Frame to Perfume Tray

Hello everyone! As always I hope you are doing wonderful. Let me get right into the post and share this quick and easy DIY project.

You will need:

A picture frame of your choice

Gift wrap or crafting paper

Scissors

Pen or pencil

Here is the frame I will be using. I found it at the Goodwill for a hefty price of $1.99!

Um, I'll take that thank you very much.

Check out the detail. I really love its vintage look.

At this point I had already detached the frame stand as you can tell.

 

I took it apart

Lay out the gift wrap, place the glass over it and outline it with your pen

Grab your scissors and cut along the line you've outlined

Insert the cut out of the gift wrap as if it were a picture and you'll get this

And this is the final product. A nice little home for my tiny perfumes.

 

I'm sure some of you did not need a step by step pictorial of this project but for those that need it I hope you found this useful.

Until the next post,

Juicing Experience Continued

Hi everyone! Let me get right into it ...

Friday, December 7: I juiced today so it was great. However, when the evening came and as no surprise I had a blue moon with an orange, 4 hot chicken wings, a bunch of carrots and celery and a huge glass of water. I must admit that as I was getting ready for my night out I had ..hold on to your seats.. six glasses of wine! I know I have no shame but it was a stressful week at work and I "needed" it. That my friends is my story and I'm sticking to it.

Saturday, December 8: Juiced for breakfast. As previously mentioned today was going to be a food frenzy and I wasn't telling stories. I had four pork meat tacos, small serving of beef stew, small serving of chili, one glass of wine [that I can recall LOL] and some papaya/jalapeno salsa with some chips. Oh, and champurrado. Let me say I paid for this dearly! I walked around the house and at 11:00pm I went for a walk because I was beyond full and extremely uncomfortable. I will not be eating like this for a long time.

Sunday, December 9: I juiced today. Given all the food I ate yesterday I simply had to juice so that I could feel better.

Monday, December 10: Juice for breakfast, lunch and dinner

Tuesday, December 11: Juice for breakfast, lunch and dinner

Wednesday, December 12: Juiced for breakfast, lunch was a salad, plain baked potato and my juice, dinner was juice.

Thursday, December 13: Juice for breakfast, co-worker treated us to a late lunch chicken breast, mash potatoes, cole slaw and a biscuit, dinner was juice.

Friday, December 14: I juiced for breakfast but for lunch we had our holiday party at work and I ate half a chicken breast, small serving of mash potatoes, green beans, 1/2 biscuit, 4oz of eggnog and a 7-up because I knew my tum tum was going to feel wacky. Ah, I had a small slice of chocolate turtle cheese cake, four peachie-O's and 4 gummy worms. [hands in face] I know, I know. Dinner was a juice but the evening brought on more wine!

Saturday, December 15: Juice, juice and more juice. Today was a good day.

Sunday, December 16: Juice, juice and more juice. Today was good but I must admit I got hungry! I ate a slice of Ezeqiel (?) bread and a wedge of cheese, calorie intake wasn't bad at all. Not so bad.

Monday, December 17: Not a super day. Breakfast champurrado (mexican hot chocolate type drink), lunch ham sandwich, dinner glass of milk and plain mexican bread. As I type this up its 9:30pm and I feel like a stuffed turkey. I need to workout, double time for sure tomorrow.

I've determined I cannot fully take on this juicing business just yet. Therefore I will have all the Mean Green Juice ingredients on hand and juice as often as possible but will not limit myself nor beat myself up if I don't keep up 100% with juicing. I still workout but this particular week was not good we worked twelve hours a day and I was much to tired to workout. Except for Thursday I was exhausted but had the urge to workout so I did from 8:30 - 10:00pm. I felt great after my workout. We shall see what this week brings.

How has your journey gone thus far?

Until the next post

P.S.: I didn't spell check so pardon misspelled words and/or fragment or run on sentences. LOL at least I'm honest.

Juicing Fast

Hello people of the blogosphere. I've already started my juice fast and will get to my experience shortly but first this is what you'll need 

6 kale leaves

4 celery Stalks

1 cucumber

2 green apples

1/2 lemon

1 piece of ginger (thumb size or to taste)

I didn't peel anything of the above just washed them really well. I also did not take pictures but I will eventually. This is my experience...

Day 1: Sunday, December 2nd

I'm sick and had a late start to my day. Had my first juice at 12:30pm, worked out from 2-4pm and had my second juice at about 5pm. At this point my body has tried to fight this darn cold and I suppose working out and minimal food consumption is taking a toll because I had a horrible headache. I took 2 headache pills and felt better shortly after. However, I also got super duper hungry and didn't anticipate hanging out at my friends house too late so I didn't take my third juice! Yikes. I ended up eating a small bowl of wheat pasta, small scoop of mashed potatoes and a small piece of turkey.  Yes, I goofed up day one. I'll try again tomorrow.

