1. Self-Care Subscription Box: Treat your bestie, mom, sister, or girlfriend to a monthly subscription box filled with self-care goodies like skincare products, bath bombs, or wellness essentials.

2. To the Jewelry Store: Luckily, jewelry pieces can be found almost anywhere – from your local craft store to TJMaxx, and of course, jewelry stores at the mall or outlet. A piece of jewelry with special charms, initials, or a date engraved can add a personal touch and be a cherished gift.

3. Books: Books are considered one of the most thoughtful gifts to be given. Why? Because it symbolizes a personalized exploration of a new genre, topic, or fictional world. Plus, they tend to be more affordable!

4. Fitness Gear: For the fitness enthusiast, workout gear, a yoga mat, or even a subscription to a fitness app could be an ideal choice.

5. Care Basket: These gifts tend to be a nice, simple, and quick DIY. Combine a bundle of small journals, skincare, candies, and throw in a blanket or robe to create a holiday care basket.

6. Creative DIY Kit: Fuel your giftee’s creative side with a DIY kit for painting, knitting, candle making, or any other hobby they might enjoy.

7. Gourmet Treats: A small basket or box filled with their favorite gourmet chocolates, teas, or snacks can be a delightful way to show appreciation.

8. Bath Kits: As a big fan of LUSH, consider buying a bath/shower kit that’s made to make you or your giftee feel clean and natural.

9. A Gift Card: Although it may seem simple, a gift card to their favorite store or even a new boutique in town is not only nice, but always useful.

10. Subscription Services: Opt for subscriptions such as streaming platforms, magazines, food subscription boxes, or language learning apps for continuous enjoyment throughout the year.

Remember, the essence of gift-giving lies not just in the item itself, but in the thought and care behind it. Whatever you choose, it’s the sentiment that truly matters during this joyous season.

Wishing you all a happy and peaceful holiday season!

Love, Bella

Let’s explore how to fully relish the fall season, just like an old friend you haven’t seen in a while.

Walks Amidst Nature’s Artistry: 

Imagine strolling through your local park or wandering into the woods, and with each step, you hear the satisfying crunch of leaves underfoot. The trees stand tall, dressed in their finest fall attire. Don’t just walk; dance amidst the vibrant foliage.

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice:

It wouldn’t be fall without the intoxicating aroma of pumpkin spice. Go ahead, savor that pumpkin pie, indulge in pumpkin spice lattes, and perhaps, try your hand at carving pumpkins with friends and family. It’s all part of the fall magic.

Cozy Nesting:

 When the chill air becomes noticeable, it’s time to work on creating the coziest nest possible. Dig out your favorite blankets, toss a few extra pillows on your couch, and light a cinnamon-scented candle. It’s time to snuggle in and enjoy.

An Orchard Adventure:

There’s something undeniably satisfying about picking your own apples at an orchard. It’s a delightful outing that pairs perfectly with fresh apple cider. Don’t forget to take a selfie while surrounded by apple trees.

The Art of Fall Cooking:

 As the leaves turn colorful, so should your cooking. Experiment with recipes that highlight the season’s bounty. Whip up butternut squash soup, sweet potato casserole, or cranberry studded desserts. Your kitchen will be filled with the delicious aromas of autumn.

It’s the child in us that still dreams, believes, and ignites our creativity. That child is telling us something. Do you remember your hobbies? Did you draw, write, play sports, dance, bake, or toy with blocks, dolls, or Legos? Your childhood endeavors told you what you liked about yourself and others, what you enjoyed doing, and how happily you perceived life when doing those things.

To rejoice in your true passions and regain a sense of self, create room for the 5 year old in you to return.

Listen to nostalgic music, play that instrument from 3rd grade, watch childhood TV shows, or simply revisit your past neighborhood. Partake in your childhood hobbies, a safe space free of worry, regret, and embedded in true joy and excitement. Pick up your favorite pen or paintbrush, and fulfill your creative drive.

When I was younger, I had (and still have) journals of articles and handmade magazines. My brother grew up with a love for building and creating films with action figures and video game characters. Although the reality of adulthood has hit both of us – a reality of responsibility, hardship, and a world hungry for money – there is still a deep urge for me, the writer, to thrive, and my brother, a film maker and video game creative that seeks to escape this world, to fulfill that urge of returning to our best, most truest selves, the child within.

I encourage you all to find and relive that 5 year old within you, the one who would ask you ”. “If you couldn’t fail, what would you do?

Remember, your joys, hobbies, perceptions, and dreams are trying to tell you something, but it is up to you to listen and respond, so you can continue the dream your inner child wanted you to live so badly.

Although I love both aesthetics myself, I questioned why certain “eras” continue to alter social media so drastically. It’s apparent how deeply these trends influence us, often without us realizing it.

A few years ago, around 2016-2017, the “baddie” aesthetic towered over Instagram, Tumblr, and Pinterest. Trends change, fluctuate, and alternate all the time – a seemingly necessary part of dating history when it comes to lifestyle, fashion, beauty, etc. However, when we scroll on TikTok, watch a YouTube video, or like our friend’s new post, the level of influence these trends or “aesthetics” have over us becomes blurry.

