May Favorites

This month has flown by so fast and I can't believe its almost over. I am definitely happy that I get a little break from school because I need to recharge. For my may favorites I am just sharing some pretty basic things, but I have found that I need these almost daily!

These two have been my favorites this month! They are $3.75 at Walmart. The one on the right has this sexy masculine scent that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside! ;)

Trader Joe's Cookie Butter is the TRUTH. I put it on fruit, gelato and in my oatmeal. The amino energy powder I use as my pre workout. It tastes really good, doesn't have that nasty after taste and gives a great buzz!

Some basic beauty essentials that I am loving right now. I am so happy that Sephora made the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette permanent! I love the way it looks on my skin. I will have to make that into another blog post!

Exploring LA | Caballero Canyon

So Ruby and I went on another hike yesterday and it was a work out indeed!!! Still sore today, but I am  ready to get back at it tomorrow. Ruby was beyond exhausted and passed out as soon as she got into the car. And I discovered that she does not lie the sun. Every time she saw shade she was pulling to it and then didn't want to leave from out under it. At times I had to drag her out. I think part of it is that she needed a hair cut so that is what she got today. Hope that helps her on the next hike! I plan on trying a new spot next time around.

Are You A Blogger In The LA Area?

If you have a beauty/lifestyle/fashion/fitness blog and are interested in having photos taken for TFP let me know! I am looking to collab with some fabulous bloggers out in the LA area. If you or any other blogger you know is looking please contact me!

Email me!!!

Workout Motivation | Moving Update!

These last 2 weeks have been pretty good fitness wise. I can tell I am making so much progress and I almost have my run time close to 15:00 for 2 miles. I also decided to start training for a 1/2 marathon. Not sure if I am going to do one anytime soon, but I think it will help me increase my fitness levels. I might do one in November in Las Vegas, but I am not for sure yet so we shall see.

Today I decided to go for a hike instead of a run and I worse myself out. We went to Wilacre Park in Studio City and I really enjoyed it. First off, as long as I have lived in LA I have never been there. I always go to Runyon Canyon. However, over this last year I have noticed that everyone and their momma goes to Runyon Canyon and it's so crowed now. It never used to be like that. So I am going to be checking out different hiking spots around LA. 

In other news, I am moving!!!! I talked about it 2 weeks ago about this particular place and in the end I did NOT get approved for it. At the time I was so pissed about it because the lady in the leasing office told me I am approved, but her boss said NO. What happened is that they are not student friendly at all. They didn't care that I get a check every month from Uncle Sam for housing so I could go to school, didn't care about my financial aid... Then they said I could get a co-signer, but my cosigner has to be in California. Total BS!!!! I spent a few hours in my feelings about that because I felt that they are just taking peoples hard earned money for application fees. Then I started looking again and I found another place that is a lot bigger, CHEAPER, in a better neighborhood and even closer to school. I got approved for it and I move in mid june. Everything truly does happen for a reason and I cannot wait to move. Ya girls got central air!!! Talk about moving up in the world. :) 

Until next time!!!!

Favorite Photos Of The Week

Falling In Love With My Camera!!!

Got a new lens in the mail not even an hour ago and I am in LOVE. Seriously I never really knew how beautiful a prime lens could be until now. I think--no I am positive, that is this is my favorite lens.  Now that school is out for the summer I was lacking motivation. I really just want to relax and be lazy, but this lens has got me feeling some kind of way. I want to go out and take pictures now! I took a photography class last semester and I am really determined to take my photos in manual now. The trials and errors of learning aperture and shutter speed are real, but I will get it!
Check out a few that I took of Ruby. I love the bokeh background!!!

Cable For What?

One thing that will never change about me is that I will always look for a good deal. I had a convo with someone recently about cable and she was surprised when I said I do not have cable and I have not had it for almost 7 years. Now, internet, is another story. I can't live without that. I have always been a busy person, whether it was because I was working or school or just not being home. For a long time I didn't even own a TV. I recently treated myself with one this past Black Friday (it was on sale!) because I was tired of watching Netflix on my laptop. Up until this past November I didn't even know that TV's could have wifi and I managed to score a great deal on Amazon for one. I can say I really have enjoyed the last 6 months and I appreciate all the things it does. I love how I can go into the Smart Hub and watch Netflix, Hulu or even Amazon Prime. And it all costs way less that cable. I spend around $17/month for Netflix and Hulu Plus and then I have the Amazon Student Prime with comes with the instant video. I didn't get Amazon Prime for the tv, I got it because I actually do a lot of shopping there and if you buy enough stuff online the flat rate shipping actually more than pays for itself. I don't even go to Petco to buy Ruby's dog food anymore. I buy it (she eats Natural Balance and I always get the 30 lb bag) online and its at my front door 2 days later. Sure the mail man hates me on that day because its 3 flights of stairs, but it is cheaper and more convenient. I generally make a list of stuff that I need for the house in advance to get later in the week and if its cheaper online I just order it there instead and the stuff I don't get online I pick up in the store. I paid $49 for Amazon Prime and it is for the whole year. Divide that by 12 and it comes to around $4.08 a month. Added to the cost of Netflix and Hulu Plus and it comes to around $21/month! Can't beat that!

What are some of the things you do to help you save money?

I'm Moving!!! And Other Updates!!

