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! 

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!)

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. 

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! 

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?!)

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! 

Manicure Monday - Chocolate Glaze Nails

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

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. 

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! 

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. 

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! 

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!)

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! 

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!)

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!)

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! 

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! 

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 

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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! 

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! 

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! 

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! 

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!)

October 2022 - Monthly Favourites

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

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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!

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! 

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! 

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!