Mental Health - Kathleen

Thanksgiving Break is started!!

Hi everyone! It's Kathleen here, and because I live in America, Thanksgiving is this Thursday! I'm so excited, it's one of my favorite holidays. We always have the most delicious array of food; Turkey, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes with brown sugar and marshmallows, green mountain fluff (sprite, marshmallows, pineapple, walnuts) gravy, fresh bread, cranberry sauce, apple stuffing, pumpkin pie, chocolate cream pie, pecan pie, and coconut cream pie. It's a bit much but it's delicious.

Pretty much all year round I'm stressed. This lessens during the summer and heightens right around this time of year. I don't really know why I get more stressed this time of year, but it probably has to do something with school and less time for me to pay attention to my mental state. So I'm going to share a few of my tips for combating stress and improving my daily mental health.

To start out, whenever I'm feeling down, I like to read a few quotes that help me re-focus and evaluate what I need to do to get back to myself.

"Be happy in the moment, that's enough. Each moment is all we need, not more." Mother Teresa

It's okay if every weekend doesn't lead to big moments and campfires and laughter that carries on for hours and hours. Some weekends might be quite, still, with plenty of room to contemplate. And in that contemplation room, there is room to grow. So hold those weekends dear. Don't see them as less or as threats to the more exciting times. There is beauty and truth even in the seemingly mundane." -Morgan Harper Nichols

"I think everything in life is art. What you do. How you dress. The way you love someone, and how you talk. Your smile and your personality. What you believe in, and all your dreams. They way you drink your drinks, How you decorate your home. Or party. The way your write your grocery list. The food you make. How your handwriting looks. And the way you feel." - Unkown (via awwyeahquotes)

"We rise by lifting others." - Unknown to me (hunting louise)

"Don't forget to love the way you want to be loved, listen the way you want to be heard, speak the way you want to be spoken to, give the way you hope others will give, care the way you want others to care because change doesn't start with them. It stars right here." - Madalyn Beck

"You think attention is love, and that's why you suffer so deeply." - The Better Man Project

First up: Self-esteem, because belief it or not, your self-esteem/body-image affects your mental health insanely. If I'm not feeling confident in my body, I think of one thing. If I'm not doing anything to change the way I feel about my body, then I can't complain, because complaining isn't going to do anything. Whenever I'm in a funk, I go on a run. I do try to go to the gym, or even just do a bedroom workout. Besides doing something about the way you feel about your body, exercising gets your endorphins going and that also makes you happier.

My surroundings also change the way I feel. I try and keep my room clean. Usually my to duvet makes me super warm at night, so I've started taking it off before I go to sleep and draping it over my desk chair. I still have 3 layers of blankets so I'm plenty warm. Then when I wake up in the morning, I have to make my bed because I literally can't do anything with this humongous blanket draped over my chair. Then once my bed is made I have to clean everything else up because otherwise everything looks out of place.

The next thing is so important, in fact, my mental state relies on this almost 100%. When I do my school, I make sure that I'm doing what needs to be done that day, and then working on anything extra. When I have a paper due and I would much rather procrastinate, I get to it and completely ignore the fact that I would much rather be on Pinterest. Then when I'm done, I feel so much better and my assignment is turned in. This honestly cures so much stress because the longer you procrastinate on anything, the more stressed you feel. That being said, another rule I have is that I never work past 8 P.M. This prevents me from working too late and getting a headache.

My last important mental health/stress-relief tip is to pamper yourself a little bit. I always take my time to wash my face with a scrub, cleanser, and moisturizer. I always do a lip scrub and swipe on so much chap stick. I use a homemade lip scrub; I made it a really long time ago, but I think it is coconut oil, sugar, and peppermint oil. I then use some Burt's Bees ( Beeswax Lip Balm with Vitamin E and Peppermint) then I use my Body Shop (Born Lippy, Strawberry) Lip Balm. If I have any chill time, I will light a candle and do a facemask. Sometimes I write a blog post, others I just lay down and not do anything. I love using the Yes To Tomatoes Charcoal Sheet Mask. It literally clears my skin SOOO well. It's also very refreshing.

That's it for my relaxing/Mental Health tips. Obviously this wasn't intended to help with anything serious; it's just how I keep my life relatively stress-free.

Tell me what your plans are for Thanksgiving this year, and I will see you next week!

Kathleen

twodorkswithablog.blogspot.com 

How to Make Money at Home as a Teen -Emma

Hey everyone! I am here with a new post!

Today I will be mostly talking about my online business, how you can start one of your own, and tips for teens wanting to start their own business.

Most of my friends don't know this yet, but this past August I started my own Etsy shop selling bandanas and bow ties for dogs and cats. And let me tell you, it was not easy.

I have gone through many different business plans, and still work out different problems and details everyday.

If you're creative and are interested in making things to sell online, keep reading.

The first step to starting your own Etsy shop is figuring out a product you can make to sell. You can research different DIYs on Pinterest that interest you, or maybe you already have something in mind that you have made before that you think you could sell.

