DIY Terrarium (for free)

To be honest, it's kind of a funny story how I thought of this. I went to Dairy Queen for lunch and got the 5 buck lunch, which came with a sundae. What does this have to do with a terrarium? Well, when I finished my sundae, I noticed that the cup didn't have anything imprinted on it that had anything to do with DQ, so I figured it would be a great way to make a terrarium! Now, I know this actually isn't free because you obviously have to pay for the sundae, but if you want to go grab a sundae, make sure you keep the cup and it really is free!

As I mentioned, the first thing you need is a clear plastic cup, which I got from Dairy Queen.

Now, it's all up to you! You can do whatever design you want with different rocks and soil. I added some rocks in first, and then some soil, and then another layer of rocks, and another layer of soil. My biggest tip? GET CREATIVE! Smaller rocks work a lot better, so you can lay them flat and not as much dirt will fall in between the rocks. That was my first mistake, as you can probably tell, so keep that in mind!

When you're done adding the layers, you can add whatever you want to be on top! You can buy a succulent, but I just added some moss and other random plants around my yard. Baby pinecones would look good as well! This is the last step and you're done!

There is your cute little decoration FOR FREE. I hope you enjoyed the post, and have an awesome day!

16 Ways to Make Great Grades

As a college student, my main goal is to achieve great grades, and I'm sure that is your goal too. I know people have different standards for what a good grade is. C's get degrees, right? But you should always work your hardest, because that's how you'll get the best outcome. Aim for the highest grade, even if you think it's impossible.

Here are 16 tips to guarantee great grades:

1.) Go to all of your classes. Even if it seems like it's a class that you can miss, don't. It will always end up hurting you. You will either miss something important such as information for a test or you won't learn something that you could use later on. It mostly just looks good on  the student, and the professor will remember that.

2.) Get to know your professors. They will remember you, and that can help you out. Also, don't just get to know the professor in that way. Know what kind of discussions they will have. Know what kind of questions they will ask. If you take multiple tests in one class, pay attention to the types of questions they ask on the first test, and you will have an idea of what kinds of questions will be on the next test.

3.) Get involved in the class. If your class is having a discussion, make sure you are involved. You don't only learn more, but it looks good on you as well.

4.) Read the syllabus. Look at all of the assignments, and see if there are any you can get ahead on.

5.) Get organized. Use a planner or an assignment sheet to write down your assignments and readings, and when they are due. Refer back to the syllabus every now and again to make sure you didn't skip any assignments.

6.) Do NOT procrastinate. I know, basically everyone does it, but it is best if you get a head start. You'll have more time to edit papers, so you'll find more of your mistakes. And of course, you just don't want the quality of work that looks like it was turned in at 11:55 P.M. when it's due at 12:00 A.M. the same day.

7.) Listen to the professor. I know, this is a given. Make sure you pay attention to the things the professor emphasizes. There is a great possibility that it will be on the test.

8.) Don't be afraid to ask questions. If you don't understand something, never be afraid to ask. I know sometimes professors can be mean about it, but that's as far as it goes. It doesn't hurt your grade to ask.

9.) Study early in the semester. Start studying a little bit for each class throughout the semester. I always take and organize notes after each class, this way I don't have to cram, and I better understand the concepts.

10.) Read your chapters. I know in some classes, you don't actually have to, but if you're going to have a test or an assignment, it's always better to read than not.

11.) Find sources online. A lot of textbooks have supplemental sources that go along with your textbook. Try to find those. If you can't find those, get on Quizlet and find sets with some topics of your class, and look at those to obtain a better understanding. You can also find websites to correct your grammar for papers.

12.) Prepare strategies to deal with stress. You're going to be stressed throughout the semester. It always happens. Sometimes you have freak-outs. Find a way to manage your stress, because stress can affect how well you do in the class. Prepare strategies to help you cope with presentations and exams.

13.) Know how you study. Most people like to study in certain ways. Flashcards help me, re-writing notes might help others. Find the best way that you retain information and use it.

14.) Get in groups. This goes along with figuring out how to study, but find a few of your classmates and get together. You can review each others papers and help each other study for tests.

