12 Days of Christmas - Day 12

 

A long bath Friday afternoon helped me decide on the final items on my wish list this year. And I'm sure Maggie would appreciate them too ;)

We would both love this fantastic bathtub caddy to hold a book, phone and drink while relaxing. I've never had one before, but this one looks cool.

And while we're making a long bath the best experience it can be, let's add in a bath pillow too, eh? As with the caddy, I've never actually had one before (that I remember or used enough, apparently), so if you know better than Maggie or me, just get us a fabulous one, okay?

If you're into relaxing baths, what would you recommend as a great addition to the soothing experience?

12 Days of Christmas - Day 11

 

Hoodies are another favorite of mine, that appear on my list every year. Because I can never have too many hoodies! I have three in rotation right now. These are three more great options that I'd be proud to wear, with their link info.

When I'm looking for fun stuff to wear, I usually look for zombies (especially zombie movies), t rex themed stuff, and sloths. Cozy and cute, and fun but never offensive. 

12 Days of Christmas - Day 10

I attended a fabulous Yelp online event the other day, and the rep from Old Forester was there helping us make an old-fashioned. I already knew I liked my bourbon, but he led us to a whole new site that created new wish list items for me!

These are all treats from Bourbon Barrel Foods, a recommended source especially for a few different flavors of bitters, and an excellent all-in-one old-fashioned syrup to use with your Old Forester bourbon. Yum!! Both of these fabulous items/collections are found at BourbonBarrelFoods.com > Cocktail > Old Forester Cocktail Provisions.

While I was provided with an adorable little dropper bottle of bitters for my cocktail yesterday, I couldn't get anything out of the bottle. It was supposed to be the smoked cinnamon bitters, which he recommended as being more holiday spirited. 

This collection has a bottle of their Bohemian Bitters, Smoked Cinnamon Bitters, and Hummingbird Bitters. The descriptions of each are delightful.

When using the bitters to make an old-fashioned, you'll also add a bit of sugar to your bourbon and ice first (then the bitters - I'm sure there's directions on the bottles).

Another option for your old-fashioned is to skip the sugar and bitters and just use this perfect old fashioned syrup. I lucked out on this - the rep who was with our party the other night mentioned that a small bottle of the syrup was the holiday add-on with a bottle of bourbon for cases shipped to Meijer and Kroger this holiday season. So as soon as our event ended, I got my butt to my local Meijer and was lucky enough to get the last bottle of Old Forester Bourbon with the Perfect Old Fashioned Syrup attached. Yay! 

It's delicious :)

12 Days of Christmas - Day 9

The holidays can be all about something I'd like, but I don't want to spend the money on, right? I feel like I'm kind of at a crossroads, and the other night I was all ready to make a life-changing decision on an impulse. 

Which brings me to my next fun holiday wish-list item. I would love to go visit (via zoom) a psychic again. I did it a few times when I was younger, but with family obligations and kid stuff to take care of, it doesn't feel like a good use of my time or money anymore. But I would still like another opinion about the universe and my next life choices. ;)

A friend of mine knows the woman who is Intuitive You. Her regular videos are great - she seems pretty down to earth and uplifting. An hour reading with her (available in-person, via zoom, or via phone currently) is $120. I think it would be fun, and potentially enlightening, right? I would love a gift card for a reading from her.

The last time I saw a psychic was at a girls-night-out at my house with a mom's group before we moved. I asked about having another baby. She said I would have a son still. We found out I was pregnant a couple months later. I also asked her about a move we were considering within the next year. She said it would happen within six months, and she was right.

Have you ever visited a psychic? Have you wanted to? It's always been interesting for me.

12 Days of Christmas - Day 8

While my job title has me spending lots of time in the kitchen, I actually do best with detailed instructions. I absolutely love making meals for my family from Home Chef or EveryPlate boxes (of ingredients with recipes) that we order. Some of these call for a pan to go from the stove to the oven, and I don't think any of my pans would be good for that. So I'll need a new pan or two. 

I checked out Slice of Kitchen's old article comparing some oven safe cookware, and liked the look of these two. They're kind of an unfair comparison, since one is a set and the other is an individual pan, but it is what it is. I'm admittedly a little intimidated by the seasoning required, and the weight of cast iron, but it just seems like a more solid option.

What is your experience with stove/oven cookware? Are these as good as the article makes them sound? How about tips for taking care of new cast iron (and of course I'll look over any instructions included with new cookware)?

12 Days of Christmas - Day 7

Well, I'm starting to feel a bit like an old dog with no new tricks. ;)

Here's another classic that's on my list each year. One year, I received two pair, and it ended up being so perfect. See, I haven't really found a pair of slippers that lasts a whole year, so when I had an extra pair, I was able to switch over mid year - it was glorious!

I like the 'slide on' style of slippers, with nothing on the back. And a bit of a no-slip sole, so I don't break my neck running around the house wearing them constantly. Sometimes they may make it to the mailbox and back too.

The ones I've got now (and whew - they STINK) are size L. Looking forward to a new pair of slippers by Christmas morning so I can quit being self-conscious about the smell of these. Hahaha...

What do you wear around the house? We're a no-shoes-in-the-house family, but I hate stepping in little puddles in the kitchen, or picking up pieces of cat litter with my toes in the laundry room. Ugh. So slippers are really part of me being happy at home.  

12 Days of Christmas - Day 6

Unless this is seriously your very first time visiting my blog (welcome!), you'll know I'm cold. Always cold. So of course, I always want more base layers. 

