My final festive post of the season is going to be a small review of my new favorite high-end skincare brand. Khiel's skincare is great for sensitive skin types and all of the products don't have artificial fragrance or harsh chemicals. I was always kind of interested in the brand, but it was until recently that I decided to finally give it a shot when I saw this limited edition Khiel's X Disney Skincare Set that actually contribute to Feeding America, which is another reason I wanted to pick this up. Plus, uh Mickey Mouse? Yes, please!

I was really impressed with these products and can't decide which ones are my favorite because I love them all. 

I have just written my gift guide for her, but thought it would be fun to make a post geared to stocking stuffers, too. I don't know if it's a Christmas tradition for everyone, but for my family, it's all about the little things: makeup, candy, Silly Putty, you get the rest. Even if you are doing a small gift exchange with some friends, there are a lot of little things, like beauty products, that make perfect gifts. I know Sephora has great minis and travel sized products that are affordable and so cute not to get for that beauty lover! 

I really think everyone appreciates a little skincare and especially when it's firming and lifting. Who wants wrinkles anyway? I think that the Lancome Renergie Microlift is amazing at making my skin feel tight and awake. I feel like it really lifts my skin! Along with it, eye cream is really nice to get as a gift. I think a lot of people don't really pay attention to their eyes as much and it's vital to make sure they are hydrated and moisturized, too. The Trate Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatment is so rich and is one of my favorite eye creams. 

Also, nail polish is something that I think goes a little underrated when it comes to gifts. The Essie Tassel Shaker nail polish has been my favorite for a long time now and it's perfect for the holiday season. Especially for New Years! 

I really think the Shiseido Wrinkleresist24 Balancing Softner is so amazing on my skin. I normally like to use it on a cotton pad after I cleanse my face and all that jazz. I still think it's never too early to start preventing fine lines. The perfect gift! 

I also love receiving perfume and you can get full size or roller balls to put in stockings. The Sexy Rio de Janeiro by Marc Jacobs is a very fruity and musky scent that I am drawn to. It's like wearing paradise. Who doesn't want that? 

I'm never one to really ask for anything hair related, but the Ouai Texturizing Hairspray has me swoon. I've never found a really nice texturizing hairspray, and its the only product I use for my hair anyway. Why not treat yo self! They also have travel sizes that are perfect for stocking stuffers. 

As the holidays become right around the corner, I am still shocked by how fast this month has gone by. It happens every single year! Why not make this year's Christmas worth while with some great Christmas/holiday gift ideas? I hope you all have a very nice holiday with all the people and food you love. I know I will. I will be back next Tuesday with a new post. Merry Christmas and happy holidays! 

I promised a gift guide and I have to be honest, this is probably the best one yet. I already have all of my Christmas shopping done, but for those of you who have yet to have checked some people off the list, I have the perfect gift guide for any woman in your life! Or maybe something for yourself! I think that this time of year is too hectic and people need to do some yoga. Take a breath and chill out. I hope my guide can inspire some last minute gift ideas! 

I think perfume and cologne are things that I will always accept and love if I got them as Christmas gifts. Many women have their signature "scent" they love, and right now, I would say mine is Jo Malone's Peony and Blush Suede. However, the Pomegranate Noir comes in at a close second and is the sweetest and warmest for this time of year. 

I always believe in over moisturizing or being a bit more strict with it during the colder months. I just purchased my first glossier product and it is now one of my favorites. The Coconut Balm Dotcom skin salve is so thick and hydrating. I focus it more on my lips and my knuckles. It's great for anyone, really. My dad even likes this stuff because it helps with his cracked skin so much. It smells amazing, too. 

I also just splurged on a new skincare set and also my first Kiehl's skincare purchase. I think gift and value sets are the best way to get a variety of products to try out and getting more for your money. The Disney X Kiehl's Hydration Essentials Set has five great hydrating products and also helps secure 212 meals through the Feeding America organization. 

