My Current Favorite T.V. Shows

Although my first love will always be the internet, I do (on occasion) find myself entranced by certain shows on T.V. To be perfectly honest though, my time spent in front of the television has decreased immensely since my senior year of high school. Considering all the crap that out there, that is probably for the best. Between the various projects I am working on, the books I am reading, the book I am trying to write etc., I don't get a lot of time to just veg out on the couch. 

There are however, exceptions to every rule. And in the case of these particular shows I am about to list, I will always find the time to sit and watch...no matter how busy I get.

 MY FAVORITE SHOWS

 

SHERLOCK

I said it once, I'll say it again...Gatiss and Moffat are geniuses. In this show, the classic adventures of Sherlock and Watson are adapted for a 21st century audience and thus they take place in modern London (well, most of their filming is done in Cardiff actually). Cumberbatch and Freeman are perfect in their roles as one of literature's first bromances. I have watched every episode of this show at least 10 times and, unlike Sherlock, I am never bored. I could go on and on for days about how much I adore this show, as well as the pain it causes me to have to wait for 2 or more years before I see another season. Though, as I said in my previous Sherlock-related post, the seasons of this show are short (3 episodes long), the wait is excruciating, but the end result is absolute perfection. Sherlock, hands down, is my favorite show on T.V. if not my favorite show of all time. 

 GAME OF THRONES

Oh, come on...like winter, you totally knew this was coming. Its the most successful show on television for a reason. Actually, it's the most successful show on television for a myriad of reasons. First, the world of Westeros is incredible or, to be more specific, the set design and filming locations are incredible. The crew behind game of thrones travels all over the place including Belfast, Croatia, Seville etc. Most of the time, all this traveling is to film a single episode. Second, the acting in this show is absolutely superb. With every new season I become more and more invested in the characters and their stories. I am particularly interested in where Tyrion will end up in season 5. The last reason I love this show is that absolutely no one is safe! Just when I think my favorite characters have managed to escape harm, they end up beheaded, poisoned or they get their skulls crushed! Game of thrones always leaves me wanting more and, for that reason, I will always sit down and watch.

 

HANNIBAL

I'll admit, as a big Red Dragon/Silence of the Lambs fan, I was extremely skeptical when I first heard NBC was going to air a show about the famous psychologist with cannibalistic tendencies and the criminal profiler Will Graham. Knowing the subject matter, I had a number of questions in my mind about how this particular network was going to pull off such a dark and gory project. What would it even look like? How much could they actually show the audience? And, most importantly, who could possibly take over the role of Hannibal Lecter; a role that the great Sir Anthony Hopkins perfected? Well, after watching the first two seasons, I can definitely say that 1) the show looks pretty damn good 2) they show A TON of cringe-worthy material 3) Mads Mikkleson provides an intimidating yet elegant Hannibal the Cannibal. Hugh Dancy, who plays the shows protagonist Will Graham, is also worthy of high praise. The show takes place prior to the events which occurred in the movie Red Dragon which initially sparked my curiosity...now the show has my full attention. I cannot wait for season 3 this summer. 

DOCTOR WHO

We are all just stories in the end, and this show by far has the longest running story ever; the story of the doctor and his companions. While I am not entirely caught up, I have an overwhelming love for this show and its characters. It never fails to amaze me how much detail they can cram into a single episode. However, given that Moffat is a writer on the show, maybe I shouldn't be so surprised. There are very few shows out there that I can give credit to for taking me on such an emotional roller-coaster; this is one of them. Don't even get me started on the episode where the Doctor meets Van Gogh....I balled like a baby. With every new planet the doctor visits, with every new creature he encounters and lastly, with every heart wrenching season finale..I find myself hoping that one day there will be a blue police box waiting for me outside my house to take me on adventures. Alas, I might just have to be content with sipping tea from this Tardis mug while I eat a sandwich packed in a Tardis lunchbox...and yes, I actually have both of those. 

