Hello everyone!

I had a different post planned for today, but this past weekend, I finally took the plunge and changed the site's logo, so I had to tell you about it. I've been thinking about updating or changing my logo for a while now. 

On one hand, I did like the old logo and was used to using it. On the other hand, I felt that it no longer represented the site's content. At the beginning of my blogging journey, Cosette's Beauty Pantry's main content was beauty and skincare-focused. As I mature and my interests change and widen, my content also changes with me. 

The old logo looked like a skincare logo; it fit my blog perfectly at the time I started using it. This new logo represents me more; literally! The curly/wavey hair brunette in the logo looks like a depiction of me. I wanted to make the logo more personal, something that characterised me. When I came across this logo image, I knew immediately that I had found the perfect logo for my website. The profile of the woman in the image is virtually identical to mine. I was instantly drawn to it!  

I also decided to include the words Est. 2010 below the website's name. Twelve years is a long time and an important anniversary for any blog or website, so I felt this was a perfect way to show how far Cosette's Beauty Pantry has come.

I'm working on plenty of skincare, lifestyle and self-care posts, so stay tuned. I'll do my best and try to stick to my schedule of posting three times a week. I post every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I also post a weekly recap every Sunday.

What do you think of my new logo? Which logo do you prefer? Let me know in the comments below!

Talk to you soon!

Hello everyone!

The Sanderson sisters are back... 

Today was a rainy day, a perfect day to watch a Halloween movie. Although the holiday is still a month away, it's never too early to start getting ready for the spooky season, right?! Luckily, Hocus Pocus 2 went live on Disney+ today, and I just had to watch it before anyone spoils it for me. I love to watch movies first and then read reviews later because I want to be able to judge them myself without biases or influence by other people.

This post is not a movie review and will not contain any spoilers!

For many millennials, myself included, the 1993 Disney comedy Hocus Pocus was/is an essential part of every Halloween. It was a must-watch for so many of us growing up. It particularly appealed to my younger self, who always fancied herself a little witch growing up. While other little girls wanted to dress up as and literally be princesses, I wanted to be a witch; a good, natural witch, to be specific. 

Fans have channelled the Sanderson sisters with Halloween costumes, cited iconic lines from Hocus Pocus and even made it an annual tradition to watch the cult movie for Halloween. Now, 29 years later, the Sanderson sisters are back for the much-anticipated sequel. 

In the new movie, Winifred, Sarah and Mary Sanderson (played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, respectively) are accidentally brought back on Halloween, when the black flame candle is lit again. This time we also learn more about the Sanderson sisters’ origin story.

The movie holds a special place in the hearts of many fans for what it represents. The sequel appeals to us who grow up watching the original every year because of the power of nostalgia. In fact, there are plenty of Hocus Pocus references in the sequel. I enjoyed watching the Sanderson sister and Book, back on screen! In my opinion, Hocus Pocus 2 is a fun movie that all the family can enjoy watching together. 

Are you a fan of the original Hocus Pocus? Did you watch, or will you be watching the sequel this Halloween? 

Talk to you soon!

Hello everyone, I'm back!!

Finally, summer is almost over; I can't wait for the cooler weather to hit the island. Additionally, I am very much looking forward to the spooky season. 

These past few months have been very challenging for me. For personal reasons, I have been away from social media for quite some time and haven't written a blog post in a while. But today, I looked at the date and realised that this day marks twelve (12) years since my first blog post. I figured that, today was the perfect day for me to get back into blogging. 

More than ever before, I realised the importance of self-care. Self-care includes anything you do to keep yourself healthy; physically, mentally and spiritually. Self-care activities can range from physical activities such as; exercising and drinking more water, to mental activities such as; reading a book or listening to music. Self-care can also include spiritual or social activities such as praying or talking to a friend. The most important thing to remember about self-care is that it is about listening to what your mind and body need. Self-care is a way to look out for yourself so that you feel better and have a chance to recharge. Self-care can look different for everyone, and that's okay. Because your needs change as your life changes, how you practice it will change over time, too.

Here are 20 ideas to kickstart your self-care routine:

1. Light a candle
2. Drink a warm cup of tea 
3. Journal 
4. Do a digital detox
5. Go for a long walk 
6. Cook or order in your favourite meal
7. Cuddle with a pet
8. Unfollow toxic people on social media 
9. Play a videogame
10. Listen to a podcast or audiobook
11. Try a new face mask
12. Take a relaxing bath or shower
13. Spend quality time with friends or family
14. Turn on a diffuser with essential oils
15. Watch the sunset
16. Watch your favourite movie or show
17. Put on an outfit that makes you feel good
18. Try out an adult colouring book
19. Do something creative (painting, writing, drawing, etc.)
20. Take a break from the news

Self-care is something we all need to practice; it isn't selfish or superficial.

