The past year has been one of amazing change and growth for me. I graduated college, left my first real-ish job as editor of the university newspaper, jumped into a career as a social media consultant, learned to let go of people who didn't bring me joy, watched two of my closest friends get married, lost someone who I loved, and began to find myself-- as cheesy as that sounds. Okay, it's not like those were huge events-- well, some of them were-- but they have paved the way for some major changes to come in 2016.

But before we think about the future, it's time to reflect on the past. Last year I posted a few sort-of resolutions and goals and I wanted to post a little update on if I made any progress with them.


Be kinder to others. Be kinder to myself. I won't say that I've accomplished this goal because, really, it isn't that type of goal. I have made strides to become more positive and to weed out negative thoughts, which has helped me be a kinder person. I'm not always kind-- trips to Walmart are especially difficult-- but it's something that I will continue working on.

Read good books. Watch good movies. Look at good art. I did technically read good books and watch good movies... I just didn't read or watch a lot of them. And I think maybe part of that was because I didn't carve out a lot of time to just sit down, relax, and take in a good book or movie; I always felt like there was something more important to be done. Maybe me-time should be a 2016 goal. I did, however, take a class on Western Art, so I learned about a lot of interesting and amazing art. Checkmark.

Take care of myself. Cleanse more. Moisturize morning and night. Definitely a goal I've accomplished. I mean, I have a routine now! I never had one of those before.

Eat more fruits and vegetables. Drink more water. Use that NutriBullet more. Mission accomplished. I use my NutriBullet to create smoothies filled with fruits and veggies nearly each morning.

Meditate. Breath. Be positive. Again, this is a goal that is constant work and not one that I feel like I can say I've accomplished. I do meditate occasionally, though I want to do it more. I don't take enough time to just be and breathe, sadly. I have, however, been working on being more positive and I think I'm headed in the right direction.

Support local businesses, local artists, local musicians. I did go to a couple of local art shows and I've been supporting local artists and musicians though social media. And I've definitely been shopping local more often-- how can I not when Kin Ship Goods is a local company?

Overall, I don't think I did too shabby. But I really feel like 2015 was just a springboard for an even better 2016, and I hope to harness that optimism and use it to accomplish even more in the next twelve months. You know, stuff like...

I'll be honest. This was the year I fell out of love with makeup. Makeup just wasn't bringing anything new to the table and skincare was lookin' all fine and clean and pretty... I just had to switch it up. Same with my hair care; it was like my side chick or something. I'd forget about her for a while but when I remembered to go back to her, she'd treat me well. Now, I'm totally against the idea of side chicks in real life, but when it comes to beauty I think it's acceptable.

So that explains why the makeup products I loved in 2015 were mostly old favorites or new versions of old favorites. My MUFE Ultra HD foundation has been my trusted friend for most of the year, always covering my red cheeks but leaving my skin looking natural. My Hourglass Ambient Lighting blushes give my face a little bit of color and glow while not making me look like a clown. Rimmel's Smoke N' Shine eyeliner and my Smashbox Full Exposure mascara really help me define my eyes-- and they both stay put most of the day without any smudging or raccoon eyes going on.

My tried and true favorite brushes are amazing and affordable: Real Techniques and ELF. I was already a fan of Real Technique's powder brushes-- the fluffy orange one pictured is great for setting makeup or applying powder foundation-- but I recently received some of their eye brushes and they are all honestly perfect for what they do. My two favorites are the base shadow and smudge brushes; the smudge brush helps me put some color below my lower lash line without it going too low. As for the ELF brushes, always go for the black-handled Studio line! They are soft, they don't shed, and they are usually only $3 or $6. My most used are the powder brush (which is great for foundation and patting in large areas of concealer), the blush brush, and the contour brush.

Some of the little odds and ends I've love are my Nails Inc. Gel Effects nail polishes. They make your nails feel strong and they last a decently long time. Plus they just have some really gorgeous colors. My Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt perfume might by my absolute, 100% total favorite of the year, though. It's just this perfect earthy, woodsy, natural smell that I never get tired of-- which is good, because it's a little pricey.

My hair care side chicks this year have been Moroccan Oil and Bumble and Bumble's Don't Blow It creme. I use the Moroccan Oil when I want to tame frizz and have a sleeker, smoother look, and the Don't Blow It creme when I want to show off my natural waves. Sometimes I even get a little naughty and use both, but that does tend to leave me looking a little oily by the end of the day.

