Week 1 - February 2021

February blew in with cold and snow. I know people who love this month. For me - much like November (outside of Thanksgiving) - it's a month I could skip. The last few years it's cold and snowy. Heavy snow and bitter cold. It's a good time for a vacation. Maybe next year.

 Random: 

- All vitamins should come in gummy form. That way it's like a treat!

- Take a day off, you need it.

Books: Quick reads over the weekend is still my speed. And I've started rocking mermaid gloves while reading. Because February came in cold.

- Making Midlife Madness by Heloise Hull which is better than I expect. Because I know the Greek gods well, the way she unveils information keeps catching me off guard in a good way.

- Night Shift Dragons by Rachel Aaron which was fantastically fun. I loved this series. Apparently it's part fo a larger "world" - but I never read those, so it feels fresh for me.

Gratitude: Laundry machines. Breakfasts out. Fancy soaps from friends. Snow that shovels easily and comes down on Saturday (so you have time to deal with it).Calendars. Getting things off the To-Do list. Scented candles. Food boxes filled with healthy food. Mermaid gloves.

Listening: Don't keep your day job podcast, which I find super inspiring. Grind and be grateful podcast. (She rarely talks about gratitude, I've noticed. Not sure this will stay on the playlist.)

Watching: Vikings. (I'm on Season 4.) I'm slowly losing interest in the series. There are now so many characters to pay attention to.  American Housewife. (Current season). Dexter. (Season 2). It's a very non-stressful watch for me, maybe because I've read the books and watched it before.

Wearing - Scent & Skin  

Scent

Imaginary Authors

- Telegrama  - Scent notes: Talc, Lavender Absolute, Black Pepper, Teak, Amyris, Vanilla Powder, Fresh Linens. Heavy on the talc and the vanilla with a strong side of lavender - this goes right to old lady; the teak and black pepper never show up for me. 

Sucreabeille

- 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. This has aged well. It's rich and incense laden - the fruit almost smells like smoke. The vanilla is hidden info a sweet richness. The older this sample gets, the better I like it. Sillage also increases with age. This has mellowed into an amazing scent and I could wear it every day

- Frozen Moon - Scent Notes: crisp winter evening air, frost, sweet sugar plums swirl with delicious marshmallow. Don't ask me explain, but this seems like a February scent.This is such a sweet scent. I continue to get a lot of sweetness off it crossed with fruit. It lasts well into the day.

Skin

Still fighting off the maskne. Keeping up the system from last week.

 - Day time - Standard in-shower wash of tea tree cleanser  - plus a buffing scrub (Essentially NOLA's Exfoliating Grains) - Naturallogic Elemental Advanced Hydration Red Wine Essence to restore moisture and fight off lines, Fine Cosmetics Daytime Radiance Eye Serum tapped in around the eye with 3rd finger, then Votary day oil and Votary cream. 

- 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. And I'm continuing to spot treating the rest. Earthwise Beauty's Yasumi Face Balm on the cheeks.  Blüh Alchemy's Multi-C serum on the forehead and around the eyes. Topped by the Live Botanical Sanctuary Barrier Balm around the eyes, on the forehead and neck. Frownie on the forehead because forehead wrinkles are aging. 

Ordered some new eye cream. Needing a bit more moisture due to the February dryness.

Take-away - Someone asked me, what are you doing to take care of you? It's a really good question to think about. What are YOU doing to take care of you? Because you have to put your own oxygen mask on first so you can help others.

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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 4

Who else is on count down to 2021 with high hopes? Yep! But here's the thing - you have to change if you want things to be different. (Because y-o-u are the constant in the life you don't want.) 

It may mean you stop tolerating things. It may mean you get in shape. It may mean you say "yes" when you are scared or "no" when you are overwhelmed.  And forget resolutions and word-for-the-year! (Over. And passive.)  

Make a CHOICE. Then, set yourself up to succeed in that choice, over and over again.

Books

- Next Girl to Die by Dea Poirier via Kindle Unlimited was enjoyable but a touch shallow. Echoes of Lily Bard in the detective, with a different trauma.

