2023

I realize I haven't blogged in a minute. Life has gotten so crazy and so much has happened! I don't even know how to update so instead, I'll just continue and look forward!

I've learned many things in 2022 (too many to list) but I will say my greatest takeaway was growth. Growth can occur in many shapes and sizes. It can be mental, physical, spiritual, financial, and so much more. I have learned that you are never too old to learn something new in life. You will continue to grow and learn new things, even when you are 95 years old. I've learned to never categorize yourself as being 'too late' to something in life. You are on your own timeline and it will happen when it's suppose to happen. I've also learned that you can do anything you put your mind to. If you are truly interested in something and you have passion and drive, do it. The only person stopping you, is you. 

With that said, I always like to have goals for the year ahead, whether they may be tangible goals or not. I like to have something that I can say I am working on improving within myself and putting my mind to achieving it. 

My 2023 goals:

Have more patience. This is something I am consistently working on but am wanting to improve even more with the new year. 

I want to push myself by going outside of the box. I am a creature of habit and like to stick to my comfort zone. This year, I want to venture out to do things I've never done before.

Travel more. I haven't been able to travel the past year but this year, I hope to have more adventures.

What 2023 goals do you have?! 

2021

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! I purposefully made this sign big so I can be big in positivity, happiness, peace, wealth, health, EVERYTHING! 

One thing I've learned is that your life won't change unless you chose to change it. You can't magically get happiness if you're constantly sulking in the negatives. I know how hard it's been wrapped up in a negative mindset and how easy it is to continue to stay there but you cannot expect to have a better life if you live in that state. If you want things to change, you need to change them. If you're tired of going to bed at 3am, change it - put down your phone at 10pm and rest. If you're wanting to have better teeth, floss more. If you want your physical health to improve, exercise. I know, I know - easier said than done. That's ok - baby steps. Today you will go to bed at 2, instead of 3; then at 1, then 12 and so on. Make a plan for yourself and set some goals. You will get there, I promise!

As I've mentioned before in blogs, I never ever believed in goals. I thought it was a waste of time because of how much life changes, that there is really no point in setting a 'goal'. I started writing stuff down that I wanted to get by the end of the year (new shoes over $100, new purse, etc) and by the end of the year, I had everything! I just continued on with this tradition and it makes me really reflect on where I am and where I want to be. Here is my list for 2021:

1. Have good health - mentally, emotionally, physically. There have been a lot of things in 2020 that caused all 3 to be depleted but in 2021, I will come back stronger than ever.

2. Have my wealth increase. I've realized how much I contribute and how much I get back. I know the current situation I'm in doesn't give back as much as I deserve so I hope in 2021, I find new success in wealth. 

3. Get another kitty! I have one cat already but I've been wanting another one for a while. I hope this year a kitten comes my way to stay with me forever!

4. My relationship thrives in happiness and love. I am in love 10000% and I would like that to grow 1000x !! I have never been happier and cannot be thankful enough for the blessing that came my way!

5. Floss more. Let's be real, this should be on everyone's list. I figure if I write it down, I will be more likely to commit to it. 

I hope 2021 is a peaceful and happy year for everyone! I hope that it is 100x better than 2020. I hope every wish and hope you have for this year comes true!

2020... Goodbye Forever.

This year has been a doozy... I have no words yet all the words. It has gone by so fast yet so slow at the same time. I think this year I can truly say that I was challenged almost the entire year. It breaks my heart to say this but it was one of the hardest years of my life. I think the year started off on the wrong foot and it just kept escalating. The world also entered a pandemic so that somewhat contributed to it. I always go back to my previous years posts and reflect on my goals for the next year. Below are my thoughts:

For 2020:

• I want to have a more positive outlook on life. Unfortunately, the more I tried this, the deeper I sank into the opposite direction. Misery loves company and I was invited to sulk. I'm not mad about this because the only way you can go after rock bottom is up. I am hopeful for the future. 
  
  
• I want to gain more clarity. This one was given in overload. I have been given clarity in ALL aspects of my life and I do not want anymore. You know the saying 'be careful what you wish for?' Yeah. This.
  
  
• Grow stronger relationships and keep working at them. My current relationship has been amazing and thriving. We have gone through so so so so sooooo much this year and I know he is the one for me through and through. He is my biggest blessing in life!
  
  

As the year flies by, I hope to see myself grow and learn. I hope I can get to a happy mindset and continuously feel that way. I hope to be a better person, overall. I definitely did learn and grow A LOT this year. Sometimes the way you can learn and grow is outside of your comfort zone and that was definitely tested for me this year. I have gone through experiences that I never ever would think to go through. I have been taught many lessons and will use those in the future, which makes me grow as a person. I have been shown what I shouldn't be and learned from that tremendously. 

Overall, I would say 2020 was the worst. Not in a depressive way, but just blah. I'm over and done with it and can't wait for a brighter and happier time. 

Chicken & Rice - Quick & Easy!

All credit goes to @TheGoldenBalance on Instagram & TikTok - You can find the video here. 

This recipe is suuuuper easy and suuuper yummy. I think I've already made it like 5 times and I'm not going to stop. I can't believe how flavorful it is and how much it doesn't taste like lemon. Honestly the flavors just beautifully combine and come out so delicious. 

