Femme Fatales!

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

HMV Fun Game Giveaway


Hey Everyone,

I wanted to say that I absolutely adore music, all kinds!! Well okay maybe not all kinds. I'm pretty open to most, but the heavy Rap and the Heavy Metal just makes me want to bash my head in so I choose to stay away from it.
For the most part music is my life. I listen to it, I sing it, I try to compose it on my dusty key board, I Guitar Hero it, I LOVE it! It's everywhere I go and I can honestly say that my life would be very boring without it.
Anway, I wanted to play a little game with you all that will result in one lucky winner winning a $30 gift card to HMV.
I hope you all enjoy it as much as I have deciding to create this game.
(If somebody else has already done this before, my bad! I didn't feel like doing research to check, either way who cares, it's all for fun!)

NOTE: This is not part of my monthly contest, this is just for fun and because I was bored! :)



The Game

On my blog you will see a Pop Out Music player. There are 15 hand picked songs one each from a particularly famous movie from way back, to now. I realize some songs may have been used in tons of movies but I'm almost positive these are specific to certain movies.
(Keep in mind, there are NO wrong answers!)

The Rules
It's pretty basic. Name the movies these songs has been made famous for/used in.
Post your responses by leaving a comment below. Be sure to leave your email so I can contact you if you've won.
Open to Canadian Residents only!

To up your chances with extra entries you can:
  • Tell a friend about this fun game and get them to give it a try earning you one extra entry! Be sure to leave me a comment letting me know which friend is yours!
  • Get a friend to follow my blog with Google Friend Connect. Again, be sure to leave me a comment letting me know which friend is yours!
The Prize
A $30 Gift Card to HMV

Remember...Have Fun! :) :) :)






Check the Pop Out Player to the right! ------------------------------------->


Contest is now Closed!

Monday, June 28, 2010

Cherry Cherry Boom Boom


Helen Pang, aka Cherry Chan is next on my list for celebrity blogger interviews.
This funny, charming and beautiful gal has made me laugh, marvel and gasp at her videos and blog.
It's not always easy to come by someone you can relate to and I'm a full believer in everything happening for a reason, that being said, as of late I've noticed that I've been on a mission to surround myself with strong influential women, much of which don't realize how strong they really are.
Helen is in one word, amazing.
Here's why.
(I realize this interview is a bit long but I didn't feel it was right to edit any of her answers because that would be like taking away from her and I wanted everyone to know her as I've come to know her and am continuing to know her, bare with us.)

Name: Helen Pang aka Cherry-Chan (I know...confusing isn't it?)
Age: A zesty 21 years old
Size: 14 on the bottom, 12 on top...but it all depends!
Location: South East London

1. How long have you been making Youtube videos?
I think it's been almost a year and a half now! Time really does fly by when you're having fun!

2. What made you decide to start making videos?
I think I was always fascinated by the Internet and how it allows millions of people from all over the world to connect and to communicate. Looking back it would be obvious that eventually I would have done something like this because since I knew how to, I've been making friends on the Internet and some of my best friends were met online. When I realised how powerful Youtube could be for allowing me to connect with others I just decided I had to do it. I was most inspired by people like Pursebuzz, Kevjumba, Happyslip, Communitychannel, Reiberry, thewinekone and loulud81 just to name a few. I knew that by putting myself out there, I would eventually gain something amazing. I didn't know what it would be but I believed it would be success, friendship and a life changing experience. And I thought if it all went to pots I would at least learn how to use Windows Movie Maker.

3. Does it surprise you that there's so many people who can relate to you and what you do or are going through?
Actually no I'm not surprised simply because I'm just a human like everyone else, with similar feelings, emotions, life experiences and environment. I'm comforted knowing that I'm not the only one to feel x or y and I think others find comfort in that too.

4. I have to say I adore your blog, all of them actually, you're always very open and straightforward which is very refreshing. What inspires you to write?
What inspires me to write? My sister, I suppose! When it comes to natural writing talent and ability, she definitely picked the longer straw. I remember when I was really young, not yet in my teens, she was on the old computer writing out loads of stories and she would find amusement in reading them to me. I think it was because I didn't understand them that it fascinated me because I knew her level of intelligence was so much higher than mine. The moment I got a laptop I started writing stories as well and I was probably 9 or 10.
As I've grown up, writing has become a part of my life that I will never stop; it may be blogging or writing fiction (which I do) but either way it's important to me because it's how I express myself. I find it's the best way for me to communicate and that's why I end up writing so much. I think what pushes me to write is also reading great novels and getting compliments from people about the things I write. That always helps.

5. Being an icon with so many followers both on Youtube and on your blogs, what message are you trying to get across?
I would probably say to always be open minded and kind. Throughout it all I hope I reflect at least a bit of goodness and happiness and that through the relationships I have with my viewers I hope I've shown them that there is support for you no matter where you look. Also it would be to never stop being inspired, always reach out and touch peoples lives in a positive way and allow others to love you as you love them.

