Six Things About This Week

1 - Ron and I have had a streak of super simple Valentine's day dates. This year was no different so that made me super happy. He picked me up after his work, handed me a big bouquet and took me to the mall to eat at Potato Corner and drink Tapioca Milk Tea. I am possibly the cheapest date a guy could ever have and I am proud of that.

2 - I feel like things are falling into place. Sorry for being vague but I should talk about it soon here. I'm just not ready yet and I don't want to jinx anything. Just know that I'm happy and excited.

3 - Fox is so cute. But you already know that so...

4 - We're driving to my mom's to have brunch to celebrate her birthday tomorrow (technically) today. It's safe to say I'm quite excited. Fox is also coming with us because as my mom said, "I can't celebrate my birthday without my grand dog." I think that's her way of saying that she's ready for another grandchild. Not yet, mom. Just you wait.

5 - I [finally] bought a monthly planner. I had it back when I was going to school and I feel like I'm going to need it again. Oh and yes, I'm going back to school. I'm so thrilled and nervous at the same time. I'm nervous about taking too many classes that I stress myself out too much but that's what I need in my life right now, a little bit of challenge. :)

6 - If you haven't heard yet, I'm having a closet sale because I am decluttering. And it's on Instagram, come take a look! :) http://instagram.com/prelovedbyj

Los Angeles-ing

Last week, my sister, our friend and I went to an adventure and met up in LA. We walked around to talk to some people to see if they have any job openings and also found a place where I can get my ring fixed - I lost a baguette and also wanted to get my ring cleaned.

Our first stop was at the Grand Central Market. The place has such a rich history, the place has been open since 1917 -- that's nearly a century! There were so many restaurants to choose from, if I didn't know what I was craving for, it would probably take me over fifteen minutes to choose what I'll be eating. They also have stands that sell fresh fruits and vegetables at a low cost. I've wanted to buy from there but I was going to take public transpo and I didn't want to train surf holding a bag of fruits. Oh and Epi stopped by to eat with us during her lunch break.

After Epi was off from work, we met up with her again to have coffee at Barista Society Coffee Boutique. I had their Iced Caramel Latte but it was too good that I inhaled it and didn't have a chance to take a picture of it. That night, I slept at around 3am because that shit was strong.

When they dropped me off at Union Station, I took my time walking to my platform and took a few pictures.

I took this last picture while I was on the platform, waiting for the train. The sky was so pretty that I could not help but take my camera out of my bag again to snap a couple of photos.

Finally, A Week Wrap Up Link Up!+++

I have Lisa (Ameliorer le Vie) and Rachel (The Rachel Way) to thank for this. I have been looking for a link up for sooo long [EDIT:It is not until tomorrow! I was a bit too excited ;)]. Is this not "in" anymore? Because I've been looking for one to discover new blogs to follow and link ups used to be my way to go when I started growing my blog. Oh wells, I have pictures to share from the past week. :)

I went to the Pasadena Humane Society last week to see if the Papillon in their list that we saw at their adoption event in Eagle Rock is still available. He was not there anymore, it broke my heart a little but it made me happy that someone decided to take him in and become someone else's family.

I took a good mid-day walk around Old Town Monrovia after finally getting my library card. It's been a while since I've been in one. So cool.

My frozen yogurt fix after months, and months, and months of craving it. Plain frozen yogurt, a little bit of Creme Brulee yogurt, mochi, mangoes, cheesecake bites and one brownie bite. #nomnomnom



Dog has gotten good with socializing. Also, after taking him to the dog park for the second time, I noticed that his run is bouncier and he is more excited about everything now. My friend compared it to kids becoming more confident after they go to school. :)

+It finally rained here! Thank God. Winter in Los Angeles has been a joke until Wednesday night when we noticed that it was getting pretty chilly and then on Thursday, it rained. We are still on drought alert though.

+This week, I learned to shoot using the Manual Mode of our DSLR! Yay!

+Superbowl todaaaay! Go Seahawks!

Photography Friday

Since I have recently gotten my photography groove back, I have decided I should join the Photography Friday link up on This Analog Adventure. Also, I think I should also mention that I am in love with The Analog Adventure ever since I discovered it last week. As you can see, it has also made its way to my "Reads," see my right side pane.

A few weeks ago, I found a Groupon for Chimpsy's 4 Weeks to Manual online class. They hold an hour-long live class every Monday for 4 Mondays, but for me who signed up late and/or forgets about the classes, they have the videos available, given that the paying student has the password.

