Winter Body Care

Hello, everyone! Today I went shopping and stopped at my go-to body care place, Bath & Body Works. It's been awhile since I've bought a brand new fragrance mist and body cream. When I smelled both of these though, I knew I had to recommend them to you guys! These are both brand new scents. They would make great Christmas gifts!

A Thousand Wishes-
At the beginning of the holiday season, Bath & Body released this new fragrance. All I can say about it is WOW. It is amazing. There is something so sophisticated yet, magical about this fragrance mist. Normally, I buy the travel sized fragrance mists because I am never super crazy about just one scent. I love this fragrance so much that I just had to buy the bigger bottle. A Thousand Wishes is definitely a dream come true.

Notes used: Sparkling Champagne, Twinkling Star Fruit, Golden Quince, Crystal Peonies, Purple Freesia, Gilded Amber, Almond Creme, Sugared Sandalwood, Velvet Musk

Champagne LOVE & Iced Plum- 
It was not until today when I heard about this new and limited edition fragrance Bath & Body has to offer. I LOVE it! The plum and vanilla notes makes it sweet and just a tiny bit fruity. The ultra shea body creams are wonderful to have, too. You will definitely have visions of sugar plums dancing in your head while wearing this fragrance.

Notes used: Sparkling Champagne, Iced Plum, Juicy Pomegranate, Crystal Vanilla, Sugared Musk

I must add, what makes these scents so great to buy around this time of year is that they are not only for perfect Christmas, but all of winter. Give them a try if you're looking for something new!

Who Is The Best Santa Claus?

Hey everyone! I thought that for this post I would make a list of my Top 5 Favorite Santa Clauses of All Time! Read along and see if you agree with me. This may be my top 5, but I am interested in what all of you think, too.

Let the countdown begin!

#5- Santa Claus from Rise of the Guardians

This Dreamworks film came out a couple years ago. It never really became famous, but it was still a good animated movie! The film involves many legendary folks, including the big guy himself. Yes, Santa Claus. Don't let his Russian accent and tattoos fool you. This Santa Claus is just as kind as any other. Why is he number five then? Well since the movie came out only a couple years ago, and it wasn't even super famous at that, not many people know about this Santa Claus. Still, he is undeniably cool compared to other Santas. 

#4- Santa Claus from Miracle on 34th Street 

The first release of the film was in 1947, but the remake that was made in 1994 is the one I'm most familiar with. Kris Kringle is a super helpful guy, taking the place as Cole's Santa Claus for the holidays. What's more cooler than having the real Santa around in person and not even knowing it? I hate the idea of a Santa Claus who wants publicity. Let the magic of Christmas stay a secret! 

#3- Jack Skellington as Santa Claus from Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas

So, Jack isn't exactly the right person for this job. Holding the title of Pumpkin King just isn't enough for him. But, you've got to admit he put a lot of thought into this new role of Santa Claus. With the help of his fellow Halloween Town friends, he has his own sleigh, suit, and presents to give to all the children of the world. Jack isn't a bad guy, he just celebrates Christmas in a different way. I think he deserves to be on this list because of how dedicated he was to the job! Yet, he is still better off as the Pumpkin King.

#2- Santa Claus (Scott Calvin) from The Santa Clause

Scott Calvin did not want to be Santa Claus. As much as he denied it at the beginning of the film, he really turned himself around by the end. Not only did his looks change, but his heart did as well. This non-believer became the real deal! Who knew that Scott would be such a good Santa? It's all thanks to Charlie of course, who kept pushing him to take on responsibility. Still, this Santa Claus has a good heart and ends up taking his job very seriously.

The number one Santa Claus is...

#1- Santa Claus from Santa Claus is Comin' To Town

Alright, so I have watched all of the Rankin/Bass Christmas specials, even the ones that are not as well-known. There are a few different versions of Santa depending on the cartoon. My most favorite one is Kris, later called Santa Claus, from Santa Claus is Comin' To Town. This movie touches on how the legend came to be. From the very beginning, Kris is a positive, caring, and determined guy. He doesn't let the risk of getting arrested because of a silly law scare him. His dedication as Santa Claus shows that he is perfect for the job. 

