plan an at home halloween party + spooky movie suggestions

Halloween can be described in a lot of ways. Scary. Thrilling. Exciting. However you sum up this spooky seasonal event, the most important thing to do is make it memorable. Often, Halloween is celebrated with elaborate parties overloaded with friends and family members in full costumes. There are often nights out at fully decorated clubs or bars with themed beverages. Or local ghost tours. Or special events at theme parks. Or pumpkin walks. Yes, there are many ways to celebrate Halloween as an adult. This year? Things are definitely different. Many of those traditional seasonal events have been altered, downsized, or cancelled. That doesn't mean you have to throw in the towel. There is one safe and festive way to celebrate all things Halloween: throw yourself an at home party. Here are some party planning suggestions and a few spooky movies.

clinique deep comfort hand and cuticle cream + sample haul

Clinique is a consistent part of my skincare routine. Especially their Moisture Surge line of products. They work well and are suitable for sensitive skin. Though there are plenty of Clinique must-haves in my beauty room, one item was missing: hand lotion. Thanks to everything going on in the world....my hands have become ultra dry due to extra hand washing, constant use of sanitizer, and heavy-duty cleaning products. My skin is already dry to begin with, so needless to say, my hands were in rough shape! Thankfully, the Clinique Deep Comfort Hand and Cuticle Cream entered my life. Find out how it performs and check out seven different Clinique skincare and beauty samples that were included as a gift with purchase.

full face using paris hilton cosmetics

Paris Hilton has been part of popular culture for decades. She managed to turn a famous family name into a string of successful business ventures. From reality television shows to movies, music, an ultra successful perfume line, profitable DJ career, and of even a line of skin care and makeup products. This heiress never slows down! More recently, she showcased the woman behind the brand in a well-received YouTube documentary titled, "This is Paris." Currently, the documentary has over fifteen million views and has garnered a significant amount of buzz. (In case you missed it, be sure to check out the documentary here.) It is no secret that I am a fan of Paris Hilton. Her style and beauty-related ventures have been documented and reviewed here on the creation of beauty is art. countless times. Today? I wanted to use a few of my favourite Paris Hilton Cosmetics items to create a dusty rose inspired makeup look. Here is a breakdown of the products used and a peek at the end result.

aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.

Happy birthday to me! This is always an exciting day in the calendar year for me. Even after all these years, my birthday still makes me feel like a rock star. It is something that I always look forward to. This year? Things are...well....different. On one hand, there is the global pandemic. That means no seeing friends, no dinners out, no going to movies or heading to a special event. On the other hand, one of my closest friends is actually getting married today. And I am a bridesmaid. Though the details of the event have changed significantly (an extremely paired down guest list and social distancing measures in place) the wedding will still be taking place today. That means my birthday will be unusual all around. Typically, I would have separate plans with my husband, family, and friends in the days surrounding my birthday. Maybe next year.

fall fashion inspiration (flannel + warm green)

The fastest way to sum up fall fashion? Flannel. It is both stylish and enduring. There is a reason flannel designs continue to line store shelves year after year. Not only is it a total classic but flannel is also extremely versatile. It can be the focal point of an outfit or it can be incorporated into stylish autumn accessories. Flannel can have a simple and understated colour palette or boast lots of bold shades. Looking for a fun way to embrace flannel in your next seasonal outfit? Then get inspired with the outfit shown above. It checks off all the boxes when it comes to fall must-haves. Here is a breakdown of each item and how you can add similar styles to your next look.

review: eye woke up like this gold foil eye mask

Does your skin need a little TLC? Face masks are a quick and easy way to feel pampered. Every now and then, I like to set aside my to-do list and reach for a good mask. Those ten to fifteen minutes are the ultimate reset button. Not only does a face mask encourage me to stop and relax for a second but it also gives my skin a little extra care. Recently, I decided to try the Eye Woke Up Like This Gold Foil Eye Mask from sf. This eye mask had a whole list of promises...and I was eager to see if any of them were actually true. Since quarantine began way back in March, skin care is something that has been on my mind more than usual. So it only made sense to put this eye mask to the test. Find out how it looks and performs - and if it is worth trying.

fall makeup look (featuring morphe + lime crime)

Every leaf speaks bliss to me. That quote has always made me smile but this year, it seems even more accurate. I am embracing all things fall! The leaves changing colour, the crisp morning air, oversized sweaters, and of course, autumn colours. Those colours aren't just impacting my current wardrobe. They have also been inspiring a lot of my recent makeup looks. There is something about the warmth that makes me smile. Recently, I dug out a few favourites from my makeup collection (along with a few forgotten favourites) to put together a makeup look that screamed fall. Want to see how it turned out? Take a peek at some of the products used? Here is my latest fall makeup look...

what i've been watching, reading, and listening to (fall edition)

There are many things to love about fall. That includes staying indoors, curling up with a fuzzy blanket, and enjoying lots of entertainment. Whether it is a television show, movie, book, or music....it all adds up to make a perfectly memorable season. In between writing and working, I have been doing my best to make time for entertainment this fall. It is the best possible way to relax and unwind. So on that note! Today's post will be dedicated to a few of the things I've been watching, reading, and listening to lately. There are some older items on this list along with some recent obsessions and even a few new releases. So without further ado, here are some of my recent entertainment picks.

