Face Mask Remedies

Hey everyone!

Lately, I've been overwhelmed with homework and lots of late nights staying up with not much sleep, which I'm pretty sure we all have been through these situations. They say this can cause breakouts, and I've explored products and natural remedies that can make your face feel fresh and dirt-free from pores. Using a face mask once a week is a good habit to start doing regularly. 

These face masks from Target which range from $2-$5 can last you about a use of three times. I personally enjoyed the deep sea mud mask "replenishing" one the best because it has this refreshing feeling once I wash it off. The peel-off mask is very sticky with a gel-like texture. It dries up once lathered and becomes easy to peel off. A weird feeling at first, but it made my skin feel smooth! 

I recently purchased this product from Urban Outfitters for $10, and can't wait to try it! When I find a product that is reasonably priced with great quality, then I stick to it! 

Also, instead of purchasing products, there are many things in your home that you can use. Mixing one teaspoon of baking soda with half a cup of water will help remove dry skin and exfoliate your face. From my own experience, skin gets dry, especially in the winter season. 

I hope this is helpful! School and homework can take up much of your time, but it's winter break, and taking care of your skin is important. 

Peace,

Karissa 

5 New Year's Resolutions: High School Student Edition

Hello, all! With 2016 coming quickly, it could only mean one thing: New Year's resolutions! Here are a few resolutions for you all as high school students that will help you finish off this first semester and the rest of the school year right.

1. Work towards those A's.
With finals coming up, starting off 2016 with the mindset of passing all your classes is the first step. Everybody is capable of passing all their classes. Seeing those A's on your final report card will not only put a smile on your face, but also your parents' and college admission officers for when you apply.

2. Plan accordingly!
This could be hard, with going to school for 6+ hours, then sports and other extracurriculars, then hours of homework. And don't forget getting a full night's sleep! Making a plan to complete all on your schedule is an essential resolution for a high school student's new year. Building this habit will also pay off in the future!

3. Eat healthy.
This may be odd, but having a great diet will help you feel good, physically and mentally. Trade in those Hot Cheetos and Sprite for some trail mix and lemonade or water. Your brain and body will thank you. 

4. Take up something new.
Join a sport you've never done before. Join a new club that you've been interested in but never took the chance at. You could meet new friends and maybe even find out something about yourself that you never knew! It also looks good on your college and job applications in the future. But also look at #2: remember to plan accordingly when adding something new to your schedule.

5. Stop procrastinating! 
Okay, this is easier said than done. Procrastination has gotten the best of us. How often have you underestimated how much time it will take to get something done? Then, the night before your 10 page essay that you haven't even started on, you realize you don’t have the time to do your best. Usually, this doesn’t turn out so well. Starting and finishing a project early will help you build a habit that will be extremely helpful to you throughout life.

I hope you all take these into consideration. See you all after break, Royals!

Diana

Holiday Cookies

Hey everyone!

I did some baking over winter break and you can't go wrong with cookies! Unfortunately, they didn't turn out Pinterest perfect, but they are delicious. I used cookie mix from Target and followed quick and easy steps, but if you have a Kitchen Aid mixer, then I would definitely recommend making your own cookie mix.

Also, try to use buttercream frosting! Something different than vanilla, and also tasty!

Peace,



Karissa

TOP SAT STUDY BOOKS AND SITES

It's never too early to start studying for the SAT's. If you're a senior taking the SAT soon, then it might be a little too late, but Juniors, Sophomores, and Freshmen, this is for you.
You have a higher chance of getting into your top choice college if you do well on the SAT. So start studying.
In addition to the tips we have shared for the test day, here are some helpful study materials;
1. The first list is of books that have been reviewed and used by many students
2. The second list is of sites that you can use to study more if you're an over achiever :)

Sites:
https://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-practice-questions
1. Try out the practice questions on here
2. Do the daily questions everyday to master SAT level 1 questions

http://www.majortests.com/sat/

https://www.4tests.com/sat

http://www.powerscore.com/sat/help/content_practice_tests.cfm

Wish you all the very best of luck!
-Imane Ayaba

PSAT/SAT

Hey students,

October 14 is the day for the PSAT/SAT! Don't forget to get to school on time so that you won't miss out because the test is timed. 

