Happy Bubbly New Year!

Wishing all of you a Happy New Year! Enjoy the last day in 2011 and wishing you all the best for 2012. Thank you for your continued support of my blog and excited about a few changes to come in 2012 & hoping you'll join me along the ride.
Any New Year's resolutions?
xo
Monica

images via Nylon Magazine, January 2011 photos by Jamie Nelson, styled by Dani Stahl

Stuff it with...{stocking stuffers}

stocking stufffers by beautyparler featuring bow gloves

What's in your stocking? Sometimes its the little stocking stuffers that bring the most smiles. Or a little thank you gift to your closest friends. For me, even a quirky Christmas card is the best gift as I'm a sucker for stationary. If your looking for last minute gifts the easiest choice would be gift cards, a few years ago I would've thought it was a thoughtless gesture but I love them as its the easiest hassle-free gift, no returns necessary. What are your favourite stocking stuffers?

in the Holiday mood...

Who is in the Holiday mood?Not me...just been so busy to stop and think. But today it finally hit me, Christmas is this weekend! In general its been a quiet blog posting year for me versus my earlier blog years. This year has been busy; planning a Wedding, buying a new home, renovating new home and a little blogging. No complaints though as I love blogging and all that comes with it, like meeting fellow bloggers at events. My hope is to really push my blog to the limits in 2012!
What have all of you been up? Happy last minute Holiday shopping!
(image: Madisyn Ritland by Mara Desypris for Vogue Hellas December 2010)

Hey George, you have great skin giveaway!

Hey George how did you get your skin so soft? But first who is George? George Doherty is a Canadian pharmacist who did a little experimenting using his wife's cake mixer to develop a rich skin cream that wasn't similar to anything on the market and that used little skin irritants. Eureka! George's Skin Cream was created and sold at George and Skip's Pharmacy in Calgary.  I first discovered George's Skin Cream back in 2006, my friend and blogger Carla of DeFacto Redhead blog, would always have a tub (literally) of this rich cream in her hand bag. At the time it wasn't an easy find in stores so she bought me a tub and I've been using this on-and-off for years. Best part, fragrance-free so your male friends will be stealing this from you (if you let them). So, if that's the case you can get your own George's Skin Cream or perhaps your friends can by entering the giveaway!
Giveaway Prize:
George's Cream Special Dry Skin (450g jar & 30ml tube)
George's Light Special Lotion (360ml bottle & 30ml tube)
value over $35.00
Visit George's Skin Cream facebook page for more info!

Rules:
Canadian Residents only
Enter by leaving a comment before Saturday, December 10, 2011 midnight
Follow Beauty Parler's facebook page
Goodluck!!
Giveaway now closed!
And the winner is...
Colleen at Something Forty Bride!!
Congratulations!

Holiday 2011 Gift Guide

Holiday 2011 Gift Guide by beautyparler featuring a low kitten heel

Sorel Tofino Boots
Perfect for the snow filled Winter days!

Marc Jacobs Lola Eau De Parfum
a classic gift that never goes out of style just make sure you get her favourite scent

L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
an old favourite staple of mine. Nobody likes cracked hands! The boys like this one too!

AMERICA & CANADA EMBROIDERED PILLOWS 
$196 - uncommongoods.com (no affiliation with this website but I love these pillows & just in case you do too).

Vogue: The Covers
Saw this book today at HomeSense & having non-buyers regret as I left it at the cash.

The Hudson Bay Co. blanket
a classic blanket, enough said.

Naked Palette by Urban Decay
a must-have.
available (if you can find it in stock) at Shoppers Drug Mart & The Shopping Channel

Lancome Colour Design Lipstick - Ooh La La!
a red lip for the Holidays!
lancome.ca

Travel Tuesday {Japan}

Due to scheduling issues this week Travel Tuesday is Travel Thursday today! Hope you don't mind?

Today I bring you Narita, Japan. Narita is a quiet city outside of Tokyo, also where Narita International Airport is situated (obviously hence the name) an express train will take you into Toyko. But if your looking to escape the hustle & bustle of a big city such as Tokyo, Narita is the perfect place. A quiet friendly environment plus gorgeous temples oh & Aeon Shopping Mall will fill your shopping urges.

November Favourites

November Faves by beautyparler on polyvore.com

Urban Decay Naked Palette
Available on The Shopping Channel & select Shoppers Drug Mart
This eyeshadow palette is a must-have in any kit, long lasting, amazing colour selection & pigmented.

Lancôme Hypnose Doll Lashes Mascara
Not being one to spend on mascara I know a few of you do like your high-end mascaras thus only fair that I review this mascara as I loved it! Love the shape of the wand as you can get those hard to reach lashes using the point. Rich black and full lush lashes!

Philosophy Purity Made Simple Foaming Cleanser
A gentle foaming cleanser that's perfect for morning. Not the best at removing makeup but I prefer foaming cleansers for morning as I just want to refresh my face & not remove its natural oils.

Marcelle Essentials Foaming Cleansing Gel
This was a recent love! Amazing at removing makeup, doesn't strip skin perhaps because no alcohol or soap in this gel cleanser nor parabens. 

Shiseido Tsubaki Shining Shampoo with Tsubaki Oil
This is a staple of mine! And I recently converted my friend on to this. Smells amazing, leaves hair smooth & silky.

Shiseido Tsubaki Shining Conditioner with Tsubaki Oil EX
Conditioning & nourishing!

Mary Kay: Mary Kay TimeWise® Night Restore & Recover Complex
A light moisturizer that doesn't clog pores and leaves a nice glow.I use the Combination/oily version.
What were your November Favourites?