Ohhhh, L'Occitane! I love everything about this brand and have since I was a teen. Their classic scents, their natural aromas, their quality, their packaging, their freebies, their offers, their coupons and, well, their style. This is the brand I always aspired to, when I 'graduated' from The Body Shop and Bath & Body Works. That said, I don't think you have to 'graduate' from any brands, but L'Occitane holds a special place in my heart.

As I mentioned in my Advent Calendar post, the calendar I was lusting after the most was the L'Occitane Advent Calendar which adorably looks like a little French cul-de-sac. But what I didn't know when I wrote the post, was that L'Occitane has a number of promotions that offer huge discounts on some of their most popular items. For an additional $20 on top of my Advent Calendar, I also got this bonus box of treats! (I also wisely used my Ebates for this purchase, sign up for yours today!)

What was in my Holiday Essentials Kit? Read on!

Amande Shower Oil - This stuff is a household staple for a reason. Deliciously scented, lush and lathering, and did I mention moisturizing? You can use this lathered up instead of shower gel, AFTER your shower gel, or even to sit and marinate before rinsing off. Your skin, especially in winter, will thank you.

Lavande Foaming Bath - L'Occitane has perfected the lavender scent more than any other herb in their collection. Having visited a lavender farm last summer, this was basically the closest thing that I've ever found to products distilled by professional lavender growers. A little of this stuff goes a long way.

*Verbena Extra-Gentle Soap* - This is my second-favourite L'Occitane scent, this lemony verbena uses a vegetable base and shea butter to gentle cleanse the skin while preserving your skin's natural moisture. AND, if you're like me and have too many soaps, it makes a great drawer freshener!

Cherry Blossom Shower Gel - This is the only product in the kit I'm not a fan of. I know a lot of people swear by L'Occitane's Cherry Blossom collection, as it captures that perfect balance between floral notes and that slightly tart fruit aroma, but it's just too strong for me to use.

Essential Water - This refreshing toner is meant to be used after you've cleansed your face, as that 'second step' before a moisturizer. But if you're lucky enough, this is all you'll need. With a faint smell of cucumber water, a few spritzes of this product can make the difference between soothed and alert, and dry and distracted.

Light Comforting Cream - L'Occitane is famous in Canada for their 25% Comforting Cream formula which helps preserve the skin of skibunnies, outdoorswomen and the average Canadian combined. But it's too thick and greasy for me, so in comes the 5%, just enough to keep you supple, but not too much to make you greasy.

Pivoine Flora/Peony Hand Cream - Peony is such a weird smell. It has that white floral scent to it, but also a touch of earth and decay at the same time. It's not too strong, but more than just a faint whiff. It's a complex scent and, like all their hand creams, in a delightfully soothing formula.

The Offer

Still don't have an 2015 Advent Calendar yet? Check out some of my top picks for this year before they're all gone! And I know they have some Black Friday/Weekend sales going on now, so see if any of this tickles your fancy!

These products were purchased and paid for by myself, opinions are all my own.