Saturday, December 31, 2022

My 2023 Makeup Collection & Inventory

I've been taking inventory of my makeup collection for the past couple of years - I really wanted to actually see how much makeup I own, but also to track if I'm using things up and how that counteracts the new product that I'm bringing in to my collection! 

I absolutely love looking at other people's makeup collection and thought I should combine a look at my collection while inventorying it all! I will say that my collection is spread out in a room (sorry guests, no room for you here - it's full of makeup) and it does help me use everything because I'm very visual, so I like to have it all displayed to remind myself to use everything! 

My 2023 Makeup Collection & Inventory
Some products were received as PR samples 

Primers = 4 (was 4) ~ I've been really great about not buying many products I don't need this past year or two, and honestly primers last forever! I think I finished one more and purchased one this year. This is a good amount in this category. 

Friday, December 30, 2022

Five on Friday - December 30, 2022 ~ Christmas, Gifts, December Month of Vegetarian/Pescatarian Meals, Declutter and End of the Year Plans

Happy Friday everyone - hope you all had a great week! I've been super productive this week as I had a few days alone, so I cleaned and decluttered my whole house and it feels so good to go in to the New Year totally refreshed! 

ONE 

Some things shown in this post are gifts, everything else I purchased myself

I hope you all had an amazing holiday - we had a fantastic Christmas! We spent Christmas Eve at my inlaws house with the family and it was a blast. We do a little white elephant gift exchange and had a great time and the kids do a little exchange, so always fun. Christmas morning with the boys was amazing and then we did dinner at my Moms house! 

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Monthly Reading Wrap-up ~ December 2022 + End of the Year Book Freakout Tag

This year I thought I would share a little more of all my books and I thought the best way to do that would be if I wrapped up my reads of each month, so I can share mini reviews on all the books I've gone through! 

It could be a big range from 2 to 10 books depending on how much I read, but I figure I can share a little synopsis and quick thoughts on each book. I will still be doing more in depth reviews on books that really capture me! 

Monthly Reading Wrap-up ~ December 2022
I purchased everything in this post - this post contains affiliate links

So, in December I read 9 books - a mix of genres from young adult sci-fi to adult romance. I love most genres, and I really want to keep my reads diversified this year - I think I have been doing a great job of that so far! Also, I've been trying to read a mix of old and new books, which I've done a good job at so far all year, but this month has been mostly new reads trying to catch up on books I wanted to get in this year. I read 7 audio books, and 2 physical book (with no e-books this month!)

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Monthly Beauty Favourites - December 2022

Here's a look at the things I was loving this past month:

Monthly Beauty Favourites - December 2022
The concealer was received as a PR sample

I used to always have pick 5 products each month for my Monthly Favourites, but that is one thing I'm changing this year - whatever I'm loving, I will share whether it's 2 or 10 products!

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Manicure Tuesday - Sparkly New Years Nails

Happy Manicure Tuesday everyone - I hope you all had an amazing holiday! I'm looking forward to the week off of work this week!

Manicure Tuesday - Sparkly New Years Nails
The OPI polish was received as a PR sample

I know I'm coming with these a little bit late, but of course, Christmas has our timelines all messed up - we are in the twilight zone between Christmas and New Years, so who really knows what day it is anyways?!  

Friday, December 23, 2022

Five on Friday - December 23, 2022 ~ Family Christmas Card, Christmas Cats, Smash and Tess Order, Crazy Weather Week, and Too Hot To Handle Season 4

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you all had a great week! 

ONE 

I purchased everything in this post

I'm so excited that it is Christmas weekend - I love the holidays, and even though it's been a crazy week leading up to the holidays, I can't wait for the holidays! I truly hope you all have an amazing Christmas or holiday! xoxo 

Tuesday, December 20, 2022

Manicure Tuesday - FaLaLa Nails

Happy Manicure Tuesday - I'm a little late with my nails this week, it was a bit of a crazy weekend, so I'm just getting to my nails now! 

I purchased these products

I can't believe we are less than a week away from Christmas and I'm so excited! Scratch always make the cutest nail wraps, and they are so perfect for when I need a quick, easy manicure! 

