Okay, here goes mine...

1. Cinnabon Cinnamon Cream Clusters. Oh my gosh.....soooo good!
White chocolate, cinnamon cream, candied pecans and toffee. Need I say more? My Mom introduced me to these a week or so ago...could be dangerous. :)

2. Sonia Kashuk Bristle Brush from Target. My local Target didn't have these in stock, so my sweetie picked one up for me at the Target near him. I love it. Almost as good as a Mason Pearson and it was only $14.99.
Great for my long, fine, straight hair.



3. Landon Pigg. Especially his song "Coffeehouse". Sweet voice, I'm mesmerized.



4. Oil of Olay Definity Foaming Moisturizer. Light, but moisturizing for my semi-oily skin. I've been using this almost two weeks and I have to say, I think my face seems clearer and more translucent. If you go to www.oilofolay.com and sign up, I think you can get a $5.00 coupon.










Anxious to hear more good stuff! :)

Hi, Rosebud! Ain't hairbrushes grand? Use yours in the best of health. I've always enjoyed a good hairbrush--something I learned from my mom as a little girl and still feel the same today. I'm loving one too, the Jean-Pierre Prestige:




Also loving a comb I found recently, a Janeke carbon fiber antistatic comb. Here's a pic of a model something like mine. Mine is a little bigger but this is the closest pic I could find:




I am also liking Knorr carrot and coriander soup and Gardennay Harvest Mushroom soup. Usually Knorr soups have a phony taste to me but I just love this one and the mushroom soup is yummy:




And I'm thoroughly enjoying Aromatics Elixir and Roger & Gallet Rose Thé soap:




and my Niagara Falls fountain pen:

I discovered a Japanese skincare line called DHC. They specialize in skincare products made with olive oil. They have been a fantastic fit for my dry skin. Also, I love Bobbi Brown's cream blush in powder pink. Also perfect for dry ski.

Rosebud, I'm going to Target to get that brush today!

-Noelle

Rosebud, re the other part of your question, the only new finds among those items I posted are the comb and the soup. The other items have been around for longer times and in the case of the R&G soap, it's been in my repertoire for decades. Same with the Jean-Pierre brush.

I have had my Aveda brushes for years!!!!!

No really, I wash them air dry and am good to go.

DHC excellent range, love their oil cleanser really takes off makeup.

Me.
Oh lets see.

Prescriptives Virtual Youth Foundation in Cream. Bought a 8oz size from ebay for £17.05 including shipping from America. Couldn't get the Virtual Skin in my colour but the VY is excellent, gives the skin a glow and matches my skin tone perfectly. Oh a little goes a long way.

The strong sterling to the dollar. Sorry but it is brilliant for us shopping in the UK on ebay.

Elemis power facial with the Star Trek chair.
This chair measures your back and massages and vibrates (sp) where you need it. I swear it is amazing!!!
And then they use hot stones as well.

Angel body cream, tried it and fell in love though don't own it.

Smashbox Faces of Fashion, the last TSV on QVC. I adore Smashbox makeup.

The real suede jacket I bought in a charity shop for £3. The spare button was still attached and a bit dirty on the cuffs but otherwise perfect.

MMmmmm, Target.

I love the Sonia Kashuk travel kabuki brush. The quality is excellent, and it has a cover so I can throw it in my makeup drawer without worrying about dust contamination.

Link: http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/601-5...gt_adv_XPSD0500

My current most-favorite-ever nail color: L'Oreal 580 Stroke of Midnight. A blackish burgundy that somehow doesn't look too goth or vamp for my day job.

Link: http://www.walgreens.com/store/pickcolor.j..._sku=sku3066780

A book I can't put down: Perfume: Joy, Scandal, Sin - A Cultural History of Fragrance from 1750 to the Present by Richard Stamelman. Huge, dense, amazing. The illustrations are outstanding and the depth of literary analysis is quite amazing. There is an entire chapter just on Baudelaire. I learned the "story" behind Liu here and it doesn't matter which of the 384 pages I open this book up to, there is something interesting on it. The Times Literary Supplement called it a "lavish production and a monumental work of archival research." They were right.