Ingredients:
4 chicken thighs
1 cup rice
2 cups water
1 Jalapeño, diced
1 shallot (or half an onion), diced

Seasoning (to your liking):
•Chicken Bullion
•Lemon Pepper (I used Lawry's)

Finish with:
•Lemon juice
•Cilantro

Directions:

1. Put a skillet to heat with some oil. 
2. Massage your chicken thighs with chicken bullion and lemon pepper to however much your heart desires on both sides. 
3. Sear the chicken on the pan - skin side down first - until you get a beautiful caramelized coating. Remember to flip sides. 
4. Take out the chicken and to the same pan, 3add in your diced jalapeño and diced onion to the skillet. Let that cook for a few minutes until softened. 
5. Add in your washed rice and season with chicken bullion and lemon pepper to your liking. Mix. 
6. Add in 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil.
7. Add the chicken thighs back in and turn down to a simmer. Cover for about 15 minutes. Do not touch them for the whole 15 minutes. 
8. Finish it off with lemon juice and cilantro. 

There you have it! This recipe is amazing and I will forever and ever cook it! I hope you do too!

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

This season is just the best for soups! I had read a couple recipes and used a little bit of this and a little bit of that and made my own recipe! This is such a great treat for a cold day. You can also warm it up the next day and enjoy for lunch! I used a fully cooked rotisserie chicken but you can cook your own chicken and add it in. A great idea would be to add some leftover turkey instead of chicken after Thanksgiving and have Turkey Noodle Soup! It sure hits the spot!

Servings: about 4

Time: 30 minutes 

Ingredients:

1 and 1/2 tablespoons butter
2 carrots, chopped
2 stalks of celery, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
2 sprigs of thyme
2 sprigs of oregano
2 bay leaves (fresh)
Half of a lemon - halved into two pieces
1 and 1/2 tablespoons flour
4 cups of chicken broth
1 cup diced up rotisserie chicken (or any other chicken)
1 cup of pasta (I used Campanelle)
Salt/Pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Put your pasta to cook and boil according to directions on the box.

2. To a soup pot, melt your butter.

3. Add in your chopped carrot, celery, and onion. Let that soften a little bit.

4. While it's cooking, throw in your oregano, thyme, basil, and lemon. I squeezed the lemon and then just threw it in to cook with the veggies. Salt and pepper as needed.

5. After the vegetables have softened, add in your flour and make a roux.

6. After your flour is fully mixed and incorporated, add in your chicken broth, one cup at a time.

7. Once the broth is all in, bring to a boil. Once it starts boiling, bring it down to low and cover. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes 

8. After 10 minutes, add in your chopped chicken. You can add more or less, as your heart desires! Simmer another 10 minutes. 

9. Add in your drained pasta and serve!

Hello November

2020 has definitely been a ... different ... year. Many things have had to be rescheduled, moved, or cancelled. With all the craziness in the world, there are still many things to be grateful for. 

I am truly grateful for my health, more than ever. Hearing about everything going on in the world, my heart goes out to everyone. Please take care of yourself and make your health #1 above all else. All the money, degrees, houses, cars will stay but there is only one of you. Don't take life for granted and live life to the fullest!

This makes me think back to the time when I worked with kids. Every year around this time, we would make a 'Thankful Tree'. We would make the branches out of brown butcher paper and the kiddos would write that they're thankful for on a leaf. Once they're done writing, we would hang up the leaves around the tree branches and keep it up all season. It was one of my memorable and favorite things we did because the things the kids wrote were so random and funny that it warmed my heart. They were so silly that we even got the point where I had to tell them they could not write that they were thankful for their Xbox. (lol!) Below is a template - use it with your kids or in a journal or write a list! They say if you constantly remind yourself of what you're grateful for, you will be happier - and not just happy but truly happier, inside and out. 

Click on each picture to get a bigger version!

My Charcuterie Board

I think doing a charcuterie board was one of my favorite activities this summer! I think they are great to do at dinner parties or when having friends over. This is actually already a Bosnian tradition (we put out meat and cheese for guests) but it was evolved into more. I did a ton of research on what the best things to put on my board would be, made a list, purchased everything and got to work. Below you will find a list of everything on my board and where I bought it! I will warn you, pretty much everything is from Trader Joe's. 

The board we've had in our house forever but you can get one pretty much anywhere - from Walmart, Target to Marshalls and Home Goods.

Bread:
Trader Joe's Fig & Olive Crisps
Trader Joe's French bread - cut up and toasted
Trader Joe's savory crackers
Trader Joe's cheddar cheesesticks

Cheese:

Trader Joe's unexpected cheddar cheese

Trader Joe's goat gouda

Trader Joe's manchego cheese

Trader Joe's toscano cheese with black pepper

Boursin garlic and fine herb cheese (they have this at almost any store - I got mine from TJ's)

Meats:

Chicken bologna (Bosnian store)

Beef salami (Costco)

(I would've added suho meso but we didn't have any)

Fruits:

Trader Joe's champagne grapes (these are out of season now - I recommend getting Thomcord grapes)

Trader Joe's fig butter

Strawberries (King Soopers/Kroger)

Trader Joe's dried mandarins

Trader Joe's fresh figs

Veggies:

Fresh cucumbers from our garden

Fresh greek peppers from our garden

Extra:

Boiled eggs (my neighbor has chickens!)