Sunday, December 18, 2022

Five on Sunday - December 18, 2022 ~ Christmas Books on my TBR, Yoga Jeans Order, Joe Fresh Order, Book Light and Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio

Happy Sunday everyone (I'm really late this weekend - we had a Christmas party on Friday, so I was a bit of a write-off yesterday and I'm finally getting caught up!) 

ONE 

I purchased everything in this post - this post contains affiliate links

Can you believe we are one week away from Christmas?! I hope everyone is all ready to go - I got my final touches done yesterday so I'm ready to go! I love to pick up a few holiday themed books for the holidays, so I'm sharing a few books on my TBR that are Christmas themed! 

Thursday, December 15, 2022

Beauty Gifts Sets - Stocking Stuffers for Beauty Lovers

I've been keeping the holiday posts to a minimum, I mean things are crazy out there right now and I think everyone is trying to keep things reasonable, so I'm trying not to go crazy with spending on unnecessary items. 

Beauty Gifts Sets - Stocking Stuffers for Beauty Lovers
I purchased all of these on my own - this post contains affiliate links

So, there were a few beauty sets that caught my eye and I do love holiday set time because I love minis and chances to try multiple products from brands at a lower price or bundled price! 

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Xo Treatment Room Skincare - New Makeup Products

I'm so excited for this post - if you guys have been around for the past year or two, then you know I've fallen in love with local Calgary skincare brand, XO Facecare created by XO Treatment Room owner, and skincare genius, Annie. Annie truly is a chemist and actual product formulation extraordinaire - the XO Facecare Vitamin C serum and the Intergalactic Lactic Acid night are truly game-changing in my routine.  

Xo Treatment Room Skincare - New Makeup Products
These products were received as PR samples

So, following Annie and knowing that she was starting to formulate makeup I was so excited - these are staying to her roots and are a skincare focused makeup line. These are products that are meant to be used minimally and just to enhance our skin and still be good for our skin while we are wearing them. 

Monday, December 12, 2022

Manicure Monday - Christmas Candy Cane Nails

Happy Manicure Monday - I hope you all have a great weekend! 

Manicure Monday - Christmas Candy Cane Nails
I purchased these products

I'm loving that the holiday festivities are in full swing now - we've had some kid's parties and a Girls Christmas Brunch with this past weekend! I'm always the most inspired by the holidays and I'm so excited for Christmas, so I'm really hoping to get lots of nail art in this year!

Sunday, December 11, 2022

Monthly Beauty and Book Haul ~ November 2022

I'm switching up my Monthly Haul posts a little bit this year, because I'm actually *trying* to stick to a bit of a budget! I've been going a little crazy on the beauty and books front, so I just want to be a little more thoughtful in my purchases. So. I'm trying to keep my beauty and book purchases to $200 a month - we'll see! 

I do always love my Monthly Haul posts - it's a good way to keep track of everything that I picked up each month. I don't always blog about everything I pick up (I try to), but if you ever spot anything in here that you really want me to talk about, let me know! 


Shoppers Finds ~ $0.00 CAN. Okay, I love using my PC Optimum points at Shoppers - I had to pick up some gifts, medicine and a few other things, so I used all my points to get these for free. I'm excited to try the ELF Putty Bronzer and I love picking up these Benefit brow holiday sets - they do always have a great value! 

Saturday, December 10, 2022

Five on Saturday - December 10, 2022 ~ Legends and Lattes Book Review, Kids Christmas Party, Ricki's and Ten Tree Order, and Blurb Photobook

Happy Saturday everyone - I hope you all had a good week! It's getting so busy before the holidays, so I'm tired and glad it's the weekend! 

ONE 

I purchased everything in this post - this post contains affiliate links

Okay you guys, the genre of cozy fantasy has swept me off my feet this year - I'm loving sharing my book reviews here, and I'm always excited when I get to talk about that I went in to unsure if I was going to love it or not. My newest 4.5/5 Star read is Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree - this is an adult cozy fantasy novel. (Cozy fantasy is more about characters, settings and the overall feel-good vibes a book delivers). 

Thursday, December 8, 2022

Lush Kitchen Subscription Box ~ December 2022

The Lush Kitchen Subscription box is a monthly subscription box full of exclusive Lush Kitchen goodies made exclusively for the box - every month subscribers vote on the monthly menu of products that they would or would not like to see in the box, so you can help pick what is included in the box! Also, all of the products included in each box will be vegan. 

