(Pretty perfume samples.)
This week flew by quickly, and it’s already Friday again! Our big excitement of the week came on Monday, when James was invited to join a more advanced gymnastics class. It actually feeds into the older boys’ competitive team, and we’re all so proud of him! And I’m still dealing with rib pain from my bad cough, and might actually have a rib out of place. It’s very annoying, and I have an appointment this afternoon to deal with it.
But it can’t get me down, and we’re heading to a local on-stage version of The Cat in the Hat tomorrow. Tonight is brew night, and I’m also looking forward to relaxing and catching up on some good shows. Here are a few things that caught my eye this week.
I’ve thought about these haunting photos all week. The courage and humanity in their faces will really touch you.
“Where Children Sleep” is very poignant, too.
Wednesday marked the 75th anniversary of Marian Anderson’s performance at the Lincoln Memorial. The video of her singing is truly amazing.
An Irish priest sang a beautiful version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” at a wedding he officiated.
I discovered ASMR videos this week and they are helping me to relax. This is a great place to start if you are interested. (And I think “brain orgasm” is a bit over the top. I’d call it sensual and relaxing, like a massage.)
“The Bletchley Circle” starts Sunday night, and I’m so excited! “Mad Men” starts, too, and I’ll be watching it via Amazon again. And then there’s “Call the Midwife.” Such good television these days.
Texans take their bluebonnets and their bluebonnet photos way too seriously. (I’ve always found it funny that we aren’t supposed to pick them, but we can crush them with our rear ends to get good pictures. We’re taking ours this weekend, by the way.)
Have a wonderful weekend!
(New scents for spring.)
It’s definitely feeling like spring here now, and the warmer weather has inspired me to try a few new products, too. I have never been into essential oils, but they seem to be kind of trendy right now, have you noticed? My massage therapist started selling dōTERRA Oils recently, and I love the tiny vials she always sends home for me to sample. I purchased a few to use, and the lavender and lemongrass are my absolute favorites. They smell so incredibly fresh and I mix them together with unscented lotion to use after my shower in the morning and again before bed. Lemongrass is actually recommended for thyroid issues and lavender is used for calming, so if they do work to slow my overactive thyroid, then that’s awesome, too. But between you and me, I just really love their beautiful scents!
And I ran across an article about Malin+Goetz products, and decided to try out their Bergamot Body Wash. It’s a clean, citrus scent that isn’t overpowering or too sweet. Body wash is a splurge for me and not a necessity, because I normally use mild soap and then apply lotion right away to avoid dry skin. This body wash isn’t overly feminine and could be used by anyone, I think. Malin+Goetz products are designed to be mixed and matched, and the creators, both men, have dealt with a variety of their own skin issues, so everything is natural and very gentle, too. I don’t think this wash will become a regular part of my morning routine, but it has a great scent that is perfect for spring and summer.
Do you switch up your bath and body products for the seasons?
Anthropologie’s April catalog came out last week, and it again includes many pieces listed as made in the United States. I picked a few to share with you, and I have an interesting story that goes along with this post.
(The Shadowscape Tunic by Rachel Rose and the Water Lily Bib Necklace by Nicole Romano, via Anthropologie.)
The Shadowscape Tunic by Rachel Rose caught my eye immediately, and I love its relaxed peplum style and the gorgeous mint color, which are really on trend for spring and summer.
Nicole Romano has quite a few pieces of jewelry featured on Anthropologie’s site, and the Water Lily Bib Necklace is absolutely stunning. It would be a great statement necklace for years to come, and I really love its natural style paired with the sparkling crystals.
(The Calla Tunic by Left of Center and the Layered Willow Cami by Stark X, via Anthropologie.)
The Calla Tunic is perfect for hot summer days, and I’m a big fan of Left of Center’s flowing tops.
The Layered Willow Cami by Stark X is one of my favorite tanks in this catalog, and I love its whimsical layers and the pretty colorways. In the catalog, the shirt is listed as made in the USA, but on the website, it’s described as Imported. I’m noticing this discrepancy more and more often, and it’s becoming really frustrating. Without doing the detective work myself, I’m unsure of this brand’s origins, and I can’t seem to find much information about it online.
(The Avec V-Neck Tee by Dolan and the Carreau Maxi Dress by Lilka, via Anthropologie.)
Dolan is a brand I know, and their Avec V-Neck Tee is really lovely for warmer months. It drapes beautifully and is classically elegant, too.
And, last but not least, the Carreau Maxi Dress by Lilka is a gorgeous and versatile piece that caught my eye in the catalog right away. Unfortunately, it’s another example of an Anthropologie item that is quite possibly made in the USA, as listed in the catalog, but described as Imported on the store’s site.
I decided that enough was enough, so I emailed Anthropologie’s customer service asking specifically about the Carreau Dress and the Lilka brand. A few days later, I received an email that the matter was being investigated and I should receive a response shortly. A day later, another person emailed and asked me to tell him specifically which items in the catalog are labeled “USA.” Well, it’s fairly self-evident, so I asked again about the Lilka brand and listed a few of the pages with American-made items. I also sent the link to my Anthro:USA series and explained my interest in American-made clothes, as well as the confusion that comes from mislabeling. Monday, I received an email from a third person who apologized for the inconvenience and is passing my information to the “appropriate department.” I’m not sure if that means I’ll receive another email or not, so I inquired again about the Lilka dress. I’m not holding my breath that I’ll hear anything back, but at least it’s all out in the open.
I find the mislabeling of these items incredibly frustrating, and as someone who shops online often, this makes me hesitant to buy more clothing from Anthropologie unless I’m absolutely certain where it’s coming from. I really like their style and overall aesthetic, they do carry quite a few actual American brands, and they are currently featuring a collaboration with East African artists.
I’m hoping they’ll get the hint, and I promise to update you if I do hear back from them.
