5 Essentials to Have in Your Bag

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/

No matter where we're going, we always have a bag with us, right? Right! The book bag or handbag is more than an accessory though. It can be our life-saver when times call for it. Here are some things you should definitely have in your bag.

1. Phone

This device is more than just for texting and playing games. Before all of these functions were added, a cell phone served only one purpose: to make phone calls. In case of an emergency, it's better to dial the numbers. The other person might not constantly be looking at their phone. If their ring tone is on, they'll know someone is calling them.

2. Keys

Without them, you will feel incomplete. I don't know about you, but I'd worry if I didn't properly lock the door to my place. If you look at it the other way, it'd be scary, if you were locked out. I understand that some of us tend to forget things no matter how hard we try. A good idea that my parents shared with me was to bestow a copy of the house key to a family member or a trusted friend. Be sure to do so for people that live close to you.

3. Money

This small wad should only be used for real "emergencies". Perhaps you forgot to bring your bus card - you can use dollar bills to pay the fare. Or you're starving and forgot to bring a snack. Use the money to buy a healthy snack, such as a piece of fruit or a pack of raw nuts. Did you notice that I said "small wad"? What I meant by that was a couple of dollar bills and maybe some 5s or a 10. This is to avoid temptation of splurging on unnecessary things. 

4. Outerwear

"I don't care how warm it is, bring a jacket." That's what my mother always told me. It seemed redundant to me that I had to bring an outerwear piece if I was going out on an 80 degree day. I know now that the weather is unpredictable, and because of that, you have to be prepared. However, do use some common sense though. On warmer days, bring a light cardigan or a chambray shirt. If you don't feel like carrying it, stuff it in a bag. Or better yet - just stay indoors!

5. Beauty/healthcare products

No, I'm not talking about your favorite lipstick or perfume! Those things will not help you in times of crisis. I like to have a small packet of tissue on hand. While you should plan your outfit accordingly, the weather, as mentioned before, can change. Having tissues with you is especially helpful during the colder months. Something else that's hard to predict is your period. We know that it comes about every month, but it's not perfect. It's ideal to pack several types of sanitary pads. I recommend packing a mix of heavy/overnight maxi pads and a couple of regular ones.

Something else that you might want to pack is a small first-aid kit. I hope that papercut or bruise is the worst that you'll ever encounter. But a bandage always makes things better. And let's not forget water - it's absolutely important to stay hydrated. Along with that, your favorite eos lip balm to keep your puckers smooth. Did I miss anything on this checklist?

5 Tips for Healthier Skin

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/

Did you know that skin is the body's largest and heaviest organ? For that reason, it's a big indicator of how healthy we are. Are you someone who's constantly battling determined zits? Maybe you're like me, trying hard not to scratch your dry, flaky skin off? Regardless of what skin dilemmas you're facing, we're all striving for the same thing: beautiful, healthy skin. 

1. Drink enough water

I'm sure that you heard this rule many times by now: aim for 8 cups of water a day and with good reason. The skin serves as a barrier to prevent extra fluid loss. Rachel Nazarian, M.D., dermatologist says that inadequate water intake causes the skin to appear duller and wrinkles and pores to be more prominent. This may be because water plumps the skin and causes wrinkles and pores to get filled in. When skin is hydrated and plump, it's less likely to let in external participles that can irritate the skin. Water also prevent breakouts by decreasing the concentration of oil in your skin.

2. Eat a healthy diet

Including antioxidants in your meals is beneficial for your body, including your skin. Vitamins A, C, and E reduces the damage caused by free radicals to slow the aging process. A great way to get antioxidants is to eat a wide variety of fruits and veggies. Well-reputable sources includes berries, citrus fruits, peppers, and dark leafy greens. Omega-3 fatty acids help keep the epidermis strong and intact to prevent the skin from getting polluted. Plant-based sources include seeds, beans, cabbages, and winter squashes. 

3. Exercise daily

Did you know that working out is good for your skin? It increases blood flow to the skin cells, which contains oxygen and nutrients. This also carries away waste products, including free radicals. Research demonstrates that exercise helps lower stress levels. Definitely beneficial for those of us looking to prevent flare-ups! Some helpful tips are to stay indoors during the peak hours, put on sunscreen with a SPF of 30, and wear loose-fitting clothing.

4. Keep hands-off

I know that it's tempting but try to avoid touching your face. By placing your hands on your skin, you are adding bacteria and oil to your face, which increases the chance of breaking out and causing inflammation. Be sure to wash your face once in the morning and again in the evening with lukewarm water and then cold water. If you wear glasses, wash them in a similar manner. Tie your hair back or push it back with a headband to keep loose strands off your face. 

