1. Perfume two-a-days
This idea came about during a chat in the comments last week with Pamela (hey, Pamela!). I was feeling a little blue that day, and we were talking about the uncertainty surrounding these crazy current events. Something Pamela said stuck with me…
We are all feeling the same lows in one way, shape or form. Just remember, you cannot control everything around you. But you can control how you respond to it. I respond with a spritz of perfume.
So one thing I’ve been doing, and it has helped me feel like I have a little bit of control over life in general, is wearing my perfumes in what I call “perfume two-a-days.”
First thing in the morning after I rinse off after my workout, I spritz one perfume, and then I spritz a different one in the evening after my shower before I go to bed.
Last night’s scent was TOCCA Graciella, and this morning’s was MAC Velvet Teddy Shadescent.
This evening’s will be Dolce by Dolce & Gabbana, me thinks…
2. Nudestix Cream Lip and Cheek Pencil in Mystic
One positive thing about being stuck at home so much is that I’ve been raiding my stash and rediscovering so many good things I used to love (and still do, apparently!), like Nudestix Mystic. This pinkish brownish semi-matte lipstick has pigment for days, and it doubles as a cream blush.
It’s one of those all-around neutrals that goes with everything.
3. Oatmeal raisin cookies with chocolate chips
I’ve never lost my damn mind over or passed out from sheer ecstasy while eating an oatmeal raisin cookie…UNTIL NOW. I’m normally nonchalant about them because oatmeal isn’t high up on my list of favorite things I eagerly expend my calories on (it’s like they’re too healthy or something).
Anyway, I made some at home, and they turned out BOMB. So, my tune has officially changed.
Turns out that oatmeal raisin cookies can actually be REALLY delicious, especially when you make ’em from scratch and add a sh*t ton of chocolate chips.
The main reason I made them is because I was under baking duress, because there’s been a flour shortage here in the area (people have been hoarding it), and I only have one bag of all-purpose flour left in the cupboard. But I was desperate to #stressbake and didn’t want to use too much of flour, so I gave these cookies a try because the recipe requires less than one cup of flour.
Crazy about ’em!
4. Watering can outdoor activities for kids (and adults!)
If you know someone who needs to keep busy for a while, take that person outdoors and give them a watering can. Then, let them water anything and everything in your yard. THEY WILL FREAKIN’ LOVE IT. I can’t believe I didn’t figure this out until now, but better late than never I guess.
If you can, give them two different watering cans for variety. I did this with Connor this morning, and she had a good ol’ time.
Added bonus: Now El Hub doesn’t have to water the front yard.
5. This choreography video to Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September”
Who are these amazing dancers, and why aren’t you and I (virtually) dancing with them right now?
We should be, really, because it looks like so much fun! Side note: The person in the background wearing the leopard shirt and the cutoff black shorts is my new style guru. 😹
What have you been loving lately?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Daphne B says
April 7th, 2020 at 8:51 amThose dancers are amazing! I alway wonder how dancers can remember those complicated routines. Love love love “September”!. What I have been loving lately, now that we are home (and just found out we will continue to work from home until at least May 1), is ACORN TV, which is all British mystery series. We have a free trial through Comcast Xfinity until April 9th, so I have been bingeing on Agatha Raisin, about a former PR executive who moves to the Cotswolds and becomes a detective. Worth it for the setting in the Cotswolds alone, but also a great show. The other ACORN show I am watching (there are sadly only 4 episodes) is Ms. Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries, which is set in Australia in the 1960’s, and the period fashions and makeup are to die for! Excellent show as well! Hope you can check them both out.
Chelsea says
April 7th, 2020 at 10:13 amDo you have a recipe for those cookies? They look SO GOOD. I love oatmeal cookies.
My wedding anniversary is the 21st of September so I love that song!
Diana says
April 7th, 2020 at 6:13 pmKaren I would love that cookie recipe!! I am the person to give the watering can to. I would be out there for hours with Connor Claire..
Hollie H says
April 7th, 2020 at 11:13 amI have been doing the perfume thing too. Scent is an important thing to uplift my spirits. Cookies too!!! Can you share the recipe?
Eileen says
April 7th, 2020 at 11:20 amWhen I was a very little girl, I loved working in the garden with my grandmother. During the war years (WWII) she had planted a Victory Garden like so many people did at that time. People grew their own fruits and veggies, and many had chickens and other types of small livestock–right there in the city. The purpose was to supplement rationing and to make sure the troops had the food they needed. After the war, many people kept their gardens going, my grandmother being one of them. I loved watering plants and helping her weed. My reward was always a lunch featuring something fresh from the garden.
I’ve always worn different perfumes depending on it being AM, PM, or beddy-bye time. I’ve always adored orientals and florientals which can be a bit intense at 6:00 in the morning–lol–so I have some lighter florals for those early hours. And, right before bed, I like something soft and comforting.
