{Review} Body Shop's Chocomania Scrub

Hey y'all! My christmas break starts this week and I'm so excited! Plus it might mean more updates?? Hopefully. I'm staying here in Finland as some family friends are visiting but I don't mind as it's starting to snow!! Yeah about that, what's up with snow this year? It's snowing in Palestine/Israel but not in Helsinki?? Global Warming is taking it's toll hey..

So the product I'm reviewing is called Chocomania Exfoliant Corporel Body Scrub. It comes in a tub and looks like this >>>

It smells heavenly and is an exact replica of chocolate! It's quite textured as it is in fact a scrub.. I have some pictures below and you can really see how thick it is. 

I applied a small sample on my face and would not recommend any more than that. As it is quite thick it can feel heavy on your face. Yes I'm aware it is called a "body" scrub, however I wanted to fully exfoliate my face and my Vitamin E Scrub from Body Shop was not that effective.

I left it on for about 2 minutes max and meanwhile gently rubbed my face. When I washed it off my face was soooooo soooo soft. I'm not exaggerating! It really felt .. as soft as a baby's bottom (?)! Is that weird? Do people say that anymore? Anyways..

My face felt clean but moisturised. I didn't have to use an additional face cream because the chocolate kept my face moist. 

I recently subscribed to body shop and recieved lots of free samples. I'm not exactly sure if you can buy it in this 50oz tub, but it is definitely sold in stores! (I researched) and it is €18.90 for a 200ml tub. Which is quite expensive really... Did y'all notice that Body Shop has become really expensive? I remember a couple (or more) years ago it was 

My final thoughts is that I really enjoy this product as it does work and smells heavenly. I couldn't use this everyday as it is quite heavy and demanding on your skin, however it is great for a treat once in a while.

lots of love, 

littlemissarianna x

What to Wear in Winter: News Edition

Hi guys, so I'm cheating this week. I have four assessments due this weekend so I didn't have time to write a totally awesome post... But I decided why not share a post me and my friend wrote for my School Online Newspaper! Hope you enjoy!

All the useful tips on dressing warm and cozy for Winter!

Winter is one of the most beautiful seasons but can get a little chilly– or alot in Finland! It’s important not to compromise on keeping warm whilst still looking good! Arianna and Nandi have gathered the most important tips and basics which are crucial for survival in winter  Girls and boys, get ready to take notes!

Tip 1: Always wear a jacket! We hope that this tip is self explanatory!

Tip 2: Tube scarfs for girls! There is a reason this trend is popular amongst Finnish teenage girls. It has a no hassle design and is available in many colour and patterns! Plus it keeps you warm!

Tip 3: Do not wear sneakers! They might look cool, but they do not keep your feet warm at all (unless they are fur lined..). Additionally the snow will drench them and you will freeze. Another disadvantage is that the do not have much grip so there is a high possibility you will slip!

Tip 4: Wear “Pippot’s” or Ear-muffs! We simply don’t understand how people’s ears don’t freeze without wearing either of these! They are a must in everyone’s closet. There are a variety of designs so you’re fashion will not be compromised.. We find ear-muffs are the most practical for keeping your ears warm and not messing up your hair!

Tip 5: Gloves! An essential not to be forgotten! Ok guys honestly, without gloves your hands will be as cold as a ice and fashion is definitely not an excuse. Hey, you can buy gloves that look amazingly cute with your outfit and keep your hand super warm. So leaving the house without these essentials, NOT a good idea!

Tip 6: Reflectors- a lifesaver! In a country like Finland where the sun barely comes out , reflectors are something you cannot leave the house without. A small thing like that can save our lives this winter, plus you can get them in many cute shapes and sizes. For all those who didn’t, taking those ISH reflectors might have been a  good idea.

So these were all our winter wear tips for enjoying this weather without getting frozen. Fashionable and fun, these are some must haves you can’t leave the house without! If you have any more tips, comment below and share your ideas with us.

How did you like it? DO I write any differently? I don't think I do... Comment what you think down below!

lots of hugs,

littlemissarianna  x

Snapshots of Helsinki

Hi guys :) 

i took some pictures with a pretty bad camera.

Whilst i was waiting for the bus.

i was looking for some inspiration.

i also wondered how did Helsinki look through a lens or someone else's eyes.

i wanted to share how Helsinki looked.

When it is cold and busy.

lots of hugs,

littlemissarianna x

The case of Bad Highlights (TBH) + Alternatives to Dyeing hair

Hiya! So as you have probably seen from my photos, I have blonde highlights. My natural hair colour is coffee brown, almost exactly like espresso- without milk :) . Try to imagine your hair colour in edible items >.< so kawaII! As my highlights were more of a "summer" thing, I got sick of them. Fast. I've been researching on ways you can get rid off highlights. I found three methods.

1. Dye your hair all one colour. uhm damaging damaging damaging!

2. Strip away all the colour from your hair (doesn't work for bleaching)!

3. Colour mask your hair! This tints it slightly and boosts it to the colour you mask it!


I considered all three options, but in the end chose 3. I shied away from the first, because I wanted to avoid further damage to my hair and wanted a look that was not high maintenance. I did consider dying my hair its original colour but thought against it. Finding your exact shade from a bottle is quite impossible and 99% of the time, it is a different shade. When it will eventually grow out, your roots will look horrid. Next option 2 would simply not work for me, because I did bleach my hair. Also the method of soaking your hair in acids didn't appeal to me very much.... I wonder why. *facepalm.




