The Liebster Award!

Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

I am so honored (and humbled and privileged and all of the fancy synonyms that one puts into their award acceptance speeches) to be nominated the Liebster Award! Out of all of the awards I’ve been nominated for (I know, I’m quite distinguished), this was one of the popular ones that I had always seen other bloggers be nominated for, but never myself. Always a bridesmaid and never a bride, right? (Which is literally true- I’m not married and I’ve been a bridesmaid four times. Ah well. Either I’ll get married someday or stay single forever. Which I’m cool with because I love cats, so don’t you worry about me!)

But now, my time has come! (Not for marriage, but for this award) Much thanks to my good friend Julie over at Dark Blue Journal for nominating me! If you haven’t heard of Julie and her amazing blog, she writes about sustainability, minimalism, the environment, and so much more! She writes in such a knowledgeable, yet eloquent, but also easy to read way, all at the same time that it’s kind of insane. So if you’re not reading her blog, you should! You’ll learn so much! Plus, she’s opened up her own Etsy store selling sustainable crocheted jewelry and it’s the prettiest eco-friendly accessories you’ll ever see. Check it out at Sattvic Arts!

So now, without further ado, is my Liebster Award blogging tag! I can’t wait to answer Julie’s (always) thoughtful and insightful questions and then nominate some people of my own and ask them my own (not so) thoughtful and insightful questions! Here we go!

If you haven’t read my previous blog post where I was nominated for The Real Neat Blogger Award, you can read it here!

Julie's Questions:

1. What’s your most philosophical take on life? Go crazy with it.
Ooh, this is a tough one! I think my most basic philosophical take on life (since I’m not really religious, more agnostic), is the golden rule. Treat others as you would want to be treated. I don’t know if karma is real, but I’d like to think that those who act out of kindness will somehow be rewarded for all of their good and selfless deeds (though it really doesn’t take much to be nice, in all honesty). Hopefully in this life, but if not in this one, maybe the next one (or the next and next after that if you believe in reincarnation. Again, I’m agnostic, I have no idea what’s going to happen after death!), and if not in any of those, maybe their good deeds and the wonderful memories of these people will be remembered in the hearts and minds of the people who knew them throughout the years, and will inspire others to be nice and spread that kindness around without wondering what’s in it for them. (But I seriously hope karma is real because I’d love to see all of the goodhearted people I know just be showered with an abundance of cash.)

2. What’s one good thing about the pandemic in your opinion?
One of the only good things I can come up with about this pandemic (because I can think of a lot of bad things about it!), is that it’s really made me appreciate what I have. Not only my physical things, like essentials, a roof over my head, food, Netflix, etc. But also more simple things, like my family. I’ve always whined and moaned because I’m not where I want to be in life right now (aka still living at home) but I’ve started to take it (“it” meaning being stuck at home because of a worldwide pandemic) as a sign to enjoy where I am in life, even if it’s not exactly where I want to be at the moment. So I’ve started really taking the time to… well, spend time with my family, because this pandemic has reminded me that nothing is forever and the time we have is precious. If I’m going to sit with my family and enjoy a movie, I am going to be present, not on my phone, and make some memories. Since we’re stuck at home, it’s the little things that count, the things that make us laugh, like watching the cats or a silly movie, or just chatting and telling stories, that makes me really appreciate having this time with them. Because right now life is uncertain, and my family, for all of its quirks and annoyances, are always those crazy people I can rely on and take comfort in during these difficult times. (Though I could really use some space from them right now. Love them so much though!)

3. If you can go anywhere right now, where will it be? Why?
London, England. Always London! (Or just England in general!) In case you didn’t know, I’m a bit of an Anglophile! (Blame the Harry Potter books for starting it all) I had always wanted to go to London and when I finally went four years ago, it was just a magical experience. I think I really just love the history of the country. It’s so old and history is literally just oozing out of every building. I also love the accents and the fact that it’s such a rainy country (I live in the desert, so, can you really blame me for wanting what I can’t have?). If I had the chance to be in London right now (minus the pandemic!), I would be going to all of the museums, tea shops, parks, country towns, historical sites, and taking all of the tours! It’s a city where there’s so much to see and do, you’ll never get tired of it! (Plus, easy access to the rest of Europe, so England is kind of a wonderful gateway country)

4. If I tell you that you’re perfect the way you are and you should accept yourself, warts and all. What will you say to me?
I’d say shut your mouth! I’m just kidding, Julie! But in all honesty, I’d have a very difficult time believing that. I’ve always suffered from low self-esteem, so hearing that from someone and then trying to accept it, would be so mind-boggling for me. I think if I heard someone like Julie say that to me, knowing that she wouldn’t lie and say that to just be nice, I’d actually have to mull it over and really think: “am I perfect the way I am? Should I accept myself?” It would definitely make me think and I’d probably answer with: “Thank you for saying that. I’m going to make an appointment now with my therapist because this has sent me into a weird mental state that I really can’t make sense of and is making me question everything I’ve ever thought about myself.” Just being honest! (Though I really would love to accept and believe that one day!)

Whew, Julie’s questions were so good! I know my questions can’t be as great as her’s, but I’m definitely going to try to make mine a bit interesting and fun to answer, as best as I can:

My Questions:

1. What is the first fun thing you want to do after the pandemic is over?
2. If you became famous, what would it be for?
3. A genie grants you three wishes (lucky you!)- what are your wishes?
4. What’s one quality you like about yourself and why?

My Nominees:

Camila @ Plaid and Sugar
Anne @ Rooting Branches
Deandra @ The Black Princess Diaries
Payton @ In the Flux
Ash @ ThisDreamsAlive

(As always to the bloggers I've nominated, if you're not into tags, or have already done this tag before, don't feel any pressure to do it! I just nominated you all because I think you're all amazing! Also, to anyone reading this, please check out all of these amazing people's blogs! Trust me, you're going to love them!)

And that was my Liebster Award blog post! It was so much fun to write and very, very thought-provoking! (Thanks for that Julie! I don’t think my questions quite measure up to yours, haha. But I tried! I want that written on my tombstone: “She tried.”) What did you think of Julie’s questions and what did you think of my answers? How would you have answered them? Also, have you ever been nominated for the Liebster Award? Let me know in the comments!

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The Real Neat Blogger Award

Photo by Anete Lūsiņa on Unsplash

If you didn’t know, I have been nominated for a few blogger awards in my time (just a little humble brag, no big deal), and now I’ve been nominated for the Real Neat Blogger Award- three times by three different fantastic bloggers! At first, I thought I would just do the first one I was nominated for, but not the others. Then I thought, "everyone was so nice and generous to think of me and my little ol’ blog when they were nominating people, so why not just join all three nominations into one giant blogger award tag??" So prepare yourselves, because I am going to be answering 21 questions from three wonderful bloggers who nominated me (7 questions from each!). Am I super excited and ready to do this? Heck yes! Are you ready for this? Well, you’re going to have to be. Here we go!

Thank you so much to Julie at Dark Blue Journal, Amy from ABC Family, and Jordanne over at Of A Glasgow Girl for nominating me! You three are amazing and I’m so honored and humbled that you thought of me when picking out people to nominate for this blogger award! And if you haven’t checked these lovely bloggers and their blogs out yet, please do because I promise you’ll love them! Don’t forget to subscribe to them, too. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did!

If you haven’t read my previous blog post where I was nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award, you can read it here!

The Rules:

• Display the award logo.

• Thank the blogger who nominated you and post a link to their blog.

• Answer the questions from the blog who nominated you.

• Nominate seven to ten bloggers.

• Ask them seven questions.

Julie’s Questions:

1. What does freedom mean to you?
Freedom for me means having the choice to live my life the way I want to, and have others live their lives in their own way, too. Of course, this gets tricky here in America, where everyone has their own idea of “freedom” (‘Merica!!!), but I am personally okay with living a life that does not hurt yourself or others.

2. How do you handle mistakes?
Honestly, not well! I tend to take them to heart and quite personally, too. It’s something I need to work on because mistakes don’t define us but we can learn from them. (Now I just have to drill that into my brain for the next time I make a mistake so I won’t get so upset over it!)

3. What’s your favorite food or drink to make/bake/cook?
I don’t really really cook, but I love to bake! Especially if it’s a very easy recipe (aka from a mix!). My favorite thing to make is chocolate chip cookies, because they’re pretty easy to make, plus they just taste delicious if they’re fresh and (somewhat) homemade!

4. What is your typical attire?
Shirt, jeans, flats. I have a very simple style: comfortable and cute! And hopefully a little quirky, just to be fun.

5. How do you behave in a situation in which being real and being kind are on different sides? Looking for some tips!
Ooh, this is a tough one! And one I’m currently working on. I tend to choose being kind over being real, because that’s how I am naturally, and I never want to upset anyone. But I know you can say what you want but still not be rude or mean. I just have not succeeded in doing that yet! But I’m working on it! One day...

6. What bothers you most about the world?
The unfairness of it really gets to me sometimes. The fact that some people have so much, and others so little. That some people are suffering and others are not. I’m not here to dole out what is fair or not, but I just wish more people who are doing well could take some of their “luck” or good circumstances to help those who may not have had that opportunity in life. If we could just balance out that “unfairness,” I think the world would be a much better place.