Each month the Lush Kitchen Subscription is $49.95 CAN box is  per month + shipping (shipping to Alberta is $6.00 CAN and likely varies province to province). The subscription will come with 4-5 exclusive products and I think it will include a variety of products that Lush makes; but, will of course be mostly bath and body products.

Lush Kitchen Subscription Box ~ December 2022
I purchased this box

Each month you pay and vote for products that are coming in the following month's box - so for this December's box, you had until November 5 to vote on the products you'd like to see and then payment comes out on the 6th of the previous month. Then, Lush spends the month making the products and ships it out at the end of November so you receive it in December! 

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Monthly Beauty Favourites - November 2022

Here's a look at the things I was loving this past month:

Monthly Beauty Favourites - November 2022
The Skoah was received as part of the Ambassador program - this post contains affiliate links

I used to always have pick 5 products each month for my Monthly Favourites, but that is one thing I'm changing this year - whatever I'm loving, I will share whether it's 2 or 10 products!

Monday, December 5, 2022

Manicure Monday - Gingerbread Nails

Happy Manicure Monday - I hope you all had a great weekend! I'm ready for the first Monday in December and I can't wait for a month of Christmas nails! 

Manicure Monday - Gingerbread Nails
I purchased everything in this post - this post contains affiliate links

I feel like this hasn't been my best year for nail art - I always need time and I feel like that's something that's been in short supply this year. But, I'm always the most inspired by the holidays and I'm so excited for Christmas, so I'm really hoping to get lots of nail art in this year! 

Sunday, December 4, 2022

Monthly Reading Wrap-up ~ November 2022

This year I thought I would share a little more of all my books and I thought the best way to do that would be if I wrapped up my reads of each month, so I can share mini reviews on all the books I've gone through! 

It could be a big range from 2 to 10 books depending on how much I read, but I figure I can share a little synopsis and quick thoughts on each book. I will still be doing more in depth reviews on books that really capture me! 

I purchased everything in this post - this post contains affiliate links

So, in November I read 8 books - a mix of genres from young adult fantasy to adult historical fiction. I love most genres, and I really want to keep my reads diversified this year - I think I have been doing a great job of that so far! Also, I've been trying to read a mix of old and new books, which I've done a good job at so far this year (but this month and probably next month will be mostly new books). I read 6 audio books, and 2 physical book (with no e-books this month!)

Saturday, December 3, 2022

Five on Saturday - December 3, 2022 ~ Nutcracker Immersive YYC, Decorating for Christmas, November Vegetarian/Pescatarian Meals, Pantone 2023 Colour of the Year Viva Magenta, and Reaching 100 Books Read This Year!

I hope you all had a good week - mine was pretty good, we had a busy weekend last weekend, but I'm so excited it's finally December and we are getting closer to Christmas! 

ONE 
I did receive free admission to the PR event, everything else in this post I purchased
I had so much fun yesterday morning at the opening of the Nutcracker Immersive show in Calgary - I took the family and it was really cool! Both boys loved the show and the big screens were really great! Was a cute take on the show (I really wanted to see the Sugar Plum Fairy, but the kids liked the focus on the battle with the Rat King). Great introduction to the Nutcracker for those that aren't ready for the ballet!

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Family Advent Calendars ~ Yawn Brew Hot Chocolate, 24 Days of Celebration Wine, Craft BeerAdvent Calendar, and D.I.Y. Books

Tomorrow is December 1 and I absolutely love advent calendars - I'm ready to countdown to Christmas! I really like to try new ones every year and we've tried it all - beer, chocolate, tea, books, lego, you name it (although, this year I actually got myself the same one as last year!) 

I purchased all the advent calendars on my own

Usually I try a new calendar every single year, but since I'm clearly packed full of beauty products (and teas, and candles and nails and things), so I went with another consumable calendar this year! Also, my teenager loves the hot chocolate one, so we've ordered from this brand for the past 3 years! 

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Manicure Tuesday - Dark Green Squiggle Nails

Happy Manicure Monday everyone! (It's Tuesday now, it was Monday when I started this, but alas, I find the weekends leading up to the holidays always busy and I never have enough time to get everything done!)

