Weekend Update: Some Busy Days Off

I always have weekends off...but since school started, they’ve for the most part been spent doing school work. I wasn’t completely caught up on school work, but I made an executive decision to have a little fun, and get the school work done at the end of the weekend.

Friday: Did a whole lot of nothing. Except for homework of course, which totally contradicts that first statement above. Oops.

Saturday: I got my hair cut and styled! And then headed Old Town, San Diego for a Day Of The Dead celebration, which was on my fall to-do list. I decided a couple of weeks ago that I needed to participate in this thing because a friend of mine who passed away last year really loved the celebration. If she were still here, she’d most certainly be there. But because she couldn’t, I was there for her. I actually was there as a volunteer and worked at the cemetery all day. I tried not to think about it much because it gives me the heebie jeebies a little.

Day Of The Dead: It’s a Mexican holiday celebrated November 1^st and 2^nd of each year where people celebrate the lives of their passed relatives, friends, and other loved ones. Although it is a Mexican holiday, people from all over the world of different races, colors, ethnicities, etc. are welcome to celebrate it. Some of the more notable things that come with celebrating Day of the Dead are sugar skulls, both the actual candy and face painting, marigolds…which are believed to bring the souls of the deceased back because of their strong aroma, and lastly the altars, which are sort of a shrine in honor of your loved one that includes the previously mentioned sugar skulls, marigolds, and anything else the person might have liked while they were alive, such as their favorite food, favorite music, beverage of choice, etc.

At the cemetery, there was a public altar where people were welcome to bring things for their loved ones. Some people brought photos, vodka, tequila, a big mac, nail polish, a cigar, etc. Below is a shot of the altar. There’s also some popsicle sticks that people could write their person’ name on. A few days after the event, the organizers burn all of the mementos provided as a memorial to everyone remembered.

Due to the abundance of candles in the cemetary at night...
I was given a fire extinguisher.
Marty reporting for fire duty!

After wearing make-up for 12 hours, the best feeling
ever was to be able to put my hands on my face! 

Sunday: Started off with a brunch with some Southern California bloggers! We went to Pacific Coast Grill in Cardiff and all enjoyed some good food and drinks, as well as the company of each other. Jill and Amanda did a great job organizing it all :] They provided us with some cute flowers and vases, as well as some amazingly beautiful necklaces. If any of my readers are Southern California bloggers, keep an eye out for the next event! It most likely will be wine or beer tasting!

The super cute table set up Amanda and Jill put together!

The sweeeet view!

Our pretty gifts from Jill & Amanda!
Stole this picture from Abby!

All of the beautiful girls in attendance!
Thanks Amanda Kathryn for the group photo!

TOP: Jill from Classy with a Kick, Raina from San Diego HR Mom, Abby from The Fabulous Life of a Natural Disaster, Amanda from Amanda Kathryn, Amanda from A Beautiful Mess, Adrienne from Pretty Chouette, Brianne from San Briego BOTTOM: Jessica from Wifesticated, Kailyn from Kailyn Marie, Marty from MartyWithTheParty

I made it home for dinner where my parents were having a small bbq for my grandpa who turns 88 years old today!

Life is so go go go lately, that I don’t even get a break on days off…but even if I did, I’m not sure how I’d handle it. Ha. How was your weekend? Any good stuff in your schedule?

OH! And last but not least…remember that bigs and littles thing I’m doing? Well my “big” Jess is hosting a giveaway and I’m totally part of it. It's my first one! Check it :] 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ahhh...Fall

It’s fall! Well…sort of. Sunday night was the first time since April that a chill rolled into my bedroom and I had to sleep under the covers. San Diego doesn’t get too much change between seasons, but hey, it’s something!

I absolutely love summer, but there’s something about fall that makes everything feel so…cozy. Red and orange color schemes have taken over Pinterest, people are losing their minds over Pumpkin Spice Latte’s and Pumpkin M&M’s, and an outfit that consists of leggings, and oversized sweater, boots, and a messy bun is acceptable again :]

Today’s post is kind of a random compilation of things I love and look forward to doing this fall!