15.) Learn to take notes. If your professor doesn't post a powerpoint, this is especially important. There are several methods of taking notes. Learn which way works the best for you. Ask questions in your notes. Make note of things you don't understand. Make it colorful.

16.) Don't memorize. Sure, memorization can be good for tests, but sometimes not. A lot of questions on tests are hypothetical, so you will not only have to know the definition, but you will have to apply it. LEARNING instead of memorization is not only better for tests, but for a foundation for other classes.

I hope these tips help, and have a great semester!

Maybelline Fit me Review

Let me start off by saying that the Maybelline Fit Me! Matte and Poreless has been my go-to foundation for about 7 months. I have always struggled to find a foundation that suits my oily skin. If you have oily skin, this foundation is AWESOME. I am in the shade 120- Classic Ivory. Although it is my favorite by far, there are some cons as well. Here are the pros and cons:

Pros:

• Although the formula claims to be light-medium coverage, this is a very buildable foundation, so it can even be used as a medium-full coverage. The foundation builds without being cakey-with an exception that I will discuss in the cons.
• I tested this foundation out when I first got it by wearing it for a full day. I had it on for about 11 hours at work, where I got hot and a little bit sweaty. I kept checking the mirror thinking it would look like an oily mess, which is what happens to me with other liquid foundations, but it wasn't. This foundation stays all day, and it only gets a little oily. Some days it gets more oily than others, because my face is more oily on some days than others, but overall, it keeps my skin looking matte.
• This foundation is so easy to apply. I use a damp beauty blender, and it does not take much product. It blends out easily.
• It's cheap! At Walmart, you can get it for $5.94, and it looks as good as the more expensive brands.

Cons:

• The colors to choose from are not all that great. Most of the colors have either a strong pink or yellow tone at first, but after a few minutes, it evens out, so the color matches better than it did when you first put it on, so don't freak out! Even so, there still aren't many colors to choose from.
• Like I mentioned earlier, the foundation builds without being cakey, with an exception. I started out using the foundation with a stipple brush, and it looked a little cakey. I started using a beauty blender, and it didn't look cakey anymore, but be aware of what you are using to apply the foundation and how it affects it.

The Maybelline Fit Me! Matte and Poreless is overall the best foundation I have ever tried. If you have oily skin, try it out!

I hope you enjoy the post, and have a great day!

Cheap Skincare for Acne

Everyone once in a while, I break out pretty bad. Especially being a college student because I stress out so often. I also break out really bad when I am about to start my period. I have always struggled to keep my breakouts under control when they do happen, but I recently came across a routine that helps prevent it to some extent. Actually, it helps quite a bit for me. Of course, everyone's body isdifferent, so I don't know if this will help YOU or not, but you can at least give it a go.

First things first. Here are the products I use when I am not broke out:

• Equate Beauty Refreshing Cleansing Towelettes- I use these to remove my face makeup. To remove my eye makeup, I use baby oil.
• Neutrogena Original Formula Face Wash- I use this on a daily basis when I am not broke out.
• St. Ives Oatmeal Scrub and Mask- Guys, this stuff is seriously awesome. It is the best exfoliator I have ever had, it smells fresh, AND it doubles as a mask. I use this 2-3 times per week.
• Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream- I use this every time after I wash my face. I probably should not have bought it because I have oily skin, and this is specifically for dry skin, but it still gets the job done.

Now, for what I use when I am broke out. Please keep in mind that it is usually only mild breakouts that I have. This product works miracles, so maybe it will for you too. When I am broke out, I use the Equate 3-step Acne Treatment

This treatment comes with a cleanser, toner, repairing lotion, and mask (not pictured).  You use them in that order, except the mask (obviously). The cleanser is an exfoliator, so it will remove dead skin. All of the products have the same chemical that is supposed to help with breakouts, so it continues to work after you wash it off. It is compared to proactive, but for about half the price.

Another product that I use to help is Equate Spot Treatment. I just put it directly on my breakout, and it dries it up.

