that's why I was always taking pictures.

meet brayden & his big cheeks

2012-02-07T20:32:00.000-08:00

My friends beautiful son Brayden is my current obsession! Every time I’m around him I feel the need to just bite his cheeks. ARE YOU SEEING THEM? Lol how could you resist? He’s adorable and the happiest baby minus the fact that he sleeps all day pretty much & then stays up all night! Haha. His smile is completely contagious and he’s just a joy to be around. On two separate occasions we had it planned to take pictures of him. The first time we went in blind and just got whatever cutesy shots he would give us. The second time around I turned my bedroom into a ghetto photoshoot-ish set up using a black sheet and some nails as a backdrop! It might have been a ghetto ass setup up it turned into a success! In the end (not these shots) is when he gave me all smiles! I can’t help but think babies are laughing at how stupid we look tryna make them laugh rather than anything actually being funny. Nonetheless the pictures came out pretty good :]

I’ve slowly messed up my sleeping scheduled. I’m almost certain it’s my long drunk nights fault but whatever LOL. Yesterday I literally sleep THROUGH work aka missed my shift due to sleep. I woke up when I would have been getting off work lol. I’m gonna try and fix it once agaaaaaain AND get bake to cooking every day. I’ve been taking the easy way out and slacking incredibly hard when it comes to feeding my body, this may just be another reason why I’m sleeping so horribly and feeling like complete ass. TIME TO CHANGE IT!!!!!!!!!! ............ I hope. Let’s run down a few things I want to do by this Sunday.

- At least 2 days photographed.
- REMEMBER TO TAKE THIS DAMN MEDICATION EVERYDAY.
- Sleep + wake up at REGULAR timing.
- Friday = NIGHT OUT.
- Cook E-V-E-R-Y-N-I-G-H-T until Sunday (excluding Friday)
- Catch up on blog reads + comments.
- Figure out this print shop thingy !
- AND UMMM yeah :]

finally finished!

2012-02-01T16:56:00.000-08:00

I knew my domain was expiring this year sometime but it slipped my mind the exact day it was to happen so to my surprise it did on the 29^th/30^th ISH. I had a post planned but when I seen the renewal page I just said fuck it LOL. I contemplated switching my domain address but obviously I didn’t do so! Anyways my days seem a lot longer recently, I don’t know what it is exactly but I’m also not complaininng about it at all. I ended up having to see a doctor today because of course my sinuses are back fucked ( they pretty much always are) I normally get a spray but this time I got actual medication so hopefully it works some type of gigantic miracle. I also got birth control under my coverage for my friend because she doesn’t have coverage right now. It’s kind of fucked up that you have to pay for birth control anyways. Any time I’m able to help someone by getting the medication/prescriptions they need in my name – I have no problem with it! I probably saved people hundreds of dollars doing this! Lol. I FINNALY FINISHED MY PHOTO ACCENT WALL! After months of waiting it out, it’s finally finished! And I love it. I definitely prefer the photo wall instead of an accent colour walls. It didn’t take as long to do either I would have finished it last night but I ran out of tape! I ended up spending about $40ish for all the prints. Well worth it!

I’ve been picking up my camera a lot more & have a bunch of photos to share
I’m gonna try and do as many posts a week of my day in photos
I’ve gotten A LOT of feedback about buying prints & doing shoots & I’m currently working out ways to do both.
And then some.

bullets & my idiot brother.

2012-01-29T22:51:00.000-08:00

My brother who happens to be obsessed with himself asked me to take some pictures of him.
Getting into school isn’t happening until at least next semester because they’re completely full!
Switched booked AGAIN but I’m sticking with this one LOL. “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo”
Met a bunch of family and had good vibes but of course negative ones too.
Grocery shopping needs to be done this week.
I’m determined to add a lot to my photo wall once I get around to developing the pictures hopefully sometime this week.
If I wasn’t so lazy I’d probably make this an actual post and not just a bullet list.

My extremely late but yay its Friday post.

