new in: britney spears prerogative perfume set

Britney, Britney, Britney. Not only is Britney Spears one of the most iconic performers of all time but she is a fragrance mogul with over a billion dollars worth of sales. Recently, she released her twenty fourth perfume, Prerogative. It is a little bit different from the others in her line because this scent is not meant just for women. According to an interview with the Pop Princess herself, it is targeted towards all genders and backgrounds, making sure that the scent is as inclusive as possible. She said, "I wanted to create a fragrance that says 'be whoever you want to be - no labels, no judgement.' None of us are defined by one thing." With a positive perspective and a string of successful fragrances under her belt....Prerogative is Britney's most ambitious release yet. So, how is it?

it's britney bitch.

Are you ready for the second part of my Vegas post? This is all about the Britney Spears concert. That was by far the highlight of my trip - so I thought it deserved its own post. The concert was one of the main reasons my mom and I decided to go to Las Vegas this summer. I was absolutely desperate to see her Piece of Me tour at Planet Hollywood. Honestly? I am so glad we took this trip, because the concert was absolutely fantastic. It was one of the very best concerts I have ever been to.

The moment we walked into Planet Hollywood, the energy was crazy. Britney fans absolutely everywhere! At the bar inside the hotel, there were dancers dressed up like Britney from the ....Baby One More Time video. Every single person inside the venue was a mega fan. People were posing with Britney's costumes that were everywhere (amazing! It was so cool to see those in person), buying drinks in souvenir cups, talking, and getting excited. Every part of the evening felt special.

So, let's start with what I wore. I actually had this whole outfit planned out - but then I put it on and it didn't feel right. I actually ended up wearing something else I had thrown into my suitcase at the last minute. It was a dress from Materials Girls that had a metallic top, sequined belt, and a patterned bottom. I wore my hair in a half up half down style and created a blue and orange makeup look from the Urban Decay Electric Palette. This was my Britney Spears look:

While I was there, I took full advantage of the Britney Spears store. I spent way too much money there! However, I love everything that I bought. I chose a pair of Britney leggings (I love, love, love them), a Britney bracelet, a Britney tank top, and a Britney Bitch t-shirt. All of the merchandise was pretty expensive but it was all really beautiful. I also bought the Britney Souvenir cup. I couldn't resist. It was Britney overload! This is a little peek at my Britney Spears merchandise......

Now for the show itself! Britney was amazing. Her dancing was flawless, the set list was incredible, and it was a high-energy show from start to finish. There were costume changes, dancers, a giant angel costume, a tree, set pieces, fire, confetti, lights.....anything and everything you could possibly imagine. It was a real performance. Both my mom and I had an absolutely blast. Britney was in top form. I saw her several years back and she was great then - but this was even better. Her dancing? I was so so impressed. She really is the queen of pop music. I am so thankful that I was able to attend the show. It was one of the highlights of my summer.

These are a few of my favourite pictures from the a seriously amazing concert:

Are you a fan of Britney Spears? What is the last concert you went to?

xo Shannon

never doubt yourself. never change who you are.

There were a lot of skeptics. When Britney Spears announced the launch of her latest venture – a lingerie line, dubbed Intimate by Britney Spears – there were dubious looks and furrowed brows galore. What did a pop star know about designing lingerie? And would anyone actually buy it? Now that the line has launched, I thought it was fitting to do a spotlight of sorts on the brand.

Personally, I am always intrigued when someone from one avenue tries out something different. Will it work? Will it fail? There is always that question hanging overhead. Now that the pieces are in and Britney has toured the globe to promote her passion project, it seems that this pop icon has yet another hit on her hands.

Early reviews of the line were largely positive, with fans and reporters alike buzzing about her sweet personality and wearable pieces. As for me? I received my very first order a little while back. For my first order, I stuck with sleepwear. I opted for a cute t-shirt that says, Vintage Romance by Britney Spears. There were many pieces featured on the website, from bras to underwear, sleepwear, and more. That included basics like black lace bras and matching bottoms and bolder pieces like pink lace bralets, glamorous robes, cute and comfy pyjamas, and more. There is a little bit of everything! So, whether you are a t-shirt to bed kind of girl or want to amp it up a bit, there are options.

