A Busy Busy Life

It's only been a few days through, but my November has already felt full! I couldn't expect anything less than that though, as the holidays roll in everything just sort of seems to happen all at once.

First off, I finished my Personal Progress, which is a program put on by the LDS church. It is a bit like a grouping of small projects organized into Christ-like qualities (ie: faith, virtue, integrity). There are a total of eight qualities, and it has taken me four years to finish. So it's kind of a big deal that I'm finished, and I'm very excited! :) This Sunday I will be receiving a medallion to commemorate my hard work. Below is what it will look like. It also came in silver, but I felt a little daring and decided to choose gold. Mainly because, I think gold will have a way of coming back into style in a few years (ie: Lauren Conrad's beautiful engagement ring), and I like the challenge of matching it with my outfits.

Of course though, in the end, it is only a necklace. The greater reward came in my experiences through Personal Progress.

 

Also, November is extra busy because it is National Writer's Month! I have feverishly been trying to keep up with a  current story I am writing, though I will unfortunately not be able to actually participate in the online event.

 

And who could forget that THANKSGIVING is so close? I am so excited for this holiday. Turkey, biscuits, gravy, and pie....yum. It's like KFC, but better.

 

Last Point! I am at the moment considering dying my hair. It's kind of been an on-off decision for the past couple of weeks. My hair is naturally dark, dark blonde, closer to brown. I would like to go lighter. Basically I'd like to have the following picture:

It will be the first time dying my hair, so it's a bit nerve-wracking. I like this color with all of its dimensions and how it's not just a solid blonde. But we'll see :)

 

I'm sorry I haven't updated in a few weeks. I'll try to continue to be regular even as it gets busier. I hope you are all enjoying the coming holidays!   

 

Au Revoir! xx.

 

PS- Today is 11/12/13 !! Next year will be the last time we see this type of progression in the calendar until another one hundred years.

A Sneak Peek At...

So obviously the name of this blog is,"The Growing Pains of a Teenage Author", but you, my wonderful and amazing readers have no proof of that. (Unless you're my friend Micayla). I suppose blogging is a part of the writing world, but there's more to me than fashion and makeup. I'm a novelist, and on special occasions a poet. I know I'm late but September was Suicide Awareness Month and I thought I'd let you guys in on a poem I wrote for suicide awareness. Fair warning, it does not completely rhyme.

People are going to tell you
That it is not worth it
And you should just give up
They'll hand you the glass
And help you carve a bloody path.

But I'm going to tell you
It is worth it
You are worth it
And you are strong
And loved
And known.

And I'd rather live in a world
Where I can taste sunshine
And feel music
Than to not live at all.

~b.b.

FALLing Into the Swing of Things

Fall is around the corner! You know what that means? Sweaters, scarves, boots, and tea!! And of course, many other cuddle-worthy things.

And if you didn't know, I am extremely excited for fall. It's one of my favorite seasons! Of course though, living where I am, fall only lasts for about two weeks, and then you're thrown into bitter-beautiful winter. But we can adapt :)

So, for your enjoyment, I have a few tips/reviews for some beauty secrets that you can try out this season to mix things up! :)

1. Maybelline Fit Me! Shine-free foundation stick:
    I bought this little fella'  about two weeks ago. I was a little nervous when I first tried it. I was afraid that it might dry my skin out, or not provide any color. (My skin is hopelessly naturally pink/red). But I was happily proven wrong! I just wipe my primer over my face before I put it on, and then I whip it out and rub it on. It's kind of fun to put on too! :) It has a nice matte finish, and gently covers my pinkish skin tone.
2. The Oil Cleansing Method
    I've actually been trying out this face wash method for about three or four months. I've been really excited about the results. For those of you who do not know, the oil cleansing method is a skin care regimen that only includes Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Castor Oil. (Sounds crazy, I know). But, thanks to chemistry (haha, ironic that I'm taking that class this year), but we know that "like dissolves like." So, plug in oil, and you've got, "oil dissolves oil." It makes sense. The castor oil cleans out your pores of the dirt and grime from the day, and the extra virgin olive oil moisturizes. For me personally, it works really well. For combination skin, use a 1:1 ratio, oily skin 2 parts castor oil and 1 part extra virgin olive oil. For dry skin, use 2 parts extra virgin olive oil, and 1 part castor oil.
         Directions:
         1. Rub face with oil, massage--do not scrub.
         2. Wet washcloth with hot water.
         3. Place washcloth onto face, letting the steam clean through your pores. (Like a spa!)
         4. Wipe face with washcloth, wiping away excess oil.
I do this every night, and simply splash my face with water in the morning. If I were to wash it in the morning, my skin would dry out. After I wash my face with the oil, it feels very clean and fresh. Try it out! :)
3. Curling Hair with a Flat Iron
    Over the years I've tried many methods on curling hair. I've come to the conclusion that I like the look that a flat iron provides for curls. Below is a video that shows how you do it. I do it the exact same way. Don't fret if it takes you a while to get the hang of it. Practice makes perfect! :)

Some things to consider wearing this fall:
beanies, faux fur, braids in your hair, sweaters with elbow patches, trench coats, leather, chambray shirts

Hope you all have a lovely day!! Aloha! xx

RED Tour Experience

In my entire life, there has been one thing on my bucket list that I personally thought would never be crossed off. That all changed the night of May 19th.

