My Latest Snag: Shiseido Facial Cotton.
If you’ve been a longtime reader, this is old news, but I just restocked my supply of Shiseido Facial Cotton. I did try a few other brands recently that were recommended by others, but there is simply no cotton softer, thicker, or more absorbent than Shiseido and I’m permanently locked-in. If you’ve not yet tried it, do yourself a favor! This will be a small but noticeable upgrade to your makeup/skincare regimen.
I do also use these reusable generic-brand “makeup erasers” in the 5×5 size when cleansing my face, but still reach for the cotton when applying certain products, especially my beloved Living Libations Cleansing Oil. I wet a Shiseido square with warm/hot water, then apply 1-2 pumps of the oil, and wipe all over my face. Then I rinse the cotton in more water, squeeze, and wipe down my face with the opposite side.
Delightful!
You’re Soooo Popular: The Longline Cardi.
The most popular items on le blog this week:
+Elegant J. Crew cardigan.
+Tapered utility pants.
+Chic food storage.
+My new pullover.
+My favorite everyday lip product, sold as a value deal.
+Chic everyday Target dress.
+Hand-painted dog bowls.
+My new devotional.
+Comfy slippers for home.
+A sleek and slim console for an entryway.
+Stunning tiered floral skirt.
+Adorable puffer for a little love.
+Waterproof school labels for your little one’s belongings, and lunch box notes for the lunch pail!
+$35 clogs to nail the trend without spending a fortune.
+Striped fleece.
+Washable wool trousers — so chic and functional!
+Inexpensive Halloween jammies.
Weekend Musings: Worrying.
The ultra chic Stephanie Trotta shared a quote this week on Instastories:
“When we worry about things, we end up living them twice.”
I am a professional-grade worrier. Mr. Magpie usually counsels me to ask myself: “Is there anything I can do about this concern right now? If not, I need to try to let it go.” I find this particularly quieting when I am awake at 3 a.m. circling around specific concerns and imagining every possible negative outcome. Whenever I think about Mr. Magpie’s advice, I realize that worrying is strenuously unproductive, and I try to practice mindfulness instead. I imagine myself actively slicking away the worrying thoughts that bubble up and attempt to disturb me, as though swatting away flies or wicking away raindrops on a windshield.
But the notion that worrying in fact doubles, or prolongs, the possibility of pain or disappointment, is an equally useful prophylactic. Why would I want myself to endure that twice?
Easier said than done, but if you are wont to tossing and turning, maybe it is helpful to imagine affording yourself the kindness of only experiencing a negative thing once.
P.S. More thoughts on gaining a sense of perspective.
Post-Scripts: Paisley Dress.
+This gorgeous paisley dress is $100 off at the moment. Another good fall wedding contender.
+This reversible coat keeps selling out!
+I have been using this primer lately, and while I hate adding an extra step to my already over-long getting-ready routine, it really does make a difference. Tinted moisturizer/foundation/concealer stick around much longer!
+This sleeveless cashmere peplum tank is marked way down to $129. Dreamy with trousers!
+A casual weekend jean.
+So many of you love this dress in the midi length — now available as a mini in fantastic fall colors/prints!
+Loft just came out with a great kick flare denim style — v on trend — and I LOVE the colors! Reminds me of the VB Carlys in my cart. (Note that Loft styled theirs with clogs!)
+These sweet handmade pumpkins are made of repurposed sweaters — so cute to decorate a little one’s bookshelves for Halloween!
+This rainbow stripe sweater brings a smile to my face. Cheeky like Kule, chunky like La Ligne. Perfect.
+This corduroy dress is fantastic in that amazing green hue!
+A great quiet activity for little ones at Church/a restaurant.
+Oo I love this plaid button-down — just great details! Love the puff at the shoulder, the tunic length, the pattern!
+Natori underwire bra on sale for under $30 — love the pretty posy pink. If you’ve been following me for awhile, you know these are my favorite everyday bras, though these inexpensive seamless racerbacks are a close second. The latter are super comfortable but don’t offer the same silhouette.
+This Petits Vilains puff-sleeved turtlenecks for littles sell out every year lickity-split! I’ve written about this before, but I really like their retro running shorts for micro. He owns a few pairs and is wearing them to soccer on the weekends!
+These Tory Burch clogs are on sale for $90 off in a gorgeous marigold color.
+Herb scissors!
+This ruffle-trim swimsuit was just marked down to $7. A good fallback to have for next summer!
+Love the logo on this bag!
+I know summer is fading but this dress is spectacular.
+This shelf is darling.
Love these shares on the unnecessary costs of worrying. My go-to for insomnia is counting down from 100 in increments of 3. Sending love ❤
Oo, that’s a good trick, Amelia!! Will try that. Thanks for chiming in!
xx
“Professional-grade worrier” — I chuckled at this, because I can so relate to this! I have a tendency to worry excessively too. When I catch myself doing it, I remind myself of this: “worrying is like praying for what you don’t want to happen.” — it goes along the lines of what you wrote above, on living it twice.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) has also taught me to reappraise and challenge my automatic thoughts, by asking myself, is this even true/accurate? What are the chances that xyz will happen?” etc. Easier said than done of course but I really *try* to practice it.
That question from Mr. Magpie sounds like a helpful reappraisal too!
Such a good provocation: “is this even true/accurate”? Will be thinking on that suggestion for sure! Thanks for sharing.
xx
Love this quote so much. My sister-in-law has a magnet on her fridge that says: “Worrying is like paying taxes you may not even owe.” It’s a good reminder to try not to needlessly tax my own emotions and energy on something that may never come to fruition. 3 am worriers unite (and share tips to get back to sleep)!
Right on the money! Love that expression. So true, though easier said than applied for us 3 am worriers!
Thanks for sharing!
xx
Love herb scissors!!! Like to give them as a hostess gift for a dinner invitation, because only a real cook will appreciate them. And they all end up telling me how much they love them!
What a great idea! Tucking this away for future hosts!
xx