Friday Finds & Check-ins, Volume #596
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!
Let's Chat!
Share your own answers in the comments!
- Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: Still waiting to receive some orders!
- Weekend plans: Getting ready for my parents to move to Arizona! Finally! And they’re both vaccinated!
- What book or movie has had the most impact on you?: I wish I was more interesting and could really name something. Nothing stands out as really having an impact, so I’ll just share that watching Cinderella is one of the earlier memories I have; it brings me back in time a bit, and I always feel happier after having watched it.
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This week's doggo photo/video...
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What I miss most about Mellan are often these moments: saying good morning to him, cuddling with him before I start my day…
Recent Purchases: The Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Concealer.
Rediscoveries: Just rediscovering and loving all of my pastel palettes right now. I have really loved and wanted softer looks lately.
Weekend plans: This is the first time in a month we haven’t had weekend plans, so we’ll just be chilling at home, probably doing some cleaning and running around with my son.
What book or movie has had the most impact on you?: That’s a hard question! I feel like there are several movies that made an impact on me at different times in my life, or that I have really strong memories attached. Music makes the most impact on me though. There are songs that take me back to different times in my life so strongly that I can’t listen to them without really being prepared to go back to that place.
Celesta, I’d be eager to hear what you think of the concealer. I’m always, ALWAYS on the hunt for the next even better concealer because it’s the one cosmetic item I really can’t go without and it’s also the one that is the most challenging/disappointing/problematic.
I will absolutely let you know, Mariella! It’s hard for me as well; there is only one concealer that I’ve ever found that I love, and I don’t know that they make it anymore! It’s the Maybelline Better Skin Concealer and it’s lovely, but I can’t find it in stores anymore, sadly.
For me, it was the Cargo Blu-Ray Concealer. It was the best ever (coverage wasn’t 100% but it didn’t crease and just looked fresh, “real” and great). Of course, it’s GONE, just like the Maybelline one you loved. Do you think they do this on purpose?
I think anymore if a concealer isn’t super high coverage, it fades into oblivion, lol.
Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: I filled my cart with a thousand bucks worth of stuff in anticipation of Sephora’s sale, and then whittled it down to three items – two backups of Tatcha’s exfoliating cleanser, and one backup of The Ordinary’s Buffet + Copper Peptides. Building the wishlist was fun, but I had to be sensible!
Weekend plans: I got my first dose of the Moderna vaccine on Wednesday, so I’m excited and ready to start doing things again. Prematurely. I mean, I’m only partially vaccinated! But I know this weekend I’ll just stay in and do some deep cleaning, take things to be donated, etc.
What book or movie has had the most impact on you?: I want to say something elegant did the trick, something like House of Leaves (great book, by the way), but I’ll be honest, I think the film To Wong Foo made the most lasting impression on me. I was 8 when I saw a version of it one Sunday afternoon, edited down for television of course (remember when TV did that?). Patrick Swayze as Vida…can’t even begin to describe just how much of an impact that character had for me. I wanted to grow up to be Vida, haha! My very conservative parents were aghast; first that I had seen the movie, then that I admired Vida. Oops.
I still love that movie to death.
You’re lucky to get even one dose of a vaccine – here in Aus it’s been a complete fizz and there is so much doubt about Astra Venica (re the blood clotting) that I am quite hesitant about that. As I am 66 years old, I think I prefer other vaccines that are safer.
Recent purchases/rediscoveries: PURCHASES: a whole bunch of Saje diffuser blends because they were offering 30% off several of the blends I love: Ritual, Bliss and Into the Trees (dontcha just love the name?) and I also got a new one, untested but it sounded like a blend I’d like: Spring Morning – lemon, lavender, thyme and patchouli (I said the other day that patchouli is a favourite scent for me). And I just placed my Sephora order and reined myself in with just the 3 items I had on my list – ABH Chiffon eyeshadow, Josie Maran Whipped Face Butter and Becca Backlight Priming Filter. I nearly caved and added some Marc Jacobs Highliners but I’ve had such bad luck with those suckers drying out really quickly, and almost also got some of the skinny liners, which I love, because they’re on sale but I have backups for those already. REDISCOVERIES: BareMinerals The Designer Label Quad: I’ve been using Couture (the darkest shade) with ABH Vermeer on the inner corners and it’s such an easy look but really “my” kind of look.
