7 Easy Birthday Party Ideas For Teens

As I've grown older it's been harder and harder for me to decide what to do for my birthday. Everything I think of or find online seems too kiddish or just extravagant that I can't do. That's why I'm making this list! This is going to be 7 easy birthday party ideas that you can throw for cheap (lots of them at home!!). Hope this is helpful to some of y'all who can't decide what to do. :)

1. Karaoke

So so soo fun and sooooo easy!! I did a karaoke party in 6th grade and had a lotttt of fun. Basically, all you need is a microphone. How we did it is one of our friends had this whole speaker set up which connected to a microphone and we played the karaoke videos with lyrics and everything from youtube just on the TV. 

2. Mall

This is definitely one that is done a lot but it's still always fun. You can invite a couple of friends and just hang. Maybe get some ice cream/something sweet somewhere, maybe go ice skating, and definitely just shop and laugh with all of the freindsssssss. 

3. Photo Scavenger Hunt

I did this one this year (14 birthday!!) and had sooo much fun! It's actually usually done at a mall but since I don't live super close to a mall we did it at a shopping plaza. Basically what you do is you make a list of items that they can take photos of. Maybe 4 hats and some chocolate. It totally depends where you are. I recommend splitting up people in groups of 3 and then you can give them the list of photos they need to take. They need to take photos of all of those items with a group member in the photo. Whoever gets back to the starting point with all of the correct photos first wins! What I did is we did three different stores with specific photo prompts for each and the group that won the most sections won the game!

4. Pool Party 

If you have access to a pool and haven't had a pool party yet, um what??? Pool parties are easy and always fun. Have some floats and drinks maybe some pizza and candy and you're set. Pool games are also always fun! You can add a bit of competition in there and have prizes and everything (extra points if the prizes are pool related like water guns or extra floaties!). 

5. Spa

I've always thought of this one as so hard but it's actually not! You can do pretty much whatever you want with it and you probs already have a lot of stuff. Plus the parent or adult person doesn't even really have to do that much. Everyone can do everyone else's nails and stuff. A fun group thing. 

Ideas:

-sheet/clay/mud masks (cucumbers!!)

-hair

-nails

-maybe makeup??

-nail polish/makeup/masks/general stuff party favors!

-do DIY of maybe a lip scrub or even a make your own mask

6. Movie 

Two optionsssssss. You can either go to the movies (this is a bit expensive but still fun) or just watch a movie at home! There are so many movies you can get on Netflix or from the library that everyone will love to watch. Popcorn, of course, must be included! You could even change it up a bit and instead binge a tv show you and all of your friends love. Maybe even have food and stuff based off of the show?

7. Escape The Room 

For this one, you do have to go somewhere and pay for it but seriously it is so crazy fun!! If you have never done an escape the room you are missing out big time! Basically, you are put in a room and you have to work together to solve all of the puzzles and get out. For this, the guest count might have to be a bit low. 

I super duper hope that was helpful to y'all! Comment down below something you like to do for your birthday/fun birthday parties you have been to in the past. :)

13 Super Easy And Cute Halloween Costumes (aka inspo for next year!)

Halloween happened recently and it was quite cool! Where I live it sadly flooded so lots of things were cancelled and lots of people couldn't get anywhere but I was able to go trick or treating for a bit! Besides the candy my second fave thing about halloween is of course the costumes! There were a lot of cool costumes I saw this year! :) I'm going to be sharing some super easy halloween costumes perfect if you want to dress up but don't want to do thattttt much. :)

*I found some of these on pinterest so I don't own any of these images. If you are the owner please contact me if you want credit/if you want me to take it down. Some of these are also some my wonderful readers have sent me so make sure to check those awesome peeps out. :)

Sun And Moon

This from the super cute girly over on The Ray Of Sunshine Blog and I really like it! A fun costume to do with a friend. :)

Needed: 

-grey + yellow outfits

-grey + yellow headpieces

Alvin And The Chipmunks 

The amount of chipmunk costumes I saw this year is kind of crazy. People like it because it is sooooooo easy and such a fun thing to with friends. 

