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Showing posts with label favorite things. Show all posts
Showing posts with label favorite things. Show all posts
1/7/21
Thinking, Playing, Reading
11/14/19
Favorite Things
Hi there! I am typing with my left hand which is sllooowww going. Had a little slip down the stairs on the way to the laundry room last Thursday and shattered my wrist...surgery Friday and now a big fat cast protecting a bone with some metal pinned to it.
I've been asked by my lovely friend Melissa from 320 Sycamore to participate in her annual 10 favorite things blog hop.
I love this so much-it smells like old-fashioned tanning oil, the kind that isn't made anymore, rightly so. It makes me in a good mood every morning. Summer in a bottle!
I use it before I go to bed and all these scents are absolutely delicious smelling.
My brother Andy is a very talented artist who hand creates these gorgeous serving bowls, as well as other ceramic pieces. These make beautiful house-warming holiday gifts (or something special for yourself!). Check out some of his new work here.
My daughter got me hooked on this water bottle which helps keep track of the ounces of water you are drinking every hour. Perfect for anyone trying to make small changes towards a healthier lifestyle.
My sister bought these PJ's for me last Christmas and they are SUPER DUPER soft and comfortable. I still wear them every night. They don't even look like PJ's so you could sneak out in them to the store late at night to get ice cream if you needed to.
These Anne Cate wristlets are the perfect customizable gift. She has over 100 unique skylines and tons of cute things in her shop.
We picked this out as a birthday gift for Jeff, and I must say that it is ridiculously fun to ride. My daughter likes to say "You can't be sad on a scooter," and I must agree. Here is where it all started...me being forced onto one by my daughter and niece last year and loving it in spite of being scared to death. We went on a family trip to visit my oldest in DC and we all hopped on them and Jeff had so much fun we decided it would be a perfect family
/Dad gift.
We keep it inside to charge it and it is fast and goes far-it says 18 miles but we have just used it for zipping around downtown.
I wear these every single day in the cold months. They were given to me during my illness and I love them. Ugg boots are for outside, these are inside. Back and forth all winter.
The best book light ever! Rechargeable and charge lasts forever.
(And the sweetest book-a book every mom should write.)
and...
...this reminder...to myself-
(Quote here.)
Love yourself and pray to be kind, patient and loving everyday-the best version of yourself.
Smell your baby's neck as much as possible.
Squeeze your toddler's cute little smooshy body.
Listen to all the kid's stories.
Tell your teenager that you love them and will give them another chance at whatever.
When your husband walks in the door give him a huge hug and kiss and tell him how much you appreciate him.
Call your parents and revisit a great childhood memory.
Say "I'm sorry" often. It soothes all souls.
Clean your home and love it even though it might not be the coolest. Don't compare it to all those fake images. It keeps you warm and holds the ones you love.
Be content with what you can afford. Things are fun for a short time but joy can't be bought.
Appreciate every day you wake up.
Say thank you.
9/19/19
Our Favorite Craft and Art Supplies
A few of our tried and true favorite simple and easy (not messy, no prep) craft and art supplies. These are the things I say "Go do..." when I hear "I'm bored".
I've mentioned this before-so fun to use, like glue sticks but glide on with color-no stickiness or mess. We have given these as gifts several times and they are hits!
Great inexpensive art case-I bought one each for Patrick and Janey and they use them all the time. (And so do I.)
This has always been a favorite (you can see how old and beat up it is) and is NOT for little fingers, but as soon as kids can learn to be careful, they will spend hours cutting book marks and all sorts of things. For $7.99 it is worth the time of occupation it buys! I've only had to replace the blades once.
For stories and illustrations.
Fun activity books.
This is Janey's (7) and she loves it.
These are smaller (6x9) so perfect for toting around to soccer games and football games etc..
Patrick keeps one next to his bed.
Mentioned these a dozen times but love them.
My parents gave me a little set of chairs and a table when Isaac was young two decades ago and we have used that set into the ground. They seem to contain more than an easel and have a multiple of uses. (I garbage picked another table because Janey needs extra space for her "work".)
9/12/19
Favorite Things
Some of my favorite things:
I've been using this lately on my face and it's wonderful. The jar is huge and lasts forever and it's only $12.10! It feels like a much much more expensive moisturizer. (I also use my favorite oil.)