Weekend plans: basically EVERYTHING is shut down in my province so there’s not much to do except for taking long walks (except the weekend is supposed to be rainy) so I will probably do some sewing and work out in the basement on the Nordic Track and with some weights.
Book or movie that has had impact on me: When i was in my 20’s, it was Howard’s End by E.M. Forster and I have to say I’ve been dismayed by the 2 filmed versions I’ve seen. Also, I think I was a lot “deeper” in my 20’s because recently, it’s been “How Hard Can It Be”, the sequel to “I Don’t Know How She Does It” by Allison Pearson (I was dismayed to learn of her stance on vaccines; I don’t think I’ll buy another book from her, if she ever publishes one) – it was absolutely HILARIOUS and really captures the issues of aging (physical and emotional) for a woman, as well as the whole issue of age inequality (as well as pay inequality) between men and women. I could relate to is SO much, though it made me really grateful that I raised my 3 before cell phones were ubiquitous and “(anti) social media” dominated the lives of almost everyone but especially teenagers.
Everytime someone complains about Marc Jacobs Highliners drying to fast, I’m amused remembering that my mom stores them completely wrong (in the bathroom), I’m pretty sure she’s not closing the lid completely always… but that woman swears they’re creamy (but resistant) even 2 years after. 😅 I sometimes think that the humidity in her bathroom helps.
I store mine in the bathroom too (my own little bathroom so the humidity can sometimes be high, I guess) but I’ve had 3 of them dry out (2 minis and 1 full size). The skinny liners – which are the best I’ve ever had for my upper waterline – do fine but the regular ones dry out. I know some people don’t have this problem but some do so it seems pretty arbitrary (or a matter of luck???).
ABH Chiffron is such a beautiful, all round versatile shade and the closest shade I have to it is ABH’s Ember from Sultry and perhaps Smog.
I do so wish that bareMinerals would go back to their ‘Ready’ eyeshadow formula, such as in the Designer Label quad – these were so great and easy to use.
We are fortunate here to be pretty well mask free at the moment, although anything can change on turn of a coin. Lots of places have opened up, but unfortunately not changed their website, so you don’t really know if they are open/closed/menu etc. But it is nice to be able to drive around again and visit places. This lockdown of yours is lasting ages, everyone must be so fatigued by it.
Like you, I am lucky to have raised my two sons minus social media and phones. It was a different time pre internet back then and I wish that social media platforms hadn’t been invented.
I know there’s a huge “up-side” to social media but from teaching in high school (still – I joke that I’m going to be the world’s oldest substitute teacher) as well as from what I read, I know just how much anxiety, pain and bullying teens (and younger children too, I am sure) suffer as a result of all this social media stuff that parents and schools are powerless to do anything about.
We are on another “stay at home” order province wide. Our province and our area was so close to having this totally under control last summer or maybe early fall (I remember a new report about a special unit set up in the parking lot of a local hospital just to treat the expected influx of COVID patients and that it had been unused and unnecessary; it was such a relief but – guess what – it’s filled now as are most of the ICU beds in this area and doctors are having to make the painful decision about who gets a ventilator and who doesn’t). 25% of this comes from school contacts and that’s a pretty significant number but a whole lot also comes from people behaving like absolute idiots and refusing to accept the government guidelines and refusing to believe that this virus is serious business. I just shake my head in sadness. What the heck became of things like civic responsibility???
Yep – there are plenty of idiots around who believe that the virus is one big conspiracy despite ample evidence to the contrary – what I want to know is why don’t they get the virus?
I meant to add (I got a bit carried away – imagine!) that I agree about the Ready shadows and I don’t know why BareMinerals phased them out. They really are lovely. There were some quads and palettes I’d have loved to have bought but they weren’t available here (I think there’s one you have that I wanted and couldn’t get and I know Christine featured one she got on QVC that also wasn’t sold here). So many companies release stuff that is absolute crap and keep it around for years so I’m stumped as to why companies get rid of things that are excellent (UD’s blushes and highlighters that just vanished in a cloud of smoke are another example).
