testing out: too faced peach products (powder + lipstick)

I can't quite remember when Too Faced came on my radar. Yet over the years, I have posted about this high end brand dozens upon dozens of times. (The earliest being way back in 2013, where I shared my thoughts on The Return of Sexy eyeshadow palette. You can check out that post here if you're curious.) I am most definitely a fan. There is a lot to like about the brand. Personally, I love the fact that so much attention is put into the overall beauty experience. The products tell a story and they are full of charm and whimsy. With Too Faced, there is always a fun theme, ultra cute packaging, and exciting colours to choose from. They certainly stand out from the other high end brands at Sephora. A little while ago, I was able to add a couple of decently sized Too Faced samples from their line of peach products. This is a line of products I have wanted to try for ages but never quite got around to. So this seemed like the perfect opportunity to find out whether it would be worth it to look into the line a little further. Ready to find out more? Here are my thoughts on the Peach Perfect powder and Peach Kiss lipstick. 

does it work?? avon live out loud fragrance ink body pen

Every once and a while, an unusual beauty product makes its way into your life. Unusual is the certainly the word I would use to describe the Live Out Loud Fragrance Ink Body Pen from Avon. In fact, I can confidently say that there is no product like this in my makeup collection now or in the past. It is one of a kind. So...what is this exactly? What does the pen do? Essentially, this is a black marker designed for use on the skin. But it is also a perfume of sorts. In fact, the company describes it as a whole new way to fragrance. This was definitely a unique addition to my beauty collection but the question remains. Does it actually work? Here is everything you need to know about this unusual (but intriguing) item.

good american (haul and review)

Oh, Good American. Ever since receiving a pair of Good American jeans for my birthday this past year (check out my very first GA review here) this brand has stayed on my mind. There are a few reasons for this. One, I adore Khloe Kardashian, the co-founder of the brand. Two, that pair of Good American jeans in my closet are what I reach for whenever I want to look casual but still be stylish and put together. Now? I've been lucky enough to receive a few more Good American goodies from my mom. There was a sale on recently and she managed to score some decent prices on these always costly pieces. That included another pair of black jeans, a patterned blouse, and a bold black top. Want to see the items in question? Find out what they're like? Keep reading for this Good American haul and review.

current favourites: early summer edition

Can you believe? The official start of summer is on the horizon. In fact, it is just a few days away. Though the summer season hasn't technically begun just yet...in my mind it is already time for sunshine and sandals. Which probably explains why I have been reaching for lots of summer-inspired products lately. Among other things! That is what inspired today's post. I wanted to spend some time focused on a few of my current favourites. They are items that I am referring to as my early summer must-haves. As you can see from the picture above, there are skin care items, beauty products, and more. Keep reading to find out why they are on the top of my seasonal essentials list.

must-have stylish summer accessories

How will you spend your summer? Walking along the lake shore? Enjoying a backyard barbecue? There are so many exciting possibilities. Though the world has certainly been through a lot lately, this is the perfect time to wave goodbye to anxiety and stress. At least for a little while! Summertime is most commonly spent partaking in fun activities and making the most of nature. No wonder so many people call summer their favourite season. Is it yours? Then make the most of it. These stylish summer accessories will keep you sun-ready every step of the way.

life hacks for your next night out

It’s Friday night and you are ready to take over the city. Well, sort of. Though the world has been at a standstill lately, things are slowly getting back on track. Bit by bit, little by little, things are opening up and we are diving headfirst into our new normal. What will that look like? How will things change? A lot of information is still up in the air. While we are in this in between of sorts...it is nice to think about the future. About making plans, going out, and having fun. Perhaps that is why my mind has been on nights out with friends. Of getting glam, splurging, and having a fabulous time. With any night out there is always an unexpected mishap or two that threatens to ruin it all. Not this time. I am planning ahead! From getting ready to making lasting memories, these life hacks are guaranteed to improve that next night out. Whenever it may happen.

my first femme luxe experience

Femme Luxe is a brand I have heard an awful lot about lately. I've seen glowing review after glowing review....so it was downright thrilling to have three items sent to me to review here on the creation of beauty is art. Cute lounge wear to strut my stuff in around the house? Yes, please. I am already the Queen of sweatpants so the idea of having matching looks was incredibly appealing. The website showcased some seriously gorgeous tracksuits, loungewear sets, t-shirts, and comfortable at-home items. Each outfit looked better than the last. Of course, I was eager to receive Femme Luxe goods of my very own. To see if these items were worth the hype. Were they? Honestly, my experience was not a positive one. It is important that I share my true opinions and be totally transparent with you all. There were multiple issues with the order, including incorrect sizes and an outfit that smelled revolting. So. Here it is. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

my decluttering process + makeup declutter video

Ah, decluttering. It may be essential but it is rarely an enjoyable process. I am someone who has always been very attached to things. If there is a dress hanging in my closet, I can remember the day I bought it, where I wore it, and how I felt the first time I put it on. If there is an eyeshadow palette, my heart races thinking back to all of the beautiful makeup looks it helped create. My mind creates memories and emotional attachments to material items. As you can guess, that makes decluttering an extremely difficult process. In short...I hate it! That being said, it is an important thing to do. Every now and then, it is a good idea to take a look around and see what isn't working, what is worn out, and what isn't getting used. Over the last little while, decluttering has been happening a lot in my home.