6.What kind of effect would you say the media has on today's society?
It really does depend on how you look at it and what we're talking about, the media has its benefits to society as it does it's negatives. The media has its right and its wrongs, it can be a bad influence at the same time it can be informative. What the media does well is that it can educate you if you know what to read, what to watch, what to believe and how much to take in. Some would slate the media for being a bad influence but I would say media is more of a reflection of society than society being influenced by media. After all media is a way of communication and to reach out one must speak the language of the audience. That's probably why magazines like Heat and Nuts have become a success and songs these days have lyrics that make little sense.
I agree with you on that part. I've heard some songs where I literally scratch my head afterwards and wonder what the heck I just wasted five minutes of my life listening to, though it can be quite entertaining.

7. What kind of effect would you say the media has had on you?
I think if anything its been an eye opener. The media portrays so many different images, influences and messages, it's up to you which is absorbed and taken in. If I were half brained then I would choose to listen to rubbish. One of the things that media has taught me is to not listen to one side of the story and to know that a large proportion of the things you hear are probably very warped compared to the truth. It's taught me not to judge before you know the real reasons behind anything and it's taught me that members of authority aren't always going to be correct. On the positive sides it's allowed me to follow great role models who live on this earth and if it weren't for the media, we would be limited to knowing those who live a few miles around us.

8. You go through a lot of personal issues, do you think it's wise to video or blog about it? That is to say people can be so harsh and aren't you afraid they'll make fun of you for it or use it against you somehow?
Personally I think it's fantastic, if only more people were so open we might actually conquer world peace, but as it stands today a lot of people are afraid of what they can't understand.
Thank you! Well, I'm very lucky in the sense that not many people have been mean to me. There have been a few people but that's to be expected isn't it? Perhaps it's because I haven't got a large enough following yet! But I think because of the background that I have, I drop negative comments easily and I've developed a very tough shell despite how emotional I am. I think as long as you show no weakness then it's hard for anyone to get to you.
When I was a child I had many friendship problems which is probably contrary to what a lot of people think. I never quite fit in where ever I went and throughout school I was in numerous fights every year and I made a lot of enemies as I did best friends. People tried to put me down left right and center and it's also got to the point where those very close to me have hurt me so you sit there and wonder why this happens? I've come to the conclusion it's because life has too many variables that change people and its in our nature to try and kill off the weak. Unfortunately for them I'm not weak, so that's that! :) I'm not afraid of what people say about me and to a certain extent, what they say about those I love, because their opinions mean less than nothing to me. If someone doesn't want to hear what I'm saying and tries to put me down, then there is always the block option and delete button!

9. How would you say negativity affects you, be it your own or that of others?
Negativity of my own probably comes from my own insecurities and the real weakness within me. Everyone has their own demons and from time to time I can slip into phases of not wanting to get out of bed or seeing people. I'm not a depressed person, I don't have depression. I can just get quite sad sometimes. Often to lift myself out of negativity I have to force myself to face situations and also comfort myself to soothe my soul. Overall I'm quite a positive person and my negativity usually is influenced by previous experiences.
When someone is negative towards me I think I can't help but be hurt. I'm very sensitive but I shake things off very easily too. Others negativity often brings me down but makes me stronger so its a good thing. I also find it hard to be around too much negative energy because it zaps the life out of me. So when my friends are feeling negative while I'm the positive, I do everything in my power to push them to be happy. Call it selfish but I just can't stand feeling gloomy!
No, me either!

10. What can we expect from your future videos/blogs?
Improvement, I guess? I never know what I'm doing when it comes to these things. I don't have a schedule because I hate routine and I'm not a very organized person. All I know is that whatever material I produce I hope it helps someone and that it becomes more enjoyable to watch. That's all really. I expect you will see me grow in better ways and hopefully better formats that will differ me from anyone else. After all, I'm a very competitive person and I want to be good. So, yes, improvement is definitely in the cards.

11. Your mother is absolutely adorable. What does family mean to you?
Wow, my mother. My family! I smile when I think about the family I love and cherish. I come from a very broken family; my parents had a particularly ugly divorce and I've come from being the youngest and most loved child of a gigantic family to being lost in a sea of hate and disgust. So the family that I have left, I love and cherish and appreciate more than anything else in the world. My family means my existence and my meaning to life. Why do I push myself to work so hard? It's mostly so I can make them proud. I hopefully will have my own family one day and I hope to create that kind of loving environment that my mum did, has and does. I love the feeling of being around my nephews, brother and his wife; I love great gatherings and plenty of laughter and enjoyment. These are the people that shelter me and will be body guards forever; there's nothing I wouldn't do for them and not much I could really do to repay them.

12. What are some favorite products you couldn't live without?
Oh good a less emotional question. I almost started crying! Are we talking in general? Because nail polish is probably one. I don't think I could live without BarryM's Basecoat topcoat and nail hardener... it's the best buy a girl could have. Also a nail buffer, I need to buff my nails to keep them in good condition. I can't live without my TIGI Root Booster because my hair is so flat and lifeless! What else? That might just conclude it all. There isn't much that I can't live without. If somehow all make up and cosmetics were zapped from existence I would be tragically devastated but not for too long. Oh but I do think life is better with my Shu Uemura eye lash curlers! Oh and my GHD straightening irons!
I didn't mean to make you emotional but your answers were everything I knew they would be and more, thus proving my point of how strong you really are. I admire that.

