I HAVE MOVED!!!!!

Unfortunately, my time with blogger has expired. I have moved to wordpress and I am in the process fixing my blog. the new site is meetgabbyro.wordpress.com. I am still figuring out a few things, but I am also posting along the way. To stay updated with me, please click the follow button, where you will be notified of my most recent blog post. Thanks so much! :)

Goodbye, Berlin!

Wrapping up the last few days in Berlin were like watching the end of your favorite movie. You know it's all about to come to an end, but you can't stop it. Instead, you look forward to the next to time you will watch it again.

In my last three days of the trip, I attended a carnival, made my own Ritter Sport chocolate candy bar, explored the luxurious world of MercedesBenz dealership, visited the Tiergarten, and had dinner inside of Germany's tallest building, the TV Tower.


The culture of carnivals was sooo much fun. The streets were filled with people singing, laughing, dancing and drinking-lots and lots of drinking.
The celebratory atmosphere wrapped me up and I had no choice but to join in. My friends and I stuck around for four hours of trailing street performers, eating some of the world's tastiest ethnic dishes, chugging down drinks, and shopping through a host of vendors. The skies were piercingly blue and the sun came out to play. The day was perfect and it was one I am sure to reminisce over years later. 

One of my favorite unscheduled activities in Germany waRitter Sport to make my own chocolate bar. Known for providing some of the most delicious chocolate in Germany, Ritter Sport did nothing short of just that. I made my own chocolate bar starting with a base of rich and smooth milk chocolate and topping it off with caramel roasted almonds, dried strawberries, and sprinkles. It was yummy and it only cost me about 5 euro. But surprisingly the chocolate wasn't the best part. The store design was unlike anything I've ever seen in a chocolate store. Upstairs was a chocolate museum. It showed how chocolate came about and even had videos for kids. There was also a mid-sized restaurant serving everything from pasta to the most delightful treats. This rainbow designed store definitely colored my experience with fascination and deliciousness!

 Ever since I saw MercedesBenz World listed a visiting option, I immediately started envisioning myself in a series of luxurious cars.

I had y mind set on one automobile in particular and that was the ever so popular G class, also known as the G-wagon. I've seen numerous celebrities sporting these jeep-like vehicles (mostly women) and I grew a liking to them, so you can only imagine how excited I was to get inside of one. I climbed right in to the first one I spotted and man did it feel good. If I had more time I would've asked for a test drive, but I was satisfied with the view of me sitting inside. The entire dealership was huge and had everything from a playground to the oldest models of Mercedes. It was really fancy, which may be a reason why there are more Mercedes in the city than any other car. 


Across the street from Mercedes World was the Tiergarten, Berlin's largest public park. The scenery is jaw-dropping and breathtaking. The environment was calming and peaceful enough to throw away all cares and float in the wind-and that is exactly what I did. 

Finally, my last day in Berlin. I was sad to see the day come, but welcomed it with open arms.

My experience at the TV Tower restaurant was phenomenal. As I sat in my chair-which revolves around the entire tower- I sipped my wine and thought about everything that I've done within the past week. It was truly an amazing experience. It was a life changing experience and I would encourage any and everyone to study abroad. The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page -Augustine of Hippo. I've taken so much from this trip and this is only the beginning of my sightseeing adventure. 

Thank you for following along and staying updated on my trip. I appreciate all of the comments and I will have more videos on my YouTube channel. Be sure to check them out. 



Here are a few clips and pics:

Trying Crem brulee for the first time

How my Ritter Sport chocolate was made

      

 A trip to Mercedes-Benz World

Daily Cocktail at the TV Tower

A Mercedes show car covered in graffiti-styled paint

Meet Christina Knobbe

For my photojournalism class that I'm taking while overseas, I had to find a subject-someone from Berlin- and ask them about their perspective of Berlin. While walking through the Hackkscher Markt I ran across this woman. 

