Category: My 5 Favorites

It’s Sweet Summertime, and I’m back with a favorites post! In these posts I share a wide variety of things I’m currently loving and enjoying. I hope you discover something that may just become a new favorite!

This post contains affiliate links. If you shop through one of these links, I may receive a small commission. Thanks for supporting the blog!

Bananagrams

I love finding a game that our whole family can enjoy, from the youngest to the oldest. I think we found that in Bananagrams! We started playing Banagrams several months ago, and it has quickly become a family favorite. A little easier than Scrabble, Bananagrams is brain-stretching while being plenty of fun! I’d highly recommend adding this game to your collection!!

Another family favorite is Racko! Did you ever play it as a kid? Check out the retro version here!

Cold Tea with Almond Milk

Tea is my favorite warm drink of choice! I’ve been drinking it since I was a very young girl. I still enjoy warm tea in the summer, but I’ve been wanting to add a colder, caffeinated drink to my afternoon routine. Recently a friend shared that she’d been drinking cold unsweetened black tea with almond milk. That was a simple choice for me to make too–it’s what I currently drink, just cold! I appreciated her suggestion. I guess I needed a little help to think outside the box!

If you’re also a tea lover, check out my favorite electric tea kettle that I’ve owned for 3 years!

Natural Deodorant

One of my favorite Instagram accounts to follow is Style This Life. (I’ll make her a BONUS favorite for the month.) It was through Style This Life that I learned about the company Public Goods. Style This Life often shares about this natural-based company, and I was especially intrigued when she mentioned her approval of their natural deodorant, specifically their crystal deodorant spray. I’ve been using it for over a month now, and it’s working for me. I will keep you posted as I continue to use it throughout the hot, summer months.

Check out Public Goods if you’re looking to add more natural items to your life! (*Please note: when you purchase from Public Goods they automatically sign you up for a free trial membership. Make sure to unsubscribe after receiving your purchase if you’re not interested in the membership.)

For $10 towards your first purchase, click here!

Audible Subscription

My husband gave me an Audible subscription for my birthday. He knows I love books and that I enjoy listening to them while I walk or drive or clean. I’ve had a couple free trials, and I recommend signing up for a trial if you’re not sure you want the full subscription. Some of my favorite books have been ones I listen to; you can’t beat a well-narrated audio book! I just recently listened to Rhythms of Renewal by Rebekah Lyons and Educated by Tara Westover

If you want to give Audible a try, sign up for their 30 day trial! Happy Listening!

Mercari

If you’ve been around here for even a short amount of time you know that I’m a big fan of second-hand shopping. I especially love buying clothes second-hand. Giving more life and wear to a piece that someone previously owned is one of my favorite ways to shop smarter. I would guess that about half my closet is second-hand, and I love it! ThredUp has always been my go-to online store, but I also recently discovered Mercari. Through Mercari I have bought 6 items and sold 4. Even if you’re not into buying second-hand, it’s a great place to sell your gently-used items.

If you want to give Mercari a try, click my link for $10 off your first order!

If you want to try thredUp, here’s $10 for first time customers!

What about you? What are some of your current favorites? I want to hear what you’re loving, so drop a comment below!

If you’re looking to catch up on past favorites, click here!

To find all my favorites in one place, make sure you check out my Amazon store.

Until next time,

Charissa (The Not So Busy Mom)

March is quickly coming to a close, so it’s time for a favorites post. I actually have not done one of these in a very long time. I have missed sharing the things that make my life easier, better, or just plain fun, so I decided to get back at it this month!

(This post contains affiliate links, so thenotsobusymom receives a very small commission if you make a purchase through the links. Thank you for supporting the blog!)

Joy Mangano Little Steamer

As much as possible, I try to buy clothes that don’t need much ironing. For years, if I did need to get wrinkles out, I would often just toss my clothes in the dryer. My new favorite way to release wrinkles is with the Joy Mangano Little Steamer. I absolutely love the ease of a steamer, and it truly does the job well!

