My Top Ten Christmas Songs of the Season

Today's holiday related post is all about my favorite songs of the season. I LOVE Christmas music and start listening to it as early as possible each year. My Spotify playlist for the season is over 8 hours long, with the full Nutcracker Suite and other entire albums sprinkled with the best of the best Christmas music, and Hanukkah songs too.

My biggest pet peeve about listening to holiday music on the radio is when you hear the same song over and over again, just sung by different people. SO! What did I do? I compiled only the OG version of each song for this list (no repeats) with a few exceptions. Because of course, you need the original and the Mean Girls version of Jingle Bell Rock. Without further ado, here are my Top 10 picks in case you don't want to listen to all 8 hours of the playlist.

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Believe By Josh Groban | This song is from the 2004 movie release of The Polar Express, which made this both one of my favorite Christmas films and my #1 favorite Christmas song for a long period of time, too. Though it's much newer than many classic Christmas songs, it is beautifully written and sung (as is anything Groban sings) and it without second thought ranks on my Top 10 list.

Adeste Fideles By Nat King Cole | I always liked the song O Come All Ye Faithful, but in recent years I have a newfound appreciation for the Latin version of the song. The Nat King Cole version mixes both Latin and English, but I really love hearing the more religious Christmas songs sung in the traditional language of the church. (*BONUS* The acapella group, Voctave, just released a YouTube video with their arrangement of this song, and it might take the #1 spot for my favorite Christmas song.)

Do They Know It's Christmas? By Band Aid 1984 | There are a few more 'jammy' songs on this playlist, and this is one of them. Band Aid 1984 is actually a consortium of different musicians who recorded this song together to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia. It has a much more rock-based sound than many other Christmas songs, but I love the message of the song.

The Christmas Waltz By Frank Sinatra | This one makes me want to get up and do a waltz! As the name might suggest, this song has a fun melody and lyrics that make me think of sugarplums. Anything Frank Sinatra is also a huge hit in my book, so this is such a fun addition to a list of more basic holiday tunes.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing by the Vince Guaraldi Trio | The final song from A Charlie Brown Christmas gives me all the warm fuzzies. This is both instrumental and sung, which makes for a unique twist on the song. It also reminds me of the childlike wonder that surrounds Christmas at an early age, while still appreciating the religious root of the holiday.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas by Bing Crosby | This song has the best imagery! From the massive decorated trees in the hotel to the silver lanes aglow with snow and twinkling lights, this reminds me of an old-school Christmas in New York City. Any Bing Crosby songs are must-haves for the holidays and this one can be sung leading up to the big day since it's about how the world seems to change with the season. (Fun fact: My 6th-grade history class had a version of this song called It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Isthmus, which taught us how to define the narrow strip of land.)

Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson | Another instrumental favorite! Aside from the Nutcracker, this is my favorite piece of music for the season. The sounds of sleigh bells and horses neighing are so accurately portrayed and make this piece a lot of fun. For years I have wanted to choreograph a winter pointe piece to this song, and I have to start dancing as soon as I hear it.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Bruce Springsteen | It would NOT be Christmas in New Jersey without this song. This funny live performance featuring Bruce and his band brings together the spirit of the season and the spirit of my hometown. Every year I get excited the first time this one comes on the radio and I have to take a minute to stop and document the occasion. This song feels like being home for the holidays, so it, of course, earned its spot in my Top 10.

Step into Christmas by Elton John | Elton is another fun artist with his own unique spin on the holidays and I love that he isn't just redoing older songs, but really putting his own spin on it. This is another tune that makes me want to get up and dance with a Christmosa in hand.

Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus by the Great Northern Union Chorus | This is not a song, but my playlist includes many of the shorter Christmas stories since they are such a big part of the season. Yes, Virginia is by far my favorite! I love how the short tale neither outright accepts nor denies Santa, but really explains his place in the world and how we can continue to relish in Santa Claus even as adults.

How To Avoid Holiday Burnout

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Can you believe December is this weekend!? The months have been flying by since I graduated from school and they are going even faster now that I started a new job. Tonight is the Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting, which in my opinion kicks off the officially-official holiday party season.

We are about to enter the annual whirlwind of holiday events that make up the month of December, and at the end of a long year, it can sometimes feel like the last thing you need. More responsibilities? More places to go? More money to spend? Feeling burnt out is common as the year comes to a close, and the holidays only amplify this feeling. Here's my best advice on how to practice some self-care during this coming month, so you don't burn out before you can enjoy all the fun!

ONE | Keep a regular sleep schedule. Don't stay up later than normal just because it is the holiday season. Plan your time accordingly so that you can continue to function on your regular schedule. Your body will thank you for this during and after the season when life returns to 'normal.'

TWO | Plan time to spend with yourself. This time of year we are constantly surrounded by others, and if you need that alone time to recharge, make sure you prioritize it. Take an extra long bath, enjoy coffee and reading in the morning, or simply drive around town by yourself so that you can be ready-to-go when you spend time with others.

THREE | Learn when to say no. It might seem necessary to agree to every opportunity that comes your way, but there is really only so much that can fit in one day, one week, or one month. If your heart is not 100% invested in a plan or commitment, politely decline the offer. That way, you'll fill your holiday season with only events and experiences that you know will bring you joy and merriment, with none of the regrets.

FOUR | Plan in advance by getting a jump start on your holiday tasks during the off-season. One of the ways that I like to do this is by keeping a running list of gift ideas any time a family member mentions something that they would like or wish they had. This saves time in the end because you know exactly what to look for when out shopping and you know that you're purchasing something the recipient will really love!

