So... This is my life now

Wow... it's been awhile. I am now 31 years old...

God, I'm old.

 For the past year, I've been living in a small house with three roommates on the water. Yes, the water!

 

Prepare to be jealous of  my view!

 

Ready?

 

Bam!

 

 

 

It's ok, I'd be jealous too.

 

Unfortunately, do to circumstances beyond my control, I'm back at my parents house for a bit.

Right now, I'm not in a good place. I'm not happy, but I have a plan!

 

Plans are cool!

 

I'm going to keep myself SO incredibly busy that I barely even have time to think about what has happened.

 

What plans do you ask?

 

First, I'm in training with my best friend for the Ridiculous Obstacle Course(ROC) race.

 

What is the ROC race you ask?

 

This is the ROC race!

 

 



 

Doesn't that look awesome!!!!

 

Check out their website!

 

http://rocrace.com/

 

Granted, there is still no scheduled date for the Maryland area. I have hope that by the time they do, I will be ready!

 

We have already begun our training. I am up to walking 4 miles, 35 minutes on the elliptical and 2nd floor on the stair climber( what I like to personally call the "Stairway to Hell"). No, I do not do them in that order, that is where I'm with each one respectively.

 

Since, I assume, with training I will be losing weight, I've decided to keep a photo diary of my weight lose progress. This is mwah at 300 something lbs. (shh! My weight is SUPER secret! Don't tell anyone!)

 

 

These were taken in Alexandria, Virigina on an awesome weekend with my two best friends.

 

 

I hate getting my pictures taken. I do not like looking at the pictures because ... to be honest I do not like seeing how far I've let myself go. Getting my pictures taken on the other hand is a whole different story.

 

Anyway, every 10 pounds I'll add a photo.

 

It's late and I'm off to bed; in the basement where my parents put their ill-begotten child who moves back in with them at the age of 31.

 

<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

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

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

Blogging Day 308: 2NE1 New Single: I am the Best!!!

*** Don't forget to become a public follower. You currently have a 1 in 10 change of winning the English Rose Ring! ******

I am MAJOR fan of the Korean girl group 2NE1.

Will.i.am is working with them! Hopefully, soon they will be playing on the radio on my way to work.

ANYWAY! The important thing is that their new single I am the Best premiered yesterday on YouTube. I am adding their YouTube page to my awesome website list!

Check it out!!

I <3 it! Very up beat! Perfect for working out!

Here are my top seven  2NE1 songs(I had originally started with  five, but I couldn't cut any out and they are in no certain order):

Clap Your Hands is my favorite out all the videos!

2NE1 Fire came out with two music videos, a street and space version. I like the street version ALOT better. the dancing is amazing,especially Minzy's. Can you spot G-Dragon?

I normally do not like slow songs, but this one just hit me right there.. *sniff* *sniff*.

Too COOL! I <3 how they have a Star Wars reference in this video!

What do you think?

<3 Zerila

Water- good
Veggies- I only had 3/5 servings :(

Blogging Day 303: Tokidoki & Sephora Shoppin'

 Needed a few essentials from Sephora and these are the extras that I bought!

This is the Adieu Chromatic Palette by Tokidoki. I had been in Sephora a couple of weeks ago and saw this and feel in love with the colors.

I can not get enough of Tokidoki's art. Very anime like, along with a bit of creepy. Which in essence is anime.

It comes with a cute little charm. I wanted the pink one that came with another set, but... alas I liked the colors on this one much better.

So PRETTY!!!! 

Colors:

Carina         Ciao Ciao

Adieu           Al Dente 

I would have chosen different names, but oh well!

Al Dente - Adieu - Ciao Ciao - Carina

I like the purple sparkles in the Al Dente black.

Next thing I bought is a make-up case. I think it will be perfect for the cruise.

I'm not a fan of the brown, white and black. They had a pink one, but as it was on clearance they were all sold out.

It uses magnets, not snaps or Velcro, to close.

Unfolded you can see the three compartments.

I left the stuff stuffing inside to show where the compartments are.

