Thrifting Thursday! Halloween Costume Edition

Okay, so this second-hand 'Morphsuit' that I found at Once Upon A Child felt like SUCH A WIN! My midde had just mentioned the day before that he would like to either be Thanos or wear a morphsuit. Since Thanos looked pretty much impossible to recreate on my own- I almost danced for joy when I found this blue morphsuit for $7.99!!

Anyhoo, sady for me, my middle decided he ONLY wanted to be Thanos. More on that to come.

On that same day that I found the morphsuit, I found a Mr. Peanut costume while thrifting at Talize. I was not LOOKING for a Mr. Peanut costume- but I immediately fell in love and paid the $4.99 in hopes that ONE of our 5 kids would wear it.

THIS costume was the biggest hit of any costume that any of my kids have ever worn! No joke!

His teacher's loved it and STILL bring it up when I see them weeks later! Strangers on Halloween night commented on the cuteness- I mean, He WAS adorable. I couldn't find a thrifted Top Hat, but found one at a Halloween specialty store for $1.25. So, my youngest son's costume cost less than  $6.00!

My oldest finally decided on a costume a couple of days before his first Halloween party. He decided on a werewolf, which was pretty easy because of his already-crazy-hair and he already owned a plaid shirt, jeans and used my vest. I painted his face and hands and used grey hairspray in his hair. Oh, and he borrowed my vest.

(Products used: Rustic Brown, Granite, Snow Shadowsense.)

I decided on Halloween day to be a Werewolf Mama, to kind of match with him. Low and behold, he changed his mind COMPLETELY for Halloween night and decided he needed to be a mime. Yep, a mime. He wore a black sweater out that he already owned and a black hat as well. At least this last minute costume was completely FREE.

(Products used: Snow, Onyx Shadowsense. Blu-Red LipSense)

Back to my middle. I was at a loss as to what to do to make a big purple bald-headed bad guy. With a magic gold gauntlet. My friend Leanne suggested a purple hat for the bald head. That felt doable.

So, I grabbed a lavender coloured hat from Value Village for $2.99. I found gold gloves and gemstones at the dollar Store to make the Gauntlet. Sloan actually enjoyed glueing the gems into the proper places on his 'Gauntlet'. I found a muscle-y undershirt at Talize, and used felt to make the gold accents on Thanos' outfit. Thank goodness he's 7 and likely did see Thanos when he looked into a mirror after I painted his face purple.

(Products used: Amethyst Shadowsense, Black EyeSense Pencil)

I grabbed my step-son a Spiderman Costume from Talize as well. I have a few around the home but wanted him to have his own, AND it was only $5.99.

Since my oldest would not go out as a Werewolf with me, I dressed my husband up as one with me. He hated it, but was a good sport anyway. Haha.

(Products used: Rustic Brown, Granite, Snow Shadowsense, Blackberry LipSense, Black Eyesense Pencil)

I have to say, I have painted my kid's faces for many years now- and I absoloutely LOVED that the SeneGence shadows, pencils and lip colours were smudgeproof and stayed all day/night!!

So, thanks to thrifting, Halloween cost me a whopping $22.25!!! Not bad for 7 costumes!!!

Thanks for reading friends! If you have any questions about WHY I thrift or for tips on thrifting send me a message!

I realize now that when I changed the name of my blog from NeverNew to Courageous Beauty Co.- all of my links that I had set up are now wrong..so I need to go through my last 7 years of bogging and fix that!!

Happy Thrifting Thursday! 

Blessings.

Who Am I Anyway??

I realized today that I have never really introduced myself. Or told my story- an abbreviated version, of course!

Over the last 20 years I have had the following terms used to describe me:

Pastor's Wife. Divorcee. Infertile. Knocked-up. Engaged three times. Runaway bride. Depressed, unable to get out of bed. Independant home owner. Single Mom. Step Mom. 

I think some of you may have the incorrect impression that I have it all together. It’s true that I may appear that way.

But here’s a little about me…

I moved to Calgary when I was 20 from Thunder Bay. I became certified as an aesthetician and got married there. We moved to Hamilton in 2003 so my (then) husband could get his Master’s Degree in Divinity at McMaster and I finished Hairstyling School in 2004.

We struggled many years with infertility. Then we had my oldest son (now 11). I still remember those dark times of wanting to be a mother SO BADLY- but they were somehow forgotten, as well. While I was pregnant with my second son, my (then) husband and I split up.

Those were difficult times as a single working mother. I remember nursing my baby in a sling while I gave my clients pedicures in my living room. But you know what? That time makes me SO PASSIONATE about helping other women.

As if dealing with Infertility and Divorce were not enough- I then had an unexpected pregnancy while I was a single mom! (Blog post here) Ooops. When I had my third son I was not even on speaking terms with his father. Shortly after my youngest son’s birth, we tried hard to make it work and to be a family- even to the point of getting engaged. But I called off the wedding 5 weeks before walking down the aisle (Blog post here).

