A Hot Mess of a Day

Omg. It has really been one of those days.  Last night I had a pretty sever asthma attack but I thought I would be fine if I just got some sleep.  Mind you, I haven't had an asthma attack since I was 15 so I thought, "Eh, just wait it out.  You'll be fine"... Eh Eh.  Didn't happen.  Yesterday, I spent all morning bleaching, windexing, and washing all the things in my house so that we could finally move out and be done.  I think all the chemicals took a toll on me.  I immediately started feeling tight and congested, but I am always tight and congested so I thought it was no big deal. Then we spent the evening with our theatre friends and there were a total of four dogs running around.  Notice the recipe for disaster that was happening in my chest; first chemicals, then hair.  Not to mention all the damn stress I've been under trying to sell this damn car and get everything taken care of on the home front.  Last night, once we got back to the hotel, the tightness turned into total constriction.

So I went to bed.

Real smart.  

I hate emergency rooms.

But after I woke up sounds like Weezy from Good Times, Rob said "Now can we go to the ER".  So I went.  I had to have not 1, not 2 but THREEEEE chest treatments before the rightness would budge.  I could barely talk in complete sentences.  Yuck.  So now I have a bright and shiny new inhaler, flo-nase, the breath-into-it-and-see-how-strong-your-breath-is thing, and my least favorite of all, the prednisone steroid.  At least I only have to take it for 5 days.  I know for a fact, that it can blow you the hell up.  And yes, I do think I would sacrifice breathing in order to not gain weight.  So what. 

After all that, I was out of the hospital at 9 am and since I didn't sleep so well I decided to take a nap.  I hate naps, I always wake up feeling worse than I did before I went to sleep.  

At 3 it was time to go to play practice (where I was until 10 pm this evening.  Yep 7 hours of rehearsal), and there I put on quite the show.  One of the dresses we have to wear is SUPER tight right in my midsection.  My least favorite part of my entire body.  With my chest being tight and my breathing so short, my normal habit of sucking my stomach in until I am seconds from passing out, was impossible.  So there I was, breathing shallow, trying to dance, and wearing the tightest sequin dress in the world.  And once I found out I had to have on a mic for the whole show...I was like F*&^ this S#$^.  That mic just added an extra bulge to the whole damn thing.  

I felt it happening.  I looked down at the dress and my 5 in heels, the mic, and I just couldn't breathe.  I was literally gasping for air.  Then the tears came.  Like a little pre-madonna cry baby.  Then they came even harder because I could NOT believe that I, Shaina, was feeling this self conscious about my body.  After looking like a complete idiot, I had to sit down and get myself together.  20 minutes passed and I refused to sit there like a bumbling fool.  I put on my big girl panties, jumped back on stage, and put on that damn dress.  If anyone is going to have a problem with my body, it most certainly will NOT be me.

I still felt like crap, but I joined in and did the rest of the show with everyone else- at an easy pace of course.  As a complete side note, I really can't say enough about my theater babies.  Everyone was so considerate and trying to take care of little ole me.  Its nice to feel so safe that you can have a complete meltdown and not worry that everyone will think you're a prat! Tomorrow, I buy some tights, fake spanx, and some hotpants.

So You Don't Like Fitness? A Wineless Rant

I am currently sitting at the table in my kitchen(because there's no other furniture in my house now) and going through all kind of things.  It doesn't help that I want to drink this wine, but the movers have packed all of my damn wine bottle openers.  Warning: I think this may be a rant...

