Manicure Monday - Pink Floral Nails

Happy Manicure Monday everyone - I hope you had a good weekend! Mine was busy, but a good busy, so I had to do a quick mani this week! 

The Bio Sculpture was received as a PR sample 

Can we believe this is the last Monday of February already?! It's our last week of red, pink and white nails! So, I did this lovely bubblegum pink mani with cute little floral wraps and it was a perfect, quick nail look! 

Monthly Beauty Favourites - February 2022

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

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

What's this?! A bizarre skincare tool - you know I'm going to try it (and in this case, really enjoy it!) And, a there is a few great makeup products I was loving this month too! 

Five on Friday - February 25, 2022 ~ December 2021 Owlcrate Box, Owlcrate Reading Planner, The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea Book Review, Bullying Awareness Day and Custard Toast

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you all had a great week - we had a long weekend last weekend for Family Day here, so it was a short work week here which was nice! I had brunch with friends and lots of time with family! 

(Also, there has been some pretty terrible world events happening after I pre-wrote this, with Russia invading Ukraine and it's very devastating!)

ONE 

The audio-arc was received as a review copy - this post contains affiliate links

I just received my December Owlcrate subscription (there was some delays with products, so it's pretty late!) and this month's theme is "Beneath The Waves" - each month the book Owlcrate includes is signed by the author and comes with a note from the author as well. They often have special edition covers just for the box, and they seem to include a lot of exclusive items just for Owlcrate, which is so fun! As a bookworm, I have been loving this subscription! 

Manicure Monday - Playing Card Heart Nails

Happy Monday everyone - I'm coming in a little late today, but I'm so excited to share how these adorable heart playing card nails! 

The China Glaze polish was received as a PR sample

I sae a little set of card nails on the Essie instagram page and I new that I wanted to do those for a week of our Valentine's nails, or red, white and pink nails for February! I'm loving how these turned out so much - they were a little tedious with all the hand painting, but so worth it! 

Cheekbone Beauty Unify Multi-Pencil - Swatches, Review and Thoughts

I have been using and loving Cheekbone Beauty for a couple of years now - I think I first tried their Sustain lipstick in April 2022 and have since picked up face products and more that I have really been enjoying! Also, it's been so exciting to see this brand shine in the past couple of years - they are in Sephora now and it's great to have this Canadian, Indigenous Woman owned brand be so prominent! 

Also, have to note - I'm loving their position on social media of no filters - they are proudly sharing their makeup with lines, pores, blemishes, scars, etc. We are all human! 

These products were received in exchange for a review

Cheekbone Beauty is an eco-conscious brand, and they are actively working towards their brand being-carbon neutral. Their goal is to lead by example and be a fully waste free company by 2023! They focus on locally sourced ingredients, plant based, fair trade and ethical ingredients, while their packaging is compostable, recyclable, bio-degradable or plantable, or reusable! 

Five on Friday - February 18, 2022 ~ Valentine's Day, Cute Baking, Love is Blind, Eating 30 Unique Plants, and Monthly Declutter

Happy Friday everyone! Hope you had a great week - I twisted my ankle last week so I was a bit of a mess at the start of the week, but am feeling much better now! 

ONE 

I purchased everything in this post

I hope you all had a great Valentine's Day (if you celebrate) - we aren't big romantical people, but I've certainly gotten on board with the heart shaped pizza trend and we've been doing it for the past few years, so I guess I do celebrate! We ordered from Boston Pizza, had a glass of wine and called it a celebration! Honestly, I love a pizza night and anything heart shaped is a win for me! 

Some Out Of The World Products From XO Face Care - Heavy C Serum & Intergalactic Lactic Acid Serum

Okay, I raved a little about XO Treatment Room's skincare line, XO Face Care here before - it is a Calgary Facialist brand, run by Annie who proudly whips up formulas full of chemicals good for your skin!

I have been following XO Treatment Room for a long time and I have been using their products for the last year or so and loving them! (It's my goal this year to get my butt in their place for an in person facial this year, but in the mean time, I will keep using all their products!) 

I purchased these products myself

I haven't tried everything from the the brand; however, everything I have tried from them has been really good - I know at this point in time, if I pick something else up, I'm going to love it! (I'm actually using a Facial Oil by them that is amazing - I haven't shared because it was a limited edition product for Mother's Day last year. Annie always has fun Thursday special, seasonal products and lots to choose from!

Manicure Monday - Valentine's Day Hearts and Dots Nails

Happy Mani Monday everyone and Happy Valentine's Day (if you celebrate!) We don't really celebrate, but honestly if I can make cute treats and order a heart shaped pizza, I will partake in that part! 

The OPI polishes were received as PR samples

I know I did heart nails last week, but I had to do them again for Valentine's Day today! Our #CBBxManiMonday theme for the whole month of February is Red, White and Pink (but also, be ready for heart nails alll month from me because that's where I go with this combo!)

Five on Friday - February 11, 2022 ~ Little Passports Subscription, Calgary Zoo, TBR Romance Reads, Thrifted Kids Book Finds, and Homemade Crunchwrap Supreme

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you all had a great week - I was back to normal this week and honestly, it was sooo nice to get back at it. I recovered fine from the 'vid, but still had a few rough sleeps this week with a cough, but certainly improved by the end of the week, so I'm pretty close to 100% again! (Also, I just twisted my ankle late last night and am resting up today to try and make it feel better, but I can't walk right now!)

