If you work with a lot of PDFdocuments and love keeping them organized, Mendeley is for you! I write numerous papers all semester, and it can be frustrating having to go through files of documents in my computer. Or trying to input a citation but you can't figure out what document the paragraph is from. Mendeley literally saves my academic life!

Sometimes visiting a professor/TA during office hours can be really intimidating. More so especially when the instructor doesn't seem very friendly or approachable. Here are some tips that work for me:

It's Tuesday Tips on a Wednesday yalllz! But let me explain why: I'm taking 4 intensive summer classes over a 6 week period amounting to about 25 hours of classes per week. #aintnobodygottimeforthat

Anyways, back to my praise of Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel. This is not one of those products with a million ingredients that promises to do a million things. It's simple and gets the job done! I heard reviews about this product for years on Youtube before finally deciding to purchase it.


Ingredients:
All Natural Witch Hazel, containing Natural Alcohol 14% and Witch Hazel Extract

Yep, that's it! I use this every night after I take my makeup off and wash my face. Using this and aloe vera afterwards definitely cured my severe breakouts!

Aloe vera has been known for its healing properties since ancient times. It's been used as a soothing, moisturizing and healing agent due to its anti-oxidants that boost the skin renewal process.

I've recently gotten into vegetarian cooking, thanks to a couple of vegetarian friends. There's something about cooking vegetarian food that makes me feel so triumphant. Believe me, I've come a long way, considering the fact that I ate tofu for the first time in March or so. Here are some of my favorite veggie recipes. Sorry for not having measurements, I eyeball everything when I cook.

Tofu
Tofu is pretty bland on its own, sort of like fried eggs with no seasoning. To combat this, I marinate the tofu. Here's one of my favorite ways to do so:

Ingredients
Firm or fried tofu (around 350g)
Brown sugar (about a tablespoon)
Hot sauce (half a tablespoon)
2 cloves of chopped garlic
3 tablespoons of oil
1 teaspoon curry

Mix it all up and leave in the fridge for at least 30minutes.

Farmers Plantain dish
Flo (of AllNigerianRecipes) uploaded this recipe which I tried out. All I did to make this vegetarian is substituting the gizzard with tofu. It actually turned out to be more delicious than the beef one.


Vegetarian meatpies
I also used Flo's recipe, but substituted the beef with red, yellow and green peppers. I also used green onions and potatoes. Very very delicious!

Over the past 2 weeks, these 2 mascaras have become my favorites, *drum roll please*

1. LOreal Telescopic Mascara Clean Definition
I've used this mascara on its own for almost a year. It doesn't clump the lashes and gives amazing length.

2. Benefit They're Real Mascara

Immediately after #1, I use the Benefit mascara, and it increases the length and volume of my lashes. It does clump a little but nothing that can't be fixed. I got the Benefit mascara as a sample from Sephora two weeks ago and I'm now a huge fan. It costs $30 *sigh* but so worth it!

Try it!!

I have so many vases around my apartment, and I'm upgrading my decor and don't want to donate all of them. Here are a few things you can do with vases, courtesy Apartment Therapy:

Image source

• Use it to collect coins near the front door
• Make a terrarium 
• Use a clear vase to store toilet paper
• Convert it to a lamp
• Use it to store epsom salts in the bathroom
• Use it to hold utensils on the buffet table
• Use it to store fragrance diffusers.Use 90% rubbing alcohol instead of vodka

• Use it to store stationery on your desk

According to Natural News, colloidal silver consists of silver atoms suspended in distilled ion-less water. The particles of silver are small enough to penetrate on a cellular level and destroy pathogens of all types, including bacteria, fungal spores, parasites, and viruses.

Not only does silver get rid of pathogens, it helps promote rapid healing of the tissues infected or destroyed. Most burn centers use various forms of silver and silver soaked bandaging for burn victims. 

I'm quite prone to eye infections and have used colloidal silver for over a year to treat symptoms of pink eye as soon as they start to occur. The symptoms clear within 2 days or so. I highly recommend it. Check out more info on Earth Clinic.

Setting spray is expensive and I thought it would be a good idea to make my own. I watched a couple of youtube videos for inspiration, and decided to use a mixture of Clinique Moisturizing Gel + Pure Aloe Vera + water = awesome setting spray. Try it!

 

I told two friends two weeks ago that I am going on an "underarm journey" and they burst out laughing. What I meant is that I want to lighten my underarms. They're about two shades darker than the rest of my body and although it isn't that dark, I really want to make it even toned as the rest of my skin.

Here's what I've been doing for the past week:

1. Stopped using deodorant.

2. Started using lemon juice. I cut a slice of lemon and it usually lasts for about a week or so. You can also use lemon juice.

3. Exfoliate daily!

4. I plan to stop shaving and start waxing, cos shaving causes micro-abrasions and eventually darkening.

I'll post a weekly update to let you know how the lightening process is going.

Allies are wonderful in many ways. Allies provide awesome support in struggles for equality but boundaries should always be respected. Some allies just suck and hopefully this post is a teachable moment for allies. Thanks to Angry Black Woman for some great tips.



These guidelines apply to POC folks as well who may find themselves as allies in many situations. In my experience, in order to foster a respectful space, allies should consider the following:

1. Do not derail a discussion. We all have opinions, some of us feel more comfortable sharing them. It's not about you, please allow 'us' to continue our conversation.

2. Read up 'stuff' that is brought up in a discussion that you're not familiar with. Basically, educate yourself.

3. Similar to point 1, your feelings won't be a priority and you may feel left out or offended, feel free to ask for clarification then get over it.

4. DO NOT make it a hierarchy of opression. I understand that as POC folks, we often have similar experiences, if you feel the need to remind everyone, do so in a respectful way. Don't compare my oppression to yours. The fact that you're Indian doesn't mean you understand what it is to be black. But remember, as an ally, it's not about you so do not derail the conversation.

5. The fact that you're an ally does not make you part of the group (duh) and does not guarantee you access into the group.

6. If I tell you you're derailing the conversation, or being ignorant or simply irrelevant, I'm probably right. You may want to get over it.

6. Don't act like you know what's good for us, and what we should do better in our 'struggle'. You don't and that's why you're an ally #enoughsaid

7. Be yourself and express your feelings (in a respectful, non-derailing way).