7. What do you love most about the world?
The random acts of kindness that happen everyday. The thoughtfulness that can happen unexpectedly to brighten someone’s day. I think we’re all too wrapped up in our own little worlds, so when someone is kind or generous, it can really make someone’s day turn from awful to wonderful. We all need to think less about ourselves and spread a little more kindness towards others in life and vice versa!

ABC Family’s Questions:

1. It’s a classic, but it has to be asked… Who are your 5 dream dinner party guests?
Okay, this is a big question and I really need to consider all of my options, living and dead. Okay, I think I have it: #1: Abraham Lincoln, everyone’s favorite American president. #2: John Lennon, because obviously. #3: Julie Andrews, because she is just perfection personified. #4: Domhnall Gleeson, because I have a big crush on him and this could be our moment, and #5: Conan O’Brien, because I love that guy and I’m Team Coco all the way (plus, I’d love to see him chat with Lincoln, John Lennon, Julie Andrews, and Domhnall Gleeson!).

2. If you could go back and live in any decade, what one would it be?
Ooh, this is a good question! I absolutely adore the 1920’s. I love the fashion, the lifestyle, the music, the fads. It just seems like such a fun time to be alive that I’d love to experience that jazzy time (before you know, the Great Depression). But there are so many other time periods I’d love to visit! Can time travel be a thing already???

3. If somebody gave you £100 right now to treat yourself with, what would you buy?
Honestly, I might put it towards whitening my teeth! I know that’s such a random thing to say, but I’ve never liked my smile, and I’d just love to get my teeth whitened and smile showing my teeth for once and not be embarrassed about it. But I’d totally go for a natural white shade, not, you know, blinding coming-down-from-heaven-white, don’t worry.

4. Where would you love to wake up on your next birthday?
London! End of question, story, period. That’s where I want to wake up on my next birthday. Let’s make that happen!

5. What piece of advice would you give to your 10 year old self?
This is a tough one! I think I would tell her: “Stand up for yourself and be honest. Things might get hard, but believe in yourself. It’s all going to be okay.” But would my 10 year old self listen to now me? Probably not.

6. What makes you panic if you leave the house without it?
Unfortunately, my phone! Not because I’m panicking that I’m away from social media, but I’m always just worried that something is going to happen, car breaking down, getting in an accident, etc.  and I always just like to know I have my phone with me, just in case of emergencies. I’m a worry wart!

7. If you could design and build your own home, what 3 things would it NEED to have?
1) A secret passageway, possibly with the door being a bookcase that swings open (obviously).
2) A library to sit and read in with the perfect reading nook (of course).
3) The coziest, homiest bedroom with the softest, comfiest bed that I can sleep and read in, and feel safe and secure in my own little haven (goes without saying).

Jordanne’s Questions:

1. Why did you start blogging?
I actually first started blogging to talk about mental health anonymously. I never did, but then I changed my idea to a bucket list blog. Then I switched my focus again to travel. And now here I am, just talking about my life, mental health (hey, I’m actually blogging about it!), and whatever else pops in my mind! Isn’t life weird that way?

2. What's your favourite social media platform?
I think I like Instagram more than any other. Sometimes it’s just nice to see a snapshot of someone’s day with a nice caption underneath. Also, it’s not as chaotic as Twitter, where someone is always saying something and everything is going a mile a minute. Instagram is Twitter’s more chill, relaxed, visual social media app.

3. If you could go anywhere in the world RIGHT NOW, where would you go and why?
London. Always London. If I ever say any other place than London (besides like Hawaii or the Wizarding World of Harry Potter) something is not right and please call for help. Thanks.

4. What's your favourite memory from school?
I’ve always loved Valentine’s Day at school! We would all make our own mailboxes out of tissue boxes, decorate them in red, pink, and white construction paper, and then finally get to deliver our Valentines to everyone. The best part of the day was finally opening up our mailboxes and seeing what kind of Valentines (and candies!) we got from who!

5. Which of your blog posts to date is your favourite?
This is a tough one! There are a lot of blog posts that are really personal and special to me. I think the one I’m really proud of is “A Letter to My Younger Self About Mental Health.” I wrote it right after an EMDR therapy session and it just felt like I needed to get all of these things I had processed off of my chest. It was so therapeutic to write and really meaningful to share it and have other people read it and possibly relate to it as well.

6. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
A cat. Because I basically am one already. I’m pretty independent, but I can be needy. I like attention and affection, but only when I want it, and I love to nap at any time of day.

7. What is a random fact about yourself?
I can crack most of my joints (aka my back, neck, toes, fingers, etc.)- a lot. Most people hate it when I do it, especially my family. They get so grossed out by it! But it just feels so good and sometimes my joints crack on my own, so it’s not like I can help it! I should probably be a foley artist for horror movies, making the sounds for when ghosts crawl up and they start making those loud cracking noises as they inch over all creepy-like. I’d be good at that! New career, maybe??

I Nominate:

Meagan from Quibbles & Scribbles
Camila from Plaid and Sugar
Ash from This Dreams Alive
Cassie from Zombie Goddess Beauty
Deandra from The Black Princess Diaries
Amy from Sassy Cat Lady
Renata Leo from Buffalo Sauce Everywhere

(And like always to those I nominate, if blogging awards aren’t your thing or if you’ve done this one already, I apologize- I try to do my research, I swear! Just know that I nominated you all because I think you’re fabulous and wanted to share your blogs with the world!)

My Questions:

1. If you could live anywhere in the world (besides the place you’re currently living), where would you live?
2. What’s a guilty pleasure movie/show/book/food/activity you like to indulge in?
3. What’s a cause that you are passionate about?
4. What’s something about blogging that annoys you?
5. If your life had a theme song, what song would it be?
6. Do you believe in ghosts, and if so, have you ever seen one?
7. What does your perfect day off look like?

And that was my Real Neat Blogger Award- times three! I’m always so honored when I get nominated for one of these awards/tags! I hope you all were able to bear with my answers to 21 different and interesting questions! What do you think of these blogger awards? Are you a fan or no? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject!

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The Versatile Blogger Award

The Versatile Blogger Award

In honor of this new year and decade, I’ve decided to (finally) do another blogger tag that I was nominated for! Hurray! I know I always say this, but I really am so flattered and humbled when someone nominates me for a blogging award. That means they either like my blog, me, or both! (Hopefully both!) Either way, I thought this would be a lovely way to start off the new year. (Plus, I’m super behind on all of the awards I’ve been tagged in. Oops! But I have all of 2020 to make up for it, right?)

The Versatile Blogger Award Rules

1. Thank the person who nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
2. Share seven facts about yourself.
3. Nominate fifteen other bloggers.

I was nominated by the spectacular Naomi over at Inching Forwards. Her blog is a wonderful mix of real life issues, mental health, and so much more. She writes about a little bit of everything and really wants to help others improve their lives, by focusing on mental health, self-care, and by making positive changes in the world. (I mean, how cool is she??) Her writing is so honest and interesting, but she also brings up such important subjects and handles them with such care. But she’s not afraid to be herself and I admire her for that! If you’re looking for a one of a kind blog by an amazing blogger, you need to read and subscribe to Inching Forwards. Plus, she loves cats, just like me! Thank you so much for the nomination, Naomi! As a big fan of you and your blog, I’m so, so honored! (Plus her little description of my blog on her tag, helped remind me that I am a decent blogger and I was so encouraged by her lovely words about my blog. It really has motivated me to keep blogging!)

7 Facts About Me

1. I am incredibly stubborn! I don't like people telling me what to do or choosing for me. I get very upset if my choice has been taken away! Also, fun fact: I’ll most likely do something you want me to do if you tell me not to do it. Yep, even I know that people have to use reverse psychology on me! (By the way, no one get any ideas! I know how I work!)
2. I’ve had a lot of odd jobs over the years, but the one I’ve done the most has been dog-sitting! The ironic part? I’m more of a cat person! Not that I don’t like dogs, they just aren’t my preferred pet. Oh, what I do for a few bucks!
3. When I was younger, I either wanted to be a veterinarian or an artist. Then I found out all the sad and gross things a vet has to do to treat animals (I’m very squeamish and don’t like seeing animals in pain) and I also realized I didn’t have much artistic ability, despite taking many art classes when I was younger. Oh well!
4. I was home-schooled from 4th grade all the way up to high school. And yes, my mom taught me. And yes, I do have friends and was properly socialized. Just in case you were wondering! (Let’s break that stereotype, people! Home-schooled kids are- usually- quite normal! Minus me, of course)
5. I have a huge sweet tooth (or maybe all of my teeth are sweet teeth!). I love anything (milk) chocolate. So I’m obsessed with candy bars, cookies, brownies, and pies too (apple is my favorite!). I could literally go on! I really have to reign myself in and try not to go too overboard when sweets are around! This past Christmas was really hard for me, you guys.
6. I tend to watch way too much Youtube! You know how some people binge-watch Netflix? I binge-watch Youtube! The channels I’m most obsessed with now are KoreanEnglishman and Jolly. They're run by two British guys, Josh and Ollie, who love South Korea and share their experiences there and in England too. It’s really educational but also lots and lots of fun! Plus, you get to meet (and love) Josh and Ollie, their families and friends, since they share visits to Korea, Korean food, and lots of other Korean things with them. South Korea is now on my bucket list thanks to them!
7. I’m so embarrassed to admit this, but I am an interrupter! I honestly don’t do it to be rude, I just sometimes get excited when someone brings up a topic that I’m interested in and I just kind of open my mouth and the words just fall out as someone else is talking. I’m getting better at it, and I apologize often for doing it, and then let them finish talking. Again, I’m not trying to be rude, but it’s almost like if I don’t speak, then I’ll forget what I wanted to tell them later! But I think I’m getting better at letting people finish speaking and trying to remember what I wanted to say after they finish talking! I'm a work in process.