13. Who is your idol?
First and foremost, my mother who has taught me so much and guided me in the best way she could. She is a perfect example of a good human being and she is a person I would say everyone can learn from. Also my sister, she is much more emotionally stronger than I am. She takes on tornado's and natural disasters and she always comes through. I find her amazing. My brother, because he is a self made man, a strong person, a good person, an amazing brother, a brilliant father and a fantastic role model. He was the father of my life.
And then if we're talking celebrity wise (haha) it would obviously be Christina Aguilera, Beyonce Knowles, Angelina Jolie and Cheryl Cole. All for different reasons but I think they are all positive role models in a different way, they all inspire me differently.

14. What do you want to do with your life? That is, where do you see yourself in the future?
This used to be my favourite question when I was younger because each time I would have a definite answer and I was so sure that I would be a doctor or a dancer or really this time I would be an author. But life has taught me to expect the unexpected so I don't know what I will be doing in the future. I want to be successful in whatever I decide to do. I want to be acknowledged for the hard work I put into my work and I want to be rewarded for doing so, I guess! I hopefully will be happy no matter what I do and I hope I will bring my fortune and joy to my family and friends. Fingers crossed, I will be very comfortable and doing something I am good at. I also hope I can build at least one school or hospital in the third world somewhere. That's something I've always desired very greatly.

15. If there's any advice you can give to those lacking in confidence, what would it be?
To stop focusing on the things you dislike, and to channel your energy into the things you do like. To stop worrying about what others think because the chances are they are not thinking like you. To break down the barriers of insecurities by imagining what you would advise another. To truly appreciate the true meaning of being on the earth and to stop worrying about trivial things that ultimately do not matter. To look yourself in the mirror and hug it because if anyone can love you in this world, it would definitely be yourself. And finally, to fix the things you don't like if it bothers you and go learn something new.
I don't know why you're asking me that.... I have such little confidence sometimes it's unbearable to even think about it. But hey, no one is perfect......
Ha! You with little or no confidence is unbelievable. Video taping yourself and writing a blog to put yourself out there takes a lot more confidence than you give yourself credit for.



If there's one thing I've learned from Helen it's that it's okay to be me, the real me, not the one I pretend to be. Sometimes it feels like I hide behind my persona. I put on make-up and dress up to impress others, but the real person, the only person I should do it all for is myself.
In my fantasy world I would be a drop dead bombshell, but in the real world I'm just me, and that's okay.
I'm more comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt or a sweatshirt. I like my hair short because it's easier to manage. I should exercise but I don't because I don't want to. I've done the exercise bit before and missed out on time with my family and my friends and time for myself and I grew tired of it. I go for walks, and bike rides and as long as my health is in check that's all that's important.
I have days where I loaf around the house with no real purpose or intent to do anything, so what?
I'm tired of trying to justify my existence on this Earth by trying to make everyone like me, you either do, or you don't.
Tell me that's not inspiring?!


For more inspiration you can follow Cherry Cherry Boom Boom here: http://www.youtube.com/user/cherrychan108

or read up on her blog: http://everythingcherrychan108.blogspot.com/

I promise you, it won't be a waste of your time. Check her out!


XoXo,
Zxen

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Softlips Lip Balm Contest Winner!


shootingstars123 - Congratulations! I will contact you by e-mail shortly.

Thank you to all who entered and be sure to check back next month for another giveaway!

A special thank you to zannid for teaching me how to screen cap Random.org Generator, I don't have to hand pick winners anymore...lol


XoXo,
Zxen

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Chocolate Indulgence


When I look at this picture I can't help but salivate. I assure it's not what you're thinking! I'm not Bisexual or anything like that, but look at all that chocolate!
Many of us have a secret affair with chocolate and I'm only one of those people. I partake in a daily ritual of devouring at least one bite of chocolate a day, from a bar, to a piece of fruit covered in chocolate or a even a small piece of cake. I've lived 29 years and it hasn't killed me yet, maybe added to my robust figure but that's the price you pay for the glory of something sweet and decadent.

Never fear tho, I've found a decadent face mask that lets you play with chocolate, indulge in it's amazing, makes you feel better instantly pheromones, all without adding to the hips. I ask you, can it get any better?

Let me break it down for you and why it's so good for you.

Cocoa - Cocoa powder which is what chocolate is made of is a wonderful antioxidant. It protects and frees the skin from free radicals that cause damage to skin layers. It is a mistake to think that chocolate causes acne and it has not been proven as a fact as of yet. Don't let a myth stop you from indulging in this divine treat.

Chocolate is filled with trytophan, an essential amino acid that is a precursor of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is thought to regulate mood. This could possibly explain why the first bite is always so orgasmic.

So, with that being said, here's the recipe. Indulge ladies, and gents! You owe it to yourselves.

