Holiday – Leave it to Lea

10 Cute Ways to Celebrate Galentine’s Day

February 1, 2022February 1, 2022by LeaLeave a Comment

Hey guys! If you’re like me (aka single) then you really couldn’t care less about Valentine’s Day. But Galentine’s Day, on the other hand, I love it. I’ll take any excuse to show my friends with love and adoration. I wanted to share a few cute ways to celebrate! There is a combination of gifts to parties. So let’s get into it.

1. Cocktail Competition

I always see girls online doing cocktail competitions and I think Galentine’s Day is a great time to do it! The idea is for everyone to bring the ingredients for a different cocktail and make one for each guest. This is better for a more intimate get-together unless you and your besties are down to have a bunch of drinks (or you make them non-alcoholic). If you need inspiration for drinks, check out Pinterest!

2. Dress Code

If you have a bigger group of gals (or want to include some of the guys as well) then do a dress code! To stay within Galentine’s theme, doing pink and red clothes only is a great option. Or it can be whatever floats your friend group’s boat.

3. Rom-Com Movie Night

There is nothing better than curling up on the couch with your besties and watching a cheesy or corny romance film. My friends and I have down the To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy the past couple of years. This idea can be easily adapted to do over Zoom if you have wanted to celebrate with your long-distance besties (or based on lockdown restrictions in your area). Grab some snacks and a glass of wine and I’d call that a perfect night.

4. Send cards

Sending out cards to people isn’t exclusive to Christmas. I think sending a card to someone is a pretty inexpensive way to put a smile on someone’s face, especially if they don’t live near you. I love to send cards to my friends who live far away that I can’t see in person. You can also easily make a handmade card and then you only need to pay for postage!

5. V-Day Brunch

Maybe you and your friends all have partners in your life and are too busy in the evening. Well going to brunch is the perfect way to squeeze some time in with your gals! As someone who loves brunch, I will take the opportunity to eat some eggs benedict.

6. Baking Exchange

This is a great combination of a gift and a party. The idea is everyone brings one baked good and then shares it with all the other guests, so everyone goes home with a variety of delicious desserts! Or if you have a few close friends, you can also bake something together.

7. Personalized jewelry

I always tell guys to never buy their girl jewelry unless she specially asks for something. For girls though, as long as you know your bestie’s style, you’re set. I think getting something personalized, either their name or zodiac or birthstone is a nice added touch. And if you want to go the extra mile, getting yourself a matching piece so that way you can twin is super cute and memorable.

8. Secret Cupid

Everyone knows about Secret Santa, but why not do a Secret Cupid? The principle is the same, everyone gets randomly assigned a person and gets that person a gift. Then exchange gifts at the get-together! Make the budget as high or low as your friends are comfortable doing.

9. Self-Care Kit

If you have a friend who may be feeling particularly down during this time of year, get them a self=care kit! Throw in some skincare products, some makeup, some candy. Bonus points if you get everything pink or red to match with Valentine’s Day!

10. Spa Day

If you want to amp up that self-care kit a bit, then do a spa day! This is easy to adjust to your price point. For a more budget-friendly option, you can organize a spa day at home and invite the girls over. If you have a mid-tier budget, then going to get a treatment down, such as a pedicure or a facial with a friend is a great idea. And if you want to go all out, planning a whole girls spa weekend is another great option. Getting out of town and spending some time at a spa with your friends is a great way to make some unforgettable memories.

And those are my 10 cute ways to celebrate Galentine’s Day! If you have anything fun planned for you and your friends, let me know in the comments!

xoxo

Lea

Fashion, Holiday

Holiday Outfits Inspo 2021

December 10, 2021December 9, 2021by LeaLeave a Comment

Hey guys! If you’re like me, I love pursuing Pinterest for some fashion inspo. With the holidays coming up, I thought I would share some ideas for some holiday outfits so you don’t have to look through Pinterest. I’ll include some links to some options as well! Let’s get into it.

Red Sweater

There is nothing more festive than a bright, red sweater. It’s a simple piece so it’s easy to style it. A red blouse with some pants can be a very sophisticated look, perfect for office holiday parties. A red sweater with some details and a pair of pants are great for a dinner party. For a more casual affair, wearing a red knit sweater and jeans is great!

Silk Skirts

I think silk skirts are a great piece for holiday parties. They’re very popular right now so I think most people have one in their closet already. I think it’s all about how you style it. By wearing a nice sweater or turtleneck with the skirt it takes it up a notch. I also think wearing a cream skirt and a cream sweater is a very elegant look. It plays with the whole idea of winter whites. With a simple updo, I think it would make a great outfit.

