Really cute Valentine e-cards over here. Enjoy!

xoxo
Be Mine
Mouse

Dear people who make face lotion: AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHH.

I am back to paraben-tastic Clinique yellow lotion after a totally fruitless search for an alternative. Part of the problem is my sensitive skin, part is the Chicago wind, part is money. To review my romp with paraben-free attempts:

Avalon Organics Lavender Daily Moisturizer

Cost: Reasonable
Made me get little bumpies on the sides of my nose and beneath my eyes (not lower eyelids, but cheeks)

Clinique YouthSurge SPF 15 Combination to Dry

Cost: Expensive
Made the sides of my nose peel, and couldn't keep me moisturized on my chin and brow.

Origins A Perfect World Antioxidant Moisturizer with White Tea

Cost: Moderate
I was sad about this one, because it smelled wonderful. But in the end, it made my nose and cheeks peel.

Origins A Perfect World Liquid Moisture

Cost: Reasonable
Smelled nice. Didn't moisturize my skin at all.

Also had bad luck with MyChelle and oil-based stuff, which made me break out. Seriously, you guys. There will be a prize for someone who locates the holy grail of facial moisturizers: paraben-free, affordable, and does not make my skin peel. It will be a GOOD prize. xoxo

P.S. While we're at it, does anybody have a good wrinkle-preventing eye cream for nightie time?

Our street is quiet, everything hushed by the blanket of snow (apart from distant sirens, this still being a city). I meant to show you the power of our weather, the falling flakes themselves, or else the great chunks of ice floating on the lake's surface and dusted in white. But instead you get the hush, the calm, the orange circles of street lights, the unhurried and blanketed parked cars. The trees become grander in a winter night, and a cozy home more dear.

Am trying this formspring thing. Am not yet sold. You?

P.S. We in Chicago are having a very lovely snow day today.

I, like others, am in Mad Men withdrawal. We had to stop watching early in the season, and are now marooned until it comes out on effing DVD. I just found this kickass website, though, where I can get some Mad Men methodone. It's called Vintage Ad Browser, and it is neat. Go see!

(Spotted here.)

Dear insanely cute Anthropologie dresses: I need you to be slightly longer, porfa, because more than one of my bridesmaids has a bare-knees-in-photos phobia. I also need you to stop showing your zippers, because we all know my mother is never going to go for it.
But I like your embroidery, tomato dress (which really is orange), and I love your little lace-trimmed petticoat, yellow frock. Perhaps I will invite you on my honeymoon, instead.

(From Anthro.)