My Favorite Things 2022

17 November 2022

Welcome! Today I'm sharing my favorites from 2022! If you want to see all of the Favorite Things you can go here. Here we go:

* the Drop Stop!! I love this thing! You just thread your car seat buckle through and it stops everything from falling in the deep dark crevice between the seat. One of those weird things you don't even know you need but love when you use it.

* BHG Cozy Knit Throw - this is the blanket I grab to curl up to watch a movie or wait for teenagers to come home. It's the perfect weight and such a good dupe for the more expensive Barefoot Dreams blanket. Sam's Club also has a larger version that is pretty much the same and is such a great gift.

* Diamond Dazzle Stick - Jamie brought these for our Favorite Things on our sister trip and I have used it so much! Keep it in your purse or with your makeup and make your rings sparkle in a jiffy.

* Vuori Joggers - Kels already shared these and I would have probably never bought for myself but I got them on my birthday and am hooked. I LOVE these joggers! When I'm working out I want some compression and support but when I'm at home or running errands these are a lightweight, comfy knit that I wear as many times as I can get away with in a week. They have a light waistband that doesn't create muffin top. I really need another pair. You should get a 20% off your first order pop up when you go there. I don't think they go on sale so definitely grab that.

* Simplifi budget app - we have tried many budgeting tools/apps since my husband is a financial planner and it has never been an option not to follow a budget. This is our favorite. So simple (hence the name Simplifi haha) - I can categorize transactions on my phone waiting at a stoplight, look at our spending plan (isn't that a better word than budget?!) and plan ahead for Christmas, birthdays, and vacations and be a little sick when we see how much more money we are spending on gas and groceries.

* Profusion Feel Good Skin Long Wear Skin Perfector - My maturing skin is changing and I've had a hard time finding a foundation that works well with my mostly dry skin and covering up age spots. After a recommendation from a friend whose makeup always looks fabulous I couldn't believe how much I love it! And the price?! I wear a combo of Fair 1 and Fair 3 and have a slightly darker Light 3 to mix in for summer. Look on the Profusion website if you can't find it in stock near you.

* 100 Gathered Piecs of Good Advice & Papers for Brilliant Ideas and Laundry Lists - I found this on our Seattle Girls Trip with my daughters in Watson Kennedy shop down by Pike's Place Market. You know I love quotes and there is one on the bottom of each vintage notebook page. Such a fun gift or to inspire you as you make your to-do list for the day. I think you can also find it on Amazon but it's double the price so order it from a local shop ♥

* Pilot Precise Pens - if you appreciate a good, smooth fine point pen these are for you. My kids now love them and I try to keep my stash hidden but they always seem to find them.

* Dossier Perfumes - I tried this out when I was trying to figure out how to get Jo Malone's perfume at a better price. Basically they make their own version of expensive perfumes and they are GOOD and so close to the originals. There is nothing to lose because you try them out for a week or so and see how they last and smell on your skin and then send back the ones you don't love with free shipping (I think it's free if you order more than three). We ordered 5 perfumes/colognes to try and I wanted to keep them all ( I think they count on that!) but we ended up keeping my Fruity Honey and men's Aromatic Star Anise. You just take a pic of the bottles you are sending back and fill out the online form and stick them in the mail, no questions asked. It took about a week for our returns to get there and a few more days for the credit to reach the bank. I love the minimalist packaging and bottles as well. So if you love an expensive scent or want to try out some new scents I would definitely recommend it! I don't have any affiliate relationship with them but I did get a link to give you $10 off your first order. Have fun! I am hooked.
P.S. I just found out that Dossier is going to start showing up in select Walmarts! Here is a map to show which stores will have them. I don't think you'll be able to try and return like you can on Dossier which is probably my fav thing about them but they may have them in store to sample??

* dash mounted phone holder! We have tried a few that didn't fare so well and this has been our favorite in both cars - it has stayed put for over a year and I love the release button and adjustment.

Night-time Routine:

* Revlon Kiss Exfoliating Balm. I tried this when they were on a crazy deal on a CME + Deals one day and I have placed 10 orders since. A must in dry climates! It has sugar crystals to exfoliate your lips but then they melt into buttery gloss. Perfect before bed or before putting on makeup so your lips will be ready

* L'Oreal Collagen Moisture Filler Another find from an Amazon deal that I continue to order. For the price I don't feel bad slathering this all over my face and neck at night.I've tried much more expensive brands from Costco and Sam's Club promos. It feels so good to put on and the smell is great and it instantly softens my skin. I'm hooked.

* Eyelash Serum - I think this works every bit as well as Babelash at a fraction of the cost. My lashes have been growing and healthy. Give it a month and see what you think.

