There's something I'd love to know: What kind of clothes are you wearing right now, and are they different from what you regularly wore pre-pandemic? I've worked from home for the past 2 and a half years, and my uniform has long been a dress of some kind. Dresses are essentially public pajamas from a comfort standpoint, and they always make people think you're really put together (even though you know you're wearing public pajamas). My closet is comprised of 80% dresses of various lengths, fabrics and fits. 

Once we got the Stay at Home orders here in Minnesota, my day-to-day really wasn't all that different, aside from becoming smaller and more contained. But as the days inched through March, into April and May, my fear, anxiety and depression levels sky-rocketed (along with those of the rest of the world).  And suddenly, I began wearing a lot of lounge wear (along with the rest of the world). The radical shift in what I was wearing struck me one week while doing laundry, when I realized that I was folding 6 pair of yoga pants and assorted tee shirts. Not a single dress or item of clothing that could pass for anything but "comfort" wear. That's what I needed, then.  I told myself I'd start wearing real clothes again once we got back to normal. 

We're obviously nowhere near back to "normal" at this point in the pandemic.  However, I'm really tired of lounge-wear yet not ready to fully embrace my pre-COVID wardrobe. My wardrobe, like life, seems to be stuck in a weird, in-between-place. Which brings me to: shorts suits. 

Over the past few weeks, I've seen a few of my favorite fashion bloggers - like Allison at Curvy Girl Chic - styling a shorts-suit combo, and I'm very into it.  There's something really appealing about the casual/dressed up vibe of a shorts suit.  So I peered into my closet to see if I could come up with separates I already own, and what do you know? I did!

The shorts are Lane Bryant and the jacket is Charter club. Something new, created out of something old. How delightful.  Tell me: What kind of clothes are you wearing right now, and are they different from what you regularly wore pre-pandemic? Bonus points: What's a current trend you're looking at with new interest?

I have another round up of products that I've used up. Quite a few of them will look familiar, but there's a lot of new-to-me stuff in here, too. Let's get started!

