You Are A Badass (Seriously, You Are)

As much as a loathe sitting and listening to things (don't lie, I know you feel the same) I somehow managed to love You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero, regardless of the fact that the book is coming in the mail tonight, and I finished the whole audiobook in two sittings (and yes, I sat and listened).
This book is a self-help book that I recommend to anyone who is stuck in a rut. As someone currently struggling with depression and anxiety (as well as the feeling of impending doom brought on by the fast approaching school year), I have a first hand experience at how self-help books actually help. And trust me, I've had my fair share of moments sitting in my room, listening to a book about 'looking on the bright side' and 'making the best of every situation'. It's kind of like you're on a roller coaster and someone hands you a barf bag. Except you're on a roller coaster. And the bag's gone. And there's barf on your face. In fact, there's barf everywhere.
This book--it isn't like that. This book takes the epitome of badassery and shoves it in your face. Sincero is funny, understandable, and most of all, real. She gives good advice, and makes fun of it--in a sense of 'oh haha I'm silly' and 'yay this is fun', making it not only funny but fun to read. This book is also filled with stories of Sincero's own life, which are hilarious and fun to learn from.
"Why did I pick this book?", you might ask. Well, I'm part of a monthly book club! It's called the Bookfast Club and it's featured on Angelina "Jelly" Draper's blog, linked at the bottom of this post!
But all reasoning aside, I really believe that this book helped me to see my life in a different life.
Also, You Are A Badass. ;)

https://andraper7.wixsite.com/jelly/the-bookfast-club

A High School Survival Guide

Every high schooler knows that if there were a book to tell you how to get through high school without stress, while maintaining straight-As, a close group of friends, and somehow, a neutral mental state, we'd all use it. But even though there can't be a walkthrough, we luckily have Jessica Holsman, author of The High School Survival Guide.
Holsman refers to her book as "your roadmap to: studying, socializing, succeeding" and thats exactly what I would call it. This book gives amazing tips for getting through high school, and (surprisingly) isn't boring! This book is filled with worksheets, motivational cut-outs, outlines, and jokes--lots of them!
This book is a must-read for any high-schooler who is looking for a positive push towards a strong school year. I read this book the summer before my junior year of high school and I can say with complete honestly that I feel more prepared for this year.
As many students, I had a rocky start last year. As well as a rocky middle and end. My grades were not good, and neither was my attendance. I skipped some classes and even almost failed one. But not because I didn't put in the effort, but because I didn't know how to stay strong in school. I just tried to do what I had always done, which didn't work out too well. If I had this book, maybe I wouldn't have done so poorly. This book could've possibly turned around my negative view of school and helped me to make friends, stay committed, and realize how important it is to study and take control of my grades.
To be completely honest, every 179 pages of this book had something useful for me to learn. Of course, some of the things I had known already, but repetition is good for memory. I think this was a great book to read and think every student should consider it, high-schooler or not.

UPDATE | Why I Left + Where i've Been

I left social media for a bit. And not because I wanted to have some awesome third-eye-opening experience, or because I was sick of beauty standards, or anything. Simply because I had low self-esteem. But now I'm over that.

Through learning to love myself, I've become more content, more proud, and more caring. I'm now less of a perfectionist and am ready to embark on a new chapter of my life.

How To Not Suck When She's Sick

So you've been with this girl for a while now and you really like her. You've seen her with and without makeup, all dressed up and in sweatpants, but nothing has prepared you to see her like this. She's sick. Her nose is red, her eyes are puffy, her nose is stuffy, and she's coughing as if there's enough mucus in her throat to fill the empire state building. TMI. But seriously, this girl is a mess.

Now as a guy, you might not know what to do, how to act, what to say…Come on! You're a guy; everything awkward to you! But all your girl wants is to feel better, and as the boyfriend, you've gotta at least make her feel comfortable.

1. Play Nurse!

If you're not busy, and she's okay with you being there, stay with her to keep her company. Go over to her house, and pretend you're her nurse. Get her anything she needs, make sure she's comfy; do things a really loving nurse would do!

• Make Her a "CouchBed"

Couch beds are super fun for when you're sick! It's a change of scenery and you get to be right next to the tv! Take some super soft blankets and pillows and set her up a place to spend the day.

• Bring Her a Care Package

Who doesn't love having soup, tissues, and tea all right in front of you while you're sick? But who wants to go and find all of those things around their house (while they're sick)? If you can, stop by any local drug store and pick up anything you think she'll want or need such as:

- get well messages/cards

- food

- entertainment

- typical things such as hand-sanitizer and tissues
- medicine or supplements such as DayQuil, Emergen-C, and cough drops

- cute gifts like stuffed toys, candles, etc.

There's so much more stuff you could get to make her feel better in spirits!

• Touch Her

If you're not afraid to get sick, or you have a high immune system and a lot of hand-sanitizer, give her a massage or play with her hair. Maybe even let her cuddle with you (again, if you're not afraid of getting sick and she doesn't look like the guy from the Mucinex commercial)(unless you're into that).

