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Things I Love – #17
If it’s time to refresh your wardrobe for Winter, check out some of these great deals I found online. (Click on photos below for more information.)
Zara Oversized Knit Sweatshirt 
Zara Wide Leg Knit Pants These Zara pieces are cute and cozy for lounging or working from home. There’s just enough wool in these pieces to keep you warm without being itchy. I’m allergic to wool and have no problem wearing these.
H&M Long Hoodie 
H&M Joggers These H&M pieces are another cozy lounge set. These pieces are lighter than the set above from Zara.
H&M Oversized Hoodie This H&M hoodie is longer and works great with leggings or skinny jeans. I’ve found that H&M has great sweatshirts for men and women, but the trick is to check in often. One of my favorite H&M gray sweatshirts with a stripe down the arm sold out really fast.
H&M Turtleneck Dress I love this dress. I have a few very expensive cashmere sweater dresses that I hardly wear because they’re too warm and I save them for nice events. This is a great everyday sweater dress. It’s a little longer but has slits on both sides. This fall I wore it with a pair of slip-on sneakers, but I will definitely wear it with black tights and ankle boots this winter. UPDATE: The H&M Turtleneck dress above sold out in gray, it is still available in beige melange. Click here and here for more turtleneck dress options.
H&M Plaid Shirt Dress This is another really cute dress that I have received compliments on. I’ve worn it with a white tank top underneath and Vans mules. Again, I’ll probably wear black tights, Moto boots and a long sleeve t-shirt underneath as it gets colder.
Madewell Ribbed Crewneck Madewell makes great t-shirts for layering. If you aren’t familiar with Madewell denim, check out their Roadtripper Jeans. These are the only jeans I would wear while traveling.
Modern Citizen Keira Ribbed Knit Skirt This is more expensive than the items above, but I always like to have a good quality, long knit skirt to wear with chunky sweaters and boots. This model is tall, so the skirt hits closer to the top of the boot on me.
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Fall Organization
Something about fall always prompts me to organize at least some of my cupboards, drawers, closets, etc. Maybe it’s because I know I’m going to be spending a lot more time indoors and having things organized makes me happy and helps keep my stress levels lower – something we all need this year!
Imagine how excited I was to discover The Home Edit (THE) on Netflix just as I was planning my trip to The Container Store. Based on the number of people at The Container Store with THE branded items in their carts and the empty shelves throughout the store, I’m not the only one who watched this new series. There are several things about this show that stress me out and don’t make sense to me – like the assistants showing up with a vehicle full of assorted storage containers before they’ve ever visited the property. You know some measurements had to be taken and a discussion of container styles must have happened, all of this seems more important to me than some of the other items they focus on during the episodes. However, I do like the idea of using clear containers to organize my cupboards and when the containers are full, it’s time to edit. Also, organizing by rainbow? Really? I organize my closet by season and style (all tank tops together from lightest to darkest, followed by t-shirts, then long sleeve shirts, then button down shirts, etc.) Does anyone have a rainbow of tank tops or t-shirts? Am I the only one with a closet full of white, gray, navy and black clothes?
My organized vase cupboard 
Still a work in progress – waiting on two back-ordered pantry bins for floral supplies and empty candle holders. Also, am I ever going to make my own candles? It might be time to purge some of those candle holders if I don’t find new candle inserts soon. 
Laundry / craft / gift wrap room junk drawer I did order The Home Edit book from Amazon and I’m only a few chapters in, but I think I’ll enjoy the show more knowing their thought process / plan of attack. If the show is inspiring you to organize; but you aren’t an organizer by nature, I’d suggest picking up the book before jumping in and getting completely overwhelmed. A second book called The Home Edit Life was just released and is also available on Amazon. I bought this book as well, but haven’t even cracked the cover. Once I do, I’ll post an update if I think it’s worth buying both books.
One last thing I just discovered, on Facebook there are neighborhood groups called “Buy Nothing.” Search on Facebook for one near you. Once you’re a member of the group, you can post items you want to purge and also items you’re in search of. Since the groups have very definite neighborhood borders, you know every drop off or pick up is nearby. Very clever.
Has anyone else been on an organizing kick lately? Please share tips or tricks in the comments.
