And so now it’s summer
I just thought I’d check in with an update of what’s been going on around here. First of all, it’s summer. Second, it’s hot. Third, I was made very aware of the heat over this past weekend in Houston watching Caroline play soccer.
She and I left San Antonio on Thursday for Houston and checked into the Marriott Courtyard before heading to the soccer fields that evening. By the time we made our way back to the hotel later that night it was almost 10:00 so she chose Taco Cabana as our dinner option. We went through the drive through and I’m not exaggerating when I tell you we were in the line for thirty minutes waiting for one bean and cheese taco and one bacon and egg taco. The best part was after we’d been waiting at the window for ten minutes and the Taco Cabana guy says, “Oh. So…we’re out of bacon? And so we can’t make a bacon and egg taco. So…sorry for the wait.”
I wanted to ask why it took fifteen minutes to realize they were out of bacon but it was late and I was tired and, well, it’s Taco Cabana. Then, finally, about ten more minutes passed before he mercifully handed us our bag and said, “Sorry for the wait. I threw in an extra taco.” I mean, what says “I’m sorry” like an extra bean and cheese taco? He also threw in a plain egg taco for good measure and I have to say Caroline and I were both filled with regret over our dinner choices.
Once we got back to the hotel, I called down to the front desk to ask for three extra pillows because this is what I do. But I was informed they don’t offer extra pillows. How is that even a real thing? I need my extra pillows. I count on extra hotel pillows. Thankfully, I’d brought two of my own pillows from home which is the only thing that kept me from going to Target and buying extra pillows. I also brought my own box fan because I’m really trying to bring my level of maintenance up a notch as I hit my late 40s.
The rest of the weekend was spent watching soccer and trying to air out Caroline’s soccer cleats in between games. At one point she said, “Our hotel room smells like the college dorms I stay in at soccer camps” and I replied, “Yes, that’s the smell of sweaty, used cleats. It’s similar to the smell of a bag of salt and vinegar potato chips.”
We got home on Sunday evening and Caroline had her first day of summer school on Monday. I know there’s a lot of talk about the Proverbs 31 woman and what that looks like and I can tell you she for sure didn’t make her kids go to summer school because Caroline did not rise up and call me blessed when I woke her up for her first day of Economics. At least she wasn’t dramatic as we walked to the car and she said, “It smells like summer and looks like summer, but it doesn’t FEEL like summer.”
But speaking of feeling like summer, I have several new beauty products that I really love right now and thought I’d share. I’m also desperately looking for a good root touch up spray to cover my gray in between my color appointments. Thankfully, I have a hair appointment on Wednesday but my hair would make you sad right now. It’s sadder than two pillows in a hotel room. I’ve used the L’Oreal but I think it makes my hair too dirty and feels wet. I love the Oribe but it’s so expensive and the bottle runs out so fast. Is there another option that anyone can share?
Here are some of my favorites right now:
This is my go to sunscreen year round. I put this on every morning without fail because that’s what grown ups are supposed to do.
2. drunk elephant anti-pollution sunshine drops
These drops are magic. I don’t know that I have noticed if they do anything for pollution, but they give the perfect glow on your face when you mix a drop with your sunscreen or moisturizer. I’ve been mixing a pump of my Elta sunscreen with a pump of these drops, blend it together in my hands and then put it on my face. It gives a nice glow, evens out my skin tone and I don’t even put anything else on over it unless I’m going somewhere that requires a little more makeup.
3. bioderma sebium H20 cleanser
I bought this for Caroline and she uses it every morning and evening. She talked about it so much that I’ve started using it to take off my makeup and I have to say it works like a charm.
4. dr. brandt needles no more no more baggage eye de-puffing gel
This came in my Fab, Fit, Fun box a couple of months ago and it has saved me on several mornings when my eyes were sorely in need of de-puffing. It’s one of those products that I’ll definitely buy again when it runs out.
5. teddie organics rosehip oil
If you’ve read here or listened to the podcast then you know how much I love this rosehip oil. It’s a staple in my skincare regimen and I use it in the morning after I wash my face and before I put on my sunscreen. Then I use it again at night after I let my retinol soak in. It’s been a consistent favorite of mine for almost two years. **Edited to add: Several of you have asked what retinol product I’m using. I’m using this one by The Ordinary and it works well.
6. living proof full volume dry blast
I’d seen so many people talk about the Living Proof dry shampoo so I finally bought some and it’s good. But then I bought a trial size of the Living Proof volume dry blast and it’s a game changer. I just spray it anywhere I want volume in my hair and it’s like magic. Plus, it doesn’t make my hair feel sticky or dirty. It’s honestly my favorite hair product that I’ve discovered in forever.
7. crest glamorous white mouthwash
I love white teeth and I also love coffee and red wine. And I have used white strips in the past but they are just tedious and I fall off the white strip wagon. But I bought this mouthwash and use it morning and night and I think it gives the same results as the white strips without having to sit with plastic on your teeth for thirty minutes.
8. tan-luxe the butter illuminating tanning butter
Okay, so I bought the Tan-Luxe gradual lotion and really liked it. But then I discovered this Tan-Luxe tanning butter and it is AMAZING. It gives great color in one application and it’s thicker than the gradual so it feels much more moisturizing which is important to me because I have dry skin. I just apply it like normal body lotion after I shower and it dries really quickly, but you do have to wash your hands with soap and water if you don’t want the palms of your hands to be tan. This is my favorite tanning lotion of all time.
So, there you have it. I just wanted to share a little bit of life and some favorites while I procrastinate on finishing the edits for my new book. If you have any new products you love, please share in the comments because I’m always on the search for great new beauty products and extra pillows.