That is my Top 5 Favorite Santa Clauses of All Time!

So what do you think? Do you have a favorite Santa Claus from TV, film, games, or anywhere else? Let me know! 

Winter Candles

Candles are a must-have in my life. I have an awesome candle warmer that warms up any sized candle, so I am constantly finding new and wonderful scents. Recently, I have found two amazing candles that are perfect for winter! Of course like many of my recommended products, these two candles can be found at Bath & Body Works. Also, I decided to go for the mason jar candles. They're not too big, yet pack a punch with their scents!

Vanilla Bean Noel-

This popular scent from Bath & Body is definitely one of my favorites for the holidays. When I saw that it was available as a candle, I knew I had to get it. If you enjoy sweet vanilla, then you will love this candle. It is definitely super festive and perfect while preparing for Christmas. You will have visions of sugar cookies dancing in your head.

Notes used: Vanilla Bean, Rich Cocoa, Sweet Cream, and Caramel

Sparkling Icicles- 

I ordered these candles online, so when I picked out this one I was a bit hesitant. I knew what Vanilla Bean Noel smelled like, but I wasn't sure about this one. Needless to say, buying it was a great decision. It's not a fruity or cookie like scent, but it still smells great! I can describe it best as smelling crisp and clean. This candle is an amazing winter scent.

Notes used: Bergamot, Citrus Bouquet, and Holiday Moss

Do you have a favorite candle? If so, let me know!

Five Not-So-Famous Christmas Specials

We all know the famous Christmas Specials that come on each year. There's Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Comin' to Town, A Charlie Brown Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, I could go on and on! All of these classics are wonderful, but there are some Christmas specials out there that are not as well-known. So I wanted to share five of my favorite, not-so-famous, Christmas Specials!

Oh I must add, these specials will bring the inner child out of you. All of them had been made before the year 2000. Yes, they're older specials yet they are still good!

A Garfield Christmas (1987)

Even if you're not a big fan of the Garfield comics, this is still an awesome special to wt. Garfield, Jon, and Odie go spend Christmas at the family farm. Of course, Garfield is not in the mood for all the hustle and bustle. Once the festivities get started, he slowly begins to see how memorable Christmas with the family can be.

A Wish For Wings That Work (1991)

Opus and Bill the Cat from the comic "Bloom County" star in this special. Opus, a flightless penguin, is determined to learn how to fly. After many attempts at flying, he decides to ask Santa Claus for wings he can fly with. When an accident happens though, Opus uses his penguin skills to save the day. Will he get wings that work? Watch and find out!

Annabelle's Wish (1997)

On Christmas Eve, a calf named Annabelle is born. When she meets Santa Claus' reindeer team, she wants to become a flying reindeer herself. She wants to ask Santa for her wish next Christmas. Before that time, she becomes best friends with a young boy on the farm, Billy, who cannot speak anymore. As the two bond, Annabelle learns that friendship is powerful when we give of ourselves. 

Olive, The Other Reindeer (1999)

Olive, a kind hearted dog, learns that Santa has to cancel his flight because one of his injured reindeer. When Olive hears her name being called on the radio, she knows that she must venture to the North Pole to save Christmas as a replacement reindeer. Will Olive be able to help? Or will the Christmas-hating postman foil her plans?

Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas (1999)

Three tales are told in this Christmas special. In Donald Duck: Stuck on Christmas, Huey, Dewey, and Louie never want Christmas to end. Once their wish comes true, they see that Christmas isn't a time for being selfish. The next tale is A Very Goofy Christmas, where young Max questions the existence of Santa Claus after Mr. Pete says he doesn't exist. Goofy wants to restore Max's faith in Santa, and goes all out to prove it! The final tale is Mickey and Minnie's Gift of the Magi, where Mickey and Minnie are both determined to get the perfect presents for each other. When financial troubles cause both to cut their budget, they find that their Christmas can still be perfect.

I would love to give better descriptions, but I don't want to give too many spoilers! Do you have any favorite Christmas specials that weren't on this list?

