#8: SmallChicksBigEats.Com

I'm so overwhelmed with all these emotions that I don't even know where to begin with this post. First and foremost, thank you to everyone who believes in this. The people who have not only spread the word, who have donated to help SmallChicksBigEats start their ventures, but the people who are loyal readers.

I've been reflecting a lot more with seeing how hard work really does show itself. People believe in those who work hard and want to make things happen. It's about never giving up and continuing to build on your dreams and goals. Two years ago this wouldn't have happened. Two years ago either I wasn't at the place or my partner at the time wasn't in the right place. It was just an idea, an outlet for food but never something that was eating at us to become reality.

Things then began to fall apart. My household was in shambles, mentally I wasn't there and I couldn't write anything. My creativity had lacked and all that came with it was put on the back burner. It wasn't until a few months after I mentioned to my new roommate, Jes, how I wanted to start getting back into it. She has a love of cooking herself and I thought her taking part in it would be good. Cooking is soul cleansing so is eating great tasting food. #SCBE became something we dabbled in from time to time, but the move to California is what did it.

California was a fresh start to life. It was a way for us to do things we couldn't have imagined ourselves doing prior. I mean....we did move all the way across country, what could stop us from there? The only thing I didn't want was someone who would half ass it. I didn't want to sit here and have to bug someone to want to take part in something that I saw so much potential in. Jes and I got our reality check once we noticed the feedback we were getting. Feedback on; our simple dishes that we put up for the sake of sharing the love we put into meals, how healthy food can be tasty, how good it feels to be able to feed yourself something other than microwavable food. We were driven by everyone who contributed and it all took hold of us from there.

There's so much more to this story but this is the basics of how SmallChicksBigEats started. All of this just shows how sometimes you have to step away from it and go back to it in order to focus your time and energy on it. It is impossible for something to be successful if you're not 100%+ in it. I am there and I am going to assume that my partner is as well, because look at all she's contributed and done thus far. It is quite amazing what can form from an idea as long as you set your mind to it.

Anyways, with all of that said I just want to thank everyone again. To the people who continue to spread the word, donate, share good vibes and continue to be my inspiration and motivation. To my immediate friends who get to taste the food and be critics. To Jes for taking this journey with me and turning it around. Most importantly, to myself for never letting all the negative chew me alive and make me think that it'll never be possible.

Remember if you believe in yourself, others will too. Hard work does not go unnoticed. Be genuine and grateful because it'll come back to you when you least expect it.

Happy eating, cooking and loving food!
- Ahlexandria

#1: The Re-Re-Restart

Time and time again I disappear from my personal blog and forget to update. I've continued to ask myself, how can I get back at this? What would interest readers? Why do I care if people read? lol. Honestly, I just want it to be appealing not only for others, but for myself when I look back at all of this down the line. So here I am, typing what comes to mind.

I've decided that I should no longer over think what I should type about. I should create something that I would just write down in my journal. Yes, random posts on my Tumblr help, but they aren't all directly from me. This .com has been around for too many years to just let it go. Moving it from place to place and it needs a home that I want to make beautiful and creative.

Have you ever thought to yourself, my children might one day want to see what mommy has done? Aside from wanting to know your own personal growth, but hoping that one day people who were once in your life would stumble across your .com just to see what you've been up to in life? Sounds odd, but it happens. It has happened and it does continue to happen. It's not that I want people in my business, but more so I want people to be aware, I am alive and well and living life according to how I want. Yes, there are bumps in the road. Yes, I am still learning something new every single day. Yes, it's never as easy as it may seem in a blog post. BUT, it's a nice way to document everything just in case.

So many thoughts, ideas, drawings, visuals....they'll be here some how. Between Twitter, Instagram, VSCO and Tumblr sharing parts of me, I want to sum it all up here. I'll call this the "re-re-restart" to Ahlexandria.Com.

There's more to come within the next week. The story of the journey that got me across country and the little bits and pieces of me to share in photos, words and randomness.

- Ahlexandria

If you're into good eats please check out SmallChicksBigEats.Com.

It's About That Time....

The distance I've grown from all of this, from my blog. I've been trying to think of what to write, how to keep readers interested. It finally hit me, writing is for me. This blog is for me & those who share it with me, I hope it has become something for you too. I have been in hiding, been so enclosed doing things that I have to. I've been focusing on myself, trying to handle my emotions, renovating the apartment, working. It's finally time, time for me to share myself, to let all of these clouded feelings go & it comes to doing it right here.

I've been in love. I still love.

I've lost love. I've hurt love.

I miss love. But I am love.

Between the issues that have gone on at home, with trying to just lead a day to day life, I realized love to many is essential. As much as I've tried blocking it off I just can't. I still love people, I've grown to love people, I've fallen for people who I still care for. We are human, we think more than we should, we have feelings that we wish we didn't. Avoiding everything about love has been what I've tried doing.

