The Bonnes Affaires Christmas Gift Guide - Under $100

Christmas shopping is ramping up around the globe.

If you have someone special in you life you might be looking to spend up to $100 on a gift.

Below are some lovely gifts in that price range that will suit almost anyone!

UNDER $100

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

1.  Longchamp Le Pliage Coin Purse (various colours available) - $65 - Hunt Leather or Longchamp Stores

2.  Cire Trudon Miniture Chandle (Mademoiselle de la Valliere) (various scents available) - $65 - Becker Minty

3.  Paris Breakfast Original Watercolour - Pink Macaroon Box - US$85 (plus postage) - Etsy

4.  Oroton Photo Frame and Alarm Clock - $75 - Oroton Stores

5.  Laguiole Cheese Knife Sets (various colours and knives in each set) - $89 - $99 - Alfresco Emporium and Peter's of Kensington

If you missed the Under $20 gift guide, click here.

Keep an eye out for the upcoming Under $50 and Under $200!

The Bonnes Affaires Christmas Gift Guide - Under $20

Today's post is for all the true bargain hunters out there looking for beautiful but affordable Christmas gifts.

This is for a selection of gifts for under $20.  Following posts will provide a selection for under $50, under $100 and under $200.

UNDER $20

1

2

3

4

5

1.  Lindt Delice Macaroons (various flavours available) - $2.70 (cheaper if you buy a boxful) - Lindt Chocolate Cafes

2.  Built NY Netbook Sleeve Micro Dot 9-10 inch (other colours/designs available) - $18 - Peter's of Kensington

3.  Mimco Nouveau Barrette - $19.95 - Mimco

4.  T2 Turkish Tea Glass - $18 - T2

5.  Personalised Luggage Tags - $12.95 - Bag Tag Studio

Good luck with the Christmas shopping!!

Little tubes of magic from France

I read all the time that you should skimp on your cleanser and splurge on your moisturiser.

I can't say I have ever paid more that $100 for a moisturiser, plus my skin reacts to something in every product I have tried labelled "anti-aging".  Therefore, the last thing I want is to put down $300 for La Mer and end up using it once and looking like I have a red, raw face.

I once tried a you-beaut moisturiser from Clinique.  I usually don't have too much trouble with their skincare products (unlike Lancome, Aveeno and Olay).  So off I went on honeymoon with my little tub of magic.  It was magic all right.  It turned my lovely skin from peaches and cream to red and angry!  I spent my whole honeymoon with my face covered in a rash and not being able to wear any make up!

But to the rescue came a true little tube of magic.

At the first sign of the rash, I raced from my NYC hotel room down the street to Duane Reade.  There I found my saviour.  Eau Thermale Avene Skin Recovery Cream.

I used it as my moisturiser for the rest of the trip and the rash was almost gone by the time I got home.

Eau Thermale Avene actually make a whole stable of brilliant skincare products.  They are all made in France, most do not contain those nasties like parabens, and they have an excellent range for people with sensitive skins.  Not to mention their products for men and children.

I currently use their Clearance K moisturiser.

I must add, their 30+ Sunscreen is awesome!  Most sunscreens drip into your eyes as you sweat in summer causing stinging and crying.  This one is made with proper zinc and titanium dioxide (with a slight tint so you don't look too white) rather than nasty chemical sunscreens.  I even put it on my eyelids and under my eyes without any stinging even in the middle of a Sydney summer.  Highly recommended.

You can pick up your own tubes of magic at Priceline and other good pharmacies (and Duane Reade if you are in NYC!).

The Joys of Youth

Last night I went to the opera.  It was a famous one complete with celebrity actors.  I sat in a box seat right at the front with just me and my husband.  I was so close I could look into the orchestra pit and see the sweat on the actors faces.

Guess how much my ticket was?

$40 - less than half the normal adult price!

Why you ask?

I have the pleasure of being 29 years old.  Until my 30th birthday I have the very enviable position of being able to buy tickets to amazing theatre, dance and music events for less than the pensioner or student rates!

So even if you haven't yet developed a taste for fine events, now is the time.  Get in while you are young as you might just experience something amazing.

Check out the following websites for great under 30's deals.  The deal won't be for all shows but there are some really good ones!

Sydney Dance Company
Sydney Theatre Company
Sydney Opera House
Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Australian Ballet

By the way, I watched The Threepenny Opera starring Eddie Perfect (of "Offspring" fame).  It was awesome!!

Iridescent Irises

Last week, I final brought a vase into the office.  We had a stack of them that we used as wedding decorations last year and most are still in their boxes in our cupboards at home.

