The Reflection of Shadows: Is It Worth It? Let Me Work It

The Reflection of Shadows

A collection of moments

Society6

Is It Worth It? Let Me Work It

Calendars and planning meetings,
Fail to a verbal beating.
Numbers, paper, data sequence-
Everything's about the distance.
About the goal, the destination,
Leaping without hesitation.
Mail, phone calls, conversations;
Deadlines coming, pulses racing.
Bosses, supervisors, chiefs
Telling you to take the leap.
Code of ethics violations,
Shaky, phony explanations.
All the work and all the sweat-
Nothing real to show for it.
Early mornings, drawn out days.
Late nights when your eyes are glazed.
Last decisions, one last minute-
Always pushing to the limit.
Order supplies, clean the office,
Print reports on all the losses.
More to do and less to say,
I think I'll call in sick today.

_


Happy Friday, friends! Don't work- enjoy your weekend!

Monday Mantra: When You Just Can't, But You Have To Anyway

A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that is considered capable of "creating transformation".

Every Monday I will post a new thought, idea, or focus for the week. When you need a breather from life, when you need a little inspiration, or when you're about to jump over the conference table and strangle your co-worker, remember the mantra.

Monday Mantra: We've all been there

On a recent trip to Starbucks, my brain decided to stop working. Temporarily and at exactly the most inconvenient moment.

There was a long line of cars ahead of us and we were moving slowly...at first. That's the key phrase here because the moving slowly part is what made my mind start wandering off, thinking about things like Buffy and Spike's relationship, which character on Friends I'm most like (the answer is Monica + Phoebe, in case you're curious), and how truly disappointing it is that I have made it this far in life and haven't had the chance to meet (and hug) a mini horse in person. I faux internet hug them all the time because, c'mon, they're adorable.

Anyway...when the line started picking up speed, I drove right along with all the other cars and right past the speaker when you're supposed to, you know, place your order. Now, I would've backed up, but the car behind me was pulling right along with me, so he ended up blocking most of where I needed to be. The car in front of me was just finishing their order, so I was stuck right in the middle of squat.

I heard the speaker buzz from behind and ask for my order. In my mind, the most logical thing to do was order at the window once the car in front of me left, so I real quick yell-explain my special situation back at the speaker and ask if I can drive up and order at the window, pretty please.

The Starbucks guy says he can hear me so to just go ahead and order. A normal person would be like, "F this, I'm not going to twist my head backwards and make this even more awkward for myself and the car behind me as I yell my order to everyone within a one mile radius." I am, however, not normal and embarrass myself on the regular, so I'm cool with it.

Me in my normal voice: "I would like a grande peach citrus white tea and a..." 

Starbucks Dude: "What? What was that?" 

Me in a slightly louder, more irritated, more enunciated voice because, duh, obviously this was going to happen: "I said a grrrrannnde peeeeach..." 

Starbucks Dude:"What size did you say?"

Me in my demon voice that I didn't even know I had: "I said a GRANDE! A WHITE PEACH CITRUS GRANDE and a STRAWBERRY GREEN TEA - GRANDE!" 

Starbucks Dude: "Cool. Sweetened or unsweetened?" 

Me: "...unsweetened..."

Then I calmly drive up to the window, pay the man, get my drinks, and leave. Oh, and my husband was in the car the whole time laughing at me, so there's that.

This is what you have to do when you're a grown up; when you just can't, and you clearly didn't, but you have no other choice so you just keep going until you can flee from the scene of shame and stupidity with your ice cold beverages.

There's no huge, overarching moral to this story, friends. Hopefully you had a good laugh.

Enjoy your Monday!

In the World of Wellness: Face and Body Product Awesomeness

There's nothing I love more than a good, high quality, works-like-a-dream skin care product. Thus, I would like to present to you these OMG-worthy products.


Dr. Alkaitis

Dr. Alkaitis

If you're a longtime reader, you know I'm a huge and dedicated fan of anything and everything Hylunia. I'll branch out now and then, as you can see, but my heart lies firmly with them. However, Dr. Alkaitis products are quickly winning me over, earning a regular spot in my skincare routines. So far, I've only tried the Organic Nourishing Treatment Oil and the Organic Herbal Toner, but if these are any indication of the rest of the line, Hylunia has some serious competition.

A few times a week, as part of my nightly routine, I'll use the toner followed by the oil. It's perfect for bedtime because your skin absorbs it while you sleep. I kid you not, after every use I wake up looking dewy fresh. Proof: after using the product just one time, my friend literally commented on how dewy and radiant my skin looked the next day. It's that impressive, folks.

Kate Somerville

ExfoliKate

Kate Somerville's award winning ExfoliKate is a true gem. Developed for all skin types, it gives you a clean scrubbed, brand new kinda feeling after each refreshingly tingly use.

Made with magical ingredients like pumpkin enzymes (brightens skins and boosts collagen production), lavender (the all powerful essential oil for literally everything you can think of), and the always important Vitamin E (to name just a few of the ingredients), you have a true skin care recipe for success.







Seraphine Botanicals Carrot + Rose Hydrating Cream

Seraphine Botanicals

If someone had told me that combining carrots and roses would result in one of the best smelling lotions I've ever experienced, I would've straight up laughed in their face...and I would've been wrong.

The Carrot + Rose Hydrating Cream is legit one of the best things I've ever smelled. Now, smelling good is one thing, but it has to work, right? Well, it's also one of the best lotions I've tried in recent years. It's a perfect balance of moisture for your skin. (Trust me on this, I live in a desert. Lotion is a vital ingredient to surviving desert living.) I seriously hope they make this product for the rest of eternity.




Pacha Soap Co. Salt Blocks

On a recent go-ahead-and-take-all-my-money shopping trip at Whole Foods, I stumbled on Pacha Soap Salt Blocks. Of their available options, the detox block is my favorite. First of all, it smells great. I know you're probably thinking, "What is up with her and smells?" PSA: Life is short, people. Don't waste your time on things that don't smell good.

Anyway...the salt block really packs a perfect punch for a nice long soak in the bath. It's the perfect amount of salt plus charcoal powder and you don't end up feeling dried out in the slightest. It does leave a black residue behind in the tub as charcoal, in general, is quite messy. However, I was extra pleased when I realized how easy it was to wipe off the residue. Sometimes charcoal can be a real pain when you're working with it, but it's clear they've formulated their blocks to ensure it cleans up nicely.

The Reflection of Shadows: Lost

The Reflection of Shadows

A collection of moments

Society6

Lost

Lost and found- again, again.
You lose your way when thoughts rush in,
You let them take you, smother action,
Overpower sense with passion.

I've lost you in a million ways:
In thoughts, in logic, on darker days,
You're not quite there, then there you are,
It's hide and seek; it breaks my heart.

You can't see past what's in your head,
You'll repeat motions 'till you're dead,
You won't get help, you're lost in noise-
You've trapped yourself without a choice.