Nourish Organic Review

To say “I'm in love with Nourish Organic” would be more of an understatement than “Kanye West loves himself”. Their products are more expensive than drugstores, but are comparable to Bath and Body Works. Yes, Bath and Body Works smells great when you walk in, but their products are filled with harmful chemicals.  

What I love about Nourish Organic is they are completely organic and have no harmful ingredients. When buying beauty products, looking at the label is very important. The reason being because products that supposedly "moisturize" and "smooth" most likely have harmful chemicals.  

What I Got:

Body Lotion - Lavender Mint

This is the perfect on-the-go lotion. This lotion is very light and smells great. The weather in Burlington was uncharacteristically warm this year, which made it too hot to wear pants.  The problem being, when it's cold one week, you don't think too much about your dry skin because your skin is covered in layers. This is the perfect lotion to keep on your counter to quickly put on before you go out.

Replenishing Argan Oil

Even though having beautiful skin is very important, my hair is always my number one priority. I make sure it looks healthy and not like I just rolled out of bed. This product is great because you can use it for your hair but also for your face and body.

For hair: Use as a hot oil treatment. Hot oil treatments are the best way to seal split ends and make the way to having healthy hair. If you don't have a way to heat the oil, just use your hands.  Most of the time it's better because I always leave the oil in the microwave for too long.

For face and body: Use as a light moisturizer. For you body, apply to damp skin after a shower.  My favorite is to use this oil as a hand moisturizer. Your hands are mostly affected by the harsh winds and this helps them from becoming dry and cracked. For you face, apply a small amount.  This is an oil, which means it will make your skin oily. I naturally have oily skin, so if you're like me, only apply at night.  

Apricot and Rosehip Argan Face Serum

One of my biggest worries in school is that after a long day in the library, I look like a zombie.  Doing homework for hours can make you look stressed and exhausted. This serum is great to make your face look renewed through hydrating and replenishing your skin.  

Avocado and Argan Eye Cream

As an insomniac I get about three hours of sleep a night, if I'm lucky. If I can find a product that helps my eyes look a little less like I've been up all night, it becomes my best friend. This product is great if you do wake up with puffy eyes in the morning because it is a great fast absorbing liquid.  

Shea Butter

Not only is this butter organic, it is also fair trade certified. Fair trade is when a fair price is made to producers in developing countries. I learned about fair trade last year when I was volunteering, it was something I didn't know much about, but it is a great cause to support. Fair trade helps producers make a living in developing country to help build a life.  

This butter is not like normal body butters. When I opened it I was a little surprised. This butter has more of a texture of coconut oil. It's great that this is more of a rich substance because it is more hydrating to your skin because it is more concentrated. My advice for using this is use it before bed, the reason being is it takes a little longer to put on and is more oily.  

What to Bring as a Guest to Thanksgiving

I don't think anyone knows how pumped I am for it to be Thanksgiving. There's something amazing about eating dinner in the middle of the day while also watching football. Here's a list of gifts you should bring if you're a guest at someone's Thanksgiving.

1. Wine 

You can never go wrong with bringing a bottle of pinot. The host is stressed out about so much at Thanksgiving, coming with a little stress reliever is the perfect gift.

2. App, Side Dish, Or Dessert 

The hosts main goal is the tuckey and the gravy. It's always nice to have a multitude of sides and desserts. Bringing something to feed the other guests is a very nice gesture.

3. Something For the Next Morning 

After spending all day making sure the turkey is cooked perfectly, the last thing the host is worried about is making something for breakfast the next day.  Bring some scones or muffins, for the host.

4. Board Game 

I don't know about your family, but my family’s Thanksgiving is not complete without a little round of Monopoly.  Even if your Thanksgiving is all adults, Will and Grace charades always looked like a blast.

5. A Gift for the Host 

Lastly, a great gesture would be to bring a little something for the host.  It doesn't have to be something big, but enough to show you appreciate all the hard work they do.

7 Thanksgiving Movies You Need to Watch

When everyone thinks about holidays movies, they instantly go to Home Alone and What a Wonderful World. Don't get me wrong I love those movies, but Thanksgiving movies are greatly underrated. Here are a few you need to watch:

1. Planes, Trains and Automobiles  

This is a great movie starring Steve Martin and John Candy.  This movie is about a man's struggle to travel home for Thanksgiving with a man that is his polar opposite.

2. Pieces of April  

This movie stars Katie Holmes. Katie plays a daughter who invites her dying mother and the rest of her estranged family to her place for Thanksgiving.

3. Home For the Holidays  

This is a hilarious movie about a woman who lost her job, made out with her former boss and then finds out she's alone on Thanksgiving because her daughter is planning on spending it with her boyfriend.  This movie stars Holly Hunter and Robert Downey Jr.

4.  Hannah and Her Sisters

This movie stars Michael Caine, Mia Farrow, and Dianne Wiest.  The movie is about two thanksgivings that are two years apart.  Hannah's husband falls in love with her sister Lee, while her crazy ex-husband starts a relationship with her sister Holly.  