VIKINGS

I have always been fascinated by Viking culture. Long thought of as bloodthirsty savages with horned helmets, real vikings were, in truth, as clever as they were fearsome. Their ingenuity, resourcefulness, and their knack for strategy in battle are what allowed them to acquire a reputation as powerful adversaries. They also had an extremely enlightened view towards women given the time period (women could divorce, own property, even rule!). What I love most about the show Vikings is that all of the elements I have just expressed come into play. The best part? The main character of the story, Ragnar Lothbrok, was a real person!...well, at least according to old Norse poetry and several sagas. Still, the fact that he might have existed prompted my initial viewing of the show. Now, I am addicted. The show is well acted and, looking at the costumes and sets, its clear that a lot of work and thought has been infused into every single episode. I highly recommend this show.



GIRLS

Like a lot of people, I had some preconceived notions about HBO's show Girls. I mean, the show revolves around a young writer and her 3 friends who are all trying to survive in New York... of course I thought it was going to be the new Sex and the City. Who didn't? Now the show is in its third season and I find myself eager to watch every single episode. Even the behind-the-scenes videos fascinate me. Maybe the reason behind this obsession is because the show highlights a lot of the challenges faced by women my age including: surviving post-collegiate life, finding what it means to be truly independent, and learning from/embracing the mistakes you make as you carve your path towards success. I both admire and appreciate what Lena Dunham has done with Girls. I also admire and appreciate the woman herself! Girls has distinguished itself from the series Sex in the City in virtually every sense and, in many instances, it has surpassed it.

Do you also have an obsession for these shows or have other T.V. obsessions you'd like to share? If you do, comment below :)

Much Love,

-Hayleigh

Tricks To Fight Off The Winter Blues

There are plenty of people out there who love Winter, I however cannot count myself amongst them.

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There are several reasons why. Firstly, my body cannot handle any temperature that falls below 35 °F. I have a habit of turning into a human-popsicle even if I go out dressed like Ralphie's brother from A Christmas Story. The second reason is that I suck at winter sports and, believe me, I've tried them all. The last time I tried to ski I flew over a fence and ended up in a snowbank headfirst. Third, whenever I see the movie Frozen I am reminded of the time my friend and I got stuck on a snow-covered mountain and had to climb down, in the dark, on one of the coldest nights imaginable...but that is a story for another time. Needless to say, there was no animated snowman to help guide us on that little adventure.

This winter has been particularly difficult as I live in New England. Over the past couple of weeks, my area has been hit with snowstorm after snowstorm. Most of the weather channels here have made "winter is coming" their personal catchphrase  There is so much snow outside that I am pretty sure I will wake up one morning and find a polar bear sitting atop my car. Every time I stare out my window at the winter wonderland below, I find myself filled with nothing but disdain.

I haven't always been this way. If I am being completely honest I do feel a little flutter of excitement whenever the first snowflakes of the year appear. Still, I am more of a Summer/Fall person. I take no pleasure in being cooped up indoors (despite all the time I spend online), in fact, lately I find myself catching a bit of the old "Winter Blues".

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What is the Winter Blues? Well, according to the Mayo Clinic, the Winter Blues is also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and its characterized by "Irritability, low energy, hypersensitivity, oversleeping, Appetite changes etc" For me, the Winter Blues amounts to waking up around 10:30, sitting on my couch in my bathrobe for long periods watching The Great British Bake Off. I also find myself lamenting over the fact that sunny/warm weather seems eons away and, to quote Sam Smith...I'm not the only one (see what I did there? eh?)

So, without further delay here is a list of things things you can do to help to defeat the wintery curse...

1. Bottle That Sh*t.
Wanna find a way to get rid of that snow AND make money at the same time? Well, according to the Boston Globe, one guy in Manchester already did. Apparently he decided to take the snow in his front yard, bottle it, and sell it to places in Florida and California. Don't ask me how you get it to stay frozen in transit and, in my opinion, it might be a difficult business to break into. However, what if it did take off?! You could use that money to go to someplace warm like Aruba! TAKE ME WITH YOU?!!

2. Green It Up!
Plants are good to have in your house all year round. However, in winter it is especially nice to see something green and alive when everything else is gray and bare. I recommend growing your own bonsai, my parents have one and it has been alive and thriving for 30 years! Plus, you get the added bonus of extra oxygen in your place. 

