Anthem of the Week #6 | One Direction

I can't follow rules.  It's a problem.  Today is not one song, but an entire album.  There isn't one song that I can single out in particular that I've been jammin' to on this thing.  Because I love every single song on here.  I even asked my roommate, "Which song have we been listening to the most?" and she responded with, "Uhhh...all of them?"  So, here ya go.  From me to you, just listen to the whole darn thing.

Current Obsessions #6

I have quite a random smattering of things to share with you guys, so let's get started!

This hooded knit sweater from American Rag is so comfortable!  I love the pattern on it, there are so many different textures, and it's perfect for one of those lazy rainy days.  It's not a heavy, heavy sweater, but it still keeps you warm and shnuggly.  I'm actually wearing it as I'm typing this right now!

Look!  It's Biggest Loser approved popcorn!  My mom is quite a health nut, and she bought this but didn't like the taste.  I took a few bites and loved the parmesan and herb flavoring.  This is a truly gigantic bag, so it'll last you forever.  I'm quite a popcorn addict as it is, and I'm glad that I've found a healthy alternative to the usual movie popcorn that I devour.

I have become a huge fan of mint tea.  I have this odd habit of drinking half of it as is without adding anything to it, but once I get to that halfway mark on my mug, I add a bit of honey to sweeten it up.  Even though this Tazo version is caffeine free, I find it very refreshing, rejuvenating, and energizing.  I tend to drink this at night when I have a lot of work to do but don't want to drink caffeine.  It wakes me right up!   

This Merry Marshmallow Kiss is by far my favorite holiday scent from Bath & Body Works.  Don't get me wrong - I thoroughly enjoy all of their other holiday scents, too, but I just love this one.  It's a more sophisticated scent, despite the name.  It's not overwhelmingly sweet, with notes of pear, bergamot, raspberry, jasmine, amber, and vanilla.  I love the complex scent of this, and I look forward to slathering this lotion on my skin after the shower every day.

I recently bought the Real Techniques Core Collection, and this Buffing Brush is by far my favorite of the four.  It blends your foundation flawlessly - it's unlike any other brush that I've used thus far.  This has become an absolute must-have in my brush collection, and I can't go a day without it.

My Christmas To-Dos

As it is the first week of December, I figured I should get all my thoughts together and make a short list of what I wish to do before the month is over!  (And because I'm publishing it on here, maybe that somehow makes me accountable...)  Is it just me, or does December fly by?  I always have these grand plans for the holiday seasons, and all of a sudden, it's February...

One of the things I've always wanted to do is go out in the middle of the night while it's snowing.  Now, I'm not going to subject myself to blustering winds and blizzards, but I'd love to go out at midnight during the flurries.  Let's just cross our fingers that it actually snows this year!  There's something magical about being outside and looking at the stars in the middle of the night.  I used to do it all the time with my friends when I was younger, but I never did it while I was snowing.  New goal!

Do you ever have those visions of drinking hot chocolate (for me, it's always hot chocolate) while reading a book in front of a fire?  You're all cozy and wrapped up like a little burrito with big fluffy socks, and the snow is falling down outside.  The crackling of the fireplace is comforting as you turn the page.  Ah, how romantic.  I always picture myself doing this, but I always get sidetracked, and it never happens.  Even if it's only for an hour, I need to do this!

If there's one thing I'm good at doing (besides blowing all my money to feed my beauty product addiction), it's making playlists.  Spotify is my best friend for this, and I have countless playlists for different occasions.  But there's one missing from my collection: a Christmas playlist!  I plan on including some newer songs, like Michael Buble's Christmas album, but I also need to include some songs from my childhood, like Hilary Duff's Santa Claus Lane and Faith Hill's Where Are You Christmas.  My wonderful mother also bought me a 2-CD album called Carols for a Cure, and it's filled with a ton of Broadway casts singing holiday tunes!  I'm so excited to give that a listen.  Also, I have a confession: Celine Dion's Christmas album is my guilty pleasure during this time of year.

Every year, I make a gigantic mental list in my head of what holiday movies I'm going to watch.  Every single year, I never watch them all.  I'm going to really commit this year!  Some movies I absolutely can't live without are Elf, Year Without a Santa Claus, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Love Actually, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation,  and Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town.  My favorite holiday movie though is The Holiday, starring Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black, and Jude Law.  

I'm actually going to commit to getting meaningful presents this year, too.  Each year, I manage to give one or two presents that I'm really happy about, but the rest are just those rushed presents, like random t-shirts.  The best kind of Christmas shopping is when you're not looking for presents - you just happen upon something and know that it's perfect for a certain someone.  I also like making presents - not necessarily making the entire thing, but taking a couple of products and arranging them in a creative way.  I love doing that with beauty things, like lipsticks and bath bombs.  My brother is always tough, though.  I never have any idea what to get him, because I think clothes are boring.  Suggestions, anyone?  The first present I bought is for my best friend here at school, who's also my roomie.  She's obsessed with Corgis and I found this hugely amazing and fluffy Corgi pillow from Modcloth.  I can't wait to see her open it!

Whoa, that was quite a lot of writing.  I want to know what you guys plan to do this holiday season!

My Christmas List: Top 5

Hey guys!  I thought I would show you guys the top 5 things on my Christmas list this year.  Let me know what your favorites are!  These are in no particular order, by the way.

I need this Popsugar Must Have Box subscription in my life.  I've watched countless unboxing videos on YouTube, and I absolutely love every single product that I've seen.  Boxes include books, food, clothing, jewelry, beauty products (not all at the same time, of course!).  I've always wanted to have a subscription to something like Birchbox or Ipsy, but I think Popsugar takes the cake.

Next up: the Sigma Beauty Premium Kit.  You may be surprised to know that I don't have many makeup brushes, and the face brushes that I do have are crap.  I just recently bought some Real Techniques brushes, but I want to explore what else is out there. This set is $189, which I think is a fabulous price for so many brushes.  I don't own anything from Sigma, so I'd love to have this set to get me started!

NARS Guy Bourdin Limited Edition Palette is something I've been lusting after ever since I heard that it came out.  It's sold out nearly everywhere, but I won't give up on it!  I don't have anything from NARS, but it's my Mom's favorite high end makeup brand - I just need to be introduced to the world of Orgasm and Laguna!

I saw the Camden Tote when I was in Madewell a couple of months ago, and because it was $218, I kept it in the back of my mind to ask for for Christmas.  I love how it has a shoulder strap but also can be carried on its own.  It's structured, but not stiff.  This leather bag is roomy, versatile, and elegant.  I can't remember when I purchased my last purse, which is a tan leather Ralph Lauren.  As much as I love it, it's been years.  I just need a change, and I think this bag is perfect.

Lastly, I'd love a Polaroid camera.  They're not very expensive, and you can get them almost anywhere.  This one is from Target.  I think the pictures will be great for hanging up in my room!

Monday Motivation #5 | Take Time

Hello, everyone!  I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving.  I'm back on my regular schedule, and I thought these words of wisdom I stumbled upon earlier were fitting, especially for us college kids who are preparing for finals.

We are so preoccupied with our jobs, with school, with our kids, and with all sorts of other obligations that it almost seems selfish to take time for ourselves.  But taking just a few minutes a day, or taking just a few hours a week to relax and do exactly what you want will benefit you in ways you can't imagine.  Pick up a book.  Call a friend you haven't talked to in a while.  Paint.  Watch that movie you've been dying to see.  It refreshes you, and it makes you feel more prepared for everything that you have to face.