December 2017 Wrap Up - My New Beauty Products

2017 Wrap Up by redlipgloss on Polyvore

I'm still blown away that 2017 is over and we are on to another year.  However, I am actually happy that the holidays are done.

I know, I know, weird for me, right?  I usually love the holidays and the chaos and I did, but to a point.  Good things - Benjamin finally understood what Christmas was this past year (and loves Santa), time with family, good food, good friends and Christmas parties.  Despite the good things, it was SO BITTERLY COLD.  I am definitely not used to these temperatures and Alberta was getting to minus 35 and 40.  With the cold, it meant a lot of time was spent indoors and my little guy really likes to be outside so it was pretty hectic most of the time.

Morning Glossers!

However I did manage to get some very, very nice things this month, especially in the beauty department.  Check these out:

Ofra Cosmetics Holiday Glow Palette

Oh ladies, it's gorgeous.  I have a very fantastic best friend who knows exactly what I like.  If you haven't tried an Ofra highlighter, you need to run out and get one ASAP.  It lasts all day, the pigment is perfect and a little goes a long way.  This is the perfect palette to bring on a fancy trip as it contains everything you will need to create multiple looks.

Too Faced Boss Lady Beauty Agenda

I bought this on a whim with my Sephora Rouge coupon, mainly because I wanted the agenda.  The agenda is adorable and I've started using it but am finding it a bit too large for carrying around all the time.  (CORRECTION - I am LOVING my new planner and adore all the makeup stickers it came with).  Also, the shadows - gorgeous colors and names (Plum Pudding, etc) but it's so big and bulky.  I can honestly say that this may not have been the best buy but at least it's pretty to look at.

The Balm Cosmetics Voyage vol. 2

Quite possibly my best buy yet.  This is the only palette I'm bringing to Cambodia and Thailand which, for anyone who knows me knows, is a very big deal.  This palette has 9 shadows, one highlighter, one bronzer, 2 blushes and 2 lip glosses.  A very cute addition is the last flap which features "how-to" looks using the palette.  I am so eager to assess this on the trip and tell you all about it.

Aside from my multiple Beauty Subscription boxes, this was all the makeup I bought/received in December.  What did you glossers get?

Dear Santa - My Beauty Holiday Wishlist 2015

December Beauty Holiday Wishlist by redlipgloss 

I have quite the extensive list for "Santa" this year.  I know I am not going to be getting everything, of course, but it's still fun to put together a wishlist on Polyvore.

Like every year, my wishlist is very beauty product related.  Ha.  Honestly, what else would I want right?  This year, I would love to find the following items under my tree...

1. Stila "A Whole Lot of Love" Palette - First off, Stila is such a fantastic brand and I hardly have any Stila items in my collection.  PLUS, it's a palette so I obviously need it.  Plus, look at those gorgeous blush colors...sigh.

2. Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins Night Cream - I am in love with this cream.  I bought myself a sample a few weeks ago and seriously am in love.  You have to try this stuff out.

3. Tarte Amazonian Butter Lipstick in Coral Blossom - Ummm, I just love this color.  That's it.  Nothing else to say except it's beautiful and perfect for my upcoming holiday to Mexico!

4. Tarte Rainforest After Dark Colored Clay Eye & Cheek Palette - First off it's a limited edition AD it reminds me of my travels through Indonesia.  I don't know why but there is someting about the wooden palette.

5. Herbivore Phoenix Cell Regenerating Facial Oil - I have been on the hunt for a new serum that doesn't cost over $100 and I have read so many great things about this one that I need to try it.  Plus, it will also replace my current day cream, which makes me happy.

6. Nars Dual Intensity Blush in Adoration - Sigh, I have been eyeing this for about 4 months now and just can't seem to justify spending $55 on MORE blush.  But man, I want it.

7. Becca x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Pefector in Champagne Pop - For those that know this highlighter can comepletely understand why it's on the wishlist.  I have tried Opal and love it but seriously, this one would complete my highlighter collection.

There you have it ladies.  The list.  THE LIST.  What's on your wishlist this year?

    

Christmas 2015 - Sephora Beautiful Crush Blockbuster

I've been told, countless times, now that I have a beautiful little baby, Christmas will no longer be about gifts for me or Allan.  And it's true - there is nothing quite like watching a child during Christmas.  Their excitement is completely infectious and it reminds you of how amazing Christmas can truly be.

However, the people that said that to me OBVIOUSLY didn't see the new Sephora Beautiful Crush Blockbuster for 2015.

