Archive for 2015

Beauty Review - LORAC Pocket Pro Palette (REJECTED)

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Disappointment is my first reaction that comes to mind as I stare at the stupid palette before me. Why, why is it so hard for you to go on correctly? You don't blend; you don't stay on; and now you won't come off. YOU DON'T LOOK RIGHT!


So, during the christmas season--a long time ago, I know--I got one of those cute little mason jars with makeup brushes, mascara, and those adorable eos no one can seem to get enough of. But hidden beneath the goody jar was a small three-blend eye shadow palette from one of my good friends. I cringed at the brand that was on the box--Lorac. 



I previously had my first encounter last year with this product. It was in a beautiful silver box, and it looked like one of those expensive makeup brands that HAD to be great, right? 

WRONG!

My face turned orange, and the two different shadow palettes made it look like I had no makeup on, while the other made me look like I got into a fight with a group of thugs, and let's just say I lost. You can click the post here and see for yourself!

Anyway, I decided that because I love my friend so much, and I didn't want this convenient travel size palette to go to waste, I would give it another go. I mean I've never owned a small three-shadow palette, and if all went right, I could just keep the nifty accessory in my purse...

Dear Lord, why oh why do I make the same darn mistakes? To say I was upset is somewhat of an understatement. The shadow did not come off my face, even after I scraped off the first layer of my skin. I mean I scrubbed and scrubbed and the damn thing would not be removed all the way. My eyes looked like I had a bad case of allergies. My face was raw, and my pride was shot. 

I tried. I really really tried to first make the shadows blend together, but it honestly looked like I took a colored pencil to my face, and scribbled outside the lines of my eyes. It looked really nice on my finger, and it felt smooth, but my face had other ideas. I mean I'm pretty good at doing my makeup. From time to time, it even looks like it could have been professionally done, so I know it wasn't me that was having a problem. I was using brand new brushes too! 

I can't think of a brand that is worse than Lorac. Every time I put it on, it takes me to a place deep within in my core that screams, "Please take it off!" 

If I were to rate this product, I would rate it a 1 out of 5. The 1 star is because the colors looked pretty before they attacked my face. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY. It is overpriced, and most definetly not worth it. Drive down to your local Walgreens, and buy yourself something there. It will look a lot better than this rubbish I put on my face. 

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Summer Goals and Cauliflower Crust Pizza Recipe

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Summer is the season for creations, fun, and a time where you could be doing something new. I personally always get a list of goals that I usually like to complete by summer's end. Unfortunately, this year's list consists of a lot of adult-like chores like, "Get a Job. Study and take the GRE. Find an off-campus study. Find a research opportunity." It 's basically a ludicrous reminder telling me that as I grow older, it doesn't matter how short or long my lists are; they are always going to be unachievable because of the short time I will be allotted. I mean, unless you're superwoman, that paper filled with tasks will never be completed--it will just continue to grow.

 Sure, I have the fun type of goals like, "Work-out. Blog. Write a few chapters in my book. Sleep. Take a shower!" This amusing list could go on and on, but I have to make myself believe that I could mark a few things off my list, like showering…or you know, maybe not. 

However, I have been doing something that has been on my list, so yay for me! For the past few weeks, I have been going through this "cooking" phase. I've been trying these great recipes because, well, what mature Arab (Chaldean) doesn't know how to cook for her future, hypothetical husband? Okay, so maybe that's not exactly what's on my mind, but I do like to do the so-called "womanly duties" like the cooking and cleaning, so why not? I mean, I live with two growing boys who love to eat, and repetitive meals tend to get boring. 

Yes, I am taking the year-round classes in order to graduate at a semi-reasonable time, but when I'm out of class I've decided to do something productive with my time, other than sleeping that is. I've been posting a ton of pictures of my cooking skills, and have been getting requests for recipes, so from time to time, I will post concoctions I have either taken from the internet and put a little flair into them, or something of my own creation. 

Cauliflower Crust Pizza 

Prep Time: 10-15 min
Cook Time: 30-35 min
Total Time: 40-50 min 

Makes about 6 servings 

Need:
1 head of cauliflower (6 cups grated) 
2 large eggs
6 oz shredded Italian cheese blend or grated parmesan 
1/4 cup of freshly chopped parsley  
1-2 teaspoons of minced garlic
Oregano 
Salt and Pepper
1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder (may vary)

Directions: 

Preheat the oven to 425˚F. Line a baking sheet or pizza pan with parchment paper, and put coking spray so the crust does not stick. 

Break the cauliflower up into pieces and pulse through a food processor until it is fully grated.

In a large bowl, combine the cauliflower, two large eggs, cheese, oregano, salt, pepper, garlic power, and parsley and mix until you get a consistency that sort-of sticks together (it should not be watery). 

Pour the mixture into the prepared baking sheet, and evenly spread out the layer (depending on how thick you want the crust to be). 

Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes, or until lightly brown. 

Add your desired topics, and let it bake for another 10-15 minutes. 