So yesterday, I popped out to the flower stand at the eastern end of Martin Place and picked up a bunch of irises for $5.

Even if they only last the week that is beautiful flowers for only a $1 a day.

You'd be hard pressed to find a better or more beautiful bargain.

Oliver + Co - The cutest ballet flats ever

I just discovered this really lovely site.

Oliver + Co are an Aussie brand that make really sweet ballet flats in lots of different patterns.  They are all linen or silk with buttery leather linings and really cute names.

At the moment they also have a lovely sale on so you can have heavenly feet for a heavenly price!

Do take a minute to have a look!

Cocolee and The Dreamery Huge Online Sales!

Nothing breaks up a busy workday like a quick trip to the shops.  Now, you don't even have to leave your desk!  Plus, unlike rummaging through bargain bins, online shopping makes it really simple and easy to find super buys.

There are a few really good sales on at the moment and 70% off seems to be the deal  These are my picks:

I just picked up this gorgeous silver linen silk cardi by Cylk is just divine! Was $239 now $41.40 at Cocolee's Mega Sale online.

They stock lots of brands including Woodford & Co and Yeojin Bae.  It also has a facility for you to buy and sell pre-loved fashion.

 This very pretty long singlet is by Fernando Frisoni.  It is wool and ramie and a complete bargain at $33 down from $110!  Can't wait for it to arrive!

I also picked up this super Rachael Ruddick Stitched Ostrich Cuff for $50 instead of $100.

Both the singlet and the cuff are from The Dreamery, an online and onsite store in Darlinghurst, NSW, which stocks lots of really good Aussie designers.

Best of all, if you put in the code "MissyLovesASale" when you check out, you get an extra 30% off the sale price!!!  Both together including express postage cost me less than $70.

Now back to work.  They might be bargains but I still have to pay for them!

Your complete make up bag for under $100

Make up is one of those fantastic things in a woman’s life that makes her feel confident and amazing without making her feel afraid of opening her bank statements.

If you have no make up and only $100 to spend, this will get you everything you need:

Dove Tinted Moisturiser ($9.39) – I prefer tinted moisturisers to foundations, especially for summer. They are lighter and therefore less clogging for your pores, they do triple duty as moisturiser, sunscreen and foundation. For winter, when skin is drier, they also help you stay hydrated. (Available at supermarkets, Priceline or pharmacies)

Maybelline Age Rewind Double Face Perfector ($19.50) – This fabulous little stick of genius has a concealer in one end and a highlighter in the other! Plus, it is much better at covering up under eye dark circles/bags and fine lines than the famous Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat. I am never without this product! (Available at supermarkets, Priceline or pharmacies)

Avon Colour Trend It Takes Two Eye Duo ($4.99) – This is a nifty little purse friendly winner. It comes in a few colours and is a liquid eye shadow with a jumbo pencil on the other end. I really like the VIP colour (a gorgeous blue green) to make the eyes pop! (Available from your friendly local Avon rep – Seriously, get to know them as Avon have some amazing products and they are really cheap!)

Manicare Eyelash Curler ($8.50) – One of the first make up things my mother ever gave me was her old Curlash eyelash curler. That was almost 15 years ago and it was only recently that I retired it in favour of one of these. An eyelash curler creates beauty magic when used right. Everyone has their own style but I just wack it on as close to the eyelid as it goes, curl, hold for a count of 10 (or 20 if I want it to hold all night long) and let go. It really opens your eyes. Follow with a mascara to hold the curl in place. (Available from supermarkets, Priceline or pharmacies)

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Blackest Black ($15.95) – It is frankly beyond me why companies make mascaras in any colour but black. This one is only every best seller list for a reason. It is a super all rounder and incredibly cheap. (Available from supermarkets, Priceline or pharmacies)

Benefit Pocket Pal Benetint + Gloss ($39.95) – Anyone that has ever used Benetint will attest to it being a fantastic product. Put a dab on the cheek and rub in circles then out to the hairline for a rosy cheek and dab on the lips and leave for a bit for an all day lip stain. It also last forever. This one is purse-friendly and has a built in lip gloss to finish off the look. (Note: I would either wear the Avon Eye Duo or the Benetint but not both at once. If you are going with the Eye Duo just use the lip gloss. Remember – draw the focus to either the eyes or lips, but not both at once otherwise people won’t know where to look!) (Available at Myer or Benefit Boutiques).

All of this works out to be a finance-friendly $98.28.