Showing posts with label 2014 blogger challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2014 blogger challenge. Show all posts

Tuesday, 6 May 2014

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?

Tuesday, 18 March 2014

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!

Tuesday, 4 March 2014

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?

Thursday, 20 February 2014

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?

Wednesday, 5 February 2014

2014 Blogger Challenge #3 | The maze runner trilogy + prequel

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: Once upon a time...
I mentioned The Maze Runner trilogy (The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials, The Death Cure) by James Dashner in my 'A few of my favourite things' post, but I haven't dedicated an entire blog post to it. It deserves one. I read the trilogy (The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials, The Death Cure) and prequel (The Kill Order) about a month ago, but updates on the movie are still exciting to me.

The Maze Runner cover.png  maze-runner-image
Left image. Right image.
  The Plot
This reminds me of The Hunger Games. I mean, it's not exactly similar, but they have things in common. They also run for their life in a contained setting, with 'cameras' watching their every move. Basically, each month a new person arrives in the Glade, knowing nothing about their past, except for their name. Each person has a job within this community, but the story focuses on the runners. They risk their lives running out into the maze each day, searching for an escape route and returning each night before the gates close and the Grievers go wild. They find out about W.I.C.K.E.D's role in creating the maze...

The Characters
They are quite similar to what you would expect in a dystopian society. There's Thomas, the brave one with strong morals, is unexpectedly good at the most important role and believes that he could have some impact on the world. There's Newt, the former runner and one of the 'leaders' of the group. He has been discouraged from running, but remains to be one of the vital characters in the series. And Teresa is the one girl who raises confusion amongst the boys. You don't know which side she's on until the end.

The Writing
The children of the community have developed their own version of English. I thought that was quite interesting because it adds some integrity to the story. It shows how they've created and organised their own community, and that part can't be controlled by W.I.C.K.E.D. The writing definitely sucked me into this world of fear and instability, but I wouldn't say it was the best. I connected with the characters and understood their reasoning when making decisions, which I believe to be really important. You have to understand their personality and logic to make the characters more believable.

The Books
I would probably say that you must read the entire series and the prequel to fully understand what went on prior to the maze. The government's reasons in creating this 'world' are clear once you read all four books!

The Movie
September 2014!
From the pictures I've seen, they look very similar to what I visualised when reading the books. I'm excited for the cast and the characters they are playing. Don't you just love it when a series you love is made into a movie?

What do you think of the Maze Runner series? Or what have you been reading?

Hello-worldxo

Friday, 17 January 2014

2014 Blogger Challenge #2 | Summer skincare routine

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: Skincare
These are the skincare products that I've been using this summer. Since it has been fairly hot in Sydney (Australia; I'm talking about temperatures of about 32 degrees C, or 90 degrees F), and even eating is a chore, I've been using minimal products on my skin.


Cleansers
I tend to switch between the two. I use the Biore Pore Unclogging Scrub when I want to quickly wash my face before bed. Other than having to adapt to the scent, it works really well. It helps with gentle exfoliation, and doesn't sting when used daily. The Neutrogena Power-Cream Wash is used with my Clarisonic Mia (below). Both cleansers contain salicylic acid, which seem to clear up my acne (I have combination skin).

Clarisonic Mia 2
I've been using this for a couple of months, and it hasn't been a 'miracle tool' for my skin, but has helped smooth out bumps. I use it 1-2 times a week because I find that it causes breakouts when overused. This is possibly due to the normal brush head, but it works fine for now.

Nivea Moisturising Cream
This one that I use is affordable, has a great scent and prevents my skin from flaking (even in the winter!).

Palmer's Lip butter
I absolutely love this lip butter! It smoothes (or smooths... both look wrong. Hate it when that happens) even the most chapped lips AND IT SMELLS LIKE CHOCOLATE! Unfortunately it doesn't taste like chocolate :( I put it on before going to bed and wake up with super smooth lips.

