Dear It Girl, What would be suitable for my Art Project?

Q: Attempting to get top marks in my Fine Art AS course, I'm in a need for a creative and meaningful project theme. The theme is called 'Covert and Obscure', and is revolving around anything secretive, hidden or covered. My idea is to do fairytales, but how can I convert this into something more do-able and add an original twist? 

A: I get you, it seems kind of pointless to paint your best friend dressed up as Cinderella. You need something more meaningful, like you stated. 

I have a few ideas for you. Start thinking - do you want to concentrate on something visual or thoughtful? If visual, try focusing on landscapes rather than people in princess costumes. You can exaggerate on colour of nature, or twist up the sky using Photoshop to create a whimsical day. 

Another idea is to step away from the fairytales and research an emotion artist. You can then use your own interpretation to paint people showing their emotion, which has you guessing their story and background. So you still kind of stay in the story telling theme.

You can also write on peoples' faces - maybe a few sentences you find interesting, like some quotes or lyrics. This is covert as it covers the face, but is telling a certain story. The painting can be interpreted in so many ways!

Good luck with your art! Don't leave everything to the last minute!

Lola x

Mailbox

Where's Lola? 

I'm sorry, I know you haven't heard much of be in 2013, but trust me, I haven't forgotten about you! So to make it up to you, I'm gonna pull out all my email from you and share with you!

Fan Mail

Bag Of Questions

Friends of It Girl

I made tons of new teen blogger friends on the Google + Teen Bloggers community. Check it out and join the fun. Whoop whoop! Ani Sana also shares my love for Pretty Little Liars! Adrian gave great relationship advice (such that I can't give at all), and Anya Felix's post made me cry! Find all their amazing blogs and other people's right there, or join to advertise your blog too! We can be friends!

Dear It Girl (short 'n' sweet)*

Here's quick advice for these girls in trouble. Comment if you would give different help.

Aaand that's my mai for this month empty! Thanks for mailing guys, keep it coming!

*Short 'n' sweet version of Dear It Girl consists of shorter advice. Some questions have their own individual posts because they need a longer advice, so don't worry, I'm not neglecting you.

Dear It Girl... How can I prove I'm #1 1D fan?

Q - I am One Direction NUMBER ONE FAN no matter what the other girls says! YOU HEARD RIGHT BITCHES IM THE NUMBER ONE FAN! This is why: I have a 1D wall in my room (a wall covered with 1D posters, all of it). I have all the dolls, room decor, clothes, bags and pencilcase, shoe design... I have everyone of their songs, annual books, posters, gone to loads of concerts, follow their every tweet and I even forced my little brother to dress like Harry (cuz he has curly hair like that too). And SO much more you won't belive. I'm planinng on doing my hair like Harry's too, just cause I need to prove to these bitches that I'M the number one fan. I need advice how to meet them and prove I'm THE number one fan. Can buying VIP let you go on stage and show everyone I'm the number one fan? What should I say and do up there?
Lauren, 13

A -


I'm sorry I don't know what to say.
Ok.. I think you asked the wrong question here. Should've asked: How to cure my bug?? You need to chill out, like, now!! There is no such thing as a number one fan. Sorree! You either hate them, don't like them, don't care, like, love or are TOTALLY OBSESSED like you miss. Having your wall plastered and your clothes 1D printed doesn't mean anything, it just symbolizes you're a fan and seriously, you shouldn't have more than few of these items. You don't wanna be in everyone's face! Being a true fan means listening to the music, supporting the band by buying songs if you can, and knowing some stuff about them (this does NOT involve Twitter stalking). Also, one more main thing - not being stingy! You can't have the artist/ group to yourself. Everyone deserves to like what they want. Wihout many fans (and shit loads of money), your 1D would never be where they are now.

Ok Weird but relevant, I guess.

Dear It Girl, what can I do about my nose?

Q - I fucking hate my nose. It's like one of those that stick out at the top, a dolphin nose. Like snowwhite witch had, get me? I don't want plastic surgery cause A I'm only 17 and B I know the side effects. So is there anythin I can do about it?
I know ur not a magician -.- but i need some boost.
Sincerely Mememe

A - You lucky bitch! You know how much some people want a nose like that? Hispanic girls are considered so beautiful and some of them have these noses, which make them such beauties!