Lets say, you don't want to use these specific products (even though you should). I'll give you a little secret. The chemical in all of the products that actually help my breakouts isn't salicylic acid, which is what is in most skincare products. Salicylic acid actually makes it a lot worse for me. What DOES help is  benzoyl peroxide, so be on the lookout for that.

Hope you enjoyed the post, and have a great day!

Eating Healthy in College

Over the past week or so, I have had no energy. I've felt worse than I ever have. I tried to keep up with when I started to feel bad so that I could find the culprit, and I realized it was the food that had been making me feel so bad. Since this semester started, I have been on a traditional broke college student diet, which consists of the cheapest things I could find (Ramen Noodles). Ramen noodles, potato chips, cookies, and Little Debbie brownies. Who has time for a real meal, right? I have a meal plan, and in a way, that makes things worse. I have access to an all-you-can-eat buffet. With desserts. And pop. Since I'm paying a ton of money for it, I might as well get my money's worth, right? Wrong. My body has felt so bad the past few days, and it is just not worth it. Here is my pledge: I'm  going to start being healthier. If you're in the same boat as me, here are some of the challenges I want to try, and you can do them too.

1.) Don't drink pop. I know well before I drink it that it's going to make me feel bad. What do I do? I drink it anyway. About 30 minutes later I'm thinking, "Why on earth did I do that?" I know a lot of people preach, "MODERATION, MODERATION, MODERATION!" I can't do that. For example, if I cut down to one snack a week, that craving is still there. One time I didn't eat a (unhealthy) snack for about a month, and I had ZERO cravings. Well, I thought moderation was okay, so I got a unhealthy snack. That broke the cycle, and I still haven't started back. Darn brownies. Anyway, everyone is different, so moderation could be okay for you. Just do what feels right for your body.

2.) Water. Water. Water. I drink water quite often now, but I'm challenging myself to drink a lot more. How much should you drink? A lot of people throw out exact amounts, but I just listen to my body and check my pee. If your pee is pretty light, you are probably drinking enough water.

3.) Do not buy food just because it is cheap. I have had so much Ramen Noodles lately, it's ridiculous. It's so hard to buy the more expensive food when you're in college. (You probably know where I am coming from.) Of course, you should look at the price, but also look at the nutrition label. I'm challenging myself to not buy food based on price until I look at the nutrition label.

4.) Cut out processed food. Okay, this is hard. I know. I'm not saying completely cut it out. Just try to eat more natural things. Well, that's hard too. Especially when all you can eat is something that is microwavable. Try to find healthier processed food, if that's even a thing.

5.) Check nutrition labels. This goes along with what I have already said. Do some research and get an idea of  what exactly should be on the nutrition label for it to be healthy.

6.) Eat healthy fast food. There is no such thing as healthy fast food that I know of. That's why it's fast. I know that totally contradicts what I just said, but just hold on. You can find nutrition labels for a ton of fast food restaurants online. Before you go out to eat, check these out. See what looks the healthiest or what you can do to make it healthier. I'm going to start taking off one of the buns off of my sandwiches. Ask for low fat mayonnaise. I know a lot of people think getting salads at restaurants is healthy, but if you cover it with dressing, it may even be worse. Sorry.

7.) Eat more fruits and veggies. This goes along with cutting out processed food, but try to eat more fruits and veggies. This is something I'm trying very hard to do. I don't like many vegetables, so it's kind of hard for me, but I am going to eat more of what I do like. They are so healthy for you in so many ways. And when I say veggies, I don't mean go get some potato chips because they're made of potatoes. I wish that would work, but trust me, it doesn't.

8.) Make time to eat healthy. This is so hard in college. You try to work around your schedule to eat, and it just doesn't work. You end up snacking before one class just so you can make it to your next class and not be starving. You're up late doing your paper last minute. You will get hungry. It's unavoidable. Plan out what you're going to eat throughout the day. If you have some free time, try to prepare something, like a turkey wrap, that you can just grab and take with you that's a healthier option.

9.) Don't stress eat. I'm guilty as charged. If I'm stressed out, I'll just nibble on potato chips or something throughout the day. I'll eat a whole pack of cookies (slight exaggeration). I'm going to start waiting a few minutes after I get pretty hungry, just to see if I stay hungry. If I don't stay hungry, I was probably just craving it because I was stressed. Your body can  trick you into thinking you're hungry. Just give it a little while, and you will be able to tell if you was actually hungry or not.

