Lifestyle

Reading Helps // Coping With Mental Health

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
I have stated before, or at least I believe have, that I suffer from mental health disorders. Well, lately, my mental health hasn’t been the best. I have my highs and lows, and this has definitely been a low month. However, reading has always been a solid coping mechanism for me. So, I wanted to share some ways that reading helps me, and might help you, cope with mental health struggles.

#1. Clears Your Mind
Honestly, reading completely takes your mind off your problems. When you are reading a high fantasy, you aren’t thinking about your everyday struggles. When you are falling in love with the boy next door, you aren’t worrying about the days to come. A good story captivates you, and everything else falls away.

#2. Problem Solving
Reading could possibly solve your problems. You may actually read a book about a character dealing with similar issues, or pick up a self-help book. Advice type books might not be your thing, but they can be useful when dealing with mental health. Books can give you clarity, or a new way to look at something, which is important.

#3. You’re Not Alone
Books featuring characters with mental illnesses are very beneficial, especially if the characters are facing the same diagnosis as you. Simply reading about somebody that is struggling with a disorder can be comforting. You don’t feel so alone, because you can relate to the character in one way or another.

#4. There’s No Competition
This might seem like a weird reason, but pretty much everything we do, or I do, feels like a competition. We see people online, or friends and family, doing these things that make us feel like we aren’t doing enough. Essentially, people are always competing against each other. But you aren’t going to compete with a book character. You can feel at ease and pressure-free.

#5. Happiness
The number one reason that books can help you with your mental health is because they make you happy. If you don’t enjoy reading, then none of the other tips are going to work. You have to read because it brings you joy, if everything else is to fall into place. Honestly, how could reading not ignite happiness?

I must admit that when my mental health is bad, reading doesn’t always do it for me. But, I try to remember these tips during the low periods, and keep reading. Please leave me a comment to brighten my day. And, like always, I ask that you follow the blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Tips For Productivity And Motivation

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
I am very happy that 2022 has arrived. I feel like every new year is a time to reflect, set goals, and have a fresh start. I have made my goals for the year, but I want to share some things that I will be implementing in order to stay productive and motivated. I know that everyone’s life is different, but I still hope that you can get something out of this post.

Vision Board: I have never been a vision board kind of girl. However, I do believe that creating one can help give you a visual and clear view of your hopes for the year. The easiest way to create a vision board is by using Pinterest. You can make the board private or public, depending on your preference. I am a big supporter of dreaming big, but try to keep your goals within the realm of possibility, as well.

Make A Plan: One of my biggest tips for staying on top of your game is to make some sort of list or plan. Now you don’t have to be this major planner lover, but I encourage you to plan at least for the important tasks. Something as simple as making a list of your goals for the month can minimize stress, and help you accomplish more.

Limit Screen Time: I think we are all guilty of this, myself included, but we spend way too much time staring at a screen. This can be scrolling on social media, playing video games, or watching television. It isn’t the healthy thing, or the best use of our time. I am not going to preach about how TV kills brain cells or video games encourage violence, because I don’t buy into that nonsense. However, it is good to limit your screen time, so you can get the most out of your days. Try to disconnect from social media two hours before bed, or turn off the computer by 5 pm. I believe that this can really help productivity in the long run.

Environment: A big key to staying productive and motivated is having a nice, clean, and peaceful environment. I know that for some, their surroundings are…less than ideal. But try to work with what you have. If possible, find a place to call your own, where you can effectively work. Make it one that makes you feel happy and energized. Also, a good idea to switch up your surroundings every once in a while. Try working outside, or even at a coffee shop, for a nice change of scenery.

Reward Yourself: Who says bribery doesn’t work? I know that a way to help me stay motivated all week is to set little accomplishment rewards for myself. These rewards can be as small as an at-home spa day, Starbucks, or a cheat meal. Remember, prizes do not replace the feeling that comes with completing weekly tasks, but they are a nice treat.

I hope that you found this post helpful, and here’s to a productive 2022. Share your thoughts on this post, and other tips you might have in the comments. If you’d like to support my blog, give a follow! It’s totally free, and you get updates on new content.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Holiday Traditions Tag

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
I just knew that I had to do a holiday tag before Christmas came. This is a pretty old holiday tag that I discovered this year. But honestly, most tags are timeless.

Favorite holiday destination?
I always stay home and spend the holidays with my family. However, hypothetically, I think celebrating the holidays in England would be a dream come true. I wouldn’t want to spend Thanksgiving or Christmas away from my family, but I would love to spend New Years in England.

