2018 Favorites

It's a New Year and I thought I would share my favorites from 2018.

Bobsweep: This might be my favorite thing in this list!!  He cleans my house for me!  I was definitely skeptical about the robo-vacuum but I am completely sold.  If you haven't checked them out yet see more here. 

Coconut Creamer:  I found my favorite coffee creamer this year.  I am a big fan of coconut and this one is amazing!!  It is creamy with just a slight coconut flavor.

Booties: If you follow me on instagram you have seen these boots all year.  They are super comfy and go with everything!  For less than $40 you really can't go wrong!

Concealer: The hype around this concealer is real, it covers up a multitude of dark circles and imperfections and blends out really well.  It is more expensive than a drugstore concealer but it is really worth it.

Ebates: I was slow to get on the Ebates train and I don't know why I waited so long!  Making money while you shop, what could be better??  Check out more here.

Bagels: These are my favorite store bought bagels!!  They are a seasonal item so you better believe that I stock up on these suckers.  They are the harvest grain bagels and are filled with cranberries and nuts and they are delicious!!  If you have an Aldi check them out!

Wireless Earphones: I have been using these all year and don't know what I did without them!  I love the ease of the wireless earphones and these are really comfortable.  They are a game changer at the gym.  If you have been on the fence about wireless earphones these are $15 and are AMAZING!

The Great Alone: My favorite book of the year was this one by Kristin Hannah.  She is one of my favorite authors and this did not disappoint.  It is set in Alaska and made me want to visit.  I loved the storyline, check out more here.

Coconut K-Cups: More coconut, these k-cups are great!  They have a subtle coconut flavor and are perfect for pairing with my coconut creamer.

Key Ring: These keyrings are all over instagram and for good reason.  They are super handy, you can slip the ring over your wrist and keep your keys out of the way while still available.  I picked up this pretty rose gold glitter silicone one and I am obsessed!

The Greatest Showman: You knew this one was going to make the list.  I absolutely loved this movie!!  I have listened to the soundtrack so many times, I own the movie and have watched it over and over.  If you haven't seen it GO WATCH IT!!

What are your favorites from the year??

2016 Favorites

Can you believe it is 2017?  I feel like we just started 2016, anyone else feel like this year flew by?  2016 brought lost of adventures and new experiences, check out my recap here.  

Poldark: I completely fell in love with Poldark this year.  I wish I could go back and rewatch it for the first time.  The characters are so good, the storyline draws you in from the beginning, beautiful locations and Aidan Turner isn't bad to look at either.  

Fitbit Charge HR: Kyle got this for me for Christmas last year and I love it!  I love how it makes me aware of how much I am moving during the day and really holds me accountable.  I also really like seeing my sleep patterns.  Want to know how to make money with your Fitbit, check out my post here.  

Archer Farms Coconut Chai: This was a random Target find and it was delicious.  It is the best chai I have ever had.  It has just the right amount of sweetness, spiciness and just a hint of coconut.  It is hard to find and my Target doesn't always have them in stock so when they do I stock up.    

Coffee Mate Coconut Creamer: Apparently coconut was a thing this year.  This creamer is my absolute favorite.  It is not too sweet and not overly coconuty, it is the perfect blend of smooth flavor. 

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah: This book is the best book I read all year, it is in my top five of best books ever.  It is one of those books that sticks with you and one that I will probably reread in the future.  It is one that I want to share with everyone because it is just that good.  Check out my review here.    

OPI Dulce de Leche: This nail polish was the color that adorned my nails 75% of this year.  If I went on a trip this was what I chose.  It is a long lasting polish and the color is a perfect nude.  It is one of my top nail polish colors that I own.  

Aldi: I am so happy to finally live near and Aldi and see what all the fuss was about.  Well that fuss was well deserved.  I used to be a Walmart grocery girl, now I do 90% of our grocery shopping here.  It has the best prices around and I have saved a good bit of money making the switch.  If you have been on the Aldi fence go ahead and jump over it's green on the other side.  

Starbucks Iced Coconut Milk Mocha Macchiato: I discovered my absolute favorite Starbucks drink this year.  Over the summer they came out with a new iced coffee drink with coconut milk.  I decided to try it and see what I thought, I completely fell in love with the smooth, creamy and rich taste of the combination.  This is my Starbucks guilty pleasure.  Wanna know more check out my full review.    

