Monthly Archives: June 2012
What’s All The Hype About?
There are a few random, unrelated things that seem to have a lot of people excited and I am not too sure why. Of course I first want to say that if something makes you excited, that is awesome, I am in no way trying to convince you otherwise. I am just stating my opinion in order to find out if anyone feels the same way. Discussion is always a good thing. So let’s begin.
Too Many 3D Movies
Does anyone else find it slightly irritating that every movie seems to be in 3D now? Don’t get me wrong, I think the technology is awesome, but that doesn’t mean we need to make every single movie like that. I saw Avatar in 3D because of the beautiful graphics and colors, but most of the time I would just rather watch movies in their normal version. I already wear glasses so I don’t exactly want to wear 2 pairs of glasses haha. Sometimes I think it just takes away from the movie. For instance, one of the Resident Evil movies was in 3D and it seemed a little ridiculous, as if they had to exaggerate the actor’s movements in certain scenes in order to make them “pop out” in 3D. I think it works great for cartoon kid’s movies and things that may have extraordinary graphics, but it doesn’t seem to fit for everything. But I guess if they can make money creating 3D versions they will keep doing it. So as long as they don’t stop offering a regular 2D version, I can’t complain.
When I was looking for a picture for this post I stumbled upon glasses that turn 3D movies back into 2D. It would probably be a better idea just to go to the 2D showing instead of wearing glasses at the 3D version in order to see it in 2D lol, sounds confusing. I guess they would come in handy if everyone you went to the movie with wanted to see it in 3D except you. Or if they stop making a 2D version. I just thought it was interesting. You can find the article about the glasses here at gizmag.com. So what about you, Do you prefer to watch movies in 3D?
IKEA is Overrated
image source
Everyone seems to be obsessed with IKEA and I don’t understand why. Yes, they offer a large array of merchandise at cheap prices, but none of it is anything spectacular. In fact, it is all pretty much junk, which is why it is so cheap. I’m not against IKEA, some items are worth purchasing there, but I wouldn’t say it is the best store ever (as many people make it out to be).
For example, I bought a wardrobe closet from IKEA for my room, since my closet is very small and I needed more space for my huge collection of clothes. I knew going into it that IKEA made very cheap furniture, but if I didn’t have thousands of dollars to spend, IKEA was really the only place I could find one. So I took my chances and ended up paying around $500 (which was still pricey for me). Well, you are supposed to assemble it while lying it on its side first and then pick it up to finish building it. Well, since it is so crappy, the thing starts cracking and breaking in the process of picking it up. In order to make it stable we had to drill brackets and more screws all over it. It would have just fallen apart completely if we were to build it as the instructions said. It has worked just fine now that it is put together, but I doubt it would be able to be moved from here.
Besides it being cheap, it makes me claustrophobic! Once you are in the store it is like being in a huge maze. Even though there are shortcuts throughout the store, I feel like I am trapped since there are no windows. Plus, it is always so crowded, which doesn’t help.
So why do people find it so amazing? Please fill me in because I just don’t get it.
Call Me Maybe Won’t Go Away
call me maybe song versus the movie Taken- image source
I’m sure I am not the only one so please tell me you relate. That call me maybe song gets on my nerves! I have managed to get it stuck in my head a few too many times and just don’t understand the fascination with the song. It has become so popular lately and there are videos all over YouTube and on television using that song. I would put a link to it for reference, but if you haven’t already heard it I’ll spare you. Although, I doubt you have been able to escape that song, but if you have, consider yourself lucky. What do you think about the song and the hype surrounding it?
Spinach & Pepper Jack Hummus
I love hummus and I wanted to try making my own so I tried out this recipe. It is very tasty and makes a generous amount. You can always change it up depending on your particular taste.
What You Need
1 can of chickpeas (16 oz.) drained and rinsed
2 Tablespoons of tahini (ground sesame seeds)
2-3 cloves of fresh garlic, minced
lemon juice from 1/2 a lemon
2 cups of fresh, roughly chopped spinach
1/4 cup of shredded pepper jack cheese
2 tablespoons of olive oil
sea salt & pepper to taste
How To Prepare
1. Put chickpeas, garlic, tahini and lemon juice in a food processor. (Don’t forget to drain and rinse the chickpeas first.)
2. Pulse until fully combined and all chickpeas are broken up.
3. Add in spinach, salt, pepper, cheese, and olive oil. Pulse until smooth and creamy.
4. Take a taste test and add more salt, pepper or lemon juice if necessary.
Serve with pita chips and refrigerate any leftover hummus.