Needed: 

-red + blue + green shirts

Optional:

-names on shirts

-chipmunk makeup 

-color coordinated socks 

From: Simply Maliak

Galaxy

I want to get someone to do this one me next year cause ahhhh it's so cool!! 

Needed: 

- (safe) acrylic paint 

Optional: 

-wig

From: Paper Pizza 

Strawberry

Needed: 

-Red dress/outfit

-Green top which you can make out of paper

Optional:

-dots on said dress

Minnie Mouse

Needed: 

-the minnie ears

-something with red and white/black polka dots

Optional: 

-yellow shoes

There are a lotttttt of variations of this outfit so you can switch it up. The essentials are the ears and the polka dots. 

Medusa

Needed: 

-white dress

-miny toy snakes 

Optional: 

-arm band

-more snakes as accessories

-dyed hair

This is super easy but also super fun and original! 

Pineapple

Needed: 

-yellow dress/outfit

-green top which you can easily diy

Peanut Butter and Jelly

Needed: 

-shirts that say peanut butter and jelly or plain shirts where you can paint/draw it on

Optional: 

-an actual peanut butter and jelly sandwich 

Snow White

Needed: 

-blue tops

-yellow skirt

-red bow 

Optional: 

-shoes

-belt

There are also sooo many variations on this outfit so the only things you realllllly need are the three colors and either a skirt or dress to make it more obvious. 

Artist

Needed: 

-artsy outfit

-paint brush

Optional: 

-beret 

-paint palette 

White rabbit 

Needed: 

-white ears

-white outfit/dress

Optional: 

-watch/something to do with time

-red jacket 

Rosy The Riveter 

Needed: 

-blue shirt

-red bandana 

Optional: 

-we can do it sign

Wednesday Addams

Needed: 

-black dress

-boots

-double braid

Optional: 

-dark makeup

-skull/other dark accessory type thing 

Moth

Needed:

-Wings/wings kind of thing like this

-black outfit

Optional: 

-double bun

-makeup designs

Alex kindly sent me these pics and I just think they're so crazy cute!!! 

Yay that was fun! I will definitely be looking back on this post the next time I need a costume idea haha. Make sure to check out Loni and her blog post!

Other halloween blog posts:

-A Halloween Themed Interview

-Totally Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas

-The Halloween Tag

What did you dress up as this year? What are you planning on dressing up as next year? What's your fave costume you've worn? 

8 Gift Ideas That Teens Will Totally Love This Holiday Season For Cheap

My first holiday post of the season! Because the holidays are coming up that means that the rush to get people presents are coming up. Maybe it's christmas or hanukkah or some other random holiday no one knows about. I DON'T KNOW. Anyway chances are you will be buying a present for someone, so like the amazing person I am, I thought I would help you out. Today I'm going to be listing 8 presents that teens will love! None of these are too expensive and I'm going to try and list things a lot of people will love. :) This is a collab with the wonderful Maryam from Infinitely A Day Dreamer. I actually found her through insta and she's so cute! After you're done reading this make sure to go check out her post with a bunch of fun present ideas for the creative people in your life!

*this post contains affiliate links which means if you buy something through one of my links I will gain a small comision with no extra cost to you

Alright let's get started!

                 

1. Popsocket

Popsockets are freaking great!! I have one on my phone and seriously the amount of times it has probably saved me from a nose injury because the phone was going to fall on my face, is to many to count. It's a cute accessory that you can add to a phone especially if someone has a more plain phone case and it's super cute!

2. Face Mask/Other Skin Care Products 

Teens have acne. And also just general skin problems. It's not fun. I know from experience. I also know that I love masks!! I've used a couple face masks and they're both fun to use and also help your skin. A lot of masks really only work for certain skin types though so if you don't know what problem the person who your buying for has, maybe think of getting something more general. 

3. Ring

Rings are super fun, you can get cheap ones, and it's also kind of hard to mess up on them. I feel like if you get pretty much any simple ring (we're not thinking engagement ring here we're thinking more of what I linked) it's gonna be pretty cute. I have been getting more and more into rings and I know a lot of people around me, who has as well. 

