Sephora

itsfi · ‎02-01-2026

Hello, BIC! I don't know about you, but self-care is always one of those things I know I should do, but some days are better than others when it comes to actually getting it done, or getting it done meaningfully. There's a lot going on, all around us. Some are good things, some are hard things, some are stressful. Some of those things are part of our every day, normal routines; some things are not normal at all. In either case, in all cases, it's important to take time, to make time, to look after our wellness.

Wellness Bingo: February 2026

There are many ways to go about self-care, including this game of bingo. If you're new to wellness bingo (or BIC, for that matter), welcome! 👋 If you're returning for another month of wellness bingo here on BIC, welcome back! 🙌 As always, more information regarding wellness bingo as well as the self-care activities listed on this month's board can be found in the links below.

FAQ's

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Description of Activities

Whether or not you choose to join in a game of wellness bingo here on BIC (at home or on the threads), please give yourself a little extra time this month to look after your wellness and the wellness of those around you.

[NOTE: I took a slightly different take on this month's board, incorporating some themes within the self-care activities inspired by a few of the events and occasions we celebrate and honor this month, which I talk briefly about in the description of activities. One thing you will see is that some of this month's squares include words in quote, in addition to the self-care activity for a particular square. Those words are lyrics to one of the 6 songs nominated for Song of the Year at this year's Grammy Awards, which I made an effort to connect to the wellness activity - some connections required more creative license than others. A 🎶 emoji is noted in the Description section for those activities with a musical tie-in and that tie-in is discussed briefly at the end of the description of the particular self-care activity.]

For March 2026 wellness board, check out Working Towards Wellness: March 2026

ather · ‎02-24-2026

@itsfi Awww I’m glad you had a smile!!! 😊

My stride came abs left again 😂 but it will come back. My injury is also preventing me from to much exercise too. Eventually I’ll get over this cold! I’ve been told it likes to hang on. And it’s going on over 2 months!

I did an indoor ride! It did warm up but then cooled off again. I would worry I would slip on the ice on my bike. I’m not sure how good of an idea that would be for me!!! It is warming up again tho so maybe soon?

Hmmm there’s a few of us at work that have a monthly competition with the wordle to see if we can finish it in the least amount of tries. So I try in the morning after it slows down! But I have a coworker who likes to pressure me into doing it when they do it!!

Samtian · ‎02-09-2026

Week 1- Footballs. For my Patriots, even though they lost.

Music Therapy. For a while I had paused my paid Youtube Music account and was just using the free version. Apparently that ended, I wasn't warned, and it went back to the paid version so I've been able to listen on my way to work. I also have Misophonia and often my break room at work is overwhelming so my headphones have been best buddies with me this month.
Brain Teasers- The usual, Wordle, Connections, and Clue.
New To Me- I started following a journalist/teacher ( I think she is a Dr but not certain). Anyways, her name is Stacey Patton and everyday this month she is doing what she calls Black History Receipts and she tells a different history everyday. I'll include todays in a spoiler below.

Spoiler

Black History Receipts — Day 8

If you want to understand why powerful institutions are terrified of insiders who watch, learn, and document everything, you have to understand what happens when Black folks turn invisibility into intelligence.

Because control systems always depend on the dangerous assumption that the people doing the serving aren’t also studying the room. And sometimes, they are.

Come now, Mary Bowser.

During the Civil War, the Confederate White House in Richmond, Virginia believed its secrets were safe. That meant war plans, military conversations, strategy meetings, and messages moving in and out of the highest levels of Confederate leadership.

And sitting quietly inside that world was Mary Bowser, a Black woman they barely saw as human.

Bowser had been enslaved by a family connected to Jefferson Davis, the Confederate president. She later worked inside the Confederate White House, moving through rooms where military secrets were discussed openly in front of her because they believed she was invisible.

But Bowser listened to conversations. She watched who came and went. And then she passed that intelligence to Union networks.

Union generals later credited spy networks like hers with helping shift the war. She did not receive the kind of public recognition given to white spies or military officers. She got no medals and there were no national stories about her bravery.

