Friday Finds & Check-ins, Volume #620

Share your recent beauty purchases or rediscovered favorites in your stash (for those on low/no-buys!), chit chat about weekend plans, and learn a little more about each other!

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Share your own answers in the comments!

  • Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: Still waiting to receive some orders!
  • Weekend plans: Hoping to head to my parents’ house for lunch or dinner! Otherwise, the usual: blogging, Winston cuddling, hanging with hubby.
  • When you’re feeling down, what helps you feel better?: Hugs from hubby! Taking a longer, hot shower. Spooning Winnie.

P.S. — Want to chat with readers on the regular? Check out Temptalia’s Discord where you can chat about beauty, makeup, and more! 🙂

P.P.S. — Check our hubby’s new site for video gaming guides — good if you (or someone you know or your kids!) is into games like Roblox and Minecraft!

This week's doggo photo/video...

Share your pet photos to the Temptalia Pets flickr group!

37 Comments

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Celesta Avatar

Recent Purchases: the Menagerie Indigo Ink palette and the CP Tinkerbell palette.

Rediscoveries: I pulled out my ND Biba palette this week and was reminded of what beautiful, toasty, fall appropriate palette it is. I feel like I constantly rediscover ND’s matte formula. I know some don’t like it, but I think it is perfect.

Weekend plans: Making a 2.5 road trip up north to see my mom, brother and favorite cousin that flew in from Texas for the week. I’m so excited.

When you’re feeling down, what helps you feel better?: That really depends on the type of down I’m feeling. If I feel sad, I have a good cry and then watch something that makes me laugh. If I feel anxious, I go on an energizing walk to get some of that nervous energy out. If I’m just having a grumpy day some alone time and/or yoga usually helps.

DVa Avatar

Getting big but still all puppy legs! 🙂

Recent Purchases:
Nothing makeup wise. A short term no-buy has turned into a three month (and going) no-buy. I did get a replacement for my Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Liquid, which was on sale in early September.

Weekend plans:
Not much out of the norm, except I’m taking a full day dog first aid course. Having two active dogs makes me anxious (to put it mildly) about not being to help them in a possible life-threatening situation.

When feeling down, what helps me feel better?
Well likewise, my hubby always has my back, but the dogs really put things in perspective for me too. I’ve also found baking gives me a boost.

cherie Avatar

Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: Recent purchase, some Retrouve skincare (I love their serum) and some Marc Jacobs mascara.
Rediscoveries – Clinique Heather Pop. Perfect for my NC35 skintone

Weekend plans – meet a friend for lunch and clean up around the house
When you’re feeling down, what helps you feel better? A nice cup of warm tea and playing with my toddler.

Genevieve Avatar

There’s nothing like a cup of tea and playing with a little one that puts everything back into perspective. Toddlers are so lovely to play with and they just love being in your company. My youngest grandson is 13 months old (his family is living with us) and he is an absolute joy to be with.
How old is your little one?

Lesley Avatar

That doggo! ❤️❤️❤️

Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: No new purchases and nothing rediscovered in my stash.
Weekend plans: Reading, Netflix and some batch cooking for the freezer.

When you’re feeling down, what helps you feel better? It’s usually music. Sugar is my first impulse but I try to distract myself from those thoughts.

Seraphine Avatar

Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: I have a couple of LM Caviar Sticks on order (one new color, one replacement), but they won’t be delivered until next week.

Weekend plans: Working on my music, taking my guitar to the shop to get it fixed, reading, catching up on “The Walking Dead,” and whatever chores I can’t talk my husband into doing.

When you’re feeling down, what helps you feel better? Music or comfort shows on TV.

Ana Maria Avatar

Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: Nothing new.

Weekend plans: Just the usual chores, groceries, cooking (excited to try more fall recipes, including using all the beautiful squashes and pumpkins available this season), reading, hiking, phone calls with family and friends. I’ll scope some time to bring some old towels to the animal shelter and to ship out some full Terracycle boxes.

When you’re feeling down, what helps you feel better?: Talking to my mom, brother or best friend, depends on what makes me feel down. They always infuse me with a shot of good energy.

