Monday Musings: Lasers, Yarn, and a Little Gua Sha For Jaw Tension
Happy Monday, ladies! I hope you had a wonderful weekend and are easing into the week with a hot cup of something that makes you smile. I have many things rattling around in my head this morning…lasers, yarn, Gua Sha for jaw tension, dumbbells, and earrings. A strange combination, but here we are.
Shopping
SILK SCARF – tell her I sent you if you order one
I won’t admit to outright stalking the store that carries this throw pillow, but it may appear that way to some. I’ve wanted to own it since I spotted it last year, but I refuse to pay the insane asking price. Every time my daughter and I cruise through the shop, I keep checking. The chair is on sale now, but not the pillow 😒.
**A note about my crossbody above. Mine is deep navy, and it’s also available in other shades. It’s a buttery soft lambskin, and light as a feather. It has additional straps that allow me to convert it into a shoulder bag, a shorter shoulder bag, a crossbody, and a handheld. I could not love it more! It’s made by a small woman-owned company in NY that makes my other travel bags. There’s a side zipper to easily stow my phone, and it has an inner leash to clip my keys on so I never have to dig for them.
Fraxel
After months (okay, years) of talking myself out of it, I’m finally booked for a Fraxel laser treatment this week. I’ve done my fair share of skin procedures over the years, but I’ve always avoided this one because of the downtime. Apparently, I’ll be pink, puffy, and slightly frightening for a few days, then flaking like a croissant after that.
My friend Ellen and I were chatting last week about the different types of lasers for the face, and she said, “I don’t do any of those lasers that take six months to start working. I might not have that kind of time!” I love her, and she has a point, but the one my doctor recommended works immediately.
I have three stubborn precancerous spots that did not resolve with the photodynamic therapy I did last month, and I really want them gone! The dermatologist tells me the Fraxel can help remove them and also generally freshen my complexion. I’ll share the results with you and recommend one if I find it worthwhile. Have you had one? Please share what you know. I’d love to hear. I admit to being nervous about this.
A Craving for Cables
On a cozier note, I found myself in the yarn shop this weekend. I’ve been craving a new knitting project, something that requires enough concentration to keep me out of trouble but not so much that I end up in tears. After fondling half the skeins in the store (do knitters ever just grab and go?), I came home with a couple of balls of gorgeous yarn and a new set of interchangeable needles. When will I learn to always travel with my needles? Never! So now I have a set to keep here and one in California.
I’m planning to knit a cable sweater because apparently I enjoy suffering. But before I tackle that, I’ll be knitting a hat to test the yarn and make sure my gauge is on track. That way, if it all goes sideways, at least I’ll have a Christmas gift made, while I rethink my life choices. I don’t knit for the resulting product. For me, it’s a therapeutic form of relaxing, and I find the process meditative.
Strength training… sort of
And then there’s weights. I’ve been a loyal Pilates devotee a couple of times a week this year, but lately I’ve been dipping my toe into the mysterious world of strength training. Everyone on the internet (and likely all of you) insists that weights are the fountain of youth, the secret to bone health, the cure for achy joints, the answer to world peace…you name it.
My daughter lent me her 5lb dumbbells to get started, and they feel ridiculously heavy to me. What’s sad is that 10 years ago, I was using 8lb weights with ease! I’ve just begun, and let me tell you, my shoulders are making noises I didn’t know they were capable of. Snapping, crackling, popping, like I swallowed a bowl of Rice Krispies. I’ve been told this is precisely why I need to strengthen them. Apparently, carrying shopping bags doesn’t count as resistance training. Who knew?
Everyday earrings
On a much prettier note, a brand recently sent me the most delicate pair of white gold and diamond earrings. They’re small, simple, and somehow manage to go with everything. I find myself reaching for them almost every day. They’re not posts, which makes them super comfortable, so I could even sleep in them, though I don’t. I love the hint of sparkle without feeling flashy. My daughter is wearing these Nadiri emerald cut CZ studs almost every day and loves their simplicity.
It got me wondering what your everyday jewelry staples are? Do you have a necklace you never take off, a watch that feels like part of your arm, or a pair of hoops that finish every outfit? I’d love to know the pieces you wear on repeat.
