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