#kelly sikkema

[autumnal-mood]

~ Kelly Sikkema ~

Walking through the trees Boston, United States

Free to use under the Unsplash License

buy me some pumpkin spice <3

[holly-days]

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

[blossomview]

Kelly Sikkema

[clarumsomnium]

Lonely Eyes V-Day

Cargo ship photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

[lavender-long-stories]

I just want to say to anyone who is reading my stories: thank you.

I just got a sudden intense wave of 'I am writing silly romance stories that make me happy, and I am really glad they make other people happy too,' and I want to share my gratitude.

So thank you if you have ever left me sweet comments, kudos, DMed me to talk about my work, or even if you are just a lurker.

I am so aggressively glad that you like my offerings.

It makes me want to make more.

I hope to bring you more and more.

Back to work.

Image by Kelly Sikkema

[nanowrimo]

How to Unstick Your Camp NaNoWriMo Project

Every year, we’re lucky to have great sponsors for our nonprofit events. ProWritingAid, a 2023 NaNo sponsor, helps you turn your rough first draft into a clean, clear, publish-ready manuscript. Today, author Krystal N. Craiker shares some tips on how to push through to the end of your writing project when you’re feeling stuck:

Camp NaNo is the ultimate test of your creativity. You push your writing skills and habits to a new level. 

It’s inevitable that at some point this month—or any time when you’re writing a novel—you’re going to get stuck. 

You’ll run into a plot conundrum, or you’ll feel creatively drained. You’ll stare at the page and have no clue what to write next.

It happens to all of us, so don’t worry. Here are some of my favorite ways to get my stories unstuck and my creativity flowing once again.

1. Go Outside

Writing is an isolating process, and writers are notorious for losing hours of the day to the computer screen. But when you’re stuck in a rut, staring at the page stressed out doesn’t make things better.

Get up. Go get a drink of water. Then go outside. What you do next doesn’t matter. You can get some exercise in or drive to the coffee shop. Birdwatch, play with the kids, splash in some puddles—you get the idea.

A little movement and some sunshine will help you feel refreshed when you sit back down at the computer.

2. Brain Dump

This is my tried and true method for NaNoWriMo. When I reach a point in my novel that I don’t know what to write (or just don’t want to write), I insert a random brain dump. 

I’ll write what I’m feeling about this scene and type out what I think the issue is. Sometimes, it’s just a bulleted list and others it’s a stream-of-consciousness flow. Here’s an example:

“I don’t know what to write here. I was going to kill off that character but didn’t. Somehow I need to get to X plot point from here. How do I do that? This is so frustrating. Now that I didn’t kill them off, I need a good reason for them to stay in the story. What are their motivations?”

If that’s all you write during a writing session, that’s okay. You were still working on your novel, so it still counts.

3. Use AI

It’s the first NaNo event since Chat GPT opened to the public and countless AI tools are popping up. AI can be a great way to brainstorm and spark inspiration.

As writers, we often get hung up on finding the perfect way to say something. But you don’t need to let one sentence slow down your writing flow.

Rephrase by ProWritingAid is a brand-new feature meant for writers like you. You can highlight any sentence, click Rephrase, and generate a new sentence. Shorten or lengthen a sentence, change the tone to formal or informal, or add sensory detail. 

Here’s a boring sentence I wrote: “Quinn entered the dark and cold forest.”

And here’s a sentence Rephrase gave me: “Quinn shivered as he stepped into the cold, dark forest, the air thick with the scent of damp earth.”

I can build off that! Now I’m more excited to write this scene that was feeling bland. 

Sign up for ProWritingAid to get access to Rephrase and more than 20 in-depth writing reports.

4. Keep Going

Whatever you do, don’t give up! Getting stuck is part of the process. When you hit that creative wall, give one of these methods a try.

Your story still wants to be written, so keep writing.

Krystal N. Craiker is the Writing Pirate, an indie romance author and content writer who sails the seven internet seas, breaking tropes and bending genres. She has a background in anthropology and education, which bring fresh perspectives to her romance novels. When she’s not daydreaming about her next book or article, you can find her cooking gourmet gluten-free cuisine, laughing at memes, and playing board games. Krystal lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband, child, and two dogs.

Top photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash  

[arcadiasartcorner]

photo by kelly sikkema on unplash

Hello! I am Arcadia, I am an Illustrator, I am a Mom, a Wife and a Mortician. I live in Italy and this is my first time on tumblr! Hope to show you few pieces of my Art and that you will like it!

Thank you @reginakoilos for the page and @storyteller-kara, @fatelys, @morganthepen, @museandquill for being supportive!

See you soon love Arcadia

[playlistboys]

against the kitchen floor - will wood // image by kelly sikkema

[leenaavan-art]

Baby Girl

Hi everyone!

