For the Foodie...
My family usually does stocking fillers and all of the tiny bits and bobs the last week before Christmas. Usually, it's items such as chapstick, gum, candy, fuzzy socks, silly putty—you know, those finishing touches that everyone loves, but don't really ask for. I was trying to think of some of my favorite stocking stuffers and the default is always food. "Santa" would always leave those LifeSaver Sweet Holiday Storybooks and my sisters and I would fight over the flavors.
You can never go wrong with gifting food, keeping in mind allergies of course. It's the perfect present route to go in for co-workers, friends, secret Santas, or the beloved foodie in your life. I also love gifting small things because sometimes those make the biggest smiles.
For those non-coffee drinkers like me, tea is always a great gift. I am always willing to try new flavors and one of my favorites is The Republic of Tea Cranberry Blood Orange black tea. It's the perfect holiday blend. For something to stir with, I always love the look of personalized dining ware like hand-stamped spoons and forks or even engraved glasses. This spoon was from a local craft fair and it just adds a little joy to every cup of cheer! I would recommend looking on Etsy for custom engravings, too.
I don't know anyone who doesn't love chocolate. Every year my mom has one of these Terry's Chocolate Orange Balls. Maybe it's more of a British tradition, but there's something so satisfying when you have to slam the orange on the counter and break open the decadent orange chocolate slivers. Pure bliss.
Indulge in fruit-flavored body care items such as the Orange Ginger Body Lotion from Bath and Body Work's Aromatherapy collection. There's always something to love from their wide variety of bath, skincare, and home scents. I'm always trying to keep track of who loves what fragrance! I love their aromatherapy line because it includes natural essential oils and the look of the amber bottles are sleek and the perfect addition to anyone's bathroom essentials.
Speaking of sleekness, olive oil is another great gift as a stocking or basket filler. I bought this La Carrera Olive Oil while I was in Spain, so I'm not quite sure how accessible this bottle is, but another one of my favorites originates in Egg Harbour, Wisconsin. It's Fat Louie's Garlic Olive Oil and every time we're in Door County my family stocks up with five or six of these bad boys. It's perfect to cook and dip with.
Chapped lips are a no-go this time of year. If there's something I know, it's that I have at least one tube of chapstick in every bag wherever I go. Burt's Bees is my forever lip balm and this Limited-Edition Peppermint Lip Balm is currently at my bedside. They also have holiday packs, which have special edition flavors to choose from and share such as Chai Tea and Vanilla Maple.
These are some of my current favorites and are the perfect bits for those who love food and also just might want the "small things" this holiday. Christmas is right around the corner, so I hope these ideas alleviated some pressure from the shopping mania that's going to happen this weekend. To all of my readers, supporters, and friends, I wish you all a very merry holiday season. I will be taking a much-needed break, as I hope you do too! I will be back and ready for the new year and can't wait for what's to come.
Merry Christmas <3
For the special gal...
I can officially say that all of my Christmas shopping is done. Usually, I'm even more ahead of the game and I have it all figured out before December. I love gift-giving. I know I have talked about not being materialistic and what impact we make as consumers, but hey, the holidays are the time to spread a little consumeristic cheer. Especially when it comes to the people that I love.
When it comes to gift-giving, I'm all about the personalized sentiments, but every now and then I think it's definitely okay to hit the high road and splurge on something really nice for a person who is undoubtedly well-deserving of it. Perhaps this can be used as a wishlist for those women in our lives or a little hint for those guys looking for some inspiration.
Perfume is always a hit. There are so many nice perfumes out there and I realize that there are so many different scents to choose from. I love florals and you really can't go wrong with a fresh and femme floral musk. Jo Malone's Peony and Blush Suede perfume is my daily fragrance. A spritz of this is just mesmerizing.
For a gal who loves music and is always jamming, Apple AirPods have been one of my all-time gift-worthy headphones. I've had Beats in the past, but never liked the bulkiness. I can be on the go, working out, or just chilling in bed without having to mess with the fussy cord—worth it.
Christmas tends to bring in an abundance of new beauty releases and I am always happy to receive new products in my stocking to try out. I think one of the easiest products is mascara, there's no need to color match! You can never go wrong with mascara and the Givenchy Volume Disturbia Mascara is the perfect treat-your-gal beauty product.
