PROM part 2

All right prom goers, I need to clarify, specify and add to last week's Prom article.

1. Ladies, if you haven't kept up with your exercise new year's resolution, make a shoter term goal to get in shape for prom. There arecountless choices to choose from. Grab Just Dance for the wii and set a goal of 3 songs a day, and try to beat your own score. The internet has many easy workouts to choose from, as well as YouTube videos. Or pick up a copy of Seventeen magazine or the like for an easy but toning workout. Magazines like these typically feature celeb trainers. Last but not least- workout with your boyfriend. Run, jog, teach him ballet, play the wii. It's a great way to bond and get ready for Prom together.

2. girls- make any appointments (hair, makeup, nails, dress alterations, etc. 1-3 weeks in advance. ) Tanning shuld be started and done over a span of at least 6 weeks prior to the event. guys- make any reservations ( dinner or transportation) at least 1-3 weeks in advance.

3. girls- plan the itenerary of Prom day in advance to avoid stress. (Sleep in; don't skip lunch or breakfast; last minute tanning; hair, nails or make up appointments; any pre-parties; set time for date to arrive; plenty of time for pictures; dinner; dance)

4. Leave a few extra minutes before leaving the house for lots of pictures. Have fun with cute poses! Pictures are something you can use to look back on years down the road.

5. Guys- don't be afraid to speak up. If you would like to wear a certain color, eat a certain place, or even surprise your date with the dinner choice, tell her! Go with your date (if she would like) to pick out her dress. Compsomise on something you both love, and makes her feel beautiful.

6. Decide either as a couple (or individually if going with friends) what your after promn plans are. There are always parties and friends going out, be careful with what you choose. Deciding before hand what the plan is prevents anyone persuading anyone else to do anything or go anywhere they are uncomfortable with. Couples- set your boundaries before so there is no question!

7. Guys, save a few bucks for after the dance. By the time the dance is over I'm sure you and your date would appreciate a drink, or shake, etc. And yes- fast food is acceptable for afterwards. (McDonald's, Steak'n'Shake, Braum's)

8. Corasages, (as pictured above) can be purchesed and pre ordered at Reasor's, or Arrow flowers and Gifts on main street. Keep in mind the color scheme you are going in so everything matches.

9. If you are still a lost little puppy when it comes to prom- ask a trusted friend, cousin, mentor, etc. who has been there and done that.

10. The biggest tip I can share is this- Don't stress, be yourself, and have fun!

Closer to the event, I will post details, rules, and dress code for the Broken Arrow prom. As well as other suggestions for dress shops, nail salons, tanning salons, etc.

PROM

Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear are some trends, DIY tips, and etiqutte for the highly anticipated event of the year- Prom.

1. A bright contrasting nail polish. French anicures are classy and always look great. However, a DIY maincure is cheaper, and can be used as an accessory.

2. Don't be afraid to buy a cheap pair of heels, and use your glue gun! If you like bling, cover those babies in rhinestones! Make a design that matches your dress, or make an eye catching statement. Hit up your local Micheals, Hobby Lobby, or Wal-Mart for craft supplies.

3. Hair and make-up. The possibilities are endless! Spend some time on YouTube, and find some hair/ makeup tutorials. There are hundreds of celebrity look based videos to choose from.

4. GUYS: If you plan to take a girl you really care about to prom, ask her to be your date in a way she will never forget. (And if you can't think of anything special or unique, here is my advice- go watch the disney movie Prom, or GOOGLE IT.)

5. girls: Unless your man is ridiculously wealthy, be kind and don't make him pay for both tickets. If your school is anything like Broken Arrow, it will cost $50 for each ticket. And there's no way I'm making my date pay $100for the two of us to dance in a packed sweaty room for a few hours,

6. Don't wait until the last minute to purchase dress, shoes, and guy's ensemble. It will be close to impossible to get what you truly want (and fits) and still match.

7. Reserve corsage and bouttaniere in advance. Again, they wil match better, and you won't have an irritated florist giving you left overs. (Don't be that guy who cals your date the morning of saying "Oh yeah, uh did you want a corsage thingy?" You will be the dumb guy we make fun of on twitter.)

Guys Prom Checklist:

1.Ticket

2.Method of asking girl to be date

3. vest /tie that matches date's dress

4. remainder of outfit (pants,shoes, etc.)

5. dinner/ post prom snack

6. corsage

7. clean car for picking up date

Girls Prom Checklist:

1. Ticket

2. Dress

3. Appropriate undergarments for dress (espcieally if dress is a cut out, low in the back, or strapless, This is important to avoid wardrobe malfunctions.)

4. manicure/ pedicure

5. Make-up/ false eye lashes

6. Hair

7. Jewelry/ accessories/ clutch

8. shoes

9. pre-prom tanning membership

10. Professional pictures

Current State of the Union

Here is my list of things that I LOVE, just in time for the new year!

1. Jenna Marbles. Her language is a bit...out there, but she is hilarious. Her facial expressions are indescribable, and I think I just might make that face next time I'm annoyed. (see picture above) This famous expression is used for people you don't want to talk to or when guys try to dirty dance. Simply tur and give them the Jenna Marbles face.

