Update: YouTube, Summer Plans, and School

First off, sorry I haven't been posting lately. I'm not going to promise you that it will change, however if you care to follow me on social media to see what I'm up to here are my links:

Instagram: hanana_reynolds

Twitter: hanana_reynolds

Tumblr: troylereverafter

Pinterest: hananareynolds

Google+: Hanna Reynolds

Back on track, I have started a YouTube channel, it's quite small, but it would be greatly appreciated if you subscribed to me. (Click here!). And if you have any video requests feel free to leave them below. 

This summer I will be in Texas (THE ENTIRE SUMMER!!!!) and I'll probably upload a blog or a few on that.

For now I am super busy finishing up my schoolwork so I can go to Nebraska in a week. I will be vlogging that and uploading that on my YT channel. 

Once again sorry I abandoned you guys. I don't even know if you guys are still here. Goodbye for now! 

xoxo,

Hanna Reynolds

Midnight Tea and "Being Happy"

Hello. Hej. Hola. Tag. Bonjour. Nei Ho. Aloha. Shalom. Namaste. Ni Hao. Hallo. Jambo. Need I go on? Just an interesting introduction because it is very fascinating to me that there are people who read my blog in so many regions of the world. Wow. 

I don't know who to credit for this, but I love it. Travel. Travel. Travel.

For starters.... I JUST HAD TEA AND I NEED TO SLEEP. My aunt bought me a variety sampler pack of like ten different kinds of tea and I don't know what to do with myself. I've come to the conclusion that I can't try all of them in one day; therefore I will have one a day for the next ten days. Yum. Can't wait for peppermint even if Christmas is over... I say as I realize that Valentine's day is in less than two weeks. (I have a post idea... anybody up for it? *raises eyebrows and winks at you though the computer screen*). 

I went shopping today at my favorite local outdoor mall and it just seems to always please me. My first stop was Aeropostale to get stuff from Bethany's Spring collection (Motavator here!)... there was almost nothing left in my size -_- not okay. I got one thing and then they told me that they hadn't gotten their Motavator necklaces in yet so they will call me back.... another "ugh" moment. Then I shopped around for a bit more and purchased several accessories and candles. I got Raspberry Peach Macaron by Bath and Body Works and I am absolutely in love with it. Do you have a favorite B&BW scent? Surprisingly I didn't get very many clothes, I can't spend all of my money at one time now can I? 

After shopping all day it was nice to come home and relax. I cleared out my closet and got rid of things I don't wear anymore and lit my candle and now I am spending time getting caught up on social media. All of the buzz about the Super Bowl is something I don't really understand so I'll leave the yelling at the telly to my family. 

On "being happy", I don't have a set of rules to make it simpler or easier and I have had a lot of friend problems lately. I honestly just want to take a break from the rest of the world and get caught up in a book or lost in a song. I have a viola recital coming up and it's really stressing me out because I will be playing fin front of judges... Stage fright much? As of the moment, right now in this very moment, I am trying very hard to be happy, but I don't feel like I'm coming around to it yet. I don't want this post to get all sad so to end things I just want to say as I say often, You may be sad, but you won't be sad forever, so just give it time.

xoxo.

~Hanna

P.S.Would anyone like a haul post or any requests? 

Things I Have Been Loving. (January 2014)

Yay, we made it through the first month of the new year. Talk about an accomplishment. We still have time to drink up on our hot chocolate and hot tea, but if you're anything like me you'll still be having it in June. Speaking of drinks I have been addicted to smoothies lately. My seven year old cousin wanted me to try her blueberry-strawberry-pomegranate-blackberry-raspberry-mango-pineapple-peaches smoothie, that is a mouthful. Don't let the name scare you off. It's a fruit explosion. 

Ingredients:

1.5 cups of milk

Yoplait Light Fat Free Vanilla 6oz. Yogurt.

1/2 cup of mango, strawberry, pineapple, and peaches

1/2 cup of raspberry, blueberry, strawberry, pomegranate, and blackberries

(not a half cup each, only a half cup of the combination. I purchase them frozen in mixed fruit bags.)

Instructions: Add the milk and yogurt and one of the 1/2 cups of fruit and blend that, then add the other half and blend that.