- Curvy and Cursed? by Rosalie Hunter via Kindle Unlimited which was rift with detail holes. I won't read the next. (Skip)

- Sweatpants and Spells by Keira Blackwood via Kindle Unlimited which wasn't bad. I'll read the next.

- Magical New Beginnings by Brenda Trim via Kindle Unlimited which was just bad. No two ways about it. Skips whole swathes of narrative and feels like it starts in the middle. I won't read the next. (Skip it.)

Cooking: All the Hungryroot! These are great. I love that they send all the stuff (see giant picture). You just start cooking. I did tell them I like stir-fries so there seem to be a lot of those. 

Outside of that, I'm still not cooking much. (One box of mac and cheese hardly counts.) We may scale back this feature until I'm regularly cooking again.

Gratitude: Friends who drop off cookies. Friends who offer to come get you when you are trapped in your drive-way. Warm, comfy pants. Black squirrels.  Friends who make you mimosas!

Listening: Check out Episode 47 of this podcast on goal setting! And you'll hear me. 

Things 14 Said: She came over a couple times and we built a cat tree. She has approved of the new space.

Watching - Gossip Girl. I finished it! But, I got issues: How did Daddy Van der Woodsen go from music director to doctor?  What happened to the actual son Lily and Rufus had? He's been AOL for many seasons. How did Carol go from Lily's big sister to her little sister and then back the next season?  However, for all the drama, there is something to the understated way Lily and Elinor handle drama moments with their kids - kind of understated. Queen of the South. Which I killed off - joke intended!

Wearing

Perfume

Sticking with one brand of scent for the rest of the month.

Sucreabeille

- 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 somehow I don't get daisy (cat pee) off this! I get a delicious cream and lily deal with a sandalwood base that I could wear all week.

- Ruthless B-Word - Scent Notes: An unbelievably juicy blend of blood oranges and lychees. White amber and ginger lilies blend to give a sophisticated presence. For me, this is a light floral that lasts one hot minute on my skin. (Seriously - maybe 2 hours in my hair. Something in it - maybe the citrus - is gone against my skin.) And I would expect "ruthless" to have a darker note. But it's a fun scent.

- Sinister - Scent notes: Freshly cut jasmine, Egyptian geranium, oud, a lavender field, eucalyptus, a musky attic. The name freaked me out. I hesitated to try it. Somehow this reminded me of La Gram Russe's beloved My Sin.  It had lovely depth.

• (Lanvin My Sin (Mon Peche) was created back in 1924 by a mysterious Russian lady called “Madame Zed”, who worked on several more Lanvin fragrances. This feminine, provocative and dangerously seductive fragrant composition begins with aldehydes, bergamot, lemon, clary sage and neroli. The middle notes are: ylang-ylang, jasmine, rose, clove, orris, lily-of-the-valley, narcissus and lilac. The base is oriental – woody with vetiver, vanilla, musk, woody notes, tolu balm, styrax and civet. The perfume was discontinued in 1988.) 

There is not much the same between the two. Jasmine. There are a few reminiscent scents (woody notes  and oud; orris + ylang-ylang + lily of the valley = lavender) but not so much cross it should bring My Sin to mind. But it does.  It lasts hours on me - 6+. And softens as it lingers - it ends in nearly a powdery floral for me.

Skin

These were better skin weeks. Kept it the same as last week. Continuity.  Did throw in 2 face masks. Naturallogic Unmask Detox Hydration Mask  and Malaya Advanced Repair Mask (both courtesy of Boxwalla on different moths.) That hydration mask is the BOMB for winter skin. And the repair mask (with neem flower honey) is fantastic on the now ubiquitous mascne. 

 - 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 -  The value of promises builds over time. Break one and they are all worth less, until your word is worthless. (Yo, Peter, you paying attention?)

Also I miss samosas. (Indian potato food. Yum!) 

Take-away - New year doesn't mean a new you. Not unless you make different choices. Welcome to 2021. May we all be healthy and happy. Catch you on the flip side.

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December 2020 - Week 1

No snow. And a fresh month. And a box of chocolates to share. 

Confession, I've never watched that movie with the box of chocolate quote. And I never will. But there is something amazing about having beautiful food to share with guests.

Books: I painted and wrote this weekend. (Also, guests!) So, the only book that happened was an Audible while I did other things. Silverswift by Natalie Lloyd. 

