Gloss

I have two children. One of 'em knows the truth about Santa Claus, the other doesn't. But it isn't the older child who has been enlightened! When they asked me this summer about the veracity of Santa's identity, I told them, "If you really want to know, I'll tell you." Well, Annie really wanted to know, Graham did not. In the ensuing months, he's ascribed all kinds of magical wonderful-ness to Mr. Claus. Meanwhile, Annie does this big obvious wink thing whenever she hears someone mention Santa.

When I mentioned that a few of his Christmas gift requests, the stuff he hoped Santa would bring him, weren't actually available in stores (vintage 1981 "Clash of the Titans" figurines, for example) or actually manufactured ... anywhere (Super Smash Bros character bank trophies ??? I'm not even really saying the right thing because it's not a thing, although I'm going to have fun with Google images and foam board, I'm sure, in an attempt to bring the believing child something special from the "North Pole"), he reassured me that Santa can make, do or be anything. "Remember how Santa brought me baseball chess last year? I loved baseball and chess but I didn't even know they were together. But Santa did!" he said.


Gulp.

My personal Christmas gift list is in good hands. My Mrs. Claus mom and North Pole elf dad have already made arrangements for many of the special items I'm dreaming of this holiday season. It probably doesn't spoil the surprise, for example, to share that I'm hoping for a drill. I don't have one. All of my pictures are hung on push pins. I have my eye on a few cookbooks as well. I wouldn't mind a pair of cords. I wouldn't mind a subscription to the Haagen-Daz's flavor of the month club either.

But ... there was one item I forgot to put on the list, although I did find it at amazon.com. Whew! Still, I'm sharing this special product recommendation in hopes that it isn't too late for any and all of you to make sure Santa hears this request (for your lips) from your lips. From your soon-to-be shiny plumped-up lips. Have them ask dear old St. Nick to bring you a bottle of CityLips Instant Collagen Peptide Lip Plumper + HA Filling Spheres. Becca gave me three bottles (tubes) by way of Cute Cori several years ago. And I've slathered on that CityLips goodness ever since.

Extra perk - within seconds of application, the gloss makes your lips tingle (some say "sting" or "burn"). To me, that feeling = transformation. Those lip plumpers do their job! When you're wearing CityLips, your lips are shinier and plump-ier ... longer. The stuff really works. Plus, it stays on forever!

One afternoon, Annie wanted to put some on her lips. I hurriedly stopped her. "No, don't do that, sweet girl," I said. "Because it would burn my lips?" she asked. I nodded at her, but in my mind, it was more like, "No, because I don't want to waste a single HA Filling Spheres drop!")

My daily pre-work make-up routine consists of powdering my eyelids (so the shadow won't float away like chalk dust), applying a neutral pink, peach or tan shadow, brushing on Maybelline GreatLash in BrownishBlack, rubbing in some creme blush, and slathering my lips with CityLips. (Should I admit that this routine is often performed at stop lights or in the school drop-off drive-thru lane?) Pretty low-key. Yet the CityLips adds a bit of pizzazz! I can't wait until someone makes CityEyes, CityCheeks and CityHair. Style in bottle, happiness applied with a wand.

I'm dreaming of my CityLips bottle wand while grading essays.