Happy Holidays!

So, obviously things have been a bit quiet around here for a reason. Yes, it was someone's first Christmas and I was concentrating on that! We're also completing some renovations at our home this week, and starting tomorrow I'll be on call for a 5 day stretch in the ICU. Which could be a lot of work or very.... qu..t. I won't write the word, I'm superstitious!

In the meantime, I'll slowly try to get back into the swing of things around here. I'm planning to start up my week of the day postings again. I'm slowly changing the format of the site (which you may have already noticed), though it's not done and I'm still not sure about it. My 5 year blog anniversary is in January (on my daughter's 1st birthday!) and I'm planning some things for that.


I get tagged for a lot of blogging awards, and I don't usually participate because I feel strange tagging more people. I think this is the shy girl in me (and yes, I'm really shy in person!) I was just tagged for the Kreativ Blogger Award over at Beauty by Arielle, and I thought it would be fun to actually answer the questions this time. I'm tagging everyone that is reading this post, send me a link if you answer the questions too!

1. NAME YOUR FAVORITE SONG:
This is a hard one, I have a couple that remind me of special times in my life. Here are a few of them.
• Butterfly by Tori Amos- I was obsessed with this song my senior year in high school. I listened to it over and over when driving to my Inteflex interview. Literally, about 30 times in a row. It did seem to calm me down, which was great since I did somehow manage to get into the program!
• Until by Sting- This is from Kate and Leopold, which is a horrible Meg Ryan movie that I actually love. It was on a mix CD that hubby and I listened to a lot on our honeymoon. This song makes me remember driving up the western coast of Maui at night with the top down on our rental car.

2. NAME YOUR FAVORITE DESSERT:
Apple Crisp! If it is on the menu, that's what I'm ordering.

3. WHAT TICKS ME OFF:
People who try really hard to get out of doing their jobs. I encounter this at work a lot. I'll get people calling to argue with me for forever about doing something, and the arguments take up waaaay more time than the time/effort of just doing their job.

4. WHEN I'M UPSET I:
I guess I mope a bit, talk to my husband and then distract myself with something else.

5. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PET:
Obviously, my current one! I have an old husky named Hoagie. Yes, like the sandwich.

6. BLACK OR WHITE:
Black

7. BIGGEST FEAR:
I have a big fear of heights. I can barely walk by the balcony edge when at the mall, ride and escalator or take some sets of stairs.

8. EVERYDAY ATTITUDE:
I'm usually pretty positive, though I definitely have a cynical side.

9. WHAT IS PERFECTION:
I'm not sure that there is such a thing as perfection. Usually that doesn't strike me as quite genuine, so I'm ok with a little bit of imperfection.

10. GUILTY PLEASURE:
Beauty products, time with my family and Pinterest!


SEVEN RANDOM THINGS ABOUT ME:
1. I'm obsessed with my Kindle. I have a first generation one, from back in the day when they were impossible to buy because Oprah featured them and they were sold out. I've kept it so long because it works great and I have an SD card slot, which the newer versions don't have. I'm planning to keep it until it is so old that it embarrasses me on planes or dies.

2. I'm about to complete finishing off my basement (well, actually the guys that we hired are about to complete it, but whatever). We've included a craft area in the design, and I'm soooo excited about buying my own sewing machine! I haven't started looking yet, but I'm hoping to pick one out this spring. I also want one of the Cricut machines, but don't tell my husband.

3. I like hazelnut creamer in my coffee each morning but it must be from International Delights. No CoffeeMate for me.

4. My favorite things to read about on Pinterest are photography and photoshop tips. I seriously spend hours reading them. I have another window open with about 15 tabs on photo retouching right now.

5. I miss my Disneyland season pass.

6. I only have 2 shows that I watch regularly on television now, which is kind of sad, but I just haven't found anything else that I find worthwhile. I'm watching The Closer and Big Bang Theory. I'll watch American Idol when it restarts. Is there anything else I should watch?

7. I'm Jane Austen's cousin, 7 times removed or some crazy number. Which just means I'm part english. But!!! Jane Austen!!!

Christina Aguilera Royal Desire: I'm Obsessing!

I've always been a Christina fan, I remember her from the Mickey Mouse Club. Which yes, I watched. (Confession: I thought Justin was annoying.) Obviously her voice is amazing, but that doesn't necessarily translate over into being able to release a successful fragrance.

I've been really loving this fragrance. Every time I wear it I pick up a new nuance, so it has taken a while to write this review. If you're still looking for a present for Sunday, run to Kohl's and grab this scent!

