Some of My favorite things from 2015: 

Kenra Professional Platinum Texturizing Mist

It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Romantics
 

Perricone Hyalo Plasma

Lancome Lip Lover in Framboise Etoile

 This is the first time I have tried Lancome products and am thrilled with both of these -
just what I need - another obsession!!!

Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara

Sea Salt & Chocolate Caramels

And though I tried a different color scheme for my holiday decorating this year, I am running, racing back to my beloved pink shabby chic!!  (pic from last year)

I plan for this tree to be over the top next year!  As a matter of fact, I am already on the hunt for any thing pink for the 2016 year - which should work out beautifully since it is one of Pantone's Color of the Year!

And last but not least, my favorite thing for 2015 is being their grandmother:

I love them more than my next breath!

 

Let 2016 be the best year ever for all of you!  Much Love!

Pink isn't just a color ~ it's an attitude!

All products purchased by me.
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I had my stylist cut my hair shorter than normal - which was ok because it has grown quickly:

I normally wear my hair more along this length:

I have a couple of weeks to decide on what ever I am going to do - my hair has become fine now that I am older so I need layers for body.  My stylist wants to go with a "Lisa Rinna" cut - which would not be a lot different than the above cut.  I am open to all opinions!
(Forgive the mess in my dressing room - just too much to do for the holidays!)

I know it's really Christmas because all the silver is polished - thank you Mr. 4 Forty Years!!

Wishing you every happiness now & next year!

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Here is Pantone's color of the year: (2!)   Rose Quartz and Serenity                                                       
I can definitely love these colors - I did not like Marsala but loved Radiant Orchid.  I will be working the Rose Quartz into my holiday scheme in the upcoming year.

I think the tree is reallly, finally done!!

I have fiddled with it long enough and unless GD starts 'working' on it, I am finished!

Do you like cinnamon buns?  They are a favorite here & we eat them all day long!

And because I have already had my sweet, I will be good & have a chef's salad for lunch - with leftover turkey, ham, hard boiled eggs & my wonderful black olives:

Pumpkin Raisin Bread being shipped to my friend in KY - we miss you Sandy!!

I bought Caudalie Lip Conditioner during Sephora's sale and it is certainly a nice product but not worth $12 to me - there are drugstore brands like Maybelline's Baby Lips that give me the same moisturizing effect at a fraction of the cost - I have been using these for a couple of years and I like the conditioning along with color - so easy to put in the current purse & go out the door.

I am loving Kenra Professional Platinum Texturizing Mist 6

It is light weight and not overly stiff so it gives some body to my fine hair.  There is a nice soft scent but it does not interfere with your perfume.  You can easily brush thru your hair style if you want and rearrange your style.
I have enjoyed every Kenra product I have used so far.

I tried Dr. Perricone's Face Finishing Moisturizer Tint and did not have luck with the product.  It caused stinging & dryness on my face, so I am returning it.


But other items like the prods in Plasma Essentials have been wonderful, including:
Blue Plasma Cleansing Treatment - which calmed down my sensitive skin - the cleanser is applied to the face and no rinsing is necessary.

 Cold Plasma Eye

and Hyalo Plasma and Photo Plasma - which is a lovely light pink color and has SPF 30 - the perfect every day moisturizer.

It was a nice sale on the Perricone website which prompted me to try this line and I am glad I did. The Hyalo Plasma gave instant moisture to the area around my eyes.  It softened fine lines which I am delighted to have any time!  I really like this product and will buy it again. (All products purchased by me)

Do you have some favorite winter beauty products?

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Pink isn't just a color ~ it's an attitude!

The Thanksgiving sale at Ulta had some really good buys so this was the order I placed in between basting the turkey!!  My goodies were all in stock so they should show up any day - can't wait!

Glycolic Fix Exfoliating Facial Pads by Nip + Fab

 

Platinum Texturizing Mist 6 by Kenra Professional

 

Shine Spray  by Kenra Professional

Fast-Dry Hairspray  by Kenra Professional

   Kenra products were available as buy one, get one 50% off - I really like these sprays & hoard them during each sale!  The Shine Spray was only $8.50!

 Bed Head Masterpiece Shine Hairspray & Travel Size

    

This is normally $23.00 and Ulta had it on sale at $9.99 - it's a great product that I have used for years so I could not let this get away.

 ( A girl in the South cannot have too much hair spray - in its various forms!!!)
I'm good now until the spring collections become available.

Share with us what you ordered!

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I am using this adorable tree skirt this year - if you enjoy sewing, I think this would be easy to replicate:

 I love the 3D effect - I used 2 tree skirts to add fullness.

I love trying new hair products but some seem too expensive for what you receive.

This Phyto Phytoplage Protective Sun Veil should work like a veil for your hair and protect it from the damaging sun rays - and it may well but I just could not see any difference when I used this.  It did provide a high shine from the sunflower extract.  There was just a slight scent and it went way quickly.  I have similar products that seem just as effective and will save me $30.

Phyto Phytoplage Protective Sun Veil - 4.2 oz


I am trying some new Dr. Perricone products since there was a nice sale on the web site.
I have ordered these:

Face Finishing Moisturizer Tint

Plasma Essentials
I hope they will help especially during cold weather and with the reduced prices, it's a good time to give new products a test drive.          

