• Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson

    Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson is such a fun read.  Emily’s best friend, Sloane, left suddenly at the beginning of summer without a word. One day, Emily receives a list in the mail from Sloane – a summer bucket list. This wasn’t your standard list, it was full of things to push Emily outside of her comfort zone. It’s always been Emily and Sloane, a pair, never apart. We follow Emily’s journey of self discovery throughout the summer as she learns to be just ‘Emily’, as she checks off items on the list. She hopes completing all the challenges will bring her closer to finding out what has…

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  • A New Era

    Welcome to (another) new era of ’emilynmax’! I know I have relaunched this blog a number of times but, as always, I hope this time will be different. I haven’t been posting on here consistently for years and I’ve missed it. With this new era; this relaunched, new and improved ’emilynmax’, the content is going to be a bit different than before. I have rekindled my love affair with books. I started sharing this love on my family YouTube channel, ‘emilynfamily‘ and have had so much support. Therefore, there will be a lot of bookish content featured here, but also beauty, as in the past, and motherhood topics. Hence, the…

  • Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella

    Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella is about a 14 year old girl named Audrey, who wears her dark glasses all the time. Audrey is dealing with some major mental health struggles. That is, until she meets Linus, her brothers friend. With his help, Audrey begins making major progress in her recovery. I loved that this book brought up some important mental health topics. However, it is incredibly unhealthy to portray to impressionable teens (target audience) that their mental health issues can be resolved if only you can find a cute, understanding boy to help you through it. The only reason I continued to read it was to find out what…

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  • Review | Maybelline Dream Velvet Foundation

    The Maybelline Dream Velvet Soft-Matte Hydrating Foundation was a product I was super excited to get my hands on the second in landed in Canada. I’ve been testing it for quite some time now and want to share my thoughts with you guys. Claims “Innovation: Our 1st gel-whipped foundation. Fresh, new and flawless… Dream Velvet whips a fresh gel into a velvet-soft texture. Complexion is perfected and smooth with a soft-matte finish, just like velvet. Skin feels fresh with lasting hydration.” Product Overview The packaging is basic but it works. I prefer my foundations to either have a pump, or be in a tube like this one is. I feel…

  • January Favourites | 2017

    I can’t believe this is the first favourites post of the year (if you don’t count my Best of Beauty video). I try and either do a blog post, or a YouTube video containing my favourites each month. If you’re not subscribed to my YouTube channels, be sure to head over there and do that – I’ve been posting a ton lately *pats self on back*. For more beauty content like you see here you can go to emilynmax, and if you’re interested in more mommy style videos/ vlogs you can go to emilynfamily which is a new channel I’ve started. Enough PSA’s already, onto my January favourites! IT Cosmetics…

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  • January Ipsy Bag | 2017

    The first Ipsy bag of 2017. I was expecting another knock-out bag, but this month left me wanting more. The theme this month is Metropolis. I love the sporty vibe of the bag this month, the metallic mesh overlay reminds me of the 90s for some reason. Global Beauty Care Dead Sea Mask – I love a good deep cleansing mask once a week, more if I’m breaking out really bad. This claims to draw out dirt and impurities, peel away dead skin cells, restore elasticity, and fortify with essential moisturizers. It’s strange for this type of mask to claim to be moisturizing, so I’m excited to give this a…

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  • Top 5 Posts of 2016

    Just like last year, I was curious to see what my most viewed posts were over the past year. My blogging game was seriously lacking in 2016, but it was for the best as I made so much progress in other aspects of my life. Here is a round up of the posts y’all liked most this year: 1. Top 5 | Spring Polishes, May 2. KathleenLights Made Me Buy It, February 3. Review | Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Treatment, May 4. Review | L’OrĂ©al Hair Expertise Arginine Resist X3, March 5.  Casey Holmes Made Me Buy It, May Compared to this post last year, I can see such a…

  • Winter Beauty Wishlist | 2016

    These are the top five beauty items I’d like to add to my collection this season. The last few months, I’ve been really expanding my collection because of all the new launches. Just when I thought it was time to slow down, there were three launches I got super excited about, a skincare item with rave reviews I want to try for myself, and a recommended blush. My poor, poor wallet. LA Girl Pro Coverage Foundation – There’s nothing I love more than discovering new affordable foundations. This has the stamp of approval from both Tati Westbrook and Kathleen Lights, both whose opinions I trust. My skin has been extremely…

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  • Recap | 6 Goals for 2016

    For me, the end of the year is a time of reflection. To look back on what I’ve accomplished and what I could do better. Today’s post is a bit of a round-up on how I did on the goals I made at the beginning of the year. [I’ve linked the original post so give that a quick read first as I won’t be re-posting them here.] Fitness/Health – I was actually doing pretty well with going to the gym consistently until around September. I was following a bodybuilding style routine and really enjoyed it. My pregnancy symptoms have kept me away since which has really sucked. All I’m able…

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  • December Ipsy Bag | 2016

    The last Ipsy bag of the year. Ironically, the last Ipsy post on this blog was the first bag of the year. This month’s theme is ‘carpe p.m.’, a clever play on words. As loud and not me this month’s bag is – I kind of love it! It would be a great party clutch if you were in a pinch. It’s texture reminds me of faux pony hair, like that on leopard print shoes. Benefit POREfessional Primer – This is one of my favourite pore filling primers. It provides a smoother base to apply foundation. Having a sample size will be great for if I travel anywhere. Nip +…

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