Sunday Dinner: Volume 3
Makeup staple on sale, Amazon small business favorites, and my 40th birthday gift
Hi! Missy here, starting our newsletter this time. Usually, it is Sarah, but it is only because she did not give me the Substack password or teach me how to do this until she was finally too stressey depressey. Most links are commissionable links, which means we make commission if you click the link and make a purchase.
Confession time. Sarah and I have officially reached peak codependency, and I think we like it. We just spent two days at the Junto Hotel in Columbus, Ohio, planning content, filming our favorite products, and having girl talk and (literal) tea.
Working together is genuinely our secret sauce because our shared (and hereditary) case of executive dysfunction means we need each other to make anything happen in a reasonable timeframe. Seriously. Between bursts of “Wait, what were we even doing?” and “Have you seen my phone?”, we managed to narrow down a few game-changers we’re obsessed with that we will kick off this Sunday Dinner Edition with.
Amazon Big Deals from Small Businesses
Amazon? Really?
Fun fact we learned while rallying around our favorite small businesses1: Many of these small brands are thriving by finding a balance between Amazon sales and their independent sales channels. Who knew inventory management could be so fascinating? Plus, we have heard from many of you that you want to try to find the same balance—cost, value, values.
Sarah and I each have our favorite picks below.
Nordstrom Beauty Sale - 15% off beauty, including luxury brands that are never included, like Hermes, Prada, Gucci, etc. The Sephora sale starts soon; unless you are rouge (20% off), this is the best price for it.
Dior Forever Star Glow Filter—I always joke that Missy is on a PIP2 (corporate girlies know…), but then she reminds me that she was the one who discovered this beauty product—our top-selling item of last year and our favorite. Unlike other illuminators, it contains skincare ingredients, making it absorb better into the skin. So, I guess you could say she ended the year “Exceeding Expectations.”
It’s like a secret weapon for the “I got 8 hours of sleep and have my life together” vibe—even if you’ve got neither. Check out the IG post below for several pictures and instructions!
Sleep Crown Pillows are on sale for 10% off for three more days. If winning the lottery means sleeping on a bed entirely made of Sleep Crowns, then I finally believe in the lottery. They block the light, muffle the sound, and feel just right. (Exclusive 10% off because we love you but it ends in a few days.)
Jeni’s Double Dough Ice Cream 🍦– Picture this. Cookie dough, brown butter batter, and fresh waffle bowls. It’s indulgence in a pint and an acceptable replacement (for now) to enjoying gelato on Capri. Kinda.
Sarah’s Plate
What I ate
We are mid-season into Rebecca’s first foray into club sports participation and my mid-life crisis?3. Whew! What a commitment. Our dinners are take-out or easy things like spaghetti or breaded chicken chunks on a salad4. We are also in the middle of Lent, and while I am not Catholic, James and Rebecca are. So we are eating a lot of our favorite fish that can be found at Costco before Lent. It usually sells out for the season, and they replace it with another brand that is not as good. Makes a great fish taco, though.
If you are not on Instagram, you may have missed that I am obsessed with these smoked salmon lunchables. I don’t even usually like Lox because of the texture. However, the salmon is flakier, and the combination with the lemon-chive cream cheese and the texture of the rice cracker? Delicious.
What I watched
I never understood how my mom could never watch movies or TV when we were younger. Now I get it. I watched nothing. I am not morally opposed to TV or anything, I just can’t sit anywhere to focus on anything right now.
What I read
Same with reading. I read 9 books in January and February, but have yet to finish one for March. I am definitely in the midst of a depression episode, where I am not sad per se, just little interest in all the things I usually love and tired.
What I shopped
I tried this new Topicals mask as a night-time spot treatment for the hormonal cystic pimples I get on my jawline, AND DAMN. This works so well. It is sulfur-based with azelaic and hypochlorous acid. It not only helps reduce redness and pain for me, but the cysts are usually gone after three nights of treatment - which is rare for me. Usually takes weeks. The bonus is that it is currently on sale on Amazon right now. But if you are abstaining from Amazon, also available from Sephora - and is a Black-owned brand!
Along with a trip to Palm Springs with my siblings and closest friends, this petite 1 carat tennis bracelet from Quince was my other big 40th birthday gift. I kept seeing a similar one from Ring Concierge sold, and I loved how small it was. I started searching for other retailers that might offer something similar, but also have a sale. Quince came up. I sent James my affiliate link, and he bought it for me. I love it. It is a great staple. I did the full 1 ct so the diamonds go around the entire bracelet, but the 0.5 ct looks nice, too!
I keep seeing Filofax and A5 binder inspo in my Substack and Pinterest feed. I decided I wanted one, too. I mean, I will always love a new notebook and pens. I went with this Louis Vuitton look-alike from Etsy. Then I bought Missy this FiloFax, and honestly might like the FiloFax better. It is much lighter and less cumbersome. Plus, you can move around the pages and add things like section dividers. And the paper! It is so smooth and heavy - truly an ice rink for your pen.
