Pampering and replenishing

 I'm back home after a few weeks away. I decided that what I could really do with now is a good pamper: epilation and, above all, painting my nails. 

My fingernails that I complained had broken a while back were almost back to their ideal length... and then this morning another broke. Aargh! It's the middle finger that's usually the failure point on either hand, maybe because it sticks out further than the others and catches on things more. Or maybe it's just weaker. Nails are a good indicator of dietary health, weaknesses often indicating a lack of minerals or vitamins, but I have a good diet so I doubt it's that.   

I prefer to grow my own nails rather than use stick-on nails. But I have only ever worn nail varnish in pinks and reds and maybe it's time to be more varied and increase my dwindling stock, so I'm looking for a set of varnishes in different colours just for a change. Purple and black, definitely. Maybe blue. A Christmas gift to myself, perhaps?

 

Nice but too little variety ... and too few pots. You can't have too many varnishes!

Looking at my now nearly zero stock of lipstick, I think the same rule applies.

I keep being screamed at from every angle about how Black Friday is coming and how I must grab those bargains, but invariably the stuff on sale is usually rubbish that retailers have found hard to shift. Don't be fooled by the propaganda - in the last 30 years, the shop sales have largely been a junkyard sale. However, I'll doubtless do my usual trip out to see what's available, especially in perfumes, another favourite self-gift. 

It's also time for warmer clothes. Last week when I was away there was a hailstorm - a rare event here - that punched holes in my cactuses! And on Thursday the daytime temperature here dropped to below 10C (50F), there was a waterspout offshore and snow dusted the high ground. On the riviera this is taken as a clear sign of the impending apocalypse and everyone who went out and braved the wrath of the gods was wrapped in their skiwear. Fortunately, things have gone back to a healthier 16C and I have been able to eat outdoors in the sun again. Many thanks to that dear trans friend who sent me a picture of her sitting on an iceberg in Greenland during a recent cruise, plus details of how she's planned a trip to Norway in January, but I'll stick to warmer climes for my holidays, thanks! That said, the cardigans are out, and the thicker tights and the boots. Summer frocks are lovely but there's something to be said for winter elegance. 

I haven't succumbed to putting the central heating on yet this year but that may be just a matter of days. Still, it's a contrast with my life in Britain where I always had the heating prepared for switch-on any time in September. I don't do cold! 

So thinking towards Christmas ... since I've never had family or partners buy me any girl gifts, although occasionally female or trans friends have done (thank you!), I've usually given myself a little something. In the early days it was lingerie, then hosiery and after that perfume. It looks like it'll be colourful new lips and nails this year.

Sue x