Pros and Cons of Pads!!

Hey girls, I know I just did a post about the Pro's and Con's of Tampons, BUT I almost forgot to do a post on the pro's and con's of pads so here goes:

Pro's of Pads:
1. They don't need to go inside your body
2. They are more comfortable to sleep in
3. They're easier to change so you can easily see when you need to change them
4. They're simple and easy to put on
5. They stick to your panties so they don't move around too much
6. You can be sure you have the right size and absorbancy before you leave the store based on your body
7. They may have wings (depending if you buy them with wings) so they protect your panties
8. You don't have to worry about Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) as you would with a tampon
9. It doesn't matter if your cervix is tipped
10. They work with all body types :)

Con's of pads:
1. They sometimes smell a little funky, even if they are fragrance free
2. It's uncomfortable to run and exercise
3. You can feel like your bleeding and will worry if you are going to bleed out
4. Can't wear thongs if you're a thong kind of girl
5. They're bulky
6. You can't swim in them
7. They're a bear to dispose, and you can't flush them
8. You may get VPL
9. They take up a lot of space if you throw them in your bag
10. And they aren't that great for sports and may move and you could bleed out

And like I said before, e-mail us with your pro's and con's at girltalktime@yahoo.com and let us know what your pro's and con's are!

Love,
Amii

Pros and Cons of Tampons!!

Now, we all have the good days and the bad days during our period and sometimes its great to vent about the pros and cons of the kinds of products we use to control it... So, Alli and I have come together and made a pros and cons list just for you- all about tampons!

Tampon Pros:

1. You can swim with them :) (A definite plus!)

2. They are easier to store or throw in your bag

3. You don't get a visible pad or panty line (VPL)

4. You can't feel them if you put them in right

5. You can flush them away in the toilet, making disposal more discrete :)

6. They are smaller and don't take up as much room as a pad

7. You can (at times) forget you even have one in

8. They are more comfortable

9. No one else can hear the crinkle of the wrapper or the peeling sound like a pad, so a more discrete way of changing them if you're in public

10.They catch everything a pad would and its all kept inside until you change your tampon, so less mess than a pad

Tampon Cons:

1. They are harder to know when to change

2. They may cause you to bleed out and through your clothes if you can't go and change it soon enough

3. Sleeping in with a tampon in without having to get up is out of the question

4. Not very eco-friendly

5. They aren't natural for your body

6. They go inside you

7. If your cervix tips they become harder to insert properly

8. Tampons often make cramps worse.

9. Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) can happen if they are left in too long

10. Some people find them uncomfortable to wear

And for all you girls out there reading this, e-mail us your pro's and con's lists at girltalktime@yahoo.com

and let us know what you think!

Pros and cons for pads coming soon!

Love, 

Amii

Pad & Tampon Pouch GIVEAWAY and review!

Recently, a company called Dauzat Designs sent us some personal pouches to review. They make pouches for pads or tampons, depending on which you like to use. You just put your feminine products inside, then slip the pouch in your purse, backpack, or anywhere else. It’s great for hiding them so no one else needs to know! Here are our individual thoughts on the items:

Amii’s thoughts: It’s awesome! The pattern’s ok but it’s really great for people on the go and fits perfectly in your purse or bag and just looks like a wallet or makeup pouch. I’d rank it as an 8 out of 10. The company was also very personable with a sweet handwritten letter which made it seem friendly, thus the higher score. I soooo think this company has it right in the bag! They're awesome and have a wonderful product. I might just go and order some more. :)

Alli’s thoughts:  This is a fabulous idea! It’s exactly what I need, and I think so many other girls would benefit from it to. No longer do I have to worry about other people seeing my girly products when I’m rifling through my purse. The cute little pouch conceals everything very discreetly. The fabric it’s made out of is great too- very easy to clean, and virtually silent- no noisy Velcro. These pouches are sturdy and very well made. I can comfortably fit 3-4 pads in there, so it’s perfect. You’ll never be caught off guard!

