The last time I wrote a Love List, the lawn needed mowing, I was in flip flops, and my family was getting ready for our Alaska cruise.
As I write this Love List, the lawn is brown muck with some patches of dirty snow, I am wearing three layers while blasting the space heater, and parts of Alaska were balmier than the East Coast earlier this week. Oh, January. You’re tough to love.
Fortunately, there are plenty of other things to love in this brand new year, including the fact that I have been blogging for FIVE YEARS. Happy blogiversary to me!
The rest of the items on my Love List are things that you can actually buy or use – I hope you find something that tickles your fancy!
Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post that help me pay for the care and upkeep of this blog. Five years into this gig and I’m still not making any money.
Bookish First
I joined BookishFirst a few months ago, and if you are a reader, you need to check it out! It is a book reviewing community, it’s free, and you can get free books. You earn points for reading a short excerpt of a soon-to-be-published book and writing a brief first impression, and then you are entered into a raffle to win a copy. I’ve already won two raffles, and I’ve earned enough points to choose a book for free. No pressure, minimal effort, and no commitment. For more information, check out the FAQs.
Custom Pet Pillow
When a friend told me she had purchased one of these as a graduation present for her niece, I knew I had to get one for my daughter’s dorm room. It was worth every penny, and it is hilarious. I was very pleased with this seller on Etsy, although there are many Etsy stores that sell these personalized pillows. This seller takes your picture and photoshops out the background, then puts it on a pillow. Here is our Hazel, shrunk to a 16-inch pillow.
She doesn’t look that dumb in person, but I just can’t look at it without smiling. It sits on my daughter’s bed at college, although she brought it home over winter break so it wouldn’t get lonely.
Native deodorant
I want to go all-natural with my beauty products, in theory. In reality, I want stuff that works, and I’m not always convinced that I can do that without chemicals. But when a trusted and well-groomed friend told me about Native deodorant, I decided to give it a try. If it didn’t work, I’d shower and go back to slathering aluminum on my armpits.
It works, and I have had no allergic reaction to the sensitive skin choices. The coconut vanilla is heavenly! If you’ve been considering switching to aluminum-free deodorants, give Native a try. If you purchase through my links, you’ll get a free mini deodorant with your order.
Cuddle+Kind
I found this online shop while looking for an eco-friendly, handmade baby gift for a friend. This family-owned business sells “ethically produced, hand-knit dolls that help feed children.” For every doll sold, Cuddle+Kind donates ten meals to kids all over the world. The dolls are adorable, and I love supporting a small business that gives back to its community. If you need any baby gifts or gifts for young children, check them out.
Barre 3
I’ve been doing Barre3 online workouts since October, and I love them. It’s a terrific combination of strength, balance, core, stretching, and cardio. I wouldn’t give up my Pilates class for anything, but Barre3 has been a great complement to it and to my elliptical workouts. There are plenty of free videos on YouTube, but I have a monthly subscription so I can access every workout in its entirety straight from the Barre3 website. Check them out on YouTube and see what you think. If you want to join, click on my referral link to get $15 off a subscription.
Game of Phones
I bought this $20 card game for my kids for Hanukkah, and we played it for the first time while watching the Golden Globes. Here’s the description from the website: “Everyone grabs their smartphones. One player picks a card and gets to judge that round. The rest of the players have 60 seconds to respond with the funniest, most on point or downright weird thing they can find on their phones.”
It’s a fun game, and it makes me feel less guilty about my teenagers being on their phones.
Buffalo Trace Bourbon cream
I expressed my love for Bourbon cream in my Bourbon Trail post, but it deserves a place on my Love List. Yummy over ice, yummy with some root beer. A great alternative to Baileys, which I don’t like. Bring a bottle with a six-pack of fancy root beer as a hostess gift, and try not to drink it all.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
I am never ahead of the curve when it comes to television shows and movies, but I actually was watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel before it won the Golden Globe for best comedy series and best actress in a comedy series. It is a fabulous show set in Manhattan in the 1950s; it’s funny and smart, and at only eight episodes on Amazon, a binge-able pleasure. If you don’t have Amazon prime, this link will get you a free 30-day free trial of Amazon video.