My ex & I broke up last year around July. We have spoken on & off about things, but never went through getting back together officially. Why? I wasn't ready. I felt that I needed to focus on myself & better myself. If I am not a better person how can our relationship possibly work? We tried being together & working things out, but maybe something different would help. I kept my life moving forward, after a few months started to get to know people especially due to the distance her & I created. & even between then everyone knew my terms: "I am not looking for anything. I am just getting to know people. I am focusing on myself." I did not (still don't) want a relationship, I did not (still don't) want to be serious with anyone, but I can't help that I myself am an emotional person. I like to tell you that you interest me & why. If there was something that you did, that I found beauty in I'd let you know. The downfall of all of this, people think that you're trying to be serious.

Throughout this I didn't stop loving my ex. She was & still is someone I love & care deeply about. But things change, people change & we were together for the reasons we were. The past is in the past for many reasons & I keep telling myself "You can't hold onto someone when things aren't eye to eye." We weren't & still aren't eye to eye with one another. But what I was avoiding? I was avoiding loving & being hurt. What happened? I got hurt. I felt like there was an ultimatum - be with me now, or there's nothing at all . All I wanted was to improve myself, to better myself, figure out who I am & was becoming. But the choice was to do that with her or she had someone lined up to be with. This coming from the person who still doesn't know what she is going to do with herself.

I've "dated" I guess you can say, got to know people out there. There's one thing I refuse to do, I refuse to blame anyone for what happens between my ex & myself. The "baggage" I have (or had at this point), is not something that should influence something in the future. I'm not looking for anything, but I do know that I am capable of loving beyond what I've expected. Enduring so much, my ex & I, my ex's! & I enduring all that we have with one another; & all I want is the best for them. Is that so wrong? I say that not out of sarcasm but with actual love & because I know they deserve it. We all deserve happiness. We deserve the best for us!

My ex is just an example of love lost. There is so much heartache that comes with loving, with trying to put yourself first for once. But I can not allow myself to give in to something I am not ready for. That I do not see at a state of being able to be fixed. There are sacrifices we all have to make & there's a point that you will end up hurt due to it. Just don't give up on yourself & know you're strong enough to experience the outcome of the decision you've made.

I've cried. It's ok. I've screamed. & that's fine too. We all handle things differently. We find someone else to involve ourselves with to move on. We just go into hiding to not have to worry about any outside feelings other the ones that we need to deal with. You find out a lot more about everything when you take a step back from everything. Whether you do it for a month, three months or like me going on eight months & still letting it happen, you do end up figuring it out. You figure out what's best for you & who is best to have in your life.

It's about time that I poured my heart out to my blog. This was the space where my inner thoughts spewed out. I can't give this up because this is one form of sanity. Hopefully with this I have given myself the proper closure to the love I once had & I can move on to new. I've found new things, experienced new things, but I need to give myself the benefit of the doubt there is an ending to that chapter. This is the end to that chapter. & I will continue to remind myself: it's absolutely fine to be vulnerable, but know that you can end up hurt.

With love on Valentine's Day.

- Ahlexandria

Wise Ol' Wednesday.

"You are confined only by the walls you build yourself."

This quote holds true in so many ways. Think about it, you are your own enemy. You are the only person who can do things in life. If something is standing in the way, you are the only person who can overcome that obstacle. If you are stuck some where, or just not where you want to be, you can only break down those walls.

We all set these goals for ourselves, we all try to do things. & as good as an attempt is, nothing compares to actually fulfilling it. We can not sit here & think that things will just be handed to us, or done for us, we have to get up & do it ourselves. By staying in the same element, in our own world without breaking down barriers - how far can we actually get?

Think about it.

Wise Wednesday.

All we can do is still to what we want to do with ourselves. Goals are not easy to keep up with. Giving up is definitely not the way though. It is fine to take a break from things, but don't completely lose sight of what you had planned. Keep going, stay driven, find a way to make it all happen!

Appeasing August.

ap·pease

[uh-peez]  Show IPA

verb (used with object), ap·peased, ap·peas·ing.
1. to bring to a state of peace, quiet, ease, calm, or contentment; pacify; soothe:
to appease an angry king.

2. to satisfy, allay, or relieve; assuage: The fruit appeased hishunger.
3. to yield or concede to the belligerent demands of (a nation,group, person, etc.) in a conciliatory effort, sometimes atthe expense of justice or other principles.

Copied the above from Dictionary.Com. Why I decided to use that word should state much of itself. I want this month to bring about a change, but in a sense that it helps me. Although I could list the many goals for this month, I rather stick to weekly goals that can be targeted easily. Aside for the goals that have been made for the apartment, I have several that I will continue to strive for myself.