Yes, those are Great Value frozen chopped onions on my Favorite Things list but let me tell you these are GAME CHANGER! No crying and cutting just keep them on hand in the freezer and throw them in with the ground beef you are browning, the stuffing for Thanksgiving, the roast on Sunday. Sometimes they are hard to find in stock but yes, you need them and can find them at your local grocery store. The same goes with frozen homemade noodles! They are so good in chicken noodle soup ♥

* IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection Brush - apply foundation on one side with this fluffy, soft brush and your concealer on the other. It is pricey so you have a couple of options. I am not afraid of Ebay! A great deal for a new brush that may not have the box but be sure to get the one with brushes on both ends! Or ELF has come out with a similar brush you may want to try but the OG is probably worth getting on this one. They didn't patent the "heavenly luxe" synthetic hair on it for nothing.

Thanks for letting me share today! If you want to see the other favorite things you can click here.

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Favorite Things 2022: my SIL Maryn!

15 November 2022

Please welcome my sister in law, Maryn!! Maryn is a busy mom of 5 and also teaches elementary school and is always inspiring me with her workouts, planning fun girl getaways, and finding good new things and always lets me know the CHIP cookies worth trying out. 😎 Here are her favorites:

Lysol Laundry Sanitizer

This is a new favorite for me when doing my laundry. I use this with all of our gym and athletic clothes. Since most athletic fabrics aren’t supposed to use fabric softener, I add this in the fabric softener dispenser and it disinfects and makes the clothes smell fresh and clean.

Chapstick total hydration Moisture +Tint

I always need some kind of moisturizer on my lips especially living in a dry climate. I have tried so many different lip balms and these are my favorite. They are creamy and stay on well and the best part is they have different shades so you look like you put on lipstick. I have tried many different shades and I love them all!

Nike Air Max Thea Mid

I absolutely love these shoes. They are stylish and so cute to pair with jeans or other pants. They are so easy to slip on and lets not forget, they are Air Max’s so they are SO comfortable. Living in a college town, I have gotten so many compliments from college age students, so I feel hip and stylish. I loved the brown so much that I just ordered them in black too.

Loreal True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer

When it comes to makeup, I like a fresh, natural look with a little bit of glow and this does just that. It is light and goes on easily and also makes my skin feel hydrated. I put it under my foundation and it gives me a natural looking glow.

Bath and Body Works Tree Farm 3- wick candle

I love burning candles in my home and this is my favorite at Christmas time. It is a combination of pine, cedar and spiced apple.

La Banderita Carb Counter Tortillas

These are my go to when I am counting my Macros. They taste very similar to regular flour tortillas. I use them for several things and you can even cut them up in triangles and put a little bit of oil or cooking spray and salt and bake them in the oven or air fryer to make your own chips.

Sam’s Club Premium Rose Bouquet

I love having fresh flowers in my house and these particular boutiques are in the Club for $19.99 and they are GORGEOUS and look like they came from an expensive florist. They have roses, other flowers, and different unique fillers mixed in. They also have unique combinations so I always have different looking bouquets to enjoy. Rewrap them in some brown paper with some pretty ribbon and they look amazing to give as a gift as well.

Nivea Skin Firming Hydration Lotion and Skin Firming Gel

This is the best lotion and gel I have ever used. It goes on so easily and makes my skin so smooth and keeps them smooth all day. It also helps tighten your skin and I do feel a difference when I consistently use it. It also qualifies with my Flex Spending Account on Amazon so that is a bonus!

Electric Candle Lighter Rechargeable USB Lighter

I hate having to buy matches and having to worry about them breaking, burning my fingers etc. This is rechargeable and is so easy to light your candles.

Minky Couture Blanket

The softest and best blankets around. Mine have washed up beautifully. Just wash on delicate and air dry. They are worth the money!

Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts by Jennie Allen

This book was a Goodreads Choice Award Nominee and it resonated with me SO much. Written from a Christian perspective the author helps us learn to transform our emotions, our outlook, and even our circumstances by taking control of our thoughts so that we can choose hope in the midst of chaos and shift negative thinking patterns.

The Jolly Postman and The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet and Allan Ahlberg

As an Elementary teacher, I have always had a love for collecting children’s picture books. These are some of my favorites! With correspondence between Mother Goose and Fairy Tale characters in real letters that children can take out and read which makes the books so fun and unique!

The Greatest Gift- Andrea, Matteo, and Virginia Bocelli

What could be better than 3 Bocelli’s singing together. This is a new song on their Christmas Album and I have it on repeat. It is beautiful!

Thank you for the wonderful favorites, Maryn! ♥ The other 2022 Favorites can all be found here!

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caught my eye + deals 11.11.22

11 November 2022

THANK YOU VETERANS ♥

from visitalexva

* What Veterans Day means to us at Marine Corp Community Services

* 5 interesting facts about Veterans Day from the Department of Defense

and DEALS! These are the prices when I hit publish - they can change or run out at anytime. If the code is no longer working the deal is probably over. Most links are affiliate. Have fun!