Halloween is here!

Since I was a little girl, I have loved horror movies. Horror movies never really scared me when I was younger; in fact, the first film I remember watching was Child's Play and I immediately wanted a Good Guy doll after. (That may have been because, as a child, I looked quite a bit like an evil doll myself.) Luckily my parents knew that I could handle these types of movies and never banned me from watching them, so I amassed lifelong favorites that I want to share with you in honor on this, the most spooky of holidays.

1. Halloween. Every Halloween, my mom and I order a pizza so that after we hand out candy to the trick-or-treaters we can settle in and watch Halloween. It's one of my favorite family traditions and I look forward to it every year. That might make me a little biased, but the movie is called Halloween, after all. There is something about the blank white mask, the stony silence, and simple melody that makes Michael Myers one of the most frightening––and classic––horror movie villains of all time.

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2. Child's Play. Again, I might be a little biased on this one but think about it. It would be terrifying to have a small, friendly-looking children's toy with the strength of a fully grown man terrorizing your family. It wouldn't just be dealing with the doll itself, it would be dealing with the disbelief and ridicule if you ever told anyone. Okay, maybe I'm getting a little too deep here. Either way, it's a fun movie to watch and should be a requirement for any child of the 80s or 90s.

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3. Scream. This is another movie that should be required viewing for any child of the 90s. The first ten minutes set the pace for this movie with a totally surprising death and the parody element was just subtle enough to make it genius. The sequels aren't bad either––a rarity when it comes to horror movies.

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4. The Conjuring. I'm not a huge fan of most recent horror flicks. They try too hard to scare with gore and surprises and lack the thrilling tension that really makes a horror movie fun. Not The Conjuring. This film does a masterful job of building tension that leaves you on the edge of your seat––with a jump scare or two to really get your blood pumping. The sequel was, surprisingly, even better than the original.

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5. Carrie. If you don't watch at least one Stephen King movie on Halloween, is it really Halloween? Carrie is my personal favorite, but Pet Sematary is also a fine option.

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6. The Craft. There are some people who wouldn't consider this a horror movie but the last ten minutes absolutely terrified me when I first watched it. Despite being totally creeped out, I wanted to be a part of this girl gang of witches... Or dress like them, at least.

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7. The Exorcist. This movie isn't quite as scary now as it was when it was first released, thanks in part to the pea soup revelation and edited showings on TNT. But then this movie came out, it was a big deal. Many parents forbid their children from seeing it and adults were rushed out of theaters after fainting or becoming physically ill. There were rumors of actual possessions being caused by the movie and, behind-the-scenes, many say the cast and crew of the movie were cursed themselves. It's a classic for a reason, y'all.

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I could have made a list of twenty or more movies to recommend for the Halloween season––especially if I added in family films like Hocus Pocus and Halloweentown. And, really, these movies are great no matter what time of year it is. So pop some popcorn, fire up that Netflix account and have a happy Halloween!
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Wait, a review?! It seems like I haven't sat down to write a review in ages, but when I received the Flawless VoxBox from Influenster in the mail last week... Well, you know the rest. This year has been all about aligning who I am with who I want to be, which means living in a way that is more grounded in spirituality, health, and eco-consciousness. This VoxBox, I think, matches up with that flawlessly.

First off, it came in this gorgeous turquoise box that can be recycled or reused very easily. I am currently in the middle renovating my bedroom so I will probably use it to store some of my smaller items while I move things around. But the real star of this box isn't the box itself, of course. It's what is inside! And, let me tell you, this is probably my favorite of all the VoxBoxes I've received. The first thing I saw when I opened the box was a full-sized bag of Dr. Teal's Pure Epsom Salt Soaking Solution with Eucalyptus and Spearmint. I'm more of a shower girl, but I may have to light some candles and take a bath to try this stuff out. It promises to not only relax the mind but sooth aches and pains, which I totally need both of right now.

The box also contained a travel-sized package of Simple's Skincare Cleansing Facial Wipes. I usually use Clinique's Take the Day Off cleansing balm to remove my makeup––I'll be switching to coconut oil soon––but when I'm feeling lazy I would grab the Equate (Wal-Mart) brand wipes to quickly clean my face. The fragrance is strong in those wipes, though, and would trigger my rosacea. Not good. Simple's wipes didn't irritate my skin at all. It removed makeup better than the cheap wipes and maybe even removed it better than my cleansing balm, all without harsh fragrances or redness. They also threw in a sample of their micellar water and, if it is as good as their wipes, I'm sure I'll love it.

