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[prettygirlmjmjmj]

A guide on how to feel like a princess this winter

Winter can feel very exhausting and cold, it's a period of time where you may be less inclined to dress in a pretty way or put a lot of effort into your appearance so here is a guide on how to feel like a cozy, snow princess this winter!

Experiment with pretty hairstyles with silk/satin bows in colours such as pink, cream or blue.

Make a comforting hot chocolate (I love to make French style hot chocolate as a special treat!) and put it in your cutest mug and add some delicate marshmallows.

Read books that make you feel wintery and cozy, some of my favourites to read at this time of year are Anne of Green Gables, the nutcracker and I capture the castle, all of which I highly recommend!

Bake a wintery sweet treat such as gingerbread (which you can then ice and give to your friends) or cinnamon rolls.

Buy some warm and pretty winter accessories like a fur headband, pink mittens or a cute winter hat.

Find a scent that makes you smell gorgeous and feel like a princess. My favourite scents right are now are sweet and soft, I love layering my scents as well.

Find a wintery activity you can do with friends! Such as going ice skating, visiting a winter market, going shopping for presents or having a girlie sleepover.

Paint your nails a pretty colour. For winter I love deep red nails or a soft baby pink.

Watch some winter, adorable films such as love actually or little women! You could even host a watch party and make snacks themed around the films.

Organise your wardrobe and create a wish list of clothes you want for when it gets a little warmer!

Make sure your skin stays baby soft and smooth by regularly applying body lotion, moisturiser and hand lotion. My most beloved lotion right now is the snow fairy lotion from lush.

Experiment with pretty 'cold girl' or winter makeup looks with lots of blusher and sparkles!

Make a lovely winter themed playlist. Use instrumental covers of winter ballets (like the nutcracker) if you want to use it for studying or just songs that make you feel cozy and romantic if you want it to be an every-day winter playlist!

Wear delicate silver jewellery. I love pearl jewellery in winter especially, it makes me feel so princessy and pretty.

Add extra touches to your room to make it cozy and warm such as extra blankets or pillows on your bed, soft and sweet candles around your room, pretty lamps to light and wear soft fuzzy socks or slippers if you get cold easily!

Thank you for reading! All my love, mj.

[prettygirlmjmjmj]

Weekly self-care routine

These are some of my weekly self-care habits. While I do other self-care on top of these, this is a list of my dedicated physical self-care activities that I commit to doing on these days. If you are interested I may make a daily self-care routine later on! Enjoy.

Monday

Exfoliate and shave legs, armpits and other areas.

Oil cuticles, apply cuticle balm and hand cream.

Nightly meditation and begin weekly journal spread.

Light incense and smoke cleanse room.

Tuesday

Do tarot spread.

Apply face mask and exfoliate feet and apply oils and lotion to them afterwards.

Pluck eyebrows and anywhere else with ingrown hair/too much hair.

Wednesday

Apply hair oils and do scalp massages.

Apply hair mask.

Touch up/remove nail polish and file nails.

Smoke cleanse room with sage or incense.

Thursday

Exfoliate and shave legs, armpits and other areas or do other form of hair removal.

Do tarot spread and charge crystals.

Dry brush all over body before shower.

Friday

Do lip scrub and either apply a face mask or exfoliate face.

Fill in weekly journal and listen to subliminal/manifestation playlist.

Refresh hair and oil ends.

Saturday

Exfoliate and shave legs, armpits and other areas (use gentle exfoliant).

Do oil pull for teeth and use scrapers to gently remove anything between teeth.

Do face mask.

Smoke cleanse room with incense.

Sunday

Apply hair oils and do scalp massages.

Paint nails and file.

Diffuse hair and style fully.

Finish weekly journal spread and do tarot card reading.

Thank you for reading! Feel free to give me your self-care routine/any self-care activities you recommend. All my love, mj.

[prettygirlmjmjmj]

Can you make a guide on Hermione Granger? How to study like her

How to study like Hermione Granger

Hermione is one the original academic it girls. You can't not admire her tenacity and her ambition. She knows how intelligent she is and she always works hard, regardless of what those around her are doing. Here's a guide on how you can study like her!

Read more. Hermione always has her head in a book, she's renowned throughout the series for the amount she reads and her love of books. To help you better understand your subjects start reading around them and also reading a wider variety of literature in order to expand your vocabulary and understanding of the world around you.

Stay organised and on top of your schoolwork. Hermione planned months in advance and created study guides for her exam preparation. Whether you are also making study guides, consolidating your notes or making new study resources make sure you stay organised and prepared for exams or upcoming tests.

Participate and pay attention in class. While Hermione is often made fun of for also being so enthusiastic in class, it always pays of. Try engaging more in your class, answering questions and engaging in discussions. It will help you remember the information and learn more as you consolidate or learn new facts.

Try teaching others. Hermione always helps out her friends and you can do the same! This is a great way to help learn and highlight important concepts, develop your understanding and discover areas which you may be struggling with.

Actually want to study and have a clear reason for doing so. The reason Hermione does so well in school is because of how passionate and invested she is in her learning. By determining why you actually want to study and what is motivating you, you'll have much more energy and enthusiasm to study.

Find or create a cozy environment to study in. Whether you make your favourite drink or light a candle, make sure your study space a nice area to be in and a place that is soothing and allows you to properly focus.

Join clubs or groups with a similar philosophy as yours. Hermione was incredibly passionate and wanted to extend her knowledge and help to the world around her and so should you. Joining a club/group can help you improve your communication skills, meet people and give you something to discuss in interviews etc. Try and find something to join (or even start!) that you are incredibly passionate and enthusiastic about.

