wedding giveaway.

calling all facebook users! the fiance and i have entered a wedding giveaway. if you'd like to help and vote, follow the link HERE and simply "like" our post. it's as simple as that!

thanks!! :)

alicia keys...

...is a newly wed!

keys' tied the knot with rapper/producer swizz beatz on saturday night.

gotta love her grecian inspired dress! :)

source: people magazine. click here

feed your skin

want healthy, glowing skin? june's issue of elle magazine listed foods that let you "eat your way to healthy skin."

here's the list:

1. berries-

• contain: antioxidants
• benefit: antioxidants can protect your skin cells from oxidative damage caused by environmental toxins.
• examples: blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and raspberries

2. salmon-

• contain: omega-3 fatty acids
• benefit: fatty acids in order to stay plump and youthful-looking

3. sunflower seeds-

• contain: vitamin E
• benefit: vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that can protect the skin from sun damage, decelerate the aging process, and diminish the appearance of wrinkles and acne scars

4. whole grains-

• contain: zinc and selenium
• benefit: zinc and selenium are two powerhouse minerals that guard skin from damage and maintain collagen fibers. As anti-inflammatory agents, zinc and selenium can also help quell acne flare-ups
• examples: breads, cereals like bran flakes, etc

5. citrus fruits-

• contain: vitamin C
• benefit: vitamin C helps build collagen. citrus fruits also help with upholding skin firmness and elasticity
• foods: grapefruit, oranges, kiwi and red peppers

6. spinach-

• contain: zinc, selenium, and vitamins C and E. it's also a good source of vitamin A
• benefit: vitamin A signals the production of new skin cells

source: elle magazine (link)

.dreamworld.

dodgers v. yankees

so, i kindda forgot my regular camera and was stuck using my cell phone camera :(

oh well... anyway, i have to admit that i was quite impressed with the number of yankee fans that showed up! they obviously didn't outnumber dodger fans... but it was definitely a good game ;)

pre-game

post-game: enjoying LA's skyline.

btw, LA won: 9-4.

.recessionista.

Budget Pig, originally uploaded by weddingssc1.

Entry: recessionista

Part of Speech: noun

Definition:

1) A person who is able to stick to a tight budget while still managing

to dress stylishly (urbandictionary.com). 2) Recessionista is a blend of the words

'Fashionista' and 'recession' that describes a person who strives to remain

fashionable on a minimal budget (dictionary.com).

one thing you may or may not know about me is that i've trained myself to live on a budget! this means that i'm always on the hunt for money saving deals! at this point in my life i've purchased my first home, i'm planning for a wedding, AND i'm getting ready to apply to grad school! home + wedding + grad school = being broke... or does it?

well, if my frugal college days taught me nothing else, I've learned that living on a budget does not mean sacrificing fun... or hygiene... or food!! so, in my quest for fun [budget friendly] activities, i've come across some pretty cool sites that might be of interest to someone else!

1) groupon.com- click here

• this site offers awesome discounts on everything from leisure activities to restaurants and spa treatments. it basically operates by providing one group coupon (get it, "groupon") per day to specific locations (make sure you change the "area" setting to view deals in your area!).

2) slickdeals.net- click here

• i looove this site!! bascially, slickdeal users use an online forum to post any deal they come across (whether it's online or in-store). deals include electronics, magazines, restaurants, travel, apparel, etc! an added bonus is that all black friday deals are posted online for you're connivence about a week before black friday, which always you to strategize accordingly! one small example of something i've purchased as a result of slickdeals.net is a year long subscription to one my favorite magazines for $1.99! and, yes, i have been receiving my magazines! how great is that :) anyway, it's definitely something to check out!

