Decorating My New House v.1: My Perfect Vanity

Okay, so I know I have been super inconsistent in my posting the last couple of weeks.. but this time I do have a legitimate excuse: I moved! not only houses, but cities, too. And jobs. And I am so very, very excited because I am now living by the sea, in a city I absolutely adore, where many of my very best friends live. However, moving can be such a pain! Packing everything up, arranging movers, unpacking everything again and arranging it... it can get a bit overwhelming at times (and it did!). So instead of letting myself be swamped by a huge to-do list, I decided to focus on the best part: decorating my house from scratch!

Being the beauty hoarder that I am, the first thing I wanted to sort out was my vanity. At my old place I didn't have the room to set a space just for me, where I could keep all my products organized and nicely stored, so when I started house-hunting I specifically looked for a space where I could arrange a gorgeous vanity to fit my needs. My needs being:

1. Sufficient room for all my beauty products.
2. Lots and lots of light (have you ever done your makeup in the dark, only to realize you resemble a drag queen once you have left the house!? not me, definitely not, never, no sir!).
3. Vintage inspired, yet not grandma-y, to match the vibe of the rest of our house.

When I was contacted by One Kings Lane, I was delighted to see that they had a ton of awesome stuff in a huge variety of styles and price ranges, and I let myself go wild looking for all the things I need to create my own perfect vanity. Fun, fun, fun! If you are wanting to update your own vanity, or add some nice touches to the one you already have, you will almost certainly find something there to fit your own style and budget. After some browsing around, here is what I ended up loving the most for my new space:

1. Vevey Oversized Mirror: In my opinion, the best way to start designing your vanity is with your mirror. A huge statement mirror will set the tone for the rest of the vanity, and you can then keep decorating around it. My favorite one from their site is this wooden one. I love the shape and color, which give it a vintage feel, but the wood counteracts its effect so it doesn't look outdated. And of course, by being oversized (29" x 45") it doesn't need a lot more to make a statement. And it brings in lots of light, too. Basically, it ticks all the boxes for me. For even more inspiration on how to make the most out of your mirror, I found this great list of 7 Ways to Work Magic with a Mirror. It is well worth a read!

2. Roland Table Lamp: I am in love with the texture of this lamp. I think it adds personality to it, while the white cotton shade keeps it sleek and clean. It also pairs perfectly with the mirror! Can you tell by now that I love things that have a lot of contrast to them? I find them so much more interesting!

3. Trellis Frame: I like the elegant feel of keeping my vanity light and neutral with some gold accents, but I still think it's fun and fresh to add a pop of color. My choice is this too-cute frame in teal, perfect to keep a picture of my boys right beside me when I'm doing my makeup. I love it a lot.

4. Apothecary bottles with gold accents: I love the old-school vibe of apothecary bottles, but sometimes they might be a little too old looking for my taste. But then I saw this chevron one and the polka-dotted one and they were exactly what I wanted to complete my vanity! Again, they are super contrasty: old bottles with modern golden accents? yes, please! I'm thinking I will put some fresh flowers in it because I love that it's kind of unexpected, not to mention fancy and sophisticated, no?

I am really happy about these four choices, I think they fit my personality and the rest of my house to a t, and I am super excited to have such a nice space to get ready every day. What about you? Do you also have a nice little haven all of your own in your home? I would love to hear about it!


This post was created as part of the "Reflect Your Style" campaign, together with One Kings Lane. 
All opinions expressed here are my own.

Full Coverage Tips For Blemished Skin

I was thinking that today we could play a fun little game: raise your hand if you enjoy breakouts...!  Come on....  Don't be shy...  Raise it...  Raiiiiise it....!!!  No? No one?

Ok fine, it seems no one likes breakouts. BUT life is funny like that and chances are you've had them or might even have one right now. What's that!? You do!? Yay, me too! We can be zit buddies today (or something less lame!).

