Class: Dead or Different?

While browsing one of my favorite sites, Future Female Leaders, I discovered an article. Although I agree that fewer women are choosing stereotypically "classy" paths in life, I did not agree with all points in the article. 

It started out fabulous, with "it's okay to be feminine." I agree. Feminine is good! However, it quickly became problematic. The author believes that all women must remain modest and that is the most empowering thing. Yes, for some women, modesty is empowering, but all women are not the same. Some find modesty empowering, while others do not. It is simply a matter of preference, and one is not necessarily better than the other.

"Put Time and Effort into Relationships." Okay, there was nothing wrong here at all. Do not ignore your significant other, do not broadcast your commitment issues on social media (on second thought, please do so that everyone knows who isn't worth time), and, if you are not in a polyamorous/open relationship, DO NOT CHEAT. Relationships do not carry themselves; you must work with your partner to have a solid one.

"Have common courtesy." Again, this is 100% accurate. Be nice, play fair, use your manners. Take your selfies, relish in the likes, but do not allow the attention to take away your kindness. 

I do not believe that class is dead. I think that the definition of class is simply changing. Do I agree that sometimes, we, as millennials, need to take a step back and think about if we should say or do something? Yes. Do I believe that habits and cultural norms have changed over time? YES. What was considered high-class in the 1940s was not the same as in the 1860s. Should we be worried about the new definition of classy? Nope. Just do your thing. Unless you are being rude, disrespectful, or mean, you are a-okay.

New Obession

My newest obsession is Gossip Girl. I tried to get into it a few years ago, but it didn't really stick, so I decided to try to watch it again. I'm still on season one, but I'm definitely loving it. Blair reminds me of a more mature Massie Block from The Clique. New York fashionistas with so much sass, you wonder how their tiny bodies can hold it all. Also there's the Blair/Serena rivalry and the Massie/Claire catfight to parallel to. I'm aware that Gossip Girl was a book series-I wanted to read it during the height of my obsession with The Clique-but I'm also aware that Blair's character is completely different in the show.

At this point, I'm just waiting for Carter Baizen to show up. I've heard some things about him, and I'm really looking foward to seeing how the storyline played out.

As always, leave a comment if you ever want to chat about GG (just no spoilers, please!) or just want to talk in general.

xx

Review: Naked Basics Palette

I bought the Naked Basics Palette back in September and I'm obsessed with it. I use it every day.

I use Venus, WOS, and Naked 2 for my everyday look and Carve as eyeliner occasionally. At first, I had a lot of fallout with Carve and Venus, but that ended quickly.

Pros:
The colors were exactly what I was looking for.
It doesn't irritate my eyes or cause those white bumps on my eyelid. (Those small white bumps are equivalent to clogged pores, but you just have to let them go away on their own.)
Urban Decay is a good quality brand who is also cruelty-free
Goes on well.

Cons:
The price ($34!)
The eyeshadow was more creamy than I was expecting.
The black and white caused fallout for several uses, with the white (Venus) having the most fallout.

Overall:
4.5/5
I will most likely purchase this again, but it's most likely going to be the full Naked palette, rather than the basics. It's a quality purchase that I strongly recommend.

Review: Freeman Feeling Beautiful

I've always had pretty bad acne, but one of my friends recommended this mask for me. (Freeman feeling beautiful avocado and oatmeal clay mask.) I've been using it since May, and my skin has never looked better!

I wash my face once a day and twice a week (usually on Mondays and Thursdays) I apply this mask once I'm done. I rinse it off when it dries and my acne is either gone or almost gone. It's the only product that is removing my blackheads. It's a long process-I still have a ton-but my face is looking so much better. I usually go foundation free the next day because my skin is clear. I wish I could find a face wash that does the wonders that this mask does-without causing redness or burning for the next day like benzoyl peroxide does.

