weekend re-cap

*This post is not sponsored by Cafe Zupas, but if they were interested in sponsoring I'd be more than happy to work with them.

I firmly believe in order to appreciate the good you have to kinda know the bad. My little world hasn't been the brightest in months, most days blur into one another, but when I get to see my family or friends, my world is definitely brightened.

Friday, I took a nap and when I  say nap, I mean 2-3 hours of broken nappy time. and it's in the middle of the day.

On Saturday, I got together with my friends for lunch at Cafe Zupas. Omg, it's so delicious! There are a few other menu items that look appealing, but every time I get food from there, I get the same thing, a salad, but not any plain ol salad but: the roasted red pepper + asiago chicken ceasar salad,
because it's so dang good and I just want to eat it and I go with what I know, ya know? Cafe Zupas only has locations in Arizona, Utah + Nevada, sorry everyone else, but maybe they'll expand?

 

Our group, the BBB, aims to get together once a month or two and eat out at a different place each time we meet. We try to keep our group to no more than eight peeps at a time just to make it easier to sit together and to have a more quality experience. We have four core members (we had 5 but David got married and he + his wife, also our friend, moved to NYC), Jason + Scott (brothers), Diva Des and myself. We add new members that can rotate each time we meet so that different people can enjoy being a part of our get together as we cannot accommodate all at once.

So what does the BBB stand for? It means, Brioche Brunch Bunch. Say that three times fast. Jason and Scott came up with the name and founded the BBB, however, they made me president! haha.  Apparently, Brioche is a type of bread and they came up with the name after eating some brioche french toast at Ihop back in January.

I loved getting the group together this past Saturday. It was way fun! New members for this round were Amanda, Kjerstin and Mister Mister. He took the best selfie ever and it was not an easy task to get our whole group in one shot. Our bishop and his wife showed up at Zupas too, so naturally we asked them to join our tables! It was meant to be.

Sunday, I didn't make it to church because I was so dang tired. Saturday was the fourth night in a row that I was not able to sleep well because of extreme back pain. I ended up taking another nap Sunday and woke up around 1:30pm. I really missed being at church and I definitely plan to be there next Sunday! I can't wait. One good thing about Sunday was that A: I did get rest, B: I got a pedicure at home and my toes are re-polished a tangerine color! oooh!

How was your weekend? Do anything fun?

take me out to the ball game

psh, it's midweek and I am just getting to the weekend recap. it's ok, right?

over the weekend i ventured out with a group of friends to go see the mariners vs the giants! it was so fun much! Now, it hit at least 85 degrees out and if you're basking in the sun, it doesnt take long for that sun to zap you of energy and overheat you! But i brought my little umbrella and we shared and drank lots of water and slathered on sunscreen.

Clint put his sunscreen on standing up, so when he sat down he didn't think about his shorts riding up a bit, so his upper legs got burned. Then, me and des went and got some food so, browsing around helped not be in the direct sun. Around the end of the 4th inning, I needed a breathing treatment so david found an outlet right behind where our group was sitting and there was glorious shade!! and the breeze picked up again. The spot I did my breathing treatment was near the smokers area. perfect! haha.

Alot of people started leaving the game between the 5-6th inning, and our group was baked and hungry and wanted to be in A/C, so we went to eat at Red Robin.  Eric and I had our own basket of precious fries to share haha.

It was a great to enjoy being outside and being with great friends!

weekend recap + giveaway!

Happy Monday everyone! Hope your day has been swell so far and that your weekend was even better :)

On saturday, I got to hang out with my friend Elisa for shopping day! We went to bath & body works to utilize a couple coupons, one being for a free travel size care lotion or shower gel, completely free! Of course, I ended up spending $8 more than planned there, because I bought one of those wallflower plug-ins. Their bulbs were on sale for $3 (not sure how much they are normally) and I had to get one in "pumpkin cupcake!" I got that same scent in the mini candle for free a few weeks ago and just died over it, but sadly I can't light candles in my room, so the wallflower is the next best solution! My room smells so fall-ish now and really helps me feel in a giddy mood about Fall time, my favorite.

We also stopped by Walgreens and got some good deals, like aquafresh extreme clean toothpaste for $1. Yes, I sure did! I also got suckered into a pretty good promo for Revlon lip products that I couldn't resist. And because I don't really need two new lip butters, I want to give one away in hopes of treating someone with a new lip color to spruce up their makeup bag!