I had so much left over, that I made a cauliflower cheese bread too! I personally LOVED this recipe, but if you are a pizza lover, and you already think that the bread is God's gift from heaven, then you probably will be one of those people that don't like cauliflower ruining something like the carb-filled American style pizza. 
I think one thing a lot of people tend to get disappointed about is when a healthy substitute does not taste like the real thing. Cauliflower will NOT taste like bread, nor will it have the same texture. However, in my opinion, I would take the cauliflower over the bread any day, since I'm not a huge pizza-bread fan.

P.S. I had leftovers for days, so if you're always in a rush, it's a perfect meal for anyone that wants extras for later!

Before it was put into the oven 

Cooked crust, with added toppings! 

So, for all of you that have been wanting to try different recipes, happy cooking! Let me know how you liked the recipe, and if I should have added or removed something. 

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The Feelings of a College Introverted-Extrovert

Saturday, March 21, 2015

The pitter patter of a heart. Something you feel when you least expect it at times. What is it? Why is it here? What does it want with me?
Just a regular conversation to be had to de-stress from a week of homework and exams. All I need is one day to have not a care in the world...

One dinner. One movie. One, perfect evening.

You go about your life in a daze sometimes. You repeat the motions set before you until the days start to jumble together. Get up. Go to class. Eat dinner. Study. Sleep. Repeat.

Again and again it happens until you snap out of it and realize you need more. Now most college students I've come across go through these similar motions. It's like life is set on repeat, and you forget that there is something else out there. Sometimes you fall into this daze for a week, or a month, or even a semester. You're not unhappy per-se, but you need a little more than that daily routine you've been so accustomed to, however long it's been. You don't know why there is a feeling of unease, but you do know it needs to be settled. 

So you do something about it. There is a quick impromptu plan to hang out with your clan--your group of people. 

Thursday is the night. Just a casual dinner/movie date. A night out with the girls is just what you need to break the routine of harmful consistency.

What is it about a dinner that always brings people closer together? As the food comes, you sit and discuss the week's events, but as the food is close to arriving, you get off of the superficial subjects and move onto subjects that will bring out emotions you didn't think you even had. It could be anger or annoyance or sadness or happiness. 

 Ah happiness, sometimes one can take advantage of the happy emotion and forget it's even there. There are times you don't realize it's gone until there is a firework of explosions that go off by one simple...what? Is it a word, a memory, a person?

But as the happiness fades, there is a fond memory that takes its place. At first you might think it appreciation. Appreciation of going out or having friends there with you. Then you ponder a bit more about this emotion as you sit and enjoy a nice conversation with friends--the people who mean the most to you, and you think, "wow, I really love these people."

Love. That's the missing piece to the puzzle. You have these amazing people sitting by you, talking about things that you could never talk about with most.

The common rule of thumb is to never talk about politics and religion at a dinner table. With anyone. No exceptions. But with people who have a common tolerance and acceptance, as well as a similar view, there is nothing in the world that you can't talk about. Emotions like anger and annoyance aren't the driving factors in your conversations. They are of intellect and understanding. You just don't see it very often, especially from young adults who have short fuses, and are just now staring to learn about themselves and their belief systems.

Right here is where I can stay for the night. With the people I love; people who help me grow and keep me questioning--looking for knowledge that will lead me to my future destiny.

Alas, the time has come to see a movie, so the conversation must come to an end, but once a mood of fondness and thought come into play, a movie can be exactly what you need.

I sit in the theatre and wait for the new Cinderella movie. As soon as the screen comes alive, so do my feelings. That feeling you get when everything in the world can stop for a second, because it feels nice. Like a magical dream. It's not something that is brought on often, but when it is spotted, you are cocooned in its happy glow.

I don't know if it's just me, (I'm sure it's not) but disney movies make me happy. I know it's an unrealistic dream to some, but for me it brings about only good memories. Each movie brings to me new thoughts about the world or about my own life. They're feelings that cannot be put into words, no matter how hard I try. But I don't think they're meant to be. I think they're there for your own inspiration and internal happiness, even if it is just for a moment.

This night was just like my own little fairytale, and even though reality would hit me like a brick in the morning, it was a helper to clear my thoughts and get ready for a new day. 

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Spring Break 2015: Day 4

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Monday

9:00 am: Finally, a decent hour of wake up time! Wow, did I just waste 2 hours sleeping in instead of going outside? I feel like I should be a little upset by this but…

10:00 am: The amount of times Krysten has complained about my sleep schedule and snoring has become completely ludicrous. I'm going to roll my eyes at her, and show her I care not what she thinks. Oh gosh, if she strangles me…maybe I should go call my mom and tell her I love her. 

