Tag: beauty

Saturday Favorites

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Happy almost end of April! I thought I’d share a few favorites and discoveries from this past week.

Music:
Sylvan Esso – this is a collaboration between a singer-songwriter from the Appalachian indie folk trio Mountain Man and an electronic producer/bassist – which results in a happy electro/pop/folk sound.

Holst’s The Planets – heard a snippet of this and was reminded about how much I love these pieces.

Because we were down and out with the crud and busy this week, I didn’t cook (okay – maybe one night).  As a result, I’ve been studying recipes and also ate out a fair bit for lunches this week. Some of my new favorites and ideas!

Eats:
Bep Eatery – Because I hardly ever venture out into the skyway, a coworker of mine had to introduce me to this place – and it was delicious. And most of their food is gluten free, because: rice noodles. I got some pho and not only was it affordable for a lunch, a large quantity, but I got to choose everything I wanted from the protein to the sauce. Comfort in a bowl.

This Ricotta Dumpling with Asparagus and Green Garlic looks amazing (putzy, but amazing) and perfect for spring. On my list!

One of my friends and I have decided to revamp happy hour to fit how we feel on Fridays. Because really – let’s face it – most of the time on Fridays, you don’t really want to go out (translate – we’re not as young as we used to be). So our new plan is to go and get snacks from a restaurant or have them on hand and then bring them, the wine and yoga pants to the happy hour. Best ever. Last night she had fries and this Sriracha Mayo – delicious.

Beauty/Lifestyle:

I’d forgotten how much I like to take a bath every now and again, until my chiropractor told me to take a epsom salt bath last time I was in to help relax my muscles. I love this Lavender and Honey scent from Calgon. Great before bed with that lavender!

Young Living Essential Oils certainly have their following and my sister has now introduced us to the joys of a diffuser with essential oils. Our diffuser came yesterday (it may or may not be the same one that both she and my mom have) and I could not be more excited to try it!

Sea Salt Spray is something I’ve used for a few years, but haven’t found one that I really liked until recently. Growing my hair out for a special occasion is not new to me, but this time, because it will be my wedding, is a different story. My hair is pretty fine and thin, so as it gets longer, I have to putter around with it more to make it look decent. Sometimes, I don’t want to and end up air-drying/retraining it to be wavy/curly. I love how light the Beautycounter spray is, plus it adds body and some level of hold and is free of so many ingredients I don’t want to be using!

And completely unrelated, I purchased some Yankz laces on the recommendation of my triathlete friend and just finally got them on my retro Sauconys – easy for putting on and cute!

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What are some of your new favorites or discoveries?

Cheers to Saturday!

Weekend getaways and packing dilemmas

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I’m heading out of town for the weekend tomorrow and as per usual, I found myself completely paralyzed when packing. Do I have enough outfits? What about shoe options? Can’t pack my makeup and other skin care routine items until tomorrow morning, so a hastily scribbled note on the counter is my reminder and I’m certain to change my mind at least 2 times on what I wear in the car on the way there and back before I ultimately throw my suitcase in the car tomorrow and head out.

Leaving directly from work presents an extra special challenge as I have to dress for meetings tomorrow, but certainly don’t want to wear a suit in the car for 5 hours.

Packing. Is. Stressful.

I’ve been known to break down in the middle of it (usually some food and/or wine is needed) before I emerge on the other side.

So I resort to googling things like “what to pack for a weekend away…” and end up in a rabbit hole that is the Travel and Leisure website. Sometimes it’s helpful and sometimes it’s not.

I don’t have a shirt like that! I need to get some shoes that are cute, but functional, but then I need to break them in… 

(Don’t tell me you haven’t had these moments. And if you haven’t – please share your secrets and thank you.)

There are a few occasions that I remember packing perfectly. The right combo of outfits and shoes and it all fit in my suitcase and wasn’t too much.

But that’s rare, am I right?

I am certain that tomorrow we’ll arrive and all will be fine, but stay tuned on how many times I repack – add/subtract before I leave.

My go to items usually include: some sort of sweater/hoodie/wrap for the car/plane to and from, at least one cute/dressy but casual shirt that can be repurposed if need be, jeans, one pair of flats (black) and one pair of cute but comfortable shoes. For beauty products – something like this handy jet-set so I don’t stress out about the TSA bottles plus mascara, concealer and lip gloss. Snacks are in their own category – Larabars and beef jerky are a good car/plane snack – water is a must. Books/magazines, phone charger and music (right now I’m obsessed with Spotify’s daily mix feature –  how does it know?!).

What are your go to items for a weekend away?

Sunday in the city

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Sunday night and I got my wish! It is snowing outside – and the kind of sparkly snow that you can see in the dark through the streetlights. It’s marvelous.

This was one of those weekends where you have nothing planned and then it becomes a wonderful kind of busy with friends, family and a date night. Wrapping up the weekend with a clean house, a snuggly cat* and a cup of hot tea while it snows? Lovely.