If you find yourself struggling with work or understanding a topic, try and work it out yourself first in order to help you consolidate your knowledge and get better at working independently. Don't be afraid of turning to teachers or classmates but try and work it out independently first.

Do all your homework as soon as you can, don't leave it till last minute as you'll only end up rushing it or it being worse than if you had done it with time to spare. Plus getting work done early gives you the chance to relax and do things with friends or family! Hermione always did her work as soon as she possibly could and that helped her to stay on top of her classes and work.

Be more curious! When something interests you in class or your studies actually in-depth research it. That way you'll have more than a surface level understanding of the topic and may even become more interested in your studies! Hermione loved learning everything she could about her subjects and so should you.

Read and learn ahead of your current class work to help you get ahead and better understand the subject material. Just like Hermione read all of her textbooks before her school year even started, so can you in order to get ahead.

Don't overload your schedule and try and avoid burnout. As Hermione shows, it's important to have a school-life balance. Instead of overwhelming yourself remember to take breaks from studying, hang out with friends or family and have some downtime. Not only is it better for your mental health but it will also help you do better in your studies long-term.

Thank you for reading and I hope you find this helpful! All my love, mj.

(I would just like to clarify that I do not support or condone JK Rowlings views in any way shape or form. Trans lives and trans rights deserve to be protected and trans identities are completely valid. If you are able please consider donating to some of these charities helping to support trans people and fight back against transphobia: Donate to The Marsha P. Johnson Institute - The Marsha P. Johnson Institute (flipcause.com) (black centric trans charity), SRLP (Sylvia Rivera Law Project) (offers legal, social and health services to the trans community) and About - Trans Lifeline (grassroots hotline which offers support to the trans community). There are so many wonderful trans centric charities I really recommend researching and these are just a few!)

[prettygirlmjmjmj]

Romanticising school and studying

Going to school everyday can get a little monotonous at times, especially if you aren't a massive fan of all your subjects or don't like the class your in for a variety of reasons (annoying classmates, bad teacher etc). Romanticising school can help make going seem more appealing, help motivate you and ensure that you actually start to enjoy going - as well as meaning you look and feel pretty every day. These tips are ones I personally follow and they have helped me stay organised and motivated (so much so that people often describe me as 'that girl'). I really hope they help you too or at least inspire you to find ways to romanticise school/studying!!

Create school playlists. This is a playlist to put on while studying, going to school or when you need to feel a little bit more enthusiastic about school. Give it a pretty cover and title and pick songs that make you feel happy and motivated.

If you get to pick your own clothes, pick clothes that make you feel cute and comfortable, with jewellery to add extra details to your outfit. If you wear a school uniform (which I used to have to wear) try and find ways to make it cuter without breaking uniform rules, for example wearing bows/ribbons in your hair, jewellery, cute socks, stylish shoes and jumpers/cardigans.

Try to buy pretty school essentials. For example a nice bag, pencil case and stationary, an adorable water bottle, a lunch box and a pretty notebook.

Add stickers to your school book covers! Try to either find ones which fit the subject (for example quotes for literature) or just stickers that you love. Decorating your notebooks make them a little cuter and might help motivate you to open them more!

Make your notes colourful and pretty. I love taking colourful, fun notes (I'm pretty well known for it in my classes) and it always help my notes be more memorable and also easier to read and turn into additional revision resources. If you aren't sure where to start, pinterest always has super pretty note inspo.

Try and join clubs or activities which are around things that you love such as an art club or a football club! This is a great way of meeting new people but also making your day more interesting and busy.

Before you start studying, set your desk up. Turn lamps on, light candles, open a window, fill your water bottle up and get your favourite highlighters and pens! This will make it easier to start studying and make it feel more cozy, helping you to study for longer.

Have a delicious and nice looking breakfast. Nourishing your body in the mornings will help you to feel more energised and motivated for the day ahead. My favourite breakfasts (and the ones I think are the most aesthetic) always involve fresh fruits.

Bring a book with you to school! I always bring at least two books to school with me, one book that will be good for gaining more knowledge in classes and the other that's just a fun read. This will give you something to do when you're bored other than scrolling on your phone.

Find role models to inspire you to do better in school. Whether they are real people or fictional characters, try and find role models who inspire you to study harder and do better in school. Think about why you admire them and try to adopt those qualities yourself.

Try studying outside or in a café you love every once in a while. Order your fave drink and snack, put on your playlist and get studying.

Try to participate more in school or engage in class discussions. Verbalising your ideas and getting feedback on them can be so helpful, and so motivating especially when you make a good point or get something right.

Create a vision board or pinterest board themed around how you want your school experience to be. Look at it regularly and try to motivate yourself to fit that vision.

Install studying/school apps on your phone so you can revise between breaks or make revision a little quicker! Some apps I recommend are: quizlet (best app for making flashcards), flora (cute little timer), notion (great for organisation), wunderlist (to do lists), wild journey (relaxing sounds for studying) and xmind (for digital mindmaps).

Try studying with a group, a friend or with a 'study with me' youtube video! This is a great way of keeping yourself disciplined and motivated and of studying with real people can help you feel more motivated.

Thank you for reading! Good luck and all my love, mj.

[prettygirlmjmjmj]

Hi!! Hope your having a nice day!!

I was wondering if I can get some tips on losing weight as a student as I'm still going to school while keeping up with my grades!

Also how to be happy with my body as I have huge face and body dysmorphia which really comes inbetween me and my journey into turning into a better version of myself!

Thankyou and have a great day. I absolutely adore and love your blog!!