Trader Joe's dark chocolate covered pretzels

Trader Joe's Roasted and Salted Marcona Almonds with Rosemary

There you go! I might do another one but not until next summer. I highly recommend Trader Joe's for cheeses - if you pick anything off this list to get from Trader Joe's - the cheese is where it's at. They are super affordable and have a high variety. What are some of your favorite charcuterie board items?!

Trader Joe's Favs!

I was not a big Trader Joe's fan. I only go when I see people rave about certain products - put them in a list - and then buy them. I recently have explored more and have grown to love more and more of their items. I am picky about my food so the list I've come up with below, I can personally say is my honest opinion. They are in no particular order - just some favs I put together! I can also make a list of things I would recommend passing, but we can do that another time! At the very bottom, I put together a photo combo so you can screenshot everything in one!

1. Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

These are probably my favorite. They taste just like the Reese's peanut butter cups but they're dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is really good for iron levels so that is one great perk! They also taste super yummy - no bitterness! I've bought them every time I go!

2. Goat's Milk Gouda Cheese

I have recently learned that I LOVE gouda cheese. This one is super creamy and yummy! I've used it to shred and use on top of pizza and other foods. I mix this with other cheeses but it's probably my favorite, hands down. 

3. Smoked Salmon, 4. Everything bagel, & 5. Whipped cream cheese

One of my go-to breakfasts lately has been making a bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon on top. All 3 are from Trader Joe's! I love their whipped cream cheese because it's so light and easy to spread! The bagel is topped with their 'Everything But the Bagel' seasoning. I personally am not a big fan of it on its own but on this bagel, it's great! The salmon is also super yummy and healthy! They also have other types of salmon - one that includes 'Everything But the Bagel' seasoning too!

6. Hold the cone Mini Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cones

These mini ice cream cones hit the spot! After I have my meals, I want something sweet but not overpowering. These mini cones are perfect! They come 8 in a box are are only $3! They have tons of flavors to choose from!

7. Sparkling black tea with peach juice

This sparkling black tea with peach is my new favorite! I am not a fan of sparkling water (I know, I'm European, how can I not like it!?) but I really like this! It has almost no sugar but it tastes wonderful! It has a great hint of tea with a splash of peach and it's definitely going to be another buy for me next time.


8. Hazelnut chocolate cookies

These cookies are THE BOMB! They are sweet but not too sweet. They are perfect with your morning coffee or just for fun. This is also a new one for me and I'm so glad I got them. They may or may not be half gone already. 

9. Thomcord Grapes

All my Bosnian fam - these grapes are exactly like the ones from Bosnia!! They are small, round, and a little harder in the middle. My parents absolutely love them and since I got them two days ago, we're already out. If you know the Bosnian grapes, go get these and thank me later!


10. Savory crackers

These are my favorite crackers for dips! They are perfectly salted and not too hard or soft- which is why they're great for dipping! They also come in a mini size that I haven't tried but I'm sure they're the same! Stay tuned to my part 2 post where I share my favorite dips and jams!

So far, those are my top 10 favorites! I will be posting a part 2 with more favorites. What are some of your favorite TJ items?!

Never Settle.

Don't ever settle. Not with relationships, not with jobs, not with your way of life. If you settle, you might be unhappy, and nothing is more important than your health and happiness.

Recently, I've been going through an uncomfortable environment through my place of employment. I was talking to a friend about it and she asked me "How important is the environment that you work in, when looking for a job?". This got me thinking. Yes, the people that you work with can make or break your time there, but I find that it goes so much deeper than that. The environment can majorly effect your mental health, whether it be positive or negative. If the people around you are constantly pushing you up and striving for your success, you will be successful; meaning, you will be more productive and happier, thus causing your mental health to improve. If you are surrounded by people who are constantly bringing you down, it can severely impact your happiness, thus your mental health. Having days where you wake up and have to drag yourself out of bed because you dread going and then coming home feeling emotionally drained are ways your mental health can deteriorate. Having bad days are okay but feeling that way more than once a week is concerning. I answered my friend, "If you're asking me how important is my mental health when looking for a job, I would say it's pretty important."

I once worked with this girl who, at the time, was looking for love. What she said is something I won't ever forget. She said when you ask God for a man, you need to be specific. I laughed at her because never in my life have I heard something so silly. Turns out, she was right. She goes on to explain to me how she asked God for a doctor. So, God gave her a doctor. She didn't like him. She then went on to ask God for a man who made good money. God gave her a man who made good money and she didn't like him either. She then broke it down so specifically to the occupation and place of work for the man that she is wanting in her life and will not settle until she finds him. I found this to be true to my life as well.

