Setting off the Alarm - oops

Yesterday was Day 1 of dog sitting for the cutie, Mabel, Jose's pup.  Jose is the greatest friend I have met down here!  He's out of town for the weekend and I get dog duty.  I grew up with a dog in the house, the best dog in the world, Baren, and I used to dog sit for an old boss all the time, so I know how to take care of a dog.  But for what ever reason I was really nervous about watching Mabel.  Maybe because she hasn't had tons of time to get to know me and trust me or maybe because she thinks Im trying to take Jose from her, haha but I don't want to mess anything up. 

I was also nervous about setting off the house alarm.  It's not hard - there are 5 buttons to push to disarm and 6 to push to arm.  Everything went great getting into the house.  Then it was time to leave.  I put Mabel away, set the alarm and left the house, all good.  Then I realized my keys were in the house.  Back in I went, causing Mabel to cry and I couldn't find my keys.  Remember how I said there are 5 buttons to push to disarm... yeah, I only hit 4.  The alarm went off.  I'm such an idiot.  HA.  The nice man at the security company called and we had a laugh.  Now I'm even more nervous.  It's not hard, I should be able to do this.

dresses and furniture shopping.

Last night I had packed with plans and didn't really know where I was going to fit my new thing of the day.  Luckily where we decided to go to dinner was new to me and just perfect!

I had to hit up my all-time favorite store, Anthropologie, while it was still Friends and Family time to get some new clothes - success!  I'm not sure what it is these days, but the maxi dresses are long enough for me!  I can't help but to buy them!!

This is my new one from last night.  I can't wait to wear it.  It's going to be the perfect weekend dress, the perfect dress for work with a cardigan and the perfect going out dress to dress up with jewelry.  LOVE IT.

Then it was off to Ikea to look around.  I got some new bowls and curtains for my living room.  I know what I'll be doing one night this week.  I'd like to have my apartment 100% ready when my parents come up in May.  Not much more to go, but still have some furniture shopping to do.  I really want this dresser.  I don't have a linen closet so all of my towels and blankets are still in two boxes by my bathroom (I sold most of my stuff from my last apt) - not pretty.  I could have not bought the dress and bought the dresser... but I can't wear the dresser out to dinner!  I also need to make sure I know where I can put it.  I love that it's red!  All of my other furniture is black, but I have a lot of color in my bedroom so I don't think it will be a problem.

iPhon apps: Whole Foods

I have a lot of Apps on my phone.  Some I use everyday, some I rarely touch.  Some I downloaded when I got my phone (I'm talking about you Shazam) that I've never actually used. 

One of these Apps is the Whole Foods Recipes App.  I downloaded it weeks, maybe months, ago and never used it.  Last night I decided to give it a try.  There are two ways to do a recipe search.
1. by course, category or special diets
2. by what you have on hand in the pantry

I tend to use option 2 most often when playing with the App, or searching for any recipe really.  You can also create a list of favorite recipes and once you've chosen a recipe to try, the App allows you create a grocery list that you can actually cross off items. 

Blossom-Topped Cupcakes

So since I never bake just because I thought it was a good idea last night.  After all this is the year I try to do something new everyday, of course if time permits :)


Cupcakes! Aren't these just the cutest? I love those butterflies. Yum, yum, yum! Danni, my roomie and I made these cupcakes last night--mini and extra large ones. She ate four. I ate 6. *Blush face*


Here's the recipe! 

Makes16 cupcakes

• Active time:40 min.
• Start to finish:1 hr. 20 min.
• For cupcakes

• 16 (2 1/2-inch) paper muffin-cup liners
• 2 cups cake flour (not self-rising)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

For frosting

• 2 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup confectioners sugar
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon rosewater (optional)
• Garnish:

• nontoxic and organic (pesticide-free) small roses, pansies, and scented geranium leaves and blackberries dusted with confectioners sugar
  
  
  Make cupcakes:

• Preheat oven to 350°F and line 16 (1/3-cup) muffin cups with paper muffin-cup liners.
• Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Beat together butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, and with mixer on low speed beat in milk and vanilla until just combined (batter will separate). Add flour mixture in 3 batches, beating until just combined after each addition.
• Divide batter among muffin cups and bake in middle of oven until a tester comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Cool cupcakes in pan on a rack 5 minutes and remove from pan.
  
  
  Make frosting:

• Beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add confectioners sugar and beat on low speed until incorporated. Add lemon juice and rosewater and beat until smooth.
• Frost cupcakes and garnish.

Cooks’ notes:

• You can make cupcakes 1 day ahead (leave them unfrosted) and keep them in an airtight container at room temperature.
• Frosting may be made 2 days ahead and chilled, covered (beat until smooth before using) 

The Flower I adore....

