1. Zebra Sarasa 0.7 Gel Pens
I stole a couple of these ?️ off El Hub’s desk. Now I’m ? obsessed. The ink is darker than dark, and they absolutely will not skip, ever — to paraphrase Kyle Reese in The Terminator.
The ink also dries quickly, so you don’t get ink on your palm or your fingers while you’re writing (I hate that). Here’s a box of 12 for $13 on Amazon.
2. MAC Face & Body
Every once in a while I whip out this classic, which you can build from sheer to medium coverage, and fall in love with it again. I keep coming back to it over and over, year after year. It looks like skin, doesn’t feel heavy, and it doesn’t budge once it’s on.
I hadn’t used it for a year (no good reason, really) but grabbed it on a whim last Saturday before brunch at Wishbone. I wore it with MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powder, and I liked it so much that I’ve been wearing it every day this week.
3. Breaks
This is a “Duh, Karen!” kind of thing, but it’s so damn annoying how I forget the most painfully obvious life lessons and always have to re-learn things I should already know. (!)
You know this because I’ve said it about a million times, but I’m bad about building breaks into my workday.
There, I said it. Again. I’m the type of person who, if I’m doing something and I get on a roll, will do it for hours until I burn myself out.
This is a bad thing.
But when I take breaks throughout my day (please, Karen, remember this time!), even when I don’t feel like I need them, I’m much happier overall.
When I have a long stretch of time, like when the baby’s napping or when my parents are watching her, and I work for 50 minutes, or some other good chunk of time that’s less than an hour, then take a 10-minute break, I’m less frazzled and more productive.
And I’m not allowed to do anything productive during these breaks. That’s crucial. I can go for a walk in my front yard, or dance around for a song or two, or drink some water, or have a cup of tea, but I don’t allow myself to “think.”
Yay for breaks!
4. Trader Joe’s Spud Crunchies Potato Snacks
There’s a reason you’re staring at this crumpled, jaggedly torn bag of Trader Joe’s Spud Crunchies Potato Snacks, and it’s because the bags don’t last long at all in my house before they take damage!
In the weeks since I discovered these, this was the first time I was able to take a reasonably OK picture of a bag in the house, LOL! Because I always eat them so quickly that I forget to take a picture before I toss the bag.
Brace yourself… These are potato chips in the shape of a French fry.
Yes, they are tasty, to put it mildly, but WARNING! They aren’t exactly diet food. One small 4-oz. bag contains four servings that are 150 calories each…
Why, cruel world!?
Because I’m inclined to sit in front of the telly with them and go to town, I take a small handful out and put them on a paper towel or in a small cup. Then I close the bag and put it waaaay in the back of the cupboard.
5. The Whole Truth, starring Keanu Reeves
What a pleasant surprise! 🙂 I found this Keanu courtroom drama while randomly surfing around on Amazon Prime Video the other day. I started it thinking it would be boring enough that I could leave it playing in the background while I colored a page in my coloring book (ya know, one of those ones to help you de-stress), but I actually got sucked in.
Keanu is good in it (for Keanu)! And yes, I don’t care if he never wins an Academy Award. He’ll always be my high school ? crush.
In an alternate universe, Keanu from the Speed years and I are living happily ever after on a farm on Kauai where we raise goats and chickens and grow papaya with our brood of five kids and 12 cats. 🙂
OK, that’s me. What have you been loving lately?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. TGIF!!!
Sami says
You introduced me to face &
Body! I love taking it on vacation when I am spray tanned in a darker shade than I normally am. It blends out so nicely and works with the stages of my tan without looking like my foundation doesn’t match! I love it so much. I really should get a shade for all year around. We now have a MAC store 45 minutes away instead of an hour and half ?
jaclyn Levy says
I need to try MAC face and body. I rarely wear foundation mostly because I’m lazy and also because I don’t know where to start!
We just got back from a trip to DC so now I’m loving my souvenirs: $2 chopsticks with the cherry blossoms on them and a postcard of one of my favorite paintings on it. I know, I’m a big spender. 😉 I also love a card I picked up from the National Portrait Gallery with Michelle Obama’s portrait on it. Seeing the Obama portraits in person was a cool experience! Mostly I loved the buzz around them. People were so excited.
I’m also loving a book I picked up at the library called The Crunk Feminist Collective. It’s a collection of essays by American women of color.
Happy Friday!
Jane says
Don’t know that I have 5 things I am loving, but here goes:
1. Quick Cook Grits. I am obsessed with grits lately. My husband bought this brand from WF, and I eat them almost every morning, either plan or I add shredded cheese with a fried egg on top. It doesn’t give me heartburn the way oatmeal does (I sound like an old lady). Going to try making Shrimp & Grits next.
2. NARS Velvet Glide minis. I don’t wear liquid lipstick or gloss, but these smaller versions are a great way to try new products (at least new to me). They last longer than regular lipstick, but are not as drying or shiny as matte liquid lips. So far I have Rapture and Night Together.
3. La Roche Posay Toleriene Hydrating Face Cleanser. It cleanses and leaves my dry skin feeling hydrated. I’ve been using it morning and in the evening with my Clarisonic Mia 2, which brings me to my next thing.
4. My Clarisonic Mia 2. I have the brush for dry, sensitive skin and have been using it a few nights a week to cleanse my skin. I have noticed my skin feels and looks better.
5. My 17 year old young man. He makes me proud! I also love, and I can’t believe I am saying this, but having him driving means I don’t have to bring him to some local activities. He is also showing some responsible behavior. he will be heading down to D.C. with the Youth Group he is active in to participate in The March For Our Lives. I am so proud!
Be well!
Dharti says
I have heard so much about face & body I need to try it some day.