I love my fleece Cuddl Duds shirt (it happens to be a small, which fits well, but maybe I already stretched it out? Small sounds...small). I could defintely get lots of wear out of new Cuddl Duds fleece shirts, size either S or M. And since it's usually a base layer, the color and/or pattern aren't important to me.

Another favorite is my old (as in, falling apart) L.L. Bean silk long underwear. I didn't realize they were so pricey, and I don't even remember how I got this pair in the first place. I'm sure someone else has some that are comparable but less expensive. I wear a size M in bottoms too.

While I haven't been outside much this season, I do have a job as a crossing guard once we're back in school in person, so I will need to be ready to dress warmer. Luckily my sizes don't tend to change much over the years, so hopefully I can get what I need as soon as possible, even if I don't have to wear it for a while yet.

What's your best keep warm tip? In my home office, I finally have a space heater this year. It ~ is ~ heavenly. I actually drag it down the hall when I go to hang out with my son doing his remote learning in his room. I also greatly appreciate the heated mattress pad on our bed. Each side has it's own adjustments, so I can turn it up to high before I get in, while hubs keeps his side a little cooler.

12 Days of Christmas - Day 5

 

Since our family does the whole 'something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read' for the holidays, this could arguably be something I NEED. 

The duvet cover on my bed looks so grody :( While we could wash it (you know, why we bought a duvet and cover), it would be a huge hassle. Also, the duvet is continually slipping around in the cover anyway - so annoying.

I would LOVE a new king-sized bed set. Last time I bought one, there was a 'bed in a bag' - comforter, decorations, sheet - all in the same set. Now that's apparently just at Overstock.com as a clearance item. Whatever. I need a new comforter, and I would also greatly enjoy new sheets that matched.

My style is pretty varied. We've got a blue decoration on one wall, so somethig with some blue, maybe. But the red one there is pretty too. But I don't think hubs would like it if we went full girly. 

After sleeping on my freshly laundered sheets last night, I can only imagine how glorious it would feel to have freshly washed, new sheets AND a new comforter. Oh, heaven.

12 Days of Christmas - Day 4

 

Ostrich Planters!!

I usually try and give a direct link to make shopping easy, but there are so many of these adorable ostrich planters available! Google it - maybe they're available local to you (cuz I'd imagine shipping to be a challenge!).

I think the first ad I saw was with the picture on the right, but it just showed succulents. I wanted to share the other picture (even though they're a little harder to see) because it shows them with plants more similar to those I put out in our yard each spring. 

Hopefully there's some excellent trick to keep them  from face planting. The ostriches are so gorgeous, and I also like that they'll give a whole new 'level' to my gardening - between my hanging baskets and my stuff planted in the ground.

12 Days of Christmas - Day 3

 

Another classic that's been on my wish list for years - because I keep using it. :)

I love Makeup Forever's waterproof eyeliner pencil (now called Aqua Resist?). While I'm the backward sort that usually only wears a full face of makeup when I'll be spending a summer day outdoors (sunblock, you know), I do wear eyeliner and mascara on most days that I leave the house. I've tried liquids, and felt tips, and everything else, but nothing compares to a freshly sharpened pencil. I use dark colors, but not always black, grey, or brown. A deep green or purple may be cool as well. 

That being said, anyone have a mascara that's tried and true? I've had a few I've liked, but nothing I can't live without. So I tend to head to Target and get something. The two-step ones do seem to perform better, but I think all the companies have one of those now.

I was trying to wear more lipstick for a while last year (and found a purple shade that, while non-traditional, I really liked!), but...masks. At least I never need to worry anymore that my lipstick needs touching up, right? 

12 Days of Christmas - Day 2

 A few things make it to my list year after year. After trying lots of samples, I found a perfume I liked a few years ago, and then used it all up. LOL I would love to have some more Versace Bright Crystal to wear. 

Smells can be so comforting. While I'm not supposed to wear any scents in the kitchen, sometimes I actually leave my house and it isn't for work. No, really! And while I'm not a frilly, girly-girl, I enjoyed the floral and fruity scent of this.

I've linked to the product on the Ulta Beauty site here, but I think it's available at a variety of retailers. We saw it on sale last fall somewhere, but it was already out of stock. Once hubs found out he could get it for half the regular retail, he definitely didn't want to pay full price for it! Hahaha... Maybe this year he (and I!) will get lucky.

Do you have a signature scent? I'm almost tempted to start my search over again, since it's been a while since I smelled Bright Crystal anyway. The smell I like most around my house is probably Mrs Meyer's Lavender hand soap. 

12 Days of Christmas - Day 1

 Welcome to my 12 Days of Christmas - all about ME! I encourage you to do one of your own. Stop and take some time to think and dream. If someone really wanted to know what you want for Christmas, what could they give to you that would be a great gift? 

This is my 11th year sharing my material wishes - it's a fun escape to think about - what would you have, if money weren't an issue?

First on my list doesn't sound entirely about me, but I'd put it right next to my desk to attract company... I would LOVE a cool looking cat bed for one or both of my adorable black cats to hang out with me.

I've got to admit, this idea was first started when a friend shared her cat's super cozy couch (which is actually a dog bed - WHY??).

After searching for cat couches, I found a few different options, and posted the picture of them and their regular prices (although all were actually on sale for less when I searched).

Here are some cute ones from Chewy.com, Petco.com, and Walmart.com. I left off the truly expensive options (including one at Nieman Marcus for more than $1K!!).

Do you have pets? If you do, do they have their own cool furniture? LOL 

Join me in sharing your holiday wishes! We're all hoping for world peace - but what would you do with an extra $100 that you were only allowed to spend on yourself?