I genuinely enjoyed my first place of work. I made a lot of friends, the job was great, pay, vacation - everything! But after a while, I wanted more. I asked God for a relief. The next job I got was a piece of cake, but my environment was not ideal; I felt like I was walking on eggshells all the time. Then I asked God for a better environment, one where I would get along with everyone, including my manager, and would love going to work. I did get it, but the pay and vacation was low. I then became more specific; I asked for a great paying job that I love. Well. Now I have a great paying job that I love but the environment isn't ideal. Now, my next list is so specific that I have it down to the hours I want to work to the pay and vacation that I specifically want, including the type of environment I want to work in. I have 13 bullet points and plan on adding more as I go.

Don't ever settle in life. Life is so short to be miserable. This pandemic has started all across the world and people everyday are losing their lives. Can you imaging living your life with just settling and then dying from a virus? Life the best life you can live and don't give up. If you feel stuck or that you have been settling and want to progress in anyway of your life, I encourage you to make a list of things you want to happen. You can call it a main goal and what you want out of that. Ex. You want to find the love of your life. That would be your main goal. Then, have your specifications: They have to be loving, caring, put me first, etc. and don't settle until you find one that matches your criteria. Some things you may think of letting slide but this is a list of things you want for yourself so make it as true to you as you possibly can. I've made a template here that will help! Use if you would like!

2020

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I know I have severely been slacking on my blog, but it's only because my life has been in full speed since the last time I posted. Let's catch up on what has happened in 2019: 

• I started off unemployed - that's ok. I was coping and trying to get use to the idea of not having anywhere to go, but because I'm somebody that needs something to do, I got bored of it real quick. 
• I got a job in March with a great healthcare organization! I loved the hours, people, job, flexibility, environment, everything! I accidentally ended up applying for a new job with a totally different organization and ended up cutting my time at that job short. I will miss everyone so much! I truly felt accepted and like I was part of a family, even through my time was not long. 
• I spent summer just enjoying myself. I opened out of my comfort zone and try to have as many summer adventures as I could. I would say it was the best summer I've had in a long time. 
• I got a new job in September and absolutely love it! I have been learning A TON and am really enjoying that aspect. The people are also great, the flexibility is wonderful, and the environment has been enjoyable!
• Fall & Winter have been okay. I'm not a fan of the cold so i'm just waiting for this to pass. I would say my favorite day has been December 21 (winter solstice) because now the days are getting longer and I am ALL for that!

I guess not much has happened to me, other than having carreer changes - I know, boring. I think because of that, it has consumed so much of my time that I haven't been able to blog. Let's recap what I wished for in 2018 to happen in 2019:

So for 2019, I will embrace whatever comes my way. I have a feeling that God has something great in store for me and I just need to be patient! (I've also learned to trust my gut feeling. Oh boy. If i only knew what blessings lied ahead for me! I love when I trust my gut. I am SO glad I embraced the things that came my way because I wouldn't be where I am if I didn't!

My boyfriend is someone that I love with all my heart... I realize how much I appreciate and love him. I already know that 2019 will be the best for us! It WAS a great year for us! We have learned and grown SO much together. I feel like he is my best friend and everyday, I love him more than yesterday. 

My list for 2019 includes to travel more, have excellent health, have a great paying job that I love, pay off my car, lose a couple more pounds, and learning new skill sets. Although I didn't travel outside of the state, I did get to explore more of my "backyard" and loved it - there are hidden treasures everywhere! My health has been better than the previous year and I am SO thankful for that! I did get not one, but two, wonderful jobs this year and am sooo blessed for that! My car is still not paid off but that's okay, I can move that goal to 2020. I did lose a couple pounds... and gained it back.. lol I have nothing to comment about that. And as far as learning new skill sets, I think not only with my jobs, but with life, I have learned a lot this year. My eyes have truly opened up to a lot more that has been happening around me. 

But here's to 2020 ! I hope it's the happiest and healthiest (physically and mentally) year for everyone! Like I said in my 2019 post, I make a list every year of things I want to accomplish - whether it be materialistic items, mental, emotional, or just wishes. I find that if I have this list, I can refer to it and try to see about accomplishing my goals as much as I can. I didn't get to accomplish all of them but that's okay too - I will add them to my list for 2020.

For 2020:

• I want to have a more positive outlook on life. I want to enjoy every moment I am in - not just think of the happy moments in the past. I want to laugh from my belly and just be in the moment. Happiness is not a destination, but rather a journey. 
• I want to gain more clarity. There have been many things in my life that I feel I need more clarity in. I think having a lot of self reflection is a positive goal I can have, in order to think through how I'm doing and what I can improve on (as well as what is going well)
• Grow stronger relationships and keep working at them. My current relationships are thriving but there are some that I could work on. I think being open to working on those relationships will give me more insight and growth. 
• Then I have my other goals - some fun and others materialistic - ride a motorcycle, drive a manual stick shift car, ride a horse, donate more clothes that I don't need, get an even better job, pay off my car, lose some weight. Those are not necessarily for 2020 but I will try my best to meet as many of them as I can. 

As the year flies by, I hope to see myself grow and learn. I hope I can get to a happy mindset and continuously feel that way. I hope to be a better person, overall. 

Happy New Year! I hope you meet your goals and meet them as best as you can!

Summer Break

Hello again!

