Week 1 - June 2021 Musings

Did you know that peonies need the cold of winter to snap back and bloom? Sometimes I am the same - I need the quiet and dark to refocus my energy. I needed a bit less on my to-do list and a bit more time in my schedule for me. I hope you don't mind the break. (Peony picture for tax)

So what has been going on? I've been painting ALL the things in the house - walls, ceilings, book cases, furniture - ALL the things! And building furniture. And a bit of gardening. And reading. Pandemic levels of reading. And resettling myself after a pretty bad bout of depression. I get SAD to a lesser degree most winters. Throw in a pandemic, a break up, a house purchase, and the chaos of a new space = a much a greater degree. So I did a little re-set and gave myself the grace to just BE so I could get through the physical therapy on my hip, the winter, the memories of spring, and just everything. It worked! I'm back, sans limp - but I have an attitude. You have been warned.

Books? I read my entire 2021 planned amount. In escapist novels. (I have favorites, they show up in my Good Reads). I'm 75 books in.

New goal. I read non-fiction business during the week and indulge in other books on the weekend. It's significantly slowed my reading but I'm making some progress on enriching my mind.

Cooking? New stove came Thursday, we will discuss after that. Because I will be cooking ALL THE THINGS.

Gratitude? 35 year old me who thought a personal IRA was a great idea. The friends who visit my new space and do not suggest changes to their taste but understand I have a vision. My adorable kitchen. The new side porch furniture. 

Listening? Apple's lists have me pegged. I pick one and it rifts on things I like. Have discovered I like Fall Out Boy. (Will not be debating this.) 

Also a ton of Patrice Washington's Redefining Wealth podcasts and Don't Keep Your Day Job with Cathy Heller podcasts - they seem to inspire me and even out my keel. Right now, I'm all about that.

Watching? This week I finished Stumptown. Let's discuss how I can finish a TV series but not an online class. (Also a friend came to visit the new space and referred to my TV as a "cute little TV" - then asked where the bigger one is. That...is......it. That's the only one.)

Wearing? 

Yeah, I still look good for my age but who the hell knows about my skin? It currently hates facemasks on the regular, and I'm tired of fighting the wrinkles. Here's a picture of what I have going on this week - day, night, and mask.

Day (Skin)

Night (Skin) 

The Masks (Skin)

As mentioned, I've been fighting the maskne. I've got a whole regime of masks I rotate through. Here they are below. The Blue Magic and Mayala's Neem are my favorites but that Naturallogic hydrating mask is fantastic around the eyes.

Wearing (Perfume)

My perfume interest may have tilted into addiction. Kind of like when I need the full set of a book series. I think I may have an obsessive personality. (Shrugs.) I smell fantastic. Go explore the world of indie perfumes. Support a small business. It's good for your soul. 

Below is my latest indie haul from Death and Floral.

I bought a primer (the tin) to help make scents last longer. 

• Summer Camp Gothic - Scent notes: Dry oakwood absolute, browned marshmallows, cedar, black pepper, toasted vanilla
• The same way I am in love with the moon - Scent notes: Palo santo blended with smoked sandalwood and a lunar accord. Deep and reminiscent of a breezy night under a looming full moon.
• You belong among the wildflowers - Scent notes: Lemongrass and wild red poppies, blended with sunflowers, Spanish moss, and dogwood.
• Nothing rusts in the desert, the air is full of ghosts - Scent notes: Pink cactus flowers and sweet grass, with notes of warm rain and woody dry vanilla

And so far, I'm in love.

Random My Southern Gram passed a few weeks ago. The funeral was over Memorial Day weekend. And I realized as we progressed from illness to death to funeral that the experience of a single human life and how it is seen varies from person to person. People recalled things about her I could never imagine and would never have guessed. (Facebook memories and snippets of stories.) Other people, outside the family, shared memories as well - and it's funny because I was privy to Gram's take on those people and it does not jive with their impression of what she thought of them! In the end, despite what other people think, I suspect we are unknowable to all but the Universe (or God, if you prefer.)

Take-away - Nothing last forever...but while we are here, live with joy as often as possible.

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Let's Talk about 2020

Things we learned. Things we did not learn. Things we learned again. Unprecedented times. Life changes.  And where we go from here. That's my description of 2020 in paragraph form.

Every year I put out a list of what I learned. They are, honestly, mostly notes to self! And I swear sometimes I learn the same lesson - all over again. Below is my list for 2020. Maybe you learned the same lessons. Maybe you learned something else.  But either way, may we never stop learning and growing.

