Mini-Ep 443: Casual T-Shirt Unicorn
Doree and Elise discuss the latest release of Trader Joe’s mini tote bags, the perils of flying into Newark airport, and the difficulties of writing on spec. Then, they hear from listeners about why SPF isn’t just in all the skincare products, how dogs bring microjoys, and a callout for the perfect summer tee.
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Transcript
This episode transcript is AI generated.
Doree (00:10):
Hello and welcome to Forever 35, a podcast about the things we do to take care of ourselves. I'm Doree Shafrir.
Elise (00:17):
And I'm Elise Hu. And we're just two friends who like to talk a lot about serums,
Doree (00:21):
And this is a mini episode where we hear from you, we share your comments and your thoughts, and we answer your questions to the best of our ability. But please remember, we are not experts. We are podcast hosts. We do always encourage you to seek support first and foremost from a medical and or mental health professional as needed.
Elise (00:37):
And we weren't sure if there were going to be enough questions and voicemails and things for this week's episode, but it turns out that we have plenty.
Doree (00:45):
Y'all came through,
Elise (00:46):
You came through with your questions about haircare. We've got some haircare today. We've got some clothing questions today, some voicemails.
Doree (00:54):
We've got a podcast recommendation. There's a lot happening.
Elise (00:57):
Yeah. Oh yes. So thanks for coming through.
Doree (01:01):
Yeah. How are you doing, Elise?
Elise (01:03):
I'm good. I am a little stressed out about a trip coming up. I'm supposed to be headed to New York, I guess tonight. The evening of this airing, this episode's airing, but flying into Newark, and I don't know if you've heard, but there are tons of air traffic control people, staffers who are on trauma leave, and they are the ones who worked Newark because there was this scare in which their instruments lost contact momentarily with all incoming flights.
Doree (01:39):
Seems bad.
Elise (01:40):
Yeah, that would cause a lot of trauma bad. That would cause me a lot of trauma. And then so the air traffic control workers, lots of them had to take a 45 day leave, trauma leave, and when it comes to air traffic control staffing, it was already low because of all of the pressures on federal agencies, including the FAA. But also if you're licensed to work like DFW airport, you can't just work the Newark Air Traffic Control Tower like the Newark folks are for Newark. And so United, which flies into Newark most commonly because it's one of their hubs, has had to cancel thousands and thousands of flights now or delay them. I actually had, this is where my ex-husband, Maddie is very helpful because he works at CNN and he's a data journalist. And so I was like, do I fly into Newark or do I not fly into Newark? And it's so funny, he's like, flight Radar 24 tells us 1026 flights in and out of Newark have been canceled since April 28th. And I'm like, thank you.
(02:49):
And then he sent me a little graph, he made a little chart and it shows the number of scheduled flights versus the number of actually departed flights. And so I am not sure whether to fly into Newark, but I don't, I'm sort of at the whim of the folks who are flying me into New York because they said they got nonrefundable tickets and so if I do want to change my flight, they would have to book new ones. And they're on the fence about that, and that's why the trigger hasn't been pulled one way or the other. I still don't know if my flight's going to get changed because it's up to my patrons, the people who invited me out there. So we'll see.
Doree (03:29):
Oh boy, that is stressful. I'm sorry.
Elise (03:32):
Yeah, I kind of don't want to, I think that it's not a good idea, but there are still flights going in and departing, but you're just putting yourself at risk, not necessarily saying it's a safety risk. I mean, you're putting yourself at risk for delays and cancellations and missing your event or whatever you need to be there for. So yeah, we, we'll see. So yes, so that's happening. And then the other PSA is that Trader Joe's mini tote bags that went viral and were getting resold at many, many, many times. Their original 2 99 price, they are back at least at the Southern California Trader Joe's near me. So the shipments are landing in stores, but it's sort of capricious what time, which day, which stores and when they do arrive, those mini totes are selling out within an hour. I went the other night because somebody had given me the very important intel that they were going to land at the Fox Hills one at 5:00 PM and so I showed up at the Fox Hills Trader Joe's at 6:15 PM and the staffers there were like, sorry, you missed them. They were gone before six. So you can check your Trader Joe's near you to see, and if you even want one of these mini toes, my daughter, my youngest daughter Luna, really wanted one because they're perfectly sized for her lunchbox. You can put your lunchbox in it and then carry the tote, and that's what a lot of her friends are doing. But I don't know how her friends got their hands on this hot item in the first place.
