Michelle Smiles

Teaching my children to question authority, except mine.

A few of my favorite things

November25

With the holidays coming and NaBloPoMo requiring daily posting, I thought I would share a few things I like that might give someone a gift idea. By the way, I’m not Oprah so don’t think everyone in my audience is getting one of each thing I love.

We went to the monthly flea market yesterday. I was so excited to find one of my favorite vendors. It sounds stupid but they make the best vegetable peeler ever. My Aunt Helen bought me a peeler and a knife years ago. An old roommate accidentally threw away the peeler with the potato peelings and I spent years searching for a decent peeler again – I drove my mom crazy with it. I finally found the same one at a flea market and promptly bought one for everyone I knew. I was at my mom’s and she still had one of the knives I had given her and the sucker was till sharp. Today, I bought some knives – they are a decent knife for a good price. They hold their edge well.

I was excited to finally find my favorite hair product in a store around here. Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray rocks. When I moved to Pittsburgh, I had to start ordering it on line – now I can just drive to a ridiculously expensive pedestrian shopping area and buy it.

Every 3rd person has a RAZR phone these days. I’ve had one for a couple of years and am quite happy with it. I found this leather case for mine to protect the phone (although mine is a cute apple green and right now they are only showing black). I love the case and it has held up for 2 years. I was hesitant at first because it was a little pricey but it was worth every penny.

I tried this make up starter kit last year and after getting the hang of using it, love it. Bare Minerals is especially great in the summer when you don’t want heavy make up running off your face while glistening in the southern sun. And it lasts a really long time. I will say that I still use another concealer under my eyes because this stuff doesn’t even touch my ever present horrible dark circles. Anyone have an under eye concealer they love?

My SIL, Krista, always gives fabulous gifts. Last year, one of my favorite gifts was a basket of Burt’s Bees baby products. The products aren’t super cheap but it was so nice to get to try them all before deciding if I wanted to invest in them for regular use. We like Burt’s Bees products and have really enjoyed trying all of the baby stuff. A great gift for a mom of a little one.

My mom is a huge fan of Origins products. She has given me some gift sets over the last few years. I love them – they smell amazing and feel wonderful. I like them enough that I’ve gotten gifts sets for others. Here is a great way to try some of the products. Trust me…the ginger smells heavenly.

We all love the coffee in Guatemala but Starbuck’s Guatemalan blend just doesn’t cut it (at least for me). I haven’t ordered from this site yet but I’ve been told it is as good as what I brought home from Guatemala. I had some at my mom’s and thought it was pretty darn close.

We used to have a big professional looking digital camera. It took great shots but was so big that we rarely took it anywhere with us. It was stolen and we replaced it with a pocket size camera that we love. It is small enough to put in my purse or Steve’s pocket and goes with us everywhere. It is easy to use – it has a huge screen on the back and most of the menus are accessed through a touch screen navigation on the camera – no more remembering what button does what.

I love having self inking address stampers. I always buy one for every place I live. Here are some particularly nice ones that would make a lovely gift for the parent or friend who has every thing. If they are out of your budget range, you can always find a cheaper version here (the one I have).

And lastly, I always enjoy getting and giving products from The Children’s Art Project. All of the products are based on the art work of pediatric cancer patients – the revenue earned is used to enhance patient services. The products are cute and the proceeds go to a good cause – helping children with cancer have more normal childhoods. Doesn’t get much better than that!

posted under Misc.
9 Comments to

“A few of my favorite things”

  1. On November 25th, 2007 at 6:44 am Teri Says:

    I found your blog via another blog sometime ago, you were fostering in Guatemala. I think you are great. You are so funny and like to read your blog. I love how you just tell it like it is. I often laugh out loud when I read your blog.

    Your daughter is so cute.

    By the way, I have that vegetable peeler..It is the best, I can’t find them anymore, I am from Quebec city in Canada. I got mine as a gift. I don’t know why I am telling you this but check out this website.

    You will get a kick out this thing. It is a banana holder. Your banana will never turn brown.
    http://www.bananaguard.com

    I have added this to my favorite things.

    Take care.

    Teri

  2. On November 25th, 2007 at 12:33 pm Mama K Says:

    fun list!

    I use Mary Kay concealer (the kind in a silver tube) under my Bare Minerals. It works the best of anything I’ve found for under eyes or blemishes.

  3. On November 25th, 2007 at 2:18 pm Kim Says:

    Thanks for the coffee link! The place where we got our coffee from is a small grower and thus not allowed to ship to the states. I was totally bummed since my husband wants some for Christmas. I already put in an order.

  4. On November 25th, 2007 at 4:29 pm karen Says:

    I love when you do this. That’s how I got turned on to Bare Minerals. What a great infomercial you are!!!

  5. On November 25th, 2007 at 8:29 pm Bobbi Says:

    This was a fun post.

    I believe that you can get great Guatemalan coffee from Safe Passage (safepassage.org). It is really good. I know that they are having a tough time keeping it in stock now. I was told they were going to have a link on their website, but I haven’t checked yet.

    Missing Sabrina pics:>)

  6. On November 26th, 2007 at 3:07 am Rhonda Says:

    Great gift ideas 🙂

    Rhonda

  7. On November 26th, 2007 at 8:24 am Mary Jo Says:

    You’ve given me a couple of good ideas for my own Christmas presents! And I like your list better – who needs Oprah’s $1,200 battery operated exfoliator?

  8. On November 26th, 2007 at 9:54 am Tera Says:

    Fun list, Michelle. I LOVE favorite things lists…love them. I have intended on putting up an entire section on my blog with just favorite things (aka cool stuff that I like) because I love reading about other people’s favorite things.

    There should be a meme…

    Anyway, I agree with you about the Burts Bees stuff. We were using Mustela stuff for a long time (love their foaming shampoo for cradle cap). But, now we use Burts Bees and people are always commenting on how good Emma smells. I love all of the baby products. I use the apricot oil on myself.

    God bless.

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