Mansa Fashion

Category: Beauty

  • nyx: up to snow good color palette (review)

    nyx: up to snow good color palette (review)

    It is almost impossible for me to resist a holiday themed eyeshadow palette. Though it has happened a time or two…it requires a lot of inner strength to walk away from something festive and fun. Here is an example of a time that I was unable (or willing) to walk away from a themed release. At the end of the summer season, my mom and I went to the CNE for the day and did a bit of looking around. There were all sorts of booths and stalls selling various odds and ends. I found some Funko Pops for my collection and even a few products from NYX. The Up To Snow Good Color Palette is something that I have been using for the last several months, but it is only now that I have gotten around to writing a full review. This particular eyeshadow palette was sold at a steep discount because it was a limited edition item. Ready to take a look inside? Here is a review and a makeup look.

    This small eyeshadow palette has six different shadows and some light theming. The design on the outside and inside features a couple of winter charm bracelets, with “charms” in the shape of boots, snowflakes, and holly. There is a light purple colour inside and outside with some silver details and lettering. The names of the eyeshadows are also themed. Some examples? Stockings Stuffed and Spirits Bright. Though this is a simple release with basic cardboard packaging…it is still holiday inspired.

    Up To Snow Good has a combination of matte shades and sparkly shadows. There are three mattes: Stockings Stuffed (chocolate brown), Icy Behavior (medium brown), and Spirits Bright (deep purple). There are also three shimmery shades: Slay Bells (mint green glitter), Suited Up (purple glitter), and Vixen N Glitzen (navy and purple shimmer). I like that there is a variety in terms of the finishes and that there are wintery shades that are a little less expected. The purples, browns, and blues make it possible to create something colourful but still suited for a winter wonderland. As for the quality, the matte eyeshadows are nicely pigmented and blend well. The shimmers are dazzling and fun…but are best when layered over one of the matte eyeshadows in the palette. The makeup look above focused on all of the purple colours in the Up To Snow Good Color Palette, but the mint green glitter is my favourite eyeshadow overall. I like to add it onto various makeup looks for extra sparkle.

    All in all, this Up To Snow Good Color Palette from NYX really wowed. It is compact in size, but still offers lots of variety and some really wonderful colours. Of course, the holiday theme is a fun bonus and added to the overall experience.

    What are your favourite drugstore makeup brands? Do you like to use holiday inspired makeup items?

  • my favourite winter blush: color fuse blush (haus labs by lady gaga)

    my favourite winter blush: color fuse blush (haus labs by lady gaga)

    How is the month of January treating you so far? Mine has had some ups and downs. The ups? Making excellent progress on many of my writing and personal goals. The downs? I am currently sick with something or another. There has been lots of coughing, sneezing, and all the rest. I am looking forward to feeling better soon. (Though this sickness has allowed me to watch an excessive amount of television. I suppose that is the bright side of it all.) In better news…it is time to focus on my current favourite winter blush. I have been using the Color Fuse Blush from Haus Labs by Lady Gaga for the last couple of months. Though I have been intrigued by the brand before, this was the first Haus Labs product added to my makeup collection.

    There are a few different colour options in the Color Fuse Blush line from Haus Labs. Though all looked beautiful, it was this cool pink colour, in the shade Dragon Fruit Daze, that stood out from the others. There is something about a bright pink blush during the cold winter months that makes me smile. This bold colour pairs well with neutral and more colourful makeup looks.

    The product packaging is simple but special. It has rounded edges and a soft pink cover with the Haus Labs logo imprinted. There is a mirror inside and the Haus Labs logo printed in the blush. Though this is a small product, there are some nice little details. That being said, this is a costly little item at a whopping $44 CDN. It is certainly a splurge rather than a must have.

