Colour Pop | Puppy Love

Colour Pop recently released a new eyeshadow: Puppy Love ($5 USD).  Not only is the colour beautiful, but all of the proceeds go to a good cause.  I have purchased from Colour Pop in the past (review here and here) and have been keen to order again-- if it weren't for the CAD and shipping charges. When I was given the opportunity to join a group buy I jumped at the chance to grab this shadow.  Now, we may have had some shipping issues but everything is sorted out!

Sephora Favourites | Give Me Some Nude Lip

Who doesn't love a good nude lip?  As you have probably come to see, Sephora Favourites are some of my favourite  kits to buy.  A few months ago they released "Give Me Some Lip" which came in the same pretty pink lip box and contained a mix of full size and deluxe sized products.  They're back with this beautiful nude set.  While it is currently sold out online, I am hoping they will bring it back.

Products to Finish in 2016 | Project Pan

I was really inspired by how many products I hit pan on in 2015, so in 2016 I want to keep up the good work!  Keep reading to see what products I am going to try to finish off in 2016.

Empties & Tosses | 2016 Volume 1

This year I am going to try to do a better job at posting about my empties and tosses.  Why?  Well because if I was able to use up a whole product I probably have something worthwhile to say abut it. Rather than try to do it by month I will just make a post every time my empty bin looks full-ish.  Less stress on me to do it every month, and (hopefully) more posts for you!

IPSY | January 2016

I'm playing a bit of catch up! Yesterday I shared my (generally positive) thoughts on my December 2015 bag.  Today I am here talking about January's "All Eyes On You" bag.  Keep reading to see what they sent me.  As always, if you would like to sign up I would love love love if you would use my sign up link. 

IPSY | December 2015

The theme of IPSY's December 2015 bag is "For You With Love from IPSY" and I must say, it has been my favourite bag in a while.  See, every few months I think about leaving IPSY and then they give me a bag like this!  IPSY costs $10 USD, with free shipping in the United States.  For Canadians, add $4.95 for shipping, and convert it to CAD, you're looking at about $21 CAD.  Ouch, right?  With the cost of the dollar right now, just, simply, ouch.  Well if you decide to sign up for IPSY obviously I would love if you would use my link.  I hear there is no wait list for the next two days.  Keep reading to see what I got in my bag this month!

Urban Decay x Gwen Stefani

B-A-N-A-N-A-S...every time I have to spell that work, I sing it to myself. So I can't say I have ever been really into Gwen Stefani.  I was always more of a Hilary Duff sort of girl (hint hint Urban Decay), but with all the hype around this palette I knew I had to get my hands on it.  I don't approach this palette with a blinding love for the singer, though I will note that she has great taste in eye shadow!

Project Pan 2015

I didn't kick off 2015 with the goal of hitting pan-- but I did!  Six times!  I'm pretty impressed if I do say so myself.  Hitting pan is a huge accomplishment for a beauty enthusiast like myself-- it means that despite my hoards of products I loved these enough to give them some serious attention.  So let's see what products I made progress on!

Travel Photo Diaries | Photos from Cuba II

Last New Years my family went to Cuba.  You can see photos from my trip here. Well, we had such a great time that we came back, and that we decided to go again next year!  My parents were kind enough to let me bring my boyfriend, and we have all decided that next year his family will come too, making it one massive double family vacation!  You know your relationship is getting serious when...but really I think this will be wonderful.  Our families get along well, and have lots in common.  April will be our 3rd anniversary, and It think it is good for our families to get better acquainted.

Rinse Beauty Bar | An Introduction*

Winter Blues got you down?  Feel like you need a touch of the Caribbean, but can't book a flight down south?  Might I suggest that you book yourself an afternoon at Rinse Beauty Bar in southern Etobicoke?

Vacation Empties

I had an idea when I saw how many products I finished in Cuba that I would bring each empty home and include it in some mega post that I will eventually finish. But then I realised that literally bringing garbage home from my vacation wasn't the best idea. Also writing an "Empties" post with only six items is totally manageable. Keep reading to find out what products were great to have on hand in Cuba, and what exactly I managed to finish off.

John Frieda Beach Blonde Shampoo & Conditioner

Nothing like the perfect shampoo and conditioner to make every part of your vacation feel like summer, and to wash out all the sale and chlorine from a day in the sun.

My Custom MAC Palette | A 2016 Monthly Project (Yogurt, Jest, Star Violet and Blackberry)

Last month (technically... year!) I had a fun idea.  What if I bought myself a 15 pan custom MAC palette and then each month I picked up a new shadow to create my own custom palette over the course of the year?  In basically every palette have ever owned there have been colours I don't love. This is  my chance to make something uniquely me.  I started with four shadows, and each month until the end of the year I will add one more.  Follow along as I build the perfect eyes shadow palette. 

2016 | The Best is Yet To Come

Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible

--St. Francis of Assisi

As I look forward to this year, and the next few that are to come, I know I have big dreams.  But sometimes getting from where I am now to where I want to be seems so daunting.  I am blessed to have several wonderful mentors who have shared their own career path with me. I want to be where they are (except they are 5, 10 and 20 years older than me), but I'm not.  I am where I am. They assure me that I am exactly where I need to be to achieve the dreams that I have.  All I have to do is work hard, and keep doing what I'm doing.  With that in mind, I am going to share with you some of my goals for 2016, and more importantly, the little steps that I am going to use to get there.

The Best of 2015

Do you ever find that as you get older that time moves faster?  That's how I feel about this year. Seriously.  Where did the time go?  It felt like just yesterday that I was stressing over essays and counting down the days until graduation.  Well, I graduated.  I'm here.  I'm an adult.  2015 was quite a year.  It had its ups and downs, but over all much to celebrate.  Sometimes I don't think that we give ourselves enough credit.  In some ways I feel like I was just treading water this year, waiting for life to begin.  But in reality, I achieved much professional success, I graduated from U of T, I spent the summer as an Intern, and translated that into a full time job once my contract was up.  I work in my field, in a job that I love, and I know that I have much to look forward to.

Essie Retro Revival 2015 Collection & Starry Starry Night Giveaway

So, you may have heard.  The Nail Polish Gods were smiling upon us this Christmas, because Essie's coveted polish Starry Starry Night is back-- and I'm doing a giveaway! Full contest details can be found at the end of this post.