Like any good friend, though, I am going to show you some tips and tricks I've picked up over the years to mask the little bastards. Yes, we all are beautiful, what's inside is what matters blah blah blah but let's face it: that doesn't mean that we want to walk around with a third eye. (Or maybe you do, I'm not here to judge!).

So first things first:

1. Make sure you clean your face properly: get into those pores and take out all the gunk they accumulate. 

2. Now start off with a good primer. There is no point in covering up a zit perfectly, only to have your makeup be gone half an hour later. On my last post  I also suggested using a makeup-setting spray, which is just as effective as a primer and gives a wonderful cooling sensation for when the temperatures are high. 

3. Use a full-coverage foundation. This DOES NOT mean putting eight pounds of it on your face! (which would actually be counterproductive). Start with a thin layer and build it up until you get your desired coverage.

4. Concealer! This is probably one of the most key parts of this tutorial, as what this is all about is concealing! So find a good one, and conceal the heck out of those little buggers. 

5. Another key aspect for me is to take as much focus away as possible from the culprits. So what I'll do is I will put on a bold lipstick and really play up my eyes. (Black eyeliner can do wonders for this!). There is a fine line, however, between having eyes and lips that steal the focus away from the rest of your face, and looking like a "lady of the night", if ya' know what I mean!  Oh, and if your breakouts happen to be around the cheek area, like mine, go easy on the blush. Again, we are trying not to bring attention to them!

6. Finally, don't take yourself too seriously. I used to get so miserable whenever I saw another pimple making its unwanted appearance, and I realized I was letting them ruin my mood way too often. Yes, zits still annoy me, but they don't control me anymore. And if you're like most women, you won't be able to escape them either. Kind of like your child when you are trying to go to the toilet in peace. So do what you'd do in those cases: ignore them and it will be over before you know it.


The photos above are the final look (non-photoshopped), and here are the products used for this tutorial:

- Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation in Medium Sand
- NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Ginger
- M.A.C. Studio Fix Pressed Powder in NC42
- Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids Lipstick in Shocking Coral
- Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mascara
- Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Pink Plum

Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil Review

Sometimes there are things in life that you lust after for ages (Ryan Gosling, anyone?), and then when you finally get your hands on them, they turn out to be an utter, devastating disappointment (not that Ryan would be, though!). Well, that's kind of what happened to me with the much raved-about Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil.

I'm telling you, that dude is big in the beauty community. Everyone uses words such as "luscious", "silky" and "wonder" when they refer to it. Me? more like "Oh no, you didn't!". Turns out, for some unknown reason, my skin decided to declare war on me when I put this on.

I need to say, this is the first oil I've put on my face EVER, because I produce enough as it is. However, anyone who understands skincare will tell you that putting the right oil on your face will actually stop your skin from thinking it's dry and overproducing oil. Fair enough. So i bit the bullet and got what I thought would be "the right oil". I put it on at night after my toner, a bit hesitantly but also quite smugly, thinking I was being so beauty smart.
The next morning my skin did have a lovely texture. That is, everywhere but those four zits that I had gained overnight. That's right: four. Up until then I had been feeling happy with my skin, it was (for once!) under some control, no zits in sight... and then comes this "oil" and all my hard work is gone all of a sudden... but such is life.

I was left heartbroken. My skin did feel amazing on the parts that weren't broken out, and I wanted so bad to keep using it. Not to mention I am in love with Tarte as a brand: their foundation is amazing, their lip tints are incredible, so are their cheek tints; they are an Eco-friendly brand full of good-for-you stuff, so why did the oil have to be so bad for me? I guess we'll never know...
My skin has started to recover but I still have some pigmented reminders of my short-lived affair with my first ever oil. However, I vow to remain a faithful Tarte consumer, I understand it was my skin's fault and not theirs. And I'm sure the oil won't be a waste either: my mom has rather dry skin, which I'm sure will love some of the "wonder lusciousness" that is this product.

Will I ever try another oil again? probably. There are still many my skin needs to come to terms with: tea tree oil, Rosehip oil and moroccan argan oil are next on my wishlist.