For more on clothing & laundry check out:

7 Reasons to Shop ThredUp

The One Household Chore I Try to Do Every Day

7 Laundry Tips to Keep Your Clothes Looking Good & Lasting Longer

Oral B Electric Toothbrush

A couple years ago my dental hygienist suggested I switch from a manual brush to an electric toothbrush. For some reason, I put off her suggestion as long as possible. Then my son won an electric toothbrush in a raffle, and after seeing how well his worked, I decided it was time to finally get one. I love how clean my teeth feel after every brush. They are also whiter and brighter, so I’m hooked on my electric toothbrush now. I probably should have listened to my hygienist from the start!

Joy Mangano Huggable Hangers

As I’ve spent time editing my wardrobe, I’ve also looked for simple ways to clean and organize my physical closet. I have been wanting to buy nicer hangers for awhile, so this past Christmas I received the hangers I had been eyeing. Huggable Hangers keep my clothes from slipping onto the floor of my closet. They are also thin, allowing for more space within the closet. My closet is more streamlined and organized, and I like the way it looks when I go to pick out my clothes each day!

The Finest Hours by Michael J. Tougias & Casey Sherman

For 5 weeks I have the privilege and joy of being a long-term substitute teacher in a 6th grade English Language Arts class. The Finest Hours (young reader’s edition) was the book and literature unit they were reading/studying while I was subbing. I had seen the movie over a year ago, but I had never read the book. I was so very happy to get to read and dig deep into this true story of heroism that took place off the shores of my home, Cape Cod.

For more on books & reading check out:

5 Books that Have Inspired and Encouraged the Not So Busy Mom

I Didn’t Reach my 2018 Reading Goal, but Here’s What I Did Read

Quick Tip: Use Audio Books to End Car Squabbles

Old World Home (YouTube channel)

I have several YouTube channels that I enjoy watching. I enjoy channels that share, encourage, and inspire me as a wife and mom. One of those channels is Old World Home. I appreciate Hilary’s attitude and ideas. She strives to live well and has created a home that is simple and beautiful. Give the channel a visit; I think you might just enjoy Hilary and her channel, too!

Those are my 5 favorites for the month! If you’ve missed any of my prior favorites, you can click here to catch up!

What about you? What have you been recently loving? I’d love to hear about some of your favorites, so drop them in the comments below!

Until next time,
Charissa

 

Happy middle of January to you! Another month, another favorites post! This month’s favorites (like previous posts) are a little of this and that. I love sharing the things I am currently enjoying in the hopes of perhaps introducing you to something new!

(This post contains affiliate links, so thenotsobusymom receives a very small commission if you make a purchase through the links. Thank you for supporting the blog!)

Bolero Facial Wipes

I like to use facial wipes to remove my makeup each evening. I have tried a variety of wipes over the years. I don’t like to spend a lot of money on these types of products, so I was so excited when I found the Bolero brand at the Dollar Tree. Each season brings new “flavors”, and I am currently loving the Lemon Verbena & Mint and the Argan & Shea Butter. These products can sell for up to $11, so if you see them at the Dollar Tree, buy them!

Suave Leave-In Conditioning Cream

I read a very positive review of this cream in a magazine and decided to give it a try. I wasn’t sure what I was going to think about leave-in cream, but I have loved how this product works in my hair. I use just about a quarter-size amount, comb through the end of my hair (avoiding the roots), and usually rinse just a bit. My hair is definitely smoother and softer after using, so I am sticking with this product!

MIRA Water Bottle

My fifth grade daughter was in need of a new water bottle. My kids have always loved the camelBaks, but she was looking for a different style of bottle without a straw. I decided to buy her this MIRA water bottle for Christmas. She loves the design! It definitely keeps her water very cold all day, and it is easy to clean! I’m thinking about getting one for myself in the hopes of encouraging myself to drink more water!

