New Recipe: Easy Roast Chicken

Recipe: Easy Roast Chicken

I found this recipe on facebook while I was scrolling one day: Recipe

It looks absolutely delicious! I've really been enjoying cooking lately - and since I just got a new slow cooker I've been digging through the internet (mainly pinterest) for recipes to use with it. This isn't one of them but those will be next.

Photo By: AlwaysButter.com

As of recently I've really been looking into different recipes for chicken that I can bake vs. fry or stir fry. The boys and I have been eating so much of the same thing that I want to change things up a bit. Baked chicken isn't much of a change - but the flavors and the recipe are something different that definitely need to be tried.

Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 whole free-range or corn fed chicken, broken down into 8 pieces (aka a value pack of chicken at the grocery store - skin on and bone-in)

2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp light brown sugar

2 tbsp red wing vinegar

3 tbsp olive oil

4 green onions, chopped

2 gloves of garlic, minced

Fresh parsley

Salt & pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 (or 475 in my case because my oven is 50 degrees off)

2. In a large baking dish - combine marinade and toss with chicken. Season it well.

3. Place chicken pieces skin side up and roast for 30 minutes until it begins to brown. Then remove and baste with marinade. Flip pieces and bake a remaining 10mins or until chicken is cooked.

4. Garnish with lots of fresh parsley.

Picture updates when this is baked!

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50th blog post

I can't believe this is already my 50th blog post!

When I started this blog I never thought in a million years that anyone besides a few friends would ever even be interested in anything I had to say.

To those of you who regularly read my blog:

I know I may not have the highest quality content all the time, but I post about things that make me smile. Thing that make me happy, because even through it all thats all that matters. And I want YOU to have a little moment in your day where you just smile and forget about the laundry, or homework, or how the hell you're going to get that waterproof mascara off because you are WAYY too tired for that fight today.

And to those of you who don't regularly read my blog:

No seriously. Lets be friends. I mean at the end of every post I invite you to stalk me.

Haha, but not in the creepy way though please. ;)

Overall: Thanks for stickin around ya'll. I seriously appreciate it.

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Halloween costume ideas

Costume Ideas for Halloween

So, as Halloween approaches I've done enough googling for Halloween costumes for about 3 people. So I'm going to show you some of the costumes that I seriously considered!

I like costumes that are a little more conservative, and usually had a male pairing because Chris and I are finally able to do a couples costume this year!

Costume #1: Broken Doll

I came across an amazing makeup tutorial on how to do a broken doll makeup. I spent a very long time looking for the proper costume to compliment the makeup I was planning on doing, and eventually settled on this dress shown on the left. My favorite color is purple and I had amazing ideas on how to style this.

I hate ordering costumes and clothing online sometimes, because I can't touch the fabric. But the reviews online for the dress were amazing.

If you like this costume I found it on Spirit Halloweens website.

I didn't end up picking this one though because Chris didn't want to be a doll or a puppeteer. Plus I had to think about its wearability throughout the night while I was hosting a party, so I eventually decided against this.

Mini Ulta Haul!

I was feeling pretty down after a memorial service I had to attend, so I did some retail therapy at Ulta to cheer me up!

I had a $50 gift card from AT&T so I decided that would be my little budget. I went looking to splurge on the Tarte palette, and of course they STILL didn't have it. So I got some other drugstore things instead.

I reallllly wanted to try the L'Oreal True Match foundation because all I hear are great things about it. My current foundation is a taaaaad to dark for my current (pale) skintone. So I picked it up and tried it out this morning. I realllllly like it. Light, long-lasting, and stands up to the Florida rain/heat/humidity. 

I also picked up a Nyx butter gloss in Tiramisu and a soft matte lip cream in San Paulo. They were both on sale and the Tiramisu is an amazing neutral, while San Paulo is matte and so vibrant to wear. I've worn the Tiramisu with more bold eyeshadows and when I want the attention other than my lips. While I've worn the San Paulo with neturals and had that pop of color on my lippies.

Also pictured is this silver essence eye-shadow, its metallic and I'm going to pair it with the black Ulta eyeshadow. I have an idea for where to take this look, but I've gotta test it out first.

