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These Are a Few of My Favorite Things 🎶
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items Some of the products I've used over the years because they are or work as advertised.
Note: This list may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission (at no charge to you) if you make a purchase using these links.
Note: This list may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission (at no charge to you) if you make a purchase using these links.
Sections
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Automotive Essentials
Food, Glorious Food
Making a Fashion Statement
My Gardening & Hardware Must Haves
My Health/Beauty & Creature Comforts
My Off-the-Clock Gear & Games
Automotive Essentials
A car is more than just a place to get me from point A to point B.
I always have an emergency kit in my car, and this one comes loaded with a mini first aid kit, jumper cables, tow Rope, bandages, safety vest, and emergency triangle – and the price is unbeatable, too!
General Medi Roadside Car Emergency Kit
Remember when the check engine light went on, and could necessitate a (sometimes expensive) visit to the dealership? As a proud owner of the versatile and feature-packed Innova 3210RS, I can happily say that this is a must have for any car driver! No...
Innova 3210RS OBD2 Bluetooth Code Reader Dongle
I never want to leave the house with a battery-depleted smartphone – but sooner or later, that will happen, and this car charger is perfect!
LISEN Retractable Car Charger
If you love your baby like I love mine, TLC in the form of a detailing kit like this one is a must!
NIKCOSMK Car Detailing Kit
I've never trusted myself to gauge when my car tires are fully inflated – so a portable air compressor is a must! This multi-function unit does the job for car, motorcycle, bike tires, and even balls – and the LED light is a nice touch, too!
Pumptiva Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor
Food, Glorious Food
Foods and refreshments that leave my palate craving more.
With its rich and smooth taste (thanks to eggs and avo), it's the mayo that puts all other mayos to shame!
Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Mayonnaise
Another winner from Chosen Foods. Wasabi mayo is a tasty story of east meeting west! There's just the right amount of zing here to add personality to a plain cracker or chip!
Chosen Foods Wasabi Mayo
Thick, rich, and delicious: this yogurt ticks all the taste boxes for me! I usually put a variety of nuts and seeds in my bowl. Great after a workout at the gym at night.
Greek Gods Honey Greek-Style Yogurt
A teaspoon of this heavenly green powder, mixed with a little bit of honey and a lot of oat / almond / cashew milk, all heated up over the stove or in the microwave (my personal concoction) makes for a nice pick-me-up that gets me going for the day.
Organic Green Matcha Powder
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Despite my lifelong distaste of carbonated drinks, I like to indulge in a chilled glass of Aranciata Rossa (Blood Orange) or two at family holiday dinners.
San Pellegrino Sparkling Drinks
I'm salivating, just typing this note! Next to homemade guac, spinach dip is my to-go bread spread and chip dip!
Spinach Dip
Calorie count and waistline be damned – at least for one day a week!
Starbucks Frappuccino
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The first time I tried this rice-based pasta (which also comes in many other shapes), I was blown away by the amazing taste and texture. I could not tell that it was *not* wheat pasta! I am not a celiac nor do I have gluten sensitivities, but I have ...
Tinkyada Pasta Joy Organic Gluten-Free Brown Rice/White Rice Pasta
My favorite caffeine-free tea! I never put cream or sugar in my teas, but with rooibos, you don't have to -- it's naturally sweet!
Twinings Rooibos Red Herbal Tea
The first time I drizzled walnut oil over my freshly popped popcorn, I knew I was never going to go back to butter! La Tourangelle is my favorite brand.
Walnut Oil
Making a Fashion Statement
Fashion sense that makes financial cents: being smartly attired without going broke.
Good seasonal assortment of stylish and durable inner and outerwear in a range of colors for everyday and active lifestyles.
Costco Clothing
I was a bit skeptical when Marshalls arrived in Canada many years ago, but I love going there now instead of Winners! (did I say that out loud?) It's sticker shock that works in the consumer's favor!
Marshalls Clothing, Footwear, & Home Decor
I'm a big fan of New Balance shoes (and surprisingly, not the other maker whose name also starts with N!) My NBs have always been comfortable, stylish, and durable.
New Balance Shoes
I've worn my Redhead slipon shoes to bits on many a hiking trail over the years. Does that tell you how much I like them?
RedHead Shoes
This is one of the few products for which I feel that their higher price tag is justified, because Rockport shoes are comfortable and last for years. They are good investments for the feet!
Rockport® Shoes
I love my Under Armour camouflage jackets and hoodies! They are very well made, and keep me warm (without being thick and bulky) when I go birding.
Under Armour Camouflage Clothing
My Gardening & Hardware Must Haves
Essentials for all the seasons!
Indispensable for really hot days, summer BBQs, and long hiking expeditions. There simply is no other brand for coolers!
Coleman Coolers
Say goodbye to power cords with this sturdy and well-built portable compact cordless fan! The rechargeable battery works in other DeWalt powered devices (a big personal plus!)
DeWalt Portable Fan with 20V MAX Compact Lithium-Ion 3.0Ah Battery
This photogenic, cordless and quiet walk behind lawnmower cuts grass like a dream and charges quickly (and its lithium battery works with other EGO brand battery powered tools)! It's a breeze to clean up, and stores away in a space-saving, upright p...
EGO POWER+ 56V Brushless Cordless 21-in Self- ...
Well-made, and comfortable to use – even for many hours of gardening!
Fiskars Hand Pruners
Hands down (pun intended), these are the best gardening gloves I've ever used! Very durable, well made, and comfortable. Definitely several stitches higher in quality than the dollar knockoffs!
