This is a bit of a mouthful so please be patient with me. I’ve been inactive in all creative aspects of my life so don’t feel like I abandoned this blog for something else. I have been in not just a creative slump but also what I would call a life slump. We are nearing the end of a decade, & I feel like I’m going through a personal crisis, questioning my purpose in life & what I’m meant to be doing. At the end of the day, I am an artist at heart so none of this will be going away anytime soon. Writing keeps me sane, especially at times like this. That brings me to the next part of this saga.
A little less than two weeks ago, my dad drove himself to the emergency room. Three days later, he had open heart surgery. The next day he woke up with amnesia; it isn’t an extreme case but serious enough to require slow, detailed sentences & repetition. One week later he was able to come home, still showing signs of memory loss. To say my family is emotionally drained & physically exhausted is an understatement, but we are walking hand in hand through this journey & taking it one day at a time. Every day he shows signs of improvement, & I cling to those glimmers of hope because the lowest moments have brought me to my knees sobbing in prayer. Perhaps that’s where God wants me to be more often. I am so grateful for the overwhelming amount of prayers & outpouring of love. I know my dad is the best so I’m glad other people think so too. 😉 Onto the last part of this update!
I know this is a change of tone, but hear me out before you roll your eyes. Disney & reviews.orgare offering $1,000 in exchange for watching 30 Disney movies in 30 days on their new streaming service Disney+. First of all, this would be a bright spot in my life after a sad ending to the month of October. Second, I am a Disney fanatic & binge-watcher extraordinaire, the perfect candidate for this “dream job.” Third, that money would be an amazing gift to me & my family. This is where I need Y O U R help so pay close attention. The application process includes social media following & a video reviewing my favorite Disney movie. The video is not on Youtube yet, but you can start clicking on each of my links & following me. What are you waiting for?? GO GO GO!!
If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading everything I had to say. I appreciate everyone who has supported this blog. It means the world to me. 🌍 I promise it won’t be long before I’m back with a new post. Keep an eye out! 👁
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Last night I stayed up late reading. In my mind I knew I should be a responsible adult & go to bed, but my heart told me to take advantage. It’s been awhile since I devoured a book so I resisted sleep for as long as I could, specifically until 1:30am. Goodbye reading slump! For those that are curious, I’m currently reading Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco. It is the sequel to Stalking Jack the Ripper, and I am loving it so far. Speaking of books, my family visited Barnes & Noble Sunday night. I always know how depressed I will be looking at all the books I can’t afford, but I go anyway. My parents were kind enough to buy me a new book. THANK YOU!!!!! I chose Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero, a novel I’ve been dying to read for months. I am a HUGE Scooby-Doo fan so I hope this mystery gang-inspired story lives up to my expectations. In regard to my Tuesday agenda, I am currently blogging on my typewriter while watching my favorite Almanzo & Laura episodes of Little House on the Prairie. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day. Happy Tuesday! :)
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The Autumnal Equinox is here, and I have already felt and seen the change of seasons: cooler temperatures, storm clouds, & wind. The past few years have been extremely disappointing due to uncommon humidity and a drought so I am more than ready for a genuine fall. I’m a November baby so this season runs through my veins; I need all things Autumn like I need oxygen to breathe. I have a cozy pile of books ready to go for October; there are some exciting movies premiering soon; and my family is finally taking a vacation. Things are looking golden for my favorite time of year!
This is a very important update so listen up: I rarely go to Starbucks anymore. G A S P ! ! The reason comes in individual serving size packets and pairs nicely with almond milk & ice. Have you guessed? I still drink Starbucks coffee but in the comfort of my own home thanks to Via Instant. I know that most people know about this product, but it has been unbelievably easy to enjoy frappuccinos on days when I can’t make it to my neighborhood Starbucks. In fact, I have become so obsessed that even when I’m presented with the option to go to an actual Starbucks, I choose my “homemade” frappuccino. How crazy is that??! My favorite flavor at the moment is Sweetened Iced Coffee.
– B E D R O O M –
My room is small so the arrangement requires a lot of creativity. I recently had an epiphany at work regarding how I could make it feel more spacious and homey. I am happy to report that my idea worked, and I vlogged the whole process. The three-day project was exhausting but worth the effort because I feel like I have officially settled in.