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Click on the three lines to the left of the word “lifestyle” at the top of this page and enter your email address to receive notifications by email when I post something new on this blog. Also, follow me on Instagram at cocktailsandgratitude for photos of cocktails, flowers, my pets and, eventually, more travel.
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Angry Balls
Since we aren’t able to use our season tickets for the Minnesota Twins games, we decided to host a backyard viewing party for a small group of friends who share our tickets. We served baseball food: hot dogs, brats, potato chips, peanuts and cracker jacks.
Baseball Snacks 
One of our guests brought these amazing sugar cookies from Icing Art by Mary Bolger. For cocktails we drank beer and…
Angry Balls
12 oz of Angry Orchard hard cider
1+ shot Fireball (we store our bottle in the freezer)
If you have a frosty glass, use it. If you want to add a few ice cubes, do it.
This tastes like cinnamon apple cider.
Cheers!
Angry Balls Click on the three lines to the left of the word “lifestyle” at the top of this page and enter your email address to receive notifications by email when I post something new on this blog. Also, follow me on Instagram at cocktailsandgratitude for photos of cocktails, flowers, my pets and, eventually, more travel.
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Things I Love – #16
Here’s another Amazon list, but this one is focused on household items. Since I am still limiting the number of stores I go to, we have weekly Amazon deliveries. Click on the photos below or the blue text for an Amazon link to the products listed.
La Creuset Wine Cooler Sleeve If you want to chill down a bottle of wine quickly or just keep your open bottle of patio wine nice and cold, order this La Creuset wine cooler sleeve. When it’s empty, it folds flat so it doesn’t take up much room in your freezer.
Nest Island Rain & Sea Salt Candle 
Nest Ocean Mist & Sea Salt 3-Wick Candle You know I love Nest candles since they’ve been on my blog several times in Things I Love – #8 , Things I Love – #2 and the Nordstrom Sale. These two candles smell so fresh and they are in beautiful containers that can be repurposed after the candle is gone. I bought these for birthday gifts but I like them so much I might need to order more for myself. The Ocean Mist candle is more expensive, but note it is a larger 3-wick candle.
Lucia Candles These Lucia candles were on my Things I Love – #1 post. I first discovered Lucia candles at a vineyard in Napa. I didn’t want to pack a glass candle holder in my suitcase so I found them online and ordered them before we even left Napa. Amazon offers different scents at different times; so if these scents don’t appeal to you, check back in a few weeks to see if there is a new scent in stock. The scents are very mild, so they’re best used in a smaller room like a bathroom or bedroom.
EltaMD SPF 40 Facial Sunscreen – Clear 
EltaMD SPF 46 Sensitive or Acne Prone Skin – Tinterd EltaMD Face Sunscreen was in Things I Love – #4. The EltaMD sunscreen line is recommended by dermatologists because it doesn’t leave an oily residue behind which might cause breakouts or reactions with sensitive skin. There are multiple variations of this sunscreen, so look around for the correct one to fit your skin needs. I personally prefer the clear sunscreen over the tinted.
Yahtzee 
Leather Felt-lined Yahtzee Cup with 5 dice 
Yahtzee Score Pads Early in the quarantine process, I sent my daughter a Yahtzee game. Then we had a Zoom call where we played Yahtzee as a family. The game I bought her had a plastic cup and was really loud when shaking the dice, so I bought her the leather felt-lined Yahtzee cup. I also discovered I was running low on score sheets, but guess where I found them… on Amazon, of course!
Play Nine – Golf Card Game Are you getting tired of all of your games? We love Play Nine. Even though it’s called a golf game, it really has nothing to do with golf except using golf terminology on the cards like Hole-In-One, Out-of-Bounds, Par, etc. It’s a fun game for 2 – 6 players and you can easily visit and play. My Mom has a regular Play Nine ladies group and they set up two tables with a set of cards for each table.
Homech Tower Fan We don’t have central air in our house, so in the summer we always have a fan in our kitchen. Our old fan stopped working, so I ordered this streamlined Homech tower fan and we love it. It doesn’t take up much space but it really moves the air around the room and it’s quieter than a regular fan.
