How to Make Adorable Hair Bows

How cute are these?! I've seen them all over Pinterest and decided it's about time I make my own, just in time for summer!

This does require some sewing, but hot glue or fabric glue can be used instead :) I just find sewing a lot quicker and less messy. You will also need a hair tie, bobby pin or whatever you want to attach your bow to.

Step 1: Cut out a rectangle of fabric. Mine was about 25cm x 17 cm, but can be changed to suit the size bow you would like. The smaller blue one was probably about 20 x 12 cm.

Next, fold the two lengths into the middle, followed by the other two sides, making sure to tuck in the raw edge. I then quickly pressed the folds with an iron, just so they'd stay flat, but this is optional.

                                            

Step 2: Pinch the top and bottom of the rectangle together, in the middle, and secure with a few stitches/glue. If you're new to sewing, I find it easiest to thread one end of the thread through and tie it in a knot to the other end, making a loop of thread with the needle on it. This makes it easier to tie off when you're done and avoids the stress of re-threading :)

Step 3: Cut a small rectangle of material and fold the lengths into the middle, similar to the bow. Wrap this strip around the middle and attach it to the back, then sew the ends together like so...

And wallah! Sew this to a hair band or slide a bobby pin under the middle and there ya go!

I can't wait to make more of these :D

(I promise my hair's clean... It was the flash!)

Em x

My Two-Cents on Feminism

There's been so much debate over feminism lately and after reading Loepsie's  post on how she became a feminist, I've been inspired me to write about my views and thoughts on the topic. :)

First of all, a disclaimer; for me, being a feminist is believing men and women have equal rights and opportunities and furthermore acting on this belief... So that's the sort of premises this post will be based upon.

I suppose I do identify as a feminist, but I feel there's pressure on people to either be completely for it or against it and have a solid view and opinion. I believe being a feminist is being made into something it's not and it's being blown out of proportion. It's undoubtedly amazing how far the feminists of the world have come since the 1960's and there's obviously still inequality, but what I don't understand is why such a big deal is being made over acts of feminism, such as Emma Watson's HeForShe speech (I surely couldn't write about feminism without mentioning her, could I?).

I am in absolute agreement with Watson in what she is advocating, but it frustrates me how people are suddenly making a huge deal over the idea of gender equality, as if it's a radical new ideology that came out of no where. What I'm trying to say, is that there shouldn't have to be a famous actress making a speech for people to realise that men and women currently don't have equal rights and that they should.

http://www.gannett-cdn.com

This year, for English, I wrote a speech about how I thought Miley Cyrus was a feminist (this was right after her performance at the VMAs). It began with, "I told my sister the other day I thought Miley Cyrus was a feminist. She laughed." I understood why she did, because who would vouch for gender equality, whilst simultaneously wearing next to nothing and dancing in all kinds of provocative manners? But being a feminist doesn't mean you have to be a man-hater, wear ugly clothes and not shower (some weird stereotype I've found a lot of people associate with feminism).

Surely anyone, men and women included, can be a feminist, if they so choose? In my opinion, Cyrus is empowering women, by doing what she wants and not being confined by the rules of our (less so nowadays) patriarchal society. Saying this, I'd never wear the things she does and prefer to be empowered in other ways, but I admire her for her courage and how she is utilising her fame to show society you can be a feminist in whatever way you choose. After all, isn't that what feminism is about? Being able to express yourself and having the freedom to act and say what you please?

Wow, went off on a bit of a tangent there, but I suppose I'm saying that feminism shouldn't be about feminists telling each other what they can and cannot do and that there shouldn't be such big of a deal made over people wanting gender equality. It's upsetting there has to be, though, for the message to get across, but I hope I can make a difference and even if one person reads this and is inspired in some way, I'll be very happy :)

I hope this made some kind of sense to you... It was kind of just my train of thought typed out, but I think I got my point across :)

Em x

Easy Ways to Stay Healthy

I know for me, at least, it's not necessarily easy to exercise and eat healthy... But no more excuses! Here are the ways I stay (relatively) healthy and try to live a healthier lifestyle.

1. Do something you don't hate
Yep, easy as that. I hate running, so I don't run and I hate going to the gym, so I don't go... I prefer walking or doing reps of simple exercises, which makes me feel more confident and motivated to keep doing it, rather than dreading doing a work out. I've also found, for me, doing a 30 day challenge works well, as I find if I know exactly what I'm doing and have a set amount, I'm more motivated to do it. So far, I've completed the 30 plank and sit up challenge and I'm currently starting a 30 abs challenge. This website is really great and has links to challenges targeting specific areas, so definitely check it out!

2. Have a routine
Finding the time to work out was what I struggled with the most, at first, because as soon as I finished school and homework, (not any more! Yay!) I was exhausted and exercise was the last thing on my mind... I found doing it before I had a shower and had had a chance to relax a bit worked well and it became a routine for me, that I pretty much stick to know, depending on how busy my days/evenings are. Find a time that best suits your schedule, so there's a set time you know you're going to exercise. But more importantly, stick to it! And don't forget, it's also important to have rest days, to give your body a break :)

3. Eat foods you don't hate
Similarly to not doing exercises you hate, it's going to be a lot less challenging to stay healthy by eating food you enjoy. Obviously, don't have a Big Mac every day as lunch, but at the same time, don't force yourself to eat boring salads or something you don't like. Pinterest has some great ideas for healthy meals and snacks that don't take much effort or time and it's great motivation if you're still excited to eat, without the excess fats or sugars.

I hope this has given you some motivation and inspiration to start living a healthy lifestyle! It's way more achievable if you do what you enjoy and even having a friend to motivate you along the way! (Shout out to Tianah!!!)

Let me know your best tips for staying healthy and gettin that summer-ready body :D

Em x