I am so excited that you get to meet another dear friend of mine today: please welcome Kari Dawn!! Basically anything she touches turns into magic and she just knows how to make experiences and people just feel special. I adore her and am thrilled that she agreed to share her favorites. Here we go:
When Melissa asked me to share my favorite things my first thought was “Melissa is one of my favorites!” If you are one of her loyal readers then you will know what I mean and if you are new to her blog- get ready to love her and her suggestions! She is the best and I am beyond grateful that I get to be a part of her and her family’s life! My favorite things are the things that help me create memories with my favorite people and places. So with that in mind here is my list:
Favorite things that help me feel confident:
I have five older sisters and at one point there were four of us in one room and one bathroom, and I remember feeling like we had to RUSH to get ready, but one thing my mom taught us was to take the time we needed to get ready so that "once you leave the house you forget about yourself." So to this day I look for items that help me feel comfortable and confident all day so I can think of others and enjoy the moment.
- I love every Unite Hair product that I have, but I LOVE their Silky Smooth system! When your hair is wet it kind of has a weird texture and isn’t like other conditioners- but start drying it and it turns silky smooth. It’s like hair magic. I also highly recommend their Beach Day Spray and their 7 Seconds Detangler Spray.
- Epicuren products were introduced to me at a Park City spa and this moisturizing set is my favorite of all the products I’ve tried. The lotion has a citrus smell that is so refreshing and it glides on and never feels heavy or sticky and I love the spray that adds a touch of moisture anytime, but I especially love it right out of the shower to rehydrate before applying the rest of my facial products and in the middle of the day.
- I’ve ended up using this tanning mist almost everyday since I got it. I love that it’s just a hint of color, is so gentle on the skin, and is SO easy to use. I usually apply it at night and wake up to a hint of color. No rubbing it in, no streaks, and no color bleeding onto anything else.
- This pillowcase is a must- less hair breakage, break outs, and wrinkles (I’m assuming it helps with wrinkles- or at least that is what I’m telling myself- positive thinking!). And it comes out the dryer looking brand new.
FAVORITE TRAVEL ITEMS:
Making memories as we travel is one of my favorite things! But packing and planning can be stressful so here are a few practical items that I have found to be very useful.
- I love this phone case for everyday use but I especially love it when we travel. It keeps my camera ready to capture any moment, easy access to my credit cards and I wear it across my body so I don’t lose it or get it stolen.
- These bags are a favorite of mine because we like to travel light and separating clothes and minimizing the space they take is very helpful. But my favorite use for them is also for dirty clothes as we travel. I seperate whites and colors as we go so when we get home I can unzip the bags and dump the dirty clothes directly into the washing machine.
- I know a pen on a favorite things list is random- especially in regards to travel- BUT this pen fits in most passport holders (I also recommend getting a passport holder with a pen holder attached). You always need a pen on a flight to fill out the customs and declaration forms and then there’s just random times as you travel that you need a pen. And this one is my favorite bc it is small, doesn’t leak, and comes in cute colors including this gold. (Makes a great gift for missionaries- my husband got this pen as a missionary and now always has one in his pocket)
- Rick Steves travel guides are a perfect place to start when planning a trip and have SO many practical tips. His guides are where I start my research and he has never let us down. His tip of how to see the Sistine Chapel made us feel like insiders and shaved hours off our day. And in our most recent trip to London we went to the Imperial War Museum, Churchill war rooms, Westminster, Buckingham Palace, and Phantom Of the Opera all in one day with 5 kids based on his suggestions and routes. Note: double check the year it was published and always look for the most recent.
- Good footwear when traveling is essential and for me- these sneakers are my favorites. Check out the other cute styles and colors. They are a Scandinavian company- that’s where I discovered them- and they are made to withstand all types of weather and look good on trails and in the city.
- There are a lot of cruise lists and recommendations out there of what to bring. We went on our first Disney cruise this spring break and I can confidently say you can ignore most of the list. But magnetic hooks and a hanging organizer were the best suggestions and super helpful. The walls are all magnetic so having the hooks and organizers made the small rooms more manageable with all of our stuff. I also 100% recommend decorating your door and participating in the fish extender gift exchange and pixie dusting- it was so fun.
FAVORITE HOME ITEMS:
There’s no place like home and being together! Here are a few of my favorite things that help create memories together.
- I love to bake and these baking mats are a favorite for consistency and durability. And they make cleaning easy! My kids love to see me pull out these mats bc they know something yummy is coming!
- I love,love, love arts and craft projects but having 4 boys meant I had to look far and wide for projects they would want to do and Djeco always has something fun and unique. They are a Danish company and so while they weren’t ever as popular with my boys as Legos (their preferred Danish toy company 😂) the occasional cool craft from Djeco was acceptable. My daughter’s room is full of Djeco arts and crafts.
