Happy June! The weather has finally made up its mind to be warm, and my kids have made up their minds that school is over. And it should be, but I have to remind them that they still have three more weeks to go. It’s a final parting gift from Old Man Winter; snow days come with a price. But we’re in the home stretch, and it’s the first Monday of the month, and that means it’s time for my Love List!
I often learn about great products and ideas as I chat with my girlfriends, so my Love List is our virtual chat, as I share my loves with you. I hope you’ll find something on the list to enjoy!
1. Hippie Chick Granola
I knew Ilene was an amazing writer, but she is also an amazing maker (baker?) of granola. Ilene launched her own company, Hippie Chick Granola Company, in April, and I’ve been a customer since the first week. I’ve only tried two of the blends, Fiona and Tamara. Fiona was great in a bowl with milk, but my true love is Tamara’s Blend. It has chocolate chips and pretzels in it, and it is a fabulous snack. I adore it, much like I adore it’s namesake, but I may have to refrain from ordering for a little while because I am consuming entire bags by myself.
Because Ilene is awesome, she’s given me my very own coupon code so my readers can try Hippie Chick. Use code KML3OFF for $3.00 off an order of $20 or more. The code will be valid through June 9th. If you become addicted, don’t say I didn’t warn you!
2. Paint your own…painting
I did this with five friends in April, and it was a blast. It’s like paint your own pottery, but you start with a blank canvas and create your own reproduction of a painting. Our group painted Van Gogh’s Flowering Peach Trees. It was a challenge for me to do something that was freehand and a little messy; I’m more of a stay-in-the-lines kind of girl. We were a bit rowdy and had some difficulty following directions, but that’s what made it fun!
The painting is resting on my piano until a museum calls me with an offer; it makes me giggle whenever I see it.
3. Inspirational greeting cards
I read card after card in the store, looking for the perfect one. I found this one while picking out Mother’s Day cards last month, and I had to buy it.
I’m not sure who I’ll send it to, but I think the message is awesome. Maybe I’ll just leave it on my desk as inspiration. Or create a graphic.
4. Cheap costume jewelry in pretty colors
I snagged two necklaces and a pair of earrings from Old Navy for about seventeen dollars. They are colorful and fun, and perfect for summer. I’m sure they are not high quality, but for trendy pieces, who needs to spend a fortune? There’s nothing wrong with mixing costume bling with real bling!
5. Find My Friends app
My baby girl got her learner’s permit last month, and she is officially behind the wheel. We’ve talked about the dangers of using her phone while driving, and I don’t want her phone anywhere near that driver’s seat. But I know I’ll want to check in on her, so we’ve all installed the Find My Friends app on our phones. Now I can locate Gwen and Matt (no smart phone yet for James) wherever they are, so I don’t have to call her while she’s driving. As you can see in the screenshot, the app tracks a phone even if it’s moving, so I can easily tell if Gwen is driving and where she is. This app will definitely bring me some peace of mind. Now if I can just clear the roads of other drivers, I’ll feel much better.
That’s what’s on my Love List this month; what’s on yours? Tell me about it!
I just had a bowl of Fiona’s blend this morning; I probably could have had 3! Those painting parties are so much fun. I did one with a couple friends last year. And I think your painting looks great!
Thanks Bev. It’s no masterpiece, but considering I started with a blank white canvas, I think I did pretty well. I won’t be opening a store on etsy, though.:)
OMG…child driving..that’s some scary bizniz. I’m scared for you! Good think you can find her if you need to. I love that jewelry. I recently bought something similar, and my friend suggested I wear it with a coral skirt, (which I would have never thought of). I have no fashion sense, so I thought I’d share that bit of glory with you because every time I wear it, I get compliments, and we all love those, right?
Good list, Dana. I think I’ll use your coupon code and go buy some of that granola!!
Yes, we love compliments! I really don’t know why we don’t dole them out more freely – they cost us nothing and they make the receiver feel good. Warning about the granola – do not eat straight from the bag or you will eat the whole bag. I’ve done it. More than once.