Day For Decorating!

Deck the Halls

Right after Thanksgiving is the perfect time to start decorating for Christmas! Over the years I have collected ornaments, country decor, and anything that has to do with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. It's such a fun time to bring out all the Christmas decorations that you've collected in the past years.

At the same time though, it's a bit exhausting. Unless if you're one of those people who keeps your  tree up all year long, you're most likely going to make a bunch of trips back and forth to the attic. There will be so many boxes that you won't know what to do with. Not to mention it's a smart idea to box up other room decor and clean the room.

Yet, decorating for Christmas is one of my favorite things about the holidays. So many memories are brought back to me while I'm hanging up my ornaments. I think, "Wow, I remember my sister bought this one for me years ago, and I still love it!"

I will admit that I find it one of the most relaxing parts about Christmas. No spending money, no guessing on what gifts to get, and no traveling for Christmas plans. Yes, decorating is definitely tiring, but when all it is done you can enjoy it. Whenever and if ever you decide to decorate your room/house, just remember to appreciate it while you can! Christmas will be here faster than you think!

How to Make Cranberry Jello Salad

For Thanksgiving, I was put in charge of making the cranberry sauce. It's really easy to buy a can of cranberry sauce and pour it into a bowl, especially when it still keeps the shape of the can. But why do that when you can make a delicious cranberry jello salad instead? The best part is that there is no cooking or baking required for this recipe! And it's easy to make!

Ingredients Needed:

1 Package of Cherry Jello

1/2 cup crushed pineapple

1/2 cup sugar

3/4 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 chopped apple

1 can of whole berry cranberry sauce

1/2 cup boiling water

A pinch of salt

Chopped up celery 1/2 cup (or less)

Step 1:

First you'll need to have a medium sized glass bowl. It should be a nice bowl that would look good for dinner (not a mixing bowl). Once you find your bowl, pour in the package of cherry jello and the sugar. Boil 1/2 cup of water. When the water has begun to boil, add it to the sugar and jello mix. Stir the mixture with a spoon until all of it is dissolved into the water.

Step 2:

Add a pinch of salt to the mixture. Chop the walnuts into small chunks. After measuring out 3/4 cup (or 1/2 cup for less) of the chopped walnuts, add them to the jello mixture. 

Step 3:

Drain the crushed pineapple of some of the juice in the can. Add 1/2 cup to the mixture and stir in. 

Step 4:

Take the can of whole berry cranberry sauce and add it to the jello mixture. Stir well to make sure all lumps are out of it. 

Step 5:

Chop up the celery into tiny chunks. Add no more to the mixture than 1/2 cup or less as your desired preference.

Step 6:

Take one half of an apple and chop it up into small chunks. Sprinkle it into the mixture, then mix the entire mixture.

When you feel like your cranberry jello salad is complete, refrigerate it for an hour and a half to two hours long, depending on your fridge. Once it's cooled down like jello, then feel free to dig in! 

Saving While Shopping!

Thanksgiving is less than a week away! I will be touching on Thanksgiving, but this week I want to discuss another day that follows it. Black Friday. Now some of you might be jumping for joy, while others might be dreading it. My main focus is not going to be on just Black Friday itself. Instead I want to talk about Christmas (and general) shopping and saving!

As a college student I am on a very tight budget. I'm sure that some of you feel the same struggle as I do. I have a few tips that can help make your shopping experience easier, and even save you more money.

Don't Let Black Friday Fool You
Since I was in 8th grade, Black Friday shopping became something that my mom and I participated in. The deals were pretty sweet! Then in the past couple of years we kinda fell out of it. Did we lose out on all the deals? No way! Yes, Black Friday shopping does have crazy deals that are hard to pass up, but there are definitely other (and sometimes better) deals that will either come before or after Black Friday. That goes to my next tip...

Check Out The Deals Before or After Black Friday
One year, when my mom and I didn't go shopping on Black Friday, we thought we would go Saturday instead. I was shocked at how many deals were still going on up until Monday! Many stores extend their deals for the entire weekend after Thanksgiving. Some even have them before! What made me extremely happy was that the shelves had been restocked too. The lines were shorter, and the crowd actually was not bad at all.