1. Fear will stop you. It is what limits you. Step outside of it.
2. Sometimes you've got to burn it all down and start over.
3. Boundaries are good. But you are in charge of keeping them defined.
4. Relationships require work from both parties. (Not a newsflash.) I refuse to be the only one working in it.
5. Be grateful for the people who see you as who you are rather than who they want you to be.

If you'd like to see what I learned at other points: lessons in 2019,  lessons in 2018,  lessons in 2017, lessons in 2016 , lessons in 2015 or learn about the rules. 

PS - want to get started journaling in 2021 but not sure what to write? I've got you covered with a digital book of journal prompts. 3 per week, plus an inspiring quote. Check it out on Gumroad with this link: https://gumroad.co/NZTt

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December 2020 - Week 2

Someone I know travels to see new things. I like doing that, too. But, you only see what you l-o-o-k at and there are small beauties all around us, every day. Be still and look.

Something to remember as we move into this new season.

Books: Reading as a form of de-stress is priceless. Seriously. Books and the worlds in people's heads are a gift.

- Umbertouched (Kindle) by Livia Blackburne is the 2nd (Rosemarked) was the first. It's called a Young Adult novel but there is no forever at the end. Just a sunset on a short life. That said, I liked the series.

- Midlife Ghost Hunter by Shannon Mayer (Kindle Unlimited.) I adore this series. Seriously. Could this please be my life?

- After the Rain by Alexandra Elle (actual book). Some chapters I enjoyed. Some made me think. Some didn't resonate. But, if you have been going through an emotional storm - this may be a book to help. (Full disclosure, I thought about Little Free Library'ing it because a few flipped to chapters did not resonate. Then I started at the front. And there is too much good to give up but I might be buying a few people copies!)

Cooking: Making up that Hungryroot! I'm telling you, this may be the best thing I've done in a bit. Food and recipes delivered to my door. Now there is a learning curve as they figure out what you like but I've yet to have a full delivery where I did not like anything. We're down to one or two items a delivery - then I just mark that and they don't send again! (And the next one, thanks to a few edits, looks perfect!)

Gratitude: Sunrise over the river. Cute dogs (even when stinky). Cuddle cats. Creating order. Breakfasts with friends. Downtown shopping at cute stores. Small, shiny things; because everything you touch should be beautiful. New dog friends, who trust you when other humans made them scared.

House: I like to call unpacking "unfurling". Because you are releasing your belongings into the space. Still have about 10 boxes. I'm down to figuring out new homes for things that went somewhere ELSE in the prior house. (Not all houses are configured the same. Space changes.)

Good news - No major repairs! Although the city did put in the start of a new water pipe. So happy I painted that wall last week.....  

Listening: Apple has a whole holiday channel with different kids of holiday music - country, jazz, classics, etc. This may be heaven. Also a couple of the usual suspect podcasts - Redefining Wealth and Don't Keep Your Day Job. (Not that I don't like my day job but she has good guests.)

Watching: Gossip Girl. (It's going off Netflix. Gotta get it while it is there.) As I was watching, Chuck Bass said his mother's birthday as Bart Bass's safe combination. And I realize...she's 3 years older than me. OMG. I was old even when the show was new! I'm also over the headbands but on to slouchy purses and scarves.

Wearing

Perfume

People. I went exclusive to one brand for the week. Mostly to one scent, too!

Sucreabeille

- Troll Food - Scent notes: melted chocolate, toasted marshmallow, sweet honey graham cracker.  I get the honey and marshmallow in the scent layers but still find traces of cinnamon and caramel (the latter may actually be graham cracker). Continues to smell like I'm delicious food that would go well with a latte. It lasts pretty well, most of a business day, on my skin. I did kill the tiny sample bottle, so we are off to new pastures!

- We Are Stardust - Scent notes: Daisy crowns and sandalwood, a bouquet of peace lilies, vanilla cream fresh from Max’s dairy farm, and a drop of patchouli. I needed the reminder. We are stardust. And I still don't understand how Sucre came up with a patchouli that I don't mind and how I don't get daisy (cat pee) off this!

Skin

I think my skin is starting to show my age. I am less than pleased. Changes will happen.

 - Day time - Standard in-shower wash of tea tree cleanser followed by a third finger (gentlest finger) tapping into the skin of 100% Pure's Super Fruit Oil Nourishing Eye Cream, then the Votary serum and topped with the Votary day oil (yes a switch). And I've added the Votary cream some days because my skin is starting to be dry for the winter. Moved the shot of Monastery Aloe Hyaluronic Moisture Boost on the forehead and neck to days when I have Zooms!

