ten random things that are keeping me inspired this spring.

Balance seems out of reach. Despite my best efforts, living a balanced life seems near impossible to achieve, even on a temporary basis. It seems that life is either uncertain and achingly slow or full steam ahead. At the moment, it seems that I am in a season of "full steam ahead." There are appointments, plans, requests, and a to-do list that grows longer with each moment that passes. What kind of season are you in right now? Is the pace a little slower or are you struggling to keep it all together? Whether you are overwhelmed or are finding life a little quieter, it is essential to stay inspired. To find little things that matter. To hold onto bits and pieces of happiness. That is what inspired this blog post. I have been seeking out all that is joyful and beautiful in my world. On that note, here are ten random things that have been keeping me inspired this spring. 

my favourite albums to write to.

Some people can write in silence. I am not one of those people. There needs to be something on in the background to spark the flow of creative energy. Though there are many albums on my shelves, there are four that I tend to listen to when I am writing. Some are connected to specific projects while others make me feel safe enough to address the blank page. 

staying organized in 2026 (ban.do planner and daily journal)

Now that there is a shiny new year underway, it seems like an appropriate time to highlight some of the organizational items that will be with me throughout 2026. Planners and notebooks are essential for me to stay focused, track to-do list items, and make sure important tasks are not forgotten. Some people like to use calendars on their phone or to set various reminder alarms, but I am an old school pen and paper kind of person. Here is a closer look at my organizational tools for the year. 

took everything i loved and crushed it in between your fingers.

I came across a blog post recently that bothered me. Several days later, it is still on my mind. For politeness reasons, I will not link to the post, but it was about a young actress who has been the target of an online hate campaign for some time now. This actress has been relentlessly criticized for using her voice. The blog post in question stated that this actress should shut up and smile. Be grateful. Be more feminine. Be sweet. It also compared her directly to another actress. One was positioned as "bad" and the other as "good." Quite frankly, the whole thing made my skin crawl. It is painful when women choose to participate in gendered smear campaigns and attempt to force rigid standards of femininity onto others. Given that this disappointing blog post stirred something up in me, it seemed only appropriate to dedicate my own post to some thoughts that I have about expectations and comparisons. Maybe this post will help me process the frustration that I feel after witnessing such casual cruelty. On the other hand, maybe it won't. But at least I can feel better knowing that I did not shut up and smile. 

i write only because there is a voice within me that will not be stilled.

Writing is one of my oldest friends. It has been there during all sorts of ups and downs. It is a place where I can work through my feelings, find comfort, and feel less alone. I remember when I was younger, there were all sorts of binders and notebooks filled with my endless scribbles. Some days, my hands could not seem to write fast enough. I miss that feeling. Though writing is still a beloved companion, the words don't always flow as easily as they used to. Somewhere along the line, I became hypercritical of my work, of my words, and of myself. What I wrote never seemed good enough. I started to write self-consciously. Timid. Afraid. Small. the creation of beauty is art. has become a place where I can push past that fear and write with more ease. As for my other creative pursuits, like books and short stories and poetry, that is a little more hit and miss. 

my new planner + why i love ban.do

The best part of a new year? A new planner. Without one, my days are disorganized and all over the place. I am someone who relies on a planner to keep my brain focused and functioning. I have tried many different kinds over the years, but my favorite brand is ban.do. Unfortunately, there were a couple of years where I was unable to find products from the brand at my local Indigo...and I was unwilling to pay the extra money to ship a heavy planner to my home. I found other alternatives, and those worked well enough, but were not quite as good as the ban.do planners. So, it was downright thrilling to find a small stack of ban.do planners with different cover art at Indigo during the late summer months. (Maybe that is the secret...to shop for a planner in the summer instead of looking for one in the fall. Though this is a 17 month planner, I use it as a 12 month one. There were just no 12 month options available.) Ready to take a peek inside? Here is the 17 Month Planner from ban.do. 

christmas affirmations, journal prompts, and self care ideas

The countdown is officially on. Christmas Day is almost here! I am always surprised at how quickly the latter half of December passes, even though it seems to be this way each and every year. Though there are all sorts of wonderful moments to enjoy and fun items on the seasonal to-do list...this can also be a time of stress and overwhelm. Maybe your calendar looks a little too full this year, you are struggling to finish your holiday shopping, or there is a project at work that seems to have taken over your life. Does it all feel like too much? Take a deep breath in and let it out. You aren't alone. There are ways to manage stress and overwhelm this holiday season. Here are some Christmas themed affirmations, journal prompts, and self care ideas.

the only way to find your voice is to use it.

