Best of 2012 {Beauty}

I'm a huge beauty product junkie, as many of you know.  I love trying new products, always hoping I can find something better than the last.  Figured you all might enjoy knowing what I consider to be the BEST OF 2012!

Best Masks:

REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque (Wonderful at detoxifying and only a few dollars!)

Best Moisturizer:

Kate Somerville Oil Free Moisturizer

Best Eye Cream:

Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream

Best Foundation:  

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24 Hour

Best Concealer:

MAKE UP FOR EVER Lift Concealer 

(Pink Beige 1 for under the eyes!)

Best Powder:

Tarte Smooth Operator Micronized Clay Finishing Powder

Best Bronzer:

Victoria's Secret Baked Mineral Bronzing Powder

Best Blushes:

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Exposed

Nars Blush in Orgasm

MAC Blush in Dame

Best Eyeliner: 

MAC Brush On Cream Liner in Black

Best Lipsticks:

Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Sandwash Pink (For cooler months.  This is the lipstick Kate Middleton wore on her wedding day!)

Chanel Rouge Coco in Chintz  (For any time of the year!  The perfect pink with a hint of coral.)

Oh, today is the last day (until noon, pacific time!) to vote for me in the Online Shoes Monthly Styling Contest.
After you vote, you should see a place to enter your email address for your own chance to win a pair of these Sorel boots ($250 value)!

Back in Action

Hello Hello!  

Hope you all had the Merriest of Christmases.  I'm still in relaxation mode, enjoying the comforts of a warm blanket and being with family.  I wanted to check in with all of you, though! 

A few pictures to recap.

I went to Christmas Eve service with Brandon and his parents, then we had dinner at a wonderful restaurant in Beaufort named Wren. 

The food was SO good.  I can't wait to go back.

Later that night, we went to midnight mass with my family.  

I was all into baking over Christmas.  I made a cinnamon roll casserole (below) and a french toast casserole.  They both turned out sooo good! I changed the recipes a little, but the two that I used as guides can be found here and here. 

Sir Winston, as my Poppop calls him, was majorly spoiled over the holiday. 

We also had oysters and a fire out back.  Perfect winter night.  

Hope you all enjoyed your Christmas and aren't having to rush back to work too soon! 

Xo-M

P.S.  Please take three seconds (literally!) to vote for me in the Online Shoes Monthly Styling Contest! 

{currently}

Currently wanting:

I think this emerald green skirt needs to be in my closet as of, well... yesterday. 

Currently eating:

I made this baked potato soup last week and it was a pretty darn good first effort. We ate every last bit.  I kind of changed the recipe some, but here's the main recipe I followed.

Currently thinking:

This quote has more and more meaning to me every time I see it.

Currently loving:

In love with the beautiful simplicity of hydrangeas.

Currently painting: 

via

Essie Stylenomics  

Perfect Christmas color.

Currently wearing:

 The best black dress you could possible imagine for work.  Structured, yet incredibly comfortable.  It's from Banana Republic and can be found on sale here!  I paired it with a Banana Republic scarf from last season and boots from last year.

Currently spying:

Actually... nothing.  

I don't see anything unusual, do you? 

lately

Finally got the first few presents under the tree.  

(Mr. Present-Unwrapper has been caught in the action.)

Tulle puts the best finishing touches on a present!  It's soft and sweet, not to mention... CHEAP.  I got a roll from Michaels for a few dollars and it seems endless. 

Last weekend, we visited the James Island Festival of Lights with some great friends.  We go every year and, while not much changes from year to year, it's always a fun way to get in the Christmas spirit.  

(I may or may not having purchased the furry one a "Winston's First Christmas" ornament from Santa's Village.)

Meanwhile, on the organizational front... I've been filling up my Graphic Image planner with the most important dates.  Y'all, I'm getting married in a little over four months.  When did that happen?

Oh, and a fun hibachi dinner with friends for my MOH's fiance's 27th birthday.  I have not had hibachi in years and literally ate out of my to-go box all weekend long.  I think I'm set for another few years.  

Mel (Gibson) was our chef.  He was too funny!

Happy Tuesday.  Happy seven days 'til Christmas! 

Online Shoes Monthly Styling Contest

I was contacted by Online Shoes a couple months ago to style a pair of Sorel Carly boots for their monthly styling contest.  They are amazing winter boots that I wish I could wear more often.  You bet the next time I visit a cold climate, these will be the FIRST thing in my bag.  

Come on South Carolina, let it snow!! 

Well, the contest is live! 

I'm participating with three other amazing bloggers... 

Ashley with  a {little} dash of ash

Jane with In the Pink and Green

and Lindsay with vineyard loveknots.

Please hop on over to the Online Shoes Monthly Style Contest and vote for me! 

Vote here!  

Just so you know, I don't think I receive anything if I were to win ...it's just something to get my competitive juices flowing. ;) 

Oh, the best part.  

By voting, you are entering yourself for a chance to win your own pair of Sorel Carly boots!