            OK bloggers - we need to talk 
Have you visited blogs with so much advertising that it locked up your computer and you had to turn it off and restart??
I will no longer be able to return to any blog and/or link up if the site consistently locks up my brand new computer.  With the pop-up ads and embedded videos and various other clutter on these sites my computer slows to a crawl - and on top of that, half the day is gone and the blog is still not live.  I just don't have the time or patience to keep constantly checking back.
I have decided to limit my time.......
This blogger shares similar feelings:
 http://24cottonwoodlane.com/2015/10/19/7-reasons-ive-stopped-coming-to-your-link-party                                    
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Happy Thanksgiving!  Are you enjoying your favorite foods - just too much of it??!!!!!!!!!!!
That is what the holidays are for - so don't stress - sit back  & enjoy!

I love cranberry anything & I have been making this side dish for years: whole cranberries mixed with mandarin oranges, pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, triple sec (orange liqueur)  - put it together the day ahead so the flavors develop - you will enjoy this for days afterwards!

 I collect cut glass bowls and I have several of these - they are beautiful & timeless.  Your grand children will be glad you saved these!

For the upcoming holidays my family always likes to know my favorite kind of perfume. My current favorite is Viktor & Rolf  Flowerbomb - I have enjoyed this for several years.
The basic scents:
Sambac Jasmine, Centifolia Rose, Cattleya Orchid, Ballerina Freesia, Patchouli.
I just love this fragrance and have it in various forms - this is a strong scent so you just need a little and as a migraineur I cannot use it every day, as scent is one of my triggers.  But when you need to treat yourself,  you cannot go wrong with this!  Thank you Santa!
Pict: dual-ended lip gloss & roller ball perfume,  hair mist  &  perfume.

The tree is done - but is it really???  I keep fiddling with it every day and make some adjustments - it gets loving care every day.

It took all morning to create the bow topper - but I have to say it was fun using a new color scheme this year with burgundys, golds & cream.  But I will not be surprised if I run right back to my pink & shabby chic color scheme next year.  It will give me an excuse to put the tree up extra early for 2016!!  Change is not my strong point!!
I confess I miss Radiant Orchid as the color of the year and I am not going away quietly!!!

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If there is one beauty product that I do not use regularly it is blush - though I have plenty:

I tend to have some reddish undertones on my cheeks so I fear blush will just accentuate the skin color - I find bronzer to be more useful to give my cheeks some color.
I do love the ombre blush on the right - It's Estee Lauder & I probably have not used it twice - I found it at an outlet & could not resist it!

I have found another Revlon Colorstay polish in Rich Raspberry.  It is a lovely color and can be used year 'round.  It is definitely a berry color and not a true red - which will be very versatile.  But this particular color did not last as many others have and did not seem as thick-but a great color.

The Sephora 20% off sale ends today so I need to get my order in.  This is what I have chosen:
Caudalie Lip Conditioner

Phyto Phytoplage Protective Sun Veil
Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Hair Mist
Sephora Favorites Skin Wonderland

The only item I have ordered before was the hair mist - I love this fragrance! 

What did you order? 

It's time to put up the tree - only partially decorated because the grand children will be here soon to finish the decorating.  I still need to create the bow tree topper which will be in burgundy, cream & gold:

  What is your color scheme this year?

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I recently got this face serum from Ulta: Vichy Liftactiv Serum 10.  The box states it is for sensitive skin so I am excited to try this.   I think I need to add a serum in the never ending battle against wrinkles!
According to Vichy (owned by L'Oreal):

“Our breakthrough formula features Rhamnose, a naturally derived plant sugar extracted in its purest form. Rhamnose in a 5% concentration, has been clinically proven to improve skin rejuvenation at the source; improving  collagen production elastin, production and cellular turnover.”

Please let it be true!!!

 

 I like lip gloss because it deflects the wrinkles on the lips - I got this in 2 colors which will be nice for this time of year:  Shiny Sheer Lip Gloss in Rouge & Fuchsia - very pretty colors.

I recently found these polishes ~ Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy in 'Winning Streak' and the sparkles are Sephora by OPI  in 'It's Bouquet with me'

 I really like this lavender color but it will be more appropriate for spring - but I need this manicure to go to a party so I will add the sparkles for festivity.
I have tried most every color of polish in this line and some of the colors just simply last longer than others - why?  I don't know but it's true.  Some last a few days before starting to chip - others have held up beautifully for over 12 days.
This color is 2 coats and the top coat - will be interesting to see how long this new one lasts and I am a serious hand washer!

Was $72 of after-Halloween candy too much?  No, I don't think so either-it's not going to get any cheaper and this should tide me over until Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!

I will use some of this to top off cookies & cakes for the holiday baking - which should get under- way soon!

I am now officially the "Miracle Maker" Mimi!  My precious GS desperately wanted this Lego set:

I hunted this toy down like a rabid dog!!  Yes I spent hours looking for this - I was on waiting lists and finally today I got the call it was available - he will be so surprised because we sort of warned him that it was in short supply - but it was worth it because he is a grateful child.  Now, keeping it hidden will be the endurance test!

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