FIVE | Do your best to avoid situations that cause stress or anxiety when possible. Sometimes these situations are out of our control, but other times we can actively choose what type of situation we would like to be in. For example, there is a lot of pressure to go out shopping in person for gifts, decorations, and food. But the stores are always jam-packed and you might know in your gut that you would rather purchase items online and have food delivered to your door by a grocery service. Take control of these situations by trusting your gut and not falling into the pressure of being out and about in spite of their stressfulness.

SIX | Delegate tasks to others and ask for help when you need it. Trying to do it all in any season is a major cause for burnout, and the holidays make this worse. If you can have help from friends and family doing holiday tasks like decorating the tree, cooking for a party, or wrapping presents, ask for it! Make your annual holiday party a potluck if that will make things easier on you. Invite everyone over for a tree-lighting party and you'll have helping hands to set up and decorate. Finding ways to make these activities fun is even more incentive to delegate and get help from others.

SEVEN | Balance your diet with lots of healthy foods. Turkey, cookies, and gallons of peppermint hot chocolate don't make for a very healthy diet during the last month of the year. On normal days when you aren't feasting or spending time with friends, try to maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet. You will feel less sluggish and have more energy to push through the last month of the year.

EIGHT | Dedicate some time to spend reflecting on the season. Whether that time is spent journaling, volunteering, or even at church services, it is important to keep some perspective on what the holidays are all about in order to avoid burnout. Staying in touch with emotions of gratitude, generosity, and kindness can recenter you and ground your motivations this season to focus on what is important.

NINE | Simplify your decorations. Decorating for this time of year is no small undertaking, and it is a second hassle to take everything down after the new year. Cut back on decorating and stick to simple items that can easily be broken down and stored for the next year. Your setup and clean up process will be much easier and relieve some of the stress that comes from having the most wildly decorated house in town.

TEN | Write down notes for next year and keep them with your holiday supplies. If you find a method that really works for you this year, try to write down what you did in as much detail as possible so that next year you can follow your instructions and have smooth sailing into the holidays again.

Gifts that Give Back this Holiday Season

I hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving and Black Friday! I spent hours working on the gift guide this year to make sure that the items were all top-of-the-line picks, and lots more time updating the post with all kinds of deals, coupon codes, and discounts. I hope that you found it helpful and that you got some great ideas for what to gift your loved ones this season. Today I'm back with the final installment of gift guides for 2018!

In honor of Giving Tuesday tomorrow, I wanted to share 30 gifts that give back! Whether they be experiential gifts that your recipient will remember for years to come or items that support environmentally-friendly and ethical businesses, there are many ways to make your gift-giving this season more thoughtful. 

ONE | Take someone to see a concert of their favorite performer. It will be a night that they never forget and will always look back on when they hear their favorite artist.

TWO | Spend a day in your closest metropolitan city exploring and sightseeing. For me, my closest city is New York and it is always so magical this time of year!

THREE | Purchase tickets to a live theatre performance or holiday-themed event. Things like Disney on Ice are great for kids, whereas a Broadway show or The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is good for the whole family.

FOUR | Take a vacation! Plan a trip for when the weather gets warmer or make an immediate pit stop to escape the cold and ring in the new year in a new place.

FIVE | Plan a museum visit based on the interests of the gift recipient. From American historical sites to the zoo, there are plenty of fun places that are equally great learning experiences!

SIX | Sign your recipient (or both of you) up for a cooking class where you learn to make pasta, bread, sushi, or any other favorite food!

SEVEN | For adults, a great gift could be to see a funny comedian or attend a late-night talk show taping. This could also be a great group gift for a bunch of friends!

EIGHT | Take the new year by storm by paying for a gym membership for your recipient. This is the kind of gift that everyone hates spending money on so the gesture will be much appreciated.

NINE | Sporting events are other great experiential gifts! During the winter we are in peak hockey and basketball seasons, but if your recipient is more into other sports, let them know that when the time comes you'll be gifting them the experience of a great baseball game, tennis match, etc.

TEN | For the 21+ folks, a winery or brewery tour can be such a great gift! This is something I would love to do with a friend or two and makes for the perfect little trip during the holidays. It would also make a great birthday gift during other times of the year too!

BLOOM AND GIVE | For every scarf purchased, 10% of proceeds (which is 50% of the company's profits) goes directly toward educational programming for girls.

WARBY PARKER | Each pair of glasses and sunglasses purchased goes toward improving access to proper eyewear around the world. Warby Parker both distributes glasses to school-aged children with vision impairment and also trains adults in the community to give basic eye exams and sell glasses, thus creating jobs as well. 

EVERLANE 100% HUMAN COLLECTION | Everlane is already known as an ethically conscious brand, but their 100% Human collection donates $5 per product to the American Civil Liberties Union. 

DARLING MAGAZINE | This quarterly magazine is beautifully designed and speaks to women who are looking to become more mindful, more ethical, and more conscious every day. I have bought this magazine in the past and love the thoughtful articles and inspiring interviews that each issue brings. They also place an emphasis on zero retouching and artistically designed photographs that would make wonderful repurposed artwork if framed. 

LOVE YOUR MELON | If you are looking for a warm winter beanie this year, look no further than Love Your Melon, which donates 50% of all profits to help support pediatric cancer patients. My friend is wearing this style hat in the above photo!

