Friday, June 29, 2012

how to look like a monster (or be gorgeous!)


As a girl, I consider it my sacred duty to look gorgeous... 90% of the time. Why not 100%, you may ask? Well, because that extra 10% is spent in looking absolutely horrendous (one of my friends described it aptly when she said "Iike a swamp monster") in order to look even better later.

I'm talking, of course, about the application of beauty products. Who amongst us has never tried applying a facial? They're fun, easy, and painless. (Well, mostly.) Here are some I like using!

Hair
As a natural blonde (mostly) sometimes I find my colour getting a little dull. In order to brighten myself up, I use one of these two solutions.
Honey- Wet hair. Towel dry (so that it's not dripping) and apply a thick coat of honey from roots to ends. (The amount necessary depends on how much hair you have; I use around 3 tablespoons.) Leave for approximately an hour (or until your hair is mostly dry) then wash out. (Put in lots of conditioner afterwards- you might be feeling a little dry.)

Lemon juice-  Squeeze juice from a lemon. Apply to hair. (I use around 1.) Go outside (in the sun) and let it dry; wash out. (Like the honey, it's drying, so use extra conditioner.)

Afterwards, you might want to try this!

Avocado mask: Mash up 1/2 an avocado. Add 1 egg and 1/4 cup olive oil. Apply to damp hair. Let sit for 1/2 an hour (or so...) then wash out. (This is best if your hair is already dry, otherwise it might get a bit greasy.)

Face
I have fairly oily skin, so I like to do one of these once or twice a week to reduce it. Always apply lotion after so you don't get too dried out!

Strawberry: Mash up a strawberry (or two, depending on the size) and mix in a drop or two of honey. Apply to face; let dry for approximately 10 minutes, and wash off. (Be warned: you'll look like a burn victim. Also, don't go outside- bugs quite appreciate it. This one is drying, and good for acne-prone or oily skin.)

Oatmeal: Grind a teaspoon of oatmeal. Mix in a teaspoon of plain yogurt and a few drops of honey. Apply to face; let dry for around 20 minutes, then wash off. (Feels nice and refreshing, although you'll look like all the skin on your face is flaking off... Here's a picture:


 Gorgeous, isn't it?)

Orange peel: I buy orange peel power like this:


...mix in a bit of water, and apply it to my face. This one truly gives you the swamp monster look!


Let dry, and once it's cracky and flaky, wash off. It's quite drying, and your face is red for a few hours afterwards, but it's also very cleansing.

Tomato: So, okay, this one isn't really a mask... Just take either a slice or one baby tomato and rub it all over your face. Let dry (around 10 minutes) and wash off. (Don't the seeds fall in your eyes!)

Peel: This one's good if your skin feels extremely dirty. Take 1 tablespoon of Knox gelatin (make sure it's fresh, otherwise this won't work!) and mix in 1 teaspoon of water. Heat it in the microwave for 10 seconds. Stir. Apply to face with makeup sponge (not one you're planning on using again, obviously) then let sit. Peel once it feels a little drier, but not completely dry. (This part is SO MUCH FUN! However, I stress again, don't leave it too long or put on too thin a coat, because then it HURTS.) You can also use Jello to make a sugar scrub.

And, just so that your body is nice and clean too:

Exfoliating Body Scrub
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla (or other scent)
2 tablespoons olive oil (or other oil)



(This smells- and will make you smell- extremely dessert-like. Even knowing the contents, I was tempted to eat a spoonful.)

And that's the end of it! Easy and cheap recipes, made with everyday ingredients. Have you ever done any of these? What kind of beauty tips and tricks do you use?

Thursday, June 28, 2012

futuristic (aka i love dinosaurs)

(Okay, it took me several tries to type that... Fail.) It's a pretty scary word, isn't it? After all, the world is supposed to end in a few months... DOES THIS MEAN THAT MY DREAMS OF A JET-PACK HELMET WILL NEVER HAPPEN?

...probably. But that aside, ten years ago (and why am I even choosing ten? BECAUSE IT'S THE BEST NUMBER!) did I think I would be who I am now? HECK NO. I thought I would be a paleontologist. OR a vet. (Both dealing with dead animals. Hmm... not morbid at all.) (And yes, when I was six, I did think that I'd have a job like that at 16. Things like university and debt had yet to enter my innocent little mind... I miss those days.)

