February is a notorious hum-drum month for me (for all), with Valentine’s Day being the only real pinnacle–and what a pinnacle it is not. I love love, I just don’t love Valentine’s Day. Hang on. That’s not entirely true. I like celebrating it for the kids, buying flowers, some sweets. It’s just not any big deal in my book. I do, however, love a purposeful reason to go on a date with my husband, and thus look at a restaurant menu hours beforehand to choose my entree, mouth watering all day leading up, as I finish the crusts of the boys’ sandwiches, half eaten apples, and stale long-forgotten popcorn. There’s a place that I want to try–haven’t even walked through the doors and yet I’ve glanced-stared at the menu a few times already–with crab rangoons that I’ve heard are delicious. Oh, and another place with an amazing poutine that I’ve been thinking about all day long. It’s a blizzard outside currently; otherwise, I’d probably be on my way to pick up some takeout, eating it all in the car in the parking lot while listening to NPR.
Not true. I need to take a bit of a breather from NPR. Parker, I’m certain, is sick of hearing us talk about Trump. How do I know this? Because he said, “I’m sick of you talking about Trump.”
Things I’m dreaming of right now: going someplace warm, getting a facial (I’ve never had one; are they amazing?), having my lips not be chapped anymore (there’s this spot on my bottom lip that legit peels every single day; this is my first winter with this… what is UP.), drinking enough water every day, being someone who’s meals are planned for the whole week on Sunday night, walking outside barefoot, poutine–as mentioned above, working out again (I was so ON the wagon when I broke my arm and then… I was thrown from that wagon).
I find that in the wintertime I get shifty and want to just buy things to give myself a boost of dopamine. I’m not actually doing this, but I occasionally fill carts around the web and then shut down my browser and smack myself in the face. I did buy this eyeshadow recently in soft brown though–a fairly harmless “dopamine boost”–and I really love it. The color is so nice on me (greenish-blue eyes, for the record).
How are you guys doing?
Above outfit: These jeans (the rips are getting a little out of hand), this top, and shoes (old) from Shoemint. Plus, a heart sticker from Parker on my hand. “Because I love you” he said.
I’ve never had a facial, either. Very curious about the “worth it?” question.
Ugh, same. Except I’m itching to do a home improvement project for my boost lol
On board with all of this. Esp the filling baskets and slamming laptops shut…
It is about 7 years and 4 babies since I last had a facial but I totally used to swear by them. They feel v decadent and extremely relaxing – i’d prob just fall asleep these days but if you can stay awake to enjoy it I wholeheartedly recommend! My skin used to look brighter for sure. The one I used to get came with a head and neck massage too – total. bliss.
Ugh I hate the chap lip thing. I also had a spot on my bottom lip pealing like crazy. Same spot, over and over. Nothing would fix it until I tried Coconut Oil. Put it on a few times a day instead of any chaptick type products.
I totally feel you on all of this. Love Valentine’s Day for the hearts and glitter and cute treats but other than that February is a complete bust. It’s the month where I am so over the winter gloom and just crave some sunshine, warm breezes and the sounds of birds chirping. I am also taking a break from NPR- I told my husband just now that I feel like it is taking a toll on me physically – it’s just exhausting and my head hurts. Getting a facial is the most luxurious boost of dopamine out there. I’ve only had one that I still daydream about. I instantly fell into the deepest sleep. I think I will book an appointment tomorrow…
Now I’m craving poutine. We’ll split a platter on date night and drink an extra beer. It’s my current favorite guilty pleasure.
For a facial in the Boston area, I would HIGHLY recommend Natalie from Unique Verve (I think she is the owner). It’s on Newbury Street. Her intro facial is $$ but so very worth it. She actually sits down with you and reviews a questionnaire about your lifestyle habits and goes over how your routine affects your skin, and gives tips on any diet/lifestyle changes that could help. ALSO she has one of those crazy machines that shows you all the sun damage on your face, which is included in the intro facial. Eye-opening and horrifying, but strangely fascinating??
Anyway, I did it a couple of months before my wedding and I went back after for a regular facial and I just loved her. Super trust her knowledge and skill!
i j ust checked their website. it looks amazing!!
