I'm back! Mini Home Tour and Update

Whew! What a hiatus. So, I've finished Spring quarter classes and I'm taking the summer off (sweet news right?) In Fall I've signed up to take intermediate digital photography, Intro to Botany, and Abnormal Psychology. I'm really looking forward to those classes but my next digital photography the most. Here are some of my favorite pictures I took this quarter in the beginner class.

 This is for the assignment "Picture within a picture"

 This was done as an extra credit "Self Portrait"

 Night photography! This was my final. It was taken around 11pm.

 Diptychs are when two photos are put together! This is the best I took I think.

 Black and White was our first assignment. This was my teachers favorite of mine. I colorized only the lemons in this photo.

 Color Indoor/Outdoor assignment. My toesies!

 This was also from the black and white assignment.

And finally the light-box assignment. I chose to try and make this levitate. What do you think?

Finally, we've been SUPER busy rearranging the house. I didn't like our computers being in a bedroom 10 MILES from the living-room and front door. Not even joking by the time we get to the front door whoever has rang the bell is usually getting in their car and leaving. lol. SUCKS. So, we moved them! It was a lot of work but here is a video walk-through I made. Check it out! Remember to like the video if you liked it and subscribe if you want to see more. :D

Thank you so much for following along.

Spinach and Mozzarella Egg Bake

This is a Spinach and Mozzarella Egg Bake. Think .. crust-less quiche. That is what I call it. Its SUPER easy to make and VERY low calorie, filling, and full of protein (that's the eggs.)

I found this recipe on shape.com here is the link to the recipe on their website. I'll also be posting the full recipe here.

Spinach, Mozzarella, and Egg: Bake

Serves: 6 (or 3)

Nutrition score per serving: 160 calories, 10g fat, 2.5g carbs, 14g protein

Ingredients:
Nonstick cooking spray
1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil
4 packed cups spinach
1 1/2 cups shredded low-fat mozzarella
1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions
8 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon Spike seasoning (or any all-purpose seasoning mix that's good with eggs)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Spray an 8 1/2-by-12-inch glass or crockery casserole dish with olive oil or nonstick spray. (I used a 9x12 worked perfectly)
3. Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat, add spinach, and stir just until wilted, about 2 minutes.
4. Transfer spinach to the casserole dish, spreading it around so the bottom of the dish is covered. (It won't stay covered. So, don't worry about being too precise with this step)
5. Beat eggs with seasoning, salt, and pepper, then add the cheese and onion to the mix. Stir until combined.
6. Pour into the casserole dish. Use a fork to gently stir so eggs, spinach, and cheese are evenly combined.
3. Bake about 35 minutes or until mixture is completely set and starting to lightly brown. Let cool about 5 minutes before cutting and serving. (The dish will settle down some as it cools.)

Okay, this is MY take on the recipe. If you'd like to see theirs then you can click this link! My way is easier and looks practically the same! Here's a picture of mine.

I may have let mine get a little TOO brown. All they did differently really was layer the cheese/onions on before adding the eggs but it all gets stirred up in the end anyway. My way is easier! :D

Not sure if I have mentioned this in the past but I'm on a diet. Yup! Its working too. It's ridiculously easy and I'm not sure why I didn't try it before. I'm counting calories. That is it. I've lost 45lbs since October 1st 2013 (that's in 7 1/2 months.) More than 6lbs a month! At that rate I'll be at my goal weight by 2017. Well, that was a little discouraging. Ah well... I'll get there and in the easy life changing way. I'm not eating things I don't LIKE to eat and I'm cutting out the things I ate out of convenience.

My friends and family will tell you I've never had issues eating healthy things. I'm terrible at eating too much bread and ZERO protein. I've changed that and I'm loving it.

I'm not gonna lie and say that it is effortless because nothing is. I count calories but eventually I could remember what was what and as long as I don't eat out much I don't have any problems. :D Okay, so that was a really long epilogue but the point of this blog is I found this meal and I'm WILD about it and it has protein. A protein that I don't typically eat. I hope you can enjoy this as well. I've made it twice already!

Thanks for following along!

NYC Smooch Proof Lip stain 16h Review

After the slight disappointment in Elf's Lip Stain in Pink Petal I bought this one from NYC. Click here to read the review for Elf's Pink Petal.

