It wasn’t too bad going down…but I didn’t like the aftertaste so I also had my first “meal”of the day.
If you’re of a certain age…it’s that time. IYKYK.
Author Archives: Jen
Me on a tee shirt.
As my bestie Anna said when she found this at our local consignment shop—this is the most Jen shirt to have ever Jenned.
Our first dessert pizza!
We used what we had on hand: butter, brown sugar, and caramelized pancetta with a maple syrup drizzle.
Oh. My. Gawd.
And now for the tips I promised!
I promised you the tips my friend shared while helping me with this look, so here they are!
1️⃣ Add a highlight color under brows and blend into main colors.
My first instinct was Sandstone Pearl Shimmer but to be honest, I need a new one and just haven’t thrown away the tube yet…so I grabbed my next favorite Limited Edition Champagne Shimmer.
2️⃣ If the shadows have already dried too much to easily blend, spray your brush with the Hydrating Facial Serum Mist!
I was unsure but it worked! It was just the right amount of moisture to let me blend without ruining the look.
3️⃣ Add more highlight on inside corners and part of lid.
I already had Wind Shimmer on the inner corners so I just brought it in a bit farther onto the lid (don’t go past your pupil).
4️⃣ Add a bit of highlight to the very middle of the lips with a glitter (LipSense or ShadowSense).
If I had wanted a hint of gold, I would have used Chocolate Copper LipSense, but for a hint of silver I opted for Glacier Glitter (but you could use Silver Shimmer).
I went outside my comfort zone!
You know how I’m always telling you to go outside your comfort zone because it’s just makeup? Well, guess what I did today?!
I wanted my eye look to match the LipSense color I created…so grabbed Red and Onyx. That might not sound too crazy but c’mon —STRAIGHT RED? And I have to be careful with Onyx because it tends to get away from me easily.
Truth be told, I had to “phone a friend” because it just wasn’t turning out and I needed her advice before I ruined the whole thing. Turns out I had mostly known what to do but had just been unsure. But! She added some cool bits and had some helpful tips I’ll pass on to you (stay tuned). And I felt better about the look when I was done. Plus we got to catch up for 15 minutes while we finished the look!
I knew it looked better but I still wasn’t sure I truly liked it. She assured me it looked great and it was just a new look for me so I wasn’t used to it yet. (And that’s what I always tell my clients!)
In the end, it did grow on me. And the pictures turned out great. And I will keep practicing…
Amazing USMC Pysanky
(This was actually on March 10.)
I made an ostrich egg for my son-in-law. He retired from the United States Marine Corps last year. I had so many issues with this project and want to thank one of my egg peeps, Mark Malachowski, for all his help! We were able to travel this weekend so I could gift him with it. It was, by far, the most challenging Pysanky I’ve ever done.
Congratulations Tom!
And some photos of the whole process!
Bookmobile in our neighborhood!
Imagine my surprise when I was out on my walk and saw this!
The three musketeers.
Just the girls!
The story of my life.
Tell me you have kids without telling me you have kids.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
This is what my kids considered “picked up” before the housekeepers got here.
Throwback St. Patrick’s Day
I never know where I’m going to find these.
Sleeping cuddled with all three pet pillows.
I’m totally slacking on the photos.
I’m not sure what’s wrong with me — I didn’t think of taking a pic of us until literally just this minute.
And I totally didn’t get any with the grandparents and the kids, either
Super simple look!
Today’s look was super simple—one shadow on my eyes (but it looks like two, right?) and I could have used it as blush, too, but I wasn’t paying attention. And I don’t always love Solar Flare Gloss but today it was perfection.
Prepping for summer parties!
Anna and I had gone to the store for ice cream last night after the band concert and saw they had some liquor on clearance. I bought three bottles—two of which were just to try (because they were so cheap) but one vodka that we were sure we’d like. Well…after trying it…we decided we needed to go back for more. Or, rather, the rest. So this was our cart tonight.