Any family traditions?
We have a few family traditions. About 7 years ago we started having lasagna on Christmas Eve. This is a tradition that my husband brought to us because it is a tradition that his family did. Also, we always open one gift on Christmas Eve, which is new PJs. Lastly, since I was an itty bitty kid, we have watched ‘A Muppets Christmas Carol’ right before bed on Christmas Eve.

Favorite ornament or decoration?
I don’t know if this counts, but I love Christmas trees and lights. Not sure if that is basic or random. There is just something about Christmas lights that make me smile. And, seeing a Christmas tree that is decked out in fun ornaments, classy ornaments, or just a few ornaments is heartwarming.

What are you doing for the holidays?
Spending Christmas Day at home in my PJs, watching holiday movies, and playing board games.

Are you a late or early Christmas shopper?
I am a way too early of a shopper. I am talking like January through November. However, next year I am going to try and find a good middle between early and late shopping.

Who usually cooks holiday dinners?
My mom does the cooking for Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, me and my sister always try to make a dish or two.

Have you ever gone Christmas caroling?
Nope. I would be way to nervous. Also, I don’t sing in public.

Do you live where it snows?
Not really. It has only ever snowed, probably, about 6 times here. I love the snow and think it would be amazing to have a white Christmas! But sadly, that isn’t usually the case.

One thing that makes you happiest at Christmas?
Buying gifts for others! Picking out something special for my people makes me happy. Yet I hate having to wait to see their reactions. Also, being surrounded with love at the holidays fills my cup ten times over.

What do you want most for Christmas?
Going to be honest here and say a baby. I would love it, and be super scared, anxious, and generally overly worried. But it would be very exciting to be pregnant. However, I don’t think that Santa has got that in his present bag for me. Other than that, I just want surprise gifts. I like seeing what others have picked out for me, rather than me telling them what to get me.

Happy Holidays! I tag everyone to do this tag, even if you are reading it after Christmas.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Posts

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
I started this bookish blog back in Mach of 2021, and boy has it been a ride. I’ve had fun writing all my posts, and sharing my love of books (and other things) with you all. In this post, I wanted to share some of the posts that I had the most fun writing for so far.

March TBR Feat. Tis The Damn Readathon
This was second post ever, and it is very special to me. I participated in my first readathon of the year. My husband pushed me to read a different book for each post. It was crazy, but I was glad that I challenged my self to read more than I usually would. So, this post will always be one of my favorites.

Coffee Meets Books // Holiday Edition
I thought that this post was very unique. Although it might have been done by others, it was interesting pairing books with coffee. I really had to think of what book to pair with each drink.

Ones I Couldn’t Live Without // Thankful Thursday
Although, I loved all my ‘Thankful Thursday’ posts, this one warms my heart. I was happy to get the opportunity to talk about the ones I love so much. It gave me a chance to remember how grateful I am to have these people in my life.

The Gilmore Girls Tag
If you have read my bio, you know I am a huge (no, mega!) Gilmore Girls fan. This tag was loads of fun to do, and I want to do another GG tag in the future.

Thanksgiving Day 2021 // A Day In Pictures
I don’t share too much of my personal life on the blog, so this post was a nice change. The photos gave my readers a small glimpse into my life. I hope that you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed putting it together.

Music Meets Books // Holiday Edition
This is another recommendations post that was a blast to write. I came up with this idea, and immediately knew the book and song pairings. I think that a lot of the recommendations worked well, and it put me in the holiday spirit.

For The Ones You Love // Book Recommendations
As you can see, I love doing book recommendations. It was interesting suggestions books for people in other people’s lives. I don’t know if it actually helped anyone with their Christmas shopping, but I like to think it did. Nevertheless, it was a cute post, and different from the normal gift guides we get every year.

The Bookmas Tag
This post kind of kick started Bookmas 2021, which, if I being honest, has been a bit much too handle. However, I am happy that I decided to do the ’12 Days Of Bookmas’. This post had a ton of fun questions, and I had a good time coming up with my answers.

I love all my posts in their own ways, but these ones have stood out to me. If you are a fellow blogger, let me know what posts you enjoyed writing in 2021! As per usual, like, share, comment, and follow the blog. And once again, happy holidays to all of you.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Bookish Holiday Tag

- Bunny 8 Comments

Hi Friends,
Christmas will be here in just a few weeks, and I thought a holiday tag would be a great way to celebrate the holiday season! This one has some fun, bookish questions, so I knew it would be the perfect tag to do.

