Flora and Gunn

It has been quite a while

noreply@blogger.com (lexicalsanctuary) — Thu, 02 Jan 2014 06:49:00 +0000

I finished beauty school as of June 2012. I got a job in my field and it was going great. Working the spa in the Salon of a retail store. It was nice. Great place to learn and get experience and work with clients. And then our store went in to remodel. My spa room was going to be taken out and replaced with a smaller "pod" geared towards faster services.

During the remodel, my salon manager didn't want me to transfer to another store, so she was having me moved to cosmetics until the salon was rebuilt. The acting manager at the time (the store manager had just barely gotten back from maternity leave) was not happy about that, as I found out. She claimed she kept forgetting to put me on the schedule and tried to demand that I transfer, which was what my salon manager did not want me doing at all.

After working there for almost a year and putting up with her refusals for 3 weeks with combined 15 hours (all thanks to my SM), I put in my resignation. I couldn't wait around to hope that I get on the schedule. So I called my old AM, who was now the Store Manager.

So, I'm back at my old job now, but I'm a supervisor. I get more consistent hours and higher pay. It...it feels like I'm back where I was the last time I posted on here, though. That I don't know where I'm going with my job, but there is good news on other fronts.

Nearly a year ago, two little furballs came to live with us.

The little butts are Aziraphale and Crowley and they fit their names too well for our sanity. We got our little buggers from a ferret shelter near us. They had just gotten in from a pet store because they had been returned and were too old to be sold as babies. We couldn't have asked for a better fit. They are my babies and always will be. I even got their little feets tattooed on my foots. I love them to death.

And speaking of tattoos. I got my first one the August after I graduated. And the second one two months later. So as of now, I'm up to 4 and in the next few weeks, I'll be up to 5. 7 if I get enough cash together after a consult with my artist. From first to last: Dark Mark on my biceps, Sailor Moon silhouette with Bat symbols on my shoulder blade and two sets of paw prints, one on the top of each foot with the respective baby's name. The next one will be a wristlet of the phases of the moon. I drew out a rather simple design that I really love. I maaay have an addiction.

For an unfortunately brief time, while I was at the salon, I had long green mermaid hair. It was the only thing I missed about having long hair. It took a while to get it where I liked it, but it was still very pretty and I miss it every day. But at the fabric store, funky colored hair is not allowed. Which is only a small problem, considering I accidentally dyed part of it blue last night. It's easy to tuck out of the way though and I can part my hair over it for the time being. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it as of yet. Growing it out for sure, but whether or not I shave it remains to be seen. It's easy to hide either way.

And now for the big, big news. I proposed to my boyfriend of 3 1/2 years on Christmas. The ring I gave him was...just perfect. When I saw it, I knew it was right. It's simple, but perfect. Our plans for our future are more solid now. We have a more definite time line and can actually put things in order. His job is set in motion to get him onto a full career and where he wants to be in the gaming industry. He's the perfect match for me in every way. Not saying he's perfect, just perfect for me. It feels like everything is falling into place.

So it's kind of bittersweet. My job life is trash, but my personal life is going fantastically. As it has for the last 3 1/2 years. I couldn't be happier about that.

5 years ago, I couldn't have imagined I'd be where I am today. The fact that I had made it through high school at all was mind boggling. I spent that New Years Eve looking for the perfect time to head off to bed with a bottle of pain killers. It's strange thinking about how far I have come and how much I have changed from the person I was. Looking back on it...I'm not even remotely the same person.

5 years ago, tomorrow, I created this blog because I made it though that night. I created to have something to leave behind when I did kill myself. It's incredibly disconcerting and morbid to think about that. Because this blog became something else. It's just an odd sensation. That person from 5 years ago doesn't exist anymore and I can't even remember ever feeling like that.

While this kind of turned a bit serious at the end, I am in the best place I have ever been. I have a decent job, a wonderful boyfriend and two little spoiled furbabies. All the crap I've been through is so far behind me I can't even see it. So, here's to a better and brighter future and a fantastic New Year!

About ready to quit...

noreply@blogger.com (lexicalsanctuary) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 19:45:00 +0000

Hit the last straw with my boss...I don't work Sundays. I haven't worked a Sunday in a year and a half. I worked Christmas Eve and I'm scheduled for New Years Eve. My boss decided to be a dumbass and schedule me for New Years day. Which is both 1) a Sunday and 2) I already worked both Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. She even asked which I wanted to work and I said Eve! I called out of work today just because I don't have any motivation to go in any more. And I don't want to close with her twice in one week. My AM was very understanding on the matter. I was shaking I was so angry when I saw the schedule for next week...She called me and left a message to call her back. I don't think I'm going to. I keep thinking I "have" to do something. But the thing is, I don't care if I get fired. Yeah it won't look great on my record, but I don't think that my boss is capable of actually firing me. Because she needs me. I'm not saying that to be cocky. I'm one of the best workers there. It's after the holiday season, but she'd be in a bit of a bind without me. She has only fired 2 people in the last year. 1 was for a very good reason, but she didn't even tell the girl she was fired. She let her come in and see her name crossed off the schedule. And the other person, we all love her but she couldn't do the work any more. She really couldn't. That was probably difficult for her to do, but it had to be done. I'm doing my job and doing it well. I've just called out more in the last 4 months than I have in the last 3 years. So there's that. She also called me on her cell...Which I refuse to answer if she called on her cell. I don't know...I don't know if I can stand going in to work on Thursday and close with her. I can just tell her that I was in bed all day. Asleep. Yeah. I don't care if she doesn't believe it. I'd LOVE to see her fire me. Seriously.

School update!!

noreply@blogger.com (lexicalsanctuary) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:16:00 +0000

I should be starting school on the 10th of January. All I need is one piece of paper faxed from my mom. My registration appointment is the 2nd of January. And I should have all of the papers I need! I'm freakishly excited! If I get enough money from financial aid, I can quit my job!! I'm going to keep it for a little while to set aside some money for buying some make up for my kit. Like foundation and some more variety in eye shadows. So...There's that. I'm so freakin' happy!

Taco Soup

noreply@blogger.com (lexicalsanctuary) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:00:00 +0000

On my old hunk of junk desktop that's slower than frozen molasses because my bf's laptop fried, so I can't get access to my vaca photos. So a recipe!