The next goody in the box was a SinfulColors Trend Matters nail polish in Miss Klaws. As if the Klaws didn't give it away, this was from the Kylie Kollection. But if you don't like the Kardashian-Jenner bunch, don't let that deter you from buying! This matte polish was opaque after only one layer and it lasted for days, even longer than some of my high-end polishes. And it's only $2.99! SinfulColors has definitely stepped up their game.

The other makeup item in the box was the CoverGirl So Lashy! by blastPRO mascara. CoverGirl tests on animals so I did not use this mascara. I did open it up to look at the wand and it is definitely unique. It is flattened out, with short bristles along the flat plane, longer bristles on the outer edges, and a spiked ball at the tip. While the wand is unique, it looks a little difficult to use––almost like it is trying to be new and trendy more than good quality.

On the food end of things, I was sent some Yogi tea and Harvest Snaps green pea crisps. I haven't tried the Harvest Snaps yet, but I have already gone out and bought a box of the Yogi tea on my own. Yes, it was that good. Each blend has different benefits, such as stress-reducing, skin-clearing, or detoxifying. It tastes fantastic and every bag is tagged with a piece of advice or wise saying. No matter what blend you get, it will certainly help you relax. And you can compost the tea bags!

All of these products were sent to me for free by Influenster for reviewing purposes. If you're interested in becoming an Influenster––and I totally recommend it––it would be super cool if you signed up using my referral link right here.

Until next time!
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Sometimes we sweat the small stuff, but we forget that the small things can make a big difference on our happiness. I've been realizing this lately as I've been making some small, but important, changes in my own life that have helped me feel calmer and happier. Let's jump right in with seven small changes that have had a big impact on how I feel.

1. Wake Up Call. I've been a night owl for most of my life, staying up until 3 A.M. writing or binge-watching a new show on Netflix more times than I can count. But staying up that late also meant (usually) sleeping late. I would feel like my day was over before it began. Thanks to the new Bedtime feature in iOS 10, though, I have been waking up a little earlier each week and now I wake before the sun rises. Waking up earlier makes me feel more productive and organized. And watching the sunrise is an added bonus!

2. Social Media Detox. As you may know, I work in social media. Spending so much time on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram has helped me realize how important it is to step away from it for a while. That is why I 'detox' for one day each week. I leave my computer turned off and my phone hidden away, then spend the day doing something fun like hiking or reading. For those of you who can't break free just yet––it's hard!––I recommend a detox of a different kind. Go through the people and businesses you follow and cull through them. If you cringe every time that girl from high school posts, unfriend or unfollow her. Following an old band you're not that into anymore? Get rid of them. Make sure that the stuff you see on social media interests you or makes you happy.

3. Bedtime Stories. I used to be glued to either my phone or my computer right up until bedtime. All part of being a night owl, I guess. It also used to take me an hour or more to fall asleep––usually falling closer to the more end of things. Staring at those blue-based lights was not good for me for a lot of reasons, so I started laying my phone down about fifteen minutes before bed and picking up a book instead. Not only has it helped me fall asleep faster, it's also helped me read through some of the books on my to-read shelf.

4. Unplug. You might be thinking, Isn't this the same thing as the detox? Not really. I'm talking about literally unplugging––you know, all of those little things you leave plugged in even when you're not using them. I used to leave my phone charger plugged into the wall all of the time. Same with my laptop cord and lamp cords and basically all of the cords. The thing is, this all uses power even though we aren't using them. And sometimes it can even be dangerous, with reports of chargers starting fires popping up more frequently. Then there is the cost. Even though these 'zombie' power sucks may be negligible on their own, they add up. Unplugging just makes me feel better.

5. Zero Waste. When I say zero waste, I don't literally mean zero waste. It is difficult in our culture to actually live a totally zero waste lifestyle. But zero waste, to me, is something to take steps toward––and every little step helps. I've started by using reusable grocery and produce bags and I'm building a compost bin so that I can recycle some of my waste into usable soil. The recycling situation where I live is abysmal but I'm researching where I can take at least some of my trash to be recycled and reused. Knowing that I am doing things more in alignment with my values helps me feel good, and so does doing something that helps the environment.

6. DIY-deas. I've always been a DIY-er, but most of my stuff was on a small scale: a shirt, perhaps, or a coffee mug design. But I've recently realized that DIY projects can help me on my minimalism and zero waste journeys, as well. I've started small by creating my own face cleanser and toner, but soon I'll be making my own laundry detergent, fabric softener, and dishwashing liquid and eventually I want to try to make my own toothpaste. Creating your own products give you a sense of pride––you're helping the environment, getting back to basics, and it's just a lot of fun to do.