Sigh, it's so beautiful.  72 eye shadows, 32 lip glosses, 18 eyeliners and 6 blushes.  PLUS, the packaging this year is the best.  Everything is placed in a nice slim palette complete with little hearts and lips to keep you coming back to try more colors.

I'm absolutely in love.

It's available in Canada in October BUT if you're a VIB/Rouge member, you can purchase through the US site, which I just did this morning.

Merry early Christmas to me!!

    

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Due to a family emergency, Allan and I are flying out to Toronto immediately and I will, unfortunately, not be accessing my computer during our stay. Having said that, I wanted to say MERRY CHRISTMAS to all my fabulous friends and readers. I hope you all have a fantastic Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years!

Can't wait to read all your posts (and write my own) in the New Year!

The Ugly Christmas Sweater Party: A Recap

Best. Party. EVER.  Seriously, it was.

Saturday the 17th marked my and Allan's first Ugly Christmas Sweater Party.  And to think, we even hosted it too.  Rules were that everyone had to come in their holiday sweater ugliness and join in the merriment.  Now, where to start describing the fun?

Oh look, it's me!  This was taken right before everyone started to arrive.  Allan said that I looked " too cute" for an UCSP (Ugly Christmas Sweater Party) and forced me to wear bright blue eye shadow.  However, it didn't help at all as everyone said I looked too cute and my sweater vest was something I should wear daily.  Hmpfff...

Carmen and Nathan

Ariella, Ryan and Ted

Ted and Jamie

Mark (arm), Lori, Eva and Steve

And of course the boys - Jamie, Allan (my fiance), Matt, Ryan and Ted

Ryan, again.  (Keep a close eye on this guy)

Angie.  (Yes, we do have a real fireplace but nothing says Christmas like the Log)

Allan, looking awesome, with his crazy straw glasses and light up Christmas tree headband.

Guests are starting to arrive and everyone is looking awesome.  Some are definitely better than others (**keep an eye on Ryan as he will definitely start to look even funnier later on**).

Me and the Fuzzy Nectar jello shots.

Vodka Cranberry and Fuzzy Nectar.  Yummy jello goodness.

Everyone's arrived and the drinks are definitely flying.  So, what better way to have some fun then with jello shots???  Yes, I made both red and green shots (red being Vodka Cranberry and the green were Fuzzy Nectars.)  After many many jello shots, we were all quite inebriated...

Balloons in pantyhose are supposed to resemble reindeer antlers but this is just wrong,

Oh look!  Ted, Ryan, Carmen and Nathan got it right!

What else do you do when everyone is inebriated?  Oh, I know, you play super fun games!!  This game was especially fun with pantyhose and balloons but there was also Christmas song trivia for prizes...

Poor Ryan!!!  He was so hot in his overly tight awful sweater that Allan and him decided to cut off the arms of his sweater.  Being that Allan was drinking as much as he was, we were all surprised that this show went off without a hitch.  (aka Blood...)

After the games and the sweater cutting came the crowning of the UCSP.  We all decided that everyone would have 2 votes and the winner would get the best prize of everything....a TROPHEY.  Any guesses as to who the winner was?

Yep, you guessed it Ryan!  Isn't his sweater even uglier with the sleeves cut off?

Flip cup (an amazing drinking game) marked the end of an amazing UCSP.  Hopefully we'll have many more in the years to come.

Best. Drinking. Game. Ever.

Whew, that was one crazy party.  There was about 4 people that spent the night and we all went for an amazingly tasty breakfast the next morning.  Nothing cures a hangover like some turkey bacon, fruit and hashbrowns....yummy.  How was your weekend?  Hope everyone had a fabulous one.

Dear Santa....I've Been Sooooo Good This Year!!!!

It makes me sad to know that I stopped believing in Santa when I was 11.

I still remember that awful day when I found out he wasn't "real".  I had come home from school crying after being teased on the playground by my school mates about still believing in Santa.  I asked my Mom directly, "Mom, everyone says that Santa isn't real but I keep telling them that he is."  She looked at me and said, "Christina, it's time you knew the truth..."  Our conversation ended with me crying all evening and promising never to tell my little sister what I learned.  From that day on, Christmas was different for me.

Needless to say, my Mom still signs Christmas packages from Santa but, let's be honest, we all know the truth.  And this year, the role of Santa has fallen on to Allan's shoulders since we're having a just-him-and-I-and-no-family-Christmas this year.  Though we're on a budget because of the pending nuptials, my desires usually outshine logic during this time of year.  My ever-increasing list looks like this:

1.  Sedu Pro Ionic Ceramic Flat Iron (1")

Alright, alright, I already know that Allan got this for me BUT it was an absolute necessity that I told him the one I wanted.  First, about three or four weeks ago my straightener DIED.  Seriously, DEAD!!!  Anyway, this one came not only very highly recommended but also with tons of free goodies so I sent him the link and made sure he purchased it.

