My Helix Piercing Experience!

                I can't even tell you how long I had been waiting to get my helix, or cartilage, pierced. Maybe two-three years! I would have gotten it earlier, had I been able to, but my parents had always said no or wanted me to wait and think about it a little longer until I knew I was sure. Once they finally gave me the okay, I went in to a local tattoo/piercing shop the next day.

              On the way up to the shop, I began to feel nervous. I mean, everyone said it hurts! So I was excited but definitely feeling some anxiety. My mom and I arrived to the shop and spoke to the lady at the counter and she took us to a back room right away. There were posters of tattoos and piercings all around me and I really like my piercing and the idea of them, but let's just say I wasn't feeling at home then. I just felt out-of-place, not scared just a bit uncomfortable.

              I sat down in the chair and the lady (if I knew her name, I would mention her, because she was wonderful. she was a tattoo artist as well) disinfected and then marked my ear, asking if it was an okay spot. She actually marked where I wanted my piercing the first time around, so I never had to go through the multiple marking process. Once it was marked I just started talking to my mom because I finally felt comfortable and while I was talking, the needle and earring were prepped, then just a short minute later the tattoo artist said the magic words, "All done". I didn't feel a thing!

              I really was astonished. All these people and posts said how painful it was but in reality it really isn't. We paid and left, and when we reached the van we realized the entire appointment only took 10 minutes! We were in and out just like that. It was such a short and painless process, that I actually might get another piercing (shhh... it's a secret).

             After my ear was pierced it did feel sore, which is normal, so I applied an anti-bacterial gel they gave me and then later that night I applied hydrogen peroxide around the hoop and also to the tip of my ear. The piercing I got was a hoop and it can be switched to a stud or to another hoop within 2-3 months after the original piercing date. I did cheat a little bit and I wouldn't recommend that. I changed my piercing after only a month and that was painful! So, listen to the pros, they know what they're talking about. It is their job after all!

            Anyway, that was my helix piercing experience, I hope it wasn't too boring. For any of you who would like to get it pierced or have recently gotten it pierced, it will be sore for the first month, so just be aware of that. I slept on the opposite side of my head and tied my hair back for a few days so it wouldn't get caught in it. Also, for loop/hoop earrings, they are much easier to clean. All you have to do it turn and wiggle it just a bit and apply the gel and disinfectant. For those who get pierced with a stud earring, you will have to take it out after a week or two to disinfect it, but in those first two weeks just apply gel and some sort of disinfectant to make sure it doesn't get infected. And finally for those who haven't gotten pierced yet, I recommend finding a shop that will pierce with a needle, because a gun could actually tear your ear.

            I hope you enjoyed this blog and here are some pics of my piercing!

So this shot shows the anti-bacterial
gel that I applied to the piercing!

This pic is from when I got home
and got all fancy with the
black & white filters...

                             

New Year & New Hopes

       I'm looking forward to 2015 so much! There are so many exciting things that are taking place for me this year! I'm going on my first cruise in March to the Bahamas (which is discussed in an earlier post here), I'm graduating from high school, visiting family across the country over the summer, attending college, and turning 18 in November. All of this is taking place in 2015!

      This past year, 2014, wasn't very eventful in my life. I started my senior year in high school and visited family, and I did perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., but other than those great moments, there weren't any significant events that stick out in my mind about the year 2014. It was more of a transitional stage in my life, getting from one place to another, and more of a straight road compared to the roller coaster ahead of me. However, it was filled with love and laughter from my friends and family which is always the best. 

      So since 2014 wasn't the year for me, 2015 will be my best and busiest year yet! I've made some New Year's Resolutions that have been working well for me so far. My resolutions mostly focus on me and my self-being rather than what the media or peers at school think I should be. Instead of "fixing" myself for the new year, I want to better myself in health and in my self-confidence. I want to create a better and healthier lifestyle for myself which includes eating organics more often, doing at home yoga and weight loss exercises. I also want to create more videos and write more blog posts, as I said in my last post. I also need to eliminate stress from my life and focus more on what needs to get done without any extra fuss.  I have chronic migraines, so cutting the stress out and eating better will definitely help with my headaches. 

