kate spade wild leopard purse + four essential purse care tips

Kate Spade always makes me happy. Quite frankly, the high end fashion brand checks off all the boxes on my list. Cute and whimsical designs? Check. Good quality? Check. Not afraid of sparkles, leopard print or the colour pink? Check, check, and check. While I adore many Kate Spade pieces...I don't actually own that many items. A few pairs of earrings here, a wallet there, and a more recent addition of my very Kate Spade purse. More recently, I was gifted the Kate Spade purse pictured above. Its official title? Kate Spade New York Run Wild Leopard Hayden Top-Handle Women's Shoulder Bag. Personally, I just like to call it my cat purse. I've been waiting for just the perfect moment to wear it for the first time.

hard candy week: colourful spring makeup look

Spring has sprung. Outside, the sun is shining but for the most part, everyone is spending time indoors. Life continues to be uncertain and ever-changing. With so much happening around the globe - and with social distancing continuing to be a must - it can be difficult to really experience that springtime feeling. There are a few ways that I have been bringing the season to life in my own home. Like displaying flowers, lighting floral candles, changing up home decor pieces, and decorating early for Easter. Another way that I have been enjoying spring so far? Getting colourful with my makeup looks. That brings me to today's post. It is the last day of Hard Candy week here on the creation of beauty is art. Over the last several days there has been a haul and lots of reviews. To round it all off, I wanted to share a colourful spring makeup look I created using the Color Liquid Eyeliner in the shade Yellow, It's Me. 

hard candy week: primer + lip stain review

Hard Candy week is in full swing here on the creation of beauty is art. In case you missed yesterday's post...you can check out a full review of the Hard Candy x Marilyn Monroe collection here. Today is all about new products from the well-known drugstore brand. One is the Smoothing Primer Balm and the other one of the shades from the Syrup Kiss Lip Stain line. With a full display of new items in the Hard Candy display several weeks back...it was difficult to know where to begin. In fact, it was overwhelming! So, I opted for a handful of products I thought would get the most use in my day-to-day life. Want to know how the primer balm and lip stain performed? Here is all of the essential information.

hard candy week: marilyn monroe collection

Marilyn Monroe is an icon. Her legacy inspires millions around the globe. Known for her classic film roles, her breathy voice, and of course, her beauty, Marilyn will never be forgotten. Case in point? The recent collection release from Hard Candy. With a wide array of products in the line (everything from eyeliner to skin care products) Marilyn's icon status lives on. The Hard Candy x Marilyn Monroe collection immediately caught my attention. For starters, it was totally unexpected. Hard Candy has released a wide array of beauty products over the years but the last thing I ever imagined was a full line inspired by - and featuring - this classic beauty icon. Collections like this are usually saved for higher end brands at Sephora or MAC. It was refreshing and downright exciting to see something similar available for a reasonable price. 

hard candy week: new product haul + video

The past week has been...different. Most of my time has been spent indoors. While I have never been a social butterfly and quite frankly, love the idea of staying inside for an extended period of time, I miss seeing my family. A lot. So I have turned my attention to makeup and beauty. It is the ultimate distraction and has been the easiest way to perk up my mood. I've been filming YouTube videos. I've been creating random makeup looks. And I've been actively using some recent Hard Candy purchases. Several weeks ago, I was wandering my local drugstore (before the world turned upside down) and saw a full display of new Hard Candy items. New logo, new lines, and a Marilyn Monroe inspired collection. Yes, please! Everything looked fabulous. I poured over the display and carefully selected the products I wanted to try most. Honestly? Life was so busy at that point, that I didn't really have much time to test and try out the products properly. Now that things are at somewhat of a standstill, it has been all Hard Candy all the time.

first look using the jaclyn hill volume two morphe eyeshadow palette

Warm and neutral was my intention. Holding the Jaclyn Hill Palette Volume II in my hand for the first time, I decided to ease my way into this ultra colourful palette by creating a warm, neutral makeup look. Something simple. Something glamorous. Nothing too over the top. I was getting ready to go bridesmaid dress shopping with a couple of friends. Needless to say, I wasn't planning on going too intense with the makeup. However, the new Jaclyn Hill palette had other plans. Though you can expect to see my full review of the palette in the weeks to come....here is one spoiler. These shades (yes all of them) are intense. There is no subtle happening here! Even the shades that appear to be neutral or basic are richly pigmented and have an bold finish. It is time to take a closer look at the eyeshadow palette and see my very first makeup look with Volume II.

the importance of demi lovato's i love me

Every once and a while, a new song is released and it immediately strikes a chord. That is exactly what happened when I heard, "I Love Me" for the first time. I am no stranger to Demi Lovato. In addition to owning all of her music, she has been featured on my blog and YouTube channel many times. From her NYC eyeshadow palette (check out that review here) to a Demi rainbow inspired makeup look (which you can see here)...she certainly has had a presence in both my personal life and creative spaces. Needless to say, I am a fan of her style, her music, and her emotional honesty. And of course, her latest hit, "I Love Me." The song is making waves for all the right reasons. Not only is it a welcome return to music for the beloved singer but the song has a message that means something. One that is vulnerable and all too relatable. My mission here at the creation of beauty is art. is to focus on all the things that make the world beautiful. That includes self love, self care, and Demi Lovato's latest hit.

