Quick Beauty Tips and Tricks

1.) Always wash your face!

Yeah, I know, it's a pain, and I get lazy too, but always try to wash your face every night with a gentle cleanser. I like Clean and Clear Essentials Foaming Facial Cleanser for sensitive skin.

If you are really tired, just use a facial cleansing wipe.

2.) Moisturize!

Yes, even in summer. Yes, even if you have oily skin. Use an non-irritating oil-free moisturizer designed for your skin type. I like CeraVe PM facial moisturizer. 

3.) Glowy is Good

Glowy, dewy skin always looks good. Use a bit of highlighter on the corners of your eyes and on your cheekbones.

4.) Blush from within

Apply your blush after foundation, but then go back and put a little more foundation/powder over your blush to make it look like it's emanating from your skin, not just resting on top of it.

5.) Sunscreen Up!

Yes, I know there's nothing better than tan skin in the summer. But plenty of things are better than premature aging and melanoma (skin cancer). So cover yourself in sunscreen at least every hour or so that you spend at the beach. If you really want that tan, try Jergens Natural Glow. Or better yet, embrace your fairness. Maybe you could start a trend.

Andúril, The Flame of the West

Hey guys! I just wanted to share with you my newly crafted sword. For those of you who do not know, I am an amateur sword smith. Well, with duct tape. 

So after watching the Return of the King again I decided to create my own Andúril.

In case ya don't know, Andúril is Aragorn's sword, the Flame of the West, the Re-forged shards of Narsil (the sword Isildur used to chop off the Dark Lord Sauron's finger, separating him from the ring, thus defeating him).

I think it looks pretty good.

Let me know if you want a How To!

Top Ten Best Scenes from The Lord of The Rings

I recently re watched Peter Jackson's film trilogy and am struck again by the magnificence and beauty of these films. (Hobbit Countdown: 142 days!) So I thought I'd share with you my top ten scenes, best being #1. (Believe me, it was hard to pick.)

10.) Boromir's Last Stand (FOTR)
It's so touching how after he drove Frodo away, he tries to make it right by protecting Merry and Pippin, even after he has like three arrows embedded in him! Plus, his last talk with Aragorn makes me want to cry. "I would have followed you, my brother; my captain; my king."

9.) Of course you are! And I'm coming with you!(FOTR)
This scene sums up why I love Sam. "I'm going to Mordor alone."
"Of course you are! And I'm coming with you!"
And then he nearly drowns, but of course Frodo rescues him and they boat happily off to Mordor. Er, as happy as one can be in those circumstances.

8.) Eowyn (and Merry) defeat the Witch King. (ROTK)
So first of all, there's a big scary evil dude that even Gandalf (or Mithrandir for all you Gondorians) had a hard time fighting. After all, no living man can kill this guy. (Side note: Gandalf wasn't a living man, he was an Istari. So why couldn't he kill the Witch King?) But Eowyn (a woman) defeats him with some help from Merry (a hobbit).  "I am no man!"

7.) Helm's Deep (TT)
Most. epic. battle. ever. 'nuff said.

6.)Faramir's flashback (TT)

Agghhh this scene makes me so emotional. I literally want to climb in my television and PUNCH DENETHOR IN THE FACE!!! Whew. Told you it made me emotional. Poor Faramir. Why does    everyone love Boromir? (Okay, sometimes I am a bit of a Boromir fangirl but I am a Faramir fangirl first so don't judge!) If you are confused, watch the extended version.

5.) Aragorn's Coronation (ROTK)
A happy ending. Aragorn is finally King, he sings a beautiful song, he reunites with Arwen. Also has one if the best lines: My friends, you bow to no one.

4.) The Mines of Moria (FOTR)
For some reason I am in love with the entire footage of the Mines of Moria. I especially love Gandalf's reading of the book. 
We cannot get out....We cannot get out. Drums in the deep. 
Good stuff! And then Pippin starts a chain reaction, and an epically awesome battle ensues.

And of course, it includes Gandalf's amazing battle with the Balrog.
"The dark fire shall not avail you, flame of Uduin! Go back to the shadow!"

3.) King Theoden's Speech (ROTK)
It gives me chills. 
"Forth! Down fear of darkness! Arise! Arise, Riders of Théoden! Spears shall be shaken, shields shall be splintered! A sword day... a red day... ere the sun rises! Ride now... Ride now... Ride! Ride for ruin and the world's ending! Death! DEATH! Deaaaaaaaath! Forth, Eorlingas!"
Great pep talk considering they're going against an insane amount of enemies with a relatively small force.

2.) The Black Gate and Aragorn's Speech (ROTK)
I love when he is just riding...riding... around the Mouth of Sauron, and then chops off his head. Take that you creepy orthodontist's "before" picture! Ahem... Only in the extended edition.

Then there is Aragorn's speech. 

*me sobbing in a corner* it's so beautiful!!!