Laroche-Posay Effaclar Duo
It claims to reduce acne and pores... and it works! I tend to use it between my brows and around my nose to reduce bumps, and it is smooth after a couple of uses. I've just been using this sample I received in my Bellabox a while ago, but I will definitely buy the full size!

What's the one skincare product you can't live without? Mine would be the Neutrogena cleanser :)

Friday, 3 January 2014

2014 Blogger Challenge #1 | New years inspiration

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 is: New Year's Inspiration.
I personally think this is a better idea than listing our New Year's Resolutions. Resolutions shouldn't just be made for the New Year. This may just be an excuse to push it to a later date. Prior to making resolutions this year, try changing your mindset and the way you see things. You may be more motivated to follow through with your resolutions/goals (or so I hope).

I'm not an expert, but simply an unmotivated person who needs some inspiration.

untitled
Image.
 Have you ever cried for no reason at all, except for the fact that you see someone crying? I also feel that the same happens when you see someone smiling. When a friend, kid, stranger or store worker smiles genuinely, doesn't that just brighten your day?

Kimmi Smiles (how fitting) from YouTube says this at the end of her vlogs, and I just thought it was simple and effective. If you're experiencing negative emotions (e.g. anger, stress etc), just take a moment to look into a mirror and smile, or even better yet, make a funny face. It distances you from the situation for a moment (for you to calm down) before reacting. You've heard of "fake it till you make it", right? Smile (and take action) until the situation improves.

When you're in a conversation and can't say "Please wait a moment while I find a mirror", whip out your phone and "ooooohhh" and "ahhhhhh" over these pictures! (Or type in 'cute/funny animal pictures' in Google Images)

 cute animal image 



 cute animal image



 
 




You can't change your life without changing your attitude. Smile through the rough times and you'll conquer the world (maybe just your world haha). May the new year bring a positive attitude!

What inspires you for 2014?

Sunday, 24 November 2013

Anger issues? + 2014 Blogger Challenge

Is it a coincidence that I watched Colleen's (or PsychoSoprano on YouTube, she is hilarious so check her out!) video about her anger issues, and I experienced the same issues today? Without any reasons other than waking up on the wrong side of the bed, my tolerance levels were extremely low. My head recognised the issue, but couldn't do much to prevent my aggression towards inanimate objects (Watch Colleen's video here). You know you have anger issues when you experience these scenarios:

  1. Blaming a jigsaw puzzle for not fitting together.
  2. Throwing an empty milk carton on the floor for having too much milk in your bowl.
  3. Blaming a mandarin for squirting juice on you (you were unaware of your great strength)
On a more cheerful note, I'm doing the 2014 Blogger Challenge! What is it, you ask? 


From Gaby's blog (AnotherGirlyBlog):


Christmas is fast approaching which means 2014 is right around the corner.

The New Year is a time for resolutions and starting fresh, so why not start with a challenge to kick off the new year! I [Gaby] have come up with the #2014bloggerchallenge. The challenge is to write a blogpost twice a month about different topics. The #2014bloggerchallenge posts will go live during the 1st and the 3rd weeks of each month. Everyone who signs up will be sent an email with the post topics. The topic ideas are there to give you new ideas and encourage you to write about things you wouldn't normally write about.

Anyone can get involved, whatever your blog topic! Whether you write about cooking, beauty, lifestyle or fitness. What's in it for you I hear you ask? Well... If you participate in the #2014BloggerChallenge, you'll get more blog traffic, discover new blogs and make friends with bloggers you probably didn't even know existed! 
All you have to do to get involved is leave a comment down below  or email me [Gaby] (anothergirlyblg@gmail.com) with your blog URL, email address and name so I [Gaby] can add you to the list of participants. 
Let's start 2014 with a bang and let's see how many of you we can get involved with this challenge!! (sign up closes on the 9th December 2013 when the first topic will be sent out).

Feel free to take the challenge!

Love, V