Time sure does fly when you’re having fun! It’s hard to believe the earth has traveled around the sun one whole time since we launched Everything and Nothings!
We are grateful to have so many people who want to talk about the same things we do and share your experiences in this thing called life with us.
Looking back at the things we shared, we thought we’d go back and each pick two things that a year later–we are still loving! Continue reading
SUMMER IS HERE! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!
I’m really committing to not letting summer pass me by this year, which means Sunday-funday afternoons at the pool are mandatory. While soaking up vitamin D and catching up on my Instagram feed, which beverage should be at arm’s reach?? Let’s discuss options while we cut up some limes:
LOW EFFORT
Beer!
Despite my Wisco heritage, beer is not my go-to, but I really love a light, refreshing Mexican beer with a lime in it on a hot summer day. It’s kind of like a snack, right? I mean, there’s carbs in it? I’m not too picky or bougie about what kind- I can hang with a Corona or a Dos Equis without complaint. I can’t remember if the lime, traditionally, is to keep bugs away or improve the flavor, but either way, it’s in there. Bonus: beer goes great with Pringles, which are a poolside requirement.
Pro Tip: If you’re really feeling summer, or having a pool party*, mix up a batch of frozen margarita and “float” some on top of your beer. This is called an iceberg, and it is our vacation go-to after we are sick of sweet drinks, but still want something fun in the sun (sorry).
*inviting me to your house to watch Blue Crush counts as a “pool party”
While its dark and gloomy out today–Memorial Day weekend is upon us–the unofficial start of summer is almost here! Nights on the Terrace, days by the pool, endless glasses of rosé and summer jams on a loop are just around the corner. Summer is definitely our favorite of the seasons and we have vowed not to miss a minute of it this year!
But with summer comes the sun–HOPEFULLY!!–and with the sun comes the nasty damage those warm rays can wreck on the delicate skin on our face.
So here are our favorite ways to keep our faces safe while we maximize the three greatest months of the year!
Our trip to San Juan–where ironically–we all got burned! (we blame surfing)
Do you remember when Amazon only sold… wait for it… BOOKS?? And it was so exciting to get your box with books inside? I remember once they even sent along a sheet of penny stamps with my package because postage was going up. Can you imagine?? Mailing letters while you listened to music illegally on Napster?? How adorable and quaint!
Fast forward (holy shit- over 20 years!!) and we now live in a world where if you can’t buy it on Amazon, it must be really special. I can’t be the only one who shops on her phone while in bed at night, right? Anyway, here are some of my recent Amazon purchases, and my hopes and dreams about how they will improve my life.
Pinky Rubber Balls (box of 12)
Yep, that’s right- I ordered a box of rubber balls. I swear it’s for a good reason! See, I’m a massage therapist, and I also really love lifting weights, and I’m in my 40’s, so I know (and feel) the importance of self massage and mobility work. In the past, I’ve used tennis balls and lacrosse balls for self care, but I find tennis balls too big, and lacrosse balls too firm. The pinky ball, however, is the Goldilocks ball I didn’t know I needed until I bought one at a conference earlier this year. It has just the right balance of squish and resistance, so it works your soft tissue without crushing you. I bought a box so I can give them out to my clients, and also to keep one in my bag, one on my coffee table, one in my husband’s gym bag…
Aspirational Jess really thinks she will do soft tissue work on herself all the time. I will be soooooo mobile and pain-free!
In reality, I’m a human being, so I’ve maybe worked on my shoulders here and there, and I do like to roll it under my feet, but the other night it rolled away and I haven’t moved the couch to get it yet, so….
Face masks can feel like one of life’s greatest luxuries. A blast to your skin to let it know you mean business. Especially when your skin feels like it’s holding on to 20 lbs. of dirt and regret. Or when your pores looks like pods appropriately sized for living creatures to nest in. Or when it’s not enough to try to deal with life’s stress, but you need that extra fun of wearing it like a badge across your face in the form of breakouts.
Ya feel us?
Here are some recommended mud, clay or charcoal masks for when the wounds of life are deep and all you can do is rub some dirt on it.
There’s something about living in Wisconsin- more specifically, surviving the dark, dreary days of winter- that makes spring feel extra magical. The world goes from black and white to color overnight. The air starts to smell sweet and alive. Birds wake you up in the morning, chattering about, and the days get longer. Summer teases a hot sunny day once in a while, and it’s the brief span of time when you can break out your medium weight jackets. I adore spring! But with the blooming of the trees, grass, and flowers, plus the shedding of cats’ winter fur, my allergies are in full swing. I know I’m not alone- this is the season of non-contagious sneezes, sniffles, and wanting to claw your itchy eyes right out of your face. So, fellow sufferers, today I bring to you my best tips and tricks for surviving- and thereby enjoying!- spring:
On The Daily
Ok friends- if you suffer from seasonal allergies, I know you already know about antihistamines!! There are plenty of options on the market, and everyone needs to find the one that works best for them. I am not here to tell you about this. I am here to tell you about buying your allergy medication at Costco.
Buying generic is also not much of a newsflash, but listen- if you or a friend have a Costco membership, buy your allergy meds there! It is so cheap I feel like the Hamburglar getting away with something whenever I buy it, which is once a year, because that is a one year supply in that bottle. For like $15. FIFTEEN DOLLARS. For comparison, the Target generic equivalent (300 pills) is $49.99; the Walgreen’s version is $47.99. Go!!! Go now!!!