About four and a half years ago, Taylor Swift's hit song Love Story came out. I listened to it a couple of times, and eventually found other songs by her. I instantly knew that I had become a fan of this lion curly haired, guitar strumming, love sick singer.

Fast forward to present day, and I still constantly hum her songs, admire her strength and courage, and well....fangirl about her :)

However I never thought that I would be able to go to her concert, a dream that was like the stars; always in focus but forever out of reach. May came along when she would be touring in my area, and I gloomed over the internet as I heard all about these incredibly lucky fans who would get to go to her concert, two of them being my friends Micayla and Faith. Another good friend of mine knew how much I loved Taylor Swift, and when opportunity arrived, she came pounding on my door, really my phone. I received a text message asking if I'd like two tickets to her concert, and I had to reread the message about fifteen times so it could process. I STARTED CRYING RIGHT THERE. I immediately responded with a, "Do not tell me this is a joke. Please. I am crying right now." She calmly reassured me that--yes--this was real. And--yes--I COULD GO! Within days the tickets were hot in my hands. AGAIN, I STARTED CRYING. I couldn't believe it, not only was I going to a concert (for the first time!!) but it also just happened to be with my favorite singer! I was so happy. We counted down the days, hours, minutes, and when finally the day came, I could not stand still.

Her opening act was Ed Sheeran, another one of my favorite singers. He was BEAUTIFUL live--the FREAKING VOICE OF AN ANGEL. We all swayed our phones and sang along to his song, "A Team."

This is him singing Lego House. (Not my video)

About an hour later, the curtain came down, and a big sign reading, "RED" dropped to the floor. The music started playing, and I immediately started jumping up and down with a cheek-numbing smile on my face. Throughout the concert, I laughed, cried, smiled, screamed at the top of my lungs, and had the BEST NIGHT OF MY LIFE. At the end of it, I came out with no voice, and my poor mother with ringing ears. But I wouldn't have traded it for anything. I loved it.

If I had to choose, my favorite performances had to be All Too Well, I Knew You Were Trouble, Holy Ground, and We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.

(Not my video)

 

(Not my video)

 

 I hope I'll have another opportunity to go to one of her concerts. Maybe :)

In the end, I left with a ton of memories.

 

 

 

Au revoir!!! xx. 

 

  PS- Thank you for the comments:) They are greatly appreciated.

Back to School!

I'm sorry that it's been a while. Note to self: never give yourself an unusual username that you'll most likely forget in a week #firstworldproblems . So quite a few things have happened in the past month :) One of them being....school; because, hurrah hurrah high school is so much fun!

Anyway, I started on August 5th. My classes included: Beginning Dance, Algebra 2 Honors, Chemistry Honors, English Honors, Concert Choir, and World History Honors, in case you were wondering.

However, if there's one thing I do enjoy about school, it's back to school shopping! Clothes, pencils, backpacks, the whole experience is very thrilling! In fact, I have a few back to school essentials:

1. Ticonderoga Pencils: Those are the yellow pencils with the green metal band on top and blessed erasers that actually work!
2. EOS Lip Balm: This little egg chap-sticks are so darn cute! They come in a variety of colors and flavors.
3. Maybelline Baby Lips: If you're not much of a chap-stick girl, this is the happy medium for you! They come in a variety of flavors and give the perfect tint of color for your lips.
4. Oil Absorbing Sheets: These little packages are like gold! If your skin is on the oilier side (I have combination skin) then just swipe this over your face wherever necessary, any time of day, and it will blot out the oil without ruining your makeup.
5. Cardigan: Simple sweaters that I absolutely adore! Sweet and sophisticated.
6. Ballet Flats: Comfortable and cute! Throw them on to dress up any outfit.

 

Shown above is the outfit I wore on the first day of school. I wore a navy blue cardigan (they had elbow patches!!) and a ivory tank top with a crochet design on the bust. I wore this with my favorite pair of blue jeans, and cheetah print ballet flats. I also curled my hair (with a straightener), and due to lack of time, did minimal makeup. Ha-ha!

Personally, cardigans and a dressy tops are one of my favorite styles!

 

But as far as the first day of school went, it was great! Being myself, the night before I was quite worried. I wouldn't have been able to get through it if it weren't for the many prayers that were said for me, and I am so grateful to those people. 

 

Don't be afraid to comment! Tell me what you wore on the first day of school! What are your school essentials? Love you all!!

 Arrivederci!! xx

Recap of Girl's Camp

If you are familiar with the LDS Church, you will probably have heard of the various camps that they put on. For teen girls, they have Girl's Camp. At Girl's Camp the "big" year is generally the fourth year that you go; and that just happened to be my year. With a couple of new ideas and a lot of changes to the set up than what they would normally do, it was a very anxietous time preparing the camp. 

