Everything and Nothings

So…makeup?

After the November election, I bought an online subscription to the Washington “Democracy Dies in Darkness” Post. The app is easy to use and I routinely start my morning scrolling through the headlines, if admittedly, not taking the time to actually read the articles. I have this anxiety about what has happened while I was sleeping so a quick flip through the top stories gives me a general briefing for the start of my day.

With today’s headlines, I can tell my current mood of despair, sadness and confusion will not be lifted easily. Along with the anticipated deconstructions of our President’s alarming, though not unexpected, response to Charlottesville, I found these signs of the times:

“Factory workers are quitting, many would rather find other jobs”
“Why your pet is fat, hint: every nutrition tip you’ve heard is probably wrong”
“Volcanoes under melting ice, climate change could trigger eruptions in Antarctica”
“ESPN apologizes for player ‘auction'”
“There’s plague in Arizona, authorities warn of fleas that can infect people and pets
“Don’t want nude pics from strangers? Change this iPhone setting.”
“What do you do if your child sides with neo-Nazis?
“Trump reverses climate-change order, construction projects will no longer need to consider flood risk”
“More than 18,000 died on US roadways in the first six months of 2017”
“A Swiss hotel singles out Jews” “asking ‘Jewish guests’ to shower before using the swimming pool.

Good morning to you.

Well, it turns out that people are leaving factory work because the unemployment rate is low and people are betting they can find better, less physically taxing jobs in the market now which is somewhat optimistic, pets don’t need a grain-free diet and it’s a marketing ploy (my industry can be jerks), and traffic deaths are actually down from a year ago.

But the rest of it? It’s just as the headlines make them sound. Bleak. A massive flea outbreak seem to be the least of our concerns.

To top it off, last night I went and saw the not very good, but still thought-provoking movie, “An Inconvenient Sequel”–the Al Gore follow-up to the 2006 Oscar winner, “An Inconvenient Truth.” I learned that of course it’s raining more, all the melting ice cap water is evaporating–and what goes up, must come down–in the form of rain. And lots of it.

With all this heaviness on my mind, it feels slightly disingenuous–and possibly tone deaf?–to post my much delayed and highly anticipated “Ipsy vs. Birchbox” post that was scheduled for today.

At the same time, though all of this is on my mind. I’m still not sure what to say. And even less sure of what to do.

I was at a meeting up in Northern Wisconsin on Monday and a client–who I view as a friend–made an impassioned plea that at our next meeting, we are going to be the one committee that stops talking about an issue that’s on multiple organizations’ agendas, and actually make some kind of decision and movement on it.

Yes!!! I wanted to jump out of my seat and do cartwheels! I like discussion as much as the next person but I want action!

And yet–here I am with the news all around me and I am at a loss of what to do about it. Completely inaction. It seems like so many plates are spinning around me and all of them are slowing down at the same time and I’m just looking at them while they crash around me.

And that’s just thinking about national issues, not the personal ones that feel much more immediate and have my attention. I find those plates first and rarely go back to the others.

Because I can. I will be the first to admit that I don’t HAVE to do anything about all the headlines I read. I am in a position of privilege, so I can just go day-to-day and allow it to be someone else’s fight to take up. Of course, it will eventually become my problem–what happened in Charlottesville could happen anywhere–my hometown, and yours. But no one is waiting for Lyn Pilch to save the day. So I could just hang tight.

Or I can do the minimum, jump on social media and share all the posts and memes and midnight musings on how I will fight the power (not unlike what I’m doing now–though a post would be shorter…) but right now that feels a bit hollow to me. And confusing. I’d like to say I can do it, and will do it, or would do it, but right now I don’t know how to do it. But perhaps just seeing that I care and I’m paying attention will show some support to friends who are finding their very existence marginalized again in new and terrifying ways. But it also might make me feel like I did something when really–I just added my hand to the huddle before the break: “Go Team!”–and then sat back down on the bench.

Instead, I feel like just admitting–I’m in!–but I don’t know what that means. I don’t know what rally to attend. I don’t know what that thing is I can do that will feel like I’m not just having a discussion, but taking action.

And truth be told, I am incredibly cynical after the Act 10 protests that seemed to accomplish nothing but divide our state even more. I thought showing up en masse would demand attention. It would get family and friends who voted for the Governor to see how passionately opposed we were to the dismantling of this crucial institution and at least listen to why we so vehemently disagreed. And it didn’t. It made people just yell at each other, if they talked at all.

I am a positive person. My job is to go to communities and find all the great things about them and why people would want to take their hard earned money and time to visit those locations. Sometimes, I’ve been one of the only people in a room full of locals–in a place I’m unfamiliar with–to believe we could find something positive about that place. And we always do. I like finding the silver lining in situations. I have been called naive, and delusional, and too nice. And I’ve been okay with this.

But now I’m struggling. And maybe you’re struggling, too.

I don’t want to just go to a rally and listen to people talk. I don’t want to march around the Capitol. I don’t want to do the things I’ve done in the past and found no change at the other end.