7. What's That Smell? This tip is the simplest but also my favorite: surround yourself with scents you love. Light candles, burn incense, plug in a Bath and Body Works room freshener... Just make sure you love it. Smells can trigger emotions, so surround yourself with calming or cozy scents like lavender or vanilla or, my personal favorite, nutmeg and spice. You can even mix and match some of my tips on here and start creating your own candles or mixing your own perfumes!

What small things help you feel happier?

I am big on aspirational goal setting. Whether I truly feel like I'll accomplish the goal or not, setting the intention always helps me feel like I'm moving forward. That is why I always set goals for myself when a new year rolls around and why, since we only have a couple of months left in 2016, I've been 'saving' my goals for the new year.

There have been so many ideas floating around in my head of things I want to accomplish: taking an archery course, becoming more fluent in french, travelling, and learning how to box are just a few. I've been saving them for the new year, feeling my excitement grow as I think about how awesome 2017 will be as I strive towards them. And then, in a moment of striking clarity, I realized how silly that was! These are things that I want to do, that I am excited about doing. Why should I wait for some abstract time or day to begin doing stuff that makes me happy?

I think this is a rut we all fall into occasionally. Even though we may tell ourselves to live each day as though it is our last, we put things off and make excuses. We tell ourselves that we don't have the time, we don't have the money, we don't have the support... And, sometimes, that is true. But if we don't have the time, money or support now, will it magically appear in our lives on January 1st? Doubtful.

The thing about setting goals and striving to accomplish them is that it doesn't have to be done all at once. Start small. For me, that means browsing the web for local archery and boxing classes and practicing French every day. It means setting aside some money for those purposes when and where I can. And it means being flexible. You may eventually decide that the goal you set no longer serves you or that it is becoming stressful. If you find yourself in that position, reassess what you want and need and rework your goals accordingly. There is no shame in not accomplishing your goals––sometimes you learn more that way.

I can't believe it is already autumn. By the time summer is over, I'm ready for the crisp, cool air of fall––until it hits. Then I'm begging for a few more days of summer. It has been pretty nice wearing my baggy sweaters and motorcycle boots, though, and my coffee habit has definitely tripled since it cooled down. This year has absolutely flown by––we're basically in the home stretch now and, so far, this year hasn't been too bad. Now, to set some goals that will keep the trend continuing.

What are Soul Goals?

I sit down at the beginning of each month–– or, at least, I try to–– and write out three goals that I have for the month ahead that I think will enrich my life and make me a better, happier person. Interested in coming up with your own Soul Goals? They can be simple or crazy ambitious goals. The important part is assessing what needs to change in your own life and figuring out what direction you want to go in. We're just taking it month by month, day by day, minute by minute here.

My Previous Soul Goals Recap

My first goal was to drink 120 oz. of water every day, which I did for a good part of the month. As the weather got cooler, though, my nightly waters turned into nightly coffees and I wasn't hitting my goal. I did hit my next goal of reading three books: Women Who Run With the Wolves; Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.; and Bad Feminist. If I keep this up, I have a shot of reaching my annual reading goal of 26 books. My final goal was to sell some stuff, which I didn't do a lot of. I did sell my television, though, which was kind of a big deal for me. It made me a decent amount of money, but the bigger victory was ridding myself of something I didn't need. My room feels so much calmer now that the television is gone. Sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference.

My Soul Goals for October

1. Get rid of old items that no longer serve me. This one kind of goes hand-in-hand with last month's goal of selling stuff. I want to continue on that journey by selling what can be sold, donating what can't, and getting rid of the rest. I'm twenty-seven... How have I accumulated so much stuff? It's time to start taking a more mindful approach to what I bring into my life.

2. Experience more locally. I'll admit, I can be kind of a hermit. It's not that I don't enjoy local events, I just don't enjoy big crowds and (usually) rude people. It's overwhelming, so I tend to avoid those kinds of things. My dad just retired, though, and he's trying to reacclimate to society. Part of that is enjoying what my city has to offer and I'm going to try to help him out. In fact, I think I'm going to a car show this weekend. That should be interesting.

3. Master a regular sleep schedule. I've tried before, and I've failed, but now that iOS 10 has added a Bedtime feature I'm hoping I can start falling asleep and waking up at a decent time. Working from home, my sleep schedule can be a little erratic. When I wake up later than I feel I should, it makes me feel like I've wasted the day and I feel less productive. I may add in a short meditation, too, in order to really start my day on the right foot.

If I actually accomplish my second goal, I will be sure to feature some of my outings on the blog.

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Spotify is my best friend.

I used to (totally legally) download every single song I wanted to listen to––and I had dial-up for most of my internet years, so you can imagine what a pain in the ass that was. I have high-speed internet now (thank god) and a Spotify subscription. Both of those things have widened my musical tastes substantially. That is why I like sharing some of my music finds with you on here: because I think broadening our musical horizons is important.