I’ve been trying really hard to post consistently on both my blogs. The balance was off earlier this year because I got a paying job helping a photographer maintain her blog. I have since settled in, and I think everything is back to normal. Here are my recent blog posts:
I love blogging & vlogging, but it does require money which I don’t have a lot of at the moment due to my status as a sales associate. I’m not exactly breaking the bank with my checks! I recently discovered a brand new website that makes it fun & easy for subscribers to support their favorite bloggers, business, vloggers, etc. Here is my Ko-fi ( pronounced like “coffee” ) link ➡️ https://ko-fi.com/A3023728
– R E A D I N G –
Good news: I took part in BookTube-A-Thon 2017, my very first time doing so. Even though my camera broke on day 6 and I couldn’t continue vlogging, I did continue to participate by reading & interacting on social media. I had so much fun and can’t wait for next year! Bad news: I am in a terrible reading slump A G A I N ! ! I was in one before BTAT, and here I am right back at square one. I have the desire, but every time I attempt to read, I have to force myself to keep going. Reading is the ultimate getaway for me, and I hate being in this mood. I need to pull up my big girl pants and just do it. I’m in the middle of 6 books ( yes, SIX ), and I need to finish all of them because I have exciting books to read in October & November. I also need to make serious progress on my Goodreads reading challenge because I have only completed 26 of my 50-book challenge. Not bad but still not great. Cheer me on!!
– R E T A I L –
I still hate retail. That’s pretty much it. 😂
– V A C A T I O N –
I am counting down the seconds, minutes, hours, days, & months until my autumn vacation. I know I echo the rest of my family when I say we desperately NEED this trip.
⏰ Current Countdown: 1 month, 12 days ⏰
– W E A T H E R –
If you’re a loyal follower of my blog, you know my visceral hatred for the summer months. I love cold foods & swimming, but this season is the absolute worst. I do nothing but sweat and feel gross and uncomfortable. I would much rather be cold & snuggle up in blankets while wearing a sweater. Whether you like it or not, autumn is upon us. Even though it’s my favorite season, I am hesitant to get excited. California disappointed me last year by remaining unbearably hot until the end of the year. Please please please don’t let me down this year!! 🍂 😭 🎃
– Y O U T U B E –
Lots of exciting news! Since my Charmed Aroma review video, I’ve been contacted by two more companies for reviews. I also have a major project in the works, something I’ve been planning for several months. I am slowly compiling products for a Bookish Gift Guide, a list of gift ideas for the bibliophiles in your life. I’ve already purchased two Jane Austen pillows and five candles inspired by A Game of Thrones, Edgar Allen Poe, Harry Potter, Romeo and Juliet, & The Princess Bride respectively. Before this video comes out later next year, there will be 1-2 review videos for various book-inspired candles; I plan to make this an ongoing series on my channel so suggestions are welcome. Last but not least, I mentioned earlier that my camera broke; thankfully I was able to replace it. The Canon Powershot G7 X Mark II has amazing quality, and I feel refreshed and excited for all the new content coming soon to my channel. Things are happening, and I’m going with flow. 🎉
| • I hope all of you have had a great summer. 🌞 I will be back soon with another post. 😘 • |
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“Treat yourself to this luscious tropical getaway!! Juicy mango,freshly picked mandarins and sugared blackberries come together for an energizing burst of island aromas.”
“Savor the first bite of crisp green apples in a sun-kissed orchard! Refresh your spirit with this juicy fragrance that combines the scent of apples with a sophisticated blend of peaches and exotic flowers.”
“Love is in the air! Fall in love with this romantic blend of strawberries, peach, cotton candy and warm amber. The sweet aromas will fill the air with magic and passion.”
“Lure your imagination into a luscious field with juicy strawberries and plum blossom. The perfect blend of rich strawberry, juicy pomegranate and creamy vanilla will have you feeling ‘berry’ relaxed!”
I sat within a few feet of each soy candle while it burned. The scents smell exactly as described. They are subtle at first but grow stronger after the first hour; they don’t hit you all at once but rather in waves every few minutes. For the Green Apple candle, I changed the location to a central room in my house; after the three-hour burning time, every open room smelled like green apples. The fruit scents are my favorite because I’ve transitioned into spring/summer mode; they smell even better when the candle is lit, like grilled fruit for a summer BBQ. Sugar Kisses was a pleasant surprise because Charmed Aroma was nice enough to send it to me for free. I am happy to announce that it is not sickly sweet like candy but rather soft like vanilla.
“Ever dream of swimming with the dolphins? Take a dip into the turquoise waters and drift into a dream state. This fresh-scented bath bomb captures the pure marine notes of the sea that will have you dreaming of your next getaway!”