4. Phone Case

Most teens have a phone and if they have a phone they need a phone case! And even if someone already has a phone case that definitely doesn't mean they can't have another one. There are soooooo many cute phone cases on amazon it's kind of crazy. Annnnd having a cute phone case will totally lift your mood! It's a little energy booster everytime you pull out your phone. 

5. Mini Backpack 

I got a mini backpack for my birthday and I'm obsessed with it! It's super easy to carry everywhere but not too big that it's weird and fits everything I need it to. This is a super practical gift to get someone! Plus it seems like all mini backpacks are cute and definitely a cool way to spice up an outfit. 

6. Cute Mug

I've been getting some more cute mugs lately and ahhhh I love. There are a bunch of fun personalized one so you can totally find one that your friend will think is super funny or cute. 

7. Charger Accessory

I recently learned this was a thing but there are a bunch of cool stuff to spike up chargers. There are cute charger protectors that are animals and different colored chargers and just so much. Definitely a cute fun gift for a tech savvy friend. 

8. Cute Graphic Tee 

No one can ever not want another cute graphic tee. Like seriously. T-shirts are cool gifts because they're not too expensive but it's still kind of big because it's a clothing item one might wear like every other day (hopefully with washing in the middle). You can might graphic at pretty much any clothing store or online! 

I super hoped you liked that! If you want more ideas of what to get your teen friend for the holidays refer to my birthday wishlist where I list like a thousand things I want haha. Comment down below something you super duper want/are hoping to get this holiday season and also something you're planning on getting a friend! 

What I Did In 2017 + Goals + All Of The Things

IT'S OFFICIALLY 2018 WHAT IS LIFE?? I honestly can not pretend it all. My mind is still in 2016. I don't even know why. So I thought in honor of this awesomeness that is the new year I would list my old and new goals, and also just some stuff I did and accomplished this year. Let's get started!

*whenever I say this year I mean 2017 even though yes I know it's 2018

Some Of The Awesome Things That Happened This Year

2017 was a crazy year. From Trump getting elected to like ten natural disasters in a row to all of the terrorist stuff it was a really interesting year I want to say. Both online and offline I've noticed a trend of people saying how terrible 2017 is. That's fine. To be honest 2017 kind of was a terrible year. But if we think of it as a terrible year, then when we think back, it will be just that. Terrible. I thought it would be fun to list some super cool things that happened this year.

-The women's march which might have stemmed out of something not too great but started and created this amazing movement. The march itself was one of the biggest in history with so many awesome cities participating it kind of blew my mind. 

-The #MeToo movement which started so many of the things you see on the news about sexual harassment. It's terrible how even now people can be treated so horribly but it's so so cool to see so many come out and stand and fight.

-Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got engaged which is probably good for some actual reasons but it's mostly because there adorable together. :)

-With all of the natural disasters that happened there were so many beautiful stories of people helping one another. Houston after Harvey was crazy but everyone was helping someone if not themselves. There were people who would just drive around on trucks handing out food and fans (it's a thing). People I didn't even know would just show up and help tear out walls and pack. It makes me smile even now. 

-All of the super cool albums and songs and everything released this year are to many to count. 

-Peggy Whitson broke the record for most days spent in orbit. This is the same person who was the first women to command the International Space Station. So pretty much she's awesome. 

-Just general awesomeness of people donating and saving and breaking records. 

There are more things I could list here but it would go on forever. Lesson: there are good and bad things to almost everything but see the good and you'll be a much happier human being. 

What I Did In 2017

-I went to the women's march in Austin which was fun fact my first ever march I've been to. I think I've been to maybe 3. Before 2017 I don't think my parents were as politically involved as they are now (might have something to do with a certain president) so there talking about everything a lot more and doing stuff and it's really opened my mind and made me think. The women's march itself was awesome and it amazed me how many people came. You can find my post on that here. 

-This goes along with the thing above but I officially started calling myself a feminist and actually figured out what that meant. Before 2017 I think I called myself a feminist but not really out loud and I didn't really know what it meant.

