This better be a happy new year

...because I can't take another crap year like the last one.

So here's to 2010 being productive, exciting and full of new beginnings!

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Yesterday the mail brought a lip and cheek stain from Balmshell that I won over on Sparkled Beauty (thanks!). So my crush on the Stila crush has abated somewhat as I play with my new product. The Balmshell one has cool packaging - a little swab in a clear jar on one end, and an anti-bacterial sponge on the other end for smearing on the cheeks, so you don't get blushing fingers. The colour I received was Scandalous Scarlet, which is a deep alizarin crimson in the jar and lighter (more sheer, anyway) on the lips.

I had some on last night and hubby didn't notice. But this morning I put some on and in the light of day today, the comment was, "What have you got on your face?!" Yes, I married a man full of compliments and admiration. He next told me he didn't think the colour was right for me. Then he said maybe he's just not used to it (I do have pretty pale lips and rarely wear colour so that is probably true).

I like it. It's maybe a little more towards fuchsia than I would pick but because it's sheer I can keep it light. The weird thing is, I got some on my finger and it did stain my finger a lot more than it looks like it's staining my lips. :) new makeup toy.

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I was thinking I might do a recap on the year in terms of giveaways - I do enter an awful lot of them, and I do win some as well. I was thinking to share my favourite things I've won in the last year, and maybe sharing a little disappointment with things that I won that simply never showed up. Any interest? Or shall I just go on with things?

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And a bit of catching up on giveaways that are on now:

For baby:

• Win a Boon Flair high chair at {Natural} Mommie. Ends January 13th.
• Win a JellyBean Baby premium AIO cloth diaper at Organic Girl. Ends January 12th.
• Win a Kalencom Ozz diaper bag at Fun and Funky Mommy. Ends January 10th.
• Win a Mrs. Smiths diaper bag at Organic Girl. Ends January 14th.
• Win a Bummis Infant or Baby Organic Cotton Prefold kit at Dirty Diaper Laundry. Ends January 11th.
• Win a 3-pack of Snappis at Organic Girl. Ends January 12th.
• Win a package of Aleva Bamboo wipes at Canadian Natural Mama. Ends January 10th.

For the ladies:

• Win Sothys home spa products at Parent Reviewers. Ends January 9th.
• Another chance to win some nice Sothys products at The Give-Away Diva. Ends January 8th.
• Win a pair of Muk Luks at My Wee View. Ends January 8th.
• Win a handbag of your choice from Handbag Heaven at Leslie Loves Veggies. Ends January 11th.
• Win two random shades of Benefit's Love Your Lips lip gloss (three winners!) at Today's Diva. Ends January 26th.
• Win your choice of product from the Cream Perfume company at Emmy's Boos and Rawrs. Ends January 6th.

For anyone:

• Win a $110 pre-paid Visa card from Kodak at Jabbering Jessi. Ends January 10th.
• Win a $25 gift certificate to Ecostore USA at My Silly Monkeys. Ends January 13th.
• Win a pair of Ozone socks at Joyful Reviews and Giveaways. Ends January 7th.
• Another chance for a pair of Ozone socks at Simply Stacie. Ends January 12th.
  
• Win a tin of popcorn from The Popcorn Factory at A Simple Kinda Life. Ends tomorrow, January 2nd.
• Win a tin of Golden Moon Tea at New Age Mama. Ends January 6th.
• Win a Snorg Tee at Organic Girl. Ends January 12th.