Hello friends – I left the snow behind and escaped to warmer climes for a few days; if you’re reading this on Tuesday, I should be on a plane heading home, but I will be delving into comments. This is where you come in: any great ideas for small gifts suitable for an office-friendly gift exchange, Hanukkah, stocking stuffers etc? Leave ‘em in the comments!
Today I’m going to talk about two things that haven’t managed to work their way into another post.
First, this eczema cream from Earth’s Care. I have sensitive skin, live in a dry climate blah blah. Sometimes I get a little patch or two of dermatitis, especially if I’ve been a little too aggressive with my skincare actives, plus actual eczema on my elbows and knees. I tried this on a whim because it’s got a lot of great reviews — it’s packed with colloidal oatmeal and some other star ingredients, and it was cheap. (Note the shape/size: it’s the cream, not the lotion in a pump bottle, ointment in a tub, etc., there are several variations.)
It looks like it’s designed for tree-hugging hippie Whole Foods babies, and maybe it is; I’m a big baby sometimes. Anyhoo, it doesn’t smell like much of anything. Not perfumed, but also it doesn’t smell medicinal like organic diaper rash cream. Why am I writing about it? WELL. If you stuck this in a fancy jar labeled Crème d’Or or some similar nonsense and charged 10 – 20x the price I wouldn’t have been shocked. It’s the most luxurious, soothing substance to ever emerge from a tube that costs me less than a breakfast burrito. It sinks in, isn’t sticky, doesn’t give me milia, it’s an absolute delight. Hydrating but not occlusive.
Also, this Peter Thomas Roth instant eye tightener, new version — Have you ever tried StriVectin? The instant (okay, five minute) under-eye tightener for bags and wrinkles, in the tiny yellow pump bottle? The substance itself works great, but the packaging drives me up the wall – it gums up and/or simply quits when it’s still half full, and there goes your $35ish. This Peter Thomas Roth is a reformulation of their original – if you want to try it, make sure you’re buying the one with the brush, that’s the new one. It’s in a tube that does not fail halfway through, and it works wonderfully! Don’t use the brush they include, just dab a teeeeensy amount on with your finger and let it work its magic. It’s not a “repair” cream – purely cosmetic – but it lasts all day. Goes on sale periodically for less than $30; regular price is $38, but that tube will last for months and it’s 20ml compared to the StriVectin’s 10ml for the same price.
Finally, have you tried drenching a piece of clothing in a beloved fragrance? I’ve been wearing Mitsouko on a particular scarf, and every time I put that thing on, it brings me joy in the way only Mitsy can do. I’m tempted to spray a bit on my car seats, but what if I hate it? You know Mitsy’s never, ever going to vacate the premises. Not sure I want to live that dream when it’s 112 degrees in there in the summer.
Okay, your turn! Any cool little gift ideas? Hey, here’s some scented pencils and I want this tiny broom for the kitchen counter. Carolyn bought this mug for the house which is probably NSFW but I find it hilarious.
cover image via Pexels
That PTRoth is my New Best Friend! And you’re right- a teeensy bit! Any more and it does The Dreaded White Snot. And it does work All Damb Day!!
I suuuck at office friendly gifts, so no joy there
AND I wouldn’t worry about the NSFW mug. I looked at it for… well… awhile… ( insert shrug)
Safe travels home!