Life or Something Like It

As my 24th birthday approaches, it makes me question the direction my life is headed. I know I want to pursue a legal education and become a fancy lawyer, but it is taking me a lot longer than I ever expected. When I was in high school I pictured that I would be married by 23 and having a baby by 24. Looking back, I realize I was silly and naive. Now I know those numbers are realistic for some, but considering how I am turning 24 in two days and I am not even engaged, I must set a new time line.

I have come to the realization that life is not a race and everyone is allowed to travel at their own pace, but I need to set a time line in order to create goals and cross them off of my mental list. While marriage and kids are definitely in my future, I am not sure when I will be ready (mentally and financially). I guess I only have one thing on my time line at the moment and that is to get into law school. I have a list of schools that I want to apply to, but there are a few out of state ones I am considering in order to be close to the boyfriend. I can't believe I just wrote that because for the longest time I've been so independent and the thought of following a boy out of California was preposterous and now I can't bear the thought of living in a different state. I guess that happens when you fall in love.

23 has been an amazing year and I have learned a lot about myself and the person I wish to become. I am glad to report that I am not too far off base and I have not done anything I truly regret. While I haven't done anything particularly note worthy, I am happier than ever and surrounded by a loving family, the sweetest boyfriend, and the greatest friends I could ever ask for!

Vacation Ready

For two weekends in a row I will be leaving LA to go to Vegas, SF, and Napa. I am extremely excited because I haven't gone anywhere all summer long and I am in desperate need of a vacation. The only problem is that I will be flying and I have no idea how I am supposed to fit all my liquids into a quart sized ziplock bag. I need a lot of products to tame my wild hair!

On another note I went to a class at my gym!! I am super excited about this because I've been wanting to go for so long now and I finally mustered up the courage to go. Unfortunately, I am unbelievably sore and can hardly walk...hope that's a good sign. My roommate and I attended a Strength & Tone class and it was hard work. We both go to the gym regularly but we don't lift weights often. I'm debating whether or not I want to go back next week. It is a nice change of scenery as doing the same workout gets quite boring.

Road to Recovery

Thank God I am feeling better. I was sick for about 5 days and I was miserable. Luckily I have an amazing mother who makes me my favorite chicken soup whenever I feel under the weather and a loving boyfriend who takes the best care of me. Unfortunately, since I didn't want to do anything but sleep, eat ice cream and watch tv I was very unproductive.

So this week I vow to do more than come home and sit in front of the television watching NCIS. Looking at my monthly goals seems so daunting so I figure I can break it up by week:

Get pants hemmed
Make dinner every night and not eat out (one meal from Acapulco has over 1500 calories!)
Start my study schedule
Sign up for LSATs
Go to they gym at 7:30 am starting tomorrow

*EDIT: I'm still sick so no gym this week and probably no studying.

Weekly Menu

The last time I posted my weekly menu I actually stuck to it and did not eat out until Friday night. I was very very proud of myself!! I am also trying not too each too much carbs this week so this menu should accomplish that (gotta include carbs for the bf to eat though).

Monday: tuna salad with cherry tomatoes and avocados

Tuesday: balsamic chicken breast with roasted zucchini and tomatoes (turned into a sandwich)

Wednesday: salmon with cucumber dill sauce and broccoli (w/ pasta for the bf)

Thursday: lemon garlic tilapia with green beans and zucchini chips (with fries)

Friday: date night <3

Slightly Shoe Crazy

Is it terrible that I currently own all three and bought them in a two week time span? No one needs three pairs of wedges right? (the 2nd pair is from my wish list posted earlier this month, I also got the boots!) I must be stopped and vow to myself that I will not purchase another pair of shoes for the entire month of August! (hmm I do need black heels for my Vegas vacay at the end of the month) No! I must stay strong and resist temptation.

*EDIT: I returned the last pair, which shows that I have returned to my senses!

