House & Home Archives - Little Spice Jar

5 Favorite Kitchen Gadgets 2023

Marzia — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 11:30:00 +0000

These are my favorite kitchen gadgets for 2023! These are great for chefs of all levels and make your life much easier in the kitchen!

Here we are, rounding out the year once again!

I know, I’m coming at you with kitchen gadgets at the busiest time of the year! But we all know that food processors, chef’s knives, the instant pot, stainless steel cookware, and stand mixers are all on sale this time of the year. So if you’re looking to make some improvements to your kitchen game or buy some great tried-and-true gifts for friends or family, I’ve got you covered!

I’ll be honest, this isn’t a list where I talk about a cast iron skillet, immersion blenders, blenders for smoothies, toaster ovens, or my favorite knife. This list is a bit more than that. It’s all the gadgets I personally bought in 2023 and found myself using them multiple times every week. Most of these I would argue I use daily, in all honesty!

And so without further ado let’s hop into the best of the best kitchen gadgets for 2023!

5 must-have kitchen tools for 2023.

6. Popcorn maker.

Okay, I know I promised 5, and this one is a new purchase, but I already find myself using it more often than I ever thought I would.

I finally gave my old silicone microwave popcorn maker the boot, and invested in an air popper! This one had rave reviews on Amazon, and with the price tag that was under $20, I couldn’t refuse. Bonus it has a little caddy on top that will melt your butter while the corn kernels pop.

The only real con I found on this popcorn maker is that the plastic case that goes over the popping element is slightly cheapy plastic. With that said, I would 100% buy this again, and if mine konks out, I’ll repurchase this without hesitation!

You can purchase it here.

5. Workhorse Wok.

I promise this is the only pan on my list! And It has proven to be a good one.

I love using my new wok to make stir frys, lomo saltado, and of course my shrimp masala recipe. Cleanup is a breeze, and it even comes with a dome lid. I’ve used it over high heat to quickly saute the ingredients, and the pans still look as good as new even after tons of use!

Remember when I said that I use most of these on a daily basis? This pan definitely gets a workout in my kitchen!

You can purchase it here.

4. Vegetable Chopper Box.

If you’re on TikTok, I’m sure you’ve seen people chop all sorts of things in their chopper boxes. At this point, they’re chopping deli meats with this thing!

This little box has made prep for onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes, so much easier when I’m making a batch of homemade soup. And it’s great for when I’m craving a Shirazi Salad but don’t have the time to chop up all of the vegetables in perfect bite-sized pieces. The blade slices right through the ingredients with just one good push on the button with the palm of your hands.

The attachments are all bpa-free and dishwasher-safe, so after you’re done chopping, you can simply toss it in the dishwasher to handle the cleanup. Oxo Good Grips is one of my favorite brands for kitchen gadgets and they definitely don’t disappoint on this one. It makes for easy storage because all of the pieces clip on and stay together.

You can purchase it here.

3. Dish Pad.

If you wash and dry as many dishes as I do, this is a great little drying pad for your counter. The stone dries water in 4 seconds. You can use it to dry fruits and vegetables as well as your handwashed dishes. I find that the dishes dry much faster on this stone pad than on a traditional drying pad. Storage is also a breeze because the mat folds up and goes right under my kitchen sink when we have guests over.

This is another one of those items on this list that I find myself using everyday. I got this on this years prime day and I’m counting down to the black friday sale so that I can grab another one! This item is pricier than a drying pad. But after using it for almost 6 months, I can say without a doubt that it worth every penny!

You can purchase it here.

2. Cast Iron Bread Baker.

At the beginning of this year, I set out on a new task to make sourdough bread. I know, I’m so behind. I didn’t take up bread making in 2020 like everyone but I definitely jumped on the band wagon three years later.

When I was still testing my sourdough game in early January, I didn’t know if I was ready to invest in a $300 Challenger Bread Pan. Sure, it’s what all the serious sourdough makers are using, but I can’t justify spending that kind of money on a pan when I wasn’t even able to get my sourdough starter right. Much less any closer to pulling out a semi decent loaf of sourdough bread from my oven.

Enter this much more affordable cast iron for homemade bread. This one costs less than half the price of the Challenger pan and so far it’s been great! I’ve been able to really get into sourdough baking and have made a loaf (or two) a week since my starter has taken off.

You can purchase it here.

1. Rice cooker.

Are you surprised to see this as my number one favorite kitchen gadget of 2023? I honestly thought never in a million years would I invest in a rice cooker. It’s so easy to make rice on the stove. All you really need is a wooden spoon and saucepan. But here I am! Eating my words, and my rice out of a rice cooker!

Whether it’s basmati rice with a little salt, brown rice, cilantro and garlic scented rice, ginger fried rice, or biryani rice with spices, you can make it all in the rice cooker. And dare I say that the rice is just as fluffy, if not fluffier than if I made it on the stove top? Even my mother who has spent all her life making stove top rice had the rice out of my rice cooker and raved about it! I take that as a win!

Not all rice cookers are created equal though. I did a ton of research before I pulled the trigger on this one and the rave reviews definitely sold me. It comes in both a 5.5 cup and 10 cup measurement. Most days I find that the smaller rice cooker is perfect for our little family of 2. I do think that for a family of 4 or more where rice is a staple ingredient, you may want to opt for the larger size. Though the cooker states a max capacity of 5.5 cups, with certain rice, you can only cook 2 cups at a time.

You can purchase it here.

That completes my list of favorite kitchen gadget for 2023. If there’s something that you bought this year that you’ve loved, feel free to share it with the rest of us below!

5 Tips for Hosting an Impromptu Game Night (and Making it A Success!)

Marzia — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 11:30:00 +0000

How to host an impromptu game night and make it a success! These easy tips are sure to make things a breeze for the host to set up and so much fun for everyone attending!

This post is sponsored by Kroger.

One of our favorite things to do on the weekend is game night with our friends.

I’ll be honest; It’s usually very last minute. With a trip to the grocery store in between work to pick up snacks, even then, I usually forget something! Sometimes (read: most times) hubby and I are scrambling to set things up minutes before the doorbell goes off. Needless to say, it’s totally hectic and it certainly puts a damper on the whole thing for the hosts. Everyone else seems to have a great time, but I’m usually left wishing I hadn’t opted to host this time around.

I find when things are that way, I often want to shy away from playing host. I’ll give myself excuses– it’s been a long week. I’d rather binge-watch a show. Even though game night is one of our favorite activities because when it’s not stressful, it’s lots of laughs and a great time.

