May 23, 2013  •  In Beauty, Infographics, Information, Personal

When Did (Or Will) Your Looks Peak?

I came across an interesting infographic BuzzFeed published yesterday with the title “Men Believe Female Beauty Peaks At Age 29.” The infographic includes interesting age-related beauty factoids and survey results in addition to the obviously-designed-for-bait post title, so I thought it would be worth a mention here.

men_believe_female_beauty_peaks_at_age_29

As mentioned previously on this blog, I probably looked my best when I was 20-21 years of age. However, I probably felt the best about my appearance last summer-fall, when — after having two kids just 13 months apart — I was starting to become more confident in my personhood, my abilities as a mom, and my body (as I was regularly working out). And I was 31 then: EXACTLY the age at which most women believe their beauty peaks, according to this infographic.

Whenever I ask J anything along this line, he automatically replies, “Now. You look your best now.” But I’m not too inclined to believe him because he answers too quickly and I know he’s smart enough to say anything else and potentially open a can of worms. 😛

There are two other things I found interesting about this infographic, and the first is the word most commonly associated with gray hair. I had never even considered this, but it’s so true! (And so unfair!)

The second is the role models each sex chose for aging gracefully. While I agree that both choices are fantastic, I personally would’ve picked Helen Mirren. (Especially after reading this story — she becomes more lovable with each piece I read about her!)

What do you guys think? When do you believe your looks peaked? (Or will peak?) Do you have any other thoughts about the infographic?

You may also like:

May 22, 2013  •  In Beauty, Personal, Reviews, Tutorials

My 3 Minute Makeup Routine

Are you one of those people who likes to get decked out when you’re not feeling well (emotionally or physically)?

I know that I am, along with many of my girlfriends. Improving how I look on the outside really helps me feel better, whether I am recovering from a cold, having a woe-is-me moment, or even suffering from a raging hangover. 😉

This past year, being the primary caretaker of two kids — and thus often being afflicted with fatigue, frustration, and weariness — I have found myself putting on makeup more often than not.

And I’ve gotten pretty good at doing it quickly and efficiently, the whole routine within just 3 minutes. What’s more, the products I use have been tested by yours truly to last the entire day, so this routine is ideal for anyone who’s short on time, lazy, or both, like me. 😛

First, the before-and-after shots, so you can see the difference:

geek_in_heels_3_minute_makeup

Before I start slapping any makeup on my face, I cleanse with Shiseido Pureness Deep Cleansing Foam and moisturize with Philosophy Hope in a Jar. Just recently, I have also started to dab some Philosophy Total Matteness Mattifying Pore Eraser serum on my t-zone after moisturizing, and I love it! It’s been savior for my combination skin as the heat and humidity continues to rise. 🙂

(You will see that most of the products mentioned in this post were listed among my fav beauty products last year. And OOPS! I had forgotten to factor in the cleansing and moisturizing part of the routine in the total time — they would add another minute or two.) Continue reading »

You may also like:

May 21, 2013  •  In Personal

I’m an Aunt!

My nephew Oliver was born last night. I can’t wait to meet him!  😀

I wanted to do something nice in honor of his birth, so I’ve updated my SIL’s blog header to include him:

anniegurumi_new_header

A big congratulations to A&W! You guys have been waiting for this for so long and I know that you’ll make be fantastic parents!

Please hop on over to Anniegurumi.com and wish them congratulations!

You may also like:

May 19, 2013  •  In Books, Entertainment, Geek, Marketing/Advertising

Game of Brands: The Game of Thrones Houses as Modern Corporations

Stock photo website Shutterstock has followed the steps of other brilliant marketing campaigns that have used their products in advertisements to appeal to the geek crowd.

Taking advantage of today’s popularity of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Fire and Ice novels — as well as the Game of Thrones television show! — they have taken six of the Great Houses of Westeros, took into account their strengths and cultures, and transformed them into modern corporations with their own distinct brandings.

What’s more, they did this using stock photographs from its extensive database. 🙂

Take a look below — I’m especially loving Air Targaryen! (But then again, I may be biased because Daenerys is my favorite character from the series.)