Sequin Pants

If you’re looking for something super blingy or something for New Year, consider sequin pants. Sequins are always popular during the holidays but getting sequin pants allows you to dress up or dress down the outfit. A sequin dress is always going to be formal. But pairing a pair of sequin pants with a sweater or a t-shirt can help dress it down. Or you can go all out with a blazer or fun top. Consider silver, gold, or black because they’re also easy to pair with other pieces.

Jumpsuit

If you have a very formal holiday party I recommend a jumpsuit. I think jumpsuits are super comfy, so you can eat all the food you want and not have to be constricted by a tight dress. They also stand out compared to people wearing dresses. You can get something in the festive colours of red or green, you can get something sparkly or a LBJ (little black jumpsuit).

And those are my holiday outfits ideas! My family likes to wear our pjs so I probably won’t wear any of these outfits but it’s fun to look haha! Let me know if you have any other ideas for holiday outfits in the comments.

xoxo

Lea

Holiday

Holiday Gift Guides for Everyone In Your Life

November 23, 2021November 23, 2021by LeaLeave a Comment

Hey guys! I recently asked on Instagram if it was too early for gift guides and the overwhelming majority said to give the gift guides now! So here we are! While it might not be December, we are a month away from Christmas so now is the time to start the shopping. I have 20 different gift ideas that I’ve broken down into different categories. Obviously, the gifts are not exclusive to the categories but I thought the categories would be helpful. Let’s get into it!

For the girls in your life

These gifts are perfect for any feminine friends in your life, any girlfriends, sisters, cousins, etc. First I would recommend checking out my Sephora holiday sets post. I give so many suggestions, so if you know someone who loves makeup or skincare, check out that post!

The next recommendation is a jewelry box. I generally don’t recommend buying jewelry for someone unless you know exactly what style they like. If you get someone a piece of jewelry they don’t like then they won’t wear it! But if you know someone likes jewelry, getting them a jewelry box is a great gift because it shows you know their tastes. There are so many different options from small travel cases to small chests. Just take into consideration the size of their collection and their home decor tastes.

A great inexpensive gift is a silk pillowcase. A good silk pillowcase is not that expensive but it can have a great impact on someone’s life. Silk is known to be softer on the skin and hair. Silk also helps keep the pillow cooler longer. I got a silk pillowcase for Christmas last year and I love it!

If the person your shopping for is a homebody then getting them a nice blanket is a great gift. Getting a huge, queen size blanket is one great option because it allows them to have a huge blanket to themself or share with someone else. A weighted blanket is another great option to upgrade someone’s blanket game. Finally, getting someone a wearable blanket such as The Comfy is another great blanket option.

If you and the women you’re shopping for love sipping some wine or cocktails together, consider getting her some nice glassware. The great thing about glassware is that you can find it in a variety of price points. I’ve seen so much gorgeous glassware at antique and thift shops. You can also get decent glassware at Winners, Amazon or Ikea. I also think that Anthropologie has some nice and unique glassware options as well.

For the boys in your life

These gifts are perfect for any masculine friends in your life, boyfriends, brothers, cousins, etc. I always struggle with getting the men in my life gifts so I had to think about this one.

I know a lot of people got into making cocktails during the pandemic. If you know someone in who loves making cocktails, then maybe give them some upgrades for their bar kit. Get them full bar kit set if they don’t have one already. Get some new glassware like I mentioned above. You can get some interesting mixers or spirits. You could also get them a book to help them get more inspiration!

If you have a man in your life that loves working out, consider getting them a nice gym bag. I feel like every guy just uses the free bag they got when they opened their membership. You can get him one from his favourite athletic brand (Nike, Gyshark and Lululemon are all great options) or just a nice basic one if he’s not picky about brands. What’s great about getting him a gym bag is that it can also double as an overnight bag!

If he always forgets about this coffee or tea, then consider getting him an Ember mug. This mug is designed to keep the contents of the mug at a precise temperature. I’ve seen a few reviews of the mug and everyone loves it!

If they always forget their chargers, then consider getting them a charging station. This will allow them to charge their phone, smartwatch and headphones all at once. There are also charging stations that are meant for multiple phones and iPads – great for if he has a work and personal phone. There are also bamboo ones that are a little more aesthetically pleasing.

The final gift is perfect if they always ask for a massage – get them a massager! There is a neck and back massager which is more affordable but still does an amazing job! My mom has one and I borrow it all the time. A step up would be to get them a massage gun. They can use this all over their body and it packs a punch. You’ll probably be borrowing this from them haha!

For the parental figures in your life

These gifts are great for your parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.

The first gift is a nice pair of slippers. My parents wear slippers around the house so it would be great to give them an upgrade. You can get memory foam slippers or fuzzy slippers. Or you can upgrade them to some nice ones such as UGG slippers.

Getting someone a diffuser is such a great gift. There are so many different models nowadays. You can get them one with LED lights or cordless ones as well. You can also get them a sampler pack of essential oils so they can figure out which is their favourite.

