Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Bedroom MAKEOVER !!
It's easy to get stuck in the same old routine every day. School, homework, activities—Blah. If you feel like you need a power boost in your life, you can magically transform your everyday mood with a makeover for your teenage girl bedroom! When you're a kid, your parents get to decide what your room looks like and what goes into it, but now that you're getting older and have lots of your own interests, you can express your interests in your own personal space. Your same-old routine may not seem so blah if you're surrounded by things that get you going.
Pick a theme
Perhaps you have a passion for a color, like turquoise, or a sport, like gymnastics. Maybe you like to be motivated by your favorite sports hero, band, or actor. Sometimes it's a no-brainer and you know exactly what you want to do with your teenage girls bedroom. Other times, you'll find it hard to nail down just one thing. After all, when you redo your room, you'll have to stare at those walls every night before you go to sleep and every morning when you wake up.
Perhaps you have a passion for a color, like turquoise, or a sport, like gymnastics. Maybe you like to be motivated by your favorite sports hero, band, or actor. Sometimes it's a no-brainer and you know exactly what you want to do with your teenage girls bedroom. Other times, you'll find it hard to nail down just one thing. After all, when you redo your room, you'll have to stare at those walls every night before you go to sleep and every morning when you wake up.
If you don't have a theme idea in mind, create a list of what gets you going—things you would like to surround yourself with in your own space every day. Here are some ideas: World Travel, The 70s, Tie Dye, Country Living, Nature, Flowers, Polka Dots, The Beach, Hawaii, Surfing, American Idol, Guitar Hero, Ballet.... Some of the ideas you can cross out immediately, like themes that would be hard to do, or ones that could be too much of a good thing. Then try to picture each one what the space would look like, and how easy it would be to do.
After a few days (or weeks) of thinking about it, looking through catalogs and talking with friends, one or two themes will stand out clearly in your mind for your new teenage girls bedroom.
For a 70s theme, for example, it's easy to picture a beaded curtain room divider, a lava lamp, and hot pink shag rug, along with bright, cheerful colors that can create a fun mood.
For World Travel, you may picture maps, thrift store suitcases for storage, pictures of planes, ships or cars, and shadow boxes and shelves separated by places in the world you've been or want to visit. Each area of your room could represent a different part of the world.
If your theme is a specific color or pattern (like stripes or dots), you'll probably only need to update your bed linens, curtains, and little items placed around the room in different shades of that color or that pattern which you probably already have to make it feel more like a teenage girls bedroom.
Check out your space
You'll need an area to sleep, a mirror and place to get dressed, a well-lit place to do homework and read, and if possible, a cozy area to call your own. If you share a room, or if your room is very small, your bed area can be all these things if you plan well!
You'll need an area to sleep, a mirror and place to get dressed, a well-lit place to do homework and read, and if possible, a cozy area to call your own. If you share a room, or if your room is very small, your bed area can be all these things if you plan well!
Run your ideas by your parents. They may have a few good ideas to add or rules to follow when redecorating teenage girls bedrooms. They'll also hook you up with a budget if they'll be footing the bill. You'll need to talk with them if you want to change the paint color, wallpaper, or flooring, all of which could be expensive and may not be possible. Be prepared with standby ideas: if you can't repaint the walls, you may be able to pin up flags, wall art, or other wall coverings instead; if you can't change the flooring, rugs can help.
Shop around for ideas
Catalogs, kids room makeover magazines, bedrooms in your favorite TV shows, and furniture store circulars from the Sunday paper are all great for inspiration for a teenage girls bedroom. You can also head to stores that carry home accessories. An Internet search is also a great way to get ideas as well. Enter your room theme name and then the terms teen room or room décor into a search engine, then browse around the results.
Catalogs, kids room makeover magazines, bedrooms in your favorite TV shows, and furniture store circulars from the Sunday paper are all great for inspiration for a teenage girls bedroom. You can also head to stores that carry home accessories. An Internet search is also a great way to get ideas as well. Enter your room theme name and then the terms teen room or room décor into a search engine, then browse around the results.
