Let's reflect...

Yes that is me. Yes that is me looking over my favorite place on Disney property. Can you figure out where it is?

I have been flashing this image that I made some time late last year in my face all week long because... well, I guess I should tell you where I've been. All three of you.

The last three months I have been sucked into a really really really dark place that was full of jealousy and hatred and anxiety and just all sorts of bad bad feelings. I was depressed to the point where I would hardly go to work, I was failing all my classes and I literally did not give a shit if I got out of bed at 3PM.

That is never okay with me.

We do NOT stay in bed until 3PM. EVER.

But I was just in a really dark place and I felt like I was drowning, my life was literally flipped inside out and I didn't know what to do and there was broken glass all over my apartment floors and I was just a big heap of sobbing mess.

So about a week and a half ago I bit the bullet and did something I told myself I wouldn't do, because I'm stronger than that. But there's no sense in asking for help if you really really need it. Right? So for the last few days I've been on this really crazy journey on getting back to who I was, on healing myself mentally, on taking control of my OCD and my taking my life back and for the most part it's been pretty smooth. I did have a few days of extreme depression but I'm okay now and I'm hoping it'll stay steady this way.

I'm taking this month off of everything to just relax. To heal. To get better. Because honestly, in the last ten years since I've struggled with OCD I never actually took the time to just STOP and SLOW DOWN and RELAX. So along with that, I've been reflecting a lot on who I am and what I want from life and where to go from here. 

I've had plenty of idea's of what to do with this blog. I created it as a lifestyle blog that would had followed me into living on my own for the first time ever and that didn't really work out. And now I'm moving into a new place fairly soon and I hope hope hope that I do manage to remember to take this blog on that journey with me into making it my own personal cozy nest. 

Because let's be real. Who wouldn't want to come home to nice cozy nest?

I have started another blog about my journey only because it's open and raw and I decided not to hide anything when it comes to it. You'll be exposed to my demons, my struggles and my crazy bat shit mind. So if you're interested in that sort of stuff, let me know in the comments below or email me and I'll link you over! 

Also, if you have any tips to share when it comes to learning how to relax please also do share those. Relaxing has never really been my thing. Probably why I don't sleep at night. I've started Mindful Meditation (which I'm still convinced I'm doing it wrong) and bits of Yoga to help me sleep but I feel like there should be more I should be doing.

Hello April

[ credit: weheartit.com ]

Whoo! It's finally April! My birthday month!

I actually called out of work today because I've been struck with allergy flu-like symptoms since last Thursday night. Thankfully I'm feeling much better than I did this passed weekend and I can finally feel whatever this is leaving my system! I swear, the east coast gives me the weirdest allergy reactions!

It's also April Fools Day and I don't know about everyone else but I was never really a fan of April Fools. Now that I'm much older, I hate it even more. I just see it as an excuse for people to be assholes and place blame on the fact that "it's April Fools Day" yeah well that punch I threw to your face was no joke! Watch it! But really, it's just dumb in my opinion. All these fake headlines and fake news. I mean come on, you're going to post that you got engaged then end it with April Fools! in the end who really looks like the fool? The person who fell for it or the person who thought it would be entertaining to make a fool of THEMSELVES?

Anyway...

I'm not going to give myself some epic to do list this month  because my head has been in the clouds since this year started and that alone has been frustrating. I like being organized and on top of my stuff. I didn't even realize my own birthday was next week so I wasn't able to make the plans I wanted to. Oh well. Maybe next time. So instead I'm settling for something small. I don't know, after 21 your birthday isn't that big of a deal anymore. Besides, I don't live in Cali anymore so there isn't really anything to do here in Florida and I don't really want to spend my birthday at Disney World. I really wanted to go to Vegas, it's going to be my second year not going for my birthday and that's just depressing.

But here are some things I hope to dabble into this month... no pressure though!

