Makeover Tips for Teens
March 21, 2008
Here are some effortless tips anyone can use now and then to make your look pop:
1. If you’re going out and feel like your outfit is too simple, add some bold jewelry with a purse or bag.
2. The best way to make your eyelashes pop is to curl them! It’s like a blow dryer for your eyelashes. Also, the darker your eye color, the darker your eye shadow should be if you want to make them POP!
3. Yellow is the “in” color for spring. Add a touch of yellow to your ensemble, even if it’s something as simple as earrings or a bracelet.
4. Bad hair day? Use a brightly-colored headband or scarf to tame your tresses.
Sing, Sing, Sing!
March 20, 2008
If you’re thinking about being the next American Idol or dream of having your own band someday, here are a few tips my friend Jen Moore and I came up with:
1. Figure out your favorite kind of music and start using your voice to sing along!
2. Take lessons. You can find out more at www.nats.org.
3. Practice makes perfect. Whether your’re in the shower, on a walk, or just in your room, start singing. Then, find other places you can sing with others like your school choir, a community theatre, or a youth group.
4. Join a group. Whether you start your own, or find one that is already started. Surround yourself with other people that like to sing too.
5. Read about some famous songwriters, such as Carole King, Ani Difranco, and Tori Amos.
What’s Your Dream?
March 18, 2008
Life is all about dreaming. It’s setting a goal for something you want to do or someone you want to be. It can be big or small. I belive a dream can be anything at all. So before I go on, ask yourself, what’s my dream?
I love playing softball, and a lot of my “mini dreams” are related to softball. My sister went to college and played for a team, so, deep in my heart, I have always wanted to play in college also.
Sometimes I feel like my parents are getting in the way, but not in the way you would imagine. Many people’s parents have different dreams in mind for them. We see it all the time. They want their child to be a doctor or a lawyer, when the child wants to be an artist or a musician. Mine is kind of the opposite, I LOVE softball and so do they. However, they want it so bad that they push me too hard and it becomes more work than fun.
I feel like I will only be playing for them if I continue to pursue my dream, so that I don’t disappoint them instead of playing for me. They don’t understand that it makes me want to not play. I know I will make the right decision for me, and I will do what I want to do for myself.
Never let anyone try to change your dream. It should always be about what YOU want, not what anyone else wants for you. That includes parents, coaches, teachers, friends, boyfriends, pastors, counselors, or anyone. A dream should be what will make you the most happy in the end, because that is when you feel the most successful.
When you accomplish a dream, it is the most amazing, proud, happy, confidence-boosting feeling in the world — especially when a dream means a lot to you. And even those who didn’t support you along the way will be happy for you and proud of you, whether they admit it or not.
Dreams are sometimes forgotten, and not accomplished. But I wouldn’t ever use the word “failed.” It doesn’t fit with dreams because I don’t believe you can ever fail a dream, you can only forget it. Maybe it changes as you grow, or it becomes less important, but so what. That stuff happens all the time.
There will always be obstacles and challenges when it comes to achieving your dreams, but it makes the accomplishment so much more worthwhile when you overcome those obstacles.
The main thing to remember is that, your dream is YOUR DREAM. Don’t let anyone stand in the way.
20-Minute Fashion
March 17, 2008
We’ve all been there before. It’s Monday morning after a long weekend and you don’t want to get up. You’ve hit the alarm a couple times, and now only have 20 minutes to get ready. Here’s a few quick and easy style tips for teensto get you out the door in time:
Throw on that plain summer dress and fasten a chunky belt around your waist. Grab a pair of high-heeled boots, then add a long necklace and a couple of bangles for a little extra flare.
Color is always the best way to add instant style to any outfit. Jeans and a t-shirt look completely different when you pair them with fun flats.
What’s your favorite out-the-door-in-20-minutes look?
Visit www.mystyle.com for more fashion tips.
Getting in Shape for Prom
March 16, 2008
For many girls, Prom is only a month or two away and many of us have the same concern: looking good in our dresses. I’ve just joined a gym and began dieting in hopes of losing a few pounds before the big night. Beyond the big night, I also hope to develop healthier exercise and eating habits. Even after a few days, I have learned a lot.
