The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.

WARNING: SPOILERS
(hahaha I feel like River saying that :P)
But seriously. If you haven't watched midseason finale (and are a Whovian) and don't want to know what happens DON'T READ THIS.
 
Okay?
 
Carry on.
 
Step 1: Watch "The Angels Take Manhattan"
 
Step 2: Start freaking out because the Statue of Liberty is an Angel (way to steal from the internet Moffat)
 
Step 3: Start freaking out because the Doctor rips the last page out of the book and the metaphorical resonances are too much to handle.
 
Step 4: Freak out when they find Old Rory
 
Step 5: Freak out when Amy and Rory jump off the building. Also, begin frantically sobbing and yelling at the screen at this point in the process.
 
Step 6: Be relieved for like 2.5 seconds because they survive because of the paradox.
 
Step 7: Resume freaking out and sobbing because Rory gets taken by the Angel even after they thought they were safe.
 
Step 8: Start literally yelling at the TV so loud that you scare your dog when Amy decides to leave.
 
Step 9: Collapse into a puddle of tears and anger when you realize that the Ponds are never coming back.
 
Step 10: Blog about it on Tumblr, post a set about it on Polyvore and then continue to have massively sad feels for the rest of the night.
 
Congratulations! If you've completed the steps, you have properly freaked out over Doctor Who!

Sooooo, I love Harry Potter. Like love it. I'm not even kidding. And these are my favorite quotes compiled from the whole franchise (books and movies because I don't discriminate :P) Enjoy.
 
"Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." -Dumbledore (Prisoner of Azkaban)
 
"I suspect the Nargles are behind it." -Luna Lovegood (Order of the Phoenix)
 
"In dreams we enter a world that is entirely our own." -Dumbledore
 
"Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can’t see where it keeps its brain." -Arthur Weasley
 
“Youth can not know how age thinks and feels. But old men are guilty if they forget what it was to be young.” –Dumbledore (Order of the Phoenix)
 
"I don't go looking for trouble. Trouble usually finds me." -Harry Potter (Prisoner of Azkaban)
 
“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” – Dumbledore (Sorcerer's Stone)
 
“People find it far easier to forgive others for being wrong than being right.” – Albus Dumbledore (Half Blood Prince)
 
“If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.” – Sirius Black (Goblet of Fire)
 
"We all have dark and light inside of us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's what truly matters" -Sirius Black (Order of the Phoenix)
 
"There is no good and evil. Only power and those too weak to seek it." -Professor Quirrel (Sorcerer's Stone)
 
"The truth is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with caution." -Dumbledore (Sorcerer's Stone)
 

"The things we lose have a way of coming back to us in the end." -Luna Lovegood (Order of the Phoenix)
 
"Always." -Severus Snape (Deathly Hallows)
 
"Of course this is happening inside your head, but why on earth should that mean it’s not real?" - Albus Dumbledore. (Deathly Hallows)
 
“Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself.” -Hermione Granger (Order of the Phoenix)
 
"Here lies Dobby, a free elf." (Deathly Hallows)
 
"Just because you've got the emotional range of a teaspoon doesn't mean we all have." -Hermione Granger (Order of the Phoenix)
 
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." -Fred and George Weasley (Prisoner of Azkaban)
 
"Twitchy little ferret, aren't you, Malfoy?" -Hermione Granger (Goblet of Fire)
 
"Books! And cleverness! There are more important things--friendship and bravery."-Hermione Granger (Sorcerer's Stone)
 
I know a lot of them are Dumbledore quotes, but he just says all the best lines! Anyway, if you have any that I've missed, let me know!
 
And as always DFTBA.

I know I haven't been posting many tips lately and I want to apologize. It's been really hectic here since school started and I've been going through a lot of personal stuff. Thanks for being so understanding :)
 
I figured that I'd come back with a fun tip now that the air is getting chillier and the leaves are turning red, yellow and orange.
 
I'll preface this by saying that I love autumn. It is my favorite season. I love the colors, I love the weather, I love the cozy sweaters, comfy scarves and warm boots. I love everything about it. So I've compiled a list of 25 of my favorite fall things to kick the season off!
 