Some things to think about when choosing a product to make and sell are:

-how long it takes you to make the product
-how much it costs to make the product
-if there are many starting costs you'd need to start your business
-if you can make the item in many different ways (the more items you have, the better your shop will do)
-if you can think of a select group of people who would be interested in buying your product

Some answers I had to these questions when starting my shop are:

-I can make 10 bow ties in 1 hour (pretty good efficiency rate)
-A half a yard of fabric is about $4, and I can make 8 bow ties with each half yard. I can also buy bulk supplies and packaging
-Business cards will cost around $20, but they will make my shop and packaging much more proffessional
-I can make bow ties in all kinds of different patterns and styles.
-I can contact people who have dogs or love animals to promote my shop.

Making an Etsy shop is pretty easy once you have a business plan, so I won't go into too much detail with this step.

Marketing is one of the most important parts of your new business. 95% of my sales have came just from Instagram. So, I highly recommend making an Instagram account for your new business, following hundreds of people who are in your "group" listed above, and hosting lots of giveaways and contests to make customers interested.

I have also started having brand representatives for my shop. I find these people on Instagram, they apply to be a model/brand rep, and their pets receive free bow ties to take photos in and promote my shop. I get to use these photos on my shop for marketing purposes too. So, it's a win win.

Having an Etsy shop while still in high school is NOT easy. But if you are looking for a fun way to be creative and make money from home on your own time, this is the perfect opportunity for you!

I know I didn't go into too much detail in this post, but I (might?) make this a series of posts for you all, and if you have any questions just let me know!

Also, be sure to check out Kathleen's new post talking about her inspiration for the blog and her posts. I really love her comments and she inspired me to write this post today!

Thanks for reading!

-Emma

Two Dorks with a Blog - Kathleen

Hi everyone!!

I have a bit of a different post today,  so I'm just going to start right away.

I had a friend email me this morning and she said that she started a blog back in like 2012 or something, but only posted 2 posts on it. She asked me what my inspiration comes from and what my view is for the blog. So I'm going to talk a little about how I write my posts, what the focus for my posts is, (grammar?) some tips, and what blogs I often read.

#1
How did I come up with the focus for my posts?

Honestly, I just write what I think is fun and I would enjoy reading. I write about what is interesting me in my life and what is happening in my life. Even for the small audience we reach, I'm astonished and honestly kind of weirded out by the fact that people are reading posts about my life and such. I try and incorporate a little of my deep inner thoughts into my posts as well. Honestly, as an INFJ, I have so many deep thoughts and it's hard for me to feel comfortable talking about them with everyone, even my parents. This is one of the few reasons why I can't wait to move out: because I can live a life that I want without being judged. And the life I want to lead isn't necessarily one of partying. Honestly, I want to stay as far away from that as physically possible. I can't wait to have kids and raise them, and make dinner for my family and just live my life as quietly and gracefully as possible. Grace and mercy is my motto. Sometimes I'm not so great at the grace part though...

#2
How do I come up with ideas on what to post?

This is my favorite part. Like I said above, I take a lot of my inspiration from my everyday life. Those posts, I like to call Vloggy-Bloggies. (I made the name up myself :P) I normally write about what interests me, or something that I think about a lot and want to share with people. The other thing I do somewhat often is take inspiration from Pinterest. The daily journaling prompts are a somewhat useful way to go, but the daily blog post/YouTube video lists are even better. My favorite prompts are those by Hello Neverland. (Link under my signature) These make some great inspiration for seasonal posts. After this I take inspiration from YouTubers. But it rarely ever gets to the point that I need that inspiration. Not that YouTubers aren't great.

#3
Blogger: My Opinions and Advice


 I love using Blogger. It's a very simple way to start a blog and get your mind wrapped around how this whole thing works. You can even start earning money using Blogger. However, if you plan on going big with your blog, I would recommend starting your own website using something more like Wix. While blogger is great, getting your own website gives you a little bit of a boost. In the future (after college) I plan on getting a site through Wix and using that.

My cons for using Blogger is that the designing options only go so far, and that videos don't post very well, if at all. Wix is better for posting videos I've heard.

I will be linking all the blogs mentioned in this post and some of my favorites below so you can access all of them.


On another note, I have questions about festive posts!! What kind of posts do you want to see coming from us this season? Also, how do you readers feel about Christmas music throughout late November and throughout December?

Thank you so much for reading and I will see you next week!!

Kathleen

twodorkswithablog.blogspot.com

Hello Neverland

Candidly Keri

Zoella

My Makeup Essentials -Emma

So...The daunting task of writing an intro...

Hello everyone! I'm finally here with a new post! I've been getting super into makeup lately (yes, even more than before, for those who know me). I've been watching a lot of makeup tutorials on YouTube and just obsessing a bit. So I thought the perfect post would be to talk about my essential makeup products.

To clear things up before I start: I DO NOT wear makeup everyday, in fact most days I wear little to no makeup, maybe just some concealer under my eyes and some mascara. And nor does anyone else have to wear makeup to be beautiful. I wear makeup purely because I enjoy it and like trying new styles.

So there.

Anyway.

