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It’s time for another edition of Tuesday Troubles. I’ve said it before (like every week), but this should be named “things i’m annoyed / confused / want to complain about”, however I couldn’t figure out how to make any of those into a snappy title, so Tuesday Troubles it is. And yes, I do realize that these aren’t true “troubles”. I know that many of these for sure could be defined as first world problems!
~Today’s first trouble isn’t really for me, it’s for my single friends / family who want to know how to meet people. How does one go about this these days? Is everyone meeting online? And if so, what site do you use? How do you even go about weeding through all those profiles (while still making sure people see yours)? B and I met at the bar totally by chance and neither of us did any online dating, so I really have zero idea how people meet now! So tell me where you met your SO and if you are dating, give me all the details. I have some friends who post about their online dating stories and my goodness they are entertaining!
~Watching the news last night I discovered that a thing called “Palcohol” may soon be available. It’s a powder that, when mixed when water, turns into an alcoholic drink. What? This sounds like a bad idea. Well, it’s actually a genius idea, but for places that don’t want you to BYOB (concerts, sporting events, umm, high school functions, etc.) it sounds like a nightmare! Of course, if it does go on sale, I will be buying it right away. You know, just to test out ;).
~I have asked this a million times, in various ways, but here is what I want to know. Your specific skincare routine. And the products / brands you use. Favorite cleanser, serum, moisturizer, eye cream, brightener, mask, etc. Do you switch it up and try new things or do you stick with what you know?
~What exactly am I doing on Facebook that makes them suggest these crazy “sponsored” posts? A few days ago I got one about cold sores (what?) and last night I got one about why men aren’t committing to me and how I should click here to learn how to make that happen. Huh? I’m married?
~And finally, in a totally different direction, has anyone installed their own backsplash? As if B doesn’t have enough to do between school and work and National Guard and working on his new car, he’s been talking about installing a backsplash. How difficult would this be to do ourselves? Doable? In a weekend?
That’s it from here for now! What’s troubling you today?
My girlfriend did a kitchen backsplash with stainless steel brushed tiles from home depot or lowes that were peel and stick, very easy and looks great. They had lots to choose from.
I need to go look at the options!
My husband and I met in high school in a small town in rural Indiana. We are in our upper-twenties and have been together for about ten years, married for five. I don’t envy people who navigate dating life now, it seems so complicated. I think a lot of people date online now, and even find friends on meet-up sites. Technology is a wonderful thing, but I do wonder what it was like when everyone went out dancing to meet people, like in my grandparents’ generation. That must have been fun. 🙂
That probably would have been fun!
What’s troubling me today is, that I found the Allure Beauty Box goes on sale next Tuesday at 12:01pm EST and I will be sitting at the airport at that time. No idea if I’ll have a good internet connection. Also, don’t know if I’ll be able to purchase it on my laptop or my phone. If there’s no free Wi-Fi, I’ll only be able to use my phone and that can be kind of spotty at an airport.
I had to use my phone in the parking lot to order it once! I hope you can get it!
I met my BF of 2 years now through mutual friends & hopefully never have to online date. But my older sister is currently online dating & when she came home for Easter we had a great time reading guys messages to her. Somehow she has gone on a few good dates, but I don’t know how she does it. I’m a hopeless romantic & she’s not, so I guess that’s how 😉
OMG we read the messages my cousin got last time we were all together and they were hysterical. We were dying.
Ugh – dating! So, yes, the only way people seem to date these days is online. Different people have different luck. My “Sweet Spot” seems to be match.com — eHarmony no one is one, the free ones there is just way too much crazy and people just wanting hook-ups. Trust me when I say this ONLINE DATING SUCKS! But, if you want to date its the only way. You have to go through it. There are lots of ways to search to get through profiles – the trick is to search on the important stuff and not anything else. So if having a degree is important – search on that. If religion is important search on that. If dating someone tall is just preferable – but you’d consider someone shorter if they were perfect otherwise – don’t search on that. ITs a numbers game – you have to go on lots of dates. I’m dating someone now from Match and have for about 3 months now – not sure if he’s “the one” – but he may be as good as it gets so I’m giving it time. I’ve had 2 other long-ish relationships from Match. And a million crazy stories, just like everyone else. I’ve met people in the bar too – but its more of a toss up there than on Match. I can say that my Match dates are DEFINITELY better then any bar date I’ve been on in the last 3 years. Might have something to do with my judgement being impaired at the bar…….
