Thursday, June 28, 2012

Glambitous Life: GirlSense shutting down?

***Note: This is not one of my normal blogs. But I feel that I need to express my opinion on this, as this was once a huge part of my life, and has contributed a little to who I am now. This is also my first personal blog on this site which I will be calling Glambitious Life.*** 



A couple of years ago, I was a member of the website GirlSense, a social fashion network for girls (and boys too.) I joined on December 14, 2007, back when I was in 7th grade. The website was practically my life for almost 3 years. GirlSense was a creative outlet for me, not only to create clothes, but other art as well. I felt as if I was a pretty designer too, ha. GirlSense was also a way for me to find friends, especially since I was a rather awkward child back then. I had a great group of friends, and one friendship even turned into a relationship that lasted over a year. I would have been devastated to just have all of that ripped away from me all at once, heartbroken even. GirlSense was who I was back in 7th- 9th grade. It was GirlSense that gave me the passion to become a blogger and soon a YouTuber. 

I don't really get on GirlSense much anymore, and when I do I don't really play on it. But somehow, this still seems to really affect me. I got on GirlSense last night, just to see what's going on and I saw on the front page that GirlSense is shutting down on July 18th, 2012, with no explanation. So I did a little research to find out why the website that had been my life at one point is closing. From what I have found, it mostly has to do with money problems. It seems that GirlSense's biggest sponsors, IAC and StarNet, are backing out of their sponsorship and they can't get enough money to run the site from advertisements. They would rather shut down the site than have users pay for membership. 



Browsing around a bit, I have found many users who want to try to save the site. Putting messages in their boutiques, and even creating petitions to save the site. I know this would have been my reaction a few years ago, but to be honest, it probably won't change anything, though it is always worth a try. The decision seems to be final though. The least GirlSense could do is give an explanation as to why they are shutting down the site. Whether it be money or another reason. 

I may have moved on from GirlSense, especially as I'm going into my senior year of high school, but it will always be a part of me. I can not deny those 3 years of my life, and I am saddened that it is shutting down. I know that GirlSense means a lot to many people of all ages, and they are devastated to see it come to an end. Anyone would be sad to have their favorite website, or any part of their life taken away from them. GirlSense has given so many people a way to express themselves, and has connected so many people into close friendships. Friendships that may be coming to an end if GirlSense is their only way to communicate. 

Feel free to leave your thoughts on the closing of GirlSense, or any other website in the comments. If you need anyone to talk to, feel free to leave a comment and I'll be sure to get back to you. 


~♥~♥~♥~ *Update: 7/10/12 *~♥~♥~♥~
A Message From GirlSense

In the past week I've been visiting GirlSense frequently looking for more information about the GirlSense shutdown, or to see if anything has changed. GirlSense has released the following message in regards to the shutdown. 


If you are a GirlSense member, and would like to save your fashions from GirlSense, a website called toosh.net has been created where you can save your fashions to your computer. Please be aware that this may no longer work after GirlSense has shutdown on July 18th. 

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Summer Parties



Summer is probably one of the best times of year to have a party! With the weather being nice and school not  being in session, there's practically no better time for a fun get together with friends and family. You can have a party just for the fun of it, or for a special occasion like a birthday, graduation, or a summer holiday like Independence Day if you live in the United States. (Do you have a special summer holiday you celebrate in your country? I'd love to hear about it!) You can even have a party towards the end of the summer when school is about to start again! 

Planning is an important part of having a great party, regardless if it's during the summer or any other time of year. If you are planning to have a party, or are helping someone to plan a party there are always a few things to keep in mind. From planning the guest list, to refreshments, to parental permission if you still live at home there are so many things to do. It's always best to plan ahead of time, rather then the day before or the day of. Keep in mind that bigger parties will require more planning then small get togethers. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning a party:

Parent's Permission- If you are still living with your parents, you'll want to be sure that it's okay with them before you even begin planning a party. If they say no, you could always see about helping a friend plan a party. If your parents are having a get together over the summer, you can see if they will allow you to invite a few friends. While it may not be fun to ask your parents, it's always better then getting in trouble later. If you live on your own, you can skip this step :P

Guests (if you live at home, your parents may want to know your guest list when you ask them)- This should be one of the first things you take care of when planning a party. If you live with your parents, or have limited space, it's best to keep the guest list small and only invite a few friends. You can have just as much fun with small group of people as you can with a larger one. Always let guests know ahead of time when planning a party to be sure they don't have other plans. 
      ~Other guests- Make sure to let your guests know your rule on bringing other friends or family to the party as to how many they can bring, or if others are allowed to come at all. You may also want to know who else they wish to bring with them. You want to make sure you have enough food and room for everyone, and avoid potential drama.