I ended up with the t-shirt as a way to test the waters. I liked that it was cute and comfy – and could be worn to bed or out and about. My next order will definitely include some lingerie as well…. but for now, I am very happy with my purchase. The order shipped quickly, the quality of the piece was outstanding, and the pricing was fair. An extra detail that I loved? The order came in this elaborate gift box and included a picture of Britney Spears inside. It was such a nice detail that made my order feel even more special. Britney definitely knows how to do affordable luxury!

Here is a peek at the shirt I bought, how I wore it, and my makeup look of the day:

Britney has launched an impressive and versatile collection of lingerie. It may not be the new single fans had been hoping for…. but her step into the fashion world has been nothing but positive thus far. Here is hoping that Intimate by Britney Spears will continue to be a success.

Have you bought anything from her line? What do you think of this piece?

xo Shannon

love it or leave it? britney spears (once upon a time in hollywood)

A Britney Spears obsession? Me? ....okay, maybe. I might have mentioned Britney a time or two (or three or four or five) on my blog over the years. I am definitely a fan. Which is why it was so thrilling to see that Miss "It's Britney Bitch" Spears stepped out on the red carpet recently. She attended the premiere of the new movie, Once Upon a Time In Hollywood. Her surprise appearance certainly created tons of buzz. Which is why Britney Spears is the latest starlet to be featured in my love it or leave it? series. Let's take a look at her red carpet outfit.

and while i wait, i put on my perfume.

Certain scents speak to you. Somehow they manage to reflect how you feel and who you are. There is something in that perfect combination of notes. They create a fragrance that is both beautiful and empowering. It has been a while since I felt that way about a new perfume. Sure, there have been tons that I have liked. Loved, even! Plenty that make me smile. And lots of old favourites knocking around. The scent that is making me positively giddy at the moment? Britney Spears Fantasy: Intimate Edition. 

In general, I am a big fan of the Britney Spears perfumes. They have this fresh yet girly feeling that makes them super easy to wear. Which is why I own all of the perfumes in her line. (The latest makes for number eighteen. Crazy!) One thing I really love? The fact that she has a fragrance for every occasion! Hidden Fantasy for a special night out, Circus Fantasy for work, and the original Fantasy for a day out with your BFF. Quite frankly, I didn't know how another perfume could top the already amazing fragrances she has released in the past.

Then it happened. I was looking around the perfume section for another bottle altogether. Then I saw Britney and instinctively reached out to sample it. Gone was the other perfume! I actually never ended up buying it. I simply had to have Britney Spears Fantasy: Intimate Edition in my perfume collection. Ready to find out why? Here are some of my thoughts on her latest offering.

Let's start with the bottle. It has the same general design as all of the other Fantasy perfumes. That rounded shape with the crystals scattered along the side. It is simple, sleek, and feminine. The difference? This bottle came in a crisp white with gold-ish pink crystals throughout. It is absolutely beautiful. I just love the way this looks on my shelf! Sophisticated yet flirty.

In fact, those two words are exactly how I would describe the perfume itself. Sophisticated and flirty. It has a floral kind of scent but with musky undertones. That balances out the super girly fragrance and takes it to a more chic and luxurious level. The combination is perfect. No wonder I have been reaching for it over and over again. I have worn this on a night out with friends, to dinner with my husband, and even just around the apartment! I am absolutely in love with this perfume. In my opinion, it is a ten out of ten.

So there you have it! Those are my thoughts on the new Britney Spears perfume. It is elegant yet exciting, easy to wear, and ultra feminine. Looking for a new scent to change things up? Definitely grab a tester and give this a try. It is amazing.

