Conversations With My 13 Year Old Self

I know I'm Not Dead is nearly 10 years old now, but I just heard this song a few months ago and I am absolutely in love with it! It's crazy for me to think that I was thirteen thirteen years ago! Now that I'm at a halfway point in my life, this song made me think what it would be like if I could give advice to my thirteen year old self.

Those preteen years are tough for everyone, but it's seems that me with my awkward self always have it hard. Here are some words of wisdom I would tell the thirteen year old me:

1. Thirteen years from now, you'll never see all of the popular kids you try to be friends with again, so who cares if they like you in middle school.
2.  It's better to have three close friends than 50 friend you barely know who aren't there for you when you need them.
3. You can't please everyone, so don't try. Only those close to you really count.
4. Making mistakes aren't the end of the world. Learn from those mistakes.
5. Enjoy being thirteen without any responsibilities, a job, and bills to pay!
6. Don't worry about all of the Barbie dolls you can't afford to get, you'll get those and more when you're older.
7. Don't try to be someone else. It never works and the people who can't accept you for who you really are aren't worth the trouble in the long-run. 

What would you say to your thirteen year old self?

Motivational Monday

Review: The Body Shop Body Mango and Marino Scrubs

Last year I bought the Mango Body Scrub from The Body Shop as part of this haul. My mom bought the Moringo Body Scrub a few months later, which I also tried.

Mango Body Scrub

The website's description:

• Mango seed oil moisturizes and softens skin without being greasy.
• Community Trade organic cane sugar and salt grains gently exfoliate skin.
• Community Trade organic soy oil, rich in essential fatty acids, helps repair skin’s moisture barrier for smooth, supple skin.

I've always had dry skin on my legs, and this always gets worse during the winter. In order to get my legs ready for bare skin weather after a long, hard winter, I decided to try the Mango Body Scrub.

I absolutely love the smell! It smells just like a real mango, and it great for a quick little pick-me-up in the shower! The sugar cane and salt grains are not overly abrasive, but do a wonderful job of clearing off dead skin. After the first use, my skin was noticeably smoother and very well hydrated. In fact, my legs were smooth, they were almost slippery!

The only negative about this scrub is that it may affect some people who sensitive skin or allergies to the ingredients. For example, my mom tried it and, because of the can sugar, began to develop rashes. If you don't have any allergies to the ingredients, though, you should have no problem using this product.

Moringa Body Scrub

The website's description:

• Removes dead skin cells
• Stimulates skin microcirculation
• Leaves skin feeling soft and smooth
• Delicate scent of white flowers

As I mentioned above, my mom had bad reactions to some of the scrubs, so she ended up giving them to me, including the Moringa Body Scrub.

As for smell, I can't comment on the quality of the moringa scent as I've never smelled moringa seed oil before, or have any idea what a moringa plant is for that matter! I can say that this scrub's scent is much lighter than the mango scent, and barely noticeable.

I'm not sure what the exfoliating granules are in the Moringa Body Scrub, but they work just was well as the Mango Body Scrub, although, the Moringa scrub has a much creamier texture.

Conclusion

I would highly recommend both scrubs, especially if you have very dry skin. If you prefer a creamer scrub that is less abrasive, then I would definitely recommend the Moringa scrub.

Avon Speed Dry+ Nail Enamel: Mambo Melon

I must say, I think this is the best nail polish application job I have ever done! LOL, somehow I managed to stay pretty much on the nail and didn't get nail polish all over my cuticles!

Anyway, this is a nice color. It's slightly frosted, so it has a nice glittery texture without being overly sparkly. It also dries very quickly (I didn't time it though, so I can't say if the polish really dried within 30 seconds). The polish is thin, so you definitely need at least two coats to get decent coverage. I used two coats, and I think the next time I will go with three.

Happy (Belated) Administrative Professionals Day!

That's right, Wednesday, April 23 was officially Administrative Professionsals Day! So exciting, right?

It's a little silly and all, and I didn't even get a raise, but the faculty I work for did give me these flowers, cards, and even a gift card to show their appreciation. It was a small thing, but still a very nice way to show that you are valued at the workplace.

My old job certainly never acknowledged admin day, let alone give any kind of commendation/reward for their staff members' hard work.