Shoe Box Shelves {D.I.Y}

Yay!!! It's finally Friday!!! Woot Woot!! I'm extremely excited for this weekend. I'm going on a trip to San Diego with my friends. Reunion is definitely due.
Anyways back to the D.I.Y post. Last week, I mentioned how my room is feeling a little cluttered, and its kinda stressing me out. I started by organizing me earring collections and showed you how to make an Earring and Ring Organizer,  out of a wooden box and felt. 
This week I'm bringing you a D.I.Y with shoe boxes. Do you have shoe boxes that don't know what do with? I made mine into shelves. Yes shelves on the wall, and yes they are pretty sturdy. I got my inspiration from Creme de la Craft. I love the pop of colors she used.

//Supplies// - Shoe Boxes - Spray Paint - Scrapbook paper - 6 screws and a screwdriver (3 screws per box) - Glue stick

I first spray painted my boxes. Please use spray paint in a well ventilated area. Since one of my boxes was red, I had to spray paint my boxes with four coats to get it nice and white. Please don't try to rush it, let each coat completely dry or else you will have streaks like mine. eeek..
After I let my boxes dry overnight. I cut my scrapbook paper the exact size of the inside of my boxes. Let's put our paper aside for a second. 

Now, we must attach our boxes to our walls, grab your screws and attach your boxes to the position desired on your wall. Glue your scrapbook paper to the inside of your boxes. 
And there you are finished. Add your finishing touches, and enjoy your added storage out of shoe boxes. Whaaa? Yep. 
A Before and After picture just to show why I was feeling a little cluttered. I loved how my little corner came out. 

What do you all think about my new little shelves? I need a new project, anyone have any ideas? :) 

Literary Junkies {February}

Better late than never right? Ooops :/
Here are this month's questions:

1. What are you reading right now? Tell us about it!

I started Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, this weekend. 

From the Booker Prize-winning author of The Remains of the Daycomes a devastating new novel of innocence, knowledge, and loss. As children Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy were students at Hailsham, an exclusive boarding school secluded in the English countryside. It was a place of mercurial cliques and mysterious rules where teachers were constantly reminding their charges of how special they were. 

Now, years later, Kathy is a young woman. Ruth and Tommy have reentered her life. And for the first time she is beginning to look back at their shared past and understand just what it is that makes them special–and how that gift will shape the rest of their time together. Suspenseful, moving, beautifully atmospheric, Never Let Me Go is another classic by the author of The Remains of the Day - from Goodreads

2. What books are on your bedside table at the moment?

Right now I have a couple, all from the library!! Which I'm starting to fall in love with the library again. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, Commencement by J. Courtney Sullivan, How Zoe Made Her Dreams (Mostly) Come True by Sarah Strohmeyer , Christmas Bliss by Mary Kay Andrews.

3. Amazon recently released the 100 books to read in a lifetime.  What did they miss that you would add?

This list is amazing! I'm proud to say that I've read a quarter of these books.  I say that's pretty good to me. Also, most of the books on here were introduced to me in my High School English Classes. That what I loved most about my High School English Teachers they taught us to think outside the box with these books. I think some of the books that I've read that I feel everyone should read is Kindred by Octavia Butler, Enrique's Journey by Sonia Nazario, Always Running by Luis J Rodriguez and Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer.

4. Are there any books being published in 2014 that you are anxiously awaiting?  If so, what are they?

I'm really bad with new releases. I always know about them like months or even years after. Eeekk.

5. Name the next 3 books in your To Be Read List (the ones you will be reading next on your list.)

Other than the books on my bedside table:
- Insurgent by Veronica Roth
- The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
- Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevieve Tucholke

Your turn? What do you think, any books that didn't make the list, that you think we should all read?

Sunday Social {One Way Ticket to Greece .. please}

Gahh..Last Sunday of February. Is it just me, or are the days passing us by??
I'm excited for this upcoming weekend.. San Diego bound with my friends!!

