• Be kinder to others. Be kinder to myself.
• Read good books. Watch good movies. Look at good art.
• Take care of myself. Cleanse more. Moisturize morning and night.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables. Drink more water. Use that NutriBullet more.
• Meditate. Breath. Be positive.
• Support local businesses, local artists, local musicians.

This past year has been wonderful and awful and everything in between. Opportunities came and went, I lost my precious LuLu (something I haven't yet had the courage to post about), and I've found myself and lost myself all over again. So I am looking forward to 2015 and hoping it will be an amazing year where plenty of awesome things will happen for all of us.

I had hear about how wonderful Jo Malone fragrances were for ages, but had never purchased one-- or even taken a whiff! But when I read about this fragrance, I knew it would be my perfect fall scent. With notes of ambrette seeds, sea salt and sage, this is the fragrance that will take you from summer into fall and beyond.

This Jo Malone website describes the fragrance perfectly:


And it truly is a rugged, earthy perfume. The scent is fresh thanks to the sage, with earthy notes from the ambrette seeds, while a hint of salty air brings it all together. But be warned: if you like fruity or floral scents, you won't find them here. After being a strictly body spray girl for the entirety of summer, it was a nice change to go back to the heavier notes of a perfume.

There is one less-than-stellar thing about this otherwise amazing scent: it only lasts for a couple of hours before it needs to be reapplied.

But if this sounds like your type of scent-- and trust me, if you're looking for an earthy scent you want to try this-- the fragrance can be purchased from the Jo Malone website, with a 30mL bottle costing $60 and a 100mL bottle costing $120.

It's official... I'm back from hiatus! Hold your excitement. I went back to university on the 18th of August and, as those who have been following me for a while know, that also meant I went back to work. I needed a few weeks to get into the swing of things before I could properly blog, but now I think I'm settled into the routine of class, work, class, work, tiny smidge of social life, class, work. It's time to add blogging to the schedule again.

The little one had her tail.

But, now that we're talking about university and work, I have to wonder... Why can't 'cat person' be a career path? Okay, so I know that I would probably want a little more out of life, but some days I think a good year of coffee, cat cuddles and Netflix would be absolute perfection. Why is 'cat lady' seen as such a bad thing nowadays? As an official owner of two fluffballs, I totally understand the appeal of wanting all the cats.


Okay, so the real purpose of this post was to ask for forgiveness for my hiatus and try to win you over with a few cat pictures. Did it work?

The lovely Alice over at Most Ardently Alice-- seriously, best blog name ever-- has surprised me by nominating me for a Liebster Award! The Liebster Award is one given to bloggers by other bloggers in the hopes that it will help us all discover some wonderful new faces and places to get to know on the big ol' web. Here are the official rules:

Eleven Fact About Me
01. I have chronic migraines, meaning that (if untreated) I have what are politely called "headache days" more than fifteen days out of the month. Luckily I am on a couple of wonderful medications that have helped dwindle that number down to only a couple a month.

02. Because I went untreated for over a year-- hey, I don't like doctors, I can't help it-- I am now a super duper senior in college. But, because I have been there so long, I will be graduating in the spring with a degree in Professional Writing, a minor in Journalism and Public Relations and what they call a "specialization" in Communications. 

03. I can listen to any type of music. Not all of the time, of course, but I don't hate any genre.

04. I decided I wanted to be a writer after reading Resumé by Dorothy Parker in the fourth grade.

05. My first cat, Whiskers, appeared at my mailbox a few months after moving into the house I still I've in-- I was four at the time. She stayed with me until, literally, the last day of my freshman year of college when we sadly lost her.

06. If I read a book, it must stay in my bookshelf. Forever. As a trophy. Or something.

07. I wish I could be like these super organized, neat bloggers who take gorgeous pictures of their homes. But I my clothes are always on the floor and my cats are constantly knocking things on the floor. We'll get there one day.