Have you tried this perfume? What is your favourite fragrance?

xo Shannon

inspired by: britney spears (mood ring)

Lately, music has really been inspiring my days. Especially the powerhouses of pop. Take Britney Spears as a prime example. This is one musician that has been a part of my life for decades. (And one that has been featured on my blog over and over again.) Her music always manages to inspire and lift me up. More recently, she officially released a song that was initially an international bonus track on her last album, Glory. It quickly went to number one on the iTunes charts and has racked up nearly a million streams on YouTube. Quite frankly...the song is incredible. It also inspired my post for today. It got me thinking about actual mood rings. These nostalgic pieces of jewellery have a unique and undeniable place in the fashion and beauty world. So, today I wanted to take a look back at this icon jewellery design and highlight a handful of mood ring inspired items.

review: britney spears private show perfume

We all have icons. The people we look up to, admire, and put on a pedestal. Those icons differ from person to person....but my icon? Is Britney Spears. I remember when her first music video was released. I was an awkward pre-teen with low self esteem. Seeing how confident she was? It made me feel confident. The next day, I showed up at school dressed like her. Pigtails and all. Over the years, Britney has remained a constant source of inspiration. I love her music. I love her energy on stage. I love her style, her kind heart, and her goofy personality. Oh, and her fragrances! I have almost all of them. Including her latest.

Private Show was released a couple of weeks ago. (My husband messaged me the moment it arrived at his work.) It was a very exciting moment. There is nothing better than a new Britney fragrance. Except for a new Britney song. And since Make Me was also released recently....life is good! Since Britney is such a huge part of my life, it felt only natural to write up a little review. So here it is. My thoughts on the latest Britney Spears fragrance. Believe it or not, it is actually her 20th.

Britney described her new perfume as a way to celebrate "one of my biggest passions - dancing! It is inspired by the electric energy I feel when I’m performing, whether during rehearsals or on-stage during my show. I wanted my fans to have an uplifting, sexy scent that empowers them to achieve their dreams." The inspiration behind the scent is amazing. It is all about feeling confident. That is exactly what I want from a fragrance. I want to spray it and feel ready to tackle the world. Well, that is exactly what Private Show makes me feel.

There is a sweet sophistication to the scent. It is beautiful, romantic, and bold. It makes a statement without being too overpowering. While it has the same girly scent that many of her other perfumes do...this one is distinctively different. It has sharper notes. It is dramatic and sultry. It is a little more mature. This is one fragrance that is perfect for a date night or a special evening out. Something else I love is the bottle. It has a diamond shape and a cute pink cap. It is absolutely gorgeous.

Private Show is the kind of scent that makes you feel good. So keep an eye out for it. This is the perfect addition to your perfume collection.

Have you tried Private Show yet? What do you think of the perfume?

xo Shannon

i'll never tell, tell on myself, but i hope she smells my perfume.

Currently? I am in a Britney state of mind. Her latest album, Glory, dropped last week, and it has been blowing my mind ever since. The more I listen to it...the more I love it. There are so many fantastic tracks. My personal favourites are Man On The Moon, Just Luv Me, Liar, and Just Like Me. Each one is so good. Yes, Britney Spears really knocked it out of the park. It's not just her music that is making me happy these days. Her perfume line also gives me joy. Especially Rocker Femme Fantasy. This is just one of the many fragrances in her collection (and one of the thirteen Fantasy themed fragrances she has released over the years).

My perfume collection is pretty extensive. While I do not own every single Britney Spears perfume....I have quite a few. As many as I can get my  hands on! So when I came across Rocker Femme Fantasy, there was no doubt about it. I needed to have this on my perfume shelf. Turns out? This has become one of my all-time favourite Britney fragrances. To begin with, I absolutely love the bottle. The pink and black colors, the black studs, and that electric pink cap give this bottle a distinct look. It effortlessly blends femininity with a harder edge. It looks fantastic.

As for the scent itself? It is equally amazing. Rocker Femme Fantasy has a bright, energetic smell, with sweet undertones. Everything about it is girly and fun. To me? This is a classic daytime fragrance. You can wear it to the mall, on a lunch date, or throw it in your purse for work. It has this lovely sweetness that isn't overwhelming - and a warmth that makes it feel elegant. This is a perfume that is versatile, pretty, and feminine. And with an affordable price tag (the 100ml bottle cost me $20) it is something you can wear day-to-day.

Perfume is a pretty important part of my life. It inspires me, it makes me happy, and it effortlessly expresses how I feel on any given day. Want to see my full perfume collection? (Britney perfumes included!) Then take a look at a video I posted recently on the creation of beauty is art. YouTube channel. Take a look....



