Fall 2025 VIB Sephora Sale

The Sephora VIB Sale is coming up and I figured I would corral a few of my favorite picks from this year's value sets. Usually I use the sale at the earlier time of the year to restock or buy from the permanent selections, but I like to use this later one to take advantage of any of the gift sets for the holidays. I much prefer this fall savings one! 

I've put together five picks in three categories: skincare, perfume, and makeup. Would you be surprised if I said it's the perfume selection this year that excites me the most? The sets are darn good this time around. The best part is that all of these picks are under $70 CAD and you can divvy up the sets to gift multiple people in gifts and stockings, if you're wanting to stretch your budget.

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2025 Advent Calendars

I feel like every year advent calendars get better and better and at the same time harder and harder to decide which one to get. Last year, I chose a jigsaw puzzle one. Every day was 20 new pieces to put together the big picture. That was a lot of fun because it gave us an activity to do together. There really is something out there for everyone and they are more wide reaching now. 

I've put a list together of a few that I think are fun! I don't know which one I'm going with this year yet and I'm kind of leaning towards something I haven't done yet. A treat a day, I mean you can't really lose with whatever you pick!

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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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L'OCCITANE Aqua Réotier Line

Back from my internet problems- well, sorta. Seems I've gotten the internet situated on our phones, tablets, and the upstairs computer, but my laptop still ain't having it. I'm still working on it, so in the meantime I'm having to do this on our upstairs computer. Not my favorite, but it's either this or not blog. I actually used to use this desktop to blog here and there in the past, but most of my graphics and things are on my laptop. And you're just always more comfortable with what you are used to, right?

Today, I'm reviewing the L'OCCITANE Aqua Réotier line up of products. That consists of: Ultra Thirst-Quenching Gel, Ultra Thirst-Quenching Cream, Water Gel Cleanser, Moisture Prep Essence, and Fresh Moisturizing Mist. As a refresher, I have dry and sensitive skin. If you're wanting to know what I think of each of these products, just keep reading!

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My July 2018 Favorites

You guys, I am so darn stoked for this Saturday. I'm seeing Taylor Swift for the first time in ages! I had a ticket for the last tour, but I couldn't go because it was right after my tibial plateau fracture. There was no way I had it in me to get to the arena! So finally, I do have it in me. Well, sorta. I'm still anxious over all of the walking and stairs, but I'll just have to pace myself and push through it. Luckily, I'm going with a really supportive friend who understands. He bought the tickets for us and made sure to get me an aisle seat so I can stretch my leg out. What a guy!

I'll probably share some pics and videos on my Instagram Stories that night, if you're into that kind of thing. I am not one of those people that live vlogs the entire concert, because I'd rather see it with my own two eyes instead of my screen. :) And for the bloody price of the tickets this time, you better believe I might even be limiting how many times I blink just so I can take it all in. Haha!

Here are my favorites from this past month. Let me know what you've been loving in the comments! Or tell me what your last or next concert is! I average about one a year, so I'm pretty sure this is it for me for the next while. :)

• L'Occitane Aqua Reotier Moisturizing Mist - I still have to review the Aqua Reotier line up. Sorry for the delay! This mist is a really nice addition to the line. It's such a fine mist!
• Bite Beauty Eclair Liquified Lipstick - Still a favorite after all of these months. Such an easy pink!
• Essence Metal Shock in Stars & Stories - Can't wait to share the swatches of these! Honestly, I was on the fence about liquid shadows but these are pretty darn good.
• Benefit They're Real! mascara - Always a winner. I couldn't pass up a free sample of this, because it's one I always go back to.
• Essence Lash Princess mascara - One of the best drugstore mascaras I've tried since L'Oreal's Lash Paradise. I think both top my list for best drugstore formulas now. They're that good.

June 2018 Faves

This past week has had both Canada Day and Independence Day, so I've been a busy bee with celebrations. To all of my readers from either country (or both - like me!), I hope you had a wonderful holiday celebrating your country, your freedoms, and all of the unique things that make up where you live or where you were born!

It's that time again where I show off some of the things I have been loving in the past month. I love these types of posts, because I really am a creature of habit who finds something she likes and keeps using it until she's sick of it. If you have a favorites post up, let me know! Here's a few of my favorites from June. I'm still reaching for them, so you will probably see some repeats by the end of July. They are that good!

• Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink in Loyalist - This formula, you guys. Holy moly, it lasts through everything!
• Essence Metal Shock Eyeshadow in Solar Explosion - Swatches and review are to come. At under $5, these are a steal. This one works easily with every look, but I especially love pairing it with the Urban Decay Naked palette.
• L'OCCITANE Aqua Reotier Ultra Thirst-Quenching Gel - Review is coming, so I don't want to spoil too much. With water and hyaluronic acid, this delivers on moisture.
• Essence Lash Princess Volume Mascara - Everything good that you've heard about Essence mascaras, believe it. I didn't have the highest of hopes, but the formula is great. It's not clumpy and gives me a great deal of volume. I'm sold! Looking forward to trying others in the line.
• Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencil in Bourbon - I have had this particular shade numerous times and I've liked it, but it was never my favorite to reach for. I guess something changed with me and my taste, because I'm looking at it with renewed interest. That might also have something to do with how well it pairs with the gold Metal Shock shadow looks. It has a bit of glimmer of its own that just really works with the shimmering gold!

