Ah, spring in the mid-Atlantic! Yesterday it was a bracing 25 degrees. For weeks now I’ve had both my space heater AND my window box fan set up, because I just never know which one I’ll need. Sometimes both in one day! I think we’re skipping spring. We’ll head straight to summer. Next week I’ll likely wake up to a humid 83 degrees and that’ll be that.
Let’s talk about things we’re trying. Trying new things (not just new perfumes) is good. I’m a big fan of stability in life, but let’s not fall into a rut, shall we? I’m going to mention a few items; feel free to add yours in comments.
1) eShakti. I’d never heard of them until a random pop-up ad grabbed my attention, although other folks clearly have. They make dresses, tops and bottoms in many different fabrics. You get to choose the finishing details – neckline, sleeves, length – and the dress is made for you and shipped from India. New customers get a $30 off coupon, so I figured I’d give it a whirl since the dress would end up costing me $35. I picked the Chelsea in navy blue stretch poplin, with cap sleeves and a scoop neck, below the knee, for a work dress. It’s gorgeous, and it got here in less than two weeks. Quality fabric, very nicely sewn. They entice you with another $25 coupon with your first order, so I’m thinking about doing it again. Anyone else done this?
2) Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Radiance Awakening Foundation. This foundation is new, replacing their beloved Touche Eclat foundation. As far as I can tell, most of the negative reviews are from people who wished they’d kept the original, sheer formula (and I feel your pain.) However. If you aren’t jonesing for the old one, this is pretty great – it’s definitely more full-coverage than the original, or my standby Make Up For Ever Face and Body, although you can sheer it out by mixing it with moisturizer if you want to. I tried it on a whim, one blah rainy day in Sephora, and ended up walking out with a bottle, which is not the sort of impulse purchase I generally make. I got one of their lighter shades, BR10. It’s a perfect match for my skin tone, neither matte nor too dewy.
3) Fitbit. True to form, I’ve bought one of these gizmos three (four?) years after everyone else. The upside is my Flex cost probably half what it used to and came with three bands. I managed to set it up on my phone, so it must be pretty simple and intuitive. I’m mostly interested in using it like a pedometer rather than all the other tracking features. After nine months in a more sedentary job I’ve decided I need a way to quantify how much I’m moving around.
What’s new in your life?
I’ve never heard of eShakti, but it looks great. They have lots of surplice tops and I am a big fan of those. What’s new – just switched our twin daughters from cribs to beds, so we’ve been going through an interesting transition. Last night was the best night so far, as they went to sleep easily and with no night wakings. So strange to have them loose in the house at night and running into our room in the morning!
Thinking about getting a major hair cut. I’ve had medium to very long hair for the last 30 years. I keep reminding myself it grows back, but change is hard! And my hair is kind of my identifying thing – I have lots of wavy/curly hair. Not going pixie or anything crazy like that, but maybe a longish bob. We’ll see!
I don’t have a FitBit, but maybe now that they are cheap. So many people I know got them years ago, but don’t know many who are still using them. I guess the main thing is if it actually gets you to walk/exercise more and that actually results in feeling/looking better, than I suppose it would be worth it!
Just remembered something else new – just started watching the series Justified. Ladies, if you have Amazon Prime, do yourself a favor and watch this. Timothy Olyphant is truly dreamy. And while it’s certainly not a comedy, it’s not so serious like so many of the “good” series out there that I haven’t had a chance to watch.
I’ve used eShakti for years, they do every good work. For me it’s worth it to have teh dress custom made to my measurements every dang time, no more ill fitting clothes.
I may have sort of stumbled on a sale and bought a whole heap of cheap perfume, testers, and mini spray samples. 7 bottles at last count.
Hermes Eau Des Merveilles – was hoping for a sparkling/spicy summer scent. That it is, but it lasted all of two hours on my skin. 🙁 Sadly it looks like they never made a eau de parfum of this which is what I prefer.
Versace Crystal Noir – Sprayed it on a few minutes ago and it has already faded to almost nothing. So that’s also frustrating. Hopefully the rest of the lot isn’t quite so underwhelming!
From the review on NST, it looks like they did make a Parfum de Merveilles, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen it in the stores. Worth is to look online and see if you can find some! There is also the Elixir de Merveilles, but that is a whole different scent, with chocolate, but you may like it!
Hiya March,
Always great to read you.
New stuff? Not really anything new around here but I did clean out my long + short T-Shirt drawers and my undies. So new undies are in my mind. I like a fitted short, particularly the European Ralph Lauren (they cut them different than the USA) and Intermissimi (Spelling).
We’ll see.
Portia xx
Hey March! I love the pic and the caption. I’m in the DC area too, and the weather is crazy for sure.
I’m definitely going to check out eShakti, a quick perusal of their site was enticing. I actually bought some shalwar kameez stuff from India thinking well, I like them and why not dammit! Never worn…
A DC area perfumista meetup is happening this Saturday, 4/16, at Arielle Shoshana in the Mosaic District at 11am, then moving on to Tysons for further sniffing . Guess what? You’re invited! You can email me at : harukirumi att yawhoo etc for details or if you want to be on the meetup list for future events. It’s gonna be a lot of fun and the first time most of us are meeting. I hope you’ll come! Anyone else on here who’s interested, feel free to contact me.
Howdy, dear March! Lovely to see you on this rainy Tuesday here. I hear you on the heater and the fan — just toss a coin and see which one you’ll need each day, ha! Although I have made my family a solemn vow: I am NOT turning on the A/C until May 15 — no ifs, ands or buts. 🙂 I haven’t heard of Shakti, allthough it sounds very cool. I don’t do dresses and skirts since I have a bad leg that swells, thanks to post-op blood clots years ago; it just isn’t pretty. But your dress sounds nice. Enjoy!