Friday Finds & Check-ins, Volume #676
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: New Tom Ford Eye Color Creme quads (x2), Guerlain holiday collection, LYS Beauty Blush Trio! I have a bunch of stuff I need to photograph/swatch, which I’ll either start on this afternoon or tomorrow.
Weekend plans: I did some work early this morning, and then I’ll volunteer at the local rescue for an hour or two. I’m hoping to have enough energy to get a head start on photographing/swatching today and then finish up on Saturday/Sunday. We’re definitely going to go on a nice, long walk with Winnie over the weekend as we’re finally in FALL! here in Phoenix.
What is one of your quirks that you love? When I am interested in something, I’ll throw myself into it, so I can get overly involved/deep into something and then burn out faster, but I appreciate the dedication, LOL.
Psst… since it’s Friday and we’re heading into the weekend, if you have some downtime, consider playing one of the games hubby and I have created! 🙂 You’ll find all of our games on Awordy, but here’s a breakdown of what we have so far:
- Adoptle (guess the name of an adoptable pet in six guesses)
- Concludle (figure out the subject within six clues)
- Flipplant (figure out the plant using a mix of text- and image-based clues)
- Mislettered (guess one letter at a time to figure out the phrase/quote)
- Unswatched (figure out the makeup item using a mix of text- and image-based clues)
- Word Frenzy (find as many words from the letters available before the shark devours them)
We just launched Word Frenzy, which is really for me, because I love this style of game and the countdown/timer twist definitely adds to the challenge.
This week's doggo photo/video...
Share your pet photos to the Temptalia Pets flickr group!
Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: No new purchases, but I did get a haircut. I feel like a whole new me! After not using the Temptalia x SG collab palettes for a while I rediscovered my love for Phosphenes. It is so pretty and unique!
Weekend plans: I am gonna work on some holiday cards that I plan on painting, as well as continuing the unpacking/setting up new apartment Sisyphean task that I still have before me. I might bake something too.
What is one of your quirks that you love? Oh gosh I have so many. I am pretty good at finding the bright side of things and identifying unique solutions to problems. These things tend to come in handy in work, friendships (esp. for advice), and even my marriage. I think way outside the box if that is what it takes.
There’s nothing like getting your hair done to make you feel great – and I’m glad that you are happy with yours. Phosphenes is such a beautiful shade – whilst I didn’t order the palette it was in (I got the On the Horizons Light palette), I did order Phospenes as a single and love it. I hope your apartment unpacking is going well – what a chore it is!
Recent purchases: Dr. Dennis Gross Texture Renewal Serum. I’ve been using it for six days and I really like how my skin feels and looks, but the serum has a very strong smell that I could do without.
Weekend plans: Hosting a dinner party on Saturday, visiting family on Sunday, and relaxing every spare moment I get.
What is one of your quirks that you love? Hmmm, how do you know what your own quirks are? According to my husband, I seem to have a lot of them! I suppose not wanting to fit in with the crowd is a quirk. I’ve been like that since my teens. If something is very popular, I go in the other direction. This is not a conscious decision; it’s just natural for me to be that way, which I think a lot of people don’t understand.
Best wishes for the dinner party Seraphine – quite a lot of work to do and I hope the cleaning up doesn’t take too long. I am sure that everyone will enjoy the food you’ve cooked.
I also hope that your working week has been less stressful and you got that boring project done without too many hassles.
Thanks, Genevieve. 😊 It went very well…lots of fun. We did a spooky Halloween theme, which looked really great. And since I did the cooking, my husband did the cleaning up. That’s our arrangement. And, strangely, he actually likes cleaning! The horrible project at work is now in the hands of the client, so we’ll see what they send back. I’m predicting tons of changes…as is usually the case.
Recent Purchases: I am going no buy except for boring beauty products like moisturizer and face wash. I am going to allow myself to buy one thing during the Sephora sale and that is it!
Weekend Plans: Recovering from a very long week.
A quirk I like about myself: I read a lot and I read very quickly. People used to be skeptical that I could read so fast and I used to feel ashamed but now I am indifferent. Everyone has different things about them that are different and this is just one of mine.
I read a lot too and I am a quick reader as well – my parents used to be amazed at how fast I could get through a big book, but I have always been like that too. My teachers use to wonder how I could possibly comprehend a book read so quickly, but I could.