I like to eat this with Stacys multigrain pita chips that I purchase at my local grocery store.
recipe adapted from: healthywithheather.com
Word of the Week: Parsimonious
The word of the week is Parsimonious
Pronunciation: [pahr-suh-moh-nee-uhs]
adjective
Definition: characterized by or showing parsimony; frugal or stingy. Unwilling to spend a lot of money; cheap.
I find myself to generally be a parsimonious person.
-picture taken and edited by me.
A Few of My Favorite Things
There are many products that I love and I wanted to share just a few with everyone.
My favorite conditioner, face scrub, hand soap, body wash and razor
1. Lavender Vanilla Hair Conditioner from Bath & Body works
They don’t sell this anymore, unfortunately, but it makes my hair smell so good. I’m pretty sure they still have this scent, but not in conditioner.
2.Apricot and White Tea face scrub from Bath & Body works
This scrub smells so delicious and feels great on my face. I stocked up on these when they went on sale.
3. Lemon Pomegranate Pop hand soap from Bath & Body works
This scent smells so delicious! I think I bought this last summer and shortly afterward they didn’t carry the scent anymore. It is now summer again so I’m hoping they will bring it back.
4. So Sexy hair conditioner from Victoria’s Secret
I love how this conditioner makes my hair smell. They sell shampoo too, but since they are so expensive I just use the conditioner.
5. Pink organic Shea Butter body wash from Victoria’s Secret
I bought this when it was on sale and ended up really liking it. it has a refreshing smell that is nice when you don’t want something so perfumey.
6.Intuition razor by Schick
I have used intuition razors ever since they came out and love them.
- my favorite perfume, mascara, eyebrow liner, and nail polish
1. DKNY perfume – Be Delicious, green bottle
I LOVE this perfume and sadly my bottle is now empty. One time I was in an elevator and the guy next to me asked what my perfume was called because it smelt so good. I’ve never gotten a compliment on any other perfume before so I’d say it’s pretty good.
2. Essie Nail Polish – color: no more film
I like all different types of nail polish, but this one goes on nicely and looks great. It still chips like most, but it lasts a little bit longer. I have only tried this color so far, but they have other great colors to choose from.
3. Avon Pro Brow Enhancer
I never used to wear brow liner or did anything to my eyebrows (other than pluck/wax them), but I tried this one day and loved it. It is a liquid that you brush through your eyebrows and makes them look great. The liquid actually looks like your real eyebrow hair, sounds weird, but it’s great. The only thing is it doesn’t last very long if you use it often.
4. Maybelline XXL Pro Extensions Mascara
I have tried many different mascaras and so far this is my favorite. It is doubleended, one side is white and the other black. The white you put on first and it adds “extensions” to your lashes, and then you put the black over it. It makes my lashes look longer than any other mascara and never clumps. Most mascara I have used makes my lashes clump together which I hate and this works much better.
my favorite cookies, muffin mix, and chocolate
1. Peppermint crunch cookies from Archer Farms
These cookies are Target Brand and were sold there during Christmas time. When they went on sale afterward, my mom and I bought a bunch of these after we tried how amazing they were. Unfortunately they were a seasonal item, and will probably not be coming back, but at least we stocked up. They sort of remind me of a much better version of girl scout thin mints.
2. Ghiradhelli double chocolate muffins
I like baking sweets from scratch, but sometimes you don’t feel like doing all that work. So when I’m in the mood for some delicious chocolate muffins, I always go to this Ghiradhelli box mix. I bought them at my local grocery store, but sometimes they are not always available. These really are pretty good though.
3. Hills Bros White Chocolate Caramel cappuccino mix
I love coffee and bought this one day just to try it. It makes a decent instant cappuccino, but what I really like to do is add it to my coffee for extra flavor.
4. Dove chocolate – dark
Sometimes I just want a little dark chocolate and my go-to is Dove. I usually buy a bag of these to keep around in case I need a chocolate fix. I find that these taste much better than Hershey chocolate.
If you really want to try some amazing chocolate, go get yourself one of these Chocolove bars with dark chocolate, dried cherries and almonds. They used to carry these at Target, but now I have to venture over to Whole Foods or the Fresh Market if I want one now. They are pricey (I think it is $3 and change for one bar), but so worth it! They were recently on sale for $2.50. So delicious!
What are your favorite products?
instillari 