52 Dishes: 14/52 Cinnamon Roll Waffles

In the vein of cheating a little (maybe a lot) on this project I am counting this next thing as a dish. It went a little like this, I now am the proud owner of a waffle maker... and so I bought myself a roll of cinnamon rolls and I cooked them on the waffle iron. 

Voila! Dish 14!

Cinnamon Roll Waffles

I think I may have overcooked some of them but they were tasty none the less and I'm definitely going to make them again sometime. 

A couple days after I made these I tried making chocolate chip cookies on the waffle maker but that turned out not so great... as in, crumbly disaster. I'm not ready to give up yet, I might have gotten the iron too hot, or cooked them too long, or didn't grease it enough, but that's a mystery to solve another day.

Until then I think my next waffle maker adventure will have blueberries involved.

Any waffle maker suggestions?

xoxo 

Around Here

Today I am job hunting, but with a margarita by my side... confidence and happiness boost. Here's a little list or two of what else has been going on around these parts. 

There's been a lot of... 

country music listening // reading, reading, reading // Friday Night Lights watching // time with sister spending // margarita drinking (love them) // thinking, planning and contemplating // excitement // gratitude // singing in the car // salad eating // long tank top wearing // smiles // mind stretching //

There's also been some... 

squatting and other behind lifting activities // food planning // journaling // dancing // picture taking // friend dates // new blanket crocheting // resume writing (and stressing which bring it back up to... margaritas) //

There's been a lot of living in this life of mine. 

xoxo

Crunching Numbers

these ladies have the right idea

So here it is, I'm coming out with it, or maybe I've already come out with it before and now I'm coming out with it again... 

I'm in debt. 

No big surprise there huh, I'm a twenty something female living in San Diego. It wouldn't be a surprise if I was living elsewhere, I guess... but there are a lot of Joneses to keep up with in good ol' SD... or maybe now with blogs and Pinterest there's a lot of Joneses to keep up with everywhere. I never thought I was one to keep up with the Joneses but maybe in some way I am and I don't even realize it. 

Whatever, enough with the Joneses. 

All I know is, I have more debt that I have money to my name, and I don't like that feeling. I haven't liked that feeling and it's been this way for some time now. And I've started thinking about things, I've made plans, I've made budgets and goal budgets and read financial planning books like Smart Women Finish Rich, Money Drunk Money Sober, some book by Suze Orman and a few others. I've read, I've planned, I've cried and I've felt giddy about the possibilities of being out of debt. 

But guess what, I'm still in it.

The problem is, I would stick to my plan for a little bit, or even a long bit. There was a good 6 months that I didn't touch my credit card at all (which I hadn't done since I got it in 2005 or so). And then I caved again, and I don't remember what for... oh yes I do, doctor's bills, and the $1600 ($1000 if you take out interest) that I paid off in the past year went right back on... I fell into a hole of discouragement to say the least. 

I'm not going to lie to you dear readers, I'm still discouraged, and still in debt, possibly more so than before I stopped using my silly credit card. But I will not give up. I've started a new book, and I have a new plan underway.

It's called the Spend Less Than You Make plan, or the Watch What Your Spending plan or even the If You Get a Pang of Guilt When You Take Out Your Card Don't Buy It plan. 

I've updated my Mint account, I've read about spending fasts, I've faced my balances, I've looked at what I have spent my money on in the past two months... I've seen the different between what I spend and what I make... It's not a sight I like looking at. But I'm looking, no more blinders, again. 

I'll be going through the new book, I Will Teach You To Be Rich, I will answer questions, I will do what is suggested, I will make a plan and stick to it as fastidiously as possible. And if my plan gets derailed by medical or car issues, I'll pick myself up, dust myself off and get back on it. 

Today, in the spirit of starting a new book and getting things organized I have:

- requested a lower APR from my credit card company, twice... I was given 0% for 6 months on new purchases but I'm looking for it to be lowered overall... so I'm going to find other options, maybe even go into my bank and talk to someone directly

- set up my online account for a card I signed up for but haven't used. My plan is to put my monthly payment for Netflix on this card and have it automatically paid so that I don't have to worry about it and it helps my credit score. Nothing else goes on that card. Nothing. 

- called Verizon again to see why I am getting charged up the wazoo for data usage that I'm not doing. At the very least this will mean my payments go back to somewhat normal... at the best I want money credited toward my next payment for the incorrect charges. 

- looked over the last two months of spending, changed uncategorized entries, fixed other entries and now I have a decent amount of information to start my budget.

