This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you if you click and/or purchase through my links.

Almay was kind enough to send along some of their new spring products for me to review. Designed with festival vibes in mind, the range is naturally quite bold and glittery. While I’ve personally never attended a big music festival such as Coachella or Osheaga, I love following people who are there. Festivals are the best for scoping out fun fashion and beauty trends that are anything but ordinary. Bearing in mind that festival makeup is definitely not every day makeup, let’s take a look at the new products.

Almay Make Them Jelly Hi-Lite in “24K Dreams” and “Unicorn Light”

Naturally, these caught my eye immediately. With the halographic packages, enthralling names, and the premise of a jelly highlighter, I dug right in. Upon opening the package, they weren’t exactly what I was expecting. The consistency is definitely jelly-like, but more like actual Jell-O than I had anticipated. I expected it to be a thick, but somewhat fluid consistency. These look and smell like slime that I had as a kid. That being said, they aren’t all bad! They are extremely glittery. “24K Dreams” has a gold shift while “Unicorn Light” has a pink shift. These are not subtle, every day highlighters as they definitely leave a fine glitter on your face. However, they are perfect for a festival, music concert, or party.

Left: 24K Dreams | Right: Unicorn Light

Almay Velvet Foil Cream Shadow in “Infinite Sky”, “Out of the Woods” and “Violet Eyelet”

Of all the products, these cream shadows are the standout for me. I received three colors – a rich chocolate brown, a metallic blue and a metallic purple. First of all, these are both incredibly pigmented and creamy. They swatch beautifully and the lasting power is crazy! I have to literally scrub my skin to remove them (which is a little painful around the eyes).

I tried creating an eye look using just one color and that was much easier than trying to use multiple colors. As much as I love the consistency, they are a little hard to work with in terms of blending and combining various colors. Therefore, I’d recommend using these for an all-over lid color. They move around on the eyelid quite easily at first but once dried, they are unmovable. I definitely want to pick up a couple more of these in more subtle, every day colors.

Left – right: Out of the Woods, Infinite Sky, Violet Eyelet

Almay Goddess Glosses in “Magic”, “Enchanted”, and “Cosmic”

I was pleasantly surprised by these lipglosses. While the colors aren’t necessarily what I would have chosen myself, they are actually super wearable. And despite being filled with glitter, they are extremely comfortable to wear. They aren’t sticky or gritty on the lips at all, and the color is quite pigmented. “Magic” is a bronzey-orange, “Enchanted” is a berry purple and “Cosmic” is a light gold with multi-color reflect.

Almay Goddess Gloss Cosmic

Almay Goddess Gloss Magic

Almay Goddess Gloss Enchanted

Almay Eyeshadow Quads in “Less is More” and “Never Settle”

Initially, I thought these were little highlight cubes, until I noticed that they each contain a matte shade. Along with a matte, each quad contains two shimmers and one glitter. The swatches of these were okay, nothing remarkable, especially the mattes. The shimmers and the glitters are the best of the quad, but overall I would pass on these.

Almay also sent along a “Smoky Eye Trio”, however, it was smashed on arrival and therefore I was unable to test it.

Almay Liquid Lash Extenders Mascara in “Black”

I was hopeful that this would be a great drugstore mascara option, but sadly I was disappointed. It has a fibre and tube formula that supposedly wraps around your eyelashes. However, my eyelashes neither appeared overly longer, thicker or more voluminous with use. It is, however, a great everyday mascara. I didn’t notice any clumping or flaking, which is always a plus! But personally, I just prefer a mascara that offers a more dramatic look.

PR samples provided for review.

Frock Box Review + Discount Code | March 2019

This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Frock Box is a monthly clothing subscription box that is based out of St. Albert, Alberta, Canada. Frock Box offers three types of subscription services, but the most popular is the Frock Box Favourites, which costs $24.95 a month. The Frock Box Favourites box includes five clothing items, selected based on a questionnaire that you complete, as well as your celebrity inspiration and Pinterest boards. You pay for whatever you decide to keep and mail back whatever you don’t like! The monthly fee of $24.95 is subtracted from the cost of whatever you keep, and there are no return fees.

Click HERE to read my February Frock Box review, and for more information on the subscription service itself.

March 2019 Frock Box Favourites Box

For transparency purposes, I am a “Frock Box Influencer” which means that I received compensation in exchange for a review initially. However, I now pay for Frock Box out of pocket, but I do receive a commission if you sign up using the code “JANINE”.

I received five items in my March 2019 Frock Box – two cardigans, a tank top, a t-shirt and a pair of jeggings. I was slightly disappointed as I was hoping for spring clothes and this box was definitely still geared towards winter style. However, they were offering a winter discount which meant that you received 40% off the entire box if you kept everything (as opposed to the regular 25%). The merchandise total was $247.97 but with the discount and the styling fee credit, the whole box only cost $123.83 plus tax! It’s a shame that I didn’t like everything because that’s an awesome deal.

I also switched from a size medium to a size small for this box. It was definitely the best choice for me! Everything in the size small fit, which was a concern as I can be a medium in certain stores.

What I Received in my Box

DEX Long Cardigan | Price: $79.00 | Verdict: Return

While I loved the idea of this black and red buffalo check sweater, I didn’t love it on me. Despite being a size small, it was a little too slouchy for my taste. It looked much better unbuttoned and I loved the hood, but it wasn’t enough to convince me to keep it!

Rock n Rose Round Neck Scoop Graphic Tank | Price: $34.00 | Verdict: Return

I really didn’t like the shape of this tank! The arm holes were way too big/low and it just wasn’t really my style at all.

