Poor September. It gets such a bad rap. Back to school, the end of summer, and shortchanged the days that the months surrounding it get. There’s only one national holiday, and its meaning is often lost among the burgers and potato salad.
And when the first Monday of September is also the first day of the month, I just can’t get my Love List posted when it’s supposed to be posted. But September 8th, I can handle.
Disclosure: The Amazon links below are affiliate links, which means I get a huge kickback from anything you purchase. And by huge, I mean four percent.
1. Handbag organizer. I like to change my handbags fairly often, but the hassle of emptying everything isn’t worth it. The organizer I have is the one HERE, but you can find them in a variety of sizes and prices. An added bonus is that if you carry a deep bag, the organizer prevents things from disappearing in the bottom of your purse.
2. Beyond Your Blog (beyondyourblog.com). This is the first time I’ve had a blog on my Love List because (a) I don’t like to play favorites and (b) most non-bloggers aren’t interested. But Susan’s new blog is fabulous, and a must-follow for any blogger who wants to venture out beyond his or her own little corner of the Internet. I listen to the podcasts while I’m folding laundry, and I bookmarked the site to continually reference as I attempt to get my stuff seen by the Big Guys. I’m really impressed by the breadth and depth of information on this blog, and it’s only been in existence for a month!
3. Chocolate babka. My friend Valerie gave me this recipe when I wanted to make something special for a holiday dinner. It is probably the most complicated thing I’ve ever baked, but don’t let that scare you. If I can do it, you can do it. Babka is a sweet, leavened bread, and it is perfect for entertaining. This recipe is most definitely not low calorie (6 sticks of margarine or butter!), but a small slice will satisfy even the biggest sweet tooth. You’re never too full for dessert, right? The recipe makes two loaves – one is in my freezer right now.
Go HERE to see the recipe and a nice photo, since I forgot to take one when I made it last week.
4. The Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack. This was the only movie I saw in the theater this summer. Actually, it’s the only movie I’ve seen in the theater all year. It was great, and part of the reason it was so great was the soundtrack. The music is awesome, with songs that you’ll know the words to without knowing how you know all the words. I got it for $10 on Amazon (HERE), and then the album is also in my Amazon music library.
5. Amazon music. When you buy a CD on Amazon, you often get the MP3 files for free. Which would be lovely if I actually knew what to do with them. So I downloaded the Amazon music app, and all the music I’ve ever purchased on Amazon is now on my phone and my iPad. If you have Amazon Prime, you can also add tons of songs to your library for free. Add by album, song, or playlist. The playlists are awesome, and I like it better than Pandora because I can see all the songs before I start listening. I just found this one:
Amazon Prime is well worth the money for me already, but now that I can access all of this music for free, it’s priceless.
BONUS ITEM: 6. Sally Hansen InstaDri nail polish. Sometimes I have trouble coming up with five items for my Love List, but Kenya came to my rescue and shared one of her loves. She uses it on her toes and vouches for its staying power. Thanks Kenya!
What’s on your Love List this month?
If you missed my Love List for August, check it out HERE. It’s worth it for the AquaNotes alone!
awesome, adding that blog to my bloglovin feed. love amazon music as well. so many free songs!
I know – and I had no idea!
I loved Guardians of the Galaxy too! What a great movie, also the only movie I saw all summer. I found your blog via Another Clean Slate, and am loving your design! I’m also heading over to check out the Beyond Your Blog blog you mentioned, I’ll take all the resources I can get 🙂 Pleasure to meet you via blogosphere!
Thanks for stopping by, Monique! It’s a pleasure to meet you too.
haaaaaaa.
4 % !! you deserve so much more.
I go directly to the nail polish. Can’t have enough of that stuff. xx
PS. I Melt With You! OMGOSH, I LOVE that song! Such Memories.
I know – amazing how music just takes you back to the days of high hair and neon.
If I ever want to wear nail polish in the next few years, I might have to buy an Instadry nail polish myself. 🙂 I want to see the chocolate bread recipe!! Sounds so yummy. I love when you shares these, Dana. Great finds.
