Snow Day Essentials

Hey guys,

I am completely ecstatic because the Pacific North West has snow! We have had such a great winter so far. I have already had 5 days off due to snow and I love it. However, I am not to happy about the fact that I will have to make up those days in June/July.  Right now we have 5 inches and I have finalized my collection of my snow day essentials!

Patagonia Down Jacket    Thick Socks Bean Boots    Sweater    Hat    Vest    Book    Hot Chocolate 

Over the past snow days I have been living in these outfits. I have been wearing a similar turtleneck to this one and it is so cozy and comfy. I can't stop wearing it. I have been pairing the turtleneck with the vest and it looks so cute. I have gotten so many compliments on it! When I adventure outside to take my dog on a walk, I wear my hiking socks. These socks are super soft and thick, and have kept my feet warm through many camping trips. I also wear my Patagonia down jacket which is super light weight, but still super warm. I love a cute hat to wear, your head is where your body heat escapes and wearing a hat can keep that heat inside. When I stay inside I love to curl up with a book or TV show. This book is great so far and its in a series that I love. If I am not reading, I will be watching Gilmore Girls. While I am curled up on the couch I drink some hot chocolate, and these Starbucks K-Cups are super easy to make and are super tasty.

I love the snow and I hope it stays for a while! Hope you are staying warm!

Skincare Favorites

Hey everyone,

Today I wanted to share my skincare favorites. I take my skincare pretty seriously and have found a routine that has worked for me. I have really sensitive skin and can't put perfume on my neck due to how sensitive it is. About six months ago my grandma took me to origins and I got a mini facial in the store. I instantly fell in love with their products. Since then I have slowly grown my collection of their items (they are a bit pricey for a high schooler) and use them religiously.

I never had super horrible acne but I had at least a few zits each day for a while. Since I have been consistent with these products I haven't had a major zit in the past 2 months (hopefully this won't jinx that) and I couldn't be happier. My skin is a combination of extremely dry and extremely sensitive so finally finding all these projects is fantastic.

Cleanser   Moisturizer   Serum   Toner   Vaseline

The short version of my skin care routine starts like this, I cleanse in the morning and at night with my Origins face wash. After letting my face dry I apply my serum morning and night. After that soaks in I apply my moisturizer and let that sink in. For the final touch I add some vaseline to my lips. I use the toner about 2-3 times a week if my skin is feeling extra dirty.

Also, I am looking for a good eye cream for my under eye circles! Please let me know if you have any recommendations!

Hope you enjoy!

How To Handle a Busy Schedule

Hey guys,

Right now my schedule is chaotic with school, work, volunteering, as well as taking care of myself. All of this has created a crazy day that I have somehow managed to handle. I definitely can't say I feel great about each day, but I know I can get through it. With each day bringing a new challenge a few things seem to keep each day in line.

Planner: I have to have my planner on my almost all the time. I use a Kate Spade planner and I love it. I use it for everything from school to work as well as family activities. I color code my planner and that really helps differentiate my schedule and knowing what to do each day. From this I usually have a weekly look at my schedule as well as a monthly one. Knowing exactly what I have each day makes the day a bit more bearable. Hopefully you guys can take a look at my planner soon.

Water: With constantly being on the go staying hydrated is important. This helps keep my energy up and can easily be refilled through out the day. I also love all the fun colors that Hydro Flask's come in as well as how they can keep a drink warm or cold for long periods of time.

Coffee: I have no idea what I would do without coffee. I drink about a cup in the morning right when I wake up and when I get ready. I also stop at Starbucks on my way to school in the morning. This keeps me alert during my morning classes when I would rather be asleep.

Sleep: The most important thing is to get a good nights sleep. Each night I try to get to bed at a reasonable hour (between 10:00 and 10:45) so I can think clearly each day. If I can't get enough sleep, I will take a melatonin in order to make my short nights sleep into a short but deep and refreshing sleep.

I hope you have a fantastic day that's calm and not busy, and if so I hope these tips help!

What I am Reading

Hey Guys,

One of my goals this year was to read one book each month and I have already collected a few that I am currently reading or about to read.

The first book is Australia. Its a tour guide book with lots of information about Australia and the surrounding areas and islands. This will be super useful to read before I go so I can know exactly what I want to do and see.

The second book is Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling. I have actually seen the movie and loved it so much that I decided to read the book as well. I love all of her work and can't wait to see how I interpret it the book rather than the movie.

