Hello all.

I just thought I'd write a quick post this Thanksgiving. The holiday season is a bombardment of happy families and large gatherings. The holiday season tells us that if you don't participate in these large gatherings or are close with your family that you're doing it wrong.

This post is for the people who may be spending the holidays by themselves, by choice or by default. This post is for the people who may be eating a Turkey sandwich in their room watching the Friendsgiving marathon on TBS. This post is for the people who don't have to set the table with fancy settings, or squeeze in additional chairs. This is for the people who spend the day as any other. This post is for you.

The holidays can be difficult. Sometimes it's good in theory but falls short in actual execution, and you can't avoid that execution because it's a national holiday. Sometimes the build up to the day is better than the day itself.

You are not alone. Your holiday is just as valid as anyone else's. Your feelings about the holiday are valid.

So here I am today, wishing you a happy Thanksgiving and a happy holiday season, however you may celebrate it.

- K

- K

Hello my fellow interweb-ians! I'm so sorry I haven't posted in the longest time. I slipped into a serious rut after graduation (but that's a story for another time). I just needed to get used to my new normal and adjust. It took some doing, but I'm finally feeling like myself again! Woohoo!

My obsession with makeup and Sephora has increased exponentially this year. So needless to say, I recently bought myself a few treats from Sephora. I thought I'd share in case you know some makeup obsessed friend/family member who you're looking to get a Christmas present for (because we all know that time of year is here), or if you want to treat yo-self.

My shopping cart on this virtual trip consisted of:
Nars Steven Klein Collaboration One Shocking Moment Palette
L'Occitane Hand Cream Delights
Too Cool For School Dinoplatz Dear Brachiosaurus Blotting Paper
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil

I could not resist the cheek palette by Nars and Steven Klein. It was just too gorgeous to pass up, and I've been looking for new blushers lately. It comes with four blushers, a highlight, a contour, and a bronzer of the laguna variety. I honestly think this is going to be a go to product that I will reach for over and over again.

I'm such a sucker for hand creams, especially around this time of year when the weather gets cold and our skin begins to suffer that most dreaded dryness. I've never used a L'Occitane product but I've heard nothing but good things. I figured I'd take a break from my usual Soap and Glory Hand Food and try something new.

I haven't used blotting paper in years quite frankly. But I saw this Too Cool For School product and the packaging drew me in. I'm a sucker for gimmicks and marketing and aesthetics. I had never seen a blotting paper in a plastic case before. And not only that but it has a mirror! A MIRROR! I've been using this quite regularly and honestly I love it. It's perfect for a handbag. All I can remember from the blotting sheets I used as a teenager was when the cardboard packaging would get tossed around in my bag and turn to rubbish.

I decided to invest in the Urban Decay Lip Pencil quite reluctantly. I've heard great things about this product and I tend to have trouble matching a lip liner to my lipstick, so begrudgingly I shelled out the money for this lip pencil. I shouldn't be so shocked as the palette was more expensive but it's also larger, more tangible. I have yet to use it with my lipstick but I swatched it as soon as I got it and it glides on so smooth it's ridiculous. I'm hoping this product lives up to it's 24/7 name as well.

What are your ideas for Christmas gifts for loved ones (or for yourself)? Do you like trying new products? Leave some recommendations for me in the comments below! I'd love to hear from you! Until next time...

Figuring out life seems to be a fictional construct of what somewhat functioning young adults should be doing. However, despite spending the past several years and an excruciatingly large amount of time in the last two months attempting to achieve this, I have come to the conclusion that it is indeed fictional. Does anyone actually figure life out? Does anyone actually have a set plan that *gasp* actually goes according to plan? No. It seems that humans just kind of hang on for dear life, make a decision, and hope that it isn't a huge mistake later down the road.

In the past two months I have: graduated from university, started an actual adult job, started paying into a 401k, signed up for insurance, and decided that I do not wish to continue living in my hometown. Don't get me wrong, my hometown has its perks (like living rent free at my parents' house). It has its charm and quirks. However, the thought of building a life here sucks all of the air from my lungs. I am the person that always changes her mind about what she wants to be and where she wants to live. But through all of my indecision, one place is always reoccurring: London.