Hi, thank you anon, I hope your having a lovely day too. I want to start this by saying that while I am going to give some tips, they will be healthy and sustainable as that is the best way to safely lose weight and maintain good grades in school while not becoming vulnerable to illnesses or weaknesses. I am also sure that you are absolutely gorgeous and so, so pretty even if you struggle to see it. I know it's hard to believe but beauty is more than just something on the surface, it's in your actions and how you treat others and you seem so kind and lovely.

How to lose weight safely for school

Try and eat more fruit and vegetables, for example instead of having a burger and chips, have a burger and salad. If you bring your own lunches try to include three to four vegetables and one or two fruits! Not only will this mean you get more nutrients in your diet but you also are eating healthier foods.

Instead of doing an hour long workout after school, when you might be tired or busy, try doing two or three ten minute ones, in between studying or homework. Your much less likely to be consistent with a long workout as opposed to shorter ones which will be easier to do regularly and make time for.

Add more protein to your meals. Try and make your meals with more sources of protein like chicken, eggs, turkey etc. Not only will this help you stay fuller for longer but protein will help you have more energy for your school day.

Try and walk more during the day. Try walking more at school or at home, going on a walk outside regularly (which is great for your mental health) and just overall walking more if possible.

Instead of having unhealthy snacks, take the time to buy or prepare something healthy like veggie sticks and hummus or a smoothie. This way you'll be eating healthily but not forcing yourself to be hungry in between meals.

Try and eat your meals at regular times, for example breakfast between 6-8, lunch between 12-2, dinner between 6-8 and so on. This will mean your body clock gets used to eating at a regular time and you get used to eating and prepping food so that it becomes less of a chore.

Find a sports club or activity that appeals to you! For example, joining a dance club or athletics club is a great way to be regularly active and meet new people! It can also give you something to put on future applications etc.

Don't skip meals and try to stay in the present whilst eating. Skipping meals makes you more likely to binge or eat unhealthier foods later on, eating regularly means you stay in control of your appetite and are still able to be active and do the things you love! Minimising distractions will help you be more aware of what you're eating and how it feels whilst you eat and your hunger cues.

Cook more! Try to bring your own lunches to school, make your own breakfasts and snacks. This way you can ensure that what you are eating is in line with your goals and is also delicious for you!

Don't cut out food groups or heavily restrict things, it will only make you crave them more. Instead add things to fill you up so you're more satisfied and less likely to over-eat foods that you are trying to minimise. For example instead of having a whole chocolate bar, have half of one with a selection of fruits alongside instead. Doing this will mean you don't binge on these foods later and stay full and satisfied for longer.

How to be happier with your appearance and body

Develop your personal style. Wearing clothes that make you feel confident will help you feel better about your body and overall appearance. Try looking on pinterest or other social medias for clothing inspiration and try to start buying/thrifting clothes that fit that. Even if your personal style isn't necessarily what's popular right now, the confidence you feel while wearing it will be recognisable to other people and help you feel happier about your body/appearance.

Accept compliments. Instead of dismissing them or believing them to be ingenuine, accept them. If it makes you feel better you could even try writing them down somewhere so that you can look back on them when you feel bad, especially if they're from friends of family that you love.

Write a list about what you like about yourself. Even if it starts off short, try to add something regularly (for example once a week, or twice a month). It doesn't have to be related to your appearance, but having a list to read over will help comfort you when you feel at your lowest or most insecure.

Unfollow accounts and distance yourself from people who make you feel insecure. This one can be especially hard but surrounding yourself by things that make you feel bad or insecure will only have long-term damage on your perception of yourself and mental health. Sometimes unfollowing, blocking people or tags and distancing yourself is what will be best for you, even if it feels difficult at first.

Do more self care. Getting through the day feeling insecure is incredibly draining and taking the time to care for yourself can help comfort you and also make you feel better and more attractive, as you take the time to care for yourself and do what you love. Whether that means having an everything shower or meditating with a candle, do something calm that you love.

Try to have a regular skincare and body care routine, and if you wear it, makeup routine. Just taking care of yourself everyday and being consistent can help you feel more prepared for the day and a little better!

Focus on building up your confidence in every aspect of your life. Try to get more confident in social areas, academic areas and self image. Try finding youtubers who help with confidence and self love.

Practice good posture, manners and hygiene. Having good posture and manners help you to feel much more confident and attractive, and other people may also treat you better as a consequence! Having good hygiene will also help you to feel better about yourself and smelling nice is incredibly attractive.

Try saying affirmations or journaling with a focus on confidence and self love everyday. This can help you find reasons to be confident and positive about your appearance, work out what makes you feel worse/better about your appearance and help your mental health, giving you a healthy and positive outlet.

Find things that make you feel more beautiful/attractive. For example, wearing your hair in a certain way that you think frames your face nicely or practicing speaking in a confident, calm way. Try doing/practicing these things and work on feeling more confident and pretty. No matter how small or silly you think it is, doing the things that make you feel beautiful and amazing will help your self confidence and positivity grow!

Thank you for reading! I hope you know anon (and everyone else reading) that you are so beautiful and lovely and deserve to be treated incredibly. All my love, mj.

[prettygirlmjmjmj]

Hi! I'm Maggie, I just wanted to ask, do you have any tips for starting a coquette blog? I'm new to Tumblr and really want to start posting. Love you, have a nice day! 🩷

Hi Maggie! Thank you for asking me I would of course love to help. Having a Tumblr blog is such a fun way to share your interests with others and find people who feel/think the same way as you. Coquette blogs are some of my favourites so I hope you find these tips useful:

Starting a blog, tips

Try to have a direction you want your blog to head in. For example questions to ask yourself are, what kind of audience are you trying to reach? What are your main intentions for your blog? Do you want to have posts that have the same theme or ideas, or completely different posts? Once you figure out the direction, starting becomes so much easier!