I haven't been keeping up with my blog because I took some time to myself for some self-reflection. I do love blogging and sharing my golden finds but I also believe that mental, emotional, and physical health are important. As I started my new job and the summer began, I took it upon myself to stop wallowing over my life and dedicate every moment of summer to myself (or as much as possible). I have done some new things and have embraced them with open arms!

 I went to the pool by myself for the second time in my life! It actually took me a lot to talk myself into going because I kept thinking, "What if I see somebody I know? What if it's too crowded? What if it's weird?" Well one day after work, it was about the first 100 degrees that Denver got, I decided I'M GOING TO THE POOL. So I packed my bag and went over to our neighborhood pool. There were like 4 people there and it was really nice and relaxing. The second time, I had to talk myself into it again but after I went, I saw it wasn't weird at all. There were families with their kids, elderly people, others having a BBQ. I knew I wanted to go to the pool and I didn't care if anybody went or not and honestly, I'm glad I went. Because of that new courage, I'm able to go 100 more times and not feel weird about it. :)

I went ATV-ing for the first time and let me tell you, I was like 1% away from peeing my pants. It wasn't fast (we couldn't go over 20mph) but it was bumpy and uneven and all I kept thinking was how we were going to fall over. AH!! But luckily we didn't and it was actually a lot of fun!

 I also fired up the firepit in our backyard and made some s'mores, along with hot dogs, corn, and bosnian food - cevapi! MMM! What a great summer adventure! My favorite part was the mosquitoes - LOL JK. Nobody likes mosquitoes!

Through these fun things, I've realized that I'm tired of just laying around and not doing anything, WISHING that I would have a great summer. I've learned that sometimes wishing and thinking about something isn't enough to actually make you happy. You have to go out there and just go for it. If there's something out there that you've been wanting to do, but haven't because of every excuse in the book, I'm telling you right now to just go and do it. Wanna take a run in the park? GO! Wanna learn how to roller skate? DO IT. Wanna travel on your own? GIRL, YOU BETTER GO. If you don't experience things in life, how can you expect yourself to grow? The only person holding you back is YOU. So go out there, enjoy your summer, fall, winter, spring, and LIFE. Do what makes you happy, enjoy yourself, because life is too short.

P.S. Don't worry - summer isn't over yet! You still have time! & You sure can bet that I will be enjoying every single second!

Old Navy Sale!

Right now, Old Navy is having a sale where most of the store is 40% off - I actually think it might be the whole store but I don't want to misquote it. Anyway, I found some SUPER cute things and that I wanted to share with all of you! Don't mind me obsessing over them!! (insert heart eye emoji here!)

First up is this SUPER CUTE Fit & Flare Tiered Cami lilac dress (click here). Honestly, I've never been a huge fan of purple, but I get so many compliments when I wear it so I thought why not just start wearing more purple.. Well, when I saw this cute dress, I died. I knew I had to get it. Usually I'm not a fan of the ruffles at the bottom but wearing it, it just adds a perfect design to a simple dress. It's true to size!

The denim jacket (click here) is also a fav of mine. I purchased mine a few years back and it's just amazing. You can literally pair it with almost any dress and it would work perfectly! I think having a jean jacket is a huge staple to a closet. This is true to size and the medium fit snug on me. It wasn't too tight or too loose but of course if you want to adjust, size up or down.

The Faux-Suede Knotted-Twist Slide Sandals (click here) are pretty much my new favorites because I am totally in love! They come in many many colors and are super comfy. A lot of Old Navy shoes have comfy soles now, which make them great to walk around in without your feet hurting! These are true to size!

Next up is striped dresses! There are two different ones. This first one is the Jersey Swing Dress (click here) and is only $8!!! This one (compared to the other one I will show) is more form fitting because the sleeves are hugging your arms. It's about a quarter length sleeve and super comfy! I would've bought this dress if they had talls in store, but because they don't, I ordered online! It's super comfy and perfect for those summer days. If you have a great day at the pool, this would be a good summer dress to wear after or before. The material is thin but it's not see-through. I would recommend getting your true size!

The next striped one is this Ruffle-Sleeve Tee Dress (click here). I will say that it's a little oversized so I recommend to size down! But if you like your dresses loose, then stay your regular size! It is a little thicker material than the last dress so I wouldn't recommend wearing it on 100 degree weather days, but if it's slightly cooler or if you're indoors with the AC blasting all day, then this dress would be perfect!

Next up is this green Sleeveless Jersey Swing Dress! (click here) This is like the previous (first) striped dress but just sleeveless. It's pretty thin but not see-through at all! The length for me was a little short, so I would have to get the tall size, but if you're not a tall gal, then I recommend to stick with regular. I think this would be great with a jean jacket and some flats or sandals. I didn't have any matching sandals so I didn't add them here but maybe some Espadrilles like these (click here) would look super cute with them! Or even wedges!

Next up are two shirt and pant looks! This Lightweight Flutter-Sleeve Blouse (click here) is the cutest and I totally fell in love with the color! The blouse is super lightweight, almost paper thing, but surprisingly not see-through! The ruffle sleeves are my favorite part because it gives it a little detailing. The V-neck is also a favorite because it's not too deep and very flattering!

