This month marks my 10th year of blogging. Ten years!!! It doesn’t seem possible that I have been sharing my passions, projects, and life with you for that long.
It has also been 10 years since Melissa from 320 Sycamore has hosted My Favorite Things. Much has changed about blogging since 2009, but My Favorite Things is still going strong as it runs right as the holiday gift season begins when every one needs ideas.
To celebrate the anniversary, Melissa has invited some of her favorite blogger’s back to be part of My Favorite Things 2019.
I am sharing My Favorite Things today along with four other creative bloggers. To follow all the bloggers taking part in the series this week, you can find the list of blogs over at 320 Sycamore.
When I find things I like, items that become one of my favorite things, I try to buy more than one. Then I’m covered if they stop making the item or even if I want to give one as a gift. This has happened to me more than once – finding an item discontinued, like a favorite color of lipstick or recently for me when Dansko stopped making my favorite clogs.
I have, used to have plantar fasciitis in my left foot. My foot doc told me to stop wearing flats (goodbye forever my favorite leopard flats) or any shoe that you can twist. He told me to wear clogs or boots with a 1-2-inch heel. If I did, I would no longer have the problem. He was right. I have been wearing clogs exclusively, except for sneakers for a few years now and no more foot problem.
After I posted photos of myself in Paris, so many of you emailed and commented wanting to know more about my shoes.
Sadly they are no longer available, but this style is a close match. I put them on my Christmas list for Santa to bring me.
I do have other styles of Dansko clogs. They are so comfortable.
These are my newest. They are suede and do need a brushing. :-) They come in a few different colors. They are called:
Wolferman’s Apple Cinnamon English Muffins are delish. Ed and I have tried all the flavors and both agree that the Apple Cinnamon are the best. Toasted and spread with butter or pumpkin butter… scrumptious! They make a great gift and the company does sell gift boxes.
Nail-Aid 8-In-1 Nude Manicure – I like both my finger and toe nails to look polished, but don’t like color. I love this polish. It adds just the right amount of natural looking pink to my nails in one coat.
Herbamare Zesty – My go-to seasoning. It is not spicy hot, just has a teeny amount of heat that brings out the best in food.
This time of year my absolute favorite thing is white twinkling lights on the tree. Not blinking lights, but strings of lights where each bulb slowly goes on and off randomly along the strand. They are hard to find in stores, but Amazon has them.
Baggallini Crossbody bags – Like my Dansko clogs, when I like something, I get a few. I am a crossbody handbag person and have a few different styles of Baggallini handbags. I like a small simple bag with pockets to easily carry my phone, sunglasses, wallet, keys and lipstick. This is my newest.
Mille Bornes – This game has been part of my life since I was a kid growing up in the 1960’s. It was a family favorite and still is. We even have the original game that came in a green box. I am happy to see them bring it back.
Mille Bornes is the classic (french-themed) auto racing card game where you try to be the first to collect 1,000 distance miles to win. You thwart your opponents by causing them accidents, out-of-gas, flat tires, slow downs and other mischievous hazards. Fun for all ages.
When we got the new cooktop in the kitchen, my previous cookware no longer worked. The bottoms were too rounded which didn’t allow them to fully contact the flat glass surface. They spun on the cooktop. I needed to find a flat bottomed style of cookware. Circulon Symmetry was the winner. They are the best pots and pans I have ever owned… and so easy to clean.
My Faux Fur Ruched Throw has made it into my favorite things list over the past few years. It is pricy as throws go, but is worth every cent. It comes in two sizes and a few colors. I have the ivory color.
I used to buy a new throw every season. No more. This cozy throw is just right for snuggling up on a sofa or armchair, especially when the weather is cold outside. Soft, luxurious and weighted just right. I read recently that it is Pottery Barns’ best selling throw. I know why.
French Wire Utility Clips – I used these colorful metal clips with vinyl plastic coating in my kitchen to seal chip bags, cereal bags and more. They can be used to clip just about anything together or to use as clothespins or to hang kids art.
Olay Regenerist Moisturizer – I used this moisturizer when it first came out years ago. You can buy it at any drug store or supermarket.
I liked it then, but I am a skin care junkie and always like to try new things. Back in the spring, I bought it again and I am glad I did. I really see a difference in the texture and tone of my skin when I use it. It tightens things up, especially along the jawline. I use the Fragrance-Free, No SPF formula. It is hard to find this formula, but I find it at Walgreen’s.
Lekue 22 oz Microwave Steamer – I bought this from William Sonoma 6 years ago when I was looking for a steamer that was made of a safe material when heated. It comes in two sizes. I have the smaller one. I use it every…single …day. I steam veggies and corn on the cob in it, but many cook fish and pasta in it.
To see more of my favorite things I use every day, I have them all under the category:
- My Favorite Things in my Amazon Shop
I also have gift ideas, holiday ideas and more on my SHOP pages here on the blog.
To get more ideas for gifts and more, hop on over to On Sutton Place, Centsational Style, Just a Girl, and Miss Mustard Seed.
Beverly says
I love your “favorite things” posts!
Floranet says
Breath-taking one!! Keep up the Good work
barbara says
Love this! Are the twinkle lights WARM or cool ? most of the ones seem to be that cold white. thnx
Diane Henkler says
Hi Barbara – The twinkle lights are warm. Not like the blue/white LED’s.
