november, oh my heart - a playlist

- porcelain (towr's)

- only memories remain (my morning jacket)

- cultured man (the zolas)

- let me down easy (max frost)

- signals (júníus meyvant)

- born again (josh garrels)

pretties for your face - review

Hello everyone!

Today I will be reviewing some gorgeous products from an Etsy shop called Pretties for Your Face!  PFYF is an adorable makeup brand which sells eyeshadows, highlighters, and pressed glitters.  They kindly sent me a few things to try out so I could share them with you :)  So here they are!

highlighters

These are by far the most intense and glowy highlighters in my makeup collection!  They are such blendable, soft powders and a little bit goes such a long way.  They are also cruelty free, which is amazing. Also, all the highlighters in the shop are currently buy 1 get 1 free :)

The shades that were sent to me are rainbow goodness and aphrodite ~

 rainbow goodness is such a unique product, and is different from anything else in my collection!  I've seen rainbow highlighters like this trending in the makeup community lately, and I think that it is such an adorable and innovative idea.  This isn't a product I wear day to day, but it is so great to have for photo-shoots, and for Halloween :)
The way I've gotten the most use out of this product is by using the individual shades as eyeshadows. They are all very pigmented and have the most gorgeous sheen ~ so lovely!

aphrodite has quickly become my favourite highlighter in my collection!  It's a pearly white colour, which is the perfect highlight shade for my fair skin.  This product reflects light so beautifully, and gives a super intense glow!  Make sure to use a light hand when applying it cause you only need a little bit :) I've received countless compliments and questions when I've worn this, cause it's just so beautiful!

eyeshadows

PFYF makes so many gorgeous eyeshadows and pressed glitters!  They are very pigmented, shimmery, and blendable.  I have noticed a bit of fall-out when I use them though, so I recommend applying your eyeshadow before any face makeup when you're using these.

The shades that were sent to me are copper craze and midnight ~

Copper craze is a stunning warm toned metallic shade which is absolutely perfect for the fall.  Midnight is a duo-chrome black with a strong navy blue shift.

These shadows come in metal pans which will pop into any magnetic palette. I keep mine in my MAC customizable palette, but you can also purchase a 4 pan magnetic palette from PFYF, or place them in a Z-palette.

These are such lovely products and I am so thankful to Pretties for Your Face for sending them to me!

I hope you guys will check out their shop, and let me know which of these products you like best!

xoxo

Maiya

back to school // outfit inspiration

Hello :)

School starts for me next Wednesday and I'm actually so excited!  I put together 4 outfits but I can't decide which to wear for the first day...so I thought I'd post them on here!  Maybe you guys can comment down below and tell me which one is your favourite :)

OUTFIT 1:

sweater: thrifted

belt: thrifted

denim skirt: forever 21

OUTFIT 2:

plaid dress: forever 21

OUTFIT 3:

halter top: brandy melville

denim skirt: bluenotes

OUTFIT 4:

plaid top: urban behaviour

burgundy jeans: garage

Let me know which is your favourite!  Also, leave some questions down below for my upcoming Q&A!

Maiya

lovin'

Hello lovelies :)

Hope you are enjoying what's left of the Summer!  I can't believe it's nearly over...I'm not ready to go back to school yet.  Today I just wanted to share a little list of sorts, filled with the things I've been loving lately.

TUNES

This Summer I've been really into The Beatles and The Beach Boys.  Some oldies but goodies for sure!   

READS

Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid was my absolute favourite read this Summer.  If you loved Paper Towns, this will be your new favourite book.  I promise.  And the front cover is super cute too, so that makes things even better ;)

EATS

Iced Caramel Macchiatos are the new love of my life.  Basically the main reason I don't want Summer to end is that it'll be too cold for me to drink iced coffee...is that sad?

WORDS

"Dance like nobody's watching (Because everyone is on their phones.  So no one is watching.)"

Thanks for reading :)  Oh and mind commenting some questions down below?  I'm planning on doing a Q&A pretty soon!

-Maiya

10 Tips for Studying

Hello!