Link: http://www.amazon.com/Perfume-Scandal-Cult...e/dp/0847828328

My custom 3-ring binder journal from PLE Designs. They found just the right leather, and they made it in the specialized (extra-wide) size I requested. I design and print my own filler paper and forms and cut them to size. This is where I keep most of my perfume notes, results of experiments, and alchemical formulas. It snaps closed so that my loose notes don't fall out and it's got my initials imprinted on the front cover. If I could afford to have these made for all my friends, it would be such a great gift.

Link: http://www.pledesigns.com/store-page/categ...r-journals.html

Voluspa Burmese Rosewood scented candle. Magnificent, round, soft, beautiful rosewood. "Burmese Rosewood and palisander bark join forces with the spicy-vanillic blend in tonka bean for a rich, warm, comfy aroma," says your-cosmetics.com. Forty-five hours of burntime and a handy travel top make it my favorite new carry-on.

Link: http://your-cosmetics.com/p/Voluspa_Burmes...roducts_id=1339

Coke Zero. Which tastes like regular Coke but has no calories. I don't know how they did this but it's brilliant.

Shiseido Hydro-Power Eyeshadow. Cream formula, comes with an angled brush. I'm going to use the violet as an eyeliner.

Bach's Rescue Remedy Pastilles. Little gummies with the same effect as the wonderful spray.
http://www.rescueremedy.com/products/default.asp#pastilles

Mrs Meyers cleaning products in Gingerbread. Love the dish soap and air freshener!

Dang, I need to get out more. The only 'new' thing that I'm loving these days is my car...a 2002 Saturn SL2 sedan!! I had to put my '90 Cavalier to rest.

Oh, and I did find the perfect lipstick from Avon...Ultra Color Rich in Instant Mocha.

WoooooHooooo!!! :-)

I am loving Lush's Buffy exfoliating butter bar. You use it all over in the shower and you come out so moisturized and soft. I can't believe how great this is !

http://usa.lush.com/cgi-bin/lushdb/2127?expand=Skincare

I'm getting the book -- my xmas present to myself ;-)

That book does look luscious!


Amjack, for some reason those Cavaliers really had legs. I have some friends who had one for ages too. Every once in a while a model comes up that just keeps on running. The Dodge Dart was another one of those. You kept seeing them around for 15-20 years. Wishing you the best with your new Saturn. May it serve you as well!

Very modest finds - Hollyberry dish detergent from Wegmans smells SO wonderful (there's another even better, can't remember the name). I ordered an electric candle, vanilla scented, with a timer, from QVC, can't wait to open it up on Christmas Eve. (Love candles, but I'm terrified of fire.)

I am still loving my Altoid Chocolate covered "ginger" mints. They stopped selling the ginger ones in my area and you could only buy either the cinnamon or the peppermint ones. I longed for the ginger ones as they were my favorite, so I just googled a source and bought a carton containing 12 tins of them. Now I can have the ginger ones that I love!


Also, when I was visiting my son in Atlanta, I found all those lovely "Fabuloso" cleaning products. I bought several of them and I am loving the fragrance, Wowsa!

Fiveoaks ~ Love that fountain pen!

Donna ~ I don't particularly like Angel edp on my skin, but Besotted sent me a generous sample of the body cream and it is soooo wonderful.

Heather ~ I'm going to make that nail polish mine today!

Oh and FiveOaks.... your brush looks like a really good one, too! I love that style.

For some reason, I can't add images to my posts from Photobucket, but here's my list. I've embedded links in each item so you can click.

Hollywood Fashion Tape. Have a blouse that gaps at the buttons? A hem that you need to tack up in an emergency? A dress that slips a bit on your shoulders? You need this. I always have some in my purse.

Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones. I just bought these and I love them. Picture this: Phil is in the next room watching Tottenham against Birmingham with the volume cranked. I'm here with these headphones listening to Gregorian Chants. Ahhh bliss.

Nigella Lawson has a great line of kitchen ware. I bought this retro tin to store pasta. I love Nigella.

