Read the fine print - this was in my face and I didn't catch it.

I am taking over the blog - at least for this post.  I recently decided my eyes where showing their age. I know there is no such thing as "anti-aging" anything but figured I'd just start a routine of at least softening the look.

NeoStrata was recommended. It was more than I usually pay for make-up products, but what the hell.  I followed the directions and what a mess. It did say discontinue if irritation occurs. It did. I am now moisturizing my eye lids and around my eyes as they are raw from the product. I am well aware that not everything works for everyone and yes irritation can occur. My skin is usually more resilient.

My issue with the product is when I read "In vivo tests with 3% Beautieye on 24 volunteers, aged between 40 and 79 years of age".  24 volunteers! What the #&*(.   24 volunteers could be your family and friends. The people who work the same floor as you. How can it be a tested on just 24 volunteers?  By the way 1 out of 24 = 4%.  So chances are at least 4% of people will get irritation. 

The point here is read the fine print on the package. It was there (see below) and if I had read tested on 24 volunteers I might have thought twice. As for me, that is not enough of a test sample for anything. Two dozen - that's it. 

The product I am currently using to moisturize and help clear up the mess is a product I paid less than $5 for.  Hmm... you get what you pay for does not apply here for me.  Read the fine print and think - has that really been tested or just passed out to friends and co-workers?

Weekend Coffee Share !!

Last weekend in February! WTF happened. Again! Busy week with work, home and not enough play. No play during the week leads to grumpy weekend when errands and house-hold chores eat into two days. Taking a few minutes to #weekendcoffeeshare (head over to Eclecticali to get all the info) as feel I can hopefully regroup after this.

Errands yesterday noticed not only St. Patrick's Day items around but Easter! Well, to be honest I noticed the Easter items last week and just avoided the aisle. I mean really? I think St. Patrick's stuff was out before Valentine's Day was cleared away?  Are we that money hungry we can't let one holiday (I use that term extremely loosely) end before starting the next money grab? 

That was my Saturday. Today housework right after I finish another cup of coffee and calm down from my above rant. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

January where did it go???

The first weekend in February - WTF happened to January!  Good intention for 2018 on many fronts just didn't happen. Enough about that, let's discuss what did and be positive.  One of us (honestly this is embarrassing to type) finally got a feather duvet.  She loves it and now wants seasonal covers.

There was a long weekend in Las Vegas with a trip to Sedona, shows and a cheap hotel room. Loved the Cirque du Soleil Beatles.  Recommendation definitely. Sedona the wish was more time.  Head over to Google and check Sedona out with its red rocks and breathtaking scenery.  Words can't do it justice - below is a teaser.

Another highlight was Spotify.  Someone is dancing around their home and is constantly telling the rest of us to check it out.  Okay will put on "to do" list.  New boots was another highlight.  Yes you look fabulous in them.  So that is a little recap of January and our intentions to post more. Yeah, that didn't happen.  New month so anything goes. 

Weekend coffee share

First month of a new year. Still wondering where the old year went. We all have various goals for this year ranging from travel, exercise and finishing projects we started last year. One goal is to blog more so we are taking the rein on that!  

Weekend coffee share is a brilliant idea as we love our coffee. Especially on the weekend when we are not rushed and can pour that second or third cup and just be. This weekend will consist of errands. Head over to Eclecticali  for further information on weekend coffee share.

Groceries needed and housework not done during the week. Boring stuff. What we do want to do is start to get organized for coming events. Get back in the habit of checking the local paper and social media for what is happening in our area. Concerts, lectures, art opening and more. Even libraries have events. So decision was over coffee, or another beverage later in the day, we will scroll through our social media, pop into different websites and make note of what is coming up. We want to take advantage of what our city has to offer.

Hope everyone is enjoying their coffee and weekend share!  

I sort of want to be.....

As I slap clapstick (note I didn't say lipstick with any color) on my face, just before jamming a hat on my head and running out the door for the bus. I realize, yet again, I am not a girly girl.  I will complete the picture with my hiking boots, jeans, top and fleece ensemble.  Lovely.

I love my blogging community and the fashion and beauty bloggers are incredible and I am frankly in awe of them. They give excellent tutorial and review products with integrity. Plus they always look great. You really do ladies. I feel like if we were friends (where we could reach out and touch each other friends) and I was younger I'd have a handle on this.

But no. Hence I am sitting in a coffee shop with no makeup on. The thing is I go to work with no makeup on so this isn't as bad as it seems.  I do put lipstick on - even red lipstick. Just putting that out there.

I guess this post is about embracing who you are. The good and the  bad.  I think we should be open to new experiences and I love seeing what everyone is up to and their creativity.  Just don't be too hard on yourself and no comparisons.  Try out different tutorials and products you are getting good advice and honest opinions.

Realize we are all coming from a different playing field and that is okay.  All these incredible bloggers will tell you beauty comes from within and there is a radiance that shines when someone is kind, authentic and compassion to everyone. No matter what color lipstick they have on.

Perfect Hostess Gift

Please, please way in on this as we are somewhat all over the place. Discussing hostess gifts - taking wine off the table - and it gets tricky.  Consensus was knowing your hostess' likes and dislikes is a starting point. Our top six in no order are......

1.   flowers or a plant
2.   coasters  (a few of us were what? if you know your hostess you know her theme or maybe  seasonal coasters). 
3.   cheese and crackers  (isn't this for a potluck?)
4.   napkins and a candle (majority nodding for this one)
5.   speciality coffee and/tea
6.   baked goods (only if you bake and have something everyone wants)

One of us, who will not be named, said AA batteries.  This did not make the list, but in retrospect it should have as within 24 hours X was looking for some.  So think outside the box.  What is your go to hostess gift?

How many Mondays before.........

Unless you live under a rock it is that time of year when you have "friends" sharing X many Mondays before Christmas, X many pay cheques before Christmas and/or X many weekends before Christmas. We are sure these people with their Xs are individuals who started their Christmas shopping and preparing in July.  The rest of us are in denial or we don't have time to X anything unless it is crossing something off the growing holiday list.  Or worst yet we haven't started the list.

So please be gentle with your sharing of Xs. Not all of us appreciated the remember.