Five on Friday - July 28, 2023 ColourPop Swatches ~ C-3PO Shadow Palette, Sage The Day Shadow Palette, It's A Small World Shadow Palette, Chrome Liquid Shadow in Air, and Dreams Come True Shadow Palette

Happy Friday everyone! Hope you all had a good week - I've been computer-less enjoying a week at the cabin with all the family! 

Since I'm away, I'm skipping a life update for my Five on Friday post (and will save my update for next Friday!) and instead I'm sharing and swatching 5 palettes/eyeshadows that are older, but I just picked them up in a big ColourPop haul so I don't think they will get full posts! Also, this is a true swatch post as I haven't used a lot of these, but the ColourPop shadow formula is a reliable one. 

ONE 

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

Colourpop C-3PO Shadow Palette ~ $16.00 US. Be the brightest in the galaxy with this golden 9-pan palette inspired by everyone’s favorite protocol droid.

I've had my eye on this for a while - it is a neutral palette, so it was released a while ago and I didn't jump right on it, but picked it up on a site-wide sale! And, I'm happy - I love these foiled shadows. The mattes are nice too. 

Manicure Monday - Shimmery Barbie Star Nails

Happy Manicure Monday - I hope you all had a good weekend! We are out at the cabin, so this was pre-written and I'm enjoying a lovely week with the family! 

I purchased everything in this post

I'm carrying on with my Barbie nails for the Summer - the movie is out now and I'm (im)patiently waiting to see the movie! But, I picked up a few of these OPI x Barbie polishes and you bet I'm sharing them for a few weeks while it's barbie season! 

Five on Friday - July 21, 2023 ~ You Must Not Miss Book Review, Calgary Zoo Day, New Dress, Used DS Games, and Old Navy Order

Happy Friday - I hope you all have a good week! I was back to work this week after two off, so a little busy catching up, and then I'm off to the cabin for the weekend! 

ONE 

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

Sharing another read this week, because I thought this one was great - I will preface, that this is a little bit of a weird book and it might not be for everyone, but for me, it was a 4.5 star! You Must Not Miss by Katrina Leno is a young adult magical realism book. For me, this was reminiscent of the ultimate '90s High School revenge story - think Jawbreaker or Cruel Intentions (although those were a little more public revenge, this was a little quieter). If you could dream up revenge for everyone who has wrong you, what would you come up with? Our main character Magpie has done just that - she's created her own dream world that's appeared in her backyard as an escape from her world. Her family is falling apart, she's failing school, her best friend no longer speaks to her and she's been outcast at school due to an event at a party. She's retreats to her world and starts to use it as a means to get back at those who hurt her. It was weird and dark and really unique!

Empties ~ January - June 2023

Here's a look at all the products I've used up for the first half of the year: 

Some of the products featured were received as PR samples - this post contains affiliate links

E.L.F. Stay All Night Micro-Fine Setting Mist ~ $14.00 CAN. Lightweight makeup setting spray for up to 16 hours of wear.

This was actually a little bit of a whim purchase when I forgot setting spray on a trip, but I really liked this - I loved how fine the mist was and this rivalled any of my favourite high end setting sprays in terms of lasting power. I used this at a couple of weddings this Summer and that is always the highest regards I can pay to a setting spray! This made my Monthly Favourites in September 2022 and it's still great. 

Repurchase: Yes! 

Manicure Monday - 90's Barbie Nails

Happy Manicure Monday - I hope you all had a good weekend! It's been a busy weekend, but I did get some relaxing time in too, which was much needed! 

The Biosculpture was received as a PR sample

The barbie movie is coming out this week and I cannot wait to see it - I'm going out of town for the week, so I have to wait to see it for a while but in the mean time, you can expect some Barbie nails from me over the next couple of weeks! For me, barbies will always be the ultimate 90's toy - I had the jeep, 90210 versions, a band - all of it! I loved my barbies! 

