I'm Staying in For NYE

This late night, poor quality, webcam photo depicts exactly what I shall be doing on New Year's Eve. I am not a fan of NYE, for a few a reasons, the two main ones being that there is far too much expectation to have a good time, and secondly fireworks. I am a like a cat; I don't like loud or sudden noises and fireworks terrify me. Thus, I am staying in with mother and my cats, La Quisha II as pictured above, and in my pyjamas for the whole time. 

Mother and I normally have our own little nibbles and of course a beverage; we're currently switching between Bailey's and Snowballs. With a bit of Prosecco thrown in at dinner. There will be absolutely nothing decent on telly and so we can catch up on all of the things which I missed whilst I was away. 

I will very much be glad to see the back of 2014. Going to Madison has kind of been a fresh start for me, and aside from meeting some really great people and having really great experiences, I feel that I have really start to come into my own much more.
And so I am very excited to welcome in 2015! It can only really bring great things. I'll be turning 21 (prepare yourself for my return Wisconsin!), going into my final year at university, hopefully sorting something out that resembles law in some way and a whole host of other jazz. 

So I hope you all have a good New Year, whatever you do. But if you do stay in, or have no plans and are feeling a bit rubbish about it, don't worry my friends, that's what I'm planning to do!

Happy New Year!

xoxo

Top Ten Things I Didn't Realise I Missed

1. Having access to a kitchen whenever I want. And a fridge. And cupboards full of food. And clean cutlery. And never-ending supplies of tea. 

2. A choice of 439673896 different shower gels. 

3. Supermarkets. Going round Sainsburys on a Sunday morning just cannot be topped by strolling around Walgreens or Fresh.

4. Just a bit of drizzle, as opposed to a full blow snowstorm and wind that feels like knives.

5. The date being written '30.12.14' 

6. People knowing what I mean when I say I go to Warwick.

7. People knowing what I mean when I say: cheeky, (well) jel, beverage/bev, Essex, s'alright, plait, roast dinner, full English, pounds, Celsius

8.  Plug sockets that can be turned off, and not having to use an adaptor.

9. Using google and it not being redirected automatically to an American site, especially bbc.co.uk

10. British adverts. 

xoxo

Soap&Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub | An Ode To Products at Home

Now that I am actually back at home, this piece seems easier to do and I am reunited with all of my products and stuff! I have a whole basket full of just beauty/body/hair products and it's so exciting to be rediscovering things.
I adore this product, mainly because of the smell. It smells just like sweets and kinda makes me wanna just eat it with a spoon ... it's limey and sweet and just sooo good. The product itself is also amazing; it's one of those scrubs that has the right amount of scrubby bits; not to mention the the general consistency of it makes it so easy to use. It's thick and works as soon as you apply it to your skin, leaving it feeling gorgeously smooth. It isn't too harsh so you can use it every few days as it doesn't aggravate sensitive skin or leave your skin feeling a bit raw. It has the perfect balance of the aforementioned scrubby bits to be used on a regualr enough basis to keep your skin from being any kind of scaley!

You will note that the above picture is of the older packaging; this is the particular version which I have almost used up (a little goes a long way!) and I much prefer the entire old packaging collection of all Soap&Glory products and thus am refusing to accept the new packaging. But for those not living in the past, the new version is thus:

You can get it here for £8.00 or here for $25. (Note that S&G is waaaaaay more expensive in the US!)

Have you tried this product?

xoxo

Easy Like Sunday Blogging | Home Edition

Just a really quick one to say that I got home, and all is well! It is soooo nice to be home, I cannot even explain. I've got one of my cats sitting with me, tea, food apleenty. It feels so good!
This also means access to other products and ... BOOTS!!! Popped in one quickly today and  felt so overwhelmed, I could barely look at anything properly!

I hope you' re all having good weeks, and safe travels if you are travelling. Sorry this is so short; I am falling asleep at my laptop as I'm writing it!

Would you travel somewhere for Christmas?

xoxo

Easy Like Sunday Bloggin - Home Edition by superkarina5 featuring quote posters

Stuck for Present Ideas? Give a Diary

One of the best birthday presents I received this year was a Moleskine diary (and a really amazing pen to match). I had never had one of these diaries before, but had always admired them from afar. They are gorgeous. They feel so nice. And the pages! Oh the pages; with a week to your left and a lined page to make notes to your right, what more could you want?
Oh that's right. Tabbed pages. Yesyes, these have tabbed pages which you can customise at the back. AND. Stickers. They come with stickers. rehgiaerhgaiowg. (I am a known sticker fiend...)
AND. It has lined pages at the back, for you know, all your lined page needs.
AND. It has a little wallety folder kinda thing at the back, after the tabbed pages, and where those glorious stickers are contained.
AND, It has a year calendar at the front.
AND. It has a whole host of list pages at the front, where you can note down your events, birthdays and travels.
WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT?!
Oh yes.
A range of colours. Done.
A bookmark. Done.
A elastic thingy to keep it shut. Done.

