MAJOR ANNOUCEMENT!

Hello, hello!

   I give my sincerest apologies for the ridiculous lack of posting recently. However, I have a good reason…

 WE’RE MOVING!

  Yep, it’s definite. I’m not shutting down Teenage Times, but it’s getting a major makeover– most importantly, on Blogger! That’s right: No more WordPress! New title, new look, new posts, new home.
     I didn’t wake up one day and say, “Hmm, I should relocate my blog.” Obviously, as you can tell with my major post-lack, something major was a long time coming. I just feel like the blog isn’t living up to its potential in many ways. For instance: isn’t it a big lackluster? The heading, background, even the title is getting old fast. That’s why TT is permanently moving. 
     It’s here! Check out the new digs:

 
                                            
 

    To recap: Teenage Times is moving! It’ll have a new title and everything on Blogger. A link will be available at the top of this post on October 15th, 2011. 

  I appreciate your continued support, and hope you’ll join me at the new web address. See you there!

   xoxo,
        Zoe

No Regrets, Just Love: Katy Perry Concert & Meet and Greet 8.19.11

      Hello, hello.

   I’ve been blogging my excitement for the Katy Perry concert since forever. The California Dreams tour is supposed to be nothing less that spectacular. It wasn’t.

                       
                           By the way, nobody likes a picture thief. (:
   
   My  mom and I got our Ultimate V.I.P. passes and then were led straight to the Candyfornia pre-show party. It was neat– I watched people sing karoke, ate some food, and dug through my gift bag(inside: towel, sunglasses, and lollipop). After we bought our merch(I got a tour shirt and program), we waited in the party room for about an hour before being led to a really long line (we skipped to the front–I guess that’s a benefit of being Ultimate:)  at 7 o’clock. Eventually, we were led into the meet and greet room.
     I was about to have a panic attack when I saw her, I just stood there watching her for a minute. I got in line, and finally, it was my turn. She introduced herself, and then signed my Rolling Stone and poster we brought. I told her I brought her a present, but it was on the other table for security to check. I’m so glad I wrote a letter and put it in there, I barely said anything at all. She signed my things, then we got a picture. I gave her a hug, and we left. 
     
   
     Then, we were led to our seats. I was really jittery because I heard that the  General Admission pit was a thousand times better than seats. Well, at this show, Janelle Monae had already started–meaning, the arena was totally full already. Sorry, GA! We found our seats to be front row, seats 4 & 5– seats RIGHT in front of the “T” of the stage. Looking back, if I could’ve picked any other seats in the entire arena,  I wouldn’t. That’s how perfect they were.
   After DJ Skeet Skeet’s set, it was Katy’s turn. I don’t think I need to go in detail about how phenomenal she was. By the end, we were hardcore sprayed with “whip cream” (soapy water), then feathered in confetti! I thought it was the icing (..or whip cream) on the cake, but my mom was, naturally, not too happy. 
                      
  

   All in all? It was probably the best night of my entire life.

   xoxo & cotton candy,
                Zoe

 

                         

Seventeen versus Teen Vogue

    Hello, hello!

     Awhile back, I started a subscription to Teen Vogue. I wasn’t an avid reader of the magazine, but in one issue, I saw a mail-in “Subscribe!” card with an adorable bag on it and decided, why not? If you’ll recall, I never got that free bag.
    Since then, I’ve compared two incredibly popular teen-girl magazines, and the details are seriously important to realize. Read on for the epic battle: Seventeen versus Teen Vogue. (Note: I took Girl’s Life out of the running, simply because I believe it’s aimed at a somewhat younger audience: up to age 14 or 15.)

    Seventeen Hard Facts

• Around since 1944
• Life-style magazine
• Meant for ages 12-19
• Currently published by Hearst
• Around 7-8 million subscribers

      Teen Vogue Hard Facts

•  Around since 2003
• Fashion magazine
• Meant for ages 13-19
• Currently published by Conde Nast
• Vogue‘s “little sister”
• Around 1 million subscribers

   Aside from tips, tricks & articles..
   
    Seventeen Reader Benefits: Monthly contests, occasional coupons, and a free gift every issue! (Below is September’s free full-size “Paris Amour” lotion!)
               
                              (Apologies for the low quality)

 Teen Vogue Reader Benefits: Heads-up for the latest Teen Vogue Haute Spot  

   In-the-Mail Extra Important note: Seventeen always delivers the magazine to subscribers before it hits stands. Teen Vogue, however, does not. I usually find Teen Vogue on stands before it’s in my mailbox.

   Where does this leave you, the consumer? Here’s a summary for each magazine, to help you decide which is best for you.

     Being in the game since 1944, Seventeen has teenage minds down pat. Delivering what every young American girl wants to know monthly, Seventeen is ideal for information on style, love, fashion, academics and more. It’s the ultimate monthly bible for every young girl.

   First premiering with Gwen Stefani on the cover, Teen Vogue knew what young fashionistas wanted right away. With Vogue as it’s predecessor, Teen Vogue took clothes off the runway, made them wearable, and put them in young girls’ closets everywhere. Delivering a monthly fashion report, Teen Vogue is the ultimate guide for budding designers (and models!) all over the country.   

  Subscribe away, young readers!

   xoxo,
       Zoe

   Products mentioned were bought by myself.  I am not getting paid by any companies mentioned for this post, nor am I affiliated with them. Any opinions are honest, as always.

Recently Purchased + (super brief!) KeraStraight update

      Hello.

    Apologies for the lack of posting! School started, so I’ve been pretty busy. I’m banking in on that excuse, so I’ll be posting more often now. That aside, let’s get started.

 I recently bought a few things online from Forever 21.