Taco Soup
This soup is insanely easy to make and really really good because it tastes even better as leftovers. It makes a lot though. Even with just a few cans of stuff. If you're making it for less than 4 people, prepare to be eating it for a while. It is great to have on hand for cold rainy days or when you just don't feel like cooking, because it's pretty healthy. Not much fat in it.

Serves: A lot...
Ingredients:

1 package Taco seasoning
1 pound ground meat (optional)
1 large can of diced or crushed tomatoes (crushed makes a thicker consistency)
1 can of yellow corn
1 can of white corn
2-3+ cans of beans (kidney, black, red, chili, etc. What ever kinds you like.)
Cornbread, box mix or from scratch, or tortilla chips.

Directions:

Optional: Cook the meat in the bottom of a large pot (don't add oil) and add the taco seasoning to it.

Open all the cans and dump everything in to a large pot. If you didn't add meat, add the taco seasoning now.
Heat through.
Done. I said it was easy.

Also optional, but highly recommended: Bake up some corn bread while the soup/stew is heating.

Serving suggestions: Put a piece of cornbread in the bottom of the bowl and pour soup over top. You can add sour cream or cheese if you'd like. I personally prefer it with out.

P.S. You can easily double (or triple) this for a potluck or large gathering. Just add more cans of everything!

Florida: A summary (Long photo collage)

noreply@blogger.com (lexicalsanctuary) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 07:18:00 +0000

Quicky Update

noreply@blogger.com (lexicalsanctuary) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 05:59:00 +0000

Still haven't done anything else off the list, but I'm not complaining. The red skirt and the candy corn dress don't really need to be done. I haven't been wearing hardly anything I've made lately. I've just been in a rut. Just wearing jeans and tshirts when I'm not in my work clothes. Its probably the stress of work and my boyfriend trying to get a new job and planning on going to school and...everything. Things have just been stressful. At least I did finish my Halloween costume (Well, 99% done, just need to attach the straps). It's my version of Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas. And I put in a serious amount of work and got it all done in about a week and a half. It has a full sparkly yellow petticoat, a paneled mismatched fabric circle skirt and the top/dress is entirely pieced together from 6 different fabrics. No base fabric, just random chunks and pieces stitched together. I let the shape of the top come together organically. I did have general measurements to follow, but the final shape was done entirely by accident and it came out WONDERFULLY. The hem is crooked and longer in the back, with an off the shoulder neckline. With the petticoat the skirt is completely unnecessary. I ecstatic that it came out as well as it did! And I have a party to wear it too. I lost the cord to my camera so I had to order a battery charger, but once that gets here, I'll have my bf help me take pictures. And I'll take some pics of the test run for the make up.

I also went to Florida last month. We went to Disney World (Epcot, Magical Kingdom, Downtown Disney, Hollywood Studios) and Universal (Islands of Adventure) and it was amazing. So much walking...My feet were KILLING me. They hurt so bad. Mostly because I was stupid and didn't bring sneakers. But it was worth it. It was insane amounts of fun. It was kind of a surreal experience for me because it was something I never thought in a million years I'd be able to do. I was giddy the whole time and probably came off as high to bystanders. Harry Potter World was a bit disappointing, well, actually, Islands of Adventure was as a whole compared to Disney World. It was still fun, but nowhere NEAR as amazing as Disney World. The shops was teeny tiny, the actors were pretty sad and the whole atmosphere screamed "LOOK AT ME!! LOOK AT ME!! AREN'T I AS COOL AS BIG BRO DISNEY?!" The comic book area was awesome though. The Wolverine and Cyclops were HILARIOUS. My bf wanted a pic with Wolverine and when Wolvy looked up and saw Cyclops 30 feet down the way, he panicked and little and ran after him like a little puppy. And all I could hear in my head was "Scotty-bear!!" in a Carol Channing voice. The huge ass Rouge was awesome too. The comic book stuff was what had me running around like an excited child. Seriously the best part for me. And the Wolverine just...words cannot describe the hilarious adorable-ness that was the Wolverine. It was like the Hello Kitty fluffy version of Wolverine. I want to hug him.

As for the school thing which ties into another thing. I want to go to school for aesthetics. That's facials and waxing for the most part. It just seems like the right fit. In the last year or so, I've really gotten in to make up. I've invested a lot of money into my make up too. And yet, that's not what I want to major in, it's just a side thing I really love. So if the school I chose has a make up class, I will probably take it. Which brings me to my next thing. I just spent $82 dollars on some really really amazing make up. Sugarpill. If you love bright colors, these eye shadows are amazing. The pigmentation is ridiculous. On a whim I tried to find a "bad review" of Sugarpill and came up with more proof of how amazing they are. I haven't used them or seen them in person, but with all the reviews out there, you really can trust in the quality of these. They are pricey for someone who has never paid more than a few dollars for any make up, but in the realm of high end make up, they are probably the best deal you will ever find. Plus, they have a true, eye-safe red, that according to a youtube make up guru I really trust, does not irritated people allergic to red coloring. Again, great value since the shadows are more the double the amount of say Mac or Make up Forever and are a way better price. Sorry, going on a bit of a tangent. Mostly because I've never really liked mattes, but with the sheer intensity and quality, I will be able to do some much more. I'm just trying to slowly build up my kit for at least eye make up. I don't have hardly any foundations. Just a mineral and a new cream one for myself. Maybe some day I'll splurge and get a foundation palette or something. I'll do a full review when my order comes in though.

On a more immediate note, I am currently on day 5 of a cold and on my second day I had to call out of work. I worked yesterday, but it wore out my throat too bad to go in today. Hopefully I can go in Friday. I've missed at least 1 day a week fro the last 3 weeks. And right now, my bf has yet to work at all this week. He's off work for sure until Friday, if not Monday. So there's that stress. But at least he had a promising job interview today. Crossing fingers.

My Review of Tone Correcting Powder

noreply@blogger.com (lexicalsanctuary) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 04:47:00 +0000

Originally submitted at EyesLipsFace.com

Create a balanced and radiant complexion that is beautiful and healthy. The lightweight formula evens out the skin tone and absorbs excess oil. The sheer formula brightens, mattes and neutralizes the skin. The colors are meant to be blended together as the Blue neutralizes orange, the Green neutral...