Funny enough, I found out about "masking" your hair, when I was browsing Stockmann (Finland's Gallerie Lafayette's or Marks and Spencer or Esetan for my international folks) when I found out about this WHOLE NEW WORLD (sings the song dramatically in about 3 octaves lower).

The brand I used was KC PROFESSIONAL Colour Mask in Cacao. Basically it is a "Tinting and Reconstructive Treatment for Color Treated Hair". It brightens and adds life to your original hair colour (whether real or "fake") whilst deeply conditioning it. If theres one reason you should try this product if that it makes your hair feel HEAVEN. LY. I'm serious. My hair feels soooo soft and smooth. Below I've copy and pasted (guilt as charged) the tint that's suited for you depending on the colour you want and your hair colour. But that no way means you have to follow it. If you want a tint of ginger to your hair, go ahead girl use curry! And may I just say how awesome the name curry is? I mean girl, its v. v. cool.

Cacao: For brown hair
Coffee: For dark brown and black hair
Honey: For blond hair
Silver: For blond and grey hair
Curry: For intense copper hair
Pepper: For red hair
Plum: For violet and cool toned red hair
Mandarin: For warm blond hair
Caramel: For blond and light brown hair
Latte: For light and light brown hair
Vanilla: For light hair
Toffee:For light brown hair
Black: For dark brown and black hair

So I bought the colour Cacao as I wanted to darken my highlights and even out my hair (which had about 3 different dyes in it from previous years). And it did even out my hair tremendously and darken the highlights! My hair is all around espresso colour now with toffee coloured highlights :) . I mean I'm a walking dessert baby ;) . Lol.

I've inserted a couple of dodgy pics on my new hair. Despite my hair being a mess and quite greasy, I hope you can see the colour well. I really like it. >.< a lot. And as you can see on the second pic, I have a fringe now :) A small one.

lots of hugs,
littlemissarianna

ps. I know, i know I've been quite irregular with my posts and it's suppossed to be on the weekend. But things do get in the way. And I'm working on it :) Please be patient.


Love.

Makeup for Sports

Hi y'all!

Sorry for the super long wait, I've been really busy with school work and hardcore training for a football (soccer) tournament in Serbia. Which BTW we came 3rd place in!! So as I was packing I had a dilemma of what makeup to bring. Obviously as I was going on a sports trip, I wouldn't need much, but where do you find that happy medium?

Waterproof mascara FTW! I wore normal mascara and I seriously regret it. There were moments where all I wanted to do was drench my face in cold water (it was boiling!) but couldn't, in fear of smudging my mascara.

Avoid foundation! I didn't wear foundation (and don't ever) so it didn't make a difference to me but some girls did. Frankly it was quite embarrassing to see them wipe their face and smears of beige came off :/. Opt for a BB Cream (like me!!).

Do use SPF! Honestly, it depends the time of your visit and wether you're playing outdoors.. but a bit of SPF never hurt anybody..

You can wear eyeshadow! For our team spirit, all the girls wore bright blue eyeshadow and it did look amazing. However, don't forget to use a primer because it WILL melt right off. Otherwise I had no problems... you just have to be willing to apply it more than once.

Eyeliner over Eyeshadow tho! If you want a pop of colour I would recommend using eyeliner instead.. In my opinion it's so low maintenance compared to eyeshadow! On the type of eyeliner, I would recommend liquid...

No need for blush! You are going to be exercising and your cheeks should naturally get pink anyways! Blush will just make you look like a tomato!

lots of hugs,

littlemissarianna x

Autumn Rules

Okay so it's autumn. Slightly colder than summer, slightly warmer than winter. These are a few "rules" I follow, that keep me energised and help my skin!

Rule 1: Don't be afraid to wash your face.
No this sounds like a pretty obvious step but some girls do not do this! This is like the basics.. If you do want to develop a good foundation (not the makeup but like the base of a structure) for your skin, you need to wash your face. It cleans your pores, takes of dead skin cells and overall makes your face look fresher! I use Seba Med's foaming face wash and I personally really like it. It keeps your skin to it's natural PH level (which is 5.5 by the way if you didn't know)... And I'm not saying to go out and buy this as everyone's skin is different but this is what works for me. It will take lots of trial and error and spending money to find out this so dont worry if you havent found the perfect one for you yet!

Rule 2: Moisturise, Moisturise, Moisturiseeeee.
Where I live (the north pole-- no just Finland) it does get quite dry so make sure to bring lotion with you everywhere! In my school bag I always have a body lotion and a thick Cath Kidston hand cream (which is divine *swoon) and a Vitalis (this is a traditional finnish lip balm thingy..)

Rule 3: Bottoms Up.
Okay so now that its starting to get colder, I drink water and tea. A LOT. Previously I only drank Jasmine or Green Tea but I found others which I enjoy! Hashtag #Proud. (<this is an ongoing joke with me and my brothers). Tea keeps me really warm and is healthy for you (well the ones I drink anyway..). Drinking hot drinks (sounds repetitive ugh) keeps you warm and rehydrated. Drink lots of fluids will help keep your skin clear and you healthy! Ooh. I forgot HOT CHOCOLATE! This is the right season to start!