Starting in the order in which I would put on a full face of makeup...
I use the Maybelline Baby Skin Primer. I just recently started using this after seeing it on (you guessed it) YouTube. It really does work amazing though and I like the feeling of having a barrier between my skin and all the makeup I am about to put on. I have noticed a good amount of acne disappearing after using this for a few weeks.

This is my all time favorite foundation. I've tried sO many different foundations and BB Creams in the past (even $40 ones from Sephora) and nothing compares to this. And it's at an unbeatable price too, for those of you who are like me and are usually pretty broke.

It's full coverage, not oily at all. I use a brush to blend it out (which I will show later). I use the shade 120 for anyone who is wondering.

Yet another Maybelline product...
This is the everyday concealer I use. It works pretty darn well. My only complaint with this product is sometimes it doesn't come out very well onto the sponge and just doesn't cover enough. And it is a bit pricey for the size. But overall, it is one of the best drugstore concealers around.

I swear the Maybelline products will end soon! This is the powder I use. It's from the same collection as the foundation I use. This pressed powder is actually amazing. Some days I really just use this on my face and nothing else. It just smooths everything out and makes your face look much more natural when you're wearing foundation. I LOVE it!

This is the highligher/blush I use on days that I'm doing more light makeup. It has just enough glow, but isn't too glowy. It also gives a great amount of color on your cheeks. I like to take my highlighter brush and just swirl the two together so they combine (saw this from Summer McKeen on YouTube).

Next up: brows. I am a blonde, so doing my brows is a must. My eyebrows are basically non existent without this. I use the Maybelline (of course) Brow Define and Fill Duo. This works fantastically, even better than the Sephora brand pencil I used to use.

This is my absolute favorite makeup item at the moment, and probably the only high end product I will have in this post. This is the Too Faced Sweet Peach Palette. The colors are so vibrant, and the palette smells like peaches. I've only had this for about a week but have been using this constantly. It does run on the very high end of prices at $48. But I was lucky enough to get it with a coupon I had to save a few dollars.

I normally use a few different products for my eyelashes, but my favorite is this Loreal Voluminous Lash Paradise mascara. It really works like a dupe of the "Better Than Sex" mascara from Too Faced. So this saves you like, $14.

Lastly, I will show my favorite brushes. From left to right: Elf Foundation Brush, Luxe Cosmetics Foundation Brush (but I use this for bronzer/ contouring), Glamour Dolls Highlighter Brush (for highlighter and blush), and Elizabeth Mott Blending Brush (for eye shadow).

Thank for all so much for reading! I think this might be the longest blog post I have ever written... probably because I tend to rant about makeup...

Let me know if you'd like me to do a post on the Too Faced Sweet Peach pallet, because I would love to do a few tutorials.

Talk to you all soon!

-Emma

Study Tips -Emma

Hello everyone! Since school has just started again (insert crying face here), I thought I would share some study tips with you all! These are all things that I do that really help me stay motivated to study, and more importantly- get good grades. 

Tip #1: Turn off distractions
It's important to turn off your T.V, cell phone, radio, and to study in a quiet space where you won't be bothered while studying. If you don't want to turn off your phone completly, put it on do not disturb and put it somewhere out of sight. Those text messages can wait until later!

Tip #2: Take frequent breaks
Studying for 15-30 minutes at a time with 10 minute breaks in between is the most effective way of studying. You'll be much more focused and motivated to study, and you will memorize information much easier. Just make sure to use your break time wisely. For example, instead of watching a show on Netflix, eat a snack and check social media. If you sit down and start watching Pretty Little Liars, you know you won't be getting back to studying anytime soon.

Tip #3: Make colorful notes
Using colorful index cards and highlighting topics in different colors has been proven to help you remember things. Index cards are great for memorizing definitions, or you can make up your own questions and quiz youself with them. 

Tip #4: Reward yourself
When I'm studying for a long period of time, I like to reward myself with candy after I finish a certain amount of work. For example, if I have to read 3 chapters in my Science textbook and take notes, I will get a Reece's peanut butter cup after I complete each chapter. It just helps me stay motivated to keep going.  (Plus, eating chocolate while studying has been proven to help the brain retain information!)

Tip #5: Make a playlist
Some people find it hard to concentrate when it's completly silent. The perfect solution to this is making a study playlist on Spotify. You can either make your own, or listen to one of Spotify's premade playlists. I listen to "Intense Studying". You wouldn't believe how much it helps me concentrate. If you're making your own playlist, just make sure they are non-lyrical songs. Those will just distract you even more. 

I hope you all enjoyed this post! Let me know what helps you study in the comments below. 

Until next week..

-Emma

Breakfast on the Go - Kathleen

Hi guys!!

This is Kathleen from the past because Kathleen from the present just got back from camping and probably horseback riding. I was at Camp Ondessonk for the eclipse on Monday.

Since school has started, (or is starting for some) I figured I would write a post about some on the go breakfast ideas. Insert a random mom talking about how breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But seriously, it is. Aside from breakfast giving you essential nutrients and vitamins (shouldn't every meal?) having a good breakfast can determine your mood for the day. For example: you are running out the door and don't have time for anything but a piece of toast. No butter, no jelly, just toast. How are you going to feel emotionally after that? Like a crab. On the flipside, if you got to sit down and eat a delicious meal (heehee, it only took you five minutes) that fills you up just enough and gives you key nutrients, one would probably feel much happier and awake.

