Girl Talk...

Because I can't think of anything on my own today (sorry I'm getting a headache and I think it's in the creative part of my brain) I'm stealing from Stacie...this wouldn't be the first time.

So it's Girl Talk today!!!...sorry guys

What is your makeup regimen?

First thing is that I make sure I use a moisturizer with sunscreen. I use Olay.

Next I use concealer to take care of any blemishes...which I of course don't have right? :) I'm not religious to any particular kind here.

My favorite thing in my makeup case is my universal brow definer by Brenda Christian. Not to give myself eyebrows where I don't have them but to more define what I have, gives my eyes a better frame. The difference is astounding, you should try it seriously!!!

Next up, Maybelline Mineral Powder. I use the translucent. It gives a nice natural finish. I'm not a foundation kind of girl. Although I have been considering the new Cover Girl stuff that Ellen is promoting. I like the powder because it sets the concealer and brow color and also gets rid of shiny spots. But I only use just enough. I hate that cakey look some women get when they load on the makeup...it just makes you look worse!!!

If I don't put on anything else I use the above everyday. Even if I don't go anywhere I like what I see in the mirror with just the above stuff.

Now for the eyes...

I use some kind of cream color, preferably a very light color...almost white. Don't worry it doesn't come out white white. Right now I'm on the hunt for a new cream color as my fav was discontinued. Mostly I use it because it helps to set the eye color powder I use next.

I use Flirt! (from Kohl's) Dreamy Eyes. I use the color 'Chill Out' (white) along the lash line and the inner eyelid up and under the brow. This highlights the brow bone and sets off the eyes. Then I use the color 'Mellowtini' in the crease in that triangle shape...wider to the outside of the eye. 'Mellowtini' is a sort of taupe with a very slight green tint. Pretty neutral...goes with everything.

Eyeliner...also very important to me!!! I use Maybelline Lineworks waterproof liquid liner...with that super pointy applicator brush. This weirds people out...some women really can't figure out how to use it or how I "get my line so thin"...I don't know...practice? I like the solid line it gives, pencils don't give that nice dark solid line for me. I only use it on the top lid, a tiny bit thicker line toward the outside of the eye. If you do it right, it's hard to tell you're wearing it.

Lashes...right now I have three different mascaras in my makeup case. My current fav is L'Oreal Volume Shocking mascara. It's a two stepper. Woooo it gives good lashes!

Next up...cheeks! Again I use Flirt! cheek color. Peek-A-Blush. I have 'Hot Mama'...which of course is now discontinued. Why do all my favs get discontinued?! It's a subtle pink/peach/I'm not sure what color it is. Not too much...hate when women have a blush line across their face!

Lastly, lips...I'm not much of a lip color girl either. When I do go for color it's not that far off from my natural lip color. I just got some gloss...Maybelline Superstay, and the color is virtually the same as my lips! Still testing this one out...can't give an opinion yet.

But mostly I just use chapstick...Burt's Bees with or without Pomegranate. I also have a Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer but it's just the champagne which is pretty much clear with a shimmer.

Ok...done. It's all pretty simple, natural. I guess I'm good at applying and keeping it natural because Rob has said before that he can't tell I'm wearing anything unless he really thinks about it and has to look.

That should be the rule for all women...in fact...I say it IS the rule. The first thing I see when I look at your face should NOT be your makeup!!!

Here you go...see how my eyes pop?! :)

Photo by Shawna Schaub

Anyone want a $100 Land's End gift card?...

One of the blogs I read 'I Should Be Folding Laundry' is giving away a $100 Land's End gift card!

She's so lucky! She gets to try & review stuff for free and sometimes the companies give her stuff to giveaway! I wanna play! I don't have a job right now, that would be way fun to do!

Anyway...I get another entry to the contest by blogging about it so I thought 'what the hay'....

Enter yourself!!!...
http://www.ishouldbefoldinglaundry.com/2009/05/lands-end-a-giveaway.html

I talk in movie quotes...

I really do. I don't think a day goes by that I don't say a quote for some reason or another just in conversation.

So I loooooooooooooove this!

Free Lettuce Wraps from PF Changs!

No lie!

Check it out!

http://www.pfchangs.com/briny/default.aspx

It is dine-in only and the coupon is only good until June 14th...but free lettuce wraps?! Sign me up!

Today's little adventure...

So I went to the gym as usual today. Got there at 1:30...at 3:00 after all my cardio, ab work, leg work, arm work I decided I did enough and went to grab my keys from the front counter.

(You just lay them there instead of carrying them around with you or using a whole locker for just your keys or putting them on a coathook.)

Can you guess what happened?