Rule 4: Don't die cold-- Layer!
Lots of people (uhm girls) really don't dress warm. I understand some people have a low temperature threshold however seriously?! I feel like shouting, "You CAN look good and be warm girls". Thats how annoyed I get. -.-!!! Autumn, specifically september is flu season. 75% of you will get sick. And you won't wanna die cold. Layer Layer is my rule. Wear a tank top underneath your shirts, or a sweater, then a jumper, then a coat! Honestly you can pull it off! You feel and look amazing!

Rule 5: Play with the leaves!
This is my favourite season, especially because you can play with leaves. Figuratively speaking of course. You can seriously play for 5 hours without looking like a hot mess( = you won't sweat like a pig!). Lol. But seriously, have fun. Regardless of the season, its always nice to let your hair down and relax or go play. Age is not an excuse! Seriously, this year I have stopped caring what anyone thinks and just began to enjoy myself, enjoy life.


Lots of hugs + hot chocolate,
littlemissarianna


ps. So sorry this post is bleurgh. I don't why it didn't feel "right".

You are NOT a sketch

Hey guys.

Today I'm going to be blogging about a serious topic which is affecting girls today. This is the theme of my art project and I found a campaign which I wanted to share with y'all. The meaning behind this is really strong and I feel that all girls should be aware of this.

This campaign is fighting anorexia which is mainly caused by certain aspects of the media and fashion industry. Models today are 20% thinner than they were in the 2000's. Why is this? It is normal today to feel unperfect or ugly just because they do not look like models. But who are you to define what is perfect? And who are you to define what is not perfect?

When a teenage girl looks into a magazine, she subconsciously thinks that the images there are a mirror image of how she is supposed to look like. Additionally, fashion designers are designing clothes for thinner and thinner frames and some size zero models are not considered thin enough! Is thin: bones sticking out, vomiting after eating and having sallow unhealthy skin? 

The "You are Not a Sketch" campaign fights anorexia (e.g. anorexia nervosa and bulimia). On the right is a fashion design sketch which looks beautiful and shows the "perfect" shape. However if you change that sketch into an actual image, notice how horrifying and sickly this poor girl looks. Her bones are almost popping out of her skin. Her waist is almost half of her hips!

These images are so powerful as they can express to you what words cannot. After all you can interpret an image in any way you want. 

We all have doubts and insecurities about our own body. Sure I would like to have smaller thighs and a flatter stomach. Yes I would like to invent something that melts fat. But please do not fall to these desperate measures. Do not fall down the rabbit hole. Please do not starve yourself. Everyone is beautiful the way they are. We have to embrace who we are and flaunt it. 

Yes it might take time. But there is a lot of time in life. It's just takes one step at a time. Every morning just repeating to yourself, "I AM BEAUTIFUL" will make a difference. Believe in it. Believe in you. If you don't stick up for yourself, who will?

If we want to change how our society thinks, the time is now.

lots of hugs,

littlemissarianna

What I Drink! + Skinny Smoothie

Hi Everyone!

So I have quite a few of requests to do more "skinny" snacks and blog about them! This is something I'm quite interested in and love finding really yummy recipes which are also healthy. So it's a double win.

At home I mostly drink water and milk. That's all. No soda. No pop. No bottled juice. Definitely no energy drinks. No caffeine. My only exceptions are fresh juice or smoothies, maybe some tea, 100% natural aloe vera water and... maybe a sip of my brother's drink. But that's quite rare as 1. He is extremely stingy about his food and 2. The drinks he likes are really sugary and puts me off.

I think that if you want to start a healthy lifestyle, this is step 1. It's really simple but effective. (As Harry Styles would say ;)). It was a really easy step for me to take and now I feel better about myself and feel quite accomplished. The next step for me is to cut down dessert--and I have been following this but recently my mum has been on a baking spree so I've been eating quite a few slices -.-". Guilty as charged. >.< .

This is a really simple smoothie to make and is quite filling. The smoothie is quite good for when it's not lunch or dinner time yet and you really need something to curb your hunger. What you need are:
- 1 crumbled Belvita biscuit (More details below)
- 2 large Avocados (Or 3 small ones)
- 1 tbsp of Yogurt
- 1 tsp of Honey
- 4 cubes of Ice

That's the main ingredients of the smoothie but you can choose to add more ingredients if you like! I like adding:
- 1 handful of frozen raspberries (If they're in season in your country you can use fresh ones too)
- 1 mandarin (or half a regular orange)
- 1 diced apple
- Half a banana
- Mango

So first thing is to cut the avocado! I have to say that I'm a pro at this, I find it really fun to do >.<... A trick my mum taught me is the slice the avocado vertically in half. Because there is the seed in the middle, just turn your knife around the seed. Once you've gone in a full circle, the two halves should just come out easily. Next hit your knife on the seed until it gets stuck, then slowly turn the knife and pull it out. The avocado seed should come out with it. Here's a picture of what it looks like below:

Next, just chuck everything into the blender keeping the Belvita Biscuit and Ice last. I put the Belvita into a 'ziploc' and then hit it with a rolling pin. Once the rest of the smoothie is smooth, put in the Belvita and blend it. Once you think everything is done, insert the ice in a glass and pour in the smoothie :).