ONE 

I purchased everything in this post (the subscription was a gift from family) - this post contains affiliate links

Elliott was gifted a Little Passports subscription for Christmas, and we just got the third delivery! Little Passports is a kids subscription company that focuses on "play-based science and geography kits delivered monthly." 

They offer 5 different subscriptions for ages 3 - 8+ and they have 3 different Geography based subscriptions and 2 Science subscriptions. So, Elliott is getting the Early Explorers meant for ages 3-5 and it's described as "discover the world’s wonders, from oceans to art to animals through hands-on activities, games and stories." This subscription is $27.95 US monthly, and you can also add on a book for $9.95 - you save more if you subscribe to a longer term. The first month comes with a little suitcase and passport to set you up for future months. I think this subscription sends you things based one your subscription term as opposed to having a new set of activities each month (meaning every subscriber will get the Ocean theme for month 2 of their subscription term, instead of Oceans being only the January 2022 theme). 

Pixi Beauty - Rose Remedy Mask

I'm always excited when I can do another mask post - and this one is nice and rosy just in time for Valentine's Day! 

I purchased this mask - this post contains affiliate links

I've been such a fan of the Pixi Beauty products I've tried - skincare and makeup, so it's a brand that I'm always excited to see what they are coming up with next! 

Shop My Stash Makeup Look - February 2022 ~ Red & Peach Valentine's Day Look

Happy Tuesday everyone! I've been playing with makeup quite a bit lately and it's been so fun to create looks - it had been awhile, and I'm happy to make it a priority! This year, I really want to focus on using products in my collection, and so today's look is a fun Valentine's Day inspired makeup look! 

The Catrice, LA Girl, and Hard Candy products were received as PR samples - this post contains affiliate links

I didn't go with the typical pink look for Valentine's Day, but instead I went with a red & peach look - I rarely play with reds and I love how this look came together! I always love a peachy look, so this was fun to do! (Was that too many "loves" in a sentence?! Or, never enough since it's love day soon?!)

Manicure Monday - Simple Pink Heart Nails

Happy Manicure Monday! I hope you all had a good weekend - it was lovely for us to be done quarantine and get out of the house again! 

The OPI polish was received as a PR sample

It's the first Manicure of February, so it's time for our new theme - the whole month of February, the #CBBxManiMonday is doing white, pink and red nails! 

Five on Friday - February 4, 2022 ~ BzzAgent & Nudestix Campaign, Dollarstore Haul, Buddha Bowl, TV Shows I've Binged & New Cookbooks

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you all had a good week - it's been long here! I got covid from my little guy, and luckily I wasn't took sick, but I was just really tired and drained for most of the week. I was home for the week, and I'm clear today and feeling much better! 

ONE 

The Mascara was received as a freebie in exchange for an honest review - this post contains affiliate/referral links

I was so excited to receive a package from BzzAgent this week - they used to be super active, and it's not a company that I've received a package from again! This is something anyone you can sign up for - you do not need to be a blogger! If you are interested in trying them out, you can use my referral link here: https://bzz.bzzagent.com/s/reneeclementbradshaw922820. But, they have kindly sent the NudeStix Vegan Splashproof Mascara - I actually haven't tried much from Nudestix, so I'm excited to try this out! 

Monthly Reading Wrap-up - January 2022 Books

Hi everyone - a new little series here! Last year, I was doing quarterly reading wrap ups, but I had many books I couldn't write my thoughts on all of them! So, this year I thought I would be able to share a little more if I wrapped up my reads of each month as opposed to every three months. 

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! 

E copies of Anatomy & Circus of Wonders were provided as review copies - this post contains affiliate links

So, in January I read 10 books - a mix of genres from young adult fantasy to adult historical fiction. I love most genres, and I really want to keep my reads diversified this year! Also, what was great about this month was the mix of old and new books I read was about a 50/50 split! I also read these mostly via audiobook (7 of the 10, 1 in physical book and 2 in e-books on my phone). 

Monthly Beauty Favourites - January 2022

Can you believe that it is the end of January?! It's been a month, so to be honest, I'm ready for it to be over! But, before we do, here is a look at what I was loving this month: 

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

I used to always have pick 5 products each month, but that is one thing I'm changing this year - whatever I'm loving, I will share whether it's 2 or 10 products! 

Beautylish Lucky Bag 2022 Unboxing

Every year on Boxing Day (or December 26 for you non-Canadians), Beautylish releases the pre-order for their Lucky Bags which ships in January - if you are interested, these sell out quickly on the day of so make sure your ready on that date! These boxes are $94.00 CAN + $18.45 shipping to Canada; but, you are guaranteed at least $200.00 CAN worth of makeup and skincare. They are all totally random, so it is a complete surprise what you get, and I love surprises! Some bags are extra lucky and include gift cards, etc. 

I picked up the regular lucky bag for fair/medium skin. There was also XL lucky bags, Jeffree Star Lucky Bags, and a Buy One Gift One as other options. I'm a total sucker for these mystery boxes and this is my 4th year getting one - you can see my past unboxings here!

Here is a look at my 2022 Beautylish Lucky Bag:

I purchased this box - this post contains affiliate links

The Lucky Bags are described as "Lucky Bags are a Japanese New Year custom that inspired up to create our own. The shisa on this year's Lucky Bag are known as guardians in Okinawa, Japan. They are said to ward off evil spirits while keeping good spirits in. We hope the surprises inside invite you to leave the bad behind and take the good with you in to 2022."