My 5 things:
Trader Joe’s red lentil sedamini. They have only one ingredient: red lentil flour. They let me eat pasta without much guilt! (with this new kale pesto I’ve tried to make myself and been happy with).
Fresh rose face mask. So good!!! It immediately hydrates.
Homemade chick pea, turmeric and yogurt face mask – so good again! Takes away all the dry skin flakes and brightens. I follow it up with the rose mask to rehydrate.
Organic India Tulsi and Rose tea. It has the tiniest hint of stevia in it. And the rose smells so amazing. It is a wonderful pick-me-up on Monday mornings and pretty much any time after that 🙂
NYX velvet eye liner pencil. Its a very subtle shimmery shade. On my medium to dark skin tone, it adds just a hint of shine and not much pigment and is great for brightening up the inner corner of the eye and also adding some brightness above my eyes – I layer a thin line of black eye liner on top closer to the lash line and I think between these two things, I’m done with my eye on most days!
Savannah says
I have to try that foundation one day, I’m in dire need of something new!
1. Fragrance! I do this randomly, sometimes I’m crazy about it and other times not so much. But right now, I’m crazy into it. I gifted myself the new Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Intense and I luuuurves it! Ugh, Chanel. Need I say more?
2. I can wear lippies again! (Gave myself four and a half months to recover from an infection I somehow managed to get) and So far it’s only been Mac Cosmo and Mac Deelight (which is boring for lippies) but I’m so happy! I have some Chanel ones on my radar in the near future.
3. Healthier diets! My husband really buckled down to lose weight and he’s doing amazing at the gym, and I feel useful being the cook. I’m in charge of all the veggies, and meal planning. And I feel so, so much better! It’s worth it!
4. Books. Books. Books. I love to read and have tea and a square of dark chocolate in the mornings. I’m on the Dresden Files (Supernatural thriller/mystery). It’s my first re-read and I’m loving it.
5. Friends and family. I had a really wonderful birthday this year, so many lovely wishes and hugs and surprise gifts from co-workers! I feel very special and loved.
MichelleC says
Let’s see!
Ahava Dead Sea bath salts. My skin has been nuts Lately. This feels so comforting. I’m going to try the liquid salt treatment (it had a lot of good reviews on Ulta).
Clinique skincare. I’m loving the pink stuff ( moisture surge) and so is my skin.
Homescapes and gardenscapes games on my iPad. I’ve been fighting off a cold all week, and curled up on my bed, electric blanket on, and some digital decorating. My cat Chanel (who is draped dramatically over my recliner because I am not petting her). She is a real comfort to me. My fur baby!
Low carb and Intermittent fasting diets. I am finally feeling like I am getting my life back in order and that is a huge part of it. I am so grateful.
Katie says
A bunch of totally random stuff!
1. The Belif True Cream Aqua Bomb! The first time I tried it, I used 3 jars in a row. I then tried other stuff, but ended up buying the new value size jar last weekend. It’s surprisingly hydrating, absorbs quickly, and wears well under makeup. It’s the most perfect moisturizer I’ve ever used and I don’t think I’ll ever stray again, unless my skin changes, in which case I’ll switch to the Moisturizing bomb!
2. Dave and Busters. I had only ever been before for professional presentations (the one near me has a conference presentation room), and then I went with a bunch of friends for dinner and games. The food wasn’t great but it was super fun to act like a kid and play skee ball for a few hours!
3. Juvia’s Place eyeshadows. I got the 5 pan bundle on a whim a few weeks ago, where I got 5 shades from their singles without knowing what they were. They mattes are incredible, so silky and blendable, and the shimmers are the perfect amount of sparkle! I’m very impressed and will 100% be buying from them in the future.
4. Very Very Teriyaki sauce from Soy Vey. I mean, it’s a classic for a reason. I stir-fry it with chicken and serve with rice for the best “I really didn’t want to cook today” dinner. Oh, and it’s great to marinate steak with too!
5. Wool Omnibus by Hugh Howey. I’m a HUGE sci fi fan and it’s a great post-apocalyptic novel, with a super tough female protagonist. I read it in two days! The Kindle edition is worth getting if you have an e-reader because it’s got gorgeous animated illustrations! I also loved Annihilation and The Cloverfield Paradox which both came out recently.
I should try those Trader Joe’s potato snacks, since I always love TJ’s snack stuff. I really like their roasted seaweed. A snack recommendation I have is the Biena brand roasted chickpeas. Again, not low-cal, but a totally satisfying crunch that’s less junky than Lays. I’ve tried the sea salt, ranch, and habarnero flavors, which are all great. Ranch is my favorite, though!
Rachel Runyan says
Five things I’m loving:
1. Our new kitties are being more sociable. Spike (the Siamese) is letting everyone pet him now. Jack (the orange tabby) has been hiding out under my younger son’s bed, and yesterday allowed my son to pet him. He let my older son pet him today, but only in the younger son’s room. lol
2. The packaging on LunatiCK Cosmetic Labs Vampira Palette. I ordered it, of course. lol https://www.lunaticklabs.com/Vampira_p_310.html
3. Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer in Light Bronze. I picked it up on sale, and people were right. It’s a shimmery bronzer that actually looks good on pale skin. Winner!!!
4. EarthCharms (etsy) acrylic skull earrings. I have four pairs so far, and I’ve been wearing the black ones like crazy. The glittery red ones are insanely sparkly and I adore them, too. https://www.etsy.com/listing/589164909/acrylic-glitter-skull-earrings-in-silver?ref=shop_home_active_1
5. Noosa Yogurt. The friend who gave me the cats bought the blueberry and shared. The best yogurt I’ve ever tasted. Now I’ve got to buy some on our next shopping trip.