Makeup Monday: My New Makeup Geek Eyeshadows

I’m a bit obsessed with makeup, which is a relatively new development in my life. As my oldest friend says, I went through an “I don’t like girly things!” phase which lasted about 20 years. I think part of my interest stems from liking to research things. There are so many pages you can visit to see swatches of colors on skin or worked into full looks. As someone who has liked to color since a small child, this is just an adult version of it.

Anyway, I recently made a purchase from MakeupGeek, my third order in a year. I LOVE these shadows! I actually bought all of my four shadows to replace MAC eyeshadows I already have in my collection which are dry and impossible to work with anymore. I don’t know what the deal is with my MAC shadows, maybe the composition was compromised during the depotting spree I went on, but I just can’t get them to have any color payoff unless I dig my brush in, and who wants that? The MUG shadows are pigment and smooth and blend out beautifully. I love them.

I bought Shimma Shimma, Mocha, Latte and Sensuous, all of which are very wearable and mostly neutral colors which are work appropriate. I’m not a crazy color eyeshadow kind of girl, but I do like what it can do to transform my eyes. As my Auntie Mona said during a recent trip to New Orleans, “Oh, look at Stephie, que pretty!” Mission accomplished.

At around $6 per pan for these colors, they’re pretty comparable to most drugstore prices and way better quality, IMO. Check them out if you’ve got the time. And the interest. But take it from me, it can be a slippery slope. I’m also contemplating an Ulta order soon to go lip product crazy, but we’ll see what comes of that. I think that is a bonus of shopping online, the ability to dilly-dally and ruminate on purchases, which may not be helpful to anyone else, but is helpful to me as there just isn’t as much time to do that while physically in the store. Plus, the nearest Ulta to me is across town and I generally have to have a reason to go over there, I don’t just take on that trek on a whim.

Fitness Friday: Summer Porridge

I’m going to try and start a new regimen for blogging which will hopefully get me to do it more consistently. And I’m starting with the end of the week, because any day is a great day to make a change!

I’ve been vacillating between eating egg white, turkey and provolone on an English muffin or summer porridge for breakfast lately (as I have previously blogged about) and as promised, today I’m going to share my slightly tweaked version which keeps me full for hours without any desire to snack in between.

1/4 c old fashioned oats

1/4 c plain greek yogurt

1/3 c almond milk

2 tsp chia seeds

2 tbsp chocolate or coffee protein powder (this is the kind I like) or 1 tbsp protein powder and 1 tbsp powdered peanut butter

1 tsp stevia, maple syrup or honey (optional, especially if adding fruit)

Almond slivers

Fruit on hand – I’ve tried it with a handful of blackberries, blueberries, sliced banana, etc. Plenty of possibilities!

Prep is simple. All you have to do is mix all of the ingredients except fruit together and put it in the fridge overnight. I use these but you could also use mason jars or whatever container you have which fits. Then in the morning add the fruit either before you head out the door or in a baggie to bring with you to work.

I love making this for breakfast because it’s delicious, filling and I can make it the night before. This is great for those of us who find it difficult enough just to get ourselves ready for the day and out and about in a decent amount of time.

Hope you try it sometime!

 

Can You Read People’s Emotions?

Can You Read People’s Emotions?

I found this test to be pretty fascinating. I’ve always thought myself to be pretty empathetic and intuitive when it comes to other people’s emotions. I chose every answer pretty quickly and really went with my gut instinct on it. Apparently this paid off because I got 31 out of 36, which is pretty darn good! Anyway, it’s an interesting little quiz and experiment and worth a shot!

The Magic was lost on me, Mike

I’ve been sick for the past few days so I’ve been catching up on all the TV and movies I’ve been meaning to watch. Magic Mike was never on that list, but I saw it available on HBO and decided to give it a go. I had a different reaction than I thought I would, given what other hetero females I know had to say about it. I do have to say that I admire the work these men had to have put in to get and keep their bodies in that kind of shape. Since I’m working on getting healthy I understand in some way the dedication that takes. And good on them. But I was actually pretty skeeved out by the guys. I did not like seeing them gyrate around the floor and grab their groins all the time during their act. I know it’s all a performance but I don’t like seeing men act that way. I’m glad I’ve never been to a real all-male revue because I probably wouldn’t know what to do with myself. Especially if a man got all up in my face with his junk – I need to at least know his real first name before I get that up close and personal! I may be an old maid for saying this, but it’s just not decent to me. But to each their own. If a woman likes a slicked up stranger helicoptering his banana-hammocked member around on her, far be it for me to stop her from having her fun.