But after hosting some successful (and some not so successful game nights) I’ve learned that the stress-free, impromptu game nights where I take some of the pressure off myself are so much more enjoyable than the ones spent scrambling or even days preparing for ahead of time.

So today, I’m sharing 5 tricks that make hosting an impromptu game night a whole lot easier and so much more fun!

1. Get plenty of snacks; and make it a variety!

You want to make sure there’s something for everyone. I like to start my cart by adding a veggie tray and some fresh berries or even grapes. Everyone has that one friend that dives for the fresh stuff and you definitely want to have healthy + colorful things to snack on in between all the other stuff.

2. Small bites are so much easier to eat while you play.

My go-to is a chip and dip board. It’s easy to arrange, easy to eat, and colorful to look at. And remember, you’re playing games so you want to think finger foods! Something that’s easy to grab between gameplays. And a chip and dip board lets you do just that. You can put it out on the table and gamers can go back as needed for a bite or two without having to stop the game entirely to eat. Game rules include no double-dipping!

Here are my typical chip and dip board ingredients:

Private Selection Blue Corn Tortilla Chips
Private Selection Mexican Street Corn Dip
Simple Truth Spicy Guacamole
Private Selection Restaurant Style Salsa
Private Selection Taqueria-Style Corn Tortilla Chips
Private Selection Aged Cheddar and Jalapeño Dip
Veggie Tray
Fresh berries or grapes

If you’re looking for more homemade small bite snacks, here’s a few reader favorites:

3. Order your snacks via Kroger Delivery to keep things stress-free!

This is my biggest tip.

You can easily set up Kroger Delivery in the morning or at lunchtime in between the chaos of the day and then just sit back and wait for it to show up at your door. Sometimes I’ll even throw in household essentials that I may be running low on, like a roll of paper towels or paper plates along with the snacks and fresh produce.

4. Arrange snacks so that it looks appealing!

Once the delivery is at your door, It’s as simple as setting it up. I may be making my life a lot easier by having my groceries delivered to the door, but I certainly still want my guests to feel like I put in the effort to pamper them. I like to remove the chips from the bags, arrange them on a board. I’ll also pop the dips into nice bowls and arrange them neatly. If you have a trio dip dish and a big salad bowl for the chips, that will work too!

Pro tip: adding a small garnish like chopped cilantro or sliced jalapeños to dip bowls totally makes it look like you put in the effort to host! If you’re putting out a cheeseboard, make sure to slice a few pieces off of the wedges so people aren’t hesitant to get it going.

5. Last but not least, make sure you have a good variety of games!

This really depends on the crowd. Are your guests board game people? Or do they prefer cards or poker? We usually like to keep a couple of board games on hand but we’ll also have a deck of cards handy, along with other card games, and a game or two that inspires thought-provoking conversation! These sorts of games tend to work really well, especially if you’ve got guests attending that may not know each other too well and you’re looking for an ice breaker game or if you’ve got a large group getting together where board games aren’t really an option.

I hope this inspires you to have an easy-on-the-host game night for your friends or family soon!

This post is sponsored by our friends over at Kroger. As always, all opinions expressed are my own.

Last Goodbye and Top 10 Recipes 2020

Marzia — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 11:00:32 +0000

Taking a last look at 2020 and all that it had to offer. Plus, this post includes the top 10 recipes 2020!

Goodbye (and good riddance) 2020!

I’m still in shock over this year. Besides the very obvious Corona Virus outbreak, this year held Murder Hornets, countless hurricanes, wildfires, and it basically felt like someone turned the heat up to the roast setting on Earth. And of course, no matter which side you stand on the political spectrum, we can all agree that this election was one bumpy ride.

I think I can speak for all of us when I say that this year has been HARD. Being someone who works from home 99.99% of the time, I felt blessed that quarantine didn’t require major work-life changes for me. But getting used to social isolation wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. As an introvert, I can only imagine how difficult it must be for people like my husband who thrive in the company of others. So to keep things interesting for all of us, I put all the activities I could think of in a fun post at the beginning of the year. What activities (or hobbies) did you take up to pass the time in 2020?

Social isolation did have its advantages too though. We ended up purchasing our first compound miter saw and DIYed a bench, and put up shiplap! Not gonna lie; I felt like Joanna Gaines for 5 whole minutes and loved every minute of it. Then we took on the guest bedroom, and while I’m still finishing up that room, it has given me the push I needed not to be afraid to use a brad nailer, stick a little Liquid Nails on the wall, watch a few DIY videos and just go for it!

In other news, in the thick of social isolation, I bought a pizza stone and shared by no-knead pizza dough recipe that makes the closest thing to a Neapolitan pizza and comes out of your oven! Words don’t do homemade pizza justice; it’s something you have to try for yourself.

This past week we also took a road trip with our closest friends to Colorado. We focused on doing outdoor activities like hikes and small day trips to different parts of Colorado. It was the mental break that I needed while still responsibly social distancing.

We ate meals in the car, on outdoor patios, or back at the hotel. We didn’t have housekeeping in our hotel room, and I took a big bottle of antibacterial spray that I pretty much used on every surface of our room before we stayed in it.

All this to say that it can be done responsibly with a little planning and dedication.

Alright and finally, let’s get down to the top 10 recipes of 2020!

10. Pesto Baked Chicken in Tomatoes and Mozzarella – tomatoes and melty mozzarella. It’s a one-pan recipe that comes complete with robust pesto roasted tomatoes, cooked chicken, and melty mozzarella. Serve it over cooked pasta, rice, or with roasted veggies and garlic bread!

9. Comforting French Onion Meatballs – Rustic French onion chicken meatballs are tender little nuggets of goodness nestled in a creamy cozy French onion sauce. Top it off with cheese and run it under the broiler, and you’ve got the coziest meal ready to go.

8. Extra Crispy Roasted Potatoes – My favorite way to make extra crispy roasted potatoes. The trick is to parboil them and then let them roast in the oven so the outsides are garlicky and crispy and the inside is buttery soft!

7. Greek Chicken Meatballs in Lemon Cream Sauce – Delicious Greek chicken meatballs in a creamy dreamy lemon sauce. These meatballs are tender to the core! Nestled in a rich and creamy lemon sauce, they are perfect to serve over pasta, quinoa, or fluffy rice!

6. Smoked Salmon Chowder – A smoked salmon chowder loaded with tender potatoes, cream cheese for creaminess, and capers for a little added zing! This tastes just like the stuff they serve at the Seattle Pike Place Market!

5. Date Night Tuscan Ravioli – Store-bought ravioli tossed in a garlicky sun-dried tomato cream sauce topped with baby spinach, basil, and parmesan cheese. Ready in less than 30 minutes!

