We did finally try our Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Wash with .... wait for it ... Frankincense & Myrrh! It gives off a marvelous aroma which, in the midst of winter, is comforting and appealing. It's listed as Anti-Aging, (isn't everything nowadays?), Hydrating & Rejuvenating. I found it in the large section in our local Target devoted to Beauty Products, but it's available online and Amazon. Now I'm going to order the shampoo for my gray/white hair that could use some hydrating, actually.

If you haven't found calendars to your taste, we found two worth passing on:  Photographer Michel Tcherevkoff has produced 2011
Petals.  Purses and Pumps 2011 Weekly Engagement Planner (Calendar) with "photographs of artfully designed shoes and accessories created from a variety of individual fresh flowers - a concept that is sure to put a smile on the face of shoe (and botanical) lovers everywhere. "

Earlier this year we ordered a total of four
Alice 2011 Calendar — calendars illustrated by
by Iassen Ghiuselev and published by SimplyReadBooks.com. And if you want to get ahead for a
Alice 2012 Calendar by Iassen Ghiuselev has created one already, though not available quite yet.

Although we have mentioned Iris Hantverk previously we've seen their products appear on various sites but it bears repeating, especially since we self-gifted ourselves this season with two we had originally seen at Liberty a year and a half ago.  But you don't have to travel to England to find them on the web.

But don't leave the Fjorn site until you look at the Design House Pleece collection for shawls and throws. Forgiving shapes, easy to don and layer. Another collection is that of  Numb clothing, all black, all easy shapes once more.

While finishing up our latest jigsaw puzzle (so relaxing, especially after entertaining just the immediate family of eleven), Manet's A Bar at the Folies-Bergéres by Educa, we found a possible present idea for next year:  It's magic-labs.com's Educa-quality puzzle made from a favorite photo. We did pick up at a Dicken's Fair the eponymously-named Dickens Novels jigsaw puzzle, manufactured by Citadel. At the moment, it is difficult to find, so perhaps just find one of the novels to read, perhaps Great Expectations?

I now have a Triton, mermaid and Pirate of the Caribbean figure from that master modeler, Papo,  to add to our collection for our grandchildren.  They do not need batteries, just imagination to play with. One of their competitors is Schleich, equally adept at creating low-cost imaginative figures. Our only complaint is that too many of the figures have a weapon in their hands (or paws).

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