Last but not least are my skincare loves. I still love all of the products I featured in my skincare routine post from a few months back. But the stars of that regime were definitely Sunday Riley's Good Genes and Luna Night Oil. My skin had looked more brilliant and glowy than ever before when I was using these two nightly. Unfortunately, I ran out of Luna a while back and haven't been able to push myself into actually purchasing it-- the $105 price tag is a little scary.

And for those nights when I'm so tired I don't think I'll be able to make it through my skincare regime, I use-- wait for it-- Walmart brand makeup remover wipes. I have tried so many types of makeup wipes, from Simple to Neutrogena to Say Yes To..., and these are by far the best. The packaging is great, with a locking lid to keep your wipes from drying out, and boy are they saturated with product. They aren't too harsh on my skin and don't have much of a smell to them. Plus you can get, like, two packages of thirty or so (if not more) for less than six bucks.

What beauty products were you loving in 2015? Were there any surprising products you tried?

I want to start of this week's Life Lately by saying that I hope you had a wonderful holiday season, no matter what you celebrate. But now that Christmas is over, the start of a new year is right around the corner and that means that a lot of us will be trying to come up with resolutions to make 2016 the best year ever, am I right?

I've been thinking about the upcoming year for the past couple of weeks. What do I want to bring into my life in the new year? What goals to I want to accomplish? What do I need to change? I definitely know the answers to a few of those, and if you asked me to jot down a list of resolutions I totally could (and probably will). But today I've also been hit with a major realization: I shouldn't depend on these resolutions.

We all know the jokes about resolutions that get broken by February, if not sooner. And I think the reason why we break our resolutions so easily is because we put too much pressure on ourselves to keep them. It is overwhelming to start out on what is sometimes a new life journey in just a day. There is something to be said for easing into new habits and mindsets. And our resolutions don't even have to start at the beginning of the year! If one of your goals is to work out more, but you only make it to the gym a few times in January, that's okay! You still have eleven months to make it work for you.

Many of us also seem to think that if we don't accomplish a certain goal, we have failed. But something we need to remember is that, sometimes, things happen for a reason. Go ahead and roll your eyes (I would), but sometimes the reason you didn't get that job is because a better one is waiting for you. Sometimes he didn't put a ring on it because the love of your life is still out there. What may seem like a failure could be a stepping stone to something way better.

And that is why, even though I am making a list of resolutions and goals, I'm not going to be dependent on them. I am going to let my resolutions grow, or die, or change as they need to. I am going to set my intentions for the new year and hope that the universe allows that, or something better, to find it's way into my life.

But I want to know... Do you make resolutions for the new year? What are they for 2016?

Christmas is almost here! I'm more excited for the holiday than I usually am thanks to the amazing weather we've been experiencing here in West Virginia. It's feeling more like early or late summer than the beginning of winter, so obviously Santa Claus is real and has gotten my multiple letters asking for no snow.

But I do admit that the lack of chilly weather makes it difficult to get into the holiday spirit. While I'm not a fan of cold weather, I am a fan of sweaters and boots and scarves and ridiculous knit hats. It doesn't fully feel like Christmas if I'm not in those sorts of clothes. So I've had to find other ways to get in the spirit, and this playlist has been it. It's an eclectic mix of my favorite holiday tunes. From pop-punk to pure pop to jazz to instrumental... It's all there. And it's even in a nifty little playlist on Spotify so you can listen, too! Enjoy!

Every few months, I take some time to consider the nature of my blog. In the past this has caused me to change the layout, change the name, or change the type of content I post. But, months later, I will still feel like my blog isn’t quite what— or where— I want it to be. Sometimes it is like my blog and I are two gears that just haven’t totally clicked into place yet.

We've come to the end of my gift giving series and I'm sure there are a few of you out there that still haven't even begun your holiday shopping. I started mine at the beginning of the week and I'm almost finished, but there have been years where I didn't even start my shopping until Christmas Eve. In fact, I don't think that I have ever started my holiday shopping earlier than the middle of December. What does that say about me? I think it mostly just says that I'm forgetful and lazy and, trust me, that is the case for more months out of the year than just December.

But what about other last minute shoppers? What are their excuses?

