Merry Christmas and Where Have You Been?

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Next...

Where have I been?

Computerless that is where I have been....

I do not have a computer and for awhile I did not have a smart phone.

Note to Self: Taking an IPhone for a swim is a BAD idea....

<.<      >.>

Yeah, I did that.

Now, my computer, which is about ten years old... died. That computer was my back-up computer.

Sooo.... I am currently on a friend's  computer typing this up very quickly. I'm thinking I will be doing Vlogs until I can get back up and running on a regular computer. Typing a blog on my Android is an interesting type of torture I'm not into.

I will post my first Vlog tomorrow and just remember these will raw and unedited.

OK, hope you are enjoying your Holidays!!!

Because I'm not.... I'm sick with a super cold and it looks like I will be getting just well enough to go back to work.... Here's hoping I will be back to my normal self .... I'm leaving for the Bahamas on Jan.1.

*crossing my fingers*

<3 Zerila 

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

I hope everyone is enjoying there day!

I allowed myself to become Slave #1 to my mother. See commends and do.

It will all be worth at the end of the day though :)

<3 Zerila

Yummy Lara Bars

I've been waking up at 4 o'clock in the morning to go swimming before work. I'm not crazy. Truthfully, if it was anything but swimming I doubt I would be as dedicated as I am.

Before I go exercise, I wanted to grab a small snack . Something light and full of energy food.

This is what I found:

I customize the recipe. This week I added some oats and semi-sweet chocolate morsels. I also added cinnamon candy flavoring. It kind of taste like a fireball larabar.

You could change the nuts to to peanuts, cashews,  pecans, or mix it up.

I'm not sure what you could substitue the dates with. I'm going to try adding other dried fruit like a fig or apricots. That would be an interesting mix.

I have tried Larabars from the store and I like to think the ones I make at home taste much better.

Let me know what you guys think.

Also let me know what you add to the recipe. I'd love to try a new flavor.

<3 Zerila

I'm Back...Again

After an incredibly stressful and emotional week, I'm back. I do apologize for dropping the blog again for a week, but I was basically doing work and then helping out my friend. I was her shadow at anytime I possible could. That is basically all I could do for her, is be there. That is all one can do really.

The whole time I was at the funeral, looking at her Dad, I was thinking, "Thank God that it's not Allan. Thank God its not my Dad." Then I began thinking what am I going to do when it is? How can I survive the death of my Dad or a brother? How is my friend finding the strength to do what she is doing? I would be a wreck.

I watched my best friend age in a matter of week. She went from a "carefree" young woman(I use this loosely because her life was no rose garden) into a woman with responsibility and what  I can describe as experience of life.

I remember growing up as a child always eager to become an adult. If I had understood what was to come I would have enjoyed childhood a lot longer.

Anyway....

I would have been back yesterday but my body said it had enough and I crashed for the day.

I hope that the next time I tell you I won't be seeing you for a week is when I go on my cruise this January.

Either way, give your family a big hug today. No one gets out alive and you will never regret showing your family how much you love them.

<3 Zerila



Life Sucks Sometimes

My best friend's Dad died this week. It was not a huge shock because he had been I'll for a very long time. Still, death is painful regardless of whether or not your are expecting it.

All I can do is be there for her. But If you could my bestie's family in your thoughts and prayers I would greatly appreciate it.

I probably will not be posting this week for I have offered myself in the form of slave labor or just plain company.

Hope everyone is enjoying their week. Did anyone catch the asteroid last night? FOr those in Alaska: Good Luck and stay safe.

<3 Zerila

Salt Substitute... BLAH!!!!

As you now know Allen had heart surgery this past month. He has been put on a low sodium diet, i.e. no salt. My mother and I thought maybe a salt substitute would help, so we bought it for the family to switch over to.

I was curious on how it tasted so I dropped a little bit on my finger. When I tasted it, I thought maybe I hadn't washed my hands since the last time I put on hand sanitizer. I washed my hands and tasted a larger sample. I have never tasted anything so vile. It was disgusting.  I tried to use a paper towel to rub the stuff off my tongue, but it wouldn't come off.  I ended using Listrine to finally get that nasty taste out.I would rather have no salt in my meals, then this stuff.  BLAH! 

