My Favorite Things List April 2017

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As a mom, as a woman, as a blogger, and as a black-belt shopper (wink), I am constantly looking for new products or apparel I love.  I try a LOT of new products and some I agree to share as a blogger because I love them, and some I just don’t care for and so I politely to decline to work with a company or brand.  From the beginning of my blogging journey a few years ago, I committed to only share things I honestly love and would use or have used.  I figured that you, my readers, would enjoy this too and it inspired another new series where I share my favorite things list each month.  Like my best friend, Heather, and I joke…..a true friend shares a good find (or a good sale). I love knowing what other people love and I hope you do too. So here is my list for April 2017.

Paris In Bloom

This gorgeous book by my sweet friend Georgianna Lane was recently released and I was so excited when it arrived!

Not only is this the perfect “coffee table book” because it’s lovely on the outside but wow….you open the book and each photograph that Georgianna has captured of Paris in the Spring time is absolutely magical.

There’s nothing better than grabbing a cup of tea and sipping it while flipping through the breathtaking images and just imagine that I’m sitting at a Parisian café near the Eiffel Tower.  Of course, after tea time I would be off to the flower market on my bike and then doing some antique shopping, followed by a stop at the patisserie for some macarons.  Sounds dreamy, don’t you think?!

Trust me, this book is a must-have and also makes the most perfect gift!  I highly recommend following Georgianna Lane on her Instagram feed HERE and also at A Parisian Moment.

Agape Candles

For those of you who follow me on Instagram, you know it’s no secret that my favorite candles lately are the Agape Candles.  Well, now Rachel (the creator, artisan and also my friend), has come out with another scent that I had to try.  It’s called Blush and I love it.  I featured this candle last month in my Easter Parade Blog Hop and it looked so pretty on my coffee table.

Silly confession:  I wanted to try it because of the name and my affinity for blush pink.  But the truth?  It’s absolutely dreamy and delightful!  It has a clean, soft, fresh and feminine scent.  I don’t know how Rachel does it but she manages to create the most amazing scents without being obnoxiously strong or fake smelling.  They are all so yummy!  I recently tried the Belgian Linen and Fresh Pompelmo and they are also to die for.  Everyone that’s tried them has fallen in love with them.  You can shop Agape Candles HERE and also follow Agape Candles HERE on Instagram.

Golden Plant Mister

That’s right, a plant mister.  Hear me out on this one….I have preserved boxwood wreaths and plants in my home and always have fresh flowers.  The boxwood need to be sprayed a couple of times a week and I hated my ugly spray bottle that sprayed such a wide area at a time and then the kids would leave it out.  When I saw this mister, I fell in love!  Ok, when I type that, it sounds weird haha but my husband is okay with my love for this mister!  {LOL}  It can even be left out “accidentally” or used as decor and reminds me to mist my plants and flowers.  If you get it, you’ll use it.  Your thumb will be “greener” and your plants will love you for it!

French Cottage Sign

This brass cast iron sign was too cute not to pick up for my new kitchen at “Tall Trees Lane” (the nickname we gave to the home we are currently building).  My all-white kitchen and brass hardware and accents will have more of a contemporary feel to it but I will always have an affection for all things French.  So, with a french cottage/contemporary style, I think this adorable “La Cuisine” sign will be the cutest addition somewhere in my kitchen.  I love fun little things like this.

Ceramic Initial Necklace

Can I tell you how much I love finding good shops on Etsy?  There are so many talented artisans, men and women, sharing their talents and creations and that is where I happened upon this gorgeous Single Initial Charm Necklace from Susan Gordon Pottery.

This pretty little fire-glazed charm has a 22k gold luster over-glaze on the top and comes with a lovely gold chain, in your choice of length.  I chose the blush “S” charm (I know, shocking haha) and recently layered it with a longer blush and pearl necklace.  I received so many compliments on it and how it was layered together.  It was so pretty on my neck.

I was so impressed with Susan and the quality and the detail she put into this dainty little charm.  Wouldn’t this make the perfect Mothers’ Day gift?  It could have the mother’s initial on it or even all her children’s initials on it. It would be a great gift for any occasion.