CAUSEBOX | For the person who loves subscription boxes, try CauseBox! This is a quarterly subscription box that sources its products from popular and emerging ethical brands. Each box contains 6-8 products that give back, and on top of that CauseBox itself also partners with organizations and charities. 

TOM'S SHOES | Tom's has always been at the forefront of ethical and sustainable fashion. I remember my middle school days when my best friend and I bought matching Tom's slip-ons. Their product range is greatly expanded now but the mission is still the same - for every product that is bought, one is given to someone in need.

STARFISH PROJECT | I heard about this jewelry company for the first time through Lonestar Southern, and their products are beautiful! Each piece is handcrafted by exploited women in Asia, who are given holistic care by the Starfish Project company. Their mission is so incredible and is the perfect company to support if you are looking to purchase jewelry this season!

FEED | Started by Lauren Bush Lauren, FEED distributes meals and micronutrient packets for each tote bag or other item purchased. The company is committed to fairly made products, sustainable materials, and closed system networks in the countries they support. 

S'WELL | Not only is S'well your favorite water bottle company; it does so much more! S'well's products are eco-friendly and give back to water-scarce communities by partnering with UNICEF.

That's all for the 2018 gift guides! I hope you found them useful (let me know if you purchase something from any of my gift guides!) and that you have a wonderful holiday season with your friends and family this year. You can expect tons of more holiday content for the next month! I have all kinds of great posts lined up for the season that I think you will really enjoy.

The 2018 Official Holiday Gift Guide

Good tidings! It's Black Friday and that means that we are in the official gift-giving season. Today I am coming at you with over 100 gifts for everyone on your list. Grab yourself a coffee (Dunkin has $2 lattes and cappuccinos through the weekend), your Thanksgiving leftovers, and some holiday music as we make our way through the categories of gifts I have lined up for you. I thought long and hard about the gifts I've gotten over the past years that I LOVE, what I've given and had great response to, as well as cult favorites that are on my must-try list! Let's get into it!!

PS. If you want to refer back to this post later, scroll to the bottom for a pinnable image!

Any gifts on this list that you are coveting? Let me know in the comments below! I'll be back with more gifting posts in the coming days, but for now get out your pens and paper to make your lists (and check them twice 😉) And since we love a good sale over here at The Scalloped Edge, be sure to use those coupon codes and discounts to snag some great deals today! Happy shopping! 
LIST OF BLACK FRIDAY DEALS Macy's: Code BLKFRI for extra 20% off, and code BLKFRI25 for $10 off of $25 Nordstrom: Up to 60% off online and in stores Lord and Taylor: $25 off of $200+ with code BONUS J.Crew: 50% off entire purchase with code TGIF Kohl's: Extra 15% off with code JOY Asos: 25% off everything with code EPIC25 Urban Outfitters: BOGO 50% off mix and match any items Mark and Graham: 20% off everything with code FRIENDS Anthropologie: 30% off everything Barnes and Noble: 20% off $40+ online with code BLKFRIDAY, 25% off any item in store

My Holiday Wishlist 2018

Happy Thanksgiving Eve! Before I jump into my wishlist for the year, a quick note on my gift guide that will be posted on Friday. My Official Holiday Gift Guide will be going live at 5 AM so you can shop those Black Friday deals! I am going to try to update the post throughout the day as I get emails about new deals, let you know if items are out of stock and where you can find similar things, and more! I'm going to try my best, so hold me accountable! If you need more info about anything in that post, I'm almost always on my phone so DM me with any questions.

Now let's get on with it! There aren't too many things that I want for the holidays this year, and I'm starting to think of only practical things -- more socks! Work outfits! Next thing you know I'll be asking for a vacuum and a KitchenAid mixer ;) Even though I have so many practical gift requests, Santa always does a great job of surprising me with things I didn't even know I needed either. I can't wait to see what will be under the tree this year!

I also think it's fair to mention that some of the gifts I share in the graphic above couldn't be linked in this widget. First up is the beautiful children's book Juno Valentine and the Magical Shoes. It's written by Eva Chen (she is a Hopkins alumna and was the EIC of Lucky Magazine, which was my favorite growing up!) and tells the story of a little girl who tries on different shoes of famous women throughout history. I might not be a child, but I would absolutely love to see this book under my tree! 

For years, I have needed a jewelry roll to carry my jewelry when traveling. Right now I'm using the not-so-effective method of Ziploc bags and I need a better solution. This one from Gorjana looks like it has just the right number of pockets and compartments. Another fun gift - not a 'need' item by any means - is the Tuckernuck wine tote that has two spots for a white and a red wine. It would be perfect to give as a hostess gift, or volunteer to bring the wine to all the potluck dinners this season and keep it for yourself!

10 Ways to Help Your Wallet & the Environment

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We are officially 3 days away from Thanksgiving, and I know that your wallet can be hurting this time of year. You're cooking tons of food, buying all the gifts, and going out to celebrate with friends more often this month than any other. Here are 10 ways you can help the environment and also keep a little extra cash in your pocket.

ONE | At home, use a reusable K-cup pod instead of the individual plastic ones. Not only will you reduce your plastic use, but you will also save money from buying bulk coffee and making your morning cup at home. When out and about, carry around a reusable coffee cup or water bottle (S'well is great for hot and cold drinks). Most coffee shops will give you a discount for bringing your own cup to the store.

TWO | Use cold water and turn off the water when brushing your teeth! This goes for all year round, but especially at this time of year when you should be brushing extra to make up for all the sweet treats. When I was little, there was an episode of Barney that I watched with a song all about why you shouldn't leave the water on while you brush. I haven't forgotten it since and for your viewing pleasure, I'll link it here.

