a day at the lake restores the soul.

It is time for a mini blog break here on the creation of beauty is art. Several members of my family enjoy spending time at a rented cottage each summer (a tradition that started during the COVID-19 pandemic when most of the world was shut down) which means that I am begrudgingly being dragged along. Though I do not like being away from the comfort of my home and do not particularly enjoy all of the mosquitos, there are usually lots of antique and thrift stores to explore. And this year, my husband and I are planning to take a daytrip to a small theme park that isn't too far away. Since I will be occupied for the next week, there will be a mini break, but new posts will be shared on the creation of beauty is art. as soon as I return. Until then! 

This content is from the-creationofbeauty.blogspot.com. If it is posted elsewhere, it has been stolen.

Do you have any travel plans this summer? Are you someone who enjoys spending lots of time in nature?

five little things making me smile lately.

the creation of beauty is art. has always been focused on things that make the world beautiful. Some examples? Makeup, fashion, music, books, travel, movies, and self love. Though the world itself is not always beautiful, there is still so much to hold on to. That is why this post is dedicated to five little things that have been making me smile lately. These little things have made the last several weeks happier and more meaningful. Here is a closer look at the items on this list....

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.

travelling tends to magnify all human emotions.

It is time for a little end of the summer break. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, my family has booked a cottage at the end of the season for a week or so. It is not usually in the same place but in the same general area. Going to the cottage is not my favourite thing to do (I like being on my computer, watching Netflix, and being in the comfort of my home...and I dislike bugs, nature, and the unfamiliar) but given the events of this year so far, it might be nice to spend some dedicated time with my family. Here is hoping the week will be a positive one with lots of fun memories. This post is just to let you all know that the creation of beauty is art. will be on pause this week while I am away, but there will be new posts next week as usual. 

What do you have planned for this week? Will you do any end of summer travelling? 

affirmations and journal prompts to make the summer season special.

Summer is here. That means sunshine, warm temperatures, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Whether this is your favourite time of year or your least favourite...you deserve to make the most of the season. It can be difficult to do that when your schedule seems too full or there are obstacles in your way. So, do what you can to refocus your mind, reflect, and make the most of the next few months. Here are some positive affirmations and journal prompts to make that process a little bit easier. 

christmas affirmations, journal prompts, and self care ideas

The countdown is officially on. Christmas Day is almost here! I am always surprised at how quickly the latter half of December passes, even though it seems to be this way each and every year. Though there are all sorts of wonderful moments to enjoy and fun items on the seasonal to-do list...this can also be a time of stress and overwhelm. Maybe your calendar looks a little too full this year, you are struggling to finish your holiday shopping, or there is a project at work that seems to have taken over your life. Does it all feel like too much? Take a deep breath in and let it out. You aren't alone. There are ways to manage stress and overwhelm this holiday season. Here are some Christmas themed affirmations, journal prompts, and self care ideas.

tis the season to give: different ways to donate this year

Most holiday movies have similar themes: caring, sharing, and giving to others. In the words of Kris Kringle from the Miracle on 34th Street movie, "I'm a symbol of the human ability to be able to suppress the selfish and hateful tendencies that rule the major part of our lives." The month of December is meant to be about kindness, giving to others, and softening our hearts. It is about seeing beyond our own circumstances. Yes, it is about traditions and beautiful memories with loved ones, but it is about more than that, too. In recent years, it seems the "selfish and hateful tendencies" have become more apparent in society. There is more cruelty, more harm, more destruction, and less hope. The selfish and hateful seem to be prioritized over the selfless and loving. While I don't have a cure for this shifting attitude, it highlights the need to give this holiday season. To focus on putting good into a world that so often falls short. Here are some suggestions and ideas to consider this month. 

memories at the lake last forever.

Spending time outdoors is not my favourite thing to do. I am more of an air conditioning and television kind of person...but my family likes to visit a cottage each summer. (My brother likes to kayak, my husband likes to fish, and my parents like the change of scenery.) By the time this post is live, that is exactly where I will be. Though I would much prefer a week at a theme park or somewhere similarly fun, my days will be spent in nature instead. Fingers crossed that I will not come home with too many mosquito bites! This post is just to let you all know that that I will be off applying sunscreen instead of being parked in front of my computer like I normally am. You can expect new posts here on the creation of beauty is art. this time next week.

Have a wonderful week! Be sure to let me know how you are staying busy this summer in the comment section below. 

my experience at the world of barbie event.

Though it is still difficult for me to be out and about in the world...my family continues to encourage me to leave the house every now and then. This time? It was the lure of Barbie that encouraged me to head outside. Not too far away, the World of Barbie exhibit was available for fans of all ages to live their Barbie fantasy. There was a full-sized model of the Barbie Dreamhouse and camper van as well as life size Barbie doll boxes, a Barbie space shuttle, and more. It was certainly a feast for the eyes! For as long as I can remember, this iconic doll has been a part of my life. (My first word was "Barbie.") I admired her incredible house, undeniable eye for fashion, and the fact that she could be literally anything. Given my history with the doll, it was hard to resist a Barbie themed event. Ready to find out how it was? Take a peek at all of the recreations? Keep reading...