 

It's midway through exam week for me so I've been doing lots of studying lately.  I thought I'd take a break to share some of the strategies and tips I use when I study for tests, quizzes, exams and basically anything!  These really work for me and will hopefully help you guys out too ♥

 

 

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1. REMOVE DISTRACTIONS:

 

This is the very first thing I do when I get down to studying.  It's super important cause whenever I decide to keep my phone, tablet, or book on my desk, or leave my bedroom door open, or sometimes even leave the blinds open, I get SUPER distracted.  Since studying isn't the most exciting thing you could be doing, every little thing besides my work becomes much more interesting, so it's best to just get rid of anything that could distract you before you get started.

 

 

 

2. ENVIRONMENT

 

It really helps me to study if I'm in a good environment.  I'm not sure if that makes sense so I'll try to explain ;) If my room is clean then my mind feels a lot more clear and it really helps me to be more productive while studying.  It also helps me to have my bedroom door closed to drown out the sound of my dad doing the dishes or my mom and sister talking or whatever else they might be doing.  I absolutely love studying outside when it's nice out.  That's something I haven't heard of many people doing but it's seriously such a perfect place!  Very peaceful and I think I'm the most productive when I'm studying outside.  Not in the winter though....wait for spring or summer ;)

 

 

 

3. SNACKS

 

Set yourself up with a good supply of snacks before you get started studying.  It's not very effective to try learning when all you can think about is how hungry or thirsty you are!  So grab some tea and cookies and you're good to go :) 

 

 

 

4. MUSIC

 

Some people find music more distracting than helpful while studying, but it helps me for sure.  I like to choose a playlist on 8tracks (one of my favourites or sometimes even a playlist that's meant especially for studying).  If music usually distracts you then maybe try some music without any words (instrumental).  It really helps me cause it drowns out all other distracting sounds and music just calms me down and makes me happy :)

 

 

 

5. INDEX CARDS

 

This might be my absolute favourite way to study.  I just rewrite my notes onto index cards in the form of questions and it really helps me when I'm trying to memorize information.  I use the regular paper cards that you can buy at Target or Walmart or the dollar store or pretty much anywhere and I also have an app on my phone.  It's just called "Flashcards" and it's great cause you can make sooo many cards without having to worry about losing them or having to carry piles of them around.  It's super useful and also free! 

 

 

 

6. GET AHEAD

 

It's so much less stressful to get started with studying as far in advance as you can.  I like to read over the notes I took that day at least once when I get home.  The more ahead you are the more prepared you will feel and if you've read over your notes a few times, the information will start to stick in your mind already! 

 

 

 

7. COLOURS

 

I love to hi-light and color code my notes and also make little doodles to keep myself interested while I'm studying.  It just makes studying a little less boring (for me at least) if the notes don't look all plain and blah ;)  But don't over do it!  If you draw or hi-light your work too much it can be hard to read the information and can be distracting for your eyes. 

 

 

 

8. TEST YOURSELF

 

Get a friend, a sibling, a tutor, or a parent (or anyone you choose) too test you once you think you know your stuff.  Hand over your index cards or notes and get them to ask you questions.  You could even write out a list of questions for them to ask you!  This will let you know whether or not you're ready for that test/quiz/exam :)

 

 

 

9. VARIETY

 

Try not to study biology for 3 hours at once.  Mixing it up between subjects will keep you from getting too bored :)  Spend a set amount of time on each subject and then you can rotate through a few times.  But spending too long studying the same information can get tedious and is no fun at all.

 

 

 

10. REWARD YOURSELF

 

Studying is hard work!  Give yourself breaks often ;) Plan to study for 20 minutes, then have a 5-10 minute break and start studying again.  Giving yourself time to rest and do something enjoyable will make for a much more productive study session!  Also, treat yourself!  Promise yourself a brownie after an hour of studying or some other goal to motivate you to get your studying done :)  It works for me!

 

 

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I hope these tips were helpful and that this post wasn't too long ;)  I should honestly get back to studying for my socials exam that's tomorrow....so bye for now!

