Friday's Favorite Things

Hello, dear friends. Happy Friday!   I thought that I would switch things up and skip The Friday Files this week in favor of Friday's Favorite Things.  I haven't done one of these in quite awhile.  You will see that I have mentioned a lot of these products over the years.  I order almost all of them through Amazon Prime because it's just easier for me.  The closest Target to me is 30 minutes away. 

Amazon

The Mister told me that I would love Beneath A Scarlet Sky and he was right.  I am listening to this beautifully written tale that is based on a true story.    It follows the life of a normal teenager who becomes a true hero during the Nazi occupation.  

Let's just say that this book makes me want to walk my day away.  I'm not the only one that loves it - 5-star reviews across the board on Amazon.

Amazon

I am now halfway through The Designer.  It takes place in the 1940's and centers around a beautiful, unhappy newlywed and a designer, none other than Christian Dior in Paris. 

How much am I enjoying this gem of a novel?
Je l'adore!

Not to show off or anything but I DID take 4 years of French One!

A couple of weeks ago, I got a new iPhone.  Nope, not the 8 - the Mister doesn't love me that much!  I got a 7 Plus which has a new feature that I love.  The camera has a portrait setting which really makes a difference in my photos. 
  

One of my favorite subjects taken in the portrait setting.

Amazon

I have been wearing Lip Ink for the past 15 years because it stays on all day, does not rub off on my wine glass, and doesn't bleed into my lip wrinkles.  Even though they carry many shades, I only wear one color - coral because it seems to go with everything.  

Amazon

If you do take the plunge and try the Lip Ink make sure to buy the conditioner/cleanser.  I put it on with a Q-tip before the Lip Ink, and I use it at night to take it off.

Amazon

A few years ago, I was visiting my Sista, and I fell down the stairs during the night.  I think that they moved the stairway after I went to sleep.  Not to worry - Sista did not push me.  At least I don't think she did.  Anyway, the Mister met me at the airport a few days later with some extra baggage - two black eyes, 15 stitches, and a broken nose.  

A friend of mine recommended the Jane Iredale Foundation to me to cover up the damage.  She said that her mother used it after a facelift.  I originally bought mine at the dermatologist's office, and it did a great job.  I still use it to camouflage my broken capillaries and a few scars left from my graceful tumble.  It has an SPF 20 in it so it protects me from adding to my arsenal of wrinkles.  

Sephora

I've used They're Real for a long time.  It never clumps or flakes and lengthens what little lashes I have left. It comes off easily with eye makeup remover.

Amazon

My buddy, Hoda, yes THE Hoda, talked about Roc's new Multi Correction 5 in 1 cream.  I use it every day under makeup and alone when I go out for my walks instead of sunscreen because it has an SPF 30 in it. 

If I keep using all these products with SPF, I'm going to look about 5 years old in no time at all.

It's also sold at drugstores.

Amazon

Now I feel like I am sharing all my boring little beauty secrets.  Good Morning America does a segment every week called Steals and Deals.  Sponsors offer their products 50 - 60% off if you use the link that is supplied.  I've gotten some great stuff through them. 

A few weeks ago, one of the sponsors was Supersmile, a whitening toothpaste.  I use all sorts of whiteners including the strips, but the problem I have is that I have veneers on my eyeteeth.  So my natural teeth get whiter and it doesn't affect the veneers.  Supersmile says that their product can bring back the original color of the veneer.  I do see a difference - they are lighter. So I ordered another tube. 

I have not seen this product sold in stores.

Amazon

I ordered a 5-pack of brush heads for a ridiculously low price for my Sonicare and they fit perfectly and felt the same as the original.

I always put a set of these in my girls' stockings. 
They don't like to spend their money on silly little necessities like toothbrushes.

Amazon

Brush heads for the Clarisonic are expensive.  

I found this set a lot cheaper and I don't see any difference.
Another item for the girls' stockings. 

Amazon

I have used my lotion roller for years.  
It's a great little helper for my body lotion as well as my self-tanner.

Amazon

We have been using Quick Shine Floor Finish on our hardwood floors, and it does a fabulous job making them really shine.  Do I sound like a housewife from the 1960's or what? 

Anywho, it's to be used after you wash the floors.  Make sure you get the floor finish and not the cleaner.  I think Walmart sells it too, but Amazon has a better price.

Amazon

You can ask my husband how paranoid I am about ticks.  Unfortunately, we have a lot of them in my neck of the woods.  I have a couple of friends that have contracted Lyme disease, and it is no picnic.  Someone told me about this natural tick ban, and it worked for me.  It smells yummy too - just like spearmint.

Amazon

I have used these earphones for a couple of years for all my audiobooks.  
These are not expensive, lightweight, and fit comfortably in my ears. The sound quality is great, as well.