“With this scent, I wanted to create a truly sensory experience, and provide a moment every day where women could pamper themselves and feel sexy and beautiful…exuding the sensual elegance of a queen.”
-Christina Aguilera

This fragrance isn't overtly sexual, but it isn't a boring safe floral either. Christina's "sensual" is really the best way to describe this scent. It is warm and subtle. Meant to be enjoyed by someone close to you. Picture snuggling by the fire and Christmas tree. Perfect.

Notes:
Top Notes: Blackcurrant, Yuzu Citrus, White Marshmallow
Middle Notes: Lily, Honeysuckle, Rose, Powdery Iris
Base Notes: Musk, Sandalwood, Cedar

This scent is is a bit floral and a little bit sweet. When it first opens I definitely get sweet, which I think is the Marshmallow though I admit it initially smells more chocolate to me. I can smell the lily and a bit of the powdery iris. After the dry down, the sweetness mellows out a bit and becomes a slight accent (and it is no longer chocolate-ish to me). Now it is a bit more floral than before, though the honeysuckle and lily predominate and the iris is no longer powdery.

The fragrance is subtle and warm and enveloping. I want to wear it for a date night or holiday party. It would work for every day, though it is better for a special night.

30 ml for $37, 50 ml for $47 and available only at Kohl's
Christina Aguilera Royal Desire

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Tassi: The Great Last Minute Stocking Stuffer That You Want to Buy For Yourself

Have you seen this little round box at your local Bed Bath & Beyond? I've seen it for a while and always bypassed it, thinking, "now, is that really necessary in my life? For $15?" and then moving right along.

Really, I was wrong.

Wrong!

So, a Tassi is a big headband alternative for those times that you want to keep your hair away from your face and "safe". So, obviously it is perfect for washing your face. For using masks. It's ideal for using spray foundation because it stretches so well to cover your hair from the mist.

What's really great about it is that while it is more than tight enough to stay securely in place and hold your hair back, the elastic is right at that sweet spot where it won't leave marks on your hair. No ugly ridge!

I've been using mine like crazy since I got it. Grab one for yourself or for your little sister's stocking.


Tassi

Laura Mercier Body & Bath Duos and Trios

I fully admit that an item like this is often a default gift for someone that I don't know well enough to buy a different present for, but that I know well enough to need to buy a present for. And really, most people are not willing to splurge on items like this for themselves. Amazingly rich body creme? Bath bubbles made by someone other than Mr. Bubbles? Amazing!

Duos, $45
Trios $60
Laura Mercier

Camille Beckman: Moisturized Hands and Philanthropy in One!

A hand cream is a hand cream... or is it?

Well, not really. Especially for those of us in hand washing intensive occupations (like my ICU), a hand cream can really be a great skin saver. The soap we use in the hospital can be pretty intense, so I count myself lucky if I can find a lotion to counteract its moisture stripping effects until my next hand washing, let alone through one or two washings.

Enter Camille Beckman. This little brand has been around for over 25 years, and you've likely seen them at a gift shop near you. They have a huge array of products and scents. To me, the stand out product is the Glycerine Hand Therapy.

Glycerine Hand Therapy is a rich hand lotion with a high glycerine base (which acts as both an emollient and a humectant, see my moisturizer post for more info). You can feel it sinking in right away, though thankfully it doesn't leave behind a greasy mess. (This greasy mess is very important to avoid if you're going to be putting gloves on and off all day long, just FYI.) It can last through a couple hand washings as well.

I brought my Camille Beckman hand lotions in to work one day and my friends (aka- the PICU nurses) did swarm around them! They tried out all of the scents, though it seemed liked the most universally loved was my favorite, Peaceful Olive.

I shouldn't end this post without mentioning Camille Beckman's philanthropy. They run a foundation that helps support a huge number of charitable foundations, such as International Children’s Surgical Foundation (ICSF), to help repair cleft lips and cleft palates in developing countries.

Camille Beckman

Smashbox's Be Discovered Palette

With the holiday season in full swing, I've been a bit overwhelmed with work, making my daughter's first Christmas special and blogging. So, blogging is a slightly lower priority right now, which explains why you are now seeing my Thursday makeup post on... Friday Sunday. Oops!

One of the best parts of the holiday season is obviously all of the amazing special sets that arrive in stores. Some amazing deals and limited editions can be found this time of year. And of course, quite a few "giant" eye shadow palettes. The palettes can be hit or miss. Do you really need 15 different bright pink eye shadows? Are the shadows still up to that company's quality levels?

Included in this kit:
· 45 Eye Shadows
· 9 Cream Eye Liners
· 3 Blushes
· 1 Bronzers
· 2 Soft Lights
· 6 Lip Glosses
· 4 Mini Brushes

This post is super pic heavy, so click through to see all of the images. Click on each image to enlarge.

