I’ve thought about starting a “Favorite Things” post for a while now… and it looks like today is the day! I’m always getting questions about products I use, items I like, etc. so I’m hoping to do a monthly post to share some of MY favorite things with YOU.
DISCLOSURE: None of these products are sponsored in any way, however some of the links below are affiliate links — which means I may get a VERY small percentage of the sale if you make a purchase through my links. However, I hope you know that I’m only promoting the products below because I use them EVERY SINGLE DAY in my own home and life! Read my full disclosure policy for more information.
So in no particular order, here are a few of my favorite things!
Our Moen Spot Resist Kitchen Faucet
We purchased the Moen Lindley faucet in brushed nickle — and I think it’s the perfect faucet for our kitchen. (I couldn’t find the exact product link but here is an almost identical faucet.) We love the practicality of the one-handle operation and the pullout sprayer. And I also love that even though it’s not necessarily old-fashioned looking, it doesn’t look nearly as modern as some of the other goose neck faucets on the market.
I will admit that I was originally a little apprehensive to pay more for the “spot resist” coating — but honestly, I would pay 4 times the price now that I realize how completely AWESOME the spot resist feature really is.
This faucet shows NO water spots, NO finger prints, NO gunk, NOTHING! It always looks clean at all times — and believe me, it’s not always clean!
We purchased our faucet from Home Depot, but I’ve seen similar ones all over the internet and at other home improvement stores. I think the “spot resist” is a relatively new feature — and I’m sure it will catch on quickly because I personally don’t know anyone who loves looking at water spots and finger prints on their chrome and nickel fixtures!
Nora’s Reusable Food Pouches
These pouches are a relatively new purchase — within the last month — but they’ve already paid for themselves over and over again. You see, Nora doesn’t like most foods, but we can get her to eat yogurt (only if she can feed it to herself though!)
We used to buy the extremely expensive yogurt squeeze pouches because we were to the point where we just didn’t care anymore. We had FINALLY found something she would eat, so we bought it.
However, a friend told me about the BooginHead Squeeze’Ems reusable food pouches and I immediately purchased a 4-pack from Amazon.com!
They are microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe, BPA free, and really easy to refill. So far, so good… and we’re saving loads of money by refilling them with the large tubs of yogurt instead. We’ve also be “sneaking” in some baby food and other pureed food mixed in with the yogurt and (for the most part) she’s eating it!
I read on the reviews that they are also great for older kids to take in their lunches. They can be frozen and used as an ice-pack… but then the food should be defrosted and ready to eat by lunch.
EZ-Fold Step Stool
Since our kitchen cabinets go ALL the way to the ceiling, I knew I would need a small step stool to be able to reach the top (I didn’t want to drag a chair over every time). However, I also knew that I wanted the smallest, most space-saving step stool I could find so it would fit easily inside one of our base cabinets.
About a month before Christmas, I found this EZ-Fold Step Stool with built-in carrying handle at Younkers and asked my mom to pick it up for me for Christmas. It was a special Bonus Buy (and of course my mom had a coupon), so I think she got it for less than $10 — but now that I’ve been using it for a few months, I wouldn’t hesitate to pay more for this stool. It’s super light-weight, but also very sturdy. It has rubber grips on the bottom so it won’t slip or scratch our wood floors (learned that one the hard way in our old house!)
Also, (my favorite feature) it folds flat and fits conveniently inside our cabinets!
This stool comes is a variety of colors (of course, I have white!), and there’s even an option for a taller stool as well.
My Winter Boots
I absolutely LOVE my winter boots… not only are they extremely warm and comfortable, they’ve also performed fabulously through 9 long West MI winters with no issues whatsoever. There are no stains, no rips, no tears, and the soles are still as good as the day I recieved them.
Plus, while I’m no “fashionista,” I also love the fact that I can mix and match the way I wear them for different effects 🙂
They are UGG boots — but they are OLD, so the UGG website doesn’t carry this style anymore. However, I did find a similar pair on Amazon.
I should mention that these were a gift — there was no way I would ever have spent $200 (or more) on a pair of boots back when I was in college! However, now that I realize how awesome these boots are, and how well they’ve held up over the years, I would not hesitate to purchase another pair if need be.
Prairieland Herbs Eye and Face Cream
I’ve talked about my most favorite face and eye cream before, and I will continue to “sing its praises” for years to come if my skin continues to look this nice.
I was first introduced to Prairieland Herbs by a friend of mine… and have been hooked ever since! All their products are hand made at the time of order so they are super fresh and contain only quality ingredients. I use many of their fabulous products, but their face and eye cream is my absolute favorite!
It’s so concentrated that it takes me several months to go through a tiny 1/2 oz. container — although I now purchase it in larger sizes. I’ve been using this face/eye cream for just over 2 years now and I honestly feel like my skin has never looked better.
NOTE: read more about my favorite beauty products here.
Extra-Large Post-It Notes
I love making lists, and I love sticking those lists on the refrigerator (ours isn’t magnetic), in my planner, in Dave’s planner, on the bathroom mirror, etc. However, I always seem to run out of room on the smaller, traditional square Post-It notes.
So I was thrilled when I found this larger 3″x5″ sticky notes. They are just the right size for a little bit longer lists — not that I have long lists 🙂
OK, I think that’s enough for this week!
Anything new for you on my list? Or do you have any “favorite things” you think I’d like to try? Leave them in the comment section!
Sandra says
Hi Andrea,
The Moen Lindley spot resistant faucet looks absolutely amazing!
It takes A LOT for a design to not show ANY marks! Wow. Good for you guys; wise pick!
Sandra
Rita Long says
Please tell me how I can find the unique purse organizers you mentioned in one of your earlier posts. They sound like just what I need!!! I think they would make GREAT Christmas gifts. Thank you for telling me about them!!!
