How to Get Good Grades

Hello my friends!

This Advice post is going to be all about getting goood grades. We are now almost to the end of the school year. Meaning if your grades are not that well, you still have time to get them up. Therefor don't give up, i am here to help you out! I will be walking you though some tips on how to manage time and stay organized, so you can feel more confident doing your school work.

Lets get started!

Tips:

1. Don't Procrastinate: I am a huge procrastinator and from experience this is the one thing that could have ruin me in school. No matter how much time was given on a project, i would wait tell the very last min. to finish it. But the sad part is, once i did set down to do my homework i would be finish with it in know time at all. So my tip for you is... DON'T WAIT! Once you get the assignment, do it. I don't care if you have a month to complete it, just get it out of the way.
2. Keep a Planner (time management is key): I started using a planner in middle school and thought it was the greatest thing ever. Therefor tell this day i still use one. So the tip is, when you get assigned homework, test/quiz dates or even a field trip write it down in your planner. Use different colors for different task. (i will be doing a post on how i organize mine)
3. Got to class!: In High School and College i did anything i wanted to do, including skipping classes or just not showing up. This is a big no-no! especially for High School where you have to basically show up and breath and you pass. So my tip is,go to class! If you didn't know attendance is part of your grade. So you can do all of the homework, do well on the quizzes and test, but if your attendance sucks, so will your grade!
4. Use the Internet: We have it easy compared to our parents, when it comes to the Internet. We can get on and get help with EVERYTHING! So my tip for you is, if you need help with home work or want to know more about a topic... look it up. I will leave my favorite help websites at the end of this post.
5. Buy all of the Books: In collage this is really important. because a lot of the test and topics talked about in class, will be from the book. So my tip for you is to buy the books... but also read ahead. know whats going on before you go to class.
6. Don't get Distracted: When it is homework time don't be on twitter, facebook, instagram... those are distraction's. If you know how block them or time block them, then you will not be tempted to go on.
7. Study: Make flashcards for everything! Its the perfect way to retain information.
8. Take Breaks: Doing to much homework or studying at once is a waist of time. Only because you are tired and your not retaining the information. So go ahead and take that break, but limit yourself to like 5-10 min.
9. Get outside Help: When i was younger i went to an outside homework program (basically after school homework help) I did that from 3rd to 5th grade. While doing that i had a tutor and she would be my tutor all my years of schooling. Yes, i was blessed! So my tip for you is to check with you school and see if they have tutoring classes or sessions. Also ask your teacher for help. A lot of times they stay after school for 2 hours.
10. Make Friends: In your classes you will need friends. If your sick and miss notes, they will be the one to go too. They are also good when you need help on homework, so get there numbers.

Bonus

• Eat Healthy: This is a huge way on how you are going to feel and think. So have a nice balanced breakfast and don't eat junk for lunch. Doing this you will notice yourself feeling more energized and paying attention.

Helpful Study Sites 

www.webmath.com

www.cliffsnotes.com

www.sparknotes.com

www.infoplease.com

Buy Book for Cheap

www.half.ebay.com

www.amazon.com

www.thriftbooks.com

One Day Without Shoes

Top: Forever21+ | Jeans: Forever21+ | Jewlery: Aldo, ShopmissA.com & Forever21 | Sunglasses: (garage sale find) Nail Polish: Color Club in Warhol

 If you didn't know or forgot, today is the annual awareness day of One Day Without Shoes. Its the day that we don't wear any shoes at all, to bring awareness for children's health and education. Participating in this global awareness day really means a lot to me! Mainly because i could have been ones of those children or you could have been one of those children without a pair of shoes to walk in. Since today is the end of the day, (that i am writing and putting this post up) i can tell you... Today was not EASY!!! I had to watch out for everything on the ground, I even almost stepped in glass. But i am Very GRATEFUL, for the place i live and the shoes i have. Count your blessings <3

If you would like to know more about "one day without shoes" please visit Toms.com

*This is not a sponsored post

photos by Eric

Would You Try This Look?