1. Jump in a pile of leaves.
Yes, I know it's cliche, but it's also probably one of my favorite memories. Just get a big group of friends together to help you rake the leaves up and then you all get to jump in them together!
 
2. Go apple picking.
This is a really fun one to do if you have younger siblings or nieces/nephews or cousins because they have a blast too. Find an orchard near you that will let you go pick them and just go for it! It's great family bonding time and you get super yummy apples to bring home at the end of it!
 
3. Bake pumpkin muffins.
Craving some pumpkin pie? Well, pumpkin muffins are a lot easier to make and just as delicious. Here's a really good recipe for it:
 
Ingredients
 
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (about 6 3/4 ounces)
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 large egg
Cooking spray
 
Preparation
 
Preheat oven to 375°.
 
Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking soda, and next 5 ingredients (though cloves); stir well with a whisk.
 
Combine granulated sugar and next 5 ingredients (through egg) in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended (about 3 minutes). Add flour mixture to sugar mixture; beat at low speed just until combined.
 
Place 12 paper muffin cup liners in muffin cups; coat liners with cooking spray. Spoon batter into prepared cups. Bake at 375° for 25 minutes or until muffins spring back when touched lightly in center. Remove muffins from pan immediately; place on a wire rack.
 
4. Have a movie marathon.
On those chilly fall nights, it's awesome to cuddle up to a good movie. Grab some friends, your family or your significant other and snuggle under the blankets for the evening with some warm cups of apple cider or tea.
 
5. Host a Halloween party
This can be a lot of work, but the pay off is awesome. The great thing about hosting the party yourself is that you get to invite the people, so you know there isn't going to be any awkwardness with not knowing everyone there. Doing a theme is cool but not necessary. My favorite themes are: Harry Potter, graveyard, haunted house and zombie apocalypse (my friend did this one last year and it was awesome).
 
6. Go on a hay ride.
If you have really bad allergies, maybe this is a no-no, but otherwise, it's another cool, fall themed thing to do that is generally not too expensive.
 
7. Go to a haunted house.
When it gets closer to Halloween, bunches of haunted houses will open and there will be tons out there for every scare level (my best friend is afraid of the KID ones, but we even managed to find her a haunted house that wasn't too terrifying last year). Grab your closes friends and hold on tight to each other because you're in for a scare!
 
8. Knit or crochet a scarf.
There are a ton of great YouTube videos that can teach you how to knit or crochet and a scarf is a great place to start. I'd recommend learning to crochet first because it is a lot easier and more forgiving than knitting.
 
9. Have a fall picnic
Take advantage of the weather while it's here and go for a picnic in the park with your family or your significant other. Pack all sorts of yummy fall flavors like pumpkin muffins, apple cider, butternut squash soup and cinnamon spice cookies.
 
10. Go to a football game.
Whether it's school, college professional or your bother's peewee league, football games are a great way to soak in the fun of the fall atmosphere.
 
11. Have a bonfire
Invite a bunch of your friends over and spend a few hours out by the fire talking, laughing and making lovely fall memories.
 
12. Make s'mores
At your bonfire (or even just over your own stove at home if you're feeling antisocial) make the classic graham cracker, chocolate and marshmallow sandwich, and chow down.
 
13. Go pumpkin picking
Go to an actual pumpkin patch to pick out your Halloween pumpkins. It's a lot more fun than getting them from Walmart or the grocery store.
 
14. Carve pumpkins
There are a lot of awesome pumpkin carving designs online and carving pumpkins is a lot of fun to do with friends or family. Especially when it ends up in a pumpkin guts fight :P
 
15. Take a walk
Go our into your neighborhood or the park and take a walk in the crisp fall breeze underneath the colorful fall trees. Bring a friend or loved one if you want. Then, when you get home and into the warm house, make yourself some apple cider, tea or cocoa and snuggle under a blanket.
 