Worked well, but caused breakouts

By Lexical from Washington on 9/6/2011

Pros: Controls Shine, Lightweight, Doesn't Settle In Creases, Covers Well

Cons: Causes Breakouts

Best Uses: Sensitive Skin

Describe Yourself: Budget Buyer

This did work for me. It was great for setting my foundation and did correct the redness I have around the center of my face. Just one problem. It caused break outs. All over. Not big ones, just little ones every where. My skin isn't super sensitive, but since I've stopped using face wash and liquid foundation (switched to mineral) my face has become a lot more sensitive to certain products. So if you don't break out easily, go for it. The coverage is sheer enough to even out skin tone, but to not look super cakey.

(legalese)

Uuuuh....still way off...

noreply@blogger.com (lexicalsanctuary) — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 21:44:00 +0000

Yeah....I finished 2 of the skirts on the list though! And just happened to make another maxi dress, this time lightweight black poly knit. And I broke my rule...Twice actually...I bought a bit of knit that I had been longing after because it's so deliciously soft. BUT I got it for a STEAL, like seriously. I got almost a yard and a half for $1.50. And the other breaking of the rule was last night when I worked. All the value fabrics and mark down fabrics were 60% off, plus 25% off that. So I got 3 different colored laces to make tops out of for $3.70. So really, not bad going down only $5. Right? Right?

Well, anyways. I got the 2 floral skirts done. Just simple elastic waist skirts. They were both the same print but in such different colors that they don't look the same unless you stare at them for a while. One was a bit longer than the other, so I made a really wide hem on it that I may have to take up a bit more...The blue one looks goo knee-length, but the coral and cream on I prefer shorter. But I'll leave it for now.

The maxi was a really simple tank style, may end up having to put elastic in the waist, may not. It's really really long, but I like having the option to make it extra blouse-y.

As for the lace, I cut the pieces all up last night and got the side seams sewn. I hemmed the sleeves this morning and just have the neck bindings left. I cut the necklines all different. The navy is a V-neck, the aqua (really bright 80's aqua) is a rounded neck (which might get cut a bit deeper), and the copper is a wide boat neck. I'm using the scraps I cut out of the sides as the neck binding. They should get done Thursday if not tonight after I get off work.

I've just been sewing up a bleeding storm and it has been fun.

Got a teensy bit sidetracked.

noreply@blogger.com (lexicalsanctuary) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 06:09:00 +0000

I went a bit off path this past week, but I have 4 pieces to show for it. I make the Le Sac dress and a maxi dress out of the knit from my AM and tore apart an old skirt that I made (serious monster of a skirt) and made a top and a skirt.

The Le Sac dress came together very quickly. It's literally a rectangular sack with a casing at the top. I didn't even have to do any shaping. Well, if I had it would have messed up the whole convertibility thing. Anyways, it came out cute and only took about 1 1/8 yards. Took about 1 hour, maybe a touch more because I was having an allergic reaction to the cat hair on the fabric.

The maxi came out a lot better than planned. I originally wanted to do a deep front and back scooped neckline, but ended up liking the simple neckline I cut just to be able to get my head through the hole. I made the bodice of the dress fitted in the bust and just slightly loose in the waist with an elasticated waist. I added some small embellishments to the shoulder with the left over strip I cut for the neck binding. I even added pockets. Took about 2 1/2 hours.

The skirt I tore apart was white and navy stripe knit. It was a beast. Seriously. It had 2 full yards of 60" wide material. Plus some scraps from the uneven edge because I was the first to get a piece off the bolt. It came out cute, but it was way too impractical for regular wear. So, last night I pulled it down and tore out all the seams and hems (30 feet of hem, mind you. My hand cramped) and started piecing together a simple skirt. The wonderful thing about the knit was that it had 4-way stretch, so I was able to piece together a strip to add to the bottom of the skirt with the stripes going vertically. I did the same with the top. Which was a very simple loose tunic type one.

The top I added one of the pockets from the original skirt (for my phone, nothing worse than not having a pocket) and an anchor out of red button. I was not aware that I was out of red buttons, but I was lucky enough that a pack of pink buttons I bought had ones dark enough to look like red. I just glued them on because I was really and have another allergic reaction to something.

So, all in all, I didn't get any of my listed projects done, but I made up for it by getting 4 other ones I had in mind done instead. I also have tomorrow off from work, so I may end up doing some of the simple skirts.

2 more projects down.

noreply@blogger.com (lexicalsanctuary) — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 01:21:00 +0000

Finished the Victorian jacket last week. And finished the aqua dress less than a minute ago. Hopefully I can get pics up soon.

I'm just impressed with how well the jacket came out...I did make a lot of mistakes, but it looks good, I think.I really can't wait to get pics of that one up. I need to make something to wear with it... Just a long black top or something.

I gave the skeleton hoodie to my Assistant Manager and in return, she gave me a 5 yard piece of dark grey and black strip knit she got ages ago for a $1 a yard that she thought I'd be able to find something to do with it. Which I have thought of a few things to do with it. I have a maxi dress in mind and this dress from American Apparel:

But those will have to wait until after the finishing of the last few projects on my list.

I have made a decision...

noreply@blogger.com (lexicalsanctuary) — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:31:00 +0000

I am not going to by any more fabric. None. Absolutely none. Unless it is without a doubt absolutely necessary to finish a project. No more buying it just because it's on sale. I filled an 8 foot closet and still have fabric left over. I've only been really buying fabric for about 2 years. I need to finish the projects I have on my list and use up my stash. I tried to make it "I'll only buy fabric that I really really want..." But that would not have gone well. So I'm just cutting it off. It'll save me money and let me get through the fabric I already have.

Might as well make this a bit of an update too (again with the bullets).

My best friend moved back from the other side of the state. Her roommates were...awful. She had to pay for everything because they weren't making much at their jobs. It was really bad...But she's back now!
I did move in with my boy. It's a fricken' small apartment and we're already planning on moving in the Besty in October.
My new boss is...bad. She just doesn't know how to run a store because she's never been a manager before. On top of that, a girl that was hired in December got promoted to assistant manager (I'm not upset about that) and she's not taking the job well either.
My sister has moved back up here. She had issues with her roommate.