        My resolutions are habits that should have already been in my lifestyle, but it's never too late to start them up...So after reading my resolutions, that I'm hoping to keep up... *fingers crossed*, what do you think? Do you have any resolutions of your own? If so, comment below!

                                       Thanks for reading & until next time,

                                                                                                      Bethany 

    

    

Starting my YouTube Channel

      Ever since middle school I have been hooked on watching YouTube videos. More specifically Bethany Mota, Blair and Elle Fowler, and Tracy and Stef. I admired how they would be so open in front of a camera, how they spent the time editing and uploading their videos, and just how inspirational and real they are. Sure, we only see 12 minutes of their life on camera, but they still inspired me to create my own channel!
   
     I know that most of YouTube names are creative and fun, but I just used shoptilyoudrop and YouTube added  a "7" to the end, and that my friends, is how I got my channel name. Little did I know that there used to be a game show called "Shop 'til You Drop" from 1991-2005. So even if someone were to search my name, the game show pops up first! Lol, no biggie! But, back to the story...
 
     My mom and dad finally agreed and allowed me to start my channel back in October 2012. My first video ever was a Makeup Haul video. (View it here.) I had so much fun making the videos but then I felt expected to make them.

     When I first started my channel, I viewed it as a project and that I would end up just like Bethany Mota or Blair or Elle. But truth is, that takes a lot of dedication and hard work. I know I don't have the time or resources to create these brilliant videos so I'm perfectly content with being a small channel in a huge YouTube community. Since my realization, I've created a video every now and then just for the fun of it. I've lowered my expectations and am perfectly happy with my 290 subscribers! I love that I can post my interests on the Internet for people to see and just for me to enjoy.

     I have created a beauty channel and a singing channel. If you would like to check them out, feel free to! (The links will be down below.) So really, the message of this post is to enjoy your life. Don't feel like there are so many expectations for you to uphold. Relax, breathe, and just be happy. 

    Until next time,
                      
                                 Bethany

School Supplies Haul, Reviews, and Recommendations!

      When I shop for school supplies, I want to get the basics first and later I'll purchase the rest since the first week of school teachers usually hand out their syllabus for what is needed in the class. So I purchase the binders, papers, a few folders, and pencils and pens the week before school, when it is tax-free week in Maryland! (August 10- August 16). Although it's not much, it does save some money! 

         Over the past few days I have been shopping! Unfortunately it's not the most fun shopping there is, but hey, I needed some school supplies. This haul is mostly just school supplies I purchased, reviews, and recommendations for supplies and saving money! When I first went shopping I bought BIC mechanical pencils, Foray medium pt. gel pens, a mini highlighter set, and a huge pink eraser for "Big Mistakes" :P.

    The BIC pencils have always been a favorite of mine. They have 0.9 mm lead, are #2 pencils (which are needed for tests), the pencils are cheap for a box of 40-50, plus they're brightly colored! :) Another favorite of mine are gel pens. Now, these aren't technically needed for school, but I use the pens for outlines and annotations. When I purchased the highlighter set, I didn't expect much since I only paid a dollar for them. I bought the set from the Target dollar section and thought they might work, but the formula isn't great so the tip of the highlighter dried out. Although this set didn't work out, I will be buying a new  Sharpie highlighter set. And the eraser was just one of those impulse buys, whoops! :)

     Another favorite of mine is the Lite-Touch Easy to Open binders (Wilson Jones brand) from Office Depot! These are literally my favorite binders I've ever used. They're easy to use and can hold all of my papers for a class without breaking open like other binders! I highly recommend them.  I'm still using mine from two years ago, and there isn't a single tear in the plastic! :)

(Image found on Google)

Bonus: Not only these binders, but most binders have coupons in the sleeves. If you're shopping for a few kids, this is helpful!

I also use RetailMeNot for coupon codes. You can use it on your laptop or there is an app in the Google Play Store or in the app store. They always have up to date coupons. ( I also use the app for free shipping codes! :) )

         This concludes my post, I hope you enjoyed it and that it may have helped you out with school shopping! Thanks for reading, Blog you later!

Family Night... and Cruise?!