Crockpot: This little guy has been such a help in making sure we eat dinner on weeknights.  With both of us working late we don't always have time to come home and cook a meal.  With the crockpot I can throw things in before I leave for work and dinner is ready when I get home.  It's super easy and I love finding new recipes to try.  What is your favorite crockpot recipe? 

Ipad: My Mother-In-Law gave me her old Ipad and I had no idea how useful it would be.  I love mine!  My main use for it is to setup and watch shows, youtube videos and movies while I get ready, do chores around the house, etc.  I love the bigger screen and the portability.  Whenever this one dies I will definitely have to look into a replacement.   

What were your favorites of 2016? 

15 Favorites of 2015

I can't believe it is already 2016, anyone else feel like this year absolutely flew by?  2015 was a great year, packed full of new adventures (new state, new house, new jobs) and new favorites.  Here are 15 things I fell in love with in 2015:

Elizabeth and James Nirvana Rollerball set: My sweet husband got me the Nirvana rollerball set for my birthday and I have been obsessed with it!  It is my absolute favorite scent!  I love to mix both of them together but if I had to pick my favorite it would be the black.  It is such a unique scent and I love to pair it with other scents.  

Lypsyl: I had heard about this product on YouTube and I am a Chapstick junkie so I always want to try different ones.  I found mine at RiteAid on a great sale and stocked up.  This is my absolute favorite Chapstick.  It is silky smooth, feels amazing, stays moisturized and the little tube is so cute.  

Too Faced Natural Eye Shadow Palette: This was another Birthday gift from my sweet husband and I'm obsessed with it.  It is the prettiest nude palette that is perfect for everyday wear.  The palette is compact and easy to travel with and I wear the shades all the time.  They are super pigmented, silky smooth and last.  

Tazo Chai Latte: I love the chai latte from Starbucks.  I heard that they used the Tazo mix for their latte and I decided to give it a try.  For the price of one drink I can get a carton to make around 8 or more.  I mix mine with almond milk and usually make it hot but you can use any milk and serve hot or cold.  Now it's not exactly like the Starbucks latte but for the price and ease of making it at home I'll settle.  

Revlon Age Rewind Under Eye Concealer: After hearing raves about this stuff on YouTube I had to try it out myself.  It is a magic little product.  Super easy I use with a built in applicator and product itself is awesome!  It covers up my under eye circles really well and is super easy to use.  

Coffee-Mate Coconut Creme Coffee Creamer: I have discovered my favorite creamer ever this year.  Seriously I look forward to waking up in the morning so I can have my coconut creme coffee.  I heard about this from a blog and thought mmmmm coconut creamer I need to try that!  It is a little hard to find, Walmart was the only place I have been able to find it.  The flavor is delicate and not overly coconuty.  It is a slight just nice coconut flavor that really complements your coffee.  

Palm Beach Sandals: I have always been a fan of Jack Rogers, and have a pair myself, but they were always hurting my feet.  I collaborated with this brand over the summer and got to try one of their famous sandals.  They look just like the Jack Rogers (and honestly the price is about the same) yet they are more comfortable than my Jack Rogers pair.  The sole is a lot thicker and I feel like I get more support.  I wore mine pretty much everyday over the summer with dresses, shorts, jeans, etc.

Belif Aqua Bomb: I love a good moisturizer, this one blows it out of the water!  It is my absolute favorite!!  The consistency is almost like a gel.  It soaks into your skin so well and mouistirizes like no other.  After washing my face I slather this stuff on and my face has been really mouistirizes throughout this winter.  This is really awesome since I usually have dry dry DRY skin in the winter.  Lifesaver!!

Sugar in the Raw: I am never going to be able to drink my coffee black...just a fact.  I need some sugar and creamer.  These sugar packets take the guesswork out of how much to put in your coffee and it's a good portion control.  

Patagonia Re-Tool Fleece Pullover: yet another birthday present and I love it!!  It is so soft and cozy.  I wear it around the house, running errands, traveling.  It is so comfortable!  They are a little pricey but I love mine!!