st patricks day inspired makeup look

Happy St Patrick's Day! It is time to celebrate all things green and gold. Usually that means a night out at an Irish themed bar with lots of authentic grub. This year, however, things are decidedly different. With concerns over COVID-19, parades have been cancelled and most bars closed. Does that mean all celebrations are over? Not at all. This year, you can always throw on a fun green outfit or give yourself colourful nails. Personally, I plan to spend the holiday making memories with my husband (since we officially met on St Paddy's Day all those years ago). Of course, my plan also includes fabulous green makeup. If you're planning a makeup look of your own - or are searching for a little inspiration - here is a St Patrick's Day inspired look created with a recent Hard Candy eyeshadow palette.

does it work?? (the color workshop beaming glow palette)

Sometimes you go into a makeup purchase with great expectations. Other times, it has more to do with curiosity than anything else. When it comes to the Beaming Glow set from The Color Workshop, the latter was a far more accurate scenario. Several years ago, I was gifted a set of products from the brand around the holiday season. They were....not good. I distinctly remember glitter overlays and dry eyeliner pencils. So why oh why would I take another chance on The Color Workshop? That purple toned highlight in the top row. It looked gorgeous and I needed to know how it performed. The affordable price didn't hurt either. This retailed for about $7 CDN. Does it work? Was this highlight set worth the beauty gamble? Here is everything you need to know about the Beaming Glow Palette.

make your curls last longer.

It is always the same. Your hair is curled to perfection....when you leave the house, that is. By the time you reach your destination? Those stunning curls have fallen flat. There is nothing more frustrating. Especially when you have a special get together or dinner party to attend. Stop settling for a sub par hairstyle. These four tips will give your curls plenty of staying power. That means you can sit back, relax, and know that your ‘do is always ready for that impromptu selfie.

review: revlon kiss lip balm and treatment

Though winter is allegedly winding down (there are only eight more days until the official start of the spring season) it sure doesn't feel like it. Outside, temperatures are low, winds are high, and piles of snow still cling to front lawns and crosswalks. The last several months could be summed up by one word: dry. My hands are dry, my face is dry, and my lips are well, dry. Despite all of the hand lotions, moisturizers, and lip balms used to combat dry skin this season....it remains an issue. So of course I was excited to stumble upon a product from Revlon. The Kiss Lip Balm and Treatment set seemed to have it all: a lip scrub to exfoliate and a nourishing balm to reintroduce hydration. Keep reading to find out more about this drugstore set.

current favourite accessories (betsey johnson, swarovski, and more)

Who doesn't love accessories? Certain pieces have the ability to take an outfit from meh to marvelous in an instant. Lately, I have been ultra focused on accessorizing my ensembles. Though I currently have an obsession with silver sparkly rings (on three to four fingers at a time) there are a few other accessories that have brought joy to my life lately. Ones gifted to me and a few that I've added to my own jewellery collection. Today I wanted to showcase some of those items. They are definitely topping the list of my current favourite accessories. Some of the pieces are from Swarovski, some from Betsey Johnson (who is one of my all-time favourite fashion designers ever), and a handful of random items scattered in there as well. Ready to take a peek? Here are the accessories that have been making me smile.

love it or leave it? cate blanchett

Cate Blanchett has had no shortage of red carpet masterpieces. From sleek gowns to boldly embellished pieces, she consistently lands on the top of the best dressed list. Her confidence is always apparent - and her chic style is enviable. Recently, Cate stepped out at the Berlin Film Festival to promote the new series, Stateless. This red carpet look was a far cry from her traditional A-list ensembles. Did the fashion risk pay off? It's time to find out (and sound off) in the latest installment of love it or leave it? Here goes....

testing out matte mac lipsticks

MAC has never really been on my radar. Partly because it always seemed over-hyped and partly because I'm not a fan of the overall shopping experience (where you need to ask to see certain products rather than swatch, test, and select without interruption). Regardless, I have tried a small amount of items from the brand. That includes a disappointing Trolls highlight and a Patrick Starrr set. A little while back, I came across a set of MAC lipsticks at a discount shop. Since everyone always raves about the quality of MAC lipsticks, I figured it was about time I properly tried some from the brand. Ready to dive in? Keep reading to take a closer look at the lipsticks above and find out whether the formula lives up to the hype.

review: huda beauty mercury retrograde eyeshadow palette

Sephora always has a massive selection of products to choose from. There are rows upon rows of items from prestigious high-end brands. Sometimes, all that choice can be overwhelming! Especially if you aren't looking for anything in particular. Other times, your eyes zero in on one item and only one item - and there is no doubt which product will be added to your basket. The latter best describes my reaction to the Mercury Retrograde eyeshadow palette from Huda Beauty. From the theme to the bold palette design to the alluring selection of shades...this was a no brainer. How does the palette perform? Was it worthy of that love-at-first-sight moment? Keep reading for a first impressions YouTube video along with a full follow up review and a finished makeup look using the palette.

four ways to snag celebrity style at home.

What is it about the A-list? Our collective fascination with the rich and famous never seems to fade. From new movie releases to red carpet fashion…. the public interest in celebrities and celebrity culture cannot be denied. Do you keep up with all the latest gossip? Pick up a magazine specifically for the starlet on the cover? Check out their on and off screen style? You are not the only one. There are entire Instagram accounts devoted to what celebrities are wearing. Where they shop. Where they get their hair styled. These days, it has never been easier to achieve a celebrity inspired look at home. These tips will infuse your day with a healthy dose of Hollywood glamour.