Weekend Fun...

Happy Monday!

white no sleeve button up - nordstrom's rack

burnt orange skinny's - heartbreaker

black peep toe sandals - shopreflection.com

bracelets and necklace - len druskin

I had an interesting weekend! It was filled with family and friends, so that's always great! My family all met up on Friday night for bowling to celebrate the March birthdays! It was fun hanging out with everyone and singing all the old songs that came on while we were there! :) 

Saturday, I woke up bright and early to take our car in to get fixed, and found out there was much more that needed to be fixed than expected! DON'T YOU HATE THAT? Ughh, $600 later.... I'll just leave it at that..

Me and Adrian went out for date night in Uptown at Chino Latino. 

Above is my Crack-Ho Mojito.

 It was pretty delish.

Sunday was filled with friends and laughs as we ventured out for Pho and Sunday funday in Uptown. We headed to a few stores and ended at Happy Hour. 

Overall, It was a pretty successful weekend. 

How was yours?

. . H a p p y   M o n d a y . .

- j.

Shoe Fetish..

Don't Judge...

But lately, I've been on a major spring shoe kick. 

In love with all the spring colors...

I can't seem to get enough... 

But, get this. I have yet to wear any of these shoes! Isn't that horrible? I always see super cute shoes online or on sale, etc.. And I buy.. Not wondering where or what will I wear them with.. 

I am pretty hopeful for this spring...

AND my new shoes! 

BTW, sorry for the short hiatus.. I have been so busy!

Hoping that you all have a great week!

Muah, 

Having Faith: I am Real, I am Human.

Most days I feel like I am a very strong person. I can do anything and my head is held high,

with all doubts and fears beneath me. 

Other days I feel overwhelmed and like I am unable to continue to be strong. 

This morning was a test of my strength. 

Not the first, and certainly not the last. 

Ever since my struggle began with Lupus, six years back, each day has been a testimony in every way shape and form. 

I woke up with this morning, exhausted, 

like I had run a 15 mile marathon a few hours before. 

Unable to pick up my cellphone and turn off the alarm, due to the pains of arthritis in my hands, the fears and doubts flooded me. This is a familiar morning to me, as most of my days begin like this. 

But, today was different.

 As I rose to my feet I noticed pain and inflammation in my right knee and ankle. 

Oh, Great. 

This week was already going to be trying, as spring break is over, and any of you that work full time and go to school full time know the stress of balancing school, work, and life. 

Now unable to walk myself to the bathroom to take on the day, 

I felt defeated. 

As Adrian lifted me off the bed, and helped me dress myself, 

I let out a tear and told him,

"I am feeling discouraged." 

He looked into my eyes, and said,

 "Don't feel discouraged baby, you're body just needs to warm up. Everything will be fine." 

Unable to get into my doc, I know Adrian is right. 

I prayed to God. 

Sometimes, I needed to find the faith in me to take on the day. There were so many things that I needed to do, but my body was just not cooperating with me. 

click image for source

Faith can move mountains.

 I've seen people in my life believe in God, when there was nothing left for them. 

Believe that things would get better, that they would find the strength to carry on. 

I know I can do it. 

I am a strong, independent woman. I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.

I am grateful for the amazing people God has placed in my life, Adrian has seen me at my lowest of lows, he has stood by my side through it all. 

I know God has placed him in my life.

My parents and my siblings are always there whenever I need anything. 

They try to understand what is going on with me, even when I don't. They have been there to lift me up when things aren't going as planned.

I have good friends that are able to offer support. 

I try not to ever ask anyone for anything. I think I get that from my mom. She has always been strong, and figured things out for herself. I have found out that although I never want to depend on them or anyone for that matter, all of these people will let me depend on them. They will help me when I don't ask for it.

click image for source

I am thankful for another day, I am thankful through it all. I know that my hard work and dedication in my life is not in vain. 

I will make it! 

Happy Monday! 

Don't Speak...

This morning while driving back home from taking the BF to work, 

I found myself jamming out to a 90's hour on the radio.

It brought me back...

It started with No Doubt's Don't Speak..

N*Sync's 'I Want You Back' came on 

and that's all it took. 

I turned it up full blast, eyes still low from waking up so early.

 One hand on the wheel tapping to the beat, I started reminiscing over my teenie bopper days. 

Normally, I'd be embarrassed to sing along, 

but it was just 6:45 in the AM, on a Saturday morning. 

Roads clear, no one to stare at me and point.

I was safe.

I was so obsessed with boy bands. Ha! I had a thing for Justin Timberlake and his curls, and I loved every bit of the shy, sweet and sexy deep voice of Kevin Richardson in the Backstreet Boys. 

I swooned over Nick Lachey in 98 degrees. 

Red cardigan - H&M

Patterned top - Nordstrom's Rack or TJ Maxx (?)

Distressed Jeans - Levi's

Dark Brown Boots - Can't remember if a gift or Heartbreakers

Blue and gold detailed handbag - Gift from my Momma :)

And, although I am regretting this as I type,

I was a closet Spice Girls fan. I mean, I had their movie... (who did that?)

 I loved (cough) Ginger Spice (cough). 

Posters of Britney Spears, Usher, and Boy Bands covered my walls. 

I used a tape player to tape the songs off the radio,

so that I could listen to them as I pleased.

Trying my best as a 14 year old, 

to dissect what they were talking about, love and relationships, and all the in between.

Applying their songs to my trivial 'hardships' at middle school,

 like what brands to wear, who was 'going out' with who, and what I was going to buy at the snack cart at lunch...

Oh, to be a kid again!

Here's hoping this post came to you at a good time.

 When worries were little, and the most important thing was who you called your Best Friend. 

H a p p y    S a t u r d a y !  :)

Muah, 

Monday's Aztec Inspiration

Instead of taking the hippie route...

I decided to have some fun and dress it up, for something that could transform to the workplace. 

If your job lets you wear jeans (everyday) like mine...

 Then, you can easily take this Aztec trend and strut your stuff on the runway job!

Aztec print blouse - Heartbreakers

Black Blazer - TJ Maxx

Distressed denim skinny jeans - Levi's

Pale Bow flats - H&M

More 'PIN'spiration:

(images via pinterest, click for source)

H a p p y    M o n d a y.

And Finally, we have made it to Friday.

Hey Guys! Happy Friday!

I am so thankful that the work week is over, and I can finally just sit down and relax! 

Today at work I was so spacey...

I pretty much checked out a few hours early for the weekend....

Grey oversized winged shirt - Heartbreakers (This was on sale for $9.99!)

Bracelet - Len Druskin

Dark blue jeggings - Heartbreakers

Horn neckclace - F21

I'm sure everyone could tell. I was just not on my A-Game! Do you ever have one of those days where you are physically present at work, but not really there! Haha! 

Thankfully its Friday and I have a couple days before I have to get back in work mode. 

This weekend I will be on chill mode:

(click image for source)

Here's hoping your weekend is as relaxing as mine will be!