July 10, 2020
De-cluttering my night table, my first post-lockdown highlights and revisiting a Y2K favorite.
I Kondo’d my night table and it dramatically improved my sleep
It’s no secret that my sleep began to suffer as soon as we started to get nervous about this potential pandemic back in early March—and I know I’m not alone. Some nights I’d toss and turn for several hours before falling asleep or I’d wake up for the day and 4 a.m. Sometimes I’d experience both, and let’s just say I’m no fun when I’m sleep-deprived, and it definitely affects my work productivity as well.
The situation improved slightly once the whole camp situation was settled (i.e. cancelled), but once COVID cases began to rise in Florida around Memorial Day, my insomnia was back. Then I decided to try falling asleep to rain sounds, and I can honestly say it’s been a game-changer. Now I literally pass out within 10 minutes of turning out the lights, and I manage to sleep until the dog wakes me up around 7.
I started by using an app on my phone (which charges on my nightstand) but the sound quality was lacking. I ordered an Echo Dot with a clock since I had been using my Apple Watch (which also charges on my nightstand overnight) to check the time—which is challenging when I’m not wearing my glasses. Once I set up the Dot I realized how much clutter was going on between my phone/watch charging dock, and admittedly too many lotions and potions. I knew I had to reset to create a more calm, sleep-friendly environment.
So here’s what my nightstand looks like now. (Unfortunately I don’t have a “before,” but trust me, this is a lot more streamlined.) The Dot alone solved my sleep-sound and time-telling problems, and the lack of extraneous charging equipment helped create a more soothing scene. In this case, less clutter has translated to more sleep, so at least I have one less thing to worry about. And as an added plus, I’m been so much more pleasant. Ask my family, and I’m sure they’ll agree!
I finally got my hair done and I feel semi-human again
113 days. 16 weeks. That’s how long I went between color appointments. It was a long, unprecedented journey during which my roots were one of the most minor things I had to worry about—but they were a constant reminder of all of madness happening in the world outside of my house (which I’m still barely leaving).
When we were on lockdown and my colorist was delivering single-process formulas to other clients, I begged her to come to my house even just to do my foils. (I could handle the rest.) After salons reopened, I begged her to come again, but she was booked solid for at least a month. (I made an appointment for the week after she started working again but ultimately cancelled because I was still afraid to leave the sterility of my home.)
During this time, I barely blow-dried my hair and came up with a few root-hiding hacks. I probably wouldn’t have survived without Goody’s extra-wide headbands. When I had a Zoom, I’d slick back my wet hair with gel, which helped blur the line between brown and blonde. This was the day before I got my hair done:
Last week, I asked her one more time if she could to my house—but she had an opening the next morning so I agreed to go there as long as she would do my hair outside. I was surprised at how not anxious I was about my appointment. Obviously knowing that the only time I’d step inside would be to rinse made me feel more comfortable—and she has a studio suite so it was just me and her (both wearing masks the whole time). I watched her wipe down the chair and literally didn’t touch anything.
And when I was done, I was so happy not only to have normal hair again, but that it was over with as well. As I got in the car I thought, At least I know I have at least 100 days until I have to go back. (Ironically, this was the day Florida saw it’s highest one-day increase in cases.)
Oh, and have I mentioned that I hadn’t gotten a haircut since THANKSGIVING? This was not by choice. Making an appointment was at the top of my list the week Florida shut down, and since I was already in pre-panic mode essential errands like going to Costco and stocking up on supplies took precedence. Since my colorist’s brother is a stylist who has a suite in the same building, I asked if there was any way he could squeeze me in for a trim. It must have been my lucky day because he did.
Even though my hair is back to “normal,” we can all pretty much agree that nothing else really is. We’re watching the number of COVID cases rise exponentially, and fellow parents aren’t all that optimistic about the coming school year, which is slated to start on August 10. And thanks to all the anti-mask dummies running around out there, I’m almost willing to bet that my son is going to be starting middle school from home.
If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? I’m starting to feel the same about my hair… If it’s cut and colored but no one other than my husband and son see it, does it really matter all that much? Or better yet, is it worth taking the risk of contracting COVID? Today, I don’t think so—which means I probably won’t be seeing my colorist again for at least 100 days.
This new skincare launch may be a blast from the past
As a child of the 80s, no weekend was complete without a trip to the mall. Whether it was “mall, movies, Friday’s” on a Saturday night, or a daytime excursion (such as my first “date” in 7th grade), you remember the roster of retailers we would all pop in and out of—most of which are sadly no longer around.
Considering I was bit by the beauty bug early, H20+ was always on my itinerary in the early 90s, and although the actual stores may be a mere memory, the brand itself is back in a big way. (In fact, it never left.) Featuring Japanese-designed formulations and a “clean” philosophy (which was always the case, even though this wasn’t a thing back then), the brand-new Detox White Clay body collection is just what you need now that beach days and poolside fun (socially-distanced, of course) is on the roster of activities.
Including a Body Scrub, Body Butter, Hand Cream and forthcoming Body Wash, these products are chock-full of a special blend of detoxing botanicals (think dandelion, bergamot, burdock and green tea), antioxidants, white clay and hyaluronic acid to smooth skin and fight environmental damage—and the fresh, zesty scent lets you skip the perfume.
As we kick off a new week, why not get yourself new-and-improved skin, too?