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Hey, guys! Laura here!
 
I'm in a really good mood right now, and I'm having a great day! :) That is all.
 
Hope you all enjoyed my breakfast recipes! Here are some yummy options for lunch!
 
& BETTER-THAN-RAMEN RAMEN (by own creative genius!)
 
This is actually a recipe I made up myself! I had it for lunch the other day, and it was AMAZING!! It is a little spicy, but if you don't mind that, it's delicous. :)
 
INGREDIENTS:
 
- chicken-flavored Ramen package
- sugar snap pea pods or leftover steamed veggies
- soy sauce
- Siracha chili sauce
- lime juice
 
DIRECTIONS:
 
1) Prepare the Ramen as directed on the package. Add the flavoring packet.
4) Add the pea pods or steamed veggies. They should get warm and soft in no time.
3) Mix in soy sauce and lime juice to taste.
4) Add a teaspoon of Siracha (a little less if you like it extra mild, a little more if you prefer it HOT!).
4) Done! Enjoy! :)
 
& CHILI CHEESE CRUNCHWRAP (iwashyoudry.com)
 
I've really been missing the ones you used to be able to get at Sonic, but then I found this recipe! Yum!
 
INGREDIENTS:
 
- tortillas
- canned or leftover chili
- shredded cheddar cheese
- Fritos or other corn chips
 
DIRECTIONS:
 
1) Warm up the chili in a microwave safe bowl.
2) Scoop onto a tortilla.
3) Sprinkle cheese and corn chips on top of the chili.
4) Wrap up like a burrito and enjoy! :)
 
& GREEK SALAD
 
I love a good salad for lunch! They're cool and nutricious, and this one is border-line gourmet! Enjoy!
 
INGREDIENTS:
 
- greens mix or chopped up lettuce
- 1 tomato
- 1 onion
- black olives
- feta cheese
- olive oil
- balsamic vinegar
- basil
- pepper
 
DIRECTIONS:
 
1) Prepare your lettuce.
2) Chop your tomato and onion and add as much as you want to your salad.
3) Add olives and feta cheese.
4) Mix four parts olive oil and one part balsamic vinegar in a separate bowl and drizzle over your salad.
5) Top with basil and pepper and enjoy!
 
& GRILLED CHEESE PIZZA SANDWICH (budgetsavvydiva.com)
 
This sandwich got excellent reviews on the website I found it on, and I have to agree, it looks yummy! It's as easy to make as a simple grilled cheese sandwich, but tastes like pizza! If you want, you could even add more toppings to make it like your favorite kind of pizza!
 
INGREDIENTS:
 
- bread
- butter or margarine
- pizza sauce
- mozzarella cheese slices
- your favorite pizza toppings
 
DIRECTIONS:
 
1) Butter one side of both your slices of bread. Set to the side.
2) Heat up a skillet pan on the stove.
3) Place one slice of bread, butter side down, on your pan.
4) Add your pizza sauce, cheese, and toppings.
5) Place your other slice of bread, butter side up, on your sandwich.
6) Flip over your sandwich using a metal spatula. and let the other side cook.
7) When it's golden brown on both sides, and the cheese is melted, flip onto a plate, let cool, and enjoy!
 
& MICROWAVE BAKED POTATO (bettermomblog.com)
 
This is a great and easy lunch for all you potato lovers to try! Experiment with toppings and cooking time until you get the perfect baked potato!
 
INGREDIENTS:
 
- 1 potato
- baked potato toppings (bacon bits, cheese, sour cream, chives, broccoli, chili, etc.)
 
DIRECTIONS:
 
1) Wash your potato. Take a fork and poke some holes in the top of it.
2) Wrap it in a paper towel, and place in the microwave for 4 minutes (you may need to adjust the cooking time depending on the power of your microwave and the size of your potato).
3) Check to make sure your potato is fully cooked, and place it on a plate.
4) Take your fork and open/break it up a little bit.
5) Add your toppings, and enjoy!
 
Hope you enjoyed my easy lunch ideas! Let me know how they turned out for you!
 
~ Laura
 
Song of the Day: Love in the Present Tense // Chase Coy

Hey guys! It's @anneliese-p
 
Sunburns hurt. They cause long term wrinkling damage, and they can also up your risk for melanoma.
 
Unfortunately no matter how careful you are with wearing sunscreen and staying in the shade during the hottest parts of the day, a sunburn can still creep up on you. Below are some tips for treating and preventing future sunburns.
 