Generally this year I have just confined myself to buying exactly the products I need – foundation, a brow pencil and the skincare items that are holy grail to me. It’s just makes things simple I think.
Recent purchases: Nothing (and it’s not for want of trying….that Dior new 5-pan….I’m being thwarted). Rediscoveries: Smashbox Minimalist palette; Chanel stick concealer (it’s ages old, I’ve no idea where it came from, how I came to own it or when I bought it but I was clearing out a box of old makeup and skincare and found it and I was, like “Oh, WOW” and gave it a try and it’s amazingly nice for something that has to be pretty ancient…sort of like ME) and also NARS Old Church Street e/s duo – every time I take that thing out and use it again, I’m just blown away.
Weekend plans: Gym, dinner with a friend tomorrow (she’s bring pizza; I’m making appetizers) and getting my hospital bag ready for my surgery next week. I just found out I have to turn up wearing no makeup at all….I hope they don’t ship me directly to the morgue because without makeup, I do look dead.
Something quirky about me? about the only thing I can think of is that I have such a dread of being late (or even “just on time”) that I’m early for EVERYTHING!
Wishing you the best for your surgery and a speedy recovery! ❤️
Rachel, thank you so much for the good wishes. I finally realized why this has me so anxious – I just have nothing at all to compare it to so it’s the whole issue of “totally unknown” that is my biggest worry, I think.
The Unknown is the worst for anxiety. All you can do is get as much information about the procedure as you can. Knee surgeries are pretty routine, you’re in good shape, and I’m sure you’ll be fine.
Mariella – I am exactly the SAME as regards to punctuality. I have a twin sister and a husband, whilst much better in the past few years, that have often left things to the last minute and are constantly late. And it annoys the absolute SHIT out of me! I am always early for appointments, meeting my friends, going out etc. Luckily, both of my sons are also very punctual too and that is a blessing.
Best wishes for your surgery next week Mariella. I am sure it will go very well and you will be fine. I’ll be saying a few prayers for you.
Oh – and by the way – OMG – not wearing makeup to the hospital! I remember going to a MUA when getting a new foundation and she told me to come into the shopping centre without my makeup on. I was aghast! There was no way on Earth that I was walking into a shopping centre without the full face on – I told her that we should try out their new cleansers as well!
Seriously though – it will be early in the morning and it will be only your husband driving you in – I am hopefully being comforting to you across the continents…..
But I had to laugh at your comment though!
I’ve said it before – WE must be twins even though we’re on opposite sides of the world and have totally different colouring!!!!
Thank you for your good wishes and prayers – both are very much appreciated!
Isn’t it crazy that we aren’t even allowed to fill in our brows or anything before surgery, Mariella?!? But, I get why, though. Will be keeping you in my thoughts for your upcoming surgery 💝
LOL – I knew people here would understand! I’m okay without my brows being done…it’s concealer and lippie that I “need”. Thank you so much for your good wishes – they really mean a lot!
Best of luck with your surgery! Sending healing thoughts!
Thank you, Sarah. I’m looking forward to being “on the mend”! I wonder if I could convince hubs that the Dior Cosmic Eyes palette I’m so keen to have would be a perfect “get well” gift for me….
It’s so wonderful that Winnie has been getting some fun times playing with puppies! Adorable!
Purchases/rediscoveries: Nothing purchased. I’m supposed to receive my Ulta order sometime today? Here’s hoping that it was carefully packed…
As far as rediscoveries, it’s really just been my slowly getting back into my usual fall lipsticks and blushes in burgundies, berries and richer cinnamon/terracotta tones. Oh, and because I hardly left the house all summer, I’m solidly back to using my tube of Fenty Profilt’r Hydrating Foundation in 260.
Weekend plans: Hurt my left thigh muscle doing laundry Wednesday. Didn’t feel it until when I went to get out of bed yesterday morning, and man, does it hurt! So, other than listening to my Zoom meeting this weekend, I’m going to have to take it easy. Also waiting to hear from my one BFF here in AZ (my other two BFF’s live out of state) regarding her surgery. Praying that all goes well for her, as she is one of the sweetest people I know 🙏🏼 .
