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    DanceswithPeeps The Burner v2.1Aimée Lutkin
    4/30/16 7:01pm

    BEAUTY THREAD!

    I’ve gotten piles of compliments on my skin this week, so being nice to it and the purlisse mask certainly paid off.

    This morning my face felt a little tight, and since I had washed it thoroughly before going to bed, I decided to skip washing it, and just use a mask. I had a sample of Andalou Naturals Avo Cocoa Skin Food Mask (small jar I received as a freebie in a previous order). I applied it and it looked and smelled as though I had put chocolate frosting mixed with Nutella on my face.

    When I first rinsed it off, I was shocked at the oiliness on my skin and worried about breakouts. But within a few minutes it seemed to soak into my skin, and I did my usual serum and moisturizer and my skin feels pretty good. It’s still a bit oilier on my T-zone, but it doesn’t feel bad.

    I decided to order a free sample kit from Everyday Minerals.

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      DanceswithPeeps The Burner v2.1DanceswithPeeps The Burner v2.1
      4/30/16 7:02pm

      I’ve used Everyday Minerals before. Pretty much everything else I’ve tried irritates my skin and I get oily, which I don’t need. I also bought a mint green correcter to help with the ruddiness I have.

      Everyday Minerals does free samples. All you pay is shipping.

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      Tupiniquim - white cat with hands is all of usDanceswithPeeps The Burner v2.1
      4/30/16 7:10pm

      I’m at the tail end of my yearly kick-ass peel. This time I did an 18% TCA peel (by MUAC) and layered it once. My skin is almost done peeling, having been a wrinkly brownish tight mess all week long. My pores have never been smaller and my lines are the most superficial they’ve been in a long time. Can’t wait to do it again.

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    MargieBonzAimée Lutkin
    4/30/16 7:01pm

    Gorgeous kitty!

    Hello SNS Jezzies! What’s everyone drinking tonight?

    I think I am going to open a bottle of prosecco and have a glass while sitting on my porch reading until the sun goes down. At that point I am going to the dude who I guess I am boning again’s house so he can make dinner. Talked to him last Saturday about how I don’t mind making dinner, but he has to start paying for ingredients or whatever. He is making dinner tonight as a compromise I suppose. Then we will play backgammon on the set that my grandfather taught me how to play on. Which should be nice. Also going to watch John Wick in preparation for seeing Keanu tomorrow. And I don’t care if I am not supposed to with my braces, but I am going to eat some damn movie theater popcorn! It was a rough week and I am looking forward to having this time with him since I enjoy his company. Last Saturday we ended up talking until we both were just like “I am sick of talking about our relationship”, but it allowed us to say things to each other that needed to be said and I am glad we had the conversation.

    I have made no progress this week in the grad school application process. But that was mainly due to work just totally kicking my ass this week.

    I hope everyone is having a lovely Saturday.

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      many bells down wears many stupid hatsMargieBonz
      4/30/16 7:05pm

      We’re going to our friends’ house in about 20 minutes for their 22nd annual Beltane party. I will drink pretty much everything: prosecco, mead, beer, idk. Then we will drunkenly run around a Maypole clotheslining each other with the ribbons.

      Also, we bought a car today. An electric one. So it’s been a busy day.

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      TaintedFleshMargieBonz
      4/30/16 7:10pm

      Making a Hot Toddy to soothe my throat, hopefully it helps me sleep if I make them strong enough, haha.

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    Tupiniquim - white cat with hands is all of usAimée Lutkin
    4/30/16 7:07pm

    Hi all, hope you’re having a nice weekend so far. Warning: body-related rant.

    In roughly one year I gained back almost all of the 25 pounds I’d lost. I did it basically eating 1,200 cal a day (for almost one year too) but at the end of the day this sort of strategy has proven unsustainable, at least for me, both physically and mentally, as I devolve into some compulsions and obsessions over keeping my caloric intake low. And I don’t eat like a horse, but at 36 years old and after two pregnancies my metabolism is not the same, so even keeping at 1,400 cal a day doesn’t cut it. So I have to deal with that gain and I feel like I’m cornered because it’s getting harder and harder to lose any weight. Conversely, it’s easier and easier to gain weight. Then, thinking about it, I realized I’m feeling trapped because going back to my previous weight seems like an imperative, as if I’m not “acceptable” or “admissible” at my current weight. As if I can’t exist at this weight and I MUST figure out a way to go back. It’s a shitty feeling that leaves me hating myself every time I look in the mirror.

    Now I’m gonna focus on just accepting myself for who I am at the present moment instead of chasing something my body is telling me I’m not gonna be any more (not unless I restrict myself harshly and on a daily basis and for good). Just stop treating my pooch and my flab as my enemy. Just eat whatever is good for me and what I feel like eating, and exercise for the hell of it, to have fun, get stronger and healthier. Just try to be happy in the body I have and appreciate what it can do. I just wanna fucking LIVE and stop treating myself like shit.