    As for the product quality, the texture is smooth and this applies nicely. The colour is boldly pigmented and really makes an impact. The bright pink colour is a welcome addition to my makeup collection. I just adore the cool pink tone and how easy this is to use. Despite this being a favourite and something that I am reaching for often…I wouldn’t say the quality is any more impressive than other more affordable brands. The product quality is good, but is pretty similar to some other brands that I have tried over the years. It is definitely possible to find a blush that works well for a whole lot less. The strength of the Haus Labs blushes have more to do with the bold, bright, and unique colour options. There are some really fun ones. Overall, my experience with the Color Fuse Blush in Dragon Fruit Daze has been positive. This blush colour pairs well with all sorts of winter makeup looks. The cost of the Haus Labs by Lady Gaga items is on the higher end for me, but this product is still a winner.

    Have you tried anything from Haus Labs by Lady Gaga?

  • review: laneige holiday sets (divine lip duo and midnight minis)

    review: laneige holiday sets (divine lip duo and midnight minis)

    Some brands stand out. Laneige falls into that category as far as I am concerned. Their Lip Sleeping Mask has been a lifesaver on many occasions, especially during the cold and dry winter months. Each holiday season, the brand releases different sets with popular products, and I was fortunate enough to be gifted two of them: the Divine Lip Duo and the Midnight Minis.

    Laneige Divine Lip Duo. The first Laneige set that I received over the holidays was the Divine Lip Duo, which includes the Lip Glowy Balm and Lip Sleeping Mask. The balm is in the scent Candy Cane and the mask is in the scent Peppermint. Both of these products are ideal for this time of year, thanks to the cool minty scent. The Peppermint Lip Sleeping Mask is 0.28 oz, so there is a decent amount of product and the smell is fabulous. Like the other masks, this is thick, creamy, and ultra hydrating. The Candy Cane Lip Glowy Balm is easy to use on the go and is also thick and hydrating. The mint scents are refreshing and ideal for the winter season. Another bonus? This set (as well as the Midnight Minis set) came with two Laneige samples. That was such a nice surprise and a fun way to test out some of their products outside of lip care. The samples were the Cream Skin Toner and Moisturizer and Water Bank Cream Moisturizer. Since the brand does hydration so well, it is nice to test out these extras.

    Laneige Midnight Minis. The other seasonal release that I received from the brand is the Midnight Minis set. This is something that the brand tends to release semi-regularly, though the scents vary from year to year. which included scents like Mango, Mint Choco, Vanilla, Berry, and Gummy Bear. This time around, there is Berry, Gummy Bear, Mango, Watermelon Pop, and Peach Iced Tea. I love that there are some old favourites (the Gummy Bear one is a standout) as well as some different offerings (like Watermelon Pop and Peach Iced Tea). All of these Lip Sleeping Mask scents are fabulous and there is 0.10 oz of product for each. There is also a small little spatula to make application mess free. Out of the new scents, my favourite is the Watermelon Pop. I love the two colours on the packaging and the fresh smell. These masks will definitely come in handy over the next several months. I am grateful to have so many wonderful items.

    Have you tried any of the Laneige products? Which scent is your favourite?

  • holiday makeup look and review: revolution x the grinch palette

    holiday makeup look and review: revolution x the grinch palette

    There are many different versions of The Grinch at this point. Beyond the actual book, there is the classic animated version from 1966, the live action version from 2000, and the more modern animated version that was released in 2018 . All of them are memorable and have wonderful elements. My favourite will always be the classic animated version, but there is room in my heart for them all. Truth be told, I love The Grinch and have a little Whoville Village and a Grinch topper on my Christmas tree. It just wouldn’t be the holiday season without that beloved green character. When I came across a fuzzy green eyeshadow palette from Revolution, it was added to my cart before I even bothered to look at the price. I mean, it was a fuzzy green Grinch themed eyeshadow palette. A need!

