Are you wearing Juicy?

Don't take this the wrong way: smells are so interesting. They are sometimes nostalgic, they can make food seem more or less appealing, they can make you feel sick to your stomach, or they can satisfy a craving for a certain kind of food. For example, for those who have forgotten, I'm allergic to wheat, so I used to smell my sister's plate of goodies before she ate them, and I would be completely satisfied (as if I had actually eaten it!). It's interesting how many things you can pick up on through smells, like a muffin that would have smelled so great a few days ago but now smells like it's gonna be stale. How I was able to pick up on things like that while smelling my sister's plate is beyond me. But neat that it worked, right? I haven't smelled her plates since she went to Georgia last October, and I actually miss it... smelling is a fun sensory receptor.

Anyway, today I wanted to talk about the ability smells have to make you feel safe. Comfortable even. What makes a smell appealing? Is smell linked to other senses or colors that create a giant sensory experience or is it just the smell?

I've never been too big on the whole perfume department because I get tired of repetitive smells really easily. At least, bored with my own smells, not necessarily other people's.... This is getting so awkward so fast. But you know what I mean, right? Unless I were to buy eighty different perfumes and switch off, I don't think I could handle it.  And ain't nobody got funds for that! But maybe I should look into it? What are some of your favorite perfumes? Men? Colognes?

Is it weird to ask someone of the opposite gender what scent they're wearing? I don't want them to be self conscious that I really like their smell, haha. There is one person I'm talking about specifically. He always smells so divine. It's not the overpowering axe smell, thank heavens, and it's not even a strong manly cologne smell. It's light, but very distinct to him. Watching Tangled last night and sitting so close to him made me realize that his smell puts my mind at ease. Whatever scent he wears makes me feel comfortable. happy. I couldn't stop smiling, so I'm sure he thinks I'm a freak. When I go throughout my day and catch a whiff of a similar smell to him, it immediately eases any tension and puts a smile on my face.

Is anyone else fascinated by the power of smells, or is it just me?
Also, I sound like a dog this entire post. 

necessary shout out

Ok, people. Summer is around the corner!

I really want to get fit this summer. Like, Ripped. Swole. Physically fit. toned. Whatever you choose to call it. I don't have money for a gym pass, and I was so bored of trying out pinterest workouts. (There are some good workouts, but I feel like I'm not very good at balancing what I work on.) Then I stumbled across this blog. YOU GUYS.

She and her husband created an at home Cross Fit program!!!!
It is so hard, but I have done the first week so far, and I can't wait to see the results in six weeks. I don't know why, but I'm actually motivated to do this. Which is HUGE because usually if it's not dance, I avoid it. So try it! I have to modify a few things because I'm not THAT strong yet, but it's the most satisfying feeling to finish one of these workouts. And maybe I'm doing them wrong, but they don't take very long! Which is also nice.  Because I feel like AIN'T NOBODY GOT 3 HOURS A DAY TO PUMP SOME IRON. Like I said before, they are by no means easy, and sometimes I feel like crying, but don't quit! *ok I'm done with my infomercial...

Anyway, check it out. And happy warm weather, friends. I vacuumed out Watson, my Nissan Sentra, yesterday and then I laid out again, and I got SO fried! (Please bless mom isn't reading this...) but it's a good thing my mother blessed me with olive skin, so it just turns into a tan. No nasty peeling involved. I can't wait to go to the pool and have barbeques, and not to mention MY BIRTHDAY!!!

Peace and Blessings!

It's a thing

Free time? Wait, that's a real thing?

Yes, friends, as unlikely as it seems, I FINALLY have time to do things I want to do!! It's exciting and refreshing and at the same time a little stressful because I feel like if I don't spend it wisely (being productive with fun things) then I'm wasting precious life.

I've read some books, which is fun to do as a leisurely activity. I forgot that that happens too. After reading textbooks semester after semester, it seems like the only type of reading that exists is non-fiction blah blah blah...boring. But it's not true! Any book suggestions??

I've laid out. I know, I know family, this is a big no-no. But I love being tan, and I LOVE the sun, and I HATE sunscreen, so if I must, I'm willing to contract skin cancer. It's a worthy way to die in my opinion. It means you lived a full and successful life in the sun, right?