When I was in university, I studied in London for a semester. I fell in love. Never in my life have I felt so alive. Don't get me wrong, I had my moments of homesickness. In fact I was homesick a lot. But just for my friends and family to be in London with me. I craved companionship when I was there. I couldn't believe a place with so much history and culture existed right under my feet. There are so many museums, and things to see, and foods to eat.

Recently, I decided that London was my ultimate destination. London was the extent of figuring out life. I felt revived. It was incredible to have a goal again. I have found that it is very easy to get in a rut and be complacent when you're living in the real world. This probably is not new information to many people.

So at this point in my life, at 22 1/2 years old, my extent to figuring out life is that I want to live in London and I want to travel the world. I don't want to be complacent. Ever.

What have you figured out about life? Where do you want to live? What do you want to be? Life is going to change as you grow, but what you want right now, right at this precise moment of your existence is important.

- K

Anyone who has watched My Mad Fat Diary has probably been in a deep hole of despair this past week. The final episode of the final series aired and it has left many people reflecting on what this show meant, not only to them but, to people across the world.

Before I begin ranting and lost on a tangent, let me start at the beginning. My Mad Fat Diary is a British television show based off of the books My Fat, Mad Teenage Diary and My Madder Fatter Teenage Diary by the incredible Rae Earl. These books are based off of Rae Earl's life and her actually diaries from her teenage years (so basically they are quasi-autobiographical). I still have yet to read the books, but they are on my list (I just have to set aside time for reading nowadays). This is why I will only speak about the show for the most part.

My Mad Fat Diary is set in Lincolnshire, England. The story follows Rae Earl and the people in her life. Now if you have never seen this show, you may be asking "Why is this show so important?" Well, I'm glad you asked. There is no other show like this on television. MMFD addresses the taboo topic of mental illness in an exceptional way. It literally forces mental illness in your face so you cannot avoid it and pretend it is not there.

While this makes the show revolutionary, I think what makes the show extraordinary is how it shows us that there are unreliable narrators and it emphasizes struggles in every character's life. It really hits home the point that everyone is dealing with their own shit. Everyone has a weight on their shoulders. It also represents people that are not normally represented. You can watch this show and see a character that you relate to. Many young girls could watch this show and see someone who looks like them. Sharon Rooney is a spectacular human being and she is absolutely gorgeous. But she is not a super model. She is not some unrealistic standard of beauty perpetuated to us by the media. She is able to represent people that do not get represented very often. At least not in a way that has so much depth to it. Rae Earl's character is revolutionary and I do not think they could have cast a better person to play her. Just like Rae, all of the other characters were cast to perfection. I find myself thinking this with most, if not all, British shows and movies. I don't know what the British are doing, but they are doing it right.

Long story short, My Mad Fat Diary is important. It forces important subjects in your face. It is written beautifully and cast impeccably. It touched the lives of people across the globe. If you don't believe me, take a look on tumblr. The MMFD fandom is a strong and passionate one. The fans even have their own name: Emus.

I can guarantee you that you will not regret watching this show.

- K

Dear incoming freshman,

Going away to college is incredibly exciting. And if you're anything like me, it gives you slight anxiety. I'm not the best person at making friends, so that was my main insecurity.

When I went away to university, it took me a while to make friends. Being completely alone made me want to keep to myself. Eventually, I found a great group of people to be a part of. We hung out daily and planned to room together the following year. But I still kept to myself a little too much.

My sophomore year at university, I found an amazing organization: Alpha Phi Omega, a coed community service fraternity. It was everything I could have asked for in an organization. It was a group of friends who devoted their time to giving back to the community. I pledged, I crossed, I became a brother. But that's all I did. Yes, I made some friends, but I still kept to myself a little too much (are you seeing a pattern here?).

I kept to myself during my four years at college, because subconsciously I thought that if I didn't try to make friends, I wouldn't be disappointed if people didn't want to be my friend.

My third year (sixth semester) in Alpha Phi Omega is coming to an end. I have a couple friends, but it's been three years. I'm still friends with the girls I met freshman year, but I don't have many, if any, outside of that. I have no one to blame but myself.

Moral of the story: do not keep to yourself because you're scared or feel awkward. Put yourself out there. Try. Learn from my mistakes. Don't look at the amazing people you've met in classes, organizations, or just walking around campus and realize that you never really got to know them or call them your friends. Now you can't. Now it's too late. Whether you join an organization or just meet friends in the dorms or in classes, put yourself out there. Because it's a much worse feeling to wonder if you could have made amazing life long friends than to feel awkward that someone did not want to be your friend.

