Sephora Black Friday Sale 2021 Haul

I realize this post is late, but it took this long to get everything in my posession. Long story. I took advantage of a few of the Black Friday deals, one I can't show here because it is a Christmas present for my MIL. I remember back when Black Friday and Boxing Day deals were all $12-16, how times have changed. Usually there is a $15-20 off a $50 purchase around the beginning of December, but I haven't seen that make the rounds either. I wonder how good the Boxing Day/after Christmas deals will be.

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My 2021 Christmas List

It's that time of year again? Already?! I've contemplated doing gift guides this year after taking last year off from them. I think I'll refrain from doing them again, but I've already seen so many wonderful ones on other blogs. Gift guide posts do really well with traffic, but it just doesn't feel right this year. If it is something you want, I could gather a master list of ideas instead of themed posts/guides or link you to some of my favorite guides I've seen.

I thought I would keep up with the tradition of sharing a few things on my Christmas list and maybe that will also serve as some ideas for you. That's what I love about posts like these! I always find at least one thing that makes me go, "Wow! How did I not know about that?" or something in that nature. 😄 I find the older I get, the harder it is to come up with a Christmas list. I feel like they were novels written in seconds in my childhood. Now, of course I have a running wishlist of sorts, but it always feels different when putting it into gift terms. If that makes any sense...

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What I Got for Christmas 2020

This is the latest I've probably ever put this post up and I'm not sure if there is any interest in it this time, but I always enjoy seeing them. Just bringing it to you in a fashionably late way, let's go with that! I still have a few "What I Got for Christmas" videos on my YouTube playlist to get to. I'll watch videos or read any post I come across like this. I love seeing what people get for holidays, birthdays, etc. I feel like it's the curious side of me- the same side that loves seeing what is in your refrigerator, car, purse..I love finding out about new things that were not on my radar, as well.

I understand that these posts aren't for everyone. It's absolutely okay if you don't want to read this post! In this post, I'm going to share highlights and some gifts from this past Christmas. It's insane that it is already February, honestly. As I type this post, it just doesn't seem like Christmas was already over a month ago. I'd love to know some gifts that you got over the holidays, whether from others or gifting yourself!

Our 2020 ornament. We get a new ornament every year. My fave tradition!

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Bath and Body Works Holiday 2020 Haul

If there's two things I'm a true sucker for as the holidays arrive, it's holiday decor and scents. Luckily, I got to Bath and Body Works before the next round of lockdowns began. B&BW Canada shared my Instagram picture on their account and several Canadians were upset that they couldn't go to the store and that we have no Canadian-based online retail store for them. I get it. I'd love for them to get online retail here too! Don't forget though, that most stores if not all, are allowing phone in orders for you to pick up at tht front of the store or curbside. So if you still have your eye on any of these or their other holiday offerings, it's not completely off the table as long as you live near a store location. The US online store does ship here for $9.99, but you do run the risk of paying customs. It might be worth working around one of those ways with the big after Christmas sale that is coming, if you're wanting to take advantage!

I don't get out much with the pandemic, so I timed my visit on an early weekday morning and was the second person in the store. Optimal timing on my part! And now I'm set for a while! What's your favorite holiday scent? I love the scents that center around baking like gingerbread, but I haven't met a cranberry scent I don't like yet either. Here's what I picked up!

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My Warm and Cozy Inspired Christmas List

It's a strange year and the holidays feel different this time around. I must admit that I feel torn about how to do holiday posts this year. I normally do gift guides, but it doesn't feel exactly like the right fit for me at this time. So I'm thinking of sitting this year out with those, but still showing a few festive ideas here and there. I have Bath and Body Works and Old Navy hauls that I'm thinking of posting that are full of current items still available, should you see something you like. Today's post, I'm sharing a few things on my Christmas list. Perhaps these types of posts feel like the same idea, but I just don't want to have posts labeled as gift guides this year. Absolutely nothing against those who choose to do them!

I think with it being the holidays, you should at least treat yourself to a gift that makes you happy. Maybe you're not seeing family. Maybe you can't afford gifts for everyone this year and gift giving is your love language. Whatever may be going on, remember to go easy on yourself. This won't be a normal holiday season for anyone. So again, go easy on yourself and try to surround yourself with things that make you happy. Music, a glass of wine, twinkling lights, holiday movies, etc.