• Finish reading City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
• Review 3 NetGalley titles
• Tidy up my half of the living area mess
• Tidy up desk
• Be happy on my birthday!
• Start buying flowers
• Craft something.... anything
• Try out one new recipe 
• Come up with a better income management plan
• Write "About Me" pages for blogs
• Facebook less
• Blog more

So that's about it folks! I've been major slacking with finishing City of Glass even though I flew through the first two books because OMG Clary is pissing me off so hardcore in this one! So much in fact that I'm looking forward to Simon's chapters! Goodness, she's like gone off into Bella lala land and it's just annoying. 

I better get something to eat and get started on my next class readings.... I hope to come up with more content for this blog, I know it's a lifestyle blog so technically I can write about anything. I'm just being picky! 

What are some things you hope to get done this month?

Motivation Monday

Welcome to another Monday!

I feel like this quote as been following me around since NaNoWriMo. You spend days putting together your novel before writing it and making sure everything is perfect knowing that when you go in to write it... well that's not really how it works. Then you freak out. Followed by procrastination because what the heck is even going on anymore?! And finally you shelf the project. This doesn't have to go for just writing, it can go for anything in life.

We're always waiting in the sense that we're waiting for the right time (wanna know a secret? there's no such thing as a "right time"). Or the right idea. Or if you're like me, you're constantly waiting for inspiration. There's a quote that's like "Don't wait for inspiration, go get it." like, what does that even mean? Is there a magical inspiration field I don't know about where I can gather handfuls of inspiration? 

No matter what the issue is, waiting is going to solve none of them. You're going to wait your life away before making any progress.

What's something you've been waiting for "the right moment" to do?

Motivation Monday

[ discovered on Addicted To Success Facebook page ]

If there is one thing that peeves me it's when people spend the majority of their time discussing other people. What this person is wearing, how over/under weight they are, the sound of their voice. Whatever. 

I get that everyone has an initial opinion of someone, that's natural. Over it's out of shock or awe. But there's a difference between voicing these opinions or just letting them go. Obviously if you admire something about someone and you just have to say something, by all means. But I don't believe in walking up to someone (especially someone you don't know) and saying something nasty based on your initial opinion of them. Nor do I understand the need to continue bringing it up days later.

Perhaps it's just me? I don't spend a lot of time judging other people because they have nothing to do with my life. I'm too busy focused on my hustle, too focused on improving myself to worry about who's doing what with their own lives.

Your opinion of someone else doesn't reflect them, it reflects you. Remember, big minds discuss ideas and small minds discuss people.

Just something to think about. 

Let's spend some time this week focused on ourselves rather than focused on someone elses life.

Freebies Round Up (2)

I know it's been awhile since I've posted one of these but I haven't really been hunting for samples lately. 

But there's some pretty great things I got lately!

• LE Oreo in Marshmallow Crispy
• Gain Fireworks in Original
• Emergen-C in Super Charge & Citrus
• Folgers Gourmet ground coffee in Vanilla Biscotti
• Coupon for free 12 pack of Coca-Cola *not pictured

I'm incredibly excited to try the new Oreo's, I ironically bought the Cookie Dough ones the night before I got this package and I did not like them so I'm hoping the Marshmallow Crispy will be different. Also I totally thought the Folgers sample I was going to get was of like an actual Biscotti... it's funny because I pulled out the sample and felt the package and thought oh no my Biscotti got crushed up in the mail! and I read the package and realize it was actually ground coffee... whoops. Haha. 

Do you look out for free samples? Where are some of your favorite places to get them? 

Motivation Monday

[ credit Pinterest ]

It seems like a lot of people hate Mondays and I never really understood the deal with that... I've always loved Mondays! But I've also always worked weekend jobs so you know, Mondays meant the weekend was over. Plus I'm one of those people who hate going out on the weekends because everyone is going out on the weekend. Can I just find a parking spot so I can get my damn box of tampons and go? Goooooooooodness.