Could you use a new lip color? Perhaps you're getting ready for a date night? Because one of you will win Revlon's colorburst lip butter in pink lemonade. It's a pretty pinkish-peach shade.  Enter in the rafflecopter below if you dare! ;)

Make sure to read the rules at the bottom of the rafflecopter widget. 

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

weekend news

Happy Fall!
This is my favorite season EVER! Yesterday was the official first day of autumn. It only got to a high of 94 yesterday, which in AZ, is cooler. It was so lovely outside yesterday!

So over the weekend, I went to Rubio's for lunch with my mom. We had a great time chit-chatting too. We were kinda bummed because they (rubio's) changed their recipe for the tortilla chips. Oh well. #firstworldprobs Shouldn't complain too much. They were still yummy.

While we were waiting for our ride, we sat outside at the coffee bean and let the cool misters hit us. I thought that would be a cool shot to grab, so we did. I also tried their pomegranate blueberry ice blended drink, pretty tasty.

I also went to church with my new gal pal Amanda. She is awesome. She is funny. We just click and get along really well. I told her she is an answer to a prayer, which I won't divulge  (i think that's how I am meaning to use that word) how and why. Look for more photos tomorrow of our outfits!

Today was productive after 12 noon. I have been awake for at least 2 hours in the early morning for the past two nights, so I was quite sleepy this morning and fell asleep in my chair! lol. After I woke up, made a phone call, and then started working on making some cards to build up my "inventory". After tomorrow, I'll start making some holiday cards...definitely Christmas and maybe a few Halloween cards since I do have some fun paper for that holiday.

Oh and today was a HAPPY MAIL DAY thanks to my aunt sharon! She sent me some super cute Christmas embellishments! I can't wait to use them. Yes, that is her business card above :) She is a consultant for Arbonne. She sent me a translucent powder that I am excited to try.

How was your weekend? How was the start to your Fall?

over the weekend

I now realize that my post title could very well be taken in two different ways:

#1. I am SO over the weekend (connotating that i had a bad weekend)
#2. This is what happened over the weekend (connotating this is what happened/i did/how my weekend went)

you know I mean #2 right? haha

so over the weekend I was lazy, social and productive!

Lazily: took a two hour nap on friday for my two nights prior were blahhh! couponing, deleting tons of emails, writing a couple notes and pondering life's greatest question such as what artist next to listen to on spotify were done! These days my ears are being entertained by Imagine Dragons, Bruce Springsteen and Jimmy Eat World and The Paper Kites. Oh and thanks to my friend katie, I finally watched, Silver Linings Playbook. I gotta say that Jenn Lawrence, Brad cooper and the cast, esp "pat's" family, did a superb job acting. I really believed them. The story might be about "crazy" people, but really, we are all a little crazy. Maybe that's why it was relate-able.

Socially: I got to see and visit with my aunt josie on saturday. It was so lovely to catch up with her. I've missed her so much. An aunt is indeed a special person in your life. I am glad that we got to spend time together. A bit after she arrived, she went and picked up lunch from RUBIO'S!! Oh yum!! Me and my mom love this place! and got my aunt hooked on the blackened tilapia taco! It's near to impossible to catch up and talk about all the things you want to talk about in 3.5 hours! haha, nevertheless, I enjoyed her company.

productively: I  made some cards. I's gotts to build up my "inventory" again!
Here is one pretty that I made with my new farmers market paper pad. This card is in the official "to sell" box.

and that's about it friends. how was your weekend? what did you do or not do? :)

over the weekend

my weekend was lovely + laid back minus the fact that my stomach pained me both saturday & sunday mornings! but today, so far so good! I am so relieved!

Friday: my friend Rosa came over and did my toes! Aren't they cheery? They are a hot pink with white polka dots.

My mom called them strawberry cupcakes. Sofia called them Strawberries, just need green for the little vines.

they look orange but are pink

Saturday: I got to see my mom--that day spent with her since we won't get to see each other Mother's Day weekend.

I cannot WAIT for her to open her package this coming sunday. I put the special contents, one being a specially painted birdhouse that she wanted for her frontyard, into a big box. I didn't have enough pretty wrapping paper on hand, so I ended up using kraft paper & drawing flowers on the paper. I then wrapped/tape pink satin ribbon around it tying it with a bow. I also taped her card to the side of the box. that too was also handmade.

