topic Re: ComPact 2018 – Maintainable May in Beauty

ComPact 2018 – Maintainable May

just bee — Tue, 01 May 2018 09:59:17 GMT

The ComPact is a commitment to simplify, pare down, streamline. It began as a way to gain some control over our collections of beauty products. Why were we amassing so much, yet not using what we were buying? Why were we always searching for the next new product? Why couldn't we just find what worked for us and stick with it?

The ComPact, however, is not restricted to beauty items. If you have a collection you want to address, do it here. Choose an area you want to work on, and track your progress on the ComPact thread. Members will offer tips and encouragement.

Choose one of our many mantras (“One by one until they’re done!” “We are SPAHHHRRRTAN!!!” “Not until you really have to.” “Buy less, choose well, make it last.” “Resist the propaganda.” "If it's high, I don't buy!" “When in doubt, do without!” “Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.” "Only the store, online no more!" “Shoplighters of the World Unite!”) or create a new one and share it. Target items each month to toss, donate, or use, and post your “chopping block” -- or “hit list.” Post temptations, post victories.

They say it takes 30 days for something to become a habit: Let's see if taking the ComPact one month at a time works for you.

Join us.

Re: ComPact 2018 – Maintainable May

just bee — Tue, 01 May 2018 10:10:59 GMT

Hey, all you HEPcats and HEPdogs! We had discussed making the Healthy Eating thread a monthly jam session, so I just went ahead and did a little improvisation.

This is an invite to our crazy crib where you can come and break it down! I say we go 18 karat on this and really swing. If healthy eating’s not your bag, no problem. But if it is, I dig.

It’s cool, I’m booted, let’s jump!

Re: ComPact 2018 – Maintainable May

geezerette — Tue, 01 May 2018 12:11:05 GMT

Somebody is up early today. ☀️🙂

Maintainable. I like it. It’s suitable. I hope I can maintain May.🤞

Re: ComPact 2018 – Maintainable May

just bee — Tue, 01 May 2018 12:47:36 GMT

@geezerette wrote:
Somebody is up early today. ☀️🙂

Maintainable. I like it. It’s suitable. I hope I can maintain May.🤞

@geezerette

I decided Minimal May was irritating.

Oxford on the word "maintain":

1 Cause or enable (a condition or situation) to continue.

1.1 Keep (something) at the same level or rate.

1.2 Keep (a building, machine, or road) in good condition by checking or repairing it regularly.

2 Provide with necessities for life or existence.

2.1 Keep (a military unit) supplied with equipment and other requirements.

2.2 archaic Give one's support to; uphold.

3 [reporting verb] State something strongly to be the case; assert.

Origin

Middle English (also in the sense ‘practice an action habitually’): from Old French maintenir, from Latin manu tenere ‘hold in the hand’.

I think it's suitable, too.

Re: ComPact 2018 – Maintainable May

Oshare-girl — Thu, 03 May 2018 07:30:56 GMT

@just bee Maintainable May, love it! Totally appropriate. You have a way with words. I actually dusted off the ole dictionary and started going thru the "m". It was very difficult and I gave up. I am up for maintaining my progress in May. I hit pan on 4 eyeshadows this year and want to keep trying to hit pan on average of one per month.

I just updated my April use-it-up total. It was $146 worth of products used up. Of that, $53 worth were decluttered products, stuff that I didn't finish. My consumption is getting better. It's closer to using things up naturally, without forcing it. I continue to gain a better understanding of my preferences, however I take it with a grain of salt. While I may like a certain something about a product, I'm getting older and changing everyday. My body may not cooperate with my preferences.

@geezerette I'm a little concerned about you... I second trying the meds for a little while (maybe 3 months?) and see if they help. You can always stop taking them if nothing happens or you have a negative reaction. And yes, the marketing of "one and done" products is pure B.S. That's the last thing marketers want us to find. That would be the end of the world for them. But it really hooks the consumer.