3) hautelook.com- click here

• hauteLook is a members-only site that offers private, limited-time sales on name brand items. keep in mind that you do have to register, but registration is free and there is absolutely zero obligation to purchase anything! sales include merchandise for men, women, kids, home and beauty (items are generally up to 75% off retail prices). i will say that this is not my FAVORITE site (only because i don't always find items that i personally need or want). however, when i do find deals, they're DEALS! anyway, i definitely think it's worth checking out :) plus, it's free so you have nothing to lose!

well, that's it for now. i'll post more sites later, but these should be enough to keep you addicted for a while!!

happy shopping [on a budget]!!

eva...

...graces w magazine :)

images from wmagazine.com [click here]

aquarium of the pacific

about a month ago, i volunteered to help the bf chaperone a group of little ones on a field trip to the aquarium of the pacific in long beach.

here are a few pics i managed to shoot in between the all the organized chaos!

awesome...

if you're a laker fan, you MUST check out this game 7 mini movie.

back to back... awesome :)

and the 2010 NBA championship goes to...

the LAKERS!!!

and the icing on the cake... ron artest's post game interview! gotta love this guy, hahahaha...

lazy summer days...

here's rosie enjoying the summer life :)

game 6...

lakers dominated on the court tonight!

final score: 67-89 (lakers).

game 7, here we come ;)

disney 2010

here's to our 2010 annual pass... :)

Lake show tonight!

time to shine LA!!! let's make it happen! :)

The Lake Show, originally uploaded by swooshkidjm.

update: unfortunately the lakers lost this one. now the series is tied: 2-2. but no need to worry, this will only make the final laker win that much sweeter ;)

world cup 2010!!

you ready for it?!!

*drum roll please*

... the keys video for "un-thinkable" is finally out! gotta love this song :)

check it out below:

home facials!

8 Do-It-Yourself Home Facials

Facials are a great way to keep your skin glowing, but they can be pricey.

Here's a list of 8 EASY to make facials using household ingredients!

Enjoy! :)

For All Skin Types

Brighten: Cut a slice of ripe papaya and remove the seeds and pulp (save the pulp for a snack later—it’s great for digestion). Rub the inside of the papaya peel on your cleansed face, focusing on lines around the mouth and eyes, crow’s feet, thinning temples, neck and hands. Let it dry for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse with tepid water. This mask can be done twice a week. “The enzymes in papaya exfoliate, repair sun damage, diminish age spots and smooth skin. Your skin will look brighter, with a more polished finish,” says Macan-Graves.

Exfoliate: Combine 1 tsp honey and 1 tsp olive oil. Separately, prepare a packet of plain oatmeal, using less water than called for so it forms a thick paste. Next, add the honey and olive oil mixture to the cooked oatmeal. Apply as a scrub, gently rubbing it in small circles over your skin, avoiding the eye area. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry. This mask can be done twice weekly. “The oatmeal in this scrub exfoliates, while the honey and olive oil moisturize,” says Argenti.

Cleanse: “Believe it or not, I love to cleanse with oil,” says Argenti. For this facial, she combines 1 Tbsp plain Greek yogurt with 2 tsp olive oil and 1/2 tsp lemon oil (not to be confused with lemon juice; lemon oil is an essential oil that can be found at health food stores). The mixture should be a little bit runny but not easily poured out. Massage it over skin, then immediately wipe it off with a washcloth soaked in tepid water. This can be done daily. “You want to use good-quality oil and you’ll be surprised at how clean your skin will feel,” says Argenti. “You don’t need a harsher product, even for skin with acne. Just be careful around the eye area…[the mixture] tends to be very sticky.”

For Oil- and Blemish-Prone Skin

Lift & Tighten: Combine 2 Tbsp plain yogurt with 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice (the juice of one lemon) and apply to your cleansed face and neck. Let it dry for 20 to 30 minutes. You’ll feel the mask tighten on your face and neck, which creates a lifting and firming effect. Leave it on longer (up to one hour) for even more face-lifting effects. Once done, rinse with tepid water followed by a cool rinse. This mask can be done two to three times a week or whenever you need a face lift. “This instant face-lifting mask helps fade age-spots, acne scars and even helps keep blemishes and acne in check. It also gets rid of uneven-looking skin tone,” says Macan-Graves.

