After reading Marie Kondo's
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up last year, I've been making an effort to evaluate each purchase I make and every item I bring into our home. I've focused on making purchases that will truly add value to my life in the short term and long term.
In this installment of Friday Fresh Picks, I'm sharing my best buys of 2016 and why they made such a lasting impression.
1. S'well Water Bottle
When I drink water, I like it to be ice cold. But with most cups the ice melts quickly, leaving me with lukewarm water. After reading all the positive reviews about the S'well bottle and hearing constant raves from Harper who loves her S'well, I finally bought one. The thermal lining keeps cold beverages cold for 24 hours and hot ones hot for 12 hours. I've definitely been drinking so much more water since I bought it and having a lot less dehydration headaches.
2. Mario Badescu Almond & Honey Face Scrub
I have long been a devotee to the Mario Badescu skin care line of products. Although they are great for any type of skin at any age, they have been doing wonders for my 40-something skin for years, especially more recently as I've been experiencing peri menopausal breakouts. A few months ago, I purchase the Almond & Honey Face Scrub and have been using it nightly since. It's non-abrasive yet does an amazing job of exfoliating my skin. It leaves me skin so smooth, soft, and hydrated that I often feel no need to follow up with a moisturizer (even though I always do).
3. Oneida Large Round Spatula
I don't know what took me so long to purchase this. I had finally had it with trying to flip pancakes and hash browns with a small rectangular spatula. This spatula is a lifesaver (and a food saver). No more hash browns that come out in clumps. I know how perfectly round hash browns and pancakes.
4. Rockland 3-Piece Luggage Set
When I started to think about packing for our trip to Florida back in October, I dreaded the thought. Mostly because our luggage was old, had broken zippers and wheels, and torn pockets. It was hardly functional or pretty. I started into buying a new set of luggage. I had no idea there were so many choices. It had been at least 15 years since I purchased luggage. I finally found this set at Target for a great price. I wanted a hard shell set, and this one got us through the trip in style and function.
5. A Subscription to Book of the Month Club
I knew that one of my goals for 2017 would be to do more reading. So in an effort to make that happen, I joined Book of the Month Club for $10/month. Oh, and I discovered BOMC through an ad on Instagram of all places. Anyway, here's how it works. At the start of each month, you'll get an email with 5 titles to choose from. You make your selection, and the book is then delivered to you with a note with my name handwritten on the envelope (a very much appreciated personal touch). You can't be the price for a hard cover book each month, plus I'm discovering new books and authors.
Thanks for checking out this week's Friday Fresh Picks. Swing by the rest of the FFP gals to see what they are loving this week.
Friday Fresh Picks are hand-picked favorite items, reviews and highlights from the amazing women you see above.
Visit their websites to learn about other amazing picks from this week!
To view all of my Friday Fresh Picks posts, click here.