CHOCOLATE INDULGENCE

1/3 cup of cocoa
1/4 cup of honey
2 Tbsp of heavy cream
(sour cream works too)
3 Tbsp of oatmeal powder

Good enough to eat!

Mix all your ingredients together and slather on your face, or your body, just up the quantity.


Oatmeal - Oatmeal is recommended for sensitive skin. It's gentle on the skin yet highly powerful as a facial exfoliant, but safe enough to use in the preparation of any facial mask for any skin type.

Honey - Honey is a great anti bacterial agent, deeply cleansing skin and opening clogged pores.

Never use ingredients for your home spa treatment that you wouldn't want to eat.
Your skin is the largest organ on your body, it breathes and is porous. It will absorb the properties of the ingredients you are using.
That being said, use fresh, high quality ingredients for best results and do not store the treatment any longer than the shelf life of the most perishable ingredient.


XoXo,
Zxen

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Onna

xOnnax, Everything Cherrychan108, What do Stars Do, Living Locurto, Glamology, Big...Fat.. Secrets! What do all these have in common? These are all just a few of the fabulous blogs I follow.

There's a saying that you are who you choose to surround yourself with, and I choose to surround myself with these fabulous ladies who are witty, charming, gorgeous inside and out and a guru of some sort or another. My definition of a guru is someone who can teach and each of these ladies has taught me a thing or two, be it for beauty, crafts, the environment and even about myself. Maybe I can't get to know them in person, though I do know one or two of them, but if I can't sit down and enjoy their company one on one, I sure as heck can keep up to date online!

As a woman in today's society I always strive to better myself, so it comes as no surprise that I would surround myself with people I admire. I realize that some of these people are much younger, much more talented individuals than myself but we all have something to teach and we can all learn from one another.
I came across Onna's blog by accident, and to be quite truth full I can't remember exactly how. I believe I just kept following one link to the next and the next and before I knew it I started to read what she was writing.
The first thing I read was Mission2: What a Difference Weight Makes...
That was it, I was sucked in. It didn't help that there were pictures of Jessica Simpson before and supposedly after her weight demise, which by the way I think she looks fabulous right now, the way she was meant to be, not the way society says she should be. Ultimately she's healthy and isn't that what we all strive for?
Anyway my point is that everything happens for a reason. When I was reading that particular post I was feeling pretty crappy about my own image. We've all been there. Society puts so much pressure on us as females, in particular, to meet a standard and I'm so sick of standards. Don't eat this! Don't eat that! Excercise! Wear sky high ankle breaker heels to look sexy! Conceal under those eyes! Cover that face in make-up! Show some skin! Ugh!!!
I'm not a religious person by any means but if God had wanted us all to look like Barbie literally, we would have been born that way. There's no way my size 18 frame will EVER fit in Barbie's outfits and I'm ok with that. That is to say I've come to terms with who I am and I've accepted it, but others have not and therefor result in spoiling my day with glares, comments or gestures.
So coming upon that post was like a sign. I'm not the only one that goes through it and it was like a slap in the face telling me to snap out of it.
I started to feel silly for having allowed someone else to make me feel that way. They're no better than me, than us and the only reason they get away with doing that to us is because we let them! Enough is enough!
Through reading Onna's blog I saw a little bit of myself in her and what better way to get to know her than to do an interview. I realize emailing back and forth is very informal, but hey, it is just a blog after all :) Let's get to know her together!





Name: Onna
Age: 18 (19 soon YAY)
Location: South West England
Size: It varies between shops/time of month etc but 12 - 16 I think! Although I've lost a few lbs recently. *Fingers crossed its a 10-12 by my birthday* :)

1. What made you decide to start a blog?

I started making youtube videos first, after watching Lauren Luke. She really inspired me. My friends are not interested in makeup like I am, so I guess I also wanted to meet people with similar interests.

2. What are some typical topics for your blog?

Diets, random blogging, reviews, hauls (the usual :) But I definitely do talk about my personal life a lot, like my battle with depression.

3. What impact would you say the media has on girls/women of today's society?

A huge amount! Even extremely young girls worry about their weight, its ridiculous! Its so sad how everyone, including myself obsesses over perfection.

4. What impact would you say the media has had on you?

Again its a lot! Sometimes it inspired me, like with fashion/makeup, but sometimes you feel like your just not good enough. I know I will never look like these women on television but it doesn't stop me wanting to.

5. Are you normal about food? The common misconception for bigger people is that they're bigger because they overeat. What is your opinion on this?

When I'm happy, I am a very normal healthy person. I eat three meals, lots of veg and the occasional treat. I find, like most women, when I'm unhappy or stressed I tend to eat badly. Sometimes I'll forget to eat all day, and then eat a lot during the night - NOT GOOD!! I wouldn't recommend it! One thing I do love atm is Smoothie! I try to have one a day.

6. If you could give any advice to those lacking in confidence today, what would it be?

Don't be so hard so yourself. I constantly strive for perfection and its no way to be. As soon as you cut yourself some slack you realise 'Actually, I'm not that bad!'

