Bonus Post 2018: Yearly Pic

Ciao! It's Lexa!! So, Annamarie and I started doing this two years ago. Basically, you and your bff take a picture every year around the same day, in the same place. (Have someone take it for you.) Then, the next year, do it again. Each year, take something that represents what you like doing together that year, (Ex, dolls, legos, baking, drawing, etc.) and make sure that is in the picture! Then, compare them each year, and remember the phases you went through together, or laugh at how young you look!

Bonus Post: 2018: Focus and Concentration Tips

Hello it's Annamarie and uhhh... hold on... (chews gum) OH YEAH WE ARE GONNA HELP YOU FOCUS TODAY!!

So, if you're like me and cannot focus when doing homework or studying, then these tips and tricks I use for my slightly-ADH....uhh whats the last letter? (spins fidget spinner)-D!!

If you guys have minor issues with concentrating, then step right up and keep on reading! Here is a list of things I have in my life that make homework and studying so much easier, faster, and I improve greatly in school!

So this is my first year of exams and finals, so it is definitely stressful! First, you want to start up with a simple area of a light room, such as in your room, near a window, or in a sunroom! Then, place a DESK in that area. I like a white desk, with not to many drawers, for total focus. I have mine in my room on the top floor of my house, so I do not get distracted with sounds.

(Hey, Lexa here. Just checking what Annamarie posted, since she told me to. I also have a white desk! Anyways, I put a lot of pictures on mine, and a lava lamp. This is so, when I need a 30 second break from writing an essay or something, I can stare at it for a while. It's really cool to watch!)

The next step once you found a simple hard desktop is DECORATE IT! Now, I don't mean toooo much. I went for a very minimalist look, with the basic necessaries of school! I found a cup holder and put pens and pencils in it, have a spot for white out, an eraser, and sticky notes, another spot for a to-do list, the last spot for my study items! On top I have some quartz rocks, painted rocks, a sewing project I did, bookmarks, and a flower that sways in light! (Seen below)

So now its time for school. Grab a computer, a pencil, your papers, and your phone. Thats right, unless you have major 24/7 I-need-to-be-on-my-phone-at-this-very-second issues, then put your phone right next to you, face down. Turn off the ringer, too. Or, like Lexa does, put your phone about 10 feet away from you, so you have to exercise and walk to check it! Seen below is the best pencil ever!

Next, grab some earbuds and play music! I would suggest calm, relaxing, focus music that you can find on youtube, or any other music that you think would help YOU.
The best studying music ever ->https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPni755-Krg<-


Before you start studying, create a to-do list saying what you want to accomplish that day. Check off the items as you have completed them!


(Lexa here again! I have a magnetic to do list, since part of my desk has a magnetic whiteboard, and what I like to do is color code what I need to do!! ...but, I like lots of color on everything, so...)

GOGOGO!! Do your work! From the to-do list, see which ones you need to get done ASAP, and save off ones in case you don't have time for them. Study for 30 minutes, then every 5 minutes, take a break. This includes CHECKING YOUR PHONE, and drinking water. Btw, I would suggest if you are hungry to have fruit! Set a timer for 5 minutes and then get right back to work!

If you absolutely cannot concentrate, I suggest a few good tips:
-turn on airplane mode
-stretch
-get motivated
-ask friends for support

(Lexa here. I have some good tips for motivation. I made a DIY Dream Jar that I keep on my desk, so when I don't feel motivated, I simply look at that and remember my goals!! I have a lot of academic goals in it, so it helps me to look at it and remember those! Another things you can do it put a motivational poster or sticky note near your workspace to look at!)

Also, a few bonus things to add to your desk to fidget with! Some of these include (and these DO HELP):

Stress ball, which lets my hands have a break from writing.

Indented heart, I rub my thumb on the indented thumb print, it is soothing.

Fidget spinner, fun toy to take a break with, also helps memory think of things faster.

Focus rock, reminds you to focus, even when its hard.

Gum, proven to help speed up mind and remember things.


EXTRA RANDOM TIPS:
Use a partner when studying foreign languages
Highlight lines of text for speeches
Be creative
Use GALE for social studies research
Doodle!

~I hoped you guys really enjoyed that! Right now its Friday and I don't have school and its 1:27 pm and I'm still in my pjs but I have no homework so yay!

(Lexa here. Me too, Annamarie!! 😀😀)

This took a lot of time to write and take the pictures (with and iPhone 4!!! *cough cough COUGH!*) Thank you for reading this and I challenge YOU to send this blog to TWO of your friends that definitely need this! (sending to Lexa ASAP lol) I hope you guys enjoyed this and I'm gonna get ready to tackle my day (yes I'm a wrestler) ((or not)) Sorry BYEEEEEYEYEYEYYEYEYEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!















If you see this, you're AWESOME!!!! and a true ccc fan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 💖💕💓❤♡

DIY Slime Without Using Borax

DIY Slime Without Using Borax

Heyyyy its Annamarie here, so who doesn't love slime??!?!??! I made this easy teal slime without borax! You can mold it into whatever shape you want and it is super stretchy and doesn't break! If you want to know how to make it, read below!! 

