Friday Bits & Pieces #2
A simple salad, long live the denim skirt, and my fave color sticks and balms. Plus, a mini essay about opting-in to Mother's Day
Welcome to the 2nd installment of Friday Bits & Pieces, a monthly peek at some of the little bits and pieces of my life. Here I share things that power me from day to day; what I’m making, wearing and using on repeat, reading, listening to, etc. The stuff that enhances my life, makes it somehow easier, lights me up, or otherwise makes me feel good. Stuff I think will make you feel good too!
And because I’m a wordy girl, I’ll toss a little essay into this midlife mood salad from time to time- this week I’m revisiting a post I wrote last year about all of the opt-out emails I received (and am receiving again) leading up to what was my first Mother’s Day without my mom. As I get ready to pack up my winter home and head back to NYC, leaving behind the place were I feel so deeply connected to her, she is heavy on my mind. A year has passed since I wrote these words, but the sentiment remains the same, and I suspect it always will…
*this one has lots of pics so it may be too long for your browser- click view entire message to see it all!
Opting-in to Mother’s Day
I’ve received a number of emails from companies over the past few weeks asking me if I want to opt-out of Mother’s Day communications. Considering I am among the target audience for this type of note as I face this first (now second) Mother’s Day without my mom, I find myself surprised by my reaction to them. Truthfully, the only reason I would opt-out is that I’m a bit sick of being bombarded by sales pitches everywhere I turn. But to opt-out because I don’t want to be reminded of my mom? I never want to opt-out of thinking about the woman whose unconditional love shaped me and informed so much of how I move through life.
I am not criticizing the practice; I do appreciate the sensitivity, and understand this holiday can be painful and triggering for a variety of reasons.
Grief for what is lost. Grief for what is broken. Grief for what never was.
For me, though, the ubiquitous Mother’s Day references, while difficult, are actually powerful reminders of just how special and unique our connection was (and still is). They are reminders that time is finite, but that love is forever.
As I write this, I am looking out of my window at the 9-11 memorial, a place where so many lives were cut short- mothers, fathers, children- and I think about the fact that while my pain runs deep, I was beyond fortunate to have as many years with my mom as I did.
So as we approach this Mother’s Day I will honor her by focusing on gratitude- for her, for the beautiful young men that I have the privilege of calling my stepsons, and for the abundance of love in my life. I’ll start a new Mother’s Day tradition, popping in to TJ Maxx, where she loved to shop, and I’ll buy some yellow roses like the ones that used to grow in our front yard- the ones I used to cut and proudly present to her in a kitchen cup. I’ll shed some tears along the way, but I’ll opt-in, feeling the loss but finding the joy in the memories and in all that remains…
Currently Making: Grapefruit Avocado Salad
Citrus is a little past it’s winter peak but you can still find some decent grapefruit, and I have been loving this simple salad that comes together quickly and is just the best burst of sweet, sour and creamy. My mom used to do a citrus salad with oranges, red wine vinegar and olive oil, and that’s how I dress this one as well, squeezing in the extra grapefruit juice for some added zip. Top with a handful of chopped pistachios to balance with a little earthiness.
What you’ll need:
Sharp knife!
One large Ruby Red grapefruit
One ripe avocado
Lettuce of your choice- I like a hearty leaf to stand up to the weight of the ingredients- (this is Trader Joe’s Little Gem Lettuce)
1 Tbs red wine vinegar (adjust to taste- I sometimes use more but I like the acidity)
3 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
Handful of chopped pistashios
Pinch of salt to taste
Cut up lettuce and add to your favorite salad bowl. Next, cut the avocado (I score it with the tip of the knife into squares in then scoop it out with a spoon) and add to bowl. Then carefully cut the skin and white pith off of the grapefruit with your sharpest knife (I cut from top to bottom, tracing the shape of the grapefruit). Then cut grapefruit away from the membranes into bite-sized pieces and add to bowl. If your a messy cutter like me, there will be flesh on the skins- squeeze that into the bowl. Then add the vinegar and oil directly to the salad, throw in a handful of chopped pistachios, add a pinch of salt, and gently toss it with tongs. That’s it!
Good and good for you:
There are so many amazing nutrients in this salad. Avocados are a nutritional powerhouse, rich in fiber (at 14 grams per 7oz avocado you get about half of your recommended daily intake ), healthy fats, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B6, potassium, magnesium, and folate. Grapefruit also packs a big nutritional punch, containing a high concentration of vitamin C (64% of recommended daily intake), along with a healthy dose of vitamin A in the form of beta carotene; it also contains potassium, thiamine and folate and is rich in flavonoids, or plant compounds that have serious antioxidant properties. Also, grapefruits are almost 90% water, which means they are also very hydrating (and I need all the help I can get there!). The pistachios are the cherry on top, so to speak, adding plant protein, fiber, healthy fat, and essential vitamins and minerals like potassium, magnesium, calcium, as well as vitamins A, E and B.