I want to post photos of the process of painting the birdhouse the way I did and also the card I made, but we'll have to wait til after the 12th! :D

My mom makes me laugh and is such a beautiful, strong person. I love her mucho!

So what did we do on saturday? We did one thing we do best: SHOPPING! went to TJ Maxx + Barnes & Noble/Starbucks & with a chicken ceasar salad to-go from Paradise Bakery.

Only bloggers would take a photo of their salad before, but i did AFTER I devoured it! yum.

While at B&N I got the updated & revised edition of For Women Only: What you need to know about the inner lives of men by Shaunti Feldhahn. There's also For Men Only: a straightforward guide to the inner lives of women.

Part of me feels like I've read it before in my college days, but reading this book (again?) made me feel like I am reading it for the first time.

view of my exciting saturday night!

It probably has to do with the fact that I am older and wiser. It's also probably because I am more ready & able to understand this book and what Shaunti points out in the "inner lives of men."

I am nearly through with the book but want to go back and take notes on some things. It's not about changing our men [God wired men & women differently for a divine reason], but learning from this book to change us women, if need be, so that our romantic relationships: dating, engagements and marriages are better enhanced and run more smoothly.

Sunday: spent with my stomach hurting so bad! I was wondering if the waves of pain I was experiencing were like those of pregnant women going through contractions? if it's close, good golly I TOTALLY sympathize!

After that went away, i felt so worn out--pain & nausea, I took a almost 3 hour nap. Did some couponing, called one of my besties H and mindlessly enjoyed watching Once Upon A Time, Revenge & Red Widow!

How was your weekend?
Do you watch any of those 3 shows?

I was so into them that I felt compassion for Regina! darn Tamara!, surprised Takeda got cut out & happy that Jack still pines for Emily & nervous of what Nicolae may do to the daughter or Marta!?

Oh the suspense! Can't wait for next sunday night!
 

weekend update.

Spring cleaning & organizing is in full swing around here. My nurse Sandy is going to hold a yard sale possibly this weekend or next, so we are all going through our belongings and sorting & pricing things for the sale. I can't wait!

On saturday, had a slow start to my day. I got ready and got to hang out with my friend Tessa. We went to the mall & mainly shopped at forever21. No major damage there except I got a new top that I am hoping to wear with a future purchase of skinny colored jeans. I am STILL on the lookout for ones that are cheap and that will actually fit my wide waist/hips & short legs. Oh & I also brought home chicken caesar salad from Paradise...that was yummy.

So here's the story of how we attempted to get to the mall:

We walked to the bus stop about 10 minutes before it was due to arrive. Well, I saw Tessa wave to the bus as it was approaching (my back was turned to it) and as I turned around, i waved at him too and the drive did not even turn his head. in fact, he was kinda speeding by, not driving with caution that he may need to stop! So in the end, he totally passed us and did not stop for us!! This is the second time this has happened since August. I am not sure if it's the same bus driver though i have a feeling it is. We couldn't get a good description of him because he was whizzing by! When we walked back to my house (this bus only comes every hour), we called customer relations and filed a complaint! Other than that happening, we had a jolly afternoon.

Yesterday I woke up with my ear popping weirdly and hurting. I also was so dang tired as I only got 4 hours of sleep the prior night. You could basically say and see that I was out of it. I got dressed nicely and put my makeup on. I took 2 benedryl's at 10am as we thought that maybe my ear prob was allergy/sinus related. It was still bothering me after and i then took mucinex at 12 noon. My morning was energetic but once 1pm rolled around my energy level was going downhill and by 2:30pm, I needed a nap. It's feeling fine today, but I am not too certain about it's "recovery."

I failed to take some entertaining photos this weekend, but here is one of me and mr. z. He's my friend & caregiver's dog. This photo was taken after we took him on a walk last evening as the weather was delightful.

he kept licking my face. I told him NoOo not my makeup lol

my little buddy

target, brave, sister wives, oh my!

hello darlings, what a busy past few days!! 

On viernes- friday, I went to see Brave with my caregiver and her two daughters. Animated movies are usually not my first pick, but I was pleasantly surprised that Brave was better than I expected. I liked that although Merida (the main character) is a princess, there wasn't a prince or marriage at a young age and not certainly not your traditional happily-ever-after script. And i was not disappointed at that fact either!While there wasn't a prince there also was no predominant "other bad guy"..yes, there was conflict, but the true conflict was more internal. I recommend seeing Brave as there are universal truths that even adults will appreciate. Toward the end of the movie, all four of us girls, age range from 34 years old- 4 years old were crying! hahahah.

little bird P was getting cranky, hence the no smile

We also stopped by Victoria's secret and man oh man, got some good deals with their semi-annual sale going on!! Not sure how much longer it is, but i want to go back later this week to grab some more shower gel for $2.50!? um yes please!!

