HAPPY NEW YEAR, FRIENDS!!!!
I had a fabulous “week away” from my computer, the blog, social media, and even from most of my emails… but I’m excited to get into a better routine again.
Of course, another new year (and new month) means another new list of my favorite things!!
DISCLOSURE: None of these products are sponsored; however, some of the links below are affiliate links — which means that at no cost to you, I may get a small commission. Please know that I use these products daily in my own home and life. Read my full disclosure policy for more information.
Also, check out my Amazon Market for all my favorite things.
Fleece-Lined Leggings
Oh my word, I am freezing cold all the time in the winter!
Even though we keep our house pretty warm, I’m in and out all the time — picking up kids, dropping them off, running by the bank, heading in to the store, playing outside with the kids, etc. etc.
I have a coat, gloves, scarf, boots, etc. but my legs always get so cold.
I found fleece-lined leggings on ThredUp this fall ($9) and they have been my pants of choice for most of the winter so far! The brand name is 90 Degree By Reflex and here’s the link to them on Amazon.
They are super comfy, super warm, super soft, easy to wash/dry, and have held up to constant wear (especially considering mine were purchased “used” to begin with!)
.
Eddie Bauer Slippers
And speaking of being cold all the time — I wear slippers in the house ALL day long as many of our floors are wood or tile.
Plus, I like the support they give me (I always wear slippers with a hard sole).
My previous slippers were on their last leg (or foot!) I had worn them daily for many years and it was time for a new pair. I posted my slipper question on Facebook and got SO many fantastic options.
I ultimately decided on these slippers from Eddie Bauer.
I did purchase mine directly from the Eddie Bauer website as I got 50% off with an additional 20% off coupon code AND I had a $20 “gift voucher” waiting in my email (not sure why I got this, but I did).
The slippers were extremely reasonably priced and SUCH GREAT QUALITY!
I’ve worn them for 12+ hours a day for the past month and they still feel brand spanking new. They are super supportive, super soft, and super warm. They could probably even be worn as shoes as the sole is so thick and sturdy.
I’m hoping they hold up for several years like my last pair — if so, they are MORE than worth the investment!
.
b.Box Compartmentalized Kids’ Plates
We’ve been using these fun plates from b.Box for several years now — they are often our “breakfast plates” because they keep syrup contained!
The kids LOVE them, the bright colors are super fun, they are extremely durable, non-skid, dishwasher safe, microwave safe, and they stack well too.
Nora is almost ready to ‘graduate’ from her plate so we can give it to Clara — or maybe we’ll need to buy the purple one too!
.
Photo Magnets
Everyone I know uses magnets — teachers, coaches, parents, grandparents, etc. etc. and while I know you CAN have “too much of a good thing” I feel that a small cute photo magnet is a really great gift.
I order photo magnets all the time — whenever I get a free coupon for them from Shutterfly. I sometimes save them as gifts, but mostly I just enjoy using them myself on our various magnet boards!
We gave photo magnets to our parents and grandparents this Christmas — which they can display as a photo AND use to hold up all the artwork our children will eventually give them.
We have given photo magnets to many others over the years as well… we even used them as wedding favors for our wedding 12+ years ago! We included our new address as well as a picture of us and a brief “thank you” note. We still have many relatives who use those magnets even though we no longer live at that address!
Shutterfly always seems to have “free magnet” deals going on, so even though I still have to pay shipping (and I know they inflate the shipping rates) it usually works out to $1 – $2 per photo magnet, depending on the size. Not bad for personalized gifts!
.
Lazy Susans
I know so many people who have a love-hate relationship with their Lazy Susan cabinets, but my kitchen has 5 built-in Lazy Susans and I LOOOOOOOOVE them so much!
Side Note: do you know where the term “Lazy Susan” came from? I tried looking it up, but it says the meaning of the name is lost in history — apparently the term has been around for about 100 years!
As long as I don’t over-stuff them and keep them relatively organized, they are a fantastic way to better-utilize awkward corner cabinets that are difficult to access.
Notice the black leggings mentioned above — I live in them in the winter!!
If you don’t have built-in Lazy Susans in your kitchen (and a remodel is not feasible right now) you could always purchase a few of these really great Lazy Susan turntables to put inside regular cabinets. There are so many different sizes, heights, colors, etc. You’re sure to find something that will look good and function well in your kitchen!
.
That’s all for me this month.
Check out my previous months’ favorite things — and feel free to share some of YOUR favorite things in the comments below!
Nancy says
I bought a pair of fleece lined leggings in November at Marshall’s. I absolutely love them! They’ve become my “go to” pant when I’m home. I need to buy at least 1 more pair so I can still have a pair to wear when I need to do laundry.
Andrea says
oh good — glad you are staying cozy warm! I have my leggings on right now too!!
Stephanie says
Fleece lined leggings are the best! I of course follow the rule that they are NOT pants, so my booty and front need to be covered by a long tunic length shirt.
I know a lot of people don’t care about this….but for me personally I’d my shirt doesn’t cover my bottom or my front properly than I switch to jeans
Sometime the jeans go right over the leggings.
Erin Chorpening says
I love your favorite things posts. Keep them coming. I started using your recommended prarieland face cleanser. I love it so much and just placed my second order for the larger size! Thank you. Thank you for these posts.
Andrea says
yay — so happy to hear this! I just purchased the Wise Woman face cream for my mom (she just turned 60!)
And yes, I get the largest size of the 3 Citrus face cream — it’s glorious!
Dana says
Lazy Susans are THE BEST. We live in an older apartment with cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling, which means a lot of our storage space is up too high for me to access the back of the shelf easily (being 5’3″ has definite disadvantages). We put a couple of lazy Susans in those cabinets for smaller items, and it makes finding things SO much easier.
Andrea says
yes, we LOVE our lazy susans!! Glad you do too!
Kelly Hess says
I live NE Ohio and I love fleece lined leggings! They keep you so warm especially when I am walking the dogs. I feel guilty for not wearing other types of pants!
Andrea says
haha I know! I often have to force myself to wear “normal” pants because I feel bad letting them all just sit there in my closet!
Linda says
Thought of you today as I was purging. it’s a great feeling. I just really stopped in to say you look really great. The picture with your home shirt on. Healthy eating looks really good on you!
I always love your favorites edition and have purchased some of your items. Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy 2019!
Andrea says
thanks Linda! And yay for purging!!
Michelle says
Welcome back! Hope you had a wonderful break.
Andrea says
Thanks Michelle! It was a fantastic week “away”!
Debra Martin says
I definitely want to put in those built in lazy Susans when we renovate our kitchen, until then I will check out your ‘standalone’ link.
I always enjoy your “Favorite Things’ posts! Happy New Year to you and your awesome family Andrea. I read your blog every week day AM while eating my breakfast…and I am often searching it for helpful information that you have shared in the past.
Here’s to 2019!
Andrea says
Thanks so much Debra! Let’s hope 2019 is a fantastic year!
Kate says
I also received that $20 coupon from Eddie Bauer, about 3 or 4 months ago. I was thinking it was maybe because I used to shop with them but haven’t in a long time? I ended up getting a completely free shirt!
Andrea says
good to know about the $20! I have purchased several things from Eddie Bauer in the past, but you’re right, it has probably been many months since I bought anything. Well, now I got super cheap slippers that I absolutely LOVE!