Try to make your blog look visually appealing to you and your posts cohesive. Whenever I start decorating/customising a post, I always consider my overall theme (mainly pink, of course) and try to go from there. Add cute images and fonts that you love or emojis and symbols to help your blog stand out and make you happy when you look at it.

Browse the tags you plan on using under your posts for inspiration. I don't mean steal someone's ideas or posts, I mean look at what's popular under the tag or currently appealing to you and start planning your posts from there.

Think about your interests and likes. Making a post about something you actually find interesting always comes through to the people reading it. Instead of focusing on the number of people who interact with the post, try to make posts you genuinely love and would read. Growth doesn't happen overnight but by being genuine and yourself it'll be easier to find a community.

Try to mix up the kind of posts you make. While I love making lengthy posts they can be so incredibly time consuming, that sometimes I need a little break. Make shorter posts as well, even if it's just sharing a picture you loved or a recipe you tried, mixing up your posts will appeal to more groups of people and stop you from feeling drained by Tumblr and your blog.

Be consistent! Posting regularly (I aim for once to twice a week) and even continuing to check in with your followers and interactions on your posts helps you to be consistent and engaged with your blog.

Follow creators who's blogs you admire or posts you love. Seeing their posts on your homepage will motivate you for your own blog and help to give you ideas and inspiration where there might not be any.

Try to thoroughly research and understand your posts before you make them. Understanding something properly will help you to articulate fully and write everything you wanted to say in the post and mean that you feel confident talking about what you're posting.

Figure out what sets you apart from other blogs out there. Is it your creativity? Your knowledge of the topic? Your humour? Whatever it is find it and try to cultivate it, people love seeing blogs that stand out and are far more likely to interact with interesting posts and blogs.

Finally, look up online, in a book or anywhere else for post inspiration if you are struggling ideas-wise. Both have many brilliant resources, but I am especially partial to Pinterest because I normally see pretty images too. If you find inspiration use it or save it and start thinking about how you could fit the post to the theme of your blog.

Thank you! I hope this is super helpful and good luck. All my love, mj.

[prettygirlmjmjmj]

tips on how to sleep better

Sleep is so important, especially for students or people who have busy lives (so everyone basically). The benefits of sleep are so numerous and a good night's sleep really helps you wake up prepared for your morning routine and to accomplish the rest of your day. But, many people struggle with a sleep for a variety of reasons, making it difficult to get a full 7+ hours of sleep a night. Hopefully these tips will help, but if you continue to have difficulty sleeping and are struggling please talk to a doctor!! Difficulty sleeping can be an indicator of underlying mental/physical health issues, please take care of yourself!

making your bed sacred

Are you the kind of person who gets home and throws their stuff all on the bed before cosying up on it to eat or study or watch something? If so, you need to stop doing that. Only using your bed for sleep/bedroom activities will make your brain associate it with sleep and rest, making it easier to switch off and fall asleep. Here are some tips on how to make your bed scared:

Wash and change your bedsheets at least once a week. Clean, fresh smelling bedding will help you relax much faster than dirty, old bedding.

Try spraying your pillows before you put the pillowcases on them with a sleeping spray or lavender scent so that you relax and smell sweet.

Add blankets, pillows or whatever makes you sleep better to your bed. Make it a nice cozy place you want to spend time in to make sleep much easier.

Do not use any devices in your bed (yes this ones hard). Ever. Try to keep your bed associated with sleep and rest. If you can't sleep straight away try reading instead of using blue light before bed!

Do not sit on your bed wearing anything other than what you would to sleep in. Not even casual clothes, sleepwear or nothing. This way you know that your bed is a time for sleep not for anything else.

Try sleeping on a silk pillow case as it's much softer and cooling which could help you to fall asleep faster. It is also is much better for your skin and hair!

making your side table and room sleep-friendly

Sleeping well starts at your bed, but doesn't stop there. Making your room more sleep-friendly can be a big step in improving your overall sleep quality and help you to fall asleep faster! Here are some tips on how to make your entire room and side table (if you have one!) sleep friendly:

Remove everything distracting from your side table. Any devices or things that will distract you, move and put somewhere that is not right next to you. Try to have books, hair ties, a clock, candles etc instead, anything that will help you sleep. I personally also love some crystals nearby.

When it starts getting dark, close your curtains and make your room a little darker by turning of bright lights and putting lamps on instead. I love turning my salt lamp on to give my bedroom a pretty, pink glow!

Keep a glass or bottle of water next to your bed. Instead of having to get up to get a drink, you only have to reach over and grab one, helping you to fall back asleep and cool down faster.

Try to have some sort of shift from your room in the day and night. For example, in my room during the day my windows are often open letting air in and my bed is neatly made, whereas during the night by bed is turned down so I can get in it and my curtains and windows are shut.

Try to keep your room clean and tidy so that you don't have justifications for getting up out of bed.

Try lighting a candle before you go to bed (make sure to blow it out first!) with a comforting scent that helps you to sleep such as vanilla or lavender.

making yourself ready to sleep

None of these tips matter if you don't make sure that you're in a position where you have a good evening routine and are doing everything you can to help yourself sleep better! Taking the time to care for yourself and prioritise you is so important, so here are some tips to help you do just that:

Instead of drinking a caffeinated drink in the evening, try having a more relaxing drink like chamomile or lavender tea, hot milk with lemon and honey, matcha or ice water. This will help you relax faster and make you feel sleepier.

