The first one of 2018!

1. “The future has an ancient heart.”

The first time I read this quote by painter, writer and activist Dr. Carlo Levi, it was in a book called Dear Sugar, by Cheryl Strayed. (She’s the woman who wrote Wild.)

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Like a lot of quotes, it indicates different things to different people. I like to think it indicates that someday in the future, if I’m lucky, my heart will brim with knowledge and love gleaned from a rich life of experiences and time with pals and family.

2. babies in raincoats

Can I still call her a baby? I know she’s officially a toddler. She turns 2 in March (!). I can’t even believe that.

Please note how she turned her rattle into a charm bracelet.

3. Cocktail-ing skin care products

The new year has me thinking about skin care, like ACID TONERS. I just bought the popular Biologique Recherche P50 1970 toner last week, so I’ve been doing this intense multi-step process in the morning and at night, and ya know what?

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I’m already over it.

Even when I’m multitasking and doing other things, I get antsy and want to get on with my life as I’m waiting for two separate layers of toners dry, followed by three separate serums that take a couple a lot more minutes each…

My routine at the moment is up to 10 steps, and that’s just the morning.

It might be overkill, I know, but I don’t want to give up yet. I have started mixing products to save a little time, though. I blend two of the serums together in my palm, then pat the concoction on my face and neck. same with my moisturizers. I used to apply a layer of face oil, wait, then do a separate face balm, but now I just mix the oil and balm together and plop them on.

In my best skin care scenario, I would only do three or four steps max. Dunno if I’ll ever get there, but I keep trying.

4. label makers

I’ve been labeling everything with mine lately, and I indicate EVERYTHING.

Yeah, it looks absolutely geeky, but who cares? My life is way less chaotic when I have a label telling me exactly where something goes after I use it.

Thank you, Epson label Printer!

I tend to put things in the most random places, BTW… Which is probably why I lost my glasses, haha!

I got these organizers at HomeGoods about a year ago.
5. Celestial Seasonings Honey Vanilla Chamomile Tea

This stuff is so delicious! The honey and vanilla are strong and sweet, but they don’t overpower the chamomile.

I got this to sip at night before bed, but I love it so much that I have a cup during the workday, too.

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What have you been loving lately? Your car’s butt warmers (shout-out to Ruchita)? wearing red lipstick as a stain (KIM!)? Cats who give their assistants Sephora gift cards (Kitty Face)? שואל מוחות רוצים לדעת.

מכור לערער את השכונה הידידותית שלך,

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The scent of summer
1. The smell of Coppertone Waterbabies

To quote master wordsmith Nelly, “It’s getting hot in hurr.”

Today was 89 degrees! last week it was 25 degrees cooler, but this week it’s starting to feel a lot like summer. I try to take Connor out good and early to wear her little booty out, but before we go, I slather this sunscreen all over her and myself. This stuff always makes me think of summer and long lazy days at the beach. אני אוהב את זה.

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2. turn and learn

I discussed this Ted Talk in the last Saturday Surfing, but if you missed it, please view it now. Or whenever you can. I think it’s so helpful!

The gist of it is to think of the things in your life that you’d like to change as opportunities to learn. Like, for example, if you’re bad at time management (LIKE ME!!!), instead of thinking, “I should be broken. I’m so bad at time management. There’s for sure something wrong with me,” think of it instead as a chance for you to learn some of the myriad of valuable time management suggestions and skills that are out there. (And no, you are not broken.) Eventually, you’ll hit on a suggestion or technique that works for you and helps you get better.

3. MAC studio fix mixed with MAC Strobe Cream

Why do I always try to reinvent the wheel when this combo is such an oldie but a goodie?

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חתולים & סווטשירט איפור ??

$ 42.

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MAC studio fix fluid — old-school effective!
I’ve been sheering it out, so it’s much more Strobe cream and less studio fix Foundation, but it’s still just enough to give me a little bit of even-ness and a lot of glow.

4. Ayesha’s home kitchen on Food Network

Don’t know if you’re viewing the basketball ? playoffs best now, but the Warriors are in it (yay, Bay Area!), and one of the players, Stephen Curry, is married to Ayesha Curry, the young lady who hosts this show.

She’s absolutely adorable, and so are her daughters. I haven’t tried any of her recipes yet, but I’m certainly going to, maybe as soon as this weekend.

I like that she takes shortcuts. Like, in some cases she’ll use boxed cake mix or a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, and she’ll jooj them up.

5. Painting

Oh, my gosh! We’re starting our home remodellings soon, and I know that painting is typically one of the steps people do toward the end of whatever they’re doing, but I’ve been having a good time researching paint colors for our place.

I’m pretty sure I’m going to use this color palette I found on a design blog called Maison Pax.

For Connor’s room, I’m thinking of doing one of these blush shades. maybe Behr Stolen Kisses. Haven’t chose yet.

Anyway, I’m thrilled about ?️ paint! מי אני?!

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What are some things you’ve been loving lately?

מכור ידידותי לשכונה שלך,

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