Nancy T Avatar

Winnie’s a hoot! Isn’t it nice to have temps just in the low 80’s finally? My 2 kitties are enjoying their time on my enclosed patio as I type this. They’re loving it!

Purchases/rediscoveries: Took advantage of the Fenty Fam sale link and have Cool Berry Cheeks Out blush and Vamps Who Brunch Slip Shine lipstick on their way to me. Rediscoveries? My stash! I’m finally getting back into doing full looks again. Definitely uplifting! My last look I did on Wednesday with CP Like A Virgo with some Cami Crush was GORGEOUS. Unfortunately, I was out running errands in the 100°+ heat and so never took any good pics to upload onto IG.

When you’re feeling down, what makes you feel better? Playing with my cats, especially when it’s them chasing the red dot! Penelope is hilarious with how crazy she gets at attacking it, lol. Or, sometimes it’s just a good talk with a friend either on the phone or just going out in their car, running errands, chatting it up. Cooking something yummy can do it, too. And of course; shopping is a quick fix. Going for a swim can help me get out of a funk. Only catch is, none of the above can keep me in a permanent “good” headspace, as I suffer/put up with Major Depressive Disorder.

Nancy T Avatar

Hi Genevieve! It went well, I think? They complimented me on it, so I guess I passed, even though they never gave me a concrete affirmation of such.
That’s okay, though. I’m now trying to strategize my move back to either New Jersey, or if for some reason undoable, then at least back over to Scottsdale where there’s so much more to do.

AJ Avatar

Purchases/rediscoveries: Nothing. I didn’t even have time to do my usual brows/mascara/touch of concealer before my weekly call with my boss on Monday!

Weekend plans: The weather is supposed to be really nice tomorrow, and who knows how many more nice Saturdays we will have this year! So my spouse and I plan to go to an outdoor craft fair in a nearby town, and then have dinner at one of the many restaurants in that area which have outdoor seating.

What picks me up when I’m feeling down? Usually, dancing! Although I really like dancing to moody music, so sometimes that just leans into the feeling 😉 Frequently, what I really need is time to process whatever I’m feeling and move forward.

Sarah Avatar

Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: none. I need to buy a new tube of mascara but otherwise I think I am going low buy until the Thanksgiving sales.

Weekend Plans: Sparking Joy in my room by organizing my sweaters in a new (used) bureau that is being delivered tomorrow followed by organizing my earrings. Yes, I did watch Marie Kondo and remember how much I enjoy tidying up. I might even go through my makeup if I am feeling really ambitious.

What makes me feel better when I am down: This is a hard question for me to answer. I suffer from a diagnosed mood disorder so I can obviously get pretty far down. For me it is about preventing those swings and avoiding the things that really get me down. So I will do my makeup or go to the library or reread a favorite book. Reaching out to my friends or my pastor also helps. Looking at pictures of people’s pets is always an endorphin kick!

Sarah Avatar

Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: I forgot I made a small purchase from Lethal Cosmetics, so the other day I come home from work and my husband says, “You bought more eyeshadow.”

Got to give them a go and I really like the matte shades. The formula is divine. Still deciding how much I like the shimmers. Clionadh has thoroughly spoiled me when it comes to fun shimmers, so nothing can top that. I’m just really having fun with indies right now.

Weekend plans: Our first Hello Fresh box is supposed to come in! So the spouse and I are excited to start cooking together. I also want to go on a long walk, and try to finish some writing.

When you’re feeling down, what helps you feel better?: I won’t say retail therapy since I’m working to break that habit. But meditation helps, a little light exercise, and something nice to distract myself. Baking, or a video game. A TV show. Things like that! 😀

brendacr1 Avatar

Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: Besides some skin care I purchased Rare Beauty Mascara and it really impressed me.
Weekend plans: We’ve got really nice temps this weekend loving the continuation of our summer. Our province is in a state of emergency, so we won’t be going anywhere. It’s so sad that the ICU’s are over capacity, all surgeries are cancelled, the military is on notice to help evacuate sick people to other provinces and people are dying.
When you’re feeling down, what helps you feel better?: Talking with my family because they are the most caring humans.

