Wednesday, February 29, 2012

LEAP DAY!!

    In honor of this special day that just comes once every four years, here are four fun leap day facts.



1.  Leap Year exists because it actually takes the earth 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds to travel around the sun.

2.  This year on February 29th, 56 countries will observe Rare Disease Day, to raise awareness about diseases that are uncommon and without a cure.

3. A person has a 1 in 1500 chance of being born on Leap Day. Currently there are 187,000 Americans and 4 million people internationally who were born on Leap Day.   

( I was only six days off...eek!)

4.  In Anthony, Texas the city hosts a leap year festival, and calls itself the "leap year capital of the world"  Many leap year babies, also known as "leaplings" from around the world attend the parade.



HAPPY LEAP DAY!

Find more fun Leap Day Facts HERE

Monday, February 27, 2012

The Help Goes To The Oscars

   To be honest, I am not a huge awards show person, I usually enjoy the red carpet and parts of the show, but I am not glued to the television.   This year, though I was so excited to see if  The Help would bring Oscar home.  The Help is one of my favorite books of all time, and I was not disappointed by the movie.  I thought the acting in the movie was very powerful and inspiring.



     Unfortunately they didn't win many awards, but I thought all the ladies looked fabulous:

Emma Stone




Octavia Spencer


Viola Davis



Jessica Chastain



    I am not going to lie, when Octavia won best supporting actress I teared up a bit.

Who was your favorite?

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Are You Ready For the Hunger Games?



  I cannot wait until the premiere of the Hunger Games Movie in March. If you haven't read the books I would encourage you to start ASAP!  They are amazing.  Honestly, I was so hesitant to read them, because I hate reading about violence, but the books are so enjoyable, and you fall in love with the characters. 


      Anyways, my good friend ALV, introduced me to China Glaze's "Colours From The Capital" Collection and I cannot wait to paint my nails and toes in Capital Coulors.



How great is the electrify, I am loving all the gold.

Will you  be sporting Capital Colours for the Movie Premiere?


  

Friday, February 17, 2012

DIY: A Vase of a Different Color



 At our past craft night we painted vases with Perma-Enamel Paint and they turned out Fabulous. 

As usual we were having way too much fun, and I did a poor job documenting, but it is a very easy project.

Materials:

1. Clear Vase

2. Paintbrushes



3. Perma Enamel Paint:  This can be purchased at any craft store and comes in a variety of colors.  ( I even mixed two colors together to get a different variety





4.  Conditioner: This is a primer, that is added before the paint, we didn't think this was necessary.



We simply added a thin layer of the conditioner on the inside of the vase.  We waited for the conditioner to dry for a few minutes.  Then added the enamel paint directly inside the vase ( You are only painting the inside of the vase)  Use your brush and cover the entire inside of the vase until you can not see through it at all. 
To get the extra paint out of the bottom, turn the vase upside down and let it drip for a few minutes.



I just love that it completely transforms the looks of the glass

Click HERE for a tutorial for detailed directions.

xoxo Happy Friday.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

To See or Not to See

  I need some advice...

So I am one of those people that didn't need glasses until I was twenty two, and really only originally needed them for glare while driving. In the past year my eye sight has gotten a lot worse ( It isn't bad, I think I am -1.25) ,but it is to the point that I need to wear my glasses most of the day.  I had been putting off getting contacts forever, because I was really nervous about them.  I am that person that you need to strap down to put eye drops in their eyes because I can't stop blinking.

  Anyways, I hate wearing my glasses when I am dressing up or going out on the town, because I feel un-put-together.  So I sucked it up and went to my eye doctor for a consultation.  Well, after over TWO hours at the eye doctor I was finally able to get the contacts in my eyes, no exaggeration  ( I couldn't stop my eyes from fluttering)

      Since then I have still been struggling to get them in, I know it is ridiculous that a 27 year old can't put contacts in, but it sometimes takes me an hour to get them in so I haven't been wearing them a lot.  I would prefer to not wear my glasses every day, but have not had much luck. 



                                                                   WITH GLASSES


WITHOUT GLASSES

Has anyone else had contact trouble, or know any secrets to stop my eyes fom fluttering.  I really don't want to have to keep wearing my glasses every day. ughhh..so annoying.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

No Carb Lomein....amazing.

