current favourites: music, television shows, perfume, and more

The last little while has been difficult. Everyone said that COVID was like a cold or a flu, but that has certainly not been my experience. It has been difficult and long lasting. Even still, I am not feeling back to normal. Thankfully, there have been little things making my life happier lately. When you aren't feeling well...those small comforts mean the most. Take a peek at some of my current favourites, including some music, television shows, books, perfume, clothes, and beauty products. 

current favourites (accessories, perfume, skin care, and more)

It is time for a current favourites post. Sometimes, it is nice to focus on the little things that make life feel more beautiful. There have been all sorts of items that I have been for enjoying and reaching for lately...from accessories to perfumes to action figures and so much more. Here is a closer look at some recent favourites that have been making my days brighter. 

current favourites for mindfulness and self care

Life these days can be stressful. There are so many unknowns. There is so much uncertainty. No wonder the world of self care has become more noteworthy than ever before. On the plus side, resources are absolutely everywhere. From books to apps to streaming services and everything in between. It has never been easier to look within. Need a few suggestions? Or a solid jumping off point? Here are a few of my current favourites for mindfulness. 

current favourites: early summer edition

Can you believe? The official start of summer is on the horizon. In fact, it is just a few days away. Though the summer season hasn't technically begun just yet...in my mind it is already time for sunshine and sandals. Which probably explains why I have been reaching for lots of summer-inspired products lately. Among other things! That is what inspired today's post. I wanted to spend some time focused on a few of my current favourites. They are items that I am referring to as my early summer must-haves. As you can see from the picture above, there are skin care items, beauty products, and more. Keep reading to find out why they are on the top of my seasonal essentials list.

current favourites: halloween edition

The fall season has has been a little uneven so far. September started off strong and my apartment was fully decorated with pumpkins, leaves, ghosts, and other such seasonal items. But then we received a notice that some rather invasive repair work would be done to our living room and hall ceilings...which meant un-decorating, packing away most of our possessions, and tarping all of the furniture. And after the repairs were done? It meant days and days of cleaning up the absolute disaster the contractors left behind. It has been draining to say the least. Halloween is just a few weeks away and it feels like I am starting over in a sense. I am trying to find my footing again and reestablish a connection to one of my favourite times of year. In an attempt to do that....here are some current Halloween favourites that I am hoping will add some spooky vibes to my space.

makeup, accessories, and beauty favourites (january 2020)

Ever have that favourite feeling? Where you reach for the same things day after day, in a blissful state of admiration? That is kind of how the month of January has been for me. Admittedly, the new year had a bit of a rough start (thanks to the fact that I got sick immediately after the holidays) but in the latter portion of January...things finally started to come together. That meant adding a little extra TLC to my life and beauty routine. So without further ado, here are a few of the makeup, accessories, and all around beauty favourites that stood out to me last month. 

disney week: current disney+ favourites

There are an awful lot of streaming services out there. More than any one person could possibly want or need. Though there are far too many in my own home (five currently...ack!) certain streaming services are must-haves. For me, those non-negotiable streaming services are Netflix and Disney+. The latter has it all. There are classic Disney cartoons and full-length movies. There are also iconic Disney Channel Original Movies. Not to mention lots and lots of original material. Though I haven't had as much time as I would like lately to narrow down my continue watching list....there are a few things that have made me smile lately. On that note, here are some of my current Disney+ favourites. 

current favourites: skin care

There is a lot on my to do list. An awful lot. Someone said to me recently: you want to do too many things. Like that was bad. It's true. There are a lot of things that I want to do. Accomplish. Achieve. And I have a lot of interests. Like writing, music, makeup, fashion, beauty.....along with a few other noteworthy hobbies. Perhaps this is why much of my time is accounted for. I have to work very hard to make time for the things that I want to do. Sometimes? There isn't enough hours in the day. But I suppose I would rather have too many interests than too few.

