WATCHING THE LEAVES CHANGE

COOLER WEATHER (CAN I GET AN AMEN?)

It has been so hot here in North Carolina. I always pity my poor husband who has been out working in this heat. However, we have already had a few days of cool temperatures, and it was amazing. I can't wait for this to be the new norm in a few weeks (hopefully)!

SCARY/HALLOWEEN MOVIE MARATHONS

CHECKING OFF MY OCTOBER BUCKET LIST

There will be a blog post on this next week in the first week of blog/vlogtober! ​I'm so excited to do some basic fall activities like visit a farm for a hayride and pumpkin and watch a ton of scary movies.

MY BIRTHDAY (OCTOBER 1)

ALL THE BUGS GOING AWAY FOR COLD SEASON

I am not kidding when I tell you that the bugs have been TERRIBLE this year. I can't walk outside in warmer weather without being eaten alive and not even knowing it.  I'm excited for these bugs to retreat for a while!

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1: IT IS BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

One of the biggest impacts humans make to the environment is the emission of carbon dioxide from different industrial processes and from driving our cars. These emissions add to greenhouse gases in our environment.

2: IT CAN HELP YOUR AREA KEEP FUNDING

I learned at this meeting that some grants that your city or town are likely using may require for your city or town to maintain a certain emissions rating. If the emissions rating is too high, it can result in losing these grants that pay for vital aspects of your town's maintenance.

3: IT MAY PROVE TO BE MORE COST-EFFECTIVE THAN TRADITIONAL GASOLINE

At times and in different areas, gasoline can be rather expensive. Electricity is cheaper than gasoline. ​If you have access to one of those renewable energy resources that I mentioned earlier, your gasoline prices could pretty much vanish entirely.

4: MORE ATTRACTIVE ELECTRIC CARS ARE BEING PRODUCED

I don't know about you, but I actually picture something like the car to the right whenever someone mentions "electric cars." These may be cute, but how practical are they? There seems to be little room for your legs, let alone room in the trunk for your things.

FIND YOUR LOCAL EVENT!

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OIL DIFFUSER AND FRANKINSCENSE SCENT

So hopefully you saw yesterday's video over on We're The Allisons, but if you didn't you don't know that we recently transformed our junk room/cat room into my office space.  Since I'm still kind of sharing the space with the cat, I knew I needed something to make the room smell nice because, well, you know! I had to do some research to find a scent that was safe for dogs and cats. I say dogs and cats because my dog likes to lay on the bed in this room while I'm working. I found the oil diffuser on Amazon for $27.99. I love that the "tank" has a larger capacity. I found the oil at Walmart for between $3 and $5, I believe. If you have pets, be sure to check which scents are safe for them. Otherwise, I think oil diffusing is a great option for everyone!

TARTIEST PRO TO GO PALETTE

I can't remember exactly how much I paid for this, but I know I got it on sale off of Tarte's website. Tarte is quickly becoming one of my favorite makeup brands. If you're new to these posts, you might not know that I haven't had a "branded" eyeshadow palette until this year when Jonathan (hubby) purchased me a Morphe palette. The Tartiest PRO to go palette doesn't disappoint. The color payoff is amazing and the product smells SO good! I think my favorite colors are boss and hype. I really love the gold colors.  Even though those two are my favorite, I love all of the shades. I rarely purchase a palette if I don't like 90 percent of the shades it offers. I love this and it is great for travel!

HYDRATING SHAPE TAPE FOUNDATION

When I tried Shape Tape concealer by Tarte last month, I knew I wanted to try their foundation. The concealer was so impressive.  I decided to get the Hydrating Shape Tape Foundation and was happy with the formula. The one thing that I didn't like about this product is the doe-foot applicator. I get it for concealer, but I would much rather have gotten a pump.  Anyway, the foundation provides great coverage. They even have a matte version if dry skin isn't an issue for you. I paid about $25 for this foundation because it was on sale. It retails for about $39. I would recommend trying this foundation if you are cool with the doe-foot applicator. If not, I'd skip it.

