Rachel Green Halloween

This year my friends threw a Halloween Bonfire and after much Pinterest searching and no clue what I was going to do, I realized that the answer lay within my favorite show of ALL TIME- Friends! I decided that I wanted to be Rachel Green, the spunky fashionista who worked at the gang's favorite coffee hangout, Central Perk. I absolutely loved being Rachel for a night. I felt surprisingly confident and right at home in this outfit. It was strange but exhilarating. 

I wanted to make an apron with the Central Perk logo on it so I took a pillow case and constructed this make shift apron. Then I created a stencil after studying the logo off a picture I found. It took me 4 hours to get just right.

The K got a little wonky but for my first time ever trying something like this I'm really am proud with how it turned out!

I paired a black dress from H and M, with a black turtleneck, with some speckled gray tights from Express. For shoes I wore some chunky black booties.

For my makeup I really focused on her dark lips and really smudgy brown based eye shadow.

What are you dressing up as this Halloween? Whatever it is <3 Stay Fabulous <3

"So You're Moving" - Living Out of a Suitcase

Transitioning between houses can be so stressful when moving and often times I've found that you end up living out of your suitcase for a good three weeks. This year when I moved my family lived in a hotel for a couple weeks while we were waiting to close on our house. While continental breakfast was nice to have everyday, living in a hotel is not as fun as Zack and Cody from Suite Life made it out to be. You are under no circumstances allowed to ride on luggage carts, there is no game room, and there was no quirky electrician named Arwin.

Anyways here are my tips and tricks for living out of your suitcase!

1. Pack Clothes Wisely
Packing your suitcase for moving, is almost like packing for summer camp. You want to look cute but also be comfy. You need to make sure you pick out outfits that work with each other. If you are moving in the summer I find that jean shorts are definitely your best friend. They match with everything and you can pair them with sneakers or flip flops and they'll still work. Also don't forget to bring a dress that is easy to throw on if you're heading out quickly and also if you need something fancier to wear to church or something you are covered.

If you're hotel has a pool don't forget to bring your bathing suit!

2. Maximize the Potential of your Makeup Bag
The fact is, you are not going to be able to take your entire arsenal of makeup with you during this time so it's important to pack the essentials. My top tips are to pack waterproof mascara, a pretty neutral lip shade, one eye shadow pallet, a primer, and definitely your favorite foundation. Obviously anything you pack extra is up to you! Just as a side note: make sure to pack things that travel well-be cautious with things that have mirrors or loose powders. Also don't forget to pack hair essentials like pony-tail holders or any hot tools you need on a regular basis.

3. Pack more than one pair of shoes
You are definitely going to want to pack some flip flops for your trips to the hotel pool. I also like to take some brown or black sandals that are comfortable for walking in, and a pair of sneakers for any activities that your parents spring on you! NEVER FORGET TO PACK SOCKS. If you are experiencing lower temperatures bring some neutral boots/booties.


<3 Stay Fabulous <3
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Don't forget to check out some my other posts in the "So You're Moving" series! I hope everyone is having a great school year.
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Photo Creds : Airport by Hernán Piñera is licensed under (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Edits by Paige Terch

Get Out the Door Faster!- Back To School Tips

Here's the truth. I'm sixteen years old and I can't drive. The only chance I have to get to school on time is taking the bus. And no matter how much you plead, the bus is not going to wait for you. We have ALL faced the dreaded moment when we wake up feeling rested and realize that we are running late. The panic sets in and you bolt out of bed and hope you make it out on time whether you are riding or driving. Luckily with a few precautionary measures together we can make sure you get to school on time.

1) Setting Up A Sleep Schedule
There are many health benefits to going to sleep and waking up at the same time everyday. It's going to be much easier to get up in the morning if your body routinly gets up at the same time and if you get 8 hours of sleep. With homework and work and life it is always hard to carve out that 8 hours of sleep but it will be essential to your sanity to try to get as close to 8 hours as possible.

2)  Have Grab and Go Breakfast Options
Nuts, Granola Bars, and Fruit are perfect grab and go breakfast options. I'm never very hungry at 5:30am so I always try to have some quick breakfast options to take with me to school to eat when I am hungry. 

3) Have a Routine, and if it's not working CHANGE IT

If you think you only need ten minutes to get ready, but always end up being 20 minutes to late to EVERYTHING, maybe its time to rework your routine to give yourself extra time to get ready. Whether that means waking up earlier or cutting something out of your routine- figure out what needs to be changed and do it.

4) Always have an emergency makeup bag 

Get some mini samples and throw a tiny bag in your backpack. This way if you wake up late you can put your makeup on on the bus or in the school bathroom.

