Organise!

Hello!
I'd like to think of myself as quite an organised person...sorta... But over the last year ive tried my hardest to become more organised so i dont feel so overwhelmed with things to do, and we all know how horrible that feeling is! I've started doing things here and there to keep things in order and get my thoughts straight, so im going to share them!

Sticky Notes
Now this is probably one of my favourite tips I've got. My friends know that I'm obsessed with sticky notes/post it notes, as I carry around 2 packs with me in my pencil case at school! I find it so much easier to remember things if I have them right in front of my face, ie. on sticky notes!
I have a 2 door floor-to-ceiling mirror in my room which I like to use to stick reminders of what I have to do, and also sometimes quotes to keep me motivated to do those things. I find it really effective and has definitely helped me stay organised over the school year.


To Do Lists
If you can't tell, I'm a visual person! Writing out lists for things is how I keep calm about situations, and wrap my head around everything I have to do. For example, whenever I go on a holiday I write out a list of what I need to bring and how many of each. Another example is with my homework over the weekend. I obviously want to be able to have time to relax after a hard week of learning, so writing what I need to do gives me an idea about how much time I have to relax.
I got given this super cute and handy to-do list from my sister for my birthday and it's from Kikki.K, and it's so useful because it lets you write down your priorities and what you must do, but also has a place to write how you're going to treat yourself. Genius!

The Night Before
Now this tip is great for those in school or uni, but also for if you're just going somewhere the next day. Every school night I pack my bag for the next day with all my books and pencil case inside. This lessens the panic in the morning when I realise that I've overslept and I need to leave in 20 minutes. When that does happen I know that I only need to get dressed, pack my lunch (which would make the rush even less but I don't like it when my lunch is all cold so I make it in the morning), clean my teeth and get out the door.

Get a Pet
Okay now this is kind of a strange one but I swear it helps! Buy or adopt a pet, even if it's simply a fish. By now having something to look after and care for you are going to feel more organised because you have to clean out its bowl or tank and feed it (if its a fish). I bought a Siamese Fighting fish and named it Gus (TFIOS reference there!) and I know I have to leave time to do all the things to keep him alive, so it's taught me that I have to be organised to keep him alive.

So that's a few of the things I do/have done to organise myself and my thoughts better! Until next time!

- Tianah xo

Perth City Sunset

Hi guys! 

I'm no professional photographer obviously but I wanted to get some of the photos I've taken out there so I thought I'd post them on my blog! 

These were taken at sunset on June 14 2014, on the shore of the Swan River in South Perth, WA. 

I'd love some feedback so feel free to comment :) 

- Tianah xo

Ally Beanie

Hi guys! 

It's officially winter here in Australia and that means it's beanie time!! I was shopping yesterday and I went into an Ally store because my sister was trying to find jeans. As I wondering around waiting for her to finish I walked up to the counter and sitting there was the most amazing beanie I have ever seen in my life... And before I knew it it was mine. :)

It's a pinky-purpley-browny colour with a white pom-pom on the top, in a sort of fishtail pattern. It just looks very flattering on and is very warm and cosy for the cold winter months (and even the summer if you love it that much hehe). I already know that this is going to be a regular item in my winter wardrobe, since I wore it until 9 o'clock last night! I think the colour would also look very nice on every skin tone which is a plus. 

Well this was a rather short and random post but if you want to purchase the beanie because I was  very convincing (hehe let me know if I was :P), you can get it at Ally Fashion for $9.99 (AUD) :) 

I guess that's all for now! I hope you found this helpful :) 

- Tianah xo

Fuji Film Instax Mini 8 - review

Hi guys! 

Ok, I recently (January... But anyway :P) got a Fuji Film Instax Mini 8 for my birthday! Before asking for it I wanted to look on the internet for some reviews about it, but I didn't really find any which was disappointing. But I decided that I would take the plunge and just ask for it. Fortunately my parents bought it for me, so I was super excited to start using it! 

Now there are 5 different exposure settings that you can choose from: indoor, cloudy, sunny, really sunny and high key. When you turn it on there will be an orange light that will choose the setting that will be most suited to where you are and the weather. So you just turn the dial and stop when the little hole stops on the lit up setting. 