Invitations- You can always make little invitations to send out to all of your guests. But phone calls, emails, or even Facebook is a great way to let your guests know about your party. Be sure that you let your guests know the location and starting time of the party. As well as how to dress, what to bring, and the rules on bringing other guests along. If you are having your party at a venue like a bowling alley, club, or recreation center, you'll also want to be sure they know how much money to bring, or if you have paid for them to get in.

Location- Most likely you'll want to have your party on your's or a friend's house. But if you wish, you can have your party at a park (especially if you plan to watch fireworks for Independence Day or other holiday. You may also want to have your party at your local rec center, or at a bowling alley, club, or other fun place. You may need to call some of these places ahead of time to make a reservation. You'll also want to find out how much it's going to cost to have your party there. 
*for some venues such as clubs, you'll want to be sure that all guests will be able to get in. Know the age policy for the venue, many may not allow anyone under 21 or 18 to enter. 

Snacks and refreshments- Make a list of all foods, snacks, and drinks you want at your party to help you when you go shopping. To save money, you can assign each guest to bring a certain thing. Try to have a variety of snacks and drinks. If you have a small guest list, you can ask each guest what they would like to eat or drink. You'll want to try to buy everything at least the day before your party. Make sure you give yourself enough time to prepare everything! If you are under 21, you should not serve alcohol at your party. If you are 21, do not allow anyone under 21 to drink. Never allow anyone to drive home drunk. If you are 21 and serving alcohol be make sure everyone has someone to drive them home. You do not want to get in trouble with the law!

Decorations- While you don't always have to do a whole lot of decorating, some balloons, banners, or small decorations are always a nice touch. Many decorations can be bought at the dollar store for cheap. You can even check out Walmart or a party store to see what they have. An American themed party would be amazing for the 4th of July. Or you can get some Hawaiian themed items and have a luau! You may even want to have some themed items for your guests to wear such as red, white, and blue jewelry or a lei. 

Activities- Be sure to prepare some fun activities for your guests. If you are having your party at a venue then be sure your guests know what you'll be doing there. If you are going to a water park, be sure everyone knows to bring a bathing suit! If you are having your party at home, try to get a few board games, outdoor games, or video games to play. You may even want to play some music from your iPod, or even off of YouTube. Movies are also a great activity for smaller parties. 

Weather- Keep an eye on the forecast for the day of your party. If you are having an outdoor party, be sure guests know what will happen in the event of inclement weather. If you can still have the party indoors, be sure to let your guests know. You may need to cancel the party if you don't have enough room for everyone inside, or if you are at an outdoor venue. It's best to call or text all of your guests if you have to cancel the party to let them know. You don't always have to cancel an outdoor party for a light rain if it wont interfere with anything. But you should never keep a party outside in the event of a thunderstorm. If you can reschedule, make sure everyone knows the new date of the party. 


These tips don't just apply to planning a summer party. They can be used any time of year! Try not to stress to much when planning a party, and get help from others if you need to. And remember to have fun :) If you have additional tips to add, please leave them in the comments. I'd love to hear them! 

Thursday, June 21, 2012

It's a nice day, get outside!



I have to admit, that while I do like the outdoors, I tend to spend a lot less time outside then I did when I was younger and more time inside. As I grew out of the days where having a backyard adventure on the swing set was the time of my life... I just didn't know what to do outside anymore! I tend to spend, even the nicest of days sitting inside playing computer games or watching TV, simply because I can't seem to find anything better to do. What can a teenager (or young adult) do to enjoy a sunny day outside? When you think of it, there are quite a few simple and relaxing ways you can enjoy a nice summer day. And while they may be really simple, they beat just sitting inside all day!

So one of my favorite things to do outside on a hot day is to go swimming, though I admit that I mostly swim in indoor pools. If you have a pool in your backyard that's great! If not you can always head out for your local recreation center or even to a nearby beach. Don't forget your pool/ beach bag! 
*some recreation centers may have a fee you need to pay to get in,  If you plan to go swimming or do other activities there frequently, i may suggest looking into getting a pass or membership. 

