holiday highlights: charmed aroma and cath kidston advent caledars

Advent calendars are a special part of the holiday season. Some years, there is just a chocolate one to count down the days and other years, there is something a little more elaborate. But no matter what, I like to watch all sorts of advent unboxing videos on YouTube each year. I love the surprise of seeing what is hidden away inside! This year, my countdown to Christmas included a chocolate advent calendar, an Elf themed calendar, a Disney Princess Lego themed calendar, and a Charmed Aroma themed calendar. I was gifted the Elf, Lego, and Charmed Aroma calendars for my birthday in the fall (there is nothing I love more than receiving an advent calendar for my birthday) and was finally able to open them, day by day. However, there was another advent calendar that snuck in at the last minute when I found a discounted Cath Kidston calendar in late December. On a whim, I decided to add it to my countdown. Here is a look inside the Charmed Aroma and Cath Kidston advent calendars...

holiday highlights: charmed aroma 12 days of jewelry

There is a lot to love about the holiday season. One example? Advent calendars. I love them a lot, but over the years, it has been harder to find decent ones that aren't overly expensive. (Even though I love watching people open all sorts of advent calendars on YouTube, the idea of spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on an advent calendar is ridiculous to me.) Thankfully, the Charmed Aroma 12 Days of Jewelry advent calendar was a little more reasonable, especially because the store had a sale taking place when the calendar was purchased. Sadly, there is not a lot of Charmed Aroma in my future, because the store near me finally closed. This calendar was purchased in late November and the store was closed on Boxing Day! I suppose the treasures inside of this advent will carry me through. Ready to take a peek inside? Here is a look at this jewellery advent.

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: essence advent calendar (reveal and mini reviews)

It is always difficult when the holiday season ends. All of the twinkling lights seem to dim as the reality of day to day life takes over once more. Instead of putting off various adult responsibilities, it is time to tackle that neglected to-do list and get back on track. Sigh. As a way of extending some of the seasonal wonder, this week is dedicated to holiday highlights posts. These often focus on Christmas themed products, decorations, makeup looks, and so on. To start this week of holiday highlights, it is time to take a look inside the Little X-Mas Wonder Advent Calendar from essence. Keep reading for a reveal and some mini reviews.

holiday highlights: the 12 days of christmas disney advent calendar

What is it about advent calendars? Each December, they manage to amaze and delight. There is something so fun about the element of surprise, the anticipation that builds as the countdown continues, and the fact that there is a fun treat to enjoy day after day. Behind each little door, there is always a small surprise waiting. It might be a chocolate or a beauty item or even a pair of socks! Yes, I love advent calendars. In fact, I love them so much that I watch advent calendar unboxing videos on YouTube and opened four different calendars of my own this year. This year, I had a traditional chocolate calendar, an Elf on the Shelf calendar, a Funko pop calendar for The Office, and a Disney accessories calendar. The latter was the 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar and it was purchased in Disneyland in the fall. It retailed for $34.99 USD but is currently on sale for $16.98 USD. (Just in case you are interested.) Ready to find out what was inside the calendar? Here is a belated reveal...

inside my beauty advent calendar (Q-KI 12 days of beauty)

One of my favourite things about December? Advent calendars! There is something so exciting about waking up each morning and knowing that there is a special surprise waiting. The last few years, beauty advent calendars have become something of a tradition. Last year, I had the Makeup Revolution Advent Calendar and a few years before, I had the w7 Advent Calendar. Some calendars are better than others. But the fun for me is the surprise element. It's knowing that there is something to look forward behind each little door. With everything happening this year...I didn't anticipate there would be an advent calendar in my December. Luckily, there were two! My mom gifted me a Frozen sock calendar (which was loaded with lots of Frozen-themed socks) and the Q-KI 12 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar. Ready to take a peek inside the Q-KI beauty advent? It was loaded with lots of makeup goodies. Here goes....

holiday highlights: 24 days advent calendar (revolution)

