Review | SISTEMA Cutlery To-Go

I'm one of those people that always brings lunch to work. I first got this habit when I was living -- and working -- in Paris. Going out to eat is super expensive, unless you go to a fast-food joint like McDonald's or KFC... The place where I worked actually had a canteen where I could eat a full meal -- bread&cheese, soap, plate, dessert, fruit -- for 5€. Which is a bargain, for theat amount of food. But there was way too much food. Usually I would get just the plate and the dessert and that would be enough for the whole day. But I realized that i was paying for something I wasn't eating and also most of the times I din't really like the food. And with 4€ I can make a much better meal that the one I was getting,  so I just started to pack my lunch with me.

One of the best "accessories" I've gotten is this to-go cutlery set. I've recently bought a new one, and I just wanted to show you. 

This brand is super good --  I also had a food-container that was actually stolen from my old-office' fridge, and it was the best I ever had! They are phthalate and BPA free, machine washable and they come in a super convenient travel box.
I don't know if you can see from the picture -- It has a snap on system. It comes with 2 handles where you can attach one of the different heads, so that you can always combine two of the three most used cutlery -- spoon, fork and knife.  It also comes with two chopstick attachments which is really cool, in my opinion!

I think that one of these sets are a great investment. It is way more convenient and practical to bring these instead of your kitchen' metal ones. And you always have the three options. It's super compact and completely weightless. These are sold at Continete, they cost 4€ and they last a lifetime. They come in 4 different colors (green,blue,pink,purple) which match the containers. It's a great thing to add to your Back to School wishlist.

BTS | College Essentials

September is here. And we all know what that means: It's back to school season! Yup, that time of the year were we get to buy cute and awesome school supplies is here!

From what I've seen, a lot of you are going to college this year -- so first of all Congratulations for finishing high-school and for getting into collage! I hope you got in the uni and the degree you wanted!

Here I'm showing you a few of the things that I had and that helped me thought collage. I know that these things and advice may not be useful to all of you, and it depends on your university. But I hope these sugestiona can be helpful in anyway.

-- Please be nice and supportive and click on at least one of the pictures! I'd do the same for you. Thank you! --

The first thing that I recommend is a sturdy backpack. And why a backpack and not a cute bag? Well, you'll probably need to carry huge, heavy books, your laptop, your notebook and whatever else. And you'll need a backpack that can hold all of that. Also, it's way more easy to just through all your stuff inside your backpack when you are in a hurry.

Something that will also come in handy, is a tablet --  and a cute case for your tablet. I like the ipad, but any tablet is useful. Usually the classes have PowerPoints, and the professores put the slides or the worksheets on your university's online platform. So it's good to have a way to access them in class. Of course you can also take your laptop with you but a tablet is lighter and easier to use. You should also think about getting a nice powerbank! I didn't had this in college but I would be so useful. I cannot tell you how many times I was out of battery on my phone or my tablet when I need it the most!

A nice planner is also a very good thing to have. You can mark your classes, due dates, tests and exames and really organize you life. And to do that, I really like to use colored pens. I'm not into any fancy planning, like with a lot of stickers and washi tape, but I think using a colorful pens is more fun -- click HERE to see my current planner. Also, they are awesome for taking notes  -- the ones in the picture are the exact ones that I use regularly on my life. I'm not going to suggest if you should use a note book, or loose sheets for you notes. Everyone has it's own preferred method. However, I'm suggesting you to have also a nice sturdy big pencil case. A cute fun one, with a nice bight color so you can easily find it inside your backpack. When I was in collage I had always a lot of work to do. And I always tried to have something to cheer me up in those days that I was completely tired and worn-out. And nice bight cute stuff always helped!

BTS | reutilizar.org

Do you know how expensive school books are? 

They cost at least 20€ each, and in middle school kids have like 8 or 9 different subjects...

This is a heavy financial burden for a lot a parents! Specially if you have more than on kid! 

I used to know this family that couldn't afford to go on holidays because they had to save money for their 3 kids school books! They spent all summer working extra-hours to be able to afford them.

This cool project called REUTILIZAR aims to collect and re-use school books. They have several "banks" around all Portugal that you can go and get your school books - FOR FREE! I know it is nice to have new book that no one else used before, but think about the awesome stuff you could buy with the money you'd save! And it is better for the environment! 

If you are fortunate enough to be able to buy new books every year, at least consider in donating your old books to this program. It would help a lot of families and a lot of kids! You can find all the book banks in their website!

Check out their facebook and share with your friends! It is the easiest way to help!

BTS | ESSENTIALS GIVEAWAY! | CLOSED

Hello!!

To celebrate the back to school season I am giving away a bunch of stuff that I consider essentials for going back to school! I al not talking about makeup or school supplies but just skin care products!
All this products are things that i love and use on my own daily life and I know you are going to love them!