 12:00 pm: Alone time really suits me. My all around neglect towards humans puts me in a better mood, I wonder if this is something to worry about? Nah, I'm sure a ton of people think the same way I do! I mean, my introverted tendencies usually win out over my extroverted character of conduct. I really appreciate "me" time more than I will ever like "we" time. Four days down, and four days to go without any Alhana time. I can do this. I have a bunch of time to myself, and I adore these people, and…and here come the roommates, uh I mean friends. Four days to go; you like people, just keep telling yourself that…

 2:30 pm: Lunch time, lunch time, time to eat some lunch. Makes me nice and happy, and makes me not a grump! 
Geez I love my meal time songs a little too much sometimes. Well, I mean I like hearing myself sing all the time so that's probably why I do it…
"Wanna go to Downtown Disney," says an already tan Krysten. First I need some sun to look like her unrealistic color of skin and THEN we will go to Disney. Yes, that is precisely what we are going to do!

 9:00 pm: I forget how magical a place such as Disney can be until I visit again. I'm not even at the parks, and I still cannot fathom why anyone would NOT want to live in the world Walt Disney made up for the rest of their lives.
"That's the real trouble with the world, too many people grow up." I mean come on Walt, please hit me harder in the gut, and make me want to reevaluate my life further. Why are all his sayings up every few feet I walk in this area? This place is like heaven, right smack dab in the middle of hell. It gives me all the wrong feels in all the right places. It's fine, ignore his knowledgable words, and the beautiful ambiance. Just keep walking and…Ooo there is a store made up of inspirational quotes! Damn you designer man who thought to put this store at the front of my downtown stroll. 

 9:10 pm: I WANT TO BUY ALL THE QUOTES! They would look so good on my wall of inspiration at home.

 9:11 pm: $40 for a small piece of wood? Nah Disney, you can keep your rubbish items. I'll just go home a little bit sadder, but my pockets heavier. MOVING ON! 

 9:50 pm: Ooo, the Disney Store! Look at all the shiny stuff. TOUCHING EVERYTHING!! 

 9:51 pm: Reevaluate Alhana. People are starting to stare, and you definitely ditched the people you came here with. Oh but it's all so pretty! Running! No, walking. Nah, running! No speed walking. I. must. see. everything. I feel like a Pokemon fan--yes ma'am, I do want to collect them all. Aw I wish Sarah was here to appreciate all of this with me. My arabian little would definitely run with me. Hah, I bet she'd be crazier than I would…

 9:55 pm: Walt Disney you are my hero. I will forever worship the ground you walk on. I am never telling anyone about this obsession…

 11:20 pm: I am going home and taking a nice long bath. Bath bomb here I come!

 11:35 pm: How shall I ask Krysten to give me some alone time for an hour? The bath is so amazing, and if I don't take it now, then I'm never going to be able to! "Krysten, can I have some alone time to take a bath, please?" There, that sounded reasonable. Uh-oh, she doesn't look too happy. Maybe I can ask again…

 11:45 pm: This Bath bomb is so cool! Ooo look, there are sparkles, and it looks like a rocket ship. Turning on the jets an…woah! This bomb has bubbles. How do I stop this thing? They are going over the tub! Okay, don't freak out; just start blowing on the bubbles to make more room!

 11:46 pm: Need to make the jets stop. Need to make the jets stop. Need to--okay that's a ton better. *Sigh.* A bath is the way to end any day. 





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Spring Break 2015: Day 3

Monday, March 9, 2015

Sunday

7:00 am: Where am I? Wow, then it's definitely not a dream! I am finally in a semi-secluded paradise. What I should eat for breakfast before going down to the pool?

 12:00 pm: I wonder what time Taylor is getting into Florida? I need some Arab girl time. Hm, what are we going to do? Maybe I can coerce her into doing something dangerously exciting.

 2:00 pm: I think I am starting to get some color to my skin! Tan lines here I come! Oh wait, that's just a bright burn appearing on my alabaster skin. I already reapplied sunscreen 4 times! I knew I should have gotten SPF 90. Curse you Pubix and your understocked section of sunscreen. Who carries more tanning oil than sun protection lotion? Thanks America, for finding yet another way to kill off your citizens one days worth of sun at a time. If I ever get to medical school and survive my residency, I'm going to have to be treating a lot of patients for the melanoma I'm sure they will get…

 5:00 pm: I loathe the people that decided to have children and never take care of them. If that child splashes me one more time, I'm going to do everyone a favor by dragging them out by their hair, and returning them to their parents with the best reprimanding speech known to man. 

 6:00 pm: Bro, I don't think you're supposed to leave your 4-month-old baby outside in this heat for 6 hours. For godsakes, reapply their sunscreen so they don't die! No idiot! Don't put your already burned newborn in the water! Take them inside or something, you irresponsible imbecile. Dear God that child doesn't even have a hat to protect its bald head. I wonder if it would be irrational of me to call child protective services on this lady…

 10:00 pm: Finally, my dear Taylor has arrived. Let me catch Krysten's eye so we can go see her. I don't think she wants to go. I wonder why she's giving me a face that screams anger and hostile irritability. 

 12:00 pm: Taylor's resort is nice, but there sure are a ton of weird people here. Why are 30-something-year-olds hooting and playing ping pong? Haha someone definitely just hooted back--oh gosh, they did it again. I think it's time for these old people to go to bed, or you know, to their kids or something.

