Opinion: Dear California, abolish your costly death penalty

 

A statue of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at his memorial site in Washington, D.C. / Image Credit: Emeka Ogbatue

(Editor’s Note: This article mentions death and distressing themes. Discretion is advised.)

If there is one thing Californians should push for in the near future, it should be the abolition of the state’s death penalty.

The drafting and ballot results of Proposition 6 — a rejected prison reform initiative and Proposition 36 — an approved initiative that will bring drug court changes and increases to drug trafficking and shoplifting penalties  — are clear evidence that criminal justice is among the pressing issues Californians want addressed.

However, one aspect of crime and justice that is often overlooked by voters and lawmakers when it is discussed is capital punishment, a process that significantly impacts how the state’s economy and criminal justice systems operate.

Even though California’s last execution took place in 2006 due to halts imposed from federal court rulings and a moratorium by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2019, the cost of California having a death penalty is still massively burdening taxpayers.

According to the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the nonpartisan advisor to the California State Legislature, tens of millions are spent annually on prosecutions and appeals involving the death penalty. When considering current inflation, an analysis by the Sacramento Bee estimates the total cost to be over $300 million in just the past five years Newsom’s moratorium has been in effect.

Having these price tags, especially for an unused practice, is not just ridiculous but entirely unethical, given the state’s progressivism with criminal justice.

Even in cases where that progressive identity is in question, such as progressive Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón’s recent reelection loss, progress remains within the state’s roots. At the same time Gascón lost, two former public defenders aligned with the socially progressive group, The Defenders of Justice, cruised to victory in their bids to serve on the LA County Superior Court.

These judicial wins, coupled with defeats of “tough-on-crime” candidates in competitive LA and Orange County districts for the U.S. House, do not suggest aggressive shifts in opinion on crime that several outlets are claiming. Rather, they signal frustration from voters that their elected leaders are not doing enough on issues they consider important relating to the state’s economy, homelessness, shoplifting and drug overdose deaths — things all related to crime, justice and reduced recidivism.

James “JC” Cavitt, is the executive director of Project Rebound at Cal State Fullerton, a program dedicated to helping individuals who were formerly incarcerated succeed in higher education and their reintroduction into society.

Cavitt says that through his work related to restorative justice, he has had conversations with families who have sought the death penalty against those who killed their loved ones.

He says that the families he has spoken with have felt no closure in the execution of their loved ones’ killers, noting that only more grief befalls them and other families affected.

“The death penalty, in my opinion, is not serving anyone; the victims, the survivors, society, its citizens, the taxpayers,” Cavitt said. “We decide to call it death row; it makes million-dollar clients.”

Supporters of the death penalty argue many things: that its existence deters crimes, protects the rights of victims’ families, promotes ethics and safety and reduces prison costs.

While their arguments may be coming from a place of intense feeling—feelings that are entirely humane to have in situations involving heinous crimes— their reason for having a death penalty is not substantiated by facts.

As cited on the Death Penalty Information Center’s website, research has consistently shown that having a death penalty in the U.S. and other countries does not deter crime, nor does it reduce costs.

Moreover, the idea that executions protect the rights of victims’ families and promote morality and safety is not supported by recent events in states with the death penalty.

In the lead-up to the 2024 election, a string of inmate executions rapidly took place throughout the southern United States. Five states — South Carolina, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama — each executed one inmate between Sept. 20 and Sept. 26.

In Missouri, a state with the sixth highest per capita in murder rate per capita, according to the Centers for Disease Control, a male inmate prior to his execution, had the victim’s family, activists and the same district attorney’s office that convicted him, albeit with a different lead prosecutor, call for his sentence to be commuted to life in prison amid controversy surrounding his trial’s fairness.

However, both Missouri’s governor and Supreme Court refused to halt or commute the inmate’s sentence, expressing reasons that were perceived by many as politically-motivated in nature.