This bath bomb turned my bathwater into a gorgeous shade of turquoise blue but didn’t leave any stains. After one hour my skin smelled like I had spent a day at the spa. I’m not really sure how to describe the scent. It’s kind of floral but also a bit like watermelon. This is an odd thing to say, but the only thing I can compare it to is the Seabreeze Squeeze smoothie at Jamba Juice (cranberry/apple juice blend, orange sherbet, banana, raspberries, strawberries).
The first bath bomb arrived broken. I filed a complaint on March 31st and received a response on April 1st that my broken bath bomb would be replaced. I received an email on April 7th that Sea Breeze was out of stock and replied that Green Apple would be fine as a replacement, even though it isn’t what I ordered. My package shipped on April 19th and arrived on April 22nd. I wasn’t expecting it, but I did receive Sea Breeze. I am happy that the problem was resolved, and the customer service representatives were very nice. However, the process was frustrating. I initially wanted to place my first order back in February, but all the bath bombs on the website were out of stock. I waited a little over one month, and finally a new bath bomb was introduced. It arrived broken, and when I tried to get a replacement, it was out of stock. I said Green Apple would be fine, but my package took another two weeks to arrive because I was sent Sea Breeze. I ended up with what I ordered, but I wish someone had told me that was why my package took so long to ship. Due to lack of communication, I had no idea what was going on.
“Engage your senses every day with the tropical sensation of Charmed Aroma’s Acai Berry Body Scrub. Our unique sugar scrub formula contains a balance of gentle exfoliants and deep moisture that leave your skin healthy and refreshed. Massage generously onto skin with warm water.”
“Pamper your skin with an indulgence that lasts throughout the day. This rich, luxurious cream with natural coconut oils penetrate deep into the skin’s surface, infusing it with deep moisture and a silky soft feeling that lasts for 24 hours.”
“Pamper yourself with The Sterling Body Butter & Body Scrub Bundle. Each bundle contains (1) Sterling Mango Coconut Body Butter and (1) Sterling Acai Body Scrub.”
The scrub isn’t chunky and abrasive but rather like a gritty silly putty. I know that’s a weird description! Basically it’s great for sensitive skin. I recommend soaking in the tub after using the scrub to let the numerous oils soak into your skin; the silky smooth results are worth it. The creamy body butter adds even more moisture, and the combination of scents are a tropical match made in heaven. The lotion did make my sensitive skin a little red, but the irritation went away within a few minutes. After nine days, I had used approximately 75% of the scrub and 15% of the lotion. Perhaps I used too much scrub at once but I would say the lotion is a better value for the price.
*Note: If you like the Mango Coconut body butter, you will like the Aloha Mango candle and vice versa.
I placed my order on March 23rd. The package shipped on March 24th and arrived on March 31st. I am very happy with the quality of each product, and the beautiful jewelry is an added bonus. The earrings don’t hurt my ears, and the rings don’t make my fingers turn green. My one complaint is the Sugar Kisses ring has some kind of yellow glue on it which cheapens the look. The products are pricey so I wouldn’t recommend Charmed Aroma for value but rather a special treat every once in awhile. They are also a great resource for gifts. Happy shopping! 🛍️
I did it! With 45 minutes to spare on New Year’s Eve, I completed both of my reading challenges for 2016. Here is what I read for the Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge:
I told myself I wouldn’t do it, but here I am. I’ve decided to once again do the Modern Mrs. Darcy reading challenge. Keep reading to find out my tentative list for the twelve categories.
📚 A Book You Chose For the Cover – The Messenger of Athens by Anne Zouroudi
I found this gem in my local library’s teeny tiny used bookstore. The bright yellow bird against a blue background hooked me, and the murder mystery synopsis reeled me in. I’m trying my best not to build expectations, but I really hope this book is as good as I want it to be.
📚 A Book With a Reputation for Being Un-Put-Down-Able – Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews about this book. Some people have said it’s one of their favorite books/duologies ever written. Of course I’m going to start with the first book, but I am optimistic that I will be purchasing book two very soon.
📚 A Book Set Somewhere You’ve Never Been But Would Like to Visit – The Curse of the Pharaohs by Elizabeth Peters
Fun fact: I am dying to visit Egypt!! Egyptology is one of my favorite subjects to learn about.
📚 A Book You’ve Already Read – The Rook by Steven James
The Patrick Bowers Files series is AMAZING. To be fair, I’ve only read the first two books, but how could it possibly go downhill from there?? I would actually like to read a few of the books in this series in 2017, but I’m setting the bar low so I don’t get too stressed. I want these reading challenges to remain fun!