Dorsey has a new spring offering - huggies! My favorite type of earrings are huggies because they are comfortable to wear all day, and I can sleep in them. When I saw these, I set an alarm to buy when they launched. I bought in silver, but now I want the gold.
If you are into the paracord necklace look ala Cartier, they are also launching a paracord collection with early access available to their creators first! I am not a big Paracord. necklace fan, so I passed on the Missy accepted her gift (with no obligation to post) and loved it. The juxtaposition of the sparkly gems among a paracord necklace with an adjustable length - gets as long as 26” or adjusts to the length of a choker.
Missy’s Plate
What I ate
I cannot quit Carol Bee Cooks' recipes—and Sakara. I made my new favorite one-pot meal, One Pot Miso Mushroom Bucatini, and it was good. It was super easy, too. I need to add a little cream because I am who I am—a Midwest girl who is lactose intolerant but in denial of it. Oh, and I added an egg because I have expensive tastes.
I am doing a few weeks of Sakara 3 days a week because my nutrition for breakfast and lunch has been abysmal. An investment worth it to me. And I like it so much I asked for a discount (for both of us, because I am paying out of my own pocket.) Use SISTER20 for 20% off. I am doing 3-days a week and I purchased a pack of 4 weeks.
What I watched
Am I the only one who cannot finish the last episode of a series or show? I know it is an anxiety response or something, but it is really hard for me to recognize the end of something. Anders may move out if I do not agree to finish the season finale of Severance this week - but I just know it will be emotional and dramatic (and epic TV) and I need to be in the right headspace for it. I did see via meme that there is an epic Milchick marching band scene - so I'm looking forward to that.
What I read
How to Keep House While Drowning | Bookshop.org, Amazon | by KC Davis. I truly must continue to remember these principles. Sarah mentioned filming Sephora content in my living room and I responded “well, guess I should finally take down my Christmas tree.” So that should give you a look into my current state at home. But this book breaks coping and actions to make life easier and to also learn to forgive yourself to avoid the never-ending guilt-to-inaction pipeline. Highly recommend. The insight to simply pick up the trash, the dishes, the laundry and not get bogged down into doing all of it in order (i.e. don’t do the dishes at that moment, don’t do the laundry at that moment) was a game-changer for me.
What I am wearing
This Amazon bodysuit, on sale right now
If I had a nickel for everytime I wore this Amazon button-down bodysuit I would have like $5, but - still - that’s kind of a lot of wear and value. Plus it is on sale through Big Deals special. It is such an easy staple - throw it on with jeans, throw it on for work, etc. Goes up to XXL and I am in my true size. It does not wrinkle very easily and is a great staple for travel. 20% off right now
Underwear for every occasion
Sarah and I recently had a conversation with Britt about having to wear cute or sexy underwear when you don’t feel well. Well I have favorites for each occasion.
Everyday undies 20% off and under $20 for 5 pairs - Everyday, cotton underwear that does not roll down. Easy, cotton, comfortable, doesn’t dig into skin, and does not roll down.
My secret comfortable but shaping secret weapon undergarment shorts are 60% off but comfortable shorts for holding and shaping are 60% off. They make me look my best and are seamless - 10000000% better than thongs for comfort. Does not dig into skin. Someone shared they are discontinuing them so I may buy out the last of the stock - act fast?
{Family members please stop reading here} Sexy, comfortable bra and panty set. Sheer, comfortable. Not itchy. Somehow the bra is lifting and flattering without a wire? Your partner will not be able to contain themselves. I swear. Sarah also swears by the nude highwaisted for seamless and comfortable look. Use code MYSISTERMADEMEBUYIT15 for 15% off. Plus sizes up to 4X.
What I used
My forever-favorite curling iron which is 35% off. I could not live without my Bio Ionic tools. Seriously. The curling iron is a game changer. I just used it yesterday - and I used it as a clamp iron and I use it as a wand. I have never seen it this discounted. I have the 1 inch extended barrel and it is 35% off! Wild!
My clip-in hair extensions that are under $50. I will always keep it real. I love the look of extra volume with clip-in extensions. For special nights out or special occasions, I cannot believe they are under $50 - I paid full price. I am using the dark brown balayage in 16 inch. They are real hair, can be heat styled, washed, conditioned, etc.
That is all for today!
XX Sarah + Missy
I have only learned this from a few small businesses that specifically requested that I link through Amazon instead of directly because of inventory concerns. I am sure it differs from company to company, but it was insight I am not at all familiar with and always skipped operations class in college.
Performance Improvement Plan
I feel like I have been in the middle of a mid-life crisis since turning 33 and ultimately taking care of my parents before they both died at 66.
you have me wanting salmon snacks
link to the silver purse?