Glow August 2011

Last back-issue of 2011, hooray! This Glow August 2011 came with a Wedgwood tote in a cute flowery vine print on off white background.

Steady August 2011

Trying to get these out before they pickle any longer -.-' This Steady August 2011 issue came with a L'est Rose multi-purpose bag-in-bag tote, and I picked it for the pretty pink rose bouquet print on a baby blue gingham background. 

Non-no August 2011

Long time no magazine posts! You thought I gave these up, didn't you? ^.^

While packing up my apartment in Japan, it wasn't just a few mooks I found under a layer of dust. There were a few magazines too from late summer 2011 I had totally forgotten about! So here's to better late than never, this is Non-no August 2011. It came with a Coach fan and handkerchief. These freebies made it a popular issue and it was sold out quickly. I was so lucky to get even one issue, and there I was letting it sit for more than a year! 

Aqualabel White Clear Foam

On one hand, I feel like short trips are perfect for trying out travel sized items. On the other, I know trying some brand new on my dry and sometimes fickle skin when I'm away from home is really kind of, umm, crazy. Or should I say stupid? Or both? Didn't stop me this time with Aqualabel White Clear Foam though (or any other time in the past, either...) xD

From the Meizhuang (美妝, Beauty) issue of FashionGuide Magazine TW, Fall 2012 Vol. 25, I got some nice freebies with a localized 50mL/1.7fl oz. bottle of Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Body Cream, Toms Whitening Renewal Mask which went to my mum, and a set of localized (as in made in Taiwan) Aqualabel White samples, which has 2 packets each of this White Clear Foam 2g, White Up Lotion S (Refreshing) 2mL, and White Up Emulsion S (Refreshing) 2mL. 

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Body Cream TW

During my time in Taipei, I purposely stayed away from Taiwanese magazines because they too have freebies, skincare freebies. See how dangerous that road would have been?

...But I caved, just once, for this Meizhuang (美妝, Beauty) issue of FashionGuide Magazine TW, Fall 2012 Vol. 25. It came with a 50mL deluxe sample bottle of Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Body Cream TW among others.

Please note this particular product is made for and sold in the Taiwanese market, hence marked with TW. I'm not sure if the formula or ingredients are any similar to its US counterpart, but I checked Palmer's US website for the Cocoa Butter range and was confronted with a dizzying array of variety, none of which looks quite like this bottle pictured here. What the hell, Palmer's? Are you trying to confuse your consumers? Seriously, what's the difference between, just to name a few from the 24(!) products in the "Daily" section, Cocoa Butter Formula Lotion, versus Jar, versus Concentrated Cream, versus Daily Calming Lotion, versus Body Butter, versus Lotion for Dry Ashy Skin? Aren't they all for dry skin? If not, why should I bother putting them on my dry skin? And isn't dry skin somewhat ashy anyway, or is there an option for Dry-but-not-Ashy Skin too? 

The problem with growing success is the company will start spreading itself too thin and stretching its product too far. What's wrong with sticking to a few things and do a really good job with them? Honestly, I have tried generous samples of all 3 Cocoa Butter, Olive Butter, and Shea Butter Formulas. The Olive and Shea are hands down way better, especially the Shea, and guess what, both have only a handful of products, which is exactly how it should be. Not sure why only the Cocoa Butter range totally spun out of control. My way of coping? Ignore damn range. Mmkay. Rant over.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Body Cream TW

Mini September 2012

Mini September 2012 issue comes with a MilkFed x Peanuts tote and zipper pouch set. I have to admit this was an impulse buy. I saw this online and it looks meh, but Snoopy tricked me anyway.

With August 2012

With August 2012 issue came with a Clear Impression x Disney thermal lunch tote and bottle case set. Although I've never needed a thermal lunch bag before, I suddenly needed one now, especially when  it's white polka dots Mini Mouse print on black background. Yes, I should have grown out of this phase at least two decades ago. No, I don't care if you laugh at me. How can I ever resist Mini Mouse and polka dots at the same time?