Try doing some yoga or stretches to help loosen your muscles and get you ready for bed.

Have designated bed clothes. Whether that is a pretty set of pyjamas (my personal favourite) or a big top, changing into clothes specially for bed will help you get into a sleepy mindset.

Avoid screens before bed for at least an hour. If you need some kind of added simulation try having a designated calm playlist for bed or read a few chapters of a book.

After you clean your teeth and do any skincare, take a moment to put anything away in your room and make sure everything is ready for the next day and make sure you have not forgotten anything. This will help you fall asleep faster, knowing that you're all ready for the next day.

In the evenings try incorporating a scented product into your bath/shower routine that relaxes you, like lavender oils or jasmine body wash, anything that relaxes you. If you wash in the morning, try using a lip balm or hand cream/body lotion instead!

Thank you for reading and good luck sleeping! All my love, mj.

[prettygirlmjmjmj]

welcome to my blog

♡ Hi! My name is mj and this my blog. I am a taurus girlie, love the colour pink, being a girls girl and studying!!

♡ I am a student and a lot of my content is centred around studying, academia, self care, glowing up, how to be that girl and wellness.

♡ I have quite a few goals (academic and others) and my hope with this blog is that I can help stay consistent and achieve my goals, as well as inspiring others and helping you achieve your own goals!

♡ My main focuses at the moment are to level up areas of my life and help others do so as well.

♡ My hobbies include; reading, writing, baking and cooking, doing fun workouts, journaling, scrapbooking or being creative, researching my areas of interest, gardening/plant care and shopping.

♡ At the moment I am loving; skincare and haircare and bodycare, the colour pink, doing well in class, tarot readings, matcha in the mornings, making my bedroom the perfect space for me, visiting nature and everything showers.

♡ Feel free to send me asks! I'm normally happy to help and answer.

♡ Please DNI; homophobes, racists, bodyshamers, sexists and anyone who is hateful, thank you!

[prettygirlmjmjmj]

Shadow work journal prompts

Here is a list of some prompts for your shadow work journaling. Shadow work journaling is a method of journaling that focuses on understanding the darker aspects of your personality/self in order to reveal those aspects and resolve these issues and toxic habits, so that you can resolve these issues and help improve yourself and your life. Get your prettiest notebook, comfort pens and give shadow journaling a go! <3

What am I most ashamed of? What triggered this shame and what causes it to grow?

What aspect of myself do I hide the most? Why do you I feel I have to hide the aspect?

What is something I used to do as a child and stopped? How would child me feel about me stopping this?

What would I say to my younger self? What would I want them to know above all?

What made me first doubt myself? Does it continue to make me feel this way?

What are my toxic traits in relationships? Why do I posses these traits?

Who am I prepared to forgive? Why?

Who am I still angry/upset with? Why?

What are my insecurities? What triggers these feelings?

What emotion am I avoiding experiencing? Why am I avoiding it?

What are am I unable to process at the moment? Do I think I will ever be ready to process it?

What was the highest point of my childhood? What was the lowest point of my childhood?

How do I want to be in ten years? What will I have to let go off to achieve this?

What did I lack in my childhood? How does this manifest now?

What is the biggest lie I tell to myself?

Who do I wish I was more like? Why?

Which role models (could be famous or ones you knew personally, past and present) do I feel negatively about? Why?

How have I internalised shame around my sexuality? How can I release these feelings?

What triggered an occasion where I felt jealous of another person? What does this say about me?

What am I most afraid of? Where does this fear come from?

I hope you enjoy these and find them healing and helpful! All my love, mj.

[prettygirlmjmjmj]

Understanding your cycle and the four phases

The female body has four cycle and at each cycle what your body needs will be very different. I'm going to talk about four factors you might want to consider for each phase; what kind of exercise/movement you should try to do, what foods to eat more of or avoid, what your energy levels may be like and self care for that phase. I hope this helps you understand a bit more about what is going on in each phase ands what you can do to help your hormones and body!

Menstruation (Day 1 - 6)

This phase is the easiest to spot as you physically get your period. Your uterus is shedding its lining and your cervix position is low and will feel hard.

what kind of exercise/movement is best to do? This is a good period for rest days and slow movement. Outdoor walks, stretching, slower-paced yoga and bodyweight strength exercises will help you get some movement/exercise in without causing more pain or discomfort for you.

what foods should you try to eat more of or avoid? Try to avoid fatty and salty foods. Vegetables, fruits and herbs like kale, beets, mushrooms, collard and hearty greens, sweet potatoes, root vegetables, dark coloured berries (cranberries, blueberries, blackberries), concord grapes, watermelon, red raspberry leaf, nettle and turmeric will help your body in this phase. Grains, nuts and seeds like buckwheat, wild rice, pumpkin seeds, flax, chestnuts, and peanuts are good to eat more of in this phase. Proteins like kidney beans, adzuki beans, duck, pork, shellfish, sardines, red meat and liver should also be included in more meals. Some examples of meals to have would be stews, warm soups and stir-fries.

what are your energy levels like? your energy is normally fairly low at this point, so try to prioritise sleep and rest. Try and make sure your schedule is fairly light at this point, lots of targets and deadlines may be somewhat overwhelming or stressful.

what kind of self care should you do and not do? Try to avoid exfoliating and waxing, your skin may be dehydrated and sensitive. Focus on getting more moisture and hydration, avoid harsh products. Try hydrating masks and focus on reducing inflammation. Try putting together a period package, journaling and reading more. Get plenty of sleep during this phase.