Michelle Christensen, Gurl.com comics extract

A girl from Tumblr: i will always love the way i am, and NOT let anyone tell me different

Do I even need to comment? I'm jealous!

Cheryl Cole has a 'dolphin' nose but it gives her beauty!

Ellie Goulding, need I say more?

Barbra Streisand young, what a gorgeous girl!

You may now say: But I'm not that pretty. Bullcrap - we're all have beauty, it's a fact. You just need to find a way to it. Accepting youself is a start - confidence is key, and it will reveal the dead gorgeous you.

x

Diary: The truth about Santa Clause?

Snowing!
Oh yeaaah!! Today it was snowing for the first time in my area! Well, if I don't count Saturday, when it was snowing in the morning while I was still snoring in my room (my friend woke up though, and bragged about it all day ): )! 
But anyway, it was more like snow slash rain. Row... Snain! It was snainy today (that's exactly what I'm gonna say to my friends tomorrow, I'm such a genius).

'The sky is having sex', as Callie said in my favourite ever book (Checkmate) by Malirie Blackman! Read it, and you'll definitely get this part. Believe I'm not crazy, or weird, or sick. (Please don't tell my mother!)
To skip any confusion, it's a book for teenagers. Best book I ever read.

St Nicholas Feast!
Educate yourselves! It's Saint Nicholas today! For you British teens, this might not ring a bell, but in that 'little' island called EUROPE, 5th and 6th December is are days worth highlighting in the calendar.
In some countries, children put out their shoes to be filled with presents and yummy food overnight. It's like having Christmas twice in one month!!

In other countries, it's different. People dress up as 'Mikulas', Angel and a Devil go around together. Mikulas (St Nicholas) is the good guy, who gives out presents to good children. The Angel is like his assistant. The person dressed up as the devil is supposed to scare naughty kids and give them potatoes. Yup, potatoes instead of the presents. Well done, well done. 
In the end though, even the nasty kids get their gifts, all they get is a warning, so ya know.
This is a good way for teens to make money. When I still lived in Europe, I used to go around with my friends, we would dress up in these costumes (I was a girl devil, haha. I was cute though.) and go knock on doors and give sweets to kids, or catch parents with kids on the streets. Parents will give you some coins or cash as a thank you gesture for making their kids' day! 
When we did this, one kid cried and another one pissed himself. Perfect.

Angel and Mikulas costumes.

Anyway. To the important bit. St Nicholas was apparently, a long time ago, a wealthy person who inherited a lot of money from his family. Instead of being all stingy and living the life, he gave out his fortune to the poor. In fact, rumour has it that he was secretly dropping bags of money and gold down individuals' chimneys so they would survive.. (hint)
He later became a saint, as he was helping anyone in trouble - hungry children, prisoners, women, abused persons... You name it! He just kept on giving (hint hint).

Ok, I think you get it now. St Nicholas IS Santa Clause. This is what he is based on, believe it or not! 

I hope I ruined your fantasies x

Dear It Girl, I've no money for Xmas..

Q - I'm sick of people shopping! My family isn't very rich, and Im not complaining. My parents do everything they can and I know there are people out there who don't even have a clue its Xmas. But this is what bugs and worries me - I have to get a gift for this chick in school (we did this thing called secret santa, where you have to pick someones name out of a hat, there's 12 of us in out group) and my friends agreed that the gifts must be worth £10-20! Like, seriously? I barely have that money for my family (I have £22 in my piggy bank right now, lol)!! Helpppp?!
PS: There's my parents, and an older bro in my fam
Lucy, 15


A - I'm so glad you told me this! Here at my blog, I respect and understand those who can't afford to give expensive gifts and shop for X-mas shit like extra decorations.
Christmas isn't just about spending money. It shouldn't make you feel like that. You say you have about 22 quid? Perfect, no problem!