Hold your ground - hold your ground! Sons of Gondor - of Rohan . . . my brothers! I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. The day may come when the courage of Men fails; when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship; but it is not this day - an hour of wolves and shattered shields, when the Age of Man comes crashing down - but it is not this day!! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good earth - I bid you stand, men of the west! 

I have that memorized. That's how much I love it,.

1.) Pippin's Song

Finally! The one you've been waiting for! Number 1!!!

Pippin's Song! The edge of night is sooo boo-tiful. As well as Billy Boyd's voice. Coupled with Faramir's suicide ride to Osgiliath (muted montage of him riding to battle, a kind of sad yet desperate look in his eye) and Denethor's gross feasting, it is truly breathtaking. I salute you, Peter Jackson!

So I hope you enjoyed my little list. Let me know if there's anything I forgot!

Is Imagine Dragons' Radioactive about Lord of the Rings?

I was listening to Radioactive the other day and I started thinking it would make a great theme song for the Battle of the Pelennor fields. Or just the Return of the King in general. 
You know, I can totally imagine this playing after Aragorn's Speech, when they charge. Welcome to a new age meaning Welcome to the Fourth Age.
Okay, maybe it's just me being a LOTR nerd but whatever.
What do you think?

My dream lip balm

I can never seem to find a perfect lip balm. I have some great ones-don't get me wrong-but I don't have one that has everything, you know what I mean?

My perfect lip balm should be moisturizing, but not too greasy. It should contain antioxidants and emollients. It should NOT contain any known irritants. (For a list and the effects of these, go to Paula's Choice.com) It should come in a variety of shades- clear, light pink, dark pink, et cetera. It should have a barest hint of shimmer. It should last at least two hours and should have at SPF 15.

I know- a hefty list. Some of my favorites come close, though.

First, Maybelline Baby Lips. Love the shimmer and color of Peach Kiss. They have SPF 15! Unfortunately, they are made with irritants which will actually damage your lips in the long run.

Next, Covergirl Jumbo Gloss Balm. Love the colors, there is a wide variety. Last a decent amount of time. Unfortunately, I don't find them moisturizing enough and find myself having to use another balm underneath. Also, no SPF.

Also, Burt's Bee's Tinted Lip Balms. I really like the color and it's very moisturizing. Unfortunately, it doesn't have the best staying power and has no SPF.

Last, EOS lip balms. I love love love love love the packaging. I just want to buy them all and keep them on a shelf just to look at! Super moisturizing. However, they are all clear and have no SPF.

If only there was a product that had the shimmer and sun protection of Baby lips, the color and long wearing quality of the Jumbo Gloss balm, the moisture of Burt's Bee's and the packaging of EOS. I would buy the whole stock.

Penguin Style!

Hey Everyone! First of all I want to say sorry for not posting in a while ( I have finals!) but now that summer is practically here you can be expecting a lot more updates!

This YouTube video is amazing. I was randomly googling Gangnam Style parodies and found this one. LOL LOL LOL. The penguins are actually dancing (or following the hand or whatever)in time with the music! Well, in the beginning it isn't as precise but at the end it DEAD ON. Soooo funny.

Don't Hug me I'm Scared!

My friend showed me this Youtube video the other day. Omg. If you haven't seen it click play above.

Now that you've seen it, I'll share my reactions. At first I was like "What the crap is this?" And then it got dark and scary and creepy. Like really fast. And then I got scared. Like really fast.

I actually like it though. The song is catchy and I have been singing "I can see a hat! I can see a cat! I can see  a man with a baseball bat!" All the time at school. Then I googled it and found out the true meaning.

The whole video is to show how media, like children's shows, are saying they teach children creativity when all they do is make them think how they want them to think. That's why "green is not a creative color" because it wasn't on the notebook's color wheel of the notebook's favorite colors. She only wanted them to choose what she approved of. And also when the puppet made the clown drawing, the notebook put black ink on it, and it was something truly original and creative! Also with the clouds, at first the puppets don't see anything, but then the notebook put the monocle over her eye, and they all saw shapes. They saw what she wanted them to! Then the whole creepy/dark/scary stuff is to show how they kill creativity.

Deep stuff right? Then again it could just be a video someone made to freak people out.

What do you think?

Moaning Myrtle flooded the toilets

So as you might remember the Chamber of Secrets is in the outside girls bathroom at my school. Well it took an even more unpleasant turn yesterday when I walk in to find the floor (which is already gross and peeling) all covered in water. Eughg. Moaning Myrtle must have been upset about something. Also the lights went out so there's only light from the small skylight.

Soooo creepy in there.

The Pit of Sarcasm!

Everyday after science class my friends and I trek down to the dreaded Pit of Sarcasm. Otherwise known as French class.

Now don't get me wrong: I have nothing against France or French People. In fact if you are French and are reading this, Salut mon amies! Well I forgot there is a translate widget thing. But anyway it's the teacher that's the trouble. I won't name names so let's just call him Bob.