One Man's Trash is Another (Wo)Man's Treasure

I recently salvaged this bookcase in my parking lot. It had been out there for a few days and every time I walked by I could not help but think what great condition it was in. After discussing with my Brainmate how desperately my room needed a makeover, I decided to take it in with me. I wasn't supposed to acquire any new furniture, but I thought this would help with the clutter problem I have. After over an hour of rearranging the furniture, I finally found the perfect place for it.

Before:
After:

I didn't stop there! I organized my desk, turned the old tv stand into a bookshelf, stuffed my purses on the bottom shelf, and I even made my bed.

*Now I just have to hang up that mirror.

Summer Movie List

August Goals

This one is for real!

1. Go to church every Sunday
2. Not watch so much TV (NCIS marathons are so addicting)
3. Go to a flea market
4. Ban myself from buying shoes or clothes (I really don't need anymore)
5. Save at least $200
6. Get 2 pairs of jeans hemmed (they've been in my trunk for over a month)
7. Clean my room (vacuum, dust, reorganize)
8. Paint a painting
9. Sleep early and wake up at 7 am
10. Read Fountainhead (I've had this book for over 3 years and have yet to start)
11. Get my car washed
12. Go to the beach with my parents
13. Pick schools to apply to
14. Work out (3 to 4 times a week)
15. Study!

Let's try this again. I hope to complete everything on my list since my July goals list was pretty much a failure across the board. I only completed 2 out of 10 tasks on my list. I am praying August goes better than July!

A Perfect Day

What would it look like? Not your perfect day if you were independently wealthy and could sleep until noon and then lay on the beach all day, but your everyday life now. What would a perfect workday look like. Here’s mine:

07:00 am- wake up and get ready for the gym
07:30 am- work out
08:30 am- get ready for work (shower and make breakfast)
10:00 am- work work work
02:00 pm- have lunch at home
03:00 pm- back to work
06:00 pm- home for the day
06:30 pm- make dinner (something delicious and healthy)
07:00 pm- finish dinner and clean up
08:00 pm- study
10:30 pm- get in bed and read
11:00 pm- be asleep

So I am going to start this next week and stick to it on weekdays everyday (well, maybe not everyday but 4 out of 5 times a week) during the month of August. I’m going to try to at least get on that sleep schedule this week so that it shouldn’t be such a shock to my system. But hopefully I will be able to stick to it for the whole month and those habits will carry over.

Weekday Meals

In an effort to save money I've been planning meals for the week to avoid the urge to order takeout. While it is so much easier to order in after a long day at work and a trip to the gym, it does become expensive and unhealthy.

Monday: Sandwiches (mozzarella, basil, tomato, and salami) with zucchini chips

Tuesday: BBQ chicken drumsticks with corn on the cob and corn bread

Wednesday: Parmesan tilapia with mushrooms and broccoli

Thursday: Orange Chicken and rice with green beans

Friday: Date Night <3

I want! I need! I must have!

Marc by Marc Jacobs Twisted Q Derby Crossbody Bag $188

Sudini 'Sierra' Waterproof Tall Boot $149 (on sale until August 3, then the price goes up to $250)



BP. 'Helina' Wedge Sandal $60


Should I save this money and put it towards my vacation over Labor Day weekend, pay off my debt instead of accruing more, or just buy it because all three items are super adorable and I can't stop thinking about them?

Little Next Door

Tried this delightful restaurant for my friend's birthday and I am in love. It is a French restaurant with French waiters, but it is by no means pretentious. The prices are a bit high, but not over the top expensive and the portions are small, but quite filling. The twinkling lights on the patio and the wine bottles that line the wall make it feel warm and inviting. My favorite part of the meal was my tiny French macaron. I've been dying to try one and it is my new favorite dessert.

Weekend Recap

I wasn't as productive as I would've liked, but I had a fabulous weekend and that's all that matters!