Quick tips: 

1. Get a good night sleep! Teenagers need at least 9 hours. Seems ridiculous because in reality we only get 7 hours or less, but please sleep early as the test is important if you are planning on heading to college.

2. Have a good breakfast. Some of us may skip the meal regularly, but "it is the most important meal of the day," and you probably hear the all the time. 

3. If you are cramming to study in less than a week, you can find test tips at collegeboard.org with the SAT Question of the Day and more practice sample questions.

4. Bring snacks and water on the day of the test! It is about 4 hours long and there will be breaks given.

Best of luck on the test!

Peace,

Karissa  

DIY Spirit Gear: School Colored Tutu

Hey Royals!

Football games are still in season this fall with many home games in the month of October. Anyone can deck out on their spirit wear during games or at school assemblies. Here is a tutu that you can "Do-It-Yourself." Follow these simple steps and you can have your own!

Materials: All from Joann's (less than $10 for supplies).

• I bought 2 yards of blue, and white tulle. You can have any color, or however many you like (red, white, and blue).
• Elastic or ribbon (1 yard). In these steps I used white elastic.

1. Starting with one color of tulle, fold it in halves twice, into a rectangular shape. Measuring about 4 inches in width (or however wide you prefer), with the longest side facing towards you, cut the tulle into strips and sections. Continue to do this until all the tulle is cut into long strips. Also do this for the white tulle.

2. Gather and separate the strips of tulle. Measure them evenly in half and cut each strip so that the length of the tulle is not too long.

3. Grab each strip and wrap it over the elastic band, then grabbing it under and pulling the tulle through the hole. Continue to do this until you have reached the end of the elastic. You may alternate colors like I did with blue and white. Scrunch each tied-tulle together to create a puffier tutu.

4. Now you may tie the ends of the elastic twice or more to make sure it is secure. 

 5. Here are other colors you can try. I have made a combination of red, white, and blue, and pink shades for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Hope you all enjoyed this mini project! Let's show off our school spirit!


Peace.

Karissa

DIY Spirit Gear: No-Sew Blankets

 DIY Spirit Gear

         As football season at KM kicks off, many of you are probably wondering what cool spirit gear you could make at home to cheer on your favorite team! Stay warm and show off your KM pride with a fun no-sew fleece blanket this fall that you can show off to all of your friends!

The first step for any fleece blanket is of course to pick out your fleece. KM colors are red and blue but you don't have to stick to just solid colors, pick out something fun and unique. I chose a chili red and a tie-dye blue for my blanket and loved how the colors went together. 

I recommend getting at least 2 yards of each type of fleece if you want a big blanket but feel free to go smaller. If you don't know where to buy fleece, look to places like Jo-Ann, they usually have fleece for a pretty good price and are very helpful if you have any questions.

The next step is to find a place with enough room to spread the fleece out. Make sure you line up the fleece on top of each other, with the softer or more brightly colored side on the outside. If the fleece doesn't line up exactly, do not worry! You can always leave it as it is if the difference is not huge or just simply trim it up. 

After you do this, grab something with a rectangle shape, I used a notecard and cut out all four corners. Make sure to cut through both pieces of fleece.

Now you are ready to start cutting the strips! Cut down one side at a time, making sure that the strips are at least 1 inch wide. This will take some time, but it will be worth it in the end. The strips do not have to be exactly the same but do your best.

WARNING! Your dog might fall in love with your blanket too! 

Once you have the strips cut, you are ready to tie! Grab the top layer and with a simple knot, tie it to the bottom layer. Make sure that the knot is tight so that the strips do not become loose. Do the same to all corners and sides, flattening out the fleece as you go. 

