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In one of those “TikTok made me do it” moments, I bought this “hurry or it'll sell out!” limited edition lip balm from Tarte… and I'm actually glad I did because I really like it, especially as a my-lips-but-better kind of lip balm.
It's one of those lip balms that's hard to mess up, but for your first time application you'll probably need less balm than you think. I actually only put it on about 1/4 of my lips, then smack my lips to spread the product around. It does have a relatively strong coconut scent, which I don't mind, but it's worth mentioning.
Compared to some of the other MLBB products we've reviewed over the years, this is among my favorites. The color is perfect, it isn't sticky or drying, and you barely need to look when you swipe it on. (I'd say there's just a touch more slip than either Clinique's Black Honey or the Dior Addict lip balm that the readers have loved for years — it's also a bit shinier than either on the lips.)
I believe the different stores have different colors – you can get it at Sephora and Ulta for $21 (my color, raspberry, came from Ulta, and on me it is literally just a shade or two darker than my lips, definitely not a “deep red berry” as described on the Ulta site.
This post contains affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!
Sales of note for 9.30.24
- Nordstrom – Beauty deals through September
- Ann Taylor – Extra 30% off sale
- Banana Republic Factory – 50% off everything + extra 20% off
- Boden – 15% off new styles
- Eloquii – Extra 50% off sale
- J.Crew – 50% off select styles
- J.Crew Factory – Up to 60% off everything + 50% off sale with code
- Lo & Sons – Warehouse sale, up to 70% off
- M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
- Neiman Marcus – Friends & Family 25% off
- Rag & Bone – Friends & Family 25% off sitewide
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – Fall Cyber Monday sale, 40% off sitewide and $5 shipping
- Target – Car-seat trade-in event through 9/28 — bring in an old car seat to get a 20% discount on other baby/toddler stuff.
- White House Black Market – 40% off select styles
anon
Posting again as I got stuck in Mod this morning:
I called Senator Cornyn’s office today and one of his office workers picked up within 4 rings. I left my name and zip code with the following message for the senator.
Office number: 202-224-2934
Local number: 972-239-1310
Please continue to work in good faith with everyone involved in bringing common sense, and much needed gun control legislation to vote. I believe you’ve been appointed this task [by McConnell] and as your constituent I want you to know 1. I am very much in favor of getting legislation passed that curbs unfettered access to assault weapons and 2. that you continue to work this as a bipartisan issue and that you get this job done as soon as possible. This legislation shouldn’t be hard as the majority of Americans are in favor of background checks and other common sense measures”.
I’m afraid he’s just wasting time waiting for the news cycle to move on. I want to remind him we need him to actually work on this.
anon
Thanks. I also live in Texas and will call today. This takes a lot of the friction out of the process, so thanks a ton for that.
Anonymous
Yeah I’m sure this will do it.
No Face
An avalanche of calls helped prevent the ACA from being repealed.
This weekend I went to a party in a red county in a red state, with lifelong Republican voters. Everyone was white except for me. The GOP being too extreme on guns was a topic of conversation. The consensus was that background checks and a waiting period were no brainers. People were really upset. Gun legislation may not pass, but senators who vote no will be surprised by the aftermath.
Anonymous
I’ve worked with his staff on other things and I 100% think they are sincere in their efforts on this (I’m a liberal Dem, FWIW). And calls from his constituents truly will move the needle.
anon
If you are from Texas, you are a most three degrees of separation from Uvalde. This the first time I have really heard the conversation start to turn on guns in Texas, and constituent calls do matter. If you own a gun (and are comfortable disclosing that), calls from Texan gun owners matter.
Sunflower
Thank you from Texas. I’ll call tomorrow morning and will get my husband to call, too.
Anonymous
I just called too. Thank you!
Anon
Am I the only one who doesn’t understand British royal fashion? The clothes are generally dowdy and the children are dressed like it’s 80 years ago.
Anon
I think that’s the point. Classic, dignified, timeless, modest, expensive.
Anon
+1.
And if you’re thinking about the sailor suit Louis wore the other day, it’s one that his dad wore 36 years ago or what have you for that same event when he was that age.
