Halloween Festivities

Halloween kicks off the happiest time of the year (Halloween through New Year's) and therefore

deserves to be celebrated appropriately.

Last night, my room mates and I did exactly that: We made ourselves some delicious pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, Galaxy hot chocolate with whipped cream AND marshmallows (treat yo'self), watched Halloween movies, and carved pumkpins in front of our festive fireplace whilst hanging out with my room mate Liz's black kitten, Theo.

It was definitely the perfect way to kick off the most wonderful time of the year (I had to include it--sue me).

xxx

Writing Off My Anxiety

I get anxious. Like, very anxious. Like, oh-my-God-I-have-no-control-over-anything anxious. But I'm trying to learn how to deal with it and cope because it's getting a little ridiculous how much my anxiety can hold me back, So, being the crazy person that I am, I went out and bought a bunch of  notebooks and things of the sort to help organize my days, thoughts, work, etc., and they have been working WONDERS. I highly recommend doing this if you feel overwhelmed because writing things out can really help, and sometimes after you actually look at the amount of stuff you have on your plate, it doesn't seem as overwhelming and awful anymore. It actually becomes pretty manageable.

I've really enjoyed being able to write everything out when I need to. I keep a small notebook (the blue book that says "PASSPORT") in my everyday, over-the-shoulder bag and when I need to write something out in order to keep myself from becoming scatter-brained, I just open it up and write out anything that's on my mind. The first page has a list headed Things To Do to Keep Myself Happy; the third page is just a bunch of math helping me track my finances so that I don't become too anxious about money and bills and life. It's just so wonderful to be able to keep all of my loose thoughts in one place so that if I want to, I can look back at them.

Besides that notebook, I keep a To Do list in my school bag, and if needed, I transfer it to my everyday bag. I make sue to check something off every couple of days in order to make myself feel better, and it's so nice. I can't even explain how much I love to do lists. They make me really happy.

As if these two things to write it weren't enough, I also have an agenda for school where I write down all of my assignments (duh), plus all of my appointments and long-term assignments so that I don't constantly feel like I'm forgetting to do something. I also keep a calender in my room above my bed for the same purpose. I know I'm crazy.

Finally, I have a notebook (which is actually empty) just in case I decide I need another thing in my life to write everything out. It takes a lot for me to cope, but I'm trying. I also really want to buy an on-the-go calender so that I can visually see everything I have to do as well as the time slots of which everything takes up. My friend, Georgia, has one and it's AMAZING.

So yeah. This is what I do to handle my anxiety. I hope these ideas help, and let me know if you have any ways to help with anxiety and the sensation of feeling completely overwhelmed!

xxx

Six Weeks of Madness

For six weeks of summer I was working at a camp. It is one I've gone to since I was eight (I'm 20), and every summer that I go back is great. I love working with the kids and seeing people I've known for years, and I love meeting the new campers and staff members. Camp is a family. This year was absolutely AMAZING. I met wonderful people and I had wonderful campers, one of whom I want to adopt as a little sister.

Camp is magical. That's really the only way I can put it. You meet people and learn things and do things that you would never dream of doing or learning or meeting. Every summer, I can escape from my busy life and just be a kid again at the place where I grew up, and even though everything is familiar, it never really is, and I love that. It's a time for you to be creative and innovative and spontaneous. There's nothing to hide there, and the friends you make are friends for life, and the campers you council remember you and you remember them, and you bond and influence each other in a way that is almost indescribable.
xxx

My Favorite Cruelty-Free Make-Up

For as long as I can remember, I have loved animals more than I have loved most people I have come into contact with (sorry). I really just think animals are as perfect as anything can get, and I would do almost anything to make sure that they are treated properly. This being said, about two months ago I realized that a lot of products are still tested on animals--something that I thought stopped in like the '80s. As if that news was not devastating enough, I learned that most of the products I used were tested on animals. Because the idea of an animal being intentionally harmed so that I could wash my hair thoroughly upset me, I quickly decided to stop buying any products tested on animals.

One area that I was the most concerned about switching over was my make-up since I am such an avid make-up user and lover, but I was elated to learn that a lot of make-up brands (excluding most drug-store brands, unfortunately) do not test on animals! Because I am still so happy about this discovery, I decided that I wanted to share my favorite cruelty-free make-up and skin-care products with you guys. Most of them are a splurge because I am a sucker for pretty packaging, but other brands that are cheap, cruelty-free, and not-yet-owned-by-me are NYX Cosmetics, e.l.f., and Physician's Formula. I'm sure there's more, but those are the one's that I have researched and know are okay for sure.

Current Cruelty-Free Make-up Favorites:

Too Faced Candlelight Glow Highlighting Powder Duo, Ulta $30

Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional PRO balm, Ulta $31

Urban Decay Cosmetics "Sin" eyeshadow, Ulta $18

Smashbox Studio Skin Foundation, Ulta $42 (whoops)

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 mascara, Ulta $20

Vanilla Dee-Lite Body Lotion, Lush $27.95

Benefit Cosmetics It's Potent Eye Cream, Ulta $42*

 *For this one, I actually bought the Benefit Cosmetics B.Right Radiant Skincare 6 Piece Intro Set for $24 at Ulta. The eye cream is just my favorite product from the set and it has worked wonders on my awful, dark, under-eye bags!

I hope you guys try some of these products out. They've really made a difference with my make-up look and skincare, and I just find them all-around perfect. Also, let me know your favorite products and I'll look them up and see if I can give them a shot--especially if they're cheaper ;)

xxx

UPDATE: Benefit are NOT a cruelty free brand. I wrote this post two years ago and I guess I hadn't done enough research to figure out that. My fault. Sorry! (And for anyone who is wondering, I am no longer using Benefit products. Always do your research!)