Los Angeles, I'm Yours...

Welp I'm back from a whirlwind trip to Los Angeles for my sissy's wedding and I think I'm still recovering...it's been well over a week. (p.s. I also JUST unpacked my suitcase.) 

Here is a quick recap of some highlights:

- Hearing a deafening scream of pre-teen girls screaming when Nick Jonas walked by. I must admit - I ran to the window of the restaurant in hopes of seeing him as well and was embarrassingly sad when I missed him.

- The bachelorette party in general. Enough said. (or all I really can say...)

 - The view in Malibu.

 - Mexican corn: Corn on the cob covered in butter, mayonnaise, and cotija cheese. I think I gained a few inches of cellulite just writing that sentence but too delish to care.

- And most of all having a large chunk of my family together to celebrate such a loving occasion.

And of course the not so wonderous moments:

- My father's first site of LA being skid row (a.k.a Hoboville) We tried to brighten the mood by discussing how wonderful it was that they still had a sense of community. Didn't work.

- The Rudolph red nose I will have in every wedding photo because I'm a giant cry baby. 

- Rough sinus infection that followed my travels. I blame the snotty lady on the plane..WHY is there always a snotty lady?!

xoxo,
Your MuffinTopMistress

Favorites and the not so much...

Here is a list of the top 5 things I am LOVING right now...

1. Tidal Creek (a local co-op closer to my new location) CocoCabana smoothie: This smoothie is soo good! Made with coconut milk, guava nectar, strawberries, bananas, mango, and pineapple. All my favorite things in one delish drink. Even my father agreed it was tastey and his idea of "all natural" would be deep frying your own onion rings. Though that does sound scrumptious right now...

2. New feline addition to the family Romeo: This cat is the sweetest and most calm animal I have met (Sorry Tiny.) All white and so vocal I could just squish him all day long!

3. July 4th: Yeah yeah freedom I get it, more importantly HOT DOGS! Any reason to stuff my face with this questionable meat product is a reason to celebrate! Oh yes and fireworks.

4. Benefit's Hoola bronzer: No red undertones like my past bronzers that made me instantly think back to my middle school nickname - Rosacea Face. I hardly even knew what that was!

5. How I Met Your Mother: I am amazed at the fact that I am just now coming across this little tv show gem. A perfect blend of Seinfeld and Friends meshed together.

And just to be a terd - the top 3 things I dislike...

1. L'oreal Elnett Satin hairspray: There are two dislikes to this, the product itself and the situation in which I bought it. I have heard raves about this product for some time and finally "thought" it was on super sale. Turns out it was misplaced on the shelf and I was too excited to actually read the tiny print on the sticker. I figured it would probably be worth it and quickly went home to curl and spray my hair. Disgust. This product smells like the bad aspects of a baby's bottom. Not to mention the "extra strong hold" label must be a misprint.

2. Wilmington Fourth of July traffic: Holy moley is it bad out there. I've seen more wrecks in these past few days than the whole time I've lived in Wilmington. Not to mention to the amount of mom vans topped with luggage racks that have swerved in front of me.

3. This heat: Even though it has gone down a little bit (praise Jesus) it is still awful. How is a gal supposed to look even remotely presentable when make up sweats off instantly and clothes sag from being covered in sweat. California's dry and cooler weather will be a nice change in a few days.

xoxo,
MuffinTop Mistress

pump pump pump it up!

I will try to write this blog while simultaneously playing fetch with my cat. Yes, with my cat.
This may be harder than expected - especially since she always drops the mouse just riiiight outside my reach so that I'm forced to sit up. That is just asking way to much of me. 


Well it's Work Out Wednesday so break out your tennis shoes and work out clothes and read my blog! At least you'll be dressed and look like you may eventually work out today.

This morning I attended a Zumba Bootcamp class at the fitness studio where I intern. I have tried Zumba before but not with a bootcamp edge. WOO does my tushy hurt. Perhaps it's the leftover pain of the 5k I ran Saturday mixed with how out of shape I am but it actually worked my little (or soon to be little) bottom. The first half was more Zumba choreography/hip hop and the last 30 minutes were left for squats, weights, abs, and plank. Now the last time I did planks like this was in Freshman year P.E. when I had the teacher from hell. I think I was sore for the entire first month of college, as well as guilt-ridden from constantly cheating on the machines when the teacher wasn't looking.

So now I am riding the fad wave and can thoroughly promote Zumba as a fun way to work out and get your ba-toots in shape!

Sincerely,
Your Muffin Top Mistress

I thee you.

