1. The eight-minute increment
OK, this is my new trick for motivating myself when I don’t want to do something — setting a timer for eight minutes, and then focusing on one thing for that short chunk of time. I don’t know what it is about eight minutes, but that’s my sweet spot. Five is too short, 10 is too long, but eight is the perfect, snack-sized chunk of time!
2. The “Encanto” movie soundtrack
“Encanto” is a new Disney movie with music by Songwriter and Actor Lin-Manuel Miranda (you might recognize his name from the musical “Hamilton”). Anyway, it’s Connor’s new favorite Disney flick, and she listens to the soundtrack morning, noon and night. The music is super catchy, and even though I’ve actually never seen the film in its entirety, I already know most of the song lyrics.
I also know that we don’t talk about Bruno, no, no, no. WE DON’T TALK ABOUT BRUNO!
3. Monochromatic outfits
Ya know, I’ve read for years that wearing the same color from head to toe can make petite women appear taller, and yes, that’s one big benefit of wearing a monochromatic outfit. I also like it I because it makes it that much easier to get dressed in the morning! It’s nice to not think about what goes with what, you know?
I’ve been wanting more monochromatic outfits, so I’m thinking about adding some jumpsuits, like this one by Athleta, to my closet (although I’m not super keen on the having to shimmy in and out of one when I need to visit the lavatory).
4. This easy muffin recipe
Super good and yummy! I made a batch last week with chocolate chips and King Arthur gluten-free flour.
5. MAC Teddy Liner
It’s a classic for a reason. Have you ever layered it with MAC Satin Taupe? I did that today, and it was glorious.
What’ve you been loving lately?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I have the same timer; it’s a kitchen workhorse.
Lately, I’ve been loving our rotation of soups with bread from the bread machine. Easy, yummy winter meals. Also, I’ve been loving the UD Naked2 Basics Eye Palette. (It’s the small, 6-pan palette.) There’s no guesswork involved for a quick eye look when I’m just going out to do errands, etc. And I’ve been on a streak of really good books since the first of the year, so I’m for sure loving that.
It’s so funny how they latch on to one movie, isn’t it? I think I can still recite the entire script (and, of course, the soundtrack) to The Lion King from when my nephew was little and he’s now grown with kids of his own. 😄
Hi Suzanne,
I adore that UD Palette. It’s a workhorse, for sure! What books did you finish? I just started “The Henna Artist” last night.
Also, thank you so much for your list of podcasts and for including which ones are your favorites. I can’t wait to get started with “What I should Read Next.”
Encanto is such a good movie. Although we only watched it once and we don’t have the soundtrack on repeat, either. Lol. “Bruno” was my favorite song from the movie.
That’s a cute jumpsuit. My only problem is the back zipper. With my achy, aging rotator cuffs I’d have a hard time reaching in back and unzipping every time I needed to go to the loo.
Argh! Now I’m browsing the Athleta website going, “That’s cute! Oh, that’s cute, too!” Ack, I’m supposed to be on a no buy.
Teddy!!! One of my all time favorite MAC liners. If they every discontinue it I’m gonna lead the revolt!
I would join you in the revolt! I’ve worn Teddy for years, and I still love it as much as I did in the beginning.
WE DON’T TALK ABOUT BRUNO!
Wondering if I should get a back-up Teddy, just in case. Lol.
I just realized I need a new Satin Taupe. It’s gonna have to wait until February though. That’s only a week, right?
Honestly, I think about that all the time. I deeply regret not getting extra Coffee pencils when I had the chance!
February is so close; you can do it!
YAS. I love jumpsuits! Haha. So fun.
I’m reading that book, just started. (I assume that’s Klara and the Sun). I’m confused, but only just started haha. It seems very sweet, I like it so far!
I haven’t had a chance to watch Encanto yet, but I’m loving the soundtrack! Of course “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” is an incredibly fun earworm, but I also love “Surface Pressure”-Luisa, the sister with super strength, secretly loves unicorns (visualizing them in the form of donkeys with horns, which one YouTube commenter dubbed “unidonks”) and fantasizes about relaxing in fluffy pink clouds. I find the cloud part especially funny because her singing voice reminds me of Katy Perry and so do the pink clouds!
I just cracked open a new Satin Taupe – the only eyeshadow I have already replaced three times because I love it so much.