10.) Don't buy it. If unhealthy food is in your dorm, you're more than likely going to eat it. If it's not there, you can't eat it. Take advantage of buying your own groceries.

If you are in the same boat as I am, I hope this works for you. I'm no dietitian, but I guarantee this will make you feel better. It makes even help you shed some pounds.

Leave a comment below if something not listed helps you.

Valentine's Day DIY

Valentine's Day Banner

This cute Valentine's Day banner is perfect for the holiday. The things you'll need are construction paper, scissors, twine, a hole punch (or clothespins), and something to hang it up with. (I used double-sided tape.)

Here is how I made it:

1.) Cut out hearts from the construction paper. I used pink and white for Valentine's Day. The fastest way to cut these out is to fold the paper over an inch or two and cut half of a heart.

2.) Using a hole puncher, punch 2 holes in the top of the hearts like so.

                                                         

                   

3.) Now it's time to put the twine through the heart! If you choose, you can skip the hole punching and hang up your hearts with clothespins, which is super cute too.

And there is your cute, festive Valentine's Day Banner!

Grow Long Hair

Ways You Can Grow Long Hair

1.) I know you have heard it from everyone else, but in order to grow out your hair, you need to stay away from heating tools. Curling irons, straighteners, and even hair dryers. If by chance, you do need to use one of these, use some form of heat protectant. I use Biosilk Silk Therapy before I use any heat products, but I have seen the biggest difference in the health of my hair just from strictly limiting hot tools. Along with not using hot tools, also try not to dye or bleach it; all of these chemicals dry out your hair and causes breakage.

2.) This is so hard because you are also trying to keep from using heating tools, but try not to wear your hair up as often, or at least where it in different spots. If you wear a ponytail or a bun a lot, it can lead to breakage. I tried to stop wearing my hair up so often, and it even made my hair look smoother.

3.) I believe that cutting your hair does not help it grow, although a lot of people believe that. Your hair is dead. The hair at the top of your head does not know that the bottom of your hair is damaged. If your aim is to make your hair look healthy, then I suggest hair cuts, but if you are just trying to grow it out, I wouldn't get my hair cut often. The best way to make your hair grow isn't from what you do on the outside though, it is the inside. Living a healthy lifestyle and getting the nutrients you need is the best bet for making your hair grow. Taking some form of hair, skin, and nail vitamins is said to help a lot as well.

4.) Scalp massages are a great way to get the blood flowing. The more blood that circulates and can get the nutrients to your hair follicle, the better.

5.) I tried out waiting as long as I could before washing my hair, because I saw that it helped. To be honest, it made my hair feel and look worse. I could have swore it stopped growing there for a while! Don't be like me and ignore your body. If your hair is starting to get pretty oily, wash it. Although I say this, try your best to not wash your hair every single day. Stripping your hair that often is terrible for it. Listen to your body because it knows best.

6.) Try the no-poo method. I personally have not tried it, but you could always try it out and see how it works for you! There are all kinds of articles online that tell you about the no-poo method and if it worked.

Happy growing! Have a great day, and I hope you enjoyed the post.

Adding Meta Tags to Blogger

Meta tags are a great thing to have if you are a blogger. I do not know the technicalities of it, but they are used to help your blog pop up on the search engine. I tried several ways, including editing the html, but it did not work for me. I was playing around, and found a way to easily add meta tags for Blogger, so here is how you do it.

1.) Go to your Blogger dashboard.

2.) Go to settings from the dropdown box beside your blogs.

3.) Under settings, go to "search preferences."

4.) You will see where it says "Meta tags" at the top of the page. Here is what it looks like with a better description of what meta tags are:

5.) Click edit, which is right beside where it says disabled.

6.) Add a description of your blog starting with, "A blog about..." I have underlined the example in the following screenshot. Then click "Save changes."

7.) After you have clicked "Saved changes," the following screenshot is what should be showing.

You have officially added meta tags to your blogger in the easiest way possible. Have a good day, and I hope this post was informative!