 1:00 am: Ice cream is not a good idea this late at night. Need. Sleep. Now. "Krysten get up!" Okay, I think it's time to get back to our place. I wonder if I'll have nightmares of those men...

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Spring Break 2015: Day 2

Sunday, March 8, 2015

SATURDAY

6:00 am: Why does it sound like a horse is dying in my room? Oh, it's just Cassidy hacking up her lungs. Ugh, I cannot turn again; my poor stiff back. Well, since I'm up, I might as well go relieve myself. Oh no, I heard something crack in my back. 
Look at Krysten just sleeping there like this bed is God's gift from heaven. I wonder when they're going to wake up.

7:00 am: Still no sign of sleep. Should I wake Krysten and Cassidy or…
Nah, Cassidy sounds really ill, I'll give them another hour.

8:00 am: Oh great, the idiot twits from last night are back. How are those two still sleeping with this racket? I'm just going to go into Cassidy's bed and continuously stare at her until she wakes up.

8:05 am: There are no signs of movement at all. Maybe I should make some noise! I need to get out of this diseased ridden bed before I catch what she has. Maybe I'll read.

8:07 am: Those black walls sure are growing on me ever since the room became dark. Maybe I was wrong about this room after all. Ew, did I just see something crawl up that wall. Do not scream Alhana. Don't you dare utter a sound. People are all around you! I'm going to go and open the curtains to see the beautiful…why is it raining? Oh crap, did I just make that awful noise. Oh no, they woke up. "Good morning!! Wakey Wakey. It's time to get out of this frightening room," I whispered cheerfully. Why are they looking at me like I just killed their cat? It's like past 8 by now, they need to get up.

9:00 am: They went back to bed, so I'm going to purposely move around and make a ton of noise. Oh great, Krysten is giving me that same look of loathing again…

11:00 am: We finally got out of that filth ridden room, and into the nearest Ihop. Why thank you sir, I have come hungry, and I better leave happy. Time to do my pancake song.

12:00 pm: I wonder why the waitress is looking at us like she wants us to leave. I left her a 20% tip! I'm just sitting here minding my own business, waiting to check into my resort! I guess it's time to go. I don't want to end up in an ally with her in the dark. 

12:30 pm: I hate Starbucks… I feel like a basic white girl that just won the pretend lottery, and my friends look like starving travelers that have just found the Elixir of Life. I'm just going to sit somewhere far away from the barista, and let them fend for themselves. Ugh, I feel so dirty coming in here. I am so sorry Bigby's; you are definitely still my favorite. 

1:00 pm: Why does making a grocery list have to be so hard?? I hate meal planning. I wish my mother was here to do this for us…

3:00 pm: Finally checked into the resort! And look at this view. Thank you Wyndham timeshare for always being a loving mother, cradling me in her loving bosom; and a special thank you to Stephanie, who was amazing enough to help check me in. I most certainly owe you a fruit basket. 
Ooo, this hot tub in my room is looking splendid! Bubble bath here I come!

6:00 pm: Why isn't there a Walmart here? The nearest grocery store is something called Pubix. I don't want to go into a store that sounds like it belongs on the outermost private part of the human body…

6:05 pm: Haha this overpriced rubble of filth is actually called Publix! Why do they have groceries in bulk? This ain't no Sam's Club. 
Now why is it costing me $6.00 for a small box of cereal? 
$100 for the bill? Okay Pubix, you can just calm down, and lower your prices since I had to lower my standards.

 7:30 pm: Ah, relaxation station here we are. After this stressful day, the darkness suits my soul this fine night. I wonder how many little kids have peed in this pool today. Bleh, do NOT think about that. Just lay down in your tube, and let the water carry you away to a far away land…

 9:00 pm: My back is hurting, but I am calm. I am going to take a nice hot shower, and wipe the grime off my disgusting body from the previous day's events. Now this is what I call a real shower!
Do da dee dum do day--wasting my life away, and in Florida I will stay.

 10:00 pm: So this is what heaven feels like. The bed is so nice and comfy. The fun has now officially began. 

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Spring Break 2015: Day 1

Saturday, March 7, 2015

Friday

4:00 am: What is that incessant noise I keep hearing? Oh wait, I guess it's time for me to get myself up to go to the airport. Wow, I forgot how much I hate the morning time. "Good morning," are the next words I hear coming from my travel mates who look a lot more awake than I do. If they keep staring at me with those ecstatic looks on their faces, I think I am going to have to brutally harm them. Okay calm down, it's time for Florida!

8:00 am: Florida here we come! My excitement is at a good 8 right? Right. Okay, time to mentally prepa…what in the world is this machinery? This better not be the plane we're going on. Oh God, this does not look safe. It's okay Alhana, just think of the sun, and beach, and….seriously why is it making a catastrophic noise? You, United Airlines, are going to be my downfall. You will rue the day you decide to kill me off in a crash! Oh, wait I guess it's not that bad. Hm, the pilot sure knows what he's doing. Alright, I guess I can relax a bit. 