Our pizza cutter broke and I bought this one instead and love it. It would be ideal for cutting up little bits for babies to eat if you don't do baby food (which I hardly ever did.) . I use it for waffles and pancakes and even shredding salad in a bowl.
I finally bought some microfiber cloths for cleaning and love these.
No excuses to not drink enough water -or to pretend you have!
7/9/19
A Few Summer Self-Care Favorites
Some of my favorite summer finds that I use constantly and LOVE:
I love this so much-it smells like old-fashioned tanning oil, the kind that isn't made anymore, rightly so. It makes me in a good mood every morning. Summer in a bottle!
I've mentioned this before but this sunscreen lotion does not go on greasy and does not cause my sensitive skin to break out AND it actually works!
I love flip flops-most especially the cheap kind but my legs have been aching and I figured out I just can't get away with 10 dollar flip flops anymore. Everyone raves about Birkenstocks but for me it was sort of like Uggs-not so attractive. But once I bought them, also like Uggs-now I get it. It has made a big difference in my aches and pains.
This pedicure foot scraper really works, doesn't hurt.
Never thought I'd have to buy curly hair products but I guess it's not uncommon after chemo to have hair grow back curly-one little perk after months of hell, I'll take it! This really works to take a little wave or curl and turn it into something more-spray on wet hair and fluff and that's my morning routine. And it's so inexpensive.
I have Abbey hooked on this also-it's the best moisturizer for really dry skin. I use this on my face sometimes also. It has great reviews.
I use it before I go to bed and both these scents are absolutely delicious smelling.
5/23/19
A Fun Activity For Kids (And Adults Also)
My mom bought Patrick one of these paint-by-sticker books and they've been so much fun. They are addicting!
I've been teaching art on Friday's at school, and have some rambunctious, unable-to-focus boys. (I also get them right after lunch and recess and I also love them all and 'get it'.) . When we finished our art project one day, I filled time by borrowing Patrick's sticker-by-number book, had the kids get in pairs, and work on a sheet. You would not believe it! These boys were quiet, they sat in their seats, they LOVED doing this, more than any other project I've done. I think it is something about the exactness, the numbers, the straight forward process that appealed to them-the ability to see the end? I just loved what I saw-the ability to focus and accomplish a task, even for the kids who really really have difficult doing this.
They have books for all different ages.
The one I used in class for the fourth graders is this one-we all love it!
Here's some for ages 5 and up that are simpler and a good starting point for younger children, although if they recognize all their numbers and letters, and have the patience they could do the more difficult ones also.
11/28/18
New Favorite Things Updated for 2018
Usually when I see gift ideas for moms they are way too fashionable for me, or much more than I'd ever spend on myself, or things I just would never use. One of my most favorite things is my new vacuum I bought myself last year for Christmas for my husband to give me. No kidding. But there HAS to be someone else out there that thinks getting a new vacuum for Christmas is exciting? Maybe?
Here is a list of my favorite things, lame or not with some new things added in (and the hair stuff I haven't used lately:):
These lined leggings with a high waist for cold winter walks are super comfortable and warm enough and only $25.
My sister bought these PJ's for me last Christmas and they are SUPER DUPER soft and comfortable. I still wear them every night. They don't even look like PJ's so you could sneak out in them to the store late at night to get ice cream if you needed to.
This Vitamix 2-speed Blender is not inexpensive, but I bought it only after going through a couple "cheap" blenders that broke. I LOVE this thing. We use it daily-smoothies, shakes, and my favorite treat ever-banana ice cream, which I eat just about every night. It has excellent reviews on Amazon.
Cuisinart Griddler Panini and Sandwich Press
Another kitchen appliance that I adore. We use this at least two times a week, maybe more. It is easier and quicker than grilled cheese on the stove top. We make ham and cheese and turkey and cheese mostly. The kids can use this easily also.
Cuisinart Griddler Panini and Sandwich Press
Another kitchen appliance that I adore. We use this at least two times a week, maybe more. It is easier and quicker than grilled cheese on the stove top. We make ham and cheese and turkey and cheese mostly. The kids can use this easily also.
