As the holiday season is approaching, it almost vacation time! Time to get out of the house, out of the work place, and out of school to relax and take some much needed time off. What you don't want to do is spend your entire trip hauling around a suitcase that weighs as much as a car, or that's bigger than your closet itself. Its important to save space, whether that means leaving a few items behind that you don't really need, or getting creative when it comes to packing the things you can't live without.
One thing you can try is rolling your clothes instead of folding them to take up less space. This trick it super easy and will allow you to pack more clothes, without wrinkling them or shoving them into your suitcase or bag. For an added plus, throw in a dryer sheet to keep them smelling fresh.
Pack your dirty shoes in a shower cap so dirt doesn't get on your clothes and thread your necklaces through a straw to stop tangling along the journey.
Next, don't worry about saving space for your iHome. You can turn any cup into a speaker for your phone by dropping it in and letting it echo on the sides of the cup. Dance party, anywhere.
If you are traveling to a different time zone, chances are your sleep schedule will take a toll on you. If you want to avoid jet lag, try exercising a lot the day before you travel. Then, once you land, get lots of fresh air, especially if you are in high altitudes. This wears your body out if its not used to it naturally. I like to go for a long run a few days before hand, and if I do a lot of walking, try to get extra sleep during my trip.
If you tend to get chilly on the plane ride, try packing a light weight scarf in your carry on. Use it as a little blanket or pillow on the ride and once you arrive at your destination, you have the perfect accessory to add to any outfit.
When it comes to bringing makeup and face products, this tends to be my biggest hassle. Most of them are too big to fit in my bag and if I'm flying its not even regulation to have anything over 3 ounces. Contact cases make great storage for on the go. Just squirt some of your favorite foundation in the case, a little goes a long way, and screw the cap on. Good to go.
If your are going to a place where pick pockets are a problem, you want to put your extra cash somewhere safer than a wallet. Empty out an old chap stick container and roll up the bills to fit inside. Perfect hiding place. I mean you've probably already filled your contact case with lip balm, so keeping money in the empty lip balm only makes sense.
Happy traveling!
Word count: 501
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Sunday, October 19, 2014
5 things you can do while blow drying your hair
Drying your hair takes time, and in the morning time is valuable. Not to mention this is one of the most undervalued times to multitask. Sure, the number of things you can do while simultaneously holding a blow dryer in your hand is limited but don't underestimate yourself!
Whiten your teeth. Some of the more recent developments in the teeth whitening industry only take around 25-30 minutes. And thing of all the things you CAN'T do while whitening your teeth. Apply whitening strips right before you pick up a blow dryer and knockout a good portion of the half hour period.
Clear up your skin. If you're anything like me, you start the week off with every intention of having good, clean skin hygiene, but you never seem to get around to applying those one-use clay masks that only take 2-3 minutes. This is a great opportunity to make better use of your time! Since you'll have hair blowing everywhere (including in your face) its best to pick a mask that dries quickly that you can apply right before you turn on the dryer.
Work on your quads. Doing squats is a great in-place exercise you can do while drying your hair that, if done daily, will help tone your muscles in your thighs and butt. The best part is.. it's hands free! See how many you can get done during the time it takes your hair to dry and try to improve each day. For added bonus, add a knee lift each time you come up from your squat.
Let products dry. What better time to let your pedicure set that when there's a bunch of air blowing in the room? If you're afraid of your nails smudging, add a quick top coat of Essie Quick-e. Decide to go the way of self tanner? Apply it before you dry your hair to ensure its had enough time to soak into the skin.
Set goals for your day. This one sounds cheesy, but when you think about it, it's something you never would think about doing and now you can't make the excuse that you don't have time..
Set two or three goals that you'd like to accomplish, they can be as simple as getting your homework done before 9 or introducing yourself to one new person. Write them down on a sticky note and hang it on your mirror. Regardless, this is a great habit to get into. If you set goals each day you will be better prepared for the future ahead:)
Word count: 434
Whiten your teeth. Some of the more recent developments in the teeth whitening industry only take around 25-30 minutes. And thing of all the things you CAN'T do while whitening your teeth. Apply whitening strips right before you pick up a blow dryer and knockout a good portion of the half hour period.
