Archives 2022

things I discovered this crazy week!
Happy Valentine’s Day, my friend!

My goodness, it has been a week. The run-up to Valentine’s Day at the bakery was cray! Yesterday, I made frosting for 4 hours in the greatest mixer we have. just put, I was buttercreamed out by the end of my shift.

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Somehow, I still had it in me to wear some makeup this week, believe it or not, as well as in the process I may have stumbled upon a few new appeal lessons.

Just goes to show ya — not even buttercream can stop the appeal learnin’.

Unexpected appeal Lesson #1: A 24-hour mint eco-friendly mani is absolutely worth it.

We don’t wear nail polish while working at the bakery, however I painted paws on my day off with Essie Expressie polish in reveal to Impress.

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It’s a quick-drying formula with a base as well as top coat developed in, as well as it takes me about 5 minutes to do two layers — as well as that includes drying time.

Two layers of Expressive reveal to Impress
Unexpected appeal Lesson #2: deal with oil is a good friend to your lashes as well as lash curler.

Does your lash curler ever crimp your lashes with an excessively aggressive curl? — like, when the bend is nearly at a crisp 90-degree corner? If it does, try massaging a bit of your preferred deal with oil on your lashes beforehand, as well as the lash curl must be rounded — a lot more like a letter “c” than a hard, ideal angle.

I’ve been doing this all week long with Kahina providing appeal Prickly Pear Seed Oil, as well as my lashes have been curling perfectly! The moisturizing deal with oil makes lash hairs a lot more receptive to a softer curl.

Unexpected appeal Lesson #3: utilize the “leftovers” in your brow brush.

I discovered the very best shortcut for hectic women as well as gents who rush with filling out their brows with an angled brush.

Basically…if as well as occur to have any type of leftover product in your clean head from the day before, just utilize it to fill in your brows now, instead of re-loading your clean with a lot more eyeshadow or brow powder.

I really put two as well as two together as well as figured this out one morning while scrambling to make it to work on time. I couldn’t discover my normal eyeshadow combination with my brow colors as well as just said, “Eff it. I’ll utilize the exact same clean from yesterday.” Lo as well as behold, it was the best amount of color for softly defined natural-looking brows!

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Yup, as the stating goes, “Necessity is the mom of makeup invention.”

Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen

like it.
This is one of those deal with products that you have to be in a specific phase as well as mindset to appreciate. keeping that said, if full protection is your jam, keep on walkin’ miss Lady. However, if you’re searching for a concealer that doesn’t look heavy as well as stays out of fine lines, add hourglass Veil Retouching fluid to your wishlist ASAP!

For skin that appears like skin

It’s a semi-sheer liquid concealer with a doe foot applicator, as well as it’s offered in six shades in the hourglass long-term collection. considering that it’s hourglass (which indicates pricey), it’s not precisely budget, so a tube is $36. You do get a formula that’s complimentary of a great deal of things, including…

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Parabens

Fragrance

Gluten

Sulfates

Nanoparticles

Phthalates

Synthetic Dyes

GMOs

Animal testing

I’m trying to minimize the amount of products with phthalates in my makeup collection (here’s why), which is one of the primary reasons why I utilize it. I likewise like exactly how it’s a beast at covering stuff while still looking natural.

I wear the shade Sand beneath my eyes, around my nose as well as at the corners of my mouth (I’m an NC42 in MAC, by the way). often I set it with a bit MAC Mineralize Skinfinish natural Powder, as well as often I don’t. Either way, my skin appears like genuine skin, which is my aesthetic nowadays considering that I have extremely bit tolerance for anything opaque or heavy.

Have you ever tried YSL’s popular Touche Eclat? This product is similar, however so much much easier to blend, as well as I believe it looks a lot more natural. It’s worth your time to swatch during your next hourglass counter visit. I normally restock at Sephora, however Ulta brings the line, too.

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Some a lot more thoughts on hobbies

Well, we’re three months into 2022, as well as I’m still in quest of new hobbies.