Stuff For Eyeballs
My least favorite allergy symptom is itchy eyes, or worse, the feeling like something is in your eye, and then not being able to find anything in your eye. I do pretty ok with not rubbing them during the day, but I am totally guilty of rubbing my eyes during my sleep, which leads to an ever-so-lovely giant puffy eyelid in the morning. I like to use some micellar water on my eyelids before bed to get rid of any stuck-on allergens, which helps a little. When they are really irritated, I reach for one of these guys:
I used to use an OTC medicated eye drop made for allergies, but I find the “dry eye” artificial tears to give me the relief I need when my eyes are itchy, and I can get a drop or two in even if I already did my makeup for the day. The eye wash is awesome for when you don’t have makeup on, and you feel like you want to pluck your eyes right out of your head and rinse them under cool water. Totes refreshing.
For When I’m Miserable
I hate sinus rinsing (neti pots, for example), but will do it when I am desperate because it does help. A friendly client, who shares my misery this time of year, recommended Xlear nasal spray to me a few weeks ago. This product might be genius- it does the job of the neti pot (it’s a saline spray) without feeling like drowning, or tearing up your sinuses like Flonase can. Plus, it has Xylitol in it, which apparently creates some kind of non-stick surface in your face and prevents allergens from hanging around. I usually use this before bed, and sometimes in the morning if it’s particularly bad, and I have noticed a difference in my general stuffiness since using it! Plus it smells like grapefruit, which I enjoy.
Bonus Points
I don’t typically have issues with dairy, but I can’t deny that I feel better this time of year if I cut back on it. Specifically, in my morning coffee- for whatever reason, I’m always stuffiest in the morning, and having milk in my coffee tends to really make that worse. I mean, it’s no secret that dairy contributes to snot and phlegm, and also? I think it makes me sneeze sometimes, which is totally weird and maybe made up. Anyway, when my allergies are piling on, I like to switch out the milk in my coffee with a non-dairy alternative, which used to be terrible. Fortunately, we keep on living more and more in the future, and the non-dairy milk producers are realizing that nobody wants thin, watery almond milk in their coffee. I like this one by Califia Farms ok- it lightens and has the right amount of creaminess to it. For being unsweetened, I still find it a touch sweet, but it’s not a deal breaker.
Obviously, moving to a warm, tropical island is the best cure for my allergies, but until then, I live here. And mostly, I do love it, so I shall soldier on. What are your best tips and tricks for surviving during the itchiest months? Tell me in the comments!
xo
These are all real things that I use and bought with my own money. Also, I took all of these pictures in my kitchen. While you’re at Costco, you should also pick up some of their spiced rum- it’s cheap and great for summer cocktails!
Spring is officially here, which means it’s time to put away the matte lipsticks, natural glow and dark smokey eyes for glitter lips, metallic shimmer highlighter and pastel color wash eyes. Or does it? We’ve gone through the lists and lists and lists and lists! of spring trends. Are we in? Or will we sit this one out? Continue reading
Remember a few weeks ago when I told you what I was packing for my beach vacation? Well, vacation happened, and it was amazing!! Costa Rica is a beautiful place with beautiful, wonderful people. Highly recommend. I tried some new things on this trip, so I thought I would let you know what worked and what didn’t. Here we go! Continue reading
I have no shame about the fact that I love television. As a young kid, I had a very specific attention span to get through an hour long episode of Sesame Street, followed by the soothing kindness of Mr. Rogers (unless the Purple Panda was on- that shit was terrifying!!). As I got older, the Justice League taught me lessons in truth, justice, and not to chew on pencils, Lynda Carter spun into my heart as Wonder Woman, and I would lose my mind if the opening credits to Batman included Batgirl’s motorcycle rolling in. We would have smorgasbord dinners Thursdays while watching The Cosby Show, and we loved the poorly drawn Simpsons interludes during The Tracy Ullman Show. Point is, TV and I have always been tight.
Did you know we’re living in the Golden Age of Television?? It’s a real thing, happening right now! There has never been a time with more quality content, yet my TiVo has tumbleweeds blowing through it. Why? Well, because shows take their sweet time between seasons now that we get our entertainment without the confinement of traditional television broadcasting rules. And this is driving me mental.
Some of my favorite show are taking FOR. FREAKING. EVER. to return to the airwaves. Specifically:
You guys! Reader and friend of the blog, Liz, wrote to us today to ask a question that I can 100% relate to:
I don’t usually wear makeup to work, because I have to leave the house by 6:45am, and I am NOT a morning person. I’d love to wear bold lipstick to work, but I feel that if I’m wearing lipstick, then I should probably put makeup on the rest of my face.
Do you have advice for how I might QUICKLY do makeup for myself? Like, what are the quickest and most effective ways I can look put-together enough that a bold lipstick will make sense? I’m talking between two and five minutes of application. I worry that if I slap makeup on, it looks too fakey. I also am getting to a point where I want to focus on minimizing the look of wrinkles and under-eye circles and other evidence that I’m in the latter half of my thirties.
Giiiirrrrrrlll, I feel this! I EXTRA DOUBLE suck at mornings. They are the worst, and I usually waste more than a little time staring into space, wishing an “oh no! A water main broke and the whole world is closed! Please go back to bed!” email would come in. So far that has not happened, so usually I also only have only 2-5 minutes to apply makeup on my early morning days.