We're getting down to the wire for holiday shopping! Still have a few people to check off your list? Me too! That's why I'm excited for today's post because I'm introducing a new candle company called Katya Candles. Candles have always been a go-to gift for me, because who doesn't love having their home smell amazing?! Another cool thing about these candles is each one comes with a ring inside that features Swarovski Crystals. Double win!

I checked out the Fir Balsam flavor and was sooo impressed! Since I was going to be in Washington for the holidays, we didn't put up a tree in the apartment this year, but if you walked in you'd think we had one thanks to this candle! 🎄 I feel like this is a scent that's kind of hard to nail down -- some brands' scents end up smelling artificial, but Katya Candles really got it right! Like standing in the middle of a Christmas tree farm right! It smells so stinking good! Even when it's not lit with the lid off, the scent really fills the room, which I love.

The candles are made of soy wax and are free of dyes, parabens, sulfates, pesticides or major allergens. They're also made in the U.S. and are all hand-poured California. West coast babyyy! Overall I was really impressed with the quality of the product. From the gift boxes to the glassware and the ring inside, you can tell they've really paid attention to the details.

Another cool thing about the company is that is was started by an awesome girl boss who has really put her heart and soul into the company (and it shows!) Since becoming a small business owner, I appreciate all of the hustle and hard work that goes into these businesses SO much more. One of my favorite quotes right now is "When you buy from a small business an actual person does a little happy dance" and it's so true! When you shop small you're supporting someone's dream which is an extra little bonus while doing holiday shopping for those you love!

If you'd like to get your shop on, click on the link below! The candles are also available on Amazon and through Etsy. Make sure you order before Saturday to receive your candle by Christmas Eve too!

*Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. Katya Candles provided me with a candle to review in exchange for a blog post. This post and all opinions stated are based on my own ideas and honest experience with the products and have not been influenced based upon the sponsorship.

I didn't intend to write a blog post following the election -- discussing politics in public forums is generally something I shy away from. Being upset after the election though, I let down my guard and shared my dismay for the results, and as social media often does, I was challenged on my thoughts. I was told that the election was never about hate and that it was the result of media hype and that these results have proven we can break down the system. Opinions that I don't personally agree with, but that many others in our country do.

While it's easy to snap back with name calling or telling people their opinions are wrong -- as I know we've all witnessed throughout the election. I think now more than ever, we need to understand each other. So I took a few minutes to really put my thoughts into words that I felt were respectful but also expressed my raw emotion about the results. While I definitely didn't write this with the intent on sharing, so many said the message resonated with them so I thought it was worth reposting on my platform in case any others could relate.

"I respectively disagree. I feel as though the hatred that has been spewed throughout this election season will be hard to reverse -- hatred towards other religions, hatred towards immigrants and refugees, hatred toward our allies and our current president. Those words don't simply go away and truthfully I believe many in this country are very misinformed and have used hatred to mask their fear.

As someone who believes in equal rights for everyone no matter their race, sexual orientation, age or gender, the results of the election pain me. I understand the realities and beliefs of everyone are very diverse, which is part of the reason America is great, but in 2016 I just cannot wrap my head around why we would want to take a step back on all that we have achieved. 

I've lived in small towns, medium-sized cities, and the largest city in America -- all of which have given me different perspectives on the world. As someone who now lives in New York City, someone who encounters more cultures in a subway car than many encounter in months, the rhetoric of this campaign terrifies me. And if as a white female I feel that fear, I can only imagine what the woman standing to the right of me wearing a hijab feels like, whose entire religion has been told they're not welcome in America. To the child on my left whose parents may have immigrated to America illegally but who was born in America and may now fear being deported to a country he's never been to. To the African American man sitting across from me who is already living in times with high racial tensions and could face racial profiling because of the re-emergence of policies like stop-and-frisk. To the woman in the corner of the train who has been subjected by advances from her boss, but is afraid to pursue action because similar behavior from our President-Elect has been deemed "locker room talk" and she's afraid of losing her job. These are real and valid concerns I have, none of which were a product of media propaganda.

It's more than just the change of leadership. I don't need to align on every policy, issue or statement of a candidate. We are blessed to live in a country where no one person has the power to implement change simply on their behalf. What I do need is to feel a sense of respect for our leader and the trajectory that they will put forth for our country, and that's where I falter. This is more than just a shake-up in the system and the lack of experience, knowledge, and temperament that Trump has exhibited is concerning. But this is where we're at. Democracy has spoken and we must accept the outcome for the sake of the country and I truly hope my fears are wrong. 

I hope that he will be a president for all of the people and not just for the white working class. I hope he acknowledges that Global Warming is not some sham by the Chinese but a real concern that we need to do whatever we can to deter. I hope that he will focus on progressive immigration reform implementing steps to fix a broken system rather than building walls. I hope that he focuses on actual steps to fight terrorism instead of just saying he'll "bomb the shit out them". I hope that our markets will remain stable during this transition. As an entrepreneur, my business relies on economic stability and growth and I have worked too hard for those dreams to be washed away. In a day where I truly feel as though our country has lost a sense of hope, I hope I'm wrong. He proved many of us wrong by winning this election and I truly hope his administration can prove that all of my fears are simply that, fears because I can't fathom the contrary."

Alas, after 9 years (yikes 😳) I have made my return to Washington for a proper PNW fall! Giving credit where credit is due, I owe this trip back to my high school bestie Ang! Because when your friend from New Zealand lets you know she's coming home and you work for yourself you get on a plane and get your butt to the west coast!

Thanks to technology we get to chat a bit in between her trips to America every two years but danggg the years just keep flying by so I am so thankful I got to make it home to visit with her and meet her hubby (outside of Skype!) We may live on absolute opposite ends of the Earth (literally) but every time we're together it's like no time has passed. 

We totally lucked out and had a beautiful day in Seattle to play tourists. I've been to Pike Place more times than I can count, but I never quite tire of it and I'm pretty sure if I lived there I would totally buy myself one of their bouquets every week. 

After a really fun day of exploring together they headed off to their next adventure and I caught up with another one of my favorite people, Lindsey! With some impending storms in the forecast for the weekend, she suggested we spend a little time outdoors (good call!) So we headed over to Green Lake to walk the lake and take in some fall colors and boy was that a treat.. OMG 😍. 

I always joke with Lindsey that Seattle is so intimidating to me.. I know, I know I live in NYC, but Seattle just has so much variety and different neighborhoods that frankly I know very little about., plus there's that driving thing. So it is always such a treat for me every time we get together and when I get to explore new areas like a local. Ah, I just love it! Seattle you're dreamy.

I know I've already said it but I am SO very thankful for this time home -- and I still have over a week to go! Getting to visit with Angie and Lindsey was such a fun way to kick off my trip and I'm already itching for another day trip up to Seattle. So, so, SO happy this is real life and that I'm getting to spend more time at home. It's such a change of pace that really makes my heart full and I can't wait for the other memories to come from this trip!