1. put 1/2 cup of shampoo and 1/4 cup cornstarch in a bowl
2. mix
3. add 3-5 drops of food coloring, or glitter;) (100% optional)
4. add 1 tablespoon of water 
5. stir
6. add 5 tablespoons of water, stir after each one
7. knead the slime for around 3-5 minutes

ENJOY!!!!!!! ;)

French Lemon Cake

Hey! Lexa here! So I thought, with the cold weather and snow where we live, that making some citrus food would make it feel more tropical and summer-y:). So, here is a simple, French Lemon cake! (The frosting was pretty sour, at first, so you can use less lemon juice if you want).

Ingredients:

• Zest (peel) from 1 lemon, finely grated
• 1/2 cup of butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup and 3 oz all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• juice from 1 lemon
• bread loaf pan

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.  
2. spray cake pan with cooking spray
3. Beat grated lemon zest, sugar, and butter until smooth. Then add eggs and beat for 30 seconds. 
4. Scrape the sides of the bowl. 
5. In a separate bowl, mix flour and baking powder, just until flour disappears. [otherwise, cake will be dry. So, mix more if you like very dry cake!! (Don't, though.)]
6. Add to main bowl. 
7. Pour batter into pan. 
8. Bake for 50-55 minutes. 
9. Now, mix powdered sugar and the juice from one lemon together. 
10. When the cake is out of the oven, pour this glaze over the cake. Then let cake cool and enjoy!

Note: This recipe is not made up by me, but I got this recipe from my French class, and do not know where it came from. (Also, We changed the recipe slightly.) So... here is a citation to the website this came from, even though I don't know where that is. Pretend it is here. Enjoy the cake!

Yarn Wrapped Cup Holders

Hellloooooo it is Annamarie here!!

So, here is some simple instruction on how to make these super simple and easy arm cup holders that can store anything from bookmarks to pencils! This cozy feel to the chilly winter where we live adds a warmness in the air!

I cannot give all the credit to myself, but I have gotten most of the information from a website linked right here: http://yarnobsession.blogspot.com/2013/01/recycled-crayon-cozy-cup-holders-pattern.html go check it out! Also, photo creds to My CRAZY Yarn Obsession!

Directions:
Simply grab a tin can or cup and take any type of yarn and either wrap it around the cup or knit a pattern and then tie it around!!!
Either way, this craft is super simple and a great gift for anyone!

End of The Year Update ➣2017⇠

Everything is from this year (2017) unless otherwise mentioned.

Funniest memory (together):

Lexa: Annamarie ate paper 3 times, and swallowed it twice. I quote "It's not that bad... WAIT look up is it healthy to eat paper,  Lexa!"
Annamarie: Lexa DROPPING HER WATER BOTTLE EVERYDAY and Lexa FALLING ALOT! also talking about a girl, trying not to get yelled at for laughing so hard (but has happened!)


Something funny that happened when we were laughing together:
Lexa: Annamarie spitting out apples
Annamarie: true I can't argue with Lexa, but another one came you-know-where😝


Longest time spent together (all time):
3 days (Friday night, Saturday, Saturday Night, Sunday morning)

How we met:

In 2013, long story short, a bean plant

Funniest memory from a sleepover:

Lexa: 1) Annamarie was afraid of the space in between my bed and the wall, and then in the middle of the night she fell in it 2) She tried to see how many apples she could shove in her mouth, and I video taped it, and then she spit them out and we couldn't stop laughing  3) Annamarie ate paper

Annamarie: 1) "I'm going to die because my iPods at 20%!" - quote by Lexa. 2) Eating my doll's arm off 3) making forts with Lexa and then they fall down all the time 4) 'bad luck' hand 😂(also happens in school)

DIY Cupcakes Challenge

Hey! It's Lexa! So, we did this challenge with our friend Silvia! This challenge makes you feel like you are on a baking show! Anyways, here is the challenge..

1. Make a vanilla cupcake batter, without vanilla extract. Then, take out a bunch of ingredients from the pantry and fridge. We took out the ingredients in the picture above, but we didn't use them all.
For example:

• Vanilla extract
• peppermint extract
• chocolate syrup
• spices
• chocolate chips
• sprinkles
• anything you find that may be good in cupcakes!

2. Now, split the batter up evenly, in separate bowls.
3. Now, the fun part. Chose some things to use in your cupcakes to make it your own! (We didn't measure them, so we don't know how much we used.)
4. Then place them in cupcake tins, and don't mix the different batters together! When you are done baking them, have a judge determine the best one. Don't tell them whose is whose!!
5. {Don't forget to give your cupcake recipes a name! You can look at our cupcake descriptions below to see our cupcake names, for some inspiration!  [Silvia and Lexa (me!) had a hard time coming up with names for ours!]}

Rules:

• DO NOT copy each other. Obviously. 
• NO ELECTRONICS. No looking up recipes. YOU have to decide how much of what to put in!
• ONLY use what is put out. If you have an idea and something you need is not in the ingredients, ask the other teammates if you can get it out. 
• Be creative. Don't make boring vanilla cupcakes. 

Now... drumroll please... here is what we made!!

The first one was made by Silvia. Called: Caramel Surprise. She made it with coco powder, Nutella, vanilla extract, chocolate syrup, chocolate chips (Which you can't see) Caramel on top, and some peppermint extract.

The second one is Lexa's (mine). It is called...Holiday Spice. She used gingerbread spice, cinnamon, ginger, sprinkles, and chocolate chips.

The last one is Annamarie's. It is called Coco Twist.  She used peppermint extract, chocolate chips, crushed up candy canes, and coco powder. 

And the winner was... LEXA!! Yay!! Hope you enjoy this fun challenge that made us feel like we were really on a tv cooking show!