Gift Card Granny Is Worth Looking Into
I heard about giftcardgranny.com the other day and decided to see what it was all about. On this site you can buy discounted gift cards for a higher price than what you pay for. For example, I buy the gift card for $18 and get it for $25. Some of the cards don't have a big discount, but when you're on a tight budget every penny counts! I actually bought a gift card from there the other day and saved $5. It is legit, yet I will throw out a sign of caution for newbies. This site takes you to a different site (like Ebay) where you actually buy the card. Just make sure that the site you buy from is verified!

Do Some Online Shopping
Anymore I find it easier to do shopping online. There's no waiting in line, no crowds to fight, and no waste of gas money. It's much easier to find what you like that is available in your size, too. Your options become endless when you buy online. But what about shipping costs? Well you're in luck, because when it comes to the holidays many websites are going to be offering free shipping. Remember to keep your eyes peeled for it! Also, Cyber Monday is always nice when it comes to great sales online.

Don't Spend Just Because There's A Deal
I know that many of us are guilty of this. We see something that's a great deal, but we don't really need it (or even like it) at all. This isn't just for ourselves, but for the people we buy gifts for, too. If there's something that you see that's a big deal but you aren't really interested in or need it, then it's better to save that money in your pocket. You can spend it on something else you like better instead. Otherwise, you just blew $50 on that faux mink fur coat that was marked down, and you didn't even like it.

I hope some of these tips were helpful to you! No matter what you do, remember that shopping smart can save you a lot of money in the long run!

November Snow

-Snow provokes responses that reach right back to childhood-
Andy Goldsworthy

It's finally begun; the first November snow has appeared. This is ultimately a sign that our warm days are over. I guess November is excited to get winter going. Honestly, it's not abnormal for western Pennsylvania to have snow around this time of year. Usually every year we get a snow sometime in November.

Physically, we realize it's colder and dress warmer. This is often observed by every individual (unless if the cold really doesn't bother you at all). The more layers we have on the better. Snow brings chilly weather, therefore we know that we need to take care of our bodies from the cold.

Yet, this is entirely different from what we do mentally. When we first see snow, we tend to have nostalgic thoughts about our past winters. We also seem to do things that we associate with winter. It might be making hot chocolate or building a snowman. 

Some people become filled with joy while others might dread the season to come. Personally, whenever I see the first snow in November I feel a bit excited. The snow reminds me of some of the best memories I had as a child, most of them associating with Thanksgiving and Christmas time. With my grandparents though, they'd much rather be in Florida the whole season, (and by the end of January, I don't blame them). 

However you feel about the snow, just remember to appreciate all the seasons, the ones with snow included! 

Hold On To Your Hats!

This is the time of year where I like to break out my winter beanies. I never wore beanies in the past but when I finally bought one last year, I knew I would never go back to not wearing one in the cold weather. They help keep my ears warm and my hair down, which believe it or not makes a huge difference in how warm I am.

Just the other day, I was having dinner with my friends. When we were going to leave I put my hat back on my head. My one friend says to me, "See! She can wear that and she looks good in it."

I know that there are people out there who aren't hat people. Until I bought my first hat that actually fit my style, I didn't think I was one either. If you're thinking about buying a beanie or a hat, don't hesitate. I'll give you a couple tips to picking out and loving your hat!

When it comes to choosing your hat, remember that it's your style. You don't have to wear the same color or design that your friend is wearing. Whether it's loose fitting or snug, that's all up to you! Also, you will be amazed to find how many colors and designs there are to choose from. My only advice is to pick a color that goes with your fall or winter jacket. It doesn't have to match perfectly, but it should look spiffy with it.

Another thing is to remember that when picking out a hat for the cold months, it should be made out of appropriate material. A knit hat or beanie will be your best bet. Sometimes a nice baseball cap is a good choice, too. If cold ears bother you, maybe look into a hat with ear flaps. Do not wear a sombrero or something of easy-to-damage material.