So I have been wanting to move since last summer. I was so excited last year when I got my place, but then the heat set in and I was so miserable. The wall AC wasn't even good enough. So now that my lease is almost over I started looking for a new place and I think I found one (knock on wood)! I got approved for it in the leasing office, but this particular agency then needs the application to be reviewed by another manager who then has 3 days to approve or deny the application. The leasing agent in the office told me she didn't see any reason why it wouldn't get approved since I was approved in house and that the second review was just more of just checking to make sure the original application is good to go. Even though I have nothing bad to worry about I still stressed myself a little because I really want this place. Like, really want it. Even though it was really at the high end of the budget I set for myself I have seen a couple of other places and I really wasn't impressed. For the amount of money they were asking, they were on the small side and in not so great neighborhoods. It was important to me to live in a better neighborhood, be relatively close to school, have a dishwasher (you know I hate washing dishes LOL) and central AC is the ultimate plus. Well, I got all that with this place so I put in the application and holding deposit. I am praying and crossing every finger that I don't get any call today telling me NO. I don't think I will though, but you never know! Sometimes you have to pay a little extra for better things, right? Anyways, an extra $100 makes all those things worth it.

The tenants that are in the unit are leaving at the end of the month so I will hopefully get to go in and at least take pictures and get measurements because I need to buy/acquire a sectional couch. I do need a kitchen table and a coffee table, but I decided that instead of buying them, I want to do a DIY. Unless I find something that I absolutely must have and its super affordable (which I doubt because I have been looking) I will make it myself. I am also going to build some shelves for the walls and make a shoe rack as well. If I go the DIY route, pictures will follow!!!

Aside from the moving situation, I am in the middle of finals…I have 3 more to go. Two on Tuesday and one on Friday. I have been studying for those, but its really hard to get into the groove. I am definitely learning this semester about my study habits and how I study because this is the first time since I have been in college that I actually have had to study. When I was getting my associates degree I didn't really have to if I paid attention or it was open notes and taking notes is something I am good at.  Next semester it is my goal to improve my study habits because after this semester all my GE classes are done (except for one more science and lab). I need to be on top of my game for my core classes…only 3 semesters left!!! Can't believe I am almost there.

Last week I also started a 60 day fitness challenge and I will admit I did get off to a rough start, but I am  on track now. I have a PT test next weekend so I can't really go to hard on my workouts because then I won't perform well on my PT test if I am sore. So this week I will be paying extra attention to what I am eating and at least be going on long walks with Ruby everyday. And no pushing myself physically after Wednesday. After next Saturday I will go HARD.

And finally, I know I have not mentioned it on here, but this past January I got invisaligns. It was the Express 10 since my teeth were not that bad. I have been kind of avoiding photos, especially close up because I have bumps on my teeth that help them move, but they show in photos (at least to me) and I hate I the photos come out. Well at the end of the month I get the bumps removed and I will be done! I am so excited. I don't know how some people have invisaligns for 18+ months, these past 5 months have been driving me crazy. Can't wait until its over. I am happy with the results so far though. No pain, just pressure (especially during the last half of treatment). I did have to get the space in between my two front teeth filed because there wasn't enough room on the top. That wasn't painful at all, just awkward.

Anyways, thats all for now!!! Updates later this week!!
Peace out.

She thinks she is slick. She knows she is not allowed in the bed. 

Giving her mama kisses

I promise I am going to cut her hair! At least she is freshly bathed and brushed out :)

Our silly faces

My Bucket List

This is just a small list of some things I want to do. Some a pretty big and some aren't, but they are all stuff that I want to do. This list isn't all inclusive, it is constantly changing.

1. Participate in a section hike on the Appalachian that is at least 50 miles.

2. Buy a property in the Caribbean!

3. Finish my bachelors degree.

4. Learn to speak spanish fluently.

5. Use my passport for something other than Mexico.

6. Go zip lining

7. Participate in a Zombie Run,Mud Run or a Tough Mudder--or ALL OF THEM!!!

8. Learn to sew

9. Ride a horse

10. Learn how to salsa dance

11. Make my own soap

12. Go to the Grand Canyon

13. Take a pole dancing class

14. Make my own perfume scent

15. See the Northern Lights

16. Ride a mechanical bull

17. Grow a vegetable garden

18. Become a regular somewhere

19. Become proficient at web design

20. Have ice cream cake for my birthday

My Summer Plans

So I posted about it before, I am going to the Bahamas this summer! I am really excited about it because  I have never been to the Caribbean before. I really want this summer to be enjoyable and these are some of the things I plan on doing so I won't be stuck in the house. I refuse to be miserable this summer! What are your plans for the summer?
This is what I plan on doing this summer!

1. Go to the beach at least 3 times a month

2. Go on a weekend trip somewhere

3. Read at least 5 books

4. Finish the 60 day fitness challenge on a great note

5. Master my camera in manual so I can treat myself with a new lens

6. Donate some old clothes

7. Wear more heels

8. Go to the Mr. and Ms. Muscle Beach in July

9. Find a new apartment closer to school

May Goals

1. Look for a new place and put in applications starting around the middle of the month.

2. Do well on my finals coming up in the next 2 weeks.

3. Drink water!!!

4. Start the 60 challenge on the right foot because I really really really want to win!

5. After finals are done, start focusing on my business and getting more work towards that done.

6. Pass the PT test I have later this month.

7. Go to the beach and lay out in the sun. Relax :)