@aprilskies I was watching a video by Becky Gillaspy about reducing menopause belly fat. I'm not quite there but I am gaining more fat in my abdomin so I need to do something NOW. Anyway, she talked about reducing sugars & refined foods (of course) and increasing fiber & good fat. She also mentioned fasting for 12 hours (time restricted eating, in her words). To stop eating 3 hours before bedtime, sleep, then have breakfast 12 hours after the fast began. It gives the body a chance to burn fat while I am sleeping due to the low blood sugar. I thought of you. It sounds like the intermittent fasting you mentioned. Are you still doing this? I just started this late last week and I see a slight change. I don't weigh myself but my fingers are less bloated in the morning and I can put my ring on easier. Even when I have a salty meal that would normally lead to bloating, my fingers are slimmer.

@just bee my dog has discriminating taste. He likes the honeycrisp apples better than the fujis.

Re: ComPact 2018 – Maintainable May

anin — Thu, 03 May 2018 08:24:27 GMT

i like it..

Re: ComPact 2018 – Maintainable May

just bee — Thu, 03 May 2018 15:32:16 GMT

@anin wrote:
i like it..

@anin

Re: ComPact 2018 – Maintainable May

just bee — Thu, 03 May 2018 15:42:44 GMT

@Oshare-girl wrote:
@just bee Maintainable May, love it! Totally appropriate. You have a way with words. I actually dusted off the ole dictionary and started going thru the "m". It was very difficult and I gave up. I am up for maintaining my progress in May. I hit pan on 4 eyeshadows this year and want to keep trying to hit pan on average of one per month.

I just updated my April use-it-up total. It was $146 worth of products used up. Of that, $53 worth were decluttered products, stuff that I didn't finish. My consumption is getting better. It's closer to using things up naturally, without forcing it. I continue to gain a better understanding of my preferences, however I take it with a grain of salt. While I may like a certain something about a product, I'm getting older and changing everyday. My body may not cooperate with my preferences.

@geezerette I'm a little concerned about you... I second trying the meds for a little while (maybe 3 months?) and see if they help. You can always stop taking them if nothing happens or you have a negative reaction. And yes, the marketing of "one and done" products is pure B.S. That's the last thing marketers want us to find. That would be the end of the world for them. But it really hooks the consumer.

@aprilskies I was watching a video by Becky Gillaspy about reducing menopause belly fat. I'm not quite there but I am gaining more fat in my abdomin so I need to do something NOW. Anyway, she talked about reducing sugars & refined foods (of course) and increasing fiber & good fat. She also mentioned fasting for 12 hours (time restricted eating, in her words). To stop eating 3 hours before bedtime, sleep, then have breakfast 12 hours after the fast began. It gives the body a chance to burn fat while I am sleeping due to the low blood sugar. I thought of you. It sounds like the intermittent fasting you mentioned. Are you still doing this? I just started this late last week and I see a slight change. I don't weigh myself but my fingers are less bloated in the morning and I can put my ring on easier. Even when I have a salty meal that would normally lead to bloating, my fingers are slimmer.

@just bee my dog has discriminating taste. He likes the honeycrisp apples better than the fujis.

@Oshare-girl

Sometimes I think the month label is a jinx for us, but hopefully "maintainable" is a broad enough term to work on some level.

Your dog has expensive taste!

Speaking of apples, I'm very happy with the Kanzi. Crisp, a liitle tart and not too sweet. A very nice crunch.

@geezerette

Any decisions or is this just more stress?

@aprilskies

Keep an eye on the sugar! If you're eating salads, read the dressing labels. Most of them are garbage and waaaaaaaay too sweet. Gak!

Re: ComPact 2018 – Maintainable May

Shanus — Thu, 03 May 2018 15:49:45 GMT

@just bee wrote:
@Oshare-girl wrote:
@just bee Maintainable May, love it! Totally appropriate. You have a way with words. I actually dusted off the ole dictionary and started going thru the "m". It was very difficult and I gave up. I am up for maintaining my progress in May. I hit pan on 4 eyeshadows this year and want to keep trying to hit pan on average of one per month.

