Here’s a quick snap shot of the frumpy outfit I was wearing today while walking home from Whole Foods. It was like 45 degrees.
After I cleaned out my closet this weekend, I realized that there was nothing else I wanted to add to my wardrobe at the moment. It’ll probably last for another two or three months. In the foreseeable future the only thing that I think maybe I might want is the ES Clyde jacket, but even with that, I’m not that excited about it. I go back and forth. The sleeves are a bit too short, and maybe I’d prefer something more cozy. I’ve decided to shelf the idea and re-assess in May/June. Right now, I’m just going to sit back and enjoy the absence of wanting something new in my wardrobe.
I’m feeling better from the RSV infection and can breathe through my nose again. I’ve been lighting up scented candles at home since my nose regained functioning. Today I’m enjoying the Bob’s Flower Shop scented candle by Trapp (which has a soft scent, like fresh cut flower stems and other floral notes). We also invested in an essential oil diffuser that’s on its way. Hope to use it to humidify our very dry apartment and for aromatherapy. I’m tired of waking up every morning with an extremely parched mouth and throat.
To combat dry skin, I’ve been using the CeraVe moisturizing cream on my body and the PM moisturizing lotion on my face. I chose CeraVe because it contains ceramides and niacinamide (in the lotion only), but is otherwise no frills. In the past couple weeks I’ve been learning more about skin care and have changed the way I think about beauty products drastically. For one thing, I’ve swung away from “all natural” products and I’m no longer paranoid about preservatives. My skin has been much less prone to blemishes since I made the switch from Dr. Haushka (super expensive all natural product) to The Ordinary and CeraVe a couple weeks ago. And my theory is that the botanical ingredients and essential oils in Dr. Haushka were actually causing my skin to react, not in a drastic way but I did notice that I always had 2-3 blemishes when I was going all natural. Will write more on this at some point.
[outfit: pre-owned sas relax sandals, boot socks, black crane carpenter pants, elizabeth suzann harper tunic linen gauze, old everlane winter puffer]
Dr. it girl 
CeraVe PM is my jam. I’m hoping their acquisition by Loreal does not mess up their original product line.
You may like Dr Dray on Youtube (clinical dermatologist), she debunks a lot of that “all natural” is better talk. And she recommends no nonsense products.
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I did hear about that. Let’s hope it stays good. She’s one of the YouTube people I do follow for the educational material. Not so much the day in the life type stuff.
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Frumpy= comfy and there’s nothing wrong with that. I’m usually frumptastic on the weekends. I love how you rock the socks w/ Birks look.
I may have to check out the CeraVe pm lotion. I use Dr. Jart Ceramidin lotion currently, but finding a slightly cheaper alternative is a good thing. For body, I use Yube lotion and Yuskina cream – for really dry areas. Yuskina is the original Japanese version that’s cheaper, but takes 2 weeks to get. Yube is the western marketed version and they included a lotion format, which I do like. I hate that it’s so much more expensive, but this stuff works on my skin so much better than any other lotion I’ve ever tried before. https://www.amazon.com/YuBe-Moisturizing-Body-Lotion-10-25/dp/B001K9X9W6/ref=sr_1_6_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1516637131&sr=8-6&keywords=yube
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I guess that’s why the two words rhyme. You can get cerave coupon in their site but amazon was still cheaper than Walgreens/Duane reade w the coupon. I’ve tried the sube before and liked it for my hands. But because I only had a small tube I’ve never tried it all over. I’ll look into Yuskina. Thanks.
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This is my first time commenting on your blog. I have been reading along for a couple months now (I can’t remember how I found you…maybe Grechen’s Closet?), but you are one of my favorite reads now.
I too have noticed that quite frequently “all natural” skin care products end up being far more troublesome than the good old standbys. I would gladly go back to CeraVe myself (nothing better for cracked winter hands) but I won’t unless/until they remove the parabens (same goes for Cetaphil. Ay yi yi, chock full-o parabens).
