Pre-Birthday Haul!

I may have had a bit of a shopping spree this evening... It all started at Shoppers, 'cause they're having a 20x Optimum points event in cosmetics this week. So, I obviously stocked up on my fall/winter skincare: Lancôme's Bienfait Aqua Vital Continuous Infusing Moisturizer, Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate, and Hydra Zen Neurocalm Extreme Soothing Moisturizing Cream-Gel. Then, loaded up with points, I headed over to Murale to redeem them:

I got a new tube of my favourite Chanel Mousse Exfoliante Pureté Facial Cleanser and Gommage Microperlé Pureté Exfoliator, and I also picked up a bottle of Skyn Iceland's Glacial Face Wash, which I have been wanting to try for a while, but always forget about while at Sephora.

I also got some make-up goodies, 'cause I can't go to Murale and not buy some sort of colour product. I got three shades of Deborah Lippmann nail lacquers, including a bottle of Happy Birthday (I thought it was fitting), a new bottle of Across The Universe (I lost mine, which upsets me greatly, 'cause it is my all-time favourite glitter polish), and Marquee Moon ('cause it has glitter in it, and I must have all of Lippmann's glitter polishes). I also picked up the new NARS Highlighter Blush in Miss Liberty from the Holiday 2011 collection (I was tempted by some other things, but ultimately decided I need new eyeshadows like I need another hole in my head), and new tubes of Lancôme's Artliner Precision Eye Liner (hands down, the best liquid eyeliner, ever) and Hypnôse Custom Volume Mascara (still my favourite mascara).

And since I tried Principessa's Lip Balm from my Glymm Box last month, I've been really interested in trying some of their other products. Murale is one of the few places I've seen this brand, so I decided to check them out while I was there. I decided to pick up their Bellina Box Ultimate Spa Case, which includes full-size bottles of their Cattiva Diva Silky Hand Cream, Dolce Dreams Whipped Body Lotion, and Fresh Fiore Shower Cream, along with a shower pouf. I just tried the shower cream and body lotion, and am really enjoying them. I smell like a vanilla marshmallow, which I would hate in the summer, but actually really like now that it's cold out. The scent lingers, but it's not overwhelming. And the body lotion is actually really moisturizing, even though it doesn't feel very heavy.

And since we were already at Shops at Don Mills, I decided to stop by Aritzia to pick up some more TNA leggings (seriously, I live in these) and a new black zip-up hoodie. And then I saw their new Wilfred shrunken Chevalier blazer. Now, if you know me in real life, you'd know that I practically live in Wilfred's original black double-crêpe Chevalier blazer. Seriously, I probably wear it every other day. It's just so comfy but still polished and professional and appropriate for work (!). When I bought it, I felt kind of guilty, 'cause $225 is a little steep for a blazer, but the cost per use is currently lower than $1 (seriously). So imagine how happy I was when I saw this shrunken version that is shorter and more fitted, but still just as comfy and polished and professional and appropriate for work! I've always loved their structured blazers, but most of them are too stiff for me to work in ('cause when you do make-up for a living, you need to be able to move your arms freely). So this is absolutely perfect. Instant love. And I will wear it until its cost per use is also lower than $1.

Somehow, I ended the evening at a Foody Mart. Okay, I warn you all: Never go to a Foody Mart on a Friday night. That stereotype of Bad Asian Drivers? It all happens in the parking lot of a Foody Mart (or T&T Supermarket). And it's not just one or two, but every single goddamn one of them. And then when you somehow manage to make your way around these drivers and find a parking space and go inside? Well, here's a new stereotype: Bad Asian Walkers. Seriously, they walk like they drive. But it was made slightly better because among some other things (shrimp chips, rice crackers, etc.), I found some positively delightful goodies: Kasugai Mangosteen Gummy Candy (!) and Pocky Milk Chocolate Salty Pretzels (!!!).

Needless to say, I had a very good day.