As time goes on and on, climate change gets worse. Let's face it, our planet is dying. So why not do something good this holiday season and give out some eco friendly gifts? Whether you're shopping for a family member who doesn't believe in climate change or a friend who is living their best green life, check out my guide of green gifts to give this holiday season.

Something everyone should have is a Reusable Water Bottle. Plastic bottles are so bad for the environment and for you. When you drink out of a plastic bottle, little particles of plastic leak into the water you're drinking. Gross right? Instead choose to give a reusable water bottle as a gift, literally everyone can use one.

For your candle lover, why not get a Soy or Beeswax Candle? What's wrong with regular candles? Turns out they're bad for the environment too. Candles are made with paraffin wax, which is full of hydrocarbon. Hydrocarbon is essentially what fossil fuels are made up of. So if you want to get an eco friendly gift for a candle lover, choose an organic candle made from beeswax or soy. If you want to be even more eco conscious, choose an essential oil diffuser instead!

The war on plastic straws has been going on all year long. So if some of your friends and family haven't hopped on this bandwagon yet why not get them some Reusable Straws? Now you can find so many different types of reusable straws out there. Stainless steel, glass and even retractable keychains, there is literally a reusable straw for everyone.

For the person who can't start their day without a cup of coffee, give them a Coffee Traveler! The United States alone throws out around 108 billion disposable cups per year. So the perfect eco friendly gift for a coffee lover would be a reusable coffee cup. So many stores sell reusable cups for both hot and cold beverages. You really can't go wrong with any one of these!

One of the most eco friendly resources out there is bamboo. Bamboo can make literally anything, cutting boards, toothbrushes, sunglasses, bathtub trays, and so much more. You think it, they probably have it. Since bamboo is a natural resource, it can break down and decompose unlike products made out of plastic. So when in doubt choose Anything Made Out of Bamboo!

For the environmentally conscious tech obsessed, you can't go wrong with a Portable Solar Charger. Portable chargers are a handy thing to have no matter what, but what's really cool about the solar ones is that you don't need to constantly recharge them. If it can feel the suns rays, it will charge up. How cool is that?

A Tote Bag is just a fancy version of a reusable grocery bag. They tend to be big and roomy so they can hold loads of stuff. Plus they are durable so you don't have to worry about them ripping right away. A tote bag is versatile and can be used for anything, like as a purse, a beach bag, a shopping bag, and so much more. If you want to go the extra mile this holiday season, use a tote bag instead of wrapping paper or a gift bag. The planet will thank you.

Giving green gifts this holiday season is one way to help save the planet. Not only are you lowering your carbon footprint, you are encouraging others to do the same. By giving these eco friendly gifts, you're encouraging your friends and family members to get into greener habits. We only have one planet so let's take care of it so we can have many more years to celebrate the holidays! Until tomorrow.

Christmas time may be the most wonderful time of the year, but not for your wallet. This time of the year is when we spend the most money. Whether that's because things are just super expensive or because we feel so generous around this time of the year, it's easy to spend a lot of money without even realizing it. And when you're living paycheck to paycheck, feeling festive can be tricky.

But have no fear, this guide is here to help you get your money's worth this holiday season. Follow these tips and tricks to make sure you're staying within your budget but also going all out this Christmas at the same time.

Set Up A Budget! First things first, in order to know what your spending limit is you have to set it. Make a list for all possible categories: gifts, decorations, Christmas tree/supplies, food, wrapping materials, etc! Think of everything you might need and set a limit you think you can stick to.

Do Some Research! The next step that comes after planning your budget is obviously to do some research. In order to make an accurate budget, you're going to have to know how much things cost. Make a list of the things you'll need and price check them. You can look online, via apps, or in weekly ads to find the most accurate prices. When you're researching look and see when specific items you need might be on sale. When you're doing research, always make sure to price match. Using the Google Shopping search option is the best tool for price matching for a specific item. Search the item you want, and Google does the rest! It will tell you which stores or online retailers have the item you want for cheapest. Nifty right?

