I have been discombobulated and out of sorts all week. Trying to get a blog post up but hitting a frustrating writing wall. (So you get this short one, instead…) Dealing with several things that came up suddenly at work that require most of my attention, taking it away from what I should be working on. Worrying about my friends who are in areas with horrible fires (Nicole, San, Julie, I hope you are all okay…). Thinking about everything I need and want to organize and declutter (especially the digital clutter…it’s taking over my life, I swear) and how taking that on seems insurmountable right now. The classic too much to do, too little time challenge.
So, I’m turning to you, my friends, for your wisdom on a few things…
- How do you find out where to donate or share unusual items that may not be appropriate for your average Goodwill? Do you all just take everything there and figure that they’ll know what to do? There are 2 things I’m thinking of, specifically:
- This, um, unusual small appliance that makes fresh non-dairy milk. No, seriously. You buy these pouches, run a cycle where it mixes the pouch contents with water, and presto. Fresh almond, or oat, or cashew milk. And I can say that the milk is amazing – fresh, tastes great, etc. But I do not have room to store it, nor do I drink that much milk! (In my coffee, really…) Where on earth would you donate that? I have it up for free on NextDoor – no traction, not surprisingly…. Thoughts?
- Canvas bags that are in really good shape. They’re big, though, and I honestly have no use for them. My old bags that I got from various stores, etc., I plan to just pitch. But these are truly nice bags. Where would you donate those?
- OK, I swear I asked this before, but maybe not? I need to look like an adult for a couple of things in August and September. Sigh. I am not good at looking like an adult. Nor am I great at looking non-schlumpy, in general. So this is going to be a challenge. But one thing that I’m hoping you can help me with is… tinted moisturizer. My face gets very, very red and I can never predict it. But if I can wear some tinted moisturizer to kind of, well, even it out, that might help. I don’t want foundation, or anything fancy. I’ve used various types in the past but that is way back pre-Covid so… yeah. Thoughts from my more put-together friends? Thank you in advance.
- Cross-body bags? I have a great shoulder bag, but want something smaller to sling across my chest. I swear Elisabeth mentioned one recently, but can’t find the post. I want it to hold my phone (in a clunky case), wallet (small), keys, etc. So it doesn’t have to be huge, but not tiny, either. Thoughts?
I’m hoping to recombobulate, at least on work stuff, today. I hope you are combobulated, yourselves, and again, that my friends in fire danger zones are okay. <3
Lululemon for the crossbody– lots of sizes, all under $100. Anthro and Free people have them too, so maybe you just need to go to Hilldale? I really like Tarte BB cream. I use the Amazonian clay one, but they also make an anti-aging Blur version that I have not tried. I use a little bit with my moisturizer even though it is a moisturizer by itself. I take all of the things to St. Vinny’s.
Sarah, you are my local hero. Thank you. I was thinking St. Vinny’s – particularly since they have other routes for donated things that they cannot sell. Plus they have that drop off option, which is awesome. I’d considered Lululemon but I’ve never bought anything there. There’s a first time for everything! Thank you! 🙂
I know the Lululemon bags are a cult favourite now, so I think it would be hard to go wrong.
I bought a leather one at a thrift store and it has been wonderful, but of course I can’t link to it! When you drop off your thrift items you could always look for a crossbody bag?
I feel like Engie might have posted about some magical bag? I know someone did (it wasn’t me) that’s crossbody but has SO MUCH SPACE inside.
I’m useless with makeup.
Good point about looking at St. Vinny’s when I drop stuff off! Thanks, thrifter extraordinaire. 🙂
Here’s hoping Engie comes through with some ideas, too.
And honestly, you are better with makeup than I am! I think you at least make an effort – I do not. And haven’t for years. Hence, being completely clueless!
Take care, my friend. <3 Thinking of you.
Let me know what you choose for the crossbody. I switched from a purse to a fanny pack last year, which is mostly fine, but sometimes I need more room.
I know that my face might look a little better with foundation, but it’s a very slight advantage and whatever I put on always wears off pretty quickly so I just end up with a bare face anyway.
Where to donate odd stuff? I feel like there’s a 100% giveaway rate on the FB Buy Nothing page that I’m subscribed to, but it might be a hassle to coordinate with people for the handover. For the totes, maybe a homeless or domestic violence shelter? Or an animal shelter? When we adopted Doggo they gave us a tote bag with puppy supplies, so that’s why I thought of it. Failing that, I’m sure that Goodwill would be happy to have everything.
Oooh, great idea about the homeless shelter or the animal shelter and the bags. I will message them to see if they want that kind of thing!
I’ll keep everyone posted re: the bag. I guess I need to get moving on that to give the people what they want. HA!
And I hear you on foundation/tinted anything. I don’t know if it helps, but I should at least make a semi-sort-of-effort? I think?
Hahaha – I love “recombobulate” and “combobulate.” Excellent.