You just don't know what to get. Honestly, this is part of the reason why I don't start my shopping until Christmas is almost here. It's intimidating, man. Many of us already have more than we need, so how do we decide what to get each other? Sometimes you intend to start shopping earlier in the year only to um and aw over which gift to actually purchase. Eventually you just close your eyes and point. But, really, your wife will love the package of socks. Really.

You don't care what you get. Sometimes the only people you have to buy for are the people you have to buy for. Family and coworkers might fall into this bunch and, as much as you may love some of them, maybe you don't spend a lot of money on them love them. So you don't even think about it until-- holy shit-- the office party is tomorrow and you've got nothing. Time to run to Walmart.

You're waiting for a better sale. I've fallen into this trap a few times. You find the perfect gift for someone, but it's way too expensive. Or, at least, more expensive than you want it to be. So you wait and hope that it will go on sale soon. Or a better sale. And maybe it does go on sale, but that sale isn't good enough either. Then it's Christmas Eve and decide to go ahead and buy the damn gift-- at full price, almost double what it was on sale for last week.

You're really just forgetful and lazy. I do try to start planning my holiday shopping early... I make lists and everything. And then I tell myself that I will start the actual shopping part tomorrow. But then tomorrow comes and I get busy with work or life and then I just want to sleep and I'll buy the gifts tomorrow, I promise. Rinse and repeat.

What can last minute shoppers do? Embrace it. Wait until Christmas Eve and savor the rush of adrenaline that comes with finally finding that perfect gift five minutes before midnight. Buy that stuffed animal at the only gas station open on Christmas morning. Scour Pinterest for handmade presents you can make in five minutes. Or start shopping earlier. Whatever.

Last week we talked about your usual, run-of-the-mill beauty gifts. Giving someone the new Gwen Stefani + Urban Decay eyeshadow palette is great, but what if they already have it? Plus, let's be real, your giftee may not even like makeup. Which is cool... They're wrong, but it's cool. (Just kidding.) And maybe clothes aren't their thing either-- if they are, there are much better people to get advice from than me. That's why I'm bringing you a gift guide that is peppered with a little bit of everything.

If your giftee loves music, they might enjoy having their own record player. They were super hard to find a few years ago, but recently brands like Crosley have been releasing record players that are cute and also pretty affordable. Or you could go for something quite unique and scout your local antique shops for a vintage player... While you're there, look for some cool records to go along with it. You can find some amazing records from the 60s and 70s-- sometimes for a little as one dollar-- or you could look on Amazon or at places like Books A Million or FYE for recent vinyl releases.

Another unique gift idea that any literary lady or lad would love is a vintage book. Some antique books, of course, are ridiculously expensive or require months of scouting down. But, sometimes, if peruse the antique shops or even yard sales, you'll be able to find some interesting old books for incredibly low prices. The book I show above is an old edition of Alice in Wonderland. I paid $4 for it. I also have some old books of poetry and a copy of Grimms Fairy Tales. As an English major, I love them and I think they would be a unique and thoughtful gift, as well.

Sometimes, though, you just really don't know what to get. And that is where interesting little trinkets come into play. From cute cat candles at Francesca's to colorful nesting dolls at Earthbound Trading Company, the options are almost literally endless. So try out those stores or look through Urban Outfitters and ModCloth's gift options. You're sure to find something that your giftee will love.

This month, most of the music I have been listening to was inspired by a Southern Illinois radio station, 89.1 The Bash. I was in Illinois for Thanksgiving and I didn't want to use up all my data streaming from Spotify, so I went old school. I listened to the actual radio. And, to my surprise, there was a station run by college kids that played indie rock and some old grunge hits. It was seriously amazing and I really rediscovered my love for music that doesn't make it to the Top 40.

Earlier in November, I was really into slowed down, folky versions of popular songs. The Gardiner Sisters are, like, perfect for this. If you listen to no other song on my playlist, listen to their mash up of Drag Me Down and As Long As You Love Me. Another song I've been loving that is a little more Top 40-style pop is Here by Alessia Cara. It's just this great song with a great message and interesting lyrics that kind of say it's alright to be you, to be interested in what you're interested in, and to be unapologetic about it. And I am so hyped that there are songs like this out there for teenage girls now.

So, here's what I listened to in November and it's what I'm starting off December with.

Just when you think you're getting back on top of things... Life happens.

