Alcohol For Teens

In England, you can not legally buy alcohol until you are 18. However, there is no law against giving it to children over 5 at home. I have always been allowed small amounts of alcohol from a young age. However, I only drink occasionally as I don't like most of the things I have tasted. Both me and my parents agree that if I am allowed to drink at home, I am less likely to drink out with friends where there are more dangers. If teens are not allowed something, it often makes them want to do it more. When I am 18, it will be less of a big thing that I am allowed to drink so I am less likely to suddenly start drinking lots. It also means that I am more experienced with alcohol and therefore know what drinks I can have without getting too drunk or ill.

However, some people think that children and young people should not be given any alcohol as it could set them a bad example. If children drink too much, it could be especially harmful as their bodies have not fully developed. It can increase the likely hood that they get involved in crime if they get drunk as they will not have such good judgement.

I think small amounts of alcohol is ok for teenagers as long as they do not get drunk and they are told the risks of doing so. Tell me what you think. You can use the poll to answer in a couple of clicks or use the comments section. Either way, you do not need to sign it as you can now comment anonymously.

Teenage Adventure Camps

At the beginning of this summer, my school ran a residential trip to an adventure centre in Wales. I have never been on one of these trips, as when I was younger I did not feel ready for that level of adventure. However, now I am older, I want to try new things and be more independent so they have become more appealing. Also, I think my Mum needs the experience as much (or more!) than I do, as she hates it when I stay overnight somewhere.

I think these camps are great for teens as they make us more independent. They also give us confidence as if we can live away from home and do all these tricky challenges, we are happier to try new and possibly difficult things in the future. They also give us something different to do.

I will be asking some of the people who went this year about it, but I would also like to hear your experiences. Have you ever been on a trip like this? What are the pros and cons?

Denim Dresses

A piece that is perfect for this time of year is the denim dress. Wear it with bare legs for what is left of the summer and then pair it with thick tights or leggings as the weather turns colder. Wear it loose round the house or take it in with a belt to give you more shape. However you wear it, this on trend staple is suitable for everyone.

This simple straight down dress comes
in a darker Navy Blue as well.
It also has practical pockets.
New Look, Was £24.99, now £11 (Navy now £17) 

This fitted dark blue dress is smarter than
the others. Wear it in the the day or dress
it up for smart casual evenings.
Primark, £12

The long sleeves and dark colour
of this dress make it perfect for Autumn.
You can also pull in the waist.
ASDA, £18

You can roll the sleeves up on this casual
denim dress depending on the weather.
It has a slightly washed out look too.
Next, £28

The Great British Bake Off

I love watching the Great British Bake Off. I have been baking myself ever since I was little. First with my Gran making fairy cakes and rock cakes in primary school, then slightly more fancy things with my Dad as I got older. I also have my own recipes and skills from Home Ecc classes. Watching the Great British Bake Off means I can get new idea's about flavours, learn about new techniques and just see the variety of things that can be made with practise.

I particularly like seeing the creative designs from the show stoppers. Last week, I loved Paul's Bread Lion, which received a special commendation from judge Paul. It also helps that I love the shows comedy presenters Mel and Sue and also like Mary Berry, although Paul can be very mean.

Next Wednesday at 8.00pm on BBC 1 it is Desserts week. I will be watching the remaining contestants battle with Creme Brulee, Meringue and Souffle. Hopefully, I will be watching on a TV and not a laptop, as they have fixed the cat battered screen and should be delivering it Monday. Do you love Bake Off as much as I do?

Nothing To Wear

Interesting, isn't it, how a teenage girl (or any woman) can have a wardrobe full of clothes and nothing to wear?

Yesterday evening, I stood in despair in my bedroom staring at the contents of my wardrobe. I was desperately trying to decide what I should wear to next month's Hawaiian Party SNAP disco. Everything thing was not disco enough, or not Hawaiian enough, or not teenagery enough. I was sure that a shopping trip was in order.

However, I then had 4 revelations:
Few people would probably dress Hawaiian, as it was not actually a fancy dress party.
Everyone would probably be too busy worrying about what they were wearing to care about my outfit.
I have many things that have been worn only once or not at all. Anything new that I buy will just end up on that pile.
Most other people planning to go would probably have the same issues.

So I decided to wear the dress my best friend bought for my birthday. It's brightly coloured (Hawaiian), it's short (teenagery) and if I wear it with heels and lots of make-up it will be suitable for a disco as well. Can you relate to this?

