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

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