If you don't have access to a pool or beach, you can always chill at the park with some friends. You can even bring some snacks and have a little picnic. If you want you can even play a game of catch, or even a game of baseball, basketball, or soccer. Or you can just relax on the swings and chat with your besties. 

Going for a walk or riding your bike around is also a great and really simple way to get out of the house.  You don't even really have to go anywhere. A nice walk or ride around the block can help to keep you from getting stir crazy (give yourself a pat on the back if you know what I'm referring too :D). A walk through the wilderness would also be great if you have a trail nearby. 

You can even enjoy the day by just sitting in your own backyard if you don't wish to leave the house. You can simply lounge in a lawn chair and work on your tan. (Just don't forget your sunscreen! No matter what you choose to do outside, you should always protect your skin from harmful UV rays.) Even just laying outside and reading a book or magazine, or even just playing some games on your phone and listening to your iPod, beats being cooped up inside all day. Just remember, when you are outside you need to drink plenty of water,especially in excessive heat. It's best to bring a water bottle with you everywhere you go, especially during the summer. 

What do you like to do outside on a nice day? I'd love to see what others like to do to enjoy a nice day. Or even if you hate being outside completely because of bugs, heat, or other reasons. 

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Drink Lots of Water!



We can always go for a nice tall glass of water, especially on a hot summer day. And as you probably already know, water is not only refreshing, but also VERY important to your health! Drinking water has many benefits, to your health, and even some beauty benefits! Water keeps your skin hydrated and healthy looking, helps to flush toxins out of your body, and even helps to give you energy and puts you in a better mood. Water can even help with headaches (dehydration is actually a very common cause of headaches) without having to use a pain reliever. It can even help to relieve menstrual cramps. Water can even make you less likely to get sick, and even prevent some kinds of cancer! 

Drinking water can even help you to lose weight. Not only does water flush down the products of fat break down, but it also helps you to feel less hungry. Many people actually confuse hunger with thirst. So maybe instead of going for a snack, go for a glass of water when you feel hungry. Water also contains no calories :)

Just as drinking water has it's benefits, not drinking enough water has many risks and harmful effects. Not drinking water can cause muscle cramps, headaches, fatigue, crankiness, constipation, irregular blood pressure, kidney problems and dry skin. You can even die from being overly dehydrated! You'll know if your dehydrated, though some symptoms may even be overlooked as something else. Hunger may be a sign that you are dehydrated, rather then hungry. You may also feel tired, as water is a source of energy. Dry skin is also a sign that you probably are dehydrated. Thirst is the most obvious sign of dehydration. You should also drink when you aren't thirsty rather then waiting until you are thirsty. And while this may should gross, urine that is a dark yellow or orange color is also a sign of dehydration. (Healthy urine is a pale yellow to a clear color when you are getting enough water). 

Often it's recommended to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. But depending on several other factors such as your level of activity, health, environment, and other factors, you may need to drink more.  More information can be found at this link.  

***Please Note: I am not a doctor, not am I trying to be. I am simply taking prior knowledge as well as some research from the internet and simplifying it as much as i can for this blog.*** 

More information can be found at the link listed above, and at this link. 

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Summer Schedules

So this may sound a little crazy, but I am working on creating a summer time schedule for myself. I feel that this would be a great way to not only manage time a little better, but also to make sure that I will work on my summer goals, and so that going back to having a stricter schedule in August won't be as big of a deal, or as draining. 



So I have to admit, that I have tried this in the past and it hasn't worked out very well for me. I think that my problem was that the schedule was WAY to strict, and also rather unrealistic. I would follow it for about a week, but then I would just get tired of it, literally. I had my wake-up time set way to early at 7:00 am, as well as my bed time.  I scheduled workout time everyday for an hour, way to much when you are just starting off. I had a set time to spend outdoors, and for web browsing, and even for eating! I also tried setting the 3 meals a day plus a snack standard for myself, epic fail, LOL. Crazy right?! But my point is, when creating a summer schedule, it's best be realistic and flexible with it. And come on, it is summer vacation, so why follow such a strict schedule every day? 