There is no way to turn off the flash, since there are no other settings to choose from. But the flash is what makes the photos come out so original and unique, because you don't know how the lighting will go with the flash. They are very easy to learn how to use which is great for those who just want an instant photo to share with their friends and family. It just takes AA batteries so it's super easy to get it working again after the batteries have run out, because AA batteries are just everywhere... Well they are in my house anyway aha.

I have the white instax mini so it gets dirty quite easily as you can see in the picture above, soo buying a darker colour will mean that you don't have to clean it as much. It comes in 4 colours which are white, black, pink, blue and yellow- where the pink, blue and yellow are pastel and very pretty. You can buy cases for them but I just can't be bothered.. Typical me :P 

Now the only thing I don't like about it is the cost of the film! It's really pricy- $20 for 10 at JB HiFi and Dick Smiths. I was fortunate enough to get a pack of 50 for my birthday (5x10 packs) but I'm almost out so I'll have to fork out a heap of money to buy some more. But it's defintitely worth it if you love the vintage look of them like I do :) 

Here are some that I took that I thought came out pretty good ----> 

 

As you can see, I just used a fine felt pen to write the date/event so I will remember later on when and where I took the photos :) 

That's all for now! I hope this has been helpful to you :) 

- Tianah xo

Study Tips

Hi guys! 

So at my school the year 11 and 12 first semester exams are starting this week... Scary... Now being in year 12 I have lots of exams to study for 7 -to be exact- and all are within 3 weeks so I decided to start studying last week. I was looking up helpful ways to study just to add to what I already do, so I've come up with a few tips that help me and hopeful you too! 

1. Write a list! 

For me writing lists helps a lot with getting myself organised and ready to conquer all the topics I have to cover. So I have 5 subjects which all have heaps of topics in them which I've covered over the semester. Now, by writing a checklist of everything you need to study you are making a physical reminder of how much or how little you have to remember, and it will help with getting you ready to start. 

For example, I study chemistry. I went through my notebook and booklets that my teacher gave me, and made this list with all the topics I need to remember or perhaps relearn before the exam. 

So now whenever I have finished studying one of those topics, I can just tick it off and not have to stress... As a bonus, ticking things off on a To Do List is always fun and makes you feel like you've accomplished something! :) 

2. Study in an environment where you know you can concentrate! 

Some people can study really well with music, whilst others can't. I can't. I need things to be super quiet so all my attention is on what I'm suppose to be doing. If you know that you can only study with music then listen to music, and if you can't then don't. I personally think that studying without music is more effective. My maths teacher is a firm advocate of studying and doing work in a quiet environment, because studies have shown that when you listen to music while you study your brain doesn't make the right connections and you only remember things for a short amount of time, and if it's quiet then information can reach your long term memory and stay there. 

3. Flash cards!

Even though it's the 21st century, flash cards are still one of the best ways to remember information! You write down the question or word, write down the answer or definition, and bam you're ready to start studying! You've probably all heard of flash cards.. Who hasn't!? But did you know that you can get apps for your portable devices which I think most of us have at least one! I have 2 (not sure why I have 2 but anyway..) called FlashCards++ and Flashcardlet. Both are great, yet one is free and one isn't. You can write your own flash cards or download ones that other people have created and made available on Quizlet which is really helpful if you are too lazy to make your own sometimes! Hehe 

4. Have food!!!!! 

The exclamation marks were totally needed there! You get to eat while study! Whateven!? 

Having food with you when you study will prevent you from wondering around the house, continuously opening and closing the fridge expecting something new to be there every time, and endless procrastination (because let's face it, food is amazing). Having healthy food with you is even better for your studying. It will give you energy that you need to be able to remember information or stay up. A good choice is some fruit like a banana or apple, or saltanas (mmmmm my favourite). 

5. Have a clean study area! 

My mum tells me this nonstop and I think it might just be starting to kick in after 17 years... I always find that I study better and have less distractions if my desk is clean and tidy, that way I can't play with anything that shouldn't be on there, and trust me it happens. You won't even notice that you're doing it until 10 minutes or so has passed and your still playing with that bouncy ball on your desk. I don't know, who even has a bouncy ball on their desk... Not me :P 

Now that's all for now! Hope these help and good luck! :) 

- Tianah xo