-I went to the Dominican Republic in the summer for my aunts wedding! It was an amazing trip and my first time on an island and off of main land north america. It was so pretty and we went to the beach like every day and I'm just smiling thinking about it.

-I saw both The Beauty and the Beast and Wonder Women and The Last Jedi which were both awesome! I'm going to be posting my review of The Last Jedi soon. :)

-I started 7th grade! 7th has been a lot harder so far then 6th but I've also just been having so much much fun. :)

-We went to Marfa! If you don't know Marfa is a small pretty popular town artsy town in west Texas. It's beautiful and we went hiking one time when it was raining which wasn't too fun but overall it was a nice trip.

-The whole flooding thing.  If you didn't already know or if you are new here I did flood during Hurricane Harvey. We got about 2 feet of water in the house. At this point we're moved and have decided to actually tear down our house and build a new one which I am pretty excited about. As of right now the house is already torn down. :)

-I turned 13 and officially became a teenager! This is still kind of blowing my mind to be honest. When ever my moms says like "yeah Nabila's a teenager now" it always just makes me smile. My birthday was really nice although I didn't end up having a party this year.

-This goes along with the one above but I got an Instagram account! When I turned 13 my parents officially let me get an account mostly because I had been begging them to get me one for like years. :)

-My blog turned 4 years old on November 11 which is my blogiversary. This means that I have been now blogging for over 4 years. Like what. For some of that time mostly at the beginning I was of course inconsistent and kind of horrible. It's crazy how much my life has changed because of blogging and just to think if I hadn't started my blog. That thought to me now is just kind of terrible.

-It actually snowed this year for the first time in 8 years! Like what?? In Texas it literally never snows but it actually did and it was fabulous.

Blogging/Social Media Stats

*this is as of 12/27

GFC- 94

Bloglovin'-108

Pinterest- 1,185

Google+-70

Youtube- 24

Instagram- 223

Feel free to follow any of those by the way. I'm really active on Instagram (posting every day) and Bloglovin' is my preferred way you can follow my blog. :) 

My Goals From Last Year + Did I Complete Them

1. Have a snowball fight - I actually did complete this one! When It snowed I had a mini snowball fight with my friend. :)

2. Get 100 blog followers - I sadly didn't really complete this goal but I'm going to give myself half for this because I did complete it with bloglovin'.

3. Get straight A's - At least report card wise so far I somehow did do this although I did get a couple 90's and 91's. 7th is like a lot harder then 6th ok.

4. Have 280 dollars -Yeah I have no if I accomplished this.

5. Have a snowball fight - This is a repeat oh my gosh. I have at least gotten a bit better at grammer. *insert teary laughing face*

6. Water Balloon Fight! - Honestly I forgot if I did this or not but I'm pretty sure I did one time or another

7. Visit a new state that I haven't been to before - I didn't visit a new US state but I did go to the Dominican Republic so I'm pretty sure that counts.

8. See one of my online friends in real life - Sadly no :(

9. Exercise a lot more - I want to say yes but I really didn't. I was healthier though which I have to give myself credit for. I became a lot more aware of the food I was eating and ate a lot more veggies.

10. Do a collab post with a group of bloggers - No but I do still want to do this so seriously email me if you want to participate!

11. Draw something that actually looks slightly decent - I didn't draw like at all this year

12. Write a room tour post - I actually did do this. You can find the post here along with a video.

13. Learn more about photography - I would say half for this one because I would say I did learn a lot more but I didn't really try to learn more. Does that make sense?

14. Make more goals - Kind of

15. Make a video of some kind (music or just me talking to a camera) and then actually publish it online - This I definitely accomplished! I have uploaded a total of 12 videos this year. You can find my latest one here.

16. Make a friend at my church - I made a couple :)

17. Volunteer at 3 places - I volunteered at one place like 5 times so I think it counts

18. Become an animal lover (This was typed by my friend I am always talking about. She said I couldn't delete it. I do like animals but this is not really one of my urgent goals.) - Actually kind of

19. Paint my entire face/Get more than one henna - I don't think I did this but there was two weeks where I became kind of obsessed with stickers and might have put a bunch on face. I'm not weird OK I'm unique.

