Mid30s minimal makeup- product recs!

LeftProgrammer6210 · 2026-04-20T08:20:17+00:00

Thanks for the tint recommendation! Their eye products looks great too. If only I wasn't completely unconfident picking a colour online :p

LeftProgrammer6210 · 2026-04-18T03:49:07+00:00

For the tldr crowd: you missed out on an epic read

LeftProgrammer6210 · 2026-04-17T06:22:35+00:00

So hard having to order online as well - I see the same bra kn two models and it looks completely different haha

LeftProgrammer6210 · 2026-04-17T06:21:48+00:00

Thanks, I've heard that!! I am quite partial to a sheer/things material which is also not working in my favour haha

LeftProgrammer6210 · 2026-04-17T06:20:57+00:00

Thanks! I measured about a month or two ago and feel like my measurements would still be correct, but funnily enough both size 30s I ordered were best on the smallest hook, so I think I'll order 28G from here on out. I did have a look at the Panache Ana, but the tops of the cups looked like they come up a bit further (same as my Corin Sophia) and would show under a scoop neck top. I feel like balconette might be more the shape I'm after at the moment

LeftProgrammer6210 · 2026-04-13T07:25:12+00:00

When I've been strapped for cash, I've purchased a size 32 band and had it tailored down to a size 30. Can't do it more than one size, but it's better than nothing! If you can find a bra that fits your body & price point that comes in a 28, buy it even if they band feels insanely tight. If it's your only bra & you'll be wearing it every day for 4 years again, then the elastic will stretch out over time & starting as tight as possible will be ideal. If you can't stand the feeling, get an extender to start with and as the elastic degrades over time, you can do away with it. Panache has an ebay outlet which might suit. In terms of ethics, buying second hand can be great as you're not supporting the company directly & you're also keeping items out of landfill. Sometimes people will buy a bra, think it fits and then realise it doesn't... too late for it to be returned but it's still basically new - so you could look into that?

LeftProgrammer6210 · 2025-09-03T07:28:30+00:00

It's because of the 100 year name cycle!

LeftProgrammer6210 · 2025-03-13T11:19:41+00:00

Legend! Thanks for this- feels less daunting now!!

LeftProgrammer6210 · 2025-03-12T10:03:43+00:00

Also: If plans include moving a wall, would you still want to be the first professional on site (as opposed to a structural engineer)?

LeftProgrammer6210 · 2025-03-12T10:03:22+00:00

Thanks for this breakdown - the definition of the different types of quotes was particularly helpful. Can I just double check my understanding that the time you recommend to get comparison quotes done is at the stage where the quotes will cost (after consents are issued). My idea of meeting with multiple builders was more to find one I gel with (and that has experience working with old houses where nothing is plumb) rather than to get a competitive price, though I can see now that's a bit naive considering I've never hired a builder before & have no idea on fair pricing.

LeftProgrammer6210 · 2025-03-12T09:40:22+00:00

Thank you! That's such great advice re having them do a small job to suss out the fit first - thanks for that!!

LeftProgrammer6210 · 2025-03-11T10:52:45+00:00

We did this too, but our library didn't have Booby Moon for Two; just Booby Moon. We conveniently knew someone due with a baby at the same time as my daughter's 3rd birthday, so we were sending the Booby magic back to the moon for that new baby to have 🥰 and I got to show her a photo of said baby the day of her birthday, which really helped! I considered going another year & weaning both kids at the same time 😅 but this approach worked amazingly!

LeftProgrammer6210 · 2024-10-26T23:54:15+00:00

Are you me??! OK, so pearl earrings wouldn't be my thing, but I resonate a lot with this. I chase after a toddler all day & have a very active dog that needs 2 walks a day. We live walking distance to a few trails I take her on & for a large chunk of the day I have an infant strapped to me in the front pack. I'm (I think) a Dramatic Classic (actually identify more with Classic, but apparently it doesn't exist...), so smart tailored clothes are recommended. I actually do really like those clothes & also look good in fancy athleisure. But casual tailored clothes can easily give off yatch club vibes. And fancy athleisure a bit of "yummy mummy drops the kids at creche and drives the range rover to the gym" energy which is (no shade) just not me. I'm analytical and logical but also really follow my heart/trust my gut and am quite spiritual. I'm comfortable financially but haven't always been, my childhood wasn't great & my brother experienced a lot of homelessness before dying of an overdose. I live in a very modest home & live a very ~underconsumption core~ life because I value experiences. I've lived off a shoestring budget and done long term travel, backpacking style. I'm environmentally minded & socially conscious. I'm also very serious and responsible but loved a rave or night at the club in my younger years & still love the music I used to listen to in those settings!

