Uh-Oh! What else did I get? Well, I've been looking for extra moisturizing skin products, but something more natural and healthier. While at Winners, a Canadian version of TJMAXX, I ran into a skin product section, a small section, and there I have found great quality products that are more expensive online (50% more!).

I've picked up Herbaflor Certified Organic Rosehip Oil:

Helps even out skin tone. Smoothes wrinkles. Instant improvement to skin health. Nourishes and hydrates ageing skin. Moisturises and soothes dry skin. Balances oily skin and reduces appearance of blemishes. High in essential fatty acids to increase skin elasticity. Rich in skin-repairing vitamins and antioxidants. Suitable for all ages and all skin types. No preservatives, colours, additives or fragrance. Super-light and easily absorbed. Certified organic(USDA). source:amazon.com

I've used it only a few times, but it works immediately, especially when my face is super dry. This oil feels pure and clean. I will review it soon.

What else? I have found Green Beaver Winter Face Cream. It's Canadian, 100% natural, vegan, gluten free, and biodegradable. I'm looking forward to trying it!

Extra rich shea and cocoa butter will replenish tight, dry skin caused by cold Canadian winters. Non-greasy and quick absorbing. Naturally suitable for sensitive skin. source:well.ca

Another item I've picked up is a warm-honey-nectar hand lotion from Naturally Upper Canada for only $4. Hand lotion for winter months is a must-have, and this size is perfect for any of my handbags. This soothing lotion smells natural and not overwhelming like most other hand lotions packed with cheap fragrances.

Oh, and I dropped by the Body Shop not too long ago and picked up Nutriganics Smoothing Eye Cream. It has decent reviews (3.7/5 on makeupalley.com), packaged perfectly, smells fresh, and has an immediate effect around my eyes. I will be reviewing it very soon!

 INDIVIDUAL REVIEWS TO COME!

I am obsessed with sweaters, silky tops and blouses, mini-skirts and shorts! And I can't say NO when I see a good deal (say 50%-75% off the original price). Sigh.

I've payed $10-$40 per item, and a few Material Girl tank tops were as cheap as $7! Yay!

Found brands like: Material Girl, Kensie, Jessica Simpson, Vero Moda, Moon (available in Canada), Calvin Klein, and Kersh (Vancouver based brand).

Sadly, I caught the flu, with some symptoms of a stomach flu (such as abdominal pain and vomiting). Yikes! It was awful for a few days, but now I am feeling much better! It was nothing compared to last year, when I've battled pneumonia for a few weeks (it can be deadly), and had to recover for months.

Apparently, the number one thing I can do is to obsessively wash my hands, thoroughly and frequently. Or perhaps use a hand sanitizer, and maybe I should carry a mini-sanitizer in my purse. I've also recently read that Vitamin C has never been proven to fend off a cold or flu. So, I cant rely on eating oranges non-stop...but maybe orange tea?

Sleep definitely helped. Just yesterday I slept for 12+ hours, and if you're fighting the flu, sleep deprivation is a no-no...and could worsen the symptoms. Eek!

So here are the rules to follow according to Women's Health November 2011 issue:

• Wash my hands - Or use sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
• Moisturize my air - Very humid air might be toxic to viruses 
• Skip Drinking - Too much alcohol impairs my white blood cells' from fighting viruses
• Don't Rely on C - Vitamin C doesn't do much
• Sleep More - That's an obvious one
• Taste the Rainbow - Eat your berries, red beans, and bright fruits
• Drink lots of Green Tea!

I love hats of any kind! Come winter months, and I have them on almost 24/7 ( must be bad for my hair! ). My favourite brands: Forever 21 has cute and very affordable hats, and so does Aldo, and occasionally the department stores like the Bay, Macy's, or Nordstrom have a lot to choose from! Also worth to visit: Winners in Canada, and TJMAXX in the U.S.

This balm was included in my October Glymm box. It claims to be extremely nourishing, a spa treatment. First of, it smells like natural Shea butter, and has no funky aftertaste, in case you get it in your mouth. Once applied, the balm feels like butter on my lips without being too greasy. There is minimal shine, and just enough of a plumping effect.

This was my first time using Principessa product. The company is Canadian, based out of Vancouver, and ships Internationally! Here is a link to their cute yet practical website!

PROS:

• minimal shine
• pout-perfecting/plumping
• smells good
• works immediately
• no funky taste
• reasonably priced
• natural ingredients
• packed with Almond Oil, She Butter, Vegetable Oil & Vitamin E
• cute, and practical packaging

Value: 5/5
Packaging: 5/5
Price: $$

Overall: 5/5 

Would I buy it again? YES!