NYC Smooch Proof Lipstain 16h 
#495 Endless Spice

I love this color. As you can see it is akin to a bright red lipstick. Especially, in comparison to my natural lip color. I have to admit I really thought this would be a brownish color because of the name, don't you think?

Here, I've added an un-tinted lip balm and finished the lips in the color.

This is an update 3 hours later after eating one meal and 12 oz of water (I drink a lot of water.) As you can see its completely gone. 16 hours indeed.

This lip stain is drying but nothing too terrible. I also happen to be obsessed with lip balms so my lips are VERY hydrated.

I'm still a huge fan. I'll just be looking for higher quality and longer lasting versions.

After having the Elf lip stain for three days it dried up (read about that here) So, I always store these upside down so the liquid in the tube is always in the tip.

Thank you for following along!

E.L.F. Lip Stain Pink Petal Review

So, I've never liked lip gloss. Its always sticky and comes off on everything. Lipstick is better but also comes off on everything. Cups, food, husbands... I usually stick with chap-sticks (tinted and un-tinted.)

Honestly, I've been afraid to jump on the lip STAIN bandwagon because of the fact that it stains. Plus everyone always complains about how drying they are.

Well, you guessed it. I took the plunge and I'm hooked. I love the colors. I love the stain. It NEVER comes off on things. I just wished it lasted longer. Ironic, I know. I expect I'm going to have to spend money on a more expensive lip stain.

Here is my review on my first and second lip stain purchases. Elf Lip Stain in Pink Petal and NYC Smooch Proof Lip stain 16h 495 Endless Spice.

Elf Lip Stain in Pink Petal

The color is perfection. Just enough pink for my lips.

Here is a picture with half nothing and half lip stain.

Here it is fully on and after I added an un-tinted lip balm. This was taken at 11am.

It is drying but I don't notice that much until its been a few hours and it's nothing too horrible. My lips weren't peeling/cracking or anything like that. They just started to feel a little bit tight.

Here is another picture 3 hours later. After one meal and two 24oz of water (I drink a lot of water.)

Its faded to this barely there pink. It may look worn off but if you look at the first picture with half and half you'll see its still pink. Just not the original BRIGHT pink. It stayed this color until I washed my face before bed. Not exactly what I was looking for though. I like that it's pumped up but I prefer the brighter.

After having this for only three days though the felt tip was very dry! I took the tip out and the tube is full of liquid!

So, I put it on my lips with the back end. Now I store it upside down so that the liquid is constantly pulled down.

So, I bought the NYC Smooch Proof Lip stain 16h in Endless Spice. Click HERE to read that review.

Full Fledged Springanite

Spring is in full swing! The sunshine. The flowers. It's almost as if I had forgotten what it was like.

Happiness abounds. Everything feels full of hope and openness don't you think? Well, I do.

This year will be twice as great as last year! Lots of plans... including a two week trip to New York/New Jersey in July to see family out there. I'll be meeting most of Hubbin's family out there for the first time (or second because some came to the wedding.) He'll be able to get to know my family out there better.

Needless to say I'm excited and ready. I have BIG plans. As of this week we have officially finished the house. We've live in this house since November 2012. So, that is what? A year and five months. It has taken me that long but I have it decorated the way I want and as of this week we finished getting the curtains changed out. Perfection! I'll have pictures of those soon, hopefully.

Once the curtains for the bedroom come in the mail we'll be DONE. D.O.N.E. Then, I supposed I'll have to start making plans to change EVERYTHING, right? Ha ha.

This is my spring table decor

After getting my camera I've been taking loads more pictures and learning tons. So, this year will be a year of adventure as well. I want to get out and take GREAT pictures of beautiful places. To do that I need to GO to the great places! Wish us luck.

Honestly, Spring has to be the best season. Everyone loves Summer because its warm. In Summer you can have your windows down in the car, swim in the ocean, and sit on your porch (back or front) enjoying the world outside the domicile. But Spring is an entire season filled with HOPE and anticipation for those things. You can take them for granted while they are happening but Spring lays it all out for you.

Spring is the season of promises. So, close your eyes and make a wish!

Thanks for following along.