3. Open The Windows
I know this one seems like a given. But if its an especially sunny day, open the windows, sit down next to one of them, and read a book. Soaking up that vitamin D will help with irritability and help adjust your circadian rhythm which tends to get messed up when its dark most of the day.

4. Dip Into An Indoor Pool
I recently went on a little getaway and the hotel had a lovely indoor pool. It may not have been the same as swimming in the ocean on a summer day, but it did help improve my mood quite a bit.

5. Have An Outdoor Barbecue :)
If you have an outdoor grill, wipe off the snow and start cooking. Invite your family/friends over too so you can pull yourself further into the delusion that you are having summer barbecue. As for food, I recommend taking chicken, pork or other meats and marinading them using tropical flavors like mango's or oranges etc.

6. Drive To The Gym
While I'm not exactly a fan of pushups or weights, I do really like giving my legs a chance to stretch out on the treadmill. I said it once, I'll say it again, exercise helps reduce stress and improves your mood. Plus, at an indoor gym you are sheltered from the chilly air.

7. Bikini Shopping
I have been spotting some really cute swimsuits in stores. If you are looking to add a new one to your summer wardrobe, I recommend getting them now while they are cheap. Also, swimsuit shopping will make you feel like summer is right around the corner. My fav's that I have seen so far are here, here, and here.

8.  Visit A Greenhouse!
This one kind of expands upon  #2 of the list. But seriously, Greenhouses are a great place to visit if you are looking for something fun to do in the winter. As an added bonus, they are very warm and filled with all sorts of beautiful plants and flowers. Some of them, like The Botanic Garden of Smith College, Northampton MA are so big you'll feel like you've stepped into the jungle. Take a look at the photos I posted on Instagram!

 Well I'm afraid that's the end of this list. If you have any other ideas for beating the winter blues, or you complete something from this list let me know in the comments :) I think its safe to say I'm looking forward to creating a more summer themed post in the future. So, to all of you guys who are feeling a bit of cabin fever this February, brave the snow and go have adventures!

Much Love,
Hayleigh

The Single Girls Guide to Enjoying Valentines Day

There is no denying that there are two sides to every holiday. At thanksgiving, we have carte blanche to eat as much delicious food as we want; the flip-side being that once the food has left our stomachs we are filled with nothing but regret and a strong desire to hit the gym. Christmas is also great... that is, until you realize all the lines your going to have to stand in to buy gifts with the person at the cashier trying to win the "exact change award".

Out of all the holidays we have though, there is only one that is capable of inspiring either profound joy or crippling depression ...

That's right guys, I'm talking about V-Day.

 

  Originating from the Roman holiday "Lupercalia,"(look up Lupercalia on Google, I dare you),  and later named to honor a Christian Martyr, Valentines Day has now become a holiday where people exchange cards, flowers and chocolates to show their appreciation for those they love. For some people, Valentines day marks a day of rejoicement and assurance that your significant other has been paying attention to those hints you've been dropping about that necklace at that store. For other people, usually single people, its a day to work on your plans for a time machine that will help you skip forward to Feb. 15th. 

I'm no cynic. Ever since kindergarten, where we passed out cute little cards with candy attached to them, I have always been a big supporter of Valentines Day. Maybe its because, in the depth of winter when everyone cold and miserable, Valentines day provides people with an excuse to be nice to each other....also because I like fresh flowers.While I am fortunate enough to spend Valentines Day with someone special this year, there were many, many years where I spent Valentines Day in quiet solitude, in my PJ's chipping away at a quart of Ben&Jerry's like a miner searching for gold, or in my case, love (cue the angsty Taylor Swift music). 

But it doesn't have to be this way ladies. If you are single, there is no reason you should have to spend Valentines day swaddled in a blanket of sadness, nor should you ostracize yourself from the rest of the human race. Don't get me wrong, as much as I like Valentines Day, I completely understand how aggravating it is to be single and surrounded by lovie-dovie people; some of which feel the need to utter the words no single person on Valentines day wants to hear: "Don't worry, you'll probably find someone for next year." I have one thing to say about those people...and it's in the expletive. 
So, for all you single girls (or even guys) out there looking to find a way to enjoy Valentines day without having to murder the next person who gives you the "poor you" head tilt,  I've compiled a little list of some activities you may enjoy.

