August Favorites | 2014

So much has happened this month! I almost forgot that it's almost over. But as it is the last day of the August, it only seemed appropriate to talk about my favorite things this month.
Oh! Another change that I would like to mention is that I've changed my name! I felt that calling myself The Curator of Knowledge wasn't really me and I feel really comfortable sharing stuff with my readers so I've decided to change my name. DeeDee has been a long time nickname for me and it's about time I share it with you!

Ring

I am in love with this ring and basically can't stop wearing it. It goes perfectly with so many of my outfits. I was never really a ring person before until I laid my eyes on this one. I was clearing some boxes I found in my garage and came across this one and I feel extremely lucky to find it. I should keep checking out my garage more often.

L.A. Girls Nail Polish

This nail polish means everything to me. If you know me, you probably know I have a massive nail polish collection! I'm not kidding (it's actually embarrassing how many I've kept over the years.) This is by far the best color I could imagine for going back to school! It is also amazing quality and if you don't believe me, it has lasted me two weeks with little to no chipping. Just in case, any of you are looking for it, the color is Peacock.

Strange Desires

I am obsessed with the Bleachers new album titled Strange Desires. Some of my favorite songs in it are Like a River Runs, Roller Coaster, Wild Heart and a few others. I think they are the coolest band I've heard this month. I love the indie genre so naturally I stumbled upon this and instantly became excited. Even if you aren't into indie music, I would suggest listening to a few of their songs.

That's it for this month! Tell me what you think about any of these things or what you liked this month.

#FAtalFinale

My obsession with Pretty Little Liars is probably really obvious. So you can be sure that I sat down and got ready to watch the season finale.

Pushing away my massive pile of homework, family commitments, and friends, I got to work on the important stuff. Pretty Little Liars. Just kidding. I made myself comfortable on the couch and told everyone to leave me alone for the next hour. I have seen how ABC Family makes a big deal out of every small thing on the show and I doubted that any answers would be revealed and, quite frankly, I love just watching the mystery grow. I know some people want answers to the questions from the first season and I get that but I just want to see the other developments.

The season finale was promoted and teased in such a way that suggested that someone was going to die. Now did I believe that? Kinda. Just in case you don't want any spoilers, DO NOT READ AHEAD!

Finally, the series is getting somewhere. Finally, something that doesn't seem to go around in circles! First of all, someone did die. Like I said if you don't want any spoilers, STOP READING NOW!

Mona really took a turnaround. She went from passively threatening to actually caring and seemed to honestly apologize. She ultimately proved that Alison was in fact A. I have had my theories about this but it's so reassuring to finally have some sort of an answer. But since she was being so nice for once, I was actually really shocked and surprised to find out that she died. Her death was probably the most violent Pretty Little Liars has ever been. That scene, whether A staged it or not, was extremely tense and scary. For a second, I thought that Toby would have been died and I'm so happy he turned out to be okay. And he's a cop now! How cool is that? And Spencer got arrested. I don't have any idea how she will get out.

And that wraps up my rant about the finale, I hope you enjoyed reading and please tell me what you think. I love discussion especially about this show.

EOS Allergic Reaction

 

I'm going to assume that many of you have already heard of EOS or use it. But I wanted to know if anyone has had an allergic reaction to it.

I was using their Sweet Mint and I was left really disappointed. The second I applied it to my lips I was left with a stinging sensation and decided to wipe it off after a few minutes when the feeling failed to leave. At the time, I thought that the stinging was connected to the mint flavor and didn't think much of it but throughout the day my lips kept becoming worse.

At first they stung but eventually they started to develop a weird and bumpy texture. Within a few hours, they become swollen. Within the frame of seven hours, my lips were two times the size that they usually are. Not only were they swollen but also bright red.

Once returning home from school, I immediately washed my lips thoroughly with antibacterial soap and but on moisturizing cream. It was a very slow process to fix up my lips but eventually it started to look normal. I went to sleep that night with my lips looking their worst but luckily I woke up looking much better. 

This happened yesterday and my lips have yet to look the way they used too. And not to mention that they are super itchy. But other than that I'm feeling better and less uncomfortable. Even though I am much much relived that I'm feeling better, I am still really really upset with Sweet Mint especially considering that mint is usually my flavor. I have used the other ones but for some reason, this one just didn't work for me.

I went to the internet to check out if anyone else has had similar issues. And there are tons of people who have had bad reactions to it too.

 

 

 

I am really disappointed and upset but I would like to know how you feel about the EOS brand. Have you had a bad experience too? Let me know!




 

Liebster Award | The Second One

 

I've been nominated twice by two of the most amazing bloggers. I didn't have enough time to do the first when I was nominated again. I know some bloggers hate to be nominated twice but I am beyond flattered!

This time I was nominated by Chloe Divina @ http://chloedivina.blogspot.co.uk. If you haven't seen her blog yet, you should! Her photography and lifestyle blog is absolutely adorable and I'm so happy she nominated me.
    