Have you tried this Britney Spears fragrance? What is your perfume collection like?

xo Shannon

mini-makeup tutorial: britney spears

Today, I decided to recreate a Britney Spears makeup look! I immediately fell in love with this look, from the dress Britney wore, (the colour!) and her flawless makeup. I love that it ties in the colour of the dress, but doesn't look too matchy-matchy.

hope you can't tell but i hope she smells my perfume.

On my list of favourites? Britney Spears and perfume. Both manage to make me positively giddy. Why? I have been a fan of Britney since I was young. I used to dress up like her, copy her hairstyles, and dream of being that talented. When she released her very first perfume all of those years ago, it started what would become a total perfume obsession for me. I began collecting perfume, wearing it every day, and letting it showcase my mood. That is probably why I have (almost) all of her fragrances. Even though I am still missing a couple, I am working on it! Which is why when I saw Fantasy Twist on sale for a great price....I couldn't resist.

Where to begin? How about with the packaging. It is fantastic. The perfume essentially looks like a ball. It has two separate perfumes included. The ball breaks in half into Fantasy and Midnight Fantasy. That makes this perfume easy to store - and perfect to take with you on a trip or on the go. I love all of the thought that went into it, not to mention the fact that the perfume looks gorgeous on my shelf. Plus, the hanging silver heart adds just the perfect finishing touch.

Now for the perfumes themselves. Fantasy is one of my all-time favourite Britney perfumes. It smells super sweet, almost like cotton candy. It is a very girly and fun to wear fragrance. I personally love to wear it in the springtime or on a day when I am wearing a cute animal print or a pastel blush shade. As for Midnight Fantasy, this scent is a little sexier. It is equally girly and sweet smelling....but it has more of a sultry and sophisticated scent to it as well. This is one that is perfect for a date night or a special event. 

Needless to say, I absolutely love the Fantasy Twist. The whole concept is genius. Having two perfumes in one makes it ideal for travelling, for taking with you, storing in your purse, or just getting the best of both worlds. Both fragrances smell fantastic - so as far as I'm concerned, you really can't go wrong whichever side you pick.

Britney Spears is one of my biggest icons. I love her music, her style, and of course, her perfumes. If you are a fragrance lover like me, I highly recommend giving one of her scents a try. The price point is affordable, the bottles are fun and feminine, and they all smell absolutely amazing. 

Do you own Fantasy Twist? What do you think of these scents?

xo Shannon

what happened in vegas.

As you know, I recently took a trip to Las Vegas. My mom and I made plans to go so that we could see Britney Spears and Celine Dion perform live. Sadly, Celine Dion has cancelled all of her shows....so that didn't happen. But we managed to have a lot of fun despite that. It was actually really great to get away from it all. I didn't have to do a whole lot of work while I was away. So, for the first time in a very long time, I was able to relax. Actually relax. Coming home has been a bit of an adjustment. I am still trying to get caught up on everything and get back into my regular routine. Sigh! But it was certainly fun while it lasted.

What happened during the trip? On the first day, my mom and I were exhausted from the day of travelling. That is why we stuck around our hotel (The Stratosphere) and looked at the shops, grabbed some food, and watched a little TV in our room before calling it a night. The next day was far more eventful! We had booked tickets to take the Pawn Stars tour. It included stops at locations like Counting Cars, Rick's Restorations, Pawn Stars, The Toy Shack, and Tanked. Now, I don't watch all of the shows but I was super excited to visit the site of Rick's Restorations and Pawn Stars.

It was so exciting! I had a lot of fun. Just visiting the locations for real, seeing a few people from the shows, and learning more about the behind-the-scenes. I absolutely loved it. Here are a few of the most memorable pictures from the first couple of days:

The next day was a busy one. During the day, we went to Meadows Mall to do a little bit of shopping. Okay, maybe a lot of shopping. There was a Sears - so I bought a bunch of clothes from the Kardashian clothing line. (What can I say....I love the Kardashians!) We also did some damage at Macy's, Charlotte Russe, and other American stores. It was really fun. Unfortunately, also really costly. Ahh...vacations. After a busy day of shopping, we went back to our hotel to get ready for the Britney Spears concert. As for the Britney concert, that was definitely the highlight of my trip. So, I am saving that for another post!

