love it or leave it? taylor swift toy story 5 premiere

In two days, the latest Toy Story movie will hit the big screen. As a Disney lover, there is a lot of excitement about a new addition to the popular series. Toy Story 5 will feature some familiar characters as well as some new ones to love. I am eagerly anticipating a trip to the movie theater in the next little while. Something else that has made me excited about the new movie? The fact that Taylor Swift released a song for the soundtrack, "I Knew It, I Knew You." She attended the Toy Story 5 premiere recently and wore a dress from the Erdem fall collection, which means it is time for another love it or leave it post.

fifteen music lover questions.

Life without music would be unbearable. There is power in a well written lyric, an interesting melody, and a clear voice. Music has been on my mind a lot lately and I have found myself reflecting on the many times it has understood me, offered me peace, and essentially held me together. It seemed like an appropriate time to wax poetic about it here on the creation of beauty is art. so here are fifteen music lover questions. Be sure to share your own answers in the comment section below.

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 favourite albums to write to.

Some people can write in silence. I am not one of those people. There needs to be something on in the background to spark the flow of creative energy. Though there are many albums on my shelves, there are four that I tend to listen to when I am writing. Some are connected to specific projects while others make me feel safe enough to address the blank page. 

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.

current music obsession: pinky up (katseye)

The latest single from KATSEYE has been on repeat in my home ever since it was released on April 9th. This is not exactly surprising, since KATSEYE has quickly become my favourite band. (I was lucky enough to see the band in concert at the end of 2025 and it was a highlight of my year.) All that said, I wasn't sure the new single, Pinky Up, would be my cup of tea. (No pun intended.) I had heard a portion of a leaked demo ahead of the official release and couldn't quite see the vision. Then the music video came out. I was able to see the visuals and hear the full version of the song. In a word? Amazing. After listening to the song over and over again...it seemed only right to highlight my current music obsession here on the creation of beauty is art. I was inspired by the earworm posts that the amazing Yasmina Rosa Wölkchen shares on her blog, because this song easily falls into the earworm category. Ready to check out the latest single from KATSEYE? Here is the video for Pinky Up...

review: devout (david archuleta biography and new music)

A lot of musical artists have added meaning to my life, but David Archuleta is higher on the list than most. His voice has consistently wowed, but the release of his biography highlighted the power of his voice in a whole new way. Devout: Losing My Faith To Find Myself is extremely important. Keep reading for a full review of Devout, both the book and the new EP.

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....

inspired by: zara larsson

There are many celebrities who are downright disappointing. Zara Larsson is not one of them. Not only is her music incredible, but she is consistently on the right side of history, loudly calling out famous abusers, supporting women, and standing against various abuses of power. It is meaningful to see someone with a platform speak out about issues that matter, especially with the world the way it is right now. She is talented, smart, and a true inspiration. Zara is a star on the rise for all the right reasons. In addition to being an outspoken icon, she is also well known for the amazing makeup looks that she wears. These looks are colourful, bold, and interesting. Hopefully in the future, it will be possible to re-create (or at least attempt to re-create) one of these incredible makeup looks on the creation of beauty is art. For now, here is some much needed Zara Larsson inspiration.

perfume set reviews: xtina and christina aguilera

Even though it is March, many of the reviews here on the creation of beauty is art. take me back to the holiday season. During that time, loved ones gifted me various beauty related items, including makeup, skin care products, and perfume. It is perfume that will be the focus today, because there were two Christina Aguilera sets that were eagerly unwrapped on Christmas morning. It is time to find out more about the scents Xtina and Christina Aguilera from the iconic pop star, Christina Aguilera. 

shaun cassidy concert review and makeup look

There are all sorts of records in my record collection, including several from Shaun Cassidy. My introduction to Shaun Cassidy was partly a result of my obsession with his brother, David Cassidy, and partly a result of The Hardy Boys television series that ran in the late 1970s. (I found the series on DVD many years back, bought it on a whim, and fell in love with it.) I have listened to his records so many times over the years, but never imagined it would be possible to see him in concert. Then he announced The Road To Us Tour. Tickets were immediately purchased. Here is a mini review of the show and a concert makeup look.

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.

my five most listened to artists of 2025.

Streaming is not really my thing, but it has been interesting to see my friends post lists of their most listened to artists of the year. I love to see what people have been into lately. Music is a really important part of my life, so even though I do not have an official "wrapped" list, it seemed appropriate to share some of my most listened to artists of 2025. Here goes...

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. 

katseye concert review and makeup look

When tickets went on sale for the Beautiful Chaos tour, it was stressful. The presales sold out instantly and resale tickets were being posted for over a thousand dollars each. KATSEYE has quickly become one of my favourite groups and I wanted desperately to see them on their first tour. Thankfully, when the general sale took place, one ticket in the balcony was available by the time I reached the front of the virtual queue. I bought it without hesitation. The KATSEYE concert is one that I have been looking forward to for months and months. I was literally counting down the days, all too eager to see this fantastic band perform live. On that note...this post is dedicated to some concert highlights, a mini review, and KATSEYE inspired makeup. 

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. 

love it or leave it? ariana grande

It is time for another love it or leave it? here on the creation of beauty is art. Celebrity fashion can be fun, outrageous, beautiful, and well, a little bit of everything. Sometimes, a design wows, and other times, it falls totally flat. Where does this recent look from Ariana Grande fall? Take a look at the custom 16Arlington design created for the Wicked: For Good press tour.

random birthday things (makeup, music, and travel)

There is something special about birthdays. Though some people prefer not to celebrate them fully...my birthday has always been a day that I love. The way that I celebrate has shifted and changed over the years (moving from themed parties as a child to dinners with friends as a young adult to laid back celebrations with family in more recent years) but my love of birthdays still remains. This year, the plan is to sleep in, watch The Stand miniseries, and then have dinner with my immediate family. Laid back, but fun. My birthday is today, but there have been a few pre-birthday celebrations related to makeup, music, and travel.

david archuleta concert highlights and #FOTD

There have been a handful of concerts on my calendar recently (and one more before the end of this year) and the latest was David Archuleta. I have been a fan of his for a very long time, but he has only performed in the city nearest me once, way back in 2008 on the American Idol: Live Tour. In 2020, my mom and I had purchased tickets to see him perform and even paid extra for a meet and greet. Well, the COVID-19 pandemic happened, and that concert was cancelled. Finally, around five years later, it was possible to see him concert. Unfortunately, my mom was not able to attend this one, but my lovely husband was kind enough to attend with me. Keep reading for a mini concert review and an Earthly Delights inspired makeup look.