Aging Beautifully

Do you use a night cream?

One of the most drilled-into-me lessons I got from my Grandma was related to skin care. She'd sit me down on the edge of her bed, facing her vanity, as she got ready when I visited, and repeat the following mantra: "You MUST put lotion on your face, neck and ears every morning when you wake up and every night before bed. THAT is the secret to beautiful, youthful skin." I literally got that lesson on every visit. And to her last day, truly, my Gram had the most beautiful, softest, wrinkle-free skin you ever saw. So I take that lesson to heart.

There was a turning point in my skin-care regime five or six years ago when I realized I couldn't rely exclusively on my youthful vigor anymore. I adopted and have remained true to a routine that includes day lotion with SPF, eye cream, and night cream, as well as super hydrating lip care. I don't go a day without my morning routine, but I must admit that I'm less consistent in the evenings. This is mostly due, I think, to the fact that I haven't found a night cream that I love. I've tried lots of different store-bought brands, and samples from name-brand lines, and just can't land on one I can stick with. They either feel too heavy for night, or a bit oily, or they're too fragrant -- none of which I can handle as I try to get to sleep (also, regarding fragrance, my husband would be grossed out by heavy scents at night, and he wouldn't hesitate to tell me so in the kindest of words).

So I come to you, friends... do you use a night cream? What do you recommend? I'm open to any and all recommendations, and would love your input. Pharmacy? Makeup counter? What's your go-to? Actually, I'll take any skin care recommendations... I'm interested to know what you do to keep your pretty faces so pretty.

Thanks! Now comment away!

What I'm Reading Now: February 21, 2012

Actually started this last week, but the photo I self-snapped was not so flattering, so I decided to try again this week.

Yes, I'm late on this series, I know. But I usually hesitate on books that "everyone's reading" and these just didn't call to me. Then suddenly they did. Flew through the first one, and now sucked right into #2. Did you read this series? Did you see the movie(s)? What are you reading these days?

More Paper Love

I hate to reveal this one, because, well, it's so freaking great I want to keep it all to myself, but that's not right, or mature, or fair, because, well, it's so freaking great. So-- YOU'RE WELCOME. Seriously, though... for Valentine's Day or any other reason, this might be the best way to tell your friend how great she or he is. Check this card out:

Remember the "Best Friends" friendship necklaces from childhood - one half of the heart to each pal? Well, here they are in a cute, sweet, contemporary card, thanks to the paper genius pair of Lisa and Jen of FareWell Paperie (shop on Etsy). I seriously think this might be the best paper-related idea ever, and as in love with it as I am, I'm also kind of annoyed I didn't think of it first.

You just write on the back of one half of the card and give or mail it off to your buddy, then she/he carefully separates the cards along the perforated edge, keeps her/his half, and gives/sends you back a sweet note on yours! Perfection, right?!

And the rest of the items in their little shop are equally delightful. Trust me. Or don't, but that would be silly.

Happy Valentine's Day to all my beautiful friends tomorrow. I love you more every day.

Who Wants to Make Me Some Pillows?

Or, fine, I'll just order some. But here's where this all started...

I'm in love with so much of Jonathan Adler's designs, it's borderline frightening. I've never indulged, but I want so many of his pieces so much that when I see them my tummy hurts. Recently I walked by the JA Chicago store, and saw these lovelies in the window display:

Logically, I fell in love. (see what happened there? like that "falling in love" play on words? it's clever, but also true.) I want to add them to our daybed, which doubles as a comfy lounging couch, in our multipurpose second bedroom. Alas, I just cannot justify a splurge on these, as much as I love them. So I need another solution. My sister in-law suggested scouring Etsy. Here are a few possibilities:

(here)

(here, also available in capital letters, as seen here)

Where else should I look? Or is anyone reading this crafty enough to create some magic for me? Or should I just splurge? No, I daren't! Dare I?

What I'm Reading Now: February 2, 2012

Well, it took me the entire month of January to read The Marriage Plot, so according to Good Reads, I'm one book behind if I want to meet my goal of 25 for 2012. <shakes fist at The Marriage Plot>

Anyway, so now I'm reading two books, not because I'm forcing myself to catch up, but because I am. Bloodroot is for my online book group, and the other, is... just other. And also, Thank You Again, A. You rule.

And yes, I sure did get my nails did yesterday, thanks for noticing!

What are you reading now?

Best Pal

Today is my sweet dog's "birthday." It's not her birthday, but her "birthday." And she's turning five-ish. We hit the lottery four years and two months ago when we picked up our sweet girl (from this amazing shelter here in Chicago), and she's been the best pal either of us could ask for! She was about 10 months old that day, so we counted back 10 months and called February 1 her "birthday" from then on. I know every dog owner says it, but seriously, there's not a better dog and furry companion to be found on the planet. We often joke that all of our luck went into our dog, and nothing else will ever work out as well for us in life, and that's okay. Our sweet Lanie (full name Penny Lane) is truly one of the coolest and greatest animals around, and she totally deserves the Dairy Queen delight she'll get in celebration of her "birthday" later this evening!

Do you celebrate your pets' birthdays? Do your pets have great names? I love pet names. There's a little puppy French bulldog in our 'hood named Gary. Every time I see him I crack up. Lanie is Lanie because she was "Bailey" in the shelter, and she was fairly well-trained by that name, so we wanted to keep the vowel sounds and syllables the same to ease her transition. How do you name your pets?

Happy Birthday, Best Dog Ever!

(now indulge me in a photographic tribute to the aforementioned best dog ever)

(still such a sweet pup after all this time! seriously, how cute is my girl?!)

Nerd Moment of the, Well, of the Moment

Don't you want one of these, my fellow nerds? In a word: Amahzing.

Check this shop (Pamela Fugate Designs) out here, and the Big Books stuff here. And then go raise your Nerd Flag.