• What is your favorite book to gift during the holidays?
Is there any other answer than ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens? I know you are probably sick of hearing me talk about how much I love this book. So all I’ll say is that it is a classic holiday story, that you cannot go wrong with giving.

• What is the best book you have ever received as a gift?
Last year, I received a steam punk edition of ‘A Christmas Carol’, and the year before I got ‘A Christmas Carol: Book-to-Table Edition.’ However, I think the most meaningful book I have been gifted is ‘A Muppet’s Christmas Carol‘. The book is based off the movie by the same name. The film is very special to my family, so I was happy, shocked and blessed to receive the book adaptation.

• What book do you hope to get this year?
Honestly, I don’t really have a Christmas list. I am grateful to have people that love me enough to give me a gift, but I never really ask for anything. Still, if I am asked what I want I always say books. Also, I would like a brush hairdryer, which might seems a little random.

• What is your favorite holiday movie?
Don’t yell at me, but I have to mention it again. My all time favorite Christmas movie is ‘A Muppet’s Christmas Carol’. However, I will tell you the other two holiday movies that I adore. The first is the Grinch – mainly the 1966 ‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas’ cartoon. Yet, I also really enjoyed the 2018, The Grinch, animated version as well. Secondly, I am a huge fan of the ‘Princess Switch’ movies on Netflix. I like them all, but my favorite will probably always be the first one.

• What holiday song is always on repeat?
Can anyone just pick one holiday song? If I have to choose, then I’m going with my girl Taylor Swift. She released a small holiday album years ago. It was a Target exclusive album that I don’t think many people remember. On the album, she has a track called ‘Christmas Must Be Something More,’ which has such a powerful message. The song reminds us that Christmas isn’t about presents, decorations, or snow. It’s about so much more. As the Grinch said, “Maybe Christmas (he thought) doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.”

• What is your favorite holiday food to either make or eat?
It would be a tie between corn pudding and potatoes of any kind. We only have corn pudding on Thanksgiving and Christmas, so it is a rare treat. As for potatoes, I simply love them! I am fan of all potato dishes, from mashed to scalloped. Also, I do usually make the potatoes every year, so I maybe biased.

If you want to do this tag too, then go right ahead! Let me know in the comments if you do, so I can go check out your posts. If you don’t want to miss out on any posts, then give me a follow!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Pay It Forward // Thankful Thursday 2021

- Bunny 4 Comments

Hi Friends,
Today, I am going to be starting a small, ‘mini-post’ series on the blog. This month, I will be doing something called ‘Thankful Thursday.’ I got this idea from another blogger on Twitter (thank you Lit Lemon Books). I try to remember how grateful I am throughout the year, but I think it would be nice to share some thankful thoughts with you all. It is Thanksgiving month, after all, so what better time to give thanks?

In this post, I am going to tell you guys about times when strangers have shown kindness to me. Also, I wanted to share some ways that you can pay it forward. There have been a few times at Starbucks that the person in front of me at the drive-thru has paid for my order. I always pay-it-forward by paying for the person behind me. One of the most surprising times a stranger showed their generosity was at Old Navy of all places. A kind person in front of me paid for my things while I was checking out. I was stunned, but very grateful.

A few simple ways you can show kindness to others:

Paying For Someones Order: This doesn’t only apply to coffee, but all drive-thrus. You can pay for the person behind you at Starbucks, Taco Bell, McDonald’s and the list goes on. It might seem small, but it can really brighten someones day.

Donating: This doesn’t require any money at all. Giving to your local charity/donation center helps people that can’t afford basic things. Go through your clothes, kids toys, old electronics, and give them a new home by donating them. Somebody in need might be really grateful for your donation.

Sending A Gift: Make a friend, relative, or even an internet friend smile by sending them a small gift. If you can see the persons Amazon wishlist, send them something from it with a special note. You’ll be surprised how much one package can do.

Lending A Hand: Giving up a few hours in a day to help your mom, grandparents, co-worker, anyone at all, is a simple gesture. Not everyone has people in their lives to help them when needed. You offering assistance could really ease their stress.

A Quick Note Or Email: I’m not going to lie, I know that technology is the norm right now. But I still enjoy handwritten notes. Sending a note to someone is a nice way to reconnect with them and give them your best wishes! If you are more on the modern day side of things, a kind email is a good alternative.

Those are all my tips to help you spread cheer to others. Share your pay it forward stories in the comments below. Follow the blog to get notified about all my ‘Thankful Thursdays’ (and other cool posts).

