August has brought many new things into my life that I’ve been obsessed with recently. I’ve accumulated a ton of favorites to share, everything from: skincare, beauty, music, and more. With it being August, it brings talk of fall and fall is my favorite time of year. So like many fall lovers, August is basically an excuse to start preparation for Halloween, dark lip colors, boots, and of course – pumpkin-flavored EVERYTHING. So I couldn’t be happier to be one step closer to cool weather and spooky things. With that being said, let’s get started.

Beauty:

Kat Von D Lock-it Crème Concealer- I was lucky enough to have these products sent to me from Influenster and I’ve been using them ever since they arrived at my doorstep. This concealer lives up to its name because it’s very creamy. The formula isn’t too thick so it doesn’t crease under my eyes. I even used it to prime my eyes and it worked really well. The collection has a wide range of colors, which is great for those that have trouble finding the perfect shade.

Kat Von D Lock-it Setting Powder- Another gift from Influenster. This setting powder has become a staple in my collection. Since receiving it I haven’t been reaching for my Covergirl Loose Translucent powder at all. It’s finely milled and lightweight so it doesn’t look cakey. It also doesn’t have a white cast in photos.

Kat Von D Lock-it Concealer and Powder Brushes- These brushes are incredible. The concealer brush has a unique shape, allowing it to blend concealer under the eyes perfectly – it even helps clean up shadows and my winged liner. The powder brush is probably one of the softest brushes I’ve ever felt. It feels so nice on the skin, which I appreciate because some brushes can be too rough on my face.

Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye Palette- I FINALLY picked this up from Sephora and I’ve probably used it every day since. I’ve been eyeing this pallet since it came out and now it’s finally mine. I’m a huge fan of matte shadows so the fact that this is an all-matte pallet is perfect. The shadows are all highly pigmented and blend like a dream. It’s separated into cools, neutrals, and warms so it’s perfect for creating a variety of different looks.

Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip in Tulle- I’m obsessed with these Ultra Matte liquid lipsticks. I have quite a few and I might even have a cart full on the website right now (but we’re just not going to talk about that). These are amazing lipsticks and at $6 a pop you can’t beat it. They have a wide range of colors and a lot of them are dupes for more expensive liquid lipsticks. Tulle is a warm, dusty mauve shade- similar to Kat Von D’s Lolita.

Colourpop Ultra Satin Lip in Too Lips- For those that feel the Ultra Matte lips are too drying, the Ultra Satin formula is perfect for you. It dries to a semi-matte finish and is more moisturizing than the matte formula. It lasts a long time, just not as long as the matte lips. Too Lips is a cool-toned plum brown shade. Great for fall and winter.

Maybelline Gel Liner- I’ve probably mentioned this product before but I seriously can’t get enough. Every time I go do my winged liner, I grab this and my Elf small angled brush. It’s great for creating those precise, sharp wings with little to no effort. It’s extremely black and matte which I personally love.

Skincare:

Aqua Marina Cleanser from Lush- So, I recently threw away all of my facial cleansers because they were irritating my skin. My skin is very sensitive and I wanted a product that would accommodate that. This cleanser has calamine, sea weed, aloe vera, and a hint of sea salt and it feels amazing on my skin. My skin finally feels like it’s not freaking out or feeling itchy. It’s all natural and a little bit goes a long way.

ImperialisMoisturizer from Lush- This moisturizer feels like heaven on my skin. It goes on smooth and supplies the right amount of moisture. It doesn’t make my face feel greasy or neglect my dry patches. It's a rich, lavender cream with orange water made to soothe irritations and oil control. Definitely worth the money.

Fashion:

T-Shirt Dress from Forever 21- I recently picked up this rust-colored swing dress from Forever 21 on a whim and I’m already trying to find it multiple colors. This dress is so comfortable and casual. I can just throw it on with a pair of Converse’s and go. Plus, it’s soft and it’s the perfect color for fall. It's not on the website yet but it is in stores!

Booties- Charlotte Russe- I’ve been on a booties kick and Charlotte Russe has been fueling that obsession. These booties are very comfortable and go with pretty much anything. The heel is the perfect height and it’s chunky so you can wear these around for hours and not feel like chopping your feet off when you get home.

