Chanty’s gift guide: last-minute beauty products every girl needs in her Christmas stockings

Hold the phone- it’s Christmas in 6 sleeps and I still haven’t done all my shopping! Yikes, talk about last-minute. Am I alone here, or what?

Personally, it’s not the shopping that takes time, it’s the thinking process. I actually take more time to choose the right gift for the person, because I believe strongly in the ‘thought’ that counts part. You will never see me aimlessly wandering the malls, looking for that perfect gift. I do a LOT of research online to find neat gift ideas, whether it’s the latest in gadget trends or even innovative beauty products that I could buy someone or put on my Christmas list.

Here are my top 12 last-minute beauty products that every girl needs in her Christmas stocking

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Chantsy’s Gift Guide: Have yourself a Uashmama Christmas

Ugh, I have a soft spot for these little paper bags, and I can’t shake it off! When I was unemployed over 3 years ago, I started a marketing and virtual assistant business, and Uashmama was one of my favourite clients to work with. See, the Canadian distributor is located right here in Ottawa! Although I didn’t have the chance to do some groundbreaking work, I did help the humble team with a few proposals and odd marketing jobs. I have to say, I do miss those days, but I am so grateful for my stability today. It’s sort of has come full circle, now that I get to work with them on the blog!

For those who don’t know, Uashmama (pronounced Wash+Mama), is a line of lifestyle goods made of leather-like paper. The paper fibre is treated like leather and offers a durability and similar look to leather and it’s all the way from Italy.

UASHMAMA IS NOW OFFERING FREE SHIPPING ON ALL HOLIDAY ORDERS!

Uashmama makes different products for the household like their famous paper bag meant to be used as a gift bag, container or basket. They are both practical and beautiful! The toughest part is making a decision because you will want them all. There are so many great colours and sizes to choose from. I have some all over the house. In the bathroom, I use them to hold my hairbrushes, my hair products, makeup brushes and small towels. In the kitchen, I use them as a bread basket or a plant holder.

PRO TIP: I use a Uashmama bag to ripen my avocados! See? They are so very versatile!

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And last but not least, they also have a gorgeous selection of handbags, wallets, purses, clutches, lunch bags, hampers, and.. backpacks! I have had my eye set on this chrome backpack since last year and finally it’s all mine! It will be travelling with us this January on our trip to Hawaii! (More on that later!)
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These Uashmama bags are the perfect and original addition to your holiday gift giving this year. Two years ago, I used them as the container to my Christmas gifts, and for a joke, I put one as the star on top of my Christmas tree! That’s how much I love these little guys.

The main message here is that Uashmama is offering FREE SHIPPING for all your purchases until the end of the year. So if you hate paying for shipping, like me, this offer is for you!

A big thank you to Uashmama for supporting this post.

The photography on this post is brought to you by Debra Cowie, Ottawa’s famous product and food stylist! She has been a great photography and flatlay coach and is lovely to work with. Stay tuned for more of her great work on the blog!

I dug up some old photos from my Instagram, from two years ago… back when I used to get a whopping 7 likes! Bahahahaha

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Chantsy’s Gift Guide: That’s Stunning

What’s the most cost effective way to add a bit of edge to your look and declare your personal style? Jewelry of course! It’s amazing how a little bling and chain can go a long way. Today’s holiday gift guide is all about supporting local and finding unique Ottawa gift ideas for yourself or your gal pals this Christmas.

What if I told you there is a sweet little eye-candy shop nestled on York street in the Byward market, just around the corner to Sussex. You’ve seen it, it’s by the parking lot, you just haven’t satisfied your curiosity enough to enter the white gates. The store is called Stunning, and if you haven’t been inside, you’re missing out!

I discovered Stunning last year, when I finally took the plunge and went in the shop, where I met the lovely store owner Mandy Gosewich and her dog Pearl. Now, I’m a seasonal regular. I wait for Mandy to post some bait on her Instagram feed, and then pop in when I am tempted to see the treasures in real life. That’s what happened when I spotted these little puff earrings!

Mandy has an exceptionally edgy style, and sources her goodies from all around the world. She has great stories about her buying trips to New York, and can tell you where each piece comes from. What I love about shopping there, is the reward for your individuality. Because there is so much to chose from, it’s up to you to find something that calls you, that suits your personal style. You know you will be the only one with the awesome necklace, or killer earrings, and that you were the one to find them! A challenge we easily forget when we go shopping at big retailers.

Mandy helped me pick out a few awesome pieces to showcase in this gift guide. I hope you love them as much as I do!

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I have a soft spot for long chains. This one in particular has a perfect blend of edge to it.

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Yup! Removal pompom on this tuque!
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I call this the puff cuff! You can get one or a pair! Can we also take a minute to stare at the ring!! It’s amazing!
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I loved these simplistic geometric earrings.
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This little candy shaped clutch stole my heart!
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Hoops are back, and this is a very cool way to warm up to them! Love the geometric design here too.
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These earrings to me are Kate Spade on a motorcycle… right?
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This bib was out of this world! Just wear all black and wear the rhinestone bib to the party!