I really like this smoothie as it's quite simple but is yummy (well at least I think so). The addition of the Belvita, really fills you up so you aren't hungry. Avocados are one of my favourite fruits so I have them in the house a lot and this smoothie is a good way to use them up :) If you don't like the consistency of the smoothie, you can add milk to make it more liquidly or more yogurt to thicken it up!

I apologise... I forgot to take pictures :(... But I did find a picture that looks exactly what the smoothie looks like online:

So I hope you do try out this smoothie as its super healthy and a good snack when you are craving something :)

Lots of hugs,
littlemissarianna

Cheekbone Exercises

Hey guys!

So, my last post was a new format which I was trying out :) I'm not quite sure about it, what do you guys think? I received a comment which I haven't replied to yet, but I will, which encouraged me to post faster :) So thank her everybody :D

This post is about cheekbone exercises. We've all read about it, but have been skeptical. I've done the research and this is the simplest and most effective which claims to work. So for y'all, I've broken it down to the 3 steps below:

I do this about 4 times everyday (when I do remember) and no changes has happened yet. Keyword being yet. But i'm highly doubtful. It doesn't work however there's no harm in trying right?

Lots of Hugs,

littlemissarianna

The Natural Solution to a Shiny Face

Oily or shiny face? This a no makeup solution

It's a natural way to keep things under control

Ready for the autumn, fresh, matte face

Dry brush your face for about 30 seconds lightly in circular motions

If still oily?

Apply a small amount of baby powder on your hands

Then dust on your face

That's all.

Lots of Hugs,
littlemissarianna

ps. This is a new format of uploading.. Yay or Nay?

More apologies.. Seriously + Life Update

Hey guys!

Now I'm seriously embarrassed as I haven't updated in about 2 weeks. I have been reminding myself to write however there's so much going on with school etc. I know thats no excuse but I feel like I owe you guys an explanation...

So this is a list I made of some semi-interesting things that have happened to me in these two weeks!
1. In schools, this year for all "high-schoolers" (this means grade 9 to grade 12) we receive a macbook air! So far it's been pretty awesome and I've been using a variety of different apps on here so I might just have a post on that!

2. I've moved up in my ballet group-- and it is Hard with a capital H. There are girls who are just amazing and dance so well. I have to admit it's challenging and difficult, but that's how you improve right? However it's been super fun and I have enjoyed every lesson so far :)

3. This point is not really that interesting and definitely not "fun" but is how I've been spending most of my time. The students enemy. Homework. -.-" . Yes, suddenly because we're in "high school", teachers are using this excuse as to why they can overload us with homework. I received at least homework from half of the classes I attend in a day. Trés ennuyeux (annoying-- for all you english speakers ;) ).

4. This is another point related to school-- but I'm sorry I'm a teen, our lives basically revolve around school. #truefactoflife . Anyways, I might have mentioned this before (I'm not sure) but as a "high schooler" we get off-campus privileges. And I have to say it's such a great thing. An escape from the crappy school lunch!! I'm a regular at Subway, been to Arnold's a couple of times and even went to Hanko Sushi twice! I mean come on, life doesn't get any better than this right? But, I do try to eat home lunch at least once or twice a week as eating out can't be that healthy. I wanna see how much weight some of my classmates gain at the end of the year. I mean Mc Donald's everyday??! Classy (not). And what's rubbish is that Mc Donald's is more expensive then subway. Common sense people. Common sense.

5. Okay so my mum's birthday was on the 23rd and we've just recently celebrated that! I bought her this collection of fun scribble notebooks. And my description is awful (<<) but it's seriously v. v. cool. For example theres one page where you fill it with apple stickers and another where you punch a hole through the pages. It's a fun way to spend your time and is slightly similar to scrapbooking. I can't remember the name of the collection of the top of my head. But I will come back and post a link here: __________. I also baked this lovely Almond lemon and orange drizzle cake. It is seriously delicious and addictive. It tastes amazing and I'm being modest here guys. I followed this recipe. I reduced the sugar amounts by more than half (as I always do) because some recipes are just sickly sweet and make me want to vomit. Harsh but true... It's vegetarian, gluten free and super simple to make! Its basically chucking everything into a bowl and mixing it with a wooden spoon.


So these are some of the semi-interesting (more to the boring side) things I've been occupied with. I'll try to update once a week and we'll see how that goes :) . Please be patient as I'm trying to juggle everything around and it's bound to get messy sometime or the other!

lots of hugs,
littlemissarianna

Apologies + Skinny Cookie Bars

Hi everyone!