The pouches are easy to use. They open like sandwich bags. Simple and quick, you’ll always have your products with you when you need them! You can buy them from http://www.dauzatdesigns.etsy.com/. They’re very affordable and would also make a great gift for a niece, granddaughter, friend, etc.

GIVEAWAY

One lucky entrant will receive a Maxi Pouch from Dauzat Designs. It will definitely come in handy, especially as the school year is starting! Perfect for your purse, gym bag, backpack, locker, office, school, or anywhere else you need to be discreet.

To enter: (here's what you gotta do)

-Leave a comment (with your email address) telling us why this personal pouch would come in handy for you!

For additional entries: (please leave one comment per additional entry you do)

-“Like” Dauzat Designs on Facebook

-Follow our blog, http://www.girlietalktime.blogspot.com/

-Post a link to our giveaway on Facebook so your friends will be able to enter

-Post a link to this giveaway on Twitter

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES GREATLY INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING!
This giveaway will run until September 8, when a winner will be chosen randomly.

Thanks for entering! Good luck!

Best foods to eat while on your period

Hey girlies,

Are you a sufferer of menstrual cramps or other PMS symptoms?  Many women are, so here are some foods that will help you out! These foods will help give you energy and help you feel less bloated. Eat these on and before your period to stay healthy and feel better. It's also important to have a healthy diet ALL month so your body will look and feel its best.

Foods rich in vitamin C, like citrus, oranges, grapefruit, as well as strawberries, raspberries, zucchini, asparagus, tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, kale, cauliflower, celery, broccoli and potatoes will definitely benefit you. They will also help you to have a stronger immune system.

Try: a delicious breakfast smoothie with some of the fruits rich in Vitamin C mentioned here.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids are found in fatty fish (like tuna and salmon), flax seeds, flax seed oil, walnut, walnut oil and canola oil.  Eating this essential fat (which your body can't produce on its own) can prevent or reduce PMS cramps.
Try: Adding these things to your morning cereal, or to garnish a salad. Eat fish twice per week for optimum health results.

Peppermint is an easy way to incorporate something cramp-reducing into your diet. It is an excellent herbal remedy that can soothe belly aches and help your body feel great.
Try: a comforting, steaming cup of peppermint tea, or using peppermint extract as a flavoring in your food.

While we're on the topic of TEA, ginger tea can help relieve nausea and bloating, and chamomile tea can help you feel less anxious or irritable. I LOVE drinking tea, even when I don't have my period, and there are many benefits of it! Just make sure to AVOID caffinated tea (and other drinks with caffeine), as those can add to your discomfort.

It might sound like a no brainer, but water is really important! Make sure you're getting enough of it. It will keep your body from retaining water, which leads to bloating and cramps. Make sure you're drinking plenty of H2o each day.

AVOID:
Coffee, soda, caffeine, fried or processed foods, dairy products, sugar rushes.

I hope this helps! Let me know in the comments if you have any suggestions.

Love,

Alli

Period Blues

Need a pick me up?  Here are some things that always work for me when I'm down.

Try a hot mug of herbal tea, some chocolate, or a good book.

Exercise can also make you feel better. Or, just take a nap with a hot water bottle.

I would also suggest giving a friend a call or getting together and doing something fun. Do your hair, put on your favorite dress, and go out to a movie. You'll have fun and feel gorgeous! If you'd rather, just stay in and watch a chick flick with some girlfriends and do your nails. It's good to feel pampered and take your mind off your blues.

If you're having a bad day, Amii and I are always here to talk to you, too! feel free to email us at girltalktime@yahoo.com if you need advice or just a friend to talk to. We'll get back to you ASAP. :)

Love,

Alli

My Favorite Pads & Tampons

Sorry for the lack of posts last week, girlies! Amii and I have been super busy this summer, but we will have some posts for you this week. <3 Don't forget to leave your requests below!

Today I just wanted to quickly share with you my top products for "that time of the month", mostly pads & tampons. This was requested from an anonymous reader of our blog. Amii will be doing the same things later on this week, so check out her recommendations too!

