Consumption Corner: The Cure, Beckhams, liver treats, protein powder & fake jeans
Where my money and time went: no affiliate links, just my impartial views
Consumption Corner is a weekly publication from Retail Therapy. The first issue of the month is free for all subscribers. Upgrade to become a paid subscriber and read everything.
Has It Been a Week?!
It’s all odd. The world. The week. In Dallas, we had bits of snow and mostly ice. Typically this time of year we have a gorgeous day perfect for a margarita on a patio. Not this week, with schools cancelled and the entire city shut down. There was nowhere to go. Literally. So everything I acquired and consumed was done from the cozy comforts of home.
This issue includes:
What I bought and returned
Celebrities I’m over
What to listen to, watch & read
Shows to skip
How to help in Minnesota
🎵Listing & Loving: The Cure: ‘Boys Don’t Cry’
It only took 47 years for the song Boys Don’t Cry from The Cure to hit 1 billion streams this week. The song, originally released in 1979, isn’t one of my favorites. But let me be clear: I LOVE the Cure. You should too.
I saw them on their last tour and several times before. The concert was so good it warranted a t-shirt — a bar I hold high and dear. I’d include a pic, but it’s short-sleeved and apparently packed away with my “summer” concert tees.
In recent shows all I could think was how pretty lead singer Robert Smith looked. I think he was flushed with happiness. The 1 billion milestone felt especially poetic after the loss of Perry Bamonte, the band’s guitarist and keyboardist, who died at Christmas. The band previously announced a European tour this summer.
What I returned
Reviews only go so far. We need to know why people don’t like an item & do a return.
IUGA Wide Leg Jeans
I love the idea of fake jeans that are sweatpants that I might be able to wear for work, but I haven’t found any that work, including these. I’m not spending $200+ on the Rag & Bone ones, even though they’re look pretty great.
These, I just couldn’t decide. They’re very thin so it would be too cold to wear now. They have a maternity pant top that I don’t dig and I couldn’t get over the absolute symmetry of the color, there was zero variant or gradient, so it looks fake. But I think the kicker was in the stomach area, where they were maybe a bit too tight? But then so big elsewhere. I wasn’t in love and decided not to keep them.
🛍️My rating: 3 shopping bags
They’re decent. If they look good on you, keep them. pretty good. They still pull out some hair and the color options are boring and limited.
Celebrity I Want to Hug: Natasha Lyonne
Natasha Lyonne: thank you for openly, honestly and bravely sharing about a relapse after being sober. Imagine if we were all a bit more truthful, with ourselves and each other. Seems the world would be a different place.
What Radio, My Doodle Dog, Got
It’s hard to believe my boy turned 5 this week. He will always be my baby. He’s also my only child, and he’s most definitely a bougie boy. And I wouldn’t want him any other way.
Liver treats
Radio goes nuts for these NutriBites Freeze Dried Beef Liver treats: 2-pack for $45.99 at Costco. I pretty much love everything at Costco. It doesn’t make sense because there are only 2 of us, well 3 with Radio, but I buy everything I can there.
Now when it comes to clothes: I’m trying to stop. They need a dressing room and too often they are a fail. I get tired of taking them home just to return them. And even if they do look ok, I don’t wear them.
Visbiome Probiotic
Radio has had stomach issues since he was a baby. I don’t know if these “help” but the vet says they do and we try keeping his foods and treats stable. And they certainly don’t seem to hurt. Buying a 4-pack on a subscription is the most cost effective.
These have to stay refrigerated, and I love the Enviro Ice cold packs they use because you can use the coolant as plant food or just pour it down the drain once it melts. This isn’t common! For those who also get “keep cold” products, you know most are surrounded in materials that only go to the landfill.
Celebrities I’m So Over
The Beckhams. I don’t care who’s estranged from whom or why. This isn’t news. Why is this showing up in mainstream media publications like the New York Times? It’s not like they’re the Kardashians.
The 1 thing interesting in all this is the
$1 million “pocket money”Nicola Peltz Beckham allegedly gets from her billionaire dad each month.
Now that’s real Retail Therapy!
Justin Baldoni & Blake Lively: This story keeps getting more boring the longer it goes on. At this point, the both need to get rid of their publicists and take very long vacations somewhere without internet access. By now they’re both wrong.
What I Bought: Boring Stuff
I did actually buy some fun things this week: makeup, bras, etc. But I’m going to wait to use them and then write about it.
It’s lumpy and chunky and too gross to eat
Foam roller: a few weeks ago I had a at least 3, but likely 5. Now I have none, unless they’re hiding from me. I hurt and all I wanted was a foam roller. It showed up too late, but I’m holding onto this bad boy. 36-inch blue speckled Amazon Basics. $19.54. I’m not linking to Amazon - they don’t need anymore of our money and I’m not proud how much I shop there.
Kitsch Hair Ties No Damage: I gave 1 to my mom and she mentioned she’s looking for more, so I sent her a package. For her, it’s mostly about the color so it matches her outfits. For me, it’s about finding the ones that don’t pull out my hair and still stay put. $6.36 for 8.
🛍️My rating: 4 shopping bags
They’re pretty good. They still pull out some hair and the color options are boring and limited.
NOW Foods Whey Protein Isolate: I was adding collogen protein in my breakfast, which is typically cereal even though I know yogurt is better for me. But after listening to a podcast from happiness expert Arthur Brooks, I switched to whey protein. I had to go through few different brands to find one that’s truly unflavored without an icky taste. But the other kicker is it needs to absorb into liquids. Otherwise it’s lumpy and chunky and too gross to eat. $31.70 for 1.2 pounds.
🛍️My rating: 3.5 shopping bags
This is my second container. It doesn’t last long but does blend. I don’t think I tasted any flavor, but I’m not positive. I think I’ll try others.
💬Please share any suggestions for unflavored whey protein below.
NAKED Whey Protein Power. Don’t buy it. $44.99 for 2 pounds.
🛍️My rating: 1 shopping bag
Expensive and liquids don’t absorb the powder. I tried it, twice, and couldn’t eat it either time. I threw the entire container away. So wasteful.
Why Whey Protein?
According to Brooks, whey protein raises serotonin activity in the brain through tryptophan, which can help put you in a better mood and improve mental concentration. I’ll take it, but let him explain it way better than me.
📚Read & Recommend: ‘Brightly Shining’ by Ingvild Rishoi
A Norwegian story translated into English, it’s a perfect quick during a cold time of year.
⬇️In case you missed it, this post covers:
tips to create a shelf of books you want to read
so you can break up with a book you don’t like
💗Supporting Minnesota
From cash to Clorox, there are many ways you can help those who are resisting. This week I gave money and sent cleaning products and first-aid kits to organizations on the ground.
Stand with Minnesota Here’s a list of organizations that need our help given the continued ICE occupation of Minneapolis. It is updated daily with a different GoFundMe for people who need direct support.
Listen to the Anti ICE Anthems playlist to remember why it’s important to share your voice. You can also join the conversation and mention missing songs that need to be added.
Consumption Corner is a weekly publication from Retail Therapy. The first issue of the month is free for all subscribers. Upgrade to become a paid subscriber and read everything.