Yes, I'm sorry for not posting anything sooner. But as you all know I've started school so it's been a bit-- a little more than a bit chaotic. Plus to top it all off, I'm sick. This always happens around the start of school, I have no idea why. Perhaps it's a sign from above that schools not good for you... I don't know **shrugs, maybe. It's probably the germs everyone's carrying with them from their various holiday places. Anyways this year I'm a freshie and along with all the benefits, they are disadvantages aka the extra homework. I'm not even kidding. The first day back and I already have tons of homework -.- its not fun. So sometimes it's hard to satisfy your hunger whilst trying to complete all your work...which is why I'm sharing my super easy and healthy homework cookie bars to curb off your hunger. Now you can bring these to school too for a snack between classes or during your free period (if you have one). I love these because they're low in GI which means they'll make you feel full, they're low in calories, contains nutrients and proteins, 100% natural and super simple to make.


Now you don't have to prepare these before hand and take 5 minutes to prepare and 20-25 to bake. They should last 1-2 weeks. It makes 8-10 cookies.

You will need:
- 1/2 cup of Instant Oats
- 1/2 cup of Granola/Muesli
- 1/4 cup of Walnuts
-2 very ripe bananas
-1/2 tsp of Vanilla Essence
Optional
-2 tsp honey for sweetening

1. Preheat the oven to 350 f or 180 c.
2. Mash the bananas in a medium sized bowl.  If your bananas are not very ripe, mix in 2 tsp of honey.
3. Mix in the granola/muesli, walnuts and instant oats. Before putting in the walnuts, crack them in half.
4. Spoon the mixture onto a baking tray in either rounds or bars, using a fork to gently flatten. If it's too thick it won't cook.
6. Place the tray in the oven when hot and bake for 20-25 minutes.

TIP: If you prefer your cookies crispy add in a handful more walnuts or crunchy granola ;)

**Disclaimer: Adapted from Blogilates cheap clean eats cookies**

I hope you try this recipe out. I really enjoyed it and after there's hardly any washing up to do! If you don't like it, I'm sorry but each to their own. I'm sure there's another skinny cookie recipe floating around the web somewhere which you will L.O.V.E. There is something very satisfying when you eat something that is delicious and 'clean' >.<

lots of hugs,
littlemissarianna

What Happened to My 5 Aims?

Hey guys! 

 So this is the follow-up or conclusion to my first ever blog post, My 5 Aims of Summer TAG!!! Yayy! My summer ends in what.. 2 days??! It's gone by too fast; it seems every year it goes by faster and faster! Anyways, this is how I achieved or tried to achieve my aims and how it went ;)  

AIM 1- Start and maintain a blog

I feel I should ask you guys if you think I've achieved this. So as you can all see, I have started my blog and personally I think I have maintained it pretttttyy well :) what do you guys think? My only thoughts (not really a conflict) on this blog is about what genre I want to focus on. I was thinking about beauty or fashion but I don't only want to be limited to that... So right now I have stuck with a mix of everything >.< 

AIM 2- Find my perfect lipstick/lip gloss shade
Yes I did find some pretty amazing lipstick/lipgloss shades :). I found 3 in particular that I liked: 69 FLIRT from Chanel, 46 LIBERTÉ from Chanel, Dusty Rose from Avon and Orchid from Avon. The two lipsticks from Chanel are both playful, fun and oh-so-gorgeous and lets just say they are both on my wishlist!!! The lipstick Dusty Rose, I actually found by raiding my Mum's makeup dresser >.< (guilty as charged). unfortunately it's been discontinued so I cannot link it here... 

However it's a lovely shiny sheer cinnamony/brick-red/pink if that makes sense? It's similar to Soft Sienna and Sunset Peach from Body Shop but it is more reddish (pictures down below). Orchid is this lovely berry colour which I found when I was trying lipsticks on online >.<(yes I was THAT desperate). I noticed because of my Olive skin the best lip colours are berries, mauves and corals! Especially shades with gold or bronze undertones :)

AIM 3- Go roller blading

Now this is one of the aims that I completed first and was quite catastrophic (is that a word?)! First I couldn't find my roller blades and tipped the house upside down trying to find it. When I eventually found them and popped them on, I discovered that I wasn't as "skilled" as I remembered.. Let's just say I won't be roller blading any time soon.

AIM 4- Sticking to the Blogilates beginners exercise calender

Now I haven't really accomplished this. **Runs and hides behind the corner.. I'm sorry *cries. The beginning of the month was awful I have to admit, I was hardly doing exercise because I was too lazy or tired. However after the 17th I became really motivated and was skipping rope regularly, doing pushups, situps etc. you name it, I did it (not in that way you dirty people ;) ). I haven't been sticking to the beginners calender but I have actually formulated a calender especially for me to follow :D If you are curious, comment below and I'll write a post on it ;)

Aim 5- Go lake swimming

Now this was my favourite aim to complete :) I went lake swimming whilst on holiday in Aland and multiple times in (....). The first time I actually went lake swimming was when we went rowing and canoeing in a lake behind our cabin. The weather was perfect and personally the temperature of the water didn't bother me as I'm a fan of swimming in cold water... The second, third, fourth, fifth time me and my bestie were just hanging out at her Summer Cottage which was soo fun :) I had a really great time and was just nice jumpier off her pier etc.

So I did completely 4 out of my 5 aims which I'm quite proud of :) I'm quite curious to see what my 5 aims are going to be next year... Anyways, I hope you enjoyed reading about this and how did you think I did? Comment your thoughts below :)

lots of hugs,

littlemissarianna x

Centre Part is Back in Town

Hey guys!

