33 favorite things

I saw this idea over on Elise Blaha's blog and immediately knew I wanted to do it too!  Here is a list of things that made 33 great.  (in no particular order . . . ) 

Downton Abbey, Season 3 // Yes, too many main characters died this season but I still absolutely love this show.  And I especially love that Scott watches it with me and we BOTH look forward to each new episode.  Can't wait until January for Season 4!!

washi tape // my collection has grown and I use it for so many things.  For project life, to hang up the kids' chore charts, add a little piece to outgoing mail . . . . it's a little touch of happy.

Colored pants // pink, red, teal . . . yep, this was a trend that I latched on to and lived it up.

Clarisonic Mia 2  // I got this for my birthday last year and it has been a good addition to my skin care routine.  I began by using it morning and night, but now I keep it in the shower and only use it in the morning.  It is gentle but effective and makes my face feel smooth and clean.

These is my Words // loved, loved, loved this book.  It was the first book I read for book club last year and it captured me.  Definitely a 5 star favorite.

Edenbrooke // Also a 5 star favorite.  I read it at the beginning of the summer and it was just what I needed.  A fun, fluffy romance set in the Regency era.  The main character was adorable and I laughed out loud a lot.

brownie sundays // in january we began inviting families from church over to our house for brownie sundaes on Sunday evenings.  About once a month.  I think we have had about 11 families in our home now and it has been a great way to have people over, spending an hour getting to know each other.

L'Oreal Colour Riche Lipcolour  // I found 2 shades that work great for me and I stuck with them all year.  Fairest Nude and Mauved.

Project Life // Of course!  I haven't stayed 100% on top of my album this past year, but every moment that I DO spend with Project Life is a very happy one.

THRIVE necklace // I love Lisa Leonard Designs.  My "thrive" necklace has been my number one jewelry accessory in 2013 . . . until it broke this summer.  I was so so sad.  I'm planning to get it fixed somehow.

lounge chairs in the backyard // this definitely added to the chillin' factor of spring/summer 2013.  I spent many many days on the lounge chairs under the shade of the casita/gazebo, reading a book, sipping some ice water, and watching the kids swim.

insulated water cup // speaking of ice water. . . I've never been a big water drinker.  But this cup has changed that.  I'm drinking more water than ever -- filling it up multiple times a day -- and taking it with me everywhere.  I don't know why - maybe it has to do with the straw.  In the evenings when I feel like I need a treat, but I don't really, I sprinkle in some Crystal Light powder and I'm good to go.

Feedly // when Google Reader retired this summer I switched all my blog subscriptions over to Feedly.  I tried Bloglovin for a little while, but it doesn't match my reading preferences.  Feedly definitely works for me -- I like seeing the oldest entries first, at the top of the screen -- and I like the style and viewing options (list, magazine, etc.)

Pocketful of Poetry // Mindy's new album comes out tomorrow, but I've been listening to it for the past month.  In a word it is . . . . magic.

cherry-dip cones at DQ // I ate more than a few of these this summer!  I've always been a die-hard Blizzard fan, but now when we go to DQ it is a tough choice between the two.

PicTapGo // This is by far my favorite photo editing app.  Pretty much every photo I post to instagram is edited here first.  I rarely, if ever, use the instagram filters.

Waffle Love // Oh man, I just realized that I never blogged about Waffle Love!  Basically, it's an amazing waffle truck that drives around Utah County.  I tracked it down when I was in Provo last month and it lived up to my every expectation and then some.

summer chore charts // we went with a "zone" approach this summer and it was fantastic.  The kids were great about doing their chores each day and the house actually stayed clean over the summer!

Crepe Maker // Love this griddle!  I got it for my birthday last year and we use it for making crepes, cooking tortillas, quesadillas . . . all kinds of goodness.  The kids use it too and it is just so handy.   

uncooked tortillas // If you haven't switched to uncooked tortillas yet, you need to.  It is life-changing.  We usually buy them at Costco and stick them in the freezer (even though the packaging says not to).  After making the switch I can't even touch a Mission tortilla.  

churro fondue // We love this dessert at Max Brenner.  We actually order it as our appetizer.  hehe

granola + fat-free vanilla yogurt + fresh fruit // I eat a bowl of this nearly everyday.  Breakfast, lunch, or snack.  I just love it.   

this photo arrangement // this makes me very happy.  A combination of art, whimsy, light, and nostalgia.  We don't have a lot of photos or art on our walls yet - paint seems to be the hold-up.  One night I was determined to hang something on my walls, so I threw this together and I love it.

plantation shutters // when we moved into the house about half of the windows had shutters and very soon after we installed shutters on all the remaining windows.  I love how they look -- it made SUCH a big difference in our front room.  I love the privacy and light they provide.  And I love that they are an attractive way to block out the hot summer sun.

maxi dresses // I think I own 7-8 maxi dresses & skirts right now and I'm pretty sure I will still be wearing them long after they go out of style. 

Map my Run // I love this little app.  I turn it on when we begin our morning walks to school, it's on for the afternoon walks, and for my occasional runs as of recent.  I love all the little stats that it records, the maps of my routes, and that it keeps a record of my mileage.  This was especially useful when I worked on my #walk100miles challenge last winter.

Couch to 5K // I'm only 2 weeks in with this app and I'm loving it.  It is a 5K trainer and it does a good job of starting you out easy -- 60 second jogging, 90 seconds walking -- and gradually picking things up.  I like that I can listen to my playlists and the jogging/walking reminders will speak over the music.  When I run I use Map my Run and Couch to 5K at the same time.

Muslin, by Dunn Edwards // this is the paint color that I am slowly, but surely covering the walls of our house with.  It is light and airy.  The other day I had the pest control guy inside our house and as he was leaving he commented on the paint color, saying that the house felt so "peaceful."  Why, thank you.

first grade journals // I love, love 1st grade journal entries.  Anna provided me with a wealth of entertainment and insight into her little 7 year old mind last school year.  They are so honest, sweet, simple, and hilarious.

Breaking Dawn - Part 2 // You know I love the Twilight movies.  And the last one was definitely the best!  Bonus - getting to see it with my girlfriends in Oregon.

Burt's Bees Lip Balm // My favorite chap-stick.  When you live in a dry climate you definitely need it!

family tennis // we've only played 3 times but I'm pretty sure this is our new favorite family activity.  Watch this instagram video of Anna serving.

"whatever the present moment contains, embrace it as if you had chosen it" -eckhardt tolle // I came across this quote early in the year and it has been a favorite.  And much of the time the "moments" that I'm dealing with are things that I have chosen and I need to remember that.