Christina Knobbe is a Berlin artist whose paintings have been seen all over the world. Without taking any classes or learning about the latest sketch techniques, Knobbe has used her inner talent to hone her artistry and keep her work authentic. She loves the free spirited nature of the culture in Berlin which is why she chose to expand her craft in the area. As a mother of two, her earlier years did not grant her the opportunity to make a living with her talent alone, but now with both of her children being adults, she is able to see just how far her skills will take her. She is delighted with meeting new people every day and finds pleasure in being invited to numerous art exhibits. With over 12,000 works of art, Knobbe keeps herself busy with analyzing and interpreting some of her dearest moments into her sketches. Even though she adores making cute and dainty love sketches, what really drives her is the passion for human rights. She makes dozens of pieces related to the subject and has collaborated with other artist who share the same values. The human cultural experience is one that moves her to tears and she believes her influence lies within her artwork.

Contact info

Website- www.well-well.de

Facebook: Christina Knobbe

Email: ck@well-well.de

The WYLD Dinner Cruise

My first week in Berlin has already come to an end. I can't believe my time here is flying by so quickly. but I am still enjoying every minute of it. The previous week was filled with events and not alot of free time, but this week will be the opposite. We started on Tuesday the 19th, by visiting AFP photographer John MacDougall at his home. He showed us lots of his favorite photographs as well as the advancement of the photography business and how he's adjusting to it. Later on we visited the Berliner Dom which I have stated multiple times, is the prettiest building I've ever laid eyes on. I'll also admit to the Dom being the most fascinating historical building I've ever been inside of.

 It took almost 15 minutes to get from the bottom of the Dom to the top. Though it was a long way up, it was worth every step , because the view was indescribable. The next day was a free day, so of course I did a little shopping around. I ended up buying a lot of cute items including an Adidas shirt/dress and matching shoes, a bathing suit and a pair of sunglasses. In my opinion, the shopping here is better than the U.S., because it is a lot cheaper (a perk to the city being poor). 

 Thursday we had some free time during the day so me and two of the other girls decided to go to the Hackescher Makt which is another local flea market. I ended up getting two hand-wooven bracelets for my younger cousins for 10 euros. I love the markets here because there are so many of them and they all have so many different things to sell. I've seen everything down to hand stitched candle holders. The artistry and architecture here, is incomparable to anything I've seen before.

Later, we went to a musical entitled The WYLD. I had seen numerous advertisement about this event plastered all over the walls and buildings, so my expectations were pretty high. I enjoyed the performance, but I'll admit it didn't meet my expectations. The performances were similar to those I've seen at the circus. I would honestly say the circus was more interesting. One thing that did impress me though, was the stage. The performance took place at the  Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin which is one of the biggest theatre stages in the world. The stage was indeed huge and it had a bunch of cool features. The one that amazed me the most was the stage rising about 50 feet high with big lava tanks of water with people floating inside of them. 

Friday was a free day so I went to the market again, but I didn't pick up anything. That night was one I will never forget because it was the first time I ever partied until the sun came up. I went to the club at 2am and didn't leave until 5am. The sun was out and I was beyond tired. 

Saturday, was another insightful day of history, but on a lighter note- with food. We took a two course dinner cruise through the Spree River. It was nice and so was the food. I had room for more, but it was satisfying-I guess. 

Within my few days left there is still more to come. I'm going to the Carnival of cultures, visiting the Reichstag building, and finally eating at the TV Tower. All of them should be fun, but I'm a little down that it'll all be over soon. Well let me get back to enjoying my time. 

Catch you later!

Here are a few clips and pics:

20 Things I learned about Berlin

1. Public restrooms are NOT free. They normally cost about 2 euros. 
2. EVERYONE walks EVERYWHERE. Having a car is a luxury. Most people either walk, take the trams or ride their bike
3. The trams do not stop if you're in the way. It's best to move very quickly.
4. Smoking cigarettes and drinking beer or coffee all day are a big part of the culture. 
5. Jaywalking is highly frowned upon. Especially when done in front of children (your license can be expelled for doing so)
6. German men pee sitting down.
7. Marijuana is illegal, yet much more tolerated than in the U.S.
8. People usually don't throw their bottles away when they're done with them. They leave them on top of the trash cans for a gypsy (homeless person) to collect them. They're worth 8 cents in euros. 
9. Walking around the streets with beer in your hand is acceptable.
10. Water is not free! There is probably one water fountain in the entire city of Berlin. Also when you order water from a restaurant, you might want to ask for no gas- it basically means you're drinking tap water which taste like regular/still water. 
11. Donar Kebabs are very popular and inexpensive. (The best Turkish dish I've ever had!)
12. Everyone is mostly quiet in public places.

