The last one for 2017!
1. Winter sunrises
They’ve been epic here in NorCal lately. Red, pink, orange and violet-tinged clouds almost every morning. The other day I ran outside at 6:30 in pajamas, a down coat, wool socks and flip-flops to take this pic because 1) #noshame, and 2) the sky looked like a sci-fi Van Gogh painting.
One of my neighbors drove by on her way to work, and I could see she was laughing at me.
I hope it was laughing in a good way, LOL!
2. This “Fleetwood Cat” tee
ERHMAHGOODNESS. Cat-themed band tees are a thing! Did you know this…? I did not know this.
My world is forever changed.
This one is from Etsy seller JackalopeClothing.
3. The Real Techniques Contour Brush ($8.59 in a four-brush set at Target)
It’s b.o.m.b. for blending under-eye concealer.
I’m usually a “blend with your fingers” gal when it comes to under-eye concealer because of the whole body heat thing making it more pliable, but I recently found this brush at the bottom of a drawer I was cleaning out (long story, but I lost it a while ago), and now I remember why I was all about it for so long.
The super soft tapered brush head fabulously feathers out the edges when you use it with under-eye concealer, so it looks like real skin. It’s part of a four-piece set of face brushes for $8.59 at Target right now.
4. Homemedics Total Comfort Ultrasonic Humidifier Warm & Cool Mist ($79.99)
For years and years I heard that sleeping with (next to, LOL) a humidifier is supposed to make it so you catch fewer colds. I poo-poo’d it, but then I got one, and man! — the difference is night and day.
Well…I got sick first, and then I starting using it, but I used it every night when I was sick this week, and my nose and throat didn’t get sore or dry out, and and I coughed way less than usual, so I slept better and got over my cold quicker.
This is the one I have from Costco.
5. Doing core exercises in the morning
I’d been doing them in my HIIT class for a while (but I basically cheated and half-@ssed them), but now I do them for real in the morning.
If you don’t have any core strength (ME), these feel like torture for the first week — I’m talking absolutely awful — but now I’m addicted to how good they make me feel. My back feels so much better than it used to and my hips and hamstrings don’t feel as tight. Also, weirdly enough, I’m more flexible, especially when I rotate my spine and turn left and right.
I’ve only been doing them legit for a few weeks, and even my pants fit a little better. It takes me about 10-15 minutes in the morning.
Here’s one of the videos I use. It’s a 10-minute Pilates core workout with a different core move every minute.
It’s BRUTAL, but it’s over quick, and before you know it, you’re drenched in sweat and done for the day.
When I first did this one I couldn’t do half the moves, and I’m still nowhere near being able to do any of them perfectly yet, but it’s a process…
Your turn. What have you been loving lately? Inquiring minds want to know. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Mimi says
December 29th, 2017 at 7:51 pmI’ve been loving my new fluffy warm IKEA comforter. I’ve been sleeping so well!
I love the llama bag in the humidifier photo! Where did you get it?
Karen says
December 29th, 2017 at 8:48 pmHi Mimi,
I found it at Marshall’s. It’s Connor’s hamper. 🙂 She’s asleep right now but I’ll check the brand for you in the morning!
Chelsea says
December 29th, 2017 at 8:06 pmThis is reminding me to use my humidifier! Especially since it’s dry af right now in Michigan! And that Real Techniques brush looks great – I love my Real Techniques blush brush.
What am I loving lately? Knitting, sheet masks, and being off work until Tuesday!
Karen says
December 29th, 2017 at 8:49 pmSame here in Northern California. It hasn’t rained in ages and it feels like the air is bone dry both outside and inside.
When you make those socks I want to see a pic!
Ed N says
December 30th, 2017 at 1:25 amYour number one reminds me (even though it’s about Arizona skies) of Orb’s “Little Fluffy Clouds”. Maybe check it out (if you’re not familiar) one morning to help with your sunrise soundtrack.
Karen says
December 30th, 2017 at 8:06 amHi Ed N,
I’ve never heard of that song. Gonna look it up today! Thank you for the recommendation and happy new year!
Daniela says
December 30th, 2017 at 2:28 am1. My new espresso machine! Can’t live without it anymore!
2. My newly painted and decorated bedroom. Now – after discussing with myself for nearly two years – the walls are dark grey-blue, nearly black, plus accessoires in red-orange. It is a dramatic change but it feels really cozy now.
3. Leftover christmas cookies, I think I have to make an extra portion this weekend.
4. My kindle with some fresh books.
5. NARS concealer – both versions, so good! And they work till the espresso from no. 1 kicks in….
Love your sunrise picks, currently the weather here – Germany – is wet, just wet! So no sunrise in the morning.
Karen says
December 30th, 2017 at 8:07 amHi Daniela,
I’m looking out the window right now and the sun is shining bright. Sending you some virtual sunshine…
P.S. What new books do you have on your Kindle?
LindaLibraLoca says
December 30th, 2017 at 4:46 amSeeing the sun rise when I drive to work, snow on the ground, oh, and this RT brush. It is perfect to blend or to set the undereye concealer.
LindaLibraLoca recently posted … Taking out the trash 15 – My December 2017 Empties
Karen says
December 30th, 2017 at 8:07 amYes, it’s great! And so affordable.