Picking out the perfect hat for you is fun and can be a great addition to your wardrobe. You won't really know if you're a hat person until you try it out. Keep your head cozy and your thoughts warm!

Finter Is Here!

The Look of Finter

The other day I was watching a Youtuber's Fall Haul video, when I heard her mention the term "finter". Apparently, finter describes the end of October to the end of December. There are so many big holidays that go on during that time like Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

So, obviously finter is just forming one word out of fall and winter. Even though I have never heard of this term before, it has become stuck in my vocabulary. I think finter is the perfect definition for the weather we get here in Pennsylvania. It's technically fall until December 21st, but we still get cold weather and snow beforehand.

Not only that, but right after Thanksgiving marks the kickoff for winter and Christmas. Since we can't technically say it's winter, even with signs of winter all around us, we still have to call it fall until December 21st. But now, we have this wonderful term that we can use to describe this time without being wrong.

Will finter become its own season? I highly doubt it, but I think I'll still use it as a descriptive term from now until the first day of winter. How many of you have heard of finter before?

What to Expect: November

Hey Everyone! Well October is over and November has come. I just want to give a little update of what to expect this month as far as the topics of my posts will go. I have neglected to write about fashion or recipes, and I want to start reaching towards that direction in my posts.

Another thing I have been wanting to try is posting a video here and there of me discussing monthly favorites, doing a seasonal haul, or something along the lines of that. I thought maybe a video would be different than a boring blog post. I can't promise that it'll be successful but I will try it out!

Also, immediately after Thanksgiving I am going to start out the Christmas season on this blog. There are so many things I want to cover about Christmas. I feel like there is such a short time between from Thanksgiving to Christmas, so I want to start as soon as I can! I will definitely give Thanksgiving it's well deserved attention, too.

Hope you all had a wonderful October and that November is amazing!

How to Bake Pumpkin Seeds

I mentioned on my list last week that you should carve a pumpkin for Halloween. Of course this is a fun time, but what about the pumpkin seeds?

My fiance, Alec, suggested that we should bake them. I personally have never tried baking pumpkin seeds, but I thought why not? We had a ton since the pumpkin we carved was gigantic. Let me tell you, they turned out better than I expected!

How to bake pumpkin seeds

Step 1: Clean the seeds
Make sure all the pumpkin guts are off of the seeds. The best way to wash them is to either fill your sink or a bowl, full of water. Any remainder of the guts should come off easily.

Step 2: Boil the seeds
Yep, I said to boil the seeds. If you don't want to wait for your seeds to dry, then boil the seeds in a medium sized pan. Add a little bit of salt to your boiling water. Stir the seeds while it's boiling because they will most likely float to the top. Only boil them for 10 minutes. Once they are done, strain them like you would with pasta. Dry the seeds off with a paper towel. They don't have to be bone-dry, but they shouldn't be soaked either.

Step 3: Bake the seeds
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees fahrenheit. On a baking sheet, add a teaspoon of olive oil to the seeds. Spread them all around the sheet and make sure each one is covered in oil. Your pumpkin seeds can be plain or have some taste to them. For this recipe I used seasoning salt. Sprinkle that all over the seeds as desired. When you're done with that, put the seeds in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes is up, take them out and stir them about. Put them back in for another 10 minutes. If you take them out and find that they aren't as crisp as you like, put them in for another 8-10 minutes.

Step 4: Enjoy!

Pumpkin seeds are a great snack and a healthy alternative from eating potato chips. It wasn't very hard to make these either, so go ahead and give it a try!

Halloween Black Cats

Image: Tippity Witchet's Halloween

I have talked about my cat, Hope, before in class. But, I never explained what happened when I got her. It was two years ago, around the end of October. My mom and I wanted to get another cat, so when we saw our local animal shelter had six black kittens, we immediately went to see them. All of them were fully black except for a little female "tuxedo" kitten, who was definitely the one we wanted.

I remember seeing a sign on the door that all the black cats, including the kittens, would not be available for adoption until after October 31st. My mom and I thought this was weird. It was only a week before Halloween, but we wanted our kitten as soon as possible. Out of curiosity, we asked why the black cats were not available for adoption until the 31st. One of the workers said to us, "People will adopt them and sacrifice them because of Halloween."

