Play. Work. Repeat.

Because play should always come first.

TUESDAY TIDBITS {02.16.21}

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Testing :: Doubling down on my skincare routine with some new toys – Omnilux Countour FACE light therapy mask and the NIRA laser. There are some influencers that I really respect that LOVE these tools, which helped sway me; plus I’m really hoping the NIRA helps those pesky hooded eyelids that keep getting worse over time. #thanksgravity

Decluttering :: I know I’m not alone here, but do you ever get this overwhelming feeling after the holidays where you still haven’t found a proper home for all of your new goodies? I see you! Intrigued in this idea that you can declutter your home in a single weekend, and down for the experiment. It’s either less stuff or a bigger house – something gots ta go!

Plotting :: All of the extra snow we’ve received in the past few weeks really has me thinking about all of the time we will be spending outside once the weather gets warmer. And I mean it better be ALL THE TIME. Even if it’s just for our small little family, I’ve got party hacks on my mind! Also sort of want a boat now, but will more realistically be focusing on some budget-friendly outdoor lighting projects.

Celebrating :: Getting my head around all the creative ideas I would love to replicate in some way for St. Patrick’s Day over on my Pinterest page. This will also be around the time we mark one year of lockdown and quarantine. If that is not worthy of a drink (or several), I’m not sure what is.

Tuesday Tidbits {02.02.21}

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Learning :: With spring on its way, my less-than-green thumb is getting itchy to start growing again, so I’m mitigating the risk of total disaster by learning from “Gangster Gardener” Ron Finley on MasterClass. He provides practical advice and great upcycling ideas. I’m more than halfway through and I can’t get enough!

Trying :: I’ve been stressed recently (along with the rest of the world), and very much overindulged over the holidays (and basically throughout quarantine), so figured I would try a new vitamin routine though care/of. Honestly, I’m skeptical, but hoping it contributes to a positive change in my life and my health. I do feel a little less stressed three days in, but careful to not overlook the potential placebo effect.

Playing :: I have always loved video games. Like LOVED video games. Adulting eats into most of my free time, but when my 7 yo decided he wanted to start playing Roblox during quarantine, I was more than happy to volunteer to “chaperone” him on the game servers. After a day full of decision-making and difficult choices, nothing winds me down better than raising my pets in an hour of Adopt Me!

Baking :: All things Biscoff cookie butter. Be it loaf cake, cupcakes or cheesecake trifles (oh my!), I can’t get enough.

TUESDAY TIDBITS {05.12.20}

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Read :: I’m deadline driven. While I have lofty goals of reading for pleasure, I will typically find anything else to do if I don’t have a deadline to meet. As a long time reader of How Sweet Eats, I was excited when she introduced a book club. Excited to give it a go with the first book, The Happy Ever After Playlist!

Organize :: We’ve purchased more board games since going into quarantine — which is great at killing boredom, but wreaking havoc on my house with all of the boxes. Saw a genius idea on Pinterest to switch the (many, many) boxes for a vinyl mesh zipper pouch. So doing this.

Learn :: My husband and son gave me a Dyson Airwrap Complete for Mother’s Day this year. I’ve been watching YouTube videos to figure out how to use it, but after one go-round, I can report that it is GOOD. I get the hype now. Fun fact: I asked for an apple tree for the backyard so we didn’t have to go to grocery store as much in the Fall. This is where I am in my life now.

Develop :: Boundaries. With work. I’ve been working long hours on top of homeschooling, and my head was just about ready to explode last week. I decided to take this past Friday and Monday off to regroup. It was glorious. The benefits to just setting aside some time for yourself — even if it’s just so you’re not trying to juggle ten things at once — makes a difference.

6 Ways We’re Keeping Sane During Lockdown

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Remember when I said I was going to be making the most of this lockdown? How adorable was I?! This is about SURVIVAL.

We’ve been in self-isolation for almost a month now. There have been the expected highs and lows, times when I’ve felt totally in control and times where I’ve felt completely out of control. We’ve hit abandoned trails in the nearby woods to break free and I’ve hit our dining room table in frustration and nearly broke my hand. All things being equal, we’re just trying to maintain sanity at this point. Here are the things keeping us sane with two high stress/demanding jobs (and an equally demanding 6 year old) during our shelter-in-place days.

Going for walks. Admittedly, we did this more in the first two weeks than the last two, but I can’t tell you how vital this has been for our mental health. Yes, sometimes we bring the iPad so wee man can use Pokemon Go around the neighborhood, but I can’t tell you what a relief it is to just move your legs and get some fresh air. Even on a conference call this week, I did laps back and forth in my driveway. My neighbors probably think I’m nuts, but I swear I could think more clearly when outside of the “war room” that used to be our dining room.