12 days of Christmas (Winterlicious Questions) - Day 6

Life has definitely been busy lately. There are all sorts of seasonal activities keeping me busy. From
dinners with friends to movie marathons with the family and shopping trips with my husband....there just isn't a dull moment these days! Here is hoping your days are equally as full, but in the best possible way. In case you missed my first post, check out the Winterlicious Questions that I will be answering every day until the 25th of December. For Day Six in this countdown to Christmas, the focus is on holiday beverages.

12 days of Christmas (Winterlicious Questions) - Day 5

One week. There is just one week until Christmas! Each and every year, I do my best to slow down and enjoy this oh-so-magical time of year. I aim to get things done early so I don't feel so rushed when it comes down to crunch time. Yet, despite all of my prepping and planning...it seems there is always so much to squeeze in at the last minute. Here is hoping you are spending the last week before Christmas resting, relaxing, and making happy memories. Are you ready for Day Five? In case you missed my first post, check out the Winterlicious Questions that I will be answering every day until the 25th of December. Today's post is all about winter scents.

double, double, toil and trouble.

It is just one day away. Yes, tomorrow is Halloween. Though my favourite holiday will always be Christmas....all holidays excite me at least a little bit. There is something so thrilling about it. People are usually in a good mood, make time to have fun, and tap into their inner child. For at least a little while. This year, Halloween falls on a Thursday night so my plans are somewhat limited. That doesn't mean I won't be celebrating, though. After work, I have cleared my schedule for a mini movie marathon. There are plenty of fantastic Halloween themed movies that I have been enjoying this month. However, there are a few that I will be watching (or re-watching) on the day itself.  What are they? And what are a few of my other seasonal favourites? Here is a little list to inspire your movie choices this Halloween.

birthday post + sephora birthday gift (mini review)

Some people loathe birthdays. Dread them, even. Not me! For as long as I can remember, I have eagerly looked forward to my birthday. October 24th has always felt like a special day in my world. Not only is it my my birthday but it is also my brothers birthday as well. (Yes, I am a twin.) Since it is so important to me and my family....it is extra important to celebrate, enjoy, and make special memories. Which is why today I am in full celebration mode. How will I celebrate? And what was my birthday gift from Sephora this year? Keep reading to find out.

cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right

Happy New Year! This is my first post in a fresh new year and it is kind of exciting. Though the end of 2018 is a little bittersweet (so many wonderful things happened)....I am thrilled to start 2019 with optimism and joy in my heart. Today, I took a little bit of time to look back at my resolutions from last year. I did my best to keep up with them throughout the year and am quite happy with all of the progress I made. I was able to cross many things off completely and accomplish a number of personal, spiritual, and professional goals. There is no doubt about it: 2018 was a fabulous year.

seasonal favourites for 2018

Somehow, the month of December always seems to move at lightning speed. It feels as though I waited ages for December to arrive and now....it is all going by too quickly. Anyone else feel the same? I wish I could slow down this time of year. That way, I could sit back and appreciate all of the little moments that make the Christmas season special. Confession: that is sort of the goal with my post today. I wanted to share some of my seasonal favourites for the year. That way, I can take time to reflect on some of the things that have been making me smile so far. Here you will find lots and lots of favourites, from movies to music to food and more.

liebster award.

What a surprise! First of all, I would like to thank Laura from Lalabetterdayz for nominating me for the Liebster Award. It was a lovely surprise and I am so honoured. In today's post, I will be answering her questions and sharing my own questions for whoever would like to participate. Here goes....

four haunting halloween activities.

Boo! The spookiest time of year is finally here. It is much more than your typical candy-coated holiday. (Though there will certainly be plenty of candy given out to eager trick or treaters.) This season is all about scary stories, fake blood, and haunted houses. Get in on the action. Instead of letting another Halloween pass you by…make the most of it. How? Try these haunting Halloween activities. Your celebration will be full of fun, excitement, and maybe even a few scares.

the struggle ends when gratitude begins.

Generosity is a gift that never goes unnoticed. Lately, I've been feeling especially grateful for the wonderful things in my life. From random early morning conversations...to small tips from regular customers...to a random bag of goodies from a good friend....to time spent with the people that know me best. The list goes on and on. These acts of kindness and generosity have gone far beyond momentary happiness. They have restored my faith in the world. They have made me want to put that same kind of love and positivity back into the universe.

chasing your dreams and staying motivated

We all have big dreams, well thought out plans, and hopes for the future. Sometimes they have to do with our personal lives and other times they relate to our careers. Whatever those big dreams may be – it is important to stay motivated. Honestly? That can be tough sometimes. There are so many people chasing their own dreams, it all starts to feel impossible. It's not! Keep your head held high and push through. It is the best possible way to achieve success. Still not feeling cool, calm, and confident? Here are a few tips to help you stay motivated….

you are never too old to set another goal.

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday. Since my last post, I have been eating too much, spending time with loved ones, and generally just getting wrapped up in all of the wonder and excitement this time of year is known for. It has been an incredible week or so....and I am just now starting to get back in the swing of things. A new year has now begun and we are starting 2018.