057. Life Lately, New In, On The Radar: TV
Talking about life, a variety of new items, and my most anticipated upcoming television series.
Hi, I’m Maggie, and welcome to Tender Forms Off-Camera: a weekly newsletter about slow beauty and slow living. Links in this newsletter may include affiliate links or discount referrals. If you enjoy and would like to support this newsletter, click the button below or shop through my links! No pressure but thank you if you do.
Full disclosure: this is perhaps the most brain dead I have been in…a while. It’s just before noon on the Saturday before this newsletter goes out. And I am writing at -20mph.
Work has been challenging to say the least. I am 1000% so excited to be working on them and will be equally ecstatic when it finally lives out in the world. But I just have to hold on until then. Aside from my 9–5 (I wish these were my actual hours), I’m, of course, constantly working on Tender Forms and another super exciting project. It’s with Husband, and something I hope we can share soon. It’s been a long time in the making, but it’s been such a bright light in our lives, seeing everything come together.
All this is to say, I apologize if my thoughts and content appear a bit scattered. They absolutely are. I’m juggling many important things, and it’s been difficult devoting an equal amount of energy to each. I’m a bit overwhelmed, more than a bit burnt out, but at the end of the day, they’re all passion projects, including work, so they’re worth it.
I took a portion of my lunch break during a workday to take the above and below photos. It was a beautiful, sunny day here in the Pacific Northwest, and I had to take advantage. In the background, you can see what a mess my desk is. This is an authentic depiction of what it looks like daily. From left to right:
My Appointed Daily Planner in Charcoal
My collection of beverages: water in my KINTO Travel Tumbler (reviewed in Newsletter 036), an empty glass of my morning smoothie, a mug of coffee
An empty Crosby Elements Norwood candle housing a variety of pens, highlighters, Bare Hands Cuticle Oil (my favorite), the 3rd Ritual Earth body cream (my favorite hand cream), and the Crosby Elements hand sanitizer (another favorite)
iPhone charger dangling under my iMac, out in the open, vulnerable to a Muto chew at any moment
My small dot grid, Muji notebook for work, and handwritten letters
All of these are an integral part of my everyday. Of course, Muto makes any day better (just look at him enjoying life in a photo down below), and so does new clothing.
This brings me to new additions to the Tender Forms collection. Full disclosure number two: there’s been a lot of shopping around my birthday end of last month. I got a few amazing gift cards from family and quickly put those to use. But today, I want to talk about the latest addition to my wardrobe:
The Tunic by Uncle Studios ($150, Black and White colorways, Sizes XS–2XL)
Thanks to Mom, and a flash sale they were having, I finally have this linen tunic, and I am in love.
It’s what I’m wearing in all of these photos. It’s a linen shirt dress and comes in both black and white. Trust me when I say that I have been pining over this for years. I almost purchased it back in Winter 2018 but couldn’t stomach the price at the time. I bought their turtleneck in black (worn in my latest YouTube video) during the holidays last year and immediately fell in love. It is such high quality, I love the rib knit, the neck is the perfect length to wear fully up without feeling restricted, yet beautiful when folded down. The best part is the length; it’s enough for longer torsos (I’ve tried the KOTN one, half its price, but it is way too short for my liking).
Like the turtleneck, the tunic’s fabric quality is just as stunning. But I never noticed the loosely pleated ruffles near the shoulders. It’s the details of these Uncle pieces that I genuinely admire. Plus, their fit is fantastic. The Turtleneck is a slimmer, more fitted piece but sits beautifully and gives great shape to my narrow shoulders. The Tunic, a more relaxed piece, is the perfect amount of looseness without making you look weighed down or drowning in fabric. I also appreciate the matching buttons. It’s a pet peeve of mine when the buttons on any shirt are not the same color. Especially in white pieces where the fabric is a bright white, and the buttons are off-white. These match and I wholeheartedly appreciate this seemingly minor detail.
I’ve only worn this with pants so far since the weather still dips cooler here, but come peak summertime, it will be the ultimate true shirt dress. (Full-length photo on my Instagram stories today.)
Another item I’ve eyed (pun intended, you’ll see) for years are the Flowfushi liners. Flowfushi is a longstanding Japanese makeup brand that specializes in liquid eyeliners. They’ve since expanded with their UZU by Flowfushi* line that, along with eyeliners, also include lip products and serums. Back in 2019, they became available in the U.S. (*The U.S. version is just “UZ” versus the Japanese version “UZU.”) I’ve wanted a white eyeliner forever, and so I finally purchased the:
UZ by Flowfushi Eye Opening Liner in White($16, 13 colorways, .55ml | .19floz)
I adore this liner. I never thought in my lifetime, I would find a liquid liner that would deposit rich color on my hooded eyes, not smudge, and last a whole day. It’s simply amazing.
It has a felt tip and is surprisingly easy to control. I couldn’t believe how fine a line I was able to get it. I love that it dries matte and is oil resistant. Yes! You read that correctly. One thing that’s kept me away from liquid liners is my skincare. Since I use green beauty, almost all of it is oil-based. While my skin type isn’t on the oily side, it can wreak havoc on finer lines or detailed eye looks. But I’m so happy to report that it doesn’t shift and smudge the UZ liner!