Arryn Communications

game_of_thrones_modern_corporations_arryn_1
game_of_thrones_modern_corporations_arryn_2 game_of_thrones_modern_corporations_arryn_3

Continue reading »

You may also like:

May 17, 2013  •  In Aerin, Claire, Personal, Reviews, Science

Friday PicDump, 05.17.2013

A chaotic life and lack of inspiration does not make for a good blogger. Here’s some eye candy for those who are curious as to what C&A have been up to lately…

Last week, while taking a walk with the girls, I came across a small playground that seemed intent on being kept hidden. Located on an overlooked side street and tucked between two tall buildings, it’s large enough for basic playground equipment and picnic tables, but small enough to easily keep an eye on your kids whilst sitting down and taking a break.

totlot_swings

I also love that it’s guarded by a heavy gate, so I don’t need to worry about the kiddos running into the street. The crowd that visits is friendly, and perhaps the best part is that it’s a lot closer to our house than my previous favorite playground. Suffice it to say, we’ve been there a lot lately. 🙂 Continue reading »

You may also like:

May 9, 2013  •  In Art/Design, Geek, Science, Star Wars

Periodic Elements of Star Wars Episodes VI, V, and VI

If this doesn’t make your geek senses quiver with joy, I don’t know what will.

periodic_elements_star_wars 

Created by Etckt, this periodic chart includes all characters from Episodes VI, V, and VI. Each character is categorized by allegiance, and their order of appearance and movies are numbered in each cell (in Aurebesh).

periodic_elements_star_wars_key

Be sure to check out Etckt to read more about how the chart was developed!

Via Neatorama.


ETA, 05.25.2013:

Etckt has updated its site with a new periodic table — this time featuring Episodes I, II, and III!

(And just like the prequels, this table has more special effects. 😉 )

Check it out below, and head on over to Etckt for the details!

periodic_elements_star_wars_prequels

You may also like:

May 8, 2013  •  In Books, Entertainment, Funny, Personal, Sports

Poppin’ in to Wave Hi

Call me Busy Lizzie. Life isn’t crazier than usual, but it requires my spending less time from this blog. I know most of you don’t really care, but I’d like to indulge my stalkers and overshare the mundane.

So here it is, the top 5 things that have been keeping me busy…

(Cue deep announcer voice)

Number 5…

The NBA Playoffs. The Knicks haven’t made it to round 2 in THIRTEEN YEARS.  😯 And while they still have some kinks to work out (and they shouldn’t be partying the night before games…ahem Smith!), my boys are looking pretty good. Just check out numbers 3 and 1 of last night’s top plays!

Number 4…

My site was hacked. It was a pharma hack, so it’s likely that you didn’t notice anything off about this blog. (And don’t worry. It doesn’t harm visitors to the site.)  But since I didn’t notice it for months, it led to some decrease in my web ranking and traffic.  😥

The good news is that I think I’ve gotten it sorted out now. Let’s just hope that I’m right.

Number 3…

Dead Ever After, the final book of the Sookie Stackhouse (otherwise known as the Southern Vampire) series. The quality of the books have definitely declined over the years, but I feel the need to read the last one to get some closure.

dead_ever_after

I’m not holding my breath, though, as most early reviews are far from glowing.

Number 2…

I actually had 4, not 5 items on this list. But since 5 is a much better number than 4, I’ve decided to share with you the following clip of Jimmy Fallon and John Krasinski having a lip-sync battle:

Who knew John Krasinski had so much swagger?!! I’m sorry Jimmy, my imaginary boyfriend kicked your ass on this!

And now, for number 1…

Rain, rain, go away. Come again another day.

20130508_184017

It rained today. We’re expecting more through the weekend. And as any mother knows, keeping young kids entertained through long bouts of inclement weather is akin to pulling teeth.

You may also like:

May 7, 2013  •  In Entertainment, Funny, Video Games

If Video Games Were Drugs

This is why I refuse to play Civilization; my personality would assure a complete addiction.  😉

video_games_drugs_marijuana

video_games_drugs_tobacco Continue reading »

You may also like:

May 3, 2013  •  In Aerin, Claire, Personal

Friday PicDump, 05.03.2013

I think I’m going to make these PicDumps a regular on Fridays. Not everyone who reads this blog is a Facebook friend with whom I share photos, and I figure that this will motivate me to take more pictures of the kids. 🙂

Last Thursday, April 25 2013, was the national Bring Your Child to Work Day. We were pleasantly surprised to learn that J’s company goes all out for this event (he only joined this company last summer) — not only do they arrange food, games, and activities, they also hire outside entertainment and provide nap rooms!