Follicular (Day 6 - 14)

This phase is when oestrogen and testosterone levels start to rise. The pituitary gland releases FSH and your energy, mood and libido rise!

what kind of exercise/movement is best to do? Now is a great time for more high-energy movement and exercise! Try activities like , hiking, running, swimming and Pilates as you have much more energy and will likely be prepared to exercise for longer.

what foods should you try to eat more of or avoid? Try and eat more veggies, fruits and herbs such as artichoke, broccoli, sprouts, carrots, lettuces, green peas, string beans, zucchini, rhubarb, parsley, avocado, citruses, pomegranate, plums, cherries, nettle and basil. Grains and seeds such as oats, barley, rye, wheat, pumpkin, flax, Brazil nuts and cashes will help during this phase. Protein-wise try to eat more lentils, split peas, black eyed peas, poultry, trout and shellfish. Meals that may be good during this period are oatmeal/overnight oats, tahini bowls, blueberry banana muffins and avocado salad.

what are your energy levels like? Your energy levels have risen so your brains ability to problem solve and plan. Creativity will be sparking during this period! Now is a great time to start new projects, brainstorm, dream big, plan for the week and do the things you love.

what kind of self care should you do and not do? Your skin has improved hydration, hyaluronic acid production. Now is a good time to try out new products as your skin will be at it's best and use gentle exfoliants to keep your pores clean. Focus on nourishment and treatment for your skin. Now is a good time to exfoliate your skin and use products to really emphasise your skins glow.

Ovulatory (Day 15 - 17)

This is the phase when your fertility is highest and your oestrogen levels are dropping of while your testosterone rises. You'll have a lot more energy and often a high libido.

what kind of exercise/movement is best to do? Try high-energy, high-intensity workouts like weightlifting, cardio such as spin or HIIT and longer hikes with more effort involved.

what foods should you try to eat more of or avoid? Try to eat more vegetables, fruits and herbs such as Brussel sprouts, red bell pepper, aubergine, spinach, tomato, chard, asparagus, scallions, chives, coconut, fig, strawberry, raspberry, apricot, persimmons, guava, dandelion root, burdock root and turmeric. Grains and seeds such as quinoa, pumpkin, flax, pistachio, pecan and almond will help during this phase. Try to eat more proteins such as lentils, salmon, eggs, tuna, shrimp and lamb. Meals that may be good are a fresh fruit or pasta salad, smoothies and broth-based soups.

what are your energy levels like? energy is typically very high at this point so now is a good time to socialise and get high-energy projects done! Be open to new experiences and things, make the most out of this high-energy period.

what kind of self care should you do or not do? Your skin will get oily in the next phase so find some way of deep cleansing (getting a facial etc) and try to keep pores nice and clean with toners and serums. Focus on hydration, nourishment and restorative products for your skin. Your cell turnover is at it's best, so exfoliation should be minimal and gentle during this period. Take long baths or showers and take the time to care for yourself.

Luteal phase (Day 18 - 28)

During this phase you get a surge of progesterone, but if your body confirms you aren't pregnant than then all hormones begin to decrease. Mood changes are fairly common during this period.

what kind of exercise/movement is best to do? as your energy drops so should the intensity and impact, so return back to slower and steadier workouts such as walking or hiking, yoga (you could try a slightly more challenging yoga workout), light Pilates that aren't too fast paced and stretching to help with pain or aches.

what foods should you try to eat more of or avoid? Try to eat more vegetables, fruits and herbs such as cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, collard and mustard greens, onion, parsnip, pumpkin, radish, squash, potato, sweet potato, apple, dates, peaches, pear, burdock root, dandelion root, red raspberry leaf and ginger. Some examples of grains and seeds that may help are brown rice, millet, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pine nuts and walnuts. Proteins to eat are chickpeas, turkeys, salmon, cod, halibut and beef.

what are your energy levels like? energy levels may be low/lower than previous cycles, so take the time to engage in creative and relaxing activities such as reading or painting to help with stress relief and to distract yourself.

what kind of self care should you do or not do? try to use gentle skincare products like foaming cleansers or clay masks. Spot treatments may be necessary during this period especially. Focus on skincare as breakouts are very common during this period and avoid trying out new products or any super strong products that may worsen your skin. Make sure to take care of yourself during this period and take things nice and slowly.

Remember this is in no way a one size fits all, the amount the phases last for will greatly vary as will how you feel, but these are a guide on how you may be able to help understand your cycle. All my love mj.

[prettygirlmjmjmj]

Feminine hygiene tips

Here are some of my favourite feminine hygiene tips. Remember that your area down there is not supposed to smell like flowers and fruit, a neutral scent is completely fine. If you are really concerned about the scent or feel that something is not completely healthy down there, I would really recommend visiting a gynaecologist, even if it's only for peace of mind! Enjoy these tips and I hope you find them helpful.

Drink more water and organic cranberry juice. Drinking more water has so many benefits overall, but cranberry juice is especially good for preventing infections down there.

Try to wear looser cotton underwear. It's much better for your health and prevents bacteria from sweat down there. It's much more breathable and overall cotton underwear is so much better for you! Plus there are so many adorable styles.

When on your period try to change your pad or tampon at least every three hours. If you struggle to remember this, try setting a reminder on your phone as it is so important.

If you wear fitted jeans or trousers, make sure they aren't super tight if possible, this can cause odour and infection.

Hair down there is completely fine and normal, don't feel ashamed for having it. If you do decide you prefer not having it, shave lightly with a clean and sharp razor to prevent cuts or damage.

