does it work?? maybelline sunkisser blush (sol search)

The summer season is well underway now that August has arrived. The temperatures are scorching and there is lots of sunshine. This is ideal for all of the summer lovers out there, but in truth, my mind keeps wandering to fall. The "ber" months are so close yet so far away. Sigh! Despite the lure of sweater weather and fallen leaves, I am doing my best to stay present and make the most of the remaining weeks of summer. One product is making that a little bit easier, which is the Sunkisser Blush from Maybelline. Keep reading for all of the important product details and the answer to the question: does it work??

revisited review: hershey's milk chocolate eyeshadow palette

I do not purchase makeup as often as I used to. In the past, there were new releases added to my makeup collection on a semi-regular basis thanks to countless visits to Sephora and the drugstore. These days? That doesn't happen often. My focus has been on repurchasing essential everyday items as needed and the occasional splurge on something fun and new. That has led to a lot of "shopping my stash," which is essentially browsing what I have to make sure I am using what is already in my possession rather than constantly purchasing more. That inspired this revisited review on the Hershey's Milk Chocolate Eyeshadow Palette. It was first featured on the creation of beauty is art. in late fall - and is an eyeshadow palette that I have been reaching for a lot lately. Here are the pros, cons, and a new makeup look featuring this chocolate inspired release. 

visiting santa's village theme park.

There is nothing better than a Christmas inspired theme park for the holiday obsessed. For many years, I have wanted to re-visit Santa's Village, a theme park that I visited once as a child. During the recent cottage getaway, my husband, brother, and I drove the extra hour and a half out to the Christmas wonderland. Here are some of the highlights of that experience. 

cottage thrift store haul (music, movies, books, and more)

It is no secret that thrift stores and antique stores make me happy. You never know what treasure you might find there! During a recent cottage vacation with some family members, there were several such stores visited in Fenelon Falls, Bobcaygeon, and Lindsay. I was lucky enough to find some wonderful items to add to my always growing collection of movies, books, and music. 

love the earth as you would love yourself.

The month of July has been a busy one, especially with a cottage vacation thrown into the mix. This is something that my immediate family has done each summer since the COVID-19 pandemic, but the experience was a little bit different this year. My sister and her family did not come, there was a rented condo unit instead of a traditional cottage house, and there were certain health issues to navigate. I've mentioned in previous posts that one of my loved ones has been dealing with serious health issues for the last year and a half. It has made life uncertain. Unfortunately, this family member was admitted to the hospital a few days before the scheduled vacation and remained there several days after the vacation started. My brother, my husband, and I were at the cottage (or condo) for a few days before the remaining family members were able to make it there. 

christmas in july: standouts from the 24 christmas movie collection

"It's tiiiiiiiiime!" Well...sort of. Christmas in July has arrived once again. For the holiday obsessed, like me, this is no better way to beat the summer heat than by thinking about the most wonderful time of the year. I am not the only one dreaming of a white Christmas (in July). Hallmark has been focused on seasonal programming throughout the month, with a new Christmas movie premiering each week. In the past, there have been posts on the creation of beauty is art. dedicated to mini hauls and tag questions as well as posts about random holiday movies. This time around? The focus is on the 24 Christmas Movie Collection from Nicely Entertainment. Back in December, I found two sets from the same company and was thrilled to add them to my always expanding Christmas movie collection. I have been making my way through both sets throughout the year, treating myself to a new-to-me Christmas movie as needed. To celebrate this Christmas in July, here are the standouts. 

new in: sutton mini crossbody bag (kate spade)

There are some brands that I like more than others. Brands that are pompous and bland? Not so much. Brands with a little more personality tend to be my preference. That is why I often am enamored with items from Betsey Johnson and Kate Spade. These brands know how to let fashion be fun. My husband and I recently celebrated another wedding anniversary (eleven years and counting) and my parents gave each of us a present. Mine was the Sutton Mini Crossbody Bag from Kate Spade.