The day after the Britney concert, my mom and I toured around the Venetian hotel. It was so beautiful! Plus, it had Carlo's Bakery and Buddy V's Restaurant. If you watch Cake Boss, then you probably know why this was so exciting. We ate lunch at Buddy's restaurant and the food was amazing. It was literally the best meal I have ever had. The atmosphere was stunning, the service was fantastic, and the food....my gosh, the food! So good. After that, we went to Carlo's Bakery and waited in line for a half hour just to order. It was an overwhelming but delicious experience.

That night, we went to see Olivia Newton John play at the Flamingo. It was interesting! Parts of the concert were wonderful and other parts? Not so much. But it was nice to see someone I have admired since I was young. Here are a few pictures from these days:

For our last day in Vegas (I know, the trip went by so fast!) my mom and I toured some of the hotels, did some drinking at the Rainforest Cafe and at the Paris hotel, and finished the night off with a bit of gambling. We only gambled a couple of dollars but I actually made $1.22 in the end! Yay! After that, it was back to the hotel to pack up all of our stuff and prepare for the flight the next day.

Overall, it was a really fantastic trip. I had even more fun than I thought I would. It was a much needed getaway from all of the stress of everyday life. Plus, I got to spend some quality time with my mom. This Vegas trip was dramatically different to my last one - but it was fun all the same.

xo Shannon

my favourite perfumes for summer.

Though I am not someone who designates certain perfumes "only" for summer or "only" for fall, there are some scents that I find myself reaching for more often during specific seasons. Since summer is fully underway (though you would never know it if you stepped into my home right now, since I am watching "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" while I write this) it only makes sense to highlight some of the perfumes in my collection that have been in heavy rotation lately. These are not necessarily summer scents, but these are scents that I love to wear most often when the weather is warm. 

celebrating 300 posts.

It is hard to believe that I have written 300 posts since the creation of beauty is art. began! I started digging through my blog to bring you my top four favourite posts.

4) My Style Inspiration: Victoria Beckham
we live not according to reason, but according to fashion. 

This post was the one I felt really changed the direction of my blog. Somehow, all of the pieces started coming together, and it started to find its' focus. Plus, Victoria is stunning!

3) Britney Spears Makeup Look
mini-makeup tutorial: britney spears 

I am a huge Britney fan. I re-created this red carpet makeup look in September of 2011. When it comes to my makeup, I tend to avoid bright colours, so I liked that this look pushed me out of my comfort zone. Looking back, I'm still happy with how this look turned out!

2) Red Apple Lipstick
review: red apple lipstick

There are few things I love more than trying out new makeup products. I was lucky enough to try out some from Red Apple Lipstick and found a brand that I really loved. I was so happy with how this post turned out, so it simply had to make my top 5!

1) Inspired By 1970s Pop Stars 

the twelfth of never.

Music is such a huge part of my life. One of my first posts on the creation of beauty is art. was all about how music transcends generations and decades. I love pop stars from any time period, but this post was all about the 1970s.

So, those are some of my favourite posts! Thank you for all of the support.

xo Shannon

the vegas diaries: part two

Here it is....part two of my Las Vegas vacation post. Keep reading to find out how the Britney Spears concert went (pictured above) along with the rest of the fabulous getaway.

Day Three (continued): As I mentioned in my last post, it was a busy day leading up to the Britney concert. I was exhausted by the time we got back to the hotel, but it was time to get glam! I curled my hair, threw on a studded denim dress, and went with a dark blue smokey eye look. It was a lot of fun to get all dolled up for the show. When we got to the theatre, we sat in our seats and waited. (Though the show was supposed to start at nine, it didn't start until nine thirty. So there was a decent amount of waiting.) Sadly, our seats were pretty much at the back of the theatre and our view was less than ideal. In fact, I couldn't see much. Sigh! Despite the poor view....Britney Spears was incredible. She put on a great show, her dancing was fantastic, and her costumes were beautiful.

