My sock style is basic and boring, which is just how I like it. I wear solid black or charcoal socks. Not too thin or too thick. Super soft, non-itchy, and often knee-length during the Winter months. They are either made of a merino wool-nylon-spandex blend for extra warmth, or of a micromodal-nylon-spandex blend for milder weather. They must fit snugly around the leg and foot so that they don’t fall down or bunch up. I see red when my socks fall down or slide off my feet while I’m walking, it’s that annoying to me. So a snug fit is crucial to ensure sock happiness. 

I am hard on my socks and replace them quite frequently because they get worn on the toes within months. I think that’s because I apply lots of pressure in that area when I walk at a fast place. I also wear socks most of the year so I’m often purchasing a few pairs here and there just to keep a constant flow of decent looking socks in my wardrobe. I’m most embarrassed when I remove my shoes at a friend’s house and my socks look worn. 

Please share your sock recommendations in the comments section. I’m always in search of the “perfect socks” and would love to know which sock styles keep your feet happy. Also, are you hard on your socks like I am?

If you’re interested in fashion and style, you probably also have at least one shopping weakness that has a negative impact on your style and bank account. Maybe you buy too many uncomfortable shoes just because they’re pretty and make your legs look gorgeous. Maybe you sometimes buy less-than-fab items at thrift stores because they only cost a few dollars. Maybe you can’t resist shopping the sales, or buying up bargains no matter what. Maybe you shop when you are bored or are looking for a temporary escape from hectic life, which leads to unnecessary purchases. 

If you do have a shopping weakness, you are not alone. Most of us are afflicted to some extent. I may not be tempted by sale merchandise and I’m strict about what actually ends up earning a place in my wardrobe. I also do a pretty good job at shopping my budget, and I never intentionally purchase uncomfortable shoes. But I do have one bad habit that requires a good bit of discipline every year. I love shopping for lightweight Spring clothes at the start of the retail season when I have absolutely no use for them until half way through the year. 

The next four months are the most challenging on my shopping calendar. In Seattle, Spring feels like Winter, and the weather doesn’t usually warm up all that much till June. But come February, stores are filled with enticing Spring merchandise that looks wildly refreshing to my eye. I can feel the adrenalin pumping because I need a break from shopping for cold weather items. Crisp cotton fabrications. Fresh floral patterns. Sorbet colours. Fun loafers and flats. Linen. Romantic skirts and silky pants. Beautiful lightweight blouses. Fun long shorts. All of which are too flimsy and lightweight for my lifestyle until Summer time, when we actually get our share of warmer temperatures.

So from January to April, I have to find the discipline to resist buying glorious lightweight Spring merchandise that tickles my fancy. I can only purchase Spring items that I can wear during our cold weather so that they aren’t orphaned till June. And in general, I have to be careful not to over purchase on lightweight clothing and footwear that just doesn’t get enough wear to warrant the expense. This is our tenth year in a Seattle climate and I’m much better about disciplining my shopping weakness than I used to be. But I could still use the occasional rap over the knuckles. 

Acknowledging a shopping weakness is the first step to addressing it, so it’s confession time. What’s your shopping weakness? How do you keep it under control?

To clarify, when I say “product” I’m talking about hair gels, pomades, lotions, mousses, sprays and other types of goo used to style hair when it’s wet, dry or both. I am not talking about the chemicals used to colour or treat hair more permanently. 

I normally use Alterna’s “Blowout Creme” to style my short dry hair each morning so that the front is either spiked or swept back with a baby finger wave. I like the way it makes my hair look shiny, intentionally styled, and a little wet. It also keeps the style in place, come rain, wind, snow, shine or hat. 

But for the last week I’ve been sporting product-free hair. I let my hair dry naturally, straighten the bits in front and on top that are wavy and drive me bananas, and leave it at that. The fringe, although still short, lies flat on my forehead. Come to think of it, the entire do looks more flat, less shiny, wispy, casual, refined and delicate — as opposed to modern, dressy, full bodied and slightly severe when I use goo to style the front more dramatically. And this is a seven week old haircut, so my hair is relatively long (I have my hair cut every six weeks). The style still looks textured because the cut is choppy and the hair two-toned. I’m enjoying the slight change, just for fun. 

