Good Ole Retail Therapy.

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Listen, I know this is obvious and stupid but sometimes buying a fancy lipstick or a fun pair of socks is exactly what you need. My suggestions:

This Calls For MAC
For the lipstick purchase, this is not an online thing - you need to do it in person, preferably not at Sephora or Ulta which is too chaotic. Go directly to the MAC store or a department store counter on a slow day and find someone nice to help you. Maybe you’ll end up with a movie star red that really works. Also, this stuff is what you need if you have hooded lids and your eyeliner disappears on you.

This Belt Will Save You $300
I’m obsessed with nearly everything Nili Lotan including her fucking BELT which I can’t afford. I went looking and was suspiciously optimistic about this Madewell belt which looks nearly identical. I ordered it and y’all, it is so good. It’s not too big but still makes a statement. Highly recommend. Also, it’s $68 which is a fair price but you can get it 30% off with code MADEBETTER (or whatever Black Friday nonsense is going on.)

Marianne’s Face Cream
I’ve discovered that my 50+ face does better with, like, A LOT LESS. I finally decided Tretinoin wasn’t working for me and now my routine is pretty simple: Differin gel twice a week, Decalt once a week and a delightfully boring moisturizer every day (and an even more boring moisturizer on top of that at night.) I also use a boring inexpensive eye cream. But, because the grass is always greener I bought the travel size of my friend Marianne’s favorite INNBEAUTY Extreme Cream and I like it! I only use it at night and only when I’m not using an active, so it replaces boring moisturizer #1 for those keeping track. Is it doing anything? Too soon to tell but I like that it’s unscented and doesn’t have anything in it that is irritating. Also, it’s not crazy expensive which I truly appreciate. (PS. Marianne posted about her skincare here.)

Fun Socks Are Fun
I bought two pairs of fun socks from Loouz because sometimes I want to wear my black Birkenstock clogs to work and it’s too cold for bare ankles. Guess what? Interesting socks are having a moment and it’s now. I got a striped pair and these art socks because why not. I also got this bright red pair from Bombas. These are all good socks and they’re fun peeking out of your slightly-too-short pants because it’s impossible to find full length anything right now. 

Ridiculous Shearling Birkenstocks
Instead of buying more Boston shearling clogs I took a final-sale risk on a deeply discounted pair of Birkenstock Kyoto shearling slides which have become my very fashionable house shoes. They are super odd and I love them and you’re tempted you should just go for it (though be warned - they’re final sale.) Despite being open-toed they still manage to keep my toes warm but when it’s really cold I just wear socks (see above) with them because how much weirder can things get at this point?