Fast forward to now.

I am married to a man that I adore AND I have struggled through a heart-breaking divorce. I now have 5 kids/ stepkids, AND I wept my way through years of Infertility. I have been a Single Mom who was able to buy 2 houses ON MY OWN- AND my ex-husband and I went to Food Banks when we were young, newly married and broke.

I have always LOVED mountains. They are why I wanted to move to Calgary (and also my friend Danielle!). The wonderous immensity of them- they always take my breath away!

That is probably why this quote resonates so much with me- "You have been assigned this mountain to show others it can be MOVED."

I have battled through. I am strong. But I have also felt weak.

And I am SO privileged to be able to have found a  job that lets me encourage, cheer on, and watch other women work toward their dreams. And find strength in themselves.

If you are curious about what it is that I do, or just feel like you are ‘looking for more’- contact me! I’d LOVE to chat!

Blessings, friends.

A 50% Off Top, Plum Lips, and 7 Items for under $23

After church a couple of Sundays ago, I brought my two oldest into the Value Village that is located across the street. I cannot deny that that MAY have had an influence on WHY I chose my church 7 years ago....haha. ;)

Anyhoo...the place was PACKED! I didn't realize that it was a 50% off day (What is WRONG with me??), and quickly went into 'SURVIVAL MODE', lol. One eye on the boys, one eye on the deals.

I ushered my boys into the Boys Shoe section and quickly perused the shoes. My oldest found a great pair of Air Jordan's, but there was nothing in my middle son's size worth purchasing. BUT since it was 50% OFF Day, we decided to look around a bit more.

I found this cute Kimono-type top. It was priced at $4.99. So guys.... it was $2.50!!

It is light and flowy and the perfect topper to a tank in late summer.

The first time I wore this top, I paired it with my PLUM LipSense colour. Now if I could ONLY figure out where to look when I take a selfie of myself. ;)

I would also likely pair this top with the following colours:

Razzberry

Mauve Ice

Purple Reign

 Or maybe even this FUN combo:

Blu-J & Razzberry

Oh, and the 7 items for under $23?? Here they are:

For my oldest: A T-Shirt (Which for some reason HE LOVES!!), sneakers and sandals- now he can stop stealing MY flip-flops, lol.

For the middle son: An Avengers hat.

For me: A Chambray top, my top featured in this blog, and some super adorable grey booties.

For $23 including tax! Amazing.

Thanks for reading friends.

As always, you can check out more tips and tricks in my VIP Group:

Courageous Beauty With Melissa

Blessings. 

A Thrifted Kimono and Coral Lips

A few weeks ago, I snagged this adorable Kimono at a nearby Value Village.

I LOVE those days- days when you just run in to see if anything catches your eye- and then an item like this- which I have worn COUNTLESS TIMES SINCE- jumps out at you....AND it's only $7.99.

I've paired this with many of my LipSense Lip Colours so far. Like Samon:

I've worn it with Summer Sunset:

And these are the other LipSense Colours that I will likely pair with it in the future:

As you can see, there are SO MANY colours, tones, and finishes to play with. And that is just with ONE item of clothing!

Thanks for stopping in, friends!

If you are interested in seeing more colours and/or watching makeup tutorials- please join my Facebook Group:

Courageous Beauty with Melissa

Blessings.

Joining Forces

Good morning friends!

This is my VERY FIRST post since I've decided to join my love of thrifting with my love of makeup, skincare, and my love of empowering women to live the VERY BEST LIFE IMAGINABLE!

If you are new to my blog, for the past 6-ish years I have been posting about my struggles of being a single mom (Confessions of a Single Mom), sharing my second-hand fashion finds (In My Closet), and my DIY wins and ideas (DIY Projects), just to name a few of my 'themes'.

I have recently found a way to channel my creative energy into makeup. Although I have done makeup for 20 years, I had never found a line that I LOVED. Then, enter SeneGence.

And so now- I can teach people how to take care of their skin with an AMAZING skincare line.

I can teach people how to achieve certain looks with makeup and cosmetics with a line of makeup that is budgeproof, smudgeproof and waterpoof.

AND I can rest easy promoting this line because it is SAFE.

Lead-free.

Gluten-free.

Non-GMO.

Vegan/ Animal-friendly.

98% Natural/ 2% Science.

Oh, and since this blog will continue to be thrift-shop-scores-related as well, here is a recent thrift shop score!

Sene-blue Maxi Dress- Value Village $5.99

Black Woven Belt- Talize $3.99 

Necklace thrifted FOREVER ago!