Well, those are just a few fun things to do during this lovely season of fall. If you think of any more, put them in the comments and I'll add them to this set! :)
 
Have fun in the fall and DFTBA!
 
Oh and thanks to @chris-evans for suggesting this set :)

A yummy cookie for one that I stumbled upon on Tumblr. All credit for the recipe goes to lacreativitedelafille(.)blogsopt(.)com.
 
Ingredients:
 
1 tbsp. butter, melted
1 tbsp. white sugar
1 tbsp. brown sugar
3 drops of vanilla
pinch of salt
1 egg yolk
1/4 c. flour
2 tbsp. chocolate chips
 
Directions:
 
1.In a bowl, ix together the butter, sugars, vanilla, and egg yolk.
 
2.Add in the flour and salt.
 
3.Mix until combined.
 
4.Add in the chocolate chips.
 
5.Put the dough into a small microwaveable bowl, ramekin, or coffee cup.
 
6.Microwave for 40-60 seconds or until the cookie looks done.
 
Best served warm… Enjoy!

Seriously, guys I'm running out of tips to make and it would be much appreciated it I knew what kind of tips you would like me to do! Just private message me and I'll do it!
 
Thanks and DFTBA
-Nina

I'm just going to put it out there that I love watching documentaries. But you should know that I really only watch documentaries on topics that interest me. So, a lot of these are going to sound really similar. But they are ALL really, really fascinating documentaries that really get you thinking. Some of them you may have heard of, some of them you may not have. I'll also include some websites that I like that have a lot of different documentaries all in one place.
 
1. Miss Representation: This is probably my favorite documentary ever. It talks mainly about the portrayal of women and their roles within our society today, as well as how the media influences our perception of the under-representation of women. It's done in a way that is very influential and forces you to look at how media really affects women and the views of ourselves.
 
2. Food, Inc.: Many of you have probably heard about this one, seeing as it is incredibly popular. I originally saw it in my Health class at school, but we never finished it, so I watched it on my own at home. I've seen it a good 3 times since then. It is a bit controversial, but overall provides a good look into how our modern food industry works and how it has changed over the past 100 years. I'll warn you now, though, that parts of it *are* graphic and it is not for the faint of heart. If you only watch one documentary in your lifetime, make this be it.
 
3. Dive!: This is a documentary that was made by a dumpster diver. Now, before you scream "Ewwwww" and run away thinking that all it is about is smelly garbage, please read on. Though it starts out talking about dumpster diving, it really leaves the viewer with a distinct impression of how much food we waste in our society and the problems that it is causing.
 
4. Killing Us Softly (1-4): This is a series of documentaries that started way back in the 1970s, focusing on advertising and it's affect on women. It is similar to Miss Representation, but is much more focused on the role of advertising and media specifically. The newest version of it came out in 2010 and I would recommended watching it (Killing Us Softly 4) rather than the one made in the 70s, as this one is much more recent and gives a much more modern viewpoint.
 
5. Dirt! the Movie: This film was one that I never thought I would like, but in all honesty, it ended up being one of my favorites. It focuses on one of the most important factors of life on our planet: the soil. It is really shocking how much we rely on dirt and how it shapes all life on earth.
 
6. Food Matters: This film is similar to Food, Inc., but is more focused on the nutrients within food and how the Western diet that we've adopted has affected our health. Very interesting and very informative.
 
Okay, those are my top 6 documentaries. Of course, there are hundreds of others out there that are fascinating and wonderful, and I hope all of you try to watch some of them. I think one of the most important things to be is educated, especially about topics that aren't always talked about in school or written in textbooks. Educating ourselves is the only way to change our society and make our world a better place for everyone living on it. Below I've included some websites that you can find a plethora of fascinating documentaries at and I hope you find them just as useful as I have.
 
- filmsforaction(.)org
- fulldocumentaries(.)com
- documentaries(.)org
-documentarytube(.)com
 
Have fun educating yourself and as always, DFTBA!
-Nina

Well, if you haven't already caught on, I'm a big reader. Like, huge. I adore books so much. And I think that a person's favorite books say more about them than they could ever tell you themselves. So here, I have a compiled list of my favorite books. There's something here for everyone, whether you're looking for a summery beach read or a book for your next school essay.
 
1. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.
This is number 1 for a reason. It's probably one of my all time favorite books. It came out this January and I've already read it 5 times. It's about a girl named Hazel who is cancer patient, but it's not your normal cancer book. It speaks volumes about the essence of life and the resiliency of the human spirit. Not only is it exquisitely written, but it's also a fun read. There is a great deal of humor and scenes that make you smile. You will laugh, cry and love the characters like your own best friends.
Favorite quote: “I wanted to know that he would be okay if I died. I wanted to not be a grenade, to not be a malevolent force in the lives of people I loved.”
 
2. The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Saligner.
If you haven't read this book for school yet, I would recommend reading it no matter what. The plot of it is.... well, it's kind of strange and there kind of almost isn't a plot, but it's Holden Caufield, the main character of the novel that makes it all worth while. He is the kind of character that you either love or you hate, but there's no in between. This is one that I would recommend to use for school projects and that if you read it for pleasure, use Spark Notes and annotate the novel to get a deeper understanding of the message.
Favorite quote: "All morons hate it when you call them a moron."
 
3. The Boyfriend List by E. Lockheart
This is a great summer beach read. I love how funny and relate-able the main character, Ruby, is. The whole novel is fun and light, but it's overall just a great read.
Favorite quote: “I hate those endless descriptions of a heroine's physical attributes . . . it really bothers me how in books it seems like the only two choices are perfection or self-hatred. As if readers will only like a character who's ideal--or completely shattered.”
 
4. East by Edith Pattou
This is story based on an old folk story called "East of the sun, West of the moon." It's about a girl named Rose who goes with a white bear to stay with him for a year without seeing her family in order to help the situation her family is in. It is beautifully written and is one of the few books that I've read more than 6 times.
Favorite quotes: “That's the trouble with loving a wild thing: You're always left watching the door.”
 
5. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
This is another book that would beg good to read for a school project. It's considered a classic, and for a good reason. This novel say s volumes about the human spirit and is good to read with or without a class.
Favorite quote: "I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand."
 
6. Looking for Alaska by John Green
This is the second book by John Green on my list (really, any book by John Green is amazing), but it has a completely different plot than The Fault in Our Stars. It is gorgeously written and one of the best books I've ever read.
Favorite quotes: "Imagining the future is a kind of nostalgia" and " 'You spend your whole life stuck in the labyrinth, thinking how you'll escape one day, and how awesome it will be, and imagining that future keeps you going, but you never do it. You just use the future to escape the present.' "
 
7. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Okay, if you don't know what Harry Potter is, you've been living under a rock for the past decade. I know just about everyone has seen the movies, but I recommend reading the books because they give a much better picture of the characters and the overall themes of the stories. Join the fandom. We don't bite, I promise :)
Favorite quotes: "Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, "If one only remembers to turn on the light." and If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals." and "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live." There are a million more that I love, but I'll let you find them yourself when you read the books :)
 
8. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
This novel represents the American Dream more than just about any novel in American history. It takes place in the 1920s and, though told from the perspective of Nick, is about the life of Jay Gatsby and the love of his life, Daisy. It is an amazing novel, and I'd recommend seeing it before the movie comes out later this year.
Favorite quotes: "Whenever you feel like criticizing any one...just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had." and "All right... I'm glad it's a girl. And I hope she'll be a fool--that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool."
 
9. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
This is another one that, if you have seen the movies but not yest read the books, you should. They are ten million times better than the movie and are the only reason why I'm hard core Team Peeta.
Favorite quote: "You don't forget the face of the person who was your last hope."
 
10. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
I actually just finished this novel today for my APUSH summer reading book, and I absolutely loved it. It is about maids in Mississippi during the civil right movement and it is probably one of the best books I've read all year. This is definitely a must read.
Favorite quote: "Don't waste your time on obvious things. Write about what disturbs you; particularly if it seems to bother no one else."
Favite quot:

So here's the thing. I have friends who went abroad over the last year (one went to Hungary and Austria, another went to Paris, another went to London) and I was surprised to hear a lot of their stories coming back. Two of them didn't know they needed converters for the plugs, one brought all shorts and t-shirts to a place where it rains ALL THE TIME, and another didn't understand (and still doesn't) why all the people in France didn't speak fluent English..... um..... yeah. I'm not even going to comment on that.
 
Now, I've only been out of the country once, but I decided to compile a list of do's and don'ts when traveling abroad starting from packing and the flight there to the flight home. Now let's get started.
 
**Packing:**
 
DO pack for the kind of weather most common for the region. If you're going to England, don't pack all tank tops, expecting to get a fantastic tan. And vice versa, don't go to India in your heaviest winter coat.
 
DO pack plug converters. In many countries, the electrical outlets are different from the kind we use in the US. Be prepared with converters packed in your suitcase so that you don't have to buy a super expensive one from the hotel lobby.
 
DON'T bring your whole closet. You don't need to bring your Homecoming dress from Freshman year, nor do you need your pirate costume from last Halloween. Pack the staples, things that you'll be most comfortable and confident in, as well as what is appropriate for the situations you'll be in. Bring a few key pieces of jewelry as well, if you feel so inclined.
 
DO bring books and other things to do on the plane. If you're going overseas, the plane ride is going to be long and you shouldn't count on sleeping the entire 14 hour flight to London.
 
DO (and this is one of the most important) make sure you have all your documentation. Double and triple check that you have your passport, drivers license, etc. You do not want to forget one of these key things at home.
 
**The Flight There:**
 
DO wear comfortable clothes. You're going overseas and the plane ride is gong to be long. This doesn't mean you have to wear your rattiest sweats, but also don't wear the tightest clothes you own. A lot of jewelry is obnoxious to take off going through security, so keep it to a minimum.
 
DO bring your own water bottle. An EMPTY reusable water bottle can go through security and then be filled up at a drinking fountain later. It's cheaper than buying the 50 billion dollar waters that the airport restaurants sell past security. This will keep you hydrated before and during the flight, and also help with jet lag.
 
DO bring snacks. And not just sugar. Some granola bars and nonperishable goods will keep you going if you don't like what the airplane food is.
 
DON'T let your bags out of your sight in the airport. My aunt got hers stolen at the airport and it was quite an ordeal to get her passport and other documentation back.
 
DO sleep on the plane ride. It will make the ride go faster and allow you to wake up refreshed in your new location.
 
DO wear layers. Wear a sweatshirt or other jacket. I like to wear a cute, warm scarf that not only looks fashionable, but can double as a mini shoulder wrap in the cold cabin air.
 
**At your location:**
 
DO have fun! It's the most important part of the whole vacation. Absorb the local culture. Relax by the pool. It's your vacation, so enjoy it!
 
DON'T assume that where you're going, everyone is going to speak your native language fluently. Instead...
 
DO learn some key phrases of the main language spoken in the country you're visiting. French, Italian, Spanish, German, whatever. Know how to say your name, the name of your hotel (and how to ask how to get there in case you get lost), where the bathrooms are and how to say please an thank you. Bring a pocket dictionary or phrase book, especially if you're staying longer than a week.
 
DON'T act like a tourist. I'm not saying not to take pictures or enjoy the culture, just don't be that annoying foreigner who stands in the middle of a busy sidewalk staring at a map that they're holding upside down for 20 minutes. Try to blend in and do as the locals do.
 
DO try new things. Foreign countries offer you the ability to experience things that you couldn't do back in your home country. So try some new food in Thailand or learn to surf in the Caribbean. Take the chance you've got to do something new and exciting.
 
**The Flight Home**
 
DO make sure you have all of your documentation a few days before you are leaving. Make sure it is in a safe place that you will be able to access easily on the day of your flight.
 