Gilli Open Front Elbow Patch Cardigan | Price: $49.99 | Verdict: Return

I actually really liked this cardigan (I’m a huge fan of elbow patches!). The quality was pretty good but I wasn’t sold on the color (it was okay), plus I have a bunch of similar cardigans already.

Casual Short Sleeved Striped Top | Price: $39.99 | Verdict: Keep

While I don’t believe this tee is worth $40, I decided to keep this instead of the cardigan. It has a nice rounded hem and feels super soft. I justified it because of the quality and because you can’t go wrong with a basic striped black tee.

Yelete Mid Rise Dark Wash Stretch Jeggings in Olive | Price: $44.99 | Verdict: Return

These arrived in a size “small” so I was extremely surprised that they fit since I tend to require bigger sizes on my bottom half. They were super comfy and well-liked on my Instastories, however, I knew I wouldn’t wear them. I’m not a fan of colored pants and prefer to wear denim or black. I really liked these, just not the color!

The March Frock Box was kind of a let down for me as I was really hoping for spring items. I also only kept one of my five items. With the stylist fee credit, I paid $15.04 out of pocket for the item I kept.

Get a Free Month of Frock Box!

If you are interested in signing up, head over to Frock Box and use code “JANINE” to get your $24.95 stylist fee waived for the first month! That’s right – you can sign up for free and only pay for what you decide to keep! If you don’t keep anything, you can return it all for free! It’s a win-win situation!

Frock Box offers clothing in sizes small to 3XL, so there really is something for everyone! Let me know if you sign up because I’d love to hear what you receive in your box.

10 Unique Bridesmaid Proposal Gifts From Etsy

This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you if you click and/or purchase through my links.

One of the most exciting parts of wedding planning is asking your best friends to stand by your side! There are so many ways to do this, from a simple phone call to an elaborate gift box. I’ve rounded up some awesome and unique gifts from Etsy, which will hopefully help you plan your perfect bridesmaid proposal!

Don’t forget to sign up for Ebates to earn cash back while shopping at Etsy! I’ve earned over $100 back just from shopping online through Ebates.

Bridesmaid Proposal Gift Ideas

1. A thoughtful card

Starting with the simplest of ideas, you cannot go wrong with a personalized card and a handwritten message. There are so many beautiful card designs to choose from! I’m personally loving this Scratch-Off card but there are lots of funny and sweet cards depending on the personality of your friends.

Etsy: PixelcoutureDesigns

2. Necklace

When it comes to jewelry, the options are limitless. A delicate initial necklace can be personalized for each bridesmaid, or you could always go for matching druzy or pearl necklaces. Maybe they could even wear their necklaces on the big day!

Etsy: HunterAndTrove

3. Ring

If you know your girlfriends’ ring size, a cute gift idea is a friendship ring! I love this simple knot ring while this tiny ring is super affordable.

Etsy: minimalaccents

4. Bath bombs

Bath bombs are such a fun gift to give! Because they are available in so many scents and colors, you can really personalize them to each recipient. I love that these bathbombs come in a custom box, and how pretty are these glittery champagne bath bombs?

Etsy: TailoredSoap

5. Chocolates

Any chocolate will do, but how sweet is this custom chocolate bar? You can also buy a custom chocolate bar wrapper and gift each bridesmaid their favourite chocolate bar!

Etsy: TeamHen

6. Keychain

For a close-knit group of friends, this Puzzle Keychain is super cute. You also can’t go wrong with a Floral Monogramed Keychain or a stunning Simple Handstamped Keychain (I’d really like one of these myself!).

Etsy: OakleeMae

7. Candle

Candles are a great gift that can be customized to suit everyone’s individual tastes. This candle comes in scents like “Blackberry Vanilla” and “Cozy Blanket”, as well as a variety of sizes. You could also buy a custom label to place over her favourite candle from Bath & Body Works. This stunning candle comes with a beautiful box and ribbon and a “Wedding Cake” scent!

Etsy: This candle

8. Mug

There are honestly so many cute mugs out there that it was hard to narrow down a few for this post! I love the custom I Can’t Say I Do Without You Mug because it’s so detailed and unique. These Camping Mugs are perfect for the adventurous bridal party while these mugs are simple and classic.

Etsy: MagnoliaAkers

9. Wine Glass

You can’t go wrong with a simple Custom Stemless Wine Glass, in my opinion. I also really love these Stemless Wine Tumblers which are personalized and perfect for traveling!

Etsy: keeplifesimpledesign

10. Compact Mirror

I can’t get over how sweet these Pastel Compact Mirrors are! I think this would be the perfect gift for the classic girly girl in your life. If you’re having a vintage or bohemian themed wedding, these Floral Rose Gold Compacts would fit the bill.

Etsy: ThreeTwo1

How did you propose to your bridesmaids? I’d love to hear your story!

Pixi Beauty Rose Infused Skintreats Review

The Rose Infused Skintreats line by Pixi Beauty* includes 10 rose-scented facial products that are sure to delight! Combined, these products remove your makeup, cleanse your skin, tone, hydrate, and boost your skin’s natural glow. My jaw literally dropped when this package arrived on my doorstep, complete with a customized toiletries bag that is oh-so-perfect for travelling. Now that I’ve been using this skincare regimen almost exclusively for the past month, I want to share my results!

Pixi Beauty Rose Infused Skintreats

Makeup Melting Cleansing Cloths: I never use makeup removing cloths at home, but I love to pack them whenever I am traveling. They are so convenient to throw in a bag for the weekend. I did use one of these at home for review purposes and I thought it did a good job of removing my makeup. It was a little dryer than I prefer but was moist enough to remove most of my makeup. For heavy eye makeup, you would need more than one. Oddly enough, I cannot seem to find these on the Pixi website.