Always wipe front to back (yes this advice is so basic, but it's still super important!!).

Don't wash that area with hot water, instead use warm water. If you want to wash with a soap or body wash, pick a very mild unscented one such as Dove or products formulated for babies.

Try and eat more fruit and vegetables, they are so good for your overall health.

If you are concerned about risks of infections or UTI's, try cranberry pills.

Try to shower as soon as you are done in the gym or at the very least change your underwear and wash down there.

Before you shower clean round the area with q-tips.

Make sure yours or anyone else's hands are clean and recently washed before you/they touch you down there.

Use men's razors instead of women's razors. They will allow you to shave in a way that is closer and cleaner.

If possible try to sleep without underwear or at least in loose, clean underwear.

Try to avoid scented products down there, they can throw of your PH and cause irritation.

Get regular check-ups with your gynaecologist. Your doctor can help you with your concerns, ensure everything is healthy down there and give advice to help.

Use fresh towels. Re-using towels can put you at risk for infections down there or other health issues.

If you do shave down there, do it towards the end of your shower when your pores are open, shaving will be much easier.

Be very gentle when washing down there, take your time and wash slowly.

Learn more about the four stages of your cycle (I might do a post on that later, so keep an eye out <3) so that you can better understand your health down there and how it should feel. This can also help you to get more in tune with your body and it's needs!!

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed this and found some of the tips useful. All my love mj.

[prettygirlmjmjmj]

Some of my favourite runway shows

Here are some of my favourite fashion shows, I'd really recommend giving them a watch or reading up on any that interest you. Please feel free to tell me about some of your personal favourite fashion shows!

Versace, autumn/winter 1991. To me, this show is timeless. Not only does it feature some beautiful pieces, but it also has what I'd consider one of the most iconic moments in fashion history. Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, and Cindy Crawford walking arm in arm and lip-synching is runway perfection and made the girls real supermodels.

Victoria's Secret Fashion show, 2013. This show is so ridiculously fun and over the top! I love the angel's looks and everything about the show feels so carefully planned and enjoyable. Taylor Swift's performance is also definitely a highlight.

Christian Dior, autumn/winter 2007. Honestly, this show is so beautiful. It was held at Marie-Antionette's former home and the models all look incredible. The outfits are so pretty and over the top and the whole theme of the show comes through perfectly.

Chanel, spring/summer 2019. This show brought Chanel back to its roots of being a fashion house focused on functionality and chic fashion. The runway itself is beyond iconic and I love a summer/beach theme. While some of the clothing feels a little too logo-centric for my taste, there still are some incredible pieces.

Yohji yamamoto, spring 1999. One of the most beautiful bridal collection. The use of colour is so simple and so exquisite, the pieces falling is incredible. This show is incredible.

Michael Kors, spring 2017. This show has an incredible casting and such fun, upbeat clothing! The live orchestra adds such a lovely touch as well, making this an enjoyable watch.

Alexander McQueen, spring 2005. This fashion show is so beautiful. The chess game theme is so interesting and unique, the outfits and colours are gorgeous and the whole show is so engaging and magical.

Givenchy, spring 2016. The staging is iconic and so dramatic, this collection embodies what Riccardo's past vision was. The show was held at sunset and the impact is incredible. The fashion is stunning and impactful and this was such a brilliant show.

All my love, mj.

[prettygirlmjmjmj]

Journal prompts for self-love and self growth

As it gets colder and darker, it can become harder to focus on the positive things, especially if you're busier with school/work. Taking just a few minutes to sit down and write out your feelings in order to re-connect with yourself can be so helpful. Whether you have a physical journal or an online one, I hope these prompts help you remember why you love yourself or help to start the process of learning to love yourself.

What are ten things that I love about myself?

What are three things I love about my body/physical appearance?

What am I most proud of myself for?

When do I feel most myself?

When do I feel most confident and self-assured?

What is a negative thought about yourself that you regularly experience? How can you combat this thought?

How does social media make me feel about myself?

How will I make myself a priority this day/week/month?

What belief is holding me back right now?

What part of my life am I enjoying most currently?

What am I most grateful for?

What six things are making me most happy today?

When I think of self love, what am I thinking and picturing?

How can I release the things that are holding me back?

What do I need to forgive myself for in order to grow?

What is my self-love language? How can I make my self-care specific to it?

What affirmations do I currently say or want to start saying?

Who do I admire and who encourages me to love myself?

What does my perfect routine look like? How can I achieve this perfect routine?

Thank you for reading! All my love, mj.

[prettygirlmjmjmj]

Easy ways to feel more feminine and princess-like

paint your nails a light, pretty colour like pink or white.

try out a new hairstyle and add a ribbon or delicate bow.

put on a soft, silky outfit such as a dress or blouse.

burn scented candles (such as vanilla or flower blossoms).

practice having good posture, follow a posture tutorial or yoga routine for posture.

spray your signature scent and apply a cohesive lotion.

watch runway shows (my favourite are the nineties Chanel, Versace and Vivienne Westwood shows!).

read a book that makes you feel like a princess or has a lovely feminine aesthetic.

make a new Pinterest mood board themed around your dream life or goals.

put on some dainty jewellery.

have a delicious tea or warm drink out of your prettiest mug.

if the weather is nice, open a window and let sun and fresh air into your room.

put on a princess themed playlist, with classical music or French music for an even more elegant musical vibe.

have a wonderful bath or shower, with your loveliest scented bath products.

carefully do your skincare routine, taking the time to care for and appreciate your beautiful skin.

do something creative such as watercolour painting, scrapbooking or pressing flowers.

apply your favourite lip balm for soft, hydrated lips.

write a letter for a friend or a loved family member.

take the time to admire little things that make you happy such as beautiful flowers or delicate clouds.

bake a delicious treat to enjoy by yourself or share with others.