Or, at least, that is what happened to me a few weeks ago. After taking a short break from my blog, I was ready to get back to a set schedule of creating and publishing content. On the side, I was working on my hand lettering-- something I'm thinking about doing as a side job in the near future. Like, I felt like I was really getting my shit together and working in a forward direction.

And then we got one of those phone calls that no one ever expects or wants to get. My grandmother had passed away. I don't want to go into a lot of detail about it because this is my blog, not something any of my family agreed to be a part of, and so I don't want to invade their privacy by talking about something so sensitive. But it hit me pretty hard and every time I have tried to write a post or take some pictures for the blog, I just haven't been able to.

But the new moon was last night and, thanks to it, I feel like I'm ready to pick myself back up and dust off. I think I'll be taking things a bit lighter for a while-- I'm not going to stress myself out about when or what I post. While I care about those of you who read this-- and I really do-- this is also my space, and I hope that whatever I fill this space with will be something you are interested in. But in the past few weeks, my priorities have shifted. And I don't mean this blog versus other things, but more that my life priorities and they way I see things has changed and I want this blog to reflect that.

I know, I know... I make these sorts of posts quite often. I go this way with my blog and then I go that way with it. But, hey, I'm just being honest with all of you. Sometimes it's a pull to be a more conventional blogger that makes those posts happen, but this one is coming from a place of pure authenticity.

On a (much) lighter note, the Sephora VIB Sale starts tomorrow so don't think this blog still won't have some beauty posts. And soon because, oh my gosh, I just remembered I have Flash shipping so whatever I buy should be here Monday-ish? When life gets tough, I get shopping. It's what I do. And also why my bank account cries itself to imaginary sleep at night.

This is, like, my fifth time writing this post. Fingers crossed, it will save and be published and not disappear like the last four times.

Y'all know I love fall. I like the pretty leaves and the crisp weather and the hella cute outfits... But what I really love about fall are the boots. I have loved boots for as long as I can remember. I was stomping around in platform boots (a la the Spice Girls) in the fourth grade, towering over my classmates who just didn't get it. Seriously, those things had about a 3-inch sole. And they were amazing.

I've toned down my taste a little since then, but my love for boots has never been stronger. So here are five pairs of boots that you need for autumn. Okay, I guess you don't absolutely need all five styles... But, let's be real, you'll want them in your life.

The first style is a total throwback to my fourth-grade self. Platform combat boots have made a slight comeback, thanks to this wave of nineties nostalgia we're experiencing. Seriously, imagine those boots with a black, floral print dress and a choker necklace.

But if you're looking for something a little more now, some little ankle booties are the way to go. They look good with literally anything and are available at just about any price point. You can get them in different materials and colors... I love burgundy and emerald green for fall, but you can wear black booties all of the time. I don't think you can go wrong with these boots.

Riding boots are another favorite of mine. They can really make a casual outfit look more finished. But, more than that, they keep your legs safe from those autumn puddles that always splash up and soak the hems of your pants. So you can totally justify purchasing a pair of these as useful and stylish.

Let me tell you a story about this next style. A few years ago, I bought a pair of motorcycle boots from Hot Topic on clearance for $17. They were beautiful and perfect and I wore them with everything. About a year ago, the sole started falling off. I even taped those suckers up and wore them after that, because I loved them so much. Eventually there was no saving them and I had to throw them away. It was a very sad moment in my life. So, in memory of my amazing boots (may they rest in peace... or pieces), you need to buy a pair of these.

Last, but not least, is another nineties throwback. Combat boots. See, part of the reason I love boots is because you can wear them with anything... I especially love wearing boots with daintier clothes to give them an edge. And these boots will do just that. They are so popular at the moment, too, so you can find them for any price range and in various colors and styles.

What boots will you be rocking this autumn? Or do you wear these babies year-round, like me?

Working from home sounds like a dream... And, let's be real, it pretty much is. I don't have to worry about whether I can make it to work in the winter, I can schedule projects on my own time and, if I'm organized enough, I can sometimes take an unplanned day off. But that doesn't mean that working from home is all sunshine and lollipops... whatever that means. Even some of the perks have their downsides.

Pro: Pajamas. They are comfy, but...

Con: Pajamas can lead to laziness. You definitely feel more motivated when you're in actual clothing. Of course, I say this as I sit in my really comfortable and warm pajamas.

Pro: Working from bed. But...

Con: Again, working from your bed can lead to a bit of laziness. Plus, it can just be really uncomfortable sometimes. A home office space is definitely a must, even if you still work from your bed occasionally (like I am right now).