The jeans are a new Rockstar from Old Navy. I think they have started to change their sizing because this is the second pair that I had to squeeze into for life. I totally recommend sizing up on these. Besides the sizing, they are super cute. They are the High-Rise Secret-Slim Pockets Button-Fly Rockstar Raw-Edge Ankle Jeans (click here). They are all button, no zipper (so weird, but works!) and the bottom is cut off with the sides also slit. I think it's just such a cute design! One thing Old Navy does great is make sure their jeans are not see-through and this is no exception. I love these!!

The shoes are the Metallic Faux-Leather Tubular-Strap Sandals (click here) and they totally caught my eye as I was shopping around. They come in many other colors but the metallic ones stood out to me the most. They are super comfy and true to size! Although they are metallic, they are a tad on the warmer side so you can totally wear them with warm colors - yellow, red, orange, etc.

Finally, this outfit is the same as above, except the shirt is different. The shirt is the Striped Slub-Weave Popover Tunic (click here). I am totally in love with this shirt because of the material. It's a woven material and super cozy. I think this shirt would be great with white pants or a pair of leggings. I love to wear tunics with leggings, because hello comfy is priority, but if you want to be a fancy pants, I recommend white jeans!

There you have it! Old Navy is one of my favorite places to shop because of their tall sizing and their new spring line has got me HOOKED! Hopefully this helped :)

Valentines Day Favorites

Since Valentine's Day is right around the corner, I thought I could share some of my favorite things! I know I'm late to the party (two days away) but I had every intention to post this earlier and that's what matters!!! Along with some outfits, I've also found some cute home decor for Valentine's Day that you can use to throw in a pop of pink or red! You can click on any picture below to see the items!

Becoming Amela

A few months ago, Michelle Obama had released her own memoir called Becoming. It has been the #1 best selling book for about 3 months now. To be honest, I didn't really know Michelle. I knew she was married to Barack and that she advocated for being healthy. I also had watched her on Ellen a few times and thought she was a pretty cool first lady. I decided I wanted to read her book, primarily because she mentions that she lets her readers know how it is living in the white house. Being someone who may never get the opportunity to, I thought it would be interesting to hear about how things went on in the white house and how it functioned internally. It's always been some sort of secret and never really portrayed in the media. Instead of purchasing the book, I went to my online library and put myself on hold for her audiobook, which was read by Michelle herself. After about 2 months, I got a notification that the book was automatically borrowed for me and I was thrilled to start reading. I got to know about her childhood and how she grew up. I learned about her going to Princeton to get a law degree. She spoke of her various jobs, including a teacher's aid, unofficial babysitter, and a lawyer. She also spoke of her marriage, Barack's campaigning, their move to the white house, her stay during the white house, and after.

To be honest, the more Michelle read about her life to me, the more I found myself that I could relate to her. No, I didn't go to Princeton, but I did get a higher education, which both of us had parents that did not. We both came from nothing and tried our best to make it in the world. She grew up on the South Side of Chicago, living in a small 1 bedroom apartment with her family. I came to America as a refugee with no money at all. As both of our lives progressed, I find that we are more alike than different. I found that through her words, I could relate to her more and how she was just another human being, not the first lady.

She talks about a time that she graduated with a law degree, became a lawyer, and then saw herself not being fulfilled with her life. I have been in the exact same situation. She had then taken a job that was a 50% pay cut but only because she wanted to explore other directions in life. She wasn't sure of what it is she wanted to do with her life and I cannot relate more. I know she is older than me and has already passed that stage in her life but being where I am and hearing her story, I know that it will all work out in the end.

Michelle talks about first meeting Barack and being curious about him. She talks about the first time they loved each other and their first kiss. She speaks so highly of him and how much he cares for her, knowing when she is upset, uncomfortable, or happy. She talks about the highs and lows of their relationship and how they always managed to work it out. I can relate on all of these points.

I think what makes Michelle relatable is that she admits that she, too, is human. She has faults, mistakes, and regrets, just like anybody else in the world. I think this would have to be the best book I have ever read (heard through audiobook) because I literally cried about 10 times, laughed here and there, and really took the time to listen and understand her life. I think the way she writes is absolutely beautiful and it has inspired me to continue to increase my vocabulary as much as I can. (I googled sooo many words!!)

This blog post wasn't about Becoming Michelle, but rather Becoming Amela. I have gone through so much in my life, but instead of focusing on my hardships, I should be celebrating my successes. Instead of wallowing in pity and despair, I should be looking at the brighter side of life. Michelle brings up the point of how children always look through a positive lens and that's how everyone should be viewing the world. They don't see it through the dark and rough times, but rather the happy moments. They never worry about moments in the future that haven't happened yet, but rather enjoy the moment they are in. I think for 2019 a goal of mine will be to become that better version of myself. I want to be happy and have faith that everything will work itself out in the end. If a door closes, I need to leave it closed and move on. I need to trust that fate will work itself out in the end.

I hope you took away something from this. If you are in a situation and frustrated, take a step back and tell yourself that everything will be okay in the end. If you feel like you've hit rock bottom, well I'm here to tell you that they only way to go from here is up. And with that, I will leave you with this..

I hope there are days when your coffee tastes like magic, your playlist makes you dance, strangers make you smile, and the night sky touches your soul. I hope you fall in love with being alive again.

