current obsession: katy kat x cover girl eyeshadow palette

Sometimes, it is possible to find noteworthy makeup for a whole lot less. A few months back, there were a handful of limited edition Cover Girl products at the local dollar store. Talk about exciting! I am no stranger to Cover Girl makeup. In fact, it is one of the earliest brands that I can remember purchasing. Over the years, their products have continued to wow. The standouts are definitely their mascaras (specifically The Super Sizer) and eyeshadows (the TruNaked shadows are fabulous). Another standout? The Katy Perry inspired Katy Kat line of products. This was released several years back...but for whatever reason there were some Katy Kat Palettes at the dollar store recently. Cool Kat came home with me and it has been a whirlwind love affair ever since. Curious about this drugstore palette? Here is everything you need to know about this current obsession.

perfume week: kkw fragrance essential nudes (nude suede)

The Kardashians are my weakness. Though there are lots of naysayers out there...I really enjoy their shows and products. Especially their perfumes. Over the years, many different Kardashian perfumes have been added to my collection. (My favourites are Gold and Unbreakable Bond.) Yes, this famous family is well known for releasing makeup, perfume, and beauty products. When I stumbled upon the perfume, Nude Suede, from the KKW Fragrance Essential Nudes collection, it was a no brainer. The price point was a little high and there was no tester in sight, but the item was added to my cart. Since there were no KKW fragrances in my collection at the time, it was exciting to finally try one from the brand. Keep reading for a full review...

perfume week: daisy eau so fresh by marc jacobs

I've heard a lot about Daisy over the years. From rave reviews to must have lists, this is without a doubt one of the most popular fragrances of late. Though there are various versions of Daisy out there (take a peek at this list for some examples)...it never occurred to me to add it to my collection. This is because a lot of the fragrances that I enjoy are not from designer brands. Generally speaking, I tend to prefer scents that are sweet, light, and playful. In the past, I've found that a lot of higher end perfumes are too musky, too rich, and too serious. When I won a bottle of Daisy Eau So Fresh (on a bus trip in the fall) it was a real surprise. Partly because I never win anything and partly because I never imagined actually owning one of the Daisy perfumes from Marc Jacobs. The bottle and topper were obviously beautiful, but what about the scent itself? Was it a wow or was it another high end miss? Keep reading to find out as the perfume week reviews continue. 

perfume week: dolly parton scent from above set

Dolly Parton is a beloved icon. And for good reason! Countless hit singles and albums. Sold out concert tours. Big budget movies and TV specials. Books. Not to mention all of her philanthropy. (The Imagination Library is especially wonderful.) Dolly is a treasure. Her kindness and care for all is admirable and seems to bridge the gap even during times of division. There is something so special about her. I have been a fan for a long time and could not resist the Dolly Parton Scent From Above set. Back when I was visiting Frankenmuth in the fall, there was a bit of time to do some shopping. We were browsing the shelves and bam: there is was. Without a tester available, this was purchased without ever smelling it. I figured the bottle was nice enough that even if the scent wasn't my favourite...there was something to enjoy. Ready to find out more about the Scent From Above set? It is time to take a closer look at the set and find out more about the fragrance itself. 

perfume week: what perfume means to me.

Breathe in. Can you smell it? The unmistakable scent of your favourite perfume. Maybe you can remember the first time you wore it. How you felt. How you stood a little taller. That is the magic of scent. It has the ability to take us back to certain moments. It can boost our mood. It can make life a little brighter. No wonder there are so many perfumes in my collection. Each one has a memory and a story. Each one reflects a little piece of me. With lots of perfumes to choose from, my daily scent is typically dictated by my mood. Do I feel like something light and clean? Sweet? Musky? Complex? There is a perfume for every mindset. That is why it is an essential part of my everyday routine. A carefully selected scent can start the day off right. 

review: stila gift of light liquid eye shadow set

It is no secret that eyeshadow is my absolute favourite. When it comes to beauty purchases, I am far more likely to spend my money on an eyeshadow quad or eyeshadow palette than on a new lipstick. (Even though I do love a good lipstick.) There is just something so thrilling about eyeshadows. I love the different colours and finishes. And I also love that eyeshadows can transform a makeup look. They are versatile and fun to use. Almost all of the eyeshadows in my collection are powder. I say "almost all" because over the holidays, I was gifted the Stila Gift of Light Liquid Eye Shadow Set. The set includes three travel-sized liquid eyeshadows in three different finishes. Here is everything you need to know about these Stila products.

candle haul (bath & body works and glade)

Oh, candles. I love them a little too much. This might have to do with the fact that candles were forbidden back in the days when I lived with my parents. They were afraid that I was going to be neglectful and burn down the house. (A fair concern.) Since that time...candles have become a must in my home. The scents, the flickering flame, and the cute candle jars never fail to make me smile. They are a simple way to add a little extra joy to my day. Especially since I work from home! The right candle can be the perfect pick-me-up. Knowing how much I love candles, my husband braved the Bath & Body Works Candle Day several months back and gifted me a bunch of different candles over the holidays. Ready to find out what those candles were? What he chose for me? Here is a little candle haul that includes candles from Bath & Body Works as well as one from Glade. 