The salt subsititue webought was made of potassium chloride. I kept thinking to myself that eatting anything with potassium chloride can not be good to the system. I looked on Wiki and I was right. The stuff is a third of the lethal injection mixture and they also use it to stop hearts in heart surgerys. So, we trashed it.

This is where I NEED your help. Besides using spices to add a bit of flair to our dishes, does anyone know of a good salt substitute?

Comment below and let me know. It would be greatly appreciated.

<3 Zerila

This Month's Giveaway Winner

This month's giveaway was for an English Rose Ring.

Here are my contestants: 

AND the Winner is:

Congratulations!

<3Zerila

I'm Back!

Last week and a half have been very stressful for my family and! It had basically been: get up, go to the hospital, come home, and sleep. Then eventually I had to add work into that  equation. I was tired, stressed, numb, and acting very dumb. I remember at one time I had a hard time ordering Subway because I forgot all the names of the sides/dressings that they put on their sandwiches.  

I hope every is enjoying their Halloween! I've been passing out handfuls of candy out to little kids in hope we do not have any leftovers:) I think the coolest costume I have seen today was a Braveheart costume from this little middle schooler.I, myself, did not dress up this year because I have been crazy busy, but I do usually dress up as a Zombie of sorts.  Hopefully next year will not be this stressful

Either way:

Happy Halloween! 

<3 Zerila

Please Pray for My Brother, Allan, He is Having Heart Surgery

My brother Allan from the blog Fun With Perler  is going to be having open heart surety tomorrow.

 Last year  he was diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (genetic issue). He didn't seem to have many symptoms and we didn't think it was that serious. We were wrong. In July we were told that he will need a defibrillator. In August we were told that his condition was very serious and that he will need open heart surgery.

On the positive side of things, he will have surgery at Johns-Hopkins and his surgeon is very experienced. The surgery will be VERY intrusive and extensive, but the survivability rate is 100%. The surgeon states that, if all goes as planned, Allan should not have any more issues for at least 30 years.

To say the least we have been very stressed this week. I have found that stress comes out in very weird ways. This is the main reason I have not been posting this past week. I do apologize, but it has been alot to take in and alot to keep in all my insanity.

 

Thank you for all your prayers for Allan and my family. Allan seems to be relaxed about it. The surgery will take place in the morning, we have to be there at 730am. As soon as I find out he is out of surgery I will post another blog, twitter, facebook, etc.

 

Thank you all inadvance for all your prayers!!!

 

<3 Zerila

Update; 10:25am : the surgery has offically begun! Thank you you everyone for your prayers!

Update; 12:24pm: he is off bypass and is currently being stitched back together. Again thank
you everyone!

Update; 2:48: he is currently in ICU and we r waiting for him to be settled until we can see him. Thank you everyOne fOr your prayers.

I Lost 3.6lbs This Week!

This week has been my first week back on weight watchers and I lost 3.5lbs!!! How awesome is that!

I also "enjoyed" my first workout at LA Fitness. OMG!! I still feel the burn. Plus, some of the equipment looks like torture devices. Well, they kinda are, but I'm talking about the ones that would be used on 'Saw'.

I hope the weight loss continues on because I have less then 70 days left til the cruise

<3 Zerila

DIY: Turning Your Brooch Into A Stylish HeadBand

I broke this beautiful brooch months  ago. It was one of my favorites, so I kept it. I thought I could do something with it. Then I found these headbands in the dollar section at Target and I had the idea!

Alright, Let's Begin!

Items you will need:

Hot Glue Gun

Headband

Felt

Jewelry Cutter

Brooch

Scissors(not pictured)

Craft Glue(not pictured)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Using the jewelry cutter cut off any backing that is left on your brooch.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cut out a piece of felt that is twice the size of your brooch.