Yummy Smelling Lotion at Your Drugstore: Aveeno Positively Nourishing

So, I kind of have a thing about scented lotions. I'm very picky about them. Way more than I am about scented soaps. Soaps go away after a bit, lotions tend to.... linger. Have you ever noticed that a scented hand lotion that is less than perfect can just throw your whole day off? If I get a scent I can't stand... forget it. I'm completely distracted. I'd rather rewash my hands and have dry hands than have smelly, well moisturized hands.

So, when a box of 3 new Aveeno lotions arrived on my doorstep recently, I was excited. New lotions! For Winter! Avoid the dry, scaly itchies! But.... they're scented. There were 3 scents actually. Grapefruit, Blueberry and Vanilla (full disclosure: I'm not usually a vanilla fan).

These are hand lotions, they're body lotions, but I've been leaving them next to sinks to apply immediately after hand washing. They're fairly lightweight and sink in quickly without leaving behind a greasy feeling. Not the most hydrating lotion for the winter, but this is more than adequate for using many, many times a day after hand washing.

Perhaps the best part of these lotions is the scent. They are not the flowery, perfumed versions you'd typically expect of a mass market lotion. Instead, think of those lotions you love to sample at Williams Sonoma (you know you do it too). The grapefruit smells like grapefruit. Fresh and very citrusy, though not overwhelming. The blueberry is a bit sweeter to me, more like a cobbler, though I grew up in West Michigan, surrounded by blueberry farms so I might be a bit blueberry picky. The vanilla isn't the sticky sweet vanilla, rather it is a bit easier on the nose.

I've repurchased the grapefruit (now living on my desk at work) and the blueberry (in a "cool auntie" Christmas gift for my 5 and 7 year old nieces). Love them!

Aveeno



This is a crazy number of disclosures. First, I'm an Aveeno blogger, so I get a first look at products. I blog about the ones I love and I'm honest in my reviews. Read the post above to see why there are 2 more disclosures.

Laura Mercier Twilight: A Nail Polish to Lust After

Have you seen this new Laura Mercier nail polish? It's the first she's released in years and I luuuuuvs it! Twilight is a dark purple sparkle that is right up my alley. I would not be disappointed to find this in my stocking (hint, hint!)

Laura Mercier

Tom Ford Violet Blonde: A Subtle and Classic Violet Fragrance for Every Day

When I think of Tom Ford, I still very much think of his Gucci years. The very sexual and sleek Euro styling, a lot of black and gold. I don't think classic and subtle. But, that's exactly what this fragrance smells like.

“Violet Blonde has the spirit of a classical, European fragrance. It is formal, polished, and yet draws you in closer and closer, like a beautifully dressed woman whose refined presence charms, then fascinates, and ultimately seduces you.”
-Tom Ford

If you like violets, you definitely need to check out this fragrance. It opens with a fresh and slightly green violet note, which is predominate and sticks around for the entire time. But, this isn't an overwhelming sweet violet. Instead it is more subdued and slightly green, more like you took a few violets and their leaves and crushed them under your foot. After about 30 minutes things deepen a bit as a subtle jasmine note becomes more noticeable.

Notes:
Top Notes: Violet Leaf, Italian Mandarin, Baie Rose
Middle Notes: Tuscan Orris (2 forms), Jasmine Sambac
Base Notes: Creamy woods, Benzoin, Cedarwood, Haitian Vetiver Absolute

This fragrance works for pretty much any occasion you'd wear a pencil skirt. Work, out for dinner, brunch with your Nana... It's classic and floral without being overly granny.

Love it!

Tom Ford

China Glaze's Hunger Games Collection: Colors From the Capitol

A little birdie sent me an email today with fresh info on the Hunger Games collection. After all of the brouhaha, things are finally smoothed over and the collection is confirmed many times over. The colors are the same, I believe the names are slightly different, though I'm just as excited about these shades as I was before!

I need them all, though I fully admit that the muted rose shade of Foie Gras is really calling my name, which was a bit surprising to me. I need it! What do you think? Which look most interesting to you?

China Glaze

Laura Mercier Luxe Colour Portfolio

This palette is perfect for travel. It has everything you need, and while slightly leaning toward cool toned skin, it is neutral enough to work for pretty much anyone.