    Talk about a cute and festive eyeshadow palette. This Mean One Eyeshadow Palette from the Revolution x The Grinch collection knows how to stand out. The front of the palette is green and fuzzy (similar to my live action How The Grinch Stole Christmas DVD case) and has Revolution x The Grinch stitched on in red. It might be slightly impractical, as it is bound to become less than pristine over time, but it sure is adorable. I am doing my best not to spill any foundation or other products on it so it can look fuzzy and fun for as long as possible. On the inside, the palette is just as themed. There is a removable sheet that says: “Restring Grinch Face,” there are classic Grinch inspired illustrations around the mirror, and there are even little characters pressed into some of the shadows. All of the eyeshadow names are themed as well. It is clear that a lot of thought was put into the packaging and design. The fuzzy green, the drawings, and the eyeshadows names make this memorable.

    As for the colour story? This screams Christmas. Normally during the holiday season, reds, greens, and purples are popular. (Along with golds and other warm metallic shades.) The Mean One Eyeshadow Palette delivers on the holiday colours with several shades of green, red, and purple to enjoy. This is the ultimate eyeshadow palette for a Christmas lover who wants to embrace colourful makeup looks. Though browns, golds, and other neutrals will always have a special place in my heart…it is hard to resist all of this festive goodness. I love the colours that were included in the palette and the fact that there are different finishes. There are mattes, shimmers, and even chunkier glitter shades. This compact release has variety!

    Since this is a Grinch inspired eyeshadow palette, the look that I created made good use of the greens. The lightest matte green, Mr. Grinch, was applied to the inner portion of the lid and then the matte green, Loathe Entirely, was applied to the remainder. The dark shimmery green, The…The…The…, was added through the crease for some contrast. 5:30 Jazzercise (a chunky and creamy kind of green glitter) was added for a dramatic and glittery makeup look. A bit of the golden-green shimmer, I’m Feeling!, was added to the inner corner for a little extra shimmer. I love that the different finishes all perform well and work together to create fun and festive makeup looks. Though the green shadows are the standouts, the rich reds also pair well with the shimmers, and the purples are perfection. There is so much to love about this eyeshadow palette.

    The Mean One Eyeshadow Palette from the Revolution x The Grinch collection has been making this season bright. I love the theme, design, and colour story. I also love the finishes and overall quality. This palette meets my holiday makeup needs.

    What do you think of this eyeshadow palette? Which version of The Grinch is your favourite?

  • katseye inspired makeup look (yoonchae)

    katseye inspired makeup look (yoonchae)

    When the Netflix show, “Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE” was released at the end of August, it unlocked a full blown musical obsession. The Soft Is Strong EP has been in constant rotation in my home ever since. While I am impatiently waiting for new music from the band (outside of the odd theme song and holiday cover)…I continue to follow KATSEYE on social media platforms. Though I am likely much older than most of their fans (the actual members of the band are between the ages of seventeen and twenty two) there is no denying how talented the band is. I love the catchy songs and the impressive choreography. As mentioned, I do follow KATSEYE on social media and several months back, there was a makeup look from Yoonchae that caught my eye. I loved the light purple eyeshadow and the bold blush. So, I decided to try to recreate the look.

    As soon as I saw the makeup look (pictured above)…I made sure to take screenshots. I just knew that I wanted to try to create something similar. What stood out to me was the lilac eyeshadow in the inner corner, the winged liner, the heavy blush, and berry lip colour. The whole look was gorgeous. And so, I pulled out different products from my collection that might do the trick. For the purple eyeshadow, the Revolution x Friends Eyeshadow Palette immediately came to mind. For the blush, the berry toned colour from the JoyBright Beauty Box was chosen. On the lips was a NYX gloss, though the colour match was not exactly what I hoped it would be. Turns out, despite all of the lip products in my collection, I don’t have anything quite the same as the colour worn by Yoonchae. Though the lilac eyeshadow is the standout, there was also a neutral shade on the eyes.

