Thanks to Mayday Parade for posting that incredibly nostalgia-inducing video for “The Problem with the Big Picture is that It’s Hard to See” and inspiring me to look back on the last 10 years of my life.

Looking back at my life 10 years ago is both cringe-worthy and interesting. Mainly because of the makeup and the clothing, but it’s nice to see how much has – and hasn’t – changed. 10 years ago I was 13, in the prime of my “emo days”, covered in eyeliner and band tees. That period of my life is one I’m actually grateful for because it introduced me to some of the greatest musical influences that still continue to have an impact on my life today. It’s also responsible for bringing some amazing people into my life that shared my love for music.  

At 13 I also experienced a series of things that left a lot of nasty scars – both mentally and physically. It was the first time I ever dealt with eating disorders, suicide, and other events that are still hard for me to talk about. It was the first time that I realized that certain things weren’t brought up in casual conversation because they were too dark and people would start to look at you differently. At a young age I was heavily affected by mental illness and it’s something that has continued to have an impact in my life and while I can’t say it’s gotten “easier” because that would be a lie, I have gotten better at finding better ways of coping. Looking back at the place I was in, the way I felt and remembering how angry and hopeless I felt is a terrible feeling. I still experience depressive moods and it’s not always easy to bring myself out of those moments, but I’m glad that I no longer cause myself even more suffering in order to do so.

One thing that has stuck with me through the years is my love for music. The same bands that graced my middle school iPod, you’ll find on my Apple Music playlist. The same band tees that I donned as a teenager, I still wear to this day. The songs that made you feel alive even when you didn’t want to be will always have that effect on you. That’s one of the things I admire most about music – no matter how many years go by it still manages to inspire and change lives. The bands that changed my life at young age, are still making an impact on the ones that fell in love with them at a young age like I did, as well as the ones that came after us. You see it when you attend shows and you see a whole new crop of fans, bright eyed and rocking their favorite band tee as they wait for their faves to grace the stage. I saw it when my younger cousin came to me to make him a playlist filled with classics from Fall Out Boy, MCR, Panic! At The Disco, and Green Day (y’all, I was so proud).

From 13 till now, I’m glad to say that I’ve grown and that a lot has changed. But I’m more than grateful that the things I was passionate about remain a staple in my life today. Though my makeup has improved, I’m pleased that I can still belt “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)” at the top of my lungs.

A moment of silence for those bangs. RIP.

Ice Nine Kills have a knack for combining my two favorite things: horror movies and music. I’ve mentioned them numerous times on my blog, as well as their current album Every Trick in the Book. I recently got the pleasure of seeing them during the Alternative Press “Hell in the Hallways” tour at Greene Street in NC and as always, it was a treat. The track “Hell in the Hallways” was inspired by the Stephen King novel Carrie, a personal favorite of mine so I was more than stoked for this “Bates High Senior Prom” themed tour.

The place was decked out in streamers and balloons, with Bates High signs and a canvas for guests to take prom photos. Fans were encouraged to dress up in suits and dresses for the chance to be crowned prom king and queen on each night of the tour. I was thrilled to see others dressed up with ghoulish makeup and blood splashed all over the place. Of course, I took this opportunity to get gory and break out my favorite Killstar dress (I even managed to be one of the nominees for prom queen).

Needless to say, this was way more fun than my own high school prom. My prom definitely didn’t have any attendees covered in blood or Ice Nine Kills so this definitely beats our “Caribbean Nights” senior prom. #SorryNotSorry.

The opening acts, Secrets, Out Came the Wolves, Sylar, and a local band named Exiled, kicked off the show for us. Out of the four, I had only previously seen Out Came the Wolves so I loved discovering new groups and finding even more music to fall in love with. I’m also personally a fan of the fact that they always bring out local talent to open because it allows you to see what your local music scene has to offer.