2012-01-27T16:39:00.001-08:00

I meant to post this the day I made it because of my excitement! But unfortunate events have put me in the slumps over the past few days. I finally made homemade pizza! I made the crust and gave it 3 days to rise but I really thought that by the time I went to make the pizza, the rise would not happen. I WAS WRONG! I ended up having to use both of the crusts I made in one night because everyone wanted more! I made an all veggie pizza with whole wheat crust & light mozzarella cheese. The mushrooms and onions were of cause sautéed while the peppers were all roasted (first time I did that too). It came out delicious! And who would have thought it would be THAT easy? Lol

Have a happy Friday ladies! I’m going to have some drinks tonight for the first time in like a month, MUCH NEEDED drinks. I'll catch up blog reads & comments tomorrow some time!

water on water on water

2012-01-23T17:58:00.001-08:00

I’m tired! Tired as in I feel like I got no sleep last night which is not the case. Yesterday I made peanut butter cookies which were delicious but seriously I need a replacement for all that sugar I used. Mondays are always the most tiring days for me considering I don’t work Friday, Saturday, or Sunday getting back into routine is just......... TIRING! Lol. I love the way my schedule is set up right now though. I’ve probably been placed in every work shift slot that’s possible and the one I have now fits my life (currently) perfectly. I work from 9 – 5ISH. Which gives me enough time to wake up in the morning eat a nice breakfast AND prepare whatever it is I’m going to eat for lunch to bring with me. This morning I was able to stir fry some shrimp and throw it into some rice I had in the fridge for lunch and have all the time in the world to get ready and eat breakfast. Coming home at close to 6PM gives me just enough time to cook dinner and eat at an appropriate time. Unlike before when I was getting hoe close to 11PM. GOOD CHANGES! Anyways, I figured why not get my ass to blogging more often with posting whatever pictures end up in my camera for the day. AKA. Whatever happens to be going on for me that day LOL. Be prepared to see a lot of random shit that means nothing and probably a lot of food.

Wherever I am water bottles of all types pile up around me.
Shrimp is the easiest and quickest meal to prep & cook.
Coupons save lives.
The snow is melting from all the rain! Ended it with a heart :]

3/52, we were living on the run, but there was no one chasing after

2012-01-22T19:11:00.000-08:00

11 Random things about me:
1. I am the only child for my mother, but not for my father.
2. I am an agnostic.
3. I lose my I.D ATLEAST twice a year.
4. I think I've seen every Law & Order: SVU episode ever.
5. I almost always have socks on. Unless I have sandals on but once I get home I put socks on.
6. My TV lives on the foodnetwork.
7. I'm able to smile through....... anything.
8. In every relationship I have with people I always seem to be the one who gives MORE.
9. I do not like yogurt.
10. I need to learn to be more positive!
11. I’M IN LOVE!

11 Questions for me to answer:
1. What is your favorite animal? A TIGER! White tigers.
2. Do you have a tattoo? If yes, where? If no, do you want one? Yes - 3! My lower back tattoo is the exact tattoo my mother has.
3. What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time? Spend it with my boyfriend just laying around watching movies <3.
4. As a child, what did you want to be once you grew up? Honestly, I can't even remember. I remember in like 9th grade I wanted to do Interior Design.
5. What was the last thing you lied about? I lied to some dude on the street that I didn’t have change. Only because I know he was going to buy alcohol.
6. Do you have any weird habits? My sock thing is kinda weird. I don’t like my food touching, I like my room pitch black (reason why I have black out curtains), and whatever else.
7. Look to your right; what do you see? My Bed :]
8. What are some of your favorite TV shows? Revenge, Greys Anatomy, Law & order SVU.
9. If you can change one thing in the world, what would it be? That everyone would be more understanding.
10. If you cannot fall asleep, what do you do? Watch movies or the foodnetwork.
11. What makes you different than others? I’m more stuck in my own ways. I don’t believe in following suit with others to try and “fit in” or whatever it is that they do.

11 questions for ANYONE wanting to answer.

What motives you to blog as much as you do?

If there was one thing you could do different, What would it be?

Are you in love? Have you been?

Least favorite characteristic about yourself?

& your favorite characteristic?

What or who inspires you?

What is the last thing you do before bed every night?

If you could be anywhere in the world right now where would you be?

One person you couldn’t go a day without?

Favorite movie & movie snack?

What are some of your favorite blogs?

enter my belly

2012-01-20T16:23:00.000-08:00

The picture up there shows what I’ve been eating for the past few weeks. In no way do I deprive myself of good tasting food or of what I want! I crave healthy options now! And it’s good because it doesn’t give me the ugly feeling I’d get from eating any fried foods. AND by eating clean it’s going to open up a door for me to try different foods and make different recipes. I’ve basically put together a few things I do, bunch of stuff I eat, and whatever else to show you guys how I keep up with eating clean!