I got to my desk this morning and I found these Easter Lilies that I adore oh so much.  With a letter that says "Just because you're wonderful & beautiful"... but didn't say who they were from.  I asked and asked around but no one had a clue (so they told me).  It's actually kind of funny, I've been going through a rough patch in my life no one knows (because I'd rather not talk too much about my problems, especially to coworkers, no offense but there are lines you should not cross)... so this made today so much better and just for the day I completely forgot about my problems. So if you're reading this, thank you, may you be blessed, I wish you happiness and love.  It made me day better.  It's the little things in life, people. Always remember to say thanks and count you blessings (from whichever God(s) you believe in). 

Solution to clear skin.

My mom, being the Latina she had all these skin care products growing up... but living in Florida you really don't need any type of face cream/lotion because of the humidity, you'll sweat it off, got to love that 99% humidity.  But indoors with A/C was another story she always had her nighttime skin care regimen: acne stuff and moisturizer.  As an adult (and being cheap) I used Noxzema and Trader Joe's moisturizer before bed and in the morning I will use Josie Maran, if I am going out).  I've never really had acne, but once in awhile especially that time of the month I'll get several white heads (GROSS). All changed when I found Murad Acne Clarifying Cleanser.  Now I don't even get that gross skin at that time of the month. 

Murad Acne Clarifying Cleanser is one of the best when it comes to deep-cleaning clogged pores. This gel, featuring antibacterial triclosan and salicylic acid, helps to gently but effectively reduce acne blemishes to keep skin clear. I got mine at sephora.com

a few random things you may not know about me....

1. I don't wear face make up but I do wear eye make up and I am obsessed with eye shadows, this is my favorite palette isn't it pretty? UPDATE! I have discovered tinted moisturizer by Josie Maran at Sephora, it's the best thing ever, kind of a little on the expensive side but it lasts forever and comes in tons of different tints (shades) plus it has 30 SPF!!   
2. I absolutely hate the smell/taste of mayo
3. When I'm driving in the car, I tend to be constantly changing the radio station! My mom is the same way. 
4. I have a glass of wine pretty much every night.
5. I like dogs more than people. 
6. To cut time I brush my teeth in the shower. 
7. I hate the color orange... but I feel so much pride wearing UT orange gear. Weird?
8. I always speak in a Russian accent because I think it's hilarious. 
9. I have played piano since I was 5
10.  I used to think I was adopted because I was so different from the rest of my family
11. I have only 34 contacts in my phone because I can memorize numbers like a champ.
12. I HATE mornings
13. I am not religious at ALL and that's pretty much the only beef my family has with me (I hope)
14. I almost went East for school on a swimming scholarship
15. I think 14 facts are enough for now

What's the big deal?

I'm pretty lucky, my apartment is in a walkable part of town and it allows me to get out and do things without having to worry about parking or driving home after drinking.  I won't live in Downtown forever, so while I'm here I plan to do as much walking and exploring as I can fit into my few years.

On these walks, I often pass a pretty large Starbucks with a nice patio.  The inside and patio of the coffee shop are always full, no matter what time of day I walk or drive by.  It made me curious - what do these people do in Starbucks that makes it so much fun.  Maybe I'm just late to the game, but I've never been one to pack up my computer or a book and head to Starbucks in the chance that I'll get one of their comfortable chairs to sit in for an hour or two.  I don't see the benefits to that.  I love my couch at home, why would I leave?  And at my home I have wine.

So last night I tried it out.  After my run (after only a few weeks I can definitely run longer than I could before) I showered, ate dinner and then packed up my stuff and walked to Starbucks.  Like I suspected it was packed and I had to sit at a weird, uncomfortable high top table until a chair or table opened up.  Eventually I did get one of the giant chairs by the window which was nice, but it didn't beat my oversized chair at home.  I stayed for an hour reading my book and downloading a new one to my Kindle.  It wasn't as awkward as I thought it would be but if people are going there to meet other people or to be scene, it's the wrong place.

Things I noticed:
1. 90% of people in Starbucks are on their computers.  80% of those people are on Facebook.
2. Nobody talks to the person sitting next to them, even though they are sharing the same table and electrical outlet.
3. The music was so loud that even people on cell phones (I was one of them for a little bit) were difficult to hear - thank goodness.
4.  As soon as your coffee is done, it's weird to just sit there reading/working.  I had to leave as soon as I was finished.
5.  The patio would have been nice with a dog or a friend - but there are so many other more interesting places than Starbucks in Downtown.
6.  Speaking of electrical outlets, there must have been one every 5 feet

The Help

I read this book a few months ago and I couldn't put it down.  What a fabulous story.  Today I saw the movie preview for the first time and I'm overly excited for it to come out!  I really hope they stay close to the book in the film and I don' think that should be hard to do.  The casting is amazing - the actors look so much like how I pictured the women in the book, I love it.