Mellan!! gah, always so much sugar. I love to see his pictures it is a glad part of Friday!! Very happy you have new boy in your family and that you will have many adventures and LOVE flowing on and on. I imagine the spirit of Mellan mentoring/snuggling the new pup while he naps and either way his spirit is woven into the fabric of your life always. I hope your parents move is filled with grace and ease.
Oh Mellan! No one can ever replace you, not for Christine and Shaun or us. Winston is his own unique special. He is loved, too. But he’ll never be you. 💙
Purchases/rediscoveries: None of either. I’m saving all my coinz for your SG X Temptalia palettes. Plus, I just have felt so uninspired lately.
Weekend Plans: Getting my Remicade infusion tomorrow. Listening to my Zoom meeting on Sunday. Hopefully, I will get a good night’s sleep and get up on time. Last Saturday night I couldn’t sleep until 6 a.m. Stress and anxiety are sucking the life out of me these days. By the way, my daughter did have her baby sometime last weekend. Other than his name, I still have no deets. Sorry.
What book or movie has had the most impact on you? Sooo many that I cannot pick just one! Here’s a few: The Color Purple, Castaway, and The Sound of Music.
Congratulatins Nanna – I hope your daughter and bubby is well and everyone is thriving. You can relax a little now that they baby has arrived. How is covid going in your area? is it slowing down or still ravaging around where you are?
When thinking about movies that made an impact – I must say The Sound of Music came to mind because I had seen it so often (my mum was obsessed with it).
Nancy, I am so glad to hear that they are both safe. I know you were very concerned so it’s great to know this had a good outcome.
Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: Another week of nothing new.
Weekend plans: Chores, groceries, reading, phone calls, hiking, the usual stuff.
What book or movie has had the most impact on you?: Wow… what a deep question… it’s almost refreshing to squeeze the answer from my brain and soul.
I’m not necessarily into movies, and there are plenty of books that impacted me in different ways (so it’s hard to asses what impacted me the most).
Introspection wise, The Tunnel by Ernesto Sabato really made me acknowledge who I am as a person and how I interact with others. I have so little in common with the main character, but the way he sees life as a tunnel really reasonates with my true self. The first read really moved me, but after reading it the second time I started acknowledging more about myself and ask questions I realized I didn’t want to hear the answer for.
Another book that constantly has an impact on me is The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. I have read it at various ages, in Romanian, English and French. And each time I discover new things and new meanings. The conversation with the fox hits deep in my soul to this day.
“My life is monotonous,” the fox said. “I hunt chickens and men hunt me. All the chickens are the same, and all the men are the same. So I get a little bored. But if you tame me, it will be as if the sun came to shine on my life. I shall know the sound of a step different from all others. Other steps send me hurrying back back underground. Yours will call me out of my burrow, like music. And look there! Do you see the wheatfields? I do not eat bread. Wheat is of no use to me. Those wheatfields remind me of nothing. And that is rather sad! But you have hair the color of gold. Think how wonderful that will be when you have tamed me! The wheat, which is also golden, will remind me of you. And I shall love the sound of the wind in the wheat…”
Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: I am still using the same old/same old. I bought a Sigma tightline brush a few weeks ago and have been experimenting with lining my eyes with Duraline and various eyeshadow shades but nothing interesting has come about so far.
Weekend plans: Maybe some spring cleaning like washing winter garments and putting them away. Or not. It is the first anniversary of the adoption of my kitties so maybe a little celebration.
What book or movie has had the most impact on you?: Peter Matthiessen’s The Snow Leopard sent me on a trek to Nepal back in 1979. I try to remember that trip when I need to remind myself that I can be emotionally brave. Also the book taught me the concept of serving the task, not the master, and I really needed that when I was a lawyer in corporate America.
