mocktails, makeup, and a movie event (2023)

It's that time of year again. For the last few years, the Mocktails, Makeup, and a Movie event hosted by Ontario Shores has been a virtual event because of the pandemic. This year? It was held in person again. Though I am not fully used to being around a lot of people, it is something that I am starting to get more used to as time passes. For those who are unaware, Ontario Shores provides assessment and treatment services for people dealing with mental illness. The Mocktails, Makeup, and a Movie event is a fundraising effort, in partnership with Shoppers Drug Mart. It is wonderful that so many dedicated individuals organized the event, donated items, and made the world a little bit brighter. Ready to hear about my experience at the event? See what was in the gift bag? Here is everything you need to know about the in person event. 

beginner series: tips to wear neon makeup

Neon makeup is bold, bright, and hard to ignore. While the colours are undoubtedly eye catching, they can also be a little intimidating to wear. Since the colours are so noticeable, there is little room for error when it comes to application. Want to embrace all things neon this season but don't know how to make it work? Not to worry. Keep reading for some beginner friendly tips that will make neon coloured beauty products your new favourite must have.

the women i admire...and how that has changed.

Last night, a friend and I went to see the movie, "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." Instantly, I was transported back to my youth. I remember reading that Judy Blume book over and over again. I read it so many times that the cover was cracked and worn. I felt like it understood me in ways that the people in my real life didn't. I felt seen, heard, and understood. Watching the film version took me right back to that time in my life, so full of insecurity and longing. As nostalgia took over, I started to think about the women that I admired when I was younger and how drastically that has changed. 

nail polish review: nicole by OPI

Every now and then, new nail polish is added to my collection. I wouldn't say that I purchase nail polish often (because I have a good amount already) but sometimes there is a certain colour or finish that catches my eye. That is exactly what happened with a couple of Nicole by OPI polishes. There were a handful of different nail polishes at Winners several months back and two of them were added to my cart. It is always hard for me to resist sparkle and shimmer, so it was really a no brainer. Find out how these polishes performed and whether they were worth incorporating into my nail polish collection.

taking a day trip across the border (mini haul)

Shopping can be a lot of fun, but it can also be exhausting. Especially when it involves a day trip to the United States and a jam-packed itinerary. Mother's Day weekend was a little over a week ago at this point, and to celebrate the holiday, my mom suggested a bus trip across the border to do a little shopping. Though my mom and I have taken several shopping trips before, this was the first day trip. It was certainly a tiring experience! We met at 6:00 am to head to the bus and we didn't make it back into town until 10:30 pm. Like I said...shopping can be pretty exhausting. Ready to hear more about this day trip to the United States? Find out what I brought back with me? Here are all the shopping-related details... 

rank and review: peter thomas roth masking minis set

Finishing a product is easier said than done...especially when there is so much out there to test and try. That is where travel sized or mini sized products come in handy. It is so much easier to use something completely and really make the most of the purchase when the items are smaller. Over the last little while, the Peter Thomas Roth Masking Minis Set has been taking care of several skincare needs. The five-piece mask kit came with a mask to hydrate, lift, exfoliate, soothe, and refine. Though Peter Thomas Roth was a brand that I had seen time and time again in Sephora...it wasn't a brand that I had actually tried before. The mini mask set was the perfect opportunity to put five different products to the test and rank my favourites. 

drugstore review: elf big mood mascara

Every now and then, a mascara manages to tempt me. Though I am pretty loyal to The Super Sizer from Cover Girl (higher end favourites include Better Than Sex from Too Faced and They're Real from Benefit)....the Big Mood Mascara from elf managed to catch my eye. Maybe it had something to do with the shiny purple packaging. Who knows? But at any rate, this drugstore item was added to my cart. Lately, I have been putting this mascara to the test to find out whether it lives up to the brand claims.