Hopeless Romantic

TV Show: How I Met Your Mother. Can we talk about how amazing season 8 and 9 have been? Yeah, I've been basket case (as usual) in a good way. They are doing an incredible job wrapping this season up with Ted's search for his Mrs. and just dang personality is hitting way to close to home.

Moment: I have several. Turing in my TWS (kind of like my dissertation for teachers). 

Having a wonderful conversation with my room mate. We were talking about a boy who currently has a girlfriend that I used to have to a thing with. I was describing how I feel around him to her and I realized those words have never come out of my mouth before. I  completely trust him, don't feel like I need to change myself in any way, or not measure up to his insane standards like it has been with past guys. He completely believes in me to be a great person, a great teacher, and inspires me to be my best. I know that doesn't sound like a big deal, but it rocked my world. It sucks that I figured this out now, but I left the conversation so happy because I know that regardless of who I end up with it'll be like that. And that is a crazy wonderful thing. I remember telling my best friend that I couldn't even imagine being in love, falling in love, because all I knew was pain. All I know is assholes. And while I'm not remotely in love, it was big moment to hear myself describe that person that way. And remembering the way he looked at me. <3 It gives me hope and makes me happy. I hope that makes a bit of sense!

Beauty tip: taking make up off with olive oil. I'd heard it before, and thought it was stupid but then reheard it on a beauty video and tried it. It really works! I've also been using it as a moisturizer at night because I didn't feel like purchasing another lotion that didn't contain spf. I feel my eyelashes are in great shape because of it. 


Linking up with the cutest mama to be Katie Did What

Even so...(some things I'm loving)

Isn't that picture so calming? I live in the middle of nowhere. Well (by my definition as a city girl) and I took this while driving (BAD idea, DON'T do it!). I added the lyrics this week and it just makes me happy. So, it's a favorite.

Moment: Finding out I passed my Texas teacher certification test! Wohoo! One step closer :)

Food: I've always had a love affair with almonds. It's almost an addiction. If it has almonds in it, especially if its an ice cream. But anyways, lately I've been eating a serving of almonds mixed with a few dark chocolate chips. It's delish. And it's perfect because I'm kinda headache prone and when I eat this, I feel a lot better. I may or may not be eating it at this very moment.

Thankful for: Amazing teachers. I am currently in student teaching and have had my fair share of professors. I emailed my professor from last year freaking out because I was doing my TWS (teacher work sample...kind of like a dissertation for teachers) wrong and I didn't know how to fix it. She gave me her number, and we talked. She helped me figure out how to fix it. And it meant a lot to me.

TV show: Once Upon a Time and Say Yes to the Dress. Just love them both. Happy shows :)

What are your favorites this week? And don't forget to follow so you don't miss a post! It would make me extra happy.

Linking up with Katie Did What

Graduation, Zumba, and Grapes (Some Things I'm Loving)

Song: Um, this is awkward. No song, just STILL listening to HP #7. You'd think as often as I drive, I'd be done by now. 

Moment: I have two but technically they're related. I PASSED MY PPR (Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities, basically, a teacher test...and I studied for the wrong test!)...and... I APPLIED TO GRADUATE COLLEGE. December 2013, baby!

Clothing: all of it, none of it. Remember my minimalist comment from the previous post? It's officially in high gear. Thanks to this blog. Now, I will not be following "the challenge" but I do like the idea of not having a lot, or over abundance of clothes but strictly having a wardrobe that goes with your lifestyle. For me, its teacher/ slightly professional looking outfits. Hello, project!

Food: Champagne grapes. They're so precious. And cute. So obviously, fun to eat. 

TV Show: Criminal Minds. Enough said.

Workout: Zumba!! SO. MUCH. FUN. My friend and I are taking it at a local intermediate school. Only $2 a lesson! It's twice a week and we sweat. A lot. I think I'm going to try a step class out this week too. 

You're probably wondering about that little dog in my picture above. His name is Maxwell. We're good friends. He's a Pomeranian. Or as I like to call it, a dog that looks like a cat. He also acts like a cat. Anyways.