Olly Sleep Gummies I’ve been using Olly Sleep gummies to help me go to sleep for over a year. What I like about these is I haven’t built up a tolerance to them like you can with plain Melatonin. I chew two gummies as I’m going to bed most nights and I’m able to read for 15 – 30 minutes before I start falling asleep.
Silicone Baking Cups I bought these silicone baking cups in both standard and large. They’re great for making cupcakes, muffins or individual egg bakes and you can use them in the microwave. They also add a fun pop of color to a cheese board when filled with olives, fig jam, nuts, etc. I can only assume they would make a great snack cup for kids filled with goldfish or other small treat.
Since I’m shopping on Amazon weekly, sometimes even daily, I’m going to post regular list of things I’m buying on Amazon. So please share this post with others who might enjoy regular Amazon suggestions and comment below with some of your favorite things to buy on Amazon.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Click on the three lines to the left of the word “lifestyle” at the top of this page and enter your email address to receive notifications by email when I post something new on this blog. Also, follow me on Instagram at cocktailsandgratitude for photos of cocktails, flowers, my pets and, eventually, more travel.
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Things I Love – #15
Below are some of my favorite clothing items on Amazon and a few new items that caught my eye. Click on the photos below or the blue text for a link to each item.
Long Sleeve Tunic Dress Dresses are one of my favorite things to wear because it’s a fast and easy way to look pulled together. This long sleeve tunic dress is lined, has pockets and it comes in a variety of colors. I have the red one.
Short Sleeve Tunic Dress The same dress as above except with a cute ruffle short sleeve. I have the black one.
Maxi Tank Dress Every closet should have a long tank dress. You can dress this up or down and add layers underneath or on top. I love throwing on an oversized cardigan or denim jacket with sneakers for running errands. Switch out your shoes, add some fun jewelry and you’re ready to go out for dinner.
Tank Swing Dress If maxi dresses aren’t your thing, here’s a short tank dress that is just as flexible.
T-shirt dress If you’d prefer to cover your arms, here’s a great t-shirt dress that comes in a variety of colors.
V-Neck Tunic Dress This is a super cute dress to throw on as a cover-up or to wear running errands with a pair of flip flops.
BB Dakota This BB Dakota dress would make a great date night or even wedding guest dress.
Round Rattan Handbag Every time I use this rattan bag I get at least one compliment from a stranger. You can fit a small wallet, a cell phone, hand sanitizer and a baggie with a face mask inside. Perfect for a day of errands.
Assorted scarves I use this assortment of twenty different scarves to tie on my handbags. I love to find a scarf that ties my handbag and outfit together and this assortment covers every color combination.
Champion V-Neck Tee This Champion V-Neck is a great workout shirt and it’s available in a variety of colors. I have the blue one.
Under Armor Capris These Under Armour leggings are super light for summer workouts.
Cotton Nightgown I bought several of these cotton nightgowns in different colors. They are really comfortable and long enough to wear around the house.
I’ll post an Amazon favorites list with household items soon. What are some of your favorite Amazon clothing finds?
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Click on the three lines to the left of the word “lifestyle” at the top of this page and enter your email address to receive notifications by email when I post something new on this blog. Also, follow me on Instagram at cocktailsandgratitude for photos of cocktails, flowers, my pets and, eventually, more travel.
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Nordstrom Sale
Even if you don’t typically shop at Nordstrom, this sale is worth checking out. Shipping is always free with Nordstrom and I love that you can create a wish list so on the first day of the sale, you can quickly pop items into your cart and check out before items are sold out. Nordstrom has a lot of exclusive packaged sets during the sale which are great for gifts or to try a new item in a line you already like. Below are a few of my favorite things from the sale and a few of these have already been featured on a Things I Love list. (Click on the photos below or any blue words for more information.)
Nest Grapefruit Candles 
Nest Votive Trio Nest Candles – you can never go wrong buying candles. Buy scents you like and keep them in the box until you use them. Candles make a great emergency hostess or birthday gift. I listed Nest candles in Things I Love – #8 and Things I Love – #2.
Voluspa 5 Mini Tin Candles 
Voluspa 3 Mini Tin Candles Voluspa candles – I really love these metal tins for when I travel.
Ugg Whistler Throw Blanket Throws / blankets – Cooler days will be here before you know it, so it’s a great time to stock up on new cozy blankets and throws.