Recently, I finished reading my Elle Canada November edition and found a few mentions of new products that I would love to try: Marcelle Fantasia Winter 2011 palette, and Schwarzkopf Professional BC Bonacure Oil Miracle Light Finishing Treatment. The Marcelle palette is $15, and looks promising! The BC Bonacure Oil has very few reviews, but everyone's been raving about it, and this makes me want to try it out.

Here is the ad for Marcelle's Fantasia:

It's finally here! And I may be the last one to get it since I am located in Vancouver, so far away from Quebec, the province of its maker. But it sure was worth the wait! I've got designer nail polish, face products, fancy hair care samples, and Annabelle smudge paint in blue!

Oh boy. I'm taking this afternoon to organize my tiny closet and the very narrow bathroom drawer. I've been too busy to keep it always organized. And now I have to go through the piles of clothing and organize them by categories and color.

When items are all over the place I get quite anxious and have hard time focusing. Does this ever happen to you?

Before and After of my bathroom drawer:

Today I was browsing through beautiful oversized rings sold at Forever 21. They are stunning, well-crafted (for the most part), and extremely affordable. The price range is from $4 to $8...and the ring would last for a year or two...although mine last for a lot longer since I don't wear them as often. Take a look at the ones I've tried on:

This was a gift from Temna Fialka, a Canadian costume and accessories line designed and produced in Edmonton, Alberta by Natasha Lazarovic. All of her earrings are constructed from previously owned materials/items!

I love earrings and often purchase the new stuff with feathers and such, but I haven't tried them because my ear's aren't pierced! I know, I'm a little strange. I will try piercing my ears as soon as I can, and hopefully they won't grow back in!

I couldn't resist a sale at Aldo! This small satchel was less than $25, and the animal print clutch ended up being $17.50. Yay! And please take a look at the feather earrings. They are trendy, well-made and only $10. Should I stop now? Or should I continue shopping online?

So many awesome things!

I was in need of a tinted moisturizer and purchased Clinique Moisture Sheer Tint SPF 15 in Fair, plus a bonus! And of course, the best part is the deluxe samples in the bonus package! Included was Clinique's classic products and shades that work for all skin types.

THE BONUS:

• Liquid Facial Soap / 30ml / Step 1 in Clinique's 3 step Skin Care System
• Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Moisturizer SPF 20 / 15 ml
• Soft-Pressed Powder Blusher / in New Clover / 2g
• Lash Doubling Mascara / in Black / 3.4ml 
• Different Lipstick  / in Different Grape / 4g
• Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 / in Air Kiss / 2.3ml
• Cosmetic Bag

I have previously reviewed another mask by PureDerm that I've picked up at Forever 21 for $1.80 CAD, and loved it! Because I liked how soft my skin felt afterwards, I've purchased a few more treatment masks by Pure Derm, including Skin Softening Yogurt Mask in Strawberry.

PureDerm Botanical Choice Skin Softening Yogurt Mask contains 'a unique blend of yogurt extract and strawberry' provides immediate smoothness and radiance to my complexion. I was pleasantly surprised at how renewed and smooth my skin felt—the yogurt extract, phyto-collagen, and milk ingredients help to refine and brighten the skin. 

HOW TO USE:

• Clean your face
• Apply evenly over face and neck
• Wait for 20 minutes
• Rinse with water

This product is made in Korea. It's easy to use and comes in a convenient sachet. The consistency is yogurt like. And it smells great - fresh and clean! No stinging and no burning! 

Value: 5/5
Packaging: 5/5
Price: $

Overall: 5/5 

Would I buy it again? YES!

This was my look for October 30th, the day before Halloween. I decided to play around with a tube of fake blood and Ardell Fright Night Cleopatra Lash Kit.

I've got this fragrance in Spring/Summer 2011. It's sweet, light, fresh, and appropriate for women in their 20s. It has strong mango and blood orange notes which I love, but may seem too fruity for others. Some of the reviewers described it smelling like "the tropical fruit cocktail that you can expect for breakfast on a tropical beach." Yum! And it makes you feel happy!

PROS:

• fruity with a hint of citrus
• delicious
• lasts up to 6 hours
• sweet
• mood enhancing
• gorgeous design

CONS:

• doesn't last long on some skin
• expensive
• too sweet and fruity for some

Makeupalley.com rating: 4.3/5

Quality: 5/5
Value: 4/5
Packaging: 5/5
Lasting Power: 3/5
Price: $$$

Overall: 4/5

Would I buy this again? Yes!