22 March 2015

Random Beauty and Fashion

I keep coming across random beauty and fashion things - shows, articles where I don't expect to see them, and products that seem just plain weird, though I know they are popular.

We don't have cable.  Yes, we are quite possibly the only people on the planet without it, but such is life.  But our local networks have other high-definition secondary channels with additional programming.  Recently I came across two TV shows that I never knew existed.  One is Mirror Mirror, on something called the LiveWell Network (who knew such a think existed?), which - based upon viewing 1 1/2 episodes, seems pleasant enough, and somewhat approachable.  There are several segments, each about 8-10 minutes, so it is snippets of information.

Then there is Anna & Kristina's Beauty Call, which - based upon viewing approximately 20 minutes of one episode - appears to be two women who try to help others with specific issues like finding the right thing to wear for their shape and size.  It also seems OK, though the partial episode I saw also included a "fashionista" who seemed like a PITA.

Weird.  I guess if I was someone who paid closer attention, I might know these shows existed, or have a clue who the people were.  But to come across them sandwiched on channels that have other unknown shows shouldn't really surprise me I guess.

Then earlier today, I was reading an article online (of course now I don't remember where I found it) about Richard III's reburial, and the writer briefly commented on the topic of eye makeup.  Maybe I missed something?

Finally, I don't understand Wen Hair Care.  I mean, I do understand that it is a group of products that are supposed to give you lovely hair, without being a regular shampoo, but frankly, seeing the guy who is the founder would not inspire me, hair-wise.  Though I give him props for making people want to to use his products when, as far as I'm concerned, his hair is less than impressive ...

It amuses me to come across things like this on a random basis.  Of course, I have not delved deeply into any of them to have an educated opinion, but they all came to my attention just in this past week.  Which seems completely random.

Does this kind of thing ever happen to you?

15 March 2015

Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday - YAY!  Unlike most people, I love to celebrate my birthday.  Because no matter how you slice it, having a birthday is better than the alternative, right???

Though this year, it's hard for me to realize that it will be the last year I am in my fifties.  That just seems incredibly weird to me.

I had a truly lovely birthday, and received wonderful gifts.  I even received a gift that I was planning to review for you - so no time better than the present, right?


And here you are - Sephora brand Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover.  I received a large bottle of this from the kitties and Dug.  :-)

Now, I have never been a big fan of products that were specifically touted as eye makeup removers.  The ones I have tried have been too greasy, too ineffective, too expensive, too likely to get in my eyes and sting ... well, you get the picture. And for a long time, I just tried using whatever I used to wash my face to get rid of eye makeup - and would not buy waterproof eye makeup, since it wouldn't come off.

Then I read about an eyeliner I wanted to try (that's another review altogether), so when I bought it, I also bought a small bottle of this to try.

This stuff works!  And it works without having any of the negative qualities listed above.  It's very gentle, very effective, and not expensive at all.  I was actually planning to buy it again, and get a bigger size.  But The Tim said that every time he reached for his deodorant, he would see the one I already had, and noticed it was getting to the point of being empty, so I "must use it."  So he decided that it would be a good gift from the pets.

I would say that even if it is not your birthday, you should give this a try.  It has worked really well for me, and I was going to replace it myself, never thinking it would be done as a birthday gift.

(For the record, The Tim is not necessarily a "noticer" where beauty products are concerned, so this was a *real* surprise!)

04 March 2015

The Results of Being a Slug

... even for a few months.  Ugh.

As you may recall, I was completely out of commission for a few months after my kidney surgery.  Towards the end of November, my surgeon said I could go back to some low-impact, low-key exercise.  Well, the holidays were coming, and I decided to wait and start again in January.

But then January came, and it was cold, icy, icky, and I changed my mind.  And that all followed me into February.  Towards the end of last month, I decided that I was NOT going to continue my slug-like existence, in March, because a) it was not helping anything, b) exercising helps in so many ways other than just keeping me fit, and c) I was beginning to gain more weight than I should have on my person.

I signed myself up for a barre class at my gym on this past Sunday morning.  I wanted to try it at Pure Barre Philadelphia, but they were filled up for Sunday classes, and I did not want to wait and give myself any excuses.

The good news?  I followed through, showed up for the class, and did the best I could, notwithstanding my overall poor physical shape and endurance, and the fact that I am an exercise spaz.  The bad news?  The instructor was determined to "really work you guys to EXHAUSTION, and not be easy!", and as of today, I am still in a lot of discomfort.  Mostly it's my legs, since I used muscles that I have not used in a long time - or maybe even ever at all!  But I also have some back and shoulder pain and stiffness.  It's definitely easing up, but wow.

As a result, I have decided that  I will change a few things.  First of all, I'll work a bit at home, and a little bit at the gym on working up to more exercise.  I'll do my Pilates and other PT-related workouts to get back into basic level shape.  And then, if I decide to try a barre class again, I'll actually go to Pure Barre to try it.  My reasoning is that maybe since that is all they do, they do it better, and would be more attentive to my limitations.  Who knows?  But I figure it's worth a try.

In the meantime, Tylenol and I have gotten really close ...