I did start a really fascinating book. Maybe I'll be done by next week...and will share....

Cooking: I actually did cook! I made a tater tot casserole for oldest kidlet in the toaster oven. Apparently, I live in adventure! Because cooking in that thing is like living in pioneer days.

Liking the Hungryroot. Several of the stir fries were very good. But they send a TON of food. And I'm not going through it fast enough.

Gratitude: Friends who get you fun soaps (see below), and that feeling of new when you get to use them. Friends who come to dinner but bring wine, dinner and dessert! Pretty boxes of chocolates. Ridiculous eyeshadow names (night in werewolf woods, strange old shop) that let you have theme days at work without anyone realizing.

House:  I've now done the midwestern plastic on bad windows thing. Basically the whole house needs new windows. Adding it to the Go Fund Me campaign....

Listening: Dolly Parton's Apple Christmas playlist. (And Audible)

Watching: Godless. (3 episodes in.) Gossip Girl. (On the 3rd season.) I have a craving for headbands and scarves.

Wearing

Perfume

Ellis Brooklyn

- Myth - Scent notes: warm florals -  ambrette seeds, jasmine petals, musk. This was a Sunday afternoon spray from a sample and lasted deliciously into the morning. The musk anchors the jasmine petals with ambrette seeds providing depth. This is still my favorite of the set.

Sucreabeille

- Troll Food - Scent notes: melted chocolate, toasted marshmallow, sweet honey graham cracker. I've been very unstoppable about life and nothing short of a troll is going to stop me. (Mythical, not on-line. The on-line ones are nothing.) Maybe this is settling in but this week, while I still have cinnamon and caramel coming off this, I got more honey and marshmallow in the scent layers. Still very "gourmand". It lasts pretty well, most of a business day, on my skin.

Skin

We mixed it up just a little bit this week. Because change is good for you.

 - 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 day oil and Votary serum. And I've added the Votary cream 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 day time.

- 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. Added something new (from the latest Boxwalla Beauty Box) Naturallogic Elemental Advanced Hydration Red Wine Essence 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.

Random: Too many anniversaries and special dates and memories of better times crowded around together. Like taking sage and smudging the new house, having visitors to dispel the memories and create new ones is cleansing. I love having visitors at the new house!

Take-away - Life moves in seasons. Sometimes the rhythm is predictable. Sometimes things become unpredictable. Move through change like you would swim through waves. Keep your goals in sight like the shore. 

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November - Week 3 - 2020

New week. New moon. Get your sass on and make your intentions known.

Books: We only read light things in this house as things change. We seek the solace of mind-candy like other people watch Hallmark movies.

- Twisted Twenty-Six by Janet Evanovich - Let's just get it out of the way that I'm #TeamRanger #RangerForever and, I suspect Stephanie may be leaning that way, too. (Ranger is a keeper. Morelli is a player. IMO. I'll die on this hill.) I kind of liked that Stephanie is feeling a little stagnant and wants to shake things up. A good shake-out isn't a bad thing.

- Must Love Charms by Christine Zane Thomas (Book 3). Kindle Unlimited. This series has not improved. I would not read a book 4.

Cooking: I tried the HungryRoot. It was pretty good! I loved the easy recipes and felt like I was being healthier than eating pizza 3x a week. The red bean quesadillas were particularly delicious and fast. The generous portioning also meant it made 3 rather than 2 suggested. I also had a nice brussels and ravioli dish that was unexpectedly easy and tastier than expected. (I shot you a picture.I also shot a picture of the MASSIVE amount of food I ordered for the week of Thanksgiving since I'll be home. Catch it next week.)

Gratitude: Friends who let you bitch about Tuesdays and like cute cat pictures. Friends who call on Friday morning to wish you a good weekend. Friends who remind you to be safe and not stupid. Cat cuddles. Streaming TV - it's the BOMB. Bunnies on the patio. Taking a risk and having it work out.

House adventure: Electric is back on in the basement and we have a new front porch light! And the vent cleaning got rid of most of the musty smell. 

Still thinking that GoFundMe sounds good.

Listening: Sales Maven podcast. Apple Music's 6am-7am New Music station. Apple's Cocktails and Crooners. 

