Christmas Cracker Tag

I was tagged by my darling pen pal Lauren of The Emerald Dove to take part in this jolly little Christmas tag. I haven't even spoken of Christmas on this blog yet so here we go!

Rules

Answer all ten questions below

Make sure to add The Christmas Cracker Tag logo (above) somewhere in your post 

Tag as many bloggers as you like to do the tag 

Comment on the blogs you have tagged to let them know!

One: What's on your Christmas list?

Always books, money... my list has gotten much less specific as I've gotten older. I like things from the heart. Also, for someone to pay my tuition. That.

Two: What's on your Christmas Day agenda?

Family time, yo. I spend Christmas day with my mom's side of the family playing games and eating and talking and loving on each other. All the cookies shall be mine. We open presents, eat breakfast, and head to my Grandpa's house. This season will be a special treat because my aunt, who is my favorite person alive, will be in town.

Three: How much Christmas shopping have you done?

I got all of mine done like three weeks ago. I like to do it all at once. I have zero patience for holiday retail.

Four: What's your biggest ever surprise gift?

I don't know if I've ever been hugely surprised by a gift. My mom gives the best presents because I never tell her a specific thing, she just finds things that are perfect for me. I'm always surprised to see what she gets me. They are little oddities that are always so special.

Five: When do you usually put up your Christmas tree?

Um... like the second week of December? I'd prefer to have it up on the first, but Christmas is so busy, isn't it?

Six: Do you have a special outfit planned for Christmas day?

Blue sheer high-low dress with black lace on the side, leather jacket, grey boots. Looking supreme.

Seven: Do you have any plans for boxing day?

Coffee with an out of town friend and a movie with my family :)

Eight: When did you stop believing in Santa?

I don't remember an exact age. Probably age seven. My parents were divorced that year and I didn't buy that Santa deposited my presents at two separate houses.

Nine: What's your favorite Christmas scent?

I wear it all year but it's only available at Christmas. I adore Winter Candy Apple from Bath and Body Works. It's my smell.

Ten: What do you love most about Christmas?

Being able to relax and breathe for a few days. Family. Delicious food and just the general atmosphere of the season. The snow and fireplaces are so romantic.

Please feel free to take part in this tag! I'd love to hear about all of your Christmas traditions!

Autumn Tag

I was tagged by the gorgeous Lauren found at The Emerald Dove to take part in the autumn tag! She is fabulous and has perfect taste in everything. Go love her. And you can see the original post over on Georgina's blog Makeup Pixi3. There are links to a bunch of the other tag answers that I loved reading. Thanks Georgina for starting the tag!

So let's get down to tag business!

Here are the questions:

For Autumn, what is your...
1. Favorite thing about it?
2. Favorite drink?
3. Favorite scent/candle?
4. Best lipstick?
5. Go to moisturizer?
6. Go to colors for eyes?
7 Favorite music or band/singer to listen to?
8. Favorite outfit to wear
9. Autumn treat (i.e. a new scarf or bag you have your eye on)
10. Favorite place to be?

1. Favorite thing about it?
I love how new it all feels. The crisp air renews my dedication and my zest for life. I adore summer but sometimes heat drags me down too deep. I love the grey rain clouds rolling in and leaving red leaves behind them as the season changes. I love weather that is slightly melancholic. It makes me feel all artistic and inspired :)

via WeHeartIt

2. Favorite drink?

I love working in a coffee shop in the winter and fall because all of the fun seasonal drinks come back. My favorite drink is for sure a chai with a pump of pumpkin spice. Chai is such a warm flavor and having a dash of pumpkin spice gives it a hint of the pumpkin flavor without killing it with sweetness. It is perfect. Also. So is this.

via SomeECards

3. Favorite scent/candle?

Favorite scent is the working in a coffee shop smell. From autumn until winter is over, it is always a bit busier and everyone is so happy to have their peppermint and pumpkin spice. I love the smell of steamed soy milk so much. That smells like fall to me. Someone make me that candle.

4. Best lipstick?

I really love Revlon Rich Girl Red. It's really a red that pops without being overpowering.

She is wearing it here.
via BeautyTidbits

5. Go to moisturizer? 

I don't really switch moisturizers based on seasons. My skin is finicky about product change so I stick with my Clean and Clear Advantage oil free Acne Control Moisturizer. It feels so good and smells like a clean baby.

6. Go to color for eyes?

I have been obsessively using an Ulta eye palate all year. But I've recently become obsessed with the color called Social Climber. It's a really dark smokey brown with some sparkle to it. Very much like the leaves in the fall.

via Ulta

7. Favorite music?

My music already is pretty fall sounding I think. I listen to mostly indie folk and acoustic anyway which is perfect for fall. But right now I've been obsessively listening to Mumford and Sons. I've had a very tough time lately and my favorite band always helps. And they just are made for fall. Also every season.