I just updated my April use-it-up total. It was $146 worth of products used up. Of that, $53 worth were decluttered products, stuff that I didn't finish. My consumption is getting better. It's closer to using things up naturally, without forcing it. I continue to gain a better understanding of my preferences, however I take it with a grain of salt. While I may like a certain something about a product, I'm getting older and changing everyday. My body may not cooperate with my preferences.

@geezerette I'm a little concerned about you... I second trying the meds for a little while (maybe 3 months?) and see if they help. You can always stop taking them if nothing happens or you have a negative reaction. And yes, the marketing of "one and done" products is pure B.S. That's the last thing marketers want us to find. That would be the end of the world for them. But it really hooks the consumer.

@aprilskies I was watching a video by Becky Gillaspy about reducing menopause belly fat. I'm not quite there but I am gaining more fat in my abdomin so I need to do something NOW. Anyway, she talked about reducing sugars & refined foods (of course) and increasing fiber & good fat. She also mentioned fasting for 12 hours (time restricted eating, in her words). To stop eating 3 hours before bedtime, sleep, then have breakfast 12 hours after the fast began. It gives the body a chance to burn fat while I am sleeping due to the low blood sugar. I thought of you. It sounds like the intermittent fasting you mentioned. Are you still doing this? I just started this late last week and I see a slight change. I don't weigh myself but my fingers are less bloated in the morning and I can put my ring on easier. Even when I have a salty meal that would normally lead to bloating, my fingers are slimmer.

@just bee my dog has discriminating taste. He likes the honeycrisp apples better than the fujis.

@Oshare-girl

Sometimes I think the month label is a jinx for us, but hopefully "maintainable" is a broad enough term to work on some level.

Your dog has expensive taste!

Speaking of apples, I'm very happy with the Kanzi. Crisp, a liitle tart and not too sweet. A very nice crunch.

@geezerette

Any decisions or is this just more stress?

@aprilskies

Keep an eye on the sugar! If you're eating salads, read the dressing labels. Most of them are garbage and waaaaaaaay too sweet. Gak!

@just bee So easy to make your own dressing. Put oil, vinegar, good mustard, s&p in a small jar & shake!

Re: ComPact 2018 – Maintainable May

just bee — Thu, 03 May 2018 16:06:59 GMT

@Shanus wrote:
@just bee So easy to make your own dressing. Put oil, vinegar, good mustard, s&p in a small jar & shake!

@Shanus

Better-half has been making a killer pesto dressing. Mostly olive oil, white wine vinegar, pesto and lemon juice. Snacky!

Re: ComPact 2018 – Maintainable May

Shanus — Thu, 03 May 2018 16:24:54 GMT

@just bee wrote:
@Shanus wrote:
@just bee So easy to make your own dressing. Put oil, vinegar, good mustard, s&p in a small jar & shake!
@Shanus

Better-half has been making a killer pesto dressing. Mostly olive oil, white wine vinegar, pesto and lemon juice. Snacky!

@just bee Many variations...can do a raspberry vinegrette, too.... Perfect if you have a mini food processor.

Re: ComPact 2018 – Maintainable May

just bee — Fri, 04 May 2018 12:24:11 GMT

@Oshare-girl

First floods, now earthquakes and a volcano erupting. Why is Hawaii on the hit list?

Fun fact: We have volcanoes in Albuquerque but they're well-behaved.

Re: ComPact 2018 – Maintainable May

just bee — Fri, 04 May 2018 12:49:08 GMT

@geezerette

Didn't you say you had a refrigerator that required filters? We've been in this house since '95 and we are in MAINTAIN mode. Replacing things as they break. Our fridge is a Whirlpool side-by-side in white. Pretty basic but still going after all these years.

BH is looking for a replacement. Hard to find a white side-by-side that doesn't have water in the door. Water and ice at the touch of a button was once a dream of mine but now it's just something that will create more headaches.

