Beauty Vixen: 2023

December 2023 came and went, it was another fast but incredibly emotional one for me.

Rich and Me on Xmas Day

As I mentioned in the last few roundups, I would be leaving my job of 26 years that I had since grade 12, at the end of the holiday season. Well, that happened in December. It was a lot. A lot of emotions and feels to say the least. I said goodbye to so many wonderful people and pets. Clients I had known since I was 17, those that I have known less time, people I consider my friends, and of course their adorable and sweet pets.

Bradley's last day of work. He's retired now.

I got some sweet going aways presents mixed in with Christmas presents. I realized over the years I get a lot of gifts and sweets from both co-workers, people at the vet clinic my work is inside (not technically co-workers, but I consider them that) and clients. I also realize this is the last year I am going to get soooo many gifts to open on Christmas day. It was all very bitter sweet. I am keeping all the cards I got (which I usually do anyways).

Rich and me on my last day of work

Outside of all of that, The hubs and I went for a few meals. I have started to take photos of him while he looks at the menu (and more recently when the food comes), it is a little joke. Hopefully I will make collages in the future for posts of the menu and the food.

We went out for my Brother's birthday at La Palette. It is a lovely French restaurant on Queen West in Toronto, that I recommend checking out.

Rich and I also went to Jack Astor's to get some wings on my last day of work. We were tired but he wanted to take my mind of things (and probably stop me from crying, wings will do that).

what I ate at Rosemary & Thyme

The next morning we went to a brunch spot near us called Rosemary & Thyme. It is in a little strip mall and is always packed. Always. Last time I got the cinnamon roll pancakes, but this time I wanted something more savoury and got their 3 egss meal (it had bacon, sausage, potatoes, toast). It was tasty and a nice way to once again, keep my mind off things.

Christmas table at my aunt's

We did Christmas at my aunts on Christmas day. This is always fantastic. We got there early so Rich could use his pro culinary skills and do a lot of the cooking.

We did boxing day at Rich's Sister's home. We got to see nieces and nephews. It was a nice visit.

Finally we did my family's Fam Jam Christmas on the 30th. This is really sibling's xmas. All of us get together and I get to see my cute nieces and nephew run around and have a blast. I made foccatia to bring.

stew

Finally New Year's Eve we went for lunch at Il Fortinos. I had a great stew (which was extra good because it was cold out) and then rang in the new year at home. we watched a movie and some yummy food. I picked up at a seafood store some salmon and escargot to eat. We also got a bottle of champagne to ring in the new year with.

My mother came back from the US for the holidays, she brought me some Trader Joe's goodies, as well as an Ulta order I did. Wet n Wild had an Ulta exclusive holiday collection that featured foxes. I got quite a bit of it. We also went to the Lisa Cosmetics Warehouse sale. I didn't get much but I did get a bottle of 4711.

In other not interesting things that happened, our upstairs toilet broke, which wasn't fun. Tiles came up too. So we have to divulge a plan to tackle replacing the tiles before putting the toilet back in. We learned vinyl tile doesn't really exist anymore and we can get peel and stick. We don't really want that, it needs to be a bit more durable. So, we are contemplating what to do next. We did pick up a new toilet though.

my toilet flange

So that was the end of the year for me. I am looking forward to a new exciting year filled with new adventures and totally different carrier path for me. Online school should be exciting.

Bradley reluctant to go on a walk in the cold

Wishing you all the best for the new year!

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2023 is done, and I thought I'd once again look at what I've been watching. I started journaling my movie-watching habits in 2021, trying to watch 'new to me' movies and I've really enjoyed it. It's made me consciously choose to watch movies that I would not normally have watched. I have watched more classic movies that I have wanted to watch for years. Plus, as an added bonus, I have been less likely to just sit around and watch half a movie I have already seen a 100 times just because it is on TV (yes, I still have cable, it is included with my condo fees).

I broke last year's movies into two categories, 50 New To Me Films in 2023 and 12 New To Me Documentaries for 2023. I tracked them in lists on Letterboxd.

50 New To Me Films in 2023

First off, my goal was 50 movies that I had never seen before, and I watched 51. 🎊 I did it! I am really happy. I think I may have watched one or two extra films but didn't log them.

I went to the movie theatre only once to see a new film and that was to see Scream 6 with my pal Melissa. We opted to go to see it at a VIP theatre so it would be 19+. Somehow this Scream was rated 14+ in Canada and we wanted to avoid teens, and as a bonus, we could order drinks. We ordered a Scream-themed drink that was soooo massive. We had a blast and I must say this was a fantastic movie, even without Sydney, and with all that is going on I am a little worried about the franchise's future.

I did go to the Drive-In four times, each time for a double feature. I have to say, I love the drive-in and am going to continue to go there as long as possible. I get two films, two people and I can bring Bradley for $28. There is no downside.

We saw Super Mario Brothers and Champions. Champions was way better than I thought it would be, if you have the chance watch it (FYI it was filmed in Winnipeg). I grew up in the 80s and 90s, which means I automatically loved the Mario movie.