Along with everything that I have been putting together personally & even with my blog, I have been an avid member of Key's photo challenges. She brings out different themes to take photos of, but at the same time it's about how you take the picture to feed the eye. Everyone has their own way of using their camera, or even of how they view beauty. What I love about her challenges is that not only does it help us as photographers, it helps her as a photographer. She gets a description of why we chose that photo, but she can also view it in a different light as well as the other followers that view her posts.

I started to become extremely into the idea of photo challenges. I was looking up different challenges on Tumblr & then Googled a few. Comes to find out there is a popular blog, Fat Mum Slim, who does them every single month. I considered doing the daily challenge but through Instagram aside from the weekly one I already participate in. There are so many challenges that can be done aside from photography & I wanted to see if I could even keep up with them. The only downfall is going through it half way. There are some days you feel more inspired than others!


But really, it's August already. Eight months into the year which means the holidays are about to be right around the corner. I will probably say this again in another post & I know I've mentioned it before but time surely does fly!


& while I have the same continuous goals & challenges that I am trying to create for myself, I hope you are all doing the same & enjoying every day as they come.


What do you have planned for August?


*Please check out the links above. :)

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!

Book Club!

I came up with some random idea & decided why not start a book club. I came up with it today while reading through the books that other people suggested. I figured it would be a nice fun way of sharing how we interpret a good read with someone else. It also seems great because everyone can suggest books to read & we all take part in something we wouldn't normally pick up ourselves.

I put together a group in my e-mail to send out newsletters & follow up with the people who decided to join. There is still more room for more people, I can always add anyone to the list & send them the first newsletter that I sent out yesterday.

Our first read will be

A friend suggested this book to me & I read the reviews & summary of it. There are some mixed feelings on the book, but I had to read it for myself. It's nice that the group is filled with different people & readers because it will make it interesting to see how they feel about the book.

If you are interested in joining & know anyone else please feel free to e-mail me, or leave a comment with your e-mail address. I will add you to the group & send the first newsletter that I sent tonight. On May 16th we will do a follow up with everyone via e-mail blast or chat of the first 6 chapters. I am trying to give everyone enough time in their schedules to get the book, read it & fit in time for this & their lives. lol

The book shouldn't cost more than $10 if you're willing to purchase it. Also, I suggest that everyone support their local libraries and borrow the book. You can't go wrong with getting a used book, or having it on the mean time. If you end up enjoying it you can always purchased it later on.

Happy reading!
Hopefully more people will become "members".

Quick, Easy & Healthy Dinners!

It's always nice to see someone featured on the blog but what about some meals being featured that everyone can enjoy? Although this is just a new idea & it might move to it's own day of the week, I wanted to try something new. :]

I came home & I'm so exhausted. Last night I realized while cooking that it takes me a while to clean/cut the meat, think of a side to make with it, what seasonings I want to put on the meat, pulling the meal together entirely after cooking it. So today I figured why not make something that is good, healthy-ish & can be done in 20 minutes!

All the photos below are what I used in the meal. Pasta is always quick to make, but the packages are not only fast but super delicious! We had left over meatballs so I took them diced them & seasoned them.

So delicious & at a great price.

Under $1 a package.

Lightly cooked in butter.

Seasonings used for the meatballs (not too much) & a teaspoon of butter to crisp in the pot.

Finished product.

It came out really good & with only two packages I can feed four people & have leftovers. Works out pretty well honestly. I considered having garlic bread on the side but because of how late it got I didn't want to have starch on starch. So instead a nice salad would be best depending on the time you are eating.

Try it & let me know how your meal comes out. :)

Oh Melody!

Oh goodness the lack of updates on here. Besides an interesting & fun weekend for Steffy's birthday, also getting sick out of no where & on $80 (which I still can't get over) worth of medicine, I'm trying to just rest up. I do apologize everyone for the lack of posts, but I can not slack off on the features. :]

As you all know I am a more "put things together that I think look nice" kind of girl, but also get ideas from some beautiful women with amazing style. The one thing I love about my feature for today is that she finds things at insanely good prices & puts them together in a simple way. It's never too complicated, it's nice solid tones, or prints that can just be paired well together.

Melody happens to be one of my favorite fashionistas. Besides the fact that she is completely creative & sews her own clothes in school, she knows how to help you out when you're on a budget. Even if she's not a stylist, she shows people what can be done at a low cost with her outfit of the days (OOTD).

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Blog Name: MelodiousStyle 

Your Name: Melody Rivera 

A brief bio about you: I'm a 20 year old fashion student from Orlando, Fl. I attend the International Academy of Design and Technology. I'll be graduating May of 2013. 

What does your blog consist of? My outfits of the day. 

What is your inspiration for your work? Everything and everyone around me. 

What is one goal that you've accomplished recently? Getting on the Dean's List at school. I've worked hard for the grades I have. 

