Gifts

Lame and Clear 

It must be stated: your Clean & Clear bottle looks ugly on your vanity. Also, astringents and pads are probably too harsh for your skin- they irritate and dry you out!

My face wash pick is the super softening and oh-so glam Duchess Marden Foaming Face Cleanser. It's actually made with (non pore-clogging) rose oils and other goodies that remove your makeup, hydrates your sin, stimulates collagen rebuilding, smooths lines and wrinkles, and looks just plain enchanting on your sink, like.

Bonus, I've been using the same bottle since March '11, two pumps daily, and it is still going strong.

Amazon, $38.

Cupcakes Suck

I've talked about this before, but isn't everyone over cupcakes by now? Gag me. We all know that mounds of buttercream actually mean mounds of BUTTER, right? It's butter and sugar. And the places we go sure pile it on- we're all eating half-sticks of butter at the cupcake store. Not to mention, they're kind of played-out like vanilla, these days.

This Aesa Brass Medium Pleated Bangle from Barneys is reminiscent of a cupcake wrapper. But instead of repelling me, it somehow compels me.

Barneys, $545.

I Have to Put On My Face

If you are like me and hate the endless life-suck that is getting ready, you'll need to invest in the Claudio Riaz Instant Face Palette and Instant Face Brush. It literally creates an insta-face, with no prep.

I was in Barneys looking mighty tired and on my way out for the night, and this sales associate grabbed Claudio Riaz Instant Face palette and brush, and made a giant "3" on each side of my face- temples to cheeks to chin (can you picture it?). The palette has two powders, two bronzers and a blush that can be used (and refilled) individually or swiped on in one glide to leave your face instantly alive-looking. 

Barneys, $128 for the palette, $100 for the brush

Crack Spade

The whole team at Kate Spade must take LSD or something- they break the cuteness molds each and every month, without fail, and I can't help but wonder where their ideas come from. It may not even be the ideas- I think a big part of it is their courage and ability to flawlessly execute so many weird, cute things.

This season they have a series of pool party-esque goodies on their shelves. My favorite of all is this Pool Party Clutch, which actually features pool-printed patent leather and a clasp shaped like a teeny little pool ladder. 

In all honestly, I'd probably only wear it once. But I'm sure I'd sleep better at night knowing this little guy was in my closet.

Kate Spade, $278.