It is time to finish off a week of holiday highlights with another advent calendar review. This one is from Revolution and the calendar included 24 different beauty products. This was a fun and unexpected find at Winners for $30 CDN. Ready to take a peek inside? Keep reading for a look at all of the products inside the advent calendar, some mini reviews, and favourites.

holiday wrap up: harry potter advent calendar (review + reveal)

Any Harry Potter fans out there? I remember reading the first Harry Potter book when I was in elementary school. And then the second. They were compelling and immediately stood out from other books at the school library. The characters were interesting and there was this whole other world to imagine and explore. Several years later, the movies started to come out and the Harry Potter mania reached another level. Over the years, I have attended midnight movie screenings and book release parties. I have stayed up late reading page after page. I have purchased Harry Potter memorabilia, have attended Harry Potter themed events and theme parks....and that is only the tip of the iceberg. It really is such an important part of my life. I am always grateful for all of the magic and joy that the series has created. Which is why I was so thrilled when my husband surprised me with a 25 day Harry Potter Holiday Magic Official Advent Calendar. 

review: w7 advent calendar

If I could describe December in one word, it would be advent. The month was extra exciting thanks to the numerous countdowns going on. There was my traditional chocolate advent calendar, an advent bear (that sang while counting down the days until Christmas), an incredible advent my best friend made for me (with jokes, special activities, and seasonal things to do), and even a makeup advent. The latter was full of mini makeup products from w7.

The advent included: eight lipsticks, four lip glosses, five nail polishes, one foundation, one concealer, one bronzer, three loose glitters, and one full sized mascara. It was so much fun to open up a new (makeup related) surprise every day. Honestly? Now that December is over, I miss it. It was such a nice way to brighten up those cold snowy days.

So....how were the products inside? Shockingly stellar. I didn't have exceptionally high expectations going into this. After all, they were mini makeup items inside an advent calendar. How great could they be? But they absolutely blew me away. The quality was fantastic - and even though the products were small, each item contained an awful lot of product.

The lipstick shades are incredibly pigmented and long lasting. There was also a great selection of colours. That included a frosted pink, a classic red, and a vampy mauve. All of the bases were covered when it came to selection and range. As for the glosses, they were equally pigmented and didn't leave that sticky feeling on the lips. The shades ranged from clear to a shimmery berry colour and a beautiful deep red.

This advent also included a selection of nail polish shades. These are great because they are the perfect size for travel and the colours are gorgeous. My personal favourite is the sparkly red shade. It is so festive! The set also came with a bronzer and let me say...this is a standout. The texture is buttery smooth, easy to blend, and a great shade for light to medium skin tones. Then there were the loose glitters. They came in a white, silver, and multi-coloured shade. Truthfully, these are incredible! I love that they put glitter in here because it is just so perfect for this time of year. Plus it has a great combination of smaller and larger chunks of glitter which makes it easy to customize the look.

As for the mascara? It was a little so-so. The Eyelust mascara is good for everyday but it doesn't add a whole lot of drama to the lashes. (I love lots and lots of lash drama,) As for the foundation and concealer? I love the idea of these being included in here because it really adds that extra versatility. Unfortunately for me, the shades didn't match my skin tone. These are definitely better suited to medium skin tones.

Overall, this was a fantastic advent with a ton of great products. It definitely made my holiday season merry and bright!

Did you open any advent calendars in December?

xo Shannon

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. 

shop my stash featuring advent calendar makeup items

It is time for another shop my stash post here on the creation of beauty is art. This time around, several of the products included in recent holiday advent calendars were used. While opening themed advent calendars is always a fun activity during the month of December, it is even more exciting to put all of the different items to use. Recently, several products from the Revolution and Essence advent calendars were put to the test. Keep reading for some mini reviews and a makeup look.

holiday wrap up: H&M accessories advent review

It was the most wonderful time of the year. Sadly, it has all come to a close. It amazes me how quickly time passes and how fast all of that seasonal magic seems to fade away once the New Year begins. Not to worry! There is still a little more magic to enjoy, courtesy of today's blog post. On Boxing Day, I picked up an accessories advent calendar at H&M. Though I hadn't shopped there in a while, I actually found quite a few items that caught my eye. That included an ultra long sweatshirt, a Jingle Bells t-shirt, and of course, the advent calendar. The latter was originally $29.99 but had been reduced to $9.99 with an additional 20% off. Though the price tag was initially a bit high....the reduced price made it an affordable way to keep the holiday spirit alive.