HA!!!!! My judgement gets impaired at the bar as well. Luckily B’s judgement was impaired when we met and now he’s stuck. LOL!
I don’t even know if I could handle online dating. I would never actually want to go on a date.
We just installed Air Stone for our backsplash. It’s an easy, and quick, DIY and it looks amazing! We have a medium sized kitchen and it took about 8 hours to do start to finish. I did use a sealer since it is in the kitchen. Here’s the link: http://airstone.com It’s at Lowe’s!
Ohhh I love that!
Hi Jennifer,
I’ve been more skincare/makeup aware the past year. I have oily skin and I wear makeup everyday. I start with cleanser to take my makeup off. My favorite is Lanc?me Radiance to take off my makeup while showering. Another one is Ole Hendriksen the tea tree something and also Origins (Never Dull moment for oily skin, their other one is pretty good too). The last few weeks I’ve been using Lanc?me toner to take the rest of the dirt off. The I use eye serum or cream, whatever I have (currently Dr Jart eye serum). In the winter for the night I use Retinol creams to get rid off dead skin and scaring. Currently use Medpeel retinol combo till the rest of the week and than will switch to regular night moisturizer. For morning routine is cleanser (use different more gentle), I’m suppose to use toner too, but I don’t and than moisturizer with SPF, because of the retinol cream.
My favorite brands are Lanc?me, Origins and Ole Hendriksen, but I use what I get from subscription boxes too. I love the gift with purchase so I can get more things to try. I would recommend to go to Origins counter and they will do facial for you and will give you a bunch of samples to try out at home before you purchase. I hope this info helps…
Where do you get the Medpeel? I think I need to try something along those lines.
Comes regularly on Hautelook for a lot less than their website.
I forgot to mentioned that I also use serums, whenever I remember to use it. But the other thing is I don’t want to layer too many things a once and suffocate my skin;)
My skincare regime is pretty darn simple.
Eclos cleanser
Origins Mega Bright serum (kind of like a primer in a sense)
Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free sunscreen.
Eye cream, I’m not loyal to any one brand.
At night:
Cleansing oil to remove sunscreen (Tatcha, DHC, whatever)
Cheap eye makeup remover (not loyal to a brand)
Eclos cleanser
Eye cream
Complex 15
Twice a week, I’ll use Laura Mercier’s scrub in the shower.
Not eating sugar and grains is the biggest skincare secret though. My skin will glow without the junk carbs.
I suspect mine would do the same!
This is a great routine! I need to make myself a little checklist!
I am currently single – but I’ve found the best way to meet people is through friends. I’ve done online dating, and I actually found my last long term relationship that way, so I wouldn’t knock it, but I like meeting people through my friends because it seems like they’ve been “vetted” first.
I liked the vetting process too! Much easier that way.
I have used online dating – actually found my husband on match.com, though we are now divorced, so…. I don’t really get out and about much where I would meet people, so it’s hard and there are definitely a lot of crazy people out there. I’ve had to block a lot of people. But there are some good people, too.
I’m all for the powdered alcohol – used responsibly, of course! I am trying to figure out how to sneak some booze into a concert this summer, actually, and I am in my 30s (I don’t like beer).
As for face routine – if you can afford it (it’s a lot at once – expect to pay over $200, probably closer to $300. But you won’t run out of everything all at once, so after the initial purchase, it gets muuuuuch cheaper), I HIGHLY recommend Rodan + Fields “redefine” line for anti-aging. I used to sell it, and it is the absolute best, especially the roller, serum and night cream. I also recommend their “Reverse” regimen. to brighten your skin and get rid of sun damage, but not until fall/winter because it makes you extra-sensitive to sunlight. I’ve used a bit of everything and R+F is by far the best. It was developed for adult skin by the same Doctors who developed ProActive.