It is very yummy, Brittnei. And very rich, so you don’t need a lot.
My son and I wanted to see Guardians of the Galaxy and never made it to the theater. I am bummed about it but eagerly waiting for it to come out on Amazon! I am definitely going to check out the soundtrak. Good list!
When it comes to On Demand, my son and I are going to watch it with my daughter and husband, since they didn’t see it. There aren’t many movies I would sit through twice, but this is one of them.
Well I was born in September so….
…it’s the best month ever!
Kidding.
I am in dire need of a purse organizer. Like whoa. My son is a klutz so I carry a mini first aide kit. I’m not even lying! People laugh at me but if you saw my son’s limbs, you’d understand.
I have to see that movie. My girlfriend has seen it twice!
I have an emergency kit in my purse too, and lots of bandaids. For me, not my kids.
I need to make sure I check out that your “beyond your blog”. I’ve been in a bloggy rut lately.
Stopping by from sits.
Melissa, definitely check it out! I know that rut – so frustrating. Hope you get out of it soon!
My daughter makes an amazing chocolate babka. In addition to being an amazing dessert, it makes a pretty awesome breakfast pastry too!!!
I agree, Mo. It’s awesome with a cup of coffee!
I really need to get that handbag organizer. My purse is a bottomless pit of frustration!!!
It definitely helps, Katie – especially when I carry a deep bag.
That dessert sounds good- and one I can make to bring a loaf to a friend’s and still have the other for myself!
Also, Amazon Prime is definitely the best. Totally agree it is worth it!
One for them, one for you – it’s perfect!
Beyond your blog is SO GOOD! She interviewed me and it will go up soon. I hope I am worthy! She has really great tips there.
Chocolate babka is a regular member of our Shabbat menu!
I’m sure you were great, Nina – I’ll look for your interview!
If they sold dessert pockets on Amazon, I’d gladly triple your kickbacks!! 🙂
Ha – how awesome would that be?
Definitely need that purse organizer in my life. Like right now. Awesome list 🙂
Thanks Tricia!
So funny I never know what to do with those free mp3 files now I do! ! Thanks again sister! ! Purse organizer. … Please, tampon bags do just fine. Lol.
Yes, because yours is so new and lovely…
Oh I have to go check out Beyond Your Blog. Where have I been? Apparently not anywhere I should have been. This summer was a whirlwind. I feel like I am so out of it these days. I’m trying to catch up but I just feel like I am on a treadmill getting further and further away. Ever feel like that? Ugh. I do not like it.
I do feel like that sometimes, Michelle – what a crappy feeling. Hope you can catch up soon.
I love Beyond You Blog and I need that purse organizer!
It was well worth the money, Lisa – I’ve had it for years!
I listen to that soundtrack all day long! Scarlet and Cassidy went to see it in the theater TWICE. Cassidy saw it a third time alone. Yes, he took our five-year-old to see it.
Great soundtrack!
Chocolate babka on my mind now!
I’m sure a few of the jokes went over her head. My son, on the other hand, snickered at some PG-13 ones, because he got them.
I love your favorites lists as much as I love Kate’s book reviews. Thank you for the suggestions–you’ve earned that four percent!! (And that was meant to be cute and funny, although it came out sounding like a back-handed compliment. Obiously your opinions are worth more than 4%! But I know you already knew that, and now I just sound like an idiot trying to explain my supposed-to-be cute little line. Ah, well…such is life. 🙂 )
I took it as a front-handed compliment (is that even a thing?). There are many days when I feel like my opinions are worth -1%, so 4% is pretty awesome!
Can I get my abs to look like that WITHOUT eating the complicated baking-recipe thing? 😉
Glad you’re enjoying lots of good music – there’s nothing like it, yet I seem to just stick to YouTube and iTunes (goodness knows why – I think because I got bought a gift card once and never had the imagination to move to amazon…)
Amazon is a much better deal than iTunes, but I totally understand not wanting to switch. Sometimes change is a pain, especially when I’m feeling lazy. And if you can get your abs to look like that, tell me your secret!