So, today I am going to show you just how many breakfasts you can make and eat in 15 minutes. Let's go.

#1 Oatmeal

When I used to think of oatmeal, I thought of mush that didn't taste good without too much maple syrup. Now I really like it. I like putting strawberries, blueberries and chia seeds on it. Besides toppings, finding a healthy oatmeal to make is tricky. Lots of different oatmeals put too many sugars and sweeteners in them. I really like the Think Thin oatmeal. They come in portioned packages. They are super easy to make and are a quick, healthy breakfast that will keep you full and awake!

#2 Toaster Waffles

SHOCKER!!! Healthy toaster waffles!! Seriously, Kashi has Gluten Free/Vegan toaster waffles. Guys they taste delicious!! I like putting blackberries and honey on mine, but they have suggestions on the back as to other toppings such as peanut butter, bananas, and chia seeds. They are super easy to make and honestly guilt-free!

#3 Toast

Now I know what you are thinking, "Kathleen, you just said that eating a piece of toast on the way out the door is not good for you." But this is different. This is heaven on a slice of bread. People. Trust me. Toast a whole slice of bread. Spread peanut butter over it (thin layer) cut up any fruit, drizzle on some honey, generously sprinkle some chia seeds. Oh my Lord, it's so easy and soo good. Look at it like this, if you use whole wheat bread, (like I do) you get your grains, your protein, and your fruits, all on one piece of toast. What could be better?! And you can literally put whatever fruit  you want on it, it really is a seasonal thing. I love putting peaches on it. But you could use strawberries, kiwis, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, bananas, melon, or even cranberries. The options are endless. I highly recommend that you make this for breakfast tomorrow.

Now you don't have an excuse for not sitting down and eating breakfast!! And if you are so late that you can't even make these, you need to read my last post on school organization.

Thank you so much for reading! Tell me in the comments what your favorite breakfast item is!

Kathleen

Back to School Tips and Organization - Kathleen

Hi readers!!

Sorry for the late post, I've been a little busy and the bridal shower I was at yesterday ran a little late.

Anyways! School is starting soon and to be honest, I'm actually kind of excited!! It's been a great summer but I'm excited to have more of a schedule and a more predictable life. As much as a love the sun and extra exercise I get in the summer, leaves and sweaters and fall is my favorite season and school comes along with that. :D

So today I have some a list of some back to school tips and organizing that I like to do! Let's get started!

Tip #1
Have your backpack packed before you go to bed the night before school.

We all know it's hard to get up in the morning, especially on the first day of school. Have backpack ready to go in the morning. This makes you feel confident that you have everything and you are well prepared. And actually, if you do this, you are less likely to forget something because you weren't throwing stuff in your bag and then running out the door.

If you are homeschooled (like me!) you won't have a backpack. In this case I would suggest making sure you know where all your books are and know what the syllabus says the day before. Having all the books where you need them the day before is honestly awesome. It makes things so much easier.

Tip #2
Pamper yourself the night before.

Exfoliate, do a face mask, (nothing major maybe just a moisturizing or a little something to make you feel squeaky clean) and maybe do your nails just so they look nice. Pampering yourself the night before helps you feel confident. You will know you look good. Just make sure to clean of the zit cream if you used it. :P

Tip #3
Make sure you have any required work done before and that it is ready to turn in.

This is kind of a no-brainer, but how many times do you forget homework during the school year? Yeah. So just make sure its ready, and don't start the day before school begins.

Luckily for us homeschoolers, Required work to be turned in the first day of school is usually non-existent :D

Tip #4
Have an alarm set for the next morning.

Put it across the room from you. When you turn it off. DO NOT LOOK AT YOUR BED. Go to the bathroom and immediately make your breakfast. When you do this, you won't feel like getting back in bed because you are already awake!

Even though I'm homeschooled, I still wake up at 6 am. That way I have two comfortable hours to eat breakfast, take a shower, maybe go to the gym, and then get started on school. I highly recommend this even if you know you don't need 2 hours (I don't know when your school starts or when you have to leave) because then you could do something a little extra like eat your breakfast outside or something.

Tip #5
Don't look at your phone.

If you read the mindful eating tips, they say not to read or look at your phone while you are eating. This is because when you read or look at your phone, you aren't paying enough attention to the kind of food you are eating, how much you are eating, or your mental health. I like to take this a step further and not look at my phone until I'm completely ready for the day.

I've been doing this more often and I can honestly say that the extra time the adds, and the positive influence makes me so much more positive. When we look at today's society and think about how much of it is social media based or geared, it's kind of scary. People go places just so they can take a cool picture. The want that cool picture so they can get the views, the comments, the likes. Now I love to take a cool picture. But I won't take a picture and post it somewhere (if I had an Instagram... Mom...) just so that I can get big numbers. I will take it and post it because I like the way it looks and I'm proud of it.

Tip #6
Make sure you have one spot for all your classes.

As you can see, I'm taking four online classes this year: Bible Study, Medieval History and Literature, Chemistry, and Latin.