So I came up with this weekly feature called Motivation Monday because I know some people could use it. And as far as doing blog work, some Mondays I need it too! But really, I come across all these motivational quotes and things and I needed a reason to share it haha.

~*~

When it comes to chasing your dreams it can be a bit intimidating. Especially if you don't know what the heck you're even doing or where to begin and there's no one there to help you. Everything might seem like a big fat fail at the moment because you're just starting out. And it shouldn't be that way, you should look at these things as stepping stones because in reality, that's what they are. They're blocks for your to step on as you learn your  way around.

But maybe something just isn't really working out the way you want, at all. No matter how you try to twist and turn it. Maybe this particular project just isn't fully developed yet and maybe in some other aspects of your life goals and situations could just be a fail and there's no way around it.

So. You can do one of two things: you can give up (and spend your life wondering what if) or you can pick yourself back up and try again.

That's the beauty with life, there's never really a final say in things.

So next time you feel like you've failed at something, remember that you haven't. You've just hit another stepping stone.

Bonjour Février!

[ made with Rhonna Designs & Studio app ]

Ahh, the beginning of a new month. There's always something refreshing about new beginnings. Is it just me? And there's a lot to look forward to in February --- Valentines Day (who doesn't love seeing pink and red everywhere? There's something that just lifts your mood!), the beginning of Spring, warmer weather, new makeup and fashion launches...

And with every new month I do that thing to myself... where I make a list of goals I may or may not accomplish but it's okay! There is nothing wrong with wanting to work towards something.

• Get back into the habit of sleeping & waking up at a specific time
• Discover 2 new products
• Attempt to make homework the first priority of the week
• Come up with Valentines Day posts and videos
• Tidy the living area
• Make a lightbox
• Build that dresser
• Read more!
• Learn how to knit
• Fix up "About Me" pages
• Make homemade Gum Drops
• Stay focused

That's not too bad... I think I can live with this list. I really need to start sleeping early again and forcing myself to wake up at a certain time instead of constantly hitting the snooze button. I always start my day off late and honestly, it irritates me. 

→ I want to discover at least 2 new products this month mostly because I don't have a January favorites to film since I didn't really discover much. While I have a few products to talk about, I don't have enough to make it worth making a video for and that kinda sucks. 

→ I want to tidy our living area because it's been a mess since... we moved here and it keeps getting worse! We have no storage space at all in our tiny apartment but that doesn't mean that clutter can just build anywhere. I need to get more storage boxes from Target if anything and just start throwing things in a box or away if I really have no use for them. 

→ With that, I also want to tidy it so I can have a place for my light box! Right now I'm just using a desk with left over pretty Christmas garland bunched up and while that's fine, it doesn't give me a big enough range to shoot. 

→ I reallyyyy want to learn how to knit those beanies I love so much. I think that'll be fun! I need to fix up my "About Me" pages for all my blogs. I have one blog where I haven't updated it since 2010. Yeah. Crazy right? So I need to fix that. I kind of feel like your about me page is sort of like a resume. For your blog. 

→ I came across this recipe for homemade Gum Drops. I've never had Gum Drops. But I love homemade confections. And anything rolled in powered sugar so... why not?

→  I lost my focus a bit towards the end of last month because hubby got the flu and I spent a ton of time waiting for it to hit me (which it never did, thank goodness) and I think that in itself caused me to waste a lot of time so this month --- stay focused!

What are some of your goals for this month?

Freebies Round Up (1)

As a kid I've always been fascinated with receiving free samples (I know, kinda weird, right?). The internet was this new thing and I remember my dad would take me to the library on the weekends so I could spend an hour online and normally I would look up Sailor Moon facts and pictures but then I got interested in getting free samples and back in the 90's, this didn't really play out very well... I never got the samples lol.

Fast forward to now. Free samples is that sort of thing no one really talks about unless you get it from some high end place like Sephora. And sure there are a bunch of places that are sketch when it comes to samples, then there's the sometimes-you-don't-even-get-them. 