Day 2: Monday, December 3rd

I woke up late! Which means today is a total bust because you absolutely must be prepared. I think I had a salad today - I don't remember but I know its not fast food because I've been good in that respect. Oh, and I worked out today.

Day 3: Tuesday, December 4th

Great start! Woohoo! I took my juicer and everything I needed to the office. I had all three of my juices but I also had some fruits and veggies so it wasn't just the juice. As far as I'm concerned I still didn't do bad just not 100% juicing. Didn't workout today.

Day 4: Wednesday, December 5th

Another great day! I had my three servings of juice but also had a small garden salad (lettuce, tomato and carrots with half squeezed orange for taste) I also had a baked potato with sea salt and black pepper. Not so bad right? Well that was until my work day got out of control with so much audit crap! Stressful times! So, what does a stressed out person do? Get a call from another stressed out friend go out for beer, pizza and cheese fries! Oh hot darn it I fudged up. [Sigh] Oh well I'll get back at it tomorrow.

Day 5: Thursday, December 6th

Had a terrible night! I haven't fully recovered from this darn cold, flu, cough whatever it is and got about two hours of sleep. Didn't work today - I slept in until midday then I got up because I had a dentist appointment. I had a green apple at 2pm and didn't have anything else to eat NO BUENO! In my defense my juicer and blender are at work! Darn it! ? No juicing for that reason. I visited my parents and nephew shows up with pizza! AHHHH. PIZZA is my downfall. I had 1/3 a slice of pizza at 7pm and that was it. I didn't work out today either. [deep sigh]

As you can see juicing isn't easy. Actually let me rephrase and say juicing itself is easy for me specially during work hours. Its what happens after work hours that messes me up. I mean I'm not having a large pizza or anything but still its sets me off track. You really have to outline at what time you will have your juice and what you plan on doing during the evening hours. For me the evening hours are a killer. I've actually removed all food from my casa with the exception of juicing ingredients. Considering my horrible eating habits from three months ago this is pretty damn good ... although it really isn't.

We'll see what Friday brings - I already know the evening will be a bust as I'm going out to celebrate a bday with my girlfriends so beer, chicken wings and cake will be gobbled up. Saturday I'm hanging out again -boxing night -Pacman vs Marquez [I think] so that means beer & wine will be involved plus I know my sister is cooking my all time favorite pozole and my bro in law is making chili! aahh darn this is so difficult. [hands in my face] Nonetheless I am not giving up. I may not be hard core with the juice just yet but I am totally into doing things better than before. Its a start and I'm happy with that.

Have you tried juicing before? What was your experience like?

Until the next post ... Lucy

New beginnings

Resolutions. Yes, I have set many of them but have rarely achieved any. This year has certainly been a year of closure and new beginnings. Some, if not all, were late closures but nonetheless closures. These have opened many opportunities, challenges and change.

The biggest change has been officially living the single life. Definitely not a bad thing. It was a long time coming and many prayers later the right time came and here I am, starting fresh and wouldn't have it any other way. Then there is work. I now work 45 minutes away, on a good day, and that's quite alright with me. I now have a superb supervisor who reminds me so much of my former boss and now friend, Magda. Everyone in the new office is so nice and cheerful all the time which made the transition so much easier.

And the biggest "new beginning" has been me. I've started working out and trying my best to eat clean and in the first month I lost 12 pounds. Doesn't seem like much but that is pretty huge for me.  I've joined a gym and that is pretty "whoa baby" and even more because I've stuck to my guns and go three to four days a week right after work, tired or not I workout. I have goals and aspirations and for once I think I'm going to achieve them, all of them. I took a Body Sculpting Aerobics class two weeks ago and completely looked like an idiot and damn near quit, but didn't. A few people around me stopped working out to help me out and motivated me. It was a pretty amazing moment. Instead of laughing they helped me. With that said I have made a promise to myself to attend each and every class until I master it. I love aerobics! When I was a gym bum, many moons ago, I took class every other day and worked out Monday-Friday so I know I can do this, I got this. I'm shockingly motivated and focused. I feel great. I'm far from my goal but I'm encouraged and motivated. As of today I have lost 18 pounds and I'm quite proud of myself.