1. Favorite breakfast food I love having a homemade breakfast sandwich: scrambled eggs, ham or sausage and cheese and some ketchup. :) Also I know its bad, but I love potatoes: homefries, or hasbrowns!!!!

2. Best way to spend a free day Same as my lazy days. Watching TV shows/movies. I've been just going out the house to read, Starbucks and the park are some of my favorite places to chill and read. 

3. Airline ticket to anywhere in the world….where would you go and why? Greece and Italy!! I have dreamed of going there since I was little. The waters of Santorini seem like Paradise. And the culture, the language and the food in Italy sound amazing. See the Top Ten Places I Want to Visit Before I Die.

4. You can only leave the house with one thing…what is it? I would say my phone. Yep, it's hard to admit, but I think I'm one of those people who can't live without her phone.... and maybe a book. 

5. How do you take your coffee? I've recently turned to coffee. So I'm just exploring the coffee world. But I do know that I DO NOT like my coffee black. I need some sugar and flavor in there. :)  If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Bless Me, Ultima {A Book Review}

Title : Bless Me, Ultima

Author: Rudolfo Anaya

Publisher: Warner Books

Release Date: first published in 1972

Summary:  from GoodReads:

Antonio Marez is six years old when Ultima enters his life. She is a curandera, one who heals with herbs and magic. 'We cannot let her live her last days in loneliness,' says Antonio's mother. 'It is not the way of our people,' agrees his father. And so Ultima comes to live with Antonio's family in New Mexico. Soon Tony will journey to the threshold of manhood. Always, Ultima watches over him. She graces him with the courage to face childhood bigotry, diabolical possession, the moral collapse of his brother, and too many violent deaths. Under her wise guidance, Tony will probe the family ties that bind him, and he will find in himself the magical secrets of the pagan past—a mythic legacy equally as palpable as the Catholicism of Latin America in which he has been schooled. At each turn in his life there is Ultima who will nurture the birth of his soul.

Quotes:

“It is because good is always stronger than evil. Always remember that, Antonio. The smallest bit of good can stand against all the powers of evil in the world and it will emerge triumphant.” - Ultima

 “Understanding comes with life. As a man grows he sees life and death, he is happy and sad, he works, plays, meets people - sometimes it takes a lifetime to acquire understanding, because in the end understanding simply means having sympathy for people. ”

My Take: Being of  Mexican American decent, I can't believe that I hadn't read this before. But I'm glad that I did pick it up, because Bless Me, Ultima has become one of my favorite books so far. The book is a coming of age book, for Antonio Marez. He seems to be stuck in following the dreams of his mother's people or the beliefs of his father's people. 
On his journey to find who he really is, this six year old, sees a lot of horrible things. Death, evil, and superstitions lay deep in his small town. But when these horrible things happen, there is one woman who the townspeople turn to, Ultima. Ultima is the towns curandera, they call her La Grande, and she has delivered hundreds of babies, has lifted curses and evil things. 
Ultima is getting old, and Antonio's family takes her in to live with them. Instantly, Antionio and Ultima form a bond that seem to have started ever since Ultima delivered Antonio. Ultima takes him under her wing, and Antonio takes care of the old woman. 
Ultima's presence in his house, takes Antonio to various places where evil looms. He begins to question his beliefs, his dreams that have been set for him, and even his religion. But with Ultima by his side, he realizes that even the smallest of Good always defeat the greatest of Evil. 
I really enjoyed this book. Anaya is an amazing story teller. His words captivated me, and although at times I got goosebumps it sucked me back in every time. 

