my favorite things : volume one
1) Casual Dresses (most with pockets)!
AMAZON LINK
From the day Amazon Prime announced free and easy returns at my nearest UPS store or Kohls, I was in. Why not try ordering some items that, in the past, I would have put in the “absolutely must try on before I buy” category. The process was now so low maintenance, I knew I had to give it a shot. I started by making lists on Amazon by type (shoes, sweaters, swimsuits, dresses, pajamas, etc), as to avoid doing the same search over and over and allow myself to easily add new finds to each list.
Since I started searching for comfy, casual, and flattering dresses, I have returned my share because while the model in the photos looked oh so cute, the reality of the product was thin material, shorter than it looked, the print looked different in person, or perhaps it didn’t fit. Despite these experiences, I could not believe how many exceptionally cute, yet inexpensive dresses I have come across. So many. I’ve found long sleeve, short sleeve, and sleeveless styles that are good quality and literally feel like walking around in pajamas all day (all the while people complimenting me on “dressing up”?! Haha. #winning
AMAZON LINK
AMAZON LINK
AMAZON LINK
2) YETI Rambler Stainless Steel Drink Insulator
AMAZON LINK
Though my husband receives a drink and properly takes it down in nano-seconds, I am a sipper. In the past few years, like many of you, I have gotten into drinking cans of sparkling water throughout the day-my favorite being WATERLOO’s Lime flavor. This new habit inspired me to find a way to keep the can cold for extended periods of time.
Ice cold sparkling water=a refreshing treat, whereas lukewarm sparkling water=sad and rather bleh.
I found the double wall drink insulator made the perfect koozie. If you are anything like me and share an affinity for sugary drinks that are bad for you, getting into sparkling waters was quite the healthy breakthrough. Because it was a pretty big freaking deal, investing a little to encourage my new habit was well worth it. I use it everyday and get nervous about taking it places for fear I will leave it. Aaaand it’s name is “Gus”. Moving on..
3) Favorite Starbucks Hack
My morning routine for years has gone: Drop kids off at school, workout at the gym, and then go think, work, read, pray, write and plan on the patio at the Starbucks in our neighborhood. Being out of the house has always helped me concentrate better. That being said. I am well aware of the economic implications of the “The Latte Factor” where one is sabotaging their finances with these coffees that make an average of $5/day everyday add up quickly over months and years!!
Though I could definitely go to bat for this habit of mine as it adds value to my life in other ways, I decided to see how low I could get my almost daily coffee price to go. I approached this knowing that even slight cuts per coffee could make a big difference when considered over a longer period of time. A note: I almost always opt for an “iced” version as it takes less sugar or flavored syrup to taste sweet than a hot coffee.
So friend, without further ado, my 2 go to(s) most easily ordered by selecting the right terms on the Starbucks Mobile App:
Exhibit A:
Iced Vanilla Coffee vs Iced Vanilla Latte
My Version: “Latte” Version:
TALL TALL
Iced Coffee Iced Vanilla Latte (1 espresso shot)
“Extra Splash” of Whole Milk Whole Milk (or any non-specialty milk)
1 pump Vanilla (can order more w/o extra cost) 1 pump Vanilla
Splenda Splenda
Total: $2.98 (after tax) Total: $4.06 (after tax)
Nearly identical and OVER 25% savings!!
Exhibit B:
Iced Doppio vs Iced Latte (any one flavor)
My Version: “Latte” Version:
GRANDE Cup GRANDE
Iced Doppio (2 espresso shots) Iced Vanilla Latte (2 espresso shots)
“Extra Splash” of Whole Milk Whole Milk (or any non-specialty milk)
1 pump Vanilla (can order more w/o extra cost) 1 pump Vanilla
Splenda Splenda
Total: $3.30 (after tax) Total: $4.82 (after tax)
Completely identical and OVER 30% savings!!
*Prices vary slightly by state/region.
4) Favorite Fall Cookie
COOKIES AND CUPS LINK
Ok, so they had me at Praline icing. Sign me up, I’m in. These cookies are nothing short of incredible. They would be great if made ahead of time for a holiday or put in a cute box or tin as a gift. The icing reminds me of the praline candies often sold at Mexican and Tex Mex restaurants where I grew up in Houston. I’ve made this recipe both in its original form and also made a gluten free cookie version that while crumbly, was held together nicely by the icing on top. The pumpkin cookie is not overly sweet which makes its pairing with the icing nothing short of fantastic goodness. I use a small cookie scoop to make them in mini size. They are Fall in a cookie.
5) Essentialism: The disciplined pursuit of less
AMAZON LINK
At some point, I will do an entire post on this book alone. Y’all, I have listened to the audiobook version 6 times. Six and, if I am being honest, I am not done. I plan to revisit it. There is so much good stuff in here, my biggest problem is not knowing how to narrow down what aspect to write on.