• Hollywood Fashion Tape from PINCHme
• Suave Advanced Therapy Lotion from PINCHme
• Genalia Caramel Mocchiato K-Cup from PINCHme
• Lady Gaga Perfume in Fame from PINCHme
• Olay Facial Moisturizer from I honestly don't remember, sorry!
•  Celestial Holiday Tea in Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride & Candy Cane Lane from Celestial Tea

But with Facebook fan pages for legit companies, it's a little easier to know that your information is going straight to the company you're requesting a sample from.

There are a number of sites I visit on an almost daily occasion to see what new samples are out. One of them being FreebieShark. FreebieShark posts information on free samples as well as promos and sweepstakes you could enter to win some pretty cool stuff (several people over the holiday season won Xbox One's and PS4's, that sure convinced me this stuff is real and legit!).

Another places I check out is PINCHme which is a new program where you periodically get to choose up to 2 products but you have to act fast, the samples go quick!

The Celestial Holiday Tea samples were part of a daily feature they did in December on Facebook.

Do you look out for free samples? Where are some of your favorite places to get them?

Subscription Boxes | Love With Food (3)

The theme for Love With Food's December 2013 box is Winter Wonderland!

• Angell Candy Bar from Betty Lou's (@BettyLousInc)
• 70% Chocolate Diamond from Lindt Chocolates (@Lindt_Chocolate)
• Allergen Free Peppermints from St. Claire's Organics (@StClariesOrgnic)
• All Natural Marshmallow Topper from Madyson's Marshmallows (@MandysonsMarshmallows)
• Chocolate Dipped Madeleine by Donsuemor (@Donsuemor)
• All Natural Powdered Drinking Chocolate from Les Confitures a l'Ancienne 
• Natural Crispbread Cracker from 34 Degrees (@34degrees)
• Molasses Spice Cookies from Grey Ghost Bakery (@greyghostbakery)
• Spinach Dip Mix from Desert Gardens 

Box Rating: 5/5
Product Satisfaction: 5/5
Worth the cost: Yes! 

*This subscription box was purchased by me

Hello, 2014

[ credit to shutterstock ]

It's 2014.

Am I the only one surprised?

I know my activity on this blog has been way way low. I created this blog to talk about lifestyle stuff. I didn't want to just focus on makeup or books, I wanted a place where I could talk about anything I wanted to talk about. So I created A Fairytale Lifestyle then I got scared that the content I would put up would suck because lifestyle was such a broad subject! Go figure, right?

I'm a little upset I wasn't prepared enough to have seasonal posts/videos when it came to Halloween and Christmas so I'm hoping to do a better job of prepping content this year.

This year I have also decided to not make resolutions. Instead, I'm participating in One Little Word. I'm pretty excited because to not (for once) have resolutions for an entire year is kinda of scary. I need a guide to what I'm doing and to base it all on one word? That's something different!

My One Little Word for 2014 is ---- Happiness.

Yup, that's it.

If it makes me happy, do it. If it doesn't, don't. I want my year to be that simple. Being an adult can suck hardcore. Paying bills, not making enough money, struggling, dealing with all this other extra stuff on top of worry about bills... it can all just be a lot. And it's so easy to scroll through your Facebook and see all these other people buying their first houses, buying new cars, having amazing weddings, going on honeymoons (which I didn't have a honeymoon), the ability to afford kids and have health insurance and it's easy to be bitter. And jealous because your life is nowhere near that.

Well this year, I will try my hardest to stay off Facebook as much as I can (besides networking duties) and focus on me. On my life. On my happiness and not let everyone elses life, define mine. Because we all have our own paths and dealing with day-to-day stressors can make you forget that. So I want to focus on finding my happiness. In being content with where my life is right now even if it's not where I want it to be. I want to assure myself that that is okay.

I do have a few goals I hope to achieve this year as well! Come on, I had to have some sort of list!

