These Are A Few of My Favorite Things

A part of me feels guilty—un-American—for never really addressing Thanksgiving Day beyond the obligatory family dinner. (And even then, ‘Thanksgiving’ is acknowledged only because having a family dinner at in The Dining Room, and not the kitchen, is a rarity. Also, my dad goes OTT with the menu. Last year was French-inspired cuisine; this year will be revealed in T-4 hours.) Truth is, Thanksgiving is a sh*t holiday; the fact we still endorse it in 2015 and continue to teach it in grade school as some beautiful, Kumbaya day of feasting and friendship disgusts me. How about distributing a history book that wasn’t signed off by a white man?

With that out of the way, how about a round of current favorites? All in the spirit of giving of course, but more importantly, Black Friday. (There’s no shame in celebrating materialism and consumerism, especially in America. Like I said from the start: all aesthetes and hedonists, welcome). Pictured above, in no particular order:

• Mario Badescu pouch. It’s brand new and limited edition, so when I say keep your eyes peeled, I mean it. Black Friday, coming soon. You heard it here first.
• Diptyque Eaux de Parfums. I’ll be honest: I was more in love with Diptyque when it was new (and new to the masses). And now that the brands’ emptied candle jars are lining the top shelves of every beauty blogger and her mother, it’s feeling a little passé. It’s not to say I don’t love the brand—because trust me, I do—I’m just a little apprehensive of buying a new bottle of my favorite fragrance from them until the “it” factor subsides. I couldn’t pass up this itty-bitty sample of L’Ombre dans l’Eau, though. It’s the perfume equivalent of Diptyque’s quintessential Baies candle, and while I don’t like it on my skin, I love giving my room (or wherever I am) a quick spritz. I love the blend of blackcurrant leaves Bulgarian roses; fresh has never smelled so sophisticated.
• MAC ‘Stone’ lipliner. I don’t wear lip color often, but if I do, I’m gravitating towards ‘Stone’ as of late. Sure, the 90s are back, and I’m loving a statement grey-brown lip every now and again, but truth be told, ‘Stone’ is the pencil to go to for either achieving that 90s-inspired lip or for plumping the lips. It’s the perfect shade for creating an illusion of shadow and added dimension when applied with a light hand and blended well. Equally as important is the pencil itself: am I the only one who finds MAC’s classic lip liners beautiful to look at and keep displayed on my countertop?
• Marble accents. CB2 is the go-to for luxe (but affordable!) marble pieces; this marble soap dish (I have two, actually) is one of my favorite purchases in a long time. It’s simple, functional, and gorgeous—it’s the perfect place to house all my little earrings and rings.
• The Line by K. I can’t be the only woman obsessed with Karla Deras’s collection. I can’t rave enough about the cut, quality, and design of each piece from her first drop; I’m itching to go on a spree with her second collection once my size comes back in stock (fingers crossed it does!). The proof is in the purchase: I have every piece she released from season one. She’s that good.

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xx