We saw a double feature with The Flash and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. Neither were super great, I fell asleep during the Transformers. I will say I loved seeing Keaton back as Bruce Wayne and feel robbed we will never see Batgirl.

We went back to see Barbie and Spider-Man Into the Spiderverse. Both are fantastic and I have nothing negative to say about either one.

Finally, we went and saw Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Blackberry (oh so much Canada in this film). I will admit I fell asleep at during Blackberry, I did catch up with the extended version on CBC though (you can watch it for free on their Gem app).

I also went and did two Drunken Cinema experiences at the Revue Cinema. These are super energetic and interactive experiences held at Toronto's oldest (and not-for-profit) theatre. They have a bunch of fun-themed showings as well as classic films, all at incredibly reasonable prices, you should check them out.

I went and saw Speed (1994) with Melissa. I may have seen this movie 3 times in the theatre in 1994 and then once in the winter of 1995 at Ontario Place Cinesphere. So, yes, I had seen it before. I will say this was the most fun I ever had watching it.

Finally, I went to a double feature there, and saw Scream (1996) and Scream (2021), once again with Melissa. This is always so fun. Seeing the first one and then the reboot together was perfect. I had only seen the reboot last Halloween at the drive-in and loved it. There is nothing like a screaming crowd and a Ghostface running around a theatre to make for a good time. With this screening, Melissa and I have seen all the movies together (all but 6 at the Drunken Cinema, and Scream (1996) twice together).

12 New to Me Documentaries for 2023

I didn't set my goals as high as 2022's 25, and still failed by one. I do think I watched one more but didn't log it, so oh well.

I really want to watch more documentaries, but they almost always are series now and it makes it harder for me.

Please give me some suggestions, because I've got no clue what to watch in this department anymore and I really enjoy them.

Goals for 2024

For this year I have decided to do things a little differently and go back to what I did for 2021, one list, but bigger. In 2021 most of my movies ended up being documentaries, which is why I put them in two different categories. This year I am ditching that and doing just one. I just can't reach those goals, so I don't care anymore. This year I am aiming for 75 movies I have not seen before. If you want to follow along, check out my list here, 75 New to Me Movies for 2024.

Follow me on Letterboxd if you like, I would love to follow you, I love seeing friends' movies and what they think of them. I hope to start writing some reviews on it.

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Another month has come and gone and like most of this fall it flew by. I'm trying to think back on memorable moments that happened, so let's go.

My Mother-in-law Visit

My Mother-in-law was visiting late October into the start of November, but staying at my sister-in-law's, which is maybe an hour away. We visited they days we didn't work, which was basically Sundays. We had a great visiting on the Sunday before Halloween (that I talked about in October's roundup) and the first Sunday in November. We didn't do much, but did go to the nearby Costco with her, which resulted in many books and magazines being bought.

We also took her out for dinner before taking her to the airport hotel she was staying at on the Monday. I'm going to miss her. I really do wish she lived closer so we could hang out more often.

Buffalo Day Trip

I've been itching to go to a Target and Trader Joe's for months now, and mid November we had a chance. We went the Sunday before American Thanksgiving, so it was a bit nuts. The Target we went to was a little trashed and empty. I got lots of goodies, so I'm not complaining, but next time we'll have a much better game plan, visit walmart first (it's clean and empty with better food selection and prices) , do Trader Joe's then find a better Target a bit future away with less people.

Since I didn't get some items I really wanted, I ended up doing an online Target order using Shippsy and it was super inexpensive and easy. I will definitely be using them again sometime soon.

Goodies from my Mom

My mom got back from her stay in the usa and brought me some goodies from Trader Joe's I couldn't get as well as an Ulta order I did. I didn't get to see her until December, so seeing her isn't on my list this month.

Registration for classes

As I said last month, I'm leaving my job after the holiday rush. I signed up for some classes. I'm excited and worried. Their all online without any set times and I have no clue how I'll handle that. But regardless, new chapter stuff is starting.

Having Fun With AI

I know AI is a little controversial, and as a former graphic design student, I definitely get it. Still, it fascinates me that we have come this far. I had some fun killing time to come up with some fun, and mainly Bradley related designs. It's a fun way to kill time.

So that was honestly all I can think of that went on in November this month.

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It's time for me to do a little round up for October. October was, well it was something, that's for sure.

Changes in the work front:

First up, I went back to work after a week off and...gave my notice. I'm staying until the end of the year and then I have to figure out what to do with my life. This is beyond a big deal. I started at my work as a grade 12 co-op student in 1997, just days after turning 17. I worked weekends and holidays through grade 12 and OAC ( back in my day, Ontario had a grade 13 called OAC, I'm old ok). I worked full time when I didn't get into college, when I did get in, I worked part time. Then when I graduated I went back to full time. It's been 26 years!!!! But, I'm 43 and have at least 22 years of in front of me, so I've got to figure this out.

Ok, on to other things.

Lunch With a Friend:

I went for lunch with my pal Jenn at Cafe Landwer. It was nice catching up and seeing each other.