Gua Sha and my jaw
And then there’s my jaw, which I’ve recently learned is tighter than a drum. My physiotherapist confirmed it last week after poking around and suggesting I “try to relax.” Easier said than done…hence the new knitting project.
I already have a gua sha back in California, but I decided I needed one here, too. The idea is simple: run a smooth stone across your face, and you’re promised everything from a sculpted jawline to a calmer mind. More importantly, it’s supposed to help release jaw tension, so I’m giving it a try.
I bought this really affordable Rose Quartz Gua Sha on Friday and have been giving it a workout. I can actually feel the crunch of tight muscles when I run it along my jawline. I don’t think it will keep me from clenching my teeth at night, but if it helps relax the muscles, I’ll count that as progress.
Have you tried it? Do you think it truly helps, or is it more about the ritual than the result?
8 recently had a Tixel treatment from my OBGYN (weird, right)? It’s like tiny little branding irons all over my face, after a slathering of numbing gel. It’s a total of 3 treatments a few weeks apart. I could see some improvement after the first one and I’ll have the next one soon. It’s about $2100 for the 3 treatments and I think that was a sale price.
Wow, checking into this, thanks
So glad Deanna asked this question about the Pearl comparison as I own 2 Pearls based on your recommendation. I love the Pearl but am also intrigued with the new style. Thanks for the comparison!!
I bought a pair of gold huggies in 1999 that I wear almost all the time. They are 3/8 wide and slightly smaller in circumference than a U.S. dime. The small size works with my body type, and they are really comfortable. They are the only earrings I can sleep in! I changed to red chandelier-style earrings yesterday because the outfit I was wearing needed an extra punch of color, but when I got home, the huggies went back on!
Jennifer, you had me going from a smile to laughing out loud today on your blog. I can relate to your chaos. I’m 80 and of Finnish ancestry. It is a blessing of beautiful skin that seems to age well as long as I use my moisturizer everyday. Oh and I wear my hat on our mile morning dog walks. I have never heard of the treatments you are talking about. I worried about skin cancer because my mother had many removed from her face, chest and arms. She lived in Florida and gardened and golfed everyday. I never was any found at golf and am a serial plant killer in gardens. I loved knitting things for my grandchildren when they were little and then my great grands until my arthritis became too severe to do it anymore. I miss it a lot. I can’t wear my wedding set anymore and never liked bracelets. I do love light weight earring and studs. Necklaces are for dress up and I rarely wear them. Enjoy you on my morning tea breaks Jennifer. You and your daughter are lovely. Why are our offspring so much taller than we are? I’m 61” tall and very feisty.
I’m now the shortest member of our family, except for the littlest one but he’s only 21 months. I’m sure he will be taller than me in the blink of any eye 🙂
The chair (and the cushion!) look beautiful. Is this an independent store?
Yes, it’s a small shop in Vancouver
Gosh! Where to start? You touched on so many wonderful topics. If you love that pillow, buy it! I feel that if I can’t stop thinking about something, it means that I really want it and should get it!
Sorry your precancerous spots are not responding to treatment. Good luck with the next one you try .
Love the navy bag. It’s so versatile.
The earrings, oh, so nice. I’ll be checking out the hoops you have. .
I don’t always comment but I read your blog daily and like it so much!
Take care and……….get that pillow!
Thanks for being here Nancy
I am not familiar with the term physiotherapist ? Is this a physical therapist or more like an esthetician ? …. and is it a doctor referral thing or no ?
Just wondering ?
He’s a physical therapist/accunpunture/pressure points, specialist. They’re trained differently here than in the US and do more hands on manipulation.
I’ve done Fraxel. I had a series of 3 and my doc did use more than one type of laser. Yes is does make you pretty red and then you peal but it really helps with skin tone etc.. It helped minimize a scar from cancer removal on my husband’s nose. I would do it again. Right now I am doing a series of 3 Potenza treatments jury is still out… I have one more. I’ll let you know. The purse is lovely.
Do keep us posted Cristi
I had the fraxel several years ago. I had a lot of pain and swelling that lasted for days. Didn’t expect that. Was left with smooth skin but not worth the suffering. I hope yours is much better than mine. I will be waiting to hear how yours turns out.
Good luck!
