Australian Gold Sunscreen!

I received this sunscreen about a week ago and I just had to share how much I love it. At first I wasn't sure how I would like it or if it had too much or a sunscreen scent to it but boy was I wrong!

When I popped open the cap I smelled a whiff of the tropics with just the right amount of coconut and maybe a little fruity?! I'm not exactly sure how to describe it but trust me it doesn't smell like your typical sunscreen. It's actually quite nice! I like to put this on after my moisturizer in the morning, it's light and the coverage is pretty good too. 

My favorite thing about this product would have to be the scent and how light it feels on my skin.

I can see myself wearing this quite often and purchasing more in the future.  I even think my boyfriend and niece would use it too! Great product and I highly recommend it! @AustralianGold @influenster #LivetheGoldLife #contest

* I received this product complimentary from Influenster for review purposes. All opinions are my own *

Orange Glad April box!

For as long as I can remember I have always had a sweet tooth! I discovered Orange Glad by scrolling through Instagram.  They had a special going on so I had to partake in this special to try a few goodies each month.  This box is $19.95/month and they also have a double treats box for $31.95/month.  These boxes are curated with different treats from around the country and Canada.  This is one of the boxes I really look forward to receiving because you never really know what you're going to get or what you're going to like.  This month's box I have really liked! 

Fairytale Brownies

This was the first treat I tried from the April box and I absolutely loved it! These brownies are made in Phoenix Arizona by lifelong friends.  When you bite into this brownie it's soft and moist. Once you start eating a few bites the flavor is so delicious that you can't save it for later.  At least, I couldn't.  It's rich and yummy! I'm actually considering getting some for my mom for Mother's day and just to have some in my apartment! It's that good! 

A Couple of Squares 

Next up was the chocolate chip biscuit from A Couple of Squares! Made in Ontario Canada by two lovely ladies that certainly know what they're doing.  These biscuits are buttery with the perfect amount of crisp without being too hard on your teeth.  I especially loved these and know they would pair well with a cup 'o joe or glass of milk.  Sadly, it's not available in the state I'm living in yet and I couldn't find how I can purchase them online, yet, so I'm hoping they offer to sell them on the Orange Glad site next month!  These are great!. 

Quin Candy

These chews hail from Portland Oregon and they are filled with deliciousness!  I haven't really tried a lot of chews in my life so far, I've had taffy from Colorado and if sourpatch kids count then I've had those.  But these chews, their really something special.  They're made in small batches so you know the attention to detail is on point.  I love the flavors they have 

Toffee Talk 

Almond and Chocolate Toffee.  This was great, I don't eat toffee to much but I liked this one.  No complaints here! 

Final Thoughts

It's a great box and with a coupon going on right now it's even better! Use code: mothersday40s  for 40% your box! Go ahead, treat yo-self!  I love that Orange Glad curates different sweets from all over which is good and bad depending on how much you love the sweets! 

It really works!

A few months ago my sister shared with me about these Greens on the go packs that are filled with good for you stuff and enough greens for you to keep you going throughout the day.  She told me about becoming a loyal member, 3 months on auto-shipment, then free shipping after that.  I considered this for awhile, then decided to go for it.  I had nothing to lose and I've been trying to incorporate more healthy goodness in my life anyways.  

It works has a bunch of stuff to help you reach your weight loss goals, products to get your antioxidants, and products for your personal skin care routine.   My first two months as a loyal customer I purchased the It Works Greens Chews! These small purple rectangular chews are so delicious, it's like a treat when I pop a couple in my mouth as I start my day.  Two Chews a day give you the equivalent of 20 cartons of blueberries!  Crazy right, but I love it!  The biggest benefit I've noticed since taking these is, I'm going through the Spring season changes without getting sick! This is big for me, since I would normally get sick since I'm not used to the seasonal changes up here in Nebraska.  

After a couple months of receiving these chews I'm happy I tried something new and I now have something great I believe in and want to share with you.   I already have the Defining gel in my cart for next month, it does wonders for my eczema! If  you're interested in any other products they might have check out my sister's blog to read about some of her favorite products and her It Works! site for more product information.  I highly recommend these products for any goal that you have or if you're just looking to get some healthy into your routine!  

Bespoke Post February 2015!

This was the first month I've tried this subscription box and I am so glad I did.  I first found out about this subscription from the amazing blog from Sarah.  I first found her incredible collection from her Instagram.  I checked out Bespoke Post's website and loved the incredible quality and thought that goes into each of the boxes that offer.  I signed up recently because my boyfriend's and my anniversary was coming up and I wanted to gift him something functional and durable.  For February, I chose the Sweat box.  This box is also still available if you're interested and it comes in 3 colors.  