Genevieve Avatar

We’re also living in a state of emergency and cannot go beyond 10 km of our home, so I understand where you are coming from Brenda. Our Delta covid numbers are still high and a lot of people are still trying to get vaccinated.
Our weather is lovely too and normally my husband and I would be out for a lunch at a winery in the coutnryside.
Which province do you live in?

brendacr1 Avatar

Ugh! So tired of this virus, but we have to keep our spirits up. We hardly hear about other countries’ numbers anymore, I think they’re tired of reporting them!
You’re just going into Spring I hope your Summer isn’t as hot as ours was because your Summers are typically hotter. I’m in sunny Alberta and we’ve been getting Chinook after Chinook for the last 3 days.

Lacey Avatar

Recent purchases: a variety of Terra Moons duochrome and multichrome singles. I love playing with these and Temptalia palettes, soooo pretty!

Weekend plans: weed wacking and an outdoor music gig on Saturday. There’s always yardwork to be done.

To feel better if I’m down: music! And wearing pretty makeup even if I’m doing yardwork or working by the stage! 🙂

Genevieve Avatar

It’s lovely to see Winston playing with his toys – he is really picking up some speed now.

Recent Purchases: After having my second jab of Astra Zenica, I decided to treat myself and bought a Honey Bronze lipstick from Designer Brands. A lovely shade for me.

Rediscoveries: Pixi Beauty Reflex Light palette.

Weekend Plans: On Friday we did a massive clean of the house, so it is all good for the weekend. On Saturday it’s the Grand Final of our football code – AFL. Normally it is played in Melbourne, but because of the lockdown, it is now being played in Perth WA – no lockdowns there. As this state is two hours behind us, it will be telecast at 5pm. My twin sister barracks for one of the teams in the final (Melbourne) and it is the first time they have been in a grand final for more than thirty years.
Sunday – no particular plans as we are still in lockdown.

What makes me feel better: Playing with the baby – who has started to take his first tentative steps, playing lego with Lachlan (You’re getting much better at this Nonna), going for a walk or a drive within our 10 km limit, or reading.

Genevieve Avatar

Thank you Sarah – yes it is a milestone and we are lucky to have them living with us so we can witness it all. However, he is still the fastest crawler in the west (as the expression goes) and is fascinated with the dishwasher, the washing machine and dryer at the moment. So you’ve got to be quick when unloading and reloading everything as you could quickly get a ‘helper’.

Latika Avatar

I just ordered the PMG holiday palette I can’t wait to get it!! And couldn’t pass on the Lancôme sale so just stocked up on essentials like the micellar water and eye make up remove also a bottle of Maison Perfume!

Zia Avatar

Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: Nothing – I was sick and trying to not spend money!
Weekend plans: No plans at all since still getting over being sick
When you’re feeling down, what helps you feel better?: Deep breathing and aromatherapy, chatting with supportive friends, playing with makeup.

Nikki Avatar

Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: UD Naked Cyber palette and Big Bang Hi-Fi Ultra Cushion lipgloss.
Weekend plans: Off today, work and grocery run tomorrow, not sure about Sunday.
When you’re feeling down, what helps you feel better?: Makeup helps, actually! Otherwise either distracting myself from it (movie, book, TV, Web) or talking to my mom.

Nikki Avatar

So far it’s only on the Urban Decay website, which doesn’t ship to Australia, in the US-I signed up for a text list and got to buy it 24 hours earlier than standard UD shoppers. Most European and Asian retailers appear to have had it since September 1, so if you’re interested in it, maybe you could check a few Euro/Asian retailers and see if any of them ship to you? Or you could contact a beauty friend in a different country and see if the two of you could organize a swap? FYI for a potential swap: Cyber is $49 US or $67.28 AUS.