The major changes I’ve made so far are:
• I try and eat around the same time each day (it allows your body to crave food at only those times & helps with over eating)
• I NEVER skip eating breakfast
• If carbs. are involved its ALWAYS whole wheat.
• Fruits fruits fruits.
• And even more veggies veggies veggies.
• I try and buy nothing but fresh items (only frozen fruit for smoothies)
• I add no salt to anything I cook! There’s enough salt in everything else!
• I try and stay away from products with a lot of sugar.
• I drink at least 2L/8 cups of water a day (I def. do drink more)
• Making smoothies are refreshing, healthy AND delicious.
• I snack on nuts, fruits, veggies.
• I try & always make my veggies outweigh anything else on my plate.
• I only sauté veggies. Anything else I eat steamed, grilled, or baked.

And trust me! As days go on and I come across articles on the internet, my list of what I do just grows longer. Any little change made goes a long way! Moving on! Now the whole thing is not everyday I’m able to find the time to make full blown meals & some days I’m just too tired to do so. I figured out a few shortcuts that I use all the time! Here goes:

• When I make whole grain rice or pasta I usually make enough for a few days and I store it in the fridge. This cuts down on time & allows you to focus on what protein to match it with.
• Buying a whole chicken and roasting it will give you A LOT of options for meals! You can shred /cut up and store it in the fridge & it’s the perfect add in for quesadillas, chicken sandwiches, chicken salads, chicken wraps, or just plain chicken!
• ANYTHING like homemade soup, chili, stews, homemade sauces anything like that are all freezable! I always make a HUGE batch and freeze a bunch of it!

Do you have any ways that you stay eating clean? Or any recipes that are “must try” let me know!

new FIRST read of 2012

2012-01-16T17:07:00.000-08:00

I scrapped the idea of my first book to read this year being the “Tears for Water” book. Why? Well first off it was pretty dick-ish of me to even consider it being a serious read! The damn thing is full of poems & the other half being lyrics to songs I know. Haha way of me to cut corners right? Anyway! My mom happens to be a Stephen King fanatic aka. Obsessed. It’s rubbed off on me a bit because I can’t help but adore almost all movies that were based off his short stories (minus IT, completely unnecessary use of a clown to scare me). And by the way I finally watched the entire Secret Window movie & I actually enjoyed it. This is the main reason why I can’t even go off of the reviews/opinions of others. The twist that majority of the Stephen King based films are what make the movies. Anyways, here we go! The FIRST (this time for sure) book that I’m going to read will be this! Again, if you have any books to recommend me to read please do!

2/52, the sound of an old guitar is saving you from sinking

2012-01-15T14:28:00.000-08:00

Can you even believe that two weeks have already gone by? CRAZY. There are times when I feel like the time is going by so slow but taking a step back, it’s flying past me. I’m going strong with my morning runs, even though I come back with frozen cheeks and ears! I’m gonna try and spread this project out so each week I go somewhere different. At least somewhere I haven’t been for a while and/or never before. The idea is to GET OUT! With me going out on these runs/walks I always pass by somewhere new and something ALWAYS catches my eye. I knew I had to come back and get a picture of this because just look how beautiful it is! I know as the winter passes this will be my go to “clear my mind spot”. Well, when I can’t make it to the beach that is.

getting things done!

2012-01-12T14:50:00.000-08:00

I find myself having too many reason to blog recently so I’m squeezing about 2 ½ posts into one. I mentioned the other day that my yearly to do goals are going really smooth and I think I downplayed just how well they are going. I took out my list and decided that a lot of the items are month(s) long process and began starting on it now.
Start a loose change jar: about a week ago I actually found the jar that was going to use and it just so happened to be an old peanut butter jar but RARLY ever do I have loose change because I swipe way too damn much! But I find myself coming across pennies, dimes, nickels and whatever else more now and just throwing them in when I get the chance. My plan is to empty my wallet at the end of each week of whatever coins I have into the jar!

