Fate...

I've stopped believing in that word. I've noticed that people who say that they don't believe in religion always say "but I believe in Karma and fate". No offense to anyone, but I think fate is a load of $#@!. The fact that two people were "made" for each other is a stupid concept. Nobody was genetically put together to fit and fall in love with only one other person on the whole entire earth. If that was the case, how the hell would we ever find our "one true love?" What if our soul mate lived 5000 miles away? Or what if they lived 1000 years ago? (Personally, mine probably lived in the 1930's). Anywho my point is, relationships only work with work. You hear the stories where people fell in love with their husband/wife by only seeing them from the behind and they've been married for 50 years. Coincidence? Who knows. I am just glad I have the relationships that I have in my life. If I am ever unsure of something, I don't tell myself that "it wasn't meant to be" but maybe, "I'm having a really horrible day today and am going to take it out on the one I love the most". This kind of contradicts my last post about how love is never grey, I know, but it's hard to know what to believe in. Ok. That is enough of the lame posts. And I'm going to end it right there.

I lied. I'm going to end it with this. Such the little poser...

Avocado & Sprouts Sandwich

My Mom used to make these sandwiches a lot. They are so easy and yummy and SOO healthy (ok minus the mayo). The other day I was weirdly craving alfalfa sprouts and then I remembered this yummy sandwich!

Ingredients:
2 slices of bread (I like pumpernickel)
1/2 avocado
1/2 Tomato
LOTS of alfalfa sprouts
Duke's Mayo (the best kind ;) )
Salt and Pepper

The next part is pretty much common sense. Cut the avocado and tomato, spread on the mayo, and then layer everything on the bread. Add some salt and pepper to your liking.

Enjoy! I promise you'll want to make  five more another one right after this like I did. =)

No-sew hemmed shorts

I really like how clothes from the 80s are so in right now! I'm really loving the high waisted shorts at the moment, so the other day I took a trip to the thrift store. Usually, I don't like buying thrifted clothes just because I normally don't find anything that great and if I do, it almost always never fits right, or has a huge stain on it. But the other day I hit the jackpot! I found these cute shorts from French Connection and a pair of high-rise khaki colored jeans from Calvin Klein. I spent a total of $8 for the two. Not bad, eh? ;)

Obviously it's summer time, so I wanted to give the jeans a makeover. I know this is nothing special or new, but I will show you how I made the shorts.

Make sure you cut the shorts long enough so that you can fold it up twice. I cut about 4-5 inches from the crotch.

Give those babies a couple rolls and then that's it! You have a new pair of shorts (well, sort of). 

Eventually I'll get around to sewing them but for now I don't have a sewing machine and am too lazy don't have the time to drive to my Mom's house to use hers =).

Love is never grey

I had the best conversation with my big brother Joao last night (you are seriously the best). He put so many things into perspective for me (when it comes to love/relationships). One thing that I haven't forgotten that he said is, "Love is either black or white, never grey. If you have doubts or aren't sure of something, it usually isn't right".

Wow, I have a lot to think about. Or maybe I think too much?

Who knows...what I do know is that I have the best brother ever.

Speaking of brothers, I actually have four. They are all equally amazingly unique and special and I love the bond that we share. When we are all together (which unfortunately does not happen enough) we talk for hours and laugh until we're crying. I am so blessed to have them in my life.

There's my one lame, sappy blog post of the day =)

New Camera!

Finally bought my new Canon!! I actually bought it last Wednesday but I've been working every day since, so I haven't had ANY time to play around with it. And technically I should be studying for a test right now but instead I took my dog on a walk and took a few pictures. Here's my favorite...

Such the model he is =). Now off to studying!

I'm about to lose control and I think I like it

You know that feeling when you can't get something out of your mind? Well there are two things stuck on my mind at the moment. 

One being this song..

And the other?....this bad boy...

I will be purchasing my Canon EOS Rebel T3 this week!! SO EXCITED! Not only am I happy to have a camera that takes really nice pictures, but I am excited to get into photography. I used to work for a photography studio doing most of the edits with Adobe Photoshop, but I never actually got to experience the photographing part of photography. I took a photography class in college a few semesters back which was very informative and tons of fun, but I never got the courage to fork out the money for a DSLR. 

I currently own a Nikon L110, which is cool and all, but I'm going to be honest...we are not the best of friends at the moment. 

Cannot wait to hold that little rebel in my arms this week!

Mom's New Downtown Loft

My mom and step-dad recently moved into an apartment downtown in the city where I grew up. Since they just moved in, it's pretty cluttered so I'll just show you a few pictures that I really liked. The apartment is decked out with old wood floors, which are amazing. The whole apartment is broken into 4 rooms. The living area, (which is probably a couple thousand square feet just in itself), the master bedroom, kitchen, and their itty bitty bathroom.

This is the stairway leading up to the apartment from the downtown area of the city. Notice the weird collection of bowling balls (total geeks).

This is their bedroom. Originally there was no closet, just one big open space, so they added the closet to the left. The back wall was originally brick painted red that they painted a dark purple.

This is their kitchen which they just installed. The upper cabinet is from Ikea and the lower ones were purchased from Lowes.

Sink area..

Love this little cup

This is their main living space. As you can see, it's still very cluttered but you get the idea of how huge it really is. And those floors....love them!

Love these !!

Lovely little buffet near the dining room.

This is the area right above the toilet in their bathroom. There was originally drywall where the brick was that they removed. The back wall was made with fabric from Ikea and the shelves were made out of cement pieces and wooden shelves.

This is outside the back of the house on the balcony. In the background is the courthouse.

Balcony and flower pots on the other side of the balcony.

My mom and step-dad's very first shoes.  Too cute?

That's all for now. Hopefully I'll get more up once its completely done. Hope you enjoyed!

Thrift store lovin'

This may sound creepy, but I am in LOVE (and maybe a bit obsessed) with this thrift store about 5 minutes from my house. When I need my shopping fix, this is usually my first choice. And I don't feel bad (and boyfriend can't get mad) because it's a freaking thrift store and everything is dirt cheap! Today I found some treasures so I will share them....

I found this polaroid camera for $3 with the case. I've been wanting to purchase a polaroid camera for the longest time and have some projects in mind once I start taking pictures with it. Hopefully this bad boy still works! For 3 bucks, I was willing to take that risk..

Love the retro case that came with it..

And this is my kittylove (Georgie) playing hide and seek with me while I'm trying to take pictures. Notice his ginormous feet! 

Also purchased this cute little stool for $8. I definitely plan on painting the legs and reupholstering the top of it with a cool print. Stay tuned for that..

And last but not least, my second favorite purchase (after the camera) is this mirror. It was only 6 bucks and  I instantly fell in love. I love using mirrors as decoration because it makes your space look so much bigger! Can't wait to hang up this beauty!