How a family of two celebrates Christmas

As many of you know Mr. Chic and I do not have children nor do we live near our family.  Some holidays we invite friends over and other holidays we like to spend it with our pets.  His family lives in AZ now and my family is 1500 miles northeast in Michigan.

We love to decorate for the holidays but when it comes time for presents normally we ask each other what we want and make a day long shopping trip.  Its now our tradition.  We leave $50 each in our budget so we can buy each other a present but all other gifts we shop for ourselves.

This Saturday we are hitting up ABQ Uptown for my holiday shopping :)  I love ABQ Uptown!!  They light the trees at night and play Christmas music.  I may live in the desert now but it reminds me of Michigan.

Here are a few things I am asking Santa for :)

SEPHORA

Tarte Call of the Wild Palette


Limited Edition Stand Out Collection


Tarte Putting on the Glitz


LUSH
I would like to get a couple of holiday baskets to try.  I LOVE LUSH!!

MAC

Ruby Woo


Pink Lemonade

TARGET

Mossimo Tunic Top

Lace Top


Blouse


Red Jeans



Flats


Vanity Organizer


Organizer

What are you asking Santa for??

Money Monday- DIY Necklace Board

As always I want to start organizing projects around the holidays.  I don't know why but I do.  With the extra spending of the holidays I have been trying to come up with clever and frugal ways to still complete my organizing projects but not add the the December spending. 

I am HORRIBLE when it comes to storing jewelry.  I have accessories all over my house.  I never put necklaces away, my rings are by the bed in a cup, etc.  You see my problem.  

I decided I wanted to create a necklace board to lean against the wall in my closet.  I have a dresser in the closet and this would fit perfectly.  After researching ideas I decided everything I need for this project I can get at the dollar store.  I DID!!!  I ended up spending $4!!  

The only thing I did not purchase from the dollar store was my scissors.  I have those hanging around. :)

HOW TO:

1.  Measure the length and width of the area you will be placing your board.  Cut your form board to fit

2.  I liked the idea of creating a border around my necklace board so I cut my contact paper an inch shorter all the way around. 

3.  Lay your contact paper on your board.  Smooth with a credit card.  The easiest way to do this is peel the back off your paper in sections.  Only work with about a third at a time.  I purchased this paper from the Dollar Tree and it is re-positional. LOVE THIS PAPER!!!!  

4.  Place duct tape border around

This project took me maybe 15 minutes.  I used clear push pins to hang my necklaces from.  Easy peasy!!  

Please share your links for your favorite Dollar Store organizing projects below.  I would LOVE to check them out!!!! 

LINKING UP WITH:
Hope Studios
Keeping it Simple
The Dedicated House
Boogieboard Cottage
Homemaker on a Dime
The Girl Creative
My Girlish Whims
Be Different Act Normal
Boogieboard Cottage
I Gotta Try That
DIY Show Off
A Cat Like Curiosity
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I Should Be Mopping The Floors
Today's Creative Blog
LillyWhite

Skin Care Routine with Benefit Products

About a month ago I started looking for a new skin care routine.  My skin has been so dry and nothing was helping.  I went to a few makeup counters, a few private consultants, etc but nothing really worked.  My skin looked ok for a few hours and it started drying out again.  I tested sample and after sample. NADA!  I think I was so busy trying to find the perfect skin care routine that I freaked my skin out.  After my last private consultant visit my skin said enough! My face got so dry, chapped, flaky and red.  It was really bad!!  

I went in a few weeks ago to have my eyebrows done at the Benefit Eye Brow Bar and the wonderful gal introduced me to the benefit products.  I AM IN LOVE!!!!!!  My skin is FINALY starting to come around and I can order the products through Birchbox.  :) Winning!!!!  

Here are the Benefit skin care products I am using and LOVE!

Step #1- Benefit Foamingly Clean Facial Wash

I use this cleanser twice a day and my skin feels clean and not tight!  I love this!  It has glycerin in it so after you wash your face feels soft and moisturized.  This cleanser even breaks down my eye makeup!!  

Step #2- Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream

I use this moisturizer after cleansing my face twice a day.  I also use it periodically for dryness.  I love it!!  It moisturizes my skin and smells so good!  My skin glows after I use this!  

Step #3- Benefit It's Potent! Eye Cream

I use this after moisturizing.  This has helped to fade my dark circles.  I actually think I use less concealer now.  

Benefit Refined Finished Facial Polish (once or twice per week)

My skin is not a fan of facial polishes.  Normally after I use one my skin hates life for a few days.  It gets red and irritated.  After using the Benefit polish my face was hydrated and smooth!!  No redness! No irritation!! Just smooth skin!  I ALWAYS moisturize after using this.  

Benefit Triple Performing Facial Emulsion.  

I need to purchase this product.  When I was at my Benefit counter they did not have this.  This moisturizer fights UV rays.  This is a must for living in New Mexico! 

I am sorry if this post sounds like an infomercial for Benefit products but as a girl who suffers from horribly dry skin these are the products that work for me!  When buying the whole skin care set its not cheap but I will say you do not use a ton of product.  Most of the bottles are around $20-$25.  My skin is very happy with my investment!!!

This post was created as part of a IFB Project. 

November 2012 Birchbox

Birchbox is a monthly beauty sample mailing.  It is $10/month and every month you receive 4 to 5 high end samples to try.  What I like about Birchbox is you take a beauty quiz and the samples are picked out for you.  If you don't like the samples you are getting you can change your quiz and try again.  Easy peasy!!  Also if your friends sign up for Birchbox and use your link you get beauty points for products. :) 

If you are interested in trying Birchbox follow this link.  I never thought $10 would make me run to my mailbox!

If you are interested in signing up for Birchbox please click HERE

I LOVED THIS BOX!!!  This is probably one of the best boxes I have received!

I received a sample of Caldrea Hand Soap, One Love Organics Aromatic Body Serum, Oscar Blandi Pronto Texture & Volume Spray, John Varvatos Artisan Cologne for men and a FULL FIZE ModelCo SHINE Ultra Lip Gloss.  

Normally I break down each product in my Birchbox review but I think I am going to start reviewing each product individually and actually try them.  :)