4. Sticky Mongolian Beef Meatballs – Turn your favorite Asian take out into Mongolian beef meatballs! These meatballs are made with ground beef and are tender to the core. Toss them in a sweet, savory, and sticky glaze and watch the crowd gobble them up for dinner or game day!

3. Perfect One Hour Whole Roasted Chicken – Basted with butter and sprinkled with herbs. The skin is perfectly crisp, and the chicken is juicy and tender! This homemade roasted chicken recipe is better than any rotisserie chicken you can buy at the store!

2. Hungarian Mushroom Soup – A hearty and comforting Hungarian Mushroom soup that’s sure to fill you right up. A dollop of sour cream is what makes this soup over the top — loaded with all the warm and cozy vibes!

1. Skillet Chicken in Balsamic Caramelized Onion Cream Sauce – Tender skillet chicken in balsamic caramelized onion cream sauce. All you need are a few simple ingredients, and you’ve got a restaurant-quality meal at home. And you won’t believe how easy it is to put this together!

And that’s it! Besides these, you guys made tons of my new favorite chocolate chip cookies recipe, and let us not forget those 1-hour cinnamon rolls that make brunch oh, so special!

Goodbye 2020 and I hope we never have to see a year like this one again!

See you in 2021!

2020 My Favorite Things

Marzia — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 11:00:00 +0000

2020 my favorite things is a yearly post where I share all the things I’ve loved during this year! These are practical, mostly everyday things that I use and love!

I can’t believe I’m writing the 2020 my favorite things post right now. It’s been a doozy of a year. A long yet weirdly, short year. A year where staying home 24/7 has gone from being highly uncomfortable to feeling almost normal.

Needless to say, the things in the 2020 my favorite things post are mostly all everyday items, with the exception of one, which is certainly a splurge item and one that I only use when I want to feel comfy yet regal in my loungewear. This year I went extra heavy on the loungewear and all the cozy things (I undoubtedly wasn’t the only one!)

2020 my favorite things:

¾ sleeve tunic – long tunics that cover the bum and high waisted leggings have probably never been in fashion as much as they have in 2020. This tunic is long, covers the tush, and is cozy! Perfect to wear while cooking, lounge around in, or run out to the grocery store in!
Wireless Headphones – Wireless headphones have been around for a while, but never have I needed them like I have this year! With both hubby and I working from home, and with his work meetings blaring from his office (yes, even with the door closed), I find myself reaching for them almost every day!
Perfume – Remember I mentioned a splurge item? Well, this would be it. This is my all-time favorite perfume, so much so that I wore it to my wedding! When I’m feeling low, I love spritzing on a bit of this perfume even if I’m walking around in bum wear. For whatever reason (maybe all the good memories I have attached to it?) It always puts me in a better mood.
Antiwrinkle Day Cream – This moisturizer is giving my skin new life. I use it once I’ve washed my face with the cleanser in the morning, and it leaves my skin feel so soft and moisturized.
Reusable Bags – I bought quite a few of these during the prime day sale, and they are so so good. They come in all different sizes and are reusable. You can wash them in the dishwasher, use them in the microwave, store cut-up produce in them in the refrigerator, and if you sous vide stuff, the bags will work for that too!
Fabric Defuzzer – Okay, this might have become a favorite item because I have way too much time on my hands lately! But this fabric shaver (defuzzer) is great if you’ve got sweater fuzz you want to get rid of. But my favorite use for it is using it to de-fuzz my sectional that piles! I’ve used it on other linens too, works like a charm.
House slippers – These are the best house shoes of 2020! They are slip and go and hold your foot in and keep them warm too. I’m a true size 8 and should have gone with a medium (instead of the large I purchased.) Mine are just a teeny tiny bit big on me, but they’re house shoes, so I didn’t bother exchanging!
Birkenstocks – I have lived in mine! These are great for running errands and pretty much everything else. With Texas weather, I get use out of them year-round!
Quilted Pullover – This is a recent purchase that I made for layering for our upcoming trip to Colorado. I own another pullover by the same company and am so in love with it! The brand does run small, so I highly recommend sizing up (at least one size, and two if you want an oversized fit!)
Pizza Steel – This pizza steel makes the best pizzas right in your oven! It’s the steel I use for my no-knead pizza dough recipe, and I am telling you, you can get pizza parlor pizza right in your own oven with this thing! It’s also great for baking crusty loaves of bread if you’re a bread baker.
Faux Linen Blackout Curtains – I loved these curtains so much I bought them for almost every room in the house! These blackout curtains are a steal at that price and are of great quality! We have super tall windows, and these are less than $50 for a 120-inch panel (and that’s pretty much unheard of!)
Colombian Coffee – This has become our favorite coffee this year. I usually buy whole beans and use my favorite burr grinder to grind the beans. I use a Chemex, and hubby uses a French press, so whole beans work well for us, but it does come ground as well.
Peppermill – on the list of top 5 favorite purchases this year! I know, I’m getting old when I get excited about a peppermill in my 30s, but hey, it’s fun, and you only need one hand to grind your pepper!
Joggers – I bought these during the Nordstrom sale, and they are comfy, comfy, comfy! In fact, I have them on right now as I’m typing this.
7/8 Leggings – These leggings are just the right length if you want to show off your ankles. I love the attention to detail with the flattering rounded cut at an ankle. They look great with my favorite converse sneakers.
CC+ Cream – This is the only foundation I put on anymore! This is one that you’ll find was on my list from last year and will be for years to come. With the buildable coverage, you can wear it every day or for special occasions!
Garment Steamer – 2020 is the year I officially gave up ironing! I’ve gone through quite a few handheld steamers, and this one has to be my favorite. The water tank is sufficient, so it doesn’t run out after steaming a couple of items. And rarely do I have to pass over a section more than once.
Pedicure Foot File – I don’t know about you, but my trips to the nail salon have been cut back significantly. Gone are my once a month pedicures, and my feet were looking rough for a hot minute there. This pedicure foot file is perfect to use once you’ve soaked your feet in warm water (or after a shower/bath) for an at-home pedicure! I love using this moisturizer on my feet afterward (it makes my feet look so polished.) Bonus points if you moisturize and wear socks to bed, you’ll wake up with brand new feet!
No Show Socks – A friend introduced me to these socks, and I haven’t looked back since! They come in a few different colors and fit great on your feet. I’m a size 8, and the small works for me.
White Tennies – cute tennis shoes that pretty much match with anything and everything! I bought my usual 8 in these. They are true to size and very comfortable for walking out of the box.
Eye/Head Massager – Okay, this is actually a heated eye massager. It’s to help relieve dark circles and bags under your eyes, but recently I’ve started pushing it up to my head over the temples, and what do you know, it works great for that too! Cures a light headache too!
The Best Bra – I have saved the best for last! This has to be my number 1 best purchase of the year. This is a wire-free bra that gives you the comfort and support you need to wear this every day! I loved it so much, I ended up buying 5 more and raved about it to everyone I know! Seriously, even if you’re skeptical about it, try it out. It will change your life. The size chart is a little difficult to find, so hint, as a 36B (interchangeable with 34C), I wear a size medium. If you look at the image carousel under ‘from the manufacturer’ the carousel’s second image has a size chart to guide you. It’s just hidden!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it! Until next time 🙂