2:00 pm: Oh my gosh, I think I can see a bright light coming from the outside world! Is this the part where I walk towards it or… 
"Wow so this is what warmth feels like," said a brightly ecstatic Cassidy. Oh wait, just kidding, it's the sun. Michigan you have once again made me forget the Greek gods that control the weather are not mad at every state in this country. 

2:30 pm: What do you mean it's going to cost this much to rent a car?! I called prior to arriving, and reserved a car. Curse you Orlando, and your outrageous add on expenses. My mother is surely going to hear about this! 

3:00 pm: So, since none of us are 21, we need to find a hotel until we can get someone to help us get into the resort tomorrow. Hm, maybe we should just sleep in this overly priced vehicle that was purchased! Why are my travel mates shouting at me? Okay, a cheap hotel it is! 

4:00 pm: This hotel does not seem bad at all. Wow it even has heated pools. The reception area looks so elegant in its colorful layers of demure decor. I think this is going to be our home for the night!

4:10 pm: What in the bloody hell is that rancid smell? There was a wall of separation from the main building and the hotel rooms; you lying fiends! Where in the world is our room? The numbers on the doors don't even make sense. Oh. My. Gosh. Is that black mold or dirt on the walls?!? Lord Jesus, please keep me safe from the infestation that is now my home for the night. Okay, it will be fine! I just need to keep…EW! Why is the tub that color? I think the car would have been a most welcome place of living…

5:00 pm: Hardy har-har. Jokes on you rent-a-car place. You thieves now have to deal with the wrath of mother. Bet that smirk you had when you let me leave with an up charge of $200 fell right off your face as soon as the crazy woman on the phone demanded to speak with your manager. 

6:00 pm: Hungry. Need. Food. Stat. Cannot function. Bum bum bum, it's Denny's time. Hm, what to eat, what to eat… 
Ooo, it all sounds goo…why is my phone ringing when I am hungry?
Oh great, the car place wants to talk to me now. I can do this. I am a broke college kid who will not stand for the up charge! 
Okay don't be nervous, act calm. They were wrong and you are pretty. Oops, I mean you're right AND you're pretty! 

7:00pm: Woo-hoo! Mamma bear for the win! Extra charge is gone, and ice cream is here. Nom nom nom ice cream…

8:00 pm: I will not throw up on the sheets. I will not throw up on the sheets. I'm just going to put my hair up, and not change my clothes. No need for any other clothes to get infested with disgusting germs! Okay, I am going to now go underneath the covers. Ew, ew, ew, ew, ew. Why didn't I just opt to sleep in the car. The lovely leather seats would feel so nice on my post-plane skin. 
I will rough it out. At least you're not sleeping in the woods! Hm, the woods do sound like a dream compared to this dump. 

9:00 pm: So tired. Must fall asleep. Dream of that beautiful resort, and sun, and palm trees, and the black lamp, and the yellow tinged bathtub, and…NO NO NO! Not the room, the outside!

9:25 pm: Okay, the imagery isn't working. Let's try listening to the peaceful calm of the outside world. Yes, that sounds very nic…Why is there screaming going on. Oh god, I hope the door to our room is locked. It's okay Alhana; it's only 9:30, they will leave and you can sleep soon!

12:10 am: I will not kill the loud men outside. I will not kill the loud men outside. I will not…Oh gosh, I wish I had a car that I could run them over with. That is a nice peaceful image. Maybe a squirrel will come and attack them. Haha, I am getting pretty tired. I should have just been thinking of this from the get go! Pianos falling on their heads, a pit bull chasing them...

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Out with the Old. In with the New

Sunday, February 1, 2015

For the past month, I've been working on recreating the whole look of this blog to fit my own personality. Well, with the help of a friend, Little Web Writing Hood, I was able to recreate a perfect image. It was a long process, but so worth it! I still have a couple more editing sessions before it's one hundred percent complete. Take a look around and see how you like it so far.


Old Blog Layout 

New Blog Layout

While I have been on a brief break, I have been busying my time with school, sorority, and planning events! This year is going to be filled with a ton of crazy days. You know when you're dreading school, but you keep reminding yourself that something amazing is going to come up to take your mind off it? Well, I have a few planned events that are going to do just that:

  1. Trey Songz/Chris Brown Concert - February 
  2. Spring Break in Florida - February-March
  3. My 21st Birthday Bash - April 
  4. Iggy Azalea Concert - May 
  5. Lana Del Ray Concert - May 

One of my New Year's resolutions for this year was to go out and do something different. Well, I think I fit the brief here considering I've never actually went on Spring Break, and who knows what kind of new possibilities there are out in Florida. I'm aiming towards going parasailing as a new adventure, but I don't know, I'm just going to have to see when I get there. Maybe I'll go scuba diving instead. 

