Love: Mint Chocolate Candle (Bath & Body Works)

Not all Mondays were created equal... no, that Monday after a nice long holiday weekend just stands out by a mile doesn't it? I think I spent most of my time at the office today in a hazy daze daydreaming about boots. (yes, boots: riding boots, ankle boots, tan, black, shiny, not so shiny, flat ones, high-heeled ones... ... but no uggs God, no uggs.)

Meanwhile, let me share with you a current favorite of mine: the mint chocolate candle from Bath & Body Works. The mint makes it refreshing; the chocolate makes it sweet. Think Andes in candle form. It's so wonderful that a part of me wants to force everyone to get it and a part of me wants to make it just mine. Is there a candle you couldn't live without?

* I recently stumbled upon another mint chocolate candle at Yankee Candle but this one definitely takes the cake.

Review & Swatch: Sephora Color Diary

Normally, I'm a minimal-eyeshadow type of gal. But the Sephora Color Diary, a practical little sampler of thirty eyeshadows, five blushes and corresponding liglosses inspired me to try something new!

The palette comes divided into five sub-palettes; each can be popped out using the hole in the back and snapped into the to-go compact. The process is very simple, it really isn't a big deal. The mother palette can get a bit clunky even when it's just used on your vanity so this compact is super-nifty/ necessary.

It also comes with a plastic cover to prevent powder migration.

Now, what the name lacks in its entirety ("Color Diary" lacks luster, no?) it makes up for with the cute themes of its sub-parts- each an event that the eyeshadows are allegedly supposed to accompany, like...

"Hot Date at Eight"

"Relax and Unplug"

(This neutral palette is a little sheer.)

"Must Get New Shoes"

"Meditation Retreat"

(The combination of orange & green! Genius)

"Day at the Museum" 

(I love that bold red and sparkly yellow.)

Here's a swatch of Must Get New Shoes. I wouldn't say the pigmentation is the best ever (and there's a little fallout) but for its affordability ($25) I think the palette is beyond awesome. The shadows are pigmented enough, the fallout is minimal and I love the combinations and the colors. I've been complimented twice already for these shadows :) And I love all the blushes; they're packed with color. As for the lipgloss I've only tried the pink one in Must Get New Shoes and it was very sheer- which is fine as I like sheer lipgloss but if you don't, you may find the gloss lacking.

I guess the question boils down to this: Would I purchase again if I went back in time? To which I would answer, a resounding Yes!

Bath & Body Works Liplicious Cupcakes in Lemon Glaze

I've never tried Bath & Body Works lipgloss before but I couldn't pass up on something cupcake-themed so I recently picked up this Liplicious Cupcakes lipgloss in Lemon Glaze. I love lemon-flavored baked goods and this smells like someone's baking lemon glaze cupcakes in the oven. Well- maybe not that good- but it still smells pretty yummy :) It's also flavored- just a sweet, kind of generic- taste but I find myself licking my lips more than I usually would.

Except for a slight golden sheen, the gloss translates to pretty much a clear gloss on the lips. The glitter varies in size so some pieces are bigger than others. That means that the glitter isn't exactly subtle but because the material? of the glitter is thin and semi-transparent it isn't exactly obnoxious either. Also, note: random glitter migration may occur.

The texture is somewhat watery and slick, allowing for a non-sticky application. This however, also means that the lasting power on these aren't that hot. Or maybe that's just because I keep licking it off?

It's a nice throw-in-your-bag-and-go type gloss, or just something to have around the house for when your lips feel bare. Maybe not a necessity but definitely something that can add a bit of sweetness to your everyday routine!

The adorable cupcake illustrations on the tubes were illustrated by Karen Greenberg. There are ten flavors here but I believe the collection comes in five flavors.

Apparently there will be a similar release in spring of 2011 by Bath & Body Works featuring cakes and pastries. I am loving the sound of that! (Illustrations also by Karen Greenberg)


Illustrations from: http://www.theispot.com/whatsnew/ispotters/kgreenberg

Haul: Anthropologie

While I've never been particularly drawn to Anthropologie's selection of clothing, I find their accessories absolutely endearing. I picked up a pair of their gloves and gray ribbon earrings last weekend.

There are lots of ribbon earrings out there, but there was something especially well-made about these. I also liked the fact that they were double ribbons and in the sophisticated gray I so love.

