bottom.
Not only with my health, but also with my self-esteem, my marriage, my friends, and everything else in between. 
You could say I "let myself go". 

Fast forward to today: parts of my life are back in shape. 
I am loving me for who I am, for my mistakes, and for all of the things I have learned!
HOWEVER... 
I am still working on making my fitness my daily routine.

Summer time came and went...and I was doing awesome during the last 2 weeks before work started. Unfortunately, work began and I just stopped going, doing, running, eating healthy...regularly.

But today...TODAY: I am happy to say I went to the gym!

****HOORAY FOR MEEEEE!!!!!****

I know it was only one day, but I want it to be the first day of many to come in one week.
I am not doing this because I hate the numbers on the scale, because I don't let them define my health. I am doing this because I want to be back at my peak. I want to be healthy in mind, body, and soul. I will know I have reached my goal when my clothes are not so tight and when I can feel confident wearing those skinny jeans and body forming shirts!! 

Here is my "post work out pic" from a month ago...I hope I can have many more photo ops like these...without the ghostly looking face!!


Because THIS is what I want to go back to:


Wanna join me in this adventure?

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Sick Kitty

I may not be blessed with children yet,
however, I have my own little fur baby, thing is, 
he is officially a teenager! 
Can you believe that!?!

Poor little guy :(


He has been sicky for a few days now, so we finally had to take him to the vet.
Luckily it wasn't anything too serious although he has scared us in the past!
He came out with a cone though...he hates it!

Nibiki is the sweetest little guy, 
he likes to hide his face in your body when he goes for a car ride and at the vet.
Now, if he only stopped waking me up early for food on the weekends...
Read more on him Here!

Do you have any fur babies? Tell me about them?

Monday, August 27, 2012

Rain, Rain, Go Away!


Don't get me wrong,
I enjoy rainy days.
However, I've stayed couped up at home for 2 days straight.
I felt a bit of cabin fever coming along.
So since the rain had been light all day yesterday,
we decided to go out for dinner,
and of course right then and there, 
the skies decided to open and the wind started to blow...
and just like that I was drenched!

via
Thank goodness for my rain boots! 
I can't believe I've lived all these years without them! lol!

I gotta say I'm thankful for the little rain and the day off.
To everyone living near the Gulf Coast please be careful as the storm is said to strengthen! 

via

Friday, August 24, 2012

Cool, Not Cool, Undecided: Oh what a week!!

I'd thought I'd spice up this blogpost a bit by linking up with sweet Janette from Janette The Jongleur. She is a lovely blogger and avid photog from SoCal and you should definitely visit, link up, and follow her if you haven't yet...so what are you waiting for?!?!


Janette


COOL:
This has been a very interesting week to say the least...

On the bright side, work may be *IS* cancelled Monday (thanks Isaac)
My friend gave us tix to the Miami Dolphins game tonight...
Hubby is making sure we party it up tonight at his brother's bar for Michael Jackson night!
 I'll make sure to have my big ass drink and hopefully it looks like this...!!!!



NOT COOL:
Waaah...waaah introducing my Debbie Downer post...

My car breaks down Monday on the first day of work
Demanding parents began visiting work on Tuesday and my work laptop crashes
Hubby's car visits the auto shop on Wednesday
Played work politics on Thursday
My work laptop is stolen from the trunk of my car last night!

I think I deserve a big ass tall drink tonight!


UNDECIDED:
Spending the day indoors knowing that everything around town is closed because of the rain and the wind.
Using the extra time to work from home to catch up...I guess I will see the fruits of my labor later!
To have folks over at home for a Hurricane party...do I want to clean up later???

hmmmmmmm

Monday, August 20, 2012

Stitch Fix: Get Yours!

So this is quite of an overdue blog post. It took me a little long, only because I didn't know where to start and I didn't have a good pic of me with my Stitch Fix...uhmmm..."Fix"!


