This 'n That Thursdays: My (Very) Minimal Winter Skin Care Routine

From UC Health

I have never been one to fuss very much about my appearance.  I am more interested in staying healthy  than being pretty (I almost never wear makeup or other beauty products), but as I age I know that my body needs better care than it did when I was younger.  My skin was on the oily side when I was young, so I never worried much about dryness, but now that I am older and live in a very dry climate, I do need to pamper my skin more, especially in the winter.  The tips listed above help to combat dry winter skin (check out the website for more details) but I am still not great about using moisturizing products.  That said, I do use three products to keep my skin hydrated and healthy in the winter, so I thought I would describe these items today as they have worked so well for me.

As a general moisturizer, I could not live without my Amlactin Intensive Healing Body Lotion ($25.34 for a 14.1 oz. bottle) in the winter.  If I don't use this lotion, the skin on my legs becomes dry and flaky, my heels start to dry out, and I develop painful, bleeding cracks around the cuticles of my fingernails, especially on my thumbs for some reason.  I even use this lotion on my neck and face, although I have to be careful not to get it in my eyes as it is irritating.  I have tried other lotions in the winter but they are either not moisturizing enough or they feel too uncomfortably greasy.  Whenever I wash my hands I make sure to reapply this lotion, and I never wash dishes without gloves in the winter as my cuticles will dry out and crack if I do.  I go through two bottles of this lotion every winter but it is so effective that it is worth it.

For my lips, I swear by Aquaphor Lip Repair Stick + Sunscreen ($16.28 for a package of four).  I actually use this product all year round.  It moisturizes and heals dry lips as well as protects them from sun damage with an SPF 30 sunscreen.  I am prone to cold sores if my lips get sunburned, and this sunscreen lip balm helps to prevent this problem as well.

The last product I use for facial skin care is Aveda Purifying Creme Cleanser ($22.00 for a 5 oz. bottle).  It is pricey but I only need to use it once a day in the shower and only a small amount is needed for each washing, so the bottle lasts a long time (probably almost a year for me, and I use it every day).  This product moisturizes my face without leaving any greasy residue.  The small amount I use also covers my neck and even my arms!  I have been using this product for decades now, and I hope Aveda never stops making it because it is the most effective facial cleanser and moisturizer I have ever used.

❄️❤️❄️❤️❄️❤️❄️❤️❄️❤️❄️❤️❄️❤️❄️❤️❄️❤️❄️❤️❄️❤️❄️❤️❄️

February is starting off with unusually mild weather, but that is supposed to change tonight with cold weather returning for the weekend, so I will be faithfully following my minimal but effective winter skin care routine for this month and probably most of March as well.  Stay healthy and moisturized for the rest of this winter, everyone!

This 'n That Thursdays: The Pandemic Popularity of Cottagecore, Part 1

From Wild Flower Child

Not being on social media at all except for this blog, I am probably one of the last to become aware of the popularity of an image aesthetic called Cottagecore.  Minus any political connotations this trend has developed, Cottagecore is basically "...an aesthetic inspired by a romanticised interpretation of western agricultural life".  The anxiety over the COVID-19 pandemic has many people wishing for a simpler, more stress-free life, and viewing Cottagecore images is one way to satisfy this yearning.  It is especially popular on photo-sharing platforms such as Tumblr, where fans search out and post images like the one above that exemplify the Cottagecore ideal.  Here are more examples:

From Peaceful Dumpling

From Today

From My Desired Home

From Gardenholic

From Reddit

From canberkarac.com

From Real Homes

From We Heart It

From Yummy Toadstools

Interestingly, since the pandemic started I have been following a number of vlogs on YouTube that document a similar lifestyle, only in China!  My favorites document the daily life of rural Chinese women who live in rather remote areas.  All of these vlogs focus on cooking, but for these women cooking starts with raising almost all of their food themselves, or foraging for ingredients in the surrounding countryside.

Some of the videos are truly breathtaking, showing the beauty of their localities as well as some aspects of everyday life not necessarily focused on food.  Almost all of these women have pet dogs, all very different from each other but all equally adorable, ranging from a huge Malamute to a small yellow mixed breed with a big personality.  Some of them have other animals as well, both pets and livestock (and no, dogs are not livestock for these families in case you were wondering).