5. Visit the dermatologist

Unfortunately, I had to learn this the hard way. Just because a product says it's suitable for your skin type doesn't mean it is. Online reviews always get the best of me, especially if the individual seems to describe the exact skin condition I seem to have. However, it's better to go see an expert to discuss your skin concerns. He or she can run some tests to see if you have anything serious. From there, the two of you can devise a skin regime that works for you.

I hope these tips help the best of us achieve that healthy glow we all want. Keep in mind that these are just basic tips for maintaining healthy skin. Everyone's skin is different and thus skin care may vary. What type of skin do you have and how do you take care of it?

Sources:

• http://www.webmd.com/beauty/skin/nutrients-for-healthy-skin-inside-out?page=1
• http://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/drinking-water-for-better-skin

6 Tips for a Happier Period

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/

It's that time of the month again, isn't it? While it's normal to dread experiencing the symptoms, it's important to maintain feminine health. If your period is regular, it means your overall health is excellent. Plus, it increases your chances of conceiving - who wouldn't want that! Here's how to make the most of your time with your Aunt Flo.

1. Track your menstrual cycle

A period occurs when ovulation takes place and the egg isn't fertilized. Each month, the lining of the uterus sheds through the vagina. It typically lasts two to seven days. During the first few years after menstruation begin, you may experience long cycles. Not to worry as they will shorten as you age. Thus, it's important to keep track of your menstrual cycle. I like to take note of the start date to end date and the type of flow. If you're not a pencil and paper person, you can look up apps on your phone to help you. My Calendar is highly recommended by many. If you notice any unusual change in your cycle, you can inform your family doctor. 

2. Eat a balanced diet

There is evidence suggesting that your diet is involved in developing PMS or contribute to its symptoms. To start off, don't skip breakfast. Skipping a meal, especially the first, causes blood sugar levels to rise. To avoid spikes in blood glucose levels, eat food with these nutrients: calcium and B and D vitamins. Calcium works in the brain to relieve anxiety. Good sources of calcium include low-fat dairy, non-dairy, and fortified products. Vitamin D influence emotional changes. Top sources of vitamin D include salmon, mushrooms, and fortified dairy products. You may crave sugar because of shifting levels of estrogen and progesterone, which decrease the amount of serotonin. Get your sugar high with fiber-packed fruits. To keep your PMS at a minimum, eat whole grains, which are full of B vitamins. 

3. Give your body a workout

It's important to remain as stress-free as possible. During your period, the female hormones estrogen and progesterone are at the lowest, which helps improve athletic performance. Dr. Stacy Sims, PhD., an exercise physiologist, says that women also recover faster and have a higher pain tolerance. Her research led to the theory that because the body isn't preparing for pregnancy, it's more relaxed. According to Trina Rowe, a doctor of physical therapy, exercise can relieve the discomfort of cramps and an aching lower back, 

4. Dress accordingly

I don't know about you but I feel self-conscious about what I wear during my period. Putting on pads reminds me of changing diapers. I know, I know, not the greatest feeling ever. You may wonder "why don't you just wear tampons?" More on that later! What's a girl to wear then without looking frumpy in the back! For this reason, it's ideal to wear dark-colored and well-fitted bottoms paired with a longer top. Try to avoid wearing skirts or dresses on your heavier days. 

5. Maintain personal hygiene

I'm sure that you're familiar with TSS, which stands for Tampon Shock Syndrome. This is likely to happen if you forget to change your tampon after 8 hours. It's safer to use pads than tampons, but I understand that not everyone likes the "diaper" feeling :) May I suggest using pads to sleep (in case you're a really sound sleeper!) In general, pads should be changed every 3-4 hours. If the flow is heavier, change it more often. I highly recommend laying an old T-shirt or blanket on the bed to prevent getting the bed dirty. As for showering, make sure you clean the area well with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser. Use a different towel, preferably a smaller one to wipe down there. Wash it the day you get your period and after every time you use it.

6. Go easy on yourself

There are downsides to your heightened hormones (before your period starts). For one, you're less tolerant of heat because elevated levels of progesterone delays your sweat response. This causes the body longer to expel warmth. If you're feeling sluggish, it's because your metabolism is using fat as its primary energy source, instead of carbs. Increased levels of estrogen causes your kidneys to redistribute water in the body, which may make you bloat. That is a lot to handle, so don't be too hard on yourself! A little 'me time' never hurts...

I know that that time of the month isn't something to look forward to. It doesn't make you feel very pretty and maybe a little crazy. But, it's important to allow your body to go with the flow (literally) to maintain good overall health. Someday, you'll see why it was all worth it.