If I haven;t just sold you a Moleskine diary, I don't know what will...OH yes, other than they amke great presents! Diaries are those things which you know you need but you never really want to fork out the money for yourself because you want a really nice one...
Hence give them as a gift! These are practical and amazing, and then it means that the receiver of your really thought-out gift will already be prepared for the new year!

You can get Moleskine diaries in a lot of places, (but Paperchase do 10% student discount ;)  )

Would you like to receive a Diary as a gift?

xoxo

Top Ten Things You Hear As An International Student

1. Oh wow! Do you have an accent?
(*whispers quietly* everyone has an accent)

2. How did you end up here?

3. Omg can you say *insert probably really cringey word*?! It sounds so different when you say it!

4. Ohh I have a friend/relative/person that went/lives there!

5. What do you miss most about home?

6. What's your favourite thing about being here?

7. I've always wanted to visit *insert your home country*!

8. Is it true that *insert again probably really cringey stereotype*??

9. I can't imagine not seeing my family for that long; at least there's Skype!

10. When was the last time you were actually at home?? 

It's like we're from a different country or something...

xoxo

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer | An Ode to Products At Home

Not only have I spoken about this product on numerous occasions, but also, so has the rest of the entire beauty world. If you have never used this product or have never heard of it, you must have been living under a rock or something. 

This concealer, is hands down, the best drug store concealer. (It really annoys me that I have picked up the phrase 'drugstore', but the English equivalent is high street which isn't really the same thing.) Not only is it so cheap, but it is just so good. It covers a manner of sins; it claims to last 16 hours,  wouldn't quite say that but it does last a bloody long time! (i.e. all day). 

They had also recently updated the shades I do believe...so that I no longer know what shade I use as they do not still do the shade I had... but only a few days until I can go into Boots (THE EXCITEMENT) and get my hands on a new one!!!

You can get this here for £4.19 (This takes you to 'international Boots', which is what America takes me to directly and they apparently ship all over the place!)

Have you tried this before?

xoxo

Easy Like Sunday Blogging

Let me first say that I am exhausted. I covered a three hour shift today which then turned out to be six hours as there were hardly any staff and it was so busy. Thus, I am in bed, in my pyjamas and could literally just pass out here.

- On a brighter, much brighter note, this time in 7 days, I will be homehome!!!!! Just 6 days until I leave; I cannot wait.
I leave next Saturday night and so have a night flight and get back into London around 8 in the morning. Bloody 8 on a Sunday morning! But I'll be homeeeeee. 

- It is finals week, which means that everyone is stressed out and just about ready to leave/lie down of the floor and just cry. I have two exams, a paper due and a project due, but as my year doesn't count, I'm not stressing too much and am just offering my assistance to anyone that wants it! It's nice to not be stressed, but  it's also not great seeing all of my friends really stressing themselves out. Hopefully this week goes quickly!

- MODA PRINT ISSUE. Omg guys. It's beautiful. The whole issue is just incredible, and I am so happy to have been a part of it. Everyone kept coming up to me and telling me how much they loved my article and how good and sassy I look in the photo! (It makes me feel like I would love to be working as a journalist or editor and then I end up questioning everything that I want to do with my life... )

- This time last year, I can remember vlogmas being the only thing that made me get up in the mornings. I was soso unhappy and I was counting down the hours until I could go home. My last night at uni last year, I actually worked the biggest event of the year for Bleinham Palace; Flavia and Lois Smith performed, and although I didn't meet Lois, he stood right in front of me as I tried not to drop my tray of drinks.
It's such a nice feeling to be looking forward to going home for reasons other than that I just needed to be away from uni for a while.I'm pretty sure I got myself chinese at three in the morning and ate it sobbing in my bed of relief that I was going home in a few hours. But not this year!

- And on that note, despite being surrounded by some of the greatest friends last year, I have met some really great people here at Madison! I have definitely found some friends for life here which is beyond anything I could have expected. (Shout out to my bambinos; they know who they are!) And it will be really weird to not see them for a while! Not to mention, my British lecturer who brought me a homemade mince pie. Life made. 

I hope you're having wonderful Decembers; I have Michael Buble on repeat. Of course.

xoxo

Klimt Gold | Moda

Guys, guys. My new Make Up Masterpiece is live on Moda! This is the life and style magazine and website on campus, and it is really pretty amazing.
The launch party for the print issue is tomorrow night; I'm so excited to see it! I have the closing article in it, and cannot wait to see how it looks in actual print!!

If you want to read how to create the Klimt inspired make up look above, then please click here! I'm really happy with it, and looove this look!