Using your craft glue, glue the brooch down onto the felt. Set for about 15 minutes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fold the felt over the headband, with the brooch on top. You will need now to find where you wish to attach the brooch on your headband.  Once you know exactly where you wish to place the brooch, glue the underside of the brooch and then attach it the headband.

Let the brooch set for 15 minutes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Using your scissors cut off the excess felt.

Depending on your brooch shape, you may be able to get a close cut. If not, do not worry. When you have the headband on, no one notices the felt, they only notice the brooch.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Using your glue gun, glue down lines on the back of your brooch. This will help your headband stay in place when you are wearing it.

Let set overnight.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Done!

Remember: Have Fun, Be Creative and Make it Your Own!

Let me know if you have any questions!

<3 Zerila

I Joined a Gym

I finally did it! I joined a gym!

I joined LA Fitness because they have a pool and I LOVE to swim!! I figured if I have to lose weight,I might as well do be doing something I enjoy.

I intially signed up for a tour at the gym and was impressed. They have monitors on all cardio equipment with iPod/iPhone hook-ups. OMG! I didn't realize the gym was so high tech! Craziness!!

The gym is only 6 months old, so everything was new and shiny. The bathroom was beautiful. Enough room in the lockers to hang my work clothes. The plan is to go swimming before work. Unfortunately I will not be able to start tomorrow because I need to go buy essential items like a lock, goggles and a swim cap.

I tried to see if I could get a trainer for a few sessions, to learn the equipment,  and it cost a $100 something a  month to see a trainer for 4x a month! Honestly, its either have an iPhone or a trainer and an iPhone will win hands down every round. I <3 my iPhone. I have yet to lose my iPhone. My precious...

<3 Zerila

How Much Have I Changed?

I found this in an old blog I had... I have not changed alot, but it was fun seeing the different answers I had. MAN, I've gotten old!!!!!!

Feb 10, 2006

10 Years ago

How old were you? 19

What school year were you in 2002? Second year of college

Where did you go to school? AACC
Where did you work? Yes; Day Care

Where did you live? Maryland

Where did you hang out? BSU house in
How was your hair style? Long, middle of my back length, and usually down
Did you wear braces? No

Did you wear glasses? Normally contacts

Who was your best friend? I didnt really have one

Who was your boyfriend/girlfriend? None

Who was your celebrity crush? Didnt have one
Who was your regular-person crush?That Dude never could speak to him though

How many piercings did you have? 5

How many tattoos did you have? None

What was your favorite band? i dunno

What was your worst fear? Spiders

Had you smoked a cigarette yet? nah, everyone who smoked smelled yuckie

Had you gotten drunk or high yet? nah, didnt appeal

Had you driven yet? yeah

Had you been to a real party yet? I guess you can say I had been to a real party, but not a "REAL" party

Had your heart been broken? Yes, it had hurt big time

Had you been arrested? if you know me.. you know this answer

Had you failed a class? No

Did you think you were attractive? Yeps

Did u think you were cool/ popular? No

7 Years AGO
How old are you?: 23

What school year are you in? Forever in College...I want out

Where do you go to school?: AACC

Where do you live?: Maryland
Where do you hang out? whatever is fun, major places are mall and bowling alley

How is your hair style? shoulder length, and curled when I feel like it

Do you have braces?: No

Do you wear glasses?: Nopes
Who is your boyfriend/girlfriend?: Nopes, happily Single People

Who is your celebrity crush?: Cillian Murphy
Who is your regular-person crush? ssssoooo not saying, but if you know me, you totally know the answer

How many tattoos do you have?: None

How many piercings do you have?: 5- two in each ear and a nose ring

What is your favorite band? hmmm.... none at the moment

What is your biggest fear? Gaining more weight
Have you driven yet?: Yes

Where do you work? kmart for two more weeks then Avenue
Have you smoked a cigarette yet? Nope, I work at kmart and sees what you become when you smoke... so not happening

Have you gotten drunk or high yet? Kmart customers kinda cures me of any curiosity to do either. you look like a total moron when you are drunk and everyone think your the losest thing on Earth when your high.

