Sparkle Sparkle December

Did I ever mention my love for things that sparkle? From diamonds and sequins to sugar crystals on cookies.... give me the sparkle! Makeup and beauty products not exempt, so when I discovered three amazing Canadian companies offering sample and full-sized beauty items monthly for a small subscription fee, I knew I was going to be hooked.


Those who know me, know how much I love makeup, freebies and waiting for the mail to arrive everyday. So upon hearing that three of my favourite things are combined monthly, I quickly jumped on the chance to give it a try.


The three companies are Loose Button - Luxe, Glymm and Top Box. I purchased my subscriptions in November which meant that my first box arrivals would be just in time for Christmas. However Top Box, whose popularity has been so overwhelming, was completely sold out until May 2012! I filled out a personalization questionnaire for each company and stalked my mailbox in anticipation.


The first to arrive was the Luxe box and I immediately opened it to see what goodies awaited. 

Pretty box but unfortunately not re-useable.

I absolutely love that it was made for me! Tiny gestures of personalization go a very long way!

What I was awaiting.....awesomeness!

My Luxe box contained the following: 

• DDF Advanced Firming Cream (14 grams) *48 g retails for $130.
• Prada Candy Perfume Sample (1.5 ml)
• Prada Infusion D'Iris Perfume Sample (1.5 ml)
• Lise Watier Plumpissimo Full-Size lipgloss
• Essie Full-Size Nail Polish
• Chocolate Coin

I was never more excited, as everything in the box I could use, even the firming cream. The perfume samples were perfect and in fact the Infusion D'Iris is one of my all-time favourites. The plumping lipgloss is a staple in my beauty arsenal so receiving a full-size sample was wonderful. The nail polish is so subtle and neutral that I can easily wear it for any occasion. Needless to say, I was very happy!

I continued stalking the mail and waiting for my Glymm box to arrive. Unfortunately due to the holiday season, it ended up being delayed until today. Nonetheless, I tore it open immediately!

PINK and its so sturdy that I will be able to re-use it!

It wasn't personalized, but I do love ribbon.

The goodies!

My Glymm box contained the following: 

• Principessa Beauty Fresh Fiore Body Wash Full Size
• Lise Watier Flash Lift Radiance sample
• Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream 15ml
• Yves Saint Laurent Parisienne perfume sample 1.5ml
• Sula Lip Gloss Full Size
• Glass jar of jelly beans

At first glance, I was a bit disappointed as I didn't recognize some of the items, but I reminded myself that the whole point of these boxes was to try out different things. The body wash and perfume are a bit too floral for my liking, but I may still use them. The hits in this box though are definitely the fruity and smooth Caudalie handcream which smells just like oranges, the sheer Sula lipgloss which gives just a hint of berry colour and taste and the mini glass jar which I can re-use in my office. The Watier eye lift serum... well I will need to give this a try during a busy week at work to see its effects, but I am hopeful.

Overall, I am so very satisfied and can't wait until next month's arrivals! If you received something different, send me a comment as I'd love to hear about what arrived for you!

Merry Christmas

This year's holiday festivities just weren't as upbeat as previous years. I'm blaming it on the lack of snow knowing fully well that I might just regret that statement when the white stuff does decide to make an appearance!

I am however very thankful for the love of my friends and family. I was lucky enough to spend Christmas Eve watching Oliver! and The Sound of Music with my husband. He was off to work early Christmas morning but we managed to enjoy a warm breakfast and open up the gifts Santa left. Last night we reunited with friends for our annual Christmas Dinner and I am feeling more than full today.

Santa was very good to us this year and I am ever so thankful!

My goodies.... fudge, chocolate, coffee, a gorgeous Coach purse, Scrabble, Bobble water
and a hot pink Kobo Vox e-reader!

One item not pictured but will most likely make an appearance on here... my new deep fryer! I can already taste those deep-fried Mars bars and batter-coated balls of buttery goodness.... 


So from our house to yours... hope you had a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Oh, Christmas Tree!

Growing up, an artificial tree graced our living room while hubby's home always set-up a freshly cut real tree. We have been going back and forth this year with the artificial vs real tree argument with each of us wanting what the other had growing up.


Last year, being our first married Christmas, we indulged in a beautiful real tree but this year we put an end to the debate and purchased an artificial one. Now, I will admit it is a gorgeous tree, however I am missing that fresh pine smell that enveloped our home last year. Maybe we can alternate...one year artificial...one year real? 


Well... no matter what the future may bring for Christmas' to come and in the joy of living in the moment and THIS holiday season.... here is our tree!

We had a helper! Finn made sure the instructions were safe!

Our Mountie Santa given to us by our dear friends.

A replica of our 5 tier chocolate wedding cake. Our one year wedding anniversary ornament. 

Its complete!

Someone doesn't want to help clean up!

Merry Christmas!

Next up...Holiday Baking... stay tuned! 

Sampliciousness

I absolutely love bargains and really who doesn't? So when I heard about Kraft's Samplicious offer, I had to check it out. I was weary at first because what I didn't want was bite-size samples of random things, but boy was I ever surprised!


Kraft's limited time offer included:

All FULL SIZE items for a whopping total of only $10.45. Now, I needed to really justify these items and whether we would actually use them in this household. After skimming through the list of items I would receive, I decided to go for it. 


The cream cheese, cheese twists and salad dressing alone would be well over the $10.45 and are staples in our household, which made the rest BONUS! I pressed submit and waited for the package to arrive.

22 days later and its arrived! Nothing is more fun than getting large packages in the mail, so it made this promotion just that much more exciting.

I promptly opened the box and it was packed full to the brim. 

Everything was full-sized and they included free coupons for the refrigerated items. I am more than impressed and can't wait to see if they provide another offer like this. Its an absolute steal.... now excuse me while I try out those Chips Ahoy middles.... ;)

Saturday Stuff

Its starting to get chilly around here...very chilly! We haven't seen the white stuff yet, but I know its only a matter of time. 


I haven't posted a "favourites" post in a while and this being a lazy weekend for me, I've been able to collect a few items I'm currently coveting. With winter hovering just around the corner, I've started eyeing a few holiday dresses, winter coats and boots... lots of boots! A girl can never have enough boots...

The Sumptuous Satin Coat

While I absolutely adore this coat, I know its a bit impractical for the price around these parts. It would drape a party dress beautifully but then that would mean I could only wear it once or twice a year which truly wouldn't do it any justice!

Runway Lapel Coat

Perfection... need I say more? The clean and smooth lines of this beauty automatically make a it a closet classic.

Adam Organza Sequin

I almost cried when I saw this sequin dress was nowhere near my price range and then I almost cried even more when I saw that its was no longer available. Sequins and holiday parties go hand in hand and so my search continues for something similar.

From LtoR: Frye Melissa Trapunto, Frye Alex Moccasin, Frye Melissa Button

Ohh be still my heart! Do I need yet another brown boot? No...but I do want more... absolutely! I melt when I hear the word Frye and their new collection makes me jump for joy. They may not exactly 'go' with sequin dresses and gorgeous coats but I am loving them all right now.

These are my current favourites! Hope they inspire your winter fashion search!