    

    A few Berliners hanging out near a flea market

13. The city is very diverse. People from all over Europe are come to Berlin to explore its historical background.
14. Even though Berlin is the capital of Germany, it is very poor.
15. It is considered rude not to eat your food as soon as it is served no matter how many guest are left plate-less.
16.  Biking is so popular, there are not only bike lanes, but also bike streets.
17. Everyone is mostly outside.
18.  PDA is seen here much more often than in the U.S.
19.  The legal drinking age is 16.
20.  The city is dog friendly. Dogs are allowed in stores and it is not unusual for them to roam around without leashes on.

City tour, flea market, and meeting Christoph Niemann

   Saturday, the 16th was the first day of free time and I will admit, I was a little nervous about being out on my own. However, I am proud to say I went exactly where I intended and I DID NOT get lost. I did have a partner with me, but it still counts (I don't go anywhere alone.

My mom would kill me.) I ended up getting a plug adapter and finding someone to interview for my project. I also stopped by a little store called Promod and picked up a black leather jacket and a cute pair of pastel orange colored open-toed sandals with a low heel.

I know this combination sounds weird, but the jacket is for here in Berlin and the sandals are for back home. If you're wondering abut the weather here, its cold. There are a few days where the sun wants to be nice, but the wind is always naughty. My lips and skin always feel chapped and dry no matter how many outrageous amounts of chapstick and lotion I apply. I don't think there anything else I can do to change this over the next few days so I'll be trying my best to stay as moisturized as I possibly can. 

   Sunday and Monday were back to scheduled programming. On Sunday we took a city tour. First, the tour was great. We learned a lot of history, were able to see other interesting parts of the city, and our tour guide guy was really cool (he will be featured in my selfie album coming soon). We saw the Brandenburg Gate, Memorial to murdered Jews of Europe, the place where books would have been stored, but instead were burned by the Nazis, Checkpoint Charlie....oh, and the hotel where Michael Jackson dangled his son, Blanket over the balcony.

Elevator inside of the Lafayette mall

The only problem I had with the walk was the timing. It was a three to four hour walk. This shouldn't have surprised me though. It's Berlin! Everyone walks everywhere. Later, we went to a really cool flea market and grabbed some lunch from there. I was able to buy a few nice things, but it started to rain so we decided to leave. I do plan on going back for family souvenirs though.  Monday was a more reserved day. We didn't have any plans for the morning/afternoon so a group of the other girls and I, decided to go to the mall. I ended up purchasing some very comfortable and stylish Birkenstock shoes. I've been seeing them everywhere and couldn't wait to get my hands on them AND THEY WERE CHEAPER. Let's just say that made my day.

Christoph Niemann explaining one of his articles

I also bought a nice floral, floor-length dress from H&M. I would have done more shopping if we didn't have an appointment with big time illustrator Christoph Niemann, but it could defiantly be put on hold. Niemann is an illustrator, author, and artist whose work has been featured on the cover of The New York Times Magazine along with others. He gave our group some good tips about thinking abstractly while honing authenticity. After leaving Niemann's studio we ate dinner at Burritos Delores. I had a quesadilla with tomato salsa and a soft drink not written in English. Both of them were good and topped of the tiring day so well. Anyhow, that's all for now. Be back soon!

Here are a few clips and pics:

   

Catching the U-bahn

Chalk art 

Walking through the flea market

Berlin Cathedral a.k.a Berliner Dom

Bebelplatz- Nazi book burning 

Memorial for the murdered Jews in Europe

Apple Strudel and hot chocolate from a cafe' near the memorial

Post Nazi Mural 

Beginning in Berlin

A creatively colored Trabi world car passing along what is left of the Berlin Wall

