I haven't done one of these wrap-ups in awhile. I'm going to keep this short though. Mostly because I've had to move around my schedule. I've picked up working on Sundays and for Tuesdays I'm working on some medical issues. That sounds dramatic! I'm trying some green light therapy and mid-week break to see if that works with my stupid brain. Gotta try something! 

One of the things I'm working on is my use of personal words. I abuse "um..." and "you know." I hear it and I hate it so much. The worst thing was when I was living in Scotland (they say "erm" instead of "um" and I found myself codeswitching. Like, girl--you've got to quit! Not change it up! Anyways, this is an older article because I'm clearing out older stuff. Trying to digitally de-hoard myself. It's from Entrepreneur and about how to get rid of filler words. I'm trying to slow it down and pause gracefully. It's not going so hot. 

Both of these are for goal setting-both saved at different times. I think the best information for me personally were 52/7 or Interval training (similar if not the same as the Pomodoro Technique). I have an hour glass that I use. It's bright pink so it's hard to miss. I do an 60 minutes on and then ten minutes off. That gives me time to stretch and walk around. I've also stopped multi-tasking for the most part (podcasts are the only thing I "multi-task" and sometimes I have to listen to the same episode again because I tune it out. 

Oh my god...so behind! This was the second box (I haven't edited the other pictures. I don't mess with the saturation too much but I'm way too careless about setting the angle. So I have to straighten and crop quite a bit. No one needs to see my messy office! 

I subscribed to Causebox after Popsugar. I loved PopSugar for the luxe items and the fun items, Causebox is different of course with a focus on sustainability and more earthy items. I'm a little crunchy but only in the "trying to be better" category. I'm otherwise not really loving the trends that are so crunchy-minimalist. Like, I'd like to whittle down and be a minimalist but with color and fun. Also, I kill plants so that's a no go. 

Anyways, this is the first full box after my introduction box. I paid for an annual membership so I was able to pick out some of my choices. I also ordered some items from the open market for this go round (Christmas gifts and personal fun items for me). I think if the items in Causebox are of interest, it's a great little subscription. I would note that their shipping schedule is slower and in batches (so if you order the Winter box for Christmas or New Years gifts, that would be a mistake). It's something to realize. 

I've been trying more podcasts. I stumbled upon a design and arts one but I'm not too sure I can get with it. A lot of the guests are more woo-woo (design wise and medically) than I'm comfortable with. I think I avoid the woo because when you get sick, people push nonsense on you all the time and it's so annoying and unhelpful. No, your MLM shakes/oils/weight bands are not going to cure me. 

I always know when Dr. Oz is on TV peddling bullshit, because someone calls me to tell me about some silly "cure" that works wonders and encourages me to try it. I lost my patience with my Aunt when she suggested I snort pepper (for real!). I asked if she even liked me! Who wants to willingly snort pepper when my actual, real doctor has prescribed real medicine that works?! 

Peppers! 

That was a bit of a tangent wasn't it. Whoops. Okay, this series! I have some of Rhys Bowen's other series. I couldn't really get into her Evans mysteries, set in Wales. I also am not totally sure on her Molly Malone series but I have a few more books to give a whirl on that so I might change my mind. There's just a form of a love triangle, which I don't adore. It's not a trope I give a lot of time too. I have finished this series, well, all the books that have been written so far. I still think its really fun and I hope to continue it in the future. 

This is from November 2020, which is not remotely on time on my end but I've had a full day of doctor's appointments and I just can't get much out this week. I feel like I'm full of excuses but I've got a new computer on the way so maybe things will be easier when I'm not precariously balancing my laptop on a pile of paper on my desk. I obviously have to clean. 

I accidentally downloaded a podcast based in Limerick, Ireland. Since I'm home all day with this pandemic, I've been playing it and I know the most random things about Limerick now. It's a news podcast I guess from one of their stations. Apparently there was a massive street party that might have involved students from University of Limerick (or Limerick University?) plus younger kids. It's been the leading story for the past three episodes. The only reason I mention it, it's like a local (for Limerick) version of Talk of the Nation, which was one of my favorite NPR shows. It was canceled and replaced with Here and Now on my local NPR. Which like, it's fine...but I still miss Talk of the Nation. 

Anyways. 

This is the November 2020 beauty box from Macy's. The theme was "Post Workout Wonders" and featured minimalist type touch ups and skin fixes. 

So, I have a new photo editor. I'm not really loving it so far, but to be fair to it, I'm still getting used to it all. I don't think my photos are turning out well in editing as it gets too bright or not bright enough. I've gone for less bright just because I don't want to wash everything out. I'll figure it out eventually. 

Shadow Dance is from one of my favorite authors, Anne Stuart. I'm impressed how she manages to jump around the romance sphere. This book is set around the year 1815, in Devon (UK). It totally has that 1990s cover (the Fabio-esque covers). It cracks me up but whatever works. Let's get to the recap/review thing then. 

Today is starting late because I spent all morning taking the older relatives at my house to get the vaccine. So, yay on that! Hopefully, this plague will end soon. 

Let's get right into it. I have some letters to write and an office to clean. So, rambling needs to be at a minimum. 

​Lavish's September box had a theme of "Fall Y'all." I always find it amusing that y'all is becoming more normal outside the Southern part of the United States. It's been awhile since someone mocked me for using it (outside of the South). So that's nice. It also just makes sense as a contraction: "you all" = y'all. Yup. 

Luckily, I have used some of these products, so it won't be so embarassing on my end when I "review" the product.