35 Comments
User's avatar
Caissie St.Onge's avatar

QUICK DAMS: https://amzn.to/3PCwxuG

RECHARGEABLE USB CANDLE LIGHTER: https://amzn.to/46rL1od

RECHARGEABLE COLLAPSIBLE STAND FAN: https://amzn.to/45bYWO9

Expand full comment
How to Survive's avatar

We need to do a How to Survive Menopause episode for sure. Love this newsletter!

Expand full comment
Stephanie's avatar

Can’t say I agree about the “endless” summer, but that’s coming from Calgary where although with record high temps, summer only lasted a few weeks and it’s already fall and I can smell the PS in the air.

I can also definitely relate to east coast storm prep(cause I’m a Canadian Maritimes homey) and can 100% confirm that storm chips are a thing.

Joining my fifties this year, I as well, require a sleep fan as my mattress regularly combusts beneath me, and our single room air conditioner has also saved my life this summer!! Always looking for ideas to help in my increasingly frequent tropical moments!!!

Thoughts on hormone replacement? I’m not there yet but considering my options...

Expand full comment
tina's avatar

Ooh! That drain hack takes me back to the decade I lived in a basement apartment in DC. I did essentially the same thing. I called it a "leaf blocker." I still panicked every time it rained, though.

Expand full comment
Sherry Jones's avatar

Also in the summer of menopause, I discovered I cannot tolerate the North Carolina hellish heat and humidity like I did just a year ago. After a trip to the ER for dehydration, electrolyte powders are my new best friends. Dehydration is also showing up in my face via deep wrinkles under my eyes. Avene Hydrance AQUA-GEL is now slathered under my eyes as I guzzle electrolytes whilst watching my hair thin. Speaking of thinning hair, the eyebrows I had left from the 90s are now thinning even more. I made an appointment for micro-blading, then freaked out that my eyebrows may look too perfect. I instead went to Sephora, walked the store examining all sales associates eyebrows, found the ones I liked, and had the associate show me how to appropriately apply makeup to my eyebrows. I bought an Anastasia pencil she recommended, saved $470 by not getting microblading, and my eyebrows are back to their 1989 fullness. Bring on fall!!!

Expand full comment
Caissie St.Onge's avatar

I need this brow tutorial!

Expand full comment
Jade Lake's avatar

I want this fan and YES to portable neck fans - the housekeepers at the hotel I worked at swear by them!!

Expand full comment
Hannah J's avatar

Former elementary teacher in Texas here, and I can say the neck fans are a LIFE SAVER for car and recess duty!

Expand full comment
Caissie St.Onge's avatar

I gotta check out a neck fan!

Expand full comment
Zag Mag's avatar

My littles: mochi / believing butterflies are following me / Saie Slip Tint (tinted sunscreen) / having a lil crush but we know that a crush is just a lack of information so I’m not asking too many questions!

Expand full comment
Caissie St.Onge's avatar

I love "a crush is just a lack of information" - that is perfect!

Expand full comment
Margot Miller's avatar

So, I also feel like this summer won't end! It's finally cooling off in Santa Fe, where I didn't have air conditioning and menopause is no joke!! I ended up with a 4 fan system. Also if it gets cool at night, open everything up, then as it warms up, close the house up. I even got thermal curtains this summer.

Expand full comment
Caissie St.Onge's avatar

Thank goodness for cool nights!

Expand full comment
Adair Wallace's avatar

I hate the summer, and the heat is a huge trigger for my migraines, so I tend to hibernate. When people say well, why do you live in North Carolina? I say because the other 3 seasons are great (originally from PA). Anyhoo, I have put the book recommendation on request from my library and have put the laser lighters on my Christmas list for myself and my kids. (while in hibernation, I do start looking for Christmas gifts -I know !!! I’m one of those !!!😂) Thanks , Caissie for the great ideas and the great read!!! ❤️

Expand full comment
Caissie St.Onge's avatar

I started making a Christmas list this year too! I'm with you!

Expand full comment
KO's avatar

Caissie, Jessica & June & Kulap & SuChin all know how to do a storefront, hit them up. And I’m so glad you guys made it through the hurricane unscathed. Mother Nature really had it in for SoCal on Sunday.