Manicure Tuesday - Dark Green Squiggle Nails
I purchased everything in this post

Nail wraps are clearly my go-to when I need something quick and easy! This set comes with squiggles (is there a more technical term for this?!) and dots so it's perfect - I love the black and white accents together. 

Saturday, November 26, 2022

Five on Saturday - November 26, 2022 ~ Calgary Ultimate Santa, Disney on Ice, Wednesday, The Santa Clauses, and Steven Rhodes Let's Call The Exorcist Game

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you all had a good week - I'm getting this in a little bit late (what else is new lately, it's such a busy time of year!)

ONE 

I purchased everything in this post

Okay, certainly one of our highlights from last weekend was meeting Santa - Elliott had an amazing time (so did Damian of course!) He was so excited to meet and talk to Santa and we went to The Calgary Ultimate Santa (we've been doing this for the past few years and our experience is always amazing!) They personalize the meeting, give you 15 minutes all together, there is stories - it's always so great! 

Thursday, November 24, 2022

New Drugstore Products - ELF Camo CC Cream, Maybelline Superstay Vinyl Ink and Jason Wu Eyeshadow

I've been really loving what's coming out of the drugstore lately and honestly, I've found myself shopping there more and more lately (I mean, if something affordable is just as good as high end, why not?!)

New Drugstore Products - ELF Camo CC Cream, Maybelline Superstay Vinyl Ink and Jason Wu Eyeshadow
I purchased everything in this post - this post contains affiliate links

So, I've picked up a few things that have been raved about lately (and just a few that caught my eye and looked newer!) - I'm really excited about trying these all out! 

Monday, November 21, 2022

Manicure Monday - Chocolate Glaze Nails

Happy Manicure Monday everyone - I hope you all had a good weekend! 

Manicure Monday - Chocolate Glaze Nails
I purchased these polishes - this post contains affiliate links

This month's #CBBxManiMonday theme is Vampy November - we are going with pretty, deep and dark shades! So, I've seen some really nice dark brown nails lately and I wanted to give it a shot too. 

Sunday, November 20, 2022

Winter 2022 - The Jilly Box Subscription Unboxing

I'm a big fan of Jillian Harris, so when she announced that she was starting a subscription box, I was so excited! The box started with the Winter 2019 box and sadly, I was not one of the lucky originals who won a subscription spot, so I sign up every season and hope to get picked for a lottery spot! 

Winter 2022 - The Jilly Box Subscription Unboxing
I purchased this box on my own

The Jilly Box is a quarterly seasonal subscription box - the products within the box include some of Jillian’s (and Team Jilly’s!) favourite items (and brands) from home decor, fashion, bath and beauty, health and wellness, accessories perfect for each season. Some of the items included will be custom designed exclusively for the Jilly Box. The Jilly Box really focuses on including products from small, local businesses while being ethically sourced and inclusive. They also focus on reducing plastic waste and packaging - the big boxes can be turned inside out and reused! Also, they try to include Canadian, woman owned brands, as well as Bipoc and LGBTQ owned brands as well. 

Saturday, November 19, 2022

Five on Saturday - November 19, 2022 ~ The Phantomwise Tarot Deck, Science Centre Goodnight Moon Exhibit, Jillian Harris Canvas Canadian Tire Collection, Lumify Drops, and Little Passports

Happy Saturday everyone - I'm getting this up late, but it's been a busy week here!! 

ONE 

I purchased everything in this post - this post contains affiliate links

Okay, I have been waiting for months for this release. When The Night Circus was released, the author gave away a very limited number of tarot decks with it, and people have been begging Erin Morgenstern for years, and she's finally answered our prayers! 

Thursday, November 17, 2022

Shop My Stash - Wedding Guest Makeup That Lasts All Night And Day!

I was soo happy this year to get back in to attending weddings! So, I thought I'd shared my go-to Shop My Stash look for a wedding I attended - these products are all tried and true for a long wearing makeup look (and I got a ton of comments, so I think it turned out well!)