Anon
That’s adorable.
Seafinch
I do this with heirloom kilts, a linen sailor suit, and wool dresses handed down through three generations. My kids wear those to special occasions. And I wear pretty similar stuff to what the adult women wear. I love classic tailoring and don’t think it looks dowdy, at all, and I get compliments all the time so either some people agree or they’re great liars!
Anonymous
I adore the royal kids’ style for dressy occasions. I dressed my daughter like Charlotte when she was little. If I’d had a boy he would have worn short pants and knee socks. So much neater and cuter than putting tiny kids in rumpled long pants, polo or collared shirts, and sneakers the way so many parents do. Miniature adult clothes look messy on tiny children.
Seafinch
I totally agree. We were able to take Queen Mary home on a transatlantic from a European posting and my kids wore all that stuff for the occasions. A three year old boy wearing Jacardi shorts and Spanish shoes with buckles to High Tea was adorable.
Cat
+1, you can see the kids wear “regular kid stuff” in the few pics we get of them in private life (tees, soft polos, sneakers, ‘football’ team gear, etc), but for public appearances it’s more traditional.
KS IT Chick
It also allows their nanny to take the kids on outings in modern clothes and not be immediately recognized.
Anon
Also – am I the only one who watched the mess around Louis (he’s 4 is generally my takeaway, and acted like…a 4 year old) and thought how right Harry & Meagan were to basically remove their kids from that? Any other issues aside, I just feel like it’s so wildly messed up to stick your kid in the spotlight from that age (or at all, without age-appropriate consent)
Anonymous
Don’t get it twisted – H&M will have no more privacy or fewer behavior requirements on them.
Anon
IDK that it’s “remove their kids from that.” I have a feeling that for some people, you can’t really not show up when invited to these things. Sort of grateful to have been a commoner when my kids were that age (or even now) because we were in no way camera ready even when on a full stomach and with adequate naps / sleep, let alone after several long days of stuff. We’d have been all over the DM for the Royal Projectile Vomiting, the Royal Eyeroll (middle schoolers), the Royal OMG Kids Addicted to Tech, the Maternal Royal Death Stare, etc., etc.
Anonymous
Well, he made faces and was impatient and the whole country loved him for it. It’s not that different from four year olds acting up at weddings or birthdays or church or any celebration that requires a little sitting, I think.
It’s not difficult to argue that the system of royalty and inheriting a job as head of state in itself is messed up, but I don’t think the way the younger generation in the UK is handled seems spotlight-based at all.
Anon
Any privacy will disappear as soon as their reality show airs.
Cat
the mess? I haven’t heard anyone critical, more understanding that sometimes 4yos lose it, and complimentary of Kate for firmly but kindly parenting him?? Plus the memes of his different faces are hysterical.
Anon
Agreed, it was not a mess by any definition of the word. If the royal family even cares about what the public thinks about a 4 year old being a 4 year old, they’re probably happy to be humanized.
JTM
Anyone have a recommendation for big bowls for salad?
I’ve started eating a lot of salads, which I love, but its clear that I don’t have bowls big enough to actually mix my salad well. I have some bowls from Ikea which I use now, but I’d like something a little nicer that I could get a bunch of. Is Crate & Barrel the way to go here?
Anon
Get a wooden salad bowl and wooden tongs. I like a well-tossed salad and I need all that room to do it properly. I usually then transfer it to a serving size bowl.
I love mine. I think I got it on Amazon. Will post link.
Anon
Yup. I love my wooden salad bowl from home goods for dinner sized salads
Anon
Comment in m0d – toss your salad in a big wooden salad bowl so you get a good toss, then transfer to a serving plate or bowl. I do this just about every day. If you’re using an oil based salad dressing, really you only have to wipe out the bowl when you’re done.
Cat
fyi – the issue with your comment was including the phrase tr-ns in the word tr-nsfer.
No Face
If the salad needs to be tossed, I toss in a mixing bowl first.
That said, my main bowls are actually serving bowls. So much easier to eat everything that way. I’ll let other people give you store recs though.