Clear up your skin. If you're anything like me, you start the week off with every intention of having good, clean skin hygiene, but you never seem to get around to applying those one-use clay masks that only take 2-3 minutes. This is a great opportunity to make better use of your time! Since you'll have hair blowing everywhere (including in your face) its best to pick a mask that dries quickly that you can apply right before you turn on the dryer.
Work on your quads. Doing squats is a great in-place exercise you can do while drying your hair that, if done daily, will help tone your muscles in your thighs and butt. The best part is.. it's hands free! See how many you can get done during the time it takes your hair to dry and try to improve each day. For added bonus, add a knee lift each time you come up from your squat.
Let products dry. What better time to let your pedicure set that when there's a bunch of air blowing in the room? If you're afraid of your nails smudging, add a quick top coat of Essie Quick-e. Decide to go the way of self tanner? Apply it before you dry your hair to ensure its had enough time to soak into the skin.
Set goals for your day. This one sounds cheesy, but when you think about it, it's something you never would think about doing and now you can't make the excuse that you don't have time..
Set two or three goals that you'd like to accomplish, they can be as simple as getting your homework done before 9 or introducing yourself to one new person. Write them down on a sticky note and hang it on your mirror. Regardless, this is a great habit to get into. If you set goals each day you will be better prepared for the future ahead:)
Word count: 434
Manipulation through beauty advertising
Have you ever looked at an ad in a magazine and thought, "I have to have that," because
a. "It would make my life better"
b. "It would make me more popular"
c. "It would make me more appealing"
If so, you are most likely a victim of advertisers many strategies to manipulate the minds of women all around the world. But don't feel bad, you aren't alone in this. It happens to everyone.
But we can't always just blame the big companies, after all they are just doing their best to sell their products and make money like everyone else. The ones who do this the best will sell the most and generate the most revenue.
This week in class I did an analysis of a beauty advertisement for EOS that I found in a Teen Vogue magazine. This was an interesting project and it really got me thinking about ads in general and I had some fun looking at others I found on the internet.
Despite the cool effects you an achieve on software applications like photo shop, you still need an ad that will stick in some one's head if you want it to sell. Some of these ads do just that.
I love this McDonald's ad because its able to get its selling point across without even using and text. Its clever and cleanly done. The idea of Mc Donald's being healthy these days is almost comical, but this ad shows how they almost manipulate you into seeing french fries as healthy.
Tackling women's sport in advertising can be tricky. If you over-feminise, it can be borderline disrespectful, but if you don't experiment enough, it could mean a lousy campaign. Thankfully, MasterCard have mastered the subject (no pun intended) with this clever and cute ad for the Women's golf tournament.
The art of manipulation through all types of advertising continues to grow and change each year, it will be interesting to see what clever ad creators will come up with in years to come.
Word count: 343
a. "It would make my life better"
b. "It would make me more popular"
c. "It would make me more appealing"
If so, you are most likely a victim of advertisers many strategies to manipulate the minds of women all around the world. But don't feel bad, you aren't alone in this. It happens to everyone.
But we can't always just blame the big companies, after all they are just doing their best to sell their products and make money like everyone else. The ones who do this the best will sell the most and generate the most revenue.
This week in class I did an analysis of a beauty advertisement for EOS that I found in a Teen Vogue magazine. This was an interesting project and it really got me thinking about ads in general and I had some fun looking at others I found on the internet.Despite the cool effects you an achieve on software applications like photo shop, you still need an ad that will stick in some one's head if you want it to sell. Some of these ads do just that.
I love this McDonald's ad because its able to get its selling point across without even using and text. Its clever and cleanly done. The idea of Mc Donald's being healthy these days is almost comical, but this ad shows how they almost manipulate you into seeing french fries as healthy.
Tackling women's sport in advertising can be tricky. If you over-feminise, it can be borderline disrespectful, but if you don't experiment enough, it could mean a lousy campaign. Thankfully, MasterCard have mastered the subject (no pun intended) with this clever and cute ad for the Women's golf tournament.