So we all know how the centre part was all the rage last year and it seems like this Autumn, it's making it's come back. I remember trying out the oh-so-sophisticated part last year but it just wasn't working. But will this part work for you???

For those of you with round or square face shapes, this part will definitely work for you--no questions asked.

For those with diamond, heart, triangle (or pear) shaped faces, a more suitable take on this trend is an off-centre part. For example in the picture (>>) my part is slightly off-centre but still gives the effect off a middle parting.

For those with oblong or oval shaped faces, a middle part does work but will lengthen your face. For those who want to avoid that, a tip is to twirl the front strands of your hair outwards to create a windswept (look at the picture>>).


Another way to wear this trend that all face shapes can work, is to part your hair in the centre and then braid the front strands outward on either side of your face. This opens up your face and is similar to a half updo. If you want to make this hairstyle look softer, pull out a couple strands of hair around the face, braid your hair looser or curl the hair rest of the hair. You can even add some flowers or beads to spice it up a little!

Well these are my interpretations of the upcoming centre part, what's yours? Comment them down below <3 What are your thoughts on the centre part?? Yay or nay?

lots of hugs,
littlemissarianna x

Ps. I finally figured out where to edit my pics, they still look pretty crappy but I'm working on it!! :D

Can't sleep!!!

Hey guys!

I am writing this at the wee hours of 7:00 in the morning :/ . Yes tell me about it! (if there are any mistakes in my grammar or spelling that is why!) I woke up at about 5 and just could not fall back asleep.. UGH. Sometimes I wish I inherited my mum's sleeping habits because she can fall asleep almost any time, any place. But not me.

I've actually had a lot of trouble falling asleep recently. The whole of June I had been sleeping very late (around 1 am) and due to my recent bad sleeping habits, I've gotten these massive eye bags. Now I am trying to gradually fall back into my regular sleeping pattern in time for school but so far no luck :( . I'm usually tossing and turning in my bed for an hour or two before I eventually fall asleep... And even then it's not a deep sleep so when I wake up I feel exhausted :( .

If you have any tips on falling asleep or getting rid of eye bags please please (I'm begging you) comment them down below! And here's a pic of me in all my morning glory >>

lots of hugs,
sleep deprived littlemissarianna x

4 School Outfit Rules Every Girl Should Follow

Hi guys!

So as we all know, summer is ending  and school will be starting again :( . As much as I dread this time of the year, I'm also quite excited to find out if any new students are coming this year! My school starts in about a week and a half, which might seem like a long time but will be gone before you know it. This post will be showing some basic school outfit ideas...

The schools in Finland don't have uniforms and there are only a few dress code rules:
1. You can't expose your midriff
2. No hats indoors
3. Your skirt/shorts/pants must be longer than where your arms are straight down.
4. Your top must be thicker than three fingers (aka no spaghetti straps)

So those are basically are my schools dress code rules and I know some other schools which have even LESS rules!

So my first tip is to be comfortable. Trust me. I've had those days where I'm dressed to a T in these massive heels or a top that needs to be adjusted about every 5 seconds. It ain't fun *shakes head. But that doesn't mean you can't be comfortable and look like a million bucks! Sometimes you just need to compromise, for example I have this adorable bunny collared crop top that looks amazing, but I play it down slightly by wearing super dark denim jeans. SO I look good AND feel good. Most importantly, your shoes should be comfortable as you will be walking about all day!!

My second tip is PLEASE follow the 2 week rule! For those who do not know, the rule is basically not to repeat wearing the same clothes within two weeks. It's a preettyy simple rule huh? But why does hardly anyone follow it? Just to clarify, this doesn't apply to accessories, jeans, leggings and outerwear as we girls don't necessarily have a Carrie Bradshaw sized wardrobe (I wish!!). I have to admit this is one of my MAJOR pet peeves. Okay I can make an exception if it's been a week, but puhlease don't wear the very next day. Some boys in my grade actually do this and I find this disgusting knowing me, I'll probably rant and lecture and moan about it throughout the whole day. Trust me you don't want that.

My third tip is more of an etiquette rule, don't diss or criticise your friends clothes. I've been on the end of this one and 1. I really don't care or giving a flying fudge what you think and 2. it gets annoying very fast. I know how easy it is to just criticise someone's appearance but please do not share your opinion if you really can't find anything nice to say. Of course, if it was my bestie asking I'd probably tell her the truth but the basic rule of the thumb is, if no one asks don't tell. A good comeback if someone is critiquing your appearance is "Exactly why I'm wearing it, not you (and then give the -.- face)".

My fourth tip is don't stress over it. Yes it doesn't hurt to look good but at the end of the day school is not a fashion show (this is the line I say to about every girl in my grade -.-"). There is no FASHION POLICE in your school, and if there is then how shallow are they?! We're in school to LEARN not to obsess over each others clothes!!!

I hope I wasn't too harsh in some of my expressions **pulls a face. So these are my four rules on outfits in school. Comment below if you agree or disagree. I welcome all thoughts and opinions :) Also, I'm in the midst of writing my 5 Summer Aim Conclusions! So comment below if you're excited to see whether I did complete all my aims!!

lots of hugs,
littlemissarianna x

July Wishing

Hi everyone!