- cashed in my rewards points to get a gift card that I will be using at a specific place and time

Before the day is over I plan on getting a rough budget drafted. By the end of the week I will have set up my automatic payment on the newer card and I will have gone into my bank to get more information on a lower APR. I've been with the bank for years, my dad has been with the bank for decades, not to mention my credit score is pretty dang good... I feel like there's room for lower interest rates. 

What about you, lovely friends, what's going on in your money world? Any tips on changing the mindset so it's a good challenge and not starvation from fun?

xoxo

images one and two

On Repeat - I Want Crazy

But I don't want good

and I don't want good enough

I want: can't sleep, can't breath 

without your love

Front porch

and one more kiss

it doesn't make sense to anybody else

who cares 

if you're all I think about

It's quite possible that in this song, video and lyrics combined, I've found the perfect synopsis of what I want from my love life. (Minus the whole long distance part.) Fuji instant pictures, breaking into pools, swimming in clothes, great view and lots of laughs? Yes please. 

xoxo

52 dishes: 13/52

You may have noticed a steady decline, sigh... fine, an outright disappearance of 52 in 52 dishes. It's quite true, I took a break from cooking, it started with a very upset stomach for months and months. I ate mostly bananas, sometimes toast and whatever wouldn't make me feel like heck.

I went through tests, spent a special amount of time in doctor's offices, added debt to the credit card and more. No answers other than, it's not the thyroid, blood levels are fine, no parasite... maybe it's stress, maybe it's not.

After a series of tests and getting bills I didn't expect I decided to take a break from the doctor. During this time I started making myself eat a little more protein even when I didn't feel hungry and just tried to stay calm about the whole thing.

Slowly but surely things have been getting better. When I stress about what my stomach is doing it gets worse, but when I just let it ride things are far, FAR better than they were before. I'm actually hungry like I use to be and the list of what I can eat is definitely expanding. Food and I are slowly but surely becoming friends again and with this rekindled friendship I have started wanting to cook again. Well, that and drumsticks from El Pollo Loco, roast beef sandwiches from Subway and fries from work just weren't making me feel all that healthy.

This week I've spent nights watching Friday Night Lights and making spaghetti and preparing cold noodles and other things to put in salads at work.

In a few days I will be house sitting and will have access to a glorious kitchen with just about every cooking appliance I could ever want. During this time I am doing to be trying to play catch up a little on this whole 52 in 52. Now I don't plan on going to nuts and making 18 new things in 12 days, but maybe 5 or 6? Doable!

I spent sometime on Pinterest today getting an idea of the things I want to make and I got so excited that tonight, on my way home from family dinner I decided I just couldn't wait and I was going to make Lemon Ricotta and Poppyseed Waffles. I had to purchase a waffle maker to do so, but I bargain shopped it between Target and Walmart and found my new best friend. (The waffle maker)

They turned out delicious. Honestly I think I was expecting more of a lemon taste but maybe I'll just put more lemon juice in or more zest with the sugar when I make them next time.

Other than the lack of obvious lemon taste these are so delicious. I paired the ones I ate right off the griddle with raspberries and the last two I added almond slices to. We'll see how those turn out, a little crunch.

I'm excited for the house sitting and trying recipes that need a food processor and a big mixer that can knead dough!

Here's the getting back on track with my project and getting excited about food again!

xoxo

Something to Remember

something to remember

sister's 21st // delicious desserts with Lisa // margaritas on the fam's back patio // Sea World for the bro's 16th birthday // nights in my room // photo walk on the Oceanside Pier // braids are the new black, and a new shirt // bowling // new succulents

also

spending more time with family // appreciating the soft blankets in bed // rereading books three times // the fair // country bars // dancing // del mar races // milk duds and popcorn // remembering favorite dishes to cook // new phone cases // hanging out with a friend after a long time of not seeing each other

life is good 

xoxo

Golden Coast: Los Angeles Beaches and the Irvine Spectrum

A week after my return from my Golden Coast trip I decided I needed a little hint of a vacation again. I got back in my car and drove north to visit a couple beaches I had left out on my way back. I started at El Matador State beach, took some pictures, sat on a staircase to nowhere and watched people try to navigate the waves. After getting my shoes thoroughly wet and then my feet thoroughly sandy I traveled on down to Zuma beach. There was one particular building I wanted to capture, maybe not even the whole building, just the sign. When I had seen it the first time the week before I hadn't stopped to take a picture, but this time I did, and even though there were people milling around, I still got exactly what I wanted, maybe even more. I mean, an umbrella, the food sign AND birds perched in a row? So good.
After a few snaps at Zuma I headed a little farther south to Santa Monica Pier. I love this place, well, I like it a lot. Mostly because there is a ferris wheel. Here's the deal though, you can't ride it alone, and the seating arrangement with the staff wasn't conducive to many pictures that I wanted. But I guess I just have a reason to go back in the future, with a friend... or maybe more than a friend? (Wiggling eyebrows implied) Despite my semi awkward joy ride on the ferris wheel, I did get in a dinner session at Pier Burger, definitely one of my most favorite hamburger places ever.

