You know, every week I say I’m going to be really brief about each of these and then I write a whole essay. I hope you enjoy!

You Do You (web series). This is a web series created by the folks over at the Buzzfeed Violet Channel which is a little bit new from them. They’ve been making short videos developing characters and now those characters are fleshed out a full series of twelve 3-4 minute videos. It focuses on being grown-up, but not being where you thought you would be, facing your fears, relationships, etc., etc., but not in a Lifetime Original Movie way. It did feel a little “written” and “acted” is the only way I can explain it, but that is something I’m feeling when I watch a lot of things these days. I’m willing to overlook it because it was pretty funny and touching, which is something I really like. And I genuinely like the characters that the ladies have developed, though I wish there was more Ella! I’ve seen that they’ve released the first two episodes and some of the behind the scenes videos on Buzzfeed Violet, but the whole series is available right now on iTunes for only $2.99. A bargain and I like supporting this kind of production so it is well worth it to me.

f.lux (program). I spend long nights in front of my computer as it is the nexus of my being, but I’ve heard that it is terrible for you eyes. I try to practice the 20-20-20 rule which is every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds to help relax my eyes. I’ve also discovered a program called f.lux that automatically changes colors in your display to remove some of the blue light and simulate the light in the room you are in. More blue during the day to match the sunlight, less during the night when you are using lightbulbs that are much more yellow. All this happens automatically, as I said, but you can customize it and switch it off when you need to. I’ve just started using it, but my eyes are feeling better already!

Wantfeed (website). I’ve been preparing for Christmas, like whoa, including my now annual gift guide. I’m definitely still using Pinterest to curate the list, but I’ve also discovered a website called Wantfeed that has a much more product/shopping focus that I am going to try out as well. So far, it’s working well, though there is more data entry than Pinterest (I wish it could fetch some of that data), but I think it will be worth it. I just feel like people are going to have a greater chance to see it because the community is smaller and so far I’ve been discovering lots of things I’ve liked that people have posted, so there’s similar tastes. They also have this cute app where you can swipe like or dislike for products a la Tinder. I’ll let you know how it works out! And check out my profile there if you want a sneak peek of my Christmas Gift Guide.

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate (miracle facial oil). I find that I never understand how great a product is until I run out of it. It happened with my Revlon Balm Stain in Honey and my Urban Decay Perversion Mascara, and now it’s happened with my Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate. I use it religiously every night and my skin is being normal, but now that I have run out, my skin is dry and patchy and my foundation looks weird. Boo, in fact, double boo! It’s expensive, so I’m going to try the Physician’s Formula Argan Oil and pray someone gets the Kiehl’s for me for Christmas. Or I’ll be splurging in January!

Doctors Without Borders (cause to care about). Causes to Care About is back with a really important charity. With all that’s happened in the past weeks with terrorists attacks in France, Lebanon, and Nigeria, as well as the Syrian refugee crisis and other complex and difficult problems happening globally, I wanted to highlight a group that I know works very, very hard to help everyone who is trouble. Doctors Without Borders is a humanitarian aid organization that works worldwide to provide medical services to those in crisis, independent of political, religious or any other type of discrimination. You can find out more about their work on their website. If you don’t want to support Doctors Without Borders, but have another charity you wish to support, I highly encourage checking them out on CharityWatch.org, because you would be surprised how many folks would taking advantage in this situation. If you can donate, just spread the word and stay informed!