A few of my favorite things

Method's Pink Grapefruit All Purpose Surface Cleaner

I don't know why, but I just feel good cleaning my counter tops with this stuff. Perhaps a little of it is that it's natural or something...perhaps because it smells freshly of grapefruit?  Perhaps I feel like I'm not cleaning with some product full of weird toxic chemicals?  Maybe just because it's pink?  I don't know why exactly, probably all of the above. But I love it, love it!

The Dainty Petal Etsy Shop and blog -- for darling bows, headbands and earrings.  I'm hurrying over to her shop for these two...and maybe a few more. :)

Savvy was stuck in a bow rut, wearing the same pink, white, or black bows over and over again.  I love the bows made by this darling cousin of mine Stefanie especially because of how versatile they are. Savvy can wear them on her head, and I can clip them on my cardigan, or in my hair to defrumpitize my daily pony-tail.  They also are very hardy (Savvy is not exactly gentle with her headwear). Stef also has a blog in which she posts what she is working on: thedaintypetal.blogspot.com

Pentel RSVP fine point pens

I have turned into a pen snob. I whimper in disappointment if I check my purse and don't have one of these to write with and am stuck with a Bic or some other cheap pen.  I chuckled the other day when I was at a Relief Society meeting where they passed around a familiar ziplock baggie full of of a hodge podge collection of pens. When I used to live in the ward here in Chicago, I would clean out my desk that would be full of pens (Kyle's a pen collector it seems) I never used or wanted and donate them to the relief society closet. I'm glad to know they are still being put to good use. In the mean time, I will write my thank you notes, to-do lists, and checks with these babies. They just feel good in my hand, you know?

Plastic scraper

One of the handiest little kitchen gadgets that I have managed to keep track of during all of our moves has been this awesome plastic scraper. I received it along with some other cool kitchen gadgets at a bridal shower and I have to say, it is one of my favorite gifts I've ever received.  Every time I use it to get "guck" (as we called it growing up) off the counter or floor, I have to smile and just be grateful for such a handy tool. I found a yellow one at Wal-Mart or Target not too many months ago and bought it. What could be better than a plastic scraper?  Two plastic scrapers!

Bailey Baby Design -- my favorite are the onesies for both the baby boys and girls -- so cute!

Giving one of these at a baby shower is nice because I can fit in with all the other talented and crafty women who thoughtfully gift their handmade quilts, baby carrier covers, knitted booties, etc.  These gifts are handmade and original, too... only I just didn't make them.  Giving one of these adds a personal touch of thoughtfulness and cuteness.  (Note that I have not taken credit for making a onesie from this store...yet!) There's also cute car seat covers, blankets and other darling baby stuff that makes shopping for a shower or your own little one easy and fun.  I think its about time I stock up for our little girl come to think of it... :)

Sears' Jeans warranty for kids

I cringe thinking about the two pairs of jeans I bought for Cade at the Children's Place last fall which he subsequently ripped holes into not 4 weeks later.  Had I known about Sears' warranty, I would have been buying their Levi's for him a lonnnnng time ago.  If your child gets holes in the pants, simply bring them back with the receipt and replace them for another pair for free! (of course they have to be the same size). I've already gone back twice and the returns have been hassle free.

Eventbrite.com

I am in the middle of planning my 10 year class reunion which is coming up this fall. Without this Web site, I'd be so lost! It is collecting all the money and keeping track of the tickets and attendees. Hooray.  Planning something long-distance is hard enough as it is, so I am beyond grateful to have learned about this tool! Downside? Eventbrite won't deposit the money it has collected into my personal account until 2 weeks after the event. A little silly, but other than that, it has been a life saver!


MacBook Pro:

I've always thought it a little odd having majored in PR and done the majority of my design, writing and editing education on Mac computers, yet not being totally converted to the Mac way of life....until now, 5 years post graduation.  It must have been simply because I didn't have my own Mac. Now that I do, I love it!  It was an easy transition.  I know there are still dozens of easy shortcuts I still haven't discovered just yet, but for now, it is doing the job fabulously.  Some of my favorite applications are the i-calendar, the photo booth, and how well it organizes my pictures for me in i-photo. Oh and I love the magnetic power cord feature! So brilliant!!

This maternity dress from Old Navy:

So comfy. I wear this paired with a hot pink Shade shirt underneath and teal cardigan on top multiple times a week. It keeps me cool while helping me keep my dignity by covering my vericose-veined legs.  I am sure I'll keep wearing it after the baby is born, too. You know, to help me during that awkward post-pregnant-but-still-look-pregnant stage.

Buster Brown shoes and snow boots

Like most, my children are tough on their shoes and so far this brand for the price can't be beat.  Cade recently grew out of his pair, but we were lucky to have a pair of Keens (equally as fantastic as the BBs, but I haven't priced them) given to us from our friends to pick up where his Buster Browns left off.  Savvy has a pair of white ones and brown Mary Jane's. They are sturdy, and usually you can get a great deal at Famous Footwear on them.  This past winter I didn't realize until after the first snow that both of my children needed new boots. I don't enjoy spending money on boots that may only last my children one season, so I avoid the high-quality (expensive--usually) brands.  Of course Target was cleaned out their boots, as was Wal-mart. Lucky for me, Famous Footwear had the Buster Brown boots in stock and had them on sale, too. I was thrilled. I've been really pleased with them and I think (knock on wood) they may last another winter. Yahoo!