I’ve kept up reading solely for pleasure, as well as wow! It’s amazing exactly how reading just a few minutes for fun can modification exactly how you feel. I discover myself craving books now. Like, I physically feel off if I avoid my reading-for-fun time. It makes me happy, so I’m going to keep it up.

Oh! I tried something new last week. I chosen up a puzzle at a regional bookstore in town, Copperfield’s, as well as took pleasure in it so much. There’s something extremely meditative about searching for pieces. Connor assisted me when she was in the mood, too.

I can’t wait to do one more one, although I do desire there was some kind of library-like service with puzzles. I can see myself getting into it, however the last thing I requirement is a lot more stuff in my house, ya know?

Last thing. I’ve been cooking my method with a cookbook!

A bit backstory: I utilized to like baking as well as cooking, however last year, it bummed me out.

For a lot of of 2021, I hated — like full-on despised — making food. I was stoked at very first to be at house as well as cook when whatever shut down in 2020, however after a while I started feeling like I handled a full-time kitchen area task without realizing it. Last year, I was totally over it, as well as I’d get upset whenever I had to cook, particularly at dinner (I phone call it “dinner rage”).

Anyway, I just recently started cooking new dishes, as well as it’s assisted me to feel less rage-y. LOL. Here’s a couple things I made of “The simple Filipino Cookbook” by Roline Casper.

Beef Picadillo (Giniliang Na Baka) with ground beef, tomato sauce as well as raisins
Easy Sauteed Shrimp (Ginisang Hipon) with shrimp, bok choy as well as seasame oil.

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Happy Friday to you, as well as I hope you had a fantastic week!

Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen

Is it sweatshirt weather condition yet?
What’s an unsung hero in beauty-speak? For me, it’s an usually underrated makeup (or polish!) morsel, a long-term collection product that scoots under the radar of numerous makeup enthusiasts however routinely rocks my world. My long-running Unsung Heroes series features a few of my favorites.

(Not so) Deep thoughts: do you expect Cardi B ever uses Essie Angora Cardi?

HMMM… I wonder!

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If anybody might really point me in the direction of a chunky, comfortable cardigan that’s the precise exact same shade as this nail polish, I’ll be permanently grateful. I like the concept of having something to match with it since it’s one of my preferred autumn colors, as well as I believe it might be one of yours, too.

It’s a deep, creamy dirty rose, $9, as well as you can discover it in Essie’s long-term line, so it’s not going anywhere. say thanks to goodness, since it’s one of those shades I’ll wear year after year after year, particularly this time around of year between seasons.

Meet me in the middle

It’s like the transitional booty bootie of the nail polish world. Not rather as light as your “starter” autumn colors like Essie garments Optional, which I like to wear late August/early September, however not as deep as well as dark as the full-on vampy colors we see all over between Halloween as well as Thanksgiving.

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Essie Angora Cardi
So it’s ideal for sweatshirt weather condition as well as that in-between time. since it’s dark, you can certainly see it on your nails, however it isn’t so intense or deep that it psychologically signals that we’ve past the point of no return when it’s officially chilly every day, as well as it ain’t turning back for months.

It’s likewise very shiny, which is something Essie is understood for. If you’re the type of person who can’t even bother with a top coat, Angora Cardi is shiny sufficient on its own.

I’ve got no time for flakes

I likewise like this shade since it’s one of the most resilient Essie nail polishes I’ve ever used. like every brand’s polishes, Essie’s colors vary in terms of their anti-chipness/durability, as well as I believe this is one of the line’s much more resilient colors. When I do my nails with it on a Sunday afternoon, by the Friday of the complying with week, when I’m passing out in my pajamas on my couch at 5:30, I look at my hands as well as undoubtedly think, “You understand what? This mani did truly well!” There may be a few small dings on a few tips, however ya know, after a week, that’s fantastic for me.

Four steps to freedom!