Amber says
I love your coat, can you tell me what brand it is?
Angela Hidlebaugh says
Thanks for sharing your favorites! I really enjoyed reading through your list. I look forward to next month’s edition. 🙂
Sophia says
Love my UGG boots as well. Got mine only this past winter from hubby. I would never spend that much money on myself. That being said, I just got an orange soda stain on one of them, do you know how to clean them? I tried using the cleaner UGG sells. I didn’t wet the whole boot, but only wet a small portion, and now it is obvious that small area was wet, and the stain is still there. Any tip is welcome!
Kalyn Brooke says
I have a pair of knockoff uggs, and so far they’ve held up for the last 3 years, but I don’t abuse my footwear. Still not as lovely as the real thing though. 🙂
I think I have about every size and genre of post-it notes. I’m obsessed with them!!
Debby says
I love my Uggs!!!! Worth every penny I paid for them. I live with Eastern Ohio Snow Belt weather through our long winters. After trying cheap boots and having cold feet and a couple falls, my husband told me to get a good pair of boots. I love them!! I do Scotchguard mine. They are two years old and going strong. I also just bought that folding stool. I love it Thanks for another great post
Leanne Heern says
many of your favorite things are becoming mine! just bought those pouches! can’t wait to use them…I had no idea they even made them! I bought 10 for 39.95, I have 3 kids, so I’m sure we’ll use them!
Amanda says
I could not agree more on the Uggs! I have had mine for 14 years now, and the style is very similar to yours. I grew up in the UP of Michigan and now live in Lansing-long winters and cold! I love my Uggs and when they eventually do bite the dust, I will not hesitate in the slightest to buy another pair.
Audra says
We also own an EZ Fold step stool and LOVE it. Originally got it so my son could reach the bathroom sick and wash his hands. AT almost 4 years old our son has used it to help load laundry, wash dishes or anything helping in the kitchen. When he is done with it folds up nice and compact and out of site.
Gen says
9 years for a pair of boots?! Are you kidding me?! I’ve never had a pair of boots for longer than 2 years, except my “kids boots” (cuz they are overly spacious and drag like kids boots seem to do) that I got probably 12 years that I wear maybe once a year when I spend a whole day outside. Even the UGG boots I got a couple of years ago got used within a month, on the inside heel part, just completely ate away at the lining there. Seems to be a major problem of mine. Wow, 9 years, I wonder if it’s my feet/heels that are the problem… Or maybe I just need to dish out 200+$ for a pair of boots. Would gladly if they lasted me even 5 years! Hate the hassle of having to replace them.
The other things, faucet and kids pouches, I’m filling that away in my OneNote for future reference! And I seem to have the reverse problem for the Post-It Notes. Those are the ones we have at work ATM, but I’d like the smaller ones because I can never fill up the whole page! Or at least if I’d have both… Anyway, thanks for the list!
Allison says
I love your step stool suggestion! I have a small kitchen, and I often end up climbing on the counter to get to the top shelves. The folding option is perfect to slip next to the fridge!
Lana says
I have the step stool, in black! Love it, very handy! And I keep mine next to the fridge, perfect spot!
Gretchen says
Do you waterproof your Uggs? I haven’t worn mine in the snow because I was afraid they would get ruined. I would love to be able to wear them in the snow!
Andrea says
Actually no Gretchen… but that’s probably not a bad idea! I wear them in the snow, but I do have another pair of water-proof boots that I wear if I’m in super wet snow (or rain).
Kelly says
I just bought the exact same squeeze pouches at wal-Mary. The were $7.99 for a 2 pack. I haven’t used them yet. I hope I like them as much as you!
Jill says
I have the exact same pair of UGGS and totally agree with you. They were a gift from my husband many years ago and I about died knowing how much he paid for them BUT I am still wearing them. I don’t wear socks with mine because my feet literally get too hot from the fur that lines the inside. Love them!!!
Shannon says
I clicked through to Prairieland Herbs and read the ingredients of the face and eye cream and it sounds wonderful! I think I will be ordering some.
I use the 3×5 Post It Notes at work a lot. They’re great for writing notes and you need more space.
kristin says
I will definitely be ordering some of those squeez um’s. My 2 year old just ate 2 Gogurts for breakfast and those aren’t cheap! Tip on the Uggs, should you ever need to replace them or someone asks about deals [but they last forever!]: I ruined my 5+ year trusty pair after a Dec trip to Chicago. There was no saving them. I managed to score a pair from TJ Maxx in the off season for $50. That was probably 6 years ago and they are still holding up, but I keep an eye out for deals for my growing 5 year old. I agree $100+ is too much for boots that will get outgrown in a year but we have 2 feet of snow on the ground and it gets cold on the prairie. 6pm usually has deals in the off season especially on styles they are discontinuing. I have saved the money and will be buying her a pair for next winter. Probably a size up, so they’ll last longer. Just watch for deals. Zulily usually has deals on Bearpaws, another good brand.
Liz Post says
I am going to try the face and eye cream…I have been looking for something like this for a long time…I am also going to try your face wash that you suggested using the sunflower oil…just hit my 30’s 6 months ago and after 3 kiddos I feel a need to be “freshened” up!! 🙂 The pouches are a good idea as well…my kids will eat anything though so I may not be in the market for them, but they still are interesting!! I have Ugg boots as well and they are great…I may be in the market for a new pair next year…do you treat your boots every year?!? They still look great!! 🙂
Sherri says
I like the faucet–is the pull out spout magnetic? Thanks.
Andrea says
Sherri, our faucet doesn’t have a magnetic spout, but that was an option for some of the other faucets we looked at. For some reason, we couldn’t get our faucet with both the spot resist and the magnetic spout so we decided spot resist was more important 🙂