Read at least twelve books: I’m in dire need to get some book recommendations! Until then I’m kind of just reading whatever I have laying around and it just so happens that I have Alicia Keys: Tears for water that’s been in my house for AT LEATS 3 years and I have yet to read it ( that’s pretty sad) but I got to start somewhere! If you have a book that you recommend me to read, let me know!

Photograph more: Picking up this new project + my idea of going on photo walks is going to help me accomplish this very easily. I’ll have a shit load of pictures to share with you all so be on the look for the!

Take up some sort of Martial art: My new healthy lifestyle has me trying almost any type of activity that helps me stay moving and in shape! I’ve become hooked on P90x: Kenpo DVD and a bit of Tae-Bo ANDDDD newly my work has a new class called “BODYCOMBAT” which pretty much gives life LOL :].

Pick up a new language: my brother & mother think I’m absolutely INSANE but I’ve always had a love for Italian culture. Everything about it just intrigues me to want to know more. Of course when the idea of wanting to pick up on a new language, Italian was the first one that popped into my head. The first step I took was getting Rossetastone Italian levels 1, 2, 3. Rosesstastone software is amazing and works! It was a reminder of me being in 3rd grade learning French. I played around with it for about 15 minutes and it was fun (which makes it 100x better). You have to say back the words said to you and if you mispronounce it your ass either gets marked wrong OR you cannot move on until you get it right. Lol, I love it. Can’t wait to learn more.

Be Healthier: Pretty self explanatory with my recent posts.
Pick up a new hobby/project: 52 has caught my attention! I still am unsure about the date that the photo will be posted but I’m leaning toward Saturday considering it is the day that ends the week. But we’ll see!

For being only 12 days into the New Year I’d say I’m off to a pretty damn good start! But we all know, it’s easier to start than to keep it pushing & finish. But I WILL! Lol. As for the pasta dish up there ^ it’s what I made for lunch today & if you’re interested in the recipes here it goes!

You Need:
1 turkey sausage, cooked then sliced
1 cup fusilli whole wheat pasta
½ cup zucchini primavera pasta sauce
Green bell pepper, sliced
Red bell pepper, sliced
Onion, sliced
Mushrooms, chopped
Garlic, chopped

- I choose to bake my sausage to save from using so much oil/fat. I baked it on 400 for about 20/30 minutes (I like meat well done)

-Sautéed the sliced peppers, onion, mushrooms, and garlic until tender.

- Cooked the pasta until al dente (or to desired texture)

- Heat the sauce.

- Toss all of it together and ENJOY!

It’s very simple but comes out VERY delicious. Who would have thought zucchini would be so deelish in pasta?

keeping up with changes

2012-01-10T18:31:00.000-08:00

How’s everyone doing with the changes the New Year brought them to make? I’m holding true on my get healthy lifestyle. I’ve changed a lot of old dirty habits, my biggest one being eating LATE. I mean, I’ll be watching movies with my boyfriend and at 3AM get something to eat! Mind over matter is all it really takes. How many times have you TOLD yourself you’re so hungry you could eat a horse and then when you do eat, you can’t even finish what you got? RIGHT! My doctor once told me to set a time where you eat breakfast, lunch, dinner at everyday and soon your body will only crave food at those times. It’s 100% true. Once your body gets used to anything it’ll begin to expect it, especially if it’s at the same time every day. I’m stuck on a simple: breakfast – snack – lunch – snack – dinner & another snack if I get hungry (which rarely happens). Major changes I’ve made have been switch to all whole grains, lean meats, no condiments but mustard, veggies on veggies on veggies, and fruits for days! Everything I cook is either grilled or baked (unless I sauté veggies) and always using olive oil. Water is life! I drink 3L a day and if not more. The changes I’ve made may seem minimal but from my old greasy and fried habits – they’re some big steps and plus I’ve lost 4lbs in the past week doing just this. I try and go for a run EVERY day! If not first thing in the morning then after lunch is my go time. On top of that I’m trying out a whole bunch of different routines like P90X Kenpo & yesterday I took part in a body combat class which was AMAZING and probably my new found love LOL. Anyways, to wrap this long thing up what I’m saying is: I’m going strong with the changes and 10 days in? This is literally the longest I’ve held to my “healthy change” word which is sad LOL BUT who cares because I’m doing it now right!
Ever since ending my project 365 I lost all motivation to pick up my camera! But I found something in me to go on walks (that lead to my runs) to get out and just explore to get better at using settings on my camera! I’m abusive my manual setting once again and gaining complete control of “the focus” in my pictures! I plan to do this at least 3x a week and of course share them with you! Enjoy.

