Monday Musings: On Wisdom, Barbie, Snails, and Ecco on Repeat
Happy Monday, ladies. I had to laugh at the title of this post because it sounds very bizarre, but these are the things I’m musing about this week, so here goes…
Snail Mucin
I ordered some highly touted sunscreen from Korea to try four weeks ago, and when it finally arrived, they’d included a small sample of their snail mucin product. BTW- I LOVE this sunscreen and want to order it by the gallon!
That ingredient has crossed my radar several times in the last few weeks, and I’ve been both grossed out and curious. It’s been a popular ingredient in South Korean beauty products for years.
Snail mucin is said to be beneficial for your skin due to its hydration, skin repair, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant effects, collagen promotion, and nourishing nutrients. The mucin is usually collected from ordinary, garden-variety snails, processed, and purified to create a cosmetic ingredient. Snails are not harmed in the process, so I suppose you could call it cruelty-free. I don’t eat snails, and they sort of creep me out, so I’m not sure I want to put it on my face. What do you think? Have you heard about or tried adding snail mucin products to your skincare?
Comfy Feet
Perhaps it’s the amount of walking I’ve been doing or the extra weight I’ve been carrying, but my feet are less than happy these days. I noticed some Ecco Sandals marked down and wondered if they would be as comfy as my Ecco sneakers.
They have a very cushiony sole, arch support, and velcro securely to my ankle, so I don’t have to grip my toes to keep them on. I find nude shoes much more user-friendly than any other color because they coordinate with everything. So rather than buy the discounted color, I ended up ordering the grey rose metallic shade and love them! They do come in several other colors, which I may need to consider.
This outfit may appear too covered up for the climate many of you are living in, but this lightweight linen jacket is perfect near the coast. My necklace is a new favorite that I find myself reaching for often. It’s by this designer that I found at a tiny boutique in Parksville.
Barbie Mania
Perhaps it’s my age, but the media coverage and excitement over the new Barbie movie are leaving me cold. I never played with Barbie as a child and consequently didn’t buy them for my daughter to play with. I know that Barbie is the most popular fashion doll ever produced, but I don’t care. You can read more about the doll here.
I always see pink on clothing racks, but it seems to have gone into overdrive lately as a result of the hype and buzz about this movie. I know nothing about the particulars of this new show and have no interest in seeing it. The “most anticipated” movie of the summer is not on my radar, and I’m wondering what you think.
Wisdom Years
I downloaded this audible book over the weekend and am finding it very thought-provoking. The older I get, the more interested I become in doing all I can to age in the healthiest way possible.
I haven’t read Cheryl Richardson in many, many years, and apparently, this is quite a departure from her usual teaching books. I’m only about an hour into it, so I can’t say more than that I like it so far. Have you read any great books on aging to suggest?
Thanks for reading, and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.
I’ve been CosRX Snail Mucin 96 for a couple of years. My normal to dry skin loves it. I even purchase the travel size so I always have it.
I have a Joseon Ginseng eye cream my under skin loves as well. BTW I’m 66 years old.
I had one Barbie as a kid she had short hair and was a brunette but, I had lots of paper doll Barbie’s. I loved those the most. I’m totally over Barbie so not, planning to see the movie.
I have a really old book A New You, The Art of Grooming by Emily Wilkens I found it in a second hand book shop in my mid twenties. Anyway, it has 10 little Yogas in it that I do daily plus I add weights for arms a few days a week, and the other days I do a little leg and core workout after my 10 little yogas. It keeps me limber.
I’ll have to check out those sandals. I hardly wear open toed anything anymore!
That book sounds amazing. Right up my alley. I’ll have to see if I can find a copy.
Thank you for sharing about the creams. I’ve not used an under eye cream for years but now I’m intrigued. I will try the Cosrx. I love that they’re cruelty free.
Ditto to your thoughts on the Barbie movie and all the pink, pink, pink….. I’m over it.
To each their own.
I do love pink but it’s feeling so over the top I think I will avoid it for now
I pick up pink when it comes out because it’s so trendy; I wear it a lot. It is one of my brand colors.
I’m with you on the whole Barbie “thing.” I didn’t have them as a child (I was into puzzles, Tinker Toys and books) so I’m not really interested in seeing the movie.