If you always do family game night together, then consider getting them a new board game! Two that I recommend are Exploding Kittens and Coup. I recommend reading how the games work because it’s not short to explain. But I’ve had so much fun playing both of these.

If you have a family pet, it would be so nice to customize something for one of your loved ones. You can get a pet portrait, a necklace of the pet’s name, you could even get a blanket of your pet’s face. The options are unless of what you can put your pet’s face on.

If one of your loved ones is into cooking and gardening, consider getting them a Click and Grow. This is what they call a ‘smart garden’ where it has lights and a nifty watering system. My mom has one and she absolutely loves it. It’s a great way to have fresh herbs year-round. I would recommend getting basil because it has so far grown the best out of all the ones my mom has tried.

For the coworkers in your life

Finally, this section is for all the coworkers, bosses or Secret Santa gifts that you have to give. These are generic enough that someone would probably appreciate the gift even if you don’t know them well.

If you live in a cold climate, getting someone winter accessories is always a great choice. A scarf, hat or gloves in neutral colours. These are also easy to find under $25, which is often the Secret Santa gift limit.

If you know someone likes candles, then it’s a great gift because they will probably like and use whatever candle you give them. I recommend sticking to some of the popular scents such as vanilla, citrus and beachy scents. A candle is great because you can easily pick one up at Bath and Body Works or you can get one from Etsy. It’s a great way to support a small business! There are so many cool and unique candle brands out there that you can find something to fit the gift recipient.

If someone in your office is always drinking coffee or tea, get something related to that! A gift card to their favourite coffee shop works. You can always get them a cute mug or some nice quality coffee or tea! I recommend checking out some local coffee and tea shops for good-quality products.

If your office is anything like mine, it’s probably super dry. A mini desk humidifier could be a great gift! Humidifiers help add moisture back into the air. This is great for anyone who has dry skin or dealing with sinus issues. They can also add a little bit of heat to the space depending on which one you get. It can help improve someone’s quality of life at their desk!

My final gift recommendation is to get someone plants! Plants are a great way to liven and brighten up a space. Succulents are a great option for an office desk because they’re good in low light and don’t have to be watered often. You can get them some potholders online and then go to your local gardening centre and pick up a few. I would love it if someone got me plants for my desk.

And those are my gift recommendations!! I hope you found this helpful. Let me know in the comments which of these gifts are your favourite and you would like to receive during this holiday season!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Hair, Holiday, Makeup, Skincare

12 Holiday Gifts Set To Pick Up From Sephora

November 9, 2021November 9, 2021by Lea1 Comment

Hey guys! Today is going to be the final of my Sephora Sale recommendations list. I wanted to share some holiday gift sets that caught my attention and I think would be great gifts. These gift sets are all limited edition, so pick them up ASAP if you’re interested in them! I got a real mix of stuff so let’s get into it!

I mentioned this in my Sephora Recommendations, but Farmacy has their Garden Party Green Clean Trio. This is a set of three mini Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balms in three limited-edition scents: Strawberry Basil, Lemon Mint, Peach Thyme. This is also a great deal because this set is 5.1 fl oz in total for $56, and the original Green Clean is 3.4 fl oz for $45. A great deal for someone who loves Green Clean!

If you know someone who loves Benefit Cosmetics or you just want to get them a variety of products, I think the Holiday Cutie Beauty Makeup Bestsellers Value Set is the one to get. The set includes a full-size bronzer, mascara and brow gel as well as a mini primer sample. These products are some of Benefit’s bestsellers so you know they’ll be great. And it’s a $126 value for $54! A great deal!

The perfect gift set for a makeup lover is the Sephora Favourites Holiday Makeup Must Haves Set. This includes all of the top-selling and trending products for this holiday season – all products the makeup lover in your life probably has their eye on. The kit includes a variety of minis as well as three full-size products. I think Sephora always does a great job of selecting good products but also has the best value, with this set being $202 value for $71.

If your budget is a little smaller, then check out the Sephora Collection Holiday Vibes Favorite Nude Lip Set. Sephora Collection products are extremely underrated with their lip products being some of their best in my opinion. This kit includes three full-size lip products in their bestselling nude shades. The best part is this set has a $53 value for only $25 – perfect for Secret Santa or a small budget!

If you’re unsure what to get the makeup lover in your life because they seem to have everything, consider the MakeUp Eraser Wildflower MakeUp Eraser 7-Day Set. These little clothes are great at removing makeup and just need water! This set is perfect because it contains seven, so one for every day of the week. Every makeup lover needs something to remove their makeup. And these MakeUp Erasers have cute little flowers on them. The set is $33.

Switching into skincare, if you’re unsure what skin type someone has, I always recommend First Aid Beauty. Their skincare is designed to be gentle and for those with sensitive skin. Their Your Future Looks FAB Gift Set is great because it includes all of their top products. I’ve tried all of these products (my mom also loves them) and they’re great! Best of all it’s a $148 value for $64.