New: Chanel Cote d'Azur/ St. Tropez Collection

I was a bit confused (in a good way) when I got this in my inbox today. Wasn't there a Cote d'Azur collection released last year sans the Rouge Cocos? And aren't those shades (Chintz, Tafettas Rose, Perle) already available? Then again, I'm pretty sure I haven't seen that beautiful pale blue vernis (Riva) before.

I'm thinking that these were the shades that were used on the Chanel runway and thus they're grouped together like this as a 'new' collection. Whatever the case may be, I am loving the coral Rouge Coco (Sari Dore) and the Riva vernis!

Review: Biore Triple Action Astringent

So I was strolling down the magical aisles of Target the other day with the purpose of picking up some Biore nose strips (and checking out the Sonia Kashuk holiday stuff- which by the way I couldn't find), when this little light green concoction caught my eye.

I took it home with me, washed my face, dabbed a little of it on a cotton pad, swirled it around my t-zone and voila,

my life took a turn for the better.

See, I was at a point where I felt like I just couldn't win the battle against my badass blackheads (and whiteheads argh!) anymore. Even though I was fully armed with a boatload of facial scrubs, peels, pore strips and of course my Clarisonic, I was seriously getting beat up and down the block. And while I wish I could say that I coaxed and persuaded my pores to behave with love and understanding, in the end a badass foe calls for a badass ally.

Also known as salicylic acid.

I'm not a big fan of harsh chemicals (I can't use benzoyl peroxide at all- another infamous acne treatment ingredient) and I've never been very acne-prone so I never had to use any but what I love about the Biore Triple Action Astringent is that even though it has salicylic acid in it, it's not as drying or harsh as some other products I've tried. It also has a cooling sensation without any stinging usually a signature of most products with anti-acne ingredients. Most importantly, I've noticed a major difference in my nose area as to the amount of blackheads and the size of my pores. It's still a work in progress but I see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I would not however, recommend this to someone without blackheads or acne as I don't see the point, nor would I recommend to anyone with dry skin as it will probably dry out your skin even more. I have combination skin (t-zone is oily/ cheeks are dry) so I avoid applying this on the dry areas of face (but I kinda end up applying it anyway because I like the squeaky clean feeling..)

kate spade Lincoln Road Neda

Let me start with this. I haven't bought a wallet in four years. Four years!! Can you believe it? I can't believe it. I don't want to believe it. But I have to say my small black leather Prada served me well over the years, and I just never felt like I needed another wallet.

But lately I got to thinking- it was about time for me to pick up one of kate spade's cute continental wallets. And so after some eye-shopping and changing my mind for the millionth time as to what grabbed my fancy I finally finally decided on the mouse-colored patent calfskin Lincoln Road Neda.

Perfect for the winter ahead of us, and classy too (sometimes kate spade can get a little bit too cutesy).

It's uber-spacious inside and has so many little compartments and pockets, I can't help but fall in love. I'm not super excited about the polka dots but I'll get over it. I love the light-colored leather and how I can fit in my DiorKiss lipgloss in there (it was the "flattest" lipgloss I could find in my lipgloss drawer) and how I can also fit in my Clean&Clear oil blotting sheets- that's basically everything I need!

I am loving it. One downside is that I'm kinda scared that the pretty glossy finish may have a chance meeting in ma bag with ma keys and get scratched or something (it's kind of happened already) but hopefully I can keep them apart and all will be well with the world again.

New: Sonia Kashuk 2010 Holiday Collection

Have you stopped by Target lately? I've been meaning to check out the Sonia Kashuk 2010 Holiday Collection (especially the brush sets) but haven't gotten to it quite yet- hope they're not all sold out already!

Lush Gingerbread House Bubble Bar

I couldn't wait to plunk this in my bath and now that I have, I have to say I lurve the new Gingerbread House Bubble Bar! Lush should bring this back every holiday season from now on! Obvious cuteness aside, the scent is just so perfect for the Christmas season; it reminds me of warm fireplaces and presents. Does that even make sense? It also reminds me of last year's Christmas Kisses (remember that red bubble bar in the shape of a Hershey Kisses and also had the cinnamon stick?). It has the same spicy-ness and a bit of a pop to the scent. Kind of like coke. As in Coca Cola. Not the other stuff..

I sliced my Gingerbread House into four pieces but I think I was pushing it a little bit because it's honestly not that big of a bubble bar. You'd probably be able to get a more luscious (and long lasting) bubble bath crumbling at least one half of the bar into your bathwater.

Although.. the bubble bath resulting from one fourth piece isn't too shabby either.

Ahhh... look at those floofy bubbles...so inviting, so comforting...
makes me wanna take another bath