More August 2012

Finally picked up a couple of magazines since the last May issue of Liniere. This issue of More August 2012 comes with a Ray Beams x Peanuts mini tote, and Snoopy has a sneaky way of tricking me ^.^

InRed September 2011

I'm starting off April with a backissue of InRed September 2011 ^.^ It came with a pretty pink and lilac L'Occitane 2-way freebie tote. The last L'Occitane freebie I had was from a makeup pouch from More February 2011. 

Glow October 2011

Here's a backissue of Glow October 2011 that came with a set of 3 gorgeous Laura Ashley quilted pouches. When I shuffled through my pile of unopened magazines, apparently I missed this one and instead started posting the September 2011 backissues first. Oops. 

I can't believe I forgot about this issue either! I remember picking it up and being totally excited about these pouches. How could I not? Look at them! Aren't they pretty? Now if the magazines in the states would start giving out freebies like these, I bet they would start flying off the stands! 

Liniere May 2012

I haven't picked up Liniere for a while, but here's Liniere May 2012. Yes, you read that right. May, 2012, and it's not even April yet! Anyway, this issue comes with a really nice and understated Cabbages and Roses quilted tote that has sky blue rose print on white background.

Sweet April 2012

Funny that I just posted the backissue of Sweet September 2011 not too long ago, because here's another issue, Sweet April 2012, with Amuro Namie on the cover ^.^ This one caught my attention with its pretty Jill Stuart freebie tote in a hot pink cherry print.

Sweet September 2011

I just bought Sweet April 2012 yesterday and haven't gotten to it yet. But here's another backissue of Sweet September 2011 that came with a nice Anna Sui tote and drawstring pouch set. 

Since the Anna Sui Rouge Jar I got way back when, I've stopped paying attention to the brand as it's gotten a little ornate for my taste. There has been lots of other Anna Sui magazine freebies and mooks though, but I still wasn't interested, so this one is rather special. In fact, I like this one so much that I forgot I had already bought an issue and went out to buy another one ^.^ So yeah, I have two of this issue and I haven't opened the other one yet. Since it's brand new and the freebie set is unopened still in shrink wrap, I'm thinking of posting it on my sales blogs for those who collect Anna Sui things. We'll see.

Steady September 2011

Now that I don't buy many magazines anymore, I have a few moments here and there to go back and catch up with the issues I didn't get to last year. Here's a backissue of Steady September 2011 that came with a large Rope Picnic tote. 

Glow February 2012

Here's the now-backissued Glow February 2012 that comes with an Aquascutum tote in their signature check pattern. I don't know this brand at all, but I did have a chance to check out the freebie tote on display at Tsutaya and found it well made, so I picked it up.

Spring April 2012

This Spring April 2012 issue actually came out a couple of weeks ago, before March even started. It comes with a MilkFed quilted tote that has cute flower print on baby blue background.

Steady January 2012

My last January issue! This is Steady January 2012 which comes with a large Agnes B. tote ^.^ 

I really like Agnes B. freebie totes for their cute signature heart and logo print as well as the fact that they are often made with washable cotton canvas or cotton polyester mix rather than just polyester (like the makeup/toiletry travel case that came with June 2011 issue), so this was a must get for me.

Sweet January 2012

This is Sweet January 2012 that comes with a set of Marc by Marc Jacobs pouches and matching calendar. I didn't intend to pick this up, but walking by a Tsutaya with these freebies on display made it extremely difficult to resist.

More January 2012

It's February already?!? That means I'm behind on my magazine posts T.T

Here's More January 2012 issue that comes with a set of Gelato Pique pouch and tissue holder, and a 2012 calendar.

The pouch and tissue holder set comes in an understated pink, white, and lavender flower print on whisper pink background. The pouch measures 14(height) x 18.5(length) x 6(width) cm and the tissue holder measures 9.3(height) x 12.5(length) cm. 

Mina January 2012

I was looking for a new day planner when I spotted this Mina January 2012 issue that comes with a -tadaa- Jill Stuart day planner ^.^ Perfecto! It has been a while since I last picked up a Mina issue anyway :)

Hmm...I do wonder why the cover model is wearing her flannel pjs with a hat ^.^