    Has anyone been through something similar? Have you been able to turn on the “fuck it” and just live your life?

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      $7CoffeeTupiniquim - white cat with hands is all of us
      4/30/16 7:17pm

      I’m sorry you’re struggling :( It’s so hard when we’re constantly bombarded with messages about how we’re “supposed” to look. “Fuck it” is definitely a good mentality.

      Idk if this will help but when I’m feeling bummed about how I look I start from the bottom and work up. I love my feet because my toes are cute and they take me all over the world. I love my ankles because they look real great with an anklet (even if I can never get them shaved right) etc. Hope it helps

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      AnastasiaBeaverhausenFGTupiniquim - white cat with hands is all of us
      4/30/16 7:21pm

      Somewhat yes, but I still have trouble. I’ve gained ten pounds twice and they won’t budge no matter what.

      I have found that I feel my best when I focus on lifting in addition to cardio. Not only does it cut better lines, even if you are the same weight, it just feels bad ass and that helps the mental side. It’s fun to feel progress. Give yourself fitness goals instead of pound goals. I’ve also found that to always be more motivating and empowering.

      It is hard to not feel happy with your appearance, but at the end of the day...look at the amazing things your body can do. Look at the amazing things in your life. Be glad your legs work and your eyes work and you have a lovely family. All that helps.

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    DorthyDandridgeEyesAimée Lutkin
    4/30/16 7:08pm

    Hey Jezzies what are y’all up to? What is going on in your lives that’s interesting? Let me live vicariously through you. I am home alone recovering from getting five teeth pulled and I’m bored

    Oh one more thing this Becky shit is out of control and I’d like people to get over it and focus on what’s really important about lemonade the visuals and the inspiration and the utter southern blackness of it all. So here is an article that clearly breaks down why its not a racial slur. http://wwwayward.com/i-hope-becky-b...

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      EastCoastCaliGirlDorthyDandridgeEyes
      4/30/16 7:17pm

      I’m procrastinating on writing a draft of my thesis and on grading papers. Am watching our puppy rip the stuffing out of her bed.

      Interesting items - am applying to grad school this fall, and am about to start a new job in two months if they accept my start date :)

      I’m probably the one woman of color who can’t really get behind Beyonce, though I did absolutely adore her Formation performance at the Super Bowl. I haven’t even seen Lemonade yet :o/ (and don’t really have much interest in it).

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      DorthyDandridgeEyesEastCoastCaliGirl
      4/30/16 7:37pm

      First of all very cool about the grad school hope you get in where you want. As for the not getting into Beyonce thing I totally get you. I haven’t fucked with Beyonce since her album 4. She’s just very generic pop star for me and I found self titled interesting but it wasn’t for me. Formation caught my attention though it seemed more real less trying to please so hard. But watching Lemonade I can’t deny her my respect and admiration I kind of love her now.

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    Ladyheatherlee 2016 EditionAimée Lutkin
    4/30/16 7:37pm

    I’m late. Don’t know if this will get read. But my daughter who doesn’t speak has made a whole ton of friends in the neighbourhood. We did our annual clean up and after she spent two hours with all the neighbourhood kids and she was chatting up a storm! A bunch of us have just decided that our kids will be free range. We are going to build a group playhouse in the green space behind our house so the kids can come and go. They’ll have my 80s style childhood AND she TALKS. For the first time in years my kid is going to be able to speak at her birthday party.

    I. Love. My. Neighbourhood. Not so much the builders that leave their garbage everywhere. But most of the neighbours are top notch.

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      ZeetalLadyheatherlee 2016 Edition
      4/30/16 7:51pm

      This is so awesome!

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      Butter Nutter MilkshakeLadyheatherlee 2016 Edition
      4/30/16 8:04pm

      I love free ranged children. They alays seem to have such fun, compared to the children who are supervised every minute of the day. My mother turned my brother and I out at 10, every day and we were allowed to return for lunch, but we were expected to be out of the house until 4 or 5.

      To this day, she doesn’t know all of the trouble we got up to, but it taught us how to get out of trouble just as much.

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    deerlady83Aimée Lutkin
    4/30/16 7:12pm

    My dad is doing way better. He finished his meds and has a lot of energy.

    My family found out this week my aunt’s cancer spread to her lungs. She decided to stop cancer treatments. When she started, they told her they couldn’t cure her. The only thing they could promise was to slow the spread. She has had enough and is preparing herself for the next few months. They said she might have six months more or less. We are getting ready to say goodbye. Hospice moves fast. They already set things up in her house.