If you know what skin type someone has, consider Laneige. They have a Hydration-To-Go! Combination to Oily Skin and a Hydration-To-Go! Normal to Dry Skin. These kits are great because it includes a full face but is designed for a specific skin type. I love Laneige skin care and would be so happy if someone got me this set. Both sets are also a great price at $38.

If you know someone in your life who loves face masks, then check out the Origins MERRY MASKS Our 5 Best Mask Minis. I got a similar set from Origins a couple of years ago and discovered one of my favourite masks through it! These minis are also quite large so they will last someone quite a few uses before they run out. This set has a $44 value for $25 – another great affordable gift set!

Of course, I have to mention the Briogeo Honey Hydration Don’t Despair, Repair! Hair Repair Kit. I love this deep conditioner and I think everyone should try it out. But the kit also comes with a shampoo and conditioner, so it’s a great way to try a variety of Briogeo’s products. The other great thing about Briogeo is that their products are made with silicones and sulphates, are vegan and are clean beauty so they will work for a variety of hair types.

If you want to get someone haircare but are unsure of what, consider the Sephora Favourites Healthy Hair Must-Haves Kit. This set comes with 10 different hair care products to help hydrate, strengthen and repair hair. It also includes a full-size Amika product. And like all the Sephora sets, this product has a value of $52.

If you have a candle lover in your life, then consider getting them the Voluspa Mini Candle Advent Calendar. This comes with 12 of their bestselling candles. This is a great way to try their candles and see which ones you like before investing in a large one. My mom and I got this last Christmas and spilt it between us. This could also be great to purchase and break up into multiple gifts. The votives are also really cute, I’ve kept the jars after I’ve finished burning them because they’re so cute.

And the final gift set is the Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Jet Set. This set comes with a mini of their infamous Bum Bum Cream, a shower gel and a body fragrance mist. I love the scent of this set. This is perfect for anyone dreaming of a tropical getaway but are unable to go. This set has a $43 value for $33.

And those are my gift set recommendations! Let me know which set you think is the best or if there are any other gift sets that have caught your attention in the comments!

xoxo

Lea

Holiday, Home Decor, Life, Tips and Tricks

Easy Ways to get into the Valentine’s Day Spirit

February 2, 2021February 2, 2021by LeaLeave a Comment

Hey guys! So today we’re talking about Valentine’s Day. It’s less than two weeks away! I’m all for the Valentine’s Day spirit this year even though I’m single as a pringle. February can be a depressing time of the year normally, with it being winter and cold outside. Add on top the pandemic and it can be easy to spiral into a deep depression. But instead, I’m celebrating the little moments and getting hyped for this holiday. The colours are bright and cheerful. And the holiday includes chocolate and flowers, things that always brighten my mood. So today I’m sharing some easy and budget-friendly ways to bring some cheer into your lives for Valentine’s Day.

Decorate your space

I love decorating seasonally. If you follow me on Insta or Youtube you might have seen that I decorate my room for fall and Christmas. Well, Valentine’s Day is no exception. It brings a smile to my face every time I see my decorations up. It doesn’t have to be expensive. I just got a couple of things from the dollar store. And you can always use them again and again, so skip the Starbucks for one day and get yourself some decorations.

If your budget is tight then try rearranging the decor you already have. I change my letterboard sign to match the theme. If you have framed photos, you can always switch the photos for something Valentine’s day themed. Pinterest has tons of options.

Change your electronic wallpapers

Speaking of Pinterest, that website is full of free wallpapers for your phones, tablets and computers. It might seem silly, but changing your wallpaper can help improve your mood. Think about how often we are on these devices. That way whenever you open them, you can see a cute image instead!

Add some flowers

Tulips#flowers#beautiful#pretty#loving#christmas#flychorddigitalpiano | Valentines flowers, Valentine bouquet, Flower gift

Flowers are a traditional gift given on Valentine’s Day, but who says you have to wait for someone to give them to you? When I was in university, I always bought myself a bouquet on Valentine’s Day. I usually got tulips because it’s around this time of year that they are available again and tulips remind me of spring. But you can get whatever flowers you want. Some florists will do sales to celebrate, so getting what’s on sale can be helpful if you’re on a budget. Plus with everything going on right now it can be a nice way to support your local florists!

Send out Valentine’s Day cards to friends and family

Listen, whoever says Valentine’s Day is just limited to romantic partners is just being selfish. I think this holiday can be about love in general, which can include familiar and platonic relationships as well. With lockdowns and restrictions it might be hard to have the normal Galentine’s Day festivities, so sending a card instead is a great way to still share some love with your friends. Plus there is nothing more special than receiving a card in the mail. And send one to your parents as well, because I’m sure they would love to hear from you.