I use two binders a year. One for first semester and one for second semester. I always make sure to keep all my work for all my classes in that one binder that way I don't get lazy and stick an assignment in another classes folder. It won't get lost and I'm more organized.

Tip #7

Have your syllabi in the corresponding section of your binder.

By doing this, you always have your assignment schedule with your assignments and you will always know where it is. I like to put my teachers name, email, and the class link at the top of the first page of each syllabus. That way if the site isn't working I know the link.

Tip #8

Make your binders and notebooks look cute.

I just bought some cute scrapbook at Joann's fabrics and used double sided tape to apply it to the notebook. I wrote a DIY about it on International BFFs. (Link beneath the signature)

I really think that having your supplies look good really makes a difference in your attitude throughout the day and it just makes me feel like a happier person.

Tip #9

Keep your room clean.

This is incredibly important for me because I'm homeschooled. When my surroundings are a mess (bed is in-made, laundry in a big pile, and I haven't even gotten dressed yet) my school is usually a mess too. In the beginning, it's hard to get used to, but when you get in the routine it's easier. Your laundry doesn't sit in a huge pile because you do it every weekend. You don't want to have a big clean up session on a Saturday so you just start putting things away the first time. I adopted this policy of only having 15 minutes to clean up on Saturdays, and it makes me keep my room clean throughout the week.

Thank you so much for reading!! I hope this post helped you feel a little more ready

Kathleen

DIY Notebooks - Kathleen (IBFFs)

My Night Routine -Emma

Hey everyone!

We're trying to get a bit more active on the blog again, so I hope you all are enjoying the new posts! :P

Today I'm going to be showing you all my night routine! I've always wanted to be one of those YouTubers who makes routine videos and things but I've tried, and it's just not my thing. So I figured I'd do my little version of my routine in a blog post!

Without further ado, lets get to it!

7:00-

This is the time of night I normally get done with dinner. After dinner I take my puppy, Sadie, outside and spend some time with her, feed her dinner, playtime, that kind of stuff. Some nights if it's not too hot or rainy outside I take her on a walk around the neighborhood.

8:00-

After playing with Sadie for awhile, I change into my pajamas. I usually just wear some grey sweatpants/joggers (I'm obsessed, I have so many) and a tee shirt. After getting changed, I do my nightly skincare routine.

I don't wear makeup everyday, but when I do, I start off using the Neutrogena makeup remover towelettes. Let me tell you, these are amazing. There are a lot of makeup removers that irritate my skin or don't take off makeup well enough and you just have to keep scrubbing away, but these are amazing. They are a bit on the pricier side, but extremely worth it.

Next, I cleanse my face using the St. Ives Green Tea Scrub. I just recently started using this and it is AMAZING. My face cleared up from having a lot of acne in just a few days. It's a must try! Makes my skin feel so smooth and refreshed, and smells really great too. It's also pretty cheap compared to other cleansers, at only $4 at Target. 

The last step in my skin routine is to use the Clean & Clear Dual Action Moisturizer. It's really difficult to find a moisturizer that is oil-free (won't cause acne), and this one is perfect. It not only is oil-free but also helps treat acne. It made my skin visibly clearer immediately. 

After my skincare routine, I also brush my teeth and put in my rubber bands for the night. Yes, braces suck.

8:15-

After getting ready for bed, I watch T.V with my mom and sometimes Sadie for a little while. Right now we're re-watching Pretty Little Liars. We LOVE that show just like everyone else. Watching T.V before bed really calms me down and gets me ready to go to sleep. I know some people don't recommend it, but it works for me.

9:00-

Once we finish an episode of PLL, I take Sadie outside one last time to go potty, and then put her in her crate for the night. 

Before bed, I read. First, I read my devotional and whatever verse goes along with that day in the bible, then I read a normal book. I'm currently reading "The One" which is in the Selection Series. I'm obsessed with this series. If you liked the show "Reign", you'll love this series of books. While I read, I sometimes like to light a candle just because it's calming and gives that "good vibes" lighting.

10:00-

Before going to sleep, I check my Instagram, @emmalacroix, and Sadie's Instagram, @sadieonthemove. I also send out my last texts for the night, and that's about it.

Thank you all so much for reading! If you'd like to see more routines/day in my life blog posts, just let me know! Talk to you all again soon! :)

-Emma

What's in My Travel Backpack & Steuby Pictures - Kathleen

It's been awhile... yikes...

I can't believe how irresponsible I am with this blog... I know I know, I keep saying that I'm gonna post more and get back too it, but lets face facts: I haven't. I've been taking drivers ed every morning at 8 am, and staying up late at swim meets, and traveling. (More on that later 😛) Now that isn't to say that I couldn't have written a post way before I left or before I got super busy because I could have. So. I'm taking responsibility for that and making up for it. I'm sorry.

So speaking of travel, I have a little list for you! This is what I travel with in my backpack!!

So this is my backpack...

I got this for Christmas in 2016. I don't know where Mom got it from. The one I originally wanted was from PINK but that one was pricey for a backpack. This one looks just like it and I love it!!! It has three little pockets in the front. The two on the side are smaller and perfect for chargers, lotions, or snacks. The bucket pocket is sort of rectangular and not as much of a cube as you might think. It has a small pocket on the inside that is perfect for your wallet.

