Friday favorites vol. 1

I’ve been a fan of Shay’s/Mix and Match Mama’s blog for a while, so I decided to jump in on the Friday Favorites link-up (with her, Erica, Andrea, and Narci) for the first time this week. I can hardly make it through the day without referring to something or someone as “my favorite” so this link up is my jam.

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In the winter my hands are typically cracked and dry. Sometimes the dryness is painful, and it’s never pretty. We were visiting my side of the family a couple of years ago and my younger sister observed the sorry state of my hands. She looked at my husband and said, “You’re supposed to be taking care of her!” and we all had a good laugh.

This year I made it my mission to keep my hands in better shape, if nothing else to prevent my husband from being scolded by my sisters at Christmas. 😉 The thing that has made the biggest difference, and my first FAVORITE, is J.R. Watkins Shea Butter Hand Cream, with the scent Coconut Milk & Honey.

It smells dreamy and I’ve been religious about applying it after washing my hands and before I put my winter gloves on to go outside. The difference it has made is noticeable. Highly recommend!

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Earlier this week I shared a post about some of my FAVORITE websites to visit before I buy anything on Amazon. Check it out!

 

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This Threshold Sweater Knit blanket easily made my next FAVORITE. My sister and brother-in-law gave it to me for Christmas and I’ve been carrying it around the way a toddler would a security blanket. Partly because it’s cold and partly because it’s one of the best blankets ever. It is sooooo warm and soft. The individual threads are white with a dark line going through them. The look reminds my husband of beef barley so he has lovingly nicknamed it “beef.”

Don’t ask what we call our pillows. ?

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Due to several long road trips last year, I rediscovered my love for podcasts. My FAVORITE right now is Terrible, Thanks for Asking by Nora McInerny. What’s the show about?

From their website:

You know how every day someone asks “how are you?” And even if you’re totally dying inside, you just say “fine,” so everyone can go about their day? This show is the opposite of that. Hosted by author and notable widow (her words) Nora McInerny, this is a funny/sad/uncomfortable podcast about talking honestly about our pain, our awkwardness, and our humanness, which is not an actual word.

The episodes I’ve listened to are about tough topics like a traumatic brain injury, surviving assault, stillbirth and infertility, and navigating the holidays when you don’t feel happy. I enjoy this show because it’s raw and real. You should listen so we can discuss it together.

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My next FAVORITE is Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater. It was a Christmas gift from my brother-in-law, sister-in-law and nephew. The spray has a lovely rose scent and is so refreshing. I like doing a quick spritz of it before putting on my lotion and anytime my face feels a little tight/dry. I keep trying to get my husband to let me spray it on his face because I like the way it makes my face feel so much, but he’s not having any of that.

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My new FAVORITE prayer is this morning prayer offering my day to the Lord. I always heard other people talk about the fruits of praying a morning offering, but never did so myself. A planner I received from my siblings-in-law and nephew (also for Christmas, yes I’m spoiled by all of our family!) included it and I made the New Year’s resolution to pray it every morning this year. It’s a lovely way to start the day. Join me?

From the Catholic Through The Year planner.

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My final FAVORITE is a new Youtube channel hosted by my husband’s cousin, Jackie. She shares about all things make up and beauty in a way that is approachable and easy for people who know next to nothing about make up (looking at myself in the mirror here) to understand. One thing I’ve learned is the right way to wash my make up brushes. I wash them somewhat regularly and they always shed after, which I learned is probably because I was drying my brushes in a way that made the water run back up the brush dissolving the glue.

That’s it for my Friday favs!

Can you tell it’s one of my 2017 goals to blog more??? Let me know if there’s anything you want me to write more about!

Hope you have a lovely weekend. <3