Friday Thoughts
Almost two months since my last Friday Thoughts post? Say it isn’t so! Ha. Actually you probably didn’t notice, but I did! I’ve been storing up all these weird but necessary thoughts to share with you.
Today it’s somewhat light-hearted and random, but these are the thoughts burning a hole in my brain (and in my Evernote app which is where I jot them down when they come to me at 3 a.m.).
1) Mascara Thoughts: not earth-shattering, I know, but I have strong opinions on mascara. I’ve used L’Oreal Voluminous Waterproof (color: black) mascara forever. Forever, forever. Recently I decided to live on the edge and try L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise aff. link (always waterproof, always), and, well, I love it. Very much.
But the most amazing part? Using the lash paradise for the first coat and then my much-loved voluminous for a couple top coats is pure magic. I don’t use any type of lash boosters or serums, and my eyelashes are very average, but I’m telling you, this combo is pretty awesome. Favorite mascara? Spill it!
2) Podcast Thoughts: I’ve talked about several of my favorite podcasts before in my newsletter, but the last couple months I’ve been obsessed with Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History. Not only is his voice kind of mesmerizing, but the content is fascinating. FASCINATING. I listen to it while I exercise in the mornings (and sometimes while I clean my house), and I often find myself just standing there (take that, lunges!) because I’m so caught up in the story. The civil rights episodes in season 2 are eye opening to say the least, and I loved the “McDonald’s Broke My Heart” one, too. My advice? Make sure you have a friend who listens, too, so you can talk about it! Share any of your favorite podcasts below – I’m always looking for good recommendations!
3) Summer Thoughts: After this post on summer schedules, I’m happy to report that halfway in, summer is going pretty well. We had close to two weeks of travel/family reunions thrown in so far, but the daily jobs vs weekly jobs system is running pretty smoothly! The older boys started their flag selling business and are working their teenager buns off selling them door-to-door, at farmer’s markets and online.
My kids, of course, wish they were doing this every day, but no such luck.
We’ve had some ups and downs (and waaaay too many late nights for everyone – thanks a lot World Cup and American Ninja Warrior), but I think I like this system.
We’ve been really busy on our property setting up watering systems for fruit trees and raspberries, raising baby chicks and introducing them to our existing flock, keeping all the other animals fed, and spending time working on some inside/life skills (cooking, teaching my 8-year old how to sew a pillowcase at his request, mini entrepreneur plans, and increasing typing speed, to name a few!)…and I feel like summer is flying by! How are your summer schedules going???
4) Honey Slip Thoughts: I needed some serious help for a see-through dress situation (so pretty but even with the lining, it is eye-poppingly see through) and remembered my friend, Corinne, recommending the honey slip. After ordering, wearing, and crying from happiness, my main thought is: why haven’t I ordered one of these before now?
Not only did it solve my too-old-to-show-undies dress problem, but I have a feeling it’s going to become a staple of my Sunday under-wardrobe. Comfy, simple, and kind of a lifesaver.
5) Cookie Thoughts: I know you’ll probably roll your eyes thinking I’m dramatic, but I legit made some of the best cookies of my life last month. And then I made them again and again. And I took them to a family reunion and made my friends eat them, and the consensus is: life changing cookies are coming to this blog SOON. Here’s the dilemma. I already have a fantastically delicious and easy pie recipe typed up and scheduled to be posted Monday. How badly do you want this cookie recipe? lmk and I’ll see what I can do. 🙂
Later, skaters! Thanks for being here.
And as always, tell me all your OWN thoughts below. I love them. Each and every one.
Just a thought- post the cookie recipe today then you can stick with your originally planned recipe for Monday. Ummm just a thought.
Haha, I wish! I don’t have time today, but I promise it’s coming Monday!
We NEED thcookies! Give us ALL of the cookies!!! YUMMY
You can’t leave us hanging with a life changing cookie recipe!!! Cookies make the world go round!
Yes!
Monday, I promise!
I really need your cookie recipe…like really need it. Is that too dramatic? I just finished a no-sugar week and need a pick me up! Haha!
haha, yes, these would totally be the perfect ending to a no-sugar week. 🙂
For mascara- I loveeeeeee Benefit’s Rollerlash! Love. And I even have weird eyelash issues. I love the tubes brand new and I even love it as it dries out. I love it all the time. Ulta offers it 1/2 off twice a year so I stock up!
For podcasts-anything Enneagram, but mainly Typology with Ian Crohn. Can’t stop won’t stop. Also Jen Hatmaker’s For the Love!
For summer thoughts-I’m 8 months pregnant in the Oklahoma 100+ degree heat and I hate everything. Send prayers, good vibes/cool down ideas, and maybe more ice cream. I’ll always take Jeni’s.