My keys were not there. I looked around everything moved things, looked on the floor. The manager asked if I was sure that I put them there...and actually I was. I specifically remember laying them there and exactly where too. So I thought, maybe someone for some reason grabbed them and took them to a machine and left them in the cupholder...I've seen this done but couldn't figure out why someone would grab keys off the counter...you'd think they'd just walk in with their own keys and do this. Well I went around the whole gym and looked in all the treadmill, stair climber, stationary bike and elliptical machine cup holders. Nope. Looked in all the lockers in the open and in the women's bathroom. Nope.

And yes, I looked outside and my car was still there...with my wallet in the glove box.

The manager suggested maybe I left the keys in the car. Again, not only do I specifically remember that I laid my keys on the counter but I also specifically remember hearing my horn sound from locking it. So no.

There's a garbage can below the counter, I looked in it, I took the bag out of it and shook it...only paper towels and plastic water bottles.

*sigh*

We settled on someone took them by accident. Wouldn't they notice they couldn't get into their car you ask? Well, some people bike or walk there, so maybe not. And it's possible that they didn't have to unlock their house to get in either...I didn't (garage keypad). So...

I guess I wouldn't say 'settled' on that conclusion but rather hoped that was it.

I filled out a 'lost item' sheet and told the manager to keep an eye on my car, if anyone else but me got in it to call the cops. I also left my car info/license plate #. Luckily I did park in plain view of the front desk so I had that going for me.

I succumbed to walking home...3 miles. 81 degrees.

The manager was worried, he kept asking if there was anyone I could call because it was so hot out and it wasn't super close. I finally said I was starting home and this other guy starts walking out, the manager asks him where he's headed and if he could take me home. I felt silly but...it was a long walk. He said it was no problem!

So 'Ryan' the cute anesthesiologist drove me home in his Mercedes SLK. Oh darn. It was such a bummer. (HA!) He worked out in his scrubs which I thought was a little funny but forgivable...I mean, he was on call.

Anyway, I get home call the closest friend (distance-wise) and asked if there was any way she could drive me back to the gym as soon as possible with my spare keys and she is so great...she finished up what she had at work and did just that! Car was still there...wallet still in the glove box...everything still in the wallet. *PHEW!* I let the gym folks know that I was taking my own car don't call the cops :) and left.

About an hour and a half later the gym calls, someone brought my keys back! YAY!

I probably won't be leaving my keys on the counter anymore, honest mistake or not. It was awfully stressful being at home and thinking someone out there had my car and house keys and access to my wallet with my address.

Advice...

If you have a bad day...leave it at work. Don't take out your snippy snarkiness on those at home! Cuz what in the f-ing hell did they do to you?

NOTHING that's what.

One of my workouts...

This was my workout Sunday...for real.
It is not an easy feat AND it was sweltering hot outside! I think I lost 3 pounds in sweat!

While Indy cars were circling the track a few miles away, we were assisting with this monstrous swingset!

My own personal boot camp...

I decided it was time...time to kick my own butt into gear at the gym. I'm tired of clothes that used to be loose being tight. I'm tired of not feeling good about myself. I'm tired of eating too much and feeling gross afterward.

And I'm tired of excuses.

And now that I have "an abundance of unexpected free time" I really don't have any excuses left. I know what to do...I learned different exercises, routines, and what to eat when I was in a program called 'Thin & Healthy'. I lost 20 or so pounds and 57 inches on it. So I know what to do...it's just doing it. So what is stopping me?

Nothing.

I started my own personal boot camp last week. I'm surprised it's taken me this long to blog about it. I think maybe I was making sure that I was really going to do it. And I did and so far have stuck to it.

My rules:

-barring injury or sickness, workout 5 days a week minimum

--30 minutes of cardio

--abs everytime

-if I'm not at least a little sore later, I'm not working hard enough

-eat better - salads, smaller portions, watch FAT intake, cut out processed carbs

-don't punish myself for slip ups, don't banish desserts forever, don't make pizza or burgers forbidden

-one day a week...don't care what I eat at ALL

-don't rely solely on the scale...scales are stupid, keep track of inches

-water water water water water water - actually a rule I was given is take your weight, half that number in OUNCES is how much water you should drink a day

So how have I done?

Since last Monday I have indeed worked out 5 days, measured myself Tuesday, and ate much better (except for the holiday - which is ALLOWED).

Water is difficult to get into. You kind of have to ease into it. Habits take 2 weeks to develop (or undo) so keep with it for that long and eventually you won't have to make as many bathroom trips, your body processes all the water better and in fact you will get to the point where your body WANTS that much water. No it's not retaining all the water, your body has just gotten used to having it. In fact, your body will retain water if you DON'T get enough of it. It goes into storage mode...same happens if you don't eat enough or often enough...DON'T SKIP BREAKFAST EVER!!!

So what did I just say?...
Your body will have a higher metabolism and process foods better if you eat more often and drink tons of water. Eat more often...not more food.

