2021 Favorite Things

Happy Wednesday Friends!  Today is an exciting day!  I was invited to participate in Melissa at 320 Sycamore Blog’s Favorite Things Party.  If you are not familiar with Melissa I urge you to head on over to her blog and subscribe.  I have been following her for the longest time, and she has provided me with so much inspiration over the years, so naturally when she invited me to join, I literally squealed out loud, it was a total fangirl moment.

1//Mascara 2// Lipstick 3//planner 4//joggers 5//t-Shirts 6//brad nailer 7//curtains 8//throw 9//mattress topper 10//ecobee 11//heating pad 12//mug

Today I’m sharing a few of my favorite things:  items that make my life easier, products that I couldn’t live without, and even a few recipes that I swear by.   Read on to check them out!

1// My fave Mascara

I’m starting out with my favorite makeup products.  I don’t wear a ton of make-up regularly, but when I leave the house, I very rarely leave without mascara on.  A few years a go I came across this mascara in one of those sample make up boxes and I’ve been hooked ever since.  It’s called Bad Gal Bang by Benefit.  This mascara is amazing for those who like a bold eye, but aren’t into falsies or lash extensions.  This mascara gives your lashes great definition, length and volume.

2// My favorite Lipstick

Next up for makeup, is Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick, I’ve been using this lipstick for the past two years.  It lasts up to 16 hours and is perfect for wearing under a mask.  I’ve tried 3 different colors:  composer, mocha inventor, and protector.

3// My favorite Planner

I came across this planner a couple of years ago and I love it.  While I use google calendar to manage my overarching agenda, this planner is great for everyday lists, with it’s time slots, an area to list your top 3 priorities for the day, and a notes section.

4//My favorite Walmart Joggers

Okay, these are a major part of my daily wardrobe.  I own about 4 pairs of these in black, and a gray pair.  They are the most comfortable pants ever.  They have the feeling of a legging, but with pockets.  They are my most comfortable leisurewear item.

5// My favorite tee

A couple of years ago my friend Erin at Live Pretty on a Penny launched a t-shirt line to celebrate all things DIY, and I love to support her, so I have every single one.  Her t-shirts are so cute, and are made by her. The quality is excellent, and are basically my wardrobe.

6// My Favorite Tool

Every time I share a tutorial or process of one of my DIYs that involve my nail gun, I receive questions about this tool.  This is my all time favorite tool and I’m not really sure how I worked on projects before getting it.  It’s relatively lightweight, cordless and super easy to use.  It’s perfect for small projects around the house like trim work, and small woodworking projects.

7//My Favorite Curtains

When we moved into this home, I wanted it to feel homey, and cozy and like a modern cabin.  So when I came across these curtains I knew they were the ones.  They have a modern plaid pattern which is versatile, they’re lined, which is great for old home dwellers like us, and they’re of great quality.

8// My Favorite cozy throw blanket

Okay, I have a large collection of throw blankets, but this throw blanket, is inexpensive, its super soft and a great size for actual lounging, not just for show(but also good for that too).  It’s a must have and comes in multiple colors.  It’s warm and cozy and we all fight over it when we are having family time—I guess that’s a sign to order a couple more!

9//  A really good Mattress topper

2 weeks ago my mom reached out to me to ask me if I knew of any good mattress toppers.  I hadn’t purchased any so I did some crowd sourcing on IG and somehow went down a rabbit hole researching them.  Somehow I landed on this Lucid Mattress topper and realized, I too, could use a mattress topper.  I was sold on the reviews.  I ordered it and it was here in 2 days.  After the first two nights, my husband and I noticed a huge difference when it comes to back pain, and just our overall quality of sleep.  It feels like we’re sleeping on a cloud which works well because our mattress is rather firm.  Reviews do mention that if you have a soft mattress to begin with, a memory foam type mattress topper is not recommended.

10// My Fave Thermostat

We’re pretty old school when it comes to technology.  So when transforming your home into a “smart home” became all the rage, the hubs and I were feeling pretty stubborn about making the switch.  That is until we found ecobee 3.  Ecobee3 is a smart thermostat with voice control, so it has alexa built right in.  We love this thermostat so much (which sounds so weird to say), but it has made our life so much more convenient.  Whether it’s turning the heat on before you we get home, to jamming out on some music (which we do regularly), to ensuring that our homes temperature stays stable with help from the smart sensor.  If you are looking for a introductory item to get going with a smart home, I definitely recommend looking into an ecobee.

11//  My Favorite Heating Pad

Okay, what can I say, I’m getting up there!  When I think about the fact that I love a heating pad, all I can think about is my Nana, who always had a heating pad in her bed, lol.  Well, I received this heating pad last year as a gift, and I love it so much-I can’t sleep without it!  I’m always cold, so I love the extra bit of warmth I get from it and that it offers 3 levels of vibration for a slight massage that relieves achey spots as well.

12// My Favorite Mug

I think everyone has a favorite mug, and as of late, this mug is my absolute favorite.  It’s the perfect size for a 10 oz brew, I really dislike large mugs because when you brew your coffee it looks like you haven’t brewed enough.  I love this mug because it’s not too heavy and it’s easy to handle.

 

13// Celestial Seasonings Tea Well

My daughter is a major couponer, so when she goes out for her hauls, she brings back tons of different teas for me to sample. The Celestial Seasonings Tea Well brand teas are really great. I love the melatonin tea for nights when I just can’t shut my brain off to relax, and the Tumeric Spice one on days when I’m not in the mood for coffee.

14// Ben & Jerry’s Non-Dairy Ice Cream

A few years ago I realized that I have a sensitivity to dairy, so on ice cream nights, I would always have to find something else to snack on while the rest of my family enjoyed a delicious cold treat. When I came across Ben & Jerry’s non-dairy ice cream I was pretty sure I wouldn’t like it—but not only did I like it, I love it. I think I actually enjoy this ice cream more than dairy ice cream, it’s a must try. (The Coconut 7-layer bar and the Netflix and Chill are my two favorites!)

15//My/Our Favorite Holiday Side Dish

Many years ago I came across this corn casserole recipe, and my family has completely fallen for it.  Over the years, I’ve adapted it to make it my own, and we love it even more.  It’s a simple recipe, and it’s just soooo good!

16// Our Favorite “Fancy” recipe

Okay I call this recipe “Fancy” becasue it tastes like something from a fancy seafood restaurant, but it’s probably one of the simplest and most delicious fish recipes I’ve made,  and my family LOVES it (even the pickiest ones!)

I hope that through this list you’re able to find a new favorite or two! And thank you Melissa for inviting me to join in on the fun!