There are approximately 7,310,751,740 people in the world. Each of us are unique. Don't miss out on meeting amazing people. Trust me.

A bit of awkwardness in the beginning will save you a lifetime of regret. Do not be scared of people finding out who you are. You're great; I promise.

Sincerely,
A lifetime loner

The other day I decided, on a whim, to rock a bold, red lip. Let me tell you, I was rockin' it. I decided I wanted to try out other bold lip colors, so I made my way to Ulta. I love Ulta, because they sell high end beauty products, as well as drugstore brands.

Last year, I bought two Revlon Colorburst Matte Balms (235 - Mischievous, 210 - Unapologetic). However, at the time I just didn't have enough confidence to pull it off. I think that if you believe you can rock a bold lip, then you can rock a bold lip. The same thing goes with just about everything else. It is my one fashion and beauty rule. If you carry yourself with confidence, then you can rock anything.

Aside from the two Revlon Colorburst Matte Balms, my NYC Expert Last Lip Color in 432 Red Rapture was the first lipstick that I wore, besides lipstick I wore in plays or on Halloween. I actually bought this for my Halloween costume this year. I went as Rosie the riveter. This is the product I was wearing when I decided I wanted to try out other bold lip colors. To me it looks like a bright fire engine red. It is the standard shade that comes to mind when you think of the color red. I love the consistency. It is so buttery soft but dries almost matte. It was a good first lipstick and served its purpose. However, my go to red lipstick has changed.

The first lipstick I grabbed on my adventure into Ulta was the Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lipstick - Kate Moss Collection in the shade 107 Rossetto. This shade is a bit deeper than my NYC, but it is still a true red. It just is not as bright and in your face. This is my new go to red lip. I love the shade and the consistency. I just know that I will keep going back to buy this product.

I was feeling uber adventurous and decided to go for a deep plumb shade. I had seen a makeup look with gold/bronzy eyes and a plumb lip and desperately wanted to try it. I grabbed the NYX Matte Lipstick in MLS32 Siren. I am still not sure how I feel about this color. I like it; however, I feel like I am not applying it correctly because I always seem to get a ring around my lips that is a slightly different shade. I am definitely going to have to get a matching lip liner. My clear lip liner just doesn't seem to work here. Aside from figuring out how to apply it correctly, I love this lipstick, but I think I am going to have to wait until the autumn to break it out (it's not exactly a spring color hahahaha). I love matte lips. I am not one for a shiny or glossy lip. I would definitely buy this lipstick in other colors and I am dying to try out the NYX Lip Butters.

My most recent lipstick acquisition was the Maybelline ColorSensational Rebel Bloom Lipstick in 745 Peach Poppy. I have yet to try this color out. This purchase was inspired by one of my kimonos that has flowers of a similar color on it. It photographs very bright. However, it is a peachy/coral-y shade. I am super excited to wear this when the weather gets nice. Although, by the looks of it, that won't be for a while.

I have decided I love drugstore lipsticks. Let me tell you why. It is because the lip colors are pretty inexpensive, at least in comparison to high end lipsticks. Sometimes I still don't want to spend $7-8 on a lipstick. However, it is better to spend that on a shade you don't know you'll like or not than to spend twice as much. It is a great way to try out lip colors. Honestly, a lot of the formulas and consistencies are pretty great too. Drugstores are definitely where I will be buying lip colors for the foreseeable future.

If you have any favorite lip colors or brands that you love, let me know! I'm always up for a new shade.


As always, let me know if there's anything you want me to write about on my blog! Until next time...

Hello all! Sorry for such a late post but every topic I tried to write about this week I just wasn't feeling.

On Friday I drove home for the weekend. When I got home, my mom and I decided to do a bit of shopping. Whenever I'm home we always end up at Kohls.

My school is having a job and internship fair next week and being that I am a second semester senior, my butt is there. I thought I could wear a nice (professional) dress with a cardigan and my heals. However, my school posted information saying that we were expected to dress business professional, not business casual (which basically means a full on suit). Since my wardrobe is lacking in the suit department I searched Kohls desperately for a suit for next week. I know it wouldn't have been the best suit but it was better than nothing and if it looked good on me, I was fine with it.