DON'T leave things behind in your hotel. Double and triple check every nook and cranny to make sure you have all your things. Take if from someone who knows, it sucks to get all the way home to the US and realize that you left your favorite t-shirt in the back corner of the closet in the hotel. And it's a hassle to get those kinds of things returned to you.
 
DO have everything in easy places to access in your bag when you're going through customs and security. You want to be able to get through everything easily and efficiently.
 
DON'T forget to say farewell to the beautiful country that you're leaving. Take a moment before getting into the airport to appreciate the trip you've just been on and the new experiences that you've gained.
 
I hope that this tip helps all of you nerdette's on your future endeavors to travel abroad. If you have any other tips for me to add on here, let me know in the comments. And if you have any tips you'd like to see me do, let me know in a message!
 
Peace out and DFTBA,
Nina :)

I'm back! I won't bore you with the details of why I haven't been making tips lately, so I'll just hop right into the tip!
 
So, my parents are gone for the weekend and instead of throwing a wild party like a normal teenager, I'm having a huge spa weekend! And, in case my beautiful nerdette followers wanted to do one too, I'm posting a tip on making your own spa day at home!
 
The Atmosphere
 
Now, my "spa day" probably isn't the most traditional (I'm spending the whole day watching Harry Potter while I'm doing this), but If you want a true spa atmosphere here's what you'll need:
 
1. A quiet place (your bathroom, your bedroom, your basement, whatever) where you can get away from your hectic life.
2. Some soft music (I'll post a playlist below)
3. Lotion/ Moisturizer
4. Clean towels
5. A comfy robe (or just comfy clothes) and slippers
6. A face mask (recipes below)
7. Things for a manicure/pedicure (nail polish, nail file, nail clippers, etc.)
8. A fruity beverage (recipes below)
9. A group of friends (optional, of course)
10. Anything else you want (candles, flowers, body scrub, books, movies, etc.)
 
Face Masks
 
Cucumber Banana Lemon Mask:
- in a blender, puree 1/2 cucumber, 1 egg white, 1 tbsp. lemon juice, 1/2 banana and 1 tsp milk. Leave on for 20 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water.
-If you're feeling fancy, you can put two cucumber slices on your eyes, but that's optional of course :)
 
Honey Oatmeal Mask
-Pulse 1/4 cup oatmeal in a food processor (or blender, but be careful) until coarse and chopped (not to the point where it's like a flour.) and then mix in a bowl with 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp milk, and 1/4 tsp cinnamon. Leave on for 20-25 minutes and rinse off with a warm washcloth.
 
Strawberry Cocoa Mask
- 1/3 cup strawberries (mashed up), 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp cocoa powder, and 1 tsp milk. Let it soak on your skin for 20-30 minutes.
 
Banana Honey Mask
-1/2 banana (mashed), 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp cinnamon and 1 tbsp lemon. Leave on your skin for 15-20 minutes and rinse with warm water.
 
Fruity Beverages:
 
-Equal parts sparkling water and your choice of juice (I like orange, grapefruit, pomegranate or cranberry)
 
-Tropical smoothie: pineapple, mango, banana, peach, yogurt and orange juice (or orange sorbet if you're feeling fancy)
 
-Water with slices of lemon and lime (or even have strawberries, raspberries or blackberries floating around in it. Herbs like mint or basil can add a yummy taste as well if you're feeling adventurous).
 
-Equal parts iced tea and lemonade (Arnold Palmer anyone? :P)
 
Playlist:
1. Halving the Compass by Helios
2. The Sixth Station (from the Spirited Away soundtrack) by Joe Hiasishi
3. Clair de Lune by Debussy
4. To the Architect (from The Score from (500) Days of Summer) by Mychael Danna
5. She is Love by Parachute
6. Gone Away by SafteySuit
7. Rose (from the Titanic soundtrack)
8. Sweet Disposition by The Temper Trap
9. Secret Valentine (Acoustic Version) by We the Kings
10. Love My by Yiruma
11. River Flows in You by Yiruma
12. Northern Downpour by Panic! at the Disco
13. Grey or Blue by Jaymay
14. Keep Breathing by Ingrid Michaelson
15. The Minnow and the Trout by A Fine Frenzy
16. Quelqu'un m'a dit by Carla Bruni (It's in French, but its amazing)
17. Yellow Light by Of Monsters and Men
 
So light some candles, soak in the tub, read your favorite book (or watch your favorite movies or listen to your favorite music), and relax into a day that's all about you.
 