     The past two days in Berlin have been nothing short of blissful and beautiful. First, be sure to check out my video of the last two days I spent preparing for this trip. 
     In all honesty, I adore everything about this city and it only took two days! The free flowing environment easily draws you in along with the fascinating history. On our first adventure, we explored the Documentation Center, which was mostly about ancient Berlin and the effects of the Berlin Wall. If you haven't already heard, the Berlin Wall is one of the most monumental  landmarks in Berlin. The wall was a significant barrier between East and West Berlin and only a few miles of it remain in the city today. After listening to a good amount of history, I could say I have a new respect for the wall and what it stands for. Shortly after, we went for a walk and decided to stop for some ice-cream. I, along with a Berlin buddy, shared a schoko (chocolate) flavored ice-cream cup. It was well-desired after having a long day/flight and it hit the spot as suspected. The next day's adventure was a bike tour that lasted nearly more than 4 hours and the ride was roughly around 8 miles long. Before going on this trip, I was dreading this bike ride, but surprisingly I enjoyed every second of it. I was filled with enthusiasm and astonishment throughout the entire thing. There could not have been a more perfect way to capture the city of Berlin than through the bike tour. A kiss from the sun brushed my skin softly as the wind blew just enough to cool my tresses. Paradise was radiant within every left and right glance. Beautiful is an understatement. We stopped for some German food and it was actually pretty good. I saw a guy walk past me with a big plate and I was like, "I want whatever he has". The dish was a Schawarma-falafel with halloumi and chicken. I couldn't finish my plate nor could I save it for later (leftovers are unusual to ask for in Berlin), but it was definitely worth the euro. 
       Later, we went out to dine at a restaurant down the street from our hotel called MinhQuang. The food was good, but the drink I had was great! It was called "Silly Kiss". I thought it was a cute name, so I thought why not give it a shot. It turned out to be one of the better Mojitos I've had out of very few. Even though I despise the taste of beer, Berlin is a place where beer is drunk as frequently as water. I've tried a few, but I still don't like the taste. Anyhow, we ended our night at a bar jam-packed with people playing ping-pong and chatting it up over some drinks. With the past two days going so well, I can't wait to see what the rest of the week brings. 


Here are a few clips and pics:

Biking along the Berlin Wall

Dining in at MinhQuang

A #12 Schwarama-falafel with halloumi and chicken from Rissani  

Two guys conversing over a beer in what used to be the Berlin airport

Remains of The Berlin Wall painted with massive graffiti

A large building located in East Germany

Trip to Berlin

Hello Everyone! If you don't know already, I guess I'll say it here. I will be traveling to Berlin, Germany for two weeks starting tomorrow. I can't imagine sharing this experience with anyone other than you all so here is where you can expect to see exciting photos and mini clips of my adventures. For those of you who have never traveled outside of the country (U.S.) before, I hope this gives you a different outlook on traveling and an honest glimpse of what the world is like overseas. This will include an array of "first-times" for me so you all will see me face some life changing experiences along with my reactions to them. Once I figure out how everything works in Berlin, I will be updating you all as much as I can. Comment if you have any questions. Other than that.....HALLO GERMANY, MEIN NAME IST GABBY !! See you soon. 

I'll Be Back

Sorry everyone I've been a little busy with trying to finish of this semester strong. Don't worry I will be back with all of your favorite tips and gossip next week. To those in the same boat as me here are a few tips for studying and writing a perfect essay. Stay posted and I'll be back soon!

Dos and Don'ts to break-ups for girls

Breakups are never easy no matter what side of the situation you're on. Losing a friend is hard and demands an appropriate time for healing. Spring seems to be the time for singles to mix and mingle, but can also be sort of a world wind for those who haven't been in the game for a while. For some, it may seem impossible to get over your ex, but trust me- it's not! Pay attention to the facts. If he's not showing much interest in you now, he's probably not that interested in you anymore. A guy knows exactly what he wants and he will do anything necessary (or unnecessary) to get it. It may be hard for you to accept the situation, but you have to believe that it will get easier as the days go by.  It takes a lot of time (sometimes years), but you have to let your heart run its course. And after all of that running, your heart will be stronger than ever and ready to love again. If you're having a hard time moving on, here are a few dos and don'ts that can help you through your breakup process:

Dos

• Delete his number or erase his name from your contact list
• Find ways to stay busy
• Cut off all communication with him
• Keep an open mind about new relationships and dating
• Forgive him-let it go
• Take down pictures or anything that reminds you of him
• Avoid too much contact with his family