Cb
I have no shame, and will eat a delicious salad directly out of the mixing bowl.
anon
Same!
Anne-on
I like the pyrex bowls with lids on them for this purpose. It may be just me but I’m a klutz and can never ‘toss’ properly in the wooden bowls. With the pyrex ones I pop the lid on, ‘burp’ it, and then shake it well (side to side and upside down) to mix everything up.
Anon
I use the same 4 qt pyrex mixing bowl that I use for pretty much everything in the kitchen (without a lid, unfortunately- it would be even better with one and I think they’re available). Sometimes I just eat straight out of the bowl or I distribute between smaller bowls- I like big salads!
anon
I have ordered new lids off of Amazon!
Woof
When I am making salad for one, which I do a lot, I use a ceramic pie dish. They come in so many colors, patterns, etc., and are just right for one big salad with all the stuff. it is nice and broad, so tossing is easy, and then you can find all the best bits without digging to the bottom.
Anonymous
I have a really big Tupperwear bowl (42 cup thatsa bowl) I got several years ago when my sister was selling it. I use it a lot, including mixing salads, just put everything in, put on the lid, shake it around and then put it in the serving bowl…
Anan
I use the large noodle bowls one can find at Asian markets.
Central NJ
We just got great news for our family that means we need to relocate to central NJ within the next 6-8 weeks. (Congrats to those experiencing similar life milestones right now–I recall a few of you!)
I lived there for a while as a kid but not as an adult. Any suggestions for specific towns to live in? We’ll be renting and any thought on the local market are welcome too. If it matters re: space & location, we’re TTC but no kids yet; a cat and one of our elderly parents lives with us; one of us will be commuting to RWJ and the other WFH.
Also, I’d love reccs for any outdoor recreation, dining, etc. in central Jersey or, alternatively, tips to pack and move on short notice!
A Nonny Mouse
Depending on which RWJ, For Hamilton, Princeton is a nice community, with good schools, lots of green space, as is Hopewell. Montgomery is a popular with commuters, but the schools are huge. For The New Brunswick RWJ, Highland Park is a very nice walkable town. Lots of Rutgers faculty there.
Central NJ
Thanks! should have clarified, New Brunswick!
Anonymous
I’m in West Windsor / Princeton Junction so I can speak to towns close to Princeton, not so much New Brunswick area. Rent is high but not big city high. Rents tend to be a bit more reasonable further from Princeton (though Princeton is very cute and fun to visit). Plainsboro is nice with a bit better rents. I have several coworkers that live in South Brunswick and like it. Hillsborough might be another option depending what you’re looking for. For recreation, I like the D&R canal for running, biking, and canoeing/kayaking and there are tons of smaller parks to explore. Sourland Mountain is probably the closest hiking with a bit of elevation (from me at least). The area has a lot of great coffee and bagel shops, though the brewery scene is disappointing. The best bakery in the area is the Gingered Peach in Lawrenceville.
anon
As I get more senior I think I struggle emotionally with the big decisions I have to make and the fact that when I’m pulled into something, it’s because there’s a problem (by design). I’m a junior partner at an MBB and I think I just feel exhausted by the negativity. I’m learning to deal (I also have previously struggled with prioritizing myself), but I’d really like some suggestions and guidance here. I’m otherwise very high performing at my job and I want to keep growing my responsibilities.
anon OP
To be clear- it’s less that I struggle to make the right decision and more that I struggle with no matter what I do someone is going to be upset, and just how I feel really bad about things like having to roll a manager off my project who isn’t performing. I know i need to, but it hurts. I know that sounds stupid
BeenThatGuy
I think the answer is “easy”: Think Like a Man. It’s business, it’s not personal. The more you tell yourself that, the more you’ll believe it. The more you believe it, the easier it will become.
Anon
Yeah, this. I once had to lay off 25 people on my team in one day when I was first more senior (can you guess when?) – it was horrible. After that I realized I really had to just think of it as work – it’s not personal, it’s work. Problems are problems, but they’re not about ME.