Would you wear this golden Klimt look?

xoxo

Vlogmas Weekend - Painting and Squirrels! | Video

Guys. I have outdone myself with my title screen. Just saying, I have done some good work there. I have watched just that bit over manymany times. Even if you don't want to watch the whole thing, at least watch the few opening seconds!

I hope you enjoy this little snippet of my weekend and are having good Decembers! 

(Only 11 days until I go home! :D )

xoxo

(You can also watch the video here and if you really want to, please like and subscribe!)

Vera Wang Princess Night | An Ode To Products At Home

This was the first ever perfume that I actually bought! I had lusted, yes lusted, after it for months and months and months. In fact possibly a couple of years...anyway, my love affair with this perfume was a long and ongoing one!

The smell is just gorgeous. When it has the word 'night' in it, you know that it is going to have darker undertones, and I do generally just wear this in the evening. However it works great all through Winter. I however did not bring it with me...as I brought Lovestruck which my brother bought me just before I left.

This is one of those perfumes that I have had many compliments on, mainly from boys! It is just such an alluring smell; numerous descriptions use the words 'exotic, floral, nocturnal', I am loving the last one! 

I definitely miss the smell of this, and if you have never smelt it, what have you been doing?! You need this in your perfume collection. trust me. 

You can get it here for $31.19, or here for £31.95 (You are soo much better off getting it in dollars!)

What are your favourite Winter scents?

xoxo

Easy Like Sunday Blogging

Let me just say this; I really do not like Sundays. At all. I mean, when I'm at home I do enjoy popping down the town with Mother, and god I love a roast dinner, but the general feeling of Sundays. I just do not like. Singing in a church choir for 5 years also gives you a very different perspective upon what you should be doing on Sundays. 

- You will all be pleased to know that Vlogmas on The Kazlight Anthem is on it's way! My voice is back! It was a joyous day on Friday when I woke up, and could finally speak again. So that means that I had to do a bit of vlogging :) I'm really excited to be finally uploading something again!

- On a not so bright note...at work last night, whilst cleaning the friers, I burnt one of my fingers. Essentially it went straight into the oil, resulting on it being completely salved and bandaged up for the rest of the weekend. It's fine, just a little sore, so don't worry everyone!

- Tomorrow it is 12 days until I go home! I cannot wait. I am of course enjoying my time here at Madison, but after four months here, time back at home will definitely be appreciated. And a snuggle with my cats! Oh and proper British tea. Oooohmy yes.

- Thanksgiving - this was a completely wonderful time. I was in a wonderful place, with wonderful people. I will have a post dedicated solely to this coming up, but I really was so very thankful for a lot of things. (On the coach down to Chicago airport, an American lady who lives in London was complaining that we don't celebrate Thanksgiving in England. Umm...)

- I also have some exciting posts coming up on Moda, which if you don't remember what that is, it is the life and style magazine on campus. The print issue also commes out this month in which I have the closing article; I literally cannot wait to see it!!!

P.S. How cool is this!?

I hope you have all had a lovely week!

xoxo

A Hundred Happy Things | Part 2

With Christmas coming up, I will feel no shame in making this essentially, the Christmas edition of the things that make me happy.

11. Christmas Music. 

A Spaceman Came Travelling, Chris De Burgh is by far the best Christmas song, in the world ever.

Fact.

12. That general feeling of merryment that everyone gets around Christmas. You know that one where it makes you feel all tingly inside like you've had champagne. That one. 

13. Christmas food - the turkey, the stuffing, the cranberry sauce, the mince pies, the bucks fizz, the mulled wine, ooooh how I could carry on!

14. Christmas Eve. This is actually my favourite day in the entire year. 

15. Christmas films and tv; because who doesn't love Elf, Love Actually and Home Alone? Or a Christmas special of nearly every programme going?

16. After Christmas dinner naps. 

17. Christmas coffee; we always seem to have a special packet that only ever appears on Christmas day and is never around the rest of the year...

18. The thought that in some places, i.e. Wisconsin, it does snow on Christmas day! (Come on England...this'll be the year...)

19. Being able to wrap up warm in hats, scarves, gloves, boots and coats and getting all snug in your coat.

20. The majority of my teenage years were pretty much dedicated to a church choir, thus when it comes to September...that's time to practice the Christmas hymns. And they are just so good. (And yes I did wear robes.)

What about Christmas makes you happy?

xoxo

Blogmas!

'Tis the season to be bloggy, falalalalala!

Hellohello Bambinos; it's been a while, again, I know. But I have good reason! As I said previously I went to New Jersey for Thanksgiving (a really nice part, don't worry!) and I mentioned that I may vlog...this did not in fact happen. When we got there, it was so lovely and nice and relaxing and warm and cosy, and a whole host of other things that I was just enjoying doing nothing too much to then vlog. I was also really enjoying having a break from the internet; I didn't even watch any youtube videos! (Except some cheeky SacconneJolys!) And so I did not vlog, or blog and only tweeted really happy emojis. 