What is it about the first of the year that makes people want to be better? For all we know, it could just be a day made to see how far someone will go before they crash and burn. That is not to say that choices made thus far do not have a positive outcome, but more so than not, the quest acquired goes awry. Why not start a new day on any given day? Why wait for a tide to hit, when the world is full of opportunities to stop it?

We are now in the first of February, and have had a month to contemplate and work on this "resolution" we promised ourselves on the first of the year. Have you made some progress, or have unforeseen events made it backfire? Well, I challenge you to start again. I mean the first of any month can be a new start of anything, right?

Out with the old and in with the new is what I always say. 

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Black Ink Eyeliner Review

Wednesday, January 7, 2015




So, today I'm talking about this new eyeliner I bought during the Black Friday sale! For me, it's really hard to put on eyeliner after I have already done my eyeshadow. The sticks usually don't come out black. More so than not, they smudge and the whole smokey eye look just isn't for me. I tried liquid eyeliner after that, but unfortunately, it dried up on me rather quickly.

Therefore, I decided to go to Ulta and look at the different products they had to offer. I asked someone if they would lead me to an eyeliner that did none of the previously mentioned. For some reason the sales lady looked really annoyed and very rude. I ignored her, and made it so she would have to stay with me for the next half hour, while I tried out several kinds of eyeliner.

Anyway, I ended up with this magnificent liquid eyeliner that did just the trick! It's called Magic Ink, and you can find it at either Sephora or Ulta for $20. Granted, it is really expensive, but it is definitely worth it! The liner goes on very easily. It take a few seconds to dry, but they all do that. It has never once dried out on me either. It has a very fine tip, so you can make your wings/lines thin, or you can have them be thick. Personally, this is my new go-to eyeliner for my eyes, especially when I have heavy eyeshadow/mascara on.

My lines are very symmetrical too! One thing that most eyeliners do is get caught a bit on the eyelid, and then you have to stop what you're doing, look at your eye, and finish the rest of your eye. Then it becomes asymmetrical with the other eyelid. It's seriously one of the most frustrating things in the world! I'm just glad I bought this eyeliner! What other eyeliners do you like best?


~Alhana

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A Weekend of Delights with a Song from an Angel

Sunday, January 4, 2015

This is the last weekend before hell starts…ahem, I mean to say my winter semester. As sad as I am to see it go, I'm actually pleased with how my last weekend of freedom went.

Friday, my family and I went to Canada for my brother's 19th birthday. We did what any 19-year-old boy would want to do. First we had dinner, and then we went to the casino. Canada is a wonderful place of sorts for those not yet on the radar of the American perception of adulthood. I mean whatever, we can go out and die for our country at the age of 18 because we're "adults," and adults can make their own decisions, but no way would it be appropriate to make a decision on whether or not we are old enough to drink and gamble! Now, that would be completely irresponsible and ludicrous…

Anyhow, we went in, I bought my brother his first legal drink, and we sat at the bar feigning an air of coolness to our demeanor. I mean, we had to act like this was something we do all the time right? Well, I quickly grew tired of the bar scenery, and we went on search of some game where money could be made.

We ended up at this table where you have to roll some dice or something, and I watched as a bunch of grown men gambled away their savings and hard-earned money. To them, the casino was a candy store, and they were the children getting ready to dive in a barrel full of Willy Wonka's chocolate. I, on the other hand, saw it as my own personal hell. I absolutely hate the casino. I would rather go spend my money on something like books, or you know, tuition. There were way too many young people throwing away money on an hour's worth of blackjack. Okay, I get it, it's fun, and that's what it's all about! But so is Chuck E. Cheese, and when you waste money on those machines, at least you're getting tickets out of it that can be exchanged for prizes.

I will admit though, people watching is quite pleasant. You see the most interesting creatures in that place. So, I guess all in all, the trip was a success, and I did have some fun.








Yesterday, I sat and relaxed all day. I worked on another YouTube video, read a little bit, and played cards with my brothers and one of their friends. It was a pretty chill day, which was much needed, especially with this semester I'm about to have…

Now, knowing that I probably won't get another video out for awhile, here is Lips are Moving by Meghan Trainor. Enjoy!


~Alhana 

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Top 10 on the Harry Potter Wish List

Saturday, January 3, 2015

It's no secret that I have a slight obsession with Harry Potter. Okay, fine. It's not a slight obsession, it's a full blown stalker fascination! I admit it, and you wanna know what? I'm completely unashamed; I'm actually proud of my stalker tendencies. If I could marry anyone from the cast, I would…