Rose Cream Cleanser: I am impressed with how gentle this cleanser it. It is a very lightweight cleanser, but it lathers sufficiently. It does a great job of removing my eye makeup and leaves my skin feeling clean but never tight or dry. It’s truly a fantastic every day cleanser.

Rose Tonic: This is a product that admittedly, I haven’t used a lot. I’m still using my Pixi Rose Glow Tonic at night so I’ve been trying to use this one after cleansing in the morning. The problem is that I keep forgetting to grab it before applying my moisturizer! The Rose Tonic is different from the Glow Tonic in that it’s meant to hydrate and neutralize pH levels of the skin, where the Glow Tonic exfoliates. I definitely need to try this one out more! It did seem very gentle and balancing when I tried it, and certainly less harsh than the Glow Tonic.

Rose Caviar Essence: Essences became all the rage in 2018, a trend that I expect to continue into 2019. This Rose Caviar Essence actually contains concentrated flower oils! After toning, it instructs you to gently press this essence on to the skin of your face, neck and décolletage. It claims to soften and tone the skin while the fresh botanicals hydrate and restore radiance. I haven’t been using this product daily, mainly because I’m always in a hurry in the morning and I don’t have time to press this into my skin and let it absorb. I’ve been trying to use it on the weekends when I am not so rushed! It is extremely lightweight and doesn’t feel clogging or heavy on the skin.

Rose Flash Balm: This is a multi-use product that works as a moisturizer, primer, or mask! I’ve used it a few times in place of my regular primer. This is a thick product that is more like a moisturizing primer than say, a silicone type of primer. I didn’t find it quite as effective as my regular primer but it wasn’t too bad! Because it’s a 3-in-1 product, it would be really convenient to pack for a short trip, as opposed to taking a moisturizer, primer, and mask. It says it’s suited for all skin types but I think it would be best for someone with dry skin like myself. I haven’t tried using this as a mask.

Rose Ceramide Cream: I’ve been using this cream daily in the AM ever since I received this package. First of all – I love the packaging. I’m not entirely sure how to describe it, but it’s like a hard squeeze tube? They always seem so regal to me for some reason! Anyway, back to the product itself. It’s a lightweight moisturizer that contains rose flower oil, ceramides and probiotics. Thanks to that, it packs a moisturizing punch, despite not being a heavy cream. It is very gentle and calming on the skin and I haven’t noticed any breakouts or clogging of my pores.

Rose Oil Blend: This is my favourite product in the whole line! I’ve been using this nearly every night at bedtime and I believe this is the reason why my face is the only hydrated part of my body this winter. It’s a thick oil in a dropper bottle. I definitely couldn’t use this in the morning as it is quite heavy on the skin. In fact, my skin remains oily and glowy when I wake up in the morning after applying it at night. This is the perfect product for my dry winter skin, though it may be too heavy for anyone with oily skin.

Makeup Fixing Mist: This product claims to prolong makeup wear, while hydrating and balancing the skin. You can spray this before and after applying makeup. I’ve used it both ways and while I haven’t noticed a difference in the longevity of my makeup, it does create a nice, hydrated base to work with. I also like to mist a little on my face after applying my makeup to create a more dewy, glowy look. This is also great if your face is feeling a little tight or dry after all day!

Rose Glow Mist: Of the two sprays, this is my favourite. While they work similarly, the Rose Glow mist contains acids and antioxidants including rose oil, argan oil, and avocado oil. It is meant to calm and soothe the skin, add moisture and set makeup. Oddly enough, the actual mist is must finer on this spray than the Makeup Fixing Mist, which I definitely prefer. I like to spray this in the morning before applying my makeup and at nighttime before applying oil. I think this will be great in the summertime as a mid-day pick-me-up.

Overall Impressions

Overall, I am loving the Pixi Rose Infused Skintreats line for my dry, dehydrated winter skin. Since implementing this skincare line, my face is no longer dry. It feels plump and hydrated 24/7, which is amazing considering how dry and cold this winter has been. The line has a very potent rose scent in all the products which is not my favourite, but isn’t a dealbreaker for me. I will say that it smells like actual roses and not a fake-rose scent. I had a small breakout during the first week I used this line, but I’m not sure if that’s due to hormones or the change in skincare. I’ve had no issues since and in fact, my skin is looking better than ever. If you have similar skin, I’d highly recommend checking out this line!

The Pixi Rose Infused Skincare line can be purchased on the Pixi website or at Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada.

Frock Box Review | February 2019

This is a sponsored post. This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you.

For years, I’ve envied my fellow American bloggers as I read reviews of their monthly clothing subscription boxes.I’ve stalked their websites, hoping that one day these boxes would ship to Canada too. Therefore, you can imagine my delight when I recently discovered a clothing subscription box based out of Canada!

Frock Box was founded by three moms in St. Albert, Alberta, who also recognized the lack of clothing subscription services for Canadians. Since launching one box in 2015, they now offer three monthly subscription boxes, and have subscribers from ages 14 to 88! While they built the idea on the convenience of having clothing show up on your doorstep every month (which I’m sure any busy mom would appreciate), for me, I love that it introduces me to brands and styles that I wouldn’t necessarily get to buy locally. I live in a teeny, tiny town where shopping options are sorely limited. And while I could travel 2 hours to the city or order clothes online, this is way more convenient!

How Does Frock Box Work?

