These Are a Few of My Favorite Things...

Say Yes to Carrots Body Butter: My FAVORITE favorite thing

I'd hoped to do a favorite things post during my 31 Days of Real series but it got pushed to the margins. Apparently I had more pressing things to dish about. 

But I LOVE with all my heart to talk about favorite things with my girlfriends. LOVE. Last week the Nester posted a linky party and though I'm way late, I'm joining in anyway. 

I wrote a post last week that I never published. It was sort of a downer and this is Christmas. Therefore I decided to camp out in the land of favorite things instead of in the land of deep thoughts right now. 

So in the spirit of festive shallowness, let's get on with the list shall we?

Say Yes to Carrots Body Butter

{Pictured above}

I started using this stuff several years ago when I got a crazy Black Friday deal on it at Walgreens. The next year? Same deal. I even filled my kids' hands with 2 jars each {the max} and had them check out. But I may have singlehandedly abused the system and Walgreens has not offered this awesome deal for the last two years. I'm so sad about this. It's $12.99 a jar. I got it for about $2 a jar. I'll splurge when it's on sale for $7 or $8 but that's my limit. As of right now, I'm out. And my skin is hating me for it. 

Starbucks Via

Because there is such a thing as a coffee emergency and I always want to be prepared. I'm particular about my coffee but these instant babies are perfect for when I'm in a hurry and have no time for a proper brew.

Makeup Primer

I've long heard the virtues of applying primer before the rest of your makeup. As I get older, my makeup tends to slide off or seep in or evaporate or something. I'm not really sure where it goes but it doesn't stay put as well as it used to. I bought an inexpensive tube of primer at Walmart {made by Hard Candy} but I think any decent brand would do fine. On the days I actually wear make-up, the primer makes it stay put. Sweet.

Flower Pins

I've probably cranked out 50 of these over the past year. They're my go-to gift for friends and teachers. And they make great stocking stuffers. I've sold quite a few to friends and family who wanted to give them too. I'm bad about taking pics of them but here's a little cluster I pinned to a top back in May. These days I'm making cozy, clustery pins out of old sweaters. I use the flower tutorials from the lovely and talented Emily at Jones Design Company. 

Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day

My friend, Sarah, told my about this bread back in September. It sounded too good and too easy to be true. It's not. Recently the Nester posted about this bread and a couple of weeks ago Lily texted me pic of her freshly baked loaves. It's a revolution in bread baking and if you make it, you'll know why. I recently got the books from the library but if I've been good maybe someone will bring me a book of my own for Christmas. 

Here's the link to the master loaf recipe.

Boot Socks

via Pinterest {can't find original source}

One Sunday during church my husband looked down and asked me where I got my new socks. When I told him I cut the sleeves off an old sweater, we both got the church giggles so badly we could hardly carry on. You can find lots of fun boot socks inspiration on Pinterest.

Trader Joe's Pumpkin Pancake Mix and Pumpkin Bread Mix

via 

We're addicted to this stuff. You have to serve the pancakes with Reddi-Whip. It's a requirement. I don't know if you can still get it since it's seasonal but file it away for next year. 

True Story: I tried a sample of the pumpkin bread with pumpkin butter in the store. I bought 3 boxes. At the checkout, my conversation with the cashier went something like this:

Cashier: Did you try the pumpkin butter with it?

Me: Yes I did. It was delicious.

Cashier: So why didn't you buy any?

Me: Um, well, I was just going to mix up some whipping cream with sugar and cinnamon and serve that with it.

Cashier: No, no, no. Here's what you do. Buy a container of mascarpone cheese, whip it with the pumpkin butter, and voila, there's your spread. I'll go get you some.

And so he did. And clearly, I did not protest. God bless Trader Joe's. That spread rocked the house. 

Christmas Movies

My faves are Elf, Christmas Vacation, and Love Actually. {Even though I have to fast forward through a few tawdry-ish parts of the latter.} I'm giddy just thinking about wrapping presents late at night while I watch one of these favorite holiday flicks. 

What are a few of your favorite things?