Shop My Stash - Wedding Guest Makeup That Lasts All Night And Day!
The primer was received as a PR sample - this post contains affiliate links

One of my goals this years was to do more Shop My Stash makeup posts, but unfortunately, I only got a few posts up this year. So hopefully, now or next year I can get back in to it again -  I love playing with makeup! 

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Skoah Illuminate Serum - Review and Thoughts

I love all the Skoah products that I've tried, so naturally when they asked me to be an Ambassador, it was a happy yes to review and share more of their products! (I just want to be up front about this; however, this will never impact my reviews and thoughts!)

Skoah Illuminate Serum - Review and Thoughts
This product was received as part of the ambassador program - this post contains affiliate links

Skoah Illuminate Serum ~ $110.00 CAN. Sun damage? Acne scarring? Melasma? This serum provides a 1-2 punch for brightening the skin and reducing of hyperpigmentation from sun damage, acne scarring, melasma or aging.

I was so excited when I saw Skoah releasing an illuminating serum - they came out with a Niacinamide serum last year that's great for brightening, targeting acne and just overall skin wellness, but this new serum combines niacinamide with a bunch of other amazing ingredients to really reduce redness and brighten the skin (just what we all need in the dull, dry Winter season!)

Monday, November 14, 2022

Manicure Monday - Dark Blue Fall Nails

Happy Manicure Monday - I hope you all had a great weekend! Ours was good - a little science centre and sushi lunch action! 

Manicure Monday - Dark Blue Fall Nails
The OPI polish was received as a PR sample

For November, the #CBBxManicureMonday group is doing a vampy nail theme - we are going for all dark and deep nails, so I decided to do a dark blue plaid theme for this week! 

Thursday, November 10, 2022

Five on Thursday - November 10, 2022 ~ My 36th Birthday, Birthday Tart Cookie Cake, Birthday Goodies, The Ballad of Never After Book Review, and Love is Blind Season 3

Happy Thursday everyone - getting this up before the long weekend, because tomorrow is Remembrance Day so it's not really a celebratory day! 

ONE 

Some gifts shown - this post contains affiliate links

I turned 36 this week and I certainly had some thoughts about being anxious about being closer to 30 than 40 and I was getting all in my head about it. I know age is just a number and just trying to put in perspective about everything I've accomplished and how good everything is going right now for me. I appreciated all the comments about everyone who felt the same way, and I'm really looking forward to the next year! 

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Manicure Tuesday - Fall Minimalist Nails

Happy Manicure Tuesday! I hope you all had a great weekend - I'm coming in a day late because yesterday was my birthday, so I had a nice relaxing weekend! 

The BioSculpture polish was received as a PR sample

If I haven't said it yet, can you believe it's already November?! And it's coming in like a totally crazy month - we've already had two 25 cm snowfall warning days and she's cold, so Winter is here, even if it's not official yet! 

Sunday, November 6, 2022

Monthly Beauty and Book Haul ~ October 2022

I'm switching up my Monthly Haul posts a little bit this year, because I'm actually *trying* to stick to a bit of a budget! I've been going a little crazy on the beauty and books front, so I just want to be a little more thoughtful in my purchases. So. I'm trying to keep my beauty and book purchases to $200 a month - we'll see! 

I do always love my Monthly Haul posts - it's a good way to keep track of everything that I picked up each month. I don't always blog about everything I pick up (I try to), but if you ever spot anything in here that you really want me to talk about, let me know! 

I purchased everything in this post

Pumpkin Spice Palette ~ $12.45 CAN. I picked this up from Shopper's Drug Mart - it was originally $72.45, but I used $60 worth of my Optimum points so I got it for such a good price! I haven't picked up a Too Faced palette in a long time, but I did like this colour story and I'm enjoying the palette so far - a review is forth-coming! 

Saturday, November 5, 2022

Five on Saturday - November 5, 2022 ~ Mario Family Halloween Costumes, Halloween Baking, October Vegetarian/Pescatarian Meals, 12 Year Work Award, and Monthly Declutter

Happy Saturday everyone - this is coming in a day late, since I shared my book reviews yesterday! 

ONE 

I purchased everything in this post - this post contains affiliate links

We take our Halloween pretty seriously, so I was really excited when Elliott said he wanted to be Luigi this year - I've been wanting to be Princess Peach for years, so it's finally time! How cute did all our costumes turn out?! When we were trick-or-treating, E said it was the best night of his life! Plus, we had a party and it was a blast! 

