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. 

recent thrifted finds (music and movies)

It is almost impossible for me to leave a thrift store empty handed, especially when there are sections dedicated to music and movies. Well, there is one thrift store near me that is entirely dedicated to music and movies. This is not a place that I am able to visit often, because I am simply unable to hold back seeing so many wonderful items. (Music, movies, and television shows are all weaknesses of mine. I find so much comfort in the words and stories of others.) After several months away, there was a random visit that resulted in an armful of media. It is time to take a closer look at some recent thrifted finds.

r.e.m. beauty x wicked (blush palette and lip oil review)

Wicked and Wicked: For Good are still in heavy rotation in my home. The movies and soundtracks are a constant....and so are Wicked themed makeup products. There have been a few reviewed here on the creation of beauty is art. already, but now it is time for two more product reviews from r.e.m. beauty. The first is the Cherry Blossom Blush Palette and the second is the So Popular PH Adaptive Lip Oil. Here is everything you need to know about these Wicked: For Good inspired makeup products. 

what i've been watching lately (sick edition)

It is cold and flu season. I thought it was something that I would be able to avoid this year, but unfortunately, it found me. Unfortunately, I have been under the weather more recently, with my days largely spent in bed coughing and holding a box of Kleenex close. That is the down side. On a more positive note, this has allowed me to spend far too much time watching television shows and movies. Here are some of the things that I have been watching lately while doing my best to recover.

wicked: for good ozian forest eyeshadow palette (r.e.m. beauty)

Even though Wicked: For Good was released several months back, it is still in heavy rotation in my home. I love listening to the soundtrack, watching the movie, and enjoying Wicked themed beauty products. During the holiday season, there were some themed r.e.m. beauty products gifted to me. Now it is finally time to review one of them, the Ozian Forest Eyeshadow Palette. 

feeling nostalgic: vhs tapes and 00s media

Before there was YouTube, there were blank VHS tapes. In my younger years, much of my time was spent setting the VCR to record all sorts of television specials and shows. Instead of heading out to the movie theater with friends, many of my evenings were spent recording music videos and interviews on The Hit List and Much Music. I was always saving as much content as possible. Back then (and even now) it seemed important to record things so I could hold onto different moments. So I could watch and rewatch media that meant something to me. Confession: I still have all of my old VHS tapes, and lately, I have been choosing a few VHS tapes at random to watch. The nostalgia is beautiful, painful, and magical, all at the same time. 

what i've been watching lately (movies, television shows, and music)

Sometimes, a little escape from reality is a must. Thank goodness there are movies, television shows, and music to rely on in both the good and not-so-good times. Everyone has their own own ways to destress - and entertainment has always been my favourite way to do just that. Here are some of the songs, television shows, and movies that have been making life better.

obscure christmas cartoons i've been watching this year.

What is it about holiday specials? Each one manages to make life feel extra beautiful. I suppose it comes down to this: the world is often stressful, frustrating, and unfair, but in Christmas movies and television specials, there is hope. Things get better. People grow. Circumstances change. Dreams are realized. Prayers are answered. It feels nice to escape to a magical dream world every now and then. Though there are many beloved Christmas movies and television specials out there, this post is focused on some obscure Christmas cartoons that have been high on my list of loves this year. If you are looking for something different that is sure to make your season bright, consider one of these hidden gems. You just might find a new favourite.

seasonal favourites: scents, movies, and accessories

Somehow, the month of December is halfway over. This time of year always seems to move too fast. The endless to-do lists, decorating, shopping, wrapping, cards, and all the rest seem to make the days zip by in a flash. So, it is nice to pause and reflect on the little things that add magic and wonder to the holiday season. These are some of my seasonal favourites for 2025.

review: the grinch face and eyeshadow palette (taste beauty)

I have many weaknesses. Around the holiday season? It is The Grinch. I have a little Grinch themed village, a Grinch tree topper, mini inflatable, blow molds, and all sorts of other decor items. I love everything about The Grinch. The book, the cartoon, the live action version, and the more recent animated film. There is something so beautiful about the story. It is essentially about opening your heart to others and finding the true spirit of the season. If only more people on this planet were willing to learn from The Grinch, especially his ability to grow and change. The messages in holiday movies are meaningful...so it is hard to control myself around Christmas themed makeup items. I like to use them throughout the year so I can enjoy that Christmas feeling month after month. Recently, there was a massive Grinch palette at Winners for $12.99 CDN, and despite it being completely impractical to store, it was added to my cart without much thought. Oops. Find out how it performs...

thrifted christmas finds (music and movies)

Ahh...how I love thrift stores. There are all sorts of hidden treasures inside. One of my favourite thrift stores only carries media (CDs, VHS tapes, DVDs, and records) but it is not somewhere that I am able to visit often. This is because armfuls of items come home with me every single time. However, every now and then, I am treated to a quick browse. The last time that I visited, there were all sorts of holiday items available. On that note, here are some recent thrifted Christmas finds. 

