Gifts I Gave Myself - A Lifestyle Editor's Holiday Wish List

So what does a New York area lifestyle editor want for Christmas? Check out my list. Check it out twice!

Each year I enjoy putting together gift guides for everyone on your holiday list. So this year I am going to share some top items on my own personal list for Santa. Maybe it could give you some good ideas too?

Cozy soft cotton and wool cable knit sweater from Hanna Andersson

I've been a fan of Hanna Andersson since forever as this catalog company offers well made, organic cotton clothing for the whole family. I picked up this gorgeous cable knit sweater while shopping for family gifts. It reminds me of the Irish Aran Isle hand knitted sweaters I've seen when marching in the St. Patrick's Day Parades. This is a unisex sweater in ecru with 70% cotton and 30% wool. Buy it a size up, (this is a medium) for layering and a comfy relaxed fit.
Tips: Look for free shipping offers and a 20% discount code for new customers. Also, shop the clearance area as there are often many deep discounts on high-quality organic cottons. Visit online at HannaAndersson.com

100% Heavy Cotton Spa Robe. PHOTO: Me at Crystal Springs Resort Spa

When I visited Crystal Springs Resort and their Elements Spa, each suite had two thick cotton terry robes hanging the closet. It was so plush and luxurious that I wanted to take it home! So I was very happy to have found a similar heavy cotton robe by Alpine Swiss. Seriously this robe weighs nearly four pounds with the outer layer being made of cotton velour but the inside being lined with absorbent terry. The shawl collar is cotton velour and so soft against your skin. Has one chest and two hand pockets with a matching belt. Perfect for my spa days at home! My Alpine Swiss 100% Cotton Robe is available on Amazon.

Spring Clean Your Beauty Routine - New Natural Skincare Products

Freshen up! Time to spring clean your beauty routine.

Springtime in NY: The (slightly) warmer temperatures this week just makes us want to throw off layers of all sorts including makeup and skincare products. If you've been battling the cold dry air of winter, then now you may not need such heavy creams and foundations. I've rounded up some of the best new skin pampering products and gadgets that may be flying under the radar. While you are at it, this is a good time to toss out your old toothbrush and makeup sponges for a really fresh start this spring. Here we go:

Clean up your act: Sonicare Toothbrush, Ayurvedic Soap & Lotus Softsonic Brush + Cleanser

Philips Sonicare Toothbrush - Spring is time to chuck your old toothbrush. Why not upgrade to a Sonicare?  I've used one for years and usually replace the brush heads every 3-4 months. It does an amazing job of cleaning your teeth and this model, the 2 Series is great for plaque removal.

WaterPik Sonic Toothbrush & WaterFlosser - The Sensonic Professional Plus actually blows the Sonicare Flexcare out of the water...literally! You also get THREE unique brush heads, a carry case and a very well made re-charge stand. This model toothbrush also has a 30 second quadrant pacer and two speeds. It is very effective and in my opinion, a better value than Sonicare. WaterPik Water Flossers have been around for a number of years and this Aquarius designer unit is very posh! Fill it and enjoy water-flossing for incredibly clean teeth. Available at most retail and department stores or visit online at WaterPik.com.

Waterpik products for superior dental health.

Chandrika Ayurvedic Soap - Made in India, it is vegan and free from any type of animal fat. Made with high quality vegetable oils and genuine herbal extracts, it smells of sandalwood and is very gentle on your skin.

Lotus by Dr. K Softsonic Skincare - This is a very soft and gentle sonic cleanser which offers 10,000 sonic vibrations per minute and is waterproof. Much lighter and easier on my skin than my Clarisonic Face Brush, my pores are ultra clean now. Their Foaming Cleanser is good but you can use any type of facial cleanser. This brush travels easier too with the replaceable brush heads lasting between 3-6 months. Made in Korea. Visit Lotus-dr-k.com

Organic, natural skincare creams and lotions for face and body.

100% Natural and Organic Cremes and Lotions for Face & Body
We are literally swimming in chemicals and additives every day through cleaning products, air fresheners, polishes, etc. We don't need to add to this list with creams and lotions we put on our skin. Here are a few new favorites that are VERY pure and made without any additives: Tammy Fender Holistic Skin Care Custom Blended Formulations, Incredibalm Whipped Lemon Clarity Body Balm AND Hydrating Face & Neck Anti-Aging Night Balm, Suki Rescue Ultra Protect Body Balm. 