Rating: 5 out of 5
Want to see what I've been reading, check out my other reviews: Book Thoughts 

Earring and Ring Organizer {D.I.Y}

Have you ever felt a lil stressed because your room/house is a bit messy? It happens to me all the time, and it has been my situation for the last couple of weeks. My room has been looking a bit frazzled, which in turn makes me frazzled.  I don't know where to start so I just leave it, and it gets even more messy, then I give up. Well I finally got started. First it was my desk. I threw away so many papers and junk that was just making space. Wheew. I felt a bit better.  But then I looked at my jewelry space, and it was crazy. I tell you something, I love jewelry, rings, necklaces, earring, even those "Basketball Wives" hoop earrings that feel like they weigh 5 pounds, yep I have a couple of those. Well all my jewelry is everywhere. Sometimes I can't even find my anything.  So I got to Pinterest. And found so many things!! D.I.Y Jewelry Organizers But I was inspired by one particular Jewelry Box over at Tina Phan. I love the colors that she chose, and her earring collection is to die for. :)  Here is my take on Tina's Jewelry Organizer Box. 

//Supplies//  -Wooden Box (found mine at Joann's for $2.99 w/a 40% off coupon. Reg price $4.99) - Acrylic Paint (also found at JoAnn's) - Felt (I used 2 sheets of it, but it will depend according to the size of your box) - Hot Glue Gun - Piece of cardboard (optional) - Your Earrings and Rings Everything in my room is white, grey, or black, with my accent color being yellow. So I decided to paint my box white. For the outside I did two coats of my white acrylic paint. I think 3 coats would've been perfect but I was too excited to finish. 

On the inside I painted the top part yellow, to give it a pop of color. Which I loved. One coat of the yellow was enough.  I cut strips of the felt, about 1 1/2 to 2 inch strips. With my hot glue gun I added a strip of glue at the top part of the felt strips and rolled them up. 

I used a piece of cardboard to match the size of the inside of the box, and glued the flet rolls on top of it. You really don't need the cardboard, if you don't use it just glue the felt rolls to each other, applying the glue towards the bottom of the rolls, so that you can have enough space to insert your earrings/rings.  Insert your rolls to the box and add your jewelry. 

Next will be my necklace display. And does anyone know what I can do with my nail polishes? :) 

Linking up today with Craft Frenzy Friday. 

Are you a D.I.Yer, what are you working on? Have something you've been wanting to try? Let me know I'll give it a shot. :) 

My 5 Top Pins {The Girl Between The Lines}

This Week: Share your top 5 Pinterest Pins.
I love Pinterest!! I admit, while in college I used to spend hours on there, just so I spend time NOT doing my homework or reading. Now, I don't spend that much time on it anymore. Must go back, or not. 
Once in a while I get Pin-spire for D.I.Y projects, or yummy recipes. Sometimes Pinterest takes me to places I wish to go to. And Pinterest picks me up with its quotes when I'm feeling sad, happy, angry, frustrate. I'm an amateur party planner because of Pinterest. And a wannabe fashionista and interior designer. 
I LOVE PINTEREST. Here are my 5 Top Pinterest this week.  //one//


I love getting new ideas for outfits, that I wouldn't normally wear. I love this outfit. And for us curvaceous ladies, I found a new blog, this pretty lady has a style blog over at Curves and Confidence.

//two//


I'm in need of something new with my hair. I love this color. Reds, Coppers, Browns Hair appointment booked!!! :)

//three//


I love reading. And the first thing I want when I get my own home is a reading nook, where I can go and just read. Like this one!! Beautiful. Follow Miluccia for home inspirations.

//four//


I get all my nail inspirations from pinterest!! I love the glossiness of the black, with the gold accent. I need this. :)

//five//


Just love this quote.

Follow me :) I'm always looking for new pinners to follow. :)
Visit Adrianna Avila's profile on Pinterest.

Are you obsessed with Pinterest? What are your top 5 pins this week?

Happy 25th Anniversary to my Mom and Dad

25 years ago today, two people in love got married and started their family. I want to wish my mom and dad a happy 25th anniversary. 

