Top 10 of 2011

Just a ten of my picks for my favorite things that I discovered for myself last year. It's not that they necessarily came out last year though some of them did, it's more that I tried them and liked them in 2011, it also includes a few things that I can't live without.

Best Lip Product of the Year

Geek Chic Cosmetics Biobalm in Big Daddy is one of the best things I've ever put on my lips. It smells delicious, heals and protects like nothing else. It doesn't have much in the way of staying power though, I've mostly been using it as a night treatment.

Best Treat of 2011
Root Beer Fudge tastes just like a root beer float but without the sticky mess, or the disappointment when your soda goes flat.

Best "New" Bath and Body
I still say Lush is the best but very close is Cleanse Your Soul which I first discovered last summer, they are chock full of fresh made bath and body products, including a few I now can't live without like their Behemoth Scrub and their hair protein spray. The scent list alone is worth it and the scents last forever.

Favorite New Eyeshadow
Even though I only got it just before the holidays Geek Chics Drunken Toast is my absolute favorite eyeshadow color from last year, it's the perfect color for lining under my lower lashes and I've used it almost every time I've worn makeup since I got it.

Favorite Tea
Adagio Chestnut is hands down my favorite tea ever. Sadly it's only available during the holidays and sells out so fast it makes me head spin.

Best Scent
I'm not much of a scent person but Cleanse Your Souls Candy Cane Fizz (Candy canes blended with 7up and strawberry syrup), it's tart, spicy, and sweet all at once and I love it so much.

Best Etsy Shop
Though sometimes it's hit or miss I love Etsy, it's only right they get their own category. And I think Ink & Paint with their truly beautiful, solid products and amazing customer service is always a win. I hope to buy more from her this year.

Favorite Eatery
Mint Tea is one of my favorite places ever, the tea they sell is excellent and the food is so delicious. I go there so often that most of the people who work there recognize me. I still really like food carts, but they're not very practical for the winter.

Favorite Outfit

Valentines Day last year was particularly fun, and I think a lot of that had to do with the outfit itself. I never mentioned it, but I was in this outfit when Heather and I went to the Dollar Store to pick up the balloons we used, when we were there two teenage boys sort of "followed" me around, one of them tapped me on the shoulder and I was sure he was going to say something disparaging or vulgar to me. He just said, "what you're doing, it's really cool."

Favorite Makeup
I think frequent readers all know my heart belongs to the original Aromaleigh, and though it's back in it's new incarnation I've yet to try their new stuff, though I'm sure they are just as fabulous as before since Miss K has continued with the company as Creative Director (that means she still makes the colors). It surely comes as no surprise to you all that some of my favorite products were from the old Aromaleigh the eyeshadows of course are still amazing and continue to be my favorite formulation. Corset Blush, Voile Foundation in N1, and Finishing Powder in English Rose which they've brought back! I'm so happy about that, I thought when I finally ran out I might be forced to contact another mineral makeup company about making something simelar. I'm sure that wouldn't have been too difficult, but I'm relived I don't have to.

Other products I use almost daily are Sobe Botanicals Shape Up Eyebrow Styler, and Ophelia' Apothecarys Lip Scrub Stick. I still don't think it's the best scrub but the balm the sugar is embedded in is amazing.