Handbags and accessories are always great gifts to give. In fact, that was one of the things I got my mom this year. I know a lot of people have a specific brand, style, color, or material they love—bags are just the key to a girl's heart. Something petite and as vibrant as this Calvin Klein Cora Crossbody is the perfect size and statement. It's the perfect Christmas red, too.
As much as I honestly love receiving fuzzy socks, sometimes it's okay to go above and beyond, especially for a jaw-dropping moment, by gifting this Gucci GG Marmont Card Case Wallet. It's a timeless piece and will be a long-time love of mine.
My favorite part of gift-giving is seeing the receiver's reaction and the whole process of opening up a present. Just the small joys in giving make my heart feel full and warm. Who's on your gift-giving list this year?
I don't know about you, but I am all about effortless hairstyles. The less work, the better. I used to spend at least a half-hour on my hair in the morning deciding what I wanted to do with it and it would normally end in me getting frustrated and putting it in a messy bun or ponytail. In middle school, I used to try all of the Youtube tutorials and "damage-free" curling techniques. I would sleep in foam rollers every day in seventh grade and honestly I wish I had the same motivation.
Alas, times have changed, life is busier, and hair is just not a number one priority. I feel like the "effortless" hairstyles are on trend anyway. I mean, it's not like Hallmark where everyone walks out looking like they're going to prom with perfect curls and volume. When I'm in the mood to get a bit dolled up, especially for a holiday occasion, I've found that the best soft curls come from a simple 1-inch curling iron and just two of my favorite products. The Hot Tools 24K Gold Curling Iron is my tried and true tool for the perfect beach wave.
Over the years, I've tested many drugstore curling irons and grew up with Conair and Revlon, but they never left my hair feeling as soft as the Hot Tools iron does. It has a nice range of heat settings, a comfortable grip, and a pretty gold barrel, but my favorite feature is the swivel cord. You don't get stuck going around your head. The barrel just so effortlessly rolls around itself, which is a win!
This is a new addition to my hair product family, the Amika Shield Style Extending Spray acts almost like a heat protectant and hairspray all in one. Not only does it smell delicious, but for loose waves, this is the perfect product for ensuring that my waves stay in place all day, despite unruly Chicago weather conditions.
I first became a fan of Amika when I got my first balayage last year. My stylist recommended the Amika Vault Color Lock shampoo and conditioner, to maintain my color and protect it. There are no parabens or harsh chemicals in these products and more recently, I've been mindful about what products I'm using on my head. While there are many other options out there, Amika has really worked for me, so I would highly suggest trying out their range of products.
I've talked about the Ouai Texturizing Hairspray and I'll talk about it again! This has to be my favorite hairspray of all time. For beach waves and lob hairstyles, texture is something my hair craves, especially because it can be a bit weighed down after I curl it. This tousled in is the perfect finishing touch.
I've embraced not having to put much into my hair, mainly because I just love my natural hair. It's taken me a while to come to terms with my natural waves and just letting it air dry after I shower. I've spent years trying to figure it out, but my hair honestly looks its best just brushed. As much as I wish I was more adventurous and still had the motivation I had in seventh grade, I think the best hair is hair that's healthily well-taken care of and maintained. What's your hair secret?
I remember being late to the ear-piercing game. I was in fourth grade and like most kids, getting your ears pierced was a right of passage. Everyone I knew had birthstone studs in their ears and each day a new friend would come running into class oo-ing and goo-ing over their new jeweled studs.
As much as I hated the idea, I couldn't bear to let my friends and of all people, little sister, have hers pierced without mine first. So, sometime at the beginning of fourth grade, my mom happily dragged me to Claire's and squeezed my hand.
I remember waiting until my ears healed to change out the peridot studs with my older sister's diamond hoops or ones that dangled with rainbow feathers. I was willing to try it all, even if my sensitive ears couldn't handle the plastic.
Over the years, I've struggled to wear eccentric earrings mainly because a lot of the frilly and fun ones are made out of plastic, nickel, or are silver-plated, which have always made my ears itch uncontrollably, so I've avoided them for a while. I would always have to wear sterling or gold earrings, which weren't always the most reasonably priced. Recently though, I've been wearing a lot of minimal gold studs...