Watching: Warrior Nun (which I liked a lot less than other people seemed to - probably all the subtitles.) In The Dark (which I liked more than I expected.) The rest of Season 2 of new Charmed which is markedly better than Season 1.

Wearing

Perfume

Imaginary Authors

- Memoirs of a Trespasser - Scent notes: Madagascar Vanilla, Guiacwood, Myrrh, Benzoin Resin, Ambrette Seeds, Oak Barrels. This smelled a bit like root beer to me. No idea why. I love the name but it was not something I'd buy. Almost no sillage, either.  I finished off the tiny sample.

Sucreabeille

- 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. Sillage is amazing. I get a full day off it.

- Troll Food - Scent notes: melted chocolate, toasted marshmallow, sweet honey graham cracker. I got NONE of that off this. I totally had a cinnamon and caramel coming off this! Very food. It did last very well on my skin. I opened up a sample so we'll have this going for a few weeks on and off. As the mood strikes.

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. (And remember to change your mask regularly. I wore the same one about 3 days and now have nose "maskne". Ick!)

- Night time - 1st cleanse - Lovinah's Dragon's Blood DHA Cleansing Oil as first cleanse (which I killed off - would buy - it's amazing). 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.And a quick shot of Monastery Aloe Hyaluronic Moisture Boost on the forehead and neck.

Things 14 said: Iceland is just like Michigan. But not. (Insert laugh from me.) What? They are basically the same climate. (She was explaining her science project to me. Due to covid, they don't go upfront any more but speak from their seats which she said was a lot more comfortable. She got a B-.)

Random

1) Pony-Os are harder to use than the videos make it appear. I tried the BunBar and damn near had to cut it out of my hair.

2) I'm done feeling guilty about spending money. I now make a count every day of what I spend that supports local businesses. Seriously. The best way to keep our economy afloat is to keep our friends and neighbors employed + small business is an employment generator like no other. This week:

- Monday - Had the vents cleaned (local business)

- Tuesday - Had my hair done (local business + most hair dressers are self-employed)

- Wednesday - Mailed in my payment to a local service company for the gutter cleaning.

- Thursday - Got coffee and a donut at a local coffee shop.

- Friday - Bought a newer car from a local dealer rather than Carvana. (My car had 246,500 miles on it - it was time.)

- Saturday - Got coffee and a muffin at a local coffee shop.

This is my impact on my local business community in a week. What's yours?

3) Do what you can, where you are, with what you have. Theodore Roosevelt

Sometimes I feel like I've lived my whole life by that. I'm scrappy. I'm resourceful. But damn it - there is an inherent LACK in that phrase now when it hits my ear. (I used to hear it as a mantra to leverage what you have and grow.)  I have done a LOT with what I have. Truly. And it's perfectly okay for me to be grateful for what I have and want more. And I do.

I want...more of a relationship (me + a guy), permanently - I want someone who makes me feel like his sun and who values me; and is fun, funny and smart and reliable and responsible and likes adventures of every shape and size. I want more friends. I want to make the friends I have feel valued. I want more help with household stuff. I want new furniture. And that's all okay. Because I'm D-O-N-E playing small.

Take-away - People think of New Years and Spring as fresh starts. They are. But you can start anywhere. The "trick"? Deciding to start.

BTW - if you like the idea of journaling but aren't sure where to start - I have some prompts. And like a fresh start you can start anywhere, anytime. Check out 52 weeks of journal prompts here.

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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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September Musings - 2020

This time of year, there is nothing I love more than the feel of a breeze through a window. The sky is the most gorgeous blue and the day feels like it might last forever. (But it's fall, and you know it won't.)  Remember to go enjoy the day.

Somehow, the fall is often a huge season of change for me. Personal growth. My favorite part were the thank you flowers for helping with a wedding. It was a gorgeous day, despite the rain. Commitment and love are beautiful. 

Reading (Books):

It was a really really busy month! And I read almost nothing. 

- Curse Mate (#5 of the Shadow Guild Rebel series) by Linsey Hall (Kindle Unlimited) - you know, I didn't like this one. This whole series felt paced awkwardly. It felt rushed at the end. And

- Writing Wrongs and Brewing Trouble by Christine Gael (Kindle Unlimited) The first 2 of a series. These were less engaging than some others in this series.