THREE | Hang your clothes to dry instead of drying them in the dryer. This will save lots of energy (and money) and will also limit wear and tear on delicate items, so they last longer. You can always toss your clothes into the dryer for a short cold-air cycle for a few minutes if they feel stiff after air drying. Also, use cold water to wash most, if not all, of your clothes.

FOUR | Go through your closet regularly to assess what clothes you have and donate anything you don't want. Being able to see what exactly you have in your closet and keeping only what you want to wear will prevent extra spending on clothes.

FIVE | Along with carrying a travel coffee cup or water bottle, also keep a reusable straw on hand when traveling. At restaurants, ask to get drinks without the straw and use your own. You can do the same thing for utensils by carrying a fork, spoon and knife on you wrapped in a cloth napkin. This tip is better for reducing your plastic waste than your spending, but there are whispers here and there about some stores also taking discounts for bringing your own straws/utensils.

SIX | At least once a week, try to eat meat-free for the day. Studies show that even cutting back on meat one day a week is significant for our environmental impact. This is surprisingly easy to do! You can continue to use animal products (such as eggs and milk) that day, or challenge yourself further by going vegan one day a week. Save money by cutting back on how much meat you purchase, and you might discover some new favorite dishes made with staples already in your pantry. 

SEVEN | I know that this tip is not going to be for everyone, but, if you can, consider using a menstrual cup during your period instead of using traditional feminine hygiene products. This reusable tool will save you lots of money, and though I haven't tried it myself, I have heard tons of positive reviews from friends about how effective menstrual cups are!

EIGHT | Bring your own shopping bags with you to the store! Whether it be grocery shopping or going out to the mall, carry a reusable canvas tote bag that you can stash purchases in, and don't use the plastic shopping bags they would otherwise give you at the store. Lots of stores now are charging for you to use disposable shopping bags so this will save you a little bit here and there that can add up. This is also a fun opportunity to showcase your style or a cause you support on your bag!

 NINE | Easy beauty products like exfoliators, lip balms, and face washes can be made using products you already have at home! Not only does this save you money since you don't have to purchase expensive products at a Sephora or even a drugstore (we all know sometimes even the drugstore is pricey!), but it also allows you to see what exactly is going into your beauty products! You can make the products as clean as can be, and customize them to your liking with scent and color.

TEN | Move to digital storage of files and track your life on the computer. I have bought many a planner that goes to waste when I only write in a few pages a year. I have also been the culprit of printing 30-page articles in my room when I had assigned readings for school. Don't be like college me! Get yourself on Google Calendar or iCal and keep track of your events and to-do lists on your computer and phone. Also, try to read documents online instead of printing them out. If you must print, follow my tip -- eliminate the pages you print by printing either 2 or 4 sheets per page, and printing double-sided! I mind the small text much less than I mind the huge environmental impact of printing so much paper.

Writing a Personal Mission Statement | Step 1

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Happy Friday everyone! I hope you are excited about all the holiday content I have coming your way in the next few weeks. I know that not everyone is a Christmas fanatic, so I want to keep mixing in my normal content during the next month and a half, but still tie it into the season.

Today, I'm sharing about my experience working on a personal mission statement. I'll admit that I haven't devoted too much time to this yet because I know that it is a huge undertaking. I first discovered the idea of doing this through the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People book, and I think that this is a perfect exercise to prepare for a new year.

The Franklin Covey Company was created based on Steven Covey's leadership center, as he is the author of the 7 Habits book. On the website, you can take free assessments that help you narrow down your goals, values, and write your very own mission statement.

Because I was hesitant about jumping into the deep end of this project, I started by 'discovering my values,' which is like a small-scale version of the full Mission Statement Builder. This assessment asks you a set of short answer questions and then has you reconstruct your responses into full sentences to make a mock mission statement. Through answering the questions, I was able to pick out key themes in my values, such as:

•  commitment to family
• developing strong ethics and practicing them in my daily life
• loyalty to friends and the expectation of the same in return
• understanding success as a product of intangible goals, rather than material possessions

During the month of December, I'm going to share how I took the initial mock mission statement and turned it into a working document to guide the new year. Follow along with me by completing the "Your Values" assessment now and building upon your results in the next month!

10 Easy Ways to Host a Waste-Free Holiday

Happy Wednesday and welcome to my first holiday post of the season! Since Thanksgiving is only a week away (crazy), now is the perfect time to start planning your menus and getting everything ready for guests. It's also the perfect time to start thinking about how to reduce waste this holiday season. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, there is so much excess that can get thrown out, so I wanted to share ten ways that you can eliminate waste this holiday season.

ONE | Plan in advance! If you know that you end up with too many leftovers each year, try cutting back on a few sides and skip buying every type of pie that the bakery has to offer. You'll spend less and end up with less leftover food that goes to waste.

TWO | Though it might seem easier for setup and clean up, don't use disposable plates, cups or utensils for your holiday dinners. Instead, opt for reusable glasses, metal utensils, and ceramic tableware. Also, dishwashers are more efficient than washing by hand, so when you can, use your dishwasher to reduce wasted water and energy. It is also recommended not to rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, so just wipe off excess food scraps into a compost bin or garbage and then put your used dishes in the dishwasher to run (once full!)