 

 

hugs

 

~Maiya~

 

Currently....

Hello!

Currently I have been...

~ ~ ~

Reading... "Three Little Words" by Sarah N. Harvey
Trying... To blog more often
Eating...  Pizza
Drinking... Lemon honey tea ( not with the pizza though! )
Pinning... DIY Christmas gift ideas
Crafting... Christmas decorations for my room
Doing... Lots of homework
Going... To school and today I'm going to my life guarding course
Loving...  The little bit of snow that fell last night
Hating...  How cold it's getting ( but I love the snow...hehe)
Discovering...  My love of Musical Theatre
Enjoying... Going to Musical Theatre rehearsals twice a week
Thinking... About what to get people for Christmas
Feeling... Very tired
Hoping (for)... The book "Four" by Veronica Roth
Listening (to)... Passenger's new album "Whispers"
Celebrating... That Christmas is very soon!!!
Smelling... My new candle from Bath & Bodyworks
Thanking... God for the wonderful year I've been having
Considering... Making a Christmas room tour post
Finishing... My homework and buying Christmas presents for my family
Starting... To post on my new Instagram account (@maiyalauren)
Wishing... It was Christmas morning

hugs

~Maiya~

Vintage Earrings - Review

Hello!

Today I'm reviewing a gorgeous pair of vintage earrings that I received from an Etsy shop called FreddoccinePhoto :)

These earrings are so interesting and pretty :)  They're not something I would normally gravitate towards but once I tried them on, I was absolutely in love!  They are so stunning and definitely have that vintage-y vibe, which I love.  The only downside to these earrings is that they are a bit heavy, so if you aren't used to big earrings (like me), then they will take a bit of getting used to.  But overall I absolutely love them!  Make sure to stop by the FreddoccinePhoto Etsy shop and check out they're other jewelry :)

hugs

~Maiya~

(oh and by the way, if you were expecting to see the giveaway winner post today, I ended up posting it yesterday!  So just check out my last post ☺)

Writing Contest Results!

Hello!

I'm so excited that Saturday has finally arrived and that I can announce the winner of my writing contest!  It took me quite a while to choose a winner because all of the entries were amazing, but I've finally decided :) I'm going to be posting all of the entries for you to read and announcing the winner later on in this post so....here are the entries!

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                       At the Top, by Sarah Margaret

"Do not stray from your partner. You must always be near the sound of my voice. And NEVER wander away from the trail, of untie yourselves!" Their guide, Mike instructed the group of six people, not including himself. Two of those people were Molly Dyer, and her dad Alex. 17 year old Molly was doing what her mom, had dreamed to do. Climb to the top of Mount Everest, one of the tallest mountains in the world. Before her mom had met her dad, she had been a mountain climber. Climbing smaller mountains first, and then slowly working her way up to bigger ones. Molly and had dad had been training for years, and now they felt they were ready. So, here they were, listening to their guide, telling them what to do and what not to do. "Do you have all of your gear on?" Mike asked the group. A chorus of "yes's" answered him. "Good. I assume you are all aware of the dangers?" He asked more solemnly. A more sullen group answered him. "Alright everybody, let's get going!" With that we all began walking. The packed snow crunched beneath their feet and the sun glistened in the snow. "Stay close to each other!" Mike called back. Molly and her dad were the ones at the end of the chain, while Mike was at the front. Molly shifted the weight of her heavy pack trying to make it more comfortable. As they climbed higher, it began to get harder to breathe making the climb slower. "Put your masks on!” Mike ordered, pulling up his own mask and connecting the air tube. The group halted for a moment, while they all gratefully put their masks on. They had already been climbing for a few hours, and people were getting worn out already. The father up they went, the colder it got, also more beautiful. "What a sight!" Molly sighed. A tear dropped on her cheek as she thought about when her mom had died from cancer, she had only been four years old, but she remembered her some. Molly glanced over at her dad and saw that he had tears glistening as well. Suddenly, the belt chain jerked. A shriek came from the front of the chain, then a moment’s silence, one of the members of the group had fallen. "Everybody hold on!" Mike shouted back. They all braced themselves. Mike had unbuckled himself and the group gently pulled up the faint girl. She had slipped and fainted from fright. Thanks to The Lord, she lived. "Thank you Lord," Molly whispered thanks. 