     
     What I Got (but you might not see): Two “BodyCon” skirts ($5.50 apiece, man!), oxford flats (my first), a cheetah ring, a koi ring, anchor earrings ($1.50), a teeny feather necklace ($1.50), a bow ring, and a plain black top hidden under it all. Forever 21 is the place to get inexpensive accessories(just don’t expect them to last forever).

   Other Things I Got Recently:
 

•    Necklace and bracelet set (clearance!) with free Kohl’s $10 giftcard

                                                      

•      Staples Landmark Pushpins & Pixi Water Blush(Target; $4, sale)
                           
•     Hobby Lobby notebook + key ring($1!) + Bath & Body Works lotions and lipgloss (Free full-size! Read my upcoming post Seventeen v.s. Teen Vogue to find out how!)
                       

(Super Brief!) KeraStraight update

      You know how I recently got a KeraStraight smoothing treatment. Well, here’s my first update, short as it may be. Since I’ve had it for about two weeks, I’ve noticed important changes (and important nonchanges) in my hair.
    The good news? My hair is shinier and smoother. Also, after I straightened it, it stayed straight for a longer time than ever before.
   The bad news? My hair is weaker. I bought some hair-strengthening pills (I’m too young to be bald!), and I hope they’ll deflect the damage. My hair is also not as straight naturally as expected.
    If you’re thinking about getting a straightening treatment or just got one, don’t be discouraged! I have a pal with ultra-frizzy hair who had a treatment done, and her hair is flawless. I think the worse your hair is, the better the results.

  
 xoxo,
      Zoe

 

   Products mentioned were bought by myself.  I am not getting paid by any companies mentioned for this post, nor am I affiliated with them. Any opinions are honest, as always.
 

My Birthday (with KeraStraight details) + End-of-the-Month Haul: July

   Hello.

                          

   So, yesterday was my birthday. Hooray! With that birthday came festivities, and with those came presents.
 What did I get? Well, aside from Katy Perry concert tickets + meet and greet passes(you’ve read about it here), I got a ukulele(with maracas!), a “World’s Greatest Sister” trophy(hehe), and a gorgeous little ruby ring. My cake was made out of cookie, I saw Crazy, Stupid Love, ate a Mexican dinner, and had a great time.

 
     Also got my all-time favorite Sabriel and cheap shoes at Target (:
 
    The day before my birthday, I went to Ulta. Not to buy any products, but to get a KeraStraight Smoothing Treatment. What is a smoothing treatment? It’s where your hairdresser basically paints your hair with special product. This product is supposed to make your hair smoother, shinier, and straighter for the next 3-5 months, as well as make it easier to straighten(which is part of my daily routine when school kicks in). My mother had a coupon, and offered it to be part of my birthday. Anyway, WARNING! This is not for the tender-headed! This pulls, yanks, and tears your hair when being brushed at the salon. It’s incredibly painful and time-consuming(THREE AND A HALF HOURS! Of  just sitting there! My hair isn’t even damaged or color-treated, too). I’ll document the wins and fails of this treatment for the next 3-5 months.
    So, maybe I should’ve made a post exclusively for my birthday, but it would’ve been awfully small. So here’s my End-of-the-Month haul for July, made of various little groups of things.
 

     Sephora
   
      
    
   
     What you see here: a StarterKit Brush Set by Sephora(sale: $10 originally: $25); Happy Birthday: Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath by Philosophy (free: Beauty Insiders birthday gift), a MiniMergency Kit for Her(no sale: $13); CLEAN Perfume 3-pc set (no sale: $10) 
        I was originally excited about the idea of a TokiDoki sale in the Sephora store. Sadly, it’s online-only, apparently. Figures. However, I did do some major scoring in sale with the Starter Kit Brush Set–I’ve been needing a new eyeshadow brush, and I’ve wanted to try a foundation brush, too (definitely sick of sponges). After more browsing, I found the CLEAN brand of perfume. Oh my gosh, it smells like it sounds. To my surprise, there was a $10 three-piece set. Just what I was looking for!! I can try it without the splurge. Oh, happy happy happy. As we(my mother and myself) were looking through the Beauty-on-the-Go items in checkout, I picked up the MiniMergency kit. It had sixteen little items in it! Whaaaa?! I stared at it blankly for a few moments (trying to decide if I was going to buy it or not), when my mom volunteered to pay for it, stating it was a back-to-school item. It was quite the “Awwww! MOM!” moment. I got my free birthday gift at the cashiers’ desk before we left.

    Ulta

   
    What you see here: Almay Blemish-Heal foundation, Revlon Siren lipstick, Ulta charcoal automatic eyeliner, Ulta camel eyeshadow.
     So I’ve been dying for new foundation, but since I just started using it, I’ll have  to review it later. I got the Ulta-brand eyeshadow in Camel, because I needed a highlighter. I had a coupon, so the Revlon Siren (orange) lipstick was a must. The eyeliner was on sale for $1, so I got it in charcoal. Using it for the first time: It’s the best eyeliner I’ve used to date. No kidding. 

     Other little things I’ve purchased recently:

• Seventeen’s Guide to Style
• Rimmel 084 Amythst Shimmer (purple) Lipstick
                     
• U by Kotex wristlet + tin (on sale at Target); the tin is ideal for my iPod.
                      
• Forever 21 Online -Clothes & Accessories, has yet to arrive
• Target shoes on clearance (in birthday picture with ring & trophy)

  That concludes this glorious post.

   xoxo,
       Zoe
 

 Products mentioned were bought by myself, my family, or gifted from my family.  I am not getting paid by any companies mentioned for this post, nor am I affiliated with them. Any opinions are honest, as always.