What is Stitch Fix? Stitch Fix is this really cool website where you get personalized style fixings delivered to your door! Once you sign up, you complete a style profile of what you like, what you don't like, your size, your price range, and other "important" things. You are then assigned a personal Stitch Fix stylist who selects 5 items that are sent to you for a $20 "styling fee". When the package arrives you  try on the items at home and do a little fashion show for your friends. So you fell in love with one, two, or maybe all five items? The ones you want, well, you can apply the $20 styling towards their cost. The items you don't want? No sweat, return them with the included prepaid envelope. You can schedule your box to arrive as often or as seldom as you want.

What I really liked is that with the items, you also get a card with suggestions on how to wear the pieces that are sent to you. Dress them up, dress them down, with a belt, cardigan, or boots. Uber cool for the lazy fashionista that I am!

Pretty easy cheesy, right?

Just as a quick FYI: I was not compensated in any way to do this. 
Also, this is my first fashion post/review of any kind so any feedback is welcomed! :)




Here are the items I received in my first shipment:

This black linen dress is by Keepsake. It is a pretty cute rocking dress with cut outs on the back side. Unfortunately, it was a tad bit small on me (I blame it on my weight gain). I also wasn't too thrilled about the material and the price attached to it (almost $100). 
I loved the suggestions to wear the dress though! I think this was one of my "wildcard" picks.



This is a floral racerback tank top by Tulle. I really liked the sheer material and the racerback style on the back. Since I own a similar top in my closet, I had to send this one back.



Via Polyvore
It may have been the fact I needed an outfit for my little sister's birthday, but I found so many ways to wear this tank by Bluejuice with things already in my closet! I love the detail around the neck and the color was my favorite! Although I wasn't thrilled that it flowed out at the bottom so much, I managed to tuck it in into a black tube skirt, sorta like the styling suggestion seen below.
Let's just say that it was h-o-t! I got lots of compliments that night:)



This tank by Olive and Oak was adorable! I loved the sheer material, the colors, and the racerback once again. However, it fit a little odd on me. Maybe I just wasn't used to the way I looked in it.




This skinny wavy bangle set by Rachel Eva was a little pricey for my range. I would've kept them, but I own similar ones I bought some time ago.


After you receive your pieces and try them on for size, log on to your Stitch Fix account and make comments about your items so that your stylist knows why you either loved or did not love the pieces. This way, they get to know about your style a little better.

Stitch Fix is a great way to add items to your closet. You can schedule your Stitch Fix to come in once a month or once every three months, YOU decide!! 

Rocking my Stitch Fix!

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Don't worry...about a thing

I was so nervous for the beginning of the school year...well for the first week at least. 
After finding out everything I needed to know (very late) I was able to move in and make it through the first week of planning, even though I'm not even in the classroom. 
The kiddos go back to class on Monday and I guess that's when the real test starts. 
I am already creating a plan of action (in my head) for everything that needs to be done..but oh goodness, can you believe there's a meeting I'm already "dreading"? 
It's ok...everything is gonna be all right!

I'm determined to do the following so I can stay "happy" and "stress-free" this year. 
Do what you can in the time allotted. 
Avoid stepping on others' toes.
Say "no" even before my plate is full.
DO NOT GET OVERWHELMED!
EXERCISE: Must go to GYM and do YOGA!!!



What do you do to battle a stressful day at work?

Friday, August 17, 2012

I Hope You Dance

I stumbled upon a printed email sent to me by an old coworker (2 jobs ago). You see, we worked as group counselors hoping to help others and many times, we forgot about ourselves. Giulia always managed to send out the right vibes and words to make it through the day. The email read:

Author unknown:

"When I meditated on the word 'Guidance', I kept seeing 'dance' at the end of the word.

I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.

When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn't flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.

Via

When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another. It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.

The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other.

My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.

When I saw 'G': I thought of God, followed by 'u' and 'i'.
'God, 'u' and 'i' dance.'
GOD, YOU, and I DANCE.