THREE | Compost the food you don't use. When you are cooking, make a compost pile and throw any food scraps in there. After eating, wipe plates clean into the compost bin also. Same goes for leftovers. Some cities actually mandate composting, while others don't, but it's such a great way to reuse your food -- once your compost is made, you can use it for growing your own vegetables and herbs.

FOUR | Speaking of leftovers, it's likely that you won't be able to eat everything yourself. Distribute leftovers between guests and wrap everything in reusable glass Tupperware or mason jars.

FIVE | When purchasing holiday decorations, buy things that you know can be used year after year. My family had custom wreaths made years ago for our home at Christmastime, and now when we purchase decorations, we make sure that they go with what we already have. We also have a set color scheme for our Christmas tree and reuse the same ornaments each year (see above). We've kept a few of the novelty Christmas ornaments that we really love and my siblings and I each have our own mini tree where we can display our novelty ornaments.

SIX | When sending invitations to family dinners, holiday parties, and new year's eve events, try sending the information via email, text, Facebook, or a virtual invitation company like Paperless Post. Odds are that your guests will look at the invitation once to write down the date on their calendar or add it to their phone, then throw the piece of paper away. Using a virtual invitation tool reduces your paper waste. You might also opt to send your holiday cards over the Internet as well.

SEVEN | Limit your physical gift giving. If there is something you know someone really needs (like a new pair of snow boots) or this is an item they will absolutely love, then feel free to purchase a gift. But in the spirit of zero-waste, gift your loved ones with experiences you can share together. I'll be sharing some great experiential gifts in the coming weeks.

EIGHT | If you decide to purchase physical gifts that must be wrapped, choose eco-friendly wrapping options. Use repurposed materials like newspaper or brown paper bags for a fun touch on gift wrap. If you have gift bags lying around from years prior, reuse the old bags to wrap new gifts. 

NINE | You can also get creative and put gives inside a reusable wooden advent calendar, a stocking, or gift a reusable shopping bag and fill it with other gifts. This is like getting two gifts in one!

TEN | Purchase a real Christmas tree instead of a fake one. Not only will it make your whole house smell wonderful, but it is also decomposable. Unlike a fake tree that is laden with plastics, your real tree can break down much more quickly and return to the soil to nourish other growing trees. I would also recommend purchasing your real Christmas tree from a local nursery, which helps support small businesses during this time of year.

The Beauty Benefits of Biotin

Just two months ago, I couldn't grow out my nails. They would constantly bend and break, the corners would crack, and I had to keep them short since they weren't strong enough to be long. By comparison, over the past week, my nails had gotten so long that I literally could not wear my contact lenses without injuring myself. While I partially have regular at-home manicures to thank, I also have to attribute most of this change to my daily use of biotin supplements. 

Biotin is a B-vitamin that is used to keep nails strong, make your hair stronger, and prevent split ends and other hair damage. When you take biotin, you produce the amino acid keratin (just like all those keratin hair treatments), which is why biotin is known to be good for your hair and nails. Biotin is also supposedly good at keeping skin clear and nourished. 

Over the past two months of taking biotin, I have definitely noticed some changes to my hair, nails, and skin. First and foremost, my nails are way longer now and much stronger than before. They do sometimes still break but much less frequently and not as badly as in the past.

As for my hair, it is definitely growing! In mid-September, I got the slightest trim so that my hair wouldn't grow out weirdly from my angled bob, and I can tell that it is slowly but surely getting longer. I don't want to cut my hair again until the weather gets warmer, so I appreciate the extra length to keep me warm in the cold weather. I also feel that my hair has been shiny, has less breakage, and requires less maintenance than before. I have also been trying to wash my hair every other day (more on that coming soon!) and I think the combination of the two has helped. 

Lastly, my skin has seemed more plump and dewy the past few months. I am really glad about this since colder weather can tend to make skin very dry. I'm not 100% sure that it's because of the biotin, but I think only time will tell. I have also been using the Saturday Skin Waterfall Glacier Water Cream as my moisturizer. I just ran out of this product so my skin might change again with a new moisturizer. 

All in all, I would highly recommend taking biotin supplements, particularly if you are trying to grow your nails. I think the supplements have done wonders to help this and I am loving the results I see.

Have you tried any vitamins or supplements that have made a big beauty difference? Share below!

Cozy and Sustainable/Ethical Fall Clothing

This fall more than ever, I am dreaming of cozy days wrapped in blankets while drinking coffee and reading a good book. Though I love the fall temperatures in the 50s and 60s, I know that colder days are around the corner. I wanted to share some great loungewear pieces with you that also are made by great companies supporting ethical and environmentally-friendly fashion.

FLEECE CREWNECK | This sweatshirt from Everlane is made from 35 renewed plastic bottles and is part of the ReNew collection, which is the beginning of Everlane's efforts to cut out all virgin plastic. Plus, Everlane prides itself on its transparency, which is one of my top five wear-no-evil factors.

WINTER BEANIE | This Patagonia beanie is made from 96% recycled polyester materials. Some of the items recycled to make the fabric include old plastic soda bottles and worn out clothing garments. Patagonia also supports fair trade working conditions and safe factory environments and clearly outlines their supply chain practices online.

IVORY SLIDES | These Everlane sandals are the perfect shoe to throw on quickly if you need to run outside and take a break from cozying up by the fire. They are made from leather, so vegans beware, but they look like the comfiest slide that will last for a long time.

CABLE KNIT SWEATER | Another Everlane piece here, but this one is a bit more dressy if you need to use it for less casual occasions as well. The cable knit and mockneck make this the perfect thing to wear if you want to stay warm at home but paired with some stretchy pants and booties, this sweater would also be perfect for a comfortable Thanksgiving Day outfit.