Expand full comment
Caissie St.Onge's avatar

I will ask one of those gals!

Expand full comment
Erin C's avatar

Sparking water in all the flavors is one thing getting me through the summer. I mainly drink water but in the middle of day with my lunch I have a sparking water to perk up my day and break up the monotony of plain water.

During the weekends, I'm usually at a baseball or softball tournament and when I can't take the heat anymore, I get whatever ice cream or other cold treat they are selling. It's like I'm rewarding myself for battling the heat haha.

My final thing that's been helping is frozen grapes. I break up the big bunches into little ones, put them a little baggie, and throw them in the freezer. When I'm running errands, I take some with me and munch on them. They are so refreshing and rarely get warm.

Expand full comment
Beth's avatar

Sparkling water FTW! Weirdly I've found I like the Kroger brand the best (Albertson's, King Sooper's, whatever your flavor of Kroger is) and the strawberry lemonade flavor is SO GOOD.

Expand full comment
Caissie St.Onge's avatar

Love the frozen grape idea!

Expand full comment
Andrea Shelton's avatar

Tank tops, ideally loose flowy tank tops, have been getting me through this NY summer, humidity, and f*cking perimenopause!!! I never cared before, and thankfully I've never been a big sweat-er gal but now as of this summer I can't stand any type of fabric tight around my armpits. So happy you didn't lose power, or have major flooding!! Here in the Hudson Valley lately, the slightest sneeze of rain sometimes turns into a catastrophe. No complaints though, summer is still my favorite season by far, so I am cherishing these days. Do tank tops go on sale soon, ever 🤔 I need to stock up 🤣 Thanks for the genius ideas Caissie 😘

Expand full comment
Caissie St.Onge's avatar

I’ve been replacing all my worn out tank tops. I don’t have any flowy ones, though. I’m too libel to let it fall off. 🤣

Expand full comment
Laurel's avatar

Portable neck fan - don’t knock it til you try it 😉 long t-shirt material dresses also getting me through with comfort and... some style? (Not very likely but comfy.)

Also halfway through The Rose Code audiobook and loving it so far 👌

Expand full comment
Jill's avatar

LOVE my portable neck fan, it’s genius!!! Gets me thru gardening, dogs walks and spin class on this crazy heat. I don’t care a bit when people stare confused at it haha

Expand full comment
Andrea Shelton's avatar

Oh I think long t-shirt dresses can be stylish with fun sandals/cute sneakers and funky jewelry! I'm always comfort over style, but try to rock it both ways 😆

Expand full comment
Laurel's avatar

You’re so right! 🙌

Expand full comment
Caissie St.Onge's avatar

Oh, I gotta check it out!

Expand full comment
Mia's avatar

Those taser lighters are AMAZING. I discovered them at a friend's house last year and spent way too long just seeing how long it took to catch various things on fire as compared to a standard flame. 🔥🤣😂

As far as getting me through, i just try not to spend much time anywhere that isn't air conditioned. Honestly. We haven't even been going to the pool it's so hot. But we don't have a functional ice maker, and only own 2 ice cube trays, so i have been going through bags of ice like frat houses during rush parties. 🤷🏼‍♀️🧊 oh, and "treating" myself to ice cream almost daily. 🍦🍨🤣

Expand full comment
Caissie St.Onge's avatar

Did you know you can buy bags of ice at the McDonald’s drive thru?

Expand full comment
Margot Miller's avatar

Yes😉

Expand full comment
Mia's avatar

I was not aware of this! 😳 not sure i could buy ice and NOT buy a coke and quarter pounder, but it's good to know! 🤣😂

Expand full comment
Lisa H's avatar

I’m dying to know which audiobook is responsible for this sunburn? 😉

Expand full comment
Caissie St.Onge's avatar

"The House of Eve" by Sadeqa Johnson. Too good to stop!

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment deleted
Aug 22, 2023
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
Caissie St.Onge's avatar

Indie Book Store owner! You must be so proud!!!

Expand full comment