What are some original pieces you've created? I've made things such as dresses, high waisted shorts, a blazer, and a cardigan etc. for final projects for various classes. 

What are some of your favorite outfits you've put together? I'd probably have to say the simple ones. But I am excited to see what outfits I put together in the future because my style is evolving. 

Any suggested places people should shop? Thrift stores. It's great finding unique pieces that you know no one else will have. You just have to be patient and have an open mind while looking around. 

What would you say to people (whether it's life related, or anything)? I would say to never give up on any goals or dreams you may have. No matter how hard things may get, or how unattainable the goals may seem, as long as you stay strong and keep pushing forward, you can do anything. 

         Others way to get in touch with you besides your blog? 

·  My personal blog: http://freelymelody.tumblr.com

·  Twitter: http://twitter.com/MelodyIvelisse

·  Email: Melody_Rivera@aol.com

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No wonder she's my lover! Brilliant, stylist & beyond stunning! LAWD. <3

Definitely take the time to check her out & follow her. Add her to your daily reads & get to know Melody. She's a sweet gal I tell yah, very sweet. & just a heads up: SHE LOVES PENPALS! ;]

1st of February & It's a Wednesday!

So you already know what that means....BLOG FEATURES!

I did this a while ago & growing to know so many people I decided I had to do it again. There are so many talented people out there, so many interesting people, I couldn't hesitate with the idea at all. I promised that after my "surprise" (which was moving into a new place) was in progress I'd start adding more to my blog. Now that we have been in the apartment for two weeks & still not completely settled in, I can't let this slip by.

My FIRST feature for this year is a lovely blogger-friend of mine, Elizabeth. I personally enjoy reading her posts about life, her beautiful daughter & how she's evolving. Her blog has a personal touch, with a hint of "Hey everyone, join in on the action." She reaches out to her readers in a creative way with her recap photos & bullets of updates & goals.

I sent Liz an e-mail of questions that I was curious about, but also for everyone else to get to know her better. Enjoy! :)

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This is Liz & her gorgeous little one Bee. One of the many reasons I love her blog.

Blog Name: Bee

Your Name: Elizabeth :]

A brief bio about yourself: Hello! I'm a twenty four year old stay at home mom. I live in sunny Florida. I love taking photos, reading and painting as my past-time. I have a soon to be 4 year old daughter nicknamed bee.I have my AA in Psychology and I'm in love with the man of my dreams.

Why did you choose your blog name?: I chose "Bee" because it's my daughter's nickname. This blog is for her, a glimpse of her toddler years so she can see when she's older.

What makes your blog original?: Hmm. I would have to say it's simplicity. I always keep it nice and simple :]

Are you different in real life from your blog?: Of course not. I'm an extremely candid person and I feel it's only fair to myself to keep it real on my blog as I do in real life.

Who gives you inspiration?: Blogger friends & life.

What is one goal that you've accomplished recently?: I graduated with an Associates in Arts from Miami Dade College.

Is there anything that you're excited about?: Our upcoming trip to Disney World! She's been asking for the past few weeks and I want to make our little girl happy.

What would you say to people (whether it's life related, or anything)?: "Never regret. If it's good, it's wonderful. If it's bad, it's experience." -Victoria Holt

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Isn't she just lovely?!

If you want to get in touch with Liz, you can check her blog BeeYum.Blogspot.Com or you can e-mail her at ElizabethMedina87@Hotmail.Com. She's a great e-pal & definitely someone you can have conversation with. Knowing that she's a young mom & raising her daughter to be so creative & think on her own, I completely commend her. Check her & Bee out!

Face Products Pt. 1

I know I said last year that I would make a post about some of my facial cleansers & products. It's always nice to come across a blog that has things that you can relate to: their opinions on products you'd like to use or never thought of using. I chose one product that not only I, but Steffy, have been abusing lately.

When it says it "tingles" & "refreshes", it sure does do that! I either use this in the morning &/or at night while I'm getting ready for my day or bed. It's really just nice when you leave it on for 3-5 minutes, or at least until it dries up. Once you wash it off (I personally use cold/warm water for my pores),  you will feel that sensation that the bottle is describing. The facial cleanser goes anywhere from $3-6 in this size in any Rite Aide or drug store. It's worth the money, as well as some of their other products.


Hopefully posts like this can help others. My face isn't the clearest of them all, but I really do have a cleanser for the morning & at night. I also have astringents that I have as well as moisturizers. I have a big bin & things hidden in the house of different items that I purchase, especially on sale.


If anyone tries this, or uses it please let me know.


FYI: Hot water opens up pores. When you get out the shower you should rinse your face with cold water. Also when cleansing your face you should use cold/warm water so the pores to not open up. Open pores can collect dirt and cause blackheads & pimples.