I recommend Dynamic Aging by Katy Bowman. It is about small, simple exercises for whole-body mobility. I have dug into her other books and listened to her podcast. I consistently do many of her exercises throughout the day. I am feeling more lithe and “well-oiled” than ever.
Thank you. It sounds wonderful. I’ll check her out!
I adored Barbie as a kid and will definitely see the movie with a friend my age and her daughters in their 20s. Should be lots of fun.
I loved my Barbies when I was a kid and at some point I plan to see the movie. The hype is over the top but it’s kind of fu kind of like themTaylor Swift hype. We need something fun!
A book on aging? Your reader wrote one, HOT GRANNY, published by Chronicle Books. If you want to see some of the basic tips about aging on national television, Google three words: Mel Walsh CBS. Though I am a gerontologist with an advanced degree from USC, the book is light-hearted and illustrated. You can find it on Amazon or just watch the short interview on the CBS Morning Show. Notice I forgot to change out of my red socks for an interview in front of six million people. Jennifer would have had her good socks on!
Mel Walsh at 87 years old
That’s amazing Mel! I’m checking you out!
Snail anything? Pass 😂The Barbie movie has nothing to do with playing with Barbie or Ken, but it does bring a message that, for many generations of women, is important and needs to be heard, in my opinion. Without any spoilers for the sake of those who wish to see the movie, America Ferrara and Rhea Perlman delivered two of the most meaningful monologues I’ve heard in quite some time. I thought the movie was made quite well, has nothing to do with male bashing, being a “bubble head,” has a pleasant soundtrack, good acting, and delivers some food for thought.
Good to know. Thanks for sharing Tere. I’m now curious.
I heard from some women-I-respect that the messages of the Barbie movie are wonderful; it was clever and worthwhile. I’d not planned to go but am now thinking to bring both my girls to it.
Agree. Pleasantly surprised by the message of the movie.
That’s good to hear. Thank you
I am 71 and my childhood name was “Barbie”. I spent many hours playing with Barbies as did my daughter and now my granddaughter. I know the movie has been overhyped but…. I can’t wait to see this week.
From reviews I have seen it is more a case study of our misogynistic society and what happens when “Barbie” enters the “Real” world.
*as a Canadian I cannot wait to see Ryan Gosling’s performance, apparently he steals the show.
Ryan Gosling is fabulous! He steals most of the shows I see him in.
Love your comments about the Barbie movie. I also didn’t have Barbie Dolls as a child and my daughter never had any interest in them. She was more interested in dressing up our pets and having “tea parties” with them.
Agreed. My poor cat wore everything from my baby doll clothing trunk.
Interesting post: and I have several comments. We will be going to Africa and I bought
ECCO sandals to wear and they are very supportive. I also have a pair of Orthofeet sandals and they are very comfortable all day long.
I saw Barbie yesterday. Very interesting movie and as one reviewer said Ryan Gosling
steals every scene he is in. None of the reviewers discussed that Barbie has nothing to do with the natural world; her journey to becoming human does not include birds,
mammals, the sky, the earth, the stars. (with apologies to all golfers: Barbieland reminded me of an Air B+B in a closed golf community: no birds etc). I realize it is a fantasy, but my fantasy of a journey to becoming human includes David Attenborough
footage!!
I bought a linen/polyester blend tank from Gap: very nice! “Linen-Blend Shell Tank Top”
Finally: just FYI; Covid cases are on the rise for the summer–suggest additional vaccines for those who aren’t vaccinated since last year. My husband and I just suffered through our first case.
Oh no! I’m sorry to hear you got it! It’s such a nasty bug. I never want to get it again!
I feel so validated, thank you. Today I turn 67 , so we are close in age, and you just said exactly what I have been thinking and feeling about the Barbie movie and all the pink. Rarely played with them as a child. Not interested now.
We’re about the same age (and I’m also Canadian born) so I’m sure you remember as little girls, the only dolls we had to play with were baby dolls. I was over the moon when I got my first and only Barbie. Finally! A doll that didn’t look like a baby. My daughter and now my granddaughters have all played with them and her many occupations show little girls that they can grow up to be anything. All that said, I have no interest in the movie either but the hype and pink everything is a lighthearted moment when there’s so much heaviness around us.
I suppose it is a great escape and life needs those.
Snail mucin is a NO for me also, Barbie movie is a NO for me as well. Oh well, something else will come along. I enjoy your blog.