saying goodbye: fuller house

Goodbyes have never been my strong suit. Not in real life and not on television. And yet, goodbyes are an inevitable part of life. Things change and nothing stays the same forever. I remember being very young and looking in the TV Guide (back in the days before Google, before there Internet was in our home, and before on-screen interactive guides existed). Next to Full House were the words, series finale. I remember reading those two words over and over again. What did that mean? So, I asked my mom. She explained that Full House, my favourite show, was ending that night. There wouldn't be any new episodes. Only the ones we had already seen. This was a devastating blow to my young life. It felt like I was losing a part of myself. Like I was losing my second family. Fast forward twenty five years and I have found myself in the same situation. Fuller House (the Full House reboot) has come to an end after a five season run on Netflix. It is the end of an era. Again.

colourful makeup look + kvd crushes technicolor crayon set review

The sun outside is shining. Whenever the sun shines brightly through my window, my first instinct is to create something colourful and exciting. To bring that light and optimism to any and all makeup looks. That is how I wound up putting the Kat Von D Crushes Technicolor Crayon Set to the test. Disclaimer: recently, Kat Von D stepped down from her company and it is now going by KVD. I am still a fan of the products that the brand has released in the past but obviously do not agree with the personal views she has expressed. Now! Back to colourful makeup. This particular set included three bright crayon colours which included a vibrant blue, pink, and orange. On a sunny afternoon, I decided to use all three of the colours to create something bright, fun, and a little out of my wheelhouse. The end result was a fun and creative expression. Ready to take a look? Find out how the KVD Crushes crayons performed? Here is a colourful makeup look to and a mini review.

the bookshelf tag + recent reads video

Books. Books have long filled my heart with every conceivable emotion. Those pages have the power to take you to far off lands, to let you into someone else's world, to transform your perspective, and teach you things you never knew you needed to learn. Books are important. They are the very reason that I have always wanted to be a writer. They are the reason that I continue to write today. For as long as I can remember, books have been an essential part of my life. From being read to as a small child to pouring through Sweet Valley High books in my adolescence to my yearly reading goals...there is something to be said for the written word. During the quarantine, an exhausting day was spent attempting to organize my bookshelf. Before that organizational day, my shelves were overloaded and extra books were left in stacks on the floor. Somehow, I managed to squeeze all of my books onto the two full-sized shelves (it involved double stacking and a splash of creativity) but it was a process! That is what inspired me to do another book post. So without further ado, here is The Bookshelf Tag as well as a Recent Reads video on my YouTube channel.

finding the best summer shorts for you

Got the itch to splurge on a brand new wardrobe? Warm weather is the perfect excuse to do just that. Leave behind those bulky layers, heavy sweaters, and that waterproof wardrobe. Now is the time to swap out those items for colourful tank tops, lightweight fabrics, and shorts. The latter is a summer staple like no other. Each and every year, fashionistas wow with this seasonal must-have. Simply put, shorts are amazing. Why? They can look casual, dressy, or even glam enough to dazzle on a night out. The bad news? Shopping for shorts is often easier said than done. It can be tricky to find the right length, fabric, and fit. Need a little help? These shopping tips will point you in the right direction.

my experience: scenic safari drive thru zoo

If you needed proof that the world we live in is completely different, I have three words for you: drive thru zoo. Yes, you read that right. Drive thru zoo. Recently, the Toronto Zoo announced that they would be holding a Scenic Safari. That involves taking your car through staff-only roads and through the zoo itself, while listening to a Zookeeper guided audio tour. Since most places are still closed or have limited capacities, places like zoos have understandably been closed for the foreseeable future. Thankfully, the Toronto Zoo came up with a unique way for guests to stay safe and still have a good time. Though getting tickets for this limited event was a bit of a struggle (I waited in a virtual queue for nearly six hours before I was able to select a date and time to visit)....it was something that really excited me. For starters, my husband and I always go to the zoo at least once or twice a year. Always! Beyond that, the concept itself is really unique and this Scenic Safari gave us an opportunity to enjoy a special event without feeling unsafe or uncertain. Today, I wanted to share my experience as well as a few of the photographs I snapped along the way. Here goes....

honest beauty magic beauty balm stick (review)

There are always those brands you hear about but never really try for yourself. Honest is certainly one of those companies for me. As a lover of popular culture, the Honest company has been on my radar for many years. (Thanks to founder and long-time actress, Jessica Alba.) Despite that...I never really considered purchasing anything from them. Though the brand mission of ethical consumerism is admirable, there weren't a lot of items that I genuinely felt compelled to add to my household. Then makeup came into play. Makeup has always been and will always be my weakness! I was curious how a beauty product from this billion dollar brand would perform. Which is how the Magic Beauty Balm Stick came into my collection. Curiosity! If you've also been curious about Honest Beauty then keep reading. Here is a full review of this moisturizing and illuminating stick.

current obsession: paris hilton electrify perfume

Ah, Paris Hilton. She has long been a part of my life. From watching episodes of The Simple Life on television back in the 2000s to listening to her music, testing out her makeup line, and enjoying her extensive perfume collection....Paris Hilton is someone I have been a fan of for ages. Not long ago, I shared a review of her Platinum Rush fragrance. At that time, I was extremely excited to complete my collection of Paris Hilton perfumes. Little did I know, another one had since been released. Electrify is the latest release from this iconic businesswoman. Thankfully, it was gifted to me recently! This bold pink perfume bottle certainty stands out in my collection and has been bringing me lots of joy over the last several weeks.