Related posts:

The benefits of unplugging (from technology)

Six (6) teas I always have in my pantry ☕ 🍵

The health benefits of lighting candles

Ten (10) benefits of journaling

Ways to practice self-care during your period

Ten (10) essential oil blends for better sleep 💤

Colouring: The secret to de-stress

What are your favourite self-care activities? Let me know in the comment section below.

Talk to you soon!

Hello everyone!

When I wrote about my large forehead, I didn't mention that I also have a widow's peak. Nevertheless, I never saw it as an imperfection. Growing up, I was surrounded by family members who shared this trait, thus I did not see it as a flaw. As a child, I was so used to widow's peaks that I used to find perfectly straight or rounded hairlines a little odd. 

The name widow's peak comes from the hairline's likeness to the hoods that used to be worn by widows. In 18th century England, women mourning their husbands wore hoods or caps with triangular points that extended into their foreheads. For this reason, having this trait was considered an omen of early widowhood. In reality, this type of hairline is neither a bad omen nor a flaw!

A widow's peak is a dominantly inherited V-shape that dips down near the centre of the forehead. Female celebrities Marilyn Monroe, Alyson Hannigan, Fran Drescher, and Kourtney Kardashian also have widow's peaks.

In males, a receding hairline can sometimes result in a widow's peak hairline. For men that haven't had a widow's peak, if the hair thins at the temples, a receding hairline can take on that shape.

If you have a widow's peak, you can style your hair whichever way you like. The best way to show off your widow's peak is to slick your hair back or pull it into a ponytail. If you can't embrace your widow's peak, try side-swept bangs or a fringe to help conceal it. A pulled back ponytail parted down the middle can help balance the widow's peak's appearance. 

Do you have a widow's peak too? If so, do you consider it a flaw?

Hello everyone!

It's already December; many start watching Christmas movies this time of the year. Christmas movies help us get in the spirit of the season and are generally well-loved. 

Many people watch certain holiday movies each year. Some because they are classics, and some because they have an element of nostalgia. To put it simply, they remind us of our childhood Christmases! 

For me, the Christmas season begins at the beginning of December. Personally, I think that November is way too early for Christmas. Besides, in Malta November, is known as "the month of the dead"! 

I will start decorating soon and will also watch my favourite Christmas movies. I watch many TV Christmas movies each year, but most of them are just romantic comedies. The movies I included in this post are different because they remind me of my childhood. 

A Christmas Carol (1984) 

A Christmas Carol is a British-American film adaptation of Charles Dickens' famous 1843 novella of the same name. The film closely follows the structure of the original book. I also read the novella every year! Dickens is one of my favourite authors.

Home Alone (1990)

Home Alone is an iconic 90's Christmas movie that needs no introduction. Eight-year-old Kevin is accidentally left behind when his family leaves for Paris. At first, he is happy to be alone, but when two burglars try to break into his home, he puts up an epic fight.

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

One year after Kevin was left home alone and had to defeat a pair of burglars, he accidentally finds himself lost in New York City. He then bumps into the same burglars, who plan to rob a toy store.

The Santa Clause (1994)

When Scott Calvin accidentally kills Santa on Christmas Eve, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place! Now, he has to deal with a suspicious former wife while trying to keep his secret safe.

Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

This classic tale centres around a department store Kris Kringle who spreads the joy of Christmas by making a little girl believe in Santa Claus.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

This is the live-action adaptation of the beloved children's tale by Dr Seuss. The Grinch goes on a mission to steal Christmas, only to have his heart changed by Cindy-Lou's generous holiday spirit.

My father always loved Disney, so naturally, my brother and I grew up watching Disney movies. We had a huge collection of VHS tapes!

These are two of the tapes we watched every holiday season as children:

Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983)

The classic Disney animated characters play the roles in this animated retelling of the Charles Dickens masterpiece.

Disney's Sing-Along Songs: Very Merry Christmas Songs (1988)

I vividly remember singing along to these Christmas carols as a child with my family.

Certain movies make it feel like Christmas, don’t they? Are there any movies that make you feel like a child again?