Well, I thought today would be a great time to show you a list of great Harry Potter gifts to give to a hardcore fanatic like me:
  1. A Harry Potter Time Turner Necklace: It's stylish, gold, and looks really cool. You can find it on Etsy for $4.80.
    Etsy Shop
  2. Harry Potter Accio Tea Mug: I love tea, and tea loves me! You can find it on Etsy for $25.00.
    Etsy Shop
  3. Harry Potter alohomora spell key rack holder! You can buy this baby for $45.00 (But I'm sure if you look around, it could be found at a cheaper price).
    Etsy Shop
  4. A marauder's map crew neck sweater. It's warm and adorable, and you can get it for $23.99.
    Etsy Shop
  5. A Macbook sticker that shows my awesomeness everywhere I go, and it's only $13.50!
    Etsy Shop
  6. Wait, hold up. A wall sticker? Yes please! But how much, do you ask? Only $8.00?? Dreams really do come true!
    Etsy Shop
  7. A beautiful light switch for your room! I actually don't know how much it is, because I just got this gift for Christmas, but I'm sure it can be found on Etsy!
    This resides in my room!
  8. The marauders map infinity scarf! Look at how pretty it is, and it's only $42.56!
    Etsy Shop
  9. Harry Potter Toms? Uh, please, TAKE MY MONEY! See, I looked at a ton of Toms, and they are pretty pricey, but I'm sure you can find them cheaper than this price I'm about to give you. I just really like the handwork done on these. They cost a whopping $105.00.
    Etsy Shop
  10. And finally, for those of you that are of drinking age, I present the stainless steel Harry Potter hip flask. It's small, compact, and perfect for my 21st birthday! It's only $15.00 too!
    Etsy Shop


    So, for those of you that now have an idea of what you want, I suggest you go and BUY THEM ALL!!! Hope you have a great Saturday!

    ~Alhana 

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Not Another Book Review: Tiger's Curse Series

Friday, January 2, 2015


The last thing Kelsey Hayes thought she’d be doing this summer was trying to break a 300-year-old Indian curse. With a mysterious white tiger named Ren. Halfway around the world. But that’s exactly what happened. Face-to-face with dark forces, spell-binding magic, and mystical worlds where nothing is what it seems, Kelsey risks everything to piece together an ancient prophecy that could break the curse forever. Tiger’s Curse is the exciting first volume in an epic fantasy-romance that will leave you breathless and yearning for more.


Back in Oregon, Kelsey tries to pick up the pieces of her life and push aside her feelings for Ren. But danger lurks around the corner, forcing her to return to India where she embarks on a second quest--this time with Ren's dark, bad-boy brother Kishan, who has also fallen prey to the Tiger's Curse. Fraught with danger, spellbinding dreams, and choices of the heart, TIGER'S QUEST brings the trio one step closer to breaking the spell that binds them. 


With the head-to-head battle against the villainous Lokesh behind her, Kelsey confronts a new heartbreak: in the wake of his traumatic experience, her beloved Ren no longer remembers who she is. As the trio continues their quest by challenging five cunning and duplicitous dragons, Ren and Kishan once more vie for her affections--leaving Kelsey more confused than ever. 


With three of the goddess Durga's quests behind them, only one prophecy now stands in the way of Kelsey, Ren, and Kishan breaking the tiger's curse. But the trio's greatest challenge awaits them: A life-endangering pursuit in search of Durga's final gift, the Rope of Fire, on the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal.   It's a race against time--and the evil sorcerer Lokesh--in this eagerly anticipated fourth volume in the bestselling Tiger's Curse series, which pits good against evil, tests the bonds of love and loyalty, and finally reveals the tigers' true destinies once and for all. 

Now, I'm what you would call a "hard pleaser" when it comes to books. More so than not, I read books that are average. It's getting harder to find books that go beyond my initial expectations. However, these beauties do exactly that. When I go into the book store, I usually look at the books on the shelf, then go straight to my iPhone to see if it is worthy of my purchase. I usually go to my trusty sidekick: Goodreads to answer all of my foreseen questions. 
For those of you who don't know what Goodreads is, let me explain. This website is a place where you can go to find books and reviews from other people that have read them. It's usually great when you are searching for your next reading project. This is my go to place when I am in desperate need to find a book under a certain genre. It has all sorts of categories to draw you in. I would certainly recommend using this site. 
Anyways, I usually tend to stay towards 3.5 and above stars when searching a book that has caught my eye. However, if I see a not so good review, and I have all the time in the world, I will ask other people that I know if they have read the book, and if they liked it, I might end up straying towards that book again. 
When I came across the Tiger's Curse series by Colleen Houck, I saw that the last book in the series had just come out. I, being the impulse buyer that I am, bought it without hesitating as soon as I saw that it had above a 4 star book rating, a magnificently beautiful cover, and a thicker than average length. 
I immediately went home and threw my face into the first book for the next five or six hours. By the time I finished the book, I had forgotten that night had descended, and was well into the morning. The first book had a ton of twists and turns that kept me at a wow factor. It is a great book to read when you're out on the beach, or just want something light. Colleen Houck did a splendid job with her research about the Indian culture, Hinduism, and mythology.  There was a ton of ancient stories that you could tell were researched, and put into one amazing sequence of books. 
It had the traditional love story/love triangle thing going on, but you know how at certain times, something happens or someone says something to make your stomach twist into a knot? Well Houck had me feeling like I was falling in love for the very first time, and there were butterflies fluttering everywhere. But it didn't stop there. Each book got better as the series went along. Granted, I couldn't finish those books as fast as the first, but they were worth reading. 
Usually when I don't binge read on a book, I lose a little bit of interest when I go back to it, but these just made me anticipate getting home from work, eating dinner, taking a shower, and finally sitting on my bed and reading for a couple of hours. 
I would definitely suggest this book for anyone that likes reading fiction books of mythical genres. This is a book that is considered "young adult," (YA genre) but people in their 20s could still get away with reading and enjoying this book, as well as older humans that like books like Twilight or Harry Potter. What makes this book even better is that it doesn't have ANYTHING to do with vampires, werewolves, witches, etc. It has to do with a magical curse, cultures, and tigers, and let's be honest, who doesn't like tigers? I just like the fact that this author had the talent to come up with something original.
Overall, I would give this series a 4 out of 5 stars. I really did like this book, but at some points, the sequence of events were a little too cliché and very predictable for my taste. I also did not like the point of view that it was written in. I, as a professional reader, like to see more than a journal-type book. Writing in a 3rd person point of view as opposed to a 1st person POV makes the storyline less limited, and also makes the author think about more than what is on the person's mind at every page of the book. I find it a ton more difficult to write in a 3rd person POV, because there is a lot more detail and thought that goes with each chapter. I also do not have to limit myself to one person's thoughts and feelings, and can still maintain a book that is clearly still about them. 