A couple years ago, I saw Diane Nash speak on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day about how the lunch counter sit-ins were planned and the philosophy used to make social action happen. It drove home all the reasons our Act 10 protests accomplished so little even though so many people were engaged and energized. I recall back to that talk and I keeping wanting Diane Nash to walk in and tell me what to do now.

I want a leader. I want someone to tell me what to do. I want a goal. I want a plan. I want something to hang on to, something tangible.

More and more, I’m starting to feel like that leader is me. And that leader is you. But we won’t be doing that work from behind our computers. We are going to go somewhere and not march in circles, but find purposeful steps that make change.

Diane Nash worked with Martin Luther King Jr. from 1961–1965. In reading more on Nash after that speech, this one quote has stuck with me “I never considered Dr. King my leader. I always considered myself at his side and I considered him at my side. I was going to do what the spirit told me to do. So If I had a leader, that was my leader.”

I don’t know where to set my feet right now, but maybe you do. And if you do–I’m in.

But if you’re struggling like me, perhaps we can listen to the spirit together and uncover the path to action.

I’m optimistic we can find it.

So…makeup? We will get to that tomorrow.

oh, baby.

My middle sister is having a baby today and it’s a wonderful, super exciting day and time for her and my whole family. My baby sister has two boys, ages 5 and 3 and I love them to pieces and miss their little faces every day. I think they, my sisters, are both so brave and special to bring little people into this world with all of the challenges and rewards of being a parent. Me, I’ve never felt the maternal urge to have a baby – it’s just not something I’ve ever felt was for me, or as being my path. Even today as I held my new, perfect niece and had nothing but immediate and unconditional love for this sweet little babe, I still knew it was not for me. I am a stepmom, and I do get to experience all of the challenges that come with co-parenting a teenage daughter…. at times it feels so rewarding and at times it feels like being dragged through hell and back. I’m guessing that my sisters, and most moms I know, get all of those feelings as well – as parents. So, when someone tried to explain to me this past weekend, while they also tried to convince me that I needed to have a baby, that I will never truly know what it’s like to be a mother or a parent unless I have my own child…. it really kind of pissed me off.

This is really a thing that women still do to other women? Judge them for their choice to not have children. And maybe “judge” isn’t even exactly the word I’m looking for, but I find It can definitely be interpreted as a tone of superiority – like they hold some secret that unless you have children you’ll never be let in on – or worse, you’ll never know true love or be complete. It is truly mind boggling to me, especially in todays landscape of conversation about women’s rights: my body = my choices. Yet if I decide to not have a baby I am somehow deficient having made that choice? Society in general often does not help childless women, with judgments of selfishness, or cold and un-nurturing, or not liking kids, or broken/barren. And I’m certainly not writing this piece to explain my and my husbands reasons to not have children – that’s our business, nor am I writing it for sympathy or to claim I feel that I am a victim of anybody who would try to tell me that I will never know what it’s like to be a real mother. But I would like to understand why this is still a thing women do to one another. It’s 2017 for crying out loud! Why should I be told I am missing out? Why do I feel I need an explanation as to why I’m not having children? Why do women continue to judge and shame other women for their choices?

And I don’t mean to make this solely about my decision to not have children, I feel like it’s a two way street. I’m sure some of my friends, who are now in their 40’s and just starting families are judged similarly for their choices to have children and start their families later in life, which I imagine to be an equally difficult place to be in. My sister is choosing to have a baby on her own, surely there will be judgement and opinion about that sometime in her future. But really at some point this conversation becomes less about the choices we make, whether not to have or to have children, and more about respect. At the end of the day, are we not all the same? We all work hard at our lives, no matter how they look. We all have to make our own choices and sometimes even sacrifices that shape the lives we lead. We all have different stories. We all have the capacity to love and care for others – to have empathy. So can we just stop judging one another and try to celebrate our differences and the choices we make? Because at the end of the day we are all women – strong women making choices and being the best that we can be at our lives, whether that includes children or not. I love and respect all of you, for your bravery to make the choices that shape you and your life – because you are all damn amazing women.

Get Up Already!! (A Challenge…. I’m Scared)

I am about to embark on a personal challenge, and, if I’m being honest with myself, I am terrified.

Remember a few weeks ago when Lyn told us how she struggles with going to bed? Well, most of the time I’m pretty good at that part (though I am super guilty of dicking around on the interwebs for way too long doing nothing at all). My challenge is the getting up part.

For many of you, this might not be hard at all. Pamela, for example, is a professional morning person. Even on vacation!! But I am nowhere near. I am basically Garfield when it comes to mornings.

The Struggle

I have a few things working against me in life. For one, my work schedule is consistently inconsistent. I work at a clinic three days a week, each shift starting at a different time. At my private office, sometimes I start in the morning, sometimes I start around noon, sometimes I have awkward gaps in my day. See? I’m already off on the wrong foot.

I hate waking up early so much that I tell myself I get to sleep in on the days I don’t need to be anywhere right away. I never make it past 8:30, so it’s not like I’m a college student snoozing until afternoon, but it does give me an excuse to waste the morning, drinking coffee, watching TV, because “I don’t get to be lazy ever”. But I do. Like, all the time. And I’m pretty sure this wibbly wobbly sleep schedule is doing me absolutely no favors.

