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.
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