Six Eye Colours:
• Primrose – sateen finish
• African Violet – luster finish
• Merlot – sateen finish
• Truffle – matte finish
• Topaz – luster finish
• Stellar – sateen finish

Three Tightline Cake Eye Liners:
• Ground Espresso
• Black Ebony
• Burgundy Wine

Two universal Cheek Colours:
• Rose Petal
• City Pink

Travel Brushes
• Ponytail
• Crease
• Flat eye liner

$98 Laura Mercier

Maybelline Lots of Lashes: Yet Another Re-Do?

Pretty recently, I shared with you a little review of Maybelline Great Lash Big Edition. It was a dramatic improvement over the original, much touted version. Maybelline released not 1, but 2 new versions of Great Lash this fall. This second version is actually quite a bit different than the Big Edition. The main difference is obviously the brush: nylon bristles versus molded plastic. But, I believe (at least based on what I've read, I don't have confirmation from Maybelline) that the actual mascara formula is basically the same for all 3 versions.

The Lots of Lashes advantage is that the bristles do a great job of keeping the lashes separated and not clumpy. I do have a bit of a hard time getting great volume and length, simply because the bristles seem to put very thin layers of mascara on to lashes. I really have to push quite a bit to get the mascara on to my lashes. Once I've gotten it there, I have good volume and length. It lasts all day (though there is a bit of volume loss), without any flaking or smudging issues.

I've had great success with this mascara as a second layer of mascara. Apply a volumizing mascara, which might have clumping issues, and rather than using my mascara brush to pull things apart I pull out this mascara. The brush does a great job of separating things back out. I usually curl, apply my 1st mascara and before it has a chance to dry. Then I move on to my other eye.

What do you think? Are there any mascaras that you save for layering?

Maybelline Lots of Lashes

Avon Pretty Polished Mini Set

This set is so cute for a stocking stuffer! The bottles are little and would be great for trying out a new color or for travel.

Included shades: Midnight Plum, Glitter Silver, Real Red and Glitter Gold
$7.99 at Avon

CHI Infrared Curling Iron Review: Faking a Blowout and Creating Beachy Waves with a Curling Iron

So, I've long been a fan of curling irons. You would be too if you grew up with my straight hair. So, in high school I had about... 4 curling irons? I had all sizes. 1/2 inch up to 2 inches. And then I had my crimper (left over from the 80s), hot rollers... you name it. Anything to avoid leaving my hair super straight all the time.

Fast forward a lot few years (ok, maybe more than a few...) and that big collection of curling irons has been lost over the years. Maybe they were lost in my many moves during college (to and from the dorms, into an off campus house with 5 guys, then an apartment with a friend from high school, etc) or maybe they broke and I threw them away. Who knows? The main thing is that for the last couple of years I've been down to just the boring 1" curling iron. So, when Misikko asked if I'd review a product, I pounced at the chance to have a different size curling iron.

I was sent a Chi Infrared 1.25 inch curling iron. I haven't actually been able to find this exact curling iron on-line, so it may have just been discontinued? But, looking at the images on-line it looks pretty similar to the other professional curling irons carried by Misikko.

You can see that while this is a sturdy curling iron, it is pretty basic. A simple on-off switch, no temp controls or anything. It does heat up very fast which I liked and it was refreshing to be able to just turn something on again.

I've been trying to take pictures of my hair efforts with this curling iron... but the lighting and photo gods have not been on my side. The great thing about a curling iron this size is that it is even more versatile than a 1" iron, which is too small for me to straighten my hair. Yes, straighten my hair!

I used to do this years ago, before flat irons were everywhere. I've found that it is much faster than a flat iron, mostly because I can handle bigger chunks of hair with a curling iron than a 1" flat iron. As well, the ends of my hair are much easier to deal with using my curling iron. A very small amount of curl looks best and it is a much easier to replicate result for me than using a flip of my flat iron. Recently, Sarah from Confessions of a Product Junkie featured how to fake a blowout with a curling iron, and I can't explain it any better than her. This is what I've been doing for years!

I've also been trying to master Mindy's Wavy Hair over at Dear Emmie. This isn't too complicated, but I want to have it downt o a 5-10 minute science. I'm still at 15-20, so things are looking a little slow.

What's your favorite size of curling iron? Do use it to straighten or curl?

Misikko

Give the Gift of Amazing Hair: Moroccan Oil Gift Sets

I'm sure you've heard of Moroccan Oil by now. You know that it can create smooth, luscious and frizz free hair with just a few swipes of your hand. Seriously. It is amazing.

This holiday season the folks over at Moroccan Oil have put together a few sets of products that are perfect for trying out a few new products or spoiling someone you love.


