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.