MY FAVORITE TAMPONS

I use the Tampax Pearl tampons with plastic applicator (plastic applicator are SO much easier than cardboard), unscented. You can get whatever size you need, but I prefer the multi-pack with lite and regular sizes.

PADS THAT DON'T MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE WEARING A DIAPER

I like the brand Always. I use the ulta thin ones with wings. You can get whatever size you need, I choose "slender". The Always Slender pads (look for the green and pink package) are great for teens or smaller-built women who find regular pads are just too big.  I've also used other Always pads, and I find they feel comfortable and give great protection.

PROTECTION FOR EVERY OTHER DAY

When I have a super-light period or just want to stay fresh all day, I like the U by Kotex Liners. They come in a little black box and are around a dollar. The colorful packaging is adorable and the liners are sooooo thin you'll barely feel them!

OTHER GIRLY PRODUCTS

Secret deoderant (the gel kind is the only one that doesn't leave white chalky stains on my clothes!)
Always on- the- go wipes (see my post all about that topic HERE)
Burt's Bees lip balm

I could go on and on..but I'll stop now. Hope this helped!!
If you have any questions or comments about this topic, you can leave a comment below (feel free to do so anonymously) or email us at GirlTalkTime@yahoo.com.

Love,

Alli

Girls-Only Yoga Book: my review!

Yoga to the Rescue: Remedies for Real Girls by Amy Luwis is a book I recently picked up at my local Barnes & Noble. I don't have much experience with yoga, but I've always been interested in it- not for the meditation aspect, but because I love the stretches and poses that are beneficial to your body. I've been looking for a good yoga book for awhile. I wanted something fun, easy, but also informative, and I have definitely found it in Amy Luwis' book! I wanted to share it with you so you can check it out for yourself.

The first thing I noticed about this book was how cute it was! It's bright pink, compact, and every page is filled with funny illustrations by Amy herself. This book might not seem serious, but you definitely get a lot out of it!

Another thing I like about this book is that each of the 48 poses is divided into a category- the categories are Sexy, Calm, Energy, Restore, Sanity, Cleanse, and Ragtime.  These categories will do multiple things for you- whether you want to tone a certain area, boost your confidence, get some sleep, stretch a particular area or organ, improve your posture, or relieve PMS symptoms- it's all in this book, and so much more!

Each page has a helpful (and super funny!) illustration of the pose, as well as an easy-to-understand instruction guide, helpful pointers, and a list of the physical and mental benefits the pose will provide. 

You  name what you want your pose to do for you, and there is something in this book that will aid in that area! It doesn't matter if you're 8 or 80, flexible or stiff, a yoga newbie like myself or a master of the thing, you're sure to love this book! It's great for any girl who's interested in learning more about yoga.

If you're tired of the super-serious yoga books featuring perfect women in perfect poses, Yoga to the Rescue swaps spirituality and skinny minnies for cartoon women with tummy rolls without sacrificing top-notch yoga instruction. I highly recommend this fresh approach to yoga. It's fun, beneficial, and affordable (check it out at your bookstore or Amazon.com)!

Have you ever tried yoga? What are your favorite resources to learn it? Let me know what you think about this post in the comments!

Love,

Alli

P.S. Don't forget to follow our blog so you can stay up to date on all the girly things we post about! We have some exciting giveaways coming up soon! :-)

School Picture Tips

HAIR

-Keep your hairstyle classic for school photos. Just try a simple blowdry with a slightly off center part. You'll regret anything complicated or super-trendy in a few years.

-I suggest leaving your hair down, or putting it half up/half down. Sometimes having your hair back in a tight bun or ponytail can make you look bald in photos!

-Wavy hair is actually a lot more photogenic on most people than stick straight hair, so keep that in mind when styling!

-Use a bit of cream or de-frizzer in your hair so it is smooth and healthy looking.


CLOTHES

-Wear a color that is flattering on you- or something that brings out your eyes and looks good with your skintone.

-Avoid loud colors and patterns.

-Make sure whatever you wear won't clash with the background of the photograph!