Merona Boots: These boots have been on repeat for all the cold weather months this year.  They are the so comfortable and the perfect effortless boot.  

e.l.f. Contouring Blush Duo in St. Lucia: I heard about this on Pinterest based on it being a dupe for the ever so popular NARS blush in orgasm.  I don't have that blush myself but based on the swatches online it's pretty close.  This product in and of itself is great.  I am a huge fan of e.l.f. products and this doesn't disappoint.  Very pigmented, easy to blend and good color payoff. For $3, you can't beat it! 

The Duggar Family: Most of you know that I completely fell in love with the Duggar family in 2015.  I had never really watched them before and I just decided to give it a whirl.  That big family just drew me in.  I love learning about all the kids, seeing how they all manage and just the patience and parenting of Jim Bob and Michelle is really interesting.  I love how they stick to their faith even when it's hard and they stay true to themselves.  I have read one of their books (Growing Up Duggar) and I even got to hear (and meet!) Jessa and Ben.  I was really sad to hear about all the media controversy and issues going on with Josh but that family stuck to their beliefs. I think they handled everything with grace  and dignity.  I am so excited for the Jill and Jessa Counting On!!! 

Walmart Ponte Pants: I picked up these pants on clearance for I think less than $5.  I am absolutely obsessed with them! They are high waisted so they hold you in (you know what I'm talking about ladies) they are super thick so they cover you more than leggings but still are super comfy.  I now have about 4 pairs and I want more.  

Cinderella: Ask my mom what movie I played over and over when I was younger and her answer will be without a doubt Cinderella.  I have always been in love with fairy tales and I was so excited for the Cinderella remake.  This movie is magical and absolutely beautiful.  The characters are wonderful, I adore Lily James as Cinderella and the prince is quite dreamy.  It is such a well made remake, I highly recommend.

What did you love this year?  

10 favorites of 2014

10 things for 2014 by erin-rucker-richardson 

Here are the top 10 of my favorite things from 2014.  Yes a lot of them are recent and fall/winter related because I have a bad memory and can't think of things I loved at the beginning of the year but here alas here are my favorites of 2014:

1. 1989: Ok you knew this was going to be in my favorites I mean how could it not.  Taylor Swift did it again.  She is one of the few people who I can listen to an entire CD and love every single song.  If you haven't heard it (first of all where have you been) do yourself a favor and check it out!  

2. J crew pave link bracelet: Love this bracelet, goes with absolutely everything and looks classy! 

3. Harvest Snaps Snapea Original Green Pea Crisps: favorite snack hands down.  Perfectly crispy and salty and have this unique flavor and texture that leave you eating half the bag in one sitting...seriously I warned you.  

4. Almay Intense I-Color Bold Nudes, For Blue Eyes: This the the perfect eyeshadow.  It is so easy to apply, lasts all day and makes my blue eyes pop.  Seriously it even tells you where to put it.  Couldn't be easier and for less than $5 this one beat out my Naked and Lorac palettes.  

5. Essie Luxe Effects in Shine of the Times: This is the perfect glitzy top coat.  It is so unique because it has this amazing holographic effect that turns whatever polish you have on into a beautiful magical shade.  And it is different with each polish.  

6. Spotify: Free music...does that even need a reason why it is in my favorites other than that??  I mean really I can listen to new music and old music for free...seriously if you don't have any account sign up.  

7. Plaid Blanket Scarf: Beautiful, comfy, warm and absolutely perfect for layering.  This scarf is amazing!  The only thing I would change is to have gotten it earlier so I could wear it for longer.  

8. Designer Inspired Herringbone Vest: I am in love with this vest.  It is absolutely perfect and looks just like the J.Crew version only a fraction of the cost.  Unfortunately they don't have it on groopdealz anymore but they have added them a couple of times so keep your eye out.  

9. Aquaphor Healing Ointment Dry, Cracked and Irritated Skin Protectant: Ahh Aquaphor, this is seriously a life saver for dry chapped lips.  I use mine all the time and my lips have never looked better.  

10. Brother PE700II Embroidery Machine with USB Port: yes you read that right I got an embroidery machine!!  I actually ended up buying one for myself.  Overstock had a great deal on them for Black Friday and I couldn't help myself.  I am still learning how to operate it but have already monogrammed a few of my clothes and things so its a hit with me.

What were your favorite things for 2014?  I would love to try new things for 2015, let me know below!