new in: butterfly belt bag + zebra print purse

New purses haven't exactly been on my radar lately. Partly because there hasn't been anywhere to go shopping and partly because there hasn't been anywhere to go in general. The last several months have been unusual, to say the least. Instead of trips to the mall, dinners with friends, seasonal events, and everything in between...things have mostly been quiet and focused. And that means less of a need for things like new accessories. That being said, recently my mom gifted me a couple of practical purses for this new normal we are living in. One was a butterfly belt bag (perfect for hands free trips to the grocery store or for those morning walks) and the other was a small zebra print purse (made from material that was easy to wipe down and disinfect). Who said staying safe meant sacrificing style? These have certainly been welcome additions to my life and my wardrobe. Ready to see them up close? It is time to take a better look at my latest accessories.

miley cyrus midnight sky inspired makeup look

It was love at first listen. Every now and again, a song manages to sweep me away. Suddenly, all of the stresses and strains of the day melt away and I am totally transfixed. That is what happened with the latest Miley Cyrus song, "Midnight Sky." I loved everything about it. The song. The message. The music video. The makeup. It is a true musical masterpiece! Something that stood out to me while watching the bold and colourful music video for this song was the unexpected makeup. The combination of purple and red was unusual in the best possible way. It added to the strong, no apologies vibe that the song offered. The glitter on the eyes was just the icing on the cake! Immediately, I knew that I wanted to recreate the look for myself. It had everything on my must-have list: lots of glitter and a bold lipstick shade. Want to see how it turned out? Find out which products were used? Here is my Miley Cyrus "Midnight Sky" inspired makeup look.

accessories obsession: swarovski ring + enchanted disney necklace

I was supposed to be in Walt Disney World this month. Two weeks from now, my husband and I would've been on our way to sunny Florida for a fabulous vacation and to celebrate the wedding of one of my dear friends. Unfortunately....everything in the world has changed. Who knows when we will be able to take our fabulous Disney vacation? It has been hard to accept the reality that so many of the wonderful things that were planned are either on pause or cancelled altogether. But at least we are healthy at the moment. That is the most important thing! Since our Disney vacation is now a no-go, my parents were kind enough to treat me to some special accessories to keep the Disney magic alive. One is a key necklace from the Enchanted Disney collection and the other is a rose gold ring from Swarovski that isn't really Disney related but makes me feel like a princess. Today, I wanted to show you those pieces. They are absolutely beautiful and have been making me smile.

review: physicians formula the perfect matcha (3-in-1 beauty water)

Sometimes, a little skin care goes a long way. Especially now. With the weather starting to shift, it has become extra important to focus on skin care. Wondering why? The recent drop in temperatures means one thing and one thing only: dry skin is coming. As someone with dry skin to begin with, the fall and winter months can be especially challenging for my particular skin type. That means not only is it important to establish (and maintain) a product routine but it also means it is vital to reach for items that work effectively. Enter Physicians Formula The Perfect Matcha 3-in-1 Beauty Water. It claims to tone, hydrate, and set makeup. Does it? Here is everything you need to know about this drugstore skin care product.

early fall favourites (books, candles, nails, and makeup)

Sometimes, the little things matter most. That is certainly true these days! It is the small joys in life that make me happiest lately. Especially since the world has changed so much in the last six or seven months. It seems that everything is upside down....but at least there are small comforts. Like the beginning of fall, the return of sweater weather, and a few recent favourites. As you can see from the picture above, lots of things are bringing me comfort at the moment. There are books, decor pieces, scented candles, nail polish strips, and shimmery beauty items. Ready to find out more about these early fall comforts? Here is everything you need to know about these recent favourites.

top five favourite: fall perfumes

Two things I love? Fall and perfume. Now that the weather is getting chillier and the temperatures are starting to drop....there are certain fragrances that have been calling my name more than ever. Ones that are a little warmer and bolder. During the summer months, I tend to use light, fresh, and fruity kind of fragrances but when the fall season hits? It calls for something decidedly different. Though there are many different bottles of perfume in my collection (you can take a peek at my perfume collection here) five of them really stood out. So, here they are. These are my top five favourite fall perfumes.

affordable must-have: essence eyebrow designer brow pencil

Believe it or not, shopping isn't something that has taken up a lot of my time lately. With the world the way it is...my goal is always to stay inside and stay safe as much as possible. That means less time is spent window shopping. Or even picking up necessities. That being said, I was down to the last inch of my previous eyebrow pencil. It was a must-have kind of scenario. So, my husband and I popped out to pick up a few needed items from the drugstore. Including a new brow pencil. I wasn't exactly sure what brand to choose from, since my previous favourite wasn't sold at that particular location. On a whim, I grabbed the Eyebrow Designer Brow Pencil from Essence. Why that product? Why that brow pencil? Quite frankly, it was cheap. The pencil cost less than $3 CDN. If I wasn't able to grab a product that I knew and loved...it made sense to choose the cheapest item until I was able to get my hands on those old favourites. Turns out? This is my new favourite brow pencil. 

#FOTD: warm glam + beauty favourites

Going out and being social? Not so much. That certainly isn't something I have been doing a lot of in the last six months or so. In fact, I've been inside almost all of the time. Apart from visiting my immediate family and picking up groceries, that is. However, last month my friend had a socially distanced bachelorette party. It was in a backyard, we all stayed away from each other, wore masks except for when we were eating or drinking, and did everything humanly possible to stay safe. Despite all of the precautions, it was still a little unnerving for me. Like I said...leaving the house isn't something I've been doing a whole lot of. But it was a special occasion and it was important for me to be there and to support my friend. Especially since her wedding experience has undergone so much change due to the pandemic. It was a memorable afternoon, for sure. Want to see the makeup look I put together for the event? Here is a warm glam #FOTD featuring some beloved beauty items.