i was ispired by blushing ambition...

cilantro
grape tomatoes
lemon
avocado
shrimp!!!

(i forgot the onions but it was still very yummy and fast to prepare :)


Since I'm known for devouring my food, it's no surprise that I didn't get a picture of the final product.

Perspective.

I think I need to step back and look at the bigger picture. I've got to stop dwelling on the things that I dwell on, and just move on. It's time. Wish me luck.

I came thissssssss close

to buying a jcrew belt on ebay but the boy convinced me otherwise :) and i'm glad!

meinmillions and I have a deal going on, NO shopping for the month of October,... but I've already got my eye on a few things (birthday, xmas... :) (investment pieces, I swear!) I also realize, the less fashion blogs I read, the less I want. Surprisingly, most of the sites that get me itching for new items are the "budget fashionistA" ones. I'm not hating, but the other day I realize I have 6 black blazers in my closet. One velvet, one striped velvet, one polyesterrr w/bows, one w/puffy shoulders AND bows, one looooose fitted and some other one lying around. Anyway, the point is-- I don't need all of 'em. I probably just need two, or maybe even one. The answer: EBAY!

I'm trying to stay on top of the job hunt but it's getting harder as each day passes. Indeed.com, monster.com, idealist.org, USAjobs.gov, craigslist.org,... the list goes Onnnn! What's a bachelor's degree worth these days? And, could I get my money back? I Kid:))

I made a video of tibby (the kitty) playing with a ball today and it just made me realize how much he has grown. There were moments when I thought he wouldn't make it (overdramatic, I know...) I never thought I woud have a pet, like really have a pet. He runs wicked fast and gets scared at the smallest things (a piece of paper falling...) He's becoming quite the little monster though, I'm going to have to get him a scratching post SOON. I'll also have to take him to the vet to get his shots. Oooh, I feel like a mom.

A new month, a new start

I have the best intentions to not spend any money on clothing this month. I will not spend any money on clothing this month. I have more than I need and hopefully this post will serve as a reminder because once I encounter a coupon, a sale, a clearance, all that's been said could easily go out the window. So lee, you can do it:)

I love lists.

• Find a job, any job.
• Clean my room
• Sort through my clothes, four piles: keep, alter, donate, ebay
• drink less soda
  

I<3home remedies!

Not only do home remedies save money but this toilet bowl cleaner i found is better than those harsh chemicals we flush away. This lemony paste will help to get rid of the yellow stains in your toilet bowl. Since lemons are acidic, it helps cut down on those stains.

2 tbspoon baking soda
1 tbspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon juice

It's kinda cool cause it fizzes too! I've just started using this but I'm happy to be putting my lemons to use.

His name is Tibby

My friend found a kitten stuck between the garages in her backyard. She doesn't have the time to take care of him so I said I would take him in. Isn't he adorable? He's only three weeks old and in good health. His meowing threw me off the first night, I thought I wasn't a good mother. Who would've thunk it, that I would one day raise a cat. On the downside, my mother claims she's allergic and that she has asthma so I'm not sure how long I could keep Tibby for.

August/September Spending Recap

Today's a breakthrough, I went through my cc statement and categorized everything that I used my card on. Here's the breakdown, it's kinda scary...

Clothing:

-Alloy Winter Coat $50.99 (on clearance from 99.99, i couldn't resist and i wanted a light colored outerwear)
-Victoria Secret Underwear 7 for $25, i couldn't help using the free 2 panties w/$17 purchase :(
-Alicia + Olivia Biker Boots and Christian Siriano's Snakeskin bootie 74.98 (BOGO)
-Maidenform Outlet Bra 10.41
-2B Bebe Outlet white tank dress and grey jersey miniskirt $17.49 (both 70% off!!!)

Damage= $178.87 (This is not good, not good at all. I'm going to have to learn how to fight off the temptation of coupons/sales/clearances! Ugh, and I just got a buy one get one 50% off @ H&M =T)

Food (mostly fast food) = $60.29

Transportation = 37.75 (metrocards are expensive :(

Misc. Nike Run Registration Fee = $20.00

USPS = $26.84 i signed up for this online clothing swap site, digNswap.com. I haven't used this site that much because it has a very small network. I've received a few things that I liked but i'm not sure if the shipping fees are worth it sometimes. I also sell random items on ebay.

I really shouldn't be spending the way I am since I am afterall, unemployed. (sigh)

Things that made me smile today :)

-my mom coming home, i had to tell her my near-death story and then listen to her lecture me for half an hour...ahh

-this winter purchase:) it was only $50 (w/a 20% alloy coupon, too bad i couldn't combine coupons) and it goes great w/some brown boots i already own!! SCORE!!!

I almost killed myself today...

For some reason or another, my mind hasn't been exactly on the right track lately. I've been known to forget my keys, sunglasses, cellphone or any other misc. stuff. Today, after lunch I started to boil water and I told myself (in my head) that I have to shut it off before I leave the house. Of course, I was distracted, talking to people, surfing the web and by the time I knew it, it was 4 o'clock so I rushed out of the house to make it to the post office before 5. I had totally forgotten about the water boiling and didn't remember until an hour after I came back when I started to smell the burnt. Luckily, the top of the boiler is made of plastic and the smell traveled all the way to my room. When I got to the kitchen, the flame had been put out and there wasn't any water left in the pot. I opened all the windows and I turned on the fan.

