If I’d seen this dress at Anthropologie myself, I would’ve walked right past it without a second glance. Could anyone, besides a stick figure, actually pull off a drop waist? Well, my sister, whose experience in fashion makes her much more attune to style and such, gave me this dress for my birthday. And while I’ll admit it made me wary at first, I’ve come to love its bright color, pleated front, quilted back, and unexpectedly flattering shape. Even if you have curves, don’t dismiss a drop-waist without at least trying it on. It won’t work for everyone, but you just might be pleasantly surprised.

I don’t know much about home decor. But I do know that virtually any room can be spruced up by a good topiary. They’re just so little and precious, and they match everything. I got this large boxwood topiary and this small one for my sister, who loves them, and now I want some for my own room! These are not artificial plants, but preserved, so they only require a spritz of water once a month, and they’ll last for years. These mini topiaries are also adorable.

However you might feel about the Sperry Top-Sider brand, there’s no denying that its shoes are some of the most comfortable out there. (This might explain why I currently own six pairs… But it probably doesn’t.) Like most Sperrys, the Sophie flat is lightly cushioned and perfect for those who spend a lot of time at work on their feet. The suede, dark rhinestones, and grosgrain bow add a touch of elegance to this professional shoe. Very versatile and majorly on sale at Belk.

The fact that I don’t consider myself to be a huge chocolate fan, yet can’t get enough of these Brookside dark chocolates, says a lot about them. There’s something highly addictive about the combination of bitter chocolate and the tart fruit center. You can probably find these at your grocery store (or pick up this gigantic bag at Sam’s Club). Multiple flavors are available, but the pomegranate is my favorite. The company tries to market these little guys as healthy, but I doubt they are, especially at the rate I consume them. Still worth it!

By now, the majority of the nation has seen Budweiser’s “Puppy Love” Super Bowl commercial… But if you haven’t, pause whatever you’re doing for the next five minutes (one minute to watch the video and four to contain the tears). And if you already have, act like you could pass up the chance to watch it again!

If you haven’t been to J. Crew lately, you must get yourself there immediately. This pleated, pink and navy Silk Diamond Tile skirt has the ideal fit and length for a chic, sophisticated look. It’s slightly marked down online, but I practically stole it in the store. 100% silk is becoming increasingly rare, even at stores like J. Crew, let alone at such a bargain.

And the obsession with bows continues with these Kate Spade Skinny Mini Bow studs. Bigger isn’t always better… But sometimes it is! These darling earrings are also available in silver and rose gold.

When was the last time you had Dippin’ Dots? Because I’m pretty sure I get them more often than most children, and I’m fine with that. Really, how could anyone resist these cute, tiny balls of flash-frozen goodness?

At the risk of sounding like a sales associate, I’m going to mention J. Crew again because the store is holding such a great sale at the moment. I’ve been eyeing this Elbow-Patch sweater for a while, and it’s now on sale, if it hasn’t sold out yet. The sweater might seem thin for the winter, but it’s 100% lambswool, so just warm enough. The leather elbow patches are a perfect finishing touch.

If you didn’t like Disney’s Frozen, you’re probably not a human being. Here’s the film’s Oscar-nominated song “Let It Go,” featuring 25 different languages. Just try watching and listening to this video without smiling.

This Friday, I’m featuring one of my favorite skincare brands: Yes To Carrots. Only a few years old, Yes To is becoming increasingly known for its products, which are at least 95% natural and completely free of parabens, petroleum, SLS, and phthalates. Skincare is important to most women, but I’ve always wondered if it’s actually worth it, as most products are costly and their ingredients are potentially harmful. Fortunately, Yes To puts my mind at ease with its  reasonable pricing and commitment to keeping its products as natural as possible. (I understand that the small amount of unnatural ingredients are necessary for preservation and to decrease the risk of bacterial growth in the product.) These days, Yes To products can be found everywhere, including at drugstores, Sephora, and grocery stores. The company has great customer service and is constantly holding sales or giving out offers through its website, Facebook page, or newsletter emails. Yes To Carrots now carries multiple lines, with different fruits and vegetables corresponding to different types of skin. Since I have fairly normal skin, I use products from all of the various lines, assuming they’ll each have different benefits for me. Last Cyber Monday, the Yes To website held a 2-hour sale, during which everything was $2. Unsurprisingly, this caused the site to crash, but Yes To was generous enough to give customers another chance the next week. This was a great opportunity to try some new products, so I pretty much bought one of each! Here are some of my favorites:

I’ve always been reluctant about wearing moisturizer. On one hand, I want my skin to stay hydrated and to prevent wrinkles. But on the other, most moisturizers contain questionable chemicals, and what if they do worse damage to my skin? Fortunately, I’ve found both safety and effectiveness in the Yes To Cucumbers Daily Calming Moisturizer and Calming Night Cream. Yes To recommends its cucumber line for those with sensitive skin, but I mostly picked these moisturizers because I occasionally wake up with a puffy face, and cucumbers and aloe reduce swelling. The Yes To Cucumbers scent (cucumbers and some other plants) is my least favorite of the lines, but it’s not overpowering and becomes unnoticeable after a minute. Yes To Cucumbers also carries a Daily Calming Moisturizer with SPF 30.