As much as I hated the idea, I couldn't bear to let my friends and of all people, little sister, have hers pierced without mine first. So, sometime at the beginning of fourth grade, my mom happily dragged me to Claire's and squeezed my hand.I remember waiting until my ears healed to change out the peridot studs with my older sister's diamond hoops or ones that dangled with rainbow feathers. I was willing to try it all, even if my sensitive ears couldn't handle the plastic.
Over the years, I've struggled to wear eccentric earrings mainly because a lot of the frilly and fun ones are made out of plastic, nickel, or are silver-plated, which have always made my ears itch uncontrollably, so I've avoided them for a while. I would always have to wear sterling or gold earrings, which weren't always the most reasonably priced. Recently though, I've been wearing a lot of minimal gold studs...
I've always loved the look of minimal jewelry, wearing pieces here and there. Sometimes I won't think too much about what jewelry I'm wearing and will occasionally switch out a ring or a necklace every now and then. If you're interested, the necklace I wear every day is the Cosmic Balance necklace from Alex and Ani. I've gotten many compliments on this necklace and people are so fascinated by it because of the design and also the fact that it's expandable!
Like my gold statement necklace, I've found a new love for my luxe gold medallion studs and adore their simplicity. There's something about stacking simple earrings like these 14 karat gold medallions or crystal bar studs that will always be timeless and worth the investment.
The bar earrings that I'm currently wearing are from American Eagle, while I couldn't find the exact pair, they have a wide variety of earrings to choose from. This six-pack of metal hoops and gold bar studs would pair nicely with these medallion studs.
The bar earrings that I'm currently wearing are from American Eagle, while I couldn't find the exact pair, they have a wide variety of earrings to choose from. This six-pack of metal hoops and gold bar studs would pair nicely with these medallion studs.
While these may not be a bold statement, I think their classic and simple elegance will appeal to any lucky person you might gift these to this holiday season.
These have already turned into my go-to everyday pair of earrings and are my favorite new addition to my treasures. I love long-lasting pieces and quality I know every gal deserves to own. What's in your jewelry box?
This post was in collaboration with Nakturnal.
This post was in collaboration with Nakturnal.
October is one of the best months and one of my most productive or manic times of the year. Usually, this is one of my favorite transition months into winter, however, Jack Frost came a little too early and blessed Chicago with a dusting of snow on Halloween. Now that it's November, I'm already gearing up for what could possibly be another polar vortex and am nearing the end of my first quarter of school.
I was able to really enjoy all things fall this past month with my friends, take a weekend trip up north with my family, while also managing to do research for my public relations campaign class, and being able to attend an interview at WGN Radio for one of my internship clients. It was a jam-packed month, and I am looking forward to the finish line before a much-needed break.
01. I've realized that I have not been in the presence of others as much as I should be. During this time of year, when the holidays are right around the corner, a lot of people tend to get a bit angsty and are centered on their own plans, to-dos, and routines. I have been geared into my work a lot lately and achieving my personal goals so much that it has made me a little burnt out, to be honest. This month, I'd like to take my time and contribute it towards something that will benefit others in some way.
02. Since I have been somewhat of a workaholic, exercising and meditating has been on the backburner. Since I am going to have more time once school gets out for winter break, I want to start up my normal yoga routine and challenge myself to go beyond the routine I already know and practice. I need to get out of my comfort zone and foster a mindset that will allow me to stay motivated and remind me why I'm doing this for myself.
03. November is also going to be a bit stressful towards the end of the month since I will be finishing up my work and taking my finals. A lot of anxiety builds up during this time, and in a lot of other people too, so I want to be sure to give myself time to relax and reset. In order to do this, I want to be more creatively stimulated and I'm hoping to get my camera out a bit more, find a new playlist (Maggie Rogers has been my top at the moment), come up with new outfits I'm too shy to try out, or maybe wear a simple red lip. These little things are simple enough to make a busy week interesting and just comforting.
04. On a more optimistic note, I plan on visiting some family this month and my best friends are coming home for the holidays. In a couple weeks, I'll be headed to Michigan to visit my grandpa and aunt from Oregon, who I rarely get to see. I will also be spending Thanksgiving with my mom's side and am excited to reminisce and get some close time with everyone this month. It can be hard to check everyone off the list, so I'm glad we get to make quick trips to see the people we can.