Pro: You can work on your own time. That means you can easily find ways to fit in workouts, cooking, cleaning and other chores or errands. But...

Con: It's easy to procrastinate. Because you can do your work whenever you feel like it (within reason), it is easy to push projects to the back burner or leave them until the last minute.

Pro: Less gas money. I mean, hey, I don't usually have to leave the house. But...

Con: It can get a little lonely. I'm pretty introverted, but even us introverts need some time out and about. It is important to schedule time to spend with friends or family. You don't even have to schedule, just do.

Overall, I love working from home. I know how lucky I am to be able to do this at this stage in my life. There are just some tweaks you have to occasionally make to your daily routine to work to the best of your ability.

Because I don't have nearly enough books, right?

Sometimes I just get the urge to go into a bookstore. Sometimes it is because I'm looking for something specific, but sometimes it is just because I like to be surrounded by books. Maybe it's a writer thing, or a reader thing... Maybe it's an introvert thing? I don't know. All I know is that this weekend, I had the strong urge to be surrounded by paper and ink and binding.

Of course, you can't be surrounded by all of these amazing books and not buy one... or five. Or more. So I thought I would share what books I picked up on my little outing. Posts like these always inspire my to-read list and, maybe, you will be inspired to look into a couple of my picks.

The first three books were actually inspired by a fanfic... And, look, before you judge me for being a twenty-six year old who still occasionally indulges in fanfic, just know that I could go into a whole spiel on how fanfic is actually prevalent in classic literature and continues to be an important facet of current literature and can be an interesting writing exercise besides... But that would be my English major coming out.

Anyway, poetry is awesome and these are three of my favorite poets ever. All of them are so important to the genre and thinking about the contributions they made to poetry make me miss when it was considered a valid occupation. Seriously, everyone, read poetry. Write poetry. It's amazing.

How to Build a Girl has been on my to-read list for a while, and I'll admit that a big reason for that is because the cover is so nineties. Yes, I am riding that nostalgia train hard. Caitlin Moran has a history of being problematic, if I remember correctly, so we'll see if I actually enjoy this book or just get pissed off whilst reading it.

Do I really even need to tell you about #GirlBoss? I feel like I'm the last blogger to read this book.

As for the last book, I was a pretty big fan of Eat, Pray, Love. It spoke to the white girl in me and, yeah, inspired me quite a bit. I haven't really kept up with Elizabeth Gilbert's works since, but this one is all about living creatively which is just as perfect for me now as Eat, Pray, Love was for me years ago. Plus the cover is just stinkin' gorgeous.

What books have you picked up lately?

You don't hear about mental illness much in the blogging community, though I'm sure a fair few of us deal with it on a daily basis. Part of that might be because, as bloggers, we strive to share the good parts of our lives: our interests, our adventures, and things that make us happy. It's hard enough to talk about mental illness in our every day lives; it's even harder to address it in the happy little worlds we have created for ourselves and our readers.

Depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder... These are terms that most people are somewhat familiar with, but we don't always understand how they can affect the lives of those who have them. For example, some people may experience being depressed without having depression and, because of that, it is often used as a synonym for sad. Thanks to Katy Perry, a lot of people think bipolar disorder is just a case of being hot and cold... And, as someone who struggle with being bipolar, that is far from the truth.

Okay, it's actually not that far from the truth. If you wanted to really simplify it, that would be a decent way of putting it. But, for me, the best description comes from what it used to be called: Manic-Depressive Disorder. That's what being bipolar is: a cycle of ups and downs, periods of being manic and periods being depressed.

You may notice that on my blog I go through times of regular activity followed by periods of complete and utter inactivity. That is an effect of my bipolar disorder. I have periods of depression, which doesn't always translate to sad. Sometimes it just means I lose motivation and drive or I feel lackluster, so to speak. Then I will have manic episodes, which are usually when I'm most motivated and productive. That doesn't mean manic episodes are great-- though, they usually feel that way. Manic episodes also come with impulsive behavior. That behavior was a lot worse when I was younger; now it mostly just shows itself in some reckless spending habits.

I also have generalized anxiety disorder, similar to Zoe and Tanya of YouTube fame. For me, this most presents itself socially. I don't like making phone calls, I'm awful at regular conversation... I always fear that I'm doing or saying something wrong. It also manifests itself in other ways, but these are the most common.

