03 - fall tag

Since my MacBook's camera sucks and I look like something that just crawled out of the crypt (I'm in my pyjamas and still have hot wings-flavored chip crumbs all over my face - no shame; those things are GODLY), I figured I'd adapt the YouTube tag that's going around into text and photo form. So sue me.

01 - Favorite fall lip product

Revlon's Just Bitten lip stains. I've had the same one since they first come out aeons ago. They're cheap, cute, and really do work well. Dark lips are an easy fall trend to get into and look great on anyone. Tip: the lighter your skin, the more red-toned your shade should be. Deeper skin colors look best with purples and plums.

02 - Favorite fall activity

I honestly just enjoy being outside before -30 weather hits. I like to take walks up the shopping district with my boyfriend, crunch through leaves, and cuddle up under a blanket with apple cider and a magazine. Autumn is such a cozy season.

03 - Favorite Starbucks fall drink

Duh, pumpkin spice latte. How is this even a question? Tall, non-fat, half-sweet, no-whip (in case you were wondering; I like to pretend to be healthy sometimes). Second Cup makes a mean one, too, and it's much cheaper.

04 - Favorite fall candle

I went to Bath and Body Works for the first time a couple of weeks ago and took advantage of their 2 for $25 deal. I've never really been a candle person, but the Cranberry Woods scent is absolutely decadent; I nearly died smelling it in store (and I'm sure the saleslady thought I was insane because I was absolutely giddy over purchasing it). I've been burning it while I study and it really does perfume my whole apartment, as well as make studying a little more enjoyable.

05 - Favorite fall accessory

I've been rocking lots of toques lately. I guess that's more of a winter thing, but I've recently discovered that I have a new-found affinity for them all year round. They're an easy solution for that "what-do-I-with-my-hair-this-morning-I-slept-in-and-don't-have-time-to-shower" dilemma (or, if you're like me, you just dgaf about styling your hair because nothing stays put in this windy, dry weather anyway) AND they look cute. Lately I've been obsessed with animal print ones and have been alternating between pandas and koalas depending on my outfit. They're also perfect for tucking in my too-long bangs that always seem to misbehave (and that I'm too poor to get done).

06 - Haunted house, haunted hay ride, or haunted corn maze?

I don't even know what hay rides are - are they an American thing? (Maybe I'm just a crappy Albertan; who knows.) I also have never been to a corn maze (insert sad face) but really want to go to one. I think getting lost in towering foliage would actually scare me much more than the cheap shock value of a haunted house.

07 - Favorite Halloween movie

I love love LOVE horror movies. If I could be paid to watch them all day, my life would be made; I would gladly let myself rot in front of the TV. The absolute best ones are the '80s classics like Halloween and Friday the 13th, although I do have a strange love for the Saw series (even though it got really convoluted and ridiculous) as well as psychological thrillers like Hide and Seek.

08 - Favorite candy to eat on Halloween

Rockets. Nothing beats 'em. Mouthful of sugar = happy Kristen. Plus, the packages are so small that you can justify eating like 15 in one sitting.

09 - What is your favorite thing about fall?

I can wear just a sweater outside and not freeze to death. Uh, yup. Oh, and Halloween, of course. (I'm gonna be a panda.)

TOQUE | panda - $10, Tally Weijl

LIP COLOUR | Revlon's Just Bitten Lip Stain and Balm - $8.99, Walmart (or any drugstore)

CANDLE | "Cranberry Woods" - $19, Bath and Body Works

02 - summer to fall transition

(Although here in the Prairies it's less of a "transition" and more of a "Holy shit, it's September 1st aka the teaser to winter. Better pack on the layers.")

University students LOVE spending their hard-earned summer job cash for about the first 20 days of school. Then, they suddenly remember that their tuition is due in 3 days (I may or may not be speaking from experience) and they've completely fucked themselves over for the rest of the year. They spend the rest of their fall semester budgeting every single facet of their lives (excluding alcohol because, well, duh) until Christmas, when they prey on the kindness of their family to give them money so they can start drinking Starbucks again and stop eating $0.75 ramen noodles for all 3 meals.

Unfortunately, it's during this season of Ichiban that the weather gets just cold enough that their denim cutoffs and tanks they lived in all summer just aren't cutting it. This is why it's completely necessary (and totally okay) to pair your summer staples (below) with a few cheap autumn add-ins (also below - how convenient!). Search your closet for last year's heavier articles and scour Goodwill or go thrifting for the rest. No one will ever notice that you actually only have 4 shirts in heavy rotation if you take advantage of accessories and layers!

(Psst - each item below is under $50, for those of you who are a step above the rest of us noodle-slurping suckers.) 

All items available online.