Get your Mum a nice bath bomb from Lush or a pair or earrings - there's plenty of nice ones for a cheap price on the market, you just have to look! Spend about £3.50

For your Dad, something like a shower gel and socks are a classic. Maybe something useful that he needs right now, like a hat, a set of pens and notebooks, or an after-shave gel. Spend about £3.50

Your bro might find good use of some new headphones, gloves, a poster, or some shower stuff. Who cares, brothes aren't fussy! Spend about £5


And finally, for your mate, don't go over a fiver. Pick up a cute nailpolish, a bath bomb, maybe a lipgloss. Or H&M have awesome body fragrances for about £3. Grab a nail varnish with it and voila! She can't be too fussy. Anyway, it will be a 'Secret' Santa, won't it? She'll never know. If she doesn't like it, who cares! She can't say anything and should be grateful for anything she gets!

x
If any of you have a money problem, Christmas or no Christmas, write to me for advice or a boost :) Money isn't everything.

Dear It Girl, my boyfriend makes me feel guilty...

Q - I've been going out with my boyfriend for about 5 months now. A few weeks ago, he did something to me that I told him I'd never forgive (at a party). I went home and he came to my house a while later. We talked and we shouted, and when I said it's over, he started crying. Like real tears, and loud! I never seen anyone cry so much! So i said he has one last chance.

He treated me really nice but then the same thing happened: he done something, i tried to break up with him, and he cried.

I feel so giulty and it break my heart to see him cry. i hate seeing people cry. But I just don't want to be with him anymore. But I cant let him go, it breaks my heart!
May,18

A - By being with him, you're breaking your own heart. It might be tough, but you need to end this before he hurts you again - and maybe more.. 

This will also help you - you'll learn how to be tougher with people, not a doormat. Being with this guy will only lead him on and make you depressed. What he's doing is playing with you. His tears are real, but everyone's upset a break-up - some people just control themselves, and he lets it all out, maybe using it against you.

Tell him on the phone that you have to talk - preferably meet in public, so that he can't throw a tantrum. Tell him straight and simply that it's over - watch Youtube vids for advice, as silly as it sounds! He will be upset, but not forever. It's not your fault, anyway. You can't be with someone you don't love that way! 

x

Dear It Girl, my parents are blocking my dreams!

Q - Ever since I was little, I wanted to star in adverts on the TV - I mean, easy money, right? Now I'm 17 and I'd love to be a model. I entered many magazine competitions, and never seemed to get chosen - after all, I don't have the classic model looks. I'm petite and plump - however, people tell me I'm really pretty. A month ago, I got offered a contract for catalog modelling! My parents said no way, and I need their signature! The offer has expired now, but I'm sure I'll get others. They're so controlling and I'm 18 in like ages, what can I do? 

A - I suggest you wait. Simple. You said it, you're 18 in ages, but less than a year can't be that long. I mean, patience, grace and hard work is the key to success. 

I know you might not like to hear this, but what else can you do. It's not like you can forge their signature. Some people wait a life sentence to get what they want. 

The other thing you can do is model - for yourself! Create a blog, dress up and shoot. Fashion blogs can lead to fans, which gets you noticed, which may lead to modeling contracts - and not just for a catalog, ever heard of highly valued fashion magazines?

One of my favourite fashion bloggers, curvygirlchic.com,  has scored a whole
page dedicated to her in Seventeen magazine this month!  She's so pretty!

Dear It Girl, should I change schools next year?

Q - I've been going to the same school for 5 years now, and I'm finishin my last year. Next year is 6th form time! I don't love my recent school, but i got pretty used to it after such a long time.
I havent made any close friends in my year - I usually have to trail after my older sister and hang out with her mates at break (she doesn't mind, but since im younger, her mates treat me like a baby). Anyway, I'd love to have a fresh start and make some real friends for once, but I can't cope with change! We moved house 3 times in 6 years (all very close to eachother), but I just can't cope with anymore change! Help?
Anab., 16

A - Picture me 2 months ago, one day before the start of school. I hadn't decided which school I want to attend. Horrible. I don't like to admit it, but I burst out crying the day before school, because I had no idea which bus I was taking the next day. I had two choices - either stay at my old school, or have a fresh start.
I felt almost like you - I don't like change. But I wanted something new, really badly.
My advice to you, is to keep both doors open. You have a long time till you have to know for sure. But If I was in your shoes, I'd go for the new school.
Do this: Create a new alter-ego. A brave, bold, unique, girl who is a social butterfly and smiles when she feels like it! Make up a nickname even. Go to your new school next year and act like your new alter ego. But this doesn't mean to forget the real you, just mix it up a little, and when you make friends, you can go back to however you feel best at. Nothing wrong with being an outsider, just make sure you're not pushed back - meaning, enjoy the life of your own year group, not your sister's. Join in. Talk to people. Have fun!