What are your favorite things?

Until next time...

Gibba Animals

A Wishful Hodgepodge

Hello, dear friends.  It has been another terrifying week for our country.  I have been glued to the news.  It has been one heartbreaking story after another.  I continue to keep the victims and their families in my prayers.

Here is my take on this week's Hodgepodge.

1.  Have you ever spent time on a farm?  Tell us a little bit about it.  Have you ever grown your own pumpkins?  Been on a hayride?  Driven a tractor?  Milked a cow?

No, I have never lived on a farm or done any farm chores.  One of my favorite shows growing up was Green Acres.

Does that count?

However, I know someone in this house would love to have a tractor to play with.

Hint:  his name rhymes with Shmister.

2.  What's something younger you would like about you now?

My younger self would be happy to see that I have kept my good looks and sense of style.

3.  What are three things you'd like to do more often?  

I would like to spend more time with my girls.

I'd like to take more cruises with the family.

I'd also like to spend more weekends in NYC.

Two out of three of my wishes are coming true this month.

Three things you'd like to do less often?

I'd like to skip the yearly check-ups.

The worst part for me is the weeks of anxiety that lead up to them.

I don't want to brag, but doesn't my Dr. look like he's got a huge crush on me?

I'd like to avoid at all costs going through another renovation.

This would not be on the Mister's list, btw.

If I never have to wait in a security line at the airport, I'd be happy.

By the way... my #2 travels every week and she told me that lately, the TSA-pre-check lines are longer than the regular ones.

4.  What's on your nachos?

Anything and everything.

I have to admit that I haven't indulged in Mexican food since I moved to Massachusetts.  I don't think any place makes Mexican food as good as the great state of Texas. 
And Mexico's take on nachos isn't bad either.

5.  What's the most random thing in your purse or wallet?  Does it need to stay there?

At any given time, I have at least half a dozen readers from the Dollar Store in my purse.  

And no matter what the Mister says, yes, they do need to stay there.

6.  Insert your own random thought. 

After such a dismal week,  I thought we could all use an uplifting story.  A few weeks ago, this feature was on one of my favorite shows, CBS Sunday Morning.

Until next time...

#2's Visit & Home Sense

Hello, dear friends.  I hope you had a wonderful weekend.  Ours was lots of fun because our #2 came home for a visit.  

We picked #2 up Thursday night from Logan and had dinner at one of my favorites, Rustic Kitchen.  On Friday, she had to work from home, so the Mister and I tackled the outside Fall Decorating.  I haven't taken any pics yet because I am waiting for the mums to bloom.  

Saturday, we spent a rainy day on my new favorite street in Boston, Charles Street. I had never been there before.  It has lovely antique and specialty shops.  The Mister and I are going back on a sunny day so I can take some pics for you.  

Our #2 had heard about the restaurant, Tatte, and wanted to try it.  The moment I spotted the array of mouthwatering pastries, I knew I was in the right place. 

Our lunch was positively delish.  

It is virtually impossible for the Mister to go out to lunch without ordering dessert.  It is even more impossible for me not to eat half.

We did some shopping and made some friends while our #2 had her haircut.

The Mister did some nut shopping because we didn't do enough damage at lunch.

I kind of hung around the chocolate hoping the nice lady would offer me a sample because the calories don't count if you don't buy it.

No luck.

Saturday night we had a relaxing night.  

And Sunday, we had some lunch and did some serious power shopping at Derby Street. 

The hardest part of having the girls come home is when they leave.

*****

Several weeks ago, I met my friend, Kathy for lunch and shopping in Framingham.  I had been dying to check out the new Home Sense store.  My buddy, Laurie described it as Homegoods on steroids.

No truer words have been said.

Naturally, as soon as Miss Daisy found out where I was on my way to, she begged to ride shotgun.

The first section that I spotted reminded me of Magnolia.

I wish I could have fit this little number into my new master bath.

If you are looking to add to your collection of copper, this is the place for you.

They had an incredible assortment of tablecloths imported from France.

OOOh La La!

Plenty of high-end appliances were on hand.

Miss Daisy and I spotted lots of large furniture items headed out the door.  

Best news yet:  

Home Sense delivers!

I wish all my tables were equipped with charging stations.

I could almost hear the sound of a man cave calling for this threesome!

Anybody out there in need of a barrel chair?

Also, they had a large assortment of beautiful dried arrangements.

My first impression of Home Sense was the abundance of staff.  Not only were they working diligently to restock and keep the merchandise in an orderly manner, but they all spoke to the customer with a smile.  Each staff member that I ran into was generally happy to be there and proud of their new store.  

As Arnold Schwarzenegger would say...

I'll be back.

Until next time...

Wait til these two fashionistas get a load of Home Sense!