Crap, I said I’d do this, didn’t I?
Well, okay then. Let’s DO THIS THING. Lucky you, I have bought some stuff lately. Not, like, a lot of stuff. But some stuff. Here be that stuff.
I have been having a rough winter when it comes to the skin on my face. This is ironic because, contrary to what my skin may tell you, I’m NEUROTIC about moisturizing. I literally cover all of my body – head to toe – in serious moisturizer EVERY time I shower. EVERY TIME. Fastidious am I about moisturizer. And yet. So I’d been using some heavy duty Mary Kay stuff, but it wasn’t doing anything for me. Namely, my face was scaling over and flaking off. (You’re welcome.) I had used a sample of Philosophy’s Miracle Worker Moisturizer during the summer and liked it, so I thought Hey, why not? and ordered some. Y’all. Y’ALL. Love this stuff. It’s pricey, but a little goes a long way and as long as I’ve been using Philosophy products, I’ve rarely found one that wasn’t worth the money.
As religious as I am about my moisturizing, I am also that fanatical about cleaning products. That is to say that when I’ve found something that works, I rarely stray. But it rained for about two weeks straight here, and three dogs + a winter-thinned lawn = mud pit outside. You can only imagine my wood floors in the house. I grabbed Method’s Wood for Good Floor Cleaner on a whim, and used it with my Libman Freedom Mop and .. man. It was REALLY good. Cleaned, conditioned, smelled AMAZING. (Note: don’t use this IN your Freedom Mop. Just spray yourself and then use the mop to .. mop.)
The new year is quickly approaching, and I looked at the next few months (work, basketball, set-building, rehearsals, LIFE) and I panicked. I can’t keep up with all of this! I sobbed to no one because everyone was somewhere else, presumably the event I’d forgotten that started the downward spiral of self-pity. Luckily, I follow someone on Instagram who had just ordered an Erin Condren Life Planner. And I liked the colors. Seriously, I am that easy. I ordered one and .. I am in love. It’s been years since I’ve actually used a “day planner”, per se, but this is so much more. It has a zip pocket in the back, it has monthly and weekly views, and .. it’s pretty. Here’s mine:
And I love it so. I left it at work the other day and felt NAKED without it. Again, this one’s not cheap, and it takes awhile to get it (I think mine took three weeks to arrive), but man. I adore it.
THINGS I AM GOING TO HAVE TO BUY SOON:
A trip to the hair salon. I submit to you Evidence Article A:
Aside from the obvious 1) spare tire and 2) houndstooth overload I’m currently rocking in this picture, can we talk about my hair? I’m a freaking Beatle here, guys. And I’m SO SKEERED to visit anything with scissors after the last debacle. But man. I’m not looking hot here.
New Year’s Resolution, 2012:
Look hotter.
Get on the philosophy.com email list. They pretty regularly send out coupon codes. The past two years I have bought the HUGE 8oz Hope in a Jar for 30% off. It’s still pricey, but the huge jar lasts me almost the whole year, and I’d be buying it anyway, so I might as well save on it.
@Andrea, OOH I DID NOT KNOW THIS! Signing up now!
I LOVE Philosophy Miracle worker…hoping to make room in the budget for it sometime soon.
You know what else I see in that last picture? A Kick-Ass woman proud of her life (son/family, sports fanatic) celebrating the joys of the season. Are the other things there? Eh, if you say so, but damn girl you are a beautiful soul!
@Curly Girl, Your check is in the mail.
I am a fan of Philosophy in general. I always get suckerd into their awesome shower gels. I got a cookie-scented one and each bottle had a real recipe for the cookie on it. And they actually made tasty cookies.
But! I was going to tell my story about Miracle Worker:
So…
One time, my friend Kathleen & I were at Nordstroms and the Philosophy counter was doing free facials, so we decided to get some. I went first and they did the Hope line. Eye Hope, Hope in a Jar, etc. It was lovely. Then it was Kathleen’s turn. (Important note, Kathleen is 11 years older than me.) She sat down and asked about the Hope line, since she thought she’d be getting the same facial. The Philosophy lady was very tactful and said that she was going to give Kathleen the Miracle Worker facial instead.
To quote the ever awesome Kathleen: “There’s no hope for me? I need a miracle?”
So, that’s what I think of whenever I think of that stuff. I was using the… liquid stuff you put on pads that helps reduce spots? That stuff. I liked it a lot.
Also, the houndstooth is awesome. I have a nail stamp with the pattern that I’m going to do soon, just for you! I’ll take pictures.
Linnea wants you to read ..The elusive perfect
@Linnea, I totally started with the Hope line. But alas. I am much like Kathleen .. we have moved into the MIRACLES REQUIRED territory.
I really didn’t want to love my Erin Condren planner so much. One day there was a blog tour where people showed off the planners they had chosen. Many of them VLOGGED. About their planners. But then I had a Plum District deal, so bit the bullet and I love mine so much. I have the exact same one that you do. Which I think I told you when you posted YOUR picture on Instagram. Whatever. I’m telling you again. I love it that much.
@Mama Bub, Hey, girl. Hey. You have good taste.
At the MILChristmasPartyFromHell there was a woman there with a wool houndstooth skirt that was GORG. I was gonna take her picture and tweet it, but then I said, “Girl, please. You know Sarah Lena’s already got a wool houndstooth skirt!” So I didn’t.
Alabama fans are really making out good this year. Houndstooth is E’ERWHERE. Even at Miche.
http://www.michebag.com/products/demi-shells/gentry
@Lisa, I SAW THE MICHE BAG. I was beyond excited. And sadly, I don’t have a houndstooth skirt, but I’ve been eyeing one on Etsy.
Be brave and get yourself to a hairdresser. Not because you look bad. You don’t. But because a good haircut will make you feel great and your life easier because you won’t have to fuss with it. I am a big believer in the power of a sassy haircut.
Method also makes a “squirt mop” solution that we use on our floors and love! Yay for method!
How does the Miracle stuff smell? I love Hope in a Jar but the smell is unpleasant to me. I dealt with it until I was pregnant and preggo nose couldn’t handle it. I’ve never gone back.
@Michelle Smiles, If you can get to a Sephora, they would let you sniff it. I would say I didn’t find it as potent as the smell from Hope in a Jar, but it does have Retinol in it.. and that has a slight smell. But not nearly as glue-y as Hope in a Jar, for sure.
If you need a good (but not cheap) salon, check out The Masters on Parkway at Main St. South. I go see Stacey and she does a fabulous job with short hair.