Gardena Latex Gardening Gloves
This is the best brand and hardware store to go to for the lowest-priced black oil sunflower seeds.
Home Hardware Pick of the Birds Black Oil Sunflower Bird Seed, 18 kg
Lowe's generally has the best selection (and prices) of mixed bird seed all year long (but especially in the fall).
Lowe's Mixed Bird Seed
I have several of these situated around the place, because none of my hummingbirds will share!
Perky-Pet Favored Pinch-Waist Glass Hanging Squirrel-Resistant Nectar Hummingbird feeder (16oz)
The clear, intelligent design of RESCUE! Yellow Jacket Traps offers ease of assembly and uses natural insect pheromones to attract wasps away from your home quickly and effectively. I was amazed to discover the speed with which many, many wasps were ...
RESCUE! Disposable Wasp & Hornet Traps
Best value mulch that money can buy! I've used lots of this Home Depot brand in the garden over the years!
Vigoro 2 cu. ft. Premium Red Wood Shredded Bagged Mulch
West Coast Seeds has an amazing assortment of specialty and heirloom vegetable seeds that I am hard pressed to find elsewhere!
West Coast Seeds
My Health/Beauty & Creature Comforts
The stuff that works for me, from head to toe.
Works better than any other lip balm I've ever tried previously, especially in the winter when lips can get chapped and cracked.
Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm
I use Clinique's exfoliating 7-day scrub and clarifying lotion--an amazing combination that is both gentle and effective!
Clinique Skincare, Makeup, Fragrances & Gifts
I could be a Dove spokesperson: my bathroom cabinets house the entire lineup of Dove body washes, shampoos, and conditioners.
Dove Body Washes / Shampoos / Conditioners
I don't buy shoes or sneakers unless they have Dr. Scholl's insoles in them. Comfort on the feet translates into less back pain!
Dr. Scholl's® Shoe Inserts, Insoles, & Orthotics
Yes, that's earthing, not earthling. These conductive mats are designed to help the user who's in physical contact (either by sitting, touching, or lying on it) with it absorb the earth's electrons for improved overall physical and mental wellbeing. ...
Earthing Grounding Mats
Works exactly as advertised! Fast absorbing and not greasy. The only thing that could do with some improvement is the dispenser.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Lotion Gel Cream With Hyaluronic Acid
Affordable, simple, effective. This is my go-to face cream, and I've used it for many years. It does a great job of hydrating my skin.
Olay Active Hydrating Cream Face Moisturizer
I've so many Sharper Image products, most memorably: massage guns, microdermabrasion kits, dartboards, pepper grinders, and golf finding glasses, to name a few. I've been more than satisfied with the quality of these. It may sound a bit cliché, but t...
Sharper Image
(many products)
I love to load up on these cozy print blankets before the madness of the Christmas shopping season starts. They deliver warmth without the weight, and because of that, they dry very quickly after being washed – no need for a spin in the dryer!
White River Home Coral Fleece Throw Blankets
My Off-the-Clock Gear & Games
When I'm not being creative in front of the computer (or taking a walking outside), here's what I like to do.
The dozen challenges that are part of this game are always great for getting my heart REALLY pumping – no matter what shape I'm in! My favorite is pipe sliding – I initially played that until I skinned my knuckles (I HIGHLY recommend workout gloves)!...
Active Life Outdoor Challenge
Don't laugh – I *still* get good mileage out of my Wii (the original, and the hardest one to find for many, many months after its rollout) and Wii Fit Balance Plus, even after all these years! There's nothing like a few sessions of heading soccer bal...
Nintendo Fit Balance Plus
Wakeboarding (I pulled some awesome tricks!), 100-pin bowling, frisbee (with a dog or cat as your partner), and golf are my favorites here! You won't get as intense a cardio workout as with my other favorites, but Wii Sports Resort on Wuhu Island (ge...
Nintendo Wii Sports Resort
Still a favorite!! With all the crashing into walls and corners that I do, I'm glad I can do that inside this game, and not on the road in real life!
Wii Mario Kart
With title characters like these two, you know you're in for fun of Olympic proportions! There are so many events and circuits to unlock, and you can choose from many Nintendo and Sega characters! The javelin and hammer throw are my favorites. Swimmi...
Wii Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games 2008
Not So Kitschy Kitchen Kitsch
Some of the appliances that I can't do without.
My kitchen is an ode to anything Breville (there are at least 3 small appliances that are used on a fairly regular basis (rice & risotto cooker, pressure cooker, and ice cream maker, if you must know)).
Breville Small Kitchen Appliances
I absolutely look forward to beef stew, carrots, and onions for dinner on the weekends, thanks to my Crock-Pot! (one of the few times where food prep was actually fun for me, because I could set it and forget it).
Crock-Pot®: The Original Slow Cooker
A big timesaver when I'm making guac, and so easy to clean up. I love the cordless design, and the charged unit is good for several uses!
Cuisinart CSB-179 Smart Stick Hand Blender
I have this thing for cute kitchen appliances. In the case of the Dash waffle makers, I actually have two.
Dash Waffle Maker
Beautiful design, amazingly sturdy, and cooks evenly (like a dream!) The patented non-stick surface has held up very well to many months of use (without scratches or loss of surface coating).
Heritage The Rock Non-Stick Frying Pan, Dishwasher & Oven Safe ...
The small appliance cooktop that makes me wish that all my cookware was induction compatible!
Salton Portable Induction Cooktop
These are reusable, last longer than the traditional sponges, and like typical washcloths, can be used over and over! Their non-abrasive nature means that they're gentle on many cookware surfaces, and that they dry quickly is also a big plus!
Swedish Dishcloths