Exercising. This one is more my husband than myself, but he has found sanity in using the Peloton every morning where as I’m a once/twice a week kind of gal. I’ve been more dedicated to wee man’s phys ed lessons during this whole homeschooling process. When I can keep up, I get an Oreo. Win-win. Plus, see “Going for walks” above — totally counting that as exercise.

Turning everything into a lesson, because I suck at homeschooling. There is a reason I didn’t become a teacher…I HATE teaching. Just. Can’t. Do. It. Since he’s in Kindergarten, there is no virtual learning — it’s a hot mess of 14 worksheets a day with ME as a teacher while juggling 14 hours of work some days. So when we play with the Nerf guns in the backyard to see who can make it closer to the shed, and go looking for the darts, I turn that into an addition and subtraction lesson. Or some of the science experiment-related Kiwi Crates we’ve been hoarding (read: he’s had no interest and they were a gift), breaking those bad boys out like crazy — and he LOVES them. Or again, walking through the woods and talking about why the leaves fall, how the seasons change or how differently-sized bodies of water are called different things – or using an Aerogarden to talk about photosynthesis. Learning how to make change playing Monopoly or even reading the subtitles on Pokemon Shield! He’s engaged and he’s learning…period.

Everything is new again – revisiting old toys or ones never played with. Much like the Kiwi Crates, we are rediscovering all kinds of toys that haven’t been played with in a while or, in some cases, never. The Smart Pixelator? Suddenly obsessed, and supplementing the art component of school he misses so much. A noise maker that recreates sounds that only small boys (and probably grown up ones) would appreciate, which he sneaks into a room (usually while one of us is on a conference call) and sets off. Hard to be mad when his diabolical genius is shining so brightly there.

Facetime/Zoom/Social Media…for everyone. My parents. My in laws. My girlfriends from college. Wee man and his little girlfriend from school having a virtual lunch. A virtual happy hour with colleagues. While I loathe Facebook, it has been an amazing place for my son’s school’s parents to commiserate and joke about identifying odd objects that should either start or end with the letter m. We can still be social despite the social distance.

Making my home my sanctuary. Life was so busy before the pandemic, that my home was more of a place to drop my things and think about on the weekend (if I had the time). I bought a fire pit and a s’mores kit. Why did I not do these things earlier?! We broke out cornhole and set up a badminton/volleyball net. We’re going on treasure hunts around the yard, searching for clues that may lead us to gold (or Robux, which has a value higher than gold in this house). No closets have been cleaned or organized as a result of this pandemic, but we’re having a blast outside!

Honorable mentions? Alcohol and a sense of humor. I’m thankful for both, as was my hurt hand.

But Wait, There’s More!

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It seems like every day there is a new stat. A new country on lockdown. Another life lost. Groups of people who rally to help the less fortunate while others hoard 15,000 bottles of hand sanitizer to sell for profit. There’s always…more.

Now schools are closed. Parents are being asked to homeschool while simultaneously trying to keep up with their day jobs working from home…or worse, being asked to choose between working outside of the home to provide for their family or caring for their child while the world tries to slow the spread of coronavirus. With the elderly population one the most vulnerable – like my 92 year old grandfather – we are watching, with breath held, the potential risk of losing an entire generation of people. Not to mention the clear caste system in full effect, knowing that the millions of children that rely on free meals at school may otherwise be going hungry and won’t be able to keep up with their peers via remote learning because they lack the technology resources to do so.

Granted, I’m only on Day Five of this new norm and I would consider myself on the very fortunate end of the spectrum to still be able to provide for my family while working remotely (thanks to a wonderful boss and a flexible employer) and care for my son. I have the luxury of hoping I become a better mother, wife and employee, and I will try to use this situation to learn how to set boundaries between work and home that I’ve otherwise blurred in favor of the former. If anything, I feel like I’m doing a better job shutting off at night to spend uninterrupted time with my family, and I’m doing it by getting an early start each morning with time I would have otherwise dedicated to getting ready for work, school dropoff and commuting. The homeschooling feels like it’s going to kill me at times, but the support I’ve found online from friends and neighbors has been amazing. Even though we’re isolated, we don’t have to be alone.

We’re all struggling in our own way, and the news is more surreal and terrifying every day. Just when you think the worst has happened, there’s MORE. Like others, I have to keep reminding myself that this will end eventually. There will be a turning point for good…we just have to get there, together.

