Most Wanted for Holiday 2011

My number one Must-Have for the holiday this year is most definitely the newest palette from Stila Cosmetics! It is Gorgeous! I had to talk myself out of buying it for myself the other day since I've already told my husband this is all I want for Christmas! The website product description states...


Inspired by fantasy and dreams, Stila's Holiday Dream in Full Color Palette offers endless awe-inspiring color combinations. This is destined to be your go-to palette for all of your holiday events this season.

Included with the palette is a step-by-step artistry lookbook to show you how to apply each eye shadow shade and create countless looks for day and night.

Palette includes:
- 29 eye shadow shades
- 7 cheek colors
- Best-selling Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Stingray
- 16-page lookbook

It reminds me of a gorgeous stained glass window. It has everything you could ever need/want! I can't wait for Christmas morning!!!

Bath and Body Works

I love Bath and Body Works. To me, it's a favorite part of my holiday traditions! Each year I purchase gift sets for the ladies in my family and the ladies that work for my husband. I love everything about the store...the products, the packaging, the prices. Typically, you will get a coupon with your purchase that causes you to come back and make another purchase, getting another coupon...it's a cycle. But I love it.

My newest favorite scent is the Paris Amour. So feminine. So sweet. Light and lovely.

B&BW Description:

Our exclusive Paris Amour is a dreamy blend of French tulips, apple blossoms and sparkling pink champagne, inspired by a romantic stroll through the streets of Paris

Key fragrance notes: French tulips, apple blossoms, and pink champagne

This gift set is a holiday must-have at $24.50. Hit up your local Bath and Body Works for the complete holiday line of gift sets.
Also, check out their website at http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/

Bottle Returns for Craft Supplies

My oldest daughter Skylar decided yesterday that her 4 million pieces of crafting supplies just wasn't enough. As she begged for me to take her to Michael's I realized I could make this work for me as well. I am pretty bad about returning the empties when we grocery shop and my garage is pretty well taken over at this point with plastic, glass and aluminium. (Here in Michigan we pay a 10 cent deposit on every soda can, beer bottle or 2 liter we purchase and then get the deposit back when we return our "empties" at the grocery store.)
We made a deal.
She helps me load up the car with the empties and return them all and her and Lily, (my youngest daughter who is 4), can split the cash and use it for whatever they want. They get new craft supplies and I get a little piece of my garage back. So off to the grocery store we go. She excitedly helps and very excitedly passes the receipts to the cashier who gives us $18.40. That's $9.20 each! She was rich! She stuffed her $9 in her wallet made of duct tape and sang the entire way to Michael's. Once there she was a little discouraged at first, the pottery wheel was triple her money. After a little looking around her spirits lifted and she stretched that $9 further than I knew it could go! She ended up with quite a few things and so did Lily. They each were rung up separately and they each payed with their hard earned bottle return money.
It was cute. I was proud.
And with that I made a promise. I will no longer be the card swiping Mom that just gets them whatever they want. I will put them to work and let them spend their money. It was fun for everyone and they were so careful in their decisions. They really made sure that they got the most out of their 9 bucks!

This is the Foam Beach House Kit that Lily bought for $3.99. They had a blast making this together. That's Skylar on the left and Lily on the right.

Teenage Skin Again!

Olay Total Effects Body Wash. Olay's most advanced body wash, Total Effects goes beyond cleansing to deeply moisturize and fight 7 signs of aging all over your body. For soft, smooth skin in 1 shower, improved elasticity in 1 week, young-looking, radiant skin in 1 month. 7 Anti-Aging Benefits: Improves elasticity, Relieves dryness, Deeply conditions skin, Brightens dull skin, Evens skin tone, Smooths rough skin and Minimizes the appearance of dry lines. 7 skin benefits in 1 anti-aging body wash.

This body wash does all that it promises so insanely well. I love it! After just one wash I was hooked. My skin felt amazing and my husband even noticed how smooth my skin looked and felt. After a week I kept caressing my own skin...I couldn't believe it...I was back in my teenage skin! No joke. This stuff is amazing. My skin has never looked or felt better.

I purchase my Olay Total Effects Body was from my local Target, but you can also buy this at most all drug stores and grocery stores.

John Frieda

Oh how I love John Frieda products. They always work amazingly well, they are easily accessible, and they are perfectly affordable.
I am currently using the Frizz-Ease line but I have also enjoyed using the Sheer Blonde line as well.
The shampoo and conditioner provide ample moisture while taming frizz and mending broken ends. My hair always turns out super soft, shiny and smooth to the touch. I also use the Frizz-Ease serum to really get the polished, sleek look I'm after. I simply apply a small amount of the serum to wet hair and then style as usual.

I purchase my John Frieda products at my local Target, but they are available almost anywhere hair products are sold. As an added bonus, Sunday papers frequently boast coupons for John Frieda hair care and color.

A Good Girl Needs A Good Make-Up Remover

I fancy all sorts of eye make-up. Black eye liner has got to be my all time favorite. I love a good eye shadow and I need two coats of mascara....so a good make-up remover is an essential for my beauty bag. There are plenty to choose from; creams, lotions, oils and wipes. Over the years I find myself reverting to the same basic one.

AVON Moisture Effective Eye Make-Up Remover Lotion

This stuff works great for everything from a heavy crayon liner to a simple shadow. I love how it moisturizes while removing the day's gunk. Simply squirt a small amount of remover on a cotton ball and wipe away!

I purchase my AVON from a wonderful representative here in metro Detroit, Jennifer Schneider. You can order from her site at www.youravon.com/jschneider2158 and have it shipped directly to your home. Shipping is almost always free with a $30-$40 purchase. Check the website for details.

I also want to share a new favorite of mine. I tried this for the first time recently and I fell in love! It's an oil based remover so it's a different texture than the AVON lotion I like, but this works equally as well.

MOODY SISTERS Organic Skincare Eye Make-Up Remover

I love a good organic product and I love supporting fellow Etsy shops. This remover is made with love by two sisters in their Cashmere, WA home. It contains Apricot Kernel Oil, Sunflower Oil, Water, and Vitamin E so you can feel great about what you're wiping on those peepers of yours. This formula works wonderfully and is safe for the most sensitive of skin types.

I purchase mine from the Moody Sisters Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/moodysisters

Best Lip Balm Choices

I need my lip balm. Especially as temperatures drop and moisture leaves the air in the fall and winter months. I've tried quite a few along the way but I keep going back to my favorites.

1. Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm
2. Yes To Carrots C Me Blush Lip Tint in Coral Sunshine
3. Nivea A Kiss of Shimmer Pearly Shimmer Lip Care

All work equally well. Each provides a significant amount of moisture while successfully combating chapped lips.
I choose Burt's Bees when no color is needed. I like the Yes to Carrots for the nice coral shine it leaves on my lips. I use the Nivea when I'm wearing pink since it leaves a cute pink shimmer on my pout. Very Elle Woods!

I purchase all of these lip balms at my local Target, prices range from $2-$5.