28 Aug It’s my birthday, I will shop if I want to!

Much to everyone’s irritation, I have been counting down the days to my birthday since the 16^th of August. I figured that this last year has been the most challenging year – EVERYTHING started around September last year – so to celebrate surviving it, I have decided that I am going to count down each and every single day, in anticipation for what I plan to make my best year yet!

If I am being honest, I am one of those annoying people who absolutely loves celebrating her birthday. I even remember as a kid watching TV shows where someone forgets the main character’s birthday and thinking but how? Is it NOT everything you talk about for the month leading up to it? There was a time where my birthday became sorely depressing and it would take a few weeks to pull myself out of the slumps, but in recent years, I have put a lot of emphasis on reclaiming that childhood excitement that we all once had, and reliving it in my adulthood.

So, this year, I am celebrating my 24^th birthday on the 16^th of September – woohoo! What a year it has been and to celebrate, besides buying myself 30 Daim bars (yes, really), I put together my ultimate wishlist.

1. [PURCHASED] theBalm Cosmetics Nude’Tude and Nude Dude Palettes – available from Samika

Since first seeing theBalm Cosmetics, I have been dying to try their products. Earlier this year, I managed to get my hands on their “In the Balm of your Hands VOL. 1” palette and it was love at first swatch but Stuttafords closed before I could get my hands on any more of their products. Luckily, I found Samika who offers some of theBalm’s best sellers (but be warned, their shipping is a bit much – eek!). At the moment, I have my eye on both the Nude’Tude and Nude Dude palettes – what can I say, I have a thing for nudes ?

2. Tweezerman Rose Gold Tweezers – available from Dis-Chem

Tweezerman tweezers are easily the best tweezers I have ever tried; they are sharp, precise and do an incredible job. Sadly, I lost mine and am dying for a new pair.

3. Stila Heaven’s Highlighter in Kitten – available from The Beautiful Store

I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Stila’s Heaven’s Highlighter in Kitten, since seeing it on Tati’s channel. I recently found The Beautiful Store which a newly launched online store stocking both local and international brands, including Stila. They kindly offer free delivery and if you use the promo code “I am beautiful!” and place your order before the end of August, you qualify for a 10% discount.

4. Physicians Formula Organic Wear Mascara – available from Dis-Chem

I should call this wishlist, “Things Tati made me want!” I have never tried Physician’s Formula and have been meaning to add some of their products to my list, but since seeing how much Tati swears by this mascara, it is at the top of my list.

5. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream All-Over Miracle Oil – available from Foschini Beauty

I am already a fan of the Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour range, but am yet to try this gem and since seeing all the hype and reviews, I am pretty keen besides, I am also a sucker for body oils, so it seems like a winning formula.

6. [PURCHASED] Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant – available from Foschini Beauty

Erm, I need a refill since my dog awkwardly ate my last tube.

7. Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer – oops, this isn’t available in SA

Apparently, you haven’t lived until you ‘ve tried the Butter Bronzer from Physician’s Formula. Again, I have been meaning to try products from this brand and have heard that their bronzer is something from my bronzed dreams.

8. Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette – available from Urban Decay

This is probably number one on my list. Sadly, there is only an Urban Decay store in Jo’burg and Cape Town, so I am hoping with my everything that the palette becomes available online very soon. My browser history is embarrassingly filled with far too many swatch videos, and multiple daily check-ins to see whether it has been loaded to Foschini yet. Soon, you’ll be mine precious.

9. Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil in Mint and Honey Shimmer – available from Foschini Beauty

I have such a love for these light lip comfort oils from Clarins – I think that I own about 4 or 5 of them – but have been eyeing out the mint and honey shimmer variants for quite some time. They’re the epitome of moisturized lips, with a comfortable shine, and a pop of juicy colour.

10. Clarins True Radiance Foundation SPF 15 – available from Foschini Beauty

Clarins can do no wrong. Honestly, if I were to sum up the past year in terms of my beauty routine, it will be described as an intimate love with Clarins. This year, I have really dived into exploring the brand more and have fallen head over heels for each and every product. Now, I am keen to try their foundations – I’d like to actually do a Foundation Face Off comparing all of their formulas, but for now, I will settle on trying just one ?

11. [PURCHASED] Stila Perfect Me, Perfect Hue Eye & Cheek Palette – available from The Beautiful Store

Turns out that I couldn’t wait for this one, and picked it up before going live with my birthday wish list post – oops. It’s bound to arrive sometime soon, so keep an eye on my Instagram for a sneak peek.

12. Revlon Limited Edition Brush Set – Available from selected Red Squares and Foschini Stores

When Revlon shared a snap of this brush set on their Instagram, I was like “Oh, heeeeeeey! Come to momma!” But I am yet to see them in store. Aren’t they gorgeous AND they’re my blog’s colours – it’s fate.

Besides my crazy list of all the most divine beauty products, I am also really wanting some new clothes. This time around, I am really struggling to come to terms with how much my body has changed postpartum but, I have gotten over the first hump of throwing out the clothes that I previously clung to in hopes of “one day”, and now, it’s time to add a few new pieces that make me feel beautiful.

After my plus-size guide to shopping online, I started going through Spree’s site more often and am amazed by how big their range truly is. I mean, they could quite easily have the biggest offering of plus size clothing and a lot of it is priced really well, too. So during one of my countless late nights, spent fantasy shopping, I picked out a few items that I’d love to add to my wardrobe.

And that wraps up my 24^th birthday wishlist. Yes, my birthday is still just over 2 weeks away, but honestly, I am going to proudly keep counting down the days, as I bid farewell to the most challenging year of my life and welcome in a new year with a fresh mind set and the confidence to kick the next year’s ass.

Megan Kelly

I am the blogger behind By Megan Kelly, mom of two boys, named Axl (5-years old) and Eli (1-year old), and local business owner of Dr. Design. I live on copious amounts of coffee, work as a community manager and digital marketer, and spend my free time listening to podcasts and bible journalling. I also enjoy baking fresh treats for my family, exploring our local city, and looking for new family-friendly places for our kids to enjoy. On the weekends, you’ll likely find me shouting at the soccer and showing my support for Tottenham, while pretending to know what I am doing in the Fantasy League. I can be bribed with chocolate and will never admit to having too much makeup – although, I probably do.