Things nobody ever warns you about but probably should:
- If you’re going to fill your trunk with things to donate to others — things that no longer spark joy for you (like that pink paisley polyester dress from Bebe you haven’t worn since 1999), but that could still hopefully spark joy for someone else, you’ve got to get your booty in the driver’s seat, put the keys in the ignition, and drive to Goodwill LIKE RIGHT NOW; otherwise, you’ll be driving around town with metal mixing bowls rattling around for months!
- The majority of “adulting” consists of paperwork…and biting your tongue.
- When the bare skin on your thighs repeatedly rubs together over a long period of time, it really, really hurts.
I’d like to file these things under “Lessons I’ve Learned the Hard Way,” especially item number three, which I figured out during my first half marathon. About halfway through, the friction between my bare thighs hurt so bad that I had a minor meltdown. I cried for three miles straight and had visions of the ground opening up underneath me and swallowing me whole.
I can laugh about it now, but it was like a raging garbage fire between my inner thighs at the time. This minor trauma taught me that whenever I wear something like shorts or a maxi dress, and I know that my legs are going to be rubbing against each other, it’s vital to have something to ease the glide between my thighs. I used to use a little Vaseline (I’d store it in an old contact lens case to prevent spillage in my purse!), but I got tired of it staining my clothes, so I just recently started using the Anti-Chafe Stick by Love AnyBody.
This unscented, non-sticky balm can be applied pretty much anywhere and everywhere your skin rubs — underarms, your neck, and the nook beneath your boobs — to stop chafing. It has vitamin E and aloe to soothe irritated skin, and no parabens or aluminum. The stick’s a little big and awkward to keep in a purse, but it’s convenient and doesn’t stain my clothes. I have a stick in my bathroom and use it in the morning, but I’m thinking about keeping an additional stick in my car because it’s kinda like deodorant or hand cream; it’s always handy to have extra around. I just whip it out and slick it on! Life changing, especially in this hot weather, I tell ya.
Another warm weather must-have I rely on: waterproof mascara. For YEARS, my go-to was Urban Decay Cannonball, which they discontinued a while back… Yes, I’m still hella salty about that, because why mess with a good thing?? Anyway, they replaced it with a waterproof version of their Perversion Mascara ($24). I’m totally on board with its dark black color, the anime ingenue curl and smudge-proof-ness (it was 99 degrees here yesterday, and there wasn’t a single smear underneath my eyes). Taking it off is also a cinch ’cause it slides right off with an oil-based makeup remover, so I don’t stress about my lashes breaking off. (Always a good thing.)
I like it, but I don’t looooove it as much as Cannonball. While this new one’s no slouch, I still deeply miss Cannonball’s dark, glossy finish and its ability to fatten and stretch each and every lash to the max.
Bring back Cannonball, UD!
OK, so remember how we talked about gift cards last week? For my birthday, my family got me a Nordstrom gift card! In order to break the cycle of sitting on gift cards for months (OK, years), I’m giving myself until Friday afternoon to pick something out, and I’m already overthinking things because, ya know, that’s what I do! 🙂 But here’s what I’ve narrowed it down to so far:
- V-Neck Jersey maxi Dress by Loveappella ($68): This dress comes in petite sizes and so many colors! I also like that the straps are thick enough for me to wear a regular bra (and not a strapless) with it. Should I go with purple, red or pink? Or maybe basic black?
- Knit Maxi Dress by Loveappella ($68): Is it just me, or does this have an upscale muumuu vibe? Maybe that’s why I like it. Again, there’s the question of color. Red or black? I’m leaning toward the red.
- Dayla Faux Leather Backpack by Sole Society($59.95): The braid and the golden hardware elevate this little backpack. Looks like the perfect size, too.
- Cover Tank by Alo ($54): Normally I’d never splurge this much for a shirt to exercise in, but this one gets great reviews, and I know I’d wear the black one all the time. Super cute wrap detail on the front!
Oh, boy. I just realized something… The Nordstrom Anniversary sale is coming up in July. Should I just wait a month and save the card so I can get the things I actually need (a black jacket, new bras and underwear, among other things) on sale? GAHHHH! The struggle is so real.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Save the card and swear to yourself you’ll use it during the sale! Blinc is my favorite waterproof mascara. Doesn’t move when on and easy to wash off.
Get what you think is the least practical/necessary thing on your list. That’s what gift cards are for!
Yes! I agree Lily. Excellent advice 🙂
Okay, I would wait until the sale. They have really amazing sales as you well know.
Also, they have makeup.
I can’t relate to the hot weather makeup tips right now. It’s been like rainy and 60 on the Maine coast. I keep having to close all the windows at night, which is really sad since July is just a couple weeks away.
Girl! I’ve always had that chafing issue, ugh! It’s the main reason why I never wear dresses. I really don’t want the hamburger thighs! Thanks for this balm-stick suggestion though, they make all kinds of different ones now, maybe I’ll try this out!
I would definitely wait for the Nordstrom sale . I find great bargains in July .
Lash Princess mascara is $4.99 at Ulta . I have one near every mirror and in my bag !
Thanks for the mascara info. What do you recommend for removing waterproof mascara? I usually use Lancôme or Clinique, but don’t wear mascara that often, so Garnier Micellar water is what I’m going to. It’s because of your mascara posts that I’ve started using it again, so want to make removal as easy as possible.
Good day to you,
L
❤️
Hi L,
I just use a face oil (DHC Deep Cleansing one is great, and you can order it online at Ulta); I also like the one by Fresh. Both work great at removing waterproof mascara, and they don’t irritate my eyes or make them go all cloudy.
That first dress in pink is beautiful. Being able to get a maxi dress in petite is quite exciting!
Hey Karen! I think you can’t go wrong either way with the gift card as long as you get things you really love. A petite maxi dress that you can wear with a regular bra is a rare find indeed – already in my cart! My ride-or-die waterproof mascara is Armani Eyes to Kill Wet. It’s stupid expensive ($32) but it’s so good – really black (not Lancome gray), gives length and volume, holds curl, never EVER clumps or flakes, doesn’t feel stiff or crunchy, and removes easily. The tube stays good for the whole three months of use; it doesn’t get dry or gunky after being open awhile (I’m looking at you, DiorShow). I buy it during Sephora VIB sale days or Nordstrom Mascara Madness since it’s so expensive, but since I’m not wasting money trying and throwing away other mascaras I tell myself it’s worth it.
I’ll never understand why makeup companies discontinue products, especially mascara. I’ve lost count of all the mascaras I have loved that have been discontinued, starting with Max Factor 2000 Calories. Used to be my favorite drugstore mascara.
If you wait until July for the anniversary sale, put a post-it note in your wallet where you’ll see it so that you remember you have the gift card. Whether you wait or not, I would get something that’s a bit of a treat. You would buy bras, etc. for yourself anyway. It’s a gift card, so buy yourself a gift.
Hope the heat has calmed down for you. Last night was the first tolerable night temperature wise down this way. Finally able to get some sleep. Today is sunny and breezy, so much cooler. Aaahhhh!
Chub rub is legit! I was thinner when I was younger and my legs are slimmer so it’s a relatively recent discovery for me! And I had bags of stuff to donate around my house for YEARS so that’s a good reminder.
Your lashes are so long! I started using Neulash and am having good results.
whenever you post shots of your necklaces, i am always drooling! you have the best collection.
Never commented before, but I’m dying to say, the first dress in purple is amazing. The backpack is darling and so is the workout shirt. If you wait for the sale, could you get two things with your card? Love your positive energy in your fun to read blog. Keep up the good work.