Browsing Category: Life

Hitting Some Goals

Hi Friends!

At the beginning of the year, I made a few goals that I vowed to hit.  I wanted to grow my followers on Chairish to over 500, sell 500 items and clear out my overwhelmed living room.

As much as I love living with all my fun treasures, 6 extra lamps, 5 lounge chairs, 2 sofas, 2 credenzas AND a display cabinet (ALL IN ONE ROOM) was becoming way TOO much.  I have had to tell myself daily to not look or go shopping, because if I find something amazing I just don’t have the willpower to resist it.  As far as this goal has gone… well, not all that well to be honest!!  I still have way too many pieces in there and progress is slow, since I keep adding things when I know in my head that I shouldn’t… but the heart wants!!  It’s a struggle!

But the other two goals??  I’ve achieved them and more!  I’m beyond thrilled!  A few months ago I hit over 600 followers and over 600 items sold.

Holy. Nut. Balls.  That’s a lot, right?!?!

I’m so happy.

Wwwweeeeeeeeeee!!!

I figured it was way overdue to show you a few items that I truly loved owning for a hot second!  These go up to the 500 mark… I’ll save the rest for the next time.

This crazy, gorgeous Art Deco Armoire was so HARD to let go of!  It was really the perfect size – not too big, not too small.  And it was in near perfect condition!

I found this queen post-modern brass bed at a charity sale of all places!  Of course, I loved it for all it’s 80’s glory!!  It sold pretty quickly since I really feel like unique beds are all always hard to find.

Oh dear… when I saw this HAND-MADE needlepoint poker game table I just about had a heart attack.  It is THAT GOOD.  I mean, needlepoint + poker = INSANITY!!  I wished so badly that I had a chateau with a library/game room to fully appreciate this piece.

Here’s another show-stopper that took my breath away!  It’s a side table made of bronze and brass swans and tassels!  Can you even?!?!  I couldn’t and I had to have it!

If you don’t think borne settees are the coolest form of seating, then you need a good bonk on the head!  Ha!  I can just imagine all the fun flirting going on here!  It looks a bit petite here, but trust me that a good 4-5 people could comfortably lounge on this thing!  So fun!

I’m in California, so of course I never pass up a unique wicker piece!  These are so special with the sun ray pencil reed back detail.

Here is a fantastic campaign desk that is covered in bamboo and woven wicker!  It’s the perfect blend of business and beauty and would be perfect by the beach or in a boho home!  I just really adore the look of this piece and how perfectly functional it is – great file sized drawers, too!

Might my bronze monkey planter be a controversial piece?  To me, this was such an insanely great find and I wish I had a spot for it.  It’s incredible!  Almost life-sized!

A Joe Columbo Boby Cart!  Yes it is!  In such great condition you wouldn’t believe it!  I found this (you’re going to die) at a donation warehouse sale for a few bucks.  Sometimes I’m just lucky, I tell you!

This was a Drexel moroccan-inspired piece that has a beautiful green on the inside.  I actually had this in my family room for over a year until it sold.  It was perfect for the spot and sometimes I just shake my head that I sold it for such a steal.  Sigh.

Blue glasses – Yes!  Isn’t this just the most amazing shade?!  These went pretty fast since they’re so hard to find in this color, in excellent condition and from the 1940’s.

I have a real “thing” for these figurative book tables.  I almost shed a tear when this one sold, but then I found another one, so I’m ok!!  Phew!  This one was covered in leather – leather, people!  And had gold painted details on the spines and top of the “books.”

This is a pair of bentwood and bamboo etageres with brass corners.  I LOVE these!  They went to a happy home in Santa Monica, but dang, they are so great!  Bring on that retro 70’s!

Here is a STUNNING lamp that I purchased directly from the artist.  It’s made entirely of brass, but has a patina treatment.  When I bought it, I had him sign the bottom, which he just loved!  It’s one buy I won’t forget =)

This lovely painting was made in the late 1800’s as a photography backdrop.  The photos just don’t do it justice, but it’s incredible!  There are gold details around the border and has a wonderful cloudy sky with a crescent moon!  This sold to a professional photographer (to the stars) that wanted to hang it in her office.  Could anything be more perfect than that?!

A Jens Risom credenza – Oh yes, she did!  An incredible find that is happy in a studio office in Hollywood.  This is a piece of furniture that was fantastic 70 years ago and STILL LOOKS FREAKING FANTASTIC.  You can’t go wrong with great design from any era.