Sue Bauman says
Thanks for the list suggestions; I have bought the twinkle lights from Amazon after you blogged about them last year and they are everything you say they are! Such an improvement over flashing-style lights. They are incandescent so they are not over bright the way LED light strings seem (at least to me) to be.
Diane Henkler says
Hi Sue – The twinkle they add to the tree really does add the perfect Christmas ambiance.
Lourdes C says
Thank you for this wonderful list of great buys for Xmas gifts. The first thing I will buy are the biscuits, then others. They look delicious.
Diane Henkler says
Hi Lourdes – You will love the muffins. Everything Wolferman’s makes is pretty delish, but these are extra delish. :-)
june says
Oops Happy Anniversary….LOVE your blog.
Diane Henkler says
Thanks June. :-)
june says
Love todays posts! Love all your ideas and have already made a shopping list. Last year you recommended those twinkle lights and I have to say I will never go back to traditional lights.
Love them❤️
The Elizabeth Arden lipstick…I also have more mature lips?. Do you find it not drying and do you have a favorite color?
Diane Henkler says
Hi again June – I forgot to answer your question about the Elizabeth Arden 8-Hour lip tint. I have used it for years and haven’t noticed it drying my lips. It only comes in 3 colors. Clear, Red/Berry and Pink. I like the Pink one. :-)
Linda L Weeks says
Oh that’s funny, I thought I was the only one who knew about those ‘french’ clippie things! And what else would we use? I love those things, been using them for years… when my son was moving out and I was trying to explain taking care of a household, how to make toast, and laundry, etc. He did ask me that day, “Oh, by the way, where can I get some of those clippie things?”
..and you can even clip stuff onto the dishwasher rack to keep things from flying around! You are so smart! and I love the shoes, too!
Diane Henkler says
Hi Linda – Both my daughter’s are like your son. They love the clips and wanted some for their own when they moved out into their first homes. I never used them in the dishwasher, but that is a great idea. Thanks for the idea.
Melissa says
Hello Diane! I want those English muffins right now! :) I just added a bunch to my list to try — what great recommendations. The polish looks great for everyday, I had never seen that steamer, and I love that someone on Amazon included a video of what the twinkling lights look like — so pretty! Thanks so much for joining us ♥
anne says
Hi, I love your blog!
Just FYI the Amazon link for the Olay Regenerist product has comments from people saying that seller is selling a fake product, not the real Olay thing. So maybe update the link to a different one?
Diane Henkler says
Hi Anne – Thank you for telling me. I will update the link or not even link and just mention you can buy it at any supermarket or drug store.
Linda says
Diane
Have you ever cooked on a gas stove? Just wondering which you prefer – gas or electric? I am trying to decide if I want to switch to gas. Thanks for all you “Favorite Things.” Very informative.
Linda
Diane Henkler says
Hi Linda – I have cooked on both gas and electric. Some swear by gas and love it. I am happy with either. I do love how easy the glass cooktop is to clean. Gas stoves need a little more effort to clean. :-)
Linda Soncasie says
I just bought the Nail Aid 1 minute Artificials polish. Love it. Makes my nails hard. When I use it with polish, I get a week’s wear.
gina says
I love Danskos and Sanitas – I wear them for work, along with Alegria. I, too, suffered from plantar fasciaitis after wearing Fit Flops one summer and almost killing my feet! Also, thanks for a couple of gift ideas from this post. I think I am going to get everyone a game to play that doesn’t involve anything electronic!
Diane Henkler says
Hi Gina – I have never tried Sanitas. I will have to check them out. Games for everyone sounds like a wonderful idea – you get to enjoy each others company as you play.
Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal says
These are all great ideas! I like Yellowtail too. I also use Bona, the cleaner not the mop. I love those mugs. They are so cute and would be great to take around shopping with you. That looks like a great gift along with some tea bags or fancy coffee!
Michelle Z. says
Where do you buy your discontinued Avon products? They stopped making my favorite lotion a couple of years ago, and I’ve missed it ever since.
Heidi says
So many good things…I agree on the USPS flat rate boxes….those save a lot of money if used right! I may have to try a few of the other products you’ve pointed out! Have a blessed Thanksgiving! Hugs, Heidi
Dawn says
I just broke the lid on my travel mug & the Eco Cup looks like a perfect replacement. Great List!
Holly L says
I LOVE your favorite things! Avon’s anew line is amazing….I live and die (or my floors do) by Bona…and I don;t have a reformer but I do have n=another pilates machine that is amazing – the best workout!
aninchofgray says
WOW! I love these. Thanks for sharing!
melissa*320 sycamore says
We tried the Bertolli and loved it as well! Lots of people have been talking about this Bona mop. I heart flat rate boxes too :) Thanks so much for joining us, Diane!
Funky Junk Interiors says
Cool post! Those cups sound mighty interesting. I love the fact that they’re ceramic. Very cool!
Donna
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/
Debbie Howard says
What a great post idea. I loved it and will definitely check out some of your favorite things. I may just have to plan a post of my favorite things too! I would love to see more!
Debbie
simpledaisy says
Oooh…I love that vino is on the top of your favorite things!!!!
Cheers~
betsy says
I love your blog banner … did you make it with picasa?
I’m not a coffee drinker, but those Eco Mugs would make great Christmas presents. Do you know if they can be found in stores?
Diana K says
Wow~ What a wealth of information. I used that hand cream by Avon for years. I did not know you could get it online. I, too, thank the post office for all the packages they process for me. I have yet to have one get lost along the way.
I missed Oprah’s show…but then I usually do;<( Hugs- Diana