Favorites List

As the year is wrapping up, and so is the Christmas shopping, I was thinking about some of my favorite purchases ever.  I thought I'd post some in case anybody was looking for any recommendations.

Number one would have to be my vacuum cleaner. The Bissell Healthy Home 16N5 is an amazing vacuum with, according to consumers, the same abilities and near-same features as the famous Dyson vacuums.  All of that at less than half the cost?  (Granted, it's still a substantial cost.)  It's something I've loved everytime I've used it.  It's bagless so it's not for those who don't like to mess with the trash.  I just take mine out to the backyard & dump it out over the fence (we back to a wooded greenbelt, not any neighbors!).  I much prefer this than the bagged method.  And the ease of use was leaps and bounds beyond any other bagless vacuum, short of the Dysons.  If you need a new vacuum, I would recommend this without hesitation.  FYI: be prepared to all gather around the vacuum and watch it suck up mountains of dust & dirt off what you thought were perfectly clean floors.

Welcome to our new baby, the Eureka EnviroSteam Mop.  I've been itching to pass-along my high-maintenance Swiffer Jet Mop and replace it with a much more hygienic and conscientious steam mop.  Enter the EnviroSteam.  At the lower end price-wise of steam floor cleaners with a higher temperature (sanitizing) and durability, this one is also a goodie.  But, maybe the more popular Shark is an easier-to-use steam mop.

And how could I forget, my trusty side-kick, the Canon 60mm f/2.8 macro lens.  While my Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 lens is truly a remarkable lens, and one definitely worth buying, it floats just beneath the "oh-my-gosh-this-is-soo-amazing-i'm-freaking-out" threshold.  But just barely.  The Canon 60mm macro, however, is one step past that threshold and always takes my breath away with its milky bokeh and depth of field.

I called the lens my sidekick, so I'd better acknowledge my real sidekick before it gets jealous.  Th Apple iPhone 3GS.  What an amazing little friend I have here.  But, I think any other smart phone would be just as good.  When I think of all the times I had forgotten to add ingredients for dinner to the grocery list but was saved because of an app, or all the times I used the GPS to help me find a location because I hadn't checked the directions quite well enough, or all of the mega-and kilo-tons of data sent through text and photos to my husband during the days and weekends when he's not at home, I can't imagine going back to life without it.  And don't even get me started on how great it is to play WordJumble in those few minutes while waiting in line to pick up the children from preschool....

This next one surpassed my expectations.  The Cloud-B Twilight Constellation nightlights were my children's Christmas presents from last year actually.  I thought they would be fun and interesting for the children without being too bright, and they most certainly delivered in those regards.  But they're also so portable and lovable.  My children take them traveling so they double as security blanket and nightlight.  Pixie has the ladybug and the Imp has the regular turtle.

And, finally, an amazing treadmill for home use.  Oberon needs this for his health/happiness since his crazy schedule isn't giving him time for any other type of exercise.  And I need it so I can look like post-twins JLo.  Either way, we researched all the consumer reviews for treadmills and everything pointed in the direction of the Sole F80.  We ordered ours from Sears where they delivered & assembled it for free.  My husband likes to run fast and I need a solid, cushioned platform for my old lady knees.  We also need it to be quiet because of our small home.  Treadmills don't get more perfect than this and they certainly don't get better reviews!

There are a few other products, such as the Camelbak bite-straw spill-proof cup for children.  I can totally keep these in my purse with minimal leakage.
or my Brinsea Octagon Eco20 incubator.  Perfect incubations.  Perfect hatches.  Maybe I should get their brooder since my problems start at day 2 after hatch.

I can't forget my favorite Black Friday Walmart purchase from 2009 (besides the Playstation3 that was Oberon's christmas gift).  This Pyrex 20 piece storage set was $18 that day and I snatched it up right away.  I love that I can reheat my leftovers in them in either the microwave or oven.  And, I never have to worry about plastics leeching carcinogens into my food, or worse into the children's food, while reheating in the microwave.  And they're just so pretty, they make left-overs appetizing again.  Lids fit great as well.  Definitely a product I think everyone will love.  Though, truth be told, I would love to invest in a lot of matching Crate and Barrel's equivalents.

So many good things to choose from!  If I wasn't falling asleep while typing, I'm sure I'd think of more.

Comments

[Melva]

I agree with all those products you have bought, they have been great! my favorite is the camara lens because I get to enjoy pictures from the children and my CHICKENS!
I can't hardly wait to bring them with me. Papi says they are going to give me a citation from the Ladue CIty...but I'll tell you I'll fight to the end!