This bag is made by Blue Claw Co.  in the good 'ol US of A!  The quality is top notch and it can be used to travel, go to the gym, going to Comic conventions, whatever.  It has two side straps and a cross body strap to make carrying this duffel easy peasy.  

Retail: $145

The other great item that came in this box was the Lululemon small towel.  It says it's a small towel but it's pretty big.  This is great to wipe my boyfriend's sweat after a good run or whatever he needs it for.  I've never tried any of Lululemons products so this should be promising!  

Retail: $18. 

Final Thoughts: 

This monthly subscription is $45/month  and you can skip any month if you're not feeling the products or you just need to skip the month.  You can also choose a different box if you don't like the one they've chosen for you.  They have a great list of boxes this month and will probably choose the Polished or Worn next time around.  Even better, my boyfriend loved his gift! I gave him a few other things as well but he instantly knew he'd use these products and could tell they were very well made.  I'm very happy with this subscription and look forward to receiving more boxes in the future for the man in my life, this can even go for brothers, Brothers in law, dads, uncles, grandpas.    If you have no idea what to gift the men in your life check out Bespoke post! 

It's on my Bucket List so I wanted to Try the World Venice!

A part of me has always had this travel bug just ready and waiting to explore and embrace cultures different from my own and foods that look and taste delicious but are incredibly different from food back home in the states and of course back home in Hawai'i.

I've been fortunate to travel a bit in the states with family, like New Orleans, Colorado--Estes Park, Denver--, Chicago, Las Vegas, Utah, Grand Canyon, Washington State and D.C., Virginia, San Francisco, and briefly in a few areas that I'm not sure count.  {Walt Disney World Marathon at WDW?}  I've also been been fortunate to visit the Phillipines, where my boyfriend and his family are from, and spend a few days in Bangkok, Thailand.  I have yet to visit the other side of the continental United States, up north in Canada, or Europe, but I'm hoping in a few years after I complete my degree we can do so.  

So... when I found this company I was excited to try out the surprises that they would send right to my door!  Even better there was a chance to win a trip to Venice, a place that has been on my list of places to visit since high school and a place I named my late bunny.  I have no idea how I found out about this company but I think it is a great concept and can really bring the 'World'  to people's homes.   As you can see the box is a gorgeous almost Tiffany blue color, we'll call it Audrey Hepburn green, because I adore her and this is a little more green than blue.  It too can be a great gifting box if you have no idea what to use it for yourself.  

As you can see, there's a bunch of goodies packed into this fairly small box.  And packed it was, I was worried that something might have opened in transit based on a few other's experiences I've read about on this company's facebook page, but everything was secure and happy!  They've included some great information about the products which is helpful since some of the items, the coffee and chocolate covered cherries, are in Italian.  a good sign...if you know what I mean! ;)  There's even a little informational book with Italian recipes, some great info from their Expert, David Rosengarten, who helped create this Venice Box, and some historical info about the Carnival of Venice and stories behind the Carnival Masks.  I'll be keeping this book for a long time and will take it with me whenever it is that I visit Venice.  

Mogi Coffee

 I cheated a bit on this, I read a wonderful review that was featured on their facebook page and she wrote a lot about this coffee.  I wasn't sure I would have it in my box because they've recently become fairly popular and may have run out of it, but luckily I had it and it's the first thing I tried from this box.  The can is fairly small but the coffee packs a punch! When I opened the tin cover the aroma of the coffee was deep and full bodied.  I grew up around Kona coffee in my house and my best friend lives on a Kona Coffee farm so I feel a wee bit exposed to coffee. There's a distinct difference in smell and taste between this Italian coffee and coffee back home.  Distinct in a good way!! I've never tried coffee from another country before so this is my first step in doing so.  Normally I put cream and two sugars in my coffee, I know bad, but with this coffee I had it with coconut milk and it was divine! No sugar needed!! It's hard for me to drink black, so just coconut milk and the coffee, mmm. It's worth trying! 

Domori Cherry Chocolate Treats

I ripped open this bag and have been munching on this as I have been writing.  Have you ever tried those dilettante chocolate covered fruits you can find on the shelf at Trader Joe's?  Great right?  Well, these are fantastic! The cherry flavor is rich and juicy while the chocolate is dense with a bit of cocoa coating around it.  I probably wouldn't eat this on the regular but it definitely feels like a treat! It's made of Criollo cocoa, which I've never had before, but it is delish!  

Apicoltura Luca Finocchio, thousand flowers honey

There's something about honey that makes it so versatile and yummy! My favorite way to use honey is on fruits in the morning for breakfast, in yogurt, oatmeal, or smoothies.  I've even used honey as a cough and cold syrup with my Frankincense and On Guard DoTerra oils.  This honey is made on a farm in Tornarreccio, also known as the honey capital of Europe and its made to taste like the flowers that inspire it.  This company, according to the info card, prides itself on their knowledgeable and sustainable care for the bees that make this honey. I look forward to trying this in my tea or with my fruits!  