So every class we go over the homework and makes fun of the people who mispronounce the words as we go around the room. So far I haven't made a mistake for him to rip on me for but I'm scared to death I'll screw it up badly and everyone will laugh. There is one kid in my class who never does his homework and doesn't understand sarcasm so Bob uses it all the time with him. I know I shouldn't, but I think it's kinda funny. Like there's this running joke about Françoise because that kid and another one pronounce français as frawn-swah so now whenever they say that Bob is like "Oh, Françoise, when did he get here again?" And we all laugh. Good times. So I have mixed feelings on the Pit of Sarcasm. On one hand it scares me and on the other it's entertainment. What do you think?

There's a Demigod at my school

I may be jumping to conclusions but so far the evidence is pointing in the true direction. So my friend is ADHD and dyslexic. Big sign right there. But I guess it could be a coincidence. She also lives with her mom and her dad left before she was born. Am I right? Is this too much of a coincidence? Is she really a demigod? If so what god do you think is her parent? Btw she's a really good artist and musician. So comment what you think!

My mountain

Everyone loves the end of the year. I like to compare it to a hill; the closer you get to the end of the year the steeper the downward slant gets. Well unfortunately I have finals. Giant finals worth 1/5 of my entire year's average. So instead of leisurely walking down the hill I have to sprint a mountain. Yippee.

My latest obsession

About two months ago I journeyed out of the fiction section in my local library and went to the Nature & Pets section. And there I discovered some of the most fascinating books I've ever read. Dog books.
I started out slow, just memoirs of digs and the like. Then I got out The Dog Who Loved Too Much by Nicholas Dodman. Then I really got into it. For those of you unfamiliar with it,The Dog Who Loved Too Much is about psychological problems many dogs experience and individual cases. From that book on I ventured into the hard core world of non fiction. I soon became a fan of Stanley Coren, who wrote The Intelligence of Dogs, How Dogs Think, Do Dogs Dream?, and many others but those are the only ones I've read. Anyway I highly recommend them to any dog lover. It is incredibly fascinating to learn about how dogs see compared to us, their scent capabilities, how they perceive the world and everything else! I'm also reading Dogs by Jake Page about the evolutionary history of dogs which I gotta say is fascinating!

Why I hate Springtime

Springtime. Being able to walk outside without a winter coat, breathing fresh air, seeing the pretty flowers. For most people, spring is the best season. And then there's me.
First of all, I have seasonal allergies. So when springtime comes every single day I'm on Claritin, Nasonex, and Zatador to combat my allergies. And the sad thing is they don't even work. :( It's so embarrassing especially when taking tests in school. All is quiet until I sneeze and start sniffling and snorting and rubbing my eyes. Ughhh. And in Science class we were watching a movie, and then my teacher goes to open the window and there's this big flowery magnolia right outside the window. I just have time to think "Oh crap." Before my allergy powers activate and I sneeze like 70 times and interrupt the movie.
Also, I have a phobia of bugs. No really it is completely irrational. I won't go anywhere near a bee/wasp/something that hurts me. Most of the time I'm okay but sometimes it's a real pain in the but. I was at a track meet and was running the 100m. I was on the line and the guy is like "set" (for those of you who do not know set is when you get in position and stay still other wise he has to redo the whole ready set whatever) and so were all still . Then a bee flies around my head and I scream at the top of my lungs and run from the lane. So. Em. Barr. As. Sing.
As you can see, I prefer winter.

My trip to the Chamber of Secrets

This may sound like an odd title but I swear to God it is true.
It all started at my track meet today (it was a home meet). I was running late so I didn't have time to go to the bathroom inside before it started. So I run the 100 m dash, the 400x200 relay, and I do the long jump. Well after the long jump I really had to go the bathroom. I didn't want to pee my pants ( or in this case ugly gym shorts) during the race! That would be soooo embarrassing. So I found the girl's bathroom up at the track. Big Mistake.
I walk in and there is this gross hallway with peeling paint and spiders scuttling out the door behind me. The stalls' locks don't work and the toilets are freakin nasty and when flushed they sound like Moaning Myrtle! The sinks were old and weird looking with antique faucets. There was a hand dryer and I made the mistake of pressing the button and it was EXTREMELY loud it would not turn off!
So all in all it was the Entrance to the Chamber of Secrets. Yuck.

What's up?

Hi guys :)
So i confess: I'm a total nerd! (Like you didn't guess from the title) But I'm not your average geek. Alright, I do have an obsession with Harry Potter and The Lord of The Rings and the worst grade I've ever gotten on a test is a 90, but so what! I (surprisingly) have a fascination with make up and I like putting together looks to match my outfit. But of course I have to put a nerdy spin on it so I went to the library (where else) and got out like fifty books on makeup and skincare. I am also pathologically shy so if someone asked me to read this out loud in front of people, lets just say I wouldn't want to be the person standing next to me. :o That's the power of the web: a shy person can blog to an unknown number of people without barfing! On that happy note, I'd like to conclude this nessage, This is my first blog so stick with me, I think you'll enjoy the ride :)