Tuesday Tidbits {02.25.20}

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See :: The Masked Singer. Obsessed with this show. My guesses have usually been solid on this show up until this new season where I’ve yet to guess a single revealed contestant correctly.

Do :: Make these bacon crackers. How something so simple could be so delicious is mind-blowing. Maybe follow it up with this parmesan popcorn.

Read :: Things I Bought and Liked. Highly entertaining, and the recommendations are always spot on. Love her Instagram page and the blog is a great, quick resource of products that have been tried and tested.

Learn :: How to arrange pillows, because apparently they are “jewelry for the room.” I can’t quit you, Pottery Barn!

Review :: Biologique Recherche Cocktail d’Actifs Régénérants

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At its core, this is a skincare review post, but it’s also a reminder that no matter what skincare you use, what is going on inside can have just as much of an effect…if not more…on your skin.

For my 40th birthday, my husband surprised me with the best gift ever — a weekend trip to Charlotte and a trip to Toska’s European Spa. If you don’t follow her on Instagram — please do so. She is gorgeous inside and out, and will make you look stunning in the process! At the end of THE BEST FACIAL I HAVE EVER HAD (worth a post all its own!), Toska’s staff kindly recommended to my husband that he purchase Cocktail d’Actifs Régénérants as a Christmas gift…and what a gift it was!

According to the company’s product description: “Chock-full of vitamins and active ingredients derived from cutting-edge biotechnology, this cocktail provides multi-benefit results, even in the case of the most devitalized Skin Instants. It activates cellular regeneration, protects against the harmful effects of free radicals and boosts the skin’s protective functions while improving epidermal moisture and tone.”

Honestly, I was terrified to use it. Peeling the seal back was absolutely nerve-wracking, especially given the price tag. I did not want to waste a single drop! When I posted about it on Instagram, Toska recommended usage of half a bottle each night on my face, neck, décolletage and the back of my hands. I know better than to doubt Toska…she is a genius…so I followed her directions to the letter.

My routine was the same: Lait VIP 02; Lotion P50 1970; Cocktail d’Actifs Régénérants (sit for a few minutes); Creme Masque Vernix w/ either VIP Fluide 02 or T.E.W.L. depending on level of dryness. I will say the nights I used by BeautyBio GloPro after Lotion P50 1970 and before the Cocktail d’Actifs Régénérants, I did feel like it made more of an impact the next day.

Halfway through — and even with an upper respiratory infection that was otherwise trying to kill me — the impact was significant. My skin was tighter, more luminous, with an even tone (which it pretty much never has). Even for all of the other good my BR products have done for my skin, this took it over the top. When Toska says they are unicorn tears, she is not exaggerating. This formula is essentially the fountain of youth, especially for those of us with terrible aging genes and a childhood’s worth of bad decisions working against us.

Then boom — about 75% of the way through the treatment, my face had an unexpected reaction. Things that didn’t change: my diet, my skincare routine, any household cleaners, hormonal swings. Things that did change: my stress level went through the roof at work as my company headed full-steam into a merger.

Out of nowhere, my face became bright red and broke out. Literally overnight. I stopped using the treatment for a few days and focused on basics — Lait VIP 02, Lotion P50 1970, Serum Iribiol, Creme Placenta. I didn’t want to waste such a wonderful product on skin that was struggling. A few days later I came back to it, and watched my skin come back to life. So much havoc had been wreaked, though…so it was definitely a step back that Cocktail d’Actifs Régénérants was trying to help me recover from.

So while my skin did not look as great using the last dose as it did 50% of the way through, I did notice in the weeks that followed that my skin continued to improve as I began to manage my stress better. Again, not using any “new to me” lotions or potions, but, at least in my mind, a residual effect of the treatment. A few weeks on, I still feel like I have retained much of what I gained from using this.

I would say that this product is a blessing, especially for those of us who don’t live within driving distance of those with expertise in BR facials (especially that Toska Signature Triple Lift – to die for!). The cost for this product is not insignificant, but if you have the money to spend and you want to treat yourself, it is definitely worth the gamble. It peels back time and damage, reminiscent of a younger you. Just try to avoid any major mergers while you’re using it.

Tuesday Tidbits {02.04.20}

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See :: Anne with an “E”. A fan of the books and the 1980’s movies, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this retelling. It’s darker, for sure…diving deep into Anne’s abusive childhood with flashbacks and sending Gilbert on adventures most adults wouldn’t brave…but two seasons in, I’m addicted. Devastated there is only one more season to go, which won’t nearly cover the romance between Anne and Gilbert. I’m in the “depths of despair” over this.