If chapped lips have been a problem for you this winter then I recommend Burt's Bees Lip Balm. It works miracles. Without it I have a tendency to bite my lips off. My lips are now super soft. I also have Burt's Bees facial cleansing wipes and it removes all of my makeup without drying up my very sensitive skin. 

If you have not listened to James Arthur yet then I think you should look him up. I have had, "Recovery" on repeat. (I think I've listened to it two dozen times today.) He also won the UK X Factor in 2012 if that counts for something. His single, "You're Nobody 'til Somebody Loves You" is also phenomenal. I'm so excited that he has clashed genres of music to make something new, fun, and above all different. 

I'm quite sure you have seen several advertisements for Julep by now, I have four nail polishes by them, a couple of hair ties, and an eye shadow palette. The nail polish is about a 6.75/10. I found that it was really easy to mess up within the first 24 hours even with a very thin coat, but after that it lasted for about a week and a half with minimal chipping. The palette receives a 7/10. It goes on easily and there isn't very much fallout, but it did settle into my creases quite a bit. I have a very pink/pale skin tone and the colors were also a bit to yellow for me. I still use this product regularly though. 

On the subject of beauty I am absolutely in love with a nail polish that was given to me for Christmas. It's by Sally Hansen and the name is *drum roll* Mermaid's Tail. Finding a nail polish I like can be hard enough, but finding one I like with a fantastic name is just great. I've only had it on for a day so this isn't really a review, but I am really hoping it ends up being as grand as I want it to be. I know this color isn't for everybody, but I just think it is so mystique and literally like a Mermaid's Tail. 

Lastly I would like to throw in a short mention to my first dry shampoo. I don't know why I have always veered away from them, but for only $2.88 at the Walmart I couldn't really turn it down. I am quite impressed by how much I like it, especially for the price. It smells amazing and doesn't seem to weigh my hair down at all. I feel like I'm not wearing anything in my hair. I wouldn't say it last very long, but it will buy you a day.

 What have you been loving lately? January favorites? Lifetime favorites? 

xoxo.

~Hanna

The Best Thing In My Life.

Hello my lovelies! 

I am literally so tired right now. It's four o' clock in the morning here on a Saturday night/Sunday morning. The only thing I want to do right now is crawl into my bed with tea and a book. I'm currently reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, although I am barely into it.. it seems interesting. Have any of you read it? Honestly I am very confused with it at the moment. Enough on that. 

One word. This word should make you melt like chocolate. Are you ready? Brace yourself. 1. 2.. 3... CHIPOTLE. Oh my. It is my absolute favorite place to eat. Some people have Nandos some have McDonalds, but Chipotle is mine. My order: (Unless I feel like being spontaneous and changing it up) is always 3 Corn soft tortillas, I recently made the switch from flour to corn and I'm surprised that I like it. Chicken, Sour Cream, Cheese, Pico de Gallo, Chili-Red Sauce, and a LITTLE BIT of Lettuce. I swear it will change your life. I would have taken a picture of my food to show you guys, but it was gone in around 5 minutes, so here is an ever-so-lovely picture of the food lineup. 

It's just to much. I can't take it. Sigh.

Afterwards my friend and I went to see "The Wolf of Wall Street" although it was a lot more vulgar and obscene than I originally expected I am thinking over my life very excessively now. The good news is: It makes me feel like less of a bad person. I don't really consider myself to be a bad person anyways, but you know. The better good news: LEONARDO DICAPRIO. Sorry no pictures, copyright and stuff, but to brighten things up here is a picture of tonight's lovely sunset. I love the pinks and blues and yellows working together.

In case you can't tell yet I love sunsets. Expect more.

To end my night I got to FaceTime my best friend, whom I have not seen in nearly a month. My day kind of started off mundane and subpar I had a marvelous night and was glad to be around supportive family and friends. Moral of the day: Things do get better. 

I have no words for my hair.

Pick your chin up darling and smile. Thank you for reading! Did anyone notice my blog remodel? Spent hours doing it. Until next time. Should I do a quick, easy, and healthy snack guide as my next post or any requests?

Necklace- Forever 21 ( I'm wearing it backwards though)
Jacket- Forever 21 (previously mentioned here as my favorite item in my wardrobe.)
Earrings- Kohl's

Liebster Award 2014!!!!