My boys in Ice Nine Kills delivered one hell of a show. Kicking things off with the score from the movie Dead Silence was a nice touch. As a horror fan, I appreciate these little touches. It helped set the perfect atmosphere. They played through a ton of my favorite tracks like: “Bloodbath and Beyond,” “Me, Myself & Hyde,” “Communion of the Cursed,” “What I Never Learned in Study Hall,” and of course the track that inspired the entire tour.

Before that night, I had never had to come home and scrub off fake blood after a show. Unlike the guests at Carrie White’s prom, we all left the show in one piece dying to come back for more. This marks the third time that I’ve seen Ice Nine Kills live and I for one, cannot wait to make it a fourth.

You can catch Ice Nine Kills on the road now, and keep an eye out for Hell in the Hallways Tour pt. 2. Dates and tickets here.

Now enjoy some pictures from show:

Since their arrival onto the music scene in 2013, I Prevail finally released their full-length debut album titled Lifelines.  The Detroit based quartet is made up of, Brian Burkheiser (clean vocals), Eric Vanlerberghe (harsh vocals), Steve Menoian (guitar), and Lee Runestad (drums). Lifelines was released under Fearless Records, who snatched them up in early 2015, making them label-mates with heavy hitters such as Pierce The Veil, Mayday Parade, The Word Alive and more.

Though this the band’s first full-length album, they’re certainly no strangers to the scene. The band’s 2014 EP Heart Vs. Mind sold over 600,000 copies worldwide. After being featured on Fearless’s Punk Goes Pop vol. 6 with their cover of Taylor Swift’s Blank Space, they gained huge notoriety. The single sold over 300,000 copies and 22 Million plus views on YouTube, topping charts everywhere.

Lifelines is a delicious mix of rock, electronic elements, and melodies that send the listener on a new journey every time they hit “play”. Brian’s smooth vocals laced with the ferocity of Eric’s, create a unique sound that’s infectious. Whether you’re a fan of songs that are more soothing and subtle, or ones that pack a heavy punch, there’s something on the album for everyone.

Now onto my personal favorites from the album.

“Stuck In Your Head” – So, the title of this track is incredibly fitting. This track was the second single from the album, a perfect choice in my opinion. Something this band does right is creating catchy hooks that ultimately do get “stuck in your head”. It touches on a feeling that a lot of people can relate to, which is when a relationship hits a dead-end and it’s time to call it quits.

“Scars” – This was the first single from the album and rightfully so. It’s the first track on the album and it completely sets the tone of the album. Inspired by the band’s personal experiences with being away from family and dying relationships, resulting in feelings of depression and anxiety, the song is one of the more personal on the album. While it’s related to the band’s experiences, it’s still relatable.

“Come and Get It” – As soon as I heard the opening riff, I was hooked. The driving force behind the guitar, and heavy groove, come together to create this infectious track. To me, this track is their way of saying “We’re going to be all you talk about for a while so get ready because we’re not stopping any time soon.”

"Outcasts” – This track feels like it was written especially for the fans. The lyrics are powerful, charged and it’s like one big middle finger up to everyone that’s ever doubted you, judged you and every feeling of worthlessness. It’s full of self-acceptance and an unapologetic attitude for being yourself. My favorite line is, “We were never what you wanted us to be
A generation built from underneath.”

“My Heart I Surrender” – One of the softer tracks on the album, this track is about uncertain love and the worry that what you’re feeling is unrequited. Almost everyone can relate to feeling like the one you love doesn’t feel the same but still holding to that silver of hope. Emotionally-charged lyrics combined with soothing riffs creates a hypnotic sound. It’s probably my over-all favorite track.

Lifelines is available now, online on iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon MP3 and in stores at Target, Best Buy, FYE and HMV. If you want a preview of what you’ll be getting, check out I Prevail’s album stream on YouTube. You can also catch I Prevail on the road right now, you can find dates and tickets here.

Till next time,

I can't believe October is actually over, I'm shook. But alas, I'm glad it's finally starting to feel like fall here in NC and I can now wear the other 98% of my wardrobe.  I thrive in long sleeves, boots, dark clothing and even darker makeup. Not that I don’t wear dark things all year round, but in the fall I get to pick up even more items to fuel my obsession.