PAJAMA SET | Reformation has the cutest pajamas, and though this set is shorts and a short sleeve tee, the print just screams fall! This is a great wear-pajamas-all-day set for weekends spent indoors. The set is 100% made from the recyclable fabric TENCEL and saves you 15.36 pounds of carbon dioxide, just under 1150 gallons of water, and 1.31 pounds of waste.

BLANKET SCARF | The blanket scarf pictured above is from Bloom and Give. The scarfs are hand-loomed and packaged in reusable cotton bags. 50% of all profits are donated toward programs for female education. I wasn't able to link this same scarf in the widget below, so instead, I linked a very similar one from Eileen Fisher, whose company is one of the most well-known for sustainability initiatives.

SWEATPANTS | There is nothing quite as wonderful as waking up on the weekend and not having to get dressed in fancy pants that day. Sometimes I'll opt for leggings or yoga pants, but these Reformation sweatpants are the perfect combination of both (and in a great holiday red, to boot). They're made from surplus fabric and save 15 pounds of carbon dioxide, 766 gallons of water, and just under 1 pound of waste.

Personality Tests That Will Give You Real Results

Personality tests are one effective way to learn more about your skill set, your work style, and how you interact with others. This doesn't mean the Facebook tests that tell you when you'll find your soul mate based on what you ate today. If you've taken a business class before, you've probably been exposed to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test or something similar. These tests are very common in the corporate world and though people debate how accurate the tests are, they are especially good if you want to develop a self-awareness about how you interact with others and engage with the world.

Below, I'm going to share 5 different personality tests that I have taken, how I scored, and why the test has value. Each one of these tests has played a role in my personal development by exposing a different part of my personality. By taking more and more of these tests, you can develop self-awareness and recognize patterns in your behavior that will help make you a better leader.

MYERS BRIGGS TYPE INDICATOR

My Results: ENFJ or ESFJ

What The Results Mean: The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (or MBTI) test breaks down personality into 4 binary categories. The first is introversion or extroversion (I or E) - my score in this category is E. The second category is sensing or intuition (S or N) -- in this category I go back and forth. I've taken the test multiple times and depending on what is going on in my life, sometimes I am more intuitive about the big picture, whereas other times I am extremely detail oriented and sense every tiny thing that goes on. The third category is thinking or feeling (T or F) and I am a feeler all the way! This means that I make decisions using emotion more so than logic or rationality. The fourth category is judging versus perceiving (J or P) and I am also a very strong J in this category. The J and P nomenclature is a bit outdated, but it mostly has to do with whether we prefer to live in a structured (J) or flexible (P) way.

How to Use this Test: One of the ways that I have used this test most when working in groups has to do with my Judging component. I know that I like very structured environments, going into meetings with a plan, and accomplished a certain amount within a certain time frame. If I am working with other people who have more of a P tendency, I know to account for this and to prepare for meetings in advance or take charge of establishing a schedule. Also, if I am working with others who are more introverted than myself, I use this to my advantage by making sure to ask for their input regularly and allowing for processing time before making big decisions.

Note: The above link is to a free version of this test, whereas you have to pay for the official test. When you take the official version of the test, you are given your results on a sliding scale, which is why I said that I am a very strong J, but I might sway back and forth between S and N because I hover near the middle of the scale.

CLIFTONSTRENGTHS STRENGTHS FINDER

My Results: Discipline, Empathy, Developer, Positivity, Achiever

What the Results Mean: When you take the Strengths Finder test, you are given your Top 5 strengths out of 34 total. I matched mostly to Discipline, which says that I require an orderly world and predictable schedules. Empathy means that I am good at sensing the emotions of people around me and anticipate the needs of others. Developer means that I see potential in others and want to help people achieve success. Positivity is an indication that I offer generous praise, celebrate achievements, and think positively of situations. Achiever is my fifth most prominent trait and it explains a constant need to achieve and accomplish something each and every day.

How to Use this Test: This test is great for helping broadly direct a career path or showing you what skills you are inherently good at. If you have the feeling of not knowing what to do with your life or that you don't have any skills, taking the Strengths Finder test can help you by highlighting some of your interpersonal capabilities. For example, I was not surprised to find out that I require discipline, but knowing that I am skilled at empathy and being a developer is beneficial because I can use that to my advantage when friends come to me for advice or when working with teammates. This is also helpful because it can guide me toward careers that would allow me to regularly practice empathy, positivity, and discipline.

Note: The version linked above is the official version, but you must pay to take the test. A similar free version of this kind of test can be found here.

PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS QUOTIENT ASSESSMENT

My Results: Mostly Effective (70) with Problem Areas in Being proactive and Seeking first to understand

What the Results Mean: The Personal Effectiveness Quotient (PEQ) comes from the book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, which I talked about here. This assessment produces a scoring system where below at 64 is "less effective," between 65-84 is "mostly effective," and above 85 is "highly effective." I scored in the middle with a raw score of 70. The median score is a 74.5. In some areas, such as Putting first things first, I scored very highly. Because I like to schedule my time, plan ahead, and set boundaries for myself when it comes to accepting commitments, this was not surprising to me. In other areas, such as Being proactive, I scored less highly. In this area, I tend to not enjoy confrontation, let situations and outside circumstance affect my productivity, and want to have control over everything. From my experience with other tests, I was also not shocked that I performed less well in these areas. My second problem area was Seeking first to understand. Although I have empathy for others emotions and want to develop people for success, I have the tendency to run with my own ideas when I think they are good and spend less time listening to the thoughts of others.