The buttons are all made like this which, I think, makes it a lot easier to open and close the pockets. The buttons are also nice buttons. It won't be easy for someone to open your bag or pickpocket.

Let's move on to what I bring IN the bag.

Electronics

I can fit my laptop, tablet, and phone in this bag all at once. However, this bag wasn't made to protect a laptop. I also usually don't need to take my laptop with me very often. I usually just pack my tablet and phone here because that's all I will really need. I also make sure to pack my chargers. My phone charger used to work on my tablet, so that made it easier when packing, but I got a new phone and the chargers are just a little bit different. So now I have to pack both... what a first world problem! 😄

Hygiene

I always bring hand lotion, hand sanitizer, tissues, and chap stick in my backpack. If I think that I might have some anxiety wherever I'm going, I will bring a pack of gum as well. If you want a post on this (anxiety hacks/tricks) comment below and I will share my limited knowledge.

If I am going on a longer trip, sometimes I will bring a paper face mask to do or something like that.

Stuff to Do

Being a blogger, I have a notebook for ideas. That usually goes everywhere with me. I also usually bring a book or two for down time.

So this is really what I packed in my backpack for Steubenville, which I have pictures to show you! I'm not going to really explain most of them. You will be able to tell what/when they are based on what Emma told you.

Saturday night by the gym... getting ready for small groups

The sunrise Saturday morning

Waiting for Saturday morning session to start.

Saturday morning talk #1

Saturday afternoon talk #1

Vocation call (Priests)

Thank you so much for reading this post! I love you guys so much! I hope you enjoyed the pictures! Tell me in the comments if you want the Anxiety Tips/Tricks post! Thank you!

Kathleen

twodorkswithablog.blogspot.com

Spring Favorites - Kathleen

Honestly, even though this is a spring favorites, these are probably going to be my summer favorites too.

Hi y'all!!

I know I said I would get back to you with those posts but that didn't happen. I'm so sorry.

On another note, I got a new phone! It's super cool and I have a pretty blue case for it. I also just got back from a really good swim-meet. For any of you swimmers out there, I took a whole 3 seconds off my fly. So I'm really happy!

So, today I'm doing a Spring Favorites. I would love to be able to do monthly favorites posts, but lets be honest, I'm a little homeschooled, junior in high school. I hardly have any money. So seasonal it goes. Lets do this!

So, I'm going to start on my one hair product. This is the Aussie Sprunch Light hold Hairspray. I really like this because it allows for a lot of movement while also keeping your hair relatively in place. I can spray it on, brush through it and its perfect. My hair remains soft, but not messy!

Moving on to skin care, I have recently fallen in love with Aveda's products. I've been using this Intensive Hydration Masque a lot lately. It really helps keep my skin hydrated, especially with all the extra chlorine. I think I like this because it hydrates more than it moisturizes. I feel like a lot of the time moisturizing so easily becomes oily.

Next up is my new cleanser, Aveda Botanical Kinetics Purifying Cream Cleanser. It does a little bit of moisturizing while cleansing and removing makeup. It really is a very simple, and works really well. I also feel very clean after using it, but I also feel lightly moisturized.

So a lot of you have seen my post on anxiety and that whole buiz. Basically that's often caused by stress. Well, this is the same scent as the Stress Relief line. The only difference is that it isn't labeled Stress Relief. This Bath and Body Works hand cream is way cheaper than the stress relief line, and honestly, it works so well!

These Chobani Flips are so good. They honestly keep me going through breakfast (at 6 am before drivers ed) and lunch (at noon) it isn't all that long, but I usually have a really light breakfast so I definitely need a snack. I think my favorite is probably the summer crush one. It has strawberry yogurt, ice cream cone crumbles, and some little white chocolate chips.

I think you guys have heard me rave about this product a lot so I will talk a little more about the brand. Formula 10.0.6 was founded in 1933 by a chemist. They are really good at helping young skin. I would honestly recommend this to any teen looking for a good face mask for a decent price.

OK last thing! This is obviously a little bit different from my normal beauty, nail polish, hair. This is Nivea's Post Shave Balm for Men. Now. You may have seen this on Pinterest, but this is an AMAZING thing. Seriously I use it right after I shave and it helps keep hair from growing back spiky AND it makes my skin look amazing and healthy. It really is a saver for me especially because I am swimming all the time and REALLY REALLY don't feel like shaving everywhere, every single day.

Thank you so much for reading, I hope this gives you some inspiration on things you could try out this summer. I will see you next post!

Kathleen

A Letter to my Younger Self - Kathleen

Dear Kathleen (the younger one),

     Hi. It's yourself writing to you. I'm actually 16 now... its pretty crazy. I'm starting Drivers Ed in the summer and I'm a little nervous. :D But it's OK because I'm kind of excited too. You'll love it.

