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Monday, April 30, 2012
Gel Mani
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Sunday, March 11, 2012
Man Candy Monday - John Mayer
Source: google.com via Claudia on Pinterest
I've been a fan for about 10 years and I used to find him very attractive and the pictures I chose are organized in order of appeal.
Lately, his look is a little less appealing. The longer & shaggier hair, and the unflattering wardrobe choices lately are a shame. He also has a bad reputation for being a douche.
Regardless, I think he's good looking and there is no doubt he is one the most talented musicians of our generations.
Source: google.com via Claudia on Pinterest
Source: rollingstone.com via Claudia on Pinterest
Source: rollingstone.com via Claudia on Pinterest
I went to a concert of his at the Nokia Center in 2008 and was looking forward to a tour soon to promote his new album but read recently that the tour is on hold.
John is from Connecticut and is 34 years old.
He has famously dated Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Aniston and others.
I have no information about his current dating status. He must be focusing on his music.
Source: jointhegossip.blogspot.com via Claudia on Pinterest
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Recent Scores
Happy HUmp DAy
I didn't make it to the mall or any stores this weekend as I'm still trying to play catch up with schoolwork and was glued to the computer Friday and Saturday nights.
I also ended up working a shift at the library on Saturday afternoon. I did cut my hair though, LOTS of it. I like to keep it at least long enough to put in a ponytail but I may have gone too far this time. It's super short but I do like it... this just means I have to flat iron it more often.
In fact, I may just be in the market for a new, thinner flat iron.
So I did make up for not shopping IRL by doing some online shopping.
I'm finally getting around to using some birthday and Christmas gift cards. (my Bday is late October)
Here's some of what I've picked up lately:
I realized I needed a new camera waaay back in September when I was in Chicago and my pics were lamesauce. Finally bought one in early February but I still haven't taken it out of the box.
Source: bestbuy.com via Claudia on Pinterest
OH wait, I did go to the mall Friday... I saw a great blazer at F21 but they didn't have my size.
I ordered this one online, hopefully I like it as much since its not the exact same style number.
I've been wanting a navy blazer for a long time.
I also ordered a navy skirt and a couple head scarves from F21 but couldn't find online one in leopard print and another in stripes
Source: forever21.com via Claudia on Pinterest
From Old Navy I got this scarf... I've been wanting to add something yellow to my wardrobe.
Source: oldnavy.gap.com via Claudia on Pinterest
and this chambray shirt
Source: oldnavy.gap.com via Claudia on Pinterest
aaand this dress, so colorful... I only hope its flattering
Source: oldnavy.gap.com via Claudia on Pinterest
I'm trying the quilted and chain link trends with this purse.
Its nice and roomy and I'm pleased with the purchase.
Source: baghaus.com via Claudia on Pinterest
Source: baghaus.com via Claudia on Pinterest
And some other randoms... including a couple posters and a new license plate frame for my car
All this stuff I've purchased with giftcards or charged to BF's credit card per his request since he hadn't gotten me Bday or Xmas gifts
Source: amazon.com via Claudia on Pinterest
Source: amazon.com via Claudia on Pinterest
Source: amazon.com via Claudia on Pinterest
BTW I when online shopping I always go through ebates:
Its SUPER awesome to find coupon codes to save money and also get bonuses for shopping. I've been using it for a year now and every few months get a check in the mail.
I'm still searching for some classic and comfy ballet flats in a tan or nude shade.
I'm ready for spring! Actually I'm ready for SUMMER, I'll get a break from school at that point.
I'm OK with losing an hour this weekend because it means hopefully it wont be dark when I get home from work from now on!
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Trouble
Trouble, I've had lots of that lately.
2012 has been mighty unkind to me so far. I don't want to be Debbie Downer but I'll share a little...
For starters, my dog has passed. She got sick in mid January and had good days and some bad days, and eventually I took her in to the vet to be put down. It was so sad, but I know I did the right thing. I focus on being glad that we spent 14.5 great years together. I had some other personal problems that have affected me in a major way. My self esteem and motivation for anything took a big hit. I'm doing a little better with it now and doing what needs to be done to move forward and put the darkest times behind me.