But the truth survived anyway.

Like many Black women who did intelligence and resistance work, she slipped back into relative obscurity, and much of her story had to be reconstructed decades later through scattered records, Union intelligence notes, and family accounts.

And in a way, that ending fits the pattern her life already exposed, which is that she survived by moving through a world that refused to fully see her, and history almost did the same thing. In 1995, Mary was inducted into the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Corps Hall of Fame as "one of the highest placed and most productive espionage agents of the Civil War."

Black history teaches us that power is most vulnerable where it is most arrogant. And Black history teaches us that systems built on dehumanizing people always create their own blind spots, and sometimes those blind spots are exactly where resistance grows.

Because the moment the “invisible” start watching back, control stops being absolute.

Receipt filed.

#blackhistoryreceipts

Black History Receipts — Day 8If you want to understand why powerful institutions are terrified of insiders who watch, learn, and document everything, you have to understand what happens when Black folks turn invisibility into intelligence.Because control systems always depend on the dangerous assumption that the people doing the serving aren’t also studying the room. And sometimes, they are.Come now, Mary Bowser.During the Civil War, the Confederate White House in Richmond, Virginia believed its secrets were safe. That meant war plans, military conversations, strategy meetings, and messages moving in and out of the highest levels of Confederate leadership.And sitting quietly inside that world was Mary Bowser, a Black woman they barely saw as human.Bowser had been enslaved by a family connected to Jefferson Davis, the Confederate president. She later worked inside the Confederate White House, moving through rooms where military secrets were discussed openly in front of her because they believed she was invisible.But Bowser listened to conversations. She watched who came and went. And then she passed that intelligence to Union networks.Union generals later credited spy networks like hers with helping shift the war. She did not receive the kind of public recognition given to white spies or military officers. She got no medals and there were no national stories about her bravery.But the truth survived anyway.Like many Black women who did intelligence and resistance work, she slipped back into relative obscurity, and much of her story had to be reconstructed decades later through scattered records, Union intelligence notes, and family accounts.And in a way, that ending fits the pattern her life already exposed, which is that she survived by moving through a world that refused to fully see her, and history almost did the same thing. In 1995, Mary was inducted into the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Corps Hall of Fame as "one of the highest placed and most productive espionage agents of the Civil War."Black history teaches us that power is most vulnerable where it is most arrogant. And Black history teaches us that systems built on dehumanizing people always create their own blind spots, and sometimes those blind spots are exactly where resistance grows.Because the moment the “invisible” start watching back, control stops being absolute.Receipt filed.#blackhistoryreceipts

Let It Go/Mental Health- Earlier this month I realized I work with a gaslighter. Normally I'm quick to anger and I love arguing when I am right. I've gotten older and over time I get tired of drama. This last month I've decided I'm done arguing and I would not let them gaslight me anymore, so now I just go silent/walk away.
Plan It- I have some photography workshops coming up next month so I planned them, and my mom's birthday as well. I was able to use my little tax refund to get our hotel's secured.
Quality Time- Mom and I had our Superbowl party, nothing big, but we had pizza so my brother who doesn't watch football came and spent time with us around halftime. It was nice.

danielledanielle · ‎02-13-2026

There's power in who you give your energy to, so choosing not to, 100% powerful @Samtian

Samtian · ‎02-15-2026

@danielledanielle Thank you!!!

ather · ‎02-12-2026

@Samtian Great job!!! It is so easy to fall into arguing. But it’s awesome you are making sure not to let it get to you! I love the new to you. It’s great to see a different version of history. Do you normally do well with Wordle and connections? Yesterday I got all the connections right. Today I had none.

Samtian · ‎02-15-2026

@ather Thank you! As for Wordle I do decent, I always complete it. But like first two guesses on. I also don't focus on using most popular letters either. Connections...eh lol I don't complete it probably at least once a week lol.

itsfi · ‎02-09-2026

These are amazing wellness activities @Samtian! Love the football stampers, very sorry about the game day results; many folks I know were rooting for your team and that was a rough one. Glad you were able to have some family time and it sounds like you have some fun trips planned in the next couple of months as well! 🙌

I'm so sorry to hear about your work situation but it sounds like you're taking the right steps to protect your mental health and wellbeing. 👊

Samtian · ‎02-09-2026

@itsfi I knew the Patriots weren't going to win so I was able to relax more and just enjoy being back at the Superbowl haha.