Though quite shaken up, after a moments rest, they continued on into the cold, bitter wind. The sun glittered on the untouched snow. Molly breathed in all the wonderful beauty that God had created. 

After hours of climbing, a few incidents, the group finally made it safely to the top. As they stood there, Molly thought she could see the whole wide world from there. They looked around the scenery once more, "We did it Mom, we did it." Molly said with tears glistening. Her Dad wrapped his arm around her and gave her a squeeze. 

They all tiredly began down Mount Everest, still remembering the beautiful scenery. It was more dangerous going down. As everyone was worn out. As they all made it safely across a crevice, a climber’s greatest fear emerged,

AVALANCHE!

Amazing girl, by Mikayla H

She had such a sunshiny smile

I never could have guessed

That she was going through such a trial

And she was constantly put to the test

If I had known it when I first met her

I would have felt it was nearly impossible

That anything that bad could not accrue 

To such a girl, but it was all to possible

Now I shed a silent tear

As I think off all she’s been through

But somehow I find cheer

Because through it all she grew

Into the beautiful girl I know now

And even though she still struggles

I’ve always wondered how,

She manages to keep up with all she juggles

And I know she’ll always be,

The most amazing girl I know

Because she’s helped me to see

That a good attitude is the key

And that sometimes just a smile

Is the best thing you could do

Even if it’s just for awhile

It makes us all want to be strong to!

Chapter 1, by Aliah 

Why me? I thought.

Why was I the one they tortured? 

Couldn't it have been someone else?

I heard Celia’s voice in my mind. “No,” she said. “You are the only one strong enough to bear what they imply. Anyone else would die in a matter of minutes. Stay strong…..” Her voice faded away.

I sobbed. I wished I could overcome my misery and defeat them; to find a piece of happiness in life. But now, my last ray of hope was almost gone. I had begun to believe that I would never defeat them; exactly what they wanted me to believe. 

“There you are.” I heard her say. But I paid no attention.

“I thought I might find you here,” she continued. Celia gently lifted me out of the tree. I tried to hold on, but she wouldn't let me.

“There, there. Don’t cry child,” she murmured, pressing me close to her. I wrapped my arms around her waist.

Celia carried me to a nearby rock and set me down.

“Tell me what you saw,” she said, tilting my chin up.

I looked into those beautiful green eyes. Her high cheek bones and pale skin. I saw the dark, luscious waves of hair, and I suddenly felt compelled to tell her everything.

“Horrible sights,” I whispered hesitantly. Celia had a kind of power that made everyone want to tell her about everyone and everything. Sometimes they even fell before her feet.

“Everyone dying.” I continued. “And everything was real!” I began to sob once more.

Celia stood-up and began to pace. I watched her through my wet lashes. 

“I have made a decision.” She said finally. “We are leaving.”

Tears stopped rolling out of my eyes. I was stunned. 

Celia was my protector, my friend, and I trusted her. But this?

“You said we should never leave.” I stammered, my voice shaking. “You said that if we ever did, they would find us.”

“So I did.” Celia said. “But that has changed. If we leave soon, and stay in the shadows, they won’t be able to. 

Zilla,” she said, sitting down next to me. “Something has been lost. It is very important. And we need to retrieve it.”

“What? How? Where? When?” The questions bubbled out of my mouth.

“Now,” she said.

MY FRIEND, by Jessica

Friend, I miss you

Your name used to bring a sparkle to my eye,

Now it makes my heart heavy.

You didn't mean to hurt me so,

I just know you didn't.

But the hurt`s there, just the same.

Why did you have to leave me,

Leave me.

I still want us, though I've moved on.

I still think of you, though not as often.

I'm sure you fill someone else's world with your smile,

I'm just glad I got it for a little while.