The Body Shop Body Butter Reviews

If I was stranded on an island and could only have one beauty product with me, it would definitely be a body butter. And within the body butter universe, The Body Shop ones top the list, because of their texture, their moisturizing properties and their yummy yummy scents. The Body Shop has an endless selection to choose from, ranging from subtle and floral scents to the most intoxicatingly scrumptious ones, appealing to all tastes.

I have been known to hoard body products of all shapes and sizes, and of course body butters aren't the exception, which is why today I am sharing my thoughts on the ones I have at the moment:

1. Mango Body Butter
This body butter smells so strongly in the pot, that I feared I would smell like a walking fruit salad when putting it on. However, the smell was so tropical and irresistible that I had to get it, and when I put it on, I found that it leaves me with a fresh, summery scent but not overpowering at all, which was nice to find out. This would be one of the best ones for the summer.

2. Chocomania Body Butter
By far the thickest body butter I own. I love using it when my skin is in need of some serious, deep moisture. The scent is also a lot stronger than the other ones and lingers on your skin, which I like because it smells like a delicious dark chocolate. If you like lighter body lotions though, this one is probably not for you, as it is on the greasier side.

3. Moringa Body Butter
The smell of this body butter is nothing short of divine: it is floral and delicate, and in my opinion, the most feminine one I own. I use it whenever I feel like putting a nice perfume on, as it is so subtle that it complements them perfectly. It's texture is nice and creamy and light, but equally as moisturizing. The funny thing with this one is that I always walked past it at the store, it just never caught my attention. But when I got it given for my birthday this year I was instantly hooked, I wore it all the time and was bummed when I ran out. I think it has become my favorite of all as far as scents go.

4. Strawberry Body Butter
As sweet as Chocomania and as feminine as Moringa, this is one I have to get over and over again. I love all things strawberry, and this body butter does not disappoint. It is also one of the scents that lingers on your skin the most, so I hardly ever wear perfume when I put this on. I'm not gonna lie, I love the compliments I get when I wear it. And the texture isn't too thick or too light, just right.

5. Shea Body Butter
There are two things I love about this body butter: it is the most deliciously moisturizing one of all, leaving my skin baby soft; and the fact that its light, nutty scent doesn't compete with my perfume, so I can put it underneath anything I want to wear and it doesn't overpower it. Definitely a must have for the winter to avoid dry, rough skin.

Over the years the ones I have tried that haven't impressed me (which is why I don't own them anymore) are:
- Satsuma: way too overpowering. I smelled like I had smeared a mandarin all over, and I didn't particularly enjoy that.
- Olive: this one has a lot of fans out there, but for me it wasn't bad, it wasn't good, just... meh.


If you have tried The Body Shop body butters, which are your favorite?

How To Recover From Shopaholism

My name is Veronica and I am a shopaholic. More than a shopaholic, I am a window-shopaholic. Few things feel better than browsing stores for hours (both online and at the mall), and marveling at shiny new products, perfect tops, gorgeous bikinis... and then I remember that I have bills to pay and I hesitate for a second... perhaps I can live without power for a week?  No, no, I have a toddler, I can't. And the cycle repeats itself countless times.

It all starts when I go online just to take a peak, only for two minutes, at say, the new Bath & Body Works candles. Next thing I know, I am re-planning my whole budget in my head trying to accommodate not only five different candles, but also two body lotions, three hand soaps, one room spray and one body wash. I add them to my cart, but I already know I will never checkout. I stare at them for embarrassing (and creepy!) periods of time, like a zombie. My fiancé has tried and failed to do an intervention. I have carts on several different sites including, but not limited to: Dailylook; Amazon; Target; Lush; Bath & Body Works; Luvocracy, you name it...