MAKEUP

-Do your makeup the way you usually do- your school photo is supposed to look like YOU!

-Apply a little extra bronzer- flash cameras can usually make you look washed out.

-Today isn't the day to skimp on concealer or foundation! Make sure your blemished and undereye circles and concealed so your skin looks as flawless as possible in the picture.

-Don't go overboard on eye makeup. This isn't the time for bright colors. Do a neutral eyeshadow (nothing dark, but a light shadow will make you look awake and is always flattering), some mascara, and maybe a bit of eyeliner to define your eyes. A little blush is nice too, to give you a healthy glow.

-Leave your lips natural with just a little balm or gloss. You'll regret doing a wild lip color.


SMILE

-Bring a travel toothbrush or some dental floss with you to school- you want to make sure you don't have anything in your teeth!

-Optional: Use teeth whitening strips or paste leading up to picture day. That way, you'll have an extra pearly grin!

-Rather than trying to look a certain way in your photos (serious, cool, smart, etc.), just muster a relaxed and genuine smile. Laugh slightly, or open your mouth a little bit so get a flattering smile.

-If you always blink in photos, ask the photographer to count to three before they take the picture. Then, you can blink on "two" and be wide eyed for the capture.


Most importantly, just BE YOURSELF. Pictures always turn out the best when you don't try to hard and just keep it natural.

xoxo
Love,

Alli

10 Beauty Tips for SCHOOL

That's right, girls, back to school time is upon us! (HALLOWEEN decorations are already in stores!!?? It's still summer!) Here are 10 fun, easy, back to school beauty tips to help keep you looking your best.

1. Carry face blotting papers with you to soak up oil without smudging your makeup.

2. Smell good all day by spraying perfume at the nape of your neck. The fine hairs there will absorb and hold fragrance longer than your skin does.

3. Use a shimmery gloss if you want your lips to seem fuller, and a matte lipstick to make them seem thinner.

4. If you don't have time to wash and style your hair every morning, shower before bed, then put your damp hair in a braid or bun. Your hair will have natural looking waves in the morning, and you'll be clean and ready to go!

5. Drink as much H2O as possible every day. Carry a water bottle around with you at school if you can! It has been said that staying hydrated can keep your complexion clear, and I've definitely noticed that myself.

6. Store a beauty touch-up kit in your locker. If you rushed to school, you can apply any steps you missed once you get there.

7. Massage your scalp for 3 minutes to increase blood flow- some say it will make your hair grow faster! You can also strengthen your hair by eating foods rich in sulfur, like milk, fish, and eggs.

8. Apply a bold, shiny lip color to draw attention to your face. You'll instantly appear confident.

9. Pair a chic headband with a messy bun for a casual, but cute daytime style. Or, if you don't have time to curl all of your hair, just curl the ends of a basic ponytail to make it more polished.

10. Microwave a small bowl of your body moisturizer for 20 seconds before you apply it- warm lotion is great for soothing tired muscles and dry feet. Or, if it's a really hot day, pop your lotion into the fridge for 10 minutes before applying it for a cooling effect.

I hope these helped you out! Comment below and let me know which idea was your favorite, or leave me your own beauty tips and tricks. Good luck!

Love,

Alli

Morning Fog: Ways to get over your morning drowsiness

Hey Girls!

In the mornings are you ever tired and groggy but don't want to hype yourself up with a cup of coffee? Well, if it's looks you're worrying about, a good under-eye eye roller like a Garnier Nutritionist Caffeine Eye Roll-On eye roller may help... It targets eye puffiness that makes you look tired on those early mornings.

Another morning trick is to avoid being stressed in the mornings. It makes you feel stressed and look it too. By setting an alarm a few minutes early and setting out your things the night before both saves you time and lets you have a few minutes to yourself to get collected before you leave, which, avoids forgetting things!