White Truffle Oil

This is the Mystery Treat!! It looks like every Try the World box comes with some sort of mystery treat and mine just happened to be...White Truffle Oil, I mean what more can I say? Maybe...YUMM!! 

La Bandita Di Danielea Mariotti, pear and grappa jam

This jam comes from a small farm in a province called Siena, it's a family owned farm.  The flavor of this jam/jelly sounds interesting as it is made with a brandy that is indigenous to the region of Italy.  I'm sure this would taste lovely on some crackers and cheese maybe a little bit of prosciutto as well.  This is a keeper for sure.   

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Perugina, chocolate tab

I am a chocolate lover to the bone, so trying chocolate from a different country gives me an excitement only similar chocolate lovers experience.  It's as though a little happy dance goes on inside my heart when I am in the vicinity some a new chocolate! This chocolate is old school, it's from a confectionery that was founded in 1907, by Luisa Spagnoli and Giovanni Buitoni in Central Italy.  It's limoncello and dark chocolate, so this will probably be a bunch of citrusy divine goodness in my mouth.  I may share this with my mom and only ask for a bite of it.  We shall see! 

Marinella, spaghettata mix

I'm a little nervous to try this spaghettata mix as it is a spicy mix of flavors you just put in olive oil, let it soak for 10 mins then toss in cooked spaghetti.  This sounds like something locals would easily prepare for friends and family.  I may try this for my boyfriend since he has a spicy tooth, just not sure how this will taste.  But, that's what subscription boxes are all about right? Trying new products! 

Verdict:

There's a lot of products in this box and the concept of this company is fabulous!  I appreciate these carefully curated items that seem to be what locals enjoy in Venice.  I have no idea of the value of these items and if it was less, equal to, or more than what I paid, which was $39.  I will say I am happy with the products I was given in this box.  I love coffee, the chocolates are great, and I know I will use the truffle oil, jam, and honey.  I may gift the honey but either way I will use these products.  

Try the World: $39 every 2 months.  They do have 6 months, $105 ($35/box) and Yearly $198 ($33/box).  Each of them auto renews and you will have to email them to suspend or cancel subscription.  

*Descriptions of the items were used from the Info card provided by Try the World.  Opinions and photos are mine.  

Remembering my roots and February Glossybox!

It's been quite some time since I've updated this blog and as 2015 moves forward I feel excited to start this blog up again and share my life with the world.  Last year was a whirlwind of preparing myself to apply for Graduate school, so you can only imagine the stress of work, life, and a quiet determination to stay focused,  in order to keep my 5 year journey worth every step I took. Crazy year I tell you, but so far, it's all good! 

To help keep myself sane there were a few subscription boxes that I was gifted and tried during the second half of 2014 which I'm bringing into 2015.  I had tried Glossybox for several months and some of the products were wonderful and some were just okay.  I just renewed Glossybox this month because I actually wanted the limited edition LOVE box, but alas, that did not happen but I still get a great box I can use to gift someone their birthday gift. 

This month's box looks great so far.  The packaging is always stellar from Glossybox and they really make you feel excited when you open it.  The box itself is very sturdy and I will tell you from experience, all those boxes I got last year I used as my gift boxes for family and they all loved it!  So be good to the world and reuse these gorgeous and well made boxes.  Glossybox is $21/month and has monthly, 3, 6, and 12 month subscriptions.  Be sure to use EBates to get some cash back and check for coupons, or deal sites like Groupon, Living Social, or other similar sites for discounts! 

First up is the Ritual Cosmetics Foaming Shower Gel Sensation in Yogi Flow

 Say that 5 times fast, now go!  That is a mouthful.  This cleanser smells delicious.  The info card encourages you to "Channel your inner goddess," and I believe that you can certainly do this with this cleanser.  The shower is one of my favorite places to relax and decompress after a long day.  Of course baths are just a relaxing, but to me, there's something so calming feeling water from the shower against your body.  This cleanser would be luscious and keep me smelling lovely after a nice shower.  Looking forward to trying this one! 

Value: $15

Julep Color Treat in Heartleigh

I was eager to check out the nail polish from Julep that was included in this box.  I rarely ever give myself manicures but when I do, it's gonna be with some cute nail polish like this one.  It has itty bitty hearts in it, white sparkles and metallic specks.  This is perfect for Valentine's day or any day you wanna get some extra sparkle but aren't into statement jewelry.  A lovely little tid bit about this nail polish is that it is formulated to help your nail beds breathe, it's Vegan (I would hope so!!) and gluten-free. (Not that I'm all for gluten but it's interesting that the info card added that in there.  