I want to thank them for falling in love with each other, and for giving me the greatest parents ever. They have made a beautiful family, and have given my brothers, and I unconditional love and support. 
Coming back home from college, I realized the love that my parents have for each other even after 25 years. My dad comes home from work everyday, and the first thing he does is give my mom a kiss. My dad's obsession is baseball, and my mom spends her weekends watching him play. Now that is love. They go out on dates once in a while. But what I love seeing is them curled up on the sofa watching a movie. 
They are the reason why my standards are the way they are. I know that every couple has arguments, but my parents never let us find out when they did. They have supported us, even when we've made mistakes. I admire their hard work, dedication, their love, the small and big things they do for their family. 
 I wish I could go back and see how their love story started. I wish I could've been a guest at their wedding, because I heard, that the wedding was a blast. But most of all I wish to have a marriage and family like what they have. 

I hope you have fun in Hawaii, next month, you both deserve it. Cheers to 25 years of love, and to 50+ more!!

Sunday Social

1. What are your favorite things to do on a lazy day? On my lazy days, I like to grab a book and read. Usually reading will lead me to my next favorite thing, which are naps!! :) I also like to watch Netflix, and sit around watching TV or reading blogs. 
2. What is your TV guilty pleasure? Love & Hip Hop. I don't know what it is about that show, maybe its the drama, but I can't stop watching that show. lol.  Also has anyone been glued to MTV while Are You The One is on? I think I'm obsessed with it. Can I be on the show? I even have favorite couples that I'm rooting for and crossing my fingers that they are a perfect match. :) 

Real World: Ex-plosion another guilty pleasure. Basically everything on MTV. heheh

3. What is your favorite road trip music? I love something upbeat. Something to sing to at the top of our lungs, and to help us stay awake. heheh

4. What are your favorite magazines or books to read by the pool or laying around? I love Cosmopolitan, it is definitely my go-to mag. By the water in the summer, or with a cup of coffee in the winter, I thank my subscription for always delivering me a copy of Cosmo. I love reading books, and although I'm open to read all kinds of genres in the summer I like to read books that take place on the beach.

5. What is your favorite snack? I love to snack on grapes, strawberries and goldfish. Have you all tried Ritz with cream cheese? I recently got introduced to it, and I love it.  How was your Valentine's Weekend? How do you spend your lazy days?

Singledom + Valentine's Day = Awesomeness {5 Things To Do}

Happy Valentine's Day everybody!!!! I hope your day is filled with lots of love!!
When I was little I loved Valentine's Day. I loved making Valentine's Day cards and candy baggies for my classmates and friends. As I got older, and had no boy during VDAY, I lied to myself and pretended that I was indifferent for VDAY. 
But as a single gal, who says I have to sulk on the one day of the year filled of balloons, flowers, pink and red, and kisses. 

{source}

Here are my 5 things, us, single ladies can do on Valentine's Day: //one// Grab your unattached friends and have the best time of your life. Remember Valentine's Day is the day of love and friendship. Spend your night with your besties. Embrace the Single Awareness Day.
//two// I know it might sounds scary, I still need the gather the guts to do this, but you're single and ready to mingle right?? hit the town alone. You never know who you might meet.
//three// Buy something nice for yourself. Who says you need a guy to buy things. Okay maybe it would be nice. But buy yourself something nice and celebrate how amazing you are. And wear it while you go out for ONE or TWO.
//four// Feel like staying in? Catch up on your TV shows. Rent some movies. Watch Netflix. Bake some goodies. Invite some friends. Sip some wine. Let your hair down. and Kick your shoes off. Nothing says perfection than a night in after a long week. 
//five// Try something new. Cook something new. Try a new workout. Take a cooking class, or a dance class, or an art class. Try a new lipstick. A new hairstyle.Take the time to love yourself.
Remember single life is awesome. Enjoy your time. Meet new people. Explore your life.  
What are my plans? I'm definitely buying something nice for myself (#3), having dinner with some of my besties (#1) and possibly ending the night at the bar (#2) jk that is my goal, one day, with my TV (#4)
Have you ever spend Valentine's Day single? What do you like to do on this "romantic" day?

