Things I Love Thursday // 2.18.21

We've had another tough week in the news and our hearts are with those suffering in the cold. I keep thinking the moon or mercury or something must also be up to some nonsense because I've had some inexplicable angst. In any event, thanks for stopping by for your weekly distraction (and mine too).

Thrift Culture

MiMi Miller is onto something here. I first started following "WarmlyMimi" on Instagram about a year ago. Back then, she was sharing some of her amazing thrifted finds and how she used them in her lovely home. This talented woman has so many gifts and she's reimagined her career a few times along the way. In the latest version of her dream, she has created a cool and thoughtful company: Thrift Culture --where she sells thrifted goods for a cause. Did you hear that? You can shop sustainably and support charities at the same time! Please visit her website to read more about how she has paired her passion for thrifting with a passion for doing good works. I was thrilled with my first purchase and look forward to many more!

new-to-me placemats and wicker chargers

Everything came carefully wrapped.

Jergens Natural Glow FACE Moisturizer

Such a little thing that, for me (a child of the 80s), makes a big difference in how I feel. Being TAN was critically important for me at an impressionable age. Some of that has stuck. While my first paycheck job was working at a tanning salon (YIKES! I know.), I have gotten wise to the damaging effects of both UVA and UVB. I'm a daily sunscreen wearer --especially on my face, and you'll hardly ever catch me outside in the sun without a wide-brimmed hat; however, I still like to have a little color on my face and in the days of "no makeup motivation," I have an even greater respect for one of my all-time favorite drugstore gems: Jergens Natural Glow Daily Face Moisturizer with SPF 20. Please don't let the "daily" fool you! This product works really well and I'm sure if I used it every day, I would end up looking like an Oompa Loompa. Also important: do not forget to wash your hands with soap after you apply. It comes in two versions "fair/medium" and "medium/tan." I use medium/tan once or twice a week at bedtime (negating the bonus of sunscreen) when I simply substitute it for my nighttime moisturizer/serum. If anyone is curious, my bedtime usual ritual goes something like this (skip ahead if you don't care): makeup remover wipes (mostly for mascara and eyebrows), favorite brightening cleanser (that leaves my skin feeling post-facial-polished), toner with glycolic acid (sometimes --but always with these luxurious pads), under-eye treatment, then either Jergens Natural Glow OR this hyaluronic acid moisturizer/wrinkle-repair serum combo. Followed by a calcium supplement, 1 mg melatonin, and two sprays of this on my pillowcase. Boom: bedtime, book, boonzies (that means snuggling --aren't you glad you didn't skip ahead? LOL). 

please enjoy this giant picture of my naked (but tan-looking) face

Fourteen Talks by Age Fourteen

Michelle Icard is a treasure for parents --especially those with tweens and teens. Her focus is middle school and she wrote one of the defining books of my parenting journey through these years: Middle School Makeover. I have had the pleasure of hearing her speak professionally on several occasions, attending two of her mother-daughter conferences (once each with both of my girls as they started 6th grade), and being mistaken for her in public (she cute). I'm now enjoying working for her in a small capacity and in that role, I've had the opportunity to read an advanced copy of her new book, Fourteen Talks by Age Fourteen, that will be released on Tuesday, February 23rd (join me at the virtual book launch that day? 7PM EST). Fourteen Talks is so so good! What I love best about it is the practical/real-world advice that actually works. (And let me tell you --this book has already helped me to better navigate conversations with ALL OF MY PEOPLE --not just the teens --so please don't think you've missed the boat with your kids because of their age. It is never too late to start having great conversations. Consider ordering this book for yourself or someone you love who has tweens.

Sentimentality

I'm not even the person TikTok teens are attacking when they say that side parts, skinny jeans, and the crying-laughing emoji are for old people. Turns out, I'm too OLD for their radar, even. In some ways, forty-seven is hard. But in more ways it's amazing. It's self-assured, fulfilled, capable, and joyful. This week, it's enjoying my sentimentality. I took this picture of my finished puzzle the other day and then realized the best thing about the photo is the ratty-beautiful card table underneath. To be sure, it's not "beautiful" in the traditional sense --but it's lovely to me with all of its stains and blemishes because it was my grandparents' and now it lives with me. When I use it, I remember some of the card games, casserole dishes, and even ashtrays that have adorned its surface and that makes my heart full.

beautiful puzzle linked here

Anxious People 

I love to be surprised by a book. Fredrik Backman writes lighthearted novels that are full of quirky humor and bursting with humanity. I absolutely loved his book, A Man Called Ove (a remarkably good movie too). Friends have raved about Beartown (and it's definitely on my my list to read before I look into the HBO limited series based on the book). I enjoyed My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry (but it admittedly wasn't one of my favorites). When I started Anxious People for my book club. It was scattered, confusing, and more than anything else, I was completely annoyed by the characters. What was going on?! But I kept reading (listening, really) and low and behold, I fell in love with all of those annoying characters. This book sneaks up on you. Don't let it sneak by you. What's your favorite Backman?

(This has been poorly photoshopped. Unfortunately, books don't actually grow in pumpkin patches.)

Baked Oatmeal

We had a version of baked oatmeal for the first time when Greg was recovering from surgery last year. Our neighbors spoiled us absolutely rotten with delicious deliveries. My friend, Lydia, brought an elaborate breakfast by and one component was a generous dish of baked oatmeal (that lasted an embarrassingly short amount of time). Since then, I've made a similar dish on a few occasions and always think afterward that I should do it more often because not only is it delicious, it's also warm, wholesome, and super easy. Everyone loves it. Is baked oatmeal new to you or something your family has been feasting on for ages?

Palmer

I understand that Timberlake is problematic. If that is something you think you can get past, I encourage you to watch his new movie, Palmer (Apple TV+) and we all agreed it was a great story about redemption, acceptance, and grace. It's not a blockbuster. It's a quiet story with a big heart and all four of us fell in love with Sam (and who Palmer became when he opened his heart to Sam too). 

{image via the internet}