Con Jitters

I am overly excited about A-kon next weekend! I feel like a giddy high school girl with butterflies in my stomach and being kept up at night at the mere thought of it and how close it is. I'm pretty sure I've annoyed everybody since it's all I've been talking about lately. :p

 

 Words cannot express how ridiculously excited I am!

ONE MORE WEEK!!! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

Clean Eating Challenge ♥ Update ♥

Wow! So I am never allowed to do any more 30 day challenges on my blog because I am obviously not very good at keeping up with my posts. >.< Sorry about that!

On the other hand I most definitely have been keeping up with eating clean since I started the challenge. Things have been going pretty smooth, or should I say...clean! I don't feel like my body is bloated all of the time anymore, I've been sleeping more and better, and overall I feel healthier than I have ever been. I've even gave up drinking alcohol since it has a lot of sugar and calories.

I've allowed myself to have one "treat meal" once a week, where I can eat/drink anything I want and not feel guilty at all about it. I believe that helps me continue to eat clean without feeling deprived of the foods I love to eat.

One of the biggest things I've learned from eating clean is it's very important to have plenty of groceries at all times. I've attempted to eat clean lots of times before and it never worked out because I never bought enough groceries. I'd eat what I bought, which was very basic cheap groceries, and I'd still be hungry in between the meals I made for myself, which lacked the nutrition I needed. And almost all of the time that then resulted in me rushing to the nearest McDonald's and stuffing myself with chicken nuggets and french fries. Not good at all! Lesson learned!

Here are a few ideas of what I have been eating lately.

Source: The Yummy Life

I've become addicted to making these no-cook, overnight refrigerated oatmeal breakfasts. I eat it almost everyday! It's so easy to make, isn't messy, and doesn't require a lot of time to make. There are so many different flavors and varieties to make so I don't get bored of eating. 

 

 Source: This Is What I Eat

Toast with smashed avocado, tomato slices, salt, and pepper. A simple yet delicious meal! Sometimes if I am really hungry I'll add some black beans or other vegetable.

Source: The Pioneer Woman

Spinach salad with hard boiled egg and bacon bits. The restaurant I work at has a spinach salad kind of similar to the one in this picture which I have been eating frequently. I don't mind having just a little bit of bacon. :p I also like to add tomatoes and pepperoncinis to the mix, and use a honey creole dressing.

;+;+;+;

Got any clean eating ideas of your own? Post in a comment! :]

 

My summer has officially begun!

Sorry about the lack of updates lately. I've been busy! Last week I finished up all of my final exams for school which I'm now done with until fall. YEAH! Also, I've been picking up as many extra shifts as I can at work since I've requested a whole week off in June...and I need con $$$!!! Speaking of conventions, now that it's summertime in Dallas that means there will be at least one con a month until September, and I plan on putting together some new cosplay costumes.

My Chii cosplay has been completed just in time for A-kon. (Which is in exactly 2 weeks from now! GASP!) I'm going to be her the entire time of the convention, and I've got a few different outfits of hers I'll be wearing throughout the weekend. I plan to have a photo shoot soon, as well as make a tutorial, and other fun stuff, so be sure to check back! :]

Sailor Moon Themed QR Codes for Animal Crossing New Leaf

It just dawned on me that Animal Crossing New Leaf has been out for almost a year now, (in North America at least), and I've been addicted to it ever since! I swear I play it for AT LEAST an hour every day. There's always something to do, and never gets boring. It's just too much fun! I love this game so much! ♥

During the beginning of my game I decided I really wanted a Sailor Moon themed town. I had searched the internet for what seemed like forever and couldn't find exactly what I was looking for. All I could find was sailor senshi qr codes for clothing, which they were still cool, but I wanted paths to decorate my town with. So I attempted to make my own designs and I'm actually pretty proud with how they turned out, so I wanted to share them here with you!

Here are what my paths look like.

Eh, excuse the weird placement of flowers, I've been breeding alot.

...And here are the qr codes!