Woahhhh. Everyone, I got nominated for an award. I repeat: SOMEBODY ACTUALLY NOMINATED ME FOR AN AWARD. Thank you Amy! 

Rules of the award: 

Link the blog that nominated you for the award
Choose 11 bloggers to nominate who have less than 200 followers
Answer the 11 questions given to you
Let the people you have nominated know that you have done so
You can't nominate the person that nominated you
Create 11 questions for the people you nominate to answer

1) What made you want to start a blog?

The opportunity to know people from all over the world and sharing my opinions and advice to anyone who wants to listen. I think it's amazing how I can have friends in places like Croatia or Peru and that I can branch out to people who are so far away. 

2) Lipstick or lipgloss?

Lipgloss, hands down. Every once in a while I will reach for one of my favorite lipsticks, but I don't even carry any in my travel makeup bag. I'm quite sure I have over 25 lipglosses throughout my room. 

3) Favourite Nail Polish Brand?

Essie. I don't know if I even own one, but I just love how there are so many colors and when I get my nails done at the salon I usually look for a new Essie shade.

4) Name 5 places you want to travel?

(This is my favourite question!) I love traveling and I hope to incorporate it into my career one day.... whenever I graduate from high school and university. 1. Uganda 2. Norwich, England 3. Bora Bora 4. Alaska 5. South Korea, but realistically I want to go everywhere that I can. I've only traveled out of the United Sates once though.

5) Do you plan on staying in the country that you're in or moving?

I would love to move abroad. I think it would be so fascinating to learn about new cultures and people. Albeit I am not much of a people person, I love having the chance to meet people. There are so many possibilities in other regions of the world and I don't want to miss out on. 

6) Top 3 films?

1. Crazy, Stupid, Love

2. The Perks of Being a Wallflower 

3. Frozen (I had to throw in a Disney one)

7) One makeup item you can't live without?

Concealer. It it my holy grail item. I really don't have a brand preference yet, but I do like concealer sticks better than liquids.

8) Who's your role model?

Demi Lovato, Louise, and/or Zoella. Demi is so inspiring and her music and story really have a major impact on my life. Louise and Zoella are both hilarious and bea-u-ti-ful. I truly look up to this trio of girls for advice and when I am in self-doubt, watching them seems to pick me up. 

9) Fav high street Store? (Drugstore for all the Americans who are confused by this term.)

I'm just going to list brands instead of stores, because I don't really shop at any particular high street/ drugstore shops... Rimmel, Revlon, L'oreal, and Maybelline. 

10) Last thing you bought?

A Vanilla Chai Tea from Dunkin' Donuts. Yummmmy!

11) Fav item in our wardrobe?

My Faux Leather Jacket from Forever 21. I wouldn't say the quality is all that nice, but I love how it fits and the Moto Chic vibe it has. 

      A massive thank you to Amy for my nomination. Please go check out her blog and read her questions from her nomination. 

My questions:

1) Favorite clothing store and why?

2) What's your favorite book and why?

3) What did you have for breakfast this morning?

4) How many places have you traveled to?

5) The color on your nails right now (or the last color on them)?

6) Biggest fashion mistake? (Pictures?)

7) What was your New Year's Resolution?

8) Have you ever dyed your hair?

9) Favorite superhero?

10) Do you play any instruments?

11) Pumps, Boots, or Flats?

My Nominations:

Antonela

Jordan

Shalay

Sandra

Bryn

Selina

R

Nadja

Ayesha

Laura

Vanessa

*I'm not 100% sure these blogs have under 200 followers...*

I have spent 3 hours looking through blogs to select for my nominations. Have Fun! Feel free to follow my blog... haha self-promotion. Adios.

xoxo.

~Hanna

Simple Things

Recently I made the discovery (probably not the first) whilst I was painting my nails that if you put nail polish remover on lined paper the ink spreads. I thought I would take advantage of the opportunity for a photograph. I then realized how easily simple things fascinate me. This wasn't very shocking for me, but some people would see it as a ruined piece of paper. Put your creativity to it's best possible use and find something beautiful in everything. Don't let people rain on your parade if you think that the snow looks the best when there aren't any footprints in it (which I have pictures of on my camera). Just appreciate the simple things and you will be a happier person. This is kind of one of those pointless posts, but I just feel like it's necessary to sometimes take a step back from all the struggles and difficulties we come across every day to notice how happy we can be, if we let ourselves. Let yourself be happy. Sorry for the cheesy post. 