What is one of your quirks that you love? Not sure whether it’s an actual quirk or not, but I feel like a fish out of water living here in the desert, as I am a full-blown ocean/beach bum at heart! Or, if that’s not a true quirk, then there’s my being raised in a home that would have been termed “Gothic” by today’s standards (Dad painted the house black insisting that it was “charcoal grey”, Mom and I watched Dark Shadows, The Munsters, and The Addams Family constantly, plus tons of Alfred Hitchcock and vampire movies. We even had a black cat named Samantha! And unfortunately, I CAUGHT it at school because other kids said I was weird and so were my parents. I have kept up that aesthetic in many ways throughout my life, but ditched all the spiritistic elements of it, all the while still LOVING the music, clothing, makeup. An odd dichotomy, I suppose.
I hope all goes well with your friend’s surgery.
Thank you very much, Rachel! She has to stay in the hospital for a few days until she is able to go without supplemental oxygen and can walk around more. This wasn’t as simple as any of us had previously thought.
Now that I am an expert in muscle strain – make sure you get a muscle cream like Voltaren – but more natural for your sore musles. I found that the cream that was recommended to me by the physio (it was called Fisio) was fantastic and did the job really well. I hope it gets better soon.
I may need to try either Voltaren or something like Salonpas patch, Genevieve, because my usual go-to, Tiger Balm, isn’t doing the job. Even today, it STILL aches quite a bit! Weird, because I never felt anything on Wednesday night.
Recent Purchases: I did purchase the Odens Eye Holiday palettes, which look so beautiful!
Rediscoveries: Nothing in particular, but I did enjoy my little curated makeup collection I took with me to Gatlinburg.
Weekend plans: Unpacking and recovering from vacation!
What is one of your quirks that you love? I… have no idea. I have a lot of quirks that are annoying, even to me 😅
How was your trip to Gatlinburg Celesta? When looking it up on the web, it really looked like a fabulous place to visit – so scenic too. I bet your little boy loved it.
Hopefully there won’t be too much laundry to do…always a bummer when you get back.
👻RECENT PURCHASES:
*Terra Moons Cosmic Wanderer Palette.
*Sydney Grace October Bundle, plus a few singles.
*(Sale) By Beauty Bay Dark Fantasy 20 Colour Palette, Earthy 16 Colour Palette, and Love Notes 20 Colour Palette.
👻WEEKEND PLANS:
I am currently on my way to the Oregon coast with my husband for a belated birthday getaway. And to escape the heavy forest fire smoke!
👻WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR QUIRKS THAT YOU LOVE?
My fashion sense. 😉
So glad that you’ll be able to hit the coast, and CLEAN air, this weekend, Rachel! I know that the terrible air quality has been making you sick. It’s been bad up in the PNW and northern CA this year between forest fires and extreme heat. Have a fun getaway at the beach!
I’m so much better now I’m in some fresh air. I never thought I’d see fire season so far into October! I was telling Michael we need to invest in some air purifiers. I think yearly nasty fire seasons are going to be the norm.
Gosh – are you still experiencing forest fires in your neck of the woods Rachel? It must be heartbreaking and quite dangerous for those who are asthmatics too.
I hope you have a wonderful time with your husband and enjoy your birthday trip.
Yes, we’ve been having record high temperatures, (last Sunday was 85°F/29.5°C! In autumn!), and an inversion layer trapping in smoke from fires in Oregon and our neighbors Washington and California. One fire is right outside of Portland. The smoke is so bad schools canceled outdoor activities, and construction has halted on many projects due to poor visibility.
I told my husband we need to invest in some air purifiers. We’ve had smoky skies and fires too many years in a row now. I don’t see it getting better.
OMG Rachel – that is sounding so bad re the fires. We’ve experienced that inversion layer as well quite a few times in recent years and it is shocking. I can understand schools cancelling outdoor activities due to the smoke haze. We purchased an air purifier last year and it is amazingly good – just one for our kitchen, meals and family room area. It works well.
So cute seeing Winston playing with the puppy! What a wonderful thing to do fostering and socializing dogs to prepare them for their forever homes!
Haul/ Rediscoveries – Been using my Temptalia/ Sydney Grace eye shadows and was so impressed with how well the shadows performed and lasted all day. Honestly that collection has such a vast color story you don’t need much else.
I brought Terra Moons new palette Cosmic Wanderer and love it! Also picked up a couple of their liquid lip sticks in burgundy and black.
Weekend Plans: Wash my hair and organize my fragrances. I brought new display stands for my perfumes. Some I keep in their boxes but it’s pretty seeing the bottles on display.