Trader Joe’s facial oil
Last year I received a free sample of Tatcha facial oil; Tatcha is a brand that says it is “the art of geisha pure skin.” I loved it, but the $48 price tag on a five-ounce bottle was too steep. Enter Trader Joe, who sells his own four-ounce bottle for $7.99.
One pump of oil, rub into your face (and eyes – no burning), until all the gunk is loose. Then wash off with water. It’s a nice change from sudsy face wash, and it leaves my skin moisturized. Sometimes I’ll swipe some micellar water on afterwards to remove any remaining oil. At eight bucks a bottle, it’s worth a try! One bottle lasts me at least two months.
*****
So to summarize: wash your face, deodorize, pour yourself a Bourbon cream, plump up your pillow and settle in to watch The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel or read a book you won. Spring will be here eventually!
Anchorage has been consistently warmer than here for like a month. A month!
Ok the custom pet pillows are fabulous. I immediately bookmarked that. And I’ve wondered about barre online. I used to go to classes but it’s hard with timing. I want to do it at home but I’m afraid my form will be off and I’ll hurt myself!
My friends all swear by Native deodorant.
The Barre3 instructors are really good about explaining form, and emphasize modifications to make sure you are working out the way that is best for your body. And I love that I can do a 10 minute workout if that’s all I can fit in!
Oh, those pet pillows…really the best thing ever.
Oh my goodness, SO many good things! I want to go get that face oil at Trader Joes… and I am salivating at the thought of that Bourbon Cream- I love anything with cream and alcohol in it. lol
Reading how much you work out got me feeling a bit convicted that I need to get this rather frumpy body moving again. But January! You’re hard to love. (<— THIS is my new favorite line.) I'd so much rather stay cozy under a blanket or in my fleece leggings and sip on coffee.
I have yet to try a natural deodorant that works- I'm leery. Also, I give a kid a ride home every day who uses natural deodorant and it reminds me that I can never trust it. Just sayin'.
Haha – I understand your reluctance, Chris! I’m sure it’s not heavy-duty enough for everyone, but it’s worked for me!
Okay, so I love Baileys, especially in my winter coffee (not too much, but love the flavor), but I don’t love the price. Wonder how much Bourbon Cream is, and if it would be good in coffee. I did Barre classes a few years back – they kicked my butt! ANd I’ve been interested in the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel since the Golden Globes.
I think Bourbon Cream is $20 or so for a bottle. Not sure about the coffee, though.
I love how you find your online tribe so fast.. I’ve been blogging for a very long time, but somehow couldn’t make the real connection with anyone. Have to admit that I miss that..
Love your love list 🙂
Thank you, Marina! I’m sorry you haven’t been able to make that connection yet. I think I just got lucky!
What a great gift for your daughter! It isn’t quite the same as having the real thing, but definitely a close second. Very cute.
Yes, not as good as the real thing, but definitely less likely to get her kicked out of her dorm room!
Oooooh, I love Love Lists 🙂 Definitely checking out the book website and facial oil. I use coconut oil on my face as a moisturizer almost exclusively. I LOVE it. I can’t imagine going back. Morning and night. Happy New Year!
Happy new year to you too Amy!
Bookish First sounds awesome! I might need to sign up 🙂
You definitely should!
The pet pillow is so cute! Bourbon cream sounds amazing, I love Baileys so I might need to try that.
I bet you’d like it, Julie!
Dana! I love that you mentioned Barre3. I did one trial class and found it a little too basic. Are there harder classes on there? I’m way into working out at home now that it’s so freezing and just a pain to get to classes with the rest of my schedule.