Now, we all know of people who don't eat breakfast or are the kind of people to just avoid the concept all together. Studies show that those that do eat a good breakfast in the mornings have better focus throughout the day, have a higher metabolism, and tend to be in a better mood. For those of us that don't have time in the mornings to make a five star breakfast, a granola bar like Quaker Oats Chewy Granola Bars are a good alternative. You can grab and go and they're pretty yummy too!

If you'd like something a little healthier, Special K has great breakfast bars and meal bars that are a fulfilling breakfast for all of you that are on the go.

Hopefully, these tips will help all you girls out there in your slew of mornings!

Lots of Love,

Amii

Makeup Organization

Hi girls!

I've been looking for a new way to store my ever-growing makeup collection for awhile now. I don't like having it in a makeup bag because I can't find everything. I used to have a system of small plastic drawers, but it was easy for everything to get lost and disorganized. Here is my newest solution:

 I love it! It's a Lori Greiner cosmetic organizer and you can purchase it for only $20. It's really well made, and it spins so you can see all 6 sides!

 Each side has different sized compartments and slots for keeping all your cosmetics.

 The top is really useful, too- tons of spaces to keep mascara, lipsticks, eyeliners, etc.

Just wanted to share my latest organization attempt with you. I really like this one! What do you use to store your makeup?

Love,

Alli

Bad Hair Day Help

Believe me, ladies, I know all about bad hair days. I've experienced the no-time-to-shower hair, flat hair, bad haircuts, bad hair COLOR (which is what I'm going through now, unfortunately), frizzy hair... you name it! I wanted to give you a couple of tricks to help improve your bad hair day. Here we go!

1. Try teasing or backcombing your hair with a comb to give it more volume if it's looking flat.

2. If your hair lacks shine, spray it with icy cold water in the shower, right before you get out. It will make your hair follicles look more shiny!

3. Use dry shampoo at the roots if your hair is looking greasy. This is great for school mornings when you sleep late and don't have time to wash your hair!

4. Try parting your hair on the opposite side you usually do. It can help a bad hair color or cut look much better, and it definitely adds body to your hair.

5. If all else fails, remember you can always put your hair in a ponytail or messy bun. Try adding a mini braid to the look to make it more polished. Also, hats can be your best friend at a time like this. ;-)

I hope these ideas helped you out!  If you have any questions or comments about this topic, you can leave a comment below (feel free to do so anonymously) or email us at GirlTalkTime@yahoo.com.

Good luck!

Love,

Alli

How to discreetly store your pads and tampons

Many teenage girls worry that people will notice they have a purse full of pads, or that they will have their purse open or someone will look through it and notice the tampons or other feminine products. If you worry about how to conceal these items (or keep them from getting banged up when they're floating around in your purse), I'm here to offer you some alternatives. There are lots of cute ways to store your pads/tampons so they will be discreet and also stay unharmed. This is especially important once school starts! You always want to make sure you are prepared and can quickly find protection whenever you need it. Here are some ideas I love.

-Glitzy Glam sells Pad holders and Tampon holders that keep your feminine products in a small, cute holder. You can pick lots of different fabrics and designs based on what you like. It's a fun way to store them in your purse!

-Try something you already have around your house, like a makeup bag, small clutch, or pencil case. You can easily put your feminine products in there and if your purse is open or spills, it won't look out of the ordinary. (this is what I do)

-Next time you're out of tampons, consider trying Compak Tampons by Tampax. They're more discreet since they're much smaller. They start out about half the size of a regular tampon, and you pull it to make it regular size. They're great for girls on the go, and easier to conceal!

-There are also whole companies dedicated to products like this, such as

http://www.myladylike.com/ ("Keeping Personal Products Private")

-http://www.tboxgirl.com/  The Tbox is a box you can store your tampons in. It has a suction cup on one side so you can easily attatch it to your locker or by your toilet, so you'll always have products on hand, but no one will know what's inside! It's a really clever idea, and it would also make a great gift for the tweens or teens in your life.

I hope these ideas helped you out!  If you have any questions or comments about this topic, you can leave a comment below (feel free to do so anonymously) or email us at GirlTalkTime@yahoo.com.

Good luck!

Love,

Alli