- Reading together was a big part of our family culture, but the most cherished reading together happened at Christmas. I wrap books and put them under the tree as a countdown for Christmas. I re-use the books each year but am always looking for new additions to swap out and keep it fun so they look for the book they think is their favorite each year and are also excited to find a new one. Song of the Stars is my all time favorite and is now reserved to read each Christmas Eve. When Santa Was a Baby is the perfect example of a fun new one that made us giggle and is super cute.
- Sushi Go is a great table game and one we pull out on Sunday nights in the winter. It’s fast, you are constantly passing cards so everyone is involved the entire time, and it’s easy so conversation is fun and keeps flowing.
Thank you, KD!! I'll take one of everything 😉 To catch up on all of the Favorite Things you can click here.
Hello and welcome to Day 2 of Favorite Things! Please welcome my sister-in-law Georgi today! I adore Georgi - she is chill and fun and has a great sense of humor and always gives me grace because I married her brother 😉 And she makes epic food - my boys talk about her biscuits and gravy, I just want her cinnamon rolls (see recipe below) and she made a legendary Reeses cake for my husband. She is thoughtful and kind and always plans fun things for our family to get together and knows the latest and greatest games and best candy to try. Welcome, Georgi!!
6. Hair Clips: Hair clips have made a come back, and I love them because they are easy to use when you just need to throw your hair up and go. My three year old even told me my hair looked nice when I was wearing one, so it has the stamp of approval of a 3 year old boy. I like these colors because they’re neutral so they are easy to wear with anything!
Welcome to Favorite Things 2023!! We are off to the best start with my friend, Jaimi.
She is so smart (don't go against her in Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader - really.) and witty, has the best laugh, just knows what is important and focuses on that (see her family below), has a beautiful, incredible faith that has been tested more than you would think was possible and really even shouldn't be alive and that is a story that she may choose to tell one day.
TODAY though - we are having a good time with her as she is sharing her favs. So excited to have her:
Merry November Everyone! I used to be quite averse to holiday decorations that were sold months in advance in stores, but I get it now, people. The holidays approach quickly, and some solid advanced planning alleviates a lot of stress. Let it be known that I did my best to dissuade Melissa from asking me to contribute to this because:
I don’t have a blog, business and I interact almost 0% with social media (I have IG, but I’ve never posted!) and…….
There are about 1,000 favorites lists out there this time of year curated by women who do this professionally (and I am not one to reinvent the wheel. Give me all the suggestions, and I will gladly take them!)
That being said, Melissa is one of my favorite people on the planet, and since I can rarely think of anything creative to do for her, this post will have to suffice as my gift to her this year! I looked back through her archives (WOW! AMAZING! SO MANY FUN THINGS!), and I think some of my favorites might be weird. You’re welcome ;)
SENTIMENTAL
Hands down, my favorites are my husband and children. Sorry! Not for sale! However, stay with me on this for a second. The last three years of my life have taught me that nothing you buy could ever take the place of the people in your life. Connecting with those people is top priority. It’s hard sometimes and definitely takes a lot of work, but the results are immeasurable. Take some time to find a quiet space in your home and think, regularly, about what you can do to strengthen those ties or mend a relationship. Space and time are Free.99 but take intentionality. I am never sorry when I make time to do this.
Off the soapbox now…….
EVERYDAY
I probably use every one of these things almost every day!
EltaMD - I have never been one to use expensive face products until very recently. Recently equals me turning 40+. Cue weird skin problems that I’ve never had before. My SIL’s brother is a dermatologist and recommends these products without reservation. I might be deluding myself, but I think I have actually seen a difference in my skin since using them! I’ll take it! Start with the EltaMD PM Therapy or Foaming Facial Cleanser, and add from there.
Stance Performance Tab Socks - I choke a little bit every time I buy these because they definitely cost more than your average pair of socks. But they truly are the best! Like every other Instagrammer swears! I wear them everyday to exercise and they have lasted for years. I just bought my teen daughter some of her own, and it's the first thing she has actively hidden from her siblings so that they can’t borrow them.
Apple Music Subscription - I choose this over Spotify because of the parental control filters it has, and you can also share it with family members. We listen to a LOT of music in our home, and it has it all. Dance party in the kitchen, anyone?
Evernote App - There are a lot of organizing and document apps out there, but for some reason I cannot step away from this one. I have a yearly subscription and use it all the time. It’s the thing that replaces your mom’s giant metal file cabinet in the entry hall closet. One of my favorite uses is that it functions as a place to keep all of my compulsive recipe hoarding! The possibilities are endless.
Scribd/Everand - OK. I’m a little confused. This app magically changed from Scribd to Everand THIS WEEK, and I still don’t understand why. Conglomerate merger, perhaps? Anywho, this subscription is so random. I use it for books, audiobooks, sheet music, etc. and it always seems to have the book that happens to be on hold for two years on my other favorite app, Libby. Combine these two apps with my local library card, and I’m set on audio books and YA novels for the foreseeable future. Need a rec to get you started after you give your spouse the subscription? I recently finished Katherine Center’s novel Hello Stranger , my husband is reading The Perfect Mile , and our family listened to the audiobook version of Lois Lowry’s The Willoughbys (narrated by Artie Johnson) on a recent road trip and laughed our faces off.