2.  Urban Decay NAKED Palette 

I have wanted this palette for quite some time, let me tell you.  And about three weeks ago, with the launch of NAKED 2, I was completely taken aback by the fact that I didn't own the original yet.  Either way, the original is still the one I want and am hoping Santa/Allan will make it happen.

3.  Sephora Monopoly Limited Edition

Yes, I am slightly nerdy but, come on, Sephora makes a Monopoloy game???  How exciting would it be to play with lipstick charms instead of Scotty dogs?  Tons if I do say so myself.  Plus, I can not wait to sit Allan down and make him play with me!!!! 

4.  Nutcracker/Swan Lake/Carmen Ballet DVD's 

Ballet as you all know is still a major passion of mine and I would love nothing more than to have a HUGE collection of ballet DVD's.  The Bolshoi, the Kirov, the National School of Ballet....it doesn't matter the company as long as they are performing one of my favorite ballets.

5.  Strawberry Shortcake Decadent Body Butter by Cake 

Have you smelled this before???  It smells EXACTLY like the Strawberry Shortcake doll I used to have.  The scent is absolutely heavenly.  Plus, Cake is a great bath/body line and their creams last a very long time on your skin.

6.  LUSH Bath Bombs

I have left this open as I am happy with ANY and ALL scented bath bombs created by LUSH.  They all smell divine, make the tub water feel dreamy and leave a gorgeous feel on your skin afterwards.  No bath time is complete without one of these bad boys in the tub.

I really really really hope you're reading this Santa.  I have been SUCH a good girl this year.  (PS - What's on your list to Santa?)

To Make Your Season Bright: Christmas Must-Haves (Part 2)

I adore the entire Christmas season for so many different reasons: One, they're the perfect excuse to overeat and indulge; two, it's a time for families to come together (despite their differences) and create new memories with one another; three, I get ti drag out all my favorite holiday-inspired decor and four, the house is always open for partying, family and new acquaintances.  It's one of the warmest and most enjoyable times of the year.

On that note, there are tons of items that make my holidays memorable and the picture (from Part 1) shows just that.  Things I need to make Christmas even more fabulous are:

The Ugly Christmas Sweater

Christmas is just not Christmas without an ugly Christmas sweater.  Seriously it's just not.  Allan and I are throwing an UCS (Ugly Christmas Sweater) Party on the 17th with prizes and everything.  I'm so stoked to take pics and share them with all of you!

The Charlie Brown Christmas Tree

I am drawn to goofy looking Christmas trees.  I have my big skinny tree up in my living room right now covered with all my favorite ornaments and I have my Charlie Brown tree in the guest bathroom.  Whenever I see a new bare, skinny tree I just have to buy it.

Presents and Wrapped Treasure

I know that I'm not the only one that loves presents but I actually enjoy giving them a lot more than receiving.  Shopping for others is one of my favorite things to do this time of year.  Plus, the best part of giving gifts is finding that perfect item for someone important to you.

Snowmen

It's no surprise that I am beyond obsessed with snowmen.  (I know I've blogged about it before.)  However, I am extremely picky about the ones I buy.  They are to be unique, different and have a really nice pecker.  (Yes, ladies, a great nose...)  My Christmas tree is filled with hundreds of snowmen doing everything from ballet to skiing to shopping to riding rockets.  I adore them all...

Ballet Ornaments

As I'm sure most of you know, I danced for many many many years.  (17 years to be exact).  I was a jack of all trades when it came to dance (tap, jazz, song and dance, troupe, ballet and pointe) but ballet was my passion.  It was my life for such a long time that it's no surprise I would collect ballet ornaments.  I have so many exquisite collector's pieces that I barely have the room to display them all.

Shortbread

Ummmm, yummy is all I have to say about this one.  I have the absolute best shortbread recipe and it is soooo easy to make.  Shortbread can be done in so many different ways and it always tastes delicious.

Elvis Presley Christmas Album

I grew up listening to Elvis.  My dad was a huge Elvis fan and played (and sang) his songs all the time.  So much, in fact, that I know every song he ever sang and wrote by heart.  Needless to say, his Christmas album is always the first one I pop into my CD player.

What are your holiday must-haves? (PS, this post goes along with Part 1 which is displayed below.)