HEADGEAR | 1. mustard beanie - $16, BANK Fashion 2. grey and white toque - $36, Roots

CARDIGANS | 1. studded beige knit - $27, Chiara Fashion 2. red button up - $49, Romwe

SHORTS | 1. distressed denim - $43, Etsy 2. black sailor buttons - $48, Paprika 

TIGHTS | 1. red opaque - $43, Fogal 2. black footless - $3.17, fashionunion.com

INFINITY SCARVES | 1. cream knit - $15, gojane.com 2. leopard print - $11, gojane.com

NAIL VARNISH | 1. green "camo" - $7, China Glaze 2. deep purple "twilight" - $17, Bobbi Brown 3. pink "Like to Be Bad" (Wedding Collection) - $7.91, Essie

TANKS | 1. Aztec print crop - $11, River Island 2. loose grey - $24, RVCA 3. peace and love cross - $14, Chiara Fashion

BAGS | 1. mint green shoulder - $45, udobuy.com 2. black studded cross body - $24, Wet Seal

FOOTWEAR | 1. brown combat boot - $40, SM New York 2. ivory lace heel - $49, udobuy.com

BRACELET | leaf cuff - $18, Modcloth 

SOCKS | printed 2 pack - $9.84, Kelly & Katie

MITTENS | black/white polka dot - $13, Target

01 - hi

I'm really bad at introductions. Let's do this interview-style so I feel less vulnerable.

Name: Kristen
Age: Twenty, but I feel more like forty most days
Location: Hipster capital of Alberta
Occupation: 3rd yr. psychology major/sociology minor with a part time job at a cupcakerie
What do you do?: When I'm not digging myself out from underneath my textbooks, I practice with my improv theatre group, volunteer with the Undergraduate Psychology Association, and watch way too much YouTube.
Where can I find you?: Drinking coffee anywhere that it is served. Oh, and in bed, asleep.
Describe yourself in a sentence: Perfectionistic overachiever who thought she knew where she was going in life, but now doesn't, and is therefore starting a blog to a) vent b) be creative and c) help others through post-secondary hell.

Remember when those Facebook quizzes were popular? Yeah, they never really died out for me...

01. This time last year what goals did you have for yourself and have you achieved any of them?
Do absurdly well in uni, strengthen new friendships, and settle into the routine of living with a boyfriend in a new city while going to a new school. Check, check, check.

02. What’s one quality about yourself that you feel sets you back but also helps you? 
I'm the epitome of overachiever. I'm a huge pain in the ass, but, if you work with me on a school project, you're really lucky. I refuse to do less than my best.

03. Has anything happened involving you recently that has people in your life acting different towards you? 
I can't think of anything specific.

04. Is there anyone who lately you’ve been talking to more often? 
I've made some new friends.

05. Who is the last person you’ve surprised with something? 
My boyfriend, with a cute anniversary gift/card. :)

06. What is your favorite kind of food to eat? (ex: american, spanish, indian, ect.)
If I could eat authentic Italian food all day, every day, I would. I wouldn't even care that I looked like a blimp.

07. Have you recently discovered any artist or band whose music you like a lot?
I've honestly just been using the crap out of Songza because I'm lazy about "discovering" new music. I rely on my friend J a lot too. He's pretty into the local/Albertan music scene. I am addicted to that stupid Carly Rae Jepson song, though.

08. How long has it been since you were able to enjoy reading a book? 
2 months. Once classes start, I'm pretty much dedicated to my textbooks and notes. I manage to squeeze in magazines here and there, but it takes me ages to read them. I'm still working on August issues.

09. Was anyone who had been in your company today in a bad mood?
Yep. My boyfriend was getting pretty annoyed with our neighbours. They're from one of those cultures where talking on your cell phone is equated with raising your voice to obnoxious volumes because the person on the other end can't see your explanatory hand gestures. 

10. do you miss the way things used to be?
I miss freshman year of university quite a bit. Good people, good times, and less stress. 

11. what is something that has been causing you stress lately? 
School. Always school. I was dead-set on my future for a long time, and recently I am questioning myself. Psychology makes me happy, but it's not my passion. I want to have a creative job where every day is something new and exciting.

12. has anyone in your life (excluding family) that has made a life changing decision with you in mind or for you? 
^ Grammar fail. My boyfriend moved to the city to be with and live with me, so yeah, that's pretty major.

13. Would you ever get a tattoo in reference to music or a movie?
K and I joke about getting matching MM (Marilyn Manson) tattoos on our ankles. Some day...

14. What was the last news article you read about?
All that Amanda Todd stuff spamming my newsfeed. It's a sad story and I definitely empathize with her, but all the media attention it got became overwhelming and made me apathetic.

15. when was the last time you tried something for the first time?
I bought a purse from the Buffalo store the first time I'd ever been in it (last week). I'd always had the idea that the clothes in there "weren't 'me'" and the staff would be snooty, but I was totally wrong. Cute stuff and nice people. 

16. what are some touristy places close to where you live? 
West Edmonton Mall is a pretty big deal, I guess. It's just another mall to me, though. I also live in the heart of the art and youth culture scene where penny-pinching students and high-class businessmen frequently rub shoulders. It's interesting.

17. when you’re listening to music on your computer what do you use (ex: itunes, youtube, ect.)
iTunes, Songza, and YouTube.

18. are any of your friends upset with you over something at the moment? 
Not that I know of.

19. what is going on with everyone else who is in the house with you tonight?
My boyfriend is spending the day with his friend since he doesn't have any class on Mondays. Lucky duck.

20. the last time you felt sick what exactly was wrong?
Today: my entire digestive system hates me and I feel directionless. No big d.

21. if you had the choice right now would you prefer to be out or are you content with how things are right now?

I'm glad that I get some time to catch up on schoolwork while laying in bed, but I'd rather not feel like my intestines were about to fall out of my butt/creep up my throat.

So, uh, let's be best friends?