Cooking: I made Slab Pie. It's like pie - in bars. I had to try several times to get it right. Here's my first attempt. 

Basically, you use more tapioca in the filling to make the gel-up more solid. And then you make extra pie crust and make the pie thickness about 2/3 what I usually do (in a pie pan, usually I do 6 cups of filling). 

Outside of that, I took a hiatus from the kitchen!


Gardening: I gave up. Seriously. We have deer. They have eaten everything all summer. Queen of Heaven trees are trying to take over the space. And I just, nope. Maybe I'll make a run at it later in the month. I grabbed a few peppers from the vines and called it good.

Gratitude:  Farmer's market. Self-care. Babies. Long drives to think. Great friends who step up and help. Sunset boat rides. Handmade scarves.

Listening: One of my friends has a podcast called Getting Out of Your Head And Taking Action. And I binged all of it! (Episode 21 and 16 are my favorite.) Driving is the best time to binge-listen. There was some quiet Pandora. 

Watching: I sat in silence a few nights working. It was weird and pleasant. But it slowed down my watching and I'm okay with that. And then I needed a distraction. So Burn Notice goes on - because I'd love to be Fiona, some days.

Wearing (Perfume and Skincare): 

Perfume

The perfume situation is officially crazy. It just never seems to go down! And there was a sale at Sucreabeille and I may have gotten a few new ones....

Imaginary Authors

- Slow Explosions - Scent notes: Saffron, Rose Absolute, Leather, Apple, Benzoin, Cashmeran, Arpora Night Market. I was ready for a new adventure. And this feels like that - feminine with the saffron, rose and apple but strong with the leather. Also leather feels like a "travel" scent to me. Benzoin teases my nose with a medicine scent but that could just be me. (Killed off the sample)

Sucreabeille
- 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. This isn't my favorite scent but I love the story behind it. And there are days this month I feel like my smile is frozen to my face. (Killed off the sample)

- 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 and dries down to an almost incense like sent for me. The longer I have this one - the more I like it. (Killed off the sample. Sadly did not kill off the work guys who make me want to wear this.)

 - I Come From a Long Line of Terrifying Women - Scent notes: rosewood, whiskey, and amber, gunpowder, guiacwood, and tobacco absolute. This is absolutely one of my favorite scents.  It's a little smoky and warm.
- 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. 

- 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. 
- 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. Night perfume is a still a thing. I get a lot of cherry and dark vanilla off this. It's still sexy cupcake but richer smelling.

Skincare

- 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 5Yina Lucent Hydrolat and Lucent Beauty Oil mixed with Earthwise's sun veil.

- Night time - 1st cleanse - Boxwalla sent me a new oil cleanser with Dragon's Blood in August and I quite like it. (Lovinah's Dragon's Blood DHA Cleansing oil) Delicious scent and it takes the eye make up right off. Starts oil but mixes to a lotion-like texture on the skin with water. Following with a 2nd cleanse with  with Boxwalla's June cleanser, Nini Organics' Detox Foam Cleanser - which does the powder to foam thing. So both cleansers switch texture. The Boxwalla also sent a few Votary items a few months ago - so I've been using the night oil and cream. Plus the Grown Alchemist eye cream.

Things 13 Said: "This must be what being a lunch lady is like." We were helping get appetizers together for a family wedding - wearing masks and food server gloves.

In other news, she is now 14! (And the owner of a snazzy new scarf.)

Random: Sometimes, ever since I read Whisper of the Moon Moth, I think about the fact that Gabrielle Anwar and Merle Oberon are both 1/4 Indian. Gabrielle looks like a tanned English rose. Merle looked exotic. 

Real talk - relationships are hard. And if one of you is just phoning it in, it won't work out. Relationships are work, and you have to work in them together for them to work out. When they end, HOW they end becomes important. It's harder still when there are children you love that aren't yours. Be as much of an adult as you can be - and then be MORE of an adult. 

Take-away: Changes aren't always bad. You gotta break open the eggs to make an omelette. 

