Back

It's been raining and raining here.  More rain is scheduled for today too.  ARRGH.

So, since my mom is visiting, a trip to Bloomingdales seemed like just the thing to perk us up despite the grey skies.  Bloomingdales is one of her favourite places.  And Mom, like daughter, has a fetish for bags.  She decided that this eco-friendly, reusuble version of the Bloomie's brown bag was just the thing to take back to Canada for shopping trips there!

Drugstores

I grew up five minutes’ walk from a couple of drugstores. As soon as I started earning my own pocket money, a lifelong addiction started. I can’t resist the shampoo, lip-gloss, barrettes, and now my resistance is weakened ever further since most drug stores offer travel sizes!


I have tried to curb my drugstore habit by using one that has a drive through pharmacy. This way if I really need to go to the drugstore I can avoid temptation. Anyway, yesterday I actually needed to go inside the drugstore because my mom needed a heating pad. So I ended up buying the heating pad – but also the Neutrogena wipes above.These are great - no stinging - and very affordable. I am using these for a quick swipe at night on my non-makeup days – just to grab any dirt and oil. I discovered them while I was in Canada for the holidays. (Speaking of which – I really do miss Shoppers’ Drug Mart – it’s so much nicer than American drug stores.)

Anyway, here is the list of items I “needed” that racked up my bill up to $62.82:

• Heating pad for mom
• Pink slippers for mom
• Neutrogena makeup removal wipes
• Travel size packets of Aleve pain reliever to leave in the car
• Two container, shrink wrap package of Clorox wipes
• Pump jar of Purell hand sanitizer
• Value pack of bobby pins and hair elastics
• Donation to Haiti relief

Darn my mother!

The Christmas Goose and More

My dearios, can you believe in five days it will be Christmas?  Since I am practicing to be a magazine writer, I thought I would try my hand at creating a gift guide to provide a little inspiration for those last minute prezzies for some of the fabulous gals in your life.

This duck is supercute for your new niece plus he is organic so he must be good for you. Heck, any new baby and baby momma would adore this.

Nothing is better than Tiffany! This double sided charm is perfect for that great friend who has a naughty twinkle in her eye.

For your geek girlfriend – the one who catalogues all her tunes and can’t miss an episode of Project Runway - the Apple TV is perfect.

Do you know me? I think you do – and you know I love all things Bobbi Brown. This tiny goldstone eye palette is the perfect makeup refresher to tuck into your New Year’s Eve clutch.

Feeling nostalgic for your college roommate? Recapture your youth and hers with a Muppet lunchbox!

The sanitizing stocking stuffer for your favourite sister who is a germphobe.

Cashmere in a pretty jewel tone – only $59 at Macy’s. I got this for myself with the gift card my boss gave me. It’s perfect for any gal who needs to stay warm and stylish.  I'm practicing this pose for next year's holiday card!

Canadian Shopping

I was thinking this week of doing a post on some of the companies that I really admire, which have roots in Canada.  However, I figured before I do that I would need to do a little research - I have a preliminary list in mind, so I promise I will eventually get to it.

Anyway, imagine my surprise and delight to stumble upon a Fruits & Passion store here in Scottsdale!  For those of you who don't know F&P, its a Canadian retailer and producer of wonderful bath, body and home products.  I love it because the smells are very light and fresh - not at all overpowering.

Here is the storefront.  Fruits and Passion is headquartered in Quebec and I found the look and feel of the boutique to be 100% consistent with what I had experienced in Canada.  Even better, because it was Black Friday, everything in the store was 40% off and if you spent $40 you got a 500 ml bottle of hand soap.

I thought these little mini bubble baths in holiday light bottles were so cute I bought some to use as stocking stuffers and I bought a few candles in my favourite scent - orange cantaloupe.  S gets to benefit from the $42 I spent and keep the olive oil handsoap.

If you are wondering how the holidays feel in the desert check out this cute Christmas bear hanging out among the agave plants!

Cheers! d