Top Tips: Keeping your skin under control even during the Winter months

Hey guys!

Since it's been getting really cold, well where i live anyway. I can't even step out of my house without wearing a big winter jacket, scarf, gloves and a hat our skin has been getting drier due to the cold weather, for anyone that suffers with eczema all year round its bound to get worse during the cold winter months.

Inside air

Believe it or not, hanging out indoors can be just as bad as hanging outside with the cold elements. The artifical heat we use to keep us warm and cosy dries out the air. Use a humidifier whenever possible to restore some mosture back into the air-- and skin.

Protect your hands

You use your hands all day long, so by having dry,cracked skin it can become an issue. Protect them by popping on a pair of gloves everytime you go out and apply a thick hand lotion several times a day.

Your body is important too

Just like you have to take care when washing your hands, do the same for the skin on the rest of your body when you shower. Those long, luxurious showers do feel great when it's cold outside, but they'll leave you dry and itchy. Swap those for quick showers and keep the water as cool as you can stand. Use a mild or soap-free cleanser with added moisturizers, and then pat dry -- don't rub. Moisturize within three to five minutes of drying off, preferably while your skin is still damp to take advantage of that moisture.

About the face

Take care of the skin on your face so you can face the world this winter. Wash your face before you go to bed with a mild cleanser, but skip your morning suds. You don't need any more soap when all you've done is sleep -- just splash with water to refresh your face. The same goes for the rest of the day. Use water and a soft washcloth to wash away or refresh your face, saving soap for when you really need it. Moisturize your face twice a day, and add a bit of extra moisture by switching your facial moisturizer. During the winter months, use a nighttime formula all day long, since those are typically oil-based and much thicker.

Thats it! Hope you guys got a few tips from this:)

~Laura

Top Tips: Keep Your Hair Healthier and Happier!

Hey guys!
Today i'll be sharing a few tips on how to make your hair healthier, softer and shiner!

Comb or brush your hair carefully. If you have knots in your hair use hair detangler only on that knot.

Use hair serum from any product brands. You also need to use thermal protection serum if you're going to use heat styling products on your hair. If you have frizzy hair then you should use Anti frizz thermal protection. Do not use heat styling agent.

After a shower, never rub your hair with a towel, it will cause breakage and damage to the wet hair shaft. You can use a hair dryer on low and cool settings. Your hair gets damaged easily when wet.

If you desire to really maximize the healthiness of your hair, use coconut milk on your hair. On DRY hair, pour coconut milk oil on all over your scalp and then cover your hair with shower cap and leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse. You may shampoo and condition. Frequent use of coconut oil will lead you to have extra manageable, healthy looking, so soft and smooth, hair all day!

For better results, leave the oil in your hair overnight and shampoo the next morning for deep conditioning. This is very essential during the Winter months if you live in a cold climate.

Do trim your hair to often.

This is so that the damaged ends will be snipped off and there will be no split-ends

• Wash your hair every other day. It is recommended women wash their hair 2-3 times a week. Washing and conditioning your hair every day strips the nutrients from the hair follicle and makes it harder to retain moisture.
• Eat a good diet. Healthy hair starts from the inside.
• Don't condition the top part of your hair. This will cause your hair to look greasy.
• If you are trying to grow out your hair, do not get a trim every 4-6 weeks. Instead get a trim only when needed and about every 15 weeks.
• Don't dye your hair too often.

So thats a few tips that i found that helped my hair! Hope you guys enjoyed and maybe got a few ideas from this post:)

-Laura

Winter Fashion Must-Haves

Hello fellow fashionistas! 

It's been a while since we posted a fashion post so I decided to open with some Winter Fashion Must-Haves! I will post more on Winter Must-Haves for shoes, accessories, bags etc. later in the month. So I just have a few pieces this month but I have been loving these especially the graphic skirt and the Black mesh top with black polka dots.

So I start with the left-hand corner:

This loose black and white tank is a bit chilly for the winter-time, so layer up! I got this at H&M for £7! What a sale!

The next one up is a grey and pale purple flannel (Gifted) and denim overalls from Pennys/Primark. The flannel was gifted from a friend but the overalls I bought myself. They costed about £11. Knee-High socks would look super cute with combat boots.