 So, to sum up my thoughts, Tiger's Curse series = THUMBS UP! 

 This concludes my book review, now I'm going to go back and reread the series (thanks to my own superb review)!

 Questions:
What other books can I pick up to read and review?
If you've read these books, what are your thoughts on them?



~Alhana

If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.
-Oscar Wilde

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The Book Theory

Thursday, January 1, 2015

What is it about books that draw people in? It takes up so much time, and by the end, you don't really know what to do with it other than leave it on your bookshelf or return it to the library. Sure, it causes you pain and/or joy for a few hours, but then what? What makes someone pick up yet another bound set of pages to occupy yet another day in the already limited life one has?


Now if you are one of those people that get angry by questions such as mine, then you fully understand the hardship that someone of your stature has to deal with. If not, well then you must be one of the people asking these types of questions. Let me let you in on a little secret. The book lovers of my generation do not appreciate your negative questions. 

Ever since I was young I loved to read, and not just read books like Captain Underpants, but instead books that surpassed my third grade reading capabilities. At first, I didn't know what drew me to the pages that made up a story. Though as I have grown up, I have learned more and more about why the books are sacred and always in my life. Here is what I have learned:

  1. I absolutely hate when someone comes up to me and asks the above questions. Why, you ask? It is simply because I don't have to explain myself to someone as moronic as them. 
  2. I love the smell of books. Okay you caught me, I smell my books. I love opening the pages and getting a whiff of the clandestine story that awaits me. 
  3. I would rather have a productive afternoon with my nose in a book, rather than having my face plastered to the television. Let's get something straight, shows like "16 and Pregnant" are mind numbing and an unproductive way to spend your day anyways. When you read, your brain is actually working to analyze the words on the paper. It also helps your reading comprehension, vocabulary, etc. Don't get me wrong, movies and shows are great, but they pale in comparison to my beloved books. 
  4. I like looking at the books on my bookshelf. It reminds me of the worlds I have visited, and the stories that each left behind a memory that may or may not have made me into the person I am today.
  5. I HATE libraries. I hate the aspect of giving back my books. I would much rather buy them for myself. I love rereading my books, and I don't want to give the library something that I have already claimed is mine. I guess you could say I'm selfish that way.
  6. The "ebook" just doesn't cut it. I like having a solid book in my hand. Where I can smell the fresh paper, feel the course/smooth pages running across my fingertips, and look at the beautifully crafted material sitting in front of me. I don't like when my ebook does a "pretend" flip of the pages. I sometimes feel like I am cheating on the real thing when I open my nook.
  7. However, ebooks are cheaper a lot of the times, and they are a lot easier to carry. Thousands of books are at your fingertips wherever you go! BUT I don't care. Nothing can replace my precious stories. 
  8. Last but not least--I love living inside the pages of my books. I've really gotten out of "real world" type genres over the years, and instead have gotten into the fantasy books like Harry Potter. I mean who doesn't love that book?! I have read probably close to or even over 1000 books. I kid you not. When I was younger, I used to go into Barnes and Noble, (my favorite store) and come out with 10 books in my hand. I'm not even exaggerating; you can ask my mother. I have not once walked out of that amazing store with only one book in my hand. It's usually an all or nothing type of deal. 
I love the thrill each new book gives me. It lets me escape from my mundane life, and allows me cross over into a world that is unforeseen. I have this eternal thirst for stories that are not my own. It doesn't matter how hard I try, I have not and don't think I will ever be able to quench it. I mean, if you think about it, it could be worse. The only thing this addiction does is burn a hole in my wallet, but isn't the point of life to be happy anyways?


~Alhana 

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.
-Dr. Seuss

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