Kaitlin Shanks
Bio
Lifestyle blogger and fiction writer. No AI-generated content here. To support me, please follow me on Instagram (I follow back!) send me a tip, visit my Amazon storefront or buy my novel, Last Living Girl. Thanks so much!
Stories (68)
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My Honest LANEIGE Skincare Review
After having some success with LUSH, I decided to drop by Sephora and see if they give free samples. Sure enough, the employee told me that they offer three samples per visit, although you're limited to products they can scoop or pump out of a container. I don't wear makeup or perfume anyway, so this seemed like a great opportunity to try some new skincare formulas.
By Kaitlin Shanksabout a month ago in Blush
Your Smoothie King Menu Guide
Smoothie King's menu is fairly extensive, and with newer additions like loaded toasts and smoothie bowls, it can be a lot to take in. As a frequent visitor, I thought I'd take the time to write a menu guide that outlines the categories and customization options. I'll also throw in some observations and advice that I've accumulated along the way.
By Kaitlin Shanksabout a month ago in Feast
11 Indie Pop Songs That Dazzled the 2000s
After the grunge and nihilism of the 90s, the 2000s brought a wave of hopefulness with an edgy twist. People wanted bright colors, snarky humor and dance-pop anthems, and the music industry responded with catchy indie tunes that made people feel unique without diving too far into the counterculture. If you feel nostalgic for this time, these 11 tracks will take you back to the time when "'Rawr' means 'I love you' in dinosaur" was peak hilarity among junior high students.
By Kaitlin Shanksabout a month ago in Beat
10 Emotionally Devastating Songs That You'll Never Forget
Have you ever been on the verge of tears and needed to listen to a sad song to unleash the waterworks? I've had moods like that, but corny, sentimental songs don't do it for me. Instead, I listen to the tracks on this list when I need to release some bottled-up emotions. These songs capture the depths of human grief without being cheesy--and they're also great tracks on top of that, so they deserve a spot on your regular playlists.
By Kaitlin Shanks2 months ago in Beat
My Honest Beecher's Macaroni and Cheese Review
I'm not necessarily new to Beecher's. I'd seen their macaroni and cheese in the Walmart frozen food section, and while I'm always on the lookout for new mac and cheese varieties, the $11 price tag always scared me off. Plus, I was a little skeptical of the "World's Best" title on the box. How good can a box of frozen pasta really be?
By Kaitlin Shanks2 months ago in Feast
10 Songs That Sound Like Winter
Winter songs don't start and end with Christmas jingles. In fact, many bands don't set out to make a "winter song," but they end up writing a track that captures the essence of the season: the delicate snowflakes, crackling fireplaces or dark, ice-covered streets. Whether you're huddling indoors in December or lounging on a beach in June, these tracks will make you feel like you're wandering through a snowy landscape.
By Kaitlin Shanks2 months ago in Beat
My Honest LUSH Review
LUSH is way out of my price range, but whenever I visit the mall, I have to stop by because their selection is the definition of "forbidden snacks." I love the scents, fragrances, bright colors and ability to test nearly everything in the store. What I didn't know until recently is that you can get a sample of most of their products and try them at home for free.
By Kaitlin Shanks2 months ago in Blush
10 Forgotten Rock Records From the 2000s
Now that we've uncovered the world of obscure 90s albums, it's time to spring forward a decade with near-forgotten 2000s records. These rock, punk and emo bands are available on Spotify, but unlike some of their contemporaries, they haven't experienced a sudden TikTok revival. Let's change that with this list of ten records that quietly influenced the scene.
By Kaitlin Shanks2 months ago in Beat
10 Songs That Capture That Night Feeling
Sometimes, when I'm alone at night, I'll get this thoughtful, melancholy feeling that makes me nostalgic for a place I've never been. The feeling tends to strike when I'm driving around or walking through a city street with streetlights shining overhead. I thought it was just me, but when I discovered that the so-called "night feeling" has an entire subreddit dedicated to it, I realized that people all over the world can relate.
By Kaitlin Shanks2 months ago in Beat
Songs You Should Hear According to Your Aesthetic
Don't ask me why, but I love pairing songs with photographs--and it's even better when I find a group of songs with similar vibes. As I was making playlists, I started thinking that everyone has their own aesthetic that influences the movies they watch, the clothes they wear, the art they create, the posts they share on social media and more. If you're confident about your personal aesthetic, here's a rundown of songs that might interest you.
By Kaitlin Shanks3 months ago in Beat
My Honest Aldi Boxed Macaroni and Cheese Review
In the past, I've snubbed boxed macaroni and cheese unless I had no other option. How could brittle noodles and dusty cheese powder compare to a homemade meal with generous noodles and creamy sauce? However, I've had a craving for cheesy dishes recently--and when I found Aldi's selection of boxed mac and cheese, I thought I'd give it a shot.
By Kaitlin Shanks3 months ago in Feast
10 More Obscure 90s Rock Records You Should Know
The first three installments just weren't enough. If you've got a craving for 90s rock, folk and grunge, these records have languished in obscurity for far too long. Get your Spotify playlists ready for ten records that are holding steady with only a handful of monthly listeners.
By Kaitlin Shanks3 months ago in Beat
