Packing Tips

I am an avid traveler, both on ground and in the air, and for me, packing is the most stressful process of traveling. Trying to pack two weeks of clothes in carry on is stressful, especially when I have the baggage restrictions in mind. I have rounded up a step by step tutorial on how to pack a 2 or more week trip in a smaller suitcase. 

First, lay everything out. Keeping every step organized makes me feel more on top of my travel plans. Also, I like to complete this process many weeks before departure so that I have time to round up items that need purchasing. 

Second, roll ALL of your clothes and secure then with a rubber band. Trust me, this may seem extreme, but it will save you loads of space in your bag. Every clothing item should be folded before you start to put things in your suitcase. 

Third, lay your shoes on the bottom. 

Keeping bulky items that take up space will help reduce clutter inside your bag. Also, it lets you have easy access to your clothes in the airport in case your flight is delayed.

Fourth, layer the rolls of clothing. Add one layer of clothing bundles on top of the shoes, then another. Then another, until all of your clothes are neatly packed. 

I hope this helped conserve your space and make your traveling easier! Enjoy! 

<3 Olivia

Christmas Cuties!

Hey guys! It's Liv! Christmas is right around the corner... In fact, it's in two days! Here are a few tips to think outside of the box in terms of your Christmas outfit! 

1) Don't do all over red and green!

You can be just as festive, but without the overload of holiday cheer. If you are going for a red or green look, try keeping the color on one section of your outfit. 

2) It doesn't have to be red or green! 

While the traditional Christmas colors are red and green, you can be just as merry with sequins and sparkle. If you like to think outside of the box, try a glitter skirt to fancy up your outfit! 

I hope you take my advice into consideration when you pick out your Christmas outfit! 

<3 Olivia 

 

Vintage is in!!!

Hey guys! It's Liv! Vintage is so very in right now and here are a few tips on how to make vintage modern and new at the same time! 

First rule of thumb - Never do too much vintage. You want to keep it updated and modern while also mixing in a few vintage peices! So if you had a nice vintage scarf, try pairing that with a modern jean jacket and so cute colored jeans. DO NOT pair it with vintage bell bottoms and a shirt from the 60's. It's hard to do, but you have to try and mix the two perfectly! 

2nd Rule - There is a difference between a product made to look vintage, and a shirt from who knows when that in no way imaginable can be made cute! Don't try and bring really old peices back to life, most likely, they won't make the best outfit. Try using a shirt from 20 years ago instead of a shirt from 50 years ago! 

3rd Rule - Use current trends along with the vintage piece. If you have a vintage locket, pair it with a peplum! This creates a vintage vibe while still staying in 2013 with the rest of us!

Hope you take my advice and dig out some shirts to mix and math with current clothes! 

<3 Olivia

Heels Galore!

Hey guys! It's Liv! While most people think that heels are heels and there is no difference whatsoever, these people could not be more wrong! There are three basic types of heels and they all serve a different purpose. 

1) The classic heel. 

This style of shoe comes in various heights and colors, and they serve as an office/business shoe. They are too classy to wear out on the town, and they are not as glamorous as a stiletto or a pump. I think the black heel is also a necectiy in a wardrobe as they are also very versatile and classy! 

2) The wedge. 

This style of heel is a fun and flirty look that is perfect for a night out with the girls or on a casual date. Not everyone can pull these shoes of because sometimes they can appear clunky and heavy. I would reccomemd these for strictly summer purposes because they are a dressed up version of a sandal! 

3) The platform heel.

This heel style is for the inner Nicki Minaj in all of us. Not only is the heel elevated but so is the toe area. This shoe is a little crazy for my opinion, but if you like to be a little "kick-butt" every once and a while, this shoe is perfect for you! 

I hope you take my advice and chose the right heel for your circumstance or event! 

<3 Olivia

How to dress your body.

A lot of girls have trouble dressing their body, especially wen if comes to dresses. If you chose the wrong style you could end up looking like you have stubs for legs! Here are some tips on how to make the most of what you have! 

To girls that have lonnnnng legs like me! If you have long legs, a dress that hits at the natural wast - right under your ribcage - is the best. It gives the impression of an equal proportioned leg and torso area and they are extremely flattering on girls with long legs. 

To girls with lonnnnnnng torsos! 

If you have a elongated torso area, a high waisted dress is the best option for you! It will even out your leg to torso ration and you will look absolutely ravishing! 

To those blessed girls that are proportioned and even, you can wear almost anything! Both options above will work on you, but if I were you, I would steer clear of really short dresses. They make your body look top heavy and uneven! 

I hope you take my tips into consideration and dress your body to its fullest potential! 

<3 Olivia

Beauty doesn't have to hurt.