-Playoff Baseball.

Did anyone really expect anything else to be at the top of this list? I’m pretty positive neither of my teams [Yankees & Padres] will be playing in the fall classic this year, but it makes my heart happy to know that I’ll be able to turn on the TV when I get home from work or school and baseball will be on. Unfortunately the rivals of my favorite teams did make it to October. That doesn’t mean I won’t be watching…I’ll just be rooting for the Red Sox and Dodgers to not win!

-Apple Beer.

I learned about Apple Beer/Cider [whatever it is] earlier this summer when I had it at a BBQ and liked it a lot. Since then, I’ve had it here and there…but I plan on fully embracing it this fall. I think one of the reasons I like it so much is because it reminds me of Manzanita which is apple soda…a staple in Mexican households! It’s like the grown-up boozier version of Manzanita! Both are worth checking out!   

-Salted Carmel Hot Chocolate.

Pumpkin Spice Latte’s can take a seat, my favorite seasonal drink from SBUX is the Salted Carmel Hot Chocolate! Heavenly is probably the best word I can use to describe the way it tastes. I don’t know enough coffee connoisseur approved adjectives to properly describe it…just take my word for it, it’s damn good.

-Abuelita’s Hot Chocolate.   

I you know, you knowwwwwww.

-Comfy Clothes.  

If you’re looking for a fashion blog…look elsewhere. I endorse leggings and sweats. I live in leggings. So I’m happy that it’s we’re in the season where it’s acceptable to wear them again! Oversized sweaters go well with leggings and adds to that comfort level. Put on some calf length boots and throw your hair in a messy bun and you’re good to go! Can’t forget about seats though! I have a large collection of sweats, they’re one of my favorite things to wear…around the house, to run a quick errand, head to school. Pretty much to do anything but go to work.

-Cinnamon Roll Crust Apple Pie.

I learned to make this like 2 years ago. It was pretty freaking delicious. Can’t wait to make it again :]

-Pumpkin Picking & Pumpkin Fudge.

So I’m from a small country-ish town in North San Diego county. It’s famous for its surrounding casinos…and that’s about it. The only time traffic gets crazy is in October when pretty much all of San Diego flocks here to pick pumpkins in the crazy awesome pumpkin patch Bates Nut Farm has…better known to the locals as Nate’s Butt Farm :] Haha. I actually haven’t picked pumpkins here for like 6 years, but I’m making it happen this year! Bates has like 20 different flavors of homemade fudge in their shop which is ridiculously rich and soooo good, but the best flavor is Pumpkin fudge which they only roll out every fall!

-Dia De Los Muertos.

It’s a Mexican holiday that honors and celebrates deceased relative and loved ones. I’m kind of infatuated with sugar skull art, and if I ever get courageous enough to get a tattoo, the first will definitely be a sugar skull and some roses. Old Town in San Diego has done this cool event thing for the last few Dia De Los Muertos and I really want to make it out this year!

Last But Certainly Not Least…

-SYTYCD Tour

One of my favorite things of the summer is So You Think you Can Dance. One of my favorite things of the fall is seeing the top 10 contestants on tour doing my favorite dances of the season. Amy, Jasmine, Nico, and Tucker were some of my favorites, but my #1 of the season was Aaron. He's such an incredible dancer anddd I might have fallen in love with him. I was so sure he was going to go from not making the cut [again] during the green mile to winning the whole competition. When they said Fik-Shun’s name as the winner, I immediately yelled “SHUT. UP.” I couldn’t believe Aaron lost. It broke my heart and I am still not over it. If I make to the tour this year, you can bet everything in your pocket that I will camp out for hours after the show for a shot to meet him!

