Makeup, Clothes, and other Girly Things

No, don't worry, this will not be a post about how to put on makeup or how to curl your hair, but rather my opinions on certain girly things that are considered normal.

*Wait, normal?  What's normal?  I'll add quotation marks.*

"Normal"

Yes, that's much better.

Thank you to lol zombie for my new favorite picture (:

First of all, makeup.

This seems to be a big issue of controversy right now.  Most girls in my grade, including me,  wear makeup. Most girls think it's worth it, some guys think it's stupid, and some don't seem to have much of an opinion on it, which I find interesting.

However, to you guys out there who think I'm wearing makeup to impress you, that's not why I wear it.

I wear it for me (:

Surprise!

*Woah, what?  Girls don't try to impress every single guy they talk to?  What is this madness?*

If I look in the mirror and think my eyes are a bit brighter and that makes me feel better about myself, who are you to say that I shouldn't wear it?

That's not to say I think that girls should pile on makeup, because there's definitely a point where it goes to far.

But, to you girls out there, if that's what makes you happy, go for it (:


Next, the only logical thing to follow makeup, hair!  

Yippee,  everyone's favorite subject

*haha, that's a funny joke right there*

Ok, so it's not that I don't give a thought about how my hair looks because I spend approximately five minutes a day on it collectively, what I don't understand is waking up an hour earlier than you need to just so you can add some curls...

...or make it completely straight.

Either way, I'm a strong believer in sleeping (although I don't get much of it...) instead of making yourself look fantabulous.

So clothing, probably my favorite subject actually.

What can I say, I like clothes.  I'm not a "fashionista" or whatever it's called by any extent of the imagination, but I do like to have a large selection.

My mix of clothing is eclectic, from normal things from forever 21 to pants from Thailand to maybe a few too many pairs of pajama pants, I just like clothes.

One thing that's not big in my closet is anything uncomfortable... especially skirts...

*kudos to anyone who can wear a skirt everyday.  You are a superhero.  I don't know how you do it, but keep doing it because you look good. I'm impressed with your ability to look put together every day.*

**I really hope that no one thought that last note was sarcastic, because it wasn't...  I should probably be more careful about that...**


I apologize for my ranting... and if you do anything I mentioned in this (good or bad in my opinion...), keep doing it if it makes you happy, because being happy is the most important thing (:

Christmas is Coming!

I don't know about everyone else, but I can't wait for Christmas.  There's snow (at least where I live), cookies, a Christmas Trees, Santa is coming, and of course, everyone is giving gifts.

For a lot of people though, the weeks leading up to Christmas are stressful.  There are gifts to give, presents to wrap, and houses to decorate.   Getting presents for all of your family is difficult, and the goal of this blog is to give some great ideas for family and friends that vary in price range.

Amazon saved my life this holiday season, and all of these ideas can be found on amazon.

Idea 1: Rubik's Cube

Although these were created in the 1980's or whatever, they're becoming more popular again.  Most of my friends can solve them,  and my friend Devon just ordered about eighteen different types.

You can order a Sheng Shuo Rubik's cube on amazon for under $7.

Idea 2: Hoodies

If you live in a cold place like I do, hoodies are your life!  Hoodies make great gifts because there are a bunch of designs out there and are affordable for some of your better friends and family.  They also work for both genders. Did I mention that they are comfortable and warm?

You can get this hoodie, along with many others on amazon.  This hoodie is $25.  

Idea 3: Jewelry 

Yes, this may apply mainly to females, however unique jewelry means a lot to a lot of people.  Instead of getting the normal "best friends" split apart necklace, you can find some really interesting designs of jewelry online that would make anyone feel special. 

You can find great jewelry similar to this online at amazon.  You are sure to find one that fits the person you are shopping for! 

Idea 4: Coffee Cups

Coffee mugs are definitely on my Christmas list mostly because I'm currently living off coffee.  

Just kidding, however coffee mugs are practical and you can find many styles and designs that fit a person!

This adorable cookie monster coffee mug not only holds you famous warm drink, but cookies fit his mouth!  You can find this and many other cute mugs on amazon.  

Idea 5) Movie Gift Basket

Who doesn't love candy, popcorn, and movies?  A really great gift for a movie buff friend this Christmas is a popcorn bucket filled with their favorite candy and movies or a cinema gift card.  While these are super easy to make, you can also find them online.  