Hey guys! It's Liv! Do you know that saying, beauty hurts? Well, beauty doesn't have to hurt! A cute outfit can be as comfy as sweatpants if you style it right and make it appear expensive and chic. Here are some tips. 

1) Dark wash jeans

If you are going to do a jean, try a dark wash jean opposed to a light wash. It gives the appearance of a black skinny jean, but they are the same comfortable denim. Also, dark wash jeans are very versatile! You can pair them with any color imaginable, but I would recommend  a bright color or a white that will contrast with the dark stain! 

2) Jewlrey

Even the simplest outfit can be dressed up with some cute jewlrey. Bangles and long necklaces provide a stylish alternative for just a jean and tee outift. A little black dress can be "classy-fied" with silver or gold jewlrey. 

3) Boots

Boots, I believe, are a necectiy in any woman's wardrobe. Whether they are cowboy boots or just knee boots, they amp up and outift and are SUPER DUPER comfy! 

Hope you like my tips and take my advice in BUYING SOME BOOTS! 

<3 Olivia

Fashion 101

Hey guys it's Liv! Winter 2013-2014 has brought some legendary trends that will never go out of style. While most bundle up and don't care what they look like, here is a couple tips on how to look fabulous while bearing the weather. 

1) Boyfriend Jeans 

This Jean is a classic twist on the casual pant style. It's a loose fitting jean with a rolled cuff. These can be both warm and cute at the same time. Try pairing these with ankle boots or chucks with sweaters or a slouchy tee! This look creates a cute and casual look that will keep you warm. 

2) Denim Shirts

These shirts are cute and effortless! They are a worthy investment because these shirts will NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE!!! They can be paired with black bottoms to create a chic glamorous look or with a cute skirt to create a flirty and refreshing look! 

3) Booties 

I mentioned this style in my other recommendation, but these shoes are just to cute to pass up! The ankle boot style makes a classic boot dressier and cuter with a chic and marvelous combination with any outfit! Definitely worth the money! 

I hope you find these tips helpful and useful! Invest in these wonderful products!!! 

<3 Olivia

Running!

        In school, I compete each year on my cross country team. I have been running going on 2 years. I find myself enjoying running so much that I continue on my exercise throughout the year. I've studied up on all my fitness magazines and tips, and thought I might give some words of advice to all the beginning runners out there.

1. Develop a routine
       The most effective way to start your life as a runner is to train. Starting a weekly routine can train the body to handle a 2 mile run every once in a while. According to several doctors and specialists, running 3 times a week for 20 minutes is the usual starting point. Now, most of us can't just pick ourselves up off the couch and go run for 20 minutes straight. Again, training your body is the best, so starting out with a 5 minute run and a 2 minute walk cycle - (warp this to your own likeness) - is a really good starting point. Doing this 3 times a week for up to 4 months, says Fitness Magazine, starts the first phase. Over the course of the weeks, start to increase your speed, condition- hills or no hills - or time of day to effectively tone your body.

2. Distract yourselves
       Often times, even the best runners can become bored on a run. Most of us can't entertain our mind for a steady 2 mile run. I have a couple tricks that help me focus on other things than the fact that I'm running. Using an IPod or a IPhone to listen to music or podcasts can distract me very easily. Using lyrics and tunes to entertain and distract the mind makes it easier to run. Try running with a partner. A lot of the times, human presence and conversation makes it easier to run. Lastly, running with an animal such as a dog can provide company and motivation to keep going.

3. SLOW DOWN!!!
       New runners often start out too fast in an attempt to impress themselves. Eventually their steam dies down and they lose their energy. Try starting out at a slower pace. This often means that one can go on for a longer time. If you are starting out at a pace that you can't comfortably have a conversation with a partner, you are going to fast, especially as a beginning runner. Throughout the run, you can progressively speed up, but never push yourselves to hard at the beginning.

P.S. - this advice DOES NOT apply to races- in races you usually want to speed up at the beginning, then find your pace, and at the very end, sprint it out! :)

4. Don't compare
     Watching a more experienced runner is hard, because you can't help but compare where you are to where they are. I know exactly how it feels- trust me, watching my cross country couch run a 4:52 mile is hard, especially while I'm over in the back running a 10:38 mile. Now, almost a year later, I'm running a 7:25 mile, almost 4 minutes in improvement. NEVER compare yourselves to others, this can provide not only a terrible mindset about running, but a terrible self image.

I hope these tips helped you and inspired you to take up running. You could end up liking it as much as I do and as 13, 000 other women do. ( according again, to Fitness magazine! ) Please leave comments,

                                                                                                                - Olivia <3

Restart!