The Line of Influence

On a basic level, trends affect your lifestyle and hobbies. You want to try that new makeup routine, spice up your playlist when a new song becomes viral, or you want to try that new recipe everyone’s doing. But the impact doesn’t stop there.

Opinions and Beliefs: When we constantly scroll through social media, we have no time to stop thinking and question what we’ve seen, heard, read, or learned. “Stop Thought” is a common manipulation tactic, because when we fail to question or analyze thoughts on our own account, we fall victim to others’ beliefs without notice.

Your Emotions: With new thoughts and beliefs, your emotions have kicked in. Maybe you’re having some cognitive dissonance, or these new habits or hobbies make you feel good – or bad.

Now you’ve taken action. You’ve bought the clothes, the book, watched the new movie, or even gone deeper: After seeing relationships on social media, you decided to take a break with your boyfriend and rethink your relationship. Or you’ve altered your persona – what once was a trendy new outfit you put on is now you’re identity. You are the “soft girl.”

We Want Real & Raw: The End of an Era?

Although trends come and go, and the trails of influence they leave behind can be positive or negative, there will always be a line of truth. And sometimes, the truth is refreshing to see.

1. Reflect on a book, film, or piece of artwork that has deeply resonated with you. What themes, messages, or symbolism resonated with you, and how did they impact your perspective or thoughts?
2. Reflect on a moment of deep connection or kindness you witnessed or experienced with another person. How did it impact you, and how can it help you create more meaningful connections in your relationships?
3. Describe a dream or aspiration that you’ve held onto for a long time. What has been holding you back from pursuing it, and what steps can you take to achieve that dream?
4. Write a heartfelt letter addressed to your past self. Offer words of advice, encouragement, and reflect on the valuable lessons you have learned since then. Celebrate the achievements and growth you’ve attained since then.
5. Write a letter of forgiveness to someone who has hurt you. Release any lingering resentment to promote your healing.

We posted a poll on our Instagram @livingbybellaco, asking what your main focus was this summer: The top result was focusing on your fitness journey. So of course, we created 5 ways to own your fitness journey this summer.

1. Set Realistic Goals: Are you aiming to increase strength, endurance, or achieve a specific milestone (such as conquering 3 miles on the stair master—a remarkable feat, if you ask me)? Your goal should be precise and measurable so you can truly track your progress.
2. The Habit: Treat your fitness journey as an essential part of your schedule. Just like you prioritize your work and other commitments, carve out time for exercise. Treat is as a non-negotiable appointment, so you’ll ensure consistent progress.
3. Go Crazy: You don’t have to just hit the gym: Consider dancing, yoga, weightlifting, martial arts, or any other form of exercise. Join group fitness classes, find workout buddies, or engage with online fitness communities. Trying a variety of ways to stay active will make your fitness journey feel less like a chore, and more like fun.
4. Put Yourself First: Fitness goes beyond exercise. Sleep, diet, and stress play a big role in affecting your health and energy. Taking care of yourself first is necessary, and by doing so, you’ll likely hit your fitness goals much faster.
5. Embrace the Journey, Not Just the Destination: View your fitness journey as a continuous process of growth and self-improvement. Focus on the habits and positive changes you’re making along the way, rather than solely fixating on the end result. Remember, true empowerment lies in the person you become throughout the journey.

Many of us are ambitious, creative women who have spent the summer renewing our health habits, such as hitting the gym, focusing on our businesses and passion projects, or applying for schools and career programs for the upcoming fall. Some of us are finally embracing the present and prioritizing self-care, or at least trying to. However, there are those of us who feel stuck.

Recently, while scrolling through “Threads,” the new Twitter-like app created by Instagram, I came across a quote that struck a chord: “Anyone else feeling sad this summer?” It caught my attention because, typically, we tend to showcase our best, happiest selves during the summer. However, the replies to that comment revealed a different reality. Numerous users expressed a unanimous feeling of being trapped in a rut, experiencing sadness or loneliness, or being hurt by constant comparisons to friends or family members who have the privilege of traveling and truly enjoying the summertime.

In that moment, I realized I had found my place. I, too, have experienced this sense of summer dread. Despite everything appearing positive on paper (two internships, dedicated focus on growing Living By Bella, being back with family, and more), I still feel like I’m lagging behind everyone else.

Your One Thing

This led me to write “Summer Season Solace” to describe the shared sentiment some of us experience during the summer. So, here’s my task for you: focus on your ONE thing this summer. Identify the one thing that ignites your interest, motivates you to get out of bed, something you could talk about for hours, or an activity you would love to pursue if you had the free time.

To be honest, one thing that has been helping me regain my drive is contemplating the concept of death. My mom passed away in her early 30s, and it has haunted me how someone so full of life and purpose could leave this world with seemingly unfinished dreams, like starting her own nonprofit organization. While this perspective may seem somber, it serves as a constant reminder that each day is brimming with life, and the career I desire, the people I love, or the goals I set could be taken away at any moment. This reminder has pushed me to reach out to friends, focus on writing more, and apply for additional fall internships, because each of us has a purpose that we must pursue with determination.

– Bella <3