The basic rules:

1. Link and thank the blogger who nominated you
2. Answer the question they asked
3. Pick 11 other bloggers with no more than 200 followers to nominate
4. Ask them 11 questions and let them know you nominated them

 

To answer her questions:

1. If you were a film character, animated or not, who would you be?

If I had to choose I would probably be the main rat from Ratatouille. I'm not really much of a chef but I would love to try.

     2.  What is one item you can't live without?

My laptop is everything to me. I simply cannot live without it.

      3.  What is your favorite shop?

This is like the toughest question ever! My favorite place to shop is either Forever 21 or H&M because they literally have everything for almost everyone's style.

      4.  What would you do with 1 million pounds if it was handed to you today?

I would probably convert it into dollars. :) Just kidding. I would buy a big house on a tropical island.

     5.  Who is your favorite artist/band?

My favorite band is The 1975. I get so excited whenever other people tell me that they love them too so if you do then tell me!

     6.  Name a place you want to visit?

I am in love with the island lifestyle! So probably Costa Rica.

     7.  Who inspires you the most?
 

So many people but mainly Oprah. I strive to be as selfless as she is.

     8.  If you could go back in time and tell your past self something, what would you say? 
 

I would tell myself to seize the moment. There are so many things I could have done but didn't because I was too scared or said I would do later.

     9.  Favorite quote? 
 

"Dare to reach out your hand into the darkness, to pull another hand into the light." -Norman B. Rice I heard it before and I thought it was pretty meaningful.

     10.  Would you rather be famous or be the best friend of someone famous?
 

Probably the best friend of someone famous because that would be a lot less stressful but still really fun.

     11.  What is your dream job? 

My dream job is to be a reporter.

 

A few amazing nominees:

(Since this is my second time doing this award. I only nominated a few people.)

1. Steph F @ http://iamsimplyabookdrunkard.blogspot.com/
2. Kyle C @ yourstruly-kyle.blogspot.com

 

Questions for the nominees:

1. Favorite place to read?
2. Favorite food?
3. If you could go back in time, where would you go?
4. Favorite breakfast?
5. One thing you wish you did?
6. Favorite dessert?
7. Favorite superhero?
8. What kind of shoes do you like the best?
9. Road trips or air travel?
10. Are you an indoor or outdoor person?
11. Any advice or tips for other bloggers?

That concludes another Liebster Award. That was just as much fun as the first! I know I only nominated a few people but I tried to keep an eye out to see if any others had already done it and a lot already have. But anyway, check out the nominees because all of them have amazing blogs!

Liebster Award | The First One

I have been nominated twice by two amazing bloggers. Both nominated me within a day of each other so I didn't even have a chance to answer the questions from the first one. I know some bloggers don't like to be nominated more than once but I find it super flattering and really sweet.

I'll be responding to the first from the amazing Erin Nuttal aka prettylittlewriter. In case you don't know her, she has an adorable blog and you should check it out immediately.

The basic rules:

1. Link and thank the blogger who nominated you
2. Answer the questions they asked
3. Pick 11 other bloggers with no more than 200 followers to nominate
4. Ask them 11 questions and let them know you nominated them

Now to answer the questions:

1. Why did you decide to start a blog?

Well, I saw a few of my cousins' blogs and I thought they looked really cool and I loved to read them so much so I made my own.

     2.  What is your all time favorite hair product?

Do I only have to pick one? Hmm... it would have to be the L'Oreal Instant Smoothing and Nourishing Oil Serum. It makes my hair look really glossy and combats frizz on humid days.

     3.   Do you have any pets?

No, I don't have any pets. I used to but that was a really long time ago.

     4.   Favorite film?

I love Jennifer Lawrence's House at the End of the Street! It is so eerie and spooky. But other than that I love Charlie Chaplin movies too. My favorite would have to be Gold Rush.

     5.   What would you rather live without, make up or hair products?

That is really tough but I would give up make up. I love hair products too much to not have them.

     6.   Style icon?

Cara Delevingne and Shay Mitchell are my number one style icons. I love Cara's comfortable approach to fashion and Shay looks glamorous in everything.

     7.   Favorite TV show?

I think I've made it pretty clear what my favorite television show is but just in case I haven't, it is Pretty Little Liars. I am also a big fan of Gilmore Girls. Even though the series ended in 2007, I love watching the reruns.

     8.   What is your favorite season?

My favorite season is summer which is unfortunately ending soon. I love everything about summer so much it isn't even funny. The warm weather, the beach, the ice cream. What's there not to love?

     9.   Favorite online store?

I don't do much online shopping because I like to try on clothes and compare make up. But I love to browse the H&M website. I even have the app!

     10.   Favorite color?

My favorite color is yellow. For some reason, there aren't many people who like yellow. Let me know if you do because I barely know anyone who considers it to be their favorite color.

     11.   What can't you live without?

My wardrobe or my laptop. I would miss them way too much.