What's in my Shower?

Have you ever been curious about what other people use in the shower? You know, the kinds of razors, shampoos, and what-not they use? No? Well, here is what I use in my shower anyway.

1. First of all, I use the Schick Hydro Silk disposable razors for women. At Walmart, they are $9.97 for a 4-pack. Here is the link: Schick Hydro Silk Razors

2. Of course, you have to have shaving gel/cream to go along with your razor. I use Gillette Venus Olay Sugarberry Bliss Shave Gel from Walmart for $2.97. Here is the link: Gillette Venus Olay Shave Gel

3. Ah, here is the important part. Everyone wants to know what shampoo and conditioner to use. I usually switch between several different kinds, but right now I am using the Tresemme Smooth and Silky Moroccan Argon Oil matching shampoo and conditioner. They are both $3.98 at Walmart. Here are the links: Tresemme Smooth and Silky Shampoo

                      Tresemme Smooth and Silky Conditioner

4. For washing my body I either use a loofa (you can get those anywhere and they're cheap) or a wash cloth.

5.  For body wash, I have been using two different products. The first one, which I have been using for a while, is Olay Ultra Moisture Body Wash with Shea Butter. You can get it for $4.97 at Walmart. The other product I have been using lately is a shower gel that came in a set that I got for Christmas. It is the Minajesty Nicki Minaj set. The whole set is $19.88 at Walmart. Here are the links for the two above products: Olay Ultra Moisture Body Wash

                          Minajesty Set

That is all that I use in the shower right now. Keep in mind the things I use change a lot. This is what I use for the shower at my house; I also have completely different products at my dorm. Be on the lookout for what I use in my dorm shower, as well as an updated what I use in the shower for my house when I start using new products. Have a good day, and I hope you enjoyed the post!

Valentine's Day Gifts for Him

Most people associate Valentine's day with getting a female a gift (or gifts) of some sort. If you don't want your man to feel left out, but you don't know what to get him, here are some ideas for you!

1.) Custom Rubik's Cube.                                                                    

If your guy is into little trinkets like this, it would be the perfect gift! Whether you put pictures of you together, or his favorite teams, it is special because you customized it yourself. Here is the link to a custom cube kit to get started: http://rubiks.com/store/product/custom-3x3-cube

2.) A wallet

I don't know any guy who doesn't want a wallet. That is all I have to say
about that. Maybe you could have his name put on it to make it more special.
Either way, this is a great idea, especially if it's time for a new wallet!

3.) Things you love about him

It might sound cheesy, but you can make a list of all of the things you love
about him. Whether you put it on a deck of cards or write it on a piece of
paper, he really will see how much you love him. That's what valentine's
day is all about, right?

4.) Customizable deck of cards

Speaking of a deck of cards, there are so many things you can customize
now, and at your local Walmart or pharmacy. One of those things you can
customize is a deck of cards, with your pictures on it. If he is not into cards,
you can try customizing something else, like a coffee mug.

5.) Collect some of his favorite movies/games

You can never go wrong by getting your guy some of his favorite video
games and movies. Maybe even accessories that go along with those like
those headphones he has been wanting.

6.) Take him out to dinner

Usually it is the guys who take girls out to dinner. Try switching it up for

Valentine's Day. Take him to his favorite restaurant, and maybe even that movie

he has been wanting to see. He will definitely be surprised when he finds

out you are the one taking him out on a date!

7.) Chocolate

Guys like chocolate too! Usually chocolate is what the               
guy gets the girl, but get him some chocolate too. I'm sure   
he will appreciate it!

8.) Make a gift basket

Think of all of his favorite things. What movies does he like? 

What candy? Put some of these things in a gift basket, along with

things like deodorant, razors, and body wash; just anything

he won't have to buy later on himself.

9.) Cook for him

Cook him his favorite treat, whether it is peanut butter cookies

or pizza and chicken wings.

10.) Tickets

Tickets to a game or a concert are win/win.

Even if the game is a blowout or you get rained out at a concert, you still

get to spend it with your valentine.

I hope these 10 gift ideas help you out. Have a great Valentine's Day!