Five on the Fly # 12
A very un-sexy yet practical one coming at you
Before we get into the usual programming, I just want to take a moment and say a few things. It is hard to watch, read, and absorb the news; the feeling of hopelessness is omni-present. But so is the urge to stand up for humanity and fight - for our sake, for the sake of our children, for our neighbors, for our friends, and for strangers.
I am taking each day one at a time. I am doing what I can to support and what feels feasible at the moment. If you are a fellow millennial, it feels as though our lives are filled with too many unprecedented events. I don’t know what to say; nothing feels right, and nothing feels like enough. I feel a collective sense of sorrow, yet I also get up, go about my day, smile, and make small talk, acting as if everything is fine. In reality the dissonance is unbearable.
I will continue to keep this corner as a space it has always been for you and me. Read if it feels right for you, but I also understand if this isn’t what you need.
With that, here are 5 things I enjoyed in January:
1) Dieux Skin Mercy
I am an eczema sufferer. Stress = eczema, and right now with the current news, I don’t know who isn’t stressed—but my anxiety manifests heavily on my skin. The day I landed in Australia back in December, my skin broke out in a blend of rashes and eczema. It eventually subsided over the next 8–10 days while I managed with the skincare I had on hand, but I could still feel the residual effects. Once I got home, my skin still felt sore and sensitive, so this could not have come at a better time.
I love everything Dieux launches1, and I ordered this the day it hit the Sephora app. I have been using it religiously since to get my skin back to a good spot. The pigmentation from the rashes still lingers a little, but they are no longer active and much calmer. I use it daily after this serum and before this SPF. The texture is like... pudding? (And I mean that as a compliment). It’s not tacky or sticky, and it leaves the skin feeling supple without any greasiness. It’s also been incredibly soothing now that I’m back on the tret train post skin issues.
2) Sonni SunDay Mineral Serum SPF 50+
Speaking of SPF, I bought this new mineral one after seeing the IG ads. It’s always a total gamble to buy a new SPF, but I really wanted a mineral version (given my flare-ups) and I didn’t want it to be tinted. I’m finding color matching rather annoying lately; I would honestly rather have a white cast and press a drop or two of this into my skin to bring it back to normal than feel like my skin is suffocating under a tint, especially given how much SPF you actually need for proper coverage.
So far (a month in), I’m pretty happy. It plays well with my serum and moisturizer. It has a mild white cast, but I haphazardly rub in a couple of drops of skin tint to create a base that matches my skin tone. Works like a charm. If I’m not leaving the house, I don’t even bother with the tints because the cast eventually fades into my skin after about 20 minutes. I love the glass bottle and dropper application as it really lets me control the amount. So far, my hypersensitive skin is a fan.
3) 44ome*
My winter uniform is knitwear with jeans. My denim usually rotates between a straight leg (love a vintage 501 or my favorite Toteme) and a wide leg (the COH Ayla is the GOAT). But I love having more options for tops. I got two new knits from the new brand 44ome, and the quality is amazing. Most of the pieces I own are chunky, but these are a lighter knit while still being oversized. They are slotting into my rotation so well. The yak boyfriend cardigan especially is incredibly soft and looks great with different colored t-shirts underneath. I also love wool and cotton blend striped polo sweater, it’s got such an unusual neck that it creates a point of interest that I crave in my outfits. I also find the price point reasonable for the great quality.
4) The 2-Minute “Protein Soup”
This is going to sound strange, but hear me out. I know the new trend is all about “fiber maxing.” As a semi-vegan (I eat eggs on occasion), I’m good on that; I eat plenty of veggies and add psyllium husk to my morning drink. But I’m never quite sure if I’m getting enough protein.
Lately, I’ve started adding veggie broth powder and unflavored protein powder (this is my favorite) to hot water and drinking it as soup. Let me tell you: it works. I’ve been looking for a savory protein drink, and this is it. I can make it in less than two minutes (literally, not figuratively) and it feels healthy when I’m time-strapped.
5) Last Two Newsletters
Not to toot my own horn, but I was really happy with my last two newsletters, and it seems many of you were too! Sharing affiliate links for the things we love to shop is the name of the game, and I get it, I do it myself, and obviously, this newsletter includes links.
But sometimes buying more isn’t the answer. Sometimes it’s about being able to see what you already have clearly and finding new ways to wear it. I’m really happy those last two issues hit that note. I’ll keep sharing more as I aggregate ideas, and I would love to see you bring these style tips to life!
Here’s the deal: every newsletter takes me hours to write and edit. It’s a true labor of love and something I look forward to, even if it takes way more time (and tea ☕️🫖) than I care to admit. If you enjoy reading Brands and Bobs, I’d be so grateful for your support.
As a millennial your into hit so deep. Put a lot of how I feel into words. ❤️ So many things I’m excited to try!!
Your Skin Mercy review is the one I needed to hear! Must discuss IRL!