Favorites
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Things I Love – #7
Click on the photos below for more information about each item.
Banza Pasta Pasta made from chickpeas. This comes in many shapes and sizes and you can buy it at Target. It’s great for vegetarians or anyone wanting more protein with their pasta. I like to rinse the pasta thoroughly after cooking to rinse any remaining chickpea starch.
Whole Foods 365 Vegetable Broth I know many non-vegetarians who also swear by this broth for making soups, rice, gravy, etc. It has a rich taste that’s difficult to find in vegetable broths.
Whole Foods fresh ground Almond Butter Fresh and yummy with a lower glycemic index than peanut butter.
Ezekial 4:9 Spouted 100% Whole Grain Bread It’s tasty and good for you – it’s organic and high in fiber and protein. It also doesn’t have any preservatives so you’ll most likely find it in your grocery store’s freezer. I store this in my freezer and throw a frozen slice in the toaster for avocado or almond butter toast. Delish!
Organifi Protein powder This is a really tasty plant-based protein powder.
LÄRABARS Made with 3 – 5 ingredients. One of the healthiest packaged snack bars you can buy
(clean but high in carbs, and not a huge amount of protein.) Peanut butter chocolate chip and peanut butter and jelly are two of my favorites.
Tazo Passion Tea For a homemade, low cal version of the Starbucks Passion Tea Lemonade brew a pitcher of tea, chill and mix over ice with Minute Maid low-calorie lemonade.
Toad Hollow Risqué sparkling wine Deliciously sweet and inexpensive for toasting the little things. It also makes a nice mimosa.
Domain Chandon étoile Rosé sparkling wine This sparkling wine is a little more grown-up, both in taste and in price.
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Things I Love – #6
Our daughter has been studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark this spring semester. In a couple weeks, John, my husband, and I leave for Copenhagen to see where she’s been living and to meet her host family. Then, we will travel with her to Stockholm, Sweden and Amsterdam, Netherlands before bringing her home. As you can see by my list below, I’m already thinking about what I’ll wear and pack for this trip.
Click on the photos for more details or to order.
Tag Heuer Aquaracer: John bought me this watch in Bermuda last year. I love the combination of black and silver. 
Mer Sea wrap: I love this wrap for travel. It doesn’t wrinkle and it looks just as good over a dress as it does over a t-shirt and blue jeans. Mine is the lighter acrylic but they also make cashmere blends for the colder months. 
Lululemon Align crop yoga pants: these are so comfortable. I love the capri length for long flights. They’re good for working out, too. 🙂 
J Crew denim shirt: this shirt dresses up my yoga pants (and covers my bottom) enough to wear them on the plane or run errands. 
Nike Women’s Free RN: these do not have enough support for me to run in, but they are great for traveling and site-seeing.
Bosom Buddy Bag: I found an adorable basket purse on a girl’s trip in Charleston. (Mine has a black ribbon.) Straw basket bags are very popular this year and you can custom order your bag with a specific color ribbon and bauble. 
Away Luggage: I bought this luggage for our daughter before her semester abroad and I have luggage envy. Soon I’ll purchase some for myself. Note: if you buy a set of two, you get a better price than buying one piece at a time. 
Archipelago Botanicals: the Charleston scent has notes of hyacinth, white jasmine and tuberose. 
Lubin Epidor Eau de Parfum: I discovered this at a small shop in Charleston. I love the scents of violet, jasmin and orange blossom mixed with vanilla, almond and sandalwood. (Of course, I found it on Amazon when I needed to replenish.) 
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Things I Love – #5
Sephora Beauty Insider: if you’re a beauty product and make-up junky like me, consider joining the free rewards program at Sephora. Once you accumulate enough points you will be able to select free items and eventually qualify for free two-day shipping. 
Lacôme Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover: gently removes even waterproof eye make-up 
Murad AHA / BHA Exfoliating Cleanser: this cleanser is nice during the winter because it helps to remove dead, flaky skin If your Mom didn’t tell you, I will – NEVER go to bed with make-up on, your skin recovers during the night and it can’t regenerate with dirt, oils and make-up clogging your pores. Your skin will appear dull and prematurely age if you don’t remove your make-up before going to bed. If you don’t believe me, read 6 Awful Things That Happen When You Sleep in Your Make-up.
Garnier Micellar Water: if you are too tired to wash your face, remove your eye make-up then wet multiple cotton pads with micellar water and wipe your face and neck until the last cotton pad is clean 
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Cream: great for mornings since it smooths, brightens and depuffs 
Smashbox Iconic Photo Finish Foundation Primer: fine lines magically disappear and it creates a smooth base for make up to glide over 
Laura Mercier Eye Basic: a great eye primer, I’ve been known to just wear this without any eye shadow 
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Radiance Perfecting Pen: apply this under eyes, on sides of nostrils and center of chin to brighten your face 
Beauty blender: make this damp and use it to blend in eye primer, concealer, foundation, etc. 
Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment: this is very moisturizing, I apply it multiple times throughout the day and before I go to bed 
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Things I Love – #4
It’s time for spring break. Here are a few essentials to pack in your bag.
Intelligent Nutrients antibacterial spray: this is always in my carry-on bag. 
Intelligent Nutrients Destress Express: I use this to freshen up our hotel room and mist my pillow at night. 
Illesteva Women’s Leonard Sunglasses: This style and color looks good on just about everyone. 
Sunbum sunscreen: I prefer spray sunscreen and this smells like summer. 
Elta MD Skincare UV Clean Boad-Spectrum SPF 46: this face sunscreen is light but has a strong SPF. 
Seafolly Cover-ups: I usually buy a couple of these every spring. 
Tory Burch Miller Sandal: This sandal will go with your swimsuit during the day and your dress at dinner. 
Yeti mug: This keeps my beverage cold by the pool / ocean. It also keeps hot beverages hot, if that’s your thing. 
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Things I Love – #3
Himalayan Salt Lamp: I received one of these for my birthday and I’ve bought three more since then. 
Privé shampoo & conditioner: I’ve used several varieties – amp up, damage fix and every day. They are all very hydrating for my fine, colored hair without weighing it down. 
L’Occitane cleansing and nourishing almond shower oil: I love how this foams up when it gets wet, and it smells great. 
Herbivore Coconut Milk bath soak: This makes your bath feel silky and it smells like coconut. 
Essie gel couture nail polish: This is the only polish that will stay on my fingernails more than a few days, and it doesn’t damage your nails like gels. 
Intelligent Nutrients OneBody hand and nail balm: I keep this next to my bed and put it on my hands at night. The scent is very calming. 
Vital Proteins Collagen: Add this to smoothies, coffee, whatever you drink in the morning. Your skin will thank you. 
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Favorite Hostess Gift Ideas
If your hostess gift is in a gift bag, consider a short note or at the very least a gift tag. If the gifts aren’t opened until after the event, your host won’t have any idea who to thank for the thoughtful gift.
Specialty candy / chocolates: a special little treat for the hostess to enjoy after the party.
Breakfast: your host will appreciate a fresh loaf of breakfast bread or muffins to enjoy the morning after the event.
Candle or room diffuser: unless you know specifically what kind of scent your host likes, select a mild scent.
Flowers: almost everyone loves flowers, but the last thing a hostess wants to do is leave her guests to find a vase and arrange flowers. Consider a seasonal flowering plant: jasmine, poinsettia, azalea, etc. Or consider sending flowers the following day with a thank you note.Alcohol: bring something your host enjoys (wine, bourbon, scotch, Baileys.) It doesn’t count as a hostess gift, if it’s something you want to drink during the party.
Pet treats: consider bringing the family pet a container of healthy treats or a new toy.
Thank you note. It doesn’t have to be a hand-written note (although a handwritten thank you note truly warms my heart and is usually on my bulletin board for weeks, if not months, like the card at left), but make sure to send a text or e-mail message to your host within 24 hours of the event.
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Things I Love – #2
Nest orange blossom candle – I love this scent in the middle of winter when I’m longing for flowers and sunshine. 
Malie Organics Linen & Room Spray – Pikake. Pikake is the Hawaiian name for Jasmine. 
Nutribullet Pro: make sure to purchase one with 900 watts or higher to have the power to emulsify your greens into smoothies and nuts into sauces. 
Wüstof chef’s knife and the serrated paring knife are my go-to knives. 
Williams Sonoma Home blanket – cozy cotton; lightweight, but warm. 
Turkish-T Beach Towels – so soft and absorbent. And they still look great after several washes! 
Huggable Hangers: thin, lightweight and easy to pack. The velvet surface keeps your clothes from falling off the hanger.
Doctor Becker’s Bites – one of our dog’s favorite (and healthy!) treats. 
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Things I Love – #1
Neocutis Journee with SPF 30 – my tinted moisturizer for day. 
Crème de la Mer for night – it is expensive but if your skin is dry, there’s nothing like it. 
Nutrafol for women – this product has helped thicken my fine hair. Even though the recommended dosage is four capsules / day, I only take one capsule / day. It will take 3 – 4 months before you notice a difference. Side benefit, my nails are super strong and grow really fast.
Laura Mercier almond coconut milk soufflé body crème – this scent makes me smile. I get compliments regularly when I use this body lotion.
Lucia candles – I discovered these at a vineyard in Napa. The scents are very subtle, so consider using them in a small area like a powder room. I bought all three of these scents.
Gray Malin photos – I own both of these and I’m always changing my mind about which one I want to buy next. 