RECOGNIZE THE SYMPTOMS FAST
 
You know how you can "feel" yourself burning? When you start to feel that tingling sensation and the sun beating down on you extra harshly, don't brush it off and stay in the sun. Also, if you or someone else starts noticing somewhere on your skin turning pink, don't hesitate to get in the shade. In the long run, is ten more minutes tanning at the pool worth the damaging affect of a sunburn?
 
SHOWER OR BATHE
 
Take a gentle shower (the water pressure needs to be low) or a bath with the temperature just below lukewarm. This will help ease the pain and cool down your skin. DO NOT use soap or scrub the sunburned area.
 
MOISTURIZE
 
After your shower or bath you can use a topical cream like aloe. Don't rub the aloe in like you would a lotion, leave it moist and goopy on top of your skin. Just make sure the cream is okay for use on raw and sunburned skin. Sunburns dry out your skin and moisturizing will help soothe it and reduce the appearance of peeling and flaking. Though there is no scientific evidence, some people say using a lotion with vitamin a or c will limit skin damage.
 

 
A burn draws moisture away from the rest of your body and towards the affected area. To make up for this, drink plenty of water after a sunburn. Also, keep an eye out for the symptoms of dehydration.
 
MEDICATE
 
Take an ibuprofen (check with your parent first to make sure you don't overdose and hurt yourself) to reduce inflammation and pain. You can also you a topical cream, but check with your parent or doctor first.
 
BLISTERS
 
Serious sunburns can blister, DO NOT POP BLISTERS. If you have a large blister, see your doctor about getting it drained. Before touching a blister, wash your hands to prevent infection. Apply aloe gently and loosely wrap a blister in gauze.
 
PREVENTION
 
Stay in the shade if you have to go outside with a sunburn. Wear lots of sunscreen and stay out of tanning beds and don't go tanning. Wear protective clothing and stay out of direct sun between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.
 
That's all! Have a safe and fun summer!
 

 

 
Created in the Polyvore iPhone app. http://www.polyvore.com/iPhone

Hi girls! It's Rebecca here today!
 
Now that it's summer, skirts are a staple in everyone's wardrobe. If you're looking for something cheap and unique, you can make yourself your own skirt in only a few easy steps.
 
You will need to be able to work with a sewing machine. If you don't have one, locate someone who does who can teach you the basics of how to use it. This skirt is very simple so pretty much as soon as you can operate a sewing machine you can make it, no problem.
 
Here is the original tutorial: http://handmademess.com/2012/03/19/the-easiest-skirt-in-the-world-x2/
 
What You'll Need
3/4 of a yard of any fabric you think would work well for a skirt
1 yard, or your waist measurement, of elastic 2 1/2 inches wide
Thread
A sewing machine
Pins
 
Once you've got your sewing machine all set up and ready to go, you can begin making the skirt.
 
You can zigzag stitch the top edge of your fabric to prevent it from fraying, b
ut it's not entirely neccessary. It's just very useful for the finished product.
 
Cut the elastic to fit comfortably, a bit loosely, around your waist at the height you want the skirt to sit at.
 
Fold the elastic in half and pin the center. Fold each half in half and pin those points with a pin as well. Fold in half again, and pin every 1/8 inch point.
 
Repeat the process of pinning the elastic with the fabric so that way they have the same amount of pins. This allows for your skirt to be gathered evenly. Pin the elastic to the top edge of the fabric overlapping 1/2 inch, matching up the pins. The fabric will be folded because it is longer than the elastic, and this is what you want.
 
Sew the elastic and fabric together, stretching out the elastic so that it's smooth on top of the fabric. Make sure to sew close to the edge of the elastic.
 
When you're done with this, you will have gathered fabric against the elastic. It's quite simple, even if it doesn't seem so in writing!
 
Sew the open sides together in a seam, the right sides against one another. This allows for the ugly side of the fabric to stay on the inside. Make the seam 1/2 inch wide. When you have completed the seam, press it open.
 
Put on your skirt and trim it to the length that you want. Make a hem by rolling up the first 1/4 inch and then rolling up the next 1/4 inch to hide the raw edge. Sew it down on the bottom.
 
That is all! As long as you have someone who knows what they are doing to help guide you at first, this skirt will be simple, easy, and very cheap.
 