And just for fun, here's my brush: Mason Pearson natural boar bristle. I bought it in London and I've had it for 15 years now. Good as new.

You'll love it - I promise!



Enjoy! Looks great on toes, too!

Why thank you, Five-O. I researched and shopped and wheeled and dealed for 5 or 6 days until I did it right.

Yes, my Cavalier has served me well. Actually, once my daughter gets her driver's license, the car will be hers. Her dad has paid for its repairs. Me, I just didnt want to put more money into it than the car is worth. Time to move on.

Funny you should mention Dodge Darts. I saw one in the neighborhood just the other day.

Venezia Soapworks soaps from Biglots @ $1.20 apiece. I have Lemon Verbena, Lavender, and Cherry Vanilla. They are very large and I rub my mesh bath pouf against them for lots of rich lather.

Velvetsky, thank you for the link for Hollywood Fashion Tape. It is something I've badly needed for years and keep forgetting to look up.

I'm still celebrating my find at TJ Maxx, a gigantic bottle of Berdoue's 1902 Lavender cologne.

I'd loved the brand when I visited France, but my stash is nearly gone, (with zero chance of travel in my future) so this at $7.50-for a huge bottle was a real treat!

I'll probably use it more in my bath than as a cologne, but I do love the way it wears.

Chanel's Blanc Essentiel powder foundation - probably the most perfect foundation I've ever used.

Clinique Color Surge Bare Brilliance in Ruby Glass, but in general, you can't go wrong with Clinique lipsticks. This shade is the most perfect shade of wearable red, though. So sheer and shimmery without being overdone.

Bath and Body Works is having a sale, and I've been going nuts buying stuff. Recent loves include the foaming handwashes in Creamy Coconut, Moonlight Path, and Brown Sugar and Fig ($3 each!). They scent up the bathroom so nicely, and does a wonderful job of cleansing and moisturizing. I also got an oil burner, and am burning their home fragrance oil in Creamy Caramel (all their oils are on sale for $4.50) now, it's just lovely. I also got body washes and body lotions in Pecan Passion and Cinnamon Bun Heaven. My room positively stinks at night, and I couldn't be happier =)

Benefit's Dear John moisturizer - lightly scented, and very moisturizing for winter.

Oh, almost forgot to include Muse's Unintended. Incredible, moving song that will make you weep.

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Burt's Bees Apricot Baby Oil - this is a softly scented oil suitable for after the shower on still moist skin, it is wonderful for dry skin.

I'm a huge fan of this as well!

-Noelle

Fun thread! I want that book.

OK, this is a little embarrassing, but I'm actually enjoying the huge honking TV that DH bought (Sharp Aquos). Going from a tiny, ancient TV to this thing was a bit of a shock, but it actually takes up much less space than I thought it would (it's only about 8 inches deep), and the picture is beyond crisp. Even our M*A*S*H DVDs look amazing. We watched the Grinch on it last night, and the colors were shockingly bright. I'm sure the novelty will wear off eventually, but right now we're having fun with it.



On a more prosaic note, I'm loving olive oil on my nails and cuticles, which dry out entirely this time of year. I poured the oil into a Sally Hanson Somethingorother bottle so I could apply the oil with a brush. It works beautifully when I remember to do it. Makes my nails look great, and keeps my cuticles from splitting.

Also loving Winter Forest hand soap and lotion from Williams-Sonoma. We used it last year, and I loved it so much I wanted to get another -- but it turns out to just be a seasonal thing. So this fall I went and bought a huge refill bottle so it'll last me until spring. Smells just like walking in a pine forest.

L'Artisan Tubereuse.
My son and I stopped by the L'Artisan boutique so that I could pick up some Bois Farine. My boy-o liked the smell of the Tubereuse and wanted me to buy some of that too. I got a tester to see how it worked and I love it!
It's so delicious!

OOOH, I bought that Buffy bar at the Lush store in San Francisco last month but haven't gotten around to using it yet. Glad to hear that you love it.

My top favorites (mostly beauty related):

1. Estee Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizer and Skin Refinisher (the newest one). One of the few products that actually does everything it says it will.