How to Use this Test: One of the most striking comments from this book is about how there is a difference between efficiency and effectiveness. You might be very efficient and get a lot done in a short amount of time, but that does not always mean that you completed those tasks as effectively as possible. Taking this test gave me critical information about when I am efficient but not effective - namely, when I don't take the time to hear out other people's ideas and perspective because I am too caught up in my own idea. Knowing this has helped me to be more mindful of how I approach situations when I think I have the perfect answer. This test is not only helpful in a business setting, but also when dealing with friendships, family relationships, and personal growth.

Note: Be sure to copy the registration code to your clipboard so you can take the test for free!

DELOITTE BUSINESS CHEMISTRY

My Results: Integrator and Guardian

What the Results Mean: The consulting company Deloitte created a new type of personality test, which is used to evaluate team relationships among employees. But you don't have to work for Deloitte to take this test! Every person falls into one of the four Business Chemistry quadrants, while some people (like me) fall in between two. As an Integrator, I am relationship-oriented, empathetic (surprise!), and reluctant to create conflict. As a Guardian, I am methodical, loyal, and respect hierarchy and formal rules and structures. 

How to Use this Test: This test is great for not only finding out about yourself, but also learning how to work well with others. By "creating a hunch" about someone, you answer a series of questions about how they behave and respond in various work settings, and as your result you are told both which of the four quadrants this person falls into and tips for interacting with this person effectively.

Note: This test was administered to me by a Deloitte team during one of my business classes at school, but you can find the same results from home. Make a free account for Business Chemistry. Once you get to the home page, you can self-assess by "creating a hunch" and answering the questions for yourself, instead of in relation to another person.

FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES

My Results: Words of Affirmation and Quality Time

What the Results Mean: The 5 Love Languages explains ways that people connect, and helps you figure out which ways you prefer to bond in relationships. For me, my top language is 'words of affirmation,' which means that I like receiving praise and compliments, and insults stick with me for a long time. For this love language, it is important that the compliments are given through someone's own doing, not because I told or asked them to. My secondary language is 'quality time,' or having someone's undivided attention for a period of time with no distractions or interruptions. 

How to Use this Test: Though this test is designed mostly for romantic relationships, I think that it can easily be applied to other environments as well. For example, it really bothers me when I am working with a group and someone is not fully engaged in the project (simultaneously texting, working on another assignment, or surfing the web) -- and this translates to the whole 'quality time' language. I also really value when friends offer enthusiastic, honest, and encouraging words, especially when they are given spontaneously. If I am working on a team project, I like for my teammates to build me up in this way, and I simultaneously like to publicly acknowledge great ideas and hard work that my teammates put in as well.

Note: Whether you are using this test for help in your personal relationships or your professional ones, it is important to note that not everyone gives and receives "love" the same way. I might like offering compliments to a coworker because that is how I would like to receive "love," but maybe that coworker would prefer that I provide an act of service or bring them their favorite treat to the team meeting (receiving gifts). Additionally, you might have different preferences for giving and receiving love -- getting gifts was lower on my list of languages, but I absolutely love when I find the perfect gift for someone else and know that they will really like it!

Do you have a favorite personality test that isn't mentioned here? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!

How Vaccination Helps the Environment

Last month, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a new report outlining the dangers that climate change present globally. In the same month, reports of people contracting measles in the US surfaced, despite the disease being eliminated in 2000. This outbreak is occurring because non-vaccinated Americans are traveling to areas in the world that have measles outbreaks, and are bringing the virus back to the US with them. These people, in turn, are passing the virus along to others who also have not been vaccinated. Additionally, the spread of once-eliminated diseases in the US allows the pathogen to regain a foothold in this country. Reintroduction of these pathogens could have disastrous effects on crops, livestock, and human health if we are not equipped with the proper immunity to the disease. 

Climate change will bring about higher temperatures globally. Many diseases that thrive in tropical locales will be able to survive more broadly as regions warm up. Insects carrying diseases in warm climates will be able to live in areas of the world where they previously could not survive. People, plants, and animals in these areas may be unprotected from such diseases because they did not exist beforehand. 

Similarly, climate change will bring increased rainfall to some areas, and flooding can lead to reservoirs of unclean still water, where many disease-carrying insects breed. Other diseases, such as cholera and dysentery, are caused by drinking and cooking with contaminated water.

Vaccination helps the environment in two ways. First, vaccination will limit the ability of deadly illnesses to spread despite global warming. According to research published in the American Journal of Public Health, vaccination is one of the primary prevention mechanisms for controlling the public health impacts of climate change. Though warming will likely still occur, the associated health risks will be diminished because of vaccination.

Second, individuals who are vaccinated can spend more time engaging economically (because they are not bed-ridden), and economic development can help the environment. As death rates decrease in a country, there is more room for a productive working class and therefore, technological advances. Technological advances then can help lower carbon and methane emissions, for example, which is one of the leading causes of global warming.

Getting regular vaccinations is important for your own health, as well as the health of others around you. This concept is called herd immunity because individuals who cannot be vaccinated for health reasons are still protected from the disease when the members of their community or "herd" are protected -- thus there is little or no contact with the disease. Of equal importance is the fact that many infectious diseases will be able to spread under conditions of climate change, and vaccination is one of the best ways to prevent and limit this from occurring.

