Most Used {Favorites}

I always enjoying sharing things that I've tested and used in my own life that I just love. A good recommendation goes a long way with me, so hopefully you'll all enjoy these too.

1. I know Le Creuset is super well known but it is by far one of my most favorite things in my kitchen. I have the 5 1/2 qt and would recommend this size for anyones first piece. On line they sell for about $250+, but if you have a Le Creuset outlet near you then you can almost always find them there for about $150 (depending on the color)... I use this pot more than I use my microwave or toaster, seriously!

2. UGlu Dashes- This product is hard to describe but it's basically double sided tape, but more flexible, and WAY more sticky. I use these at nearly every single photo shoot or event I do. You can use them to attach signs or fabric to brick or other textured surfaces. In a pinch I tape up clothes with them. My go-to florist even uses them when making floral arrangements. The uses are endless!!
3. Vinegar- I use this vinegar for everything except cooking. I always have a bottle full of equal parts water and vinegar (sometimes with a little essential oil if I have it on hand)stashed under my kitchen sink. This is pretty much the only thing I use to clean my entire house. It leaves mirrors completely steak free, my laminate wood floors don't get any swishy marks like other cleaners leave, counters, fridge, sinks... literally everything. Most people complain about the smell, but folks it's completely orderless as soon as it dries (trust me, a quart of it spilled in my car and it smelled like a bad salad dressing until it dried). Adding a couple drops of essential oil would help with that too. And it's so so inexpensive, a $3 bottle lasts me like 6 months.
4. Timi and Leslie- This is technically a diaper bag but I no longer have kids in diapers and I am still in love with the bag! It is by far my most used purse that I own. I really love bringing it on our road trips, vacations, when I'm working, or anytime we'll be running a bunch of errands. Sometimes we wake up, I throw the girls' school books in the bag, and head to a coffee shop to do school for several hours. Plus, it fits my Mac with room to spare... And if you've ever looked for a cute, good looking lap top bag, it's not easy!!
I'd love to hear if any of you use any of these products or if you end up trying them out... let me know! 
*I wasn't perked from any of these companies, I just happen to use and love this stuff. :)

Monday Favorites

I hope you all had a good weekend! A couple weeks ago I did a quick post on a few of my favorite things (clearly not an origional idea or anything, but still always fun!)and people really seemed to enjoy it so I thought I'd throw you a few more of the things I love.

When I put together my faves I try and give you guys a list of things that are well tested, tried and true goodies! These are not just items I've used/worn/ate once... no, no, no! Most of these items are part of my daily life and routine.

I realize this is heavily geared towards women (aside from numbers four and five), but I'm a woman and this is all I know.

1. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Nail Polish- about $4.00

This color here is Commander and Chic. I have many colors but this one in particular is a favorite of mine. Great color, great coverage, and lasts longer than most drug store nail polish. But not all Sally Hansen nail polish is this good, some of the other lines wear off super quickly...like the same day I paint them they chip. The color is a neutral, slightly mauve-y brown. A great color when you're looking for something a bit more subtle. I buy it at Target, but I'm sure it's sold at most places that carry nail polish.

2. Victoria's Secret Yoga Pants- $29.50

Even at $30 this isn't an outrageous price for a comfy pair of yoga pants, but even with that said, I never buy these unless they're on sale. I'm perfectly happy buying whatever color is on sale, and the sale price is usually around $20. These are light weight, super comfortable, and they don't stretch out in the knee and get all slouchy looking if you wear them all day.

**Side Note- Is it just me or does anyone else find the way the models are posed on the V.S. website to be slightly obnoxious. I have a feeling the models are told "Arch your foot", and "Bend your knee" a lot during their shoots. :)

3. Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Powder Makeup- $34.00

I can't say enough good stuff about this makeup. I have uneven skin tone and the coverage is amazing (without the need of foundation). I use a large brush or sponge if I'm out and about to apply the makeup. It's one of those things that I think is totally worth the $34 price tag. I buy it at Nordstroms and it usually lasts me about 3 months.

4. Trader Joe's Ice Cream Bon Bons- $3.69

Yum. I don't know what to say except they're yummy. Chocolate cookie on the bottom, with vanilla or chocolate ice cream on top, dipped in chocolate. I'll buy the chocolate ice cream ones when I'm having a sweet tooth and limit myself to one a day. Each one is 60 calories and it feels indulgent without going overboard.

5. Oxi Clean Free- $10.00

This is one good stain remover! I use this when we have food stains on clothes, grass stains on jeans, stains in our sink, grout stains... you get the idea. This stuff is good at getting out stains, so good that if you forget about the dress you have soaking in a bucket of Oxi Clean and water and leave it soaking for 5 days it will actually remove most of the color from the item as well... I know from experience.

There you have it! Enjoy your Monday and I'll be back tomorrow with more good stuff to show you.

Monday Favorites

I always find it fun to read about all the little, silly, frivolous, cute, random things people are into. With that in mind I decided to share some of my faves at the moment. These are just the first 5 random things that popped into my head, but they're all tried and true goodies!

1. Keihl's Lip GlossOk, I'm a lipgloss kinda girl. I don't have time or patience to fuss with lipstick (though I wish I did) and this is my "must have". Yes, it's like $15 which is crazy to spend on lipgloss in my world, but it's oh so worth it. It doesn't make my lips peel like cheap lip gloss does and it's super moisturizing. I get it at Nordstroms but I'm sure you can find it other places too. Love it!
2. J.R. Watkins Hand SoapThis isn't as amazing as the lipgloss but it still has several things going for it; it smells refreshing, comes in a pretty bottle, it's available at Target (there's no way in heazy I'm ordering hand soap online), and it's only about $4. But really, I mainly buy it because it comes in a pretty bottle.
3. Febreze Scented CandleMy friend Olya turned me on to these candles a while back. I was skeptical at first thinking they were going to be funky smelling or not really work at actually scenting a room, but I was wrong! Some of them actually smell quite nice and they can get so strong at times that I have to blow it out after 20-30 mins because the scent is getting a bit too overpowering for my liking (that's good and bad, I know!). For a scented candle that doesn't cost $20 bucks, this is the way to go. I also buy these at Target if you wanna get one too.
4. JavoEdge IPad CoverI consider myself pretty plain Jane, but when it comes to accessories I really like to hunt 'til I find just the perfect thing that suits my style. When hubby got me an IPad a while back I started hunting and hunting for a cover that fit my style, had a low profile, and didn't cost an arm and a leg. I stumbled across this cover on Amazon, and I was sold!*FYI- I have a friend who ordered the exact same cover for her IPad 2 and it doesn't stay propped up nearly as well as mine does. Other than that, it's great.
5. Mr. Clean Magic EraserIf I could only keep one of the 5 things listed on my Monday Faves it would be these. That's even odd for me to admit, but these are seriously Ah-maz-ing! They work on the nasty stuff that you think "no way this will come clean". But it will! I have a feeling I'll do a whole blog post on these one day, but in the meantime go buy one and try cleaning your stove top or kiddo's fingerprints off of your doors and walls.
I just realized how random my 5 things were, but like I said "they were the first 5 random things to come to mind". What are a few of your favorite things??
Happy Monday!