Philosophy Holiday 2009

Philosophy never disappoints with their darling value packed gift sets.  Inevitably someone (or multiple someone’s) on my list will be receiving something from Philosophy. Philosophy has so many wonderful products, but if I had to pick just one of my favorites, it would be hands-down Amazing Grace. It is the most perfect scent for every woman: from my 21-yr old daughter, to my 50-something self, to my 89 yr old mother; it smells wonderful. Philosophy founder Chrisitna Carlotta speaks the truth when she says people will say "umm, you smell so good" instead of "what perfume are you wearing"? The scent is light, romantic and utterly feminine. I have given Amazing Grace to all my relatives and most of my friends and no one has ever been disappointed. Now, the hard part who is left to gift it to this year? I may choose some of the cute gift sets instead--the Bake Shoppe is sweet and the recipe box actually comes with recipes! Decisions, decisions. Oh and Santa if you're reading this, I'll take anything!

First Snow ($25.00)

• snow body lotion 2 oz., snow shower exfoliating gel 4 oz., snow kiss lip shine .5 oz. gift set

Angel Cakes ($20.00)
• high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath 8 oz., lip shine .5 oz. duo

Snow Shoes + Mittens ($20.00)
• snow shoes miraculous foot cream 4 oz., snow mittens miraculous hand cream 4 oz. duo

The Cookbook ($35.00)
• 6 recipe-inspired shampoo, shower gel & bubble baths 2 oz. gift set (pumpkin spice, red velvet, hot cocoa, warm pear cobber, gingerbread and cinnamon buns)

The Cookie Exchange ($30.00)
• 4 delectable, cookie scented high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble baths 4 oz. gift set (lemon cookie, coconut macaroon, chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin)


Gingerbread Man Hot Salt Scrub ($25.00)
• gingerly hot salt scrub for tub & shower 23 oz.

Holiday Spice & Everything Nice ($16.00)
• high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath 8 oz., lip shine .5oz

The Bake Shoppe ($30.00)
• pink frosted layer cake and raspberry mousse high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath 4 oz., raspberry mousse lip shine .5 oz., sweet creamy frosting lotion 2 oz. gift set 

The Winter Escape ($25.00)
• peppermint hot cocoa high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath 4 oz., melting marshmallow cream body soufflé 2 oz., lip shine .5 oz. gift set

‘Twas the Night Before ($20.00)
• milk and cookies high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath 8 oz. duo

Party Girl ($35.00)
• pomegranate bubbly exfoliating shower gel 4 oz., shimmer body lotion 4 oz., lip shine .5 oz.

Holiday Hostess ($20.00)
• cinnamon buns award winning, ultra rich shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath, body lotion 8 oz. duo with pumps

The Recipe Box Shower Gel Duo ($18.00)
red velvet cake and sweet creamy frosting ultra rich shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath in a keepsake box with real recipe cards

Amazing Grace ($50.00)
• amazing grace perfumed shampoo, bath & shower gel 8 oz.,, perfumed body butter 2 oz., spray fragrance 2 oz.

Shower Gels ($16.00)
• Silent Night

• The Gingerbread Man

• Peppermint Hot Cocoa

• Have a Cherry Christmas

• Candy Cane

• Pumpkin Spice Muffin

• Caramel Apple

• Eggnog

Availability: Sephora.com , Philosophy.com

A Little Story About Soap & Glory

While shopping for my weekly Target haul, I noticed the Soap & Glory line in the cosmetic aisle. The kitschy packaging caught my eye first, especially the darling makeup bags with black and white photos of 50’s & 60’s women. The clever names of the products caught my eye next; “The Righteous Butter” for when “you’ve lost that rubbing feeling”, “The Wizard of Flaws” concealor, “Hair Supply” hair mask—you get the picture. It seemed strangely familiar to me and later I remembered I had read that Marcia Kilgore, the founder of Bliss had created this line too--no wonder I like it so much! Since my BFITWWW (best friend in the whole wide world) had a birthday coming up I decided to investigate further. After picking up virtually every item in the product line, testing, sniffing and laughing out loud for about an hour, I chose the All Stars set which includes:

• 
  
   A tube of Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Plumper (in clear) (7ml)
  
  
  
• 
  
   A Tub of The Righteous Butter (50ml)
  
  
  
• 
  
   Travel-sized bottle of Clean On Me Creamy Skin Clarifying Shower Gel (75ml)
  
• 
  
•  A mini tube of Great Shakes Super Softening Hand Cream (50ml)
  

All this and the cute bag for only $25.99! Okay I may be a cheap friend but I would never give a good friend something I had not tried and tested on myself (ya know, kinda like the King’s taste tester in Medieval times) so I was forced to buy a few things for myself. I know, I know it was a sacrifice scrubbing myself in the shower with the Scrub of Your Life body scrub with it’s micro beads smoothing away my chicken arms, drenching myself in the Clean On Me body wash which has built in lotion so it doesn’t leave your skin feeling dry or tight, but quite the opposite—moisturized. And the worst part was after the shower--slathering myself with the thick rich The Righteous Butter body butter leaving my skin velvety soft but not greasy. Yes it was a chore spending that relaxing 40 minutes in the shower, but I smelled delish with the Soap and Glory signature scent of “leafy greens, bergamot and mandarin with a floral and fruity middle note that makes your nose tingle a little, followed by soft musk, oak moss, amber and woody notes”. This is a true girly girl scent; sweet and feminine but not cloying-- I personally adore it, to my nose it smells very similiar to Dior Miss Cherie.  All that suffering was worth it though when my friend was thrilled with her gift and told me I always get the best, most unique gifts. I have to agree.

Soap and Glory is sold at Target, target.com, in Canada at Shopper’s Drug Mart, and will soon be available at soapandglorycosmetics.com

Check out some the cute sets for your BFITWWW --and don’t forget to buy a few things for yourself uh, I mean to test of course.

all products were purchsed by me