I think it's incredible that brands collaborate with service organizations especially when more people are buying things and more people are in need. My favorite product out of this set is probably the facial cream. It is so nice to put on at night and wake up to really smooth and supple skin in the morning. 

I am nearly halfway through my freshman year of college and I think it's been pretty good. It was mostly adjusting to college itself and having to live away from home, but it has been an overall positive learning experience for me. I feel like I can get through the rest of the year; I'm familiar with the campus, I'm involved in at least one organization at the moment, I have a solid few friends, and my classes are changing. 

04. I have all this time on my hands and I really want to go visit some family. I have no idea who, but I know that within these five or so weeks, I should be able to drive and see some people that I haven't seen in a while. Some people take vacations for granted, and while I love to just sit at home with my family, I know that I can also spend quality time with people that I never get to see that much. I know everyone is dying to hear my college experience so far. Isn't that what holiday breaks are for? 

05. I want to approach the up and coming year with a better mindset. Every December I always look back on the year (too fast amirite?) and kind of reflect a bit on the things I've done. It can be cringey to think of the bad things that may have happened, but I like to focus on the good and also look forward to the year to come. How can I change the next year to ensure a happier and healthier me? Maybe I need to start making little changes like not worrying about the things I can't control. Or maybe I need to just stop eating snacks at 11 o clock when I watch my binge of Stranger Things. Who knows what the next year will lead! 

06. Speaking of Stranger Things , I am obsessed. When I first watched season one, I was like okay this is boring. And then I was hooked after like the third episode because I knew I couldn't leave after the first one. Joe Keery who plays Steve Harrington is actually a DePaul alumni, so that's pretty sweet I guess. Even a better reason to watch and support a fellow blue demon. I am so ready for the next season, yes it was just announced, and I am curious to see how the story continues. 

07. I think my final goals is to honestly save my money. After all this Christmas gift shopping for my friends and family and going out with friends, my wallet is gonna start crying at me. I have many babysitting jobs this break and every bit helps so much. The babysitting industry is so real and big right now and I am so lucky I have so many families that trust me with their kids. Ha! 

I think that's all my goals for right now. I'm keeping up with my blog posts as much as I can and it's been so nice to just be able to have a lot of time to focus on my writing, as well as, myself and my mental and physical health this break. Also, tune in for some upcoming gift guides! I am really excited to share some of my ideas for those of you who need some inspiration this year. I'm just living my best life I guess. We can only try, right? 

It's that cozy time of year again when all I wanna do is cuddle up in my blankets, put on some Stranger Things, and drink some warm hot cocoa. This is probably my favorite season because I get to whip out all of my really warm scented candles. Also, since I'm home for about a month, I am allowed to actually burn candles now since I'm not in a dorm. My mom and I did a big candle shop over the past month and I always love sharing which scents I get with people because sometimes you can always discover new ones you've never heard of before. 

I've been introduced to so many different brands of candles that have fed my candle addiction, but to tell you all the truth, Bath and Body Works is like my holy grail when it comes to candles. I don't know what about the ingredients or production of these that make them so great at burning well and filling up the room with an awesome and mostly accurate scent to what they describe. 

The first two are more for your kitchen, but heck I love the fresh smell of these in the bedroom as well. They're great for pretty much any time of year, too. I have this Tea and Lemon candle which is so refreshingly citrusy. I also have this Bergamot Mint candle which is probably my favorite scent so far. Bergamot is a mix of citrus and I have just recently been introduced to it. I love how bergamot is very fruity and is more of a lime smell. Also, the packaging is uber cute. 

Sweater Weather is probably my favorite candle that Bath and Body Works has made. It honestly smells like a crisp fall day at an apple orchard or something. It's very woodsy and has hints of berry and sage. This is one I like to light before I get all comfy beneath my covers.  

