Cozy Favorites

It's been a cold, wintery few days and all I can think about is hot chocolate, a fireplace, a cozy throw, and a holiday favorite.

Images via Sweet Paul, Elle Decor, West Elm, Coralie Bickford-Smith

CS5=Bliss

Over the weekend, I got the Adobe CS5 Master Collection! Yes, the Master Collection. Pretty much the most amazing software ever. Let's just say I am a very happy girl.   

Thank you Alison!! You are awesome.

Image via Amazon

MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner

One of my very favorite beauty products is MAC's Tinted SPF 15 Lip Conditioner. The color I use is Soothing Beige. It's smooth but gives just a light neutral sheen to your lips. It's fantastic. It also lasts forever so the $14.50 price tag is definitely worth it!

Images via MAC

DiorShow x 2

DiorShow Mascara is my favorite mascara. It makes your lashes thicker and longer without flaking. I've tried my fair share of mascara's and this one is the best. It may have some competition as I've recently discovered that there is a new mascara from Dior called DiorShow Iconic Mascara. Apparently, it has a 24-hour curl and is 100% smudge proof. I think the brush alone looks awesome. Has anyone tried it yet?

Update: I bought DiorShow Iconic Mascara and it's pretty awesome. It doesn't clump as much and it lengthens even more than DiorShow Mascara. My only complaint is it doesn't thicken as much but an extra coat would do the trick.

Images via Sephora

West Elm loves

West Elm is a favorite store of mine. My most loved purchases were from a few months ago. I bought their Organic Cotton Pin-tuck duvet in white and their Stella in a Bag throw in silver (sadly it's no longer available.)

Images via West Elm

Luscious Chocolate Desserts

My all-time favorite chocolate cookbook is Luscious Chocolate Desserts by Lori Longbotham.  It also features beautiful photography by William Meppem. The recipes are easy to follow and are absolutely divine. Also, she includes a brief history of chocolate, the process to make chocolate, as well as the different forms of chocolate. Being a chocolate addict and all, I found it very interesting. FYI, did you know in the 1700s, Italian doctors used chocolate in medicines? 

The Chocolate Chip Gingerbread Cake and the French Chocolate Macaroons are my two very favorites. Some other great recipes are: The Original Chocolate Decadence; Chocolate-Hazelnut Spread on Toast with Nectarines; Chocolate, Dried Cherry, and Pistachio Bread and Butter Pudding; Black Velvet Chocolate Mousse; Katherine Hepburn's Brownies; Ganache-Filled Brown Sugar Bars; etc, etc. Anyone hungry yet? I wouldn't blame you, I did mention chocolate a total of 14 times.

Galaxy Chocolate

Galaxy chocolate is one of my favorite things in the whole world. It comes from the U.K. Before going "across the pond" for the first time, my friend Sarah told me to make sure I got some Galaxy. Probably the best thing she could have told me. That advice as well as her tidbit to wear black socks over white ones. (So I'd blend in better...) Galaxy is the smoothest, creamiest chocolate. There are a few varieties. Milk, Dark, Caramel, Raisin with Almonds and Hazelnuts, etc. The list goes on! Also, there is a hot chocolate in case you need some warm loveliness. Paraphrasing the words of Ferris Bueller, "It is so choice. If you have the means [or ways], I highly recommend picking [some] up." 

Hair Product Junkie

One of my main weaknesses are hair products. Resistance is Futile... (and yes that's a Star Trek reference) So today I thought I'd share some of my favorites. 1. CHI 44 Iron Guard 2. Paul Mitchell Gloss Drops 3. Kenra Volume Spray 4. Pureology Hydrate Shampoo & Conditioner 5. Joico K-Pak Shampoo & Conditioner 6. Frederic Fekkai Protein Rx Mask 7. Farouk Biosilk Therapy

Aubergine Wellies

I love my aubergine Hunter Wellingtons. They are perfect for splashing in puddles and jumping around in the snow! To be honest, I wear them when it's dry too....