Until a few years ago, I had one bag. I was content. But then I met Sara Lovering who runs the Bag Blog and then I moved to LA and I just seemed to all of a sudden notice and want bags. It was bad for awhile. But I got help and thought I was doing OK until I saw this bag at Anthropologie.

I petted it, dear reader, for a very long time. Daily, in fact. No, just pet it I’d tell myself. But the colour, the material, the size, the style – it was too much! And when there was only one left in the store I knew I had to act quickly. So I took it off the hanger and yes, I brought it home. And I’m so glad I did.

First, aside from being terribly stylish, it fits my 15″ macbook perfectly and is very, very comfortable to use with the computer inside. Travelling as much as I do, I need a laptop bag that doesn’t look like a laptop bag and this is it. Inside, there’s lots of pockets and storage – for pens, papers, notebooks, keys, phones, wallets, your mama. Kidding about your mama. Kind of.

It’s a step price to pay for a bag, I know, but it’s something I think you’ll be able to use for a very long time. And if it’s not in your budget keep petting it – Anthropologie is known for their serious sales so check their website sale section and most likely it’ll be 40% off within the month!

BUY AT: Anthropologie

I’m not a foundation wearing girl for several reasons; I think it’s best to have great skin and not cover it up, foundation almost always looks fake, is harsh on your skin, or comes off if you do any kind of activity. Just not worth it in my opinion. However there are times when my skin needs a little somethin’ somethin’ so step in Everyday Minerals Mineral Foundation.

Now, let me say I have tried a lot of mineral foundations. Bare Escentuals always left an oily looking residue and caused my skin to react. Jane Iredel same thing. Brands from Whole Foods and other spa’s just weren’t working despite the high cost. I discovered it was all due to one ingredient: Bismuth Oxide. I read on a message board that people were loving Everyday Minerals because it did not contain this ingredient, covered really well whilst allowing the skin to breathe, looked very natural, contained a natural SPF 15 and best of all? Completely affordable!

Since Everyday Minerals offered a free (yes free!) trial kit, I decided to give it a go. Round 1 I chose the foundation in the “matte” finish and the two shades of Fair I tried turned very orange on me within an hour although the concealor did not and worked really well. So I decided to go to Round 2 and chose the Fair in the “Intensive Coverage” finish and voila! Heaven! No colour change, no skin reacting, no break outs, no fake look. Just my skin only better.

I use a concealer brush and dab it on areas that need a little concealing now and then. I’ve used it as an all over face foundation with their kabuki brush with great results, too. Their Light Pink Cheek Colour really brightens up my complexion in a very subtle way and helped me to look like I was healthy when I had a really bad flu! What I love also is that it’s a small, female-run company. Love to support that!

So if you’re up late at night watching infomercials on Mineral Makeup, instead of dialling that number try Everyday Minerals. You skin and pocketbook will thank you!

BUY AT: Everyday Minerals

Since I’ve been talking a lot about makeup, travel and bags, I thought it was only fitting to write about a product that combines all three things – the Paul & Joe Makeup Case.

These handy zipper cases (which measure 8 x 5 1/2 x 2″) fit your makeup, brushes and a few accessories perfectly without taking up too much room. With a three-ring binder attachment on the inside, you can easily snap the zippered pockets out. The inside pockets hold your brushes and mascara so conveniently there’ll be no more scrapping around a case looking for your essentials.

I find it’s the perfect size makeup travel bag; fitting easily into my suitcase as it does my everyday bag. And the colour? Finally a makeup bag that’s not your boring black!

BUY AT: Paul and Joe

BUY AT: Ebags

I travel. A lot. 23 flights this year alone so having a great travel bag is very important to me which is why I went with the Victorinox bag after a lot of research.

Features I needed? It had to work as a carry on, it had to roll easily and turn even easier, it had to be light enough for my small frame to be able to lift into the overhead compartment, it had to have some kind of garment bag so clothes wouldn’t get wrinkled, it had to be tough and durable and it had to have some kind of hooking system for other bags. And if it could expand that would be icing. And this bag can do all that!

The handle is one of the best features because it’s easy to use and comfortable. So many handles were the T-bar shape or would stick or didn’t come up high enough. This handle works perfectly for both short and tall people. The 80mm inline wheels make for easy handling and are incredibly smooth – perfect for running between terminals. The self-healing zipper means never having to worry and the “Travel Sentry® Approved combination lock secures belongings while in transit and allows airport security to access your bag without breaking the lock.”

But one feature I really loved was the “Zip-in suitor with foam bolsters to reduce wrinkling” which allows you to put it in the case nicely then hang your clothes at your destination – this makes packing a cinch! And the front pocket is large enough for a laptop so you don’t need a second bag if you don’t want one. And I’ve carried it onto every flight I’ve been on without any problems at all. Ok, I had to check it once when I expanded it – what can I say, Paris is a great place to shop!