Walking at Home

Walking is definitely my favorite form of exercise because it’s simple and fun! You can walk alone or with a group. You can walk in silence or listen to music or a podcast. In the winter there are many days when walking outside is not so easy, so I have been walking at home! Leslie Sansone has a program you can find on YouTube with a wide variety of “walks”. Pick a video and start walking. I have been very grateful for indoor walks this winter!

thredUP

(Recent thredUP purchase. You can check out this video to see me wearing it!)

If you have been around this blog for even a small amount of time then you know I love second-hand shopping. Online second-hand shopping is my absolute favorite. I have been shopping from thredUP for several years, so it needed to make it onto my favorites list one of these times. First time customers can get a $10 credit towards their first purchase! If you want to know more about thredUP and why you should purchase your second-hand items from them, you can check out this post.

To find more of my past favorites, click here!

What about you? What have you been loving? Drop some of your favorites in the comments below!!

Until next time,

Charissa

Continue reading “My Five Favorites (January 2018)”

It’s the middle of a new month, so I am back with my five favorites for the month of November. Each month I share with you some of the things I have been recently loving. Sometimes I even share longtime loves. Thanks for reading!

(This post contains affiliate links, so thenotsobusymom receives a very small commission if you make a purchase through the links.)

1. Peapod Grocery Delivery

Last year I shared 7 things I do to make my life a little easier. Number 2 on that list was: I order my groceries online. Where I live that happens thanks to Stop & Shop’s Peapod Grocery Delivery. I have loved Peapod because of how much time I save by not going to the grocery store. More recently, I have been loving how much money I save. The more I grocery shop online, the better I get at it. I have been staying under my grocery budget week after week thanks to Peapod. First time Peapod customers can get $20 off their order!

2. Slow Cooker Taco Soup

Because of our schedules on Wednesdays that is usually the day of the week I choose to do a crock pot (or slow cooker) meal. The other night I chose to make a soup from allrecipes.com that I have made several times, Slow Cooker Taco Soup. It’s tasty and easy. It’s the perfect simple meal for this time of the year!

3. Ebates

I love finding ways to save money while spending. I just began doing some Christmas shopping, and I have been making sure I shop through Ebates. It’s easy for me to earn cash back when I shop at any one of the 2,000 retailers listed on their site. Most recently I made purchases at Old Navy and Payless Shoes. Thanks to Ebates, I made a few dollars, too.  First time users can earn $10 by signing up through my link.  It’s a simple tool to use at this time of the year when we are shopping more than normal.

4. Suave Body Wash

I often use Suave Body Wash, and I don’t usually think too much about which kind I buy. A few months ago, though, I found their Almond Verbena and have named it my favorite! If you can’t find the Almond Verbena then you might want to try the Cocoa Butter and Shea. It’s probably my second favorite right now.

5. The Simple Show, Episode 88

The Simple Show with Tsh Oxenreider and a few other fabulous co-hosts has always been one of my favorite podcasts. I think Episode 88, No & Yes,  is an especially great one to listen to if you have been following my blog. They discuss the importance of no and yes in our lives. Take a listen!

Those are my 5 favorites for the month of November! I am looking forward to sharing more next month!

What about you? What is one of your favorites this month? I would love to hear from you, so leave a comment below!

For more of my favorites, click here.

Until next time,
Charissa

Continue reading “My 5 Favorites (November 2017)”

(This post contains affiliate links, so thenotsobusymom receives a very small commission if you make a purchase through the links.)

It’s the middle of a new month, so it’s time for another Favorites post!! Each month I like to share some of the things I have been recently loving. Here are my October favorites!

(We love hanging out at the beach…even in October.)

 

1. Dry Shampoo

If you have followed me for even a little while then you know that I like to find ways to make life just a little easier. One of the simple ways I make my life just a little easier is by washing my hair only a couple times a week. Dry shampoo is one of the main reasons I am able to make that happen. I have tried a variety of dry shampoo over the years, and right now I am loving Batiste in the tropical fragrance. It works so well and smells so good!