Linked up with Katie Did What

20 things

I'm not really a selfie taker. Mostly because I feel like an idiot whenever I do it. I mean, I know what I look like, so its fine. But my mom made me this skirt (and 7 others just like it in different fabrics!!!) so I naturally posted this pic on instagram.

Speaking of instagram, I've seen this tag going around where you posted 20 random things about yourself, and I thought that might be a fun to introduce myself a little more :) 

1. I hate cherry flavoring, yuckkk! But the fruit is yummy.
2. I'm usually trying to eat healthy/ on a diet, and failing miserably because diets make me sad. But I still feel like I should lose the weight I gained in college, about 15lbs. I don't want to talk about it.
3. My self esteem is all over the place. Sometimes, I feel awesome. Other times, I want to hide in a closet forever. Usually because I feel fat. And these emotions usually occur within five minutes of each other. 
4. I'm constantly thinking about how I can become a better person. Even in little things, like the way I cut meat. 
5. I also try to look at situations (even stupid ones) from every possible point of view and try to make a decision that will upset the least amount people.
6. I am a people pleaser. (See above).
7. I have a fairly sarcastic sense of humor.
8. I really like the muppets. 
9. I have minimalist tendencies. Not hard core ones, though. But, I go through my closet probably every month or so and get rid of things I don't wear. I hate the idea of excess. I'm not saying I don't like having nice things, I just can't stand the thought of having 87 purses that look similar. I don't want to have more clothes than it is possible for me to wear. I just don't understand the point. If I'm not continuously using something, I want to get rid of it. But, I want everything that I do have, to be something I love. And side note, I only apply these principles to myself. It doesn't bother me if other people have a ton of clothes, or anything like that.I actually don't even notice. But, I could never own 53 pairs of underwear. There's only one of me. I can only wear one pair of underwear at a time. There are 7 days in a week. I do my laundry every 2 weeks. Therefore, I need about 14-18 pairs of underwear. That's it. But they better be super cute. 
10. I'm long winded. (see above). But seriously, I cannot stand knick knacks. Again, see above. I have friends who have walked into my room and told me its practically empty. (Side note: I put up pictures on my wall! It doesn't look as empty anymore!)
11. I'm addicted to chocolate chip cookies from chickfila. Try one. You'll be addicted too. 
12. Speaking of addictions, one word: pinterest. Follow me. It'll be fun.
13. I am an incredibly nervous and high stress person. But secretly. In fact, I didn't even realize it until recently. I get nervous about stupid little things. My thoughts get faster, and I have to really think about it to calm myself down. However, you would not know that from just observing me. I hide it very well, most of the time.
14. I am not a very touchy person, unfortunately. I am kind of trying to get over it. But I'm not trying all that hard. 
15. I love fashion, but whenever I go shopping, I suddenly have no idea what I am doing.
16. I have a bizillion things I'd like to become awesome at: photography, yoga, painting, longboarding, cosmetology. 
17. I LOVE makeup. The minimalist in me is having a really hard time with how much makeup I own. I see a purge in my future.
18. I love Jesus.
19. I seriously wish everything in my purse was the cutest thing you've ever seen in your life. But sadly, I'm not quite there yet. Someday.
20. I really love my life. 

And there you have it, twenty facts about yours truly. Now it's your turn. Tell me everything! Or at least a few, in the comments below and don't forget to follow this blog! :)

Love, 

Maria

Counting Stars (some things I'm loving)

Color: Ok, I realize this is a bit strange. But lately, I've been really into the color purple. I also think that's a movie. But seriously, I am currently wearing a purple shirt and its the only thing that is purple in my closet. This needs to change, stat. I've also been obsessed with maroon. I have acted on that though. I have a super cute sweater, that I will probably only be able to wear for two months. Thank you Texas.

Song: Counting Stars by OneRepublic. Minor confession, when I first heard this on the radio, I thought the DJ said this song was by One Direction, and I desperately tried to NOT like it. It was impossible. Not trying to hate on One Direction but they aren't my favorite. 
Point is, this song was immediately bought and will be put on repeat until I hate it. 