But not to fear...with 15 days to go until I am homehome, I am back with Christmas music gearing me on! I have blog posts aplenty planned!

In relation to youtube...all of this week I have had no voice at all. It has been a struggle to participate in my classes. I had to get one girl to read out an announcement for me. And when discussing my final canvas with my painting tutor, it basically consisted of me pointing and nodding. Thus I have been completely unable to film, but my voice is croaking it's way back and hopefully a new video shall be with you all soon!

With all of that being said...Blogmas! I am not saying that I am fully committing to blogging every single day, but I will be blogging whenever I possibly can! 

I will now leave you all with this little anecdote to lighten your cold Fridays and make you feel better about yourselves:
When walking home yesterday a mormon stopped me and asked me 'Are you struggling today?' (It's quite common around here that they will talk to you, and they are always lovely!) Of course, I had no voice, and of course, I'm always struggling, so I just mouthed yes at him and ran off. #winning ... 

Eat some mince pies and whack on the Michael Buble Christmas Album!

xoxo

How I Got A Better Nights Sleep | Part 2

This wasn't intended to be a series or anything on The Kazlight Anthem, however my first post proved pretty popular, and as I was struggling to get to sleep last night, I realised that I have another solution to sleepless nights. (I was struggling so much I almost got right back out of bed to just whip out this post then and there!)

My mind is always going a few thousand miles a minute, literally there is so much going on in my mind, it's no wonder I get headaches so often. But then, as with a lot of people, as soon as I go to bed, all of those thoughts get faster, and worse, and I begin to worry about every little thing in my life, big or small and massively stress myself out.
A few weeks ago, this had gotten to the point where I was almost sobbing nearly every night because I was just stressing myself out so much. Then I just thought calm. Stop thinking. Just clear your mind. Now this is SO HARD to do.
 (As a taster, when I first start doing this, my thought process is as such: not thinking anything, but then that is something, does this mean I'm not doing it right, like I didn't do that blog post right, and my videos are pretty shoddy, and I'm basically useless at everything, and I'm so poor right now, can I afford dinner tomorrow? etc ...)
So instead of just that, I think calm, and then just track my breathing. I just think in, and, out,  and I keep this up until I drift off. And it's pretty good! In and out now tend to be my last thoughts (I think), as opposed to my continuous incompetent worries!

So if you have trouble turning your mind off at night, give this a go!

*Reasons as to why, again, I have been pretty absent from everything will be clear soon!*

I hope you all get better nights sleep!

xoxo

The Body Shop Early Harvest Raspberry Body Scrub | An Ode To Products At Home

Why does everything always have such a long name? 

This is the second installment of this feature, in which I talk about the products I have at home and not here with me, that I miss greatly. 'Cos I'm sad like that. 

This week, yes it's another Body Shop product...but they're just so good! This is the Early Harvest Raspberry Body Scrub (because raspberry body scrub as a name was just too damn short). Firstly, if you haven't smelt this product, oooohmy do you have to. It literally smells like raspberry jam, and it genuinely makes me want to eat it. Not only that, but it looks just like jam. It has the seeds and everything!

This product is just so great. With body scrubs, I want one that has a lot of scrubby bits, but that's not too harsh. This has the perfect blend; it has the larger seeds and then smaller scrubby particles meaning that it does the job without making you feel like you've raked your skin in sand paper. It leaves your skin feeling soso smooth, and you smell good too!

(As a side note, one of my boy flatmates last year had to open this for me, got it on his hands, and as it smelt so good just rubbed it in; so really it's unisex too!)

I can't recommend this product enough. And as I have said before, It's The Body Shop, so you know you're getting good and decent stuff in there. 

You can get this here for £12.50
...and it seems you can't get this particular one in the US, but you can have a gander at the others here which are currently on sale for $12!

What are your thoughts of food-like products?

xoxo

Easy Like Sunday Blogging

I am currently making tea with the very last of my teabags from home which I have been saving for when I really need it. Tonight is definitely that time...

- So this week's segment isn't going to be quite the same. Some of you may have noticed my absence from pretty much everything...I haven't been on twitter, I haven't been on youtube, I haven't blogged, I even made some recent posts on Facebook private after realising I didn't want them to be seen. 

Overall, I have just lost a lot of motivation for near everything. A few things have contributed to this, which I won't go into, however every year pretty much around this kind of time I go into what I call 'hibernate mode'. I don't want to do anything, I feel completely useless and I just want to hibernate in my bed all day and night. This is pretty much what I have been doing the past few days...I have just been in my bed and binge-watched mediocre films on netflix and the current series of the Apprentice. 