I've gotten through the first hour and a half of the videos. It felt like have already learned a lot so I decided to put it to good use and go to the dog park and shoot. Only a few of the shots came out nice enough without editing though. Nonetheless, I'm sharing those few SOOC (straight out of camera) here today. :)

It still feels weird sharing photos that I have not edited on here. It feels like going out of the house without my rings, you know, that I-feel-naked feeling. 'Kay, off to jump around in the link up...



PS. Bye-bye, January.

Hers and His: Topshop and Topman

Ron and I have been in a Topshop and Topman craze for the past few weeks. I have been finding myself and him looking through their site, especially their sale items. Although he could not pick any item he likes from Topman, I am able to find some for them and just ask him if he wants them when he gets home. If you didn't know yet, both brands are having a 30% off sale items promotion plus use code: 6088512061237406. I found that code online and have been using it for additional 10% discount (currently 20% off at Topman).

Black Trousers: $45 $10 $9
Bikini Top (similar): $26 $6 $5.40
Bikini Bottom: $16 $4 $3.60
Meggings (similar): $36 $10 $8
Chino Pants (similar): $52 $15 $12

Topshop Goods:
Black pants. Because I need black pants. Like, REALLY need them. The only black trouser I own are way too tight right now. Hahaha! I've worn this pair for an interview already and hopefully in many more to come or maybe that's the last interview I'm going to wear it at...if you know what I mean. :)

A bikini top and a bottom. You're probably thinking, "It's winter, why would you need those," right? Well, try living in California and you'll know why. LOL We have been having summer weather here since the week of Christmas. It's not so fun for me. I don't like hot weather as much as I should.

I also bought a bag with this order. I got it so I have something to use when I start to go back to school. I can use it casually too because the size is perfect for my stuff and the extra stuff I bring for Fox (you know, pet wipes, poop bags, treats, food, etc). I can also stick a light cardigan in there in case the weather acts weird...like it has for the past few of weeks. Unfortunately, they did not have it on stock anymore when they were packing my order. I was really sad and was so disappointed that I got to a point where I told Ron, "Sorry if I'm being materialistic, I just really wanted that bag." On the bright side, Topshop offered me expedited shipping for my next order. :)

Topman Goods:
Chino Pants. We got this in navy and gray but Ron already put the navy one in the laundry basket so let's just skip it. We ordered size 32L because they were out of 32R. When the pants arrived in the mail, Ron fell in love with the cuffed bottom of the pants. We always skip those when we're at the mall because we thought it's not Ron's style. Clearly, we were wrong. It is indeed his style and they look good with his Jordans.

Meggings. Don't worry, Ron won't be wearing this in public. Probably under his snowpants if we ever go snowboarding or under his jeans when we go somewhere cold. Let's say, Seattle...which is happening in 5 weeks! So excited!!!

Bad to the Bone: Mr. Barker

So you guys all know Bill Nye the Science Guy? He probably taught you a lot of things when you were a kid that you have already forgotten. LOL For the younger ones, he had a show that taught kids about science or better yet, click here.

So our office company has been talking to Bill Nye and we actually got to meet the guy last winter and again, this summer. Well, I took Fox with me that day Bill Nye was coming in because I forgot he was going to stop by. You see, Fox is a very barky dog and for some reason, he doesn't like thin, tall men. He always barks at the guys we see in our walks that fit the description. I guess it's a "trigger" for him because he used to be owned by an old man who cannot take care of him anymore - and that's the reason why Fox was rescued.

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Sunday Social

I decided, I will link up with Neely for Sunday Social today. I haven't done this in a while too and this week is about TV shows so here goes! :)

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I'm Now Married But...

...I really have to link up with Erin and MacKensie for Flirting with Disaster! I guess today was a really good day to link up, eh? 

So over 5 years ago, a close friend invited me, my sister and another friend to go to his hotel so we can hangout. We haven't seen each other for many months because he's in the USAF and he's not in LA often. We headed to his hotel thinking it was only going to be us and a couple of people he works with.

Less than an hour after we got to his hotel, we heard a knock. When he opened the door, a bunch of guys walked in. There was a long-haired guy, a guy I never saw after that party, a guy in a black shirt, a really quiet guy who didn't like beer and a guy in a jersey (SERIOUSLY, WHO GOES TO A PARTY IN A JERSEY?).