        Hey guys! So it has been about A YEAR since I posted last and now, I find myself "blossiming"- as my mother would say it - as a cross country runner, academic student, and big sister. Obviously my interests have changed, so I decided to rework my blog to give the world a little "youthful advice". I hope you enjoy!

   Hi everybody, so sorry I haven't posted in forever!!! We have been getting ready for school, and just two days ago, we took a trip to the Ozarks!!! The first day of school was also today. ( Well for me, the girls just had an open house.) Today was a half day, but tomorrow is the first real day for me. Delaney and Jill have half days until Friday. My advisory teacher is Ms. Moore, and she is very nice! She teaches Math, and is very understanding when it comes to the stress of the first day of school. I also got my schedule today, and it is jam-packed with alot of classes. English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Latin, Strings, Art, Mythology, Religious Education,  Study Hall, and there seems absolutely no time to rest!

Here are some pictures:

Sixth grade!!! Can't believe it's already here!!!

My dad and I took off early this morning, for school!

I was super excited this morning, but I was also very tired!

Look at me and all my stuff! It's amazing that I was able to walk the ten meters from the car, to the classroom!

Favorite songs

Okay, so over the past couple of days, I have been curled up on the couch listening to the same songs over and over again! So my mom thought that I should send the links of the songs to you. Here are my top three:

Bohemian Rhapsody (glee):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQHtAxluxnQ


Too Close ( Alex Care ):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP50Ewh31E4&ob=av2e


Stronger ( Kelly Clarkson ):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn676-fLq7I&ob=av3n

Summer!!!

It's finally SUMMER! Everyone in the Bicknell House is bustling with plans for the 87 days of summer. We are all cramped up in the house until the pool opens. :) Grandma Jane and Aunt Dawn are arriving late tonight, so cleaning the entire house is definately a big priority! Personally, the dirty diapers are the worst part of collecting the trash! What's your "favorite" part of summer?

Spotlight on Jillian

 Giddy-up, Cowgirl!

 Well that's an interesting yoga pose!

 Work that turtle!!!

 Ok... maybe a little too close, Mom!

 Can we go NOW, mom?

Spotlight on... ME!

 I will totally win the egg hunt!

 My big Dallas performance!

 Home run!!!

 How did Mom get that picture?!?

 Ok, yes, I am bigger than a Chimp!

Spotlight on Delaney!!!

 Such a big girl!!!

 Easter day!

 Yes sir!!!

 Monkified Dede!

 I will win the snowball fight!

Check out this baby!!!

 My 2 favorite toys!!!

 Play ball?

 My camera... MINE!!!

 Ahhh... Young Love!!!

 A baby deep in thought!!!!!

6th grade

Hi everyone! The summer excitment is as strong as ever! Holland Hall only has 4 1/2 more days left of school! Everyone is so excited for summer, but Mom already can brag!

 Next year I'm going into 6th grade! According to Mr. Hart, the school head, this is the biggest change in the Middle School. We go from having 5 academics, to 8! Next year, instead of PE, we have seasonal sports. We have a different sport for Fall, Winter, and Spring. I chose Cross Country, Soccer, and Fitness. Also, we each have to take a language course. I chose Latin. A lot of people are doing French, but thought Latin would be the most useful. On top of that, we all have to do an enrichment, ( Art, Drama, or Technology ), and a musical instument. I chose Chello. My dad and I lisened to some samples online, and it was narrowed dawn to the Chello or the Viola. I researched a little on each instument, and personally the Chello looked really cool. It's sound is tremendous!

 Here is the link to a video of 2CELLOS playing Smooth Criminal on Ellen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wtBXkGrxws

Watch the whole thing! They are amazing!!! Thanks! Olivia

Summer Chaos

Hi everyone! This is Olivia! I created a new blog, so please leave some comments. Anyway, here is what's going on in The Bicknell Place:

   My class recently went on a field trip to the park. One of my good friends mom catered our lunch from the Rice Bowl! It was super good. My friends and I scared geese all day, but eventually the geese got annoyed and tried to bite us! That was scary! At the end, we had some Jamba Juice. Most of you will probably have a local smoothie shop like this.

 Collier, my brother, is as naughty as ever! He's figured out how to go up and down the steps, so thats what he does all day! Jillian is learning so much from Mrs. Adams, her teacher. And Delaney was a diamond-back rattlesnake in her reptile play. I didn't get to go, but I heard she did great! I'll get you some pictures as soon as possible.

 Summer is almost here! My mom got off this past Friday, but Holland Hall still has 1 more week left. All of us are pretty excited for summer,  and are already planning activities to do! I am going to do SAC this summer.( Summer Athletic Commitment ) That goes for the whole summer, so I am hoping to get back into shape for Cross Country in the Fall. Wish me luck!!! Olivia