visiting santa's village theme park.

There is nothing better than a Christmas inspired theme park for the holiday obsessed. For many years, I have wanted to re-visit Santa's Village, a theme park that I visited once as a child. During the recent cottage getaway, my husband, brother, and I drove the extra hour and a half out to the Christmas wonderland. Here are some of the highlights of that experience. 

the second half of my main street melts order.

Back in November, several fragrance oils from Main Street Melts were featured on the creation of beauty is art. (As a reminder, these are theme park inspired scents. I fell in love with the brand shortly after visiting Walt Disney World last year. In a post-Walt Disney World blues state of mind, my sad scrolling led me to an Etsy shop that sold scents inspired by some of my favourite rides, restaurants, and theme park treats. The first post about Main Street Melts Candle Co. can be seen here.) In that last post, there were all sorts of fragrance oils featured...and some that were intended to be reviewed in a part two. It is finally time for part two of that previous Main Street Melts haul. Here are some more theme park scent reviews.

summer experiences: visiting canada's wonderland

It has been many years since I last visited Canada's Wonderland. And even more since I visited during the summer months. This theme park used to be an essential part of the season for my family. We often had season passes and would visit the park multiple times. Sometimes, even with extended family! I have so many wonderful memories of the way the theme park used to be, with Flintstones themed areas, restaurants, and a Smurfs cave. Things have certainly changed since then! The kids section is Snoopy themed now and there are all sorts of massive rollercoasters scattered throughout the park. My brother and I have been talking about visiting again for the last couple of years and finally we did it.  Here are some highlights from the day.

more main street melts candle co. fragrance oils

After my last Walt Disney World vacation, it was hard to settle back into real life. Especially knowing it was not a place that I could return for several years. (Partly because Disney is expensive, but mostly because of the political situation over there.) So, it was Main Street Melts Candle Co. that I turned to. Their products made it possible to bring a little bit of Disney magic to my home. The first time around, there were ten fragrance oils added to my Etsy cart. All have been used regularly since that time, but the Spaceship Earth inspired blend was easily the most loved. My bottle reached the halfway point and I decided to purchase a couple of backup bottles. And while I was browsing, I decided to purchase a few Christmas gifts for loved ones. And then I decided to try a few other essential oil blends. Truth be told, my shopping cart got a little out of hand, but I am now stocked up for the foreseeable future. On that note...this is part one of my latest main Street Melts Candle Co. order. The second half will be posted at some point, but for now, it is time to find out more about these theme park inspired scents.

walt disney world week: vacation highlights

Coming home from vacation is never fun...but my transition back into regular life following my Walt Disney World trip has not been smooth. Shortly after arriving home, there was a slight tickle in my throat. I didn't feel quite right. Before I even had time to unpack my suitcase, some sort of sickness had taken over. Cough, runny nose, exhaustion, and all the rest. It came on very quickly and is still lingering to this day. Definitely not the return home that I envisioned. Despite this setback, I am attempting to slowly get myself back on track: catching up on cleaning, laundry, blogging, work, and everything in between. Which brings me to the latest theme week here on the creation of beauty is art. To start this Walt Disney World theme week off on the right foot, it is time to share some vacation highlights from my recent getaway to the most magical place on earth.

vacation highlights part two (disneyland)

Travel can feel stressful and overwhelming at times...but there are always lots of wonderful memories to look back on. Looking for a dose of magic and wonder? Disney is the perfect place for that. Though my absolute favourite place to be is Walt Disney World, my mom wanted to visit Disneyland after about five years away. So, my parents, my brother, my husband, and I all flew to California for our first international trip since the pandemic. It was a lot. There were way too many people and it was certainly an adjustment, but there were also some good moments. So, on that note, here are some vacation highlights.

road trip: part one

Every trip has highlights and low points, regardless of who you travel with. When you vacation with family? The ups and downs always seem to be exaggerated. During my two and a half week road trip, there were some wonderful moments that my family and I will remember forever....and there were experiences that will become a part of family folklore forever. (Like a suitcase falling on my dad and tearing up his leg. Or both of my parents coming down with colds mid-way through the trip.) So, in a way, even the downs were pretty darn memorable.