Anonymous
It does not sound stupid. I am a new partner (young, but equity partner) at a regional law firm and often get caught in this space, too. Here’s what sometimes helps me:
– Think about whether I’d give the same advice to one of my clients. If yes, it helps confirm I’m doing the right thing. Less emotion because it is the right business decision. If no, then I think through why the opposite advice applies to my firm.
– remind myself that my job is to bill, and that job pays for administrators. I am not paid for administration, did not get a degree or experience in that area, and unless it is the Top Five Worst Decisions I’ve Ever Heard, I can save myself time and therefore money and energy by simply letting other people do their jobs and I do mine.
– Sleeping, eating somewhat healthy, and moving my body. When I get stuck in negative emotion cycles, I often find I need to take better care of myself.
Z
Monday good news: I posted a few months ago about how to best support a friend dealing with undiagnosed GI chronic illness. It finally looks like there is a diagnosis on the horizon, and with some more tests they’ll know if it can be fixed with medication or surgery. I’m so glad she didn’t give up and kept seeing new doctors until someone actually listened.
Anon
I think there have been a few posts lately about undiagnosed GI issues and I’d love an update if people have figured them out! Currently dealing with my own GI issues that started suddenly a couple of months ago and don’t seem to be resolving on their own.
Anon
Agree with this. It’s really hard to work these things out, so I really appreciate hearing when people get diagnoses (I love those medical mystery columns!). I’ve had abdominal pain for a while now, and my doctors think it’s probably interstitial cystitis or pelvic floor dysfunction, but are also trying to rule out GI issues.
Anon
Abdominal pain is so hard to figure out!
Over the years I’ve been told interstitial cystitis, pelvic floor dysfunction, hypochlorhydria, autoimmune gastritis, candida as a complication of low IgA, sluggish pyloric sphincter, rapid gastric emptying and somehow also gastroparesis (keeps changing when tested on different days), and “gluten intolerance” (I wasn’t correctly tested for Celiac).
The sad thing is I probably do have/have had all of those? Based on symptoms, clear test results, and response to treatment. Some of them are closely related, so I guess that’s how it piles up.
I would really like to get physical therapy though to work on the dysmotility and pelvic floor piece of the puzzle next. My last physical therapist couldn’t get over how hypermobile my joints are, or how strong my hip flexors are, and I wonder if overly tight “stabilization” muscles are a big part of this for me. With everything else treated or managed one way or another, I feel like this could take me from 80% better to nothing to complain about. Mainly I want to avoid staying up nights since it’s the missed sleep that gets to me.
Medicine is incredible. There’s so much we can’t do anything about still, but sometimes the correct diagnosis and treatment can make a world of difference.
Anon
My understanding is that pelvic floor dysfunction can cause pain all on its own, or it can be triggered by irritation and inflammation in area, making the pain worse and often continuing after the original issue is gone. I am seeing a pelvic floor PT, and it definitely helps, but we’re not sure what else might be going on. As the poster below suggests, I am getting a colonoscopy, even though my symptoms seem to be more linked to my bladder than GI issues. But I totally agree about sleep, it’s so frustrating!
Anonymous
I had minor GI issues (stomach cramping in the a.m.) that then became bloating after eating gluten in mid40s. I was pushed off for some time until my iron levels and iron stores were completely low. It turns out I had colon cancer. Colon cancer can look like blood in the stool or constant diarrhea but it doesn’t have to–it can also present as very minor changes in bowel habits, especially if it’s in the ascending colon (beginning of the colon).
I was so incredibly lucky to get caught at stage 2–just before it leaves the colon and goes to lymph nodes, where treatment gets a lot harder and odds change quite a bit.
If you are 50, please get a colonoscopy. The age rec just lowered. And if you’re not 50 but feeling like maybe you have gluten intolerance or dairy intolerance or a “middle age” stomach or any other excuse we tell ourselves that things are normal, PLEASE get your suspicion confirmed with a doc and make sure it isn’t indeed something worse. Colorectal cancers are affecting people younger and younger right now. (Thus the age change.)
Getting a colonoscopy truly isn’t all that bad (they have pills now, so you don’t have to drink awful stuff) and it really can be life saving.
