Monday Musings- What’s Sweet
Happy Monday ladies. Today I am musing about all things sweet and too sweet, for me. We all know that too much sugar isn’t good for us so when my husband’s blood sugar levels began creeping higher, we decided to remove sugar from our diet. I was a dedicated Tab drinker back in the day, but those chemical sweeteners like saccharin or aspartame make me nervous now, so we’ve been experimenting.
Sugar Alternatives
We started with simple stevia packets that I found stashed in the back of our pantry. It was almost impossible to determine how much to put into a cup of tea so it ended up either way too sweet which left a bitter taste or not sweet enough…probably why the box ended up stashed back there. My morning tea is rather sacrosanct to me so this was not going to work.
Then I bought organic steevia drops which are much easier to use. I also found these flavored liquids which are great for flavoring my Chia Pudding, smoothies, etc.
The problem is I wanted to use my grandmother’s sterling sugar bowl and spoon and if I gave sugar up for good, (not a bad idea), they would become unused relics gathering dust in my cupboard. I am firmly committed to using the ‘good stuff’ because if not now? When?
My brother had us bring him some Swerve to Mexico and once we tried, we knew it was a winner. It measures just like sugar and even carmelizes when baking so now it’s our new go-to sweetener.
Too Sweet?
Puffy and statement sleeves don’t seem to be going anywhere this spring. I don’t have a problem with the statement sleeve. In fact, I love when clothes make a dramatic statement. Puffy sleeves are so far from my style wheelhouse, I feel limited by how many I’m finding. Are they your style? Because if they are, I will search out and style them for you.
Blue Sweet Blue
Someone, somewhere said that women over 50 shouldn’t wear blue eye shadow. I sure hope it wasn’t me because I’m breaking that rule starting now. Blue eyeshadow is making a comeback and dominated NY Fashion week. I’ve been using neutral eyeshadows for so long, I forget what it’s like to wear color…and that’s a shame.
I’ve been on the hunt for some fun eyeshadows to experiment with and am thrilled to discover Morphe. I’d never heard of the brand until I wandered into Ulta to pick up my eyeliner. Morphe offers a complete lineup of cruelty-free makeup and artistry tools so I decided to refresh some of my brushes too and discovered the quality is great!
“Founded in 2008 among the artists and influencers of Los Angeles, Morphe earned its reputation for a bold approach to makeup that honors individuality and self-expression.”
So far, I’ve used the opening act, headliner, the sky’s the limit, celeb status, and self-azured. They are heavily pigmented so a little goes a long way and wow, are they fun! I’ll share some pictures once I get the hang of using colored eyeshadow again.
MORE FROM MORPHE
I seldom buy large palettes because I never use all the colors, (who does?). But this huge palette is just $20 so I felt I could risk it and so far love every color I’ve tried.
Do you wear colored eyeshadow?
Just a quick mention- any sweetener will raise your insulin levels, not just sugar. The “fake” ones will do it too. After years of having sweeteners in my coffee, I now drink it black. Wasn’t hard and I feel better!
LOVED the post about the eyeshadow kit. I, too, have been hungering for more dramatic eye color, even though all the beauty blogs say “No way is a 65+ woman advised to wear brightly colored eyeshadow. Stick to the neutrals.” I found a workaround. I stick with the eye shadow neutrals and line my eyes with the brightly colored pigments I’m craving (blue, azure, teal, etc, etc). I’m using soft eyeliner pencils (as opposed to liquid liner) in shades that complement my eye color. One of the suggestions when doing this is to “set” the eyeliner pigment by pressing/smudging similar colored eyeshadow into the eyeliner after it’s in place. But, of course, I had no brightly colored eyeshadows! All I had was neutrals! This eyeshadow pallette will allow me to do that without having a gazillion little eyeshadow compacts in my makeup kit. I’m getting it today.
Great suggestions. I’m experimenting with using this vibrant blue just on the outside of the lid too.