7. Who is your idol?

hmm... In terms of Beauty - Megan Fox. Talent - Natalie Portman. Fashion - Cheryl Cole. Personality - My mum, she's the best person I know!

8. What are some favorite products you couldn't live without?

Under-eye Concealer! Dark Circles run in my family!! I love Benefit Boi-ing, but I also really want to try the Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage.

9. What do you want to do with your life? That is, where do you see yourself in the future?

hmm... Well I definitely want to go to university. Hopefully studying something like Fashion PR/Journalism. Then go on to work in that industry. I'm not desperate to get married etc, but we will see what the future holds.

10. What is one thing you'd be willing to tell us that nobody else knows?

Ooh Good question! I'm a commitment phobe and a bit of a tomboy... although my friends know the tomboy part.

11. In your videos and in your blog posts you always look so well put together. What are some key pieces in your wardrobe?

Aww thanks! I think I still have a lot to learn about fashion but I love my slouchy ankle boots, gladiators, black leggings and oversize cardigans and tops. Huge Sunglasses and huge handbags are great because you look slimmer in comparison :) I'm also really into rings right now.

12. As women we tend to stick together. What do your friends mean to you?

So much!! I've gone through so many ups and downs this past couple of years and I cant tell you how much I appreciate them for sticking by me. They are all so loyal and kind!! I'm also really for girls sticking up for girls and avoiding drama. I hate girls who try and go for guys who are not single. Really Annoys me!

13. Is there a guy in your life?

haha NO! Things are complicated and hectic in my life. Men just make things....more complicated?

14. What do you look for in an ideal boyfriend?

Sense of humour!! I always have weird crushes on comedians. I also love a bit of banter, someone who gives as good as they get. I don't like romantics or push overs!

15. What can we look forward to in your posts/videos in the future?

A blog of my holiday in France, possibly an outfit of the day, how I've been losing weight recently, and if I go to Sephora maybe a mini haul :)


Mark me down for the Sephora mini haul for sure! :)
Follow Onna on her blog Here for fabulous make-up and fashion trends and don't be surprised if you get a feel for her personality in her posts. She's a no nonsense kind of gal and she'll give it to you straight.

Till next time,
XoXo,
Zxen





Saturday, June 12, 2010

Suggested Outfit of the Day

I decided to play around with some clothing ideas and put together a look that's both daring and stylish.
The pieces I chose are from Torrid for the plus sized fashionista, because big is beautiful!


Pair the jacket with the Hello Kittie top. Nix the white tank!
Or for a little extra pop switch the black top with something a little more colorful


Again pair the jacket with the pink halter top, nix the white tank.


Believe me, you'll get noticed!

XoXo,
Zxen

Friday, June 11, 2010

Swimsuits: All shapes All Sizes

Ladies summer is right around the corner and you know what that means, swim suit season is almost upon us. That means dusting off those teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikinis, or if you're like me, hiding behind a baggy t-shirt.

The beginning of the year promised to be a great one. New Years resolution fresh in mind, I made a pact with myself that this was gonna be the year that I would finally get back in shape and yet I sit here typing this to you while munching on berries. I suppose it could be worse and I could be stuffing my face with potato chips, like I need that on my conscience.

My point is that a lot of women my size are terrified of the notion of getting into a bathing suit and baring all. Growing up heavier my whole life clothes were and still are so deceiving and then for two months out of a year, more in some countries, we're faced with the notion of waxing, shaving, tanning, and squeezing our bodies into an unflattering sausage casing like swim suit all for the glory of summer.

Sheesh!
But never fear. Apple, pear, big hips, big chest, flat, whatever your body type I found some fantastic ideas to help you look your best poolside, I'll even save you the time to read it, instead...I'll show you!


Swimsuits For Your Body Shape: Hourglass





Swimsuits For Your Body Shape: Pear





Swimsuits For Your Body Shape: Apple





Swimsuits For Your Body Shape: Inverted Triangle





Swimsuits For Your Body Shape: Boyish


I hope these aides have helped, even if just a little.
Having some jiggle to my wiggle doesn't necessarily mean that just because my husband loves it, the rest of the world will too. Personally I don't care what the rest of the world thinks, but there's enough wrong with today's society and the point of these videos isn't to hide what you've got, it's to enhance.
So go ahead and embrace your curves gals, because you're beautiful, no matter what they say!


XoXo,
Zxen

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Nails Nails Nails

Alright Gals and Pals, I just woke up from a nap and I suddenly had this urge (call it inspiration if you will) to look up nail art and go haywire on my own nails.

Much like make-up I've never been into painting my nails, and I realize you're probably thinking "What kind of sheltered life has this girl been living?"
Though I have been sheltered when it comes to vanity, I assure you I'm slowly getting the basics. Actually I feel like I'm skipping the basics altogether and diving right into the middle of the fashion/make-up industry. I have this sudden urge to indulge myself in all things pretty, all things colorful and all things girly. Perhaps mid life crisis is hitting me early, or perhaps I've always had this passion burning inside of me screaming to be let loose and it's finally time.