Fall is starting which means it's time for a new Music I've Been Loving playlist. That will be crafted as the next few months roll on but, obviously, I'm not leaving you high and dry. That would make this post incredibly frustrating, wouldn't it? Nope, it's time that I share my summer playlist with you. Even though I'm starting to phase it out, I still listen to these songs on the regular.

Open up your Spotify app and enjoy.

The first time I used NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation––which, by the way, is a mouthful––was when it first came out a couple of years ago. At the time, I had incredibly dry skin that no amount of moisturizer could fix. I went through foundation after foundation, trying to find a formula that wouldn't emphasize my dry patches and would cover my rosacea.

At that time, this foundation was a hard pass. It not only emphasized my dry skin, it also left me looking like I had a ton of product on my face. It just sat on my skin, didn't blend well, and didn't cover my redness as well as I had hoped. One of the claims about this foundation was that you only needed one drop––or pump––to cover your entire face. That wasn't true for me then and it still isn't true for me now.

My skin is currently more on the combination or oily end of the spectrum. My go-to foundation is the Too Faced Born This Way formula, but because I've been breaking out so much lately I decided to try out some new formulas to see if my favorite foundation had betrayed me. I picked up the NARS foundation again and gave it a go. I was pleasantly surprised with the results.

It still took three pumps to cover my face, but it did mask the redness from both my rosacea and my breakouts. It looked a little too matte on my skin, despite claiming a natural finish, and made my cheeks––where is covered my redness––look a little ashy. It also emphasized texture on my skin. For instance, an allergic reaction had caused tiny little bumps to appear all over my face. While my Too Faced foundation made them appear smoother, the NARS foundation made them obvious. Same for my breakouts.

I will admit that other people I asked couldn't really tell a different in the appearance of my skin when I wore this foundation. But I could, and it left me feeling really self-conscious and uncomfortable. f you do try it out, make sure to apply it with a damp Beauty Blender as this foundation is prone to streak marks.

Bottom line, I'm still not a fan of this foundation––especially not for $48.

Can you say relaxing weekend? Because that is what I have had. I celebrated my mother's birthday on Friday, spent Saturday and Sunday cleaning and organizing, and today has been a day of rest. I spent the morning working (only a little bit, though!) and the afternoon was spent out in nature reading Women Who Run With the Wolves. It feels like the perfect time to reflect on the month of August and what I can do to make September even better.

What are Soul Goals?

I sit down at the beginning of each month-- or, at least, I try to-- and write out three goals that I have for the month ahead that I think will enrich my life and make me a better, happier person. Interested in coming up with your own Soul Goals? They can be simple or crazy ambitious goals. The important part is assessing what needs to change in your own life and figuring out what direction you want to go in. We're just taking it month by month, day by day, minute by minute here.

My Previous Soul Goals Recap

My first goal was to resettle into an early morning routine which I just didn't manage to do. I tried, I really did, but it just didn't happen. I stay up too late working and then I hit the snooze button so many times that I feel like I have to hop out of bed and get right to work. It's definitely something I still need to work on.

My next goal was to start on my first novel, which I did. I haven't gotten far, but I have started a few short stories and rediscovered some old writing that I intend to work on.

Last was my goal of bullet journaling. I started this and found it just didn't work for me. The pressure to make my bullet journal look nice made the process stressful and time-consuming. I think I need to get a planner that is already laid out and add my own creative elements to it.

My Soul Goals for September

1. Drink 120 oz. of water every day. I was doing this religiously earlier this summer but, slowly, my water intake dwindled. I still get my 64 oz. in daily, but I know I feel and look better when I am properly hydrated, so I need this habit back in my life stat.

2. Finish reading at least three books. My goal for this year was to read 26 books–one for every two weeks this year. I've fallen a few books behind and need to play catch up. Recently I finished The Opposite of Loneliness and The Glass Menagerie, and I am currently working on finishing up Women Who Run With the Wolves and Bad Feminist. Be on the lookout for some reading related posts soon!

3. Sell some stuff! I've realized that I have too much stuff, period, and I need to get rid of it. I spent a lot of August sorting through my belongings and deciding what I can get rid of. Now it's time to let go of it and, hopefully, reap some (monetary) benefits.

My goals are, admittedly, a little boring this month. But that's okay! Not all goals are meant to break world records or inspire awe in people. Sometimes they are just goals that help you get from Point A to Point B. 

What are you wanting to accomplish this month?