Such a reality is negative and unwelcome, especially when considering the deep political turmoil and distrust the U.S. is facing with its elected leaders and its institutions or the U.S.’s well-documented history of racial bias with its death penalty.

Even post-Jim Crow, a study produced by researchers Catherine Grosso, Jeffrey Fagan and Michael Laurence found that among 1,900 homicide convictions in California between 1978 and 2002, Black defendants were 4.6 to 8.7 times more likely to be sentenced to death than other defendants with similar charges of other races. Latino defendants were also 3.2 to 6.2 times more likely to be sentenced to death than other defendants with similar charges of other races and cases with at least one white victim had 2.8 to 8.8 times greater odds of ending in a death sentence than cases with no white victims. 

Having a death penalty only enables worse outcomes, expanding the doorway for people to play politics with people's lives, harming victims’ families in the process and further eroding trust in institutions by giving the government a check to execute people while not acting in timely self-defense of its people.

For Californians, the topic of the death penalty will only grow in relevance over time. Currently, the state has a death row of over 600 people, the largest in the country and the entire Western Hemisphere. Gov. Newsom, who instituted a moratorium on the death penalty and demolished the execution chamber at the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, is term-limited and will leave office in Jan. 2027.

The 2026 midterm elections may see a constitutional amendment proposed to eliminate the death penalty as a final push from his administration, or citizens may push to eliminate it given this year’s push for criminal justice reforms.

Additionally, 2026 gubernatorial candidates will likely be pressed on their stance on the death penalty as a potential litmus test for likeability and the state’s progressivism and that may apply heavily to someone like Vice President Kamala Harris, whose name has been thrown into speculation both for a gubernatorial bid and regarding the ambiguity of her stance on capital punishment during the 2024 election in contrast to her vocal opposition in 2019.

As these developments shape up, incoming president-elect Donald Trump has also already said he plans to resume federal executions and expand the death penalty as he engages in political battles with California’s elected leaders.

These developments circle back to reasons why Californians should oppose the death penalty now. Nothing is gained from it and everyone is harmed by it.

Review: 'Moana 2' barely wayfound box office success

© Disney

For being a sequel to one of Disney’s most successful movies, “Moana 2,” known as “Vaiana 2” and “Oceania 2” in some markets outside the U.S., narrowly excels at being an impactful continuation of the original 2016 movie. 

“Moana 2” debuted in U.S. theaters on Nov. 27 and it ceremoniously followed the main character, Moana, and her village, Motunui, three years after “Moana” (2016). In the 2016 movie, Moana, the village chief’s daughter and an aspiring wayfinder, voyaged with her hog Pua, her chicken Heihei and Maui, a comedically mighty demigod, across the treacherous ocean to find and restore Te Fiti, a once-vibrant island that became a calamitous and desolate demon after Maui stole its heart a millennium ago. Together, Moana and Maui underwent massive character development and successfully restored Te Fiti.

“Moana 2” tweaks some of the first movie’s plot, adding noticeably higher stakes. 

This time around, Moana, after receiving a vision from her ancestor Tautai Vasa, must find the island of Motufetu, a revered central hub for all of the islands until Nalo, a human-hating god, cursed it and sank it to the bottom of the ocean to destroy humanity and establish his dominance. If Moana fails to save Motufetu, humanity will fail to reconnect with each other and cease to exist.

Given these stakes, Moana is aided not only by Pua, Heihei and Maui, but by a trio of new characters from her village: Loto, a skilled craftswoman; Moni, a strong farm boy who idolizes Maui and Keke, a grumpy, old man who adept at farming.

This simple and arguably repetitive plot retcons elements of the original movie, such as the Motunui’s reason for being separated from society, but it does expand the scenic world of “Moana” while also setting up electrifying action sequences that cemented Moana’s place as one of Disney’s best princesses.

However, despite its success in the action department, many things leading up to the action are incredibly lackluster. Outside some one-off moments of teamwork, our new heroes failed to be memorable like other helpers in other iconic Disney princess movies, such as Mushu from “Mulan” (1998), Ray from “The Princess and the Frog” (2009), or Flounder and Sebastian from “The Little Mermaid” (1989).