I have fairly sensitive skin (my skin is so red and usually burns after being exposed to too much chlorine-and of course, I swim in a not-saltwater-pool. Benzoyl peroxide is not my friend either), but this has never caused me any problems. If your skin is extremely sensitive, I probably would not recommend it simply because it is a mask, and it may irritate your skin more than a cleanser would, but other than that, it's one of my favorite beauty products.



Photo from Ulta's website.

Review: Handwritten by Shawn Mendes

Handwritten is Shawn Mendes' debut album, consisting of 12 songs.

Favorite Song: Life of the Party
Least Favorite: Air

1. Life of the Party

I really love the piano and the lyrics to this song. It was the first song I heard by him, and it's my favorite.
Favorite lyric: "Take your shot, it might be scary. Hearts are gonna break, but we don't have the time to be sorry."

2. Stitches

"Stitches" has some of the most relatable lyrics on the entire album. The music videos did an excellent job of conveying the meaning of the song as well.
Favorite lyric: "Just like a moth drawn to a flame, oh you lured me in, I couldn't sense the pain. Your bitter heart cold to the touch, now I'm gonna reap what I sow."

3. Never Be Alone

This is one of the acoustics, and the lyrics are really sweet and it's just a cute love song. (I don't have actual thoughts about this song other than ahsdhfhdlhf, and I don't think that counts as a review.) Favorite lyric: "Take a piece of my heart and make it all your own so when we are apart, you'll never be alone."

4. Kid in Love

"Kid in Love" sounds like Hunter Hayes meets Ed Sheeran meets John Mayer. Basically, I'm in love. (Pun not intended!)
Favorite lyric: "If this is what it's like falling in love, then I don't ever wanna grow up."

5. I Don't Even Know Your Name

This is another song that sounds like John Mayer meets other singer-songwriters, in this case, Sam Smith. If John Mayer were a 16 year old boy, he would be Shawn Mendes. I'm sure of it.
Favorite lyric: "I'm dying, my love, you punched a hole right through my heart."

6. Something Big

This song sounds more dance-able than his others, but it's not really my style. His vocals are killing it, however.
Favorite lyric: "It's like that feeling when you're 'bout to win the medal and you worked so hard that you knew you wouldn't settle."

7. Strings

"Strings" is such an upbeat and fun song. It's the kind of song that makes you think of the guy you're seeing.
Favorite lyric: "Darling I want all the strings attached. I love it when you look at me like that, and you're the only girl that brings me back 'cause baby I want all the strings attached.It's like always and forever. I won't let a moment pass, and when I'm with you I feel better. I want all the strings, all the strings attached." (Oh my, that was a long lyric!)

8. Aftertaste

This song is the one that reminds you of that one ex you're somewhat over, but not quite. The instrumentals and his vocals are amazing and complement each other well.
Favorite lyric: "Turns out that no one can replace me. I'm permanent, you can't erase me. I'll help you remember me, one more kiss is all it takes. I'll leave you with the memory and the aftertaste."

9. Air

It's pretty good, but Astrid's voice gets on my nerves and it's an extremely repetitive song. The verses are extremely short in comparison to the chorus.
Favorite lyric: "Always tryna put your two cents in then expecting me to change. Tried to fix me up but I'm not broken. All you do is leave me stained"

10. Crazy

This song reminds me of the song "The Reason" by Hoobastank in terms of both instrumentals and vocals. The lyrics are beautiful as well. I adore his acoustics.
Favorite lyric: "That I just got this crazy feeling I've been making someone wait for me, for me. You're all I think about when I'm awake, part of every night and every day, and everything's a mess when you're away."

11. A Little Too Much

I enjoy the fact that this is an acoustic song. I feel like acoustics highlight his voice much better than full instrumentals. 
Favorite lyric: "Sometimes it all gets a little too much,
but you gotta realize that soon the fog will clear up."

12. This is What it Takes

It's a good song, but it should not have been the final song on the standard version. It practically kills the vibe.
Favorite lyric: "And if this is what it takes, then let me be the one to bear the pain.Oh if this is what it takes, I'll break down these walls that are in our way."