Thank you for reading! All my love, mj.

[prettygirlmjmjmj]

My Sunday reset routine

Sunday is my rest day. It's the one day a week I prioritise for myself. I like this day to be slow and peaceful to help me relax from the previous week and prepare for the coming week.

Change bedding and pillows. I also apply a little lavender oil onto my pillows to keep them smelling fresh and help me to sleep better.

Make myself a matcha or tea.

Clean room and organise bag for coming week.

Do a full skincare routine + a face mask.

Make myself three delicious homemade meals, full of vegetables and fruits.

Dust room

Open windows and light candles or incense to help air out the space.

Clean phone/laptop/ipad. Delete old emails and photos, sort out online calendar and check schoolwork for next week.

Do morning and evening yoga.

Read a book I've been wanting to read, something that's been on my to be read for a while.

Do something creative like art or writing.

Make a new bullet journal spread for the next week.

Plan meals and workouts for the week.

Clean mirrors and windows.

Water and mist plants.

Plan my outfit for the next week.

Watch a comforting show like Gilmore girls or a sitcom.

Do a gentle Pilates workout.

Drink lots of water (add ice and lemon to make it more fun and refreshing).

Apply a hair mask + oil scalp and ends.

Do my everything shower and put on a calming playlist.

File and paint nails. When dry apply oil and favourite hand cream.

Put on pretty pyjama set and comfy socks/slippers.

Change and wash face and body towels.

Sleep in and let my body fully rest.

Get outside and go on a hot girl walk.

Spend extra time on my body and skin care routines.

Eat slowly and mindfully.

Spend time completely alone, relaxing and disconnecting.

Get a nice and early night so to start the week feeling completely refreshed and relaxed.

Thank you for reading and have a wonderful day! All my love, mj.

[prettygirlmjmjmj]

Cute journal page ideas

These are some fun, silly journal ideas to help you relax and decompress after a long, stressful day. Get out your prettiest stickers, colourful pens and cute tapes!!Your favourite celebrities/celebrities you look up too.

Your favourite movies and tv shows.

Perfect albums for each season.

A mini mood board for your dream life.

Your style icons.

Dream outfits and clothes.

Your current obsessions.

Favourite books.

Cute memories of days out or events.

Your comfort things.

Characters you relate to.

Historical figures that inspire you.

Your wish list.

Meaningful quotes.

Letters that you'll never send.

Dream holiday's.

Your star signs and birth chart.

An ideal playlist.

An about you page.

Plants you adore.

Love letters.

Dream Birthday party and presents.

Outfit inspiration.

Your favourite holiday (Christmas, Halloween, Valentines day etc).

Favourite things to bake/cook.

Positive affirmations.

Dream beauty products.

Your mood boosters.

Your favourite artists.

Hobbies you want to start.

Who you want to be.

Dream routines.

Self-care activities.

Local places to visit.

What's in your bag.

Things your grateful for.

Thank you for reading!! Comment any of your favourite fun, creative journal ideas - I'd love to read them. All my love, mj.

[prettygirlmjmjmj]

How to study like Blair Waldorf

Blair is and always will be that girl. Fashionable, smart and ambitious she is not only so riveting to watch on screen but so easy to admire. Blair's intelligence and drive make her a perfect study role model.

Manage your time well. Blair knew that in order to stay on top, she had to manage her time effectively. Make timetables, planners, lists and have an organised calendar. Make sure to fit in study periods and ensure that your friends and family know that you'll be busy during those periods.

Stay prepared. Keep planning and organising, making sure you're prepared for any question on the exam paper or homework assignment. Bring extra pens and school stationary supplies, pack a spare notebook and make sure that regardless of the situation you are prepared. Keeping on top of things will help you to feel more calm and prepared, as opposed to stressing out about last minute changes or details.

Never give up. No matter what life threw at her, Blair continued to carry on with her plans and goals, even if she had to adjust or change them. A bad mark or grade doesn't mean that you should give up or stop trying, instead use it as motivation to study harder and get better.

Keep studying. Blair persevered and continued studying, even through busy periods. Don't let not knowing content or an answer stop, ask whoever/whatever you can in order to study and do homework in the best way you possibly can. Take breaks and keep on top of your mental health to make it easy to consistently study.

Use all the resources at your disposal. Use those online resources, textbooks, ask your teacher, head to a library and do whatever you can to maximise your chances of getting a good grade. Blair was always ambitious and always tried to use whatever she could to ensure she stayed ahead of the rest of her class.

Be confident. Blair knew that when she handed in an assignment or essay it would get a perfect grade. End of sentence. Feel confident in your work, your answers and studying. Feeling more confident will help you take pride in your work and help to motivate you.

Dress to impress. Looking pretty and fashionable will help you feel good about being in school and can help ensure you get into your academic mindset.

Be creative. Find fun, interesting ways to study. Blair enjoyed studying and achieving her academic goals, even if you aren't the most studious this is completely possible! Try finding fun ways to display information, make your presentations detailed and pretty, try new study methods and study with a friend or group!

Take actual breaks. Don't just sit at the same desk you were studying at, scrolling on your phone. Get up from your desk, find something fun to do or go outside. Try one of Blair's favourite activities like shopping with a friend or watching a vintage film. Whatever you do make sure it's separate from your studying and fun! When you're properly refreshed studying will become so much easier.

Thanks for reading! All my love, mj.