InstaMonth for September 2020

I'm a little late on this post, but I took a little time off this week. Monday was Thanksgiving here and my father-in-law passed away on the same day and while my husband and he were not close, I felt like I needed to take a little time away to help my husband process the news and just be with him. I met him only once for a nice long dinner and chat, so I suppose I also needed to process the news myself.

I feel like this is probably the easiest way to get back into posting. Although I'm second-guessing this decision as I'm sitting here shaking my fist at the new Blogger editor. I put off switching over as long as I could and for good reason - I am not a fan! I've got my Halloween playlist playing, which I plan on sharing soon! Here are some highlights from my Instagram last month.

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What's In My Makeup Bag

I haven't done one of these in a good long while, so I thought why not?! If you're interested in what I've been throwing into my everyday makeup bag lately, this is the post for you. This won't have reviews or swatches, but I will link to my posts where I have them provided when applicable. I've really been into shopping my stash and also getting a few products finished up. Not necessarily a Project Pan, but it is super satisfying to finish products. The ones that I am trying to finish are mostly repurchases or HG items! I might do a post later on about the products I've hit pan on or have finished up. It's been a long time since I've done that, as well.

Have you been shopping your stash recently or focusing on finishing more of what you have? I'd love to know what you've rediscovered or finished. Are they products that you would repurchase? Some of the items in this bag gets rotated weekly, but I'd say the concealers stay the same. I'm a "find something that works and stay with it" gal when it comes to concealers. My makeup bag is an old Cath Kidston design. I believe the shape is still offered, but this specific pattern isn't. On to the products!

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June 2019 InstaMonth

June on Instagram...it was interesting, wasn't it? Heck, July started off on the wrong foot with that outage yesterday and I'm still experiencing bugs today. Honestly, I'd take the outage in a heartbeat if that meant they were working on their absolute bollocks of an algorithm. I'm sorry, but I'm not on the train of thought where it's completely the user and not the algorithm's fault behind any issue you find with Instagram. I'm sure there is some user fault, but the recent changes are affecting a lot of people and not just those with smaller follower counts. It's become a shell of what Instagram once was and that's a real disappointment. Have you noticed a dip in everything on Instagram, as well?

And since I had several people tell me just this week how they were missing my posts on their feed, I figured I'd share a few more photos from my account than I normally do. If they are not going to show up on most Instagram feeds, I might as well post them to my blog. Right?! So here are some pictures from my Instagram during June!

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InstaMonth for May 2019

I've been reading a lot of great books recently, so I'm thinking of doing a post on my latest reads. I normally include books in my "6 Friday Faves" posts, but there's too many to share. So be on the lookout for that post, if you are open to some recommendations.

And since I'm talking about Instagram in this post, I recently put up a post working with Febreze. I'd love it if you'd support me and give it a like and tell me what household odor you're always fighting! As someone who owns a dog, cooks with a lot of garlic and onions, and owns too many pairs of shoes, those are at the top of my list!

Here are some highlights from my Instagram during May!

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May 2019 Favorites

This month went by in such a blur! I was in an emotional daze for all of it, good and bad. It started badly with our dog Indy getting sick, but he's doing much better now after antibiotics. Then, just a little over two weeks ago, I was on the phone with my stepdad telling him I was coming home and he was to be my inside man when I showed up to surprise my brother and my mama. We were in the car the very next day headed to South Carolina for a little under a week's worth of stay. After six years, I happily took anything I could get and that we could manage to fit in.

I wanted to be there for Mother's Day, but my passport arrived the Wednesday after. Because, of course it did. But it was the best belated Mother's Day! I think we all have a grand surprise like this in our arsenal and it's good once. Once you've used it, you're done. You spent it! Haha! I'm so happy I could use mine after such a lengthy absence. l do have video of the surprise and reactions of both my brother and mom in my Instagram Stories, if you're interested. I've watched the video so many times and it just brings the biggest smile to my face. It doesn't help matters that I am flabbergasted every single time I remember that I have a teenaged brother who is also now taller than I am.

Though I would have loved to have seen a few more friends (I did have dinner with one of my best friends and her family who are very much my own), I kept my focus mainly on family. This was a trip for my mom. We both needed our traditional Mexican lunch outing, our lengthy talks, and warm hugs. I'm so happy to have spent most of the week sharing that with her, the unconditional love from my stepdad, and bonding with my brother and realizing how similar we are in so many ways. I could not have asked for a better trip home, unless it was simply to have asked for more time. Seeing my grandmother, aunt, and uncle were icing on the cake.

I can't believe we've already been back a week. We're already planning our Christmas trip down, which hopefully will be a little longer with the break and I can fit in a few faces (family and friends) that I missed this go-around. But aside from the beauty favorites below, that trip made my month (year, decade...life). It was full to the brim with favorites and it was absolutely what I needed and then some!