- Night time - 1st cleanse with 100% Pure's Blood Orange Cleansing Balm following with a 2nd cleanse with my DHC Washing Powder for a little extra exfoliation. Liking the Naturallogic Elemental Advanced Hydration Red Wine Essence (last month's Boxwalla) as the first layer to restore moisture and fight off lines. The follow up moisture set has remained Votary night oil and cream (via the Boxwalla). Plus the Grown Alchemist eye cream.

(Boxwalla has a every other month beauty box that is the BOMB. Highly recommend.)

Random: I can a-l-w-a-y-s tell when a man's wife does not work. It's in the respect with which he treats my time. If she works, and has a professional job, he treats my time like his own. If she does not, he treats my time as if it is less important than his - late for meetings, canceling on appointments, arbitrarily changing agreed delivery. (And yes, I had that experience this week. I probably won't be doing business with that company again.)

This weekend I shopped downtown at local stores. I did my holiday shopping, which will ship late. And I'm okay with that. I spent my budget, not more, and I feel like I helped the beautiful downtown community. (Pictured, a gorgeous candle - of which I bought more than a few for gifts  - and, above, a light pull to add pretty into one of my spaces.)

Take-away - Remember the starfish story. You can't save them all, but you can make a difference - even if for just one. Who are you making a difference for?

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November - Week 2 - 2020

They never tell you that starting over is stressful and messy and upheaval - emotionally and physically.  It's all  "fresh start" and "you can create the life you want". I call B-U-L-L! It's lonely. And it's hard. And what you need to do NEXT, because it's everything from changing your drivers license to all your bank info and then all the house projects* can seem super freaking overwhelming. 

This is the 3rd time I've started over in this space. I was broken the 1st time after the divorce. The 2nd time I was very angry at what I'd allowed in my life. This is different in that I'm not broken or angry. I'm simply ready for a positive change. It doesn't make the starting over easier in what needs to be done, which can be overwhelming.

Remember to breathe. Read a nonsense book. Order pizza in. Be okay with unpacking 1 box that day - or none. Try to get 1 important task done. Give yourself the time and space to heal, to dream a new dream.

Book: Light reading only! 

- Never Been Hexed  by Christine Zane Thomas (Kindle Unlimited) Where-in the heroine spends too much time doing nothing and the actual villain is muddled.  (This is book 2. I keep thinking the next will be better.)

- Hex After Forty and That Good Hex by M.J. Caan (Kindle Unlimited) Which is an interesting take on not to scary paranormal world. Also, these don't grab you by the character and hold on. 

- Burn Brightly by Patricia Briggs (actual book) Which is part of my favorite Alpha and Omega series. I love these. They make me happy.

Cooking: Expect less recipes until I find people to cook for. Left to just me - I make a lot of eggs and spaghetti. With sides of Chinese food and pizza. (No worries. Just go to my recipe page.)

But, I am trying HungryRoot for a few weeks because they offer quick meal prep. Quick is my new speed. (Make eggs. Order pizza. Only "fast" food right now.)

Gardening: I had the gutters cleaned. It's the wrong time to put in anything but bulbs and my new yard will be undergoing changes next year. (Apparently the city is taking up the sidewalks.....) 

Gratitude: Fantastic friends who make their husbands change your turn signal bulb, in the rain. Local service businesses. 

Friends who send you decadent soaps and oils.

 Friends who help you paint numbers on your new mailbox. 

House repair: Bought a pane of glass for the garage and caulked it in. Not perfect but it won't let the snow in the garage any more. (This is added to - having the locks changed because people should not need a key to get OUT, and having the gutters cleaned.)

*Thinking I should set up a Go Fund Me for the house since I have vent cleaning and electrical work scheduled next week. I also blew out the porch light, which is basically unchangeable. Who knows what the following week will bring?

Listening: A podcast about Abundance. (House repairs.) A lot of Sting and Adele - because 1 name English people.

Picture of the week: My new Bambi friend! She comes in the afternoons.

Watching: All of Veronica Mars season 4. I kind of have a thing for Logan's character. (I love how he loves Veronica. It's probably obsessive and not emotionally balanced. I find it attractive.) And I'm not okay with how Season 4 ends.

Wearing Against the Skin

Perfume

Imaginary Authors

- Every Storm a Serenade - Scent notes: Danish Spruce, Eucalyptus, Vetiver, Calone, Ambergris, Baltic Sea Mist. I adore this scent. It is what I imagine a selkie would smell like. (I also love the name.) It makes me feel magical. I finished off the tiny sample and would buy again.