Friday, November 4, 2022

Monthly Reading Wrap-up ~ October 2022

This year I thought I would share a little more of all my books and I thought the best way to do that would be if I wrapped up my reads of each month, so I can share mini reviews on all the books I've gone through! 

It could be a big range from 2 to 10 books depending on how much I read, but I figure I can share a little synopsis and quick thoughts on each book. I will still be doing more in depth reviews on books that really capture me! 

Scratching River was received as a review copy - this post contains affiliate links

So, in October I read 8 books - a mix of genres from memoirs to young adult horror. I love most genres, and I really want to keep my reads diversified this year - I think I have been doing a great job of that so far! Also, I've been trying to read a mix of old and new books, which I've done a good job at so far this year. I read 7 audio books, and 1 physical book (with no e-books this month!)

Thursday, November 3, 2022

October 2022 - Monthly Favourites

Here's a look at what I was loving in October:

October 2022 - Monthly Favourites
I purchased everything in this post - this post contains affiliate links

I used to always have pick 5 products each month for my Monthly Favourites, but that is one thing I'm changing this year - whatever I'm loving, I will share whether it's 2 or 10 products!

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Quarterly Beauty Empties ~ July - September 2022

Monthly Empties posts were getting a little overwhelming - they were a lot to write and keep notes about. I've decided to still talk about empties, but only makeup products and skincare products (no more body, hair, nail or personal care products!) It was just getting too much, but I still want to share my thoughts on products I've used up! 

Some products may have been received as PR samples - this post contains affiliate links

Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray ~ $43.00 CAN (travel size shown here). An award-winning lightweight setting and finishing spray that keeps makeup fresh, smudge-proof, and transfer resistant for up to 16 hours.

I needed a travel size setting spray for my trip to Italy previously this year. This one was perfect for locking everything in crazy humid weather - I knew this one would be perfect and I wasn't wrong! This did make my favourites in May 2022 and it's one of the best setting sprays ever! 
Repurchase: Already have! 

Tuesday, November 1, 2022

Manicure Tuesday - Holo Taco Wicked Sister Duo ~ Favourite Sister & Double Dare polishes

Happy Manicure Tuesday - I'm a day late, but I had to share my Halloween makeup look yesterday, so today's the day! 

Manicure Tuesday - Holo Taco Wicked Sister Duo ~ Favourite Sister & Double Dare polishes
I purchased everything in this post

I love Holo Taco polishes, so I'm always staying up to date with their releases - when they came out with this little duo for the season, I couldn't resist this set (along with the Glow in the Dark polish that I used last week) as the shades were so pretty! 

Monday, October 31, 2022

Halloween Makeup - Princess Peach Look (Shop My Stash)

 Happy Halloween everyone! If you guys have been around for a few years, you know we take our Halloweens pretty seriously (or at least - I take my Halloween pretty seriously and everyone else in the house puts up with it!)

Halloween Makeup - Princess Peach Look (Shop My Stash)
I purchased everything in this post - this post contains affiliate links

I do try and plan my costumes around what my kids want to be and when Elliott said that he wanted to be Luigi, I knew my dreams of Princess Peach were finally answered! 

Friday, October 28, 2022

Five on Friday - October 28, 2022 ~ September & October Scratch Monthly Mani Kit, Joe Fresh x Jillian Harris Collab, Smash & Tess Dresses, Thrifting Finds, and October 2022 Little Passports Subscriptions

Happy Friday everyone, I hope you all had a great week! Mine was pretty normal - we are dealing with a little cold running through the house, but nothing too crazy here!

ONE 

I purchased everything in this post

I just got my September and October 2022 Scratch Monthly Mani Kita and as always, they are super cute. This is an easy, affordable subscription that features nail wraps from GoScrachIt that are exclusive to the kit each month and designed  by NinaNailedIt

Thursday, October 27, 2022

Nabla Product Reviews - Skin Glazing Highlighter and Vicious Mascara

I've shared a little bit about Nabla before; but, it's a harder to get brand in Canada, so I'm slow to try their products! 