The third book is The Rocks by Peter Nichols. I have just read the blurb on this book and it sounds super interesting. Its a bit of a love story and how it played back over many years. I can't wait to get into it.

The fourth book is The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and I absolutely adore this. We read parts of it freshman year and I still haven't read it all the way through. We have to read it junior year and I can't wait to discuss this book with my class.

The fifth book is the Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger and I am actually currently reading this. I am about half way through it and it is amazing. It is so interesting and I can't seem to put it down. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes to think deeply during a read.

I hope you guys are enjoying some good books right now and have a fantastic day,
Allie

17 Goals and Resolutions For 2017

Hey guys,

My name is Allie and I have been reading blogs for a few years now. I finally decided that I should start one as an activity just for me during my chaotic schedule. I am a junior in high school and can't believe that college is almost here. I hope to use this as a fun outlet that I enjoy coming back to each day.

This year I have decided to come up with 17 goals and resolutions for 2017 that should cover almost every aspect of my life. I don't plan on making any outrageous changes that I know I can't stick to. Instead, I want to focus more on my attitude towards certain things I do and do more of what I love.

1. Show Kindness Every Day: Through out the upcoming year I plan to show kindness each day to every person I see. Through this I hope to make each persons day brighter through a simple gesture.

2. Start a Blog: I am considering this one a success so far and I hope I continue to stick with it.

3. Drink More Water: I know you are supposed to drink 8 cups of water a day, but I can't seem to do it. This year I am going to push myself to just carry a water bottle around with me where ever I go. If I don't get the full 8 cups in that's fine, as long as I drink more than I was before.

4. Workout Four Days a Week: I hate working out and I can't see how anyone can enjoy suffering and not being able to breath for an hour. However, I do enjoy a good yoga class or a nice hike. I am going to try to incorporate that into my daily schedule and utilize my free gym membership.

5. Enjoy School: Some days school can be such a hassle. Right now I am on winter break and I am dreading going back to school and being cramped in a desk for 6 hours. I also remember that there are times when I love school. I need to remember that my education is important and I need to value it. In the importance of value I also need to remember that understanding and memorizing are two very different things and have very different outcomes.

6. Add Another Stamp To My Passport: This summer I plan to travel to Australia and I can't wait. I am not sure what I am going to do there, but it will be great to explore some place new!

7. Enjoy Reading a Book Each Month: I love reading, but I don't love searching for a book. Slowly I have collected a few books that I can't wait to read over the next few months. I think that a plan to finish one a month will allow me to enjoy each book and read at my own pace.

8. Apply to 10 Colleges (and hopefully know where I am going by the end of the year): This year I am a junior and I can't believe that towards the end of the summer I will be applying to colleges and possibly know where I am going by the end of the year! Yikes!

9. To Not Lose Any Earrings: This may seem silly, but I can't seem to keep a pair of earrings. I take them out because my ears hurt and next thing you know they are gone. My plan is to try to keep all my earrings in the same place and if not have a designated spot in my purse/backpack for them.

10. Travel To Another Continent: Australia again! I have traveled to South America, however this will be my first trip across an entire ocean!

11. Learn To Make a Latte At Home: I love lattes from Starbucks, but paying $4.75 for a latte each day is outrageous. I have tried a few Keurig lattes, but they aren't the same! This is the year I am going to master making my own.

12. Finish My Room: My family moved into a new house exactly one year ago and my room still isn't done. I have stuff all over the place and I have yet to paint it the color I want. Hopefully I can find time in my crazy schedule to paint it!

13. Challenge Myself Every Day: Each day I want to be able to say I pushed myself no matter the aspect of my life. I want to feel like a did something different than the day before no matter how small the challenge may be.

14. Learn A New Word Each Day: I have a word a day on my computer but I don't always read it. If I take the extra 30 seconds to just read the word and think of a sentence to use it in; I definitely think I could expand my vocabulary.

15. Have a Weekly Date With My Mom: With my mom and I's busy schedule I don't always feel like we get quality time. Earlier this year we did this and it was great, but it slowly fizzled away when school took more time.

16. Have More Fun With My Sister: My sister and I are constantly at each other and we don't always remember that we are sisters and we just need to have fun with it. I plan to just take our car rides to school and make them more memorable every day.

17. Volunteer More: I actually volunteer once a week and I love it so much! Somehow I want to incorporate picking up a few more shifts when they need it. It makes such a difference and I hope I can be able to give it as much time as I can.

Thanks for reading and I hope you have a great day,
Allie