The little things that make it Fall

I will start off with saying I love summer, it has always been one of my favorites seasons, but then again I really do enjoy fall. I don't really get to experience the fall and winter weather as most people do because I get spoiled with the Cali weather! I have been loving the smallest and neat ideas we been putting up in order to make it more fall and get into the Halloween spirit. What are your traditions for the fall?

Love our table runner! 

love

With fall comes flowers that won't die on us!

This place mat was a neat idea!

         

At the Irvine Pumpkin patch!

        

                         Painting pumpkins instead. Please note there will be a total mess to clean up afterwards!

This was actually boomers pumpkin patch (:

Door contest anyone?

Life Happens....

We sometimes take on too much in life when we are already struggling to balance family, work, and various activities as it is. But the neat thing is, yes you can do it all, if you are really passionate about it and genuinely happy. The most important thing we forget sometimes is being happy in all of the things you take on in life. If we are not then maybe consider it is not worth giving your 100%. When we do find those things that makes us happy, it is when we then need to learn how to balance it all. It various from people the way they organize themselves or not. But I have found it helpful keeping a few days dedicated to certain things. Usually work and classes have already a defined time set already, but finding time to hang out with family or friends can vary. A weekly or monthly schedule comes in handy that blocks off those set times already and gives you a look at your free time. I used a schedule from a school template, but I also rely very much on my phone's calender. I am not really an agenda type of gal because I either forget about it or lose it after a couple of months in. I rather do weekly schedules and the most important reminders on my calender phone. So far it has worked but I would really love to know more ideas, especially with the holidays coming at us like a flashing thunder!

Back to school snacks

With classes starting this fall semester and doing the various activities I basically get myself involved I tend to snack on way too much. Vending machines and corner carts are my favorite places to go to. But sometimes they are closed or I am way to rush to buy my cookies, muffins or bread. (I know I have an issue!) Instead, I decided to bake banana bread and chocolate chip cookies for this week's go to snacks. I am seriously considering baking all my snacks for next couple of months in order to a. eat a little bit healthier and b. save myself some money. I been slowly letting go of Starbucks and making sure I do my own coffee every morning. But I can't quite give up my breads or cookies so I looked up a few recipes from Miss Alyssa blog and made my own batch.Quite tasty and I really hope they last me for the whole week. Any snacks you can't be without? 

Mixing all the ingredients for the banana bread.

Banana bread recipe at www.jumpersandjasmine.com

Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe at www.jumpersandjasmine.com

Thank You Cards

A thank you note comes a long way and I got reminded of this just recently. It feels more personal, more thoughtful and sincere. Even though emails, text messages, and all these applications we now have in our phones are a lot more resourceful and useful I still go back to handwriting thank you notes. I pulled out all my thank you cards and they vary from a simply thank you to beautiful images. Any specific place you purchase cards? I would really love to know. (:

Words vs Actions

I use to believe actions speak louder than words. And I still do most of the time but I have come to realized words can also have a huge meaning to one's life. Whether it is a positive or negative way of using them toward one another, it still creates an impact in our daily lives. Sometimes people say things in order to get something from someone and then we are left to deal with the consequences or outcomes. With first day of school coming up for so many, I just hope we can remember to be kind and make a difference one step at a time. A simple good morning or hello helps one ease the nerves. (: How was your back to school experience?

Cookies for Kid's Cancer: All the Good Cookies

One of my favorite blogs at the moment is http://www.jumpersandjasmine.com/ by Miss Alyssa Campanella who happens to be the one that inspired me to take a look at Cookies for Kid's Cancer website. She did a blog post about strawberry short bread cake which I attempted to make mine as well. I am pretty much obsessed with baking and strawberries and this seemed to be the perfect recipe. For more recipes I have ordered the Cookies for Kid's Cancer book in order to get more ideas. All the proceeds go to research for pediatric cancer centers to find more effective treatments. Their website is cookiesforkidscancer.org  with this in mind I really wanted to sign up for the Susan K marathon this month coming up and possibly organize something for this new foundation on my radar. I will keep you posted. Any other foundations or causes, please share, sometimes I research things when it happens close to home but I still would be interested in looking into other fundraising.

First time doing a two layer cake!

    

 My version of the recipe cake from Miss Alyssa

Happy Monday!

I normally write down positive words on any spot that I can find. This includes and it is not limited to paper, napkins, boards, sand, trees, my hands, or even outside with chalkboard. It reminds me when I am having Monday blues or gloomy days that if we do our best we can still find a positive outlook in life.
I have this shelf right by my door that has three spots for images, I did the top three main things I tell myself before walking outside. What do you do to keep yourself positive or motivated? By the way have a great week. YOU TRULY ROCK.

