Monday Musings on the Scent of Figs
Happy Monday ladies. Are you ready for a new week? Does one day seem like every other for you too? A reader wrote to tell me she knows what day it is when Monday Musings shows up in her email so grab a cup of tea or coffee and let’s go…
These are a few things on my mind this week-
Blue Light
How much time do you spend on your cell phone, smart device, laptop, or watching TV? I spend too much on both my laptop and phone so I’m apparently putting myself at risk for Digital Eye Strain. Experts don’t agree on whether this is bad but I don’t think it can hurt to try and protect your eyes. I have a blue-blocking film on my progressive glasses but I often reach for cheaters to use with my laptop, and they have no coating so I ordered 
I also found this phone screen blue light filter which seems like a very good idea.
These devices all emit blue light which is a form of high-energy visible light (HEV). A 2010 study published in The Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that blue light can produce dark pigmentation and contribute to melasma in some people. Dermatologists suggest the best defense is a mineral sunscreen with zinc or titanium dioxide plus antioxidants to fortify your skin.
Some of the best antioxidants are good old Vitamin C serum, Vitamin A, (retinol or Retin A), Vitamin E, Reservatrol, Niacinamide, CoEnzymeQ 10, Glutathione, and Flavonoids such as green tea. I haven’t found one product that contains them all but I am on the hunt because it would sure simplify things.
Lake Tahoe
My husband has decided that he’s recovered enough to feel up to a short trip with our little trailer. He spent hours on the phone and was lucky enough to snag a cancellation at a campground in South Lake Tahoe. We had the most amazing time there last year. Even though it’s only 2 hours from our house, it feels like a whole other world. We may do nothing but reading and hang on the beach, which is just perfect for us. It makes me realize how much I take for granted on a daily basis which I need to appreciate more.
Figs
While harvesting our tomatoes last week, my daughter and I were struck by the amazing scent coming from our fig tree. I can’t quite explain the fragrance other than soft and somewhat sweet to me.
At any rate, I went hunting for some perfumes with fig and discovered it’s a very popular note in perfumes. There is an overwhelming number of perfumes with fig in them which has me wondering where I’ve been all this time? I focused on cruelty-free versions and ordered this one which arrives next week. Some online fragrance forums describe fig as a disgusting odor so I will let you know:)
Cocoa Butter
My hand therapy has turned the corner into a new level of torture. It turns out that I am making thick, ropey, Keloid scars along all of my incisions and they need to be broken up. Oh, joy! They had me order 
This cream is not free of petroleum products, or cruelty-free but its scent brings back vivid memories. I used this Cocoa Butter every day during both of my pregnancies because my mum told me it would prevent stretch marks. I’m sure that’s an old wives’ tale, but I didn’t get any.
Scents are a lightning-fast route to memories for me. Are they for you too?
Thanks for being here ladies and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
We’re just back from spending a few days in our little trailer just 45 minutes from home! It’s not the distance that matters so much as simply getting away and allowing ourselves to relax. Glad you were able to do that too.
Scents are huge for me… I am allergic to some I love, and others bother those with whom I live. We raised our kids by the beach, so the ocean brings many fond smells and memories. My husband lived on the desert; when it rained, I delighted in the wet aroma of the desert. I love my signature fragrance (coco). Also, I am kind of a hippy at heart, and my daughter and I like patchouli .š
I wore patchouli back in the day..hippy at heart here too!
Oh boy, one of my favorite topics, scents or perfumes and natural ingredients for sure. I discovered body wash made by Pacifica called Mediteranean Fig. I loved it. It was a soft, not too sweet scent. I found it at TJMaxx when they were rotating product but not these days. I tried the scented lotion but it just didnt hold up like the bodywash. Eager to hear how you like the fig perfume. Enjoy your trip. We will all enjoy vicariously.
I love the Pacifica line and will look for that wash! My local Sprouts and Whole Foods carry it.
Haha! I don’t know Monday from a fig tree these days! We are going camping, old fashioned tent variety. We used to do it regularly, and the local mountain campgrounds are open again. I needed to replace everything (because of our house fire) so I decided I would get what I really wanted instead of just using old junk out of the house. It has been fun choosing new camping equipment and finding the companies have started to cater to old people (like me) with easier-to-use items.
Our age demographic is finally being catered to and it’s a wonderful thing. Have fun.