This next one is called Sunlit Cedar and is probably like many Christmas tree candles. It's another very woodsy and has a little hint of mint. It reminds me of a time when my mom would host a candle buying party and she would invite all of her friends and our neighbors to come in and buy holiday themed candles while Michael Buble was playing in the background and all of our Christmas decorations were up. It's funny how one familiar smell can take you back so many years. 

Of course, we needed something a bit more sweet to balance all of the wood-like smells out. We chose Marshmallow Fireside as a classic sweet fragrance. It has hints of amber, woods, marshmallow, and vanilla. It makes me want to have bonfires all the time! I also love the knitted detail on the lid of a couple of these candles. It reminds me of a cable knit or some type of crocheted sweater. What do burning candles remind you of during this season? 

I recently found a more inexpensive dupe for both the concealer and corrector, which is the Almay Smart Shade CC Concealer + Brightener. This is a great duo for traveling and has the same consistency and coverage as both the corrector and concealer. It is a great option for someone who doesn't want to spend so much on face products, especially as little as these ones are. I always have concealer, if not corrector, on hand with me when I feel like my face needs a little help sometimes on bad skin days. 

I feel like I haven't really done a fun fashion post in a while, and I have accumulated some pretty great threads this season. As I have been living in the city for the past three months and have embraced all that is street style. My idea of street style is very casual and relaxed, yet trendy and sporty at the same time. As a college student, I have to be honest, what I think about my looks hasn't really been given as much thought as I did in high school, mainly because I'm not in classes for eight hours a day and can literally just get back in bed (which I don't normally do) whenever I want after. 

I have really been inspired by Gigi Hadid and Lucy Hale because their laid-back fashion resonates with me so much. I don't think fashion has to be so luxurious or even formal to be considered stylish and trendy. I love pops of color and different textures; this outfit is probably my go-to city and college wear because it is so comfortable to wear and travel in. 

The first component or piece of this outfit is the very vibrant, mustard sweater. I saw this Zara Sweater from a mile away. At first, I was like "I have too many mustard sweaters," but then I found myself going back to it everytime I went back to the mall and I just couldn't resist. I've worn it so much and think it's the perfect sweater for this time of year. It almost looks cropped, which I love because it looks so nice with high waisted jeans and trousers. 

I paired this sweater with more of an edgier leather jacket that I bought from H&M a couple years ago. I couldn't actually find it on the website because I think I bought it on sale, but they have many other ones similar to it. I feel like a leather jacket can add so much to an outfit as casual and laid back as this one is. 

My extremely comfortable Adidas joggers are probably my biggest staple clothing item this season. I think these pants are so trendy and many people are wearing jogger sweats as an everyday and normal clothing piece. Especially in the city, I'm seeing many women and men wearing them all over. The black and white contrast of these with the three stripes on the sides are very modern and simple. I love them paired with this look. It's so comfy! 

The newest addition to my shoe collection is these Adidas Superstars. I call them my "cloud shoes" because I literally feel like I'm walking on clouds. I love that these shoes can be so versatile and paired with pretty much anything. They're the perfect commuter shoes and are actually more comfortable to walk in than my Nike sneakers are.  

Fall is all about being cozy and comfortable because it's getting more towards the holidays and finals week is this week, so comfort is key. I am all for making an outfit look put together, while also keeping flexibility and movement throughout. This Thanksgiving week, I think I am going to take a break from the blog and spend time with my puppy and family, but will be back for many new Christmas and December themed posts shortly, so stay tuned! What are your plans for the holidays?

Follow Ashley's Instagram and check out her portfolio for more sweet pics!

📷: Ashley Brokaw Instagram: @ashley_brokaw

Let's be honest, most days we wake up and try to roll out of bed, but we can't because we are just too tired. College has introduced me to so much more free time and sleep time. I don't normally think about putting on a full face of makeup when I wake up for a 9 am class, but when I do, it is minimal and very natural. I have still been loving a few products and my routines haven't changed a lot. I am still trying to use up products before the holiday season and I think it is good to use products for a while that you enjoy instead of buying new ones over and over. 