Enjoy! Let me know if you end up using them in your town.

Also, if you re-post these please remember to give me credit. I worked really hard and took a long time on them to get just right.

My Nintendo 3DS friend code is: 3952 - 7002 - 8304

if you'd like to add me. :]

Etsy Finds

Here are a few of my favorite items I have found on Etsy. I'm totally addicted to shopping on there and love everything about it!

♥ Mewclops Cyclops Kitty Cat Shirt ♥

 

♥ Black Double Strap Heart Garter ♥

♥ Cute Totoro Soft Purse ♥

♥ Unicorn Seashells- Mermaid Bikini Top ♥

♥ Sailor Moon Artemis and Luna Glitter Shoes ♥

♥ Sleeping Unicorn Ring ♥

and last but certainly not least...

♥ Pizza Slice Ring ♥

If you have an Etsy shop post your link in a comment so I can check it out!

Get to know me better

I wanted to share a little bit about myself with you, so here you go!

Random facts about me:

• My name is Monica.
• I live in Dallas, Texas.
• I am often described as a mermaid princess.
• I love dressing up. I am inspired by Japanese fashion.
• I work as a server at a restaurant while I attend school studying web design.
• I love to draw, paint, sketch, make jewelry, and do crafty stuff.
• It doesn't take much for me to be happy, I live for the little things in life. :]
• I have a boyfriend whom I love. His name is Alex. ♥
• I have a soft spot for dogs. I have my own! Her name is Isabelle, inspired from Animal Crossing New Leaf. And she is the sweetest and most spoiled pit bull ever.
• My favorite food in the whole world is sushi. I would eat it every day if I could! 
• My favorite Pokemon is Ninetails.
• I color my hair...ALOT!
• I have a couple piercings and tattoos, and I plan to get more.
• I am fascinated by crystals.
• I am HORRIFIED of roaches.
• I don't go out and party very much. I'd rather be cuddling with my dog in bed, watching anime, and playing on my 3ds.
• I'm 25 years old, but I'm still a kid at heart. :p

Now here is me! I'm working on smiling more in my pictures. :]

Bloglovin

BLOGLOVIN CLICK! (ﾉ´▽｀)ﾉ ⌒(呪)

You can follow me on Bloglovin now.

Don't get it completely yet but whatever!

Still trying to get my actual blog (this one!) all together and looking exactly how I want.

By Monday of next week I will be finished with my school finals for the semester and then I'll have time to do more blog worthy stuff. ♥

♥ Day 1/30 ♥ Clean Eating Challenge

I just finished the first day of my clean eating challenge! Yay!

Here is my intake:

-Breakfast-

Old fashioned rolled oats with almond milk, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, raspberries, and a tiny bit of vanilla extract. Additionally a cup of coffee with almond milk. No picture of my breakfast since I ate it all before I had the chance. :p

-Lunch-

Tuna salad on top of mixed greens with lemon.

-Dinner-

Avocado halves stuffed with tomato, red onion, fresh basil, lime juice, and tortilla strips topped with balsamic vinegar.

-Snack-

Baby carrots and hummus.

...And that's it for today. I sure hope I can keep this up! :D

30 Day Clean Eating Challenge

I have exactly one month to finish preparing for A-kon. I have never been so excited, yet so anxious that I feel like my heart is about to explode out of my chest! OMG! Being in the best shape physically and mentally is probably on the top of my priority list, not only for A-kon, but for life in general. (Although it is good motivation for wanting to look like a smoking hot anime babe! :p) Anyway, I have decided to only eat clean foods for 30 days to help me get the hot bod that I want!

Let me explain to you what exactly clean eating is:

For 30 days I will not be eating anything:

• Processed
• Fried or sugary
• White carbs

...but I am allowed to eat:

• Veggies
• Fruits
• Lean protein
• Healthy fats- like avocados, salmon, and nuts.
• Whole grains

 It's very simple! This is definitely not one of those fad diets, and diets are not even considered healthy for you in the long run. All I am really doing is changing what I eat to be more healthy...and even though I looove McDonald's happy meals I really REALLY want to let go of eating fast food.