Day Four: The next day was another exciting one. We had booked spots on the Pawn Stars Tour - a dedicated TV show tour. It took us to the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop, the Toy Shack, (Pawn Stars), ATM (Tanked). Rick's Restorations (American Restoration). and Count's Customs (Counting Cars). My husband and I love to watch Pawn Stars and American Restoration together so these were really exciting stops. We had a blast checking out the stores, learning new things, and even meeting some of the stars from the show. The highlight? Shaking hands and taking a picture with Rick from Rick's Restorations. It was a total surprise and we were all thrilled.

After that, we went to Gordon Ramsay's Burger restaurant. We are all huge fans of Gordon, so everyone was eager to try something from one of his restaurants. One thing to know about me? I love ketchup. I need ketchup. Gordon Ramsay's Burger does not have ketchup. None. At all. I was so upset because it basically meant I couldn't eat my meal. Which I didn't. I had a quarter of the burger and a handful of fries. Such a waste of time and money. Sigh. Everyone else liked it fine, since they all enjoy hot sauces. (A Tabasco sauce of sorts was available. Joy.)

Once that was over, we walked over to Gordon's other restaurant, Steak. My husband managed to score a signed menu for free....even though it was supposed to be $65. I have literally never seen him that happy in my entire life. Definitely a trip highlight, just seeing him so happy. We hit a lucky streak the rest of the night, winning $20 on the slots, and taking home $20 worth of Hershey cookies for $1.08.

Day Five: Well, all good things must come to an end. Sadly, this was the last day of our vacation. It was a lot shorter than I would have liked, that is for sure! But we made the most of our last day there by checking out the gardens inside the Wynn, going to Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, picking up last minute souvenirs, and heading to another one of Gordon Ramsay's restaurants to explore! The wax museum in particular was a lot of fun. We took so many silly pictures. Hundreds of them, in fact. It was one of the best parts of the whole trip.

Then, we had our last meal in Vegas at a pizza place near the hotel, picked up our luggage, and headed to the airport for a very late flight. It didn't leave until almost midnight. Thanks to the awful flight home (horrific turbulence that was so scary, I was literally shaking and crying), none of us got much sleep. By the time we finally were safe and sound in the apartment....we zonked out for most of the day. It took a few days for my sleep schedule to adjust!

Overall, it was a really fun vacation. It was so great to get away for a while. I got to take a break from work, see musicians that I love, and spend time with some special people. Vegas never disappoints. So there it is! My vacation recap....

Do you like to travel? Have you ever been to Las Vegas?

xo Shannon

top five favourite: fall perfumes

Two things I love? Fall and perfume. Now that the weather is getting chillier and the temperatures are starting to drop....there are certain fragrances that have been calling my name more than ever. Ones that are a little warmer and bolder. During the summer months, I tend to use light, fresh, and fruity kind of fragrances but when the fall season hits? It calls for something decidedly different. Though there are many different bottles of perfume in my collection (you can take a peek at my perfume collection here) five of them really stood out. So, here they are. These are my top five favourite fall perfumes.

music week: fashion icons in music

Quite frankly, it doesn't really feel like summer. At least not to me. Usually by this point, a lot would have happened. For instance, I would be in the middle of an ambitious summer to-do list. I'd have seen friends, had a few adventures, gone to the zoo, and made a handful of exciting memories. Oh, and there would be at least a couple of concerts to look forward to.

the blogger tag.

What is it about Internet tags? They are always so much fun to do. Whether I am answering the questions myself or reading someone else's....they are a blast. Which is what inspired my post for today. I stumbled upon a post from Steph's World and thought it would be fun to take part in "The Blogger Tag." The questions range from blog related to personal, preferences, beauty, and more. If you are interested in taking part, please do. I would love to read your answers! Now, to get down to business.....

maui fantasy perfume review

It seems that Britney Spears is on my blog a lot lately. Whether it is part of a current favourites video or a perfume review....she has been front and center. And for good reason. Britney is not just another pop star. To me, she is an icon. Which is why I was so excited to come across a bottle of Maui Fantasy at my local Winners. Even though I am constantly keeping my eyes peeled for new Britney perfumes, they are not always released in my country. (Very annoying! Especially when I am trying to hunt down limited edition bottles.) Thankfully this one magically appeared. It was a perfume I had desperately been seeking. I loved the idea of a summery fragrance. Plus there was that super cute blue bottle! I knew it would look amazing on my perfume shelf.