• Read 25 books (for my bookish goals, check the book blog)
• Post a video/vlog 1 - 2 times a week
• Put a little more effort into networking
• Be more organized
• Exercise 2 - 3 times a week
• Eat better
• Learn how to cook more (I'm having fun learning how to cook!)
• Touch up on baking skills
• Be better at couponing (and really learn how to budget)
• Start a savings
• More productivity, less procrastination!
• Continue to learn French

Those are the main ones and you know the basic take more pictures, try to sleep earlier, blahblahblah type of goals that you should be doing anyway.  

I need to take better care of myself this year, bottom line. And I need to stop being so lazy. 

So here's to a year of productivity and happiness!

Do you make resolutions? What are they?

Influenster VoxBox | Jolly Vox Box

So a few months ago I was selected for an Influenster box but I guess something happened with the count and I wasn't able to receive one. Instead they said they would send me the Jolly Vox Box instead and I thought that probably would be much more exciting (for me anyway).

So check out what I got and my initial impressions on the products sent to me. Also keep a look out for mini product reviews coming soon!


*This box was sent to me complimentary of Influenster for testing purposes

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and yours a happy and safe Christmas!

Hello, December

[ credit unknown ]

It is officially the last month of 2013 and just like every December, I can't believe the year went by so quickly! I'm finally on an academic break for a little while and I'll be on another one during Christmas so I'm trying to enjoy this downtime while I can! I got my second A in a row with the class I just finished and I'm so happy, seriously! I wasn't expecting to get another A! Hard work and sacrificing fun things do pay off --- I guess.

Even though it's December, here in Orlando it's still in the 80's. It's cooler but not really cold yet. I've been attempting Vlogmas and I think I'll be posting them on the lifestyle channel instead of the "vlog" channel like I had planned. I'm going to just mash up day 1-7 because they were short vlogs anyway... I'm still trying to get in the habit of actually pointing the camera at me while talking. 

I know I've been seriously slacking on the blog posts here, and I'm hoping since I have so much time off this month that I'll be able to catch up on things! I want 2014 to be as productive and as successful as it can be! And I've already made a resolutions draft. I couldn't help it!

But as for December, here are some things I hope to accomplish before 2013 is over ---

• Read 3-5 books (mostly big 2013 releases and holiday books)
• Get on the ball of posting a lifestyle video twice a week
• Donate $1 to the jar for every mile ran (borrowed this idea from a friend)
• Figure out a budget system for 2014
• Tidy the apartment
• Make homemade Gumdrops
• Make homemade Pillow Mints
• Do a whole lot of 2014 prepping!

What are some things you guys are planning on doing this month to see 2013 off? And what are some things you're planning on doing in 2014?

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's that time of the year again --- where we give thanks even though the root of the holiday is a pretty tragic one.

Back in high school I use to write out this elaborate email to everyone and write a special paragraph to why I was thankful for them. I know, kinda lame right? I stopped doing that though, I stopped leaving comments on peoples walls about how thankful I am for them from time-to-time just because. I don't know, I feel like it's kind awkward now that we're adults. Or whatever. 

This year hubby and I are across the country from our families for the first time ever. And it kinda sucks. Except family holidays have never really been my thing but still, my brother makes a mean Thanksgiving dinner and I'm sad I'm missing out on all his delicious food! 

But despite that, I do have a lot to be thankful for! 

I'm thankful for this delicious dinner we're finally having after prepping and cooking all day long. Our turkey is juicy and flavorful (which is surprising for a first try!), watching my Thanksgiving traditional movie --- A Christmas Story and that hubby surprised me by attempting to replicate my favorite restaurant appetizer --- Fried Artichokes! 

For a mother who pours nonstop support, love and guidance when I don't deserve it. She makes it a point to take care of me even when I'm across the country. My furball girls I can't wait to see, there's a sense of comfort in cuddling with a cat who looks at you like you're their world. For books, because let's be real... I had to. Blogging, pretty desserts and glitter because life's too short to be simple.