The trip consisted of a full day drive to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, then a day driving to Atlanta (where we stopped at the World of Coke), and another day to Orlando, Florida. Once there, we spent a day at SeaWorld, and two days at Universal. After that, it was ten magical days at Walt Disney World, and a three day drive home, with stops in South Carolina and Baltimore. Yes, this was certainly a busy vacation! Here are some of my travel pictures and stories.....

Dollywood

It has always been my dream to visit Dollywood. Though, I never really thought it would happen. Quite frankly, it was unlikely that I would ever find myself in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. So, when my family started talking about driving to Florida to celebrate my mom's birthday....I pitched the idea of Dollywood. It was on the way. Sort of.

By the time we arrived there, I was desperate to see it all. We only had one day in the theme park, so we were on a tight schedule. Since my brother and dad were not so interested in the Dolly Parton aspect, we separated for most of the day. My mom and I toured the museum (which was amazing. There was every Dolly award, costume, and artifact in there ever), shopped, and went to some of the live shows.

Unfortunately, the weather was not great. It rained on and off for the afternoon and many of the rides were shut down. But overall, it was a fantastic experience. I loved Dollywood and would absolutely like to spend more time there. The best parts? Shopping in Dolly's Closet, checking out the Chasing Rainbows museum, and seeing the My People show - which starred members of Dolly Parton's family.

The World of Coke

After leaving Tennessee, we drove to Atlanta. We weren't there for very long (just an afternoon) so there wasn't a ton of time to see much. However, we made time to stop at the World of Coke. It was a lot of fun there. We got to see a lot of old Coca-Cola memorabilia, meet the mascot, head into the vault that carries the secret recipe, and even try out Coke products from around the world. Then we went into the gift shop and spent some time looking at all of the awesome Coke merchandise. Before heading back to the hotel for the night, we stopped off a Johnny Rockets for a delicious meal.

SeaWorld

The next day, we finished the drive to Orlando. And the day after that was dedicated to SeaWorld. My brother and Dad ended up driving to another attraction, so it was just my mom and I checking out the park. It was actually a lot of fun! I'd never been to SeaWorld Orlando so it was definitely exciting. The day started out sunny and beautiful but an hour or so into it....the rain began. It poured non-stop for the remainder of our time there. They actually wound up closing the park an hour early because it was so bad. But thankfully, my mom and I were able to see all of the shows (sea lions, dolphins, and whales), tour the aquarium, and even do a little shopping.

Universal Studios

I'll admit. I was very excited to visit Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. I'd never been to a Universal Studios park before and I am a massive fan of minions, Harry Potter, and Dr. Seuss. By all accounts, the next two days should have been amazing. Honestly? They were okay. My mom was not impressed with the parks and ended up leaving early both days. The weather was horrible again and it poured on and off. But we still managed to make the most of it.

The actual Universal Studios park didn't have a ton in it. I expected it to be a lot bigger. More like Disney! But I did like the minion ride, the ET ride (my favourite), and the Harry Potter section. The Simpsons area was really cool and well done - but smaller than I expected. The next day, we went to Islands of Adventure. I definitely preferred this park. The cartoon sections were great and the Harry Potter ride in the castle was fantastic. Overall, I liked Universal, but I don't know that I would plan a trip to go back again.

So, there you have it! Part one of my road trip blog post. My next one will be all about my time in Walt Disney World. Stay tuned....

Have you done any travelling this summer?

xo Shannon

disney theme week: walt disney world vacation highlights

Though my vacation to Walt Disney World ended a few weeks ago...it is only now that I have been able to sit down and write about the experience. (Trying to catch up on life after a vacation is no joke.) Walt Disney World is my happy place. Though I have visited Disneyland and Disneyland Paris in the past, Walt Disney World is my favourite place on earth. It has a special kind of magic. Maybe I just like being in the Disney bubble, hidden away from all of the hurts and fears in the world. Or maybe it has to do with the four theme parks there are to explore. Whatever the reason, it is clear that Walt Disney World brings me joy. There are Mickey Mouse shaped waffles for breakfast, Mickey Mouse shaped pretzels to snack on, and well, Mickey Mouse shaped everything! To start this Disney theme week off on the right foot, here are some vacation highlights from the getaway...

ten random things that are keeping me inspired this spring.

