Happy Friday everyone! I skipped a life update on my last Five on Friday - I spent the whole extended holiday with the family, tobogganing, having a Star Wars watch through and being together! It was certainly hard to go back to work this week, but I'm getting back in to it!
ONE
I purchased everything in this post, except the library books - this post contains affiliate links
In 2020, I really upped my time reading and read the most books that I had read in a long time! So, for 2021 I want to keep it up! I always try and plan my reading with themes. Honestly, I usually manage to stick to the theme for most of the month, then I grab something I'm in the mood for (and honestly, I'm trying to read some older books in my collection too); but, I'm feeling a fun magician/circusy theme for the next couple of months!
I always track my books on GoodReads, so if you have GoodReads and want to connect - you can find me here! I really love seeing what everyone is reading and I always find recommendations for myself from your reading lists! Here's what I'm planning on reading:
- Dreamland by Nancy Bilyeau ~ This is set in 1911 and takes place near Coney Island with the daughter of a well known family as she gets caught up in the intrigue and romance of Coney Island, when she is caught up in a murder investigation. This is the only book on this list I have read, and I thought the Coney Island part was going to feel more circusy/themeparkish - this book wasn't my favourite, it just felt a little flat, but I enjoyed the storyline itself.
- The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg ~ This is about someone who comes to a magic school and is selected for paper magic - the only magic she will use forever. However, she must face off against an evil magician of dark flesh magic! Sounds exciting!
- A Spectacle of Souls by Jessica Julien ~ This is a book about a young women who is hiding her secret psychic powers; but when a mysterious circus arrives in town, the main character is immediately drawn to it and she meets a seer who warns her of a gruesome future and urges her to stay away. But she finds herself ensnared in the show and the Ringmaster himself as he is trying to take her powers for his own! This one has mixed reviews, but I am looking forward to reading it.
- The Glass Magician by Caroline Stevermer ~ This is about "A fledging magician discovers true magic and a power that might destroy her." It sounds like the main character is a stage magician and a trick goes wrong! This book has great reviews and I am excited to read this!
- Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles ~ This book is about a group of magicians who face off in a daring game of magical feats to find the next headliner of the Conquering Circus. But, they find themselves under the threat of an unseen danger striking behind the scenes. With each act, the number of magicians piles up and this sounds very intriguing!
- Daughter of the Burning City by Amanda Foody ~ This books takes place at the Gomorrah Festival, a traveling carnival that caters to the strangest of dreams and desires and is about the illusion-worker! I love illusions and this sounds great!
What are you planning on reading?
TWO
I just got my December 2020 Scratch Monthly Mani Kit and as always, it is super cute - I'm a little sad I got it too late for holiday manicures though! This is an easy, affordable subscription that features nail wraps from GoScrachIt that are exclusive to the kit each month and designed by NinaNailedIt!
The Scratch Monthly Mani Kit is $18.00 US monthly with free shipping everywhere! Each month you get an exclusive set of wraps that aren't available for purchase and a little extra mani goodie with it!
This month's subscription came with:
- Deck the Halls Nail Wraps
- snowflake stickers
I have to say, these nail wraps are easily my favourite nail wraps to use - I have tried quite a few wraps and nothing compares! You can see past reviews and nail looks on Scratch wraps here if you are interested! These ones are really pretty!
THREE
Let's talk GOALS! I'm not usually one for resolutions in the New Year, but I do sometimes like to set goals for the year, especially with the blog, beauty usage, hobbies and shopping!
Before, I dive in to 2021, did I meet my 2020 Goals? I set:
- STICK to a $100 a month budget and be thoughtful about purchases! (No, I gave that up partially through the year because it was too impossible to stick to).
- Use my collection - shop my stash, project pans, and monthly makeup baskets! (Yes! I did great at a year long project pan, shop my stash looks most months, makeup baskets and palettes of the week! And, I even started a Duping the Vibes series where I try and use my collection to dupe new palettes)
- Don't but products I don't need - I have so many bath bombs, masks, primers, and lipsticks so unless something really standouts out in these categories I should hold off until I use more up! (Not really - I didn't buy primers, but I certainly bought a years worth of bath bombs, masks and lipsticks through the year!)
- Try new brands and more indie brands! And I have a little list of brands I would like to try: Clionadh Cosmetics✓, Kaleidos Cosmetics✓, Devinah CosmeticsX, Nabla Cosmetics50/50, InglotX, Sydney Grace CosmeticsX, Krave Beauty50/50, Sweetchef SkincareX, H&M Beauty✓, and GlossierX! (Yes, while I didn't manage to try all the brands, I tried 3 of them, and I ordered from Nabla and Krave right at the end of the year. But I also tried a bunch of new-to-me brands and a lot were Indie and local brands: Cheekbone, Indeed Labs, The Inkey List, The Potion Masters, Patchology, Catrice, E.L.F., XO Treatment Room and more!)
FOUR
So, my goals for 2021 are:
- Be More eco-conscious with my consuming, and brands that I'm supporting. I like brands that donate to charities, focus on packaging and their overall impact.
- Focus on smaller, more BIPOC brands during the year
- Also, focus more on local Calgary, Alberta and Canadian brands
- Go on a "low-buy" January to March (less makeup, books, products) while I focus on using up/reading what I have!
- I am also loving my reading, so I would hope to focus on more books, and perhaps reviews of books I really love!
FIVE
And, as for Brands I'd like to try this year, here is a list of 10 brands I would like to try products from during 2021:
- Coloured Raine
- Terra Moons Cosmetics
- Kiko Milano
- Naked Flamingo Skincare
- JoJos Bath Bombs
- Samantha Ravndahl's brand (unnamed right now!)
- Victoria Beckham Beauty
- Juvia's Place
- Holo Taco
- SeaFlora Skincare
Do you have some goals to set and brands you want to try?
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