Hi ! My work year is DONE. Well done to ALL of us who made it. This week I am thinking and writing about…honestly, not very much 😄 - Eve D.❣️

Guess what? I ran out of time to write the newsletter this week 😂 And I can't even make any excuses other than... It's all my own fault. Bad time management etc etc. I knew what I wanted this edition to be: a list of excellent things to read online. Problem is, I don't have this list. Sure, I've read and saved hundreds of things, but they are not all bookmarked in one convenient place, so this would be an incredibly time intensive task, and time is one thing I did not have. I have no idea how I expected a different outcome to this one, given how busy this time of the year gets. #delusion.

So we are going to have to compromise. I'm sitting at the hairdresser now, and will be here for about 2.5hrs. Then I'm rushing off home, packing last minute things and then off to G, then 3:30am start tomorrow morning to our holiday, after which I don’t expect I will have much opportunity (or desire) to open a computer. So all we have is the now, my phone, my two thumbs and the Notes app. I am going to write a stream of consciousness newsletter. No images or links, or at least very few. Let’s see where it takes us.

(I don’t feel too bad. My newsletter platform has sent me a recap of my year of this newsletter, and I have already written over 100,000 words. No one ever tell me I haven’t written a book 😆 )

Christmas Shopping

The good news is that all my Xmas shopping happened in one checkout basket , and zero visits to an actual shop. I cannot begin to tell you what joy that brought me. The bad news is that ONE item in that basket is delayed, and as a result it now looks like the whole shipment might be too. And Micole's Xmas shopping, also bought online, has been "delayed until Dec 29" which is totally unacceptable, but what can one do? It’s a clear fuckery, but my approach (which I’m trying to push onto the kids) is: if we open presents a week late, it's fine. Zac thinks the world is coming to an end.

Makeup Part II

I went make-up shopping. The last time I did this seriously (which as per my previous newsletter was before Covid) I had a relatively good system for this. I’d choose a brand (usually Mac or Bobbie Brown), I’d book a makeup artist at their counter, and have my full face done. I would then buy the products they used, assuming I liked them. It was a way to kill two birds with one stone: I’d get products that I knew worked for me, and I got a lesson on how to use them properly. This time round, I didn’t have time to research the makeup artists (it’s important to do this!) and so I was flying solo. I started at a major department store, where there was a Mac counter, and lasted about 90 seconds before I flew out of there, completely overwhelmed. Of course, none of the other counters were any better. I then opted to go to a major pharmacy/drugstore where the overwhelm was even worse but at least there were no pesky saleswomen looking over my shoulder or selling me on stuff I didn’t want. 

The makeup-buying experience is horrendously broken. I honestly don’t know how women do it. Here is something people need to say out loud: all the products, from all the brands are the same. A red lipstick is a red lipstick. The only difference I am willing to accept is that one might be longer wearing than the other, but red is red. Why must life be so complicated?  There are ten of thousands of products, they all are “the best” and “proven” and blah blah blah. And purchase mistakes are expensive. I am absolutely, definitely going back to my makeup-artist-in-residence model. Just need to find someone I trust.

(Also, I’ve worn the makeup I bought exactly zero times, which makes me think something about horses being led to water, but…)

Life Goals 

I’m not saying this is related to the above, but I saw this sign in a mall yesterday, and I am also not saying it’s NOT related:

Friendship, Part II

My post last week about friendship started some really interesting conversations. This week I came across an interesting take on friendship in general, from Harnidh

(That last sentence hits home, and not just about friendship! )

Looking ahead…

I’m going to the beach! I plan to walk, eat, talk, read and sun. The place we are staying has no wi-fi, which honestly is a feature not a bug. There is cellphone reception, and cafes with wi-fi (maybe?) so I’m hoping I can send something off to you next Saturday, otherwise you will have to wait until I am back :-) .

Enjoy your weekend/week!

Thanks for reading!

Want more? You can find past editions here.

Want to chat? You can email me privately by hitting reply on this email. I read and reply to all :-) Or comment?

P.S.

This is especially for my South African readers. If you know you know. This is on my Christmas tree.