There are so many more that I could share with you, but I think I’ll just leave it here.  It’s a good mix, right?  Some furniture, some decor pieces… a little bit of everything!  And you can see that I’m into all kinds of styles – who says you have to pick just one?!

Beauty Products I’ve Tried in 2020

Hi everyone!

I thought it might be fun to talk about all the beauty products and trends I’ve tried this year.  I know that there are so many pressing issues and stresses out there in the world – trust me, I know.  But sometimes it’s just a fun, stress-reliever to get yourself a small gift and see if (by some miracle) it actually works!

I’m all about the “I deserve something” present for those sticky Monday blues… which aren’t only for Monday’s!

As you know, this year marked quite the milestone age for me – GAH! 40!!  In Jan/Feb I was thinking about trying a newer, more invasive facial like microdermabrasion or an IPL facial.  My friend told me about Skin Laundry, which offers a free introductory laser treatment.  Free!  Of course, I had to try it out.

First off, it’s not a facial, which is relaxing and takes about an hour.  No.  This is a prickly laser treatment that takes roughly 10 minutes.  It’s designed so that you go (at least) monthly for a lower dose laser as a maintenance treatment.  I loved my rosy glow so much that I signed up for their 2x’s a month membership which is about $200 a month.  I ended up going 4 times before quarantine hit and I’ve actually cancelled it now.  The first month, I really loved it but then between the second and third treatment I got a nice sized pimple.  Then between the 3rd and 4th treatment, I got two more.  I’m one of those people that get 1-2 bad ones a year, so this was definitely a drastic increase.  They said my skin was purging and maybe that’s true, but ain’t no one going to keep to a regiment if it leads to worse skin.

I have heard that it helps a lot if you already have acne.  So, maybe that was just my experience.  If you’re interested, it’s free the first time!  Why not try it out one of these days!?!?

When my birthday in March rolled around, I bought myself a bottle of Sunday Riley’s Good Genes.  This stuff is AMAZING.  I love it so much that I’ve since ordered a few samples of their other products.  I’ve been using it about 3 times a week before bed and I’m a fan!  Yes, yes, yes!

While I was at it, I put this Grande Cosmetics GrandeBROW in my cart.  (Macy’s does a 20% beauty sale about 2-3x’s a year, which is just fantastic!)  I mean, why not give this a shot since I really had nothing else going on?  I’ve been using it since May (because it was backordered) and I do see a difference.  I’m not very consistent with it either – I forget to use it all the time!  But it totally works and I feel like a few areas that were sparse are now filled in.  **Please know that I did zero research into the brow product and I’m not sure if it’s had negative reviews elsewhere =)

Okay… onto the next fun purchase!  In June when we finally got the refund for what would have been the vacation of a lifetime, I bought a home laser hair remover.  I have been wanting one for forever and hey, if I couldn’t go on vacation and had to wash 2,000 dishes a day at least I could be armpit-hair free!!  (Gross! Hahaha!)  For this guy, I did about 20 minutes of research, so very extensive.  It was a good price and had great reviews – Done!  I’ve used it 4 times so far and yes, there is much less growth.  I think that if I keep at it, I’ll be smooth as eggs!  I use it on the max setting which doesn’t hurt at all.  Initially I thought to only do my pits and bikini, but I’ve since started zapping my upper lip, knees and ankles.  I don’t have much hair but I remember my grandma with a ‘stach, so perhaps this will save me from that fate?!  Fingers crossed!

Looking for a new great mask?  This one is my new favorite!


Two great cheapie buys?  I’m obsessed with this Gold Bond!  If you have bumpy skin on your arms or legs, this works better than the expensive stuff!  Since it’s such a great deal, I’ve been using it all over!  You guys, the hype about the Weleda Skin Food cream is real.  I, for one, was extremely skeptical but wow!  It’s thick and luxe.  I’ve been keeping it by my bed to use on my feet at night and my feet do not look like it’s sandal season!  They are so soft!  Of course, my toes look terrible since I’ve been painting them myself, but that’s another story!

I think that’s about it!

I’m looking for a new eye cream and would love your suggestions!  And let me know if you try any of these!  I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Turning 40 In the Time of Corona

Yes, my friends, it’s true.  I turned 40 last week in the time of corona.  My day went a bit like this…

I awake to the sound of text messages coming in.

Awwww!!  So early!!

Not so much.  They’re TWO separate reminders that there are zoom conferences for my kids in an hour.  Before a Corona-Panic sets in, mom’s text comes in and saves the day.