I’ve accumulated a ton of things that I’ve loved for the month of October. I’ll admit I went a little overboard but October just does something to me. Plus, my self control was greatly affected by the “Treat Yo Self” episode of Parks and Recreation.

I have a lot of things to cover so let’s get started.

Clothing:

Magi Skater Dress-Killstar: I’ve lusted after this dress for a while. I finally picked it up while Killstar had their items for 20% off, it’s like they just knew I needed this. This is probably one of the softest dresses I own. It’s incredibly comfortable and stretchy. It’s not too short, which is nice (but I’m also really short so that could be a factor). I’m in love with the pentagram design on the chest; it’s what drew me to the dress in the first place.

Doll Dress-Killstar: Another purchase I made during the 20% off sale. This dress is made from the same soft and stretchy material as the Magi dress. It’s a bit shorter but that’s fine with me. I had been looking for the perfect Wednesday Addams-esque dress and since I loved the fit of my other Killstar dress, I knew I’d love this and I wasn’t disappointed.

Skeleton Body Con Dress- Boo Hoo: I just recently started shopping from Boo Hoo and I’m mad at myself for not doing this sooner. This shop is a goldmine. They have a ton of designs to choose from, with new styles added daily, and they’re almost always having a sale. I came across this skeleton dress and immediately added it to my cart. It’s incredibly soft and it hugs your curves, but it’s still flattering. It’s comfortable and it’s perfect for the Halloween look I have planned (stay tuned).

Flannel- Wal-Mart: Y’all, I swear I had no intentions of picking up a flannel when I went into Wal-Mart. I went in needing a few groceries and…we all know how that goes. I randomly came across this fitted, green flannel and it was only $13 so I couldn’t pass it up. It’s comfy and I didn’t have any green flannels so...it’s mine now.

Combat boots- Uptown Cheapskate: I love combat boots and my other pair sadly passed away after a The Academy Is show (RIP). I found this pair of combat boots at Uptown Cheapskate for around $7. They’re comfortable and pair well with everything.

Candles and Décor:

Coffin Light- I saw this and I couldn’t say no. It was only a few bucks at Dollar General. It features a haunted house and bats on the front, with a color-changing LED light in the back.

Black and Purple Roses- If you want a bunch of cute Halloween décor definitely try Dollar Tree. I picked these up and paired them with a purple vase and a black glitter branch.

Bath and Body Works Fall Candles: I think we all saw this coming. It took everything in me to not pick up every single candle I saw in the store. I managed to leave with just three: Sweater Weather, Flannel, and Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin. I couldn’t leave without at least one pumpkin scent. This particular one isn’t overly sweet, which is nice because I’m not too keen on scents that are too sweet. It has the perfect amount of sweet pumpkin and spice. Sweater Weather is an old favorite of mine. It has a crisp, clean scent with hints of wood, juniper berry and sage. Flannel has a warm, musky scent and those are my favorite. This is a blend of “crisp autumn air”, bergamot, mahogany and soft musk. I don’t know how they put autumn air into a candle, but I dig it.

Witches Hat- I mean, it’s a witch hat; how could I not buy it?

Entertainment:

The Black Parade 10th anniversary album/ Living With Ghosts: So…of course we’re not surprised. I pre-ordered this bundle the minute I got the email. I didn’t even question it. The Black Parade is such an iconic album. It was a huge influence on the music scene when it was originally released and it continues to inspire the scene today. It helped shape the band, their fans, and it’s still one of the greatest concept albums ever made. Each song told a different story, one more intricate than the last. The characters, the concept art, the music videos, all of it came together to create an album more legendary than the band could even fathom. The album features all of the original tracks from The Black Parade plus live demos, alternate versions, and unreleased tracks. I’m obsessed. When will My Chemical Romance not own my heart?

Till next time,

One of the many things I adore about fall are the warm colors that emerge once things begin to cool down and the season changes. Bright colors and prints slowly begin to transition into deeper tones and rich colors, which are a personal favorite of mine. Maroons, deep berry tones, rusty orange shades and forest green – I love it all.