What? Are you serious? I was absolutely in shock that people would do such a thing. Luckily, the kitten we wanted was considered black and white. So we were able to adopt her earlier.

Why are black cats considered to be bad luck, though? Why are they associated with Halloween? 

I decided to look up the origin of black cats, Halloween, and bad luck. In Western history, black cats have become a symbol of an evil omen. Years ago, after the Pilgrims had arrived to this country, black cats were considered to be companions to witches and other evil spirits. Anyone who was caught with a black cat feared facing execution. Yikes! Who knew black cats were considered to be so bad. Yet, is this the same everywhere else? Or is this something that was brought with European beliefs and religion?

Image: Tippity Witchet's Halloween

In Japan, black cats are considered good luck. Scottish folklore believes that a black cat's arrival to a home is a sign of prosperity. Fishermen would prefer to have a black cat on their boat because of the belief that their supernatural powers would help them get home safe and sound. It's obvious that black cats are not all that bad. So when a black cat crosses you path, don't fret. Who knows, you might be brought good luck! Or maybe the cat is just walking by and nothing will happen.

What do you think?

Information from: Black cat- Wikipedia

Five Things To Do: For Halloween

Boo!

Don't worry, that picture isn't of a real ghost! This is one of my Halloween decorations in my room. They're pretty cute I must admit.

Anyway, Halloween is less than two weeks away! That means it's time to get your "spook" on and prepare for the most frightful night of the year. What can you do in order to have a fun and boo-tiful time?

1.) Watch Halloween Movies

There's nothing better than watching a movie that's made for Halloween. It can be scary, silly, or even a fun T.V. special like It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Personally, I'm not a scary movie person, so I choose movies like Hocus Pocus, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Paranorman as some of my go to scary movies. Plus, even the television channels are getting into the spirit of Halloween. AMC has their Fear Fest, ABC Family just began their 13 Nights of Halloween, and I'm sure other channels are playing movies that relate to the time of year, as well. 

2.) No Tricks, Just Treats
When you were younger, you most likely went trick-or-treating. Sadly, when you reach the age limit you no longer can go out and get a bunch of candy. But, what's stopping you from having Halloween treats? Go ahead and buy yourself a bag of your favorite candy to munch on. Better yet, show your creative side by making your own treats like caramel apples, spooky cupcakes, or popcorn balls.

3.) Carve a Pumpkin

No matter how old I am, every year I want to carve a pumpkin. There's just something fun about picking out the perfect pumpkin, scooping out the seeds, then letting your imagination take over as you carve an image into it. Once it's finished, the feeling that you get when you light the candle inside is priceless. Want to change it up? Find a book of pumpkin carving patterns or find some online. You'll see that there are plenty of patterns to choose from when you look around!

4.) Tell Scary Stories

Halloween and scary stories go hand-in-hand. If you're with a group of friends around Halloween, have a scary story night. The level of scariness is up to you and your group of friends. The genre of scary can be classical Edgar Allen Poe or an urban legend like The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Looking for something more modern day? Creepypasta has some of the scariest stories around. You can find something that will make your skin crawl for sure. But don't get too spooked!

*There is an age requirement of 18 years of age to have access to Creepypasta. There's a reason that it's like that. So make sure your audience is mature.*

5.) Celebrate! 
Halloween is on a Friday this year, so celebrating it your own way is your choice! You could have a party, dress in costume, or sit all night on the couch watching Night of the Living Dead with a big bowl of popcorn. Unless if you have work, you can recover from partying too hard or staying up too late on Saturday. If for some reason you can't celebrate on actual Halloween night, there's no problem celebrating Halloween early or late!

What are you going to do for this year's Halloween?

Fall Fragrances: Comfort & Autumn

A couple weeks ago I posted about two of my favorite fall fragrances. Well here's another one! The first one was about early fall fragrances. On the other hand, this one is about mid to late fall fragrances. Honestly, I was waiting to post this until the beginning of November, but with the holidays coming early in the stores it's only a matter of time before the fall things are taken off the shelves. As usual, these mini fragrance mists can be found at Bath and Body Works.

