merry christmas to all and to all a good night.

Merry Christmas! Despite my desire to slow down time and make December last a little longer...Christmas Day has arrived. Don't get me wrong: I love Christmas Day. It is such a special time for family, friends, traditions, food, and of course, hope. It is a day of peace and joy. Of love and kindness. It all just ends so quickly. Perhaps that is why I love the days and weeks leading up to the main event even more than the grand finale. I love all of the movies and the snow falling outside. I love checking for Christmas cards in the mail. I love turning on the radio and hearing Mariah Carey. At any rate, Christmas Day is here again. However you are celebrating - and whoever you are celebrating with - may your day be blessed and meaningful. 

On another note, this post is a reminder that my annual mini blog break has arrived. I have always taken the week between Christmas and New Year's Day off as a way to rest and recharge after all of the festivities. I will be back in the new year with even more beauty-related content. In the meantime, have a wonderful Christmas and a fantastic week. I look forward to hearing all about celebrations! Now, for a Christmas quote that perfectly encompasses how I feel...

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the creation of beauty is art. How will you be celebrating?

peanuts x wet n wild eyeshadow palette (review + holiday #FOTD)

Christmas time is here, families drawing near. Oh, that we could always see, such spirit through the year. Some holiday specials are iconic for good reason. A Charlie Brown Christmas is certainly iconic, beloved, and a tradition for many families. Several months back, it was announced that there would be a Wet n Wild collaboration with the Peanuts brand just in time for Christmas. This announcement left me with mixed feelings. On one hand, it sounded amazing. On the other hand, we don't tend to see limited edition offerings from Wet n Wild where I live. It seemed unlikely that I would be able to own anything from the collection. However, since my mom and I visited Frankenmuth last month, we were able to visit a few US stores. Luckily, the Peanuts x Wet n Wild items were available there. Though I wanted absolutely everything, it was only the Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown! Eyeshadow Palette that came home with me. It was about $17 USD, which was pricey, especially considering the fact that Wet n Wild has always been so affordable. Apparently not anymore! Since Christmas Day is right around the corner...this seemed like the perfect time to talk about this seasonal makeup release and share a holiday themed #FOTD.

new to me holiday DVDs (2022 additions)

These days, everyone loves to stream holiday classics. I do, too. There are lots of fun seasonal offerings on a variety of streaming platforms. Watching them is so easy. All you do is hit play and voila! However, those movies don't always stick around. Case in point? Two favourites of mine, Christmas With the Kranks and Just Friends were removed from Netflix fairly recently. I was distraught. For me? It reinforced the importance of physical media. I have always been someone who purchases CDs, TV box sets, and DVDs. I like to own things that matter to me. As great as streaming can be, the catalogue is temporary and can disappear at any moment. That is why my Christmas movie collection (which you can take a peek at here) is so important to me. I find it comforting to know that the seasonal movies I love are always nearby. Saying that...my Christmas movie collection grows every now and again. I have a list of movies that I am on the hunt for and it is not unusual for me to browse discount bins searching for a hidden treasure. Want to take a peek at some new to me holiday DVDs for 2022? Keep reading to check out some of the seasonal movies that I have been able to add to my movie collection this year. 

2 looks 1 palette: jackie aina x abh eyeshadow palette

Everyone has a palette that got away. You know, that limited edition release that you decided not to purchase, only to hear about endlessly from other makeup lovers. For me...that palette was the Jackie Aina x Anastasia Beverly Hills Eyeshadow Palette. At the time that it was released, there was another palette that interested me more, so that was the one that was added to my collection. In the weeks and months that followed, the Jackie Aina x ABH palette was often mentioned as a must-have. The reasons? The intense pigmentation, the unique colour story, and the overall performance. I was intrigued, but it was too late, and I knew it had become the palette that got away. Until recently, that is. During a visit to Winners a few months back, the palette was sitting there in all its glory, protected in a clear plastic case. Without hesitation, that palette was taken to the checkout line. Finally! I could find out whether the high-end eyeshadow palette was worthy of the hype. Keep reading for a mini review and two different makeup looks created with the collaboration eyeshadow palette. 

rank and review: classic rankin/bass christmas specials

Rankin/Bass are an important part of the holiday season. In fact, their specials have become some of the most popular of all time. After all, it just wouldn't be Christmas without watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at least once! As someone who adores this time of year - and all of the seasonal specials that come along with it - there is nothing more thrilling than sitting down to do a Rankin/Bass themed rank and review. According to an article from Paste Magazine, there are nineteen Rankin/Bass Christmas specials. It is time to find out where those specials fall on my personal rank list. 

review: too faced yummy gummy limited edition makeup set

Limited edition holiday releases tend to be whimsical. The latest limited edition makeup set from Too Faced certainly meets that criteria and then some. This brand is known for adorable packaging and this time...it is all about gummy bears. In the past, there have been peach scented products, cinnamon bear themed items, and everything in between. That is what I love about Too Faced: the brand seems to remember that the makeup should be fun. There are lots and lots of brands out there that focus on classic colours and understated packaging. Too Faced adds some much needed colour and theming to the mix. Ready to find out how the Yummy Gummy Limited Edition Makeup Set performs? See what is included? Here are all the details.

recent holiday themed reads.