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. 

christmas advent - day ten

It's Christmas Eve-Eve! This is one of my favourite days of the year. Partly because it is so close to Christmas and partly because I love to spend this day doing special holiday things at home. Like baking cookies, movie marathons, and time spent with my husband. There is always so much magic in the air on this day. It's like the excitement and joy is practically bursting out of every room. There are twinkling lights, colourful decorations, and the smell of freshly baked cookies lingering in the air. Bliss! Are you ready for a little more holiday cheer? Here is day ten of the Christmas advent on the creation of beauty is art. 

canada day inspired red and white makeup look

July looks like it will be jam-packed this year. There is so much on my calendar in the next several weeks. There is Canada Day (which is today), my wedding anniversary, my fifteen year blog anniversary, a cottage getaway with family, dental appointments, and some long overdue hangouts with friends. Summer always seems to be so full. To start the month off on a positive note, it seemed only right to create a Canada Day inspired makeup look. I love using this date as an excuse to pull together all sorts of red and white makeup products from my collection. On that note, here is a holiday inspired #FOTD...

holiday highlights: beauty creations holiday wishes nude x set

Though the calendar says it is January...my heart is still somewhere in December. At the moment, my focus is on New Years Resolutions and re-establishing my regular routine, but my days are still full of classic Christmas songs and holiday specials. Decorations are still in my home. The tree is still lit. I suppose one of these days, I will have to tuck it all away for another year, but I am trying to hold onto the magic of the season for just a little while longer. That is probably the reason for all of the holiday highlights posts this week on the creation of beauty is art. There will be some reviews shared, including some advent calendar reviews and a look at some holiday themed makeup items. Today, the spotlight is on the Holiday Wishes Nude X Set from Beauty Creations. This was found at Marshalls for $9.99 CDN shortly after finding the Oh Deer Christmas Shadow and Face Palette from the brand. Since I had such a positive experience with that holiday themed release, the decision was quickly made to add the Holiday Wishes Nude X Set to my collection. It is time to take a look inside and find out how it performed...

christmas is a time of meaning and traditions.

Can you believe how quickly time is passing? It seems that only yesterday, December was beginning, and now, it is almost Christmas. It is just a few short days away. No matter how much I try to prepare, start early, and get ahead...it seems that time always speeds up around this time of year. That is why I like to stop and think about what really matters. About all the things that fill my heart with warmth. Last year, I started a little notebook where I jotted down all of the wonderful things that happened around the holiday season. It also included a few of my favourite traditions. So today, I wanted to share those traditions with you. These are the things that I love and look forward to each and every year.

favourite holiday traditions TAG

How could it be? Despite the fact that I have steadily been counting down the days on my advent calendar...it still comes as a shock to me that there are only four days until Christmas. This is always such a bittersweet time. As much as I love and look forward to all of the traditions that will take place over the next several days, it is hard to know that this special time of year will shortly be over. I think that I love the buildup to Christmas Day more than the actual day. All of the little moments create such a beautiful and unforgettable season. On the plus side? Christmas always comes back. Since there are only a few days left, it made sense to share a little bit about my favourite holiday traditions. There are ten different TAG questions that I will be answering below. Be sure to share your own answers in the comment section! I can't wait to hear more about your traditions. 

my top five favourite christmas cds.

It is crazy how quickly time is flying by. Before? I was desperately counting down the days until December 1st. I knew that once December hit.....I could listen to Christmas music at work, watch holiday movies with my family, and enjoy my advent calendar of course. There are just so many wonderful ways to celebrate the season this month. But now I feel like time is going by so quickly. I just want to slow things down so that I can appreciate every little moment.