I am! I think the person doing it wants to go to a different area so maybe someday soon.

nuinui933 · ‎02-05-2026

Music-therapy, Exercise, and Create and New to me - I created a playlist for workouts and used it when I went to the gym. I'm not ready to run on the treadmill, so I used the treadmill and the new to me is that I signed up with a friend to a few semi private weight training sessions. I went to the gym twice this week so far so the second time, earlier tonight, is the healthy heart square.

Healthy Meal - we made fajitas last night.

shaeschaeshea · ‎02-19-2026

@nuinui933 fajitas sounds good, I'm adding that to my meal plan list.

ather · ‎02-12-2026

@nuinui933 Awesome job!!!

Samtian · ‎02-09-2026

@nuinui933 Great job! Can't go wrong with fajitas!

nuinui933 · ‎02-11-2026

@Samtian

Thank you. They were good and a fast way to get a bunch of vegetables in.

missjeanie · ‎02-06-2026

@nuinui933 I love how you've made the gym more fun! I need to make some fajitas here soon... they sound delish!

nuinui933 · ‎02-11-2026

@missjeanie

Thanks so much, I'm not a big gym person and am trying.

itsfi · ‎02-06-2026

Oh wow, you got in a few self care activities all in one @nuinui933, nice work! That's great you signed up for weight training lessons with a friend too - you'll learn how to use all the machines and weights with proper form and it's nice to learn that with a friend.

nuinui933 · ‎02-11-2026

@itsfi

Thank you, it helps to have a gym buddy, lol.

itsfi · ‎02-05-2026

Going with a floral theme for this month's stampers, to honor (i) 100 years of Black history commemorations, (ii) Valentine's Day, (ii) the Lunar New Year, and (iv) the Winter Olympics / Paralympics.

Music-therapy: I spent a lot of time learning the lyrics to the songs nominated for Song of the Year for this year's Grammy Awards while putting together this month's wellness board, but I didn't actually watch the Grammy's or its red carpet arrivals when it aired. I've been watching clips of a few of the performances here and there this week. So far, I've watched:

Olivia Dean's "Man I Need"
Lauryn Hill's tribute to D'Angelo and Roberta Flack
Lola Young's "Messy"

Neuvo para ti (New to you): I've tried a few new things this first week of February, but the most recent that folks here would probably find of interest is the Roz hair oil and Laneige lip stains.

RŌZ Santa Lucia Heat Protectant Styling Hair Oil 2 oz / 60 ml

Spoiler

This mini was a promo gwp and it is absolutely darlin' - yes, I'm someone who gets drawn in by cute packaging and this is super cute. But, it can't be about the packaging alone - there's gotta be some substance to the thing. And, is there?

I think so, at least based on my initial use. I will say that this hair oil is very lightweight and watery. I was in store yesterday, picking up a gift card, looking into a shade match and seeing about getting some samples of said shade match, doing some swatching, which subsequently lead to some unplanned purchases, but not for me ... yet. A rep for the brand was in store so I took the opportunity to ask her a little about the oil and learned (1) to not be fooled by how light and thin the formula was and (2) that with my hair type (fine strands, just a lot of strands), one pump would likely be plenty and that I should start with no more than one pump and really work the product into my hair. That turned out to be very helpful to know.

This cute little mini does not come with a pump, which make sense given the size and that it's a promo. So I tried to pour out just a teensy bit - ummm, easier said than done, but I did my best. I understand what the rep meant by a little goes a long way. It leaves my hair with a bit of shine, not greasy. I like that it acts as a heat protectant as well.