Saturday:
-no gym :(
-I did return my eyeshadow and manage to walk out of Bloomingdales without buying anything for myself
-didn't buy a strapless bra, but only because I knew I could wait for a $10 coupon in the mail
-no luck with the dry cleaner, but I went to the post office to send off my ebay sale
-I bought the bf a card and a nice shirt
-J Crew had an awesome sale so I snatched up two button up shirts and a tank top (that's a big F for my "no new clothes for the month of July" goal)
-no studying and no grocery shopping

-but the Hollywood Bowl was amazing

We packed a yummy picnic dinner and had a great time watching Faith Hill under the stars. I am officially in love with this place and I cannot wait to see more concerts here.

Sunday:
I didn't do anything on my Sunday list, but I spent the day with my parentals and family friends so it was nice. Spent the entire day deep in the Valley, aka the hottest place in LA, but we were inside a massive mall with air conditioning so I was content. Mi madre also bought me a pair of flats that I've been wanting for a while, but couldn't get myself to spend that much on one pair of shoes. Happy early birthday to me!

Weekend Plans

I really want to be productive this weekend so I feel like listing out all the things I want do do will help me actually get it done:

Saturday:
gym
return eyeshadow at Bloomingdales (and try not to buy anything else while I'm there)
buy a strapless bra
find a dry cleaner/ tailor
buy the bf an anniversary gift/card
start studying for the LSAT
buy groceries for the week

we are also going to the Hollywood Bowl to see Faith Hill (I am super excited about this one)

Sunday:
hike Runyon at 7:30
go to the Fairfax Flea Market (I've never been)
stop by Michael's for painting supplies
peruse Nordstrom Rack for black heels or sandals

I love my weekends, but I would love them even more if I could resist the temptation of watching marathons of Degrassi or laying in bed till noon. Getting all of my errands would be the ideal way to spend my two precious days off!

Summer Salad

Yum!! I bought prosciutto yesterday and I had no idea how I was going to eat it, aside from straight out of the package. Google came to my rescue and I found this delicious salad that I cannot wait to make (luckily, I have all the ingredients).

12 strawberries
100g fresh mozzarella
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
100g small salad leaves
2tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
8 slices prosciutto
2tbsp balsamic vinegar

Wash, dry and hull the strawberries, and cut in half lengthwise. Cut the mozzarella into small wedges and season with sea salt and pepper. Toss the leaves in a little extra-virgin olive oil and scatter on four dinner plates.

Casually arrange the prosciutto, mozzarella and strawberries on and around the leaves. Drizzle with remaining olive oil and the balsamic vinegar, or serve the vinegar in a small dipping bowl.

A Hiking We Will Go

I woke up pretty early this morning and went hiking up Runyon Canyon. That is one intense hike when you go up using the stairs, but the views of L.A. are amazing. It was pretty hot when we got started so next time I definitely need to get there earlier, apparently starting at 9 a.m is too late for this summer heat. Perhaps this can be my workout every Saturday morning (if I can get myself out of bed).

Hooray! I can cross off my outdoor activity section on my July Goals list. Plus, this will be a good start for my workout plan listed below.

Workout Schedule

Monday: cardio & weights 6:30-7:30 pm

Tuesday: strength training class 7:45-8:45 pm

Wednesday: cardio & weights 7:30-8:30 pm

Thursday: cardio class 7:45-8:45 pm

Friday: step class 8:00-9:00 am

Saturday: break

Sunday: step class 9:15-10:15 am

Hopefully I can stick to this schedule for the whole month of July. Let's see how much will power I can muster up!

July Goals

1. Lose 5-10 pounds
2. Go to the gym 3-4 times a week
3. Attend at least one class at the gym
4. Do some sort of outdoor activity on the weekends
(hiking, biking, kayaking)
5. Avoid buying clothes for the entire month (well the rest of it at least)
6. Go to the Hollywood Bowl
7. Wake up before 7:30 to go to the gym
8. Paint a painting
9. Find some way to organize my purses
10. Find a dry cleaner and a tailor I trust on the west side