Some of My Favorite Things Lately

I thought I'd share a few things with you that I have been enjoying lately. These current favorites have nothing to do with quilting, just so you know. They are mostly beauty products or clothing items that have been making me feel more put together.

I have been living in these Everyday Relaxed Jeans by Talbots. I am not ready to completely give up my skinny jeans, but these more relaxed jeans are a very nice change. They aren't so baggy that you feel sloppy, and I always love a button-fly front. They are generous enough in fit that you may want to drop down a size, which is always good for the ego.

This is the Pure Jill Asymmetrical Collared Top by Jjill. It is made of a French Terry fabric and is a bit shorter length, which looks better with jeans that are a more relaxed fit. I got it in white, but it also comes in a very pretty seafoam blue/green. It is a lighter-weight top that is a nice change from the heavy sweaters I have been wearing lately.

I am 100% in favor of bras that smooth things out and eliminate any underarm bulges or the dreaded "back fat". This Lift Wear compression tank by HoneyLove is a real miracle worker. It doesn't ride up, and as promised, smooths everything out. It is so comfortable I forget I have it on. It comes in a ton of colors, but I stick to nude and black.

I love a good quality leather handbag, but not enough to spend hundreds of dollars on one. I got this Kacey Sachel leather bag at the Coach Outlet for just over $100. It is the perfect size for me, big enough for my wallet, small makeup bag, keys, phone and some tissues. I don't have a large frame, so a large bag looks weird on me. The proportions of this one are just right. I liked it so much I got it in another color too.

I don't know about you, but as I have gotten older, my eyebrows have thinned out dramatically. WIthout my Anastasia Brow Wiz, I look quite peculiar. From a distance I look like I have no eyebrows at all! This pencil comes in a super thin version as well as a thicker style that really fills in those missing hairs in a natural looking manner. If you think you are looking older and kind of faded, try using a brow pencil to add a little color and dimension to frame your eyes. It really makes a difference. 

Another thing about aging is that the makeup you wore when you were younger now may now look too heavy. I have switched to much lighter formulas and find them more flattering. Lancome's Skin Feels So Good is called a "skin tint". It is a moisturizer with some color that provides some coverage with a no-makeup look. It has all kinds of good ingredients too: anioxidants and hyaluronic acid and spf 23. On sale at Sephora right now.

Another product I have come to like is cream blush. Powdered products can look too cakey on my aging skin, and switching to cream based blush gives a younger more "dewy" look. This cream blush by Merit in the color Stockholm is easy to blend and gives a fresh, awake and yes, younger look to your face. 

You. may have seen these Thrive cream eye brightening sticks advertised on Facebook and elsewhere. They are every bit as good as promised. Forget about expensive eyeshadow palettes and a slew of different brushes. These one step sticks are easy breezy to use and look great. No more cakey looking powder shadows that emphasize every crinkle on your eyelids. These go on smooth and blend out like a dream with a touch of your finger. My favorite shade is Callie.

I'm not going to lie, this body oil and body butter by OSEA is pricey. But, if you have dry skin, it will be your new best friend. After a shower I use the body oil, then top it with some of the body cream and my flaky, itchy, dry skin is a distant memory. It actually improves skin elasticity and provides deep moisturization. It is infused with sea algae and anti-oxidants. It is rich, but not at all greasy. My skin loves it.

Last, but not least, my favorite notebook to keep track of all the details in my life. I love the dot grid paper in the Leuchturm 1917 hard back bullet journal. I keep track of the books I have read, quilting projects, birthdays, weight loss goals, recipes to try, you name it. I am on my sixth or seventh one of these. They make great journals for tracking your travels or your thoughts or anything else. 

Let me know if you have tried any of these products and what you think!

Have a great weekend everyone.

Comments

[Ina]

my trick for dry skin is Aquaphor. my doctor told me to use it and it is wonderful. I massage in small amounts all over after I shower.

have a lovely weekend...it's gonna be warmer...yay!

[Patty]

Thank you for the recommendations on things you have tried and liked. I always appreciate reviews of real experiences with products. I especially love the cream blush and the Thrive eye brightener. I follow a few you-tubers that highlight makeup and I find so many of them use so many different products and so many different brushes. I like to look put together and I do wear makeup every day but some of the makeups and products seems extensive. I will add a product that I found during the pandemic that I have liked and bought multiple times since. I have been a long time Talbots customer but I really do like these jeans. The price was right, there is quite a bit of stretch, they have different washes of denim. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RMMDY5Q?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1&psc=1
Maybe someone else may like them also. They do seem to go in/out of stock frequently. Have a great weekend!

[Jan]

I've been using the lighter formula skin 'tint' for several years & agree that it's 'older skin' friendly. I'm going to take a look at the Brow Whiz pencils soon! Thanks for the recommendations!

[Kerry]

Love your recommendations especially the moisturizer and eye brow product!!! Mine are almost gone! Have a great weekend!

[Shelley Dionne]

I LOVED this post!❤ Now,off to do some shopping 🤗