Do :: Update your LinkedIn profile. If you haven’t updated the content of your profile in some time, you’re doing yourself a disservice. Your skill sets may have expanded, you may have spoken on an emerging topic or you may just not look like that headshot you had taken straight out of college anymore. The new year is a great time to revisit how to differentiate yourself from the crowd.

Read :: The Official DC Super Hero Cookbook: 60+ Simple, Tasty Recipes for Growing Super Heroes. My son is an INSANELY picky eater. Seriously, thank goodness for breakfast foods, chicken nuggets, yogurt and vitamins, because it has been the only thing keeping him alive for years now. He originally found this book at the library and loved it so much that we purchased it from Amazon. He actually wants to make — AND TRY — food from this book. Even if it’s only a taste, we’re trending in the right direction. So far, he loves the Superman smoothie — which is the first bit of spinach to hit his body in about five years.

Learn :: All of the travel hacks for our upcoming cruise vacation. Facebook groups, forums, Pinterest — I’m am hitting them all for the best ideas as to what we should bring with us on our upcoming cruise. While the hubs and I were avid cruisers BC (before child), this is our first time back on the high seas with our wee man in tow. And we’re taking him on a cruise, where literally all there is to do is eat. Here’s hoping that superhero cookbook works miracles.

F5 :: FIVE FOR FRIDAY {01.03.20}

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Welcome to 2020, friends! Self-care comes in many forms. While there are many factors outside of my control, here are some of the ways I am setting myself up for a less stressful year.

::1:: Decluttering. The great purge is upon us, people! Toys, clothes, baby items — so much of it is being donated or trashed entirely. Why I thought it was a good idea to hold onto that sweater from college, or those baby clothes with stains on them, is beyond me. The madness stops now!

::2:: Time management, especially at work. It’s so easy to get distracted at the office, and I often find myself staying late as a result of all those unexpected interruptions. In order to maximize my time in the office, and *hopefully* turn off more at night, I’m going to try this Pomodoro Method – block out chunks of uninterrupted time on my calendar and avoid distractions at all cost.

::3:: Schedule more playdates. This is less of a de-stresser and more of a challenge. I’m an introvert, and notoriously the worst at scheduling playdates for my son. He’s an only child, so these interactions are important, but I find the anxiety of reaching out to moms to set up these playdates overwhelming at times. It’s time for me to step up for my kid and help him nurture and expand an already wonderful support system of great friends.

::4:: Take the time to learn new things. Podcasts, e-learning certificates, books…anything that I can realistically make time for in my schedule.

::5:: More exercising, less sugar/booze. I have veered far from the path to healthy living, and I’m FEELING every ounce of it. My clothes are tight, my energy is all but gone and it’s affecting my skin. My intention is to do something active — take a walk, use the Peloton currently collecting dust, run around the yard with wee man — at least 3-4 times a week. It doesn’t have to be a formal form of exercise, it just has to be SOMETHING…and I’m holding myself to that goal with my Apple Watch (I hate when it’s disappointed in me!).

And you know that Disney review I never finished here? It will be done by 2021!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

F5 :: FIVE FOR FRIDAY {12.27.19}

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Another week of holiday cheer is officially in the books!

::1:: I need more “things” like I need a hole in the head, but the sales are too insanely good right now to pass up. From Vineyard Vines to Nordstrom, Wayfair to Serena & Lily, the deals are making me want to buy in bulk and then put my credit cards away for the rest of the year.

::2:: After the heaviness of Christmas-themed meals, I’m craving lightened up Asian-inspired dishes, like these wraps and this turkey salad (despite their abundance of vegetables). Although let’s face it, I’ll be making these Korean Beef Sloppy Joes by week’s end.

::3:: I’m also craving some time with the Peloton, but can’t stop playing Luigi Mansion 3…which Santa brought for my six year old. If he excitedly watches me play, that counts as quality time, right?

::4:: I started a new skincare regimen last night that will carry me through the next couple of weeks. I’m loyal to the Biologique Recherche line, and received Cocktail d’Actifs Régénérants as a Christmas gift from my husband this year. Apparently, I was very good. Will report back.

::5:: My little family, plus my mom, will be embarking on a cruise vacation in 2020! I’ve been on a handful of cruises with my husband before, but never with the little guy and only our second time with Royal Caribbean. The pricing for everything seems astronomical to me, but the time and effort to research/wait/cancel/rebook excursions, packages, etc. seems like more work to me than vacation. Recommendations are so welcome here — splurge and enjoy the ride or keep researching so no regrets later?