Am I the only one who creates a shopping wish list? Because recently it seems that I just want to buy soo many things and just don't want to spend that much :((( . I'm a teenager- I don't have a massive bank account! I'm not the kind of person that will just buy, buy, buy with my parents money because 1. My parents won't let me and 2. I want to be independent! Plus I have already spent about 2 (or 3) montly allowances on my summer shopping spree >.< ... the truth certainly does hurt (my bank account).

So I thought I would post some of the items that I've been wishing for on here! I made my first Polyvore-- and I have to say it looks prreeetttyy cute ;) . I don't have loads of stuff on my list, however most of the stuff I would like are pricey...

1. Delia's Midkini & Banded Hipster
The midkini is one of the recent fashion obsessions which I've been lusting over <3 .  I would never boustier's as I would be so self-conscious, but I'd make an exception for the beach ;) . I love this one with a floral print from Delia's. Unfortunately the shops in Finland don't really sell these (and if they do, look tacky and just ugh). Price: $29.50 USD (on sale)

2. Physician's Formula Organic Wear Mascara
Now I've recently gone 'au natural' for the whole of July. Whilst I have been lounging in my makeup free face, I've done quite a lot of research online on beauty products, their harms and benefits, which convinced me to change my beauty routine to be more organic and natural. It's quite ironic as before summer I purchase two tubes of mascara from Maybeline and Rimmel **hits head against wall. This mascars is 100% Organic, is good for your lashes and is affordable! **hits head again. But, I don't particularly need this hence it's on my wish list. Price: $9.95 USD

3. American Apparel's Medium Wash High-Waist Jean Cuff Short

Now we've all seen the pictures Miley, Kendall, Kylie and more wearing these fabulous babies. They just look uber cute and comfy. Plus I currently don't have a pair of high waisted or light wash shorts. I know I know, I'm coming in a little too late on this trend, but this is one item everyone needs for summer! Price: a whopping $58 USD!!!

4. Vaseline's Spray & Go
I love moisturizers but sometimes the hassle of putting them on is just too tiring. I've been lusting over this as soon as it came out. I'm pretty sure it's available in Finland, I just have to figure out where ;) . I think this product makes it easy to have beautiful skin in a short amount of time! Furthermore, they have three different scents so far to keep everyone's taste satisfied! :) Price: $7.59 USD

5. Loafers!
I don't have a specific brand of these in mind, but I have seen a couple from Cotton On which I like! My mum has a couple but her feet are 3 sizes bigger than mine. No she doesn't have giant feet-- mine are just tiny (35 eu or 2 1/2 uk). I think they're super comfortable and can match just about anything! Plus they are perfect for the upcoming autumn months! Price: n/a

6. Chanel's Rouge Coco Shine Hydrating Sheer Lipshine in Flirt or Liberte
Aren't these just beautiful? I'm in love. As you all know I've been trying to find my lipstick shade which I just love and is suitable to wear everyday. I was trying these on in the ferry I took to Aland, and they're just magnificent. Of course, it's CHANEL! If someone got me these, I would be eternally grateful #justsaying #hinthint .



7. Ted Baker Purse
Last but not least are the Ted Baker purses. now I've had my eye on these since winter. I love the twist jewels at the top and Ted's pastel colour collection. If I were to buy one I would get the Patent Matinee Purse in Light Pink (which has a pastel green lining). They are to die for-- look and price wise. Price: A hefty £75 GBP (too much for a teen like me)


So these are some of the drool worthy items I've been lusting over, what are yours? Comment them down below along with your opinions on these products! If you enjoy my posts, please subscribe!

lots of hugs,
littlemissarianna x

7 Things To-Do in Aland

Hi everyone! 

Summer has come, the time to fish out dusty suitcases and tattered flip flops from the bottom of your wardrobe. When choosing the perfect place to visit more often than not; Greece, Italy, Spain and Indonesia come to mind. But up in Finland, lies a quiet, rustic and relaxing holiday getaway. Located between Sweden and Finland, Aland Islands form the smallest region of Finland. Accompanied with an equally small population, the residents of the Island are friendly and welcoming. For those of you who are interested in visiting Aland here are the 7 reasons why you should!

1. Go Cycling!
There is simply no better way to explore the island! With a couple rent-a-bike shops throughout the city; it is a convenient, low priced, enjoyable mode of transport! You can explore all the nooks and corners of Aland whilst enjoying the fresh Finnish air! Plus as Aland is quite a small area, you can even cycle to other municipalities for a day trip.

2. Visit Museums!
In Aland, there are plenty of museums littered across town (literally)! Most museums are located in Mariehamn but there are a few odd ones in other municipalities. With museum exhibitions ranging from fishing to archipelago culture, art history and fire engines there is something for everyone! The exhibitions are dynamic, easy to comprehend and most importantly interesting! Plus, almost all the museums free and welcome everyone!

3. Farm Cafes!
There are many cafes in the heart of Aland which are wonderful for snacks and treats, however there are a few cafes on the outskirts Aland which are spectacular! Johannas Hembaktar is one of the few farm cafes on the island. Now this is the one thing you HAVE to visit if nothing else! Their café is located in Saltvik and is open daily from 12-18! Their fresh baked pastries and bread are just scrumptious and always leave you craving more!!! Their bestseller, a soft-meringue passion fruit curd topped with fresh strawberries, is simply divine and I would definitely recommend you to buy more than one helping >.< !