Value: $14

Jouer Moisturizing Lip Gloss in Wind: 

Here's a better picture of the color.  It's a nice nude pink that almost has a bit of coral in it to make it interesting.  Nude colors usually look washed out on me since I now live in Nebraska and avoid tanning beds like the plague, but I can see myself wearing this when I visit my home in Hawai'i where, despite wearing a high SPF of 47 and reapply, I still get a little golden.  It's feels nice on my lips, none of that sticky business that you sometimes find with glosses.  This is a winner in my book for sure! 

Value: $20 

Teadora Nourishing Beauty Bar in Rainforest at Dawn

I've always wondered if luxury soaps were really worth the price tag they carry.  I currently use Dove soap and have no complaints, but this bar soap looks promising.  According to the info card this soap contains Amazonian superfruites, coffee butter and powerful botanicals and promises to hydrate and firm skin.  It smells refreshing and citrusy.  It's about the size of a bar of soap you'd find at hotels like Caesar's palace or along those lines of hotels.  It would be great to keep in a guest bathroom or to take when traveling.  I will probably gift this to my mom, who loves fancy soaps like these.  Her very own box of goodies, I think she'll like that! Mother's day is just around the corner peeps! 

Value: $5

Unwash Bio-Cleansing Conditioner 

This I will use.  I have pretty long, thick, wavy hair so girls like me condition more than shampooing.  Am I right girls?  I've never heard of this brand but if what they say is true then I will consider this as part of my regimen.  It has a nice fruity scent and promises to cleanse while keeping your natural oils, moisture, and color.  This is a replacement of shampoo and conditioner, it must be a new 'trend' or direction in hair care so I'm eager to try this out.  

Value: $36

Total: $90 

If you're wondering what subscription box to get that will be worth your hard earned money, Glossybox is a winner in that respect.  I paid $21 for this month and got $90 worth of products that I probably would never given a second glance to in a store or online.  That's their point, they want to bring luxury brands and brands we may not know about into our homes for us to try.  If you're wondering what beauty subscription to try and want to make sure sure it's worth it, check out Glossybox!  I'm not sure if I will renew again, but I'm very happy with this month.  

Everyone's Talking About It

If you're a Bachelor or Bachelorette fan I'm sure you know all that has been going on in the last couple of weeks with the lovely ladies and with Juan Pablo.  Before I get into my thoughts about that I want to make it clear that I loved this season from the start.  I thought the women on this show were fun, had great personalities, and I'm pretty sure I said once or twice to my boyfriend that I would/would love to be one of their friends in real life.

Via ABC The Bachelor

My favorite ladies:

• Sharleen: I loved her from the beginning because of her ethnic mix, cultural diversity, and style.  As a woman born & raised in Hawai'i when you see someone who exemplifies that diversity it gives you a bit of warm and fuzzyness inside.  Being ethnically mixed myself I knew she was of Chinese and another ethnicity which apparently is a mixture of European and Aboriginal descent I found, which is so different from seasons past so far.  In the beginning I thought she would be great for Juan Pablo because they each bring different cultures to the table. Canadian woman who lives in Germany to a Venezuelan who lives in the U.S. But the lack of a 'cerebral' connection was clear and I get that sometimes you want to have those intellectual and articulate conversations where you're on the same page with that guy. I give all my respect to her for giving such honest and real 'confessions' throughout the Bachelor.  She seemed the most intuitive of her feelings and did what was best for her, which in reality is just what someone would do in real life.  If you just aren't feeling that connection, you let go and do what's best for you to find that person that encompasses what you are seeking in a partner, husband or wife. I especially loved her quote: "I want him to see a panda in a room full of brown bears," and she clearly was.  

  

  via ABC The Bachelor

• Renee:  Such a beautiful woman who was obviously loved by every girl in the house.  It was never a surprise that the girls, when they needed someone to talk to or a shoulder to cry on, Renee was there comforting them.  You could tell from the start how big of a heart she has for her son and others.  During the hometown dates it was such a sweet moment to see her hug her son after such a long time.  It was easy to tell what kind of a mom she is to Ben and what a great catch she would be for any man.  I truly wish her the best because she deserves someone just as amazing as she is.  

  

  via ABC The Bachelor

• Andi:  I loved Andi from the start as well.  I thought she exuded strength, dignity, and a fun loving personality throughout the season.  For a woman to have the career that she does I thought it was wonderful and refreshing to see someone on the show that was beautiful and conservative at the same time.  In a society where scantily clad women are the norm, it was nice to see someone rock dresses and swimsuits that still allowed for a little mystery.  I certainly understand her stance about how her overnight went as well.  It's easy to be unsure of what you want in a relationship when you're in your twenties, but I think she has a clear idea and I know she will find someone who is all in with her as she is in with him.  I also love that they aired the confrontation because it shows how communication can be misinterpreted easily between men and women.  Communication is such an important aspect in a relationship, I've learned that the most beneficial thing you can do is to communicate what you're saying in a way that is understandable towards the other person.  If it means saying it 2,3,4, or 5 different ways for them to understand, do it.  