Overall:
The album is extremely good, but it's loaded with acoustics. If you like the acoustic vibe, you'll adore this album, but otherwise, I suggest specific songs.
8.5/10
Needs improvement in repetitiveness
Excellent vocals however

Review: Jesus>Religion by Jefferson Bethke

My friend had this book and I saw it when she was cleaning out her locker. She let me borrow it and I finished it within three hours. 

I related to Bethke's sentiments about how the church does seem unwelcoming and has made its own culture-not that independent culture is a bad thing. However, when the focus becomes on earning salvation and on making the Bible about how God helped the heroes-who were already ideal-the message is lost. God took those heroes, flaws and all, and helped them to become better people. And I think that important distinction isn't always in place. I know I never learned that. For example, in Sunday School, the whale swallows Jonah because he is facing the wrath of God. According to the story, Jonah realized he was wrong and jumped in the water. God had the fish (not whale fyi) swallow him, most likely to get him to the Sin City of his day. God's love is not conditional. God loves you, no matter if you are a believer or not. 

Also, as the author blatantly states, alcohol is not a sin. The sin is being extremely drunk. (I haven't found anything going against marijuana either. If you find one, be sure to tell me.)

Basically this book expressed my feelings far more eloquently (and probably just all around better) than I ever could. 

Last week, the friend and I were talking about religion. I admitted to the fact that I'm not a big fan of organized religion, but I love Jesus. She informed me that, technically speaking, being a follower of Jesus does not necessarily make you religious, but neither does being religious always mean you are a follower of Christ.

Review: Blogilates

I've been using Blogilates workout videos for about two years now. Cassey is so optimistic and her videos are without a doubt effective, but she's also body shamed, and not really apologized for it. Granted, she was trying to state her opinion on their eating habits, but some of her wording was not the nicest. However, I digress. This is meant to be about how effective her videos and meal plans truly are.

Her workouts:

 I prefer her song videos, such as this one, over her full 10-15 minute long workouts. There are exceptions however-her Victoria's Secret workouts are challenging but fun at the same time. Contradictory, I know. A usual workout, for me, is a cardio warmup, an ab workout, a butt workout, the prom dress workout, the primadonna pushup challenge, and finally any aspect of her Victoria's secret workout series. This, done about two to three times a week, has kept me in decent condition when my sport is in the "off-season," meaning those couple of months in between school season and regular season. While my sport is in season, I only do this about once a week.
I will note that some of her workouts can be extremely challenging, especially if you aren't in shape (believe it or not, I've been there), and she has said that a few are difficult, even for her.

Workout rating:
Effectiveness: 4.5/5
Innovation: 4/5
Total: 8.5/10

Summary: Not too bad! Her workouts have really helped me to tone up, and the majority are creative with cute titles (Abominable Abdominals, anyone?)

Her meal plans:

I'm about to start her 90 day meal plan, with some modifications to the calorie and carb intake due to sports. Keep an eye out for a new page about it!
Her 90 day meal plan is where you eat clean for 90 days. Of course, there are birthdays and some of my friends are graduating during this time, so I will deviate from her plan to allow for that. Her other plans sound extremely restrictive and I do not recommend those. To avoid writing a novel before I even begin the plan, just be wary to not become obsessive about calorie count, as it can lead to disordered eating. Eating disorders are not fun, not pretty, and are hell to recover from. One of my friends is finally recovered, and she still has situations where she easily could relapse.

Oh my, I really changed topic with the meal plan one, and I apologize for that, however, I also feel like that needed to be said. As I previously stated, keep an eye out for a new page that tells about this plan, what I like, what I don't, and how well it's helping me on my goal of toning up and staying in shape for my sport.


In summary, Cassey is not too terrible. There are parts of blogilates I enjoy, just as there are parts that I think are questionable, just like with every other fitness blog I know of. If you like some of her things, do that! If you don't, cool! It's just another plate being served at the world's largest (albeit fitness) buffet.

(Alex Gaskarth quote being modified because I wanted to use it)