     You are 10 years old... That's crazy. It seems like such a long time ago now... Lots of things are going to change pretty soon and it's probably going to get a little scary. Puberty is coming. I know you are super awkward about talking like this but it will get easier, trust me. You just have to embrace the fact that everyone knows about it. It happens to everyone. Period cramps suck, but Midol is a lifesaver. :P

     On top of that, this summer, Mom and Dad are going to tell your that you are homeschooling. It's going to be heartbreaking. You will loose touch with some of your friends and it will take awhile to make new friends but don't freak out, you'll make some really good ones too. Be patient with Mom as she tries to teach you math. She isn't very good at it, but you will be.

     Enjoy who you are before the world scares you with responsibilities and stereotypes. It really is scary. Play with the Barbie's and your Polly Pockets. You won't really appreciate your innocence until you don't have it anymore or at least until you see how bad other people have it.

     Don't worry about the future, it will happen, but know that you will get through it. Mom will be there for you. Your friends will be there for you.

     Do one thing that scares you every day. You won't be adventurous enough without it. I may even help with the anxiety that you will develop. Don't try and please everyone or do things just to avoid an argument. Acknowledge that arguments and fights will happen, but that can't stop you from having your peaceful space.

     Get rid of some stuff! Your room is chucked full!!! See the beauty in the simplicity.

     Rapid fire advice:

• Tell that girl you think her skirt is cute.
• That guy you like a) probably likes you back b) probably didn't shower this morning
• Don't hide the fact that you like 1D
• Practice your art, it will help you later on
• Don't slack on your homework. Not only will you get good grades, it will make homework easier later on.
• When you get stressed, exercise
• Don't self-harm and give love to those who do
• Don't worry if the shirt doesn't fit
• hug the people you love.

     There will be people you think will be with you forever. When they leave, let them go. Let yourself off the hook once in a while. Get the ice cream, and don't worry about what your body looks like it will be OK.

     I love you, you are a beautiful person.

Love,

     Kathleen

"Never trade respect for attention."

#30 New Years! -Emma

Hey everyone! I can't believe Blogmas is over already! As Kathleen said, I had a great time doing Blogmas this year, and I'm sort of sad it's over, but at the same time, I'm happy I don't have to stress so much.

As you all know, 2017 is just around the corner. Today, I will be sharing with you all one of my new years' resolutions.

This coming year, one of my goals is to workout almost every morning. By almost, I mean around 5 days a week.

I do not mean going to the gym everyday, because I know I would fail at that with my busy schedule.

I just want to get some exercise in every morning. It helps get you motivated to start your day, and really just helps you have a positive attitude throughout the day.

To start off the year, I will be following the Blogilates Beginner's Challenge.

Blogilates is a YouTube channel owned by Cassey Ho, who is an award winning fitness instructor. Blogilates is the #1 female fitness channel on YouTube with over 300 million subscribers.

She has a blog, where she posts recipes, videos, challenges, and more.

I love to do the different challenges on her blog. There's really something for everyone.

Click here to check out the blog. To get to the challenges and monthly fitness calendars, just mouse over the calendars tab.

Anyway, that's what I will be following throughout the year. My goal isn't to lose weight, it's just to live a more healthy lifestyle.

If anyone decides to check out Blogilates, let me know in the comments below!

See you all soon!

Emma

twodorkswithablog,blogspot.com

lifeaccording2emma.weebly.com

#14 Stocking Stuffer Ideas -Emma

Welcome to Blogmas day #14! I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying Blogmas so far!

Today I am bringing to you stocking stuffer ideas! These ideas are all geared towards girls, but some of them are things really anyone could enjoy. Let's get to it!

#1 Beauty Items
This is probably my favorite section. If you're shopping for a girl, you really can't go wrong with beauty items. Some of the main products you could get are nail polishes, face masks, bath bombs from Lush, or lip balms. I made a collage (below) that includes some more ideas.

#2 Candy
I'm sure everyone gets candy in their stocking. You can never go wrong with candy! Some options are candy canes, those candy canes with M&Ms in them, and really just any kind of chocolate bar.

#3 Clothing/Accessories
When I say clothing, I don't actually mean an outfit. Everyone can use an extra hat, pair of gloves, or a scarf. One clothing item I always get in my stocking is fuzzy socks! I love them! And you can never have too many pairs.

#4 Gift Cards
If you plan on doing an "expensive" stocking, gift cards are perfect. I personally love getting gift cards to places like Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts in my stocking. Then, throughout the year I won't have to pay for coffee!

#5 An Ornament
This is a great item to include in a stocking. The person receiving it will get to treasure it forever. To make it extra special, you could make the ornament! There are loads of DIY ornaments on Pinterest that you could choose from!

That's it! I hope you all enjoyed this post. Be sure to check out Kathleen's post tomorrow!

Emma

twodorkswithablog.blogspot.com

lifeaccording2emma.weebly.com 

Blogmas Day #13 - Kathleen

Hey lovelies! How are you? Tell me if you get sick of me asking how you are... I'm just trying to be a friend! *cries in the corner* 😢

So Christmas is like a week and 4 days away. That's so crazy exciting!!!! Now along with that fun, there is also the shopping to be done. So I thought I would give you a little help. I have a list of some of my favorite stores to shop at for Christmas. Let's get to it!

