Things You Should Know: Gym Etiquette, Peeves

As part of my Things You Should Know series, I thought there were a few things that everyone should know about how to act and what not to do/always do at the gym. It doesn't matter if it's a private membership gym, one-time visit, etc., keep these tips in mind.

1. Keep your noise level down.
While this is always a good tip to abide by, it was atrociously brought to my attention last week while I was on the treadmill at my gym. With my headphones in, I kept overhearing a loud hacking. It would calm down, then pick up again. Concerned, I removed an earbud and glanced around. The guy at the end of the row was identified as the culprit. He would alternate walking a few seconds with jogging a few seconds. This man was in no shape or form athletic in the first place. And as he began to jog, he would start huffing and puffing- not just deep lung sounds, vocal "Haaaaaahhh!!!!"'s and everything. He didn't limit himself to deep guttural exclamations, but was yelling, "Oh my God! Ohhhh!! It's sooo hard!! Ahhhh!! It hurts!! Oh my God!" and on and on. I glanced around and noticed everyone around awkwardly focusing on their television screens, trying not to pay attention to him. While it was hilarious, it really was distracting and rude.

This also applies to whistlers, hummers, singers, and so on. Basically, if someone else can hear you, don't do it. If you insist on exercising your vocal chords while working out, I would recommend purchasing a treadmill for your home.

Free Stuff: Monthly Scent Bar Drawing [Closed!]

So, I've decided to give away a free Scentsy Scent of the Month bar each month! How exciting, right?! As you may know [especially if you read a few of my other posts], Scentsy puts out a Scent of the Month each month. This scent is 10% off during that month [the warmer of the month is 10% off, too] and is typically a new release. Get the details after the jump!

Things You Should Know: Antibioics

There are several topics which are very important: most people know a little about them, maybe just enough to get by; yet, there are important details about that everyone should know.

Antibiotics are very important. Before their discovery and development, many lives were lost for reasons we scoff at today. Most people take antibiotics for granted and blindly trust that their physician will give them any details needed. Doctors are bust people, seeing scads of people a day; they get busy and sometimes an important reminder slips by unannounced. As antibiotics are incredibly widely prescribed, it's important that you take the time to educate yourself on something that could save your life, or at least make it more comfortable.

Pain-free Makeover: Taaz.com

Ever get that feeling that you want to try something new- maekup, lip plumping, hair style or color- but don't want to take the actual risk or potentially waste your money on something you may not like? I get like this all the time. Thankfully, Taaz.com has a makeover tool which allows you to test out cosmetics, alterations (such as teeth whitening, lip plumping, brow shaping), new hairstyles and colors (including changing the color of your own style). For example, here is my Before and After:

Before and After

Just Desserts: Watergate Cupcakes

Since I was young, one of my very favorite deserts has always been Watergate Salad. Nothing tops a rich, pistachio flavor! A friend introduced me to the best combination ever, Watergate Salad and cupcakes, after there were leftovers from a wedding reception. It took months to get a hold of the recipe, mostly because the cupcakes were referred to as Pistachio Cupcakes at the time. Finally, my sister tracked down a recipe and altered it to fit our taste, which obviously makes it better than ever!

Finished product, conserving frosting before I knew there was plenty.
I promise, very tasty! 

Just Desserts: Homemade Turtles

For Valentine's Day, I felt like doing something a little special for my husband [okay, maybe for my own benefit, too...]. Back around Christmas I stumbled across directions to make your own homemade turtles (the candies, yum!). The first time around, it didn't go as well as planned, but I decided to give it another try, lining up a few new techniques. I'm very pleased to announce that they came out great!!

Cooking Tip: Toast your Pasta!

I got this really neat cookbook a little while back and have been experimenting with a few of the tips listed in it. One of my favorite new culinary tricks of the trade is toasting pasta!

Toast your Pasta!

Shopping: Sephora Valentine's Special

As a Beauty Insider [meaning I have an account], Sephora sends me specials or advertisements about every other day or so. Today, Sephora sent out a Valentine's Day Special that is definitely worth taking a look at! Using promotion code SHIPLOVE, particular items (pictured below) will receive free 3-day shipping! Super!

Just Desserts: Coconut Rice Pudding

I stumbled across a bunch of coconut recipes one afternoon. My favorite (so far) is the Coconut Rice Pudding. It's come to be expected that when I cook something, I nearly always do something wrong, in some way. The first time I made this, I followed the directions perfectly, but I used sweetened coconut milk (the viscous kind, typically marketed for pina coladas, I found it on the cake isle) while the original recipe called for unsweetened milk. While checking out the "ethnic" food isle the other day I finally found a can of unsweetened coconut milk, got really excited, thinking Yes! Now it will be really awesome!! I was wrong. Come to find out, the "mistake" I made the first time was actually an improvement! So, here is what I consider the best recipe of coconut rice pudding ever!

Operation Crochet a Scarf

My mom spent most of the time leading up to Christmas crocheting like crazy. Most females in my family are donning handmade scarfs this winter. I absolutely love my soft, blue, black, and white infinity scarf, but I realized that I really do need a scarf comprised of warm colors. So, I endeavored to crochet my first scarf!

Mind you, I have crocheted before. I don't think I've every actually finished something 100%, but I've known the basics since I was a child. After a quick crash course with my mom, I set down and began to crochet away.

The finished scarf, wrapped in to itself three times

Beauty Tip: Eye Makeup Remover

I always love finding a new purpose for common products!

One product I had a horrible time finding an agreeable brand was eye makeup remover. From cheap, Target makeup isle to expensive, hard to find, there was not one brand I could consistently use on my sensitive skin without swelling, itching, a rash, peeling, redness... You name it. Luckily a solution presented itself in response to an unexpected medical issue.