My Favorite Things
“These are a few of my favorite things…”
One of my go to blogs is The Strategist’s weekly post, “What [Insert Celebrity here] Can’t Live Without”, where they ask famous people what their all time favorite products are. Vera Wang’s list (which includes $500 socks and McDonald’s fries, you guys!) is what made me decide to finally do my own list, and I might make this a regular thing featuring the lists of clients and wedding industry friends. For me, everything on here is something I buy regularly, have multiples of. If you know me, you might think, hey, what about Starbucks Mugs, red vines, and whiskey? They make my life enjoyable, but everything below makes life livable. Some of these have affiliate links, so if you click through to purchase, I may get a commission.
Kate Spade Phone Cases - I’ve only dropped and cracked my iPhone once and that was enough! These are super durable, come in many styles, are wireless charge capable, and less than $40. I’ve been known to wait to order a new phone until Kate Spade comes out with a case I like!
I found these a few years ago at my local Indie bookstore, and you can probably find them in yours. I work digitally, but organize on paper. I use one notebook for checklists and another for my journal. They’re made out of recycled paper, and there are a ton of style choices, easy to pop into a purse or tote.
Baggu - Standard Size Reusable Bag
Come to think of it, I found this for the first time in an Indie bookstore, too! There’s a running theme - many different patterns and colors to choose from, made out of recycled nylon, holds up to 50 lbs, and versatile - I can fit my wallet, phone and groceries/Target buy in here. They also fold up into a pouch, so you can drop another one into one, or into your purse. I use this as my every day bag - this is the one I’m carrying now. And, if you’re like me and can't wrap worth a damn, they make great gift bags! Practical, durable and cute.
JFG Coffee Filter Packs
According to Amazon, I have bought this 41 times, lol! 6 bags with 7 coffee filled filters each, just pop them in the coffee maker, no measuring, 8-12 cups of coffee from each filter. I actually need another order soon…
Coffee Mug Warmer
During the Pandemic, I was spending a lot of time with my computer in bed, because you know, Pandemic. I got tired of pouring a cup of coffee, working furiously on something for 10 minutes, only to reach over to a cold cup of coffee. This has 5 settings, shuts down when a mug isn’t put on in 15 seconds, automatically powers off after a few hours. I picked this one because it’s wide enough for my biggest coffee mugs. I got another one for my office.
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant
Historically, I’m not a big makeup or skin care person, but this is the one product I stand by, because it’s amazing. You can use it as a moisturizer, for breakouts, as a primer, and it even takes the pain out of mosquito bites! And it smells faintly of cocoa butter…sigh. One for the bathroom, one in the travel kit at all times. Ironically, I’ve gotten more into makeup and skincare during the Pandemic - when I’m either at home, or wearing a mask - so now there’s moisturizers and retinol and lipsticks all over my counter, and this, always this.
Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
I got a travel size bottle in a gift bag a couple of years - tropical heaven yumminess. Again, one in the bathroom, one in the travel kit. If you’re wondering why I smell so good, this is it.
Audible
Subscription
I go on a walk almost every morning, and I’m usually listening to an audiobook when I do it. Only non-fiction - Autobiographies, business books, stuff like that. It’s the same price or a little bit cheaper than getting a paperback. If the credits pile up, you can pause your account until you’re ready to start again. I double-fist when it comes to reading - for every audible book I’m listening to, there’s a fiction book on my nightstand!
KPCC Membership
Yes, I am also a member of my local NPR affiliate station, and I have the cup, hoodie and app to prove it! I was raised a news junkie, and I became addicted to ‘Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me’ on the weekends while driving to weddings. I gotta support the stuff that supports me.
All my favorite things are practical, pretty, efficient, dependable, with a large dash of fun, which is how I like to live my life. Everything in life -and business - should be easier, attractive, and within reach. It’s more possible than you think!
I’ll talk to you soon,
Elizabeth
p.s. For more tricks on how to make your life and business easier, click the link in the footer to grab my Free guide, “10 tips for saving 20 hours a week in your high-volume wedding business”.