QUICK
Electric Water Kettle - It’s weird how fun this thing is for me! It replaced our hot chocolate machine because it is SO much easier to clean. And fairly safe for younger children to use. And it looks cool so I don’t mind having it on my kitchen counter. If I need hot water for something (hot chocolate, lemon honey water, Ramen….) it is so fast and so easy! Great In-Law gift!
RX AM Breakfast Bars - These are a quick grab for those crazy mornings when I have to run out the door. The Honey Cinnamon PB is my favorite flavor. Easy to throw in for a Christmas package to a child who is away at college to get them thru finals!
Orgain Plant Protein - I’m contemplating creating a little cookbook for Christmas for my son who currently lives in Seoul, South Korea. This would go in a package to him because it’s an easy add-in to recipes (even though I still wonder about what in the world this magic powder actually is…..). One of our favorites is a chocolate peanut butter breakfast shake: 1 scoop chocolate protein powder, ⅓ cup organic rolled oats, 1 cup almond milk, 1 heaping spoon of peanut butter, 1 frozen banana, crushed ice - Blend for one in the Ninja!
PRACTICAL
Stanley Aerolight - I got annoyed with my larger Stanley falling out of my backpack side pocket while traveling through airports, so on a whim I found this at the LL Bean Company headquarters store in Maine, and it is the perfect size. Just about the size of a normal plastic water bottle, and almost as light!
4 in 2 Apple Charger Cable - Am I behind on this? This gadget is also super handy for traveling. I’d say it’s eliminated roughly 72.2376% of the stuff I have to pack for a trip ;)
BEAUTIFUL
Minimalista by Shira Gill - GOALS!! I would put this book on my living room sideboard in a flash. Except that Shira is telling me I need to get rid of things. Which I am on board for. I devoured this book and immediately started “editing” my entire household. It will change the way you think about “stuff” in your home.
David Austin Roses - Do you love fresh flowers in your home? Trader Joe’s is gold for inexpensive but beautiful bouquets, but I don’t have one very close to me. So I did the next best thing. Beg my friend to help me plant 47 David Austin bare root rose bushes in my yard a few years ago. And even if my arms are ravaged after pruning them every year in the frigid depths of winter, it’s still one of things that brings me the greatest joy every May - October. Seriously, they bloom that long. The Lady of Shalott variety is one of my favorites - possibly because I might be slightly obsessed with Anne of Green Gables. A suggestion - just plant one for now! Ha! And pick up this Garden Bucket Tool Organizer to help with the pruning. Makes me feel like I’m a master gardener ;) It would be extra fun to gift a rose bush to your mom and then plant it for her in the spring after they ship.
BONUS FUN
Self Curler - My 9 yr old can use it alone! Praise the heavens!
Essie Nail Polish - On trend, inexpensive nail polish for people who don’t have time to get their nails done. Or who are pianists and can’t play with long, manicured nails (me!).
Target Caramels - Do your neighbors a favor and throw these on the plate of goodies you give them at Christmas. Taste like homemade, but even better because you didn’t burn yourself with hot corn syrup and sweetened condensed milk over the stove.
Korean Gochujang Sauce - Does your brother think he’s the foodie of the family? Just mine? Well, here’s a fun one to give to the adventurous eaters in your family.
Turkish Shows - So you’ve exhausted all of the Hallmark Christmas movies of the season. First of all, congratulations. That’s an impressive achievement. Secondly, maybe you just want to change your viewing up for a quick minute during the ridiculous amount of downtime you have during the busiest season of the year! Covid and really cold winters started me on Turkish RomComs while I exercise on the treadmill in the mornings - they’re goofy and a little soapy, totally clean (the romcoms, not the dramas), zero language, and the sweetest romances. It’s a real genre, ladies! Erkenci Kus is probably the most well known, but trust me, there are more. Enjoy!
Well, Merry Christmas Melissa! Your readers might be questioning your choice of friends now ;) I hope you can find at least one thing on this list that might make your life easier or a little more fun this holiday season! I’m excited to see all of the Favorite Things recommendations this year!
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| * what a perfect November house! from Susan Kaufman * a Mac and Cheese recipe showdown! * why you should wipe those grocery cart handles down |
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| * T3 Favorites are only $59.99! I love the flat iron and my SIL loves the hair dryer! |
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| * Fit RX Smartbell Gym Set $149.99 |
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| * Lululemon belt bag for $23?! |
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| * two pack bracelet set from Madewell only $13.99 |
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| * lowest I've ever seen the O Cedar Mop at $17.98! This is on my favorite things since 2014 because you can put your own cleaning solution ( I use Bona or Bruce) and comes out in a fine mist |
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| * Bliss Totes Moving and Storage Totes 6 pack is only $17.99 when you clip the coupon |
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| * highly rated tree is only $199 when you clip the coupon |
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| * mid-century modern chair is only $159.99 |
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