I know it sounds a little dramatic to say that I'm getting old when I only just turned 27. But as I watched the MTV Video Music Awards last night–all for Britney, all for Britney–it hit me like a freight train. This stuff isn't being marketed to me anymore. I didn't know who any of the hosts were–or if they were event hosts! Like, what happened to the days when we had a big name come out and roast the celebrities or an entertaining parody intro? Don't get me wrong, Rihanna was great, but I definitely wasn't wowed.

And, really, who were half of those performers?

It got me thinking, there are other signs of my imminent death everywhere I look. There are already technologies I don't understand! What does on fleek really mean? When people younger than me hear me say bae ironically, do they laugh and think I'm an old fogie who just killed the trend?

I was seriously offended by it all for a little bit. I mean, who is MTV to forget about the millennials, the last generation that can remember them actually playing music videos? But then, somewhere between Beyonce and Britney, I realized that it didn't matter. I haven't watched MTV for years, even when they were marketing towards my demographic. I haven't watched MTV since TRL and that crazy ass VJ who wore rags and never brushed his hair. And I'm actually kind of okay with being old and uncool–or, even better, old and somewhat slightly cool? Yeah, probably not.

Because the great part about getting older is that you stop caring so much about what other people think. You start to live for yourself and not others. You focus more on what you can do and not what people think you should do. And you finally get to be one of those old people who doesn't understand today's youth... But, hopefully, doesn't write 1200-word think pieces on how they are ruining everything.

I'm just going to back to listening to the new Britney album now, because it's amazing and I sort of miss the 90s and early 2000s.

Do you remember the video of a journalist supposedly having a stroke on air that went viral in 2011? It was frightening to watch Serene Branson begin to slur her words and struggle to form a coherent sentence. What was even more shocking was that she wasn't having a stroke at all. In fact, a few days after the incident, news outlets were reporting that it was just a migraine and the story faded from the headlines.

But is a migraine ever just a migraine? I thought so, until I started experiencing them for myself.

I began experiencing migraines in 2009, around the time I turned twenty. Before that, I had been under the false assumption that migraines were just really bad headaches. I didn't realize that the effects of a migraine went beyond the pain: slurred speech, trouble forming sentences, vision problems and vomiting were among the other effects I was dealing with. I would take aspirin to combat the pain, but eventually I was taking so much pain medicine that it was upsetting the lining of my stomach. I was burping up foam, y'all. Not good. The physical toll it took on me was so bad that I didn't think something as simple as a migraine could be causing it... But that is what I was experiencing.

Migraines are bad enough when you only experience them every once in a while, but I was suffering from migraines more often than not. I often found myself in too much pain to go to class, and my grades were reflecting that. I was cancelling plans with friends because I would wake up with a migraine that would last for days. Eventually friends stopped making plans with me – I would just bail later. It was a cycle of pain and depression that, along with other extenuating circumstances, caused me to take a year off from college.

During that year, my health took center stage. My family has a history of migraines, so I started talking to them about their experiences. My grandma talked about how the pain of the migraines made her temperature rise – another side effect I was experiencing – so much so that she would lie on the cold hardwood floor to cool off. I also learned that these hereditary migraines seem to start during our early adult years, as mine had, and fade the closer we get to 30.

With this information, I went to the doctor. I was diagnosed with Chronic Migraine, which meant that I was experiencing migraines more than 15 days a month. I was given a daily prescription for Topamax, a nerve pain medication that is used for treating migraines, and another prescription for a pill that I could only take when I was experiencing a particularly bad headache. My doctor warned me that Topamax wasn't always effective; it was only a first step. But I was incredibly lucky: within two months, I had gone from nearly 20 migraine days a month down to two.

I finally felt like I had my life back. I went back to college and made great grades, got a new job and started making new friends. I would still have a migraine every once in a while, but now I could take aspirin for it without upsetting my stomach. I learned what my triggers were – the smell of diesel and musky perfume, as well as loud, rattling bass – and avoided them when I could. I held my breath behind many a truck and school bus.

Last summer, I weaned myself off of my medication. There were many reasons for it, but I was afraid that the migraines would come back with a vengeance. They didn't. I am incredibly lucky that my migraines do seem to have faded as I've gotten older. I still experience them a few times a month – it is what inspired me to write this blog post – but I've learned how to soldier through when I can and when to stop and take care of the problem.

I wanted to write about my experience because it's something I don't see discussed often. So many illnesses are visible in one way or another, which causes society to forget about or ignore the illnesses they can't see. It makes it easy for those suffering from an invisible illness to ignore theirs, or feel as though it isn't important. But it is important and you need to take care of yourself. If you are experiencing symptoms of an invisible illness, talk to someone close to you or make an appointment with a doctor. You deserve to live the best life you can.
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Is it hot where you are? It's been pretty warm here all summer, with temperatures staying in the 90º range since mid-July. And the West Virginia humidity has always been the stuff of nightmares. Just walking outside for a minute can make a person start to sweat, and don't even get me started on my outdoor workouts.