2. The new Facebook timeline. It looks a lot a like Myspace layout, but it seriously makes the ordinary Facebook look pretty lame. Props to you for looking cool again Facebook!

3. Dear Please Says, or Dear Blank Please Blank. There are apps and twitter accounts with these clever quotes and I just love them!

4. The atmosphere of Panera in the morning. I love going to Panera Bread, getting some ridiculously over priced (but crazy good) food, and relaxing. The restaraunts are wi-fi hot spots so you can usually find people escaping the fast track life for a short while, or getting some work done. The atmosphere is relazed with classical music and friendly staff. ( I recommend the Panera on Aspen between 71st and 81st in Broken Arrow)

5. Blow off classes. I don't care who you are or what grade you're in, we all need one or two. Or three. Those of us who take advantage of these classes use them to catch up on other school work, socializng, or...sleep.

6.Journals. No, I don't mean the Diary you kept in seventh grade that you had to hide from your brother. I mean a journal (which may still need to be hidden) that you can truly vent to, make goal lists in, log exercise progress, etc. This is a place you can feel free to say anything and everything.

(Please do not confuse this with Facebook, Twitter, or blogging. The Internet is a very dangerous place, even for young adults. If you would not want a parent, employer, college administrator, future child or grandparent to see, DON'T POST IT. Things can be hacked, copied, and taken from your computer as soon as they are put into the hard drive. Pictures should be posted with even more caution. You never know who will see them. Please, protect yourself and the ones you love before the authorities have to step in. )

Back From My Hiatus

To Whom It May Concern, (aka few but yet still loved readers:)

I've missed you. My opinions and thoughts and need to release these thoughts has been unending. SO! Let's begin with this Hodge Podge of teenage jazz.

For those of you who are curious or didnt know, I am no longer a cosmetology student. The high-school-girl-drama cliche had gotten seriously out of control. I have many different reasons for leaving, but I felt far less stressed after leaving. This is giving me an oppurtunity to put other aspects of my life on the forefront, and leave the stressful behind.

Next- How many of you actually make New Year's resolutions? (No, for real) Everyone figures out eventually that those usually last a week. Thus, I make a goal/ bucket list for the year. A simple list of prsonal goals (read bible daily, exercise 5 times a week, etc.), and random things I want to do (by In Time on DVD, retake ACT, buy nw car, etc.). This is much more fun than the typical boring resolutions.

During my hiatus from the blog, (I'm sorry I was gone so long!) I had an amazing 17th birthday, a second car wreck (I don't like ambulance rides) threw my boyfriend a surprise birthday party, had a great Christmas,and an unexpected date night.

My second car wreck was far worse than the first and followed with two emergency room visits. My second car was brutally crushed, and I had injuries that were extremely painful. Once again (even though I had lots of rainbow bruises, goose eggs, a head injury, and vomting) I was incredibly blessed. The impact of the SUV against my little ford escort was quite ugly. Thank the Lord I am still here to tell the story. And I must coninue to brag, my boyfriend Jonathan brought me a zebra pillow pet, and stayed with me the entire weekend that I was home on the couch and in the hospital multiple times.

A few weeks later was the set date for the 2012 Miss Broken Arrow and Miss Broken Arrow Outstanding Teen pageant. However, due to lack of entries and rule complications, they could not crown a teen that night. I had spent so much time, effort, and money preparing fo this competition. I had put my entire heart into wantig to be crowned, as this was my last year to compete for Outstanding Teen. Needless to say, I was crushed. But it made me think about if the pageant jazz wa worth it and truly for me. After some thought, I figured out it really isn't. I still support all the other beautiful girls involved, but I'm choosing not to stress myself out with the idea of trying to reach perfection for total strangers. Now, Jonathan knew how much this title and competition meant to me and how hard I had worked. He knew I needed to not sit on the couch that Saturday night. He gave me a reson to dress up and took me on a surprise filled date night. The evening consisted of 3 parts. First he took me to main street for another photo shoot. He takes amazing pictures! Then we proceeded to a fabulous dinner at Charleston's, then to the movies to see 'In Time'. (By the way, I LOVE that movie, I give it 5 stars!)

On November 13, 2011, I turned 17 years old. I had a grea day just spending time with my family and friends! I got some new clothes and adorab;e zebra and hot pink bedding. Jonathan took me out to get my nails done, and bought me a pink build-a-bear.

Less than two weeks after my birthday was Jonathan's 18th birthday. I had planned a surprise birthday party for him months in advance. The Saturday following his brthday I spent all day preparig for his party and barely managed to convince him to go. He was truly surprised and it was so much fun making him feel special!

This Christmas, nearly everyone I knew got a fancy electronic. I was honestly quite satisfied with my new clothes, new rainboots (thanks babe), and Teen Study Bible, among other things. Oh and Just Dance 3 for the wii!!!! This game is so much fun and a fantastic workout! I highly recommend it! The picture bove is Jonathan and I on Christmas day and my grandparent's house. The first Christmas we've had together, with many more to follow!

Sincerely,

BA's Ballerina