The art of manipulation through all types of advertising continues to grow and change each year, it will be interesting to see what clever ad creators will come up with in years to come.
Word count: 343
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Time savers for the perpetually late
Being late is avoidable, however I can speak from experience when I say, once you are in the situation it's a tricky one to get out of. Whether you are a regular member of the late club or it just happens every once in a while, we all end up there eventually. Being time efficient with your tasks can help eliminate the need to speed to work or school, or forget things as your running out the door because you're too occupied with trying to figure out just how behind schedule you are.
Imagine this; Your alarm clock buzzes in the morning and the only thing you can bear to mutter is "not yet," and roll over while simultaneously hitting the snooze button. To make matters worse you forgot to apply deodorant and the lip balm you had stashed in your car ran out.
Classic. That is not going to be a great start to your day. You should always keep an "emergency kit" that has all the essentials you tend to forget in the morning, ready and available. This not only keeps you prepared in case of a situation like this, but for me, it keeps my mind at ease and creates less stress to remember everything in the morning because I know if I do by chance forget something, I have it in my locker where I can grab it whenever I need it.
You should also have a go-to hair style, especially if you tend to straighten or curl your hair everyday. When you are late, you shouldn't have to rush to heat up the tools. You should keep a go-to hair product that you can use in replacement. Something like a wave enhancing spray that you can apply to wet or damp hair right out of the shower and let it air dry on the way to your destination.
Lastly this may seem obvious, but a great way to have yourself off to a head start is to plan and pack the night before. Whether you have an after school sport or you have trouble deciding what to wear in the morning, it helps to plan ahead and lay everything out the night before. Pick out your clothes and set everything you need to remember to bring the next day in plain sight, by the door, or next to your car keys so you can't miss it in a hurry. A great way to avoid late-ness is to get yourself started on the right foot to begin with. :)
Word count: 421
Imagine this; Your alarm clock buzzes in the morning and the only thing you can bear to mutter is "not yet," and roll over while simultaneously hitting the snooze button. To make matters worse you forgot to apply deodorant and the lip balm you had stashed in your car ran out.
Classic. That is not going to be a great start to your day. You should always keep an "emergency kit" that has all the essentials you tend to forget in the morning, ready and available. This not only keeps you prepared in case of a situation like this, but for me, it keeps my mind at ease and creates less stress to remember everything in the morning because I know if I do by chance forget something, I have it in my locker where I can grab it whenever I need it.You should also have a go-to hair style, especially if you tend to straighten or curl your hair everyday. When you are late, you shouldn't have to rush to heat up the tools. You should keep a go-to hair product that you can use in replacement. Something like a wave enhancing spray that you can apply to wet or damp hair right out of the shower and let it air dry on the way to your destination.
Lastly this may seem obvious, but a great way to have yourself off to a head start is to plan and pack the night before. Whether you have an after school sport or you have trouble deciding what to wear in the morning, it helps to plan ahead and lay everything out the night before. Pick out your clothes and set everything you need to remember to bring the next day in plain sight, by the door, or next to your car keys so you can't miss it in a hurry. A great way to avoid late-ness is to get yourself started on the right foot to begin with. :)
Word count: 421
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Are you ruining your hair?
Our hair is a mysterious thing and some days it even seems to have a mind of its own. But even on the days when you and your hair aren't on the best terms, its important to take care of it and prevent it from future damage. Sometimes you accidentally do things that may be causing damage, without even knowing it.
If you don't use protection when you turn on the hot helpers (flat iron, curling iron, etc.) then you are only hurting yourself. Its ridiculously easy to apply a heat protectant spray, spraying it on just like hair spray and letting it dry, to help with split ends and permanent damage. It creates a protective barrier between the hair cuticle and the heat of your beauty tools.
Another way you may be accidentally hurting your follicles is by OD-ing on moisture. This is fairly common because it is usually stressed to moisturize as much as possible, but that's not necessarily the case. Silicons are the ingredients in many smoothing, moisturizing products that leave your hair looking especially shiny, but they can build up over time and lead to dull, stringy strands. One solution? Using a silicone-free conditioner, like Living Proof’s Leave-In Conditioner ($24)
Next, your hair is made up of protein, so make sure you’re eating
enough of it. Think: fish, chicken, lentils, and other beans. Other foods that
contain an amino acid will also help your hair stay healthy—reach for pork, broccoli, and red peppers.