The only other thing is the Palladio liquid liner in black, the one I was using is nowhere near finished, and the top just broke off! Not even superglue could fix it the lid/brush area was so broken. So I had to buy a replacement. They make a nice liquid liner, and I'm currently comparing it to the Almay one and the Rimmel London Scandeleyes liquid/gel liner. (I prefer the Palladio)

Overall, it was a successful trip and I really like the things I purchased.

Stalk meeeee ~?

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Apple Wave Hoax!

I never do these because I feel like they never get read, but I enjoy them!

Lets talk about this wonderful hoax that has many people... well... steaming.

Please note: This is a HOAX. DO NOT DO IT. (read below)

A bit of a rant blog today...

... and it has to deal with the blogging community and social media

Today is a bit of a rant blog, and I'm seriously sorry about this but there have been a few things that have been seriously irritating me about a few things within this community.

Overall, I love it. I feel like I've made quite a few friends and I enjoy reading these blogs. But there are always just a couple bad seeds, ya know?

When is the right time to start a YouTube Channel?

This isn't a normal blog post about when the perfect time to start a YouTube channel is: I'm posing a question to current/future/past youtubers.

When is the right time to start a YouTube Channel?

I'm one of those people who doesn't commit to something unless I know I can do it wholeheartedly and with the intention of keeping it up. I think a few prerequisites questions are necessary to start a channel. And heres my list of "omg what ifs..."

• Proper channel name - should I keep it the same as my blog or change it?
• Should the content be the same as what I post about on the blog, or should it be something related but not the same?
• How often should I vlog vs. how often would people actually want to see updates?
• In a slew of other bloggers & vloggers, is there really a way to stand out? (I mean, besides your personality)
• Should I have stuff prerecorded just in case I fall behind?
• My interests are varied, so is that a good or bad thing? (ex: I love beauty and fashion, but also enjoy videogames and comic books)
• What to record with (iPhone, digital camera) and what editing software is easiest to use?
• Do I honestly have the time to dedicate to this?

I do feel like the blogging community is an accepting one, but these are just some of the questions running through my mind as I try to figure out whats best for me.

I know people say to just "jump right in..." but thats not my personality. I'm an overplanner and I like to have most of my details down before I even start. Not saying I don't have any spontaneity, but I am saying that in the preplanning stages I like to cover my bases.

Anyway, if you will have/have/did have a YouTube channel, let me know in the comments how you approached it. I'd seriously appreciate all the details.

And as always, you can stalk me via social media:

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-Jenn

Review: Rimmel London Stay Matte Foundation

I recently have spent some lengths of time in the sun, and because its the summertime my face gets fairly shiny pretty quickly. I wasn't even looking for a foundation originally, I had just given up and was going pretty bare-faced except for a light powder and possibly a BB cream this summer.

And then I went on vacation, and got really tan.

Soooooooo my BB cream no longer matched my body, and I was going out with my Mom and some of her friends we were on vacation with. One of her friends had just bought this and offered to let me use it. So I put a little on my hand and it matched me perfectly. I applied it with my beauty blender and it kept me matte all night in the Florida beach heat. So I had to buy it for myself.

The next day I went and picked it up for myself at Walgreens for $4.99. The price was seriously on point. I've been wearing it almost exclusively since then, and I love it. My tan is fading so I'm going to have to get a lighter color soon.
Pros:

• Keeps me matte all day/all night in the muggy South FL weather.
• I barely have to use any concealer.
• Mild scent
• Doesn't irritate my sensitive skin

Although I do have to say if you are more heavy handed using your foundation it can look cakey. If your going for that dewy summer fresh faced look, you won't get it with this foundation. But that is fine with me, because I sit in an office for most of the day anyway.

The image to the left was taken outside, and the one to the right was taken in my office.

If you have any comments or questions about this foundation leave a comment below!
-Jenn

My Best Friend Moved Back Home!

Fairly short post for today, but I just want to say: My best (girl) friend moved back home!

Everyone has that one girlfriend that seriously feels like they are your kindred spirit. She and I have been friends since high school, and we have more fun together than should be possible. We've laughed together, cried together, and supported each other through everything. So when she decided it was best for her to move to Maryland 2 years ago, I was supportive, but sad that she was leaving.