As the year is coming to a close (unbelievably), I've found myself reflecting on many high and low moments I've had. Daylight savings is here, temps are dropping, and moods are changing. November is a month filled with reflection and gratitude, something I think we all need to remember. What's on the radar for this month?
Mascara is probably one of the only main makeup items I use on the daily, and it wasn't until a couple weeks ago that I realized I had quite the thing for mascara. I felt that it was time to get rid of some old ones I had lying around. However, before I could make myself decide which mascara gets the ceremonial toss, I thought it would be helpful to share my opinions on which ones I love and which ones I probably won't repurchase.
There is one mascara in my collection that I would like to highlight as it is my newest and probably most expensive treasured mascara. The Givenchy Volume Mascara was a purchase I made in Barcelona this summer and a beauty splurge that made the books for me.
Whether it was the bougie red-hot glam packaging or the spanish speaking Sephora worker that convinced me, I have used this baby when I know my lashes need to look like a million bucks. I love the brush on this mascara because it glides on so smooth and effortlessly curves and plumps my lashes.
These are my tried and true mascaras that I will continue buying. I've explored some of these brands' other mascaras as well in the past and have always loved their formulas.
Benefit
They're Real Mascara- I've been using this mascara and repurchasing it since high school. Under the Givenchy mascara, this is probably my favorite (lesser fancy) mascara to wear on the daily. It's the perfect mascara for lengthening and feathering out your lashes.
Roller Lash- The Roller Lash has always been another favorite of mine as a curling mascara and really gives that butterfly effect and a hint of more drama.
Clinique
Lash Power Mascara- I was very impressed with the lengthening power of this product and the fact that it does. not. smear! I also just love Clinique products because they're safe for sensitive eyes and are allergy tested.
High Impact Mascara- This mascara does a very good job with giving my lashes needed volume. On nights when I want to add a bit of umph to my eye look, I'll grab this one—lush and plush!
Maybelline
Great Lash- This has just been a classic and simple mascara that I use as a back up whenever I need a quick fix or touch up. The blackest black almost mimics eyeliner and the smaller applicator is nice to get the smaller lashes and lower lash line. Perfect for traveling with, too! Maybelline just knows what they're doing.
Mascara Don'ts
These are mascaras that just didn't cut it for me. I haven't had luck with Tarte's mascara line and I do have to say that these two Covergirl mascaras aren't the only ones that I haven't liked in their range. For some reason, the formula always seems to clump or fall out during the day.
Tarte
Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara- I tried so hard to like this Tarte mascara, but it just kept disappointing me. Sometimes I would just forget that it didn't work and convince myself to try it again and every time it just clumps and my lashes feel weighted down by the formula.
Covergirl
Plumpify! Mascara & So Lashy! Mascara- I tried the whole Star Wars Covergirl line and really wanted to love it. Covergirl mascaras were actually the first ones I got to use when I started with makeup because my mom uses them (sorry mom). I just never liked their performance and they lack staying power of any kind. These applicators in particular have stabbed my eyes a couple times and I'm wondering why they chose to make a product that you use near your eyes with a spur on the tip.
Overall, I'm always willing to try new mascaras. Mascara is a product that makes me look less tired, opens up my eyes, and adds a bit of flare or drama to my look depending on the day or occasion. It's a product we all need in our makeup bags. I get a ton of samples of mascara, so it can be hard to really pinpoint or remember which one's I've loved or ones that I just don't feel like made the mark. What are your favorites?
If I could wake up every day to the smell of crisp leaves and campfire I would. Maybe that's what heaven smells like.
Well, this weekend I was in heaven. Every couple of years or so, my family rents a cabin up in northern Wisconsin to stay and get away from the business of the city. When we aren't camping in Peninsula State Park or in Petoskey, Michigan, we find that this is a nice escape in the middle of October. It's the perfect fall getaway.
We were lucky with the timing of this trip because everyone in my family was able to go (except for Cooper, unfortunately, he had to stay home). I was able to catch an afternoon train, Emily was able to also catch an afternoon train, and Melissa was able to meet us there on Friday with my parents waiting for us with a cozy fire and all of the Wisconsin cheese curds we could have dreamed of.