Sabado-saturday, plans finally came true for me and my good friend elisa. We were both so happy to be feeling better! we had plans for last thursday, but we both ended up getting a little sick & cancled plans. Wed night was a terrible night for me with vent problems and then stomach issues which = very little sleep! Thursday, i slept alot!

oh, hello pharmacist

we saved 5 cents bringing our own bags!

 So saturday, we ventured for lunch at jack in the box and i treated myself to peach tea! and then we went to Target where I got a few things, including a really cute dress with a slightly open back on clearance (tried it on last night and fits great!) I was in dire need of hair color so with it being on sale & my two coupons [$5 off 2 manufacturer & $3 off 2 Target store coupon], i got two boxes of clairol's natural instincts for about $6, making them $3 each!

girl on the go, ft. tote bag by through the eyes of the mrs.

When i go out, leaving the house, i must take two different bags that carry my medical supplies with me. The grey bag holds my suction machine, saline bullets, extra inner cannulas, suction catheters, gauze and a cable for the car/vehicle to power the vent JUST IN CASE..if you don't know what im talking about, i'll talk about these supplies in another post. ANDDD my new tote bag with fabric flowers was handmade by Beth of Through the eyes of the Mrs. I won this bag & a pair of super cute yellow rosette earrings about a month ago from a giveaway on Much, love illy's blog! When i received the tote, i first thought that i'd gift it,but then James & i realized that my amboo bag (for emergency resuscitation/keep-me-breathing in the event the vent dies or malfunctions) would FIT into this bag and it all did perfectly (extra tubing circuit too)!! i was so excited!! I HAD to take a pic so i could show Beth! :)

Then yesterday-domingo-sunday, i visited with elisa again for a little bit. she stopped by to drop something off and we planned to go to the movies later this week to see Snow White & the Huntsmen. Did you know that Mirror, Mirror with Julia Roberts comes out on tuesday!!? I saw that in the Target ad, and couldn't believe it's gonna be out on dvd already! My cousin Alexis, she lives in New york called me too and we chatted for a short while because she was in a car with a bunch of her friends and told her to call me later. Teenagers. Last night, i promised that i would call my aunt marsha and i did. we talked for at least a good half-hour. It was so nice to chat with her & get caught up on the latest happenings. She is an avid reader and enjoys reading at night in the comfort of her bed, just like me! 

My night ended with me indulgently watching the season finale of sister wives. I personally could not live a polygamist lifestyle. They are like normal people with the exception of one husband, four wives! They shop at Target, and the teenage girls and moms all have modern hairstyles, clothes and all the wives wear makeup unlike the closely associated FLDS people that live in compounds that we've heard of the news with Warren Jeffs as their leader...the Brown family is NOT like that AT ALL!! Their family dynamic and culture just interests me. I only lasted til about 10:15 and i went to sleep, was too tired to stay up til 11 to see the rest of the show...

and so, that's where I am. Writing about my weekend now and possibly watching Breaking Dawn pt. 1 later with james while enjoying a skinny cow? 

P.s. Do you follow me on twitter? That's a good way to keep up/stalk with me too :) See ya!

p.p.s i just realized that i mentioned Target like three different times in this post! lol

weekend in pictures

Remember about a month ago the media gave attention to the Kony 2012 Campaign, led by Invisible Children organization? Or how about  my post about it plus the video that went viral? Well cover the night was friday april 20th and this is what I saw yesterday:

graduation gifts i saw in my hallmark mail (hmm, maybe one of these for my sister who's graduating next month!) btw, there's a new hallmark movie starring cuba gooding jr, that is coming on tonight on abc! sorry i forgot the name

 Me and my little monkey friend taking a break for a picture. She was driving me crazy for 3 days in a row! lol, but i  know she needs a bit extra attention & love. I swear she thinks im around her age, yet she listens to me {most of the time!}

pretty tangerine roses growing in our front yard

Also, i'm excited to tell you that I will be hosting my first guest post HERE early this week, so stay tuned!!