The middle bag is Velcroed on and can be removed to where you can store your make-up brushes with a plastic protection flap.

On top there is a little mirror that also can be removed.



The hanger folds over nicely when folding it back up.

I think the cool thing about this is that I can either fold it and store, or hang it up in a closet.

Anyway, that's it. Not a major shopping trip, which during the summer I'm not willing to do. Way to much stuff to do!

<3 Zerila

Water: Check!

Veggies: Radishes, Grapes, Salad, check!

Blogging Day 302: Elegant Bead Earrings DIY

I used the green pearls because they match my hazel eyes. I got these particular beads at the dollar store. You should do a weekly run to the dollar store. Sometimes they get the coolest things.

This is what you will need:

Jewelry Rounded Pliers

Jewelry Grabber Pliers

18-beads

18-3/4" head Pins

2-5 link chains

2-Earring Hooks

2-Jump Rings 

Insert  headpin into each bead and using the rounded pliers bend the head pin into a hook. 

This is what it should look like. You will want to leave it alittle bit open. After you attach it to the chain, you will close it off. 

Alright, I'm going to explain this link by link.

First chain: Attach hook to jump ring, and attached jump ring to first chain link. On each side of the jump ring attach a bead. Using the grabber pliers, close off the curved head bin.

2md, 3rd & 4th Chain: Attach a bead to each side. Close off curved head pin.

5th Chain: Only need to attach last bead. Only one bead will be this chain.

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

Done!!!!!

Simple and beautiful earrings. I wore these to work the other day and they loved them! Again you do not have to use green beads! Any small beads will do!

Have fun! Remember: Be creative, Be Imaginative and Make it your own!

 

<3 Zerila

 

Veggie: Radishes and Grapes. I went to the Amish market this weekend and got tons of veggies.

Water: Forgot my water bottle, so had TONS of tea today.

 

Sorry for the lack of posts! I've been a little addicted!!!!  I am now in ACT 3 of Dragon Age 2!!  I'm going thru withdrawal!

 

Speaking of withdrawal! I have to wait til Spring 2012 for more Game of Thrones!!!!!!!!! NOT FAIR!!!!

 

Blogging Day 296: Stupid Car!

My stupid battery on my stupid car died. Then the stupid people at the stupid car parts place would not change the stupid battery in my stupid car, like they say they do in the window.... stupid.

Stupid is the word for the day.

O! Did anyone see last Sundays Game of Thrones episode? Did you cry?!?! I did...

<3 Zerila

SO FAR:

Veggies: I'm learning to pile veggies on my sandwiches. I do not eat a lot of sandwiches, but when I do I add lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions and whatever else I have in my fridge I can pile on. That way I can cancel out a serving.

                                                                  

Water: I bought the above water bottle(except mine is black) with a filter so I no longer have to lug water back and forth from my house. I got mine from Old Navy, but I hear they sell them at Target too

Blogging Day 291: Sequined Butterfry Clip DIY

I was at Hobby Lobby the other day and saw these butterflies and just had to figure out a way to put them in my hair. This what I created.

What you will need:

Sequins

Hot Glue Gun

Glue Sticks

Felt

Butterfly

Clip

Scissors(not pictured)

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

First Step:

Attach your clip to the the felt. Fold the felt over top of the clip. Cut out that rectangle that covers the clip with an extra half inch on hanging over the top.

With the clip still attached to the cut out piece, using the glue gun, squeeze glue over the top of the clip. Fold over the felt on top of the clip and press down. With the extra hanging over the top of the clip, put some glue on the back of the head of the clip and glue down extra felt.

Now you have a rectangle shape felt piece attached to the top of the clip. Use your scissors to shape the felt.

How you shape it is your choice, but this is what I came up:



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

Step 2:



You are going to start on the smaller end and then work your way to the larger end. Squeeze out a line of glue, and add a row of sequins and continue on with another row.

Continue adding on sequins until the whole clip is covered.

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

Last Step

Glue down butterfly in the middle of the clip.

Finished!

The hardest part is gluing down the stupid sequins!