Hooray for Make Up Monday!!

For my first make up post I will focus on my favorite eye cosmetics.

1. Eyeliner: I have been searching for a good eyeliner since the beginning of time and I believe I have finally found THE one. Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner. In two words - da bomb. I fell in love with felt tip eyeliners when I first bought an E.L.F eyeliner (which is amazing for being $1 but does tend to dry up very fast) but this one beats all.

It's around $20 from Ulta (which can seem pricey but WELL worth it in value.)

2. Mascara: I usually try a new mascara out every time the old one dries out but this one has proved itself a repurchase. It's the Loreal Telescopic Carbon Black mascara. I finally realized after yeaaars of buying "volumizing"  mascara that I really needed one that lengthens. Ooopth. Almost as dumb a decision as when I got side bangs right before coming to college in humid Wilmington.

It's around $10 to 11 which is also a little bit pricier than the $7 mascara range but still worth it.

3. Eyeshadow: I don't usually wear eyeshadow on a daily basis but when I want to jazz it up a bit this eyeshadow palette is what I turn to. It was only $5 from Target and has a variety of neutral colors to choose from. Despite being inexpensive the shadows are still pretty pigmented for the price.

They aren't as matte as I would like for a daily eyeshadow but they work perfectly for a special occasion. Again this was only $5.

4. Eye primer: I used to own a sample size of the Too Face Shadow Insurance Primer but I only used it here or there and never really saw it's purpose. Recently I've been using the Urban Decay Primer Potion in Greed. It has a golden tint to it that is soo pretty and perfect to use alone.

 This is around $18 from Sephora.

Any suggestions for the next Make Up Monday?

Sincerely,
Your Muffin Top Mistress

What. A. Joke.

I apologize for the late night blog post. My trip took an hour and a half more than expected due to standstill traffic. Horrific experience only made more horrific by the fact that my bladder had never been so full in my life. So on to Friday Favorites! Unfortunately since this post is coming via phone there wont be any pictures so my b! 1. The fact that i am officially a college graduate hooray! Its a weird experience and probably wont fully hit me for awhile. 2. My recent purchase of a shirt with the graphic of a skull made out of cats. Bitchin. 3. The fact that i spoil Tiny with every cat toy ever made and she finds more joy in a twig on the floor. I think its her form of rich girl rebellion. This post has been short and will hopefuly not reflect future posts. I am running in a 5k in the morning so this old lady needs her beauty sleep! Sincerely, Your Muffin Top Mistress

Fat girl needs her Cheetos.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Any holiday that encourages margarita and greasy Mexican food consumption is a holiday worth celebrating. Since I am exiled to my room to finish off a final research paper, my Cinco de Mayo will be celebrated through dollar tacos at Island's.

On to Tasty Thursday -
Recently I have fallen in love...with Natural Cheetos.

These little puffs of cheesy heaven are to me what cocaine is to Lindsay Lohan. Soon enough I'll be the one caught on camera with cheese dust coming out of my shoes and falling on the ground outside of Chateau Marmont chasing after a cheese puff crumb. But now I am being forced into rehab because...(dun dun duuuun) Costco is sold out! The horror! Do they not understand the intensity of my fat girl cravings?! I already must suffer through the annoying receipt checker who insists on commenting on every item I purchase. One day, to spite him, I will purchase a bulk size of diarrhea medicine and feminine products. It has been a lonely few days. I have tried replacements and nothing can satisfy my need. How is a girl to get through exams, papers, and group projects without her snacks? Clearly my college career is resting on the shoulders of this crumbly and dank poof.

I suppose these shaky hands and mood swings will have to find an alternative snack to get me to graduation.

RIP Frito-Lay Natural Cheetos. You were loved.

Sincerely,
Your Muffin Top Mistress.

Holy Bologna.

I'M BAAACK!

Hello to all two of my readers! 

I'm sure you've missed me dearly (even though I see yall every day.) 

I'm ready to dive back into the world of blogging. So I guess you could say I took some time out from my own personal blog (please look at the last blog date. January. humph...) and started reading other blogs instead. I became OBSESSED in every sense of the word. YouTube beauty vlogs, food blogs, fashion blogs, you name it - I read it.

There was actually a brief second when I considered starting a beauty or fashion vlog, then I quickly remembered that I despise my voice on camera. Ew.

There are several reasons I decided to start this back up. One of them being that I'm graduating from college in a week! AH! My nerves have been going crazy the past few weeks and it's all starting to hit me. I went on an emotional roller coaster the last day of classes - crying on and off - waving good bye to inanimate objects on campus like sidewalks and freshman class rooms, it was sad and just a little weird.

