kardashian/jenner week (haul post + mini liquid lipstick review)

It was a thrilling moment. Walking into an Ulta Beauty store and seeing a massive display of Kylie Cosmetics and KKW Beauty, that is. Though this may be a common experience for many, there are no Ulta Beauty stores in Canada. (Not yet, anyway. Last year they announced a move to Canada was in the works.) During a visit to the United States several months back, I made a very important stop at Ulta. It was a necessity. My mission was to browse the selection of Kardashian and Jenner branded makeup - and bring as much of it home as possible. It was an overwhelming and exciting experience...and it made me wish I had a larger shopping budget. This week on the creation of beauty is art. I'll be reviewing all of the Kylie Cosmetics and KKW Beauty products that have been added to my makeup collection. So keep your eyes peeled for lots of makeup and reviews in the next several days. To start, I'll be sharing my Ulta Beauty haul and reviewing a couple of mini liquid lipsticks.

20/20 reading challenge + recent reads

Reading is one of my favourite things to do. It has been for as long as I can remember. Despite this, it can be difficult to find space for this beloved pastime. You know the drill. Life gets busy (thanks to work, responsibilities at home, and all the other necessities of everyday life) and the things you love most seem to fall by the wayside. That is why one of my New Year's Resolutions last year was to read more. A lot more. So, I created the 20/20 Reading Challenge. What is it? Did I succeed? And what did I read? Here is everything you need to know.

tips to eat healthier this winter

Brr! It sure is cold out there. The worst part? It seems to be getting colder by the minute. The winds have picked up and we have had more than a handful of snowfalls. Yes, we are smack dab in the middle of winter. Which is why so many of us tend to stay indoors. Free time is often spent watching endless Netflix marathons rather than heading outdoors to deal with the elements. During those streaming marathons? There may be some unhealthy comfort foods sitting nearby. (It’s okay. This happens to the best of us. Especially during the winter months.) If all of the binge-watching and binge-eating is making you feel kind of blah, don't worry. All you need to do is mix things up. Here are a few different ways to eat healthier this winter.

holiday wrap up: beauty advent review (makeup revolution)

Beauty advents are always a good idea. Okay, maybe not always. (Just check out YouTuber Alexandria Ryan's advent calendar reviews for proof of that.) However, the surprise element makes advent calendars of all types an exciting addition to the holiday season. This year, I was gifted a calendar from Makeup Revolution. Since my experience with the brand is limited to The Emily Edit palettes (if you missed them, be sure to check out my reviews of The Wants palette and The Needs palette here on the creation of beauty is art.)....I was excited to try out other items from their line. The advent calendar included a variety of products. There were highlights, strobe creams, lipsticks, and more. Take a peek inside and see which items stood out.

holiday highlights (musicals, christmas tours, traditions, and more)

The New Years is always exciting...but sometimes, there is a hint of longing for days passed. More specifically, all of those special holiday moments. The lead-in to Christmas is always my favourite part. Calendars are full of dinner plans, family gatherings, holiday-themed events, movie nights, and well, lots of other special occasions. It is hard not to miss all of the magic and wonder. Which is exactly why I wanted to take a little bit of time to look back at some of those holiday memories. This season was just as busy as always. In the best possible way! I was able to see a Christmas musical, take a holiday castle tour, enjoy a day of shopping and traditions with my husband, see movies, decorate, wrap gifts, spend time with friends, and so much more. So without further ado, here are a few of my favourite holiday highlights.

fashionable winter workout wear.

I always find it easier to work out in the winter. Sure, bikini season is long over….but the temperatures outside are perfect for a good run. Plus, most of us spend an awful lot more time indoors during the chillier months. That means crunches, squats, and weight lifting. Sure, outdoor activities are easier to do during those perfect summer days, but there is plenty to do both inside and outside in wintertime, too. It just means tweaking your workout routine.

Since I tend to workout more regularly in the wintertime, I thought it was time to talk workout wear. When the weather is nice, I tend to stick with a pair of shorts and a breathable tank top. This time of year? It’s a little bit different. Rather than choosing whatever won’t get in the way, it is important to think about warmth. Especially if you plan to go for a jog or do some power walking outside. It’s essential to find a balance between staying warm and not sweating to death. Thankfully, there are an awful lot of great workout clothes that can help. These are some of my favourites…..

every day is the best day in the year.

Happy New Year! 2019 is over and a fresh, shiny new year has just begun. It is hard to believe, but 2020 is officially underway. This is a beautiful time of renewal and hope. Whether you are someone who enjoys setting New Years Resolutions or someone who absolutely loathes them...enjoy this chance to start again. Pause, reflect on the year that has passed, and think about what you hope to see, do, and accomplish in the months ahead. Today, I am doing exactly that! I have spent time looking back at my list of goals for 2019....and an awful lot of them were either completed or significant progress was made. This makes me happy. There were makeup-related goals, fitness goals, blogging goals, reading goals, and a handful of personal goals as well. All in all, I think I did a pretty decent job of working on them. In the year ahead? I hope to take those goals one step further.