I wish I had realized that even minor things may be your body’s only signal that something is wrong. There is no flashing light saying “no, you really need a colonoscopy.”
Lily
Has anyone used red rosin paper or floor shield when moving in or out of a house to protect the floors? Would you recommend? Did you install it, or did your movers, and were there any complaints/comments from the movers about it? Trying to decide if I’m being overly cautious but I’m so worried about damage to the hardwood floors (and carpeting in two of the bedrooms) on either side of our move. TIA!
Anon
Our contractor lay down red rosin paper during remodeling, and I thought it was great stuff. We haven’t used it for moving but it’s easy to put down and take up and seems like a decent protective measure.
Anon
Someone posted maybe a year ago about a company that makes petite hangers. I even ordered some. Now I’d like to reorder and google is not helping. Can you repost if that was you? Merci!
Vicky Austin
I don’t know who that was, but could you have an email receipt in your inbox somewhere? That’s what I do when I want to reorder something.
PolyD
The blogger Extra Petite has blogged about petite hangers.
Anonymous
The blogger Extra Petite has blogged about petite hangers.
Anon
I posted about changing to petite wooden hangers and the change it made. Mine are from https://woodenhangersusa.com/ and are the maple and chrome petite 15 inch hangers. I ordered enough for free shipping by adding some for my petite sisters (holiday gift: check), as well as some coordinating pants hangers and a few scarf hangers. It wasn’t cheap but it was money so well spent.
Anon
Thank you!!!
Anon
What are people’s favorite stores for affordable activewear?
I like Old Navy leggings and have found that there’s minimal difference between those and some of the other more expensive brands. I’m considering a purchase from Fabletics now too, but not sure what the quality will be.
Explorette
I have a few Fabletics items that have held up well. But, I hate they put you on a subscription. I would buy more if I didn’t have to sign up for monthly shipments.
Tea/Coffee
The store that starts with D and ends with icks has an in house brand (DSG) that I have had good luck with. Decent quality, decent pricing, but also I am a big fan of basic black everything so if you are into fashionable activewear YMMV
Anonymous
If you like Athleta, my tip is to always check on ebay first. So many folks are selling the same item or just a different color that are new with tags. Once I find something I really like that I’ve ordered through Athleta, I usually go there to order the same thing in a different color since I know it will fit well.
Anon
Agreed. My leggings are exclusively old navy. I usually get my tops at places like TJ Maxx. I splurge on Nike running shorts because they’re really the best. Running shoes I get at a running store and then re-buy on Amazon.
Anon
Target. They have consistently punched above their weight for functional, cute activewear for the last 15 years or so. I still have some mid 2000’s sports bras (when the seamless ones were new) that see use around the house.
startup lawyer
American Eagle
Anonymous
Any equestrians here? Recently fulfilled a childhood dream and started English riding lessons. Super early I know, but I like to have time to look around…what’s your favorite winter riding gear? Specifically boots, socks, and breeches. It can get pretty cold here as well as damp.
Gail the Goldfish
I just ride in my regular boots with wool socks. Fleece-lined breeches are key–I have several different brands depending on who had them on sale, but Kerrits are probably my favorite. If it’s really cold, I’ll layer Uniqlo Heattech leggings under them. I know a couple of people who ride in heated vests/jackets, but I just layer. (I’m in the South-on the one hand, we don’t have a lot of time where it’s super cold, but none of the barns I’ve ridden at have indoors, so you are in the cold). I have yet to find good winter gloves that are both warm and yet not so bulky that I feel like I can properly feel the reins. I usually just wear fleece gloves, but they aren’t that warm.
Away Game
I agree with all of this. Wool socks (or my ski socks) with my regular paddock boots. Fleece-lined tights; I wear Kerrits or Tuffrider. When it’s really cold I’ve just worn my parka on top of my base layer+sweater. My gloves are leather but I have the same problem of warmth v. feeling the reins.
Long time rider
I wear wool hiking or skiing socks – usually they are thin enough to fit in boots/chaps. I don’t have specific winter breeches, I’ve tried them before and found them too tight/bulky, so they impeded my riding. Roeckl makes good winter weight gloves that are wind proof and still thin enough for riding.