I do a four-step process when I wear this polish as well as discover that the additional time spent is worth it, since I get much more wear time in the end. I do a base coat (Smith & Cult — the one that looks pink, however it’s remove on nails) — two layers of Angora Cardi, as well as then one layer of the best-of-the-best Essie Gel Couture Topcoat.

Get it; it’ll modification your life.

This is one of those all-around fantastic colors for fall, as well as oh! — you understand what? I’ve seen it on a lot of different skin tones, as well as I believe it always looks great. warm skin, awesome skin, fingers, toes… If I might paint anything else with this color I most likely would.

Now that I believe about it…it would be a truly quite color for a pair of shoes!

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Anyway, Essie Angora Cardi. wrap yourself up in it this fall. It’s gorgeous.

Your friendly community charm addict,

Karen

have a lush Saturday.
Heya, friend. ? good morning and welcome to summer! It’s officially summertime in the northern Hemisphere. On a normal year, Connor and I would be spending lazy days at the pool…

Flashback picture to a family visit to Hawaii (circa 2017)
Our homeowners association pool just opened for the season, and I’ve seen a few of my neighbors lounging about, but I’m still deciding whether to brave the water. There’s a big sign on the front gate with all of the new COVID guidelines, and I’m a little nervous about running into, well…people. I joke all the time about how the lockdown has turned me into a bit of a recluse. I’m pretty outgoing under normal circumstances, but not so much now. ?

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Am I the only one?

In this week’s edition of “Food-Related Collaborations,” Morphe’s launching a new limited edition makeup collection with Coca-Cola.

Quick question — would you purchase makeup and skincare products by Kanye West?

Apparently, the pandemic has ushered in an era of false lashes and Crocs (as in the shoes).

Ah, to be wed during a pandemic… Here’s how brides who celebrated with socially distanced weddings prepared for their big day.

Makeup artists answer seven burning charm questions.

A short history on the origins of perfume.

Creative ways charm pros are facing the pandemic.

A pregnant dermatologist breaks down her pregnancy skincare routine.

A woman charged with burning police cars is tracked down because of her (wait for it) eyebrows.

Why do cats like hanging out in boxes so much?

The best bronzers for black skin.

Just in case it’s hotter than hades there and you need to feel like you’re next to a body of water…

Why don’t you come over, Valerie?

This is so fun. ?

She does justice to my favorite Soundgarden song.

Another throwback fave…

I like doing this 5-minute workout to warm up my body.

Connor walked into my office while I was viewing this and started cracking up! (“Mommy, *WHAT* are you watching?”)

I really wanted to bake today, but it’s expected to be 80 degrees here, so I’m not sure I want to turn on the oven… Yes, I’m a weather wimp.

What are you up to this weekend? Doing anything for Father’s Day? We’re taking El Hub out to Marin French Cheese (it’s open again!) for a picnic. It’ll be good to do something we haven’t done in a while.

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Hope you’re doing something fun. have a good weekend.

Your friendly neighborhood charm addict,

Karen

just say no to chips.
Back in 2008, The new York Times tried to make chipped nails a thing.

Yeah…I’m not about that life. I’m all for purposefully messy hair (fun buns 4 life!), but a messy mani gets a hard PASS. I’ll take my manicures neat and tidy, thank you very much, with a side of “no chips on tips, please.”

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There are a couple things that make it simpler to live a chip-free nail life, like 1) finding a base and top coat that can endure everyday life (for me, those are currently the Smith & Cult Base coat and Essie Gel Couture Topcoat) and 2) taking a few preventative steps to reduce the possibility of chips at the suggestions of my nails, which is where I always get them first.

Here are three things that help keep my nails looking freshly painted all week long:

1. Don’t forget to tip

First, before you paint a layer of polish, paint underneath the suggestions of your nails, and then run the brush along the suggestion (holding your nail horizontally, brush the polish on the vertical part of the tip).

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Wait about 30 seconds before applying your first legit coat.