Top: Nirvana Tank coggles.com
Jeans: Brand 811 mid-rise Skinny matchesfashion.com
Shoes: Libby '03 Lace up overstock.com
Bag: Co-Lab Christopher Kon Zenith amazon.com

FashionShyChild VLOGS: Time Well Spent

This Vlog is a day spent with my Sister and my Mom. You will also see my brother Keoa (the dog). So follow me around, from Oakland to San Francisco.  Crystal's Channel: here

Mother's Day Gift Guide

1. Mirror IPhone Case marcjacobs.com
2. Body Butter Collection ulta.com
3. Chocolate Bar Eyeshadow Palette toofaced.com
4. Bouquet with Dipped Strawberries ediblearrangements.com
5. Supper Hero Apron modcloth.com
6. Mia 2 Face Brush ulta.com
7. Michael Kors Blair Watch shop.nordstrom.com
8. Baking Cook Book foodnetworkstore.com
9. Crosley Portable Record Player urbanoutfitters.com
10. Fresh Picked Carrier Gift Set bathandbodyworks.com

Mothers Day is just around the corner, May 11th to be exact! Therefor i put together this lovely collage of 10 items any mother would love to get. But at the end of the day its the thought that really counts. So a homemade card and breakfast would be just fine too. I hope this guide helped you out and i will see you in my next post :)

A few hours in North Oakland

This past Thursday I visited North Oakland for a doctors appointment. Being there I couldn't help but think, this is going to be my last time here before I move. So within those few hours I collected some pictures for you all to see.    This was to the hospital dosnt have the best views or scenery, but there is some nice highlights. I hope you enjoy and I will see you in my next post.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter!
Today i am just spending the day with my family. But i couldn't forget about you all. So i picked up these frames at Target and brought my personality to center stage. I hope you all have an amazing day. Follow me on Twitter @hellocortney I will be tweeting throughout the day. See you in tomorrow's post ❤️
 

e.l.f. Smudge Pot Review

L-R:  Pearls of Wisdom, Ain't that Sweet, Back to Basics, Cruisin' Chic. Brownie Points, Poppin Party, Ocean Bound, Hit the Town

Happy Beauty Weekend!

Back in the beginning of March, i placed an order on eyelipsface.com to try out there new products. Within that order i tried my best to get all of the Elf Smudge Pots to do a review for you all. I was almost very successful, even though one of the pots were sold out. Therefor i did get 8/9 of the pots. I have taken my time to test out, play and swatch to give you the best review i could possible give.

That being said, in this review i will be covering these Points: Packaging, Product review (with Pros & Cons), and My Final Thoughts. So lets get started. :)

Packaging: The packaging was normal e.l.f. packaging. So everything was sealed up! That being said they got major kudo points for that. I don't know how many times i see pots not fully packaged and for sanitary reasons, i feel they should be. Also the description, tips on applying and ingredients are all visible on packaging. Here are the details, directions and ingredients:

This smooth gel formula glides on perfectly. Use it as a long-lasting eyeshadow or eyeliner! Enriched with Vitamin E to nourish and hydrate the delicate eye area. 

Dip a brush into the pot and apply along the lash line for rich eyeliner color. Use a brush or your finger and apply to the eyelid and buff out for vibrant eyeshadow color.  

Dimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Ozokerite, Phenyl Trimethicone, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Mica, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Tocopheryl Acetate (Ve), Propylparaben.
MAY CONTAIN: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Tin Oxides (CI 77861).https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7858943625086673096#editor/target=post;postID=8683873052096165426

Product Review: On eyeslipsface.com were i purchased these Smudge Pots at, they will run you $2USD each. So this is a plus, since any other base pot would run you more. Each pot does have its individual name on the bottom in sticker form, so you will never get confused. When you open the product you will not get any unpleasant smells, it doesn't really have a scent. When swatching the colors, they are very creamy.  That being said if you have oily eyelids (like i do) you will need to used a eyelid primer. I did a test on my eyes, one eye had no eyelid primer, just the pot product and the other eye had eyelid primer with the product. The one with no primer did crease and the color started to fade a tad. The one with the eye primer looked great all day. They also start out as a cream product but drys to a vibrant shadow. The company wasn't wrong, you will need a brush to apply these smudge pots because they can become very messy when using your fingers. I have also used these as a shadow with real eye shadows and it looks amazing. I wouldn't call this a smudge pot since you cant really just smudge it and go. I would call this a cream pot. All of the color have a great iridescently color and would look amazing worn by itself.

Pros: great colors, long lasting, great price, bright

Cons: need a primer and a brush

My Final Thoughts: I highly recommend everyone trying these out. I know some people will be thrown off since you need a primer for a base pot, but it's still worth it. Even if you just get one for just $2 USD you really cant beat that. Like i said earlier, i did get 8/9 Smudge Pots and you really dont need all of them. i suggest getting these ones listed below. They are the ones i tend to reach for the most.

• Pearls of Wisdom
• Back to Basics
• Poppin Party
• Ocean Blue
• Hit the Town

Those are the 5 i think you should get and even if you don't want all, get the top two. I hope this review helped you out. Below i will have a swatch video and pictures. If you would like me to do a video using any of these smudge pots, please let me know in the comment section below.