08. Every so often, I buy a coloring book and spend the day coloring. Especially if it's a rainy day.

09. I make an awesome pan-seared salmon. I brag about it all of the time-- it's, like, the best thing I make.

10. I have super bad anxiety. Also, I have bipolar disorder. And I have very low vitamin D.

11. Because of #01 and #10, I have one of those weekly pill dispensers to help me remember to take all of my medications and vitamins. Ah, yeah, living the life right here.

Questions From Alice

I never realized how much Robin Williams had influenced my life until I heard of his passing last night. I am someone who gets emotional when a celebrity I love dies, but his truly has hit me like a punch to the gut. While I first grew to love the comedian in movies like Jumanji and Mrs. Doubtfire, I grew to respect the man himself. His honesty about his struggles with addiction paired with his overwhelming love of entertaining others was something I could relate to and I just found myself connecting with his personality.

Above all, my favorite role of his was as Professor Keating in Dead Poets Society. Here are a few quotes from that movie that have influenced me.

Earlier this year, Milani released the Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow range-- so, naturally, everybody was curious. A gel and an eyeshadow? What? How? According to the Milani website, this product begins its life as a gel and it then transformed into a powder through a "special process." It is supposed to give you the crease resistance of a gel or cream product but the blendability of a powder. The best part is that is comes in a pretty wide ranges of shades-- and all for $3.99! Here are the few I picked up:

01 Bella Ivory

11 Bella Charcoal

06 Bella Espresso

17 Bella Khaki

18 Bella Emerald

09 Bella Navy

25 Bella Cobalt

19 Bella Rouge

Dry, Without Primer

The swatches are extremely pigmented, and that is without using a mixing medium or a primer underneath (the way I usually use shadows on a day-to-day basis). With the use of either of those things the pigmentation is sure to be phenomenal. The eyeshadows really are super blendable and so, so soft. Plus, let's be honest, they are just pretty to look at-- which, for plenty of us who are makeup obsessed, is important. There is also, like I said before, a wide range of shades: from the bright and bold to the every day neutral, you are set.

These retail in most drugstores for around the $4 mark and, if you keep an eye on your sale bills, you will often find a BOGO50% deal-- that's how I purchased so many of these on a college student budget. In my opinion, these or a 5/5 product and I definitely recommend that everyone check them out!

I took a bit of a break from blogging last week-- but this time I had a good reason, I swear! A new little ball of fur has recently entered my life!

Here's how it happened:

Some storms rolled in last Sunday and, like I usually do, I sat out on my front porch to enjoy the show. Just as it started to rain there was an awful sounding meow coming from the woods across the road. And then another. And another. My heart was breaking, assuming that I was listening to cries of pain or the last whines of a poor little kitty cat. But, before I knew it, here was this tiny little kitten racing up onto my porch to get out of the rain.

Now she has become Penelope Lane-- you know, Penny Lane, like The Beatles song-- and has been with us for a week. We introduced her to LuLu yesterday and, wow, that was interesting. Penny is like the annoying younger sister who just wants to follow big sis around and be just like her; LuLu definitely reacts like the annoyed big sister.

But, unfortunately, there are many strays out there who do not find homes-- as well as non-strays who are homeless for one reason or another and feral cats who would can often times not be homed. Here are a few things we can all do to help:

Adopt, Don't Shop: One of the most important things you can do to help the animal population is adopt. Luckily the number of pet shops has dwindled in the past decade thanks to the rise of animal adoption and that is a wonderful thing, but adoption also means not buying from breeders. There are millions of animals who want and deserve your love, no matter their breed. In fact, if you do have your heart set on a specific breed, take a trip to your local shelter anyway! There is a chance you may find the perfect dog for you.

Spay and Neuter Your Pets: Bob Barker didn't say this at the end of every Price is Right for nothing. It is possibly the most important thing you can do for your pet and for the pet population in general. If you can't afford it, many shelters and veterinarians will run specials where you can get the procedure done at a cheaper price and some organizations will even help with the cost. Go on Facebook and like some local animal rescue groups as well as your local shelter; often, you will find helpful information about spaying and neutering drives there.