I grew up with so many wonderful fragrances and scents around me. Figs were one. And Concord grapes, pomegranate, apricot, cut hay, cantaloupe and tomato fields. I now live in an area almost devoid of scents and I feel the lack keenly.
Tahoe is such a magical place. Love how all the senses are satisfied there.
That would be hard. Have you tried a diffuser in your home?I love them
I started using the palmers after a therapist recommended it after knee surgery! Itās so good as are other of their products! Try the face oil for a lovely facial! I steam with it on in the tub!
I envy you getting away! Yāall deserve a break for sure!
Ahhh the mountains!!!! And talking about coco butter – it reminds me of laying in the sun as a teen, slathering on coco butter to get a tan/burn (I did this instead of baby oil and iodine). Crazy kids – if only we had known better!!!!
I love your necklaces. Where did you find them%?
One is a meditation mala from Etsy and the other was from a tiny boutique in Placerville. Sadly that one got terminally snarled and tangled so I can no longer wear it.
Enjoy your trip. We went up to Big Bear lake for a couple of days. There is nothing like mountain air thats for sure. Look very cute in your outfit.
Have a very good time on your getaway. Yea!
It’s not until August but we are very excited.
Glad you got away for a few days. Hang in there….better days are ahead. I also got some blue coating glasses. I ordered them online but don’t like the frame. Oh well, no one is seeing me anyway. Hope your hand heals up like it should.
Have a beautiful time Lake Tahoe is gorgeous!
We donāt go until the end of August, Iām so excited!
Canāt wait for the fig perfume!
Hi Jennifer, I am fairly new to your blog and love reading it. Especially the Monday Musings and your personal stories. Based on the places youāve been recently, I feel like you must live close to me. I live in El Dorado Hills. Where are you?
We are very close. We actually looked up there before we settled closer to Sacramento. Youāre in a lovely lovely spot!
I had no idea you lived near Sacramento! I live in Davis. I love your Tahoe outfit. Enjoy!
Such a small world! Davis is a darling little town.
Wonderful post. Iām drinking my morning coffee and feel like weāre having a relaxing conversation. I agree about checking with a hand therapist. Enjoy your trip sounds fun!š
I think I have posted this before *sorry* but if you are not seeing a “CHT” which is a certified hand therapist, you may want to look into it. Sounds like you are having some trouble.
Yes I am, mercifully. My surgeon took one look at my palm a week post op and walked me right over to his therapy division. I have a long way to go
One of my friends married at Lake Tahoe back in the day, and I have really wonderful memories of our time there. Enjoy it…I’m envious.
I do buy blue coating for my prescription glasses and recommend this. Dermatologist recommended Isdin photo Eryfotona Ageless Ultralight emulsion broad spectrum SPF 50 100% mineral sunscreen-tinted or plain. Active ingredient zinc oxide. With DNA repairs ones, Q10 peptide Complex and antioxidants (on box front). Mary Kay Andrewās new book Hello Summer would be fun reading for you! Enjoy your R&R! I love reading your advice.
Thatās a new one to me and sounds wonderful. Iāll google it now. Mary Kay Andrews is one of my favorites for light fun reading. Great suggestions, thanks!
chuckling because i let the kid behind the counter at costco talk me into a pair of computer glasses, and they do work very well..however, i forget i have them on and when i get up to do anything else, i tend to run into something.
figs i dont know about their scent, but i know i read where tea tree oil seems to be a cure for everything, i ordered some, but wow, thats a stink to me, and if i use on myself the cats wont come anywhere near me.
Ive only seen Lake Tahoe area once, but was enthralled by it…it has to go on my growing list of places to go, i have to stop watching travel shows, this list is getting really long!
Travel shows would be almost heartbreaking for me to watch right now.
I use tea tree oil as an antiseptic. It does smell nasty;)
If you like the scent of figs, you will LOVE that perfume!!!! I also have their rose scent and mix the two, from time to time. The rose is very nice, and not “your grandma’s rose scent”. – Not bashing anyone’s grandma, nor the the way they smell.
Thanks for the tip. I love the scent of roses but the perfumes are often too literal. I ordered their Neroli too. I see I have more testing in my future.
You deserve a vacation after all you’ve been through. Sitting by a lake, reading sounds heavenly! Enjoy.
Iām so excited! Now to load up on some books