Favorite Photo {The Girl Between the Lines}

This Week: Share your favorite picture & the story behind it.
I love taking pictures. I think they are a great way to remember certain moments and memories. But lately I haven't picked up my camera. Not sure why, but there have been some family gatherings, friends get together, where I wished I had brought my camera. Choosing a favorite picture was hard.  I was glad that one of my friends was able to capture this moment. It has now become one of my favorites. 

This picture was taken behind the stage of my college graduation. It is one of my best moments of my entire life. Let me tell you why. 
First of all, it was a long journey to graduation. As I look back, I had a blast in college, and sometimes now I wish I could go back. But it wasn't easy. The classes at Berkeley were hard. My first year there was the hardest. I was super homesick, and I probably cried every day, and I closed myself off. I snapped out of it, for the most part, my second year and met some pretty incredible people. Third year and Senior year were the hardest, academically wise. I began to feel overwhelmed, stressed, and suffered from anxiety attacks, I wasn't the best person those few years. Nevertheless I made it to the end of that rollercoaster ride. I still had a semester left after I walked the stage but I knew that it was going to go fast. 
Second of all, my family took the six hour drive to see me. And although we didn't explore much of Berkeley or the city, I was so grateful that they took the time to come back. I don't think they realized how much it meant for me to see them in the stands. 

My brothers, my cousins, and my niece

Lastly, I was able to take my parents on the stage with me. Although my mom, graduated High School here in the U.S , my dad didn't have that opportunity. He was a teenager when he came to the U.S and they both had to start working at a young age to help their families. For me it was an amazing opportunity for them to walk the stage with me, as we got our "diploma." They have always  told us that education is power and important. In a way, us (me and my brothers) graduating is also their dream. 

Do you have a favorite picture?

Cara Box Reveal

  Don't know what Cara Box is, visit Wifessionals for more information. 
I love making new friends. I love this swap because I get to meet new friends and get introduced to amazing new blogs. This is my second Cara Box, and although the structure changed to primarily Instagram I had a lot of fun stalking following my two partners. 
This quarter's theme was SHINE: 
The partner that I was paired up to send my box to was Marie over at CandidlyMarie. Marie is an amazing stay-at-home momma and wife to adorable little Kayden and her hubby Greg. Follow her on Instagram and you will see cute pictures of her baby, you can just tell that he means a world to her. Her family is so adorable. She loves chocolate. And is a coffee addict. 
My other partner was Sonya over at Sea Salt & Caramel. Sonya is college student in the journey to find her path. She's from the Bay Area! And although I lived in the Bay for about 4 years for school, I sometimes pretend to be from there.. :) Her major is Media Studies, and she is looking to transfer to the East Coast. Go Girl!!! :) She also loves chocolate. and she loves to read. 
Sonya sent me my Carabox, and I was so excited to open it. Here is a peek inside. 

Right when I opened the box, I smelled the "Pacific Breeze" soap. It smells so good like the sea!! I can't wait to use it. And there is the candle from Padua, one of Sonya's favorite candle. That one also smells good. How cute are those owls. I've become obsessed with owls, and those candles are so perfect. 

Then there was the John Green "An Abundance of Katherines." I love it!!! I think Sonya totally hit the target with sending me a book!! 
Want to participate in the next Carabox, the next sign-up is in March. Head over to Wifessionals for more information.

Five Little Grins!!!

Gosh!! I haven't done one of these in a while. I missed it!! :) 

//one//

ETSY!! I had my first Etsy sale last week!! So excited. Visit my shop.