This issue and others, unfortunately, likely stem from executive decisions made within production.

For example, Maui’s pivotal role in helping Moana save Motufetu was delayed for a sizable amount of the movie because he was held captive by Nalo’s female accomplice, Matangi ,until she secretly betrays him and helps our heroes.

This delay would make sense in a TV show format since tension would build over episodes, and apparently, “Moana 2” was initially meant to be just that, a TV show, but since it isn’t Maui’s delay in the 1 hour and 40-minute slot feels untimely and unsatisfying given his character’s charm and importance.

Another issue likely caused by production changes is Nalo’s presence. Despite repeatedly being mentioned as a harrowing evil, Nalo never reveals himself physically. He attacks our heroes with lightning storms and sea monsters, but he remains unseen in physical form until a post-credits cutscene where he forces Matangi to serve him in his revenge after Motufetu is restored by our heroes.

Lastly, the absence of Lin-Manuel Miranda, a heavy contributor to the original movie’s music, was heavily felt. Despite having spirit, great animation and timely placements, “Moana 2’s” songs, produced by new songwriters Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, lacked catchiness due to clunky lyrics. Neither I nor my “Moana” stan teenage cousin recalled any song lyrics when we left the theater.

Thankfully, despite its pitfalls, “Moana 2” will be remembered for its action and the development of Moana and Maui as both characters literally died and came back to life to save Motufetu.  The post-credit scene with Nalo and Matangi guarantees another continuation of the story.

What Disney must do now between now and then is ensure that “Moana” doesn’t deteriorate into a failed sequel cash grab franchise or endure the same pitfalls in pacing or music.

But for now, given what “Moana 2” has offered, I give it a 7: barely passing. 

I’m cautiously optimistic about what will happen next.

Review: 'Dragon Ball DAIMA' revives 'Dragon Ball''s adventure roots

Created by: Akira Toriyama/ ©BIRD STUDIO/SHUEISHA, TOEI ANIMATION

 Before mangaka Akira Toriyama died last March, he finished writing “Dragon Ball DAIMA,” a continuation series of his 40-year, legacy-defining shonen, “Dragon Ball.”

To say that what Toriyama envisioned and produced with “DAIMA” exceeded my expectations would be an understatement.

“Dragon Ball DAIMA’s” first episode debuted in Japan on Oct. 11, 2024. Hulu and the anime studio and streaming service Crunchyroll aired the series’ first episode with English subtitling of the Japanese audio internationally just hours later. Netflix USA would follow suit, airing the series’ first episode with English subtitles on Oct. 18, and shortly thereafter, a limited release of the series’ first three episodes with an English dubbing produced by Crunchyroll aired in U.S. theaters between Nov. 10 and Nov. 12.

“Daima” is a term Toriyama made up. From Japanese, “Daima” roughly translates in English to the word, “evil,” but when kanji text is used for the term, it translates to “great” and “demon/magic.”

In “Dragon Ball DAIMA,” Toriyama masterfully combines the retro adventure themes of “Dragon Ball’s” story in the mid to late ‘80s with the franchise’s current action themes that have cemented its place in pop culture since the early ‘90s.

Within its first eight episodes, the series expands the world of “Dragon Ball” flavorfully by reintroducing old concepts with new places and characters, namely the Demon Realm.

In episode one, a freshly animated recap of  “Dragon Ball Z” —  the famed series prequeling “DAIMA” in the franchise’s current canon — briefly informs viewers of the origins of “Dragon Ball’s” protagonists fighting evil ahead of  “DAIMA’s” plot.

After the recap, antagonist Demon King Gomah, from his lair in one of the three worlds of the Demon Realm, heads to Earth in search of the Dragon Balls, a set of seven sequentially-starred orbs that summon a magical dragon who can grant two powerful, but limitation-bound wishes. 

Gomah intends to neutralize our protagonists: Son Goku, the Z Warriors and their allies.