When it comes to not blogging it makes me feel really rubbish, and I apologise for the lack of posts. I have however been planning some, and I didn't want to let this weekly post past me by. 

For the American readers out there (The Kazlight Anthem is hitting pretty much near every continent!), you will know that it's Thanksgiving this week. I am travelling on Tuesday to New Jersey to stay with my wifeyforlifey's family. I really want to vlog this experience, and always intended to, however I don't want to vlog something that is then just, meh. 

But hopefully a little break away will put the zest back into things! (zest? I don't know...)

*Please note* I am not making this post to just have a little moan about that I'm not feeling motivated to do stuff that I don't have to be doing, but when you run a blog, and have a readership, there is always an expectation and an unwritten promise that you are going to make content for those people. And so I don't want to suddenly just stop doing anything at all, but didn't want to leave you all hanging. I have a lot of negative memories associated with this time of year and always struggle in various ways around now; we all are after all, only human.

Thank you again for all of you that are reading and following; you are my favourite people, and I love you all.

xoxo

70% Meat and Potatoes, 30% Icing and Fluff

This was something which I read about here on WhoWhatWear and I just needed to share it!

'According to Kors: "70 percent of the clothes you own should be meat and potatoes. 30 percent should be icing and fluff—that's color, pattern, shine, and accessories. Too many women get the proportions the other way round, then can't figure out why they can't get dressed." '

Isn't this just great? Now I'm definitely going to find it easier to get dressed in the morning! 

What do you think?

xoxo

The Body Shop Camomile (Silky) Cleansing Oil | An Ode to Products at Home

Obviously given the title...these are products that I do not have here with me, thus I will not be using photos of the products, as I cannot photograph something I do not have! But really, this works better as then you don't need to deal with my shoddy lighting. 

This is a new feature that I've been planning for a while, seeing as there are a LOT of products from home that I miss. These aren't necessarily products that I can't get over here in the States, but they're just those which I know I have back at homehome and it makes me sad I can't use them. 

So today, for the first installment, I bring you The Body Shop's Camomile (everytime I write this I think I've spelt it wrong) Silky Cleansing Oil. This product is bloody good. Literally, amazing. It gets rid of all your make up so well and so quickly, it cleans your face so well and so quickly, it rinses off so well and so quickly...get my point? It's only £10, and I had been using this pretty much every day for months and am only about a third of the bottle down. You only need a little and it really goes a long way!

As it's The Body Shop, you know that you're getting a product that will be really kind to the skin and this most definitely is. I cannot recommend this product enough! 

You can get your hands on this wonder product here for $18; because I'm in America, America likes to redirect me on pretty much every website I use to the American version (mutters annoyances under breath). But it is definitely £10 in the UK here!

Have you tried this? If not...why not?!

xoxo

Easy Like Sunday Blogging

Easy Like Sunday Blogging by superkarina5 featuring Pier 1 Imports

These installments are seriously coming around toooooo quickly! Two papers due this week, a midterm, one midterm back, ten tonne of other stuff (currently only enrolled for one class next semester #awks), it's now Sunday evening and I still haven't done everything. Oh well!

- I have just spent the past four hours or so painting tiny dots on to my latest painting. My eyes haven't stopped twitching for a good half hour now...but it's looking good and can't wait to share my two latest canvases with you!

- Band Aid 30. Come on people. Band Aid 20 was bad enough, but now 30? Why can't we just make up a brand new song for good causes and charity? The original will always and forever be the best. That is not opinion, but fact. 

- I have watched Love Actually twice this week. That film remains one of the greatest films ever in the history of anything ever.
Let us all just take a moment to appreciate this classic Hugh Grant moment:

- It has been snowing here! It started to really settle last night. It made the Wisconsin Nebraska game much more interesting seeing as you couldn't see some of the field due to the snow... I am absolutely loving it. If anyone has suggestions of good snowboots, please let me know!

-I am still reading the bloody Goldfinch. I never take this long to read a book but I really am struggling with this one. I have seen so many people talk about it saying that they read books all the time so they didn't struggle. I am the same, so are these people reading something different to me? Anyone else had this trouble? 

I hope you all had a lovely week! Countdown to Thanksgiving: 9 days!

xoxo

Gold Eyeliner For Snowy Weather

If you watched my Autumn Haul video, then you will have seen that I bought the Cover Girl Ink It! Eyeliner in 235 Gold Ink. I really love this eyeliner! I love the colour, I love the texture, I love the applicator...ness of it. It's a twist up pencil, but it just glides on sooo smoothly and is pretty pigmented.
Yet it's subtle, so at first glance it's as if you aren't wearing anything..then you see the glimmer and it just catches the light in such a lovely way. I do think that this brings out flecks of colour in my eyes, which as you can see, are brown. However I do think this looks amazing on blue eyes as the colour contrast looks lovely.
I've received a lot of compliments on this eyeliner, with a few people telling me it suits me (justsayin') and whilst it is SNOWING here (if you follow my twitter, you can watch my snow excitement live), I think this is a really great way to whack out some colour in these colder days!