I hope you like this tip. I didn't really put in steps on HOW to have a spa day, but I figured that was kind of self explanatory :) Let me know if you have any questions! Have fun, relax and DFTBA.

Hi guys! I'm going to apologize profusely for being so MIA lately. This may be my only tip for a while as the school year starts to come to a close (30 more school days for me! Woot, woot!). I'm taking the European History AP test in like 3 weeks, plus I have two books to finish by the start of May for English and I've barely started either of them, and section leader auditions for marching band just started this week! Not to mention that I have a practice ACT to take next week, 2 projects due (one in Spanish, one in AP Euro) and I have to make time to work out until marching band starts again. Ag. And I wont EVEN go into all the drama with my friends and my now /ex/-boyfriend.
 
BUT! Fear not dear followers, for I have another tip now that I'm done ranting (for now).
 
It is, dun dun dun DUHHHHHH (imagine royal court announcement music): Eating healthy and looking your best.
 
As of late, I've also really committed to getting healthier and more in shape. I'm eating right and exercising 5 days a week, and honestly it feels great. AND I've lost 5lbs :) So, I've decided to share a few of my pointers for getting in shape and losing weight the HEALTHY way. This tip is about eating healthy, the next one I'll do will be about exercising.
 
(WARNING: This is going to be a pretty long tip. ALSO consult your doctor before making any drastic changes to your diet and exercise)
 
Healthy Eating:
(this is my favorite part!)
 
Many people think that healthy eating consists of eating salad and drinking water. Period. That's it. And they dread it because they don't think it will taste good or fill them up.
 
They are what I like to call: wrong.
 
Here, I have plenty of meals compiled that keep you full, satisfy your taste buds, and all healthy.
 
Breakfast:
- English muffin (toasted) topped with 1tsp of jam and one egg (scrambled or over easy work best)
- 1/2 cup oatmeal, 5-6 almonds chopped up, 1/4 cup skim milk or light soy milk, and 1tsp brown sugar.
- 1 slice whole wheat toasts, 1tbsp peanut butter, 1 banana sliced
- 1/2 cup cereal (go for a healthy kind like Kashi, Total, etc. Hold off on the Lucky Charms and Fruit Loops, is all I'm saying) and 2/3 cup skim milk or light soy/ almond milk.
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (any flavor) with 1/4 cup any kind of fruit (I like strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, etc) added in and 2 tsp granola.
 
Lunch:
I'm going to do components of a lunch for school lunches because I know most of you guys on here are still in school. So, pick 4-5 of these depending on how much you eat. Just make sure there is a balance of fruits, veggies, protein and carbs (no, carbs aren't evil. They are what fuels your body. And as long as they are complex carbs like whole wheat bread and not refined/ simple carbs that come from things like white bread or white rice, they're perfectly fine.)
 
-2 slices whole wheat bread with lettuce, tomato, and a few slices mozzarella cheese. Add in some low sodium turkey or ham if you want.
-Nature Valley Honey 'n' Oats or Peanut Butter granola bars
-a piece of fruit, like an apple, banana, orange, grapefruit, peach, nectarine, etc.
-some cut up veggies (my favorites are red bell peppers and carrots) with 1 tbsp hummus.
-a handful of nuts (I always have 15 almonds packed in my bag because they are full of healthy fats and are great for a quick pick me up).
- a big salad: choose one or two of each
(romaine lettuce, mixed greens, baby spinach)
(tomatoes, cucumbers, mandarin oranges, sliced strawberries, dried cranberries, carrots, diced apples)
(grilled chicken breast, diced low sodium lunch meat, drained tuna with a little bit of light mayo and relish, chicken salad prepared the same way as tuna)
(grated cheese, croutons, chopped nuts)
(Dressing: this makes or breaks a salad. Picking a vinegar based dressing will always be the healthier alternative to a creamy one. If you do pick a creamy one, go for the light version. (ranch, balsamic vinaigrette, Italian, honey mustard, blue cheese, plain extra virgin olive oil)).
- pita bread with hummus
- pretzels
- whole wheat/grain crackers
- baked chips
- yogurt (I LOVE Greek yogurt, but it is kind of an acquired taste/texture. If you just want regular yogurt, go with the light kind).
- applesauce (go unsweetened and unflavored)
 
