eva tries

Shows to Binge Watch

9:53 PM

Lately I've been seeing a lot of posts like this, and, since I'm a self proclaimed binge watching expert, I thought I would make one too. I made sure to include both easy, light-hearted shows and super 'gripping' ones, so hopefully everybody finds something good to watch! Let me know your favorite show below, and I might check it out.
Let's start with the shows that are so good, you wont' be able to stop watching them.

Shameless:
I have already mentioned this show in a favorites post because it is just so good. There's a lot of characters, but none of them get lost in the story. On the contrary, they all have a personality and a story; they're so well developed they feel like actual people. In the show, a poor family struggles with everyday life, but it isn't at all boring. There's always so much happening: between a drunk dad, a bipolar mom, and six kids there's a lot of drama.

Game of Thrones:

If you're one of those people, like I was, that didn't believe all the hype behind this show: go watch it. I'm not even going to try to explain the plot because it would be too complex, but the show is worth watching. The special effects, the costumes, the scenery and the acting alone are all spectacular. It has something for everybody: action, love, drama, comedy. Whatever you're looking for and more, this show has it.

Orange is the new black:
This is my last 'serious' watch. Now, I'll admit it's been a while since I've seen this show, so if it's still in my mind, it must be good. If you haven't heard about this Netflix original series than you must have been living under a rock because it has been everywhere. The show takes place in a female prison. It's filled with drama and heart break, but also friendships and relationships.

Last but not least, some comedy.

Two Broke Girls:
I've also already talked about this. It's one of the funniest shows I've ever seen. It's such an easy watch and it always puts me in a good mood. It's about two young girls who become unlikely friends and try to earn a living and pursue their cupcake making dreams. It's full of so many amazing puns that actually make you laugh.

Being Sick: the Essentials

11:03 PM

It seems to always happen. In rolls January, with its bottles popping and people dancing, and then, slowly but surely, those same people are snuggled in bed sick, and the music is replaced by their coughing and sneezing. I'm talking about flu season. Every year this nasty bug comes to bite us in the butt, and it seems 2015 is no exception.

I'm usually really lucky: I never get sick. I know that sounds like jinxing it and all that bad joojoo, but it's true. Or well, up until last week it was. Thankfully my immune system still maintained its top notch reputation, and so I was never too bad, but I was also not so good. I had a bit of a fever, stuffy nose, and-at most times- almost zero voice. However, I survived! And since I know it's not always that easy, I'm here with some "must haves" for any of you struggling right now.

Tea:
I cannot stretch this enough, but let me try. TEA. TEA. TEA. TEEEEEEAAAAA. Okay. But honestly, if you have a soar throat just drink hot tea. First off it will make you feel instantly better, but it will also actually help to make you better. These last days I drank at least 4 cups a day-it was not so fun when I was in school, as this forced me to go to the bathroom a bit too often for my liking.

Tissues:
Well, this sounds dumb. I know. But when you're sick you always have to have at least one pack on you. Even if you don't have a stuffy nose, somebody else might or maybe you'll need to use them as toilet paper (because your school can never have any) due to all the tea you drank.

Neck Warmer:
If you have a cough or a soar throat: buy this. Honestly, I think I'm in love with it. Okay, so it might not be as fashionable as your new scarf, but who cares? It's much warmer and comfortable and that's all that really matters. I actually stole my brother's because I didn't have my own, and I've been living in it (like actually, I think it's really gross I have to wash it). Long story short, he's never getting it back.

Tylenol:
I'm not one for pills. I've been raised to take the least amount of pills/medicine possible and only when necessary, but sometimes, it's necessary. When you have a fever or strong headache, tylenol is great, but don't rely on it. Only take it when you actually need it.

Blankets/Comfy Clothing:
When I'm sick, the idea of putting on makeup and nice clothes is not a nice one. My ideal day would be in bed, under a pile of blankets, but sometimes it's not possible. Comfy clothing is your best friend. Opt for a big sweater, leggings, and uggs (and of course your trusty neck warmer). Being comfortable and warm is the best thing when you're sick.

Cough Drops:
Most of the things in this post are against coughs, because that's what I mostly had. Cough drops are great: they help your throat, they taste great and they leave your breath minty fresh! Plus, they're easy to carry around in your purse and they don't make you pee like the tea does!

My Workout Routine (January)

11:25 PM

I have never been a sporty person. The whole idea of exercising, sweating, and feeling tired and dirty has never appealed to me. Trust me, I've tried to like it. Throughout the years I must have tried almost every sport there is. Anything and everything from gymnastics, tennis, athletics and swimming, but nothing has ever appealed to me. I would always get bored quickly and start hating it even more. However, a "nice" body and a healthy lifestyle, unfortunately, aren't the result of laying around all day without doing anything, so I decided to get active.

No, this time it's not one of those silly new years resolutions. My decision to join the gym actually pre-dates the new year (for once), and so far I've stuck to it. This summer, during a week alone in the city, I found a gym right by my house and decided to give it a go. I can't say going to the gym is fun, but it's not horrible. Your muscles are soar and you're sweaty after your session, but you feel as if you've accomplished something, and that's nice.