One of my loved ones recently had some harsh words for me in response to an open discussion about who I am, what I believe, and what matters most. (Spoiler alert: this includes standing against abusers, elevating the voices of survivors, and not giving money to companies, brands, or artists who support violence and misogyny.) It was a deeply upsetting conversation for a lot reasons. I told them how important it is that I use my voice and try to make a positive difference...and I was told that my efforts do not make a difference and do not matter. That I will not create change. That I am being ridiculous. Of course, I have been thinking about this conversation a lot in recent days as I try to figure out how to move forward with someone who completely disregards the most important parts of me. In truth, it is not something I quite know how to do.

why i stopped being 'nice'

I used to describe myself as nice. I try so hard to be nice. It's important that I be nice. I don't do that anymore, largely because I am not interested in being nice. To be 'nice' in our society means not speaking out, not ruffling feathers, not pushing back on the status quo. It means cramming yourself into a box to make others comfortable. It means losing part of who you are. 

the women i admire...and how that has changed.

Last night, a friend and I went to see the movie, "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." Instantly, I was transported back to my youth. I remember reading that Judy Blume book over and over again. I read it so many times that the cover was cracked and worn. I felt like it understood me in ways that the people in my real life didn't. I felt seen, heard, and understood. Watching the film version took me right back to that time in my life, so full of insecurity and longing. As nostalgia took over, I started to think about the women that I admired when I was younger and how drastically that has changed. 

do we just give up? or make a change?

There is a lot to love about Dolly Parton. For example, her talent, kindness, and the fact that she always tries to make the world a better place. I admire a lot about her. Recently, I've realized that what I admire most about Dolly is the fact that she is accepted for who she is. Truth be told, I am a little jealous of that, because it has never been the case for me. In elementary school, my friends dumped me (in a rather dramatic fashion) because I was "holding them back from popularity." In high school, I was bullied mercilessly for wearing band t-shirts and being shy. In adulthood, I was overlooked at work and told that I didn't have the right personality to be promoted. All of those experiences left scars. All of those experiences reminded me that I was not acceptable. For many years, I tried to toe the line. I tried to dress to fit in, follow the trends, do what other people did, and squash down various bits and pieces of my personality. I was still me, but I was never the full me. I wanted to be like everyone else, because I desperately wanted be accepted and acceptable. Not anymore. Not. Anymore. 

journal prompts and affirmations for the fall season.

Ahh...the crisp fall air. There is truly nothing like it. What could be better than a morning walk with a warm sweater while the leaves change colour? Autumn is special. No doubt about it! Since this is such a wonderful time of year, it is important to take a moment to appreciate it all. Something that I like to do as one season shifts to another is journal and recite targeted affirmations. This can really put things in perspective, make it easier to set goals, and ensure that your mindset is positive. Here are a few journal prompts and fall-themed affirmations to make sure this season is fabulous from beginning to end.

five journal tips to help you get started

There are many benefits to keeping a journal. Whether it is a traditional spiral notebook, a bullet journal, or a journal with lists or daily prompts...it can be good for the soul. Some of the most noteworthy journaling benefits include: organizing your thoughts, working through difficult emotions, reducing stress and anxiety, feeling more in touch with yourself, and boosting creativity. Do you journal? Or have you wanted to get started? It can feel a little overwhelming to commit to something that requires regular participation. However, it doesn't have to feel like a burden or obligation. There are many ways to get started and pursue the art of journaling. Here are five tips and tricks that will help you every step of the way.

accepting who i'm not (inspired by but first, coffee)

I am not a blogger with a perfectly curated Instagram feed. I am not someone who takes incredible photos or attends fancy beauty events. I am not the kind of makeup addict who creates looks so inspiring - everyone is desperate to re-create them. I am not a full-time blogger. I am not a beauty expert. (Even if I want to be.) There are so many things that I am not. Things that for a long time, made me feel small. Things that made me feel lacking or less than. It wasn't until I read a recent post from But First, Coffee called, "Accepting Who I'm NOT," that I started to feel okay about these things.

four blog tips to help you grow your little piece of the internet.

Every blog has its ups and downs. Some people are able to find a niche market and build an audience quickly, while others toil away for years and years with little success. When it comes to being a blogger....it can be a roller coaster ride. You never know quite what to expect. Though there are many different types of bloggers out there (the ones who strive to earn their income from blogging vs ones who do it purely for the enjoyment factor), it is always possible to grow.