Sucreabeille

- Xanadu - Scent notes: fragrant white tea, grated ginger, saffron, a field of lavender swaying in a cool breeze, carrot seed oil, damp pine needles. This is a delicious warm kind of scent - it's the ginger. It lingers nicely on the skin - except this week. I had on too many layers and it was coolish. This isn't a scent that drifts up in cold weather. It defuses in the heat. It's made for tropic climates. I finished my bottle. Would buy again.

- R.E.S.P.E.C.T. - Scent notes: your mother’s expensive cold cream that she dutifully applied every night and now you do, too, mixed with fragrant, sumptuous black cherries. I get a lot of cherry and dark vanilla off this. It's still sexy cupcake but richer smelling. It works well for the change in seasons.

- Lady Swears - Scent notes: Bourbon, Tahitian Vanilla, Lemon.  I decided this is pretty much my signature scent and ordered a bottle! The sillage is gorgeous and now that this has rested dries down to an almost incense like scent for me. It still works beautifully with the change in seasons

Skin

- Day time - Standard a shower wash of tea tree cleanser  followed by a third finger (gentlest finger) tapping into the skin of 100% Pure's Super Fruit Oil Nourishing Eye Cream, followed by the Votary serum. 

- Night time - 1st cleanse - Lovinah's Dragon's Blood DHA Cleansing oil as first cleanse or the 100% Pure Blood Orange Cleansing Balm. (Change in season has made my skin extra dry.)  . Following with a 2nd cleanse with my DHC Washing Powder for a little extra exfoliation. The moisture set has been Votary night oil and cream (via the Boxwalla) Plus the Grown Alchemist eye cream.

Random

Pro-tip. If your very busy, introverted friend made plans with you, they have likely re-arranged their entire schedule and moved other appointments to be there. You may be their only non-business contact of the week. Think about that before you cancel.

Also, when you break up, its only polite to return the other person's things. Especially if you know they did not intend to leave them.

Take-away - You can let delays get in your way. Or you can accept that you don't always control the timing and things happen in their own time. Acceptance is an interesting thing to practice.

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August Musings - 2020

I'm in love with painting acrylics. It may be my new hobby! That and the awesome local farmer's market on Sunday mornings. And I think you should buy yourself some flowers. You deserve them! I got several sets from the farmer's market this month. This one is a combination of a couple of weeks. 

So what did you get up to in August?


Reading (Books):


Here's what I read this month.(And yeah, crazy amount of Kindle Unlimited. They are making nothing on me.) I continue to stress read with light fiction. 

- Orlando People by Alexander C. Kane (very very good) via Audible

-The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith via Audible (2 observations - 1) her fav food (pumpkin and chicken) would make her my dog's BFF and 2) so weird in 2020 to have an old white English (via Africa, but still) write for an African black woman. 

- Leveling Up #1 and #2 by K.F. Breene (Kindle Unlimited) - YESSS. Very good. More mid-life series.

- Psychic Dreams by Elizabeth Hunter (Kindle Unlimited) - this is #3 in her Glimmer Lake series. (Spoiler - what the hell? How did West not be the guy? Plot reasons I'm sure but I feel like West deserves some play.)

- Good to the Last Death #3 by Robyn Peterman - (Kindle Unlimited) this is an easy beach read but I've found better

- Hall of Blood and Mercy #1, #2 #3 by K.M. Shea (Kindle Unlimited) - this is a beach read

- Nora Black Midlife Psychic Mystery books #1, #2, and #2 by Renee George (Kindle Unlimited) Was kind of a fun romp. Don't expect much but it works at exactly that level.

- Witching for Hope by Deanna Chase (Kindle Unlimited) which is #2 in a series. I was not at all interested in this one but since I liked the first and am anticipating the 3rd, it seemed like I should read this one.

- Shifting Shadows by Patricia Briggs - this might have been a re-read. I feel like I know some of these stories. But I loved them all the same

- The Vine Witch & The Glamourist by Luanne G. Smith (Kindle Unlimited) - I'm in love with this "set in France in early 1900's with magic" series! I can't wait for the final installment.

- The Missing by C.L Taylor - actual BOOK! It kept me guessing but it took a while - like 3 weeks to read because it did not hook me in. (Dropped to the beach LFL)

- Rosemarked by Livia Blackburne - actual BOOK! found at a garage sales and I really enjoyed it. The storyline was fresh! (Dropped to the beach LFL)

Cooking: I made so much salsa! Just quick fresh salsa with farmer's market onions and jalapenos, my tomatoes and hot peppers and a bit of cilantro from the store. Also cobbler. 

