These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

I've been singing this song to my 18-month-year-old ever since I watched The Sound of Music on the treadmill (walking) before Christmas. I now know the words perfectly after refreshing my memory.

Earlier this year, my friends and I had a girls weekend in Galena, Illinois. One thing we did was a gift exchange where we each brought each other one of our favorite things we discovered over the year and love. After this, we continue to text when we find something we love! This is the best way to discover new things. (Especially for aging, 40-somethings!)

This post includes all of the things I've discovered this year - you will find a very wide variety given my age, the age of my children, and my randomness in general.

Here we go!

2024 Planner - I got this for myself, as well as my direct reports. They ended up getting more for their direct reports! It holds you accountable to your goals and keeping the high priority items high priority.

Journal Pens - these make me happy. That is all.

Repair Hydrating Serum - who knew that snails play a part in beautiful skin? Apparently this has been a secret of other countries for a long time, but I just found out about it this year. This is affordable, ultra-hydrating, and I can tell a difference!

Glotion - this is amazing! One of the favorite things gifts from my friends. It is a bronzer and moisturizer in one. On work days, I wear under my makeup and on the weekends, I just wear this!

Sunscreen for the family - we have to balance a lot of different needs, but this multi-pack is my go to that I have on hand at all times for all of us.

Owala Flip Water Bottle - my toddler loves this! He likes that he can control opening and closing this water bottle. It is easy to take with us anywhere, and he drinks so much water because he loves his water bottle. He calls it "watey."

Safety Door Locks - If you have lever door knobs and a toddler, you need these! Our toddler started opening doors shortly after a year, and this was a safety must (even though the other kids hate child proofing, haha!)

Leadership quote canvas - if you need a gift for your boss, or a congratulatory gift, this is the best leadership quote and compliment for a leader.

Vise Clear Three Ball Bowling Bag - no, I'm not a bowler. I really like to bowl, but I can hardly get to 100 in any given game. However, my fourteen-year-old son is on the bowling team and in several bowling leagues. I love this sport for him. It has been so fun! We have two of these bags and probably a third in the future, as apparently as a bowler you need an extensive ball collection. He spends a lot of his working paycheck on bowling balls!

Heavy Duty Foil Pans - these are life savers for big families and busy working parents! I get them on subscribe and save every month. The have the flat lids that are convenient and easy to store. It saves clean up time.

Alani Pre Workout - this is what I buy for my two teenage girls. They both work out differently, but both like to use it before their workouts!

Tru Niagen - I started taking this when we were trying to conceive. It is supposed to keep your cells young. I still take it and it is something I never skimp on!

Counter Makeup Organizer - I never thought I needed an organizer for my bathroom counter top. I saw this on another person's Facebook page and now I can't imagine life without it! I keep my daily face products and a few other things on this and it is so easy to keep organized. No longer does my countertop look like a horrible mess every day!

Nuby Diaper Sacks - we tried the diaper genie, but it just didn't work for us. We use these individual smell good diaper sacks instead. They are easy to keep in the diaper bag and use at home for every smelly diaper!

Butter Soft Leggings - these are amazing and my go-to leggings! They are not expensive, and I can easily dress them up for down.

Favorite Green Blouse - this is my favorite shirt. I wear it far too often, but I get compliments every single time I wear it, so why not?! It is amazing! I have several of the colors, tbh.

Gold Bond Crepe Corrector Lotion - I LOVE this. I use it every day and every night on my skin!

Lifter Gloss - I was on a work trip and another girl had this lifter lip gloss. Game changer! Love it!

Gold Rose Diamond Ring - this is gorgeous and looks real. I wear it on my right hand.

Zak Toddler Straw Water Bottle - we have a lot of water bottles in our house! These are another favorite for our toddler.

Coconut Tanning Water - gahh this is definitely in my top five. Being over 40, I can't tan in the sun like I used to as I already did enough damage! This spray doesn't make me turn orange, or look unnatural. It is the best.

Gold Bond Chest & Neck Cream - another great product from Gold Bond. I hate my neck and my chest isn't great either. My friend told me about this product and I use it religiously now!

9 Foot Prelit Christmas Tree - there was a tree that Tiktok made viral this year that my friend and I couldn't get our hands on. So, we were on the hunt for an alternative. My biggest want was a tree that I don't have to fluff. I hate doing it. This one did pop up nicely and we loved it this year!

Portable Charger - I never knew which one to buy, but my friend recommended this one and it works and stays charged when I need it most!

Lulu Scuba Dupe - this is the best dupe of the scuba sweatshirt I've found. I live in this one!

Peter Thomas Roth Eye Tightener - my friend told me about this. It is great!!!

Toothpaste - I have receding gums from having braces. I am trying my best to keep them at bay so I don't have to have surgery. This is great toothpaste to help with gum help and tooth enamel. Thank you, Uncle Harry!

Culture Shock Book - the latest from Clifton. It has updated research on workplace culture and a must-read if you are a leader!

Ok that is it for now. At some point, I will organize these posts better by category and include images!

Would love to hear if you try any of my favorite things what you think!