I forced my best friend to come with me, and it's been about 5 months of exercise so far (and still counting!). We go twice a week in the evening right before dinner for about an hour- more or less depending on how chatty we're feeling and how much homework we have. About once a month we also meet with our personal trainer ~~who tortures us~~ assigns us a new workout for the month.

Since it's still January and I know that most people are trying to be healthier, I thought I would share my workout routine for the month. The great thing about most of these exercises is that, if you're not ready to pay the gym, you can do them at home.

Legs:

lunges

We start with a little lunge warmup. One set of 20 repetitions, and then move on to lunges with weights. I do 3 sets of 20 lunges each with a 3kg weight for each arm.

We then move on to squats. I do not like squats. They always make me feel so soar, and walking all the way to the fifth floor to my house after the gym becomes a real struggle. I do 3 sets of 15 repetitions each, with 3kg of weights again.

Next up is one of the most awkward exercises. It's called the frog and it's quite hard to describe. You have to lie face down near the end of a bench, so that your legs are free to move. You start with your legs bent and open, and gradually put them together and lift them up. It's easy to think about it like swimming breaststroke, except you also have to lift your legs. I do 4 sets of 15 repetitions of this.

squats

Arms:
My first arm exercise is the 'dip'. It's kind of like an upside down pushup. You rest your hands on the edge of a chair or bench, bend your knees out in front of you, and lift your body up and down. (I'm starting to realize how hard it is/how bad I am at describing exercises). I do 4 sets of 12 repetitions.

dips

Weirdly enough this month I only have two arm workouts. The last one is actually a machine (which are my favorites). It's called the chest press, and I do 3 sets of 15 each, lifting 10kg.

the chest press machine.

Abs:
It's no secret that abs is my least favorite part, and, fortunately enough, I only have one exercise. However it's horrible. It's called an oblique up, and it's an ab workout for your side. You have to lie on one side, and simultaneously lift your upper and lower body. It's the worse. I feel like a fish out of water whenever I do it, but hopefully it will pay off.

how it should look

how I look

Last, but definitely not least, is the treadmill. Alongside the abs, this is my least favorite activity. I actually used to really enjoy it, but with every month that goes by I hate it more because it becomes harder and harder. I don't run, just walk, but trust me: it's not good. I first do 10 minutes with the speed setting set to 5 km/h and the incline setting set to 15. It honestly feels like you're rushing to get up a really steep hill. It's not pleasant. Then, without any break of course, I do another 10 minutes. This time both the speed and incline are set to 6.5. I get off the treadmill shaky and sweaty; ready to go home and get in a nice, relaxing shower.

If you've liked this, please let me know. I'm thinking about maybe doing a little monthly workout series, so let me know!

Empties #1

9:02 PM

DIY Body and Face Scrub (+mask)

10:12 PM

There's nothing better than a good ol'pampering session to let go off all the built up stress. This weekend I decided to treat myself and make a homemade body and face scrub/mask. It was honestly so easy, so relaxing and extremely convenient and functional, so here's how to make it.

This recipe is perfect because it can be tailored exactly to your preference and it's all made with products you have in your kitchen. The first thing you're going to need is a lemon (I used the whole one, but again, you can tailor it to your needs). Lemon is great for the skin: it reduces the appearance of scars and age spots, it helps heal acne, it's a natural exfoliant, it's also brightening and it tones oily skin. Honestly, it's a miracle worker.

Next, you're gonna want to add in some kind of exfoliant. I did mention above that lemon exfoliates, but we still want something to really break apart those dead skin cells. Sugar is perfect for this. I would recommend brown sugar as it has a lot of benefits. First off it's gentler than other natural exfoliants (like salt or other sugars), it also contains this thing called 'glycolic acid' which fights bacteria and helps your skin look radiant and healthy. To top it all of, it's a natural humectant which means it absorbs moisture from your environment and gives it to your skin.

To add some more moisture we're going to put in some olive oil (or any kind of oil that you have-coconut oil is great too). The proportions between all the ingredients are a personal choice, but be careful not to add too much oil or it will become too runny. Olive oil, as you may have guessed, is great for the skin. It has vitamin E (which helps with anti-aging), it gives moisture, and it's a natural cleanser so it cleans and purifies the skin.

The last ingredient for our super quick scrub is honey. This will help everything stick together and stick to your face; plus it opens up and purifies pores-which is perfect for all us acne prone girls.

Now just mix everything and put it somewhere to store. This was so easy to make and it's so nice to use. I apply it first to my face, rubbing it in to exfoliate, and then let is sit as a mask for 5-10 minutes. In the meantime I also use it as a lip scrub (you can eat it and it's actually really yummy!) Last but not least, I show my body some love-it can really use a good exfoliation and some moisture during these cold winter months.

Shows to Binge Watch

Being Sick: the Essentials

My Workout Routine (January)

Empties #1

DIY Body and Face Scrub (+mask)

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