**This may or may not have happened to me before**

I started thinking about that thanks to Black Friday. If you don't know what this is, it is the day after Thanksgiving (aka today) when all the stores go on crazy, ridiculous, irresistible specials. Today is the day when us, the shopaholics, suffer the most: either by looking at our credit card statements after we have spent way way way too much, or by having the irresistible urge to spend but not being able to. That is why today I decided I would come up with my very own ways to overcome this addiction, and help fellow shopaholics along the way:

1. First and foremost, NEVER EVER watch "Confessions Of A Shopaholic" again. This movie is extremely counterproductive: I for one, trick myself into thinking that I can buy whatever I want because one day in the future I will just get my act together, easily get rid of all my debt and marry Hugh Dancy.

2. Pull that credit card statement out. It is scarier than watching The Shining on your own, but you gotta do it. Go over each and every item, and start making a plan on how to repay it. You will probably be so exhausted afterwards that you won't feel like going out shopping.

3. Enroll in a program to get rid of said debt, like this one from LearnVest. They will be more than happy to lecture you on your spending habits until you don't feel like doing it anymore.

4. Ask your boyfriend (or any guy, for that matter) to stay with you on a day you are particularly tempted to go shopping. They dread shopping so much that they will do anything in their power to prevent you from going.

5. If you are into alternative therapies, it couldn't hurt to try tapping. Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like: you tap your forehead. This therapy claims that by tapping on specific stress-reducing acupuncture points, you become more analytical and thus less likely to make impulse buys. Just, try and not do it at the mall or inside a store, you don't want to freak people out by going all jedi on them.

6. This one is not for the faint-hearted, and it requires you to be fully honest with yourself: take the 107 retail cards you carry. Study each one and decide which are actually useful (in terms of the rewards you get and how often you use them) and which ones only trick you into buying more unnecessary crap, only to get 20 cents off that unicorn horn powder that you "absolutely must have". Once you have identified them, take them, and snap away... you can do it!

7. Finally, repeat after me: I don't need yet another pair of boots; I don't need yet another pair of boots; I don't need yet another pair of boots... and breathe...

My Savior Products!

We all have several distinct categories in our closets. Allow me to explain:

First there are the products that you don't even know are there. One day you are spring cleaning and next thing you know you are wondering how on Earth did you end up with a couple of suspicious-looking frogs playing musical instruments.

Then there's stuff that you know it's there but never wear. You don't give it away though, because you are sure you'll wear it when you get invited to the King's granddaughter's christening/ a pig's birth / a pillow fight at the Renaissance fair. There's really no way to say this nicely: you won't. Give. It. Away.

Then there's a whole other bunch of stuff that you wear/use every now and then.

And finally, there's that stuff that you simply can't live without. You know what I'm talking about, right? That top that just goes with everything, or that cardigan you'll wear regardless of the weather because it makes any outfit look so cute, or the pants that you can dress up or down and have been known to wear (gasp!) three times in one week. Yeah, we all have them. Those garments or items that get you out of trouble; those that when you are running late and don't have time to pick the perfect outfit, you can just throw on and you know you look put together. My own stash is composed of these seven treasures items:

1. Large owl necklace from Forever 21:
This one goes with basically everything. From a casual top and jeans to a classier dress, this adds a little something extra. It is cute, fun and versatile, so I love it and wear it all the time.

2. LUSH's Dream Cream Body Lotion: I know this isn't a clothes item, but I'm telling ya': this little pot is a true savior when I am running late, and basically, whenever my skin is rebelling against me: it goes on really smoothly and absorbs immediately, barely has any scent (so it doesn't compete with my perfume), and is really soothing on dry and irritated skin.

3. Printed jeans: My go-to pants for when I'm feeling lazy: I simply put this on, grab a nice top and I'm good to go. The bonus is that the print makes it a lot less boring than your old jeans-and-t-shirt combo, so it gives the impression of having put a bit more thought to the whole outfit.

4. My Kleenex box: Another non-clothes item, but allergies hit me so very hard and when I least expect it, so a good supply of tissues is a must for me. But on top of that, the box they come in is so cute that it adds a nice little touch to my dresser and I even use them everyday to dry my face, instead of using a face cloth, which might carry bacteria (and God knows how my face would react to that!)