 When you have tied together the strips on all four sides you are finally done and ready to show the whole school your KM spirit! If you tied the strips too tight, like I did, the blanket might bunch up but just tug the corners and it will look like it's supposed to. 

Don't forget to show us your own fleece blanket on Twitter and we will retweet it for your fellow Royals to see!

Alina 

Last-Minute School Supply Shopping

If you waited last-minute to go school supply shopping, you are not alone. I'm with you. With school only two days away now, almost everybody is scrambling to go school shopping. But don't worry! You can still get good deals. Don't believe me? Here's how:

1. Make a list.
It's better to know what you need before you get to the store. Make a list, or just look below for essentials.
     The basics
          - No. 2 pencils, with a sharpener if needed
          - Mechanical pencils (they come in more handy than regular ones!)
          - Highlighter(s)
          - Eraser
          - Pens (get creative and buy multiple colors)
          - Spiral notebooks (buy enough for every class, just to be safe)
          - Composition notebooks (buy as many as you would like, although most teachers prefer spiral)
          - Binder (if you're willing to spend a little more, try the long-lasting ones!)
          - Ruler with English and metric measurements (inches and centimeters)
          - Backpack (you may need a sturdy, strong backpack so you don't have to switch during the year when your backpack rips)
     Organizational supplies
          - PLANNER! This will be your best friend throughout the school year.
          - Pencil cases, so you will be sure to know where all your pencils, pens, highlighters and etc are
          - Folders (very helpful for classes with many assignments that are on paper)
          - Flashdrive (to ensure all your assignments are backed up, because who doesn't need one?)
     Study aids
          - Index cards (super helpful during presentations and flashcards)
          - Calculator (graphing calculators are best, but pricey)
     Nice to have
          - Water bottle (stainless steel is best!)
          - Locker organizer and accessories
          - White board markers
2. Get coupons!
This is optional, but you may have gotten many coupons that you may have overlooked, but they are very helpful. But many stores discount many of their items in-store so you would not need any physical coupons.

3. Find the right store.
Luckily there are very many options for stores to go to. If you are looking for store to do quick, inexpensive back-to-school shopping, Fred Meyer or Wal-mart are your stores. If you have a lot of time on your hands, you could also try Target. Target offers a bigger variety, but higher prices. You could also try Staples or Office Depot.

4. Last year's supplies.
This will be extremely helpful if you're not looking to spend a lot of money. Maybe reuse pencils, pens, binder(s) and even backpacks! Your wallet will thank you.

Now you are all set for school on Monday, August 31. Just a quick reminder, the first bell rings at 7:30am and the late bell rings at 7:35am. See you there, Royals!

Need an Activity for the Summer? Try a Few of These Hikes!

Poo Poo Point - Issaquah Alps, Tiger Mountain
This was my first hike and I was lucky enough to enjoy the sunset! When I finally reached the top, the grand view was absolutely breathtaking. It is also a perfect place where paragliders soar from the point.
-7.2 miles roundtrip
-gain: 1858 ft.
-the trail is right behind Issaquah High School (700 2nd Ave SE, Issaquah, WA 98027 )

Mailbox Peak - Snoqualmie Region, North Bend Area
For me, this was the toughest hike I've experienced. If you are up for the challenge, be prepared to journey on a peak that is all incline. Warning: be cautious of dizziness with high elevation.
- 9.4 miles roundtrip
-gain: 4000 ft.
-check for driving directions at http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/mailbox-peak/

Snow Lake - Snoqualmie Region, Snoqualmie Pass
Another pretty difficult hike, yet, the lake is worth it. Be careful of the rocky trail!
-7.2 miles roundtrip
-gain: 1800 ft.
-check this site for driving directions http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/snow-lake-1

And lastly, bring snacks and water because there will be long hikes that will take hours. A picnic at the top or the destination of a hike doesn't sound bad!

Peace, 

Karissa