2. A sample of Darphin eye contour cream I was given by a SA in NM.

3. Night of Olay Firming Cream. I love the way it smells and love the texture, especially for my neck.

4. Clinique's mild liquid facial soap and clarifying lotion #2.

5. All of the Neutrogena Norwegian Formula products.....body lotion, foot cream and hand cream. Smells heavenly and works wonders on dry winter skin. Plus a little goes a long way.

6. Vaseline Intensive Care Moisturizing Bath Beads in Gentle Breeze.

7. EL Beautiful Body Cream and Dusting Powder.

8. Web MD- always answers my questions about medicine, supplements, conditions, etc. A wealth of helpful information.

9. VO5 Hot Oil Treatment, I use it every Sunday on my hair in the shower.

10. The microderm treatments I've been getting once a month for the past 6 months at my Dermatologists office. These have been worth the investment and my skin has immensely improved in all ways.

11. My membership to Curves.

12. My new Jim Brickman CD and Bon Jovi Lost Highway CD.

13. Last but not least, finding out that I'm gonna be a grandma in April (my first). I'm loving that idea the most!!

Norwegian formula hand cream , right now this is a Godsend and jolly good fun to scent with my own fumes ( not being a lotion or moisturiser sort of gal as a rule).

Cliven LOTV talc , rice starch , silky and gorgeous.

Those fancy shmancy Italian soaps , LOTV and Lilac , pining for spring this ccccold winter , I think .

13. Last but not least, finding out that I'm gonna be a grandma in April (my first). I'm loving that idea the most!!
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Congrats, Honeychile..... I'm envious ;-) (My daughter and I are both too young ...lol, but I love the idea
of a new baby in the family ..... in due time ;-) )

The television show "Pushing Daisies" -- a must-see for anyone who liked Amelie, Chocolat, or Tim Burton films.



Excedrin. It's not new, but it's new to me, and I wish I'd known about it years ago. The combination of acetominephan, aspirin, and caffeine is a total perker-upper that takes the edge right off of stress tension headaches and puts a bounce back in my step. How did I never know about this before?



I am totally putting that nail polish on my CVS shopping list. Looks gorgeous.

For my oily-skinned self:

Aspirin Mask (have been doing for a few years now)
Aspirin Toner (newest MUA find) - takes away flakies and perfects skin like nothing else!
Fyrinnae Rice Powder primer (as good as it gets) - post moisturizer, pre-concealer and foundation.
Fyrinnae jojoba oil (truly reduces oil production, I'm not kidding!) Just a little will do 'ya pre-moisturizer.
Fyrinnae Superpower mineral foundation. These products are worth the 3 wk wait. Really!

Hair:

John Frieda Sheer Blonde spotlight (sleek & shine detangler) & tousled tresses spray wax - heaven!
Mastey Frehair conditioner.

Nice to see you, Lisa!

I know about the aspirin mask, but please tell about aspirin toner. Do you make your own?

Thank you very much. Of course I'm much too young as well, but what is one to do? BTW, it's going to be a boy.

Nice to see you too, other Lisa! :) Yes, I do make my own. There are many variations, but I take a bottle of rosewater ($1.99 at the Indian grocery near my house) and put about 8 aspirin in it, let dissolve, then shake it up every time I use it. Some people add hydrogen peroxide or aloe vera gel, but I don't.

Clinique Butter Shine lipstick in 'Ambrosia'. Finally the perfect coral, red lippy...just beautiful!

Lancome Eyebrow pencil in Blonde. Another search for the perfect brow product over.

Shiseido Hydro-Liquid foundation. Tres expensive but this is definitely a holy grail.

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer.

Cassandra Wilson 'Thunderbird' cd. I'm gonna wear this baby out.

Thank you, Lisa! I'm gonna try this very soon. :)

Rosebud - I love that brush, too! I had always wanted a Maison Pearson brush but I am perfectly happy with the $14.99 version. I want to run out and buy three more!