The main thing is to be ready to push yourself. Don’t begin a diet or workout program expecting it to be easy. This takes a lot of work and a lot of determination. Don’t be discouraged by the work, though. Once you find a program that works for you, it gets a lot easier and you’ll be really happy when you see results.
Dating Advice: Staying Safe
March 15, 2008
Make sure that you are in a relationship that is emotionally and physically safe and supportive. This means that your guy doesn’t put you down, call you names, push, hit, or hurt you in any way. He also doesn’t coerce you into having any kind of intimate contact that you are not comfortable with.
Dating can feel like an incredible high at times. Sometimes there can be intense feelings of butterflies in the stomach, attraction, or just wanting to be near that person. Be smart. Don’t let your physical attraction and your hormones trick you into a relationship that is not safe.
If you think you or a friend are in a dangerous relationship be sure to visit www.loveisrespect.org for safety resources.
Don’t Forget Your Girlfriends.
March 13, 2008
When we start dating, it’s easy to forget to make time for our girlfriends. Remembering is important for so many reasons.
For starters, it gives you balance and perspective to hang out with people in addition to your boyfriend.
Second, you don’t know how long that guy is going to be around. If you only spend time with him, your friends may feel left out and may not want to take you back as a friend if you and your boyfriend break up.
Stress and Dating
March 12, 2008
Dating and the awkward moments leading up to it can be very stressful, whether you are in pursuit of someone, being pursued, or just feel lonely for not having a guy. Wherever you are in this process, don’t let this stress you out.
Focus on the positive things in your life. Think about all of the things you have going for you. Try to do the things you love doing! It sounds simple, but we don’t always allow ourselves this simple pleasure.
Too often, I looked to my boyfriends to tell me I was good. I wanted to be loved by someone else and thought that would make me acceptable. This was the wrong way to go about discovering my strengths, and I spent many years missing my power.
Who Needs a Boyfriend, Anyway?
March 11, 2008
Why do we buy into the idea that if we don’t have a boyfriend we’re not any good? Sometimes we’re so desperate to have a boyfriend we will accept anyone, even when he puts us down or has nothing in common with us. Why is there always so much pressure to have a boyfriend? Is our value really determined by who we date?
We’d love to hear your comments or questions about dating advice for teens. Send your thoughts to info@girlswithdreams.com.
Excerpt from “Beauty is a Beast”
March 10, 2008
This is an excerpt from The Powder Box Secrets: 7 Tips to Help Teen Girls Achieve Success
You’re too fat. You’re too thin.
You’re wearing that?
Why did you do your hair that way?
Why can’t I just look like her?
What’s wrong with all of this? What’s wrong with these questions?
I’m so tired of all of the lines we are fed through the media, our mouths, our images about what we’re supposed to be.
We are all made differently so how could we expect to look like every ad we see? It’s impossible. Imagine for a minute if we were judged by our heart and thoughts instead of by pounds and looks. How much more could we accomplish if we focused on who we were instead of what we looked like? I ask this question because I was one of those girls who obsessed about what she ate and became so focused on that, that very little else mattered. How do we know if what we see in the mirror is really the way we look?
Secret one: You gotta use your gut.
What is that little voice inside you telling you about beauty and about your unique beauty in particular? When do you feel most beautiful? Whom are you with, and what clothes are you wearing?
On the flip side, if that little voice inside you is telling you you’re not beautiful, ignore it. No one is perfect. The important thing is to accept ourselves and not let our appearance keep us from achieving our dreams.
” I have good days and bad days. Sometimes I think I look really good, and other days I wonder who that ugly girl in the mirror is. I know I shouldn’t think like that, so I’ve started to turn things around. Every time I start to feel ugly or hear my negative voice, I tell myself to stop. I try to remind myself to think about the things I like about myself. It’s like working from the inside out. I have to change my view on the inside so I can feel beautiful on the outside.”
-Emily, 14