The one of me taking selfie is actually the latest in my collection. This top is from H&M and I simply LOVE it! I can pair it with jeans, shorts, skirts list is endless! The price: £15

The graphic skirt was an impulse buy but at £5 how could I resist?! Skater skirts were a big trend in late spring/summer and its making its comeback in the Autumn/Winter time! These skirts are so flattering on everybody and to style them is quit e easy too. What's not to love? Price: £5

The varsity jacket is an absolute staple in all outfits! What's better? A MAROON-coloured varsity jacket. Maroon is a trending colour for the cooler months! Pennys/Primark- price £9

The last fashon staple is the basic sweater. This white-coloured sweater from River Island is Totes adorbs! It is slightly cropped so you can still enjoy the crop trend without freezing to death! price-£6-7.

Hope you guys enjoyed my Winter Fashion Must-Haves and I'll post again soon! Don't forget to comment to tell us what you think and tell your friends! Keep in contact with us in the CONTACT page!

-Bianca

WTF! (wonderful thinking find!) Pandora's Box Myth

Hey,

We've never really done a segment about a stories or myths but I'm thinking about doing it once or twice a month. What do you guys think? Comment below.

There are different story plots but the one I like best is, one of the Greek Gods created the first women on Earth.

The Gods gave her a box which was actually a jar (but refeared to a box). She was instructed to never open it. Pandora's curiousity got the better of her and she in fact ended up opening it. When she opened it all things bad and evil- Crime, Hate, Disease and much more escaped and are still here to this day.

That's not the end of our story.

Pandora attempted to catch the demons but it was too late. She looked at the box and found a small fairy.

"I'm Hope" she said.

The Gods were never angry with Pandora because they knew this was bound to happen.

The demons are still here, living amongest us but keep in mind that there's a small ray of Hope aswell.

It's a story with a moral. Even if there is evil in this world, Hope will guide you.

Hope you guys liked that,

~Zahra

Gift Guide 2013: The G(uy)ide to getting that Something special for your Special Someone

Hey guys! Bianca here again with a gift guide. We usually don't post boy-related articles but I definitely wanted to do a gift guide. I've never shopped for Christmas presents for boys with the exception of my brothers. I did get some help off my friends on what they want for Christmas. Here's the list:

Technology:

Video Games for the Xbox, Playstation 3 etc.- 

Movies and DVD box sets

Basics:

Shoes and clothes

Magazines and Books*

Food

School stuff (stationary etc.)

Hobbies:

School stuff (stationary etc.)

Music equipment

Art supplies

Movies and DVD box sets

And if you're stuck for ideas:

Money

Toys 

Gift card

Pets

*Must be age appropriate

If you'r looking to buy a girl a present check out Zahra's post 

Happy Holidays!

-Bianca 

Get your popcorn ready!: Hunger Games Catching Fire Movie Review

Hey guys!

Today i'll be doing a movie review for the new movie (out 21st November 2013) Hunger games: Catching Fire. There are 3 books and im gonna be reviewing the 2nd movie!

First I have to say you do have to watch or even the books before this movie to understand whats going on because it can be confusing.

So the main idea of the movie is that after winning the 74th Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark return home to District 12. On the day Katniss and Peeta are to start a victory tour of the country, she is visited by President Snow, who explains that when she defied the Capitol by breaking the rules so that she and Peeta both survived the last Hunger Games, she inspired rebellions in districts and now must continue to pretend to be in love with Peeta or her family will be killed along with Gale and Peeta's families.

The first stop of the tour is in District 11, home of Katniss' friend Rue, the 12-year-old who competed in the 74th Hunger Games. Peeta offers to read the speech from a script Effie provides them, but throws it away and voices his thoughts instead. As they leave, a sorrowful Katniss delivers an inspiring speech that causes a man to whistle the tune Katniss used during the 74th Hunger Games to inform Rue she was safe, and provides the three-finger salute of District 12. Everyone follows the man until Peacekeepers shoot him dead, causing Katniss to scream in panic. Fearing for their safety, Haymitch tells Katniss and Peeta they have become a political target. The two youths proceed to visit the other districts. To solve disputes between Katniss and Snow, Peeta proposes to Katniss in public....

Thats all im giving away about the plot, watch the movie to find out what happens;)

I would say this science fiction adventure film is for girls and boys around 12 or older, i would probably rate it 9/10. It was really good,very interesting, kept me entertained and i really enjoyed it:)

-Laura

DIY: December Festivity with Your own Customised Bubles!

Hello my little artists!

31 more days till christmas so you know what that means, It means that it's time to get festive. For the next few weeks I'll be posting mostly DIY/Art projects that are really simply,easy and fast.

What you need:

A xmas bobble,

Acrylic paint

And a toothpick.

STEP1: Pour squiggles of acrylic paint on the inner part  of the bobble.

STEP2: Pour another colour (optional) on visible parts of the bobble.

STEP3: Take your toothpick and make swirls or spikes.

And voila there you have it in three easy steps.