Oh my goodness! Gwen has her learner’s permit! How exciting and scary all at the same time! I definitely bookmarked that granola and this post, Dana. I want to try the peanut brittle granola! Yum! I hope hubby will let me order it! I love your painting. It looks very much like the one you were trying to paint and the experience does sound like a lot of fun. 🙂
It really was fun, Brittnei. Not my usual girls night out, and that was nice. Trying new things is good for you, right? So try that granola:)
I can’t wait to do one of those painting parties. You sell yourself short – your masterpiece is fantastic! Love the sentiment on the card! I’m glad you made a graphic. It is safely stored on my Pinterest Board “Words to Live By”.
I love your list! I’ll have to check out Hippie Chick b/c I’m kind of a granola freak myself! And I love that painting! How fun.
Yes – check it out! It is wonderful, and quite addictive.
Oh I love everything! That app is amazing! And the greeting card is more amazing! So many lovely things that you’ve shared! 🙂
Thanks, Rea – I’m glad you enjoyed them!
AW!!! I LOVE these!!! I’m especially partial to Ilene’s granola. I think I will be gaining another ten pounds this summer if I continue to eat the stuff!! Oh wait! Maybe she made them magically calorie free!!! I could only see Ilene having that kind of power!! *Hopeful*
Oh, that would be fabulous, Chris. I wouldn’t hold my breath though. Unless I’m trying to get those pants on that I was wearing before I ate a gazillion bags of granola.
Woohoo Hippie Chick!
My husband and I use Find My Friends to track each other. Helps me know what time he’ll be home for dinner without texting him every five minutes 🙂
Love that card – so amazing 🙂
That’s a good idea, Tricia – I haven’t used it to check on my husband yet. But it would be safer than calling or texting him while he’s driving home!
I have that coral necklace from Old Navy and yes, I agree…it’s super cute! I also love that card! I’m a stickler for greeting cards, and always have to find the perfect one…I don’t like when people just pick cards without reading them…I think they actually have to mean something, you know?
I do know – I feel the same way. If I can bring my mom or mother-in-law to tears with a sentimental card, I feel like a success!
Hippie Chick Granola is a favorite here too…the Tamara’s blend may or may not have been removed from the pantry never to be seen again the first time around. Now it is forbidden to leave the kitchen, because the bags are meant to be shared…not eaten by one child. Haha We all have our favorites here.
I’m going to be installing the Find my friend App for sure. We’re weeks away from our first driver. He has to take a short class because he didn’t take driver’s ed. But he has been driving with a permit since last August.
You and Kim with the drivers…good luck! We are still in the drive around the neighborhood stage.
I am also a huge fan of Hippie Chick – it’s a great gift as my friends, mom & sister will tell you!
Love the jewelry – sometimes you just need something fun that you wear for a season and can be done with it, right?
The app? I didn’t know anything like that existed and I’m downloading it now. I don’t have a driver (yet) but its never too early to get him on the radar.
The painting thing…one of my friends here just did that as well. She loved it, too. It seems like it would be so much fun, you just reminded me I seriously need to look into it. I think you did a great job, but I get why you laugh, I totally would, too. It’s still very cool and different, I love it.
The app is good even if your kids aren’t driving but are often not with you – you can keep tabs on them. And thanks for liking my painting – it was so much fun. Definitely do it with girlfriends who don’t take themselves too seriously!
I love Ilene and Hippie Chick so much! I cannot wait to try all the blends – my mom’s visiting my brother in SF, so I’m getting her to receive my orders and bring them back to Malaysia for me!
Oh, how exciting will that be for you! Make sure you take some photos and post them on Hippie Chick’s facebook page – Ilene loves getting pics. I posted the one of my son getting the last crumbs from the bag.
I’m actually glad that the winter snow days come with a price because I’m sorta not ready to admit that my baby is graduating preschool and going to kindergarten next year!! Yikes. Ok so wait, you tried the Tamara blend? OMG I am so behind. I can’t believe she hasn’t disowned me.
