1. A lacrosse ball for back massage
This has been the best and worst thing to ever happen to me.
Because I carry most of my tension in my upper back, and I spend most of my day sitting at my desk, my trapezoids are about as flexible as a large block of cheese. WERE, I mean. Past tense. My upper back’s been all loose-y goose-y ever since I started massaging it with this $3 lacrosse ball I found at Sports Basement.
Every night I give myself a poor-woman’s deep-tissue massage by rolling it under my upper back (there’s a bunch of tutorials on YouTube), and even though I’m on the verge of misery while I’m doing it, when I’m done I no longer feel the crunchiness in the knots underneath my shoulder blades.
I watched this originally because I wanted to see this dude’s dog, LOL! It’s super helpful.
FYI: It is a REALLY intense massage. If you don’t think you’ll be able handle it, start with a tennis ball, and work your way up to a lacrosse ball (which is harder).
2. Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter
If you’ve previously fallen under the magic spell of Nutella like I have, you’ll totally get this. I’m always looking for different spreads to spruce up toast in the morning because woman cannot exist on peanut butter alone.
This is *the* spread that will make you say, “What’s Nutella?”
Trader Joe’s dreamed up this creamy, silky butter, which is made from…cookies, and it tastes like whipped honey graham crackers and gingerbread. Basically, heaven in a jar. It’s equally delicious on top of toast or as a dip for pretzels or carrot sticks. Highly recommended for when you’re in the mood for a decadent treat.
3. MAC Iridescent Powder/Loose in Silver Dusk
Say peace-the-eff-out to all the other silvery pink highlighters out there because MAC Silver Dusk. It’s a loose powder that comes in a jar, and you can dust it on your face and eyes (and even your body)… This bad boy truly whips my high pony ’round and ’round.
I’m not always a fan of silvery pink loose highlighting powders because 1) they usually clash with my NC42 skin, and 2) they look borderline fros-tay, but this staple of MAC artist bridal looks is a go-to for a reason. Somehow, some way, it just works for almost everyone.
Leave it to the wizards at Team MAC for making a highlighter that not only looks like a soft beam of angelic light is bathing your face, but is also easy to blend, so there’s no risk of those tell-tale highlighting edges along the bridge of your nose or on your upper cheekbones.
Added bonus? It lasts all day (and all night) long, too.
4. Mrs. Meyers Hand Soap and Dish Soap Fall Scents
I stumbled onto these Mrs. Meyers limited edition fall scents at Target last weekend, and I’m behind them 100%. We’re talking cozy Apple Cider and spicy Pumpkin fragrances for dish soaps and hand soaps, so while you’re washing and rinsing off that skillet of overcooked scrambled eggs, instead of thinking about how dried eggs are such a PIA to clean, you’ll be magically transported to a cozy fireplace on the first crisp day of fall, where you and your sweetie pie are snuggling, sipping hot drinks and rubbing feet.
5. September tomatoes
There’s something about those end-of-the-season tomatoes on the vine that are extra delicious.
I’m gonna miss being able to go on my deck and pick a handful whenever I want. Sigh…
What are some things you’ve been loving lately?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Happy Wednesday! I was once hit in the thigh with a lacrosse ball. They are very hard and hurt/leave quite a bruise. HAHA! I was intrigued by your back tension discussion but haven’t had a chance to look up any vids yet. We have plenty of lacrosse balls so I’ll definitely try it. You’ve also reminded me that my neighbor said to please come and get some tomatoes – I’ll have to get on that, as well. 🙂 I can’t think of anything I’ve been loving lately but I’ve been into those Downy Unstoppables in-wash scent boosters (which the Hubs hates because he feels they smell like acid). I also had a sample of Brazilian Bum Bum cream and it made me pretty happy with its summery scent.
I never, ever want to be unintentionally touched by a lacrosse ball, LOL!
How lucky are you to have a neighbor offering some tomatoes? They must have a ton. You should go over there and get some to make panzanella or bruschetta? Yummy.
It was bad! Thrown with a lacrosse stick by a dad who didn’t realize I was talking to someone else and not currently playing catch. HAHA!
Yes, we’re super fortunate! Two neighbors have a ton of cherry tomatoes and are very kind about sharing. Coincidentally, I just bought some fresh mozz, basil and a balsamic glaze. 🙂 Caprese salad, all around!