Frock Box offers three subscription boxes:

• Frock Box Jewel – one piece of jewelry from a Canadian designer ($29.95 monthly)
• Frock Box Gold – one full outfit chosen for you by your stylist ($59.95 monthly)
• Frock Box Favourites – five pieces of clothing chosen for you by your stylist, where each piece is priced individually and you pay for what you keep ($24.95 monthly, which goes towards the cost of any items you keep)

February 2019 Frock Box Favourites Box

Today I am going to review the Frock Box Favourites box. For transparency purposes, I am a “Frock Box Influencer” which means that I received compensation in exchange for a review.

When you sign up for the Frock Box Favourites box, you choose your clothing sizes (top, bottom, shoes, bra size). They also ask for any celebrity style inspiration, likes and dislikes, as well as a link to your Pinterest profile (if you have one). At this time, I took a look through my Pinterest board to ensure that it reflected my current style preferences. I also created a separate “Frock Box” board where I could re-pin items from their collections as they posted them to Pinterest.

Kaylee is my assigned stylist, and she did an excellent job choosing items for my first box! I was a bit hesitant, of course, but I really liked everything I received. I think it’s important to be as specific as you can on your style profile so they can really grasp what you like and dislike.

My box took approximately 2 weeks to arrive in Newfoundland. It was delayed due to weather, but thankfully Frock Box provides tracking on their boxes. Also, you get free shipping with the Frock Box Favourites box! There is nothing more I hate than having to pay expensive shipping fees, so I really appreciated this.

What I Received in my Box

My February 2019 box included two sweaters (a zip-up and a heavy cardigan), a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and a pair of booties. If you decide to keep all five items in your box, you receive a 25% discount on the entire order. Had I kept everything, my box would have cost me $227 + tax (total merchandise value of $336.98).

Lara Cozy Zip Up Sweater | I was so excited to see this in my bag because I’m obsessed with sherpa sweaters! The fabric is super soft and cozy, but I didn’t love the fit of it. I selected “Medium” as my top size but I’ve since gone and changed it to “Small”. This was just slightly too big but otherwise, I loved it! It was also listed as 50% off on my order sheet, as part of the winter clearance event. Price: $59 – 50%. Verdict: Return, but I would have kept it if it fit better.

Baciano Sophie Embroidered Jacket | Upon taking this beautiful blue-grey cardigan out of the bag, I knew it was way too big. While it is meant to have an oversized cardigan fit, it was huge across my shoulders. It’s incredibly heavy (in fact, they describe it as a “jacket”) and the pattern is beautiful. However, it’s also quite pricey and personally, outside of my price range for a sweater. Price: $99.99. Verdict: Return, due to size and price!

Just USA Mid Rise Skinny Jean | I struggle to find jeans that fit me as I’m short but curvy. Theses are a size 6 and fit perfectly in the waist, but were several inches too long. Despite the fact that I’m used to wearing jeggings, these jeans were actually quite comfortable. Price: $74.99. Verdict: Return, too long!

“Excuse Me I Have To Go Be Awesome” V-Neck Tee | I immediately loved this black v-neck with the retro “Hello Sunshine” pocket. My dad’s nickname for me is “Sunshine” and I practically live in black v-necks. The fabric is incredibly soft and I loved the slightly oversized fit. However, I think I’m going to return this one only because I really want to get some new styles, and I also have a ton of black v-neck tees. Price: $29.00. Verdict: Return, but loved it!

Tiara Los Angeles Mika Ankle Boots | I fell in love with these booties from the moment I seen them. And apparently, so did everyone on my Instagram page! Honestly, I had more people message me asking me about these boots than anything else, ever! These are a 5.5 and while I am normally a 5, they fit quite comfortably. For short periods of time, they are also very comfortable to wear. After a few hours of walking in these, my feet were killing me but I’m just going to put some insoles in them. I’ve gotten so many compliments on these booties that I couldn’t not keep them! Price: $74.00. Verdict: Keep!!

Returning The Items

With the Frock Box Favourites box, all you have to do is re-seal the package and apply the free return shipping label! There is also an enclosed paper to provide feedback to your stylist (or you can email them if you prefer). For each item, you select whether you are keeping or returning, and how you like (or dislike) the size/fit as well as the style. There is also an area to leave comments next to each item. Therefore, with each additional box, your stylist learns more about what you want to receive!

As I stated above, the $24.95 styling fee goes towards the cost of any items you keep. Therefore, in my case, the $74 shoes would cost me $74 – $24.95 that I paid before the box shipped = $49.05 difference. The only way you would lose out on your $24.95 styling fee is if you don’t keep anything in the box.

Overall Impressions of the Frock Box

This is probably my new favourite subscription box, and that’s coming from a subscription box addict! I love the convenience of having clothes arrive at my door. I can try it on in the comfort of my own home, paired with items that I already own. Plus, it’s so easy with free shipping and returns!

The only downside of the box for me is the price of some items. However, you can select your price range when creating your profile. I’m just normally a thrifty/budget shopper, so I hate to spend a lot of money on any one item! I will definitely continue subscribing to Frock Box for the time being, though. It’s a great way to gradually introduce new items to my closet.

Get a Free Month of Frock Box!

If you are interested in signing up, head over to Frockbox and use code “JANINE” to get your $24.95 stylist fee waived for the first month! That’s right – you can sign up for free and only pay for what you decide to keep! If you don’t keep anything, you can return it all for free! It’s a win-win situation!

Frockbox offers clothing in sizes small to 3XL, so there really is something for everyone! Let me know if you sign up because I’d love to hear what you receive in your box.

