Beauty By Kristin Renee

So while today is the twelfth of January, this is my first post of the new year. I sincerely apologize for the delay in posts. Although I had said I would post every week, I clearly haven't. I have been handling some things recently and at least the first quarter of 2016 is going to be exciting. But guess what?! You get two posts this week! Count 'em, TWO! One to make up for January 3rd, and one to make up for this past Sunday, January 10th. Now Back to business.

I don't know about you, but I have a resolution to not use the word "resolution" this year. Instead I'm making myself a list of goals to accomplish.

1. Write more - I was significantly lacking motivation to write once I graduated in 2015. This year is dedicated to writing as much as I can. I'll write here, in a journal, write fiction, write whenever and whatever I want.

2. Focus on overall health - For too long I have been going through the highs and lows of trying to lose weight and look like a Victoria's Secret Angel (I'm not saying there's anything wrong with wanting to look like them or actually looking like them). But for too long I was not focusing on doing that in a healthy way. I would beat myself up for eating too much that day. Or I would not let myself eat sweets and foods that I wanted and I would be miserable. Gone are those days. From now on, if I want to eat something, I'll eat it in moderation. Being so strict with myself was setting myself up for failure. This year I'm going to focus on making myself feel good: physically, mentally, emotionally. To help me on this journey, I purchased the 2016 Blogilates Fit Planner. I already had a planner for my life, but this is dedicated to health. You track your food (I just track what I eat, not count calories), your workouts, and any other notes - here I track my steps and sleep (with the help of my fitbit), my water intake, and if I drank any soda that day (trying to kick my diet coke habit is a struggle).

3. Enjoying life - I have always been focused on losing weight or how I don't like where I am in my life currently. When I think this way, I miss out on happiness. Not every day will be rainbows and butterflies, but that doesn't mean that I have to feel down (or be in a funk) all the time. This year I am focusing on me and building the life I want. I want to find a job I love, build a life I love, and travel to places I love.

This year I am working on me. That may be selfish, but after 23 years of worrying about everyone else, I deserve to be a little selfish.

XOXO

- K

I just wanted to start off this post with an apology. I'm sorry I haven't been posting consistently. My last post was roughly 3 weeks ago and even that post wasn't my best. I have been sick for the last few weeks and quite frankly, December 2015 has not been my friend. I am very frustrated with myself as I had several Christmas/holiday posts planned for this month. I hope you forgive me and can understand how everyone goes through difficult times where the things they love take a hit. I am planning new posts for the new year and I am going to try my best to post every Sunday. I honestly love this blog so much. It has been the only thing that I've really felt like putting my all into for a while now. I suppose I should stop rambling now and get to the part of the post that you have come here to read.

I was hesitant to buy this mask initially. I had read the reviews and watched several YouTube videos about this product. However, when I received my $20 off from Sephora for being a VIB member, I thought there was no better time than the present - after all I would be getting it at a discount. My skin has been breaking out lately as I changed my skincare routine. The day that I purchased this product, I had gotten sick of the cyst acne that I had. I had gotten one of these just above my eyebrow a couple of days prior. If you have not experienced this type of acne, thank the skincare gods. They are painful and last an agonizingly long time. And I've learned from experience DO NOT TOUCH THEM - it makes it so much worse.

I drove home from Sephora with my Glam Glow Supermud Clearing Treatment safely in the passenger seat. The woman at Sephora had said this mask was an amazing product which made me even more hopeful. The second I got home, I bounded into the house, up the stairs, and into my bathroom. I dug out my ELF professional foundation brush that I hadn't used in ages (I prefer the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush or a Beauty Blender for my foundation). With baited breath, I opened the packaging and began applying a thin layer of product (after cleansing my face).

I am not generally one for gross things, but it was fascinating to see all of the gunk being pulled out of my pores by this mask. After it was completely dry, I rinsed my face and finished my skincare routine for the evening. My face felt incredibly clean - something that is rare when I have breakouts; no matter how much I wash my face it just doesn't feel clean enough.

When I came home from work the following day, I applied the mask again (due to the fact it was an extremely stressful day). I once again finished my skincare routine for the evening and went to bed not thinking anything of the product just yet. The next morning when I woke up, my cyst acne above my eyebrow was completely gone.

I have never used a product that worked that quickly on my acne. I regularly saw a dermatologist as a teenager. I have previously tried different prescriptions from said dermatologist. I have tried every acne product out there. No product has every gotten rid of my acne - let alone cyst acne - that quickly. If I have one thing to say about this mask - BUY IT. It is definitely worth the money if you can swing it/it's in your price range. If you use a cheap foundation brush and use only the amount necessary, it will last you a while. I have also started using it as a spot treatment as well. I will be purchasing this product again when it runs out. Now I'm curious about the other masks too...

XOXO

- K

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

Image: my friend's instagram

All week I've been contemplating what to post on my blog. Then Friday the 13th arrived. It began just as any other day for me. I got up, went to work exhausted, hung out with friends, and it ended just as any other day for me. I sat in the safety of my own bed, in my own room. A luxury that many people across the world do not have. I was able to go to sleep knowing full well that I would wake up the next day. This reality, my reality, is so far detached from the events that occurred on French soil yesterday.

Yesterday, as I was hanging out with my friends after work, I saw the headlines on the news. I saw the media coverage of the terror and carnage that took place across Paris.

Today while I reflect on the terror that occurred, I feel how lucky I am to not have endured such terror. I feel how lucky I am to know that my loved ones are safe and I will wake up tomorrow morning to live another day. I feel how lucky I am to be sitting in the safety of my room while writing this piece. In the wake of such terror, I feel the outpouring of love and support and strength from across the globe. Everywhere on social media, I see messages of hope and prayer for the people of Paris. One of the instances in which social media is used for good. Across social media I see images of Paris people have taken, but I see one image that seems to be the universal symbol for the support of Paris. It is an image designed by Jean Jullien. He captioned the image on instagram "Peace for Paris". I have seem numerous variations of this image over the past 22 hours and all are beautiful and so incredibly meaningful.

Image: Jean Jullien

As with any tragedy I have seen people posting about how Parisians are not the only people in the world going through tragedy. And yes, that is true. However, I have one thing to say: Just because people are so shaken by the occurrences in Paris and are using #PrayforParis and #PeaceforParis across social media, does not mean they do not care about the rest of the world. You can #prayforparis and still be concerned about the rest of the world. One does not diminish the other.

Image: The Angel Shoppe

I firmly stand with Paris in the wake of this tragedy, as do many across the globe; unity is a beautiful thing.

Image: Sprinkle of Glitter

- 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...

Keep Writing.
- K

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