<3 Zerila

Water: Good, but with the heat, lack of air conditioning in my car, and traffic being as bad as it is, I always finish an extra bottle of water on the way home.

Veggies/Fruit: I let my oranges go bad and they tasted nasty... I hate that. You have this beautiful yummy orange and I'm all excited and its gross. Life is hard.

Blogging Day 287: Xmen First Class

Where is Banshee in this picture?

I saw Xmen:First Class and it was amazing! By far the best Xmen movie yet.

The only Xmen comic series I've read is Ultimate Xmen and that started when Professor X was bald and already in the wheelchair. So, I do not know the true story of how the Xmen started, so my review is based off never reading the beginning.

Watching this movie I can tell how Magento became who he was. Having your powers first manifesting in a Nazi training camp is never good. Honestly, all that was portrayed in the back story of Magento, I would have a hard time choosing Professor X's side. Come to think about it, after everything that  happened in the movie, I would choose the side of Magento. It would be hard to want to save the people that continually try to kill you. Especially when you have all that power.

Plus, Erik was super hot in this movie.

http://moviecarpet.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/X-Men-FIrst-Class-Magneto.jpg

Erik was played by Michael Fassbender, who I just found out plays Mr. Rochester in the new Jane Erye movie. That movie is going to the top of my Netflix Queue.

I think, I definitely have a thing for men with tortured and brooding souls. The love interest I choose in Dragon Age 2 was Fenris, I thought McNair from Being Human was hot, now Magneto and do not even get me started on Mr. Rochester from Jane Erye. Maybe that is where my tortured soul fetish started, from when I first read Jane Erye.

Hmmm... this speaks volumes for my furture relatioships. Pray for me now!

Back to the point, every scene that Magento was in, I could not look away.  Michael Fassbender did an amazing job.

Best scene/Line: " I agree with everything you are doing, but... you killed my mother."

James McAvoy is another favorite actor of mine. Very well rounded, he is great in action, drama and comedy films.

http://media.sundancechannel.com/UPLOADS/blog/wordpress/images/2011/05/X-Men-First-CLass-Professor-Xavier-James-McAvoy-570x379.jpg

I think James did a marvelous job playing professor X. Unfortunately, there were times when Charles and Raven were interacting together and I was thinking, " You may be a super genius, but you are so dumb when it comes to the human feelings." Which probably makes Professor X the person he is, still sometime you just want slap him upside the head for not seeing Raven and her pain.

Now one other actor I was watching was Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique because she is going to be playing Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games.

imbd.com

 I always saw Mystique as this powerful self-assured woman ,and it never occurred to me at any moment that there was time that she didn't think so. I never understood her lack of clothes, I would never be confident enough with my body to go around in the buff.

In this movie Raven is never comfortable in her own skin, and it was a battle for her throughout the movie to become comfortable. Knowing her history and her struggles, it makes Mystique more human that she went through what every female has gone through. Being able to be comfortable in your own skin is an accomplishment in which I have yet to achieve.

The one thing I did not like about Mystique, that doesn't even have do with Jennifer, but her costume, is her HAIR. It is always so stiff! If you do a google image on Mystique her hair is never stiff, it's lush and flow-y. I think they could have done a better job.

Four things I have to mention:

1. Did anyone know Kevin Bacon was in this movie??!?! I did not! I was surprised when I saw him, especially on how big of a part he played.

2. Cameos of two older Xmen: Keep your eyes open for Wolverine(Hugh Jackman) and Mystique(Rebecca Romijn)

3. There is a "Guess Who" moment in the film when Charles wears Cerebral. How many Xmen can you name? I only got one because it was SO obvious.

4. No clip at the end after the credits, not need to wait like I did.

<3 Zerila

Waters-Good

Veggies- Good Salad for Lunch, Peaches for Breakfast, and snacking on cucumber for dinner.

Blogging Day 286: The Hunger Games

                       

I just finished reading 'The Hunger Games' book series by Suzanne Collins.

It was amazing!!!!

