Friday Finds & Check-ins, Volume #718
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: Tom Ford Cafe Rose, Ouai Melrose Place Body Cleanser, Kate Somerville ExfoliKate
Weekend plans: I’m volunteering at the rescue as a medical assistant for the Hats’ litter to get their first vaccines and microchips, and then I’ll also be bringing all my Liqueur pups in for their first vaccines and microchips. I have to say goodbye to four, as they’ll be going in pairs to two new fosters, while I will see how handling seven goes for the next week or two! I need to get their paw prints later today.
What was the last book you read and loved? A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
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! 🙂 Here’s a breakdown of what we have:
- Adoptle (guess the name of an adoptable pet in six guesses)
- Concludle (figure out the subject within six clues)
- Mislettered (guess one letter at a time to figure out the phrase/quote)
- Word Frenzy (find as many words from the letters available before the shark devours them)
This week's doggo photo/video...
Share your pet photos to the Temptalia Pets flickr group!
Recent purchases: Nada; rediscoveries – the MUFE Nudes You Need palette (pulled it out of hibernation and used it today; lovely)
Weekend plans: I have to pick up some alterations (I love to sew but loathe altering ready-to-wear clothing), hit the gym HARD both days and also finish a pair of Elizabeth Suzann culottes – I wanted to test the pattern out in some inexpensive fabric before making them in some better fabrics to take to Japan.
Last book I read that I enjoyed: lately for me, it’s audio books all the way because I can multi-task (wash dishes, cook, go for a walk, sew) while listening but even more importantly, I fall asleep when I try to read (if I read in bed, I often manage to hit myself in the face with the book!). I’m listening to a series by Elly Griffiths about an archaeologist who works in Norfolk. Sadly, they seem to be discontinuing the books (sort of like my life with cosmetics and skin care too!) – the first 2, which I have, are no longer available from Audible and the same is true of a few of the others (I hope I have them in my library! I’ve purchased so many audiobooks over the years that I will have to check and keep my fingers crossed).
OMG Mariella, I LOVE those Dr. Ruth Galloway books myself – and have just finished reading the latest book in the series! I get them from the local library – which will probably have them in an audio book format for you. Aren’t they fabulous? So enjoyable to read!
We seriiously are twins!
I tried vailantly to get the MUFE NUdes You Need palette some time ago because all the shades were heavenly to me, but to no avail. It is a great palette.
Okay – this is getting SPOOKY!!!! I am really enjoying the books (but #’s 3 through 5 are suddenly unavailable; I’m so glad I got #1 and 2 before Audible removed them). I checked my public library and they have lots of her books as physical books and e-books, but hardly any as audio books – and I have the one that interested me (a different series – the Post Script Murders first book). I may actually have to read the missing ones as physical books if those are the ones the library has (I want to find out about the baby and stuff with Nelson….yikes!)
A few years ago, before COVID I’m sure, I found the Nudes You Need palette at Marshall’s for a very marked down price. I actually entertained getting it – if only I had, I could have sent it to you!!!
There is one in the series that I missed reading, but I don’t remember the title – a jolly nuisance. However I can reserve them at our local library and re-read them. So very annoying for you that you can’t access books 3 -5!
I’m sure these days I have enough dupes to cover the Nudes You Need palette, but it just seemed so stellar.
Recent Purchases: I had some reward points to spend at Ulta, so I got a MAC Paint Pot in Layin’ Low. It looks really nice combined with my favorite Paint Pot, Groundwork. Then I went a little crazy at the department store and bought Guerlain Shalimar EDT and Chanel Gabrielle Essence.
Rediscoveries: Chanel Joues Contraste blush in Pink Explosion. Applied with a very light hand, it’s so pretty for an evening look. Also, I almost gave my bottle of YSL Libre EDP away to a friend, but decided to try it one more time. I had forgotten that it was such a pretty lavender/vanilla scent! I’m keeping it.
Weekend Plans: Getting together with friends, visiting family, and relaxing because I had my annual review at work this week and it was very good! Even though I’ve been under a lot of stress with near-impossible deadlines, it’s nice to know that my hard work is recognized and appreciated. My workload might not get any better, but at least my boss is aware of, and grateful for, how much I do. Hopefully, my next raise will reflect this good review.