And what is this: somehow, in the 20 minutes before I need to get up, this is when I find the perfect, most comfortable Goldilocks position. Sleep becomes the best thing ever. Angels sing. All my good intentions and pep talks get squashed by a voice saying “NO!! YOU WILL NEVER FIND COMFORT LIKE THIS AGAIN!!”, and I can’t break free of it. I’m really good at snooze button math, and will give up a fair amount of logic (like how long it takes me to actually get ready) to keep sleeping.

The thing is, I actually really like mornings. Sure, the getting up part sucks- for some reason it takes me a while to shift into gear- but mornings have a bit of magic to them. It’s nice to get started on your day. One of my favorite things in the world is to walk through a city on a crisp morning, the day starting fresh, the smell of concrete warming up, the sun coming up over the buildings, and a world of possibilities. Lyn and I used to get together once or twice a week at early o’clock and catch a yoga class or go for a run. Every single time, I would wish to wake up to a text saying “never mind! Can’t go today!” so I could curl back up in bed, but honestly those early morning workouts (and the delicious juice/coffee/gossip to follow) were the best. We got it out of the way before we even knew it was happening, and set the rest of the day up to win.

The Challenge

So, I’m trying to recapture this magic and get myself on a better schedule overall. I have been working hard this past year on my goal of getting to the gym to lift, consistently, three times a week, and I’m too the point where I start to feel twitchy if I’m going to miss a workout. Yay! Goal achieved! Thing is, sometimes I go at 2:00 on a Tuesday, then 9:00 on a Wednesday, then maybe I can catch a Friday afternoon but if I’m booked with appointments I’ll probably talk myself out of going because I’m hungry and/or tired so hopefully I can grab a Saturday morning deadlift session.

As my husband put it, “damn, I don’t think I could do it without a strict schedule”.

You know what? He’s right. Also handsome. So I’m going to take his advice and stick to a schedule. And, wouldn’t you know it, the time I have open almost every single day during the week? 7:00 in the damn morning.

Starting tomorrow (Tuesday, so hopefully I haven’t failed already by the time you read this!) I am going to get up at 6:30 and my ass to the gym by 7:00. In the morning. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

It’s going to be painful, but I think, overall, it will be a good thing.

The Plan

I’ve come up with a few strategies to try to overpower my strong gravitational pull to my pillow in the morning, and the first is coffee. If I have to tear myself from the grasp of sleeps, then the sweet sweet sounds and smells of coffee brewing away is going to be the thing to do it. Seriously, is there anything better than having hot coffee just ready and waiting for you? (Yes, there is, and that is someone bringing coffee to you while you stay in bed, but I’ll save that for Sundays.) I just have to be on top of prepping it at night and setting the timer. Easy! I’ve already checked this one off the list for tomorrow.

Next, I will work to convince myself that even though I’m getting up earlier than I historically have, I’m still getting a solid 8 hours of sleep. This means I have to go to bed by 10:30, which is pretty normal for me most weeknights. I discovered that a new feature in the iPhone’s clock app is “bedtime”, where you can set yourself, um, a bedtime on days that you choose, and it will sing a cute little lullaby and remind you to go to bed. Adorable! Lyn, you should probably look into this, too.

On the same tip, I have also disabled the snooze option on my alarms (much to the delight of my husband), which I have set for 6:15 and 6:30. I figure the first one will piss me off, but then I’ll be happy when I realize that I can sleep another 15 minutes before I really for reals have to get out of bed.

I will not be sleeping in my workout clothes, as so many “become a morning exerciser!” articles advise. Come on now. No one should sleep in compression leggings. But I will put a pile of my clothes in the bathroom the night before so I just have to stumble to the bathroom, brush my teeth, change, stumble downstairs, down some coffee and peanut butter toast or a banana, and be out the door.

So, ok you guys, I feel really good about this. Scared AF, but positive. I’m trying to remind myself how good I will feel to get it done, every day, and how having a schedule will be good for me. Plus, this will free up my random afternoon blocks of time for things I’ve been skipping in favor of the gym, like pedicures and getting my oil changed.

And naps.

So, pray for me. I’m already late for bed.

Are you a morning person? How? Why?? Help!

Summer, We’re Not Over You Yet

Summer is the only season that has a distinct beginning and end, and the weeks between Memorial Day and Labor Day zip by entirely too fast! We are scrambling here, as we enter August, to squeeze every last drop out of the remaining dog days of summer. Here’s what’s left on our lists:

Pamela:

How is it already August??!!! While I admit that I do look forward to back to school at our house, to get everyone back into our routines, summer is flying by way too fast. There is a lot I still want to do! Starting with Mile of Music, which is Appleton’s very own music festival in it’s 5th year, and it starts tomorrow! 70 music venues with 900 live music sets. Sound overwhelming? Yeah, it is. Luckily they have an app for the whole thing that conveniently lets you plan out your itinerary if that’s how you roll…. or if you are more of the wandering type, there is literally music everywhere…. If you don’t dig an artist at one venue, there is someone playing next door that you probably will!