//two//

Rain!! We finally got some rain, even if it was a small sprinkle.. lol. I love rainy days //three// Finally tried the Caramel Flan Latte from Starbucks, and it was pretty yummy. //four// Work. After some months of not tutoring students due to budget cuts, I finally received a new group.  //five// Cara Box exchange!!! I received my CaraBox last week. And I was so excited!! Come back tomorrow for my reveal post!!   

What are you smiling about lately?

Sunday Social {Movie/Show Edition}

YAY!!! We made it to Sunday! Happy Sunday! Hope your weekend was amazing. I'm participating in my first ever Sunday Social!! :)

1. What is your favorite thing to watch on a girls night? It depends. But I always love to watch a romantic comedy. Bridemaids, Sex and the City, Pitch Perfect, 27 Dresses, Our Family Wedding are some of my faves to watch with my girls. We can never go wrong with Mean Girls.

2. What is your favorite thing to watch on your day off? On my day off, I like to catch up on some TV shows. TVD, PLL, MTV shows, Read World, Single Ladies 

3. What is your favorite thing to watch when you’re sick? This one is easy. When I'm sick, and when I was homesick in college, I would always put on my One Tree Hill DVDs. I don't know I always felt like home when I watch them. I loved that show from the very first episode to the last. I used to be obsessed with it.  

4. What is the last movie you saw in the theater? Oh Gosh. I haven't gone to the theater in a long time. But I think it was The Best Man Holiday. Which I loved. It made me cry. 5. What are your top three favorite movies or tv shows? This one is hard.  TV Shows (currently): Scandal, The Vampire Diaries/The Originals, and Being Mary Jane Movies: aaahh, too many. 
What shows or movies are you obsessed with?

Glitter Wine Glasses {D.I.Y}

 Okay so who doesn't love making things? I know I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to!!! And the one thing responsible for my D.I.Y crazed mind is Pinterest. There are so many cool projects to do, sometimes they don't come out the way they are supposed to but I still feel accomplished. 

So here is my Pinterest-inspired-series, where I bring you cool, hopefully easy to make D.I.Y projects that I found in Pinterest.  First up, are these cool Glitter Wine Glasses. I made them back in December for Christimas gifts for my girl friends, and I think they would be a perfect gift for Valentine's gift for your besties, or your sisters, or you momma, or your boss. Because let's face it, we all need a glass of wine once in a while.  //Inspiration//  The posts that started it all. Gorgeousness 

{The Sasse Life} // {Something Turquoise} // {Satiated Sparkle} //My Take//

//Supplies// Wine Glasses (or jars, or champagne flutes, your choice) Glitter  Mod podge  Painter's tape (I used clear tape, because I didn't have any, and it didn't come out quite as nice) Paint Sponge

- Make sure your glass is clean before you begin.  - With a piece of tape, tape off your design. Please use Painter's tape, I used regular clear packaging tape, and the glitter did not come out as precise as it should ve been. Also, it was harder to take off the clear tape from the glass.  - Once you have your design taped, with the paint sponge apply the mod podge glue all around your glass.

- Now comes the fun part, GLITTER!!! Have I mention how much I love glitter, well a lot.  - Anyways with the glitter color of your choice (make sure you have a paper plate or you protected your table with paper, because you will have glitter all over the place), sprinkle the glitter all around the glass.  - Okay for the last step we must seal in our  glitter, but before we do this, we must let our glitter dry, at the very list 8 hours, I left mine overnight.  - Make sure you wash your mod podge sponge, so it doesn't dry and become hard, we will need it later. 

- Okay so you've let your glitter dry, perfect, now we need to seal our glitter.  - Taking our sponge, we will make another coat of mod podge, to seal our beautiful glitter so that there won't be loose glitter all over the place.  - Let your last coat of glitter dry for at least 4 hours. Take off the tape. - And enjoy a wonderful glass of wine. :)  //Care// In order for our creation to stay beautiful please handwash.  What is your favorite D.I.Y project? Have you done one of these glittered wine glasses, I wanna know?