Balance seems out of reach. Despite my best efforts, living a balanced life seems near impossible to achieve, even on a temporary basis. It seems that life is either uncertain and achingly slow or full steam ahead. At the moment, it seems that I am in a season of "full steam ahead." There are appointments, plans, requests, and a to-do list that grows longer with each moment that passes. What kind of season are you in right now? Is the pace a little slower or are you struggling to keep it all together? Whether you are overwhelmed or are finding life a little quieter, it is essential to stay inspired. To find little things that matter. To hold onto bits and pieces of happiness. That is what inspired this blog post. I have been seeking out all that is joyful and beautiful in my world. On that note, here are ten random things that have been keeping me inspired this spring. 

my first order from main street melts candle co.

The post-Walt Disney World blues have been extreme this time around. After a visit to the most magical place on Earth, it is common for me to feel a little sad adjusting back to the real world. However, knowing there will not be a return trip for several years really got me in my feelings. That is how I found myself searching for Walt Disney World inspired scents on Etsy shortly after returning back home. Enter the Main Street Melts Candle Co. The company has all sorts of Disney inspired items, including candles, melts, room sprays, and oils. Since I have a diffuser that has been neglected in recent months, it seemed wise to focus on some of the available oils. Though there were many that caught my eye (and many that will be ordered in the future) my first order included ten different essential oil blends. It took about twenty three days for the oils to arrive, which was not too bad, and everything was well packed. Each essential oil bottle has a cute Disney inspired label and there is a generous amount of oil provided. Keep reading for a mini review of each Main Street Melts Candle Co. item in my order.

disney week: disney inspired purses (new in)

Disney week continues here on the creation of beauty is art. Yesterday was all about a Beauty and the Beast themed Charmed Aroma candle. The latest theme week post is all about Disney-themed purses. Though there are many different purses in my collection (in various shapes, sizes and colours)...there is something extra special about something Disney themed or Disney inspired. It can add an undeniable dose of magic to any and all outfits. There are several Disney purses already in my life. For instance, the red and white polka dot purse my husband bought for me on our honeymoon in Walt Disney World and the Bread and Butterfly shaped purse inspired by Alice in Wonderland. In the last several months, two more Disney inspired purses have been added to that collection. This is all thanks to my mom, who has fallen in love with online shopping, and has spoiled me with some fabulous Disney items. They make me smile and make me hopeful for the future. Maybe one day, I will have a chance to wear them on a Disney vacation or even to the movie theatre. A girl can dream! Here are the the two new purses...

review: morphe x jaclyn hill (divine neutrals eyeshadow palette)

YouTube is a passion of mine. I love watching videos related to makeup, fashion, lifestyle, and even theme parks. (Especially theme parks. I've been watching a ton of theme park related content since the pandemic began. I suppose I am living vicariously!) There are some YouTubers that I love more than others. One that has been on my list of loves for several years is Jaclyn Hill. I actually started watching her videos after falling in love with her original eyeshadow palette with Morphe. Since then, I have tried several different products from her...though I haven't yet tried anything from Jaclyn Cosmetics just yet. One day! For now, I am putting the Morphe x Jaclyn Hill Divine Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette to good use. 

make august your best month yet

The countdown is on. Even though we are still in the midst of summer fun....the sad reality is that fall is just around the corner. It is August already! If the thought of scattered leaves and morning frost leaves you feeling a little depressed, there’s a one solution: make the most of summer! With several weeks left of summertime bliss, it is possible to make the last few weeks of sunshine both memorable and action packed.

vacation highlights part one (legoland california)

Travel is an important part of life. Whether you are headed to a different city or a different country altogether, there is something magical that happens when you leave behind routine and focus on making memories. In the past, travel was significant to me. I would spend months and months eagerly looking forward to some sort of vacation or special experience. Then the pandemic happened. Suddenly, travel felt unsafe. It felt like something to be avoided at all costs. Honestly, it has been really difficult to shift that mentality. The way I viewed travel previously and the way I view travel now are so drastically different. I often wonder if things will ever return to 'normal' for me. Despite all of this uncertainty and fear... despite the fact that the way I think about travel has shifted...I did do some traveling recently. Some of my family members went to California to visit Legoland and Disneyland. Over the next couple of days, I'll be sharing some vacation highlights.

spirit halloween haul (scream, trick r treat, haunted mansion)

