Sunday Collection 4.14.24

What I'm wearing on my face for spring & what my toddler loves to read right now

Thank you for subscribing to The Eclectic Reader! Sunday Collections often go out to paid subscribers, but I wanted to share this edition with everyone. If you’d like to sign up for a paid subscription, you can expect exclusive printable reading lists, posts that lean a little more personal, and seasonal book collections like The February Romance Collection—plus special summer content coming soon. Your paid support helps me find time to write with precious childcare hours, spend a little money on a treat from a coffee shop, or supplement our ever-growing grocery bill. I appreciate all of you so, so much!

At the end of my sophomore year of college, my dad picked me up from the dorms, and we raced ahead of a May snowstorm to safely get home for the summer. The next year, my roommates and I sunbathed on the front lawn of our apartment in April, welcoming an early and extra warm spring. Midwestern weather likes to play tricks on us in the spring, which feels especially cruel after dowsing us in snow and seasonal depression. I’m not sure if this week’s sunshine will last, but it brought me back to life for the time being, and I’m grateful for it.

Here’s what I’m putting on my face to protect myself from the sun, cover up remaining winter dryness, and brighten my pallid complexion.

What’s On My Face

Most of these products aren’t new to me at all—but in combination, they create a fresh spring look that makes me feel pretty, put together, and slightly more energized as I wake up from my winter hibernation.

Sunscreen: Elta MD (a classic) or ELF Whoa Glow Sunscreen/Primer (only $14). The ELF Whoa Glow is quite glowy, so I apply a powder on top to balance it out—but it does create a healthy effect and comes in a nice shade range.

Concealer & Foundation: Tower 28 Hydrating Serum Concealer (in #4 DTLA) & Fenty Eaze Drop Stick (in #2). Blurring, hydrating, can’t-feel-it-on-my-skin light, and perfect for combination skin. I love these two products and use them all year long, but I’m reaching for them more often lately to even out my skin tone until I get just a tiny bit of glow from the sun.

Blush: BareMinerals Blonzer (in Kiss of Mauve), Rare Beauty Liquid Blush (in Happy)

Lips: Thrive Causemetics Lip Liner (in Jo, pink mauve) with a Milani lip oil. I’m waiting for my one Sephora sale purchase to arrive: the highly acclaimed Merit lipstick in Sunday.

Mascara: Since our bout with pink eye a few weeks ago, I haven’t worn any mascara, preferring to put on my complexion items and let blush do most of the work for my face. But I do like to wear Thrive Causemetics Tubing Mascara for online work events, date nights, or a confidence boost.

What Theo is Reading

We have entered the dinosaurs and dragons era, thanks to these bath toys and a family favorite picture book: Knight Owl. Here are a few more titles we love reading together right now.

There’s a Dragon in Your Book by Tom Fletcher.

Not Your Typical Dragon by Dan Bar-El.

Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs by Byron Barton.

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I’m thinking a lot about my own reading comprehension and how to bring more focus back to my reading life. I’ll update you in the next newsletter. Until then, Happy Spring!

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To find out more about my current reads, favorite things, and life updates follow me on Instagram. If you’re interested in reading classic literature with accessible guidance and a cozy community, check out the Novel Pairings podcast and Patreon.