Rachel R. Avatar

RECENT PURCHASES: None

WEEKEND PLANS: Saturday is our last day of vacation. We’re going to visit Pearl Harbor. We fly home Sat. night. Sunday I’ll probably spend taking ibuprofen and using heating pads so my back can recover from the long flight (I have chronic sciatica from a car accident years ago).

WHEN YOU’RE FEELING DOWN, WHAT HELPS YOU FEEL BETTER? Hugs from my kids, cuddles from my hubby, and cuddles from my kitties.

Mariella Avatar

Recent purchases/rediscoveries: Because there were “only a few left”, I ordered and received Tarte’s Sinful Metallic Eyeshadow. I love the other 3 of these that I have and this new one is no exception and the colour (a plummy brown) is gorgeous and perfect for autumn. I also got a big bottle of Soap & Glory’s The Righteous Butter Body Lotion (I’ve used this stuff for years and love it and was really pleased to see that it now comes in a bigger bottle).

Weekend plans: my best friend’s mother died about a week and a half ago and we’re going to the burial of the ashes later today (friend came here yesterday and stayed over; she’s just waking up now, I think). Gym tomorrow and that’s about it, I think.

When I’m feeling down, what helps? I don’t often get down but when I do, it’s usually because I’m over-tired so a snooze will help. Other than that, being with hubs, talking with friends – that will help put things into perspective. A good workout at the gym will also often help. Best of all, I think, is counting my blessings, which now – in the time of Covid, seeing the suffering in Afghanistan, the places ravaged by fires – is easier to do. It makes me see right up close how little I have to feel down about.

Genevieve Avatar

I think that Tarte Sinful eyeshadow would be just perfect for you, the shade is such a beautiful neutral brown colour.
Sorry to read about your friend’s mum passing – it’s always difficult to lose your mum and I hope that all goes well with the burial of her ashes.
I find that exhaustion plays a big part when I am feeling low and by having an afternoon snooze with Harry sets me right, as long as someone else is doing the dinner!

Mariella Avatar

Thank you for your kind words but, actually, it was a relief. There are 3 grown daughters but as is often the case, my friend was the only one doing anything through all of this pandemic (even though one of the daughters is an M.D.). She had to move out of her condo and move into her mother’s house – an absolute mess of pets (1 dog, 4 cats), hoarding and lack of anyone to do the cleaning for the past 2 years or more. The mom is and always has been a toxic woman. I know it isn’t nice to speak ill of the dead but this is the sort of woman she was, which is why the 3 daughters actively dislike one another (she always pitted them against one another, from the time they were young). I urged my friend to professional hired home-care type help (there is no shortage of funds to have paid for this) but the mother refused to have a stranger in her house and the house was such a disaster that I think both of them felt embarrassed to have anyone else in the house (there was a fully self contained apartment in the basement that would have been perfect for a live in carer but it was so crammed full of shopping purchases – many still in their original packaging, like pricey cashmere sweaters…I mean, just heartbreaking wastefulness). So my friend has basically been held hostage by her mother since the pandemic started. She would come here every few weeks to stay over for a night or two as a break but had to call her mother morning and evening to make sure she was alright (the mother also refused point blank to wear one of those safety/fall alert necklaces) and hadn’t fallen or just to make sure she woke up in the morning. Anyway, it really is a blessed relief and release for my friend though now she’s beating herself up a bit for not having had more patience… I keep reminding her that she made her mother’s final 2 years of life the best they could possibly have been and that she’s got nothing to find fault in herself about because she had an extraordinary amount of patience – more than most people would have had in that situation.

Tarte Sinful is, indeed, a beautiful shade. I check the Dupes here and I do, indeed, have several but that didn’t stop me from buying it because it will soon be gone, I’m sure, and I’m really glad I got it. It’s an easy colour to wear.

Genevieve Avatar

What a nightmare for your friend to endure and it seems like her mother was a very manipulative person – refusing help, not wearing an alert necklace, pitting her children against each other and generally making it impossible for anyone to love and care for her properly. Your friend has shown a remarkable degree of humanity and kindness for a person who, ultimately, did not appreciate it. I’m glad that she had you for a friend Mariella and had your place as a refuge.

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