My Favorite Things: Holiday Edition

These are items I've gotten that I literally reach for day after day. It's not "oh that's cute it'd make a great gift!", it's "I will use this until it wears out so it's 100% a great gift". 

If you need some inspiration!

Hydroflask mug. This is one of those random things I didn't know I needed but I end up using it all the time. It doesn't have the stainless-feel to it like a regular hydroflask. It's actually soft to the touch. I got this for a gift last year. I saw someone post once that SAHMs should really be using travel mugs to keep drinks warm at home and now that's what I do, especially during the colder months. 

Cordless Hand Mixer. I can't remember if I got this last year or the year before because these last few years have really run together, BUT this is life changing. I don't like using a stand mixer because it takes up too much space. I hated using a corded mixer because the cord gets tangled and messy as it drags on the counter. This is amazing and is a must-buy if you use a mixer a lot. 

Long sleeve tee. While I spend summer always searching for the perfect short sleeve tee (TBD), I'm usually looking for a long sleeve tee by this point in the year. This one is a true favorite. I have it in brown but would definitely like to grab another color or two for Christmas. I'm really into basics in my wardrobe at this point. Don't believe influencers when they tell you to go to Gap or Madewell...I've tried those. This is better. 

Sweatpants. Okay, here's the path you're gonna take: American Eagle > Women > Pants & Sweatpants > scroll to the Everyday Luxe Jogger. They are not joggers. They are a true sweatpants and you will buy multiple pairs like I did because you were so impressed. I have dark brown and maroon but now they have black and gray and green!

Wireless keyboard and mouse. This is super similar to the one I have. Typing on a laptop is kind of the worst, right? I love the round keys. 

Suede boots. These are perfect for you if you do not want to spend the money on Uggs. They are an ankle boot and can absolutely be an outside shoe, although I usually don't go farther than the yard. I wear them mostly in the house and I love that they don't stretch out like clog-like shoes do. 

I posted what I want for Christmas a few weeks ago but would love to make an addendum: I checked out that planner IRL and it has too many boss-babe-esque quotes for me. So...still on the hunt for a planner if you have recommendations. 

Thanksgiving meal plan and Memes

I don't have any fantastic Thanksgiving food advice. I don't think I have any great ideas for what to make. I generally am not a Thanksgiving food person. Here is what we're making though. 

We will probably deep-fry a small turkey, to start. (I have a REALLY gross story about last year's deep-frying...maybe later.)

I like sautéed green beans with garlic and almonds. I found this recipe years ago and will have to share my twist on it. It's a great side for steak or holidays.

I will do mashed potatoes (but I actually might cheat and do instant potatoes and instant gravy?).

Scott wanted this corn souffle. 

And then I was going to make cheesecake cups since Scott's birthday is Wednesday and that's what he wants instead of cake. 

Friday Recommendations, 11/21

1. Empties. Here's some products I've used up lately! And I'm not trying to play fast and loose with affiliate-linking here but I've bought most of these items multiple times and I can tell if they're seriously on sale for Black Friday. 

It physically hurt to save bottles and jars and bags I was done with because I love finishing a product and throwing it away, but I knew I'd forget to talk about any of these things if I didn't.

Some of this is worth it, some I would not buy again. 

 

I generally really do like Truly Free products. It's worth the box and the subscription!

However, this softening rinse...didn't do anything? I don't know. Apparently it was supposed to? 

In addition, I used their laundry detergent that I got in my last box but they forgot to send a jug for it so I mixed it up in this softening rinse jug once the rinse was gone. I didn't love it either. Sorry, I'll be Team Persil now because it just works so well. 

This is amazing though! I love the dishwasher soap. It's a powder, which I've never actually used before. Usually I go for the gels or liquids. 

If you find yourself ordering Truly Free, add this to the box for sure. 

I don't know what this was supposed to do but it didn't do anything. And I took it for the entire 30 days or whatever it was because I was insistent on using it up. I'm not saying the ingredients aren't helpful; I'm saying I didn't notice a real difference in anything. 

I love this natural deodorant. It does actually work! Its active ingredient is baking soda. My only complaint is that it doesn't last very long; like, I use it up pretty quickly for $14 worth of deodorant. Currently on sale though for Black Friday!

My favorite hand soap. The only place I can find it is Amazon, sadly. I used to buy it at Walmart (in Pittsburgh? 2019ish?) but they don't sell it in-store that I've seen lately. 

I usually buy lemon but the grapefruit is the one on sale right now. 

These are a great alternative to Crest White Strips. Perfect for sensitive teeth and cheaper, too. Usually they're about $22 for 9 days of strips. These are only $15 right now!

This was such a fortuitous find! It's light, has helpful active ingredients, and I put it on before bed and sometimes with my vitamin C serum in the morning. 

This is not on sale right now but you can do 30% off with subscribe and save (do I take advantage of that feature? all the time)

2.  Intensity by Dean Koontz. I read this book in 2 hours on Monday night. Here's the thing: it takes place in the mid-1990s and the ready availability of cell phones would have made this plot impossible to write post-2005. So..take that for what it's worth. I saw some reviews saying it was too wordy; yeah, I can see that, but this is a story that has two main characters so you're in their heads for most of book. (I read once that this is why they had trouble adapting Dexter to the screen--so much of the book was his inner monologue.)