I doubt we will ever talk like we did, 

But I can still dream, though apart from you.

Dream on, My Friend

Last Chance Lost, by Kiya 

Every day at school, Lana practically floated through the halls. Pretty and bubbly in demeanor, everyone liked her, and she strived for perfection. When Lana made a mistake or needed help she always gratified her teachers by going straight to them for help. If people picked on her, Lana simply turned the other cheek, refusing to be dragged down by them. Many of the younger kids as well as her peers admired her and tried to mimic her, for her seemingly unwavering confidence and optimism made her beautiful. Whether she dressed up or sported a messy bun and sweatpants, Lana always looked put- together. Hobbies of Lana’s appeared to be any and all extracurricular activities- she loved them, and signed up for just about every one! Once, when Lana heard that the janitor went on vacation and they needed someone to fill in for him, she immediately stated that she needed to go to the washroom and sped out- in the wrong direction. Although Lana normally seemed quite composed and graceful, she never missed an opportunity to laugh with her friends, or console them when they needed a shoulder to cry on. It never occurred to any of her friends, though, that she might need someone to talk to. She seemed so strong, and none imagined it was any different at her house. They thought wrong. 

Day after day, Lana took as long as possible with her volunteering, and grabbed every excuse she found to stay longer, until finally, Lana trudged home at a snail’s pace, exhausted, and dreading the final steps that bring her inside her house. The steps she loathed most, finally carried out, and she regretted them immediately. Mrs. and Mr. Penn shouted at each other in the living room, once again. Creeping through the kitchen into the hall she squeezed her eyes shut, inwardly pleading the stairs to stay silent. With her backpack gripped tightly, Lana mounted the last step and let out a loud breath as she entered her room. Crashing onto her bed, Lana started on her homework, the rhythmic scratching of the pencil drowning out her unease. Eventually, hunger brought Lana out of her daze, and reality dawned on her like a looming grey storm cloud. Heart palpitating, Lana cracked open the door a bit, bracing herself for- well, she didn't actually know, her parents, she guessed. As she cautiously went downstairs, and turned into the kitchen, Lana exhaled; her parents seemed to be out and left a note.  Lana read the note, eyes widening with each passing line, then dropped the note altogether, hands trembling. Her father left them. Confused and devastated, Lana flew to her room and hurled herself onto her bed, screaming into her pillow until the blinding pain of it dulled down and she laid there, empty heart throbbing. Words not thought of in a long time squeezed their way in, echoing through her mind, and Lana felt a pang in her chest. Remorse for her parent’s constant fighting jaded her true feelings, and as the note slid from her grasp, like so her last chance to speak these words to her father. That night, Lana lay awake, whispering the words into her pillow, praying to God for one more chance, and finally, falling into a restless slumber, the words still on her lips.

Daddy, I love you.

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Thank you all sooooo much for entering, I was amazed at how beautiful all of your stories and poems were!  Sadly, there can only be one winner :(  And I chose.........Aliah! Congratulations!!!!  I'll be sending you an email soon about your prizes and things ☺  Thanks again to all of you who entered!  Your entries were spectacular!

hugs

~Maiya~

my writing contest is closing soon - send in your entries today! :)

Hello!

My writing contest will be closed at 12:00 AM my time (about 7 hours from now) so make sure to get your entries in if you haven't yet!  I will be posting the winner this Saturday so make sure to check in to see if you won!  Good luck to all of you who entered!  :)

hugs

~Maiya~

Lately...

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MUSIC:    Of Monsters and Men, The Lumineers and the "Grease" soundtrack (because I'm in the Grease musical at my school!)

FOOD:    Apple pie and turkey soup from Thanksgiving ♥

BLOG:   Eve's blog Eve of Womanhood (her new design is gorgeous don't you think!?!)