After I left the beaches I drove south and found myself at the Irvine Spectrum, a place I can't help but stop at just about every time I find myself headed to the Los Angeles area. There's just this pull. It also has a ferris wheel, so maybe that's it. I spent a good hour or two browsing books at Barnes and Noble, eventually settling on Escape from Cubicle Nation, Vagabonding and Beyond Snapshots. I also picked up a new journal, ready and glorious for when I get through my current one.

It was a great one day mini vacation. I came back home inspired with my bag full of knowledge and my camera full of pictures. Not a bad way to spend a day off.

xoxo

Currently

Reading: You Are a Badass (for the third time), The Mortal Instruments and Beyond Snapshots. I highly recommend the first. I am reading it for the third time to make everything in it stick. It's helping me adjust my mindset which is something that takes repetition, reminders and patience, so reading it over again is helpful.
The Second is definitely a summer read kind of thing. I work in a movie theater, I see the trailers, this one looked better than Beautiful Creatures and I really needed something to relax with. I love reading my other books that are all about learning new things, but sometimes my mind needs a break, and that's where YA lit with a love story comes in. Gotta have a love story.
Beyond Snapshots is definitely helping me with my photography, there are tips and tricks that I hadn't thought of before now and I'm definitely into it. If you are just starting to want to push your camera further than point and shoot or even if you have already taken your first dive into manual, this book has great information. 
Listening to: Country. Florida Georgia Line and Tim McGraw. Always some Taylor Swift and a little bit of everything else on the side. But country is my thing right now. specifically party country. Well, that's what I call it.

Thinking about: So. many. things. So what else is new. I'm thinking about my life, where I want it to go, how I'm going to get it there. How I'm going to believe I can. How I can stop defaulting to victim mode, how I can rewire and make positivity my default... making money, bringing more money in, what I really want my life to look like in the next couple of days, weeks, months and years. 

Watching: Friday Night Lights. Love this show. Going to start looking into Nashville soon probably. Can't get enough of the South lately. 

Loving: Salads lately. I bring them to work. I actually look forward to them. 
Reading, as always. Some of the new shirts I have purchased this summer. I'm loving the times I allow myself to think positive and dream big. I love the dares I've taken lately... loving friends and family and making an effort and being more intentional. I love songs that make me want to dance and getting hugs from a friend I missed. I love my bed and that's where I need to go now.

Working on: Photography, being intentional and grateful. Dreaming big, dreaming at all. Seeing the possibility. Making my flickr account presentable. My life manifesto. Keeping my succulents alive. Being the best person I can be. 

Excited for: My trip to Nashville in October. There have been so many dreams coming out of this crazy thing I decided I had to do. It's not so crazy really, I just finally bit the bullet and signed up. I'm looking forward to it so much. So much possibility. 

xoxo

currently posts inspired by Danielle over at Sometimes Sweet

From the County Fair

 

There's something about fairs and carnivals that make me really happy. I think circus themed things fit into this as well though I don't like going to the circus nearly as much. Maybe the animal cruelty thing gets me with those. But circus themed things as well as fairs and carnivals made me a little giddy. I love the colors, the sounds, the candy, the horrible food, the possibility of summer love.

What use to be called the Del Mar Fair (now the San Diego County Fair) is definitely a highlight of the year. It's a sign to my city that summer has come and it's time to celebrate. It's time to forget those bikini bodies for a day and sink your teeth into deep fried... well, deep fried just about anything. I believe I saw a krispy kreme sloppy joe advertised... yeah. It's a special place.

I don't ever find myself on many of the rides, but I still love to walk around the games, hear the calls from carnis, see young couples holding hands, older couples holding big stuffed animals that they probably spent a couple twenty dollar bills to win... I love the feeling, the carefree laughter and screaming of the people on rides.