20. Get a nice camera - I didn't get this but I did get a tripod for my phone and honestly my phone with a tripod especially is probably better than most cameras.

21. Do a review/discussion post that I am proud of - I had a lot of discussion type posts I was proud of this year!

22. Read 100 books (I almost never count the books that I read but I am pretty sure I completed this goal this past year so I have decided to do it again, I love reading.) - I don't know if I completed this goal because like I said I never keep track of my books but I think I did accomplish this. :)

23. Be more grateful and content in my life. - Even with all of the crazy things that have happened this year (translation flooding) I think I have been more content. I find myself smiling a lot more and just being more positive. :)

Overall I must say I didn't complete many of my goals. Like maybe 50%?? But with all of the other things that happened this year I would stay it's a success.

2018 Goals

-Get to 150 followers on Bloglovin'

-Have 125 followers with Google Friend Connect

-Reach 400 followers on Instagram 

-Read 100 books

-Start thinking about and working towards getting into a fabulous high school

-Keep posting on here weekly

-Upload at least 5 videos to my YouTube channel

-Not be too scared to try new things

-Be content and always try to look on the bright side

-Join another club

-Start enjoying exercise and walking more

-Grow my blog and start working with more people

-Travel somewhere new 

-Start babysitting or doing some kind of job

This post turned out a lot longer then I thought it would be. Also I don't know if I've mentioned this on the blog but I did move again. Watch out for my What I Got For Christmas coming up soon!  

What are your new years resolutions? What are your goals for the new year? What's your favorite thing you've done this year? 

23 Things I Love About Christmas + Snowing In Texas

CHRISTMAS IS TODAY YOU GUYS. I am like not an OK human being right now. Christmas means so much to me and everyone else and just the world. It is pretty much the most anticipated day of the year except for New Years Eve which is saying a lot OK. Like oh my gosh. I'm at my grandmothers house right now and I'll be doing a haul either on Thursday or in two weeks. So I thought in honor of this awesome holiday I would do a fun little list of all of the things THAT I LOVE ABOUT CHRISTMAS.

Ok but first you might have heard that it snowed in Texas recently it actually snowed. LIKE IT ACTUALLY SNOWED HERE. I just realized I haven't posted about it yet so yeah here is my little snow story.

For some of you snow might not be that amazing. You might live in a place like Canada or New York or some place cold like that where it snows every year. It might even be annoying to you. Well you see in Houston it hasn’t snowed for eight years and even then it was really ice. But it actually snowed today and I kind of freaked out because I’ve never really seen snow (like the powdery beautiful version, I've seen snow but it was really just ice) so this was my first actual real life snow. My parents woke me up at 11 at night because they had seen snow falling. I was half asleep at this point but I still freaked out. When I woke up (like in the morning) I went outside and looked out the window and I saw that all of the cars and the floor and everything was covered in snow and I screamed at this point and everyone came running. Even my mom freaked out because even though she had seen the snow she didn’t think it would stick. I immediately went outside after getting my shoes on and just played in the snow and it was like my childhood dreams of waking up to snow coming true and it was the best thing. It was also kind of freezing though so I had to go back inside and put on my jacket. Annoyingly the school district decided that they didn’t want to cancel school. I personally think that this was a stupid decision because this was the first snow in eight years which means that some people here have never even seen snow like even the ice form but of course they’re like "no we’re still going to have school because we’re annoying idiots and we like to make kids not be able to play in the snow" so that was annoying. ANYWAY we drove to school and I played with my friends. I had a freaking amazing day.

Sorry I had to include that. Now on to the actual post. :)

1. Everything. I mean Christmas is pretty awesome. 

2. Brownies that my grandmother bakes. They are pretty much the best things on the planet. Like not kidding. Especially when they are warm. 

3. Time with family. Just hanging out and seeing everyone. I have a lot of family that lives near me but there like 3rd cousins and all of my aunts and uncles and grandparent live pretty far away so it's really nice to see everyone. Fun fact this has nothing to do with anything but when my aunt got engaged she and her fiance came to Houston to see my mom and my grandparents. They were here on my birthday and the fiance actually got me a present and like no one else did and I decided I liked him that day. Turns out he's actually really cool and nice. If your reading this your awesome uncle Anthony!

