eskimo kisses…

It seems to be that time of year… the baubles are adorning shop windows. fairy lights illuminate the streets, and if you listen closely there are faint sounds of reindeers and snow men...

the butterfly effect.

Hand cut silk butterflies adorn much of Aminaka Wilmont’s Spring 2011 collection. The effect is utterly charming and completely ethereal.

'you mean you really don't…?!'

Okay pumpkins, I have a confession. Today it became public knowledge that I (gasp) don’t moisturize. I didn’t realize what a big deal this is to some beauty junkies, I literally got stared...

eskimo kisses…

It seems to be that time of year… the baubles are adorning shop windows. fairy lights illuminate the streets, and if you listen closely there are faint sounds of reindeers and snow men ooozing from store speakers. Too early? Probably. Impossible to resist? Of course. That special little magical holiday buzz has officially been ignited. It might have been the arrival of Starbucks’ red cups and that all consuming power of their gingerbread syrup. Or it could be that flights are finally being confirmed and booked to visit family at Christmas. Or was it the endless stream of emails between me and ‘Santa’ outlining my ever growing wish list that sparked the excitement? Whatever it was, it’s here… and hopefully will be sticking around for the next, what is it, six weeks.

Regardless of whether your tummy churns at the sight of all this holiday cheer or you lap it right up, it’s impossible to deny the firm presence of winter. While I tend to reach for the dark knits and black coats, there is something refreshingly right about winter white. Today Shini and Kit were both wearing shades of cream with hoods pulled up right over their heads. They looked like little snuggly eskimos all wrapped up and made me want to run out and find a hoodie just like theirs to keep me warm on blistery days like this one.

the butterfly effect.

Hand cut silk butterflies adorn much of Aminaka Wilmont’s Spring 2011 collection. The effect is utterly charming and completely ethereal.

'you mean you really don't…?!'

Okay pumpkins, I have a confession. Today it became public knowledge that I (gasp) don’t moisturize. I didn’t realize what a big deal this is to some beauty junkies, I literally got stared down like an infested disease. This opened mouth astonishment was followed by a whole host of condescending comments about how horribly, horribly, dry my face was. Now, I wasn’t actually offended because my face felt like a dried out desert. I could feel it cracking with each painful expression I made. So, I was urged to shimmy my hiney over to Boots and rectify the problem by purchasing some lotion for my face (apparently my left over Banana Boat Aloe infused one wasn’t going to cut it).

This whole self-induced dramatic charade got me thinking… about girls and their beauty routines. To be honest, I don’t put that much thought or effort into mine (as if you couldn’t tell from the above explanation). But, there certainly is some method to the madness. I have come across a little bundle of products that are my absolute favourites and that I think you ought to know about.

From left: Urban Decay brush that I stole from my Mom (after giving it to her in her Christmas stocking) about seven years ago (is it gross that I still use it? it is so soft). Laura Mercier black thickening and building mascara. Nars Hot Wired lip lacquer. YSL rouge volupte in Red Temptation. Chanel nail polish in Blue Satin. Sephora Bronzer in Bora Bora. Smashbox Blushrush in Radiance. And, my favourite new discovery (the magic of transformed eyebrows…): LORAC Take a Brow in Brunette. The moisturizer and other products I picked up from Boots can be viewed here.

So, now you know. I’m a recovering anti-moisturizer junkie and I’m addicted to a good dose of bronzer. What’s your beauty secret ladies? Anything amazing I should add to my list? Are you a die hard beauty junkie or a mascara and a swipe of blush sort of girl?