I tend to wear a long underwear shirt, a quarter zip tech layer, a down vest, and one of the thin down jackets. Then you can take things off as needed. The most important thing I wear when it’s really cold is a neck gaiter – you can pull it up over your nose and ears once you have your helmet on and when you’re hacking around not doing much. I’ll also wear my ski jacket when it’s sub-30.
Is it Friday yet?
+1 for the Roeckl gloves – both summer and winter weight
Is it Friday yet?
Thirty years of riding year-round here, mostly in the NE, so I’ve tried lots of stuff! Favorites are Pikeur for breeches – both their winter weight and normal weight for the rest of the year. Expensive but worth it because they last absolutely forever (and are cheaper if you buy them in/from Europe). I have a pair of insulated Ariat Bromont tall boots that are 12 years old and still going strong, including fox hunting in the snow in the NE and in wind and rain in Ireland last season. Looks like the Bromont is sadly no more but looks like Ariat now has the Heritage something that’s insulated and looks quite similar? They have other winter boots that are less traditional looking as well, which would be fine for lessoning! Treadstep also makes good, reasonably priced boots, but not sure if they offer anything insulated. Sock wise, I just wear thin or medium weight knee high ski socks from Darn Tough or Smartwool (which are also great for skiing!).
anon
I do what the rest do. I am in a state above the Mason Dixon line and even though we have an indoor, it’s still cold during the winter.
I ride in paddock boots and half chaps year round with full chaps if it’s really windy. I do the fleece lined breeches, uniqlo heat tech tights under those, and skiing socks. Top half is uniqlo thick heat tech base layer, thin wool quarter zip, running winter topper with a turtleneck, then a down jacket (I think Eddie Bauer), and that gets my gigantic shin length down jacket (unzips from the bottom) over it until I am done warming up. I also wear a fleece ear/headband under my helmet and winter Roeckls although nothing has ever been able to keep my hands (or feet) warm (I have Reynauds).
Anon
Anyone else get what feels like extreme body dysmorphia during PMS? I feel like an alien in my own body, like I’ve gained 20 lbs overnight even though there is no way that’s possible. I know it’s all in my head but it feels so real.
Anon
Ugh yes, it’s the worst. I think part of it is that most of us do bloat significantly during PMS. I’m a few pounds underweight, but the bloat from PMS makes me look/feel like I have a lot of extra fat. There is also the increased inflammation and cortisol / hormonal changes which make me feel super ill-at-ease and uncomfortable in my body too.
A couple of recommendations: magnuesium and calcium supplements in case you have defficiencies, which can worsen PMS. Also, treat that period as a rest time. Be cozy, engage in self-care, cancel plans if you want to. There are periods of time when you want to feel as hot as you can, and PMSing doesn’t need to be one of them. You have a body and it does a lot of miraculous things for you; it’s okay if sometimes you don’t like the way it looks or how you feel in it, and acceptance of that fact can go a long way.
Curious
Yes, 100%.
Womens brogues
Which is likely to be more versatile, white brogues vs metallic (silver) brogues? I know both are colors that one would not wear everyday but once in a while. I got a pair of white brogues on sale, they are made of leather and wondering whether to keep them. If I return them it would be to keep searching for a suitable pair in metallic (most likely silver) pair. What I have in mind is to wear them mostly with pants, and maybe skirts in fall. Thoughts?
Anon
Hmm. Silver, probably.
PolyD
I have two pairs of metallic brogues/oxfords, both sort of a pewter shade, and I wear them with EVERYTHING. I think they are much more versatile than white ones would be. But, I don’t love white shoes in general.
By everything – I have worn them with black pants, gray pants, white jeans, pale green pants, a black midi dress, a navy midi dress, and with black leggings and a blue patterned dress. I do find the slightly darker pewter to go better with black. One pair is Rockport and the other is Clarks, I really should go on Poshmark or something to find back-up pairs, they are truly among the most versatile and comfortable shoes I own.
anon
Definitely silver. But I love the pewter ones that have been shared here before, by Pugs I assume!