What is one of your quirks that you love?
I respect nature and talk to plants aloud lol. Sometimes I’m an actual tree hugger. I also speak to pasting animals/pets. I’m very down to earth so I talk to most people like I know them already. But I’m an introvert so mostly I’m talking to people I encounter in public places like the supermarket/ library lol.
I have spent the past few weeks just using my On the Horizons palette and my SG singles and honestly, I didn’t ‘need’ anything else. They are such fantastic quality.
How lovely to have a display stand for your perfumes Denise. Mine currently live on my dresser, but it is a small space and I have lots of perfumes. I put some of them ‘away’ when the family moved in with us last year and I really should take them out again. It will be like discovering a whole new set of smells.
Thanks Genevieve! My perfumes are on my dresser as well. I brought some acrylic stands on Amazon. They’re like steps so you can store more in a little space. Yes pull out your hidden perfume beauties it’ll be like getting a new perfume!
How lovely it is to see Winnie play with the beautiful little puppy! He’s like a good natured older brother.
Both are just sweeties.
Recent Purchases: After looking at that gorgeous PMG 5 pan, Bronze Bliss – I ordered it straight away from the PMG website – which has free shipping on at the moment – so that was a big bargain for me. My son offered to give it to me for my birthday.
I’ve also started collecting ‘goodies’ for my daughter in law’s Christmas skincare and makeup bag. So far I have got her some of The Ordinary’s Argon Oil, HA Serum, Squalene Cleanser.
Weekend Plans: Nothing really much on the horizon as it is all rain, rain and rain this weekend and into next week.
On Friday I had lunch with my two best friends, as both have been away on holidays and have returned. So that was lovely.
Today, Saturday, I might just browse the local big shopping centre to find myself some more summer clothes. I don’t quite like my summer wardrobe as much as I do my winter one. It’s just hard to find the clothes I like because of the ‘summery’ colours – nothing in pink, aqua, purples etc.
My right knee is 80% better now – all those exercises have done the trick and I do just have to be a bit careful when walking up steps.
We’ve had a lot of flooding here in our state, but all of our friends and family are fine.
Personal Quirks: I find that if I promise to do something, or make something – then I do it – no matter what. I like to keep my promises or commitments.
Another quirk is that I am generally a very organised person (a product of my working life as a mother no doubt) and I like to have everything ready and organised ahead of time. Which is why I have now finished most of my Christmas shopping for the kids and the family.
I’m glad you’re knee is doing better!
We moms have to be super organized. plus as a teacher, you probably learned to be doubly so!
Thanks Rachel – yes as mothers we really do have to be organised!
Ok, wow! You finished your Christmas shopping…impressive! It’s so strange to hear about summer clothes in October. It’s just starting to slightly cool down here after a long, HOT summer and I can’t wait till it gets even cooler in the next couple months. I just bought new boots and sweaters.
Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: Nothing new cosmetic wise.
Weekend plans: Chores, groceries, pet stuff shopping (my favorite store has a good discount this weekend and I am looking into new cat furniture), phone calls with family (my grandma has so many issues with her landline, I have to coordinate with my mother visits to get to chat for a few minutes with her), a hike, the local symphonic concert on Sunday, just the usual stuff.
What is one of your quirks that you love? That I care too much about everything I do without taking it personal. 😆 It’s part perfectionism, part seeking approval from others, part being stress out about everything, part being the kid in school who couldn’t sleep if they didn’t do their homework. I used to think I need to change that about myself… but as I grew older I realized that I love this about myself. Thankfully I found a workplace where the management don’t take advantage of this to overwork me.
A hike sounds lovely! I hope you enjoy!
Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: I just placed an order for a small Makeup Revolution x Beetlejuice haul-It’s Showtime eyeshadow palette, Strange and Unusual (green) mascara, and Lydia (red) lipstick. Since the Beetlejuice items didn’t meet the $35 free shipping threshold, I threw in a sale item-Rock ‘n Roll Beauty (a Revolution sub-brand) Hysteria (hot pink) High-Impact Glossy lipstick from the Def Leppard collection.
Weekend plans: Weekly grocery run Friday night, worked all day Saturday, did some laundry tonight.
What is one of your quirks that you love? I have plenty of quirks and no problems with most of them, but I don’t feel like sharing any tonight.