I have a question for you – I love your blog, and would love to see a post about what products/items you’ve received from boxes that you use the most, and would also love to see you using them – like your favorite makeup, accessories, home/cooking items, etc. Sort of a “day in the life” type thing. Think that will ever happen?
The powdered alcohol would be perfect to sneak into a concert!
I don’t know if that will ever happen. Just looking around from where I am sitting I see the PopSugar Diffuser, I have socks on that came in Pijon box, I have the Oribe texturizing spray from the neiman marcus box in my hair, the juice beauty hand cream from citrus lane is right here and my husband is snacking on some popcorn from Mantry!
A backsplash is very doable in a weekend. Just give some thought to the size of the tiles you want to use. Smaller tiles come on these paper sheets that are easy to deal with. If you use standard 3 1/2″ tiles (like what’s typically in a shower), then you may have to cut them, which is a pain. Good luck–post pics when it’s done!
No cutting!! That would just be too hard. I think those sheet should be the way to go.
We were talking about the dating thing awhile ago too. I think my single friends have had the best luck lately being introduced by people to each other. Of course saying that my dad met his new wife online and she is perfect for him so it does work. LOL
There are so many types of backsplashes out there. My MIL still needs to get hers done and M is planning on doing it we just ran out of time before her party so he painted back there so that it at least looked decent. We’ve looked at the peel and stick and the tile sheets. I think he will go with a tile sheet when they do it. She has such a small area doing a true tile would be a little too much. I would think you could do it in one day depending on the number of cuts you need to do.
Your Dad online dated? That is awesome.
A tile sheet is a good idea. And would likely save a ton of time…
Me and my husband met because a friend of my then, now ex boyfriend knew I wanted to play soccer, and he was the team captain. After my ex broke up with me because “he didn’t want to be in a relationship” (yeah, I know), me and Kevin started to talk. Not even a year and we got married (at the Justice of the Peace because I didn’t want to deal with a wedding). Boom. I hear lots of people doing okcupid, singles meet ups, recreational sport teams, bars…
I use the Fresh Soy cleanser with my Luna Forea? F-something every night, use Fresh Lotus Preserve face cream at night & BB cream during the day.
Ohh, I like the recreational sports team idea!!!
I met my SO at a party in college, and we’ve been dating ever since. Four and a half years so far, and we’ve lived together for a year, done long distance for almost three of those years, and we plan on moving in together again this summer. : D
Yay!!! I am excited for you for this summer!
I met my fiance during our Freshman Year of high school and we have been together since our senior year of high school. This year will be four years for us!
But our single family members pretty much meet people by chance. My aunt met the guy she is dating at a Starbucks, and my landlord met someone while playing tennis! While I have heard some horror stories from online dating, I have also heard amazing things. I know a couple who met online on one of the dating sites and they’re now married. 🙂
My brother and SIL met on Match.com!!!
I met my husband through his acquaintance who played world of warcraft online game with me 😀 okay that was 8yrs ago
That is an interesting way to meet!
I met my boyfriend at an underage drinking party in college…well it was underage for me anyway as I was 19 and he had just turned 21 a few months earlier. lol. We started dating a week later (yeah we didn’t waste any time did we?) and we are still together today. To be very honest, I wasn’t into him as much as he was into me, but I took a chance and boy am I glad I did because I can’t imagine life without him today. I think that’s the hardest part of starting a relationship. Taking that chance.
The majority of my friends with a SO either met in high school or college and almost all of them started out as friends before dating. I think this is part of the reason why it’s harder for the single folks out there today. People don’t really “date” like they used to. It’s more common to see people who are already “together” on a date than people who are searching for that special someone. I have a couple of friends in this boat and one that found online dating to be helpful. Boy did she have trouble weeding through them before she found the right guy though!
Wait, there was underage drinking in college? What??????? LOL!