Here they are...and trust me, I tried avoiding classic cliches

1.Its Hammer Time!

       Assuming you're not interested in wearing it again and you can't sell it, take all the jewelry given to you by your exes and smash it to bits! I know this sounds odd but trust me, its extremely cathartic....don't ask me how I know that. What are you? A cop?

2. Scary Movie Night.

Trust me, nothing will make you forget heartbreak faster than watching a guy get his own heart ripped out by a zombie. My personal suggestions are Shaun of the Dead, Cabin in the Woods and Silence of the Lambs (which, believe it or not, originally came out on Valentines Day in 1991!)

3. Lets Get Physical...Wonder-Woman style!

Legally Blonde said it best: "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy!" Keep in mind when I say exercise, I'm not saying you should do push ups..dear god no. I'm saying do something cool like take a kickboxing class or go to a rock-climbing gym. Do something that makes you feel like a bad-ass! 

4.  Make your own Valentines
Skip the store! Get your creative juices flowing by handcrafting your own heartfelt, silly or even dark-humored Valentines to your friends. As someone who has both made and received homemade Valentines, I can tell you they do not go unapreciated. I recently wrote one to my mother, it said "Dear mom, thank you for living in a house with only a few creaky floorboards...it made sneaking down into the kitchen at night so much easier! Happy Valentines Day, Love Hayleigh

5. Bake a chocolate feast!
Bikini season is still a long way away, so preheat the oven and bake up some mouthwatering creations that you can eat while you watch those scary movies. For potential recipes click here, here, and here.

6. Puppy Love <3
Volunteer at a local animal shelter or, if you are ready for it, adopt an dog or cat. Animals need love too, and what better way of showing it then giving an furry friend a good home. Again, only if you are ready! Never bring an animal into your life on a whim!

7. Spa Day
Make a trip with some of your other single friends to go to a nice spa where you can get some much needed TLC. (Or, if you cant afford to do that, find the nearest Lush store, pick up one of their awesome bath bombs, and take a bubble bath). Winter sucks! go get a massage to ease the tension from shoveling all that snow. Speaking of which....time for me to go dig my car out again..sigh*

8. Shoot like Cupid! 
Now this isn't for everyone, but if you are up for it, go to a local gun range and practice shooting at the targets (and only the targets!). I hear it really gets the blood pumping. Or, if you are looking for something less violent and a bit more fun, I hear archery tag is now a thing. Unleash your inner Katniss!

Well, I'm afraid that's all the ideas I have for this Valentines Day. If you do try out any of these ideas, let me know in the comments. However you choose to celebrate the day of love, I hope you enjoy yourself! :)

Much Love,
Hayleigh

  

13 Disney Characters Who Might Actually Be Time Lords...

Dear fellow Nerds,

I have been thinking which, to quote a particular Disney character, serves as "a dangerous pastime" (major points to the first person to name that character in the comments).
 It seems my obsession with Doctor Who has now collided with one of my other obsessions...Disney films. While I know that other people on the internet have compiled similar lists, those lists have spanned across many different studios and distributors (Disney, WB, Fox etc.) In an effort to make my list more uniform, I chose one theme; a theme that my entire childhood revolved around. Disney Movies, for me, served as a Tardis that transported me across time and space to some of the most beautifully animated worlds in existence. While I will admit that some of the movies I have referenced here are not necessarily my cup of tea (cough* Oz the Great and Powerful, cough*), I couldn't help but name certain characters as potential Time Lords.

So, without further ado, here is the list...
 







1. Peter Pan from Peter Pan
The boy who never grew up, or at least, maybe he still has a ways to go before he regenerates again. Aside from the fact that he lives on a star (the second one to the right), Peter Pan is mischievous, clever and possesses a child-like innocence despite the fact that he may be hundreds of years old....you know, like every Doctor there is. Wendy was originally told the story of Peter Pan by her parents who probably heard the story from their parents etc. Needless to say Peter Pan, like any Time Lord, has been around for quite a while.
 
