ten random things that are keeping me inspired this spring.

Balance seems out of reach. Despite my best efforts, living a balanced life seems near impossible to achieve, even on a temporary basis. It seems that life is either uncertain and achingly slow or full steam ahead. At the moment, it seems that I am in a season of "full steam ahead." There are appointments, plans, requests, and a to-do list that grows longer with each moment that passes. What kind of season are you in right now? Is the pace a little slower or are you struggling to keep it all together? Whether you are overwhelmed or are finding life a little quieter, it is essential to stay inspired. To find little things that matter. To hold onto bits and pieces of happiness. That is what inspired this blog post. I have been seeking out all that is joyful and beautiful in my world. On that note, here are ten random things that have been keeping me inspired this spring. 

my top four most used ariana grande perfumes.

There will always be something special about perfume. I love that scents can remind you of a specific experience or a different chapter of your life. Perfume can be both nostalgic and part of the current moment. Though there are many bottles on my perfume shelf, it is the Ariana Grande ones that I tend to reach for most often on a day to day basis. I love the sweet, warm, and comforting blends. On that note! Here is a closer look at the four Ariana Grande perfumes that I use most often.

current favourite cheek products (blush and highlight)

What beauty products have you been reaching for lately? With spring fully underway, there are a few blushes and highlights that have been in heavy rotation for me. Colourful, fun, and easy to wear...that is the best way to describe my makeup preferences this season. Need a little inspiration? Here is a closer look at some recent cheek product favourites.

current favourite accessories.

Options are always nice, especially when it comes to accessories. There are all sorts of pieces in my collection, but there are certain ones that I have been reaching for more often in the last several weeks. The start of a new season often results in slightly different choices for one reason or another, so this post is dedicated to some of my current favourite accessories.

five little things making me smile lately.

the creation of beauty is art. has always been focused on things that make the world beautiful. Some examples? Makeup, fashion, music, books, travel, movies, and self love. Though the world itself is not always beautiful, there is still so much to hold on to. That is why this post is dedicated to five little things that have been making me smile lately. These little things have made the last several weeks happier and more meaningful. Here is a closer look at the items on this list....

random january beauty favourites

The first month of the year is coming to a close. There have certainly been some high points and low points over the last several weeks, but my fingers are crossed that the month of February will be better. Since January is almost over, it seemed appropriate to highlight my beauty favourites from the month. These are the products that I found myself reaching for most. 

current favourite: kvd everlasting blush in foxglove

KVD Beauty is a brand with an...interesting...history. It used to have all sorts of colourful, bold, and exciting products, but the founder turned out to be horrific. The company was bought out and the brand was revamped. After that, the packaging style shifted as did the colour choices, but it was a wise decision overall. (Not everyone deserves a platform, especially when it is used to spread misinformation and cause harm.) When there was a KVD Beauty blush at my local Winners for $9.99 CDN, it seemed like a good time to test out a newer item from the brand. Keep reading for a full review of the Everlasting Blush.

fall week: early fall favourites (movies, makeup, and more)

At last, the first day of fall has arrived. Though my apartment is already decorated (for both fall and Halloween) and sweaters have been an essential part of my daily routine for the last several weeks, it is only now that autumn has officially started. That means now it is possible to enjoy pumpkin spice flavors without guilt. It is the ideal time to take photographs of the leaves changing colour and to start on that seasonal to-do list. To start this fall theme week, here are some early fall favourites.

accessories that i have been loving lately.

Do you ever find yourself reaching for the same things over and over again? Sometimes that happens to me with accessories. There are certain periods of time when the same few items seem to feel right...until eventually something else steals my attention and the process starts over again. I thought it might be fun to show you all a few of the accessories that I have been loving lately. These are the ones that seem to scream "choose me" whenever an outfit starts to come together. 

random things making me smile lately.

Finding happiness in this broken world of ours can be difficult. There are constantly disappointing people and upsetting world events making headlines. That is the reason it is extra important to hold onto beautiful, happy, uncomplicated things that add a little bit of joy to each day. On that note, here are some of the random things that are making me smile lately.

current favourites (accessories, perfume, skin care, and more)

It is time for a current favourites post. Sometimes, it is nice to focus on the little things that make life feel more beautiful. There have been all sorts of items that I have been for enjoying and reaching for lately...from accessories to perfumes to action figures and so much more. Here is a closer look at some recent favourites that have been making my days brighter. 

current favourite scents (perfumes and body mists)