My Versatile Blogger Nominees

Julie from Dark Blue Journal
Camila from Plaid and Sugar
Beth from The Black Ant Blog
Tanya from The Phat Girl Blog
Payton from In the Flux
Ash from This Dreams Alive
Anne from Rooting Branches
Emily from Scripturient Blogger
Amy from ABC Family
Kim from Dirty Thirty Blog
Jess from Just Call Me Jess
Steph from Sometimes I Write
Jordanne from Of a Glasgow Girl
Meagan from Quibbles and Scribbles
Eleanor from Mrxshmallowqueen

For the bloggers I tagged, I know I’ve said this before on previous tags, but I completely understand if tags aren’t your thing, or you’ve been tagged before, so no pressure if you don’t do the tag! I just wanted to nominate you all because I admire each and every one of you and your blogs as well! And for those of you reading this, please check out everyone’s blogs, and read and subscribe to them too! Each person on this list has a wonderful blog and they all work so hard on them!

That concludes my nomination for the Versatile Blogger Award! I hope you enjoyed reading it and learning seven (strange, most likely) facts about myself! Again, I’m so flattered that Naomi nominated me! Thank you again, Naomi! I feel like bloggers work so hard on their blogs and don’t get enough credit and that these awards really help highlight all of the time and effort we put into our blogs. It’s a medium I feel like doesn’t get enough recognition (unlike YouTube) but I think bloggers deserve more consideration and credit for what we put out into the world! So these awards/tags are a perfect way to show others that we bloggers put in the time, our talent, and our hard work into our little corners of the internet for others to enjoy and for us to express ourselves.

(I kind of feel like that was my acceptance speech for this nomination. Oops! Didn’t mean for that to happen. At least it was heartfelt! Also, I forgot to thank my family. Sorry, Mom and Dad!)

What did you think of blogger awards and tags? I think they’re a lovely way of spreading encouragement and showcasing other bloggers and their blogs. Let me know if you’ve ever been nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award or any other blogger award and what you think of them!

Stay Weird,
Emily

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The Mystery Blogger Award

I am so honored to be nominated for the Mystery Blogger Award! I love doing blogging tags, sharing fun, deep, and sometimes silly information about myself, and then nominating other bloggers to carry on the blog tag and keep it going! It’s a wonderful way to connect with bloggers and help others discover some of my favorite blogs/bloggers! I also think the mission statement of the Mystery Blogger Award is so lovely and beautiful: read the next section to see why!

One of my favorite bloggers (and friends) Julie of Dark Blue Journal nominated me and I couldn’t be more excited! Julie is a fantastic blogger and writer who writes about the environment and sustainability, minimalism (she has inspired me to cut down on material goods and I am currently getting rid of so many things I was randomly holding on to), and real life issues. Whatever post you click on on Dark Blue Journal, I can guarantee you will learn something new and be swept up in Julie’s informative but very personal writing. She’s truly talented and a very wonderful person to boot. Please check out her blog and tell her I say hi! Thank you so much, Julie!

What Is the Mystery Blogger Award?

This award was created by Okoto Enigma as a way to award blogs that hadn’t been discovered yet and as a way to give them some much needed recognition!

“'Mystery Blogger Award'” is an award for amazing bloggers with ingenious posts. Their blog not only captivates; it inspires and motivates. They are one of the best out there, and they deserve every recognition they get. This award is also for bloggers who find fun and inspiration in blogging; and they do it with so much love and passion."

– Okoto Enigma

Three Facts About Me!

1. I had my thyroid removed when I was around 18 or 19. I had Grave’s Disease (isn’t that an awful name for a disease? Grave’s disease), which is hyperthyroidism, and my thyroid turned into a goiter! (Meaning it became swollen and became enormous! Like sticking out of my throat enormous!) I had the options to either a) see if the medicine I was taking would make it go down (which it might not), b) take a radioactive pill to “kill” the thyroid, or c) remove it. I obviously decided to remove it and am now on synthetic thyroid hormones for life! Plus I have a cool neck scar now. (Scars are sexy on girls, too, not just guys!)

2. I don’t like apes. I am terrified of them! Maybe it’s because they’re so close to humans, or that I watched an old movie back in the day where a chimpanzee had a GUN, or the fact that a baboon roared at me through the Plexiglas at the zoo (it could honestly be all three of these things now that I think about it), but they really scare me. They’re the one groups of animals that really freaks me out. Spiders? Whatever. Snakes? Cool. Apes? NOPE. I can’t even think about watching any of the Planet of the Apes movies! Literally nightmare fuel. I mean, I want the orangutans to stay safe in the rain forest and keep their natural habitat, and I will support their cause, but I don’t want to meet or see them! Ever.

3. The coolest place I’ve ever been to is Egypt! My sister was studying there years, so my family decided to visit her there! It was probably the most different place I’ve ever been to in my life and really gave me that itch to want to travel more. I mean, how can you not after seeing the Sphinx and the Pyramids??? So far, I’ve only been to three other countries, but Egypt is by far the most historical and amazing place I’ve been to so far! So culturally different and fascinating than any other place I’ve been to.

Julie's Questions

1. What are your thoughts about the paranormal?
Despite never having had any paranormal experiences, I think I’m a believer! Or at least, I want to be. I’d like to believe that there is some sort of life after death. I think in a way we all do. It’s a comforting feeling to know that our loved ones are somewhere safe and lovely, but as far as ghosts, I don’t know where they fit in with that. Are they in a sort of purgatory before the afterlife? Are they just echoes of the past? And if there is an afterlife, does that make things in certain religions like angels and demons are real? (I mean, I grew up Catholic, so the idea of this is terrifying to me) If nothing else, I love anything paranormal because I love ghosts stories and anything that sends fun shivers down my spine. But in the future I’d love to stay in a haunted hotel and see for myself if I have any experiences!

2. Do you think humans will overcome the climate problems, and why?
This is such a tough question! In short, I think we will be able to combat some of the problems, but not totally. What we’ve done to the planet has been going on for so long, and we’ve done so much damage, with only minimal signs of stopping. People nowadays love convenience, and with that convenience brings plastic, more new things being produced, which adds to more pollution. I think the way young people are rallying together to protest and change the climate problems is so empowering. They are the ones who are going to have to deal with this in the future, so it really is their problem and they want change. But the older generations are going to have to change too, and that includes people my age, not just people my parents’ age as well. But I want to be hopeful for the future because I don’t want our beautiful earth to end up like the one in Wall-E where it’s filled with trash and we’re all just floating on a giant space cruise ship waiting for it be to habitable again.

3. What’s a story that really stuck with you?
I don’t know if I have a certain story that’s always stuck with me, as strange as that sounds. The one that I always think about is my mom’s, which I won’t share, since it’s her story to share and not mine. But her whole life has been a struggle, but she has persevered, always putting her family first, being completely selfless, but never losing that wonderful sense of kindness and thoughtfulness that she shares with everyone. The fact that her life hasn’t jaded her and she still has hope in other people, is so inspirational to me. She is literally my hero. Even though I wish she would stop being so selfless sometimes and start treating herself with some time for herself and some much needed self-care! (Which sometimes we have to force her to do!)

4. What’s your favorite trait about yourself?
My favorite trait… as someone with low-self esteem, this is a hard question to answer! I keep thinking of my worst traits, instead of my favorites. Redirect to the positive, brain! Hmm. I like the fact that I try to be kind. Even if someone is being really rude, I do try to treat the other person respectfully, because honestly, even in the face of an argument or a misunderstanding, there’s no reason to treat another person like trash. We’re all humans and equals and deserve to be treated as such. So I like to kill people with kindness! (But try not to be walked over either)

5. What is your hope for 2020?
My personal hope for 2020 (besides a new president. Hey, this is my blog and I’m allowed to have my own left-leaning opinion!) is for my blog and my life to flourish. I’ve been dealing with mental health issues all my life, and I really want to push myself to get out of my (un)comfortable comfort zone (people with anxiety know what I’m talking about!) and get my life started, whether with my blog, or with a job or some other purpose that fulfills me IRL. I guess I’m secretly hoping I can be a blogger and have it all that way, but I’m trying not to get my hopes up about that. But you never know what the new year holds! 2020!

Nominees!