Almost every year we get to a county fair, and this year won’t be an exception. I want to eat corndog and a giant ice cream cone, look at some poultry and cows and if we can make it happen, see some monster trucks. I’d settle for a demolition derby or some tractor pulls, but definitely would prefer a monster truck show!

Labor day is my favorite holiday. What’s not to love about a three day weekend? Sure, it’s slightly bittersweet as it signals the end of summer in many ways, but I prefer to think of it as the last hurrah! The last summer holiday to soak in the sun! My requirements for this holiday are a lake to swim in, some cold beverages, burgers on the grill with a campfire and s’mores to follow. We will be camping with friends this Labor day weekend and it should be pretty awesome.

Lastly, the thing that should probably be firstly – I really need to refigure my budget. In April I moved into my own studio space to practice aesthetics and massage out of, after working for someone else for 12 years. Being on my own and working independently has been so great so far…. some days can’t believe how much happier I am. But having said that, I am having to watch my spending much closer now, and in the past few months with having acquired new business expenses as well as some new personal expenses, I really do need to have a sit and recalculate my budget so I have a very clear idea of what’s to come as I head into the rest of the year.

Lyn:

August is the month that causes me panic. All the glorious dreams of hot days by the water and warm nights…also by the water start to feel like missed opportunities. But not this year–I am committed to ending the summer with a bang–or at least a splash.

I haven’t been standup paddleboarding yet. That must change. Jess and I tried to get up on the water at the start of summer but the wind had other ideas. But all is not lost and I will make it on a SUP sometime this month. (jess—what’s your schedule look like in august?)

I have two nieces that I adore and one of my favorite things to do is take them swimming which hasn’t happened, but it still can. I will be poolside at least one time before this month is over, if not more.

Speaking of said nieces, I took my eldest niece to a drive-in movie two years ago and we had a blast! I was super bummed that it didn’t work out last year. I wasn’t going to make the same mistake this summer and yet, we still haven’t gone. Mosquitoes be damned, I am going to the drive-in this summer!

As weird as it sounds, I want one day to just walk around Madison this summer, without any plans and enjoy all the things I love about the city. I’ve only done the market once this year. I’ve been out to the terrace but you can never go too much. I haven’t put on my headphones and set off seeing where the day takes me. I want this to happen. And it will. Soon.

Jess:

At the beginning of summer, I was ready. June started out solid, and I had a few great pool days, some long morning walks, an amazing NYC weekend, and a lot of rosé. Then it got cold. Then July was crazy stormy. Lately, I feel like I am just going from one freezing cold air-conditioned building to the next. So here we go- full stop, let’s reclaim summer with the following:

Just like Lyn, I need more time on the water. I even bought a membership at a nearby boathouse this year, thinking it would give me a “no excuses” outlook on running over to paddle around randomly throughout the week. Well, turns out I am not that person, but I still need at least one (or two?) good, solid hours paddling and/or floating around on a lake. In previous years, we’ve also done a day trip kayaking down the Wisconsin River- I don’t know if that’s in the cards for us this year, but I hope we can figure it out! (ps- I’d also like to join Lyn on that meandering walk!)

I have not been to the Memorial Union Terrace AT ALL this summer, and that is a mistake!! I could go for a Sunday afternoon with nowhere to be, hanging out with a pitcher of Spotted Cow, lively conversation, and maybe some card games. Who wants to join me??

Just in general, I feel like I need to slow. down. Summers are notoriously busy for me, so it’s easy for it to slip on by. I need more bike rides around the arboretum, visits to the zoo, ice cream stops, and street festivals. Basically, I need to take a month off work! 😉

What’s your favorite season? Do you have any musts left on your list for summer?? Tell us in the comments!!

“Empties” reviews: lip treatments, natural deodorant, Tati recommendations and more

I have really accumulated a lot of products. My bathroom is completely ridiculous with samples spilling out all over the place. So I’ve been really trying to use stuff up before I buy too many new items. I’m looking to make a small dent in the abundance of hope and miracles I’ve collected.

And I’ve been pretty successful with a very full bag of empties! So let’s get into it:

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream-Gel and Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Kiss Cupuacu Lip Butter: I’m definitely on record for LOVING the notorious Bum Bum Cream. I picked up a holiday gift pack that included these two products. It took me a while to work–I have a ton of shower and lip products I switch between–neither got my full attention. Which says something. The shower cream-gel smells like the lotion, but for some reason, I didn’t love it in the shower. I prefer something…cleaner smelling. Jess recently discussed her go-to shower options–and like her–I like a minty or citrusy scent to start my morning. This one was too sweet. It did lather nicely and was definitely moisturizing. I would maybe consider repurchasing in the winter–but probably not. As for the lip butter, it was fine. But I have others I like way better…

Bite Beauty Agave Lip Balm: like this one. Ugh. I love this stuff. It’s my new go-to nighttime lip treatment. I’m going to describe it to you and it’s going to sound terrible. It’s very sticky. Like whoa. It has a super weird scent. It’s supposed to be agave and vanilla but not really. It’s not comfortable. And I completely disagree with everything they say in the description. It’s not for day use and it’s NOT a lip primer. So why do I love it? It completely heals my lips overnight. I wake up and the stuff is still on. This winter was the best my lips lasted and I’m cautious to use anything else. I have already repurchased a new tube and I’ll do it again!

Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment: In fact–the Bite replaces this one–my previous nighttime lip treatment holy grail product. I do still love it. It’s all the things the Bite one isn’t, but it’s also almost $10 more. I think the Bite one does a better job and is cheaper. But it will always have a place in my heart–if not a place in my current bedtime routine.

Schmidt’s™ Deodorant Stick, Lavender + Sage: I got this in my Birchbox a few month back–and when my regular deodorant/antiperspirant ran out–I gave it a go. It was my first real attempt to use a natural deodorant–and I was super nervous–but I think I’m converted! For me the weirdest part is just feeling stickier than I’m used to with the 24 hour+ antiperspirants. But thankfully, I didn’t really notice too much of a scent issue. (but tell me if you did!) This one is a little pricey at $9 a stick–and I used it up really fast–probably putting on too much to overcompensate. So I switched to the American Provenance one Jess likes, in the scent Horseshoes & Hand Grenandes, because I love the bergamot scent and I kinda like the band it’s named after! (i bet Pamela does, too!) We’ll see how it goes.

derma e Face and Body Wash, Tea Tree and E: Let’s go back to the shower for a moment. I recently finished this one and it took so long they have changed the packaging! (it might also be discontinued since a google search doesn’t come up with the usual suspects.) I bought it on a trip, found it kinda medicine smelling and didn’t reach for it much. But it was really good at clearing up any spots I had during the summer which was originally why I bought it. And the price was decent. So–it was ok–but I won’t go out of my way to get it again.

Soap & Glory, The Scrub Of Your Life: Ugh. I included this one just to say how much I hated it. The scent really bugs me and I didn’t like the beads in it. I’ll stick to my favorite shower scrub, thank you. (maybe you’d like it, jess. 😉 ) End of the shower products!

Mario Badescu, Facial Spray With Aloe, Herb and Rosewater: Seriously. What do you think? Of course, repurchased!

Peter Thomas Roth Acne-Clear Invisible Dots: How’s this for a random new product? Stickers that you put over zits to make them go away. And guess what? I love them! The dots come in two sizes, big and little. They aren’t great on pimples that have been around a while, but on ones still forming, they do alright. Just cover them at bed time and wake up hoping to find them gone! And usually I would! The dots don’t move or fall off–in fact–I’ve forgotten I have them on–and they apply fairly easy. Not only have I repurchased, I buy the 72 pack not the 24 one.

Maybelline Volum’ Express The Colossal Big Shot Mascara: Nah. Pretty forgettable.

Peter Thomas Roth, Irish Moor Mud Mask and Origins Clear Improvement® Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores:I liked both of these, maybe even giving the edge to the PTR. But at $30 more for a full size, if I did repurchase, I’d stick with the old faithful, Origins mud mask.

Philosophy Miracle Worker Eye Cream: This one remains my favorite eye cream. I just love how it feels and how easy it is to apply. I love that it’s a pump and not a pot. And I really think it does a good job. I’m working through some samples and my drugstore option, but I will return to this one soon.

(seriously–i need to do these posts more often–this is too long! get a refill on water and come back for round two.)

Jergens Natural Glow Daily Firming Moisturizer: I use this stuff up so quickly in the spring and summer. I love it. I went to repurchase it at Ulta and ended up getting this BB Cream option since it was on sale. But I have bought this multiple times and will do so again.

belif Hungarian Water Essence: I’ve gotten a few samples of this and it really lasts a long time considering it has a watery texture. It feels kinda slimy applying it, but it does spread pretty easily and dries fairly quickly. I don’t notice that it makes me oily or shiny during the day. In fact, I don’t really notice it at all. Which I guess is a good thing? But would I purchase a full size replacement? Probably not. I just don’t love it–and for $42–there are others I like more.

Tatcha Polished Gentle Rice Enzyme Powder: These powder cleansers are sorta bonkers. It’s like doing a science experiment before cleaning your face. A little precious, too. But it did make my skin feel great after using it. I got this as a sample with purchase–I can’t justify the $65 price tag. Plus, I found an exfoliating powder I LOVE!!! (thanks, pamela!!)

shu uemura eyelash curler: I can’t admit how old this thing was. Just trust me–it’s old. Like one of my first internet purchases old. I bought a replacement for it two years ago when I first visited Japan and the OG has finally bit the dust. Not only did I repurchase it–I walked around Tokyo to find a Shu Uemura store just to get a new one!