    The end result certainly looks inspired by KATSEYE, but it did not match as well as I had hoped it would. As always, my preference is to be a heavy handed with eyeliner (and that is unlikely to change) so I think a brown liner might have better mimicked the softness of the original makeup look. Though the purple shadow that I used was a bit bolder than what was pictured in the Yoonchae version, it was fun to play with colour in a different way. The look was a lot of fun. I went with a heavy blush and looked for something berry coloured on the lips. Unfortunately, the lip product that I had was a bit brighter and more on the pink side. Though this makeup look didn’t turn out exactly the way that I envisioned…it was still fun to do something a bit different, step outside of my comfort zone, and feel inspired. It is hard to go wrong with purple eyeshadow!
    Even when a makeup look does not turn out as imagined, it can still be a lot of fun. For me, makeup is all about expressing something and enjoying the process. So, in that sense, it was a success, even if I still prefer the Yoonchae version.

    Are you a fan of KATSEYE? What makeup looks have been inspiring you lately?

  • twilight week: colourpop collection (eyeshadow palette)

    twilight week: colourpop collection (eyeshadow palette)

    It has arrived…the end of this Twilight inspired theme week. Thanks to the generosity of my friend, there have been all sorts of Twilight x ColourPop items reviewed here on the creation of beauty is art. over the last several days. That includes eyeliners, highlighters, lip oils, and body shimmers. The grand finale? The Twilight Eyeshadow Palette. It is no secret that eyeshadows make me happy. I love expressing myself with different colours and finishes. How does this particular palette perform? And how does it compare to other ColourPop palettes? Here is everything you need to know about this themed release.

    The packaging makes me smile every single time I look at the Twilight Eyeshadow Palette. The outer sleeve is foggy and muted, but the palette itself has more of those cool greens and blues with lots of sparkle. On the inside, there is a picture of Bella and Edward with one of the most iconic quotes from the series: So the lion fell in love with the lamb. The eyeshadow names are also well themed, with names like Immortal, Ice Cold, Say It Out Loud, Impossibly Fast, The Cullens, and Lion & Lamb.

    As for the colour story, this is sheer perfection. The eyeshadow palette perfectly captures all of those Twilight-esque colours. There are cool toned blues, browns, and greens, as well as metallic and glitter shades. There is so much to work with here. The glitters are especially exciting (you can see the shade Edward in action in this post) and remind me of the ones in the Sailor Moon palette that I have. Both Edward and Immortal have a creamier kind of feel and are downright dazzling. The shimmers are also winners. I love shimmery cool tones in general and Irresistible is fabulous for a quick and easy one-shadow look. Though the glitters and shimmers are outstanding, I wanted to highlight some of the matte eyeshadows in this particular post.

    The matte eyeshadows included in the Twilight Eyeshadow Palette are incredible. These are nicely pigmented and are so different from the others in my collection. A lot of the cool toned shadows that I own are either brown or grey…so these cool blues and greens were a welcome addition. I especially love the matte denim blue shade, Irrevocably, and the matte dusty green shade, Seventeen. I have been incorporating those into lots of different makeup look lately. The cool toned browns are wonderful for blending out or adding a little extra depth. The matte shades are just as thrilling as the shimmers. A rare feat!

    It has been fun creating different makeup looks with the Twilight x ColourPop collection. As I end this theme week post, I want to say thank you again to my friend for her thoughtfulness. These posts would not have been possible without her generosity!
    What do you think of this eyeshadow palette? Do you like cool toned shadows?

  • twilight week: colourpop collection (body oil and ink liner)

    twilight week: colourpop collection (body oil and ink liner)

    It’s all Twilight all the time here on the creation of beauty is art. The second post in this theme week is dedicated to the SOL Shimmering Dry Body Oil and Graphix Ink Liner from the Twilight x ColourPop collection. As mentioned in my last post, these wonderful items were gifted to me by one of my oldest friends. I have been putting everything in the collection to good use in the last few weeks. One thing is certain: these themed beauty products have been adding a little extra dose of fun to my days! They have also inspired me to do a full rewatch of the movies. These days, I am fully immersed in the world of Twilight.

