Top Picks Tuesday // MAY

My TOP PICKS for Tuesday, May 19th

1. FOOD

// Cheese Curds from English Farmstead Cheese //
Just trust me, mkay? Never had it? Well bless your heart! Call them. I don't care how much it cost to ship (honestly, I have no clue what they charge for shipping!), just do it quickly and thank me later!

// Chocolate PB2 //
This is something I use almost daily. I add it to my Shakeology drinks. I love peanut butter. This is just a healthier, less fat, option. Pure peanut powder.

// Zoku Popsicle Maker //
According to my friend, Carey Pace, this is the best invention ever. Makes the perfect popsicle. We haven't yet purchased one, but it's on my wish list! Check out Carey's guest blog post for some amazing recipes.

// Wild Mountain Blueberry K Cups //
My most favorite coffee. Add a little honey and that's all you need for a tasty wake-me-up. Nuff said.

2. HEALTH & BEAUTY

// Simply Pink by Pink Sugar Perfume //
I got this as a sample from Ulta on my birthday. Happy Birthday to ME! Smells so...sugary! Simple, fun. I like it!

// Hinterland Trading Vintage Purple Canning Jars //
Perfect for homemade creams. Or you can use them for whatever your little heart desires because they are fancy and cute and would be perfect for anything.

// Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser //
Girl, get it. I actually stumbled upon this in my mom's makeup drawer one day (sorry mom! I'll always be a snooper! ...the drawer was open for what it's worth!). I don't have a lot of makeup knowledge and I'm not loyal to a certain brand. So if you are a makeup snob and don't like the store-brand stuff, well...pooey on you!! ha! But this stuff works and has a nice price for the amount of sleepless nights this can remove from the ol' face!

// Boiron Calendula Cream //
We love this stuff for boo boos, bites and burns.

3. PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT

// Canon 5D MIII DSLR Camera //
I use this camera for all of my professional sessions and I sometimes even use it for my own family!! It has amazing focusing capabilities, the image files are HUGE, the pricepoint is fair for a professional camera. It's all around just a beast. I'm much more in love with this version of the 5D than the MII. And! It uses SD cards! wahooo!

// Black Rapid Strap //
This isn't the exact strap that I have, but either way, it's a perfect camera strap for photo sessions, hiking, etc. It gives you extra piece-of-mind that your camera won't go flying out of your hand with the screw-in fastener to the base of the camera. It's comfy, although maybe not as stylish as some others, but it does the job and blends in with my outfit most of the time since I typically wear black for shooting weddings.

// Canon 50mm 1.2 Lens //
I shoot indoors a lot. The 1.2 focal length often times will save me (along with the high ISO capabilities of the MIII). I love it for portraits, babies, wedding details. I just like this lens. like. a lot.

// Targus USB Card Reader //
Works like a champ. Get's the job done. That's all ya need to know. I use it for CF and SD cards.

4. ART SUPPLIES

// Bible-Hi-Glider ACCU-Gel Highlighters //
So Smooooooth. Perfect for marking your favorite verses and highlighting where you want to come back to at a later time without bleeding onto other pages. And they look purdy! Get add-on for Bible journaling.

// Prima Marketing Chalk Fluid Edger Pad //
These are great little tool for edging your Bible, artwork with some nice color/texture. I also use them for stamps and just dab them onto the stamp face and, voila! The only problem is...I want all the colors!

// Sakura 6-pc Micron Ink Pen Set //
They are a must-have for any doodler, journaler, "arteest". They come in colors as well.

// Melissa & Doug Drawing Pad // 
Kids want to draw too! I love everything M&D. Their products are great and have a great price point. Right now, this drawing pad is $2.99. You can't beat that for a fairly nice quality of paper. They also make a watercolor paper pad that is great too!

5. TRAVEL

// The Wayward Traveler's Guide to Waterfalls and Back Roads (NC) //
We stumbled upon this little gem at a gas station while looking for a few falls on a spontaneous trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains. It led us to "Secret Falls" which really is one of the best-kept secrets of NC! It isn't so "secret" anymore because I've been telling everyone since. If you are traveling NC, you MUST get this guide to find the falls. And don't miss your turn!!

// Go Girl //
Oh, just making sure you are paying attention.
No. I've never used one. I'd just pop-a-squat if need be. But hey, whatever floats your boat! I mean, it allows you to "urinate while standing". Talk about technology advancements!!!