Nécessaire Eucalyptus Body Wash and Lotion Nécessaire – This body wash was on my Things I Love – #14. I love the eucalyptus scent and this is a great way to try the lotion.
Ouai Hair Oil & Leave-In Conditioner Ouai Leave-in conditioner – This leave-in conditioner was on my Things I Love – #9. I use this every time I wash my hair and my daughter used it as a detangler for her long hair when she visited. I imagine the hair oil would be great in the winter or for hair damaged by sun or color.
L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil and Refill Pouch L’Occitane Shower Oil – This was on my Things I Love List – #3. I love this body wash. It has a runny oil texture right out of the bottle. Put some in your hands, add a little water and rub together to make a luxurious, moisturizing foam.
La Canadienne Meadow Waterproof Bootie 
La Canadienne Sara Waterproof Chelsea Boot Booties – If you’re planning to invest in a high quality pair of leather booties this year, check out the ones on sale. Granted paying $300 for a pair of booties is a lot, but I own booties from LaCanadienne and I can tell you they are super comfortable and they last for years.
Patagonia Nano Puff Water Repellent Puffer Jacket Patagonia – there are several winter coats included in the sale. The Nano jackets are great because they take up a very small amount of space when you travel.
Nordstrom Colorblock Funnel Neck Cashmere Sweater Cashmere Sweaters – click on sweaters and then refine your search by clicking “material” then check “100% cashmere” and “cashmere blend” to quickly see all the cashmere sweaters included in the sale.
Coach 
Ted Baker Handbags – There are many cute handbags included in the sale. These are two of my favorites.
Share below what’s on your Wish List from the Nordstrom sale.
Click on the three lines to the left of the word “lifestyle” at the top of this page and enter your email address to receive notifications by email when I post something new on this blog. Also, follow me on Instagram at cocktailsandgratitude for photos of cocktails, flowers, my pets and, eventually, more travel.
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Things I Love – #14
This list includes some of my favorite “clean” beauty products and some of the jewelry I wear when I actually put together an outfit that doesn’t consist of leggings and a t-shirt. (Click on the photos or blue text below for additional information.)
by / rosie jane perfume by / rosie jane – All of the scents are very light and fresh. Madie is my favorite scent – it smells like the beach. I purchased the sample collection before purchasing a full size bottle. It’s nice to try perfumes at home before buying; I use the left-over samples when traveling and there’s a discount on your full size purchase when you buy the sample collection.
Dew Skin tinted moisturizer with SPF 20 Beauty Counter – Dew tinted moisturizer with sunscreen, it’s sheer but adds just a touch of coverage and I love that it has spf 20 mineral sunscreen. If I’m walking or exercising outside in the morning, this is the only thing I put on my face. Who am I kidding, most days this is the only thing I put on my face.
Touchup Skin Concealer Beauty Counter – Touchup Skin Concealer Pen I’ve always been a huge fan of YSL Touche Éclat but I think this has better coverage and I like that it’s a clean product.
Eucalyptus Deodorant Nécessaire – A clean deodorant that actually works. Yes, please! I have this in the Eucalyptus Scent.
Eucalyptus body wash Nécessaire – This is a clean, thick body wash that lathers nicely. The bottles aren’t huge, but you don’t need a lot. I have both the Eucalyptus and Sandalwood scents, but the Eucalyptus is my favorite.
Elisabeth Bell Diamond Thorn Necklace 14k yellow gold Elisabeth Bell Diamond Thorn Necklace – I saw this on Mary Lawless Lee of Happily Grey and I admired it for weeks before finally pulling the plug. I’ve been wearing mostly white gold jewelry for the last twenty years, but I bought this in 14k yellow gold and I’m really enjoying the gold with tan skin.
Uncommon James earrings Uncommon James – Since I bought the necklace above in yellow gold, I decided I should get a few more earrings in gold. I bought these Hold Me Close Hoops for a simple everyday look. The 2nd Avenue pink lucite hoop was on clearance and I just couldn’t resist.
Tiffany diamond T-bangle and Metro earrings Tiffany – If you’re looking for new fine jewelry as a gift for yourself or someone else. I keep both of these in the small jewelry dish on my dresser and wear them regularly. John bought me the diamond T-bangle for our 30th wedding anniversary and I bought the small Metro diamond hoops as a gift to myself.