Such a sweet moment with Mellan! <3
Purchases: Just placed my Sephora sale order. Decided to try some new-to-me skincare, the Innisfree Cica Balm and Daily UV Defense. After watching the brouhaha over Gwyneth Paltrow's bad SPF advice I decided I really should get better about having a daily sunscreen option for those times when I actually leave the house 😉 I also picked up some cute lashes that were on sale, treated myself to my favorite Fresh Sugar lip balm because I still haven't found a cheap alternative that I like as much, and spent some of my points on a Magic Eraser since my off-brand ones are getting a little grubby.
Weekend plans: The cocktail and gardening class I was supposed to take last night got postponed until tomorrow, and we're also having a happy hour with my in-laws where I'll teach them how to make daiquiris, so I'm gonna be a bit sloshed tomorrow. Other than that, not really sure.
Book or movie that had the most impact on me: I don't know that I can point to any one piece of media and say it changed my life or anything. The Little Book of Talent by Daniel Coyle really had an impact on how I approach my dance practice.
Mellan’s like as soon as she puts them socks on, I’m getting my grub!
Recent Purchases: I just got the ND Circo Loco palette from my Beautylish order. Also Terra Moons El Barrio palette that I can’t stop using. I even did an all matte eye shadow look. I usually think all matte looks make me look older but I really love the mattes and metallics in that palette, it’s bomb!! I was up late on Temptalia looking for dupes before placing my Sephora order using the link. Started with $950 total that ended up $300. Going to try not to go
back and keep purchasing stuff , lol.
Weekend Plans: I got my second COVID Moderna vaccine yesterday. Arm is a little achy but otherwise good. I’m doing some home repairs so I’ll work on those. Probably treat myself to some good carry out. Read a couple good mysteries and watch some streaming sites I paid for like PBS Masterpiece.
What book/movie has had the most impact on you?: The book “Your Erroneous Zones” by Dr. Wayne Dyer a great self help book I read as a teenager and is still relevant today. That book helped me realize that I was in control of my feelings . Roots tv series about African slavery and the Wizard of Oz fantasy both made me think and had an emotional impact on me.
It’s good to know that you haven’t had any adverse reactions to the vaccine Denise. Treating yourself to some good takeaway sounds like an excellent plan to me!
Recent purchases: I took advantage of MAC’s $10 off foundation sale to pick up a new tube of Pro Longwear Waterproof Foundation in NC-17, since it’s become a staple. I won’t say it’s mask-proof because nothing is for me, but it is closer than many of my other favorite foundations. Also picked up lipsticks in Costa Chic and Tropic Tonic (I had Back to MAC) and bronzer in Golden, although I’m not sure about the bronzer. It may go back, but I’d rather not do that because waste? I think I need to experiment with it this weekend. Currently making my sale list for Sephora and waffling because I use ABH Dipbrow Pomade in Soft Brown and I’m feeling lately like it is both slightly too warm and too light. I can’t decide if I should go with Medium Brown or Ash Brown. Any feedback from you guys is welcome! Also planning to pick up some eyeliners, just standard restocking stuff.
Weekend Plans: MIL has a birthday tomorrow and College Kid #2 is coming home for the break, so we’ll likely do a family dinner. Other than that, not much.
Book or movie that had the most impact: Not a single book, but a series — The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold. It changed how I view disability, family, community and healthy relationships….which is a lot of weight to carry for a science fiction series but there are over 20 books in it now so…. I started it because someone recommended A Civil Campaign to me and I realized I couldn’t understand who any of the characters were, so I started at the beginning with Shards of Honor (sometimes published under Cordelia’s Honor). Worth it.
Happy birthday to your Mother In Law Brandi and I am sure you will enjoy the return of your son/daughter tomorrow. I hope the Family dinner goes well.
I bought ABH Medium Brown some time ago because it looked so good on a friend, but I wish I’d got Ash Brown instead (I got a sample of it about a week later – back in the days pre-Covid when Sephora gave samples). I find I have to be so careful with the medium brown shade or I end up looking a bit like a crazy lady but the Ash Brown looked far more natural – I could enhance my brows quickly without looking like I’d gone overboard but I could also apply a bit more heavily if I wanted a more dramatic look. I’m NW20 so not quite as pale as you but still fairly pale and the Medium Brown can just look a bit too much if I don’t take my time and be really careful. Hope this helps.
Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: I went to Sephora for a post-vaccine treat, and I got Huda Mercury Retrograde and ABH Iced Out highlighter. Otherwise, I haven’t bought much lately.
Weekend plans: I got my 2nd shot today, so my plan is to stay in bed and relax.
What book or movie has had the most impact on you?: There are so, so many. I guess the one that really perennially stands out is Fahrenheit 451. It changed my outlook on the world, influenced me to return to college, and every time I read it I just weep because of how lucky we are to be free enough to choose what we consume.
As an English teacher who taught “Fahrenheit 451,” this is delightful to hear. :).
Recent Purchases: Have not arrived as I just checked them out this morning from the spring Sephora sale. Luckily I jumped on a few things quickly (Melt Honey Thief for one) as when I checked later they were sold out. Danessa’s Light Highlighting palette is coming as is one of Huda’s new long lasting lip liners (Lip Contour 2.0), which I’m really looking forward to.
Weekend Plans: I feel like I’m a broken record, but dogs+beach! We have a pizza oven and generally make wood-fired pizza every weekend, it takes 90 seconds and now that I have the dough down pat, they are truly fantastic!
We cleaned all our patios last weekend and I had all new custom patio furniture cushions made, so it was nice to get them into play.
Movie(s): I would have to say we watch the same four movies every Christmas (only), which include Love Actually, The Holiday and Nottinghill–so I would say, as a tradition those have the most impact.
It’s not often we saw a sleepy Mellon – usually he was full of beans with his happy grin. He looks adorable here as he waits for his brekkie.
Recent Purchases – nada
Rediscoveries: ABH Sultry. A divine palette – I just wish the shades were more firmly pressed into the pans though.
Weekend Plans: Our grandchildren had playdates on Friday, so I was able to get a few more things done around the place and my eldest son, my husband and myself went out for dinner.
Saturday – we are having an ‘easy’ morning and then I will get stuck into the laundry (OMG). It doesn’t help that the weather has turned drizzly and cool.
Sunday – I have offered to do an early morning stint with the kids so that their parents can have a well earned sleep in. Both parents are exhausted because added to cleaning out their old property, the baby has had his first cold and they have had some rough nights.
It’s been lovely reading to the children of a night time and settling them down to sleep. Our family room floor is awash with lego (Lachlan) and drawing pencils, crayons and textas from Olivia. But that’s OK with us.
Book/Movie: As an avid reader, many books have made an impact on me: The Eagle and the Raven about the arrival of the Roman Empire in Britain is one; The Starbridge series by Susan Howatch about the Church of England in England is another; Stephen Booth’s crime books centred around the Penine district of England have always interested me.
Movies: I am not so much a movie fan, so no real movies have impacted me. But music is the one – I love mainly female singers like Linda Rondstat, Emmylou Harris and many others being my favourites.
I could listen to Emmylou Harris and Alison Krauss all day long. Quite by accident, I discovered a “new to me” singer just yesterday named Elizabeth Fraser. Our Google Nest thingy played this song by a group I’d never heard of – Antony and the Johnsons – and another by This Mortal Coil and she was a singer with both of them and has done a lot of other work also. Her voice has an almost “Enya-like” etheral quality.
Your kids are very lucky to have you pitching in as you do. We never had that from either set of grandparents and I sure would have appreciated it. My MIL was always being asked by the others (she had 5 children and 13 grandchildren) “Can M stay with you for the weekend”. “T wants to come and spend the weekend with Nana….” and I didn’t feel it was my place to ask because I knew this was sort of a frequent imposition on her so I figured I’d wait til she offered but she never did. My daughter was maybe 6 or 8 when she asked me why Nana never asked her to stay overnight and I said “Well, you would have to ask Nana” and she didn’t. I adored my MIL but it’s the one thing that always stuck with me – that she never offered.
Thankyou for the dibs on a new singer – I am always looking for one and I think I would like Elizabeth Fraser, by the sounds of things she has the kind of voice and style that I would like – love Enya and have all of her albums. We really do like the same things!