I am not fashionable in any way, but I do know that the Lululemon cross body is very trendy right now. And it’s cute while being simple, and it’s not terribly $$$ either. We got one for my kid for her birthday and I kind of want one for myself.
OK, Lululemon is getting a lot of votes. I’m going to have to take a deep breath and hope they don’t kick me out for my appearance when I go. (Not…your typical Lulu shopper here, to say the least!)
You SHOULD get one for yourself, Suzanne! Get it now “for your birthday”, whenever that is. 😉
I give things away on a local FB Buy Nothing group. Are you on FB? Since it’s a targeted audience (people who want to give/get things) it might get more traction than NextDoor.
Good luck on the crossbody! That’s all I carry these days, but I just buy purses with long straps for the purpose. Several years ago I bought a baggallini cross body that has some fibers or something to make it anti-theft (meaning, people can’t skim your credit card numbers off of it). It’s not the super cutest bag ever, but I love it and use it when I travel. It’s been to France 2x now, also Alaska and Hawaii.
No danger from wildfires here, and I haven’t noticed any smoke either. The big one in Chico is closer to San, but I’m not sure what direction the smoke is going, not sure if it’s hitting her. Stupid fire season, it’s the one season I really hate. Thank you for thinking of me!
You know, I think at one point I did join a Buy Nothing group! Thanks for the idea! It would help if I ever logged into FB, LOL. I’m generally not a fan, but this could be helpful – for that non-dairy milk thingie in particular.
I have a baggalini, too, but it hangs by my hip and I want something up on my body, if that makes sense. Plus, it’s a little squinchy.
Glad you are safe – hoping San is, too. I think the positives for the West coast (temperate climate, politics, at least right now) would still weigh a bit more heavily. Naive? Maybe. But sometimes, ooof. I’m just ready to go somewhere else.
I would probably take all of that stuff to Goodwill. I think they only have restrictions around larger appliances and things like mattresses.
I’m not help on the last 2 and will be curious to see if you find a cross body bag that you like! I have a running belt that I use when I am out and about with the kids but it only holds my phone so I should get a cross body bag but haven’t felt motivated to look for one!
I think you’re right on that, Lisa. I’m going to see if I can figure out the Buy Nothing page and if that doesn’t work, then I’ll take it to St. Vinny’s (they’re my preference over the local Goodwill, but same principle!).
I have a tiny running/walking belt so that won’t really work. I’ll keep everyone posted – so far, Lululemon has the most votes! (And Elisabeth reminded me to check out the thrift shop when I donate – smart idea!)
I’d probably donate all of it to Goodwill if you don’t have any takers on NextDoor.
And thank you for asking, we’re ok and not impacted by the current fires here in Sacramento.
I have a Lululemon dupe cross body and I love it. I think I bought it at TJMaxx and it’s a GAIAM.
Re: the tinted moisturizer, my current favorite (drug store) combo is the Wet’n’Wild Tinted Hydrator (it even has SPF, I think) and the Wet’n’Wild Primer + Finish Powder.
I thought about listing it on FB Marketplace but… honestly, didn’t want to go to the trouble. I donated it yesterday. Hopefully someone will make good use of it! It’s lovely to have the cabinet space back in my (small) kitchen. I also sold my old stand mixer = 12 yrs – to someone last week. Her daughter was just moving to Chicago, and she thought it would be perfect. The hilarious part was that the mom – about my age, probably a bit older – decided to keep mine because it was nicer than hers and give her old one to her daughter! Ha.
I’m so glad you are okay, my friend, but oh, how scary.
I am going to look at Target today for a bag, and then take a deep breath and go to Lululemon (it’s literally across the street) if I can’t find anything there. And thanks for the makeup recs – I am a big drugstore-level skin care person and that’s also available at Target! 🙂
Honestly, I donate everything to Goodwill, even if it’s something that’s very niche. Odds are, they will put it out on the floor and someone will be happy to come across it!
This is the cross-body bag I’ve been using for quite a while now: https://www.amazon.com/Telena-Small-Sling-Leather-Crossbody/dp/B0BDL5KWR2. My phone slips right into the front pocket (but if you have a bulky case, it might not) and then there’s one big pocket that can fit quite a lot of stuff IMO.
I also have redness, so I really like Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Serum, which evens out my skin tone WONDERFULLY. You can buy the sample size if it’s not something you’ll be using frequently and a little goes a long way!
Stephany, thank you for recommending something to actually deal with the redness, not just cover it up! Duh, Anne. 🙂 I will check that out. I wound up taking that weird small appliance to St. Vinny’s and hope that someone will enjoy it. I went in to look for a cross-body there (as per Elisabeth’s excellent recommendation), and fled, terrified, when I realized there was some weird Packers promotion thing going on. The number of green and gold overalls…and scary Packers fans…yikes! (I figured you could relate, my fellow NFL-follower…)
I have a Lululemon crossbody I use for casual things and then a larger generic one I bought off of Amazon that I then added a “fun” strap to to make it feel more like me. That doesn’t sound very mature, but it is authentic, haha! I recently had to look like a put together adult for a meeting and tried out the E.L.F. tinted sunscreen (which worked pretty well) and a tinted Supergoop moisturizer that made me break out (my skin is super sensitive). I am in a decluttering mess of my own making so all I have is solidarity in that space; I believe in us!
