10 on the 10...errr 20th: Playing Dress Up

I was trying to participate in Leslie's 10 on the 10th linkup, but I was away on vacation and she was having technical difficulties with getting the linkup live. Like her I was also having technical difficulties due to a terrible wifi signal. All that aside I still wanted to play along, so onward to the prompts!

When do you most often dress up?
Weddings. Our date nights are usually fairly low-key unless we're celebrating something, but we always do it up for weddings, BIG birthdays (like a friend's 50th),... things like that. Here I'm wearing a LOFT halter dress a sit was hot AF at our friend's wedding in Key West, Fl. a few years ago. You gotta be pretty damn special for me to put on a strapless bra! 

What makes you feel fancy and dressed up?

Heels and makeup. Changing out my purse to match my outfit. 

What does getting dressed for the day mean to you? 

Wearing clothes that are clean and not too wrinkled! I'm back in the office 5 days a week and I work in IT, so usually black or gray slacks, flats (or boots in winter), and a weather appropriate top (sleeveless with a cardigan in summer or a sweater in winter). I usually don't wear makeup, especially now with the mask mandates, and my hair is usually pulled back in a ponytail or clip because I hate having hair in my face when I'm trying to work. 

Do you wear make up every day? Do you do anything different for special or dress up occasions? 

Absolutely not! I was never big into make up, but even less so (if that's even possible) now that I have to wear a mask at work/most public spaces. For special occasions, I'll do everything but foundation (my face doesn't agree with it, usually breaking out the next day).

Eye shadow: Urban Decay Naked palette (and Urban Decay eyeshadow Primer Potion)

Eye liner: NYX slim eye pencil in black (though I also like the Rimmel Kohl pencil)

Mascara: CG Lashblast Volume or  Too Faced Better than Sex 

Blush: MAC Sheertone Shimmer in Flirt & Tease for REALLY special occasions since it's no longer available, other MAC Mineralize Blush in Love Thing

Lipstick depends on the outfit, but my two faves are Revlon's Absolutely Fabulous lipstick in Temptress (a deep red that's also no longer available) and Burt's Bees Wine Wave.

What is your skin care regimen? What issues do you address with your routine and choice of products?

I actually need to re-evaluate my skin care regimen as it switches between summer and winter to heavier creams and moisturizers. Usually I just wash with Olay (water-activated) Daily Facials cloths and moisturize with Aveeno Positively Radiant daily moisturizer. If I remember and have time, I'll add Shea Moisture Problem Skin toner. Once a week I like to use either Formula 10.0.6 Draw It All Out peel mask or kick it old-school with St. Ives Apricot facial scrub.

Describe any vintage or heirloom pieces you have. 

I have a favorite "fancy" necklace, but it only goes with one dress I own (first pic). As for heirloom pieces, I have my high school class ring (does that count? It's personalized with my signature on the inside, birthstone, tennis rackets on one side and grad year on the other), and my  grandmother's pearl necklace which I've never actually worn.  

                                            

Do you have pierced ears? If so, what age were your ears pierced? 

I do! That's basically the only jewelry I change out almost daily. I was too young to remember when they were pierced though. But I also have my nose and belly button pierced, which I got done on the same day when I was 20. 

 
Did you dress up for Halloween as a child? As an adult? Describe a favorite costume you or your children wore for Halloween. Will you be giving out candy this year?

Yes and YES! When I was a kid, I remember I was Jasmine from Aladdin for several (maybe 3?) years in a row because I loved it. As an adult I'm more into homemade costumes. Picking a favorite is hard, but I really got into Lt. Dan from Forrest Gump in 2019. I didn't have a wheelchair (thought that would be a bit much, especially for a house party), but I didn't stand at all, instead getting around on my knees if I needed to, and drew on my beard. It was also one of the most comfortable costumes ever! 

Do you have a favorite Halloween costume?

Favorite Summer Foods

Happy Friday, friends! Have any good weekend plans? It's supposed to be stormy in these parts, so I'll probably be staying in and catching up on some shows. Any recommendations for me?

Today I'm linking up with Holly and Patty and sharing some of my favorite summer foods! I go for anything light and refreshing when it's hot out. To me, summer foods means lots of fresh fruits and veggies, seafood, and grilled EVERYTHING (even if I don't personally own a grill)! Here are some other summer food favorites! 

1 – Favorite Summer Dish? Lobster rolls! Fresh seafood in general.

2 – Favorite Cookout Side Dishes? Deviled eggs, shrimp cocktail, pasta salad, and potato salad... sometimes I prefer side dishes to main dishes! 

3 – Eating al Fresco? If it's not too hot or buggy outside, sure! 

4 – What Foods Do You Eat in the Summer More? Fruits in general, especially watermelon!

5 – Share Your Favorite Summer Recipe--  I don't have one in particular, basically anything fresh tasting and light... this Caprese Orzo Salad with Balsamic Dressing sounds like something I'd make! 

6 – Blueberry Pie or Strawberry Shortcake? Not a huge sweets fan, but I'll pick strawberry shortcake

7 – Favorite Summer Beverage? Non-alcoholic: Sweet Tea, Iced Green Tea, Lemonade. Alcoholic: Gin and tonic, lemonade and vodka, White Claw (the black raspberry one is my favorite), ice cold, light lagers like Rolling Rock

8 – Ketchup? Mustard? Relish? Mayo? Depends what it's for! I like ketchup and mayo on burgers, but if we're talking hot dogs, I prefer chili and cheese, or ketchup and mustard. 