📚 A Juicy Memoir – In Such Good Company: Eleven Years of Laughter, Mayhem, and Fun in the Sandbox by Carol Burnett
DUH! Who wouldn’t want to read behind-the-scenes stories about The Carol Burnett Show?!
📚 A Book About Books or Reading – Bookplate Special by Lorna Barrett
This book is part of one of my favorite cozy mystery series. It has been on my shelf for a few years, and it’s about time I got around to reading it. Fun Fact: The main character’s cat is named Miss Marple. How cute is that?!
📚 A Book in a Genre You Usually Avoid – The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan
I rarely read and enjoy contemporary books outside of the mystery genre, but I’m willing to give this book a chance since it revolves around books.
📚 A Book You Don’t Want to Admit You’re Dying to Read – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
I’m not embarrassed about this book. It’s just weird to admit that I’ve never read such a beloved series. My aunt was kind enough to give me the first book for my birthday so I will definitely be reading it this year.
📚 A Book in the Backlist of a New Favorite Author – Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar
I received all of the books Tessa Afshar has published thus far as Christmas and Hanukkah gifts. I don’t want to set myself up for failure, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I finish all of them before January 1, 2018.
📚 A Book Recommended by Someone With Great Taste – As Sure as the Dawn by Francine Rivers
My friend Gabby recommended the Mark of the Lion series years ago, and I finally got around to reading books one and two in 2015. The experience was so unbelievably mind blowing that I had to take a break. There is no longer a good excuse so I need to pick up book three NOW.
📚 A Book You Were Excited to Borrow or Buy But Haven’t Read Yet – The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
I am on pins and needles waiting to read this book. I’m going to watch the movie with my brother first since that’s what I did with Gone Girl. I realize that sounds like reader sacrilege, but I’m not your average bibliophile. Watching the movie first or liking it better doesn’t bother me. ;)
📚 A Book About a Subject or Topic You Already Love – Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
I haven’t actually seen the musical yet, but I am obsessed with the story and soundtrack. I liked The Wizard of Oz growing up but fell out of love with it for a period of time. Listening to the Wicked soundtrack every day has made me fall back in love with Oz, and I am ready to read the story that started it all. I am on page 32 and loving it so far. 💚
Merry Christmas & Happy 2nd Day of Hanukkah!! I hope all of you are having a wonderful holiday. My day started at church this morning. Afterwards, my family ate at Sizzler and saw Rogue One. I’ve been waiting on pins and needles to see this movie. I felt like the only person in the world who hadn’t seen it, and the rave reviews were driving me insane. We didn’t choose the best of theaters so the screen was dirty, but that didn’t dampen the experience. I absolutely loved the film! There were numerous amazing Rebel vs Empire fights, familiar faces like Bail Organa and Darth Vader, & awesome new characters like Cassian Andor and Jyn Erso. Can we just talk about freaking Donnie Yen?! His fighting scenes as Chirrut Imwe were off the charts. WOW! If you know me, you know that my favorite part of Star Wars will forever be the droids, and K-2SO is no exception. LOVE. HIM. The sass was abundant, and I could not stop laughing. (SPOILER) It was sad that everybody on the Rogue One team died, but it felt like the only appropriate ending considering the circumstances of the mission. They died because of the Death Star, the very weapon they were fighting to stop. A noble sacrifice for the good of the galaxy!
I heard about the library of fragrance during Vlogmas last year from youtuber Zoella. The idea of buying scent versions of fragrances both conventional and out-of-the-box intrigued me. I bought seven Christmas scents to test.
Close your eyes and imagine lying down on the couch admiring the lights and ornaments on your family’s Christmas tree. The woodsy smell of evergreen hitting your nose is exactly what the Fragrance Library has reproduced. If you need Christmas in your life year round, this scent is the perfect match for you.
I love eggnog so I was hoping to like this fragrance. I expected it to smell like eggnog, but it smells more like vanilla with subtle spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, etc). The scent is pleasant, but it isn’t what I was expecting or wanting.
This fragrance is everything I expected and more. If you aren’t a huge fan of gingerbread, I would still recommend you try this scent. The soft ginger smell is distinct without being too strong.
I don’t drink cider, but I know what it smells like. This fragrance is spot on. If you sprayed it into the air and closed your eyes, you would swear you were holding a piping hot mug of apples and spices. I don’t usually like apple scents, but this one isn’t half bad. I don’t hate it!