The basic story is that in the sometime future after an apocalypse of some sort, there are 12 districts. The districts tried to rebel against the capital and lost. Part of the surrendering agreement, each year the disctricts send two kids, one girl one boy, to the arena where they kill each other to be the lone survivor. The main character's, Katniss Everdeen, younger sister gets chosen and she steps-up and takes her place and ends up going to the games. 

The games have been going on for 74 years and you can feel throughout the first book that the capitals hold on the districts is weakening. As the books continue on Katniss Everdeen finds herself the unwilling poster child for the uprising.

The story is very brutal and the author brings out real emotions of what it is like to be a girl thrust into these circumstances. How a girl growing up in this type of world reacts to her surroundings. It took me a week to read these books. I basically engulfed these books they were so amazing.

What is even more amazing is that they are making a MOVIE!!!!!

These are the four casts choices(according to imbd) which I think are perfect:

Katniss Everdeen: Jennifer Lawrence





Entertainment Weekly

This is a perfect picture of Katniss. The actress is embodying Katniss's no nonesense attitude about life.

President Snow: Donald Sutherland

imbd.com

OMG! When I heard he was playing President Snow I was elated! Donald Sutherland can definitely play the sweet smelling evil President. 

Cinna: Lenny Kravtiz



imbd.com



Perfect. I saw Lenny Kravtiz in 'Prescious' and and I thought he was a good actor. I think Lenny Kravitz will be perfect to imbody the rebel stylist.

Peeta Mellark: Josh Hutcherson

When I read the book, I actually pictured this actor as Peeta. I totally missed the fact that Peeta had blonde curly hair.

I can not wait for this movie to come out! People are calling it the new Twilight?!? No, I like Twilight, but this is not a Twilight series. Closer to Star Wars then Twilight.

<3 Zerila

Water-I hate having to go the bathroom all the time.

Veggies- Getting tired of carrots. Time to move on. 

Blogging Day 285: Lip Stick Primer Reveiw: Urban Decoy or Two Faced?

                                                                                        Which One by Zerila on Polyvore.com

                                                               

I was at Sephora the other day checking all the primers they had and I wondered if they had a lipstick primer. Eyeshadow primer changed my world. Before, all my make-up would fall into the crease by the end of the day and who wants to spend time actually doing make-up if two seconds later it's going to move? No one! I was hoping they would have something that would keep me from reapplying my lipstick constantly.

 I spoke to the Sephora associates and they pointed out to the Urban Decay and Too Faced. I bought both for experimental purposes.

According to both Urban Decay and Too Faced websites, both are used for lip glosses and lipsticks. So, I tried both primers on lipsticks and lip glosses.

 

 

Out of the forms of the primer, I like Urban Decay's best.The Too Faced primer uses a wand application and I'm not too happy about that. Like most of the lip glosses I have, once you get down to a certain amount it is hard to get the last bit. On the other hand Urban Decay uses the lipstick form primer and there will be no problem getting the last bit.

 

For application, both went on clear. You can tell you have something on your lips, a thin sheer layer.  Both went on smoothly. I liked the Urban Decay's a bit more, it felt creamier while. Too Faced felt dry.

 

 Did they help make my lip gloss/lipstick last longer? Yes, but for the Too Faced it lasted til I got to work, which is about 2 hours. The Urban Decay lasted about an hour longer and then started to fade.

 

I would definitely go for the Urban Decay if I had a choice between the two. Neither had the effect I wanted, I want something to last much longer.

 

Does anyone out there know of a better primer? I need help choosing one. I want to enjoy lipstick like I do my eyeshadow.

 

<3 Zerila

 

Waters- Good

Veggies/Fruits-Bad... I didn't realize till right now that I only maybe had two today. (sigh)

 

 

 

Blogging Day 283: Contest Winner!!

Time to choose a winner!

I wrote all your names down, though next time I know, never in pen!

The winner is.....

Congrats!!!!!

<3 Zerila

Veggies- more melon and tomatoes and carrots, yummy :) Fresh carrots, not old carrots. Old carrots taste like crap

Water- awesome, though I need to have less caffeine in my teas. I think I freaked out a co-worker today.