Mental illness is something I think we need to address-- in the blogging community and in society at large. Often I've felt that, because of my mental illness, I can't be successful in the blogging world. But I think that the more we talk about these issues and support one another in these discussions, the better off the blogging community will be.

Can you tell I'm really excited for fall? I feel like that is all I've been posting about lately... because, really, it's pretty much all I've been posting about lately. And one of the things I love most about autumn is the makeup. Yeah, sure, you can wear any bit of makeup year-round, but there are some colors that just scream autumn.

That's why I made up this fall-inspired wishlist, because there is nothing quite like buying new makeup for a new season. Although, yes, I would probably use most of these products year round...

First up are some Burberry items. I have wanted to try out their Fresh Glow foundation for ages, but it wasn't sold anywhere near me. Now that Sephora appears to be selling the makeup range, I might eventually have to indulge. But while I was looking at the foundation I also saw this gorgeous military green nail polish called Khaki Green and two lipsticks: Kisses in Oxblood and Lip Mist in Nude Peach. Obviously Oxblood is a near-perfect shade for fall, but Nude Peach would be an amazing nude color for when you want to go a bit smokier on the eyes.

Speaking of eyes, two of the items I'd love to have in my possession this fall are eye palettes. Because I totally don't have enough of those, right? The first one is the Zoeva Cocoa Blend palette, which has some amazing rusty orange, gold and reddish shades paired with some creamy and smokey colors. The Charlotte Tilbury palette is similar but smaller; it has the same reddy tones that would be perfect for fall and that rusty orange/gold/reddish shade in the bottom left? Ugh. So pretty.

I already have a set of Zoeva brushes, but these are just so pretty I had to add them to my list. The Kat Von D Shade & Light palette goes on the list because I've been wanting it for months and my local Sephora never has it in stock. Yes, I know, I could just buy it online... but it's easier to make somewhat expensive purchases in person. Otherwise I just stare at my cart at get anxious.

And last, but not least, is this Ciate nail polish. It's from the Olivia Palermo range and is in the color Napa Valley. I can picture it on my nails now...

So that's what I'd like to get my hands on this autumn. What makeup bits would you like to try out for this season? Let me know!

Autumn is officially here, and I don't really know how to feel about that. I love fall, but that means winter is right around the corner and I am not a fan of the December, January and February months. It seems like it was only a few weeks ago that the trees had finally filled out with leaves! But I am looking forward to some cooler weather, colorful trees, cozy blankets and horror movies.

I am also looking forward to getting. shit. done. And seeing The Dainty Squid's fall goals inspired me to list the shit I want to do this fall. So sit back, grab a cup of coffee, and enjoy.

1. Renovate my bedroom-- with an office space. Right now I am typing this post on a bed. It sounds great, sure, but it is actually not that comfortable. I work from home now, which means I need a proper office space. This fall, I want to create one in my bedroom that will inspire me and keep me motivated.

2. Take more photos. Last fall I was so busy with school and work that I never really got a chance to go out and enjoy the new DSLR I had purchased the summer before. This year I want to make sure I capture some of the stunning beauty West Virginia has to offer in the fall months.

3. Read all of the books. Okay, so obviously not all of them. But I set a goal for myself at the beginning of the year and I am way behind.

4. Work on my writing. I've been neglecting my creative writing for a while now. I want to use the next few months to work on new stuff and maybe even send some of my work out into the world.

5. Film my short movie. It's way out of my comfort zone, but I came up with an idea for a short horror film. My friend Candice has directed her own film and I'm hoping to team up with her to make this one come to life.

6. Visit the farmers' market, like, all of the time. Because I love walking around amidst the hay bales, corn stalks and pumpkins. (Plus getting those fresh fruits and veggies while they last!)

What sorts of things do you want to make sure to do this fall?

A couple of months ago I went to visit family in Southern Illinois. I always enjoy my trips back there, and not just because I get to see family I haven't seen in ages. It's because it's so different than the surroundings I'm used to. Things are slower there, like everything you do has a purpose. You'd think West Virginia would be that way... but no, we can be pretty hustle and bustle around here.

And the literal landscape! I'm used to tall hills that are encompassing, but Southern Illinois is flat as flat can be. It makes for some amazing sunsets and makes it pretty east to spot little critters out and about. Sunsets and animals are two of my many favorite things, so I brought along my camera and went on a few rides out through the country to capture why my trips there are so relaxing to me.