Meagan from Quibbles and Scribbles

Britt from Alternatively Speaking
Camila from Plaid and Sugar

Fran from Frantasmagoria
Anne from Rooting Branches
Daisy from The Dee Who Lived

Eleanor from Mxrshmallow Queen
Marie from Single Vegas Girl
Steph from Sometimes I Write
Kayleigh Zara from Kayleigh Zaraa

(Of course, my nominees have no obligation to do this tag if they’ve already done it or just aren’t into doing tags on their blogs. Just know that I nominated you all because I think so highly of each and every one of you and your respective blogs! But either way, whether they do the tag or not, please check out their blogs and subscribe! Each and every one of these bloggers has some amazing content that I know you’ll love!)

Questions for My Nominees

1. What is your favorite way to relax?
2. What is (one of) the most thoughtful thing someone has done for you?
3. If you could time travel, when would you most like to visit? And why?
4. When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?
5. What is the most ridiculous fact that you know?

Rules

1. Put the award logo/image on your blog
2. List the rules.
3. Thank whoever nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
4. Mention the creator of the award and provide a link as well
5. Tell your readers 3 things about yourself
6. You have to nominate 10 – 20 people
7. Notify your nominees by commenting on their blog
8. Ask your nominees any 5 questions of your choice; with one weird or funny question (specify)
9. Share a link to your best post(s)

Best Post!

My Struggles with Low Self-Esteem

This is such a personal post for me. Over the years, I’ve been wanting to be more honest about my struggles with mental health in order to be a mental health advocate, but for some reason, this post was not only so difficult for me to write, but also for me to share. But the positive responses I got back from other readers, made me realize that it was the right decision because I learned that I wasn’t the only one who suffers from this! While I don’t want anyone else to go through the same horrible thoughts and feelings that I have, it was reassuring to know that other people understood and we could all come together to commiserate but to also support one another.

That was my response to the Mystery Blogger Award! Much thanks again to Julie for nominating me! This tag was so much fun to write and I love the message behind it: this award is for bloggers who haven’t been discovered and/or deserve recognition! Though I did include some bigger name bloggers in my nominees, I believe that every blogger deserves even more praise and recognition for all of the hard work we put into our blogs, no matter how big or small of a blogger you are. So if you haven’t checked out any of the nominees I named, please do because I can promise you that you’ll LOVE their blogs!

What did you think of my tag/nomination for the Mystery Blogger Award? Have you ever been nominated/done the tag? What question of Julie’s or one of mine would you most like to answer? Let me know in the comments! (And your answer, of course!)

Stay Weird!

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Things To Do For Your Blog When You Just Don't Feel Like Writing That Blog Post

We’ve all been there. (I’m currently there right now!) Sometimes you just don’t want to work on a new blog post. (I know! That’s just something a blogger never wants to admit!) Maybe you’re lacking creativity, maybe you’re lacking the passion to write something interesting (because we all know it’s hard to fake enthusiasm, especially when you’re writing a post on your own blog!), or maybe you just came back from a cruise and are recovering from a cold you undoubtedly caught from being on a giant ship with over 4,000 people and their various germs (that one was totally about me. I blame small children and their sticky hands that have to touch every surface they can get their hands on. But other than that it was a fun cruise!).

But never fear! I have a few ideas that might be able to help you out! If you’re not exactly in the mood to write a blog post, there are other things that you can do for your blog, just so you’re still feeling productive and you’re still actively working on your blog (because it’s not just all about the blog posts, as we all know!). These tips will (hopefully!) help give you some ideas on how to refresh your blog and also maybe give you the time to come up with some new blog ideas by NOT thinking about trying to write a blog post. Because sometimes that actually works! But in the meantime, if you’re still struggling with writing a blog post, here are a few ways to still be productive and get some blogger sh*t done!

1. Fix Your Links

Broken links are no fun and not great for your blog either! (They can impact SEO and make for a bad user experience, obviously) But there are tons of free websites to help check out what links still work on your site (just Google it!) so you can fix them or delete them to make for a better, more professional appearing blog experience for your readers.

2. Write a New Bio

Whether it’s the mini bio on the front of your blog (you know, the one under that super cute picture of you!), or a longer one, we can all do for a fresh bio every now and again. Tell your readers a little bit about you, what your blog is about (especially if your interests or the niche of your blog or your interests have changed), and maybe a fun fact about you. (Are you a big anime reader? Disney fan? Avid collector and reader of books? Let your readers know!)

3. Write a New About Me Page

Your About Me page is like your bio, just obviously longer and more to do with your blog. You’re letting your readers know who you are, why you’re blogging, and what you’re blogging about (and why they should be reading your blog!). Let them know about you and your blog (again, especially if your blog niche or interests have changed, in a clear and engaging way- and obviously filled with your sparkling personality!). Let them know the real you and the mission statement about your blog. And don’t forget to include your e-mail address or some sort of contact form in case your readers or even a company wants to get in touch (PR packages? Um, yes please!).

4. Take a New Profile Picture

Photoshoot time! I’ve had the same blog profile picture for forever, and have not bothered to change it. #1: because I’m lazy, and #2: because I’m very un-photogenic and this was an adequate picture of myself. But even I know that you have to mix it up every now and again! So slap on some make-up (if that’s your thing. If not, work that fresh face!) and take some new photos! (Or if you’re very lucky, have someone else take them for you. That must be nice to have that trust in someone…)

5. Take New Pictures for Old Blog Posts

I am not the best photographer. There, I said it. I don’t own my own fancy camera, I just use my phone (and way before that, my iPod touch. Yes, I cringed while I typed that). My photo skills (and phone cameras in general) have gotten better over the years, but I still look back at my old photos in old posts and feel my body cringe with humiliation. So if your photo skills have improved, try your hand (again) at flat lays or other photos! It’s a great way to spruce up an old blog post and make it (seem) new again. Plus, you get to show off how far you’ve come since an iPod touch (again, that was me). And just a head’s up: there’s no shame in using stock images! Don’t let any other blogger tell you otherwise! You think those header photos are ones that I’ve taken? Pfft! Don’t make me laugh!

6. Remake Your Blog Headers

If you’re like me at all, I like my blog headers to have the same format. That’s not true for all bloggers, but for me, I like the consistency. But other bloggers are different, and that’s fine too. Though we could all use a (blog) spruce up every now and again, so why not your blog headers too? I used to make my old ones on Picmonkey (back when it was free) and I had NO idea what I was doing! I look back and sigh with embarrassment and maybe that’s how you feel too. So go ahead and get those artistic skills I know you have going by using some new photos to make new and fancy blog headers, with either your photos, stock photos (again, they’re very useful and professional looking!), and/or graphics. You’ll be amazed how fresh it’ll make your blog look! Especially if you’re changing themes or layouts too. Canva is a great free graphic source creator that I highly recommend, so give that a try if you haven’t already!

7. Revamp or Remake Your Pinterest Graphics

I’m still getting used to making Pinterest graphics on Canva, and let me tell you, I don’t have the best eye for design. But each time I make a new graphic for Pinterest, I’d like to think I’m getting better at it (slowly). So if you’re like me and are still learning and improving (I keep looking at other pins on Pinterest and think, “Ugh, why can’t I make thaaaat?” I can seriously see why some big time bloggers hire people to make their graphics!), or if you’ve already learned and improved, feel free to go back and redo some of your Pinterest graphics. You probably have an idea of what makes people click, so replace your old ones and make some eye-catching new ones to post on Pinterest to get people clicking on your pins!

8. Rework Those Tags/Labels to Make Sorting Your Blog Posts Easier for Your Readers

Tags (or labels) can be so important for helping your readers find a certain post. When I redid my blog, I really wanted to have a simple system consisting of just three tags (adventure, mental health, and real life) to divide my blog. But then once I started to post new blog posts, I remembered my old blog posts (I guess life isn’t so simple, is it?). So I made an archive tag. But that didn’t seem to be enough! So now I have around eight tags just so help sort out my posts and make it easier to group them together for others to read. Tags are great sources for your, but make sure your posts have the proper tags and aren’t mislabeled. Look over your posts and your tags, and delete or create new tags to best suit your blog!

9. Work on Making a Blogging Schedule

Whether you post once a week, twice a week, or every single day (how do you have time to do anything else, you superhuman??), we all know a blogging schedule can really help. From what days to post, to WHAT you post, a schedule can be your guide to arranging and rearranging the flow of your blog. Some people even have a schedule for when they post/promote on social media (see below for more on that)! Whether you use your phone, planner, or bullet journal, make sure you have your blogging posts in there so you know what to post and when! It’ll help you out in the long run and then your readers will know when to expect a new blog post.

10. Schedule Tweets or Posts for Your Blog

Ugh, scheduling tweets. The bane of my existence! I don’t know why this is such a pain for me, but I hate scheduling tweets promoting my blog posts. How do I sell my blog posts while also being entertaining and hook the audience but not run out of characters? But there is no doubt that scheduling tweets for blog posts (or for some other people, other social media accounts, like Facebook and Instagram) can be a great way to grab people’s attention and bring traffic to your blog, without having to post right that minute. I personally use the free version of Buffer, which allows you to set up 10 tweets at a time (4 going out per day, which I think is a great amount to grab people’s attention but not bog down someone’s Twitter timeline). Hootsuite also has the same plan, and I’ve heard Tweetdeck is also popular. Scheduling tweets is an excellent way to get your blog out there, but without tweeting in real time (it’s like a crockpot. Set it and forget it!). I usually check and update my Buffer queue every night to keep the tweets running!