Tone: This toning eye treatment helps to “de-puff, relax, refresh andenergize your skin,” says Argenti. “It’s much more cooling than the traditional cucumber slices.” After cleansing your skin, brew a cup of chamomile or green tea and allow it to cool. Then soak two clean, round makeup sponges in the tea and squeeze out any excess liquid. Place one on each of your eyes for 15 minutes. Do this daily. “You need to use an alcohol-free toner on your skin to cleanse and tighten pores. Alcohol is very detrimental, and tea works just as well,” adds Argenti.

For Dry Skin

Soothe: Combine 2 Tbsp honey with 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. Apply to your clean face and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse with tepid water followed by a cool rinse. This can be done three times a week. “This mask heals, moisturizes and balances the pH of the skin,” says Macan-Graves. “Honey is a humectant and natural antibiotic that heals and moisturizes. Apple cider vinegar helps balance the pH of skin and soothes damaged skin.”

Moisturize: Macan-Graves recommends oatmeal and fennel to help moisturize dry skin. Grind 1 Tbsp oatmeal in a blender and set aside. Add 1 Tbsp fennel seeds to 1/2 cup boiling water to make a tea. Allow the seeds to steep for 10 minutes; strain the seeds and discard. Let it cool down to room temperature and then combine 1 Tbsp of the fennel tea with 1 Tbsp ground oatmeal and 1 Tbsp honey. Apply the mixture to your clean face and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse with tepid water followed by a cool rinse. This mask can be done twice weekly.

Brighten: Combine 2 Tbsp sour cream with 2 Tbsp honey and 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. Apply to your cleansed face and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse with tepid water followed by a cool (not cold) rinse. This mask can be done twice a week. “This mask heals, exfoliates, brightens and moisturizes skin. It refines pores, fades acne marks and prevents blemishes from coming up,” says Macan-Graves.

Source: Yahoo.

love.

happy easter everyone!

hope y'all have a blessed one :)

march 05, 1974...

happy birthday to one of my favorite gals-- eva mendes!

boy does she make turning 36 look fabulous!

grad :)

rosie, my dog-child, has been taking puppy classes. she already passed the beginner's course in november and on thursday we celebrated her intermediate graduation... isn't she adorable! the only downside is that she wouldn't sit still, so it was hard to get a good pic!!! she definitely hated the cap and made sure we knew it!

anyway...

congrats my lil grad! *sigh* they grow up so fast, don't they?! :)

lush.

last week i got my lush shipment... here are a couple of the items i received.

lemony fluttery: cuticle butter

rating: 2.5 out of 5

so, i got this item for my bf. as of late, he's been sporting some really rough hands and i thought this might do the trick. this cuticle butter has definitely helped, but i don't think it's a must have. the smell is quite strong and i'm hypersensitive to scents, so it didn't really work out for me... i don't think i'll be ordering it again.

sugar babe: sugar scrub

i'd give this item 3 stars out of 5. my gripe with this body scrub is that it dissolves too easily. you definitely don't need to use it all at once, so i cut the sugar babe into four sections. for the price, i definitely think it's worth trying out. will i be ordering this again... probably not.

soft touch body butter

rating: 3.5 out of 5

the soft touch scent is definitely tolerable. i've been using it at night before i go to bed and once i'm awake, the scent is no longer evident. this item is slightly oily, but your skin immediately soaks it up! it leaves my skin feeling nice and subtle for the rest of the day! i'd definitely use this over the cuticle butter.

buffy body butter

rating: 5 out of 5

one word: amazing! i'm definitely in love with the buffy body butter! the scent is neutral (major plus for me!) and it works wonders for your skin! not only does the buffy exfoliate, but the added cocoa and shea butters moisturize your skin to perfection! personally, i'm the type of person who always forgets to use lotion after a shower, but with the buffy, there was no need for lotion! it left my skin feeling and looking amazing all day! i'll definitely order this item again and i highly recommend it for others to try out.