Original musings posts you may enjoy:

- August Musings - 2020

- 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

Follow my blog with Bloglovin  - A new way to follow!

June Musings - 2020

As we close out June, I want to check in with you. Have you forgotten about self-care in all the hubub? Things feel so busy and rushed that it's easy to stop taking care of you. To stop asking for what you want - because there just  isn't time. But there is time. And it's up to you to go after what you want plus, when you are 100%, you can give back so much more to the people you love! (Put on your own oxygen mask first!)

For me, that starts with food I want to eat, fresh flowers (this gorgeous farmer's market bouquet cost $5. I am WORTH $5 and so much more! - heck, I'm worth the tiny $8 bouquet at the local florist - so I got that too for my work desk!) And setting boundaries. So this month, I did that - I hope you had a good month too!

Now, let's get to it, shall we? Here's the rundown of the month, by topic.


Reading (Books):
I read. I didn't read. I didn't finish the same book for 2 months. I  listened to books. I Kindle Unlimited binged. It's a mixed bag and I probably need throw in a few more business books!
- Book 3 (Shadows and Surrender)  of The Jezebel Files by Deborah Wilde, which remains one of the best thing I've read in some time.  (Kindle Unlimited)
- Heart of the Thief, Soul of the Storm, and Crown of the Queen by Katrina Martinez (Kindle Unlimited) the first of which really needed a better editor; the second was just less than enthralling; the third of which felt like it was written by a different author.
- Dark Secrets by Linsey Hall (book 3 in her Shadow Guild series) - again the Kindle unlimited is the BOMB.
- The Flying Flamingo Sisters by Carrie Seim (Audible). Lemony Snickett spawned a genre, apparently. Well done for all of that.
- Beyond Strange Lands by Simon Taylor (Audible). And if not for the Australian accents, I would not have bailed. (I had a long drive.)

(And we are at 66 books for the year.)

Cooking: Went to a family thing and made the Frozen Fruit Cobbler and tortellini skewer appetizers. It wasn't a big cooking month overall.

Then I went to the farmer's market on Sunday.  Kung pow chicken with yellow peppers, snow pea pods and lily buds (sauce was jarred). Frittata with asparagus, red pepper, lily buds and a touch of bacon. Tortellini with sauted king mushrooms, garlic, tiny tomatoes, a touch of bacon and fresh oregano from my garden. Chicken with lime and tomato served with fresh peas and mint from my garden. (I also bought bagels and muffins and gorgeous soap. Everyone should go to a farmer's market!)

Another weekend brought fresh zucchini, and the return of Ben's Zucchini Bread.

Gardening: And we have tiny strawberries! And tomatoes! (The broccoli all went to seed.) And I've begun harvesting the Thai basil in small quantities. (Watermelon, blue berries, Thai basil, a touch of good balsamic vinegar and a dusting of feta cheese. Scrumptious!)

Gratitude: Pool time. Chirpy cats. Gardens. Dawn beachside Pilates.  Good vets. Evening painting. Badminton family tournaments. Farmer's market. Perfume. Catalpa trees. Garage sales.

Listening: Lots of meditation. Seriously. Night meditations to sleep. Morning meditations to have a stress-free day. I'm not good at doing them on my own, but guided meditations are good. Audible currently (covid) has a number of them for free and I downloaded all of them.

Watching: Finished out Ozark. My favorite part is that Marty was from South Bend. (And, man! He was one super manipulative dude. It's like he spent the better part of season 3 getting back at Wendy for the affair.) And (spoiler) I did not see Darlene and Wyatt coming. Whoa. Next, City of Troy (Netflix). My first disconnect was in how Cassandra was portrayed. She was NOT some vision-beset girl. She was the beloved of Apollo, gifted with sight of the future - and then struck down with the curse of unbelief when she rejected his love. That is a whole different level of Cassandra than what City of Troy was rocking. I'm a little shocked I watched the whole thing. It was so.... not like it lives in my head.

Also, so much Gordon Ramsay. It's the new family show. We are watching his original British show on YouTube.

Wearing (Perfume and Skincare): 

Perfume

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. 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.)