Actually late Summer Jersey tomatoes and white corn are the best and sweetest. If you can get good mozzarella and fresh basil, it is the best time to have Caprese salad. Unfortunately, other local produce just hasn’t been that good this season, but toyu can always get the best tomatoes.
I also picked up a organic sesame oil for the face & body at Whole Foods for under $3. I started using it on my face and a bit on my dried and cracked heels. So far, I am loving it. I sometimes add some Avocado oil. My skin feels soft.
Just wish this oppressive heat would end out East. Senior Year has begun!
Oh, that oil sounds intriguing. Is the sesame scent very intense?
Can’t believe your son is already a senior. This time next year you’ll be sending him off to college! ?
Hi Karen
I have been using the Yoga tune up therapy balls.
Same idea, they are hard, and they work.
They get deep into to sore points.
https://www.tuneupfitness.com/shop/self-massage-therapy-balls
Bought them from my osteopath, and it was good investment.
The other ones are not available in Canada.
My shoulders/neck also get insanely tight. It got to the point where I was doing extreme stretching of my trapezius muscles multiple times per day and cracking my neck to try to relieve the unevenness of one side being tighter than the other.
The best thing I ever did was to get a sitting/standing adjustable desk. Even standing two hours a day really helps in a way that constant armrest adjustment (or even armrest removal) on an ergonomic chair didn’t. There’s just something about the gravity of my arms pulling on the muscles that really helps.
I don’t think I’ve ever actually had Speculoos Cookie Butter on anything, because I just eat random spoonfuls out of the jar, lol.
I just saw the Mrs. Meyers Fall line yesterday; I’m totally getting the hand soap for the bathroom.
Right now, I’m loving college football season and a new book I’ve been reading that has improved my sleep a lot. (I’ve had sleep problems my whole life, so that’s a super-big deal.)
OMG- Have you tried the TJ’s cookie butter ice cream? Soooo good!
Wait… THAT’S A THING?!?!
We use LaCrosse balls and tennis balls in circus for sore and tight muscles! I have extremely bendy shoulders so I don’t have as many issues with tightness there as a lot of aerialists (we build up so much muscle and if you don’t stretch enough / properly you get tight), but it definitely works. I’m also a big fan of foam rolling.
I’m ashamed to say it took my over a decade of being a loyal TJ shopper to know about cookie butter. Did you see they have a chunky one?
Not sure if you knew this, but at TJ you can sample anything. My kids and I will often ask them if we can try a dessert and they will open it and let us try it. We have started asking the workers for their favorite items.
If I could, I’d work Sephora and TJs and be one happy gal.
Speculoos wasn’t dreamed up by Trader Joe’s. It comes from the Netherlands. Yummy and if you love it, time to book a flight. 🙂 You would love the Netherlands.
And Belgium! 🙂
Fall scented things are my fave!! I don’t know if this counts as a fall smell but I just got a peppercorn scented candle and I’m dying it’s so warm and cozy smelling <3 I need to find some fall scented soaps!
Cookie Butter! At times they also have Cookie Butter Cheesecake and Cookie Butter Cheesecake bites. I don’t think I’ve ever actually put Cookie Butter on something – I usually just spoon it out of the jar! Oops! 😀
Lacrosse balls are an awesome tool. I use them often when I’m sore or have a knot that needs some attention. I LOVE the iridescent loose powder. I picked it up on a recent trip for Studio Fix. It’s so pretty on. I debated between that and the bronze color for all of two seconds! I may have to go back and get the bronze. We’ll see.
Cookie butter is sooooo good! Discovered the TJ’s version when I was in Cali, but it isn’t sold in Canada, so I had to hunt down a new brand once I got home. In short, I’m in LOVE!
1. Trader Joes Apple Cider hand soap, you need it!
2. Santa Clarita Diet, funny.
3. Carmel Pumpkin plug ins from glade (as you can tell I’m trying to force fall)
4. Decorative mini-pumpkins from Trader Joe’s (I have a problem)
5. Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes from TJ’s!
Ooh, I’ll look into that hand soap, thanks!
BTW we’ve had those cupcakes and they’re delicious. 🙂