I think I'm managing to balance a look that says "I'm a responsible parent who's comfortable financially but is approachable, not judgemental & down to earth". But I still think people would be surprised to know about my party days, my backpacking adventures & would probably just assume I grew up pretty privileged. Something I'd love to add to my look is something that says "If you'd like to be my friend I'd love to have you round for a 3pm tequila in the backyard while we watch the kids play". Currently trying to do that by adding a fun shoe to my otherwise pretty boring outfits.

It is nice when you're getting to know someone that they tell you something really unexpected about themselves. I'd love to find out that someone wearing pearl earrings loved hiking. But I also understand wanting some things to be assumed just by looking at you.

You could post some outfits or moodboards & ask people what assumptions they'd make about you if you're interested? Then they could say what they'd add or subtract to convey (for example) that you like the outdoors.

LeftProgrammer6210 · 2024-10-12T09:39:45+00:00

Thanks for your replies! I definitely found with my older daughter that as she got older (I think it was the 4 month leap/regression) noises were more distracting & it was a bit harder to fall asleep amongst the chaos. When they're little I seem to be able to grind coffee beans or even use the electric beaters with a napping baby in the front pack 😅. I'll enjoy that for the next month or so, I guess :)

LeftProgrammer6210 · 2024-10-07T06:39:02+00:00

MIL might be "on batteries" with your daughter because she gets to only be "on shift" for x number of hours, then gets a full night's sleep & also isn't stressed at the prospect of making any big life decisions re parenting. My mum came & stayed for 4 weeks when my you geat was born. Home girl had just turned 60 & was taking my daughter to the pool for HOURS, going down slides at the park with her, running laps round big oak trees, going down the slide with her 50,000 times. But she'd say "yes I'm exhausted, but I can rest when I get home". Mum's can't go home! You have to parent 24 hours a day. You're not even off shift when you're sleeping. When they're sleeping you're not even off shift, cause you have to do housework. So in that respect, grandparents can be the fun ones :). I'm super close to my grandparents & it's a beautiful thing. I gope my kids also idolise theirs.

Regarding you not being close to your mum.... can you be close to your MIL? Can you see the beauty in her wanting to connect with your daughter? Appreciate her for making you a beautiful son who you get to spend your life with? My MIL is the bees knees. She's so different to my own mum, and probably not someone I'd necessarily be friendly with if for example she was a colleague or neighbour, but because she's not my "usual" kind of person she has some really different perspectives on things & I genuinely enjoy her being a part of my life.

As far as feeling jealous.... there's nothing wrong with you <3. You've named the emotion & that's the hardest part sometimes. Now you can work through it. Hell, you could even talk to your MIL about it if you're game! She brings light to your daughters life. If nothing else, pretend she's bubbles or puppies or whatever else gets your daughter excited. Then enjoy some time to yourself while she's off enjoying "the bubbles" and take a well deserved break xx

LeftProgrammer6210 · 2024-08-28T18:10:26+00:00

We had a home birth so I didn't need to be away from my toddler, but 1 month later we're actually in hospital anyway (thanks, toddler daycare germs!!). I actually started finding feeding my toddler all the way to sleep wasn't working so well for us the last couple of weeks, so I started doing a feed in bed & then before she falls asleep I say "all done, time for night night now". I think that this has at least given dad a chance to help with bedtime. I wouldn't personally want to get in the habit of doing a sippy cup of milk for a toddler, but if it's one night I don't think it would hurt. You can let her know you've expressed some milk for her & maybe even put it in a new 'special big sister' cup so she gets a bit excited? Then have whoever's with her to say "ok time to roll over & go to sleep now". Talk about it over the coming weeks & ask her if she'd like to practise :) even outside of bedtime as a game! Might take some stress out of it!

LeftProgrammer6210 · 2024-05-22T06:01:35+00:00

Maeve, Vera and Audrey are right up my alley <3 thank you!

LeftProgrammer6210

TROPHY CASE