My point here is (yes, I do have a point, surprise surprise) the future is a tricksy thing. Who knows where we'll be in ten more years? Will the world even exist? Maybe it truly will end. Maybe it'll get colonised by dinosaurs- we'll have switched places! There'll be a giant meteor and the remaining humans will all have to learn to do the velociraptor dance (which can be found here) in order to survive.

(Side note: I really want a dinosaur hat right now... SHOPPING TRIP! Because last time I sewed- my beautiful kitty skirt, here- I nearly bled to death. Not fun. Does anyone have a dinosaur hat they want to send me? I WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER. I should've bought this one in Niagara Falls when I had the chance:



Isn't it cute? Next time!)

A dinosaur colonisation would be exciting, but the sad reality is that I'll probably be a crazy cat lady. Sigh. (Again, aforementioned kitty skirt... I'm prepared. At least I'll be a cute crazy cat lady.) OMG maybe cats will take over the world! Even better- they'll love me, and I won't have to worry about being eaten because I'm vegetarian... mosquitoes avoid me, and thus they would too. (Logical correlation? OF COURSE!)

...wait a second. Maybe techno music is what all music in the future will be. MAYBE IT'S CALLS FROM A FUTURE CIVILISATION! That's why so many people dislike it- their brains have yet to decipher the complexities.




IT'S SECRET DINOSAUR LANGUAGE, PEOPLE.

IT ALL MAKES SENSE NOW. 

Oh, and just because I love linkups (and so that more people can see the dinosaur light):

Jenny Matlock

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

my eyes are vibrating a little


Out of the following list, I'm not sure which is sadder; the fact that I...
a) read 2736 pages of manga in the past 2 days (152 chapters, around 18 pages each);
b) took the time to calculate that (hey, I miss math!... okay, that's not really helping); or
c) actually wrote 'read manga' on my summer goals list. (Maybe I should add 'Have a summer goal list' to that, too.)

For those of you who don't know, manga is a Japanese story-telling form; a novel told mainly through drawings, which are done in a specific style- big eyes, slightly disproportionate figures... In general, the storylines and characters are also very dramatic and humorous... or very dark. They're nice summer reads because the books are small, quick reads (2 chapters takes me around 15 minutes to read, feel free to calculate the approximate amount of time I spent reading...) and, even if you can't find the book, there are tons of translation sites online.

However, if you decide to read an entire series online like me, beware! You might end up looking like this:




Which series was I reading so avidly, you might ask?




It's about two boys- a writer and an artist- who decide to create a manga together. (How meta.) As you can maybe guess from the fact that I read most of it in two days, I quite enjoyed it!

Also on my summer reading list are a few I've already read: 

Death Note (...okay, confession, I've already finished it too. Be warned- this one will actually make you think! Done by the same artist-writer combo, funnily enough)



Fruits Basket (my favourite series I've read so far... cute, funny and weepy, what more could I ask for?) 



and Azumanga Daioh (HILARIOUS. Don't read this in public, because the onlookers will think you're a rhino snorting. Okay, maybe that's just me)...



as well as a few I haven't: Bunny Drop, Afterschool Charisma and The Wallflower
(Links to Goodreads are provided for all of them, by the way!) 

What about you? Do you have a summer reading list? Do you read manga at all? 

Monday, June 25, 2012

saving the fair maiden... or not


Although school is over (and thus the source of many of my odd experiences has run dry) there's no need to worry- as long as my mother is around, I will have plenty of fodder for my blog. Whether she's dancing in the middle of the road or simply getting dressed, rest assured that much eye-rolling and chocolate will be necessary to heal my humiliation. (Love you, Mum!)

What did she do this time? She decided that we needed to go on a quest.

Were there dragons?


 Cute! But NO.

Damsels in distress, however? Of course!



(Yours truly was along for the ride. Do you even need to ask?)

Really, though, the most important question- were there knights in shining armour? (Possibly cuter...)  NO. Not even. Just old bronze statues of prime minsters... and let's just say that none of them were stunners even when they weren't made of metal.