Not much else other than that I think.

Chambray Skirt and Skeleton Hoodie - DONE

noreply@blogger.com (lexicalsanctuary) — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 01:42:00 +0000

End of the first week is near out and I managed to kick myself in gear and get 2 projects done.

First, Chambray Skirt.

Really quick project, I was just being a procrastinator on finishing.

Second, Skeleton Hoodie.

This one has taken me a full year to finish. It was a sweater my old roommates mother bought him and he didn't want it. So he gave it to me to have fun with. And have fun I did. The skull looks a bit crooked, well, because it was a bit uneven. If was originally the face of the hoodie and I cut it off and used the excess zipper to cover the curved edge. The skull was hand stitched on. I took the sleeves and added them to the hood, which I have fully removed and re-cut. Only problem with this that I have? It's waaaaaaaaaay to warm to even have it on for pictures.

Next project on the chopping block: Either the Victorian Jacket or the Aqua dress. Probably the dress. I may turn that into a top...

Okay, need to get my butt in gear.

noreply@blogger.com (lexicalsanctuary) — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 20:24:00 +0000

I'm going to be trying to finish up a lot of my loose projects that are running around. So I'm setting up a goal, to finish at least 1 project a week, 2 if they are small. And I want to get pictures up of what I have finished.

I'll make a list, with a brief description of what it is and what needs to me done and check them off when I finish them.

~~Victorian Jacket - black and off white alternating pinstripe with a peplum, double breasted front, a wide collar and a contrasting red lining.~~
~~-finish putting together the shell and the lining, put everything together, button holes and buttons.~~      DONE

~~Shirt skirt - light blue chambray.~~    DONE

~~-finish the raw edge on top.~~

~~Skeleton Hoodie - refashion men's front zip up mask hoodie.~~    DONE

~~-take the bottom band in and reattach.~~

~~Aqua dress - remaking a dress I made for New Years.~~        DONE
~~-figure out what the hell I'm going to do with it...Which is mostly finishing the neckline and the sleeves and embellish.~~

Red plaid skirt - Red plaid straight skirt
-cut out the lining, and sew everything together.

Candy Corn dress - A dress I started making for work and hate with a passion.
-redesign it. I'm think cut the sleeves off and scoop the neck out. Redo the middle section.

Update: I'm adding 2 more projects that need to be done to this because I got 2 projects out of the way.

~~Pink Floral skirt - Simple elasticated skirt~~         DONE
~~Sew it.~~

~~Blue Floral skirt - Lined straight skirt~~         DONE
~~Cut out and sew~~

Post pictures of everything I have made since the Dragon skirt.

The last thing on my list is the make this jacket. I will not touch it until everything else on my list is done. Lost the original link. The pic is not mine. If anyone knows the link, please send it my way!

I have everything already in my stash to make this. I'll be making a mock up to get the pattern right out of teal corduroy and making it a bit shorter. I'll make the full length out of a black and gray plaid. My sister wants it out of "wasteland" brown. Which I surprising had the perfect fabric in my stash! So happy days! No has to buy anything! Maybe. I may have to go buy buttons and a zipper if the one I have isn't long enough, which I think it's too short...I also have the perfect pattern to mod too, the top part of it hits right where the pleats stop, so it'll be an easy pattern to lengthen and shorten as needed. And I'm rambling because this jacket has me seriously hot and bothered.

So...Hopefully I can get this all done before October! I set October as my deadline because that's when we either renew the lease on our apartment or move. I don't want to deal with pins in the move again. Hopefully, during this time I can get my Halloween costume done too. The last jacket, I probably won't get done before, though. I really don't want to start on it until everything else is done because it's going to take a few weeks to do. Because of the pattern drafting and the mock up.

UPDATE: Found the link here!

UPDATE - June 22: Only 2 pieces left! I may put them off a bit until I it heads towards fall. But then again, I might want to get them out of the way so I can get the jacket started and finished before fall!

Wee 'ittle ABC survey

noreply@blogger.com (lexicalsanctuary) — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 05:34:00 +0000

Got this from One Pearl Button.

A. Age: 21, few months off from 22. I'm a youngin'.
B. Bed size: Queen. Got it for free when I first moved out from my mom's place. Shared it with 3 other girls at the time (really messed up living sitch). And got it all to myself when we moved to a different apartment a few months later.
C. Chore that you hate: Dishes. My boy can attest that I get very pissy and grouchy when I do dishes. It's the water splashing on the counter and soaking my shirt that bothers me mostly.
D. Dogs: Want a bazillion. I love cats, but I'm allergic. So dogs are the next best thing. I'm a big animal lover and if I could have one of every type of dog or take home all the dogs are the shelter, I would.
E. Essential start to your day: Put on pj bottoms and check my messages. I wake up at 10 am every day and get all the computer stuff done right away if I need to work on a project.
F. Favourite color: Oooooh, toughy...Bright? Does that work? No? Okay...Aquas, dusty blues, emerald greens. I love cools colors. A nice bottle green and I'd be a happy camper.
G. Gold or Silver: Silver. Always silver. I'll occasionally pick up the odd gold piece (I own only 3 gold pieces of jewelry, all necklace that I did not have a choice in color), but silver is my favorite.
H. Height: 5'6". I'm told that's short, but I'm the tallest one out of my immediate family and second tallest at my work. So, meh.
I. Instruments you play: No. Just no...
J. Job title: Sales Associate. I work in a fabric store. I can pay my bills and that alone is a miracle.
K. Kids: Ha. Hahahahaha. I'm laughing so hard. Honestly. I hate children so much. My job only reinforces that and makes me happier that I don't have to deal with the bad children when they walk out of the store.
L. Live: Evergreen State. I will never leave it, I love the rain too much.
M. Mother's name: Cathy.
N. Nicknames: Brenda. That is technically a nickname. Other than that, The Ruined Momenter.
O. Overnight hospital stays: Never once been admitted to a hospital. I'm a serious klutz, but I have yet to hurt myself bad enough to require a hospital visit. Not saying I haven't done things that needed stitches, I just never went to the hospital.
P. Pet peeve: Hm...how do I put this...There's a few things that people do that are like nails on a chalkboard to me. That rigged holographic "animated" plastic on so many kids notebooks and toys? People scratching on that. And my bf flicking his thumbnail when he has his arm resting on my or around me. Makes my skin crawl.
Q. Quote from a movie: "How does right fricken now grab you?" Can't remember the first part of that. Horrible movie too.
R. Right or left handed: Right.
S. Siblings: 2 direct, 3 half.
T. Time you wake up: 10 am. Sometimes earlier, never later.
U. Underwear: Uuuuh Not commando.
V. Vegetable you hate: Brussel sprouts.
W. What makes you run late: Stumbleupon. But mostly chatting with my out of town friends.
X. X-Rays you've had: The one and so far, only time I've gone to the dentist.
Y. Yummy food that you make: Polish Pork buns! Always a hit!
Z. Zoo animal: Giraffes. Llamas. Anything cute a fuzzy really, but I'd kill for a llama.