Fish Creek is one of those really quaint beach towns, kind of touristy, but it's on the edge of the Peninsula and a little farther north of Green Bay. It's got small farms, pumpkin patches, privately owned marinas, beer fests, boutiques you'd never really buy anything from but go in and look anyway, and cozy little coffee shops that overlook Sister Bay. However, what I love the most is just how vibrant the trees are this time of year up there. Chicago never gets the rich oranges and reds that scream "FALL IS HERE". We got really lucky with the weather, it was mid-50s and sunny pretty much every day.
Friday
On the first full day, we explored the area around our cabin a bit and were happily reminiscing the memories we had made from visiting so long ago. We used to bring a lot of our close family friends with us and would have crazy memories of playing intense card games, swimming in the Lake, or getting lost in the forest.
Where to go pumpkin picking...
We had originally planned to go pumpkin picking at one of our favorite pumpkin farms, Schartner's Farm Market, but they (sadly) didn't have the mules to carry us into the patches as it was a low season for them this year. However, we were still able to pick out some pumpkins from the previous batches and were just as pleased with the selection they had on the trailers. I would still highly recommend this farm during their high-season at the beginning of October.
We walked around Main Street and visited all of our favorite candy shops and antique places. It began to get dark very early there, at around 6, and we were all really hungry and picked up some delicious pizzas at our favorite restaurant, Wild Tomato. I would suggest ordering takeout from them to avoid the long waits because it's a poppin' pizza joint!
Saturday
After waking up to a big fireside breakfast in our cabin, we had planned to start the morning off easy and headed off to go explore more of Peninsula State Park and hike around the scenic beach shore and Eagle Bluff area.
Where to go camping...
This was one of our other favorite camping spots because they had everything: a fishing pier, bike trails, kayak and paddleboard rentals, and a large outdoor amphitheater that we got to watch our favorite Northern Sky Theater performances at amongst the brushing pine trees and twinkling stars. Although we did not get to see a show this year, it was great to be back in a place that is filled with memories and has continued to be maintained for years.
My family loves how slow-paced it is up there—being able to just walk around and cruise our way around town as we pleased. Our afternoon consisted of a bit more shopping and dog petting. Fish Creek has some CUTE dogs. We also picked up some coffee at the Blue Horse Beach Cafe and watched the sailboats go by. We ended the night with dinner at the Cookery along the bay—I had one of the best cheeseburgers of my life. Who would have known Wisconsin does cheese and beef so well ;)
We didn't want to say our goodbyes to Door County. It was like it used to be: morning and night bonfires, waking up to bacon and eggs, going to the pumpkin patches and fall fests, stuffing our faces with Apple Cider Donuts, playing endless games of War, and having room and time to breathe in the clean and crisp northern air. All of us enjoyed our time together in one of the places we love the most. 
Never did I think that balancing a pumpkin on my head would inspire a blog post, but here we are! I can't believe October is halfway through and the leaves have just begun to change. This past weekend, my best friend Ellie was in town for fall break and so were my two sisters—the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the beautiful fall weekend and go to a fall fest. While we weren't exactly pumpkin picking, we bought pumpkins and then persisted to place them on our heads. We are the real pumpkin-heads.
Maybe it wasn't exactly balancing the pumpkins on our heads that inspired me to write, but hey, I gotta embrace it. It's been a hectic past couple of weeks.
I've been told that my junior and senior years of college are going to be the hardest. I mean, I was told that in high school and I was like "Are you kidding? I get to go home for lunch!". It doesn't seem like you get seniority in college because that's when you start to realize just how real your life is starting to get and how much time you don't have.
My normal days are filled with waking up, getting dressed, making sure I eat something, start my internship work, go tutor for an hour, go to class, eat, somehow exercise or attend a meeting, try to do homework, and then sleep (hopefully). My routine changes and fluxes based on what week it is, and it's a good routine, but a busy one.
Usually, when I'm feeling the weight of my days, I try to confide in a friend (typically Ellie) and we facetime the night away watching Bob's Burgers or literally just playing the new Mario Kart app while we facetime. It's the perfect way to check back in and reset.
Everything we do is based on time and lately, I've been trying to cut back on saying yes and giving myself a break. I need time to go to a pumpkin patch, watch Shane Dawson's Jeffree series, drink some apple cider, or go to the Dollar Tree because why the hell not.
I know that the work I need to do will get done because that's just the person I am. I'm always one step ahead, but recently its proved less than helpful. When I try to get too far ahead, I end up caring more about getting it done than actually actively participating in the work that's being done.