“Baby Goth” Halter from Nikki Lipstick- If you’ve never heard of Nikki Lipstick, I’m going to need you to let love into your heart and treat yo self. She has a huge range of alternative-style items – everything from crop tops, accessories, sweaters, pins and more. Her clothing is stretchy and comfortable and it’s all one size fits most. Also, if you’ve been enjoying that pink drink from Starbucks that everyone’s been talking about (another favorite of mine) you can thank Nikki *hair flip emoji*.

Music:

“Hell in the Hallways”- Ice Nine Kills- Ever since I saw them for the second time at Warped Tour, I haven’t been able to stop listening to their album Every Trick in the Book. Their song “Hell in the Hallways” is based on the Stephen King novel Carrie, one of my favorites. You can catch them on the Hell in the Hallways tour soon!

“Circles”- Pierce The Veil- The newest single from PTV from their latest album Misadventures. They’re also hitting the road soon on the “Made to Destroy tour”. I’m basically about to hitch a ride on their tour bus because I will not rest until I see these guys live.

“Where Are My F*cking Pills?”- Death Spells- So by now, you all know my love for Frank Iero and his music. He’s finally decided to bless us with a full-length album from his side project with James Dewees, Death Spells. The album, Nothing Above, Nothing Below is this mix of electronic and hardcore, it’s unlike anything I’ve ever heard before. The lyrics are incredible and each song hits you like a punch to the face.

Movies/Shows:

Suicide Squad- This film was amazing, I don’t care what anyone has to say. It was entertaining, the characters were enjoyable, and not even Leto’s Joker could ruin this film for me. Do it for Harley Quinn. See this movie.

Lights Out- I was a fan of the short film so I definitely had to see this when it hit theaters. The effects were great and the scares were on point. I love a film that can excite the whole theater and get a reaction from the audience.

Stranger Things- I don’t care what you have planned. Cancel everything, grab a blanket and some snacks and pull up Netflix and binge watch this show, immediately. This show is deserving of all the hype. It’s creative, the acting is spectacular, and the character development and plot are everything. If you need me, I’ll be out leaving a box of Eggos for Eleven.

This was a lot longer than planned. What were some of the things you enjoyed throughout the month of August? Let me know in the comments.

In April, I finally got the chance to see one of my favorite bands during their 15 year anniversary tour. The Used decided to hit the road and play two-nights in every city to celebrate the release of their Self-Titled album and their second album, In Love and Death. I was fortunate enough to see them during Night 2 (In Love and Death) in Baltimore, MD.

The Used have been one of the most important bands in my life for years, and In Love and Death is my favorite album so it only made sense that I saw them during this tour. It was my first time seeing them live and it everything I could have asked for and more. It was worth the traffic, the sweat, the tears, the bruises- everything, to stand in that audience and scream the lyrics that have meant so much to me for so long. Making eye contact with Bert McCracken and having him smile at me; I swear my soul left my body.

During the show, Bert recalls the times that fans have come up to them and confessed that In Love and Death is the album that helped keep them alive and went on to say how the album kept him alive as well while he was dealing with one of the most difficult times in his life. Someone in the crowd yelled “you saved my life,” to which he replied, “You saved mine.”

It was so surreal to experience. My first tattoo is a design inspired by the hanging heart from the cover of In Love and Death, featuring my favorite lyrics from my favorite song from their Self-Titled (my way of killing two birds with one stone). I got that tattoo in honor of making it through my own difficult time and the album that helped keep me alive throughout that time in my life. The album itself is one of the most influential albums in my life, each song more meaningful than the last. I have such strong memories assigned to each song, so many moments that each song have helped me through. It’s one of those albums that you listen to and everything just makes sense, you feel alive for the first time. You can literally feel every word, every emotion that the band is trying to convey. When this album came into my life, it was right when I needed it. To make a long story short, I was one of those people that this album helped keep alive. So to stand in the audience and hear them discuss this was like this surreal bonding experience. We were all sharing this moment, we were all brought together because this band and this album meant something to us and that’s one of the best things about music.