I'm thankful for the family and friends who show me support when I'm at my lowest, especially when it comes to my OCD. I'm thankful for friends who can pick up where they left off no matter how many days, months or years pass us. The brothers from another mother who've always had my back. I love and miss you guys ♥. I'm thankful for the people who've watched me grow up and still think I'm pretty okay through it all :)

I'm incredibly thankful for a boy who use to booty bump me in doorways, joke about suicide with me, tried talking our teachers into thinking I sold drugs and would threaten to kill me with clicky pens. We've grown a lot together in the last 11 years and you went from that hot crazy as shit friend to my husband. And I am so thankful for you everyday, you mean the world to me. Even if you piss me off every other hour. It's cool. You sat through Wicked with me 12 times without (too much) complaint and plus you're still hot ;)

Happy Thanksgiving friends, I hope it's one filled with laughter, love and family.

Thanksgiving prep begins...

I had a lot of cleaning/prepping planned before Thanksgiving, none of which actually happened --- you know how that goes.

But thankfully I was able to finish all my Thanksgiving shopping by Tuesday. We prepped the brine tonight which was interesting... I had never participated in making Thanksgiving dinner before so this being the first year both husband and I are celebrating alone, across the country from our families (or well my first since he celebrated "alone" when he was in basic training years ago). 

I had looked up different ways to brine turkey and eventually went with this mix from World Market since it included everything I wanted anyway and for just $5.99. It smelled heavenly! So we went ahead and prepped this. Then hubby pulled the body pieces of the inner turkey (we went with a fresh one by suggestion of my brother who does make the Thanksgiving dinners back home) *barfs a little in mouth*. Then we stuck the turkey and the brine in a turkey bag in a foil baking container and stuck it in the fridge.

In the morning I will start making the sides, even though I told myself I would do it the night before. But hubby is being picky and wants everything fluffy and fresh so, there's that! Here's a list of what I'll be making ---

• Stuffing Topped Veggie Bake
  http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/stuffing-topped-vegetable-bake-138240.aspx

• Baked Mashed Potatoes with Parmesean Cheese & Breadcrumbs
  http://www.kitchme.com/recipes/baked-mashed-potatoes-with-parmesan-cheese-and?plid=PROMO_KITCHME&crid=111413_KitchMe_Thanksgiving

• Stuffing with apples 
• Biscuits 

I know it seems a bit wrong to have Thanksgiving without green beans but I just didn't feel like adding that in. I wanted to try some different things instead. So we'll see how that goes.

Also, a whole lot of this has been going on...

I've started decorating the apartment with Christmas stuff, little by little. I want it to be super festive in here (if I could make it snow without making a mess, I would have it done!) but I don't want to go overboard with it since we have zero storage space to begin with. Our tree is also up and themed but not finished. And the first gift should be wrapped and under it by this weekend. 

Hubby also had the grand idea of taking an ornament from Days of Christmas from Downtown Disney with us home as "our" ornament to put on my mom's tree since she sets up on Thanksgiving and we won't be there to help this year. I'm sure she would love that idea! I still have to look for our first ornament together too. Hubby is making the ornaments for the tree this year and the tree topper. I had a nice theme going but since he's never decorated his own tree before, I decided to let him have at it. There's always next year. No big deal! 

But once the tree is done, I'll of course be blogging/vlogging about it!

Also, I'm debating on doing Vlogmas this year... we'll see how that goes!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

A month of epic pain

November didn't begin on a good start --- first I had an ear infection. A very very painful ear infection. Considering my health insurance only works in California, I was pretty much out of luck with going to the hospital to have it checked. The Advice Nurse my hospital provides suggested an over-the-phone appointment with my normal doctor. 

Wait, they could do that?!

So I did that and she did the whole, "you still need to go to the hospital to have it seen." thing even though I knew what this was. So she prescribed me oral anti-biotic. Last time I had an ear infection, I had the drops.