Don'ts

• Call or text him
• Stalk his social media page(s)
• Think he's going to come back
• Try to make him mad or jealous
• Go out of your way to do things for him
• Talk about your break to everyone 
• Jump into another relationship 

9 things You Want to Know Before Going to PCB for Spring Break

1. Beads means boobs

If you happen to run into a nice looking guy and you see he has a neck full of flashy beads, he's pretty much looking for a show. If you say "Hey, can I have one of your beads," he's more than likely respond with "you have to earn them". If you're into that sort of thing then go for it, however if you're not just simply smile and keep it moving. Not every guy is like this though. Some of them will eventually give them to you after a nice conversation, but I guess their logic is that it's worth a shot. 

2. Get a scooter

They have lots of scooter rental places and most of them are closer to the beach, Picking one up is probably not such a bad idea. Spring break brings in a lot of people to Panama so the traffic is hectic. Everyone is headed to the same area on the beach and if you're in a car the closest place to park for free most likely isn't that close. I parked in a lot on the beach for $30. Unless you're staying in a condo/hotel on the beach, the best way to get there is on a scooter.

3. Keep some type of ointment on you at all times

Scars come from out of no where. Think about it. You're in an area full of bare-skinned people walking on a beach filled with litter. At some point you will encounter a scratch, scar or bruise. Just try to keep some ointment in your purse or pocket to help with the swelling.

4. Hotels are strict!

This was the most shocking of my panama experience. You would think hotels would be very lenient with their guest being that this is the #1 spring break location in the state. Nope! They make you wear wristbands. If you do not have a wristband, you cannot get in your room. This was crazy to me, because it is obvious that a hotel room is suitable for more people than stated. Anyways have fun thinking of ways to sneak your friends in your room. It's all apart of the experience. 

5. Find your room at least three months in advanced

Again, everyone knows Panama is one of the hottest spots for college students to hang out during their break. Because of the steady population increase, it's best that you secure your spot in Panama by booking your hotel, condo, or friend's house at least three months in advanced. This way you won't run into any last minute, high-priced, unfitting hotel rooms. My cousin booked our room the week of and ended up getting a king-sized bed with a couch (there was seven of us). Plan ahead.

6. Take contact pictures

Everyone is very friendly on the beach and you will meet alot of people who are interested in getting to know you. Give them the chance. Take their number, but also take their picture. Save it under their contact name. This will avoid you trying to remember who they are or where the two of you met. And if they are taking your number, take a picture with them and have them send you their name and the picture. Happy texting :)

7. Bring a portable speaker

Music sets the mood, so bring your tunes with you. There is nothing more fun, than being around your favorite group of friends screaming the lyrics and dancing to a few of your favorite songs. Make sure your speakers are all charged up and loud enough to keep everyone hype.

8. Don't lose your I.D.

This is very important. If you are over 21, please don't forget your I.D. If you are under 21, please don't forget your I.D. There is a lot of drinking going on and you don't want to be caught doing so without your I.D. If you are under 21 this could obviously be more serious for you as you are not allowed (in this country) to be drinking. Save it for when you are of age. It'll be cheaper for you anyway. Most clubs on the beach, charge you more for being under age. 

9. You will see a lot of beer pong

I've never seen so many beer pong sand tables in my life. If you don't know anything know this- where there is beer, there is beer pong. So on this beach there were a lot of both. If you know how to play you can easily join in. If you don't, just watch and you'll eventually catch on. The goal is just really to get drunk and have a good time. 

Hope this helps! :) See you in Panama

Is Chris Brown the father?