The Transition {Moving}

{Photo from Wallpapers app}  

 I thought i would share some news with you all pertaining my living situation. For the past month now (exactly one month) I have known that i would be moving. I didn't want to tell you all sooner because I'm not sure yet on the exact month/day. But it has been kind of stressing me out, only because of the destination. If you read my FAQ, one of the questions is "Where are you from"? I am from San Fransisco,CA. The next question is, "Were do you live now"? I stay in Oakland,CA now. Therefore all i have really know of, is the Bay Area. The culture and views has made me the free spirited person i am today. I always told myself i would never leave The Bay. But i guess that is why they say, "Never say Never". So i guess you are wondering, "were i am moving too"?. Well the decision has came to be Stockton,CA! Yes! part of Central Valley. I don't know what i am going to do with myself because the town and its culture looks really different than what i am used too. But to get to the moral of this news is, I will be moving and its the journey that counts not the destination. I am sure i will meet great people and discover new friendships. I will always be true to who i am and have the Bay Area in my heart. But if everything fails, i will always have you all. My best friends for life! ♥♥♥

5 Spring Nail Polishes

During the Spring and Summer seasons is when you will find me wearing, bright colored nails. It is also the only time my nails are more of a focal accessory; Since I'm not wearing an out there bright lip. I tend to stick with colors i feel more comfortable with, like pinks and light blues. But i have been venturing out! This green polish by Sally Hansen is a color i though i could never pull off. But here to come find out, it look really flattering on me. So this Spring season when your out buying new polishes to mach your swim suit or those new cute sandals you just bought, get a color you wouldn't usually wear. But if your still having a hard time deciding, I'm always here to help ! Here are my Top 5 Spring Nail Polishes:

1. Essie "muchi, muchi"
2. Color Club "warhol"
3. Essie "turquoise & caicos"
4. Sally Hansen Triple Shine "kelp out"
5. Essie "splash of grenadine"

PS: Don't forget that GLITTER!

  ♥♥ ♥

Ipsy April '14 Glam Bag

Hi Everyone!

Today i received my Ipsy April 2014 Glam Bag. Yayyy! If you haven't heard of Ipsy, its a subscription service run by Michelle Phan You receive 5 sample beauty products a month with a very cute makeup bag for only $10. From what i know, i think they only ship to the US and Canada. If you would like to sign up here is a link.

That being said i wanted to share with you all the 5 products i recived.

1. Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion skin exfoliant
2. Demeter Roll on Perfume Oil in Jasmine
3. Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm in Apple Pink
4. Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-on Eye Pencil in Black Velvet
5. Elizabeth Mott Pop! Goes the Shadow in Champagne

Hello Kitty Overload

Blazer: Torrid | Top & Jeans: forever21+ | Shoes: JustFab | Bag: Sanrio | Watch: Target | Frames & braclet: ShopmissA.com | Lipstick: MAC Candy Yum Yum

 

I have been obsessed with Hello Kitty for as long as i can remember. I remember going to the mall as a kid and being able to walk into Sanrio and pick anything I wanted. Going into first grade i even remember having a pink Spottie Dottie and Sassy backpack (do y'all even remember them?) As i grew older and was able to save up my money or just have my my own, i was able to go into the Sanrio store myself and splurge. My whole room was hello kitty! Back in 2010 (i think) i purchased this big bag, its called the Hello Kitty Black Patent Embossed Tote Bag (by LoungeFly). I only used it twice then because i was in college and the bag was just way to big. Sometimes i still wish i would have bought the small one. But that being said i have more appreciation for this bag now that i am older.

photos by Eric

Swim Wear For Us

Its that time of year again! When you dread to look for a swim suit. You might be asking yourself, "What store should i go to?", "Do they even have cute swim wear?", "What if they dont carry my size?"... Well guess what, i am in the same boat you are in. Meaning i am plus size myself! I know looking for a bathing suit can be hard and embarrassing. That is why i went online and checked out all of the stores i would buy a swim suit at. I also picked out four swim pieces from each store that i know you would LOVE. So go ahead, check them out! :) 

1. Jet Set Fringe (here)
2. Bold Cutout Bikini Set (here)
3. Mod Moment Strapless (here)
4. Pineapple Heaven (here)

1. Striped Natural Support One Piece (here)
2. Tropical Print Drape Front (here)
3. Peek-A-Boo Striped (here) 
4. Ditsy Floral Peek-A-Boo (here)

1. Beach Blanket Bingo (here)
2. Sashay To Sea (here)
3. Rainbow Galaxy (here)
4. Pewter (here)

1. Studded One Piece (here)
2. Contrast Trim (here) 
3. Ruffle top & Bottom (here)
4. Tiered Ruffle Tankini (here)