This scent messes with my mind. When I first took a sniff, it smelled fresh and clean, nothing too distinct. When I closed my eyes and took several more deep breaths, I could smell snow. Snow doesn’t even have a strong scent so I don’t know how this was pulled off. This isn’t my favorite scent, but it definitely grabbed my attention and made me think.
This scent is so hard to describe because I don’t have any reference to compare it to. It definitely smells of fresh ground spices. There is a warmth to the scent that reminds me of what I feel when I look at an orange jewel. Look at the picture below. That is what Frankincense smells like. I know it’s weird, but that’s my impression of this fragrance.
I thought this fragrance would be hard to describe considering the difficulty I had with frankincense. Au contraire! Myrrh does smell of spices, but it’s much more of a distinct masculine scent.
This company is worth looking into. The scents are well made and true to their names for the most part. I also appreciate the variety of sizes available. I was able to get what I needed in sample sizes and save money. I can’t wait to buy more fragrances!
I did it! I bought a jumbo Disney pin. Call me insane if you must, but I feel good about my purchase. I know that not everybody will understand the draw of Disney pins and the desire to spend money on them. Honestly, I can’t tell you much more than “It’s just plain fun.” This particular pin holds a lot of significance with me as a Disney fan. Keep reading to find out why! My Youtube video is provided down below for those of you who want to watch the opening process and see more of the pin.
I tried my best to take a picture that did it justice because this pin is heavy, glossy, colorful, and magically beautiful. Moving on to the moment of truth. I will keep you in suspense no longer. Can you guess the significance of this pin? Drum roll please…
Tarzan, Aladdin, and Hercules are my top 3 favorite animated Disney movies!!
How cool is it that I found a pin featuring the couples from those three movies?! As long as I live, this pin will remain in my possession. I want to mention a couple more cool facts. All three of these movies feature male protagonists. Interesting! I am obviously more fascinated by heroes than princesses. ;) Tarzan, Aladdin, and Hercules had shows on Disney Channel respectively, and I watched them every week on the TV at my grandma’s house. <3
With sadness, I bid farewell to the 2016 Olympics. I have been filled with pride and joy watching my teams compete these past two weeks. Yes, I said teams. Of course USA is my number one, but I also support the countries that make up my heritage. After all, they are underdogs compared to team USA. No harm done! Let’s take a look at the medal count:
🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆🏆 🏆🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆
• Team USA 🇺🇸 | 121 Medals | 46 G – 37 S – 38 B
• Team Great Britain 🇬🇧 | 67 Medals | 27 G – 23 S – 17 B
• Team Spain 🇪🇸 | 17 Medals | 7 G – 4 S – 6 B
• Team Israel 🇮🇱 | 2 Medals | 2 B
• Team Ireland 🇮🇪 | 2 Medals | 2 S
🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆🏆 🏆🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆
What were your favorite moments in Rio?? I have so many I could mention, but I will try to narrow it down. I felt like a proud mother watching Michael Phelps have one last successful Olympic games after the rough few years he’s had (maybe he’ll be back!). The USA women’s gymnastics team kicked butt and made me feel more patriotic than I have ever felt in my entire life. Shout-out to Michael Phelps (5G, 1S), Katie Ledecky (4G, 1S), and Simone Biles (4G, 1B)!! According to Google, they are the top medalists for 2016. Team USA made me proud all around, but it felt good to dominate artistic gymnastics and swimming. After a rough start, I am so proud of Spain for getting the bronze in men’s basketball. Also, a silver in women’s basketball. Top 3 in the world. Not too shabby!! I watched Marc Lopez & Rafael Nadal win gold in men’s doubles. I’m pretty sure I grew gray hair during that match. The stress was real, but Lopez earned his first medal, and Rafa now has a gold medal in singles and doubles. I watched Team GB get the gold in women’s field hockey. It was a stressful but thrilling game. Well done ladies! I did not have the pleasure of watching Ireland at all, but I am nonetheless proud. Last but certainly not least, I want to express my admiration for Team Israel. My heart breaks knowing that the Israeli athletes continue to be treated like trash. However, they held their heads high, maintained composure, and walked away with two medals.
Farewell Olympics! See you in Tokyo!! 🇯🇵
🏀 🏇 🏉 🚣 ⛳ 🏊 🎾 🚴 ⚽ 🏀 🏇 🏉 🚣 ⛳ 🏊 🎾 🚴 ⚽ 🏀 🏇 🏉 🚣 ⛳ 🏊
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Lauren Michele ❤️ 