With the help of his mystical accomplices, Degesu and Neva, Gomah gathers all seven Dragon Balls and makes a wish to turn all the series’ protagonists into children. Despite not being aware of what’s happening, the memories and powers of our protagonists aren’t erased due to the wish being short-sighted. 

In episode two, after making this wish, Gomah and crew kidnap the Earth Dragon Balls’ overseer, Dende and flee the planet to return to the Demon Realm to prevent our protagonists from using the Dragon Balls to reverse the wish.

At the same time, Glorio, another new character from the Demon Realm, arrives on Earth with a plane that can travel through realms. He informs our protagonists of their predicament and offers to help. Goku and his ally, the Supreme Kai, agree to travel with Glorio into the Demon Realm to find and defeat Gomah’s forces and to reverse his wish on their bodies.

Between episode three and the current episode, episode eight, the adventures Goku and Shin have with Glorio within the Demon Realm, albeit slow-paced, are entertaining.

From humorous dialogue and interactions that sent my friends and me hollering with laughter into text chats, to crisp fights and animation reminiscent of  “Dragon Ball” video games and practical introductions and connections for new characters and the Demon Realm, “DAIMA” fares better in adventure than other “Dragon Ball” media, such as “Dragon Ball GT,” a series that had Goku, his granddaughter and another protagonist venture in space to reverse a gag villain gang’s wish that turned him into a child.

Even though “Dragon Ball DAIMA” will never compare to “Dragon Ball Z,” the continuation series “Dragon Ball Super,” or even some of  “Dragon Ball GT” due to their acclaimed action elements and long-term impacts on the franchise, “DAIMA” brings its own unique contribution to
the world of “Dragon Ball.”

Despite all the concerns surrounding its early production, as the show’s theme song, “Jaka Jaan,” suggests, it really is a “DAIMA wonderland” worth watching.

The series will last at least 20 episodes with weekly releases going through early 2025 in Japan and on streaming services. The English dub does not have a finalized release schedule yet, but it will likely be added onto Crunchyroll, Hulu and Netflix during 2025.

A Day At The Tea House on Los Rios

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of visiting a charming spot in San Juan Capistrano known as The Tea House on Los Rios. The moment you step inside, the atmosphere feels like something straight out of a fairytale, with its whimsical decor and a touch of Bridgerton elegance. The tranquil setting, complete with charming outdoor seating among lush greenery, offers a serene escape from the bustle of everyday life. It’s the perfect place, especially for young women who are catching up with friends and looking to enjoy high-quality tea in a picturesque, intimate environment. 

The menu offers an impressive selection of premium teas, along with a variety of culinary delights, cocktails, and a special weekend brunch menu. My friends and I decided to indulge in The Royal Tea Experience, a lavish afternoon tea package that allows you to choose a tea from their extensive list. I selected a fragrant cherry tea, which was both refreshing and soothing, and paired it with a glass of champagne though a mimosa is also an option.

The Royal Tea Experience was truly unique and would be the perfect choice if you're looking to sample a variety of their delicious teas, culinary creations, and other delightful offerings. It began with a freshly baked scone, perfectly shaped like a heart, served warm with clotted cream and jam. Next came a mixed green salad, light and crisp, followed by an assortment of delicate tea sandwiches cucumber, smoked salmon, and egg salad each one more delicious than the last. To finish, we were presented with a trio of mouthwatering sweets, which included a rich, chocolatey treat, a tart lemon bite, and a silky, creamy dessert that was the perfect end to the experience. It was an afternoon of indulgence, great conversation, and beautiful surroundings, making it a memory I will cherish.

Overall, it was a wonderful experience, with not only delicious tea and treats but also a beautiful setting that's perfect for taking photos. The charming decor, lovely atmosphere, and the amazing team made it more special. It’s a great place to create lasting memories and capture stunning photos to share with friends.