Have an "In Case of Stray" Kit: This is something I never thought I would need until this month. Earlier we had a stray dog run into our yard, frightened by 4th of July fireworks. Then, of course, Penelope showed up. We were relatively unprepared to take care of an extra animal, even if it was only until morning. So we are working on a "Stray" kit that includes collars, leashes, flea spray, blankets, water and food. Of course, more may be needed for the kit-- definitely be creative when making up your own. But it is certainly helpful to have one!

Trap-Neuter-Return: This one is for those feral cats that run around your neighborhood but are unsuitable for adoption and will take a dedicated animal lover. This process, recommended by the ASPCA, includes trapping the feral cats in your neighborhood and, hopefully along with an organization that helps with the cost, having them spayed or neutered and vaccinated against rabies, then returning them to their regular environment. People who choose to do this are called Colony Caretakers, and they also feed the cats in their area, look after them to monitor their health, finding them temporary foster homes for post-surgery care and also fostering kittens so they can hopefully be adopted. Find out more at ASPCA's website.

Do you have any other ways you help the animals in your area?

01. gh0stparties. Many of you probably know gh0stparies, or Kate, from her lovely YouTube channel. But, if I'm being honest, I think I like her Instagram even more. Not only does she share lovely pictures of her makeup-- both on and off of her face-- she shares pictures of her home. Little knick knacks, storage solutions and her office space provide me with such inspiration for my own space-- plus they are simply pretty to look at!

02. kaelahbee. Kaelah, who over at The Clueless Girl's Guide is the queen of blogging in my opinion, also holds the crown for queen of Instagramming. She shares gorgeous pictures of her home (can you sense a theme here?), but also of her adorable family, cute outfits of the day and creations she designs for her business. This one's inspiring in more ways than one.

03. sleeinthegardn. Another one you might be familiar with-- if you're a fan of Pretty Little Liars, that is. Troian Bellisario, who plays lead 'A' investigator Spencer Hastings on the teen drama, is the owner of this magnificent Instagram account. If you're a fan of the show, you're in luck! She shares plenty of pictures from behind the scenes. But even if you're not a fan, you should give this one a follow for the photography, literature and hobbies she shares. 

04. heyclaire. One. If you do not follow HeyClaire on YouTube, go do so now. Then go follow her on Instagram and live vicariously through her as she wears amazing cloths, does fun things and is generally the best ever.

05. klp_studios. Krista is a young photographer from NYC who I was lucky enough to go to high school with. It has been so amazing to watch her business (and her!) grow. She is so talented-- seriously, her photography is stunning and her passion is inspiring. From weddings to fashion to portraits, every photo she takes has a special something.

06. freewheelburnin. I'll tell you exactly why I follow this Instagrammer-- gorgeous pictures of my second home of Southern Illinois. You'll find some other subjects on this accounts (sports memorabilia, personal pictures) but you will stay for the incredible photos of the midwest. If you are a fan of abandoned farmhouses, this is especially the one for you.

After doing away with beauty subscription services for quite a while, I decided that I would hop back on the Ipsy train. For those who don't know, Ipsy is a subscription service where, for $10 a month, you receive a makeup bag full of 4-5 deluxe samples or full-sized beauty products. It's a great way to try out new products and build up your collection.

There are a few variations on the bag that gets sent out each month, but they all follow one theme: Sensationally Sunkissed. Here is what I received in my bag:

bareMinerals 5-in-1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow: I was initially disappointed with this product-- it is quite a small sample and is the darkest shade they have. However, it doesn't take much product to achieve great results and, if you work quickly, the dark color can be sheered out to give a nice appearance on the lids. It can also be applied very opaque without much product, which does make me want to try out on closer to my own skin tone. You can get free shipping on any bareMinerals purchase at ULTA.com by entering IPSYBAREFS at checkout through 08/10.