Traditional Scary Movie Time with Mel:

I went to a Drunken Cinema show at the Revue Cinema with my pal Melissa. We saw a double feature of Scream (1995) and Scream (2022) aka Scream 5. Melissa and I have seen all the Scream movies but 6 this way and it is much fun.

Bradley got into the fall:

My neighbours get all decked out for fall, it's sad because we get no kids to our homes. I got this great shot of Bradley with some decorations.

He also got a low key costume this year. He was BRAD TO THE BONE

Stratford Time...Again :

I went for a day trip with my sister-in-law and niece to Stratford to see Much Ado About Nothing. Our friend Andre Sills was in it and it was quite the fun time.

Plus yummy food at

Pazzo Pizzeria. I also got some candy from the USA at Corner Store Candy Co. And cholates and cholate tea at Rheo Thompson Candies. Overall a great day with family.

Ikea Scarborough visit:

When I was at Scarborough Town Centre I popped into the new mini Ikea for some food. They only have a bistro, and it has some unique food items. I opted to get a kids meal and a kids vegan raspberry sorbet. I got the plant based balls which came with chickpeas and kimchi. It was tasty.

Finally a visit:

Richard's mom lives in the Yukon, but she came to visit. Since we just saw her in August, she decided to come for a much shorter visit, and to only stay with his sister. Sadly she's lives I. Burlington, which is a bit far and Richard works 6 days a week in the fall. So that just left us the Sunday to visit. She needed a little break from our nieces, so we took her to the Outlet Collection at Niagara. It is very similar to the outlets in Halton Hill.

Since most stores are in the Yukon (like damn, no stores), it was fun for her. We had never been there so it was nice to see it. At CCO (Estee Lauder's outlet) I got some Aveda tea, and bumble and bumble hot oil among other things. I adore both those products but refuse to pay full price for them.

We also got to do a bit of pumpkin carving with the nieces and that was of course, super fun.

So that's the summary of October... it's definitely a different one.

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Empties. 😊

I haven't done an empties post in forever , but I had a little pile and thought 'why not?'.

I recently did a post on where to recycle your beauty containers, so go look at that. Let's look at what I've used up.

Bathorium Hinoki Cypress Magnesium Flake Bath Soak

Ohhh...I love this. This is the best cold day Bath Soak ever. When it's cold, when my muscles hurt, I reach for this. There is nothing else like it and I am so sad I'm out. I am 100% going to go buy another bag as soon as there is a sale (I saw it at The Bay and Whole Foods, but their website always has sales so I have to sort out where I'm going to buy it from).

Nudestix Nudetint

I got this last tear at their pop up sale. Never has a foundation matched my skin so perfectly, which is probably why I used it up so fast. I usually swipe it where needed after my skin care routine. I very much like that formula. I wish it was a fatter more all over stick so I don't fly through it so fast.

Trader Joe's Enrich Moisturizing Face Lotion

I have been trying to use this up for a while, and am glad I finally have. I have whole other bottle of it, so I will be starting it now. It is quite a nice light face lotion, I assume it is a dupe for Olay's Complete Daily Moisturizer.

The Body Shop Shea Shower Cream

I gave this to Mr. Fox to use up. He uses up body washes quickly and this was no exception. The Body Shop always makes great body washes, my personal favourite is Satsuma, which I just ordered more of.

Tarte Birthday Suit Tartest Lip Paint

I got this as a mini a few years back for my birthday from Sephora. I found it in my drawer completely dried up. I did buy a full size few years back. I do not think Tarte still makes these lipsticks at all.

The Inkey List Shea Oil Nourishing Hair Treatment

I ordered a whole pile of The Inkey List hair items when they first launched. I like the thinness of this oil, it feels nice on the hair and absorbs easily. I do not like how wide the opening of the cap is, it makes the product flow out too fast and you just end up wasting product. I also don't love the scent of it, I realize it is pure shea oil, but it smells horribly synthetic. Also my community doesn't recycle black plastic, so I have to take this to get recycled.

Bath and Body Works At The Beach Perfume Spray

I got this mini spray a long time ago, I really liked the scent and am kind of surprised I actually used it up. It is a great summer scent and I liked that it was a spray and not a roll-on.

Benefit They're Real Mascara

It was time to toss this one, it was good but I don't think it was as good as everyone was saying it was. I don't think for the cost I would rebuy it.

Estee Lauder Little Black Primer

I have rebought this black waterproof lash primer many times over the years. I really like it as a waterproof mascara, I don't think I every really use it as a prime. I don't think I will be rebuying it though as it is kind of pricy.

Joe Fresh Face Wipes

I found these dried out in a drawer. As Loblaws discontinued the entire Joe Fresh makeup line these were pretty old, I just didn't know they were there. There is no where to recycle empty wipe containers in Canada from what I can tell.

That is everything I used up recently. I am actually impressed that I used so many things up. I am going to try my best to recycle everything I can. Check out my post on recycling beauty products in Canada, here.

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