there's a little witch in all of us.

Happy Halloween! This holiday can be celebrated in many different ways. For some, Halloween is something that is celebrated only as a child through trick or treating and school parties. For others, the celebrations continue into adulthood with costumes, candy, and decorations in the home. There is no right or wrong way to celebrate. What matters most is that the experience is fun and enjoyable. I hope that whatever you have planned, it is a Halloween to remember for all the right reasons. 

what i've been watching lately (spooky season 2025)

One of my favourite ways to celebrate the holidays? Movies. Seasonal stories can make a holiday come to life in an even more meaningful way. For example, during the Christmas season, I often choose movies with themes of love, understanding, and kindness. When it comes to Halloween, just about anything goes. I love family friendly creatures and characters, over the top camp, thrillers, and classic horror films. A little bit of everything manages to make spooky season memorable. Looking for a little inspiration? Here are some of the movies (and miniseries) that I have been watching to celebrate spooky season...

revisited review: halloween town eyeshadow palette

Halloween is steadily creeping closer...which means this is the ideal time for a revisited review here on the creation of beauty is art. Last year, the Halloween Town eyeshadow palette from Melt Cosmetics was added to my makeup collection and it has been used ever since. Ready to find out what eyeshadow shades are the standouts? And take a look at what was created most recently? Keep reading for a revisited review of this seasonal release inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas movie.

random birthday things (makeup, music, and travel)

There is something special about birthdays. Though some people prefer not to celebrate them fully...my birthday has always been a day that I love. The way that I celebrate has shifted and changed over the years (moving from themed parties as a child to dinners with friends as a young adult to laid back celebrations with family in more recent years) but my love of birthdays still remains. This year, the plan is to sleep in, watch The Stand miniseries, and then have dinner with my immediate family. Laid back, but fun. My birthday is today, but there have been a few pre-birthday celebrations related to makeup, music, and travel.

theft of my blog posts and images from mansafashion.com

This is an unplanned blog post. For the last fourteen years, the creation of beauty is art. has been my little corner of the internet. A place where I could share and create. A place where I could write freely and connect with others. This is the first time in fourteen years that I have considered packing it all in. The reason? A website, mansafashion.com has been stealing my content. Not just my words, but the pictures I have taken of products, and even pictures of me. I feel violated and angry. I feel powerless. I have tried to contact WordPress about this situation, but according to them, even though the website is "powered by WordPress," it is not a WordPress site. So, there is nothing they can do. I have also contacted someone else about what can be done. However, at this point, it is hard to be hopeful. I recognize that things are passed around and shared on the internet, but to steal every word, every picture, every thought, and stamp a fake name on it? I feel like someone has stolen my voice. 

I have a request...could you please leave a comment on any of the 106 posts of mine that were blatantly stolen by manasfashion.com and ask them to remove the stolen posts? I know it is a long shot, but I don't know what else to do. Please. 

These are the stolen posts, under the name Viktoria Arnold: https://mansafashion.com/author/viktoria-arnold

And to whoever is stealing my content and posting it....have the day that you deserve.

how beautiful the leaves grow old.

This is such a special time of year. There is an awful lot to enjoy, like the leaves changing colour and then littering the ground, like the cooler temperatures that make it possible to wear oversized sweaters or read a book under a bundle of blankets, like seasonal decorations shaped like pumpkins, ghosts, and all sorts of different creatures.  Ahh...fall. With Halloween just over a week away, it feels like the clock is starting to tick on the most festive parts of the fall season. I am trying to soak up every little bit that remains. Movies, music, candles, essential oils, baked goods, and experiences with loved ones have been making this season one to remember. Another way that I am trying to hold onto the fall season and everything that goes along with it? Saving pictures on my computer that reflect this magical - and spooky - time of year. It is nice to have a folder overloaded with picture perfect inspiration. On that note, here are some of my current favorite photos for some extra seasonal inspiration.

david archuleta concert highlights and #FOTD

There have been a handful of concerts on my calendar recently (and one more before the end of this year) and the latest was David Archuleta. I have been a fan of his for a very long time, but he has only performed in the city nearest me once, way back in 2008 on the American Idol: Live Tour. In 2020, my mom and I had purchased tickets to see him perform and even paid extra for a meet and greet. Well, the COVID-19 pandemic happened, and that concert was cancelled. Finally, around five years later, it was possible to see him concert. Unfortunately, my mom was not able to attend this one, but my lovely husband was kind enough to attend with me. Keep reading for a mini concert review and an Earthly Delights inspired makeup look.