You'll want to shop through your own belongings, and through things in storage and around the house that your family isn't using. Sometimes the best new things are actually quite old! Shop your attic, garage, or storage area, and ask friends and family if they have things that may work well with your theme. Not only will you get free stuff, you'll also be able to include items from people you care about, which can make your room even more cozy and personal for you.
If you're picking a theme based on stuff you love, chances are you already have some things on hand that work well with it. Whether it's a color, a pattern (like stripes or dots), a place, or something you're really interested in, you probably have knickknacks, dolls, decorations, scarves or souvenirs that would look great displayed in your new space.
Online shopping smarts
Be careful when shopping online and check with whoever is footing the bill before you make any purchases. Not all websites are safe or responsible with your personal information, so only shop at sites you or your parents know and trust. Each website has different rules about age limits for shopping and entering credit card information, so it's always best to shop online with a grownup.
Be careful when shopping online and check with whoever is footing the bill before you make any purchases. Not all websites are safe or responsible with your personal information, so only shop at sites you or your parents know and trust. Each website has different rules about age limits for shopping and entering credit card information, so it's always best to shop online with a grownup.
Transform your space
Once you choose your theme and pull everything together, it should just take a day or two to pull it all together and transform your new teenage girls bedroom. Do whatever you can by yourself or with friends, and ask grownups for help in hanging things like curtains, pictures, or a mirror. When everything is in place, things may look exactly like you planned or they may need a little more work, but the good thing about redecorating your space is that, unlike with schoolwork, there are no due dates! Add and change things as you go, and let your room grow with you as your interests change and as you have new experiences. Your teenage girls bedroom will be an expression of who you are, and you will have a space that you feel perfectly at home and comfortable in. You'll also have a space that shares something about you with old friends and new ones.
Once you choose your theme and pull everything together, it should just take a day or two to pull it all together and transform your new teenage girls bedroom. Do whatever you can by yourself or with friends, and ask grownups for help in hanging things like curtains, pictures, or a mirror. When everything is in place, things may look exactly like you planned or they may need a little more work, but the good thing about redecorating your space is that, unlike with schoolwork, there are no due dates! Add and change things as you go, and let your room grow with you as your interests change and as you have new experiences. Your teenage girls bedroom will be an expression of who you are, and you will have a space that you feel perfectly at home and comfortable in. You'll also have a space that shares something about you with old friends and new ones.
BEING THE OLDEST
For me, being the oldest sister of two siblings is both fun and hard. Being the oldest means having a lot of responsibilities and enjoying it, but it is also great knowing that I'll be the first one to get a cell phone and my driver's license.
Being the oldest sister, babysitting is also one of the great things we get to do, (even though it's not always great for the younger siblings). I have to make sure my little brother and sister stay out of trouble, I have to make sure all of my chores are done, and I have to follow all the rules. I also have to make sure I'm acting maturely, because my siblings are always looking up to me.
Responsibilities are sometimes annoying, but with more responsibilities come more privileges. I get to go to the movies with my friends, stay up later, and get a bigger allowance.
You know what else is great about being the oldest sister? PG-13 movies! It's cool knowing that you've matured enough to enjoy the kinds of movies that my little siblings aren't allowed to watch. So, when we're watching G-rated movies, it's great knowing that I can watch my movie next.
Something else I like about being the oldest is that I don't have to go into the babysitting room at the gym. I can exercise with the adults whenever I want! Sometimes it can be really great being the oldest sister!
One not so great thing about being the oldest sister is that your parents expect more from you. If you're blamed for something that you didn't do, usually the tattletale is your younger sibling. Sometimes, they want to make themselves seem like little angels, even if they're hiding their horns and tail!