Sugar Rush 24K Lash Curler Set

My mom always had a lash curler, but I have never invested in one for myself. When this set was on sale, I decided to give it a try. The Sugar Rush 24K Lash Curler Set comes with the lash curler and a mini size of the Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara. I've loved adding the lash curling process to my makeup routine. I absolutely adore this mascara and I hope to get the larger size after I run out of this mini. I'm sorry there was so much Tarte stuff in this review, but I've just been loving the brand and the deals they give to their customers!

DR. JART + CICAPAIR SKINCARE COLLECTION

I was gifted the Dr. Jart + Cicapair collection through an Influenster campaign to try and review, but was in no other way compensated by any of the parties involved. I really like the Dr. Jart + Cicapair collection, obviously liking some products more than others. My favorite three are the serum, which I put on every day before makeup; the calming gel cream; and the calming mist. I find that these in particular really help to hydrate my skin and cut down on irritation following a workout or a hot day. I would recommend this skincare line for people who have sensitive skin or those who feel red spots are an issue. I am still using the smallest container, which is a color correcting treatment. I haven't been using it long enough to see any changes. Check out some more reviews on Sephora. I will say that each of the products can be a bit expensive, but they are luxury skincare products.

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However, I would be lying if I said I hadn't donned one of these bows as an adult! Excuse the quality of the photo to the right. It was taken circa 2013. I'm wearing one of my duct tape bows in this photo.  The thing I love about these bows are the amazing duct tape designs you can use to make them. This one was a "when pigs fly" duct tape that depicted winged pigs soaring through the sky. There are so many unique patterns and prints. So, let's get started:

1: CUT A STRIP OF TAPE

So you need to start off with a strip of duct tape. The size can depend on the size of your bow. I personally did a foot of tape and cut it down later, which I would recommend doing if you're trying this for the first time. You will think that you have enough tape but, when you do the next step, you will see you needed more than you thought you did.

2: MEET THE TWO ENDS IN THE MIDDLE

This is very important. You aren't "folding it in half" in a traditional way. You are going to take the two ends of the strip and meet them in the middle. It isn't vitally important that the seam is in the exact center. However, you should make an effort to get it as close to the center as possible.  It should look something like the picture to the right after you've done that. Flatten the pieces together totally before the next step.

3: FOLD ACCORDION-STYLE AN ODD NUMBER OF TIMES

Next, take your strip and fold it accordion-style an odd number of times. I folded mine five times. If you fold an even number, the ends will be pointed in the opposite direction. I'm not sure if that makes sense, but you can fold four times and look at it to see what I mean. ​After it is folded like this, you can trim to size and add a scalloped edge if you'd like to. That's what I did here.

4: WRAP TAPE AROUND THE MIDDLE TO SECURE

Now that you have your duct tape folded, you need to secure it. You will likely need to cut a piece of duct tape from the role and cut it down further so the strip is not as wide. You could also use a different color of duct tape or a different pattern to make your bow really pop. After you wrap it around the center, your bow should finally begin to look like a bow!

5: ADD A BOBBY PIN TO THE BACK AND ROCK IT!

Cut another piece of tape the same width as the one you used to secure the middle of the bow. Sandwhich the tape between the bobby pin with the sticky side touching the straight side of the bobby pin. Secure this around the middle of the bow, and now you or your child can wear it as a bow in their hair.  You could also attach this to some elastic and make it a bow tie for your dashing young man. I made one for my mom's old puppy that I attached to his collar. There are so many uses for this unique craft. Below is a picture of it in my (messy) hair.

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1: HE IS MY BEST FRIEND

There are so many marriages that are so stiff and lacking life and love and genuine happiness. I'm so happy that I married someone who I consider a best friend. It takes the pressure off. I've always felt comfortable in trashy clothes and no makeup, but I love dressing up to go out with him. ​These things matter!