So for five days I took the anti-biotic and the thing with me and taking medication is that when I reach the last few doses, my mind does this weird trick and it keeps telling me to throw it up. It's so annoying. Anyway, the swelling in my ear finally went down, the pain was gone and I could --- well no, I couldn't hear. I had wax packed into my ear. No big deal, I flush my own ear all the time.

The day after I finished my prescription. Guess what happened.

I broke into hives for the second time in my life.

Except these weren't the hives I remembered... 

So naturally I freaked out thinking it was Scabies. Except it didn't burn like hell like Scabies does. So I couldn't figure out what it was! At first I thought my leg was just itching from razor burn but obviously, that isn't razor burn if it's on MY HAND right? So I did some research. I didn't eat anything out of the ordinary in the last 48 hours and I didn't touch anything I could had been allergic to. I didn't go anywhere new. The only thing that was new was the medication and I find out that sometimes the anti-biotic they prescribed me can cause Hives. It was just weird. After a few days of taking Claritin, it cleared up a bit.

And then this happened.

*shakes head at self*

I should just live in a bubble.

I had some frozen Won Tons and they were melted together, you know, the wrapper? It's a pain trying to pull them apart because honestly, you can't. So I thought taking a knife and cutting them out was a very bad idea and I told myself I was going to be very careful. And I was! But I think at some point I got too excited that the piece I had been working at for 3 minutes was finally giving away and something slipped and I cut myself really badly.

The second I felt that slice, my hand went straight under the running water. As I cried. Half because it hurt and it was bleeding a pretty good amount and half because how could I be that freakin dumb! after I had calmed down I pulled my hand from under the water and blood. Everywhere. It wouldn't stop. It was all over the counter, all over the sink, all over the knife, all over those goddamn Won Tons. 

Then I started to panic. I had to get to a towel so I could apply pressure and try to stop the bleeding --- see movies do teach you a thing or two!

So I dash over to the bathroom and run my hand under the bathroom sink --- getting blood all over the place there --- and wrap it gently in a face towel and SQUEEZING. The blood was still not stopping so I think at some point I went into shock because I started sweating, my mouth went dry and I started seeing spots. I literally thought I was going to pass out. Or die. So I texted my husband who was at work: bleeding. cut. passing out. to which he replied with "wtf?" so I went to lay down for a minute, tried to regulate my breathing and turned the fan on. Coaxing myself to relax.

That took a good minute. And I still felt like crap when I got up.

Then I decided to clean up all the bloody mess (literally) with my finger still gashed open. But at least it stopped bleeding.

Now it's at that stage of the last picture. It's closed up and it's starting to scab over however when I bump it on something it still sends angry shots of pain up my finger and I think I messed up some nerves because when I run my finger over it, it feels strange. Puffy but numb? It's weird.

This week I tried flushing out that extra ear wax using my usual ear flushing process. I'd get to the point where I'd hear/feel it shift and I could almost hear clearly then it would plug up again. I don't know what the deal is. Fast forward to last night. I think I irritated my ear somehow and now it's getting puffy again and to the point where I feel like another ear infection is coming on. 

Awesome.

After this heals I'm going to suck it up, pay the stupid $200 fee to just be seen and have them fix it. 

I've dealt with enough pain this month!

Happy Halloween!

Wishing all of a you a safe and Happy Halloween!

Subscription Boxes | Love with Food (2)

The theme for the September 2013 Love with Food box was gluten-free snacks curated by Chef Ming Tsai!

There's a lot to be excited about! The Hummus, the fruit snacks (which I had and peach was the best flavor!) and the sipping broths (hubby tried one and it was really nice and calming)!