One good thing has come out of this uncomfortable weather: I have perfected my sweat-proof makeup routine. And I didn't even do it on purpose. I'm pretty insecure about my skin–rosacea and acne will do that to you–and I always wear face makeup when I work out. I'm also an avid Snapchatter and selfie-taker, so of course I take the occasional snapshot of myself post-workout.

Last month, after a particularly grueling workout in 93º weather, I took a couple of pictures and realized my makeup had not budged. Not a bit. Underneath my makeup, I was sure I looked like a human tomato, but no one would have been able to tell that. My mom, who was my workout partner that day, even noticed. I was amazed.

So I'm sharing my routine with you.

I start out by applying the elf Face Primer with my fingers, patting it into place where my pores are particularly noticeable. Then I take one pump of the Too Faced Born This Way foundation and apply it with a Real Techniques buffing brush, pressing the product onto areas that need a bit more coverage. If I need a little extra coverage, like when my acne is flaring up, I will use another half of a pump on the areas that need it. I finish with MAC Studio Fix powder foundation, using a fluffy brush to press the powder on.

When I'm going somewhere after my workout, I will add some contour using the Kat Von D Shade & Light palette and line my eyes with the Flower Forever Wear eyeliner. Sometimes I will use MAC Fix+ to set the look, but it does just as well without it.

You want proof? Take a look.


This picture was taken at 1:29 PM on a 90º day. I had applied my makeup that morning at 7 AM. That is six and a half hours of wear during which I worked out, went shopping, and worked out again.

I also have a cheaper version of this look that I will be talking about soon, so stay tuned.

How do you make your makeup last all day in the heat? Let me know in the comments!

If you've been following this blog for a while, you probably know a little bit about my skincare journey. For any new readers, here is a quick rundown on the history of my skin:

I had acne once when I was in high school and cleared it up pretty quickly with ProActive. Beyond that, I never had any problems with my skin (aside from my hereditary rosacea), despite not taking very good care of it. When I went on birth control as a teenager, my skin dried out horribly. And now that I've moved away from hormonal birth control, my skin has gone crazy, leaving me with oily skin and the worst acne of my life.

Since last October, I have been trying anything and everything to keep my skin clear. Literally nothing was working and I was starting to think I would just have to deal with bad skin for the rest of my life. Dramatic, I know. At the same time, I was making a move towards minimalism: eating simple, clean foods and being careful about what I put in and on my body. So when I spotted S.W. Basics on the shelves of my local Target, I was thrilled.

S.W. Basics is a Brooklyn-based skincare company that lives by the motto less is more. They believe that "using fewer ingredients means more potent skincare." I would have to agree. I bought the cleanser and toner from this line a few months ago and, when I take the time to use it regularly, I see a massive improvement in my skin.

The cleanser has only three ingredients: organic rosewater, organic vegetable glycerin, and organic tea tree oil. I use it after I remove all of my makeup by putting some onto a cotton pad and rubbing it in circular motions on my face. It gets rid of any traces of makeup left behind and leaves my skin feeling clean, but not dry or stiff. You know the feeling I'm talking about.

I rinse the cleanser off and do the same thing with the toner, which has five ingredients: water, organic raw apple cider vinegar, organize witch hazel, and organic essential oils of clary sage and sandalwood. This product might scare some people; it has a slightly browny-yellow color from the apple cider vinegar, as well as a film that is from the 'mother' part of the vinegar (the most useful part) and a slight odor. But it honestly feels amazing on the skin and you get used to the smell.

In the few months I have been using this-- again, when I remember to use it regularly-- it has diminished my hormonal, cystic acne, faded old acne scars, and even lessened the appearance of my rosacea. I even notice a little bit of a glow to my skin when I use these products, plus I feel better knowing exactly what I am putting on my skin. These two products are $22 dollars each. It sounds a little pricey, but they do last a while and they come in reusable glass bottles. When I have finally finished using up the product, I plan on using them as little vases on my desk.

If you're interested in learning more about these products or S.W. Basics, visit their website here. And, by the way, this was not a sponsored post... But if they see this post and like it, I wouldn't mind a coupon or something. I got student loans to pay, y'all.

No, there isn't an actual video in this post, no matter what the episode moniker made you assume. There isn't even a quirky podcast. Just text and images, as usual. See, I used to do a post every Sunday where I would talk about what was going on in my life, share some thoughts and maybe link you to a few blog posts or articles that had caught my eye during the week.