They had nothing. I kid you not. They had plenty of dress pants, but zero blazers. The one jacket I found didn't even have a button. I loved it for a casual or business casual outfit but it just wouldn't cut it for my needs this time.

After looking at a couple stores I finally found a black suit that fit well and looked professional. I still need to get a top to wear under it but at least I have the suit. Not only do I now own my very own suit, I also went out and purchased a portfolio. This way my resumes wouldn't just be in a random folder or, even worse, just in my hands.

Moral of the story, if you are my age you will know exactly what I am going through. I am at that point in my life that I can't just throw on a cute outfit with my chucks and run to class with my Herschel Supply Co backpack. It is high time that we start our adult professional wardrobe.

I am not going to lie, I am terrified. I am twenty-two years old and I have no idea where to even start looking for a job. An English degree is a funny thing. There is so much you can do, but also so little. I have had numerous people tell me that everyone wants someone who can write so English majors are not railroaded into teaching (don't get me wrong, teaching is an incredible profession. I just don't have what it takes to succeed in that field and I give all teachers so much credit). However, if everyone wants someone that can write, you also have to have some other skills to make yourself a commodity and desirable. You have to figure out what field you want to go into.

It is just such a confusing degree. Accounting majors will apply to accounting firms. Business majors will apply to companies within the department that was their focus in college. But English majors... where do they fit? I can honestly say I don't even know where to start looking for jobs. The more I look, the more confused I get.

I know that I will find my path in life. And most times, to be quite honest, the prospect of not having a plan is so freeing. For the first time in my life I can do whatever I want, go wherever I want to. (which means someplace warm!)

As my dad tells me every. single. time. that I am home, I have to market and sell myself. I am the product and I need to successfully pitch myself to employers. I am not kidding myself and thinking that I will get the perfect job for myself right off the bat. I know that I most likely won't. But that first job and every consecutive job will give me so much knowledge and experience about the work force and whatever field it is in and just life in general. As sad as I am that my college days are over and my formal education is over, I am excited to move on to something new.

One final thought, graduating from university is incredibly daunting. If you are like me, you have been in school for the last 18 years of my life. That is probably 99% of my conscious memory. Graduating is saying goodbye to what is familiar and the style of life that you have had. You are throwing yourself into the unknown. But as terrifying as that is, it is incredibly exciting.

One of my favorite quotes is by Ralph Waldo Emerson:


As always, let me know if there's anything you want me to write about on my blog! Until next time...

Welcome back to this space!

I have been reunited with my true love, Soap & Glory. Let me take you back to the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Last year (Autumn 2014) I fulfilled my dream of studying for a semester in London. As you can imagine, after a sixteen hour journey, the first thing I wanted to do once I arrived at my flat was to take a hot shower. In order to do this, one needs shampoo, conditioner, and BODY WASH!

I trekked down to my local Boots and immediately looked for the Soap & Glory section (many bloggers and youtubers that I follow had raved about it, so it was a must). I picked up the Foam-Call body wash. Let me just tell you, it was heavenly! I am not usually able to use creamy body washes but Soap & Glory is the exception.

Fast forward a little over a year. I had been without my love since returning back to the states. The only shop Soap & Glory retails in is Sephora. For most people this is no problem. However, if you live in a relatively small city like me, the only Sephora in the area is a very small one within the walls of JCPenny. Between work and being away at school, I get very little time to get there and when I do, the selection is minute.

Last weekend I decided to head out to my Sephora by my school (a full sized Sephora) to check out their selection of Soap & Glory. It took me a while to find it as it was in the back of the shop but it was worth the search. Granted it was not the size of selection offered in Boots or Superdrug (because it is a UK brand) but, holey moley, it was the holy grail in comparison to my hometown. I kid you not, it took all of my self restraint to not buy one of every single product. I ended up picking up the Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Stick in the shade Nudist as well as the Hand Food Hand Cream.

I could not be any happier with these two purchases. I will always use Soap & Glory. If you have any product suggestions from their range let me know! If you try any of their products let me know!

As always, let me know if there's anything you want me to write about on my blog! Until next time...

I decided to finally take the plunge into the high end makeup world. I have been looking at the Naked palettes for some time now but couldn't bring myself to spend the money on it. However, this year I decided to put more effort into my appearance as I am graduating and hoping to enter the professional working world. Therefore, I thought that the Naked 2 palette would be the best item to purchase for this purpose.