Okay, so there was a little bit of danger- that of being hit by a particularly violent raindrop as we skipped along, attempting to decipher the clues we'd been given. It was like a scavenger hunt, with a combo of prime ministers (we got to admire those gorgeous statues further) and directions- really, does anyone know which prime minster believed in human rights or which direction lies north? Does anyone care? 

Well, be that as it may, we eventually got to the end of it... then promptly went to eat dinner, despite having eaten innumerable Larabars while walking. (Is there a correlation there? I have no idea.) I'm just glad I managed not to get lost...although this was probably just becasue we were walking so slowly. What kinds of weird activities do you do with your family?

Sunday, June 24, 2012

for the nights you'll always remember

Several of you have mentioned that you wanted to see my prom photos. Well, after much sleep and recovery time, I am here to fulfill that deep-seated desire. (Wouldn't want to disappoint anyone! Plus, it was pretty epic.)


Be warned- photo-heavy post ahead! 


The gorgeous cupcakes my friend and I (...ok, mostly my friend) made the day before for the graduating students. (You know it's a small school when...)


Okay, so we were a little bit late... but we still found time to take a few glamour shots!


Bust a move and do the cha-cha! (You can totally see my amazing dance skills here.)


What do you do during awkward slow dances? Take glamour shots in the bathroom, of course. (Obviously, I was a model in another life.)


This is me and my 'date' for the evening- as you can see, we were the most gorgeous girls there. (No one else can compare to our beauty!)


Girls in black- assassins, spies, or simply fashionable? (Good thing there were so many slow dances, or else you'd never get to ponder the question.)


Once we were bored with the photo potential of the bathroom, we headed outside to take yet more glamourous shots. (Sadly, in none of these can you see my shoes... they were truly killer.)


And the after-party begins! Here I am, with some other wonderful girls, just chilling outside while trying to remain alive. (Those mosquitoes were pretty vicious! Thankfully they don't seem to care for my weak vegetarian blood.) 



Why sign a yearbook when you can sign someone's chest...right?


Inhaling helium= FUNNIEST. THING. EVER. (And legal, too.) 


The morning after about two hours of sleep... we may have been too tired to move, but at least the hammock was delightfully comfortable! (I have so many pictures of people sitting there... maybe even more than the glamour bathroom shots!)

And there you have it. It was a wonderful night, dearest readers... Now I simply can't wait for next year, to do it all again. (And actually have the excitement of knowing I get to leave this place!) How were your proms? Do you remember them, or have they yet to pass?

(And I will admit... plenty of other things happened too... but the question is, are they blog-appropriate? Hmmm.)

Friday, June 22, 2012

excellent eating- strawberry rhubarb cobbler

Dear rhubarb... I hate to tell you, but you're one of the least attractive plants out there. Huge stalks, enormous leaves, no flowers... Strike one, two, three, you should be out- except you make such delicious desserts! (Or really, even just a snack you're quite tasty.) So, when I discovered that you had spread once more... what better to do than make a delicious cobbler?


Strawberry-Rhubarb Cobbler

Filling
2 1/2 cups chopped rhubarb
3 cups strawberries (I used frozen, but fresh would be wonderful)
1/4 cup honey
1 tbsp vanilla

Crumble
1 cup oats
1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
2 scoops protein powder (optional)
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1/3 cup partially melted butter
1/3 cup honey

1.       Preheat oven to 400.
2.       Combine filling ingredients in pan.


3.       Mix oats, flour and protein powder in medium-sized bowl.
4.       Mix in yogurt, then honey, then butter. (Now that I type it, I realise that this could probably actually all be done at once.)


5.       Put crumble on top of fruit.
6.       Bake for approximately 20 minutes.


And there you have it- a delicious, easy and healthy lunch! (Or breakfast, or whatever.) If you wanted to make it a little more 'desserty', you could add cream or vanilla ice cream. (Or even just more sugar. As you can tell, I like it when the rhubarb is still very tart.)


What's your opinion on rhubarb? Would you try making this?


Oh, and this is also my entry for the wonderful linkup over on Jenny Matlock's blog! (Thank you, dearest rhubarb, for making this possible.)