I think what I like best about these videos is that there is very little dialog (which is a good thing because I do not speak Chinese) - instead, lovely music plays softly in the background.  Some but not all of the videos have English subtitles describing the ingredients and cooking methods.  Most of these descriptions are not really detailed enough to allow duplication of the recipes, but for me that is not the point - I just enjoy watching the simple routines of daily life for these women.  Below are examples of a few of the vlogs I follow, starting with that of Li Ziqi, who lives in China's Sichuan province and who I have described in a previous post:

The Wild Girl vlog features a young woman from Guizhou province who has her own brand new little house in the country.  Her home is lovely, spare and neat and full of light.  She also has the cute little yellow dog that I just adore - he reminds me of my dog Madison.  This woman does a lot of foraging in the wild for her ingredients, as seen in the video below where she gathers the most amazing-looking mushrooms I have ever seen:

Another popular Chinese rural lifestyle vlog is that of Dianxi Xiaoge, who lives in the Yunnan province of China and features many local recipes and customs in her videos.  She owns the large and amusing Malamute named Dawang, who is as big as a pony but still thinks of himself as a puppy.  This young woman also spends a lot of time foraging in the wild for recipe ingredients, as seen in one of her most recent videos below:

My post is getting way too long, so I will continue with the rest of my favorite YouTube vlogs next week.  I also intend to explore this Cottagecore notion a bit more, as I find it intriguing but possibly open to a more expansive as well as more realistic interpretation.  I do think that we could all do with a little more simplicity and comfort in our lives right now, though, wherever we can find it!
               

This 'n That Thursdays: Easy Ways to Add a Touch of Spring to Your Home

From Pinterest

Happy first day of spring!  In these trying times, I believe it is the little things we do that can help us keep our spirits up.  Now is the time to bring a lighter touch to our home décor, and even the smallest changes will help lift our moods.  So why not switch out your outdoor mat for the one shown below that welcomes the new season with pretty blossoms and a happy message?

Grandin Road Hello Spring Floral Door Mat

And speaking of blossoms, this tulip wreath will bring delicate spring color to any door or wall (if you prefer a brighter option, check out the yellow tulip wreath here).

The Home Depot Pink and White Tulip Wreath

Switch out your sofa pillows for ones with a floral design in soft hues, like the one below, to lighten up the color scheme in your living room.

World Market Oversized Neutral Floral Linen Villa Callie Throw Pillow

Bring spring into your home with lovely table linens, like the Fairytale collection from Williams Sonoma which features cheerful flowers and butterflies.

Williams Sonoma Fairytale Table Linens

This sweet sake set adorned with cherry blossoms is too pretty not to display, even if you never drink sake!

Smithsonian Store Sakura Sake Set

Easter is just around the corner, and most Easter décor will work for the entire spring season.  These Pottery Barn ceramic bunny baskets are a perfect case in point.

Pottery Barn Bunny Basket Serveware Collection

If you are feeling super indulgent, why not splurge on a new area rug?  The one featured below has a neutral charcoal background with pretty pastel green and pink birds - just enough of a seasonal touch, but it would also work year-round.

CB2 Lyra Tufted Rug

For the ultimate spring splurge, check out this elegant flatware set in its own egg-shaped storage case.  It may cost almost $1,500, but it is so beautiful!

Gump's Christofle Mood 24-Piece Flatware Set

🌷🐇🌸🌷🐇🌸🌷🐇🌸🌷🐇🌸🌷🐇🌸🌷🐇🌸🌷🐇🌸🌷🐇🌸

Don't let our current situation get you down - it is now officially spring and time to let yourself revel in the fact!

Don't forget to stop and smell the flowers!

               

Wish List Wednesdays: Grandin Road Fall Floral Dinnerware

Even though it is only the middle of July, I am already looking forward to autumn, thanks to these lovely Fall Floral Dinner Plates (set of four for $59) from Grandin Road.  The earthenware plates sport a bold and colorful pattern of chrysanthemums sure to brighten any tablescape.  And when Thanksgiving comes around, there is even a cheerful turkey-themed Fall Floral Turkey Platter ($39) available to complement these perfect plates.

I would love to add this dinnerware to my collection in anticipation of the arrival of autumn, my favorite season!
             

