Made in Richmond

Rosebud Perfume Co. minted rose lip balm
I don’t normally spend $7 on lip balm, but I had to a gift card to Anthropologie and they had this stuff in a lovely little bowl by the cash register. I’m not one to impulse buy, but the pot is so damn cute I couldn’t resist.

Old Navy classic flip-flop for baby
JR has really, really chubby feet, so find sandals (hell, shoes) that fit is challenging. Finally, about a month ago, we got him a pair of these, and they are the light of his life. His are orange, and a friend described the image of these shoes on his chubster feet as “the picture of happiness.”

Method multi-surface cleanser, pink grapefruit
It smells delicious and it works.

Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb
Our friend Susan (”Susu” to JR) sent this to us about a month ago — not for any particular reason, other than she’s awesome, she loves our kid, and she loves this book. We love it, too. It is SO much fun to read aloud and is one of the few books our wiggly man will sit still for.

What about you? What are you loving to bits these days?

One night last week, during my nighttime routine, I glanced in the mirror and noticed a BRIGHT RED moley type thing peeking out from under my hair.

So I did what any normal, 21st century woman does. I Googled it. I quickly learned it was either something Totally Fine or something Very Bad.

Because I’m an excellent patient, I called my doctor the next morning and booked an appointment. A few days later, we had our visit.

He told me right away that it was nothing to worry about (a cherry hemangioma, to be specific) and I should only be concerned if several of them popped up at once. He also pointed out that it’s possible that it had been there for a long time and just never noticed it.

And then there was the dagger to the heart.

“You know, they become much more common with age.”

“Excuse me?”

“Things like that, moles — they become more common with age.”

“What are you suggesting?”

“I’m not saying you’re old, I’m just stating a fact that you are getting older. Everyone is getting older. People don’t get younger.”

“So your diagnosis is a cherry hemangioma probably brought on by age?”

“Basically.”

“Great.”

Obviously I realize that 28 isn’t old. It’s not even close. But it is quite humbling when a medical professional tells you that you’re experiencing something because of the aging process.

Oh well, at least I’m not dying. Not right *now* anyway. Although, getting older is technically dying. Just v e r y s l o w l y.

It’s been over two months since I’ve updated you on the state of my face! How ever have you survived?

Guys, June was awesome. AMAZING. Most people I spoke to said it would take a good three or four months for the prescription to REALLY get things sorted out. For me, it took a little over four, but it was worth the wait. I went about six weeks with absolutely issues. As those of you who have had or currently have skin issues, six weeks is an incredible amount of time to have not one single blemish.

And then my uterus had to go and screw everything up.

Without going into too much detail, I had some cyst action happening all up in my business for a little while there. Luckily, this cyst action didn’t require anything particularly invasive and everything is a-ok, but it was decided to crank my birth control up a notch because I have what I guess you could call “enthusiastic” ovaries. I’m not sure what that means either, but I’m going with it.

While birth control pills are actually known to help control acne, there can be an adjustment period. I happen to be right in the middle of one. But I will not be disheartened! If clear skin can happen once, it can happen again. I WILL PREVAIL.

Until then, however, I am very thankful for L’Oreal’s Bare Naturale Gentle Mineral Concealer. That junx covers up anything. Trust.

After ignoring The Sore Throat Of Death, Woe, and Fire for four days, I finally went to the doctor today. This is what I always do: wait until I’m basically at death’s door before scheduling an appointment (which, thanks to insurance, costs very little). What can I say? I’m busy. And stubborn.

After looking me over, diagnosing me with (yet another) sinus infection that went medieval on my ass, my doctor started asking about whether I’ve been taking care of myself, specifically whether I’m getting enough sleep and drinking enough water. I do neither of these things, and he knows this — we talk about it every time I come in, and every time he gently reminds me that I really need to make those a priority. Today, he tried a different approach:

“You are not a vampire OR a camel! You need to sleep and you need to drink water! It will cut the numbers of times you have to come in by half!”

As I was laughing at him, he wrote me a prescription for a Z-pack which, according to him is basically pointless now because it looks like the infection has pretty much run its course.

“Just hold on to that and use it for the next one. We both know it’s just a matter of time and this will save you the co-pay.”

I’m not really a “music person.” Sure, I enjoy it, but I’m not someone who needs to have it on in background or would even list it as an “interest.” Despite coming from a very musical family, it’s just not in me. (That thump you just heard was my father falling over and dying from disappointment. He’ll leave a comment and deny it, but it was him.)

But! From time to time, I do become mildly obsessed with a particular artists and try to listen to everything he or she has done. My current love right now is Regina Spektor.

I have no idea if this makes me hip or lame or nondescript, but I recently found myself fine tuning a Pandora station to focus on her. I can’t help myself. Consequently, her songs are in my head pretty much all the time these days. Now some of them will be in yours.

(Fidelity)

(On the Radio)

(You Don’t Know Me At All with Mr. Ben Folds OMG I LURV HIM)

I’d love to hear what you’re listening to.

Time to announce the winners of tickets to see Donald Miller chat it up at Northminster Church.