     2. Check In With Her

Even if you are there with her, you should still be aware of how she's feeling. Ask her questions like "Are you feeling any better?" or "How are you feeling?". This will make her feel cared for, and even invite her to ask you for something, that she may have not felt comfortable asking you before.

If you are not able to be with her, call her throughout the day and make sure she doesn't need anything, and isn't getting worse.

    3. Make Sure She Isn't Getting Worse

Keep her in bed, and make sure she isn't uncomfortable. Wash your hands, and make her wash hers too. A lot of tissues and some DayQuil can go a long way. If her symptoms do get worse and/or she is in a lot of pain, you may want to take her to a doctor.

All in all, your girlfriend just wants to feel better Doing simple things like these can help your girl feel better emotionally and even physically.

The History of Houndstooth

Houndstooth is a duotone pattern that originated in Scotland in the 1800s. This simple but interesting print is made with alternating bands of four dark and four light threads in both warp and welt; two over and two under the warp. It was originally made on wool outer-garnments worn by shepards. When it was first made it was nicknamed "shepard's check" and later "dogtooth". When a smaller version was made, it was frequently called "puppytooth". These names lasted until the 1930s when the current name "houndstooth" was coined. This was around the time that the pattern was adopted by the upperclass as a symbol of weath.

This pattern was shown in a Christian Dior  line as a pointed, court-like shoe in 1959 and Geoffrey Beene even paired it with lace in the 1960s. Ann Klein also designed with this pattern in a line of menswear.
Although houndstooth is commonly shown in black and white, it is displayed in many other colors as well. Houndstooth also comes back into style every 20-30 years.
All in all, houndstooth is a classic pattern that never goes out of style.

Ferragamo's Houndstooth Dress

Je Ne Sais Quoi

After spending the past year reading every article on being a successful businesswomen, you'd think I'd want to spend the rest of my life in a fancy office, talking money, saving money, and spending money. One could look at me and say, "There's a girl who knows how to make money and run a business". But after two years of whining over the fact that I wanted to own the whole gossip girl closet, Jenny Humphrey's sewing skills, and Elenor Waldorf's eye for design, I realized that I'm into fashion more than I thought.

I have spent hours watching sewing videos, trying to sew, watching the lates fashion shows, and even rereading old magazines to identify changes in trends and styles. I even joined fashion club and even started saving up for a body form. Yet, there's one problem.

As a high schooler, life is kinda tough. I'm spending alot of time doing proofs and watching videos about the cell theory and not enough time doing the things I love.

As many of my friends know, I aspire to major at Harvard Business and study fashion later at FIT in New York. I aspire to designing my own line of readywear and high fashion women's wear. But yet, I can't help but wonder if fashion is really for me. I don't even have the eye or time to pick out fashionable outfits for school, let alone a runway.

And along with that, many people do not see me as someone who is capable of it. And that bothers me.

All in all, I feel like I would be a good businesswomen/designer in the long run but I've got a long way to go.

6 Ways Save Money

1. Whenever you get money, put away a set amount into savings.
This holiday season, I got over $50 from my family, which left me with a little over $125. Like the huge shopper I am, I grabbed a random amount of money, and spent all of it, by the time I left the mall. When I got home, I realized I had less than $100 and decided to put away a set amount of money, every time I earn some. That way, I will have a savings account and will be able to save up money for something I really want, instead of spending it on something that looks good in packaging.

2. Make groups of money set for certain things.
Instead of just saving a bunch of money, and spending it on a plethora of things, put together some envelopes or jars full of money for certain items and spendings. For example, if there are some makeup products you really want and they're $60 total and a couple shirts that you want that are $70 total, and you earn $20 per week, you could put $10 into each envelope and buy some of the products when you get enough money.

3. Eat and drink before you leave to shop (especially if you're grocery shopping)
When you go to a mall or store, many times you will be around food, or near a grocery store. In places such as forever 21 or malls, they place food items and food stores in assorted places around the mall to catch your eye. If you are hungry, you will spend extra money on food instead of on the important things.
When you are grocery shopping and you are hungry, it will make you buy more foods that you wouldn't usually buy if you were not hungry.
You can also bring drinks with you to lower your hunger.

4. Get "in the know"

Make sure you know when the best sales are. Get apps such as shopular, groupon, and retailmenot and sign up for the monthly newsletter at your favorite stores. 

5. Only buy items if you KNOW you will use them.

I can't even tell you how many times I have bought things and never used them. Make sure every item you buy is something that you absolutely need.

6. SALE ITEMS!
This to me is such a biggie. I don't know how to stress this enough. If you find something that you like, but it's more money than you would pay for it, wait until there's a sale or when you have a coupon. You can also sign up to get coupons and be notified of sale items by email and/or use apps such as Groupon