A facebook friend of mine recently posted a link to an Elite Daily article that basically calls the fitness world a cult.  The post actually goes out of its way- to the extent of using pictures- to demonstrate the authors disdainful view of the fitness world.  Am I now, or have I ever considered myself to be, a fitness guru- N to the O.  Do I, however, tend to post a serious amount of health and fitness related stuff... yes.  I'm an advocate of having a healthy lifestyle.  My gripe is with the article as a whole.  My friend, who is generally a health conscious person when it comes to being organic and things like that, is not a fan of some of the habits of people who love the gym or being fit. I have no problems with that.  My friend makes amazing points about balance and the way some people can be targeted for not being fit.  I agree, it does happen.  But I personally love all the fitspiration peeps I follow on instagram.  But that's just it.  I follow what I like.  I delete what I don't.  What I don't understand about people who complain about things other people post, is why not just delete them?  It's so simple.  I don't follow anyone who continuously posts garbage that I don't gain anything from.  And if we have been friends for BLAH years, and social media dictates that I not delete you (because it would just be mean), then I just completely hide them from my timeline.  The point I'm making is that the author of this article unfairly attacks the fitness world.  

If you've followed me for a while, you know that I am obsessed with people, especially women, having a positive body image and trying to uplift each other; regardless of their body types.  I am an advocate of loving yourself completely.  I can see where the article was trying to go, but it failed horribly.  Instead of making non-worker-outters feel better about themselves, which was the intended purpose, it just shamed people who DO workout. Right down to posting a picture of a woman with muscles with the caption "gross".  WTF is wrong with you chick?  What gives you the right to talk shit about anyone's body, especially if they've spent this much time and energy working on it.  If someone put that much work into getting a Phd or having a great marriage, people would be applauding.  And no, I'm not implying that getting a Phd is on the same level as having a fit body, but hell, I've been working towards a fit body for like 5 years and I can't seem to make it happen.  Took me 2 years to get a Masters lol, and I didn't even crack a sweat.  You love what you love, and some people love fitness.  Get over it.  

Again, it's not for everyone.  And yes, some people are naturally skinny and make it look easy.  It ain't booboo.  But you can be skinny and unhealthy.  I follow people who post recipes, inspiration, and motivation.  I love to see people getting healthy.  I also love knowing that other people are struggling in the ways that I am.  Does this struggle keep me from living my life? No.  I still eat, I love food, and wine is always needed.  But I AM conscientious about what I put in my body, and once upon a time I spent umpteen hours in the gym, and I would love to get to that point of dedication again.  

Huge sigh.  I told you it would be a rant.  I know that everyone doesn't agree with everything I post on facebook and that is fine.  I myself prefer to write my own damn blog instead of engaging in a social media battle about bullshit.  In truth, I probably wouldn't even have given a damn if I wasn't so mad about this wine bottle.  

I'm off to get a knife.  Looks like I'll be drinking cork wine tonight...

Then off to the gym tomorrow...

And I'm going to post pictures of it...

I will also add a gazillion #hashtags #SoWhat #Boom

And I dare someone to comment on it....except my friends Dylan and Sean... because they are assholes and they love to rile me up!  Bring it on boys!

...Of the Week

Wow, a whole month later and I am finally posting my "Of the week" post. Great job!  But here it is!

Book
I finally watched "The Great Gatsby" and I was completely entranced. The story, the love, excess, and tragedy of it all.  It's complete literary genius.  (Of course Leo didn't hurt).  I had to read it for myself.  For some reason, this book was never on my summer reading list in school and it slipped right through my fingers.  I'm on chapter 3 and I'm looking forward to writing a review.

TV Show
I have been beyond obsessed with "The Originals".  That damn Niclous is like walking sex juice.  I heard the Claire Holt (The actress that plays Rebecca) has left the show for good.  I don't like it.  She is one of my favs.  I WILL however continue to watch the show.  I'm interested to see where they will go with it.  They've been renewed for a second season so hooray!

Look
I've been playing in my make up as of late and I love this look.  It's simple, but the green eyes gives it depth.

Packing
God help me! I am so over packing.  It's been 2 weeks of non stop work in here.  I must be the world's worst housekeeper because everything was dusty, sticky, and nasty.  Granted, I did give up on cleaning about 3 months ago. It was all "Eh, I'm moving, I'll clean it then".  BAD. IDEA. I literally have about 7 bags of trash going on in here and no where to put it all.  We are going to have to find a dump around here.  And today the movers are coming!!! Whoooo hoooo! So now I must go before they arrive and take my bed :( But here is a picture of my babies who are also tired of packing!