I had to let you know, Jennifer, that I love your grandmother’s silver sugar bowl and spoon. Just lovely. Keep using, and enjoying, them! I agree with you, life is too short to not use beautiful things. They add an elegance and grace to an ordinary day. As for puffed sleeves, I bought a blouse last summer that has slightly puffed sleeves and was surprised to find out that it made me feel pretty and more feminine than the tailored button ups I normally wear. I am not going to give those up either, but a little feminine touch here and there is welcome, especially for church or a dress-up event.
That’s lovely Debbie. A feminine touch is so nice
I never stopped wearing blue eye shadow but I apply just a hint of color so that palette would last me several lifetimes. Love those blues even though I have green eyes and usually wear sage/olive eye shadow.
I love ruffles and poofy sleeves but not with elastic at the wrist or anywhere else on my arm.
I’ve cut back on sugar so I don’t add any to my tea, but can’t seem to get used to my coffee without sugar. I need it in the morning to get me going!
Your story about the Stevia you found in the back of the pantry reminds me I need to clean my pantry as I know there are items in there that I have forgotten or that have long since expired. I am addicted to all things sweet, and every time I think I will end it, a holiday or special occasion comes around or a granddaughter is selling Girl Scout cookies, etc. etc.
I have a practical reason for saying no to puffy sleeves, and that is that sweaters and lightweight jackets just don’t fit well over them.
Love your musings and style experiments!
You are right, those puffy sleeves don’t fit under anything
Yes, I do wear colored eyeshadow on occasion. I like a lilac palette and I have some pink that I experiment with. It’s fun to try new ones. I’m considering the blue palette you’re showing. Hope you’ll be modeling some of the colors for us!
I will share pictures as I get the hand of them
The sweetener dilemma!! I gave up sugar in 1980 and have been wrestling with sugar alternatives since. We settled on monk fruit which is the least problem with tummy upset, but have real issues with the sugar alcohols. Have not tried Swerve yet.
Most keto snacks contain a problematic sweetener so I’m ready to give up on those and save a small fortune!
Puffy or dramatic sleeves don’t work for me with my size. 5’4” size 6. They overwhelm me but I think they are perfect on tall lean women. I keep my sleeves very streamlined.
I’ll be looking for that eyeshadow palette. Not sure I would use blue but who knows!?
Looking forward to seeing your blue eye shadow on you since you have blue eyes. I have brownish / hazel eyes and blue does not flatter my eyes. Taupe , golds, peach, soft brown, plum, look good on my color eyes.
I use stevia. I think the stevia is the most natural, and less processing than other sweetners. Drops work well so as not to get too sweet a dose.
I am not into those real big puffy sleeves, but I have two poet long sleeve cotton blouses with a slight fullness in the sleeves.
On the rare occasion I wear eyeshadow, it’s greens and browns. My eyes are green-forward hazel, and I don’t like the blue shadow because I think it clashes. I only wear shadow if I’m going all out for a special event.
Agree with Paulette on eyeshadow colors. Neutrals and mauves work best. Do try the greens occasionally. No on puff sleeves just not my style, more a tailored classic person.
In my quest to limit sugar intake, and recommended by others sweeten some of my teas with local honey, as it helps my allergies. Also use maple syrup with stronger black teas and cream, actually oat milk. Lol. When baking agree cut by 1/3 or 1/2 and use raw cane sugar or honey, pumpkin or applesauce depending on recipe. But as down to one don’t bake that often unless having guests.
I like a bit of “sweet” a few ruffles, a not overdone puffed sleeve. But, with statement sleeves I can’t wear a jacket or sweater… so your stuck with just the top on its own. Don’t get that? Also, if you are eating , well- just be careful!
Would love to see some of the eye shadow colors you have tried.
I’ve never worn puffy sleeves as they don’t seem to be my style — I’ve never tried them so I don’t know for sure, though.
A few years ago I started experimenting with different eye shadow colors. I like using a liner brush and lining with blues, greens or purples. Makes my eyes stand out a little more behind my glasses.
I don’t think there are any “rules” regarding eye shadow anymore. I’ve noticed very colorful eye makeup on tv and in print. I have very dark eye sockets. I started wearing the highlighter color from palettes as my lid color. It seems to brighten my face.
I’m a no with most gimmicky sleeves. They don’t layer smoothly.