Podcast! Shop! Be Merry!

Yay! Another podcast! The ladies came over last night and I have to say, it felt good to be back down in the naughty pine. It seemed like it had been forever since we'd recorded our bawdy laughter. I didn't even miss the fact that I didn't get to watch my usual three "Sex and the City" episodes before bed. :-)

I did some shopping at the mall this morning. As usual, I'm in an "In Search Of..." mode right now. In Search Of the perfect winter coat, and the perfect foundation. I *think* have found the coat--I mean, is there really such a thing as perfection??--at Eddie Bauer. (I know, how very preppy of me..!) I wanted to replace a blue down coat I've had for years that, no matter how much I wash it, it just looks a bit dirty and shabby. It was a quandry because I wanted my new coat to be casual, yet funky. Down, yet svelte. Look expensive, yet not. I bought one at Land's End--too boxey. Then I went to Burlington Coat Factory--that may have just been a case of just TOO many to choose from. Overwhelming! I had received a coupon in an Eddie Bauer catalog, so that was a good incentive there. Went, tried some on, ended up with this. I love it! Oh, part of me really wanted to get the white one. I'm into white these days, verses the ever-popular black. But I knew me, and knew the moment it got a tiny speck on it--which would be in precisely one minute after putting it on, I'm sure--I'd be irritated. Function won over form this time, I'm afraid. But it's okay. I like.

Then I made my way to the make-up counter. Any woman out there who wears make-up can feel my pain in my search for, as they say on MakeUp Alley, the HG (Holy Grail) of Foundations. Good coverage, but not thick and cakey. Blends, but hides. Looks natural, but not shiny. (at least I don't like the shiny look...some people do) I won't bore you with the sordid details of my cosmetic counter whoring, but the other day I was at Shiseido--nope, too orangy/pinky, too cakey--and today I hit Lancome. I left with one kind on the right side of my face, another on the left. I can't tell them apart! But so far, so good with either of them, I guess. I'm still getting used to the whole liquid foundation thing. Only recently had I even tried it. Another fun thing about 40, your skin starts drying out like a prune....hence needing the liquid now. One thing I did discover that I would totally recommend to anyone using a liquid is that the foundation brush is our friend, no matter what brand you end up with. It sounded totally wacky to me when I first heard about it--basically painting your face with a brush!--but it really does go on smoother and just seems to settle into your face better. (for lack of a better way of describing it) For those who are interested (which may be anyone of the female persuasion who has stayed with me throughout this very girlie post) I recommend the Benefit brush. Good brush, good price at $20.

Now go! Shop! May you all find the Holy Grail of foundations--I'll let you know when I find mine, I'm sure you'll be waiting with bated breath--and the perfect winter coat, if your climate permits. Hey, there have got to be benefits to living in a place with a butt-cold winter.