      Okay. Can someone please tell me what is up with Chris Brown and these father allegations? He is not responding to any of the gossip in the manner he normally would- which is going off on people through Twitter and Instagram. Even Karruche is responding saying "good luck to Chris and his family". So it is only right to assume they talked about it and it must be true. After all of the mess Kay has taken Chris back from I have to think, how many signs does God have to send for you to get away from this man? He does nothing but publicly humiliate her. According to baller alert, she found out about this whole situation about two days before the public. Now I don't know the ins of their relationship, but we can all clearly see the outs. That man has disrespecting her way too many times. I was once told if a man can comfortably disrespect you by calling you out of your name (even if it's only one time), believe that he will go just as far to put his hands on you. Even though Chris has not domestically abused Kay, he has found multiple ways to hurt her heart the same. I really like Karruche and I honestly think if this is Chris's baby it would be a good thing for him. I think it would slow him down a little. But nowadays he seems to be all about Kay, so I wouldn't be surprised if they work it out. I feel bad for them, though. *Kanye Shrug*

Fifty Shades of Grey

     Everyone should have seen Fifty Shades of Grey by now. If not, go check it out on a free online movie website or wait for it to come out on DVD, because it is not worth the movie ticket. Even though the movie received an extremely ripe tomato on my Flixster's app, to my surprise this movie was not that great. The best part about the movie was the soundtrack. I did not read the book which I thought would be a good thing, because I wasn't expecting anything. However, I was just as evenly disappointed as those who did.
     First, I understand Ana is supposed to be an awkward girl, but why in the world does she have a flip phone? They could have at least given her an outdated LG or Samsung phone. Even the first iPhone would have set the date, but the flip phone blew my mind. Moving forward, I overall did not like how the actors emotions seemed so forced. I may have payed more attention to this because I've taken a few acting classes, but I still feel like it was very obvious. In the scene where her and Christian first meet, she literally falls as soon as the door is open. Why? She didn't even trip over anything! I also found it very weird how they tried to make her biting the eraser of the pencil stand out. It was disguising and stupid. As for the actors, I thought Dakota was a good fit for Ana, however I do not like Jamie as Christian. He did not give me anything in his face. I think this movie would have been 10 times sexier if he could have spoke with his eyes.

       I also think there wasn't enough spontaneity.  They tried to let the music move the scenes along instead of it naturally flowing. One minute they were laughing, then comes the love music, next thing you know somebody's feelings were being hurt. It reminded me on an old television soap opera.
      Would I watch it again? Yes. Even though it wasn't "movie of the year"  like I expected, it was still very funny. I don't know if that's what the directors were going for, but it's something. I'm just glad I know to wait for the DVD when Fifty Shades Darker comes out.

Team Amber Vs. Team Kardashian

  This week a hurricane of shade maneuvered its way to New York City. If you have no idea what I'm talking about please refer to Amber Rose's interview with the Breakfast Club. After listening to her interview and reading the tweets sent back and forth between her and Kloe Kardashian, I am #TeamAmber all the way with this one. First and foremost, Amber did not say anything that was not true. Tyga did in fact leave the mother of his child for someone who is only 15 years older than his child. The reason for why they split up is not mentioned nor is it necessary. The point Amber was making is that he should not be gallivanting around with a teenager. It is illegal and I'm sure it is embarrassing to Blac Chyna (the mother of Tyga's child). Tyga stated him and Kylie are just friends but it is obvious they like each other because I'm sure both of them could find more suitable friends closer to their age.

     I understand Khloe is defending her sisters, however, there are so many comments made about them so I find it hard to understand why she chose to pick this one. She definitely could have spared this one. Amber also mentioned she doesn't respect the Kardashians. Her reasons were those affiliated with their "fakeness." I personally believe anyone associated with reality television is fake at some point because it is solely image driven. No matter how much they say it, there is no way these people are forgeting they are on television. But getting back to the point, I don't feel like Amber disrespected them with the comments she made. They weren't the nicest, but they weren't worth starting a war. Although I did find it hilarious to see the celebrities picking sides. I definitely had fun at this tea party, what about you? Do you think Amber was wrong? Do you think it's ok for Kylie to date Tyga? Let me know below.

What is love?

Featuring The Boys & Girls Club

     I loooovvvee kids! I weekly dedicate my time to The Boys and Girls Club of Gainesville, FL tutoring 3rd-5th graders. I find kids so interesting because of their curiosity, innocence and honesty. With Valentine's Day being this week, I decided to ask the kids a few questions about love on our BGC talk show. Take a look...

 

  TO SEE VIDEO CLICK HERE

 

The Return of Scandal!!!