I obviously need to work on mastering my DSLR and, let's be real, my editing could probably use some work, too. But photography is a big hobby of mine and absolutely love looking at other bloggers' photos, whether it's products or a day in their life. So I thought I would share a few of my favorite shots from my trip.

Whether you do it as a hobby or to make a living, blogging can be hard work. We get burnt out or our lives just get so busy, the idea of sitting down to write a post is exhausting. An editorial calendar or a featured guest post can alleviate some of that exhaustion, but sometimes what you really need is inspiration. If you're a beauty blogger in need of some quick inspiration, here are ten ideas that can be used year-round.

1. Your Daily Face. What makeup did you use today? Recreate the look or show your readers the products you used.

2. Seasonal Makeup Favorites. Makeup changes with the seasons. What products do you love to use in winter, spring, summer and fall?

3. Your Skincare Routine. For most of us, this is constantly changing. What are your skincare staples right now?

4. Empties. What products have you used up recently? From makeup to skincare to hygiene, anything goes.

5. Favorite Drugstore Products. Do you have a Wet N Wild palette that you love to use constantly? A hidden gem of a foundation? Tell all about it!

6. Favorite High End Products. Tell your readers about your favorite pricey products and why they are worth the hype.

7. A Product You Are Currently Loving. What did you buy recently that has absolutely blown you away?

8. Your Makeup Story. How did you get into makeup? Why did you get into makeup?

9. Embarrassing Beauty Blunders. We've all been there.

10. Your Makeup Storage. One of my favorite types of posts.

What do you do when you've run out of inspiration? Any other post ideas you think would be helpful?

The temperature has slowly been dropping in these West Virginia hills (how majestic and how grand... only true West Virginia kids will get that!) which has me looking forward to the official start of fall. No, not the autumnal equinox or whatever, though autumnal equinox is such an awesome combination of words... I'm talking about the real start of fall, with falling leaves, crisp air, hay bales and haunted houses. And horror movies! I am beyond ready for some horror movie marathons.

I'm also excited to pull out some of my favorite fall items to wear again this year. You know, those items you can pretty much only wear between late September and Thanksgiving? Yeah, those. But for sweet summer children who just don't know what they are going to wear once it gets too cool for tank tops and short... Don't worry! I got you! You really only need a few things.

1. Knee-high boots. I am a lover of boots. Any type of boots. And knee-high boots are no different. These are stylish, sure, but let's be real... They keep your feet warm in the cooler weather and the hems of your pants dry when there are big, leafy puddles everywhere. And that is what really makes them a winner.

2. Tights. Just because it's fall doesn't mean you have to give up your pretty summer skirts and dresses, or even shorts. In fact, now might be the best time to wear them because you can pair them up with a rainbow of tights! Long gone are the days when you could only find nude hose to cover your legs. No, now you can find them in a multitude of colors and patterns. There are maroon and rust colored tights over at WeLoveColors that are great for fall.

3. An oversized sweater or cardigan. It's warm, it's comfy, it's cute. Does it really need any more explanation?

4. A plaid shirt. It's perfect for a casual autumn day or a wander through the corn maze. Like a sweater or cardigan, this doesn't need a whole lot of explainin'. It's just one of those things you need in your fall closet.

5. A scarf. One way to make any outfit look fall ready-- and keep you warm, I guess-- is to throw on a scarf. There are so many options out there, it's impossible not to find one that matches your style and personality. And if you can't find one you like, you can always make one! I'm a fan of chunky infinity scarves because they're just so damn cozy.

What are your fall essentials? Is autumn your favorite season or are you sad to see summer go?

For this Thoughtful Thursday, I'm sharing with you a picture of a member from the deer family that kept visiting this summer. The two fawns are growing up now, spots faded but playfulness fully intact. Gosh... couldn't that be used as a metaphor for growing older? For some of us, anyway.

But what I really want to talk about this week-- Thoughtful Thursday is where I get personal, y'all-- is my own journey. I shared a bit about my struggle with my weight in my Guide to Shopping for Big, Beautiful Babes and I plan to make a post about it at a later date because body image and body positivity is something I feel should be discussed more. Today, though, I'm discussing my journey to better health.