As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life.

Once again, I became willing to let God lead.

Dance together with God, trusting God to lead and to guide you through each season of your life."

--Author Unknown
via

And I Hope You Dance!!!!!!!!


Monday, August 13, 2012

Repeat Sundays with Some Confessions

Well hello there lovelies!

I love it when the stars align and the day is just overly peachy or was it?!
Since we are all in a Great Britain state of mind because of the Olympics I figured I'd share Ellie Goulding's version of Your Song...makes me think of fat little cute babies growing up :)



So I've also decided to link up with super fun and sweet blogger Alyx and her Sunday Confessions Link Up!


So maybeeeee DH and I had a little spat earlier on...you know what? It is awesome that he is just as conscious as I am now to think of the situation. I think we are both making a conscious effort to be more understanding of each other. I mean really, nobody is perfect and the only person you can ever change is yourself.

::Sigh::

I'm still somewhat anxious...It'll be my first week back at work after a summer full of getting to know me. Thing is...it'll be my first time starting at a school and my job, prior to classes starting so I have a lot of questions that I need to answer tomorrow.

I have indulged in wayyy too much food in two days. From Coca-Cola rice (yes!, use coke instead of water!), bruschetta, stuffed mushrooms, baked brie cheese with strawberries, olives, and steaks.

So I didn't see super quick weight loss results from Insanity in 2 weeks, so I started running instead. Let's hope I can give running the focus I did year's back.

I may own a DSLR...however I have no clue how to use it! Well, I need to learn more about apertures, ISOs, and lighting....well someday I guess!

Oh...and I guess Alyx and I may share the same yucky habit to pop pop pop ;) It gets worse when I'm anxious!


Until next time darlings...I need to wake up early to hit the pavement...or the treadmill :)
AND don't forget to link up with Sunday's Confessions!

Friday, August 10, 2012

Overwhelmed

...with emotions
...with happiness
...with sadness
...with love
...with anxiety
...with confusion
...with feelings
...with anger
...with self-doubt
...with myself



Take one step back and breathe
the answers will come
they may not come today
but someday the light will shine
until then, follow the light that shines within you

via http://favim.com/image/267599/

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Drink Your Veggies: My Green Monster Smoothie

In my little summer journey towards becoming a better me, I have discovered that I love making smoothies for myself. My smoothies are delicious and they are green.
Yup, you heard it: GREEN!

I promise they are delicious. Even DH could not believe that they were that good!
The thing is, I fell in love with spinach during my "uber healthy" years, so now I try my very best to add spinach to just about everything I eat! So if you like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and bananas, you must try to make this at home!

Why add spinach? you ask...well let me tell you why (via):
  • Spinach is a fat free, cholesterol free, very low in calories and in sodium.
  • This leafy green is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, K, B2, B6, magnesium, folate, manganese, iron, calcium, and potassium.
  • It is rich in antioxidants which help reduce free radicals in the body. Antioxidants along with magnesium and folate help lower high blood pressure.
  • Spinach is a heart-healthy food that is also rich in lutein, which promotes good eye health. 

And now...TAH-DAAAH...here it is, Andie's Green Monster Smoothie:
Ingredients (serves 1)
  • 1 frozen sliced banana (Tip: cut and peel before freezing)
  • 1 cup of unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or: soy, skim milk...chose to your liking)
  • 1/2 cup of low-fat, vanilla frozen yogurt (or: fat free greek vanilla yogurt)
  • 1 tsp of Nesquik sugar-free chocolate powder 
  • 1/2 tbsp low-fat peanut butter
  • 2 cups of organic spinach (or more or less)
  • 3 ice cubes
Instructions
Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Nutritional Stats
291 calories, 8g protein, 10g fiber




Feel free to add more fruits into your blender. I love adding a small handful of frozen blueberries, strawberries, and/or raspberries. I sometimes go wild and add a two cubes of frozen green tea (I know, I'm going green overboard!)