What was the last book you read and loved? “Circe” by Madeline Miller
Congratulations on your great review Seraphine and it is nice to know that management appreciates your work ethic and attention to detail. I think it is a reason to celebrate this weekend by taking it off and doing and seeing all the people and things that you love. You never know how reviews will go, so it is a weight off your mind. Best wishes for the pay rise!
Haul: Clio Glow Cushion in shade 02 Lingerie. I wore it today for the first time. The color is perhaps just a hair lite for me which is always interesting to find! it has a neutral undertone and that is likely why. I liked applying it with the air puff and it had very lite coverage. I did color correct first and added some concealer after then of course had to powder down which effectively killed most of the glow. Really wish I could wear it without worrying about the sunspots. I do like it a lot though and will work well for days when I want to put something on but not necessarily doing a full face. Missha Modern Shadow Glitter Prisms in the shades Blossom, Blue Hole and Prism. I wore Blue Hole today and loved it. I did apply a tacky base. On the lid it very much looks like UD Lounge or Blue Brown Pigment. It has worn well all day and without fallout. I will try the other two over the next few days. Wish they came in some other colors. Etude House Fixing Lip Tint in shade 01 Lively Red . This turned out to be a warm toned red which doesn’t really suit me so I paired it with a cool tone liner that I put all over the lips and that salvaged the lip. It is a mouse-like texture than appears similar to the Powder Kiss lipsticks from MAC when it sets on the lips. It is also sheerer than I expected but since the color was off, that is to my advantage. I haven’t hauled it yet but I am excited to see the Chanel releases for fall/winter. I do love Chanel and for some reason, feel good about this release. I haven’t purchased any Chanel or Dior for over three years and use to pick up at least one palette from each brands releases. For the same reason that I am liking Korean makeup, Chanel always gives a soft, elegant look and that seems to suit me better now. I did really darken my crease today which I haven’t done in a long while and I like it. Of course, when I look in my magnifying mirror I only see the crepe, droop and wrinkles, LOL! From a distance, it looks good though.
I am thinking about purchasing a Nira laser for home use. They are on sale until the 20th so need to decide by then. I have the time to devote to using although according to videos I have watched on YT it doesn’t require more than a few minutes a day. Has anyone used it and what do you think?
Weekend plans: I am refinishing a table but it has been so beastly hot here that I really am not looking forward to working on it. I want to get it done before winter rolls around as I have to seal it with a sealing shellac and that stuff smells. We are suppose to get a change in the weather towards the end of next week with temperatures dropping and heavy rain. I am happy about that but still wouldn’t be able to work on the table. My sister is thinking about going home on Sunday, YAY!! IMHO, she has been using my mother to get to see me. She calls and says that mom is on speaker. She called and asked if we could go to lunch and that mom was on the line, etc. Apparently, according to my brother, my mom is mad at me since I am not making an effort to get together with my sister. I don’t blame my mom. After her 6 craniotomies, she has never been exactly the same and her short term memory is very bad. When I am with her and explain my position she 100% agrees with me and she definitely feels the same way I do politically. She forgets why I don’t want to be around my sister, though. I have explained to both of them that it really isn’t political, it is moral and for that reason, I won’t compromise. So, I will be happy for her to be gone and frankly, it has started me thinking about moving away again. We will see next spring.
Last book read: Let me see, I read so quickly that I go through a ton of books. Barnes and Noble love me. I just finished reading all of the books by Julia Quinn. I wasn’t impressed and wish I had not purchased them. I always donate my books to the local library so they will be the beneficiaries of my entire Julia Quinn set. I also read the last Patricia Cornwell novel in the Scarpetta series. I hadn’t realized she had published another one so I think she published two within about a year. I had read the first one and then was surprised by the second one when I was in the bookstore. I purchased an origami book by a famous origamist, Shuzo Fujimoto. He is the “founding father” of tessellations and his work is amazing. I knew the book was in Japanese and I have been going through it trying to understand those parts I need to understand but it is slow going with a translator. I have several origami friends in Japan and they help when they can but they are busy with their lives.
The puppies look so beautiful, happy and healthy and it’s wonderful to see them all play with the various toys you have. It will be sad for you and Shaun to say goodbye to four of them, but they are going to lovely homes too.