  

  via ABC The Bachelor

• Clare:  Clare has such a kind and open heart it almost makes me worry for her because I don't want her to get hurt.  Throughout the season it almost felt as though she might have been infatuated with Juan Pablo, but it's pretty clear that they have a connection so we'll see what happens next week.  I loved seeing her family and could totally relate to her relationships with her sisters and her mom.  Her mom was so cute and I got this sense of her strength and why her husband fell in love with her.  Whomever Clare marries, that man will be very lucky.

  

  via ABC The Bachelor

• Nikki :  I think I started liking Nikki as a person when she went on her one on one date with Juan Pablo, rappelling in a cave.  It's certainly not an easy thing to do and it showed her willingness to try new things and trust in Juan Pablo.  I loved seeing her friendships with the other girls on the show too it shows that even though she and Clare didn't get along she still made great friends during the season.  I think it's pretty important and of course great to have girl friends and seeing those friendships grow from the show is such an amazing thing to see.  I also just adored her hometown date with Juan Pablo and meeting her family.  Seeing her in her own element was great, I think it allowed him to get a bigger picture of how she came to be.  Her parents were so wonderful, when her dad talked to Juan Pablo I started tearing, that's a great set of parents she has, she is blessed!

  

  via ABC The Bachelor

All the girls on this season were just wonderful.  I loved Kelly and her cute doggie Molly, Chelsie was also a favorite of mine, I loved her positive personality and how full of life she is. I also loved Cassandra and despite how young she is she has such an elegance and sophistication about her.

Each woman brought something unique to the table this season and it's easy to see why Juan Pablo would cry after letting some of these ladies go.  The season still has another week or two to go and next week is the Women Tell All which I'm anxious to see.  I began following some these ladies on twitter & Instagram and just love how close they've become and how much fun they have.  It's definitely great to see all these women still maintaining their friendships after the show concludes.

Lastly, I wanted to thank the Bachelor ladies for going on the show and letting America get to know each of you a little throughout the show and allowed us to get a glimpse of  who you are.  To put a hold on your life and take a chance at love says a lot about all of you and I wish you all the best and know that whomever you find as your partner in life, will be one lucky man!  *cheers*

Sincerely, 

Ka'ili  

Wow 2014!

Welcome to 2014!

It is now January 8th and my oh my has it been a whirlwind of fun, changes, and happenings. 

Here are a few memorable events that I loved about 2013!

• Celebrated 2 years with my love
• Visited my home in Honolulu to celebrate my bestie's wedding to her love
• Spent some quality time with my family and besties at home
• completed my pre-requisites for an Occupational Therapy Master's program
• Started working at a great company (PayPal) where I've learned so much about myself, people, and made some wonderful friends
• Flew to Alexandria & D.C. to celebrate another beautiful wedding for Joel's brother to the beautiful Meghan!
• Got to see the Abraham Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, WWII memorial and the White House! 
• Found an awesome brick walled apartment complete with bay window and the all the space I would need!
• Celebrated my fourth Christmas in Nebraska with my Mom, Joel and his family, and had some family fly in from Honolulu to celebrate the holidays too! 
• Learned to commute on a bicycle which I have grown to enjoy!
• Joel and I were lucky on Black friday with a great TV & Blue Ray
• Had a wonderful New Year's with those I love deeply!
• Welcomed my cute nephew into the world!
• Looking forward to seeing families grow in 2014! ;)
• As hard as it can be...learned to keep putting one step in front of the other when life seems to push you a step back.     
• Learned to stop being a procrastinator, something I hope to carry over to 2014!
• Been blessed with an amazing support system from my boyfriend, family, and friends.

2013 has been filled with blessings I am incredibly grateful for, I look forward to what's to come in 2014 and to claim the blessings I have been working towards for years now :) 

Here are a few things I hope to achieve in 2014, inspired by Lauren Conrad!

1. A bad habit I'm going to break: spending frivilously.
2. A destination I'd like to visit: Zion
3. I'm going to work harder at: SAVING SAVING SAVING!
4. A project Id like to finish: Decorating my bedroom.
5. A class i'd like to take: OT 101 ;)
6. I'd like to spend more time doing: Ballet Beautiful
7. A food I want to eat more of: Veggies & Fruits
8. I want to wear more: pink & flowers
9. My ultimate goal this year: Achieve chapter 1 of my OT program :) 

As a reminder to myself this year I plan to print these out and place them in a beautiful frame next to my bed.

