Let's Try To Be Positive!

Ever feel like you need some guidance? Something to help you remind yourself that it's ok, that it will be ok, that you just have to keep moving forward?

Lately, that's what I feel I've been needing. I've been reading so many books, all these books have such great quotes, things that are affirmations in being a better me. Although they aren't who I am, there are things that I can pick from it. One book Tweak by Nic Sheff, it has a part where it tells you to constantly tell a higher power (whoever it may be), "Thank you for giving me this day! Thank you for keeping me positive! Thank you for allowing me to see more & grow!" The book is about the actual author & his addiction to drugs, how he relapsed, what it took for him to come off of it. It's a lot of back & forth with what his life once was & what it is in that current state in the moment. He was told the more he says this & reminds himself, the more it will become a daily habit & he will believe in it.

Above you see a positive affirmation that I have found. I am sharing it with everyone so you know to always stay positive. Whether it's for you or for someone else...it can help you entirely. In Tweak it says that some times it is so much better to help others because it helps us remain at a sane state & help ourselves. Now don't get me wrong, we don't want to over-extend our kindness because some people take advantage of it. Even when that happens though it's something we take in as a growing experience. Those who do not appreciate you, who can not be loyal & not stay true to who they have made themselves to be, they are not someone who has to be around for you. POSITIVE THINKING!

I can be in the biggest hole, but I won't let the people around me have to carry that as their burden. I rather share when need be & listen to them & be there for them. Being there for them allows me to relate, to know they have someone by their side. Despite the people who have screwed me over, who still owe me money & don't give it to me, the people who walk all over me, who can say they hate me without knowing me...I will still continue to grow & prosper & be a better me. There are plenty of things that can drag me down, bring my mood completely down, but I refuse to let them control my entire being. I am going to remind myself that no matter what you have to think positive. Eventually that outlook will bring about great things. PATIENCE!

What are some things you could be more positive about?

Apartment Update!

Instagram photo of my photography now up with my bed.

We've been at the apartment for 6 months in a few days! I can't believe it's honestly been 6 months already. I expected so much more to be done to the place, a guest room set up, a kitchen table, a new sofa for the living room & stands. I will say the fire in February was a set back as well as a temporary addition to live with us for two months, but I guess it's really no excuse for all the things in the guest room not being put away. We have been either exhausted, or lazy.

I know there are a lot of things I don't need to sort through & can just put away into the nook of the hall, but it's a matter of dragging it all there. As for furniture I guess money becomes the issue. Once I get the money back & Steff & I figure how we will contribute to things then I guess we'll finish it all out.

I'm disappointed in the progress, it really is a sad thing. All of this though takes efforts from us both so hopefully we can come together & make this place look nice. Over the course of the next month I really would like my money to get back to where it's supposed to so that I can invest it into the apartment. The only thing I have to worry about are the usual monthly bills, I don't owe anyone anything. Well, with the exception of just a little bit more on a credit card that I have been paying off. YAY ME! :) The only thing I can't imagine is staying there another year & not having everything already so we can then have small things fixed in the house.

As for my room, it is my personal space & it is where I would like it to be for now. I don't want to do much else. Simple space like I wanted.. I think both of us have our rooms to where we would like it at, so hopefully we can start getting the rest of our place up to par. lol

So goals (at least on my list lol):

Guest room -

• My mom gave me a mattress to go with a frame that I already have purchased & need to bring to the apartment.
• Getting the clutter out, putting things away & storing them all.
• Get a nice little desk for the office part of the guest room once it's clean.

Living room -

• New sofa for us to just lounge & chill at so we're not always in our rooms.
• A nice little fan to keep us cool while we watch TV.
• A new stand for the TV.
• Some decorative items for the living room.
• Frame & hang the painting that I purchased for the place.
• Print out some photography to hang up in the living room.
• A huge area rug so we can just be barefoot all the daggon' time.
• Put the curtains up that came down from the fire.

Kitchen -

• Invest into a kitchen/dining table that fits lovely.
• Get curtains for the windows so it looks like a home.
• Get a weather strip for the bottom of the kitchen/fire escape door.

Bathroom -

• Hang pictures up to give it a nice cute feel.
• Maybe add a small mirror on one of the walls.

Lets hope that some of this will be crossed off the list by the end of August.

Burnt Our Fingers!

Although we did, the meal came out better than we imagined. Even though we tried sticking to using the whole wheat wraps to create our delicious meal and it ended up messy, we definitely loved the outcome.

I always get recipes from AllRecipes.Com & this one happened to be one I was interested in. We had to switch it up, as we always do & try something completely different. There are times where we make the same concept, but change it up with the seasonings.