Here is the song I'm recommending at the moment. (Because I'm listening to it right now). I'm always experimenting with new genres. New music is for me is food for my soul.

Here is a picture of a gloomy sunrise without the sun.

xoxo.

~Hanna

7 Hobbies/Activities to Pick Up.

   

       I always put an image at the beginning of my blog post and today I wanted to get a quote (because I have quotes scattered throughout my life and I adore them). I got on my favorite quote website (brainyquote.com) and was looking under the inspiration category and I came across this. They didn't have an image along with it so I created this one, but even though I am still young I feel like I'm often living my life for the future. I don't ever take time to appreciate what opportunities I may find now. Therefore the beginning of this post goes to taking opportunities, even if you have to look for them. Onto the rest of the post, 8 hobby or activity ideas for you to learn or pickup. (There is not a requirement to do any or all of these, they are only suggestions.)

1. Musical Instruments. I play the viola and a little piano, both on an amateur level, but nonetheless I am quite fond of them. For a lot of people playing an instrument is a fantastic stress release, but that doesn't mean it is right for you. If you are considering this then don't be afraid to do something completely random like the banjo (my neighbor plays) or the bagpipes (my previous orchestra teacher). Be spontaneous. Don't give up.

2. Pick up a Sport. There are hundreds of sport activities all around you whether it is playing volleyball with your church or being on your school's basketball team, or it could be something that isn't so mainstream like fencing. Not only are sports physical activity, but they can teach you discipline, like gymnastics, and/or intense strategy.

3. and whilst we're on the topic of strategy, School Clubs. Now you can probably guess that I am referring to chess club, but as unusual and commonly mocked it is, I find it quite interesting. I can barely play on a beginner level and I've only been playing online for a month or so. It is very brain stimulating and has actually been proven to improve life skills. Albeit I'm not in a chess club, I think I would be more competitive if I had to play against a real life opponent. I know that I've only talked about chess in this category, but look around your school at clubs or even around your city/town. If you can't find anything that you seem to desire, maybe you could start your own club at school. Don't be afraid to be different.

4. Gardening. I do not have a green thumb whatsoever and the closest I have ever come to it was when I grew tomatoes in my backyard when I was 7. I, however, do know that some people find it very therapeutic. Maybe it will be your niche, so give it a shot. You really don't have anything to lose.

5. Meditation. Yes, this is a habit more than a hobby. I do meditate occasionally and have discovered that it will usually keep me in a positive mood all day. I am not an expert and honestly for my first time I searched on google how to meditate, but I don't feel like there is a completely wrong way to do it. If you have been super bothered by everything lately then just give it a shot for 15 minutes a day and see if it makes a difference.

6. Crafting. If you are looking to bring out your inner-creative side then all you need to do is create a pinterest account, seriously. Don't overwhelm yourself with five projects at once and keep in mind that you are doing this for fun so don't fret if it isn't to your standards. The perfectionist that I am will often cause dilemmas for me when I do DIY projects or look through old sketch books, but in reality just take a step back and feel proud of yourself for completing something. There is a reward in completion. 

7. Cooking. Once again I am not very good in the kitchen. I can barely make pancakes, but some people find it very soothing. There are so many aspects to cooking and new things to try. Whether it's barbecuing on the grill, making a fruit smoothie, or experimenting with a new spaghetti sauce. Jump over the edge of your comfort zone. 

8. Reading. I constantly have my nose in a book. The thing about finding a marvelous book is for a little while you can be somebody else. You don't have to be the quiet girl you can be mysterious and fierce. You don't have to be the obnoxiously loud one, you can be the delightful dancer. If you ever need a book to read or a review of a book I will be more than happy to comply. I would say it's nice to relax into a nice book, but in reality half of the books I read have tears streaming down my face and the other half has me bouncing on my toes. Just enjoy it. 

xoxo.

~Hanna