I don't know why but my brother fails to be on top of his shit. (sigh) what an upsetting day.

Flake-y.

This is exactly what I don't want to become, F L A K E -Y. I've created this blog with the intention to blog if not everyday then at least once a week. I've been keeping myself busy, primarily with getting rid of stuff and hoping to gain a few cents (literally) from it. I've been taking pictures, uploading them, figuring how to better navigate ebay and swapping clothes on DigNSwap. At first I was weary about DigNSwap, because it's not a guarantee that you'll get the item but most people on the site do genuinely want to exchange their stuff. Let's face it, we have more junk than we'd like to admit but too attached to just let them go and so we trade in things to replace object#158220.

I've been reading a lot of finance/budget/debt blogs and it really gets me motivated to saving and planning for the future/retirement. I have to be more strict with myself, I can't possibly live off of unemployment forever (though Obama's making it a little easier these days.) Hey, I'm not complaining, I'm very grateful in fact... I just don't like it when people rub it in my face, telling me to get a job NOW. If it was that easy, I think I would've gotten one by now, thank you very much... Anyway, I think I'm becoming more budget savvy. One current transaction that stuck to me was when I got suckered into a 2 for $5 toothpaste deal at pathmark and realize when I got home that it was buy 1 get 1 free at rite aid. (kicks self in the a**, let's keep it pg`13.) So what did I learn? Always, always make a list and always compare prices, if I don't need it right then and there, I could hold off.

I love going to supermarkets and pharmacies though, it feels like I could buy whatever I want and they have everything, and I mean everything. I'm going to devote myself to buying only what I need and buying it on sale, w/a coupon, etc.

Le boyfriend and I went on a little getaway by ourselves,... *drum rolls* we went CAMPING! It was an experience, the first time alone together on a trip. I can't say I was prepared but it wasn't too shabby. I've learned a thing or two, gotta have more patience with myself and others (esp. le boyfriend) I feel like sometimes he does spoil me, at least when he's around to spoil me :) Again, I can't complain, I'm very lucky to have him in my life and he makes me smile... *gush* heh

This is turning out to be a longer post than I expected. In other news, my little brother left for college today. His room is empty but I swear I could still smell him, I think that just goes to show how much cologne he wears. I took his mid-size fridge and guess what I found, BEER and a stack of cups, looks like he's all ready for college, haha. Gosh, I feel old. I gave him some money and a bag of chips. I'm debating whether or not to send him a package 'cause ya'kno, been there done that... easy to get homesick.

Edit: Credit where credit is due, le bf took the pic of me in stiff as a board. hah (hi honey!)

Stiff as a board Outfit Post #1 8/22

This is my first outfit post!

Wearing:
Belt (Thrift)
Papaya Beige Top
H&M Purple Tank Dress
Nine West Beige Heels (Marshall's)

debt-free!

today is a mile-stone, i've paid off the rest of my student loan. this was actually what i planned to do after graduation but didn't think it would really happen. the boy advised me to pay it off instead of letting that money sit in the savings account (savings, 1.5%, loans, 5%) I guess the math is pretty simple and it seems like the right thing to do but like most people, I love to drag my feet. It feels amazing though, now I just have to worry about securing a job which hopefully will be more rewarding than the last.

how did it happen faster than i expected? getting laid off and receiving a lumpsum of cash definitely helped. To be honest, i never had that much money before and it felt good to relish in it for a little bit. Anyways, I've also decided to keep track of my spending. I went to the 99cents store and ended up with:

- Condiments (3) I'm a sucker for home goods
- Water pitcher I'm sick of using glass jars... and the smell of spaghetti sauce
- Sticker hooks (2x3) Will definitely come in handy with the belts and scarves

$12 home goods
$2.50 green apple green tea :)

It was way too hot, I was sweating everywhere.

P.S. dirty ol' men disgusts me

1-2-3,.. go!

I've been meaning to start a blog for sometime now but I was just too damn lazy. Welp, here it is! I told myself I'll start taking more pictures (fashion, food, people, architecture..) and writing more (personal, political...) I was touched the other day when the boy said something along the lines of, "wouldn't that be cool, i'll take pictures of you wearing stylish clothes." Okay, it probably doesn't sound that "gush" worthy but if you knew him in person, you would be a little taken back by his comment. Moving on,.. I can't believe this is my first post and I've already mentioned the boy! I wonder if I should let him know that I really started this, his suggestion for a blog name was "iluvskewers." It's more like i Love Tofu Skewers.

Random: things that make me smile:

-the boy (i know, so cliche but wtheck this is my blog! haha)
-Adele
-Romantic Comedies aka romcoms
-painted nails
-fat babies drooling

gotta have balance right? the negative :(
-hangnails, i loathe them.
-wet feet/socks,ugh
-smelly fridges
-people who are habitually late
-cold soup