Those cookies look yummy. I love oatmeal cookies of all sorts. My favorite iteration has chopped dried apricots and white chocolate chips in them. Think I’ll go bake some 🙂
Take care everyone; be well and safe.
Karen says
April 7th, 2020 at 5:07 pmI have dried apricots! No white chocolate chips though (people have been hoarding EVERYTHING). I’ll have to try that combo when things get back to normal, and I can stroll into Target without a care in the world… LE SIGH!
ericca says
April 7th, 2020 at 11:34 amHello,
i really need to get into some serious self care. i have not been doing anything , i have really let myself go . so , maybe i will start wearing perfume again.
secondly, i have that cat mug. My nephew gave it to me as a present.
Karen says
April 7th, 2020 at 5:03 pmHi Ericca,
I feel you. I’ve barely been able to get myself to put makeup on! I have been doing the same minimal neutrals thing for the last few days. It’s all I have in me, along with the perfume. lol
Tatiana says
April 7th, 2020 at 1:27 pmOk, we need the link to the recipe for the Oatmeal Raisin cookies. They’re Dear Husband’s favorite, so if I can find some raisins I’ll make him a batch. I think I have just enough flour to make one batch of cookies.
Love the dance video. That made my day.
I’m loving this dance video, too. I love the pom pom waving grannies in it. It makes me want to travel to Hong Kong. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrwrAbehaSA
Don’t hate me, but I also loved the rain we had this past weekend. I think that’s going to be it for a while now.
I bought some seeds to grow herbs and greens. I need to get them in the ground soon. I could use Connor’s help watering!
Karen says
April 7th, 2020 at 4:58 pmI riffed off a recipe I found in a book… I can repost it here if you want! 🙂 It gives me an excuse to make another batter, which I can freeze for future cookie cravings, woo hoo!
Tatiana says
April 7th, 2020 at 8:10 pmOh, yes, I’d love the recipe and your riff on it! Dear Husband would be so thrilled if I surprised him with oatmeal cookies.
Suzanne C says
April 7th, 2020 at 3:07 pmI hate raisins in cookies, but oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips? I am here for that.
Yes to wearing perfume at home. My scent of the day is NEST’s Sunkissed Hibiscus. (Huge NEST fan!) You have to love a perfume that is described as capturing “the mysterious allure of a Voodoo Queen hibiscus”.
Karen says
April 7th, 2020 at 4:56 pmI usually don’t liked cooked raisins, either! But I’m cool with it in cookies with chocolate. It makes all the difference. 🙂
Love the name of that perfume, by the way. I wish I was a Sunkissed Hibiscus right now… I just found out that Connor’s school will be closed through the end of the school year. Somebody peel me off the floor!
Ruchita says
April 7th, 2020 at 5:21 pmI admit I will always choose a chocolate chip cookie over oatmeal raisin. However, I am quite intrigued by adding chocolate chips to an oatmeal raisin recipe.
Just today I discovered a YouTube channel called Soothing Relaxation. I had a busy day and my mind was racing and I just wanted to relax. I played one of the videos on TV and Max jumped on my lap. My phone was charging so I didn’t have it on hand to scroll mindlessly. It was nice to just snuggle with a kitty and listen to some relaxing spa-like music without doing much else.
Take care and hope you are having a good day!
Karen says
April 7th, 2020 at 5:23 pmI’ll check out that channel! I need some Soothing Relaxation in my life.
Isn’t having a lap cat the best thing?
Ruchita says
April 7th, 2020 at 6:09 pmI’m glad I discovered the channel! I tried to pretend I was at a fancy spa. 🙂
I love having snuggly kitties! Ella was the ultimate lap cat, but Max and Louis will sometimes sit with me on the couch. Lucky likes to wake me up around 5 in the morning by jumping on the bed, purring loudly and climbing onto me. I guess in his kitty brain that’s the best time for snuggles. 🙂
Karen says
April 8th, 2020 at 8:26 amDoes he ever jump off you unexpectedly during mid-purr? That was one of Tabby’s signature @sshole cat moves. He would leap off my bladder without any warning.
Ruchita says
April 8th, 2020 at 8:37 amYes! I’ve had that happen sometimes and it is rough. It’s like something grabs their attention and they have to leave RIGHT NOW! 🙂
Karen says
April 8th, 2020 at 8:57 amI just remembered something I wanted to tell you! I just found another thing out about Rosie. I caught her eating a decorative pom pom the other day, and by the time I realized what she was doing, she had swallowed it so I couldn’t get it out of her mouth. This cat is not at all picky! She’ll seriously eat anything.
Anne says
April 8th, 2020 at 5:45 amMy kids can spend hours watering the garden too, great way to keep them occupied during lockdown.
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Jennifer says
April 8th, 2020 at 6:43 amThank you so much for posting that dance video! Put a huge smile on my face this morning :). They are amazing!
Karen says
April 8th, 2020 at 8:25 amSo glad you enjoyed it! It’s my new favorite thing. 🙂