Also Ilene is the bomb.
Yes she is. I would bring you a bag to Blog U but I need to restock. Use the code and get some right now.
Ok!
I have to get the Find My Friends app – Jordan will be a solo driver by the end of the summer:(
I’m with you – I have to watch myself because I’m pretty sure that a bag of Tamara’s Blend is not really considered a single serving and that is how I usually have it!!!
Me too, Kim. And definitely get the app for you, your husband, and Jordan. Let me know how it works out, since Gwen won’t be solo until February.
Well. I adore you too! And I adore Ilene. And I adore my blend. And there’s no such thing as adoration overload. True story. My doctor told me so.
I’m glad about Find my Friends because I thought I’d have to microchip my kids when they get older, but technology rocks.
A microchip may still be effective though. But yes, technology does make things a little easier sometimes. We should form a Mutual Adoration Society, and serve cookies.
I will have to add that app!
Mmm, the granola sounds tasty.
It is excellent! I highly recommend it.
June’s list will grow, as it’s only the second day, but so far…
1. a platform rocker that is in excellent condition at the right price. We pick it up in 2 days and then we visit family.
2. Fish bait and fishing supplies. Because of December birthdays in our house, we celebrate Half Birthdays. Naturally this would be for my hub. (Our daughter is getting something more toddler appropriate.)
3. These muffins made with pineapple and gluten free flour – http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/10/25/recipe-whole-wheat-carrot-applesauce-muffins/
4. Finis alignment board. June started nicely with nearly 1000 kick yards and it’ll continue with much pool time. I love this board!
That is quite the list already, Wendy! I will check out the muffins immediately.
I have a couple of Groupons for the painting thing but need to go. I actually think I like you painting better than Van Gogh’s!
You are too kind, Kate. Mine would sell for much less than his, too. You should definitely go, and I forgot to mention that you can bring your own wine and snacks to have while you are painting! Mine may have been better if I actually drank wine.
Love your finds! I picked up the EOS lipgloss a few weeks ago based on that recommend. And now you’ve inspired me to order more granola. I LOVE Tamara’s blend as well, and also want to try Ilene’s new summer blend. Good luck with those last three weeks of school. 😉
Thanks Kerry. And I hope you liked the EOS – my kids got me two more as part of my Mother’s Day gift because I’m always asking where mine is. I want to try the summer blend too, and I think it will be a great snack to bring to the pool for the kids.
OK, it is definitely time that I try that granola. I’ve been reading about it everywhere and it sounds so darn good!
I love this list!! That card s AWESOME (pun intended) and I love the graphic you made. Of course, I love Ilene although I am ashamed to say I haven’t actually ordered any of her granola yet. (Hoping to actually go to her store in mid-June!). The necklaces are adorable and I use Find Friends to find my hubby all the time! 🙂
It’s a cool app, isn’t it? And you have to approve the friendship, so no one can track you in a creepy way. Stock up when you get to Ilene’s store, and take pictures! I’ll be jealous but happy for you.
I love your painting 😉 You remember Bob Ross that use to come on tv – painting the “pretty little trees”? I’ve always wanted to do that.
I thought about you the other day saying to myself that I was looking forward to your list and if I did a blog post like it I would put “?” on it. The question mark means I forgot what that things was. I’m sure I still liking it but whatever it is, I’m not using it at the moment. I’ll report back.
I do remember Bob – we talked about him that night while we were painting. Our instructor was prettier 🙂 Ok, and now I’m laughing at the rest of your comment, which I had to read twice before I understood what you meant. So you are loving something but you can’t remember what? Hilarious. Let me know when you remember!
As you know, nothing makes me happier than photos of empty bags of Hippie Chick. And I am not surprised to see that it’s a Tamara bag. I am down to my last 2 bags of Tamara but before I go to the back of the store to bake, I wanted to thank you for featuring HCGC today. It’s a joy to bring “happy food” to others!