My Review - e.l.f. Essentials All Over Color Stick

noreply@blogger.com (lexicalsanctuary) — Wed, 04 May 2011 17:28:00 +0000

Originally submitted at EyesLipsFace.com

Pleasantly Surprised

By lexical from washington on 5/4/2011

Pros: Good Value, Long Lasting, Good Pigmentation, Easy To Apply
Cons: Hard product
Best Uses: Daily Use
Describe Yourself: Trendy Style
Skin Tone: Fair
Age: 16-24

I bought Pink Lemonade on a recommendation and LOVE it. I don't care for how "hard" it is because it tugs my cheeks, but I love the color and the ease of application. It's fast and quick to swipe it on and rub it in. For me, at least, it lasts all day. It's lasted 12 hours, through a 5 hour work shift and 3 hours on me putting my head in my hand.

(legalese)

I need coffee so bad it hurts...

noreply@blogger.com (lexicalsanctuary) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 17:52:00 +0000

I'm so ridiculously tired right now. Had trouble sleeping last night and this morning, at 7am, our upstairs neighbors decided AGAIN that it was a great time to do several loads of laundry. The thing is, if we had called after hours security ever time they have done it, there'd be enough reports and noise violations to evict them. All in the last month. We did it once and got a letter. They do it 3-4 times a week. Sometimes for morning and night. And it drives me up a frickin' wall. Ugh...I just want to go up there and slap them.

Easy Peasy Chicken and Dumplings

noreply@blogger.com (lexicalsanctuary) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 23:11:00 +0000

It was my day off, my boyfriend gets home in an hour, I'm hungry, and I'm really tired. I was craving something doughy and chewy and it was chicken night. I text my boyfriend "chicken and dough. Come up with something." I got "chicken and dumplings?" Perfect!! Only problem? I'm tired and don't want to do much work. So how to make soup with out having to do more work that opening cans? This is what I came up with.

Super Easy Peasy Chicken and Dumplings

Ingredients:

Soup:
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup (so great to keep on hand for quick and easy meals) + 1 can Water
1 can Corn (Added on whim because I like corn)
1 Chicken breast, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste

Dumplings:
Approx. 2-3 cups flour (I didn't measure, just dumped some flour in the bowl) + enough water to make a stiff dough

Mix the Cream of Mushroom soup and the water. The narrower the pot you use the better. Add in the whole can of corn, including the water. Add salt and pepper as desired. Set aside for now.

For the dumpling, mix the water in to the flour, a little at a time, until it form a stiff dough. If you want to add some salt and pepper, ad it to the flour before adding the water. I say this from experience. Bring the dough together in to a ball or rope, which ever is easier for you to work with, I did a ball because my kitchen lacks counter space. Pull or cut chunks off loosely rolling them in to balls, dropped them in to the soup, leaving space between them. Doesn't matter if they are full covered.

Simmer the soup on low - medium. The dumplings will probably stick a bit, but it would cause trouble. Let the dumplings cooked part way through and then flip them over.

For the chicken, chop it in to bite size chunks and brown them in a pan. When they are cooked, dump the chicken into the soup and let it all cook until the dumplings are cooked through.

Serve and enjoy!

This cook and hour total from start to finish. It's super quick and easy when you don't have the time to make something big.

Polish Pork Buns

noreply@blogger.com (lexicalsanctuary) — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 08:41:00 +0000

All I've really been able to make lately is recipes....After moving, I haven't been able to set up my sewing machine. That and I lost both my power cord and my iron for a bit. But at least I've been experimenting with cooking a bit and expanding my knowledge. I've been making bread. Mostly because I love the smell of yeast. No idea why, just do. But on to the recipe, shall we?

Polish Pork Buns

Time: 1 hour - 2 hours
Yields: About 8 small, palm size buns

Dough:
I used a recipe from Epicurean for Baked Pork Buns.

I won't copy and paste the instructions in here because of copyrights, but I'll list the ingredient and give the basics. The dough is easy. The only way to screw it up is to not properly proof the yeast and to not let the dough rise.

4 Tbsp sugar
1/2 cup warm milk (cannot vouch for it, but you can most likely replace the milk with soy for those of us that are lactose intolerant)
1/3 cup warm water
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
2 to 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
salt (just a sprinkle)

To proof the yeast, warm the milk and the water in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds either in a measuring cup or a small dish. Dissolve the sugar in the warmed liquid. Check the temperature by dabbing a bit on the inside of your forearm, if it's more than pleasantly warm, let it cool a little. When it's the right temp (if it feels cold, reheat), sprinkle the yeast over the surface. Put the cup back in the microwave and let it sit for about 5 minutes. After 5 minutes it should be foamy and smell yeasty. If not, either the water was too warm, too cold or the yeast was too old. Granted I've been using yeast that's been expired for almost two and a half years old and it works better than the brand new yeast I bought a few weeks ago.

Mix the flour, yeast, milk, water and salt. Stir to combine and knead until it comes together. The recipe I linked says to knead until smooth and elastic, I prefer to hold off the kneading for a softer dough. Form into a ball and place in a bowl. Put the dough in a warm place and let it rise for about an hour. I like to boil some water and put it on the bottom rack of my oven with the bowl on the top rack.