When it comes to a lazier morning, I try to make sure I moisturize a ton. Usually, it wakes me up and I can count on my skin being soft and smooth throughout my lectures that I have. The Lancome Renergie Lift cream has been the most hydrating and repairing for my very dry skin now that it's almost winter. I apply a dime size amount and immediately feel relieved of dryness and redness. I will also follow it with the Lancome Renergie Microlift cream on spots where my skin looks a little tired or around my jawline and neck to really waken up my skin. 

Next, I usually like to put on a primer, even though I'm not wearing any face makeup. I have found that for my lazy days, the Too Faced Hangover Primer does the best to my skin to make sure my pores are minimized and my skin looks fresh and bright for the day. It has more of a dewy finish, which can make you look more healthy and "alive" for classes. 

Over any dark spots or acne that I might have, I do like to correct them and make my face look somewhat even. I use the Bobbi Brown Color Corrector under my eyes and around trouble spots. It really helps when you wake up with sleep marks and dark under eyes. I do like to add a pop of color to my face sometimes, and the Tarte Flush Cheek Stain is sheer enough to look very natural. I top off my look with just a couple swipes of the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara and I am good to go! 

This can usually take me about five minutes or less to achieve and it is practical for me on most days when I can hardly get out of bed to go to class. The last thing I want to deal with is a full face of products and it just makes everything easier when I don't have to worry about it. I usually like to spritz a body spray or perfume on before I leave and my Jo Malone Peony and Blush Suede perfume is my classic scent of choice. What is your lazy day routine like? 

The next two items were both a Sephora birthday gift that I got a bit ago and I really like them. I have never tried Caudalie products and was surprised with how well they work with my sensitive skin. I particularly liked the Moisturizing Sorbet Cream a bit more than the Dark Spot Serum that came with it. While I do appreciate the disappearance of dark circles, I favor moisturized skin a lot more. I loved how thick and heavier this moisturizer is, but it doesn't feel overly drowned in cream when I apply it. 

For desperate times when my skin is really suffering from dryness, I like to use the Korres Wild Rose Sleeping Facial to really just "marinate" on my face when I sleep. I feel like I get the most hydration with this and my skin is so soft in the morning. 

At times when my skin needs extra clearing, I love using masks and exfoliators. Especially with my dry and acne prone skin, I feel like I always have to be treating it somehow. I wonder if less is more in my case, but my skin never truly cooperates. I love the Origins Charcoal Mask so much and feel like I can get the most out of a quarter sized amount on my t-zone. I truly don't think anyone needs the full size of this mask because it spreads out so much. 

I have only recently been introduced to Kate Somerville and wasn't ever drawn to her products frankly because of the price. I was actually given this sample of the Exfolikate Treatment and fell in love. I'm sad that I probably won't buy this little guy again because half of an ounce is twenty-four dollars! Now I love all of its exfoliating qualities and I think that if you really wanted to treat yourself, it would be perfect. It contains papaya, pineapple, and pumpkin enzymes—which really sound yummy. I love travel size and sample size products so much and I have many floating around me at all times. They're perfect little stocking stuffers and are convenient for on the run or simply trying out new stuff! 

There's a lot more to the "perfect autumn outfit" than one may think. While the cosiness of wearing no makeup, sweats, and just cuddling up in our blankets all day may seem like the most amazing thing ever on these cold and crisp days, it might not be the most practical when it comes to making plans with friends or even trying to make it out of your warm bed. When I feel like I need to be a little more "presentable" shall we say, I like to add a bit more color to my ever-so-pale and tired face. Let's be honest, we're all pretty tired this time of year, adding a pop of pigment will do the right trick! 

I have really been trying to venture outside of my comfort zone more this fall and I have really missed wearing vibrant lipstick. I used to sophomore year of high school a ton, and I don't know why I stopped because everyone liked it on me. I know for a fact that over the past years, I have been really into nude and blush-toned lips, but I still think classic reds will never go out of trend. 