Recent Purchases: At an Aus online retailer, I recently purchased EL’s Pure Colour Envy lipstick in Persuasive. It was at a ridiculously low price, so I bagged it with Shiseido’s Disrobed lipstick as well, for my DIL.
Rediscoveries: ND Glam – what solid, fabulous palette that one is – regardless of the silly naming system.
Weekend Plans: On Friday I caught up with my two best friends that I haven’t seen for awhile – one had been on a road trip through Western Australia and the other had had cataract surgery on her eyes.
We had a fabulous time catching up with all of our family news.
This weekend will be about tidying the house up and doing some deeper cleaning.
Grocery shopping and looking around for some birthday presents for Harry, who turns 3 next Sunday.
Last book you enjoyed reading: I am an avid reader and get through quite a few books per week. I am currently re-reading Barry Maitland’s The Belltree Trilogy. I have read the books before, but they are so well written that I liked to go back to them every now and again.
Shiseido Disrobed is such a nice shade! I bought it several months ago. ND Glam is a fantastic palette, but I agree that the names are silly, especially because some names apply to more than one shade.
Ha!!! Audible has the first 2 Belltree books as audio books so guess what’s just gone on my Wish List!!!!! I have the feeling I’ll enjoy these since we really DO seem to like the same things, including Elly Griffiths! Have you read any of the Deborah Crombie “Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James” mysteries? She is a Texan who sets all her books in the UK and some of the information at the start of each chapter about the settings (St. Pancras tube station, the Crystal Palace – all factual information taken from other sources) is fascinating. Some of her books are better than others but I so like them and, as “physical books”, they have maps on the inside cover showing the locations/settings (all really places in the UK – mostly London but also Glastonbury, Nantwich, Scotland’s prime whiskey-making area, etc. and showing REAL pubs, restaurants, police stations, etc. But the maps also show the fictitious “houses” where the characters live, etc. (and there’s always a dog or two and sometimes a cat shown on a corner of the map).
That’s the kind of books I really like Mariella – those with real places and maps to follow the routes. I will look up Deborah Crombie – the characters’ names are familiar to me. I always need a new author and a series, so thank you for the recommendation.
Purchases & rediscoveries: just the lawless lipstick I won’t shut up about!
Weekend plans: grocery store & cleaning house tomorrow, work on Sunday. There’s an event in town this week and traffic/tourists are cray right now.
Last book I read and loved: I’ve been reading through Sarah Maas’s court of whatever series. I think I liked her Throne of Glass series better but these are good too. She’s a great world-builder, I just prefer books that are in 3rd person and this series is in first. It’s a dumb personal preference I guess.
Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: Nothing new, it’s the traditional dry August until I place all the orders in September with birthday codes / gifts 😆
Weekend plans: Saturday morning will be lots of administrative stuff, then afterwards it will be tons of chores I postponed all week. Sunday I’ll slowly try moving some stuff, assessing the situations and what extra new things I need… I hate `adulting`… especially having to arrange a home to the point I’m willing to hire a professional interior designer just for a one bedroom apartment with max 10 pieces of furniture. Hopefully it won’t be that hot so I don’t sweat myself out.
What was the last book you read and loved? The Fifth Elephant: A Novel of Discworld by Terry Pratchett. Still loving it, still so far from finishing the entire series.
Recent Purchases: I did get a couple of the Viseart mattes palettes and the Coyish palette from the sale.
Rediscoveries: I’m in the process of figuring out my Viseart palettes again. The last time I used them they creased, but I was having issues with the primer I was using, so I think they will work out better this time around.
Weekend plans: I have a friend coming in to town so I’m having dinner with her, and then prepping for our new kitchen countertops to go in on Monday.
Last book you read and loved? Gallant by VE Schwab.
Purchase: My mom got me Natasha Denona Glam palette for my birthday during the Ulta points event. I can’t use it until my birthday but I am SUPER excited about it.
Weekend Plans: Book Shopping
Last Book I Read and Loved: Freeman by Leonard Pitts Jr. You have to be emotionally prepared for this book but it is absolutely worth it.