If you've never made dough before, for this recipe, as long as the yeast proofs, it'll come out reasonable good.

Filling:

About 3/4 cup sweet onion, chopped (You could probably use white or yellow, but the sweet onion paired with the polish dog is my favorite)
2 polish dogs, chopped (We bought a huge pack of polish dogs for about $5, which is why I've been using them lately)
2-3 Tbsp cream cheese (I used about 1/5 of a block of cream cheese, but you can add more if you'd like, the flavor is pretty subtle. It acts more as a binder) [Again, cannot vouch, but if you're lactose intolerant, feel free to replace with a substitute]
1-2 Tbsp Barbecue sauce (flavor is up to you. I used Jack Daniels Honey BBQ)
Salt and pepper to taste (The dough is on the sweet side and so is the filling. I suggest making the filling a touch salty, to balance it out)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a skillet, heat up some oil and toss in the onion. Cook until slightly golden. Toss in the chopped polish dogs. Cook until the onion is caramelized and sausage is browned. Add in the cream cheese and stir until fully melted. Mix in the bbq sauce. Season to taste. Remove from the heat.

Divide the dough and the filling in to eight. Roll in to balls and flatten. Pat out a ball and carefully thin it out to about a 1/4 inch. Mound a section of the filling in to the flattened dough. Stretch the dough carefully around the filling. Pinch opposite sides together, going in quarter turns. Place bun on a greased or parchment lined baking sheet. Repeat with the rest of the dough and filling.

Mix one egg and a splash of milk and brush the uncooked buns with the egg wash.

Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Let cool for about 20 minutes.

I was going for a Polish-hoagie-in-a-bun. They are delicious and so very easy. I'll have to try it myself, but I'm sure you can make them and freeze them for later. It really doesn't take long to make. It would be fun for kids and great 2 person meals with left overs. It can easily be increased or decreased for single person meals or for larger families.

If someone actually reads this and has any questions, feel free to ask.

Holy Christ on a Cracker

noreply@blogger.com (lexicalsanctuary) — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 20:01:00 +0000

Hokay. Got moved in to a new apartment with my beau. And it's a complete and utter mess...Halloween night we spent 12 soldid hours moving, packing and cleaning. So all the time and effort I put into my costume was for not. We didn't get to do anything. I'm really bummed. It was only the two of us moving and cleaning, so it took for-freaking-ever. I'll still try and get some pics of the outfit together. If only for my own amusement.

On a slightly lighter note. I had another zombie dream this morning so I decided to look up interpretation of zombies in dreams. All I found was boredom/illness and deep seated fear. Nothing really fit in with my dreams. All of it was either running away from the zombies, getting killed or lethargy. In my dreams, I'm following either me or the main character of the dream as they try to lead people to safety. Some dreams are more violent than others, but no one has ever died or been bitten. I'm not running in fear. I'm not scared. I'm not afraid. It's just kind of feels like a slightly fast-paced every day thing.

Apparently a lot of people have these dreams, but most of them, even zombie fanatics, are scared in their dreams. Personally, I've never really had nightmares. I've only ever had 2 dreams that actually scared me. For most of my dreams that would be considered scary I wake up and think "I think it was trying to be scary...meh." I find nightmares somewhat fascinating just because I've never really had any.

If anyone reads this, do you or anyone you know have zombie dreams?

Um...Yeah...totally not prancing around my apartment like a fairy....

noreply@blogger.com (lexicalsanctuary) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 23:05:00 +0000

Sooooo...I'm almost done chopping up a dress for my Halloween costume. I shall be a female Mad Hatter. With some fashion sense of course. The dress was a gold plaid taffeta Christmas/prom dress that my ex roommate (the crazy one) left behind. God it's so hideous I love it. I cut off half the skirt, removed the disgusting rhinestone straps, altered the neck line to a sweetheart and turned the petticoat/underskirt in to a removable tutu. Said tutu is being worn right now. And yes, I have been prancing.

My original plan for the petticoat was to sew it to the lining, but being that the dress is tight until my natural waist, any bulk would have been visible. So I doctored it up and added elastic so I can slip it on just under my natural waist, eliminating any placement issues.

The jacket will hopefully be easy...It's just going to be a crop jacket. with sleeve ruffles. I have a lot of fabric of different fabric to use, but unfortunately I only bought a yard of each...So I'm a little limited. I think I have it figured out, but I keep going back and forth for what fabric should go where.

It took me a while to even start working on the dress. And when I did I discovered something that horrified me and had me staring at the crumpled heap of dress for a good 20 minutes. I had to call my friend to get over it. The dress has pockets. POCKETS. I've never seen a formal dress with fricken' pockets. I believe I yelled at it "You're a FORMAL DRESS. WHY DO YOU HAVE POCKETS??! WHY??" and then went scrounging around my kitchen for my gummy bears that I had my boyfriend hide so I don't eat them all.

[UPDATE]

I finished the dress and tried it on. It came out really cute! But fluffy as all hell. The tutu shortened the skirt from below mid thigh to just covering my bum. I think I might add some extra ribbons and embellishments to the neckline though...

Steveland Cleamer

noreply@blogger.com (lexicalsanctuary) — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 20:20:00 +0000

Yesterday was the day my roommate and best friend left to move her stuff across the state. I barely held it together until she left. I didn't even make it back in the apartment after she left before I started crying. I started and just couldn't stop. I tried setting up my computer and upgrading it. It wasn't until my boyfriend took me to Fredmeyer's for Drain-o and to look at computer parts that I finally managed to stop crying. And I'm crying again right now.

Yesterday, I was just completely out of it all day. I couldn't function. I couldn't stomach food. I was just incredibly messed up. Caffeine, sleep deprivation and too much sugar seriously didn't improve the situation.

She left a lot of her treats and things behind which I've been systematically eating. I feel bad eating them and so fast, but I just really want them gone. First so they don't go bad and second that they'll just keep reminding me that she's gone. I'll see her again, but it's just not the same.

I went in her bedroom last night...It just looks so depressing. Small bits of trash everywhere and a few little things she didn't take with her. I almost broke down again last night, but managed to hold it together.