 

2. Mary Poppins from Mary Poppins
This one is the most obvious choices and requires very little explanation for all you Dr. Who aficionados out there. Mary Poppins is a magical nanny who descends from the clouds in order to assist the Banks family; assisting people being the trademark of any decent Time Lord. With her penchant for traveling to different dimensions, her ability to defy gravity and her magical carpet bag which is undoubtedly bigger on the inside;  it is quite possible this Nanny is a Time Lord in disguise. Also, look at that picture, I'm pretty sure she stole that bow-tie from 11.

3. The Genie from Aladdin
Like the Tardis itself this character is big, blue, and has a way of finding people who need help; those people of course being a fez-wearing thieves (Aladdin thinks fez's are cool too). There is very little doubt that genie has time traveling abilities as he has a knack for quoting people in the far-off future. And as much as he may say that the lamp is a cramped living space, I have a feeling  that its a lot like Mary-Poppins bag.

4. The Navigator from Flight of the Navigator
David Freeman (a.k.a the navigator) is a time lord, albeit by accident. He is abducted by aliens who imprint the secrets of time and space into his brain. David is then transported across said time and space with the help of a talking ship named MAX. During this young Gallifreyan's journey back home, he encounters the awful 80's, aliens and Sarah Jessica Parker. If that isn't a Doctor Who episode in the works I don't know what is.

5. The Witch from Brave
Looks like Amy Pond isn't the only redhead looking for help to change her fate. This eccentric Scottish witch can only be found with the assistance of blue light (sound familiar?). Not only that, but the witch is able to transform the inside of her home simply by closing and opening her door. Knowing this, I think its very plausible that this woman with an affinity for bear carvings is more than she appears.

6. Kevin Flynn from Tron
Kevin is what you might call an unconventional Time Lord, you might say hes more of a Dude-Lord as he is played by Jeff Bridges. Kevin teeters on that fine line between the Editor, the Master, and the doctor himself. Like the Editor, Kevin creates Tron. Like the Master, his digital side creates Clu; an evil lord who wants to take over the digital realm. Finally, Kevin himself, like the Doctor, is trying to discover a new reality of people that can further mankind. Also like the doctor he becomes trapped in that reality and can never EVER leave.

7. Oscar Diggs from Oz the Great and Powerful
As much as I didn't like this movie, there is no denying that Oscar Diggs could be a Time Lord. He and his hot air balloon travel from the land of Kansas to the magical land of Oz which exists "somewhere over the rainbow." It should be noted that, like all the incarnations of Dr. Who, Oscar relies on his wit and his ingenuity to get him out of some pretty bad scrapes. He also has an uncanny ability to find several companions as he makes his way down the yellow brick road.

 

8. The Santa Claus (aka. Scott Calvin) from The Santa Claus
I'm not even gonna go in depth into this one. The guy can travel the globe in one night with a sack filled with toys for all of the worlds children, and he can enter locked homes....I'm sure you guys can connect the dots.

 

9. Lewis Robinson from Meet the Robinsons
 Lewis Robinson is a Time Lord in the sense that he discovers time and space. He builds the first working time machine, or at least that's what Disney wants us to believe. Lewis not only sees his future self (paradox?) but also sees all that he has accomplished (cheating much?). The film then ends with him building said time machine (yup, definitely cheating). Where have I heard this story before... oh yeah... its Back to the (insert expletive) Future!!!

10. Chihiro from Spirited Away
Ok I'll admit it, I kinda cheated with this movie and the next one on my list. But Studio Ghibli is technically a partner of Disney and has been for quite a while. Chihiro is a girl who travels to the world of the spirits and, through a series of circumstances, becomes trapped there. Chihiro was able to sense right away that the world she found herself in was not the human world; almost as if she was able to sense when there is a shift in time in space. Not only that, but she is able to converse with all of the creatures there, some of which find themselves inexplicably drawn to her presence. Chihiro's intuition, kind heart and bravery are what help her escape the spirit world...if those aren't the trademark qualities of a Time Lord than I don't know what are.