H&M Haul!

I recently made some purchases at H&M online and they were less than what I expected when they came in the mail so I had to end up returning them. While I was there, I decided to shop and see if there's anything cute that I would like and boy did I liiiike it! Join me on my H&M shopping journey! I have linked everything below, you can click each picture to view the outfits I linked, or you can click 'Shop My Blog' and it will be there as well!

Click the picture above to shop this look!

Click the picture above to shop this look!

First up is this suuuuper cute snakeskin bodysuit (click here). I am OBSESSED with it!! It's actually really thick so it's perfect to wear in the chillier times. I wouldn't go as far to say it's for winter wear, but definitely a good long sleeve t-shirt. I will admit that I wasn't too sure about the weird 'V line' but honestly, it compliments sooo well and makes you looks super great! I am obsessed! This skirt is a cute faux leather mini skirt (click here) and I think the two just pair sooo beautifully. I think this would be a great outfit to wear out on a date or to go out with girlfriends. The top is true to size & I would size up one or even two for the skirt! 

Click the picture above to shop this look!

Next up is this super sparkly and cute black sequin dress (click here). It's thick and double lined material. I know usually sequin dresses are itchy but because of the double lining, this material is not itchy one bit! I love that it's long sleeve and a neutral color because you can really pair it with anything. You can pair it with a pop of color - pink or red for Valentine's Day - with some heels, lipstick, and purse, and you're good to go! I would recommend sizing up 1 number if you want more of a loose, comfortable look, otherwise, it's true to size! 

Click the picture above to shop this look!

Click the picture above to shop this look!

Next up is this suuuper cute overall dress (click here) and striped sweater combo (click here)! Striped sweaters have been totally in this season so I thought pairing it with overalls would be the cuuutest! I will say that if you want to be comfortable with a sweater, size up in the overall dress. Otherwise, if you plan on wearing a thin shirt, stay true to size! You can pair this with some cute booties or even flats to finish off the look. I think I would wear baby pink shoes, like these (click here).

Click the picture above to shop this look!

This red dress totally reminds me of Clueless (as if!!) except it's red and not yellow checkered. This pattern is totally coming back and good thing it's on sale !! The material is thick and super comfy! You can pair it with some white flats or even some black ones with a black purse. I went with one size up and it was perfect! They no longer have this pattern online, but they do have some other cute ones, like cheetah, (click here) but you can always try your local H&M to see if they have it!

Click the picture above to shop this look!

Click the picture above to shop this look!

Finally this denim dress (click here)! Since denim is also making a comeback (90s is the best generation, no argument there) this dress is perfect! You can button or unbutton as much as you want. It's super lightweight and the middle section you can tie as much or as little as you'd like. I think this is a great summer dress because of how lightweight it is. This would look cute with some white flats or even these black flats (click here).

These looks are mostly all on sale in store so if you have an H&M near you, go check them out! If not, the prices on the website are reflected pretty low. I'm hoping they will go on sale online as well.. fingers crossed!!

❤**If you want to see any of the items in the pictures that I post, you can click here or on 'Shop My Blog' at the top and see it all there!**❤

Super Bowl Nachos!

I personally am not a huge Super Bowl fan unless the Broncos made it all the way. If they are not playing, then I am neither fan, but I know how much my friends and family love to watch so I just tune in and watch with them. (Or if it truly doesn't interest me, I go shopping! Best time to go since everyone else is glued to a TV!) I recently made some super bomb nachos and thought I'd share with everyone!

You can buy nacho chips or make your own. Personally, I love the homemade ones from tortillas. (Partly because I had some left over at home and I thought I should just use them).

Tortilla chips from Tortillas:
•1 (12 oz) package of corn/flour tortillas (I only used about 3 at a time when cooking on a single tray ; You can use corn tortillas but all I had was flour)
•1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
•1/2 of a lime or eyeball as much lime juice as you like
•1 teaspoon of ground cumin
•1 teaspoon of chili powder
•1 teaspoon of salt
(I eyeballed all the seasonings - add as much or as little as you like)


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Cut each flour/corn tortilla into 8 chip sized wedges and arrange the wedges in a single layer on a cookie sheet. I used about 3 full ones because that's what could fit on my cookie sheet.

3. Cover each tortilla wedge with oil and lime juice, making sure each is covered well.

4. Combine the cumin, chili powder and salt and sprinkle on the chips.

5. Bake for about 7 minutes. Rotate the pan and bake for another 8 minutes or until the chips are crisp, but not too brown. *Be careful not to let your chips burn.


For the nachos:
•Tortilla chips (the ones above or store bought)
•1 and 1/2 cups of shredded cheese AND/OR Velveeta cheese + a can of Rotel
•Beef or chicken

As much as you'd like:
•1-2 diced tomatoes
•Sour cream
•Baked beans
•Green onions
•Cilantro
•Corn
•Olives

1. Take your chips and layer them at the bottom of a baking dish. You can use as little or as much as you'd like.

2. Sprinkle some shredded cheese on top. I like to use a lot since I'm an avid cheese lover. Pop it into the oven at 350 for about 5 to 10 minutes. Keep an eye on it so it doesn't burn.