As for pitching in – Mariella – there was no choice, otherwise my son and his family would have been homeless or living in a motel – as many here are forced to do. The rental situation is dire here – so many workers returning from overseas and they want their homes back (understandably). Other landlords have had the capital land tax on their properties increased by factor 3 (to pay for the disastrous hotel quarantine system we had going here during the big outbreak last year) and find that they just can’t afford to rent their places out anymore. Their landlord wants to sell for the above reason.
They looked at so many places, with over 40+ people showing up.
Anyway – they are here – our place looks like a bomb site, Anika and Nicholas have worked around the clock to ensure they get their bond back and now they can concentrate on getting their goods and belongings sorted out here.
Baby Harry has been teething and has a cold – so no joy for them at night.
OMG – I had no idea how much washing three kids go through! You must remember those days fondly (not!). How did you cope in winter?
Reading about your MIL and the situation with your daughter made me feel very sad – her not noticing that your daughter would like to stay with her. Your daughter would have felt that she was not wanted/or appreciated by her. We absolutely strive to treat each our grandchildren equally in all ways. Maybe she thought that your daughter didn’t want to come over, as she didn’t ask – but she could have asked you.
My parents in law never had their grandchildren to stay – they didn’t even have toys at their place and even though they loved our boys, they didn’t know how to react/respond to little ones really well. My husband was an only child and it was tough for him. His mum was an extremely tidy person and no mess was allowed. It made it hard to be a kid.
This is why I have filled our house with toys, many from our own kids because they were taught to look after everything – Lego, Brio and Duplo, transformers etc. Plus what we have bought them.
Recent Purchases:. Viseart Lilas quad.
Weekend plans:. Spring cleaning.
What book or movie has had the most impact on you?: “Fun With Dick and Jane,” because that is the book from which I learned to read.
I remember Fun With Dick and Jane! and we also had John and Betty….
Recent Purchases: None. Checking out the Sephora sale.
Rediscoveries: Switching out my darker winter palettes with the spring and summer ones. The Dior summer glow powder is now out. A limited edition from maybe 3 years ago.
Weekend Plans: Groceries and errands. May drop a few things off at my cousin’s home. Look into booking the AZ vaccine for me. My province is at Stage 1 of lockdown and it should be more, with the variants being the primary source of the virus.
Book that resonated with me? The Ugly Duckling.
Mellan was a smart boy. The morning cuddle and ear rub means that breakfast was on its way. Such a patient and very attentive dog.
Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: No purchases, but my rediscovery is the Colourpop The Child palette. I think I’m finally finding a way to make the lighter greens work for me!
Weekend plans: Final weekend of waiting to be eligible for the vaccine. My city is opening the floodgates to the general public on Thursday, so hopefully I can get one ASAP
What book or movie has had the most impact on you?: I bit the bullet and rented Minari digitally after the few drive-ins theaters in my area showing the movie all sold out. It reminds me of a lot of the midcentury plays I read in college, and the Asian family was very relatable to my own.
For a book, my friend got me a Star Wars themed self-help book called The Jedi Mind: Secrets from the Force for Balance and Peace. At first I thought it was just going to be a cute illustrated book with a few quotes, but it’s actually been quite helpful, with meditation exercises and pieces of advice I keep coming back to
Recent Purchases: Beautylish: Sonia G Soft Shader Brush, Wayne Goss The Luxury Cream Lipstick in Lily, The High Shine Gloss in Chrysanthemum and Hibiscus, and The Radiance Boosting Palette in Deep Copper;
Macy’s: Bobbi Brown Art Stick in Rose Brown;
Burberry: Burberry Runway Eye Palette;
Private aquistion: Chanel Les 4 Ombres in Bouquet Ambre and Lumieres et Vibrations.
Weekend Plans: It’s going to be a rainy weekend, so wrapping up my taxes, getting takeout, doing laundry, and watching NHL games. Today, my spouse and I booked our vaccine shot for the end of May. While we’re hoping to get one sooner, we did this as insurance just in case.
What movie/book had the most impact on you: Dead Poets Society.