A total of 45 people entered, and I could only pick two winners. Or, I should say, Random.org could only pick two winners. I thought about putting everyone’s name in a hat but that would involve lots of writing. What good is technology if it doesn’t let you be exceedingly lazy?

On to the winners!

The first winners is…

Number 7! According the Survey Monkey (again with the technology) number 7 is Kate Creehan! Yay Kate!

And the next winner is…

Number 33, Hope Newberry!

Congratualtions, winners! I’ll be contacting you via email momentarily to give you details and make sure you’re still able to go.

Thanks to Northminster Church for letting me do this. It was fun.

About a week ago I got quite the lovely email from a gentleman name Kyle over at Northminster Church (3121 Moss Side Avenue) here in Richmond. After saying some very kind words about this here blog, he asked me to do him a favor. And what can I say? Flattery works on me. I AM ONLY HUMAN.*

Apparently Donald Miller (author of Blue Like Jazz and A Million Miles in a Thousand Years) is coming to Northminster on Wednesday, April 28 at 7pm to chat it up a bit. I’ve been given two pairs of tickets to hand over to two lucky winners! If you’re interested in going, you can enter to win them here. The contest closes at noon on Tuesday, April 20.

UPDATED: Should you want to buy tickets, they are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. You can buy them in advance on the Northminster website.

*Please know, I am not being paid at all to do this giveaway. And I’m not just doing this because they asked; I think there are some of you out there who would really, really enjoy what Mr. Miller has to say.

I bet you thought I’d grow tired of talking about my skin. FOOLS! Most of you don’t know that I spend most days yammering on about this stuff with numerous friends over gchat. I will never not care about this stuff.

We’re two months(ish) into to the new routine. Since I’m taking a very conservative approach to Project Acne-Be-Gone, things just take a bit longer.

As my dermatologist explained to me, first it will get better, then it will get a little worse. Then a little better than before, than a little worse. And so on and so forth until things get balanced out.

Overall, things are going well. I’ve had some ugly breakouts thanks to my, ahem, “cycle” being all kinds of whacked out, but that’s an different post entirely. I’ve added Neutrogena’s Clear Pore Cleanser (thanks to Allison for that recommendation, by the way) when I need a little extra oomph, which is working out well. But I can’t blame my wack-a-doo hormones for all of it…

I’m VERY angry with Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15, as I think it has been part to blame for the flare ups. Without fail, after I use it, I’m guaranteed to get a couple whoppers on my face. I’ve backed off using that for the last few days (don’t worry, I’ve been applying a layer of tinted moisturizer for the time being) and things are clearing up.

So, I need more of your help! What do you use for facial sun protection? I’ve heard good things about powder sunscreen. Have any of you tried it? Share your wisdom!

I meant to write this weekend, but I spent it enjoying my now healthy son and not reading my email. It was pretty great. But, alas, I now have some catching up to do. Womp womp womp.

So! A list it is…

Guys, Jersey Shore. I know I’m way late with this one (as I was with Lady Gaga) but Oh Lord, I love it so. I can’t even explain why. Wait, yes I can: fist pump.

Also: Caprica. I was hesitant because seriously, why mess with a good thing? I’m not *totally* hooked at this point, but it has my attention.

My skincare obsession has now ventured over into makeup. Specifically foundation. I’ve been using a tinted moisturizer, but that just isn’t cutting it anymore. I want something that gives decent coverage but doesn’t get cakey. Tell me, what do you use?

Last Christmas Ross and I just gave each other books. He ended up giving me The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America. It follows the construction of the Chicago World’s Fair while ALSO following a serial killer who used the huge crowds attracted by the fair to scout out his victims. Not my typical cup of tea but, man, I loved it. You should read it. But don’t read the last chapter before bed because GUHHHHHH.

I toured another day care center last week. Not because I’m unhappy with where JR currently is, but I had already called this place and scheduled the tour before he started, so it made sense to go look. It was AMAZING. The waiting list if 6 months to a year, so we’re looking at that as our long term plan while his current center is working just fine for now.

Ross and I watched Inglorious Basterds this weekend. I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I also realized that I am not at all fazed by movie violence. Wanna show someone’s face getting shot off? Sure, I can take it.

We also watched The Hurt Locker this weekend (because I am either 1) the best wife ever or 2) turning into a dude). I enjoyed this one, too. I also realized that the *suggestion* of violence (or fatal wounding) is much more disturbing to me than *actual* violence. Also, (SPOILER MAYBE) why does Ralph Fiennes get almost top billing when he’s in the movie for like 45 seconds?

My sister and I are taking my mom out to lunch for her birthday tomorrow. I told her she we could go wherever she wanted. She picked Chipotle. This is hilarious to me.

***

That’s all I’ve got for now. We will return to more coherent ramblings soon…

So apparently a while ago, the young lady behind MagPie Photoworks (which sells prints and stationary, etc. on Etsy) contacted Ross to see if she could use on of his pictures of me as a demo for her new project of making custom silhouettes.

He said yes, and she did.

Here ’tis:

I think it’s pretty swell (although I believe she might have been kind to me in the chin department).

Her Etsy shop isn’t stocked yet, but you can check out some of her other stuff here.