Click on the three lines to the left of the word “lifestyle” at the top of this page and enter your email address to receive notifications by email when I post something new on this blog. Also, follow me on Instagram at cocktailsandgratitude for photos of cocktails, flowers, my pets and, eventually, more travel.
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Things I Love – #13
Well, we finally made a trip back to Chicago. This was our first trip in four months. We were a little nervous but with a few precautions it almost felt normal. (Click on any blue text or the photos below for more information.)
Tory Burch face masks $35 for 5 masks Mask – I don’t want to get into a debate about wearing masks; but since it’s a requirement to wear one when flying, I’d prefer to wear one that has a chance at decreasing transmission. For traveling, I like a cloth mask with at least two layers and a filter pocket. The Tory Burch masks above are a pre-order item so I haven’t received these yet. However, I found several masks on Etsy, just search for “face mask with filter pocket.” Even if you don’t use a filter, this will ensure you have at least two layers of fabric.
PM2.5 Activated Carbon Filter Filter – These filters are available on Amazon. You can wash and reuse these a few times but after a few washes you should replace the filter.
Hand Sanitizer – I washed my hands every chance I had at the airports and every time we got back to our apartment in Chicago. However, for those times when I didn’t have access to soap and water this Intelligent Nutrients hand sanitizer is my favorite. They are out of stock online, but look for a local salon that sells Intelligent Nutrients to see if they have it in the store.
Delta Airlines – We flew Delta to and from Chicago and we were very impressed with the cleanliness of the planes; the individual packages with snacks, water and Purell; the designated empty seats on the plane and the loading and unloading procedures. From everything I’ve read and everyone I’ve talked to, this is the airline to fly on right now if you’re concerned about traveling.
Grocery Store flowers – Almost every week I buy a bunch or two of grocery store flowers and combine them to make my own floral arrangement. If you follow me on Instagram @cocktailsandgratitude you’ve already seen my flower posts. Having fresh flowers in our house or apartment makes me happy.
Desk Coaster – This wonderful wood coaster on my desk not only has my blog name on it but it reminds me of our daughter and her new business. Visit AlexawineDesigns to order your own wood designed items. They are always adding new designs to their inventory and you can request a custom design.
Skort – I’ve been wearing these Jude Connally Sonia skorts when walking with neighbors and friends. These skorts pull on, have front pockets and built in shorts. If you machine wash them on delicate and hang to dry, they will last for years.
Click on the three lines to the left of the word “lifestyle” at the top of this page and enter your email address to receive notifications by email when I post something new on this blog. Also, follow me on Instagram at cocktailsandgratitude for photos of cocktails, flowers, my pets and, eventually, more travel.
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Summer Slush
Did everyone try to sneak some of their Mom’s vodka slush from the ice cream bucket in the freezer while they were growing up? This is another oldy, but a goody.
Let’s be honest, you could essentially make any cocktail in large quantities and freeze it, so just let this inspire you to create your own summer slush cocktail.
Original Recipe:
9 cups water
2 cups sugar
Boil until the sugar is completely dissolved and let cool.
Add 2 cans of frozen juice concentrate and mix until incorporated. This is where the fun comes in. The traditional flavor my Mom used to make was lemonade and orange juice. I like to branch out and mix up the flavors each time.
2 cups of alcohol – The alcohol is typically vodka or gin, but I’ve used limoncello before. Consider using a flavored vodka that compliments your juice choices.
Freeze. Allow about 24 hours to freeze before serving.
Slush and outdoor movie night on July 4th Flavor ideas:
Margarita: 1 limeade, 1 lemonade with tequila and a splash of Cointreau or orange juice
Mojito: 2 limeade, a large bunch of mint leaves, add the frozen juice, mint and a couple ladles of your sugar water to a blender and blend until the mint is pureed – pour back into your container of sugar water, add rum (or for a Bootlegger use 1 limeade, 1 lemonade, mint and vodka)
Cosmopolitan: 1 cranberry, 1 limeade with citron vodka and a splash of cointreau
Berry Lemonade: 1 berry blend, 1 lemonade, citron vodka or limoncello, fresh raspberries
Gin Blend: Increase your water to 12 cups, 1 limeade, 1 lemonade, 1 orange juice, 3 cups of gin
To Serve:
Scoop the slush into a glass and top with a little soda. We usually keep the soda a mild flavor like: Sprite, 7 Up, Fresca or Squirt. A flavored bubbly water works well, too.