Jenny Matlock

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

my year in retrospective


I am now officially done grade 11. (Okay, this is actually a guess. I'm pretty sure I didn't fail anything. Fingers crossed.)

How should I feel about this? No idea. Right now I'm torn between "so tired I'd like to fall over and sleep for a week" and "PARTY! WHOOT WHOOT!" I'm sure that, soon enough, it'll all kick in and I'll be sad. Soon. Just not today. Or tomorrow. Or... all summer. Probably not until I have mountains of homework from my grade 12 classes.

Anyway. All nostalgia aside, this was a pretty eventful year! Now, I'll share with you some of the highlights.

·         Ate countless protein bars. (Yes,  this is a highlight. At least it's a relatively healthy addiction!)
·         Discovered a love for old movies. (His Girl Friday! Grease! Some Like It Hot! Anyone else love these?)
·         Wrote. A lot. (Blog, novel, essays, poetry, emails... you name it, I wrote it.)
·         Read. Even more. (All of the above, times 500.)
·         Discovered that physics is both awful and a potential flirting tool. (Everything has a bright side.)
·         Wore bright, bold and wonderful makeup. (Especially blue mascara!)
·         Flirted... and was occasionally flirted with in return. (The excitement mounts!)
·         Yelled at people. (Mostly because of yearbook committee, as I mentioned in this post.)
·         Tripped over countless invisible barriers. (I know they're there! I'm not just tripping over nothing, I swear!)
·         Started a blog. (No. Really!)
·         Laughed, cried, chatted, screamed, sang, whispered, danced...

 Plus, miracle of miracles, today was Beach Day and I didn't get a sunburn- life is good. (I got to wear sparkly sunscreen! And look like a pretty little faerie! So exciting.) What kinds of fun happened in your 'years'? How is life today?

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

is that normal?! v. 3


Joining up again on the super-fun linkup over at Chalk in the Rain! Hopefully this can help me reassure myself that I really am normal after all.




(Okay… so this is partially because my brain is too fried to think up another post. Whatever.  It's nearly summer… I have exams… THAT is totally normal.)

1. Is it normal to drive 5 mph over the speed limit?  10 mph? Not saying I do this *cough cough* but it's definitely normal, especially for new drivers who have less skill at determining the speed… haha, everyone around here drives at least that much over on the highway! (Some people go up to 20 or 30... so if you're coming to visit, watch out.)

2. Is it normal to pick a wedgie in public? Slightly… sometimes there's nothing else you can do… as long as you conceal it. Please don't announce it to the room- TMI, along with your bladder habits.

3. Is it normal to put makeup on even if you aren't planning on leaving the house? I do this! But then I regret it, and immediately call friends so that they can see how great l look. I'd say it's normal if you want to try out a new look… but not normal to do it 'just because'.

4. Is it normal to go skinny dipping? Depends on the situation. If it's late at night, in a lake, okay… if it's the middle of the night in your neighbours' pool, not so much.

5. Is it normal to use the restroom while on the phone? That thought grosses me out quite a bit. I have NO DESIRE to learn any more about your bladder habits, people! (I even mentioned it above. Twice in one post… you know it's a strong belief!)

6. Is it normal to check yourself out when passing by a window/mirror?  When you're as gorgeous as I am, of course!
However… know the difference. One of my friends did this when passing by (what she thought was) a mirror… only to discover it was a window after all and that there were people inside who had been watching her the entire time. (This happened at the same time as this photo shoot! It was apparently an ill-fated day.)

7. Is it normal to keep folded laundry in the basket instead of putting it away? Of course! Seriously, who has enough time to put away laundry right away? (If you do, please go have fun. Right now. Doctor's orders.)

8. Is it normal to turn & walk the opposite direction when seeing someone you know in a store? Ducking down other aisles? Picking up something that doesn't interest you and scrutinizing it carefully? OH YES. If you don't know them well, it's far better to avoid the awkwardness… although sometimes it merely creates more, when they catch up to you and ask "Were you running away from me?" (Put that on the list of questions never to ask.)

9. Is it normal to drink coffee/soda from a straw? Coffee- I would be worried to have the straw melt in my drink and cause an odd plastic-y flavour. Soda, though, I'd say yes. (Particularly if said straw is made of licorice!)