Erin says
December 30th, 2017 at 5:05 amI love that brush too, it is fabby! Such a good staple brush in my stash! The humidifier looks so good too, I have been meaning to get one 🙂
Erin || MakeErinOver
Karen says
December 30th, 2017 at 8:08 amYeah, I remember the whole set being good (I wish I could find th other brushes, LOL). Happy Saturday!
Tatiana says
December 30th, 2017 at 9:37 amDang that sunrise photo is gorgeous! I rarely get up early enough to see the sunrise.
Rachel Runyan says
December 30th, 2017 at 2:10 pm“Fleetwood Cat!” lol Love it!
Lately I’ve been loving:
1) LORAC Color Source Buildable Blush in Ultraviolet. I lurves it.
2) Too Faced Chocolate Gold Palette. I’m glad to see TF back on their palette game.
3) Gingerbread Tea from Tea Man on Etsy. I hadn’t bought any for a couple years, and forgot how much I loved it. Tastes like the real thing, with nowhere near the calories.
4) Ash vs. The Evil Dead on Netflix. Too funny!
5) Metallic eyes and lips. I’m so sick of mattes.
Rachel Runyan recently posted … Channeling the Cosmos: Ultra Violet Makeup for 2018
Michele DiCola says
December 30th, 2017 at 6:15 pmHi Katen,
Love my humidifier as well !
I breathe better and my skin ! My skin ??♀️
I also have a new bedroom w new furniture and a new bathroom !
Feel like a movie star ⭐️
And , and Love being retired!
Not worrying about my evil principal or going back to work w unhappy people !
Happy New Year ???
Regards to El Hubs and Connor Claire and Tabs
Michele DiCola says
December 30th, 2017 at 6:16 pmThat’s Karen !
Remind me to check spelling
Erin says
December 31st, 2017 at 9:33 amThings I have been loving lately:
1. Trader Joe’s Grapefruit Sugar Scrub! KAREN IT’S IN A TUBE!!!!
2. Trader Joe’s Breakfast Blend Coffee. Best part of waking up is bbc in your cup!
3. TJ’s Christmas Tea Sampler… OH YEAH!
4. Sunday Riley UFO Oil for those ‘time of the month’ pimples. As long as I use it a few days before and a few days during, I avoid getting them at all.
5. Caudalie Glycolic Peel Mask! Totally gentle and totally perfect for the errant winter flaky skin I get when it gets too cold!
Bonus: Tarte ColorSplash mini lippies: The perfect clutch size lip wardrobe 🙂
Erin recently posted … Bite Mauvember Amuse Bouche Liquified Lipstick
Icequeen81 says
January 1st, 2018 at 4:59 pmHappy New Year Karen all the best from The Dutch Antilles.
1.Integra Natura Chocolate Love ( body lotion, handmade from natural ingredients from the Antilles)
2. My skin regime: Witch Haze, Thayers, Curaloe serum. Ocen tropic baby sunblock, and steam cream.
3. Milani eyeshadow base, Milani concealer, Pixie Epoxy glitter glue: detrivore+ Shiro eyeshadows. Aruba Lifer organics eyeshadow was for brows.
4. My dogs these days they are inside
5. Family time these days
Karen says
January 2nd, 2018 at 8:37 pmHappy New Year to you, too, Iceequeen! I hope this year brings you joy and many blessings.
Icequeen81 says
January 3rd, 2018 at 7:02 pmAmen, Karen for you too.
Icequeen81 says
January 3rd, 2018 at 7:06 pmUff I need a Humidifier too they don’t seel them here on the Island, they should help with allergies.
Karen says
January 4th, 2018 at 10:19 amThat’s what I hear! I’ll probably end up using it a lot in the spring.
Icequeen81 says
January 5th, 2018 at 6:30 pmYes, it looks like a great option, too bad they dont sell it here, Here dusty the whole year.
Trude says
January 2nd, 2018 at 10:04 amI’m a humidifier convert too! Especially here in Reno, it’s too damn dry year round at our elevation to not have one running. I’ve read that it’s helpful for babies too, so I’m glad I already have that checked off the list.
I use that RT brush for powder highlighter, never thought of it for the undereye! I use my RT sponge to blend undereye concealer and then to apply setting powder immediately after. I’ll have to try it out. 🙂
Karen says
January 2nd, 2018 at 8:22 pmThe humidifier will come in handy when the baby starts hanging out with other kids! I like having one around so much that I kinda want a second one for our bedroom.
Which model do you have, by the way? And does yours require distilled water?
Trude says
January 3rd, 2018 at 1:08 pmOh I bet! Once she starts sleeping in her own room I’ll definitely pick up another one. I got the Honeywell Mistmate through Walmart’s website and had them ship to store (so convenient!). https://www.walmart.com/ip/Honeywell-Mistmate-Ultrasonic-Humidifier/37689557
It’s been working great for over a year! We use distilled water, I’m not sure if you technically have to but it means no buildup. If I run it all night long on medium I usually get about 2 nights worth out of the reservoir. There are bigger ones but our room is fairly small so I wanted something with a small footprint. 🙂