Pumpkin Latte & Marshmallow Comfort:
This is one of Bath and Body Works best fragrances for the season. Thoughts of toasting marshmallows over a fire pop into your mind when wearing this mist. It's another sweet scent yet, it's not overpowering at all. This fragrance really lives up to being comforting.  

-Notes used- White Ginger, Sheer Jasmine, Raspberry Nectar, Pumpkin Latte, Toasted Marshmallow, Fresh Nutmeg, Creamy Sandalwood, Praline Musk, Warm Vanilla

Pear & Cashmere Wood Autumn:
Compared to all of the other fragrances I've posted about on here, this one is not really sweet. I would say it's a lot more toned down. That doesn't mean it lacks a scent though! If you love the smell of pears, without a doubt you will love this fragrance. If wasn't a seasonal fragrance, I would wear it all year long!

-Notes used- White Nectarine, Granny Smith Apple, Bartlett Pear, Creamy Fig, Wild Jasmine, Cashmere Woods, Sheer Amber, Exotic Sandalwood

And that completes our fall fragrances! I will be posting a winter fragrances series around the end of November (although winter doesn't start until the middle of December). For now, I hope that you enjoy your fall fragrances and find some that you love!

Five Things To Do: For Fall

I'm going to start a series called Five Things To Do, which will touch on different topics that are still in some way related to the time of the year. These are in no particular order!

1.) Go on a Scenic Drive
Driving is something the average person does on a daily basis, so this might not seem like a special thing to do. Instead of going to and from somewhere, take some time to go on a scenic drive. It can be with others or by yourself. There's something very calming about going on a ride just to enjoy the view.

2.) Visit a Farmers Market
Shopping at the same ol' stores each week can be dull. If you want to change it up a bit, go visit a farmers market in your area. Many of them will carry locally grown products that are in season. A good farmers market will provide only the best of their crops to their buyers. Plus, some enjoy decorating for the fall, too! That will make your shopping experience even more festive.

3.) Have a "One Last" Day
No, I don't mean that kind of day. What I do mean is to have a day where you do "one last" thing before the season ends. It should be something that you won't be able to do for awhile. Go on a hike, take a camping trip, have a bonfire, or even sit on your porch with friends on a nice night. Once winter hits, the things that can be done during spring, summer, and fall will have to come to an end. Don't worry, they'll come back next year. Still, taking advantage of that "one last" thing will be worth it.

4.) Open Your Senses to Autumn
The sound of crunchy leaves beneath your feet. The taste of a ripe apple awakening your taste buds. The smell of a woodstove drifting through the air. These are things that I personally associate with fall. But, there are many more tastes, smells, and feelings that we all connect with autumn. Rouse your senses to these. You will be filled with good nostalgic thoughts.

5.) Enjoy a Hot Drink
On a cold, rainy, fall day, all I want is a hot drink to warm me up. Make yourself a cup of tea, buy yourself a coffee, or if you have more of a sweet tooth, there's nothing wrong with hot chocolate! There is something about sitting in your room, curled up with a blanket, enjoying a hot drink while the rain pours down outside. You feel cozy, comfy, and safe from the weather.

October Pick: Nail Polish

This nail polish is the perfect shade for October.The brand is Sinful Colors Professional and the name of the polish itself is All About You. What makes this my October nail polish pick?

The first thing I noticed was the colors in it. From afar it looks like it's an all gold color, but from a closer view it reveals that orange is used as well. The shade itself is not dull or flat. Also another important thing to point out is that this is a shimmer nail polish, not a glitter. So when applied on the nail it's very smooth even without a clear coat on top. To top it all off, whether you use one, two, or three coats, this polish looks absolutely beautiful.

The shade matches the way the leaves are changing colors during this month. If gold and orange are colors you enjoy, definitely give this nail polish a try! It would be a hit at a Halloween Party, or even just a simple night out!