Gardening: And we have deer. The war against them has commenced. They have eaten my tiny tomatoes to nubs and are scavenging my bigger tomatoes. I responded with Irish Spring. They responded by eating my Ghost Pepper and Carolina Reaper - someone's venison is going to be spicy.

Gratitude:  Evening painting without a plan. The return of eating out. (Patios). Farmer's market. Diva dog paws. Perfume. Garage sales and fun finds. Babies. (Not mine but related!) New soap day. 

Listening: I'm still not podcast listening very much. In all truth - I'm very busy and I kind of don't want to think in my down time. Lots of Cocktails and Crooners on Apple Music. Some Pandora (I've created a Tru-Torch channel that's heavy on the torch jazz. And I've been rocking that at work.) 

Watching: Alright so I liked it so much I re-watched, The Old Guard on Netflix with Charlize Theron. Also, I caught up on all the Agents of Shield. (Nice ending. I can work with that emotionally.)  The new season of US's Shameless is out (sans Fiona), and I caught up with the Gallaghers.

Wearing (Perfume and Skincare): 

Perfume

The perfume situation is officially crazy. It just never seems to go down - even though I've killed off some samples.

Imaginary Authors
- Yesterday Haze - Scent notes: Fig, Iris, Cream, Tonka, Tree Bark, Walnut Bitters, Orchard Dust. I like this one more the more I wear it - I think it's the fig, cream and tonka. It lingers better than any other IA perfume I've sampled  - morning application lingers into early evening. Would buy! (Killed off the sample)
- Sundrunk - Scent notes: Neroli, Rhubarb, Honeysuckle, Rose Water,Orange Zest, First Kiss. There is something about this like oranges just past the peak. Not one I'd buy again. (Killed off the sample)

Sucreabeille
 - I Come From a Long Line of Terrifying Women - Scent notes: rosewood, whiskey, and amber, gunpowder, guiacwood, and tobacco absolute. I decided I needed to honor La Gram Russe at the begining of the month - her birthday - with wearing this perfume. Because she was awesome and I miss her. It's still very heavy on the tobacco with an overlay of amber on me. I like it. Okay sillage. 3-5 hours. 
- Lady Swears - Scent notes: Bourbon, Tahitian Vanilla, Lemon.  I started the day at 4:15am for petcare and a 5am conference call with Taiwan. I was stood up 2 days in a row. This was the correct perfume for that!

- We Are Stardust - Scent notes: Daisy crowns and sandalwood, a bouquet of peace lilies, vanilla cream fresh from Max’s dairy farm, and a drop of patchouli. I hate patchouli  - but somehow Sucre seems to have come up with a patchouli that I don't mind. I'm not a daisy person (mostly they smell strongly of cat pee with an almost pleasant odor underneath for me) Yet somehow this scent uses only the "good" part of the daisy. This is a lovely scent and a lesson that you should TRY NEW THINGS. For me, it's heavy on the cream and lilies with a backing of deep sandalwood and a sweet dry down to the faint touch of a creamy daisy invoking floral that has only the good parts of the daisy. Sillage is about 4-5 hours. (I bought it for the name. I wore it because I wanted to feel magical. Totally fits the bill.)
- Toxic Masculinity Ruins the Party Again - Scent notes: A delightfully feminine blend of lavender, vanilla, honey nectar, and a light floral aldehyde.  I've now decided this is a weird mix of powder/honey. It's sweet, but dry smelling and goes more powder the longer it is on. (Late in the month I started getting "smoke" off this.) Nice sillage.
- Rictus - Scent notes: Funeral wreath of white lilies and black orchids sprinkled with a dusting of graveyard dirt.A somber wake feast of dark chocolate drenched raspberries and a shot of dark rum. I think this dram might be self-filling. It never runs out!   I get strong upfront rum and chocolate with a settle down to a lillied chocolate in about 6-8 hours. This scent basically lingers until I wash it off.
- Mouthy Broad - Scent notes: a cloud of cigar smoke, freshly picked roses, a full glass of whiskey. I don't know. This just felt like T-H-I-S  was my description of who I felt like internally. I got absolutely no rose off it. Cigar and whiskey with a floral hint. And it lasts a good half day for sillage.