• Alba Botanica Daily Shade SPF 15 body moisturizer, $15.99 for 32 oz.  I love this moisturizer very, very much. It makes my skin feel smooth and hydrated, plus it provides a starter shot of SPF. I don't rely on this as my primary SPF for the day, especially when I'm spending time outdoors, but it sure is nice to have it in there. I enjoy the clean, slightly sunscreeny smell (it's not overwhelming and fades quickly). The only downside? That packaging is a beast! The pump stops pumping with a quarter of the product still inside, so I always have to cut it open and decant into a different container. Worth the effort, and I will repurchase. 
• Red Carpet Manicure Erase Gel Polish Remover, $12.99 for 16 oz. I don't wear gel polish, but I love this remover because it effortlessly tackles everything from red/dark polish that can stain to glitter (ohhhh, dreaded glitter - usually so hard to remove). It's been tricky to find this product during the pandemic, since so many more people are doing their nails at home. As soon as I can, I will repurchase. 
• Pacifica perfume in Beach Lavender scent, $22 for 1 oz. I really enjoy Pacifica perfumes because they seem to be packed full of fewer ingredients than many others, and I never get a headache from their formula. The Lavender Beach scent is unique - it comes off as very lemony with a touch of lavender, to me. The kicker though is a top note of sugar which smells a little "young" to my nose. I won't repurchase this particular scent, but will definitely pick up a different one from Pacifica down the line. 
• Derma E Purifying Daily Detox Scrub, $15.99 for 4 oz. This gentle exfoliating scrub has been a staple in my bathroom for a few years, now. I appreciate how creamy the formula is because it leaves my skin feeling smooth, but hydrated. As someone with reactive skin, a manual exfoliant can be an inflaming nightmare. Not this one. I will repurchase. 
• Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream, $22 for 0.95 oz. This moisturizer was fine. The texture was lightweight, but that's the only claim it really lived up to. I didn't think my skin felt more hydrated or softer or smoother, as promised by Kiehls. I'm glad I didn't invest in a larger jar because I was really glad to finish this one up and move on to something else. Definitely not worth it to me for the cost. Will not repurchase. 
• Andalou Naturals Meyer Lemon + C Creamy Cleanser, $13.99 for 6 oz. This one is making a repeat appearance in my empties because I've used this cleanser for a long time. I enjoy everything about this product - the light citrus scent is refreshing, morning and night. The creamy formula makes quick work of light makeup - though it won't do a lot for mascara - and is a fantastic second cleanse for my dry skin, especially during the winter. I'm using something else right now and am eager to get back to this bottle. Will repurchase.
• Tree Hut Shea Body Butter, $5.99 for 7 oz. Another product making a repeat appearance here. I go through one of these tubs at least once a month. The formula is creamy, not stiff, and blends easily into the skin. I enjoy the light, tropical scents of Coconut Lime and Lychee Plum. Will absolutely repurchase. 
• Everyone Soap in Sage & Verbena, $10.99 for 32 oz. Although this product markets itself as a body wash/shampoo/shave product, I've only ever used it as a body wash. In that capacity, it's fine. Nothing interesting to see here. Speaking of marketing, theirs annoys me for some reason. It's very much a unisex product, and their name is Everyone...but then this claims to be for every man. That annoys me, for some reason. I can't say why, but it just irked me every time I reach for the bottle. (Insert shrug here). I won't repurchase. 
• First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Lip Balm, $20 for 0.34 oz.  I'm afraid this lip balm might be discontinued because it's on the Final Sale page of FAB's website, and is only $10 there. I'm going to stock up because I really like the way this no-nonsense, zero frills balm makes my lips feel. It has a slightly gritty, waxy texture upon application (which takes some getting used to) but then quickly melts into something wonderful. I put this on every night before bed and will be stocking up in case it's going away. 
• Pond's Cleansing Balm, $9.99 for 3.38 oz. I had high hopes for this cleansing balm. I thought it would be a terrific first cleanse at night, whisking away every trace of my makeup. It was not terrific, and there was no whisking away of anything. The balm is heavily fragranced, which I couldn't deal with - especially in the eye area - and I had to use a lot of product to get my makeup off. I didn't finish it and will not repurchase.
• Oh K! Intense Moisture Violet Flower Hand Mask, $4.99. I really like most of the Oh K! masks I've tried, but this isn't one of them. If you're not familiar with hand masks, they are goo-filled gloves that you wear on your hands for about 10 minutes or so. The scent of the moisturizer in the gloves was lovely - light and floral - but the moisturizing seemed more superficial than intense. My hands didn't feel any better than if I'd applied some basic lotion to them. I won't repurchase this particular mask. 
• Aveeno Repairing Cica Foot Mask, $3.59. I declared my love and affection for this foot mask on Twin Cities Live, and it still stands. These moisturizer-filled booties are large enough to fit my large feet (size 13), and they soften like nobody's business. My heels, my toes, and everything in between feel magically transformed after using this mask. I pop these booties on weekly during the summer to my feet looking fresh in their sandals. Will repurchase. 

That's what I'm tossing into the recycling and trash bins this month. What products have you finished up? Anything good we all need to know about? Let us know down in the comments. 

I test a lot of products, and only a small selection of them make the cut for a Twin Cities Live segment or earn a spot in my makeup drawer. At this point, I have a good idea about what products I'm going to like and will work for me. But every once in a while, my initial judgement proves wrong. I don't mind admitting when I'm wrong. 

I should say, I don't mind admitting now when I'm wrong. When I was in my 20s and 30s, I wasn't always great about it. Especially in professional settings, I was afraid that being wrong meant I was stupid, or incompetent or (God forbid) imperfect. I've experienced a massive shift in how I perceive being wrong - there's no shame in admitting you don't know something, or in changing your mind once you get new information - and I'm a better wife, friend, employee, and all-around person for it. 

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Moisturizer, price varies by retailer
I'm not sure I would have purchased this moisturizer if not for the pandemic. I'd run out of face moisturizer during the early days of Minnesota's Stay at Home order, which meant I needed to find a replacement at one of the two businesses I was making infrequent trips to: the drugstore or the grocery store.