10. Is it normal to hover the toilet in a public restroom? Definitely! Who knows what kinds of things may lurk there?


So what do you think? Am I normal? Do you do the same kinds of things?


Oh, and just to prove I didn't completely abandon Favourite Tuesdays... here is a song I love, love, love. (This is actually my favourite song of all time... we're married, every other song is a mere fling.) 



What do you think of it? (If you don't like it... I might cry a little bit... just a little. But I'm sure I'll manage to survive.) 

Monday, June 18, 2012

exam survival guide


Exams are a time of much stress. Everywhere I look, there are people muttering the laws of physics, the history of self-portraits or the body parts of horses to themselves with a crazed look in their eyes. Binders are clutched to chests as though they're the only thing saving them from drowning. (Although really it's the opposite... people are drowning in too many notes!) Papers fly like snowflakes as the search begins for that all-important revision list.

Am I describing myself? Not at all. I am perfectly zen. (This may have more to do with my feeling that summer has already begun and that none of this matters than how prepared I am, but hey, whatever works!) How do I manage this, you ask? Well, without further ado, here's my exam survival guide!

·         DON'T drink a lot of water beforehand. Yes, it's important to stay hydrated... but when you have to pee four minutes into a three-hour exam, there's a problem.
·         DO eat a big breakfast. This is really for other peoples' sakes. There are few things more annoying than listening to someone's stomach growling. (Unless it's someone sniffing.)
·         DO use fancy-coloured pens. Might as well make your boring essay look pretty, right? Maybe you'll get extra communication points!
·         DON'T drink too much caffeine beforehand. In addition to the bathroom situation, there's the whole 'bouncing like Tigger' situation to contend with- not so great if you're trying to write an essay.
·         DO eat lots of pie. It has a similar name to a mathematical concept- it MUST help you study! (This can fit in with the breakfast tip, too!)
·         DO remember to breathe. Passing out/hyperventilating during the exam is definitely no fun. Also, the people around you will not be happy if you fall on top of them.

And... that's about it. Does anyone else have any suggestions on how to survive exams?

Friday, June 15, 2012

funny fridays

Today was my first exam. It was harder than I expected (read: I actually had to think! Who does that during an exam?) and I am now entirely braindead... so instead of actually writing something (I also have the worst hand cramp right now) I decided to post all sorts of pictures I found hilarious! (A great way to kick off the weekend, right?)


YES. It's so true. (Like, putting my entire hand down on a stove to check if it was hot yet. Sound in theory, not so much in practice.)


This is why you never ask "Why are you so quiet?"


Yes. ALL THE TIME. What they're fixing, I have no idea.


Okay, so sterotyping is bad... but also, in this case, quite funny.


This isn't a joke, guys. It's because we are! (Just kidding! Or am I...)



So true. (I bet you really want to come visit now!)


Repeat this in an awful Australian accent. I guarantee you'll laugh!


All. The. Time. Why does it look so small when uncooked? How does that work?


Is that song in your head now? 


Best. Show. Ever. And this picture just describes it so well! (That might be a little bit sad.) 

 Well, I hope that some of these at least made you chuckle, and were a nice start to the weekend! (If you recognise some of these... it might be because I saw them first on your blog.) Anyone else have any funny pictures to share?

Thursday, June 14, 2012

darling diy- kitty skirt

I made my first DIY clothing project when I was about ten or so. It was the cutest little shrug, and I couldn't wait to wear it. As soon as I got home from my friends' house, I put it on with the hugest grin on my face. I thought I looked absolutely adorable!

However, other people had other ideas. Namely,my father.As soon as he saw me, he burst out laughing and said, "They're shirtless sleeves!"

I never wore that little shrug again.

All this to explain why I rarely do DIY clothing projects. (Now you know the secret trauma of my childhood.That and once being forced to drink an entire glass of milk-the horror!) However, when I saw this darling little kitty skirt over at Scathingly Brilliant, I knew I had to make it and show all of you wonderful readers how I decided to make it.



Materials: Black, white and red felt, a plain black skirt, a needle and thread, and two buttons. (Note that the colours of all of these things can be changed, depending on what colour you want your cat to be.)