My oldest daughter wanted to buy a pair of these for me for years and years, and frankly I thought they were overpriced and ugly, and made everyone look like they have Big Foot feet, and also that I'm (a tad;) too old to wear them. And they are expensive and they are sort of ugly and I am too old to wear them, but darn, she was right, I love them. I wear them all winter with everything and don't ever want to take them off. I am always cold in the winter, but these keep my feet warm inside my drafty old house and outside too, and are so comfortable and easy. The new gray ones are so cute too.
I was lucky to be gifted with these UGG slippers and when the boys aren't stealing them I wear these ALL the time.
I don't wear perfume because I am sensitive to fragrance, but I found this lotion in Seaside, Florida a couple years ago and it smells wonderful to me-just like the beach. That is the same bottle I originally bought-I only use a little bit and it's just enough. You can find it here.
For daytime, I have sensitive, dry skin and I haven't found anything that works better. It is light enough for under makeup, and strong enough that I use it in the evening too. It doesn't have a strong scent either. I go through about two bottles a year.
My face needs moisture, but it doesn't like all the chemicals in the drug store brands. Everything to me smells like a test tube of acid. And NONE of it ever could keep up with dry skin.
I found this brand on Etsy and ADORE this stuff. I only put it on at night after I wash my face. It's straight oil, but has never made me break out once. I won't say it took away all my wrinkles, but I will say my wrinkles look a ton better compared to when I was using the really expensive wrinkle creams and acids. (Which I will never use again!) The $18 bottle lasted me almost a year.
Elta MD Sunscreen-I started using this WAY too late-like 47 years too late. I tried so many different brands, but either it was once again too chemical smelling and feeling, or just really greasy. I was given a small sample of this and loved it. It has a nice dry feeling to it, and this SPF works great for me, even on burning hot soccer fields. It has excellent reviews on Amazon.
My hairdresser used this once on my hair, and the next time I visited she sold me a bottle. Sometimes my hair has a tendency to get sort of fuzzy from highlighting and blow drying. I can't use much conditioner in spite of the tangles, or my hair gets limp. I just use a tiny little drop of this every two days, rub it into the ends of my wet hair before blow drying and then I have smooth soft hair that isn't limp or fuzzy or tangled.
Goody Round Brush-I was looking for something to give my hair more body when blow drying (I have fine, thin hair) and this inexpensive brush ($6) does a wonderful job.
My hardcover Little House series. When I opened them for Christmas, I read them all cover to cover over Christmas break...which is about the tenth time I've read them, the last being when I was probably in junior high. When read as an adult (and as a mom), I gleamed more wisdom than I ever had as a child.
I use this for reading every night. Reading glasses, headlamp, turtleneck and flannel pajama pants. That paints a pretty picture doesn't it?
This is a cheap lens ($120) as far as camera lenses go, and takes beautiful photos, especially portraits. It is a fixed lens, which means the lens doesn't zoom in and out, the photographer has to move in and out. It's nice and light. It allows me to take natural light photos in low light-inside-which comes in handy in the winter months.
I love scented candles, and we have a Yankee Candle by our house, so often if I am lucky to find an hour to myself, I hit the bookstore, and then treat myself to a candle. They have great coupons if you sign up on the email list. When the kids ask me what I want for my birthday or Christmas I send them to pick out a candle. I love having the house smell nice and not like bacon or wet soccer cleats.
I bought this print from a cute Etsy shop and it sits next to my sink so I see it every morning. She has many beautiful sayings and I love the simple artwork.
I still use a wall calendar (I just can't transition to technology) and I have been buying Susan Branch for years. I can always count on this under the tree and then love spending time filling it out over Christmas break. It seems like I just bought this one yesterday, 2015 went so quickly!
Darn I wish I would have never tried one of these. And Janey loves them too and says I have to share with her. It's the most I'll spend on chocolate, but they are heavenly, and they are also hidden under the broccoli in the refrigerator. (This year they are a special Christmas treat since I have been eating healthy!)
Visit the updated versions of the popular posts
Our Favorite Toys, Books and Games where I list our favorite most-played with quality toys from the last twenty-one years of gift giving.
Our Favorite Toys, Books and Games where I list our favorite most-played with quality toys from the last twenty-one years of gift giving.
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