The Edit By Stine | Vol. 3
Quick Picks & Life Lately
Hey friends,
This week’s Edit is a little shorter because life’s been… a lot. As some of you know, we are caring for my father-in-law who has dementia. What started as a full day of doctor’s appointments, ended with my husband having to take him to the ER on the doctor’s recommendation. As I’m finishing up this newsletter—11:35 on Tuesday night—they’re still waiting on more tests. So, time has been tight. But I still wanted to check in, share a few favorites, and say hi—because tbh, I need a good distraction. 🩷
Thanks for being here—it means more than you know.
Beauty Obsessions: Ulta Mascara Sale
If you’re like me, you know the right mascara can be a total game changer to your makeup look. Ulta’s having a mascara sale right now, and it’s the perfect excuse to grab an old favorite or try something new! Check out the sale here. There are so many to choose from!
Here are a few that I swear by (and a couple I’m curious about):
Tried & True Favorites:
Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara – Length and volume without clumps. They even have a waterproof one!
L’Oréal Voluminous Original Washable Mascara– Drugstore classic for that soft, fluffy lash look. I love the black/brown shade. I also love the primer!
On My Radar:
Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Longwear Mascara – I’ve read a lot of the reviews of this mascara and a lot of people like this mascara because it’s great at lengthening and separating lashes. I’d like to give this one a try!
Lancôme Hypnôse Buildable Volume Mascara– I’m always hear good things—worth a try?
Anything beauty related catching your eye this week? I’m always looking for new product recommendations!
Bookish Buzz: Recent Reads & An All-Time Favorite
I just finished The Favorites by Layne Fargo, and WOW—it was incredible. I’ve talked about this book so many times…I know. Think ice dancing, cutthroat Olympic competition, romance, betrayal, sabotage, and family issues all tangled into one serious page-turning story. I loved this book so much, I didn’t want it to end so I took my sweet time with it. If you love books with tons of drama and VERY complex relationships, this one’s a must-read. I loved it so much that I gifted it to both my mom and my mil. A 5⭐️ read for me.
Also, The audiobook was such a great listening experience. It had a full cast (I was obsessed with Johnny Weir and his narration. Perfect casting)
Now for a totally different type of book… The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is my favorite book of all time. It’s an emotional, beautifully written story set during WWII that’s stuck with me for years. And now, there’s a stunning special edition out that I have to have. If you haven’t read this book yet, trust me—this book will stay with you long after you finish it. It’s a total tear-jerker (I was sobbing) and the first book I will always recommend to someone. Also, her book The Women was one of my favorite books I read in 2024.
Life Lately: Getting My Life Together (Kind Of)
Lately, I’ve been feeling the need to get a little more organized, so I’ve gone back to using a digital planner. I downloaded the Paper & Roses Planner on my ipad, and it’s been such a game-changer.
As a caregiver and a part-time content creator, I’m constantly keeping track of appointments, medications, deadlines, project ideas, and a million other little details. Having a digital planner that syncs across all my devices (I can see my planner on all my apple devices) has made such a difference. I also use my Apple Pencil with it, and it seriously makes the whole planning process so customizable.
Anyone else a planner person? Digital or old-school paper? I’d love to hear what works for you!
Latest on Simply Stine
Here are some of my latest blog posts in case you missed them:
Life can feel overwhelming sometimes, and this little (but growing) community is such a bright spot for me. If you’re in a season where things feel heavy, I see you. We’re all just doing our best. Take care of yourself this week—you deserve it.
