Tag / my faves

by Lexine

40 Of My Favorite Things: #1

Enjoying my own company!

It’s the result of having grown up in a fairly large family, living with roommates for years, realizing I was more comfy being on my own since my preteens, and dealing with many coworkers and clients for my job. To be on my own and doing my own thing without having to worry about anybody else is just zen. This current Vegas birthday trip that I’m on is no exception. Sure, I could’ve had my friends with me on this milestone occasion, but they have their commitments, and I got mine. (It’s also hard to pass up a Vegas Airbnb with panoramic views of the Strip from the property that went for half-off its original rate, and I also needed another vacay.) So here I am, writing this from my Vegas rental home, with the only sounds coming from keyboard typing and an NBA game on the TV. (I ain’t watching that wretched World Series.) It’s like I’m back home but my amenities are more high-end and the view from my place is hotter, and it’s all for me. 🥳

Hope you enjoyed this countdown! I doubt I’ll be posting stuff here for 40 days straight for a long time, unless if I quit Twitter (or Twitter quits me). If I do another list like this again for my 50th, it will likely be the same things plus ten new faves. I got a feeling neck fans for the hot flashes I’ll eventually be getting will be one of them.

**Update 9/21/25 (a year after I started this list): yeah I quit that fascist bitch site

by Lexine

40 Of My Favorite Things: #2

Cats!!

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I saved this fave specially for National Cat Day today. I’ve always been a cat person, but it’s been years since I held Cat Mom duties. Strict apartment rules on pets and my day job (which requires lots of traveling) have kept me from owning a cat at the moment. If and when I don’t have to travel much for work and I live in a place that allows pets, I would definitely like to have another cat. I miss being a Cat Mom and I would enjoy being JD Vance’s ultimate nightmare: a Childess Cat Lady. (Although me being both childfree and a lady (of color!) is enough nightmare fuel for Mr. Eyeliner.)

I also sorely miss that cat you see in the header pic. That is Friskie, my adorable oddball of a Tabby, taken back in 2014 (IIRC). I had him when I used to live with roommates. He joined his ancestors over five years ago.

by Lexine

40 Of My Favorite Things: #4

Road Trips!

Images from two of my past road trips, from 2022 (in the Central Valley), and from this past summer (at Lancaster). 

Whether it’s for a day trip or as part of a week-long getaway, I just enjoy traveling by car. I have a slight fear of flying and while I don’t mind train travels, I just prefer being behind the wheel instead of someone else. Yes, I’d have to do all the work and spend the money and worry over shit like flat tires and gas. But I get full control of my itinerary, I don’t have to worry about strangers sitting next to me, and that’s all that matters.

All my road trips I’ve taken so far have been within my state borders. I’m hoping to take a road trip up and down the West Coast, as well as through the Southwest one day!

by Lexine

40 Of My Favorite Things: #5

State/Regional Parks! 

I’ve always had appreciation for state and regional parks, and that appreciation grew ten-fold during the pandemic lockdown four years ago. Stores that were not essential business were closed for a while, and parks were the one place where I didn’t have to entirely worry about crowds and masking. (Although I always had my face mask on me just in case.) I’m lucky to live within driving distance of plenty of regional parks and beaches, and I hope to return to that park in the header pics soon (that’s Mt. Tamalpais State Park and the amazing views from there, taken from July 2022). 

by Lexine

40 Of My Favorite Things: #7

Low Carb Food!!

Three of my favorite low-carb foods (that I’ve also made): fried chicken, cinnamon rolls, and turtle pecan clusters.

Probably one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life was going low-carb almost three years ago. Excess weight was lost, old clothes started to shrink, and starches and sugar became easy to pass up. The latter would’ve been unthinkable for me five years ago, but maybe that could be proof that there is such thing as a sugar addiction. I still have my sweets; it’s all made with faux sweeteners now (allulose, erythritol, monk fruit, etc.). And I’ve gone so long without having a potato or rice that I kind of forgotten how they taste like. Sugar? I hardly know her.

(A note: this diet/lifestyle happened to work for me, and I’ve tried all sorts of diets in the past. I’m no nutritionist, so if you want to do low-carb to lose some weight, give it a try, but YMMV. And if you’re addicted to sugar/starches like I was, it will be very tough in the beginning, but worth it in the end!)

by Lexine

40 Of My Favorite Things: #8

TJ Maxx/Marshalls/Home Goods stores!

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(They’re all under the same company, so they’re listed as one favorite. 😉)

Lately, TJ Maxx and Marshalls have been giving Savers and other thrift stores serious competition. Case in point: those recent finds from Marshalls that costed me a whopping $10. (If you’re wondering, it’s a House of Harlow skirt, and Cushionaire sandals.) That I can make returns to either of those stores if I change my mind gives them the big advantage over thrift stores, most of which have Final Sale policies. Even Savers’ exchange policy can’t compare. As for Home Goods, their Gourmet section is my weakness. They actually have some low-carb selections and my favorite pumpkin-flavored coffee is also sold there, and for a lot cheaper than at Amazon.

Now when it comes to makeup and skincare at TJ Maxx and Marshalls…🥴(Count yourself lucky if you ever found a makeup/skincare product that was never touched or opened at all!)

by Lexine

40 Of My Favorite Things: #9

Thrift stores!

Is that supposed to be a Big Bird cookie jar? 

How did I go a month into this list and not yet mention thrift stores? But anyway, it is the place where most of my wardrobe and even some of my bedding originated from. (Don’t worry–all my keepers get washed and cleaned before I wear them/place them on my bed.) The place that sold me a legit Kate Spade bag “as-is” for $8. The place where I found original editions of The Babysitters Club books for $2 each. The place of colored tag sales, exchanges only (keep your receipt), final sales, and no public restrooms. (Except at Savers stores.) And the place I wish would bring back dressing rooms! (ACS Discovery Shops and Salvation Army stores are the lone exceptions.)