Indulge into all the sappy songs, books and movies

Nothing sets the mood more than music. So trying putting on a playlist full of love songs. A lot of them are just amazing songs and put me in a good mood.

I also am a sucker for a good romance book or movie. With everything going on, it’s nice to escape into a world where true love saves the day. Let me know, I can always do a follow-up post sharing some of my favourite romance books and move if you are interested.

Make an amazing meal

They say that the way into a man’s heart is through his stomach, but I love a good meal as well. Since Valentine’s Day is on a Sunday this year, why not take the time to make a really good meal, whether for yourself or to share with a loved one. You can make a big brunch, create a charcuterie board or make a big dinner. And don’t forget to eat lots of chocolate, because that’s what I’ll be doing.

And those are a few of my suggestions to do in the days leading up to Valentine’s Day. Let me know what you guys are planning to do this year. I’ll probably be cuddled up with a good book reading haha.

xoxo

Lea

Book Review, Holiday

Book Lover Gift Guide

November 24, 2020November 24, 2020by LeaLeave a Comment

Hey guys! Today is the last part of my gift guide series, and we are finishing strong with book lovers. If you guys follow my blog, you will know that my love of reading has come back stronger than ever this year. So I thought it was only fitting to do a book lover gift guide. I understand that buying books for someone can be hard. You might not know what books they already own or what they like to read. I’m here to help you out. I will be giving both book recommendations and a list of things that aren’t books that any book lover would love.

First, if you can take a look at their bookshelf. That way you don’t get a book they already have. Another option is looking at their wish list, whether it is on Goodreads or Amazon. If it’s on their wish list, a good chance is that they want to read it. A safe option is to buy them a gift card to a bookstore, that way they can pick out what books they want. But if you have an idea of what they like, then I would recommend getting a recent book launch. If the book came out recently then they are probably less likely to own it. All the books that I will be featuring on my list are all books that have come out this year and have good reviews. I haven’t read any of them so I can’t personally vouch if they are good books. But I have planning to post the best and worst books I’ve read this year sometime in mid-December, so you can also wait and check out that post. Okay, let’s get into the books.

Also just a note, I will be linking the Goodreads page for all the books for two reasons. First that way you can review the description of the book and some reviews to help you decide what to pick. Second I know most of you guys aren’t Canadian so it didn’t make sense to link to Indigo (our book store). So just order the books wherever you shop for books – but I recommend trying to buy from local stores if possible this holiday season 🙂

Mystery and Thriller

Guest List by Lucy Foley. My mom has this book and I’ll probably read it eventually as well. This is a murder mystery set during a wedding on a small island off the coast of Ireland.
One by One by Ruth Ware. A suspenseful thriller set at a mountain chalet. Perfect to read during winter – and I’m sure you’ll be excited to go to a chalet after reading this haha.
The Searcher by Tana French. Another book set in Ireland, this one follows a retired detective who helps a boy find his missing brother.

Historical Fiction

The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi. My mom read this book and loved it – she passed it along for me to read. The story follows Lakshmi who runs away from an arranged marriage and becomes a famous henna artist. This book is set in 1950s Jaipur.
The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Hamel. Based on a true story of a woman who uses forgery to help hundreds of Jewish children flee the Nazis.
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett. I have heard so many good things about this book and I have it on my wish list. The story follows two twins, one who moves away and secretly passes for white. It’s set in the Deep South from the 1950s to 1990s.

Fantasy and Sci-fi

Crescent City by Sarah J Maas. This is Sarah J Maas’s newest series and it’s one of Goodread’s top fantasy books of the year.
The House in the Cerulean Sea. This book is highly rated and is described as a heartwarming tale about finding your family but make it ✨ fantasy ✨. It has great LGBT representation as well.
The City We Became by N.K. Jeminsin. This is the first book is a new series by Jeminsin, that follows five people must come together and defend the city of New York.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab. I have heard SO many good things about this book and want to read it. It’s about a girl who haves a deal that she lives forever but is forgotten by everyone she meets, that is until someone does remember her name.
To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini. For anyone Eragon fans, check out Paolini’s new adult sci-fi that is a first-contact-with-aliens tale.

Romance

One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London. Bea, who is a plus-sized fashion blogger, gest to be the next star on Main Squeeze (a fictional version of the Bachelor/Bachelorette).
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert. This is a fake-dating-to-lovers between a Black, bi-sexual PhD student and a Muslim Pakistani-British ex-rugby player. Great diversity but also a super cute and fun book.
Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner. This sapphic romance is between Jo and her assistant Emma after they are photographed together on the red carpet.