Sucreabeille
- We Ride at Dawn. Scent notes: Hot black tea with honey and coffee absolute to rise early, cardamom vanilla for comfort, bitter almonds for the lost, a shot of whiskey for strength. I felt like I needed the sentiment for my dawn beach Pilates. (Yeah, that ended with me limping.) I got bitter almond with a whisper of whiskey on this right off the bat. About 5 hours in the cardamon settled in with the whiskey and almond for the ride. 5-6 hours sillage, easy. (And this one is finished. I would likely not buy it - it was nice to smell but not "wearable" - which is a different thing entirely.
- 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. 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.

Skincare

With the covid-19 masks, I feel like there is a renewed need for good forehead and eye crinkle care - because those are not the things I want people to remember about me.

- 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. After that - all bets are off. Since we've hit summer, I've been mixing Earthwise Farizad's Veil mix-in sun protector with the Sweet Briar Hydrating Nectar by Heart of Gold (August Boxwalla find). But the 2nd week of June I started using the Sweet Briar as a base on my face and then mixing in the Veil to Earthwise Magical Babassu Face Oil. This oil is amazing, it lays on the skin for about 90 seconds and then just melts in. I don't feel oily - just super moisturized and non-crinkly. 

- Night time - I'm just a box girl. I'm second cleansing with Boxwalla's June cleanser, Nini Organics' Detox Foam Cleanser - which is a little greener  + baking soda smelling but does the powder to foam thing my Green Ceremony Cleanser by Odacite does! (I've temporarily suspended using the Green Ceremony Cleaner to enjoy this new one.) BTW- the Nini cleanser does not have baking soda in it - it just smells a bit like that to me. (Reminder - 1st cleanse is always 100% Pure's Blood Orange Cleansing Balm - which is my second favorite and much more affordable than my actual favorite. It also melts off stubborn eye make-up.) After this combo - my skin is perfectly clean and so balanced it almost doesn't feel like I need a night cream. But I'm over 40 - so night cream happens. As the heat has been rising, I've lightened up. I've been switching off between Sweet Briar Hydrating Nectar + 100% Pure Multi-Vitamin + Antioxidants PM Eye Treatment OR (from the April 2020 Boxwalla beauty box) a quick sandwich of Monastery's XX Rose Glycolic Gel/100% Pure Multi-Vitamin + Antioxidants PM Eye Treatment/Aloe Hyaluronic Moisture Boost. 

And again - the Boxwalla Beauty box is absolutely the best way to sample high quality, "green" skin care. It has great options. It's affordable. And the products are amazing - I would have never found most of these brands without the box!

Also , the June box came with ridiculously expensive hand cream. Which I took to work to use as I sanitize many times a day there and deserve to have nice things at the office. When paired with my Afternoon Mist (SpaRituals) nail polish - I think this is a winning combo!

*And we win! I had random person at the grocery store tell me I have flawless skin.

Let's have a minute for straight talk on good skincare and time. I buy good products. (I also eat decent food and stay out of the sun.) And I spend 3-5 minutes morning and night caring for my face and neck. I'm worth 6-10 minutes a day. Aren't you?

Indulgence - Also I purchased a few soaps from my favorite local soap maker. (Picture left of the one I opened this month. ) Plus I found a new one who makes the cutest gift bags at the farmer's market! (Mine did not photograph well but here's a link to her Etsy.)

Things 13 Said: 
(Eating almonds) Don't these have cyanide in them?
Me: No. But you are correct that cyanide smells like bitter almonds.
Her: What food has cyanide?
Me: Apple seeds and cherry pits in minute quantities. That's why we don't eat them. 
(This has me reconsidering my perfumes with a bitter almond scent....)

In other news, her new BFF's name is Buck. (Horse camp.)

Random: Founder's Mas Agave is the perfect summertime beer. Hands down. (Note to self - buy as much as you can when it comes out in early May.)

And...the dog tore his ACL (technically CCL, because - canine.) Expensive surgery to fix! And hey - did you know they do post-surgery physical therapy on dogs? Yep, it's a thing - and I'm learning how to do it! (Next career???)

Take-away: If you don't value yourself, it will be hard to accept that others value you. Learn to value you - and you'll be surprised what else you find along the way.

Original musings posts you may enjoy:

- 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

Follow my blog with Bloglovin  - A new way to follow!