I watered the garden, filled up the bird bath, basically ran a whole house by myself for almost two weeks. My parents were out of town, so I felt like I was living by myself because I never see my brothers who still live at home...

What do you people want to hear from me? I never know what to blog anymore because I don't know who cares or what you care most about. So, if you're out there somewhere, wanna clue me in on what you like reading about from me? Or something that I haven't done yet that you want to know?

Enjoy the sunshine, kids. It's here to stay :)

P.s. Only 17 days left of being 19. What is something super exciting I can do?

Yet it's so Different.

**********WARNING. SPOILER ALERT. IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN SPIDERMAN2 AND DON'T WANT TO KNOW, DON'T READ***********

{^ taken in Spokane}

This post was gonna be angsty and vague and filled with lots of emotion, but I'm incapable of sharing my feelings these days, so I'll save that for another day. Here's what it turned into

I love me some chick flicks, as I'm sure you all know. I love the girly stuff and the romance and the unlikely lovers and such. But I also have a special place in my heart for a certain type of movies known as MARVEL COMIC MOVIES.

I think it all started with my dad, to be honest. When I was younger, I always sat by my dad when we'd go to movies. Then as we got a little older, and my mom decided she didn't have to go to movies with us all the time if she didn't want to, my dad would take the siblings that wanted to see certain movies. As long as I can recall, I have always seated myself next to him. Then the Marvel movies started coming out. Thor, Iron Man, Captain America, Avengers, etc. Then it became me and my dad's "thing" to go to these movies together and/or have movie nights at home. At first I wasn't a huge fan, but I would go to be with him. Now I looooooooooove them. We don't talk during the movies because we get so into it, but as soon as the credits start rolling, we analyze all the small details we picked up on and the things we did or didn't like.

Today was Spiderman 2. YOU GUYS. Tears were streaming down my face. And that's a big deal, because if you know me at all, you know what my problem is with crying. I can't. But during this movie I thought "Surely she'll still be alive. SURELY she will not leave him like this." and even when the scene cut to the cemetery, and her family was mourning and Peter Parker stands at the headstone with Aunt May, I sobbed as I said to myself, "No. It's not her. I'M NOT DEAD."Yep. I had gotten so into it that I could actually picture myself as Gwen Stacy. She and I DO have a lot in common.

Also, Emma Stone? She's definitely a favorite. Such class. Such elegance. Andrew Garfield? What a BABE. He is the nerdy attractive that I feel like I could end up with someday. And the cutest toward Emma. Such a lovely pair.

Happy May, friends. And Happy Mother's day tomorrow! My mom is out of town, and I don't get to talk to my sister until next week, but I hope you have a good day...

Love Always,
Lize.

You're my backbone, you're my cornerstone.

For When the Struggle is To Real to be Real

Home at laaaaaaaaaaast. This was definitely one of the longest, most confusing weeks of my life. I was so underprepared for Spokane, that it highly affected my attitude for the duration of the trip. Good news, though: It was warm, we had decent amounts of free time, and we met a magical pointe shoe fitter who actually knew what he was doing!!! And we performed a piece the best we have ever performed it, all for Lisa Stoddard. We miss you already, Lisa.
Here is a recipe that will comfort you on days when you just need a warm blanket, a good movie and a little something rich and sweet to tickle your fancy. {And even when your stomach hates you a little}

*Warning: It is Dangerously Delicious*

Brownie in a Mug

Ingredients:
1/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. flour (you can use any kind of flour! Since I'm allergic to wheat, I use spelt flour, and it still tastes amazing.)
2 T. cocoa
A pinch of salt
2 T. olive oil
3 T. water
icecream :)

Instructions:
Pick your favorite mug (preferably one that is a little deeper or wider than a normal size). Combine all the dry ingredients in the mug. Then add the wet ingredients. Stir until mixture resembles brownie batter. Microwave it for a minute and forty seconds. After you bring it out of the microwave, let it sit for five minutes or until only slightly warm (or you can eat it when it's hot, if you prefer). Top with icecream. Voila!!!!

It is seriously so good. So easy to make, so rich, and SO MOIST {Five points for Gryffindor if you can name what movie that's from}.

Cheers to summer 2014.

"Now I wonder what you think when you see me in a magazine"