Fall Hand Soaps

There are many things that are associated with Autumn. Some of these things are awesome while others are... not so much. As we begin to approach the chillier months, one thing that is sure to show up is a case of the common cold. One of the best ways to prevent spreading or getting the cold is by washing your hands.

This is pretty self-explanatory, but there's no reason to not make washing your hands even more fun! So why wouldn't I suggest a couple of fall scented hand soaps? These will make your home even more festive. I found both of these Deep Cleansing Hand Soaps at Bath and Body Works.

Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin:
Pumpkin and cinnamon scents are extremely popular during fall. If you love that fragrance then you will love this hand soap. It's sweet fragrance will linger on your hands, creating thoughts of pumpkin pie in your head. A great scent to start out the season!

Cozy Vanilla Dream:
Let's face it, by the time November rolls around you might be pretty sick of all the pumpkin scented fragrances. So why not change it up with something different? This hand soap has a classic vanilla scent that is a nice break from all the strong fragrances out for fall. It's sweet, cozy, and a dream!

Nature's Canvas

It is officially October, which means that Halloween festivities are on their way. As we begin to decorate for this spooky holiday, it's pretty neat to see how nature influences the ornamentation that we associate with the season. For instance, last week I posted about my window sill be adorned with fake leaves. Many of my decorations are an influence of nature.

One thing that must be appreciated is the art that nature makes. From the warm colors on the trees, to a simple spider web, these are all a part of nature's many talents. The environment paints this beautiful scene every single season. Fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year, and it's all thanks to our wonderful, natural world.

While the leaves are changing, and the smells of autumn are still strong, don't forget to take a look around at what a spectacular, mysterious, and fascinating environment we have. Mother Nature is dressed in her finest clothes, and a compliment is much needed.

Fall Fragrances: Lemon & Peach

When it comes to a new season, a new fragrance mist is always a nice way to start it out. Plus, it's fun to try out different scents! Both of these fragrance mists were bought from Bath and Body Works.

Lemon Pomegranate Cream:

To start out, this fragrance is like candy. Each spray reminds me of lemon drops and the simplicity of childhood. Such a sugary scent is perfect for someone who loves a sweet aroma. This is a great fragrance for the fall, but also can be used as a late summer fragrance as well. 

-Notes used- Red Pomegranate, Sparkling Berry Bouquet, Juicy Red Currant, Sheer Iris, Dewy Peony Petals, Addictive Raspberry, Sheer Woods, Feathered Musk, Sweet Lemon Cream

Peach & Honey Almond:

Oh my, I am obsessed with this fragrance! The notes used mix beautifully in order to create a nice, warm, homelike scent. Compared to Lemon Pomegranate Cream, this fragrance is a lot more muted on the sweetness level. Fresh baked peach cobbler and biscuits with honey is what comes to mind when wearing this scent.

-Notes used- Juicy Peach, Flowering Quince, Zesty Clementine, Mimosa Flower, Apple Blossom, Blackberry Leaf, Almond, Whipped Meringue, Caramel Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Creamy Golden Honey.

Both of these fragrances are amazing for fall. Even though we have a couple more weeks with above sixty-degree weather, these scents match accordingly. If you love sweet scents that remind you of baked goods and candy, you definitely need to try these out! 

Coming Soon: Fall Fragrances

It's safe to say that I am a very festive person. So every season, I like to switch out my beauty and household fragrances. This includes body sprays, soaps, candles, ect. I want to do a review of my fragrances in the near future. These might be done in multiple posts, but it's something that might be able to help you find a fragrance that you want to try out.

Stay tuned for updates!

First Day of Autumn

"Autumn... the year's last, loveliest smile."

― William Cullen Bryant

My friends, today marks the first day of autumn. This time of year is always lovely! In fact, I have had my window sill decorated for fall since I moved into my dorm room in August. The time goes by surprisingly fast though, so I figured there was no reason to wait! 

I have been complimented on my window sill a few times. Where did I get these items? 

Here's the details:

• Wooden Cat- made by my Uncle Kevin
• Fall Small Leaf Garland- A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts
• LED Battery Operated Lights- can be found at Walmart or Amazon.com