Lightning strikes twice, I met my beloved late husband on match, back in the day when only daring, adventurous, rebellious people (or total dorks and introverts, depending on your perspective) thought about online dating. We had a chance to get to know eachother’s minds before collective ADHD took over the dating world, and everyone started sending shots of their privies and form letters, sometimes in that order. ;P
For Chapter 2, I lucked out on match again with a wonderful man, but I have to admit that nowadays it seems like a lady has to wade through a toooooooooon of crap. The lads expect the lady to be beautiful, thin supermodels, not have any kids, making six figures, meanwhile it seems the lads are allowed to be tubby, balding, having lost their butts in a divorce and child support, etc. etc. etc. The advent of scammers has forced everyone to be more shallow I think.
I also had crazy, verbally abusive stalkers too. Not freaking cool.
It’s not for the faint of heart, I think the trick is to look at it like a way to meet friends first (that’s how I started with my loves), and have minimal expectations. And have the backup of meeting people through friends, classes, volunteering, community/religious organizations, etc.
Skin care routine?
Once a week I use my clarisonic, I caved and got the Hollywood lights one…. ooooooh magic flashing!
Morning:
Water ( millions of dermatologists can’t be wrong)
Moisturizer w Sunscreen, usually Cerave AM, unless it’s mid July and I need to up the vampire rating of my SPF.
Sometimes I’m bad and it’s just water.
Evening:
Make up wipe and/or cleanser, I like Pacifica’s facewash and Purpose. Pacifica is my fave.
Acure Retexturizing Cream (discovered it in the Spring Yuzen)
Serum of some sort
Eye cream of some sort
Argan oil mixed with a moisturizer (varies)
Your Match.com analysis is spot on! I am glad you were able to find love twice on there. But boo for crazy stalkers! And having no expectations is probably the best advice. You can’t force chemistry unless it’s there!
Thank you for sharing the skin care routine! I love reading what everyone does!
I used the peel and stick in my kitchen. These are the ones I used http://t.homedepot.com/p/Smart-Tiles-9-1-8-in-x-10-1-4-in-Multi-Colored-Metallic-Mosaic-Adhesive-Decorative-Wall-Tile-6-Pack-SM1030-6/202885408/. They are freaking amazing! If I had done tile, it would have been similar to these anyway. The selection isn’t as large, but they have some cool ones. It took about an hour to do a ten foot section. It’s been up for about a year and a half and still looks amazing! You can’t really tell it’s not real tile unless you touch it.
I would never be able to tell either. That isn’t long at all! It sounds like this is doable in a day without destroying my kitchen and making a huge mess, which is what I wanted to hear.
Ha, I met my husband many years ago (like 15 before we started dating) when he was a friend of the guy I rented a room from. He was not my type. Never in a million years would I believe I’d end up married to the man 🙂
I am horrid with skin care. I use Lancome makeup remover (which I swear by and have used for ages) and their milk face wash. I’ve had some Chanel (a gift from my MIL) serum and face cream that I’ve been using but am almost out. Before I used a lot of the Roots 7 stuff (day and night cream etc) that you can find at Target (great stuff for reasonable price). I use Yes for face Cucumber cleaning cloths. But with all the face stuff I get in subscription boxes I’m constantly trying new stuff these days. I don’t really have a routine except that I will ALWAYS remove my mascara before bed with the Lancome remover and wash. And I will always use some sort of cream after showers or washing my face. Oh and lip balm. Always before bed and many times during the day.
I need to get into a routine. And a good one. I am going to look like I am 90 in a couple of years.
I just ordered tile for our kitchen backsplash. At our last house, my husband bought glass tile from Home Depot and put it up himself one weekend. He did have to cut some pieces though.
This time, we went to The Tile Store off 19 Mile and old Van Dyke. Huge selection there. The tile I went with had to be shipped to the store, unfortunately. But we’re having it professionally installed because I think it will take my husband weeks if he tried to do it.
And, I think you know my opinion on skin care products! 😉
I need to respond to that skincare email!
