My constant companion, Charlie, spends a lot of time in bed with me as I enjoy my Polar Care machine, which pumps ice water into a knee wrap. Whoever invented the machine should get a prize, awarded by knee surgery patients! While I had to roll my arm around Charlie and hope for the best when I snapped the photo, it's not too awful - just a little dark.This was a week of progress. I was able to bend my knee to 88 degrees in physical therapy yesterday (not without some agony, but still...). The goal is 90 degrees by next Tuesday, and that goal is in sight. I was pleased. I ran out of one of my loopy pills last night, so I'm trying to see how I do without them. So far, the jury's out on that.
I have been more active around the house, and I am eating more. My appetite is returning, although I am such a picky eater. I want things just so, and I am craving things I can't have. A friend called earlier and said she was going to the mall. She's going to call me when she goes to lunch to give me my options. I look forward to such treats!
It's time for The Friday Forum. We use the forum to share information and chat. Did you find any deals you couldn't resist this week (I did)? Are you using a fabulous product and want to sing its praises? Did you find a beauty product disappointing? Do you have a question others might be able to answer? Want to talk about skin care? Just use the comments. Don't be shy. Just make sure to ask any question you might have over the weekend. By Monday, most readers have moved on.
We have busy weekends and slow ones on the forum. I'm always happy if even one reader stops by. Leave a comment, and say hello - even if you don't want to comment on beauty products. If I am notified of any great beauty offers (great, not just good) over the weekend, I will leave word in the comments of this post.
Thanks for reading Best Things in Beauty! Got anything you want to talk about?
Charlie is such a handsome boy. Cats are growing on me:) Especially because I know there's a stray in my neighborhood, and my heart is breaking for him today with the windchills at -20. Poor kitty. Hope he's staying warm somehow and getting food.
ReplyDeleteGood news on the knee progress!
Please bring him in if you can, Laurie! That kind of weather can kill a cat or dog. Even if you can't keep him, maybe someone else can. It breaks my heart too.
ReplyDeleteIf you can't catch him, maybe leave out food?
What a pretty boy, Charlie is! I'm convinced that it is all his loving attention that is helping you make progress. He wants you up and playing again :-)
ReplyDeleteThat poor stray kitty! One cold and rainy day, a stray followed my mother into the house. I asked who her new friend was and she said, "Just some big kitty who looks cold, wet, and hungry." While she was fixing din-din for our three Siamese and our visitor, I got an old blanket that he could snuggle on. That was the beginning of a seven year relationship. Every morning, he'd be waiting at the front door for breakfast. Every evening, he'd be waiting out front for my mother to get home from work and then he'd follow her inside for dinner. When the weather was bad, he'd stay inside and snuggle down on his blanket, otherwise, he was content to be out roaming about the neighborhood. He was such a free spirit, but he knew inside that he was our "Big Kitty".
Today, I'm getting my make-up done by a visiting Armani MA. Soni asked that I report back; so I will. Now that I've read your reviews on the eye palette, blush, and lipstick; I'm really looking forward to seeing these products put to work.
Hello everyone!
ReplyDeleteSo happy to hear you're knee is improving.
I am loving the Armani Spring collection. My "baby" is getting married the first week in May and my outfit is a soft pink so I am thinking this collecion might be perfect for me.
I have found a "product" I have been using that I absolutely love...ironically enough, "Beauty Banter" spoke about it today although I use another brand. It is Coconut Water!!! I love this stuff! Mu husband and I have been drinking this for about a month now and I'm thinking we might need to buy stock. We're drinking the VitaCoCo brand that you get at GNC. It's low in sugar, 45 cal. a serving, full of potassium, clean, refreshing, hydrating, no cholesterol, full of electrolytes so it can replace those yucky sports drinks and it is good for your skin. It tastes amazing. I put mine in the freezer until it gets slushy, pop in a straw, a Jimmy Buffett CD, close my eyes and I'm on the beach in Cabo!!! Seriously, this stuf is really good for you and I recommend it....really.
I will leave out some food --- I've done it before and some animal always seems to get it (hopefully the kitty). I only ever see the cat from far away, so I always hope that someone is looking out for him.
ReplyDeleteI too am loving all the Armani stuff you're posting about. The pink lipstick looks perfect. I've got to check that out soon.
Hi Eileen,
ReplyDeleteAwww...we had a kitty like Big Kitty once. He preferred his freedom in the then-rural McLean, but he remained an outdoor cat by choice. He was happy. :)
Do let us know what you bought! I have one purchase to write up, the loose powder. Will try to do tonight.