There's something about the Olay brand...I know they have good products, backed by proven ingredients and science. BUT. I just don't get excited about their line. I don't know why! They have good stuff, but I rarely consider them for purchase. Plus, they're a drugstore brand sold at high end prices. That always trips me up.  In any case - I was getting desperate and needed to buy a moisturizer at the drugstore, so here we are. 

I chose the Micro-Sculpting cream from the Regenerist line because I liked the claims (hydrates, improves elasticity and firmness) and the ingredients ( Vitamin B3, Amino-Peptides, Hyaluronic Acid and Antioxidants). I bought a 0.5oz sample size for $11.99 to ensure the cream wouldn't inflame my reactive skin or cause any other issues before investing in a full size (1.7 oz) jar.  

I feel so petty typing this out, but the first few times I used the cream I just felt like, "Whaaaah - I don't want this!" It seemed so basic, so boring, so whatever. But that little red jar won me over. So much so that I wound up buying a full size of the fragrance-free formula. I can't say I really minded the original, fragranced version all that much (aside from the fact that I try to avoid unnecessary ingredients like fragrance in my skincare, in general) - the scent is a light fresh/floral that's kind of nice.  I really appreciate having a fragrance-free option, though. 

What won me over?

• It's a true workhorse formula - I wear it day and night
• It leaves a pleasant, velvety feeling to the skin and layers well under makeup
• It works well with the marula oil I frequently layer over moisturizers at night when my cheeks are extra dry
• My skin feels smooth and hydrated, 24/7

Glossier Stretch Concealer, $18
I bought the Stretch Concealer at the Glossier store during a work trip to New York in February, and it was the one product I knew I wanted and was going to love before I set foot in the store. I'd read tons of reviews and watched a lot of fellow beauty enthusiasts on YouTube rave about it. So that was a no-brainer purchase. 

Everything about this concealer sounded perfect to me. The claims were that the product was a buildable concealer that could handle everything on your face - dark circles, blemishes, redness - and do it with a natural, glowy finish.  Also, there was an interesting claim that said it was formulated with "elastic micro waxes" that move with the skin instead of caking on top of it. My dry, 40-year old face thought,"Uhm, yep. That's what I'm looking for!"

When I actually put the concealer on, initially, it was a total bust. I'm pretty sure cursing was involved. Under my eyes, the luminous formula accentuated my puffiness and the slid all over the place. I couldn't bring myself to powder under the eyes, so that was a loss.  I tapped the concealer into the skin with my fingers to tone down redness on my chin, cheeks and nose, then set it all with a setting powder. My face was greasy as hell within minutes. I could feel the product just sitting there. It was baffling. I chucked the jar in the back of my makeup drawer and silently seethed every time I dug past it for something else. Until...well, until I got tired of moving it around the drawer and decided, "ONE more time. I will try this thing ONE more time and then it's finding a new home." And suddenly, I really freaking liked it. 

What was different?

• I still didn't use it under my eyes, but switched up how I applied it to my face 
• I patted the product onto my red spots, then blended with a small face brush (rather than tapping in with my fingers)
• I set it with powder foundation instead of basic setting powder
• Suddenly, it wore well and my skin looked glowy and natural and nice

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Face Mask, $3.49
This one is going to surprise anyone who's watched a recent TCL segment or stood behind me in line at the drugstore, because I have very publicly proclaimed my love for this sheet mask. It's wonderful in so many ways: comes in two pieces to ensure a great fit, feels cooling the second it hits the skin, leaves my face feeling hydrated and plump and amazing. I love this mask. Except,I'm not really into sheet masks right now. 

Between the environmental factor (so.much.packaging) and just a general shift in preference away from the sheet application, I'm setting this one aside in favor of the Hydro Boost Overnight Gel Mask. It provides the same benefits with way less packaging. And I just prefer the feeling of a light gel on my face rather than trying to keep a sheet mask from sliding around. Call me fickle, that's OK. But for now, I'm trading the sheet for the gel. 

There you have it: three products I've changed my mind about. What have you changed your mind about, lately? Let me know in the comments. 