2: HE IS HANDSOME

I don't put a lot of stock in looks because they will fade, but I've got one handsome husband. When he reads this, he will say he isn't handsome. I couldn't disagree more! He always wants to dress nice when we go out. He takes longer than I do to get ready sometimes.

3: HE SPOILS ME

4: HE LETS ME SPOIL HIM

5: HE IS KIND

I remember this day. It was a day or so after he had taken pictures of me around campus for my mom. He really is one of the kindest men I know. He gets that from his dad for sure! He is always willing to help someone. He gives rides to people who need them, helps people who are in need, and will cry his eyes out of there's a hurt animal around him. His kindness warms my heart, and I thank the Lord each day for sending me such a kind husband.

6: HE LOVES MUSIC

Jonathan and I met in band. We both love music and have grown up playing and/or singing it. I love how passionate he is about learning music and making music of his own. He is so talented at pretty much any musical instrument he picks up. I love that about him <3.

7: HE IS A MAN OF GOD

8: HE HELPS OTHERS

9: HE CARES ABOUT MY MENTAL HEALTH

I've encountered a lot of people who turn their noses up at the words "anxiety disorder." I so wish I didn't live with it, but it impacts my day. Something will happen and everything will flood over me. He listens and comforts me in whatever way he can. On Sunday, I had a really tough night. ​On Monday, he tagged me in this, and it made my heart happy. He knew I needed validation and gave it to me in a public way.

10: HE IS SO CREATIVE

Jonathan loves to draw, which is something I'm not sure a lot of people know about him. Throughout our years together (pre- and post-marriage), he has drawn me these cute little pictures to show me that he loves me.  ​It's so sweet <3.

11: HE MAKES ME LAUGH

Get you a man who can make you laugh. I can't even remember what he said to make me laugh in this photo, but it was hilarious.  ​Having someone who feels your days with laughter is so important, and I'm glad I have that in Jonathan.

​12: HE IS LEVEL-HEADED

13: HE BRIGHTENS MY DAY

He always makes sure to ask me about my day. He will send cute messages to me throughout the day. All this without being asked, of course. There's something so special about a spouse who takes that extra time to show you some love and make you smile out of nowhere!

14: HE HAS EMPATHY

15: HE LOVES ANIMALS

16: HE MAKES CONTENT WITH ME

This is from blogtober last year. He went with me to a pumpkin patch. I know he likes to make content because he is doing it with me and because it makes me happy! I love all of the awesome things we've done together and look forward to more!

17: HE DOESN'T FOLLOW GENDER ROLES 

This might be sort of confusing, so let me explain. My husband protects me and is quick to speak up for me in that regard. When I say "gender roles," I mean that sometimes I take out the trash and sometimes he does the laundry. There are things I definitely do and definitely does. He always mows our lawn and I pretty much always do the dishes. It is important that your relationship isn't bound by gender roles. Sometimes your spouse needs you to do more and sometimes they need to do more for you. I love that there is such equality in our marriage.

18: BUT HE KNOWS WHEN TO SPEAK UP FOR ME

19: HE CALLS ME EVERY DAY AFTER WORK

20: HE ALWAYS TRIES TO MAKE ME FEEL BETTER WHEN I AM SICK OR SAD

He literally ordered Cold Stone ice cream - yes, COLD STONE ICE CREAM - to the house the other night when I was feeling sad. We never do that, but he did it because he knew that some of my favorite ice cream would cheer me up. ​He's always doing that :).

21: HE ALWAYS HAS SOMETHING NICE TO SAY

When we first started dating, he would say, "I'm not trying to be mean, but..." and then would proceed to say something that was true, but definitely not mean. He is too sweet. He thinks that saying something in truth out of love is mean. Me being a woman from the South, well, I was expecting a little more when he said he wasn't trying to be mean. His soul is pure and his spirit is so sweet.