Anyway, it plays out like a movie. It all visualizing and not a ton of dialogue. The first 35%, I think my hands were sweating a little bit because it's a definite thriller. Once you start, there's no point in putting it down. Like the movie 1917, this book is one continuous scene. I did guess the big "twist" at the end kind of early. It was the first Dean Koontz I've read and I only put it on hold in the Libby app because I saw a reel saying it was a thriller you may be able to get right away since it's older. I still waited two months. 

3. Landman is back. This is such a good show. It's interesting and FUNNY and kind of insanely dramatic. If you missed season one, it's worth catching up now. 

4. There is no way to segue from Landman to The Magic Treehouse but I wrote up this novel study for Wells. I tried a fancy, multi-modal novel study a few weeks ago with another book and what I realized is that I would prefer he read and retain the book, not do all the extra fluff I paid too much for from another website. 

Linking up for Friday Favorites!

Holiday Wish List

 

1. Beeswax wax melts or a beeswax candle. I have heard so many good reviews of melting beeswax, compared to regular candles or melts. I made a note months ago to put one on my Christmas list.

2. A new cozy winter-themed blanket.  We have another like this and it's been a favorite for 10 years now. 

3. I always find myself ordering a new planner over Christmas break. While I have enjoyed my Erin Condren this past year, I want something large and flat for next year. I've always liked the Blue Sky planners. 

4. Hourglass blush. I prefer a powder blush. This is my favorite one and I've been out for awhile. 

5. A heated neck wrap is an absolute must, in my opinion. Last year, a parent at school gave me a $10 one from TJ Maxx and I have used that thing no less than 300 times in the last 350ish days. It is so great for those I-slept-wrong injuries and also for tension and stress relief. Now it has a hole in it so I'd like another one. 

6. A Clare V. Moyen Messenger is something I've been eyeing up for awhile. Scott told me he wanted nothing for his birthday, which is next week, and then he asked me "....what do you want? So I can financially prepare" because my birthday is in January. This would be it but I don't know that I'm ready to insist on it, you know? I also kind of have a thing for the green one. 

What's on your wish list this year? 

Meal Plan and Memes

 Continuing with some general dinner inspiration...here's last week's meal plan:

Here are the recipes for the Steak with Gnocchi and the Honey Garlic Chicken. 

Some of these memes are kinda niche, so it's a peek into my algorithm for sure. 

(Did I already post this one? Too much good material out there.)

(Have I posted this one before?)

"Gisele never cooked for us" LOLOL

Friday recommendations, 11/14

This week, I also posted Amazon in October and Memes and BBQ Chicken Nachos. 

1. The Ellen Fisher Podcast. I love this podcast because I love debate style shows that are long-form. Definitely worth listening to a few episodes! 

2. Ask Not: The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed by Maureen Callahan. 

American Predator is one of my favorite non-fiction books because she writes in a narrative way that makes the nonfiction so interesting to read. This is the same. You'll be thoroughly appalled. 

3. Let your kids be bored. Last weekend, I was like I should take the kids somewhere and then I was like No, their rooms are a mess. They don't play with the toys they have. I'm tired. So we stayed home. 

(and had our hearts broken 3 times in a row by our favorite football teams)

It sounds weird, like I'm of the Silent Generation or something, but our kids don't always need to be going somewhere and doing something. I say the Silent Generation because that was both my grandmothers (and Joe Biden) and that seems like something they would've said. Like, kids can just exist as kids. I pulled a box of baby and toddler toys out of the basement for Sutton and it kept her busy for hours.

I've tried to curate things for them--organized toy bins and boxes, crafty projects I end up finishing, themed piles of books and activities--they prefer to choose their own adventure, you know? 

My theory is that Gen X overcorrected their neglectful childhoods and helicopter-parented Gen Z to the point where they don't know how to apply for a job or make a phone call or drive a car by themselves. Whereas, Boomers told Millennials we could do anything we set our minds to and we got some crazy anxiety out of unlimited possibilities and forced independence, but we did learn how to take care of ourselves, you know? 

4. Get your kid out of bed to see the northern lights.

(Kid, singular, because Sutton would not wake up.)

5. Make your own dried tangerine decorations. It's kind of crazy that they are selling these for a lot of money as high-end decorations this year. I found a how-to in a novel study guide I had downloaded LOL. So I was already planning on trying this before I noticed it was popular.

Slice them 1/8 an inch thick, place on parchment on a sheet pan, at 175 degrees for about 4 hours. You can go longer, it doesn't really matter. You'll know when they're done. 

That's also Pizza Dough up there. 

Let sit out to cool/dry completely. 

Decorate.

These are cinnamon pine cones from Aldi. 

Make sure you take lots of curated photos too, so the other moms can't see the junk lying on your counter :)

6. Pumpkin Cookies. I made these yesterday to take to our last co-op for the semester. Everyone has a few recipes that they'll pass down forever. I know this is the one I've made every year because my mom used to make them every year and I'll teach my kids to make them. 

I don't like pie and I especially don't like pumpkin pie so this is what I make instead. 

Do you like pie? I'm usually the odd one out on this.

Linking up with Friday Favorites