Why do this, you might ask? Well, because doing it this way covers your suggestions in an extra protective layer, so as your nails bang about throughout the week, your suggestions have an extra layer of armor on them.

Taking this tiny extra step makes all the difference in the world for me. I see fewer chips when I paint my nails.

2. Do a three-day refresh

“Siri, remind me to do another layer of topcoat in three days.”

I typically keep the same polish on my nails for a week, and three days is typically the ideal time to freshen up my manis with another topcoat layer.

I mean, you could do one daily, or every other day (I have pals who do that), but if I do too numerous topcoat layers, it becomes counterproductive because my polish starts to get thick, and then I’m tempted to peel it off when I get out of the shower.

Note: using a good quick-drying topcoat makes you much more likely to actually sit down and do this! Sally Hansen has one called the Insta-Dri top coat that’s only five bucks and sets in a minute, but best now I’m really into Essie Gel Couture top coat overall. It’s very shiny, and it takes about 10 minutes to dry.

3. Do the double-glove

Before you put a pair of gloves on to do anything — wash dishes, garden, work with power tools — put on a pair of latex gloves first, and slip your real gloves on top.

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Yes, this is extra and completely next level, but it’ll help your manicure look terrific longer. someone in the comments suggested it, and when I’m wearing gloves, I think it does make my polish last longer.

Your friendly neighborhood charm addict,

Karen

how to play

Pick one or the other for each of the questions below, and copy/paste your answers in the comments. Can’t wait to see your picks! Mine are provided below.

This or That: The Back-to-School appeal Edition

First day of school: do you plan your outfit ahead of time, or wing it at the last minute?

Bold lips on the first day: yes or no?

If you said yes to bold lips, which would you rather wear: red or pink?

Do you start off the school year with a absolutely new hairstyle, or do you keep the one you currently have?

For picture day, do you wear your hair up or down?

For picture day, do you wear your glasses, or do you take them off?

What’s a lot more crucial for your daily mid-morning touchup: powder or lipgloss?

What’s a lot more crucial for a daily afternoon touchup: hairspray or dry shampoo?

Pick one: Caboodle or makeup bag?

On the first day of school, would you rather wear a new pair of shoes that you haven’t broken in or a comfortable pair of very well-worn shoes you love?

Perfume or fragrance on the first day: yes or no?

Paint your nails for your first day: yes or no?

First day of school: do you plan your outfit ahead of time, or wing it at the last minute?

I’d plan it ahead of time. In fact, I’d plan out every outfit for each day of the whole week!

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Bold lips on the first day: yes or no?

I’ve absolutely done it before, so my answer is yes.

If you said yes to bold lips, which would you rather wear: red or pink?

Red, but with stipulations. It would have to be matte to minimize the probability of it smearing all over my teeth and face.

Do you start off the school year with a absolutely new hairstyle, or do you keep the one you currently have?

Keep the one I have. I’d save the dramatic change for the middle of the year to maximize the impact, ha!

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For picture day, do you wear your hair up or down?

Down, no doubt! wearing it up just seems like an invitation for something to go extremely wrong. I absolutely know my mane, and even if I cemented every stray hair into place with an updo, something would find a way to spring out.

For picture day, do you wear your glasses, or do you take them off?

I could go either way, but eh…I’d probably take ’em off so my winged liner could be recorded for posterity.

What’s a lot more crucial for your daily mid-morning touchup: powder or lipgloss?

Lipgloss.

What’s a lot more crucial for a daily afternoon touchup: hairspray or dry shampoo?

Hit those flat roots with some dry shampoo, baby!

Pick one: Caboodle or makeup bag?

Caboodle. Vintage. Pink and mint green.

On the first day of school, would you rather wear a new pair of shoes that you haven’t broken in or a comfortable pair of very well-worn shoes you love?

Back in the day, I would’ve suffered for terrific shoes.

Perfume or fragrance on the first day: yes or no?

Sure, why not?

Paint your nails for your first day: yes or no?

Definitely, yes, and survey says it would be a last-minute mani completed ideal before bed the night before.