Hang Ten Dark Tanning Oil SPF 08: This is a product I was initially disappointed in and stayed disappointed in. I'm just not a fan of tanning oils, as I think there are much safer ways to acquire a tan. Take 25% off of one Hang Ten Dark Tanning Oil SPF 08 at hangtensunscreen.com by entering IPSYtan at checkout through 08/31.

Mini Tinted Brilliance Balm in Pretty in Pink: Another quite small sample, but a little goes a long way. This a bright pink and it only takes one swipe to get a bold payoff. Very moisturizing, as well. Take 25% off of your order at pixibeauty.com by using the code flawlesspixi at checkout through 08/31.

POP Beauty Sunkissed Bronzer: I'm a fan of matte bronzers, and this one is quite shimmery. Add another one to the "meh" pile. But after swatching it I noticed that, although it wasn't a very pigmented bronzer, it had a lovely golden glow to it. I think it will make a lovely highlight for those days I want a beachy glow. Receive 25% off of your purchase at popbeauty.co.uk by entering the code POPIPSY at checkout through 08/31.

HealthySexyHair Soy Renewal Beach Spray: I was already a huge fan of this brand before I was sent this product. Their Soy Renewal Oil is an absolute dream that I would recommend to anyone with thick hair and their hairspray keeps your hair looking good-- and still soft-- all day. So I had high hopes for this product-- and I wasn't disappointed. It is another product that will definitely give you that beachy goddess look without making your hair too dry or damaged. Text IPSTER to 33233 and provide your e-mail address to receive 25% off of your purchase at sexyhair.com through 08/31.

Overall I wasn't thrilled with this bag, but I was pleased enough to stick with it for another month. If you're interested in giving Ipsy a go, you can sign up here!

What summer products are you go-to's?

This post contains a referral link for Ipsy. Offers provided with Ipsy products are only valid in the US.

SIPPING... a nice cold glass of water flavored with Black Cherry MiO Energy. I'm making an effort to drink more water, and this caffeinated enhancer helps give me a little boost when I need it.

WATCHING... Pretty Little Liars, Chasing Life and Young & Hungry. What can I say? These are my summer television loves at the moment.

LISTENING... to the songs of my youth, also known as My Chemical Romance, Good Charlotte and Fall Out Boy. Throw in some Paramore, too.

READING... A Little Opulent. I have become enamored with this blog. It constantly inspires me and motivates me... Although that may not always show. It will, eventually. I promise.

WANTING... the cool weather to return. Heat, humidity and thick hair do not friends make.

LOVING... all of the super adorable shoes on ModCloth, like this pair of Clever So Sweet flats shaped like little foxes!

WEARING... this owl print pocket tee from SimplyBe. It's comfortable and cute and covered in owls. How can I not love it? Who wouldn't love it? (Get it? Who? Owls? Okay, sorry.)

WAITING... for back-to-school items to be back on the shelves. Pens and notebooks and planners... oh my! And many stores will be coming out with some interesting dorm decor-- perfect for someone redoing their bedroom. Or, of course, moving into a dorm.



Thanks must go to Kitty And Buck, a blog that gets many likes on Bloglovin' from me, for inspiring this post and its format.

Over at Two Thirds Hazel, Erin has thought up another installment of the Blogmopolitan quiz for all of us bloggers. It is a great way to get to know the bloggers you follow and, if you go here, you can see all of the other wonderful bloggers who have taken this quiz and find some new ones to follow! Or you can just be nosy and read their answers. That's sort of acceptable, too (and definitely something I'll be doing).

A couple of years ago I joined Influenster, which describes itself as "a community of trendsetters, social media masterminds, and educated consumers who live to give opinions of products and experiences." Through them, I've received a number of VoxBoxes filled with complimentary goodies for me to try out and review.

This month I qualified for the Aveeno Positively Radiant VoxBox and received a tube of the Aveeno Positively Radiant Targeted Tone Corrector to try out. I don't have any dark spots, only acne scarring; while the two can look similar, they are caused by two different things and cannot always be treated the same. I didn't notice a big difference in my acne scars within the first two weeks of use-- however, if the the rest of this review suits your fancy I would give it a try because for the price point ($15 at most drugstores) it is one of the more affordable options.

