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 (73)
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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 Shanksa day 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 Shanks9 days 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 Shanks11 days 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 Shanks17 days 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 Shanks18 days 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 Shanks24 days 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 Shanks25 days 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 Shanksabout a month ago in Beat
Pet Sites From the 2000s: Where Are They Now?
When I was growing up, the Internet was packed with safe spaces for children: simple games, educational websites and pet sites that invited you to create a digital companion. Today, most of those websites have disappeared. However, pet sites were so huge at their peak that they still linger in the public's consciousness--and with "y2k" aesthetic making a comeback, these games might have another shot in the limelight.
By Kaitlin Shanksabout a month ago in Geeks
10 Modern Slowcore Jams for Quiet Evenings
When you want to relax, concentrate or dwell on the past, slowcore offers the perfect backdrop for bleak autumn evenings. While the genre has been around since the 80s, slowcore found a new life in the 2020s when artists started sharing their quiet, subdued tracks on Spotify and Soundcloud. Most of these tracks are calming, but a few stretch the genre to its limits, showing that even the quietest songs have something to say.
By Kaitlin Shanksabout a month ago in Beat
10 Vibrant Indie Hits From the 2010s
As an adult in the 2010s, I never thought I'd feel nostalgic for this decade. And yet, when I listen to indie hits from that era, I feel wistful as I think about this cheerful, optimistic time when I'd recently started college, Marvel was about to make movie history with The Avengers, and bright, peppy tunes dominated the radio.
By Kaitlin Shanksabout a month ago in Beat
Your Guide to Adagio Tea's Sister Sites
Adagio doesn't just sell tea--they also maintain five sister sites that contain recipes, reviews, forums and other resources for tea lovers. The layouts are a little outdated, and web traffic isn't exactly booming, but these sites still get occasional updates that make them worth checking out. Plus, you'll get access to over a decade's worth of information.
By Kaitlin Shanks2 months ago in Feast