2020 Gift Guide (At All Different Price Points!)

Marzia — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 11:00:00 +0000

A complete 2020 gift guide at all different price points! I’ve got stocking stuffers and $20 hostess gifts. Plus, tons of ideas for gifts at $40, $60, $85, and $100!

This year is going to be quite different than others!

With the uncertainty of a second lockdown, or perhaps, strict social distancing guidelines looming around the holidays, it’s safe to say that this year the holidays won’t be the way they are usually. But regardless of how you’ll be celebrating, I’ve put together a 2020 gift guide at all different price points so you can easily shop for gift ideas for your family, friends, and coworkers.

I’ve added tons of ideas to the $20 category. These can be stocking stuffers or hostess gifts if you’ll be attending any small parties. But also great if you’d just like to send someone a little something during the holidays to let them know you’re thinking of them. I know that this has been a tough year for so many, so I wanted to make sure that I added many things to the $20 gift guide. And remember, it’s not the amount of the gift that counts but the thought that went into it!

19 Thanksgiving Sides + Everything You Need to Host Thanksgiving

Marzia — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 11:00:00 +0000

I am so excited to share my favorite 19 Thanksgiving sides + everything you need to host a Thanksgiving meal! This is a master list that you can use year after year!

Thanksgiving is just around the corner! And it just so happens to be the best time of the year, because, let’s face it, it’s a holiday based around food. How is that not the best thing ever?

I’ve shared a killer herb roast thanksgiving turkey that you need to try and here are 19 Thanksgiving sides you can make and every kitchen tool you could need to put this meal together. I know it’s not everyone’s idea of fun to host, and it’s really stressful for most people to plan out a Thanksgiving menu. So if I can make your life easier, I’d love to be able to do that!

Alright, without further ado, lets get right into it!

19 Thanksgiving sides to make this year!

Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole – a warm and cozy casserole loaded with bubbly, melty cheese. It’s keto-friendly and gluten-free.
Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots – golden roasted carrots tossed in a delicious honey garlic butter sauce.
Crisp Apple Sweet Potato Salad – a crisp and refreshing salad with crunchy apples, cinnamon roasted sweet potatoes, and sweet and tangy apple cider vinaigrette
Cheddar Mashed Potatoes – the cheesiest, most delicious mashed potatoes you’ll ever have
Garlicky Extra Crispy Roasted Potatoes – garlicky and extra crispy potatoes that will make you want to polish off the whole batch! Ideal for serving at a small get together.
Creamy Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Shoe String Onions – I don’t think I could celebrate thanksgiving without this 😂
Caramelized Onion Croissant Stuffing – This stuffing is sure to become a family favorite as it tastes 1000 times better than the stuff you get in a box! Made with buttery croissants, caramelized onions, and aromatics!
Sweet Potato Casserole with Crunchy Brown Sugar Topping – A delicious and easy casserole with an addicting crumble on top! So good, you’ll want it for dessert too!
Slow Cooker Creamed Corn – let the slow cooker do all the work for you! Just stir it together and let it cook on its own!
Cheddar Chive Spoonbread (Corn Pudding) – just 5 minutes of prep work for this! Stir it all together and pop it in the oven! It’s so good, drizzled with gravy!
Garlic Butter Roasted Brussels Sprouts – Crispy roasted Brussels sprouts drizzled in a delicious garlic butter sauce. So good, you’ll end up making a meal out of these alone!
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes – Scalloped potatoes are thinly sliced potatoes cooked in a casserole dish with melty cheesy cream sauce!
Buttermilk Biscuits – Just 8 simple ingredients to make flakey, buttery biscuits from scratch. Or you can try my new caramelized onion gruyere drop biscuits! There are also one-hour garlic herb rolls! But then you can also make my roasted Garlic Rosemary Focaccia Bread – a favorite around the holidays! Can you tell I struggle when it comes to serving just one type of bread 😂
Twice Baked Potato Casserole (Potatoes Romanoff) – every bit as delicious as it sounds! You can prep this in advance
5-ingredient Mac and Cheese – just 5 simple ingredients, and you can play around with the types of cheeses you use to make this even more delicious!
Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup – flavorful and delicious, perfect as a starter!
Homemade Cranberry Sauce – totally customizable! Add herbs, citrus, or spices to make it your own!
Cacio E Pepe Brussels Sprouts – roasted Brussels sprouts tossed with freshly grated cheese and ground pepper.
Baked Potatoes – Something a little different, but you could do a build-your-own-baked-potato-bar with this. I’m thinking you’ll want to top it with steamed broccoli and the Mac and cheese I shared above!

Everything you need to roast the turkey and make Thanksgiving sides:

Pans:

Roasting Pan – I invested in this one last year, and it’s super easy to clean afterward. All you need is a little bar, keepers friend. I’ve also used this to roast two chicken or a medium-large turkey!
Baking Sheet– these are my absolute favorite go-to sheet pans. You could do just about anything to them. They are indestructible!
Stock Pot – this one is a kitchen workhorse! It comes with a pasta insert and a steamer basket making it so easy to drain!
9 x13 glass dish – great for making scratch dinner rolls (recipe linked above) or my spice cake! The lid makes it super easy to transport!

