A Few Great Things

No trip to "The City" would be complete without a stop at Costco.  

Along with the 12 other things we didn't really need, I picked up some of these:

I've never tried No Slip hangers, but I am now a fan!  I wish I had bought more (my local store only had a pack of 35).  Not only are they no-slip, but the slim design really does cut down on space.  Leaving room for more clothes!  My husband will be thrilled...

I've also been enjoying my Kindle more than I guessed I would.  Nothing will replace the feel of a book in your hand, but you can't beat the sheer convenience of the Kindle.  I try to keep a few dollars in my Amazon account so that if I see a Daily Deal that piques my interest, I can jump on it.  A few months ago I picked up this: 

I don't mind a supernatural theme, and I have found this series oddly compelling.  There are 7 books, and they are light, quick, and the characters are mildly endearing.  I would classify these as "beach reads"(if I was anywhere near a beach).

Finally, I upgraded my phone recently and am still getting everything back in order, including my music.  When I found myself at the gym with no music to run to, I turned to my trusty podcast list.  This is a particular favorite:

With topics as varied as Hessians, New England Vampire Panic, Building Disneyland's Haunted Mansion, The Nazca Lines, Boudica, etc., it is a fountain of information in 30 minute segments.  

Favorite Things: January Edition

Hello 2013!

It's been a while since I've shared some of my favorite things, so I've got 2 new items to tell you about.

First, I finally jumped on the Argan oil bandwagon.  But, being the frugal girl that I am, I couldn't bring myself to take the plunge with The Moroccan Oil.  You know, the one with the blue label?  The one that is $30+ per bottle?  I just...... couldn't take the plunge and risk not liking it.  It seems counter intuitive doesn't it?  Oil on the hair that doesn't look greasy? But it works!

So instead of the "real" thing, I bought this:

Organix Moroccan Argan Oil

It was inexpensive, so I figured it would be a good "gateway" oil for me test out.  And I love it!  I apply some after I wash my hair, and when I wake up in the morning, I have smooth, frizz-free hair.  On day 2 or 3, I will add a bit more to my ends.  And that's it!

The second thing I want to share is my love for coconut oil.  I bought some during my last visit to Trader Joe's, with the intention of using it as a hair mask.  Yep, works great.  But I've also been using it on my face and body.

Whaaaaat?  Oil on the face?

Yes!

It doesn't make me break out, it doesn't make my skin greasy, and at $6 a jar, it is less expensive than any other face cream I've ever used. I keep a tiny tupperware container of it in my bathroom, and scoop out a little bit at night/ after a shower.  It melts quickly, isn't greasy, and the smell is refreshing (especially in these grey, cold winter nights).  It's also antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial.  Which means that it even helps heal any breakouts.

Coconut oil.  Who knew?!

Let's Talk About Hair

My eternal quest is to find THE PRODUCT that will make my hair beautiful.  The near-constant high humidity coupled with hair that is sometimes wavy, stick straight in spots, and usually surrounded by a halo of frizz, all equal a daily tonsorial challenge.  I am always, always on the lookout for a product that will tame the frizz, create soft waves, and generally give me the crowning glory I so desperately seek.

Most recently, this quest led me to John Freida's Dream Curls Spray.  I read about it in a beauty magazine (possibly Allure, I don't remember), and was intrigued.

After my experience with the foam hair color, I was a little reluctant to give ol' JF another go.  Honestly, it was the price point that swayed me.  At $5.39, it was worth a shot.  

The spray was easy to apply to my just washed hair, and reminds me of a leave-in conditioner.  The formula is alcohol-free and certainly left my locks softer.  They were also more smooth and the next morning my corona of frizz was much subdued.  In fact, I had actual waves adorning my hair.   

Verdict: Worth the $5.39.  Performs like a much more expensive product.  Will go into my regular rotation of hair care products.  

Where to Buy: Target, Walmart, Walgreens.     

Magnetic Bar

I've long been a fan of the magnetic knife holder. 

I have no idea where I saw this idea, but when we lived in Des Moines I insisted we hang one in our apartment kitchen.  

The tired knife block was immediately put out to pasture in favor of this sleek update. 

And why, oh why, did I never think of using it to hold my recipes, too?? 

