I know this year has looked different for everybody and the tease of the holiday season is brightening up moods left and right. I've found this year a bit more bearable now that Christmas music is on the radio and all things merry fills Targets near and far. Holiday magic warms my soul every year, and I know how much this season means for a lot of people—but many, like my own, are not able to see their families this year. However, I won't let that stop me from having a joyful holiday season because it's what you make of it! There's still much love to go around.
This year, I wasn't going to let the worst of the pandemic ruin holiday cheer. I think we need it more than ever, so here are some easy ways you can uplift Christmas spirit—or any spirit—for that matter.
Decorating Early...
There is nothing more cheerful than putting on classic Christmas playlists, lighting some candles, and decorating for Christmas. Even if you don't celebrate, there are many ways to get festive for the holiday season and it doesn't have to be a heavy task either! Sprucing up a side table with mini Christmas trees, hanging a garland up, putting some moody fairy lights around your bed frame, or taking out the festive cushions are always simple, yet refined ways to bring in some holiday cheer to your abode! Personally, I love the homemade, DIY-ed decor like the red and gold wreath I made—there's nothing more welcoming than a festive holiday wreath. I don't know about you, but I am definitely not opposed to decorating before Thanksgiving, just make sure they're put away by Valentine's Day ;P
Checking in on Loved Ones...
This time of year acts as a reminder of those who we love and care deeply for, but might not currently be with us. If there's anything I appreciate about the holidays, it's that this time of year gives us a second chance to check in, keep in touch, and FaceTime long-distanced friends or family members we don't normally connect with. We might even feel like rekindling old relationships, friendships, or creating new ones. I know it's not the best time to be social, but there are safe ways to do so. I am currently planning a virtual family Thanksgiving event with my whole extended family and it makes my heart so full.
Sending Holiday Cards...
Something else that makes my heart so full is the season of giving. Especially sending holiday cards. As a college student, I get a lot of amazement from people who are surprised that I would even go to the extent of writing cards for people, but I believe in the sentiment—even if I don't receive one back. I get a lot of joy from writing these personalized letters to people who made my year, my day, or my life! Rather than an email or a quick text, I want people to know that I care and am grateful for all of the joy they bring me. Perhaps you could start sending out cards to people, too. Why not fill someone else's day with some kind words? You don't have to send them out to the whole town, but start with your inner circle first or those who have shown kindness to you within the last few months!
These are just a couple of bits of joy I've incorporated into my life and I hope they've inspired you to get into the spirit of the holiday season. This time of year brings a little more love and hope into the world. Wishing you all a very merry holiday and that joy and happiness surrounds you all! X
I am always up for a bargain, especially when it happens when all you're looking for is a new face cleanser— et voila! More deals than you could have imagined! I'll be honest, staying home has not done anything for my online shopping habits, but I am way more inclined to purchase products that I know will be quality and also give me a bang for my buck.
Since the holiday season is coming up, you might be already gathering lists together, have decorated a tree maybe, or might be doing things a little bit differently this year. Holidays should be spent with your loved ones, so gift giving shouldn't have to break the bank either! Sephora always has some great deals going on, plus you can always find something for yourself along the way, self-care amirite? Here's a recent Sephora beauty find I scored that I think will be on everyone's wishlist this year.
I was immediately drawn to this set because I was in need of a new Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz and those things are not easy to come by. I could have gone out of my way to buy a $23 eyebrow pencil OR invest a little more and get a little more with this $48 Sephora Favorites Makeup Must-Haves Value Set which comes stocked with a couple full-size classics and some travel-size samples of products I've never tried before!
I am a sucker for when there's a well-balanced set because I want cult beauty products that I know I'll love and a couple new ones to try. I was especially excited about the Nars Orgasm blush ($30) which is full-size by the way. I don't wear blush that often, but in the colder months, I like to add a bit of color and I know this is the perfect warm-y pink. I was also thrilled to try out the Huda Beauty Power Bullet Matte Lipstick ($23) in First Kiss. It's the perfect blush nude, with a bit more red toned to it. I have heard people rave about Huda Beauty, so I can't wait to wear it to the grocery store (lmao).