You can also simply remove it with warm water. I’ve found the best way is to wet my reusable cotton round, place it on the eyes for a few seconds, and gently wipe. It bunches up and rolls off essentially (don’t worry, it doesn’t flake during wear). When applying the above look, I did have to go over it once. One layer of application gives roughly 80% opacity, which is great. But I wanted a graphic, bright white line, so I went over it and reached full opacity. The felt tip is so easy to work with and is truly remarkable for fine detail work.
Knowing how it performs, I want one in every color. I love the fun hues they’ve chosen. Of course, this isn’t a green beauty product, but when it comes to liquid liners, I have to step out to find one that works with hooded eyes and oil-based skincare. I’m so happy to have found this one. More thoughts to come as I play around with different looks.
Here is also a shortlist of some other items I’ve ordered that I’m currently trying or are in transit to me:
HiBar Shampoo Bars (my first zero-waste haircare trial, I’m currently testing two of their formulas)
An exciting Earthwise Beauty skincare overhaul: I’m currently in the process of slowly transitioning several of my skincare steps to EWB. I am also honored to say that I am now an affiliate! I would be honored if you’d shop through my link or use the code “tenderforms.” It will give you 10% off anytime, not just first-time orders, and the small commission I make will go right back into Tender Forms!
Head here to read more about a few items I’ve loved if you need inspiration.
In case you’re looking for other discount codes, all of mine live on this page! *Includes a mix of affiliate and referral codes.
A whole slew of makeup items, including eye paints, lip liner, brushes, samples, and a full face of one brand (still waiting on some items)
Last week, I covered a few upcoming films I’ve been counting down towards day by day. Now, let’s talk about all the forthcoming television series I’m excited about.
Mare of Easttown (New Episodes Sundays, HBO Max)
This one has been ongoing, and there are only two episodes left, including Sunday’s (tonight’s when you’re reading this). This is the best drama of the year thus far. It’s temporarily removed my sorrow while waiting for ‘Succession’ Season 3. The impeccably assembled cast and crew are unbelievably talented. It is easily one of Kate Winslet’s best roles, and that’s saying something considering her stellar career. If you haven’t watched it yet, what…have you…been watching…instead? Run, don’t walk.
Mythic Quest Season 2 (New Episodes Friday, Apple TV+)
I’m a huge ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ fan. In fact, Husband and I are currently re-watching all seasons on Hulu. ‘Always Sunny’ alums: Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, Megan Ganz created and executive produce, and McElhenney stars. I binged Season 1 over a couple of days last year, and it wasn’t my favorite. To me, it never found its groove despite having some really fantastic elements: Episode 5’s standalone episode was incredible, and it helms a talented cast. It also has two special episodes: the first one I didn’t care for because I currently hate all Zooms, but I loved ‘Everlight,’ the more recent one. I have a feeling Season 2 will be a far superior season, but we’ll see.
Lisey’s Story (June 4, Apple TV+)
I am actively avoiding all articles, YouTube videos, commentary, and images about this one. All I know is that it stars one of my favorite actresses Julianne Moore, is a Stephen King adaptation, and will be aired on Apple TV+. The above frame already looks promising. Sign me up.
Loki (June 9, Disney+)
Ah, my favorite Marvel character. Just kidding. Well, I’m not sure. I’ve never devoted time to decide who’s my favorite, but he’s up there. This is the only thing that will get me to sign up for Disney+. It has Loki, OWEN WILSON, and looks like a movie just spread across six episodes. Wait, only six episodes?! Come June, I’m subscribing, and then shortly unsubscribing once the season’s over.
While I’m here, I think it is so not cool that Disney+ is charging $30 to rent their upcoming film releases like ‘Black Widow.’ That’s more than renting it on iTunes. I want to watch it, but at this point, I’ll just buy it when it comes out. It will be cheaper that way.
Physical (June 18, Apple TV+)
I don’t know much about this one aside that it follows Rose Byrne’s character, who I think is an aerobics instructor in the 80’s America. I hope it’s a comedy, but it appears a “comedy-drama,” so not entirely sure if it’s an equal split or will be more drama, less comedy. Either way, I love Rose Byrne, so I’m in.
Ted Lasso Season 2 (July 23, Apple TV+)
I binge-watched perhaps all of the Apple TV+ series they debuted with last year. And I cared for none of them except Ted Lasso. To me, Ted Lasso is the best thing Apple TV+ has going for them so far. (*I know, the majority of this list contains Apple TV+ series, but in my defense, it’s mainly new ones I’m excited for.) Jason Sudeikis even won a Golden Globe for his titular role; literally, no one saw that coming. Season 1 was an absolute wholesome delight, and I can’t wait for Season 2.
Thanks so much for reading! If you’re new here, I would love for you to subscribe.
This newsletter goes out every week on Sunday mornings, and there is currently over a year’s worth in the archive! How’s your life been going lately? Have you discovered any new items you’re loving? I’d love to hear from you! You can always leave a comment (click the comment bubble icon) or reply directly to this email to chat one on one.
As always, I hope you have a great start to your week. See you next Sunday!