Which is what inspired today's post. I want to slow down....pause....and reflect on the the things that make me happy. Like Christmas music. Honestly, I listen to these songs all year round. I do not need a time of year to enjoy a festive tune or two. (Or three!) There is something so undeniably special about holiday songs. They make me smile, inspire, and give me that warm fuzzy feeling in the pit of my stomach. Sometimes when I am worried or upset, I listen, and feel all the tension melt away.

Now that the holiday season is officially underway I have been listening to Christmas music non-stop. I just love it! So I thought that I would share my top five favourite holiday CDs with you. While there are many more that I listen to throughout the season, these hold a special place in my heart.

1. John Denver and The Muppets: A Christmas Together

Most people expect my favourite holiday CD is the number two entry on this list. In actual fact, it is from John Denver and the Muppets. I have been listening to this my entire life. I remember lying on the floor in my living room when I was very young. My mom had the record player going and I was singing along to It's In Every One Of Us. In my memory that moment is utterly perfect. Every time I listen to that album I am taken back to those special Christmas memories. 

2. Hanson: Snowed In 

Of course this album had to make the list! Hanson is my favourite band. I love them more than I could possibly express. Their Christmas album is one that I have listened to hundreds upon hundreds of times. From those opening notes of Merry Christmas Baby to songs like At Christmas and O Holy Night.....this CD is a massive part of my life. I have so many memories attached to it. Listening on my way home from school. Baking cupcakes with my mom while we rocked out to Little Saint Nick. This holiday album is special. And I will never stop loving it.

3. David Archuleta: Christmas From The Heart

Some holiday CDs are better than others. But every once and a while a really special one comes along to make the season brighter. That is exactly what happened with David Archuleta's. It is amazing. There is a beautiful mix of traditional songs, Spanish Christmas songs, and new songs as well. The standout for me has to be Melodies of Christmas. It perfectly represents the spirit of the season. It is one of the few contemporary Christmas songs that stands tall next to the beloved classics.

4. Clay Aiken: Merry Christmas With Love

Another favourite on my list comes from Clay Aiken. My mom and I are massive fans. We have been since his days on Idol. Since then we have seen him in concert and on Broadway multiple times. In fact, we used to drive all over the place just to see him! Which is probably why this Christmas album is so special to me. Every year my mom and I turn up the volume really loud, sit on the couch, and just listen. It is so rare these days to sit and listen to music and do nothing else. But I love it. His version of Mary Did You Know? is beyond incredible. I can't even deal with it.

5. The Holly Tree Players: Christmas Sax

The last CD on my favourites list is actually not the one pictured above. I sadly could not find the cover art for the album I own. Last year I bought this set of Christmas CDs. There was one with a choir, one with jazz classics, traditional songs, and then a saxophone album. The moment I put on that saxophone album I felt so connected to the season. The music made me feel calm, peaceful, and happy. Now? I get that feeling every single time I listen to it. This CD holds such a special place in my heart.

There you have it! My favourite Christmas CDs. One of my other favourites (Bing Crosby) was mentioned in a previous post so I decided to leave it out of this post. But for all intensive purposes....this list is pretty much complete. Phew!

What are your favourite holiday CDs?

xo Shannon

holiday highlights: hard candy fiercely festive makeup set

It just wouldn't be the holidays without a little Hard Candy. Over the years, I've gotten used to seasonal releases from this drugstore brand. Last year, it was The Secret Stash Set and the year before it was the Blushing On You Set. One year, there were even Hard Candy Christmas crackers! And another year, there was an advent calendar! Hard Candy always goes above and beyond around the holidays...and I love that. It's wonderful that there are special seasonal releases available at a drugstore price. That means everyone can enjoy something fun and festive around the holidays. This year, there were a few different Hard Candy holiday options. For instance, there were sets with three mini eyeshadow palettes. I almost added one of those sets to my shopping cart, but then I noticed the Fiercely Festive Set. It had a nice variety of products and seemed to be both fun and practical. Ready to find out what was included? Here is everything you need to know about the Fiercely Festive Set.