    Twilight x ColourPop SOL Shimmering Dry Body Oil in Like Diamonds. Maybe it is the Twilight obsession in me talking, but when I think of vampires, I think of sparkling skin. That is the reason the SOL Shimmering Dry Body Oil is such an important part of this Twilight inspired collection. It just makes sense! Generally speaking, shimmering body products are a love of mine. Anything that glitters, twinkles, and shines makes me happy. This body oil is described as a lightweight oil with multidimensional shimmer. As you can see from the photo above, this absolutely delivers on the shimmer and shine. It really does look like diamonds all over the skin. An added bonus? It smells so good. This oil has a light scent that is kind of sweet and smells a bit like coconut. I love how shimmery this is and look forward to adding an extra dash of sparkle and shine to my life.

    Twilight x ColourPop Graphix Ink Liner. There were three eyeliners included in this Twilight collection: Forever, Vampire, and Coven. These are really interesting colours and certainly stand out from others that I have tried before. Though I tend to use a pen liner (like the NYX Epic Ink Liner) this more traditional style of liquid liner is easy to use. The applicator tip is flexible but not too flexible. It works like a dream! I also love the Twilight quotes written all over the packaging and the Twilight logo. Even the eyeliners are themed and thoughtful. The shade Coven is a glittery black, Vampire is a vampy red, and Forever is a forest green. Forever is one that is going to be worked into lots of holiday makeup looks, because the metallic green colour is fabulous. Coven is a nice twist on an everyday liner, because there is glitter worked into the traditional black. But the best one of all is Vampire, which is a rich red. That is the liner I chose to incorporate into my birthday makeup look a few weeks back.

    In the makeup look above, there were all sorts of Twilight x ColourPop products put to use. On the eyes, there were some of the eyeshadows (there will be a full review of the eyeshadow palette later this week) and then the fabulous Vampire eyeliner. Since black eyeliner is an everyday must for me…it was kind of fun to wear something completely different. I loved the dark red and how it paired with the other products in the collection. On the lips was the Bells lip oil to finish off the look. And of course, there was a bit of the SOL Shimmering Dry Body Oil on the décolletage and arms for a little extra sparkle and shine.

    The Twilight themed collection from ColourPop has an awful lot of exciting products. From the thoughtful packaging to the vampy colours and all of the sparkle…there is so much to love. For me, this has been a really fun way to incorporate some unexpected pops of colour into my more recent makeup looks and break out of my usual makeup routine.

    What do you think of this Twilight makeup collection? Would you wear colourful eyeliner?

  • twilight week: colourpop collection (lip oil and highlighter)

    twilight week: colourpop collection (lip oil and highlighter)

    Say it. Out loud. Say it! …..vampire. It is hard to know exactly when my love of Twilight began, but I was posting about the movies way back in 2011 and read the books before the the movies were released. So, at some point or another, Twilight became a meaningful part of my life. I loved the intensity, the drama, and the romance. But for the record, I have always been and will always be Team Jacob! The day before my latest birthday, I was able to see one of my oldest friends for lunch. She was kind enough to drive down and take me out for my favourite meal. During that lunch, she gifted me the entire Twilight x ColourPop collection. Talk about being spoiled rotten. Her kindness and thoughtfulness was completely overwhelming. I did not feel deserving – and still do not feel deserving of all the Twilight goodness. Despite that feeling, I am also extremely grateful. Since that day, I have been having a lot of fun putting these Twilight inspired products to the test. Ready for another theme week? All of the posts on the creation of beauty is art. this week will be focused on this iconic book and movie series.

    Though there are all sorts of exciting products included in the Twilight x ColourPop collection, the first post in this theme week is dedicated to the Lux Lip Oils and Super Shock Highlighters. There were three Lux Lip Oils in the collection and two Super Shock Highlighters. As you can see from the photo above, the packaging is really well themed. The boxes have all the gloomy colours of Forks and symbols related to each character, like the Cullen family crest, Bella’s truck, and a werewolf howling at the moon. There is the iconic Twilight logo on everything as well. Plus, all of the product names are associated with the books and movies. It is absolute perfection. I love a themed beauty product and ColourPop definitely went all out on this one.