11. Update or Rework Old Content

Like I said earlier about taking some new blogging photos to revamp your blog, working on your old content can be a great way to update your blog. Fix any old links, reformat your text (it’s so much nicer if everything on your blog matches!), and update any old information. You could even, if you want to, take an old blog post and give it a new spin. It’s completely up to you, but that can really give new life (and views) to a years old post (because that was then and this is now and you’re a different person now!). Give it a try and see if it helps!

12. Comment on Other People’s Blogs

I know what you’re thinking: “I already comment on other people’s blogs! How is that going to help me?” Well, just listen to my reasoning and see if it makes any sense (it does in my head): I find so much inspiration in just reading other bloggers' posts. From the creativity that comes with a well-written and interesting post, to the way their enthusiasm jumps out through my laptop screen, I can’t help but be swept up in their thoughts, opinions, ideas, and perspectives. It gives me that hope in myself that I can do that too. It actually sometimes gets my mind in gear, thinking of ideas, what I could write on a similar subject, what kind of personal spin I could put on it. I’m not saying to copy other bloggers, but to gain inspiration and enthusiasm from their engaging writing I would say is highly encouraged! And very helpful, if I do say so myself. So check out other’s blogs, leave them a comment on their great post, and start thinking. You never know when a great idea may come, so jot it down, and if you’re inspired by it, start writing that blog post right away! It could be a really good one! (But again, just for the record's sake: do not copy other bloggers ideas! Be inspired by their writing, but DO NOT COPY!)

Phew! Those were just a few ideas I had about some productive things to do for your blog instead of writing a blog post! I hope they were helpful and encouraged you to freshen up your blog and maybe, just maybe, bring you a little bit of inspiration to write that blog post you know you have to get around to writing eventually (which you can totally do and don’t let your pesky brain tell you otherwise!). As for me, this list has reminded me that I am long due to totally revamp my blog and spruce it up, so I should take my own advice and get on that! You know, after I've watched a couple of episodes of the new season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. I still have that cold, remember!

Have you ever been in that blogging rut where you know you should write a blog post but you just don’t want to? If so, what things did you do to get around it? Did you do some of the things that I recommended, or did you do something else? Let me know in the comments!

Stay Weird!

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73 Vogue Style Questions Tag

I think everyone has seen those Vogue 73 Questions with celebrities on YouTube before. It usually involves a celebrity being followed around their house or some other very fancy place they’re staying (“oh this? I’m just renting this 6 bedroom, 8 bath mansion while I’m filming!”), answering questions to someone behind the camera. You can tell it’s totally scripted (“I randomly had this plate of cookies for you that I baked from scratch right before you came. Here, have one!”), but it’s also super fun to watch and get an inside look at some random or deep questions (usually random) about the celebrity themselves. But guess what! Someone made a BLOGGER version of the Vogue series so now we can answer random or deep questions too! Take that, Taylor Swift and Blake Lively!

I have to admit that I’ve always wanted to do this blogger version of the 73 Questions tag and I was so delighted when Steph over at Sometimes I Write tagged me! Thank you, Steph! Dreams do come true! So now just imagine me being asked questions and followed by a camera in my big mansion in LA aka my small home in the next state over from California and about a million times less glamorous. But still just as much fun! (Hopefully!) Here we go!

73 Vogue Style Questions Tag

1. What Is Your Usual Starbucks Order?
I actually don’t like coffee or tea! (I know, I’m a monster!) So I usually go for a soy hot chocolate or a plain lemonade! Sweetened, of course.

2. What does your workstation look like right now?
Hahahaha, what work station? I currently don’t have one, and just try to find places to work when I can, which sometimes means just putting a pillow on my lap so my laptop doesn’t burn my crotch. You’re welcome for the imagery.

3. All-time favorite food?
Waffles.

4. Favorite author?
I will read whatever Libba Bray writes. She is a genius! She could write something so obscure and abstract, and it would still be so meaningful and hilarious. I love her.

5. What do you think of open relationships?
They may work for some people, but not for me.

6. Favorite video game?
I don’t play video games, unfortunately. They’ve never really caught my interest.

7. Guilty pleasure treat?
Anything sweet! Chocolate, candies, pastries. I love them all and I should not be eating as many of them as I do.

8. Favorite film?
Don’t make me choose! If I had to pick one, I’d say Atonement. I think it’s beautifully written (very true to the book), wonderfully acted, gorgeously shot, and makes me sob every damn time at the end. It’s just perfect.

9. Favorite book?
You know I can’t answer this one, right? Right???

10. Twitter or Instagram?
I love them both, just for different reasons. Twitter is lovely for communication, but sometimes you just want the fun aesthetics of looking at pretty pictures on Instagram.

11. Desktop or laptop?
Laptop.

12. Best advice you’ve ever received?
Not directly towards me but from Michelle Obama: “When they go low, we go high.”

13. What project are you working on right now?
Just my blog! And possibly a small writing project if I get up enough nerve!

14. Favorite color?
Green.

15. Did you get good grades at school?
In everything but math! Aka my nemesis.

16. Dream job?
Honestly, being a full time blogger would be lovely! But I’d settle for writer. Or a job that helps people in some way. Basically I’m still trying to figure things out!

17. Played any sports?
Dear god, no. But I did do dance. Ballet, jazz, Scottish Highland dance (don’t ask).

18. Do you have a degree?
I don’t.. I know, I seem so smart, you’d think I’d have a PhD in everything! (That was sarcasm, by the way)

19. Nationality?
American! But my heart belongs to England.

20. What is your favorite kind of blog post to do?
I love writing about personal experiences or things I’m really passionate about. Something that I enjoy writing and hopefully other people will enjoy reading!

21. What do you like to collect?
I don’t really collect too many things (except for books and Harry Potter things), but I love Russian nesting dolls. I have only two at the moment, but I wish I had more! I love the stories they tell.

22. Describe yourself in three words
Quirky, nice, passionate.

23. If you were a rapper what would your rapper name be?
E-dubz. I’ve known the answer to this question for years now.

24. Who was the last person you dmed?
My friend Matt. Hi, Matt!

25. What’s on the top of your wishlist right now?
A kitten. I really, really want an itty-bitty, teeny-tiny kitten to love and snuggle.

26. Hogwarts house?
Ravenclaw! And our mascot is an eagle, NOT a raven, thank you very much.

27. How many tattoos do you have?
Just one. Well, it’s three small stars from the American versions of the Harry Potter books, but I think it counts as one!

28. What are you most grateful for this year?
My family being happy and healthy again. We had a rough year last year!

29. What’s the best thing that’s happened to you this month?
I had a fun girls night with my gal pals last week. It was so much fun and so nice to see everyone because we’ve all gotten so busy lately!

30. What’s the best thing that’s happened to you today?
Hmm! I went out to lunch and then had a nice nap. That counts, right??

31. What’s the best thing ever?
Cats! The animal, not the musical.

32. Favorite season?
Autumn/fall!

33. Favorite holiday?
Halloween, of course!

34. What fictional character do you relate to the most?
I love Jo March from Little Women. She was strong, determined, but very human, and everything I wanted to be growing up (and still want to be). Plus, I had a major girl crush on Winona Ryder in the 90’s version of the movie when I was younger!

35. Do you like surprises?
Not usually. They usually make me a bit anxious and upset, to be honest. I need a little bit of preparation before one, which kind of defeats the purpose!

36. What’s the biggest surprise you ever got?
My sister threw me a surprise party a few years ago and I recovered quickly and it was so nice to see all of my family and friends there to celebrate my birthday.

37. What’s a surprise that’s made you cry?
I don’t know if I’ve ever had a surprise that’s made me cry! I guess that’s something to look forward to in the future…? Maybe?

38. What’s the best surprise you’ve ever given anyone?
I helped arrange a surprise party for my mom with my sisters and my dad. Just to see my mom cry because she was so delighted and shocked to see her family and friends throw a party for her really made me so happy we could do for her, because she deserves it and more.

39. Do you like muffins?
Um, yes. I like ALL the muffins.

40. Do you cook often?
Very, very rarely.

41. What’s your favorite dessert?
I love a good apple pie!

42. Is there a dessert you don’t like?
Despite loving most chocolate items, I do not like chocolate cake. Try to figure that one out, because I certainly can’t.

43. Cake or pie?
Why are you making me choose? Why? Why??? I can’t. You monster.

44. What’s your least favorite food?
Cottage cheese. I just can’t.

45. What’s your favorite condiment?
Ketchup! Or ranch dressing. I know, I’m very American.

46. It’s 4 am on a Saturday night, what would you eat?
Probably a cookie or some candy. There’s nothing like chocolate to lull you back to sleep!

47. If you could teach a college class, what would it be called?
An Introduction to the Paranormal: From Ghosts to Demons. I know way too much about the paranormal, without actually experiencing anything paranormal in my life.

48. Best animated film?
This is such a tough question! How can I answer?? But I love Inside Out. I think it’s just brilliant and beautiful.