Enough of my rambling. Here's some nail art that totally blew me away.
I guess art comes in every shape, style and form.

Gogeous! Very girly indeed.


Fibre optics? Ingenius.


Is that cupid in the middle? Wee wee...


Mmm...sinfully delicious!


My son is all over this one.


I must complain the cards are ill shuffled till I have a good hand.


Last but certainly not least who wouldn't love these adorable hello kitties?


Below you'll find a few simpler designs that are easy to recreate...I hope...I'm most certainly gonna try!



What becomes of the broken hearted...


Vixen with a capitol V!


Totally green with envy over these beauties.


Finger licking good.


Adore!!


I hope you've enjoyed as much as I have.
If there's a look or an idea you have, please share it with me, willing to learn-willing to try!


XoXo,
Zxen


Sunday, June 6, 2010

Photography

Since I LOVE photography so much I wanted to share some of my favorite and most memorable pictures with you all.

I think for the most part I annoy the hell out of my family and friends now that I know how to use my camera professionally. Before it used to be for fun, but now it's constant. I can't help but laugh. It has consumed my life. I don't leave the house without my camera, and when I do I always find something to photograph and kick myself in the ass for not having brought it with me.

For the most part my son used to be my object of affection, but he's since learned how to avoid the lens which is infuriatingly annoying.
As a doting mother I have every right and every responsibility to infringe myself on my son and capture every minute of his life. I'm slowly learning that this isn't so cool amongst his peers and is borderline embarrassing even at seven years old. Sheesh! I still give my mum hugs and kisses. How times have changed...
I took this back home in Ontario the first and last year we put up a pool. He should have webbed feet he loves to swim so much.

Here he is with his cousin born just a few months before him. They were the best of friends.


A sliding we will go...a sliding we will go...high ho the merry o a sliding we will go!

This is my gorgeous cousin! Definite body envy here, but she's my best friend so it's all good!

Me and my better half, but really I'm his better half :) :)

Totally love this concept, but man was it cold that day! Brrr...

My sister in law. Hot Hot HOT!




These are just a few for now but please feel free to browse through my website for more of my work. www.wix.com/Zxenarea/My-Website.


XoXo,
Zxen

Softlips Organic Lip Balm

Dry chapped lips?
Well no more!

With Softlips Organic Lip Balm you too can have kissable lips in minutes.

The key to great looking natural lips, is having healthy lips.

With summer right around the corner I've come to the realization that though a lot of us pay special attention to our skin, not so many of us take care of our lips.

Our lips do all the talking for us. They pout, they kiss, they eat, they drink. When you think of everything we do in a day, our lips absorb a lot.
Why not thank them with a conditioning lip balm that's organic and is sure to have them kissably ready in minutes?


THE GIVEAWAY!

I will be giving away three wonderfully flavored Softlips Organic Lip Balms. Pomegranate, Acai Berry and Peppermint, and just for good measure I'll throw in a Strawberry Reusable Bag.


Entry Requirments:

Let me know what your favorite lip product is and why.

Post your response by leaving a comment below. Be sure to leave your e-mail address so I can contact you if you've won!

To up your chances with extra entries you can:
  • Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link
  • Follow @Zxenarea on Twitter and Re-Tweet this giveaway
  • Follow my blog with Google Friend Connect
  • Follow my other blog (Ask Me picture)
  • Follow me on Youtube

Leave separate comments below letting me know which of these entries you have chosen so I can confirm them!

Example:

Comment 1: Zxenarea...I love Eos smooth spheres because...(nugget_092@hotmail.com

Comment 2: Zxenarea...I am a follower on Twitter, @YourName...I love Yves Saint Laurent Lipstick because...(nugget_092@hotmail.co
m


Good Luck!

Contest Closes June 25th at 8pm Pacific time. Open to Canadian and US residents only.


Contest is Now Closed!

Make-Up

I've played around with another look I absolutely adore. Being a girly girl I really love the color pink so I played with some pinks out of my 88ColorsPalette Shimmer Eyeshadow.

Have I mentioned that I love BH Cosmetics?
when I bought this palette I also bought a 88ColorsPalette Neutral Eyeshadow and a 88ColorsPalette Matte Eyeshadow. Both are equally just as great, but my favorite still remains the shimmer palette.
Application lasts for a good six to eight hours before needing to be retouched which is great considering we don't want to spend all our time in the ladies room primping. I'd rather be on the floor mingling or doing whatever your night on the town entails.

I don't know the name of the actual colors so I've taken the time to break each color down by number.

Give this look a try and let me know if you like it.
Have fun with it, and remember...
Blend Blend BLEND!








Let's get started!
The first thing I did was conceal and apply powder.
Currently I'm loving Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Concealer, followed by Loreal's Bare Natural gentle mineral make-up with spf 19 sunscreen.

I can't stress how important it is to apply an spf to your face. As the years have passed I've learned the hard way. You want to prevent, not have to fix like me.