Being one of the only two straight girls in the room, I was so thankful I got some "training" in college with my guy friends on being the only girl in the room. Plus, I was already buzzed enough to mingle when they got there. I don't think I flirted with anyone. Okay, I think I did…with a couple of them. All was good but the guy in a jersey bothered me so much that I had to ask why he's wearing a jersey. He said he thought it was only going to be them – I guess he assumed it was going to be a sausage fest? Still, nobody should be wearing a jersey to a party. When we got home, my sister and I were convinced that jersey guy is gay and he wore the jersey to make it seem like he's straight. I'm sorry for being judgmental. [MOM, PLEASE STOP READING NOW!] A few months after, that guy and I hooked up and that made me stop wondering if he was gay. We had a dangerous type of friendship, the one where there are benefits. #ModelChildNoMore

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It's Okay Thursday: Strange Month [so far]

So the past few weeks have been weird. They're not super strange but things that usually don't happen [well...] happened. Aside from thinking that finding a crack on my phone case, texting a picture of my ankles to friends and sisters, finally being able to convince my sister to stop by our house (my baking worked! LOL) and the battery of the DSLR not lasting 3 weeks are okay...

It's okay to...

-Have a swollen right ankle because of driving on LA's surface streets. I actually have tendonitis. 4 miles in 40 mintes. It's better now though but still, #NotFunny.

-Buy random stuff for your house like you just moved to a new place. Sheer curtains, a pair of red pillow cases, a tray for our ottoman, and foldable beach chairs [only $6.88 at the Home Depot, go buy now]. A grill...which leads me to the next one...

-Willingly drive a truck because you do not own one and you have no way to take it home. LOL Oh and yes, I was able to do it despite my tendonitis. ;)

-Let Ron watch The Craziest Videos' videos on their Facebook page using MY iphone for an entire night.

-Wake up weighing 124.2lbs on 4/5. And because that's the lightest you have been in years, you decide to eat at the Indian buffet next to the office for lunch that day and have all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue on Saturday. Yep, 125lbs is the goal. ;)

-Finally make Banana Muffins with Dark Chocolate morsels after months of saying you'll do it. Better late than never.

-Park right in front of Party City where you're going to buy something for an important party but walk around the plaza first and stop by Bed Bath and Beyond Marshalls. Then walk back to Party City and find out they close at 8:30pm. It's 8:40pm. #Fail LOL

-Wake up at 4:30 to work a bit (uhm, clients in the east coast), get ready for work, and right when you get in your car, you need to answer emails and it gets to a point where it's too late for you to leave and get to work on time so you stay at home and work and then leave when things calm down.
It was actually a good change in my routine except for the part where I woke up Ron while resetting the router and he thought I was a burglar. Sorry [again], love!

-Get to work late and have your heart pumping fast and your hands shaking because of the coffee you just had.

How is April going for you?

Happies and Crappies

I'm linking up with The Vintage Modern Wife today for Happies and Crappies! This was such a quiet and week with tidbits of randomness.

Happies

My eczema is gone. Well, I'm not really sure but it feels like or looks like eczema if I based it on  the symptoms I read online. I applied Cortizone at least 5 times and it was gone! I should have gotten the ointment back in Fall when I had the dry skin flair up. Oh me. #SMH

60 Days. I've been working out for more than 60 days. I love this lifestyle change I willingly gotten into. I will definitely make walking in swimsuits my thing this summer. :)

Ron and I saw my mom and one of our best friends.

It rained this week. Rain makes me happy.

I did more than a couple walk breaks during the week. A new goal of mine is to walk for at least 20 minutes at least once a day.

Ron took me shopping on a random day where I got three dresses and a couple of accessories! Weeee!

Crappies

I overate a this week.

My days were too caffeine driven. I almost fell asleep behind the wheel. It was pretty scary. I will not drive sleepy EVER AGAIN.

Actually, this seems like a pretty awesome week! ;)

Happies and Crappies

Hey! It's my first time joining...*drum roll*

Happies

-Ron is almost done with his bike parts shopping spree. His bike looks handsome (like him) by the way.

-I had lunch with my sister and my best friend. It's been a while.

-As of Tuesday, I have officially lost 8.3 lbs. That's equivalent to a few inches all around my body.
-I am almost halfway my 90-day workout. 45 days to go and I can do the 30-day shred! 
-My mom's birthday is on Sunday. Another year of blessings for her! Yay!
-Ron said that his coworkers love that I pack lunch for him. I only do it on days when they don't have food at work though. :)
-That I realized that I'm always lucky to wake up and have another day and be able to tell Ron I love him. Yes, that's the last and the first thing I do everyday.
-Getting something in the mail with us addressed as husband and wife.