Yay – I’m so excited to share my love of your granola! My daughter just asked me if we had any, and sadly we are out. Is it cheesy of me to use my own coupon code to order more?
Of course it’s not cheesy to use your own code (I get so excited creating those codes for people, you know)! I was so happy to read your write up and see the half eaten bag! It makes my day every time!
I’m now intrigued by the painting party concept. I got invited to one but thought I’d only embarrass myself. I’m going to have to order some of that granola, it looks so much better than what I can find in the store.
You wouldn’t embarrass yourself, Jenny. None of us had ever painted before, and everyone’s turned out different but great! And yes, the granola is awesome – much better and fresher than store bought.
I like your faux Van Gogh! It’s a lot better than any freehand painting I could do for sure 🙂 He’s one of my favorite painters!
I think I’m going to have to order some of that granola since I keep hearing about how good it is!
Yes, you do, Christy! It’s delish. And I like that it’s homemade. It’s not “health food,” but it’s real food. As if that justifies eating a bag a day 🙂
Wow, I can’t believe your kids still have 3 weeks of school! The schools down South get out in May and start back in early August. Which means my baby is starting kindergarten in two months. Yikes!! Until then I’m going to soak up every moment of summer I can! As for the things you love, Tamara’s Blend is da bomb. Mmmmm! I’m not much of a jewerly person, but I’m scooping up sweet deals on summery dresses for work like they’re goin’ outta style!
There are so many great deals on summer dresses! We start back to school the week before Labor Day – only nine weeks of vacation. And high school sports start August 13th…just not enough time. But we will make the most of what we have.
Great list and seriously I LOVE those Old Navy finds! I think Old Navy is so underrated. It’s much more fashion forward than The Gap, which in twice the price and much more plain.
I agree, Nina. And the prices are perfect for trendy items that may not make it past one season of wear. I also love that I can shop for all four of us (and the dog) in one store!
Am just about to treat myself to a tasty breakfast of Hippie Chick Granola!! YUM! It is SO delicious! 🙂 And that card is fantastic…absolutely perfect.-Ashley
I know, right? Welcome back Ashley – hope you had a great blogcation!
One: that painting? Even if you are not Van Gogh it’s million times more perfect than what I could ever come up with. Two: I love the necklaces, they look so summery and breezy. Three: Find my friend app sounds promising even though I don’t have kids who are of driving age… yet.
My love list for June? It’s June already?! Yikes! The first thing that comes to mind is the recipe I found for chocolate brownie cookies (that is sooo getting made) and a set of patterns I downloaded that I will be using as inspiration to come up with a new set of printables which will be released on OBM soon.
Ooh – share the recipe if it turns out good (and why wouldn’t it?). Looking forward to seeing the printables too!
Totally hope that App is still around when my girls learn to drive someday, because seriously sounds like a great concept! 🙂
It really is! I’m sure something like it will still be around – there will always be anxious parents of new drivers.
Lol at the No Gogh! Mine is proudly on display in the kitchen but may be taking a road show to the garage soon! That was a great night- the memories are just as priceless as the real deal!
Love the Find my Friends app- will definitely be installing that on my kids’ phones!
It was such a fun night, Amy. Next time we’re painting our pets, right? And that app is really cool. I’m thinking it will really give me piece of mind once she’s out there on the road alone.
I like the find my friend App! Great idea. And a warning is necessary on Ilene’s granola. I have gained 10 pounds since I started eating her granola like it was my JOB! I pinned your inspirational graphic. The world DOES love amazing! 🙂
Thanks for pinning, Alexa! I just loved that quote, and it fit well with my tagline. Eating granola like it was your job – ha! I think we are co-workers.
I have to agree. I hated granola with no passion at all. I just refused to eat it, buy it, or even think about it. Then Ilene, always full of love, opened her business and I had to support her. Now I’m hooked. I do not even want to admit how many bags of this I/my family has consumed.
I’ll keep your secret; I don’t want to admit it either. Which reminds me that I need to order again…