Thanks, Lindsay! I just ordered one from Amazon – same brand as the one that San mentioned – and it should be here today or tomorrow. I just like the idea of having it up on my body, not hanging down by (and banging on) my hip. Supergoop works for my body – their sunscreen – but not my face, so I get it. I bought the Wet n Wild option San recommended, below, and if that doesn’t work well, I will check out E.L.F. Both are at Target, so it’s easy-peasy. I donated that non-dairy milk maker thing and feel so much better. Also ‘sold’ my stand mixer ($25) last week and the relief is palpable. How weird that getting rid of things that (pardon the Kondo-ing) no longer bring me joy actually…brings me joy. Maybe she’s onto something, there. 😉
I’m late to responding and it looks like everyone has already answered.
I am a fan of Laura Mercier for foundation AND I currently have a tinted moisturizer from her. It’s sort of expensive, but a tube lasts me for a long time and the tinted moisturizer gives some coverage while still looking natural. https://www.lauramercier.com/products/tinted-moisturizer-oil-free-natural-skin-perfector-spf-20?variant=43486657937647
As for a crossbody bag, I don’t really have an answer. I have been contemplating a crossbody from Portland Leather, but can’t justify it since I have four or five perfectly good handbags. Look at the Circle Crossbody! It’s so cute!
https://www.portlandleathergoods.com/collections/crossbody-bags
I just drop everything off at Goodwill, but if I had a specialty item like that, I might consider if a high school would need/want it for a home ec class or something. Or a domestic violence shelter.
Drat, I’d started a reply then clicked on the link for the cross body bag. (Cross-body? Crossbody? Cross body?)
I love the IDEA of the higher-end moisturizer and foundation… but I just freeze when it comes to spending the money. Sigh. I know I’ll have to do it one day, but…today is not that day, unfortunately. Same with the cross body bag – I wound up getting one that works really well for me on (sigh) Amazon, Gaiam brand, that not only holds my phone and wallet but also my sunglasses case! So much better than the other bag I have, which is far too squinchy for that.
And, um, Engie? Why are you apologizing for a late comment on MY blog, of all blogs. I am, unfortunately, the queen of late comments, and you all tolerate me, for which I am extremely grateful. <3
Anne, I’m late to this as well. I just found your comment about intotheforestdark on Engie’s blog and have added them. Thanks for that recommendation!
I prefer St. Vincent’s over Goodwill because their resale prices are more affordable for people in need…
I hope you’re enjoying your new crossbody bag! In the pre-pandemic days, I would have loved to browse for something like that at a T.J. Maxx or something, but now, I order online too.
I hope you enjoy Elliott’s posts! He has such a gentle and unassuming way of sharing the wonder that he sees in the world. (It helps, of course, that he teaches kindergarten and, this year, first grade…it takes a special person to do that!)
St. Vinny’s is my preference, too – they have great prices and a HUGE selection, at least around here. And, when things don’t sell, they have an agreement with our local organizations for the unhoused to share usable yet unsold items.
I am enjoying the bag, although I confess that I default to my (zipped) jacket pockets when possible. It’s great, though, when I want to carry more than my wallet, keys and phone. (No kids, can you tell? :>)
I also need to confess that I tend to read your posts in Feedly and then often fail to comment. I need to be better about that!
I mostly take everything to Goodwill (or Value Village) if I can’t find anyone else to take it, on the basis that they will either use it or might know better where else to direct it. I actually AM a little surprised no one has wanted the non-dairy milk maker – I feel like it would be snapped up on my freecycling group in a heartbeat.
I really like BB creams for tinted moisturizer like Sarah said – I use the Garnier one. Nicole and I are also big fans of Ilia, which I think is a foundation, but it goes on more evenly than anything else I’ve ever tried.
I also feel like I’m going to be laughed out of Lulu Lemon, but I’m also feeling like even though crossbody bags don’t work well with big boobs, my shoulder is really suffering from carrying my giant purse around over it.
I know! I was surprised, too. Although, I am not a FB user (I’m on there, but don’t post, etc.) and it probably would have gone if I had put it in the Buy Nothing group for this area. Someone got a deal on it at St. Vinny’s, though!
I need to consider the BB creams for when I work through my backlog of moisturizers (don’t ask). I wound up getting the one that San recommended so I can mix it with my moisturizer, but will note the Garnier option (I like their haircare stuff, plus, vegan). Thanks!
I just purchased a crossbody in Italy and they sel in the US, too
https://us.soruka.com/ See if something tickles your fancy 🙂
Oh, my gosh, those are gorgeous. I got a very minimalist one for this trip (and things like going to campus). But I know I will need a “real adult” bag at some point, and I will definitely come back to this comment! (They use recycled leather, too – very cool!)