Color 18 - all over lids, but don't take it any higher than the crease of your eye
Color 42 - apply to the inside corner of the eyes and blend
Color 19 - apply to the outer corner of the eyes and blend
Color 1 - apply to the balls of the eye to give it a nice shimmer




Blend! Blend! BLEND!
Apply favorite eyeliner, I find black looks best, curl eyelashes and apply mascara and you're ready to go.













I hope you've enjoyed this look.
Send me some feedback or post some pictures, I'd love to see your own variations :)
Till next time,
Take care guys!

XoXo,
Zxen

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Getting to Know all About Me


I wanted to open up a bit, get up close and personal and give you guys a bit of feed on my life and why I started this blog.
It's not to be famous, though having people remember me after I die (whenever that may be, hopefully not for a very long time!) would be fantastic.

I wasn't always a Canadian citizen but I have been grateful for many years and continue to be grateful that I am one now.
My family and I came from a country (21 and 1/2 yrs. ago) where Communism at that point was still very much happening and my parents wanted a better future for me and my brother, a future of our own choosing.
The first place we lived in after our move to Canada was Hamilton Ontario and from then on we moved around a lot, Aylmer, Gloucester, Ottawa and back to Hamilton. You can imagine how hard it was to find friends and maintain those friendships. Growing up with that kind of lifestyle hasn't been easy.
Most of the moves were because of jobs and I can remember my parents always looking for a better job. It's not to say that we were poor, because we weren't, but we certainly weren't rich either.
I'm grateful for that now though because it's made me who I am today, I like to pride myself in thinking I'm somewhat financially conscientious.

Going to school I never had the latest fads, I think I only owned one pair of jeans and maybe one decent blouse. T-shirts and track pants were the dress code of choice for me. Make-up was out of the question, both because it was expensive and because my father was against it. So life was pretty bland.
As you can imagine if my father was against make-up, he was against a lot of things. He ran a very tight household with bed times, curfews and even made me do book reports during the summer when I was supposed to be having my holidays.
I can remember one time when I was about fourteen and I was one minute over my curfew and in that minute he had my bags packed and locked me out of the house. Bastard! Talk about traumatizing.
I'd like to say that as a teenager I rebelled against him and his rules, but the truth of the matter is that my brother and I spent more time being afraid of our own father than try to cross him.
He was a very loving man, when he wanted to be, but he was also very physical, punishing us with his fists and the belt whenever and however he saw fit. He not only did it to his children but to my mother as well, and for that I still haven't forgiven him.
It's been 15 years since he's passed away and the fear that he cast into my life still lives in me. The fear that at any moment I can and will lose control with my own child is something I live with everyday.
It would be easy to walk away from it all and let bygones be bygones, he is dead after all, but honestly how do you ever walk away from something you've faced everyday since you were born?
Do I hate him? I used to think I do but it might repulse some of you to learn that no, I do not hate him. How can you hate a man who dealt with life the only way he knew how? The only way he was shown how?
I've later come to learn that my father used to get beat by his parents, and his parents by their parents and so on and so forth. But the gruesomeness of the situation has to stop at some point, right?
Well it stops here, with my generation! I will not do to my kids what he did to us! I couldn't bare it if my own son was afraid of me. Like there isn't enough to deal with in this world!
Because of the constant beatings and put downs I am who I am today, and for that he has my undying love, he is still my father, but he does not merit another thought or another shadow of a doubt. I've spent enough of my childhood in fear, grown up way too fast, and so maybe this is why I try to do so much that I missed out on. This just goes to prove my point that you're only as old as you feel!

I started piano lessons one spring many many years ago but my parents didn't have the money to continue my lessons and honestly that's about the only regret I have.
I have a full sized Casio piano that sits in my living room and never gets touched. It's a dust collector but yet I can't part with it. I have it in the back of my mind that maybe someday I'll pick up lessons again and finish what I started, or perhaps my son will pick it up, but that hasn't happened either. It just sits there, tantalizing me with its shiny ivory keys. I do skim my fingers over the keys once in a while in an attempt to replicate a song, but I'm heart broken at the thought of it not being there, so it's a no win situation.

Getting back to school...while growing up, I wasn't popular, I wasn't nerdy, I wasn't into sports, not really. I did play soccer and football later during my high school years though, but that was much later.
I was the girl who was always on the borderline of being popular (thanks to my charming wit), but not popular enough, and I was always just a little bit too fat, a big no-no amongst the real popular girls.
Having moved around so much I kind of had to learn how to talk to people, either that or have an isolated life.
I never got asked to dance at the school dances, well maybe this one time, but I still haven't determined if it was because of a dare or if it was genuine.
School years can be so harsh on a person and classmates even more so.
I didn't and still don't hate school, I actually enjoyed my classes, most of them anyway. I'm not sure if this had anything to do with why I didn't quite cross over to the popular side or not. I can recall pretty much all the popular students being blase about school and the fact that I enjoyed it didn't seem to mix well with their standards.
Math has never been my strongest subject and it still isn't. I see numbers and I break out in hives and a cold sweat.