A summer schedule shouldn't be so strict as to say, you have to do this on this time on this day. For example, you shouldn't force yourself to workout everyday from 10:00 am- 11:00 am, especially if your body isn't use to working out. Nor should you have a certain time to eat, or do anything else. A summer schedule should be more of a to do list of things you'd like to get accomplished every day, or every week. It wouldn't hurt to try and do certain things around a certain time of day as well. For example, reading a chapter or two from a book you enjoy (or that dreaded summer reading book from the school, just to get it out of the way, LOL) before bed. Or to have breakfast (very important!) slightly after you wake up, and make your bed a little bit after breakfast. 

The only thing I'd really put a set time for is waking up. Primarily so I don't just sleep the day away and sleep until 2:00 pm or later! Having a set time to wake up during the summer can also help for when school starts again, when you have to get up early. It's important to be realistic and choose a time where you'll feel as if you've still slept in. Saying you'll wake up at 7:00 am, unless you're an early bird or have to get to work in the morning, just seems unrealistic and crazy during the summer. 10:00 or 11:00 would probably be more reasonable. But of course, that all depends on you. But don't forget to go to bed at a reasonable hour as well. Though I wouldn't pick a set time to go to bed,  at least not until August approaches, I do like to have a one to two hour time frame in which I should go to bed. For me I'd say between 2:00 and 4:00 am (LOL, late/ early right?) 
*as back to school season approaches I'll be doing a blog on preparing for getting back on school sleep schedule. 
.

Here is an example of what the average day would look like for me:

Morning
♥ Wake-up around 10:30 a.m.
♥ Eat breakfast, most important meal of the day! 

♥ Make my bed so I'm not tempted to go back to sleep, LOL
♥ Take a nice hot shower to wake myself up
♥ Relax a bit :)


Noon, around 12:00-ish
♥ Have a little 15 minute workout *at least twice a week, preferably on Mondays and Thursdays
♥ Eat Lunch
♥ Do any cleaning that may need to be done. 
♥ Relax outside for a bit if it's not raining. 


Afternoon (wait are Noon and Afternoon the same thing? LOL), around 3 or 4:00-ish
♥ Have Dinner
♥ Work on my blog when I have ideas


Evening/ Nighttime
♥ Relax on the computer
♥ Read a little bit before going to bed
♥ Try to get to bed around 2-4 am. 


This is just the general list of things I'd like to do daily. Things can always be added or put into a different time :) A summer schedule should be based off of your wants and needs, and help you to have a great and productive summer :) Just remember to be realistic, and be flexible! 

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Get your purse out of the way, and off the floor

Sometimes when I go out to a restaurant, and especially when I'm at school. There is a very limited amount of space on the table or desk. There just isn't always enough room to put your purse on the table without it getting in the way. While could put in on the seat next to you, hang it off of your chair, or put it on the floor there still has to be a better place to put it. I mean, if you can't put your purse on the seat next to you if someone is sitting there, LOL. And sometimes it can be difficult to hang your purse off a booth in a restaurant (and then your purse is behind you, where you cant really keep as good of an eye on it). And I don't like putting my purse on the, sometimes very dirty (especially at school), floor where it can get stepped on or kicked around. So where can you put your purse when your out to eat, or at school/ work? 

purse mate hangers

Last Christmas, my mom gave me these hooks that can keep my purse off of the floor when I have limited space to put my purse. They were actually very inexpensive, I believe they cost no more then $2.00 (american dollars) for a pack of two! And the ones that i have can hold up to 30 lbs on one hook!  They are small enough to fit in your purse (they could even fit in your make-up bag or even your wallet, depending on the wallet) and they have nearly no weight to them at all. They hang off of the table, taking up almost no room at all and keep your purse securely in place and off the floor! You can even use them to hang your purse off of your desk, dresser, or vanity if you have limited space for your purse at home! 

If you are interested in a set of purse hangers you can always find them on sites like Amazon or eBay. If you are not an online shopper, you may also be able to find them in stores like Big Lots for rather cheap.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

What to take to the pool or beach?



One of my favorite parts of summer time is going swimming. I love taking a refreshing dip in the pool on a hot summer day. But you can't go to the pool empty handed! So I have decided to make today's post on what I like to  put in my pool/ beach bag when I head out to go swimming. You can always give or take a few things. But here are the things I find to be crucial:

Bathing Suit (of course!) It's always important that your bathing suit fits you correctly, not to lose or to tight, to avoid a potential swimsuit malfunction! Also, always pick a bathing suit you feel comfortable in. If you don't want to wear a bikini, you could always find a cute one piece, or a tankini (two piece like a bikini, but with a more tank top like top, you may of already known that though :P) Here's a picture of what I'm taking about:

*if you wear your bathing suit under your clothes, don't forget to pack a bra and an extra pair of undies!