I hope you can make yourself some wonderful new skirts!
 
-Rebecca

Hi, girls! Laura here!

This is the first in my series about summer meals. Tomorrow will be lunches, and finally, snacks!
 
When I wake up in the morning during the summer, I need to eat something right then and there (there’s only so many hours you can sleep until your stomach wakes you up). I don’t know about you, but eating Nutella on toast every morning can get pretty old. While it is quite delicious, I want to try something different every once in a while. Here are some quick and easy recipes to make in the morning that go way beyond cereal and toast! Enjoy! :)
 
<3 CINNAMON ROLL PANCAKES (recipegirl.com)
 
This is definitely the unhealthiest thing on this list, but hey, who doesn’t love cinnamon rolls and pancakes? And combined? Pure. Genius.
 
INGREDIENTS:
 
Cinnamon Filling:
 
- half a stick of butter, melted in the microwave
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- ½ tablespoon ground cinnamon
- quart-size Ziploc bag
- medium bowl
 
Pancakes:
 
- 1 cup flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil
 
Cream Cheese Glaze:
 
- half a stick of unsalted butter
- 2 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
 
Other Stuff:
 
- nonstick skillet or griddle (or you can use nonstick spray on a regular one)
- metal spatula or pancake flipper
- stove or electric griddle
 
DIRECTIONS:
 
1) Cinnamon Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Scoop it all into the Ziploc bag, close it, and set it aside.
2) Cream Cheese Glaze: Melt the butter in a smaller bowl in the microwave. Whisk the cream cheese into the butter until it’s smooth, then sift powdered sugar in and add vanilla extra. Set it aside.
3) Pancakes: Combine flour, baking powder, and salt into a separate medium bowl, then stir in milk, oil, and the egg (it’s okay if your batter has some small lumps).
4) Spray your pan or skillet with nonstick spray, then heat it. Pour some of the batter into your pan.
5) Snip off a corner of your Ziploc bag. When your pancake begins to form bubbles, squeeze your cinnamon filling in a spiral on top of your pancake.
6) Flip your pancake over with a metal spatula and let the other side cook until golden brown, then flip onto a plate.
7) Continue making your pancakes until you run out of batter. Serve with warm cream cheese glaze instead of syrup. Yum!
 
<3 EASY MUG BREAKFAST (pinterest.com)
 
This recipe is super easy and perfect for when you’re in the mood for a nice, traditional breakfast.
 
INGREDIENTS:
 
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon of milk or water
- a dash of salt and pepper
- shredded cheese
- bacon bits
- diced red or green bell pepper
- mug
- nonstick spray
 
DIRECTIONS:
 
1) Coat the inside of your mug with nonstick spray
2) Crack the egg into the mug, add milk, salt, diced peppers, and bacon, and beat.
3) Microwave on high for 45 seconds (you may need to adjust depending on the power of your microwave; for example, mine is really old and small, so I would probably start with a minute and go from there).
4) Take out and stir.
5) Add cheese and microwave for another 45 seconds (again, you may need to adjust).
6) Enjoy! Isn’t that easy? :)
 
<3 BLUEBERRY MUFFIN BREAKFAST SMOOTHIE (theresasmixednuts.blogspot.com)
This recipe is great because you prepare it the night before, and when you wake up in the morning, it’s ready to pop in the blender and enjoy! Plus, it’s got oats, which will keep you full, and blueberries that are chock-full of antioxidants and vitamins!
 
INGREDIENTS:
 
- 1 ½ cup milk
- ½ cup quick oats
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
 
DIRECTIONS:
 
1) The night before, mix the milk, oats, and vanilla extract in a bowl, cover, and put in the fridge until morning.
2) When you’re ready for breakfast, combine the mixture and the blueberries into the blender.
3) Enjoy!
 
<3 NUTELLA BANANA BREAKFAST COOKIES (diypinterest.com)
 
Whip up a batch of these on Sunday, and have a couple every morning for breakfast during the week! I’ve actually tried these, and they’re delicious! My only complaint is the amount of Nutella; if you’re a die-hard fan like me, you should definitely double the amount.
 