To start off, this purchase came with the palette (obviously), four different Urban Decay shadow primers (each of which are suppose to last a week. So that is four weeks of primer), as well as a dual ended eyeshadow brush.

I decided on the Naked 2 palette for several reasons. I felt the Naked 3 palette would not have been as versatile. I think this is mainly due to the pink. If I already had one of the other two, this probably would have been my choice. However, I was looking for a more neutral palette instead of a pinky palette. I also decided to forgo the original Naked palette because I felt that the Naked 2 has more browns and coppers while the original ventures into a few berries and even a grey-ish blue at the far right end. In terms of packaging I feel the Naked 2 and 3 are better packaged. I do not like the velvet casing of the original. I also particularly like how the later two palettes snap closed unlike the original.

I just have to say one thing about this palette, IT'S BLOODY BRILLIANT. I never used eye shadow often until now. I am okay at applying it but I have always had an issue blending shadow. This is why I usually skipped it unless it was a special occasion. These shadows though are so incredible. They blend incredibly well and easy. The first eye look I tried was so easy to achieve. Also, I have found that many other drugstore brand eye shadows have been chalky. These Urban Decay shadows are so buttery and smooth.

Since I have never really used eye shadow, I never used primer. I always thought it was just a scheme to get you to spend more money than you needed to. Oh boy, was I wrong! I used the original primer that came with my palette and my eye shadow did not smudge or wear off at all. I will definitely be buying more primer when these samples run out.

The one thing I did not like about this palette was the applicator brush. Don't get me wrong, it is infinitely better than the tiny sponge brush applicators that come in drugstore eye shadows. However, I found it very difficult to blend even these easily blend-able eye shadows. I think this brush would be good in a bind, but I much prefer my other eye shadow brushes.

Overall, I think this palette is well worth the money. It is exactly what I wanted. The colors are the perfect neutral shades and are a much better consistency than drug store brands. If you are unsure of splurging on this product, I honestly believe it is worth it and a great first step into higher end makeup.

Let me know your opinions on the Naked palettes or any other products to try. I'm always up to trying new products.

As always, let me know if there's anything you want me to write about on my blog! Until next time...

I originally stumbled across this gem on Instagram and Twitter. I read a couple of posts and I was intrigued. But part of me thought it was just a novelty item. I mean it is just a tea, right? How could it possibly do all the things it promised? WRONG.

I first bought the 28 Day Teatox in May of 2014. After reading a ton of testimonials I caved and order some. I was so excited to get it and give it a go. I got home from my junior year at university, unboxed this little piece of heaven and started my teatox the very next day.

There are not enough words to describe all the goodness held in these 84 tea bags. I noticed a difference by the next day. I am the kind of person that clings to my bed until the last possible second in the morning even if that means looking like crap for the day. The day after I started my teatox I was able to get up without a problem and without that groggy feeling. As the days passed I noticed myself not feeling tired and exhausted during the day. Not only did this magic in a mug give me more energy, it helped so incredibly with my digestion. I did not realize how sensitive my digestive system was until I drank this and got it under control. This is the main promise of Tiny Tea; to help your digestion. If that is the only promise they kept, it would be enough.

Not only did this tea help with my digestion and energy, it helped with my skin, bloating (I lost an inch in the first week), and most importantly to me it helped me control my diet coke habit. This is the most important part of my experience. I was drinking so much diet coke. It was at a super unhealthy point. The second I started my teatox, I did not crave a single drop.

Now on to the taste. It is a very earthy flavor. Initially I just stomached it. It is not horrible, however it just was not my cup of tea (see what I did there?). I mostly went for fruity or minty teas. But the more I drank it, the more I enjoyed it. Prior to ordering my second box during December, I was craving this tea so badly. I look forward to every cup I drink now purely for the taste.

I highly recommend this tea. Everyone is going to experience different results from the tea. However, I really believe everyone should try it just once because it could be one of the best things you could drink for your body.

If you would like to try some out you can get it here. (Hint: follow them on instagram and twitter. They post coupon codes for most holidays.)

If you guys do order some, let me know how you like it or what effects it had! I'd love to hear feedback.

Let me know if there's anything you want me to write about on my blog! Until next time...