Favorite Things 2011

I’ve participated in the Favorite Things Party at 320 Sycamore for the last 3 years, and this year I have lots of new favorites to share with you!

Hair powder: I’ve mentioned before that I’ve got LOTS of hair.  Super thick, super straight.  It doesn’t lend itself well to air-drying, so washing and drying it on a regular basis is a huge ordeal.  My hair is also on the dry side, so I tend to go 3-4 days without washing it (sometimes longer, if I’m being honest).  To keep it looking fresh, I use hair powder (AKA dry shampoo!).  Couldn’t live without it!  Two of my favorites are TIGI Rockaholic Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo and Tresemme Fresh Start Dry Hair Shampoo, but just about any of them will do! MAC Lipglass: Must have!  I wear this every day.  It has great shine, stays on longer that most lipglosses, doesn’t feel sticky, and comes in tons of great colors.  My current favorite is Viva Glam V. Green and Black’s Organic  85% Dark Chocolate: This is the chocolate I go to when I’m craving chocolate.  It’s dark.  It’s smooth and creamy.  It’s not full of sugar.  One tiny little square should satisfy your chocolate cravings.  (Runner up=Lindt) Le Creuset Stoneware Butter Crock: We eat real butter here, primarily Kerrrygold Butter which is made in Ireland from grass-fed cows.  But keeping real butter in the fridge means that your butter isn’t spreadable.  Enter the butter crock!  You keep this handy device on your counter, and it keeps your butter nice and fresh and soft for spreading.  Don’t know how we managed without it.     I got a white one, but I love the Caribbean color, pictured below. MomAgenda: I’ve been using the MomAgenda Desktop Planner for three years to keep myself organized.  These planners come in several different sizes, great colors (including zebra print!), and include lots of space for planning your day, your children’s activities, dinner, and your daily and weekly to do’s.  There’s also an App for iPad now. Slugs and Bugs Music: We discovered the music of Randall Goodgame and Andrew Peterson in September of 2010 after they performed at my son’s preschool.  We own Slugs & Bugs & Lullabies as well as A Slugs & Bugs Christmas.  Both CDs are full of silliness, clever lyrics, as well as truths about God.  Some of our favorite songs are “Tractor Tractor,” “God Made Me,” “The Camel Song” (the silliest Christmas song ever, which includes a Star Wars reference) and “Christmas Around The World.”  Our whole family enjoys listening to these CDS (over and over and over) and my son, husband, and I are frequently singing their music throughout the day.

Amazon Kindle: As an avid book reader, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about using an e-reader.  But after receiving a Kindle from my husband last year for Christmas, I have been 100% happy with it.  I’ve read more books this year than ever before!  I love how light it is (especially since I tend to like the novels that are 500-1000 pages).  The e-ink makes the screen super easy to read, and I’ve been taking full advantage of the free books available for download.  I have the Kindle Keyboard pictured below.  In the last year, they’ve switched to touch screen and full color technology in the Kindle Fire.  If you love to read, you won’t regret owning a Kindle!

Parks and Recreation: Every year, I share my favorite TV show, and this year, I’m loving Parks and Recreation on NBC.  It’s funny and clever and heartwarming all at once.  I love Amy Poehler and her character Leslie Knope, Aziz Ansari as Tom Haverford and all the rest.  Last season, Rob Lowe and Adam Scott joined the cast, and they are both just perfect!  If you haven’t watched this show yet, I encourage you to tune in!

Gap Maternity Jeans: I have 2 pairs of maternity jeans.  They’re both from Gap, and I love, love, LOVE them!  Maternity jeans have come a long way since I was pregnant 4 years ago.  These are amazingly well made, fit great, and are super comfortable with a full belly panel.  I have a pair of Long and Leans hemmed to wear with flats and a pair of Sexy Boot Jeans to wear with heels and boots.  Both styles are available in sizes 00-18 and in Ankle, Regular, and Long lengths.  If I had to pick just one, I’d probably choose the Long and Leans.

Merona Women’s Ruffle Neck Dress:  This is NOT a maternity dress, but I took the risk in ordering it from Target.com, and it is my favorite maternity dress (and favorite dresses I own, period!).  I hope to be able to wear it post-pregnancy too.  The teal color is gorgeous, the ruffles and the fit are flattering and forgiving.  It’s versatile for summer and winter, work and play.  I’ve gotten so many compliments every time I wear it.  I also have it in red (my Christmas Eve dress!), which I love as well.  The best part?  It costs $25!  In addition to teal and red, this dress also comes in Army Green, Brown, and Violet.

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