Nina, I find the classes challenging enough, and now there is a new filter where you can select “challenging.” I wouldn’t say they are super hard, but I also find that the more I concentrate on using the muscles I’m supposed to use, the harder it is. And I used hand weights when they are an option – that really amps it up.
–as always,
I love your lists.
Do they have the pillows w/ Cats?!!
xx
Yes they do! Any photo you send them, they will put on a pillow.
Happy Blogaversary! Five years! you do realize that Five Years in the ‘sphere is, like 19 years in the ‘real’ world. Where does the time (and words and grammar) go?!
Settling into this re-vamped FTSF*
Good listation!
*my first bloghop and therefore always will have a place in heart, even being, as I am from the land of Y Chromia.
Ha! I think I started with Monday Listicles, but I didn’t connect with any other bloggers until FTSF. I remember you from way back when, Clark…you’ve been in the ‘sphere for a long time too!
You got me on the deodorant. I will certainly give that a try!
I hope you like it, Vickie!
As usual, I love your Love List. You know that I’m a fan of Native Deodorant, and I am loving that pet pillow. I can see my little Abyssinian diva looking regal in her own version of the pillow. And Game of Phones looks exceedingly fun-filled. Thanks for the heads up about the Trader Joe’s oil, too. I will be checking it out.
My pleasure, Alison! I don’t think the facial oil is totally natural, but TJ’s items are usually less full of chemicals as other brands. And certainly less expensive!
Burbon Cream. Alright. If you insist!
mmmmmmmm
Mmmmm is right!
I needed a new show – thanks for the recommendation of Mrs. Maisel! Also, I just bought the deodorant. I went with your recommendation of vanilla coconut but then added on two samples ($3 each at checkout) one was mint and something and the other was lavender rose. Not a huge rose fan but I adore lavender. I’ll let you know and thanks for saving my pits and for linking up!
I hope your pits like the deodorant! I think you’d like Mrs. Maisel – so smart and the lead is fabulous.
Thanks for these tips! Stay warm and moisturized. I’m looking for some new workout ideas and may give Barre 3 a look. Happy weekend!
Barre3 would be good cross-training for running – I just love how it makes my body feel stretched and toned. I’ve had to adjust my workouts to keep my back protected and healthy, and this is working for me.
Good list! that pillow is hilarious and also adorable! I am hoping to participate more in FTSF, too, this year. I miss you guys!! 🙂
I miss you too, Lisa! Happy new year to you and your family.
If I had one recommendation for the new year it was to watch the marvelous Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. I pounded through it in December and cannot wait for the second series. Absolutely brilliant. I’d not heard of Cuddle + Kind though. Thanks for the heads up. I’ve now got three wee grand nieces and think they’d love to receive one of these gems.
Oh, definitely check them out! I can’t wait for the second season of Mrs. Maisel either – I read they are beginning shooting this spring, so maybe the fall?
I just recently found your blog, and I love this list. I’m always looking for bookish sites, so I’ll be clicking on BookishFirst. And bourbon cream and root beer is my new favorite drink I have yet to try, ha!
Welcome, Lorna – I’m glad you’re here! BookishFirst is clearly a new site – not tons of books yet, but I love getting first dibs on new books. And the Bourbon Cream is a far cry from gin and lemonade (which I also enjoy, btw), but it’s still yummy!
You know I’ve been making my own natural products. I haven’t been successful with the deodorant. I can use it if I’m sitting around binge watching tv and not breaking a sweat. I’ll look into Native. The natural one I’ve found is by Schmidt’s and their Lavender & Sage is awesome. I get it from Target. I’m ahead of the curve with Mrs. Maisel as well. I just happened to click it one day over the holidays and I ended up watching 4 episodes one day and 4 the next! Thanks for linking up, I always enjoy your Love Lists!
Thanks Kenya! Native works well for me, but good to know about Schmidt’s too.
I love your new list for this year. I can’t thank you enough for sharing all, especially Bookish First as I think you know how much I also love to read, too 😉
I do know that – you should check them out!