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I thought I’d share few of my favorite things over the weekend:

  • This Umbrian-Style Chicken alla Cacciatora from NY Times Cooking. We had it for a date night dinner and it was simple, tasty and elegant. Roast up some cauliflower and sauté some greens, a bottle of white wine and candles? Lovely.
  • Becoming Jane. Watched this with a girlfriend while we had pizza and bubbles. It was a darn near perfect girls night in.
  • The No 2 Plumping set from Beautycounter. Spa time!
  • This French Apple Cake from Dorie Greenspan via The Gourmet Gourmand. Full of apples, like a pastry – light and buttery with a hint of rum flavor.
  • Orange Blossom Special herbal tea from Tea Source. Deliciously orangey and ideal for a winter night.

What did you discover this weekend?

“It’s life that matters, nothing but life—the process of discovering, the everlasting and perpetual process, not the discovery itself, at all.” ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Idiot

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* We may also be watching The Adventures of Milo & Otis. Total nostalgia.

My Favorite Products: Face Oils

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hMinnesota winters can be * harsh. The snow, the salt, the dry, dry air. Or at least usually that’s the case.

I love winter. I love being cozy, snowed in with a glass of wine, a delicious meal (maybe a Norwegian Fiskesuppe?) a good book or movie, cozy blankets and candles.

This winter has been especially mild. Fifty degrees in March with no snow? Just drab, dirty winter. I’m not into it. And neither is my skin – so dry!

Solution? Beautycounter Face Oils. 

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The new Beautycounter+ Lineup plus the fabulous Face Oils!

I know what you’re thinking – put oil on my skin? That seems like a really bad idea.** Oils are actually really great for your skin for a variety of reasons. Especially in harsher, drier climes like Minnesota.

Mix a drop or two with your moisturizer and you are set. This is one of my favorite discoveries within the Beautycounter skin care line. I love how well it works and what it’s done for my skin. I use it year round (mixing with a lighter moisturizer in the summer).

(Side note: today Beautycounter announced its new Beautycounter+ line which is AMAZING! I have tried all of them and they are awesome.)

I’m not done hoping for winter, for more snow and a chance to be socked in with nothing to do but be cozied up with the two Z’s***, a blanket and a cup of tea.

“Snow was falling,
so much like stars
filling the dark trees
that one could easily imagine
its reason for being was nothing more
than prettiness.”
― Mary Oliver

(But seriously – can it snow again?)

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  • * I guess? Hello global warming.
  • *** Zach & Zorro

My Favorite Products: Touchup Skin Concealer Pen

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This time of year is always challenging – especially as we hurtle towards Daylight Savings time. My goal lately has been to get to work earlier – which is easier with more light in the morning – and always allows me to be able to work, get a run in*, get to the grocery store if I need to and somehow get dinner on the table before 8 PM.

I’m definitely one of those people that likes to be busy – I thrive on it. But sometimes that means I might not get as much sleep as I need/want. And with naturally dark circles that just refuse to go away no matter what treatment I give them (I’ve tried just about everything – every cream, concealer, mask in the book) – concealer is a must have in my makeup bag and I rarely leave the house without it.**

Enter my one of my first Beautycounter makeup purchases: the Touchup Skin Concealer Pen. It’s in my top five favorite products for sure. And it works. It’s easy to toss into your purse for those longer days (when you are needed to fill a seat at an event last minute/going out for happy hour/a board meeting/fill in the blank) for a touchup, but also stays pretty put during the day.

The click pen applicator and brush great for applying to the gentle eye area and provide good coverage and is easy to build on. Pro tip: I like to dust a little bit of a highlighter on after my moisturizer before the concealer to help it set.

Because no one likes to hear: “You look really tired today!”

Just don’t say it. Get the concealer you have stashed in your purse and share it!

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  • * Or… getting back into running – which is no joke.
  • ** Let’s be real, I don’t leave the house without it.

My favorite products: Lengthening Mascara

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This weekend we had a short get away up north to Duluth to visit some friends – what a perfect weekend for it! We had a great time – pizza, wine and visiting. Plus a pretty cute baby.

20170218_153158No coats in February!

For a weekend away – just an overnight, I always try to not overpack – especially makeup and other products. Just a few necessary items are all I need. One necessary item in my make-up bag? Mascara!

As someone with very short and very blonde eyelashes, I have been on the hunt for a mascara that would provide color and length without being a sticky mess.

I admit, I was skeptical about this mascara when I first tried it. The brush – it’s so small!

The brush is perfect for adding multiple layers to build on the volume and length. The mascara itself is smooth, and not clumpy. It stays put – even on a long day. Since using it, I’ve been skipping adding eyeliner occasionally to save on a few minutes, plus it gives a cleaner minimal look. I didn’t feel like I could go without eyeliner in the past because other mascaras were too clumpy or sticky to manage without the eyeliner too.

I love it. Check it out here.

Minimal look + friends + weekend away = pretty amazing.

Why I joined Beautycounter

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Friends, I decided to join the Beautycounter movement because I believe that we should not have to question the toxicity level of our personal care and cosmetic products. I want to advocate for safer products, but also to share these incredible products which have been great for my sensitive skin. I invite you to take a few minutes to watch this video to learn about this innovative company, but also to understand why this is important. If you have questions about Beautycounter or are interested in learning more – please contact me!

This website will be a space for me to share news and product information, but also to share some of my favorite things related to the arts, music, and food. I hope you’ll follow along, ask questions and help us move toward safer products and a brighter tomorrow.