Questions, thoughts, or other commentary? Let's discuss in the comments below!

Recap of the Fall 10x10 Minimal Wardrobe Challenge

Gear up for a longer post! Today I'm sharing a recap of the 10x10 challenge I completed over the past two weeks. I have loved following Caroline over the past few years and she inspired me to participate in this 10-day challenge before I started a full-time job and would have less flexibility in my wardrobe. I am going to break down the full challenge, show you what pieces I selected for my wardrobe, what I wore each day, and my what my goals were, plus I'll talk about my successes and failures from the challenge.

For starters, here are the pieces I picked out. I followed a basic formula of 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 shoes, plus one wild card option. I left the wild card in mostly because I wasn't sure if I wanted to use this for another top or for a layering piece, like a vest. I also didn't really know what I would be doing each day, if I would be outside or at home, and what the weather would be like (you know how sometimes a sunny 50 degrees is much warmer than a cloudy 50 degrees?)

Tops: cream turtleneck (mine is old from J.Crew, similar here) / black turtleneck (mine is old from Forever 21, similar here) / chambray shirt (mine is old from Old Navy, similar here)

Bottoms: black jeans / blue jeans / leggings (mine are old from Target, similar here)

Shoes: leopard loafers (mine are old from Tahari, similar here) / green slip on sneakers / black booties (mine are old from Marc Fisher, similar here)

On Day 1, I wore my black turtleneck, black jeans, and sneakers, and used my wild card to add a vest to the look. This day was chilly so I needed an extra layer to keep me warm, since my turtleneck is so thin. On Day 2, I wore the same black jeans but wore a denim shirt and loafers. 

Day 3 called for my cream turtleneck sweater with blue jeans and my loafers again. I got these shoes at the end of the winter last year and hadn't fully broken them in, so I wanted to wear them two days in a row. However, they gave me a blister in one spot so I put them aside for a while. On Day 4 I wore the same blue jeans but with my black turtleneck and booties. This is one of my favorite 'uniforms' for the fall! To spice up the outfit, I paired it with a leopard printed belt. 

For Day 5, I decided on leggings and sneakers since it was a casual Friday at home. I changed up my sweater using my wild card and opted for a rust colored chunky sweater. The next day, Day 6, I wanted to try layering my tops and so I wore my black turtleneck and black jeans with my denim shirt worn open on top. I felt a little like Bob Ross but either layer would have been too thin on their own, so together they were just right. I also wore sneakers since I was out shopping and needed to be able to try clothes on quickly and easily.

Day 7 was a casual day at home so I wore my leggings and cream turtleneck, but switched out the shoes for a pair of embellished mules that are easy to slide on and off. On Day 8, I wore my black turtleneck and jeans with booties for an easy monochromatic look. This was also the day when people started catching on and noticing that I was wearing the same combination of clothing items.

The last two days of the challenge I was starting to get tired of wearing the same things over and over again, so I switched up my look by wearing a different sweater as my wild card item on Day 9. I paired it with the same jeans and sneakers that were part of my challenge, but wearing a different top made the look feel different and not the same as the previous 8 days. However, on Day 10, which was Halloween, I completely abandoned all the rules of the challenge and wore a buffalo check flannel top, dark wash jeans and a different pair of off-white sneakers. I'm pretty impressed that I made it through 9 days of this challenge without caving, even if I used my wild card 4 times.

GOALS FOR CHALLENGE

I had a few goals for this challenge, and I think I did a pretty good job of meeting them. First, I have wanted to do a challenge like this for a long time (it's on my 101 in 1001 list) and I am glad that I took the opportunity now to do it. With a new job starting soon, I am going to be restricted to work clothes most days and won't have the same flexibility in my wardrobe as when I am home. Also, because most of my days are spent 'working from home' recently, it's very tempting to wear leggings and sweatshirts daily, and I needed to use this challenge as a way to wear some normal clothes.

THOUGHTS ON PEOPLE NOTICING

One of my hesitations about completing this challenge in the first place was that people would comment on my outfits and how I was wearing the same things, especially because I didn't add in any more unique styling layers like a dress or cardigan. However, I have wanted to participate in one of these challenges for a while now, so I decided to go for it anyway! I'm pretty impressed that no one said anything until Day 8, because at that point I was in too deep and wasn't going to give up with only two days left. Had someone commented right away, though, I would have been more likely to give up on the challenge at the beginning. I feel like there is a very negative connotation around wearing the same clothes over and over again, but there are also many upsides to having a strict "uniform." I can do a whole blog post all about this, but overall I think that challenges like these help you refine your personal style in such a severe way that down the road you are more able to pick out outfits quickly and seamlessly. 

RECAP OF HOW IT WENT

I honestly am impressed with how this challenge went! I wish I had picked better layering options than just jeans, tops and shoes, but for my first try at a 10x10, I think I did a pretty good job. I didn't repeat any exact outfits, and I picked items that matched the weather and my day-to-day obligations well. I was comfortable in everything I wore and it was easy to pick out my outfits in the morning. The biggest obstacle was making sure that people didn't catch on too soon, and I think I did a good job of that as well. I would definitely be curious about trying a challenge like this again, maybe in the spring when the weather is warmer!

Another important thing to note is that this challenge is excellent if you want to try paring down your wardrobe and live with a more minimal selection of clothing. In a lot of ways, minimalism and sustainability go hand in hand, and this challenge is perfect if you want to clean out your closet and work with less. If you choose to get rid of excess clothes that you realize you no longer need, you can always donate them at any of these locations.