// Melissa & Doug Memory Game //
Great for kids who need some attention-grabbers! It might decrease the "are we there yet" pleas, maybe just a tad! My kids have always enjoyed this set. The little blue blocks lift off with a bungee-style setup, can keep score, and you can change out the theme often enough to keep them interested.

//  2016 Rand McNally USA Road Atlas (Large Scale) //
My husband introduced me to the atlas. Fancy thing, it sure it. And sure enough has gotten us out of some sticky situations! We've never been too lost!!

 That's it for today's picks!

Happy Shopping!

Top Picks Tuesday

*This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

My TOP PICKS for Tuesday, April 21st

1. BOOKS

//Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers//
By far one of the very best books I've ever read. I can promise that almost each "Books" section of my TOP PICKS list will include something from Francine Rivers for quite some time. Her writing style is my jam.

//The Crossway ESV Journaling Bible//
I don't even own one of these (because they are on backorder each time I go to purchase) but I already know it will be a TOP PICK for me! I can't wait to get my hands on one and start the creative process of journaling as I read through the Word! Have you seen the likes of what some arteests are doing with these things?!

//The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst//
The book our women's small group studied most recently. Lots of good little nuggets of truth and reminders packed in this pretty little black book. My life changed at the mention of Ephesians 1:15-19.

//Go, Dog Go//
Top kid pick right here. We love to read this book. It's our favorite. "STOPPPPP DOG STOPPPP!" We are quite dramatic with our reading aloud. The boys have always loved this one and like to "read along" with me and they never, ever, like my hat. :)

2. CLOTHING & SHOES

//Barely There Women's Custom Flex Fit Comfort Foam Wire Free Lift Bra//

It's about to get all personal up in here....
No wire would also be my jam these days since I'm a nursing momma. Just makes things easier and more comfortable. I have a hard time finding a good nursing bra that doesn't cost a zillion dollars that I actually like! This isn't a nursing bra BUT...it doubles as one since it is wire-free! And I can continue to wear it once we are done.

//Nike Boys Crew Socks//
Because all boys HAVE to have (a version of) these now. It should be a crime for socks to cost so much. But if you are a cool mom, you'll buy them, suck it up and eat cheese crackers for a week.

//Maxi Pants//
These are especially cute and have circulated Pinterest. Mine came from Family Dollar and are equally as cute and were only like $10...or maybe even less with their B1G1 50% off. Yes, you read that right. Family Dollar. Helping tightwads everywhere look cute and not bust the budget. You're welcome.

//Robeez Kelly the Whale Flat//
I am a big fan of Robeez. These are just precious!! We have a few pair, not exactly these...we have hand-me-downs, one pair I purchased new, one pair bought at a consignment store. They are some of my favorite shoes to put on the babies for just learning to walk and crawling around.

3. BATH & BEAUTY

//Plant Guru Raw African Shea Butter//
I recently bought this to make some whipped body butter using essential oils. I've yet to do that but we do dig into this stuff for moisturizing our hands and feet, as-is. It's lovely and works really well. I am waiting on my next batch of oils to make the whipped body butter. I can only imagine how much more I'll love it whipped with some lavender, or wild orange oil. mmmmm.

//NOW Solutions Sweet Almond Moisturizing Oil//
Favorite carrier oil for my essential oils. Favorite body moisturizing oil - helps get rid of static when you wear your maxi skirts to rub it on your legs. You're welcome! Also perfect for those ashy elbows and cracked hands. Great all-purpose oil.

//HeadBlade Ultimate Sport Razor & Refills//
And one for the fellas. My bald headed husband couldn't live without this fancy little contraption! Once you get the hang of it, it provides a nice smooth shave. Use with HeadSlick and you've got yourself a sweet, slick kissable noggin!

//Juice Beauty Green Apple Cleansing Gel//
It smells good. It's organic. It's a bit pricey. But it works!