Our next kitchen may end up with the entire backsplash accented with magnetic bars.  

Family Travel Gems

Hello internet, remember me? I haven't been good about keeping in touch lately, and I'm sorry for that. There's been a lot going on! I know, I know, it sounds like an excuse. OK, maybe I needed a little break. But I'm back! And I want us to be friends again. So here's a little post about some things that helped our family enjoy our recent vacation.


Le Sportsac Bag: We were focused on travelling light, and so I turned to my Le Sportsac bag. This is one of my very favorite travel bags because it is light, bright (the above is similar in design, but not the one I own), and easy to tote. I like to use it as a carry on because it holds a ton of stuff, weighs next to nothing, squishes flat if you need to tuck into your luggage, and .... drum roll.... you can throw it in the washing machine! I bought mine at a sample sale in NYC several years ago, and wish I'd bought two.
The Peapod by Kidco: OK, this may seem a little weird, but bear with me. We were travelling to a foreign country, and there was no way we were going to haul our big, heavy pack-n-play. Heck, we weren't even bringing a stroller! Given that Big J is a wiggler, and I had zero confidence he would get through even one night in a regular bed without the possibility of a traumatic brain injury, I had to find some other solution for bedtime. Enter the Peapod. It's just what it looks like - a mini tent for your little one. It has an inflatable pad that is secured inside an integrated zippered pouch, it zips closed on top, has mesh panels for breatheability, and everything packs down into an 18" round carrying bag. AND it weighs about 3 lbs! We actually ended up packing it into one of our small rolly bags, and it worked out GREAT. The only hitch is that it got mega-hot in the jungle (it was steamy outside to begin with), and those mesh panels did not breathe really well without a little circulation in the room. Still - it was an awesome solution, and one I would recommend to parents travelling with little ones.


Ultrathon: I was super-worried about bugs in the jungle. No need to be - I packed Ultrathon! This is a super-concentrated bug repellent that I purchased at REI. It looked and smelled a little like Elmer's glue, but once you smeared it on exposed areas, there was no need to worry about those little biting critters. Yes, it has DEET in it, so we were vigilant about washing our hands after application. At first I thought it was a little expensive for bug repellent ($10.50 for a 2 oz. tube), but you really can't put a price on being itch-free.

Paci Plushie: Yes, I know I have blogged about this before. But it really is a lifesaver! Big J has taken to giving Monkey little hugs, and totes him around like a BFF. Although I can picture the day when we are paci-free, until then, I am fine with their relationship.

Gerber Yogurt Melts: Until about a month ago Big J was ambivalent to these little treats. That is no longer the case. I like these because they are relatively healthy (Come on! It's yogurt!), pre-packaged, and lightweight. We brought 3 packs of them, and should have brought 5.

Coppertone WaterBabies Sunscreen Stick: This was my first experience with stick sunscreen, and I have to say that I am a fan. Don't expect to cover your body with this, but it's great for swiping on wiggly faces without fear of an inadvertent eye trauma. It doesn't run, and is waterproof. Plus, it's small enough to stow in a pocket. Genius.

Playing cards: In the jungle, sunset arrived at around 7pm, and we always found ourselves with a little time to kill each night. Big Daddy taught Big Sis how to play War - and she quickly mastered the game. They spent many hours in battle, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Kelty Country Carrier: We've had this for years (purchased at a steal of a price by the Grandparents), but never really put that many miles on it. It certainly came in handy on this trip! With no stroller, and Big J getting too big for the Baby Bjorn, we turned to the backpack carrier. It was nice because Big Daddy and I could trade off wearing it (just a few quick adjustments to be made), and we were also able to gate check it - so we could use it all through the airports. One of my favorite features is that it stands securely on the ground, so we were even able to use it as a makeshift high chair. These are not super cheap, but like so many things, if you look around, you can find a used one for a reasonable price.

10 Favorite Kitchen Gadgets

1. KitchenAid Mixer: It took me many years to convince myself that I needed a KitchenAid. They seemed so big, so expensive, so difficult to move around (and you know I am a girl on the move). But once I did it, I never looked back. I use it at least 3 times a week. At least. I whip, mix, knead, fold and stir my way to deliciousness, transported on the frothy, well-mixed wings of my KitchenAid.
   