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Halloween Tag

- Bunny Leave a comment

Happy Halloween Friends!
I cannot believe that this is the last day of Spooktober 2021. I had a lot of fun creating 13 days of spooky content for you all. But I must say that I am a tiny bit happy we are on the final day. It was a good time, and I’ll probably do it again next year, but I need a blogging break. Don’t worry, my November TBR will still go up this coming week. Anyhow, for the last day of Spooktober I am doing the Halloween tag! This tag was created on YouTube, so I don’t know who originally created it. Before reading any further, don’t forget to enter my Halloween giveaway!

What is your favorite Halloween movie?
Is there any answer besides Hocus Pocus? It is a classic Halloween family film that never gets old. I do like other films, like Halloweentown and Halloween H20, but Hocus Pocus will always be #1 on my Halloween movie list.

What is your favorite Halloween costume you’ve worn?
When I was in third grade, I went as the Statue of Liberty. Funny enough, my teacher dressed up as the Statue of Liberty as well. However, my little elementary school self was very embarrassed by that. Also, I could argue that I looked more like a leftover than anything else. Thinking back on it, I would say it is my most memorable and probably favorite costume.

What is your fondest Halloween memory?
My wedding! I didn’t have an actual wedding, but last Halloween my husband and I got married. It was special, and spectacular.

Have you always been a Halloween lover?
Yes and no. I like the idea of Halloween, and have nothing against the holiday. But I wouldn’t classify myself as a die-hard ‘Halloween lover’.

What was the first scary movie you remember watching?
I remember watching the movie Faculty at a pretty young age, but I don’t know if it was my first scary movie. I know that me and my older sister went behind my moms back when I was like 10 years old to watch Wes Craven’s Cursed. Between the two, Faculty was way more scary.


What is your favorite Halloween song?
Calling All The Monsters by China Anne McClain! If only we had more pumpkin carols, (points if you understood that) then my answer would probably be more original. Still, if you are looking for a good Halloween party song, then this is it.

How do you get into the Halloween spirit?
By watching horror and thriller movies. But this year I read spooky books more than I watched movies, so I guess it would be reading the thriller genre.

Favorite Halloween decorations?
I have a little candy dish that looks like a skeleton’s hand is wrapped around it. Simple, but it still resembles Halloween, which I enjoy.

Favorite Halloween/Fall scent?
This year it has been anything apple and pumpkin. Usually, I love Leaves from Bath and Body Works, but it hasn’t smelled the same lately. I have gotten a lot of apple/pumpkin scents that give off those crisp autumn vibes.

What is your favorite Halloween candy?
Reese’s and Sour Patch Kids!

Vampires or zombies?
I have never been a big fan of zombies, and I just don’t get their appeal. Although, I do like the movie Zombieland, vampires are iconic. ‘Interview with a Vampire,’ ‘Twilight,’ ‘The Vampire Diaries’ – need I go on? They never get old, and can be kind of creepy. Come on, they can manipulate you and suck your blood. Talk about having someone for dinner.

What is your weird/odd fear?
Roller coasters! I don’t know if that’s a ‘weird’ fear, but roller coasters freak me out! I hate that I don’t have control on the roller coaster. Anything can happen during the ride, and there is nothing anyone can do. I blame Final Destination 3 for this one.

Favorite Halloween book?
I liked Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell. It is a cute friends-to-lovers contemporary graphic novel that takes place on Halloween night. It is set at a pumpkin patch filled with games, a corn maze, food, and more. I know that Rowell is a controversial author, though I must admit I am not sure about the reasoning behind the negativity towards Rowell.

What are you going to go as for Halloween this year?
Me! In all honesty, I probably will be wearing my comfiest Halloween PJs.

What are you doing for Halloween this year?
Staying in with some yummy treats and watching Halloween movies. It will be my one year wedding anniversary, so I will spend the evening with my love.

And just like that, Spooktober is done! Leave your Halloween plans in the comments. Remember to enter my giveaway before you leave, and follow the blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Scarecrow // Halloween Tutorial

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
Happy first day of Spooktober! I am excited to not only be doing the ’13 Days Of Spooktober’ but also share another Halloween makeup tutorial with you all. This is a simple and cute scarecrow look. However, I feel like I should be singing ‘If I Only Had A Brain.’