What do you guys think?

xoxo

p.s. have finally taught myself how to do French plaits! eeeeeeeee!

The Kazlight Anthem is 1 Year Old!

So, (has anyone else noticed how many posts I start with 'so'?), despite having missed the official birthday of my loveylovely blog, I still need to spread the Birthday love to everyone.

I had been planning this post for a while; essentially I just want to talk about the reasons why I started The Kazlight Anthem and just have a little emosh moment with you all. 

In my second term of first year, The Kazlight Anthem officially started. And I don't mean the blog that you are currently reading today. I'm sure if you wanted to put the effort and time in, you could easily find the original Kazlight Anthem, but you will see some horrendous Paint-made posts and webcam-taken photos. It was also very shortlived.
Not long after starting this first blog, appendicitis hit (as well as a whole host of other things), and I was bed bound for the next 6 weeks or so. I had to go back home and could barely do anything. My motivation for anything was extremely low and I slept pretty much all the time. Thus the blog dwindled out, yet my passion for reading blogs only grew. 

Then in November of 2013, The Kazlight Anthem was reborn! Now, aside from my wish to really blog this time around and keep it going, there were actually a whole host of other reasons for why I started to really and truly blog.
I was really unhappy. Second year of university was, I honestly believe, one of the hardest and worst years of my life. This is for a myriad of reasons, which I won't go into detail about, but looking back on that time now I feel like a completely different person to how I felt then. Reading blogs, and watching youtube videos was not only of the things that I found comforting, but it was one of the only things which made me happy at this point. (To give you some perspective, and to make it not sound like I was just being a wet blanket; at a house party, one of my housemates took me to one corner, sat me down and just said to me that I really wasn't happy and should just go home for a bit. This was also a fairly common feeling for second years.)
And so I thought I would give back to the blogging community what it gave me; a place where I could be myself and really enjoy it. And I truly believe that starting this blog was one of the best decisions I have ever made. 

It may have meant that I will spend more money on make up and beauty products than food, and that sometimes you have to take a photo then and there in the good light, or that you have to sacrifice some sleep to get your post up for the best time in all time zones that read your blog, but ultimately, it is all worth it. Because at the end of the day, I am part of a wonderful, ever growing and ever changing community which means a small part of the world to me. If that's possible.

To thank you all for having gotten through this post...I would like to share some of the aforementioned poor quality photos. Mainly for the sheer fun of it and just so you can see how The Kazlight Anthem has changed over time.
So without further ado...enjoy.

All photos from The Kazlight Anthem Circa. 2012

And with that, thank you all again for reading and following and being the lovely people that you are. I hope you enjoyed this post and are having a lovely week!

xoxo

The '1989' Inspired 'Ask Me Anything' Tag

We allllll know by now how much I love my girl Taylor, and so when I saw this tag, I couldn't not do it! (I do think you may find it weird if you do this tag not being a big Taylor fan as the questions will have a very different meaning to you; not hating or anything, just merely expressing my thoughts here!)

1. Welcome to New York. If you could live in any city, which would it be and why?
I have always said Chicago. I adore that city. However since living in Madison I could definitely see myself living in a lot longer. But also, London, because, it's London!

2. Blank Space. What is something that everyone thinks is true about you but is actually false?
Hmmm. That I'm really quiet! People often say this to me, and I really am not. I'm not even shy. I'm horrifically awkward, but once you get to know me, that'll be a whoooole different story!

3. Style. What is one item in your closet that makes you feel unstoppable?
My high heeled ankle boots. With sparkles. (Or 'booties' I guess they'd say over here)

4. Out of the Woods. What is one thing that you're afraid of?
My biggest fear by far is clowns. However, with that being said, I am one of the jumpiest people on earth. My nevers are honestly terrible and everything make sme jump; even if I don't physically 'jump' my insides do.

5. All You Had To Do Was Stay. Who is someone you wish was still in your life?
I don't reeeally think I have anyone like that. People that are longer in my life are that way because of good reasons and I really think that you shouldn't keep holding on to the past.  

6. Shake It Off. What is something you have had to shake off?
A hell of a lot of awkwardness. My day-to-day life is a constant struggle in some ways, and sometimes I often think 'Why do these things always happen to me?' Then I remember I just need to shake it off. 

7. I Wish You Would. What is something you'd like to happen right now?
Right now? I really wish it would snow. There has been, and I quote Lorelei Gilmore, flakes have been sighted; flakage if you will!