          Ever since I was a little kid, my family always tried spending every Friday night together. Usually we'll order some pizza or make homemade pizza with pita bread, and then we'll watch a movie or play some games. Our family really enjoys playing card games like Rummy, BS, and Black Jack. But our two most favorite games are 10,000 and charades. 10,000 is a dice game and is so much fun, and who can't resist charades? :)

         So, on this last Friday of summer break, my mom, sister and I went shopping, ordered pizza, and spent the night in watching TV together and planning our... cruise!!! I am an ambassador scout in Girl Scouts and for our senior trip we are going to the Bahamas for spring break! This is the largest trip that we have planned with the troop, and definitely the most expensive. We have been fundraising and raising money, and brainstorming ideas for this amazing vacation. :)
     
         I found out yesterday that we officially registered for the cruise, and I decided to look at packing lists. Let me just say, Pinterest has helped amazingly. There are so many packing lists and neat tips and tricks from people who have taken cruises before and what they wish they had brought with them. I really do love planning trips, hearing tips, and hacks for a better trip, and making lists. If you've ever taken a cruise, please leave a tip of what you wish you had with you or what you thought was helpful! I'd love to hear it! :) Here's what I found on Pinterest. None of these are my ideas at all, just from helpful genius bloggers on this glorious thing called the Internet!


       Well that's going to be it for this blog, hope you enjoyed! Blog you later!



Feel free to follow me on Pinterest here: http://www.pinterest.com/bethanyst/


     

Out with the Old, and In with the New!

     As spring/summer cleaning comes around, I know it's time to purge my room and my closet. To purge my closet, I go through each item and sort the clothes into several piles. One pile is for the clothes that fit and I'd like to keep. Another pile is for clothes that no longer fit and could be given to my younger sister, to a thrift shop or charity. And the last pile is for clothes that no longer look nice. If there are any holes or tears, in the trash it goes. Sorting the clothes into piles definitely helps the purging experience! If you're like me and get overwhelmed quickly when cleaning, I highly recommend this option. :)         
   
   After my piles are given away, thrown away, or put back on the hangers and in the drawers, I reward myself with buying a new wardrobe. Of course I replace the pieces I gave away little by little, but knowing I get something new from giving clothes away makes it a lot easier!    

     For instance, now that I'm getting older, I gave away many pajama sets from Target to reward myself with two or three from Victoria's Secret! In my opinion, this is a really great compromise for getting rid of old clothes.       

      Another tip I have for those who don't especially like cleaning, is to go back and forth with the project at hand. I usually spend a half hour to an hour on the room and then take a 5-10 minute break and get back to work. Taking breaks in the working process, makes cleaning more stress-free.     

     And my final tip is not to keep so much stuff!!! STUFF is what makes spring cleaning stressful. Keeping items that you don't like, or use, or you don't even care about crowds everything and leaves less room for organization. So when it's spring cleaning, moving day, getting ready for family to visit, or just making more room, remember these three tips. They may not seem like much, but they're definitely worth trying! 

Hello...

   Hello! This is my first post to this blog. (And to clarify, the polish in Polish and Passport  is as in nail polish not Polish as in Poland. :) ) Anyway, this blog will be of my daily life, beauty tips and secrets and fun DIY projects and decor. A little bit about me... I'm 16 years old and I have a beauty and baking channel on YouTube. I know, 16? But if you feel like having a nice blog to read, and maybe want to know what teenage girls would like for parties, gifts, or any other activities, here's the blog to read!
     Right now I'm in my backyard, lying down under the old oak tree. The wonderful weather and the cooling shade is making a great Memorial Day! My family and I have spent the day playing corn-hole,(with our Raider spirited boards), Frisbee, tether ball, and of course cooking out. Music is playing from our stereo in the shop and overall it's been a great first weekend of summer!
      Below is an image from my backyard. We recently bought lounge chairs to circle around our fire ring. When ever we have a party at my house, my friends enjoy the bonfire the most! We'll most likely start a fire later tonight. Well, I'm going to get back to my family now. Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend and please remember those who give their lives to protect ours. Blog you later!

 

Our fire ring!