    Twilight x ColourPop Lux Lip Oils. The collection came with three of the Lux Lip Oils: Team Jacob, Bells, and Team Edward. I do not have a ton of experience with lip oils in general, so it was exciting to be able to try out a different kind of product. Most of the lip oils I have seen are clear or a light pink colour. Something neutral. Not these! The Twilight inspired lip oils are so well themed. Team Jacob looks black and glittery in the tube, but it results in a gorgeous wash of dark grey on the lips. Bells is a dark blood red and Team Edward is a cool grey-blue. I love that these add a nice amount of colour to the lips, but are more subtle than a traditional lipstick. This is the perfect way to incorporate a little colour into a makeup look. These lip oils are not sticky and feel really hydrating on the lips. Clearly, the Team Jacob one is my favourite, because I am obsessed with the colour.

    Twilight x ColourPop Super Shock Highlighters. Also included in this collection were two of the Super Shock Highlighters. I have heard a lot of wonderful things about the highlights from ColourPop over the years, so it was exciting to put one to the test for myself. The first is Vampire Skin, an icy white highlight, and the second is Meadow, a lavender highlight. Both are gorgeous. I love the soft and buttery texture of the the highlight and the beautiful shimmer. Vampire Skin is far more pigmented than Meadow and pairs well with a lot of different makeup looks. Despite the fact that Meadow is not as pigmented as the well named Vampire Skin, it is actually my favourite, because of the incredible purple shimmer. It is subtle but still stands out. I love that there is an ultra versatile highlight included in this collection as well as something that is a little bit different.

    The makeup look above made the most of both the Lux Lip Oils and Super Shock Highlighters. I actually used the Meadow highlight all over the eyelids for a simple but shimmery eye look and used Vampire Skin as a highlight on the cheeks. The Team Jacob lip oil was used on the lips. It is definitely a favourite out of everything in the Twilight x ColourPop collection, because it is possible to achieve the look of a black or grey lipstick without all of the maintenance throughout the day.
    There you have it…the first Twilight themed post here on the creation of beauty is art. Stay tuned for even more reviews from this collection. And another thank you to my wonderful friend for her generosity and for making this theme week possible.

    Are you a fan of Twilight? Be honest…are you Team Edward or Team Jacob?

  • beauty show and tell: back to school pencil case beauty bundle

    beauty show and tell: back to school pencil case beauty bundle

    Things that make me happy? Beauty products, stationary supplies, and fun little surprises from my husband. The Back to School Pencil Case Beauty Bundle managed to check off all three boxes. After seeing this item on sale at the local drugstore…my husband brought it home for me. Just because. It was so thoughtful and certainly appreciated. So, this post is a little show and tell to highlight all of the different beauty products found inside this oh-so-cute pencil shaped case.

    There are a bunch of different beauty products included in the Back to School Pencil Case Beauty Bundle, but the best place to start is with that adorable pencil case that it all comes in. I have a real weakness for stationary supplies, because my planner and my journal are essential parts of my day. They keep me organized and on track. I always have paper and pens scattered everywhere. The idea is to store some of those pens, markers, and pencils in this adorable pencil case and keep it next to my work station. As for the other items included in this set? There are skin care products, makeup, and even a perfume sample.

    • Ducray Keracynl Foaming Gel Face and Body
    • Kylie Cosmetics – Matte Liquid Lipstick in Kylie 808
    • La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo
    • Marc Jacobs Perfume Sample – Perfect Eau de Toilette
    • Mario Badescu Drying Patches
    • My Clarins Re-Fresh Fatigue Fighter Eye Care
    • Origins Ginzing Energizing Gel Cream with Caffeine and Niacinamide
    • Reversa Radiance Glow Cream
    • Shiseido Waso Yuzu C-Beauty Sleeping Mask
    • Smashbox Photo Finish Control Mattifying Primer
    • Stila Huge Extreme Lash Mascara

    The Back to School Pencil Case Beauty Bundle has a nice assortment of products inside. There are cleansers, moisturizers, eye creams, pimple patches, a perfume sample, primer, mascara, and even a mini liquid lipstick. These are great sizes for travel or to carry with you on the go. The Kylie Cosmetics liquid lipstick is one that I will tossing in my purse so I am ready for anything!
    Beauty products are always fun…and are especially fun to receive for no reason at all. The Back to School Pencil Case Beauty Bundle set was such a lovely surprise. I look forward to making good use of these items in the weeks and months to come.