One thing on my to do list? To take better care of my skin. While my love of makeup seems to occupy much of my time....the essentials often slip through the cracks. Skin care for instance. These days? I am lucky if I manage to take off my makeup before bed. Let alone apply nighttime moisturizers, eye creams, and all the rest. But - this is something I am working on. Having a morning and evening routine. (And actually sticking to it!) Over the last several weeks this has been getting easier. Sure, there are some days when I fall back into old habits and wake up with a serious case of raccoon eyes. But there are also days when I take good care of my skin.

Skin care is on my mind. Which is why I wanted to show you all a few of my current favourites. These products have been improving my skin...and helping me stick to a regular routine. Who knows? Maybe they can do the same for you. There is a little bit of everything here. Moisturizers, night creams, eye creams, BB creams, and even a tone corrector. Phew! Take a look. Be sure to let me know which ones you  have tried and if they work for you.

These are a few of my current favourites for skin care. I have been doing my best to use them (almost) every day....and there is definitely a difference. My skin is smoother and more hydrated. That is a great thing. Especially since the winter weather has been all over the place this year!

What do you think of these products? Have you tried any of them?

xo Shannon

celebrating 100 videos on YouTube.

It kind of snuck up on me. While uploading my latest YouTube video, I realized that I had hit a major milestone. 100 videos. That's right....my Current Favourites video for the month of July turned out to be my 100th video on the creation of beauty is art. What a crazy thought! Over the last couple of years, I have been filming, editing, and uploading videos related to makeup and fashion. Some were reviews, others tags, collection videos, and tutorials. And honestly, it has been a ton of fun to do.

live like it's spring.

Can you tell? I am completely and utterly obsessed with all things spring. Not only am I in the process of doing some heavy-duty spring cleaning, but the windows are open, the sun is shining, and I am dedicated to colour and carefree days. There is something so wonderful about this time of year. It is all about renewal and starting fresh. About possibilities and purpose. Honestly, the spring season has left me inspired by just about everything. So today, I wanted to share a few of my current spring favourites.

my favourite fall palettes + current favourites video

Eyeshadow palettes always excite. Even a not-so-great palette is exciting to test and try. Though there are plenty of makeup must-haves and everyday essentials...eyeshadow is the fun stuff. It is like the sprinkles on top of a perfectly iced birthday cake! Over the years, I have tried many eyeshadow palettes. Some have been incredible and others totally fell flat. Thankfully, there have been more hits than misses. Especially when it comes to those warm, fall inspired colours. Now that the season is fully underway, it is time to shine a light on a few of my favourite fall palettes. 

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. 

current skin care favourites (summer 2020)

Ahh, skin care. This is one area of my beauty routine that has undergone a serious transformation in the last several months. Though taking better care of my skin was always a generic goal on my New Years Resolution list...rarely did it actually happen. At best, it would be something that happened for a few days in a row and then it would be back to normal. These days? That isn't the case. I have a daily routine as well as an every few days kind of routine. Since my skin care has been a top priority for the last while, it only made sense to do a current favourites: skin care edition. These are the products that have been on my must-have list this season. Some are more expensive than others but they all work well to help me achieve my skin care goals. Here is a closer look at a few of the products making me smile.

current favourite accessories (betsey johnson, swarovski, and more)

Who doesn't love accessories? Certain pieces have the ability to take an outfit from meh to marvelous in an instant. Lately, I have been ultra focused on accessorizing my ensembles. Though I currently have an obsession with silver sparkly rings (on three to four fingers at a time) there are a few other accessories that have brought joy to my life lately. Ones gifted to me and a few that I've added to my own jewellery collection. Today I wanted to showcase some of those items. They are definitely topping the list of my current favourite accessories. Some of the pieces are from Swarovski, some from Betsey Johnson (who is one of my all-time favourite fashion designers ever), and a handful of random items scattered in there as well. Ready to take a peek? Here are the accessories that have been making me smile.

make it a december to remember.