- RESPECT - Scent notes: your mother’s expensive cold cream that she dutifully applied every night and now you do, too, mixed with fragrant, sumptuous black cherries. Now that this has "rested" and is officially my night perfume (because that is a thing now) I get a lot of cherry and dark vanilla off this. It's still sexy cupcake but richer smelling.

Skincare

- Day time - Started the month out with my standard a shower wash of tea tree cleanser and swipe of Rosewater Witch Hazel (Dr. Theyer's, obviously), followed by a third finger (gentlest finger) tapping into the skin of 100% Pure's Super Fruit Oil Nourishing Eye Cream. I got a sample of Dr. Hauschka's Restorative Day Cream as part of a sample (BeautyHabit.com - excellent beauty curators) and pretty much used it all month. Towards the end of the month, I broke out the 5Yina Lucent Hydrolat and Lucent Beauty Oil as it was hot and that's the perfect pair for that. 

- Night time - 1st cleanse - 100% Pure's Blood Orange Cleansing Balm followed by a 2nd cleanse with  with Boxwalla's June cleanser, Nini Organics' Detox Foam Cleanser - which does the powder to foam thing that is so cool! I bought this new eye cream called "Grown Alchemist" which makes me laugh. (Beautyhabit had it on clearance). It's basically vitamin E and sunflower oil with a few other things. But I like how it melts into the skin. I've been topping that with the Boxwalla beauty box's Votary Super Seed cream. Very rich. My skin has been, despite the heat, looking a little parched.

Things 13 Said: Not much. She was gone a lot of the month. And since she will be 14 next month, she's doing the teenage thing where she lives in her room and we never see her.

Random: 22 (Israel) made me go with her garage sale hunting. And I have found a water carafe with cover/cup. $2. It makes me delighted!

Take-away: This time of year can feel like things are winding down. It's the perfect time to dream about how you want to finish your year. I know the pandemic has stressed a lot of us out. But there is still hope, and beauty (and babies!). Take a little time to dream about the rest of the year and to dream about what you want next.

PS - I'm moving to 2x a month posts. So much happens in a month right now that nuances are lost and these posts are starting to feel generic. I hope you like the changes!

Original musings posts you may enjoy:

- July Musings - 2020

-  June Musings - 2020
- May Musings - 2020
- April Musings - 2020
- March Musings - 2020
- February Musings- 2020
- January Musings - 2020
- Musings - December 2019
- Musings - November 2019
- Musings - October 2019
- Musings - September 2019
- Musings - August 2019
- Musings - July 2019
- Musings - June 2019
- Musings - May 2019
- Musings - April 2019
- Musings - March 2019
- Musings - February 2019
- Musings - January 2019
- Musings - December 2018
- Musings - November 2018
- Musings - October 2018
- Musings - September 2018
- Musings - August 2018
- Musings - July 2018
- Musings - June 2018

- Musings - May 2018
- Musings - April 2018
- Musings - March 2018
- Musings - February 2018
- Musings - January 2018

All photos by moi! And you can tell...

*Juice Beauty is a staple in my beauty cabinet. I stray, I try other things - but it's my favorite "foundation" (I used the CC Cream) and great skin care. If you like Juice Beauty too, here is a link. I do get a small commission (at no cost to you) when you use these links which helps support this blog.

- Skin Care by Juice Beauty

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July Musings - 2020

To start the month, I re-organized. It made me happy. And you know what? That's a great way to kick off the next 6 months of 2020.

Why? Well, I got to evaluate if I wanted what I have. I got to change the energy in my home by cleaning. I made this super cute sitting area that is perfectly Zoom interesting and work-appropriate! 


Reading (Books):
Let's start with - I got new bookcases! Which was awesome. Because I got to completely re-arrange other bookcases, and move things to different rooms and basically make things look awesome. Also, the bookcases were only $40 each at a garage sale.

And hey!!! Remember the Little Free Library that I "Book Fairy"d in May? Apparently, none  - as in NOT ONE - of the books I left were to the potential readers' tastes as they were all still there as of July 3rd! I feel very rejected. Flip side? I left one book in the LFL at the beach early in the month and it was gone the next week. The beach LFL is always light on material.

Here's what I read this month.(And yeah, crazy amount of Kindle Unlimited. They are making nothing on me.)

- The Sundance Series by C.P Rider. (Spiked, Summoned, Earp & Chandra, Sabotaged.) (Kindle Unlimited) Fantastic series. 