Since I tracked this one down at Winners, it was only $20 for the bottle. Such a steal. The bottle is just as beautiful as it looked in photographs. It is a frosted light blue, with a pink and white floral decal, and a white braided cap. It is the perfect combination of flirty and fun. The scent is the same. It has a sweet floral scent with undertones of coconut. Everything about it screams summer. The scent is romantic, light, and a little exotic. Love, love, love. I only wish this had come into my life a few months earlier. It is such a lovely girly fragrance - perfect for those carefree summer days.

Despite the fact that we are entering the fall season....I still hope to get some use out of it in the coming months. This is definitely a daytime scent. I'm thinking of shopping days and lunch dates. At any rate, it is a wonderful addition to my (always expanding) collection of fragrances. Britney perfumes never fail to impress me. Or make me feel good. She has a way of knowing how to infuse each scent with personality and strength. For me, Maui Fantasy is as a serious standout.

Want more reviews? Then be sure to check out my latest video for the creation of beauty is art. YouTube channel. It features a review of the Smashbox Photo Matte Eyes palette and the Too Faced Love Flushed palette. Take a look....


Have you tried this perfume? What did you think of it?

xo Shannon

the vegas diaries: part one

Finally! Though I've been home from Las Vegas for about a week....this is the first chance I've had to  sit down and write about the trip. Since my return? My days have been full of writing, working, and getting caught up on things. Turns out, there was an awful lot to catch up on. No wonder it has been so difficult returning to my everyday routine. Enough about that! Now to share some of my vacation stories with you.

Day One: The first day in Vegas was a long one. It started with a very early morning arrival at the airport (where security lines were insane and it took a full three hours to get through it all) and an unpleasant flight (lots of turbulence and an hour long delay). Once we landed, we went to check into the Excalibur Hotel. The trip consisted of myself, my husband, and our two friends. Finding out that we could not check into our room until after check in time...we went to explore the hotel. Happily, that meant a stop off at Krispy Kreme. My favourite! We ate lunch, wandered, and eventually, checked into our rooms.

After that, we went to wander the Las Vegas Strip. We walked for ages but saw an awful lot. That included the fountain show at the Bellagio Hotel, the boats at Treasure Island, and the Marvel shop. For dinner, we went to Wahlburgers, which is one of my all-time favourite places to eat. Their tater tots are amazing. That night, we ended up seeing a show and then went to bed. It was a long day and a late night but an interesting start to the trip!

Day Two: Thanks to jet lag, it was another early morning the following day. I was awake, showered, dressed, and ready to go. The rest of the group was eager for Dennys...and since the closest one had a massive line up...we walked all the way to the other end of the strip. It was exhausting but at least breakfast was good! That day, we walked through the Venetian hotel, picked up some goodies from Carlo's Bakery, went to the Coke store, and M&M Store.

We'd had a full day by the time we returned to our hotel rooms. But it was only beginning! My husband and I went out to see Donny and Marie (I love them so much) and our friends went to see Cirque du Soleil. The Donny and Marie concert was fabulous. Sadly, I wasn't allowed to take pictures, but we definitely had a good view. They put on a great show (even my husband thought it was good) and sounded amazing. Bonus? Two of the Osmond brothers were actually in the audience.

Day Three: The third day of the trip was a pretty exciting one. Mostly because it meant that I would be seeing Britney Spears that evening. I was crazy excited and had this nervous energy going on all day. Despite eagerly awaiting the show, we were able to get out that day and do some more exploring. We went to the Luxor Hotel, Mandalay Bay, had a few drinks, and ended up at the Rainforest Cafe. Then, it was back to the hotel to get ready for the Britney concert.

And speaking of the Britney concert......you'll have to wait until my next post to hear about that. It will be all about the show and the rest of my vacation. Stay tuned!

xo Shannon