Hey, Late Bloomers! It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything. An aggressive, lingering cold combined with holiday catch-up left me feeling unlovely. Things are getting back to normal this week, and I’m on the mend at last.

One thing about a cold, it will dry out your face. You’re losing moisture not only from a runny nose, but from surface moisture evaporating as you attempt to breathe through your mouth. Lotion and chapstick are just as important as tissues and medicine. Tea is also very beneficial when you’re feeling icky. Warm drinks can open your airways and soothe a sore throat, but if you chill your used tea bags in the refrigerator, you can rest them over your tired eyes to combat dark circles and puffy sinuses. And it’s another way to rehydrate if plain water isn’t your…um…cup of tea.

The cold left me alone in time for the post-Christmas sales, and my wonderful boyfriend allowed me to splurge on half-price gift sets of shampoo, shower gel, and even some makeup. It was my turn to do groceries, and money was running out due to my cruddy holiday paychecks, but he knew how important it is to me to stock up on those things when they’re cheap. I picked up an Herbal Essences shampoo set (including a dry shampoo, which I’ve just used for the first time and absolutely love), a set of hand soaps and shower gels in Dial’s Hello Kitty fragrance (fruity loveliness), a Hard Candy makeup set (because the value of the primer covered the discount price of the whole set), and a little basket of off-brand lotion in a mandarin-ginger scent. Add to that the lotion from Bath & Body Works that my mom brought me, and I’m smelling sweet and clean. I am one happy girl!

So now, with the help of another gift from my boyfriend (yay! I got a Dremel tool!) I can begin work on handmade presents for next year, because I went overboard on the gifts this year (so sayeth the Mastercard). Yup yup yup, handmade gifts, carved out and painted for each of my special people. That’s what you can look forward to in 2015.

What can you expect on the blog for 2015? More unboxing/unbagging, more looks and better hair. Thank you for following, liking and sharing, and if you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave it in the comments!