Hi, friend! Happy Mother’s Day Eve. 🌷 Short and sweet intro today, as my services are required in the front yard. We’re in the midst of a front yard makeover, and I am the team’s official “remover of all the randomly placed rocks.” Sometimes I also serve as the unofficial “dead leaf scraper.”
It’s a hoot.
So, while I go do my best to avoid crossing paths with giant earthworms (it’s a weird, irrational fear), here are some articles and videos that caught my eye this week…
- How the pandemic is changing beauty spending habits
- Yes, this is a thing —-> People are painting tiny faces on their noses.
- I just started watching this show on Netflix called Hollywood, mostly for the ’40s-era makeup, hair and clothes. According to cosmetics historian Gabriela Hernandez, “There were only three or four reds you could use in that time period, and that’s what we did,” she says. “There’s a brighter red, a deeper red, and then a dark red. We wanted it to be very authentic.”
- The NY Times ponders the question, “How Will We Buy Our Perfume Now?”
- Speaking of scents, here’s how to make your own DIY fragrance, step-by-step.
- Perfumer Frédéric Malle cracks me up. 😂 When asked what the worst smell is, he said “The smell of vulgarity. I won’t name any names. I’m being polite [laughs]. There’s a lot around. The smell of duty free.” Dude! What’s wrong with duty free? LOL!
- Be prepared for your next trivia night with these fragrance fun facts. Did you know that fresh lilies have notes of ham? Yup, BOOM. Now you do.
- How to mix your own nail polish
- Keep your best feline friend looking runway ready with these at-home grooming tips.
- If you’re living with a senior kitty, here’s how to tell if he or she has arthritis.
- Did you happen to catch the Disney Family Singalong last month? SO FUN. We really enjoyed it. There’s going to be a new one coming out Sunday night, and I can’t wait.
Hello, welcome to my childhood.
One of my favorites of the “supers” from the ’90s, Christy Turlington, on aging (she’s 51!)
Somebody please open a club for moms that opens at 6:30 p.m., closes at 8:30 p.m., and only plays hits from the 2000s.
Dear Michael McDonald, what hair products do you use? BECAUSE YOUR MANE IS ALL KINDS OF FABULOUS!
Six women who changed fashion and beauty
I won’t be doing a Spartan Super in Monterey this year thanks to The ‘Rona, but here’s what it would’ve been like. Right now I would’ve been hardcore training. Instead, I’m eating cookies, LOL!
Would you try this recipe?
An old fave of mine
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Chelsea says
May 9th, 2020 at 8:10 amI have some bread dough proving right now, so I’m excited about that. The loaves I made last weekend turned out pretty well, except I hadn’t realized the flour was whole grain (I got it from the bulk bins at our local co-op). Zack’s doing a Zoom French class downstairs right now so I’m lazing around with Jiji.
Karen says
May 9th, 2020 at 11:20 amGood for you! Fresh made bread is the best. How does the whole grain taste? I’m betting it’s kinda nutty!
Chelsea says
May 9th, 2020 at 11:46 amIt was! Plus it was from Michigan flour mill, so that’s nice. It turns ed out good but man the white flour was so much easier to work with.
Karen says
May 9th, 2020 at 6:52 pmYa know, I don’t think I’ve ever baked with whole grain before. Why is it challenging?
Chelsea says
May 9th, 2020 at 6:53 pmIt’s got less gluten, so you have to knead it longer and it’s tougher to knead.
Karen says
May 9th, 2020 at 6:55 pmAhh, I see. Now I know why I don’t use it. LOL! 🙂
Rachel says
May 9th, 2020 at 8:22 amI’m not a mom but I would definitely go to that club! I made your blueberry loaf and I had to sub plain Greek yogurt for sour cream but it still turned out delicious!
Karen says
May 9th, 2020 at 11:19 amYou are totally welcome to my 6:30 p.m. 2000s club, HA HA HA!
I’m happy to hear that you made the loaf and liked it. 🙂 Did you use full fat Greek yogurt? Or low fat?
Rachel says
May 9th, 2020 at 11:42 amLooking at the label it was Siggi’s nonfat! Surprised it turned out so well! Have fun cleaning up your yard! It snowed here this morning…this weather is bulls***!
Karen says
May 9th, 2020 at 6:51 pmThat is crazy! Well, I’ll send some sunshine your way!
P.S. Did you end up doing gluten-free, or did you use regular flour?
Rachel says
May 9th, 2020 at 7:24 pmI did regular flour. I got a used Kitchenaid stand mixer that someone was selling online (less than half the price of new!) so that was fun to use. I really like it!
MelodyJ says
May 9th, 2020 at 10:30 amThe article from CNN resonates with me. I have had an overwhelming desire to to perfect my skin, hair, body, and nail care routines during quarantine. I have been checking reviews and looking for sales for reasonable priced, effective, and somewhat easy to find products. I’m going try some new to me products tonight.
Also thanks so much for posting the video of 80’s cereal commercials. There were some interesting trends. Bran was the healthy buzzword. Raisins were a popular ingredient. I don’t remember Bran News, Fruity Krispies or Bran Chex. But, I remember the other cereals and most of the commercials. A great trip down memory lane and I will check out other videos on that channel.
Karen says
May 9th, 2020 at 11:19 amI totally remember Fruity Krispies!
Not really cereal related, but do you remember the Strawberry Quik drink? I think they used to make a banana one, too!
MelodyJ says
May 15th, 2020 at 9:09 amSorry for the late reply. I do remember Strawberry Quik drink. I have memories drinking it at my grandparents house, They did have a banana one as well.