2014 I am ready for you!

{travel diary} D.C & Virginia

I had the fortunate opportunity to visit the East Coast for the very first time two weeks ago.  It was my boyfriend's brother's wedding!  An exciting trip because I had yet to see any US historical monuments that DC is known for and even more exciting is celebrating a love that is cemented with marriage.

Short and sweet as the trip was, a mere 3 days tops, I was able to pack my carry on with ample space left for my boyfriend's goods too.  .

When we finally landed in DC and headed to Alexandria Virginia I immediately felt an old town vibe.  Fittingly, we were staying in Oldtown Alexandria.  Sidewalks were cobblestone, buildings were brick, homes were similar to those in NOLA, narrow and high with doors that had personality.  

The whole fam bam and I stayed at the Hotel Monaco, a Kimpton Hotel, where the wedding was to be held.  And boy, this hotel was beautiful.  Pet friendly, the lounge had lemon or lime infused water throughout the day, the mornings there was coffee and tea to help boost your morning and robes awaited to embrace you in the cute closet in the room.  

Zebra print robes. fantastic!

The evening we got in we partook in the most delicious Tapas Dinner yet.  La Tasca was the restaurant that was lucky enough to accommodate 20+ guests and they did it wonderfully.   Casta menu you rock! As a yelper you can read my thorough review here. 

The next day my boyfriend and I walked around oldtown with Coco {bf's sis's dot} and found a delightful cupcake shop, no puppy treats for coco, but many human treats! Yelpy review here.

beautiful aren't they?  

That evening was the wedding and oh was it touching and fun!  You betcha, touching = a bit of tears.  It was such a sweet ceremony it was a battle to hold back the tears of happiness for this couple.  They are so fun and sweet and perfect for each other.  

It was a party that each of us had fun with.  My boyfriend gave a moving speech for his brother, The bride's sister and bestie each gave touching speeches, my boyfriend's family sang a song in filipino.  It was so much fun.  The photo booth was a hit, the DJ was a rockstar, playing tunes we could ALL dance to and have fun with.  Very well worth the hop skip and jump it took us to get there  =)  

the happy newly weds. 

The next day we went to the monuments.  I was so excited I was screeching with joy!  I finally got to see him, the one guy that I would probably want to have lunch with if I could with someone who has died.  

Mr. Abraham Lincoln.  

Regal and breathtaking.  It was amazing being in this memorial seeing his statue.  He had done so much in his lifetime, many could learn from him.  

We also saw the World War II Memorial, took pictures next to our states, {Nebraska} and {Hawai'i} even the Phillipines was there {along with other Pacific Islands that were affected by World War II. We saw the West Wing of the White House and the Washington Monument.  It was such a great experience.  So happy to have seen this all for the first time with Joel and his family and especially thankful to have celebrated a new Chapter with those two newlyweds above.  

Peace & Love til next time!

13 days.

In that short amount of time I will have packed, purged, and moved to my very first and my very own humble abode.  We saw, I applied and I signed the application in hopes of making this apartment a place of my own. Just the other day I was approved!! And with flying colors!! I am uber happy to have a place to call mine 'o mine.

Here's a peek of the amount of space I'll be working with.

my future little nook all 725 sq ft of it

Honestly, there's going to be so much space for me I will not know what to do with myself.  So cue the inspiration and I will be working on this little space so it will reflect everything I love.

Looking for an apartment, as many of you may know, is one challenging task.  One has to consider many factors before agreeing to live in a place.  Because, let's face it, you'll be sleeping here, eating here, showering here, and entertaining here.  The space must meet, or almost meet, all of your requirements you feel will be a 'home' to you.  Here were a few of my factors when looking for a place. They may be helpful for you should you set off on your own quest. 

Below are the must knows

• utilities residents are responsible for. Is the resident responsible for water, sewage, electricity and/or gas, or does the apartment cover some utilities? 
• Washer and dyer in unit or how much does it cost to do laundry in their laundry facility?
• Controlled access entry to apartment building
• Parking or Garage rentals
• Cleanliness 
• What does the complex do in between tenants to make it ready for a new resident?
• Distance to work and frequented places like: church, grocery store, target, goodwill. Places like that.  
• Windows --> we all need natural light!

The above were very important factors on my list during my search.  I found them to be a great guide to finding the perfect new home for me.  

Here is a list of contributing factors that played into my decision to sign on the dotted line at this particular apartment . My boyfriend also helped me with this very important decision as well. Gotta love the boyfriends who are always there to support us!

