Celeb Make Up

Sometimes, we need a little fresh inspiration when it comes to make up. We may have been creating the same looks for ages or just want to try something new. I have collected a range of different pictures of celebrities that have make up looks that have particularly caught my eye.

I loved Cheryl's smoky eyes shadow Saturday night on the X-factor.
I think it is a great evening look.

Here, Kylie's simple but sparkly gold eye shadow
is noticeable but not too overpowering.
I think it works well with her lovely blue eyes.

Emma Watson's make up is certainly eye catching
in this picture! The dark colour in the centre of the lid is
dramatic while the gold makes her sparkle.

Here, Joana Smalls purple eye shadow is bright yet sophisticated.
She has toned it down by wearing a natural lip colour.

I love Katy Perry's statement eyes in this image as I love that colour!
I also think it works well  with her pink lips.

Taylor Swift is rarely seen without her bold red lipstick.
Her look definitely makes an impact, even though her eye makeup is simple.

The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is the strangest, craziest, weirdest book I have ever read. Just when you think you have come close to understanding it, something even more confusing happens. And then it ends before it has finished, leaving questions unanswered.

Just after Arthur Dent's (the main character) house has been knocked down to make way for a new by-pass, the earth gets destroyed so that a new hyper-space by-pass can be built. Arther Dent and his best friend are saved because, although Arthur did not know it, his best friend happens to be an alien hitchhiker, who gets them lift just before the planet is incinerated.

What Arthur then discovers is that there are millions of other intelligent life forms out there, most of which are far more developed than humans. And the humans are not even the most intelligent life on earth. However, although they know that the answer to the question of life, the universe and everything. Maybe, they will oneday work out what this means.

The reason this book is so hard to get your head around, is because it recognises the fact that aliens are beyond our imagination. I think reading it makes you realise that we really don't know what is out there and that we are small and insignificant in a huge galaxy. It also cleverly points out that an answer is no good if you don't know the question.

Although the book was written quite a long time ago, a film came out more recently that featured Martin Freeman playing Arthur Dent. Click here to watch a trailer
Have you ever read a Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy? If you have, tell me what you think about it in the comments.

Britain's Spending Secrets

At this age, we seem to gain more of an interest in money. Kids don't need much, as most of their clothes are bought by their parents and when they go out with their friends, it is just to play down the park or to go round each others house. Now, we spend more as we often buy our own clothes when out shopping with our friends and go to the cinema, eat out and go to events like fun fairs. We still don't have much to spend as we have only small amounts of money from pocket money or a part time job. This means we have to learn to budget.

Britain's Spending Secrets is a TV programme that reveals how people of all backgrounds spend their money and the effects it has on their lives. It has been recommended to me by a friend and is presented by Ann Robertson. It is particularly interesting at a time when we are becoming more interested in money and it could also show us some of the problems/benefits of spending our money certain ways. Here is a trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBaUAAQB_d0

The programme is shown at 9.00 on BBC 1 on Wednesdays after Bake Off.

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!).