Prehistoric Visitor

Look who came visiting my yard.

Doesn’t he look like a miniature dinosaur?

Travel Dior

This travel makeup kit by Dior offers a sophisticated palette for the world traveller or someone who dreams of world travel.

Dior Jetsetter Kit – $35

Product Description: An all-in-one makeup set. The Dior Jetsetter Kit locks up her heart with this perfect Dior couture-inspired keepsake box. So chic and versatile, it’s all you need to take your beauty to exciting new places. The kit includes adorable travel sizes of two Dior Rouge Lipsticks in Office Beige 296 and Selection Mauve 485 (0.04 oz each), a Diorshow Mascara (0.17 oz), a Diorshow Unlimited Mascara (0.10 oz), and 5-Colour Eyeshadow in Incognito 030.

Two lipsticks, two mascara and five eyeshadows in a couture-inspired box. I’m all over this kit.

Available at Amazon.

On-the-Go Beauty

Looking for a five-minute morning routine that still leaves you feeling sensational?

Avon Five-Minute Beauty Collection – $24

Product Description: A $62.99 Value! 6 beauty must-haves including a Get-the-Look Card so you can make the most of your makeup in 5 minutes…or less.

6-piece collection includes: a stylish top-zip case to carry all your beauty must-haves with detailed instructions on how to get the look. Cotton canvas bag includes side pocket & double zip top.The Get-the-look card helps you achive a great look with our must-have products in only five mintues or less. Products include sample sizes of ANEW Advanced All-in-One Max SPF 15 UVA/UVB Cream AM, Light & Luminous Face Highlighter in Warm Shimmers, Face Brush, Glazewear Liquid Lip Color in Mirage and SuperFULL Mascara in Black.

Perfect for a Mother’s Day gift or a travel set.

Available at Amazon.com

Italian Milk Soap

Milk soap is fabulous for dry and sensitive skin. This Italian gift box of 3 soap bars has a clean, fresh scent and gentle, rich lather.

Santa Maria Novella: Rose Milky Soap Box – $48.00

Triple milled, each exquisite bar is hand-molded using 19th century equipment, aged for 60 days in ventilated cabinets, then hand-wrapped. The all-natural, milk-based formula is infused with the romantic scent of rose for a lather that is rich, gentle, and softly moisturizing.

100% whole milk base. Softens dry and sensitive skin. Lasts about three times longer than ordinary soap while maintaining its shape and scent. Limited, controlled production at the original Florence site. All herbs and flowers cultivated naturally without pesticides.

This would make a lovely Mother’s Day gift.

Available at eluxury.com

The Glow-Getter

POP Beauty: Glow Belle, Glow Kit – $28

This kit contains eight highlighters to illuminate your skin and give you a healthy glow.

Brush these powders onto eyelids, cheeks or your body to look radiant any time of the day.

Colors include:
–White Gold Highlight
–True Gold Glow
–Nudy-Peach Glow
–Pale-Pink All-Over Radiance
–Cream Glimmer Highlighter
–Peach Luste
–Lavender Brightner
–Warm Nudy-Pink Illuminator

So pretty.

Available at beauty.com

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Moms are great. How can we ever repay them for all they’ve done for us, taught us, shown us.

Mother’s Day in the U.S. is Sunday May 11, 2008.

Here are some ideas for gifts so you can give back in a small way.

Numi Tea Assorted Teas and Tessans – $32.41

Includes Morning Rise, Aged Earl Grey, Berry Black, Golden Chai, Temple of Heaven, Monkey King, Water Sprite, Moonlight Spice, Sweet Meadows, Simply Mint, Fields of Gold, and Ruby Chai varieties. Certified organic, fair trade, and kosher.

Packaged in a mahagony wood chest, this set included 60 tea bags. My personal favorite is Monkey King (Jasmine Green).

Leading Ladies Collection, Vol. 2 – $44.99

DVD set includes:
A Big Hand For The Little Lady
I’ll Cry Tomorrow
Rich And Famous
Shoot The Moon
Up The Down Staircase

I particularly love Up the Down Staircase and I’ll Cry Tomorrow.

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Divas – $14.99

Tracks include:
1. Memory (From Cats) – Betty Buckley
2. Music Of The Night (From The Phantom Of The Opera) – Katherine Jenkins
3. Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina (from Evita) – Madonna
4. All I Ask Of You (From The Phantom Of The Opera) – Shirley Bassey
5. Surrender (From Sunset Boulevard) – Sarah Brightman
6. With One Look (from Sunset Boulevard) – Glenn Close
7. Learn To Be Lonely (From The Phantom Of The Opera) – Minnie Driver
8. The Perfect Year (From Sunset Boulevard) – Dina Carroll
9. I Don’t Know How To Love Him (From Jesus Christ Superstar) – Yvonne Elliman
10. Buenos Aires (From Evita) – Patti Lupone
11. As If We Never Said Goodbye (From Sunset Boulevard) – Barbra Streisand
12. Rainbow High (From Evita) – Elaine Paige
13. Tell Me On A Sunday (From Song And Dance) – Marti Webb
14. The Heart Is Slow To Learn – Kiri Te Kanawa
15. Another Suitcase Another Hall (From Evita) – Barbara Dickson

Stand-out numbers include Surrender By Sarah Brightman and The Heart Is Slow To Learn By Kiri Te Kanawa.

Andre Rieu – Tuscany – $14.00

Product Description:
1. The Godfather (Love Theme) 2. Strangers In Paradise 3. Romance Anonyme – Jeux Interdits 4. Once Upon A Time In The West 5. Chanson d’Amour 6. O Mio Babbino Caro 7. William Tell Overture 8. Opera Potpourri 9. Italian National Anthem 10. L’Italiano 11. Marina 12. Roses From Tyrol 13. Lagune Waltz 14. The Rose 15. Italiana 16. Barcarole 17. La Paloma 18. Light Cavalry 19. All Men Shall Be Brothers (Ode To Joy) 20. Radetzky March 21. Vino 22. La Montanara 23. I Love You

A joyous concert set in beautiful Tuscany. The players really look like they’re having fun and their spirit is infectious.

Divisadero (Vintage International Paperback) – $10.32

From the celebrated author of The English Patient, comes another breathtaking, unforgettable story, this time about a family torn apart by an act of violence. Divisadero is a rich and rewarding read, Ondaatje’s finest novel to date.

If you loved the English Patient, Ondaatje’s latest novel will captivate you.

All items available from Amazon.com.

Thought For the Day: Age

“How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were?”

–Ruth Gordon, Actress and Playwright

You can buy these thought-provoking words on a key ring at Victorian Trading Company. Perhaps for Mother’s Day?

Yay, Hillary!

I grew up in Pennsylvania and I’m proud that Hillary Clinton won my state.

That’s one small step for man, and one giant leap for women.

Grace Magazine endorses Hillary Clinton for President.

Happy Earth Day

Dilemma: What Do You Think Of This Purse?

Recently, I bought this purse online. But now that I have it in person, I’m not sure I like it.

Designed by Kathy VanZeeland, the bag is a satchel shape and comes with a detachable mini bag that has a mirror on the back.

I’m usually a clean-lines person and I think this might be a little busy for me. The key ring with charms is removable. I took it off right away because not only does it add to the busyness, it’s also heavy and loud.

On the positive side, I like that the purse has organized pockets inside for my cell phone and lipstick. The fit and finish seem to be good and the lining is a cute animal print.

What do you think? Should I start carrying it or should I return it?