   Obviously if you are on Pinterest you know it is amazing, ( If you are not on it, sign up NOW).  I love that I not only find amazing ideas to pin, but that my friends will tell me about amazing pins they found, that I never saw.  So one of my friends mentioned the no carb lomein she had pinned and loved, and I couldn't run to the grocery store fast enough to grab Shirataki noodles.

Shirataki noodles are made from Tofu.  Apparently they are a huge staple in the Hungry Girl Cookbooks, but this was new to me.  I was a little weirded out because they come in a liquid, but I continued on. 


I had read that you drain the liquid and dry off the Shirataki noodles, so I was relieved that this mystery liquid wasn't going in my dinner.





We seasoned and cooked some chicken


And stir fried the veggies in a soy sauce and ginger sauce.


We added the Shirataki noodles to the stir fry and let it heat up and soak up the sauce ( no need to cook the noodles for a long time)



The noodles had a bit of a different texture from regular pasta, but was still delicious.  I wouldn't say the Shirataki noodles will be a permanent pasta substitute, but it was excellent with a veggie stir fry and a healthier option, I will be making this again. 

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day to All My Loves

      Happy Valentines Day!!!

 Valentine's Day is one of those holidays I think most people LOVE or HATE.  There are those who need the huge box of chocolates, long stem roses, and over sized teddy bear and those who wear black today and curse anyone wearing pink and red. 

  I am somewhere in between.  I am sporting my pink polka dot sweater today, and I am looking forward to cooking a delicious dinner with DFH tonight, but I don't go totally
crazy over it.

Although it is important to tell your loved ones, you love them every day, I believe Valentines Day is about expressing your love and appreciation for all those you love today, whether Family, Friend, Boyfriend, Pet, etc. 

So this Valentine's Day although I can't see all my "Valentines" I love them all and are so happy they are a part of my life.

Happy Valentine's Day to:




DFH



FAMILY




                                                                           FRIENDS

And all my Blog Readers

xoxo



Monday, February 13, 2012

GORGEOUS.

  I ( liked everyone else) have loved Carrie Underwood since she was on American Idol.  I love her music, her voice, her style and her beauty.  And once I knew she was a fellow Sigma Sigma Sigma Sister I was obsessed, obviously she is my "sister"  haha.



Anyways, How amazing did she look at the Grammy's last night.






I need that dress.

I want her hair. Jealous.


Thursday, February 9, 2012

Beer Tasting Tonight


The other weekend we had a few friends over our apartment for a little beer tasting.


DFH made a glossary to assist people in "what to look for" when rating the beer.




We had previously told everyone to bring their favorite beer to share, which was then voted on.


Lots of Koozies were necessary.




We had some delicious snacks and appetizers.



I had read that popcorn is a palate cleanser for beer, so I made sure there was popcorn and water during the tasting, ( for the serious taste tester)





We lined up the beers, and gave each a letter.


The Score Card: There were categories of taste, presentation, body, drink ability, and "ahh" factor

( See glossary for definitions haha)

Everyone then ranked each category between 1-5 for each beer



And the winner was......




Turbo Dog!

It was a dark beer, that tasted like chocolate to me..yum


Jake provided the winning beer, and was the winner of the "Victory" beer prize



We had such a great time with friends, and I enjoyed getting to taste and try new beers.  This is something we will definitely be doing again.


Wednesday, February 8, 2012

It Is Valentine's Day at Home

              As you probably know by now, I love decorating for the holidays.  Valentine's Day isn't a major holiday so I feel like I can't go crazy and cover the house in pink and hearts, but I do add litte V-day love to my home. 





I had picked up this X and O decoration at Michael's years ago and love the way it looks over the mirror.







I like to add ribbons to vases and wreaths for different holidays.  It is such a low cost way to decorate and add some holiday flair.

             I guess this bird isn't necessarily a "Valentine's Day Bird" but he is red, and my mom and I picked him up at CB2 in NYC, so I decided to make him a love bird.  He will probably stay out all year long.




I just purchased these hearts at Michael's but thought I was purchasing a heart garland, until I took it out of the package and they were single heart ornaments ( fail.), but I sorta managed the same idea by hanging the ornaments on a ribbon.



I had previously Posted about this DIY project.


Do you decorate your home for Valentine's Day?