As the clock is ticking towards the turn of the year, I'm bringing you the last and final installment of my Best of 2013 series and the longest one yet.  If you're prepared to go out, you should probably come back later; otherwise, grab yourself a hot cup of tea and possibly a chocolate cupcake to munch on as I bring you my top favorite makeup finds from the past year. Note: makeup finds as in long time favorites like the Laura Mercier Silk Creme foundation and the Bobbi Brown Corrector aren't going to be listed. 

Welp welp! We're already in the final countdown to the new year. I have my new agenda ready to be filled in, but before that, we have a few things that need to be wrapped up. Instead of doing a December favorites, I decided to join the bandwagon and share some of my annual favorites. I already did my haircare picks here, and here's the second installment. 

As I was preparing to type up this week's Update, I was having some trouble remember what I did before Friday. It wasn't until a friend pointed out that I had done a midweek Christmas post did I realize that would sort of explain the lack of memory from previous days. That and the fact that Friday was AMAZING. 

(Can we talk about how gorgeous he looks just standing there? I'm still convinced he's half fiction)

I've been planning this post for quite a while, each time not knowing where to start. I've finally decided to categorize this into at least three parts: hair, skincare, and makeup. Most of these products won't be a stranger to those that have been following the blog for a while now, and I hate to sound repetitive. But they're just really my favorites, okay? Anyway. 

[Dove Dry Shampoo | Herbal Essence Fresh Balance Shampoo | Tangle Teezer | L'Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil | Bumble and bumble Brilliantine | Virgin Coconut Oil]

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart...Don't judge me, it's my favourite Christmas song. Since we're on that note, MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! Thanks for sticking around with me the past seven months and spending the first Christmas on Peanut Butter and Chocolate Life with me! 

Wow. WOW. WOW. This past week has been beyond amazing. There are still times when I look back and wonder if the past few days really happened. Hold your horses, Daphne. Let's back up a bit, yeah? 

(Will you just look at that glorious braid??) 

"I thought you were on a spending ban??" Yes, yes, technically, I should be on that spending ban thingy even though I just posted a haul post with two new palettes (here). But this purchase was from way back in October before finally arriving in the mail late November.

"I don't buy a lot of palettes," she said as she added two eyeshadow palettes into her shopping basket. This is basically what happened last midweek when I was in the midst of essay writing. Stress does weird dents to your wallet. 

I'm not a person for coming home late. In short, I have a very happy inner grandma when it comes to the night life. That said, I've been getting home past midnight the past several days, you'll probably know why if you're following me on twitter. But those of you that don't, look forward to it on this weekend's The Update. Anyway. I'm already tired when I get home and all I want to do is change and curl up, rather than spend long minutes on my skincare. So I've devised up a rather quick late night lazy skincare that I thought I'd share. 

[Garnier Simply Essentials 2 in 1 Make-Up Remover | Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser | Origins A Perfect World Moisturizer]

I was all about dark nails this time last year. 12 month pass, and I'm ditching the gothic hues and embaracing the pastels. These light shades tend to be more associated with the season that'll come around in 6 months time, but I've discovered two pastels that have a winter vibe to them.

Phew! This week was an intense one! I'm part relieved it's over and part sad. Basically, this week ending means I can finally catch a break from school, but it also means that half the flat is going home. *sobs* I'm going to be having friends over for the break, but I'm going to miss the guys. 

Am I glad this week is over! End of term is always torturous and hopeful at the same time, isn't it? Holidays are so close and yet, you have mounds of essays and exams blocking the view. Yeah, that was the gist of the week for me. I'll update you more on the weekly insert of [The Update]. But face-front, this week has mainly been about quick and simple.

[Superdrug Naturally Radiant Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser | Bobbi Brown Corrector | L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara | Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation]

It's three in the morning, I'm supposed to already be diving deep into dreamland. Yet, I'm still awake and realizing that I still haven't made a wish list for Christmas. Most of these things have been on my radar for a while, but either I've never got around to picking them up (I make it sound like I don't have to pay...) or I've never justified buying it for myself. Anyway, with the season rolling around, I'm sure a lot of you are making yourself a wish list. And if you don't know what to get me for the holidays, you could always take an idea from here. hint hint nudge nudge. I know you're reading this, A. x

[Accessorize Libby Work Bag | Zara Checked Soft Scarf | ASOS Boyfriend Watch | Forever 21 Unicorn Kitty Sweatshirt | Accessorize Aqua Square Stone Stacking Ring Set | NARS Pro Prime | Topshop Velvet Lips | Origins Plantscription Concealer | Too Faced Boudoir Eyes]

Megan was one of the first friends that I made when I decided to seriously start blogging several months back. One of the sweetest, down-to-earth people I know, Megan has the ability to make you feel like even the most impossible, absurd dream you have is within your reach. Oh and she also runs a fabulous, cozy blog over at Little Miss Average, which you should totally jump over if you've never read it before. Anyway, over the summer we decided to do a swap while I was still in Taiwan. I sent over several of my favorite Asian products and asked her to hold her package till I arrived in London as I was worried about my luggage limit. A couple weeks ago, I got my package in the mail after a long  day and needless to say, I've been loving the things that she's got me!

I'm typing this up as I digest the self-made lunch I had of chicken bites, salad and a Yorkshire pudding. Well, I say self-made. More on that later. I know if I don't do it now, I'm going to be putting it off and missing another weekly update. 

(let's take a moment to appreciate this epic postcard my friend up in Scotland sent Annie..the other half of the postcard is basically the same thing. I'm still waiting for mine to come - which is weird since they were posted on the same day. Come on, Royal Mail!) (Oops! Forgot to censor that rude 6-letter word )

How is it already in the counting down distance to the turn of the year? Slightly freaking out here. Now that we have that cliche out of the way, let's move onto the highlights of the post. I had quite a hard time narrowing down my favorites this month as I've been testing out new things and switching things up. But I finally decided to only include the products I've had the majority of the month. Those that I acquirred later, fear not, they will be showing up in future posts. Remember to keep an eye out for that. 

[Clarins Lotus Face Treatment Oil | Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer | Topshop Brow Pencil | Rimmel Salon Pro in Punk Rock | Bumble and Bumble Brilliante | MAC Satin Taupe | Nivea Hydro Care SPF 15 | NYX blush Dusty Rose]

Christmas is coming! There isn't anything about this season that I don't love...well, except for buying gifts. It's not that I don't like giving presents to people, it's just that I never know what's the best thing to get them. For example, a couple weeks ago, it was one of the flatmates' birthday and I asked him what he would like for a present. After countless drillings, he finally shrugged and said, "I don't know. Something simple like a ticket to a sports event?" Little did he know that this "something simple" sent me down a spiral of questions: did I get him tickets to a good game but had crappy seats, or a less exciting game but with amazing seats? And even if I knew which of the two options I'd go for, how would I know which side of the field he'd like to sit and would he like to go for a midweek game or a weekend game? 

Well, you get the gist. So while I'm dazzled by all the gift sets that all look amazing, I'm usually spending hours perplexed over what to get for whom. 

I know, I know. I missed last week's Weekly Update. I've got no one to blame other than my horrible time management skills and the need to procrastinate everything. So this post will hopefully make up for the absence of last week's.