INGREDIENTS:
 
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup shortening
- 2 large mashed ripe bananas
- 1 egg
- 1 ¾ cups oats
- ¼ cup Nutella
- cookie sheet
- nonstick spray
 
DIRECTIONS:
 
1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2) Mix the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl.
3) Use a hand beater to mix in the bananas and the egg.
4) Mix in oats.
5) Add the Nutella and “slice” it into the mixture with a knife to create pretty stripes (or just mix it in if you don’t care what they look like).
6) The mixture should be too soft to form balls, so just spoon “drops” of it onto a greased cookie sheet.
7) Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
8) Enjoy with a tall glass of milk! :)
 
<3 SAVORY FRENCH BREAKFAST MUFFINS (cookingwithsiri.com)
 
These take regular ‘ol muffins to a whole new level! They’re relatively simple to make, and they look delicious!
 
INGREDIENTS:
 
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup red or green bell pepper
- muffin pan
- nonstick spray
 
DIRECTIONS:
 
1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2) Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, pepper, and salt in a medium bowl.
3) Whisk the egg, buttermilk, olive oil, and butter in a separate medium bowl. Fold in cheese and bell pepper.
4) Make a whole in the center of the dry ingredients and add the wet ingredients in it. Slowly blend together with a spatula.
5) Coat the muffin pan with nonstick spray. Fill each cup 2/3 of the way with the mixture. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the tops are golden brown. Let cool, pop out, and enjoy!
6) Because these muffins have ingredients that could go bad if you left them out, you have to store them properly. To store leftover muffins, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place in a storage size Ziploc bag in the freezer. When you want to eat them later, remove the plastic wrap, place on a paper towel, and microwave for 30 seconds to a minute, depending on the power of your microwave.

Hi, guys, Hannah here! :)
 

As most of you should know, Neil Gaiman is one of the best authors of all times. Which, naturally, means his quotes are amazing as well! :)
 

“May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art -- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.”
 
“People think dreams aren't real just because they aren't made of matter, of particles. Dreams are real. But they are made of viewpoints, of images, of memories and puns and lost hopes.
 
“Tomorrow may be hell, but today was a good writing day, and on the good writing days nothing else matters.”
 
“I hope you will have a wonderful year, that you'll dream dangerously and outrageously, that you'll make something that didn't exist before you made it, that you will be loved and that you will be liked, and that you will have people to love and to like in return. And, most importantly (because I think there should be more kindness and more wisdom in the world right now), that you will, when you need to be, be wise, and that you will always be kind.”
 
“[D]on't ever apologize to an author for buying something in paperback, or taking it out from a library (that's what they're there for. Use your library). Don't apologize to this author for buying books second hand, or getting them from bookcrossing or borrowing a friend's copy. What's important to me is that people read the books and enjoy them, and that, at some point in there, the book was bought by someone. And that people who like things, tell other people. The most important thing is that people read... ”
 
“Let us begin this letter, this prelude to an encounter, formally, as a declaration, in the old-fashioned way: I love you. You do not know me (although you have seen me, smiled at me). I know you (although not so well as I would like. I want to be there when your eyes flutter open in the morning, and you see me, and you smile. Surely this would be paradise enough?). So I do declare myself to you now, with pen set to paper. I declare it again: I love you.”
 
“Stories may well be lies, but they are good lies that say true things, and which can sometimes pay the rent.”
 
“Books make great gifts because they have whole worlds inside of them. And it's much cheaper to buy somebody a book than it is to buy them the whole world!”
 

“Picking five favorite books is like picking the five body parts you'd most like not to lose.”
 
Then, one stupid person, no different from any other stupid person, wanders into your stupid life...you give them a piece of you. They don't ask for it. They do something dumb one day like kiss you or smile at you, and then your life isn't your own anymore.”
 
“You get ideas from daydreaming. You get ideas from being bored. You get ideas all the time. The only difference between writers and other people is we notice when we're doing it.”
 
“You've a good heart. Sometimes that's enough to see you safe wherever you go. But mostly, it's not.”
 
“You have to believe. Otherwise, it will never happen.”
 
“Libraries are our friends.”
 
“You don't get explanations in real life. You just get moments that are absolutely, utterly, inexplicably odd.”
 
“Write your story as it needs to be written. Write it honestly and tell it as best you can. I'm not sure that there are any other rules. Not ones that matter.”
 
“I don't think you should ever insult people unintentionally: if you're doing it, you ought to mean it.”
 
“We owe it to each other to tell stories.”
 