Towel- Even if you just plan to sit out and relax rather then get in the water, a towel is always nice to lay on! And it's never fun to have to walk around dripping wet after a swim! 

Sunscreen! I can not stress this enough! Especially if you are going to be at an outdoor pool (as for indoor pools at recreation centers, you may be able to skip out on this. But if you are going to be spending any time outside, even if you are not swimming, you need to wear sunscreen!) At the very least I would go with SPF 15 if I was trying to get a tan. But it's best to go with SPF 30 or higher, depending on how sensitive your skin is. It's always best to play it safe. Sunburns are painful and can cause premature aging and other potential problems down the road. You should still wear sunscreen on a cloudy day, because UV radiation still gets through.

Something to hold your hair back- I was actually thinking of doing a post on hairstyles to wear to the pool. You can of course always go with a simple ponytail, or even wear a swimming cap! Just as long as it keeps your hair out of your way (especially if you have longer hair). It also helps to keep your hair from getting tangled and messy while your swimming. 

A hair brush- to brush out any tangles you may have gotten in your hair while swimming. having you hair tied back will reduce the amount of tangles you get. 

A plastic bag to put your wet things in- this is simply to protect other items in your bag from getting wet after swimming.

Sunglasses- Mostly to protect your eyes when you are lounging on the beach or by the pool. I know it can be hard to wear sunglasses if you wear glasses like i do. But transitions lenses will work perfectly to protect your eyes from the bright sun. 

Water bottle- Since you can't drink water from the pool, lake or ocean (I mean it would be quite icky and not very healthy!) You need to have water to keep you hydrated. Especially on a really hot day. 



I also like to take these things with me sometimes, but these are (almost) COMPLETELY optional:


Something to read- If you just plan to relax by the pool, it's always nice to have a book or magazine to read.

iPod- i would be careful about bringing this, if it was going to be unattended i would lock this up in a locker if available. Many places will make you pay a small amount of change to lock the locker. But it's always worth the 25-50 cents (give or take a little) to protect your iPod, phone, or other valuables from theft or getting wet. I wouldn't bring this unless I plan to relax by the pool for a while and listen to some music. 

Phone- Always a great idea in case of an emergency. Or to text some friends while your sitting by the pool. But same with the iPod, it's best to lock it up when left unattended. 

A small amount of money- you may sometimes need this to get into the pool or onto some beaches, depending on the place. It's always nice to have some change with you to lock up your locker if needed. I wouldn't bring any more then $10 (in american dollars)


So these are the things i like to bring to the pool with me. What do you like to bring to the pool with you? Let me know if you feel I've left anything out. I'm always open to suggestions. 

Friday, June 1, 2012

Rainy Days...

Rain, rain, go away come again some other day! 


Rainy, gloomy days aren't always the funnest days in the world. Whether you are an indoors or outdoors person, a gloomy day can just seem to bring you down. While i personally love rain at night, (I just LOVE the sound of the rain on my roof, it's so relaxing!), I don't usually enjoy waking up to a dark cloudy, rainy day. It can be hard to any  motivation on these kinds of lazy days. Sometimes I don't even want to get out of bed on these days, LOL!

While rainy days may not be the most cheery days. I think that they provide the perfect excuse to just lounge for the day. It's one of those days where I like to just stay in my pajamas and browse, watch TV, or ready a book and just listen to the rain. I also like to treat myself to a special snack on these days, just to help boost my mood a little bit. If I want to have a more productive day, I'll just do a little bit of cleaning or organizing. Perfect opportunity to tackle any of those small, hard to organize spaces! 

These are just a few things i like to do on a lazy rainy day. I also have to say it's okay to sleep in a little later (as long as you don't have school or work) on these days. Everyone deserves a lazy, relaxed day once in a while. And a rainy day can be the perfect opportunity to just kick it for the day. 

What do you like to do on a lazy rainy day? Do you like to relax, or do you prefer to use a rainy day to get stuff done? Let me know in the comments!