Instructions: 
1. Cut out your cat ear shapes- 4 identical black triangles and 2 identical white ones- and stitch them together. (Or, you really hate sewing, you could use iron-on transfer sheets or a hot glue gun.)



2. Cut out your little nose shape from the red felt, attach it to the iron-on transfer fabric and iron it to your skirt! (Make sure not to attach it in a... suggestive area.)

3. Sew on the buttons, just above the nose. 

4. Sew on the ears. (I used a double seam so that they popped out even more.)

And... that's it! Here it is on the floor: 


I was worried that it would draw attention to my stomach, but the cut of the skirt actually makes it really flattering! Once again on me (just because it's so cute!):


What do you think? Would you wear a kitty skirt? 

Even better, it starts with a D- so I could join in on the Delicious and Dapper linkup over at Jenny Matlock's blog! Go and check out some more of the Dramatic and Dimpled posts!

Jenny Matlock

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

normalcy is overrated

For the second time, I'm linking up with the wonderful Allyce over at Chalk in the Rain for the "...is that normal?!" linkup!


Are you intrigued? Wondering what kind of 'normal' fits into my definition? If so, read on!

1.  Is it normal to pretend you didn't already know about someone/something via Facebook when it comes up in a "real life" conversation with that person? Well… I kinda do this all the time… because it's embarrassing to admit that you've stalked someone on Facebook. (You know you've done it too!) So, I'll have to vote normal.

2.  Is it normal to "fart and walk away?" If you say you've never done this, you're totally lying. DON'T DENY IT.

3.  Is it normal to spy on your neighbors? Of course it is! Curiosity is only human. (Or cat-like…)
Confession: if there were cute boys who lived near me, I would totally spy on them. Not in a creepy, oh-I-don't-know-how-I-happened-to-be-on-your-roof way… I'm not quite that weird… but in a oh-hi-I-just-happened-to-be-walking-by way. (I can't be the only one, admit it!)

4.  Is it normal to read your boyfriend's/husband's texts? I don't think so. Relationships should be based on trust… and if you feel you have to read your partner's private messages, then it's just not there. (Look at me, being all mature!)

5.  Is it normal to compulsively check social media for notifications? Sometimes- like when you have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING else to do- but in general I would say no. The real world is much more exciting! Go outside and play in the rain!

6. Is it normal for a 20-something women to listen to Rap/Hip Hop? Not being a 20-something woman, I wouldn't know… but why wouldn't it be? Listen to whatever you like! (However, if you're going to listen to screamo or country, please do it when I'm not around.)

7.  Is it normal to take toiletries from a hotel? Isn't that what they're there for? You paid for the room, you paid for the products.

8.  Is it normal for your cat/dog to sleep in your bed? Sure! I personally don't sleep with my cats because they wake me up all the time (is it really necessary for you to howl like you're dying in the middle of the night? I DON'T THINK SO) but they are fun to cuddle with.

9.  Is it normal to taste test grapes out of the bag at the grocery store? This seems useless to me. Just look at them! Are they brown and squishy? If so, don't buy them. Simple as that.

10.  Is it normal for men to shape their eyebrows? I don't think it's quite normal… but I do think some guys could really use it, so maybe it should be.

And… a special bonus question that is all mine.

11. Is it normal to name your guitar after a Jane Austen hero? Well… I did… but I don't think that makes it exactly normal! In case anyone was wondering, Tilney comes from Henry Tilney of Northanger Abbey. (If you haven't read it, you definitely should!)

What do you guys think? Agree or disagree?

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

play me a melody

I mentioned in this post that I and a couple of my friends busked. So, in today's Favourite Tuesday post, I decided to show you my amazing companion for that occupation... Say hello to Tilney!


(Bonus points if you can guess where his name comes from. And yes, it is actually a him. Don't ask.)


Here we are, all happy. This is actually a picture from last year (which is why I look about ten...)- as you can see, we're in a long-term relationship.



And here's the song that I'm currently obsessed with playing!


I don't actually like listening to it, but it's a great way to get out random aggression! (I might not sound amazing, but at least I have fun!)

Does anyone else play guitar? If so, what kinds of music do you play?