In fact, that is the crux of the book: Taking a conscious look at your current life and being bold enough to consider it under the lense of “less, but better”. The way I’ve described this book to friends is to say it is a combination of the Lysa TerKeurst book THE BEST YES: MAKING WISE DECISIONS IN THE MIDST OF ENDLESS DEMANDS and Marie Kondo’s THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF TIDYING UP: THE JAPANESE ART OF DECLUTTERING AND ORGANIZING. Similar to those books, Essentialism helps readers bring into focus more clearly what brings us joy and meaning versus that which needs to be left behind.
Mmk Lex, but tell me why THIS book. Why is this one on your first favorite list?
These days it is a rare book that is able to call out the ways our society is getting it wrong, the deeper issues we are getting wrong as individuals, and doing so without pointing fingers in blame at whatever person, group of people or ideology the author perceives to be at fault. This book comes alongside you, wherever you sit, whether a professional or not, rich or poor, religious or not, young or old. It gives you tools to be able to hone in on what your specific criteria should be to evaluate what is worth spending your time on and how to say “No” to everything else (it actually has an entire chapter on the “graceful no”).
The meaningful examples and inspiring stories have helped me shift my perspective in such a healthy and freeing way. I found that the way I look at my life is forever changed for the better after this one. Aaaand..it doesn’t hurt that the author is a Brit so you get to enjoy that accent if you opt to listen to the audiobook. Lol.
A few favorite quotes:
“If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.”
“Once an Australian nurse named Bronnie Ware, who cared for people in the last twelve weeks of their lives, recorded their most often discussed regrets. At the top of the list: “I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.”
“Essentialism is not about how to get more things done; it's about how to get the right things done. It doesn't mean just doing less for the sake of less either. It is about making the wisest possible investment of your time and energy in order to operate at our highest point of contribution by doing only what is essential.”
“The key is to start small, encourage progress, and celebrate small wins.”
6) Signature Levi Jeans
AMAZON LINK
Let me start with the headline on these babies: They are tummy control elastic style at the waist and they don’t roll down at the waist all flippin’ day! Even my very similarly styled favorite Rock & Republic jeans from Kohl’s cannot make that claim.
I got an invite from Amazon in April to use Prime Wardrobe (more on that soon) and with it having been the early months of Covid, I could not have gone in to any stores to try on the million pairs of jeans I usually would to narrow down my favorites. Instead I narrowed down 8 pairs of varying sizes and styles of jeans (ordered via Prime Wardrobe option) to this one after trying them all on at my own house, on my own time; and as if my favorite jean pick wasn’t awesome enough, they cost $30. (Hallelujerrr. Yes and Amen.) I ordered the darker wash, but I definitely plan to order more pairs with different washes in the future.
AMAZON LINK
7) Free PRIME WARDROBE & free WHOLE FOODS Delivery (over $35)
Prime Wardrobe is free for anyone with an Amazon Prime membership. It is a program where you can try before you buy from eligible items across women’s, men’s, kids’, and baby clothing, shoes, and accessories. You get seven days to try on the items at home and you will only be charged for the items you love and decide to keep. Returns are easy and free with resealable packaging.
To start putting together a Prime Wardrobe order, you can filter your Amazon search by checking box on the left column next to “Prime Wardrobe”. You can try up to eight items at a time. You cannot add more than one exact item at a time to a single order (i.e., same size and color). There is no minimum dollar threshold for a Prime Wardrobe order and you can have up to two Prime Wardrobe orders shipped to you at a time.
Before the end of the 7-day try-on period, you go to your Orders screen to check out - this is where you indicate which items you are keeping or returning. You have until the end of the try-on period to postmark returns. They keep it simple by providing a return label to use when you drop off your returns at the UPS store.
I have never been a regular Whole Foods customer partly because I have not lived super close to one and partly because I have memories of spending almost $100 on three small plastic bags of groceries one time and feeling super overwhelmed by that. However, when Amazon bought out Whole Foods not too long ago, I made a mental note.
I recently figured out that Prime members qualify for free delivery from Whole Foods when you spend $35 or more. As I have been wanting to move towards going to nicer grocery stores or farmers markets to get high quality produce, this seemed like it would be a perfect fit. I still get all our basics via Walmart Grocery pickup or the occasional Costco trip, but I decided to give Whole Foods a try.
A side note that while delivery is free, you do tip the delivery driver. For my team, this aspect is justifiable because I know I would be spending money on gas to drive across town to Whole Foods anyway.