Pat McGrath Labs Divine Blush: Legendary Glow Colour Balm Blush in Paradise Peony

My makeup posts are a little few and far between in the Summer since I'm really just trying to enjoy being in the moment with my family! But, I have picked up a few new things, so naturally they need to be shared here! 

I purchased this blush - this post contains affiliate links

Pat McGrath Labs Divine Blush Legendary Glow Colour Balm Blush in Paradise Peony ~ $40.00 CAN. A multifunctional marvel that imparts a nourishing burst of radiance to lips and cheeks. This versatile formula suits a variety of skin tones, ensuring the perfect touch of color every time. Infused with hydrating actives, this must-have balm creates a glass-skin effect. 

This is called a multifunctional product - I personally have only used it as a blush (that's really what it was marketed as from what I saw), so that's how I will be reviewing it! This is described as a "gel-like texture" with a buildable formula - it's a non-sticky, non-greasy, glow-boosting formula that gives a natural flush with a dewy finish of color on the cheeks!

Five on Saturday - July 15, 2023 ~ In The Lives of Puppets Book Review, Penticton Visit, Splashdown in Vernon, Calgary Stampede, and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Movie

Happy Friday everyone - I hope you all had a great week! We have been so busy - I was away on holidays last week, came home on Tuesday and have been non-stop ever since! 

ONE 

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

I'm always excited to share books on here that I love - this one is In The Lives of Puppets is T.J. Klune (another amazing read by this author!) This is supposed to be a Pinocchio retelling and after loving the new adaptation Netflix show and just listening to the original book, I was really excited for this! This is about a "real boy" and his family of androids - they are an adorable quirky family and I loved the found family aspect. I have a dry sense of humor, so I enjoyed the androids personalities and they were so much fun.

Manicure Monday - Shimmery Strawberry Nails

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

I purchased everything in this post

I always love Summer nail time - the CBBxManiMonday group does a bright Summer theme for July and August and we always have so much fun with these! 

Five on Friday - July 7, 2023 ~ GoodFood Meal Kit, Calaway Park, Peonies in My Garden, Ardene Clothing Haul, and Nimona

Happy Friday everyone - I'm on holidays right now, so I've pre-written this, I will be back to regular posting next week, but I'm also just looking at enjoying my Summer and lots of family time! 

ONE 

The Good Food box was provided in exchange for a review

I'm so excited my food sharing has led to a partnership with GoodFood box - I've never actually used a meal subscription service before, so I'm even more excited to share that I actually really enjoyed this too! I've been a little hesitant before, but I selected 3 vegetarian meals for 4 people (we got Kimchi & Asian Green Topped Sweet Potatoes, Roasted Beet, Feta & Pistachio Quinoa Bowls, and Burst Cherry Tomato Tortellini). All three meals were around 30 minutes to prep, cook and make and they were delicious! My hubby and I actually argued about who was getting what for leftovers! Check out my instagram for a video to see how my meals turned out! 

Manicure Monday - Summer Brights Wavy Nails

Happy Manicure Monday - it's the first mani of July and I can't believe it! 

The OPI polish was received as a PR sample

I always look forward to the #CBBxManiMonday Summer Nails - we always do a bright Summer theme every year and it's perfect, since that's how I love doing my nails all the time! 

Monthly Beauty and Book Haul ~ June 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 - the post contains affiliate links

Pat McGrath Order ~ $36.00 CAN. Oooh I've been on cream blush kick for a while and I love these sticks - I've been enjoying Pat McGrath products so I had to give this a try! It's a light, glowy formula and I can't wait to try it out more! 

Monthly Reads - June 2023 & The Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag

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! 

I received Indigiqueerness, Visions of the Crow and the Bushman's Lair as review copies - this post contains affiliate links

So, in June I read 9 books - a mix of genres from YA Fantasy to Adult Romance. 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! I read 3 physical books this month and 6 audiobooks.