If it makes you feel warm inside, it is a winner. I think that was what I was thinking of when I was deciding on what I truly want at this time. We're home a lot and I just want all of the warmth, coziness, and good vibes. I want our home to ooze hygge! Not featured on this list is the ever-so-essential and yet ever-so-boring things I wouldn't mind getting under the tree like new sheets, towels, and a vacuum cleaner. No pun intended when I say our ancient one sucks at doing its job. 😜 

And if I get nothing but a few days of vacation with my husband and dog, sitting by our trees, watching festive shows, and eating treats we don't normally eat all the way until the new year? I'm sooooo okay with that too. Because at this point, I think the true gift will be 2021 arriving. Good grief, please be better than 2020. Am I right?! 🙏

• Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill and Air Fryer -My big ticket item I've been wanting. I cook all of our meals aside from the rare takeout and this thing seems to do a little of everything! Our super old grill is on its last legs and this seems like a good option while giving me even more flexibility in the kitchen than I had before with it being able to air fry and dehydrate!
  
• Bailey's Red Velvet Cupcake - Red velvet everything! We're not ones to really drink that often, but something about the idea of some of this in hot chocolate? Sign me up. That sounds amazing and perfect for sipping in front of our big tree!
  
• Replica Coffee Break Fragrance - It was between this and Gucci Guilty. After having a sample of Gucci Guilty, I really fell for it. Then I saw this and thought, "yep, gonna need that". Haha! A scent that mimics coffee with notes of lavender? Two of my favorite things? Sign me up. Take my money!
  
• Laneige Lip Daydreams Set - A balm for the day and a sleeping mask for night? Love it! Even better that the sleeping one is in the limited edition "sweet candy" scent.
  
• OGX Coconut Coffee Body Cream and Scrub - I've heard so many good things about these and the scent. Honestly, it had my heart at coconut and my soul at coffee. Do I need another lotion or scrub? Probably not. Do I still want them? Abso-darn-lutely.
  
• Sherpa Pullover - This specific one is from Old Navy, but I haven't come across too many sherpa fleece things I don't like. I'm a texture person, so I love throwing on things like this or covering up in a soft blanket. And coming into late fall and winter, I don't think the limit exists for how many warm things to own.
  

What's on your list? I wish you all well this year as the holiday season is upon us. May you stay safe and healthy.

What I Got For Christmas 2019

Let's get this out of the way first! If you don't like this type of post, that is okay. I understand if you keep scrolling down your feed! I've been doing these posts for years now, which you can see on my "Christmas" label and I know they are not everyone's cup of tea. I personally enjoy seeing what people get as gifts for any occasion. And a lot of the time, my eyes are opened to books, films, and other things that I didn't even know existed. If the gift has a story behind it, even better! I adore hearing about sentimental items and memories.

Speaking of which, this Christmas was so incredibly special and I know that I will always look back at it with fondness. It was my first time home for the holidays since 2011 and that was my absolute best gift this holiday season. Hands down! Spending Christmas Day playing games with my brother? That is everything I needed! Hugging my uncle that is on hospice care and my 84 year old grandfather, seeing family members I had not seen in years, having my grandmother's Christmas cookies again, dinner with my closest and oldest friends...I could just keep going. And I might in another post, if any of you are interested in hearing about my South Carolina life. My heart is so full right now and I haven't come down from the high yet!

Because I went home, it was a bigger Christmas than usual. We were home in SC (and I have a big family) and then back up here for a belated celebration with my husband's side of the family. And I learned the hardships of trying to shop for a teenaged boy (my brother). I realized that I am officially so removed from the teenage years that I was having to Google teenager trends, though TikTok also helped just by watching videos. The next time I'm down will be Thanksgiving and his birthday is the same week, so I guess I better go ahead and start my research now! Haha!

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Ulta Haul for December 2019

While home for the holidays and in the land of the beautiful place we call Ulta, of course I stopped in my town's location for a little retail therapy! Because I went a bit ham in there last May, I tried to reel it in. Tried. And since this was around Christmas, I guess I'll consider this haul as a gift because why not?! I also had enough points for a discount, so that was a bonus! By the way, Ulta's point system is so much better than Sephora. Sephora needs to remodel a lot of things, as I feel like they are truly falling behind all of the better points programs out there (like Shoppers Drug Mart, if you're in Canada).