Ebay Jessup Brushes Review

I set out to increase my brush collection, and boy did I!  This was actually the first set that I bought, but it took longer to arrive than the Style set.

Ok, let's be real, you know I wanted this set because it's pink!  I can't even front.  I did see a youtube video about these and they got great reviews.  So far I've used a few, but not all.  I have 31 brushes now so I couldn't possibly use them all.  Look at me, feeling all important and stuff!

Don't they look so pretty!?  You know I have an obsession with pretty things, and these brushes are no exception.

Ok, Here are the deets:

• Purchased here
• $29.99
• Free Shipping from Hong Kong
• Individually wrapped in clear plastic.  
• I washed them as soon as I opened them (with baby shampoo)
• Extremely soft
• Holds product well.  Just enough so that I don't have to waste any.
• Not extremely dense but they are great for powder.  
• Took a little over 3 weeks to arrive.

I know I've already pointed out how cute they are, but come on, they are soooooo pretty!  I can't wait to put them in a pretty holder in the suite. My pink and cobalt room.  I can't figure out if I want to put the blue couch in my room, or keep my raggedy tattered chair puke green chair.  It's absolutely horrible to look at but so comfortable- and it has an ottoman.  Oh decisions, decisions.

Here are the detailed descriptions of each brush from the manufacturer:

Handle Length : about 16.5cm--20cm

Brush hair :Synthetic brush hair

1. Eye Liner: . Use with gel or liquid liners.
2. Pencil: Soften and smoke out lines. Soften pencil liners along the top and bottom lash lines, add shadow to line the eyes, or use to highlight inner corner of eyes.
3. Tapered Blending: Using just the tips to apply color, sweep back and forth through the crease for a diffused and blended finish.
4. Eye Shading: . Place color across the whole lid for an even and strong application of product.
5. Large Shader: Apply cream shadow base or cream shadow for quick and even coverage.
6. Small Angle: . Use with gel, cream or powder liners.
7. Medium Angled Shading: Use for brow highlighting or to blend the crease.
8. Concealer: Conceal the hardest to reach areas such as around the nose and eyes
9. Large Powder: Uniform blending of powder products onto the face and body.
10. Large Angled Contour: Use the angle to softly contour the cheekbone. Can also be used to apply blush.
11. Duo Fibre: Can be used with powder, liquid or cream products.
12. Foundation: Apply liquid or cream products such as foundation and primer.

My final thoughts are that these brushes are worth the $30 dollars and the 3 week shipping.  I absolutely love the angled contour because it's not super dense and my contour looks fantastic.  The eyeliner brush is also really soft.  LOOOOOVING them!  Makes me want to play in make up RIGHT NOW!!! But first... more packing.  Time to break out the Songza!  Today I do the kitchen and the Living room.  #Killme.  

Think you will try these brushes?  

And what should I do?  Cute blue couch to match my room, or puke green chair that I love?

Date Night OOTD

Last night Rob and I decided to get away from packing and moving crap for a while.  It was a much needed date night.  We went to see "Ride Along" with Ice Cube and Kevin Hart.  I literally laughed so hard at one point that I spit water out of my mouth.  I was beyond concerned that I got the person in front of my, but luckily I didn't.  That would have been awkward.

After I did my 30 minute HIIT work out and P90X Ab ripper, I got all fresh  and so clean clean (right after I read another chapter in The Great Gatsby!) and decided to get all made up.  It wasn't necessarily supposed to be a "dressy" date night, but I figured it would probably be the last time I would get a chance to wear heels before this move.  Hell, we wont even have a bed after Thursday!  So, one last hurrah before leggings, sweats, and yoga pants take over my life.

Notice my attempts at sexy face-ness... I really do try!