Beach weekends 

Happy Friday Sunshine's

I am excited for these next two weeks coming up because I will finally be painting and fixing my desk that I had for over three years. I wasn't able to get rid of it because of the emotional connection I have with it but I am ready to give it a new look. Let's rise and shine! And if your somewhat like me you already had you cup of coffee. Any new projects on your list. Let me know (:

5 Day Slim

My main reason to have done the five day slim last week was for my two main events on Saturday. I been on a journey to change my habits that were not healthy at all. I don't really believe in diets or do them but I do think we are able to change our habits. I am not calling them bad nor good because everyone has a different way of looking at things. But for this five day slim consisted of 5 meals a day. The meal plan is from toneitup.com which consisted of juices, fruits and no dairy or red meat. I wanted to really wear my dress that I wore two years ago for my 21st birthday. Honestly, the fact that you share your plans that you are doing something really holds you accountable. Not only through my twitter but my friends would ask me by the way thank you ladies! This completely helped me stay on track. I will be doing a 3 day juice cleanse from pressed juicery (www.pressedjuicery.com)  in a month. Can't wait to try this out! This would be my first time ever. Below was my favorite dress I had not been able to fit in due to my not so great choices but I finally was able to wear it. What is your inspiration when it comes to working out or eating differently? I would love to read tips or even share your stories. We are in this journey called life together. (:

Photo courtesy of Patty 

                

Disneyland

When is Disneyland not busy? There is always something happening or various visitors from all over the world. When I really start to think about this, it makes me feel really special to live so close by. This visit was a different experience thanks to Miss Alyssa Campanella blog:  jumperandjasmine.com post "Disney tips" we were able to get on almost every ride we wanted too. I highly suggest to visit her website and check it out. We had a fun filled day with the teenagers. Even though they are not early birds we told ourselves only positive attitudes for the day. It really worked. (: How are you creating your summer? Let me know. 

Challenges

Today I am starting two challenges that I am hoping will jump me right back into my journey to a healthy lifestyle. One of them I will be doing with one of my close friends. The famous 21 days squat challenge! I took my before pictures and will be sharing them after the challenge. I will also be starting my 5 day slim down by myself. This would be the first time I do this from the tone it up nutrition plan. Let's see how this week goes and I will be doing a post of my results. Wishing you all good luck on any challenges for this week. Take a moment and smell the flowers this week, it doesn't have to be up close. (: 

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

Universal Studios has not failed me yet, to inspire me every time I do go visit! One of the main reasons we go is because our family members visiting us during the summer really want to go. So there we go at 8 am in order to be there by the time they open. They normally open at 9:00 am (sometimes at 8:00 am or for VIP members earlier) regardless if you are there by nine you are good. I learned one of the best options would be getting the valet parking it's probably ten more dollars but seriously it is worth it at the end of your day. I recommend you have one person take a backpack with an long sleeve shirt, water, and snacks for the day. If you have the little ones of course take their things in a separate backpack. If you really want take your own personal purse make sure it is small purse because they are extremely picky at the size of your purse for the rides. One of the reasons a lot of people always rent lockers but have you seen their lines for that only! It seems like another ride, normally the lines are an hour long but once people start arriving it can be up three hour wait if you don't have the VIP pass. Before leaving home, make sure you wear light color clothes because you will be out walking for a full day and sunscreen is a lifesaver. In this outing the less you take the more happier you will be at the end of the day with everyone. (: And of course a good attitude because you will be waiting and waiting for what it seems a very long time for each ride. But they are worth it and it's probably a once year type of thing for you. My top favorite would have to be Transformers "The Ride 3D"!

I would love to read about your top favorite and any more tips. 

                                                

BAKING AND SOCCER

This weekend all I could think of and do was cupcakes and soccer. I tried two types of recipes from Tone it Up and Jumpers and Jasmine. My attempt at their idea was not the same but everyone seemed to enjoyed them. The good thing is I have willing tasters because this would not be a good intake of food for the whole weekend. It was my way of saying goodbye to the World Cup 2014 and come to the realization it is over. Of course in four years I hope to be there and experience it firsthand the changes that occurred in this world cup. History was made in so many different ways! Hope you can try doing them and show me pictures or tips on how to improve. (: 

"Pink Lemonade Muffins"
recipe: toneitup.com

Argentina and Germany Cupcakes
recipe: jumpersandjasmine.com

It's more than a walk

A walk at my favorite spot has become a routine every Saturday. Of course there is some weekends when I choose to challenge myself and run but I do this with precaution. Especially, since I have a balance problem and instead of walking down, I fall and roll down! It really brightens up your morning and not only because everyone is extremely friendly when they are hiking but you feel warm inside. I normally take my phone and really comfortable shoes that have a good grip on the bottom due to the slippery sand. And my favorite trucker hat (volcom) and light color clothes! When the sun is out there really isn't anything to cover you from the bright shinning sun. And if it is your first time trying this out please take water. Apart from focusing on trying to catch your breath it gives you time to think about goals or plans for the weekend or even for the following week. It really is a quality time with yourself and it is always good to check on how you are doing!

 

REMINISCING

FIFA FAN FEST 

WORLD CUP FEVER

We tend to get a love and passion for soccer through family members and friends. My dad has definitely been an influence in my learning to love soccer. Of course we can have different opinions on our team. But one thing is a guaranteed the World Cup is our top favorite! It is a good thing we only have this every four years because the amount of time I spent on my phone either watching the games or keeping track of the scores probably had a lot of people annoyed by me. However, I did have a few of my friends keeping track of the games as well, which helped especially when, the anxiety of the game was extremely intense. This years was the most unexpected of all of them. I really hope there is a chance to go for the next one but in meantime I will continue to reminiscence.