11. Howl from Howls Moving Castle
Again, another Ghibli film. However, Howl and his "moving castle" are what set him apart as a potential Time Lord. Like the witch from Brave, Howl is a sorcerer who can travel to different parts of the city as well as different dimensions simply by closing and opening a door. And, like the doctor himself, Howl has left a string of broken hearts behind him.

12. Merlin from The Sword and The Stone.

Yet another magical being with a bottomless suitcase. Merlin possesses vast knowledge of future events that have not yet occurred. He says its because he has the ability to "see into the future, " but it makes you wonder if the old guys got some time traveling abilities tucked away in those blue robes of his. Furthermore I'll be damned if wands aren't just rudimentary sonic screwdrivers!

13. Professor Kirke from The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.
 It would be easy to simply label the Pevensie children as the Time Lords seeing as the movie revolves around their exploits in Narnia. However, there is a lot of evidence that Professor Kirke is in fact the real time Lord. It is only upon entering Professor Kirke's home that they are able to find the magical wardrobe that transports them to Narnia. Furthermore, there is a scene in the movie where the youngest child Lucy is being teased by Edmund, Peter, and Susan  for "inventing" Narnia. It is Professor Kirke who assures Lucy's siblings that Lucy is telling the truth; thereby assuring us, the audience, that he is aware of the wardrobe's abilities. The final scene of the movie is also very telling as the first person the children encounter outside of the wardrobe is Professor Kirke. For the Professor, its only been a few seconds since he last spoke to them; for the Pevensie children, its been years. When the children say that he "will never believe" the adventure they've had, he looks at them with a knowing smile and says "try me". There is only one conclusion....the professor is, quite possibly, a Doctor.

I hope you guys enjoyed this list! Let me know in the comments what you think :)

Much Love
-Hayleigh

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The YouTube Beauty Guru: An Exploration Of Fame And Hate On The Internet

I'll be honest...this post took me forever to write, mostly because I wasn't sure of how to express my views on  the topics of "Fame on YouTube" and "Internet Hate" in a clear and concise manner.  I also want to be state that while I chose to write specifically about YouTube beauty gurus when it came to these topics, internet hate (or as some call it, cyber-bullying) is a problem that runs rampant all over the internet, not just YouTube itself. I simply chose to discuss YouTube beauty gurus due to their popularity and because it seemed like an excellent way for me to focus my viewpoints. These topics have been discussed by other individuals far more competent than me...
But here goes nothing!

I'm just going to come out and say it, beauty gurus seem to be everywhere these days. Especially on a little website by the name of YouTube. Don't get me wrong, I love my beauty gurus. I have spent countless hours watching Sprinkle of Glitter, Zoella and The Freckled Fox. I have purchased items at their recommendation, tried (and failed) to follow the advice offered in various makeup/hair tutorials, and lastly, I have marveled at their ability to turn everyday tasks into an art-form.

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For a lot of YouTubers, especially the beauty gurus, what was once a hobby has now become a new platform for acquiring a career. If you don't know what I'm talking about, take a look at a YouTuber by the name of Michelle Phan. Before she had over 7 million subscribers, Michelle was just a girl whose videos I watched in high school when I was in dire need of  makeup tips. Now, I see her face in Dr. Pepper commercials.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that beauty gurus have reached such a high level of popularity; especially on the internet. The desire to acquire styling and beauty tips used to send young girls running to the store in order to purchase magazines with relevant articles. Now, with a few clicks on YouTube, these same young women can get access to countless tutorial videos that they can view and re-view at their leisure. And the best part...

It's absolutely free.

Lets be honest, given the option, would you rather spend a few dollars on a magazine with an article that promises  to teach you how to do the perfect messy bun-or view a short video and actually watch a living breathing human show you how to do it?

