2014 Blogger Challenge 9 | Music playlist

What's the 2014 Blogger Challenge?

It was started by Gaby from AnotherGirlyBlog. Two posts will go up each month (towards the beginning and middle), each with a different topic.

This week's topic: Music
I have been listening to these songs on repeat!

MAX - Streets of Gold
How did they make it in slow motion and have the mouthing and lyrics match up??

Kina Grannis - Dear River
I love everything about this music video.

Leroy Sanchez - Valerie (Cover)
Oh man, his voice...

Megan Nicole, Alex G, & Tiffany Alvord - If I Could Change Your Mind (Cover)
So glam and rebellious.

Tori Kelly & Todrick Hall - Best Thing I Never Had (Cover)
Heaven.

What are some songs in your playlist?

The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings

I read this book a couple of months ago, but I still think about the struggles that families face, and the effort that's required to pull a family together after a tragic incident. I haven't seen the movie, but I felt like I learned a lot from this book. Despite being a gloomy book, there are glimpses of happiness in each character and the ending tied it all together.

Image.

According to Goodreads:
"Matthew King was once considered one of the most fortunate men in Hawaii. His missionary ancestors were financially and culturally progressive–one even married a Hawaiian princess, making Matt a royal descendant and one of the state’s largest landowners.

Now his luck has changed. His two daughters are out of control: Ten-year-old Scottie is a smart-ass with a desperate need for attention, and seventeen-year-old Alex, a former model, is a recovering drug addict. Matt’s charismatic, thrill-seeking, high-maintenance wife, Joanie, lies in a coma after a boat-racing accident and will soon be taken off life support. The Kings can hardly picture life without her, but as they come to terms with this tragedy, their sadness is mixed with a sense of freedom that shames them–and spurs them into surprising actions.

Before honoring Joanie’s living will, Matt must gather her friends and family to say their final goodbyes, a difficult situation made worse by the sudden discovery that there is one person who hasn’t been told: the man with whom Joanie had been having an affair, quite possibly the one man she ever truly loved. Forced to examine what he owes not only to the living but to the dead, Matt takes to the road with his daughters to find his wife’s lover, a memorable journey that leads to both painful revelations and unforeseen humor and growth."

The Characters:
They are all unique, relatable, but most importantly, real. They all show how the people in your life can change who you are, for the better or worse. But at the end of the day, they all want the same thing, love and happiness.

Favourite Quotes:

•  The kitchen smells like a heart attack.
• At weddings we roll our eyes at the burgeoning love around us, the vows that we know will morph into new kinds of promises... I will tolerate you in sickness and ignore you in health. (Sometimes we get so caught up in the rush of our jobs or study, and forget the people around us, until they're sick or break down.)
• I feel sad that she has to die for her picture to go up on the wall, or for me to really love everything about her, or for Alex to forgive her for whatever she did wrong. (I really love how real this quote is. We tend to lose appreciation of the people we have in our lives, especially when we assume they're fine and healthy.)
• I'm soaked in bad parenting. Drenched.
• He rubs his stomach. It's got too many muscles... I sense my own stomach and suck it in. (This doesn't really fit in with the other meaningful quotes, but it captures society's attention to body image.) 

If you've been caught up in the rush of things, and need a minute to slow down and gain (or regain) your perspective on life, I highly recommend this book.

I miss primary school

I've been getting to know the routine of primary school teachers to prepare me for the life that will become mine once I graduate from uni and find a job. I'm excited!

I cracked up when I read this.

I was so impressed with how he 'carved' the word "look" into his apple. With his teeth!

I've never seen this before but it's interesting and engaging while also appealing.

I stress about my university assignments, but am passionate about working with children in the classroom.

Year 4 class looking at an ad for a step stool.

Teacher: Who is the target audience?

Student 1: For your parents.

Student 2: You can buy it for Mother's Day.

Well, your mum might appreciate a step stool haha.

A kindergarten child going out for lunch.

Student: Hi Ms A!

Teacher: Hello! It's been a full minute.

2014 Blogger Challenge #6 | Quick, easy and healthy snack!

What's the 2014 Blogger Challenge?

It was started by Gaby from AnotherGirlyBlog. Two posts will go up each month (towards the beginning and middle), each with a different topic.

This week's topic: Food

Here is a simple, but healthy option for breakfast or a quick snack. Quick, easy and delicious!!

What you'll need:

• strawberries
• greek yoghurt
• muesli
• spoon
• glass

Method:

1. Chop strawberries into a size you prefer.
2. Scoop some greek yoghurt into your glass.
3. Add a layer of muesli.
4. Add some chopped up strawberries.
5. Continue to add a layer of greek yoghurt, muesli and strawberries until you fill up your glass.
6. Enjoy!

2014 Blogger Challenge #5 | Nails

What's the 2014 Blogger Challenge?

It was started by Gaby from AnotherGirlyBlog. Two posts will go up each month (towards the beginning and middle), each with a different topic.

This week's topic: Nails

This is one of my favourite nail colours at the moment. I used Natio's Ruby which is a vibrant red. What I love most about it is the formula. It's not streaky, dries relatively quickly and is opaque in two thin coats.

I applied two coats without a top coat, and it didn't chip until about the fourth day.

What's your favourite nail polish colour of the moment?

Music anyone?

Here are songs that have been on repeat.

Undressed - Astrid Smeplass & Julie Bergan (Cover)

The calming voices, harmony and guitar... heaven!

I Want It All - Karmin

Why are all their songs super catchy and quirky?

Lightning in a Bottle - Alyssa Bernal & Charity Vance (Cover)

Catchy and upbeat song!

I'll have you - Andie Case

She doesn't have many videos uploaded on YouTube, but she has an amazing voice.

Any music recommendations?

2014 Blogger Challenge #4 | Top 3 drugstore picks!

What's the 2014 Blogger Challenge?

It was started by Gaby from AnotherGirlyBlog. Two posts will go up each month (towards the beginning and middle), each with a different topic.

This week's topic: High end vs. High street

So I've decided that choose 3 drugstore products that I love and use regularly. They are all affordable (under $20 in Australia), and are easy to use/apply.

Simple Kind To Eyes Eye Make-Up Remover
 It's gentle (doesn't sting my eyes whatsoever), has a clean scent, and removes all my mascara (non-waterproof).

Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream
 This has such great coverage for a BB cream. This is suitable for the red spots on my face as well as complimenting my oily skin. Although my skin still gets oily, it is definitely better off with this on. It contains 2% salicylic acid, so it works great as a pimple cover-up while also treating it. The only complaint I have is that it only comes in two shades: light and medium, and the medium is still a little light for me.

Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara
 I love the formula of the mascara as well as the wand. It works great to lengthen and curl your lashes (without clumping of course!) while also have it look natural. I have it in black/brown and I like how it's not obvious that you're wearing mascara.

What are your top drugstore picks?