This is why I adamantly avoid them: http://news.berkeley.edu/2015/10/27/lotion-ingredient-paraben-may-be-more-potent-carcinogen-than-thought/. Paper here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4858398/
Right when that study came out I was diagnosed with that exact type of breast cancer (HER2+, Estrogen+). Previously, I didn’t worry much about parabens. I was 38, still nursing my youngest child, had zero family history or any other risk factor for breast cancer. I don’t know if parabens were a contributor to my cancer or not, but I’ve been battling this ghastly disease for two years now and I sure as hell am avoiding all parabens now!
Just food for thought I guess. We are exposed to so many different chemicals of all types these days and untangling what’s harmful and what’s not is quite the tricky game!
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Hi Annie, thanks for adding your two cents. If I were exactly in your shoes I sure as hell would do the same thing! For years I was afraid of parabens and I still am afraid a little bit. It’s hard to say anything with any certainty. The paper was from in vitro studies so its very hard to extrapolate from that. Plus our environment is full of so many carcinogens, it’s impossible to pinpoint what could be the culprit, as you mentioned. But anyway I’m so sorry about your diagnosis and can totally understand your caution with parabens especially after what you’ve been through. I’ve come to realize almost every thing has risks, ie. preservatives have risks and preservative free has its own risks. And right now I feel generally safe using paraben containing products, but that is with some uncertainty and may shift going forward if more compelling information arises. I did shift to drinking filtered water using brita water filters after reading about how there are many potentially carcinogenic chemicals in our tap water that have not been tested… but this is after many years of drinking primarily tap water. Tricky game indeed.
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I too, am reluctantly considering that fragrances and scented natural oils may be the main reason for my skin being irritated. It’s nothing serious but I noticed a marked improvement when I temporarily switched to a moisturiser that was fragrance- and essential oil-free while travelling. Perhaps I’ll experiment when I finish my current stock of products.
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What I’ve done is use those products on my neck where I don’t normally get break outs in order to use it up and get the supposed benefits as well.
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On the ES clyde jacket: I have also been strongly considering that purchase. However, I’m wondering if maybe something more substantial is a better idea in the long run. Since it sounds like you’re having a similar thought, have you found any good substitutes? Thanks 🙂
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I was looking for something not substantial.. like something I could wear to keep warm at work. The pockets would come in handy for work big time, but I’m not sure about the short sleeves and the always open / drapiness of it. Still debating.
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No-frills drugstore skincare all the way! I’ve used Vanicream (which is probably too heavy for most people) as my nighttime moisture for years, and my fancy dermatologist even approves of it. My skin’s been freaking out and getting very dry during the recent cold snap. When my skin acts up like this, I use a pretty long list of products to moisturize after using Retin-A Micro in the evening (Hada Labo moisturizing toner, CosRx Snail Essence, CosRx Snail Cream, argan oil, and then Vanicream, and that’s not even enough some days!).
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I used to use Vanicream and really liked it. It’s the best for sensitive skin. Only chose cerave to get the additional ceramides.
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I am with you 100% on the no natural products bandwagon. My skin is so sensitive and the worst allergic reactions I’ve had have been to all natural products. CeraVe and Cetaphil are my jam! I have also had good luck with Kiehl’s products, which are a nice in-between.
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yep “natural” is not necessary safe… but it sounds good. I like Kiehl’s.. haven’t tried anything long term from them though. Do you have a favorite Kiehl’s product?
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I skipped a diffusers because of the cats. You probably already know this but just in case – diffusers can be a risk with pets. This is a post from the A’s Poison Control
Center on it – https://www.aspca.org/news/latest-home-trend-harmful-your-pets-what-you-need-know
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Oops – a diffuser, not plural
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Hasn’t heard about the pet issue. So far I’ve only used as a humidifier. But will be more careful about the essential oils after reading your comment. Some people can also get skin reactions from them.
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