Nabla Product Reviews - Skin Glazing Highlighter and Vicious Mascara
I purchased these products - this post contains affiliate links

We can get it off of Beauty Bay and those in the US can get it at Ulta, so it is becoming a little more available! 

Monday, October 24, 2022

Manicure Monday - Glow in The Dark Halloween Nails

Happy Mani Monday - I'm sooo excited for today's nails! I placed a Holo Taco order just for this glow-in-the-dark polish and I'm amazed at how well it works! 

Manicure Monday - Glow in The Dark Halloween Nails
I purchased everything in this post

How amazing does this polish look?! I'm so impressed! It's the focus of the manicure for sure, but I also wanted to keep the Halloween theme up and include all the dark, black Halloween animals as well! 

Saturday, October 22, 2022

Five on Saturday - October 22, 2022 ~ New Clothes - RBA Halloween Crew Neck & Lost in Layers Haul, Calgary Farmyard Visit, Food Prep Day and T. Swift Midnights Album

 Happy Saturday everyone - I'm a day late here, and it's snowing and cold in Calgary now! I do have a quiet weekend planned and the house to myself all day, so I'm looking forward to it! 

ONE 

I purchased everything in this post - this post contains affiliate links

I've picked up some new clothes lately and I thought I'd share here! How friggin' cute is this sweatshirt?! It's the RBA Scream Face crew neck sweatshirt - it's perfect for the spooky season, but I will wear it all the time!! 

Thursday, October 20, 2022

ELF Cosmetics - Huge Swatch & Thoughts Post ~ Primer Infused Bronzer, Hydrating Camo Concealer, Bite Size Duos, Monochromatic Multi-sticks and More!

ELF Cosmetics recently had a big sale and I've been really impressed with a lot of the products that I've been trying, so I was so excited to try some more products from them at a great price! 

ELF Cosmetics - Huge Swatch & Thoughts Post ~ Primer Infused Bronzer, Hydrating Camo Concealer, Bite Size Duos, Monochromatic Multi-sticks and More!
I purchased everything in this post - this post contains affiliate links

I picked up quite a few older products so I could familiarize myself with a range of their products - I couldn't do a blog post on everything individually, so instead I just want to share swatches and some initial thoughts in case you're considering picking up some of these products! 

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Purrfect Fall Lipstick Shade - Catiss Black Cat Moisturizing & Matte Lipstick in Roasted Pumpkin Orange

Okay, it's really feeling like Fall now - the crisp morning air, it's getting darker in the morning and it's time for a perfectly cute lipstick shade for the season! 

Purrfect Fall Lipstick Shade - Catiss Black Cat Moisturizing & Matte Lipstick in Roasted Pumpkin Orange
I purchased this lipstick in a surprise box

This came in my BellBees Mystery Box and I was pretty excited - BellBees is a Canadian retailer that focuses on delivering a "bespoke shopping experience like no other" - the online boutique carries a curated collection of premium skin care and cosmetics and they are the only Canadian retailer for Holy Snails and Love, Jude. 

Monday, October 17, 2022

Manicure Monday - Frankenstein Stitched Nails

Happy Monday everyone! Hope you all had a great weekend - also, finally a weekend that I was home so I am able to actually get my nails painted and posted in time for Monday! 

Manicure Monday - Frankenstein Stitched Nails
I purchased everything in this post - this post contains affiliate links

I sadly broke a nail super short last week and was so sad when I had to cut off all my nails, I wasn't sure if I could do any Halloween nail art on short nails; but, I saw this easy Frankenstein stitched nail look and I knew they would be perfect on short nails! 

Saturday, October 15, 2022

Lush Kitchen Subscription Box ~ October 2022 (First Box from North America Lush)

I'm so excited - the Lush Kitchen Subscription is finally in North America through Lush Canada and US. The Lush Kitchen Subscription box is a monthly subscription box full of exclusive Lush Kitchen goodies made exclusively for the box - every month subscribers vote on the monthly menu of products that they would or would not like to see in the box, so you can help pick what is included in the box! Also, all of the products included in each box will be vegan. 

