[Pre-ramble ramble! I have to wake up in 6 hours, and so this post was supposed to be rife with photos and videos. I am about to pass out from exhaustion...but it's been a few days since I've posted and I really want to get this up...so you get the half-done, non-photos, non-videoed version. Tomorrow will be multi-media gone wild!]

When my skin breaks out, I go crazy. I can’t deal. Recently, I’ve been testing out some new products, and unfortunately they caused major breakouts in Jolie-ville, which may or may not have led to shame spirals of complexion-depression and picking when there should have been none. (Don’t try this at home! I am an “expert”!)

To the rescue: Aveeno! As if by magic, a box of anti-acne products appeared on my doorstep last week, and I have been addicted to them ever since. The heroes: Aveeno Clear Complexion Cleansing Cloths, Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser, and Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer. All contain salicylic acid, which is one of the key ingredients helpful for fighting acne. (I like doing a one-two salicylic acid/glycolic acid zit-busting punch, so I’ve also pulled out an old bottle of Skin Effects by Dr. Jeffrey Dover Radiance Serum with 5% Glycolic acid, which is part of a peel kit.)

Meanwhile, I’m writing this from a plane on the way to Montreal, where I’ll be spending a few days visiting the Montreal Jazz Festival and seeing Cirque du Soleil Amaluna. I’ve been ramping up the travel writing in a huge way this last year, and unbelievably, this is the third time I’m dusting off the old passport in 6 weeks! I like this trend – let’s keep it up, shall we? We have a couple of super exciting trip possibilities on the horizon…so keep your fingers crossed for me, please!

I consider myself something of an expert when it comes to packing light, particularly in the case of beauty products. (You all remember when I went to England for 2 weeks—with an itinerary that included two polo matches, tea at Claridge’s, and a country retreat—with just a duffle bag and a carry on, right? That remains my all-time greatest packing triumph.)

Two weeks in Europe, and this is ALL I brought: including my computer (in that little red bag.) Do I get an award?

I loathe checking bags, but as a beauty gal, this makes getting around TSA requirements kind of tricky. Last week, I went to San Diego with my friend Jamie (more about that in a sec!) and she had a pre-set travel bag that she just pulls out, all ready to go, when she takes trips. It was such a simple, no-duh move that I couldn’t believe I’d never thought of it. (Considering how blind deaf and dumb I can be when it comes to totally obvious things, I can believe I didn’t think of it.) So, I set off to Rite Aid, and while getting a few of my travel bag supplies (Aleve, mini contact solution, earplugs, mini toothpaste, etc), I also did the unthinkable: I bought beauty products! Ladies and (one or two) gentlemen, I present Exhibit A:

Okay, it's not Chanel or anything, but I did actually--gasp!--buy these with my own money.

As I’ve mentioned previously, my roommate and I have both been obsessed with air drying our hair these past few weeks, and our drug of choice is Marc Anthony Dream Waves. I can count on one hand the number of beauty products I purchase for myself each year, and Dream Waves has made the list.

On a random note, like I said, I went to San Diego this past week—I was there writing an article for The Daily. I stayed at the Sofia Hotel, which is perfectly situated and close to Little Italy, the Gaslamp, the Harbor, Downtown, and the 5 for easy access elsewhere. The trip included a day trip to Coronado Beach, as well as a stop by the USS Midway and a delicious lunch in Little Italy at a restaurant called Davinta.

On the USS Midway

Finally: I posted a few days ago about Duchess Kate having to curtsey to the “Blood Princesses” and I must admit I was surprised by the outpouring of annoyance! Not so much here, where my commenters are always the thoughtful and/or supportive–I love when you guys comment!–but on various other websites. (I’m looking at you, Daily Mail.) I understand the annoyance, but I feel so strongly the other way–that is to say, I agree with the (very theoretical) decision–that I wanted to explain why.

The only way the monarchy can survive is by adapting. That much is clear. However, while the monarchy must bend with the times and go with the flow, it’s not a democracy and it’s not about popularity. (When it has been, it’s resulted in severed heads!) Monarchy is about tradition and respect and adherence to protocol, ensuring that it retains a sense of mystery and decided lack of impulsiveness–otherwise, it’s just a bunch of rich inbreds wearing fancy jewels and waving on balconies. So, that means that Blood Princesses (yes, even Beatrice and Eugenie, who are the granddaughters of a Monarch) should take precedence over somebody born a commoner. After all, they were to the manor born, so to speak.

As one of my commenters on a previous article pointed out, this whole curtsying business is mostly theoretical anyway. The occasions when Kate will be around the family with William not there are few and far between. I’ve met both Beatrice and Eugenie when their mother introduced me to them, I certainly didn’t curtsey, and it was a non-issue. They were both genuinely lovely and gracious, shook my hand, and were like any other girls. I know they get a lot of flack, but I have a soft spot for them (particularly for Beatrice), and I don’t think they should be made fun of for the (real or imagined) sins of their parents. To be a minor royal must, I imagine, be quite an awkward thing: neither normal, nor truly deserving of adulation.

Anyhow, that’s my two cents on the matter! Bisous!

Yeah, we’re doing that thing now where I’m in a French speaking country, and suddenly every other word is cou-cou! or mon dieu! Tomorrow’s post and updates will be much less Ambien-y after an international/cross-country flight, je vous promets.