As for boyfriends, I never had one until high school and even then I'm not sure you can call it that, but I guess everyone has that one relationship they're in where it's one sided. Where you make all the decisions, and the reservations and practically have a relationship with yourself while the manthing next to you just smiles and nods because clearly he doesn't know what it means to be a man yet.
That went on for two years and then I called it quits because I realized I deserved better.
This started my health kick. It wasn't a diet, per say. I wasn't restricting myself from foods that I loved, just their frequency in visiting my mouth.
I went for a two hour walk every night after work and I joined a gym. And yeah...it worked. I lost weight. I went from a size 22 down to a size 16. I had motivation!
That's when boys started calling my house, not a lot, because you know according to society's standards I was still fat and it isn't cool to date the fat chick, but enough to have a good time with. I went on dates, we had dinner, we went to the movies, most put the moves on me, but then it hit me.
When I was heavier, guys didn't like me because of my weight, though they found me cute and funny, they just weren't interested in me like "that".
After I lost a good portion of the weight, they weren't interested in me like "that" because I wouldn't put out.
So basically my whole life I've grown up with the notion that A) You're not lovable if you're fat and B) You're not lovable if you're skinny and don't put out. When I weigh the odds, I think I'd much rather be cute and funny and just a little bit fat as opposed to skinny and trampy. That's not to say that just because you're skinny you're a tramp. Heck no! But when I was thinner, I found that guys were always trying to make me dress in these barely there shirts and skimpy shorts. I don't want to see your gatchies so what makes you think I'd want to show you mine?

Anyway, after a few bad dates, a few good dates, some interesting dates and one stand up I was fortunate enough to find my husband.
I was 19 going on 20 and in love. It's funny how that age old saying of "when you find the right one you just know" is true. It's a hard feeling to explain. For me it was my insecurities that told me he was the one. Hovering by the phone or the computer hoping he'd call or send me a message. Feeling my heart break after we'd been together all weekend and he had to return home (he lived in a different city than me). Wondering constantly what he was doing, daydreaming about him at work, dreaming about him in my sleep, talking about him non stop. Some call that stalker syndrome, thankfully for me it was love.
We've been married for five years now, been together for ten, have a beautiful 7 year old son, two gorgeous labs and I look forward to so much more with him.
We did everything ass backwards mind you, had the kid first, bought a house and then got married, but hey, we made it!
This isn't to say our life has been rainbows and picnics, and to all of those that say that, I have one word for you...DENIAL!
There have been many ups and sometimes it's felt like even more downs, but you know what, working through it all is what makes a relationship stronger and determines whether or not you'll make it, or break it.
The great unknown is the roller coaster of life and I wouldn't trade mine for the world.

So what made me decide to start a blog? You'll have to wait for my next post.
Till next time,
XoXo,
Zxen

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Make-Up

So it's raining once again in beautiful British Columbia and I'm not sure I'll ever get used to it.
What better time than to do a Vlog. I've never done one before but I thought what the hell, why not?
Follow this Link if you want to see it :)


A few months ago I bought some make-up from BH Cosmetics. Mostly eye shadow palettes and brushes. I've never really been into make-up but they were the right price and like my Vlog, I figured what the hell.
Let me explain a little. When I say I've never really been into make-up it's not to say I've never used it. For the most part the natural look has been my signature look ever since I can remember. This comes from the fact that,
A) My own mother has never been into make-up and I don't have a sister or anybody to look up to or to have taught me about it.
B) The belief that premature wrinkles, aging and skin problems comes from the use of make-up, falsey advertised by peers and teachers while growing up.
So when I purchased a few palettes, much to my husbands surprise as well as my own, I didn't realize how much it could be to put some looks together.
No longer am I worried about wrinkles and aging because lets face it, I am aging and unfortunately there's nothing I can do to stop it, but I can have some fun during that time.




Here's a look I played with and I wanted to share it with you beauties too. I hope you like it. :)





Lets get started!

The first thing I did was use concealer in the necessary spots for me. Yours might differ. I like to conceal under my eyes, around my nose, any blemishes, and the corners of my mouth (tends to get a bit red at times)

Afterwards I apply powder. I LOVE mineral make-up! Currently I'm using Loreal's Bare Naturale gentle mineral makeup with spf 19 sunscreen.

I apply photo finishing lid primer by Smashbox to my lids.
Then I bust out my 88-Shimer Color Palette and apply according to this:
(Counting across)


Color 13 - Lemon Gold all over my lids
Color 17 - Neutral Shimmer Blue to the inner corners of the eye
Color 44 - Shimmer Grey/Black to the outside corners of the eyes and blend it under the eye as well
Reapply Color 13 - Lemon Gold to the balls of the eyes

The key word here is Blend Blend Blend!

For the under eye I used Color 17 - Neutral Shimmer Blue on the inner corners of the underlid followed by the Color 13 - Lemon Gold smudged to meet Color 44 - Shimmer Grey/Black to the outer corners of the underlid.

Outline the eyes with favorite eye liner,
Curl lashes and apply mascara and voila!
You're ready to rock this look.


I hope you guys enjoy!
I'm gonna play around and come up with some more creations.
Got some colors in mind you want me to play with? Let me know!





XoXo,
Zxen