The problem with that is... My life is quite boring. It's a delicate balance between work and creative pursuits with some old fashioned household chores thrown in. Sometimes I don't even know how to talk about the exciting stuff that happens, like that crush I had a while back or the lunch I had with my best friend from high school. And, more than that, I don't want to resign myself to some weekly blog post that may or may not be interesting. Because if it isn't interesting, what is the point?

So, as I'll be doing with a lot of things on this blog in the next six months, we're changing things up. Every so often, I'll pop up with a random Afternoon Tea post. Just whenever I get the inspiration to write or talk about something or lay out what has been going on in my life. And, of course, I'll throw in some blog posts or things I'm lusting after, too. But it will mainly be a space to just talk, to let things out and connect with whoever might come across my blog that day. And I'll be talking about anything and everything.

Like, for instance, my recent obsession with what I will call poetic music. (Initially, I was going to call it whiney music because all of these songs have made me feel like crying at one point.) For the first decade of my life, I was mostly into the pop songs I heard on the radio--I basically wanted to become Posh Spice. And for most of my teens it was all about pop-punk and emo; My Chemical Romance and Panic! at the Disco are still on rotation in my life.

In my mid-teens, though, this little show called The O.C. came out. As did a movie called Closer. And both featured some amazing music, like Jeff Buckley and Damien Rice. And so, behind closed doors, I was listening to these slow, soulful songs that you could just feel the artistry behind. It was like these songs were seeping into my veins somehow, inspiring me to explore who I really was. And more artists got added to the list as the years went on, such as Lou Reed and Leonard Cohen.

These are songs I turn to when I need a little bit of guidance, even now. Especially now. And I'm going to share my playlist with you, so that you can maybe discover some new music or get re-inspired. And I would love it if you would share some of your favorite songs with me: songs that get you pumped, that make you cry, that give you the courage to do something you've never done before.

'Til next time. :)

Not all makeup brands are created equal. And I'm not just talking about the quality of their products.

Recently I watched Amanda Faye's updated makeup routine video, where she talked about making the transition to cruelty-free beauty items. I'm currently trying to be more conscious about what I consume, both internally and externally, and her video made me realize that I have no idea what goes into the making of the products I use. It has inspired me to slowly transition my own beauty routine to be more animal-friendly, as well, and it's really not as difficult as you might think!

My first step was going through the beauty products I use on a daily basis. I use a mixture of drugstore and high-end products and I found that most of my high-end makeup was cruelty-free... I wasn't so lucky with my drugstore favorites, however. Rimmel, whose eyeliners and mascaras are always in my favorites posts, unfortunately had to go. So does my Maybelline Brow Drama kit but, full disclosure, I am using these products until they run out so that I am not being wasteful.

Luckily, my must haves such as the Too Faced Born This Way foundation and Urban Decay Naked concealer get to stay in my routine, as do my Real Techniques and ELF brushes. But my favorite powders, both by MAC, will eventually have to go.

While it would seem that the easiest way to go cruelty-free would be to buy high-end, it's not foolproof. According to CrueltyFreeKitty.com, brands such as Benefit, Bobbi Brown and Make Up For Ever do test on animals. And, surprisingly, there are a number of drugstore brands that do not test on animals, such as Milani, ELF and Wet N Wild. Some brands are cruelty-free such but are owned by companies who are not, such as NYX. This is where doing your research and using your own judgement are important.

Sometimes, though, we're ready to start making the switch but don't have time to do a lot of hardcore research. That's why I created this little cheat sheet for you, with some of my favorite cruelty-free brands from high-end to drugstore.

What are Soul Goals?

I sit down at the beginning of each month-- or, at least, I try to-- and write out three goals that I have for the month ahead that I think will enrich my life and make me a better, happier person. Interested in coming up with your own Soul Goals? They can be simple or crazy ambitious goals. The important part is assessing what needs to change in your own life and figuring out what direction you want to go in. We're just taking it month by month, day by day, minute by minute here.

My Previous Soul Goals Recap

My previous Soul Goals post was in June and it is safe to say I failed hard. My first goal was to journal daily, and while I did journal more than before, it wasn't daily and it certainly didn't become a part of my routine like I had hoped. My second goal was to keep up with my blog... And we see how that went, right? My third goal was to go out more, all by myself. This one wasn't a complete failure and, while I still get anxious going places solo, I'm working through it.

I'll say I accomplished one-and-a-half of my goals. It could have been worse.

My Soul Goals for August

August is my birthday month-- my version of the New Year-- which means I have to get started on the right foot. How will I do that? With these goals, hopefully.

