Val! I SO appreciate the AHP fangirl-ing. When I read her essay on optimization I felt a flood of relief. I need to be reminded, daily it seems, that I can opt-out of dissatisfaction. Especially important because we spent a fortune on wallpaper two years ago and I already hate it. Her piece—and your reminders about self-kindness—help me accept my misguided orange walls; my spotty face. It’s all okay. It always was. Maybe dwelling in the sub-optimal is the WAY to peace.
Jun 6, 2023·edited Jun 6, 2023Liked by Valerie Monroe
-- Such a special post reminded me of this one quote I love the most -- "Beauty is power; a smile is its sword". / J. Ray. In my professional experience, I often realize the singular impact of both expressions. For me, they represent an impeccable contrast between minimalistic proportionality & awakening subtlety. The human soul is undoubtedly ignited by the nuances of vision, magnitude, transformation. Thank you, Val. Xo.
Always love your insights Val! I’ve always love makeup since my first Bonnie Bell kit in 7th grade. Flash forward 50 years and I still love makeup and want to look my best but I’m fully aware of my aging face. Trying to be kinder to my reflection! I did buy a kit with your discount . Looks simple ,basic and fun . Thanks for your insight as always- MJ
Fun, fab post, as always, Val! And thank you for the intro to AHP. Love her take on the “optimization sinkhole!”
Made me think of a recent visit with friends who had just replaced their 30-year-old fridge, which had recently died of natural causes, with a sleek, upscale (and yes, pricey) state-of-the-art model.
As I marveled over all the fabulous features (and the most organized shelves I’ve ever seen), I noticed that there was a single refrigerator magnet on the door, about waist height. My friend saw that I noticed it and said that on the same day that the fridge was installed, they had a kitchen mishap that resulted in a dent in the shiny new fridge door. Unfixable. Hence the strategically placed magnet.
I think that if I had been in her shoes I would have been in tears. Not inconsolable but still upset.
As she told her story, my friend acknowledged being initially upset, then simply waved her hand and said, “But you know, this is a home, not a museum.” I have a very wise friend. She likes to optimize but refuses to sink.
I loved the post but I also felt there was a very mixed message. From you: Here are some ideas for makeup, probably more than you need, certainly more than I (Val) would use, and here's a discount. Great. Then, I clicked on the link for the kit and was BOMBARDED with "buy more stuff" messages. Maybe you should get this brush! Look, it's on sale! After you add stuff to the cart, it's "how about this other product? don't you want that too?" and then, after I did NOT finish checking out, I got emails - "Hey, you left stuff behind! Here's another discount!" - it was relentless and I fear I will be barraged by them from now on. I get that it's on me to decide whether to click in the first place, or add the suggested items, or buy (which I'm ashamed to say I finally did), but the level of upsell was really excessive compared to other shopping sites. QUITE contrary to the moderate tone of your post.
Based on your recommendation, I'm using the Baked and Brightened makeup and am liking it. I like the ease of using a "powder" foundation without it looking like a powder mask. My fave concealer is from Glossier and use it sometimes on its own for touch-up and no makeup (but with sunscreen) days. Then I always use boy brow from Glossier (or whatever I can find) and Lanolips for a clear lip gloss (it's just lanolin in a cute tube). This is a long way from my college days of fuschia lipstick and heavier foundation even to play intramural volleyball. Glad to be past those days...
Val! I SO appreciate the AHP fangirl-ing. When I read her essay on optimization I felt a flood of relief. I need to be reminded, daily it seems, that I can opt-out of dissatisfaction. Especially important because we spent a fortune on wallpaper two years ago and I already hate it. Her piece—and your reminders about self-kindness—help me accept my misguided orange walls; my spotty face. It’s all okay. It always was. Maybe dwelling in the sub-optimal is the WAY to peace.
I thought seriously about getting the kit from geller then realized I’d get more value from upgrading to paid with you.
-- Such a special post reminded me of this one quote I love the most -- "Beauty is power; a smile is its sword". / J. Ray. In my professional experience, I often realize the singular impact of both expressions. For me, they represent an impeccable contrast between minimalistic proportionality & awakening subtlety. The human soul is undoubtedly ignited by the nuances of vision, magnitude, transformation. Thank you, Val. Xo.
Always love your insights Val! I’ve always love makeup since my first Bonnie Bell kit in 7th grade. Flash forward 50 years and I still love makeup and want to look my best but I’m fully aware of my aging face. Trying to be kinder to my reflection! I did buy a kit with your discount . Looks simple ,basic and fun . Thanks for your insight as always- MJ
Fun, fab post, as always, Val! And thank you for the intro to AHP. Love her take on the “optimization sinkhole!”
Made me think of a recent visit with friends who had just replaced their 30-year-old fridge, which had recently died of natural causes, with a sleek, upscale (and yes, pricey) state-of-the-art model.
As I marveled over all the fabulous features (and the most organized shelves I’ve ever seen), I noticed that there was a single refrigerator magnet on the door, about waist height. My friend saw that I noticed it and said that on the same day that the fridge was installed, they had a kitchen mishap that resulted in a dent in the shiny new fridge door. Unfixable. Hence the strategically placed magnet.
I think that if I had been in her shoes I would have been in tears. Not inconsolable but still upset.
As she told her story, my friend acknowledged being initially upset, then simply waved her hand and said, “But you know, this is a home, not a museum.” I have a very wise friend. She likes to optimize but refuses to sink.
I loved the post but I also felt there was a very mixed message. From you: Here are some ideas for makeup, probably more than you need, certainly more than I (Val) would use, and here's a discount. Great. Then, I clicked on the link for the kit and was BOMBARDED with "buy more stuff" messages. Maybe you should get this brush! Look, it's on sale! After you add stuff to the cart, it's "how about this other product? don't you want that too?" and then, after I did NOT finish checking out, I got emails - "Hey, you left stuff behind! Here's another discount!" - it was relentless and I fear I will be barraged by them from now on. I get that it's on me to decide whether to click in the first place, or add the suggested items, or buy (which I'm ashamed to say I finally did), but the level of upsell was really excessive compared to other shopping sites. QUITE contrary to the moderate tone of your post.
Based on your recommendation, I'm using the Baked and Brightened makeup and am liking it. I like the ease of using a "powder" foundation without it looking like a powder mask. My fave concealer is from Glossier and use it sometimes on its own for touch-up and no makeup (but with sunscreen) days. Then I always use boy brow from Glossier (or whatever I can find) and Lanolips for a clear lip gloss (it's just lanolin in a cute tube). This is a long way from my college days of fuschia lipstick and heavier foundation even to play intramural volleyball. Glad to be past those days...
Margaret