Non-Fiction

Untamed by Glennon Doyle. This was on top of the bestseller list for weeks. It’s about female empowerment and finding your true self.
Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forget by Mikki Kendall. I think the title is pretty self-explanatory, but this is a book about intersectionality and feminism.
A Promised Land by Barack Obama. This is Obama’s first memoir, starting at his political education through his first time as president.
The Answer Is…: Reflections on My Life by Alex Trebek. This autobiography is of Alex Trebek, the host of Jeopardy!
Extraordinary Canadians by Peter Mansbridge with Mark Bulgutch. I had to include at least one Canadian book on this list. This book is a collection of stories of Canadians who embody kindness, compassion, courage and freedom.

Cookbooks

Modern Comfort Food by Ina Garten. I looked at this book in store. This is perfect for someone pretty new to cooking because it goes through all the basics. Comfort food is also perfect for this time of year and also with everything that is going on in the world.
Antoni in the Kitchen by Antoni Porowski. If you know anyone who is a Queer Eye fan you have to get them this book. And even if they aren’t, there are some cool dishes in this book. They’re all elevated by simple to do.
Outlander Kitchen: To the New World and Back Again: The Second Official Outlander Companion Cookbook by Theresa Carle-Sanders. If you know anyone in your life who is an Outlander fan and like to cook, get them this book. It’s full of recipes inspired by the places they go and the people in the books. They decided to do a second cookbook since the first one was so successful. If I hadn’t already bought my mom a cookbook for Christmas I would get her this one (I’ll probably get it for her birthday).

YA Novels

I could probably do a whole post on YA books but here are a few.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. Who doesn’t love a good murder mystery? The sequel also came out this year, so you can always give them both books as well.
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas. I have seen this all over booktok. It’s about a trans boy who summons a ghost to help him prove his gender to his traditional Latinx family.
Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron. A spin on the classic Cinderella story, it’s been summarized as black queer girls overthrowing the patriarchy.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn. This is the perfect book for anyone who is a fan of City of Bones. This is a contemporary fantasy that puts a twist on King Arthur but with Southern Black Girl Magic.
Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare. This one follows the story of Cordelia Carstairs, so anyone who’s favourite series is The Infernal Devices then will love this book.

Other Gifts

Getting someone to store their book is always a good idea. If they have a small space a cart is a good idea. If they have more space then a bookshelf can be a good idea.
If you have a friend that you always borrow books from, get them a library stamp or library embosser. This way the person can make their books and feel better about giving them out. There are so many cute customizable ones on Etsy.
Getting someone book-themed art. It could be a print of their favourite book cover, it could be a college of classics, a stack of banned books, a book genre poster, or maybe some fanart or the map from their favourite series.
If you know someone who loves to read in the bath, getting them a bath tray will help them not drop the book in the water.
A book subscription service. There are so many out there, but most will send a book with some goodies every single month. The goodies range from merch to coffee or treats. I would recommend Googling it to find the best ones in your country.

And there you go guys! My super long list of recommendations for the book lover in your life. Let me know if you have any recommendations, whether it be books or book-related items in the comments down below!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Hair, Holiday, Makeup, Makeup Brushes, Perfume, Skincare

Beauty Lover Gift Guide

November 20, 2020November 19, 2020by LeaLeave a Comment

Hey guys! Today is the first of a few gift guides! I know it’s only November, but I wanted to get these gift guides up early for two reasons. First is next week is Black Friday, so there will be lots of deals (aka perfect time to shop). A second, with COVID-19 I’m sure lots of people will be shopping online so it’ll be best to do your shopping earlier if you want your packages to get delivered on time. So I have this post going up today, a general gift guide going up on Youtube on Sunday, and a book lover post going up on Tuesday. So let’s get into this beauty specific gift guide!

The first thing I’m going to recommend is a gift card. I know that might seem like a cop-out, but let me convince you otherwise. If you are reading this to figure out to get someone who likes makeup and skincare, they probably have a large collection. It could be hard to pick something out that they don’t already have in their collection. My mom doesn’t buy me makeup for Christmas anymore unless I specifically ask for a certain product. So by giving someone a gift card, they can get want they want! As well, the person could pool together other gift cards and money to get a more expensive product that someone might not be able to afford individually. So when in doubt, get a gift card! Okay now into specific products.

The first is the Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer. I got a similar one for Christmas last year and it’s pretty good. I know that some higher end brands have their own version, but I’ve seen so many reviews saying that the Revlon one is just as good so might as well get the cheaper one. This is perfect for someone who wants to do their hair but doesn’t know how to do a blowout. I think this is a great present.

One of the best kits when it comes to value is the First Aid Beauty All That Fab set. It’s a $167 value for only $64!! First Aid Beauty has some great skincare products and this set contains all of the best. The brand is also known for being great for people with sensitive skin, so you don’t have to worry about the products irritating someone’s skin.