That being said you have to allow yourself to have a day where you can have whatever food you want (just don't go overboard on the amount). Why? Because if you banish any kind of food, all you are doing is setting yourself up for failure, for binging. I mean, I know how cravings are...they're so hard to fight!!! So don't. If you get a craving for a Butterburger and cheese curds from Culver's...get it...on your free day. (or if you choose, break up your free day into a couple of free meals a week)

Having things you really love keeps you from hating your diet program.  BTW don't use the word diet.  ;)

Ok, so I'm now into WEEK 2 of my boot camp. You guys have to keep me in check! Keep me accountable! :)

PS - I do looooooove going to the gym at about 1:00 in the afternoon...it's practically empty!

Win a Star Trek prop!

R2D2 makes an appearance in the new Star Trek movie...yes, you read that right...R2D2.

(And why not since the Millenium Falcon makes an appearance in Star Trek: First Contact)

And Paramount is holding a contest...if you can spot the scene in which R2D2 appears email your answer to facebook@paramount.com with "STAR TREK Easter Egg Sweepstakes" in the subject line for a chance to win an official prop from the film STAR TREK.

See the Facebook page

Now...I think I know where he is...the quandary...should I share or keep it to myself?

LOLZ!!!...

These all made me literally LOL this morning!

Addiction...

No not Star Trek...well, yes I'm addicted to Star Trek but that's not what this post is about.

I am so addicted to Bejeweled Blitz on Facebook!!!

I can't stop!

More awesomeness...

Check out how great these guys are in 'real life'...

Oh, and they're hot.

Step in Time!...

I enjoy a good musical, even a good movie musical. And who doesn't love Mary Poppins?! You can say you don't but deep down I know you have a soft spot for her!
And Dick Van Dyke...who doesn't love Dick Van Dyke?! If you don't...please don't say so. :)

Anyway...this is my absolute favorite song/scene from Mary Poppins!! It's so full of energy and the dancing is great! Makes me smile.

In high school I was on the dance team/color guard. Watching stuff like this really makes me miss it...learning choreography & performing. Maybe I'll teach myself this dance and make it part of my workout routine! Cuz you can see it's certainly a workout...and if you don't think so...just try it yourself.

For your viewing pleasure!...

ABC's of me...

AGAIN from Stacie...she's that fabulous...or I'm that lazy...probably both

ABCs of ME

A - Age: 31 but I feel around 26
B - Bed size: Queen
C - Chore you hate: cleaning bathrooms
D - Dogs' names: I don't have any dogs now but my old doggie was named 'Dutchess'
E - Essential start to your day item: breakfast
F - Favorite color: Green
G - Gold or Silver: Silver
H – Height: 5'8"
I - Instruments you play: played...past tense...cello and plunk the piano
J - Job title: unemployed...but hopefully 'freelance designer' soon
K - Kid(s): None yet
L - Living arrangements: Me the hubs and two cats
M - Mom's name: Mom...I like that. :) Fine...Mary
N – Nicknames: Stac
O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: none
P - Pet Peeve: OMG let's not start that...but I think bad grammar may top the list
Q - Quote from a movie: "Live long and prosper"
R - Right or left handed: Right
S - Siblings: None (only in-laws)
T - Time you wake up: well now I can sleep til whenever I want but try for 8 at the latest
U- Underwear: Victoria's Secret
V - Vegetable you dislike: Uh...brussel sprouts
W - Ways you run late: hair won't cooperate
X - X-rays: only one ever...broken toe. Don't ever get an xray for a broken toe it's not like they can really do anything about it anyway
Y - Yummy food you make: I make some pretty good stuff...butternut squash and sausage soup is DARN good
Z - Zoo animals: I'm an animal lover so this is too hard...love 'em all!

EIGHT...

I took this from Stacie's blog (Hey Stac!) :)

Here's how it works:Answer the questions below then tag 8 other blogs of your liking and ask if they would do the same.
You must let them know you have tagged them and to link to the blog that had tagged them.

Here goes:

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To...
1) uh, having a job
2) Summer
3) going to Elkhart this weekend
4) the day that my den is actually clean and organized
5) the next Harry Potter movie!
6) going to the gym again on Monday...no seriously
7) going back to Sonoma Valley...whenever that may be...
8) finish reading some books!!

8 Things I Did Yesterday...
1) went to see Star Trek at the IMAX
2) ate at Houlihans...mmm...chicken asian chop chop salad
3) saw my friend Jon for the first time in like 6 years!
4) played Bejeweled Blitz on Facebook
5) washed a ton of dishes
6) did a couple loads of laundry
7) made a fabulous italian alfredo pasta with smoked sausage and broccoli
8) laid on the couch and watched TV with my hubby

8 Things I Wish I Could Do...
1) uh...get a job
2) work from home
3) be out of debt
4) fit into a size 6
5) eat whatever I want and fit into a size 6
6) magic a la Harry Potter style!
7) drive a race car
8) be in a Star Trek movie LOL!