Jump and Laugh!

Dear It Girl... My friend is stealing from me!

Q - A few weeks ago, I had my friend Emma* round. The day after, I couldn't find my glitter eye stick. I thought it must be somewhere, so no big deal. But ever since then, my stuff has been disappearing slowly: my dangle earrings, my headphones, my old magazines (which I collect) and my ring (it was one of those cheap ones, but still) - after every one of her visit,a few things were 'lost'. Then, a few days ago, I saw her in town with hey boyfriend (she didn't see me) - she was definitely wearing MY dangle earrings! I know for a fact she didn't have the same ones, as I got them from my aunt from Germany ages ago! I've also seen photos of her at house parties wearing lots of glitter - just like tthe glitter pencil I used to have. I'll see her in school after half term because I didn't want to make any plans with her. Should I confront her?
Alice*, 16


A - Finally, something normal!
If I were you, I'd make 100% sure that it's her. Be sneaky and show up at her house, unannounced. That way, she won't have time to hide any of your stolen stuff! If she tries to make excuses and won't let you in, just be persistent.
It's hard to confront a friend about a thing like stealing - what if it's a misunderstanding blah blah blah. Well, just drop a few hints: 'I saw you in town the other day and I loved your earrings - I had some like it but I can't find them anywhere' and 'I saw photos on FB - nice glitter, I had the same glitter stick - I wonder where it is?' And watch her expression. If she doesn't budge, just kindly ask her if she has no idea where your stuff is going, if she doesn't know about your other friends and tell her you won't be mad.

If all fails, or you don't have the guts to confront her, simples. Don't ask her round again. Always say you're not in the mood, you have plans etc. Only if there are more people, and still keep an eye on her.

Abraca-dabra, problem solved!

Happy scheming x

Dear It Girl... How to get revenge on my BFF?

Q - Okz so my bff had a bday partay and she didnt invite me. i asked her in school and she said its cuz her parents think im bad influence! it's my bday soon and i invited her, but i want to give her revenge. look. i know what im goig to do i just eed adivce how. were going to a restaurant and i want to have diarhea into her food and say its sauce. im gonna do it before everyone comes so noone knows and then tell everyone she ate my diarhea! how do i get diarhea though? pls doont try to tell me not to do it cuz i will.

Ella, 12

A - Ok, so the age of my audience is starting to scare me.

Go to a grocery store. Buy a bottle of prune juice and drink up - diarrhea, here we go! It will flow out of you like Niagara falls! If you really want it to explode, eat citrus fruit and green vegs to top it off. Boom.

No, but seriously, you need to grow up. I have a feeling this is a troll - and a bad one.

(Like, what the hell did I just read?!)

But this isn't the first time I saw someone trying to give revenge by diarrhea. To all you.. challenged ones out there - if you hate your 'bff' so much, break up with her and find a new one (if you're lucky enough to get new friends).

And Ella, do you really want to enter your teens like this?

Boo. Is all I can say x

Dear It Girl, what maccup can I use if Im only 10?

Whoopie! My very first advice help e-mail came today!

Q - What maccup can I use if Im only 10?
      [Translation: What make-up can I use if I'm only 10 years old?]
A - Well. My advice is very simple. Find a box of felt-tips in your room. Use red as lipstick, blue as eye shadow and some orange to add blush to your baby cheeks! You'll look all grown up! Here's a video to help you, if you want to take things to an even further level!

Hahahahahahahahhaa.
No, but seriously. You're 10. The only make-up you need is.. well, none. The one thing I can't stand is little girls who try to be grown ups. And L'Oreal. And celebrities who thinks they're queens. And fake reality shows. Aaand girls who think you love love them. Annnndd teachers who give you DETENTION for not bringing homework, and then they forget to grade your test, claiming they 'have other students' - well, I have other LESSONS! *#$&@£!*
Ooops, got a little of the point there. Anyway, Alice, I'm sure you're a beautiful gal and don't even need make-up. You don't want to block your skin from getting its air. It's healthy to be natural. Plus, you're a kid for only a few more years, but you'll have plenty of time using make-up as an adult!
If you really want to wear make-up, use lipgloss. But no more.

It Girl x