Sources:

• http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/womens-health/in-depth/menstrual-cycle/art-20047186?pg=1
• http://www.webmd.com/women/pms/features/diet-and-pms
• http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/period-workout

5 Tips on How to Dress Your Body

https://inspiredeverymoment.files.wordpress.com/

Have you ever wondered how your favorite celebrity's outfit look so effortlessly put-together? The answer lies in their stylist or wardrobe manager. If you're like the majority of us, you probably don't have the money nor time to invest in either. At times like this, we have to rely on ourselves. And a little old-fashioned advice to bring out the best in us.

1. Identify your shape

This is a crucial step on helping you find flattering clothing. There are five different body shapes: hour-glass, pear, apple, inverted, and rectangle. Use this link to help you determine yours: www.thechicfashionista.com. It's also helpful to identify your body proportions. That is whether you're balanced, long-torso short-legged, or short-torso long-legged.

2. Use proportions

Do you have a favorite color or design but are afraid to wear it? Don't worry - you can if you follow this one tip. If you want to look taller, look for details that draws the eye up and down. On the contrary, if you want to emphasize an area, look for widening details, such as horizontal stripes. You can also use colors to play up your features. Dark colors are for slimming and bright or light colors are for widening. Also, try to wear patterns based on your size. Big patterns are for wide areas and small patterns are for petite areas.

3. Hide your insecurities

It's important that you understand that there's no such thing as a perfect body. Everyone has a body part that they're not proud of. However, rather than hiding it, you should learn to work with it. For example, add interest to a petite body part to give the illusion of fullness. Or wear a flowy and loose clothing to disguise a wide body part.

4. Flaunt your assets

Of course, everyone has something or two they don't mind showing off. Let's keep things classy bu not exposing too much skin :) If you have lean, muscular arms, don't be afraid to throw on a tank top. Love your derrière? - rock a pair of skinny jeans.

5. Be confident
It don't matter how many dressing rules there are. You shouldn't feel confined to them. If you love a certain trend but are warned not to wear it, wear it anyways! It's recommended that pear-shaped gals like me avoid skinny jeans. Do I? Nope - I wear a flowy top to balance things out. 

I hope that reading this article has made you learn more about your body. More importantly, I hope that it has taught you to embrace it. Fashion comes and go, but style is here to stay if you maintain it. Don't every change your body . You're beautiful no matter what shape you have <3

4 Hilary Duff Movies to Watch

http://www.urbansplatter.com/

Hilary Duff rose to stardom at a young age. However, she didn't let fame overtake her public image. Ms. Duff has actually managed to shed light on compassion on worthy causes. For this reason, she is viewed as a teen role model by many. It's no surprise that she plays the roles she does in her films. Here are are my top picks for the movies she's in. 

1. A Cinderella Story

I was drawn to this movie because I was a fan of Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray. I thought that it'd be interesting to see the two chemistry they share - would it entail the classic fairy-tale romance? As the movie progressed, I realized that there was a deeper meaning. It wasn't just about a couple living happily ever after. Both Samantha Montgomery (played by Hilary) and Austin Ames (played by Chad) struggle to realize their dreams. The two of them actually help one another achieve their dreams through an unusual teen romance. This is honestly the best version of Cinderella ever!

2. Raise Your Voice

There were similar messages in this movie as the last. Terri Fletcher (Hilary) aspires to go to a music school and become a professional singer. She loses grip after a tragedy happens, involving her brother, Paul (played by Jason Ritter). Like any teen, she struggles to maintain a stable relationship with her parents, especially her father. Terri's constant reminder of Paul's death inspires her to change her father's perception on being an overprotective parent.  

3. The Perfect Man

Imagine constantly being on the run - moving; going to a new school, making new friends. Why you ask? All because your mother insists on starting over after another break up. Holly Hamilton (Hilary), who is fed up, devises a clever plan to make her mother stay for good. She also learns a thing or two about love along the way. I love happy endings, but this particular one made me cry a little :')

4. The Lizzie McGuire Movie

I grew up watching the Lizzie McGuire show on Saturday mornings. You have to admit that the cartoon version of her is cute! In this movie, Hilary plays Lizzie as well as Isabella, an international pop star. She must make an important decision that will either get her the guy or lose another guy. She has to follow her heart and has to make the ultimate sacrifice. Don't you hate having to choose between people? 

These are just some of the Hilary Duff movies that stood out to me. I'm amazed at how Ms. Duff have been able to maintain a clean image throughout her career. I'm also very pleased that she is making a comeback in the music industry. Have you listened to Chasing the Sun and All About You yet?

5 Tips to Stay Organized for School

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/

As you may have heard, organization is a key factor to a successful education. An organized person experiences less stress during the school year because he or she is on top of things. I understand that organization isn't a skill we're all born with. It's definitely possible to develop it though. Here are some tips I follow to stay organized.