It has a serum-like texture: thin, but certainly not runny. This allows it to sit lightly on the skin and not feel heavy under makeup or at night while you sleep. It almost seems to smooth out the skin after application and it even feels slightly moisturizing. It does have a smell, but it is not obnoxious. It smells very fresh and natural.

To give a quick round-up...

I'm going to get this one out of the way first, and apologize for ruining your makeup (if you're wearing any). This story about one dog's final day will absolutely break your heart and make you want to hug your pets tonight-- no matter how much they squirm.

Image Credit: Carol Rosetti

Artist Carol Rosetti has penned (penciled?) a colorful, beautiful series of images that remind girls and women alike that we are in control of our bodies and our minds. I can't do the series justice with my own words, so you can go read more about the series at Mic.com or go see more at Rosetti's Facebook page.


I started playing this horrible, horrible game "ironically"-- basically, I was playing it to see what all of the hype was about and then I was going to quit and make fun of it. Joke is on me, because a week later and I am officially an A-Lister with a home in Hollywood and a vacation home in Miami with an ongoing feud with that nag Willow Pape. But at least I can say I haven't spent a single dime on it, which is something right? No, it's not. I'm ashamed.

I did a bit of cleaning earlier and now I'm spending the evening on my front porch listening to the 70s radio station on Spotify. Hope you all are having a lovely day!

It is an absolutely lovely day today, so I have decided to spend it sitting on my front porch doing some working and some writing. It is 76°F with blue skies and fluffy white clouds rolling through-- seriously, I couldn't ask for a more perfect day in the middle of July. My cat LuLu is playing (or, now, having a lie down) in the front yard, birds are flying about, and a deer is even passing by on the hillside across the way.

Things had been feeling a little less than wonderful for me lately. A moment like this was a nice pick-me-up that I certainly needed. It's given me a jolt of motivation and inspiration-- well, mostly inspiration as I'm certainly not motivated enough to go inside and do any proper cleaning or anything.  I have so many post ideas that I'm excited to share with you guys and I'm just generally feeling very pleased and happy with blogging at the moment.

But even with the lovely weather and good feelings, I would still give up a kidney to be at the beach right now. We can't have it all, I guess.

One of my favorite things about summer is sitting out on my front porch with a cup of coffee beside me (or glass of unsweet tea, depending on the temperature!) and a good book in my hands. Of course, I still don't have time to read all of the books I'm interested in-- or the money-- but I've been lucky enough to read some really wonderful novels this summer. And I still have a couple I need to read. Thank goodness there is still some summer left!

1. Sharp Objects (Read) : I read Gilian Flynn's third novel, Gone Girl, in anticipation of the movie being released this fall and I really loved it. So the next time I went out, I had to buy her first two novels. Sharp Objects is the very first of those novels. It finds journalist Camille Preaker struggling with a return to her hometown to cover the abductions and murders of two young girls. While there, she must face hr tumultuous relationship with her mother and her half-sister who is less than half her age. Even though parts of it are predictable, there are still twists and turns to keep things fresh and interesting. It makes you want to keep reading, to turn each page and see where the story will go next. 4.0/5.0

2. Thirteen Reasons Why (Read) : This young adult novel is a bit love-it-or-hate-it. I'm in the half that thought it was absolutely amazing and a must read for children in middle and high school-- as well as anyone who struggled during those years. It all starts when Hannah Baker commits suicide. But that's not where it ends. Hannah has sent a box of cassette tapes to a list of people, including Clay Jensen, detailing the thirteen reasons why she decided to take her own life. You will be pleading with Hannah for her to change her mind, knowing that she didn't, while facing the harsh realities that young people have to deal with every single day. Well written and heart wrenching. 4.5/5.0

3. Fed From the Blade (Partially Read) : I'm from West Virginia and hope to become a published author someday, so it is important to read the works of other writers in my area. West Virginia is also such a beautiful area with a rich culture that goes far beyond what the rest of the country sees, so I love reading other writers' views on the area. Also, one of the editors is a professor of mine and one of the most inspiring women I have ever met. It is a book of short stories, so it can be hard to sit down and read it one sitting-- that is why I've only read bits and pieces thus far. But always try to support your local authors!