Products Used

L.A. Colors Truly Matte Foundation

L.A. Colors Translucent Setting Powder

Maybelline The Matte Bar Eyeshadow Palette

Revolution X Friends ‘I’ll Be There For You’ Eyeshadow Palette

Wet n’ Wild MegaLiner Liquid Eyeliner

Rimmel Ultimate Kohl Kajal Eyeliner (Black)

Mascara, Blackest Blackest

Wet n’ Wild Fantasy Makers ‘Smokey’ Paint Palette (Only used the black for outlining)

Wet N Wild Fantasy Makers ‘Pastels’ Paint Palette (Mixed both the blues to fill in the triangle)

Revolution X Friends ‘We Were On A Break’ Eyeshadow Palette (Used the bright orange shadow on nose and cheeks)

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick The Luscious Mattes (Shameless)

If you decide to do this look for Halloween or fun please let me know below. You can also share it with me on Twitter. Follow the blog to get notified about all my Spooktober post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

September 2021 Favorites // Toss-Up Tuesday

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
I thought it would be fun to start doing favorite posts at the end of each month. I can’t guarantee that I will do one every month, but I promise there will be more of come. My favorites include beauty, fashion and lifestyle items. I didn’t talk about any books, since most of my posts are book related.

Beauty

Makeup Revolution
This is a new favorite beauty brand of mine. Their prices are on the same level as drugstore makeup, and the product quality is awesome. They have released some great collections recently, so I can’t wait to see what they’ll bring out next.

Purlisse Pumpkin + Ginger Detoxifying Charcoal Mask
To be honest, I have only used this product once, yet I instantly noticed a difference in my skin. I could be fooling myself, but after that initial use my pores seemed smaller and skin looked all together clearer.

Fashion

Bob’s
Back in the day, I was 100% a heels girl. Now I cannot live without some comfy flats. Bobs have been my go-to shoes for a while, and match almost any outfit.

Lifestyle

Walking
Normally I’m a yoga girl, but these days I’ve been enjoying a nice walk on the treadmill. I love that I can listen to music, or watch a YouTube video while getting my workout in.

Crisp Apple Pop-tart
Pop-tarts are my weakness! This flavor is mild but tastes like a warm apple pie. I find them to be perfect for the fall. Let me know in the comments if you prefer fruity or dessert pop-tarts.

Hot Coffee
This summer I switched to drinking only iced coffee. However, lately I have been reaching for a cup of hot coffee. There’s something about a warm cup of coffee on a chilly day that is screams autumn.

There you have my September favorites! What are your current favorites? If you want to support my blog, like and share this post. Also, follow the blog to get notified about new posts.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Self Care For Mental Health // Toss Up Tuesday

- Bunny 1 Comment

Hi Friends,
Earlier this year, I did a post called “A Little Bit Personal” – where I shared some of my mental health struggles. Today, I wanted to talk about a few self-care things you can do when anxiety and depression become overwhelming. Currently, depression and anxiety have been dominating my days. Some days, it’s hard to get out of bed, or find the simple joy in doing things that I normally do. So I hope these tips can help you, and me.

Give Yourself Permission To Be Sad

First, I am guilty of ignoring this rule, and I’d bet that some of you are too. For some reason, I think that everything should be happy and good 24/7, which isn’t healthy or normal. So stop putting all this pressure on yourself to be in a good mood all the time. The first step in dealing with mental illness is telling yourself that it’s okay to not be okay. Our feelings are valid.

Sleep The Day Away

Does everyone feeling stressed when they sleep all day? Or is it just me? I am trying hard to remind myself that sleep is good for the brain. When you’re depressed, sleep can help clear your mind. Living with a mental illness is hard, and can lead to negative thinking. So, fo ahead and sleep off the sadness and destructive thoughts.

Talk It Out

It can be hard to share your feelings when you have anxiety and depression. But I have always found it better to open up to people, rather than keeping my feelings bottled up. I am blessed to have some amazing people in my life that I can talk to on the rough days. However, I know not everyone has a support system. There are plenty of online, text, and talk help lines. Crisis Text Line is a 24/7 chat that helps people with anxiety, depression, eating disorders and more.

Find Your Playlist

Music is such a powerful healing tool. When you are dealing with mental health issues, having a ‘default’ playlist you can go to can really help. Just shut the world out, and simply listen to the lyrics. Trying having a mix of sad songs, mental illness related songs and songs that make you happy on your playlist. Or playlists for your individual moods. You know yourself, run with it.

The Little Things

We always forget to think about the little things in life. Whatever is weighing you down, when you see it come to the forefront of your thoughts, just stop for a moment. Think about all the little things in your life that lift you up. We all have a reason – no matter how small – to smile.

I’d like to think that this post has reached someone, even one person, that needed to see these words today. We may not be fighting the same battle, but we are all fighting a battle. Now wake up, take a deep breath, and ride your wave. Help this post reach that one person that needs to see it, and like, share, subscribe.

Until The Next Chapter,

Bunny