Hi Pam!
ReplyDeleteThe pink lipstick and blush will be gorgeous. The eye palette might not be the best selection for a pink dress. Imagine...Your baby all grown up!
I'd love that coconut water with some rum!
Thanks, Laurie! All of us kitty lovers thank you.
ReplyDeleteAwwwww Charlie!! He is sooo cute!
ReplyDeleteI don't have any pets, (my sister/roommate is allergic) but my neigbor has about 5 or 6 that are always outside laying on the sidewalk when I come home...so I always give them some lovin'.
Glad your knee is progressing. Slow and steady wins the race!
Eileen I'm excited to hear your report about the new GA products. I will keep checking back. =)
That coconut water sounds pretty good! I'm not fond of eating coconut (the texture bugs me), but drinking it should avoid that problem and I love the smell!
I had a Laura Mercier makeover last night and I must say I really like her new Silk Road palette. I've always been fond of the stickglosses too. So moisturizing! I have a feeling Peony would look lovely on you Charlestongirl!
Have a lovely weekend my pretties!!
Ohhh...Soni, you just gave me the I-wants!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in Barbados years ago, the hotel bar gave us sliced coconut with our drinks at happy hour. That made me very happy. :)
We are such vicarious shoppers. Can't wait to hear from Eileen!
Hope you have a great weekend too.
Hi Charlestongirl; Soni. I just got back from my Armani date and called my husband to tell him he had to take me out to dinner this evening :-) I bought the eyeshadow quad, blush, lipstick, and Fluid Sheer #7.
ReplyDeleteThe evening look the MA created for me was beyond beautiful. After applying foundation, he used FS #7 to do the "C" highlight from brow bone curved around to cheek bone. I told him I often do that, but with FS #2. He said he loved #2 ( very light, gold-tinged ivory), but that the #7 (very pale, icy pink) would look much better with the blush and eye shades and, of course, he was absolutely right. He began with a very, very light wash of the silver white as a base for my deep set eyes. He then used the violet on my lid and increased the color intensity as he moved from the inner corner to the the outer corner. There, he used that gorgeous green-blue color for the "V" and blended it subtly up into the crease until it faded away. (This guy was a genius blender!) He also did the same thing with the green-blue under my lower lashes--intense near the outer corner, fading away as it neared the middle of my lower lashes. The dark color is not a flat black or gray. It has warmth to it. Needless to say, he used that to give my eyes a smoky, come-hither look and then finished off with Eyes to Kill mascara.
Next, he applied the light blossom pink blush which was perfectly complemented by the FS #7 highlighter. It created a delicate look which, in truth, is better suited to us fair gals. Last, but not least, he applied the lipstick without using a lip liner because he said he wanted a soft look that would not compete with the eyes. In parting, he said that the eye colors also looked beautiful when the violet and green-blue were reversed. I'll have to give that a try tomorrow.
The blush and lipstick definitely complete the look but are not absolutely necessary. Ladies who don't have a fair complexion can use any pink tones that work for them. The real star is the eye quad. Those colors look like something
you'd see on a peacock. They have a soft shimmer and glow that is very flattering. They blend and layer seamlessly (like LMdB) and seem to be wearing quite well.
So, my day was a success. Hopefully, my night will be one, too :-)
Happy weekend, everyone!
Ooooooh goodness Eileen, I'm practically drooling all over my keyboard. Sounds like your MA was a real "Master Artist". I envy their blending skills. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you & your husband are going out tonight so you can show off that gorgeousness!
I'm so glad that tomorrow is Saturday so I can head over to SCP Nordies and check it all out. I don't have any of the fluid sheers but your description tells me that I definitely *need* one. (or 2)
Thanks SO much for reporting back to us and enjoy your new goodies!
xoxo
Hi Eileen and Soni!
ReplyDeleteEileen, one of the nicest things about Armani makeup artists is how well they blend the new with the "old." I love every Fluid Sheer, including #7, and I'm pulling it out in the morning! I hope you have fun tonight.
Soni, wasn't that fun? Have fun shopping!
Breaking news...Tim Quinn just retweeted my tweet on the Sheer Blush with his prediction that it will sell out!
ReplyDeleteHi Charlestongirl,
ReplyDeleteIt's really great news that you are improving! No wonder: with such a loyal and warming (literally)friend like Charlie :).
Thank you, Goya!
ReplyDeleteCharlie is indeed warming. He's my little hot water bottle, even though he's not little. :)
My 13 pound baby is on my lap now.