Have you been to a real party? same answer as above

Has your heart been broken? Yep, by no one else though. I had a couple turn downs... but nothing as major as a broken heart

Have you been arrested? No

Have you failed a class? Yes

Do you think your attractive? No, Ive gained alot weight
Do you think your cool/popular? Nah... given up

NOW

How old are you?: 29

What school year are you in? Not going at the moment
Where do you go to school?: n/a
Where do you live?: Maryland...still
Where do you hang out? There isnt a specfic play
How is your hair style? At the moment, braided. I'm saving up to get my hair done. Poor broke me.

Do you have braces?: No

Do you wear glasses?:Yep

Who is your boyfriend/girlfriend?: Nopes, happily Single People...still

Who is your celebrity crush?: Doctor Who... I'm waiting for him to take me away on his Tardis.

Who is your regular-person crush?none... I have no been inspired at all lately.
How many tattoos do you have?: None

How many piercings do you have?: 5- two in each ear and a nose ring

What is your favorite band? 2NE1
What is your biggest fear? Being Alone

Have you driven yet?: Yes

Where do you work? Supply Company

Have you smoked a cigarette yet? Nope, but I have tried a cigar.
Have you gotten drunk or high yet? Nope
Have you been to a real party? Yes... but not a crazy party
Has your heart been broken? Highschool love, nothing else
Have you been arrested? No

Have you failed a class? Yes

Do you think your attractive? Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

Do you think your cool/popular? This is a highschool question and I try to avoid any memories involving highschool.

DIY: English Rose Inspired Ring Video

I have created another video!!

This time I made a video from the DIY I have already done, "The English Rose Inspired Ring".

Here is the Video:

What do you think? I think I did WAY better since the last video. Do you like the music?

This ring will also be this month's giveaway!

I know I already gave one away before, but I figured you guys wouldn't mind the chance to win it again.

I hope to eventually to have one video up a week. Most of them may not be DIYs but maybe tips or something else random that is going on with my life.

Who knows? What do you think I should do?

<3 Zerila

Awesome New PS3 Commerical

This is AWESOME!!!!

TO ZERILA!!!!!!

BEST COMMERICAL EVER!!!!

Don't Keep A Box of Delicious Chocolate in Your Desk

Especially when it's that special time of the month. You know what I'm talking about ladies. The time of the month when you understand why individuals snap and open fire on their co-workers. Not that I would EVER do that. 99.9% of my mind knows that it is bad, stupid,  and evil; but then it probably relax me.

Since I like co-workers and my job, I remember I have a lovely box of chocolate in my desk.  Just one piece of chocolate and I was in seventh heaven. High on the chocolaty goodness.Life is good, but then it wears off and I have to have more. A half a day passes by and those chocolates are GONE! CRAP! I'm supposed to be watching what I eat because I want to lose WEIGHT!

CRAP CRAP CRAP!

This reminds me of a time I was thinking to myself, "No more candy." I'm deep breathing, getting one with my weight loss power. Two seconds later I spot a piece of candy and go"OH! Candy!"Half way into chewing on my new piece of candy, I spit it out, realizing I didn't even have an ounce of weight loss power.

<sigh>

I need a "weight-loss-time-of-the-month-chocolate" relaxer.

I''m thinking sugar-free chocolate milk. Anyone else out there have suggestions?

<3 Zerila

Trying to Lose Weight Sucks

My mother and I decided to do Weight Watchers again. I've been trying to eat healthy for months and I'm not winning this battle. So, this Saturday we start.

This should be very helpful. I've done Weight Watchers before and it does help. Plus, it always helps to have someone else battling with you.

I will keep you posted.

<3 Zerila

DIY: Transforming Your Boring Bleach Wipe Tub into Couture

I got bored with the appearance of my bleach wipes tub, so I decided to do something about it!

Granted this may be a bit of a crazy DIY, but it was fun to design. Bleach wipes are an everyday use item. I have a tub at my office desk even. Manufactures have of course ,tried to design some very nice ones, but I find most of them boring.

This DIY allows you to design the outside to match whatever room it will be in. Personally, I've always wanted a Juicy Couture one. Why should I wait for the world to catch up to what I want? I can create my own!