If you chose the latter, then you have an understanding of why YouTube is helping to launch the careers of many individuals; not just beauty gurus. However, when it comes to reaping the benefits of internet fame, beauty gurus seem to have gained the upper hand. With a massive audience comes the barrage of sponsors and corporations looking for new and inventive ways to market their products (makeup, clothing etc.), even if it means delivering them directly. What this means is that once a beauty guru has succeeded in creating a successful brand, their continued survival partially depends on reviewing the brands of others by creating things like "sponsored" videos. This is NOT to say that YouTube beauty guru's are simply puppets whose only purpose is to endlessly endorse products to their subscribers. Quite the contrary, many YouTube beauty gurus have unique voices of their own and are capable of creating content that has nothing to do with marketing products. Zoella, a popular British vlogger/blogger is a perfect example of this.

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Along with featuring hair/makeup tutorials, monthly favorites, giveaways and haul videos where she discusses products she recently bought;  Zoella's main channel also contains challenge videos, Q&A's and even videos about dealing with anxiety. Zoella also has a second channel where her daily life is shown through a series of vlogs; offering her subscribers a sort of behind-the-scenes experience.  

 In other words, while Zoella's position as an endorser is clear,  its her unique and charming personality that keeps her audience coming back for more.

But what happens when a YouTuber reaches a point in their career where they are viewed more as a product than a person?

Lets face it, we live in an age where people use the anonymity of the internet to post...well.. some really nasty stuff. This is especially true when it comes to sites such as YouTube where comments are a necessary cog in the wheel. YouTubers, especially the successful ones, actively look at their subscriber's comments in order to communicate with their fans as well as to gauge their impact. Lately though, it seems that many famous YouTuber's have expressed that YouTube is slowly becoming a hive of internet hate, spam and self-advertisers. Take Youtube superstar PewDiePie for instance. With over over 34 million subscribers, PewDiePie has reached what many would refer to as the pinnacle of internet fame. Yet, in his video "Goodbye Forever Comments" which was posted in  August of 2014, PewDiePie officially announced that he would be turning off the comments. Forever. I, like everyone else on the internet, was shocked by this news. Although PewDiePie isn't a beauty guru, I cant help but wonder...will there come a day when other YouTubers, including the beauty gurus, decide to go the same way ?

In the recent past, both Zoella and Sprinkle of Glitter expressed their opinions about hate on the internet and the damage it causes. Zoella wrote a huge post about it in her blog titled "Why I Stopped Daily Vlogging / Hate On The Internet." In the post she said..

 "The last thing I would ever want to do, is become so scared of the comments, and the judging, and the mean people that the ones who are so supportive and positive miss out on my positivity, and recently that has happened as I decided to stop daily vlogging after a barrage of hate. I am only human, and no human is perfect, but you only know the online version of me. You don't know everything that goes on behind the cameras and you don't know the entire ups and downs I might face..."-Zoella

I want to be clear here, I am not expert when it comes to the subject of why certain people on the internet dedicate so much time to spreading negativity. Nor do I understand why many YouTubers (e.g. beauty, gaming, daily vloggers ) find themselves the target of so much hate. I mean, if I was to delve deeper into the subject, I suppose I could find a list of reasons: the temptations that come with anonymity, parallels between reality t.v. and YouTube channels, straight-up jealousy etc. However, If you don't enjoy watching that persons channel, the answer is simple...DON'T WATCH IT. I also want to acknowledge here how easy it is to fall into the delusion that we really know a YouTuber as a person simply because we watch their videos. As Zoella herself said, it is important to understand that we, the audience, have no real concept of what that is going on in that Youtuber's actual life other than what is presented to us.   

YouTube, like any other popular website on the internet, is constantly evolving. Some people go there to post videos as a hobby, others go there to kick-start a career, and some...well..some go there to watch tons of videos of baby otters playing in the water (an hour of my life I enjoyed but will never get back). What is popular today is passe the next. It's so hard to keep up with it borders on insanity. No matter where or why you go on the internet though, I think we can all agree that there is nothing to be gained by the spread of hate or negativity.

In short...Think before you click, post, or comment. And to all of you people who use your internet powers for good, I salute you.

Much Love
-Hayleigh

P.S. This parody video by Lisbug has to be the most creative example of taking negative comments and putting a positive spin on them!