I want to see a picture when this is all done! Who did you hire to do it?
Skin care! One of my favorite things to share with people. My girlfriend at work credits me with changing her routine. And thank goodness, because she was using whatever soap was at the sink to wash her face. The horror!!!
I use Arbonne’s ABC Hair and Body Wash for babies as my eye makeup remover. I had some eye issues once upon a time, and they recommended baby shampoo. Arbonne’s product is SO much better than Johnson & Johnson. So I just keep using it because it does a fantastic job.
I love using Purity by Philosophy to wash my face. I was going through a tough time with my skin and there were a few products I tired that I stuck with. Purity is one of them. It’s such a great, gentle cleanser and I love that I can wash my eye makeup off with it too.
These days, I am also using The Body Shop’s Camomile Waterproof eye makeup remover for those days when I need waterproof mascara (i.e. the days I will be sweating profusely in a yoga class). It seems to do the job without irritating my eyes.
When it comes to toner, I am a fan of Avene Thermal Spring Water. Another product I started using when I was having skin issues, and I have stuck with it. It has all those magical natural ingredients and it is far less harsh than standard toner. It’s expensive for “water” but reasonable for toner.
My eye creams vary as I am always trying to find the perfect eye cream that does not cost a small fortune. During the day, I am using 100% Pure caffeine eye cream. It does not irritate and seems to do a fine job moisturizing. At night I have been alternating between 100% Pure Acai Berry Antioxidant eye cream and my left over Rare Minerals Active Triple Treatment eye cream. I’m not sure I can get the Rare Minerals one any more. I found it on sale at the Bare Minerals outlet. But it has been great.
I love to use serums, but they tend to be expensive so I don’t use them when I get a deal on them. Or come in a subscription box! The Jurlique Herbal Recovery has been nice, but I really like the Ole Henriksen Truth Serum. My face seems to really like products with vitamin C!
During the day, I have been using Lancome Bienfait Multivital sunscreen cream at my for my moisturizer/sunscreen. I have the small gift with purchase sizes, so I was using them up. It’s has been nice for the winter, but I may switch it up for the summer.
Another product that I have been using consistently for years is my nighttime moisturizer – Arbonne Clear Advantage Clarifying Lotion. I was having acne issues, and this is a product I added to my routine. I only use it at night, since it does not have sunscreen. I don’t actually have major acne problems, but this is such a great moisturizer. It does not dry me out and I like to think that using it at night helps keep any acne under control with the 1% salicylic acid. Plus, for skin care, it’s not ridiculously expensive.
I’ve been trying different products to help my skin with occasional acne breakouts which range from minor to horrible cysts. My latest product is GlamGlow Super Mud Clearing Treatment. I got a sample, and then invested in the Sephora kit that had a .3 oz tube in it. I am still deciding on whether it is worth it.
My new absolute favorite discovery is a concealer. Have you tried IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye? It is FANTASTIC. My absolute must have product these days. I have been using Lancome Maquicomplet for years, but always on the lookout for a better concealer and this is the one. If you are not familiar with this product, they carry it at Ulta now. I use Neutral Medium. I am very fair, but Light was way too light.
If you don’t have a source for Arbonne products and you want to try any, I am a consultant and I’ll give you the friends and family deal. I used to work with your SIL Danielle H-B. (She is awesome.)
Feel free to contact me with any questions!
OMG you did??? I didn’t know that! How fun! I need to ask her where! And I also need to print this entire comment out for reference purposes. You are awesome!
We have a very small kitchen and just had a tile backsplash installed. It is 12″ squares made of smaller squares. My husband is very handy and a perfectionist, but I am so glad we hired someone to do them. We got the tile on clearance at Lowes and had a tile guy recommended by a friend install. It took him from 10 to 5 on a Saturday and 10 to 1 the next day. If anything in your kitchen is not 100% perfectly level and straight, you’ll have a problem. Ours was off on one side very slightly and he was able to make it look perfect. Let B work on his car and hire a pro.
You are so so right. It will just end up with me yelling at B because it’s not perfect.