My Monthly Lifestyle Favorites — January 2019
This is the third in a monthly series on my favorite things (read November here and December here). I love sharing the things that make my life easier, better, and more enjoyable. I’ll include an item or two in each category every month and may even add a few categories along the way. Let me know if you have category suggestions or item suggestions in the comments!
Favorite Clothing Item
Daily Ritual EVERYTHING
I’ve mentioned this brand before. Last week I ordered the funnel-neck tunic below. I love that you can sort items by feel/fabric, such as super-soft terrycloth and supima cotton. Order one size larger for a more relaxed feel. Colors and sizes seem to go fast, so be sure to click around to see if color/size combos are available. I also signed up to be notified when certain colors in my size are available. Amazon is really good about notifying you on this. It’s how I snagged some popular limited edition Advent calendars that were being sold at three or four times the price a week later!
Favorite YouTube Channel
The Financial Diet
I’ve recently become obsessed with YouTube and have been building up my subscription list since I find myself checking for new videos every day. I only discovered The Financial Diet at the end of 2018 and it’s quickly becoming one of my favorites because I’m a sucker for listicles. This channel is geared toward millennials when it comes to financial advice. For example, I think we all know by now that daily Starbucks trips are budget-busters. However, The Financial Diet has some great lifestyle videos. This one on six 30-day challenges is great.
Favorite Beauty Item
Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick
I’m including this item as a tribute to Bre Payton, a friend who passed away at the end of December. She turned me on to this lipstick, which is frequently used on me when I’m on Fox because she told them about it, too! The last time I saw her I gave her the Mother lipstick duo. It was a little too bright on me, but looked gorgeous on her. I’ll miss her and her makeup advice. I’ll keep trying her favorite lipstick until I find the right shade for me.
Favorite Recipe
Pumpkin and Sausage Soup
This is an easy winter soup. In a large pot/Dutch oven, sauté half a sweet onion in 1–2 tablespoons of olive oil on medium heat until soft. Then add one pound of ground sweet Italian sausage (I prefer turkey sausage) and cook until browned. Add one 15-ounce can of puréed pumpkin, NOT pumpkin pie mix. Add one cup of low-sodium beef stock and keep on medium heat until it starts to bubble. Add salt if you think it’s needed (I don’t). Simmer for 1–2 hours on low heat. I serve with a dollop of sour cream and toasted pumpkin seeds.
Favorite Snack
Whisps Cheese Crisps
Whether you’re doing Keto or just love cheese, these are a great low-carb and crunchy snack. They have good stats and while you might be able to find them cheaper in the large bags, I love these individual bags to keep me honest.
Favorite Household Item
Makeup Brush Cleaning Mat
On New Year’s Eve I decided to clean all my makeup brushes. How’s that for confidence in not leaving the house that night? I used this awesome cleaning mat that’s great for getting built-up miscellaneous makeup gunk. First, I soaked the brushes in warm water with ELF anti-bacterial brush cleanser. Then I rubbed each brush over all the various areas of the mat. After rinsing well, I went over some other brushes (like foundation and blending brushes) again. Basically, just keep repeating the process until warm water over the brushes run clear as you’re massaging the bristles. Finally, I let them dry overnight.
Favorite Book or Audio Book
The Word of Promise Audio Bible
Reading the entire Bible from beginning to end has been on my to-do list for years. Since I was able to “read” over 20 books on Audible last year, I decided to get this version with my Audible subscription credit so I can finally get started on my goal. It’s a theatrical read with well-known actors, including Gary Sinese, Joan Allen, Jason Alexander, Stacey Keach, Richard Dreyfuss, Louis Gossett, and Jim Caviezel (as Jesus, of course).
Favorite Empty
Dove Winter Care Body Wash
I got the idea for this category from a YouTuber. It can fall into any category, but it’s basically something that’s so good you used until it was empty. There are plenty of things I use until they’re empty, but this is just a way to highlight one particularly good product. This month it’s Dove’s Winter Care Body Wash. You can get it a lot cheaper at Target, Walmart, or wherever you buy bath products, but I linked to Amazon so you can read reviews and see what the bottle looks like. I don’t know exactly how this formula is different, but it’s definitely effective in combating dry skin during the winter.
Favorite Kitchen Gadget
Magnetic Microwave Plate Cover
I don’t know the science behind it, but yes this can work in the microwave even though it has magnets. If your microwave is metal on top, you can keep this plate cover out of the way when you aren’t using it by just placing inside the top of the microwave until the magnets attach. I got this set of two so I could keep one and give one away for Christmas. It’s great for preventing messes.
Note: By using some of the links above, I may be compensated through the Amazon Affiliate program. However, none of this is sponsored and all opinions are my own.