Stay Weird in Austin

 My Weekend Getaway to Austin: Food, Magic, and Southern Hospitality

Austin had always been on my bucket list, but nothing could’ve prepared me for how much I’d fall in love with this vibrant city. From incredible food to magical experiences, every moment felt like something out of a dream.

My first foodie stop was Aba, a Mediterranean gem that instantly won me over. The ambiance, the flavors, the presentation—it was perfection. Every dish was fresh, creative, and packed with flavor, leaving me wishing I had room to try everything on the menu.

Later that evening, I stumbled upon a spontaneous oyster bar (because, why not?). As I sipped a dirty Shirley and sampled some of the best oysters I’ve ever had, I struck up a conversation with an Austin native. They shared stories about the city’s charm, culture, and unique vibe. It was such a genuine connection, the kind that reminds you how important it is to slow down and soak up the moment.

The next day, I went full-on magical with a trip to an interactive Harry Potter pop-up. The setup was pure wizardry, from themed decor to house-specific drinks. I tried butterbeer (of course!) and a cozy hot chocolate inspired by my Hogwarts house. The attention to detail was incredible, and being surrounded by fellow fans made the experience so much more fun. It felt like stepping into the pages of the book, and I didn’t want to leave.

But what really stood out to me about Austin was the people. Everyone I met was so warm and welcoming—it’s the kind of energy that instantly puts you at ease. By the end of my trip, I couldn’t help but think, Could I see myself living here? The answer: absolutely.

As graduation inches closer, Austin has officially made its way to the top of my list for places to start the next chapter of my life. The food, the community, the magic—it’s everything I could ask for and more.

If you haven’t visited Austin yet, take this as your sign to book a trip. Who knows, maybe we’ll be neighbors someday!

Hidden Gem in the San Gabriel Valley

This fall, I took it upon myself to try and be a more active person. I started by walking around my neighborhood, but I live on a main street so it is not the most enjoyable experience. I decided to start driving every day to a park named Santa Fe Dam Regional Park. The park is located in Irwindale, CA, and is well known by the locals. Today, I will tell you about my experiences going there.

This park isn’t new to me. I would come here almost every summer with my family when I was younger. We would spend the days barbecuing and even swimming in their lake. This was also where I would come to have picnics with my friends and even do film projects during high school. I always wanted to come here on daily walks but never did. Starting October 1st, I have come almost every day and I love it. I go at around 8:00 a.m. and it is perfect weather and sunlight to walk. They have a lot of parking and you can even walk into the park without parking your car. I do 4 miles every day and have created my trail. You can either walk in the park or there is a tail behind the park that you can do. The link to the trail can be found here. There are a lot of geese and ducks there, as there is a lake there. You can also fish and canoe here, though I haven’t participated in either of those activities. I have seen some coyotes, though it is pretty rare and they seem to not be interested in people. 

This recreation area is also home to the pretty famous Renaissance Pleasure Faire. It hosts it every year around April and May and I see a lot of famous influencers post. It is always weird seeing the park that is so close to me on TikTok. I have always wanted to go, but never have anyone that is interested in going so maybe I will change that this year. 

Picture taken by Alonso

Some cons that I have of the park are that parking is not free every day. During the summer, you have to pay the admission fee every day. From June 1st to Sep. 31st, you have to pay $13 to get in. From Oct. 1st- May 31st, you only have to pay during the weekend and on holidays. I wish a park like this was more accessible to people as many can not afford to pay that every day just to go on a walk.

Picture taken by Alonso

When I started being more active, I knew that if I had a place with scenery like this, it would be easier. I recommend this park to anyone if they are looking for a place to get some steps in or even to spend a day and barbecue. It is beautiful and sometimes is worth the admission fee. It is pretty far from Fullerton, but if you are ever in the San Gabriel Valley, take some time to visit the Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area.

How To Make The Perfect S’mores

    S’mores are the perfect treat, loved for their yummy, chocolatey goodness and nostalgic charm. So many memories can be cherished and connected through this delectable dessert. Traditionally made over a campfire, S’mores combine marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers for a tasty treat. However, they can be made in multiple ways if a campfire is not on hand. Here’s a quick and easy recipe for crafting the perfect s’mores at home to enjoy with your friends and family or all for yourself.