2 New Favorite Water Bottles

Yes, water bottles!  Cute water bottles are an important accessory.  I’m obsessed with this 12 oz glass bottle by Ted Baker London.  The blush sleeve with bows says “drink me” and keeps condensation off your hand or anything else.  I fill it up on my way out the door and put it in my purse.  If I’m thirsty or need to take my meds while I’m out with a client or a friend and shopping, I have it ready to go.  It’s the perfect size (the size of a plastic water bottle) and you can purchase it HERE.

I also fell in love with this Glitter Bomb Water Bottle that I take with me to the gym.  It’s pink and sparkly (yay and yay) with glitter that rolls around the inner wall (no liquid in that).  I like that it has a built-in straw with a silicone mouthpiece that flips open and closed so that I can sip it while I’m on a treadmill or other machine, which is just so much easier. It doesn’t leak water and I can just grab it with my finger and go.  Another plus…since it has a double wall, you don’t have to deal with the mess of condensation. It’ll be perfect for hiking all those waterfalls this summer in the Pacific Northwest. You can buy it HERE or HERE.

Life is short….buy cute water bottles!  These happen to be perfectly practical and necessary as well so it’s a win-win for me!

Face Cream and Pressed Foundation

If you don’t already know, I LOVE skin care and cosmetics!  Once upon a time, I was a makeup artist and worked for several well-known brands.  I’ve tried a LOT of different products and, as I’ve aged and had children and aged some more, have had several different skin issues so I know what works for me and what doesn’t.  I’m a big fan of IT Cosmetics™ and recently they sent me a kit with more of their Confidence In A Cream™, which I’ve tried and talked about before on my Instagram stories.  I love it!  It’s so good for your skin and I love the anti-aging benefits.  My skin just soaks it right up and there is no greasy or oily feeling.

And then, they sent me their new Confidence In A Compact ™ that I’ve been very anxious to try.   I’m always skeptical about a pressed foundation BUT….it won my heart!  If I didn’t love it, I would not be writing this review. It would just go unmentioned.  Ladies, this gave me fabulous coverage, has SPF 50 which is really important, didn’t settle into my creases, felt light, and covered my discoloration from sun damage. Woohoo!  I especially love the brush (my new favorite!!!) that you use to just swirl and then dab it all over your face.  When I read about it, I was so happy to know that it was developed with plastic surgeons and is the first-ever solid serum foundation.  It’s also anti-aging so that’s another bonus.  It’s definitely a bonus and I highly recommend trying it!  Let me know what you think, I’d love to hear your feedback.  Send me an email or leave a comment below.  I just received another fun box from IT Cosmetics™ as well and I’m so excited to try the products and maybe get to share it with you next month as well if I love it!  So far, I’ve loved everything from them.  Shop more of their products HERE.

Pajama Pants

I pretty much love pajamas as much as I love my other apparel because when I put them on, it means that I finally get to relax for the evening.  I’m not the kind of girl who will wear any old t-shirt or old pair of sweats to bed or around the house.  Nope.  I just adore pretty pajamas and might have a bit of an obsession with buying them.

I found these adorable Rose Ruffle Bedhead™ pajamas at Target and had to have them.  They’re light and comfy and soooo cute! I love the floral print, the bright summer colors, and the adorable ruffle.  However, I will tell you that they run really big.  I grabbed a medium because I like pj’s to be bigger and roomy but I could’ve easily gotten the small, so I’m exchanging them.  They have a tall waist.  But put on a tank top or t-shirt and no one will know you look like PeeWee Herman underneath hahaha!  Seriously though, I love them.

So there you have it….My Favorite Things List for April 2017!  What did you think?  What are you wanting to try or purchase?  Have you tried any of these things or already have them and have an opinion?  Or….maybe you have some favorite things you’d like to share with me.  PLEASE DO!! Remember, a good friend shares a good find and a good sale, so don’t hold out on me!  Leave a comment below.

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xoxo,