- Devilish Game (more Shadow Guild) from Linsey Hall. - Witch Way to Secrets and Sorcery: A Witch Way Paranormal Cozy Mystery by Jane Hinchey - it's part of a series and quite a light read. (Kindle Unlimited)
- Midlife Demon Hunter by Shannon Mayer which remains awesome as part of the series. (Kindle Unlimited) 
- Grimm Cove series by Mandy M. Roth (Cloudy with a Chance of Witchcraft, Hexing with a Chance of Tornadoes) which was very fun (Kindle Unlimited)
- Witching for Grace by Deanna Chase (Kindle Unlimited) - again a wonderful beach read. (My current speed).
- Forty, Fabulous and ...Fae? by Melinda Chase (Kindle Unlimited) Skip it. Not worth the time.
- Heir to the Throne by Katrina Martinez (Kindle Unlimited) because even though I didn't love it - I'm a finisher + with Kindle Unlimited it's not a big deal to finish out. 
- The Raven Cursed series by McKenzie Hunter (Fireborne, Silverfall, Nightsoul) which was pretty good but a touch awkward.(Kindle Unlimited)
- The Last of the Moon Girls by Barbara Davis which was super enjoyable (Kindle)
- Her Final Words by Brianna Labuskes which was breathtakingly good
- The Stillwater Girls by Minka Kent which was a great (feel-good ending) mystery. Nice plot curves in this one.
- I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawton - finished that finally! And immediately put it in a Little Free Library


Cooking: Breakfast sausage pigs-in-blanket. Very delicious and kid approved.

Gardening: And we have tiny tomatoes and hot peppers! The strawberries seem to be done. I haven't done much but sprinkle a little fresh herbs in various things. It doesn't feel like a big gardening year.

Gratitude: Dawn beachside Pilates.  Good vets. Evening painting. Farmer's market. Perfume. Catalpa trees. Garage sales. Car singing. Tubing. New things.

Listening: Lots of Cocktails and Crooners on Apple Music. Some Pandora (I've created a Tru-Torch channel that's heavy on the torch jazz.) I've nearly sworn off podcasts. It's like brain capacity that I just can't do right now.

Watching: Really enjoyed, The Old Guard on Netflix with Charlize Theron. And I hope there is a follow up! (Minor criticism, the first action scene was a little muddy visually.) I've also been watching Raising Dion and that's surprisingly enjoyable. (At anytime the scene in Episode 3 were mom explains people treat you differently when you are Black would break my heart at any time but seemed to be more meaningful right now.). I hope there is a second season!

Wearing (Perfume and Skincare): 

Perfume

I remain overwhelmed with the sheer VOLUME of perfume I own. It just never seems to go down!

Imaginary Authors
- Memoirs of a Trespasser.
Scent notes: Madagascar Vanilla, Giaiacwood, Myrrh, Benzoin Resin, Ambrette Seeds, Oak Barrels. I get a lot of Vanilla and Ambrette seed with a touch of oak barrels. It almost smells like vanilla root beer. It lasts lightly on my skin a few hours and then drift off. (Nice but I would not buy)
- Every Storm a Serenade. 
Scent notes: Danish Spruce, Eucalyptus, Vetiver, Calone, Ambergris, Baltic Sea Mist. I think it's the vetiver but I loved this! (I had a rough weekend mid-month and decide this was my theme-perfume.)  It's airy and really is reminiscent of the sea. I had no specific open or base notes - it smelled complete, the entire time I wore it, whole. Again, the sillage is less than awesome. (I would buy this one.)
- Falling Into the Sea.  
Scent notes: Lemon, Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lychee, Tropical Flowers, Warm Sand. This felt like summer one weekend. Less citrus than I'd have imagined - more tropical flowers.  I'd describe this as a very approachable fragrance. Standard few hours and then drift off.  (I would by this one - perhaps in a higher scent concentration - for beachy, easy days.) 

Summary - I basically like the scents with "water" names! 