    For the s’mores recipe, here are some of the items you will need: 

• Marshmallows – Large marshmallows work the best, but any marshmallow of you prefer will do
•  Chocolate – Classic Hershey’s milk chocolate bars are usually the fan favorite, but you can also experiment with any chocolate you would like. 
•  Graham Crackers – The final ingredient that ties in all of the flavor while also balancing out the sweetness

   If you feel like you have an extra sweet tooth, add other candy items like gummy bears,

sour worms, or caramel syrup.

    Now, there are two different ways one can cook their S’mores to perfection and they are

also entirely safe to do inside the comfort of your own home. First, there is:

1. Oven-Baked S’mores

•  First, you must preheat your oven to 400°F.
• For less of a mess, prepare a baking sheet with graham crackers laid out in pairs. Each topped with a square of chocolate and any other toppings you’d like.
• Place a marshmallow on one graham cracker of each pair, then pop the baking sheet into the oven for 3-5 minutes. Make sure you watch carefully to see your marshmallow turn a roasted brown. that is when it is ready.
•  Now combine your s’mores by placing the second graham cracker on top of each gooey marshmallow stack. Now enjoy!

    Who needs a campfire when you can cook S’mores inside of the oven with less chance of it

becoming burnt?

2. Microwave S’mores

    For an even easier way to prepare S’mores, the microwave is the perfect option for making them

at home!

• Place one graham cracker with a piece of chocolate and marshmallow (or whatever toppings you prefer) on a plate.
• Place in the microwave, then set on high for about 10-15 seconds. Make sure to watch closely so you don’t miss the marshmallow blowing up! This is when you will take it out.
• Top with another graham cracker, and now you are ready to enjoy your perfect S'mores!

The microwave option is best for making a treat with less preparation and tools.

Making s’mores could be super easy and fun at home, too! Whether you choose the oven or

microwave method, there is no need for a campfire to continue creating those special memories.

Perfect for staying in, rainy days, or just a craving, you can bring that nostalgic outdoor feel right

to your kitchen. So gather your ingredients and explore in different ways that you want. Enjoy

this DIY recipe and create your own delicacy!

Spectrum Skates

A fun fact about me is I am the secretary for the Lebanese Student Association club at California State University of Fullerton. This past Thursday, LSA had an event to welcome the beginning of the Winter season.

What was the event you might ask? Ice skating at the Irvine Spectrum! It was a very fun activity that brought members of the club closer to each other. 

Let's address the elephant in the room. I have been ice skating twice and the last time was two years ago. It took me some time to get used to the skates and keeping my balance. On the other hand, some of our members were skating with ease while others were falling with ease. 

The rink at the Spectrum was pretty small, but it did the job. In front of the rink there was a big Christmas tree to set the mood. It was lit up with Christmas colors. The turn out at the Spectrum was pretty good. The rink opened at 8 p.m. and maybe 10 minutes after 8, they were not allowing any new people to buy tickets. If I had to assume, 20% of the rink were people with our club. Really great turnout from our club.

May I just say, it was veery humbling to see people ice skating. I thought I was not doing that bad, but then I see kids maybe from around the ages 8-12 just doing miles better than me. Props to them!

My goal heading into the night was to not fall. But I must say, the highlight of my night was when I fell. I was skating and just going with the flow. Music was playing by a DJ, so I was feeling myself a little bit. Then all of a sudden, I seemed to lose my balance and just fell right on my knee. It hurt for a cool five minutes but after that it was funny to look back on.

The rink would go on to close at 9:30, meaning our event had ended. This was the first time LSA hosted an ice skating night and we could not be more proud with how it turned out. Bonds were made and memories were created. It truly was a great night. 