Below are the Extras but not necessary factors

• What I call the, "have fun pool" and the playground.  Nice touch for families.
• The fitness center that is shared with a sister apartment.  I will never have to pay for a gym membership ever while living here! AND I can start swimming in the lap pool, take spinning classes, and choose from ample treadmills & elliptical machines should I want to amp up my cardio. 
• Balcony facing a golf course. I can sit outside and be inspired :) 

If I had found a smaller place that didn't have the above amenities, I would be just as happy too!  At this point in my life, having had roommates since I was in college, whom I adore and glad I had friends that I could live with and still be friends with today, it's a nice feeling to be able to spread my wings. 

What I love most about this apartment is how beautiful the building is.  I have surprised myself in having an opportunity to live in such a place.  It's beautiful, safe, and exactly what I've wanted, for a long time.  I love it and can't wait to break it in with my cooking, crafts, and beautiful things.

Pretty Brick Building. LOVE!

I'll be sure to share with you my crafty moments and the outcome of how I will turn my apartment into a wonderful and happy place!  *cheers* to good news and Independence day!  

Getting back to it.

Now that now that summer is finally here it's time for me to get back to healthy eating. It's been a whirlwind of changes lately with a new job and a new routine. As in life there are things we can't control and things we can control.

One of the many things we can control about is what we eat. This morning I decided to take control of what I eat and I did so by eating this wonderful breakfast. I basically combined three of my favorite foods together in one meal.

Strawberries, Greek yogurt, honey. Paired with a small cup of soy milk and I've got my protein, some sweet, a bunch of vitamin C, and calcium all in one meal!

Eating a meal like this makes me so happy and makes me feel good about my body and I know when we make good decisions for ourselves and our body our body will love us back. It is not always an easy thing to do, to steer away from are good friends: chocolate donuts, chocolate chip cookies, and candy; yet the rewards of eating healthy outweighs the rewards from instant gratification from those sweet treats.

Cheers to a summer full of healthy choices!!

my first day

on the phones at PayPal was a trip.  My first day in training I felt comfortable and cool to handle whomever I'd answer the phone to.  Well...after learning half of what we need to know and were set out to answer phones I realized that all the information can be overwhelming...but knowing how to use your resources to find the answer to help someone is what really matters.  

As I reflected on this method of training and applying said training to my job this is quite similar to life.  As we journey through our lives facing obstacles, adventures, and experiences, memorable and not so memorable, each of those moments continue to move us forward.  It all depends on how we use those experiences, we can use them as a foundation and keep building on it to become a stronger person, or we can let those experiences go...  Or I could just be writing bubbles and this may not make much sense to anyone.  But somehow it makes sense to me, when we're young we go to school, some go to college, and some even go to graduate school.  

Do we know everything to do well in our career?  Do we have every experience to share with others therefore being a strong candidate as a professional?  

We know a lot. That is for sure.  But to know everything perhaps no.  What we do need to know is how to find and use the resources we've experienced or the resources we have on hand to provide the best answer or give our best selves to our customers/career/students what have you.  This is my biggest takeaway from my training so far and it is a great way to view life.  

How can we use our experiences and resources to be our best selves?  

I choose to use my experiences and resources to choose happiness even if it's hard sometimes. Happy days are my favorite.  

My sister's cat Catch. I miss & love her so much! 

let go.

and fill yourself with the unexpected.  This can be a hard thing to do when it comes to life and people.  Once you accept what's before you you open yourself up and your life up to so many possibilities and happy moments.  Rather than get frustrated and mad at an issue or person, ask yourself what you can do to make the situation better or communication better or planning better.  Whatever it is you are going through.  I know for a fact that getting upset and arguing over something really makes situations much more worse than it has to be.

My favorite moments are those that surprise me.  Moments when my boyfriend does the sweetest gestures or when my niece sends me a text saying she misses me.  Even something as simple as a cute little pound puppy from a nice coworker.  All of these makes life a bit sweeter and worth shedding negativity and the urge to argue or get upset, because the next sweet surprise could be just around the corner.

long time no write.

wow. It really has  been a long time since I last wrote.  So much has happened that I will give you a quick run down...this way I can come back to my blog and read up on my shortened version of all the great happenings that occurred in the past several months. here we go...