Doree (05:12):
My friend said she got me one, and so I supposedly have one with a friend. Oh, great. I got a couple of the previous style, and I got to say I don't use them that much, but I did see, when I was taking Henry to school yesterday, there were people lined up before the 8:00 AM opening of one of the Trader Joe's near us. So I was like, oh, they must have gotten a new shipment of the Easter
Elise (05:42):
Bags,
Doree (05:43):
Spring bags, whatever they're calling them, they're back Back. They're back. They're back. So yeah, we got a text that I just want to read before the break. Someone said, Dorie, I was listening to an episode from January, 2024. At the time you were working on a book you were excited about. Are you still working on it or have you shelved the project? I loved your two other books.
Elise (06:15):
Good question, listener.
Doree (06:18):
I got to say it is really nice to hear from listeners with questions like this because writers, we toil away in relative obscurity and solitude.
Elise (06:31):
Solitude.
Doree (06:32):
And it's like nice to have someone be like, Hey, I like your work. Where's your next book? I don't take this as a, I don't know. I think questions like this stress some people out, you know what I mean?
Elise (06:48):
Understood. Understood.
Doree (06:49):
But I'm sort of like, oh, that's really nice. Someone wants my next book. I have some, I don't know, it's not bad news, but it's just like it is what it is. News. I haven't shelved it. Okay. I'm technically still working on it. I actually just had a call with my agent about something else and we were sort of talking about it and it's just life has been very stressful for the past, I would say year and a half to two years. And I don't know about you, but when other aspects of my life are super stressful and I'm really financially strapped, it's very hard to motivate to write a book on spec. I feel like anything on
Elise (07:36):
Spec,
Doree (07:36):
It's hard to do anything on spec. I feel like I need to focus on the things that are bringing me money immediately.
Elise (07:43):
I get it. Yes. No, I get it. I thought about that with the screenplay too, play a lot of the times because so much of it with film is work that you do on spec as well.
Doree (07:56):
Yes,
Elise (07:57):
I get it. So the ideas are still there. The work that you've done on it is still there. You're just not going to going to likely pick it back up until you're on firmer financial footing. Is that what I'm hearing?
Doree (08:10):
I think so. I just don't have the brain space to do it. I'm too stressed about other stuff. So it's a little bit of a chicken and egg thing because presumably if I finished it and I sold it, that would alleviate some of my money stress. But how much could I really sell it for? But it would be nice, but it's very hard for me to focus to be able to finish it. So I really appreciate the check-in and I do want to get back to it so you know what I need, Elise? I need a patron. What?
Elise (08:51):
Yes. If there are just patrons of arts out there.
Doree (08:55):
Yeah, I need the meta cheese. Where are my meta cheese?
Elise (08:59):
Yeah. Do Dory's creative work or support my documentary. I also am in search of a patron. Yep. Just general call out, Joe, call out.
Doree (09:10):
Yep. If you're listening to this and you're like, I have an extra few thousand dollars lying around that I don't need, just let us know. We could put it to good use. Alright, we are going to take a short break. Before we do that, please do call and text us. Our number is 7 8 1 5 9 1 0 3 9 0. Our email is Forever 35 podcast@gmail.com. We also have a website forever 35 podcast.com. We have links there to everything we mention on the show. We're on Instagram at Forever 35 podcast. Our newsletter is Forever 35 podcast.com/newsletter and you can shop our favorite products at shop my US slash forever 35 and we'll be right back.
Elise (09:55):
We'll be right back to talk about some products.
Doree (10:06):
Alright, we are back and we are going to kick off this segment with a voicemail. Hey,
Listener Voicemail (10:14):
This message is for Elise. This is really random, but I heard you say as an aside to the Men's Foundation question, why not just put some string in it? Why not? And something that I've learned from Chemist Confessions, the two skincare chemists who were on Forever 35 who are amazing that I was introduced to and who you guys should have back on is that SPF is very chemically complex to make. That's why you go to the grocery store and there's five brands and that's it. You should never buy, go to an outside fair and from a small mom and pop shop and buy sunscreen all about supporting local businesses, but never buy. You should never buy any sunscreen that's not from one of the main brands because it's so chemically complex. And then once you get the chemical components right, when you put it in a tube, sometimes that additional placement and the type of plastic it's in anyway, it's a very complex process and it takes a lot of money in order to create a tube of sunscreen.
(11:30):
Anyway, so my theory, and I think what Chemist Confessions say is there's sunscreen and there's space products. If you need a good sunscreen, get sunscreen, you want to face product, you like a moisturizer, get that. It's very hard to find something that's going to be both and all things to everybody due to the complexity of the chemistry, I believe. But anyway, you guys should have Chemist Confessions on again. They're so lovely. Introduce a new crowd of forever 35 of them. But anyway, I just wanted to share the SBS complexities. I don't think it's just as easy as squeezing a bunch in the makeup and then you're done. I think it's very extremely ly. Okay. Sorry for rambling, Elise, you're an amazing addition two forever 35. I'm so glad you're here. Bye-bye.