wicked inspired shop my stash makeup look

Wicked: For Good was released last week to rave reviews and massive audiences. There has been all sorts of promotion for the movie over the last month or so, from television specials to commercials and merchandise. Wicked mania has taken over once more. In honour of the new movie (which I cannot wait to see)...here is an Elphaba inspired makeup look featuring some beloved products from my makeup collection. This shop my stash post is focused on green, black, and all things wicked. 

thanksgiving specials + random things i am grateful for this year

Happy Thanksgiving! Depending on where you are located in the world, this post will either be right on time, early, or totally irrelevant...but here is hoping that you will take a little time to be grateful today anyway. 2025 has been a difficult year, and at times, it has been hard to see the light. That is the reason that I have decided to create a little Thanksgiving post here on the creation of beauty is art. It is important to remember all that I have and all there is to look forward to. Here are some Thanksgiving themed movies and specials that are making me smile and five random things that I am grateful for this year.

the official release party of a showgirl (taylor swift movie)

When the first images were released for The Life of a Showgirl album from Taylor Swift, the excitement was immediate. I loved the theme and could not wait to hear more about the music. Eventually, it was announced that there would be The Official Release Party of a Showgirl, a movie experience to celebrate the album - and it would be only available for three days. I tried to purchase a set of tickets for myself and my oldest friend in the world, but the movie theater website crashed and I was unsuccessful. Luckily, my friend continued to check back and was able to obtain two tickets in a theater a few cities over. Ready to hear about The Official Release Party of a Showgirl experience? Keep reading for a mini review and a themed makeup look.

celebrating mean girls day with mean girls nail art tattoos.

"On October 3rd, he asked me what day it is...." Happy Mean Girls Day to all who celebrate! After all, "It's October 3rd." There are certain movies that I watch over and over again. I never seem to grow tired of my comfort movies and Mean Girls falls into that category. I have watched it hundreds of times in my life. (And have plans to watch it many more times in the future.) On this day, it seemed right to highlight some themed nail art tattoos that I have been loving lately from the brand Inked by Dani. 

small town shopping haul (books, music, and movies)

I cannot be trusted in thrift stores, antique stores, or anywhere that sells music, movies, and books. This is clear based on the shopping that I did during the recent cottage trip with my family. Though the cottage is still not my favourite place to be (unfamiliar location, nature, mosquitos, and all the rest) there are usually some good finds at the various stores nearby. Sadly, my favourite store, Kicking Cowgirl Designs closed down, but there were still some fun items that were brought home. 

christmas in july part two: holiday movie mini reviews

Over the years, many Christmas themed movies have been highlighted on the creation of beauty is art. My collection grows and I continue to watch these movies, cartoons, and holiday specials over and over throughout the year. Lately, I have been giving extra thought to why these movies mean so much to me. The world is often cruel, dark, and selfish. It is a place where people lie, cheat, steal, and harm. In Christmas movies, selfish people become generous and giving. Liars become honest. Harmful people learn to be better and make amends for their past actions. The world is so rarely like this...so when I watch a Christmas movie, it is the ultimate escape from the way things tend to be. I can pretend for a little while that good wins out, that kindness matters, and that miracles happen. On that note, to celebrate Christmas In July this year, it seemed right to focus on some new-to-me holiday movie reviews. My husband found all sorts of discounted Christmas movies for sale and asked me a very dangerous question: Do you want any? Of course, the answer was yes. Keep reading for all sorts of mini movie reviews.

love it or leave it? lana condor

How long is your list? The trouble with so many streaming services, both free and subscription based, is that my watch list tends to grow and grow and grow...and then the shows and movies I want to watch slip my mind entirely. My current list is long and the chances of me watching everything that I would like to are slim to none. Unless I happen to win the lottery or am granted immortality. So while this post is all about style, it is also a reminder to myself to watch one of the movies on my ever growing list. Worth The Wait stars Lana Condor, Ross Butler, and many others in a movie about four different relationships. Since I have watched the To All The Boys I've Loved Before movies on Netflix more times than I should ever admit...a new movie with Lana Condor is a must. Especially since it is totally free to watch. (No seriously. You can watch it here. I will be watching it shortly!) Another must? Discussing the red carpet look that Lana Condor wore to promote Worth The Wait.

r.e.m. beauty x wicked (so popular ph adaptive lip oil)

The countdown is on. There are 151 days until Wicked: For Good is released in movie theatres. The much buzzed about second half of Wicked is sure to have some stand out moments. Recently, the trailer was released (check that trailer out here if you missed it) and it looks fantastic. I cannot wait to see how it all ends on screen for Elphaba and Glinda. I was treated to a Wicked inspired product from r.e.m. beauty a little while back and with the recent release of the movie trailer, it seemed like an appropriate time for a product review. Keep reading to find out how the So Popular pH Adaptive Lip Oil performs...

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.