About Me

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Kingston, Jamaica
A fun-loving, fun-sized, fun-tastic Jamaican girl with a great love for writing, dancing, baking, photography, fashion and the world. Freelance writer, editor, organizer and literary guide. For more info contact: nellablogs25@gmail.com

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Saturday, January 22, 2011

Take a look at the link

Sometimes it helps to just look back and enjoy the silly and hilarious moments in our lives. While other times it's best to look at other people's funny moments and have a good laugh. Here is a link which tells story of a couple that finally took the leap. Hilarious Wedding Invite Click Here

Friday, January 21, 2011

Aspirin Acne Buster!!!


                       

Heylo lovely followers! Welcome visitors! Thank you for stopping by my little blog here. If you haven’t started following already, I am asking you to please click the follow button and follow my blog. Please and thank you!!! Also, be a dear and leave a comment or two! Thank you loves!

So today I am going to introduce a new feature to the blog focusing on beauty and fashion. This section will discuss trends and give you tips, reviews and hopefully some interviews with some of the leading fashionistas and beauty experts from off the street, with renowned fame and just about anywhere I find them. Sounds exciting? Yes I Know!!!! So without further ado………….Here goes the first post. This is a little beauty tip I picked up from one of my favourite bloggers Shelly-Ann Chung! I’ll call this a Shelly tip! J Check out her blog: Click Here




Sooo who in the entire universe does not hate acne??? I know I for sure I do, and when those annoying breakouts come on you'll be looking high and low for anything that will get rid of it. Never fear gals! There is a mask that you can use to help sooth breakouts and help them to heal faster. I personally use this mask and it really does help. :)

So what is this mask made out of really? You'll be surprised but all it boils down to is a mixture of uncoated aspirin (yes the pills that you sometimes take for headaches) and good ol' honey. Aspirin helps to reduce inflation of pimples and it also decreases the sebum production, thus aiding in the healing of acne. This mask is most definitely a good exfoliator when you rinse it off after, your skin will feel soooo smooth!

WARNING: If you are allergic to aspirin please do not use this mask. Be sure to test a bit on your arm before slathering it on your face. 

                     
Here's how to make it and how to use it:

Ingredients:

3 or 4 uncoated aspirin tablets (make sure it is not coated as it will take forever to dissolve)
2 or 3 small drops of water
1 tablespoon honey

How to Use:

Get a little dish and place the uncoated aspirin in it and put about 2 or 3 small drops of water on the tablets. Just enough so that they can dissolve, but not too much that it becomes too watery (you can just dip your finger in water and let the drops slide off your finger unto the tablets). Wait about 5 mins. and gently press the tablets with your finger so it's all mushy and dissolved into grains. Pour 1 tablespoon of honey onto the dissolved grainy remains of the tablets and mix with your finger into a paste. Apply the paste unto your entire face (yeah it will feel very sticky and run a bit) and wait about 15 mins. Afterwards gently use some lukewarm water to wash it off. When washing off the mask rub your face gently in circular motions to exfoliate. Afterwards you can use a moisturizer to prevent your face from drying out too much. There you go! Allll donneee.

You can use this mask about once every other day if your skin is not very sensitive or you can use it twice a week.

So thanks again to Shelly-Ann for this amazing tip that I took from your blog and remember you can check out her blog: Click Here

This has been a Homemade Beauty Tip of the Week! Thanks for reading!


Comment, Suggestions and Feedback is welcomed!!!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Fun places to go on a budget

Good day mates! How's everyone doing? Here is another one in the 'Just Didn't Make It' files. This time the topic is..............dun dun duhn.............

Fun places to go on a budget

            As young people we tend to get bored very easily and we are always be looking for something new and fun to do. However, the methods of entertainment always seem to be limited, especially in times of financial hardship. Yes man, the recession lick wi fi six!!! Older persons continuously say that we are growing up too quickly or that we need to start acting more responsibly and our own age. Comments include things like: ‘Wha’ dem likkle pickney a do a big people tings?’ or ‘Yuh see how she bruk out from she young’ or something along those lines to indicate that we are participating in too many activities for older individuals. But the fact of the matter is that there is not much that teens can do in Jamaica, especially on a fixed budget. As in big man ting (lol! I really wanted to say that!), most of the entertainment available across the country are expensive and are very tourist oriented.

Are you tired of going to dinner or the movies? Looking for something fun to do but not sure what? Well never fear Nella is here. I have come up with a list of some great ideas for dates, hanging out with friends or just enjoying yourself with your family, that are pretty reasonable and inexpensive.