Sometimes, I think that the younger siblings are sooo lucky. But we get the good life every once in a while, too. We don't have to worry about getting hand-me-down clothes and toys all the time, which means we get to go shopping for our own clothes, and they're always new. One of my best friends and I are always looking for dresses in the junior's section to try on, (just for fun.) Even if we'd never buy them, it's fun to see what the new fashions are and what they look like when we try them on. It's great being in junior sizes now, because we get more of a variety of clothes to choose from. There are more styles that allow you to have shorter shorts, longer earrings, and much more that younger siblings can't have.
Okay, I'm done complaining. I really love it when I get to help my little brother work on spelling, and my little sister with homework. I can tell that they really like spending time with me and learning what I teach them, so I take time to play board games and hang out with them when I can.
Being the oldest sister is great, but sometimes it's not easy. And, still, I love every bit of being the oldest!
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
This week, I’ll be taking a simple sundress (we’ve all got one!) and shaping it into three completely different outfits, using just accessories (okay, and one cardigan). With warm weather just around the corner, girls around the country will be breaking out their favorite leg-baring dresses and skirts. Make sure you can get the most wear out of your favorite summer staple by mastering the art of accessorizing!
Look #1: Music Festival Friendly
One of my favorite things about summer is the crazy abundance of music festivals and outdoor concerts. Whether you’re hitting up Summerfest, Bonnaroo, or Lollapalooza, there’s definitely a genre of music and a scene for you.
Be festival-ready by accessorizing with boho chic accessories and a trendy fedora. Pile on your favorite long necklaces (the more the better!) and stack bangles and bracelets on your arms. Sandals that strap in the back will be sure to stay on your feet – and the fringe is adorable. While a pink sundress on its own might be precious and girly, by adding these hippie-inspired accessories, you’ve got a completely new, edgy, and summer-friendly style. Now go find a concert!
Look #2: Special Occasion Pretty
As the end of the school year winds down and summer begins, you might find yourself with a schedule full of special events. I know that this time of year for me means awards banquets, graduation ceremonies, family brunches, and grad parties. Don’t stress! Thanks to that amazing power of accessories, all you’ve got to do is throw on the same sundress that you rocked out to before.
Stay classy, feminine, and conservative by keeping accessories simple and shoulders covered. A short-sleeved embroidered cardigan and a white belt will change the look of your dress, while classic wedges give you some height while still showing off your new summer pedicure. Finally, don’t be afraid to add color to this outfit! A contrasting necklace and a shiny gold bracelet will express your style and a pastel crossbody will keep you right on trend. Put on your parent-charming smile and enjoy your end-of-the-year events.
Look #3: Everyday Fun
Finally, a sundress is the perfect summer outfit. No need to find matching tops or clean bottoms; throw on a sundress and you’re good to go! While this dress can be applied to other occasions in life, don’t forget to rock that sundress (or, hopefully, a few different ones) every single day.
Add some color to your dress with a bold scarf and contrasting accessories like a green bag and hot pink bangle. A necklace will give you a quick accessory that won’t get in the way of everyday activities – I’m partial to long pendants but feel free to switch it up.
This ensemble shows how even just throwing on a printed scarf can change the whole look of an outfit. The neckline becomes drastically altered without changing anything to the dress! Color is added and focal points change.
Your turn!
I love shopping for accessories; I also love shopping for clothes. It’s so easy to stay budget-friendly by learning how to transform pieces of your closet into completely new looks simply by adding a few accessories. Re-wearing is key!
IDEAS FOR THE SUMMER
Wouldn't it be great if summer lasted year-round? There would be no school and you could lie on the beach every day. The only work you’d do is on your tan! As they say, all good things must come to an end. Sigh!
You still have time to make your summer unforgettable! Make a list of all of the things you wanted to do during the summer and then do them! Here are some tips to get you started.
Everyone loves a killer barbeque! Ask your parents’ permission to have a few friends over for an end of summer cookout. To keep things cheap, assign each of your friends a dish or snack to bring. You should take care of the entree, like hamburgers and hot dogs. Make personalized invitations with something as simple as construction paper and crayons! Write which dish your friend should bring on the invite and supply her with a recipe.