You can totes see up my nose in that one...

I've been playing around with my new makeup brushes, but I'd yet to put on a full face and yesterday was as good a day as any.  Normally, I'm an eyeliner, under eye highlighter, and blush kind of girl- That's my usual work go-to face.  But yesterday I opted for the works, including foundation and my feeble attempts at contouring- which worked out pretty well actually.  

I've been trying to master the sexy face for about 2 years now :/ how am I doing?  Rob says I'm getting better, which is a huge improvement from when he would just laugh.





 
     I look confused in this one --> don't I? I always try to imagine I'm doing an album cover! I would call my album "When geeks try to be sexy...". HEY AT LEAST MY BRAIN IS SEXY!  All crinkly and full of smart people stuff.

I kept it simple, only using a brown and gold shadow on my lids and a faint rose pink on my cheeks.  I lined the top with a little wing, and put just a tiny bit of a sparkly black on my lower lid. I even tried to contour my nose.  Next time I will use just a little more of my powder as to give more definition.  I wore MAC lipstick in Cherish and lined them with Nude Pink from NYX.

While packing I found this jacket I bought from H&M in 2011.  I think I've worn it once! How horrible!  Well I broke it out yesterday and rocked my Gojane heeled boots, some skinnies, and a shirt I bought from Fredericks 3 years ago.  Hey, I guess there's one bright side to packing- you find clothes!!!!

What is your favorite MAC lipstick?

Chocolate Chip Coconut Larabars

I tried a real Larabar once.  It was the apple pie flavor.  I hated it. Seriously.


No really, couldn't even finish it.

I thought something was wrong with me.  Everyone always raves about Larabars and how delicious they are, but I wasn't impressed in the least.

As of the past few weeks, my time has been consumed, work, packing, cleaning, house hunting, and play practice.  

I can't believe that our show, Sweet Charity, premiers in less than a month.  We have 2 weeks to kick some serious rehearsal ass.  Over the course of the show's 3 month preparation, we've lost the director, who was replaced with 2 awesome directors, and we've lost our choreographer.  It's doesn't matter.  We are still going to have the most stellar show. We are working on Big Spender and boy is it going to get racy!  I play Elaine, who is a nobody with about 5 lines, blink and you'll miss me...but I could totes win an award for those lines.  They are expertly delivered, if I do say so myself- And I do.

Not to mention, we leave in less than a month.  26 days!

That's right.  April 2nd.  Rob's birthday and our fly out day.  I can't believe it.

Moment of honesty- I was  depressed for a little over a year.  I loved being here.  I loved seeing my honey everyday.  But when you go from a 9-5 career,with a Masters degree, and an obsession with climbing a the professional ladder, to non working housewife literally in the middle of BFE, it can take a toll on you.  It wasn't until I got a visa, a job, and a few friends, that I was able to snap out of it.  And just when I have finally found my peeps, my drama crew and a few friends on base, the people who make me feel super at home, it's time to go.  Ain't that some shit?

Back to the point.  I am cleaning out my fridge and cabinets because they come to get all of our stuff on the 13th.  Ahhhh 6 days!?!? So I whipped these up as a snack for me and my boo.  I'll stop rambling now and just tell you that these are completely sweetened with fruit and they are fabulous.  For a healthier option, leave out the dark chocolate.

Ingredients:
15 medjool dates
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 cashews
3/4 unsweetened coconut, shredded
2 T Dark Chocolate Chips
2 T coconut oil
2 T water

Directions:

• Throw the almonds and cashews in the food processor and blend until smooth.  
• Add the dates, oil and waters and pulse until you have a nice dough. 
• Add chocolate and pulse a few more times 
• Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper and leave enough room for the paper to hang over the sides.  This will allow you to just life them out of the pan before you cut them. 
• Scrape the dough out and press into square shape in the pan.  
• Put in the refrigerator to set for 2 hours.  
• Remove and slice with Pizza cutter.  
• I wrapped each bar individually because I like things to be cutesy.  