She's the only person I've every really considered to be my best friend. I've known her almost 6 years now. Every other friend I've ever had since my first friend when I was a kid hasn't lasted more that 2-3 at the most. I've just lost touch with them over time. I have a few friends. But none close, location-wise and emotionally. So this is killing me a bit. But I'll get over it, maybe.

She'll get internet and I'll be getting my phone soon. We'll have webcam movie watching days, rp days and sewing days. I'll be fine.

It really doesn't help that I've been incredibly stressed over work. We have a new manager with no current sewing experience. I'm worried about keeping my job. If I'll ever get promoted. If I'll get enough hours. Work has just been thrown through a loop, since the new manager knows nothing about the hours people need. It's just incredibly stressful. At least I've been sewing a bit.

South of the Border Mac'n'Cheese Casserole

noreply@blogger.com (lexicalsanctuary) — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 18:25:00 +0000

I know it's not sweets, but I do occasional perform what I call "Pantry cooking." Basically, I just use what ever I have on hand and experiment. Which my roommates and boyfriend do not mind. I just hate having to go out and get something to make for dinner. I do the same with sewing...But I'll stop her and give you another quick recipe. I use this on a regular basis because it's just so quick and easy and comes out really good.

South of the Border Mac'n'Cheese Casserole

Ingredients:

1-2 boxes of macaroni and cheese (You can actually make it from scratch too, and I've done that, but there is really no taste difference. It just takes a lot longer)

I always leave out butter/margarine. Always. The only times I've used it is when I was out of milk and when I made it from scratch. I only use a bit of milk, the cheese packet and real cheese

Approx. 3/4 - 1 cup real cheese per box: cheddar, jack, colby, etc. Any cheese with work. You don't can to over do it on cheese, not that you really can, but you will want to thicken the mac'n'cheese enough to hold together, so err on the more side.
1/3 - 1/2 cup cheese (For the top of the casserole)
1/3 cup breadcrumbs. Not flavored is best. You can also use crushed crackers.
1/2 cup salsa per box.
Casserole dish.

Note: These measurements are all based on a "to taste" basis. Don't try to add all of an ingredient if the pasta won't hold it.

Step 1
You
Cook the pasta until is just under cooked from Al dente. Drain and prepare the mac'n'cheese as normal. Slowly add in the real cheese, a bit at a time, stirring until it is all melted. You want the consistency to be really thick. Hard-to-stir thick. Keep the pot over low heat while adding the cheese

Step 2

Once you've prepared the pasta, add the salsa a little bit at a time. You can add more to taste, if you'd like. If the salsa thinned out the consistency, add a little bit more cheese.

Step 3

Pour the yummy mac'n'cheese/salsa mix (Even with out making it in to a casserole, this is good by itself) into the casserole dish. Pack it in and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the bread crumbs and the extra cheese over the top. Don't add too much cheese, just a thin layer across the top of the dish.

Step 4

Place the dish in your oven and set your oven to Broil. Bake until the cheese has melted and brown.

I've made this dish often. I personally hate salsa, the texture though not the flavor. So this was a good way to use it with out having to eat it. It's really easy to make huge batches for big dinners or potlucks or company picnics. It doesn't take long and yields a yummy mac'n'cheese.

Another dead simple cake

noreply@blogger.com (lexicalsanctuary) — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 18:08:00 +0000

This is a quick, light, yummy cake. And so very simple.

Ingredients

1 box white cake mix (you can use yellow, but it won't be as light)

The box said to use 3 eggs whites, 2 tablespoons oil and 1 1/3 cup water. I used 2 whole eggs and 1 1/4 cup oil.

1/2 - 3/4 cup frozen berries (I used blackberries and strawberries, but any fruit should work)
Approx. 1 cup powdered sugar (I didn't measure, I just mixed up till I got the consistency)
Approx. 1 tsp lemon juice (fresh is better, but I used the bottled stuff)

Mix the cake mix, I recommend the 2 whole eggs and 1 1/4 cup oil. Pour it in a grease pan. I used a 7"x11", 9"x13" works too.
If you're using frozen strawberries, thaw them enough to cut into slices.
Scatter the fruits across the top of the cake, pressing them in to the batter a bit.
Bake until the cake is mostly set. It will still be a little under cooked.
Mix up a slightly thick icing with the powdered sugar and lemon juice.
While the cake is still hot, drizzled the icing over the cake.
Let cool for about 20 minutes.

It's good while still warm or chilled over night for breakfast.

This one was bake on a whim of my roommate. I mentioned that I have one cake mix left and she wanted to bake. I hate to bake a plain cake, so I decided fruit and icing would be great. And it was!! It was moist, and being slightly under cooked, had a really nice creamy texture.

P.S. I've been typing these up ahead of time and just posting then when I get a chance.

Homer: "Mmmmmm....Caaaaake...."

noreply@blogger.com (lexicalsanctuary) — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 04:44:00 +0000

Okeys. I'm mostly a sewer and an artist, buuuut I do like to make sweets. Cakes, cupcakes, cookies, etc. And it won't be happening often, but I will be posting up recipes for some of the more delicious experiments I have come up with. These won't usually have pictures, as they are mostly one time only treats, but if I do make them again, I will try to snap a few pics.

Carmel Butterscotch Cake*

This turned out delicious. Incredibly rich, but delicious none the less.

Ingredients:

1 box yellow cake mix, as well as the ingredients needed for it (you can make it from scratch, just make sure you make enough for a 7"x11" pan)
1 can vanilla frosting (again, scratch is an option, you don't really need a lot, this cake is rich enough on it's own)

Note: You don't use a whole can, probably a little more than half.

1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 package instant butterscotch pudding
1 - 1 1/2 cup milk (for the pudding)
3/4 - 1 cup butterscotch chips

*This is an easy, but time consuming cake. Simple enough for the beginner baker, but takes the better part of a day. I recommend making it a day in advance. The cake should chill over night any ways. Assemble the cake at least 1 hours before serving. It needs to chill again as it has been put together.**

**If you decide to make this in the summer, reconsider. Not working? Alright at least make sure you have a good breeze and light clothing...

Step 1 - Carmel in a Can
This is the time consuming part. And the very very hot part. Making the Carmel. Specifically Carmel in a Can. It's dead simple, though.