The Maybelline Color Sensational lip range has struck me as one of the best drugstore lipstick ranges I have discovered. They have literally every kind of shade and every type of lipstick you might want for a really nice price. The lipsticks themselves are very great quality and are very pigmented and opaque. 

The Dynamite Red is the perfect blue-red that makes your teeth really white and is also the "Gigi" red lip if you've ever noticed her signature red shade. I am really in love with this statement shade and think it is perfect for the fall and winter. I also have a berry shade, obviously!

I am loving the look of berry shades on all skin types and it's the perfect color for fall. This shade is called Deepest Cherry and really is that perfect reddish purple. It looks like you've been eating a ton of cherries! The Maybelline lip range has loads of different shades and types of lipstick that I can't even tell you how many there are. I would definitely recommend checking it out because they're a great price for what they're worth. 

I know that the "natural brow" has become more of a trend lately, and I have to say that I'm loving it. I've always been messing with my brows and trying to change the way they look, but really, less is more when it comes to filling them in and trying to reshape them. I've found that the fewer products you use and the fewer strokes you make, the less there will be room for uneven, catastrophic brows. 

I've been using a couple Anastasia Beverly Hills products and just recently bought the Brow Wiz pencil which has been way easier than the pomade. I was using the pomade for a while and felt like it maybe intensified my brows more than I like them to be. 

With this Brow Wiz pencil, I can make smaller strokes on my brows and have it look way more natural. I really love how it is a little waxier and the little spoolie on the other end is very helpful. I don't know if there is an exact "trick" persay, but I know that you do not need to outline your brows drastically to achieve this look.

I also know that when you groom, pluck or wax your brows, you don't want to do it so much that every single stray hair is gone. Since the look is natural, you should leave some hairs on the outside of the brows. I know I really like this natural brow look, but I was wondering what all of you think. Are the more natural and minimal makeup looks seeming to become the new thing? 

It's hard to say if I will stick with it because I am always wanting to try new products, but right now these have been some very effective couple of skincare products. All of these are sample sizes, but there are full sizes of these products that I think are enough because a little goes a very long way when it comes to any type of skincare product. 

I take cleansing my face pretty seriously because I have sensitive skin prone to breakouts and it's crucial to make sure you are fully cleansing it, especially when you wear makeup. The First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser is a great, light cleanser for sensitive skin and for all skin types. I love how it foams up a bit and really gets into my pores and takes off all of my makeup. It has a very fresh and clean scent and is also hydrating for dry skin. 

Along with my face cleanser, I have been applying this Lancome Renergie Micro-lifting Cream to firm my face and leave it soft and smooth. It's a very small sample of a very expensive product, but I have honestly been loving it so much. I don't know if I can replace this product so I might have to find something that will replace it once I use it up. 

My eyes recently have been incredibly dry and I have yet to find out why. It may or may not be a specific product I am using, but this Tarte Maracujá C-Brighter Eye Treatment has done wonders for making my eyes less red, itchy, and dry. 

When I went to Sephora, I was able to redeem my reward points for a sample product and I asked what the lady at the cashier preferred and she raved about this Korres Wild Rose Sleeping Facial. It's been a while since I have used a very heavy moisturizer and this one really repairs your skin overnight. I kind of use it like a spot treatment at my driest areas and by the morning, they are completely smooth. 

If I still want to treat my face more, I will use my favorite exfoliating cleanser, the GlamGlow YouthCleanse. I have had this for a while now and love it when I really need to scrub off everything and start with a clean slate. It really helps get rid of lines or uneven texture on the skin and my face feels very supple and fresh after I use this. 

I hope this was a nice little updated skincare regimen for you all. Like I've always said, my skincare continues to change and I am always up for trying out new products. You never know when you might find the right products that work for you. For me, it's been a long journey, but I love using different products for my skin that might become my favorite. What are your plans for this spooky holiday?