For recipes, yes to both? Because, again, 8 months pregnant. 🙂
Thanks for the mascara tip, Kayla! And the podcasts! And oh my, you can do this summer + pregnancy thing! Hang in there!
We definitely need the best cookie recipe of your life! Your recipes are always the best! We had Bean Curry with Naan bread last night. My teenage boys know to go to your blog for recipes! Love it!
Thanks, Jenni!
Mmmmmm Cookies!
So, about the mascara . . . I’ve always avoided waterproof, much to difficult to remove. What do you use to take it off? maybe I’ll try it.
I use the makeup wipes – I prefer the Neutrogena ones but right now I’m using the Kirkland brand (Costco)
Nothing like a serious hot flash in the middle of summer to make any mascara just slide down your face. Voila! No remover needed!
Try baby oil on a cotton ball! Works like a charm for every waterproof mascara I’ve thrown at it! Cheap, gentle on your eyes, and really works! Wipe it clean afterwards with a wet cloth or a dry tissue.
I’m a Mary Kay girl so no selling plug, but their makeup remover is bomb. Even gets those temp tattoos off the kids and old glue from bandages, etc.
Cookie recipe, please! I’ve lost my touch with my own!
Waiting for the cookie recipes!!!
Please send me your fantastic cookie recipe!
I really want that cookie recipe!
I want that cookie recipe ASAP!
Hello – yes – did you hear me yet? I NEED the cookie recipe…..and I love your site! 🙂
Haha, Monday!
Bring on the cookies!!!! And the pie!!!
I also love Lash Paradise. I love trying different mascaras and this is one of my faves. The only one I probably liked as much was Lancome Hypnose Drama, but I bought that with a gift card and probably wouldn’t spend real money on it given its much higher price. I now saw Lash Paradise in a three-pack at Costco…cheaper and convenient….WIN WIN!!
Happy Weekend!!
Thanks for the recommendations! And yay for Costco!
I’m loving the podcast: “a Bit a Whit” right now.
Thanks!
I’m ALWAYS up for a new cookie recipe. And congratulations on the Jennifer Garner shout out – so cool, and totally deserved! My favorite podcast is Stuff You Should Know, but I just baaaarely got into podcasts, so I’m excited to read all the recommendations in the comments! Oh, and I’m also a dedicated L’oreal mascara fan – it’s so good!
Haha, I know, I kind of fell over when my sis-in-law texted me this morning and told me about that Jennifer Garner post.
I find this site to be excellent in its transparency about privacy, advertising, and affiliate links. To me Mel is awesomely honest and responsive to her readers. I love the food posts, but also love the family snapshots, friday thoughts, gift guides, and other thoughtful, useful, and heartfelt content Mel creates. Unlike other sites, I never feel duped into reading an ad masquerading as content. Thank you, Mel!
The information about privacy policies is easy to find and read: click on the About link at the top of the site, then scroll to the Contact section where Mel provides a link to her policies. Or copy and paste:
https://www.melskitchencafe.com/privacy-policy/
I love Friday Thoughts! Mascara is a hot topic for me. I’m blessed with super long eyelashes but, oddly enough, that makes it hard to find mascara that works well because it’s made for short lashes! Haha. I have tried a ton, and the current favorite is Tarte’s Tarteist “lash paint”. It’s amazing. Pricey, but Ulta often has sales and it’s worth it.
Podcasts are tough– I horde lists of ones to listen to but I hardly ever make it work in my schedule. I need to start doing it during my workout, that is a good call. I love This American Life, More Perfect, and Amicus. I’m a lawyer and the legal themes are my jam.
Btw, my parents gifted me two King Arthur Flour cookbooks, the baking companion and the cookie companion, and they are sooooo great. I wonder if you have those?
Thanks for all the recommendations, Megan!! And yes, I have both of those KAF books. They are really good, although the cookie companion has several typos (I think they have a list on their website of corrections)
I think I need any recipe you say is the best!! And cookies are my favorite treat so yes please pretty please share!!
Monday!
COOKIES over pie any day!
It’s already been mentioned but I have to say I think everyone should listen to BETTER THAN HAPPY by Jody Moore. It’s life changing to simply change your thoughts!
Adding that to my to-listen list!
Cookie recipe for sure!! Love hearing your thoughts ….
Pie Schmie – we want cookies!!!!
Cookie recipe please!!!
We have girl’s camp coming, I want it BAD!
Cookie recipe please!!!
And my favorite podcasts are ‘How I Built This’ by Guy Raz (also fascinating stories) and ‘The Big Boo Cast’ with Sophie Hudson and Melanie Shankle (makes me laugh out loud every single time!!!).