The drawback of other grocery store delivery systems is the lack of ability to approve or deny substitutions. Instead of having a say, it is more like you get what you get (even if you feel like throwing a fit). In contrast, Whole Foods shoppers actually text you. Delightful. Splendiferous. Yippy skippy, I’m in. After making a few orders, I am actually finding I spend only slightly more on many items to get them at Whole Foods and am loving the difference in quality and taste! I am sold..unless Trader Joe’s gets delivery rolling to my neck of the woods and then all bets are off! ; )
8) Flourless chunky monkey cookies
THE ORGANIC DIETITIAN RECIPE LINK
In recent years, we have dabbled in a wide range of recipe genres: Paleo, Keto, Whole30, Vegan, Vegetarian, GAAP, Gluten Free and so on. We love this cookie recipe for its simplicity. While it has 2 versions to choose from, the simple 5 ingredient “Version 1” is our jam. There is something calming and encouraging about making cookies that are quick, easy and have genuinely good ingredients to put in your body, yet are still a treat. I almost always have a big bag of Walnuts on hand in case I feel like making these as the inevitable last few bananas are getting suuuper ripe. This recipe makes a good alternative to the more carb-a-licious banana bread that would be my other plans for said bananas.
9) Raw Vegan Tacos
THE FIRST MESS RECIPE LINK
While I am on the healthy, yet delicious train, this is a current favorite recipe of ours as well. I, for one, would not have thought a “raw” and “vegan” recipe could be in our normal rotation of meals, but indeed this one has. It can be made ahead of time using a large food processor before refrigerating; and as is true most of the time I am learning, the better quality, more fresh veggies you use, the more flavorful the result. It is also great for leftovers in the days after you make it. Such a simple recipe really. Discovering how the butter lettuce leaves are so yummy and perfect for lettuce wraps in a world where I honestly had only been introduced to PF Changs style iceberg lettuce wraps. Just writing this is making me hungry!
10) the magic of new laces
I have noticed that when I do any athletic shoe shopping, as much as I would like to say I am looking for a certain kind of support or style, it always seems to come down to coloring being the make or break part of the equation. Cute shoe color, cute laces, etc. Being that I think my thought process is fairly ridiculous to at times opt to buy a much more expensive shoe simply because the bright color accent catches my eye, I have come up with 2 hacks.
1-Men’s Athletic Shoes (in Women’s common sizes) are generally cheaper or on clearance more often. I have found this to be true both online on sites like Amazon and in stores like Kohl’s that always have a Men’s Clearance Shoe section. Men’s sizes are a size and a half different than Women’s so my size 9 1/2 feet in Women’s are size 8 in Men’s. The only issue presented by this reality of finding good quality, favorite brands like Asics, Nike, Saucony, or New Balance in the Men’s section are they are generally a little drab. For this issue, I give you hack #2.
2-It’s all about the laces!! Ombre Shoelaces to be exact. My last purchase of Men’s athletic shoes were dark grey (as pictured in the first set of photos above) with a white sole. They have a very small blue highlight color. I went online and located these super cute blue fading to white ombre laces and boom! The shoes are now so adorable I find myself staring at them whenever they are in my field of vision. This is also a great way to liven up some older shoes for you or for your kids that are just a little meh now, but really have a good amount of support left in them. It makes ALL the difference and it costs very little.
11) THE Happy Givers
THE HAPPY GIVERS LINK
THE HAPPY GIVERS LINK
I love what these guys are about, their focus on helping people, and the quality of their items as well. 100% of their profits goes to their non-profit that manages and assists a home reconstruction program in Puerto Rico, a children's home in Peru, and partners with organizations supporting migrants in Tijuana.
Each “series” has clothes, totes, stickers and such. I was first introduced to them through their “Love Thy Neighbor” series. Especially in the year we have had in 2020 * pause for effect because though different, we all had ourselves a YEAR* and this being an election year to boot, this is the message I want to put out there, to teach my kids and to be about, in general.
12) Grandma’s Cookies company ships!!
My daughter and I had a blast visiting the historic downtown Main Street in St. Charles, Missouri this Summer. A friend who lives there advised that we could not go to Main Street without going to Grandma’s Cookies and I am so glad we did. What an absolute gem.
We got a mixed dozen of cookies and could not believe how cheap and awesome they were!! I was super excited to hear that they ship their cookies! I made a mental note right then and there that the next time there was an occasion to send cookies for a birthday or anniversary or even just because, they will be my go to!
I checked in with them directly to find out more details about placing orders. This is what they said:
“Our cookies are $7.99 a dozen plus tax or 79 cents each. You can mix and match any way that you would like. The shipping cost ranges from around $8.50 a dozen to $12 a dozen depending on where you live. We can look it up if you want to send us your zip code. We can add a note or message at no extra cost. I would advise to add a extra day than what the website is telling you delivery wise. For example, if we ship them on Monday and it’s telling you two day delivery, then plan on them arriving Thursday. Feel free to contact us with any questions in placing your order.” Order Grandma’s Cookies
13) The best chili Recipe i’ve ever made
THE DESIGN MOM RECIPE LINK
This recipe is a winner with everyone I make it for and it is a winner with me because it is so dang tasty, it is a little different, and in contrast with most “award winning” chili recipes, there is very little prep needed (which endears me to it even more). This is pretty much a put all but one or 2 items (that need prep) directly into the crockpot and let it simmer all day. We like to use the chili for Walking Tacos when we have families over with kids, as everyone always has a good time with those.