They will keep in the fridge for about 2 weeks.

What do you think of Larabars?

and Now a question that has a little something to d with something...

Favorite musical of all time?

Oil Pulling: Worth the Hype?

I'm always ready to try something that is supposed to be game changing, and oil pulling is no exception.  I read a few blogs and found out that oil pulling is supposed to be the bees knees.  From what I've read, its an ancient Ayurvedic technique that involves swishing oil in your mouth for 20 minutes and it pulls the toxins out of your body through your mouth.  The Stickyness of the oil catches all those little nasties and dissolves in the oil.

Gross.  But awesome.

It's pretty simple to do.  All you need is some organic Coconut oil (room temp. Dont worry, it will liquify eventually) and a Tsp.  Put it in your mouth and swish for 20  minutes.  Simple as that. Done.

I wasn't happy with the 20 minute thing but it goes by super fast.

After only 3 days, I can already see a difference.  My mouth feels amazing, my teeth are whiter, and my tongue is pinker.  After I oil pull (everyday right after my workout, I just like to think that my body is getting an extra purge from the pull), I brush my teeth with baking soda and peroxide.  Loving the results so far.  It's like my mouth took off it's jacket. Ha! Does that make sense?

TIPS!!! Don't swallow the disgusting, toxin filled oil!  Don't spit the oil in the sink because it will solidify again and ruin your pipes.  Here is the post I found with the most helpful info!

Here are a few more of the benefits:

• Whitens teeth (Always a plus!)
• Detoxes body
• Clears up allergies and sinuses 
• Helps with sleep issues
• Strengthens gums
• Takes care of Gingivitis
• Helps get rid of acne/ eczema/ and psoriasis.  

There are plenty more, but those are the big ones.  

So, after only 3 days in, I think its definitely worth the hype.  I can't wait to see what happens with my psoriasis in a few weeks.  

Juicy Tidbits

~~Vampire Diaries is losing me.  This Katherine and Elaina thing...I can't

~~In exactly 1 month we will be in our new house! Squeal!

~~Trying to work as hard as possible to be super fit by move time. I work better with deadlines!

~~Rob's going away party is this Friday.  

~~I have no idea how to wear my hair for the move. I need a "Leaving England Chucking Deuces" hairstyle. 

Have you tried oil pulling?

Planning The Suite

Colors, pink, black, white, gold

For the past 6 months, I've been obsessed with turning a spare room into a walk in closet-office-make up suite.  Since the move is coming up in 1 month *SCREAMING AND UNABLE TO CONTAIN JAZZ HANDS*, I've been doing some serious planning and drafting up blue prints.  AKA searching pinterest like its a job.

I have sooooo many pictures and I like something specific from each of them.  What I DONT have, is the money to buy it all.  But that is the least of my worries.  I know it's going to take months to get THE SUITE (I'm trying that name out...it kind of rolls right off the tongue) together, and the lack of moolah will only make me put even more thought and consideration into each piece I purchase.

I know I want painted bookcases for my shoes, lighted mirror, the white malam table from Ikea for my makeup area, a few different storage options for my pallets and things, a wall closet system, A white desk area, my favorite chair covered with a white slip cover, and absolutely too many things from Etsy.  It's going to be Epic...in like a year, when its done...

So here are a few of my contenders.  Unfortunately, most of these pictures have no links so I can't give any photo credit.  :/.  I like different things about each of them.

The "I Love you" canvas= the tits

The storage and the malam table

Wall sconces and Hepburn...I wont have her that large though.. Maybe
I will take a picture of myself in the signature black dress! *Swoon*

Liking the storage here.  

 Ok, there they are.  My roomspirations! I think this will ultimately encourage more makeup and clothes shopping... That's no good, Shaina. *psyche*! Am I the only person who still says psyche?

Do you have ideas? What is something you would HAVE to have in your dream room?