5. Good ol' black leggings
The most basic of basics. The possibilities are endless: you can wear it a hundred different ways, so no one has to know that it's your fourth time already this week.

6. Dress from Desigual
Boy, is this practical for when I'm late for work! This dress with some black pumps, a messy hair bun, a nice lippie and you are set for the day. And not only is it appropriate for work: I have worn this to go to the mall, a friend's house, a barbecue and all sorts of social situations.

7. Matte gold flats
What would I do without these!? Since they are matte, they are absolutely perfect for daytime, and the color allows itself to be paired with almost whatever else you are wearing. And don't even get me started on how comfortable they are! A well-deserved treat for my poor feet after enduring high heels all week. I wear them so often, that they are a little worn by now, as you can probably tell:

Now over to you: what are your lifesaver products?

My Nighttime Skincare Routine Plus Reviews

Finding just the right products for your skin is no easy task: for me it has been a trial-and-error process, and it can sometimes be very daunting and disheartening when I have high hopes for a product and the results are disastrous (LUSH Fresh Farmacy, I'm looking at you!). Right now though, I am pretty satisfied with these four gems, and although my skin is far from perfect, they are delivering pretty satisfactory results at the moment:

Let's start with the first one:

Neutrogena Deep Clean Oil-Free Makeup Remover Wipes: These and The Body Shop's Tea Tree Cleansing Wipes are the only wipes I have ever tried that do not break me out. However, I prefer the Neutrogena ones, as the Tea Tree Oil tends to burn my face slightly, for some reason my face reacts to them (not strongly, though). And considering they are half the price ($6.39 USD) I am likely to just stick with Neutrogena.

They are the first product I use: they get rid of the first layer of makeup, and I also remove all of my eye makeup with these as the other products aren't really suitable for the eye area. I wouldn't recommend using only cleansing wipes, as they really can't get rid of all the dirt and gunk, and the face just doesn't feel clean. 

Then, I use the Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser:

 It has a lovely, soothing texture and it continues to get rid of all the makeup the wipes left behind. It claims to help prevent breakouts thanks to the salicylic acid. I am actually neutral on that: I don't think it particularly prevents them, but it also doesn't cause them. Plus, its texture calms my skin and it is very good at removing makeup and dirt.

Then I move on to LUSH's Let The Good Times Roll Cleanser:

I just have to say that this product is Heaven sent! Being a huge Lushie, I had heard all of the hype surrounding this product: nearly every day someone would express their disappointment that it had been discontinued, and I kept wondering what could possibly be so darn great about it. Then they brought it back (this time permanently) around a month and a half ago, and I decided I had to see for myself.

I have to say here, that I was extremely hesitant to purchase it, as the description states that this is for "all skin types". Now usually, I would stay miles away from any product that is meant for all skin types, as my face has declared war on anything that isn't specifically for oily skin. But this time curiosity got the best of me, and I ordered the small pot (Now I wish I had ordered the larger one!). The first thing I noticed is its yummy scent: it smells of corn and caramel, but not in an overpowering or overly sweet way, it is very subtle. Then, I grabbed a pinch of it, just a little pea-sized one, as a little goes a long way, and mixed it with water to create a paste. I massaged onto my whole face, and was afraid it would break me out because it felt very moisturizing. When I rinsed it off, it did leave my face feeling soft and supple, but also squeaky clean. I have now been using it for around two weeks, and not only does it not break me out at all, but my face is softer than ever. I never ever put moisturizer on at night because my face would just go nuts, but with this product I don't even have to! I have now become one of the thousands that swear by it.

If it is starting to get really cold where you live, then run don't walk to get this! your face will be desperately needing some hydration, no matter your skin type, and this product will give it just that in the nicest possible way.

Using these three products leaves my face completely makeup- and gunk-free. For my makeup and skin type, this is the only way I feel truly clean.

Finally, I top off my routine with Clinique Anti Blemish Solutions Clarifying Lotion, a toner that unclogs pores and absorbs excess oil. Since I've been using it, I have definitely noticed a difference in the amount of oil on my face. It contains significant amounts of salicylic acid, so I don't recommend it for sensitive skin types, as it can be a little irritating (it does tingle a little when I put it on).