9 – Gas grill? Charcoal? Big Green Egg? I've never been able to own a grill, but I guess gas grill?

10 – Popsicle or Ice Cream? Ice cream! My favorite is chocolate chip mint (as long as it's green, I won't eat the white version!). 

What's some of your favorite summer foods?

Link up below! 

Playing Favorites: Boob Tube Edition

When I first saw this prompt for Jenn's Tuesday Topics, I thought I'd have to pass it up because I didn't think I really watch that much TV. I realized as I was compiling this list however, that I do, it's just that the way series are aired now has changed. A lot of the shows I watch are on Netflix or Hulu, and they drop a whole season in one fell swoop. (Mostly) gone are the days where we wait anxiously for a week until the next episode airs. Anther drastic change is the mini-series format. Instead of a season being several months long, a lot of them can be as short as 7 episodes (looking at you, GoT). And just because I didn't want to neglect shows of days passed, those are below as well.

Big Little Lies- I read the book, I loved the casting, and I loved how it was produced. I'm skeptical of there being another season though. The story was finished- now what?

The Handmaid's Tale- Another one that I waited until I read the book before starting the show, and another one that totally deserved the 5 Emmy awards it won. I also loved seeing Samira Wiley back on my screen.

Grey's Anatomy- An old standby. I'll admit the first episode I ever saw was the one where [SPOILER ALERT] McDreamy died, and even that was because someone else wanted to catch up and I happened to be there, so I didn't particularly care. So I went back and started watching it from the beginning, and now I'm hooked. I do miss Cristina Yang/Sandra Oh though; she was my favorite.

Game of Thrones- I love and hate this one at the same time. Between delayed start dates the shortened "seasons," and the ridiculous amount of time between the "seasons" (SERIOUSLY POSSIBLY 2019?!), it's hard to keep up and I need a refresher before the next season starts. Not to mention actually having to research family trees just to figure out what's truly going on.

This is Us- I'm just so emotionally invested in all of these characters. I love them, I love seeing Mandy Moore and Milo Ventimiglia back, and I love their relationships. No spoilers please- I haven't seen this season's premiere yet!

Orange is the New Black- Breaking barriers and stereotypes for all. I love the complexity of all of these characters. I love the issues it shines a light on.

The Walking Dead- I didn't think i'd like this show because I don't like blood or zombies (ha.ha.). So I didn't watch it until again I was somewhere and the people around me were watching it, so I had to go back to the beginning. I still get a little squeamish at times, but I really enjoy how the characters evolve. I'm still not really on board with one relationship in particular though, and I really REALLY want Gabriel to die. Also, I hate that Negan is so repulsively evil yet so damn attractive.

Stranger Things- This one took me a few episodes to get into it, but I was so intrigued that I kept watching. I also think Millie Bobby Brown is a great actress.

Westworld- Another one that took me a little while to get into, mostly because I was so confused. But wow! what an interesting and thorught-provoking storyline. It's like nothing I've seen before, which is why I enjoy it so much. I still laugh every time Teddy dies, and Maeve is my favorite because she's sassy and brave. I'm excited to see where it goes in Season 2.

Honorable Mentions:  Travelers, The OA, Nashville, Big Bang Theory, Catfish

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Cancelled/Used to Love:

Lost- I freakin loved this show. I actually watched this with a group, and a bigger group of us had an email chain about the episode the following day that last for days with after thoughts and theories. That may have been my favorite part.

Friday Night Lights- I never saw this when it aired live, but I binged on Netflix and LOVED IT. I even dressed up as Tami Taylor for Halloween 2 years ago, giant glass of white wine and all.

True Blood- Alcide. Lafayette. Hell, even Jason. I could've done with less Sookie and Bill though. They were SO annoying. I'll admit that the last season or two were pretty terrible too.

Gilmore Girls- I've watched this entire series at least twice, and then of course the revivals. I even wanted to go to the GG Festival in CT, but it was waaay too expensive. Anyway, side characters seem to be my thing. This Sookie, and Lane, were excellent. And I loved Emily and Paris in the revival.

Sex and The City- a classic. I think i started watching it at friends' houses at first because I didn't have HBO, but eventually I watched them all. My favorite boyfriend was and will always be Aiden. Sidenote: I hated the movies.

Dawson's Creek- the show of my teenage years. Dawson and Joey 4eva. I tried to watch it again when it was on Netflix, but it just didn't feel the same.

Friends- another classic, though I've probably seen every episode 5 times. This is what I put on for background noise now, as I watch it more for the sake of nostalgia than actually making me laugh.

The L Word- another one that I binged after it had already been cancelled. It was like an intro into the Lesbian/bi- world and I loved all of it, especially the complexity of the relationships and characters. And I'm so happy they're bringing it back!

One Tree Hill- this one doesn't age well, but I did love the show when it aired.

Honorable Mentions: Law and Order: SVU, Ally McBeal, Saved by the Bell, The Nanny, 90210, Melrose Place

What are some of your favorite TV shows, old or new? 

Linking up with Jenn!