8 Things or Shows I Have Watched...
1) Star Trek...4 times...
2) LOST
3) America's Next Top Model
4) Fringe
5) Big Bang Theory
6) The Ellen Degeneres Show
7) CSI
8) Dane Cook

And I'm not going to tag other bloggers either...if you want to do it great, if not...great!

FREE CHOCOLATE!!!!!!!!!!

Mars is giving away free chocolate every Friday now through September!! All you have to do is go to the website http://www.realchocolate.com/ and if you are one of the first 250,000 people you will get a coupon for a free chocolate bar (or M&Ms). I just got mine this morning :)

Steak & Potatoes gal...

Ok, so about that fabulous dinner we had Tuesday night...

I marinated New York Strips in a fabulous new "sweet & spicy" marinade and made chipotle mashed sweet potatoes.

They are both very easy to make, just make sure you have the prep time for the potatoes.

There were quite a few ingredients in the marinade but it's nothing unusual...

Honey, worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, vanilla extract, liquid smoke, cumin, garlic powder, minced onion, and salt to taste.

And let me tell you...it's worth it! I can't wait to try it on other meats! I only wish I had marinated longer.

Find the recipe at this link on my favorite recipe website...

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Sweet-and-Spicy-Marinade-for-Steak/Detail.aspx?prop31=1

The mashed chipotle sweet potatoes were SUPER easy, just takes some prep time. You have to bake them for an hour or so, let them cool a little, then mash them, then bake them some more.

4 ingredients...couldn't be easier...

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Mashed-Chipotle-Sweet-Potatoes/Detail.aspx?prop31=5

This is a good one...

Star Trek on the brain...

Hi I'm Stacy and I'm a trekaholic.

I am admittedly obsessed with this movie. It's just so well done...yada yada...you've read my post about it before.

I think I might go see again tomorrow but this time in the IMAX theatre. By myself. :)

Rob gets motion sickness if they don't use steady cams and they don't always in this one so he won't see it. Plus...I'm laid off...what else have I got to do?

Ooooooh I can't wait!

If you are a trekaholic too go to the movie website...you can listen to bits of the soundtrack, download wallpapers, and play a game to find out your rank in Starfleet!

My pretties from the garden...

Or what I call a 'garden'...I'm not too much of a green thumb. Any plants I have need to be pretty hardy and oops-proof.

The irises bloomed this week!

There is little as awesome as this...

STAR TREK

We saw it yesterday and will see it again today...it is fantastic! Non-stop action and suspense. And NO...you don't know what happens...history is rewritten believably.

They did a wonderful job with the characters, story, action, effects...everything!

You've probably seen the young Spock and know how much he looks like older Spock...the same goes for the rest. And holy s#@* does Karl Urban do a fantastic McCoy!!!

Purrrrrrrrr...I am in love with this movie!

See another great trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w4vk5OZmn8

WANT!!!...

This is the only photo I can find of this necklace that Rachel Ray wore on her show yesterday. I LOOOOOVE it!

I wish it were closer or bigger picture. It's a rhinestone spiral with some kind of sparkly blue uncut stone kind of 'in' it or behind it or something. It's AWESOME.

And the website that the show gives and the website of the designer don't have this particular necklace listed. But I do love his stuff...it's Stephen Webster.

Just look at some of it...

Wholearth...

Oh I want to try these products!!!

I'm a sucker for body junk and especially when it's made from natural ingredients!

I really want to try the body scrub...made from bamboo powder and crushed walnut shells and all kinds of extracts and plant oils. Purrrrrrr...

Wholearth products are green, organic, natural...all that good stuff. One thing I like to use that they don't have...a facial mask!

The only thing is I don't really like to break the bank to get stuff like this and the body scrub is $45. Yea...given that I just lost my job I can't so much justify that. So someone out there try it and let me know all about it so I can live vicariously through you!

Some good eats...

I can make a mean ham & cheese omelet. :)

Sold in my etsy shop!...

Recently sold from my Etsy shop...

These two weren't technically sold from the etsy shop but were posted. I had a girls' night and they wanted to see everything I've made and they bought them directly from me...(thanks Maggie, Lucy, & Mary!)

And these didn't even make it to the shop before they were swiped!...

Ugh...

Ok, I got a 'work-around' for uploading photos. I can't use Blogger-in-Draft to upload photos for some reason. I have to use regular blogger, but I like the draft better so I hope they fix it soon.

What's the deal?

I'm having some issues uploading photos to my blog!  Which is why you haven't heard from me lately.  I'm going to have to resort to 'troubleshooting'.  And perhaps I should restart my computer...when I'm done doing what I'm doing!  :)