Shop The Sales! The best way to shop smart and get a bang for your buck is to shop when the items you want and need are on sale. Sadly, not everything is always going to be on sale. But, odds are that some of the things you'll need will be on sale eventually. Michaels always has amazing Christmas clearance and sales throughout December. Currently, all decor, ornaments and any other Christmas supplies is 70% off! Plus they're always having daily door busters. Big stores like Target, Wal Mart, Kohls, and all those other department stores also have a lot of sales during this time of the year. Pay attention to their weekly ads so you don't miss out! If shopping online is more your style, make sure you sign up for Ebates. Ebates is a website that offers cash rebates back based on what websites you shop at. If you sign up and click on the links to any of the retailers listed on their website you'll get a percentage back of what you spent. Cool right? If you want to join Ebates, use my referral link here.

Utilize Coupons & Apps! Let's face it, couponing is a hassle. Who wants to spend hours clipping coupons from the newspaper or weekly mailers. Sometimes the coupons aren't even that great and don't save you that much money. But, utilizing specific store's apps and mobile coupons can help save you some time and a little bit of cash. Target's app, has Cartwheel, which is basically their own online coupon database. While websites like RetailMeNot will often post online promo codes and in store coupons online. Let's face it any little bit helps.

Check Out Discount Retailers! Discount stores are heaven sent for holiday shopping especially when you have designer dreams but you're budget isn't on the same level, yet. Stores like Marshalls, Home Goods, TJ Maxx, Tuesday Morning and Ross are great stores for looking for expensive style items without breaking your bank account. Even stores like Dollar Tree, 5 Below, Daiso, and even the 99 Cent Store have great affordable options for holiday decor and stocking stuffers.

Pinterest Hack It! No matter what grand idea you want to execute this year, be positive, it can be done! When in doubt, there's a DIY Pinterest hack for it. Pinterest has an infinite amount of tutorials and guides for crafts and DIYs you can do. Whether you're looking for a new easy recipe, or looking for some decor inspiration, Pinterest has it all.

Reuse & Recycle! Instead of throwing out decor and wrapping paper from last year, a big way to save some money is to reuse those items. Keep your gift bags from last year, especially if they're in good condition! You can use them to wrap up presents this year. However, saving torn up wrapping paper may not be as effective. You're better off just tossing those pieces in the blue bin unless you can find a way to upcycle them. Upcycling is the process of transforming by-products, waste materials, useless, or unwanted products into new materials or products of better quality or for better environmental value. There are plenty of guides online (especially on Pinterest) on how to upcyle during the holidays.

Christmas doesn't always have to be an expensive time, especially if you plan accordingly. If you follow these tips, you definitely will be ballin' on your budget this year!

Until tomorrow.

Sometimes during the holiday season, you just need to treat yourself. Most likely, there will be amazing sales anywhere you go! It's going to be really tempting, so if you find something you like for a great price why miss out? Nothing is worse than feeling like you missed out, especially if it's something you've been eyeing for quite some time. Plus we all have that one store that always has something we want or need. For me, that store is LOFT.

For those of you that do not know about LOFT, it is a magical and heavenly store that sells clothes and accessories that you can wear at home or even at your workplace. Basically, they have all kinds of wonderful things! LOFT is part of the Ann Taylor family, however it is the lower-priced and more casual young sister of Ann Taylor. Basically, LOFT is a store for the stylish and professional fashionista.

But anyways, the real reason why I got to do a little shopping at LOFT was because my Mom got some LOFT cash when she went shopping there last month. To simplify it, LOFT cash is basically a coupon rebate. Sometimes LOFT will have different weeks throughout the year where they will give out LOFT cash. Most of the time, you have to spend $50 to get $25 LOFT cash. Normally you get almost a month to earn these coupon rebates and then once that earning period is over you have a week to spend whatever LOFT cash you earned. So anyways, my Mom went shopping during the earning week and was kind enough to let me use her LOFT cash during the redeem period. So here are a few of the things I got:

Right now, flannel and plaid anything is all the rage. Which makes sense, because the print is cute and most of the time it will keep you warm. So at LOFT, I purchased two plaid items: a plaid infinity scarf, which is pictured, and a lightweight plaid tunic which sadly is not pictured.