Another being that I have yet to finish my finals and ANY and EVERY reason to avoid writing a paper or studying is good enough reason for me :) 

I've decided to create themes to my blog days - now we will just have to see if I can stick to them or even remember them (a harder feat than you would imagine for me.) Suggestions are appreciated. 

Monday - Make up Monday

Tuesday - Tasty Tuesday

Wednesday - Work out Wednesday

Thursday - Books. (couldn't think of anything creative sorry!)

Friday - Favorites Friday

And weekends are for rambling.

So according to this it's Work out Wednesday! 

First I'll start with yesterday and the horrific pilates class I attended with my dear friend Julia (LoveForAllThingsMango) It. was. KILLER. Perhaps it was due to the fact that I took a mini exercise break to recover from a god awful cold but I'm thinking it was just plain hard judging from the unison of grunts in the class. Just when you thought you would get a break, you had to lift your leg higher, squeeze your butt tighter, or do another set. My motivation was the 60+ aged lady that made the work out look easy breezy and made me feel like a total lard.

This weekend I will be running in my first 5k for the 2011 Komen NC Triad Race for the Cure! Yay! I'm nervous and excited - even though I'm not running in the competitive part, I refuse to let myself walk a single step (until I barf.)

Well I guess I've procrastinated enough for now, maybe I'll go read someone else's blog..hmmm

Love,

Your Muffin Top Mistress

In the land of Tiny.

Over the past month I have compiled quite a selection of Tiny pictures...it's frightening in fact. Tiny would have to agree. Her constant looks of shame remind me every day. Whether it's when I'm changing every song to incorporate her name or dancing around her simply because it makes me laugh when she turns her head to the side in curiosity. Understandable cat lady behavior.

 All sleep and no work makes Tiny a happy lady.

 Waiting for her first lesson in potty training.

 Majoring in Asian studies.

 

 Always diligent with her reading assignments.

Instyle is her favorite magazine...right after PawPrints. 

xoxo,

Your Muffin Top Mistress

Day of productivity.

A few nights ago my friends and I went to a local sushi restaurant for their amazing 1/2 price sushi. Once we finished our meal and received our fortune cookies I opened mine anxiously awaiting a phrase about my future luck with love or the extreme wealth I will soon receive.
But no.
What did I get?!
"Take the time to clean out your closet." I had to read it twice to make sure it wasn't my subconscious playing an evil trick on me. It was true. So finally today (about a week later) I managed to find that time. Once I'd completed my work out for the day and my roommate left for work, I cranked up Pandora and got started. It ended up being a bit of a challenge because anything that crinkled or any box I picked up to throw out, Tiny would attack it.

Now to complete a promised post, I have pictures from christmas break.

 Homemade chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting and a salted caramel inside. Dank.

 Willie "the vulture" praying I drop something.

 Poppy: the love of my life.

 Pumpkin cupcakes with a brown sugar frosting

This is from an elementary school book where kids drew pictures of me... the reason for my fat girl complex.

and another kid apparently thought I was a dude. 

and another just thought I was bald. 

my cute little family before the Christmas party :)

xoxo,

your Muffin Top Mistress.

oh dear...

It's true. I'm a failure in the blogging world. Right as I start to tell more and more people about my blog I start realizing that I have been HORRID about updating...I baked a lot over the month break from school and work and took many pictures of my cupcake creations. My problem is getting off my lazy hump and actually uploading the pictures to my computer. I should really invest in a camera that immediately sends the pictures to your computer...is there such a thing? should I invent such a thing? (I'll patent these previous sentences just in case.)
The number one thing that has completely distracted my time is the best purchase I have ever made in my life. My 2 month old kitten Tiny Smalls...after the rapper Biggie Smalls. (I mentioned this in class today in my introduction and got many confused looks.) I adopted her from the Guilford County Animal Shelter right after the new year. If I had the financial capacity I would have purchased every animal in that shelter. All the cats were sitting on cut up denim, isn't that the weirdest thing? Who decides that donating their denim shorts to an animal shelter would be beneficial? Guess it is...so if you have any size 0 pants that you can no longer wear (or have never been able to wear) then send them on over to the animal shelters.

This is me and Tiny having a very deep conversation about the woes of cat nip and how she needs to quit hiding her toy mice under the bed.
Just a warning to readers...I'm about 100% positive that future posts will somehow involve the world I have created with Tiny, terrifying I know. Maybe I'll post those sections in a different color so you know what to skip-how nice of me :)