Favorite Things

"Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. . ." No, although they're very nice. I thought I'd write a quick note on my favorite things.

1. Nexxus Therappe hair products. I've tried tons of the premiums shampoos (my sister is a cosmetologist extraordinaire and keeps me well supplied) and I keep coming back to this line. Nothing leaves my hair as manageable and frizz-free as these products. Word of warning for gals lucky enough to have naturally oily hair-stay far, far away. These products are great for people with naturally curly, naturally dry hair. You can and should get them from Costco.

2. Curel body lotion. Again, for those lucky enough to have oily skin, this is probably not necessary for you. But, the Intensive Moisture Therapy product (red label) is the only lotion that I can apply once, and not have to reapply--all day. Love, love, love this stuff--and it's unscented, so anybody with sensitive skin should be okay with it.

3. Costco generic loratadine--hmmm, 300 pills of loratadine for $12 or $35 for 80 Claritin pills. Same medicine, same amount of medicine--this is a no brainer. We were spending a lot on medication for my son who suffers from allergies pretty much year round. When we were on vacation this July at my sister-in-law's house, I forgot our Claritin, and my son had rubbed his face in their cat's bed. They offered the Costco stuff, it worked great on my son's allergy flare up, and I haven't made that mistake again. Bless you (and curse you) Costco for making the things I need (and don't need) in large quantities.

4. Trader Joe's. Okay, I'll be honest here. I used to roll my eyes at my friends at work who spoke with slavish fanaticism at the stuff they got from their local Trader Joe's. It was, and is, a supremely yuppie place to shop. That said, the prices on milk, sour cream, eggs and other dairy aisle items are lower than any of the larger grocery chains, and our local non-chain grocery store I frequent. Their convenience items are also not expensive--broccoli chopped and ready to steam 2 lb for $1.99 (to the chagrin of my kids)! The Joe Joes are better than Oreos, and right now they have some with real candy canes in the frosting goodness that is the filling. And, if you haven't tried the kettle corn--you are missing a real treat.

5. The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Myer. Stay-at-home-mom of three fits writing 600+ page best-selling novels in between potty-training and church callings and all the other stuff that moms do during the day. Inspirational! I was introduced to these by a good friend, and I in turn bought them for my very self, and loaned them to other friends--all of which at one point or another have called at odd hours of the day begging me to spoil the plot for them. Eng, no reading the last chapter, you'll only ruin for yourself!!!! I enjoy these so much, I re-read when I don't have anything new. It's a true guilty pleasure--one of many, but I'll leave those for another entry.