So far, my skin hasn't declared war on me with this routine, so I don't think I'll be changing it any time soon. Don't fix what ain't broken and all that, ya know?

Socially Conscious Christmas Gift Ideas

There are two types of people in this world: the earlybirds who have already started their Christmas shopping, and the ones who leave it until the last minute and find themselves running around on Christmas Eve trying to find the perfect gift for Aunt Muriel (which, let's face it, will either end up being a book voucher or a fruit basket). I have been known to be the latter. This year, however, I decided to be different and hopefully have around 30% of my list crossed off by the 1st of December. A girl can dream...

With that in mind, I started thinking about what sort of presents I would like to give this year. I also really want to try to be less commercial with my shopping, and be more socially conscious about who I am supporting. Small business owners often have amazing and creative stuff, and definitely more original than mainstream. Also, since they aren't mass-produced, the quality of the products is likely to be better.

If, like me, you want to get a head start with your shopping, here is a list of some rad small businesses and how they can help you out. Or, you could wait until the 24th and come back to this post to make your life easier. You are welcome.

1. For your bad-ass mom who loves the simple, elegant things in life: this Turquoise Oracle necklace from Soul Makes

 
2. For your little sister who is an aspiring fashionista: these cute heart-shaped Silver earrings from LilyEmme Jewelry

3. For your classic and sophisticated father, this messenger laptop bag from Sew Much Style

4. For your little bro who lives for comic books: a cellphone case from Bluez Skiez

5. For your bestie who has recently developed an obsession with all things pink and vintage: these vintage drop earrings from Jacaranda Designs

6. For your eco-conscious, meditative and somewhat hippie aunty: an opium, sandalwood and soy candle from VoodooWick

7. For your pet-loving little cousin: a rad pocket journal from Mountains Of The Moon.

8. For that friend you always take with you to pamper yourselves: a bath bomb gift set from Elegant Rose Boutique

9. For your stylish and ever-so-practical workmate: this fun green and ivory tote with leather bottom from Milo And Molly

10. For your boyfriend's newborn nephew: a too-cute-for-words hat from She Makes Hats

11. For your cousin whose life-long idol and role model is Julia Child: a super chic apron from Annabel's Aprons

Wedding Gifts For The Couple Who Already Has Everything

My fiancé and I have been living together for four years now. Even though we have moved a lot (and I mean a lot!), we still have pretty much all the basics for our house. And we even plan on making another big move circa 2015. For some guests, this might pose a problem, as we don't exactly need any more salad bowls. Like us, many more couples are living together way before getting hitched, so I decided to compile a list of some thoughtful gift ideas to give to the couple that already has everything. Even if you don't have a couple-to-be to give these to, the holidays are approaching so here you can find an idea or two for some of the people on your list:

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12

All these gifts are thoughtful, heartfelt and original. Take #1, 5 and 6, for example: no matter how prepared a couple is before getting married, there are always going to be bumps along the way, maybe even times when it seems easier to just walk away. Books like these make you realize that with a lot of love and patience most obstacles can be overcome. 

Gift #2 is a very meaningful one, specially for a couple who comes from two completely different parts of the globe. 

The personalized stationery (#8) and cutting board (#9) are just too cute, as are the picture frames that serve as mementos of their journey as a couple (#12).

If you want to give them something that carries a lot of meaning, try #10, which is a Health, Happiness and Wisdom reliquary box, with best wishes for the newlyweds; or #11, which allows the couple to send each other messages in a very original way.

If the couple is very traditional, but you don't want to give them just some boring old gifts, #3 and #4 are some creative alternatives to the typical "his n hers" gifts. And if they are the adventurous type, they will surely appreciate the Waxed Canvas Travel Zip-Case (#7), perfect for storing passports, cards, letters, notebooks or anything else they want to store in style. 

