Is it really true? Is Blogmas 2016 already over? So many mixed emotions about this I can't even describe it. This month was INCREDIBLY difficult. My personal life was basically having a major freak out and there were so many days that I just wanted to call it quits. Not just my blog but also my job, friends, family, everything.

I can't pretend that my personal goal of completing a full blogmas didn't add to the stress. I wanted to make quality content but felt emotionally, mentally, and physically drained. There were posts I questioned or even downright didn't want to publish. They weren't perfect and they felt half-finished which I can't stand. But I worked with the time and energy I had and in the end didn't miss a day of posting.

Tired of me complaining? Honestly, me too. So how about I turn this around and talk about the good moments of December. There were a lot of them but, naturally, the negative events can overwhelm even the happiest memories. 

The last week before Christmas has come and gone. AND GOOD RIDDANCE. Let me just share a moment of my week with you: a mannequin caught on fire at the store because customers keep trying to take clothes off of them to get the size and it rested on a hot light... I mean give it a rest!

I also had a great Wednesday night when I watched Rogue One with the boyo and my mates! The film was incredible and such a great addition to the franchise. I really don't want to wait a whole year for the next movie but they do such a brilliant job it is definitely worth the wait.

Here's my weekly roundup too!

By this time next week we will be going into our last few days of 2016. Thank. The. Lord. I am so over 2016's drama it is honestly beyond being annoyed. 

The first half of 2016 was great. I thought to myself "this is going to be my year. I'm graduating and moving back to California. Nothing can stop me!" Flash-forward to my current reality... how naive could I have been.

But there is a bright side here I promise! It's that the time of NEW planners/calendars has arrived. I am such a sucker for planners. I keep everything in mine - although I do love my bullet journal - even now that I'm graduated. 

It is so hard to pick a planner because I don't want to rush into it and regret my choice for the whole year. For example: this year I got an all white one. Beautiful in the beginning but after spending a year in my purse. Not so much as a speck of white is visible. 

So here are my possible choices for planners in 2017!

Well look who it is, my old friend procrastination. We all do it, don't be ashamed. You thought "Oh I still have the weekend" or "Oh it'll be less crowded on this day. I'll go then." And little by little time creeps up on you until suddenly it's the week before Christmas, there's no weekends left, and you still haven't found the perfect gift for more than half of your family members.

Don't you worry, I did the same! That's why I'm here with a procrastinators gift guide. Who has time to sit and think about what you want to get somebody? You always end up asking your sibling what you think your mum would want anyways (Just me? Every year? Okay.) 

So here's the last gift guide of blogmas dedicated to my fellow Christmas procrastinators. 

So I am definitely not calling myself an expert here in gift wrapping. Actually, it's almost the exact opposite. You see, me and gift wrapping are long time enemies. But, I also feel this makes me qualified to talk about my tips and tricks of gift wrapping.

It's not going to be your Martha Stewart Gift Wrapping Guide (because I did browse through that one earlier this week and who is actually going to buy extra supplies just to wrap a present -- t-shaped rulers?). But if you're like me -physically incapable of folding paper around objects- then this one's for you kindred spirits!

I'm a nostalgic person and I'm not ashamed to admit it. I love talking about the past with friends and family. Laughing about old stories or cringing at the most embarrassing moments. Another nostalgic thing for me to do is look back at old blog posts. 

In my previous post I talked about how I felt last year at this time. Which, in turn, persuaded me to revisit my blog posts from last year. And honestly there isn't much there. But I laughed at the things I wrote and thought of myself writing them. 

Trying to squeeze in posts between finals and my internship. Making sure no one saw me writing my blog posts for fear that they would think I'm basic (or worse, actually reading my blog!). 

Disclaimer: I am usually the mayor of Singletown, so this one's a new one for me. But, as fate has intervened, I am currently dating and thus, have decided to make an idea list. There are so many fun activities to do this time of year. I mean like... so many. Just take a look at my Christmas Bucketlist (here) for examples. 

These don't even have to be couple activities either, my friends. You can go with your best friend, sibling, parents, grandparents, dog, what have you. So grab your buddy and get out into the wonderful winter wonderland that is Christmas time!

Last year I challenged myself to wear red lipstick every single day of December. Now, if anyone knows what this entails, it's a lot of smearing and wiping and double checking that it isn't on your teeth or all the way up by your nose. In short, it's exhausting. 

However, throughout my travels I have come across a select number of lipsticks that are literal red lip heaven. No smearing, long lasting, and all around great color payoff. 

So if you have been searching for the perfect red for your holiday season, then look no further!

Okay so this post is not going to be a rant per se. It's just going to be some of my musings on this time of year. This time that is supposed to be filled with warmth and compassion. A time when selfishness should be set aside. It's the last month of the year, shouldn't it be the best one?

So, as so many online retailers do, ASOS' website has created gift guides for their customers needs. I thought it would be nice to pick through these gift guides and find my favorites! 

I love ASOS, which might sound weird for European viewers, because it just isn't as big of a company in the U.S. But it has so many incredible choices in both high end and affordable price points. Honestly, since finding ASOS I haven't needed to scan through Nordstrom's website - which used to be my favorite site!

And now for the gift guide...

I really can't lie to you, I've been listening to Christmas music since September. But, I also think this makes me qualified to talk about Christmas playlists on Spotify because I have gone through a handful of them! I've found that I am someone who enjoys a classic version of the songs we all know and love. 

While pop remixes can be great, I think they begin to sound obnoxious after awhile. Sorry Sam Smith but I can only listen to your version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" so many times. But give me Judy Garland singing it and I'm complete. 

So instead of just making one playlist I'm going to be sharing my favorites that I've found so far!