Celia Brews It Over

Happy Happy Friday!

Well, I meant to finish up a couple blog posts this week but that didn't happen. I need to work on managing my personal time better. But some days I really do just love laying on my floor, listening to music and cuddling my furbabe!

I did get this post together so we will call it a blogging win!





Torchy's, girl talk, and a little retail therapy solves everything. Ok, maybe it doesn't solve everything but it definitely calms the nerves. If you don't know about the Mad Cow taco from Torchy's secret menu, order it next time you're there! SO good and of course you need The Lorena to wash it all down.

Monday was a day. From someone I was dating suddenly popping back up thinking everything was the same as before after not speaking to me for weeks, to the ATT installation technician being creepy AF and texting me his personal number at the end of the visit after telling me all about his fiance and their upcoming wedding.

If there are any guys reading this:

• If you're engaged or in a serious relationship, it is not okay for you to give some chick your number because you want to hang out with her. This has nothing to do with jealousy, it's respect. 
• If you're interested in/dating a girl, let it be known, don't go silent for weeks at a time. It is not our job to chase you. Call me old fashioned, but this girl & my single girls don't chase.

Two. 


I think I am getting used to this hair and growing into it. I still don't recognize my own reflection though. I put on makeup for the second time this past week since December! Eyelash extensions make me feel completely put together and my skincare routine using my Lush products usually keeps my skin blemish free, soft and glowy.

Three. 



I did my first TruShine Gel manicure at home over the weekend & I lurve it! I'm excited to be saving money from not going to the salon as much. It was $100 (with tip) each time I visited and manicures lasted between 2-3wks. If you'd like to order your own chat with me first, I can help you get 15% off your orders!

Four. 


I've worked out 9 days straight and y'all I feel great! I think I'm back on my own workout wagon! & I'm doing it all straight from my living room, unless I want to be a little social and then I hit the gym. But most days I just love being in my own home. Let me know if you'd like to join me. I like a little motivation or friendly challenge!

Five. 


Be on the lookout for some financial, money saving/money earning tips coming soon! I'm definitely no expert, but I've rebuilt my life from the ground up twice now & I want to share a couple things with you that cost you no time or money to earn little bucks here and there. :)

xo,
Cel

I chopped my hair. Again. I can't decide if I like it or not. I will tell  you that whom ever said short hair was less maintenance lied. When I had extra long hair I could pull off a messy look in about two seconds. If you have any tips for styling short hair, send them my way. This girl is lost. This is the shortest I've ever had my hair.

All I needed was an inch or so chopped because I burned my hair while listening to a podcast. I mean, I wasn't expecting the woman to say "It's like when a man respects you too much, the sex is boring. DON'T RESPECT ME IN THE BEDROOM!" ... it was a podcast about creativity! I'm lucky I didn't have coffee in my mouth. That would have been sprayed everywhere. Anyway, I asked my friends for their opinion on my hair cut and then while sitting in the chair figured we would go a little wild and just chop it all off!

I can't see myself keeping my hair short, but only time will tell!

Two. 


I received my Unity Bracelet in that I ordered from my friend and I love it so much! It's so dainty and pairs well with my Apple Watch + pretty much anything that I wear. The best part about this bracelet is that all net proceeds will be donated to the HollyRod foundation, a foundation dedicated to providing care and research for those living with Autism and their families. If you want to order one for yourself the direct link is here. My friend has a goal to sell 50 & they're only $19! 

Three. 



I went on a first date this weekend & had an amazing time. With a guy. Who drove in from San Antonio to meet me. Bought us tickets to the Astros vs Rangers game. Took me out for pizza after. Stayed sober & stayed up until 4am chatting away with me. He also came with a gift that he made for me that's 100% me! 



I have a blog post brewing on what will land you a 0.01% chance of getting a first date with me. I seriously can't even with some men.

Four. 



Now that I'm all settled in to my place and I don't have anymore sickies I've been managing to head down to my parent's place at least once a week! It's been refreshing and feels like a little get-away from the city. I love catching up with them. I've noticed, not only have I grown over the last 18 months, they have too. Both as a couple, parents and individuals. 

Five. 


Since moving my friends have asked me if I have checked out the local night life. The answer is no. I'm only about 15mins from my office and everything I need is within 20mins of me. I've really been enjoying being home & not being completely exhausted from my day because of my ridiculous commute. I've been able to nest, cook, clean, and do my laundry at my leisure AND have down time in the evenings whether it is sitting out on my balcony or cuddled up with my furbabe watching a TV show before getting some rest.