Mary Kay Illuminating Drops Review

Mary Kay graciously sent me a box of goodies from their spring line, so expect to see some posts highlighting those products in the next little while! Speaking of highlighting, one of their awesome new items is the limited edition Illuminating Drops*. I’ve been super into higlighted, dewy-looking skin lately, so naturally I couldn’t wait to try these.

Liquid highlighters have been on the market for a while, but these are not to be overlooked. The Mary Kay Illuminating Drops are available in three shades: Silver Sand, Golden Horizon, and Bronze Light.

L-R: Silver Sands, Golden Horizon, Bronze Light

Silver Sand: a pale champagne-pink that is perfect for light skintones

Golden Horizon: a golden glow, ideal for tanned skin

Bronze Light: sunkissed bronze, best for medium to dark skintones

While all three shades are gorgeous, Silver Sand is best suited to my pale skin. Golden Horizon is definitely wearable but Bronze Light is a bit too dark for me personally. Keep in mind that the swatches above are simply that – a swatch. The colors are much more wearable when blended into the skin!

The Mary Kay Illuminating Drops can be worn on bare skin or mixed with your foundation or moisturizer for an eye-catching glow. You could also use them as a traditional highlighter above your foundation on your cheekbones, cupids bow, or collarbones. Personally, I’ve been loving them mixed into my foundation. With spring around the corner, I am looking for ways to “glow up”!

Do you prefer liquid or powder highlighter? Leave a comment below!

* PR samples provided for review; all thoughts & opinions are my own!

Recent Purchases Volume 1

I’m obsessed with shopping hauls. Watching others, doing my own, etc. I love knowing what other people are buying! Do you feel the same way? I decided to start a “Recent Purchases” feature of my own. Initially I was going to post it as monthly purchases, but some months I shop very little. Typically January is one of those months but not this year! While I normally cut back after the holidays, there were a few items that I felt like I “needed” to start my year right.

Clothing

The first of those items was new jeans. For the most part, I only wear American Eagle denim. It’s easily accessible, relatively affordable, and comes in a short length. After discovering that I’ve worn a hole in the thigh area of one of my favourite pairs, I decided to order another pair to replace it. And because American Eagle was offering a “buy one, get one 50% off” sale, I actually bought two pairs.

The light wash pair is a little lighter than I anticipated (as a rule, I prefer a medium-dark wash) but they will be great for summer. Both pairs are slightly smaller and higher waisted than my current pairs, despite being the same style/size, which is a bit annoying.

I also stopped by the thrift store this month and walked away with some new shirts and a jean jacket. I got two shirts, two cardigans, a jean jacket and three plates (that match our current set of dishes) for $17.75. I didn’t “need” any of those things but a) I live in cardigans, and b) I figure it’s better to spend $5 on a denim jacket that I may never wear than $50.

I received a gift card from Dynamite for Christmas and my original plan to hold onto it until spring. However, I caved and placed an order once I seen these pants pop up in the new arrivals section. To qualify for free shipping, I also bought this shirt that I had tried on in-store before Christmas. It’s not a color I would have ever chosen for myself but I really liked it.

Shoes

In January I bought three new pairs of shoes which is more than I typically buy in a year. I found a pair of potential wedding shoes on ASOS but they went out of stock before I could purchase them. While shopping at Payless a few days later, I found another pair that I really liked. Payless had 40% off the entire store at the time so I ended up buying those (which cost me a whopping $11 as they were on clearance) plus a pair of wedges. Later, the ASOS pair came back in stock (just one pair!) IN MY SIZE, so of course I jumped on that purchase (not shown as they haven’t arrived yet).

Health & Beauty

After falling in love with the Peppermint Halo from Saje (as discussed here), I couldn’t resist picking up the “Pocket Farmacy” during their 30% off sale. I can’t wait to test out all the new products – hopefully they work as well as the headache relief!

I’m making an effort this year to only buy beauty products that need replacing. Honestly, I have enough lipstick, eyeshadow and blush in my collection that I would never need to repurchase it in my life. However, I ran out of my favourite eyebrow pencil so I had to replace that. This eye cream caught my eye and because I don’t have a holy-grail eye cream, I snuck that into my cart as well. Luckily I had a gift card from Christmas so I didn’t pay much out of pocket!

I picked up a new Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Lipstick in the shade “Romantic” after seeing it on Sydney Hoffman’s Instagram stories (I know.. I just said I didn’t need anymore lipstick…). It’s perfect for Valentine’s Day and I love the formula of those lipsticks! I also grabbed a Sooae Unicorn Glow Hologram Mask while I was at Walmart.

Finally, I snagged the L’Oreal Infallible Concealer at Walmart when the light colors finally came back in stock. I’m nearly out of my holy grail concealer and this is supposedly a dupe. Perhaps I’ll dedicate a future blog post to that!

We’ve also bought a lot of wedding stuff recently, including my wedding band, Jordan’s wedding band, stamps for our invitations, gifts for the bridesmaids, candy bags, and more. I can’t believe it’s so soon and I’m kind of freaking out a bit.

What have you purchased recently? Leave me a comment below!

Valentine's Day Gifts Under $50

This post contains affiliate links.

I’m one of those people who love Valentine’s Day. I love pink and red, heart-shaped anything, and any excuse to buy a gift for friends or a loved one. Yes, it’s super commercialized and unnecessary but so what? I LOVE love and I don’t care how cheesy that is!

With the wedding coming up this year, we are cutting corners and therefore, gifting on a budget. Honestly I figured we would skip the gift-giving this year and just go for a nice meal but Jordan loves buying gifts. That being said, he had no ideas this year aside from a new tattoo which would have been way over the budget. Therefore, I started thinking about gifts I would like and figured I would share them with you guys too!