The Used delivered a hell of a show, as always, and I can’t thank them enough. They recently announced a second leg of their anniversary tour. I’ll be attending Night 1 (Self-Titled) night in Virginia.

Now for some of my favorite shots of the night:

Alright kids, it’s that time again, where I show you all some of my favorite creepy stories. These stories were all collected from the NoSleep Reddit page and the Creepy Pasta wiki, two of my favorite places to discover original and terrifying stories. So let’s dim the lights, grab your favorite blanket and gather round the campfire because here are ten more creepy tales for you to enjoy.

1.      The Disappearance of Ashley, Kansas. This is the story of how the entire town of Ashley, Kansas vanished, leaving nothing behind but a fissure of ash. The residents, the houses, everything- all gone without a trace. If you’re a fan of listening to stories, I recommend listening to the narration of this story on the NoSleep Podcast. It definitely adds an eerie feel.

2.      Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid. This is the story of a man trying to recall parts of his childhood after realizing that he has no recollection of anything from when he was younger. When asking his mother to help him remember, things take a turn for the worse. In this case, some things are definitely better off being forgotten.

3.      Mr. Wide Mouth. In this story, a young boy creates an imaginary friend to help him cope after experiencing a traumatic event. What starts out as something innocent soon becomes something a lot more sinister.

4.      A Story to Scare My Son. As a kid, my mom and aunt were huge fans of telling my cousins and I cautionary tales to scare us into behaving. Although many of the stories were scary, none of them were as scary as the story this father tells his son.

5.      Pete the Moonshiner. Please. Just read this. Very unsettling. Trigger warning.

6.      Room 733. Almost every campus has a creepy story that comes with it. For me, there was the haunted room at the end of my sorority floor, along with a haunted art building on campus. In this story, a girl learns that the dorm room next to hers is known as the “Suicide Room,” after have many students commit suicide after living in the room for a short time. Trigger warning for those sensitive to this subject.

7.      My Ex Wouldn’t Stop Texting Me. Sometimes a wrong number can be a life or death situation.

8.      630-296-7536. This story is even scarier after you realize the number in this tale actually works. Go ahead, give it a call.

9.      The Disappearance of Ashley Morgan. Not to be confused with the first story in this list. This is the story of a girl whose twin sister went missing when they were kids. Trigger warning.

10.  HowMy Family Got Through the Recession. How far would you go to provide for your family?

There you have it, ten more creepy stories to read tonight. If you have any creepy tales you’d like to share leave them in the comments.

Back in March, Tonight Alive graced NC with their presence during their co-headlining Fight For Something Tour alongside Set It Off. The Ready Set and SayWeCanFly were on the bill as well, hitting the stage first to deliver some sweet, pop punk goodness to kick off the night. Hearing Love Like Woe live was a Myspace lover’s dream come true.

Tonight Alive were also celebrating the release of their latest album Limitless. For their third release, Tonight Alive decided to set fire to their older sound and take their music to the next level. Limitless features a more melodic sound and electric feel, with remnants of 90’s pop thrown in to create an entirely new listening experience for TA fans. One thing that the songs on their album do best is showcase just how big of a powerhouse front-woman Jenna McDougall is. The emotion and power behind her vocals are evident in every single song and getting to witness that in person is an experience in itself. But, even with a new sound, the album still delivers the same Tonight Alive we’ve all come to know and love.

Favorites of the night were definitely How Does it Feel, Drive, Wasting Away, and Human Interaction. During their set the band decided to change it up and do a short acoustic set, stripping down older favorites for a more intimate feel. Breaking & Entering, one of the band’s heavier songs from their album What Are You So Scared Of?, is a song that packs a punch in its own way and it’s just as strong, if not more so, when done acoustic. Amelia, another from the same album was also featured in their acoustic set. This song was written in remembrance of one of Jenna’s childhood friends that passed, something that myself and many others can relate to. It’s even more beautiful performed live, especially when stripped down. Finally, the band closed with Lonely Girl, and the place went ballistic.

Here are few pictures from the night:

Limitless is available now in stores and on iTunes. See Tonight Alive during Vans Warped Tour this summer!