Meanwhile... my cousin who is like a sister to me but unfortunately has been battling cancer for over 2 years and unfortunately lives 5 hours away had a big health scare. She was in ICU for 6 days and the whole family was distraught. Many of us drove out and I kept her some company but it was really heartbreaking to see her go through all that. She's doing better now but I still wish I could visit more often.
Will all this nastiness that I have to deal with, its inconvenient that I just happened to start grad school in January. There was times I regretted it and felt like I had no energy or focus for it and I'm still trying to play catch up. Its definitely challenging but if I want to have a career and not just a job I need to keep giving it my best efforts.
One thing I'm glad for is that at my full time job I have a new "flex" schedule meaning that I don't go in to work tomorrow and might just sleep in. Instead of working 8 hours M-F every week, I work 9 hours M-F one week 9 hours M-Th the next and get every other Friday off!!!
I'll be running errands, doing schoolwork, trying to finish up The Help, hopefully getting a haircut and maybe watching some Gossip Girl, and partaking in some retail therapy.
I'm expecting March to be much better than January and February and hopefully the year will keep improving from here on out.
I must say though that through these difficult times its been heartwarming to realize I have the support of some dear friends and family and my boyfriend has also done his best to cheer me up and has been understanding and put up with some pretty foul moods of mine.
phew that was my vent fest 2012, maybe next week (or next month but I'll really try to do better) I'll share my loot from retail therapy.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
It's OK Thursday

Here's what I'm OK with this week.
It's OK... that it's been forever since I last posted, I never said I was an all star blogger.
It's OK... that I'm really upset about losing my appeal for a traffic ticket. Everybody speeds on this particular highway and it was my Birthday "waaah!!"
It's OK... that I too often (ok almost always) wait til the last minute to use my Groupons and other Groupon type deals. It's a pain when everybody else is trying to use them at the same time and I always tell myself I won't wait but I do. Oh well If they expire I can always get at least credit for what I paid.
It's OK... that I took two days off from work last week to be with my dog because the vet told me it was the end of the road for her. Thankfully she is much better now.
It's OK... that I hate shaving my legs. It takes way too long and I wear pants all the time. But I did last night for the first time in a few weeks.
It's OK... that I wear flats every day to work. Comfort is key. Now if only I could wear jeans like the old days, pre-current CEO, that would be awesome.
Until next time.
Oh wait just one more...
It's OK... that I'm an amateur blogger and I can't figure out how to make the "It's OK" picture/button at the top of this post to link back to Neely's site
so here's the link... old school:
http://www.acompletewasteofmakeup.com/2012/01/its-ok-thursday_26.html
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Bigger Better Things... I hope
Today I applied to Library School. I've been in my current position for over 4 years. I took this job knowing I was overqualified but wanting it to be a stepping stone. I work for a very large organization with lots of room for upward mobility. I have tried and tried and tried to get promoted but have been unsuccessful. On the weekends I work at the public library and I enjoy that for the most part although it has its fair share of headaches. I had been considering a Masters degree in Library Science for a very very long time, basically since I got my B.A. way back in 2006.
I had been waiting until I was in a position where my employer would pay for the degree but I'm tired of waiting. In general, I life, I'm tired of waiting. I want progress in my life and I cant expect anybody else to give it to me. I need to be proactive.
Getting the degree doesn't mean I'll automatically get my dream job. Libraries have suffered from the government budget crisis like other departments or worse and I've also read some stuff about whether libraries are even relevant anymore in the era of e-books and what not. Actually I think libraries will evolve and expand their digital offerings. I think this could potentially be a good thing for me. I'm also a little worried because I know some people who already have the masters degree but are still in positions subordinate to librarians. I guess I'll never know how it will turn out unless I try. It is an online program and I will continue to work full time (and then some) while I complete the degree ( if I get accepted that is). I could potentially start in January 2012....
Monday, September 12, 2011
Man Candy Monday: Adam Rodriguez
I don't have much time today so I apologize for my subpar post but I wanted to participate and share some latin flavor to this Monday's Man Candy.
