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 (77)
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My Honest Tatcha Review
With small, brightly colored jars and tiny golden spoons, Tatcha's creams and serums are the cutest products you'll find in Sephora. Tatcha has also earned some social media buzz, with influencers raving about their skin creams and lip masks. Still, does this brand live up to the hype? You're about to find out in my honest, non-sponsored Tatcha review.
By Kaitlin Shanksa day ago in Blush
10 Dreamy Pop Tracks for Goddesses
You've probably heard a lot of songs that are fun, catchy and easy to digest. However, when's the last time you heard a track that made you feel like you're having a spiritual experience? What about a song that sounds like a chorus of angels or a mysterious tune that you'd hear in a dream and forget upon awakening? This list has ten of them, and you're about to explore the depths of darkwave, goth music and dreamy pop with these groups that brought mystery and intrigue to the 90s and early 2000s.
By Kaitlin Shanks6 days ago in Beat
My Starbucks Early Spring 2026 Menu Review
Late winter brought a flood of early spring ingredients to Starbucks' menu: a new chai recipe, coconut foam and syrup, and the return of lavender cold foam for your chai and lattes. The Iced Ube Coconut Macchiato looked particularly intriguing, and since I still had some gift card money left over from Christmas, I decided to review a few drinks and the limited-edition Frog Cake Pop.
By Kaitlin Shanks10 days ago in Feast
What to Do When Your Loved One Starts Dating a Chatbot
In the early days of AI, most chatbots had a cool, businesslike tone that discouraged personal relationships. However, as the technology became increasingly personalized and sycophantic, users started relying on AI to feed into their delusions, praise their behavior and even roleplay as a romantic partner, leading to a boom of AI relationships that have sparked a global debate about loneliness, sentience and personal freedom.
By Kaitlin Shanks18 days ago in Humans
10 Dark Americana Tracks Brimming With Quiet Anguish
If you asked me to describe one of the 2020's most popular musical aesthetics, I'd immediately jump to the genre that conjures images of haunted churches, grimy trailer parks and tattered American flags wavering in the wind. This genre has a lot of labels, including slowcore, indie pop and Southern gothic, but I've always thought of it as "dark Americana."
By Kaitlin Shanks29 days ago in Beat
6 Free Ways to Satisfy Your Shopping Urges
Sometimes, getting a little treat is the only thing that makes you feel better. Unfortunately, the cost of those little treats adds up--and before you know it, your new purchases are just old belongings taking up space in your house. Buying new things doesn't help much, either.
By Kaitlin Shanksabout a month ago in Lifehack
My Honest LUSH Review Part Four
It's time again for a LUSH review. In this installment, I'm sharing my honest thoughts on a handful of balms, cleansers, conditioners and shampoos, so think about your current haircare/skincare concerns and what you want LUSH to address. Afterward, you can head to your nearest store to grab a sample--or maybe a full-size product if you're feeling lucky.
By Kaitlin Shanksabout a month ago in Blush
My Review of the 2026 Starbucks Winter Menu
In early 2026, Starbucks unveiled new additions to their menu: exclusive matcha blends, a selection of pastries and limited-edition Dubai chocolate drinks. With blends that emphasized matcha, pistachio, chocolate and yuzu citrus, it was pretty clear to me that Starbucks was taking inspiration from trending flavors. In any case, as a matcha lover, I had to try the new offerings--and the pastries seemed like the perfect accompaniment.
By Kaitlin Shanksabout a month ago in Feast
My Honest Youth To The People Review
With three free samples per visit, Sephora is quickly becoming my favorite place to browse. On a recent trip, I thought Youth To The People looked promising, so I brought a few products to an employee. She gave me each sample in an individual bag, which seemed a little odd because the previous store had given me samples in small containers.
By Kaitlin Shanks2 months ago in Blush
10 Vintage Slowcore Tracks From Decades Past
While slowcore has enjoyed a major resurgence in the 2020s, the genre actually dates back to the eighties. Some of the tracks on this list might sound strange and unfamiliar, while others had a clear influence that's carried slowcore for decades. If you're trying to relax, study or enjoy a quiet evening at home, here's a look at a genre that existed well before Soundcloud.
By Kaitlin Shanks2 months ago in Beat
My Favorite ASMR Triggers
For as long as I can remember, hearing specific sounds, such as paper crinkling or gum chewing, caused a flurry of delicious tingles to erupt across my scalp. I thought I was the only one who experienced this sensation until I caught an episode of Tosh.0 (remember that show?) that included a segment about this phenomenon.
By Kaitlin Shanks2 months ago in Geeks
10 Post-hardcore Songs for Your Early Emo Playlist
Post-hardcore is a broad genre that includes harsh instrumentals, catchy melodies and everything in between, allowing everything from Fugazi to Hawthorne Heights to fall under this umbrella. The bands on this list never saw mainstream success, but they're a little more accessible than pure hardcore or screamo groups. If your rock playlists need a revamp, here's what you've been missing out on.
By Kaitlin Shanks2 months ago in Beat