49. What had a guy done or said to impress you?
Compared me to Tina Fey. Best compliment I’ve ever received. EVER.

50. The best thing to do on a first date?
Do something you both like! And something where you can actually have a conversation and get to know one another. Seeing a movie is nice, but sitting next to someone you don't really know for an hour and 30 minutes is a little awkward.

51. The worst thing to do on a first date?
Being pretentious. Total turn off and I can’t ignore it anymore like I used to!

52. What’s the funniest pick up line a guy can use on a girl?
I’m not one for pick up lines. Maybe if he had something to say about a book I’m reading! That would be adorably bookish. And then I knew he’d like to read, so bonus!

53. Best comic book character?
I’m not really into comic books, but I do like Spider-man and Batman. I know, Marvel vs. DC. I at least know that much.

54. What are three things that are always in your handbag?
Wallet, lip gloss, and my phone.

55. Favorite drink?
I don’t drink alcohol, but I do love me a Dr. Pepper. A cute old drug store cashier man once called it “nectar of the gods” when I was buying a bottle. It really made me laugh.

56. If you could play a historical character who would it be?
Growing up Catholic, Joan of Arc was such a cool female figure to me. I’m not religious now, but I do love how strong she was and the conviction she had towards her beliefs in her religion and her country. Plus, I’d get to wear armor! (Though I wouldn’t mind a scene where she’s wearing a fancy historically accurate dress, just for funsies.)

57. Kittens or puppies?
Sorry puppies, but kittens are my everything.

58. Favorite sushi roll?
I’m not a sushi/fish person. I don’t even like the fish-less kind!

59. What kind of lipstick do you use?
I rarely use lipstick. I usually use a tinted lip balm or gloss for that added moisture plus color.

60. What kind of foundation do you use?
I don’t usually use too much makeup (adult acne. Damn hormones!), but I have a really nice Clinique foundation I use on special occasions, when I know it’s worth it to break out afterwards.

61. Blow-dry or air dry?
Air dry!

62. Who is your fashion icon?
I’m not sure I have one. I feel like my fashion is a strange mix of simple, classic French fashion, mixed with Molly Weasley from Harry Potter. It’s weird, but I like it.

63. Favorite Disney character?
Aaggh, this is a hard one! But I do love Stitch. I love that Experiment 626 so, so much.

64. What are you doing tomorrow?
As I’m writing this, hopefully Christmas shopping! I want to get my list done so I can fully enjoy December without stressing!

65. Movie you laughed the hardest through?
For some reason it was Bowfinger with Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy. I don’t know why, maybe because I was watching it with my family and we were all in a great mood that night, but we were all howling and crying with laughter during it.

66. A movie that made you cry?
Atonement, as mentioned above. Every. Single. Time.

67. If you could sing a duet with someone who would it be?
Alex Turner from the Arctic Monkeys. If I had the voice, which I don’t!

68. If your life was a song what would the title be?
“Bless Her, She Tried.” It’s also something I want inscribed on my tombstone (among other things!)

69. What’s your favorite animal?
I love elephants! It’s one of my dreams to befriend one one day. Sounds weird, but when you think about it, it’s really not. Elephants are very smart and think of us like puppies! (Don’t burst my dream bubble, please!)

70. Favorite illustrator?
I love Mary Grandpre, the illustrator of the American Harry Potter book editions. I love her style. It brought such a magical quality to the HP books, and really shaped the way I’ve always viewed the books from the first time I read them.

71. The person you want to have coffee with?
Michelle Obama. She’s incredibly inspirational and smart, and I feel like we’d have both a serious and fun conversation.

72. What’s the country you wish to visit?
I’ve already been to England, but I’d love to go again! But if I were to visit a country I’d never been before, I’d love to visit Australia or Japan.

73. Best way to decompress?
Simple: read!

And that was my 73 Vogue Style Questions Tag! I can't believe I got to do it! Finally! I feel so special. So for this tag, I'm tagging some of my favorite bloggers to do the tag, if they would like to do it or haven't done it before (no pressure and I'm sorry if I've tagged you if you've already done this!):

Julie @ Dark Blue Journal

Meagan @ Quibbles and Scribbles

Cassie @ Zombie Goddess Beauty

Britt @ Alternatively Speaking

Elissa Renee @ Welcome to My Thoughts

Anne @ Rooting Branches

Daisy @ The Dee Who Lived

Fran @ Frantasmorgia

*By the way, check out these amazing bloggers and subscribe to their blogs! They all put out amazing and different content that I know you'll love!*

Let me know what you thought of the tag and my answers down in the comments! Thanks for reading!

Stay Weird!

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Back to Hogwarts Harry Potter Tag!

I feel like I’ve been waiting for quite some time to do a Harry Potter tag like this! I’m sure almost every Harry Potter fan has always wanted to get their letter from Hogwarts and has imagined what their life would have been like at that magical school. You might wonder if you’re Muggle born, from a wizarding family, or maybe you had a place in both the magical and non-magical worlds. Or what house the Sorting Hat might put you in (though you probably already know that!). Or what classes you’d love and excel at (or worse, be bad and fail at. *Coughpotionscough*), and also what adventures you and your friends would get up to in your common room and throughout the castle and grounds (Harry, Ron, and Hermione couldn’t have been the only ones defeating a dark lord and saving the day, right??). But most of all, we’d get to use wands and cast spells with MAGIC!! (That’s the big one for me right there!)

Thanks to Meagan over at Quibbles and Scribbles (who is amazing, by the way, so please check out her blog!), who has tagged me and given me the opportunity (via a blogger tag) to envision my life if I were a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Sigh. If only!

THE QUESTIONS

Have to go shopping in Diagon Alley! What store do you go to first?

Oh my goodness! There are so many options! If it was my first time in Diagon Alley for my first year at Hogwarts, I’d say Ollivander’s to get a wand, of course. But I'd might stop by Flourish and Blott’s first, to check out the new book releases! I’d also love to stroll through the Magical Menagerie and see if there’s a cute new critter I need to adopt.

You’re on the train! What are you getting from the trolley?

Ooh this is a tough one. Cauldron cakes always sounded so delicious to me (minus the firewhiskey inside!), chocolate frogs (of course! I wonder what witch or wizard card I’ll get!), and maybe a licorice wand or two (but only if they don’t actually taste like actual black licorice. If they tasted like Twizzlers then yes! I know, I’m a very picky witch!)

Gfycat

It’s time for the welcome feast! Which house table are you at?

Ravenclaw, of course! Though I think I’m a bit of a mix of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, but I think I found the right house to be in with my fellow weirdos- I mean, intellectuals.

Gfycat

You get an elective this year! What will it be?

I looked it up (very Hermione of me!) and apparently you get two electives if you’re a third year and up! So of course I would Care of Magical Creatures and I think Divination might be fun to take, though I’m not sure I’d believe much of Professor Trelawney’s teachings or Divination in general! (It sounds very subjective) But Muggle Studies might be fun to take to see how wizards view non-magic folk.

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You’ve got a break between classes! What will you be doing?

I would love to explore the castle! There are so many hidden spots and rooms in Hogwarts, I’m surprised the Marauders were able to put most of it in their map! Though I’d probably get lost and either run into Peeves or Filch while I was trying to hurry back to my class. Plus, I’d have to worry about the staircases moving on me, too!

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You get to go to Hogsmeade this year! Where do you go first?

Oooh yay! I’d probably hit up Honeyduke’s first, to stock up on some sweets, then check out Zonko’s Joke Shop for fun. I’d probably stop by the Shrieking Shack too, and then finish up with a Butterbeer from Madam Rosmerta and hang out with friends at The Three Broomsticks.

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You’re meeting up with friends to hang out! Where in the castle are you all going to chill?

I think the Ravenclaw common room would be lovely to hang out in, with its high windows in the towers, but we might be disturbing the other Ravenclaws who are trying to study or do their odd experiments. I think it would be fun to hang out on top of the Astronomy tower with my friends, just to look out over Hogwarts and its grounds. But I’d also love to hang out by the Great Lake (see if the giant squid is visible or if a merperson pops up to say hi) or visit Hagrid in his hut (I’m sure he’d be friends with a Ravenclaw!).

The end of year exams are coming up. What test will you do the best at?

Oh no, the O.W.L.’s! This is a tough one. I feel like I’d be pretty good in Charms, Transfiguration Herbology, or Care of Magical Creatures (my favorite subjects), but I’d probably struggle in Potions (measuring is basically math and I’m terrible at math). But hopefully I’ll pass and not get a P (poor), D (dreadful), or T (troll) in any of the classes!

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And that’s my (imaginary) life at Hogwarts! This was such a fun tag, and I kind of wish I was back at Hogwarts right now (even though I’ve never been to Hogwarts. My letter just got lost, right? Right??), even with Peeves there. Though technically since I’m an American, I’d probably would have gone to Ilvermorny (go Horned Serpents! Yes, I took that Pottermore quiz. Of course I did!).