Elise (12:22):
Fascinating. Fascinating. See, I'm so used to SPF being in everything because of my time in Asia and my expertise in Asian beauty because BB cream, CC cream, DD creams, they all as a standard ingredient, and these are kind of foundation type tinted moisturizer products. They all have SPF in them, but you're right, the engineering, who knows what's happening on the backend with the engineering of these products. So probably costly. Probably costly. Thank you. And yeah, maybe we should have these chemists on. Has it been a minute since the last time
Doree (12:58):
That were on? It's been a minute. It's been quite some time since they were on the show, so yeah, they would be fun to have on. They were great guests. They're very knowledgeable.
Elise (13:06):
Okay, that's a great idea.
Doree (13:07):
They have a real product background and science research background, so they really know what they're talking about unlike me. Great idea. So, okay, we got a text from a listener who wanted to share a haircare win.
Elise (13:22):
Yay.
Doree (13:23):
A TikTok influencer recommended the Sara V gentle hydrating shampoo and conditioner, and I'm here to report back that they are both great. I was spending way too much on luxury shampoos and conditioners and feeling like it was a waste. I'm happy to pay more for volume stuff and other products that you don't wash out, but very relieved that a cheaper option is just fine. Also, Nina Pools red for the Palmer skin. Cleansing oil with rosewater is divine and cheap great oil cleanser does not cause breakouts. Thanks for a great show.
Elise (13:58):
I didn't even know that CVE was making haircare products. I love my CeraVe products like moisturizer for example, and then my kids use CeraVe for cleansing.
Doree (14:10):
I wish we had gotten this text four days ago because when I went to my dermatologist for my hair, he always has a little basket of samples at the reception desk and he had samples of this
Elise (14:23):
Shampoo
Doree (14:23):
And conditioner, but I picked up the anti dandruff CeraVe anti-dandruff shampoo and conditioner because I wanted to try that. Also. I don't have dandruff, but as I think I've mentioned on the show before, I also saw on TikTok that washing your hair with dandruff shampoo once a week helps with hair growth,
Elise (14:43):
Right? Yes, you did mention that. Okay, so you got the CV anti dandruff shampoo, but our listener recommends the Sevi Gentle Hydrating shampoo and conditioner.
Doree (14:56):
Yes.
Elise (14:56):
Okay,
Doree (14:57):
Good to know. Thank you for the
Elise (14:58):
Wreck. Thank you
Doree (14:59):
For Alright, another prod voicemail.
Listener Voicemail (15:04):
Hi Dorian Elise, I am just calling in response to the Wonder Skin Peel and Reveal lip situation. I have been using a peel and reveal lip mask for a few years. I like it, but I also have some issues with it. I feel like when the mask is on and I take it off, sometimes it deposits like pigment more in maybe certain areas of my lip, maybe where there's more skin or something. So a little uneven in the application, which is my main complaint. It also dries out my lips a little bit, so I have to make sure to keep it moisturized throughout the day. Otherwise, I do like it for if I really need something to stay on all day. My other recommendation might be something else from Wonder Skin. They actually have this called this Lip rehab oil, and that has this shade that's pH, it's like adjust to your own body's pH and it's called kiss and it's a lip oil that just kind of gives this little pink tone to your lips.
(16:07):
It doesn't stay on all day or anything, but it's pretty lasting. I like it because it's very natural, but it just gives your lips a little flush. It's the lip rehab oil in the shade called kiss. It's that pH adjusting one. They also have a pH adjusting blush stick that I'm interested in trying. I just saw, I get their, I'm subscribed now, unfortunately, and fortunately, I'm not sure if it's good or bad, but I got their emails and it was like, we have this new thing and it's a pH adjusting blush stick and apparently it just gives your cheeks that nice natural flesh. I may be influenced to buy it, I'm not sure yet. So a couple of products that Wonder Skin does that are not the peel and reveal lip mask, I do like some of their other products. And that was it. And thanks for the pod. Talk to you later. Bye.
Doree (16:56):
Okay.
Elise (16:57):
I'm really fascinated by this pH activated or pH adjusting lip oil. So I went and looked it up. It looks like it's available for $14, $14 and 40 cents.
Doree (17:09):
Okay. Okay.