5. Stagecoach 

 This is about a group of people traveling in a stagecoach to find their journey get more complicated by the threat of Geronimo.  This movie stars John Wayne and Claire Trevor.

 6. The Ice Storm

  This movie is about a 1973 suburban Connecticut middle class family who experiments with casual sex, drinking, and also have Thanksgiving.  This movie stars Kevin Kline and Joan Allan.

7. Broadway Danny Rose 

This movie is about a talent agent who attempts to reconcile a lounge singer with this mistress.  This movie stars Woody Allen and Mia Farrow.

What to Wear This Thankgiving

Even though everyone's favorite holiday is Christmas, my favorite holiday without a doubt is Thanksgiving. The reason being is Christmas can become this stressful event, with all the gift giving and the financial aspect. Yes, making a dinner for a large group of people is expensive and stressful in itself, but it's great having your house filled with family and friends.

Comfy Vest and Leggings

Sometimes when people wear leggings, it look like they’re about to go to the gym, rather than class. The thing is, on Thanksgiving wearing jeans is a struggle, but making leggings look like real pants is easier than you think. Stay away from flats and sneakers and wear some thigh high boots.  

Skarf: Nordstrom

Vest:Macys

Leggings:Athleta

Boots: Jcrew

 Jeggings

Thanksgiving in my opinion is the perfect holiday to meet the parents of who you are dating.  Meeting the parents is very stressful because you are constantly worried whether or not they like you or if you are dressed right. Dress classy casual; jeans are flattering because they make you look down to earth. Unless you're dating Chuck Bass, this is the perfect outfit for a laid back, home cooked meal with your significant other’s parents.  

Sunglasses: Coach

Jacket:Anthropologie

Shirt: AE

Jeans:Bloomingdales

Boots: Lulus

 Sweater Dress

This is perfect outfit for a college student who is going home for Thanksgiving, but not having dinner at their house. That is because when you're traveling home, you are really limited to what you can take. A sweater dress is cute and also does not take up a lot of room.  

Floppy Hat: Asos

Swearter Dress: AE

Over the knee boots: Atuart Weitzman

 High Waisted Pants

Even though I feel like you have to eat pounds of food, for the button on your pants to pop, high-waisted pants are great for Thanksgiving because they give your stomach room. Also, the best thing about high waisted anything is that you can wear a cute crop sweater.  

Crop Sweater:AE

Flowey Scarf: Farfetch

High Waisted Bell Bottoms:Nordstrom

 Sweater Jacket

I'm in love with this outfit. Not only is it extremely fashionable and elegant, it also looks so comfortable. One of the biggest things about Thanksgiving is being comfortable. Because this jacket is going to be the main piece of your outfit, stick to neutral colors for your accessories.  

Jacket:AE

Boots: Zappos

Acure Review

Over the summer I decided to go blonde and when ever you go blonde, your hair becomes as dry as you ever could've imagined. When I got to school I enjoyed the blonde for a few weeks, then I said "It has to go". Now my hair is a little darker and a lot shorter. I thought: new school year, maybe I should start taking care of my hair.

About Acure 

Acure is a family owned organic beauty line that was founded on the purpose of having sustainable principles that provide fair trade, natural and certified organic products. Acure is animal friendly and their products have no harmful chemicals.  

“I founded Acure Organics as a way to honor my grandmother, who battled breast cancer for over 10 years. I wanted to help raise money for breast cancer research and awareness while also providing healthy products that promote healthier living and a greener planet. We are proud to donate to Bright Pink and to help provide free mammograms to at risk women.”—Kristy Guerra  

What I Tried

 Repairing Shampoo 

Whenever you are looking to get shampoo to help your damaged hair, always look at the ingredients. You might not know this, but many hair products contain alcohol which is damaging and drying to your hair. This shampoo was great! It was a little watery (it is a clear shampoo) so when you open it you just have to make sure not to spill half of it in your shower.  

Repairing Conditioner 

I've used a lot of deep conditioners and repairing conditioners in my lifetime and this one came close to my favorite one that I've been using for years. My hair is very thin which creates a problem with conditioners because they make your hair oily. This conditioner did exactly what it markets; it definitely repaired my remaining dead ends and made my hair shinier.

Rocksbox Review

When it comes to jewelry I would say I'm a very picky person, but also very loyal. I've been wearing the same two bracelets on my wrist since second grade and the elephant ring on my finger is kind of stuck so I don't really have a choice in that one.  

What is RocksBox?

Rocksbox is a pretty cool company and it is also very easy to set up an account. It is a little like IPSY for jewelry. You take a little quiz about your fashion and then pick ten items that you just love. A style insider then sends you three pieces that they think you will like.

What I Got:

Gorjana Trinity Knot Studs

I have to start out with these because I am absolutely in love with them. Growing up on the Cape, I've always loved knotted jewelry and these were very simple and delicate. One thing about the jewelry I wear is I like when it is less flashy and giant. I prefer very simple, but still intricate.  