22: HE IS POSITIVE

23: HE HAS SPENT 5 YEARS WITH ME

Between dating and marriage, we've been together for five years this year. Time really does fly by when you're with people that you love.  I'm so blessed to have been a part of his life for this long, and I'm so looking forward to being a part of his life for years and years and years to come. Happy Birthday to my best friend, my confidant, my protector, my true love, the father of my fur babies (and future babies, hopefully). Love you!

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As you may already know if you are a loyal vlog watcher, I was involved in marching band when I was in high school, and the involvement continued into high school. I've never been seriously injured before (knock on wood, am I right?).

WHAT HAPPENED?

I was in band practice. During competition marching band season, we tried to get time on the actual football field. This is because our practice field was significantly smaller than a regulation field, so we would have to adapt our moves to a field of the correct size.

HOW I INJURED IT

The jury is still out on the official cause of my knee injury. However, I didn't realize until later that the same day that my knee popped out of socket was the same day I had slipped in fluid by the AC unit while waiting in line at lunch.  ​I had landed on my hands and knees.

MY RECOVERY

I got nervous at one point because my mom and the doctor had talked about the possibility of surgery. They said that, if physical therapy didn't help, they might have to do surgery. I remember going to a lot of physical therapy sessions.

COMMENT BELOW

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MY NEW CAMERA FROM MY MOM!

RUE 21 FLOWER DRESS | $24.99

RUE 21 YELLOW BODY CON DRESS | $12

L'OREAL INFALLIBLE FOUNDATION | $11.99

After using the JOAH foundation up, I wanted to get something new from a "drug store" brand. I tried out this foundation and I think that it looks great.  I love that this lasts nearly all day and I love that it doesn't smell awful like some foundations do. The pump is also very nice and delivers just the right amount of product each time. I'm in love with this one!

TARTE SHAPE TAPE CONCEALER | $27

Everyone from smaller creators to well-known YouTubers have raved about Tarte's Shape Tape concealer. So, when I had some extra spending money, I decided to pick it up and give it a try. I absolutely love this product. This is the best concealer I have ever used. I need concealer specifically for problem areas and under my eyes. This concealer does a great job of covering those areas well. Additionally, I love the doe-foot applicator (I think that's what it is called). It allows you to pack the product in areas that might be hard to reach with other applicators. ​If you have some extra spending money, try this product!

PHONE TRIPOD | $15

I found this little guy at Walmart. I had just been gifted my camera, and I noticed that this supposedly worked with both a phone and a camera. I tried it with a camera and it didn't work. However, I love using this for videos that I record on my phone. This is small and really flexible, so it is easy to take along wherever you go. You can use this as a tripod or bend the legs together for a vlog-style tripod.

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I recently downloaded Tik Tok and I was using it to make fun little videos of my makeup as well as a few funny videos. I decided I would take videos of "spoiling my husband."  In this video, which received more than 31,000 likes and even more views, I had made up our bed for a movie night. I baked homemade cookies and ordered Jonathan's favorite pizza. I also sat out his favorite movie. I jokingly am labeling this series "spoiling my husband until I get Tik Tok famous." A lot of people do things like this: "drawing YouTubers until I'm famous" or "making Disney foods until I'm famous." We received so much love on the video.

We often see videos or posts about men spoiling women. Don't get me wrong, Jonathan totally does! He is always looking for ways to surprise me. However, I feel there is a lack of "spoiling" done for men. This may be because a lot of people are of the school of thought that cleaning the house is "spoiling someone." Jonathan and I don't have a traditional marriage! Aside from cutting the lawn (which is his profession), we share the housework!

Tik Tok taught me that, unfortunately, a lot of marriages aren't like this. It might be because of stress from life, bills, work, etc. However, I don't think I would ever be happy if I didn't have someone by my side that had this insane ability to pull my mind away from those tough parts of life to celebrate the blessings we do have. Don't get me wrong, we aren't perfect. I find myself continuously reminding him to move his work boots out of the middle of the floor so I don't trip over them. He finds himself telling me to go to bed when I sometimes want to stay awake and bother him with cute pictures of animals or some funny video I saw online. We are not perfect, but that fact alone makes our relationship so special. We celebrate imperfection!

