Faves
All of my favorite things
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It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
Christmas time brings peace and family together hopefully. It has forever been my favorite time of year. It means it’s time to reflect on the past year, were you the kind of person you intended to be? Were there regrets or mistakes that you will need to move on from.
What were your greatest triumphs or missteps? Each one of us probably has many of both. I hope you’ll humor me and let me share a couple of mine.
For many years I have wanted to become a member of a church family again. I have gotten away from the practice of prayer and how much it can mean when it is part of your daily routine. We are blessed to have found a new church family (Thank you Danielle Davis for inviting us). It has been exactly what we’ve been searching for. If this is something that you have also been grappling with, please reach out and do not waste another second telling yourself “I’ll get to it, there is always time.” before you know it, you’ll be sitting in the same place next year and wondering why you haven’t made a move.
While that, I consider a major triumph in my life choices. Here is an example of one of my missteps ( or should I say “coulda done better there”. I came into this year thinking “all right Mel, this is your year—you are going to shed the pounds and get back into that pile of jeans labeled maybe one day. That did not happen, not only did I not get back to where I wanted to be, I kept going the opposite direction. I tried all of the “miracle pills”, I spent a ton of money looking for the easy way to do it. Guess what there is no easy way. I just finished my first 30 days of the intermittent fasting reset. In my honest opinion, there is something there. I need to do much more studying and research but, I am down 9 pounds and so far holding. I am hoping the 2nd 30 days bring more of the same.
I am not focusing on the failures, I am learning and retraining my mind to go always forward. Even if it’s only an inch, make it an inch forward every day.
Here is a list of my favorite deals, steals, finds and loves for 2024
Love*** Learning new things. I have taken a couple classes on Udemy. Turns out I am a better student when I’m over 50 than I was in high school. I’m looking at you Ms. Newton my senior Russian History teacher. There are classes on every conceivable subject that you might be interested in. Bonus points is the price, very affordable and has excellent reviews.
You can check out all of their courses here
Podcasts: Where have I been for all of these years? It turns out there is a podcast out there for you no matter your interests. These are a couple of my go-to’s.
The Mel Robbins Podcast
https://www.melrobbins.com/podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rachel-hollis-podcast/id1245763628
Audible books—-another little nugget of gold. Wherever you can find them, I use Audible from Amazon which you can find from this link here. Also check out the Lilly app or through your local library.
Hygge: It is a lifestyle and it is wonderful. Bring peace into your home and reduce stress this holiday season. You can check out my Hygge blog post here.
All of these items have made my life just a little more serene, reduced my stress in one way or another. Please check out this list from Amazon to find something for the lady in your life. She will love you for it!
Please share with me all of your tips to make your life a little less hectic. Let’s all learn together.
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SOS – Save Our Skin, Winter Edition
Winter Skin {noun} Itchy, scratchy skin. Sometimes cracked and raw.
If you live in one of the areas that winters are harsh and unforgiving, then this post is for you.
I have lived in central Minnesota for most of my life. When friends of mine from the south found that out, they looked at me like maybe I grew up in some foreign land with no electricity and no running water. Well, this is not the case here in the great white north, I have survived winters with frozen water pipes (that means no running water) and being taken to the school bus on a snowmobile. But we are a civilized, occupied state and have been since 1858. No matter where it is that you live during the winter months, we need to have a very different skin care routine than we do when the temps are warm and the air is humid.
Here are some of my favorite skin care products that I use to get through the “itchy long john skin” season. So, cheers from the state where your face tends to hurt in the cold when you go outside.
Click here for my daytime routine.
Click here for the nighttime routine
If you are looking for a little extra help or a deeper routine, please take a look check out the products on this page. The Sunday Riley brand is fabulous don’t take my word for it, you can also read the reviews on each product following this link
The winter weather is not only hard on your face. It wreaks havoc on all of your skin. It is hard to keep moisture anywhere your home (hence all the shocks and static electricity in your blankets and sheets). It is important to make sure all of your body gets more attention. You can start by doing the cheapest and best thing you can do for your body and drink more water every day—it’s free so, what more could you ask for. To go beyond this and give your skin a little more love; here are great ways to pamper yourself through this winter season.
Click here to >>>>Create an at home spa day
Whatever you decide your skin needs this winter. This is the season to take care of yourself, to pamper yourself. Find the peace and calm in a sometimes-crazy season.
**this post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links I may receive a small commision at zero cost to you.
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5 must haves for every kitchen
Must have kitchen items I couldn’t live without.
When you are shopping for items, whether for a gift or for yourself, it is much easier to find things that others have tried and loved. There are so many choices out there, it is overwhelming.
As a mom to 5 boys, and 1 VERY hungry husband, I have cooked my share of meals. We have hosted family get-togethers etc. Here are some items that I could not live without.
Click here to shop >>>>Ceramic Pots and pan set
I had lived most of my 52 years with the standard pots and pans. I had never had a ceramic set until I was given one for Christmas (thanks sweetheart). I for some reason thought everything would stick and be terrible to clean. I was totally mistaken. If you have never tried ceramic I cannot tell you what a difference it has made in my life. Gone are the old and tired “nonstick”. I am telling you, give ceramic a shot. Don’t just take my word for it, read the reviews here.
Click here to shop>>>>Hands free colander
Kitchen Gizmo Snap N’ Strain – Silicone Clip-On Colander, Heat Resistant Drainer fo Vegetables and Pasta Noodles, Kitchen Gadgets for Bowl, Pots, and Pans.
This colander replaces the large and clunky, hard to clean metal colanders of your mother’s. You cannot go wrong adding this to your collection. I find myself using this nearly every day. You can check out the nearly 40,000 5 star reviews right here.
Click here to shop>>>>Utensil Set
White Silicone and Gold Cooking Utensils Set with Holder – 7PC Silicone Cooking Utensils Set Includes Gold Kitchen Utensils, Gold Whisk, Gold Spatula, & Gold Utensil Holder
When you are working with good pots and pans, you cannot sacrifice good utensils to keep them looking and performing like new. This set not only looks fantastic but, will keep your pots and pans like the day you brought them home. Read all the reviews right here.
Click here to shop>>>>Bakeware set and accessories
BAKKENMASTE 18-Piece Deluxe Nonstick Carbon Steel Bakeware Set – Professional Kitchen Oven Baking Pans with White Silicone Handles and Accessories
No kitchen is complete without and essential bakeware set. This set has everything you will need to make outstanding pies to scrumptious cupcakes.
Your family will be thrilled with all of the treats you’ll be bringing to the table. I have struggled in the pastry department but, with this set it makes baking and clean up a breeze. Over 1500 people can’t be wrong. Read the reviews here.
Click here to shop>>>>#1 must have for every kitchen
PowerXL Air Fryer 7 QT Maxx Classic, Extra Hot Air Fry, Cook, Crisp, Broil, Roast, Bake, High Gloss Finish, Nonstick, Black
I was given an air fryer a few years ago (before they were such a big thing) and I had no clue what to use it for so it sat and sat like just another gadget on my counter. Fast forward to today and I wouldn’t be without one. This has been a lifesaver both in time and in calories. It is amazing how easy and quick that you can prepare things and without the fat of typical deep frying. If you do not have one of these in your kitchen, do yourself and add it to your list. It would also make a great gift for anyone you know just starting out on their own.
You can read all of the 5000+ 5 star reviews right here.
I hope that this helps you whether you are shopping for a foodie in your life or for yourself.