I put the go to toppings of freshly shredded Tillamook Sharp Cheddar (White or Yellow) Cheese and sour cream out for toppings. Crackers and cornbread would be awesome too! Depends on my mood I guess. This is a very large amount so it can either feed a big group or yield lots of leftovers for your family.
Rollover meals using the chili like Frito Pies or Chili Dogs are likely to follow Chili Day at our house. I think there are also great layer dips with chili and cheese that would be a perfect use for the leftovers, as well as, making some queso dip and mixing some of the chili in! Anytime I can work in queso dip. I tell you. Anytime.
14) Oh Curly Haired friends, Where art thou?
About a year ago, my hairdresser suggested I read up on the “Curly Girl Method” to find the products I like the most when I stopped straightening my hair in favor of just going with my natural curl. There are a ton of suggestions, but here are the ones I found helpful and the products I love the most. The majority are from Sally’s Beauty supplies and are quite inexpensive.
SALLY’S BEAUTY SUPPLY LINK
1- Instead of applying gel on my wet hair, I use ApHogee Curl Cream. When I get out of the shower, I wrap an old tshirt around my hair and tuck it as I dry off a little. As many of you already do something similar with a microfiber towel or the like, you know that this method sucks less moisture out of your hair than an ordinary absorbent towel. After a few minutes, I put about a dime size amount (I have really short hair) on my palm, rub my hands together and flip my head over to scrunch it throughout my hair. I then take the t-shirt that was keeping my hair from dripping water all over me a few moments before and lightly touch it to my hair so that I don’t have any clumps of the product anywhere.
SALLY’S BEAUTY SUPPLY LINK
2- Another great find is Coconut Co-Wash (Conditioner Wash) which is essentially a little shampoo and a lot of conditioner and thus I can use it to wash my hair every other time I take a shower (without stripping my hair of moisture by shampooing too often). In the shower before I shave on a Co-wash day, I wet my hair, flip my hair upside down and grab about a quarter size amount of the Co-wash in my palm, rub my hands together, and apply it to my hair. I flip my hair back, do all the rest of the showery stuff, and then just before I am ready to be done, I flip my hair over again and rinse by scrunching my hair under the water to rinse. I know all this flipping your head over seems a little crazy, but it pays off. Turns out it is actually a thing.
SALLY’S BEAUTY SUPPLY LINK
3- In the showers where I am shampooing, I use Conditioning Balm as my conditioner. I shampoo like normal folk and then do the same flip hair over technique with this balm as I do with Co-Wash. Super inexpensive and super great stuff. Such a good find.
4- Avocado Oil- The Curly Girl method also suggested allowing your hair to keep the crunch for a bit from whatever gel or curl cream you use and then just before you leave, put a little bit of avocado or jojoba oil on your fingers, rub fingers together and scrunch your curls with it. It takes the crunch away and leaves such a shiny, pretty finish. I literally grab Avocado Oil out of my kitchen cabinet to use a little each time.
AMAZON LINK
5-On days I don’t take a shower, I first spray on a homemade mix of water and sea salt, arrange my hair a bit, and then spray this JESSICURL Curl Refresher spray and scrunch and tease a bit.
15) Thinx
SHE THINX ONLINE STORE LINK
Ok, so any of y’all who don’t want to chat honestly and openly about your period can hop off here. Anyone who wants to hear how they can reduce the amount of feminine products they use each month and stop using pads as a backup, stay tuned.
A friend shared these on her Facebook recently when THINX was having a big sale and I decided that I would invest in 2 for me and 2 for my 15 yr old daughter. I am so glad I did. I say “invest” because on sale they were around $30 each and normally are closer to $40-$50. These underwear have a variety of absorbencies and styles to fit what your monthly experience looks like. I was most interested in maximum absorbency so that I could replace as many tampons/pads as possible each month.
The Thinx underwear are very comfy and are easy to just pop in the wash by themselves when you are done with them each day of your period and then hang dry overnight. Thus, to start, I essentially bought a day pair and a night pair and will likely buy more in the future.
I was caught between ordering a medium or a large and opted for the large to be as comfy as possible. They are a great fit. So far, they replace my need for a pad as a backup to tampons the first heavier flow days and then they replace tampons and liners the following days. No more feeling like I am wearing a diaper when wearing a pad. It’s funny how something as little as that can be such a mental boost! If you decide to buy any, use this THINX LINK. I get credit towards future purchases for referrals. (The link next to the photo above simply shows you the style I purchased.)
