fall season reading list (horror, thriller, and mystery novels)

I have been thinking a lot about a quote that I came across recently: "The internet used to be an escape from the real world. Now the real word is an escape from the internet." This is a very accurate statement. At this point, I am so tired of horrible people having platforms and defenders. Of bots and smear campaigns. Of AI slop and misinformation. Of ads and junk mail. Of a million different passwords, apps, and QR codes. Of all of it. On one hand, the internet has made it so much easier to communicate and find community. (It allows me to share this very blog post!) On the other hand, we are being divided and manipulated. It can be hard to find a healthy balance. In recent months, my focus has been on living my life slightly more offline. Instagram notifications are turned off. Emails only come through when I manually check. My phone is left in another room for hours at a time. And reading? It is my reward at the end of the day instead of scrolling and streaming. On that note, a handful of books have been added to my fall season reading list. Here are some books that I will be reading this month...

unexpected fall fashion items (mini haul)

There are a few Halloween themed clothing items in my closet. Each year around this time, those items are worn over and over again. I have a stretched out skull sweatshirt that has been in my wardrobe for at least fifteen years in addition to a Haunted Mansion shirt, Scream shirt, Hocus Pocus shirt, Halloween shirt, and a couple of other seasonal items. There are also some plaid button downs that are in the rotation as well. This year, my husband saw an online ad for fall themed shirts and ordered a few items without telling me. It was such a nice surprise! Here is a closer look at some unexpected fall fashion items. 

fall inspired #FOTD (warm and wearable colours)

There have been a few bumps in the road this month, but the arrival of the fall season has been lifting my spirits. Fingers crossed the rest of the month (and all of October) is much better. For now, it is time to dive headfirst into the promise of a fresh start with a fall inspired #FOTD. This look makes use of a few favourites and a newer eyeshadow palette in my collection.

fun and easy ways to start the fall season right.

Autumn...the season that teaches us to let go. It feels like I can breathe a little easier now that the fall season has arrived. I find there is a special kind of magic in the air on cloudy grey days. Listening to the rain fall softly and watching the leaves start to turn colour renews me. It is during this time of year that I step into the best version of myself and find that I am a little more hopeful than I was before. Whether you love this time of year or are already missing those warm summer temperatures, it is possible to start the fall season off on the right foot. Here are some fun and easy ways to make the most of autumn.

random winners fall haul

It was around ten o'clock in the morning on a random weekend when my parents reached out asking if I wanted to visit a local Winners with them. My mom was looking for some birthday gifts for family friends and thought I might like to join them. Even though I had a lot of items on my to-do list that day, a bit of time was spent browsing the aisles. There was all sorts of fall decor that was fun to look at - and there were a few random items added to the shopping cart. Here is a look at this fall haul.

current obsession: pumpkin bonfire candle (bath and body works)

Thank goodness the fall season is officially on the way, because I am already burning fall inspired candles. From the iconic Pumpkin Pecan Waffles to an assortment of pumpkin and vanilla themed creations, my home consistently smells amazing - and seasonal. The most recent addition is Pumpkin Bonfire from Bath & Body Works, which has become a full blown obsession. 

september days are here.

The month of September often feels like a sigh of relief. The scorching summer temperatures will soon be in the rearview mirror and fall decor items will be pulled out of overloaded storage containers. There is something so comforting about this time of year. The "ber" months (September, October, November, and December) are my favourites, because there are fallen leaves, cozy sweaters, and holidays to look forward to. To celebrate the start of a new month, here are tag questions dedicated to this wonderful time of year. Be sure to leave your own answers in the comment section. It is time to welcome September!

end of summer theme park visit: canada's wonderland

Somehow, it is the last day of August and the fall season is on the horizon. Before the start of a new month (and a new season) it seemed only right to highlight a recent summer experience. My brother and I visited Canada's Wonderland a few weeks back to check out some of the newer rides that have been added to the beloved theme park. In truth, I think Canada's Wonderland will always be a nostalgic place for me. So many wonderful family memories were created in that park. It was nice to be able to visit once more and create a handful of new memories. The day we visited was scorching hot, but we spent hour after hour riding rollercoasters and enjoying all of the theme park ambiance. Here are some of the highlights from that experience. 