Wish List Wednesdays: Los Poblanos Lavender Bath Products

I am obsessed with lavender.  I absolutely love the fragrance, and always try to find lavender-scented soaps and lotions to use at home.  The first day of our trip to New Mexico was spent at Los Poblanos Inn, which is a working lavender farm as well as an inn.  They make a variety of lavender products, and stock their rooms with several of their bath products for guests to try.  Naturally, I was thrilled!  I used all five of the options provided, and love them all.  The farm has a gift shop, and products are available online, so I will be ordering many of their products soon, including the lotion, shampoo, conditioner (each $12 for 8 ounces), and liquid hand soap ($18 for 8 ounces).  We brought a couple of their bar soaps home with us (piñon and lavender honey, $12 each)), and although I have not yet had a chance to use them, I am sure I will adore them as well.  If you too love lavender, I suggest trying their Lavender Traveler Gift Set:

For just $20, you can try four of their lavender bath products and choose which ones you like the most, although I can almost guarantee that you will want them all!
             

This 'n That Thursdays: My Favorite Aveda Products

From MFX Salons

I don't use a lot of beauty products.  I rarely wear makeup, and usually can't be bothered to spend the time applying creams, lotions, etc., to keep my skin and hair looking better, although I know they are probably not a bad idea, especially as I get older.  However, I am a big fan of a few products by Aveda that I do use on a regular basis.

I was first introduced to Aveda products when I lived in Colorado.  A dear friend and I would visit the Trios Aveda salon in Fort Collins on special occasions for massages and pedicures, and we were impressed with the Aveda line.  When I began to get my hair colored, I had it done at Trios with Aveda hair products.  Even after moving to Georgia I sought out an Aveda salon, but unfortunately it began to have business problems and I had to switch to another place, which is quite good but does not offer Aveda as an option.  Even so, I still order my favorite products online.

In addition to making products that I find to be very effective, the Aveda company's mission is to use naturally derived ingredients in an environmentally friendly way.  Do be aware that, because plant essential oils are used, there is the possibility of an allergic reaction.  Many plant oils are actually meant to repel predators, so even though they are natural, plant extracts are not necessarily benign!  I cannot use Aveda's Brilliant hair care line because something in the ingredients does not agree with me.  I do not have any visible allergic reactions, but if I use any of the products they make my scalp feel hot, and I get antsy and uncomfortable.  However, the products that I do use cause no adverse effects and work perfectly for me.  If possible, try to sample a product before purchasing.  Aveda products are not inexpensive, and it would be best not to buy something you cannot use!

The following is my list of four favorite Aveda products that I have been using and loving for years:

1) Botanical Kinetics Purifying Creme Cleanser

I use this cleanser on my face every morning instead of soap.  It prevents that tight, dry feeling that soap can leave, especially with the hard water problem that we have in our town.  This is the Aveda product that I have been using the longest, and I will never give it up!

2 & 3) Smooth Infusion Shampoo and Conditioner

I switched to this Aveda shampoo and conditioner after we moved to Georgia, when Aveda discontinued the products I had been using in Colorado.  I really like the light citrusy scent, and this hair care line helps to control the frizzy hair problem I encounter in our humid Georgia climate.  I have noticed that as I get older and continue to get my hair colored, this product line may be a little too drying.  I am thinking of trying a different hair care line called Color Conserve the next time I order shampoo and conditioner.

4) Smooth Infusion Style-Prep Smoother

I don't use this product often, but when I really need frizz control after washing my hair, this smoother is the best product I have found.  It manages to control my hair without making it feel too stiff or overly slick.  At our family reunion last fall, the weather in Pittsburgh was unusually warm and humid for September.  Both my sister and sister-in-law complained that they could not get their hair to de-frizz, especially around their faces, but I had no problems when I used this Aveda smoother.

Aveda changed up their product line not long after we moved to Georgia.  My former favorite shampoo and conditioner, called Sap Moss, is no longer available, much to my chagrin as it was great for dry or treated hair.  They also discontinued their Replenishing Body Moisturizer, a light and non-greasy lotion which contained lavender extract, one of my favorite scents.  I still have a small amount left and use it sparingly (I will miss it when it is gone!).  Despite their product changes, my current favorite Aveda products are still available and I plan to continue using them on a regular basis!