Essentials:

Mixing Bowls – These nesting mixing bowls come in every size you could need! It’s a set of 10, and we all know how many bowls you end up needing when you’re prepping a feast!
One Hand pepper grinder – this is seriously my favorite kitchen purchase of 2020! I mean, it’s so fun to use that both Anees and I look for things to grind pepper over 😂
Kitchen Twine
Box Grater
Carving Knife – I purchased this knife last year so I could give you my full and honest review. It is SHARP! It slices through the meat like butter!
Meat Fork
Whisk
Vegetable Peeler – My all-time favorite vegetable peeler! It’s no surprise that it has a perfect 5-star review.
Potato Masher or Potato Ricer – If you plan on making homemade mashed potatoes, I highly recommend a potato ricer! It makes the potatoes so fluffy! A masher will also do the job, but a potato ricer does make better mashed potatoes!
Turkey Injector – I’ve been using an injector over a baster for as long as I can remember! I love making a melted butter, lemon juice, and herb mix that I inject right into the meatiest parts of the turkey. Trust me, rave reviews every time!
Basting Brush
Fat Separator – It really comes in handy when you want to separate the juices from the fat for the gravy!
Oven Thermometer – I know I’ve mentioned having one of these if you bake often, and I certainly mean it! You want to make sure your oven is preheating to the correct temperature, and this thermometer double-checks your ovens work. I realized once I popped one of these in that my oven when it says it’s preheated to 350ºF, it actually reads 340ºF! Which believe it or not, makes a huge difference when it comes to baking.
Meat Thermometer – A digital instant read thermometer that will tell you the exact temperature of your turkey. This is highly recommended to make sure you don’t overcook/undercook the turkey!
Microplane – great for zesting citrus to dressing, marinades, or butter. And ideal for adding fresh nutmeg to sides or pies!
Measuring Cups + Spoons – I absolutely love this set! It comes with ⅛, ⅔, and ¾ measuring cups as well as a ⅛ tsp! Measuring is so easy with this set!
Rolling Pin – comes with measuring rings attached, so it takes the guesswork out of measuring the dough to the perfect thickness!

Serving:

Utensils set – comes with everything you’d need to serve an entire feast.
Platter – A classic, clean, and modern design that will last you for years. I love using mine to serve a couple of roasted chickens or a large turkey!
Gravy Boat – Is adorable if you’re serving a handful of people or don’t mind refilling the boat. I’ve also used this carafe in the past to keep my gravy hot for hours. It was perfectly warm when we sat down for the meal hours later!
Carving Board – And it has juice grooves to keep them from running over!
Beverage Dispenser with Spout – I love serving up a good mocktail like this one in my glass dispenser. It makes for a nicer centerpiece on the drinks table!
2 Piece oval Bakers – I love these because you can go straight from the oven to the table with these!
Large Rectangle Casserole Dish with lid – I love using this for my green bean casserole or pumpkin French toast casserole! And the lid makes it super easy to transport.
Trivets – A set of 8 trivets, so the serving station looks beautifully uniform!
Pot Holders – These are my absolute favorite! I love the chambray color selection and the faux leather hanging loop!
Pie Plate – A cute and classic design! Serve pie, crumble, or cobbler straight from the oven to the table in this dish in style. It also makes for a great gift for someone!
Gold Flatware set – The most affordable (and pretty) set for 8!

Also! If you’re looking for something delicious to make for Thanksgiving breakfast/brunch, here are a few ideas!

Pumpkin French Toast Casserole
Maple Honeycrisp Apple Fritters
Veggie-Loaded Breakfast Casserole
Homemade Pumpkin Bread
Outrageous 1-Hour Cinnamon Rolls
Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches with Chicken Sausage + Egg and Cheese (great to make in advance and freeze!)
Easy Blender Crepes
Eggs in Purgatory (aka Italian Shakshuka!)

I think that covers just about everything you need to put together a spectacular Thanksgiving dinner! If I forgot something, feel free to leave it in the comments below and I’ll add it to the list! 😊

16 Fun Activities for Quarantine

Marzia — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 10:30:27 +0000

16 fun activities for quarantine. Here’s a list of things you can do by yourself or with the entire family!

I can honestly say I never thought I’d write a blog post about ‘fun activities for quarantine,’ yet here we are!

If you’re like us and are practicing social distancing, you know too well that, at this point, the days are running into each other. I don’t know about you, but we’re starting to get a little antsy! So with the weekend right around the corner, I thought I’d put together a list of things to do if you’re looking for a way to add a bit more variety into what we call the Coronavirus normal.

So without further ado, let’s jump right to it!

16 Fun Activities for Quarantine:

1. Bake Bread

Homemade Focaccia
Whole Wheat Honey Oatmeal Bread
2-Ingredient Naan Flatbread
One Hour Garlic Herb Dinner Rolls
Jalapeño Cheddar Bread
Cheddar Bay Biscuits
Cinnamon Swirl Bread (p.s. you can turn it into french toast the next day)
Garlic Irish Cheddar Chive Soda Bread
Brown Butter Maple Pecan Banana Bread
Southern Buttermilk Biscuits

2. Start a Movie Marathon

Harry Potter (disc set)
Star Wars (disc set, but also on Disney+)
The Marvel Movies (Disney+)
Mission Impossible (disc set, you could also watch individual movies on Amazon Prime or stream from Youtube)
Toy Story (Disney+)
James Bond (disc set)
Lord of the Rings Trilogy (disc set, select movies on Netflix)

TIP: Speaking of movie marathons, did you hear that Netflix Party allows you to watch synchronized movies with friends on your computer? It even adds a group chat so you can talk about the movie together!

3. Organize an area of your house

You could dedicate as much or as little time as you like here. Do as little as one hour a day, or you can dedicate an entire day for an area.

Reorganize the kitchen pantry
Order furniture that needs assembly that you didn’t have time for before, it’s literally one of the most perfect activities for quarantine 😂
Organize your spices by ordering matching jars and custom minimalist labels
Reorganize your linen closet
Wash and donate any clothes that you don’t wear anymore

4. Sink Your Teeth into a Thriller/Mystery Book

Here’s my personal list of books! I’m working my way through these:

Night Film, by Marisha Pessl (currently reading)
The Silent Patient, by Alex Michaelides
The Other Mrs. by Mary Kubica
The Kind Worth Killing, by Peter Swanson
One of Us Is Lying, by Karen McManus
The Broken Girls, by Simone St. James
The Other People, by C.J Tudor
Eight Perfect Murders, by Peter Swanson
Kill Creek, by Scott Thomas
Good Girls Lie, by J.T. Ellison

5. Start a Hobby, it’s the perfect time

Learn to play an instrument
Pick up a paintbrush
Read a self-help book about an area you’re interested in
Paper Mache a decorative bowl (with stuff you probably already have around)
Write a book/a poem/a short story
Start working out at home (Anees suggests these apps: Fitbod, 7-Minutes, 6 Pack in 30 days)
Listen to a podcast about something that interests you

6. Treat Yourself

Try a face mask with almost 30,000 reviews, I’m adding this one to my cart to try out
Try an at-home microdermabrasion system
Give yourself a pedicure or manicure with this set. Here’s my current favorite color for spring
Start a skincare routine and stick to it. It takes 20 days to form a habit, so this is definitely doable!