I’ve been searching for a mascara I love, so I’ll be trying yours and any other suggestions! Haven’t found my hearts desire yet.
Thanks for the recommendations, Joni!
I’m much more loyal to my eye makeup remover (the ever-popular Almay) than I am to my mascara. I’m curious about which remover you use since you mentioned your mascara is always water-proof. Re summer schedules: you also mentioned a while back that your older kids are slowly transitioning to full-time summer jobs. What are your plans for family vacations once that happens? We had a difficult time when our oldest made summer commitments to his employers leaving us unable to plan a week away with him during the summer. (We live by the lake and mountains so don’t feel too sorry for us!!)
I used to use Almay! And then I discovered makeup wipes and I’ve been converted. I use the Kirkland brand (Costco) but I like the Neutrogena ones slightly better. As for the family vacations…that’s a great question! I honestly don’t know. I think I’ve filed that away in the cross that bridge when we come to it department. Right now the kids have been doing their own mini entrepreneur-type businesses, but if/when they start working for an employer, we’ll definitely need to think about that!
Will look into those makeup wipes….thanks! Somehow we’ve still managed family vacations even with work, college, etc.!:)
Just had to reply about the eye makeup remover. I used to use Almay as well until I read about an even better, and inexpensive trick: baby oil. Just dab the baby oil on a cotton ball and gently rub over your eye. Takes off every waterproof mascara out there, which sometimes my Almay didn’t. After doing that, I wet a soft terry cloth (like the makeup eraser, meant for face washing) and wipe off my foundation and then wipe my eyes clean of any baby oil residue. Simplest, least expensive nightly routine I’ve ever had and my skin has been better than ever! 🙂
Thanks for the tip Jana!
Cookie recipe please! I’ll take a good cookie recipe any day over a pie recipe.
I thought this blog was about food. Why are you sneaking mascara ads in on us? I hesitate now to post this because you need my name and email. Do you share that info, too?
I find this site to be excellent in its transparency about privacy, advertising, and affiliate links. To me Mel is awesomely honest and responsive to her readers. I love the food posts, but also love the family snapshots, friday thoughts, gift guides, and other thoughtful, useful, and heartfelt content Mel creates. Unlike other sites, I never feel duped into reading an ad masquerading as content. Thank you, Mel!
The information about privacy policies is easy to find and read: click on the About link at the top of the site, then scroll to the Contact section where Mel provides a link to her policies. Or copy and paste:
https://www.melskitchencafe.com/privacy-policy/
Thank you, Tina. 🙂
Hey Laurel, I only included a link in the post for the mascara I love, but if you are seeing mascara ads, it is probably related to internet “cookies” that use information related to websites you’ve looked at online. Many websites store these types of cookies (you can read more about it in my privacy policy: https://www.melskitchencafe.com/privacy-policy/) but I assure you I’m not sharing any of your information with 3rd parties. I promise to always be forthcoming about the products I share (whether they are affiliate links or not) and give appropriate and sometimes in-your-face disclaimers so my readers know what I’m all about. Sorry if you felt frustration over this!
Laurel Gaskill, If you are referring to seeing actual mascara ads (vs referring to Mel’s section as being an ad), then your browser has picked up that you clicked through and/or looked/shopped online for mascara. Maybe by accident, but that is how all browser ads work. For example, I have a puppy and consequently have purchased many puppy items lately so I see a LOT of ads for puppy products and companies that sell puppy products.
One way to clear ads, particularly if you looked at something you’d rather not see ads for … for example, after buying a bra online I got all kinds of bra ads and I really did not want to see bras all over my pages… anyway, clearing your browser cache will reset ads that result from your history. If you don’t know how to do that search on “clear browser cache for” adding on whichever browser you use.
*** and what Tina said 🙂
COOKIES!!COOKIES!!COOKIES!!!
Very very badly!! And the sooner the better!!
I love everything about this post! Invisibilia is a favorite podcast of mine- also nutrition redefined is a new one I just started listening to!
Cookies please!! My family loves every recipe I make of yours, I’m sure this will not disappoint!
Oh yes, both of those are great!
Um, I want the cookie recipe very badly. Like yesterday. 🙂
Haha. Monday, friend, Monday!
Cookie recipe pleeeeeeeease…. sorry to whine, but I just can’t have enough cookie recipes in my life. Nuff said. ❤️
🙂
Cookie recipe stat!!! I’m guessing it’s a life changer so we need is ASAP! Thanks for all your great recipes and wonderful content in general.
I hope I haven’t oversold it! That’s the worst. I promise its amazing, though.