“I know that David Tennant's Hamlet isn't till July. And lots of people are going to be doing Dr Who in Hamlet jokes, so this is just me getting it out of the way early, to avoid the rush...
"To be, or not to be, that is the question. Weeelll.... More of A question really. Not THE question. Because, well, I mean, there are billions and billions of questions out there, and well, when I say billions, I mean, when you add in the answers, not just the questions, weeelll, you're looking at numbers that are positively astronomical and... for that matter the other question is what you lot are doing on this planet in the first place, and er, did anyone try just pushing this little red button?”

Hey, girls! Laura here!
 
If you’re over 15, you may want to start thinking about getting a summer job. I probably won’t have one until I graduate high school because my summers are really busy and not very flexible because of marching band. But here is everything you need to know about getting and having a summer job!
 
WHY GET ONE?:
 
Having a job means you’re a functioning member of adult society. It’ll teach you things like teamwork, responsibility, and doing your best. Having a job, if only for the summer, will look wonderful on resumes and will open up your options for other jobs. Not to mention you get PAID! You can put the money you earn toward college, a new car, an apartment, or just everyday things like food, clothes, and gas.
 
HOW TO GET ONE:
 
The key to scoring a great job is to put yourself out there. Research jobs and learn how to create a resume, then go out looking for a job. You can just drive around town or call and ask places of business if they’re looking to hire, then offer to show them your resume. You can also look in the newspaper classifieds or search online for people and places looking for new employees and get in contact with them.
 
Don’t try to get a job that requires a college degree or you know you wouldn’t be suited to. Think about what you want to do with the rest of your life, and try to find a job accordingly. Be patient, because it could take some time, but you’ll find your perfect job eventually!
 
WHERE TO LOOK / JOBS TO GET:
 
- restaurants (waitress, hostess, chef-in-training, dishwasher)
- elementary schools and day cares (tutor, teacher’s helper, office assistant, janitor, caregiver)
- families you know (babysitter, nanny, maid, mother’s helper)
- offices (office assistant, receptionist, internship, etc.)
- pools, beaches, gyms, and rec centers (lifeguard, office assistant, janitor, personal trainer, etc.)
- retail stores (cashier, department worker, stocker, janitor, etc.)
- hospitals and clinics (volunteer, nurse-in-training, receptionist, office assistant, gift shop worker, etc.)
- local small businesses (cashier, worker, or office assistant)
 
OTHER OPTIONS:
 
If a summer job just isn’t for you or you don’t have a flexible enough schedule to work regular hours, consider volunteering, applying for an internship, or starting an online business on a website like Etsy or Café Press.
 
THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT WORKING:
 
- The customer is always right! Don’t waste your breach arguing with them or complaining about them to your co-workers. Do your very best to accommodate them and make their experience a positive one so they will pay, come back again, and maybe even leave you a good tip.
- Do your very best! You want to please your boss and keep your job, right? Then make sure that everything you do at work, no matter how boring or tedious, is done right.
- Don’t complain and keep a good attitude. Your boss is paying you, after all.
- Be punctual. In band, my teacher has a saying: if you’re on time, you’re late. If you’re early, you’re on time. It’s true!
- Be flexible. If your boss wants you to pick up some extra work or come in a little earlier, do it. It will improve your boss’ impression of you and maybe even give you the opportunity for a raise or promotion.
- Don’t put up with ridiculous demands or let your boss or co-workers take advantage of you! Use your discretion and keep yourself safe. If a co-worker tries to make you do something absolutely ridiculous or trick you into doing their work, go to your boss. If your boss is being inappropriate with you or asking way too much of you, talk to him first; if that doesn’t work, get in contact with corporate or consider looking for work elsewhere.
 
Hope that helps you girls! What advice or stories do you have about summer jobs?
 
~ Laura
 
Song of the Day: Demons // Imagine Dragons

Alright ladies, here's some sugar scrub recipes that I found for you. I admit, I Googled these, I do not claim any credit for these.
 
First, one might ask why sugar scrubs are good for you, what to do with them or why you should use them. Well, sugar scrubs are good for various things, they cleanse your skin, they help exfoliate it, to get rid of all of that dry, dead skin. If you've got paint caked and stuck on your hands, use a sugar scrub and it will scrub it right off. If you use it often it will help clear up zits. All in all, it's very healthy and gives you nice, smooth skin and I highly recommend it.
 