Truth be told, life has felt a little dark lately. In fact, the whole world has felt a little dark lately. World events, election results, and an uncertain future that stretches out in front of us all...it is a lot to take in. Some days, my solution is to bury my head in the sand and re-watch comfort shows in bed. Other days, my brain is in overdrive, trying to plan and organize and push back wherever possible. I seem to sway between the two extremes over and over again. It is exhausting. I am exhausted. It is hard to hold onto hope in such a broken society. Despite the difficulty, I am still trying. I am doing what I can to focus on gratitude. I am holding my loved ones a little tighter. And I am using scents to calm my anxious mind. On that note, here are my current favourite scents. Some are perfumes and some are body mists, but each one makes this dark world a little more beautiful.  

four songs i've been loving lately (current music obsessions)

Music has a way of letting light peek through the darkness. With the state of the world these days, it is hard to find much light, but I am certainly trying to. Maybe that is the reason I have turned to familiar songs by artists who are especially meaningful to me. Maybe that is the reason my beloved music collection feels even more important lately. As my former favourite band once said: this music is a place to hide. Perhaps I have been hiding in music...but I can't think of a better place to establish a sense of safety and belonging in uncertain times. On that note, here are four of the songs that have been on repeat in recent weeks. 

current beauty favourites: winter edition

As I write this, the temperatures outside are downright chilly and there is snow covering the ground. Truthfully, it gives me a thrill. I love watching the snow fall in fluffy chunks and looking out my window at a winter wonderland. This is a time of year that fills my heart and renews my spirit. On that note, there are several favourites have been making the winter season feel even more beautiful. Here are a few current loves. Some are functional and some are fun little extras, but all are fabulous. 

seasonal favourites for 2024.

Tis the season for all sorts of favourites. It is hard to believe the second week of December is here already. There is so much to do before all of the festivities take place! I suppose that is the reason I love the time before Christmas the most. From early November to mid-December, it is possible to enjoy fun holiday themed items without the time crunch that the latter half of December is well known for. On that note, here are the items that have been making the holiday season bright so far.

current favourites: halloween edition

The fall season has has been a little uneven so far. September started off strong and my apartment was fully decorated with pumpkins, leaves, ghosts, and other such seasonal items. But then we received a notice that some rather invasive repair work would be done to our living room and hall ceilings...which meant un-decorating, packing away most of our possessions, and tarping all of the furniture. And after the repairs were done? It meant days and days of cleaning up the absolute disaster the contractors left behind. It has been draining to say the least. Halloween is just a few weeks away and it feels like I am starting over in a sense. I am trying to find my footing again and reestablish a connection to one of my favourite times of year. In an attempt to do that....here are some current Halloween favourites that I am hoping will add some spooky vibes to my space.

beauty spotlight: winky lux joyful jewels gift set

When the Winky Lux products were released in Canada last year, it was a love at first swipe kind of experience. The Flower Balm pH Lip Balm was an immediate favourite and has been a staple in my day-to-day makeup routine ever since. Seeing friends? Winky Lux. Going grocery shopping? Winky Lux. Traveling? Winky Lux. The lip products work so well. The stain looks natural and it lasts for ages. It is the ideal no fuss flush of colour. For Christmas, my husband gifted me the Joyful Jewels Gift Set from the brand and the three products have been in heavy rotation ever since. Today seemed like a good day for a mini review.

music is to the soul what words are to the mind.

Music has a way of softening the edges. It expresses what cannot be expressed, it makes happy moments happier, and it is a safe place to hide. Music has long been an important part of my life and who I am. Though what I am listening to may shift and change depending on my mood, there are usually a handful of songs in heavy rotation at any given time. Today, I wanted to share some of those songs. Just in case you are looking for a little something special to add to your next playlist. 

random things that are making me happy lately.

Life has been a little uneven lately. Truth be told, there have been a handful of stressful events in recent weeks. Like construction on our balcony and a massive apartment repair that will happen in the near future. (Ceiling repair...which means everything in our living room and hallway needs to be packed away and moved into another room for a few days.) There was also a celebration of life that was incredibly difficult. In response to all of this, I have been trying to focus on happy things as much as possible lately. Here are a few of the things that have been making life a little more beautiful in recent weeks.

current obsession: cover girl lash blast cleantopia (ultramarine black)

Cover Girl mascaras are impressive. I've tried a handful from the brand that have wowed, including my all-time favourite, The Super Sizer. Most recently, I gave the Lash Blast Cleantopia Mascara in Ultramarine Black a try. It is described as "an intense black mascara shade with a hint of blue for brighter, wide-awake eyes." Talk about an intriguing idea. After all, I am pretty committed to black mascara, but still love the idea of having fun with colour. This particular mascara seemed like the perfect way to check off both boxes. Keep reading for all the information about this unusual drugstore beauty product.