Hooray for you, Jennifer, for finally going for the Fraxel!! When all is said and done and you are healed, the only thing you will say is, “Why did I wait so long!” Don’t be anxious because they do a numbing cream before the actual treatment, so all you actually feel is like a rubber band snapping against your skin. Kudos for being brave and moving forward with this!! Hugs, girlfriend!
Thanks!
OK, that pic of you looking at the price tag was just priceless (pun intended)… cracked me up. The scarves on the alartsilk website are soooo beautiful. I hardly require another scarf, but one of those may have to find a home here! Love the huggie earrings….they are really versatile and beautiful….just a little sparkle for the day. Guasha for the win….i used mine to get rid of the Frankenstein sized scar on my forehead from mohs surgery…..never thought of it for jaw clench but thanks for the tip!
lol, I didn’t know she was snapping that picture 🙂
I love your wit, your fabulous sense of humor. What a delight to start the day with a smile and a laugh!
I love your posts!
Happy Monday Linda!
Good Morning 🙂
You mentioned your shoulder was making new sounds… my new shoulder sounds developed into pain and I was advised to eliminate any over the head exercises which aggravated my shoulder, which worked, and the pain subsided. I just found other exercises instead, with similar benefits on the ol’ arms!
Knitting… I took an immersive class several years ago (several lessons on the basics) and I surprisingly loved the cable knit process. I think I was amazed by what one does to get the cable pattern. You are a far more advanced knitter than I ever became so perhaps I missed out on the challenge by limiting it to my scarf. I needlepoint so I understand how a seemingly simple craft can be stressful! Good luck and show us pics!
I love doing needlepoint too!
I had BBL 2 years ago and somehow it caused vertigo in me for about 8 months afterward. It was bad!
Oh wow, that’s disturbing! I’m so sorry you had that. Did they cover your eyes when you had the procedure?
I learn so much from your blog! I had never heard of a Gua Sha, but I am now enlightened. I have never had any of the facial treatments that you’re speaking of, but I’m not against the idea, and I applaud women who do them. Regarding jewelry, please everyone, don’t sleep in your earrings! I slept for years in diamond studs and now the hole in my left year is ginormous! I have to use very large backs to keep them in place on my ear, and I can’t wear dangling earrings at all. I think the procedure to repair the hole is long and tedious, so I haven’t done it. My one piece of jewelry that I tend to wear most days in a necklace with interlocking circles, each with a name of one of my grandsons. My favorite piece!
I have a pair of Brighton earring that my husband bought me a couple of years ago and I wear them everyday. They are small gold hoops with tiny cubic zirconia stones in them. They add a lot of polish without looking too overdone.
There are so many things in this post that I have never heard of but it’s super interesting. I don’t know about Gua sha but I do know about jaw clenching. I have to wear a mouth guard that was made for me and believe me when I don’t wear it I can sure tell. I think all these skin treatments are fascinating and I’m going to talk to my dermatologist on my next visit. My everyday earrings are a pair of pearl studs that my mom gave me for 8th grade graduation. Also a pair of diamond studs my deceased husband gave me for Christmas. I cherish these earrings. Keep us posted on your knitting project 😊
I wear a nightguard too but I just clench down on it which is the problem apparently.
Hi Jennifer,
I am scheduled for a halo treatment which is very similar to fraxel. I’ve never had anything like this before, so I am nervous about the treatment and downtime. I’ve had four skin cancers on my face – three basal and one squamous. I’ve been fortunate that the doctors who performed the closures did a very good job. Three of the cancers were on my nose! I had some real downtime after those procedures.
Good luck with your fraxel treatment. I’ll be interested to hear what you think about it.
Good luck with your Halo…I will be Googling it to find out more
In June, I had a FX laser treatment. I’ve reacted badly. It took me about ten days to recover I had to go back to the doctor for some creams to help me heal. After all that suffering, I can’t say I noticed much difference.
I hope you have a better outcome. I’m anxious to hear about your experience.
Oh no! I’m sorry
Stay with the weight training, you will love how you feel, after a while. I returned to the gyn 2 years ago, found the treadmill and standard machines boring. I started lifting free weights about 18 months ago and love it, it’s a sense of accomplishment when you are done, and when you get to increase the weight lifted. Have a blessed week!