Things I love #6

How has your weekend been so far? Mine has been great. Busy, but great. I started off with a lovely massage on Friday night at my gym and then spent all day yesterday at the I Love Beauty event. Naturally I bought a few bits and bobs while I was there and I also partook in a Lush workshop where we got to make Angels on Bare Skin and take it home! I had a great time with my friend Karin and who knows, maybe you’ll find some of the products I got yesterday in one of these posts some day. Because today I am sharing with you 10 things I have been loving lately.

Just a few of my favorite things…

The Body Shop Microdermabrasion

This first product I showed in my collective haul which I posted a few weeks ago. And to already put this in my favorites this soon should give you some indication of how quickly this has been kicked to the top of my list. I am not sure yet whether this will be a true holy grail product for me. What I can tell you is that product does what it’s supposed to do. It promises to make your skin feel smoother and look more radiant and I can already tell a difference after just a few uses. What I love most about this is its citrusy smell and the texture is lovely too: a good exfoliant that is neither too harsh but gets the job done nonetheless.

Simple Christmas decor idea

I spent last week decorating for Christmas and one thing I did was spice up part of my regular decorations with some mini lights. I now like it so much that I think I will keep the lights in here even when Christmas is over. What it is? A glass jewelry case from Xenos with some old faux pearl and beaded necklaces (most of them broke or I no longer wear). I added a string of miniature led lights on a copper wire that are battery powered (also from Xenos) and Ta-Dah! That’s your makeshift Christmas decor done.

Essence Advent Calendar

Everyone who knows me, knows that I love myself a good nail polish. Upon browsing my local Kruidvat, I spotted this Essence advent calendar that is filled with 20 polishes and 4 other nail related bits. It was half price, so I picked it up. I have been showing each item on my Instagram ever since and will do so until the advent is over. I will post a round up blog post on December 25th of all polishes including swatches.

Primark parka with teddy lining

I had a hard time thinking of a fashion related favorite for this blog post. But I then thought: my Primark parka! I bought this a few years ago and didn’t even wear it last year. I was about to throw it away when I went through my jackets just before autumn started, but I am so glad that I didn’t. It hasn’t been cold enough for a true winter coat here, but at the same time it’s been too cold for my regular fall jacket, which is a cropped duffel coat. This parka is warmer because it is lined with the softest teddy bear lining ever. It makes for a very snug jacket and that’s why I’ve been wearing this nonstop.

The Body Shop Frosted Plum

One beauty collection I have been obsessing over ever since I heard it was going to be launched is The Body Shop’s Frosted Plum line. I purchased the shower gel and body butter myself, but I also received a few items for review. I absolutely love the scent and TBS does some great products overall, so yes I am totally in love with their new Frosted Plum line for Christmas 2015.

Tea pot (Xenos)

One thing I had to shop for this month is a tea pot. I broke mine a few months ago and in the winter time I love making large pots of tea when I am home. So I knew this was the perfect time to buy one. I was going to simply replace my old tea pot with the same type, but then I spotted this and just had to have it. It is a bit fragile, but so very very awesome. It is completely clear, comes with a sifter for loose leaf tea and a copper lid. It can hold nearly 1 liter of tea so that will be plenty of tea for those long winter nights to come.

Origins GinZing Moisturizer
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion

This month I had to change up my skincare routine. I used up my Olaz moisturizers which I used for the day and night time. So I decided to bring back some old favorites. I bought and used these two products at the same time some years ago, used them up, but never reviewed them. I repurchased them both and started using them again. Since my skin is quite sensitive it has been acting up because of the sudden change in skincare, combined with the TBS microdermabrasion also in this post. But as I have been using this on a daily basis, I have been noticing my skin is getting better as it is getting used to these products. Reviews and possibly a full skincare routine will be up shortly.

Asics gel-cumulus 16 running shoes

No, I didn’t start running, but I did start working out on a much more regular basis again. Through that process, I found the shoes I was using (the Reebok Realflex 2.0) were a bit old and worn out. My feet hurt and nearly cramped up every lesson I did that involved jumping and so I set out to get a new pair. This is a very sturdy pair of running shoes that keep my feet in place and guess what?! No more cramps in my feet during a workout.

Urban Decay Vice 4

How could I possibly leave this out? To be quite honest, I haven’t had a lot of time to play with this palette yet, as a palette this bright and intense isn’t something I whip out on a regular workday and just see what happens. With a palette like this, I first want to explore multiple combinations of colors and textures before I make it part of my regular routine. I did manage to create a few looks with it so far, one of which I filmed for you. But as any Urban Decay Vice palette, the Vice 4 is an absolute beauty.

Burt’s Bees tinted lipbalm in Hibiscus

Last but not least, tinted lip balms aren’t a product that is high on my beauty product radar. But when my friend Ivy found these at her local drugstore and offered to send me some, I couldn’t pass it up. Of all the products I received (and all of which will be reviewed, don’t fret!), this one is my favorite. Hibiscus has a very natural, my lips but better shade, while still being as moisturizing as a regular Burt’s Bees lipbalm. This is a great lip product if you want to wear a bit of color on your lips, but they are too dry for wearing actual lipstick.

What products have you been loving lately?