What is better than reading? Not much. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to make time for this beloved pastime. In an ideal world, it would be possible for me to finish all of the books on my shelf and still have time to reread lifelong favourites. The reality is drastically different. Most of the time, I find myself squeezing in a few minutes of reading before bed or at lunch. I miss days spent curled up with a good book. Who knows...maybe there will be more of that in the new year. For now, I will have to settle for stolen moments of escapism. Over the last little while, I have been focused on holiday themed books. Some are mysteries and others are more romantic in nature. Here are some recent reads and mini reviews. 

life lately: the friends experience and marie osmond concert

It used to be a common occurrence. Leaving the house and heading to head to a ticketed activity, that is. Concerts, performances, special events...I loved them all. Unfortunately, those events have become a lot less common over the years. This is in part due to the rising costs (it is unbelievable how much a concert ticket is now) and in part due to the pandemic. That being said, the month of December has seen me head to not one but two special events. Talk about unusual! 

technic nail varnish collection (seasonal nail polish review)

Christmas Day is often associated with gifts, but it seems that I have been spoiled ahead of time this year. When it comes to seasonally themed items, my mom firmly believes that these should be given beforehand so those items can be used during the holiday season. It makes sense! At any rate, that is how the Technic Nail Varnish Collection entered my life. It came in adorable holiday themed packaging and had six shimmery polishes. Ready to take a closer look and find out how these nail polishes performed? Keep reading for all the details and for a simple holiday themed nail look. 

i'm just a vintage soul this christmas.

Sometimes, there is beauty in looking back. I find myself drawn to all things retro and vintage these days...especially now that the holiday season is underway. Maybe I have rose coloured glasses for a time that I never experienced. Or perhaps there is comfort in knowing how it all turned out. Honestly, there is so much uncertainty these days that looking back has become a lovely form of escapism. Though decades of the past held their own troubles, fears, and uncertainties, the haze of nostalgia makes it all seem so warm and simple. I am holding onto that feeling! As a result, several retro inspired holiday items have made their way into my home lately. Take a peek at some of those decor pieces and enjoy a little old-school inspiration.

seasonal favourites for 2022 (movies, decorations, and music)

Christmas time is here...happiness and cheer. Can you tell that I am in the holiday mood these days? It is no secret that the month of December is my favourite. I cherish each and every day leading up to the main event. For me, the days and weeks before Christmas always feel extra special. There are traditions to enjoy and decorations to look at. There is music to listen to, movies to watch, treats to enjoy, and opportunities to see loved ones. Though this is without a doubt a busy and hectic season, there is so much happiness thrown into the mix as well. Speaking of happiness, there are some seasonal favourites that have been making me smile lately. Though there are holiday staples (like John Denver records, Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes, and Food Network holiday baking shows)...2022 has seen some new favourites added into the mix. 

revisited review: too faced christmas in the city set

The month of December often causes me to reflect on the past. Sometimes that means thinking back on traditions and seasonal memories. Other times, it means there is a renewed focus on makeup releases from the last year or so. The latter is certainly true today. I continue to make the most of the Too Faced Christmas In The City Holiday Makeup Set that was released around this time last year. My sister gifted me the set for Christmas and it has been a serious love ever since. Ready for a revisited review? Here are some updated thoughts, personal reflections, and even a makeup look for good measure. 

leave a little sparkle wherever you go.

December is here! Nothing could make me happier. It is no secret that I adore the holiday season. The lights, the food, the movies, the music, the decorations, the time spent with loved ones...everything. Yes, I love absolutely everything about this month. In order to welcome in December properly, it made sense to share a little bit of seasonal inspiration here on the creation of beauty is art. Check out some holiday inspired photos and quotes below. As for what you can expect here over the next several weeks? There will be some seasonal favourites, current obsessions, revisited holiday makeup reviews, seasonal nail looks, movie musts, as well as a handful of high-end and drugstore Christmas makeup looks. This is sure to be a month to remember, both online and offline. On that note, here is a little December inspiration to start the month off right.