-Valentine's Day was perfect.

Our office got us all these treats!

A+ for effort. I mean seriously, who got the same thing from
their special one? ;)

Crappies

-My favorite vegan leather pleather jacket is starting to run big.
-I missed Saturday, Monday and Thursday's workout.
-News about Christopher Dorner. #YouCantKillFireWithFire

Valentine's Day Link Up

It's finally here! Happy Valentine's day everyone!

If you have not heard of this link up yet, well, let me warn you, it's so much fun! Ron and I literally took this in front of each other and I could NOT wait to see his answers.

HOST:

The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife

COHOSTS:

JanLoves, The Marvelous Flight of Cara, Delightfully Dunn, From Awkward to Art, Planned in Pencil,   Jessica Who?, Northern Belle Diaries, You and Me are We, The Family Darr, Songbirds and Buttons, The Grace of Southern Charm, Just Simply Live, Pretty Living PDX, The Lemonade Diaries, Life as I know it

Here are the instructions:

1. Fill out the Valentines Day Questions. You can find them here.
2. Hand over the same set of questions to your spouse and see if they can answer the questions about 3. you.  Write your post and compare both of your answers

4. Link up your blog post below! 
 

Now check out how my husband and I did! :D

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Valentine's Day Link Up Questions

Do you guys remember the Valentine's Day link up I was telling you about? To refresh your memory, here are the details: I will be co-hosting a Valentine's Day link up with Melissa of The Life of a Not so Ordinary Wife! It was so much fun to do for me and Ron! It's always thrilling to find out if he remembers or not ;)

HOST:
The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife

COHOSTS:
JanLoves, The Marvelous Flight of Cara, Delightfully Dunn, From Awkward to Art, Planned in Pencil,   Jessica Who?, Northern Belle Diaries, You and Me are We, The Family Darr, Songbirds and Buttons, The Grace of Southern Charm, Just Simply Live, Pretty Living PDX, The Lemonade Diaries, Life as I know it
Here are the instructions:

1. Fill out the questions below with your answers
2. Hand over the same set of questions to your spouse and see if they can answer the questions about you. 
3. Write your post and compare both of your answers
4. Link up here on February 14th

We are so excited to read all the fun answers, should be interesting to say the least.

Here are the questions: Feel free to add or take away any questions you want.
How long have you been married?
Where was your first date?
Where was your first kiss?
Who first said, "I love you"?
What were your wedding colors?
What is her most commonly used phrase?
Who is her celebrity crush?
If she was ordering drinks for both of you what would you each get?
What is the best meal she has ever cooked you?
What is the worst meal she has ever cooked you?
What is the most-played song on her iPod?
What would she say is your most annoying habit?
What is the last thing she does before she goes to bed?
If you could throw out one item of her clothing what would it be?
What would you say is your favorite thing about her?
What's her blog name?!

Are you in? We'd love for you to talk about this link up on your blog! Let me know if you're doing it! :)

It's Okay Thursday

Here or Here

It's okay to get jealous of your husband whose fitness goal is the totally opposite of yours.

It's okay to eat whatever you want sometimes. Stop making yourself feel guilty.

It's okay to see that you gained a pound after eating out for two days. It's water weight, honey.

It's okay to not buy new clothes. Isn't that surprising? I did not buy any new clothes in January! No new nail polishes either. Yay me! ;)

It's okay to cheer for yourself.

It's okay to sneak in some Cookie Butter in your diet. According to a study, sweets make you feel happy.

It's okay to run the dryer before you go to sleep and wait till tomorrow when you get home after work to fold the clothes. LOL Or am I the only one?

It's okay to not blog ALL the time. You don't cook and bake all the time either and you love doing those too.

It's okay to blog all the time. ;)

It's okay to ruin your own appetite. I mean, who would have thought sunflower kernels can ruin an appetite?

PS
I have something awesome in store for you guys tomorrow so make sure to check back! Hint: $100.

Valentine's Day Link Up

Oh hello! Today's my Monday and it's not too fun. LOL Anyway, like I said yesterday, I will be co-hosting a Valentine's Day link up with Melissa of The Life of a Not so Ordinary Wife! It's so exciting! Ron and I already answered the questions and some of our answers cracked us up!

Here is what you need to do:
The post is basically just a questionnaire that you will fill out first trying to guess what your spouse will say. Then your spouse will fill out the survey and we'll compare answers in the post!

Are you in? We'd love for you to talk about the link up on your blog.

Watch out for February 7th for the questions! :)