App(s):  C25K Free, which I believe stands for 'Couch to 5K'. Its basically like I having my very own personal trainer while running. The app tells you when to walk, and then run. It's only 30 mins, three times a week. My sister-in-law told me about it. I'm obsessed. And my brother told me about 'Map My Run' which maps your run (duh) and also tells you how many calories burned. And my friend Kaitlyn reminded me Pandora exists. So I just run all three of those apps, and it works beautifully. 

I'm going to post my goal for the next week, which is to drink more water. Fingers crossed!

Linked up with Mrs. Katie of Katie did what, which is one the cutest names for a blog, ever. And her hubby taught me how to make a banner for my blog! Check it out, here
Also with Lauren Elizabeth, who is pretty cool!

What were your favorites this week? Let me know in the comments! I'd love to hear about them :)

Make Your Banana Pancakes and Pretend Like it's the Weekend

So lately I have been on health kick. It sucks. To be completely honest. I am junk food person, always have been and probably always will. I love Chickfila, Steak n' Shake, and McDonalds french fries. And Dr Pepper. And chips. And frozen yogurt. You get the point. 

But I realized that over the last two years of college, I gained the dreaded freshman 15. WHY GOD WHY?! Taco Bell, I'm looking at you. I don't even really like Taco Bell. Anyways, I know that I felt a lot more comfortable at the weight I was when I started college, and want to get back there. 

I've been eating as healthy as I can the last few weeks, I haven't weighed myself and honestly losing weight for me is pretty difficult, which is awesome. Therefore, weighing myself might make me cry because I don't think I have lost weight. But, I feel 100x's better. I'm trying to severely limit processed foods, white sugars, and basically anything that tastes good. I jest. My point is, I eat fruits, veggies, and meat. Kind of like the Paleo diet, but not really. I would get hungry pretty quickly after each meal I ate, and I realized it was because I wasn't eating enough or drinking enough water. For some reason, drinking any substance is really difficult for me. But, I found a recipe that has saved my sanity. And I thought I would share it with you :) 

Banana Pancakes

Doesn't this look yummy? Two eggs scrambled combined with a one banana mashed really well. Cook like a pancake. I also topped one with a tiny bit of honey and a small handful of dark chocolate chips. Then I placed the second pancake on top of the first and smeared some homemade almond butter on top of it. Deeelicious. You can also just do one egg and one banana, which is what I usually do and add a sprinkle of nutmeg and cinnamon to the "batter".

 

And the second recipe I just tried out tonight. Almond cups. Like peanut butter cups but with almonds. Yum. However, use a silicone cup cake liner or buy mini cupcake liners. Don't just grease the pan, because that doesn't work. Just trust me on that one.  Recipe is here.

The Ghoul in Pajamas

A "things I'm loving" post inspired by the lovely Katie, of Katie Did What

Book: The Ghoul in Pajamas. Also known as the sixth chapter in the seventh book in the Harry Potter series. Nerd alert. Believe it or not, I was never into the HP series when it actually came out and I haven't seen the movies, either (shock, horror, gasp). 

Lets rewind to spring break, 2013. I had no plans. I'm not cool enough for that. So I did what any self respecting future teacher does...work on assignments. While making this (which was a ridiculous amount of work btw) I started listening to the first HP and the obsession was born. 

 

Workout: Thailand Tush

This hurts. But I feel like I get a really strong workout. My legs burn, but in a good way. And I like this whole, weekly Saturday favorites thing because it keeps me accountable to work out. Because honestly, I hate working out. Moving on.

Article of Clothing: This shirt. I wore this slammin' ensemble on the fourth on July. Shirt bought at Francesca's. 

Food: Everything. Ha, just kidding. My friend, Kim, and I went to the Black Walnut Cafe
and I had the best burger I've had in a long time. I should have taken a picture, but I devoured it in about five seconds. Sooo delicious. 


Thanks so much Katie, for this awesome idea! Check out her post here.


What have you been loving this week? Comment and tell me! I'd love to know :)