5 Friday Favorites: April 9, 2021

 

It's time for my Friday link up with A Little Bit of Everything and Momfessionals. 

On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him

 in a tube of lipstick.

Hi, Friends! I took a couple of weeks away from writing while I was on vacation for Spring Break. Drew had some baseball games in Florida for the week, so it was amazing to alternate between the beach and the ballpark in the bright sunshine for a few days. We were able to stop in Savannah to see my (vaccinated) in-laws for the first time in a long while and also in Knoxville to have biscuits and gravy with Boy #2. It was way too much driving, way too much fast food, and way more visits to public restrooms than I need to see for a long while. We passed gallons of hand sanitizer around and wore our masks, but I loved it so much because it *almost* seemed like normal life again. Most of the people we saw all week were respectful, cautious, and responsible, and best of all, it seemed like folks were genuinely, gratefully happy to be living life outside of their homes again.

So my very favorite things in the past two weeks were these two views:

All in all, I just keep thinking, "Will you look at us, America? We're kind of a mess and a little beat up, but I actually think we're going to make it." Here are some more of my favorite things from a couple of weeks that felt blessedly full of hope.

1. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick 

.

I mean, who starts a "Favorites List" full of optimism and hope for the future of mankind with a lipstick recommendation? I do. We haven't thought all that much about lipstick for a year because we're wearing masks, so who even cares? I'm not saying that we can stop wearing masks, so please relax. Let me say it louder for the people in the back who are clutching their pearls. KEEP WEARING YOUR MASK.  However, when you are able to take your mask off, I highly recommend this Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Rose Velvet which I bought on the advice of my sister. I think the color is neutral enough for anyone to wear everyday. It also has avocado oil and vitamin E in it which makes it really moisturizing and it's affordable. I love it.

2. Elta MD Facial Sunscreen

During the pandemic I meant to write a book or lose ten pounds or learn how to play the guitar, but alas none of those things happened. The one thing I definitely did, however, was to spend an enormous amount of time following various beauty bloggers and dermatologists and researching skin care products. Some would say I'm super late in recognizing the importance of sunscreen to a skincare regimen. My response would be to remind you that I grew up in the 80s in Texas when frying oneself in the 105 degree August summers and buying a membership to a tanning salon in the winter was as important as making it to church on Sunday morning. (And praying that the preacher would be sure to cut it short in time for the Lord's people to get home in time for kick-off when the Cowboys were playing the early game.)

Bless it.

Consistently, I am reading that we must be sure we use mineral sunscreen on our faces and that the SPF in our make-up is not adequate. One of the most often recommended facial sunscreens I came across during my pandemic research was Elta MD. Once we decided to go to Florida for Spring Break I decided to try it and I love it. It goes on a lot thinner than most sunscreens and absorbs quickly so it's great to wear under make-up as well as by itself. I didn't get burned after being on the beach all day, so it definitely does its job. I think I'll be repurchasing Elta MD forever.

3. Old Navy Tie Dye Dress

I'm not sure there is anything more joyful than getting to put on a sundress for the first time in the Spring. I wore this Tie Dyed Tiered Tie Neck Midi Swing Dress from Old Navy while I was in Florida and I was so happy about it. I suppose it could have been the adult beverage with a pineapple in it that I drank while wearing it, but I can't be sure. It is super comfortable and has pockets which might be one of my favorite features in a dress. It comes in pink and black. I would size down one size because it's very "flowy" and you want to be sure you don't look like you're swimming in fabric. It is originally $44.99, but on sale for $31.50 today. The discount doesn't show up until you put it in your cart. 

4. This Devotional from Proverbs 31

I really loved this devotional this week from proverbs31.org. It's a great reminder of God's plans and His work in our lives - especially people like me who resist change and would like to plant herself firmly in her lazy, predictable comfort zone for the rest of time. *sigh* Moms out there who are facing a child's graduation in a month or so (raising my hand) might want to take some time to read it. 

5. Henry's Sisters by Cathy Lamb

The novel, Henry's Sisters, was recommended to me years ago by a few different people. All of those people warned me that it was a very disturbing read, but a really good book. I am only about a quarter of the way into it, but it is clear that it's going to get rough. It's the story of three adult sisters and their special needs brother who had a very chaotic childhood. The sisters come back to their childhood home to care for their abusive mother and their brother when the mother becomes ill. As is the case with good stories and with life, there is sadness and pain and chaos and also joy and sweetness and some really funny moments. Despite the dysfunction the sisters deeply love each other and that's the part that resonates with me. Because I have a sister who makes all the hard things softer and better and mostly, hysterically funnier. Here's one of the many lines in the book that made me know I was going to love it:

"Sisters are the worst. And they are the best. A sister can be awful and complicated and loving and protective and petty and competitive, and when you die she is the person you want beside you holding your hand. Somebody's gotta organize the potluck after the service and you know your husband's not gonna be up for the job. This I know"

PS My sister is none of the negative things and all of the positive things ;-) Also she's going to organize the heck out of that potluck, so plan to be there. If my husband does it there will be a can of peanuts and some beer. 

That's all for today! Have a great weekend, Friends!

 

Disclosure: The View From Behind Home Plate is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn small fees by linking to amazon.com. Post might contain other affiliate links as well