five minute face: valentine's day edition

Happy Valentine's Day! Another holiday has arrived. There is something so special about each and every one. I love holiday traditions, the decorations, and the time spent with important people. Valentine's Day in particular is all about love. Whether you are focusing on self love today, love for a partner, friend, or family member...do your best to celebrate in whatever way you choose. As for me? There will be loved ones, chocolate, cards, and of course, the movie Valentine's Day. (It is one of my favourites and is a must-watch each year.) Though ultra glamorous Valentine's Day looks are a lot of fun for a night out, if you plan on spending the night in or just want something quick and easy, a five minute face is ideal. Who said holiday inspired makeup needs to take a lot of time to achieve? In honour of Valentine's Day, here is a simple and wearable makeup look. 

current obsession: kate spade earrings (light amethyst studs)

Several months back now, there was a short trip taken to the Frankenmuth area. During that little getaway (which you can read about here) there was a stop off at an outlet mall. Though I was not shopping for anything in particular, a pair of Kate Spade earrings caught my eye at the outlet. There was just something about them. The sparkle! The shine! The colour! It really was love at first sight. To be fair, there were quite a few items at the Kate Spade outlet store that I fell in love with...but the earrings were within my budget. They cost about $20 CDN and offered a little taste of luxury for less. These are definitely an obsession.

testing out the kylie cosmetics lip kit in o'deer matte

Even though it is February, holiday themed makeup items are in heavy rotation at the moment. Many beauty items were gifted to me this Christmas and some of those items came with fabulous seasonal packaging. The Kylie Cosmetics Lip Kit in O'Deer Matte is one example. On Christmas Eve, my husband encouraged me to open one gift from underneath the tree. (There had been a lot of bad weather and power outages. It was a stressful day, so he wanted me to have a little Christmas magic early.) Well...I unwrapped this lip kit and felt very spoiled. Ready to take a look at O'Deer? Find out how this lip kit performed? Here is everything you need to know about the holiday themed Matte Liquid Lipstick and Lip Liner duo from Kylie Cosmetics. 

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

The winter season is well underway. That means lots of time indoors while avoiding the massive piles of snow and strong winds outside. After a month or so of pretty decent weather...the winter returned in full force. That is why the last few weeks have been all about the home. There have been a lot of songs, streaming services, and books in my life lately. (Oh, and work, cleaning, and the normal day-to-day responsibilities as well.) So, it only made sense to share some of the things that I have been watching, reading, and listening to. Yes, this is a list of my latest entertainment highlights.

review: physicians formula (the gold vault)

Two things I cannot ignore? Shimmer and discounted makeup. The Gold Vault 24-Karat Gold Collagen Face Palette from Physicians Formula checked off both boxes and then some. This set had a little bit of everything: bronzer, highlighter, eyeshadow, and mascara. (All with lots of shimmer and shine...mascara included.) Not to mention, it was also found at a discounted price. Always a bonus! This is something that caught my eye several months back and was used a lot during the holiday season and beyond. Now? I am finally ready to share my thoughts here on the creation of beauty is art. Keep reading for a full review of this product and a makeup look featuring these oh-so-shimmery drugstore items.

i feel a lavender haze creeping up on me.

I remember the first time I heard Taylor Swift. It was way back in the days of MSN Messenger. One night, a friend of mine mentioned seeing her open for another performer. She sent me one of her songs and it was love at first listen. Since then, Taylor Swift has cemented herself as an icon. Her music continues to break records and create buzz. Most recently, her single, Lavender Haze, was released. For full transparency, this song has been on repeat in my home since the release of Midnights late last year. (Along with Vigilante Shit.) The song is all about the honeymoon stage of a relationship and the desire to hold onto it despite outside influences. There are lots of standout lines, a catchy melody, and a music video that absolutely amazes. Speaking of the music video...I am obsessed. Taylor Swift normally has really intricate and interesting music videos, but this particular video has added a healthy dose of inspiration to my life. That's why today is dedicated to Lavender Haze.

first impressions: jaclyn cosmetics (bronzer, blush, and lipstick)

When OG Beauty Guru, Jaclyn Hill launched her own makeup line, Jaclyn Cosmetics, a few years back...I was intrigued. Unfortunately, the products were not available at any stores in Canada. (The line can be found in Ulta in the United States.) To be honest, I do not love purchasing beauty items online. Makeup can come broken, packages can be damaged, and there are often high shipping costs. Not to mention the additional duties if the products come from outside the country. It just feels like an expensive gamble a lot of the time. In store shopping is still preferable to me. So, it seemed that Jaclyn Cosmetics would not be added to my makeup collection. Until a few random items appeared at Winners, that is. This discount store tends to have makeup from all over the place. Without a second thought, two Jaclyn Cosmetics products were purchased. Ready to take a closer look at these items? Read a first impressions review? Find out how the Lip Cushion and Bronze & Blushing Duo perform.