*For alternative gooey cheese: Combine some velveeta and rotel into a bowl and pop it into the microwave until it's melted completely through. Mix thoroughly. Poor on top of your nachos

3. Take the pan out of the oven. If you like meat, you can add some chicken or beef, whatever you have at hand.

*To make the beef - get 1lb of beef, cook it in a pan. Add any spices you'd like. I usually add a teaspoon of each: oregano, basil, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. When it's all done cooking, add taco seasoning and water (follow directions on the packet) and mix it all together. Cook it about 20 minutes total. 

4. To the pan with the tortilla chips, add in diced tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream, baked beans, green onions, cilantro, corn, and olives. Take away or add anything else you'd like. You can also always buy these by the can if you don't have time to get fresh ones.

Chicken Fried Rice

So this is how it happened.. I bought some chicken tikka masala from king soopers (kroger) - I guess the marketplace has this frozen section of certain foods that you can put into a bucket and take home with you.. it includes chicken masala, shrimp scampi, mac & cheese, and a whole bunch of other foods so I decided to get some chicken tikka masala. Well, I didn't know what to eat with it cause I couldn't just eat it on its own, so I made some rice in my Instant Pot. Well, silly me forgot that 1 cup of rice = 1 gallon of rice after it's been cooked so I had a lot left over. I decided I should wing it at making some fried rice. I kinda sorta half listened to some videos on YouTube and winged the rest. I will tell you, it took me about 10 times before I perfected the recipe. (I'm not saying I made 10 batches that night, that would be crazy). But, I can successfully say that I did it! And for you, here is my recipe! :) If you make some, let me know so I can share!

Ingredients:

1 tray of chicken tenderloins (or chicken breast, whichever), diced into bite-size pieces

1 teaspoon of oregano

1 teaspoon of basil

1 teaspoon of salt

1 teaspoon of pepper

2 tablespoons of oil

1 medium sized onion, diced

1/2 cup of peas (I used frozen, you can use whatever you prefer)

1/2 cup of diced carrots (I had a bag of mixed peas and carrots, you can use fresh)

1 cup of jasmine rice

1 cup of water (or more if cooking on stovetop)

1 tablespoon of soy sauce

1 egg

salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Cook your rice and water until it's cooked. I like to have the rice ready before I start cooking the rest of my ingredients. I used my instant pot and it cooked in 12 minutes. If you don't have one, you can cook it over the stovetop & follow directions on the bag. 

2. Season your diced bite-size chicken with your oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. If you like to add paprika or whatever other spices, feel free to do so. (Or leave any out)

3. In a hot skillet, add oil and chicken. The skillet should be big enough to fit the rice and all of the ingredients. I went with a large one (not sure of size, just the biggest skillet I had)

4. Once the chicken is about 50% cooked (should be about 2 to 3 minutes), add in your diced peas and carrots. 

5. After about 2 to 3 minutes, add in your diced onions. 

6. Once the onions are somewhat translucent and your chicken is fully cooked, add in your rice and mix in with all the ingredients. 

7. Add in your soy sauce. I'm gonna be honest and say I just kinda wing it with the soy sauce. I just add in however much looks good. You can add 1 tablespoon but if you feel that it's not enough, you can certainly add more or less. Your choice!

8. Once that's all mixed in nicely, I use my wooden spoon and move all the rice and vegetables towards the outside of the pan, leaving a big hole in the middle - kinda like a donut. Crack one egg in the middle and start scrambling it. As the egg starts to cook more, mix it with all of your ingredients. 

9. Keep mixing until all the ingredients are fully mixed and cooked through! Add in salt and pepper as you wish, or any other spices.

You can certainly add in any other ingredients that you like - celery, peppers, leave out peas - whatever you like because it's your fried rice and you can make it however you like!

Enjoy! :)

Amazon Favorites!

If you haven't realized the beauty of Amazon, you certainly will! Initially, I ended up getting an account, along with Amazon Prime, because I needed it for school. I heard it was the cheapest place to get books (rented or bought) so I made an account and it saved me from buying $300 books because Amazon had them for like $30. Thank you, Amazon! Amazon not only has textbooks, I discovered, but many, many, mannny other things. I've purchased things from household items, to clothes, to makeup and tanning supplies.. the list goes on an on. I decided to make a blog post about my favorite Amazon items and share them all with you! Click on any of the pictures below! I always, always, always look at the reviews. I actually trust Amazon reviews more than any other website because I know about 99% of the time, they are genuine.

**I'll keep updating this as I find more things I like**

First up is clothes! I love clothes because they are art, in a sense that they let you express yourself on how you want to look and wear. I've never really thought about becoming a designer or a model, but when I throw something on that I like, it makes me feel good, so why not? Live your best life.

Next up is some beauty and accessories that I love! I have purchased several of these and am totally in love! My favorite would have to be the purple and blue shampoo, just because it makes my hair less brassy and I can't believe how cheap it is!

Finally, some household items that I think would be fun to have around the house! I think the modern look nowadays is rustic with lots of greenery and a pop of color. The color I am always leaning towards is a gold rose but you can really pick any to make your house pop!

If you have any Amazon recommendations that you swear by, let me know so I can add them on! :) As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.