20/20 reading challenge update + mini book reviews

Ahh...New Year's Resolutions. Sometimes they seem impossible to achieve. That is why I have adopted a monthly check-in with my resolutions. It makes it easier to hold myself accountable when I can actively track my progress. One of my resolutions is carried forward from last year: the 20/20 reading challenge. (You can read more about that here.) Essentially, the goal is to read 20 fiction books and 20 non-fiction books by the end of the year. Last year, I was able to surpass this goal, which felt wonderful. This year? I haven't had quite as much time to read....though I am definitely doing my best to squeeze it in wherever possible. Since we are about halfway through 2021, it only made sense to share a mid-way update on this personal reading challenge. There will also be some mini book reviews to consider as well. Here goes...

shea moisture manuka honey and yogurt treatment (review)

Time for a little honesty. My hair is a disaster. At this point, it has been a year and a half since my last haircut. Due to COVID-19 shut downs and restrictions where I live...it just hasn't been possible. Even during brief periods of time when salons opened back up, it did not feel comfortable or safe for me to have another person so close. Especially before vaccinations were an option. Currently, I have my first dose of the vaccine and I am anxiously waiting for my second dose. Fingers crossed it will be accessible to me before the end of the summer. In the meantime? My hair needs some serious TLC. I don't plan to visit a salon until I am fully vaccinated. So that means lots and nourishing hair care products. Like this treatment from Shea Moisture! 

2 looks 1 palette: morphe x maddie ziegler eyeshadow palette

Eyeshadow is my favourite. Though there are many fabulous beauty products out there...eyeshadow is where the fun stuff really happens. You can embrace colour or stick to something simple and neutral. The Morphe x Maddie Ziegler collaboration, The Imagination Palette, makes it possible to do both. There are so many fabulous and unexpected colours as well as warm neutrals and shades to create a bold smokey eye look. There are so many possibilities! Since this is a newer item in my makeup collection, it has been extra exciting seeing where the palette will take me. Ready for another 2 looks 1 palette post? Here are some recent makeup looks featuring the Morphe x Maddie Ziegler eyeshadow palette.

review + reveal: charmed aroma 101 dalmatians candle

Ahh....Charmed Aroma. They certainly know how to maintain my interest. If it isn't a Harry Potter themed candle or a penguin themed candle...it is something Disney inspired. Most recently? That included the 101 Dalmatians release. This scented jewellery candle had five possible necklace options hidden inside. Each one was of course inspired by one of the iconic characters. Though all of the designs were absolutely adorable, there were a few that caught my eye more than others. Ready to find out how this candle smells? What was hidden inside? Here is another Charmed Aroma review and reveal.

new in: makeup by mario products

Mario Dedivanovic is well-known in the beauty industry. Partly because of his celebrity clients, his master classes, and stint as a judge on a makeup competition show....and partly because of his line of products. Makeup By Mario has been generating a decent amount of buzz since its release in 2020. As someone who has been following his career for the last several years (and as someone who is completely obsessed with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Master Palette by Mario) it only made sense that the line of products would call to me. Though there are many different products to choose from, including sculpting sticks, lip palettes, and brushes....I always gravitate towards eyeshadows. So it should come as no surprise that all of the items selected have to do with the eyes. It is time to take a closer look at the Makeup by Mario products currently in my collection.

first impressions: jlo beauty (that limitless glow mask)

Even though there are countless celebrity makeup and skin care lines on the market...JLo Beauty was intriguing. First of all, Jennifer Lopez is well-known for her incredible skin. Secondly, she is someone that I have been a fan of for a very long time. Her movies and music have been an important part of my life. Not to mention her perfumes! Her incredible fragrance, "Still," was my first grown up bottle of perfume. My dad bought it for me one day when we were out and it has been incredibly meaningful to me ever since. Yes, when it comes to Jennifer Lopez, there are a lot of positive memories associated with this A-list celebrity. That being said, the products from JLo Beauty are on the expensive side. For example, $98 for a glow serum, $72 for a day cream, and $62 for an eye cream. Those items would definitely be a splurge for me. So, it made sense to start with a good old-fashioned sheet mask. Keep reading for a first impressions review of the JLo Beauty That Limitless Glow mask. 

mermaid inspired accessories + betsey johnson review

Mermaids have long been a part of storytelling, folklore, and popular culture. Growing up, I was obsessed with movies like The Little Mermaid and Splash....and used to dream of being as graceful and beautiful as those underwater creatures. Whenever something is mermaid themed, it tends to be on my radar. For instance, the mermaid tail brushes in my collection that have pink, blue, and green handles. Not to mention scales! Or the Tarte eyeshadow palette, Be a Mermaid & Make Waves. There are so many examples of mermaid inspired makeup and beauty collections. Accessories are just as popular! Recently, I was given a beautiful pair of Betsey Johnson mermaid tail earrings. It was love at first sight! In honour of those earrings, this post is dedicated to lots and lots of different mermaid inspired accessories.