The plaid infinity scarf is literally the warmest and softest scarf I have ever touched. It's so comfortable and easy to wear. Plus, what's really cool about this scarf is that it has a different print on each side of the fabric. The front is a blue and green plaid while the back is a black and white houndstooth. So it's basically a reversible scarf! You can mix and match the patterns and surprisingly they go well together, they do not clash one bit. The plaid tunic is a thin long sleeve shirt. The shirt is a lightweight blouse with 3/4 sleeves and is a little on the long side.

The last shirt is a black sleeveless peplum top. In the picture it looks brown but it is definitely black. This shirt is on the short side because it is a petite top. One of the great things about LOFT is that they do sell petite clothing, so to my fellow short people you can find great quality and reasonably priced clothing that does fit true to size.

Last but certainly not least, I got the one item I was lusting over. That's right. It's a unicorn sweater. They physically did not carry it in the store closet to me. So I had to order it online. I'm always a sucker for a good sweater. But what is the real selling point is the unicorn, aka the greatest animal of all time. The sweater fits well and while also being really comfortable and cozy.

LOFT is one of my favorite stores and whenever I go there, I have no problem finding something I like. All their clothes and accessories are great quality and are worth the price you pay. Check out their website, most of their winter items, like sweaters, outerwear, and accessories are 50% off! Now, you tell me, what is your go to clothing store? Or what store can you always find something you either really want or need?

Get out there and treat yourself!

Until tomorrow.

I don't know about you, but somehow I always end up getting sick sometime during the holiday season. Normally it's closer to Christmas, but this year my allergies and sinuses have attacked early.

If you too are also starting to feel under the weather and starting to get phlegmy, or you want to avoid getting sick this holiday season here are some tips for staying healthy and alive.

Vitamins. Vitamins are super important when it comes to staying healthy! Drink some OJ, that's full of Vitamin C or take some daily vitamins! Add more vitamins into your daily diet with some yummy veggies and fruits and that should help boost your immune system.

Wash Your Hands. Germs are all over us, especially our hands. And when we go out and about and touch a lot of things germs spread easily. So make sure you wash your hands especially if you're someone who subconsciously touches their face. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds and thoroughly dry them, wet hands are more likely to spread germs than dry hands! Otherwise you're just asking to get sick. Also use hand sanitizer every once and a while!

Hot liquids. Drink lots of tea or eat soup! Remember having chicken noodle soup as a kid when you were sick? Well warm liquids help relieve congestion! And if you have a sore throat a warm liquid down your throat is very soothing.

Relax. When you're stressed, you're actually more likely to get sick. So don't stress out! Relax and unwind and take some time for yourself. Pushing yourself too hard isn't worth getting sick.

Exercise. I know the last thing you want to do when you're feeling under the weather is exercise. But exercise is a good way to build and boost your immune system. Exercise also helps reduce stress.

Dress Warm. It's very important to keep warm during the holidays! With the changing weather, your body's immune system does weaken. If you live in a place where it can be warm one minute and cold the next make sure you're dressed for the appropriate climate.

Stay Hydrated. Drink plenty of water!! Our body needs water to function properly and survive. Drinking eight glasses of water a day is recommended and it helps flush toxins out of your system. If you're not getting enough water that adds more stress to your body.

Sleep. Make sure you're getting enough sleep, eight hours a night. Getting enough sleep can help your body fight off infection. Think of your body like a cellphone, it needs a certain amount of time to fully recharge.

Get a shot. If you really want to prevent illness, then before you get any symptoms just get the flu shot. Two seconds of pain is better than two days of feeling gross.

Let's all stay super healthy and sick free this holiday season. Now don't be like me, and stay healthy this holiday season. I'm going to chug some orange juice, make some soup for dinner and cuddle under my covers. Until tomorrow.

Here is yesterday's vlog for the Day 13 challenge: what's inside my fridge. Watch my video to see what yummy stuff is inside my fridge!

Thanks for watching! Until next time!