If you haven't already, run to the store and grab the book.  I can't wait for the movie!  Check out the trailer.

I brokedown & got a Kindle

I've struggled for months with the decision to buy a Kindle.  I LOVE to read and I understand how expensive my book buying habit has become.  The problem is that I love building my library at home and I love the smell and feel of a good book.  While I read the book I like to see my progress.  For those reasons I've been 100% against a Kindle from the beginning.

Then the price started to drop.  I saw how cheap some of the books on the Kindle really can be.  The classics are all downloadable for free.  A book I want is $15 but the Kindle version is $9.  And after a lunch conversation yesterday with one of my co-workers who reads more than I do, books and with the Kindle, I decided that now was my chance to get one for myself.  Just because I have a Kindle doesn't mean that I can't still buy those really good books that I'm going to want to share or reread in a few years because I love them so much.  I can read both. 

My new friend will arrive in a couple of days.  I can't wait.  It's just in time for my trip to DC!  No heavy book to take with me, Kindle it is!  There is also a Kindle App for the iphone and it will talk to my Kindle so I can read from my phone what I'm reading from the Kindle, and it will even know what page I'm on!  Game on.

Are there any books I should download right away?

A little more about me

Hi, my name is Kristina-Reina.
Hola, mi nombre es Kristina-Reina.
Hallo, mijn naam is Kristina-Reina.


I speak 3 languages fluently.  I was born in Puerto Rico to a Puerto Rican mom and a Dutch father.  I am the only girl out of 6 kids.  Yeah, dating was basically non-existent when I was growing up.  My dad named me Kristina and my mom gave me the name Reina (which means Queen in Spanish), since I was the only girl and the youngest everyone called me "La Reina"; "Reinita"... so Reina has just stuck with me all my life my dad is pretty much the only one who calls me Kristina, but my closest friends/family will call me Reina.   My parents split up when I was young so I split time between Cocoa Beach/Miami, FL and Cypress, Ca.  My parents always made sure we kept our Dutch and Spanish in tip top shape only speaking those languages at home and for that I am thankful now.  I spent my first year at college at UC Berkeley, but it just wasn't for me, I basically hated it even before I started the fall semester (Summer bridge), it's a great school and everything, I did meet wonderful people there, but the school/atmosphere/some people weren't for me. So I transferred to UT Austin, Go Longhorns! I absolutely loved it there.  It may be Texas but Austin is the most liberal and most beautiful places in Texas.  After graduating I followed my college sweetheart to Denver (where he was from)....needless to say it didn't work out, so I took a year off and went to live/work in Puerto Rico for a year.  Soon after I came to live with my dad in Cypress for a little bit until I found a job in San Diego and I've been working (software engineer) here ever since '09 and I love it, there's so much to do in this city and I only life a block away from the beach!!  I would like to travel more I have been to the Netherlands and Belgium quite often but never explored the rest of Europe.  I would love to do it some day.  I have been to the Caribbeans (Mexico included) a few times, but what people in Florida haven't taken a plethora of cruises down there.  It's like Disneyland to Californians.  I'm not sure what the future holds for me, I am single right now and working on me, I gave so much up for a person that I completely lost myself so I am enjoying life as much a possible.  I have a great relationship with my whole family.  I love my job, sports, especially college football, good food, wine, MUSIC (I'll start a music blog soon), olives, garlic pickles and running (not really, but I have to burn off all the calories I eat everyday).  That's all for now, if you have any questions please feel free to ask away, I am an open book....The picture is from life in Puerto Rico, miss those days. 

MY new camera

Basically this is the first picture I took with my new baby. I'm sure the camera can take more baller pictures than this, but I haven't read the instruction manual yet, hehe (I'm a software engineer afterall my ego is a little too big to read those things).  My roomie and I made pizza... there's nothing like 100% whole wheat thin crust low fat pizza is there? Life is good and the pizza was fabulous if you want the recipe for the crust, holler!

HELLO, BLOGSPOT!

So I've always been a fan of blogspots, trust me... if you could creep on my Safari "Bookmarks" you'll see how much I love reading people's blogs.  Although I've never really wanted one, because I don't think that I'm interesting at all or have anything cool to say.  But ever since I deactivated my Twitter and Facebook I've felt so disconnected with my friends and the "cyber world", do people still call it "cyber world"... or is it "social networks", is that what the cool kids are calling it these days?  Damn ex boyfriends/friends have to ruin it for me.... just kidding... or am I? Lol.  I don't really like discussing my personal life or talking about myself but I'm learning this could be a stress relief!  So why not! Hello BLOGSPOT WORLD!!