I know everyone has a gimmick or a diet. Over the past years, I vowed that I would never EVER be on a diet...rather, I would make healthier eating choices instead. I kinda like the choice I made to make my own smoothies. So try it yourself...I promise you will love it!

Thank you to Iowa Girl Eats for the inspiration!

What are you waiting for? Try it out and tell me how delish yours is!

What would Popeye say?...I'm strong to the finish cause I eat me spinach!!

Monday, August 6, 2012

Liebster Award time!

Hola chicas!!!

I was nominated by my friend Libby from It’s Never Too Late, Although I’m Always Late for the Liebster Award. Although I may have inspired Libby’s blog birth…she has definitely been a more avid blogger than I. Thank you Libby for nominating me!



What is the Liebster Award? The word Liebster is German and it literally meaning "dearest" or "favorite". Other meanings include sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.

The award recognizes new and upcoming bloggers with less than 200 followers (or friends) who deserve recognition and support for their contribution in the blogosphere.

In order to accept this prestigious award, one must abide by the following list of rules. 
  1. Each person must list 11 things about themselves.
  2. Answer the 11 questions that the tagger has set for you PLUS you MUST create 11 questions of your own for the 11 people you will nominate with this award.
  3. Choose up to 11 bloggers linking them to your post.
  4. Go to their page and inform them of the nomination.
  5. Absolutely NO tag backs.
  6. Remember to ONLY tag bloggers with less than 200 followers  
11 Random Facts about Me:
  1. I’m always thinking…even when you think I’m done, I’m still thinking. Ruminating thoughts? That’s my middle name.
  2. I was born in Peru, however my lineage is Chinese, Italian, Afro-Peruvian, Spanish, Basque, and English. If you come to my family gatherings, you don’t know if to speak English, Spanish, or Chinese.
  3. I was in two different dance companies in college. I’m always dancing…yes, even when people are watching!
  4. I hated cheese when I was younger. I loooove cheese now :)
  5. I’ve never met a chocolate I did not like.
  6. Luis Miguel was my first concert ever in 1988! (He's the guy Mariah Carey dated before she “lost it”)
  7. I am a Florida Gator..."where the girls are the fairesssssttttt"! I went to University of Florida for my Bachelors. I highly encourage everyone to go away to college if you can! 
  8. I really enjoy watching the Parade of Nations of the Olympics Opening Ceremony and figuring out their athletes.
  9. I named my first car Henry…my second car Cindy. Cindy is still kicking, haha!
  10. My current go to drinks…Raspberry Shock Top and the different Cupcake Vineyard wines.
  11. I love making my own green smoothies with peanut butter, bananas, and spinach!  
Here are Libby’s Questions...
1) Where are you right now? 
In bed at home, hoping to finish this homework super quick :)
2) If you won the lottery today, who is the first person you'd call and why?
El husband, he’ll be happy to know we can pay off our student loans and go on a trip somewhere.
3) What’s on your key ring?
Other than my keys…Keroppi who has survived the last 13 years in my key chain! A pink Tinkerbelle “A” given to me by Libby, a Miami Remembers Betty bottle cap key chain, and my CVS Rewards card.
4) If you could meet one person in your lifetime, past or present, who would it be?
Just one? Well, I’m going to say Christian Bale because he is a hottie and an amazing actor. Inspirational, I would say Gandhi. He can find happiness in anything.
5) How and where did you meet your best friend?
Our parents knew each other so she came over to visit soon after her move to the US. She didn’t like me because I didn’t stop talking on the phone to greet her so she hung out with my sister instead. Fast forward 2 years to the summer before our freshman year in high school, we were inseparable after that.
6) What was the last place you went on vacation to?
What do you define as a vacation? For me is a long car ride or a plane ride. However, now that $$ is limited, everywhere I go is a vacation for me, including Miami Beach! The last “long” road trip I took was to Key West for a 2-day visit.
7) What is the first thing you do in the morning when you wake up?
Check my phone for the time and turn off the alarm…I hate waking up late even though I’m on vacation. Look through my Instagram and look over FB.
8)  Look to your right, what do you see?
A night table with a lamp, iPod speakers, and hubby’s book “I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell”.
9) What is your favorite childhood memory?
Going camping with my parents and our family friends. We would go to the camping site near the beach or to the country club’s bungalows and/or campsites.
10) What is something you can never leave your house without?
My phone! I’m addicted, although I am getting better at "forgetting" it at home at times.
11) You're stuck in an elevator for 24 hrs, who would you choose to be stuck with?
El husband, he can make me laugh for days and makes me feel safe. 

