Philosophy The Amazing Grace Collection

$50.00 by philosophy at Sephora

Amazing Grace is one of Philosophy's most popular and iconic fragrance. For me, the name symbolizes a freedom from all the woes and troubles of the day and a huge step towards finding an inner calm. As silly as it sounds, the scent somehow mimics these feelings for me.

Remember when we were young and most of us wore Love's Baby Soft (I won't lie, I still own a bottle)?  Amazing Grace is like a grown up version, with a subtle softness that makes this fragrance perfectly appropriate for daytime or in the office.  The powder scent is calming and feminine.

The Amazing Grace collection features a 3-in-1, perfumed body lotion and a 2.0 EDT spray.

LORAC Couture Shine Gloss Collection

$22.50 by LORAC at Sephora

During the Holiday season, the best things come in the smallest of packages.  This season, Lorac has released their Couture Shine Gloss Collection, a multi-pack of five glosses formulated for high shine and maximum moisture. These colors start out at varrying levels of sheerness but are buildable.

The gift set includes Haute (a soft blue toned pink), Couture/Haute Couture (a delicious warm toned mauve), Sheer Luxe/Grand Luxe (a deep wine), Glam (a shimmering wine) and Lavish (a stunning glittery pink).

This gift looks perfectly thoughtful - and totally is - without being too expensive. Who wouldn't love five delicious lip glosses in great shades?

T3 Bespoke Labs Featherweight Dryer

$200.00 by T3 Tourmaline at Sephora

If you've spent any time at all on beauty blogs, you've no doubt seen the glory of the T3 hairdryer touted from coast to coast, guru to guru and back again. The truth is, I was initially put off by the $200 price tag. How could this hair dryer be any different than a $20 hair dryer? They both claim to be ceramic and tourmaline powered. I don't claim to know a lot about science behind hair dryers, but I do claim to know a lot about the behavior of my hair - my hair is a pain in the ass.

As I mentioned yesterday, my hair is incredibly difficult to deal with. 9 times out of 10, I'm attempting to beat my hair into submission by using styling products, tools and various other forms of torture.  I run my blow dryers on hot & high in order to prep my hair for styling. All that ended the day I used the T3.

During my normal routine, I apply my root volumizing product while I let my hair air dry a smidge, then my mouse/volumizing and then I blow my hair completely dry. While my hair isn't soaking wet, it certainly isn't 100% dry. Within 60 seconds of using the T3, my hair was dry. So dry I could walk outside and not catch the death.

What was even more unbelievable than the drying time was that my hair somehow still felt soft and was still as shiny as Snow White. My hair walked the fine line between feeling & appearing healthy yet somehow being manageable. When I used styling tools or velcro rollers, my hair was ready. That was it - my hair had seen the light and there was no turning back.

I've sang the praises so high that when my mother visits in less than week, she's already sworn she has every intention of stealing it from me. We'll see who wins this battle!

Today was a rare treat for me: the return of Kimberley Williamson! Don't get too excited - I don't get to spend every lunchtime with her, but I do have the pleasure of being graced with her presence now & then. For today's photo we went on an adventure, exploring the streets surrounding the new office and even a nearby construction zone. We have so much fun when we're together!

Necklace: H&M

Dress: Silhouettes

Shoes: Barefoot Tess

Bag: Rebecca Minkoff

Photo by Kimberley Williamson