Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale

Personally, I don't feel this needs an explanation, but for those that simply don't see the importance of it: Go forth, and do your Christmas shopping sans crowds or full-priced items.

That said, this is what I have my eye on:
-this gorgeous green watch
-navy, silver and rose gold watch
-Nike running shoes
-Tory studs
-this down coat for if I lived in Chicago
-loving the idea of these for Christmas Eve
-perfect gift
-heard good things about this (cheaper version than La Mer) eye cream

Things I might actually splurge on/great stocking stuffers:
-NARS Lip pencil
-Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Lip Color
-Waterproof eye liner set
-NARS Blush
-wrap scarf
-

Beauty Product-aholic

You know it's bad when: Your sister and brother-in-law stop by where you live to freshen up for dinner date (side note: my bro-in-law is a coach and they live "way out east"/passed exit 25, hence the need to freshen up for dinner without going home), and the only comment he made about my bathroom was "I've never seen so many products in my whole life."

Yep. That about sums it up. 

{no, this isn't actually mine. don't call TLC just yet}

I've often considered a parlaying my unadulterated love of beauty/skincare products into a career, but alas, the majority of jobs in the industry aren't located in good ole M-town.

I don't discriminate between high end products and drug store finds, all I ask is that it smell pretty and at the very least pretend to work (some might call this the placebo effect). Nevertheless, I'm a self-professed beauty product junkie, and I don't care who knows it. My aunt even gave me this ah.maze.ing. storage case for my birthday.

For fellow junkies who allow the downward spiral of trying celeb-endorsed products, I've found a few gems for you.

I've already mentioned my love of Emily Maynard, and her blog, but my new obsession is her skincare routine. (and yes, I'm dying for someone to gift me La Mer if it's even half as good as she says it is.)

{for specifics of Emily's beauty buys click here} 

Another recent obsession is Bobbi Brown (Katie Holmes is the new face of BB) make up and skincare, but considering it'd be a pretty penny to completely switch over..looks like I'll keep dreamin'.

{for the 5 Anti-Aging tips click here}

{click here for above link}

{Bobbi's book, "Pretty Powerful"}

til next time...

Saving Face

Winter can be harsh for those with the wonderful privilege of having super sensitive skin (cough, cough.. me), but lucky for me...it seems to be a hot topic for magazines and cosmetic brands once Thanksgiving hits. With a plethora of sites dedicated to showing me the superior way to prevent wrapping my face with a scarf all season, I've decided to share of few of my favorites with you.

Winter Skin Care 101:

 Click here for the details on the above products

 Here for the above products

 

Once a week for 20 minutes, sit in a hot bath that contains a handful of Epsom salts, 10 drops of lavender essential oil, and a half cup of baking soda. This combo draws out toxins, lowers stress-related hormones, and balances your pH levels.

A few other things I know:

• exfoliate your skin twice a week to prevent dry patches
• seal in moisture with a serum then a cream/lotion
• moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. 

 
[Bobbi Brown tinted moisturizer for a dewy summer look in the winter. Other Bobbi Brown skincare products I'm dying to try are here, here and here] 

[Nivea Soft moisturizer: I'm told this works wonders for dry skin, even on your face]

 

[CeraVe moisturizing cream: I use this at night as body lotion during the winter]

Not satisfied with my suggestions? Try here, here, here or here for more. Now that your skin is taken care of, here are a few looks I'm planning to rock during the chilly winter months:

 [fresh face, minimal make up]

 

[top knot and pink lips]

 

 [wine colored lips]

 [pale pink lips]