It's here! December is finally here. It sounds strange, but this is something I have been anxiously awaiting. As you know (if you have read any of my recent posts in particular), the holiday season is a very special time for me. I love absolutely everything about it. That includes the decorating, wrapping presents, watching TV specials, listening to music, and that warm fuzzy feeling you get when you spend time with people you love. Most of the time? The holidays feel busy and hectic. But at the same time? They are a wonderful way to slow down and appreciate all of the blessings we have. Like a loving family and good friends.

Since we are officially in December now, I thought I would do a post about some of my current favourites. They include a few makeup items and some seasonal musts. Take a look....and be sure to let me know if any of these have made your own current favourites list!

1. Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in Underage Red (This is the perfect holiday shade!)
2. Flower Beauty Eye 2 Eye (I love how this creates a gorgeous cat-eye in no time flat)
3. Hallmark Channel Movies (My obsession? Hallmark Channel Christmas Movies. My goal is to watch all of the new ones for 2015!)
4. Candy Cane Ice Cream (This stuff literally tastes like Christmas. Chocolate? Candy Cane? Ice cream? YES.)
5. White Hot Chocolate (It has become a holiday tradition for my husband and I to enjoy this!)
6. Bing Crosby Christmas Music (I love this CD more than words can describe. It is amazing.)

There you have it. Those are a few of the things I am loving at the moment. They make me smile and give me that holiday glow.

What are your seasonal favourites?

xo Shannon

makeup and beauty favourites (july 2019)

Everyone has their favourites. For me, those favourites tend to change periodically. I'll use one beauty product religiously then switch to something else, based on the season, new product launches, and current preferences. That is what inspired today's blog post. I wanted to show you a few of my current makeup and beauty favourites from July 2019. Here goes...

august favourites (makeup brushes, new camera, and more)

There is this quote I keep thinking about. It says, "Don't ever waste a day. Once time goes by, you can never get it back." This is a philosophy that I have been applying to my life lately. In the past, I would will time away by wanting to speed through the work day or skip past certain activities. Now? My goal is to find something valuable in each and every experience. That mentality has allowed me to learn, grow, and become a more grateful person. So, in the name of gratitude, I wanted to take some time today to show you some of the things that have been making me smile.

current skin care favourites: clinique moisture surge

Skin care is always important....but during the summer months, it is far easier for me to slack on my routine. When it is cold outside? I always remember to moisturize and hydrate. When it is warm? It takes a little bit of reminding. Even though my skin needs to be moisturized year-round, it is oh-so-easy to neglect self-care when summer rolls around. Thankfully, there are a couple of no brainer products that continue to impress. Today, it is time to take a closer look at some current skin care favourites from Clinique. These items are from the Moisture Surge line, including the moisturizer and face spray. 

current favourites: christian siriano and betsey johnson earrings

Every now and then, it is nice to focus on the little things that make life brighter. Like sparkly accessories. Though there are all sorts of accessories that I love and adore...a couple have been standouts lately. For whatever reason, I keep reaching for these earrings over and over again. One pair is from Christian Siriano and the other is from Betsey Johnson. Not only do these items come from some of my all-time favourite fashion designers, but both sets of earrings are ultra sparkly and fun. 

nostalgic hair accessories + spring beauty favourites

Scrunchies are nothing new. They were created in the late 1980s as an alternative to the harsher metal hair ties of the time that caused breakage. Since their creation....scrunchies have become an undeniable part of popular culture. More recently? Their popularity has soared. With everything old becoming new again (nostalgia from the 90s and 00s has taken over) it has never been easier to find these cute and comfortable hair accessories. There are so many to choose from! Different colours, prints, patterns, fabrics mean scrunchies can be paired with any and all outfits. More recently? I've been making the most of these nostalgic hair accessories. In fact, I wear them almost every single day! They effortlessly add a little colour to my life. Take a peek at my current favourite scrunchies and a video overloaded with lots and lots of spring beauty favourites.