Time for A Break

This is so hard for me to write, but it's also been a long time coming - I am taking a long term break from my blog! I have been blogging since May 2014, so I made it over 10 years on here solidly blogging. I have been on here through so many life changes - buying a home, getting married, having a second kid; but, I have been struggling this year to make time for everything I need to. I've been focusing on my health and other hobbies, so I just can't do it all right now. I'm not shutting it down, because ideally, I'd love to bring it back one day, so it's a bye for now. 

But, I won't be done talking beauty, books and everything - just make sure you following along on instagram as I will still be active there! 

https://www.instagram.com/reneeclementine/

(It's the typing and editing time on the computer that I can't manage at this time). I appreciate all the support over the past 10 years! 

Five on Friday - October 25, 2024 ~ Calgary Farmyard, The Pumpkin Spice Cafe Book Review, Calgary First Responders Run, Make Me A Mixtape Book Review, and

Happy Friday everyone - I hope you all have a great week! 

ONE 

Make Me A Mixtape was received as a review copy 

This past weekend we enjoyed a little pumpkin patch at the Calgary Farmyard - it was so much fun! There was so many great activities for us and the kids and the weather was fantastic. It's been a great Fall here in Calgary! 

Milani Color Fetish Hydrating Stain in Mahogany Mami

I have heard rave reviews about this Milani lip stain, so I had to try this product! I haven't tried much from Milani, but coloured me intrigued! 

I purchased this product

Milani Color Fetish Hydrating Lip Stain in Mahogany Mami ~ $16.97 CAN. Lip color goes low maintenance with Color Fetish Hydrating Lip Stain. Made with hydration-rich Hyaluronic Acid and plant-derived Squalane, this cushiony high-comfort formula applies with a glossy shine that transforms into a semi-matte tint as it dries down. The never sticky, non-drying formula delivers up to 8HRS of stain power, hydration & comfortable wear. Say hello to your lazy girl lip era!

This is a stain type product - so it goes on with a cushiony applicator that it goes on shiny and then it dries down to a semi-matte finish on the lips! I don't wear a ton of stains, but I love the idea of the hint staying on the lips as the product wears off.

Manicure Monday - Glow in the Dark Bat Nails

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

I purchased everything in this post

I love October so much - it's one of my favourite months for nail art! We love Halloween so much and the whole month of October, the #CBBxManiMonday is doing Halloween nails for the whole month! 

Five on Friday - October 18, 2024 ~ Thanksgiving at the Cabin, Jillian Harris x Joe Fresh Sweaters, Spooky Halloween Classic Reads, Oreo Coca Cola, and Somewhere Beyond The Sea Pre-order

Happy Friday everyone - I hope you had a great week! 

ONE 

I purchased everything in this post

We spent the Thanksgiving weekend at the cabin with our family - it was a beautiful, quiet weekend that was so relaxing! I read a whole book, did lots of scrapbooking and enjoyed the weekend! 

Manicure Monday - Jack O'Lantern Nails

Happy Manicure Monday - hope you had a great weekend! 

I purchased everything in this post

I love Halloween time and the whole month of October the #CBBxManiMonday group is doing Halloween nails - it's my favourite! They are so much fun! Last week I didn't have time to do any designs, so this week I had to make sure to get in some nail art! 

Five on Friday - October 11, 2024 ~ The Crescent Moon Tearoom Book Review, Alberta Larches and Aurora Borealis, October Anticipated Reads and Calgary Police Run

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you all had a great week! 

ONE 

This book was received as a review copy

Happy to share my thoughts on The Crescent Moon Tearoom by Stacy Sivinski - what a perfect cozy witchy book for the Fall. We find ourselves in the Cresent Moon Tearoom, that our three sisters own - all triplets that can read the future. But they find out someone may have put a curse on them to try and separate them at the same time the Witch's Counsel gives them a difficult task. The sisters are finding their own paths and are finding it harder to stay together - a book about family with distinct characters and magic! Great read! 4 stars. 

Veriphy Skincare Routine - Power Trip Serum, Hit or Mist Toner, and Self Absorbed Moisturizer

Time for a skincare review - it's been a hot minute since I've done a full skincare review, but you know I like to take my time and try all of the products before sharing my thoughts, so you may have seen some of these show up in other posts before! 

These products were received as PR products

I was so excited when Veriphy offered to send me some products to try and the brand is described as "clean, vegan science backed skincare" so I had a feeling their products would be great! Their packaging is so luxe - glass bottles, gold accents and even great boxes! (They've actually updated their packaging this past year, and it is all green and nice and sleek!) 

Manicure Monday - Halloween Nail Stickers

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

I purchased everything in this post

It's October and I love this month - it means the #CBBxManiMonday will be doing Halloween nails for the whole month! I love Halloween and all things - usually, I try and do nail art this month, but this weekend I had minimal time, so I used my cute nail stickers as back up! 