With fall comes cool, crisp air and cozy nights in and for those that want to add a little more spice to their wardrobe (and we’re not talking about just pumpkin), Adore Me has a huge selection of bras, sleepwear and lingerie to fit every occasion. I’m personally a huge fan of their bras because as a busty gal, I don’t want to sacrifice looks for comfort and Adore Me allows me to have bras that look great and feel even better.

Everyone that knows me knows that I love a good matte lip color – the darker the shade, the better! A few of my favorite picks for fall are ColourPop’s Prim and Too Lips in the Ultra Satin formula and Notion and Guess in their Ultra Matte formula. The satin formula dries down to a semi-matte finish and it’s not as drying as their matte formula so it’s perfect for those that aren’t a fan of extremely matte lips.

I’ve picked out a few pieces from Adore Me’s collection that pair nicely with each shade.

I paired this bra and panties combo with "Too Lips", a deep plum brown shade. The "Aisley" push-up in this warm purple color is the perfect addition to this fall look.

 Next, I have "Notion", a deep red violet shade, paired with the "Matisse" romper. I love deep berry shades in the fall, plus you can never go wrong with black. I fell in love with this lacy romper the moment I saw it.

Next up, I have "Prim", a darkened red paired with the "Mikelle" cami and shorts set. This satin set from Adore Me will have you volunteering for Tribute.

Lastly, I have "Guess", a blackened violet shade. Definitely not for the faint of heart. If you're a fan of dark lip shade's you'll love this one. I paired this with the "Padmay" pajama set. This set is proof that you can be both sexy and comfortable at the same time. I'm all about comfort on cool fall nights. 

If you haven't already, definitely check out Adore Me. Their collections feature a wide variety of styles, sizes at affordable prices. There's something for everyone which is one of the things I love about them. Let me know some of your favorite picks for Fall!

So Halloween has come and gone (but it’s still spooky in my heart), and even though we’re about to be bombarded with peppermint everything and Christmas trees – I have one more Halloween look for you all.

I was inspired by Jamie Genevieve on YouTube to recreate this look. If you haven’t watched her videos, I highly suggest you do. She’s incredibly talented and her style is flawless.

This is my super-quick and easy take on her look that I kind of threw together one night using a handful of products.

On the glam side I used my favorite face products: Maybelline Matte Fit Me Foundation, Elf Blush Pallet in Dark, Kat Von D Shade and Light Eye pallet, Elf Contour Kit, Maybelline Hi-Light in Nude, ColourPop Ultra Satin lip in Prim, and a pair of Kiss lashes.

On the skeleton side I used black and white eye shadow sticks. Now, if you’re going to wear this look out I would highly suggest using a white face paint or a super light foundation to ensure that your look lasts all night. I just used what I had on hand because I was playing around with this look and I wasn’t going out.

When doing this look I suggest doing your glam side first, but apply your lip color last so that it doesn’t smudge with your skeleton side. I also suggest a matte formula so that it doesn’t transfer to the skeleton side. My satin lip formula blended with the white pencil a bit so that’s just something to keep in mind.

For the skeleton side, start white your light base because it’s a lot easier to add black later than to add white.

With your black pencil (or liner) basically map out where you want your shadows to be. A reference photo is helpful. Around your eye, underneath your cheekbone (where you would normally apply your contour), your nose, and under your jaw.

After you map it out, use a dark shadow and a fluffy brush to blend out the lines and add depth.

Then, extend the corner of your mouth upwards and add in tiny lines onto your mouth.

And you’re finished.

This look is fairly simple and quick and you can make it your own and add any finishing touches you want. Wigs, glitter, or even adding different colors to create a watercolor skeleton – whatever your heart desires. There’s also a ton of skeleton accessories and clothes out around this time of year. I bought a skeleton body con dress from Boo Hoo and I also have a skeleton crop top from Nikki Lipstick *pictured above* (both will be featured in my October Faves).

Now I’m off to mourn Halloween being over.