So for a beauty/makeup person (a.k.a. me) Lush and Ulta are two pretty good stores. You really couldn't go wrong. I also really like candles, but I feel like you know where I would get those so... yeah. Ulta just has so much variety, you really could go in there and find anything for the beauty guru in your life. Lush is a little bit different because people can be a bit fussy (also me) when it comes to bath's and skin care.

Number 2 is for the girl who loves clothes. Charming Charlie has everything you could ever need to pull off an outfit. If you need a necklace to go with a dress, or a bag that has to be this color, and this size, my instant advice would be to go to Charming Charlie. This store sells everything in all the colors.

The final two stores, are for the aunt who you never know what to buy for. A gift card to Starbucks and/or Target and a card is a pretty good, simple idea. I personally would never mind a gift card ever. There's something nicer about it. You get to touch it, and feel it, and smell it before you by it. Lets be honest, that is pretty important. Especially when you are buying candles. Does it sound like that is the only thing I buy? Probably... yikes.

So I hope you enjoyed this post! I will be back on Thursday with a very festive photography and quote post, so look forward to that and Emma's post tomorrow!

Kathleen

internationalbffs.blogspot.com

twodorkswithablog.blogspot.com

Tips for Surviving Black Friday - Kathleen Pederson

Hi All! Guess what happens in about a week. Black Friday! I love Black Friday, but do you realize what we are doing? We are trampling each other, trying to buy the best thing right after we gave thanks for what we already have...

Nevertheless, I have come through with 10 tips to get you through Black Friday! Let's get started!

1. Research the Deals

Nothing really helps as much as knowing what stores have what deals when. It also helps your sanity if you aren't freaking out about getting to the store on time.

2. Be Flexible with Gifts

It's usually a pretty good idea to not have your heart set on one gift for somebody. I usually just go into the store with a general idea of what I want to get somebody. Once I am there, I assess my options, and go from there. Not every store has the same products.

3. Family and Friends First

I know how tempting it is to buy stuff for yourself on Black Friday, but if you buy gifts for your friends and family before pampering yourself a little, you will save money. Also, you won't have gone shopping for 5 hours, spent all your money, exhausted yourself, and not gotten gifts on the best day to get gifts. It all just makes sense really.

4. Be Reasonable with Employees

These guys don't want to be here. They don't want to be working. Do you know how many people are going to come through their store, tear it up, and then leave as if nothing happened? Do you know how many teenage girls are going to cry and yell at them for not having something? Be that one person who thanks them, and tells them Happy Thanksgiving. Clean up your mess and tell them to have a good day. They'll remember you I promise.

5. Sale does not mean Save

So many times I catch myself spending more money just because something says save. Look at it this way. Two mini candles cost $10 sale price/$15 regular price. Two large candles cost $15 sale price/$25 regular price. You are saving more money, but you are also spending more money. I don't think your friend/family member is going to mind a mini candle. They are cuter too!

6. Be Comfortable

Being comfy doesn't mean sacrificing cute. Ugg boots and leggings are both! Don't sacrifice just because you want to look cute. In fact, you probably are already going to look better than those people in their PJs...

7. Drink Water

This is a bit of a no brainer. But seriously, this helps with energy! Don't do the energy drinks, or the 5 Hour Energy! That really isn't good for you ever in any situation.

8. Don't get separated from your group

I know most of us are probably just with our mom, or a friend, but lets be honest, Black Friday gets scary real fast! Stay in contact with your partner if you decided to divide and conquer. Have a meetup spot if you simply can't contact/find each other.

9. Make a Budget

Don't spend too much money. This is good practice for being on your own. Your bank isn't gonna let the mortgage slide because you spent all your money on Black Friday shopping.

10. Maybe just wait until Cyber Monday

Think about it! You could just stay at home in your PJs, watching ELF, with some hot cocoa and Thanksgiving leftovers. That's probably what I'm doing anyways...

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed this post!

Comment down below what stores you are going to on Black Friday.

Don't drown or get run over in the chaos!

Fall Outfits and Makeup - Kathleen

Hi! How are you! Didn't you love Emma's guinea pig pictures? I did.

So one of my favorite things about fall is the switch from summer clothes and makeup, to fall and winter clothes and makeup. I've included some favorites of both below because I know I can never get enough of the fall ideas. I'm going to do makeup first, and then clothes. So lets get to it!

 

I really love the dark, and sometimes natural look. It just creates this easy going vibe, with the cool mysterious dark lips. I love it. Then the light lips, I think are just great ways to include the cool eyeshadow but the ease of the nude lip. I just love it... (I'm also not super great at the terminology...)

I love jeans in the fall. I also like leggings, but I feel like jeans bring a more refined look in to the style. Scarves and button ups are my favorites. I have this really soft sweater on right now, and it makes me feel like Christmas day and October afternoons all mixed together... So yeah. I like it.

Ok, so this was a really short post, but we have some super exciting things coming up in December.... things such as... Blogmas????

*screaming in the background*

Yes. It's happening. Emma and I are super excited! I will have more for you on that soon, but for now, I'm just going to leave you with a cliff hanger!