1. Set your alarm
I know that it can be hard to get up in the morning. The thought of getting things accomplished energizes me. I'm sure we all like the feeling of getting things done. If we wake up early enough, we can get everything we want done. If you're slow but don't like to rush (that's me!), set your alarm a couple of minutes early. You can spare a few minutes of sleep for happiness, right?

2. Have a planner
Are you someone that is likely to forget something? Write it down! Your school should provide you with a little notebook to jot things down. If not, buy one - it doesn't have to be fancy or expensive. I recommend that you write down due dates (for homework, papers, projects), quiz/test/exam dates, and important meetings/events. You won't have an excuse for missing anything.

3. Create a system
This will help you distinguish your classes from one another. I like to assign each of my classes a color. For example, I might assign the color green for Biology. I would use a green notebook and a green folder for this class. May I suggest using a pen for classes that don't require calculations and pencil for those that do.

4. Order assignments by date
The date is just as important as your name, class, and title of assignment. It's helpful to record the date if you're using the same paper for the same assignment. At the end of the quarter, it's helpful to remove the papers and put them in a separate portfolio. You can look over each assignment for final exams. I like to organize the papers by dates, with the most recent on top. That way, you won't have to go digging around or flipping pages to find what you're looking for. You can do this for your in-school binders and folders too.

5. Organize your backpack
I highly recommend buying a book-bag with a lot of pockets and compartments. This way you'll have enough room to store everything you need - a bottle of water, lunch, school books, etc. For the biggest compartment, put in your books and school supplies so that it's easy to get them out. Place the lightest things in front (folders), then notebooks, and finally binders. I suggest alternating the faces of notebooks and binders to ensure stability. You can put your novels, pencil case or pencil box, and ruler in the front within reach.

If learning to be organized was your New Year resolution, I suggest keeping this article handy. Remember organization is a skill that can be acquired. Making this change have positively changed people's lives. And now you're all set for the upcoming school year!

4 Tips on How to Dress to Stay Warm

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/

As the weather turns colder, chances of contracting air-borne illnesses increase. The immune system is constantly working hard to fight infections. Thus, it's important to take care of the body to keep it functioning properly. One way to preserve the health is to dress according to the weather. While dressing to impress might earn you compliments, getting sick won't. Not to worry if you want to look stylish while keeping warm - read on to learn more!

1. Layer on clothing

Wearing multiple layers of clothing traps air near the skin, which keeps heat close to the body. Don't worry about stuffing yourself silly though - wearing three layers will be sufficient. The first layer that should be worn is the base layer. Since its purpose is to absorb sweat, it's recommended to wear something fitting, such as a tank top or a T-shirt. The mid-layer is worn over the base layer to trap maximum body heat. Hoodies, sweatshirts, and sweaters are usually worn to serve this purpose. Don't forget to wear an extra layer underneath your bottoms. It may be unusual to do so but it's important to retain maximum body heat throughout the body. I like to wear a pair of leggings underneath a pair of jeans or sweatpants. 

2. Choose sensible pieces

The purpose of clothing is to protect the body from the elements. In the winter, it's especially important to wear protective clothing. Because the mid-layer will be covering the base layer, it should be thick and less revealing. Synthetic fabrics, such as polyester, are ideal as they are moisture resistant and retain heat well. The clothing pieces shouldn't have holes or expose a lot of skin.

3. Put on a coat

You may be surprised to see this one on this list. I bet you'll even be more surprised to see how many people don't wear a coat in the winter. A coat, which is worn as the third layer, is supposed to protect you from the harsh weather elements. It also keeps the layers underneath dry to prevent sickness. When you're out shopping for a coat, look for one that's waterproof and windproof. 

4. Cover your skin and hair

When it comes to dressing to keep warm, the parts above the body are often neglected. This may be because we don't want to mess up our hair, look unfamiliar, or are more concerned with body warmth. Nonetheless, your head and ears should still be covered to maintain maximum body heat. To protect both of these parts, you can wear a hat. You can also wear the hood from your coat. If you would like, you can wear a scarf - your neck should already be covered by the coat though. Don't forget to wear gloves to protect your hands.

5. Wear boots

This kind of shoe is ideal to wear in colder weather because they cover a good portion of your legs in addition to your feet. In addition to retaining body heat in this manner, they protect your legs and feet from the elements. Wearing long socks works best. Be sure to choose a pair that has vibram soles - they provide excellent traction against walking in snow and on ice.

See, dressing to stay warm isn't that difficult! I don't know about you but the freedom to choose the pieces to wear makes winter dressing seem more bearable. These tips are meant to be followed when going outside. When you're at home, kick back and turn on the heater. Feel free to take off the base layers and wear less fitting clothing. Thanks for reading and have a happy, safe winter.