Early Monday morning, we boarded the buses and took the long drive to get to Camp LoMia. Needless to say, everyone was sprawled out in the seats sleeping. We arrived to a nice campsite. The first day included certification and zip lining. Tomorrow would be the "big" hike. It included a five mile hike up with 'giganto' backpacks that carried all of the essentials: tents, sleeping bags, toilet paper for the log I would be using later, and other things. At first, it didn't seem like a big deal. A five mile hike, pff....please. And for a while, it was fine. Until we got to the enormous mountain we had to climb! There were too many switch backs to count, and as we asked, "how much longer?" the answer was always, "just a half mile more." To top it off, it started to rain. I clung tighter to my jacket as I looked over the side of a tall mountain, imagining the plummet to my death if I were to roll down. Of course, that is a bit of an exaggeration--but that's what it felt like. It was a never ending cry fest of a hike, but our leaders cheered us on as we kept going. With a determined, "BOOYAH!" we continued. My legs felt like Jello, each step just a numb continuation of the other. I wanted to lay in the fetal position and cry until they air lifted me back home. But I would not do that. Just as I thought I really could not continue any more, I heard a faint car honking, and shouts of heroic achievement. My face lit up as we took the last steps to the top of a freaking mountain! It was still raining, and as we set up our tents, a nice stream slid down the mountain, drenching all of our stuff. Exhausted, I slid into my sleeping back and took a well needed nap. Then...

BOOM!

I shot up out of my sleeping bag and nearly jumped to my friend and tent-mate Reagan. Thunder and lightning had begun. Great. Each earth crushing boom was worse than the previous. I thought I was going to die. That was it. Goodbye parents. Goodbye sunshine and all goodness. I was going to die in less than fashionable hiking clothes and without one last shower. To my surprise though, as both I and Reagan peered out of the tent, there was not a big crack in the earth where the thunder had hit. We crawled out to join the other 4th years and leaders around the fire. Damp, cold, and tired, the fire was like Christmas morning. We all huddled around the warmth, our teeth chattering as we laughed at how pitiful the situation was. The important thing was, no one got hurt. We all lived. I turned around to look at the view, and all of a sudden, all of the miserable feelings that hung over me faded away. I looked over at neighboring mountains blanketed in beautiful fog and cloud. I realized there that it would be alright. And even if it had been a pretty disheartening day, it had all been for this. Bonding, learning, growing, and love. I had finally looked up. I smiled, comforted because I knew that I was going to be okay. Despite the "astronaut" dehydrated food, lack of indoor plumbing, and the ever present rain, I was going to live. And I did.

The Church's youth theme for the year is Stand Ye in Holy Places. I learned this year, that yes, life is hard. Life is hard like the hike. But you have got people around you going through the same things. And when you support each other, you can make it through. But in the end, you'll never see the beauty in it unless you look up.

Booyah!

Thanks! Au Revoir!! xx

 

A cartoon from the New Era, Aug. 2013

Theme Illustration for Youth 2013

Life Lessons I Learned From the Princess Diaries

After watching this movie countless times, and practically ruining my only VHS copy of it, I think it's time we all realize that this is a movie that every little four year old girl (or a girl of every age) needs.

The Princess Diaries.

Call me a horrible fan for never reading the books by Meg Cabot, but practically every woman out there can admit that this is a movie we can relate to in one way or another. Whether you are an actual royal princess, or a shy every day girl, we have all had our "Mia Moments." I quote this movie all the time, and I have compiled some of my favorite quotes and life lessons for your enjoyment:)

1. We are all princesses.
2. Best friends are important in your life.
3. Kisses are always better when your foot pops.
4. Some days, your frizzy hair, glasses, and military boot shoes are just as good as it's going to get.
5. When a boy moose thinks you're cute, he'll go, "WAAAH!"
6. You're mom will always be there for you.
7. Shut up does not always mean, shut up.
8. You don't need a man to help you rule a country.
9. Looking like a wannabe backstreet boy does not make him a nice guy.
10. Always carry an extra emergency break in case of knighting ceremonies.
11. Shut up and listen.
12. Take archery lessons.
13. Stomping on a boy's foot is the best way to go in awkward situations.
14. The maids know everything.
15. Riding side saddle is HARD.
16. Loathing can be mistaken for love.
17. The art of the fan is difficult to master.
18. Princesses never cross their legs in public.
19. Gracefully wave and say, "thank you for being here today."
20. Walk tall and proud-- do not schlump.
21. Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket. Never let it fade away.
22. Keeping up a journal is a good idea.
23. Your grandma is awesome.
24. Flying is not the same as sliding.
25. Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.

These are just a few. I could probably think of a lot more, but being eleven o'clock in the evening with red eyes and coming back from a difficult hike across the wilderness, I will settle for 25.

OH WAIT! And an extra one by our lovely Eleanor Roosevelt.
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

I think these are all lessons that we can learn from this movie, it really is a classic. If you haven't seen it go on Netflix right now. Hope you're all enjoying this faint cooler weather. Love you all!

Goodbye!! xx

And for those of us who have those days, just know that even the Princess of Genovia gets them too:)