6) NEVER Set your Alarm as a song

I used to this when I was younger and I realized this is just a BAD IDEA. The song just ended up playing out in my dreams and things got weird. Then I'd realize it was my alarm all along and wake up very disoriented.

7) But after you get up- Play a Peppy Song
My Jam lately has been " Can't Stop the Feeling" by Justin Timberlake. Right when I wake up I play it and I can't help but dance and hop out of my bed.

<3 Stay Fabulous <3







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Photos:

• http://st.houzz.com/simgs/5301134900db36ea_4-3725/modern-clocks.jpg
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• https://img0.etsystatic.com/123/0/9335047/il_570xN.965628364_qwjg.jpg

Soft Shirts and Other Monday Thoughts

-Soft Shirts-
Have you ever just found something that made you so immensely happy that may seem trivial to others but it just brings you joy? Okay so I've found these shirts and they make me so happy. They are from the brand PIKO and they are made from Bamboo and they are SO SOFT. They come in all these really soothing and earth toned colors and it's safe to say that I am absolutely obsessed. Just wearing it makes me feel like I am surrounded by comfort and wonderfulness.

I guess its just those little things that can brighten up your day.

-First Week of School-
So if you have been reading my new series "So You're Moving?", you will know that I started yet ANOTHER new school this year. People have been so loving and welcoming and I have started to really warm up to the school. I can now semi-successfully navigate myself around without a map! I mean I might have gotten lost today... but no one has to know that....except for you because I just told you.... moving on!

I really haven't vocalized this a lot on this blog but I struggle with Anxiety and Panic Attacks so first weeks are really hard for me. Near the end of this summer and that first week of school, anxiety was hitting me really hard. But I kept in touch with friends from back home and God was truly by my side helping me through that first week and I conquered it.

I've already met some really great people who have really gone out of their way to include me and make me feel conformable and get me involved.

The one thing new I've discovered is it is becomingly increasingly harder for me to keep giving my very best to each place I move. When pieces of your heart are in so many different places and with so many different people- sometimes it feels as if there is nothing else left for you to give. But if you give yourself time, if I give myself time, I might find that a piece of my heart will lie here- at this new place.


- A Message To You-
I hope you have an absolutely incredible week. At least in the US a majority of us have started school. But whether you are in school tackling the early mornings and piles of homework or you are still enjoying those last bits of summer, I hope that this week you are able to put aside any stress you are feeling or conflicts that are arising. Remind yourself everyday to smile more, laugh often, and make someone else's day.

and never forget to
<3 Stay Fabulous <3

"So You're Moving"- The Importance of a Phone Call

In this age we are slowly stripping the emotion out of communicating with people. I'm not saying texting and instant this and that isn't a tremendous accomplishment in the world of connecting with people. However I'm telling you that the best way to stay connected with friends and loved ones after you move is by calling them. To be completely honest I had terrible phone anxiety for the longest time, which I'm still working through- but hearing that familiar voice helps so much. That is the one thing you miss when you text someone- their voice. I don't know how to explain it but hearing something or someone familiar enables you to take control of your situation-introducing the familiar into a whirlwind of the unfamiliar.

Even better if you have the ability to FaceTime or Skype do so. It's so important to stay connected. Make sure to keep up communication throughout the school year too. Even if you are both super swamped with work and life- if you want to keep that person in your life you have to schedule in that time.

<3 Stay Fabulous <3

PS Got through my first day of school today!

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Photo: Phone by Moyan Brenn is licensed under CC by 4.0

" So You're Moving" - 5 Tips for New Students

Moving schools is definitely one of the scariest parts of moving. It's an entirely new environment. New people, new teachers, new hallways- new new new! I remember the first week walking through my new school last year. It was huge and I was very not used to that. I went from a school that had 200 people to almost 3000. My hands were shaking, by mind was a buzz, and I couldn't seem to look anyone in the eye because I was just so nervous. But I found my footing and remembered who I was and I found ways to get through that first week.

1. Get Involved
Everyone says this, not only because it's an obvious way to meet people, but because it's valid. Getting involved works. I'm very passionate about music, specifically chorus and theater. Joining the women's choir at my school was one way I found people to befriend. These people shared my passion and determination and I clicked really well with them. Not only that but the first week of school, auditions were held for their One Act fall musical. It seems extremely early ( which it was ), but auditioning for that musical was one of the best decisions I've ever made. It was made up of an ensemble of 12 people, and I was a swing. That meant that I had to learn every part in the cast in order to fill in for one of them if someone dropped out and fill in during rehearsals and take notes. I proved my work ethic and talent to some very influential and key people in the department and because of that not only did I make friends but I gained a lot of respect. I even went on for a girl our closing night.

Being in these two departments absolutely shaped the course of my year there. Find something you are passionate about or interested in and get in there!