1. For all hair types needing moisture and repair:
Moroccanoil Treatment (25 ml), Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo (250 ml) and Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Conditioner (250 ml)
Price: $60

2. For fine hair needing volume:
Moroccanoil Light (15 ml) (for fine and light colored hair), Moroccanoil Extra Volume Shampoo (250 ml) and Moroccanoil Extra Volume Conditioner (250 ml)
Price: $60

3. For fine hair needing hydration:
Moroccanoil Light (15 ml), Moroccanoil Extra Volume Shampoo (250 ml) and Moroccanoil Weightless Hydrating Mask (250 ml)
Price: $75

4. For frizz control and hydration:
Moroccanoil Treatment (15 ml), Moroccanoil Frizz Control (100 ml) and Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask (250 ml)
Price: $75

5. For curly hair:
Moroccanoil Treatment (50 ml) and Moroccanoil Curl Control Cream (250 ml)
Price: $60

6. For all hair types needing moisture, repair and hydration:
Moroccanoil Treatment (15 ml), Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo (250 ml) and Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask (250 ml)
Price: $64

Moroccan Oil

Win It! Kate Somerville Winter Essentials from Refinery 29

I'm definitely a fan of Kate Somerville. From my beloved ExfoliKate to their gentle and perfect cleansers and moisturizers. Which, I'm realizing as I write this that I somehow haven't written about the Daily Wash or Nourish previously. I've used them both and really loved them! They get the job done, aren't irritating and I think that the Nourish is particularly amazing. It is usually one of my go-to winter every day products for between product testings. It is hydrating but not "too much" for my combination skin. Love it!

Over on Refinery 29 , you can buy a Winter Essentials kit, which is perfect for travel, to try out new products or as a holiday gift.

Included in this set:
•Gentle Daily Wash (4 oz.): a gentle, sulfate-free gel that easily removes makeup and pore-clogging debris.
•Clinic-To-Go Resurfacing Peel Pads (16 pads): a convenient peel that rejuvenates your complexion and reduces the appearance of fine lines and acne scars. This is one of Kate Somerville's best selling products, and I haven't tried them out yet. I've heard they're great!
•Nourish Daily Moisturizer (.5 fluid oz.): a hydrating cream that I love as a daily moisturizer in the winter or as a hydrating night cream in the summer. It has anti-aging ingredients as well.

Refinery 29 has offered to give a Winter Essentials kit to one 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic reader!





Kate Somerville Winter Essentials from Refinery 29

Spa Ritual Cuticle Set: A Little Extra Pampering

It's so easy to get excited about new polish colors that you completely overlook basic nail care (**raises her hand and fully admits to being guilty!**)

This great set from Spa Ritual has some products that help you keep your cuticles looking amazing, perfect for the dry harsh winter.

• Cuti-Treat Cuticle Gel: A nourishing and hydrating gel that helps to treat dry cuticles.
• Nutri-Thick: Helps to thicken and grow thin, weak nails
• Cuti-Cocktail: An oil complex with Evening Primrose, Grapeseed and Aloe Oil that helps to smooth and hydrate skin. Comes in a convenient pen.

$30, Spa Ritual

Laura Mercier Book of Nudes

Nude eye shadow collections were all the rage this year (Urban Decay anyone?), though I really don't think that one nude palette will work for everyone. This palette is best for those with a warm toned complexion, probably a bit darker than me (which means everyone except for Nicole Kidman and Phyrra, so that's about 99.% of people).

Included in this palette is a great combination of shadows, an eye liner and 3 Crème Veils, which are basically creme blushes but could be used any where.

8 Eye Colours
• Buff: soft neutral cream, matte finish
• Tiger’s Eye: sparkling chocolate brown, sequin finish
• Sandstone: pale peachy pink, sateen finish
• Bamboo: golden brown shimmer, luster finish
• Baroque: warm terracotta, sateen finish
• Fresco: neutral beige brown, matte finish
• Granite: smoky grey, matte finish
• Cocoa Brown: shimmering brown, sateen finish

1 Tightline Cake Liner:
• Ground Espresso: universal black-brown

3 Crème Veils:
• Bronzer Veil: universal bronze
• Cheek Veil: matte rose peach
• Glow Veil: radiant neutral beige shimmer


$48 Laura Mercier

Korres Lip Quad

These colors are pretty universally flattering. A great gift for a work friend or a stocking stuffer.

This set is available from HSN

Avon Foot Works Lavender Collection

Any foot product collection that includes items like an overnight moisturizer, a mask and a soak is alright in my book. I love that this set is the ultimate in pampering those little tootsies!

Included:
• Overnight Treatment Cream (3.4 oz.)
• Comfort Foot Soak (3.4 oz.)
• Clay Mask (3.4 oz.)
• Cozy Lavender Striped Socks

$12.99 at Avon