7. Make Dessert

8. Binge Watch These Shows

The Great British Baking Show (Netflix)
Stranger Things (Netflix)
The Morning Show (Disney+)
Dexter (Netflix)
The Mandalorian (Disney+)
FRIENDS (disc set)
Game of Thrones (HBO now)
The Office (Netflix)
YOU (Netflix)

9. Play a Game

Bananagrams (5,776 reviews) 1-8 Players, ages 7 to adult
Sequence Game (6,579 Reviews) 2-12 Players, ages 7 to adult
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza (2,802 reviews) 2+ players, ages 8 to adult
Azul (2,359 reviews) 2-4 Players, ages 8 to adult
Codenames (7,129 reviews) 2-8 Players, ages 14 to adult
5 Second Rule (4,483 reviews) 3+ players, ages 10 to adult
Monopoly Deal (6,466 reviews) 2-5 players, ages 8 to adult

10. Cook Dinner with the family

Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo (or Etouffee)
The best Beef Tips with Gravy
Detroit-Style Pizza with Homemade Pizza Sauce
Chicken Tetrazzini
Cheesy Chipotle Chicken Taquitos (or flautas)
French Onion Chicken Meatballs (or the chicken piccata kind, Mongolian beef kind, or the cheesesteak kind)
One Skillet Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce
Instant Pot Chicken Carnitas
30-Minute Ground Beef Stroganoff
Balsamic Tomato Baked Chicken
Roasted Garlic White Chicken Lasagna Soup

11. Buy an adult coloring book

Lost Ocean Johanna Basford is also the creator of Secret Garden and Enchanted Forest. I could get lost coloring in these books for hours!
Married Life a coloring book with a snarky sense of humor filled with both words we say to each other too often and fun patterns to color! If you can relate to Mom Life more, she’s got you covered there too.
Plant Lady by Sarah Simon is a floral-themed coloring book filled with fresh blooms, plants, and bouquets. The pages are removable so after you’re done, you can even frame your artwork!
Harry Potter coloring Book: Okay, but how could I not include this one for those of us that are a fan? I’ve made it almost halfway through mine already!
Here’s a set of 100 color pencils so you can always find the right colors!

12. Go Outside

There are plenty of activities for quarantine that you can do outside the house as long as you maintain a distance from others:

Go for a jog/walk
Practice meditation – This one is great for anxiety (and completely free)
Learn a new sport – I love Badminton, you can play with 2-4 players and swap out players if you’ve got more family members at home. Here’s a reasonably priced set for beginners that you can use in your own backyard!
Ride a bike – I’ve got this one in my Amazon cart as we speak
Grab a yoga mat and head to the backyard or stay in and try Youtube Yoga

13. Master a family recipe

Find a recipe that you love that someone in your family makes, get the recipe from them and try it at home.
Or try to create their recipe from scratch by yourself! For all you know, you might just make it even better!

14. Find a dance on TikTok and master it

You could do this as a family or by yourself
Send the video to a friend or family member and challenge them to get in on it too. If you’re both terrible at dancing, at least it gives you something to laugh at together!

15. Start a DIY project around the house

This could be as small as creating artwork for a room by just putting pen to paper or you could knit a blanket, or finally turn your old college tees into a quilt.
Paint a room, bathroom, or even a piece of furniture. This is on my list of things to do. I’m hoping to use the extra time to paint our bathroom vanity, add a wallpaper focal feature, swap out the builder-grade mirror, and change out the light fixture!
Change up the decor in a room by ordering 1-2 new pieces or rearrange the furniture or decor you already have to make it new without spending any money!
Swap out an old light fixture for a new one! You won’t believe how much life that breathes back into a room.
For my advance friends: add woodwork, crown molding, do a feature wall, or add faux-brick paneling (on my list as well) to change the look of a room!

16. If all else fails, catch up on laundry!

I kid, but seriously, how is it that there is always laundry to do?

If you have any other fun ideas or activities for quarantine, book recommendations, or are binge-watching any new shows (mamma always needs a binge-worthy show) leave your recommendations below! 🙂

Last Goodbye | Top 10 Recipes 2019

Marzia — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 05:30:30 +0000

Taking one last look at 2019 and all that it had to offer – the good, bad, and the ugly. Also, find out if your favorite recipe made the list of top 10 recipes 2019!

It’s been a year, that. is. for. sure.

If you’re here for just the top 10 recipes 2019, you’ll want to scroll down a little further. The way I usually do these posts, I like to share about the year first, and then we jump into the recipes.

I’d be straight up ungrateful if I said it was a bad year for me. Because it really wasn’t bad. Tough? Yes. It most definitely was that. This year was quite possibly one of the most challenging years I’ve faced in my adult life.

At the beginning of this year, we made the decision it was time we put the house up for sale. When we moved in, we had intentions of staying for around 5 years but after running up and down a set of stairs at least 20 times a day photographing food in my studio upstairs (with a kitchen downstairs) we decided it just wasn’t working out the way we had hoped it would and I gave up at year 4. To cut a very long story short, after a harrowing search, we settled on building from the ground up so we could customize where the kitchen was in relation to my studio and all the millions of other things I’m particular about. We started the actual building process in the beginning of February with an expected finish date at the beginning of August. Happen, that did not. When they tell you to expect delays, they really aren’t kidding!

Fortunately (and slightly, unfortunately), we ended up under contract on our home within four days of listing it. Trust me; I totally get that that is the biggest blessing. It solidified that we’d be moving (the purchase of our new home was contingent upon the sale of our then current house.) However, we found out right as we went under contract that the new place suddenly had an unexpected 60-day delay. Yikes! This meant we need to fill the gap, find a place to put everything we owned and find a place for us to live and for me to work. And boiling it all down – we had to move twice in a year.

So. Much. Fun.

So we moved 99% of our stuff into PODS, closed on our house – a very rocky closing at that; a story for a different day. And then, rented an Airbnb for the in-between period. After a very long nine months, and two full moves later, we finally closed on our new place at the end of September. It’s been three months and honestly, if I had to do it all over again, I would. I wouldn’t have said that while I was in the thick of it though, that’s for sure. But that’s the thing about time, it has a way of healing you.