If you know someone who has been eyeing Charlotte Tilbury products, then the Pillow Talk Lip Secrets Lip Set is the perfect gift. It comes with a full-size of their matte lipstick in the iconic shade Pillow Talk. It also comes with a mini of the matching lip liner. Finally, it comes with two lip glosses – one shimmery and one clear. Listen, if I didn’t already have this lipstick I would pick up this set.

Up next are two gifts for someone who can’t live without doing their eyebrows. Both Anastasia Beverly Hills and Benefit Cosmetics have sets that include both a brow pencil and a brow gel. Brow products are a great gift because it’s something people go through quickly. Also, it can be pretty easy to pick someone’s shade if you know their hair colour. ABH has four shade options and Benefit has three shade options.

The Fenty Beauty gloss sets have now become a staple for the brand. This year’s set includes four new shades – so you don’t have to worry if someone already has these shades. They come in a variety of shades so it matches a variety of tones. A great tip, you can also buy the set and spilt up the lipglosses. So if you are doing stocking stuffers or little gifts for your friends, you can give two to someone, or one each to four people (or to three people and keep one for yourself 😉).

A great skincare set is the Origins Mask Delights Mask Essentials Set. I’ve gotten myself this set in the past (hehe) and I loved it. Even though they are deluxe samples, there is a decent amount of product so I got many masks out of the tubes. This is a great way to try and test out a bunch of masks. I ended up getting the full size of the Out of Trouble mask, and I also loved the Retexturizing mask. This set is great if you don’t know someone’s skin type because there is a range of mask (but I will say it leans more oily). It’s also a pretty affordable gift at $25.

Similar to the Origins set is the Peter Thomas Roth Mix, Mask & Hydrate mask set. The jars are bigger than the Origins set (50 ml compared to 15 ml), but still smaller than a full-size mask (50 ml to 150 ml). This also someone to test and try out different masks. But just based on the size they will probably have these samples for a while. And I find this set more hydrating compared to the Origins set. I have the Irish Moor Mud mask and it’s pretty good, and my mom swears by the Rose Stem Cell mask.

When in doubt, getting a makeup lover a brush set is a great way to go. I picked out this Sephora Collection one because it looks pretty but there are so many great options out there. Brushes are a great option because it’s something that people don’t necessarily purchase for something, but it’s something they can always use more of. Having multiple brushes means I can extend the amount of time I can go in between washing my makeup brushes!

Now I don’t normally recommend perfume because it’s so personal. Everyone likes different scents and how a perfume interacts with someone’s body chemistry can change the scent as well. So I wouldn’t recommend a perfume unless you know exactly what they want. BUT if you know a perfume lover, getting them a sampler is a great option. I found this REPLICA Mini Discover Set. It has different scents so people can test out and see what they like. A bonus is you can offer you purchase the full size of their favourite scent for their birthday!

If you don’t have a lot of money, then getting a couple of Sephora face masks is a great option. This Skincare Surprise Set comes with a nose strip, an eye mask, a face mask and a lip scrub. At $14, this is perfect for a Secret Santa gift. Or you could also divide this up and use it for stocking stuffers as well.

I started with a blow dryer brush and I’m finishing with a legit blow dryer. The Drybar Buttercup Blow Dryer Set is the perfect gift for someone who is looking for a blow dryer. It comes with a brush, clips and three of Drybar’s hair products – a serum, a dry shampoo and a heat protector. This set is the same price as the normal blow dryer, so you might as well get all the goodies that come with it! If I wasn’t looking for a diffuser attachment I would ask for this for Christmas.

And that is my beauty lover gift guide! Let me know in the comments down below what is on your holiday wish list this year guys!

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Holiday, Tips and Tricks

Easy Holiday Glam

December 20, 2019by LeaLeave a Comment

Hey guys! Today I have a super easy tutorial to create an easy holiday look. This look requires NO FALSE LASHES and is only six easy steps. I think this look is perfect for family gatherings because it has a little sparkle but it’s not too over the top. This look is simple enough that I think anyone could do it! I used my palette of the month, the Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam, to create this look but any neutral palette would do.

Photo 2019-12-05, 11 04 39 PM

The first step after prepping the eyes is to apply a light brown all across the crease. I used the shade Burnt Orange to do this.

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Next I deepen the crease by using a slight darker shade. I used the shade Rustic to do this. I concentrated this in the outer half of my eye.

Photo 2019-12-05, 11 07 02 PM

Now to brighten the eye up, I applied Tempera all over the lid. This shade has some light shimmer to it, but a matte shade would also work. I used concealer underneath and did a half-cut crease to make it look really bright, but just applying the shade over top of the other shades works as well.

Photo 2019-12-05, 11 07 59 PM

Next is the sparkle. I added Fairy, or any light gold shade, all over my inner corner. I brought this shade really high up to really brighten my eyes. I added a little gold glitter on top to really make it pop, but this is just extra. I used the Appeal Cosmetics Gold Liquid Eyeshadow.