Yummy (:  I love food!  This gift basket can be found on amazon.

Idea 6) Fuzzy Blankets 

Affordable and warm, blankets are a great idea.  They come in many different colors, patterns, and designs, and you are sure to find one that suits your friends. 

This too is found on amazon, and even though there are millions out there, these are simple, bright, and incredibly soft! (Trust me, I have one)

Have a great holiday season and I hoped I helped to relieve some of the holiday stress this winter (or summer, if you live in the southern hemisphere).  

Happy Holidays!!!

When You Have 15 things to do in 3 Hours... Keep Calm

You know those weeks when you have an activity three of the five days after school and don't get home until six o'clock and then you have shower and eat and chat with your family and by the time you sit down at your desk it's already seven.  That's when you hope you only have a few things due tomorrow but you look at your planner and there are fifteen things for you to do.  Your heart sinks and you take five minutes out of your homework time to go and get some coffee because you know you're going to have to "开夜车" (kai ye che) as they say in Chinese, a.k.a. stay up late studying.

Well, I had one of those weeks.   But instead of complaining, I'm going to give advice for what I do when I have those weeks.


#1:  Keep Calm and Number your assignments.

I originally got this idea from one of my friends back in Hong Kong.  She's probably the smartest, most motivated person I have ever met.  We were talking after netball (a very European sport that most people in the United States haven't heard of) and she told me that when she gets home, she sets out a very precise schedule containing what homework she will do in specific time slots.

I decided to give it a twist and do something similar.  Whenever I get home, I number what I'm going to do and set a goal for how much I will get done.

Even though, I admit, this seems like something only super organized people would do, it's not, trust me. I'm definitely not the most organized person in the world (just check my locker) and this really helps me stay on task.

#2: Keep Calm and Drink Coffee

Coffee is vital to finishing homework.  The caffeine is great and helps you think that you're awake (after all, coffee is meant for morning...) and it tastes amazing.  It gives you that little boost of excitement when you're stuck in a corner staring at a computer screen for hours on ends.

Here's some advice: instead of doing the normal cream and sugar thing, get some of the Coffee House flavored creamer.  It adds a bit of spice, and instead of spending four dollars on a drink at Starbucks, you get it for a fraction of the price.  And don't forget, it's delicious!

#3: Keep Calm and Stay on Task

I know, I know, you already know this.  You've heard it from every teacher you've ever had, and, if your parents are like mine, you've heard it from them too.

But I'm here to tell you that you have to do it. It's not a choice anymore.  When you have fifteen things to do in three hours, stop checking facebook, stop texting your friends, stop leaving your desk to do random tasks.  Even though these little moments seem like they'll only take a second of your time, they add up.  You have to stop.

There is genuine power behind staying on task.  Not only do you avoid wasting time, but it keeps your thought process going.  What you just did stays in your mind for a few short seconds, and if you get up to do something random, that small amount of information is gone.

According to the multitasking website, your brain starts to crash after trying to juggle three or more tasks.  When you add in socializing to your homework, your brain can't handle it, and it starts to shut down.

#4: Keep Calm and Shut the Phone Off

Following off the previous topic, this is vital.  Shutting your phone off is a huge help.

I'm a teenager, I know what there is on our phones - music, games, texting, facebook, messaging, snapchat, instagram, and, of course, iFunny.

When we're doing homework, especially for one of our least favorite classes, we are looking for a distraction.  Our phone is the perfect one. We can spend hours on our phone, unaware of the time passing even though there is a little clock in the upper right hand corner.

By turning off our phone, we save ourselves hours of distractions, and get done with our homework faster.  Here's a tip: go on your phone once your homework is finished.

#5: Keep Calm and Get Some Sleep

Even though it sometimes seems like you have to stay up late and finish every single thing you have to do, there's definitely some greatness in a good nights sleep.  And yes, maybe you won't get those eight hours that you're dying for, but five or six hours is a whole lot better than three.

Not only does sleep make you feel better, but sleep deprivation can cause serious effects on your body. It can lead to depression, paranoia, and hallucinations.  It can make you feel cloudy, and by getting more sleep, you'll be much more efficient during the day.

Plus, what teenager doesn't like to sleep?