What's in My Handbag: Winter Essentials.

Although winter does not officially begin until next week, the cold temperatures are here. I have already changed up my skin care products, but just switched out my handbag and stocked it with winter essentials to get me through the season. Here is what I am toting around with me this winter:

Nivea Lip Butter in Vanilla & Macadamia Kiss - I love this tin of lip butter. It soothes and moistens my lips. I apply a layer of this prior to applying lipstick or gloss to keep my lips hydrated. I love the way this one tastes and smells.

Eucerin Original Healing Soothing Repair Lotion - I use this on my hands when out and about when needed. This hand cream is an emollient rich formula that seals in moisture to heal and protect skin.

ChapStick - This is more for my kids and husband than it is for me. Yes, they share; they are boys and don't care. They love the new candy cane scent and I carry it with me everywhere.

Ricola Cough Drops - I hate having a dry mouth and throat that I get in the dry heat of winter and like to have a soothed throat. I keep Ricola Natural Herb Cough Drops in my bag to soothe my throat when dry. I am using the new Ricola Extra Strength Cough Drops in Glacier Mint for when I want even more relief. These combine a unique blend of ten #swissherbs and natural menthol for powerful cough relief. They totally soothe my throat and even seem to clear my often stuffy nose with the menthol. The soft soothing syrup center is unexpected, yet gives the relief that works. They taste good too.

Sunglasses - I wear sunglasses outside year round. I feel the sun is even stronger in the winter when it is reflecting off the snow, so they are definitely important. We have already had some snow here in Massachusetts and it is extra bright out.

Gloves - Obviously these are a must because I don't like to be cold. I wear gloves as soon as the temperatures go below 50.

PocketBac Anti-Bacterial Sanitizing Hand Gel - This is essential to keep hands fresh and clean on the go.

COVERGIRL Flamed Out Mascara - I always carry this with me. I've been using this mascara since this summer, and though I keep trying others, I keep going back to this one. I can honestly say that I really never have the need to touch up my mascara, but I am always afraid that I am going to have to at some point, so keep it in my handbag "just in case".

Hourglass Femme Nude Lip Stylo - I use this in Nude Nº 1 for the perfect nude lip. I keep it in my purse becasue no matter what makeup look I'm wearing, a nude lip will obviously go.

CHANEL Glossimer Lipgloss - I keep 347 Allegorie in my handbag as it looks beautiful over the Hourglass Nude Lip Stylo above for the ultimate nude lip.

Alterna Bamboo Style Cleanse Extend Dry Shampoo - This is an odd one, but my hair goes flat in the winter due to the cold and dry heat mix. I spray dry shampoo at my roots to get more volume when needed; I swear it gives me more volume than hairspray. This one smells so fresh and it leaves no powdery residue.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer - This is my go to for touching up discolorations and undereye circles on the go.

Emi-Jay® Hair Ties - These come with me everywhere, just in case my daughter or I decide to put our hair up while out and about.

Boscia Fresh Blotting Linens - I don't need touch up powder in the winter because my skin is drier than normal, but I do keep these in my handbag just in case I need to blot away any excess shine.

To help get you stocked with your winter essentials, my friends at Ricola are offering up a special #swissherbs prize pack to one lucky reader. The prize pack includes:

• Ricola Soothing Relief Kit
• $100 Gift Card (VISA or MasterCard)

Enter in the widget below. You must be 18 years old and live in the US to enter and win! Sweepstakes ends on December 27, 2013 at 12:00 a.m. EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. While I was compensated to write a post about Ricola, all opinions are my own. For more information, please see my disclaimer page.

10 Products to Help You Get Holiday Beautiful!

The holidays will be here before we know it. I know that I want my skin, body, hair and even my teeth looking their best. With all the parties and visiting of friends and family through the holidays and at the end of the year, there are things that we can being doing now that will have us looking our best in no time. Here are 8 great products that will do just that.

To get my skin looking it's best, I am using both a day and night serum from Boots No7 Lift & Luminate Day & Night Serum ($24.99) is brightening, firming and making my skin look more even. I've only been using it for a few weeks, but the results are already noticeable. To target my brown spots, I am using SkinCeuticals Advanced Pigment Corrector ($90.00). This daily treatment helps to reduce stubborn discolorations while preventing reoccurrences, which is such a good thing. For my eyes, I have been using Erno Laszlo Phormula 3-9 Eye Repair ($175.00). If your eyes need help, start using this now to see your eyes more firm and bright in just weeks. I love the gel like formula that immediately sinks into skin and firms the entire eye area.

To keep the rest of my body looking its best, I am using Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy ($39.99) to improve the appearance of stretch marks. In just four weeks time, this cream will help to reduce the appearance and smooth the texture of stretch marks, with optimal improvement seen in 12 weeks. To keep skin soft and smooth, I am using St. Ives Fresh Hydration Lotion ($5.99). This lotion is very light and sprays with an innovative 360 degree nozzle.

For my hair, I am keeping my color fresh and extending the time between my salon appointments by using products from the Redken Color Extend Magnetics line. These products attract to the hair fiber to extend hair color and make it last longer, all while making it look more vibrant and beautiful so you have the best holiday hair ever. For touching up roots in between, try Color Wow Root Cover Up ($34.50). I brush this compact powder onto roots, temples or just where I need it.

Finally, to get my teeth their whitest, I am using Whitening Lightning Super Booster Pen ($79.00). I just paint the gel formula on my teeth and let dry for 60 seconds. The formula whitens and fights stains while I sleep by up to seven to ten shades in just two weeks.

Makeup Wars: My Holiday Wish List.

This week I am publishing this years Holiday Gift Guides. I am suggesting the best of the best beauty products that will make great gifts. But what about me? I have a few beauty items on my holiday wish list too. I think my wish list is actually reasonable. Well, all but one item is, but a girl can dream, can't she? That is why it is called a *wish* list, I suppose.

These are the beauty gifts that I have on my holiday wish list this year.

Fresh Sugar Stars Mini Lip Treatment Set - $65.00
I should probably just buy this set myself because I will put it to good use. I use the Fresh Lip Treatments all the time, and this set has eight of them, all in mini sizes, plus a brand new flavor.

Laura Mercier Almond Coconut Milk Bath & Body Duet - $48.00
I've made no secret that I don't wear real fragrance. Most scents give me a headache or bother my husband. I received a sample of this scent in a body wash and both of us fell in love and it's been a staple in my shower ever since. I've left hints for this duet and am really wishing for this so my spa nights can be complete. 

Michael Kors Sporty Collection Lip Lacquer & Nail Gift Set - $32.00
I am wishing for a certain Michael Kors handbag for Christmas and I think this sporty set would go nicely. My husband is just as obsessed with Michael Kors as I am and I think if I showed him this set, I would be gifted this as well. I have never tried any makeup from the brand yet, so I think this would be a great time and a great set to start.

Tweezerman Brow & Lash Beauty Box - $85.00
The ultimate tool set, I just don't want this set, I need this set. My tweezers and trimmers seems to mysteriously disappear all the time. I guess I have too many well groomed teenagers in my house. This beauty box has seven brow and lash tools plus a case to keep them in. Plus it comes from the best selling brow brand, Tweezerman.

Bobbi Brown Limited Edition Makeup Trunk - $1400.00
Every year, Bobbi Brown has a beautiful trunk that is filled with everything for the ultimate Bobbi beauty look. The trunk is stuffed with a selection of Bobbi's best makeup, tools and skin care. I have lusted over these trunks for years and it will be forever on my wish list.

What is on your beauty wish list this year?