    I accept this is her choice but I'm sad that she will never know my children if I have any. My aunt is a remarkable and strong woman. She has lived her life the way she wanted. She has left a mark on our community through her leadership skills and being a teacher. It's going to be hard to let her go.

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      wishtdeerlady83
      4/30/16 7:22pm

      I’m really sorry for your sad news. I wish you every strength.

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      SnapTestdeerlady83
      4/30/16 7:25pm

      I’m so sorry. I lost a beloved aunt to cancer too, so this resonates with me. Much love to you ♥

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    SnapTestAimée Lutkin
    4/30/16 7:10pm

    Music thread!

    This indie jazz/folk/something band has been my jam this week. What have you all been listening to?

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      DanceswithPeeps The Burner v2.1SnapTest
      4/30/16 7:19pm

      Prince. Songs get stuck in my head and I don’t care, because they’re so good.

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      AnastasiaBeaverhausenFGSnapTest
      4/30/16 7:25pm

      Fitz & The Tantrums ‘Hand Clap’ is my fucking JAM right now. Like to the point of dancing and clapping in front of the mirror while I get ready. Houndmouth is always a good time. And surprisingly to me, Hozier’s rest of album is so.fucking.GOOD. So good.

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    TaintedFleshAimée Lutkin
    4/30/16 7:08pm

    Hello my fellow Jezebellians!! I got a job! After being unemployed for over a year I finally got a job with a wonderful company. However I just came down with a damn fever and sore throat, so now my stress is sky high and I’m terrified I won’t be better by Monday, but come hell or high water I’m going in. Can anyone share some advice on how to deal with a new job in an office environment? Previously I was an bookkeeper for a big chain retail store and I’m so nervous for some reason. Any advice and pet pictures are welcome and appreciated!!! I’ll start:

    This is when they made up after Nahla destroyed Momos toy.

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      wishtTaintedFlesh
      4/30/16 7:15pm

      Congrats! New jobs are super scary, particularly if it’s a different type of work environment than you’re used to. As someone who is coming up to six months in my job, I’d say the best advice I can give is to be really kind to yourself and not take the mistakes that everyone makes at a new job as evidence that you are a trash person who will die in a pit of failure (source: me, who takes the mistakes that everyone makes in a new job as evidence that I am a trash person who will die in a pit of failure). The impostor syndrome, she is real, but you are going to be GREAT.

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      $7CoffeeTaintedFlesh
      4/30/16 7:21pm

      Best advice is buy a cute notebook and take lots of notes in it. It’ll look pretty on your desk and you’ll be so happy you don’t have to ask questions twice.

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    Butter Nutter MilkshakeAimée Lutkin
    4/30/16 7:11pm

    Binge watching tv, because this week left me so drained. The project manager quit and now I have to take over her projects, two of which are very time consuming and high stakes. I also have to run my own team and complete me own duties. My boss sensed rebellion, and gave me a raise and has been very, very nice to me.

    Emily has been pretty snuggly, though. I got a picture of her smiling. Nothing like a seat by the window in spring.

    I can’t get it to upload, though, so you may never know!

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      AleksanderSpencerMeadeButter Nutter Milkshake
      4/30/16 8:32pm

      What are you watching?

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      Butter Nutter MilkshakeAleksanderSpencerMeade
      4/30/16 8:50pm

      Firefly. It is my annual rewatch.

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    Helluva Bottom CarterAimée Lutkin
    4/30/16 7:12pm

    It’s my first SNS. I’m still awake here in England.

    My mum was rushed to hospital this morning. She has a severe chest infection, a blood infection due to sepsis in her legs and also is so dehydrated it’s like she’s made of paper.

    I had to talk with the doctor about end of life care and resuscitation. She’s confused, delirious and in extreme pain. We left her alone for two minutes and she climbed off the gurney and ripped her drip out.

    I’m exhausted, overwhelmed and ashamed that I can’t sit with her all night. I don’t think she even knows I’m there. I’m sorry to post this on a usually upbeat board but it’s better telling Internet strangers than judgy, do-gooders like her neighbors who think I don’t do enough for her and withhold information.

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      DanceswithPeeps The Burner v2.1Helluva Bottom Carter
      4/30/16 7:22pm

      You’re there for her and making sure that she will be properly cared for. What more can you do? You’re a human being, not a god with endless energy and healing abilities. You need to start preparing yourself, too, for when she is gone.

      Oh, and fuck the neighbors. They won’t even show to the hospital, I bet, nor even send flowers.

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      LibraryanneagainHelluva Bottom Carter
      4/30/16 7:23pm

      I have been a parental caretaker. My advice is to remember that you aren’t a Supreme Being with the power to heal, nor can you live without taking care of yourself, too. You will do your best and make the choices that seem right. Anyone who doesn’t approve can get stuffed!

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