Fall is a wonderful time of year. There is something so special about the season! I know a lot of people love the spring and summer months, because it means sunshine and outdoor activities, but fall and winter make me positively giddy with excitement. When it comes to fall, I specifically love the cooler temperatures, sweater weather, and Halloween. Oh, and the fact that a Spirit Halloween store is everywhere you turn. I am slightly obsessed with these seasonal pop up shops. Each one is overloaded with Halloween costumes, accessories, spooky decor, and horror themed items. There is so much to fall in love with. Over the last little while, there have been a handful of trips to nearby Spirit Halloween stores. Though I would love to take home absolutely everything (I am obsessed with all holidays and holiday related items) only a few well-chosen pieces came home with me. Ready to take a look at it all? It is time for a little Spirit Halloween haul...

rank + review: richard simmons sweatin' to the oldies workouts

Workout videos? Well, needless to say they are an integral part of my day-to-day life. Though there are days when a gym session is in order...most of the time it is just me and my television. There is such comfort in working out at home. (Though I realize not everyone feels this way!) Personally, I love it because I don't have to travel anywhere and I don't have to feel intimidated by all of the fitness buffs hanging out at the squat racks. Do you love working out at home? Or did you get more comfortable with the idea during quarantine? Then workout videos are certainly something to consider. There are an awful lot of videos out there, which means it is always possible to find something that is effective and fun. More recently, I fell in love with Richard Simmons videos. His YouTube account started uploading ten minute workout segments. That led me down the rabbit hole. A few days later, my husband ordered me the 30th Anniversary Edition of Sweatin' To The Oldies. No wonder my life lately has involved an awful lot of classic songs, sparkly tank tops, and motivation. The DVD set included all five videos in the Sweatin' To The Oldies collection so there was lots of variety. Ready to see how they perform? Find out which videos are the most effective? Here are all of the workout videos, reviewed and ranked.

shoe obsession: randy's donuts x toms

Randy's Donuts is iconic. Though I have never visited the beloved Inglewood, California location myself...the storefront has been featured in countless movies and television shows. It is known around the world. Which is one of the reasons that the footwear collaboration between Randy's Donuts and Toms was so exciting. Anything related to popular culture is a must-have. Especially when it is paired with one of my favourite shoe brands. Ready to take a peek at the Randy's x Toms shoes that have been added to my wardrobe? Find out why they have become a total shoe obsession? Here goes...

a day at the lake restores the soul.

It is time for a mini blog break here on the creation of beauty is art. Several members of my family enjoy spending time at a rented cottage each summer (a tradition that started during the COVID-19 pandemic when most of the world was shut down) which means that I am begrudgingly being dragged along. Though I do not like being away from the comfort of my home and do not particularly enjoy all of the mosquitos, there are usually lots of antique and thrift stores to explore. And this year, my husband and I are planning to take a daytrip to a small theme park that isn't too far away. Since I will be occupied for the next week, there will be a mini break, but new posts will be shared on the creation of beauty is art. as soon as I return. Until then! 

This content is from the-creationofbeauty.blogspot.com. If it is posted elsewhere, it has been stolen.

Do you have any travel plans this summer? Are you someone who enjoys spending lots of time in nature?

vacation highlights: visiting atlantis bahamas

Sunshine and sand are ideal for many travellers. Not me. I have done my best to avoid beach vacations over the years, as my preference is a theme park or more of a novelty experience. I was able to steer clear of a "sunshine and sand vacation" for a long time by simply making it clear that I was only willing to visit the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas. My fascination with Atlantis dates back to 2001, when the Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen movie, Holiday in the Sun, was released. It was a fantastic direct-to-video movie that was set primarily at the Atlantis resort. It seemed like the most incredible place to visit. Even without an interest in beaches and waterparks, my interest in Mary-Kate and Ashley won out. So, when my husband declared that he needed a winter getaway, it quickly became apparent that Atlantis was in the cards. Here are a few highlights...

celebrating four years on youtube.

Wow! The expression time flies really rings true when it comes to my YouTube channel. This week marks the four year anniversary of my very first video. Since then, I have filmed, edited, and posted 184 videos (on topics including makeup reviews, tutorials, fashion look books, motivational tips, and even workout related videos). I've also been fortunate enough to reach over 100, 000 video views. Considering my biggest fear was that no one would ever watch what I created....that milestone is especially significant. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to anyone that has ever watched or supported my channel. I hope you know how much it means to me! Today, I wanted to celebrate the last four years - and take a look back at some of my favourite videos.