BH thinks we'll be able to eliminate the Brita pitcher. How? I use that pitcher to fill my tea kettle and the dog's water bowl.

You mentioned the cost of filters. Another headache. I'm thinking of starting a thread on the home forum just to get a feeling for what fridges are working for people.

I really don't want water in the door. We have a sink. But BH is thinking about what's best in case we sell the house.

In short, May will be all about MAINTAINING my composure.

Re: ComPact 2018 – Maintainable May

geezerette — Fri, 04 May 2018 14:30:18 GMT

@Oshare-girl

I just saw the news about your volcano—now I’m worried about you!

I hope it hasn’t affected you. I imagine, though, it’s much like wildfires, in that even if you’re not directly affected you still have smoke (and, in your case, ash) to deal with. Take care.

Re: ComPact 2018 – Maintainable May

rnmom — Sat, 05 May 2018 11:29:44 GMT

Well, I definitely added to the stash this past week. I placed orders with Vitacost and Ulta. I wanted hairspray from Ulta so I ordered myself some treats for mother's day including a couple of new fragrance mists from Pacifica, 2 Tree Hut body butters, hand sanitizer and some Lottie London makeup. And I got 9 free samples to try. I actually wanted to try some of the free samples too because they are cleaner, cruelty free products so I'm looking forward to trying them out. I had a $40 gift card, so I justified the purchase of course. Plus at buy one get one 50% off it's so hard to resist.

At Vitacost I wanted to replace a couple of household items so I added a few beauty items in too, including an Andalou Naturals tinted SPF 30 that I've been wanting to try, an Alba pineapple scrub, and a Nature's Gate self tanner.

So, as the stash grew a bit this past week, it might be time to purge a couple of my older makeup items that I'm not loving, and I definitely need to keep working on using things up.

But I'm honestly kind of getting tired of worrying about how much is coming in vs. how much is going out. I've been keeping track for the last several years and I'm wondering why I'm wasting so much time obsessing about it. I need to just let some of it go and use the products that I like and ditch the things that I don't. I'm starting to think that life is just too short to be caught up in something so ridiculous. It kind of goes back to why justbee started this thread to begin with. Why are we amassing so much and not using and enjoying what we have? When something new comes in like this I immediately start feeling guilty and begin to think of what I can use up and get rid of to replace it, instead of just using and enjoying the items that I have. I need to let some of it go I think.

Re: ComPact 2018 – Maintainable May

just bee — Sat, 05 May 2018 12:57:27 GMT

@rnmom wrote:

But I'm honestly kind of getting tired of worrying about how much is coming in vs. how much is going out. I've been keeping track for the last several years and I'm wondering why I'm wasting so much time obsessing about it. I need to just let some of it go and use the products that I like and ditch the things that I don't. I'm starting to think that life is just too short to be caught up in something so ridiculous. It kind of goes back to why justbee started this thread to begin with. Why are we amassing so much and not using and enjoying what we have? When something new comes in like this I immediately start feeling guilty and begin to think of what I can use up and get rid of to replace it, instead of just using and enjoying the items that I have. I need to let some of it go I think.

@rnmom

It's exhausting, isn't it? That's why I'm so hesitant to bring anything new into the house. The mental gymnastics just isn't worth it.

Re: ComPact 2018 – Maintainable May

PAlady — Sat, 05 May 2018 15:03:13 GMT

rnmom - I did a a clean out of makeup, shampoo, lotions, hair stuff, etc a few years back. I did try to use up stuff that I was not wild about. One day I decided life was too short to use stuff I did not like so I threw out a bunch of it. I know, it was money wasted but, I felt so good about having a clean slate on that part. I started using products I liked and I felt good about it. I have caught myself recently buying more make up and hair products, so I am putting the brakes on that.

That all being said I now have to clean out clothes and purses. I used to clean them out and give them to a resale shop that took some of the profits and donated them to animal rescue organizations around here, but they recently closed. So now I have to find a new place to donate them.