Let it all sink in: Derma Roller and JeNu Wand

The Derma Roller vs JeNu Wand This is getting major buzz on the beauty scene this spring. The Derma Roller has 540 tiny stainless steel needles that you run over your face to: stimulate collagen production, reduce wrinkles and fine lines, reduce enlarged pores, tighten and smooth the skin. Put your serums on and roll over your skin with this device to drive it down into the skin. Relatively painless, I did see an almost immediate improvement after two uses. A bit scary but they are easy to find and relatively inexpensive.

The JeNu Wand This unit uses ultrasonic pulses to drive serums down into the skin. Much more comfortable than the Derma Roller, the success of this unit may depend more on the quality of products you use. I don't really have many lines around my eyes or mouth so I can't say there was a marked improvement after using the JeNu Wand for several weeks. It did seem to increase hydration under my eyes and my lips do appear a little plumper and more moist. If you are looking for more drastic improvement for deeper lines and wrinkles, I think the Derma Roller will give better results. The JeNu Ultrasonic Infuser is rechargeable (charger included) and very easy to use.
Visit JeNu.com Online.

YSL Fusion Ink Foundation and Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques Creme Foundation

New Trend in Makeup Foundations
Yves Saint Laurent Fusion Ink Foundation is by NO means a "natural" cosmetic. However I am including it along with NARS New All Day Luminous Foundation & Laura Mercier's Smooth Finish Flawless Fluid as examples of the newer, LIGHTER yet highly pigmented, long wearing products coming out. All three have a lot of dimethicone added to them (which I think is a BIG mistake) so they get major razzies on that point. However, if you are not sensitive to silicones, you may find you are able to get away with just a touch of these foundations as you need so little. I'm literally talking about one DROP of foundation. A minor concession then? 

NARS All Day Luminous Foundation

They look absolutely flawless, natural and feel like nothing on your skin, especially the NARS All Day Luminous Foundation.

Lauren Brooke Cosmetique Natural Creme Foundation This is THE WINNER. 100% Natural vitamins, minerals and pigments blended into a 97.5% Certified Organic Base. 

Formulated with beeswax, jojoba and argan oils, it may be a little rich for hot summer-wear. However, it is a fair trade-off to have an all natural foundation that melts into your skin like butter. Highly prized by makeup artists, MaqPro Palettes from Paris, France (Makeupfirst.com) are also beeswax based and look incredible on the runway. Lots of shades in Warm, Neutral and Cool. Visit Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques Online.

Toss your old makeup sponges! Disney Fairy Sponges collaboration with Soho Beauty

Disney Fairy Princess Sponges - I don't know about you but I'm not too old to play with Disney Fairy Princess stuff. "Each fairy sponge grants you a flawless application!" These are very dense "Beauty Blender" type make up sponges which are great for all types of sheering out. These are what you should use to apply the new wax based palettes. They clean up well and are very durable. You get a set of three in the Grace Beauty Aurora Set (Sleeping Beauty) and a single large blender sponge in the Snow White set. See them at SohoBeauty.com

100% Mulberry Satin Pillowcases

Try Sleeping on Satin Pillowcases 
These ultra soft 100% Mulberry Satin Pillowcases from Sleep n Beauty are amazing for your skin and hair. These work to keep your skin smooth and soft partly due to the presence of silk amino acids which pamper both your skin and hair while you sleep. Sleep n Beauty gives you a set of x2 silk pillowcases per box presented as you see here. Change them frequently to help keep your skin clear of acne and breakouts. Spritz with a little Lavender Mist for an extra good night's sleep! Visit SleepnBeauty.com online.

Book a Dermatologist's Check Up...Online
The season's changing weather can bring new challenges to skincare: breakouts, sun damage, increased oiliness, etc.  This would be a good time to reassess your skincare routine moving forward into the warmer months. I had the chance to try out an online dermatologist service called YoDerm for my Acne.
You fill out a brief online form, upload three photos of your face and a certified dermatologist helps you to choose the skin care protocol that's best for you. This includes writing prescriptions for Retin-A and oral medications. This works for me because I am often traveling and may not always be able to get in to see my doctor before I leave. Check them out at YoDerm online.

On the go and ready for summer! Winter Garden Dress by Cindy + Johnny, CA

Makeup: Kett Hydro Foundation, Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
Sonicare Toothbrush, YSL Foundation, Derma Roller and Soap - mine.
Skincare products and accessories c/o the companies included herewith.