Whether you travel as much as I do or just a few times a year, this is a great bag and a sound investment. After all the beating I’ve put mine through it still looks great and is all in one piece. Thank goodness because I have yet another trip coming up…!

BUY AT: The Container Store

There’s shampoos, conditioners, razors, soap and washcloths in your shower. They take up space and, if you’re lazy like me and don’t always close lids, gunk up the shower and caddies like crazy. The solution? This stainless steel organiser from the Container Store.

This one really has the space to hold lots of bottles, wonderfully little holders on the bottom shelf to hold razors upright and hooks for your washcloths on the bottom. The style allows for any shampoo or soap to just flow through so no more gunk collecting at the bottom of the caddy. And since it’s stainless, it’s virtually rust resistant!

So organise your shower quickly and easily with this. You’ll thank me when it’s 7AM and you’re looking for your shampoo with very closed eyes.

BUY AT: Blue Teapot

I don’t buy jewellery. I don’t buy shoes. But oh how I buy tea and lately most of it seems to be coming not from England but from a little tea shop in Vancouver BC.

It seems I can’t get enough of their Roobios (naturally decaffeinated, good for teeth enamel and overall health) teas – especially the Strawberry Cream, Carmello and Chai Massai. Their green tea’s, such as Japanese Treasures and Energy Booster are just as good (love them as an afternoon pick me up).

Their teas smell amazing, taste great and are packaged fresh. If you call them, make sure to ask for recommendations or new teas they have in (and if you’re bold, ask for their popcorn tea. I was not so bold!). I start with their smallest size bag to try the teas (and I keep the bags in air-tight containers once home) then purchase large sizes once I’m in-love (hullo again strawberry cream!).

Chances are, you colour your hair. Chances are, you spend good money on it. Chances are, you’ve cursed when your colour fades too soon or damages your hair. What to do? Get a good shampoo made for coloured and sensitised hair.

Working on sets in LA I noticed this in a lot of dressing rooms and, at one of the best salons in the city, this product is used exclusively and for good reason. It really does keep your colour from fading, it really does put moisture into your hair, it really does keep your scalp nice and it really does make your hair colour seem like it’s your own.

I used to use the Bain Satin for dry hair until this came out last year and now this is my shampoo of choice for every day washing. A little goes a long way because it’s so concentrated which is good because it ain’t cheap. But it’s worth it because it keeps your hair looking wonderful!

BUY AT: Fred Segal Beauty

Best anti-aging weapon? Sunscreen! I wear it every day, rain or shine, inside or out. SPF 20 for regular days, SPF 30 for long periods spent outside. The problem with wearing so much sunscreen, however, is that most of them are just too hard on your skin, making you break out or leave you with a whitish cast.

Not this.

After many, many different sunscreens I’ve been faithful to this for over a year. My skin loves it; keeps it hydrated, matte, break-out free and with no whitish film over it. A little goes a long way so this can last you for awhile. And if you wear makeup you’ll have no problem putting it on over this.

So keep your skin looking young and at it’s best by keeping it out of the sun with a little daily SPF from Skinceuticals.

BUY AT: Skinstore

BUY AT: Ex Libris Anonymous

What do you do with old 50’s style hard cover books? If you’re Jasmine Deatherage you turn them into journals! Using the front and back cover of various old-school books along with very weighty, acid free blank paper (perfect for journaling/collaging), Jasmine create a wonderfully unique, personal (and often cheeky) hand bound spiral journal book that’s the perfect gift for the person who has everything.

My favourite bits about the books are the found objects and notes on pages from the original book that are included randomly throughout the newly created journal (you with me on following that?) Basically, pages from the original book that might have things such as library cards, inscriptions, doodles, and funny pictures are incorporated into the new blank journal, creating a place for new pages whilst retaining some of the old.

And I can’t think of a better way to make something old new again.

I was staying at the Four Seasons Henri V in Paris for my birthday when my skin began to react badly. The cold, harsh weather combined with a cold and stress of travel had left my skin red, irritated and reactive. Nothing was working and with a party coming up, I had to do something.

I went down to the hotel’s spa and asked them for advice. An aesthetician looked at my skin and recommended several Decleor products: Aromessence Rose d’Orient Soothing Concentrate, Aromessence Essential Balm and Herbal Clay Mask. Within moments of application, I knew my skin would be better because it instantly felt less tight, less irritated and hydrated.

After just a few days my skin had returned to normal and I’ve been hooked on these products ever since although I don’t use them every day. When I’m sick, flying or need a pick-me-up, these are the products I turn to. Don’t be afraid to use the oils – even if you have oily skin (try their Ylang Ylang!). Trust me when I tell you that it works like nothing else. And the smell? Naturally amazing!

There’s a reason why the French always seem to have such lovely skin – they created Decleor!

BUY AT: Sephora