4. Trips to Different Towns!
I mentioned this slightly in the first post but I will elaborate on it more here. Like in every country each town, city or place has different traditions and shops that makes it that little bit more unique. The municipalities I recommend visiting on your holiday in Aland are Eckero, Hammarland, Saltvik and of course Mariehamn. Other municipalities are quite similar and unless you have a specific shop in mind, you might find yourself a tad bit disappoint. Once we cycled all the way to Lumparland, to find a few closed cafes and empty stables 
-.-“ .

5.Lake Swimming!

Yes the traditional Finnish past time has to show up on here sometime! Swimming in lakes provides a beautiful scenic view of the nature whilst relaxing in the cool water. What I love about swimming in lakes is that as the water isn’t salty, it doesn’t leave your hair matted and doesn’t leave a weird taste if some accidentally goes in your mouth, which is a definite plus in my books!

6. Rent a cottage!

In the rural lands of Aland, I would recommend you to avoid staying in your typical hotel and reside in Holiday Inns, Lodges, Cottages or Bed and Breakfasts.  My family and I had the most exciting time staying in a lodge in Eckero. The Lodge we stayed in had access to a beautiful lake where you could go in for a paddle, canoe, row or even fish and all for free!!! Now that is a bargain! In addition, because our lodge was in a remote area where there was no Wi-Fi we could have family bonding time! You never really know how much time you spend on the web until it’s taken away from you!

7.Svartbröd bread and Kastelholm cheese

Now this is my last but certainly not least To-Do.  Aland has their own unique archipelago black bread. The rye based bread is black, as its name suggests, round and quite flat. The taste is very unique and quite sweet. It gets its sweetness from the molass syrup. The bread is more loved and eaten by the Swedes rather than the Finnish because of it’s sweetness. The bread is generally eaten plain or with Kastelholm cheese which is also invented in Aland! Kastelholm cheese can only be found at Alands local ACA Dairy and originated from the 16^th Century.

I hope you do travel to Aland as it really is a beautiful and scenic Island! If you have visited Aland, leave your thoughts and opinions below! Plus if you found this article helpful be sure to leave a comment below! If you haven’t visited Aland yet but would like to feel free to comment below as well! If you would like to see my pictures I took when I was in Aland mention that in your comment!!!

Lots of hugs,

littlemissarianna x

Blog Lovin it

Hi everyone!

So recently I've got a Bloglovin account! Yayy! Basically Bloglovin is an easier way to view all your favourite blogs on one platform (how much simpler is that??). if you do like my blog or enjoy my posts, follow me on there!!

Click: Follow my blog with Bloglovin or the Bloglovin button on the sidebar <<

lots of hugs,
littlemissarianna x

ps. da da dah dah da blog lovin it.... the tune to Mac Donald's I'm lovin it ;)

The DIY Bandwagon

Hey guys ;) , so today I have been oh-so-very-busy DIYing! For those of you who know me personally, I don't DIY (full stop) . I am quite artsy-crafty but for some odd reason I have never DIYed before *shrug- I've never found the time or couldn't be bothered... I got my inspiration to DIY my shorts this way from flipping thru the July edition of COMPANY magazine (>.< fave magazine)!

Okay so jumping right into it, here are all the things you need:

- A pair of shorts or jeans

- A piece of fabric you want to use (could be an old shirt etc.)

- A piece of paper

- Super Glue

- Scissors

- Toothpick (I used a cuticle pusher thingy)

         

It's really quite simple...

1. First choose what you want to replace with fabric (for me it was only one pocket)

2. Place the paper above or beside the area and cut out the shape slightly bigger than it is

3. Choose what part of the fabric you want to use (I chose this totes cute floral print <3) and cut it out against the paper.













4. Compare it to your shorts/jeans pocket to see that it fits before glueing













5. Apply some super glue quickly and precisely to the top seam of the pocket and then cover with fabric

6. Use your toothpick or cuticle pusher to hold the fabric in place. If needed put some more glue on top of the fabric in the seams.7. Test that you've glued it securely at the top by pulling it gently and no gaping holes appear. If they do apply more glue at the top but don't put too much as the fabric will get hard and it will look "wet".

No Gaping

Gaping 

8. Once the top is secure, do the same with the side, as there is no seem it is slightly harder as you have to glue the fabric as close to the side as possible. If you have fabric left over after glueing, cut off with the scissors carefully.

9. When glueing the bottom, make sure to leave about an inch of fabric glued on the inside so when your shorts or jeans ride up it still looks believable!

10. To avoid fraying of the fabric, coat the sides with glue.

~~THE FINISHED PRODUCT~~

So this is my DIY ^ , what's yours?? Go on, jump on the DIY Bandwagon too ;) Leave your pictures of your DIY! It doesn't have to be clothes, it could be for household items, face masks etc. Come on give it a try before summer ends :) ! Don't forget to comment your thoughts on mine too (I've changed the settings so ANYONE can comment so go on. I dare you ;) )

lots of hugs,
littlemissarianna x