Can’t wait for the new cookie recipe! Any podcasts your boys like? And what program do you use to increase typing speed for the kids?!? Thanks!
We’ve just been using typing.com and nitro type (they love that one). My younger boys love story pirates and wow in the world podcasts. I haven’t found any yet to really grab my older boys attention.
My daughter, who is 11, really loved the podcast series “ The unexplainable disappearance of Mars Patel”.;she and her friend were riveted by the story!
Hi Mel ~ I have been looking to find the podcasts that you had recommended a while back. When I click on the link it just sends me to sign up for your newsletter. I am signed up and went back through your news letter and I cant find them. Do you mind relisting them!? Thank you!!!
I think I recommended these:
Freakonomics Radio
Wow in the World (kids)
Circle Round (kids)
Women with Fire
Extraordinary Moms
My favorite mascara is this! It’s amazing!
https://www.walmart.com/ip/L-Oreal-Paris-Double-Extend-Beauty-Tubes-Lengthening-Mascara/11965341?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=2554&adid=22222222228009537789&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=53411625872&wl4=pla-111811494512&wl5=9030164&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=11965341&wl13=2554&veh=sem
And what color honey slip did you get?
Thanks for the link! I bought the nude color.
Favorite podcasts night now: Happier by Gretchen Rubin and Liz Craft. Gretchen is a brilliant writer and thinker. I love the friendly and truly helpful banter between these two sisters!
Other favorite: Better than Happy with Jody Moore. Wow—talk about insightful. I loved reading Malcolm Gladwells books. Thanks for the recommendation on his podcast!
LDS General Conference, and BYU Speeches also get added to my listening rotation.
Final thought, I used to listen to my podcasts through the Podcast app on my iPhone. I hated how last year’s update has made it difficult to queue playlists. I’m trying out the Overcast app right now. I like how I can create playlists— but the verdict is still out on functionality.. Does anyone else have a favorite app for podcasts?
I don’t have an iPhone, so not sure if it’s available. But my favorite podcast app is Pocketcasts. It just works. I can queue manually, or have it set to auto download and queue. I can change the behavior of each podcast individually. So, some never delete, some, like the news, always delete, and some in between.
Thanks, Courtney for the recommendation. I am going to give it a try!
That’s a great question, Melanie. I just use the Podcast built-in app on the iPhone but I agree it’s not great. Thanks for the other recommendations!
I want his recipe sooooo badly! Please send me it today! I am in Kentucky with me sister and she wants me to make it for her before she leaves today!
Thanks
Man, everyone is going to hate me! It’ll be posted Monday!
I really really really want an amazing new cookie recipe. I love pie. I love pie a lot. But it’s just a little less flexible than cookies. Even with the crazy heat, I would be willing to turn on my oven for a really good cookie recipe this weekend 🙂
Coming Monday!
Wait what!?!? Dont do this to us! Me. Need. Now.
🙂
Post both the recipes!! On a Monday we need two recipes!! 🙂
Then I think I need more than 24 hours in a day! Haha. 🙂 I promise to get them posted ASAP
Oh and my favorite podcast is The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey, and That Sounds Fun by Annie F Downs. Thanks!!!
Thank you!
I would love the cookie recipe AND the pie recipe next week if you an swing it because who doesn’t love cookies and pie??
Maybe it will be an all-sweets week here on MKC! Haha.
Cookies, cookies, cookies!! Please oh please!! At my house we live for your cookie recipes!!
I promise Monday!
Loved this post. Thanks for the mascara tips. I’ve never tried either of those, and now I’m curious. I love waterproof, but haven’t used it for a few years now, sometimes it can be a bugger to get off. What do you use? I’m not sure that a vote between cookies and pie is really a fair competition. Cookies are just such a “need you everyday” kind of thing. Like… today! They would be a great way to spend Friday the 13th. 🙂 Thanks for your thoughts and time. Such cute pictures of you and the kiddos!
Thanks, Bekah! I use the Kirkland brand (Costco) makeup wipes and that brand of waterproof mascara comes off really well!
Hi Mel ~ Happy Friday! Sounds like summer is going along nicely for you and your family.
I would LOVE the cookie recipe. They sure look yummy 🙂
Monday, Monday!
Cookies please!!!
May I first say how much I admire women who dress up and wear a slip. I can’t remember the last time I gave a slip a thought. I am a podcast lover for sure. Some of my favorites are The Ultimate Heath Podcast, Awesome Edtiquette, Oprah’s Super Soul and The Doctor’s Farmacy with Mark Hyman M.D. Thanks for all the new podcast recommendations. I highly recommend making the giant chocolate chip cookie recipe. The recipe is easy, quick and my family loved it.
Thanks for the podcast recommendations, Lynn!