1)   Take a trip to the beach

Grab a few friends and take a trip to one of God’s many gifts to man, THE BEACH. Jamaica is known to have some of the best beaches in the world- Hellshire, Dunn’s River Falls and Fort Clarence (one of my personal favourites), just to name a few. On average, the cost of going to the beach in Jamaica about J$100-J$200 per person (no more than $500), so taking a trip to a beach is a definite can do. Bring your towels and swim suits, pack your lunches, bring some music and have some fun playing games, chilling and swimming.

Note: Please be cautious when venturing to the beach. If you know you cannot swim and even if you can, do not venture off into the sea by yourself (or in groups). Be safe and healthy to and from the beach.

2)   Go on a picnic

The beach, park, your backyard, your front yard, and even at your school. There are so many places to have a picnic. The basic ingredients are good company, everyone contributing something (food, music, etc.), and crazy vibez. If you want a more romantic mode, an intimate, quiet setting may prove most effective with that special someone. The best thing about this is that it is not only fun, but basically free!!! Remember no romanticizing or causing a disturbance at school.

3)   Go on a nature walk or hike

Almost everyone in Jamaica has heard about Blue Mountains, John Crow Mountains, Cockpit Country and other areas of natural beauty in Jamaica. But how many of us have actually taken the time to visit any of these places? Gather a group of friends, family and so on, and make a hike up one of the Blue Mountain trails. Not up to it, head to one of our parks near you, such as Castleton Gardens, Hope Gardens or Devon House. The scenery, the fresh air, the exercise, these are all a part of the recipe for a great bonding experience.

4) Visit a cultural or historical site

We have a very rich heritage and cultural background, here in Jamaica. However, in recent times we have seen that more of it is being forgotten or ignored, especially by the younger generations such as ourselves. Embrace our culture beyond Emancipation Day, Independence Day or Heritage Day and take a trip to one of Jamaica’s wonderful historical sites. Places include Port Royal, Columbus Park in Discovery Bay, Rose Hall Great House in Montego Bay, The Bob Marley Museum in Kingston, and so many other great sites.

6)   Hang out at a friend/ family member’s house

This is probably the best idea yet. Here you have the freedom to do anything and just about everything and even multiple things all at once. You can watch a movie, eat lots of food, do some stargazing, host a bonfire, have a game night/ competition (board games, card games and physical games like football), and so much more. You could even turn it into a little dinner party or another themed party. The possibilities are endless with this tactic. To release the strain of the person whose house the get together will be at everyone can do their part by contributing something to the event.



7)   Go window shopping

Almost everywhere in Jamaica there is that one special place where your favourite stores are within walking distance of each other. In Kingston, one of those places just happens to be Half-Way-Tree. Walking by and checking out stores and their stocks can prove more fruitful or fun than you might think. Gather some good friends and have some fun together looking at the stores, maybe even trying on some items. This activity is not only fun, but also a great way to get exercise without even noticing it.

8)   Take a day trip

How often do we really get away from our everyday lives? So we are definitely not going to skip school for the day or week (because we love to learn!!!), however, what we can do is to go on a day trip one of the weekends and try to experience a bit of a holiday (even if it is for only one day) and nature’s gift to man. You can go to the country, go river rafting, take a ride across Black River Safari, go on a boat ride, do some fishing, do a little bird watching, even go to an adventure park if it is within your budget or you can simply just drive to your hearts content (Don’t forget to fill up your gad tank!). You can do just about anything your hearts’ desire. The whole point of the day is an absolutely stress free day full of merriment and joy.



Well that's all for now folks!! Thank you for visiting and thank you even more for reading!!! I hope you have a blessed day. Toodles!!!

Much Love,

Nella


Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Biggest Loser 1 1/2

Well I haven't done an update of this section in 2 weeks and it's sad to say that the reason that I have not been doing so is because I have yet to continue my weight loss journey. I've been a bum I know :-(. But I know as time goes by I will catch my weight loss groove and I will do better. So wish me luck and pray me!

Much Love,

Nella

T minus 7

And the countdown begins..............So it's almost time for me to head back to school. Next, on a bright Monday morning I will begin my new semester of the school year and I must say I am quite excited about it. I have been tired of being home bound for the past few weeks so I can't wait for my return. On a sad note, my posts will probably become less frequent because of it (Remember: I am a med student and will have to be studying studying studying A LOT!!!!). So I just wanted to say I've enjoyed the times we've spent together and I hope we will have many other happy memories with each other in the future. Look out for the new blog features, challenges and giveaways in the future! Thank you for following my blog!!!! Enjoy the rest of your day! Toodles!!!

