5 on a Friday: Cheap-ish face products I'm loving right now

 Before I tell you about some face products I adore that are under $40, I want to tell you that I have not had a period in 166 days, and I started progesterone at night and a twice-weekly estrogen patch! YAY! Do not fear, I will keep the TMI and tl;dr coming and let you know how it goes. I am just really hoping for better sleep and less anger/anxiety. My BP, for example, was 120/76, and I was VERY FREAKED OUT because my top number is usually more in the 110-118 range. The provider was like Erm yeah well you seem anxious? And it's normal? (I really liked her up speak, BTW-- very chatty and relaxing).

Ok-- now onto the 5 on a Friday matter at hand. RECENT BEAUTY STEALS

1. The Ordinary UV Filters SPF 45 Serum: This is the most genius product ever. A sunscreen SERUM?! Perrrfect. You can layer it on during your skincare routine or apply as a  one-off. And! You can REAPPLY, so I am getting one for my pool bag. It's also so perfect to put on first thing to walk the dog. Blends right it-- no white residue, can wear under makeup. THIS ONE IS A UNICORN. And! Only $19.99

2. Wake Up Call Eye Patches by Ulta Beauty: THESE ARE SO GOOD! They are $18 for 10 pairs, so not super cheap if you think about buying 3 boxes a month, but I don't seem to need them every day. I like to wash my face and do all of my other potions, etc, and then use these-- they feel great and work fast. Ben likes them, too. These were a random purchase so I would qualify for a free gift, and now I can't go without them.

3. The Ordinary Soothing and Arrier Support Serum for Sensitive Skin and Hydration: I bought this instead of my usual niacinamide serum, and I like it better! It really soothes red skin and make everything feel so smooth. I use it at night with a retinol serum and my awesome night cream and in the morning with a vitamin c serum and my daytime lotions. Only $17

4. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask: A cult classic for a reason. I wear this to bed every night. $24

5. Tula Gold Glow+ Get It Cooling Brightening Eye Balm: I am late to the party on this one, but it is SO GOOD. I got the champagne colored one because I have been using a Nars stick to just sort of give me some glow, and this balm works well with it. I look like I used to a decade or so ago-- well rested and dewy. Youth in a tube for $38.

Me Ben and Harry in 2009: OH THAT SKIN

Mother's Day Weekend

Dorothy had her last regional dance comp of the reason in downtown Milwaukee. As fate would have it, Coop had a baseball tourney 15 minutes away, so we made it aaaaaall work! First, some pro pics from the event:

Tap company small group

Lyrical club small group:

 Hip hop company super group:

Hip hop trio (a member was out for vacation, so they performed as a duet and did GREAT)

Jazz club large group

Hip hop club large group

Her super group got a call back and got to compete for best in show before awards-- the kids always love this so much. They find out about the call back right after they perform-- strobe lights start flashing, and there's special music-- it's super cute. 

One tiny terrible thing that happened is that I think her dance teacher now thinks I am a weird child abuser because I was grabbing Dorothy's arm to point out someone's ludicrous outfit, and Dorothy did not see what I was trying to point out by hissing in her ear, so I steered her in the right direction and her teacher goes Dorothy you can come sit by me if something's not OK and she totally mistook my vehemence for meanness. I did point out the person, and Dorothy chortled. But I couldn't tell her teacher Oh no it's not what you think-- I am just teaching my kid to body shame people, NBD.

Harry came home to bring another load of stuff and got to come to Sunday's dance and baseball nonsense. (Jack got a pass because he and Harry spent Saturday golfing 18 holes, and he spent Sunday getting lifeguard re-certified ahead of summer-- a bit dramatic because his OG class fell through, and he was really scrambling for options, which is why he had to miss mother's day)

I adored this little photo opp. I thin this is a tangible way that Instagram has made the world better-- all of these adorable little surprise installations everywhere. Let's not count all the ways it's ruined us, k?

On Sunday after dance, we watched a last baseball game and discovered a delightful lunch spot. THEN WE WENT TO THE ZOO! MY FAVE!

Home in time for late afternoon dog walks and a big loud dinner of burgers on the grill and a delicious Whole Foods death by chocolate cake-- it was lovely all around.