Punch 2 holes in the top of your can of sweetened condensed milk. I used a corkscrew, but popping a few holes with a can opener works too.
Remove the label from your can and place it in a pot (a medium pot is best as it'll leave enough room for the water without risking it going over the edge) and put the pot on a back burner (so that it's out of the way, but make sure it's not over the vent for the oven).
Fill the pot with water up to about a 1/2" from the top of the can.
Turner the burner on low, you just want it to simmer, at most a light boil.
Now, let it boil for 6 hours. Yes, 6 hours. I had to do this in 90+ degree weather, pray you don't.
Check in on the water level every now and again and pour more water in to keep the water level at the 1/2" mark. It may make some noises, but it's fine. You will most likely be watching it like a hawk, it's fine. It's not going to blow up.
Some of the milk will pool up on the top on the can. IT'S FINE. It's not going to boil over and pour out. It won't be as caramelized as the rest inside the can, but it'll be thick, slightly darkened and have a nutty flavor. It's yummy, feel free to eat it off the top of the can.

As that's cooking, work on the rest of the bits and pieces for the cake.

Step 2 - Ze Cake

Mix up your cake mix (box or scratch). You can add butterscotch chips to the batter, but it really won't make a difference in the final cake. They melt and get over powered by the filling and frosting.
Grease a 7"x11" pan, parchment paper is optional, but makes getting the cake out a lot easier. The reason I used a 7"x11" pan instead of a standard 9"x13" pan, besides the fact that I hate the one we have, is that it makes it thicker and easier to cut in to two layers.

If you do use parchment, make sure it's hanging over the ends on the pan enough that you can lift it out, like a parchment sling.

Bake the cake for how ever long you need to. You'll want a relatively firm cake.

Once the cake has baked, let it cool in the pan (if you didn't use parchment , if you did, use the hanging ends to lift it out of the pan and set it on a towel or baking rack to cool). Once cool, put it in the fridge to chill over night.

Step 3 - Butterscotch Filling

For the filling, you'll mix up the instant butterscotch pudding, but with less milk. Depending on how thick you want the resulting filling to be, you'll use between 1 cup (really thick, makes about 1 1/2 cup filling) to 1 1/2 cup (pretty thick. I recommend this thickness. Plus, you'll have left over filling. Yum!!) of milk.
Once you've mixed the pudding and whisk it pretty well, add in the butterscotch chips to taste. I used about 1/2 cup (all I had, they were given to me by my mom and spurred the entire concept of the cake) and would have liked more. You can even sprinkle more on top of the filling once you've spread it on the cake.
Put this in the fridge to chill.

Step 4 - Again with the Carmel

Once the Carmel has boiled for the 6 hours, turn off the stove and remove it from the water.
Let it cool a bit in a towel. When it's cool enough to handle, use a can opener and crack it open. You're patience shall be rewarded 10 fold. The dark golden Carmel-y goodness is so very very worth the time. I plan on making big batches of in the future (which my beau is all for helping me with).
You won't need much of the Carmel for the cake, so feel free to taste a bit.
Scrape the golden goodness in the a seal-able container and let chill in the fridge. You might want to stir it up a bit while it's still warm because the bottom was caramelized more that the rest of it.

Step 5 - Assembly

From here, it's pretty straight forward.

Split the cake down the middle, creating 2 layers. You don't need to worry about leveling it off. Set the top aside
Take you're butterscotch filling and spread it on the bottom layer. Be generous, but feel free to save yourself a bit. I won't tell.
Put the top layer on and gentle press and twist it in to the filling. This will keep it from sliding off later when it gets eaten.
Frost. You don't need to be really generous with the frosting, just cover the surface of the cake and make sure none of it shows.
Break out the Carmel awesomeness and heat about half in the microwave. Not too much, just enough to loosen it up a bit.
Using an off-set spatula or a butter knife swirl the warmed Carmel in to the frosting. You don't have to use all of what you heated, just enough to flavor the frosting. You could mix it in to the frost before frosting, but it won't look as pretty.
Chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour. 2 or more is better.

Eat!!

I made this cake for my beau's birthday in the middle of July in 90+ degree weather, but oh MAN was it worth it. The cake in nice, rich and having been chilled, and eaten with a glass of ice cold milk, was a great cool-down.

The entire concept of the cake started with the butterscotch chips and cake mixes my mother had given to me when she was cleaning out her cupboards. I let my boy pick what cake mix he wanted and on a whim asked him if he wanted butterscotch or chocolate filling. I then found out that butterscotch was his favorite and that his mother would make him a Carmel cake for his birthday every year. So it was nice to give him my version of a Carmel cake.

It was a big hit and will most likely be made again at some point. But definitely in cooler weather...The Carmel was amazing. A small can goes quite a ways and would be great with apple wedges.

The fabric started to look and smell like gingerbread...

noreply@blogger.com (lexicalsanctuary) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 16:24:00 +0000

What? Two posts in one day? Really? Actually, it would have been one post, but I figured for archival purposes, separate posts was best.

This a Simplicity. Cynthia Rowley 2406. I love this. It's not as loose in the stomach as I would like, but the keyhole back is wonderful. The sleeves came out great, but oh god...they were a bitch and a half to sew. Not that they were hard, just very very tedious. Lots of little bits a sewing, little bits of turning, lots of ironing, rinse and repeat. They took 2 hours on their own. The dress itself, the belt (which is top stitched down the entire length and across the width), and all the finishing took 3 hours TOGETHER. If that gives you any idea how long the sleeves took.

It came out quite short, but would be just fine with some leggings for this coming Christmas since I will be in Georgia. According to my beau, a winter in Georgia will be something like Summer in the Northwest...So a lot of the stuff I sewed this Summer will still be wearable. Probably not to his mother...hence the leggings.

I want to make another one, but I'm just not sure out of what or when. I really do have a ton of the light blue twill and quite a bit of the dark blue...Maybe some colorblocking...I'm really trying to use what I have and not buy more fabric...which I've been pretty good at...sort of...I bought more last night, but 53% off!! I got black lace and a nice red-ish purple lining for under it. It was a color I just had to get while it was here. It's one of the new fall colors for our company specific special occasion collection.