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. 

WHEN IT'S A WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS: A STORY

Let's have a little chat, shall we? Find some cozy socks, sit in a nice comfy chair, and treat yourself to a warm hot chocolate. Christmas, my friends, is one week away. One week and all this hectic parade of gifts guides, party outfits, and cookie recipes will be done. 

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!

So we've done outfits, budgeting, and gift guides... but still no makeup?! Well lads that's about to change because I have finally found a Christmas makeup look I'm loving. It's full of burnt oranges, reds and  browns which are seriously my favorite pigments at the moment. There is something about doing a smokey eye with those shades that makes me feel so empowered. I also don't claim to be a makeup expert but I do love the stuff and have been on a very up & down journey since grade seven! Does that qualify me? I vote yes. 

CHRISTMAS ON A BUDGET

I don't want to proclaim myself as a penny pincher but let's just say I record everything that goes in and out of my bank account. Ever since I was little I have been very cautious of how I spend money. Now that I'm out of school, planning for the future is very important to me. But, of course, this is Christmas... so how do I keep things under control?

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?

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! 

FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MOVIES PART 2

Oh there's no place like ABC Family (now Freeform... don't get me started) for the holidays. Honestly the 25 Days of Christmas special has been a part of my life since before I can even remember and I can't imagine a Christmas without it. Even if I've seen each movie 3,117 times I am always happy and excited to sit down and watch. 

I did a christmas list of my favorite movies last year - which you can read here - but obviously I have so many more favorites that didn't even make it on that list! Which brings me to day 5 of blogmas...

Let's just sit here and really appreciate for a moment that December is the last month of 2016. You may be thinking well... duh. What I mean is that this horrible second half of 2016 is almost over! And I really, really, realllly want to make this last month good. Because come 2017 I am hoping things start to turn up. 

But beyond that it's also the month of Christmas so good or bad at least I can hold on to that! Now let's move on to this weeks weekly roundup, shall we?

As cliché as it may be I am such a sucker for Bath & Bodyworks products. It's funny that this company has literally been around for so many years and still comes out with such successful products. The candles are honestly unlike any other candle I've ever had. So, naturally, when my favorite time of the year rolls around I am equally as excited for the B&B Christmas Range. 

Here are a few of my current favorites from the Christmas line!

Oh, internet world of 2016. You are like a nosey little booger no one can seem to get rid of. What do I mean by this? Well I came across an article on Buzzfeed (I know, not top quality information) and it debated the right time to start celebrating Christmas. 

I scrolled down to the bottom to read through the comments section (also a guilty pleasure). And, per usual, it made me frustrated. You might be thinking "why did you read the article if you didn't want to see the negativity?" Well, I had hoped one single person would comment that it was no one else's business.

There are a lot of aspects about social media that are just so appalling. And dictating when, how, or what people do with their OWN lives has to be one of the worst. If I wanted to start celebrating Christmas on July 5th then that it is my right to do so. Which got me to thinking... what else is there that people do that is no one else's G-Dang Business. 

Well here's my list!

Okay so sue me... I'm doing a Christmas post like a week before Halloween. But it's necessary I promise AND it's officially two months until Christmas day. How insane is that!!! I popped in to Lush before work the other day and chatted with the sales people about the new Christmas range for like 30 whole minutes. I grabbed the booklet on my way out so I could sit and stare in awe at all the adorable new items. 

Here are the one's I will drop a whole paycheck on!

So how about we start with the adorable decor of the party BEFORE we dive into the heavy stuff? I honestly believe that the reason Halloween and Christmas are so popular is strictly due to the special decorations that come with them. Would Christmas be nearly as magical without a beautiful tree, strewn with bobbles and ornaments that glisten in the fairy lights? Nope. It wouldn't. 

The same can be said for Halloween! The pumpkin orange, black, and purple are like a sensory pleaser. They actually make you feel different than you do at other times of the year. How incredible is that?

I'm going to attach some pictures of the party decorations below! I hope you find some inspiration in them as well...