I love a good facial! You should totally try it. At first I thought it would be uncomfortable to have someone touching my face for a half hour…but they use all these nice brushes to apply products and then use hot towels to remove the products. It’s pretty amazing. I also usually have the permanent chapped lips in the winter, but I have been having really good luck with Black Jack lip treatment ( bought on Amazon). I put it on before bed and can still feel it on my lips when I wake up.
Oops. Just putting my lip treament on before bed and realized, I guess it is Jack Black Lip Treatment ( like the comedian instead of the card game…)
This February brings a shift in perspective in regards to personal complaining. In January my hometown was slammed by two major storms. Homes destroyed, lives lost, lives changed. In areas of utter devastation and loss, I see a community pulling together to help each other and people sharing, digging deep to give monies, time, themselves…to each other. Politics? I think we should take a cue from your child and quit talking . The negativity saps energy from us all. As far as Valentines Day…we should be living it every day. Actions speak louder than words and all that. Life can change in a blink and don’t take anything for granted. You asked how we are doing? Working to change the only thing I truly have any control over. Me. So, this month, instead of my usual complaining, I will give sincere and grateful thanks for a multitude of blessings and try to be a light in a world that is often too dark. Isn’t that what February is all about…love? Blessings to you and yours.
loved this comment, Alice. and hoping and praying your hometown finds peace and healing real soon. have a good weekend!
I know that Valentine’s Day is highly commercialised, but I always think, what the hell, why not celebrate anyway? Of course, I don’t go out to overpriced restaurants and such, but staying in and having an excuse to have a nice meal on a weekday night is always nice, especially after a full day’s work!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
I get my facials at the Aveda school. It’s only $25 and I’ve never had a bad one. If you can handle listening to someone getting wax paper ripped off their southern region(s), it’s amazing. (At the school I go to, there are only curtains separating the rooms. I mean very heavy, private curtains but they do NOT block out sound. But, geez $25!) My skin always looks amazing after.
that sounds so up my alley ($25!) but i just looked and there’s not ONE aveda school in massachusetts!! 🙁
I’ve read silently for years and never commented but this post (along with your one about attending the protest recently!) really spoke to me. Your life is very different than mine ( I live in downtown Chicago and though we are the same age, I am single and childless) and yet there are still so many things that feel universal and shared. I’ve been feeling the February blah’s too, and looking for ways to escape. In the interest of self-care I’m really trying to limit my daily intake of Trumpmania and political musings, because I can go down the rabbit hole quickly and really spiral to a place of doom and gloom. I am still trying to strike the balance of being aware and appropriately enraged/shocked, but also not to the extent that it renders me useless and helpless in the daily struggles and challenges of both my life, and those less privileged around me. I don’t think I’ve found the right mix yet, but one day at a time I guess.
I have also succumbed to the online shopping dopamine-rush and somehow wound up ordering approximately 4 pairs of boots from Nordstrom…at least they have free shipping and returns! Ha!
I hope this finds you well, and not too buried in both snow and doldrums…happy weekend to you and your lovely family, Bridget.
if you figure out that proper balance, let me know! 🙂 have a nice weekend, rachel. and enjoy those boots! (or at least some of them)
January is my least favorite month (it’s SO long!), but Feb runs a close second. I’ve done some retail therapy, namely buying Laura Mercier Caviar eyeshadow sticks on Ebay. They are AMAZING. I’m not good with make-up, and they are so easy, stay on all day and don’t crease. On Ebay they’re just $12! I recommend the Amethyst color (oddly not purple but a shimmery light brown). Game changer!
(I’m also trying to limit my news slightly, last Saturday I was an emotional wreck and reading NYT every 5 minutes, not good.)
Facials- mixed reviews. I know some people sho LOVE them and would give up their youngest born to have one. Others hate them because they can be harsh. I like them, I do! But it’s hard to choose that over a MASSAGE! Either way- anything at the spa, minus a waxing (!) is heaven! Enjoy it!
So glad I’m not the only one who fake online shops only to close out of the browser an hour later!