I’ve been silicone-free with hair products for 5 years and my hair has never been healthier. I rediscovered Biolage products after not using them since I was in high school…. 23 years ago! The scents bring me back. I lost my Bobbi Brown concealer and it’s killing me to have to replace a nearly brand new product. I took advantage of Lance’s 30% off sale to replace my concealer but it’s not the same.
Weekend: Beach with my kiddos, laundry, etc etc etc
Book: I’m so so bad about reading for pleasure. I have so many scholarly journals and texts I have to read for work that reading for pleasure just isn’t happening.
Recent purchase: elf putty blush in Bora Bora
Rediscovered: NARS Laguna Cream bronzer. Haven’t worn it all summer which is odd bc I should wear it every day!
Weekend plans: not much. Relaxing before I go back to work next week!
Last book: Peter Pan. I’m trying to read every untouched book in my collection!
The puppy pics just keep getting better!
Recent Purchases/Rediscoveries: I purchased a primer from Clarins, face, not lid. I’ve not tried it yet, as I’ve not used a foundation. I got a sample of a coloured day cream from Benefit that I am trying. It’s a bit to glowy for me, I think. I really would like to have something like a coloured day cream, just to even my skin out, instead of having a medium coverage foundation. Of course I should probably try some sheer foundations.
Rediscoveries, yes, MAC Honesty eyeshadow, I don’t know when I last used it, it’s really, really old.
Weekend plans: Planting a rose in the garden and preparing for my getting a PICC Line and my first round of chemo on Monday. I’m not excited and don’t look forward to it. It’s not that serious, just a lump in my left breast.
What was the last book you read and loved? I used to read so much, I read every and anything, but after I got depressed I find it hard to just sit down with a book. I can’t listen to audio books, I find my thoughts moving away to other things, and have to re-listen a lot.
I took a look around my books to see if I could even recall what I read last, I couldn’t. I am reading a Stephen King right now, Later, I enjoy it, but I can’t say I love it.
I have read, and enjoyed books mentioned here, other’s I have on my to read shelf.
So sorry to hear about your cancer, Helene. I don’t think I had heard anything about it. My thoughts have been a bit scattered lately, though. I will keep you in my thoughts. I don’t know if you remember but I had breast cancer in 2000. I was 45 at the time and after diagnosis I had three surgeries, two because of infection, and high dose chemotherapy. I celebrated my 23 years cancer free on May 4th of this year. Should there be anything you need I would be happy to help. I am sure that everything will go well. Just remember to listen to your body. I remember being so exhausted and I had a 5 year old at the time. I wasn’t surprised by the fatigue as my Hgb was so low but I remember talking to my oncologist about my fatigue and he asked me if I was napping. I told him no and he said, if you are tired, then your body needs the rest. Take a nap! So, I gave myself permission to nap if needed which is easier said than done with a 5 year old. She was involved in dance, gymnastics, rapid learner programs, etcetera. I think there were two days where I managed to convince her to lay down with me and we both fell asleep. I think I thought of napping as some sort of defeat. Anyway, you have to do what is best for you and give yourself grace.
Thank you for the thoughtful post!
I hadn’t mentioned it earlier. It all went quite quickly after I saw the I wasn’t symmetrical anymore, and felt the lump when I lay down, to today, the day after my first chemo treatment.
The staff, all of the ones I’ve met have been really good.
I decided that everything is a bit better with nail polish and lipstick, I hope I can keep that up. What I stupidly fear the most is the loss of my hair, not when I was fitted for a wig, and I got to try various lengths and colours. I loved the short white bob, but decided to go with one closer to my real hair, and on the long side, it’ll look more like me.
I did try some hats and turbans, and felt really OK with it, until II tied a scarf tightly around my head while sitting in my bedroom, that was when I became more real.
I think it’ll be easier to rest and nap whenever I need to as I am older and don’t have to do much. My son studies, still, close by and lives here so he’ll take care of the doggy walks and any heavy lifting.
It must have been hard with a five year old, they don’t understand fully what is going on, end they are so active.
Congratulations on 23 years cancer free.