Top 5: Hand Creams

We worry about keeping our nails clean and polished, and adorning them with the latest nail art trends. But the rest of our hands also deserve that kind of attention, and they are the first ones to show signs of aging if neglected.

I have been known to collect a few (*cough*) body products, including hand creams of all kinds, so I decided to do a little review of my top 5 and why I love them:

1. Olive Hand Moisturising Cream
A product I bought in New Zealand, and wish I could get my hands on again (pun intended!). It has a relaxing herbal scent, and contains olive oil and spring water. Specially during winter, you will want to have olive oil available for your hands: it is super moisturizing and hydrating, leaving your hands silky soft and protecting them from the unforgiving weather.

2. Soap & Glory Hand Food Hand Cream
In my opinion this is the best smelling one in the lot. It smells girly and fruity and the scent lingers on your hands for quite a while. It is not greasy, goes on very smoothly and the Shea butter in it will keep your hands hydrated. A perfect, light hand cream for the summer or when you are on the go and don't want greasy hands.

3. The Body Shop Wild Rose Hand Cream
Roses, roses and more roses! I can't seem to stop buying rose-scented products, they are my guilty pleasure. The only downside is that it doesn't absorb too fast and it is definitely greasy, but this also makes it ideal for the colder months.

4. LUSH Handy Gurugu Hand Lotion
The greasiest one of the five; however, it absorbs really quickly so you are not left with oily hands. I use it every night before bed to let it sink in overnight, and wake up with soft, renewed hands. It is a must if your hands are in need of some serious TLC, or for whenever they are dry, rough or chapped, as it will deeply repair them.

5. EOS Berry Blossom Hand Lotion
If you love berry scents, you will love this hand cream. Its texture is very light, it absorbs very easily, and leaves your hands nice and smooth. My favorite one to keep in my purse, because it is small and practical, and its texture makes it perfect for applying when you just want a quick hand treatment.

Stationery Luuuuve

Before I write anything, I just want to put a disclaimer out there, to say that I am not associated in any way with the brand mentioned, I just became obsessed with their products when I first headed over to their website. It was love at first sight.

Bills aren't going to pay themselves, so having a job is (for most people anyway) a necessary, important part of life, if only because of the life lessons and relationships that come with it. However, any job can easily become boring and spiral into a never-ending routine, if you don't make it  a fun and enjoyable experience.

First, you must know that I am completely obsessed with stationery and cute office supplies. Ever since I first started consciously knowing what it was, I would marvel at different-colored notebooks, sparkly pens and markers, bright erasers and rulers, and mountains of stickers. It is an obsession that instead of ending, has grown with time and now I am the proud owner of about a hundred different notepads and notebooks that I use for anything and everything, and I have also been known to use my toddler's colored pencils more than him...  (*looks around in shame*)

When I first heard of Poppin through one of my favorite blogs, http://www.bubbyandbean.com/, I had to check it out. Next thing I know, I had spent three hours browsing their website and our dinner had burned (kind of...). I immediately decided which items I wanted for my workplace, just to add a little more life to it. So here are all my favorites:

Some goodies for the professional gal...

Pink iCushion

Lime Green Clipboard

Pink Mouse Pad

Pink Pebble Eraser

And of course there's a notebook in this list...

Racecar One Subject Notebook

I left the best for the end: A color-changing lamp in the shape of a teardrop! How absolutely perfect is this!? It is cute, bright and cheerful. Whenever you are having a particularly hard day at work, I'm sure looking over at this pretty lamp will be enough to make you forget your troubles, at least for a few minutes. Just maybe don't place directly in front of you, as it can get a little distracting...

Color Changing Teardrop Light

Aren't all these supplies absolutely adorable? How much easier would it be to get out of bed on a cold monday morning when you know these are all sitting neatly on your desk, waiting for you to arrive and begging to be used?

If you are anything like me, checking out their website can be dangerous... it will make you waste a good amount of hours, but I know you won't resist the urge, so I'll let you go now. Enjoy the rest of your day taking mental notes for your next stationery haul!