Here are my fellow magical would be students I’m tagging:

Cassie @ Zombie Goddess Beauty

Ash @ This Dreams Alive
Sharona @ Sunflowers and Dragons
Jen @ Diffusing the Tension

And here are the questions for you all to answer:

Have to go shopping in Diagon Alley! What store do you go to first?
You’re on the train! What are you getting from the trolley?
It’s time for the welcome feast! Which house table are you at?
You get an elective this year! What will it be?
You’ve got a break between classes! What will you be doing?
You get to go to Hogsmeade this year! Where do you go first?
You’re meeting up with friends to hang out! Where in the castle are you all going to chill?
The end of year exams are coming up. What test will you do the best at?

What did you think of this magical Back to Hogwarts tag? I had a such a lovely time writing it, despite the Hogwarts school year starting in September and it’s now November. Oh well. A Harry Potter tag is always a good idea no matter what time of year! If you want to do the tag, please feel free and let me know, so I can read it!

Stay Weird!

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The Mega Love for Autumn Tag!

Photo by Alex Geerts on Unsplash

Who else loves autumn/fall? Raise your hand if you do! *raises hand proudly* Autumn (or as we Americans call it, fall. Probably because leaves fall around this time of year and being the people that we are, we put two and two together and were like “aha! Leaves fall and so shall we call this season ‘Fall!’” Then I’m sure a bunch of old white guys proudly clapped themselves on the back and congratulated each other for not conforming to England yet again) is my all time favorite season and that’s probably because of Halloween (suck it, Christmas!). There’s just something about this time of year, where the heat of summer finally wanes, and a certain briskness fills the air, that makes me feel such joy and anticipation. Holidays are coming up (most importantly Halloween, of course), family and friends gather together, and also the end of the year is coming up. There’s so much to look forward to and so much happiness to come, it’s so exciting and fun! (Plus, who doesn’t enjoy the cooler weather and the cute fall fashion??)

And believe it or not, there are other people out there who enjoy autumn/fall as much as I do! (Some probably even more, believe it or not!) Cassie from ZombieGoddessBeauty has made THE ultimate mega Autumn tag and I was lucky enough to be tagged by her to do it! And trust me, if you’re going to do any autumn tag, this is THE one to do. So thank you so much for tagging me, Cassie! I can't think of a better way to celebrate the best season ever. Let’s do this!

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THE QUESTIONS:

1. What signifies the start of Autumn to you?
For me, the start of Autumn usually starts around the end of September for me, even though where I live it does NOT feel like fall yet! You just get that sense that Autumn is around the corner, but starting to celebrate before the end of September gets a few strange looks. But it’s okay for Christmas fans to start decorating right after Thanksgiving! The injustice of it all!

2. What are you most excited about for Fall?
The cooler weather, most definitely! Have I mentioned I live somewhere where it’s hot for most of the year? Because I do. So when it finally cools down, oh it’s so nice! But I can’t wait for Halloween and to decorate for it!

3. Name one place you want to visit this Autumn.
I’d love to visit somewhere where the leaves actually turn gold, red, and orange and enjoy that crisp fall smell.

4. What is one item on your Autumn Bucket List?
I think it would be really fun to visit a pumpkin patch! Mostly because I haven’t done that in years, but also because just seeing a field of pumpkins is just such a lovely fall-esque sight.

5. What is the best way to spend a rainy day?
For me, reading in a cozy spot, wrapped in a blanket, drinking something warm, while listening to the rain. Such a perfect kind of day!

6. What gets you into the fall spirit?
Decorating for Halloween! There is nothing better than getting out your decorations and putting them up, just knowing that Halloween aka spooky season is coming.

7. Describe your ideal fall day.
Ooh. For me it would be dressing up in a cute fall outfit, and probably go on a super cute date at the pumpkin patch (you know, if I had a cute date), and then watch a scary movie when we get home. Or if I don’t have a date, I would just visit the pumpkin patch with my friends and STILL watch a scary movie when we get home. I might add baking those Pillsbury slice and bake Halloween cookies to the day too, because then I wouldn’t have to share any of the cookies with said date.

8. What TV show are you most excited about this fall?
I don’t think there’s a specific TV show I’m looking forward to this fall, sadly. I wish there was a horror series coming up. That would be perfect timing! If only...

9. What are you being for Halloween/What were you this Halloween?
I haven’t dressed up in years, but I do always think of Halloween costumes I could make. I’d still love to make a Cereal Killer costume, or some other silly pun costumes. Those are my favorites, anything punny! So let’s hope I get invited to a Halloween party this year so I can make a punny costume!

10. What is the Fall weather like where you live?
Too warm for me! I live in the desert, so it does take a good while to cool off, but once it does, the fall weather is so lovely. But it happens in the later months of the year, like in late October and November. It really makes me wish I lived somewhere where there were actually four seasons! (Though I could do without lots and lots of snow!)

11. What changes do you look forward to in Autumn?
The cooler weather, obviously, and I just love how once fall hits, everyone kind of gets into the holiday spirit since there are three major holidays coming up (the first and best being Halloween). There’s just something festive in the air that I love about autumn.

12. Is pumpkin spice worth the hype?
I have to say that I am not a coffee fan, so I’ve never tried a pumpkin spice coffee! But as far as other pumpkin spice flavored things, meh, I’m not a fan. Way overhyped!

13. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Autumn?
Trees covered in yellow, gold, and red leaves. And pumpkins. And Halloween, of course! Sorry, those were three things, haha.

14. What is your go-to autumnal beauty product? A must-have staple.
For me, it would be a tinted lip balm. Once the weather gets cooler, my lips tend to get dry, so I love to keep them hydrated but also have a hint of color on them at the same time. It’s a win-win!

15. Do you have any Autumn traditions?
Hmm… that’s a good question! I like to go around to all the stores that sell Halloween decor and I like to peruse and see what new decorations are out. It really does get me in the Halloween spirit and I love it! (Though I really have to reign myself NOT to buy everything in sight!)

16. The moment of truth, is Autumn your favourite season?
Yes, yes, a thousand times, yes! It really is my favorite season! Nothing compares for me. Winter is cozy and nice, but Autumn is just perfect. Not too cold, just brisk, fresh, and festive.

17. Do you decorate your room/home for autumn?
Of course! I first decorate for Halloween, and then (sadly) replace the Halloween decor with fall decor once Halloween has passed. *sobs*

18. Do you have any fall pet peeves/something you dislike about fall?
My only pet peeve about fall is that it doesn’t get cool enough here until November! And even then it just feels like a very brisk spring. But once it does finally cool off, I’m so happy. I just wish the weather was on schedule with the rest of the country’s!

FALL FAVOURITES:

1. What is your favourite Autumnal Colour?
A nice deep red, like a maroon. Just to remind me of red leaves and cinnamon.

2. What is your favourite Fall Scent?
Speaking of cinnamon, I love the combination of either cinnamon and apples or cinnamon and pumpkins. So autumn-y and lovely!

3. What is your favourite Autumn Candle?
I love the Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin candle from Bath and Body Works! It’s my absolute favorite fall candle that I’ve found so far.

4. What is your favourite Fall Fashion Item?
Boots are a staple for me in the fall! They go with everything and just scream “autumn!”

5. What is your favourite Fall Accessory?
I personally love gold jewelry at the moment, because I think gold goes with darker fall colors so well.

6. What is your favourite Autumn Lip Colour?
A good, deep maroon. Still classy, but very autumnal.

7. What is your favourite Fall Nail Polish?
I love a good red/maroon color (I know, again!) or a dark green. Fall is the perfect time to break out those dark colors!

8. What is your favourite Autumnal Drink?
Hot cocoa! With marshmallows or whipped cream, yum.

9. What is your favourite Fall Treat?
Halloween Oreos! I know they’ve already been released in stores, but I’m waiting to buy them until October. I can’t wait though! I swear the orange frosting makes them taste even better than regular Oreos!

10. What is your favourite Fall Flavour?
I love anything apple cinnamon. Most preferably apple pie, but I can honestly eat that all year round! But it tastes so much more cozy in the fall.

11. What is your favourite Thanksgiving Food?
Mashed potatoes! Always the highlight for me at Thanksgiving. There might be some competition though if some really delicious and fresh dinner rolls show up though!

12. What is your favourite Halloween Candy?
Don’t make me choose! There’s just something about the miniature versions of Halloween candy that just make me so happy. I do love the Reese’s pumpkins though. They taste way better than regular peanut butter cups, in my opinion. I think it’s the ratio of peanut butter to chocolate, plus the pumpkin shape!

13. What is your favourite Fall/Halloween Song?
I love “This Is Halloween” from The Nightmare Before Christmas. It’s the perfect start to the movie, but also such a good Halloween song. It always gets me in that spooky mood!

14. What is your favourite Fall/Halloween Film?
Honestly, anything spooky! The movie may not be set in fall or have to do with Halloween, but any horror movie is perfect for fall/Halloween watching. Also, any of the Harry Potter movies too!

15. What is your favourite Autumn Makeup Look?
I love dark lipsticks and smokey eyes.

16. What is your favourite Autumn Beauty Trend this year?
I’ve just learned about smokey neutral makeup and I’m obsessed! It’s so understated and yet so elegant and looks almost effortless (even though I’m sure a lot goes into an effortless look!).

17. What is your favourite Fall Fashion Trend this year?
Anything to do with coats or jackets! Give me a good pea coat but add some autumn colors to it or make it plaid. It puts an autumn spin on something classic.