So, what do you think? What caught your eye? I am in love with my little puff earnings and can’t wait to wear them for my Christmas party! I really want that long necklace too…

So will you satisfy your curiosity next time you’re in the market? If you head over to see Mandy, please tell her Chantsy sent you! Happy shopping and don’t forget to support local when you can this Christmas!

If you’re looking for more gift ideas, check out these WHITE & ROSE GOLD WIRELESS SUDIO EARPHONES or my new obsession with AMORE PACIFIC skincare routine.

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Amore Pacific: Why I don’t mind spending $500 plus on my skincare routine

I should clarify, I am not a baller, but there are some things I like to splurge on, if I can justify it. I should also add that this is NOT a sponsored post, and albeit I get gifted a lot of product, I have not made it to the big leagues yet. I would faint if Amore Pacific sent me their products to review. But really why should they? I am already sold on it and dishing out the Robby Bordens (i.e. Benjamins) to make this face look flawless and ever youthful.

How did I discover Amore Pacific? I was invited to a beauty event at Nordstrom Ottawa in the summer and gifted a luxury Amore Pacific facial. The young lady was super sweet and informative. She walked me through all the steps of the facial and tried almost every product on me. When we were done I was like “I’ll take everything!”, then I asked how much it was and almost fainted. I settled with half the products, but regret the hand cream until this day, it was divine! Expensive, but divine. My purchases sat in the Nordstrom bag in my office for a good month, before I used any of it. You know, the buyer’s remorse had to dissipate before I unboxed it all. Finally, the products made it in my medicine cabinet and are now a part of my skincare routine.

Because I am constantly in product testing mode, I’ve been sporadically using my Amore Pacific ritual when I have time, but I really love treating myself after my shower. My face is super clean but feels dry and only the concentrated formulas of Amore Pacific can quench its thirst. And I say ritual because Amore Pacific has purposefully broken down all their products into individually highly-concentrated hard-working formulas that are meant to be applied in layers. See, layering beauty products is just as trendy as layering for Fall!

My friend Dom, from Style Domination, made me laugh in her post “The Art of Getting Ready” when she admits to being lazy when it comes to her morning routine. In her ideal world, she would “be able to enjoy the 10-step Korean skincare process that goes directly against her lazy North American sensibilities.” So much wisdom in that statement, we do need to slow down, don’t we?

So, what does my Amore Pacific ritual look like?

Some of these products I purchased and some I got samples of. But for the most part, I do the following:

  1. On a dry face (if I have makeup), I cleanse with the oil and work up a foam with a dab of water. Then rinse! I know cleansing with oil seems counter-intuitive, but it actually breaks down makeup and pulls more dirt out of your pores, without drying your skin! If you’re not sold on cleansing with oil, you would love the foaming cleanser.
  2. On a clean face, I use the eye cream. You can go up really close to your eyes with this very gentle formula. It’s highly concentrated and known to work miracles on fine lines when used consistently.
  3. I then moisturize my entire face with the Age defying creme.
  4. Then I apply the serum all over my face. I can’t tell you how much I love serum!
  5. Lastly, I spray my face with the hydration mist. You can use this after your makeup is done to set it on your skin. Apparently, this is a #1 seller at Nordstrom.

The rest of the products like the neck cream and tea oil, were given as samples and the toner and eye essence (rolling ball) were used on the trail. I am sharing them because I truly do love them and are worth sharing. There is also a nice starter kit available, which is a great way to get introduced to the brand. And as I said, I will be back for that hand cream!

My final disclaimer is that I was blessed with healthy skin, on the normal to dry side, and do not rely on product claims to keep my skin looking great. I use what finishes I like, what smells yummy and what makes me feel happy. If you have a troubling complexion, I would strongly suggest getting samples of products to see if your skin agrees with them, before splurging.

AMOREPACIFIC All Day Balancing Care Serum • Amore Pacific • $200
AMOREPACIFIC ‘Time Response’ Intensive Hand Renewal Crème • Amore Pacific • $90
AMOREPACIFIC ‘Future Response’ Age Defense Creme SPF 30 • Amore Pacific • $195
AMOREPACIFIC Green Tea Seed Treatment Oil • Amore Pacific • $195
AMOREPACIFIC ‘Moisture Bound’ Skin Energy Hydration Delivery System • Amore Pacific • $60
AMOREPACIFIC ‘Time Response’ Eye Renewal Crème • Amore Pacific • $260
AMOREPACIFIC ‘Moisture Bound’ Rejuvenating Serum • Amore Pacific • $100
AMOREPACIFIC ‘Time Response’ Skin Renewal Toner • Amore Pacific • $180
AMOREPACIFIC ‘Time Response’ Introductory Regimen • Amore Pacific • $175
AMOREPACIFIC ‘Treatment’ Cleansing Foam • Amore Pacific • $50
AMOREPACIFIC Treatment Cleansing Oil • Amore Pacific • $50
AMOREPACIFIC Intensive Vitalizing Eye Essence • Amore Pacific • $95

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