YOUTUBE:  Eleventh Gorgeous, My Life as Eva, and Zoella

APPS:    8tracks  and Snapchat

SHOP:    Thrift stores and any store that sells makeup :)

BOOK:   I'm currently reading the third book of the "The Testing" series called "Graduation Day"

(don't forget to send in your entries for my writing contest!  The contest ends on Oct 22nd and I only have 2 entries so far....so you've got a great shot at winning the prizes!)

hugs

~Maiya~

autumn favorites and a new posting schedule

♥ Hello ♥

Today is a perfect Autumn day.  The cold air nipped at my nose and fingertips as soon as I stepped outside.  A heavy fog is floating overhead, and leaves of every color are floating gently to the ground.  I'm inside cuddled up in my softest sweater, sipping on tea and typing out this post, as I stare out the window at the Autumn wonderland outside.  I've been writing a list of all the things that remind me of this lovely season in my notebook and I thought I'd share them with you all~

~Crunchy leaves~

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~Fuzzy socks~

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~Hot tea and cookies~

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~Pumpkins~

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~Ginger snap cookies~

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~Dark lipsticks~

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~Thanksgiving dinner with family~

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~Windy days~

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~Reading while snuggled in a cozy blanket~

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~Oversized sweaters~

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I also just wanted to let you guys know that I'm going to try out a posting schedule.  I've noticed myself posting a lot less in the last couple months and especially as of lately, since school has started.  So, I'm going to try to have a post up every single Saturday.  That doesn't mean I'll only ever put up one post a week, but I'm going to post every Saturday for sure, and anything else will be extra :) I'm not sure if that makes sense but it makes sense to me ~ So anyways, have a lovely Autumn day and don't forget to enter my writing contest!  There aren't many days left to enter and I'd love to get a few more entries in before the deadline (Oct 22nd)!  

hugs

~Maiya~

Good4you Etsy Shop : Product Review

Hello and happy Fall!

Today I'm partnering with an amazing Etsy shop called good4you!  Good4you sells all natural plant based makeup products ranging from lip balms to skin care products to foundation!  The shop owner Jess sent me a few of her lovely products to try out and review for you guys (thank you so much Jess!).....so here's my opinion!  (100% my own honest opinion)

The packaging the products were sent in was ADORABLE and she even included some little neon heart stickers which were tucked into the twine!  So cute!

rose body shimmer : This is a shimmery, slightly pink toned product in loose powder form.  The container it comes in has a little sifter built in which is really nice and keeps the product from getting messy.  I personally don't wear body shimmer but I LOVED how this looked as a highlight!  It's very subtle and perfect for anyone just starting out with makeup or anyone looking for a nice, natural look :)

ocean sky eye shadow : This is also a very subtle and natural looking product.  It's a beautiful sky blue color and comes in the same cute and functional packaging as the body shimmer.  I would say that this is a perfect eye shadow for beginners with makeup because it's so light and subtle.  There's really no making mistakes with this which is great!  Just swipe it all over the lid, or use other colors as well (even the body shimmer could work as an eye shadow!) and you're good to go :)

beet root tint balm : Okay, I am absolutely in LOVE with this product!  It gives a sheer, but definitely noticeable tint to the lips which I adore and I think it's a perfect color for the Fall!  It can also be used as a cheek tint I believe, but I haven't tried that yet.  This feels so hydrating and soothing on the lips and since it's fairly sheer, it's low maintenance and doesn't require touch ups!  It also tastes/smells like CHOCOLATE AND COCONUT....need I say more?  This is probably my favorite product that I received  :)

beach rose lip tint :  This lip tint is also lovely!  It's a gorgeous sheer coral color that I absolutely love :)  And the packaging of these lip tints is so cute!  The metal tins are so adorable and I love the clear lid of this rose one!  The ingredients of all these 4 products are listed on the cute little paper label wrapped around the containers :)

I hope you guys enjoyed this post!  Make sure to go check out good4you on Etsy :)

Also, I've got more free 5$ Etsy giftcards for any of you who would like one! Just click this link to get your free 5$ card (only if you've never purchased anything on Etsy before).  Maybe you could pick something up from good4you!  Also don't forget to enter my writing contest if you haven't already!

hugs

~Maiya~