The Yes To Carrots Super Rich Body Butter is luxuriously silky and ideal for after a shower. It’s less than half of the cost of The Body Shop’s Body Butter, yet much more natural. You know how babies always smell clean and fresh? This cream basically has the same wonderful scent.

I ordered the Yes To Blueberries Healthy Hair Repair Shampoo and Conditioner to combat the effects of the dry, winter air. It’s hard to tell if they work well because I don’t actually have damaged hair. However, it’s been a year and a half since I last got my hair trimmed (possibly the longest I’ve ever gone in my entire life without one!), and my hair is still voluminous and without split ends. So these products might have something to do with that. And more importantly, they smell like candy!

Since I’m prone to doing the bare minimum, if anything at all, when it comes to makeup, I’ve been searching for the perfect tinted moisturizer or BB cream. Most are almost entirely made up of unnatural ingredients, so I was elated when I discovered the new Yes to Grapefruit CC Cream. It simultaneously moisturizes and brightens my face, while protecting it from UV rays and making me look more “put-together.” This CC cream has the subtlest, most sheer, barely-there tint I’ve ever tried, which is ideal for my preferred “natural” look. If you have uneven skin tones, acne, or other skin conditions, you’ll want more coverage from other makeup, though this CC cream could be a safer, less expensive base layer. I tried both colors and barely noticed a difference, so I’ll probably use the Light now and the Light/Medium in the summer or mix them. The initial scent has the standard makeup smell with a hint of citrus.
I don’t usually buy facial masks because I always use them once before forgetting about them, until they grow old and I have to throw them out. But I obviously had to get some products containing my favorite fruit, and this Yes To Tomatoes Clearing Facial Mask was intriguing. So I decided to give it a try, and it turned out to be my favorite Cyber Monday purchase! It’s possible that I mostly like it because it somehow smells like cinnamon rolls… But the clay-like consistency from the Dead Sea mud makes me feel like I’m getting a spa treatment, and my face looks and feels softer and fresher afterwards. I might actually finish this jar, after which I’ll update this post with the effects of long-term usage.

I probably didn’t need another ring with a bow, but I’ve had my eye on this Kate Spade Skinny Mini Bow Ring ever since it came out. And I finally got it for Christmas! Now it’s never leaving my finger.

A small dish or bowl makes a perfect catch-all, and it seems that I have a growing collection to hold my jewelry. I found the bird and the dog dishes at Anthropologie years ago, but they always carry a variety of them, including this equally precious Giraffe Trinket Dish. The two floral-patterned bowls are from the Grand Bazaar, also known as “the world’s oldest mall,” in Istanbul, but the owner of this Etsy shop also sells similar ceramic Turkish bowls, handmade in the traditional method. Finally, the Monogram Glass Plate is still available from C. Wonder.

The best part about Valentine’s Day is all of the CHERRY-flavored candy available! I was so happy to see these Tootsie Pops already in stores.

I hardly ever shop at Express any more. These days, it’s difficult to find anything there that five people I know don’t already own. Still, I’ve always liked their jewelry, which is, fortunately, less popular than their clothes. Most of their earrings, such as these little square studs, can easily be dressed up or down.

NPR’s Book Concierge has provided me with endless amounts of entertainment. Use a combination of filters–such as “tales from around the world,” “family matters,” and “seriously great writing”–to discover something new from over 200 books, selected as the best of 2013 by NPR staff members and critics.

Kiel James Patrick Drift Knot earrings, featuring the most charming motifs, are handmade from woven silk and can easily be dressed up or down.

Herringbone is inconspicuous, versatile, and therefore one of my favorite patterns. This Gap skirt boasts a clean cut and is currently on sale.

J. Crew camp socks are warm and cozy without making my feet too hot. Made in the last remaining sock mill in Vermont, they’re perfect for lining boots. I own almost every color, and they’re practically the only socks I wear in the winter.

Compagnie de Provence is based in Marseille, a French city famous for its handcrafted, fragrant soaps, but is becoming increasingly popular in the U.S. for its simple, yet effective products. This Mediterranean Sea-scented hand cream feels luxurious and surprisingly light, while still leaving my hands moisturized. A ton of enticing scents are available, but this particular one takes me back to the aromatic soap shops in Provence.

Last week, my Secret Santa surprised me with something that had been at the top of my wish list–the book version of Humans of New York. The photos and captions are gorgeous and thought-provoking, and I can’t recommend it enough. In the meantime, check out the Humans of New York blog, which truly captures the diversity of New York, America, and, when you get right down to it, the world. I find it especially appropriate for Christmas, a time to celebrate love and compassion for others.