Simon's Cat

Simon's Cat is a cartoon about a man and his badly behaved cat. It is based on the creator's four cats and all the naughty things they get up to.  It started being shown on YouTube and then it was so popular they started making books and calenders. Today, new videos are still being made and uploaded to his youtube channel. He even has his own website.

Simon's cat is hilarious and very realistic. Many of the things he gets up to are similar to the things my own cat does. My favourite is "Wake Up" as Bumble does many of the same things when he is trying to get my Mum up. Therefore, it is perfect for cat owners, as well as being great for everyone else too.

Ten Things We Shouldn't Have Done

Last week, I read Ten Things We Shouldn't Have Done by Sarah Mlynowski. I loved it! April, the main character is about to live a 16 year old's dream when her dad moves away to another state and lets her stay at her best friend's house. What he does not know is that her friend's parents' won't be there. This leaves April and her friend Vi with a house on the beach. Boys can come whenever they want them. They can have parties whenever they want them. This, of course, leads to 10 things the girls shouldn't have done!

This book is a funny, lighthearted read about teenagers and their priorities, as well as what they get up to when their parents are away. It also has a serious side as both the main characters parents have split up and that effects both their lives deeply. They both also have to deal with their own relationships going wrong too, although not before them and their boyfriends take full advantage of the situation! I think all teenage girls should read this book (although maybe don't show this one to your parents!).

SNAP!

Great music, mocktails, fun nights out. Hard to find if you are a teenager, as most of the clubs and events are for over 18s. School disco's can be disappointing (or non-existent at my school). This is where SNAP comes in...

SNAP nights are discos run by Fareham council for 11-16s. They are on from 7pm at Ferneham Hall and include a D.J, non alcoholic drinks and other themed activities. You buy tickets for £6 online. These are upcoming events on the website:

Hawaiian Party - 18/09/15
Christmas Party - 27/11/15

I have not been to one of these events yet, but when I have I will tell you more about them. If any of you have been to one, please tell me what they are like. Hopefully, they will fill the gap in the market for safe, fun, teenage nights out.

What On Earth Are You Supposed to Buy Teenage Boys?

The teenage boy- in my opinion, is the hardest person to buy for. They're too old for kids stuff but adult gifts are not always suitable. Unlike girls, you can't just fall back on a beauty gift set. Most of the stuff they want is electronic (and often out of your price range). So, I have searched the web for some cool ideas you can get for you friend, brother or boyfriend for their next birthday.

Sneaker sock
The perfect thing for teenagers who can't part with their sneakers!
PrezzyBox- £4.95

I am not awake yet T-shirt
I think most teenagers feel like saying this at some point!
Not on the high street, £24

Black Leather Bracelet
A simple masculine accessory.
Argos, £9.79

Touch screen gloves
These mean they can text as much as they like
without getting frostbite!
PrezzyBox- Was £7.99 now £6.39
 

    

Animal's Cool Clothes

A little while ago, I wrote about the shop Animal. This time, I have included some of my favourite clothes from their summer sale. Normally, their clothes are quite expensive, so buying them in the sale makes it more affordable. It's a bit long now though, as I loved lots of stuff and went a bit over the top! Each item has a girls name, which I have included with the price.

This blue and white stripes on this top give it a
oceanic feel. The strapless look is perfect for summer.
Carol - was £25. now £12.50
 

This T-shirt is light and summery with a
pretty floral design.
Azisa - was £25. now £12.50   
 

I love the straps and neckline of this top.
The henna- like design on the front is also
in one of my favourite colours.
Chita, was £22 now £11

This warm yet light coloured cardi is perfect
for the cooler summer days we get in this country
or the transition from summer to autumn.
Edille, was £50 now £25
 

This fab maxi dress could be worn on beach
holidays or casual evenings out.
Luluu, was £45- now £22.50
 

These denim shorts are very versatile and could
be worn with all of the tops above. A summer essential.
Gracy, was £40 now £28
 

These cool wood look wedge sandals could be worn casually in
the day or with a dress at night, like the one above.
Susie, was £25. now £12.50
 

I love these summer shoes. They are still more
 enclosed than sandals but are more summery than ballet pumps. The colour will go with most things too.
 Poppy, was £25. now £12.50

This spotty bikini is perfect for those who do not
wish to show their whole body to the world.
I really like the wide halterneck and the ties at the side.
The dark colour is flattering, too.
Pennie-May, was £38, now £26 

This bag is practical yet colourful and on trend.
Colourful satchels are cool and this one is is one of my
 favourite colours. It matches several of the items on this page.
Minny, was £35 now £17.50