“I'm a bit too pop for the punk kids, but I'm too punk for the pop kids.”

The Summer Set recently released their newest album “Stories For Monday”. The album features 11 tracks, all of which are composed of infectious melodies and creative lyrics that deliver “nostalgia-ridden goodness.” These songs are honest and relatable. They remind you of nights out with your friends, reckless loves, and the joys that life can bring. You can listen to the album stream here.

For me, one song that stood out on the album was the opening track, “Figure Me Out.” The song talks about finding your place in life, which is something everyone has dealt with or is still dealing with. It touches on the struggle of finding where you fit in and your purpose in life.

“I'm a bit too pop for the punk kids, but I'm too punk for the pop kids

I don't know just where I fit in cause when I open my mouth I know nobody's listenin'

To the words of a prophet who still can't turn a profit.

Cause I don't fit in with the in crowd, but I'm too Hollywood to go back to my hometown.”

Those lyrics in particular touch on something that I’ve always dealt with. The feeling that you’re too much of one thing and not enough of the other to really find where you fit. When you’re into a little bit of everything it can be tricky to find those that share your interests. It’s disheartening when you’re with people that you feel you can’t truly be yourself around because they’re either not going to understand – or not care enough to listen. Everything I love and everything I am, it all clashes. Picture Elle Woods, if she was into punk, horror and comics.

Part of figuring yourself out is learning not to hide any aspect of what makes you who you are. Especially, if you’re hiding who you are in order to fit in. This is something I had to figure out as I got older and learned to accept myself. If you love something, you should talk about it. Find people that listen to you and accept every part of you, not just the parts that are the most convenient to them.  On the contrary, if someone shares a part of themselves with you, be open to listen to them even if it’s not something you’re into. No one is completely one dimensional. If all of the people in my life were exactly the same, it would be incredibly dull. Once you figure out the things that make you who you are, never let anyone make you feel bad about it. Find ways to express yourself when you feel like you’re not being heard. Don’t let others keep you from using your voice because someone out there will listen.

“Let's get back to the basics and take it back to the basement

Where I heard Born To Run for the first time and I stared at my dad in amazement

He said, "Son don't stop chasing great and keep pounding the pavement."

So I'd much rather die tryin' to make something sacred than live as another YouTube sensation.”

Another part of figuring yourself is finding your purpose in life. As you grow, you’ll change your mind about the things you want in life. And that’s totally okay. If you’re going to spend every day dedicating your life to something, it needs to be something that you’re passionate about. Don’t limit yourself; you owe it to yourself to do the things that make you happy. Allow yourself be inspired and go out and inspire others. This is connected to figuring out who you are and finding your voice. If you feel that you’re not being heard, find a way to use your voice and it could lead you to your purpose. Get loud, be bold, and discover new ways to express yourself. Whether it’s through writing, music, art – it doesn’t matter. As long as you’re doing what you want. When I felt that I wasn’t being heard, I turned to writing. If the people around me weren’t going to listen to me, I knew someone else out there would.

“But I believe there's more to life than all my problems maybe there's still hope for me to start again.”

A huge part of life is spent figuring yourself out. Figure out what makes you who you are and surround yourself with people that encourage you to be just that. Go out and find the things that make you passionate and do those things. It you thought you had it all figured out and you’re starting over, it’s okay. Things happen, setbacks occur, and life gets in the way. No matter what the case may be, there’s always a chance for you. A chance to start over, to continue to progress and go for the things you want. Never stop going after the things you want. But most importantly, never stop being unapologetically yourself. Never apologize for the things that you love or make you happy. 

March was a busy month full of new products, music and lots and a whole lot more. I have a ton of new favorites that I’ve been loving so far. Everything from: beauty, skincare, music, movies and more.

Let’s get started.

Beauty:

Colour Pop Ultra Matte Lip in Trap, Teeny Tiny, Kapow- I am absolutely OBSESSED with these liquid lipsticks. I finally understand the craze and at $6 a pop, I can shamelessly fuel my obsession without breaking the bank. These are highly pigmented, go on smooth, and they last forever. Make sure you have a great makeup remover because you’ll need to scrub these things off at the end of the day, which I don’t mind. Plus, the color selection is on point. I have quite a few but these three colors are the ones I’ve been reaching for the most.