1. (Re)Settle into an early morning routine. For most of spring, I had found the perfect morning routine for myself. I would wake up and have a glass of lemon water, go for a walk, do some yoga followed by a short meditation session, and then have another cup of water mixed with apple cider vinegar (which, by the way, isn't quite as disgusting as it sounds). I was happier and more productive and just felt better. But things got busy and I dropped the ball. Unbelievable, right? So I definitely want to get back into the routine and maybe add a few things to it, such as journaling.

2. Start working on my first novel. Joining a writing group in July has reignited my passion for writing. I've wanted to be a writer for nearly as long as I can remember, even since I read Resume by the late, great Dorothy Parker. I started off sort of slow, with creative nonfiction essays and poetry, but now I'm ready to get started on something bigger. I've had an idea floating in my head for a while, and I've started writing character profiles and a general outline of the story. Now it's time to get down to business and start writing.

3. Start a bullet journal. For the past four months-- or maybe even longer-- I have been running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. I usually use a planner (we have an on-and-off-again relationship) but I need something a little more... Me. I like to make lists, jot down ideas, make brain maps; there just isn't enough space in a traditional planner to do that. I have been witness to the rise of bullet journals this year and I think it's finally time that I give one a try.

This is all totally doable stuff. There is really no way I can fail with these three goals, because anything is an improvement over nothing.

Tell me what you hope to accomplish this month in the comments!

It has been a hot minute since my last post. A two-month long minute, really, as my last post was at the beginning of June. Those two months have been an absolute whirlwind, though, which is why it has been next to impossible to find the time to sit down and post. In my last post (which you can read here), I mentioned how crazy April and May had been and it has not slowed down one bit. But I guess that is part of starting your own business: it's a constant hustle.

I'm getting used to the constant go-go-go of the entrepreneur life, though, and slowly finding a way to balance business, networking, friends, dating, home life and pursuing other creative passions of mine. This month I have been part of a local writing group and it has inspired me to (eventually) publish my first book of poems and essays. Writing, especially poetry, will always be my first love and I am excited to be focusing more of my time on it.

In August, I hope to balance creative writing with writing for this blog. I think that part of the reason I backed away from this blog for so long was because I just wasn't feeling it anymore. I felt a disconnect between who I am currently and how I present myself on this blog, as well as the content I blog about. No matter how many times I told myself to just write what I wanted to write, I still like I had to write about beauty. But, honestly, it's just not a big part of my life anymore.

So, in the next few months as you see me putting out more content, you may notice a shift in what I write about. There will be more posts about my personal life, about the challenges that stem from starting your own business, side projects and courting creativity, and about other aspects of my life such as my journey towards health as well as minimalism.

And there may be even bigger changes to come... We'll see. ;)

What are Soul Goals?

Soul Goals is my (semi) regular feature where I set three monthly goals that I hope will enrich my life in some way. I think it is important to always be moving in a forward direction, trying new things and expanding my horizons. One of the best ways to do that is to set small tasks for myself which do just that.

A May Soul Goals Recap

Last month, one of my main goals was to read fifty pages before bed every single night. I'd say this one was a major fail. It's something I was doing at the beginning of the year, but as my life got busier and more hectic, I let it go. I still want to resume that nightly ritual, but it may have to wait until life settles down a bit.

The next two goals had to do with the fitness journey I am currently on. Drinking 100 ounces of water a day, though, proved to be pretty tough. I won't say it was a total fail, as I usually make it up to between 70 and 80 ounces each day, but I could definitely be doing better!

But one goal I totally succeeded at was exercising daily. I started out by doing evening walks-- a small step, but a step in the right direction. Then I added in weight training, alternating between arm and leg days. Previously, I had incorporated yoga into my routine three times a week. Now I do all of that, plus I get up early every morning to get in an extra walk before my day begins. I think those early morning walks by myself are my favorite. I listen to music, enjoy the sunshine and push myself to do a little more each time. It's a great way to start the day.

My Soul Goals for June

1. Journal. I want to take ten minutes each morning and evening to document my dreams, thoughts, actions, fear... All of it. I hope it will become a sort-of meditational experience for me and help me sort through some stuff that I don't usually talk about publicly.

2. Keep up with my blog. The past two months have been crazy-- which, I know, I say that all of the time, but this time it has been above and beyond. My friend and I officially filed for our business license and, throughout May, we were in the thick of a new campaign with a client and also laying the groundwork for our business. During that time, though, I came up with a flurry of new blog post ideas and I'm excited to share them with you!

3. Go out more-- alone. Tonight I am going to a poetry reading and I will only know one or two of the people there. To be honest, I have been freaking out about it all day. I don't go to things alone! But I keep seeing phrases today about stepping out of my comfort zone and how fortune and love reward the brave, so I'm going to hold myself to going. Ahh!

What are some of your goals for this month? Have you accomplished any of your goals recently?