Give your party a theme and ask your friends to dress accordingly. Who doesn’t love a luau? Decorate your backyard with Christmas lights and tiki torches. Going the extra mile with details can make your party unforgettable! And don’t forget your camera! The pics will be great material for your summer scrapbook.
If camping out in the wilds is not your style, try it in your backyard. Throwing a slumber party in your backyard can be a great way to bond with your BFFs. Pitch a couple of tents in your backyard. Ask each friend to bring a sleeping bag, a pillow, a flashlight, and a scary story.
Using your oven, make yummy s’mores. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Break a graham cracker in half and place a marshmallow on top. Bake for about 3-5 minutes, but keep your eye on it so the graham cracker doesn’t start to burn. Remove the cookie sheet and immediately place a piece of chocolate bar and the other half of the cracker on top, gently pressing down. Allow the s’mores to sit for 1-2 minutes so the marshmallow can melt the chocolate.
When your backyard is at it’s darkest hour, pile into one tent with your flashlights and take turns telling scary stories. It’ll be tons of fun scaring each other and if anyone’s too scared, your house is 20 feet away!
Before the end of the summer, you need to tell that hottie you’ve been crushing on that you like him. Everyone around you can see how goo-goo eyed you get when he comes sauntering over in your direction! Your crush is the only one who’s oblivious to your longing stares.
Be honest. If you really like him, you should ask him out. Invite him to a friend’s party or ask him to go to the beach. Think of something casual at a place where there will be other people to talk to. This will take the pressure of the two of you.
Of course it will suck for a little while if he turn you down. You’re a strong, beautiful young , and you’ll get over it! At least you tried—imagine a winter full of “what if’s” and you’ll be happy you made the attempt.
However you plan to end your summer, make sure it includes your best friends!You’ll share these memories all winter long!
Monday, April 16, 2012
Okay, so you’ve been waiting for this night since you were a teeny little freshman. Four long and exhausting years have gone by and it’s finally time—PROM NIGHT! Planning your big night needs to start ASAP With some advice for prom!
Advice for prom: The Prep
Waiting for that perfect guy to ask you to be his date is so 40 years ago. Wait long enough and you’ll be watching reruns with your mom on prom night. The guy you want to go with may be too shy, so take some Advice for prom and ask him yourself! He’ll be impressed by your courage. Don’t have a date? No worries! Plan to go to the prom with a group of your girlfriends. Who needs dates when you have awesome friends?
Waiting for that perfect guy to ask you to be his date is so 40 years ago. Wait long enough and you’ll be watching reruns with your mom on prom night. The guy you want to go with may be too shy, so take some Advice for prom and ask him yourself! He’ll be impressed by your courage. Don’t have a date? No worries! Plan to go to the prom with a group of your girlfriends. Who needs dates when you have awesome friends?
About a month and a half before the prom, start looking for the perfect dress. You want to find something that feels comfortable and expresses the true you. The best places to try are bridal boutiques and department stores. Don’t delay on alterations if they’re needed. The last thing you want is a wardrobe malfunction on the dance floor! What you wear under your dress is important, too. Be sure to have a bra and undies that are comfortable and work with your dress.
No one needs the stress of having terrible hair and makeup on prom night. Practice different ‘dos a couple weeks before the big night. Do the same with your makeup and practice different looks. Ask your hairdresser if you can come in a week or so beforehand to do discuss what you want. This way, you’re not stuck with a style you hate.
Advice for prom: The Emergency Kit
In order to keep your supermodel look all night, an emergency kit is essential.
In order to keep your supermodel look all night, an emergency kit is essential.
• To keep your hair beautiful, bring a tiny bottle of hairspray and bobby pins.
• Even if YOU don’t have your period, grab a tampon and a pad; you could save a friend from a disaster! Tampax Compak tampons are so small they will fit right into that little, to die for, purse!