aqua marina facial cleanser

i received this item as a sample in my order and it's great! this cleanser left my face feeling so clean, it was ridiculous! the downside is that it did leave my skin feeling a little dry, but it's nothing a good facial moisturizer can't handle. i was so impressed with this sample that i'll definitely venture out and try some of the other lush cleaners in my next order!!

body butter tin

for $2.95, this is a great way to store your beloved lush items! also, if you purchase any two or more items from the body butter section, they'll give you one free tin! in my world, that's a win/win!

*lush wish list*

fresh farmacy facial soap

i've heard nothing but great things about the fresh farmacy facial soap, so i'll definitely be including this in my next lush purchase :)

hope you all have a great week!

peace :)

droid.

took the plunge.

one word: awesome (:

:)

mood: blessed.

this is exactly how it should be when it's meant to be... :)

haiti relief efforts...

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in light of the devastating earthquake in haiti, i urge everyone to become part of the relief effort. whether you physically go and help out, get on your knees and pray, financially support ground efforts, or help spread awareness, please, please, please get involved. there's no way to prevent natural disasters, but that doesn't mean we should remain idle in the aftermath.

the following are great ways to get involved:

• doctors without borders: you can donate any amount you wish. http://doctorswithoutborders.org/
• you can text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 (charged to your phone bill.) to the Red Cross relief efforts and/or go to http://www.redcross.org to donate to the International Response Fund.
• Text "Yele" to 501501 to donate $5 to the Haiti relief efforts (charged to your phone bill.)

MSNBC has also compiled a list of organizations that you can get involved with.

praying for all those affected,

peace.

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erasing cesar chavez...

this is beyond ridiculous. please read the article below (found here) and sign the petition!

Texas Board of Ed. Attempting to Erase Cesar Chavez from Textbooks

On Jan. 13, the Board of Education will hold a preliminary vote to determine whether or not they should adopt new standards for social studies texts in the state of Texas. In question is whether or not Cesar Chavez, along with all other Hispanics since the conquest of Mexico in the early 16th century, should be removed from textbooks.

Gail Lowe, a staunch Republican and right-wing ideologue, hired a panel of "experts" to review the curriculum after being appointed last summer by Gov. Rick Perry to chair the Texas State Board of Education. One of them suggested removing Cesar Chavez, arguably the most important Latino civil rights leader of the 20th century, from the social studies books, stating that Chavez, “lacks the stature, impact and overall contributions of so many others" and that he should not be "held up to our children as someone worthy of emulation."

Lowe's review was sparked by complaints by Board members and their appointees about an "over representation of minorities" in the current social studies curriculum. The whole situation is hysterically ironic given the fact that the majority of children in the public school system in the state of Texas are Latino. But apparently, for the Texas school board, Chavez and the one other Latina currently mentioned—Irma Rangel, the first Hispanic woman elected to the state Legislature—are just too much.

If you couldn't get through that last paragraph without laughing (or crying) you are not alone. TheUnited Farm Workers, one of the many organizations Chavez, himself a farm worker and labor leader, founded, has started a petition to help stop the Texas board of education from passing these ludicrous changes to the social studies curriculum. Visit their website to sign up and let the Texas school board know how important it is for our children to learn about historically significant Latinos: www.ufw.org

somehow, this proposal would make soooo much more sense if we switched out Cesar's name with Bush's name. it would go something like...

One of them suggested removing George W. Bush from books, stating that Bush “lacks the stature, impact and overall contributions of so many others" and that he should not be "held up to our children as someone worthy of emulation."

this sounds sooo much more reasonable to us!! now sign that petition and pass it on to as many people as possible!

¡que se escuche la voz del pueblo!