7 Valentine’s Day Gifts Under $50

1. Figgyduff Dory “Brazen” Beanie | I wanted both the “Brazen” sweatshirt and the beanie as soon as I seen the sneak peak on Instagram. I’m kind of obsessed with everything hot pink at the moment, plus I can be totally brazen myself on occasion. The sweatshirt is over $50 but the beanie is a super cute pink and affordable gift. In fact, Jordan actually bought this one for me! (Bonus: Figgyduff Dory is local and I love when I can support local brands!)
2. LUSH “The Joy of Six” Gift Set | Nothing says romance like a box full of bath bombs, massage bars and naked shower gel. This one contains six sensual products and comes in just under budget!
3. Chrissy Teigen’s “Cravings: Hungry For More” Cookbook | I realize that not everyone would want a cookbook as a gift, but it’s definitely on my wishlist! I’ve heard nothing but awesome reviews of this particular cookbook. Plus, the idea of picking out recipes to cook and eat together is totally romantic.. right?
4. Let’s Avocuddle Mug | I’m a collector of mugs and this one is super cute! Pair this with a bag of high-quality coffee (my personal fave) and you’ve got an easy and practical gift!
5. Kate Spade iPhone Case | This case is cute, girly and perfect for spring! Plus it’s 50% off right now!
6. YSL Heart & Arrow Collector Rouge Volupté Shine Lipstick | Is this one sole lipstick worth $45? Maybe not. But maybe if you’re like me and you appreciate a high-end product with adorable limited edition packaging. This is actually one of my favourite lipstick formulas ever! Super pigmented, comfortable to wear and it smells delicious. It looks glossy but stains the lips so that even when it wears off, it leaves some color behind! This may seem steep for one item but I promise that a beauty junkie would love it.
7. Squish “I <3 You More Than Candy” Jumbo Mix | You literally cannot go wrong by giving me candy, ever. Unless it’s black liquorice. I am a candy addict and would probably squeal if I opened this gift. Same goes for chocolate covered strawberries. Anytime, any occasion.

How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day? Let me know in the comments below!

FabFitFun Winter 2018 Subscription Box Review

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission if you click and/or purchase through the links.

What is FabFitFun?

FabFitFun is a quarterly subscription box that features a mix of lifestyle, beauty, fashion, fitness, and wellness products. Each box costs $49.99 US + $8 shipping to Canada (free shipping to the US) and contains over $200 worth of product. FabFitFun gifts full size products which is a big reason why I love it! I don’t know about you, but I definitely have more than enough sample-size items kicking around.

You can read my review of the Fall 2018 subscription box here. If you want to subscribe to FabFitFun, click this link and use code “FIRSTBOX” for $10 off your first quarterly box!

Winter 2018 FabFitFun Box

This has been my favourite FabFitFun box yet! While it was heavy on the beauty/skincare products, I was a-okay with that.

Moroccan Gold Series Argan Hair Mask ($49)

I’ve used this a couple times and while I’m not fussy on the scent, I do think it’s a good hair mask. It is incredibly thick but doesn’t leave my fine, thin hair weighed down or greasy.

Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo ($44)

Oribe is all the rage around here lately and I was shocked to receive the full size dry shampoo in this box! I definitely wouldn’t pay this price tag personally as I feel there are much more affordable options that work just as well. However, it smells nice and does the job.

Sherrie Matthews Acupuncture Jade Stone Roller ($45)

I was able to select this product in my box and I decided to go for it because I was curious. Again, there are cheaper options available. I’m not sure that it does all that it claims, however it is said to aid in reducing the appearance of fine lines, reducing inflammation and puffiness, improving skin tone and lymphatic drainage. It feels nice and cooling on the skin so I will definitely continue using it.

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in “Meringue” ($26)

Nothing better than receiving one of my favourite lip brands in my box! If you haven’t tried the Bite Amuse Bouch lipsticks, you’re missing out. The shade “Meringue” is described as a “peachy neutral” and is super flattering. Not exactly a “winter” shade but I’ll still get lots of use from it.

Thrive Cosmetics Briliant Eye Brightener in “Stella” ($24)

While this is a very pretty highlight, I haven’t found myself reaching for it. As a rule, I typically just put a bit of eyeshadow in the inner corners of my eyes as a highlight.

Blaq Eye Masks with Hyaluronic Acid ($29)

I tried these out for the first time a couple weeks ago. They were quite slippery and difficult to apply but once they were on my skin, they adhered fairly well. They felt really cool and my undereye area did appear less puffy after!

AHAVA Hydration Cream Mask ($33)

I first tried AHAVA many, many years ago in a different subscription box. I really like both products that I’ve tried from them. You can leave this mask on for 10-15 minutes then rinse off, or you can leave it on overnight. I’ve been leaving it on overnight as my skin is really dry in the winter. It’s non-greasy and leaves me feeling hydrated by morning!

WAY OF WILL Elevate Essential Oil Set: Sweet Orange Oil & Eucalyptus Oil ($31)

Essential oils frighten me a little bit. I want to diffuse them but I’m also afraid due to their toxicity to animals. I haven’t tried to use these in any other way yet, but I may pick up some dryer balls to pair with these.

Mark & Graham Colorblock Throw ($49)

This is no longer available on the Mark & Graham website, but who doesn’t love an extra throw? I would have preferred to get this in the grey color as brown doesn’t match our color scheme right now, but I will hold onto it and likely re-gift it.

Don’t forget to click this link and use code “FIRSTBOX” for $10 off your first quarterly box!