Spoiler Alert

      I don't know about you, but I am beyond excited about the return of Scandal. I've been a gladiator since Season 2 and I am so addicted. If you followed my #100happydays challenge on Instagram you know that I can always count on Scandal to make me happy on Thursdays. However, this season I was not too impressed with the first episode. With the setting of the show mostly taking place in either the White House or Olivia's apartment, the change of scenery threw me off a bit. I was very shocked by the plot twist, but I knew she was going to make it beyond the red doors. I'm also intrigued that neither Jake nor the president came to Olivia's rescue. I thought for sure since Jake had a clue that he would be the one to figure everything out, but I guess the bandits are just too far ahead of him. I was confused by the part where Olivia was dreaming, because it was just too much going on. I just don't understand why Olivia and Fitz just won't call it quits. They are never going to make it to Vermont, because there are too many variables keeping them away from each other. But obviously if they let it go, there would be no show. So we'll continue to ride this sloppy love roller coaster and see what's going to happen in the next episode when Fitz sees that she's been kidnapped. I hope this episode is better than the last because I can't handle a full season of this. Maybe Shonda is trying to make How to Get Away With Murder better than Scandal so she can slowly kill the show. Oh no Shonda! You can't do us like that girl. Anyway, what are your thoughts about last week's episode or tonight's episode? Let's discuss.


SN: I would like to add that last month's poll of Who would you like to meet? is now closed and the results show that most people would like to meet Beyoncé. This is not surprising at all, considering that she has been defeating her competition since she stepped foot on her own stage. Be sure to check out this month's poll what is your favorite Valentine's day gift. (At the top on the right hand side.)

Face it!!

Let's talk about facials

Cucumber Facial Peel-Off Mask

      Oh how I love for my face to feel smooth and clean! After a long day of classes, meetings, and socializing I like to partake in a light pampering of my face, nails and feet. I'll create a later post on the steps I take to relax, but for now I'm going to focus on facials. So far, the only facial masks I've used are ones from the Freeman Feeling Beautiful collection. I've tried at least five of them and I must admit all of them are good. My favorite two so far are the Dead Sea Minerals facial anti-stress mask and the Cucumber facial peel off mask. I like the Dead Sea Minerals facial because 1) I love the color blue, and 2) it really opens up my pores and doesn't make my face feel tight. 

      If you like knowing exactly when to take your mask off, you may prefer to do the peel off mask. I like the Cucumber peel off mask, because it smells good and I think it's fun to peel the mask off when it dries. Be cautious not to apply the mask too close to close to your eyebrows because you could run the risk of plucking a few hairs (also try to avoid lips and eyelids). If you peel the mask off and look at it, you will probably be able to see the dirt on your face in the mask. Sounds cool, right? It also gives my face a fresh feel. Now if you like more of a homemade feel to your mask you might like the charcoal and black sugar polishing mask a little better. The texture of this mask is much different from the wash and peel off mask in that it feels more like an exfoliating mask scrub. It actually didn't feel like a mask, more like facial wash. Because of it's impressive qualities, this mask was voted Best of Beauty by allure in 2013. 

Dead Sea Minerals Facial Anti-Stress Mask

      These mask come in small pouches  which are considered travel size (pictured below) or they come in 6 oz tubes. I bought the trevel size mask for about $0.97 at Walmart, but I think I caught them on a rollback sale, so they may be somewhere around $1.99 now. However, the tube prices differ from store to store, but should still be no more than $5. If you're wondering about the size, one travel size facial is more than enough for one face.  Eventually I will invest in a tube, but for now I typically get the smaller pouches because I like having a variety to choose from. I've also tried the Avocado & Oatmeal and Mint & Lemon clay mask. They were also really good. I try to give myself a facial at least once a week, but how often you give yourself a facial should depend on your skin type. For instance, I wouldn't use the Charcoal and Black Sugar mask every week because my skin doesn't respond well to too much exfoliation. 

    I haven't completely finished Freeman's entire line of facials, but I do plan on doing so. I have other Freeman products that I like and will mention them in a later post. Well that's all I have. If you recommend any other facials or you've tried these let me know what you think. 

The Prep

Start with a clean face
Apply mask and let is sit for about 5-10 minutes
Peel or wash the mask off
Easy as 1-2-3!

Enjoy your new face!