4. BABY ITEMS

//Huggies Little Movers Diapers//
Typically I buy what is cheapest - I'm not brand loyal. There are a few things I'll splurge on but diapers typically aren't that. My go-to once I run out of "gifted" diapers is usually the Food Lion brand. I will say though, that in this case of going with the name-brand, I didn't "splurge" because of my Amazon Mom (Prime) account. These diapers are snug, they hold the massive amounts of pee that my child(ren) produce and they are cute with their little Minnie Mouse designs. I do prefer these over anything we've tried so far but unless they are on sale, I refer back to my thrifty store-name-brand! (Newborn size, I prefer Pampers Swaddlers.)

//aden + anais Muslin Swaddle Blankets//
This one is a given. Any mother who has been gifted these heavenly pieces of fabric knows why they are able to demand such a steep price for these suckers. They are perfect for warm weather babies. Make the best nursing drape for wigglers who hate to be covered. They are easy to clean...you can use a corner for spit up and still have plenty of blanket left for whatever you need it for. They also cover a carseat nicely so baby isn't blinded by the sun or wet by the rain. I love them. Can't praise them enough. Register for them, new mother. Buy them, dear friend-of-mommy-to-be.

//Original Moby Wrap (Black)//
Once you figure it out, you'll love it. If you don't love it, then you are weird! Nah, there are SO many baby carriers & wraps out there on the market. I'm sure I would love other name brand moby-style wraps just as equally. This just happens to be the brand that Alanna was given as her first Christmas gift! We chose black, and I highly recommend a darker color for the sake of...it drags the ground as you are wrapping baby. I haven't had to wash mine yet, but I'm sure if it were a light color, I'd notice the dirt and slobber stains more. Alanna loves to be "worn" and this one distributes the weight across the body so it causes less back pain, in my opinion anyway!

//MAM Silicone Pacifiers//
They are the perfect paci, says Alanna. They aren't heavy like the Soothies - which my boys loved...but we should've bought stock in because we lost so many! They have paci clips that fit the MAMs nicely, but you can also use other style clips, which is nice since ours always end up nasty looking!

5. HOME & KITCHEN

//Blue Mason Jar Measuring Cups//
If you Pinterest, (yes I just verb'd that!), then you've seen this cute little number. Precious. Anything Mason. Anything this-color-blue. And it doesn't help that kitchen gadgets are my weakness. 

//Dr. Bronner's Fair Trade & Organic Castile Liquid Soap//
I put this here because it is an all-around perfect soap for any need. It's gentile. It is perfect for facewash, handwash, booger wash....being that it is "baby mild". I mix it with some essential oils and a little water and voila! The perfect soap that lathers well and isn't harsh on our skin. 

//Aladdin Mason Jar Tumblers with Straws (set of 3)//
Confession: I bought two packs of these as gifts. Only TWO of said 6 tumblers made their way to someone else. (You're welcome!) The others are our go-to drink "glasses". I love the size, love the handle, the straws are fun! And....the look like mason jars! Seriously, get some. Oh, and they don't sweat!

//Vtech 10 piece Clear Glass Cabinet Knobs/Drawer Pulls//
These are the drawer pulls we used on our bathroom cabinets....the cabinets I still don't think I've blogged about. However, they are perfectly cheap, sparkly and fancy enough that it adds some girly charm to our boy-filled house! I love them and they make me smile when I gaze at them while I'm using the potty getting ready. I priced other crystal-style knobs...yeah these were in my budget. They've chipped slightly on the faux "chrome" and one broke off right out of the box. But you can't beat $15 for 10 knobs. 

 

6. TOYS

//Nerf Mega ThunderBow Blaster//
The boys love it. Parents even think it's cool. Pulls back like a regular bow & arrow and let me tell you, it shoots those bullets hard and fast!!

//Clue DVD Board Game//
My kids absolutely love this game. Granted, Clue always takes a level of know-how so the real littles can't really play this one. But we enjoy the DVD aspect. They always fight over who will be Colonel Mustard though....

//Fisher Price Laugh & Learn: Learning Piggy Bank//
Something for the littles. Teaches hand-eye coordination to put the coins into the slot. The music isn't loud or annoying (because face it, that's a HUGE factor of whether it will conveniently "stop working" and get thrown in the garbage or donated to the church or given to the inlaws!) This little gem has, too, been through three kids.

That's my list for today!!

Next time maybe I'll list some different categories. There are more in these same categories though, these just happened to be the first things that jumped in this brain of mine and were recalled as "favorites" of our family members.

Hope you are already enjoying these.
If not...go on....go shopping!!!
Have fun! :)