This is what you will need:

Bleach Wipes Tub

Scissors

Pen/Marker(not pictured)

Glue

Paint Brush

Ruler (not pictured)

Plastic Container(I'm using a container I usually get my soup in)

Beautiful pages ripped from a magazine( I started with four, but ended up only using 3)

Water

Let's Begin:

Line up your magazine pages, and using your ruler create horizontal lines about 1" apart on the top page

Holding your pages together and using your scissors, cut out the strips.

Now that your strips are cut out, mix them up. Mixing them up helps your brain create a pattern to design your tub.

In your plastic container, squirt some glue and add some water. Using your brush mix the glue and the water together. You want your mixture to have the consistency of paint. If your nervous, add a little bit of water at a time.

You can either remove the labeling off your tub, or you can leave it on. Either way your not going to see it anymore.

Taking your brush, paint on enough glue to glue down your first strip. Place the strip down and smooth it out. You will have creases in the strip no matter how hard you try, but smoothing it out helps to have less. Once you have the strip smoothed out paint another layer of glue on top.

Repeat this step all the way around the tub.

I ended up using a Juicy Couture, a Vera Wang"Princess" and  a JcPenny clothes ad for my design. My pattern was pink, pink and then green.

I think I did pretty awesome, what do you think?   I like comments :)

<3 Zerila



Contest Winner



This month I am giving away an awesome Glitter Aqua bow ring I made.

 

Let's begin!

My lovely contestants:

In my awesome wine glass you go.

And the WINNER IS:

 

I apologize about being so late in posting the winner. My sink was clogged and someone(99.9% sure it was me) left it running and it overflowed. I noticed when there was a nice pond in my bathroom. It was so much fun cleaning it up....

 

Next month's item I will post in the next few days.

 

<3 Zerila

 

 

Diy: Button Ring Bracelet

I've always wanted one of these pieces. They are so punk and beautifully exotic. I finally decided to make my own.

I choose the two the silver and pink buttons because I wanted this to be a very neutral piece.

Anyway...

Let's begin.

Items you will need:

Jewelry Pliers

Two Buttons with Back attachments(i.e. no buttons with wholes)

Chain

Adjustable Ring

Jump Rings

Clasp Set

Craft Glue(Not Pictured)

Using the jewelry cutters, cut off the back to the button.

Put some glue down on the back of the button.

Using your jewelry pliers connect three jump rings. Place the jump rings on the back of the ring, as seen above, so that one jump ring is hanging off the button. That jump ring with be used to to connect to a chain.

Once you have the jump rings in place attach the adjustable ring. Make sure the jump ring is still handing out, as seen above.

Set aside and let dry. This will need to set over night, but it will be dry enough to attach to the bracelet.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Measure out a chain that would fit around your wrist. At each end of the chain attach a jump ring and one part of the clasp.

Fold the bracelet in half and in the middle, using your jewelry pliers, detach the chain.  Attach a jump ring to each end and attach each jump ring to the button.

Measure out another chain that would run from your ring to your bracelet. Attach another jump ring to one of  the jump rings attached to the button, as seen above. Attach the chain that will run from your bracelet to ring.

The other end of the chain attach another jump ring and attach it to the jump ring on the adjustable ring.

Blah... so many rings!

Finished!!!!!

A very simple piece and of course you can use any colors you would like. Like I said I wanted a very neutral color scheme.

<3 Zerila

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

Cake time!!!

Also tons of these:

Maryland Blue Crabs with Old Bay seasoning. HMMMMMM! Yummy in my Tummy!!!!!!

FYI- Blue crabs is WAY yummier then lobster. Just saying. 

Quick question: Do you guys have Old Bay where you live? I here this amazing spice is a regional thing and they don't have it anywhere else? Is this truth?

Another Quickie: I here some people boil their crabs and not steam them? Who wants soggy crab meat?