Nurse Jamie EGF Stem Cell Complex and Beenigma All in One Face Cream: Both of these purchases can be attributed to late night viewings of Tati Westbrook videos. She’s one of the few beauty YouTubers that I still occasionally watch–and when she went crazy for these products–I decided to give them a try. (seriously. if you made it this far, check out these videos to see how persuasive she can be. especially when you’re over tired and maybe have your credit card number memorized.) The Nurse Jamie product was actually pretty good. I liked how it felt. I wore it both at night and in the morning as a serum under a moisturizer and I thought it made my face look and feel good. But it’s wicked expensive. There are other products I like more, so I doubt I’ll be repurchasing it. The Beenigma was straight up crazy. It actually did sting to wear it. It was very sticky–honey, hello!–and was hard to apply. I didn’t even finish the jar. It got moldy before I could use it up. So–no. That was enough for me. And I’m glad I didn’t pay full price. I got it on Birchbox during a sale and using points. Birchbox doesn’t even carry it anymore.

Did you read this whole thing? My goodness. It’s too much. I’m sorry. (and it gives you some idea of the disaster that is my bathroom!) What do you think? Have you tried any of these products? Do you like them more or less than me? Do you want me to stop collecting my trash and writing about it? Do I smell bad? Seriously. I want to know. Leave your comments below.

Sadly, I have spent too much of my own money to fill an empties post so completely. *hangs head in shame*

Wash That Body (Naturally)

While we’re pretty lazy about washing our hair around here, I think we are pretty good at, you know, cleaning our bodies. Most of the time. Maybe not on Sundays. Anywhoo, there was a request a while back for us to review some of our favorite body washes, preferably “natural” ones. BTW- we love your requests, so keep ’em coming!

Many years ago, I took an aromatherapy class. It was neat! I learned that when you first smell a thing (say, a rose), your brain makes a specific “key” to fit in the “lock” marked “rose”. So when you smell an artificial rose, your brain is trying to jam this ill-fitting key into the rose lock, and that’s why you might get headaches from artificial scents. Also, perfumes and fragrances are chemically altered to have tenacious staying power, where essential oils will fade and change over the day. So, sure, I do own some regular perfumes, but I tend to be drawn to things that fall into the “naturally scented” category more.

Well, this request is right up my alley. Since I can’t deal with heavily perfumed products (like Bath & Body Works- seriously, who wants to smell like a Jolly Rancher??), and I realized I have about 5 options in my shower, allow me to introduce you to some of my current go-to’s:

Aveda Shampure Hand and Body Wash

I have a huge place in my heart for Aveda products. When I was young, buying Rosemary Mint conditioner was a special treat between me and my mom. Later in life, I worked for an Aveda spa (where I met Pamela!), and then another one when I became a massage therapist. There is something about the smell of Aveda that feels like home, and their flagship aroma for Shampure is just perfect.

When fall rolls around, I usually reach for Shampure body wash- it’s lavender based scent calms down the stress of the days getting shorter and colder, and just feels like a hug in the shower. I mean, not a creepy hug. Anyway, this body wash has a nice lather and doesn’t leave you feeling filmy or dry, plus a little goes a long way.

EveryOne Coconut Lemon Body Soap

*Shrug*. I picked this body wash up at Target, and it is fine. I mean, the best part is that it is reasonably priced and has a pump on the top- why don’t all shower products have a pump?? The ingredients are very mild, so I do like this one in the winter if my skin is feeling irritated. But overall I feel kind of meh about it. The scent is light, but it doesn’t really make you feel like anything happens when you use it. I give it a solid “good enough for the guest bathroom/better than no soap”. I don’t hate it. It’s fine.

Lush Shower Gel- Beautiful

A few years ago, I got a sample of Lush’s Gorilla Perfume in 1000 Kisses Deep, fell in love, declared it my number one scent, and then obviously it got discontinued. So when I was in the Lush store, lamenting that none of their new perfumes are even close to being as good, a helpful employee tipped me off that this shower gel, in Beautiful, was the same scent!!! I immediately bought a bottle, even though it was like $25 for a dang body wash. So yeah, this is not my every day body wash. This is my need-to-feel-fancy, off-on-a-hot-date-with-my-husband, need-a-luxurious-bubble-bath body wash. This smells divine, and lathers up like crazy, so it’s perfect for a bath. I am rationing it though… and I should probably hoard more because they are probably going to discontinue this too. WHY, LUSH, WHY?????? (They have other scents too- so, maybe you’ll like one that isn’t on the chopping block)

Dr. Bronner’s All One Pure Castile Liquid Soap

Ok, back to the land of reasonably priced things that will literally go down your drain. Hello, Dr. Bronner! This is a staple in my shower- I don’t always use it, but when I do, I’m like “why don’t I always use this??” Probably because it doesn’t have a pump on the top. I could probably rig something up. Anyway! Is this a staple in your house?? It should be. You can buy it anywhere (Target, the grocery store, even TJ Maxx!), it’s made of great ingredients, and the label provides hours of entertainment. It comes in a bunch of different scents, but I like the classic peppermint, especially in summer when it’s hot and humid and you need a little cool relief. It’s also great if you’re stuffy or tired or foggy- the scent clears the cobwebs in your head. Plus you can use it on everything! Even pets! Even floors! Even dishes! Even everything! And it’s the OG natural/vegan/fair trade/not animal tested soap. Go buy some!