I'll just post the links, cause I found a lot:
 
Vanilla Bean Sugar Scrub:
http://www.goodlifeeats.com/2011/12/homemade-gift-idea-vanilla-bean-sugar-scrub-holiday-recipe-exchange.html
 
Rosemary Mint:
http://www.goodlifeeats.com/style/homemade-sugar-scrub-rosemary-mint-sugar-scrub-recipe
 
Delicious Scrub:
http://deliciouslyorganized.blogspot.com/2010/06/diy-delicious-scrub.html
 
Organic Citrus:
http://sugarandcloth.com/2012/06/diy-organic-citrus-sugar-scrub/
 
Peppermint Candy Cane:
http://www.theidearoom.net/2012/11/peppermint-candy-cane-sugar-scrub.html
 
Vanilla Brown Sugar:
http://www.cjanecreate.com/2011/06/handmade-vanilla-brown-sugar-scrub.html
 
Ginger and Coconut Oil:
http://foodformyfamily.com/the-kitchen-sink/ginger-and-coconut-oil-sugar-body-scrub
 
Honey:
http://www.designsponge.com/2012/09/small-measures-honey-foot-care.html
 
Pumpkin Spice:
http://www.oleanderandpalm.com/2011/11/pumpkin-spice-sugar-scrub.html
 
Then here's all of these:
http://www.tipjunkie.com/all-crafts/sugar-scrub/
 
And all of these:
http://pinterest.com/janicepatriss/sugar-scrubs/
 
Good luck and hope I helped! :)
-Nicci

Hello girls. It's Rebecca here today!
 
This is a time of year where staying in touch with friends starts to become an important matter. Not only are you leaving behind friends from school, but you may begin to meet new friends at camp or when you're traveling around that you'll want to keep in touch with. That can be a very difficult thing to do. I'm here today to help you do that more easily!
 
MAKE AN EFFORT
The single most important thing in staying in touch is that you have to truly be willing to make an effort to do so. It's easy to send out a single email and then forget about it, but it's a lot harder to stay friends with someone you hardly see. Make the effort to go out and send them texts, shoot them a call, put together a time when you can hang out with them. If you don't, the drifting will start to occur.
 
USE WHAT YOU HAVE
With the Internet nowadays, it is fairly easy to stay in touch with people in some ways. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, email, whatever. But if you don't use this stuff, what's the point of having it? Use these things to help keep yourself close to the person you're trying to keep in touch with. Our technology can be a good way to keep us together.
 
FACE TO FACE
The best way to stay close to someone even if you don't see them often is that to use the time you do have with them well. Set up a time to go out to dinner or a movie or something when you can. Face to face time tends to be the most efficient way to stay together. It's more personal, and more human. You can still use technology over the time when you aren't seeing each other, but it's just not the same.
 
ACCEPT THE DRIFTING
Sometimes friendships don't survive the away periods and they slip away from you. You'll have to accept that this is how it will turn out. If you are missing the friendship, make sure to say to yourself that next time something like this happens you will try harder to keep the flame going. Maybe you go out for face to face time with an old friend and find that you don't share interests anymore. It happens, and you just have to go with it. Sometimes there is nothing you can do but accept it.
 
I hope these tips help you with keeping in touch with your friends!
 
-Rebecca

Hey, guys! It’s Laura!
 
So I just finished The Fault in Our Stars. Oh. My. Gosh. What a beautiful, heartbreaking, though-provoking, and wonderfully written novel! It’s the first book I’ve read that actually made me cry. I will probably be rereading it very soon – like, next week. :) I can’t wait to read John Green’s other books!
 
Anyway, on to the tip!
 
After making my tip about how to dress while camping, I thought it might be helpful and fun to make another one that’s actually about camping itself. Hope you enjoy!
 
TYPES OF CAMPING:
 
Normally when you think of going camping, you think of sleeping in a tent in the woods. But there are all different kinds of camping! If you’re a bit of a homebody and like to keep the comforts of the modern world close, try cabin, camper, RV, or even backyard camping. If you’re feeling more adventurous, opt for spending the night in a tent or even out under the stars!
 
