My Favorite Things of 2007

All Adither, one of my new favorite reads (check out some of her published work too while you wander over to her site; it's fantastic) had a post up about some of her favorite items. I picked up a lot of good information for my lifeless, dull pregnancy locks, and may even pick up a new mascara while at Target later.

It prompted me to think back on this past year, not on resolutions I didn't keep, weight I've gained or lost, surgeries I've had (three in case you're keeping count), nights I've spent up with a teething toddler, dates I've had with my husband, weekends out with friends, holiday gatherings with family, making new friends, creating new life, or other important emotional things. Nay, nay. Let's get material and talk about my favorite stuff of this year. Not of all it is new stuff to 2007, but I may have just discovered it this year. I'm a little slow sometimes. ;)

(click on the pics to take you to more information about each thing)

1) Tea Tree Oil Facial Scrub from the Body Shop

I am not big into using chemicals on my face so was always on the lookout for something natural that actually worked. This stuff is amazing. I use it once a week (it's a heavy exfoliator so you don't want to use it more often than that) and can actually feel it cleaning my pores. Less blackheads, smoother skin - score.

2) Cetaphil moisturizing cream.

I already recommended this to Kellie, who complained of dry hands in the winter, and this is a miracle magic lotion. Little elves pop out and inject moisture right into your dry, lifeless skin. Well, not really, but still, it should be magic. It is thick, but not greasy, is non-comodegenic and has no fragrance or anything added. In the winter, I use it everywhere, including my face and it makes a huge difference.

3) Bare Escentuals makeup.

I never used to wear what I called "face makeup." I have a rosy hue as it is and thought that most foundations and such just made me look fake, and overdone. But, I am getting older and with my life as busy as it is, I am getting these purple bags under my eyes as well as a weird uneven skin tone. Then my sister came over one day and her skin looked great and I asked her what she used. I went out and bought this the very next week. I had remembered the infomercials and laughed it off as I do most other products that people hock on TV. But, seriously, I love this stuff. Not only does it go on easy and look great, but it doesn't look like you're wearing makeup. It just looks like you have great skin. And it's all natural and since I've been using it, haven't had a single blemish. Maybe if I'm brave enough one day, I'll post a before and after picture of my face with and without this makeup.

4) Neroli Jasmin by The Body Shop

I guess I like a lot of Body Shop products, huh? This one is also one of All Adither's favorites too. It is light and calming without being too overpowering. There's a very subtle hint of vanilla and sandalwood. Love love love love it.

5) Lighter Bake by Sunsweet.

My first thought was that it would suck and never replace butter, but I've gone through three jars since then. I use it in all my muffin/bread recipes in lieu of oil/butter and it is so good - moist and yummy without the fat. I use it in my famous non-sucky healthy whole-grain Gut-Bustin' Banana Muffins o' Glorius Goodness (click for recipe).

6) The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

and

The Woods by Harlan Coben

Two very different, but very great books. I've read probably 100 books this year, and these two stick out in my memory. Harlan Coben has been a favorite suspense/mystery writer of mine for a few years and I've read every one of this books. Click them to read more about them.

7) My Zune

Like an Ipod, but if you live with a man who hates Apple, this is what you get instead. I love it. It was a surprise Christmas gift and he spent days loading it with over 200 pictures and created a playlist of our life together - chronological and everything - from our first months together to our wedding song to the birth of our daughter and to the memories ahead. How fricken cute? "Am I a dork because I gave you a more expensive version of a mix tape?" he asked me. No. It was incredibly thoughtful and one of my favorite gifts ever.

8) The Gossip.






One of my new favorite Bands. I love Beth Ditto and what she stands for and love their music. Fan-fricken-tastic. Click, listen, follow me....

9) Adele





Her voice is phenomenal. She has a throwback to Etta James, Roberta Flack, and Ella Fitzgerald. Almost like Amy Winehouse, but with less crack and more heart and soul. Plus, Perez Hilton likes her too; that must mean something, right? If you can listen to either of those songs above and not tell me she has one of the best voices you've ever heard, we may have to break up.

10) Chuck

(Copyright NBC Studios)

I fricken love this show. I literally laugh out loud at least twice an episode and none of the characters are sore on the eyes. It has action and drama, a love triangle, a goofy best friend, and it's funny. I'm go glad NBC picked it up for at least the rest of the season.

So, what are your favorite things of 2007?