In truth it never occurred to me that you COULD get downloads on amazon…I should research because buying them on iTunes and converting them to MP3s from whatever-the-heck they appear as is also a total pain. You *might* have convinced me to switch….
And…I have AMAZING abs – they’re just still too well-padded to see *grouchy face* I haven’t figured out the unveiling bit…I’m getting there 😉
Mine are well padded too – and I’m not getting there anytime soon!
I didn’t know about the music as part of Amazon Prime – I’m pretty sure that I way underutilize my prime membership!!!
Look into it, Kim – it’s really easy to use. Just download the Amazon music app and then you can listen to whatever music you want.
I love these lists 🙂 I had no idea about the free music on Amazon Prime! That is fantastic, especially since I use a ton of it when I teach spinning. I also must check out that blog! What a great find. Thanks Dana!
I thought of you when I was looking at the playlists, Allie – I bet there are some great ones for you to use in class. And I’ve been wanting to get a better running mix, so it will help me with that.
Thanks so much for including BYB Dana! I pinned this post to my BYB In The Media board :o)
Thank YOU, Susan – BYB is a fabulous resource, and I’m happy to share.
Guardians of the Galaxy is the only movie I saw in the theaters this summer, too. That’s funny – and I love the sound track! Off to check out the organizer and the Blog!
So you don’t get to the theater much either, Allie? I’m just glad it wasn’t a cartoon.
The Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack is amazing! I thought the movie was pretty great, too 🙂
It really was. And the fact that my son loved it as much as I did was pretty incredible. He doesn’t love the soundtrack, though – old people’s music.
I’ve been a fan of Amazon Prime for a few years now, but I didn’t know about the free music! Awesome! Must check it out. Thanks for the tip.
My pleasure, Julia. I was amazed at how much free music there is for Prime members.
Oh how I love the chocolate babka! There’s an amazing bakery out of NYC (I blog for them, so I’m a little biased, but…I mean it when I say) they make fantastic babka. Also, Beyond Your Blog – what a great website, right? I want to just take an entire day and read the whole thing.
Which bakery, Linda? I get to NYC a few times a year and I would love to check them out. And yes, I could spend the whole day on BYB too!
Yay! I love Amazon Prime music. I have some new walking tunes. They have workout playlists out there already made up. On my way to check out the blog you mentioned. Happy September 8th!
I can’t wait to check out the workout playlists – it may even encourage me to go for a run! Thank you again Kenya, for sharing one of your loves and for actually caring when I actually post this Love List.:)
I have Beyond Your Blog in my bookmarks too! Susan is doing an amazing job with her site. I spied a few good tunes on that playlist that would have Frank and me in singing mode (rather killing the songs mode)!
Thanks Ana! And to think I have made it into the ranks of Pursfection and insti dry nail polish! I am truly honored. On a serious note, it is really cool to be included on this list! So glad you are enjoying it!
I totally agree that Beyond Your Blog is a TOTAL HIT for any blogger who is wanting any information and insight to the blogging/writing industry. I find it incredibly useful and also am a huge fan!!
Great list Dana. You’re so cute. I love the 8th for your list day in September!! And uh yeah, I want to get my work out to the BIG guys and dolls too… so I’m with ya in that one.
It’ll happen, Chris!
That’s how I roll too! I don’t do songs any favors when I sing them, but I still love to belt it out in the car. Alone.
Guardians of the Galaxy was fantastic, as was the soundtrack! And chocolate babka is the best–reminds me of Jewish holiday. I’m sure my mom will have a loaf for Yom Kippur (though hers is store-bought).
Yep, I’m defrosting the one in the freezer for breaking fast. I won’t feel so bad about eating it then, after a day of fasting!
I love your list this month and I know what you mean about September not always getting it’s fair share to be honest. But still you came up with some great ones, especially Amazon music (I spied Madonna on your list), which I haven’t tried out yet, but now may have to 🙂
Check it out – they have lots of kids’ playlists too.