• moved into an apartment with my mom.  
• got a cat named wally.  
• studied studied studied studied for A&P 2 and Statistics
• Christmas time fun times and Secret Santa with the fam bam & highschool besties 
• started off the new year budgeting and buckling down on spending...no community runs for the ENTIRE year.  Sad stuff but necessry considering expenses for the year. 
• school finished with flying colors!! 
• 2 year anniversary celebration with my boyfriend.  Good times & crafts. My creative juices started flowing and heartfelt gifts my favorite gifts to give. 
• Went home to Honolulu for a much needed visit with the fam bam, besties, and celebrate a beautiful wedding of my bestie Christine and her now hubby Sid.  Enjoyed every beautiful relaxing moment at home and cherished every part of it. 
• came back to nebraska to a job interview and moving time again!
• finished my last two weeks at the hospital to start a new full time position at PayPal! 
• bought a Schwinn Commuter bike, helmet, lock and I've been riding most days to work.
• celebrated my boyfriend's birthday with his fam bam, an iron man cake, and watching Iron Man 3 with everyone :) 
• enjoying my new job, making a few new friends, and staying in touch with my friends far away. 

yes. so much has happened. so much to catch up on.  I'll get back on my blog track and begin posting more pictures and adventures.  Here is a picture of my mom's  cat wally.  I miss him so much :) he's such a cutie.  

what do you believe in?

Link ups are always fun.  You get to meet other bloggers and do something fun on your own blog.  I saw this post on Bri's site and hopped over to Erin's over at Living in Yellow to join this link up.  So let's get started...

I believe in eating dark leafy greens, nuts, and fiber.

I believe that prejudging anyone and anything is unfair.

I believe that joy and happiness are two different feelings.

I believe in smiling with your heart. 

great example! 

I believe in vintage charm. 

I believe in getting out of your comfort zone.

I believe in love.

I believe in nurturing and protecting my relationships.

 I believe in believing in yourself. 

I believe that what makes someone beautiful is  their love for themselves and for others. 

I believe in hugs and smiling.   

I believe in capturing fun moments with family.

I believe in family and value the meaning of it. 

I believe in shopping at Thrift Shops and Goodwill. 

I believe in small businesses. 

I believe in eating. 

I believe in traveling and what that experience allows you to learn. 

I believe in remaining focused on your goals no matter what obstacles come your way. 

I believe in surrounding yourself with loved ones that support you and your goals.

I believe in having a group of best girlfriends that you think of as sisters more than just friends. 

I believe in dessert & cupcakes. 

I believe in a good hot chocolate. 

I believe in breakfast at any time of the day. 

I believe in finding beauty outside. 

I believe in giving back to the community whether it's through donations, joining community races and runs, or physically being there to help out. 

I believe in caring for animals like they are your own. 

I believe that making mistakes can make you a better person as long as the lesson was learned. 

I believe that exercising makes you happy. 

I believe in creativity and drinking water.

I believe in color. 

I believe in the power of prayer.

I believe in God. 

What do you about you?  

changes.

my "official" picture

When life throws you lemons and apples and cantaloupes what do you do?

I slice them up, put them in a blender and drink a smoothie.

When you have a plan for your year, month, or week you expect it to go that way.  However, life is unpredictable and my motto at work is, "you've got to roll with the punches."  And I find that very true with life.  Since moving to Omaha I have been...fortunate to experience a myriad of changes and obstacles.  All of those experiences whether frustrating or so much fun have lead me to look back and feel an abundance of fulfillment.  Looking forward I see the path that I have been blessed with more clearly...why certain changes have happened and what I can do now to reach my goals in the near future.

One of the most exciting experiences I am ecstatic to share with you is...that I'm officially a...

click here :)

It took me quite some time for me to sign up, like everything else, I wanted to be completely sure that investing in this company was beneficial for me.  I asked tons of questions to my sponsor, customer service via chat option on their website, and researched a ton.  I have the great support from my boyfriend who believes in it and me. He loves that I now have a business that I love and feel passionate about.   My sister will even tell you, since I was little, I've always adored gorgeous jewelry. She loves the jewelry too!  It can be quite addicting!  Read my profile here about why I love this company.

Since I'm just starting out and I'm still fairly new here in Omaha, it's been a bit of challenge getting out of my comfort zone trying to bring the personalized experience to a lucky hostess.  Heck! This is one of the biggest reasons why I became a Stylist! I want to meet fabulous women who want to spend time friends and play some dress up with pretty & sparkly jewelry.  If you're in the Nebraska area I would love style you and your friends, give me a holla! =)

Here's more insight on what the Trunk Show Experience really is.

Pretty cool right? All women deserve to feel special and glam... Take it from Ms. Hepburn herself, her quote reminds me to remember that we are amazing.  

"Always be the Leading Lady of your Own Life." 

~Audrey Hepburn

women deserve to feel like the Leading Lady of their life, every aspect of their lives.   

Getting back to my smoothie metaphor...

when life gives you a bunch of different avenues to succeed, find a way to blend them together for a common goal.

My absolute main focus these last few months of the year is school.  Everything is just details that complement my main goal of succeeding in my future career.  Life is about balance and when it tries to throw you off balance, that's when you look inside yourself to find what truly matters to you.   

Motivational quotes have always helped me. 

Let me ask you this:  How do you view life when it tries to throw you off balance?