As far as the rest of it goes, I thought the movie was actually pretty dark despite all the glitz and fun found in the strip performances themselves. I have seen other Soderbergh movies and they all had have this kind of gritty feel to them, which I think this movie also exemplified. The yellow lighting you saw inside at night made everyone look a little sick and sallow. But then contrast that when they’re outside in the daytime and everything looks so bright and hopeful. The crazy madcap drug binges with the neon lighting and pulsing music and the reality of the vomit you wake up to in the morning (if you’re lucky). It definitely makes it a lot more reality based to show the darker side of living that kind of lifestyle. And it certainly doesn’t make me want to be a part of it. I’m boring compared to that and I’m ok with it. I’m a heck of a lot more like Adam’s sister who you see reading a book and who likes breakfast food. Bacon and Austen for me!

I found a new podcast to love!

I am a huge fan of podcasts. I think it’s so fascinating to listen in on a conversation between two people (usually) for an hour. How often do we get the chance to really chat with someone for an hour, whether we know them or not? I remember being in college and having the most random and interesting conversations with my roommates. The conversations would always veer about haphazardly but would always be engaging and helped me feel closer to them and honestly, to humanity as a whole. Podcasting does that for me now in its own way. So I listen to a lot of them.

Recently, I heard about The Mental Illness Happy Hour when the host of that show was a guest on another podcast I love, Girl on Guy. What I love about MIHH is the sense of humanity I feel when I listen to the stories people tell about their lives. We’ve all had terrible things happen in our lives, and it’s important to acknowledge that and work through it, if we’re ready. They say it multiple times in the podcast but it’s still true: taking care of your mental well-being is just as important as your physical well-being. The stigma which surrounds treating mental health issues is antiquated and ignorant. We don’t beat ourselves up over breaking our arm, even if it’s because of something stupid we did to ourselves, we just go to the ER and treat it. But people are still cautious or resistant to seeking help because of a mental illness. That’s sad and it needs to stop.

Keep in mind that the host and the guests are not trained professionals (which a few exceptions). They are simply speaking of experiences and giving their interpretations from their own lives. Take a listen to an episode or two of The Mental Illness Happy Hour. Since I’ve just discovered it I’ve only listened to about 3 myself, but it’s made enough of an impression on me to recommend it. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

March On

 

Dear March,

You are one of my favorite months of the year. You are the harbinger of spring, easing the transition from the quiet of winter to the bustle of activity as the earth wakes from its slumber. Birds are returning from their yearly sojourn, singing sweetly among the trees, whose branches are beginning to bud and blossom with new life. You have a bit of whimsy as you include St. Patrick’s Day, my favorite minor holiday. You also hold within your fleeting hours my birthday and the birthdays of many others, all of whom are as special and unique as you are, March. I used to think that spring a weak season, lacking the bitter cold of winter or the pounding heat of summer, but it is not weak at all. Spring is bendable, transitioning between two extremes and full of the perseverance of perennial life. March, you are a wonder, a magical month full of possibilities and roads untraveled.

March On,

Stephanie

How I changed my diet and lost 72 pounds

I have had quite a few requests of the “what’s your secret” variety regarding my recent health journey. The truth is, there’s no real secret. Everything you’ve been told your whole life is true. Watch what you eat, not only amounts but also types of foods, and move more. That’s the “secret” to my success. But in attempt to answer part of the question of what I did to lose weight, here’s my basic meal planning guide which I have tweaked and changed over the past year.

Breakfast Option 1 – Egg Muffin Light

2 egg whites, thin-sliced provolone cheese, and 2-3 slices of smoked turkey breast on an English muffin.

Breakfast Option 2 – Oatmeal

Steel cut oats, if served warm, with raisins, pecans and sweetened with honey or maple syrup.

Any one of these recipes for summer porridge – quick, easy and let me tell you, really filling! I eat this around 7-8 and I’m not hungry again until almost 2! I’ll do a separate post soon for my  slightly tweaked version which is a powerhouse.