Aside from my last Sephora haul, these are the only beauty items I got around Christmas and I am set for a while! I know I just knocked on Sephora, but I did want to take advantage of my $15 off of $75 coupon. Honestly, I'm looking forward to when Ulta comes to Canada and offers up some friendly competition. If you are interested in seeing what I picked up on my latest jaunt to Ulta, just keep scrolling!

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Happy Holidays!

I just want to wish you all a wonderful holiday season! I hope that your hectic schedules have allowed you enough time to sit back and enjoy those around you. As this scheduled last post of 2019 goes up, I'm home for the first time in years on Christmas morning. I planned on making a more conscious effort to focus on social media a bit less during our trip and I'm hopefully doing just that. I just want to enjoy this time. If my phone is in my hand, I want it to be more for taking pictures!

I can't wait to read all of the blog posts about Christmas, Hanukkah, and whatever holiday or traditions your family celebrates from everyone well into the new year. I'll get up my own posts about it all in early January when I'll return to posting. Thank you so much for reading my blog this year!

See you in 2020!

Five Friday Faves for December 2019

Last Friday Faves of this year (strike that) this decade! What?! That's insane! I'm getting this post up right before I go lose more of my sanity while trying to get everything done and ready for the holidays. This post and a short and sweet one on Christmas are the only ones I have planned until I return from holiday break in the new year. I just want a true break this year to the point where I'm even taking the week off from my Instagram (but will probably have a few Stories here and there). I very rarely do this and I'm looking forward to it!

I love doing these Friday Faves because it allows me to talk a little more about my life favorites and not just my beauty ones. I'll have my beauty faves as one of my first posts when I get back! Beauty faves, yearly faves, and all of that jazz. I'm hoping to come back refreshed and ready for take off!

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Christmas Sephora Haul 2019

The Sephora $$ off of $75 coupon finally happened. I was waiting for it! I don't think I've bought anything from Sephora this year. I got my birthday freebie, which I never even posted about on here like I usually do. I'll do that in the new year! After going to Ulta while home in May, my makeup needs were pretty much met.

With this haul, I really focused on my upcoming trip and what would be useful. Well that, and I really needed my holy grail concealer (since at least 2012!). I've been squeezing the living daylights out of my current tube to get every drop left. I'm only the first tier of the Beauty Insider program, so my discount was $15 off of $75. I much prefer this discount to their 15-20% off sales. Did you get your discount and use it? Let me know what you bought with it!

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Holiday Gift Guide 2019: For the Last Minute

Who else is late to the Christmas shopping party this year? I had to wait to make sure we could make the trip down south a reality. Once it did indeed become a reality, I've been in overdrive getting my shopping done. My family is bigger than my husband's, so it's been a lot of list making, deal checking, and online searching! I think I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel with only three or so little gifts left. My mom, stepdad, and brother are all done and that was my main goal! Granted, we still have to buy some gifts for the people up here, but luckily we can focus on that when we get back to Toronto. How about you? Have you finished already?

Because it never fails that Christmas comes around and I find myself having to buy a last minute or unexpected gift for someone, I thought I'd put together a list of ideas for that very purpose. I usually even have a pile of random gifts set to the side so that I can grab and go, be it a birthday or holiday!

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Christmas Vibes Playlist 2019

I live for Christmas music. It instantly makes me happier! Am I the type to start singing Jingle Bells in July because it pops into my head? Yes, yes I am. I thought I would share some of my favorite songs, some old and some new. You can find all of these and then some in my Christmas playlist on Spotify! What's your favorite Christmas tune? I have a few, but the top of my list is probably I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas by Gayla Peevey and I hardly ever hear it on the radio!

I have the playlist on shuffle right now as I type. I hope you'll give the ones listed below a listen! There has been some great new songs that will hopefully turn into classics, because we can only have so many versions of songs like White Christmas before we just realllllly need something new, am I right? If you've got a holiday song that I need to hear, drop it in the comments! I listen to everything, especially in the Christmas/holiday category!

Holiday Gift Guide 2019: For the One Hosting

I don't mind hosting, but I'm kind of excited to not be doing so this year. Going home this year, we just didn't want to go all out with decor and worry about party planning. Next year is fair game, though! It was a smart move on our part, because it's been something else trying to get everything ready for the trip to South Carolina.

If like us, you're going elsewhere for all of your Christmas gatherings, perhaps this will give you a few ideas on what to take as a gift for the ones opening up their home to you. I also highly recommend food to add to the offerings, because who isn't excited when more food shows up?! As always, I kept it to a budget. All of these ideas are under $50!

