Happy May! It’s finally time to put away the sweaters, get a pedicure, and soak in the sun (after putting on sunscreen, of course). It’s also time to start taking Zyrtec and gear up for end of school year craziness, but that’s a small price to pay for all the good things the warmer weather brings.
Let’s start off May with a new Love List, shall we? If you’re new to my Love List, check out all my past lists here…I hope you find something that you can love too!
Disclosure: The Amazon links are affiliate, so I’ll get a few cents if you make a purchase, which I will use to buy more Zyrtec or get a pedicure on my pinky toe.
1. Mane ’n Tail: The Hoofmaker lotion
Odd, I know. This lotion was originally developed for horses to moisturize their hooves. It makes sense if you think about it, though. I have seen women sporting sandals with some nasty cracked and dry heels; if it works for horses, it should work for us! I keep a tube on my nightstand, and use it on my hands and elbows every night. The scent is subtle, and it absorbs quickly. It’s available at drugstores.
2. Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes
I received these towelettes in my Vox Box for free, so I gave them a try. These wipes were great to use in a pinch, and did a better job removing mascara than water and cleanser. I do prefer the cleanser/water option, though – using wipes seems a bit wasteful and not environmentally friendly. However, they are perfect for travel (I keep a pack in my car), and my sensitive skin had no allergic reaction.
3. Vapur water bottles
I bought these for our Disney trip last year, and they worked so well that I bought the improved version for our upcoming trip to Europe. Instead of carrying around plastic water bottles, these lay flat when empty. They take up minimal space in my carry-on, and weigh next to nothing. You can see all the designs on Vapur’s website (they even have a wine flask!). I bought mine on Amazon, since I have Amazon Prime for free shipping.
4. Strawberry, asparagus and spinach salad
I found this recipe from Spoonful of Flavor on Pinterest, and it’s a wonderful variation on the spinach and strawberry salad I have been making for years. It got rave reviews when I served it to girlfriends, and the asparagus is easy enough to pick out if you aren’t a fan. I eliminated the pea shoots (couldn’t find them) and the goat cheese (hate it). The best part, however, is the dressing. With just lemon juice, olive oil, and honey, it is so simple and relatively healthy; I plan on using it in all types of salads this spring and summer.
Pin it HERE.
5. Something Rotten
This new musical is nominated for ten Tony Awards, and I saw it last week. It was FABULOUS. If I could make the caps bigger, I would. Set in 1595, the Bottom brothers are struggling playwrights determined to be more successful than their annoying rival, Shakespeare. After consulting a soothsayer, they set off to write the next big thing: a musical. This show is so much fun; I had a smile on my face the entire time. If you are close enough to NYC to take a day trip, get your tickets now. I guarantee that it will win some Tonys, so buy them before June 7th.
Fun fact: Two of the leads are both Broadway veterans and stars of the television show Smash. Christian Borle and Brian D’Arcy James played Debra Messing’s writing partner and husband, respectively.
6. Awesome books
I want to mention two great books I’ve read recently – The Children’s Crusade by Ann Packer (The Dive from Clausen’s Pier, Songs Without Words) and Dear Stephanie by Mandi Castle.
I happen to know both authors. Okay, I know Mandi and I tweeted Packer about her book. She tweeted me back, so I kinda know her, right?
@KissMyList Thank you so much!
— Ann Packer (@AnnPackerAuthor) April 29, 2015
I’ll review The Children’s Crusade in my next review post, and look for an interview with Mandi later this month!
What are you loving this month?
I am definitely lazy when I’m going to bed so love the makeup remover wipes. I never thought about them being not environmentally friendly though so maybe I need to reconsider!
Neutrogena promotes the fact that they are saving water by using the wipes, which I suppose is true too.
When I first moved to the U.S. I was instantly amused by the name of Mane ‘n Tail shampoo and spied it in the supermarket just the other day. I’ve never used it but I’m intrigued by the Hoofmaker you recommend here. Thanks for all the great recs Dana! And how cool that Ann Packer tweeted you back – Clausen’s Pier is a favorite!
Me too, Nicki. I thought her tweet back was cool too – made me like her even more!
going to check out the nuetrogena wipes and most definitely checking out those books. Thanks for sharing
My pleasure, Karen.
I need that horse hoof lotion! I will use it to prep before my next pedicure! I also love the idea of those collapsible water bottles. I love your Love Lists!!
Thank you Mo!