Tips:
I don’t use 2 cups of sugar… there is already a lot of sugar in the frozen concentrate and I find it gets too sweet. Try using 1 cup of sugar or even a sugar substitute.
This will attract bees. If you’re drinking outside, consider a cup with a lid or use Ball mason jars with lids and reusable straws like I did.
photo credits to Kaitlyn Ewine I like to make my slush early in the morning so I can mix it during the day while it’s freezing. This will keep it from turning into a solid chunk that you have to scrape every time you want a drink.
If it’s been several hours and your slush isn’t starting to freeze around the edges, your ratio of alcohol to water is too high. Try adding a little juice or a can of soda to the mix.
When we used to rent a lake cabin for a week every August, making a bucket of slush was the first thing I did after we unloaded the car.
I like to throw in a handful of fresh berries. Raspberries are really good because they break up when you mix the slush.
The last time I made this slush, I was short on time so instead of making the sugar water I used a 2 liter bottle of 7 Up. It worked really well.
Cheers! Stay cool.
What juice flavor combinations would you try?
Click on the three lines to the left of the word “lifestyle” at the top of this page and enter your email address to receive notifications by email when I post something new on this blog. Also, follow me on Instagram at cocktailsandgratitude for photos of cocktails, flowers, my pets and, eventually, more travel.
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Things I Love – #12
We’re still spending a lot of time at home, so this Things I Love post has comfortable clothes and household items. (Click on the photos below or any blue words for more information about each product.)
Jenni Kayne Cocoon Gray Cardigan I love this Cashmere Cocoon Cardigan from Jenni Kayne. It feels like a soft, cozy hug. Great for cool summer nights or an office with air conditioning.
Lululemon Align Wide Leg Crop 23″ I listed the Lululemon Align Crop pant in Things I Love – #6 but they now offer a wide leg version. Just as comfortable as the traditional legging, but it can almost pass as a real pair of pants.
J Jill Perfect Reversible Tank This J Jill tank makes a great layering piece under sweaters or sheer tops. It’s reversible – a scoop neck on one side and a v-neck on the other side. I buy several in white every spring and fall.
Keds by Kate Spade calf hair sneaker Every time I wear these comfortable leopard Keds I get compliments from strangers. They are perfect for all of the walking in Chicago and they look as good with a pair of dress pants as they do with a skirt or leggings. They run a little small though, so size up.
Three glass cylinder vase set This trio of vases is a great deal on Amazon. They’re the perfect size for grocery store bouquets or for candles. When using them for flowers, I like to put glass beads or rocks in the bottom to give them additional weight so they are less likely to tip.
Two piece cotton rope basket set I bought this basket set on Amazon and used them as a “gift bag” for a baby shower. I filled the smaller basket with baby shampoo, body wash, diaper cream, etc. and placed it inside the large basket with more baby goodies and lots of bright tissue paper. They’re a great size for organizing on shelves or counters. I bought this large rope basket to store extra pillows and blankets in our Chicago apartment.
Phone Soap phone sanitizer I bought these Phone Soap phone sanitizers for Christmas gifts last year. Little did I know how important they would be with Covid-19. Did you know a cell phone reportedly has 18 times more bacteria than a public restroom? Yuck! The Phone Soap will sanitize your phone (and anything else that can fit inside the sanitizer, like keys or credit cards) in ten minutes.
Parachute Classic Towels It was time to refresh our bath towels and Parachute had a sale on towels and linens over Memorial Day weekend, so I restocked both bathrooms. The classic bath towel is large and plush.
Let me know your thoughts on the items I’ve included or comment below with your favorite stay-at-home items.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying Amazon purchases.
Click on the three lines to the left of the word “lifestyle” at the top of this page and enter your email address to receive notifications by email when I post something new on this blog. Also, follow me on Instagram at cocktailsandgratitude for photos of cocktails, flowers, my pets and, in a week, more travel.