Monthly Beauty Favourites ~ September 2024

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

The Lottie London products were received as PR samples

For the past year or so, I have no number of things I've been loving and honestly, I've been trying products a little slower, so my favourites have been a little smaller and more curated than the past few years! 

Five on Friday - October 4, 2024 ~ Wedding at the Fairmont Palliser, Devonian Gardens, September Month of Vegetarian/Pescatarian Meals, September Maniology x Me Express Kit, and Virtual Bookclub

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

ONE 

I purchased everything in this post

This past weekend my cousin got married at the Fairmont Palliser and it was such a stunning wedding - a gorgeous venue and what a beautiful night! But, I love when we get all dressed up and we had a great night! 

Monthly Reads ~ September 2024

Time for a look at my September Monthly reads! Each month I share a quick look at the books that I've read with a little synopsis and my rating - anything that I love or is really intriguing, I will share a more in depth review on a different post! 

I purchased everything in this post

So, in September I read 10 books with a mix of genres from dark fiction to cozy mystery. I love most genres, and I really want to keep my reads diversified this year! Also, I've been trying to read a mix of old and new books, and this month had a good mix of both! 

Monthly Beauty and Book Haul ~ September 2024

Back in 2022, I set a monthly beauty and books budget at $200 per month and I've been pretty good about sticking 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! 

Well Order ~ $95.80 CAN. I love Wet n Wild's big collections and used to order a ton of them - I've chilled out, but when I saw a whole Nightmare Before Christmas Collection, I could not resist picking up so many goodies to try! Can't wait to review these soooon! 

Manicure Monday - Orange Matte Dotticure

Happy Manicure Monday everyone - hope you had a good week! 

The month of September is for Fall and Back to School Nails with the #CBBxManiMonday group, but I also wanted to incorporate orange today, September 30, for National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. While I know this is a show, I always do my part towards learning, bettering myself and encompassing reconciliation. 

Five on Friday - September 27, 2024 ~ Boston Pizza Kids Card, Amazon Dress Find, Beakerhead, The Rec Room, and Funny Catman Attempt

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

ONE 

I purchased everything in this post

Have you guys heard of the BP's Kids Cards?! Right now for a $5 donation you get a card that gives you 5 free kids meals (with the purchase of an adult meal), but still a great deal. BP's is Elliott's favourite restaurant, so we picked one up for sure - quick easy meal out is perfect for us here and there! You can get them in store, but if you are interested you can get a digital card too - check them out here! 

Manicure Monday - Oxblood Red Nails

Happy Mani Monday - hope you all had a great week! 

I purchased everything in this post

For the month of September, the #CBBxManiMonday group is doing Back to School and Fall nails for the month. Fall always has me thinking of those deep shades, just like this gorgeous oxblood colour - it's perfect for Fall! 

Five on Friday - September 20, 2024 ~ Heartless Hunter Book Review, Cozy Fall Reads, Briefest View of the Northern Lights, Cupshe Dresses, and Mexx at Walmart

Happy Friday everyone - I hope you all had a great week! 

ONE

The Crecsent Moon Tearoom was received as a review copy

Another amazing book review to share with you - Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli was a 4.5 star for me! This is a young adult romantasy that had me hooked and kept me up late wanting to know what happened next! It doesn't get any more high stakes and enemies to lovers than a witch hunter falling in love with the Witch he is hunting and her putting herself in that position. I loved the tension and there was so much going on with the characters. I cannot wait to read the second one!

Maybelline Sunkisser Liquid Blushes in Shades On and Rooftop View

I always love finding great drugstore products - I don't try a whole bunch of Maybelline products, but after trying these blushes, I need to try more from them! 

I purchased these on my own

Maybelline Sunkisser Blush ~ $18.49 CAN. Sunkisser Blush delivers glowy, sunkissed cheeks no vacay needed. Its ultra blendable formula melts to skin for a natural glow and up to 12 hour wear. Infused with Vitamin E, this liquid blush is available in blushy and bronzy shades, so you can mix and match to create any look you want, when you want. Plus, its plush dot applicator allows you to just dot, dot, blend. Build with ease by adding desired dots for a more intense look that lasts.

Manicure Monday - Holographic Fall Tree Nails

Happy Manicure Monday! 

I purchased everything in this post

I loooove holographic polish and this shade is amazing for Fall - it is so stunning! I needed a quick mani look this week and the green trees are perfect for the transition in to Fall! 

Five on Friday - September 13, 2024 ~ Never Whistle At Night Book Review, September Most Anticipated Books, Porcupine in the Wild, Sunflowers, and Bissell Little Green Machine

Happy Friday everyone - hope you had a great week! And, happy Friday the 13th! 

ONE 

I purchased everything in this post

Another great book to share - Never Whistle At Night by a variety of indigenous authors, 4 stars. This is an Indigenous horror and dark fiction anthology - I've always said I sometimes struggle with short stories and ambiguous endings, but when it's explained by means of cultural teachings and leaving it up to the listener, I can be a little more accepting even though I typically like my stories wrapped up nicely.