I think (speaking for me only) I make my life too complicated with too much stuff and then trying to figure out what to do with the stuff. I am trying this year to get it cleaned out and not doing this again.

Sorry about the rambling ladies. Hope everyone has a great morning.

Re: ComPact 2018 – Maintainable May

KaySD — Sat, 05 May 2018 15:22:11 GMT

@rnmom, I agree--getting rid of the worry IS more the point than getting rid of the stuff!

Re: ComPact 2018 – Maintainable May

geezerette — Sat, 05 May 2018 19:03:43 GMT

@rnmom wrote:
Well, I definitely added to the stash this past week. I placed orders with Vitacost and Ulta. I wanted hairspray from Ulta so I ordered myself some treats for mother's day including a couple of new fragrance mists from Pacifica, 2 Tree Hut body butters, hand sanitizer and some Lottie London makeup. And I got 9 free samples to try. I actually wanted to try some of the free samples too because they are cleaner, cruelty free products so I'm looking forward to trying them out. I had a $40 gift card, so I justified the purchase of course. Plus at buy one get one 50% off it's so hard to resist.

At Vitacost I wanted to replace a couple of household items so I added a few beauty items in too, including an Andalou Naturals tinted SPF 30 that I've been wanting to try, an Alba pineapple scrub, and a Nature's Gate self tanner.

So, as the stash grew a bit this past week, it might be time to purge a couple of my older makeup items that I'm not loving, and I definitely need to keep working on using things up.

But I'm honestly kind of getting tired of worrying about how much is coming in vs. how much is going out. I've been keeping track for the last several years and I'm wondering why I'm wasting so much time obsessing about it. I need to just let some of it go and use the products that I like and ditch the things that I don't. I'm starting to think that life is just too short to be caught up in something so ridiculous. It kind of goes back to why justbee started this thread to begin with. Why are we amassing so much and not using and enjoying what we have? When something new comes in like this I immediately start feeling guilty and begin to think of what I can use up and get rid of to replace it, instead of just using and enjoying the items that I have. I need to let some of it go I think.

AMEN!

Re: ComPact 2018 – Maintainable May

geezerette — Sun, 06 May 2018 11:48:49 GMT

@just bee wrote:
@geezerette

Didn't you say you had a refrigerator that required filters? We've been in this house since '95 and we are in MAINTAIN mode. Replacing things as they break. Our fridge is a Whirlpool side-by-side in white. Pretty basic but still going after all these years.

BH is looking for a replacement. Hard to find a white side-by-side that doesn't have water in the door. Water and ice at the touch of a button was once a dream of mine but now it's just something that will create more headaches.

BH thinks we'll be able to eliminate the Brita pitcher. How? I use that pitcher to fill my tea kettle and the dog's water bowl.

You mentioned the cost of filters. Another headache. I'm thinking of starting a thread on the home forum just to get a feeling for what fridges are working for people.

I really don't want water in the door. We have a sink. But BH is thinking about what's best in case we sell the house.

In short, May will be all about MAINTAINING my composure.

@just bee

Yes, we have water in the freezer door and it requires a filter. And it’s a pain to change. It’s on the back wall of the frig so it’s awkward to get to. I haven’t had to change ours yet so I don’t know if I’ll even be able to do it myself. And the area where the water comes out get moldy and it’s very hard to clean all those little nooks and crannies. So how much healthier is it than drinking tap water? I was actually considering getting one of your Brita filters, but I have a stockpile of a half dozen frig filters that I might as well use.

I don’t know about how it works where you are, but most places that we’ve lived and have sold houses, all the appliances stay with the house except the refrigerator. Unless, of course, you just don’t want to bother taking it, or if the buyer requests it. We had one buyer request our refrigerator because it was a unique size that fit just right in the kitchen. So it may not make much difference what kind you have if you decide to sell.

I don’t know where you could even find a side-by-side without water in the door. The only ones I’ve seen with no water are with the small freezer on top, and even those are extremely rare. Of course, I don’t live in a place that has any competition so maybe your choices are better.