8. Favorite outfit to wear?

I live for wearing my boots and slouchy knit hats. Boots for days, yo. And scarves. Also leggings and dresses. It's all my favorite. But boots are where my heart is.

9. Autumn treat for myself?

I am severely lacking money right now for new treats but I would love some more boots and slouchy sweaters :) So, anyone wanna donate money to my fashion cause?

10. Favorite place to be?

I love taking drives in the mountains in the fall. Driving in my car is the greatest solace I could experience and in the winter, I am unable to take long drives for a few months, which often leaves me moody and feeling really boxed in. It's important on my big car rides that I'm able to have my windows open so in September and October I take advantage of the last few snow free days here and let the wind blow me around the mountains up here. 

Took this on my drive today. For real, nature?

YAY fall! I tag everyone to do this. We clearly all love fall and I'd love to know all of your favorites :)

Inspirational Tag

As I was reading my daily blogs, I came across a post from a new blog that I found recently. This girl is the cutest and she is British. So mostly I am obsessed with her and I read quite a few of her older posts as well as the post she wrote a few days back called Inspirational Tag. When you check out that post, look at her other ones. Girl has amazing style and she can write! I love her blog.

Inspiration is so excellent but it can be so hard to come by. Lately I have been feeling crazy inspired and I want to spread the wealth because I know what it feels like to be hunting for inspiration. It feels awful to feel like you have nothing to say and nothing to inspire you.

I tag all of you lovely readers to participate in this tag and share your tips for inspiration! Then when any of us feel uninspired we can look back at these posts, started by The Emerald Dove, we can get that flood of inspiration.

via Tumblr

So here are the questions to answer for this tag as well as my answers. :)

Questions: 
What is your favorite quotation?
What would you say to someone who feels inadequate?
What do you wish someone had told you before?
What is your advice for anyone who is being bullied?
What is your mantra in life?
What gets you down or do you find difficult and what would you say to anyone in a similar position?
Which historical figure do you identify most with?

(I love these questions by the way. Talk about getting inspiration flowing.)

Answers: 
What is your favorite quotation? I have a lot but one of my absolute favorites is from F. Scott Fitzgerald. He says, "That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you're not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong." I love this quote so much and always find a lot of inspiration in the books I read.

What would you say to someone who feels inadequate? I would tell them that we have all felt this way before. Every time you feel inadequate will be matched by at least 20 more moments when you feel perfectly adequate or even extraordinary. Every hard moment will one day be a blip on the radar of your wonderful life.

What do you wish someone had told you before? I wish someone would have told me that ti's ok to feel stuck and feel depressed. It's ok to feel down for a long time because you have been hurt. Take all the time you need to bounce back but understand that you need to feel the pain you have felt in order to move on.

via Tumblr

What is your advice for anyone who is being bullied? You are better than the person who is hurting you. I know that we are told to look at life through their eyes and try to understand that if a person is bullying us, they must be hurting too. But guess what? Just because they are hurting does NOT mean they have the right to hurt you. Nobody has that right. Ever. You are stronger than them because you chose not to bully. Choice and accountability, friends. Tell someone you trust what is happening and make something happen to end it. Be proactive.

What is your mantra in life? Another Fitzgerald quote clearly. "Vitality shows in not only the ability to persist but in the ability to start over." 

What gets you down or do you find difficult and what would you say to anyone in a similar position? What gets me down is when I feel like whatever I am being made to do is pointless. Or if I hate what I'm doing but know it will benefit me in the long run. I hate not being constantly able to live my dreams and my passions. If I had my choice all I would do all day is read and write. Sadly, life requires money and work so I have to put my passions on hold for a hot second. Sometimes it gets hard to focus on short term goals because you are blinded by your long term future and wants. Persist, guys. Don't sabotage yourself out of doing your best because you just want to get to the good part of life. Work hard in all you do and you will get there faster. Keep going.

Which historical figure do you identify most with? Anne Boleyn. Always and forever. Homegirl knew what she wanted and she worked her corseted butt off to get there. She was so smart and so clever and was ahead of her time. I identify a lot with her determination and her zeal for the things she loved. She makes me feel sexy and powerful and I always strive to be more courageous and determined as she was. Also... she is hot as hell. Captured a King's eye and didn't do the nasty with him for seven years. She's the best ever. 

via Fanpop.
That smirk. Get her out of here. 

I loved this tag! I hope to see some more responses to it! Thanks again to The Emerald Dove for starting the tag! Go love on her blog and make your own response.

TAG! You're it!