While all of this was going, I was also dealing with something on a personal note with endless doctor’s office visits. I’m just not quite ready to put out into the universe just yet. I thought about it quite a bit, and ultimately, it’s just not the right moment for me to discuss it. It’s a bit of an internal struggle because I know I’m not the only one that’s going through this challenging situation. There are other women out there who are also feeling what I’m feeling and hurting the way I’m hurting. Giving it a voice is absolutely necessary, it would just be premature of me to do so right now as I’m still gathering my thoughts and piecing myself back together from being so broken.

I said it was a tough year and I certainly meant it.

Moving along…

Every year I set a personal goal for myself, and sometimes they’re a bit laughable (eat more meatless meals is a rollover goal that just always on the list.) But other times, I actually do end up achieving them. This year I vowed more mental health days. Let’s be honest; I needed every one of them with all that I had on my plate.

I also took a step away from social media (mostly Instagram.) There are times when the constant posting, liking, sharing, commenting becomes too much. The lines are more easily blurred for me because it’s both something I do for fun (hello cute babies and kitties) but also for my job. And somewhere in there, you start obsessing over the algorithm, the likes, the visibility. And on and on. When it became too much to take on this year, I had no choice but to shut it down and regroup. Resetting is essential sometimes.

I also took on a new motto at the end of this year: It’s okay if I don’t do it all.

I plan on letting that one carry into the new year.

Alright, alright, now it’s time for everyone’s most favorite part! The top 10 recipes 2019! I’m not surprised that these happen to be the top recipes. They’re recipes we’ve loved as well.

So without further ado, let’s jump right in!

TOP 10 RECIPES 2019

10. Crispy Chicken Salad with Sriracha Honey BBQ Dressing

9. Warm Lemon Zucchini Muffins

8. Super Easy Weeknight Ravioli Piccata

7. Winter Lemon Chicken Barley Soup

6. Mexican Shrimp Salad

5. 5-minute Blender Salsa

4. Cheesy Baked BBQ Chicken

3. Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala

2. Garlic Butter Baked Salmon in Foil

1. Ridiculously Tender Beef Tips with Mushroom Gravy

And that’s it! I’m putting together a rough food calendar for the next year, so if there’s something you’d like to see more of, please tell me what it is! More desserts, soups, easy dinners? What do you look for the most?

Here’s one last goodbye to 2019, It’s been one heck of a roller coaster ride, and I’m hoping for a whole lot of smooth sailing in 2020! And lastly, I just want you to say it with me:

It’s okay if I don’t do it all.

A Holiday In The Woods Tablescape

Marzia — Mon, 16 Dec 2019 11:30:25 +0000

This is how you turn any table into a simple, yet elegant tablescape! I’m using items that are easy to find so anyone can make this holiday in the woods tablescape!

Changing things up a little bit today!

With the rest of the year just being one big party (hello, only 15 days left in 2019 – what!), I wanted to step away from all of the focus being on just the food when you’re throwing a holiday party and show you how simple it is to deck out the table. Of course, you’ll also find a few recipes at the bottom of todays post for entertaining but today, I wanted to take a second to share how important it is to decorate the table if you’re hosting a Christmas or New Years Eve party this year! And guaranteed, even if you put a store-bought fruit platter or simple cheese board on this table (no shame in that,) it is sure to wow the guests because you went the extra mile to wrap it all in a pretty little bow!

I like to call this ‘a holiday in the woods tablescape.’ My goal was to keep all the decor on a budget, and a lot of what I’ve used you may already have at home! It’s a woodsy tablescape that’s easy enough for anyone to put together with fresh fruit (which doubles as an excellent snack for later, ha!) a festive green garland or two, and a few gold candlestick holders that you could use year-round as well!

What do you need to make a holiday in the woods tablescape?

burlap table runner
LED candles (you can control the flame and set it on a time!)
candlesticks
green garland
cloche (the trees I placed inside are available at all craft stores)
wood candle coasters
fresh pomegranates

If you’re planning a sit-down dinner and would like to add a place setting:

Gold Flatware
Salad plates
Dinner plates
Napkins
Rosemary wreaths (you can also make these with fresh rosemary!)

How to make a holiday in the woods tablescape:

The key is to start with a burlap runner. I picked one up from the craft store that is relatively inexpensive (use their online 40% off coupon for a deeper discount.) If you’ve already got a different neutral runner, you could use that as well.
Then, layer the runner with a large garland. If it looks a little sparse, you can use faux green stems as fillers, a second garland, or even some fresh eucalyptus from the grocery store!
Lay out the golden candlesticks in a zigzag pattern, alternating the sides of the large center garland. I bought two cloches, added in fake snow, and a cheapy tree from the craft store, and it just added to the whole theme.
Add roughly 3-5 pomegranates to give the table a little color. You could use faux pomegranates as well.
And last, put out those wood coasters (again, you can find these at almost any craft store) and place an LED candle on top. The ones I’ve linked are reasonably priced, you can control how bright you want the flames to be, and you can even set it on a timer to turn off automatically!
Admire your handiwork!

The rosemary wreaths are made with real rosemary stems that I just tied together with a small piece of twine. I’ve also linked some faux rosemary napkin rings as well.

Here are a few ideas on if you’re looking for what to serve:

This was a tablescape round-up that I did with a great bunch of ladies over on my Instagram. Be sure to check them out!

I hope this gives you a little inspiration to get out a few decorations and put together a woodsy tablescape for your next holiday get together!

Shope the holiday int he woods tablescape:

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2019 My Favorite Things

Marzia — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 11:30:00 +0000

A compilation of all of my favorite things from 2019. Everything you see on this list has been tried and tested. There are some great gift ideas for others as well as for yourself!

This is just one of those posts that I look forward to every year. Welcome to 2019 My Favorite Things post!

I started sharing gift guides a few years back, but since last year, I’ve split it UP a bit with a My Favorite Kitchen Accessories post. Which btw, if you haven’t checked out, you definitely should, especially if you’re looking to upgrade a few accessories yourself or for gifts for the cook in your life!

I can honestly tell you that my guide from last year of my favorite things is still relevant today. I own and use all of the things on that guide as well as all of the 2019 my favorite things I’m sharing with you today.

Please know that unless I absolutely loved the product, I wouldn’t be sharing it with you. Also, I wanted to share this guide before Black Friday in case you’re planning on doing a little shopping for yourself! I’ve gone ahead and given you discount codes as well if I’ve been able to find one!

Alright, enough chit chat, let hop to it!