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. 

summer (and summerween) inspired reading list.

There is no denying the arrival of summer. Though the earliest days of the season had some cooler days sprinkled in, the warm weather has since settled in rather dramatically. The temperatures are unbearable and I find myself dreaming of the fall and winter months. Thank goodness for Summerween, the trendy summer twist on the Halloween season. The spooky season is a nice mental escape from all of this heat. To celebrate, my Summerween inspired tea towels are out, as are a few random decor items. (I decided to pair some cute Halloween decorations from my collection with some summer inspired pieces. Think pumpkins and sandcastles!) In addition to the decorations, some of my favourite spooky movies have been keeping me company, as have pumpkin scented candles and essential oils. When it comes to my reading list, some books have been carefully chosen to reflect both the summer season and the Summerween celebration. Here are some of the books on my list...

shop my stash: warm summer makeup look

Summer makeup looks tend to fall into two categories: bright and colourful or warm and bronze. I normally let my mood decide which one wins out. Recently, it was a warm and bronze makeup look that seemed most appropriate. There were certain eyeshadows that seemed to be calling to me and there were certain lip and cheek products that felt just right. The end result? A new shop my stash post here on the creation of beauty is art. It is time to check out a warm summer makeup look. 

smell the sea and feel the sky.

"One benefit of summer was that each day we had more light to read by." It is official. Another summer has arrived. The temperatures are slowly starting to climb (though it has been nice to have cooler days mixed in so far) and there are all sorts of seasonal activities on the horizon. Though there are other seasons I tend to prefer, like literally all of them, I am doing my best to find the good in this time of year. Some examples of the good? Brightly coloured nails, fun candle scents, a future concert, and more sunlight at night. It is the first official day of summer, but my heart is already longing for fall, so I have been satisfying that craving with bits and pieces of Summerween decor. Maybe you adore the summer months or perhaps you are still looking for a little inspiration. That is what this blog post is all about. Here are summer inspired images to start the season off right. 

hope brings cheer and santa's sleigh bells ringing.

Hope has been on my mind a lot lately. This year has been the hardest of my life, so I have spent a lot of time trying to hold onto hope...trying to find it in the midst of uncertainty and pain. Though the Flintstones cartoon, "A Flintstone Christmas," is something that I have watched many times in the past, the lyrics from one of the songs stood out to me in a new way this holiday season. (You can listen to the song here.) It is a simple song, a sweet song, and a reminder that hope is powerful. It keeps the best parts of us alive. Several events have chipped away at my ability to have hope, but this song makes me want to find my way back. I want to believe in goodness, in justice, and in joy. For now, there is a special Christmas wish in my heart and I am praying that it comes true this year. I am wishing that Christmas wish with everything I have left in me. 

holiday #FOTD: red and green makeup look

Each year, it seems there is a different colour trend that takes over the holiday season. Frosty winter whites and blues, pastel candy colours, and sometimes, even silver and gold. However, it is nice to stick to the classics. Red and green are commonly associated with this time of year. Traditionally, these colours were tied to winter solstice traditions, with red holly berries and green leaves, but these colours have also been known to represent blood and eternal life. Whatever the reason...red and green are easily the most recognizable Christmas colours. That is the reason this holiday themed #FOTD focuses on both.

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.

holiday scent collection (fragrance mists and body sprays)

There is a lot to love about the holiday season...scents included. During this time of year, there are all sorts of seasonal candles and essential oil blends making my home smell fabulous. However, there are also fragrance mists and body sprays regularly thrown into the mix. (I have made a promise not to purchase more for the next little while, since there is a nice assortment.) Sometimes, these are used as room sprays, and other times, as a festive perfume. Here is a closer look at my collection.

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...

revisited review: oh deer christmas shadow and face palette

Seasonal makeup items are always a thrill. Christmas music and movies are played in my home throughout the year....and holiday makeup items are used on a regular basis. The cute illustrations, themed names, and beautiful colours make the world a little better. It should come as no surprise that the Oh Deer Christmas Shadow and Face Palette from Beauty Creations has been in heavy rotation since last holiday season. I have focused on making the most of this Christmas themed release. Now, it is time for a revisited review. Have my opinions changed? What colours are most used? Keep reading to find out...

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.