Let me just say this: the creation of beauty is art. is not a crazy popular blog. However, it is something I am extremely proud of. I have worked very hard to establish it, expand it, and maintain an audience. This is no easy feat! So, today I wanted to share a few blogger tips with you all. Here are four ways to grow your own little piece of the Internet.

inspiration post: makeup, books, quotes, and more.

Inspiration can come from many places. Despite that, I have been feel a little well, uninspired lately. This might have to do with the fact that January is tough....or because I've been under the weather. Whatever the reason, there are days when creativity pours out of me and days where I am tired, grumpy, and unmotivated. Since my inspiration and creativity has been a bit all over the place as of late, I wanted to share a few images, quotes, books, and exercises with you.They have been helping me shift my mindset on those off days. Here are some quick and easy ways to get inspired....

why I'm making time to read in 2018.

Though I meticulously wrote down my goals for the year at the end of last month....I have only just begun to tackle my resolutions. I suppose this is only natural. The start of January is always bogged down with post-holiday sadness, undecorating, and a massive list of tasks that went ignored all December long. Now that February is just about here, I feel a renewed sense of optimism and focus. Which is why I have started to work through my list of New Years Resolutions.

There are many (some related to my career, others to fitness, and some to my blog and YouTube channel), but one of my personal goals has to do with reading. Specifically, to read more this year. This is something I have missed over the years, as my life has gotten fuller and my list of responsibilities longer. Sound familiar? Here are some of the reasons I plan to read more in 2018.

every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.

I won't lie to you. Things have been challenging lately. Every time I open a newspaper or go online, I am bombarded with negativity and hate. Day after day, it is the same. Rights are being taken away, families are being ripped apart, and terror has gripped the hearts of many. (Thankfully, there are also stories of strong individuals fighting against evil. That gives me hope. That keeps me going.) With so much pain and devastation in the world, it has become all too easy to feel powerless. Overwhelmed. Sad. Lost. But there is one very important thing to remember in the days, months, and years to come: we are not powerless.

Though my blog is primarily related to makeup, fashion, and beauty, it is important for me to express how I feel about the world. Having an outlet for these emotions of mine helps keep me sane. I only hope that these sporadic political posts inspire you too....and let you know that you are not alone. So, today I wanted to share some of the quotes that give me comfort. They have been lifting my spirits and giving me some much needed inspiration. And inspiration is the fuel that keeps us fighting.

Which quote is your favourite? How do you stay inspired in dark times?

xo Shannon

stop comparing and start creating.

I've heard it said that comparison is the biggest thief of joy. This is absolutely true. In the past, I've felt pangs of envy looking through friends travel photos on Facebook....or hearing about someone's job promotion. Suddenly, all of my own personal accomplishments faded into a lackluster shade of grey. All because I compared my life to someone else's.

For the past year or so, one of my biggest priorities has been my path of self discovery. I have opened myself up to new experiences, have learned more about my authentic self,and have achieved a sense of value and inner peace. (Not all the time, mind you, but more often than not.) Despite this, I had not realized that any deep or profound changes had been made. Apart from being happier and more positive, that is! Then something happened.

One of my friends texted me to share her excitement over a new job. It was a big step up and she was downright giddy about the next chapter of her lie. Ordinarily, I would have experienced a combination of elation and misery. The latter because the dreaded comparisons would begin in my head. What about me? When will my career take off? It probably never will. On and on it would go until I would feel completely and totally miserable.

That didn't happen this time. I was happy for her and didn't think to worry or compare. It wasn't until later that night that I even realized my reaction was not typical for me. Somehow, my own sense of joy and purpose had squashed my need to compare. Who knows if it will always be this way....but it was certainly a moment of victory.

xo Shannon

my worst quality is that i get very passionate about what i think is right.

It wasn't on my list of New Years Resolutions....but perhaps it should have been. Speak my mind. Over the last little while, I have found it harder and harder to stay silent. In the past, I have bit my tongue, backspaced opinionated Facebook statuses, and scrolled past ignorant statements. I cannot continue to do so. With so much social upheaval happening in the world today, I refuse to be part of the problem. I will speak my mind.

To everyone who participated in the Women's March events that happened yesterday (whether you attended one in person, tweeted about it, or made a donation to an organization like Planned Parenthood)....know that I admire you. Your courage, strength, and determination to make the world a better place, inspires me. It makes me believe there is hope so long as we stick together.

As Hillary Clinton tweeted yesterday, "I truly believe we're always Stronger Together."

So, thank you.From this point on, I hope we will all continue to speak up, stand up, and fight for what is right.

xo Shannon