We went our separate ways and we fell out of touch when she left. Our lives just moved on naturally without each other.

BUT THE B**** IS BACK.

And its like no time has passed at all, we're two years older but just as ridiculous. And I realize that seriously, this is the girlfriend I was missing in my life.

-Jenn

Post 4th of July update

I needed this past weekend.

I really feel like I got the opportunity to relax. And I got an amazingly golden tan. I did however, get to spend a lot of time with my Brother (who still snores like a banshee) and my Grandparents. I got to spend all day Friday at the pool with my Grandma. We chatted of course, and I made a few friend in 8 year-old Gabriela. She made me smile, she was interested in comics, science, and videogames. She reminded me a lot of myself, as we continued talked though, I realized that through her over-sharing she was probably going to turn away from any kind of STEM field in the future. Her parents seemed to do what most parents (without realizing it) do. Discourage their daughter from embracing what she was actually interested in, to talk more about her hair. She seemed relieved to talk to someone about how /awesome/ Mystique was (even though she was a 'bad guy') and how many different x-men there were in the universe.

I hope I made some kind of impression.

Happy 4th of July!

This weekend is one of those weekend where I just enjoy myself. I sit on the beach/poolside and soak up the sun. (while wearing the proper sunscreen, the weekend before last I seriously regretted not vigorously reapplying sunscreen).

One of the hardest things for me to do is to let go and to let my brain slow down. But where I am this weekend (Naples, FL) always has the uncanny ability to immediately make me slow down and relax. Its nice to be able to get my life off of moving, my fiance, work, school, and just life in general. Plus I get to spend some quality time with my Brother and my Grandparents that I have come to cherish.

I hope you spend the weekend enjoying yourself. I'll post pictures on Monday.


-Jenn

My Drugstore Beauty Essentials

My Drugstore Beauty Essentials

Now granted, I am not perfect and neither is my makeup, but these are some of the things I have really liked and were easy to find and use!

• Rimmel London Stay Matte Foundation
• Currently in the color classic beige (I'm tan haha) - particularly love this foundation because it has the ability to be layered and built up without getting too cakey. And its $4.99!
• Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation
• I got this foundation before I went to the beach 2 weekends in a row, in color Nude Beige. It is a great full coverage foundation but a little more expensive at $12.99.
• Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge
• No seriously, this applies your foundation amazingly and was cheap from Ulta at only $5.99!
• Covergirl TruBlend Pressed Powder
• Translucent Light 2 (I think) and it was $8.99.
• Covergirl Cheekers Blush
• Natural Rose (I think, the sticker has been long gone on it) - $4.99
• Palladio Herbal Liquid Eyeliner
• In shimmer black - I desperately needed liquid liner and I picked this up from a Sally Beauty near me for $6.50.
• Eos Smooth Sphere Lip Balm
• Almost all lipsticks try my lips out, so I always put a balm on underneath any kind of lipstick/stain! I got it in the flavor Strawberry Sorbet for $3.00 at Target. But I had a coupon for $5 so I technically got it for free!
• Jordana Twist and Shine Moisturizing Balm Stain
• Personal fav: Candied Coral from Walgreens for $2.99! (I bought one for my Mom too, they were buy one get one half off!)

These are just the things I use in my everyday makeup routine, and don't include the moisturizer or the makeup remover I use!

-Jenn

Obligatory Introductory Post

Hello! My name is   (name)   and I'm a   (age)  -something   (occupation)   currently located in   (location)  .

Just kidding!

I think maybe introductory posts are the most complicated to write. So while my fingers vomit everything that's going on in my head, hopefully I can express to you what I'm passionate about, and what the whole point of this blog is.

Truthfully, I'm a 20-something engineering student (currently working as a engineer) with a broad variety of interests. I find myself in a peculiar situation because I am a nerd at heart. I mean, I didn't decide to become an engineer because I hated math and science. But what is peculiar is that I do still enjoy being feminine, and I'm working against multiple stereotypes. I will blog about anything I find interesting: math, science, art, beauty, fashion, life, my (unmanageable) hair, video games, comics, movies, and love.

I want to spread the knowledge that you can be smart, and beautiful.

I want women to love themselves.

and I want you to join me on this journey.

-Jenn