​Oh, you might also like Products I've Used Up.

As we're all adjusting to wearing masks, there are a few considerations I've found myself up against.

• One: Did I remember to grab my mask?? (I now have a car mask and a purse mask, so I'm never without).
  
• Two: How the hell can I keep makeup on my face instead of on the back of my mask?? (Ew). 

I did some Internet research and some product testing to figure out which formulas and application methods will do the trick, then took it all to Twin Cities Live to share.  See if you catch me waving a pen around in the segment. Why am I doing that?  Not sure. Presumably it's a hazard of shooting the show from my guest room/office area. Next time, I'll be sure to keep all pens and other office supplies out of reach. 

How have you adapted your makeup routine to work well under a mask? I'd love to hear your favorite products and tips!

I'm a white woman who has called the Midwest home for most of my life. That life of mine is what it is because I was born white. I didn't always know this, but I certainly do now. And I know it's my responsibility to continually educate myself on my blind spots. 

I needed to learn the language and the history of race in America so I can confidently articulate what needs to be said, when it needs to be said, in my day-to-day life.  Maybe you do, too.  The work of Ijeoma Oluo and Dr. Lauren Michele Jackson were foundational components of my education.

It's not the job of any black person to educate me - it's my job to get educated - so I'm especially grateful for these books.   

So You Want to Talk About Race, by Ijeoma Oluo
"In So You Want to Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo guides readers of all races through subjects ranging from intersectionality and affirmative action to "model minorities" in an attempt to make the seemingly impossible possible: honest conversations about race and racism, and how they infect almost every aspect of American life."

"Generous and empathetic, yet usefully blunt . . . it's for anyone who wants to be smarter and more empathetic about matters of race and engage in more productive anti-racist action."--Salon

White Negroes: When Cornrows Were in Vogue And Other Thoughts On Cultural Appropriation, by Dr. Lauren Michele Jackson
"American culture loves blackness. From music and fashion to activism and language, black culture constantly achieves worldwide influence. Yet, when it comes to who is allowed to thrive from black hipness, the pioneers are usually left behind as black aesthetics are converted into mainstream success—and white profit. Weaving together narrative, scholarship, and critique, Lauren Michele Jackson reveals why cultural appropriation—something that’s become embedded in our daily lives—deserves serious attention. It is a blueprint for taking wealth and power, and ultimately exacerbates the economic, political, and social inequity that persists in America."

What books are you reading or have you read that have helped shape your understanding of and participation in conversations about race? Thanks for sharing your thoughts. 

It's always such an honor to be able to answer the specific questions that viewers send in to Twin Cities Live. This week, I tackled one that many of our healthcare workers are facing. And as wearing masks becomes something we're all going to do for the immediate future, it's possible that many of us will suddenly be confronted with break outs or extra dry patches on our faces as a result. Here are a few ideas for how to deal. And if you have anything tried and true to add, leave it down in the comments for all us! 

Also...did you notice that a certain someone made his live television debut? Anyone who knows Gravy is not at all surprised that he slept through the entire thing. 

This video is not sponsored. Opinions are based on my experiences. Your experience may differ and if that's the case, I'd love to hear about it. 

Products Mentioned:

• CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin *
• CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin 
• Aquaphor 
• Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream 
• COS RS Pimple Patches 
• Desitin 

You might also like My Planner Has Been Ruining My Life (Maybe), and Three Products That Surprised Me.

I put together a video that features three beauty products that surprised me - in a good way! I picked each of them up on a whim and didn't really expect to like them as much as I do.  Check it out and let me know if you've used anything recently that surprised you, for better or for worse. 

This video is not sponsored. Opinions are based on my own personal experience with a product. Your experience may differ. 

Following in the footsteps of March, April was another reading-heavy month. If there were any doubts as to how I'm managing self-quarantine, let this clear that right up: I'm reading. A lot.

April's selections were split 50/50 across fiction and non-fiction. Not something I did on purpose, but in retrospect I can see how that makes sense. I bounce around between the need to escape from reality and a curiosity for how other people handle life. Do you tend to favor one genre (or sub-genre) over another, based on what's happening in your life? 

