love it or leave it? kim kardashian

Kim Kardashian is never afraid to turn heads. Her style is bold, over the top, and totally fearless. Whether you love or hate what she is wearing...there is no denying the fact that this fashionable celebrity knows how to make a statement. More recently? She stirred up a healthy dose of controversy during a recent trip to the Vatican. Why the controversy? Though she adhered to the dress requirements (covered knees and upper arms) there were a lot of unhappy people thanks to her lace dress with cut outs. It will certainly be an outfit to remember. So, is it a love it or leave it? Keep reading to find out. 

mini haul: victoria's secret accessories + fragrances

Trips to the local shopping mall used to be fun but ordinary experiences. Now? It is a luxury that I am unlikely to take for granted any time soon. While previous trips to the mall used to involve checking out random stores and wandering around...this visit was brief and for a specific purpose. See, I needed new bras. Badly. After well over a year in either lockdown or semi-lockdown conditions (not to mention gaining some additional pandemic weight) my undergarments were in serious need of an upgrade. So I tried on every single bra in my drawer and tossed anything that didn't fit properly or was worn out. Then it was off to Victoria's Secret to start fresh. Thankfully, the day I went happened to be the time of a major sale, so everything was dramatically discounted. Nothing like good timing! Of course, a few additional items were added to my cart that day. Take a peek at my new purse and a few new fragrances from Victoria's Secret. 

ten years of the creation of beauty is art.

July 10th, 2011 was a milestone moment in my life. Only I didn't know it at the time. I had graduated from university and most of my days were spent working at a fast-food job. Though I was applying for an endless amount of freelance writing positions, no one would hire me without a published body of work. So...I started the creation of beauty is art. It was a way to show potential employers what I could do, but it was also a place for me to channel my creative energy. The decision to start a beauty-focused blog was a good one: it completely changed my life for the better. Today is the ten year anniversary of the creation of beauty is art. and this post is a celebration of everything that has happened here over the last decade.

easy ways to rock the metallic fashion trend

Metallics are back and better than ever. Shimmery, shiny, metallic fabrics never really fade away...but they have a habit of popping up on trend lists every now and again. Summer 2021 is no exception. Marie Claire dubbed gilded garments as a must have for this season. It makes sense why fashionistas are keen to add a little extra something to their outfits. After more than a year in sweatpants and comfortable clothes, fashion lovers are ready to make a splash with style. What better way to stand out and strut yourself than with some intense metallic pieces? It is certainly a welcome shift from the laid-back pandemic-inspired looks. Not sure how to embrace the trend in a way that is wearable? Don't worry. Metallic is oh-so-simple to incorporate into your everyday outfits. Keep reading for some easy ways to rock the metallic fashion trend. 

review: benefit they're real! magnet mascara

When it comes to mascara...Benefit is one of the best. Over the years, I have tried many different mascaras. (Take a peek at some of those reviews here.) Some were excellent and some were total disasters. One of my all-time favourites is the Benefit They're Real! mascara. I love how dramatic it is. I love all of the volume and length it creates. And of course, I love the unique wand design. It is a definite standout! Recently, Benefit released another version of the They're Real! mascara. The Benefit They're Real! Magnet Extreme Lengthening Mascara comes with an awful lot of product claims and some unusual design details. Ready to take a closer look? Find out how this high-end mascara performs? Here is a full review of the latest release. 

four things making me smile lately

Being honest? The last year or so has been a complete and total rollercoaster of emotions. Some days, I feel focused and purposeful. Other days, I feel like a complete and total disaster. It makes sense....so much has changed and there are still so many unknowns. But here is hoping that things will continue to head in the right direction. On that note! I wanted to share some of the little things that have been making me smile lately. They have been adding lots of joy to my life. 

happy canada day!

It is amazing how many Canada Days that I took for granted. How many fireworks displays, gatherings with loved ones, mini road trips, barbecues, and trips to the movies. It was all so...expected. Sure, some years were more low key than others. But it was always possible to celebrate Canada Day with an adventure or get-together. Then everything changed. When the pandemic shut down everything in March 2020...it seemed like it would be temporary. "Out of an abundance of caution," I recall everyone saying. Well, here we are, well over a year later and the world is still nothing close to normal. Are things better? Sure. Are they back to normal? Not even slightly. This will be my second Canada Day spent in a pandemic.