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To finish off the eyes, I applied Cyprus Umber along my lash line. Then I applied a ton of mascara. I also applied just a little Burnt Orange under the eyes as well.

Photo 2019-12-05, 11 28 10 PM

Then I finished my face makeup and applied a red lip – because it isn’t an holiday look without a red lip 😉 I used the MAC matte lipstick in the shade Russian Red.

And that is my easy holiday glam! The red lip can be switched out for a nude to make it a more regular glam look as well. Let me know if you want to see a part two, maybe for New Years Eve?

xoxo

Lea

Beauty, Holiday

Holiday Gifts Sets at Sephora

November 29, 2017by Lea2 Comments

Hey guys! So today I have spent some time scrolling through all the gift sets available at Sephora, and giving you a list of ones that I would buy and ones I would pass on. This is all due to personal preference, some of the pass products might be ones that you guys are interested in! That’s okay, there are just products that I personally was not drawn to. I hope that my recommendations are helpful for you!

Sephora gift set picture

WOULD RECOMMEND

First on my recommend list is the First Aid Beauty Tales of FAB Skin. My friend bought this during the VIB sale for herself and has been loving it. First Aid Beauty has really good skin care products. As well, this kit has amazing value – it costs $65.00 but is worth $137.00. This is a good present for someone who likes First Aid Beauty or skin care in general since it includes a nice range of products.

Next is the Stila Eye for Elegance Liquid Eye Shadow Set. The formula of these eye shadows are the best if you really enjoy glitter and sparkle. There is a nice range of eye shadows in this set as well. What I like is the price of the set. While $59 might seem like a lot of money, but is has a $94 value – which means that you’re getting each eye shadow for around $10 each. This set would also be nice to split up; if you have three friends who like makeup you could each give them two. Overall I like the product and I think this is a good gift set.

Another skin care product I like is the Peter Thomas Roth Meet Your Mask set. It includes six deluxe sample sizes of their popular masks for $31 (has a $54 dollar value). Like the Stila eye shadows, I think this kit could work to split up among friends. But also it would be a great gift for one individual. I personally take forever to go through skin masks, so this kit would probably last me forever. I own the full size Irish Mud mask and it’s really nice.

The final gift I would recommend is the Tarte Limited-Edition Artful Accessories Brush Set. I feel like nice brushes are a really great gift for a makeup lover because everyone can use more brushes! I have heard that Tarte has really good quality makeup brushes, and the price-to-value for this set is great: $57 for a value of $187. There are three face brushes and 2 eye brushes in this set. Also the brushes are very pretty! A nice bonus is that they are vegan and cruelty free!

WOULD PASS

First is the Too Faced Best Year Ever Makeup Collection. Usually I love the Holiday collections that Too Faced comes out with, but this year I wasn’t that impressed. I will say that is does have a great value, $62 for $353. I just find that I am not really drawn to any of the shades. I also find the face that it’s three separate palette a little excessive, I rather just have one palette. Overall I would pass on this product, and just recommend getting one of their eye shadow palette instead.

Next is the Sephora Collection Sugarcoated Lip Gloss Set. I have never tried the formula of these glosses before, so I don’t know whether they’re good or not, but I would personally not like to get a whole collection of a lip product. The first thing is if I didn’t like the formula, then I would feel bad not using 12 lippies. The other issue is that I would probably not like all 12 shades, therefore I do not think it’s worth it, even thought it’s a good price at $36 (worth $100).

The skin care set that I didn’t like was the Shiseido Eye Wrinkle Rescue Kit. While the products might be really nice, I feel like the price of $70 for two little eye creams is excessive. I think there are other skin care sets for a much better value.

The final pass is the Huda Beauty Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette. I actually was considering getting one of these palettes until I saw how big they were in real life. They were the size of the palm of my hand, so tiny! And it costs $35! I’m personally not a fan of mini palettes, I rather save my money and get a full size palette. But that is a personal preference. Just letting you know that there palettes are quite small.

BONUS

I got the Sephora Favorites Give Me Nudes Lip set during the Sephora VIB sale and I am really liking it. What I like is that there are mini products, so if I don’t like them I won’t feel as bad about not using it again. As well, since they’re all nudes shades I feel like I am more likely to like the shades (which I do). I also wanted to try a lot of these lipsticks, so it’s nice to get a mini to try the formula before buying a full size one. Here are swatches of what was inside the kit (from top to bottom: Ciaté London Liquid Velvet Moisturizing Matte Liquid Lipstick in Bitter Sweet, Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Ludwig, Buxom Full-On Lip Cream in Dolly, Bite Beauty Multistick in Brioche, Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Color Splash Lipstick in Rum Punch, and Makeup Up For Ever Artist Rouge in C211)

lip kit swatches