Lips- She's Apples LipSense

Eyes: Sandstone Pearl Shimmer, Moca Jave Shimmer, Copper Rose Shimmer

Cheeks: Bronze Dust

Thanks for stopping in!! 

Blessings!

My New Business Adventure!

I know, I know...

I barely have time to parent 5 kids. I'm in school full-time to become a teacher. I'm honeymooning with my wonderful husband and trying to find time for him.

But friends, I tried Lipsense by SeneGence and was absolutely AMAZED.

I have worked in the beauty industry for 20 years (!!) and have heard ALL the promises for long lasting makeup. I stopped believing that it was possible.

But friends, THIS STUFF ACTUALLY DELIVERS!!!

So, I set out to share this magic everyone.

Yes, I am busy. But this stuff is just simply amazing. And trust me- if you try it, you WILL be hooked.

And that's why I joined an MLM. Because it is the ONLY line that I've tried in 20 years that does what it says that it will do.

That and the fact that Lipsense is: 

*LEAD-free

*Wax-free

*Non-Gmo

*Gluten-free

*Completely Smudgeproof

*Vegan- Not Tested On Animals

It was just a no-brainer.

Visit my Facebook Group or email me at 

courageousbeautyboss@gmail.com

to ask me any questions or to place an order!

Thanks for reading, friends!

Oh, and coming soon...posts on the rest of the SeneGence International Line!

Aaaaaand The Winner Is.....

I want to thank everyone who entered the giveaway by sharing and commenting on my post!

There were well over 1100 page views of the post, and that means lots of exposure for a special mompraneur!

The winner is Sharlene Maclennan!

(Only one Sharlene entered so I didn't need to write a last name. ;)

Live video of the draw!



Thank-you again for all who took the time to read, share and comment.



I will soon be blogging about the thrifted items I wore in the Dominican this month as well as a post about my weekend bathroom redo AND I have a kitchen cupboard redo to post about too!! Oh, and I still haven't posted about my Second Hand Wedding yet! YIKES!


Have a great day all!



Blessings.

New Giveaway- Gorgeous Jewelry, Just in Time for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day Giveaway

Friends, I am EXTREMELY excited about this giveaway.

It is amazing. It is beautiful. It is planet-friendly AND it supports organ donation.

And it is oh-so-perfect for Valentine's Day.

flutterELLE is donating one Valentine's Collection Piece Bracelet to one very lucky reader!

My friend, Jess, started her own business creating stunning jewelry for HER, SIR and JR.

I'm seriously in LOVE with everything that she makes. 

I met Jess years and years ago in college. Thankfully we have kept connected over the years because Jess has encouraged me when I was in low times, and is just an absolutely gorgeous person- inside and out.

She co-founded a not-for-profit company called Because I Can (becauseicanproject.com) that supports organ donation in Canada. A portion of every purchase of the advocate collection flutterELLE jewelry supports this incredible charity.

This wife and mom of three designs and creates the jewelry herself. And have I mentioned that it is all stunning!!??

(From the website):

The Butterfly Effect

The BUTTERFLY EFFECT stems from the concept that small causes can have large effects. Our family motto is, BE the change you wish to see in the world. It is not our personal responsibility to change the world, but it is our responsibility to change OUR world. To flutterELLE, the butterfly symbol represents expressions of transformation, growth, beauty, change, diversification + strength.

Each piece from flutterELLE is authentic + hand-made with equal parts precision + care. Our collection pieces are inspired by cherished individuals who have graced our lives with significant impact + love. Each one has a unique story, as we believe that every story matters. Our company is family derived + proudly Canadian. x.

Gorgeous jewelry. Hand-crafted. 

Proudly Canadian. 

Need I say more?

(From the website):

C H A R I T A B L E  G I V I N G

The BUTTERFLY EFFECT means actively being the change we wish to see in the world. We are proud to support our chosen non-profit organization, because i can project. We have a special place in our hearts for organ donation + adore the advocacy of saving lives. A portion from every piece of our SIGNATURE ADVOCATE collection is donated directly to because i can project.

​

For more information regarding organ donation, please visitbecauseicanproject.com.

E A R T H  P R O T E C T I O N

We work to ensure that our signature pink + black boxes are sustainable by sourcing the products from an earth friendly supplier. Our boxes are 80-90% recycled, carbon neutralized, or made from treeless paper. We are intentional to minimize our environmental footprint + impact.

So there you have it, friends.

Who wants a FREE flutterELLE 

bracelet??

I wish I could enter myself!

To enter the giveaway, simply share 

this post and comment on which of the 

flutterELLE philosophies

you appreciate 

most-





The Butterfly Effect (BE)

Charitable Giving

or Earth Protection.

(Draw will run from January 18th to 

January 25th)




***If we are not social media friends,

 comment on this post below, and you 

will be entered***





Thanks for stopping in and good luck 

friends!






Blessings.