January 2019 Favourites

Much like Kerri, I miss the way blogging used to be. Don’t get me wrong – I love learning about blogging, I love that you can now earn a living from your blog, and I love all the advancements that have been made in blogging. However, I miss the days of feeling like a close-knit community. I miss when I didn’t feel the need to write “perfectly” or share only the prettiest, most curated images.

I want to bring back the joy in blogging. Recently, I discovered the blog Coming Up Roses and fell in love. I love how Erica writes like she’s talking to you as a friend. It’s so refreshing to read something that doesn’t sound like a magazine article for a change.

In any event, one of my favourite things to do is share my favourite things with you. I wish I could be like Oprah and just buy everyone my favourite things but unfortunately my wallet would run away screaming. Therefore, I’m bringing back my current obsessions post. Without further rambling..

January 2019 Obsessions

Krista’s Vlogs | You may know Krista from her super popular fashion & lifestyle blog, Covering the Bases. Recently, Krista has started uploading daily vlogs from Monday to Friday. I’ve always been a fan of hers but honestly, her vlogs make her seem so relatable. Plus I love all the snippets of life in New York City!

Saje Peppermint Halo | I put this in Jordan’s stocking at Christmas but I’ve been using it myself! While it doesn’t take away my headache, it definitely eases the pain and makes it much more bearable until the pills kick in. It has such a cooling sensation that it totally distracts me from the pain as well.

Smart WiFi Plug | Jordan gifted me this for Christmas because I am famous for leaving my hair straightener turned on. Honestly, 90% of the time when we leave the house, I find myself pondering if I shut it off or not. Thanks to this plug, I can shut it off via an app on my phone. Eases my mind and bonus: it’s super affordable too!

Line a Day Journal | This is actually my second 365-day 5-year journal. I ended up quitting on my first one a few years ago but I’m currently into my second year on this one. It’s so fun to look back and see what I was doing on each particular day last year & how it compares to this year.

Pixi Glow Tonic* | I don’t know this works but I swear it makes my skin look better. It makes my skin brighter, smoother and virtually diminished a pimple overnight!

Quartz “Elia” Jacket | I received this as a Christmas gift to replace my Canada Goose jacket. Prior to choosing this jacket, I did a lot of research comparing the two brands. I’m happy to report that this is just as good if not better than the Canada Goose jacket I had in terms of warmth. I’m 100% happy with my choice and the fact that it’s Canadian-made is a bonus.

Blogging | Ok, this one is a little cheesy but seriously, I’m really enjoying blogging right now. I’m seeing a big increase in my site traffic, making a little bit of money (finally!), and enjoying some really awesome PR partnerships. Looking forward to growing even more this year!

What are your favourites for the month of January? Leave a comment below!

* PR product provided; all thoughts and opinion are my own as always!

Best of Beauty 2018

This post contains affiliate links.

I know I’m a little late to the game but I couldn’t let this post pass me by. I love looking back at my Best of Beauty 2016 post and comparing my favourite products from then to now and I’m disappointed that I didn’t post one for 2017. It’s interesting because some of my favourites from two years ago are still favourites!

2018 Beauty Favourites

Face

Arbonne Makeup Primer | I really thought that this primer would win the category but at the last moment, this Arbonne primer swept in. Unlike the Tatcha primer, it isn’t moisturizing or heavy. It has a slippery, silicone-type feel that reminds me of the Benefit Porefessional primer but I prefer this one. It blurs my pores, feels nice on my skin, and is made of safe ingredients. I haven’t had any breakouts since using this and it really does help my makeup last all day.

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation | This was my go-foundation for much of 2018 and I repurchased it 2-3x last year. Stick foundations are my favourite because they are easy to use and convenient for travel.

Arbonne Perfecting Liquid Foundation with SPF 15 | After discovering Arbonne late in the year, I decided to give the foundation a try. It is my goal to buy more clean products and Arbonne is vegan, free of GMOs, and cruelty-free. I am surprised by how much I really like this foundation considering it’s not a stick. The coverage is medium-full and easily buildable with a matte finish. The shade “Fair” is actually a bit too pale for my skin which is surprising. However, I find it’s a little too drying for my winter skin. It’ll definitely be my go-to in the warmer months when my skin isn’t so dry though!

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer in “Fair Beige” | Yet another item that I purchased multiple times between 2017-2018. I’m nearly out of this concealer right now & I’m really sad about it. It’s creamy, hydrating and long-wearing but ordering it is a pain since it isn’t available at Sephora. As much as I love this product, I won’t be picking up anymore until I go to Florida in the fall.

Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder | I don’t feel as if I’m as obsessed with this as some other people seem to be but it was my go-to powder last year so I feel like I need to include it. It isn’t drying or powdery and sets my foundation nicely. I also feel like this will last me forever.

Mary Kay Bronzing Powder in Light-Medium | I bought this from a coworker early in the year and it ended up being my go-to bronzer. It’s creamy, luminous, and gives the perfect sunkissed glow. I dropped it and broke it around Christmas and I was so upset! I’ve patched it back together for now but it definitely doesn’t look pretty anymore.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in “Paaarty” | This was one of the items in the Sephora birthday gift kit in 2017 and it was my most-used blush of 2018. It’s the perfect every day pink and I love the Tarte blush formula. Sadly, this product also broke on our last cruise and I haven’t really used it much since then as I only have a little tiny bit left.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Amrezy Highlighter | This was originally a limited edition product but I’m wondering now if it is permanent? In any event, it’s a gorgeous highlighter. It’s a super glowy gold-champagne color that looks awesome on my fair skin. The packaging is also to die for!