My two favorite books this month were The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley and Books for Living by Will Schwalbe. The Authenticity Project is a work of contemporary fiction that follows the intertwining lives of six strangers brought together by a green notebook making its way across London (and a bit beyond). Each person who comes into possession of the notebook writes his or her deepest secret and then passes it along. The notebook brings each of them together in unexpected (and sometimes, not so unexpected) ways. It also included a couple of twists that kept me on my toes, along with a satisfying ending. Pooley's writing style is fluid, and she injects a lot of humor and heart into this story. 

Books for Living was published in 2016, and I stumbled upon a used copy at my favorite neighborhood bookstore (Cream and Amber, in downtown Hopkins, MN if you're wondering). This work of non-fiction is a follow-up to Schwalbe's best-seller, The End of Your Life Bookclub, and I hoped it would be the perfect thing to pick up and put down before bedtime. It was. In each chapter, Schwalbe introduces a book that provides context and texture to his own life. The books span genres and include a mix of classics and contemporary selections. What really stole my heart and made this a book I looked forward to opening each night was Schwalbe's affable tone, vulnerability and openness to sharing personal stories and insights that wove into the books he chose to highlight. 

The two books I liked the least this month were It All Comes Back to You by Beth Duke and Marketing Made Simple by Donald Miller and Dr. J.J. Petersen. I read Marketing Made Simple as part of a book club at work (my job is in marketing for a tech company). I had moderate expectations for the book and it didn't manage to meet that mediocre bar. I know this is lazy, but I don't really care to expend much more energy talking about it, so I'm not going to. If you're interested in marketing and want to know more about why I can't even with this book, let me know in the comments and we can chat about it there. 

It All Comes Back to You on the other hand...whew. This one is complicated. The book is set in both present day to tell the story of Ronni, an assisted living nurse who has been left a life-changing amount of money if she writes the life story of one of her favorite residents who has died; and the past, as it jumps back in time to tell the story of that vivacious resident, Violet. I stayed up late (11:00 p.m. on a work night!) to read the book because the story was engrossing and well-written, with plenty of twists and turns for the two characters for whom it was mostly easy to root for. I say mostly because Ronni's story at times became a little muddled, especially a life-changing romance that just never quite felt right to me.  One of those major plot twists came at the very end of the book, and it left me with such an overwhelming sense of ickiness and dismay that I couldn't possibly encourage anyone to put themselves through it. Unless you like that kind of thing, in which case by all means.

What I Read in April   

• Quit Like a Woman, Holly Whitaker
• Books for Living, Will Schwalbe
• Three Sisters, Susan Mallery
• The Sun is Also a Star, Nicola Yoon
• The Authenticity Project, Clare Pooley
• The Sober Diaries, Clare Pooley
• Olive Kitteridge, Elizabeth Strout
• Untamed, Glennon Doyle
• It All Comes Back to You, Beth Duke
• Your Perfect Year, Charlotte Lucas
• Marketing Made Simple, Donald Miller and Dr. J.J. Petersen

Did we read any of the same selections this month? What have you read lately that you'd recommend or not recommend?

There's a meme circulating that several people have sent my way. It's a Facebook post asking,"What's been your biggest waste of money so far this year?" And the response is, "A 2020 planner." I can relate. 

I didn't just buy one planner for 2020. I bought multiple planners, in part because I love the feel of paper and a good pen in my hand. Plus, I get a rush out of opening a new planner and seeing all the fresh, open space for what I could schedule into my life. Also, I value time management and think it's important to have a vision for my life and put action toward creating that life. Buuuuut...let's be real. I bought EIGHT (!) planners this year. There's more to it than just loving stationery, a blank page, and goal setting. 

Here's the deal (I think). I have a subconscious belief that the perfect planner will make my perfect life come true. If my life isn't coming together the way I'd hoped, it's because the weight of the paper in my planner isn't right. Or because the monthly calendar view is broken out at the beginning of the planner, separate from the daily planning pages (I hate that). Or because the goal tracker is broken out by quarter and placed at the back of the book, instead of by month and included in the monthly spread. (Fellow planner nerds are tracking with me. How about the rest of you? No. Fair enough). 