That's why I know balance is key—in all things life. If you're also feeling like the calendar pages are turning and you just can't seem to find time to pause and reflect on what's happening around you, you'll miss all of the great opportunities to grow and literally live a more fulfilling life because of it. Sure you have to get an assignment due by Monday, but it can wait because you have a life besides your work.
I stress about little things all the time: is the laundry done, do I need to email that one person back, did I go to the bank, am I going to have enough time to eat today, and on and on. Reminding myself that I need to release the gas pedal every now and then really helps when I enter that mindset of worrying about every single thing that needs to be done. Committing to one task at a time is the best way to go about it—and being present while doing it.
I'm not an expert on balancing all things life, but I sure do balance a good pumpkin.
It's been a while since I've done a roundup of all of my favorite skincare products, and this time of year is usually when my skin thrives before it gets insanely cold—that said, I have compiled all of the products I've been using since August and will continue to use and enjoy this month. I'm pretty lax on the amount skincare items I use, but I like to switch off with them ever-so-often to see what works and what doesn't.
I gotta say, the Clinique Moisture Surge is my favorite light-weight moisturizer to use at the moment. I think I recieved this as a gift and instantly fell in love. I have normal-oily skin, so this being a gel-cream doesn't over hydrate my skin or leave it feeling dewy the next morning. It doesn't leave a thick layer of residue and really refreshes my skin and neck. I like to apply this at night, usually after I shower for the ultimate hydration and revitilization of my skin.
On days when I feel like I can ration my Clinique moitsurizer, I have been using the Évolué Day and Night Cream which does the trick! I also use a pea-size amount of this cream and apply it all over my face and neck in the morning and night. I find that moisturizing regularly really helps prevent more breakouts from occuring and evens out my oilyness.
For clearing my face, I have always continued using the Simple Micellar Cleansing Water as it never fails to rid my skin of impurities and dirt. I use a little bit on a cotton pad every morning and am amazed at how much it can actually pick up. It's my tried and true—definitely recommend as an alternative to gel cleansers.
Recently I've been dealing with really dry and heavy looking undereyes, so I've been reaching for the Nourish Organic Renewing & Hydrating Eye Treatment that gives me instant relief and brightening. Staring at a computer pretty much all day really strains my eyes, so I make sure to treat them well and pat this cream on with my ring finger.
I have to add one more moisturizer to the list because I can't decide which ones I love the most, clearly, so the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ is another tried and true facial cream that I use when I'm really feeling like my skin needs extra love. It absorbs so quickly and is one of those winter moisturizers that you need to apply almost everyday to prevent frostbitten dryness.
For when I'm feeling a pamper night and need an extra skin boost, I've been using the Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to deeply clean and renew my acne-prone skin. Every now and then I get terrible, deep breakouts (like the ones that hurt) along the side of my hairline and t-zone.
Most charcoal masks I've used from the drugstore counteract with my skin and leave it feeling either red and irritated or with more surprise breakouts the next day. This really flushes out all of the gunk that my face (sorry it's gross) accumulates throughout the day and my pores feel so refreshed and clean. These are truly the only products I've been using on my skin lately, and with the assortment of different lotions, my routine stays pretty constant. Remember—less is more! What's in your skincare regimen?
You can smell fall in the air! Chicago was remarkably cooler than it was in September and the trees are finally starting to turn. It has been a very busy month, but I have high hopes for October because this is my favorite time of the year. Fall girl clichés and all. Everything just feels right: the leaves, the fake pumpkin-flavored everything, football, and all there is to love about fall. Fall in the city is just the best.
September is one of those really busy months where everyone is assimilating a routine. October, on the other hand, is one of those really cozy months and I always find that I can actually find a groove—it still holds true. There's a lot of promise in October, but also a lot of really fun and exciting things going on for me.
01. Tomorrow I'm actually going to see one of my all-time favorite bands since my freshman year of high school, Bastille, perform for the third time. I've gone to every one of their tour concerts for every new album they have released since 2015. I always think about artists that I've listened to throughout different stages of my life and Bastille has been the most prominent and influential to me. They've really adapted an alternative indie-pop sound that I've always vibed with and I don't think I'll ever stop listening.