After two months of not seeing all of my collegues yesterday we had a meeting and their reaction when I walked in the door was pretty amazing! Many of them literally had their mouth open and had pretty huge smiles on their face. Their reactions, "WOW Lucy what are you doing?", "You look so different. What are you doing?" and my favorite, "You're not eating chips or drinking soda? That's crazy!" LOL yeah its seems crazy but I don't miss it. I know I lost weight and can absolutely feel it in my clothes but did not by any means think it was that noticeable. Some even said my entire persona was different more vibrant and glowing. Let's just say they haven't seen me walk out of the gym looking a hot mess, like some of my friends have, because if they did I'm sure they'd have a change of opinion. Lol

Any way I'm sharing this specific journey, 10 day Juicing Fast, because I'm just about ready to try anything that is good for me without jacking up my liver aka taking pills or meds that kind of thing. My coworker mentioned a documentary "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" on Tuesday and I didn't get a change to see it until Thursday night. I had a stressful week and really didn't want to layout on the sofa after hours of sitting and a couple hours at the gym but I figured I'd give it a go. Let me say I am so glad I did. Today, Saturday December 1, 2012 right after work I zoomed over to the store and got myself a juicer and all the veggies/fruits needed for a 10 day Juicing Fast. I'm telling you after seeing that documentary don't be surprised if you do the same thing. What I'll be doing is every night for the next ten days share what my experience was like be it emotions, break downs, trials ... whatever I'm sharing it. I'm also taking a before picture and sharing that at the 10 day mark with an after picture. I honestly don't expect a miracle to take place in 10 days because all this curvaciousness didn't happen in 10 days. hahaha. If I can handle 10 days I'm going for a whole 30 day juicing fast. We'll see how this journey unfolds. Ok, that's it I'll cut it short because I can go on and on and this post will never end.

Good luck to all who are starting a regimen and if you are looking for a start- THIS IS IT.  Don't wait for tomorrow to start something you can start today.

Good luck on your journey and until the next post...

[I am not a professional in nutrition or health related topics. Oh, and sorry for any typos I didn't proofread:D]

ART

Holy guacamole! I have been gone for how many months? Wow I didn't think it was that long. Well hopefully this will be the last time I stay away from my blog for such a length of time.  So, what have I been up to you ask? A bunch of nothing that has certainly kept me busy.

For starters I have been working full time, you know that insane thing some of us call work. Yeah, pretty sad.  I pretty much work more than an eight hour shift everyday without any compensation. Stinks royal butt and management of course takes advantage with the whole "You are paid salary so do what you have to do to get the job done." attitude. Ugh [That's a story for another post. Ha.] After work believe it or not I am working out. Yikes, me in a gym almost everyday. I know its almost unreal. I'm glad to report that in this past month I've lost 12 pounds! Yay me. I have a ways to go but hey I'm not complaining. It sure has been a battle with myself on the "Don't even think about eating that!", "Oh, it will take me three hours on the treadmill to burn those calories" and of course "Oh way not I'll get back on track tomorrow." And last but absolutely not least I'm keeping busy with my weekend gig ya' know that awesome thing I love called doing other peoples makeup and making them looks super duper awesome for their special day. I love it.

Other than that my day is pretty blah, boring and in need of some social life sprucing up. But I'm sure in due time that will happen. I suppose this is just part of the reintegration into single life, I don't know. At any rate I know I haven't shared any of my monthly Birchbox items recieved partly because I'm do darn lazy or tired to snap pictures, upload to picture database, upload them to my blog and of course type my life away. I'm on the computer all day and to be honest this was another task and not a joy. Sad, but true. BUT fear not I've just slapped myself silly and came back to reality. Ok, maybe not literally.

At any rate I want to show case my niece Miranda's art work. She draws pretty wicked awesome sketches and recently started the transition into painting. I must say she has done pretty amazing pieces. I fully intend on asking for her permission to post them here on my blog for everyone to see in the near future. Miranda actually surprised me a few days ago with the below painting. I happened to mention that I would love it if she would paint an eye with some kind of really out there eyeshadow for my little makeup room.

 Low and behold she presented me with this piece of art....

It is fabulous! I love it. I completely intend on creating a real makeup look inspired by her painting. Oh, and don't you know like any good artist she said "This is for you. Now pay up buddy." she giggled and said just kidding immediately after. Naturally I fully intend on contributing to the cause - after all the kid has to start somewhere and I'm sure she has gotten paid a pretty good penny for her skills.

That's it for now. I'll be sharing my latest Birchbox, bling bling items recently won for hosting a party and hopefully I'll take the time this week to recreate my painting into a real makeup look. Keep an "eye" out for it =)

Until the next post...

How to: Michelada

Have you heard of a Michelada? Have you tried a Michelada? Well if you haven't heard nor tasted a Michelada and want to try something different here is the receipe, try it out and let me know what you think.