Jules Smith Gold Stack Midi Rings

Stack rings are definitely something I've always wanted to have. They are perfect when you want to add a little bit more style to an outfit without overdoing it. Even though I do say these rings can be perfect for a night out, they can also be a great add on to an everyday outfit.

Sophie Harper Teardrop Pendant Necklace

This necklace is perfect to wear over a black dress or shirt. There's something about gold and black that just goes together perfectly. Sadly, being in Vermont for college doesn't give me many excuses to dress up nice; I still wore this to class and it looked great matched with a flannel.

Final Thoughts

I honestly thought Rocksbox was great, which I don't think of many subscription boxes. I do love getting my IPSY beginning the month, but I've told them months in a row I don't wear eye makeup, yet still get eyeliner (literally have twenty never opened eyeliners if anyone needs one). I did Rocksbox for one month and they were right on with my sense of style. I'm not a very flashy person when it comes to jewelry and every piece I got was something I would wear a lot.

Female Artists You Need to Start Listening to Now

Elle King

Little fact about Elle is she is Rob Schneider's daughter, but she goes with her mother's last name. Elle's song style is a little rougher than most women singers and it's kind of amazing. Even though I found out about Ellie through a pop playlist on Spotify, she is more of a country blues singer.

Song: Ex's & Oh's

Alessia Cara

With a last name like Cara, I just had to include Alessia. Alessia is from Ontario, Canada and is only 19 years old and already has two pop hits. This is definitely an artist you have to check out before you see her everywhere.  

Song: Here

Halsey

Halsey became famous from doing YouTube video covers; it was only one year ago when she signed her contract with Astralwerks. Halsey's latest appearances were on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Last Call with Carson Daly.  

Song: New Americana

Ella Eyre

Elle is an English singer signed with Virgin EMI Records. Her song beautifully explains dating in the 21st century. It's about everything moving too fast and how "dating" has lost its class.  

Song: We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off

Ruth B

I'm a little obsessed with this song to say the least. It became popular through a YouTube video and is now streaming on Spotify. This song is just simplistically beautiful. It tells a story about someone being lost then finally finding their way home.
Song: Lost Boy

Daya

Like Elle Eyre's song, Daya also describes what it is like to date and especially, in my opinion, in college. The difference is Daya's is more poppy and straight-forward. When you're having a “college guys suck day” listen to this song and maybe figure out where the good boys go. 

Song: Hide Away

Hey Honey Review

The switch from ninety degree beach days to now thirty degree windy days took a fast toll on my skin. I was looking for a product to use and I wanted to try something that was a little different and worked a lot better than the giant thing of lotion I got from CVS. I tried Hey Honey I Peel Good: Biomimetic Honey Peel Cream.

About Hey Honey 

Hey Honey was created a few years ago by Katerina Yoffe-Lardon. Sophie seemed to have the same problem I had: wanted to have great skin, but didn’t have the time to stick to a constant regimen. They chose honey because the honey is healing and nutritive.

I Peel Good! 

The reason why I loved this product so much is because I'm lazy. Well I wouldn't say lazy, but after getting home from work at 1am or after a long day of classes, I kind of just want to watch an episode of Friends then pass out. The great thing about this product is you don't need to use it every day, it works well with your lifestyle. Some of the less expensive lotions, if you don't apply everyday, aren’t worth it. This product I apply one to two times a week and my dry skin is improving.

5 Unique Ways to Use a Scarf

Scarves are something that I feel people see only have one purpose - to wear it around your neck - but scarves have so many different uses that are pretty sweet.

In this article I'm using a scarf from Shovana, a company from Kazakhstan.  One downfall some scarfs have is they are not made that well.  You wear it once and the side of it starts to tear and then you're out $50.  These scarfs are made wonderfully and are also super soft.    

One of my favorite things about this scarf which might be pretty obvious is how pretty it is.  The colors and design looks exactly as pictured if not better.  The reason why I choose this one was because of the wing span but also the he flowers.  Even though I'm so petrified of birds I think they are gorgeous (from very faraway distances)

1. Wear it Around Your Neck

Probably one of the most common ways to wear a scarf, but there are hundreds of ways to wear a scarf that you may not know of. What I like about wearing this scarf this way is you get to fully see the details in the wings.  

2. Shawl

For some reason (not complaining) we have been having a little of a hot fall. This scarf is perfect for those chilly nights when you can't bring yourself to put on a winter jacket.  

3. Bed Spread

One great thing about these scarves is that they are giant! They can be used to make a cool cover to your bed spread or cover on a couch. I'm all about little DIY's to make your dorm room not look like a dorm room.  

4. Head Scarf

Wearing a scarf is very fashionable but also a way to keep warm in the fall months. Check out this link to learn how to do this style.  

5. Tapestry 

This scarf has beautiful colors that have the right to be appreciated on a daily basis. If you do decide to hang this scarf up, be sure to be careful not to slip it at all.