I apologize for not posting in a LONG, LONG time 😓 I’ve been super busy lately

I was inspired by the posts of manga panels of our favorite hanyou holding his baby girl, Moroha, in his arms 🥰

I was also inspired by a photo I saw in Unsplash and when Joel, from The Last of Us, calls both Sarah and Ellie “baby girl” 🥹

Anyway, I hope you all like this sketch ❤️ I didn’t know which one to post, so I’m going to post both of the sketches

⛔️ Please do not edit and repost. Likes and reblogs are always appreciated ⛔️

My sketches:

Reference (photo by Kelly Sikkema):

[skincare-surveyor]

A-Z Cheaters Guide to Facial Oils

Image Credit: Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

I put together this quick guide with some basic information on single-source oils used in skincare. This is not a comprehensive list of all oils used in skincare, just a list of those commonly used as single-source oils. Some oils have more abundant information than others.

As a review, single-source facial oils are used to add moisture and restore skin's natural barrier. To use, you can add a few drops to your favorite moisturizer and mix in your hands prior to application or you can use oils on their own. Simply put a few drops in your palm to warm, then apply a thin layer to skin.

Some of these oils are quite common and can be found in your average grocery store. Others might only be available from specialty retailers, health food stores, and the like. Remember to check and make sure whatever you're buying is organic and has no additives.

CLICK BELOW FOR A-Z FACIAL OILS AND THEIR PROPERTIES.

Acai

Loaded with vitamins and antioxidants

Good for aging skin

Almond

High in Vitamin E, Zinc, proteins, and potassium

Lighter than olive oil and shea butter

Absorbs easily

Can cause allergic reaction

Soothes dry, irritated skin

Good for regenerating damaged skin cells

Good for dry, acne-prone, and sensitive skin

Apricot

High in Vitamin E and fatty acids

Absorbed easily

May help soften and calm irritated, itchy skin; good for acne prone skin

Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-aging, antiseptic, and antibacterial

Argan

Good for dry, dehydrated skin

High in Vitamin A and E, monounsaturated fatty acids

May help with the appearance of wrinkles, fading scars, skin texture, and treating acne

Doesn't clog pores

Avocado

High in oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid, and other essential and trace minerals

Good for dry, damaged skin

May increase sebum production

Not recommended for acne-prone skin

Can reduce pore size and remove impurities

Reverse signs of aging

Improve conditions like psoriasis and eczema

Carrot Seed

Antifungal, antibacterial, and anticancer qualities due to flavonoid content

Improves elasticity, tone, and overall appearance

Calms irritated skin; may help with eczema and psoriasis

Slows signs of aging

Castor

Strong purging and detoxing properties

May help with acne; increases cell turnover

Can be drying for some skin types due to ricinoleic acid content

Chia Seed

Works well for all skin types including oily and irritated skin; especially beneficial for sensitive, inflamed, dehydrated skin

Rich with omega-3s and -6s and antioxidants

Patients suffering from xerotic eczema who used a simple cream with 4% chia seed oil for eight weeks found significant relief

Decreases transepidermal water loss

Do not use if allergic to chia seeds

Coconut

Available in two forms: solid or liquid

Do not use refined coconut oil on skin

Absorbs easily

High in Vitamin E and K, fatty acids, and polyphenols

Antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties

Not good for those with acne

Stimulates collagen production

Evening Primrose

Good for aging skin

Promotes elasticity, anti-inflammatory, enhances skin's cellular structure

Helps lighten skin and reduce hyperpigmentation

May help with acne and balancing hormones when taken orally; often used in menopausal women

Grapeseed

High in Vitamin E, fatty acids

Antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory properties

Good for oily skin

Reduces redness

Helps heal acne scarring

Tones and tightens skin

Protects against sun damage

Reduces the appearance of wrinkles, stretch marks, and blemishes

Hemp Seed

Good for oily skin

Great for dry, itchy skin, psoriasis, and eczema

Tolerated by both oily and sensitive skin

Can help balance oil production

Reduces redness and inflammation caused by acne

Jojoba

Good for dry, dehydrated skin

Technically a wax, not an oil

Mimics skin's sebum (natural oils)

May help reduce oil-production in oily skin, basically by tricking it into thinking it's produced enough; can make a good acne treatment

Absorbed easily

Doesn't clog pores

Marula

Good for dry, dehydrated skin

High in antioxidants

Protects from environmental toxins

Reduces signs of aging and sun damage

Soothing for all skin types

Olive

Slightly heavier moisturizer

Typically doesn't trigger allergic reactions

Can cause/worsen atopic dermatitis for some

High in Vitamins A (natural retinoid), D, E, and K; fatty acids and plant sterols

Antioxidant-rich

Smooths skin texture

Reduces signs of aging, inflammation, and redness

Heals dry skin

Pumpkin Seed

Good for oily skin

Has DHT-blocking properties

Rich in zinc and selenium

Great for fighting acne-causing bacteria

Low chance of clogging pores

Increases firmness

Rosehip

High in Vitamin A (natural retinoid) and C, fatty acids, and other antioxidants

Recommended for sensitive skin, anti-aging

Possible use for eczema

Good for oily, dry, damaged, mature, and irritated skin

May help reverse the effects of sun damage

Improves skin texture

Helps with signs of aging, stretch marks, scars, and hyperpigmentation

Safflower

High in linoleic acid

Great at treating blackheads and other skin impurities

Sesame Seed

Promotes wound healing

Kills acne-causing bacteria

Has great antibacterial properties

Protects against sun damage

Helps skin texture and overall appearance

Allergen risk

Shea Oil/Butter

Available in two forms: solid or liquid

Excellent moisturizer; highly protective against rough skin during dry, cold months