So what vodka is it? Smirnoff Red, White & Berry! It mixes great with pop and it will be amazing in Jello shots!
OONI PIZZA NIGHT!
Anna and I might have done this tonight.
I legit can’t remember the last time I did a straight Patrón shot—let alone one with my mom across the room.
Also? Great memories using the Royal Caribbean shot glasses from our last cruise…but they’re HUUUGE.
I got this puzzle from Amazon Vine and it was a big fail.
We thought we were missing pieces after our first edge-piece sort so sorted again. And then again when we only found one additional piece. And a third time just because we couldn’t believe it. We talked about not even doing it, but it really was a fun and somewhat easy puzzle so we continued.
And this is what we ended up with. I didn’t even count the missing pieces because it was so crazy. Not just a piece. Not just an edge. But a ton of random pieces!! Sooo disappointing!
Needless to say it got a 1-star review.
Middle school band competition!
Typically this would be in person but Zoom is still the way of life for a lot of events. So we were all on the stage in the Cafe watching while the kids played in front of the judges on a huge screen!
Grandma and grandpa and the Chang-Yens were able to be there so Owen was excited about that!
I feel so slow and plodding…
I did not want to go outside. It was gray and windy and 25° and my feet hurt. But I made an effort. Not my best day but better than staying on the couch.
I keep wondering “Was I this slow way back when?” Because of course I can only remember the good times from when I was thin and speedy.
So I’m just telling myself I’m happy I’m out moving.
I qualified for a free trip!
Don’t be afraid to try new makeup things!
TODAY’S LESSON: Don’t be afraid to try new things with makeup because it’s just makeup. If you fail, just wash it off and try again.
Lesson 2? Yes, orange really will cover dark circles because – think back to elementary school art – orange is opposite purple on the color wheel. 🧡💜
And, today’s third lesson? You need to better match the orange to your skin tone. 😂 It was a little too deep for me and my eyes ended up looking a bit too yellow. But they weren’t purple! 😂🤷🏻♀️
I feel slow as a damn turtle but at least I’m doing it.
#170by50
Week 1 check-in!
Week 1 check in — down 5.4# and 4% of my goal completed. #170by50
I’m not gonna lie, I’m a bit disappointed. Usually the first week checks in at about 9-12. I could have walked more but I think 3 out of 7 days for my first week is pretty good.
“Breakfast” was H2OJ and lunch is garlic cheese curds and garlic kielbasa with spicy dill pickle almonds. Which turned out to be too much—I’m full after half!
Don’t worry, I won’t be doing a full check-in every day. Today was just weigh-in day!
Which of these is hardest for you to resist?
For me, it’s the chips. But it’s the same with both: if I have one, watch out—the floodgates open. If I don’t start, I’m usually okay.
So lunch today was 4 slices of salami and 2 pieces of cheese while I avoided this cabinet entirely.
And introducing my new hashtag for my personal challenge: #170by50
Convinced the old man to go on a walk with me today.
We aren’t setting any land speed records but I’m getting out there! (We also stopped for about 7 minutes to play Pokemon.)
My washing machine emailed me today!
She (he? It?) let me know we’ve done 42 cycles during the past month. I’ve never known how many loads of laundry we do a month until now. I would have guessed fewer to be honest.
My name is NOT mom!
Mom’s night out at Genesee Theater with some of our mom squad to see My Name is NOT mom! I was so happy to be healthy enough to make it!
We’re really up close and personal for some mom humor!
It was hilarious and definitely worth going if you get a chance!
I know this will get easier.
I’m still hearing the phantom click clack of Maggie walking around. And hearing phantom scratches at the sliding door.
I still expect to see her laying in the sun on the couch and I still try to throw food scraps to her.
I look for her when I’m preparing to sit on the couch and I expect to see her under my feet.
Every random noise in the house is now never her.
Some moments are easy. Some are getting easier. And some are still unbelievably hard.