This year the fair did not disappoint. In fact, it was better than I could have imagined. I went twice, once with a group from work and then with a good friend. Both times were awesome for their own reasons. The first time I stayed away from most of the food because I was planning on bungee jumping and didn't want anything to go wrong. I did go on the drop ride, got myself at least somewhat prepared for my jump, I watched my friends go on some others and then we hit the beer garden. I didn't drink until after my jump, and then I had a $8 bud light. Yes, it was that expensive, for a bud light. Gotta love the fair.
The first go round was longer, a more thorough time. We went on rides, they ate all the different foods between the lot of them, we drank, danced to horrid cover bands, tried to win prizes, and, oh yes, got kicked off the ferris wheel.

If you didn't know this about me yet, I'll tell you now...

I. Love. Ferris. Wheels.

And we got kicked off. Because my friends are goons. Surprisingly I'm not upset about it though, it's a good enough story to be worth all the tickets I gave away so they could come on with me (and then get me kicked off). That's what friendship is for right?

The second go round was a later adventure, my focus was definitely more food oriented, or at least dessert. We did a quick tour, saw Joan Jett for a second and then went back for more food. It was the day before the 4th so it was a little busier than I like, but I was still at the fair, and so, I was happy.

Oh yes, and during my second trip there were the animals, the cows, bunnies, goats and... there was an alligator... I'm pretty sure he's not alive and that they charge two dollars per person for a fake thing. Either that or I feel sorry for the beast. His cage gave him little room to do much else but play dead in the water. There was a cooler at the end of the short walkway in his exhibit and we wondered what could possibly be in there. At first we wanted to think it was his food, but I think it was probably just the ticketmaster's food and beer. I'm not sure that alligator actually eats anything anymore.

All in all, I did the fair well. I'll probably end up going to another one in Orange County before the summer is over, possibly alone so I can walk slowly and take more pictures. But this was was good for experience and memories.

It's been a good summer so far.

xoxo

The Golden Coast: My Favorites

I can't believe it's already been two weeks since I came back from my trip. Time flies, but I say that a lot. I took so long to post these because of different issues, like wanting to start doing a watermark, and not knowing what format I wanted to put them in, if I wanted to make them smaller in a collage or if I wanted them to be bigger.

Bigger won. Imperfect watermarks also won. So here they are. The absolute beauties from my trip. I think there are more, these are just my absolute favorites. Especially the gas station one. I got off the freeway to take a picture of that, it was so perfect, abandoned, broken down and beautiful. A couple of these are from a point and shoot, some of them are from my phone and the rest are from the lady Rebel.

Honestly, as I look through them they are all favorites. I love the gas station one because I actually took the time to get off the freeway at a place I wanted to see. The stacked rocks I like because that one took time to figure out what I was trying to convey with my camera, I love my feet in the pebble sand because it feels like paradise, my kind of paradise. The blue door with a white wall is a picture I expect to envy when I see it on other people's blogs or instagrams, but it's mine. I took it, I did it right. Well, me and the phone.

And the picture of the polaroids on a hotel bedspread... I am shaking my head and raising my hand to the ceiling thinking of trying to write what that one feels like to me. It's perfect, it's the film I love, shots that came out great, finally, after years of sadness with the Impossible Project, it's the adventure that comes with being in a hotel room, it's my heart. Basically. Too much? Nah, just enough.

I'm once again being intentional about getting out and taking more pictures. But this time I've got a couple books I'm reading, I'm thinking about the shots more, maybe even taking less. But I'm growing, and I'm learning and I'm stoked with the outcome.

That trip was necessary. There are many more to come.

xoxo

A Piece of My Trip

Delete, rewrite, delete, rewrite. Create collage, delete. Create another collage, delete. I think I'm just going to leave it at this for now. 

Shell Beach, (or possibly Pirate's Cove in Avila Beach) with an Olypus Stylus, Kodak Ultramax 400 film.

xoxo

travel is necessary

I know it's been said before, I know I've learned this lesson before, I know it's part of physics, but I found out again it's really true that doing is conducive to more doing, that action breeds more action and that an object in motion stays in motion (unless another force is put upon it).

What I'm trying to say is, after my little trip up and down the Golden Coast I promised myself that I wouldn't stay as stationary as before. I would go to beaches in LA, or museums or anything. I will go downtown more and see friends there, even if it seems like gas is expensive and I can't afford it.
Because I can.

In fact, I can't afford NOT to go.

When I get out, when I explore new places, when I get moving, I feel better. I feel so grateful, I see beautiful and/or interesting things everywhere and the problems that seemed so grand shrink significantly.

It seems, travel, even in short distances, is absolutely necessary for my survival.

And a little sand between the toes doesn't hurt.

xoxo