Each month the Lush Kitchen Subscription is $49.95 CAN box is  per month + shipping (shipping to Alberta is $6.00 CAN and likely varies province to province). The subscription will come with 4-5 exclusive products and I think it will include a variety of products that Lush makes; but, will of course be mostly bath and body products.

Lush Kitchen Subscription Box ~ October 2022 (First Box from North America Lush)
I purchased this box

Each month you pay and vote for products that are coming in the following month's box - so for this October's box, you had until September 5 to vote on the products you'd like to see and then payment comes out on the 6th of the previous month. Then, Lush spends the month making the products and ships it out at the end of September so receive it in October! 

Friday, October 14, 2022

Five on Friday - October 14, 2022 ~ Thanksgiving Weekend at the Cabin, Salmon Spawning in the Columbia River, Time to Read My Favourite Book - The Night Circus, Herb Planter, and a Mini Shopping Haul

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you all had a good week - it's been a busy week here (anyone find that's always the way it works with short work weeks?!)

I purchased everything in this post

We spent last weekend at the cabin in Fairmont, B.C. for Thanksgiving with the family - I haven't been out in October before but it is absolutely beautiful! We enjoyed the beautiful weather, spent a day in Invermere and spent the nights bundled up looking at the stars. Perfect family weekend! 

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Manicure Tuesday - Scratch Hocus Pocus Nail Wraps

Happy Manicure Tuesday - I'm coming in a day late (again), after getting home late from a weekend away (again!) I don't want to sound ungrateful, but I'm a little tired and needed another easy mani this week! 

Manicure Tuesday - Scratch Hocus Pocus Nail Wraps
I purchased these wraps on my own 

Certainly not the first time I've shared, but Scratch Nail wraps are my absolute go-to when I need a quick, perfect easy manicure! These are so quick and easy to use, so they are perfect for what I needed! 

Sunday, October 9, 2022

Monthly Beauty and Book Haul ~ September 2022

I'm switching up my Monthly Haul posts a little bit this year, because I'm actually *trying* to stick to a bit of a budget! I've been going a little crazy on the beauty and books front, so I just want to be a little more thoughtful in my purchases. So. I'm trying to keep my beauty and book purchases to $200 a month - we'll see! 

I do always love my Monthly Haul posts - it's a good way to keep track of everything that I picked up each month. I don't always blog about everything I pick up (I try to), but if you ever spot anything in here that you really want me to talk about, let me know! 

I purchased everything in this post

Indigo Preorder ~ $18.56 CAN. I read the first in this series last year and it's fun - they are whimsical YA fantasy in a world I like and I enjoyed the characters in the first book. The Ballad of Never After is book 2, and how stunning is this hardcover?! 

Friday, October 7, 2022

Five on Friday - October 7, 2022 ~ Edmonton Trip - Raptor's Game and Little Ray's, A Month of Vegetarian Meals, Shopping Finds and New TV Shows and Movies (Hocus Pocus 2, Andor)

Happy Friday everyone! Hope you all had a great week - it's been a little crazy getting home from Edmonton late on Sunday night and we are heading out to the cabin again this evening for the weekend! 

ONE 

Everything shown was purchased by me

We had an amazing weekend in Edmonton - we surprised the boys with tickets to the Raptors game and it was amazing! I've never seen live NBA before and it was so great - the game was exciting and dynamic. The boys all enjoyed the game as well! We spent the day before at the waterpark and stayed in the Space room at the Galaxyland Hotel. 

Thursday, October 6, 2022

Monthly Reading Wrap-up ~ September 2022

This year I thought I would share a little more of all my books and I thought the best way to do that would be if I wrapped up my reads of each month, so I can share mini reviews on all the books I've gone through! 

It could be a big range from 2 to 10 books depending on how much I read, but I figure I can share a little synopsis and quick thoughts on each book. I will still be doing more in depth reviews on books that really capture me! 

Monthly Reading Wrap-up ~ September 2022
I purchased all these books - this posts contains affiliate links 

So, in September I read 10 books - a mix of genres from middle grade memoir to adult thrillers. I love most genres, and I really want to keep my reads diversified this year - I think I have been doing a great job of that so far! Also, I've been trying to read a mix of old and new books, which I've done a good job at so far this year. I read 5 audio books, and 5 physical books (with no e-books this month!)