See ya soon xx

~Zahra

Ready Recipe: Save your Moolah with a a Homemade Starbucks!

Hey guys!

Lately i've been obsessing over starbuck's so tioday i'll show you how to make your very own starbuck's frapucunno:

Ingredients-  

* 1 ½ cups cold coffee (coffee chilled in the refrigerator) 
* ½ cup whole milk* -- P40+ (a carton) 
* ½ cup sugar 
* 1 teaspoon chocolate syrup 
* ¼ teaspoon salt 
* 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract 
* 3 cups crushed ice or ice cubes 
* whipped cream (optional) 

* First, combine the coffee, milk, sugar, chocolate syrup and salt in a blender and mix them on medium speed for about 15 seconds. 
* Second, add the vanilla extract and ice and blend on high speed until smooth and creamy. Stir with spoon if necessary, to help blend. 
* And last, pour the frappuccino in a glass. You could also put whipped cream on top to achieve that real Starbucks frap look. 

Thats it hope you guys try it out! Tell me what you think?:)

-Laura

Top Ten: TV shows November

Hey guys! 

Today i';; be sharing with you guys my favorite tv shows at the moment!

1. Pretty Little Liars 

2. The Vampire Diaries

3. Ravenswood

4. Neighbours

5. Home and away

6. Breaking Bad

7. Dance moms

8. Catfish

9. The Carrie Diaries

10.  The Big Bang Theory

Thats it! Hope you guys enjoyed it!

Check them all out and maybe you'll like a few:)

-Laura

Little Miss Know-It-All: Advice Column

Dear Little Miss Know-It-All,

Me and a close friend have been a bit pissed with each other. She's been ignoring me and I've been ignoring her. I don't know what I did, but she gives me the cold shoulder.  When I try to talk to her, she would say whatever or okay. We tell each other everything.

My other friends have noticed it too. They tell me not to worry. But I am, if she was angry at something, she would tell me. We haven't had a proper conversation in over 2 weeks. What should I do?

-The Worrier

Dear The Worrier,

Friends fall out with each other all the time. It's completely normal. Maybe she's having a personal problem, maybe she's mad at someone else. Eeither way she's not acting like her usual self. Instead of ignoring her like she does to you, talk to her face to face. Understand the situtation and listen. If she won't tell you, give her the space she needs. Deep thinking is probably is all she's doing. When she finally open ups to you, listen and be reasonable. Communication is probably all you need. 

Good Luck!

-Little Miss Know-It-All

Gift Guide 2013: Girls

Hi,

Christmas is near which means you gotta start xmas shopping and swipping them credit cards but never leave it to the last minute!

Don't know what to buy your friend, girlfriend, sister, daughter, mom, aunt, granny or niece? It's okay, don't panic. It can be hard finding the perfect gift sometimes.

Ask them what they would like for you to buy them. It's alright if they answer back with nothing or something vague because I'm gonna help you.

We'll start with kids and make our way up the age chart.

Little girls (aged 2 to 10):

Kids at that age don't have an interset in money or clothes so stick to the toys department while shopping. 

Barbies are the best dolls you can get. Over 50 years old but still the number 1 doll.

I noticed that girls at this age are curious about makeup probably because they see other people puting it on. A beginners make up kit will make them happy, lelli kelly shoes always come with make up kits so that might be a good idea.

Another idea would be jewllery, come on no matter what age you are, diamonds will always be your best friend.

Preteens(10-12) & teens (13-19) & young adults(20-25):

Clothes is a simple one but you must know their taste in clothing and size.

Makeup

Nail polish

Their favourite movie or album.

Video games...yes girls DO play video games

Paintings to hang. If they're into art, it would be a nice gift.

If you know any of their hobbies try getting something similar to what hobbie they like.

photo collage, who doesn't like meomories from the past all together.

Money or gift cards, you can never go wrong there.

Adults(26 and over):

Cute mugs

Books

home decor

gift cards

voulchers for a relaxing day out like to the spa, waterpark etc.

Seniors:

Pictures of when she was younger, thinking back to the good times.

Knitwear

okay I'm sorry but I never really shopped for seniors before considering my grandparents don't live here so I wouldn't know.

I hope that helped but it all reality the best gift is a gift with meaning, if you know something is meaningful to her, buy her some thing that will make her smile and think "I remember that time told him/her that, I can't belived they remebered". It's way more special than some random thing you bought cause it was "pretty".

A DIY gift is adorable aswell if you don't screw it up. If you're like me and you make polymer clay charms you could make them and give them away as xmas presents.

Bye Bye.

~Zahra