This is the first blog post I have written in ages. Thus, for the sake of transparency, I should state that it is only fitting it focuses on someone besides myself. Becoming a mom of four has changed a lot for me. I thought I was busy before our sweet girl arrived, but now, I live and breathe BEING BUSY. I don’t intend for this to be a pity party … however, for me, postpartum anxiety is hard … momming four kids is hard, not loosing myself in the process is hard. I have had to downscale a lot of things, simplify where I can, and really focus on myself, my kids, and my husband. Leaving the house is really, really hard some days and knowing I have to get my kids to school, sports, and other activities is really the only thing that gets me out the door. So you can imagine why date nights-in have become very important to me. It has been hard to carve time out for myself, let alone for my marriage, during this transition of becoming a family of six. But, recently, we have been very mindful about fortifying ‘us’ again, even though ‘us’ has been very tired.
Our usual date night-in consists of trying to get the kids to bed early and talking on the couch downstairs over a cup of tea or a glass of wine. Sometimes, watching an episode of ‘Game of Thrones’ or a comedy movie for Mr. Occasionally Fashionable. During this time, I have been experimenting with face masks and new mommy skin care routines for myself. I am happy to say that Mr. Occasionally Fashionable has noticed my new found attention to clean and sustainable skincare products and has, himself, voiced wanting to find a regime for himself. Although, he isn’t good or diligent about washing his face, applying moisturizers, etc, he does want to start learning.
So, when I found out about Oar + Alps, I figured it would be a good fit. Mr. Occasionally Fashionable is a simple and happy guy. He loves his family fiercely and is always home spending as much time with us as possible. His devotion to our family warms my heart. He also loves the outdoors: taking us adventures, booking a trip the day or week before and hustling me to pack our bags to leave for Cabo or Boston the next day or week. Yes, yes. This has happened. He is simple, uncomplicated, fun, and full of adventure. And, Oars + Alps is a brand that seems to fit him and his lifestyle.
Our recent date night-in was spent with me showing him all of these fun goodies that I picked up from our local Target store. And, helping him apply his moisturizer. When he did it himself first, I am not joking, he was rubbing it on so ferociously my daughter and I were laughing. Explaining the whole, “we must be gentle on our skin” kind of made his eyes glaze over, but he humored me and let me show him how to apply it.
After using these products for a bit, he also humored me with answering the following products questions:
Me: Babe, when you first saw these products laid out, what did you think?
Mr. OF: Nice packaging. I wonder if they are good or not.
Me: What did you like about the packaging?
Mr. OF: I liked the packaging of the soap bars. It is simple.
Me: What about this brand appeals to you?
Mr. OF: It is natural.
Me: What is your favorite product you tried?
Mr. OF: The soap bar.
Me: Which one?
Mr. OF: The blue one. (Blue Charcoal Exfoliating Oars Bar Soap.)
Me: What do you think of natural deodorant?
Mr. OF: Smells good. Undecided.
Me: Did you know your armpits go through an aluminum detox when you stop using traditional deodorant?
Mr. OF: I knew there was a lot of aluminum.
Me: Did you know it takes like 4 weeks for your armpits to detox?
Mr. OF: No.
Me: What did you think of the moisturizer?
Mr. OF: Good. Felt nice.
Me: Did you like me putting it on for you?
Mr. OF: What?
Me: Did you like me putting it on for you?
Mr. OF: Oh, its our new nighttime routine.
Me: Hahaha.
And, yes, I really did ask him these questions. Yes, I usually wear a robe on date nights in. Yes, it looks like day time, but we did this at like 5 pm; I mean, date night-in can start at 5 pm for us tired parents. Yes, we really tried these products. Yes, we were gifted the product, but all these words and sentiments are ours. I have been loving the bar soaps and I will be getting the face wash for Mr. Occasionally Fashionable next. And, for the record I really like the logo. Major props.
As always, I am looking forward to more date nights-in with my main squeeze.
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