From Admiring to Inspiring: My Journey into Content Creation and Receiving PR

From the age of ten, I developed a strong fascination with the world of content creation. What began as watching YouTubers gradually evolved as they transitioned into influencers on Instagram, eventually making their way onto TikTok.

Over time, content creators lives have been glamorized, filled with glimpses of wealth, endless gifts, fame, and unique opportunities. One thing that always stood out to me was how receiving PR packages became such a defining part of their influence. Watching big brands eagerly send influencers products in exchange for content creation felt almost magical. I loved how their creativity and authenticity were rewarded in a way that aligned with their passion.

It was fascinating to see them create posts with the products they were gifted. Everyone loves free items, especially when it's expensive items you have always wanted. Watching influencer's lifestyle's sparked a dream within me.

As time went on and becoming an influencer became more accessible with platforms like TikTok, I started posting my own videos consistently. Many of them were lifestyle vlogs, haul videos, makeup tutorials, and outfit inspiration clips. I also became more intentional with my Instagram posts, curating them as if I were already an influencer, manifesting the dream I envisioned for myself.

Then came the day that changed everything—I received an email from an agency asking if I’d be interested in receiving a product in exchange for a creative Instagram post. I was overjoyed! I couldn’t believe that a brand wanted to collaborate with me and offer free products in return for my content. It felt surreal, as though all those years of watching others had come full circle. Now, it was my turn to share products with my audience and put my unique creative spin on them.

In 2022 Merit Beauty reached out to me to send me PR. They sent me their Flush Balm and highlighter, and I was ecstatic. Though it was a simple post, the opportunity carried weight—I had the responsibility of delivering content that met the brand’s expectations. A year later, I experienced a pinch-me moment when a luxury brand reached out to collaborate. Armani Beauty offered me their foundation and primer in exchange for an Instagram reel. Creating the reel was such a fun experience, as I got to showcase my makeup routine using these incredible products.

With immense gratitude, I heard from Armani Beauty again this year, gifting me their blushes and highlighters. Shortly after, another agency reached out with a collaboration for Valentino’s Born in Roma perfume—one of my all-time favorite fragrances but one I rarely indulge in because of its price.

These experiences have been nothing short of a dream come true. The transition from admiring others to actively participating in the world of content creation has been an inspiring and deeply rewarding journey. Although I’m far from being considered a “micro-influencer,” these moments remind me to always pursue my dreams and believe in myself. Even during times of doubt, there will always be someone who sees your potential, even if you don’t see it in yourself yet.

Affordable Gift Wrapping Ideas

If you’re like me, the Christmas season starts the day after Halloween is over.  While there is still over a month left before Christmas day, I have already thought about the presents I will be gifting my friends and family. I love showing my own personality through gift wrapping and have recently been looking into ways to make it affordable while staying unique. Whether it be adding ribbon, reusing paper, or finding different ways to create gift bags, there are numerous ways to wrap gifts. Here are three different affordable ways to wrap your gifts this year!

The first way is to reuse newspapers you receive at home. While the paper itself might not be the easiest to work with, it is very thin and tears easily, it is a great way to reuse something you already have. Adding in a ribbon can make it a little bit more festive, some of my favorites I have seen are using the comic sections in the papers. 

Another gift wrapping idea is using regular kraft paper, also called brown packing paper. This one is great if you are looking for a simple wrapping, the paper comes in bulk for an affordable price. One way to personalize is by drawing on the paper with sharpie or makers. You can draw holiday images, write the name of to or from, or even just doodle on it. If you have young kids, this is a great way for them to personalize the gift while entertaining them  too! 

                                                     

Another alternative gift wrapping idea is using the packaging as a part of the gift. Rather than enclosing the present inside wrapping paper, you can use a basket to gift the present in. Baskets are easily accessible at thrift stores and are a popular idea if you are not trying to surprise the receipt. 

While the holiday season means a lot more than just gift giving and receiving, these three ideas can be incorporated this season. And if you’re not a Christmas right after Halloween type of person, then feel free to reread this article after Thanksgiving!