Monday Musings: Hindsight is Always 20/20
Happy Monday, ladies. Our weather has really heated up, so it’s full speed ahead for operation, blow town. We have dry heat here, so I am beginning to get used to it, but Kevin and I both have cabin fever, want to go to the ocean, and really miss Canada.
Our plan is to head north and spend some quality time in Vancouver with Vanessa and visiting my brothers. I really, really, really regret selling our second home on Vancouver Island, but try not to whine about it too much. As you can tell, I’m not succeeding.
Family Vibes
New Sunscreen
As you know, I’m a sunscreen fanatic. I read labels obsessively and try new ones regularly. I dove down the rabbit hole of chemical vs. physical block sunscreen over the last six months and began experimenting with them. Not smart! During my last trip to the dermatologist, she commented that my rosacea was looking worse. I know the National Rosacea Society and my dermatologist both recommend a physical block over a chemical sunscreen, so that may be why it’s gotten worse.
When I saw that Colorscience had come out with a new and much improved invisible physical block, I ordered it right away. Their products are cruelty-free and feel elegant on the skin. This really is invisible and leaves zero feeling on my skin after it dries. Hindsight is always 20/20, and it’s clear to me now that I’ll be giving all my chemical sunscreens to my husband and using them up on my legs etc.
Outfit Inspiration
I know many of you are not on social media, so here are a few of the outfit inspirations I shared there last week:
I just love this neutral look. This relaxed outfit would be super comfy for a trip to the flea market, running errands, or meeting a girlfriend for lunch. Flat espadrilles would be easy on the feet, and the linen tops would breathe in the heat.
LEATHER CUFF – CLASSIC WAYFARER RAY BANS
These Frame jeans and Ray Ban sunglasses are marked way down…which is why I love Nordstrom Rack! I paired them with a soft tee, some comfy wedge sandals, and a great summer tote. The leather cuff adds a bit of attitude to this easy spring outfit.
This pretty pleated dress has loads of texture in a soft color palette. The bag and sandals add even more texture to this look. Tie a white shirt at the waist for some arm coverage and you’re ready to go.
Have you updated your sunscreen lately?
Enjoy your time in Vancouver! I live in Southern Maine and enjoy my ocean and lake visits, too. I enjoyed your pictures, as well. I also spied with my little eye, the brace on your left hand. I wear the same one. It’s incredibly helpful to offset the weakness and support my thumb joint due to arthritis. I hope you have the same benefit.
It’s a great little brace! I had no idea so many of you ladies wear one too.
What a beautiful sight of Vancouver Island! We flew in from London Ontario on Westjet roughly 7 or 8 years ago! Just fell in love with Nanaimo. Enjoy your time in Vancouver, you do have a lovely view from your high rise apartment! I have been using 50 skinceuticals sunscreen that I purchased from my Dermatologist. It evens skin tone lol! Will you be showing us some of your outfits from Canadian stores?
Yes, I hope to try some Canadian stores while I am here.
It is sad to not have that home to return to. Perhaps you’ll find another small home with a water view on Vancouver Island to return to in the summers. Up island is less expensive than Victoria. A quick little scoot down Island and you’ll still enjoy all Victoria has to offer, friends included.
Enjoy your cabin, time out of that brutal heat, and of course, your beautiful daughter, Vanessa.
Thank you Joanna
May I ask for opinions on the new (to me) YUKA app, which scans and rates beauty products by their bar codes?
I was appalled to find that many Neutrogena sunscreen products that I’ve used for years, are rated poorly.
Has anyone else experienced this?
I have not tried that app, but I will. I check most brands with the Inci Decoder or the EWG
I can always count on you for sunscreen recommendations! I wear mineral only otherwise I break out and it gets in my eyes (great when driving)! Some are hard to find/more expensive to ship to Canada but I keep trying all I can. Right now im using Vichy mineral tinted at Shoppers Drug Mart in Ontario.
Welcome back! 💜🇨🇦
Shoppers has some great options. My husband struggles with sunscreen getting in his eyes too.
You just brought me home to Vancouver Island with that photo, Jennifer !
We walk five minutes down to the rocky beach , and this year the cruise ships from Vancouver to Alaska are back, and we can see them at twilight with their lights on. They are much too big for me , as I prefer the much smaller cruise ships now available. That’s what just got me from the Tower Bridge on the Thames in London to my cousin’s home here on the Clyde in Scotland. Wonderful afternoon sun ☀️ after a rather chilly morning. Their view is across the river Clyde in Gourock, west of Glasgow. We kept moving around in and out of the sun, and did apply sunscreen during lunch and a long chat.
Lovely, Cath! The cruise ships looked like floating hotels!! It’s an amazing place
I love my Mountain View but that one of yours with water and mountains is breathtaking! I loved our one visit to Vancouver Island many years ago. It was a very long road trip as we lived in Iowa then. Our usual road trips were to here in Colorado. That is why we moved here in 1995. It is cooler here this spring so long sleeves and jeans have been my go to casual clothes. I do love that J Crew short sleeve linen shirt and May spring for it! Have a wonderful and safe road trip.
Thank you Sydney