I've also been able to spend time with my work family some evenings, so I guess I have explored a little night life. 


In selecting my apartment, I made sure I got everything I could possibly want. I knew I wanted to spend a lot of time just being home. Once I have a few more things on the walls, and a couple more pieces of furniture I'll do a little home tour for you. For now you can follow me on IG stories or SnapChat (Cel.Ybarra) to get glimpses.


xo,
Cel

I mentioned in my "About Me" that we would talk about the hard stuff. Here's a subject that many are afraid, ashamed, and embarrassed of. This definitely qualifies as hard stuff.

First. What is Al-Anon? It's a safe place that offers help, hope & healing for friends and family of alcoholics.

I know what you're probably wondering. Ok, but why are you talking about this Cel? . I'm glad you asked. My therapist had recommended I attend and educate myself because my first relationship after my divorce, #CarGuy,  was a recovering alcoholic and drug addict who was drinking & using again but wasn't working any type of program. Although he was very open with me about his past I didn't notice the red flags. I was oblivious to just how serious addiction is and/or how to handle it. Then, the next guy I dated... alcoholic. & after educating myself a little bit we discovered that my ex-husband's Dad was an alcoholic that I lived with for nearly two years.

She felt I needed to attend meetings as a way to heal from living with an alcoholic for a while, as well as, to know how to handle situations in the future. Dating someone with this disease is a roller-coaster, one minute everything is great the next you're running into a brick wall they've put up because they may be in their dark place bingeing.

I've read a lot from the website and from those who are in recovery themselves. It has been really helpful. I was going to attend my first face-to-face meeting last Tuesday evening, but I got really scared. I discovered they have virtual meetings that you can either Skype or call into. This was perfect.

I called in Tuesday night and as the session started immediately started crying. I cried the entire call. Some shares I related to a bit, others scared me. At the beginning and the end of the call everyone recited the Serenity Prayer together and it was beautiful. It also reminded me of one session when I was with my therapist and she said (knowing I hadn't quite found my way back to my faith and in that moment I was questioning it hard) "Remember. God is always with you."

I called into a Newcomers meeting the next day & this one felt a little more like home. There were Newcomers like myself, but there were also veterans on the line to help guide the call and answer questions at the end.

If you have an alcoholic in your life, I encourage you to either attend a face-to-face meeting, or a virtual meeting. They're SO helpful! They recommend you attend 6 meetings to get a feel for them and to figure out which group is best for you.

xo,
Celia

Two years ago today I hopped aboard my very first international flight and headed to Germany. I had no idea my feet landing on international soil would change me so much.

This was my first trip without my family, it was a business trip with my coworkers to celebrate our company's 50th anniversary party and to attend Tube.

I remember when my boss told us we were staying at Melia Dusseldorf I drooled over the park views. When we arrived to the hotel... I had a park view!!!! It was so magical!


Our first meal was at a little family owned Italian restaurant right next door to the hotel. Let me tell you, that was the best Italian food I have had in my entire life! The open layout made it pretty great to be able to watch the family work in the kitchen. Ugh. Now I'm drooling.


My sparking water obsession, originated in Germany. The Munich airport to be exact. I couldn't stand it before. Everywhere we went if you ordered water, sparking water is what you received. Actually, "water with gas".


Annnnnnnnnnddddd Currywurst, fries, and mayo. Oh how I long to have this again. I could eat it every day for every meal. I haven't found a place here in Houston that comes close to reproducing the taste and it gives me all the sads.


I learned how to drink and/or developed a taste for beer while I was in Germany. They began by handing me a dark beer mixed with coke. Now, I can drink almost any beer you hand me. Yay?


At the end of the trip we visited the Rheinturm (Rhine Tower) and strolled along the Rhine River.


During my stay there I had to keep pinching myself. How was this my life?! I was actually in another country. I was seeing things I had only dreamed of! I was with my colleagues from every office all over the world? I was surviving in another country that I didn't speak the language and yet, everyone was so nice and helpful!


It was here that I learned although I was a small town girl, an only child born into a strict Catholic Mexican-American family that, yes, the world is a big place, but it is not scary. It's a wonderful place to explore, learn, and grow.

I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list.

xo
Celia