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Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,

Karen

P.S. Howdy, neighbor. I’ve got back-to-school on my mind ideal now because Connor’s first day of kindergarten is tomorrow, and I’m already feeling all the feels.

Seems like her first day of preschool was just yesterday. Her little pigtails…

missing this thug a great deal today!
Lately, I’ve been listening to podcasts about monetary literacy, as well as consequently, I’ve been believing about exactly how people handle their beauty budgets.

I checked out in an article just recently that states on average, women spend $313 a month as well as guy spend $244 on beauty products. I’m not truly surprised at those amounts, though, seeing exactly how it’s simple to go there if you’re buying at locations like Sephora.

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Anywho, I’m trying to be more purposeful with the beauty products I buy, as well as so I’m taking stock of my costs habits. I’ve noticed that I tend to do one of three things:

1. Restock, then pick up extras

When I run out of something, I’ll go in to Sephora or Target for a restock, as well as while I’m there, I’ll usually pick up a few additional things that weren’t originally on my listing since YOLO.

2. stress shopping

If I’ve had a rough day, I’ll buy beauty products that usually aren’t on my wishlist for some immediate gratification.

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3. Sale shopping

OH, GOSH. This is my Achilles’ Heel. If I can get a lot of products on sale, I have no issue splurging, even if it’s for things that I technically don’t need.

I’m believing about producing a set beauty budget plan per month, however you know… There’s something about those unscripted beauty buys when I requirement a pick me up. Sigh.

I’m curious to understand exactly how you handle your beauty budget.

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Like, do you prefer to buy makeup only when you run out of something? Or do you have a set monthly budget plan for beauty products, as well as you pick up whatever you’re fancying at the moment? Or are you the type of person who purchases products on a whim? let me understand in the comments.

Your friendly community beauty addict,

Karen

High school, 1993, when I was an avid Clinique 3-stepper
It wasn’t really anything I thought about when I was younger. I would just wash my face with whatever soap was around, and then I’d remove all the suds with a washcloth… pretty standard stuff for an elementary and middle school-aged girl. I don’t think I even used face lotion (GASP). and sunscreen? What the heck was that?

But when I was 12, I started breaking out, and that’s when I started a skin care routine.

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Granted, it wasn’t great! I remember going to the dermatologist and the doctor giving me a really drying benzoyl peroxide soap called PanOxyl bar, which was so stinky and drying, and it bleached all of my t-shirts and towels… That was pretty much the extent of my first skin care routine. ?

My routine finally got “official” in high school when I started doing the Clinique 3-step process.

Do you remember the light green plastic soap case that came with the bar soap? I remember taking that thing all over — on band trips, to sleepovers. That soap was my jam back in the day. I wonder if it still comes with the soap. Hmm…

Anyway, I continued that routine through college, which was when I *finally* started using a sunscreen. It was one by Oil of Olay. I used it because that’s what my mother used, and it was affordable for my student budget.

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How about you? At what age did you start having a skin care routine?

Your friendly neighborhood charm addict,

Karen

So good I scrape out every last drop!

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Because of acne I’ve…

Invested a small fortune in the magic that is Kate Somerville Anti-Bac Clearing lotion (I will certifiably lose my sh*t if this is ever discontinued).

Gotten a cortisone shot in a enormous pimple on my chin 24 hours before leaving for Toronto for the MAC Bloggers’ Obsession Collection collaboration.

Gone to bed with thick dots of stinky white benzoyl peroxide cream on my face.

Forgotten about said benzoyl peroxide dots and answered the front door, half asleep in all my dried white goo glory.

Changed the part in my hair in an attempt to strategically hide behind it like a curtain (although, let’s get real, I wasn’t fooling anybody).

Woke up in the middle of the night to go look in the mirror and contemplate whether to pop THOSE PIMPLES.

Popped a zit (or two or three) during the witching hour.

