it's not what's under the tree that matters. it's who is gathered around.

Merry Christmas, everyone! If you are reading this right now....I hope you are surrounded by family and friends. Today, I am wishing you and your loved ones a joyful celebration that you will all remember for years to come. Have a wonderful day today. Be sure to eat lots of stuffing, chocolate, and candy canes, watch some holiday movies, and spoil the people you love most. Thank you so much for stopping by and supporting the creation of beauty is art. I really appreciate it.

Speaking of the blog. I will be taking my annual mini-break during this time. So, you can expect to see a new post from me on New Years Day. That is when I will be checking in with you all, doing a bit of reflecting, and welcoming in a shiny new year.

Until then....happy holidays!

Christmas waves a magic wand over the world,

and behold, everything is softer and 

more beautiful.

- Norman Vincent Peale

xo Shannon

all is calm. all is bright.

It is hard to believe....but Christmas Eve-Eve is upon us. That means the big day is just a couple of sleeps away. How does the time always seem to go by so quickly? When I was young, I couldn't wait for Christmas morning to roll around. Now that I am older, I want it to wait a little longer. There is a huge part of me that is desperate to slow things down and hold onto these holiday moments for a little while longer. I want to enjoy the build-up, the magic, and anticipation for as long as possible. It is a time of such bliss! Since it is officially almost Christmas, this post is all about inspiration.

christmas is a time of meaning and traditions.

Can you believe how quickly time is passing? It seems that only yesterday, December was beginning, and now, it is almost Christmas. It is just a few short days away. No matter how much I try to prepare, start early, and get ahead...it seems that time always speeds up around this time of year. That is why I like to stop and think about what really matters. About all the things that fill my heart with warmth. Last year, I started a little notebook where I jotted down all of the wonderful things that happened around the holiday season. It also included a few of my favourite traditions. So today, I wanted to share those traditions with you. These are the things that I love and look forward to each and every year.

my christmas record collection.

Sometimes, people say that I was born in the wrong decade. And sometimes, I think they are right. If only for my love of records and music from decades past. My obsession is largely focused around the 1970s but the 50s and 60s are also fair game. Perhaps it comes as no surprise then that I have built-up a sizable record collection. I have tons of different genres and decades covered! That includes holiday music. There are actually quite a few records floating around my collection that are dedicated to Christmas songs. Some are really old while others are more recent re-prints....but I love them all the same.

my disneyland trip: recap, photos, and experiencing disney during the holidays

It has always been my dream to be at Disney during Christmas. Not on Christmas day (because I love family traditions) but just before, so the place is all lit up and decorated. Despite this being a long-time dream, I never actually thought it would happen. There is just so much to do during this time of year! But somehow....it happened. My mom, sister, and I flew to California to visit Disneyland in December. There were some highlights and some not so spectacular moments, but for the most part, it was a wonderful holiday getaway.

holiday music spotlight: hanson

Hanson is my favourite band. They have been since I was ten years old. Being a fan for twenty years (and counting) means there have been plenty of highlights and stand out moments. Like going to my first concert, meeting Taylor Hanson, and taking the walk on a very snowy afternoon. One early highlight came when they released their first Christmas album, Snowed In, way back in November of 1997.

enjoying the magic of the season.

Christmas is so much more than a day. For me (and many others), it consists of many seasonal events that lead up to one massive celebration. Those smaller moments are actually my favourite part of this time of year. Little things like decorating the tree, drinking a hot chocolate, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends. Or attending a special event, curling up with a good book, or driving around to see all of the glorious light displays. There are so many experiences that add to the enjoyment of the holiday season. This post is dedicated to those special moments that have made me smile over the last several weeks.....

tips to warm up your winter makeup

Winter is here. Just in case you couldn’t tell from the chilly temperatures, holiday traditions, and dry skin! When it comes to fashion and makeup choices, many of us tend to stick to neutrals and cool toned shades during this time of year. In fact, metallics, glitter, and shimmer are totally on trend. This year? It is time to do something different. Instead of sporting wintery makeup looks day after day, warm up your makeup instead. These tips will help you add a little sizzle to your winter beauty routine.

quick and easy holiday makeup looks

The holidays are a great excuse to have fun with makeup. You can go a little darker, a little bolder, and a little more dramatic. Everything from bright red lipstick to glittery gold eyelids and ultra winged liner are welcome. Ready to look your best this holiday season? Whether you are heading to an office Christmas party, a special date night, or are meeting up with old friends.....these quick and easy holiday makeup looks are all you need. They are guaranteed to make you sparkle at each and every special event. 

five christmas movies making me smile this year.

I will happily admit it. My obsession with holiday movies and TV specials continues to grow. I absolutely love watching them....all year round. It doesn't matter if the weather is blazing hot or snow is falling softly outside my window. I will always reach for a Christmas movie! There is just something about them. It doesn't matter what the scenario is or whether things seem impossible and out of reach for the characters. The movie always ends with a heartwarming scene that acts as a reminder that life is beautiful. On that note! Today, I am going to share with you the five holiday movies that are making me smile this year.

review: hanson finally it's christmas tour

Hanson concerts rarely seem to go smoothly for me. The last time I saw them, there were transportation issues. This time? Ticket issues. Their sold-out show at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre was set to start at 8pm...however because it was a seated venue, one of my friends had bought the tickets so we could all sit together. There was traffic. Really bad traffic. She wasn't sure when she was going to get there. And my friend and I were left outside with no physical ticket to get inside. Our friend attempted to transfer the tickets to us to no avail. It required a print out copy rather than an e-ticket on our phones. That led to a bit of desperate begging at the box office. Thankfully, it worked! We got our tickets and were let into the over-crowded venue.

how to save money on beauty products during the holidays

Makeup obsessed? Love to try out new products? I know the feeling. The problem is that being a beauty lover can get pretty costly. Especially if you are the type to pick up the holiday lines from Too Faced, Tarte, and every other Sephora favourite. Being a beauty lover is a wonderful thing…. except when it takes a hit on your finances. Don’t stress this season. There are plenty of ways to save money on products without feeling the pinch that December often brings. Here are a few of my personal favourites.

make it a december to remember.

It's here! For some people, the arrival of this month brings forth feelings of anxiety and stress. It's true that there is a lot to get done....from decorating, shopping, baking, and get togethers with loved ones. But that is what makes the season so grand. Stressful as it may be sometimes. Me personally? I am the type of person who has been eagerly awaiting the arrival of December for ages. My Christmas shopping started way back at the end of summer and I have been making lists, planning, and watching holiday movies all year long. Basically? I am Christmas obsessed. I absolutely love this time of year. Everything about it makes me happy.