Now to nominate some amazing bloggers:
 

(I tried not to nominate people who have already been nominated or have been nominated very recently)

1. Ash Blaze @ http://a-teen-girl-life.blogspot.com/
2. Isabel Funari @ http://isafashionebella.blogspot.com/
3. Amie @ thebeautydollx.blogspot.co.uk
4. C H A R @ charshaus.co.uk
5. Eileen Lee @ bookcatpin.blogspot.ca
6. xYasminJade @ xyasminjade.blogspot.co.uk
7. Giselle Flores @ perksofbeingreaders.blogspot.com
8. Georgina Crowe @ www.shineabrightlight.blogspot.com (hope you don't mind the second nomination)
9. Carerre Leong @ http://carerre.blogspot.com
10. Neel @ http://neelrex.blogspot.com/
11. Henna Rinne @ http://howlingforbooks.blogspot.com/

My questions for the nominees:

1. Favorite month?
2. One book you can read over and over again?
3. One place you would love to visit?
4. What made you start blogging?
5. Favorite meal? Breakfast, lunch, dinner?
6. Are you a morning or night person?
7. What is you favorite flavor of ice cream?
8. Any blogging advice?
9. Do you have a secret talent?
10. Role model?
11. Dream occupation as a child?

Well, that was tiring but so much fun! Like I said earlier, I tried to nominate those who have not yet been nominated but if I did and you don't want to, I'm sorry but your blogs are too great not too!



Sand Dollar Necklaces

I have always loved to keep a memorable item to help me remember my summer and since summer is almost over, I thought I should make one now. I love the beach and the beach in particular that I went too was covered with sand dollars. I decided that a sand dollar necklace will be the best way to remember my summer. It turned out way cuter than I could ever imagine so I had to share it with all of you!

    

 1.     Obtain sand dollars.  

NOTE: Different beaches have different rules on what you can and cannot take home from the beach. Try it to respect these rules.

2.     Create a hole wherever you want in the sand dollar. Since sand dollars can be really fragile, you have to be careful when poking a hole in it. Either use a gentle drill or take a screwdriver and begin scraping away where you want the hole.

NOTE: Before poking holes into the sand dollar, make sure it isn't alive. Alive sand dollars appear distinctly different from the dead ones. One way to be sure is the color. Dead sand dollars are white or grayish because of the sun. Alive sand dollars also have a very different texture.

3.      Since the sand dollar may be full of the sand from the beach, either take a gentle sponge and baby soap and scrub it or place the sand dollar in a container filled with hand soap and water. If you choose to soak it in water, keep it there for a few hours.

4.     OPTIONAL: While some people prefer to have their sand dollars completely white, I don't. I like to have them the way they naturally look. However, if you do like them white add a bit a bleach into the container of water and let it soak.

5.     Add a string or chain through the hole. Secure the sand dollar to the necklace by tying it. Since you are poking the hole in the front, do a very simple lose tie. You'll probably notice that the sand dollar tilts in one direction. To counteract that, do that same tie but using the other end of the string to start.

NOTE: I decided to use a ribbon since a metal chain would likely chip away at the sand dollar.

 

That's about it! I love how it came out and I hope you try it too. Either way, tell me what you think.

Limeade & Coca-Cola

I had some Coca-Cola sitting around and limes were ten for one dollar at the grocery store so I decided to experiment and combine the two. I've seen people combine Coca-Cola with ice cream, orange juice and some teas so I thought that I might as well try it with limeade. And I'm happy I did.






Ingredients:

•      One Coca-Cola (preferably bottle not can)
•      Ice cube tray
•      Half of a lime
•      Approximately two spoonfuls of sugar (adjust according to your personal preference)
•      3/4 of a cup of water
•      A pinch of salt

* The ingredients above are for one glass of Coca-Cola with limeade ice cubes and one glass of limeade with Coca-Cola ice cubes.

NOTE: You can substitute lemons for limes to make lemonade with Coca-Cola instead.

Steps:

1.      Obtain all ingredients.
2.      Squeeze lime and collect juice.
3.      Add sugar.
4.      Add salt.
5.      Mix.
6.      Pour some limeade in the ice cube tray (about three to four ice cubes).
7.      Pour some Coca-Cola in the ice cube tray (about three to four ice cubes).

TIP: If you prefer to keep the Coca-Cola ice cubes as carbonated as possible, cover the ice cube tray with aluminum foil.

TIP: While you're waiting for the ice cubes to freeze and want the Coca-Cola to be as carbonated as possible, it is best to get it from a plastic bottle.

 

     8.     OPTIONAL: Put the Coca-Cola bottle and glass of limeade in the fridge. This is if you want the drinks to be slightly cold.
     9.     Check ice cubes every two or so hours to see if they have frozen.
     10.    Pour drinks in desired glasses and place ice cubes in once the ice cubes are frozen.
     11.    Serve.

 

 

I am so happy that I made this. Surprisingly, limeade tastes a lot more like lemonade than I thought. I hope that you are able to make this too and thanks for reading!