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Holiday Gift Guide 2019: For the Homebody

It's pretty fitting that my next gift guide to follow the beauty lovers one would be the one dedicated to the homebody. I mean, those two describe me quite accurately! Especially during these colder months where I want nothing more than to bundle up inside, read a book, and whatnot. All things cozy, please!

I've made this list easy by having everything be from Chapters, but really this list is to give ideas. These are things that you can find at so many places. And I try to keep my lists affordable for those like me who are on a budget!

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InstaMonth for November 2019

I've been adding a few more and more festive touches to my Instagram as the holiday season progresses. I just can't help it! This is my absolute favorite time of the year and I just feel like I am thriving. Especially this year with a trip home on the threshold. That just puts an extra dose of magic in the air!

So I'm cranking up my Christmas playlist on Spotify and typing up this post and just soaking in all of the holiday vibes, because this time of year just doesn't last long enough. I do have plans to share a Christmas playlist in an upcoming blog post! As always, if you want to follow each other on Instagram, you can find me as @wendybanner.

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Holiday Gift Guide 2019: For the Beauty Lover

This seemed like a fitting list to start with my gift guides this year. I haven't fully decided how many of these to do this year, since I suppose I'm a bit late on including them. Of course, if you're like me, you're a late shopper anyway and appreciate seeing gift ideas until the last minute! I've made it easy this year by having everything available from Sephora, but sets like these are available in so many places. This list includes some products I love and some I have on my list to try!

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Five Friday Faves for November 2019

I missed last month's version of this post, but I'm back at it this month. I couldn't very well miss this month when I'm all about the festive vibes! Next week is my Thanksgiving and we're celebrating by having dinner with my MIL that Friday to celebrate the holiday and her birthday. For the actual day, we have plans to watch the parade, football, and just making the day low-key. My husband is taking both days off (and the Monday!) to celebrate with me. Already looking forward to that long weekend!

I treat these posts like a way to share some favorites that don't really fit my monthly favorites post where I focus more on beauty, skincare, etc. Some of the categories change and some carry over each month. I'd love for you to share something you've been loving this month or recommendations. I always love that!

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My 2019 Christmas List

I've taken the last week off from blogging, because I have hit a creative block. To be frank, I'm still in the middle of it. I'm also a perfectionist, so it is a struggle. To try to get back into the game, I'm going with something simple like sharing some things from my Christmas list. I've been wanting to start on my gift guides and still hope to get those up with some time to spare.

I love seeing and hearing about what is on holiday wishlists, so please let me know something that is on your list! What's the most extravagant thing you're asking for? What fun is making a wishlist if you can't throw in some dream items?!

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What I Got For Christmas 2018

I love these posts. Probably because I am such a curious person. Show me what's in your handbag, your fridge, what's on your wishlist, what you got for your birthday...I love it all. Not only does it tell me more about you, but it almost always gives me future ideas or shows me something I didn't even know existed. I've gotten a handful of things, read books, or listened to music that I now love in recent years because you originally shared and talked about them. And I get a lot of messages showing me things that you think I will love based on what I have shared in the past. I love that!

With that said, if these types of posts are not your thing, I totally get it. I won't take it personally if you exit out of this post, but I hope you'll stick around for other topics I post about. :) So here are a few things I got for Christmas. I'm dubbing it the "Christmas of Beverages" and you'll find out why below!

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InstaMonth for December 2018

The 2018 to 2019 is still messing with me. Three times it took me to save and label these pictures properly! December 2018 is what I was going for and it took me far too long to get that right. I'm pretty sure I started to label them "December 2019". Let's hope I don't have to date and sign any important papers for a little while...or at least until I have a calendar in front of me. Geez Louise!

I have my Instagram monthly round-up for you today. As always, if we are not following each other on there, I would love it if we did. Find me as wendybanner. I love getting to know people on there. It is extremely hard to grow on the platform these days and I love showing my support where I can. I certainly appreciate the support that I get from all of you. It is everything!

1. Zoella goodies. // 2. OOTD. // 3. November faves.

4. Me! Bath bombs. // 5. I live for ugly Christmas sweaters. // 6. Starbucks pink drink. So good!

7. CoverGirl Exhibitionist // 8. NYX Advent. I swatched the entire calendar. // 9. OOTD.

10. My Best Beauty of 2018 // 11. Trying out a new foot oil. Review coming! // 10. OOTD.