I absolutely feel like I got more than my moneys worth this month. If you're interested in anything I mentioned, you can contact the following companies via their Twitter accounts:

• Cheddar Cheese Organicasaurus from Good Boy Organics (@GoodBoyOrganics)
• Roasted Red Pepper and Artichoke Brushetta from Milas Foods (@dipndips)
• Blueberry Fruit Bars from Betty Lou's (@bettylousinc)
• Roasted Garlic Hummus from Wilder Garden (@ZiyadBrothers)
• 100% Natural Crunch Cinnamon Apple Chips from Bare Fruit (@BareSnacks)
• Cherry Berry Raw Cookie from Licious Organics (@nudefoods)
• Sipping Broth from Millies Savory Teas (@SavoryTeas)
• Cinnamon Crunch from Cosmos Creations (@CosmosCreations)
• Fruit Snacks from YumEarth Organics (@YumEarth)

Because I'm posting this late... the October box will be posted soon :)

Box rating: 5/5
Product satisifaction: 5/5
Worth the cost: Yes!

Living | My Desk Area

Ah, the life of a college student.

I know posts have been seriously lacking on this blog. Homework really does a great job at killing creativity. So as a scapegoat post I shall show you my desk instead!

TA-DA!

It's sorta messy. I was putting together a Love With Food post and on the right is a pile of books to be reviewed. Fun! Fun!

I love my little desk :)

So I cleared off the Love With Food box and put together a fall candy bowl. I divided the candy between my bowl and the candy bowl I'm going to use for trick-or-treaters. I've never lived in a real complex before but I know there's loads of kids around here, do kids usually go trick-or-treating around their complex? I think it would be fun! Am I still young enough to go trick-or-treating myself? That would you know, be fun too. Just sayin.

So I have some Hershey's (love the Special Dark and Mr. Goodbar), some Jolly Rancher Caramel Pops like the one I had in my What I Ate Today vlog I posted yesterday and an M&M mix of plain, peanut and peanut butter. M&M is one of those things I'm constantly craving! 

Honestly, I'm pretty excited to fill this bowl up with mint chocolates and winter candy. Mmm!! I love seasonal candy.

NaNoWriMo is coming up really really quick so I'm sure I'll be snacking on these and putting together my novel. I'm thinking of finishing the one I started last year for NaNoWriMo. I only got 4k words into it. I thought I had put down more.... I know I outlined it and had it all worked out. I guess I just didn't write any of it. I can totally do that now.

Are any of you going to participate in NaNoWriMo this year?

Bits of My Weekend

This pretty much sums up my weekend --- though not in order. I don't really remember what order these go in.

I finally got my vanilla cupcake from Panera Bread. I'll be honest, I just wanted the sugar leaf. It's so cute! The frosting wasn't too bad either. I finally decked out my work desk with some Halloween/Autumn decor. I love this sparkly cauldron I got! Went to Panera Bread again (this shouldn't be a surprise if you know me lol) and tried the squash soup with my favorite Mac & Cheese. The soup was okay... until it got cold. Hubby and I were looking for Venus Fly Traps at the hardware store and realized there were fish and turtles in their garden display pond!! How cool is that?! There were two turtles. Hubby dragged me out of bed at 9AM (YES 9AM) to go to Best Buy and get his LE Zelda Wii U. Best Buy opened as soon as we got there. Way. Too. Early. But he did make up for it by buying me some crafting stuff from Jo-Annes!

I made my first batch of mashed potatoes the other day. I was super craving Popeyes but it's a half hour drive away (seriously never going to get use to how big Orlando is. In Cali driving half an hour would bring me to Berkley via freeway) so instead we went to the grocery store and I tried making mashed potatoes myself. Honestly, they came out amazing!! I LOVED them! They were easier than I thought to make too!

This morning I made us some omelettes. Or well, omelettes Hazel style lol. I'm suddenly on this huge cooking kick! I wanna make pancakes from scratch and scallop potatoes!

This week I'm starting class back up and I'm really not looking forward to it, gotta do some tidying and some crafting! We'll see what productivity I can get into before Friday :)