Elise (17:11):
Yeah, I give that a try. I used to also just for a little kiss of color, I used to really love the Benefit Benin. There was a great shade of that and now it looks like they only have, of course. Oh yeah, it was called Posey Tint, like P-O-S-I-E and then they discontinued it because anytime I find a lip color that I really love, it's discontinued within a year. It's almost
Doree (17:38):
Like so annoying
Elise (17:39):
A rule. Yeah, but they still, I mean Benetton still has other shades. It was just, that was the one I really liked.
Doree (17:45):
Alright. Alright.
Elise (17:46):
Maybe this Wonder Skin. Yes. Maybe this Wonder Skin can be a replacement.
Doree (17:50):
We're going to take another short break and we'll be right back.
Elise (17:54):
Okay. We'll be right back.
Doree (18:02):
Alright, we are back and we have a prod request. Listener writes, I'm looking for a casual t-shirt unicorn. I can wear all summer long requirements, affordable longer T-shirt sleeves, breathable fabric. I'm looking for something that I can run around in after my children, but still looks flattering and doesn't make me sweat to death. Amazon has a ton of options, but you never know if you're getting a quality item or glorified trash. I'd love some verified reviews from the Trusted Forever 35 community.
Elise (18:36):
I bop around in t-shirts a lot. I recommend, I can't remember the exact name of them. I think it's something like Whisper Soft or Whisper Skin or something like that. But anyway, they often have them on sale. I checked this week and there was one that was like 6 99 or something. So I have lots of Madewell and lots of colors, but wear the black ones and the white ones commonly, I'm like a white t-shirt and jeans gal when I leave the house. So yeah, I really like 'em. They're soft. The only requirement that my Madewell shirts may not fill is the longer t-shirt sleeves. I think they're just kind of like regular length and it sounds like this listener wants them a tad longer than that, but not long sleeves.
Doree (19:27):
Yeah, I wasn't sure what longer T-shirt sleeves meant.
Elise (19:31):
She put a photo up in our Patreon chat so you can see kind of an example Patreon members. But yeah, just a sleeve that hits closer to the elbow.
Doree (19:44):
Okay. Got it, got it, got it.
Elise (19:46):
But call in. Yes. Call us and write us if you have some suggestions.
Doree (19:49):
Alright. Okay. Hi Doen. Elise, you guys have been talking on and off since January about finding the small things to find pleasure in during dark times and I wanted to share mine. My family recently adopted a dog after losing our previous dog nearly two years ago. Her name is Pocket and she's a lab slash dalmatian mix. She's brought us so much joy, the special kind, only a beloved pet can bring and filled a void. I didn't even know we had. Her energy is so contagious and having to walk her multiple times a day has forced me to get outside and move my body when everything happening around me makes me want to crawl back into bed. Elise, thanks for sharing your pup's toy eating journey because of you. We bought pet insurance for our new family member to avoid costs associated with emergency medical needs. You've preemptively saved me so much stress and money and their dog recently graduated from a training program and received her a KC Canine Good Citizen Award. Aren't pets the best? Would love to hear from other listeners about the ways animals are helping them cope right now. Thanks for the pod. It's been another bright spot for me right now that is from a listener named Megan. Thank you Megan.
Elise (20:59):
Yeah, thank you Megan. Thank you for sharing that with us. I'm so glad that your dog is bringing you so much joy and that Oscar's trouble, the Troubles, the
Doree (21:11):
Troubles
Elise (21:14):
Have inspired your pet insurance. I now am also a pet insurance carrier and what a relief because it helped pay for the second time Oscar swallowed something, his most recent foreign object incident that did not result in surgery. But I'm glad that pet insurance came through and covered that. Yeah, so listeners, Megan has put the call out for ways that your animals are helping you cope right now.
Doree (21:44):
Alright, the call out has gone out and then another listener wrote in and said, hi Doles or maybe El Ree. We're going to workshop that I want to recommend on the Bleachers as a chat podcast. It's two lovely ladies z Romanoff and Sarah eni talking about the intersection of pop culture and sports. Such topics like the baseball, see-through pants, scandal, hallmark movies along more serious topics. They chat with each other generally as well as do interviews. I can't say enough good things about it. Z and Sarah are both friends of the pod Z has been on the pod and actually the last time I saw Z, she was like, you got to come on on the bleachers. So maybe there'll be a pod crossover.
Elise (22:30):
Yeah. Time for a crossover.
Doree (22:32):
Yes. I love this recommendation. Thank you so much. This is from Cecily Great Wreck and yeah, on the bleachers. And if you have other pod wrecks, keep 'em coming.
Elise (22:44):
Fantastic.
Doree (22:46):
All right, listeners, thank you so much. We appreciate you and we'll talk to you soon.
Elise (22:52):
Okay, talk next time.
Doree (22:54):
Bye.