02. This month will be the start of my writing tutor journey! I've never been a tutor before, but when I was looking into on-campus jobs, this one seemed to align perfectly with what I love and do pretty much every day. It has been a lot, to be honest, I mean starting a new job and learning the mechanics has been a bit to take on at first, but I know I will develop a rhythm and a feel for it as I continue to practice more this month. So far I have completed all of my tutoring observations and will be leading a tutoring session this week, so we will see how it goes!
03. The fam and I will be heading to Door County, Wisconsin later this month for a fall break outing. In the past, we used to camp up there in Peninsula State Park, but have just been so busy lately that we haven't been able to make a trip. It's the perfect fall weekend getaway. There's pumpkin picking, fall fests, cozy bonfires by the lake, kettle corn, drive-in movie theaters, and my favorite part is always the tunnel of deep reds and vibrant yellows of trees as you drive into town. Door County is the definition of the perfect fall.
There is so much to love about this season and I'm sure many feel the same way. It's a new month and a new change that I am taking in with a cozy embrace and of course with a Netflix binge of Gilmore Girls. With all that is good, I've learned to also take this month to let some things go—just like the leaves. What is your favorite thing about fall?
This summer, I took on a task that I'm not so fond of doing—reading. I have always struggled to find books that I can fully commit to and enjoy. Maybe that's because I've been forced to read books in school or I've just not found the type of book I like to read yet. I'm not an avid reader, I'm not the best reader, but I thought this challenge would be something very beneficial for me while I had the free time to do it over the summer. To my surprise, I was able to read five books in two months—all because of Reese's Book Club.
Reese Witherspoon launched Hello Sunshine which is a media brand that's full mission is to foster storytelling, creating, and discovering content that celebrates and idolizes women by putting them at the center of the story. Whether or not you've noticed these yellow sunshine-like emblems on books, I took it upon myself to read five fiction novels and pick my top three to share my initial thoughts with all of you.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
This book was on The New York Times Best Seller list of 2019 for 20 weeks and is probably my favorite book I read this summer. I am very into nature and ethereal imagery, which Owens far exceeded my expectations with her detailed illustrations of an isolated North Carolina Marsh and an orphaned girl, Kya, who grew up on it.
There's murder, family dysfunction, romance, and all the while Kya is trying to discover who she is all by herself. More importantly, documenting her findings of nature reveals so much more to her than school ever did. It's a story that makes you want to run into the fields and be one with the sunshine, birds, and mud. Truly a beautiful read.
This is How it Always is by Laurie Frankel
This was a heartwarming story about a little boy, who believes he's a girl—and is a girl. Inspired by the author's transgender child, this isn't just a book about being transgender. It is an honest story about a family that goes through this process and all are affected by it.
It will bring tears and smiles; including realizations and transformations that make every small detail in parenting crucial. It is full of bright, nostalgia and whimsy fairytales, but deeper truths of identity beyond a "happy ending" that we would all wish for our kids and families.
If you're really looking for a page-turner, I would recommend this book. As I was reading this, it was sending chills up and down my spine. The best thriller books are the ones that leave you feeling like someone is watching you in your own house. Spooky, I know.
You are in for a treat with some "dizzying" plot twists and thrills set in Littleport, Maine. The perfect setting for a cozy fall evening of reading. It's a story about an affluent tourist town and the suspicious death of their own, Sadie Loman. Good friend, Avery Greer, is trying to clear her own name and uncover the mystery as a resident on their property—is she to blame? Find out in this addictive read, you won't regret it.
Reading for pleasure is one of those things I need to get better at. Especially when I have the time and motivation to do it. There are so many great books out there, and following Reese's Book Club made it easier for me to find books and get suggestions of what to read next. If you also struggle to read, I would highly recommend finding a book club like hers to give you some options from a varied range of books.
Fall is the best time to snuggle up and delve into stories, which is why I hope I've given some inspiration as to what to read next this season. Reading these books over the summer has given me a new appreciation for reading. There's an addictive and immersive feeling of escapism that a movie on Netflix could easily accomplish, but by reading a book, I create the story, the characters, and the setting.
For a while, I had a distaste for reading. I was impatient and couldn't wait for the story to develop, but now I've come to realize that there's richness to stories incomparable to my own. Give a book a couple chapters, believe me, you'll be amazed. What's on your fall reading list?
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