Beauty Items I Packed for Our Anniversary Trip

We got back yesterday and nothing makes you realize that vacation is over like coming home and having to unpack. Back to reality! Though a silver lining is that it is a long holiday weekend coming up, so it's a short week. Heck yes! Also, I hope to have a post coming up with pictures from our trip soon. If you follow me on Instagram, you saw a few snippets on my Stories! We had a great time and made some fun memories.

I thought I'd share what I brought along for my traveling makeup and skincare routine. I also brought along some samples (not pictured) to try and to use up, because I'm a sample hoarder. I feel like trips are a good time to try samples, because if they look like you-know-what on my face I'm not seeing anyone I know. No harm, no foul. Haha! I also have a few deluxe-sized samples that I've been using a while to test or have multiples of in my collection like the Benefit Stay Don't Stray and the Clinique Cleansing Balm. Perfect way to save space in your bag! Here's what made it into my makeup bag.

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L'OCCITANE Apricot Solidarity Balm 2018

L'OCCITANE has released this year's Solidarity Balm and it is apricot scented! I am so happy to have my eyes open to this product now, because I had no idea that they released these Solidarity Balms every year and in different scents. I wanted to quickly get this review up because they are still available online and in stores, but only until March 20, 2018. If you're wanting to grab one, act fast!

Here are my thoughts on the scent, the balm, and information on where the proceeds go, because this balm is doing great things!

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February 2018 Faves

Yay, March is almost here! Why am I so excited? Because it's my anniversary month and we always go on a short trip together. Sometimes we travel a fair distance and sometimes not. This time, I'm looking for closer locations. Since we are taking our dog with us, a shorter trip to where we are going is beneficial and I am looking for places that are really pet-friendly. We also always go somewhere that we have never been to together, so that we can explore and everything is new to at least one of us. It's probably my favorite tradition that we have! Do you have a favorite tradition with your spouse? Or plan on making a new one this year? I love hearing about traditions!

February is such a short month, making my favorites fairly easy to pick out. Is it pretty much all pink and florals? Yes. Like that's even a surprise if you've been following me a while. Haha! Something about the month of love, y'all! And the other eleven months...but never mind that information...

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Rifle Paper Co. for L'Occitane Gift

Have you picked up or ordered your free gift from the Rifle Paper Co. and L'Occitane collection? Today is the last day! You can get one in stores or by making an order online and entering the code "RIFLEPAPER18". I know I'm last minute on this, but just wanted to give a heads up to anyone that might still want to take advantage!

My husband knows I had my eye on the collection, because two of my favorite brands coming together? Umm, yes! He went to three different stores to find this freebie in stock for me. Is he a keeper or what? I'm in love with all of the packaging and I might just have to splurge on a few things if it is in our budget or if any is still in stock.

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InstaMonth for January 2018

Maybe it's because February is a short month, but it feels like it is going by quickly. It feels like I just did my December InstaMonth recap only a few days ago and here we are again. This year is going as fast as Instagram changes its algorithm! #shade

I'm still working on changing a few of my edits and shots to keep things a little more fresh. The algorithm does me no favors and I feel like it takes a lot of work to get your pictures seen today. I've thought about just posting all of my photos on my Twitter and Pinterest, but I've loved Instagram for so long and want to believe in it so badly. So I just keep pushing through and appreciate everyone that considers my account worthy enough of a follow and any of my pictures that are worthy enough for a like.

I just want you to know that if you have doubts about your growth, your blog...you're not alone. And some people are going to love what you put out there and some are going to keep on walking. But don't change what you're doing. Keep at it! Keep pushing yourself to make YOU proud, not others. Find what niche works for you. Post at your own schedule. Stop comparing so often. There are a lot of YouTube accounts, bloggers, etc. out there, but there is only one you. Don't bend to be something you are not. Don't let someone else tell you what you need to be, what you need to be doing, and how to do it. Your blog should be your vision and your voice. You've got this.

1. December favorites. // 2. More coffee, please. // 3. Feeling the pink. As usual.

4. Beauty Faves of 2017. // 5. Scrambled eggs in a mug. Super easy! // 6. Christmas 2017 gifts.

7. First time trying this sheet mask! // 8. Indy. Pro at stealing hearts!

9. Snowy weekends. Probably repeating this weekend! // 10. Lazy days when I just can't be fussed to do a full face.

New L'Occitane Products

I was sent these products last month to test out. Because it involves skincare, I take a little longer to get my reviews up on those types of products. And now that it is August, the masks are now available in stores! If you have never tried L'Occitane, I highly recommend them. Start with their Almond Shower Oil, because you cannot go wrong with it. I always try to keep this stocked in my shower!

If you're struggling with how to pronounce the brand, it's lox-eee-tahn. Trust me, I called it every pronunciation imaginable before finally learning the proper way...and I took years of French, so I have no excuse. Haha!

I was sent the Petal Cleansing Oil, Overnight Perfecting Mask, Flash Moisture Mask, Perfecting Mist, and the Verbena Eau de Toilette. If you want to learn more about any of these products, keep reading.

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