Ivory Original Bath Soap

You know, sometimes, you just gotta bring it way back down to basics and buy something that’s under $4 for 10 bars. Enter the classic Ivory bar- so cheap! So unscented! It kind of dries you out a little, but it that “now I really feel clean!” way. Did you know that it floats because someone mixed it for too long and the company was like “….eh? Sell it anyway!” Do you have the “99.44” song in your head now? Sorry. Anyway, we keep Ivory in the shower because, well, it just gets the job done. Kind of like the soap Kermit helps to write an ad for when he gets amnesia and wanders into an advertising agency in The Muppets Take Manhattan:

So, there you have it, at a variety of price points and frothiness levels. What am I missing? Is there a naturally scented body wash that you rely on? Tell us in the comments!

As always, no one ever sends us anything for free, so these are all in my real life shower and purchased with my real life money. Also: perfume headaches are the worst. Keep it natural, peeps!

Country music for people who don’t like country music.

If you think you don’t like country music, like any… none at all…. I’m here to tell you that you probably already do and don’t even know it (or are trying hard to deny it.) That was me, for quite some time. I fought it like it was the lamest kind of music ever to enjoy. I would say to myself and everyone else “oh, well yeah, I guess I like this country song by so and so, but I don’t even really like country music, so….” So what? So I’m still cool? Well, it turns out I’m not too cool to like country music and one day I gave in – I like country music! I can’t say I like all of it – there’s a lot of it that I don’t really care for (you’ll get that with any genre I suppose), but I like enough to say for real, I like it! Here’s a little of the who and why.

Outlaw country – Johnny Cash. Willie Nelson. Merle Haggard. Waylon Jennings. David Allan Coe. I know you like at least one song by at least one of these fine musicians. I didn’t grow up listening to any of these gents (not even close…. we were a Bee Gee’s, Jackson 5 and Carpenters household) but growing up and getting older, while on occasion hearing the songs that made those artists famous, surely started to form an appreciation for this style of country music. And as such, I feel outlaw country for me was the gateway to what I like today, not just in country music, but in all music – all of the artists those timeless musicians have influenced over the years.

Speaking of outlaw country, let’s talk about the next first lady of outlaw country, and my personal favorite – Nikki Lane. Her most recent album Highway Queen is an eclectic group of songs about love, heartache, loss, las vegas and broads (you all know one) who just need to shut up. She and her band put on a hell of a live show no matter how big or small the venue, and I highly recommend checking them out if you get the chance. In addition to songwriting and singing, she owns a vintage store in Nashville called High Class Hillbilly. She’s pretty much the coolest in my book.

Soul Country – I dare you to listen to Chris Stapleton and not be moved. He has a voice that can make me cry. This is how country should be – old school, southern rock, blues – soul country. I’ve been trying to find a chance to catch him live for a while now…. he’s right up there on the top of my list. Grab your favorite person and dance real close and slow to this:

Margo Price has been performing in and around Nashville for over a decade before releasing her debut album, Midwest Farmer’s Daughter in March of 2016 and has been rising fast ever since. Drawing from many personal tragedies, her songs are honest and sometimes somber. And if you’re singing about drinking whiskey, you best believe I’m singing with you.

Pop Country – Probably my least favorite of country, but I also do have a favorite or two. One of which is Sam Hunt. I’m just gonna leave this right here……

Yeah. He’s really super hot AND a really good singer. Many of his songs don’t feel totally country to me, and in fact his most recent single, Body Like a Back Road, is gaining some crossover popularity. He’s currently on tour with Maren Morris, who similarly has a more universal appeal, I think. Also she has a song called 80’s Mercedes. We own an 80’s Mercedes, so it’s pretty much my theme song (in my head because the radio in it is broken) when I get to drive it.

So there’s a handful of my current favorite country artists. Maybe you’ll find one song you like, maybe you’ll find no songs you like. I hope you do give a listen though…. you might be surprised.

*Disclaimer: I am by no means a country music expert, but I do drive a Ford F150 and I still adore “country” Taylor Swift.

We just disagree

Of all the products and things we have tried here at E&N, we tend to agree on most of them. From the magic of Mario Bedescu facial sprays to the ridiculousness of the drybar experience, we are nearly always on the same page. Which can actually make it a little challenging to find things to write about since we kinda like and dislike the same things.

before drybar blowouts on top, after on the bottom. we basically spent $50 to look exactly the same as we do every day but fluffier.

So it’s a surprise when we disagree. And when we do–we really do.

What are the products that have us divided? Let’s have at it!

Pamela:

Lyn loves Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint. I do not. And that’s a pretty big statement considering all I ever do on this blog is gush about how amazing Glossier is and how they can do no wrong. It’s not even that it’s wrong, as a product, it’s actually really good. I’m currently trying to save money and instead of buying something new, I’m getting to just using it up. But nope, still don’t love it. It’s not the shade I chose – that seems fine. It’s not the packaging – the packaging is good and user friendly. If I had to put my finger on it, I think it’s really just the consistency I don’t like. It makes me feel like there is a film on my skin – which I know is due to glycerin being a main ingredient – I feel the same filmy feeling on my hands if I use a glycerin soap. And glycerin isn’t a bad ingredient, it’s a humectant, which means it helps retain moisture…. something I certainly need. Perfecting Skin Tint is definitely not a tinted moisturizer, but not quite a foundation. It’s unique. Which is cool, because I can’t say I’ve tried anything else quite like it (see, Glossier rules again with an innovative product). But it’s just not for me. I’m still going to use it up though, waste not, want not…. right?