<3

That’s it folks. Or at least everything that came to mind when I made this list. What do you think of it? What’s on your list? Anything missing that should be on mine?

P.S. I'm not one who uses the word "cozy" regularly...so don't judge me based on my use of it in today's blog. Ha. 

P.S.S. I'm gonna mention that I don't own any of these images, all were stolen from google and pinterest...please don't sue me.

Weekend Update: All Sorts Of Blah

Mondayyyy. You have arrived. Meh. This weekend had so much potential, but ended up being a little lackluster.

Thursday: Yep, we’re starting with Thursday. I worked all day and then headed to a Relay For Life meeting. This will be my 3^rd year doing it, and it’s crazy how big the event has grown in our little town. 1^st year was 2011 and we had like 5 teams, 2^nd year totally blew up and we had like 18 teams or something AND raised like $40,000 for the American Cancer Society. The event is still 2 weeks away and according to the website, we have 20 teams and have about $39,000+ raised. Super cool! My team captain is my best friend’s mom so I got to the meeting a little early and raided her fridge like the good old days. We talked about what is gonna happen at the relay and what our team has planned…should be an awesome event.

 

This walk is for the AmericanCancer Society , an organization that raises money to fight ALL cancer. The Relay For Life is a 24 hr walk where teams participate and each team must have at least 1 person walking at all times. Ideally, there should be 20 people walking the course at any given time. Even at 3:00 am! I've kind of sucked at raising money, so I’m pitching it to my readers :] If you've got an extra $5, $10, $20, or even $100…throw it my way! It will be greatly appreciated!

Friday: Remember how I was super excited for Tim? He kind of did not impress. We left town a little late, encountered traffic, missed our exit, more traffic, tailgate, strongggg honey jack & coke, found an InCahoots group that brings speakers and line dances in the tailgate lot before the show, completely missed Love & Theft, caught Brantley Gilbert’s last 2 songs, searched through the masses for friends, didn't find them, and mostly chilled through Tim's set. My problem with Tim was he played a lot of new music I didn't know. I guess that’s my own fault for not being a true fan. Loved the last 20 minutes of his set which was where he played everything I knew! Chilled in the parking lot and waited for traffic to die down, saw a chick dance on the roof of a car and secretly wished she fell…no luck. Mexican food. Sleep.

Chelsea with the photobomb.

3 amigos <3

Let's take a second to appreciate the growth of my hair! Left is 2 summers ago (I think?),
baby piggy tails, right was at Tim Friday night.

Saturday: Worked in the morning, 3.5 hour nap, unpacked my bedroom stuff, hung art I've collected in the last year, caught up on SYTYCD, sleeeeeeep.

Yankees Stadium

Jack's Mannequin and Something Corporate autographed lyric posters. 

1 more off the 100 things to do before you die list! #33.

Sunday: Did laundry & ran errands with my mom. Purchased bedroom curtains. Bought cinder blocks to put on the corners of my bed frame to raise it. Got the idea from pinterest! I bought the wrong size, had to make another trip to HD and buy the right size which raised my bed about 10 inches. Now I’m kind of scared I’ll fall off! Pictures soon once my room is completely done!

Wasn't a boring weekend, but nothing too exciting.

30 DAY CHALLENGE: DAY 01

Day 01 – A recent photo of you.

I never go out of my way to dress up for halloween and usually throw something together last minute, but after seeing a few friends on facebook do the sugar skull make up last year, I decided I wanted to do it this year! My best friend had a halloween birthday party and they had a ball pit there and this is one of my favorites! 

But obviously covered in make-up, that's not a very good recent photo! So here's one from like 3 weeks ago at Disney On Ice. I love this one because after having long hair forever and then cutting it the shortest it has ever been last summer, it's finally growing back and looking long! I miss my long hair!

My most favorite recent photo is from when I went to the SYTYCD Season 9 tour, waited 3 hours to meet the cast and took an amazing photo with my favorite dancer, Cyrus!