PACKING LIST:
 
What to Bring:
 
- clothes that are well-suited for camping, including some sturdy shoes for hiking and flip flops for showers
- swimsuit, swim shoes, boat, inner tubes, etc. if you’re camping by the beach or a lake
- toiletries, including toilet paper, as camping is generally BYOTP
- old washcloths and beach towels
- tent, camper, RV, etc.
- sleeping bags, pillows, and extra blankets (ones you won’t mind getting dirty)
- camping plates, bowls, cups, reusable water bottles, pots, roasting sticks, anything you may need for cooking outdoors
- food! (more on that later…)
- matches (use responsibly and safely, please!)
- rain ponchos and tarps in case it rains
- tarps, duct tape, rope, cord, trash bags, buckets, shovel, mallet, pepper spray, etc. (never know when these types of things might come in handy!)
- first aid kit
- sunscreen, insect repellant, chapstick, etc.
- flashlights, battery-operated lanterns, and extra batteries
- camping chairs, sit-upons, stools, something to sit around the campfire with
- cards, books, a notebook or journal, colored pencils, pens, games, balls, Frisbees, fun things to keep you occupied
- hiking sticks (or just pick up some big, sturdy branches at your camping site!)
- cell phone in case of emergencies (don’t just spend your whole vacation playing on it!)
- camera
- backpack with snacks, binoculars, flashlight, water bottle, cell phone, and toilet paper for hiking
- fishing poles, bait, lures, hooks, a bucket, and other fishing supplies
- if you have a dog, bring her with you! Just make sure you bring anything she may need and keep a sharp eye on her
 
What NOT to bring:
 
- alcohol or drugs (being out in the woods while intoxicated is a recipe for disaster, not to mention those things are against the law)
- laptop, tablet, portable TV, etc. (the whole point of camping is getting AWAY from technology!)
- firewood (most campsites ask that you use wood you find at your campsite or buy wood from them so you don’t accidentally bring invasive insects, “tree diseases,” or other nasty things on the property)
 
THINGS TO DO:
 
- read
- go on a hike
- go swimming, boating, tubing, or floating
- go fishing
- write a story or poem
- keep a journal of your adventures, and include things like pressed flowers and pictures
- draw a picture
- take pictures of your surroundings
- play board or card games
- play a game of tag, ball, or Frisbee
- cook up some tasty treats over the fire
- explore the campgrounds
- take your dog on a walk
- chat with family and friends
- sleep
- stay up late telling ghost stories
- play flashlight tag or catch fireflies at night
 
WHAT TO EAT:
 
Meals:
 
- soup, chili, or stew
- sandwiches
- burritos wrapped in tin foil and roasted over the fire
- hot dogs
- tacos
- mac and cheese
- wonderful SPAM! (bonus points if you get the reference!)
 
Snacks:
 
- fruit snacks
- granola bars
- juice pouches
- soda
- hot chocolate
- cheese crackers
- chips
- trail mix
- s’mores, of course!
 
TIPS:
 
- Prepare for all kinds of weather. If it’ll be cold, bring coats, hats, gloves, and extra blankets. If it may rain, pack ponchos and tarps
- Most campsites have primitive showers and toilets, but if you’re camping at a conservation area or somewhere else with no bathrooms, bring toilet paper, find a big tree to do your business behind, and cover your tracks with a couple shovel-fulls of dirt. For bathing, you could just go swimming in a nearby lake or creek or rig an outdoor shower, but don’t use a ton of soaps and shampoos. An all-natural, chemical-free body wash will do the trick and won’t contaminate the waterways.
- As I said before, don’t bring your own firewood into a campground that prohibits it.
- Be very careful with your campfire! Build it properly, don’t make it too you’re your tent, a tree, or tall grass, don’t use gasoline or alcohol to make it start, watch so it doesn’t get out of hand, and be sure to put it out completely and bury the ashes when you leave.
- Use sunscreen and bug spray! A bad sunburn or a ton of bug bites will make your trip miserable.
- Be sure to pack enough water! If you’re at a campground with hoses, you can fill them there, but if not, you’ll need lots of water bottles and gallons of water (just be sure to pick up all your plastic bottles).
- Make sure you store food and garbage in your car or tie it up in a tree at night (DON’T keep it in your tent!) so you don’t get unwanted animals snooping around your campsite.
- Keep your head and stay safe while swimming and hiking. Stay with the pack, keep a cell phone with you, and use your common sense.
- As a common courtesy for nature and for other campers after you, leave your campsite better than you found it. Clean up all your garbage, put out your fire, and bury any ashes or waste.
 
Hope that helps any of you campers out there or inspires you non-campers to give it a try! You’ll love it as much as I do! :)
 
~ Laura
 
Song of the Day: Crystallize // Lindsey Sterling