But wait ... what is a Michelada you ask? Well a Michelada is a popular Mexican cocktail. Its one of the "in drinks" at most restaurants and bars at the moment. I've heard you can compare this drink to a Bloody Mary but in my opinion its nothing like it. An authentic Michelada must include lime, salt, Worcestershire and Maggi. Oh, and the name Michelada comes from the phrase Mi Chela Helada or My Cold Beer.

Alright enough of that here are the steps:

This is what you will need:
Ice cold beer glass, Clamato [Tomato Cocktail], Chile Sal [Chile Salt], Tajin [spice mix], Maggie Jugo [Maggi liquid seasoning], Tabasco, salt, lime and whatever beer you want to add. I prefer Corona, Modelo or Victoria's.

I almost forgot the "unexpected" ingredient...

On a plate add the powder ingredients:

Now grab the lime and rim the iced glass.

Dip the rim into that powder ingredients and pour the remainding into the glass. 

Lets add the ingredients into the glass -in no particular order or measurement.

For this size of glass, I suppose its the average size beer glass, I'd suggest adding half teaspoon of Worcestershire, Maggi and Tabasco to start. Personally I just pour the stuff in until my taste buds like the taste.

Of course I forgot the picture of the Worcestershire being added but 
go ahead and add it now.

Now add Maggi jugo [juice/liquid] consistancy

Now the TABASCO ... YUUMMY!!

 

Enter the Chile Sal  [Chile Salt]

Add some lime. Here only half is pictured but one and half were added to this drink.

Add some ice

We decided to add the other half of lime and then about a cup and a half of Clamato juice.

 

 

Right before you add the beer add some salt to taste. Here we used Corona or Victoria's ah.. to be honest I don't remember. LOL In my defense it was after a BBQ party welcoming home Sgt. Gudino from his 18 month service in Kuwait so hey we had to party ... till 5:ooam ...and this was at about 9:00am. Yeah, I know crazy Mexicans! LOL
[Side note incase you missed it ... I'm Mexican so I can say that. ha.] 

 

And there you go .. Salud!

 

Have you tried a Michelada? Did you like it?

Let me know if you try making a Michelada.


 

Until the next post,

Review: Maybelline Waterproof Volum'Express Mascara

Hello! How are you doing? So, this post contains a product review but I have a mini-novel to share before getting to the post. Feel free to scroll down to the picture area to skip my novel =)

This past Sunday I spent the day with my little sister Pattie and my niece Suzzi "The Bride To Be". Suzzi weds this August and I've been given the honor of doing her hair and makeup. I'm so excited, nervous, anxious and sad all at once. How can that be? Let me just say she is the eldest of the nieces in our small family and the first of the nieces to get married. Really, I believe the realization that she is no longer that chubby little baby, that little kid that wanted to hang out with me the bossy auntie or as she calls me "the super cool auntie". She's a working professional for crying out loud!  [whoa chocking up here].

Ok, let me get back on track Pattie, Suzzi and I went to a little boutique in Chicago that has the most amazing accessories to pick up a hair brooch. We went to this very boutique last year when Pattie got married to pick up some accessories so it was only fitting to return.

In that boutique there was a lovely assistant, whos name slips my mind, she had the most amazing lashes! I thought they were lash extensions thats how beautifully long, full and dark they looked. Pattie, Suzzi and I have been faithful to a mascara we get when visiting Mexico and that's because we haven't found a comparable mascara in the States. I told this lovely assistant "Your lashes are so beautiful. What mascara do you use or are they extensions?" She gracefully replied "Thank you thats so nice of you. These are my lashes and I use Mabelline Express mascara in a blue tube." That was enough for me to try it. So, fast forward to Sunday night I make a quick trip to the store and picked up a mascara to test it out for myself.

Three days of use SOLD me on this mascara. Check out the pictures for yourself.

This is how the packaging looks:

My clean uncurled lashes - excuse the eyebrows its not quite time for threading just yet.

Clean and curled lashes

Here is one coat of mascara:

Two coats on top lashes and one coat on bottom lashes.

The following was on day two of testing, after 10 hours of use and after crying.

[I saw The Great Glory- an absolutely amazing movie based on a true story. Google the trailer then go watch the movie.]

I've tried so many high and low price mascaras and hadn't found one to beat my beloved Mexican mascara. That is until this mascara. I can assure you I will no longer use any other mascara! I love this mascara!!! LOVE IT! <3  This mascara passed my ultimate test of curl endurance, no smudge/transfer and lives upto their 3xs volume.

Have you used this mascara? Do you like it? What are your thoughts about it?

Until the next post,