A Daily Dose Of Glamour

After a very rare few months of mild weather (very unlike Chicago at this time of year), we finally woke up to snow! Which reminded me that yes, it really truly is winter. And with the cold temps come some rather unattractive side effects. As a product junkie, I of course have an arsenal to help battle the bleak winter beauty blues. My favorite’s below;

Bobbi Brown Extra Soothing Balm  $58 . A high price tag but this stuff is great for lips, cheeks, elbows and even heels. Use sparingly as a little goes a long way!

Bobbi Brown Extra Balm Rinse $58. Love Bobbi Brown!! This is very thick so just a dab will do ya. After washing my face with this balm I never experience the tightness and tingling that comes with wintry dry skin.

Dior Creme Apricot Fortifying Cream for Nails $23.50. I will never be without a pot of this stuff! Literally fixes my dry icky cuticles overnight – even when their in the worst shape. Work into nails and toes before bed – smells great too!!

Dior Creme de Rose Smoothing Plumping Lip Balm $26. This smells FANTASTIC and lasts a really long time on and in the pot!! Heals my dry cracked lips overnight so I always keep a pot in my nightstand. Feels amazing on and provides the best sheen without looking like a gloss. Don’t be fooled by the pinkish color in the pot though, when purchased the balm is actually yellow.

Aquaphor Original Ointment approx $13. What a wonderful all in one!!! When I say I’m obsessed with this stuff, I mean it. I use this everywhere!! On my eyebrows, lids and eyelashes to condition (healthier longer lashes?? Yes please!!) It also keeps the skin around my eyes soft and smooth, so I’m less fearful of wrinkles and crows feet. Heals my lips like a charm, and keeps my heels and elbows smooth to the touch!! I also use it in replace of lotion – rub a quarter size between your hands and smooth all over your body. This tub will last you forever and you will love it!!

Static Guard $4. Keeps away the hair frizzes and those nasty static shocks- ouch!! Spray into the air right before walking out the door.

And don’t forget the ahhhmazing DIY body scrub that I can’t live without!!

Can’t think of a better way to kick off a new year than to remind myself of those lovely quotes with which I hope to live each day following;

“Il n’est jamais trop tard pour être ce que tu veux être (it’s never too late to be who you want to be)” – French proverb

“My life didn’t please me, so I created my life.” ― Coco Chanel

“Fake it till you make it” – original source unknown

Here’s to a very Happy New Year!! – love, A Daily Dose of Glamour

(Title quote by ; She by Kobi Yamada, Title image from Pinterest)

(Image courtesy of  Zsa Zsa Bellagio)

I know I’m really late in the game, but these beautiful fall breezes (along with the hint at cooler weather to come, very soon I’m certain) has made me realize that I’m seriously lacking an essential piece of outerwear. A great, classic trench is a must have wardrobe staple, and I’ve been holding out on myself with anticipation of one day owning the elusive (read; expensive) Burberry- a classic and classy choice in my opinion. Just to humor myself on this slow, lazy Sunday I began my search as I typically do on ShopStyle. Oh to one day be able to own one of the beauties below!! Sadly, as my budget runs more Banana Republic than Neimen Marcus, I can only dare to dream.  Oh, but that sure doesn’t stop me from coveting.

Burberry Knee Length Cotton Trench Coat – $2,095

Burberry Sculptural Taffeta Trench Coat -$2,595

Burberry Long Cotton Trench Coat – $1,395Moschino C&C Warm Taupe Cotton Trench Coat – $980Hunter – Double Breasted Trenchcoat – $425

I’m seeing this style showing up all over the place, and I’m liking it! Trying to get a feel for what version I’d go with – Sam Edelman has a really cute spikes and sequins option, however I’m really digging the classic tweed or perhaps even the wild but  never fail leopard print ?

Move over ballet flat; and welcome to the new shoe in town.

J Crew Darby Calf Hair Loafer $275Sam Edelman Adena Flat $149.95

By Paige Anchor Needlepoint  $147

Charles Phillip Sophie Herringbone  $135

Ralph Lauren Quinly Suede $650

J Crew Darby Studded Tweed $228

(title image J Crew Darby Silk Faille Loafer $288)

Thanks to a very sweet and generous friend, the coolest part of my day was being gifted one of these fabulous wrap around bracelet’s from a wonderful company called Good Work(s) Make A Difference. Their cause is to encourage random acts of kindness and they donate 25% of their profit to “good causes”. I love how stylish and unique each bracelet is, providing empowering words to help promote this message. Planning on treating myself to a few more as I’m loving the versatility of wearing one on its own, or stacking the gorgeous colors together as in the picture above. Plus shopping with a purpose is always in style!

(Image courtesy of The Sensible Stylist)

Ive been a long time supporter of Chicago based accessories maven Jess LC . Just recently, I was on the hunt for the perfect iPad case (because honestly, a girl has got to accessorize), and I came across the perfect one! Far cheaper, but infinitely chicer than most cases on the market. Not only is my hunt for the perfect case over but my wish list has grown much longer as I’m coveting just about every piece on the Jess LC website. And lucky for those of us based here in Chicago, Millennium Park will be graced by a Jess LC pop up shop on October 22.  Stop by if you can!

 Quincy iPad Case

 Webster Merci

 Quincy Coin Purse

(All images are courtesy of Jess LC )

Its not often that I feel the need to extend a birthday wish to what is essentially a fragrance company. But I feel compelled to do so with this particular brand of scent goodiness (is that even a word?? who cares, I’m using it). At my very first sniff of Baies, I instantly (and conveniently, I might add) forgot prior sentiments to never spend money on something I would quite literally be burning. All previous admonitions have been set aside to accommodate this very guilty pleasure. In fact, one of my favorite and most anticipated adventures on my trip to Paris last fall was a visit to the original store front on Boulevard Saint Germain in the Left Bank. There sealed my love affair with Diptyque and all of its home fragrances. One day when I finally get around to creating my must have list Baies will most certainly be at the top.

Happy 50th Dyptique~

(Image courtesy of Diptyque)

The past few weeks with work have thrown me so totally off my game. To cope, I have resorted to putting myself through the unnecessary added pressure of trying harder to be perfect at my job. This culminates in more than a few meltdowns, and too many sleepless nights. Then, last week, after a somewhat “minor” and scary incident which catapulted my nerves into even more of a frenzy I realized something that should have been plainly obvious; I worry too much about the little things and as much as I seriously want to, I can’t control everything. Here’s to a hopefully stress free week ahead, where I will try my best to not dwell on the minor catastrophe’s – and hopefully find some more time to find my daily dose of glamour.

(image courtesy of Vogue)

Happily relaxing on this gorgeous day with a warm cup of coffee, and the September Elle which I have been waiting in anticipation to sit down and devour from cover to cover. Looking forward to a lazy day ahead filled with cool pre autumn breezes and hopefully some study time to catch up on my French! Hope everyone has an enjoyable Labor Day !!