Subconsciously, I've believed that the planner itself is what's standing between me and the life of my dreams. So, how are things going now that all eight (!) of my planners have been rendered temporarily obsolete?

To be honest, it's a relief. Now that I'm not obsessively planning every moment of my day, I have the space to find the moments that mean something. I no longer feel the weight of setting SMART goals for every aspect of my life. I no longer feel the pressure to constantly check something off a to-do list.  I no longer feel that I need to be looking at next quarter, next month, next week or even tomorrow in order to be satisfied with how my life is going. 

Now, I'm not saying that I won't crack open one (I'm choosing ONE and going with it) of my planners again once Minnesota's Stay at Home order is lifted and the pace of life picks up again. Although the book may once again serve a purpose - helping me feel like I have some control over my life - I'm not going to allow it to become a distraction or a scapegoat. It's a tool, but it's not what is keeping me going in life. I'm keeping me going - or holding myself back. The planner is just along for the ride. 

Tell me: How do you plan your day, your year, your life - whatever. Has that changed since the pandemic started? Have you learned anything new about yourself in this area?

Also: You might be interested in Use the Nice Dishes. 

I have quite a few products to share - two of which are very clearly not used up, but I am so done with them. From left to right, we've got:

• Skintimate Moisturizing Shave Gel in Coconut Delight - This shaving cream was fine, and I will probably repurchase at some point. To be honest, I'm really not picky about shaving cream and have fairly low standards for it. Does it lather up and not clog up my razor? Does it smell OK?  This shaving gel checks all three of those very basic boxes.
• The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Light Cleansing Oil - I love this product so much. It's my first cleanse at night to remove makeup, and it removes every trace of mascara and eyeliner. The oil leaves a slight film on the skin, so a second cleanse is absolutely necessary. I have repurchased and never want to be without it.
• Tree Hut Shea Body Butter in Lychee & Plum - I'm a huge fan of this body butter because it blends easily and leaves my skin feeling so soft, so smooth and so moisturized. The Lychee & Plum scent isn't one I would have chosen for myself (Tree Hut sent me this product) and I'm so glad I tried it. It's a really gentle floral that's refreshing and lightly lingers on the skin. I routinely buy myself the Coconut Lime scent and will start working Lychee & Plum into my rotation, too. 
• Alima Pure Bronzer in Mauna Loa - I've repurchased this bronzer a number of times because it's a really great tone for my fair skin. Alima Pure powder products are some of my favorites because they blend seamlessly and last all day on me. Some might not like that this is a loose powder, but I don't mind. It comes with a closeable sifter which makes traveling with the bronzer easy. I have a couple other bronzers I'm using at the moment, but can't imagine I won't repurchase this one again down the line. 
• CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water - I really, really hated this product. I picked it up at a drugstore while visiting my parents in Des Moines because I'd forgotten my bottle of the Face Shop Rice Cleansing Oil and needed a first cleanse. This product burned my eyes, which was not ideal since I was primarily using it to remove eye makeup. I tried to use it alone in the morning a few times, since a lot of people use micellar water as a refreshing AM cleanse. This was not that - it left my skin feeling parched and sticky. Won't be finishing it and won't repurchase. 
• Maybelline City Mini Palette in Downtown Sunrise - This is the other product that I don't like, won't be using ever again, and won't repurchase. I generally like Maybelline eyeshadow palettes and find them to blend nicely, wear well throughout the day, and are accessible and affordable. This particular palette fell flat. I bought it on a whim because I thought the color story was fun - I don't go for a lot of shimmer, normally, but this seemed like a good time to experiment. The problem with this palette is that the three glitter shades fall out like crazy. I had straight up glitter alllllll over my face after using this palette, to the point that I wiped off all my makeup and started over. I like shimmer but glitter that gets everywhere is not what I was going for. 

Have you finished any products lately? If so, what's the verdict: repurchase or pass?