2. Linenspa Twin Mattress

If you read my post last week then you know I purchased a mattress online. Actually, I ended up purchasing 3 Linenspa mattresses online. We are very impressed with these twin mattresses, so I wanted to make sure I highlighted them again in this post. I looked for the least expensive mattress ($89.99) with some of the best reviews, and I stumbled upon Linenspa. You can click here to read my full review of the mattress.

3. CamelBak Water Bottle

My kids drink water at home, and they drink it throughout the school day. For the past several years our water bottle of choice has been the CamelBak. My kids love the designs. I think the size is perfect for them, and they hold up quite well. If you ever need replacement valves, you can buys those, too.

 

4. Simply Joyful Podcast

Where would I be without my podcasts? Truly. I know, it sounds a little dramatic, but I really find so much entertainment, encouragement, and inspiration while listening to a wide-variety of podcasts. My newest favorite is The Simply Joyful Podcast with Kristi Clover. As the name implies, Kristi and her podcast guests encourage the listeners to “live simply and be joyful”! Give it a listen!!

 

5. The Magic of Motherhood

Books will probably always make it onto my favorites post. I love taking the time to read or listen to books. A friend recently recommended The Magic of Motherhood, and I read it quite quickly. It is a collection of essays from about a dozen moms. The stories span the range of topics from infant loss to infertility to everyday mom-life. I truly appreciated the openness found in the words these mothers shared. I felt a whole range of emotions as I read their stories and thought deeply about my own journey through motherhood. The Magic of Motherhood is a great read and would also make a fantastic gift!

What about you? What are some of your recent favorites? I would love to hear about them, so leave me a comment below!

For more of my favorites, click here!

Until next time,
Charissa

Continue reading “My Five Favorites (October 2017)”

I’m back with a Favorites post! It’s always fun to share some of the things that I have been enjoying recently!

(This post contains affiliate links, so thenotsobusymom receives a very small commission if you make a purchase through the links.)

1. Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk

A friend of mine was reading Wolf Hollow and thought I might enjoy it. A few months later I was able to borrow the audiobook from my library, and I was hooked from the start! It’s a story about a 12 year old girl living in Pennsylvania (in post WWII times). It is a beautiful and bittersweet story about family, friendship, bullying, and overcoming difficult trials. I have listened to numerous audiobooks with my children and on my own, too, but I think this might be my favorite narration, yet. Read it, listen to it, whatever you choose, just grab Wolf Hollow soon!

2. Electric Tea Kettle

Many of you know that I am a tea drinker. (Sorry, Coffee.) I have had the same electric tea kettle for years and years, and a few months ago it finally boiled its last cup of water. I had been searching awhile for a replacement (even before my old one broke), and I was drawn to this one! I bought it about 2 months ago, and it is just right! I love the design, and it works so well!! This particular kettle comes in a variety of designs that would appeal to a variety of style preferences.

3. Audible

Audible is an audiobook subscription service through Amazon. I recently decided to give it a try with their 30 day free trial . I was able to finish listening to Wolf Hollow (after returning my library copy), and then I picked The Magnolia Story as my next audiobook. The story of Chip and Joanna Gaines (narrated by them) proved to be an entertaining choice!

4. Her View from Home

Her View from Home is a website that features encouraging, inspiring, and thought-provoking articles about marriage, motherhood, life inside the home, life outside the home, and so much more! Hundreds of women write for Her View, so the perspectives and insights are endless. I even had an article published on the site back in April. Check out the site and follow along on Facebook or Instagram!

5. Crockpot White Bean Chicken Chili

I am actually making this crockpot recipe today! I’m a big crockpot fan, and I’m a big chili fan! I have made this chicken chili from Dashing Dish many times, and it’s quite tasty! I’m looking forward to enjoying it later today!!

Those are my 5 favorites for the month of September! I am looking forward to sharing more favorites next month!

What about you? What is one of your favorites this month? I would love to hear from you, so leave a comment below!

Until next time,
Charissa

Continue reading “My Five Favorites (September 2017)”