Snacks:
 
For after school activities or just a snack when you get home, here are some snacks to keep you going (there will probably be repeats from the lunch section).
 
- a piece of fruit
- cut up veggies with hummus (or just plain)
- 1/2 cup of cereal (no milk)
- handful of nuts
- crackers (Go for whole grains. I like Triscuts the most.)
- pita chips with hummus (or just pita bread instead of the chips)
- granola bar
- celery with peanut butter and raisins
 
Dessert:
I'm not saying that you have to completely cut out sweets from your diet. It's okay to treat yourself, as long as you don't overdo it. Everything in moderation, right? These are some of my favorite healthy desserts that I've found for those nights when you just have to have something sweet.
 
- frozen banana (drizzle with just a LITTLE bit of chocolate sauce and eat with a fork)
- slice up an apple and pop it into the microwave for 30- 45 seconds. Then sprinkle cinnamon over the top and a little dollop of vanilla frozen yogurt or Greek yogurt. (This tastes surprisingly like apple pie filling and it's SO GOOD).
- strawberries with a few dollops of light whipped cream and a small handful couple chocolate chips.
- A piece of dark chocolate (Dark chocolate, contrary to popular belief, is actually good for you. It has lots of antioxidants and can help satisfy those desperate, monthly (ehm) chocolate cravings. MODERATION is the key. Limit yourself to ONE piece to satisfy your sweet tooth).
- Smoothies: the milkshake's younger, prettier, healthier sister. She's the one who gets all the guys, ladies :P My favorite smoothie that I've ever made was with peaches, a few ice cubes, some vanilla Greek yogurt and a dash of cinnamon. I call it my Peach Crumble smoothie and it's really yummy. Just play around with flavor combinations until you find something yummy. Other kinds to try: Pina Colada (Pinapple, ice, vanilla Greek yogurt and an itsy bitsy splash of coconut extract), and Chocolate Strawberry (frozen strawberries, a frozen banana, a little drizzle of chocolate syrup and some skim milk or vanilla soy milk).
 
I want to make a quick note about drinks. Soda is crap. I know you've heard it a million times, but honestly it is. If you cut out 1 soda a day from your diet, no mater if it's diet or regular soda, it can make a 10lb difference in a year. Plus you're not getting all the crazy additives and food colorings and insane amounts of sugar. Stick with real fruit juices (sparingly because they can still be high in sugar and calories), tea, iced or hot, (brew your own at home, rather than buying pre-made iced tea. Most of the bottled iced teas have tons and tons of added sugar and flavorings), and WATER! The easiest way to get your 8 glasses a day is to buy a re-usable water bottle. Mine has a permanent spot in the side pocket of my backpack so I can just carry it around school and drink it during class. It makes it easy and effortless to drink it all up when it's there and ready to go.
 
I didn't include dinner because I know many people don't have a say in what their family eats. All I can offer up for that is portion control and healthy choices. If there's a choice between french fries and mashed potatoes, go with the mashed potatoes. Green bean casserole and steamed broccoli, go with the broccoli. The cleaner, less processed choices tend to be the healthier ones. Control your portions and take your time eating so that your body has time to tell your brain that it's full.
 
I hope all you lovelies have enjoyed this healthy eating tip. I hope to be back soon with more tips on exercising and staying motivated in a new, healthy lifestyle change.
 
OH! and DFTBA, all my beautiful nerdettes :)