Tonight's meal was shredded chicken tacos. There's tons of ways to make shredded chicken, but we had a preseasoned chicken in a bone in the bag. They're delicious because honestly if you're in a rush all you have to do is thaw it & throw it in the oven. I had to season it myself though to give it the extra flavor I like. It's really simple to make, just need to have the time & the patience. You don't have to follow the recipe exactly, they are there to just give you ideas. Adding whatever spices, vegetables you like & giving it your own touch. Obviously I didn't make tacos like the recipe & I made it a bit healthier.

Not only did we cook a new meal today, especially the delicious meal Steff made us for lunch. But once again we wrote our goals for the week. Continuing with some of last weeks goals I added:

• Continue to take part in A.Keys photo challenges.
• Blog at least two more times this week.
• Buy something under $5.
• Thrift!

I think they're pretty fair on top of the same ones from last week. Pushing myself to stay focused on the goals also helps me keep my mind off of things.

What are you goals for this week?

What are some meals you've been interested in cooking?

Fridge Love!

Steff & I have two dry-erase stick on boards on our fridge. One of them is a calender that is on the front to mark what is due, the trash/recycle dates, anything important, or even in the notes section what we need to buy. It helps us keep track of everything, as well as what needs to be done. On the side of the fridge where our stove is there is a blank one. We used to write down quotes, which we throw on here & there, but now we write down our goals for the week.

We have been trying to figure out positive ways to keep ourselves on track:

1) Taking your "work" clothes, or the clothes you wore that day off when you get in helps you throw everything prior to being in your relaxing state out of the window. You don't have to worry much or fret about "Ugh! Fucking aggravated" without being in a more comfortable & relaxed state. Definitely something I suggest a lot of people to do.

2) Being able to write up a schedule for yourself for the week on what you want to accomplish. We have found it very helpful. Each Sunday while cooking dinner we write down what it is we want to do. Steff does such a great job while I'm cooking dinner. We kill two birds with one stone.

• Working out at least 4 times this week. - It is important to stay healthy. I cook healthy food, but that just isn't enough some times. Any activity that involves exercise, even a 15 minute walk counts. Walking to the train, walking from the train, walking city blocks, walking up & down the stairs instead of the escalator. It's all about changing up certain habits & making them work for you. While I am cooking I will work out on the side. It just helps me do everything that I need to.
• Finish book by the end of the week. - I just finished Point Of Retreat by Colleen Hoover. It's the sequel to the book Slammed. It's very good, must say. Already started to continue on another book since I finished that one so quick. Almost 12 books in the past 2 months! Gives me an outlet.
• Cook a new meal. - I've been trying to switch it up entirely & just try new things. I ended up making a cabbage/veggie dish for this week that came out great. I really should start posting my meals.
• Yoga 1x - It's a way of exercising, but also helps relieve tension. Tension is something I have a lot of lately, that and stress. I'm just trying to find tons of ways to keep myself sane.
• Take pills every day! - Vitamins, supplement pills, whatever it is that you take to keep a healthy lifestyle is important. Some times we are in such a rush that we forget. I had to remind myself "TAKE THE DAMN PILLS!". So between pills for my stomach my doctor suggested to help one of my health issues, to women's vitamins, I am doing what it takes & hopefully it all works out well.

What are some goals you wanted to reach this week? If you could create a list of goals what would they be?

Cheap Date?!

My hiatus has been long enough. My mind has drawn a blank & finally I've come to think of things to write. Aside from pictures I want to post & Keys lovely photo challenge I am determined to do, this topic has always come up - CHEAP DATES!


I am curious as to what people consider a "cheap date"? For me it's a person who doesn't put enough effort in making sure I am enjoying myself. This goes for a friend, a partner or even a potential lover. A date is something that you enjoy with a person to learn more about them, but spend quality time with them. I can say I love going on friendly dates with friends, or even just a group date with people I know. Dating doesn't always have to be something intimate, it can be a casual thing where you just go & revel in someone's time.

With that said....

Three websites that I LOVE & I'm highly addicted to!

Being signed up with these three websites have opened my mind to things I wouldn't have considered doing before. People say "Oh well it's cheap to have a Groupon coupon for a date?!" But why?! I honestly think it's being conscious of your money & finding other ways to be able to spend what you didn't have. It also allows you to do things that you wouldn't normally do in your "price range".

I have purchased things from comedy show tickets for two with drinks, to mani/pedi's, even down to a two hour bike ride for two in the city. Things that just seem to intriguing & eye catching that I say "Screw it! I definitely have to do this!" I have gotten so much for less than $20 it's ridiculous, not just for me but for someone else to join me.

Nothing is everrrrrrrrrrr a cheap date unless someone doesn't put the time & effort into making sure you're pleased. Think about it!

*How many of you think that it's a cheap date? Whether it's a friend, social outing, or even something one on one with a potential lover? What if your partner was to take you out on a LivingSocial date?

Thank you to Keys for the lovely new look on my .com by the way. Follow her!