Trap- Probably my all-time fave. It’s a grey-beige (greige), similar to Cashmere by Lime Crime. It goes with pretty much every look. I was a little hesitant to try it at first but I’m so glad I did.

Teeny Tiny- It’s a few shades darker that Trap so if you’re not into a full on greige, this is perfect for you. It’s a bit warmer and brown based. Flattering on every skin tone.

Kapow- This was another that I just had to take the plunge and go for. It’s a muted grey taupe shade and the grey definitely stands out. If you want something a little out of the box, this is the shade for you.

Colour Pop MatteLippie Stix in Grunge- Damn Mikayla, back at it again with the Colour Pop. These lippie stix are great for those that want the pigmentation of the liquid lipsticks but without the drying feeling. They come in different finishes from: glossy, pearl and satin. The color Grunge is pretty much me in a lipstick. It’s a cool-toned plum brown and it’s everything I want in a lipstick. It’s matte but it doesn’t dry your lips out and doesn’t wear off.


L-R: Trap, Teeny Tiny, Kapow, Grunge.

Nivea Lip Butter- Between all of these matte lipsticks and the spring weather, my lips have been going crazy. This lip balm is a life saver. It’s thick and keeps my lips hydrated. Plus, the smell is amazing.

Elf Blush Pallet- This blush pallet features four different shades. They’re highly pigmented and they blend out nicely. It’s very easy to go in heavy handed so use a lighter hand or a stippling brush. Since I go bare faced a lot I rarely wear them as blushes, but I do wear them as eye shadows a lot - especially the darker berry shade.

Garnier GelMoisturizer- This has been another life saver after I ran out of my Clean and Clear Gel Moisturizer. With my combination skin, I find that gel moisturizers work the best for my face so while searching for a new product, I lucked up on this. It’s in the dry skin formula but it doesn’t leave my skin feeling oily or greasy. It sink into the skin, keeping it hydrated without the shine.

Entertainment:

The Divergent Series: Allegiant- Y’all, this movie was everything. They redeemed themselves after Insurgent (which I wasn’t too big on). It kept you wanting more from start to finish. Shailene Woodley is phenomenal. Bring on Ascendant!

Fifth Harmony- Work From Home (Ft. Ty Dolla $ign) - If you play this song there’s a 110% chance you’ll find me dancing.

Tonight Alive- Amelia- I saw Tonight Alive during their Fight For Something tour (post on this to come soon) and it was amazing. During the show they performed an acoustic version of Amelia from their first album and I’ve been listening to it on repeat ever since. It’s so heartfelt and seeing it live is something everyone needs to experience. 

Until next time,

On March 13^th I had the pleasure of attending The Word Alive’s NC show during their Dark Matter Tour.

Alongside The Word Alive were: HerEcho, A Boy Named Sue, Out Came the Wolves, and Fit For a King. One of my favorite things about these shows is how headlining bands will reach out to local talent to come out and be a part of the show. I’ve discovered so many amazing local bands through shows like this.

The show itself was incredible. Seeing The Word Alive perform old favorites like Life Cycles is an experience in itself, the crowd thrashing around and screaming the lyrics back at the band and feeding off of one another’s energy is amazing. The real treat was getting to experience the songs off TWA’s newest album Dark Matter days before it released.

Dark Matter is out now on iTunes and in stores. The album is bigger and bolder than those that came before it. TWA did an amazing job at re-vamping their sound to create something that was unique and different, but still had the charm that fans already knew and loved. Matt Good (of From First to Last) produced the album which is one of my favorite aspects of the album as someone who has loved Matt’s work for years. There’s something on album for everyone, from the heavy hitters to the soft spoken tracks.

A personal favorite of mine from the album is Grunge- this is one of the songs I got to preview during their show.

For those that missed out on The Word Alive during their Dark Matter tour, you’ll get the chance to see them all summer during the Vans Warped Tour! In the meantime, treat yourself to Dark Matter on iTunes.

Here’s a few shots from the show: 

Oh you know, just casually hanging with Tyler Smith *hair flip*