8. Bad Blood. Have you ever had someone stab you in the back?
I wouldn't exactly say stabbed me in the back. But some of my closest friends from times gone by have definitely done some extremely hurtful things, thus see 5. 

9. Wildest Dreams. What would you like to be remembered for?
My quirks. I have a lot of them, and I like to think that I have quite a big personality. The other day we were listing off things that each of us does often, and my list was soooo much longer! So definitely for always being myself I guess and not caring what people thought. 

10. How You Get The Girl. What is your favourite pick-up line?
Oh god I can't deal with them. They make me cringe inside and my replies are always just ':|' in mumble form. 

11. This Love. What is something you got back that you never thought you would?
I think my general love for life. My first year of university, and the general 2012 era was the best year of my life (so far), then my second year of university was most definitely one of the worst years of my life. When I look back to myself this time a year ago and think about how I was feeling then, I am in such a better place right now with how I feel about everything, and so definitely that. I wanna say my, joie de vivre!

12. I Know Places. Where is one place you always feel safe?
My bed. Whatever bed it might be, my bed at homehome, my uni bed, or just wherever I'm then napping at any given time...there. 

13. Clean. What is an important lesson you have learned in life, and how did you learn it?
I can't think of any one specific thing...however I did used to think that 'time heals all wounds' was not true, but it really. Humans are very adaptive beings and we can in fact adapt and adjust to just about anything. I also definitely believe that you do mature as you get older, and that certain things start to seem very childish as you get older and you just learn to let them go. 

I really enjoyed this doing this tag and I tag all of you!

xoxo

Easy Like Sunday Blogging

Easy Like Sunday Blogging by superkarina5 featuring a panda hat

We are already well on our way into November; the countdown to Thanksgiving being prominent! (16 days!) 

- Firstly, I have an accouncement. In what can only be described as typical me fashion, I missed my blog's birthday. That's right. On the 5th of November (bonfire night, who knew! And how DID I FORGET?!) I made my very first post. I cannot believe that a whole year has gone by since then, but thank you to all who have followed me since the beginning, or have just jumped on the love train that is The Kazlight Anthem. I am eternally grateful for all the support and if I could make you all a cup of tea I would!
Starting this blog was one of the best things that I think I have done and could ever have done and I absolutely adore it. Without my blog, I wouldn't have started my youtube channel which is something else that I love. 
And don't worry, there will be an obligatory birthday post coming up!

- Secondly, I am sorry if my posting has gotten a bit slower of late. Midterms have happened (where I made up Greek names... #winning), papers are currently happening, work is imminetly happening. Basically, a lot of stuff has been happening. I have also been in a bit of a blog dry spell; my blogging spirit has, like the temperature here dropped and with that has come the sense that I don't want to to just whack out any old post for the sake of posting.
So I apologise, but be thankful you aren't getting posts talking about how much I hate all of the essay prompts for my History of Ancient Philosophy paper. 

- Last Sunday night, after receiving a Beauty Insider email from Sephora, depicting the latest freebie which was available for a limited time only, a purchase was made. Damage was done. Yet I felt no shame, only that wonderful rush  of excitement and joy when you purchase something that you've been saving up for for weeks yet still can't reaaally afford. 
That's right everyone, I purchased the Sephora Favourites Superstars Set. And ooohmy. I love it. I have been experimenting with it today, whilst avoiding aforementioned philosophy essay and I must say: make up makes me so happy. 

- The Starbucks Red Cups are back!!!! If you follow me on Instagram, then you will have seen my obligatory selfie with me posing with said red cup. Sooo many people here did not know what I was talking about!! Madness!!

- I've been thinking about filming a video showing all of the beauty products that I brought with me from home, yet have been shying away from doing it with the thought that 'nobody cares'. But would you guys be interested? Let me know and maybe it will give me more motivation to actually film it, instead of keep talking myself out of it!

I hope you have all had fabulous first weeks of November! Remember those gloves everyone, it's getting chilly out!
xoxo

NOTD | Formula X - Alchemy

Formula X - Alchemy - Limited Ediiton

I mentioned this is my October Favourites video and just wanted to share what it looks like actually on the nails. I lovelovelove this so much and it is so unlike any over nail varnish I have! 

What do you think?

xoxo

Covered Knee Patches

This was something that I saw someone had the other day; she had glittery, sequin-covered Mickey, (or maybe Minnie?) Mouses over the corners of the knees of her jeans. And I really liked the idea; I wouldn't personally want the Disney theme, but the idea of having different colours, fabrics, or anything different over the knee I really like. 

I love the heart theme that seems to be going on with leggings at the moment. The chunky, rectangular block seen at Topshop is also kind of cool, and despite being bigger, it comes across as much more subtle. 

When I was looking up images for this, there were soooo many for children!! There were some really cool dinosaur ones that I would definitely love... 