Interviewed every Sephora associate in the skin care section to find out the things that people with acne buy typically (this is how I found AmorePacific treatment Enzyme peel Cleansing Powder, which worked terrific for me when my chin acne was at its worst).

Felt like cattle in a dermatologist’s office. I can’t tell you how many times I felt like my concerns were dismissed by doctors.

Bought things I didn’t need because my pimples made me feel bad about myself. ?

Had such an intense allergic reaction to prescription acne medication that my eyes became swollen shut.

Cancelled a date.

Endured emotional anguish caused by hurtful comments — but the worst ones weren’t from strangers; the worst ones were always from pals and family.

Bought ProActiv from a kiosk in the middle of the mall (I was a fan of the cream and toner for a while). The kiosk had a picture of Adam Levine on the side, and I came *this close* to taking out a pen and drawing a mustache on him a few times, ha ha!

Filled up an entire drawer with concealers and setting powders in order to find the holy grail combo of cover-up.

Experienced my self-esteem lowering.

Learned how to be more patient with myself.

Figured out creative workarounds to ease the temptation to pop pimples (side note: bribing yourself totally works).

Never gone to sleep without taking off my makeup and washing my face.

Defaced bathroom stall walls with notes for other women, including the following: “You are so much more than what you see in the mirror.”

Become cautious about putting new skin care products all over my face… patch tests all the way.

Learned to cherish the days/periods of life when my skin is clear.

Learned to have more empathy for myself and for others.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

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Karen

This week’s mantra. Repeat it as numerous times as necessary!

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Excellent question! It isn’t, as opposed to its name, an actual poll, like with bit clicky buttons. It’s just a listing of five much more or less random concerns I’ve been publishing on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007). I like reading your answers, as well as it assists me get my week off to a great start. ?

1. On a scale of one (minimal) to 10 (maxed out), exactly how feisty are you feeling today?

I’m a solid 5.8 on the feisty scale.

2. pick one: orange creamsicle or a vanilla ice cream popsicle dipped in chocolate?

Orange creamsicle, as well as make that two please. One for me as well as one for me! I just like those things.

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3. An instrument that talks to your soul?

Oh, for sure the cello. I can’t play it (YET), however one of these days I’m gonna make that dream a reality.

4. Pizza with or without crushed red pepper?

WITHOUT. difficult pass on the red pepper!

5. Swimming at night: are you in, or are you out?

Depends. Totes indeed if it’s in a heated pool as well as we’ve got lots of towels as well as warm drinks on standby for when we get out. as for night swimming in the ocean, ya know, as much as I like the ocean, I’m not in like with the concept of swimming in the ocean at night (too numerous jellyfish!), so I’ll state no to that. It just seems like the beginning of an episode of Unsolved Mysteries that I would choose not to star in.

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6. Are you into grilling/barbecuing?

Sooooo in like with eating grilled food, however I’m not really into standing at the grill, as outside terminate makes me nervous!

7. Elevator or stairs?

Stairs, baby! Race you to the top.

8. A charm product you completed recently?

I just completed a big bottle of CeraVe deal with wash, so, note to self: gotta stop by Ulta to get a fresh bottle.

9. What’s your hair style today?

It’s on the unruly side today, so I have it up in a untidy bun. It’s getting as well long, as well as I requirement to get it cut ASAP.

Your friendly community charm addict,

Karen

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P.S. right here are the concerns to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. speak with ya soon.

1. On a scale of one (minimal) to 10 (maxed out), exactly how feisty are you feeling today?
2. pick one: orange creamsicle or a vanilla ice cream popsicle dipped in chocolate?
3. An instrument that talks to your soul?
4. Pizza with or without crushed red pepper?
5. Swimming at night: are you in, or are you out?
6. Are you into grilling/barbecuing?
7. Elevator or stairs?
8. A charm product you completed recently?
9. How’s your hair today?

P.P.S. It’s a gorgeous day, as well as you as well as I are going to make the most of it. I just understand it. sending a huge squeeze-y hug your way.