You never heard of troga?

Ever since Modern Family has been put into syndication on overload, I've been catching up on old episodes. The other day the episode, 'Strangers on a Treadmill', was on and there's a scene where Mitchell is kind of being a snob about being a know it all on a subject that he's obviously only been recently aware of. I'm not gonna lie, I've been there. Haven't we all secretly? *smirk*

Claire: I hate it when you do that. You never heard of Troga? You never tried octopus? You never did this amazing thing I just discovered yesterday but I pretend like I've done my whole life?

So what are my new obsessions that I wish I knew long before, but sadly have just become recently smitten with.

You never heard of Miranda Lambert? Okay I admit you've probably heard of this beautiful lady and I'm the silly one who is late to the train station on this one. You should probably be asking me this question in all honestly, but I think I can get away with it being I am from New Jersey and we are not a big country music state so most locals here will not know who I'm talking about. I haven't been completely out of the loop I've known who this lovely lady is, as I've heard of her and I know she's married to the gorgeous Blake Shelton, but up until last week I have never heard any of her music, and listening to one song I was hooked. I kept searching Youtube to listen to her amazing voice and browse through her vast collection of music videos. I've only recently gotten into country music and I am loving it. Every song has a story and it has meaning, but don't get me wrong I still love me some Britney. 

So I had the most delicious thing not too long ago, guacamole bruschetta, and I haven't been able to get it out of my head ever since. I went to this cute little (and when I say little, I mean little) Italian restaurant dell'anima for my birthday about a month and a half ago and I had ordered some bruschetta in octopus and guacamole (boy, do I love me some avocados). It was amazing, I still daydream about it. I found a recipe on on Just Taste so now I can recreate something similar and I can have as much guacamole bruschetta as I want at home.

And my final latest obsession is BENEFIT's Benetint. I received it as a sample size gift by using my Beauty Reward points at the Sephora counter and although I was skeptical of the little vial that looked as if it were filled with blood, I love it now. It gives just the right amount of color to my cheeks and makes it feel like I have naturally rosy cheeks. OBSESSED & IN LOVE!!!

Happiness

Have you ever heard of the book 14,000 Things to be Happy About? I first came across this book several years ago at my grandmother's house. She had the book lying on her coffee table and it peaked my curiosity.  Its great to know that there are that many thing that will make you happy in life. It makes me think about what are the things that really make me happy. 

Singing like you own it.
Im such a dork, and I fully embrace it. I had a conversation recently with a friend about music. He was trying to get me into some EDM and I was explaining that it was not my jam unless I'm intensely working out because I need to have something to sing along with. I wanna sit in my car and belt out to Beyonce as I have a stellar solo performance.

Smoothies.
Nix the iced mocha caramel extra whip extra syrup extra expresso java and take a gulp of something more beneficial and loaded with antioxidants instead. I've been on a smoothie kick lately and I feel so much more cleansed after substituting one of these bad boys for one of my daily meals.

Summer Weather
It may be a few days away from summer still, but the weather is definitely feeling like it and i love it. Weather to go to the beach, have a picnic, eat lunch outside, get a tan, or simply go for a walk.

Wasting time in the aisles of a bookstore
I was at Barnes and Noble yesterday to pick up a new book for some summer reading on my lazy days and it was a such an awesome feeling to just stand there browsing the aisles. I have been getting back into the habit of reading more often this year. Less tv and more books is what I've been trying to follow through with. There is no other feeling than getting lost in a book with characters that you end up feeling all these real emotions for as you get involved with them. I cant wait til the next sunny day where I can lay out in the backyard tanning and indulging in my recent purchase.

crowned

I know I've been missing from posting for  minute, but I've been trying to handle school, a new job, and just a new way of life. I'm trying to steer away from the hum drum and venture into trying new things. I always wear my hair down or in a messy bun. I figure that I have such thick, voluminous hair that it's a shame not to try anything different with it. I came across some pictures on Pinterest and fell in love with the crown braid. I had to try it. So here i my final product. A little messy, but I like it that way. It looks very bohemian, something I would definitely wear all summer.  I'd rock it to the beach, summer festivals, and day trips into the city. I'm defintely going to be wearing this style a lot more to come.

Winter Wonderland

Last weekend I flew over to Colorado for my cousin's wedding. I have never been there before and was a little apprehensive as to whether I would enjoy the cold weather. In my past, I've never gone on a getaway to somewhere that wasn't warmer than where I am originally from.Well, I arrived and it was BEAUTIFUL. I loved the mountains and the beautiful landscape, it was so much different than back at home. It was so refreshing to look out the window or take a walk outside and just stare out at the amazing scenery. 

I was so excited for the wedding. I expected it to be a beautiful celebration with lots of dancing and drinking and plenty of laughs. How was it, you ask? Well I never made it, so I can't tell you first hand. I got extremely sick in the middle of  the night right before the wedding. I was hoping to recover in time, but unfortunately that never happened. I saw pictures the next day and it looked lovely. The bride was flawlessly beautiful and the reception itself looked wonderful. I am sad that I didn't get to make it, because it is a memory that will be talked about in future years I'm sure. I did enjoy what I experienced in the wonderful state of Colorado, and it changed my perspective of the wintry trip. I'd even love to make another trip out there sometime and experience what more it has to offer.

Friday night lessons

Last night I went out with some friends. They had made plans and invited me out on Thursday to join them. I was excited to come along, I mean I hadn't seen them in awhile, so of course I thought it'd be fun to catch up. On Friday I had second thoughts though, I wasn't feeling it as much anymore and I kinda wanted to just stay in and bum out. I feel awkward when going out lately. It just isn't fun anymore to me. I go out and I'm not looking to talk with anyone and have a meaningless conversation. I'm searching for different things in my life and I don't really care for that atmosphere right now. It just doesn't inspire me at all and I'm looking to be inspired by life. Well I ended up getting talked into going by my friend, D. So I put my big girl panties on and got dressed, but of course complained while doing so like any other girl that (1) I did not have anything to wear and (2) anything I tried on didn't fit me and I looked fat in. Silly girl problems. Well I went out and I didn't really enjoy myself at all, I guess I should've stuck with my gut, no pun intended. It happened to be Latin night and although I am Spanish, Brazilian, and Mexican; I am a white girl at heart. I mean don't get me wrong, I love my background, but I am not one to go out and dance to reggaeton music all night long, its just not my scene. I just stood by the wall all night and didn't even do much of swaying my hips. I also had a big bulky purse glued to my side the whole night that I wish I just left in the car because it was like my baby for the night that I wouldn't let go of. I drank a few drinks, not too many, but it wasn't even worth it to me. Anyways, I feel like I could of cared less to have gone out and I have no urge at all to go out again like that anytime soon. Never say never, but just not right now. I need to keep myself focused on pursuing my dreams, my goals, and excelling my life. I think for now I'm okay with being a homebody for a bit. I'm ready to spend my nights throwing on my jammies and popping in a redbox or cramming for my classes. I'm pretty behind on the whole 50 Shades of Grey bandwagon so maybe I'll catch myself up on that. I think I'm gonna be okay doing my thing.