I know how you feel about the hair. My hair was down to my waist when I had my first chemo treatment. It was strawberry blond. I had asked my 5 year old if she would be okay with my going bald and she said no that she wanted me to wear a wig. So, like you, I went wig shopping. She came with me and picked out the wig she liked on me. I then had my first treatment and asked my doctor when my hair would start falling out and he told me two weeks from today. He was wrong, it was sooner! So, the next day I went to the salon and asked them to cut my hair one inch all over my head and the young lady said that she wouldn’t do it as I would be unhappy going from so long to so short. I told her it was just going to fall out anyway. She apologized and cut it. A few things to know, my head actually hurt when my hair was falling out. it was a weird kind of hurt, sort of like when you have worn a rubber band in your hair too long. I would reach up to rub my hair and clumps would come off in my hand. We took my daughter to a 4th of July block party and she brought me some ice cream. I was giving her spoonful’s and just before putting the spoon in her mouth I noticed a clump of hair on it. When we got home I had my husband shave my head. Fun fact, I only wore the wig twice. Once Aislinn got use to seeing me bald around the house she didn’t care if I went out bald. It was summer and so hot so I was glad to go without it. I finally sold it in a yard sale before I left California, LOL!!
One thing I also learned was to start taking my nausea medicine sooner. They always gave me a cocktail of IV nausea medicine before starting the chemo. When I was done they told me to start taking my nausea medicine the next day. With my first round, I did what they said and was quite sick for the first week. The next time, I started taking the medication the night of my treatment and tolerated it much better. My daughter never missed a practice or performance through my whole treatment course and when other parents would complain that their child could not perform because they had missed a practice I would tell them, “Look, if I can get my daughter to practice then you can too!”
I am sure you will do well. I am likewise sure that you will come through the experience stronger than ever before. Again, should you need anything, be sure to let me know. This is my email address:
dsorenson001@att.net
Right now I’m feeling Ok, but am getting tired.
I get a kind of pre medication, that includes s long term anti nausea pill. I get chemo once every three weeks. We’ll start with two sessions and the evaluate, if the lump is responding there will be another session in three weeks and the one session a week for three weeks, what happens after that I don’t yet know.
The most annoying thing so far has been getting in contact with the nurses who are to flush and rebandage my PICC Line, a central infusion line that they put in Vena Cava Superior through Vena Basilica. This is done using ultrasound, you don’t need more than a bit of local anesthesia. I finally got an appointment.
You are so kind to offer help, just talking about it helps. It’s annoying and feels so unfair, you know, but there’s noting good coming from pondering about unfairness of diseases, none of them are fair.
If anything, I’ll contact you privately.
Huge hug!
You are more than welcome. I chose a high dose and fewer treatments figuring that even if I got sick I could get through the four treatments. There was a study going on at the time to compare outcomes with high dose fewer treatments and lower dose for more treatments. It wasn’t going to be finished for quite a while so my oncologist and I talked it over and decided to go with the higher doses. I had all of my chemo through a regular IV that they would start when I got to the infusion center. My veins on that side are all shot and I can’t have IV’s in the other arm as that was where they took the lymph nodes. My surgeon kept encouraging me to have a lumpectomy. My tumor was relatively small at 1.1 cm. Had it been less than 1 cm they wouldn’t have done chemo at all. I kept telling him I wanted the modified radical mastectomy and he kept telling me I would be fine with the lumpectomy. I wouldn’t give in and had my modified radical mastectomy. Later on my surgeon told me it was a wise decision as I had other areas of abnormal cell growth in the breast. That was when I started believing in following my gut! I also made the decision because if I had the lumpectomy I was going to have to have radiation and my tumor was right over my heart. I didn’t want to have it so in the end, it was the best decision for me. I really felt all through my treatment that I was being led on a certain course. I did lots of other things at the direction of my brain and body but I won’t bore you with those things. Yes, feel free to contact me any time.
Helene, I missed this until today. I just wanted to let you know that I’m sending good wishes your way. You have a battle on your hands but it sounds like one you are readying yourself for and you are on top of the treatment and your medications, etc. Wishing you all the best.
As an aside, many years ago, I saw a feature on a news magazine/medical information show that highlighted a non-invasive but seemingly successful trial for preventing hair loss in those receiving chemo (they made the point that this is especially distressing for women). All it involved was putting an “chilling” headband – basically like a halo-shaped ice pack – around the person’s head either before or during chemo and it seemed to inhibit the drugs causing hair loss. It seemed promising but I’ve never heard anything about it since….