Erika S. fun stuffs

things

A few things that have been tickling my fancy lately:

Kiehl’s essential oils I found on sale at the Nordstrom Rack in Manhattan (I think they’re being discontinued, thus the sale).  They’re small, strong and I love the scents mixed together, grapefruit and gardenia.  I once had a saleslady tell me that gardenia was the scent of old ladies there therefore it was not for me.  My mom loves gardenia.  I’ve been keeping these at my desk so that I can roll them on right after my morning coffee.  Right away they smell like you’ve been wearing them all day…like your skin smells like grapefruit and gardenia naturally.

Small dish I got from West Elm on crazy cheap sale.  I got B a “B” one also.  I use mine as a coaster most of the time, but sometimes to hold my little pocket nick knacks, like my Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm.  I’m not a mama, but I like the Mama Bee body oil as a moisturizer.  It smells lightly of honey and lemon.  I just have to remember that I’m not allowed to touch B’s iPad with my “grubby hands” after I use it.

New artwork I got from this Etsy shop called Retrowhale.  I love it, it makes me smile on the inside every time and sometimes on the outside also when I look at it.  I’m totally rooting for Team Darwin, all the time.  It reminds me of Eric Chase Anderson‘s illustrations (the shop also has a lot of work straight from the Wes Anderson movies) .  I want to get this one and this one also.

Cheap $2.50 tanks from F21.  I like the fall colors, the slight 70’s V-cut at the bodice and the soft smooth fabric.  Not to mention the price.  Ridiculously cheap, because they’re probably made in a sweatshop with little tiny children hands.  Joke, but kinda/probably true.  I’m a bad person.

Anchors B and I brought from SF, and a winter creature also from SF.  We don’t really have a decorating theme or anything yet.  Just a bunch of white Ikea furniture.

Erika S. fun stuffs

the regulars

The 5 things I put on my face every morning, for the past 5 years:

1) moisturizer/sunscreen:   Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 – The best basic.  No smell, non-greasy, protective and hydrating.  Not to mention fairly affordable at $31 for a bottle that lasts about 2.5 years.  Are there expiration dates for stuff like this?  shrug

2) concealer:  Benefit’s Play Sticks – I only put it on whatever spots I happen to have that morning, and around the edges of my nose where I’m always red.  30 seconds and I’m done.  The best non-drying, full coverage concealer ever, though it is marketed as a foundation.  One $34 stick will last me almost exactly a year.

3) and 4) powder foundation: Bare Minerals Matte Foundation/Bare Minerals Mineral Veil – No need to talk about it right? Hasn’t everyone and their mama tried this out at least once?  I hate having to put two things on for the same purpose, but the Mineral Veil does make a difference.  One $28 tub of the foundations will last me about 6 months and one $20 tub of mineral veil will last me a year.

5) blush:  Finally, my favorite product of all time, Tarte Cheek Stain in the color Blushing Bride (stupid name).  I look like a colorless zombie without at least some cheek color on.  This stuff is the best.  All natural, smells great, sheer, no shimmer (I hate shimmery stuff) and versatile.  Makes a great lip color too.  $30 and I’ve had the same tube for 2 years so far.  More than half the stick is still left. Granted, I do switch out this item for others here and there, but I always go right back to it eventually.

All in all, my 5 step morning routine takes 3 min, tops (not including teeth brushing and face washing – otherwise it would be 6 min).  Not bad right?

oh, and something fun I saw in the Mission a while ago out with Aimee and Anne:  holla!!