I don't know much about Adam other than I loved his character in Ugly Betty. He is best known for his work on CSI but I never watch that show.
I also saw him in the movie I can do bad all by myself but wasn't a fan of the look with long hair. Have a great week all!
*image via google
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
My Pup is a Teen... eeekk!
But wait, first lets back track to 1995, actually make that 94 or earlier. When I was growing up my parents rented. Therefore I couldn't have a dog. I wanted a dog SO SO bad and apparently this encouraged my parents to buy a home, bless their hearts!
I got my first fur baby in 1995. She was fab! She was a Chow/German Shepard mix and I named her Cookie. I was an 8th grader and I thought it was totally original. We were besties, being a pet parent was so fulfilling! We went on walks all the time, I taught her some tricks it was all good. Fast forward 2.5 years and the bitch dies! WTF? Out of nowhere! Its still a mystery to me what happened to her but at the time it was devastating! I was not home when it happened and my parents told me she ran away. I was sure she'd be back and put out her food and water bowls in the front yard and slept in the living room instead of my bedroom anticipating her arrival after a rebellious night away from home.
Well the next day my parents told me the truth and it sucked. I was grieving. I don't remember how long went by maybe a few weeks, definitely no more than 2 months until my new bestie showed up at my house.
Several people who knew of my loss tried giving me another dog. I wasn't ready. Some friends came by one day carrying a little mangy mutt who needed a home. I tried turning them down since I was still grieving. My dad happened to be in the garage and witnessed this, so he came out and said we'd keep her. I protested, but she stayed and of course she grew on me. I have a horrible memory but this super significant day in my life is quite vivid. I'm not sure if it was a Saturday or Sunday but I do remember it was labor day weekend. I was starting my Jr. year in high school and a friend called me to go out. I said no because I was going to stay home with my new pup. I was resistant but maybe I was turning down other dogs because she was meant to be mine.
She is so loving and loyal. I'm so fortunate to have had her in my life for so long and that she is still pretty healthy considering her age. I take good care of her and will do whatever it takes to keep her around for as long as possible. Just looking at her gorgeous face comforts me when I'm sad. When there's fireworks and she's scared I try to comfort her. Some people may think I'm crazy because I rearrange my schedule to take care of her. If my parents leave town I will make sure I'm around. If I plan to leave town I will make sure they are around. I will be out of town this labor day weekend but since I don't know her actual birthday this weekend is very special to me. I'll bring her back a special treat from Chicago.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Boob Tube Babble and Happy Friday
I LOOOVE this show, I think Amy Poehler is ridiculously funny in this role and the rest of the cast are all such quirky characters that work so well together to make this an interesting, entertaining story. Ron Swanson, Tom Haverford, April Ludgate and the others are all so different but manage to get along well enough and get into some LOL worthy situations.
I'm eager to find out how the City of Pawnee gets themselves out of the budget crisis and how Rob Lowe and the other auditor stick around for the whole next season.
By The Way, one of the things on my to do list for Chicago is check out Second City comedy club where Amy Poehler, Tina Fey and some others attended training before they made it big.
BTW part 2 - Aziz Ansari is in the movie 30 minutes or less in theaters now also with Nick Swardson (MY absolute FAVE comedian of all time), Jesse Eisenberg and that dude from Eastbound & Down... BF and I saw it last week and I definitely recommend it.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Man Candy Monday: Paul Rudd
Morning Blog Peeps, I've been a total slacker on the Man Candy but I'm participating today
This weeks selected stud is: Paul Rudd
He gets bonus points for not only being HOT, but also funny and in some of my fave movies like Anchorman, 40 year old virgin, Reno 911, Role Models and I especially like his character in Knocked Up (btw through my Man Candy research I just learned that there will be a spin off of Knocked Up in 2012 *yay*)
His breakout role apparently was Clueless, a movie I loved as a Teen, I also thought he was great in Friends only recently I watched one of his earlier films Wet Hot American Summer and that was also great. He does more than just comedy and appeared in a film adaptation of one of my favorite books, The Great Gatsby.