Word count: 418
If you don't use protection when you turn on the hot helpers (flat iron, curling iron, etc.) then you are only hurting yourself. Its ridiculously easy to apply a heat protectant spray, spraying it on just like hair spray and letting it dry, to help with split ends and permanent damage. It creates a protective barrier between the hair cuticle and the heat of your beauty tools.
Another way you may be accidentally hurting your follicles is by OD-ing on moisture. This is fairly common because it is usually stressed to moisturize as much as possible, but that's not necessarily the case. Silicons are the ingredients in many smoothing, moisturizing products that leave your hair looking especially shiny, but they can build up over time and lead to dull, stringy strands. One solution? Using a silicone-free conditioner, like Living Proof’s Leave-In Conditioner ($24)
Next, your hair is made up of protein, so make sure you’re eating
enough of it. Think: fish, chicken, lentils, and other beans. Other foods that
contain an amino acid will also help your hair stay healthy—reach for pork, broccoli, and red peppers.
The next tip comes right after your shower and is something most people are surprised by.
Drying your hair with a towel isn’t cutting it. A plain
cotton tee is a much better option. The texture of an ordinary bath towel actually
roughs up your cuticle and leaves it frizzy, while a t-shirt can combat that.
Just squeeze excess moisture out gently, pull your hair through the neck of the
t-shirt, and wrap it in a turban style.
Lastly, a simple one. And it's aggressive brushing. This one is terrible because it happens most likely every day after you shower, which is when your hair is the most venerable. Its soft because of the conditioner from the shower and its wet, a deadly combination. A tactic that I've been using for years that makes brushing easier on me and my hair is bringing a hairbrush into the shower and combing through my hair, gently, while I have conditioner in. This removes the tangles without stressing out the hair as much.
The right blush for your skintone
We've all seen it. Someone who overdid it just a tad on the blush that morning and ended up looking more like a clown than a girl. It happens to the best of us, but its an easy fix.
Sometimes how blush looks on the skin has less to do with the amount you apply and more to do with finding the shade that is going to compliment your skin tone and give you the radiant look you desire without looking ridiculous. One thing is for sure, putting blush on is one of the best way to instantly radiate your skin and give a glow that makes you look more cheerful and happy.
Your gut instinct may be to go with the color you like the best or the one you think looks like the one "everyone else wears," but just like we all wear a different clothing size, we all have different skin tones and different color compliment them differently. Whether you prefer cream blush or powder, finding the right color is the most important, second to application. Keeping it light is the best way to make sure you won't have a blush catastrophe. You can always add more, but its almost impossible to remove what you've already done without having to completely start over with your makeup. And when it comes to getting ready for school, time is of the essence.
For fair skin, its important not to go too dark. You don't want to overpower your beautiful porcelain skin. Stick with a light peachy pink and a light application for more of a glow than a "blush".
For medium skin tones, just like fair skin, peaches and pinks are your best go-to, however you may want to take it a step further and go a shade or two darker. A rich pink or even mauve will provide
you with a lasting glow, without being too much.
For darker skin tones, deep shades of red, orange, and brown look best. Pink colors will tend to leave you looking more washed out than flushed.
Keep the blush focused on the apples of your cheeks for daytime wear and bring it up the cheekbones for a nighttime look. If you want something more dramatic you can always use contour shades with darker bronzier colors and a lighter highlight shade on the top of your cheekbones. However when it comes to contouring, especially during the day, like grandma always said, less is more.
Word count: 412
Sometimes how blush looks on the skin has less to do with the amount you apply and more to do with finding the shade that is going to compliment your skin tone and give you the radiant look you desire without looking ridiculous. One thing is for sure, putting blush on is one of the best way to instantly radiate your skin and give a glow that makes you look more cheerful and happy.