Eyes

Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Palette | I spoke about the ABH Modern Renaissance palette in my 2016 post and while that is still one of my all-time favourite palettes, I feel like I need to put the spotlight on Soft Glam this year. This palette is totally wearable for every day but can also create stunning bridal or special event looks.

Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow | I love these liquid glittery eyeshadows from Stila, especially for the holidays. They look absolutely stunning and last all night long with no creasing.

Essence Metal Shock Eyeshadow | These are an excellent dupe for the Stila liquid eyeshadows for a fraction of the price. I picked up the rose gold shade last year and received so many compliments when I wore it out!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Loose Glitter | I bought this in the shade “Star Power” which is no longer available on the Sephora website. It is a beautiful multi-faceted shade of gold that is absolutely stunning on the eyes! If you can find it in store, I highly recommend picking it up.

Mary Kay Lash Love Mascara* | I didn’t necessarily have a favourite mascara of 2018. Honestly, there wasn’t one mascara that really impressed me. Of all that I tried, this one was probably the best. I used this one every day until it finally dried up and it was a good every day mascara, but it didn’t “wow” me.

Benefit Precisely, My Brow in Shade #2 | I received this product free for review from Topbox and I will definitely be repurchasing! (In fact, it’s currently sitting in my Sephora cart as we speak). I love the product itself, the design, and despite the fact that this shade is marketed for golden blondes, it works for me.

Lips

Fenty Gloss Bomb in “Fenty Glow” | One of the THE BEST products of 2018 in my opinion! I don’t think I’ve ever finished a lipgloss before but this will be my first. It gives your lips the absolute best shine, smells amazing, and the color is flattering on every skin tone.

Lancome L’Absolu Lacquer in “Rose Story” | As you can tell, I was alllll about the glossy lip in 2018. I picked up this one on a recommendation by Samantha Ravndahl and I can’t wait to add more colors to my collection. It applies glossy but dries down to a beautiful stain that is both long-lasting and comfortable. This shade is the most beautiful coral-pink color!

Eclair Lips Lip Balm | Made in New Brunswick (which is practically local), I bought some of these for Christmas gifts and ended up gifting one to myself.. naturally. It is the nicest lip balm I’ve ever used! Smells amazing (I bought “Unicorn Kisses”) and leaves my lips so soft and moisturized.

Revlon Super Lustrous Matte in “Audacious Mauve”* | I received this product in a PR package from Revlon and it has become my go-to daily nude lipstick. Despite being a matte, it is really comfortable to wear and it wears nicely over time.

Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick | I don’t know how Maybelline has done it but they’ve created a formula that is pigmented, long-lasting (like seriously long lasting) and comfortable to wear. It doesn’t dry down to a total matte as the name implies but seriously, you need to try these if you want a long-wear lipstick!

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask | I received a sample of this in a Sephora order and I am still using it, but I am definitely going to purchase the full size when I am done. This has been my go-to lip mask throughout the winter! It not only smells amazing but leaves my lips feeling soft and moisturized, without feeling too thick or goopy.

Skincare

Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Facial Wash | I purchased this based on a sample I tried and it has been my go-to facial wash in 2018. I’ve been alternating it with a regular cleanser as I don’t feel like exfoliating every single day but it is a relatively gentle exfoliator. It smells citrusy and is super refreshing in the morning!

Dr. Jart Shake & Shot Rubber Brightening Mask | I didn’t use a lot of face masks in 2018, which is something I plan to change this year. However, I did try this one at the beginning of the year and really loved it. It’s a bit expensive to buy on a regular basis but definitely worth the splurge once in a while!

Laneige Eye Sleeping Mask | I don’t feel as if I can do this product justice because I failed to use it regularly enough to notice any long-term effects. However, I love how it feels when I apply it to my eyes. It has a rounded applicator that feels cool and refreshing on the under-eye area. I am trying to get better at applying this on a regular basis.

Herbivore Moon Fruit Superfruit Night Treatment | I didn’t particularly like the smell of this but the packaging and the purple color is on point! I don’t use this every night but I do use it a couple times a week. It leaves my skin feeling plump and hydrated in the morning.

Herbivore Lapis Balancing Facial Oil | I bought this in a set with another Herbivore product based on awesome reviews. This isn’t actually formulated for my particular skin type (which is currently dry, normally normal-combo) as it’s made for oily, acne-prone skin. Despite that, I do enjoy using this occasionally at night when my skin is feeling parched. Once I finish this product, I’ll definitely look into their other oils.

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream | My go-to moisturizer! It smells amazingly tropical but not fake. The scent lasts forever on my skin and the formula is also quite hydrating.

Haircare

Invisibobble Slim | The only hair tie that I used in 2018. The slim size is perfect for my fine, thin hair. Causes minimal creasing and rarely tangles.

Wet Brush | This made the list in 2016 and it will probably remain there forever. If you aren’t using a Wet Brush yet, you need to buy one immediately. As someone who has always struggled to brush my hair due to tangles and knots, this has been a game changer.

Goldwell Kerasilk Repower Volume Shampoo | Jordan gave me a gift set for Christmas 2017 that included this shampoo but I didn’t start using it until mid-2018. While a lot of volumizing shampoos feel heavy on my hair, this one did not. It smells amazing and lasted most of the year (I didn’t use it every day).

Tools

Fenty Beauty Makeup Sponge | You’ve heard me say this before I much prefer this sponge over the original Beauty Blender. The flat edge makes the difference in my opinion! Plus it’s slightly cheaper.

What are your favourite beauty products of the past year? Let me know in the comments below!

* PR sample provided; all opinions are my own of course!