Category: Just me being me

Thrifting and secondhand shopping are my favorite ways to find high-quality, unique clothing while saving money and reducing waste. And when it comes to sweaters, secondhand shopping is even better – you get a sneak peek of how the fabric has held up over time.

Spring is a great time to look for sweaters because the seasons are about to change, and fewer people are searching for them as they anticipate warmer weather. That means you’ll often find great deals and a wider selection.

Here’s what I look for when hunting for the perfect secondhand sweater:

1. Look for Natural Fibers

The first thing I check? The fabric tag. Lately, I have been prioritizing natural fibers like cotton, linen and cashmere. Not only do they tend to be more breathable and longer-lasting than synthetic blends, they also are less likely to pill quickly, lose shape, or feel scratchy.

2. A Classic Shape and Neckline

Trendy pieces can be fun, but when it comes to sweaters, I like to stick to timeless shapes that look ageless. A good sweater shouldn’t tell you the exact year it was purchased, it should be versatile and easy to wear for years to come.

3. Inspect for Loose Threads and Pilling

A little pilling is normal, but excessive fuzziness or deep pilling can be a sign of poor fabric quality. A good fabric shaver can solve most of your pilling problems (Pro Tip: Buy a Sweater Shaver!), but if it looks overly worn, I usually pass.

4. Feel the Fabric—And Think Ahead

Softness is key, but I don’t just go by how it feels in the moment. I ask myself: Will this still feel cozy after a few washes, or will it turn dry, crispy, or scratchy? Some fabrics (especially cheap blends) feel nice at first but become stiff over time. If I’m unsure, I give the sweater a little stretch test—if it immediately loses shape, that’s a red flag.

When we are busy, stressed, and the news is nothing but anger and sadness, it can be hard to remember that it is important to take care of yourself. And when I say take care of yourself, I mean mentally AND physically.

Do all the self care things that you need to do — drink the water, get the exercise, take the medication, do what you need to rest your brain. However, I’m going to use this space as your reminder to also get those important appointments scheduled on your calendar.

Are You Due for a Mammogram?

The recommended screening age for mammograms starts at 40, or earlier if you are higher risk (please follow your doctor’s guidelines). If you’re due for a mammogram, schedule it! It’s not that scary, I promise. Don’t put it off. If you’re supposed to go EVERY year, schedule it. If you’re supposed to start with your first one and you haven’t scheduled it yet because you’re apprehensive, schedule it!

I’ve gotten an mammogram every year since I turned 40, and will be checking off my seventh’s mammogram later this month. Last year, it literally took an hour, which included the drive there, waiting room, mammogram, drive home and a stop by Dunkin’ because squished boobies = earn a donut. It’s just a fact. I don’t make the rules.

Are You Due for a Mole Check?

Most people are supposed to get their moles checked once a year. If you haven’t done it this year, make your appointment!

I’ve talked about my dermatologist lots and lots on here and the fact that I’ve had over a dozen moles taken off my body. Mole checks are quick, easy, non-invasive and may literally save your life. Most people can go once a year, but if you’re like me and you have moles that really want to kill you… you get to do the most unsexy striptease ever every 6 months. Still worth it.

Are You Due for a Colonoscopy?

You might be due for a colonoscopy if you are 45 years old, or earlier if you are higher risk for colorectal cancer (please follow your doctor’s guidelines). Colorectal cancer often doesn’t cause any symptoms until it’s too advanced to treat effectively, so by having a regular colonoscopy they can hopefully catch any issues before they progress.

I’m going to be honest with you guys, I was supposed to go and get my first colonoscopy when I was 45, but I didn’t. And then, I was going to go when I was 46, but I didn’t. Why didn’t I do it? Well, part of the reason is that it’s scary. I’m not super enthused to have a camera put up my butt to check out my colon. Also, I hear the ‘prep work’ is pretty awful.

And finally, a really big reason I held off is that medical care is expensive. I had to have an upper GI scope done a couple years ago and the out-of-pocket costs were somewhere around $1,500. Last year, with Jack’s broken arm we ended up having almost $10,000 in out-of-pocket medical expenses, so the idea of adding to that number was not super attractive.

The good news is that I liked the gastroenterologist that did my upper GI scope, so I feel comfortable returning to him for a colonoscopy. I mean — I’m assuming he uses a different camera, right?!

So, I have told myself that 2025 is THE YEAR that I do it and check ‘first colonoscopy’ off my list. If you’ve gotten one done, please leave me a comment to let me know if it’s as scary as I think it is. Or any tips on how to reduce anxiety going into it!

Okay, so I have homework and you have homework. Please, please book your screening appointments.