Your gut instinct may be to go with the color you like the best or the one you think looks like the one "everyone else wears," but just like we all wear a different clothing size, we all have different skin tones and different color compliment them differently. Whether you prefer cream blush or powder, finding the right color is the most important, second to application. Keeping it light is the best way to make sure you won't have a blush catastrophe. You can always add more, but its almost impossible to remove what you've already done without having to completely start over with your makeup. And when it comes to getting ready for school, time is of the essence.
For fair skin, its important not to go too dark. You don't want to overpower your beautiful porcelain skin. Stick with a light peachy pink and a light application for more of a glow than a "blush".
For medium skin tones, just like fair skin, peaches and pinks are your best go-to, however you may want to take it a step further and go a shade or two darker. A rich pink or even mauve will provide
you with a lasting glow, without being too much.
For darker skin tones, deep shades of red, orange, and brown look best. Pink colors will tend to leave you looking more washed out than flushed.
Word count: 412
Fall trends worth trying
This fall is bringing in lots of new clothing and hair trends, both good and bad. There are some I like more than others, and some I would never wear myself. One thing is for sure, no one is afraid to experiment with various colors, lengths, and trends this fall.
Hats are an interesting piece to play with in an outfit, but its also an easy thing to get wrong. Adding a beanie to an outfit is almost always a plus. But you can't forget about all the other types of head wear. Fedoras, floppy knit hats, baseball caps, and headband are all things that add personality and a fun element to an otherwise boring outfit. I love the way the grey beanie looks paired with this dark colored flannel shirt. In the picture you can see how she layers this with a cream colored hoodie underneath. Add a pair of dark wash skinny jeans, some white Chuck Tailors and this makes the perfect outfit for autumn.
Embracing classic prints seems to be another huge trend this all. When you get tired of floral from spring, try hounds tooth for fall. This pattern has been huge on the runway lately. The great part is that it goes with almost anything. And I love this paired with bright colors like red and royal blue. You have to be careful however, too much of this pattern can be overpowering to the eyes. Try to keep the print small or limit it to a single piece instead of the entire outfit. This picture shows a great option for a more formal pairing with the black mixed with the pattern. Notice how she keeps the waist high.
One color I have always loved but never think to wear is emerald green. It looks great paired with other jewel toned colors like amethyst (a purple color). You see this a lot on the runway as well. This color is great for fall, as well as spring and summer. Light emerald is great for casual attire and darker emerald can be turned into a sultry formal outfit. This spring dress is simple but has a beautiful cut at the bottom, giving it the flare that makes it a perfect go-to for a day out. For fall, just throw on a cardigan, add a pair of fun sandals and a neutral tote of bag and you're good to go.
Word count: 402
Hats are an interesting piece to play with in an outfit, but its also an easy thing to get wrong. Adding a beanie to an outfit is almost always a plus. But you can't forget about all the other types of head wear. Fedoras, floppy knit hats, baseball caps, and headband are all things that add personality and a fun element to an otherwise boring outfit. I love the way the grey beanie looks paired with this dark colored flannel shirt. In the picture you can see how she layers this with a cream colored hoodie underneath. Add a pair of dark wash skinny jeans, some white Chuck Tailors and this makes the perfect outfit for autumn.Embracing classic prints seems to be another huge trend this all. When you get tired of floral from spring, try hounds tooth for fall. This pattern has been huge on the runway lately. The great part is that it goes with almost anything. And I love this paired with bright colors like red and royal blue. You have to be careful however, too much of this pattern can be overpowering to the eyes. Try to keep the print small or limit it to a single piece instead of the entire outfit. This picture shows a great option for a more formal pairing with the black mixed with the pattern. Notice how she keeps the waist high.One color I have always loved but never think to wear is emerald green. It looks great paired with other jewel toned colors like amethyst (a purple color). You see this a lot on the runway as well. This color is great for fall, as well as spring and summer. Light emerald is great for casual attire and darker emerald can be turned into a sultry formal outfit. This spring dress is simple but has a beautiful cut at the bottom, giving it the flare that makes it a perfect go-to for a day out. For fall, just throw on a cardigan, add a pair of fun sandals and a neutral tote of bag and you're good to go.
Word count: 402
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