Here are my questions to you...
  1. If you could learn any language, which one would it be?
  2. Who is your doppelganger? Or which celebrity do you get mistaken for?
  3. Have you ever participated in any sports?
  4. What is your favorite quote or motto in life?
  5. What is your favorite food/dish/cuisine?
  6. Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, or Caribou Coffee?
  7. If you had three wishes, what would you wish for?
  8. What song is the most played on your iPod at this time?
  9. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
  10. The world would be a better place if __________
  11. Do you believe in ghosts? Have you had an encounter with “the paranormal”?
My nominees for the Liebster Award are:
  1. Audrie @ Audrie is…
  2. Gabriella @ Love.From.Londres
  3. Michelle @ Just Smile
  4. Andrea @ Glam Hungry Mom
  5. Mackensie @ Mackensie: Art Health Style
  6. Cassandra @ Twenty-Five in my 25th
  7. Mia @ The Chronicles of Chaos
  8. Andrea @ Life Won’t Wait
  9. Ana @ Blush
  10. Allison @ Two Infinity and Beyond
  11. Amanda @ We & Serendipity
I can't wait to read all of your answers!
Thanks again Libby for nominating me! 
Photobucket

I love all of you lovelies and tah-tah for now :)

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Movie Star!!

I know I haven't told you yet, but I have a secret to tell you...promise you won't tell a soul...yes? ok, ready? I am movie star! What...you didn't hear me? I AM A MOVIE STAR...heehee!

via
Just kidding...but I do have proof...

The crew and the crowd
The Magnum look

You see, a certain dance movie was being filmed in my city last summer. My role, was a very important one, I had to be part of a crowd. Don't laugh! It was hard work! I mean, standing under the sun, club dancing, pretending to have a really good time while sweating, wearing heels on the sand and for over 12 hours was no easy feat! Specially when the unmentionable "other" actors were being whisked away to the air conditioned areas with refreshments, and hair/make-up staff chasing after them. Our refreshments while filming thanks to Hollywood's magic: fake mojitos and beer bottles filled with water. But all kidding aside, the folks in charge of the extras treated us to breakfast, lunch, and snacks during film breaks.

Fake Mojitos - a gelatin substance that looked
like dirty water after Day 1 of filming

Alas, my hard work paid off with about 10 seconds of on-screen "OMG! that's really me next to the lead actor" time! I mean, in a few weeks, if you want to press play and pause when it comes on DVD, I'm sure you can spot me (or my elbow) in the crowd. That will surely add up to 20 more seconds of fame for me! HAHA!

Movie Star pose
aka Hiding my sweaty face behind my sunglasses.

I honestly have a new found respect for those who work in the film industry. It's hard work! From the extras, to the girls they hired to give water and paper towels, to the 100+ people that showed up and the amount of work involved in production, transportation, and logistics. It all amazed me every time.

So if you like dance movies and have enjoyed the Step Up series, I invite you to watch Step Up Revolution...maybe you'll catch a few people you know from Miami on the screen. I know I did :)

Pssst...by the way, did you know that...
See on Two Infinity & Beyond
via etsy

Have you had your 15 seconds of "fame"?
Toodles and until next post my loves!

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