*Note that grapefruit can interfere with certain medications such as those that lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and some that treat anxiety and depression. It may also interact with some allergy medicines, so best to check with your pharmacist or health care provider if you have any concerns.
Currently Wearing: Denim Skirts
Long live the denim skirt! Whether trending or not, denim skirts are always in closet rotation for me. I can still remember the denim minis I reached for often in my younger days, and while the hemlines are longer now, I still love the way they make me feel- put together and casually refined. There’s an ease and versatility to a piece that you can wear all year long- with sweaters, tights and boots or kitten heels in fall and winter, or with lighter tops/tanks and sandals in spring and summer. You can also pair with sneakers if that’s your vibe. And that’s the thing- it’s one of those pieces that can be adapted to fit a wide range of vibes and personal styles, from modern classic to boho chic, maximalist, minimalist, and pretty much everything in between. You can find them at all price-points, and the best part is you probably already have one or two in your closet to play with. Here are some different styles/ideas…
A-Line Midi:
Straight Denim Midi with Slit:
Mixed denim/Patchwork:
Currently Using: Balms and color/highlight sticks
I love anything that helps me multi-task and streamlines my life. I’ve never been one to wear a lot of makeup, and many days it’s just a tinted sunscreen, concealer, a quick swipe of mascara and my balms and color sticks that work as blush, highlighter, eyeshadow and lip color. As I’ve gotten older my skin has changed- it’s dryer and the texture is, let’s just say, a bit less smooth. I don’t like the way most powders feel now, and the creamier formulations I’m sharing here glide on easily and impart a dewy finish and soft, natural glow, which I think is one of the keys to healthy looking skin. Many of these products also provide treatment benefits with skin-enhancing ingredients like argan oil, vitamin e, shea butter, jojoba seed oil etc.
Here are some of my favorites:
Jones Road Miracle Balm- the name says it all- these balms are amazing, the color is buildable, and a little goes a long way. My favorite color is Tawny, the original in the line- it looks dark in the pot, but it’s applies like a sheer berry-ish brown and looks amazing on lips and lids too. The whole line is amazing and I can’t live without the brand’s mascara either- it was founded by the incredible
who now has a super fun and informative Substack where she shares, in her words, the hows, whys, whos and hacks of living a fabulously normal life!
Westman Atelier Lit Up Glow Highlighter and Baby Cheeks Blush Stick- These sticks come in mini-versions that are great for travel. I use the Brûlée highlighter for an easy, glassy tan glow and Bichette Baby Cheeks when I want a little more color- it’s a berry shade and is gorgeous on lips.
Gee Beauty Color Sticks- This is a bit of an under-the-radar line, founded by Miriam Gee and 3 of her daughters which I discovered because they have a studio close to my place in Miami Beach. These sticks are compact, glide on beautifully, and are in my daily rotation. Cocobeam (pictured below) is a peachy tone that I love on my lids as well, and I layer it on my cheeks over the Honeybeam stick that’s more of a tan shade, and can also be used for contouring (which I’ve never really learned how to do!).
Let me know if you try, and please share if I missed one of your faves…
Currently Reading:
I included Dr. Sharon Malone’s book Grown Women Talk: Your Guide to Getting and Staying Healthy in my Midlife Cheatsheet: Menopause Edition; it was just released on April 6th, and it’s already a NYT Best Seller (congratulations Dr. Malone!)! I’m just diving in and already feel smarter and better equipped to navigate our broken health care system after just one chapter. I so admire Dr. Malone and all that she does to advocate for women’s health care and educate in the menopause space, and I love the description of this book as part medical handbook, part memoir, and part sister-girl cheerleader. It feels like all of those things already…
As always, thank you for being here! Your ❤️s and comments mean the world to me- I love hearing from you! And if you know someone who would appreciate, please share!
Have a wonderful weekend…
Dina xx
PS- This post contains some affiliate links, which means if you click and buy I may receive a very small commission. I genuinely love and use everything I recommend.
Beautiful reflection and tribute for Mother's Day. It remains a tough day for me (and it's coming up on 14 years). That being said, I had to smile broadly when I saw the photo of you wearing the rosette gifted to you by your mom. Small remembrances become so embedded in the fabric of our daily lives. We carry both tangible and intangible with us forever.
Now, lady, you make denim look so fabulous, I must find a suitable and fun one for myself. I haven't owned one in decades.
XOXO have a fabulous weekend.
This is so beautiful. So happy to have discovered your Substack here this evening!