2. Learn how to Learn Names
This is a key skill in life, but it is especially essential when moving to a new place. Everyone has their own tricks. One trick I use is after they tell me their name I will repeat it out loud as well as in my head multiple times during the conversation. I also try to picture the first letter of their name over their face or notice a special feature about their appearance. Also don't be afraid to ask for their name again, they understand you are new and you have SO MANY NAMES to learn.

3.  Use Social Media to Your Advantage
Social Media is THE WAY to get connected with people in this generation. I always go and follow people on Instagram after I meet them- If they are unprivated. Then I usually follow this up by looking through their page and seeing what they are interested in. If they are privated I usually get to know the person a little better before following them because I realize that they only use their account for people they know personally.

Also question for thought: #InstagramStories ? How do we feel about this? As an avid Snapchat user I feel personally... well a little creeped out. Like Instagram stay in your own lane. I could see if Snapchat and them partnered up but I don't like it.

4.  Speak Up in Class
If you need to ask a question, ask it. If you want to throw in your input do it. Be an active member of the discussion. People will notice you being engaged and will want to know more about the person behind the answers.

5. Transcript Changes are the Worst- but it will all work out!
I've had some really bad encounters with switching over my credits and classes while enrolling in school. It may seem like the end of the world when things don't switch over correctly or you lose some really nice quality points because the new school you are going to doesn't offer the course, but in the long run it's going to be okay. Just Breathe and it will be okay. Make sure to look online for your school Course Handbook so you can come into your counseling session prepared.

<3 Stay Fabulous<3

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When you are bored during a standardized test this can happen by Benjamin Chun is licensed under CC by 4.0 and modified by
Paige Terch with Befunky
Instagram Logo: https://s3-eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/centaur-wp/designweek/prod/content/uploads/2016/05/11170038/Instagram_Logo-1002x1003.jpg

"So You're Moving"- Take a Deep Breath

So you just found out you're moving. The first thing to remember is that everything is going to be fine. I know this seems like a slap in the face in this moment, and it's normal... you have the right to feel sad or angry about the situation. But you have to remember that moving is not going to be the end of the world. It might mean the end of a chapter in your life, but if you just take a deep breath and allow yourself to open up,  you are going to be amazed.

Whether you've lived in one place your whole life, or just for a year or two- this is going to be a difficult process. It's not suppose to be easy. You are human. You thrive when you are close to the ones you love and it's hard to imagine spending life without them right next to you. But you can make it easier on yourself by making the conscious choice to believe that you can do this. Make the decision to make the most out of every second you have. Choose to wake up every morning and smile rather than to let your situation weigh you down all day.

 If you feel like no one understands what you are going through, if you feel like you're alone in this... you're not. I'm here to make this process easier for you.

One point in all of this I strive to make very clear is that you need to take some time to grieve- and that that time is necessary. You have a right to feel and you should not let anyone tell you differently. Take time to grieve but don't let that define you, please don't let it take you over. There comes a point where you have to snap out of it. You can still feel sad but coming home everyday to lie on your bed and do nothing because you're sad is not going to help you at all.  I've fallen into that trap and it was dangerous. It takes you somewhere you don't want to be.

So take a deep breath. Smile. And take the time back. Use all the time you've got to make this place, this time, this moment special. You can do this!

<3 Stay Fabulous <3



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Are you in the process of moving? Have you ever moved before? Have any helpful tips to share? Leave it in the comments!


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capuchino by Nguyen Huu Quan is licensed by CC by 4.0 and modified by Paige Terch

"So You're Moving..." - A New Series

Hey Everyone!
As a lot of you know I have moved quite a bit. If you count every house/apartment/town home that I've ever lived in-I have moved 20 times. While most of those moves occurred before I hit middle school, the most recent have been the toughest for me. As of this year I will be attending my third high school in three years...yep. But I think throughout everything, I've gathered a lot of insight about the world around me and have made more connections with people beyond what I ever could have made if I had stayed in one place.  Moving takes a lot of courage and strength to re-establish yourself and make your mark.  I may not have it all figured it out but I know I'm not the only one out there with this type of experience. I want to share with all of you how I've learned to make the most out of every second and find happiness. Over the next couple weeks I'm going to share what I've learnt through the years on a series I like to call,"So You're Moving...". Even if you have never moved or plan to, I hope you will share this with people you know who are going through this process because it is difficult for everyone even the most outgoing can have trouble adjusting.

I hope you all are having a great summer and are having a blast(blast blast)* !

<3 Stay Fabulous <3

* This is in reference to a number from " Zombie Prom the Musical". The song is Blast from the Past and I highly encourage you to look it up for a laugh!

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"Beach" by Fuzzy Gerdes is licensed under CC by 4.0 ( modified by Paige Terch)