Lyn:

That’s fair, Pamela. Perfecting Skin Tint does have a different texture–it’s pretty watery–but that’s something I love about it. It’s really light to apply. But it’s also very light coverage–and that’s something else I love. I put on a moisturizer/sunscreen and then pop this on the top. But I get it. It’s not for everyone.

I am prone rants. It’s ridiculous, really. And I got a sample of Origins Checks and Balances face wash, tried it again after trying it years ago and I went on a crazy Snapchat tirade to Pamela and Jess about how much I hate it. (yes, our primary mode of conversation remains Snapchat.) The texture of it feels like it’s separating in my fingers, something about it seems almost metallic and I feel like I can’t get it to rinse off my face. I also don’t think it cleaned my face so much as left a minty scent on it. I thought this was a universal affront to hardworking cleansers everywhere. No kidding–Jess gets a sample of it in a 500 point Sephora gift or something–and she reports back that she loves it and is committing to it as her primary cleanser. I’m still shocked! I feel like I don’t even know you anymore, Jess!!!! (jk, love you!) So yeah–we tend to agree on most things–but we are pretty far apart on this one!

Jess:

First off- I think it’s hilarious that Lyn hates Checks and Balances. I love it!! I got a sample in a discovery set, and liked it so much I went out and bought a full size. It does a great job taking off my makeup, it’s creamy, frothy, minty, and doesn’t leave my face feeling stripped. *Shrug*. If you get a sample, try it and tell us what you think!

I am very sad to report that I can’t get behind dry shampoo. I really want to, but I just can’t get it to work! Last year, Pamela recommended a bunch of her favorites, and I’ve tried a few of them (NYM and Batiste), plus a bunch of random samples that I’ve collected from Birchbox or whatever, to no avail. It tricks me for just long enough to think it’s working, then later in the day I realize I look like a greaseball. WHAT AM I MISSING GUYS. I spray it on my roots, let it hang for a while, then shake it through with my fingers or a brush. Why isn’t it magic?? *sobs* I am 100% willing to blame this on user error, but for now, I’m just going to wash my hair with regular shampoo and water. Boooooo.

But hey–as Dave Mason says “There ain’t no good guy, there ain’t no bad guy There’s only you and me and we just disagree.”

Have you tried these products? Weigh in with your thoughts below!

Per usual, we bought these products with our own cash, unless it was a sample we were also getting because we were spending cash on something else. Either way, cash was spent.

Go to bed already!

Last month was my birthday, which I always find is a time for reflection. I’ve also been traveling a ton–nothing really new there–but I feel like it’s been effecting me more than usual. And not really for the better. And just in general, I’ve been taking stock of my life: my goals, a review of how I’m feeling, things I think I’m doing well, areas where I’m struggling.

In looking at what’s working and what clearly isn’t, I’ve come up with an overall theme with the state of my life as I write this today.

I’m tired.

It seems so simple–but it’s really the thing I seem to struggle with the most–How to find balance when there’s always one more thing to do? And in looking for answers I find I’m willing to lay down hard earned cash for products that promise impossible deliverables–a cream to lessen the bags under my eyes, a juice cleanse to feel refreshed, new workout clothes for motivation–but I don’t commit to the one thing that is the true foundation for all the elusive dreams of good health, good moods and good relationships: sleep.

Why is it so hard to just go to bed?! Continue reading Go to bed already!

Things I’m Loving Right Now: Summer Flings Edition

As we’ve pointed out about 87000 times on this blog, we love summer!! I got really mad at Target the other day when I came upon the Back-to-School section already on full blast. Uugh. But hey, we’re only about halfway through, and no one has even made any Labor Day party plans yet. So! Let me tell you about a few totally random things that I’m loving right now, and may or may not continue to love them once the leaves start to turn…

Urban Decay Go Naked Perfume Oil

Did you know that Urban Decay came out with a limited edition perfume oil last month? They did, and I sleepily snatched it up the morning I got the email about it’s release (we all shop in bed now, right?), and I have no regrets. The main notes are citrus and lavender, and UD describes it as “the scent of sun-warmed skin and salt air”. Since I want to be at the beach at all times, I didn’t even think twice about buying this. It is a perfect light scent- it lingers but never overpowers. It is an oil with a roller ball applicator, which also makes it perfect to pop in your purse or travel bag. And it really does smell like sunshine! I may need to stockpile a few for next year.

Breakfast Smoothies

I realize this is far from a newsflash, but I do love the ease of a breakfast smoothie in the summer. When it’s hot, I don’t feel like cooking breakfast on the stove, or like, chewing… and some mornings I really am just in too much of a hurry to sit down with a meal, or too antsy to get outside for a walk to work on my tan and get some fresh air. Plus, I recently rediscovered that my blender has a handy smoothie-cup accessory.

Continue reading Things I’m Loving Right Now: Summer Flings Edition