I chose this products because for me they are essentials for starting school. I will explain why on each product

 - DEMAK UP make up wipes -- this is my favorite way of removing make up from my face! When you go to school you HAVE to --you know-- use some foundation or concealer to hide some face demons and at the end of the day it is SUPER IMPORTANT TO REMOVE ALL YOUR MAKE UP! And this wipes are so good! they smell like fresh clean sheets and I use them always! *I don't know if you can get these in Portugal*

-Neutrogena face-cleaner anti-black heads -- black heads are a problem! I HATE black heads and i bet you do too. No one likes to have disgusting black stuff on their face! This product actually works if you use it like twice a week. It is to wash your face but it also has some exfoliate in it. Is really good and soft. And the smell -- it smells like soap but like a medicinal soap. I don't know how to explain, but it smells clean!

-HUGGIES baby wipes -- I know it seams strange. Why I am giving you baby wipes?! Well -- baby wipes can save your life -- specially on that time of the month, if you know what I mean! Really, you shoul keep a pack of baby wipes on you backpack just in case. I guarantee you that you will use them over and over. HUGGIES are my favorites just because of the way they smell.

-Maybelline baby lips -- Every girl needs a lip balm -- and this one is great because it leaves some color! I love them! I chose the Cherry Me color because it is a nice strong pink!

-Maybelline Color Show nail polish in Ocean Blue! -- I think that this is the perfect nail polish for the first day of school! It has such a great shimmer **I bought one for my self too**

Okay, so to win this I have came up with some interesting stuff so you can have more chances of winning!

(A) Leave a comment on this post - 1 entry

(B) Make a post on your blog sharing the giveaway - 5 entries

(C) Follow the blog -- if you already follow it counts as well - 2 entries

(D) Like TheNotSoGirlyGirl Facebook page - 1 entry

(E) Like and share THIS facebook post - 2 entries

(F) Tag 3 friends on THIS fecebook post - 3 entries for each 3 friends you tag. you can tag as many friends you want, as a multiple of 3.


Just fill out this form with you blogger name (the name you used to comment on the blog), facebook name and with the stuff you did! I will announce the winner on September 21st! 

Good luck!!

**YOU HAVE TO FILL OUT THE GOOGLE FORM -- OTHERWISE I WILL NOT CONSIDER YOU FOR THE GIVEAWAY!**

BTS | Easy Mornings!

Heyy!

Since it is Back to School Season - and everybody is posting about it - I decided that I also want to give you some tips & tricks for all that about to re-start school. But I am not going to give you outfits or dumb advises like I have seen in so many different blogs! NO NO NO!  I will give you real things - from someone was in school for hmm almost 20 years if you count kinder-garden! All this things are stuff that I DID AND DO and that I know that they work! I hope this tips are helpful and I have at least 4 more posts planned! If you have any suggestions or, you have any topic that you would like help with, let me know in the comments! :)

This fist post is all about mornings! Mornings are a pain in the ass! I know! I hate getting up early and I am definitely not a morning person! So I came up with some "systems" to help me have a smooth morning and to not be always late!

1 - Create a routing and set alarms to avoid being late! Do everything everyday the same way! And time yourself so you know exactly how much time you need to get ready! This way you can set your alarm clock to wake up so you can sleep maximum amount of time possible and still have just enough time to get ready! Also, set alarms for when your "morning tasks" should end - like when do you need to get your butt out of the shower, or when do you need to leave so that you wont be late for school This works for me because it helps me keep track of time in the morning!

Now, I only set one alarm because I am used to my routine and I get everything done in time, but I used to have an alarm for each step of my morning - shower, makeup + clothes, eat, leave.

I know that I have to catch a train at 8:10h and it takes me 10 min to get to the train station, so I set an alarm to 7.55h (5 min before I actually have to leave) - this way when the alarm goes on I know that I need to leave right away buuuuut it still gives me some time to manage.

2- Breakfast is the most important meal of the day - DO NOT SKIP IT! You will feel less sleepy and with more energy if you have a good breakfast! And you don't need to have something super fancy! Try to eat something that is fast to make, that you like and that makes you feel good! I like cereals, cruesli or muesli, especially if they have sort of chocolate pieces (the ones in the picture are my favorite ever), with cold milk, and coffee! I know lots of you are still to young to appreciate the qualities of a good cup of coffee, but for me it is a need! I also like to eat a piece of some sort of cake or sweet just to give me some extra energy kick, but something I can grab and take with me (just in case I am running late). An apple or a piece of fruit is also a good idea. 

3- Make up, keep it simple! I have seen people doing their make up on the bus or on the train but I am sorry, I am not THAT skilled! I have a 10 min routine that I use every day and that is super fast and easy -- i am making a post just about that! But the trick is, keep is limit your options. Have on hand the essential things that you need to put on your face -- if you have time for more, GREAT!, if you don't, at least you wont leave the house looking like a zombie. (The picture shows a few of my own essentials)

4- Prepare everything the night before! Pack your backpack, lunch and gym bag at night! And also, try to shower and blow your hair at night, before going to bed! This will save you a lot of time in the morning! Another tip: if you need to bring something that you don't usually bring with you -- and you don't want to forget it -- write "BRING THE **STUFF**" on a post-it and stick it on your door or another place that you know you will see before leaving! This way you wont forget it!