52 photo walks.

2012-01-07T05:15:00.000-08:00

After making the post that’s above this I really sat and thought to myself. I LOVE doing projects, especially relating to photography. Project 365 takes A LOT of dedication but it is well worth it and you grow A LOT within the frames you shoot. I know I didn’t want to make that commitment once again so why not make another one? “52 Photo walks” with my old love for running and taking walks coming back in my life I’m going to find myself outside A LOT more. What better way to include photography in than turning the walks into photo walks for a project? 52 weeks started off as a watered down project 365 for those who can’t commit to a photo every single day. Instead, a photo is taken weekly for the entire year. I’m going to dedicate one day of each week (not a specific one) to go out and explore photographing whatever catches my eye! STAY TUNED :)

yummy & simple shrimp wrap.

2012-01-05T00:01:00.000-08:00

Simple goes a long way! While in the whole “teaching my body to be healthy” spirit, I’m experimenting with different flavours, combinations, and spreads. For lunch I was going to make a chicken Caesar wrap – you know, the regular. Forgetting to take out chicken to thaw I reached for shrimp instead. The only down side about shrimp is the whole deveining and peeling process of it all, so tedious! But in the end, well worth it :] Creating this simple wrap is SO easy and so delicious.
- Heat skillet – season shrimp (I use seafood seasoning & a little lemon) let cook until pink
- I added the onions to sauté as the shrimp cooked.
- Heat tortilla in oven
- Spread layer of sour cream / whatever spread you like with shrimp
- Top with shrimp, onions, chopped lettuce, and tomato
And volia! Roll, cut and ENJOY!

grocery shopping

2012-01-04T07:49:00.000-08:00

• Green Seedless Grapes $ 2.58
• Broccoli Crowns $ 0.69
• Celery Stalk $ 1.19
• 8 Tortillas $ 2.17
• Green Onion $ 1.00
• 8 Gala Apples $ 2.64
• 2 Packs Of Grape Tomatoes $ 1.00
• Pack Of Green Beans $ 1.00
• 3 Lemons $ 1.00
• Cinnamon Seasoning $ 1.00
• Low Sodium Salsa $ 2.47
• 2 Heads Of Lettuce $ 1.50
• Bunch Of Bananas $ 1.43
• 2 Large Green Peppers $ 0.90
• Bag Of Spinach $ 1.19
= $22.00

I’ve been going goo with my promise to stay healthy this year so after I took a nap today I decided I had to take a trip to the grocery store ( AND i walked - It was beyond freezing so much that i had to buy mittens JUST so i was able to make it home without my fingers falling off! T H R E E P A I R S! ). I’m trying to eat well but at the same time budget my money better! It’s stupid of me to say “eating healthy is so expensive” when before, I would spend $5-7 dollar on fast food alone! DO YOU KNOW WHAT $7 could get me? It could get me 8 apples, 2 heads of lettuce, green pepper, and a pack of tortillas! For the price of one damn fast food meal. Anyways, budgeting money makes you explore more options in the grocery store which takes a little longer (but I don’t mind because I love grocery shopping). Initially, I went to the grocery store with $25 and for green peppers, lettuce, & cinnamon! And left with so much for so little.

*BTW, it was -19ºC with a wind chill of -27ºC, which turns out to be about -16.6 ºF. i am ELLE solider.

five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes.

2011-12-31T18:37:00.000-08:00

Here’s to a year in PICTURES! I’ve completed project 365 and I can say that I’m 100% happy with the outcome. I’ve grown so much in the world of photography thanks solely to this project. It let me explore photographing different items, angles, settings, and much more. Person growth = AMAZING. I know for sure that in the future I’ll do this project again but not this year LOL. I am going to look for other projects to take part in but not another year long one lol. What I can say is THANK GOD THIS YEAR IS FUCKING OVER! This year has brought nothing but drama, pain, misery, fucked up shit, stupid situations, AND THEN SOME! I’m ecstatic to see the clock strike twelve and the year to change. I made a list (that I will be adding to all year) of things that I want to start, finish, tackle, try this year!

* My blog will be getting wiped CLEAN as of tonight + probably get a little face lift. Starting fresh is always best.