Five on Friday - September 29, 2023 ~ Relaxing Friday Night With Dr. Teals, Houseplant Hookups Book, Sheep River Falls, Smash and Tess Forever Frosted Dress, and Ban.do 2024 Planner

Happy Friday everyone - I hope you all had a great week! I'm sorry I'm being such a bad blogger and only posting two times a week right now! I just feel like there is so much going on, I can hardly stay above water and I just don't have enough time to do it all! 

ONE 

The Dr. Teals products and the Houseplants book were received as PR samples

Speaking of that, just in the nick of time, Dr. Teals sent me some relaxing bath products and I'm ready for some serious bubble bath time! I've reviewed their Foaming Bath and Epsom Salts, so these aren't new products on the blog, but this particular type are and they are lovely! 

Manicure Monday - Fall Abstract Nails

Happy Manicure Monday - I hope you all had an amazing weekend! 

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

The #CBBxManiMonday group is keeping up doing Fall nails for the whole month of September - Fall shades are my favourite so I always enjoy this month and the nails we come up with! 

Five on Saturday - September 23, 2023 ~ Jillian Harris Book Signing Event, Dollar Store, Michael's, and Bulk Barn Halloween Hauls, and Some Amazon Finds

Happy Friday everyone - I hope you all have a great week! It's been so busy, but good! 

ONE 

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

I was so excited last night that Jillian Harris and Tori came to Calgary on Thursday night for their new cook book promotion - Fraiche Food, Fuller Hearts! Wordfest hosted an event at the Calgary Library and it was great. They were so great to listen to then they waited and met everyone in the lobby - I'm such a Jilly fan so it was fantastic! 

Manicure Monday - Stamped Fall Foliage Nails

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

I purchased everything in this post

It's starting to feel like Fall here and I'm excited for Fall nails - my favourite time of year and it's never long enough here in Calgary! The leaves are starting to turn and it's just beautiful! 

Five on Friday - September 15, 2023 ~ The Circle Book Review, Calgary Corporate Challenge, Clothing Finds, Glow Up Season 5, and Summer Declutter

Happy Friday everyone - I hope you all had a great week! It's been a little busy here and I have a super busy weekend coming up! 

ONE 

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

As always, I'm happy to share more great books with you guys and honestly, the new release The Circle by Katherena Vermette is amazing - 4.5/5 stars. This is the third in a set of companion novels that are contemporary fiction surrounding the metis experience in Winnipeg (and really across Canada). This series starts with The Break (5/5 stars) - a book surrounding a violent act and everyone affected by the crime, both directly and non-directly and the fall-out and effect on relationships and family. The story is full of different perspectives and it's beautifully written - it's powerful and difficult to read. 

XO Treatment Room - Kiss This By XO in Bronzy Coral

It's no secret I'm a huge fan of local Calgary brand, XO Treatment Room (their line is XO Face Care) - their skincare products are amazing and they've slowly been delving in to the makeup world and I've been loving the products! I went for a facial recently, so when I saw they had a new makeup product I had to pick it up and try it! 

I purchased this on my own

XO Treatment Room - Kiss This by XO in Bronzy Coral ~ $18.00 CAN. Nourishing non sticky glittery lip gloss. Perfect to wear on it’s own or over top your favourite nude lipstick.

This is described as a nourishing lip gloss with a hint of glitter in it - the creator of the product, Annie described these as an oil stain gloss that are enhanced with a plumping effect and long lasting moisture. These sounded amazing - I love a gloss, oil, stain - all of the above, I want it all on my lips always! 

Manicure Monday - Sally Hansen x Sesame Street Up To Snuff

Happy Manicure Monday - I hope you all had a great weekend! Mine was crazy busy, so I needed a quick manicure and this new polish was perfect! 

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

I'm a big fan of the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri line and when I saw the collab with Sesame Street I knew I had to pick something up. Aaaand, my favourite old character was always Snuffleupagus so I loooove that it's also the perfect Fall orange shade! (Also, for the record, I always thought it was Snuffaluffagus, but alas I've just learned how to spell it!)

Monthly Beauty and Book Haul ~ August 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 - this post contains affiliate links

Shopper's Drug Mart Haul ~ $12.93 CAN. I picked up a few goodies with my Optimum points (my favourite way to shop) - I was able to get the gorgeous Chanel cream bronzer and I can't wait to give it a try! Plus I needed some mascara and I got a free mascara sample and sample pack! Pretty good little haul! 

Monthly Beauty Favourites ~ August 2023

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

The Conair waver was received as a PR sample - 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. 

Five on Friday - September 8, 2023 ~ Dynamite Haul, Poshmark Finds, First Day of Grade 1, Thrifting Finds, and Winners Goodies

Happy Friday everyone - I hope you all had a great week! Can you believe that Summer break is over and school is back on?! 

ONE 

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

At the end of the Summer, I took a day and purged my closet of clothes that didn't fit, were getting old, etc so I picked up a couple of things to refresh my clothes. I ordered from Dynamite and as someone who used to not be down for bodysuits, I have to say I actually love them now! The ones I picked up were the Seamless V Neck Bodysuit (currently on sale for $10.50 CAN), Tana Short Sleeve Ribbed Bodysuit (sold out of the ribbed style, but same cut available here), Drea Sculpt Short Sleeve Crew Neck Bodysuit in Damson Purple, the Jules Sculpt Short Sleeve Scoop Neck Bodysuit and the Stainless Steel Chunky Curb Link Necklace.

Monthly Reads ~ August 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! 

A Grandmother Begins the Story was received as a review copy - this post contains affiliate links

So, in August I read 9 books, with a mix of genres from Mystery Thriller to YA Classic. 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, so I'm working on that and did really well with that this month! I read 1 physical books and 8 audiobooks. 

Manicure Monday - Fall Stamped Jurassic Park Dinosaur Nails

Happy Manicure Monday! I hope you all had a great weekend - it's a long weekend for us here and then back to school tomorrow! 

The Biosculpture polish was received as a PR sample

It's the first Manicure of September which means the #CBBxManiMonday group is switching from Summer nails to Fall manis! I'm a full-on Fall girl, so I'm ready - give me Pumpkin Spice, sweater weather and cozy vibes! 

Five on Saturday - September 2, 2023 ~ 8th Anniversary, August Month of Vegetarian and Pescatarian Meals, JVN - Great Outdoors Comedy Show, Downhill Karting, and Community Good Food Box

Happy Saturday everyone! I hope you all had a great week and enjoyed the last week of Summer Break! 

ONE 

I purchased everything in this post

My hubby and I celebrated 8 years married this past week! We don't typically do much but he did get me some wine and flowers and we went out for dinner to our favourite Indian restaurant, Karma and it was delicious!