2. An edited selection of Sharp Knives: If I had to choose 2 indispensable cutting utensils, it would be a Santoku knife and a large serrated knife. The Santoku because it's a solid all-around knife which can take the place of a carving or cook's knife, and in a pinch, be used as a paring knife. I use mine every day. I have a 5" Santoku, but would love to have a 7" also. I like the serrated knife for slicing tomatoes and bread. This pretty much covers my slicing and dicing needs. I don't think I'd ever buy a big knife set again. I thought it would be nice to have the options, but end up using 2 or 3 knives for 90% of what I do.



3. Non-Stick Bakeware: Yes, I've posted about the Williams-Sonoma goldtouch bakeware before, but it's worthy of another mention. I love it. I love to bake, but used to dread it because I never knew if that cake was going to slide out or stick to the bottom & fall out in chunks. Who needs that kind of disappointment? Now my bread slides out of the pan EVERY TIME - no sticking, no worries. I am really careful about cleaning them by hand, and I think that with proper maintenance, these will last for many, many years to come.
   
   
   


4. Silicone Basting Brush: This one is a little silly, but so very useful. I have a basting brush similar to this (pictured here in a set, with a sauce pot which I do not have), and I use it far more often than I thought I would. Yes, I use it for BBQ'ing, but also for basting roasted turkey & chicken, oiling bowls when I bake bread, applying a thin layer of sauce to anything, etc., etc.
   
   
   


5. Food Processor: Again, a gadget I lived without for many years, and which I now use far more often than I expected. Whether I'm making noodles, whipping up hummus, blending a salad dressing, or pureeing fruit for jams, I go straight for the food processor.
   








6. Mini Bowls: I don't have these exact bowls, but similar ones. I use them for TONS of stuff. Prep containers (garbage bowl), a serving of baby food, a mini ice cream bowl, a dollop of whatever. Seriously inexpensive, and seriously useful.
   
   
7. Whisk: Whisk? What do I need a whisk for? Isn't a fork just as good? Um, no, no it's not. I have 3 whisks of varying sizes, and use them all. Whether I'm whipping scrambled eggs, blending my flour-salt-baking soda mixture, or mixing brownies, I choose the whisk.



8. Measuring Cups & Spoons: Would you run a marathon in your Converse? Not me. Just because you CAN use sub-par measuring devices doesn't mean you SHOULD. Mine are a substantial metal, and offer a wider range of measurement than 1 cup, 1 teaspoon, and 1 tablespoon. I never knew measuring could be so much fun.






9. Crock Pot: Meat & veg in the pot, dinner in 8 hours. Easy-peasy. That being said, my current crock pot is a little temperamental {I think someone snuck in a turbo-charger when I wasn't looking}. I always use the 8 or 10 hour settings no matter what I'm cooking. Anything else and I end up with a burnt mess in the bottom.
   
   
10. Tongs: There is a HUGE difference between a good pair of tongs & a cheap pair. Cheap ones won't close properly, don't grip well, and they fall apart or rust after just a few weeks. Good ones can help you serve pasta, flip grilled chicken, transfer meat to a serving platter, or distribute your favorite green salad. Yum!

PS: I'm not sure what motivated me to post the above list. At the Favorite Things party a few weeks ago, a friend noted that each person's "favorite thing" revealed a little bit of them. So I guess the above list reveals a little bit about me - in the kitchen. Look for more "10" lists to come.

Some of my favorite things

Late Fall is here, with frigid temperatures, and the accompanying desire to bundle up and be snuggly.

These are my cashmere socks. I know - cashmere!? I bought these when I was working at Banana Republic. Boy, do I miss that employee discount. My favorite time of year was after Christmas, when all the cashmere would go on sale. These are super warm and make me feel luxurious, too.

These are Big Sis' knee socks. I bought them because they were on super sale, and I was a little skeptical. But I totally love them on her. A little girl in knee socks - what could be cuter?

New favorite crackers. Whole grain, a tiny bit sweet, and the perfect size for Big J to test out his new choppers.

Like his hat? I do. It's a little bit Elmer Fudd, without the Wabbit hunting. He looks adorable & it keeps his ears warm, too.