Hydroflask: To be honest, I meant to share this on my list of favorite items last year, but I had just made the purchase and didn’t feel comfortable sharing something that I hadn’t used for very long, after a year of usage, I can tell you, that this is one of the best water flasks out there. It keeps the water cold past 12 hours and the spout naturally makes me want to drink more water.
Pearl Earrings: Okay, so this isn’t like your pair of pearl earrings that you only get out to wear to fancy events. These are pearl earrings that you could wear every day because they look like you paid a pretty penny for them but they come at a reasonable price tag for the quality. These would make a great gift for a mom, sister, best friend, or daughter!
Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick: This is probably the only lipstick I’ve found that looks good on just about anybody! It’s a matte lipstick (that doesn’t make your lips look dry, a miracle), and it actually stays put. I wear this without the lip liner. I’m pretty basic when it comes to makeup. Years of working in the makeup industry tends to do that to ya!
Trophy Skin MicroMD: I bought this when it was on a special price on QVC about 6 months ago and I can’t tell you how much better it’s made my skin. I’m not the kind of person that has the time (or let’s be honest, the patience) to sit through a facial every few months, so I find this at home microdermabrasion machine to be the perfect nighttime routine. I use it about once a week, but honestly, I even push it to once every two weeks sometimes and it always leaves my skin feeling smooth! The built-in screen tells you exactly what you need to do, and it’s easy to follow. Highly recommend as it costs about the same as one microdermabrasion treatment from a professional!
Converse Shoes: Take it from someone who dresses casual almost every single day of their life, this is the best neutral, casual shoe that I own. The laces are for show, so these shoes are slip on and go. Easy to put on and take off, and they match with just about anything. These would be great for women of all ages!
Scuba Hoodie: Okay, I know I live in Texas but if there was one article of clothing that I could own multiples of, it would be this hoodie! I could live in it forever. I love the funnel scuba neck, the thumb holes to keep the sleeves in place, and how warm this is. It’s not the cheapest hoodie you’ll buy but for someone that lives in athleisure wear, I find this to be an essential item for the closet!
Pajama set: My favorite thing about the holidays? Gifting people pajama sets! This is also great for a new mom or a mom-to-be to pop into the hospital bag. The front closing buttons make it ideal for nursing. The material is ultra-soft and cozy, and the ratings on this item pretty much speak for themselves! Keep in mind that this item does run a little large (great if you prefer a little extra room) but for a better fit, I suggest going down a size from your norm!
Gucci bag: This is definitely a luxury item. One that you’d probably only buy for yourself or send emails to the hubby when he just won’t take all the other hints. I’ve owned my bag for over a year now and it’s in perfect condition. I use it almost every single day. To be honest, I was a little worried that my dark denim would rub off that navy color on the bag. But so far, it hasn’t happened! This is the perfect neutral bag that goes with just about any outfit. I seriously can’t say enough about it.
Loloi Rug: If you’re like me and pretty much live the neutral life, this is the perfect rug for just about any room. I bought it for our living room and love how muted the colors are. It’s a washed grey base with hints of purple and steel blues. This rug is certain to hide stains really well. Keep in mind that this is a very low pile rug so, you’ll certainly need a rug pad underneath if you prefer a thicker, more plush feel underfoot. I’ve found and linked the lowest price for this rug, and I pretty sure you’re going to love it for your bedroom, office, or family room!
Madewell Denims: Full disclosure: high-rise denim jeans were never my friends. I carry a little more than I‘d like in the hip region, so I always steered clear of high-rise jeans. Until I met these beauties! They hold you in, hug you in all the right places, and the wash is dark enough to dress up and light enough to dress down. Madewell usually runs a decent Black Friday sale, and these are 25% off right now bringing them under $100 and I personally think it’s so worth it.
Olive Branches: these olive branches are almost always out of stock! But when you get your hands of a few and pop them into your favorite vase, you understand why that’s the case. I have three stems popped into my clear vase on our entry table and they brighten up the entire space so much! P.S. I just checked and by some miracle, they are still in stock. Use the code SNOWWHATFUN to get 20% off your purchase. Take my word for it, this is a great price on these!
Cashmere and Fig Hand Soap/Lotion: This is one of those great gifts to keep on hand for last-minute gifts. Who doesn’t love a little hint of luxury with nicely fragranced soap and lotions? Great for teachers, friends, and almost anyone, really. Take 30% off right now with the code SAVEMORE at checkout.
CC cream: This is by far the best cc cream I’ve ever used. I mean, I’ve completely stopped wearing full coverage foundation all together once I discovered this product. It gives you just the right amount of coverage, it’s dewy so, you don’t look like a mannequin with no cheekbones. And if you want to be fancy, throw on a little bronzer and call it a day! The perfect daily wear product.
Protini Moisturizer: I’ve got a secret. Once I use my microdermabrasion machine, I slather on a generous bit of this moisturizer and I’ve noticed more firmness in my skin. If I want a little more moisture, I start with the virgin marula oil before I finish it off with a pump of Protini. It works great for all skin types and both products are clean. Drunk Elephant is almost exclusively what I use when it comes to skincare!
Apple Watch: This one is so great, it made the list again this year because I can’t take this watch off! I mean, whether I’m going to a wedding, the gym, or even just out to run errands, I can guarantee this little thing is going to be on my wrist, counting my steps, and making sure that I get up once every hour for at least a minute when I’m glued to the computer all day.
Old Navy Cozy Pullover: The perfect sweater tunic to wear when you want to lay low and relax. I mean, it should be obvious by now (if it wasn’t already) that I pretty much live for comfy clothes. And this pullover tunic and a pair of tights (below) and my converse sneakers are a staple outfit in my wardrobe!
Zip up Sneakers: I bought these to add a little more edge to my wardrobe while keeping with my minimalist ways! These sneakers are comfy, comfy, comfy. Again, love that they’re on or off in seconds and that they’re comfortable but stylish. Keep in mind that they do need a tiny bit of breaking in (or at least my pair did) but once you wear them a few times, they are comfy! You could even do the old socks and blow dryer trick if you want to get these to the comfy point quicker. They come in several different colors and though I opted for the black/gunmetal leather ones, they also come in another option with several other colors.
Side Pocket Tights: I own not 1, but 3 pairs of these tights in different lengths because they’re that good. I bought these at the beginning of the year after I heard all the hoopla. But I soon understood what it was all about. They’re great to wear while working out. But even better when I’m running around the house shooting recipes, cleaning, or even out running errands. I wear at least 1 pair every week and most weeks, I wear all three pairs. And though these are a little expensive; I can say it’s worth it when they still look the same as when I bought them, 365 days ago.

That’s it for 2019 my favorite things! I hope this helps if you’re looking for gifts for someone or an item for yourself.

Happy Black Friday shopping!

Shop all my 2019 my favorite things post:

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