He was born in New Jersey, raised in Kansas and went to college there. He is married with two kids and lives in New York. Now, enjoy the images...
Funny Man Candy ~ Take 2
Since our gracious host of this linkup beat me to the punch on Paul Rudd, I'm composing a spur of the moment, alternate man candy post.
I decided to keep to the theme of FUNNY man candy because to me, ability to make me laugh trumps boyish good looks any day. Vince Vaughn has been in some great films and actually has appeared in Anchorman just like my original man candy subject Paul Rudd.
My other favorites with Vince include Wedding Crashers (which was on last night and inspired this here post), The Break Up, Fred Claus, Four Christmases and The Dilemma.
Vince Vaughn grew up in Illinois and struggled at the beginning of his acting career in LA, his first movie was Rudy but his breakout role is in Swingers. Eventually he became part of the "Frat Pack" which includes the Wilson brothers, Will Ferrell, and Ben Stiller among other funny guys according to wikipedia...
*Images via google
Thursday, August 18, 2011
It's OK Thursday
Good Morning All... This is what I'm thinking its OK, this week:
~It's OK if I have 4 hotels booked for my upcoming trip to Chicago, I like to have
options!
~ It's OK that I have a crush on Adam Richman, I'd like to be cheering him on at one of those Man vs. Food challenges
~ It's OK that I'm not even half as excited for the Sade concert tomorrow than most people I know, yes her music is good but geez she's not the second coming
~ It's OK that I'm *old at heart*, what? I like to sleep!
... Thats all for now
xoxo
~Claudia
Friday, August 5, 2011
I heart the spa
But this weekend I've got something fab to look forward to. I'm a HUGE spa fan, I wish I could afford to go more often but I can't. I've been working alot lately so tomorrow I'm going to treat myself to a facial and "Coppertino Bath Experience" which I'm hoping is like hydrotherapy because I did that once and it was awesome! I'm going to Le Petite Retreat here in LA which claims to be one of the city's best.
It sure does look the part, so I'm hoping to be impressed.

*pic via
I'm planning on getting there early and taking my sweet time lounging around to ensure I get the most out of this experience. My skin has been acting up lately so I'm hoping this facial whips it back into shape.
Today however is my precious pup's day to be pampered. I will be dropping her off for a bath at Petsmart after work. She is a regular there and they love her. I love that they love her and she seems to like getting groomed, so I splurge on that regularly.
The rest of my weekend is open and I will see what it brings, perhaps some reading or movie watching or BBQing with the family.
Oh last week was BFs Bday and I didn't buy him anything yet, so maybe we will go shopping for him.
Monday, July 25, 2011
People Watching
Yesterday at Dodger Stadium I saw a woman with 3 boys... the oldest one was maybe 12 or 13 at the most... They were each wearing T-shirts that I would think are tacky even on an adult but on children, it is just wrong! One said "want my chorizo?" with the weinerschnitzel W logo. Let me translate, chorizo is like mexican sausage so in essence this is a sexual pun saying to anybody reading the shirt want my sausage?? on a child!! UGH!
The next kid had the burger king logo like two hamburger buns and instead of burger king, said "borracho king" borarcho is spanish for drunk... again on a child~!
The last and youngest boy was wearing a shirt with the heinekin type design and said drunkagain.
Granted, these are all clever and perhaps funny shirts to some and if an adult was wearing them I would think they are tacky, but not inappropriate. That a parent decides to purchase these and allows their children to wear out in public, just makes me wonder what else they are allowed to do and will be allowed to do as they grow older. Its a shame.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Wee Bit of Me Wednesday
{one} what is your dream job?
Lately I've been feeling like my dream job is to be a librarian. I've considered Library School (you need a master's degree to be a librarian btw) since I graduated college, but didn't want to take on more student loan debt. Ideally I'd love to be a librarian at a college or a private company. I still work a little at the public library and dealing with people in LA is sometimes fun but often draining.