Reduces inflammation; soothes distressed skin

Sunflower Seed

Absorbed easily

High in Vitamin E

Protects skin barrier

Antimicrobial properties

Doesn't cause/worsen atopic dermatitis

Good for irritated skin

Good for most skin types

Balances, moisturizes, and fights signs of aging

Squalane

Lightweight

Derived from sugarcane

Good for sensitive skin

Absorbs easily

Tamanu

Comes from a tree in the pine/evergreen family; strong, pine-like scent

Amazing healing properties

Great for acne spot treatment, healing and fading acne scars

Can be used to fade other types of scarring as well

Good for delicate skin

[spikewriter]

Your Sunday morning moment of zen. Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash.

[unwellpodcast]

We're heading into our final midseason break- this week, we'll have the first part of an interview with the Unwell team by the University of Pittsburgh's podcast Welcomed by Design!

Episode 7 will be back on July 7~

Photo by Kelly Sikkema

[holly-days]

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

[lecoindemariepier]

Grandir avec la console !

Depuis la démocratisation des jeux vidéo, les enfants québécois ont souvent une manette dans les mains avant même d’avoir commencé l’école ! Alors que les parents s’inquiètent des répercussions des jeux vidéo sur le cerveau, de plus en plus de professionnels reconnaissent leurs bienfaits sur le développement global des enfants.

Alors que la télévision est une activité passive, les jeux vidéo permettraient, au contraire, de développer plusieurs aptitudes intellectuelles. Une large étude, menée par l’Université du Vermont en 2022, a comparé les capacités cognitives de plus de 2000 enfants de 9 ou 10 ans. Il s’est avéré que les enfants jouant aux jeux vidéo « montraient davantage d’activités dans des zones du cerveau associées à l’attention et à la mémoire » que les enfants qui n’y jouaient pas (Agence France-Presse, 2022). Les jeunes joueurs développent donc leur mémoire de travail ainsi que leur capacité d’analyse, ce qui leur sera bénéfique tout au long de leur vie.

De plus, les jeux d’action enseignent aux enfants à résoudre des problèmes tout en faisant preuve de jugement et de logique. Les jeux éducatifs, quant à eux, consolident leurs apprentissages dans différentes matières, telles que les mathématiques, le français ou l’anglais. Ainsi, le milieu scolaire aurait tout intérêt à utiliser les jeux vidéo, qui sont d’excellents outils pédagogiques. Gabrielle Trépanier-Jobin, professeure à l’École des médias de l’UQAM, souligne que les grandes entreprises de jeux vidéo sont de plus en plus sensibles à la question de l’éducation et qu’elles ont même modifié certains de leurs jeux, dont « Minecraft [qui] a […] été décliné en version éducative pensée cette fois-ci particulièrement pour les enseignants » (Letarte, 2016).

Puisqu’ils encouragent la concentration et la persévérance, les jeux vidéo aident les enfants à rester motivés sur une longue p��riode. Ils leur permettent aussi de vivre des réussites, ce qui est excellent pour leur estime personnelle et leur santé mentale. Selon Naître et Grandir (2016), « ce type d’engagement peut se poursuivre en dehors du jeu, dans le sport et à l’école par exemple. » Fiers d’eux et motivés, les enfants apprennent tout en s’amusant. Alors, pourquoi les priverait-on de jouer ?

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

___________________________

Sources :

Agence France-Presse. (2022, 25 octobre). Les enfants adeptes de jeux vidéo ont de meilleurs résultats cognitifs, selon une étude. Radio-Canada. https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1927640/enfants-jeux-video-test-etude-cognitif

Letarte, M. (2018, 24 mars). Sous-estime-t-on les bénéfices des jeux vidéo ? Le Devoir. https://www.ledevoir.com/societe/523189/sous-estime-t-on-les-benefices-des-jeux-video

Naître et grandir. (2016, septembre). Les enfants et les jeux vidéo. https://naitreetgrandir.com/fr/etape/5-8-ans/jouer-bouger/enfants-jeux-video/#_Toc462301361

[autumnseaandsunshine]

And so it began... @autumnseaandsunshine © was born.

Image by Kelly Sikkema

[lavender-long-stories]

Special Delivery

Pairing: Lee x Hinata Rating: G Tags: Romance | One Shot | Fluff and Angst | Holiday | Happy Ending

Lee refuses to let someone have a sad face for Christmas.

𝙼𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙻𝚒𝚜𝚝 𝙻𝚒𝚗𝚔

Image by Kelly Sikkema