It's not complicated... I've always been a healthy tip-toer, which is to say I've always gone through spells of eating super clean and healthy foods alternated with episodes of less than healthy eating patterns. But lately something has switched in me; I blame it on the few friends on my Facebook feed who post pictures of themselves eating great looking, healthy food and workout videos. Thank you, because you are motivating as hell.

So far, I've lost sixteen pounds which, yes, is part of the goal here. But I also want to take a stand and say that, if I didn't want to lose weight, that would be fine also. Each person is on their own journey, and it is not up to me or anyone else to dictate that journey. Period. End of story. That's all folks.

But when a body positive plus size gal says she's going to be more careful about what she eats, start working out, or just be generally more health-minded, there are a lot of assumptions that people jump to. She's not really happy with her body, she was lying or Obviously that means she wasn't trying to be healthy before just to name a couple. To combat the first assumption, I contend that you have to love your body before you can truly decide to make these types of changes. And I do love my body. I have loved my body more since I gained weight, maybe in part because I had to learn to. No one else in society was going to love my plus sized body for me, it seemed.

For the second assumption... Whatever. There are a lot of arguments that could be made against that and, with Nicole Arbour's video being discussed so widely, I'm sure you've heard a lot of them.

Assumptions aside, I'm on this journey... and so many others. And I will be sharing updates and tips and stories (and failures) along the way. I hope you'll come along for the ride.

Wait... was that last sentence cheesy? I feel like it was. Oops.

Every so often I think about canceling my ipsy bag subscription... and every time they send me a bag like this that makes me want to stay. While I'm not a huge fan of the bag, I was pretty excited about everything inside of it.

This month was all about facing fashion. I have no idea what that actually means, but if this is what it gets me then I am all for it. My favorite trinket out of this bag is the Trust Fund Beauty nail polish in Elegantly Wasted, which is a pretty lavender color. The first coat is decently opaque on it's own-- you may not even need to apply a second! The packaging is absolutely gorgeous, but the best part is that the brand is vegan and cruelty-free. Who could say no to that?

The NYX eyeshadow trio was also a nice treat. I love NYX like Ron Burgundy loves scotch. It's such good quality for a great price, and they are always coming out with trendy and unique products. This trio isn't so unique, but it will be great for creating a nice autumn eye look. I was also really looking forward to the J. Cat Beauty eyeliner in bronze... until I swatched it. It is so dry it almost hurt to apply it to the back of my hand. But when I went to wipe it away, it did not budge, so maybe it's a little give and take.

The other two items included a moisture mask from Eau Thermale Avene and a mascara from City Color. Keep scrolling for more pictures of this month's bag!





Do you have an tipsy subscription? What was your favorite product this month? (P.S. If you don't have a subscription but are interested, go here. It's only $10 a month... so, like, not awful.)

The drugstore is stepping up it's brow game.

Maybelline released the Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara a while back, and I was immediately a fan. The brush is similar to some high-end brow mascaras I have seen, and it works wonders at making every brow hair noticeable. It also has enough color payoff to make them look a little fuller and more polished. And if you're like me and have crazy brows that like to move throughout the day, this stuff keeps them in place.

I love this stuff so much, I bought it in two different colors. I use Deep Brown when I'm not using any other brow products to keep my brows in place and to polish them up a little. Soft Brown is good for when I'm using brow powder or a pencil. On top of a darker powder or pencil, Soft Brown makes my browns look polished and perfect but still natural. This product also comes in Blonde, Auburn and Clear.

There are a couple of cons to this product, though. One is just how well it keeps those brows in place. It's a good thing for a while, but when it comes to taking off your makeup at night it can be a pain. The Sephora cleansing water that I use does the trick though: one swipe across your brows and this stuff is gone. The other con is that sometimes I does flake away occasionally. I don't always experience this, though, so it may be on days where I use too much of the product.

Recently I was at my local Target when I saw that Maybelline had added another product to their Brow Drama range: a powder palette! Because I had been getting a little lazy with my brows-- gel and done, if that-- I decided to try it out and get my brows looking good again. This palette has three different products: a setting wax, a brow powder, and a highlighting powder. I don't use the setting wax very often, but it's still a useful product to have in the palette, especially if you don't use a brow mascara. I got the color Soft Brown, which is an ashy medium brown. It also comes in Deep Brown, Auburn and Blonde.

Keep scrolling for more pictures and a before and after!

Top: Before / Bottom: After (Excuse the horrible selfie quality!)