The scent has been described as that of an "untamed California garden." Ummmm .... as a born and bred Californian, I will say that it is not a flower garden. I would describe the scent as having a fresh, ever so slightly sweet, clean, green (but not leafy), woody quality to it. It's pleasant; I'll pick up remnants of the scent here and there while my hair is damp but it disappears completely once my hair is dry. Still too early to tell whether this is something I'd eventually purchase as a full size but so far, so good.

This mini was a promo gwp and it is absolutely darlin' - yes, I'm someone who gets drawn in by cute packaging and this is super cute. But, it can't be about the packaging alone - there's gotta be some substance to the thing. And, is there?I think so, at least based on my initial use. I will say that this hair oil is very lightweight and watery. I was in store yesterday, picking up a gift card, looking into a shade match and seeing about getting some samples of said shade match, doing some swatching, which subsequently lead to some unplanned purchases, but not for me ... yet. A rep for the brand was in store so I took the opportunity to ask her a little about the oil and learned (1) to not be fooled by how light and thin the formula was and (2) that with my hair type (fine strands, just a lot of strands), one pump would likely be plenty and that I should start with no more than one pump and really work the product into my hair. That turned out to be very helpful to know.This cute little mini does not come with a pump, which make sense given the size and that it's a promo. So I tried to pour out just a teensy bit - ummm, easier said than done, but I did my best. I understand what the rep meant by a little goes a long way. It leaves my hair with a bit of shine, not greasy. I like that it acts as a heat protectant as well.The scent has been described as that of an "untamed California garden." Ummmm .... as a born and bred Californian, I will say that it is not a flower garden. I would describe the scent as having a fresh, ever so slightly sweet, clean, green (but not leafy), woody quality to it. It's pleasant; I'll pick up remnants of the scent here and there while my hair is damp but it disappears completely once my hair is dry. Still too early to tell whether this is something I'd eventually purchase as a full size but so far, so good.

LANEIGE JuicePop Box Hydrating & Lightweight Oil Lip Tint

Spoiler

Also new-to-me, did some swatching of the new Laneige lip stains and ended up getting these two as gifts and then treating myself to a salted caramel soft serve at a new-to-me pizza place a few doors down from a new remodeled Sephora near me. I've never had salted caramel soft-serve. 😋 There are about 8 shades in the new Laneige lip stain series; 4 caught my eye online, the swatches of about 6 of the 8 made me go "ohhhh!" Everyone got soft serve and a couple of folks got their own lip stains and pizzas. I will get lip stains of my own once I narrow down what shades I want (read: I can't get 6 of them 😆).

Also new-to-me, did some swatching of the new Laneige lip stains and ended up getting these two as gifts and then treating myself to a salted caramel soft serve at a new-to-me pizza place a few doors down from a new remodeled Sephora near me. I've never had salted caramel soft-serve. There are about 8 shades in the new Laneige lip stain series; 4 caught my eye online, the swatches of about 6 of the 8 made me go "ohhhh!" Everyone got soft serve and a couple of folks got their own lip stains and pizzas. I will get lip stains of my own once I narrow down what shades I want (read: I can't get 6 of them ).

Social Wellness: Met up for coffee with a friend and it was needed more than I knew. I was looking forward to it because on some level I knew having some time to just chat and laugh would be good for the soul; it was even better than I could have expected.

ather · ‎02-12-2026

@itsfi I was going to ask what that delicious cup was filled with! I don’t think I have ever had a salted caramel soft serve either but boy does it look delicious!!!🤤

Have you tried the pizza at the new pizza shop? Mmmm pizza!!

Those lip stains look amazing. I can’t wait to see which ones you get!!! I may also need to check them out!!!

Ahhh coffee with a friend is so good for the soul!

itsfi · ‎02-13-2026

Right? It was like a whole new world opened up when I learned salted caramel soft serve was an actual thing @ather! I haven't tried the pizza yet but I do like that they offer personal sizes of everything and gluten free crust. I should probably try the pizza. Yeah, I really should. It is a pizza place after all. But, soft serve ather!! Salted caramel soft serve to be exact. 😂😋 Alright, I'll put it on my to do list - the pizza ... and another soft serve. Hahahaha!