Do you ever sport product-free hair?

I feel better about my appearance when my skin is healthy, which is why well nourished skin is a vitally important component of my style. My Mum was extremely vigilant about our skincare when I was growing up so I guess the mindset stuck. It’s been a while since we talked about skincare routines, challenges and solutions and kicking off the new year by revisiting skincare seems like a good idea. 

Over the years I’ve shared my challenges with extra dry skin. It’s finally under control and my skin is in a happy place. The skin over my entire body feels moisturized, hydrated and “normal”. It’s taken a few years, lots of trial and error with different products, annual visits to the dermatologist, and patience, to get this far. The big eye opener in all of this has been that the simpler and more targeted I make my skincare regime, the better the results. 

This is how I’ve taken care of my skin over the last year: 

• Cleanser: I use CeraVe foaming facial cleanser for dry to normal skin twice a day. I am extremely diligent about cleansing and never go to bed with an un-cleansed face.
• Moisturizer: I apply Eucerin Original Healing Soothing Repair Creme twice a day onto a cleansed face. It’s thick, greasy and just what the doctor ordered. 
• Sunscreen: I apply Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Sunblock daily after moisturizing.
• Vitamin C Oil: I apply a small amount to a moisturized face every third day. By suggestion of my dermatologist, I never apply it directly onto un-moisturized skin because it’s too harsh and burns my sensitive epidermis. It works just fine layered this way and I can see the positive dewy effects.
• Tinted Moisturizer: Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer goes on last. I do not wear foundation because I prefer the light coverage of tinted moisturizer. That way my skin looks “shiny like an apple” and not matte. 
• Body Lotion: The rest of my body gets a good slathering of Nivea daily lotion once or twice a day. 
• Eye Make-up Removal: I use Ponds Cold Cream to remove mascara residue every night. 
• Soap: I use Dove soap to wash when I shower. I often take a small bar with me to hotel rooms if we stay for longer than one night. 
• Facials: I treat myself to a facial every few months so that I can relax and get a deeper cleanse. 

That’s it. I also have a prescription facial cream that I apply to my face when it suffers from a scaly, dry rash. It’s like an eczema, but not quite. My dermatologist and I have tried to pinpoint the cause of the rash that appears every month or two or three, but we can’t seem to nail it. The cause could be a product I’m using, a detergent I do laundry with, type of fabric or plant I came into contact with, or stress. It’s hard to be sure. So until we find the cause, I apply the cream for three or four days, which successfully takes care of the rash.

Most of the products that I use on my skin, all of which have been recommended by my dermatologist, are drug store bought. I purchase the Vitamin C oil and cream for my rash at the doctor’s office, and the tinted moisturizer at a department store. 

I tried using retin A cream and ointment because it’s supposed to slow down the appearance of aging. But no matter how weak the strength, retin A does not agree with my skin. It burns and I look blotchy for days. No thank you. So I stick to sunscreen, stay out of the sun, and wear sunglasses as my way of preventing wrinkles. My laugher lines, which become more pronounced each year, are what they are and I don’t worry about those. Each day I want to laugh until my cheekbones hurt because it’s tonic for the soul. And what’s tonic for the soul increases your style quotient. Bring on the laughter lines. 

Finally, I am very relieved that I’m not changing up my skincare routine at this point. I can walk past cosmetic counters and through drugstores, browse skincare sites, listen to recommendations from friends and family, and read skincare articles, but not be tempted in the slightest to try new and so called better products and skincare approaches. My skincare routine does not need fixing, and until it does, I am not changing a thing about it.

I can’t stress this point enough. If you have ongoing skincare challenges, seek the help of a dermatologist sooner rather than later. I thought I’d sort out my dry skin on my own a few years ago, but it was all to no avail. One trip to the dermatologist and my skin was instantly set on the right track. I regretted not seeking professional help sooner.

What’s your current skincare routine, and is your skin in a happy place at the moment? Have you learned anything new about your skin and skincare over the last year?