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February 2019 Favorites

It's March, it's March! I just need to do a little happy dance because it is officially the month of our next vacation. I have not booked anything yet, but I do have an idea about where to go. We'll be staying in our province again, because I really enjoy road trips with just myself, my husband, and the dog and listening to tunes while heading for our destination. I also really enjoy the road trips not being that long right now, because of it being winter. I'm also a big advocate for exploring around your own area and searching for places that are new to you. There is always something new to explore in this day and age! I mean, I've lived in Toronto since 2004 and I still haven't seen or done most things in the city. Vacation, staycation, trip...whatever it is, I'll take a day off in any form or title!

Our vacation plans center around our wedding anniversary, as we travel somewhere we have never been together every year. This year is anniversary #13! It's insane how quickly the time has gone by. While my body and soul is fully feeling March, my content is still feeling February. Here are my favorites from the past month!

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January 2019 Favorites

Man, I really thought I was past the getting the year wrong scenario but nope. Three times, I tried to type 2018 when I was titling these pictures. It's February now, so I have to pull myself together. I'm going to blame my lack of coffee on my lack of working brain cells! That and a lack of a desk calendar, because I've yet to get one for this year. Here's hoping they are on discount now that we're officially in the second month!

Here are my January 2019 (take note, Wendy, take note!) favorites. I hope you all have a great weekend. I'm ready for the Superbowl, partly for the food but mostly to watch and root for the Patriots. It's no secret who I root for! Super pumped they made it another year! Will you be watching it? Also, let me know some of your recent faves in the comments!

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2018 Beauty Favorites

I feel like I was just writing the 2017 post on this topic! This is a post all on the products that I've used the heck out of all year, not necessarily new to me. Some are even repeats from last year, because why change a good thing?

The only thing I can think of that I didn't include are concealers, but that's super easy because I pretty much stick to my HGs - MUFE Full Cover and Maybelline Age Rewind! Those don't really change, because I have yet to find anything that comes close to replacing them for me. I may venture away, but I always come back. Ya girl needs her concealer to feel human! What's your "I need it to feel human" product? Lipstick? Mascara?

Here are the beauty products that captured my love this year!

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InstaMonth for October 2018

I can't believe it's already November. I know, I know. I always say that. But when I sit back and think, it feels like I just bought my 2018 wall calendar. It's insane how fast this year has gone by. I am looking forward to a new year, but I need time to slow down if only so I can enjoy the last moments of my favorite time of the year. Give me fall, the very beginning of winter, and all the holidays. It's just THE BEST.

I've got Poppy's new album playing as I type this. I'm not sure I'm quite on the Poppy train, but she does have some catchy tunes. Have you listened to her or watched some of her strange videos on YouTube? It's kind of funny, because her song Fashion After All is playing currently just as I was about to tackle that subject. I used to share more OOTDs before my knee injury and then...well, I just kind of stopped or at least did not do them as frequently. In the early days, it's because it was hard to stand and pose.

I realized that I have rather missed sharing outfits and fashion more frequently. I mean, that's where my blog name comes from! So now on my Instagram, I'm making one day a week (at least!) be an OOTD or something related to fashion or style. Right now, it's Thursdays unless I have a different #TBT to share whatever week. The Instagram algorithm has been failing me recently, so I have actually found it easier to take the pressure off of myself of having an extremely cohesive feed. It's just so limiting.

Here are a few pictures from my Instagram during October!

1. Did you know they'll blend any coffee to give you a frap texture? New fave. // 2. A few new lip goodies by Joe Fresh Beauty. // 3. Gah, this palette!

4. Bite Beauty Glace and Chai. // 5. An event at the horse track. // 6. September faves.

7. DAVIDsTEA put out a Halloween countdown calendar. So fun! // 8. Joe Fresh Highlight Sticks. // 9. Craft show OOTD for Warm and Fuzzy Knits.

Joe Fresh Beauty Pink Pearl and Pure Glow Highlighter Sticks

Joe Fresh Beauty is new to me and I could not pass up getting a few things when they were 75% off at Shoppers Drug Mart. I don't know if that means Joe Fresh is ceasing production on their beauty line or just no longer selling at Shoppers. I do know that these are still listed on the Joe Fresh website. Another thing I can say is that I hope they are keeping the line going, because heck if I haven't liked everything I've tried so far from my haul. It will be a shame if I cannot replace anything down the road! I think I may have to reach out to Joe Fresh for a (hopeful) definitive answer.

I hate using my fingers for any products. I'm pretty sure I've said that a few times on here! So I love anything that allows me to use brushes or comes in this type of crayon/stick form. It just makes application so easy. I recommend doing away with the top layer though, because it always seems to be harder than what is underneath. That holds true with these. Keep reading to see my swatches!

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