    Have you tried any of the items included in this set? What did you think of them?

  • recent thrifted finds (records, cds, vhs, and dvds)

    recent thrifted finds (records, cds, vhs, and dvds)

    I am a physical media kind of person. Though many of my friends think I am strange for preferring a CD or cassette to a Spotify account, there is something to be said for owning music. Streaming feels so disposable to me. It is there one day and gone the next! Though there are certainly advantages to streaming, it is nice to own things, too. One of the many reasons that I love thrift stores is that I can find all sorts of treasures for much lower prices. A little while back, my husband took me to one of my favourite stores, which sells used CDs, records, DVDs, and more. This is unfortunately not a place that I visit often (because a ton of stuff always seems to come home with me) but it is a wonderful treat every now and then. Ready to take a look at this thrifted media haul? There is a little bit of everything. Here are all of the wonderful items that I found…

    Records, Records, and More Records. My record collection continues to expand. I love listening to music and use our record player almost daily. There is something so special about choosing an album and lowering the needle. This time around, I found some soundtracks, including Grease, My Fair Lady, and Mary Poppins. There was also a Sonny and Cher record that I didn’t have, a Dolly Parton record, and a greatest hits from Frankie Avalon. I’ve listened to them all at this point and they are excellent additions. I especially loved the Frankie Avalon record and have listened to that one the most so far. What a voice!

    CDs from Musical Favourites. There are always lots of CDs to look through and this time, three in particular caught my eye. (Well, to be honest, more than three caught my eye, but I had to start making some decisions, because my arms were very full.) The first was a Greatest Hits from LeAnne Rimes, the second was from Eddie Fisher, and the third was from my favourite singer, John Denver. Though I have the Seasons of the Heart album downloaded, physical media is always my preference, so it was nice to come across this CD and add it to my collection. I have really loved listening to these albums.

    Richard Simmons VHS Tapes. I have really been missing Richard Simmons these last few months. Life seems a little less colourful without his daily social media posts and chats on Monday nights. Despite the loss, his work has continued to inspire me and his workout videos are a part of my regular routine. I was thrilled to find four VHS tapes from Richard Simmons at the thrift store: Sweatin to the Oldies 2, Sweatin to the Oldies 3, Stretchin to the Classics, and Broadway Sweat. Though I have the two Sweatin to the Oldies workouts on DVD, it was nice to add them to my VHS collection. I have especially loved the Stretchin to the Classics video. It is so relaxing and really helps me on tough mental health days. This video is definitely a highlight.

    Lots and Lots of DVDs. I love movies and television shows and enjoy making the most of my DVD collection. So, it was a thrill to find some new additions. I found the first season of Murphy Brown for just a few dollars, a bunch of Christmas movies and specials, and another Amber Heard movie for my growing collection. Something I really enjoyed was the Santa Claus Parade DVD. It included a documentary on the Toronto Santa Claus Parade and it was both fascinating and nostalgic. Watching the parade was always a family tradition in our house, so it was nice to relive some of those special memories. It was also exciting to find a complete version of the Classic Christmas Tales specials that have been so meaningful to me over the years. This version had all of the animated specials as well as a CD of games featuring some of the characters. Confession: I popped that CD into my computer, played all the games, and felt like a kid again. Definitely another highlight of this thrifted haul.

    There you have it…a recent thrifted media haul. All of these items have been wonderful to use and enjoy so far. Music, movies, and even workout videos add lots of joy to my life. And I am all about being more joyful these days.
    Do you enjoy thrift store shopping? What do you think of this thrifted media haul?