Lunch Option 1 – Spinach Wrap

Spinach wrap (chicken breast, roasted garlic hummus, salad greens, shredded carrots and avocado), sugar snap peas, prunes and applesauce

Lunch Option 2 – Quinoa salad

Salad (salad greens, avocado, quinoa, black beans, chicken breast, hummus), baby carrots, prunes and appplesauce

Dinner

There are quite a few options here as I tend to change things up often. I’ll do a separate post including my favorite recipes, but I do love to do grilled chicken breast or tilapia with broccoli or green beans.

Snacks/Desserts

Cottage Cheese with fruit

Greek yogurt and banana

Larabar (the brownie one is amazing)

Unsalted peanuts

Sugar snap peas and baby carrots

I’m sure there’s more to come, but that’s the basic run down of what my meals are during the week. The whole point of planning this ahead is to make sure I’m eating healthy and whole foods with a minimum of prep work. I like to eat well but I’m also not a fan of slaving away in the kitchen for hours on end. Let me know if you’d like to know more tips and tricks, recipe suggestions, etc.!
Have a great week!

 

Seeing a Woman: A Conversation Between a Father and a Son

Seeing a Woman: A Conversation Between a Father and a Son

Love this so much. It makes me long for a man. Not just a boy who can shave.

Much Ado about Not Much

I’m sick of weddings already and I haven’t even been in one yet this year. Both of my brothers are getting married this year and I’m in the wedding party of both. I don’t know if I’m a cynical old spinster or what, but I am not interested in a wedding for myself. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against marriage, in fact some day I would like to get married. What I don’t like is weddings. I think they are overrated and people make such a to-do about them when that’s when the work really begins. Couples spend so much money on this one day, thousands of dollars, and it just seems like such a waste. I’d like to elope and invite maybe ten people for my side, maybe do a destination wedding. But I don’t need a big wedding, I don’t need the big dress and the flowers on the tables and all that. I’d be there for the groom and that’s about it. He’s the one who would make it worth it.

That and the cake. Always the cake.

A few notes

Honestly, nothing much has happened around here in a bit, so there’s no major updates. But as I have resolved to try and blog more consistently, here I go. We’re going to freewheel it from here. Also, I just did a quick Google search of freewheel to get an idea of the etymology of such a term and got a bunch of mechanic related returns, so I shall close that tab and forget it ever happened.

I have been reading too many trashy novels lately. And by trashy, I just mean that they are easily used and disposed of – nothing of major substance to be found in them. Most of it is my fault, but some of it is frustrating. I want to read an adventure in which the main character is a female and she goes on an adventure. Most of those types of stories are romances, and it’s not my fault that the plot/intrigue is superfluous to the relationship between the characters. I was saying this the other day, but I would just like to read a story in which the main female character goes on an adventure and there ISN’T a boy involved, or at least their relationship isn’t the main driving point. There’s plenty out there in the reverse. And I know that there are novels out there like that, I just need to be more selective, because I am getting tired of this.

I painted my nails mint green the other day. I usually prefer darker colors as I am pale and I like the stark contrast, but I’m sick of the cold weather and I’m basically willing spring to come, one nail at a time.

My current gym book is The Book of Blood and Shadows, which is pretty interesting so far, despite my earlier complaints (see above). It’s taking a bit longer than I’d like for the story to progress, but I think that also may have something to do with the fact that I’m listening to the story and not reading it and the pace is quite a bit slower than my natural reading pace. I had a similar complaint regarding Ready Player One (which I also listened to and which really turned around for me and I quite enjoyed).

Reading this book has brought back some memories of grief and how I dealt with it, how I still deal with it today. Future blog post, possibly.

Also, the defense – kinda – of today’s generation and their inability to differentiate between fantasy and reality. I was talking to a lady at work about this today and at the end of our conversation she said I should run for office, which is patently ridiculous. I am not cut out for the political landscape. But I do like psychology.

Finally, I have a recipe for some summer porridge I’m going to have to try out soon as I’m sick of my normal breakfast sandwiches and long for a change. And I’m too lazy to want to cook anything anymore. Stay tuned to see how new adventure turns out. It may even involve powdered peanut butter, a concept as astronautical (yep) as freeze-dried ice cream!