Karen says
May 15th, 2020 at 9:20 amNo worries, girl! So it wasn’t in my imagination. I remember loving the strawberry but being grossed out by the banana (not much has changed, apparently).
Happy Friday to you!
Aditi says
May 9th, 2020 at 10:50 amI fear and loathe earthworms. Nothing irrational about it in my opinion! It is why I dread walking in rainy days in the summer. And the Fat ones! The horror!
Karen says
May 9th, 2020 at 11:18 amOH MY GOD. Finally, someone who gets it!!!
I am especially freaked out by their “turtlenecks” (that thick ring, UGH!).
Christine says
May 9th, 2020 at 11:15 amGood on you for such adulting activities such as gardening! I had one adult stint in a house in the suburbs with a yard and while gardening seemed like a lovely activity, I just couldn’t do it, though my Lolo had many green thumbs and I was impressed with his skizzles in the garden.
I love earthworms. They remind me of fishing with my dad. I think because they don’t have faces I’m okay with them (that seems weird). Also they’re so good for the soil. Cockroaches, on the other hand….
Like Melody J, I’m paying more attention to what’s in my skin and makeup stash and enjoying retail therapy at the same time. I feel like starting afresh with my makeup and skincare upon re-emerging into society!
Have a great Happy Mother’s Weekend (and all of you other moms out there)!
Karen says
May 9th, 2020 at 11:17 amI don’t know why I get so freaked out about earthworms. There’s something about the way they move, and the “turtleneck” that they have especially FREAKS ME OUT. It is completely irrational!
What skin care products are you liking these days?
Christine says
May 9th, 2020 at 11:26 amHeehee, its okay, I understand how earthworms might be cringey.
I used to change up my skincare so frequently so this is the first time I’ve replenished my supply of The Ordinary. For the price and the performance, I just love it!
Karen says
May 9th, 2020 at 6:50 pmA lot of people I know love that line! I might have to break down and eventually try something.
Suzanne C says
May 9th, 2020 at 12:14 pmOh my goodness with the grilled cheese sammich! I don’t really like Provolone, but otherwise, we’re totally trying that. I’ll bet a homemade garlic mayo would send it to another dimension.
I can’t believe I missed the Disney singalong! I didn’t even hear about it. Did you ever see the Disney Singalong videos back in the ’90’s? VHS tapes with clips from Disney movies and shows of songs and the words at the bottom of the screen; “follow the bouncing ball”, lol. My younger cousins were heavily into those. Super helpful when babysitting.
Karen says
May 9th, 2020 at 6:49 pmI never saw those Singalong Videos, but I probably would’ve loved them!
If you can find the first Singalong (I think it might still be on Hulu if you have it), please watch it! It’s so fun. Connor and I have already watched it a bunch of times. 🙂
Tatiana says
May 9th, 2020 at 1:30 pmI’m always so excited when I see the email that says you’ve made another post.
I hope your gardening turns out well. I clearly don’t share your aversion to earthworms as I have a worm composter out back. I feed them all my food scraps once or twice a week and hope they multiply and create good soil amendment.
Karen says
May 9th, 2020 at 6:48 pmHi! We’re far from our final gardening plan (we’re doing a complete revamp), but we’re making head way in the yard, which is good. Today I had to clear out piles of dead leaves and debris and move lots and lots and lots of rocks. SO MANY ROCKS. I’ve also never said the words “retaining wall” so many times in one day. Hahaha.
Sooo not gonna lie, I would lose my sh*t if I saw your worm composter! Do you take ’em out of there eventually and then scatter them in the garden?
Tatiana says
May 9th, 2020 at 6:58 pmBetween the hard clay soil and the rocks I’m surprised anything grows in this state. While I love a good garden I actually hate the physical labor of it.
Ok, so don’t lose your shirt, but when I take the compost out, I actually pick through it and try to save as many worms to toss back into the box as possible. A few escape into our garden, even without the addition our garden has plenty of worms. I just keep trying to build the soil as much as I can. The neighbor on one side is in love with leaf blowing and he blows everything onto our front yard, then feels guilty and blows away his mess and all my mulch and top soil, too. It drives my crazy. Every time I hear him out front with that machine, I go out, pull out the hose and start watering. He’s less likely to blow in our direction if I’m standing out there and the wet soil keeps things from blowing away. Sigh.
I am in awe of you. I’m not sure I could handle doing a revamp of my garden at this point in my life.
Tatiana says
May 9th, 2020 at 7:12 pmOh, I forgot to say, I hope you get tomorrow off! Despite the less than ideal circumstances I hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day!
Eileen says
May 9th, 2020 at 4:44 pmI’ve been doing a lot of gardening lately because spring has sprung in earnest and all the gardens in the neighborhood are looking spectacular. Gets me motivated. I love digging in the earth and trimming trees and plants. I find it calming. Because of the rain this past winter, our trees are loaded with fruit. Usually I take bags of fruit to friends, but this year I think I’m donating them to a local food distribution center.
I watched the video about Disney’s grilled cheese. I love grilled cheese but I don’t think I’d try it as it looked rather bland with all that cream cheese; more like a sandwich for a little kid. I prefer stronger flavors. I love Chrissy Teigan’s jalapeño and parmesan crusted grilled cheese or an Irish grilled cheese.
Karen says
May 9th, 2020 at 6:45 pmWhat kind of fruit trees do you have, Eileen?
Eileen says
May 9th, 2020 at 8:14 pmWe have a Myer lemon, a Cara Cara orange, a Seville orange, an avocado, and a Honey tangerine.