One product I was a little disappointed in was the Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir ($27) Mascara, which I had originally high hopes for, but when I pulled the brush out, it was covered in product and clumped together immediately on my lashes. Unless you like really dramatic lashes and not feathery ones like I normally have, this might be able to work for you, but I was just not that impressed by it. Another product that didn't do it for me was the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray ($15), only because I don't use them or think they actually work. However, I know a lot of people live for it, but maybe I'll try to give it another go! There's always one or two products in these types of sets that miss the mark, but overall, the value of this set is just too good not to pass up.
Whether you love makeup or finding good deals, I think this set isn't something to sleep on. It has a great variety of cult classic products that I think everyone could enjoy. Granted, you are getting a mix of full and travel size products. There isn't color variety either, which it would have been nice if Sephora offered value sets with different shades for different skin colors (or even eyebrow colors). You could divide this set up and gift someone one of the products or gift it to yourself. As holiday deals come out, be sure to snag this one before it sells out, you won't regret it! What will the holidays look like for you this year?
Looking Ahead...
The year is soon to be coming to an end. As grateful as I am for that, there have been a lot of things I've learned, even within the last month. It's really hard to even look into December or plan anything for next year, so these next couple of winter months will be a lot of hunkering down and reflecting on a monumental year for us all. I've had my highs and lows, but mentally and emotionally, I've been challenged more than I ever have been.
I love to try and be an optimist, but in all honesty, I'm quite the cynic. This year has only confirmed it for me, but I want that to change and I don't think it's ever too late to start looking inward to admit that there are always going to be repairs to be made. It was accepting that there were things I couldn't control and other things I knew would make my life easier, brighter, and more positive because I let them go. So, looking forward to a new page on the calendar, I am setting some new realistic goals for myself.
01. Not leveling up with my inner demons. It may seem quite dark, but I think we all have those inner dark doubts or fears, negative thought clouds, or just straight up anxiety every day because the world is truly at a time when things could be okay one day and all hell breaks loose the next. This month, I will not let them control me. I will acknowledge their presence and replace them with positive affirmations. I know that these pestering thoughts do not decide who I am or what I am capable of, and I hope whoever is reading this realizes that too.
02. Cutting myself some slack. I am always one to be doing the most when I can, sending out emails and followups, getting assignments done a week early, or delegating tasks like no other. I don't give myself time to breathe or to realize that not everything is so immediate to be dealt with. If there's anything I've learned from quarantine, it's that time has slowed down. There's truth in the normalcy of it, and setting my future self up for success, but if I don't give myself breathing room and a time to digest, I'll get lost in it all.
03. Finding more creative ways to spend my time. Finding things to do during what will be a second lockdown has been difficult. When the baking, reading, writing, and movie watching is done, it can be hard to find things that are socially distanced now that temperatures are dropping. I could take up a new hobby, try out a new fitness regime, join a virtual bookclub, or start DIY dream boarding a future apartment perhaps. Besides going shopping, I need to invest my time in other engaging activities, but I think the holidays will help inspire some new ones. Who knows?
04. Thinking about post graduation. It's crazy to think that I am almost two quarters away from a degree. With the constraints of the pandemic and a hyper virtual landscape, competition for a job post grad will definitely be an unruly task. However, I am extremely thankful to have had an internship this past summer to get my foot in the door before I start sending out applications this winter and spring. It will all come down to what full-time job I can find, and I can't even think about where I'll be next year. I'm reassured that the network and community I have been able to be apart of will only cushion the job search and I would hope that employers are more open in knowing how hard this year has been.
05. Making one thing out of my day positive. We've already established that there is an abundance of negativity looming around us, so my goal for this month is to find and reflect on at least one positive thing that happened to me every day. Whether it be an old friend reaching out to me over Instagram, getting a good grade, actually running a full mile on the treadmill, or simply having a sunny day, there are many things to be thankful for—gratitude is the mood for the season of thanksgiving.
What are some things you have to be thankful for this time of year?
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