4. Seventeenth Summer (Read) : I'll admit, it has been ages since I've read this. But, at one time, it was required reading for me every summer. Originally published in 1942 (!!), it follows Angie Morrow and her summer love affair with high school stud Jack Duluth. It is sweet and innocent but still very real. I think every young girl should give this book a chance. 3.5/5.0

5. The Opposite of Loneliness (Partially Read) : You may have already read something by Marina Keegan. Her story recently made the rounds on Facebook in conjunction with the release of this book, and with her story was often her final essay written for the Yale Daily News titled "The Opposite of Loneliness." It was a beautiful essay that really touched on the idea of going out into the real world and youth and what we can do with our lives. Unfortunately, Marina died in a car crash only days after graduating from Yale. Her writing was collected and put together in this book. I have only read a couple of short stories and an essay thus far, but it does seem as though she was incredibly talented and would have certainly gone far. I'm excited to read her writing.

6. Dark Places (Unread) : There isn't much I can say about this one. I haven't read it yet! But it is another mystery from Gillian Flynn, so I'm sure I will enjoy it. It is about a girl whose family was murdered-- according to her testimony, by her brother Ben. Years later she decided to use her story for a profit, only to find herself being hunted down again. I really enjoyed both Gone Girl and Sharp Objects so I have high hopes for this one.

What books are you reading this summer? What are your favorite books of all time?

Lately I have been absolutely obsessed with the idea of renovating my house-- err, my parents' house, as I live with them. No worries, it's a working arrangement... most of the time.

So as anyone would do, I have been scouring Pinterest for inspiration. Seriously, this and that Kim Kardashian game have been taking up an embarrassing amount of my free time. But I have found some gorgeous images that have motivated me to get to work. We now have a list of everything we would like to accomplish in this little-not-so-little renovation project and we're getting started on a few of the smaller things this weekend.

But if my pins have told me anything it is this: I like white, I like wood, and I like subway tiles.

Where are the Property Brothers when I need them?

Allow me to introduce you to my precious little fur baby, LuLu Mae. While she was originally named after the always classy and sophisticated Audrey Hepburn-- her character in Breakfast at Tiffanys was named LuLu Mae before she changed her name to Holly Golightly-- she now goes by some, er, less than classy nicknames: Fluffy Butt, Stinky, and Fluffers to name a few. I guess that last one isn't so bad.



When I finished my first year at university, my previous cat Whiskers succumbed to old age. She had been my best friend since she wondered up to my family's mailbox when I was only four years old. Some say it isn't the best idea to get another pet so soon after the loss of one, but I missed the jingle of her little collar bell and just the love I always received from Whiskers, so two weeks after she passed I took a trip to the local animal shelter.


I went in with the intention of adopting an older cat (something I strongly recommend for many reasons) but the kittens are the first stop in the shelter and I had to stop in and take a look. That is when I saw this little dearie, sitting shyly in a little ball surrounded by her three very hyper brothers. Oh, my family and I thought, she seems like such a calm kitty. And she reminded us of our Whiskers, which of course stole our hearts. We adopted her instantly.


We believe she is part Norwegian Forest cat and we know she is 99% fur. Little Fluff was one of my first models when I got my new camera, and I'm sure she'll continue to be one of my best. Welieve she is part Norwegian Forest cat and we know she is 99% fur.

Likes: Food, knocking things off countertops, staring at birds, lounging.

Dislikes: Vacuum cleaners, loud cars, thunderstorms.

Tell me about your pets! LuLu is the only pet I have, but I take care of strays, birds, and squirrels in the area-- hey, what can I say? I love animals, even the non-pet kinds.