• Clear nail polish works great if you get a snag in your pantyhose. Dab a little clear nail polish on any hole to stop it in its tracks.
• Lipgloss is a girl’s best friend. It’s foolproof and will give you kissable lips in just seconds.
• Stash at least $20 in your bag in case of emergencies.
• Cell phone, if you have one
• Even if YOU don’t have your period, grab a tampon and a pad; you could save a friend from a disaster! Tampax Compak tampons are so small they will fit right into that little, to die for, purse!
• Clear nail polish works great if you get a snag in your pantyhose. Dab a little clear nail polish on any hole to stop it in its tracks.
• Lipgloss is a girl’s best friend. It’s foolproof and will give you kissable lips in just seconds.
• Stash at least $20 in your bag in case of emergencies.
• Cell phone, if you have one
Prom night is meant to be a time that you spend with your friends, dancing and looking fantastic the whole time. The last thing you want is any last-minute drama.Follow our advice for prom and have a fun and memorable time with your best buds!
Time Management For Teens: Because You're SO Over Elementary School
It's your first big step towards teenage-hood—middle school. That's right, girls! Your days at elementary school are over. Your days will now be filled with time management for teens: homeroom, three minutes between classes, and carrying around a bag full of textbooks. Does life get any better? I think not.
Your first year at middle school is no doubt a very exciting event. All these years you've been in the confines of one room all school day. Now your day will have a mix of different classes and different teachers. The experience can be overwhelming and you might want to learn about time management for teens.
You are not alone—your peers are going through the same thing. No one can find their 5th period science class and everyone's a little scared and intimidated.
Once you get over the first week jitters, you'll see that middle school is a lot of hard work AND fun. The most important thing is to know time management for teens.
The first step to time management for teens is being realistic about the commitments you want to and are able to make. Middle school is full of great activities, whether it is sports, the debate team, or the orchestra. It's hard not to join everything! Sports can hold practice up to two hours a day—that's a huge commitment! Most clubs meet twice a week and even on the weekends. If you're not willing to make the commitment or you don't think you'll be able to attend every practice or meeting, don't join.
Here's a time management for teens tip: To figure out how much time you have for everything, make a grid with 7 boxes across (Monday–Sunday) and 24 boxes down (unfortunately, there are only 24 hours in a day!). In the boxes, write down everything you do in a typical week. Don't forget the time you spend with your friends or when you're on the computer. It might scare you to see how busy, busy, busy you are! You may even see that you need to cut back on a few activities.
Prioritize your responsibilities. Schoolwork and family is number one. After the first couple of weeks of the new school year, you'll get a sense of how much time you need each night for homework and studying. Sleep should be high on your list of priorities. If you don't get enough sleep each night, you will be grumpier and more tired throughout the day. You won't be able to fully concentrate in class. How can you squeeze in more sleep? If you're spending three hours a night chatting over IM with your friends, and you don't feel like you're getting enough sleep, cut down on chat time!
Time management tips for teens: Don't spread yourself too thin. It's nice to be involved with everything, but it will only make you forget about yourself! You need time to just lie around and watch a movie or read a book. This is called relaxation. Say it with me all of you busy bodies! Relaxation! You need to relax every once in awhile so you can revive your body and mind. Sometimes your parents pressure you to take on too many activities. If you feel super stressed out, sit them down and tell them how you feel. Suggest that you only do two or three activities, instead of 300! They may have thought that you wanted to do all of these activities. Be honest with them and they'll admire your maturity.
A great time management tip for teens idea is keeping a calendar. Write EVERYTHING down. You'll never have another, "I didn't know there was a math test today," moment ever again! You'll also never overbook yourself. Whenever someone wants to make plans, you can pull out your handy dandy calendar! Each quarter or semester, sit down with a new grid. Write down everything that's going on during the week. If you're overwhelmed, cut back!
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