It's sad how food that is so cute and yummy can be so bad for you! ;_; 

I thought about keeping my clean eating challenge a secret at first, since I am usually one of those people who will get all hyped up about wanting to do something new but in the end not really doing anything about it, but I thought it would be fun to share my tips and recipes! I'm going to try my best to blog every day, yes EVERY DAY, (it is only for 30 days after all!), about my clean eating challenge to show it is possible to eat healthy even if you are always busy with work, school, or whatever!

Let's go!

How to Survive Going to Anime Conventions

A-kon, the oldest and biggest running anime convention in North America, is just around the corner and I am so excited my heart just may stop. It's exactly 5 weeks from today and I'll be spending most of my time up until then preparing for it.  This will be my sixth year to attend A-kon, and my third year staying at the hotel it is located at...so I'd like to consider myself a veteran when it comes to con going.

Preparing for a convention is an art form. It is important in order to get the most out of your experience. I've compiled a list of things to bring and prepare for. I hope you find it useful :]

• MONEY!!! Preferably cash...sometimes certain vendors only accept cash, and/or the ATM on site may run out of money. BUT as technology advances most vendors are taking cards now. 
• Cosplay outfit it you have one as well as all the makeup and accessories used for your cosplay. Also, an emergency sewing kit. (Needle, thread, hot glue, duct tape, scissors, safety pins, whatever!)
• Sharpies if you want to get something signed. :]
• DEAR GOD BRING ALL YOUR PERSONAL HYGIENE STUFF! TOOTHPASTE, MOUTHWASH, FLOSS, DEODORANT, SHAMPOO, CONDITIONER, SOAP! Seriously, it's a giant place full of hot sweaty nerds, some who obviously don't know what a shower is. Don't contribute to the nasty smelliness! It is not healthy and it's offensive to everyone! Take a shower each day of the con!
• 4 days worth of clean clothes. Don't forget your underwear!
• Comfortable shoes. Whether you're cosplaying or not, brand new non-broken in shoes are not fun at all. Remember, you will be walking alot.
• Energy bars and water bottles are a smart idea. Especially at a con like A-kon where it's during 100+ degree summer weather in Texas.
• Packing a sandwich or any type of snack/food/drink in a cooler if you are on a tight budget. Food and drinks tend to be expensive at cons.
• DRUGS AND ALCOHOL ;p
• Extra bag to carry all your cool new loot!
• Cell phone. It's very easy to get separated from your friends at a con.
• Camera.
• NINTENDO 3DS!...If you have one. It's a great place to get tons of street passes and easily fill up your Mii Plaza with different people from different places.
• Chargers/batteries for all the personal gadgets you are bringing.
• HAND SANITIZER. This kinda goes in hand with the personal hygiene thing. Everything you touch has most likely already been touched by nerds who don't ever wash their hands. 
• LOTS OF PATIENCE! Just have an overall good attitude. It will be crowded and there will be lines everywhere and you will have to wait for some things, but it's also a great time to chat with people and make new friends.

Well, there is everything essential that I could think of. Of course, if you are staying at the hotel you'll want to pack even more stuff.

While we are on the subject of preparing for conventions here is a sneak peak of the cosplay I am preparing for. :3

I suck at introductions

Hi?

HELLO!!!

Oh wow, this is my first blog post and I really have no idea what to say...

I'm going to start with saying this blog's focus is going to be pretty much about all the stuff I obsess about. That includes cosplay, video games, anime, going to conventions, hair, makeup, and EVERYTHING KAWAII o(^▽^)o

In all seriousness, I hope to use this as a space to share my life with you :]

I plan to make tutorials and show my progress when it comes to preparing my cosplays, as well as have useful yet fun information for con going, and game/product reviews.

And then at times I'll probably just post whatever I feel like.

I hope you enjoy!

I plan to create my first "real" blog post very soon.

And thanks for your patience as I set everything up.