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1: DON'T NEGLECT DECOR

Colleges usually paint residence hall rooms a neutral color and leave the walls pretty bare. Because of this, it can seem like you're living in a jail cell. But, this is where decor can save your life! No matter if its photos from back home or a tapestry you hang on one of the walls, adding your own flare to your room (or your side of the room) will go a long way!

2: LEARN DECOR POLICIES FOR YOUR RESIDENCE HALL 

In order to cut down on repair costs, colleges usually have policies on what you can and can't do to modify your dorm room. This can range from painting, to temporary wall paper, to driving nails into the wall. A lot of colleges will honestly want you to use something like command hooks to hang your photos and other items. There may also be policies about the content of your decor (profanity, drug use, etc.) You can usually find the policies in the student handbook. If you can't find it, ask your RA or RC.

3: CONSIDER RENTING ITEMS

No matter if you need a futon, TV, mini-fridge, or microwave, you can probably rent it for the semester instead of buying it straight out from the store. Your college may partner with a rental company which is usually on standby on move-in day. You can also rent independently from other renters. Not only can this save you money on the items, it can also save room in your car for other things like clothes and essentials.

4: SOME MOVING TIPS TO FOLLOW

I recently covered a ton of moving tips in my post, "4 Tips to Make Moving Quick and Easy." I suggest checking that out for some specific tips. Some college-specific tips include: Don't take too much! Remember that you'll likely be sharing your room with another student. Bring cleaning supplies and tools on move-in day. Expect to go to the store at least one. Try to make a running list so you don't have to go more than once! Ditch makeup and wear something comfy. The inclination will be to look "cute" in case you run into someone you think is cute. But, you won't look cute if your face is melting from multiple trips to the car!

5: COORDINATE WITH YOUR ROOMMATE AND START DIYING
​    DECOR NOW!

If you want a coordinated look, most colleges provide you with information to contact your roommate so you can coordinate! Start now on your DIY decor. You can have a decor party as a going-away party! Or, you can spend some time with your family and make stuff together. Either way, you'll love having a few pieces that will remind you of home while you're away at college.

CHECK OUT MY "THINGS I WISH I'D KNOWN BEFORE STARTING COLLEGE" BLOG POST FOR MORE TIPS!

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1: PUT YOUR ESSENTIALS IN ONE BAG

If you're moving offices, this might be the box or bag containing your pens and planner. If you're moving homes, this might contain a bag with your cellphone chargers, a change of clothes, and your toiletries.  Knowing where these items are when you've first arrived to your new office or home is essential. It will make moving much less stressful and you will be able to easily find your essentials bag since you put it in a differentiated bag or box!

2: YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY BOXES

Boxes can be rather expensive, especially purchasing enough to transport a house full of stuff! In fact, it will cost you between $60 and $85 to purchase enough cardboard boxes to pack up a one-bedroom apartment. You can use a number of things for packing, including clothes hampers, bags, and suitcases that you already own. You can also ask local stores like Aldi's, Walmart, or Target if they have any cardboard boxes that they are throwing out. Be sure to get clearance for this first! Our place of business was able to offer us milk crates and storage tubs to move our things in!

3: TRASH BAG YOUR HANGING CLOTHES

I didn't believe that this hack would really save time until I used it when moving into my first apartment! I wish I would have known about this hack before moving in to college. Basically, you simply gather several hanging items, maybe 20 hanging items per bag. Put the ends into the bags and fasten the bag shut at the top of the hanger, leaving the hook of the hanger exposed.

4: LABEL BY AREA AND PRIORITY

Label your boxes by area, but also by priority. What's the use in getting your toiletries before you have your shower curtain? What good would it do to have access to cookbooks when you can't find any of your pans or utensils. This is why labeling by more than just area is a good idea. If need be, you could always label your boxes with a list of everything in them!

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