18. What is your favourite/Most Worn Sweater/Jumper?
I have this sweater that I found at a thrift store that I haven’t worn yet, but it’s so comfy and warm and looks just like something Molly Weasley would knit herself, blue but with little pom poms dotting it, that I cannot wait to wear it this year when it finally cools off. It’ll look like I’m visiting the Burrow during Christmas break!

19. What is your favourite Autumn Memory?
Definitely trick or treating when I was younger. It’s so fun to remember when you were super excited for Halloween, and you’d worked hard on your costume (I always had a homemade costume), and can’t wait for the candy. And it was so satisfying to come home, tired after walking for so long, but then you get to look at all the candy you got, and sort it into categories (the gross candies like Almond Joys and black licorice went to my parents). There’s so much nostalgia for me just thinking about it!

20. What is your favourite photo you've taken in Fall?
I don't think I have one! Is that sad? Please don't say it's sad! I think I don't have one just because it's hard in my climate to even know if it IS fall in the picture! (Unless you're in a Halloween costume, of course) I hope I can visit somewhere upstate soon so I can actually take some pictures of some golden and red fall leaves on some trees.

21. What is your favourite Autumn activity?
When I was a kid it used to be raking up all the fallen leaves in the backyard and then jumping into that big pile and tossing them around. But I’d have to say for now it’s just hanging out with friends, getting a Starbucks, and walking around Target, gossiping and looking at the Halloween/fall decor and autumn clothes. It’s seems so boring and adult, but it’s just so lovely to enjoy good company, a hot beverage, and talk about life and what’s going on during your favorite season.

22. What is your favourite Halloween costume you've ever worn?
I did have a friend who made me an Arwen costume for the opening day of last Lord of the Rings movie, and I have to say, I reeeeaaalllly loved that outfit! I wore it for multiple Halloween and even bought some elf ears and spirit glue to add to the look. Maybe one day I can dig out a picture, but honestly, all the hard work of the dress was done by my friend Caitlin. Thanks, Caitlin!!

AUTUMN THIS OR THAT:

1. Apple Picking or Pumpkin Patch?
This one is difficult, because I’ve never been apple picking! But I’ve always wanted to. So for now I’ll just saw apple picking because it sounds like so much fun!

2. Football Games or Nature Walk?
Ew, sports. It would be a nature walk for me!

3. Halloween or Thanksgiving?
Oh, Halloween all the way! Thanksgiving is a nice family holiday, but Halloween is where it’s at! Fun and spooky, plus candy and costumes? It’s the perfect holiday!

4. Bat Wing Sleeves or Cat Eye Eyeshadow?
Bat wing sleeves are so cute! (Safiya Nygaard turned me on to them)

5. Dark Lips or Winged Liner?
For me, it would be winged liner, since I don’t know if I can pull off a dark lip. But I’m jealous of those who can!

6. Apple stuff or Pumpkin stuff?
Apple stuff! I’m not that into pumpkin flavored things, but I can get behind almost anything apple.

7. Cinnamon or Pumpkin Pie Spice?
Cinnamon!

8. Coffee, Tea, Hot Cocoa or Apple Cider?
Hot cocoa is perfect for me, since I don’t like coffee, tea, or apple cider! (I know, I’m a monster)

9. Jeans, Leggings or Skirts/Shorts w/Tights?
Skinny jeans with booties.

10. Beanie or Hair Scarf?
Beanies! So cute! Plus, I’m not sure if I’d be able to figure out how to tie a hair scarf, haha.

11. Infinity Scarf or Body Wrap?
I’ll go with infinity scarves on this one! Scarves are just perfect for fall!

12. Booties or Knee High Boots?
Definitely booties! So cute and chic, while also being a little understated. I’m not sure I can pull off knee high boots- I don’t quite have that confidence!

13. Flats or Wedges?
Flats! I’m not one for wearing heels- I look like Bambi just learning to walk when I try, and the same thing goes for me in wedges.

14. Flannels or Jumpers/Sweaters?
Sweaters all the way! Flannels are super cute, but they just remind me of an ex-boyfriend I had who was a big Nirvana fan and wore waaay too many flannels in the heat of summer, haha.

15. Hair up in bun/pony tail or Hair Down?
I feel like I have my hair up for most of the summer, so I love it when it finally cools off and I let my hair down in the fall.

16. Fairy Lights or Candles?
I love fairy lights, but candles are just so classic and give you that kind of autumn-y/spooky vibe for fall. Plus the electric ones flicker like real candles now and you don’t have to worry about burning the house down with them (bonus!).

17. Scary Movie or Haunted House?
Can I...can I have both? Please? I love both of those so much! Also, can I also have the option to stay in an actual haunted house? Because I’ve always wanted to do that and autumn seems like the perfect time for that!

18. Apple Bobbing or Making Apple Pie?
Making apple pie, hands down. I feel like bobbing for apples is fun, but so unsanitary, so it’s only acceptable to do when you’re a kid and don’t know any better!

19. DIY Halloween Costume or DIY House Decorations?
Aww, I’ve always DIY’d my Halloween costumes as a kid, so that makes me think of so many great memories! But making DIY Halloween decor is so much fun and you always feel so proud to display it and say “hey, I made that!”

20. Pop of Orange or Pop of Yellow in your wardrobe?
Probably orange for me! I think I’m a bit too pale for yellow, so it wouldn’t work too well on me. But if I could pull off that cute mustard color I totally would!


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And that was the Mega Love for Autumn Tag by Cassie! It was incredibly fun to answer and I loved the variety of questions she came up with, too! Now I have so many new ideas about what I want to do this fall! Mainly the buying and then eating of the Halloween Oreos and Pillsbury Halloween bake and slice cookies, but other non-food related things too. What are you hoping to do this fall/autumn? Also, what do you call the season? Autumn or fall? I still say “fall,” since I am an uncouth American. But let me know in the comments!

Stay Weird!

*I’m not going to tag anyone, but if you would like to do the tag, I have all the questions right below this for you to copy and paste. I only ask if that you do this tag to please credit (and link!) Cassie over at ZombieGoddessBeauty for creating this amazing tag! And if you do decide to take on this ultimate autumn tag, let me know because I’d love to read it!*

THE QUESTIONS:

1. What signifies the start of Autumn to you?
2. What are you most excited about for Fall?
3. Name one place you want to visit this Autumn.
4. What is one item on your Autumn Bucket List?
5. What is the best way to spend a rainy day?
6. What gets you into the fall spirit?
7. Describe your ideal fall day.
8. What TV show are you most excited about this fall?
9. What are you being for Halloween/What were you this Halloween?
10. What is the Fall weather like where you live?
11. What changes do you look forward to in Autumn?
12. Is pumpkin spice worth the hype?
13. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Autumn?
14. What is your go-to an autumnal beauty product? A must-have staple.
15. Do you have any Autumn traditions?
16. The moment of truth, is Autumn your favourite season?
17. Do you decorate your room/home for autumn?
18. Do you have any fall pet peeves/something you dislike about fall?

FALL FAVOURITES:

1. What is your favourite Autumnal Colour?
2. What is your favourite Fall Scent?
3. What is your favourite Autumn Candle?
4. What is your favourite Fall Fashion Item?
5. What is your favourite Fall Accessory?
6. What is your favourite Autumn Lip Colour?
7. What is your favourite Fall Nail Polish?
8. What is your favourite Autumnal Drink?
9. What is your favourite Fall Treat?
10. What is your favourite Fall Flavour?
11. What is your favourite Thanksgiving Food?
12. What is your favourite Halloween Candy?
13. What is your favourite Fall/Halloween Song?
14. What is your favourite Fall/Halloween Film?
15. What is your favourite Autumn Makeup Look?
16. What is your favourite Autumn Beauty Trend this year?
17. What is your favourite Fall Fashion Trend this year?
18. What is your favourite/Most Worn Sweater/Jumper?
19. What is your favourite Autumn Memory?
20. What is your favourite photo you've taken in Fall?
21. What is your favourite Autumn activity?
22. What is your favourite Halloween costume you've ever worn?

AUTUMN THIS OR THAT:

1. Apple Picking or Pumpkin Patch?
2. Football Games or Nature Walk?
3. Halloween or Thanksgiving?
4. Bat Wing Sleeves or Cat Eye Eyeshadow?
5. Dark Lips or Winged Liner?
6. Apple stuff or Pumpkin stuff?
7. Cinnamon or Pumpkin Pie Spice?
8. Coffee, Tea, Hot Cocoa or Apple Cider?
9. Jeans, Leggings or Skirts/Shorts w/Tights?
10. Beanie or Hair Scarf?
11. Infinity Scarf or Body Wrap?
12. Booties or Knee High Boots?
13. Flats or Wedges?
14. Flannels or Jumpers/Sweaters?
15. Hair up in bun/ponnie tail or Hair Down?
16. Fairy Lights or Candles?
17. Scary Movie or Haunted House?
18. Apple Bobbing or Making Apple Pie?
19. DIY Halloween Costume or DIY House Decorations?
20. Pop of Orange or Pop of Yellow in your wardrobe?