4. Time off from school. Vacations are the best. Winter break is really needed at least for me. At school right before the holidays are super stressful because we have tests and report cards and it's just bleh.

 

5. Child like excitement when I'm opening a present or doing something else along those lines. It's just beautiful. I'm one of those people that when you give me something I will maybe be overly excited just because it makes me so happy. On Christmas it's my regular weird self plus the whole Christmas spirit thing. 

6. Getting to see family I usually don't see. :) :)

7. The cold weather that comes along with the season. I do secretly like the cold even though I'll always complain about it. 

8. Everyone is just nicer. The Christmas season at least to me is all about giving and being joyful and kind and nice and just an awesome human being. It's really cool to see people donate and do stuff like that. Plus people just seem happier. 

9. Christmas music and singing along to it all month long. Christmas music, all though many people will complain, is actually really good!

10. Sweaters. Ugly sweaters, cute sweaters, any sweaters. Just sweaters in general. When it's cold just snuggling up in a sweater is so nice! 

11. Christmas trees. The Christmas tree is one of the symbols of Christmas. Like once you put up the tree it is officially Christmas season. It's so fun to decorate the tree. 

12. The chance of snow. We never get snow (except for this year of course) but it's just that excitement and thought that maybe snow might come that just makes me so happy!

13. Just all of the lights especially in town near the shops and stuff. Also just like in the neighborhood. When you see other people decorating there house it's a sense of community and it reminds you of Christmas. It's just overall fun. 

14. Hot chocolate and pretty much any of other warm drink. On a cold night just snuggling with a cover on and a warm mug in your hand is the best feeling!

15. Christmas parties! These past two years I've gone to my youth groups white elephant parties and there really fun! I got these fuzzy socks that I have been wearing every day for the past week or so. Like not kidding. Haha. 

16. Desserts meaning cake, brownies, and actual Christmas themed desserts I can't really think of right now. 

17. Stockings and waking up in the morning and just opening my stocking and getting small cute things. My grandmother (she is so cool) made me and my sisters and my parents each these super cute stockings and there really festive and have our names on them. Be jealous!

18. Ice skating. I think ice skating for me is a very romantic idea in my mind and then when I first start it's fun but then my feet start hurting and then it's just annoying... But for those first few minutes I love it. :) Also I've watched some videos of people dancing on skates and it's so pretty! 

19. Randomly singing Christmas songs in class.  Don't ask I'm weird. :) I actually did do this though the other day. It was the day that it snowed and I was just feeling very in the mood so I started singing "Let It Snow" and my friend joined in. It was during group work time and everyone was being super loud so no one really noticed but it was cool. 

20. Gingerbread everything. Ok so fun fact I've actually never made a gingerbread man or a ginger bread house that I can remember. But it's like ice skating as it is like this romantic idea about Christmas to make one of those gingerbread man cookies and decorate it. 

21. Food in general. Food is just good you guys. I mean it is. From Christmas dinner to just the general excess of sweets everyone has, it's an overall good food season. 

22. Christmas pictures. Instagram has ruined me. :) But seriously just Christmas and winter photos in general are just so pretty. With Christmas trees and lights and snow it's beautiful!

23. Going to see movies. I don't get to see movies (like in theaters) often but when I do it's usually around Christmas. This is for two reasons. Number one I'm always with my extended family for Christmas and family means people who will take me to the movies and buy me tickets. Number two a lot of movies come out during Christmas time probably because of reason one. I remember when the second hunger games movie came out (best one of the series) I went with a bunch of my aunts and uncle and I was the only kid and it just made me feel so happy. Both because I was the only kid and I felt mature and also because the movies awesome! 

CHRISTMAS IS THE BEST! I want to hear all of the things you love about Christmas and what your doing for Christmas and what you got/gave and just everything! ALL OF THE CHRISTMAS THINGS! Comment down below!