Heather - I love the Sonia [What's her name] makeup brushes, as well. I'll have to pick up that brush as I need a travel powder brush.

Lisa,

I bought some Humphrey's Witch Hazel today (8 oz.) Can I just add some aspirin to that? Do you strain yours'? Thanks for any help.

Ya know, I got those Shiseido hydrowhatever shadows home, and they have a regular sponge applicator. Grr. But, they are very smooth, and can be worn very sheer.

I bought some liquid eyeliners from Sephora. Haven't tried them yet, but loved the color choices!

Congratulations, Grandma! And while either sex is equally joyous, just the same you have to get your mitts on a girlbaby one of these days!

Hi Lisa, yes, you can use witch hazel too for the aspirin toner. I don't strain mine, but that's another good idea.

Pureology Thickening Masque. It's absolutely the best product for thin, fine, hair EVER !!

JAG jeans. These can be found in wonderful fabrics. The workmanship on them is great. I can get away with wearing these vs. slacks (which I hate... slacks never fit me well). These fit this precious body well.

Oil of Olay body wash... the one for extra dry skin, has shea butter in it and a yellow cap. Smells great, doesn't leave my skin dry and itchy like soap does and so many other body washes do.

Thank you!! There's gotta be a baby girl somewhere waiting for me!

I am taking a vacation from my HG shampoo Redken All Soft because it's maybe a bit too moisturizing.
My head was breaking out a bit around the hairline.
The gal at the salon suggested Paul Mitchell Instant Moisture

http://www.paulmitchell.com/Products/PaulM...ilyShampoo.aspx

and I LOVE it! This is the most gentle and pleasant shampoo!
It has almost no sulfates and I am having no plans to switch.
It's gentle enough to use every day after my sweaty workouts.
I also bought The Conditioner which is a nice mild smelling leave-in and I am liking it also.

I recently tried Loreal's hi-lighting kit and came out with fabulous looking caramel highlights!
It was easy and looks really pretty.

http://www.lorealparisusa.com/_us/_en/defa...serdata//d+d//}

My most recent love is my new pair of Asics Gel shoes that my honey bought me.
It's making my treadmill running so much more fun!
I was in desperate need of new workout shoes! It makes all the difference!

My not-so-new but indispensible product is my heating pad which I use to warm up the inside of the covers at the foot of my bed at night.
I let it warm up and then turn it off.
Perfect for a cold winter night! My boy cat Tiger enjoys it too as he likes to curl up there for a while before going over to DH's side of the bed to spend the night.

I'm also trying Avon Moisture Therapy creams and like them very much.
I use the Intensive one on my feet every night and then don socks. Nice smooth heels!

Karen

Amlactin AHA Lotion works wonders keeping my hands in shape for doing massage.

Hugo Sandalwood/Patchouli and Rose soaps - strongly fragranced and last a long time (unlike Zum soaps, which smell great but disappear so quickly)

L'Oreal Men's Expert Vita Lift SPF 15 Anti-Wrinkle and Firming Moisturizer -- Great light moisurizer and sunscreen that's also a good aftershave balm

King of Shaves Alphagel shaving gel, antibacterial formula - No triclosan in this one, uses teatree oil and eucalyptus instead. I love the fresh smell and wish it came in an edt!

* Pure almond oil - I use it on everything as a moisturizer
* The body shop volume mascara in black - great, and it lasts a looong time without drying in the tube
* Sebastian Potion 9 - an old favorite, been uysing it for years and years. A non-greasy leave in balsam/stying paste that nurishes the hair and keeps it alive through countless colorings.
* Maybelline mousse eye shadow in plum-something - the sheerest plummy brown shadow. Very pretty and long lasting.
* Crunchy natural peanut butter, no sugar, no nothing except grounded peanuts, on Wasa sport bread http://se.wasa.com/wasa/smpage.fwx?page=19...p;main=products and a cup of coffee. My breakfast everyday for months.

My kids.

My eldest daughter's band is playing the Sydney Big Day Out (only the biggest outdoor concert of the year) and my youngest has finished Year 10 and is about to launch into senior high school next year.

Proud of them.