Much Love,

Nella

The Daily Word

Now one of my favourite books of the bible is the Gospel According to St. Matthew. Within this chapter of the bible, one of my favourite passages is called the Beatitudes. Jesus Christ gave us the eight Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount, recorded for all posterity in the Gospel of Matthew, the first Book of the New Testament of the Bible. In Matthew 5:1-12 the scripture reads:



Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, 2and
He began to teach them, saying:
3Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

THE EIGHT BEATITUDES OF JESUS


"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Gospel of St. Matthew 5:3-10


Dating Mantras!!!


Hello ladies and gents,

              It has been quite a while since I made a relationship/dating post to guide you young eagles to relationship success. Well if you missed my guiding light (and I am sure you have ;) ), never fear Nella is here. I have returned to save you all. 

             Now I believe the first step in loving someone else is to love God and yourself first. Self-appreciation and self-love is an important step on that journey to that romance and united, unconditional love we all seek. Now don’t get me wrong. I am not talking about nor am I preaching vanity, whereby some of us are so in love with ourselves that we are selfish with our love that we are unable to share it with anyone else, nor do we want to. What I am simply putting forth is the idea that you should know and realize that you are someone who is worthy of love and worthy of the best possible love there is. Therefore, no one should accept abuse whether physical, mental or emotional. You should accept the love you deserve.
So you may be wondering: “Where is Nella going with all this?” “Is she going to speak about abuse? Or is it something else along those lines?” Well my gentle loves the answer is ‘No’. The tantalizing topic for today is: ‘Dating mantras- The guiding principles of any single guy or gal’. No this is not like my previous post ‘The Dos and Don’ts of Being Single’. So sit back, relax and enjoy!!!

                      Dating! What a trip?! Dating is definitely a roller coaster ride. It has many ups, downs and sometimes even horizontal. It can smile unconditionally or make you pull out your hair. Despite all this, we need to remember to focus on the positives and keep the bigger picture in mind. As I always say, ‘Sometimes you have to kiss many frogs before you find the one’. So do not get discouraged if things do not work out as you want it to. Use every dating and relationship experience as a learning tool. Note what you did wrong, what the other person did wrong, identify your likes and dislikes, just make a note of everything that you noticed and use it so you can have more successful relationships in the future. Every mistake helps you to learn what no to do. So I present to you my lovelies dating mantras to help remain open to love.

1)      I am human and I am worthy of being loved. I recently read a quote “We accept the love we think we deserve” and I must say agree with it completely. Ever wondered why a sweet person stays with a total jerk? Or why an abused person stays with an abusive partner? Well read the quote and you will find your answer. Many times we are unhappy in a relationship, yet we are so caught up in the relationship that we just don’t leave. Remember you should only be in a happy and fulfilling relationship. You are worthy of love and only accept the love you truly deserve. No mediocre love is acceptable.

2)      Quit sweating the small the stuff. Stop being such a worrywart and enjoy your day and life. You are way too young to have worry lines or frown lines across your face. There is a quote that says, “Youth is wasted on the young”. Do you want to make this true or do you want to enjoy life and live it up? Take things one day at a time and enjoy the life God has blessed you with. Practice reciting ‘Today is a new day. Live it up.’ Or you can ask yourself ‘Can I be happy today?’ and the answer should always be ‘Yes’.

3)      My sadness is mine. It is okay to feel sad. It is your right. It's a valid feeling. It's okay to go there, so give yourself permission! You won't die from sadness. Mourn that relationship and then get back out there and be happy again.

4)      This too shall pass. “Everything will be okay in the end; if it’s not okay, it’s not the end!’ You may have gotten rejected, ended a relationship, lost a loved one or worse but the fact remains that the pain will not last forever. Keeping positive and looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow can truly help your state of mind. It helps you to feel better about the future and the prospects to come.

5)      I am the guardian of me. I cannot control anyone’s behaviour. You cannot make anyone love you or care for you. Take a deep, calming breath and realize the person’s actions are out of your hands and control, you will not stress out and you’ll feel better. The only thing you can do is guard your own heart. Now this doesn’t mean that you should ‘Put up a wall’, all it simply means is that you be realistic in your expectations and keeping them in check, taking responsibility for your own behaviour, not making excuses for someone else's bad behaviour, and understanding that things don't always go your way. Take gently care of your heart until you find someone else who will.



Thank you for listening to my romance ramblings. Enjoy your day!!! Toodles!!!

Much Love,

Nella


Comments, Feedback and Suggestions are Welcomed


*A mantra is guiding principle to help one feel happier, healthier, more cleansed, peaceful and spiritually centered. It’s about transformation into a happier, better you.

Adapted from the article ’11 Dating Mantras to Live By’ on Glamour.com