Sucreabeille
- Stay Sexy - Scent notes: Tahitian vanilla, rich honey, fresh grapefruit. The honey on this lingers with the vanilla and a citrus kiss. Quite lovely. I decided this was a good way to start the month and finished off this perfume. Very delightful - would buy again! Which is good because I finished this one off the first week of July. 
- We Are Stardust - Scent notes: Daisy crowns and sandalwood, a bouquet of peace lilies, vanilla cream fresh from Max’s dairy farm, and a drop of patchouli. I hate patchouli with a passion and abhor the scent of daisies (cat pee). If I would've noticed those in the notes before buying it - I would not have purchased. And I would've missed out! This is a lovely scent. For me, it's heavy on the cream and lilies with a backing of deep sandalwood and a sweet dry down to the faint touch of a creamy daisy invoking floral that has only the good parts of the daisy. Sillage is about 4-5 hours. (I bought it for the name. I wore it because I wanted to feel magical. Totally fits the bill.)
- Toxic Masculinity Ruins the Party Again - Scent notes: A delightfully feminine blend of lavender, vanilla, honey nectar, and a light floral aldehyde.  I've now decided this is a weird mix of powder/honey. It's sweet, but dry smelling and goes more powder the longer it is on. (Late in the month I started getting "smoke" off this.) Nice sillage.
- GlitterTrash - Scent Notes: Watermelon Blow-Pops, baby powder, fistfuls of sticky white cake, last night's champagne and coconut cream. Right off, I always get baby powder, coconut cream and the sticky white cake - also it is very possible there is glitter in this as my skin shimmers a bit. Sillage is light, about 3 hours. (I want more watermelon!)
- Rictus - Scent notes: Funeral wreath of white lilies and black orchids sprinkled with a dusting of graveyard dirt.A somber wake feast of dark chocolate drenched raspberries and a shot of dark rum. I found this - with a tiny bit left - at the bottom of my work bag the week I was dealing with a particularly difficult person at work. I decided it was an omen. I get strong upfront rum and chocolate with a settle down to a lillied chocolate in about 6-8 hours. This scent basically lingers until I wash it off.
- Mouthy Broad - Scent notes: a cloud of cigar smoke, freshly picked roses, a full glass of whiskey. I don't know. This just felt like T-H-I-S  was my description of who I felt like internally. I got absolutely not rose off it. Cigar and whiskey with a floral hint. And it lasts a good half day for sillage.

OOH and I got samples! Child. It is interesting to me it smells like one of my aunts. (Howa). I got a musk gardenia off it the first time. And then a tuberose/jasmine the second time. It's a very interesting, complex "white" musk floral with extraordinary sillage.  I quite liked it, except for the memories - but I'd never pay that much!

Skincare

- Day time - Started the month out with my standard a shower wash of tea tree cleanser and swipe of Rosewater Witch Hazel (Dr. Theyer's, obviously), followed by a third finger (gentlest finger) tapping into the skin of 100% Pure's Super Fruit Oil Nourishing Eye Cream.

- Night time - 1st cleanse - 100% Pure's Blood Orange Cleansing Balm followed by a 2nd cleanse with  with Boxwalla's June cleanser, Nini Organics' Detox Foam Cleanser - which does the powder to foam thing that is so cool! I like it a lot - the scent is not awesome but not bad. (My Green Tea Cleanser from Odacite has a nicer smell.) And can we just say I threw the kitchen sink at it! I used the whole arsenal. I don't look young enough yet.

Things 13 Said: 
She wants a snake for a pet now.

Random: I cleaned my closet and found 2 soaps! And they still smelled awesome.

Also the dog is doing great after his terrifying ACL surgery. (The surgery was not terrifying. 3 days of me not knowing why my dog wasn't walking was.) We did physical therapy - I watched vet approved on-line videos to learn how - and follow up visits to the vet and he did great. But he did have to wear the cone of shame for 3 weeks. And he really hated it.

Here is post-surgery pup!

Take-away: Give yourself some damned grace. Things are stressful and weird and it's OKAY to NOT be okay right now. Harm none, but do what makes you happy. It's i-m-p-o-r-t-a-n-t right now.

PS - Guys sorry I'm late with this post. I had some stress.

Original musings posts you may enjoy:

- June Musings - 2020
- May Musings - 2020
- April Musings - 2020
- March Musings - 2020
- February Musings- 2020
- January Musings - 2020
- Musings - December 2019
- Musings - November 2019
- Musings - October 2019
- Musings - September 2019
- Musings - August 2019
- Musings - July 2019
- Musings - June 2019
- Musings - May 2019
- Musings - April 2019
- Musings - March 2019
- Musings - February 2019
- Musings - January 2019
- Musings - December 2018
- Musings - November 2018
- Musings - October 2018
- Musings - September 2018
- Musings - August 2018
- Musings - July 2018
- Musings - June 2018

- Musings - May 2018
- Musings - April 2018
- Musings - March 2018
- Musings - February 2018
- Musings - January 2018

All photos by moi! And you can tell...

*Juice Beauty is a staple in my beauty cabinet. I stray, I try other things - but it's my favorite "foundation" (I used the CC Cream) and great skin care. If you like Juice Beauty too, here is a link. I do get a small commission (at no cost to you) when you use these links which helps support this blog.

- Skin Care by Juice Beauty

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