Manicure Tuesday - Shimmery Pink Flaky Nails

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

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Did these bright pink shiny nails catch your attention?! Good they should - this month's Mani Monday theme is activism and while I planned somewhat to focus on Pride and Indigenous issues (given that it's pride and Indigenous history month), however the U.S. and their landmark decision to overturn a 50 year old law, is crazy enough that we need to talk about women's rights and health access. 

Five on Saturday - June 25, 2022 ~ Meeting Kaitlyn Bristowe, Book Lovers Review, Tâpwê And The Magic Hat Book, Father's Day at Calaway Park, and Rea's Italian Cucina

Happy Friday everyone! Hope you all had a great week! 

ONE 

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Oooh I was so excited to hear that Kaitlyn Bristowe was coming to Calgary for a Spade & Sparrows event - I loved her on the Bachelor/Bachelorette, she is hilarious on her podcast, and the wine is delicious! So naturally, I managed to line up after work and get a few bottles of wine signed - she was so sweet and the team was great! 

New Yves Saint Laurent Nu Lip & Cheek Balmy Tint in Nu Pinch - Swatches and Review

Okay, who am I getting two new product reviews up in just as many days?! Ya, pretty with it beauty blogger over here - I'm being sarcastic over here, as I usually take forevvvver now to review new products; but, I really spotted this earlier this month, bought it early and tried it multiple times right away! 

I purchased this product on my own - this post contains affiliate links

I haven't really seen this "Nu" line from YSL; but, I was excited - it is a high end designer brand and when I saw this on the Sephora app, it's reasonably priced for the brand! (I checked it out and it looks like is was released last year influenced by the eco-conscious gen Z and featuring botanical ingredients (sourced from YSL Beauty’s Ourika Comunity Gardens in Morocco) as well as packaging made from recycled materials and printed with vegetable inks. The range was designed to offer “unapologetic” natural coverage, allowing “real skin” to show through! 

New JVN Complete Conditioning Mist

Alright, you might know by now that I am a big JVN fan (I did a little gush when I reviewed some of their shampoo and conditioner line back in March) - I think a haircare line is fantastic for them and I'm so excited to see what else they will come out with! 

I received this in exchange for an honest review - this post contains affiliate links

So, when I was invited to be a part of the JVN Beauty Community, and receive products in exchange for an honest review, I was pretty excited! And, when I found out their newest product launch was going to be a leave-in conditioning mist, I was super excited! (I was in need of a new one as I was running low on one I wasn't loving but needed a new one). 

Manicure Monday - Indigenous History Month Awareness Nails

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend! Now, the whole month of June in Canada is Indigenous History Month and tomorrow, June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. As we are using our June nail theme as activism, I thought I would bring some attention and awareness to the ongoing devastation of discovering unmarked graves at residential schools across Canada.

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We were all horrified last year to hear about 215 unmarked graves discovered at a residential school site in Kamloops, B.C. and then another 104 closely after in Brandon, Manitoba. But, would you be shocked to hear that since then over 1000 more unmarked graves have been located, with 190 being discovered earlier this month?! Has the media decided to stop covering, do we only care when we initially hear about it and then never follow up? I feel like I'm fairly well informed and this information surprised me - it's a lesson that we can do better, we should do better and we can seek out the information on our own. 

Five on Saturday - June 18, 2022 ~ May Scratch Monthly Mani Kit, Clothing Auction Finds, May & June Little Passports Subscriptions, Obi-Wan Kenobi Show, and Garage Sale Prep

Happy Saturday everyone! I hope you all had a great week - mine was busy and I had a lot of driving for work and it's been a little crazy! 

ONE 

I just got my May 2022 Scratch Monthly Mani Kit and as always, they are super cute - I always love their floral prints, they are my go-to! This is an easy, affordable subscription that features nail wraps from GoScrachIt that are exclusive to the kit each month and designed  by NinaNailedIt! 

Beauty Products I Packed For A 2-Week Backpacking Vacation In Italy (Only Carry-on Luggage) + What I Actually Used!

I just got back from a two week trip to Italy, and I had to pack for that long with only a backpack and no checked bags. (Totally crazy for me, no lighter way to put it!)

The Cheekbone product was received as a PR sample - this post contains affiliate links

If you know me, I'm a little high maintenance and the idea of packing all my beauty products and liquids in a carry-on only was totally overwhelming and honestly, I squeaked everything I needed in and just barely closed the bag! 

Manicure Monday - Pride Rainbow Dotted Nails

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

The OPI polishes were received as PR samples

This month the #CBBxManiMonday group is switching it up a little bit this month and the theme is Allyship - June is both Pride Month and Indigenous History Month. Each week we will be sharing manis based on our allyship with these causes and sharing resources to help draw attention to, informative information or agencies in our areas that are assisting people. 

Monthly Beauty & Book Haul ~ May 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! 

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Monthly Reading Wrap-up - May 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! 

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

So, in May I read 8 books - a mix of genres from adult romance to young adult fantasy books. 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 yet, but this month was mainly newer books. I read these a 50/50 split of audio and physical books. 

Five on Friday - June 10, 2022 ~ Italy Trip, Italy Shopping, May Declutter, Game Night Movie, and Thoughts on Beauty Brands (Haus Labs and Keys Soulcare)

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you all had a good week - it's been a whirlwind here! I got back from my trip on Saturday night and have been playing catch up on my sleep all week! Also, at almost 2.5 years in to the pandemic, work has removed the mask mandate (I know it's a bit of touchy subject), but it has me a little excited to start wearing all my makeup again!! 

ONE

 

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I hope you all were following along on my instagram the past couple of weeks, because then you would know that I've been in Italy - we went to Rome, a couple of small towns Fossacesia and Alberobello, Positano on the Amalfi Coast and Naples! It was such an amazing trip and I'm so thankful that after two years of cancelling the trip we were finally able to go! I've never been to Europe before, so it was pretty fantastic! I will try and do a more detailed post soon! 

Monthly Beauty Favourites - May 2022

Here's a look at what I've been loving this past month:

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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!

Manicure Monday - Pride Rainbow Accent Nails

Ciao everyone - I'm home from Italy (and a little tired), but I'm slowly getting back in to everything! 

The OPI polish was received as a PR sample - this post contains affiliate links

This month the #CBBxManiMonday group is switching it up a little bit this month and the theme is Allyship - June is both Pride Month and Indigenous History Month. Each week we will be sharing manis based on our allyship with these causes and sharing resources to help draw attention to, informative information or agencies in our areas that are assisting people.