I also love the fact that this is something you could easily do yourself! All you would need is some fabric, some shapes and some leggings, jeans, trousers, anything that has knees! 

It's like cool elbow patches, but less old man. Definitely going to be on the lookout for something like these!

What do you think? Are knee patches for you?

xoxo

Deodorant: Roll On or Spray?

It was either this picture or one of those cringey ones of someone in a white towel, putting on their deodorant and looking so happy that I just couldn't.

Now I know this seems a really really weird thing to post about, but I am genuinely quite intrigued! (I don't even care how sad this is all sounding).
I had alwaysalwaysalways used spray deodorants; the thought of using a roll on one, cream or otherwise, made me feel, to be quite honest, nauseous and they always said 'elderly' to me. Yet when I came to the States, the only deodorant that I had with me was a Nivea roll on. 3 months later and I'm still only 2/3 of it through. My sister always said how they last longer, and damn do they!

Yet... despite this, I still miss my spray ones. Although I feel the roll ones are better in  some ways? But I miss my Dove pink grapefruit spray; I miss the lovely fresh smell.
And now I am torn between my preferred option (I think still?) or the seemingly everlasting option. I also now feel that I need to give the cream ones a whirl; it's like I'm doing my own personal deodorant experiment! (#noshame)

So...what are your thoughts? What do you prefer? What do you think is better? Anyone? Recommendations? P.S. I do not smell. 

xoxo

Easy Like Sunday Blogging

Easy Like Sunday Blogging by superkarina5 featuring halloween pumpkin lanterns

I cannot believe that it's already November! October literally flew by; it really isn't long until Christmas now, or until I'll be homehome!

- I really feel that I have upped my video game this week! I was really happy with my Autumn Hair Styles video; especialy with the fact that I have made myself an end screen! I know for some of you this won't be interesting or exciting but it really was for me! I am so proud of what I am doing on youtube; and I don't care how sad that sounds.

- My first Halloween in the States was really something! We went out for actual Halloween night and then for Freakfest last night. I have vlogged the whole experience here. It was a lot of fun with some really great friends and I'm actually quite sad it's over!

- 1989. Need I say more really?

- I'm really happy with my artwork at the moment. I still have a second painting video to edit and upload, but it's my third one that I'm really excited about. I am really liking how it's looking right now and am really excited for it to not only be finished, but for all of you to see!

- Mother booked my flights home this week! I always knew that I'd be going homehome for Christmas, but having the flights actually booked is a really nice and comforting thought. I don't want to wish my time away here at all, but I can't wait to go home!

I hope you have all had lovely weeks and a grea Halloween! I hope that your first week of November is also great! 
xoxo

A Hundred Happy Things | Part 1

A Hundred Happy Things | Part 1 by superkarina5 featuring a cat mug


I took this idea from Follow Your Arrow, a blog that I've been loving recently and really loved this idea about posting 100 things which make you happy. Not only is this a great thing to share, but I feel it will also make you appreciate all these things even more in your life!

1. Tea. I love tea. A good cup of tea always makes everything better.

2. A good book, or just books in general. I love having them around me and always love to read.

3. Scarves. I  nearly always have a scarf on in some form; they make all the difference when it's cold! I own so many as well, it's ridiculous.

4. Candles. I looooove candles; especially Yankee ones! They make a room smell so good, look lovely, and add a really nice cosy and homey feel.

5. Eyeliner. I love my eyeliner, especially cat flicks. And when they go well, and both eyes are even, you know it's going to be a good day!

6. Cats. Need I say more?

7.  Cosy socks! Having socks on also makes all the difference when you're cold! And especially if you whack on some realy cosy socks.

8. I absolutely love when you take something to the till, and then it's cheaper than you were expecting. That is one of the best feelings!

9. Waking up and thinking it's Monday...and it's Saturday.

10. Not having to wash my hair. When it's the days in between hair wash days - yesss!

I hope you enjoyed this post! Do your own and share your 100 happy things!
xoxo

Homecoming Parade! | New Vlog!

Last week was Homecoming, which I think essentially means alumni come back to campus; I don't reeeeally know tbh though let's face it. So on the Friday there was the Homecoming Parade which Deja, Elena and I go to in my new vlog!
We went to dinner at The Old Fashioned (see above burger!) and then watched the parade. It was a really fun night and we got 'Sconnie' (the term for people from Wisconsin) crowns! Deja and I were loving life.
I also tried my first laffy taffy; banana flavour. Good stuff! Not to mention I love the name :)

For those of you (spoiler alert!) confused by the dying turtle at the end....the Homecoming game was between Wisconsin Badgers and Maryland Terrapins. We thrashed them don't worry, but there were a lot of worse-for-wear looking terrapins in the parade!

You can also check out my video here;  please click 'like' if you did like it and pelase subscribe! It would mean the world to me and I would love you all forever!

xoxo