J happily brought Claire along for the ride…

bring_your_child_to_work_day_2013

She undoubtedly had a blast; she came home with a swag bag full of his company’s promotional materials (i.e., slinky, stickers, playing cards, etc) and even received her own ID badge! I was afraid that this is what she thinks her dad does at work all day and that she would want to go with him every morning.  😉

We had believed Aerin to be too young to participate, but J told me that the office was full of kids of all ages that day. Many spouses also accompanied the young visitors, so you can be sure that the entire family will be attending next year! Continue reading »

You may also like:

May 2, 2013  •  In Entertainment, Funny

Showrunner Swap: Game of Thrones vs. Parks and Recreation

Last week’s issue of Entertainment Weekly had a brilliant piece which hypothesizes what an episode of Game of Thrones would look like if helmed by the Parks and Recreation showrunner, and vice versa. I got quite a few laughs out of this one-page spread, so I knew I had to scan it for you guys.

game_of_thrones_parks_and_recreation

And, because squinting at an image is probably not your thing…

GAME OF THRONES By Parks and Recreation co-creator/exec producer Michael Schur (and exec producer Dan Goor)

Act 1 Daenerys Stormborn rides her Khalasar and the 8,000 Unsullied out of Astapor. Looking out at the vast emptiness of the desert, she declares: “I will build a park here!” Ser Jorah: “Who the hell’s gonna come to a park in frigging Astapor?” She refuses to get discouraged.

Joffrey wants to try out his new crossbow by firing it at prostitutes. Tyrion: “Your Grace, whores are not used for target practice. They are used as distractions during plot exposition. Second, you need a government permit to use that crossbow.” As Tyrion and Varys explain the bureaucratic permit process, the prostitutes start having sex with each other.

Act 2 Daenerys holds a public forum to discuss the park. The Starks think the park should have a wolf run, the Targaryens want more fire pits, the Lannisters don’t want to pay for it. Also, Daenerys didn’t get enough snacks, and a bunch of White Walkers start eating everyone’s flesh.

Meanwhile, Joffrey goes to Hodor to apply for a crossbow license.

“Hodor,” says Hodor.

Joffrey, confused: “So I can’t get the permit?”

Hodor: “Hodor.”

Joffrey storms out. “Dammit, Hodor!”

Hodor, to the camera: “Man, that guy’s the worst.”

Act 3 Daenerys loses the vote 300–1. Things look bleak. Then her dragons fly around the room and set everyone on fire. She takes another vote and wins, 1–0.

Daenerys, to the camera: “You can accomplish anything with good ol’-fashioned hard work. And three dragons.”

Joffrey is bummed that he can’t use his crossbow. Then he remembers that he’s a sadistic sociopath, and has everyone murdered and puts Hodor’s head on a spike. But in a funny way.

PARKS AND RECREATION By Game of Thrones exec producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss

The Pawnee Avian Society, led by Councilman Jamm, strong-arms Leslie into building a park for Pawnee’s official bird, the Grizzled-Neck Pigeon. April, the Pale Woman, presides over the dedication, complete with burning garbage pyres. Ron sees a ghost (or a Tammy?) just as his handcrafted birdcage SPLINTERS, slicing Jean-Ralphio in half, breaking Tom’s legs, and rendering Jerry mute, save for his own name… “Jerry… Jerry…” Meanwhile, in Eagleton, Ann amasses a fleet of her own Grizzled-Necks, the Pigeon from the ceremony perched on her shoulder.

Back in Pawnee: Ron sinks into a single-malt depression, questioning his craftsmanship/purpose… He retreats to Brandi Maxxxx’s newest brothel. Leslie presides over the Small City Council, where she accuses Jerry of sabotage. His punishment: He must piggyback handicapped Tom. Ben recognizes the Thrones takeover and insists Andy is the one true Hodor. Tom bribes the Sun to report that his “Jerry-Rig” is the latest “throwback slave couture.” Rent-A-Swag is immediately shut down.

The episode climaxes at Jean-Ralphio’s funeral, kicked off by Mona–Lisa’s twincest-laden eulogy. The Avian Society mercifully interrupts her with what Ron saw before: THE TAMMY WALKER, a Two-Headed Ice-Tammy riding a rotting Li’l Sebastian. Ben prays for a Thronesian miracle… and a flaming yardstick careens into Jamm’s (surprisingly flammable) afro. Cut to Donna, thumbs-up. Everything burns fast — but the Tammy rises from the ashes… right as Ann and her Pigeon Fleet emerge from the Eagleton Highlands, raining down a majestic s—storm, extinguishing her for good.

The gang buries Jean-Ralphio’s tastefully swagged halves, each in its own custom Swanson casket.

Credits: Chris admits he’s a eunuch.

(And in case you’re wondering, I didn’t type out the article — I was able to find a version online. 🙂 ) 

You may also like: