Lush x Super Mario Bros Products

I have been trying to slow down on the bath products while I use some of the older products that I have, but I couldn't resist picking up a few products when I saw that they came out with a collaboration with Super Mario Bros with the new movie that just came out! 

I purchased everything in this post

The line of products included a body spray, shower gel, a mystery block bath bomb that comes with a surprise soap inside, and a couple of shower jellies too! 

Five on Friday - April 28, 2023 ~ Elliott Turns 6, The Super Mario Bros Movie, Mario Baking, April Monthly Declutter, and new Summer Dress Finds

Happy Friday everyone - hope you all had a good week! 

ONE 

I purchased everything in this post

Last weekend Elliott turned 6 years old - he's the cutest, spunkiest little guy! We had so much fun celebrating his birthday and rented out a theatre so family and friends could all watch the Mario movie with us! 

Finally Trying Glossier - Ultralip High Shine Lipstick with Hyaluronic Acid & Cloud Paint Gel Cream Blush

I have been wanting to try Glossier for years, but for some reason (shipping/exchange rate) I never ordered from them. But, they just recently came in to Sephora Canada and so I waited for the VIB sale to pick up a few things and give them a try! 

I purchased these products - this post contains affiliate links

Glossier was started in 2014 with this adorable millennium pink minimalist vibe - it was one of the original brands going for that light, dewy, no-makeup makeup look. I know they've been updating their formulas to meet the "clean at Sephora" or vegan standards, I can't compare any new and old formulas, so I'm going in to this totally fresh just trying these products for the first time! 

Manicure Wednesday - Pastel Squiggle Nails

Happy Manicure Wednesday - I'm just being slow this week getting my post up, whoops! 

I received the OPI polishes as PR samples - this post contains affiliate links

For the month of April, the #CBBxManiMonday group is doing Pastel and Easter nails - I'm going pastel this week (and I think a little Easter with the shades I picked!) I've been loving these squiggle nails that have been trending all over and I love how these turned out! 

Five on Saturday - April 22, 2023 ~ Remarkably Bright Creatures Book Review, Science Centre Exhibit, Amazon Finds, New Planter and New Plants!

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

ONE 

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

I've had book reviews straight for the past few weeks, but man, March was an amazing reading month! Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt is a contemporary fiction novel, following two characters and an octopus as their stories slowly overlap. And, seriously, who knew a story with an octopus as one of the narrators was going to be so cute?! But once you've heard from Marcellus the grumpy octopus, you are going to love him! 

CurrentBody Skin LED Eye Perfector Review + 10% off coupon code

I'm so excited for today's review because you guys should know I love wild skincare gadgets and masks! I tried a full LED face mask last year (it was sort of a shield mask, as it was a more affordable style and I really enjoyed it and thought I saw good results using it!) 

This was received as a PR sample - this post contains affiliate links

So, when CurrentBody reached out and asked if they could send me the LED Eye Perfector for consideration, of course my answer was "hell yes!" This is a well shaped, fitted LED eye mask and I love including technology and different products in to my routine. 

Manicure Monday - Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Peeps Sugar Texture Collection Nail Color in Cotton Candy

Happy Manicure Monday - I hope you all have a great weekend! We had a super busy weekend and I only had time for a quick manicure! 

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

For the month of April, the #CBBxManiMonday group is doing Easter and pastel nails for the month! I have a little of both this week since this is a pastel shade and it's an Easter polish since it's a collab with peeps! 

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Peeps Sugar Texture Collection Nail Color in Cotton Candy ~ $9.79 CAN. Brighten your spring with the NEW Limited Edition Sally Hansen PEEPS nail polish! PEEPS inspired sugary texture for a mani in an instant! Our 3-in-1 formula with built-in base and top coat offers shiny, extended wear in a single step and our Swift Precision Brush allows for a perfect application. Dries in 60 seconds. 1 Stroke. 1 Coat. Done. No wait. No smudge.

Five on Friday - April 14, 2023 ~ Go As A River Book Review, Easter, 11 Year Dating Anniversary, New Ikea Day Bed, and New Lost in Layers Spring 2023 Outfit

Happy Friday everyone - hope you all had a good week! It's been a little busy around here, but we are over the kid's sickness in the house and have a busy weekend with family planned! 

ONE 

Go As A River was received as a review copy - this post contains affiliate links

I've been loving having more book reviews on the blog, and it's also helped me work with publishers, so I'm happy to be part of the Penguin Random book reviewers and today I'm sharing my thoughts on the adult historical fiction novel, Go As A River by Shelley Read. This story spans 30 years and starts in the 1940s with a teenage girl on her families peach farm - she is the only girl in a family struck by many tragedies. She has a quick, passionate affair with a young man passing through town, however quickly finds out of racism and it ends in tragedy. Victoria escapes to the wilderness and on her eventually return to town, a damn is being proposed that would render the town un-livable. She takes her peaches and eventually settles in a new spot, then the book really delves in to found family and friends, re-connection and rebuilding. It is beautifully written and there is a lot that goes on. I enjoyed the setting and the resilience of the characters. I did think it was a slower start and it took me a bit to connect to the characters, but halfway through as we were really getting in, I could not put it down and I was rooting for all of our characters, and it was tragic and hopeful and beautiful! Solid 4 star read. 

Manicure Monday - Easter Bunny Dotticure and Trying Olive & June Polish

Happy Manicure Monday everyone and Happy Easter Monday! 

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

For the month of April, the #CBBxManiMonday group is doing Easter and pastel nails for the month! I have being waiting to try the Olive and June Polish formula forever - after my disastrous use of their press-ons a couple weeks ago, I was a little worried; but, it is a lovely formula! 

Five on Sunday - April 9, 2023 ~ XOA Facial at XO Treatment Room, Month of Vegetarian Meals, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, Old Navy & H and M Haul

(I had this prepped for Friday and forgot to post it!)

Happy Friday everyone - phew, it's been a long week here! I had to pick up my little guy on Tuesday because he was sick and it turns out he has hand, foot and mouth so we've been home together all week! It's been long, but Hoppy Easter weekend to everyone! 

ONE 

The Facial was received complimentary, everything else was purchased - this post contains affiliate links

I was lucky enough to get a gorgeous facial this week at XO Treatment Room here in Calgary. I was treated to an XOA facial with Maliyah and it was truly amazing! The company is expanding and so Annie is adding to her team and my experience was fantastic! The XOA Facial is totally customizable based on your skincare needs and concerns - you sit for a skin consultation beforehand and my concerns are always redness, uneven tone, and breakouts.

For the facial, we started with a laser treatment (which I was slightly nervous about but it just feels like warm rain), followed by two different peels based on different areas needs, there was some derma-planing, a mask with this lovely steamer, followed by some radio frequency and finished with some serum, moisturizer and a little massage! A few product samples and discussion at the end and voila - truly a full hour experience with all my concerns targeted. We focused on evening my skin tone and decongesting! My skin is feeling so smooth soft and you can see it's glowing! Amazing experience - but if you guys have been around for a while, you know I've been using xofacecare for years! 

Monthly Beauty and Book Haul - March 2023

Last year I set a monthly beauty and books budget at $200 per month and I really stuck to it! I am trying to be thoughtful in my purchases, so this has been holding me accountable for being reasonable with my spending. Since it worked so well last year, I'm really trying to do the same thing this year! 

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

Target Haul ~ $149.89 CAN. I went to California at the start of the month, and just did a little shopping at Target and CVS, so first stop was Target! I was excited to try the ELF Whoa Glow because it's not available in Canada, and I picked up a couple newer items from them that have caught my eye! I also picked up an Olive & June polish and press-ons (the press-ons are absolutely terrible - you can see my review here). I picked up the brush because I forgot one, but it's amazing, and the Natrium glow SPF is supposed to be amazing. The sheet masks look amazing and I can't wait to try everything! 

Monthly Beauty Favourites - March 2023

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

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

Last year I started just picking any number of products I'm loving, instead of trying to find 5 each month (which I did previously!) So, whatever number of products I'm loving, that's what I will be sharing. 

Manicure Monday - Pastel Skittles French Tip Nails

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

The OPI and Biosculpture polishes were received as PR samples

Can you believe we are already in April?! This year is flying by! But, the start of a new month also means a new theme for the #CBBxManiMonday group - this month we are doing an Easter and Pastel theme for the month! 

Monthly Reads - March 2023

I hope you all are enjoying all the book reviews, since it's just another hobby of mine, it's not going anywhere! I loved doing the Monthly Wrap-up last year to share mini reviews on all the books I've read each month! 

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! 

Go As A River was received as a review copy - this post contains affiliate links

So, in March I read 8 books - a mix of genres from adult historical fiction to YA fantasy. 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, but I think this month was mostly newer release! I read 4 audio books, 3 physical books, and 1 e-book!