**Corona-Panic:  The feeling you get when you realize that the person in front of you has just grabbed the last loaf of bread in the state.

**Corona-Panic, pre-corona:  The feeling you get in Mexico on spring break, when the cooler is out of Corona.

I leap out of bed with a spryness of a girl in her twenties and proceed to put on a full face of gorgeous, glowing make-up.  Wait, I’m still dreaming, in a half sleep…. instead, I drag myself out of bed and put on my new daily uniform; sweats, thick socks, shirt, sweater and ANOTHER sweater.  These days my bones feel chilly.

I vow to buy myself those electric socks.

I’m immediately smothered with hugs from my family.  They’re all boys so the love fest lasts about 3.4 seconds, except from my favorite which snuggles me a full 2 seconds longer.  Wow, it really is my birthday.  A revelation my twin said to me last week pops suddenly into my head, “Wrinkle cream can’t save you now!”  I give that one an EXTRA firm squeeze (around the neck) which is both filled with resigned bitterness and absolute pride.  I’m cultivating a comedian and that shit is damn funny.  Bleak and ironic.  Perfect for today, I think.

I have asked for ONE thing for my birthday.  I’m salivating thinking of that hot cup of Starbucks coffee.  Nope.  In the Time of Corona, it’s coffee made with whatever milk product is in the fridge.  Today is creamy whole milk (tomorrow it’s low-fat, fyi).  I take the win.

20 minutes later, I shed some.  Tears, that is.  I can’t figure out all the kid’s passwords for Zoom, Clever, Epic, Google Classroom, Zearn, SeeSaw, Benchmark.  Turns out that turning 40 is a lot like turning 14.  There is a bunch of F-ed up hormonal activity, even pimples (!?!) and I’m not sure who I am anymore or who I want to be when I grow up.

Also, why are these kids so big and where did they come from??  I eye them with distrust while attempting to social distance myself.  That lasts all of 3 minutes… until the “I’m starving’s” start coming in.  How can these aliens always be starving?

Fabulous house from “This Is 40”

I somehow get it ALL working.  I look at the laundry and decide NOT to do it.  I’m a bad bitch.  I do a few leg kicks, squats, hip thrusts.  Yup.  Still got it.

I don’t feel a day over 39.

It’s 3rd meal time, or what other people call lunch out in the distant world.  I dig past the THREE 10lb bags of shredded cheese my husband bought to get to some sliced turkey.  Was there a cheese shortage I wasn’t aware of?  I think the tiny bag I bought at the hippie market scared him.  Hippie Market?  This is how I talk now.

My gf calls me and tells me 40 isn’t that bad.  I ask her if she’s ever tried Crepe Erase.  It’s on sale at Ulta.  True Story.

My oldest son defends me throughout the day… Don’t say that to mom, it’s her birthday.  Listen to mom, it’s her birthday.  I’m legitimetly terrified for tomorrow.

With dinner being made and a homemade cake in the oven, I put on Shrill.  Is Aidy Bryant a hero?  Absolutely, I decide.  All of a sudden I’m feeling pretty darn good.  I belt out “I’m on the deep end, watch as I dive in” while doing some robotic dance moves.  I could be losing it, or maybe I’m just happy?

Shrug.  I decide over-self-reflection is a thing of my 30’s.  Self-acceptance feels very 40.

Over dinner I climb up on my horse, cue the orchestra, and tell the kids that I’ve done great things in my life and feel good about the next chapter (remember I’m saying old people shit now), that I have a lot left in me (??) and really feel like the best is yet to come.  Even I can’t believe the garbage coming out of my mouth.  I can feel them rolling their eyes, mouthing, “Okay Boomer,” (I’M NOT A F’IN BOOMER FOR THE MILLIONTH TIME!!).  I can see them inching off the edge of their chair to attempt an escape.  BUT I’M FEELIN’ IT Y’ALL.  I talk another 15 minutes longer, JUST BECAUSE I CAN.  Normally, THEY talk and I listen.  But today it’s all about me and I’m a savage and mama take what she wants.

And with that, I know my day is complete.  I’ve made it another 24 hours without leaving the house.  I’ve annoyed the kids with a long speech that they couldn’t do a thing about (always a bonus).  I’ve washed every dish in the house 2x’s over.  (Hand sanitizer is for suckers.)  I may have entered the best years of my life?

I PICK THE DAMN SHOW WE WATCH.  Me.  I am all powerful.

Stay Sane Out There!