Another, less viable dream job would be to work in foreign relations. My B.A. degree is in Political Science with an International emphasis and History with a Middle Eastern focus. I applied to the CIA, the State Dept maybe even the FBI I also took two semesters of Arabic and did pretty well. Now that I'm older I dunno if I'd have the guts for this career.
{two} how many best friends do you have?
OK don't feel sorry for me but right about now I'd have to say none. I'm feeling pretty disconnected from most if not all of my friends and even some family. I'm not bitter about it though, I've always been pretty independent and I like to have lots of calm quiet alone time. Its an adjustment as people get older and schedules get more and more busy with work & family commitments.
{three} what’s the longest road trip you’ve ever taken?
Well it was spread throughout a whole week but in 2007 I went with my parents to Arizona, Texas, New Mexico & Colorado I guess (among other things we went to that place where 5 state borders meet)
{four} if you had to do one single thing every day for the next year, what would it be?
Tell my BF I love him, I don't think I do it enough.
{five} what’s one story your family always tells about you?
My mom tells a story about a birthday party they threw for me when I was a kid (I dunno maybe like age 4 or 5) during which I was hiding waiting for everybody to leave and I complained about other kids playing with my stuff... yes I have anti-social tendencies sometimes.
{six} how did your parents pick your name?
I don't know, I have heard it was my Dad's choice though.
{seven} what’s the one thing that scares you more than anything?
woah, this question is hard. I have anxiety issues, soooo many things worry/scare me. I dunno if this necessarily scares me more than anything... but at this point in my life I do worry alot about having a baby... More specifically, not being able to get pregnant when I decide I'm ready (I'm almost 30 and I know that's not exactly old but it worries me)
{eight} are you a good cook?
Absolutely not, but I'm not a bad cook either, I just don't cook much. Or hardly at all. That needs to change
{nine} where do you see yourself in 20 years?
OMG all these questions are soo hard! If I had my way, I'd be happily married, with 2.5 kids (lol well 2 or 3, the oldest a boy) a dog (or several) a job I enjoy, frequent vacations and would be aging gracefully.
{ten} what’s your best childhood memory?
I have very few childhood memories, but some of my greatest moments were when I was finally allowed to have a dog and participating in the spelling bee.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Chicago, what you got?
BF and I are considering visiting on Labor Day weekend... We want to go somewhere neither of us has been and go to a baseball game. That is our main purpose for the trip. But what will we fill the rest of our time with? I'd appreciate any reccomendations.
Monday, July 11, 2011
I come here for knowledge, not to frolick!
Let me tell you, the central library in downtown LA is a very interesting place to work. This is not your typical library and the characters that come through there are... hmmm eccentric, odd, well, you'll get the idea as I fill you in on my adventures at the circulation desk.
We have alot of regulars. Sometimes people feel the need to chat with us clerks. This Saturday one such regular comes up to the desk and starts sharing with us how another male patron was trying to lure him into the bathroom and he says to us "I come here for knowledge, not to frolick... I do that at home". WOW I thought, that's a great quote. And off he goes, with his books, to get knowledge.
But honestly, people do these things at the library. It's a great place but its a public place so you can encounter some wierdos.
Last week as I was exiting after closing, a guy (I'd say twenty-something) wearing shorts like something Suzanne Somers would wear on a thighmaster commercial and a tank top was walking in. So I said its closed, and he says "DAMN, I wanted some fucking Panda!" (There is a Panda Express in the Library) He turns around to exit and adds "And I got kicked out of the wedding too, whatever, I'll go to Famima."
This last one, I couldn't help but just laugh and laugh after I'd heard it. I was helping a family with their books. The parents and 2 boys (looked like twins) maybe 4-ish were at my desk while a woman was with her kids were a few stations over, well her baby was screaming bloody murder!! I kid you not, he was crying like he was being tortured. So one of the boys at my station is quite annoyed by this and says "UGh what's that?" His mom says: "its a baby crying" to which he replies "I hate that baby!" As I'm typing this, I realize it doesn't seem all that funny anymore. I guess its just one of those you had to be there things, but it was hilarious to me at the time.
Stay tuned for more Adventures at Central Library... and remember no frolicking allowed.