<3 Zerila

Must Remember: Shopping For Someone Else.... NOT ME

I went shopping during lunch and after work today, looking for a present for my Dad's Birthday. I always have a hard time shopping for my Dad because if he ever wants something he just goes out and buys the item he wants.

Of course while on my search I found tons of things I want. I was strong for everything except for these two items:

I found this top in the clearance section at Marshall's for only $10!!!!!  I think this would be a perfect look for work with a cardigan.

I also found this eyeshadow at Target by Milani called "Girls Luv Pink".

It is very sparkly.



It is a very light pink, you can barely see the color difference in the swatch above. I will be using this color with a dark purple. Since I have hazel eyes, purple just makes my eyes POP.

I did eventually find presents for my Dad. Here's hoping he likes them.

<3 Zerila

Time For Some Changes

Evidently I missed the year anniversary of my blog. It was back in August! I have no idea how I missed it!

I've been doing this blog for a year now! A YEAR! Craziness!

I have gone from an average of 2 views a day to an average of 40.

I have gone from 0 to 10 Followers! You guys are so awesome for putting up with my ramblings!

I did my first DIY video and I do plan on doing more.

I've also been making a few changes.

I finally figured out how to make buttons for my blog. It only took me half a day. I learned how to do it from this Oikology blog. I only have the one button right now, but eventually I will be designing more.

I also finally made some pages. I currently only have the three, but I plan on creating a few more. Making the pages was a lot more complicated then it should have been.

I'm also creating a new blog header. Here is a draft I have. What do you think?

I've also taken the Blogging Day out of my titles. It was cute at first, now I find it annoying.

I will be making more changes over the course of the next month.

Let me know if you have any suggestions.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

30 Day Song Challenge: Day18 - A song that you wish you heard on the radio.

Ayumi Hamasaki has such a beautiful voice. This song is my favorite and it is also the 18th most expensive music video ever made. It cost 1.6 million to make. 

<3 Zerila

Blogging Day 293: DIY Wrap Bracelet by Whitney Sews

I am a subscribe of Whitney Sews on YouTube and she did this awesome video on how to make a wrap bracelet:

This is what I ended up with:

I didn't have any leather rope so I used hemp rope I had, which works just as well. I also ran out of the  pink beads I was using,so I ended up finishing the bracelet with the metal beads. Instead of wrapping them I just knotted them on. I think the metal beads adds a nice touch. Don't you think?

This bracelet takes awhile to make. I suggest popping in a movie while you are making it. I ended up watching Thor, very cool movie, while I made mine. 

30 Day Song Challenge:

Day 17 - A song that you hear often on the radio

I actually like this song. Kelly Clarkson is my American Idol :)

<3 Zerila

Blogging Day 292: DIY: Turn Your Clip-On Earrings into Pierced Post Earrings

I love beautiful vintage earrings. Unfortunately,95% of the time, they are clip-on earrings. When I wear clip on earrings they always hurt and feel as if are trying to pierce my ears AGAIN.

After awhile I finally figured out I could convert them into pierced earrings.

Awhile, as in- I have a nice collection of clip-ons that I has been growing over the years and earlier this week I thought up this crazy idea.

I know (points to hair) blonde. It takes awhile to process ideas.

Let's begin!

What you will need:

Clip-on Earrings

Craft Glue

Jewelry Cutters

Posts and Backing

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

First Step:

Using your jewelry cutters, cut off the clip on your earrings.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Last Step:

Glue the posts to the back of your earrings. Let set over night.

Done!!!

Very simple! Even I can do it!

30 Day Song Challenge:

My computer was lagging like crazy last night, and I was unable to post my song yesterday. So, here are two songs for you to enjoy today.

30 Day Song Challenge: Day 15 - A song that describes you.

Yes, I am crazy.
The video is even better because I found a Fullmetal Alchemist AMV .

30 Day Song Challenge: Day 16: A Song I used to love, but now hate

When this first came out I could not get enough of this song, but then they played it 24/7 and now it annoys me. I think it was a big deal because of Dawson's Creek.

 No, I did not watch Dawson's Creek... how dare you think that. Bad Reader! No cookies for you!

<3 Zerila