The foot cream sounds awesome. I like a balm from Bath and Body Works… forget the name at the moment. It also has a subtle smell.
The salad looks delicious – pinned and will try after the May craziness subsides. (As I chug yet another fountain Coke and think… I’ll get back to healthy in a few weeks…)
Happy May to you too!
Thanks, Julia. It’s easier to eat healthy when the produce is so plentiful.
Strawberry, asparagus and spinach salad!
YESssssssss, SO SPRINGY & Fresh!
Spring – yay!!
One of my favorite things about summer is making spinach and strawberry salads. I even bought a thyme plant this year just for those salads. I’ll have to give that recipe a try. And those water bottles sound perfect for travel, too!
I’ve never used thyme in those salads – I’ll have to try that. The water bottles are great for travel – we used them constantly in Disney.
My mom introduced me to a lotion made for cow’s udders, so I guess horse hoof lotion is that much stranger! Great list!
Thanks, Rabia. I suppose anything that makes hooves softer would work on people, right?
May really does rule, and those water bottles…pure genius!
They are – and they are dishwasher safe too.
Ok, I have totally used Mane & Tail shampoo on my hair. The heel stuff must work! It must!
I squealed a bit that Ann Packer replied to you on Twitter. I am definitely putting that on my list!
It’s a good one, Tamara. The family dynamics are fascinating.
Great list! I need some of that lotion and those water bottles look really nifty! That salad look relish, too, although I’d leave the asparagus out and put the most cheese in!! 🙂
Ha – it would still be pretty healthy!
Oh so refreshing. Everything you’ve listed is new to me. I love the idea of those water bottles. Packing the empty bulky ones is so off putting I often leave them at home. And the play? My daughter’s in New York right now so I’ll urge her to go. Thanks, Dana!
How fun for your daughter! I would love to spend a week in NYC just seeing musicals.
This was a wonderful and helpful post, but also slightly depressing reading from Sweden where we’re probably a good month away from anything even vaguely resembling summer! Summer in Stockholm is spectacular, but blink and you’ll miss it… however, I will bookmark this to come back in mid June 😉
Please do, Claire! Sending warm thoughts your way…
Okay, I definitely need to try the lotion. My heals are a mess. And Dive from Clausen’s Pier is one of my all-time faves! Will add packer’s new book to my list.
I think you’ll like it, Allie! I got on the library wait list very quickly, so I was able to read it soon after it came out.
I think I need the Mane N Tail. Could come in handy this summer. I love those neutrogena wipes. They really are the best around. And you will love having the flat water bottle on your trip. Great idea!
They really are great – four water bottles just take up too much space!
Something Rotten was FABULOUS- and so was the company!!!! Highly recommended!!!!! Xoxoxo
The only thing that would make it better would be if NPH was in it, right? 😉
I haven’t used the Neutrogena wipes, but I’ve used other brands. I agree, super handy, but I feel guilty when I use them cause they’re so wasteful!
I haven’t seen a show in NYC in a few years. Growing up right outside NY I was spoiled and used to see Broadway shows all the time, but it’s harder now that I’m farther away, and having a small child also complicates things a bit 😉 I’ll have to mention the show to my parents, though, I bet they would appreciate it!
And looking forward to your next book review post! Just finished The Art Forger, such a fabulous read (and I especially liked that it takes place in Boston!).
So glad you liked the Art Forger! It is cool when you read a book set in your hometown, or where you live now. And yes – tell your parents to get tickets now – the show was sooo good!
I’m loving those water bottles! What a great idea. I could also definitely use some horse lotion for my runner’s feet 🙂 Thanks Dana!
My pleasure, Janine!
I’ve started using the lotion on my heels now that it’s sandal weather. And the Vapur bottles come in lots of sizes for different activities – not sure if they would be good for running. But the wine flask would be excellent!
I definitely will have to check out those makeup towelettes as I am in serious need of something to remove my makeup, especially mascara better now. So, thank you Dana for sharing 😉
My pleasure, Janine!
I love when a big name author takes the time to Tweet back. A little goes a long way! I never expect a follow back, but that simple reply is really nice.
LOVED Smash and really miss it! I have never heard of that musical. How is that possible? Im getting so Midwestern. We get the shows like two years later.
Something Rotten just opened less than two weeks ago, so I’m sure that’s why you haven’t heard of it. It was thrilling to see those actors on stage and in person – I’m such a fan girl.