Snail mucin? 🤔 No, I haven’t heard of it but am curious what others think. I find there is always one more product we are “told” to add to our beauty routine, so I am sceptical.
As to the Barbie movie – a big NO! It seems silly to see all these adult women dressing in bright pink and excited to see a Barbie movie. But, each to their own.
What is the name of the tiny boutique in Parksville? I’m just up the highway and would scoot down to have a look.
My daughter was just here from Ontario. I gave her four pairs of my shoes because I just can’t wear anything with a heel, even a small one. It frustrates me but my feet are telling me to be kind. I need to be sensible and replace with low heeled, cushy shoes. But, oh I love pretty shoes. 🥲
It’s called Coast & Cottage. Be sure you tell them I sent you. They’re lovely ladies!
Will do!
From a medical perspective Outlive by Dr Peter Attia is a great overview of the current knowledge regarding optimizing health span (different from lifespan). He also has multiple YouTubes on various subjects.
Yes, I love his book. Great one
Hello Jennifer, I can highly recommend a book called ‘The Age Well Project’. It was written by two British women (they also have a website of the same name which shares new information all the time) who met at the school gates years ago and who both had family histories of illness – one with a mother with Alzheimer’s, the other with a family history of breast cancer. They started researching ways of aging well and this book (and a later 6-week plan) is the result.
The book is full of useful information about things we can do to age well and healthily. There’s an emphasis on gut health (my husband and I started making our own sauerkraut, a tablespoon a day is supposed to be very good for you), but really it’s very comprehensive indeed about all areas of our health. I got my copy second hand through Amazon.
Thank you for the recommendation! I’ll see if I can find a copy.
My girlfriends and I went to see the Barbie movie this week. It was hilarious…we laughed throughout the whole movie. It’s definitely PG-13 with adult humor. I wouldn’t suggest taking young girls to see it. Yes, we wore pink!
Fun!
Good for you! Yes, I saw it too, wore pink, and thought it was such fun! Driven by suggestions from the Gen Zs in our family, we all did the “Barbenheimer” thing together….saw “Oppenheimer” first (which was excellent), then “Barbie”. It was a great family outing! And, as someone else mentioned, America Ferrara’s solo rant is one of the best descriptions of the no-win box that society has put women in. Great writing, Greta and Noah!
I saw it and loved it. I never had a Barbie however as the movie had great reviews I went. I went on my own as my husband wasn’t interested however a man who I guess was in his 30s sat a seat away from me. At the end we looked at each other and both said “well, that was fun!” I loved that men and women of all ages, young children and teens all went to see it. Great message and great fun. It felt good to laugh!
Thanks Nora. I think I may see it with a girlfriend.
I will pass on using snail anything. Yuck. As for Barbi, I never had one either and haven’t felt deprived because of it. Pink has never been my favorite color and doesn’t do me any favors if I wear it. What I have heard about the movie is it bashes men. I love my husband of almost 56 years and I have two sons and two grandsons so I would not spend money to see to see a movie that belittles men, or for that matter, anyone. I love Ecco shoes, I’ll have to check out the sandals.
I’m not a fan of bashing anyone in movies. I prefer to laugh or be inspired.
Down here in the very hot California desert the movie theatre is a great respite and that is what brought me to see Barbie. Like you I had no desire to see it. My 10 year old granddaughter was visiting and her mom, my daughter, gave her approval. We dressed in pink as did many of the others had and thoroughly enjoyed the movie. A little silly, a bit too loud, so so music but hearing America Ferrera’s monologue was worth the admission price. I am old enough to remember Barbie founder Ruth Handler portrayed by Rhea Pearlman and I knew women who worked for Mattel. My granddaughter, of course, did not really understand the message but it certainly gave us lots to discuss!
It sounds like a fun outing!
I did play with Barbie. I have 2 daughters that played with the doll until they were about 9 (one is now an M.D. and the other a PhD in Economics) and I now have a granddaughter who is turning 9 and loves fashion and sewing, but also loves Legos, sports and reading. That being said, I have zero interest in the movie after seeing the trailer. My opinion may be unpopular here, but I am tired of men being portrayed as morons or brutes. I adored my father who encouraged me to be successful and independent. I have a terrific husband, two wonderful brothers, and two sweet grandsons. There is nothing toxic about any of them.
You’re not alone in those thoughts Suzanne.