Monday, January 26, 2009

10 Things I Love...(and can't live without)


1. Clinique Moisture Surge

I will never understand combination skin. How can parts of my face be so dry and peely, while at the same time I'm probably causing UFO accidents light years away with the reflective glow from my oily forehead and chin? Luckily I have Clinique Moisture Surge. It gives me a nice dewy complexion that lasts all day and does do a great job of moisturizing the dry areas without bothering the oily areas. Nothing else has ever accomplished this for me. Plus, it's affordable, around $30 for 1.7 ounces but you can find it on ebay and other sites for less. And, thanks to cosmeticsettlement.com, I just snagged two free jars! Remember, you only have one face, so invest in a good moisturizer. And, as my friend Beth's mom so wisely taught me years ago, "Don't forget to moisturize your neck!"


2. Gillette Venus Vibrance

It took me many years (and more $ than I like to think about) before I finally found my razor soulmate. I have been using it for a few years now and while I can't say that it makes shaving "fun" (honestly, shaving is the bane of my existence) but it does make shaving slightly more bearable. Just twist off the top, plug in a AAA-battery, push the button and it vibrates slightly, which helps prevent ingrown hairs. I've come to terms with the fact that I'm never going to have the shiny, show-stopping legs like Beyonce or Heidi Klum, but at least with the Venus Vibrance, they can be smooth with minimal effort.


3. Yerba Mate Tea

Warning...if you're looking for tea that tastes great and soothes the soul, stop reading now and skip to No. 4. However, if you're looking for a tea that keeps you healthy and slim, you should be drinking Yerba Mate (pronounced "yerba mahtay"). It's a natural appetite supressor with loads of other benefits:
Energizes The Body, Stimulates Mental Alertness, Aids Weight Loss, Cleanses The Colon, Gentle Diuretic, Accelerates Healing Process, Relieves Stress, Calms Allergies, Fortifies Immune System, Increases Longevity

South Americans have been drinking it for ages and they are some of the healthiest people on the planet. My Spanish teacher in college always drank it and she looked great, so that was endorsement enough for me. It doesn't exactly taste great, I recommend drinking it with a drop or two of honey. You can get it here and at Whole Foods, but I get mine at Trader Joes'.


4. J.Crew Cardigans

About a year ago I decided to reinvent my look. All the thrift store vintage and trendy attire just wasn't practical anymore, so I adopted a more casual approach--think jeans, flats, American Apparel Ts and, of course, cardigans. My favorite is J.Crew because of their plethora of colors. Before I moved to Florida I got rid of 50% of my wardrobe and kept only the bear essentials like cardigans and I have amassed a small collection. Dressed up, dressed down, mixed and matched, they just work.


5. "Thelma" Uggs

These are my go-to shoes. I got them for Christmas a few years back and they are still going strong. My only regret is that I got them in the color "coin" (which Ugg doesn't make anymore, but I just saw that you can get them from this site for half the price I paid, *sigh*) and I wish I'd gotten them in navy, too. Now they are only available in black or brown, which I wouldn't mind having, but I think one pair is enough for me...for now anyway.....


6. The Daily Puppy

My lease and/or lifestyle won't allow me to have a dog of my own. Therefore I must admire them from afar. I start every morning Mon.- Fri., with a cup of tea, and a trip to The Daily Puppy. This is where i get my daily dose of cuteness and that warm, fuzzy feeling that only a dog-lover can understand.





7. Found Stuff

I don't know what my inner-voyeur did before Found. Evesdropped, people-watched, snooped....(ok, I won't go that far) This book is amazing. It makes me pretty self-conscience about all the notes I've ever written and whatnot, but this book continues to provide me with countless hours of entertainment. And the website is just as good for a quick dose of "found" pleasure!




8. Tisserand Aromatherapy Roll-on Remedies

At work a vendor sent us samples of a bunch of their products, and this essential-oil roller ball is my favorite. Trouble sleeping? No problem. Stressful day at the office? No problem. If you have a problem, they have a scent for it. Don't underestimate the power of aromatherapy on the go.





9. ENTOURAGE

Vinnie, E, Turtle, Johnny Drama, Ari Gold; need I say more? Can the new season just start already? My predictions for season 5:
-Johnny reunites with Jaquline
-Eric reunites with Sloan (via Seth Green)
-Turtle gets a career of his own (finally)
-Vinnie gets an Oscar (or at least a Golden Globe)


10. DiorShow Mascara

Last but NOT least...the perfect mascara. No wonder it's a cult classic. It never smudges or gets flakey, plus it washes off with soap and water. I've been using it for about a year and a half years and I get still get compliments all the time. If I had to give away all my makeup and could keep only one thing, this would be it. I couldn't live without it. I don't know what they do to make it so special, but I hope they never stop. If you don't want to make the splurge for DiorShow, I've used Cover Girl Lashblast and it's almost as good, and half the price.

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